| 摘要 |
<p>A removable light source is provided for use with the optical coupling system. The light source (24) is mounted to a removable assembly (22) for slidable insertion into, and removed from, a housing (18) containing the optical coupling system. The removable assembly (22) includes positioning elements for maintaining precise alignment of the light source (24) with optical components mounted within the housing (18). In one embodiment described herein, precise alignment is achieved by employing six mounting pads (46) on outside surfaces of a base (26) of the removable assembly (22). Three of the mounting pads (46) are aligned along a first plane (32). Two are aligned along a second plane (36) perpendicular to the first (32). The remaining pad (46) is aligned along a third plane (34) perpendicular to both the first (32) and second planes (36). The light source (24) is mounted to the base (26) in a precise fixed relationship with the mounting pads (46). The removable assembly (22) is inserted within a slot formed in the housing (18) of the optical coupling system. Upon insertion, the mounting pads (46) lie against mutually perpendicular interior walls of a receiving block (28) of the housing (18). The mounting pads (46) thereby ensure that the light source (24) is precisely positioned with respect to the receiving block (28). Optical components within the housing (18) are mounted in a precise fixed relationship with the receiving block (28). Accordingly, while inserted, the light source (24) is maintained in precise alignment with the receiving block (28) and thereby also in precise alignment with the optical components.</p> |
