Patent ID: 6704507
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G02B

Abstract:
An optical range finder for measuring a distance to an object in an optical axis direction, comprising:a projection unit for projecting luminous flux to the object located in the optical axis direction; a detection unit for receiving the luminous flux returned from the object; a holding frame that holds therein the projection unit and the detection unit; and a support substrate that supports thereon the holding frame, wherein the projection unit comprises a light emitting element for emitting the luminous flux in the optical axis direction, and a backside substrate mounted to the holding frame to shield the light emitting element from a backside, the detection unit comprises a light receiving element mounted in the holding frame to receive the luminous flux returned from the object, and another backside substrate mounted to the holding frame to shield the light receiving element from a backside, the holding frame has a partition wall for separating the detection unit and the projection unit from each other, an end of the partition wall being provided with a tip protruding from a bottom of the holding frame, and the support substrate is formed with a groove in a surface of the support substrate which comes in contact with the bottom of the holding frame, such that the groove can be engaged with the tip of the partition wall so as to block a light leaked from the projection unit through a thickness of the support substrate to the detection unit by a combination of the tip and the groove.