Optical Module Halbach Magnet Assembly Without Adhesive Bonding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for bonding magnets in a Halbach array for optical modules are unreliable and costly, as they rely on adhesive resins that can lead to separation of magnets and increase workload and costs.

Innovation Solution

An optical module design featuring a magnet portion with a Halbach structure, where a first magnet and a pair of second magnets are supported by a package with a bottom wall, side wall, and restriction portion, preventing relative movement and eliminating the need for adhesive resins, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If adhesive resin is used to bond multiple magnets in a Halbach array, then the magnets can be assembled, but the workload and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet assembly capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the magnet assembly function with the package structure. The side walls and bottom wall of the package are designed to simultaneously hold multiple magnets in their correct positions, eliminating the need for separate adhesive bonding steps. This integration reduces manufacturing complexity and improves productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If adhesive resin is used to bond magnets, then magnets can be fixed together, but additional materials and processing steps are required, increasing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnet fixation capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes the adhesive resin from the magnet fixation system. By using the package structure's side walls and bottom wall to mechanically constrain the magnets, the patent eliminates the need for adhesive materials and the associated bonding process steps, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The optical module achieves improved reliability by preventing magnet separation and reducing costs by avoiding the use of adhesive resins, while efficiently utilizing the magnetic field for the movable mirror portion.

Implementation Method 1

a magnet portion (50) having an upper surface (50a), a bottom surface (50b), and a side surface (50s) extending from the upper surface to the bottom surface, and configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the movable mirror portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

a first magnet (51) including a first area (51b) of the bottom surface and applied with a force in a first direction (D1) from the upper surface to the bottom surface, and a pair of second magnets (52, 53)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentEP3667393B1Optical module and method for manufacturing optical module
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS KK
  • EP3667393B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3667393B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3667393B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An optical module includes a mirror unit having a movable mirror portion, a magnet portion configured to generate a magnetic field acting on the movable mirror portion, and a package accommodating the magnet portion. The magnet portion has a Halbach structure including a first magnet applied with a force in a first direction, and a second magnet applied with a force in a second direction. The package has a bottom walls portion, a side wall portion, and a restriction portion configured to restrict movement of the second magnet in the second direction. The movable mirror portion is disposed in a space formed by the restriction portion.