Optical Path Change Element with Protruded Faces for Reliable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical path change elements for optical coupling devices are prone to damage and moisture issues, leading to decreased light usage efficiency and accuracy, and their block-shaped design hinders downsizing and board integration due to increased height when covered for protection.
Innovation Solution
An optical path change element with a second facet having protruded faces that are spaced from the reflection faces, allowing for accurate film formation and protection without shadowing, and a cover member that minimizes space and prevents damage, enabling downsizing while maintaining stable coupling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the optical path change element is designed as a block shape with V-shaped groove to protect reflection faces, then the reflection faces are protected from damage, but the device height increases and board integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a block-shaped design with vertical protection to a flat plate-shaped design where the cover member lies substantially in the same plane as the reflection faces. This dimensional change allows protection without increasing device height, enabling board integration while maintaining reliability of the reflection faces.
2Reliability
If a cover member is added to protect the reflection faces, then damage and moisture issues are prevented, but the device size increases and downsizing is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an adhesive layer (similar principle to fluid bonding) to bond the cover member to the optical path change element, creating a sealed structure that protects reflection faces from damage and moisture without requiring additional mechanical fasteners or bulky protective structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover member is designed to substantially coincide with the plate shape and lie in the same plane, transforming the protection mechanism from a vertical addition to a planar integration, thus minimizing volume increase while maintaining protective function.
3Reliability
If the reflection faces are placed in a V-shaped groove, then they are protected from damage, but film formation becomes difficult due to shadowing effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the reflection faces from the V-shaped groove configuration and places them on a flat upper surface of the optical path change element. This extraction eliminates the shadowing problem during film formation while maintaining protection through the planar cover member design.
4Volume of moving object
If the optical coupling device is downsized for board integration, then space is saved, but the reflection faces become more vulnerable to damage and environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective function with the existing plate-shaped structure by making the cover member substantially coincide with the plate shape. This integration provides protection against damage and environmental factors without requiring additional space, enabling downsizing while maintaining reliability.
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 solution ensures stable and efficient optical coupling without environmental dependencies, allowing for board integration while maintaining high coupling efficiency and reducing the risk of damage and moisture-related issues.
Implementation Method 1
a second facet having a predetermined radius of curvature and provided with a reflection face to reflect light beams incident from the first facet
Data Source
AI summary
An optical path change element includes a first facet that receives incidence of light beams outgoing from outgoing portions of a first optical element, a second facet that has a predetermined radius of curvature and is provided with a reflection face to reflect the incident light beams from the first facet, and a third facet causing the light beams reflected on the reflection face to outgo to the incident portions of a second optical element. The second facet has protruded faces spaced from the reflection faces. Virtual planes tangent to the protruded faces are defined. At least one of the virtual planes covers the reflection face without being tangent to the reflection face and being parallel with a tangent plane at an arbitrary point of the reflection face.