Patent ID: 6122115
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: B41J,G02B,H04N

Abstract:
An optical mounting assembly suitable for positioning and aligning an optical element relative to a reference axis defined by an external reference surface, said optical mounting assembly comprising:a mounting sleeve comprising an outer bearing surface, for interfacing with the external reference surface, and an inner cylindrical surface forming a sleeve opening through said mounting sleeve, said inner cylindrical surface further defining a sleeve axis, said sleeve axis positioned and aligned in coincidence with the reference axis when said outer bearing surface interfaces with the external reference surface;a tube disposed within said sleeve opening, said tube comprising an exterior cylindrical surface, a first set of at least three radial lobes disposed upon said exterior cylindrical surface, and a second set of at least three radial lobes disposed upon said exterior cylindrical surface between said first set of radial lobes and an end of said tube, each said radial lobe comprising a lobe tip whereby said lobe tips define both an external cylindrical envelope and an enclosed tube axis, said external cylindrical envelope having a diameter greater than the diameter of said sleeve opening such that an interference fit is produced between said radial lobes and said mounting sleeve when said tube is inserted into said sleeve opening along said sleeve axis, said tube further comprising an interior cylindrical surface concentric with said external cylindrical envelope; and,at least one optical element secured to said tube and disposed within said interior cylindrical surface such that an optical axis of said optical element is positioned and aligned in coincidence with said tube axis and, further, such that said optical axis is thereby positioned and aligned with the reference axis when said outer bearing surface interfaces with the external reference surface.