Optical Module Housing Segmentation for Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to achieve increased transmission capacity and downsizing of optical modules while maintaining convenience in maintenance, as the increased transmission capacity requires more wirings, which becomes difficult to manage in a smaller housing, especially when the housing is downsized and maintenance becomes less convenient.
Innovation Solution
The optical module design includes a housing with separate openings for electric signals and an optical signal port, featuring substrates for signal input/output, an optical subassembly, and a control circuit, where the second opening is sealed by an electromagnetic radiation blocking means, such as conductive rubber, to prevent radiation leakage and allow for convenient maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the transmission capacity is increased and housing is downsized, then the transmission capacity and compactness are improved, but the convenience in maintenance deteriorates due to difficulty in providing maintenance wirings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into two separate openings: a first opening for electric signals related to optical subassembly operations, and a second opening for electric signals related to maintenance operations. This segmentation allows maintenance wirings to be provided through the second opening independently, solving the problem of difficulty in providing maintenance wirings in downsized housings while maintaining high transmission capacity through the first opening.
2Productivity
If more wirings are provided for increased transmission capacity, then the transmission capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases making wiring management difficult in narrow areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wiring functions by providing separate openings for different purposes: the first opening for optical subassembly-related electric signals and the second opening for maintenance-related electric signals. This segmentation simplifies wiring management by organizing different signal types into separate physical pathways, reducing complexity in the housing interior even when transmission capacity is increased.
3Volume of moving object
If the housing is downsized, then the compactness is improved, but the space for providing maintenance wirings is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides a dedicated second opening specifically for maintenance wirings, separate from the first opening used for optical subassembly signals. This ensures that even in a downsized housing, there is dedicated space and pathway for maintenance wirings, allowing compact design while maintaining ease of maintenance operations.
4Reliability
If separate openings are provided for different electric signals, then the signal isolation and maintenance convenience are improved, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides separate openings for different electric signal purposes, which isolates signals and prevents interference. The first opening handles optical subassembly signals while the second opening handles maintenance signals. This segmentation improves reliability through signal isolation while the modular nature of separate openings keeps the structural complexity manageable.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If the second opening is sealed with electromagnetic radiation blocking means, then the electromagnetic radiation leakage is prevented, but the ease of maintenance access is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic radiation blocking function from the housing structure itself and implements it as a separate removable component (electromagnetic radiation blocking means) that can be taken out when maintenance is needed. This allows the second opening to be sealed during normal operation to prevent electromagnetic radiation leakage, while enabling easy access during maintenance by simply removing the blocking means.
Solution Approach 2:
The electromagnetic radiation blocking means is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be inserted to block electromagnetic radiation during normal operation and removed to provide access during maintenance. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between preventing electromagnetic radiation leakage and enabling maintenance access.
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 transmission capacity and reduces housing size while ensuring convenient maintenance by concentrating wiring for the optical subassembly and providing auxiliary wiring for control circuit operations, preventing crosstalk and ensuring communication quality even when multiple modules are arranged closely.
Implementation Method 1
the second opening is sealed by an electromagnetic radiation blocking means
Data Source
AI summary
The optical module includes a housing having a first opening for inputting or outputting a first electric signal, a second opening for inputting or outputting a second electric signal, and an optical signal port, one or more substrates disposed in the housing, to/from which the first electric signal is input/output and to/from which the second electric signal is input/output, an optical subassembly disposed in the housing and optically connected to the optical signal port, and a control circuit disposed in the housing and mounted on the substrate for controlling the optical subassembly, wherein the first electric signal is an electric signal input to or output from the optical subassembly, the second electric signal is an electric signal input to or output from the control circuit, and the second opening is provided on one side different from other side of the housing on which the first opening is provided.