Casing With Stepped Through-Hole For Laser Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-emitting elements require precise and complex device structures to align laser chips, optical rods, and optical lenses, making it difficult to guide laser light into thin and soft optical fibers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A light source device with a ferrule that holds an optical fiber and a light-emitting element, housed in a casing with a through hole that decreases in diameter stepwise, allowing for simple and accurate alignment of the optical fiber and light-emitting element, enabling laser light to enter the optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If laser light is directly guided from inside a sealed package to an optical rod and then condensed by an optical lens, then the light can be guided to the outside, but precise and complex device structure is required for alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment function from the sealed package structure and relocates it to the external casing. The through-hole in the casing provides a simplified alignment path where the optical rod and lens are positioned externally, eliminating the need for complex internal alignment mechanisms within the sealed package while maintaining reliable light guidance.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment of laser chip, optical rod, and optical lens is performed, then light guidance is achieved, but a precise and complicated device structure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alignment function into distinct zones: the sealed package contains the laser chip, while the external casing with its through-hole accommodates the optical rod and lens. This segmentation allows each component to be aligned independently and simplifies the overall device structure by distributing alignment requirements across separate, more manageable sections rather than requiring precise integration within a single sealed package.
3Reliability
If a sealed package is used to house the laser chip, then protection is provided, but alignment with external optical components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The external casing with its through-hole acts as an intermediary structure between the sealed package and the optical components. It provides a protected pathway that maintains the sealed package's integrity while simultaneously facilitating easy alignment of external optical components like the optical rod and lens, thus bridging the gap between protection requirements and alignment ease.
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 allows for accurate alignment of optical fibers and light-emitting elements with a simple setup, enhancing the ease of guiding laser light into optical fibers and improving the precision of the light source device.
Implementation Method 1
The through hole includes a diameter which decreases in a stepwise manner from the first end face toward the second end face of the casing. The ferrule is fitted to a first portion of the through hole. The light-emitting element is fitted to a second portion of the through hole.
Data Source
AI summary
A light source device is provided. The light source device includes: a ferrule which holds an optical fiber; a light-emitting element which emits laser light; and a casing which houses the ferrule and the light-emitting element such that the laser light enters the optical fiber. The casing includes a through hole from a first end face to a second end face. The through hole includes a diameter which decreases in a stepwise manner from the first end face toward the second end face. The ferrule is fitted to a small bore portion of the through hole, which is smallest in diameter. The light-emitting element is fitted to a large bore portion of the through hole, which is larger in diameter than the small bore portion.