Shared Thermoelectric Cooler for Multi-SOD Temperature Regulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor optical devices (SODs) require individual active cooling devices for temperature regulation, leading to increased cost and space consumption, especially in applications with multiple SODs.
Innovation Solution
An optical assembly utilizing a single thermoelectric cooler (TEC) to regulate the temperature of multiple SODs, with a controller managing heat transfer direction and current flow to optimize cooling based on which SOD is emitting, allowing one TEC to serve multiple SODs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If each SOD is equipped with its own active cooling device, then temperature regulation precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple active cooling devices that were previously used separately for each SOD are merged into a single shared cooling device. The cooling device includes a cooling element with multiple cooling contacts that can be selectively coupled to different SODs, consolidating what would have been multiple separate cooling systems into one unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The single active cooling device is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple SODs. The cooling element has multiple cooling contacts that can be selectively coupled to different SODs through switching circuitry, allowing the same cooling device to regulate temperature for any of the multiple SODs as needed.
2Reliability
If each SOD is equipped with its own active cooling device, then temperature control reliability is improved, but space consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple active cooling devices are merged into a single shared cooling device with multiple cooling contacts. This consolidation reduces the total space required while maintaining the ability to reliably control temperatures of multiple SODs through selective coupling via switching circuitry.
Solution Approach 2:
The single cooling device achieves multi-functionality by incorporating multiple cooling contacts and switching mechanisms, allowing it to serve multiple SODs reliably without requiring separate dedicated cooling devices for each SOD, thereby reducing overall space consumption.
3Device complexity
If a single active cooling device is shared among multiple SODs, then cost and space are reduced, but temperature regulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Switching circuitry acts as an intermediary between the single active cooling device and multiple SODs. This intermediary selectively couples the cooling element to specific SODs as needed, managing the complexity of sharing a single cooling device among multiple SODs while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors monitor the temperatures of individual SODs and provide feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry uses this feedback to determine which SOD needs cooling and activates the appropriate cooling contacts, automatically managing the shared cooling resource without requiring manual intervention.
4Ease of manufacture
If multiple SODs share a single active cooling device, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but control precision for individual SODs may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Switching circuitry serves as an intermediary that enables precise individual control of each SOD's cooling while using a single shared cooling device. The switching mechanism ensures that when a specific SOD requires cooling, the cooling element is selectively coupled to that SOD, maintaining control precision equivalent to having dedicated cooling devices for each SOD.
Solution Approach 2:
Individual temperature sensors on each SOD provide feedback to the control circuitry, enabling precise control of cooling for each SOD. The control circuitry processes this feedback and activates the appropriate cooling contacts with high precision, ensuring that each SOD receives the exact cooling it needs despite sharing a single cooling device.
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 solution conserves cost and space by effectively regulating the temperature of multiple SODs with a single active cooling device, enhancing efficiency and reducing the complexity of multi-SOD electronic apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred from the cold thermally conductive plate to the hot thermally conductive plate by passing current through dozens of thermoelectric cooling couples that span the space between the thermally conductive plates
Implementation Method 2
the SOD is placed in thermal contact with the cold thermally conductive plate, usually via a thermally conductive material like copper
Data Source
AI summary
An optical assembly comprises a first semiconductor optical device and a second semiconductor optical device. The first and second semiconductor optical devices may, for example, be laser diodes or light-emitting diodes. In addition, the optical assembly includes an active cooling device that is in thermal contact with the first and second semiconductor optical devices. Advantageously, the active cooling device is operative to regulate the temperatures of both the first and second semiconductor optical devices.