Patent ID: 7312938
Filing Date: 2007-12-25
Classification: G03B

Abstract:
1. An optical component retaining device, comprising: an optical component having a pair of rib portions, each having a pair of side surfaces with each side surface having respective convex portions; a housing having a slit portion formed of a tapered groove where said pair of rib portions are inserted, in which said pair of rib portions is held by said slit portion to retain said optical component in said housing; planar reference surfaces extended in a parallel direction with said insertion direction at three locations on said respective convex portions on one side surface of said pair of rib portions in the light axis direction of said optical component, and pressing portions at a plurality of locations on said respective convex portions on the other side surface of the pair of rib portions in said light axis direction; first supporting surfaces extended in the parallel direction with said insertion direction and arranged at three locations on one side surface of said slit portion corresponding to the reference surfaces of said three locations to come in contact with said reference surfaces, and second supporting surfaces extended in the parallel direction with said insertion direction and arranged at a plurality of locations on the other side surface of the slit portion to come in contact with said pressing portions, wherein the reference surfaces of two locations among said reference surfaces of three locations are arranged on both ends of one rib portion of said pair of rib portions in the direction in which the rib portion extends and said pressing portions are arranged in the middle of the direction in which said rib portion extends, wherein an inclined surface is arranged between said reference surfaces of two locations of one rib portion, wherein each of said reference surfaces of two locations of one rib portion is connected with said inclined surface by a step portion, and wherein said housing is formed by injection molding and said reference surfaces are formed in parallel with the insertion direction of said optical component.