Optical Communication Subassembly Angled Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical communication systems face challenges in extending optical connections to smaller consumer electronic devices like laptops and cell phones, where alignment sensitivity and contamination resistance are critical, and traditional connectors are not adequately designed to handle these requirements.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical communication subassembly that includes optoelectronic devices and optical elements with light redirecting features, where a transceiver light coupling unit mates with a connector light coupling unit at an angle, causing the optical waveguides to bend and allowing for expanded beam coupling, which reduces sensitivity to contamination and relaxes alignment tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional optical connectors are used in smaller consumer electronic devices, then alignment precision is maintained, but the system becomes sensitive to contamination and dust
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional point-to-point optical coupling to expanded beam coupling, where the optical beam is expanded in transverse dimensions. This dimensional change allows the beam to be less sensitive to misalignment and contamination, as the larger beam area provides a greater margin for error in alignment while maintaining coupling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the beam parameters by expanding the optical beam using lens systems. The beam expansion ratio and divergence angle are adjusted to optimize the trade-off between alignment tolerance and contamination resistance, allowing the system to operate effectively in smaller devices with relaxed alignment requirements
2Adaptability or versatility
If expanded beam coupling is implemented, then alignment tolerances are relaxed and contamination resistance improves, but the optical path becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the beam expansion functionality directly into the connector assembly by incorporating lens systems within the connector housing. This merging of beam expansion optics with the mechanical connector structure eliminates the need for separate optical components, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the benefits of expanded beam coupling
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements in the connector serve multiple functions: they expand the beam for improved alignment tolerance, collimate the beam for reduced divergence, and maintain mechanical alignment between mated connectors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall optical path
3Volume of moving object
If the connector light coupling unit mates at an angle with the transceiver light coupling unit, then the optical waveguide can be bent to fit compact spaces, but the mating precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features such as alignment pins, guide surfaces, and keyed interfaces on the connector housings. These features pre-establish the correct angular orientation and positional relationship between mated connectors before the final mating action, ensuring that the waveguide bending angle is precisely controlled without requiring high precision during the mating operation itself
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 solution enables reliable optical communication in smaller devices by ensuring robustness against contamination and improving alignment flexibility, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of optical connections within these devices.
Implementation Method 1
Each optical element has an input side configured to receive incoming light and an output side configured to output outgoing light and is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light
Implementation Method 2
the light redirecting element being configured to direct light emerging from the optical waveguide such that the directed light beam has a diameter greater than the core diameter of the optical waveguide
Implementation Method 3
the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend
Data Source
AI summary
An optical communication subassembly includes one or more optoelectronic devices, one or more optical elements, and a transceiver light coupling unit. Each optical element is configured to change a divergence of the outgoing light relative to a divergence of the incoming light and is spaced apart from and optically aligned with a corresponding optoelectronic device. The transceiver light coupling unit has a mating surface configured for mating with a connector light coupling unit attached to an optical waveguide. A mating direction of the optical light coupling unit forms an angle with the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit such that when the connector light coupling unit mates with the transceiver light coupling unit, the angle between the mating direction of the connector light coupling unit and the mating surface of the transceiver light coupling unit causes the optical waveguide to bend.