Optical Receptacle Insulating Ring Ground Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical transceiver modules face challenges in electrically isolating the signal ground from the chassis ground, particularly in smaller formats, where solutions like using isolating resin complicate assembly or require expensive and space-consuming plastic cages.

Innovation Solution

A receptacle with an electrically insulating ring portion made of materials like ULTEM, which attaches to the metallic housing to prevent electrical contact between the signal ground and chassis ground, maintaining electromagnetic shielding while allowing for compact and cost-effective implementation in both small and large formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a metallic receptacle is used to provide electromagnetic shielding, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but electrical isolation between signal ground and chassis ground deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectromagnetic shieldingVSAvoidelectrical isolation between grounds

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle is divided into multiple material zones: a metallic portion for electromagnetic shielding and an electrically insulating portion for ground isolation. This segmentation allows each portion to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the receptacle have different material properties: the first portion is metallic for shielding while the second portion is electrically insulating for isolation. This local differentiation of material quality enables simultaneous achievement of shielding and isolation requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If isolating resin is used to electrically isolate the receptacle from housing, then electrical isolation is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a molded insulating portion integrated into the receptacle structure, replacing complex multi-step assembly processes with a single molded component that provides both structural and electrical isolation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrically insulating portion is merged with the metallic portion to form an integrated receptacle structure, combining mechanical support, electromagnetic shielding, and electrical isolation functions into a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a plastic cage is used to electrically isolate the receptacle, then electrical isolation is improved, but device size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidmodule size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The electrically insulating portion is nested within or adjacent to the metallic portion of the receptacle, utilizing the existing receptacle space rather than adding external isolation structures like a plastic cage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating portion functions as a thin barrier between the receptacle and housing, providing electrical isolation without requiring the bulk and complexity of a full plastic cage structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution effectively isolates signal ground from chassis ground without complicating the assembly process or increasing module size, ensuring reliable operation in various transceiver formats while maintaining electromagnetic shielding.

Implementation Method 1

The third portion comprises an electrically insulating material such that coupling the third portion to the transceiver module housing electrically isolates the signal ground from the chassis ground

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS7665903B2Optical receptacle having an electrically isolating ring for electrically isolating the signal ground and the chassis ground in an optical transceiver module

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE LTD

AI summary

A receptacle is provided that is suitable for use in smaller and larger format transceivers and that eliminates problems associated with electrically isolating the signal ground and chassis ground from each other. The receptacle is identical in shape to the receptacle currently used in the transceiver module, but the portion of the receptacle that comes into physical contact with metallic housing of the transceiver module is made of an electrically insulating material rather than metal so that no electrical current passes between the metallic portions of the receptacle and the metallic transceiver module housing. Thus, the signal ground of the TO header on which the transmitter or receiver package is based is electrically isolated from the chassis ground attached to the housing of the transceiver module. Because the shape of the receptacle is not altered from its current shape, the assembly process for assembling the transceiver module is not further complicated.