Optoelectronic Module Interlock for Safe Illumination Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Optoelectronic modules in mobile devices face safety hazards due to potential damage or contamination of optical components, which can compromise eye safety and require separate manufacturing for different orientations, leading to inefficiencies and increased complexity.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an interlock feature with a transparent substrate and terminals that monitor electrical parameters, allowing for detection of damage and enabling adjustable illumination orientations without the need for multiple module configurations, while simplifying manufacturing and improving measurement accuracy through four-point probe sensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate manufacturing is used for different orientations, then illumination orientation can be matched to camera field of view, but device complexity and manufacturing efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination orientationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal optoelectronic module design where a single module can operate in multiple orientations (portrait and landscape) by rotating the transparent substrate. The interlock feature with multiple contact points ensures electrical connectivity is maintained regardless of substrate orientation, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing lines for different orientations and reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Power

If high power radiation-emitting devices are used, then illumination performance is improved, but safety hazards worsen due to potential eye damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical output powerVSAvoideye safety

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates an interlock feature that establishes electrical connectivity between the radiation-emitting device and the control circuitry before the module becomes operational. This preliminary connection ensures that safety monitoring is active from the moment the module is assembled, allowing the system to detect substrate damage or contamination and prevent operation that could cause eye safety hazards, while still enabling high power output when conditions are safe.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If optical components are placed close to radiation-emitting device, then field of illumination is optimized, but safety risk increases if components are damaged or contaminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of illuminationVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the interlock feature continuously monitors the electrical connection between the radiation-emitting device and the transparent substrate. When the substrate is damaged or contaminated, the electrical connection changes, triggering a feedback signal to the control circuitry that immediately adjusts or shuts down the radiation output, thereby maintaining safety while allowing optical components to be positioned close together for optimized illumination field.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 interlock feature ensures safe operation by detecting damage and adjusting illumination orientations, simplifies manufacturing, and enhances measurement precision, reducing the risk of safety hazards and production costs.

Implementation Method 1

the control unit is configured to: supply an electrical current though the interlock feature; monitor an electrical parameter associated with the interlock feature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20230408697A1Optoelectronic module comprising an interlock feature

Publication Date: 2023.12.21 AMS OSRAM ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD

AI summary

An optoelectronic module comprising: a radiation-emitting device; a housing comprising a wall or walls laterally surrounding the radiation-emitting device; two or more terminals disposed on a surface of the wall or walls; a transparent substrate abutting the housing, the transparent substrate comprising an interlock feature; a control unit coupled to the two or more terminals, wherein the control unit is configured to: supply an electrical current though the interlock feature; monitor an electrical parameter associated with the interlock feature; wherein the terminals are arranged such that: when the transparent substrate is in a first orientation about an optical axis of the radiation-emitting device, the interlock feature is coupled to at least two of the two or more terminals and the optoelectronic module is operable to provide a field of illumination in a first illumination orientation; and when the transparent substrate is in a second orientation about the optical axis of the radiation-emitting device, the interlock feature is coupled to at least two of the two or more terminals and the optoelectronic module is operable to provide a field of illumination in a second illumination orientation different from the first illumination orientation.