Methods for manufacturing optical modules having an optical sub-assembly
View Patent ↗Methods of manufacturing optical transceiver modules using lead frame connectors that connect optical sub-assemblies to printed circuit boards are disclosed. The lead frame connector includes an electrically insulating case having a first part separated from a second part, and a plurality of conductors that are electrically isolated one from another by the electrically insulating case. Each of the plurality of conductors can form an electrical contact restrained in a fixed position with respect to the first part and a contact point extending from the second part. The electrical contact is aligned with and soldered to the leads that protrude from the back end of an optical sub-assembly. The contact points can then be connected to electrical pads on a PCB.
1. A method of manufacturing an optical transceiver module having an optical sub-assembly, the method comprising:
positioning a lead frame connector for attachment to the optical sub-assembly, the lead frame connector comprising a plurality of electrically isolated conductors at least partially disposed within a case having a first part separated from a second part, each of the plurality of conductors having a first portion encased in and restrained by the first case part, a second un-encased portion movable relative to the second case part, and a third portion disposed between the first case part and the second case part such that the third portion is un-encased and is separated from the second un-encased portion by the second case part;
following connecting each of the conductors to the optical sub-assembly, manipulating the third, un-encased, portion of each of the plurality of conductors to align the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors with conductive structures on a printed circuit board; and
connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures to electrically connect the optical sub-assembly to the printed circuit board.
2. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein manipulating the third portion comprises moving the second part relative to the first part.
3. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first part has a first surface and the second part has a second surface, the first surface and the second surface being parallel prior to manipulating of the third portion.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein manipulating the third portion comprises moving the second part relative to the first part to move the second surface perpendicular to the first surface.
5. The method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising bending the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to form a plurality of contacts.
6. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lead frame connector meets at least a portion of the requirements outlined in the Reduction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) Directive.
7. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the lead frame is connected to the printed circuit board without the use of lead solder.
8. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures is performed using a hand soldering process.
9. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures is performed using a hot bar process.
10. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures is performed using an infrared reflow process.
11. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures is performed using a hot air reflow process.
12. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein connecting the second portion of each of the plurality of conductors to the conductive structures is performed using a laser soldering process.
13. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein dimensions of the plurality of electrically isolated conductors are determined based on a desired frequency range in which the optical transceiver module is to operate.
14. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electrically isolated conductors are made from a copper-iron alloy.
15. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second and third un-encased conductor portions protrude from opposite sides of the second case part.
16. The method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second un-encased portion of each of the plurality of conductors is directly connected to the conductive structures.