Patent ID: 7594765

Claim:
An optical module for optically coupling an optical waveguide to an optical unit, the optical module comprising: a reference structure having a reference geometry that defines a first axis of symmetry; an optical unit having an optical axis along which light is transmitted or received, the optical unit fixed relative to the reference structure with a production offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis; and a coupling element assembly kit comprising a plurality of coupling elements from which one is selected for coupling the optical unit to an optical waveguide and for compensating for the production offset, each coupling element having an eccentric hole which functions as a fiber guide and a unique structural geometry defined by an inner surface having a second axis of symmetry and an outer surface having a third axis of symmetry and on which a beam-shaping element is integrally formed on an end of the coupling element facing the optical unit, the second axis and the third axis defining a unique second offset for the corresponding coupling element, wherein one of the unique second offsets is substantially the same as the offset between the first axis and the optical axis, and wherein the coupling element is positioned relative to the optical unit and the reference structure with the second axis coinciding with the optical axis and the third axis coinciding with the first axis to compensate for the offset between the first axis of symmetry and the optical axis.