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Excelitas Technologies is pleased to introduce a unique surface-mount design

device (SMD), its OpticBlock, ideally suited to high-volume production of smoke

detector assemblies. Excelitas’ OpticBlock consists of a pre-aligned photodiode

(PD) and Infrared LED (IRED) in a fixed optical and mechanical configuration. As

a single component, the OpticBlock is ready to assemble into a smoke chamber

used for electro-optical smoke detection.

The use of Excelitas’ surface-mount OpticBlock, as compared to the use of a

separately-assembled PD and IRED, simplifies your smoke detector assembly

procedure, reduces the need for individual calibration, and increases the overall

yield. Manufacturing throughput is improved, lowering the overall cost to of

bringing these products to market.

Compared to the classical radial assembly of a single PD and IRED device,

the design of Excelitas’ OpticBlock does not obstruct air flow to the smoke

chamber, ensuring for 360° smoke entry and sensitivity.

Excelitas has been working with the pioneers in the smoke detection field

for more than 20 years and is a proven leader in supporting electro-optical

smoke detection. The large area photodiode, Model VTS1188SH, was one of

the industry’s very first smoke detector PDs. In production since 1990, it is still

regarded as a reliable and high sensitivity component.

Features and Benefits

• Surface-mount (SMD) device, suited to high-volume manufacture of smoke detector assemblies

• Consists of pre-aligned Photodiode (PD) and Infrared LED (IRED), all in single-component configuration, ready to be assembled into a defined smoke chamber.

• Specs for PD and IRED adjusted to achieve consistent smoke scatter signal based on VdS and UL standards.

• Superior design does not obstruct air flow to the smoke chamber, allowing for 360 degree smoke entry.

• 100% tested in Excelitas production with respect to “Transfer Function”

• Tape-and-Reel packing format for automated, SMD-compatible assembly and solder reflow.

• RoHS-compliant

New SMD DesignIncreases Yield and Speeds Manufacturing Throughput

Pictured is an example of an SMD design to support an OEM’s high-volume manufacture of smoke detector assemblies. Excelitas has partnered with the pioneers in the smoke detection field for more than 20 years and is a proven leader in supporting electro-optical smoke detection.

Applications

OpticBlockTM in SMDfor High-Volume Manufacture of Smoke Detector Assemblies

• Electro-optical smoke detection

OpticBlockTM in SMD for High-Volume Manufacture of Smoke Detector Assemblies

How Electro-Optical Smoke Detection Works

Electro-optical smoke detection employs an emitter and a photoelectric sensor, positioned at a predetermined angle as a light detector. Under dark conditions and with no smoke particles present, the detector’s signal is very low. If smoke enters the optical chamber across the path of the emitter’s light beam, some light will be scat-tered by the smoke particles. When the scattered light is directed at the detector, the detector exhibits a signal, and triggers an alarm. In most instances, the emitter is an Infrared LED (IRED), at a wavelength between 850 and 950 nm, and the detector is typically a silicon photodiode (PD). The emitter and detector components are assembled into a smoke chamber that allows for airflow but avoids light from entering.

For high-volume production, the goal of the smoke detector assembly’s design is to achieve, with regulated tolerance, triggering of the alarm at a certain smoke level. Achieving this goal is often difficult, particularly if individual PD and IRED components are used, and need to be both optically and electrically put together during the pcb manufacturing process. Large variations in both optical alignment and electro-optical properties may result, which in turn, can lead to large numbers of reworks.

Making use of an Excelitas OpticBlock assembly offers a very good solution, both for generating higher yields and faster manufacturing throughput. Here, the IRED and the PD are provided as a mechanically and optically stable pair, assembled into surface-mount optics, made of durable plastics. The OpticBlock has a specified “Transfer Function,” which is the PD output signal under a certain reflection value.

The OpticBlock can be ordered in “tape-and-reel” packing format which allows for automated, SMD-compatible, RoHS-compliant reflow soldering.

Please contact Excelitas to discuss your specific smoke detection design and production needs. In most instances, you will likely require customized designs based on custom-ized conditions. Innovative, customized opto-electronic solutions are our specialty and our Sales and Applications teams are happy to assist you.

Excelitas Technologies 22001 Dumberry RoadVaudreuil-Dorion, QuebecCanada J7V 8P7

Telephone: (+1) 450.424.3300Toll Free: (+1) 800.775.6786Fax: (+1) 450.424.3345detection.na@excelitas.com

Excelitas Technologies GmbH & Co. KGWenzel-Jaksch-Str. 31D-65199 WiesbadenGermany

Telephone: (+49) 611 492 430Fax: (+49) 611 492 165detection.europe@excelitas.com

Excelitas Technologies 47 Ayer Rajah Crescent #06-12Singapore 139947

Telephone: (+65) 6775-2022Fax: (+65) 6775-1008detection.asia@excelitas.com

© 2012 Excelitas Technologies Corp. All rights reserved. The Excelitas logo and design are registered trademarks of Excelitas Technologies Corp. All other trademarks not owned by Excelitas Technologies or its subsidiaries that are depicted herein are the property of their respective owners. Excelitas reserves the right to change this document at any time without notice and disclaims liability for editorial, pictorial or typographical errors. 1205-054.10

About Excelitas Technologies

Excelitas Technologies is a global technology leader focused on delivering innovative, customized solutions to meet the lighting, detection and other high-performance technology needs of OEM customers.

From safety and security applications to analytical instrumentation, clinical diagnostics, medical, industrial, and aerospace and defense applications, Excelitas Technologies is committed to enabling our customers’ success in their specialty end-markets. Excelitas Technologies has approximately 3,000 employees in North America, Europe and Asia, serving customers across the world.

Smoke detection and fire

prevention technologies save lives.

Every year, Excelitas’ sensor

technology for electro-optical

smoke detection prevents over

70,000 fires.

Research studies show that the

odds of dying in a house fire are

half as great if you have a reliable,

working smoke detector, as those

if you don’t.