Optical Receptacle Asymmetry Reduces Reflection Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing optical modules face challenges in reducing reflection loss while maintaining manufacturing cost-effectiveness and quality, particularly due to issues with adhesive curing and alignment of optical components, which can lead to increased noise and potential deviations in the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
An optical receptacle with a recess and through hole design that allows for deviation of the optical axis, integrated resin molding for cost reduction, and an index for precise alignment, preventing adhesive localization and ensuring uniform bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If the optical fiber is deviated from the optical axis of the lens to reduce reflection loss, then the quantity of returning light by reflection is reduced, but the adhesive filling becomes non-uniform causing cure shrinkage stress and potential deviation of the condensing point
Solution Approach 1:
The optical receptacle employs an asymmetric structure where the optical fiber is intentionally deviated from the optical axis of the lens. This asymmetric arrangement reduces reflection loss by preventing returning light from re-entering the optical fiber, while the receptacle's asymmetric geometry accommodates this deviation without compromising structural integrity or alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical receptacle serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the optical fiber and the lens. It provides a structured interface with a specifically designed geometry that allows the optical fiber to be positioned at a deviation angle relative to the lens optical axis, thereby reducing reflection while maintaining proper optical coupling through the receptacle's structured bore.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an adjustment member such as a Z-axis adjusting fitting is used to reduce reflection loss, then the quantity of returning light by reflection is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the adjustment function from separate, expensive adjustment members (such as Z-axis adjusting fittings) and integrates it directly into the optical receptacle's structure. The receptacle's built-in asymmetric geometry provides the necessary angular deviation to reduce reflection loss, eliminating the need for additional adjustment components and reducing manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges multiple functions into the optical receptacle: it serves as both the mounting structure for the lens and light receiving element, and as the angular adjustment mechanism. By combining the receptacle's structural role with the angular deviation function, the design eliminates separate adjustment members and reduces overall manufacturing cost while maintaining effective reflection loss reduction.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the light receiving element is processed to be inclined to reduce reflection loss, then the quantity of returning light by reflection is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases due to additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of processing the entire light receiving element to be inclined (which increases manufacturing cost), the invention applies the angular deviation locally at the optical fiber interface within the receptacle. The light receiving element remains in its standard orientation, while only the optical fiber's entry angle is modified through the receptacle's asymmetric geometry, minimizing additional processing requirements.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a redundant member such as an inclined seating is used to reduce reflection loss, then the quantity of returning light by reflection is reduced, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical receptacle is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for optical elements, the angular adjustment mechanism, and the alignment reference. By making the receptacle universal in its functions, the invention eliminates the need for separate redundant members such as inclined seatings, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining effective reflection loss reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an optical receptacle capable of manufacturing an optical module thereby, while suppressing a manufacturing cost, preventing a quality degradation, and suppressing a quantity of returning light by reflection. In the optical receptacle, a recess for receiving a lens and a lens support and a through-hole penetrating from a bottom of the recess toward an exterior are formed, and the recess is formed so that an inner peripheral surface of the recess is fixed to a desired position with respect to an outer peripheral surface of the lens support, in a case where the lens and the lens support are received in the recess such that an optical axis of the lens and an optical axis of the optical fiber to be inserted into the through hole are deviated from each other.