Optoelectrical Connector Module With Inclined Flexible Circuit Board
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optoelectrical connector modules face challenges in connecting optical signal lines to printed circuit boards at angles other than 0° or 90°, leading to high space consumption and significant bending and coupling losses due to the need for multiple optical connectors and redirection of light signals.
Innovation Solution
A flexible circuit board with a rigid support structure that allows for connection angles between 0° and 90°, reducing bending losses and enabling a compact design by using a flexible circuit board with a thin profile and a rigid support structure made of materials like ceramic or metallic alloys to maintain mechanical strength and facilitate thermal coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical modules are mounted on PCB to receive or transmit light perpendicular to the plane of the PCB (90° connection angle), then the optical signal can be transferred effectively, but the space consumption due to optical cable guiding becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the connection angle from the conventional 90° (perpendicular to PCB plane) to an inclined angle between 0° and 90°. This dimensional change in the light propagation direction allows the optical cable to be routed more efficiently, reducing the space required for cable guiding while maintaining effective optical signal transfer.
2Area of stationary object
If a flexible printed circuit board is used to bend the beam path for parallel light emission (0° connection angle), then space consumption is reduced, but the system becomes inappropriate for designing optoelectrical connector arrays on a single PCB since the first row blocks the second row
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable or adjustable mounting structure for the optical module on the flexible PCB, allowing the connection angle to be dynamically adjusted between 0° and 90°. This dynamic capability enables flexible configuration of connector arrays where rows can be positioned without blocking each other, while still maintaining space efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By enabling inclination angles between 0° and 90°, the patent creates additional spatial dimensions for arranging connector arrays. This allows multiple rows of connectors to be configured at different angles, preventing blocking while maintaining compact design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an optical coupler is used to redirect the light signal for angled connection, then multiple connectors can be arranged in an array on one PCB, but significant bending losses and coupling losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the optical coupler component from the system. Instead of using an optical coupler to redirect light, the invention directly connects the optical module at an inclined angle to the PCB, removing the source of bending and coupling losses while maintaining the ability to arrange multiple connectors in arrays.
4Length of stationary object
If the flexible circuit board is made thinner to reduce height, then a compact low-height design is achieved, but the mechanical strength and structural stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the flexible PCB, combining multiple layers with different material properties. This allows the overall structure to maintain thin profile for compactness while the composite layers provide the necessary mechanical strength and structural stability to support the inclined optical module configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to an optoelectrical connector module comprising a flexible circuit board (10) having a first region and a second region and a printed circuit board (PCB) (20) that is attached to the first region of the flexible circuit board, and an optical module (30) that is attached to the second region of the flexible circuit board. The optical module is configured to transmit and/or receive light signals. The optoelectrical connector module comprises further a rigid support structure (40) having a first and a second surface that enclose a defined angle. The first surface of the rigid support structure is thereby arranged in parallel to the PCB and the second surface of the rigid support structure is connected to the flexible circuit board opposite the second region.