Optical Transceiver Sleeve Positioning via Support Member Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical transceivers face challenges in efficiently multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals across multiple wavelengths, leading to complexities in signal transmission and reception, particularly in maintaining accurate fiber alignment and reducing stress on components during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The optical transceiver incorporates a WDM module with internal fibers optically coupled to optical sub-assemblies, a support member for retaining sleeves, and a housing design that includes protrusions and retaining parts to accurately position and secure transmission and reception sleeves, facilitating efficient wavelength division multiplexing and demultiplexing while minimizing stress on components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing member presses the sleeve by sandwiching the flange part, then the sleeve is secured to the optical receptacle, but the optical fiber-side portion of the sleeve is not pressed and the optical fiber may be subjected to stress during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing member includes a pressing portion that contacts the sleeve and transmits pressing force through the sleeve to secure it to the optical receptacle, while the structure is designed to distribute this force and avoid concentrating stress on the optical fiber, thus acting as an intermediary that secures the connection without harming the fiber
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing member is divided into distinct functional portions: a pressing portion that contacts the sleeve and transmits force, and a structure that distributes this force to avoid stress concentration on the optical fiber. This segmentation allows the pressing function to be separated from the potential harmful stress effect
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple optical fibers are routed through the housing, then wavelength division multiplexing is enabled, but the fibers are vulnerable to breakage during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The optical fibers are preliminarily secured to the support member before final assembly, with their positions predetermined and fixed. This preliminary action ensures that during the assembly process, the fibers are already protected and positioned correctly, reducing the risk of breakage while maintaining the multiplexing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The support member acts as an intermediary structure that holds and protects the optical fibers during assembly. It provides a stable platform that secures the fibers in place, preventing them from being damaged while enabling the multiplexing function to be implemented
3Ease of manufacture
If the optical fibers are loosely positioned without retention structures, then assembly is simpler, but the fibers may shift or become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The support member is designed to automatically hold and position the optical fibers through its inherent structure, without requiring additional complex retention mechanisms. The fibers naturally settle into positioned on the support member during assembly, providing both simplicity and precision
Solution Approach 2:
The support member has predetermined positions for the optical fibers built into its structure before assembly. This preliminary positioning ensures that when fibers are placed, they automatically achieve correct alignment without requiring complex adjustment procedures, balancing simplicity with precision
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 enhances the reliability and efficiency of optical signal transmission and reception by ensuring precise alignment and reduced stress on components, improving assembly efficiency and reducing the risk of fiber breakage during assembly.
Implementation Method 1
the WDM module being configured to multiplex the outgoing optical signals to the outgoing WDM signal, and/or to demultiplex the incoming WDM signal to the incoming optical signals
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of optical sub-assemblies configured to perform photoelectric conversions from incoming optical signals to incoming electrical signals, and/or to perform photoelectric conversions from outgoing electrical signals to outgoing optical signals
Data Source
AI summary
An optical transceiver according to an embodiment includes a plurality of optical sub-assemblies, a circuit board, an optical receptacle, a WDM module, support member and a housing including the plurality of optical sub-assemblies, the circuit board, the optical receptacle, the WDM module, and the support member. The transmission sleeve and the reception sleeve have respective protrusions coupled to the plurality of first internal fibers in one to one. The housing has holes configured to allow the transmission sleeve and the reception sleeve for being inserted to the housing. The support member has a retaining part configured to retain the protrusions of the transmission sleeve and the reception sleeve for positioning the transmission sleeve and the reception sleeve.