Patent ID: 6113284
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical fiber light source assembly comprising a light emitting device, a condenser lens, ferrule receptacle means for receiving an optical fiber ferrule, and a housing that supports the light emitting device, the condenser lens, and the ferrule receptacle means in that order, wherein the position of the ferrule receptacle means is adjusted in the direction of the optical axis of the housing before the ferrule receptacle means is fixed,the housing comprising:a reference inner diameter that defines a cylindrical guide surface substantially coaxial with hole portions for receiving the light emitting device and the condenser lens, andan internal thread coaxial with the reference inner diameter; andthe ferrule receptacle means comprising:a central bore that transmits therethrough a light beam condensed through the lens at the center thereof,a receptacle hole for defining the central axis and the reference end position of the ferrule that is coaxially engaged with the central bore to receive the ferrule,an external thread on an outer circumference of the ferrule receptacle means to be screwed into the internal thread of the housing, anda reference outer diameter coaxial with the external thread and defining a cylinder that is precisely engaged with the reference inner diameter of the housing,wherein the ferrule receptacle means is rotatable to advance back and forth through the screw connection to adjust the reference end position relative to the housing while being guided along the engaged reference inner and outer diameter circumferences within the housing, and wherein the assembly further comprises a fixing means for fixing the ferrule receptacle means to the housing after the reference end position of the ferrule is set to coincide with the image point of the light source.