Optoelectronic Carrier with Segmented Contact Chambers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing optoelectronic devices require a variety of carrier devices tailored to specific operating parameters, leading to increased production and storage costs, as well as high development efforts due to the need for different geometric designs and component configurations for each parameter, resulting in inefficiencies and inflexibility.

Innovation Solution

A carrier device with multiple electrically conductive contact tracks and contact chambers that can be variably configured to accommodate different optoelectronic components, allowing for flexible installation and electrical contacting of optoelectronic transmitters and receivers, while preventing optical crosstalk through optically isolated contact chambers and using an overmolded leadframe with segmented conductor strips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a variety of optoelectronic devices are provided for each operating parameter to be measured, then measurement capability is improved, but production cost and storage cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement capabilityVSAvoidproduction cost and storage cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal carrier device that can accommodate multiple different optoelectronic components (transmitters and receivers) through standardized contact chambers and electrically conductive contact tracks. This single carrier design replaces the need for multiple specialized carrier devices, enabling one carrier to serve multiple measurement functions while reducing production and storage costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier device is segmented into multiple contact chambers, each capable of holding different optoelectronic components. This segmentation allows flexible configuration where specific chambers can be populated with transmitters or receivers depending on the measurement requirement, while other chambers remain empty or contain different components, enabling versatile measurement capability from a single carrier.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If carrier devices are adapted to specific optoelectronic components with specific geometric designs, then component compatibility is improved, but development effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent compatibilityVSAvoiddevelopment effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal carrier device with standardized contact chambers and electrically conductive contact tracks that can accommodate multiple types of optoelectronic components. This universal design eliminates the need to develop separate carrier geometries for different components, significantly reducing development effort while maintaining compatibility through the standardized interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The carrier device enables dynamic reconfiguration of optoelectronic components through the standardized contact chamber design. Different components can be installed or removed from contact chambers depending on measurement requirements, allowing the system to adapt to different applications without requiring physical modification of the carrier itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If contact chambers are optically isolated, then optical crosstalk is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical crosstalk preventionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier device divides the contact area into multiple separate contact chambers that are optically isolated from each other. This segmentation prevents optical crosstalk between adjacent transmitters and receivers by providing physical separation within each chamber, while the overall carrier remains a single integrated component that can be manufactured using standard processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3408865B1Device carrier comprising contact chambers for an optoelectronic apparatus
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 VISHAY SEMICON GMBH
  • EP3408865B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3408865B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3408865B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention presents an optoelectronic apparatus, in particular an optoelectronic sensor apparatus, comprising a carrier device (12) which has a longitudinal extent and a transverse extent, wherein the carrier device (12) has a leadframe with a plurality of electrically conductive contact tracks (92, 92') which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal extent, and wherein the carrier device has, on a top side, a plurality of contact chambers which are oriented parallel to the transverse extent and are formed by separating webs (104). Each of the contact tracks (92, 92') can be electrically contacted in each contact chamber in order to be able to install at least one optoelectronic transmitter (40) and/or at least one optoelectronic receiver (42) in the respective contact chambers with variable population.