US5537737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for manufacturing an optical module
Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Filing: 1994-04-07
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-04-07
Abstract
Abstract The optical module manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pallet 205 on which the optically operating members and the lead frame are set to be kept in a positional relationship; a wire connection means 202 and 213 for connecting the wires to the members, the frame and the electronic circuits on the frame as the members and the frame remain kept in the positional relationship; conveyors 207, 208 and 209 for conveying the members and the frame to dies 204 after the connection as the members and the frame remain kept in the relationship; and a die-setting means 203 for setting the members and the frame in the dies through the suction of the members and the frame away from the pallet onto the setting means after the conveyance as the members and the frame remain kept in the relationship.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsutoshi Kamakura
- 👤 Akihiko Shioda
- 👤 Yoshihide Enami
- 👤 Hisao Go
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:42
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10P; H10P72/00; H10P72/04; H10P72/0444; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/06; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/071; H10W72/0711; H10W72/50; H10W72/551; H10W72/552; H10W72/5522; H10W72/5524; H10W72/851; H10W72/874; H10W72/884; H10W74/00; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/751; H10W90/756; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S29/00; Y10S29/044; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49121; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/53191; Y10T29/53265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for manufacturing an optical module, the optical module having optical members with respective lead pins and a lead frame having inner leads, the lead frame also having circuitry provided thereon, comprising the steps of: positioning said optical members and said lead frame on a pallet with a fixed positional relationship between said optical members and said lead frame; connecting said circuitry provided on said lead frame to said respective lead pins of said optical members and also to said inner leads of said lead frame, to thereby form an assembly; and conveying said optical members and said lead frame from said pallet to a die by suctioning said assembly of said optical members and said lead frame from said pallet and placing said assembly on said die, while maintaining said fixed positional relationship between said optical members and said lead frame, thereby obtaining the optical module.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
A method for manufacturing an optical module, the optical module having optical members with respective lead pins and a lead frame having inner leads, the lead frame also having circuitry provided thereon, comprising the steps of: positioning said optical members and said lead frame on a pallet with a fixed positional relationship between said optical members and said lead frame; connecting said circuitry provided on said lead frame to said respective lead pins of said optical members and also to said inner leads of said lead frame, to thereby form an assembly; and conveying said optical members and said lead frame from said pallet to a die by suctioning said assembly of said optical members and said lead frame from said pallet and placing said assembly on said die, while maintaining said fixed positional relationship between said optical members and said lead frame, thereby obtaining the optical module.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of positioning said optical members and said lead frame on said pallet includes a step of positioning each optical member in a respective recess provided on said pallet and positioning said lead frame on a lead frame carrying surface of said pallet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of suctioning said optical members and said lead frame comprises using a suction device having a movable suction head, wherein said suction head is provided with recesses for receiving said optical members and said lead frame, respectively, so as to maintain said fixed positional relationship between said optical members and said lead frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein said suction head and at least one of said pallet and said die have respective engageable guides for orienting said suction head relative to said at least one of said pallet and said die.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, further including, after said step of conveying said optical members and said lead frame to said die, a step of correcting respective positions of said optical members and said lead frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said optical members are cylindrical and have circumferential grooves formed therein, wherein said die is provided with projections which are receivable in said circumferential grooves, wherein said position correcting step comprises adjusting the relative positions of said optical members and said die so that said protections are fitted in said circumferential grooves.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said suction head has at least one hole provided therein for blowing a gas therefrom, wherein said position correcting step comprises blowing a gas onto said die on which said optical members are disposed to thereby move said optical members into desired respective positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of: clamping said optical members and said lead frame with a clamp while connecting wires to said optical members and said lead frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
96 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said step of clamping comprises a step of using a clamp, said clamp comprising: a clamping base; a clamping member opposing said clamping surface; positioning members having grooves for positioning said optical members relative to said clamping surface; holding members for holding said optical members in said positioning grooves; and swing mechanisms for swinging said holding members and said positioning grooves together, wherein said clamping step comprises swinging said holding members toward said positioning members to thereby clamp said optical members between said holding members and said positioning members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 9, each said lead pin having a respective end, and wherein said clamping step includes using said swing mechanisms to push said ends of said lead pins onto said clamping surface with a substantially constant force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said clamp comprises: a clamping surface formed on said pallet; positioning members having grooves for positioning said optical members relative to said clamping surface; a processing portion which extends from said clamping surface and on which said lead frame and ends of said lead pins of said optical members are disposed; and holding members for holding said optical members positioned in said grooves of said positioning members, wherein said clamping step comprises clamping said optical members between said holding members and said positioning grooves.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 11, wherein said clamping step comprises a step of using said holding members to hold said ends of said lead pins of said optical members onto said processing portion with a substantially constant force.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |