Laser module and method of making

Abstract

A laser module has a housing and a laser light source. The housing is made of a material that is pervious to light and has a first end that is provided with a lens, and a second end that is provided with an opening extending into the housing to a location adjacent to the lens. The laser light source is secured in the opening at a location that is at a predetermined distance from the lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laser module in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a laser module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a laser module in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the housing of a laser module in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the laser module in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the housing of another laser module in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the laser module in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the housing of yet another laser module in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the laser module in FIG. 8.

Claims

1. A laser module, comprising: a housing made of the material that is pervious to light and having a first end provided with a lens and a second end provided with an opening extending into the housing to a location adjacent the lens; anda light source secured in the opening at a location at a predetermined distance from the lens.

2. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the housing and the lens are integratedly formed.

3. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the housing is a cylindrical housing.

4. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of plastic.

5. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the housing is made of glass.

6. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the first end of the housing is disposed with a wavy pattern surrounding the lens.

7. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the first end of the housing is disposed with a plurality of pointed bodies surrounding the lens.

8. The laser module of claim 7, wherein the area between the first end and the second end is disposed with a plurality of ring grooves surrounding the opening.

9. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the lens is a convex lens.

10. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the laser light source comprises: a base having a contour compatible with the shape of the opening; anda laser diode secured on the base.

11. The laser module of claim 10, wherein the base is made of plastic.

12. The laser module of claim 1, wherein the predetermined distance is the focal length of the lens.

13. A method of making a laser module, comprising: providing a housing comprising a first end provided with a lens, and a second end provided with an opening extending into the housing to adjacent the lens;pushing a laser light source with a base into the opening from the second end to focus the emitted light between the laser light source and the lens; andcausing light from an external light source to penetrate the housing at the location of the base of the focused laser light source, thereby causing heat from the light to be absorbed by the base to secure the laser light source at a desired location in the opening.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the light source generates a laser beam.

15. The method of claim 13, further including the step of coating either the inner wall of the housing or the outer surface of the base with a layer of photo-hardened-resin.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the light source generates ultraviolet light.

17. The method of claim 13, further including the step of forming the housing and the lens in an integral manner by injection molding.

18. A method of making a laser module, comprising: providing a housing comprising a first end provided with a lens, and a second end provided with an opening extending into the housing to adjacent the lens; andpushing a laser light source with a base into the opening from the second end to focus the emitted light between the laser light source and the lens;wherein opening has a size and a shape that corresponds to the size and shape of the base such that the base is snugly secured at the opening by merely pushing the base into the opening.