Coupling component for a light-waveguide

• US 5,163,105 A
• Filed: 10/25/1991
• Issued: 11/10/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Knoll, Peter, Guenther, Clemens, Koenig, Winfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Healy, Brian
• Application Number:
  US07/775,934
• Time in Patent Office: 382 Days
• Field of Search: 385/31, 385/44, 385/47, 385/48, 385/88, 385/89, 385/92, 250/227.11
• US Class Current: 385/44
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/2817 using reflective elements to split or combine optical signals
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4251 Sealed packages G02B6/4248 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4286 Optical modules with optical power monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4287 Optical modules with tapping or launching means through the surface of the waveguide G02B6/2852, G02B6/4286 take precedence

Abstract

A light-waveguide device has a light waveguide having a circumference provided with a groove, and a coupling element having a carrier and at least one of a light-sensitive transmitting component and a light-sensitive receiving component for coupling an optical radiation in and out of the light waveguide. The carrier is T-shaped and has a base surface and a central support. The at least one light-sensitive component is arranged on the T-shaped carrier and forms with the base surface of the T-shaped carrier an angle α. The central support of the T-shaped carrier is inserted in the groove so that the at least one light-sensitive element is inserted with its surface at least partially in the groove so that from the groove a portion of the optical radiation of the light waveguide falls on or exits from the at least one light-sensitive component and the portion of the optical radiation can be tapped as an electrical signal at the light-sensitive transmitting component or an additional portion of the optical radiation can be fed to the transmitting component.

Claims

1. A light-waveguide device, comprising a light waveguide having a circumference provided with a groove;

and a coupling element having a carrier and at least one of a light-sensitive transmitting component and a light-sensitive receiving component for coupling an optical radiation in and out of said light waveguide, said carrier being T-shaped and having a base surface and a central support, said at least one light-sensitive component being arranged on said T-shaped carrier and forms with said base surface of said T-shaped carrier an angle α

, said central support of said T-shaped carrier being inserted in said groove so that said at least one light-sensitive element is inserted with its surface at least partially in said groove so that from said groove a portion of said optical radiation of said light waveguide falls on or exits from said at least one light-sensitive component and the portion of the optical radiation can be tapped as an electrical signal at said light-sensitive transmitting component or an additional portion of the optical radiation can be fed to the transmitting component.

2. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said groove has the shape of a cylinder segment.

3. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said groove has a wedge shape.

4. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, wherein a surface normal of said at least one light-sensitive component approximately coincides with a propagation direction of the optical radiation in said waveguide.

5. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, and further comprising a transparent sealant which has approximately same optical refraction coefficient as a refraction coefficient of said light waveguide, said coupling component being fastened with said transparent sealant.

6. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said light-sensitive component is said receiving component formed as a photodiode.

7. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one light-sensitive component is said transmitting component formed as an IR radiator.

8. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, comprising both said receiving component and said transmitting component each having a first connection and a second connection;

and further comprising connection pins arranged on said carrier, electrical conductors, and a joint connection pin, each of said light sensitive receiving component and transmitting component being connected by their first connection through said electrical conductor with said connection pins arranged on said carrier, while said second connection of each of said receiving and transmitting components is guided on said joint connection pin.

9. The light waveguide device as defined in claim 1, comprising both said receiving component and said transmitting component;

and further comprising means for fastening said components on said carrier and including a heat conducting glue.