Optical Module Adhesive Reservoir for Fixation Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical module designs face challenges in miniaturization and reliable fixation of movable portions due to complex structures and inadequate adhesive management, leading to potential adhesive flow issues and insufficient fixation.
Innovation Solution
The optical module incorporates a manipulation lever, support springs, and a reservoir portion with an outflow blocking mechanism, where the adhesive is stored and cured within the reservoir, preventing flow to unintended areas and ensuring reliable fixation of the optical axis adjustment mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solder or electrode is previously provided for fixing the movable portion, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the device structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adhesive from the conventional solder/electrode fixation method and contains it within a specifically designed reservoir portion. This allows the adhesive to be applied and cured in a controlled manner without requiring complex additional structures, thereby maintaining fixation reliability while simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir portion acts as an intermediary structure that manages the adhesive application process. It provides a controlled environment for adhesive placement and curing, eliminating the need for complex fixation mechanisms while ensuring reliable bonding of the manipulation lever to the substrate.
2Ease of manufacture
If adhesive is previously attached to the movable portion and then manipulation is performed, then the work process is simplified, but the adhesive may flow out to unintended portions
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir portion is pre-formed on the substrate before adhesive application. This preliminary structure defines the exact boundaries where adhesive should be contained, allowing the adhesive to be applied in advance without risk of outflow to unintended portions. The bay-shaped reservoir with its closed walls naturally confines the adhesive during manipulation and curing.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir portion provides localized containment exactly where the adhesive needs to be applied. By creating a specifically shaped bay structure at the precise location, the patent ensures that the adhesive remains confined to the intended area while allowing simplified application processes elsewhere in the manufacturing workflow.
3Device complexity
If the adhesive is contained in a bay shape without outflow blocking, then the structure is simple, but the adhesive may flow out during lever manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The outflow blocking portion is pre-formed as an integral part of the reservoir structure before adhesive application. This preliminary blocking feature, created through simple substrate processing, proactively prevents adhesive outflow during subsequent manipulation operations, ensuring fixation reliability without adding complex additional components or structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances the reliability of fixation for movable portions while preventing adhesive outflow, simplifying the manufacturing process and maintaining the miniaturization of the optical module.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive stored in the reservoir portion and fixing the manipulation lever to the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
In an optical module including an optical axis adjustment mechanism, the reliability of fixation of a movable portion is enhanced while an adhesive is prevented from flowing out to an unintended portion. An optical module includes an element portion, a manipulation lever, a bank, a support spring, and a reservoir portion. The bank includes a lever-opposing portion having a step face facing a longitudinal side face of the manipulation lever. The support spring is connected at both ends to the element portion and the bank. The reservoir portion is surrounded in a bay shape, in a plan view, by the manipulation lever, the element portion, the support spring, and the bank and stores the adhesive fixing the lever to the substrate. The reservoir portion includes, in the vicinity of a handle of the manipulation lever, an outflow blocking portion blocking the outflow of the adhesive before curing.