Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Electrical device making
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-11-20
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Electrical device making
C029S600000, C029S464000, C385S065000, C385S052000, C385S083000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06317964
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and to a device for aligning and mechanically connecting at least one substrate-mounted waveguide to at least one optical device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The task of leading light from and into optical waveguides that are disposed on a rigid or on a flexible substrate is beset with difficulties. One difficulty resides, for instance, in connecting an optical device to the waveguides in a simple and inexpensive manner. A high degree of precision is required in connecting an end surface of the optical device to the waveguides.
JP 1-232 307 describes a device for connecting optical waveguides to optical fibres. In this case, the waveguide and fibre are mutually connected with the aid of two components that are pushed one into the other. The waveguides are seated firmly in one of said devices and the fibres firmly seated in the other device. The mutually facing end surfaces of the fibres and waveguide are aligned with one another by virtue of the fact that guide holes provided in one device and receiving guide pins on the corresponding device are slightly larger than the guide pins themselves. The resultant play is used to bring the surfaces into mutual alignment, such as to achieve the least possible attenuation of the optical signal. However, this solution presumes that the waveguides are manufactured integrally with the connector. In other words, waveguides that are disposed on a flat substrate cannot be connected with optical fibres by means of this known technique.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is a great need of enabling light to be led into and out of optical waveguides that are disposed on a flat substrate. In order light to be led into and out of waveguides, the waveguides are mutually connected with the aid of optical devices. The splice or joint between the optical waveguides and the optical device is a very sensitive part. The smallest error in alignment, angle between the waveguides and the optical device or gap therebetween will result in considerable impairment of the intensity of the light.
Much of the problem experienced in connecting together waveguides and optical fibres is comprised of aligning respective fibres and waveguides in relation to one another and in obtaining a “tight” interface therebetween. Alignment can be achieved actively, i.e. by determining the optimal point of alignment with the aid of optical equipment.
The intention of the present invention is to solve the aforesaid problems, by bringing a waveguide connector that includes aligning elements into alignment with the substrate-mounted optical waveguides. The aligning elements on the waveguide connector fit into corresponding aligning elements on the substrate. An optical device having an MT interface may be connected to the waveguide connector.
The waveguide connector may also include guide legs, which may be adapted to fit into recesses or apertures provided in the substrate in the vicinity of the waveguides. The waveguides may alternatively by disposed on a tongue, such that said guide legs will surround the tongue. The elements which function to align the waveguide connector in relation to the waveguides with respect to the six degrees of freedom (three co-ordinates and three angles) may be conical or spherical in shape, for instance. Corresponding aligning elements on the substrate may be inverse to the aligning elements on the waveguide connector. However, this is not a requirement of the invention, since the only criterion to be fulfilled is that the aligning elements shall fit into one another and provide satisfactory alignment of the waveguide connector on the substrate.
The mechanical aligning elements can be caused to fit together by shaking. After the waveguide connector has been placed on the substrate, the waveguide connector is shaken into position such that the substrate-mounted aligning elements and the waveguide connector will mesh with one another. The guide legs function to situate the waveguide connector in the proximity of the aligning elements. The guide legs prevent this shaking motion disturbing the position of the waveguide connector.
The object of the present invention is to simplify the connection of substrate-carried optical waveguides to optical devices. One advantage afforded by the present invention is that alignment of the waveguide connector on the substrate can be effected passively.
Another advantage is that the waveguide connector can be placed on the substrate with the aid of a vertical movement. This enables a pick-and-place robot to be programmed to place the waveguide connector on the substrate, which in turn enables the entire process of placing, aligning and affixing the waveguide connector on the substrate to be automated.
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Curizo Peter Lo
Engberg Kristian
Eriksen Paul
Robertsson Mats
Burns Doane Swecker & Mathis L.L.P.
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
Tugbang A. Dexter
Young Lee
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