Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes – Optical article shaping or treating – Optical fiber – waveguide – or preform
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-10
2001-10-30
Palmer, Phan T. H. (Department: 2874)
Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
Optical article shaping or treating
Optical fiber, waveguide, or preform
C264S002500, C385S092000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309566
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for producing an electrooptical module having a molding made of a translucent, moldable material, in which a support with a positioning device and with at least one electrooptical transducer fitted and aligned thereon is positioned precisely in a mold by the positioning device, the support with the transducer is at least partially encased by the moldable material to form the molding, and the molding has at least one functional surface for coupling to a coupling partner. The invention also relates to a mold for producing an electrooptical module, and to an electrooptical module.
A method of that type is known from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 197 11 138 Al, corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/390,167, filed Sep. 7, 1999. In the case of that known method, an electrooptical transducer is disposed in a predetermined position on a support which is provided with at least one positioning element as a positioning device. The support is positioned precisely in an insertion device through the use of the positioning element. Thereafter, the support is positioned precisely in a mold through the use of the positioning element and is encased by moldable material, forming a molding and a functional surface. The functional surface, e.g. a lens, serves for coupling to a coupling partner in that case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method and a mold for producing an electrooptical module, and an electrooptical module, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and devices of this general type and in which it is possible to achieve a precise configuration and formation of a functional surface on the electrooptical module, in a comparatively straightforward manner in production terms.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for producing an electrooptical module, which comprises providing a module housing acting as a mold and having an opening and a coupling region for a coupling partner; aligning and fitting at least one electrooptical transducer on a support having a positioning device; introducing the support having the at least one electrooptical transducer through the opening; precisely positioning the support having the at least one electrooptical transducer in the module housing with the positioning device; providing a housing part having an inner side with a configuration corresponding to an outer contour of a functional surface; placing the housing part in the coupling region; and introducing a translucent moldable material into the module housing and at least partially encasing the support having the transducer with the moldable material forming a molding having the least one functional surface for coupling to a coupling partner.
An essential advantage of the method according to the invention is that, through the use of the method the functional surface may be provided on the electrooptical module with highly precise positioning, in a comparatively straightforward manner in production terms. This can be attributed essentially to the fact that use is made of a prefabricated module housing into which the translucent, moldable material is poured once the support has been introduced. Due to shrinkage processes during the curing of the moldable material, it is not possible for adjustment inaccuracies to arise, by virtue of the prefabricated module housing being used. A further advantage of the method according to the invention is that the prefabricated module housing may also be produced by injection molding and may thus also be provided with undercuts. An additional advantage is that, by virtue of using a prefabricated module housing, preferably with injection molding, using a material which is particularly strong in mechanical terms in the cured state makes it possible to achieve a relatively high mechanical strength for the electrooptical module being produced.
In order to obtain a usable electrooptical module, it is necessary to free the electrooptical module from the housing part which is located in the coupling region. This can be carried out in different ways. In accordance with another mode of the invention, in order to facilitate this step, it is particularly advantageous if the housing part has a predetermined breaking point on its border. The predetermined breaking point then allows the housing part to be broken off easily.
In accordance with a further mode of the invention, it is also advantageous if the mold is a module housing with a coupling region which is configured as a stub that forms an insertion socket for receiving the coupling partner. The advantage of this configuration of the method according to the invention is, in particular, that it is easier to use the moldable material for molding purposes. This is because, rather than forming the stub itself, the stub is already provided on the module housing.
In accordance with an added mode of the invention, once the molding has been formed, the housing part, which is provided with a break-off attachment on its outer side, is removed from the module housing by subjecting the break-off attachment to the action of force. This makes it possible, despite the housing part being concealed in the interior of the stub, for the housing part to be easily removed in order to expose the functional surface.
In the case of the method according to the invention, the positioning device may be configured in different ways. In accordance with an additional mode of the invention, it is particularly advantageous if extensions on the support serve as the positioning device and are latched to the module housing when the support with the transducer is positioned in the housing.
The invention also relates to a mold for producing an optical module having a molding made of a translucent, moldable material, wherein a support with a positioning device and with at least one electrooptical transducer fitted and aligned thereon is positioned precisely in the mold through the use of the positioning device, the support with the transducer is at least partially encased by the moldable material to form the molding, and the molding has at least one functional surface for coupling to a coupling partner. Such a mold is likewise described in German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE 197 11 138 Al, corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/390,167, filed Sep. 7, 1999, which has already been described above.
Therefore, with the objects of the invention in view there is also provided a mold for producing an optical module, comprising a module housing having an opening and a coupling region for a coupling partner; a support to be introduced through the opening into the module housing, the support having a positioning device for precisely positioning the support in the module housing; at least one electrooptical transducer fitted and aligned on the support; a translucent, moldable material at least partially encasing the support with the at least one electrooptical transducer to form a molding having at least one functional surface with an outer contour for coupling to the coupling partner; and a housing part disposed in the coupling region and having an inner side with a configuration corresponding to the outer contour of the functional surface.
This increases the adjustment accuracy and the mechanical strength of an electrooptical module, having a molding made of a translucent, moldable material, which is to be produced.
Although the mold, unlike the known mold, is a dead mold, it provides an advantage which is that using it improves the adjustment accuracy of the functional surface on the electrooptical module and also increases the mechanical strength of the module.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, as far as its housing part is concerned, the mold has a predetermined breaking point on the border or edge of the housing part, in order fo
Hurt Hans
Muller Gustav
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Palmer Phan T. H.
Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Stemer Werner H.
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