Photoelectric Converter Waveguide Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photoelectric converters have a significant height due to the perpendicular arrangement of waveguides, which limits their compactness and integration in devices.
Innovation Solution
The photoelectric converter design features a waveguide integrated along the surface of the mount substrate, allowing the optical element's light emitting or receiving surface to face the substrate, thereby reducing the device height by eliminating the need for perpendicular waveguides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the waveguide is arranged perpendicular to the substrate to transmit light from the light emitting element, then the optical coupling function is achieved, but the device height is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is repositioned from a vertical arrangement (perpendicular to substrate) to a horizontal arrangement (along the substrate surface), changing the spatial dimension of light transmission. This dimensional shift allows light to travel parallel to the substrate rather than extending vertically, thereby achieving optical coupling while maintaining a compact device height.
2Length of stationary object
If the light emitting direction is arranged parallel to the wiring substrate by providing the electric connector on the side surface, then the device height is reduced, but the device height corresponding to the light emitting element and control IC element remains necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The electric connector is integrated directly onto the substrate surface where the light emitting element is mounted, merging the electrical connection function with the optical element mounting plane. This eliminates the need for separate side-surface connector arrangements and allows both electrical and optical components to be co-located on the same plane, reducing overall device height without compromising functionality.
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
This configuration effectively minimizes the overall device height, enhancing its compactness and suitability for integration in various applications, such as mobile devices.
Implementation Method 1
a waveguide which is arranged to extend from the light emitting element in the direction perpendicular to the one surface of the substrate and transmits the light emitted by the light emitting element
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to a photoelectric converter comprising: a mount substrate; an IC circuit provided on the mount substrate; an optical element adapted to have a function of converting an electric signal output by the IC circuit to an optical signal and emitting light, or a function of converting a received optical signal to an electric signal and outputting the electric signal to the IC circuit; and a waveguide adapted to effect an optical coupling between the optical element and an external optical device, wherein the optical element is held by the mount substrate and has a light emitting surface or a light receiving surface, the light emitting surface or the light receiving surface of the optical element being directed to the mount substrate, and wherein the waveguide is provided in the mount substrate along the surface of the mount substrate.