US5545893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optocoupler package and method for making
Assignee: Apple Inc
•
Filing: 1994-12-23
•
Granted: 1996-08-13
•
Expires: 2014-12-23
Abstract
Abstract An optocoupler package (40) has two pre-molded thermoplastic halves (42, 54); one containing the emitter (16) and the other containing the detector (18). The detector half (54) has a well (56) where the detector (54) is located. The well (56) is filled with silicon die coat gel (24). The emitter half (42) has a similar well (48) containing the emitter. Surrounding the well (48) of the emitter half is a protruding wall (50) with relief vents (52). The wall (50) is configured to fit into the perimeter of the well (56) of the detector package half (54). When the package (40) is assembled, the protruding wall (50) of the emitter half (42) is inserted into the well (56) of the detector package half (54), thereby displacing the gel (24) so as to completely fill the internal chamber (66) and spill into the relief vents (52).
Inventors
- 👤 Clem H. Brown
- 👤 John E. Salina
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:18
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/50; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4295; H10F55/00; H10F55/20; H10F55/25; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4204; G02B6/4212; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/50; H10W72/551; H10W72/552; H10W72/5522; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/751; H10W90/756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a first premolded half, the first premolded half including an emitter; providing a second premolded half, the second premolded half including a detector; mating the first premolded half and the second premolded half such that the emitter faces the detector; and providing a relief vent in the optocoupler package.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a first premolded half, the first premolded half including an emitter; providing a second premolded half, the second premolded half including a detector; mating the first premolded half and the second premolded half such that the emitter faces the detector; and providing a relief vent in the optocoupler package.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of thermosonically welding the first premolded half to the second premolded half.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the second premolded half includes providing a well in the second premolded half, and wherein the method further includes the step of filling the well with an optically transmissive medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of filling comprises filling with a silicone die coat gel in liquid form.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the first premolded half includes the step of providing a protruding wall shaped to fit inside a perimeter of the well, the first premolded half also including the relief vent, and wherein the step of mating comprises the steps of forming a device chamber and displacing the optically transmissive medium such that the optically transmissive medium fills the device chamber and spills into the relief vent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 3, wherein the step of providing the first premolded half includes the step of providing a protruding wall protruding from the first premolded half, the protruding wall configured to fit inside a perimeter of the well, the protruding wall including the relief vent, and wherein the step of mating comprises the steps of forming a device chamber and displacing the optically transmissive medium such that the optically transmissive medium fills the device chamber and spills into the relief vent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of thermosonically welding the first premolded half to the second premolded half.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of heat curing the optically transmissive medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 8, further including the step of expanding the optically transmissive medium into the relief vent during the heat curing step.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optocoupler package comprising: a premolded first half including a detector; a premolded second half including an emitter located in a second half well, the premolded first half mated with the premolded second half thereby forming a sealed package, the detector and the emitter aligned facing one another, the detector and the emitter being mounted on respected opposing surfaces; an optically transmissive medium completely occupying a central cavity within the sealed package: and a relief vent coupled to the central cavity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
81 words
An optocoupler package comprising: a premolded first half including a detector; a premolded second half including an emitter located in a second half well, the premolded first half mated with the premolded second half thereby forming a sealed package, the detector and the emitter aligned facing one another, the detector and the emitter being mounted on respected opposing surfaces; an optically transmissive medium completely occupying a central cavity within the sealed package: and a relief vent coupled to the central cavity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The optocoupler package of claim 10, wherein a portion of the optically transmissive medium occupies a portion of the relief vent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optocoupler package of claim 10, wherein the premolded first half is thermosonically welded to the premolded second half.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optocoupler package of claim 10, wherein the optically transmissive medium comprises heat cured silicone die coat gel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optocoupler package of claim 10, wherein the emitter emits an infra red frequency and the detector generates an electrical signal in response to receiving the infra red frequency.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a premolded well portion of the optocoupler package, the premolded well portion shaped to define a central trough; filling the central trough with an optically transmissive medium; providing a premolded protruding wall portion of the optocoupler package, the premolded protruding wall portion comprising a protrusion shaped to mate with the central trough; and mating the premolded well portion with the premolded protruding wall portion, the protrusion displacing a portion of the optically transmissive medium, forcing the optically transmissive medium into at least one relief vent.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a premolded well portion of the optocoupler package, the premolded well portion shaped to define a central trough; filling the central trough with an optically transmissive medium; providing a premolded protruding wall portion of the optocoupler package, the premolded protruding wall portion comprising a protrusion shaped to mate with the central trough; and mating the premolded well portion with the premolded protruding wall portion, the protrusion displacing a portion of the optically transmissive medium, forcing the optically transmissive medium into at least one relief vent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of heat curing the optically transmissive medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of thermosonically welding the premolded well portion together with the premolded protruding wall portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing the premolded well portion includes providing a phototransistor and wherein the step of providing a premolded protruding wall portion includes providing a light emitting diode, and wherein the step of mating comprises aligning the phototransistor and the light emitting diode so as to face one another.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 15, wherein the step of providing the premolded well portion includes providing a light emitting diode, wherein the step of providing the premolded protruding wall portion comprises providing a phototransistor, and wherein the step of mating comprises aligning the light emitting diode and the phototransistor so as to face one another.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a first premolded half, the first premolded half including a detector; providing a second premolded half, the second premolded half including an emitter; mating the first premolded half with the second premolded half such that the detector faces the emitter: and providing a relief vent in the optocoupler package.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making an optocoupler package comprising the steps of: providing a first premolded half, the first premolded half including a detector; providing a second premolded half, the second premolded half including an emitter; mating the first premolded half with the second premolded half such that the detector faces the emitter: and providing a relief vent in the optocoupler package.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 20, wherein the step of providing the second premolded half includes providing a well in the second premolded half, and wherein the method further includes the step of filling the well with an optically transmissive medium.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 21 wherein the step of providing the first premolded half includes the step of providing a protruding wall protruding from the first premolded half, the protruding wall configured to fit inside a perimeter of the well, the protruding wall including the relief vent, and wherein the step of mating comprises the steps of forming a device chamber and displacing the optically transmissive medium such that the optically transmissive medium fills the device chamber and spills into the relief vent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optocoupler package comprising: a premolded first half including an emitter; a premolded second half including a detector located in a second half well, the premolded first-half-mated with the premolded second half thereby forming a sealed package, the detector and the emitter aligned facing one another, the detector and the emitter being mounted on respected opposing surfaces; an optically transmissive medium completely occupying a central cavity within the sealed package; and a relief vent coupled to the central cavity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
79 words
An optocoupler package comprising: a premolded first half including an emitter; a premolded second half including a detector located in a second half well, the premolded first-half-mated with the premolded second half thereby forming a sealed package, the detector and the emitter aligned facing one another, the detector and the emitter being mounted on respected opposing surfaces; an optically transmissive medium completely occupying a central cavity within the sealed package; and a relief vent coupled to the central cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-08-13 | 2000-02-12 | 2000-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-13 | 2004-02-12 | 2004-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-13 | 2008-02-12 | 2008-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |