Optocoupler Lens Layer for Light Transmission Efficiency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Optocouplers face inefficiencies in light transmission due to suboptimal design and manufacturing processes, leading to light loss and difficulties in achieving perfect light guidance between the optical emitter and receiver, especially when the components are closely positioned.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an isolation layer and a transparent encapsulant to create a light guide, along with an optical lens layer on the photo-detector, to enhance light transmission efficiency while maintaining electrical isolation between the optical emitter and receiver, and exploring various configurations such as diagonal or side-by-side positioning of the components to optimize space and manufacturing alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the optical emitter and optical receiver are positioned closely to improve compactness, then the device size is reduced, but light transmission efficiency deteriorates due to misalignment and light loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transparent encapsulant as an intermediary medium between the optical emitter and optical receiver. This encapsulant contains a light guide structure that actively directs light from the emitter to the receiver, serving as a mediator that maintains efficient light transmission even when the components are positioned closely together. The light guide acts as the intermediary element that resolves the conflict between compact positioning and light transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a lens layer with curved optical surfaces positioned at the optical receiver end. This curvature is designed to match and focus the light emitted from the optical emitter, improving light coupling efficiency. The spherical or curved geometry of the lens layer helps concentrate and direct light effectively, enabling high transmission efficiency in a compact configuration where the emitter and receiver are close together.
2Loss of energy
If a light guide structure is added to improve light transmission, then light guidance efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide structure with the transparent encapsulant that already serves as a protective housing for the optical components. By integrating the light guiding function into the encapsulant material itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate light guide components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining improved light transmission efficiency. The encapsulant simultaneously provides both structural protection and optical guidance functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent encapsulant is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a protective enclosure for the optical components, provides electrical isolation between the emitter and receiver circuits, and contains the light guide structure for efficient light transmission. This multi-functional design reduces the overall number of components needed, thereby reducing device complexity while achieving the light guidance improvement.
3Reliability
If electrical isolation is maintained between emitter and receiver, then galvanic isolation is achieved, but light transmission path becomes more difficult to optimize
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent encapsulant serves as an electrical insulator (maintaining galvanic isolation) while simultaneously containing the light guide structure that optimizes light transmission. The encapsulant material acts as an intermediary that provides both electrical isolation and optical guidance functions, resolving the conflict between maintaining isolation and optimizing light paths without requiring separate structures for each function.
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 proposed solution improves light transmission efficiency, reduces light loss, and allows for more compact and efficient optocoupler designs, addressing the challenges of component positioning and manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitted by the optical emitter may be transmitted to the optical receiver either via reflection, or directly from the optical emitter to the optical receiver
Implementation Method 2
an optical lens layer on the photo-detector, to enhance light transmission efficiency
Implementation Method 3
Incorporating an isolation layer and a transparent encapsulant to create a light guide
Data Source
AI summary
An optocoupler having optical lens layer is disclosed. The optocoupler may comprise an optical emitter, an optical receiver, an isolation layer, a lens layer and a substantially transparent encapsulant. The lens layer may be integrally formed within the optical receiver. Alternatively, the lens layer may be formed integrally with the isolation layer, or the lens layer may be an optical film attached on the optical receiver. The substantially transparent encapsulant may encapsulate at least partially the optical emitter, the optical receiver and the isolation layer. The isolation layer may be inserted to the substantially transparent encapsulant, making the substantially transparent encapsulant into two compartments. In another embodiment, an electronic system having optocoupler is disclosed.