Optical Repeater with Differential Thermal Expansion for Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment of optical connectors and substrates due to differences in the coefficient of linear expansion during temperature changes, leading to signal loss and connectivity issues.
Innovation Solution
An optical repeater with a body part made from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than the substrate, combined with a reinforcing member having a smaller coefficient of linear expansion, is positioned between the substrate and optical connector to suppress misalignment. The reinforcing member surrounds the optical paths and end-faces to stabilize the optical fibers and lens parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the optical connector and substrate are directly connected, then the device structure is simple, but misalignment occurs due to different coefficients of linear expansion during temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
An optical repeater is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical connector and substrate. The repeater includes a body part made from material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than the substrate, and a reinforcing member with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion. This intermediary structure compensates for the expansion difference between the optical connector and substrate, maintaining alignment stability while allowing direct connection architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter (coefficient of linear expansion) of the optical repeater body part to be greater than that of the substrate. This parameter change allows the repeater to compensate for the expansion difference between the optical connector and substrate during temperature changes, resolving the alignment stability issue while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If a reinforcing member with smaller coefficient of linear expansion is added to the optical repeater, then alignment stability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing member is strategically placed only in specific locations within the optical repeater where it is most needed to prevent misalignment. The member surrounds the optical paths on the substrate side, providing localized reinforcement without adding complexity to the entire device structure. This selective placement maintains alignment stability while minimizing structural complexity.
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
Effectively suppresses misalignment and signal loss by aligning the optical fibers and lens parts, ensuring stable optical connections despite temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate; and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part
Data Source
AI summary
An optical repeater to be arranged between a substrate and an optical connector, the optical repeater includes: a body part including a plurality of optical paths to transmit an optical signal between the substrate and the optical connector, a substrate-side end-face in which one end of each of the optical paths opposes the substrate, and a connector connecting part to connect another end of each of the optical paths to the optical connector, the body part being configured from a material with a greater coefficient of linear expansion than that of the substrate; and a reinforcing member arranged so as to surround the optical paths in a side to the substrate-side end-face, the reinforcing member being configured from a material with a smaller coefficient of linear expansion than that of the body part.