Removable Lens Unit for Optical Waveguide Circuit Board Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit board connectors for optical signal transmission are permanently attached, making recycling difficult, components non-replaceable, and leading to high disposal costs due to the need for replacing entire boards when one component fails.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a removable lens unit with a securing unit that allows for easy detachment and reattachment, enabling recyclability and reusability by allowing the lens unit to be replaced independently, and facilitating a light-conducting connection between a circuit board and an optical waveguide with adjustable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the circuit board connector is permanently attached to the circuit board, then the mounting accuracy and structural stability are improved, but the recyclability and ease of repair deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a connector housing permanently mounted on the circuit board, and a removable lens unit that can be detached and replaced independently. This segmentation allows the stable permanent mounting of the housing while enabling easy replacement of the lens unit, resolving the contradiction between structural stability and ease of repair.
2Reliability
If the entire circuit board is replaced when a component fails, then the reliability is maintained, but the loss of time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the connector into a permanent housing and a removable lens unit, the system allows replacement of only the defective lens unit rather than the entire circuit board. This maintains system reliability while significantly reducing replacement time and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens unit is extracted as a separate replaceable component from the connector housing. This extraction enables independent replacement of the lens unit without affecting the housing or circuit board, reducing waste and maintenance time while maintaining reliability.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lens unit is permanently fixed in the connector housing, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability and recyclability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a permanently mounted housing (ensuring manufacturing precision) and a removable lens unit (enabling recyclability). The housing remains fixed with high precision mounting, while the lens unit can be removed and replaced, achieving both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens unit transitions from a fixed state during operation to a removable state for maintenance or recycling. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain precise mounting during use while enabling adaptability and recyclability when needed.
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 design enhances recyclability and reusability by allowing for non-destructive disassembly and replacement of defective components, reducing waste and maintenance costs while maintaining reliable optical data transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The lens unit is light-conductively connectable to a transmitter/receiver unit disposed on the circuit board and to at least one optical waveguide of the mating connector
Data Source
AI summary
A connector for connecting a circuit board to a mating connector includes a connector housing, a lens unit and a receiving unit. The connector housing has a receiving chamber and is connectable to a mating connector housing of the mating connector. The lens unit is disposed in the receiving chamber and is light-conductively connectable to a transmitter/receiver unit disposed on the circuit board and to at least one optical waveguide of the mating connector. The securing unit has two mounting arms and a securing portion connecting the mounting arms, the securing unit being releasably connected via the mounting arms at two opposite side walls of the connector housing, and the securing portion securing the lens unit in place within the receiving chamber.