PCB Laminated Optical Coupler Assembly for Precise Element Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical couplers face alignment issues due to manufacturing tolerances of housing halves, affecting optical coupling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A printed circuit board laminated device with a circuit board unit, bracket unit, and cover plate unit that securely holds first and second coupled elements, allowing precise positioning and reducing misalignment between light emitting and optical sensing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light emitting element and optical sensing element are respectively disposed on lower housing half and upper housing half, then the optical coupler can be constructed with separate housing halves, but alignment between the elements becomes difficult to achieve due to manufacturing tolerance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light emitting element and optical sensing element onto the same circuit board body, eliminating the need for separate housing halves. This integration ensures precise alignment between the elements while maintaining the modular structure of the optical coupler, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Ease of operation
If housing halves are used to separate light emitting and sensing elements, then the device can be assembled from separate parts, but misalignment and deflection occur affecting optical coupling effect
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating both elements on the same circuit board, the patent eliminates misalignment and deflection issues that occur with separate housing halves, thereby improving the reliability of the optical coupling effect while maintaining ease of assembly through the modular circuit board design.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit board acts as an intermediary substrate that precisely positions both the light emitting element and optical sensing element relative to each other, ensuring stable alignment and reliable optical coupling without the need for separate housing halves.
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
Improves reliability and compatibility by ensuring accurate alignment and reducing misalignment and deflection between coupled elements, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted from the light emitting element is detected by the optical sensing element through the light passageway
Data Source
AI summary
A printed circuit board laminated device includes a circuit board unit, a bracket unit, a cover plate unit and a coupled unit. The circuit board unit includes a first control circuit and a second control circuit disposed on a circuit board body. The bracket unit includes a hollow bracket body disposed on the circuit board unit along a laminating direction. The cover plate unit is disposed on the bracket unit along the laminating direction and opposite to the circuit board unit to cooperatively define a compartment. The coupled unit includes first and second coupled elements which are securely connected with the circuit board body and in the compartment and which are respectively and electrically connected with the first and second control circuits. The second coupled element responds to the first coupled element to generate a sensing signal.