Self-aligning optical sensor package
First Claim
1. An optical navigation device comprising:
- a lead frame having reference features;
a laser attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features;
a detector array attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features;
an optical component coupled to the lead frame and having alignment features registered to the reference features of the lead frame such that the optical component is passively aligned to the laser and the detector array; and
an optical aperture art between the lead frame and the optical component and having an emitter aperture configured to restrict a diameter of a beam of coherent light from the laser, the optical aperture part having reference features registered to the alignment features of the optical component and the reference features of the lead frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment relates to an optical navigation device. The device includes a lead frame having reference features, a laser, a detector array, and an optical component having alignment features. The laser is attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features of the lead frame. The detector array is attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features of the lead frame. The optical component is coupled to the lead frame so that its alignment features register to the reference features of the lead frame. In this way, the molded optical component is passively aligned to the laser and the detector array. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An optical navigation device comprising:
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a lead frame having reference features; a laser attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features; a detector array attached to the lead frame and positioned in reference to the reference features; an optical component coupled to the lead frame and having alignment features registered to the reference features of the lead frame such that the optical component is passively aligned to the laser and the detector array; and an optical aperture art between the lead frame and the optical component and having an emitter aperture configured to restrict a diameter of a beam of coherent light from the laser, the optical aperture part having reference features registered to the alignment features of the optical component and the reference features of the lead frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An optical sensor comprising:
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a lead frame having reference features; an optical detector which is positioned in reference to the reference features on the lead frame; an optical component for collecting light onto the detector, wherein the optical component is passively aligned to the detector by mechanical registration of alignment features of the optical component with the reference features of the lead frame; and an optical aperture art between the lead frame and the optical component and having an emitter aperture configured to restrict a diameter of a beam of coherent light, the optical aperture part having reference features registered to the alignment features of the optical component and the reference features of the lead frame. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. An apparatus to passively align an external lens to one or more packaged die, the apparatus comprising:
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a lead frame; a reference feature on the lead frame;
the external lens;an alignment feature of the external lens, where the alignment feature mechanically engages and passively registers to the reference feature of the lead frame; and a die mounted to the lead frame at a position precisely referenced to the reference feature of the lead frame. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method of passively aligning an external lens to a light source and a detector array, the method comprising:
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providing a lead frame; etching reference features in the lead frame; attaching the light source to the lead frame at a position in reference to the reference features of the lead frame; attaching the detector array to the lead frame at a position in reference to the reference features of the lead frame; providing a molded optical component including the external lens and having alignment features; and mechanically coupling the molded optical component to the lead frame such that the alignment features of the molded optical component mechanically engage and register with the reference features of the lead frame. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification