Laser connection module

Abstract

The present invention relates to a laser connection module comprising: - a plurality of superimposed electrodes (2) alternately connected with opposite power supply electrodes; at least one laser diode (4) mounted between opposite surfaces of consecutive electrodes (2) and in contact with said electrodes (2); - an external structure (5) delimiting a space defined by the light emitting area of the laser diode (4) and adapted to house the assembly of superimposed electrodes (2) and laser diode (4); - a clamping device (6) mounted on a first end defined in the external structure (5) and pressing the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diode (4) against an opposite second end of said structure (5) so as to establish the fastening and mutual contact of the laser diode (4) with consecutive electrodes (2), and - an intermediate protection plate (50) arranged between the clamping device (6) and the electrodes (2) closest to said clamping device (6).

Description

[0001] Object of the invention

[0002] As described herein, the present invention relates to a laser connection module providing structural and constitutive characteristics that significantly improve the state of the art in its field of application, as will be described in detail below.

[0003] More specifically, the object of the present invention is a module intended to be used as a fastening device for establishing an electrical connection and a thermal contact between laser diodes and electrodes, which are successively stacked between respective spacers, which module can have an internal duct for the circulation of a cooling fluid, which module has the advantage of an improved structural configuration, on the one hand, such that all the components are fastened and held together, and, on the other hand, in order to ensure that this electrical connection is safe, such that a clamping force is applied directly on the laser diodes and at the point where they meet, in order to ensure the electrical and thermal contact between the electrodes and the diodes. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The field of application of the present invention is in the industrial sector that specializes in manufacturing equipment and components for laser technology devices. BACKGROUND

[0005] In some laser modules of the type currently known and mentioned herein, the laser diodes, also known as chips or bars, are mounted on at least one electrode by soldering, which poses several problems.

[0006] The main problem is that the laser chip must be placed with a very high degree of precision, such that its end protrudes 8 to 10 microns from the end of the electrode, so that the soldered connection of the laser chip to the electrode does not reach the epitaxial layer, because if it does, the laser module will malfunction.

[0007] In order to position the laser chip correctly with respect to the electrode and the soldered connection of the electrode with an acceptable degree of precision, micro-robots and other high-precision equipment are required, which requires a very large investment.

[0008] In addition, the soldered connection of the laser chip does not allow for subsequent adjustment of its position or for its replacement in the event of malfunction.

[0009] Another problem is the difference in the coefficient of expansion between the laser chip and the materials used for the soldered connection and the electrode, which makes it possible for the laser chip to change, causing the chip to bend.

[0010] To overcome this problem, patent document US5978396 describes a semiconductor laser source comprising a stack of semiconductor laser diodes, each having at least one active region. The active region comprises a series of semiconductor layers between an ohmic contact layer and a substrate, which also assumes the function of the ohmic contact layer. The diodes are kept in contact with each other through their ohmic contact layer by means of a pressure. The size of each diode, in particular the thickness, allows the transient heating of each diode to be as low as possible and the average heating of the stackable diodes not to exceed a predetermined value.

[0011] Patent document US6151341 describes a stackable integrated diode assembly in which a stack of laser elements is proposed, configured to absorb the heat emitted by said laser elements, to allow the repair and / or replacement and testing of the laser elements. The assembly comprises units having cavities through which a coolant passes to cool the laser elements. The units can be built individually for individual testing and then stacked together and fixed in a removable manner to facilitate replacement.

[0012] The unit cavities form a substantially continuous cavity through which the coolant enters and exits the entire assembly. The unit cavities comprise areas and surfaces that enhance the flow of coolant to areas substantially adjacent to the laser elements, thus cooling said laser elements.

[0013] Patent document US6245589 describes the manufacture of a device for cooling a planar light source comprising means for cooling an array of laser diodes using a stack of multiple metal plates on which a pattern of grooves with arms or openings is formed to serve as a cooling water circulation path for said laser diodes.

[0014] And, patent document ES2191559B1 (whose holder is the applicant of the present invention) which improves these solutions, proposes a laser connection module comprising: - electrodes facing each other and connected with opposite polarity in an alternating order; insulating spacers arranged between the opposite surfaces of the electrodes to prevent direct contact and short circuit of the electrodes; laser chips mounted between the opposite surfaces of the electrodes and in contact with the electrodes; and clamping means for bringing the electrodes facing each other together to ensure contact of the electrodes with the laser chips located between the electrodes, thus ensuring the electrical supply to said laser chips and the dissipation of the heat generated.

[0015] In said invention, the clamping means described above comprise screws mounted on through holes affecting the electrodes and the insulating spacers, and respective nuts screwed on said screws, the heads of the screws and nuts acting directly on the outer surfaces of the two electrodes occupying the end position of the laser module.

[0016] This laser module, although effectively solves the problem of guaranteeing a firm connection between the diodes and the electrodes, and allows the electrodes to be easily adjusted and / or replaced, also presents some aspects that can be improved.

[0017] In particular, it is considered that, on the one hand, these electrodes are made of a relatively soft conductive material (for example, copper), and on the other hand, the cross section of the electrodes in the clamping area is reduced due to the holes made for the mounting screws, with the risk of damaging the electrodes due to the direct action of the screw heads and the corresponding nuts in the clamping area on the end electrodes.

[0018] Another drawback of the invention disclosed in this patent document is that the upper and lower end electrodes are exposed, without any protection element against possible accidental impacts, which increases the risk of damage to the laser module.

[0019] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to provide an improved laser module that performs the correct fastening between all the stacked components of the module and protects the end electrodes, so that they are not subjected to accidental impacts and so that the screws and nuts of the clamping elements do not act directly on said end electrodes, thus preventing them from being damaged.

[0020] The applicant has not found any prior art that has similar technical, structural and functional characteristics to the present invention. SUMMARY

[0021] The laser connection module of the subject matter of the present invention successfully solves the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0022] In particular, the laser connection module of the present invention is for the electrical connection between laser diodes and electrodes and laser diodes stacked alternately, and can be provided with internal ducts for the circulation of a cooling fluid.

[0023] This laser connection module has technical characteristics that allow all its components to be fixed together and kept together, while providing protection to the end electrodes against damage due to accidental impacts or due to the clamping screws and nuts acting directly on said end electrodes; and so that none of said clamping screws passes through the power supply electrodes of the laser diodes.

[0024] More specifically, the laser connection module comprises several superimposed electrodes, connected alternately with opposite power supply electrodes; at least one laser diode mounted between opposite surfaces of consecutive electrodes and in contact with said electrodes; and clamping means for clamping the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes together.

[0025] According to the present invention, to achieve the proposed objectives, the laser connection module comprises:

[0026] - an external structure which delimits a space defined by the light emitting zone of the laser diodes and is adapted to house the assembly of laser diodes and electrodes alternately superimposed;

[0027] - a clamping device which is mounted at the first end of the structure and presses the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes against the opposite second end of the structure, thereby establishing the fastening of the laser diodes to the continuous electrode and the mutual contact of the laser diodes to the continuous electrode; and

[0028] - an intermediate protection plate which is arranged between the clamping device and the electrode closest to the end of the clamping device.

[0029] The external structure comprises an upper part which forms the first end of the structure, a lower part which forms the second end of the structure, and a device for fixing the upper part and the lower part in parallel position and vertically separated by an appropriate distance, so as to house the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes between the upper part and the lower part without constraint; so that the clamping device is used to press the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes against the lower part of the structure.

[0030] The external structure provides sufficient protection to the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes, while serving as support for the clamping device which is used to press the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes against the lower part or second end of the structure, without the clamping device passing through or weakening any element of the above assembly.

[0031] The clamping device comprises a clamping stud which is mounted in a threaded hole defined in the upper part or first end of the structure for this purpose.

[0032] In turn, an intermediate plate is arranged between the clamping stud and the upper electrode closest to the clamping stud, the intermediate plate being made of a more resistant and corrosion-resistant material than the electrodes, its role being to prevent the clamping stud from damaging the upper electrode when said stud is tightened.

[0033] The device for fastening the upper part and the lower part of the structure can have different configurations, this device comprising a fastening screw; or a tubular spacer arranged between the upper part and the lower part and mounted on the fastening screw; or a guide column arranged between the upper part and the lower part, the guide column being fastened at its ends to the upper part and to the lower part. In any case; the fastening device guarantees a sufficient separation between the upper part and the lower part of the structure for the unrestricted housing of the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes.

[0034] The laser connection module comprises means for aligning the successive electrodes in the vertical direction, which, depending on the means for fixing the structure, can consist of pins housed in vertical holes made in the successive electrodes for this purpose or consist of the guide posts themselves; in a second configuration, the electrodes have recesses in their profile, said recesses having a complementary configuration with the section of the guide posts and being suitable for mounting the electrodes as sliding elements between the guide posts; said guide posts simultaneously forming the means for separating the upper and lower parts of the structure and the means for vertically aligning the electrodes.

[0035] In one embodiment of the application, the laser diodes are arranged between some of the front ends of the electrodes, the module comprising electrically insulating spacers between the rear ends of said successive electrodes, having a thickness similar to that of the laser diodes, said spacers preventing the successive electrodes from coming into contact with each other and causing short circuits.

[0036] In an embodiment of the module, the clamping means comprise front-end studs that press the front ends of the electrodes against the laser chips and rear-end studs that press the rear ends of the electrodes against the electrically insulating spacers, said front-end studs and rear-end studs compensating for the clamping on the respective ends of the electrodes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0037] To complement the description being made and to better understand the features of the application, the description herein is accompanied by drawings that form an integral part of it, in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following is shown:

[0038] - Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of an example of an embodiment of a laser connection module according to the subject matter of the application, provided with a single laser diode.

[0039] - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of Figure 1 once assembled.

[0040] - Figures 3, 4 and 5 show, respectively, a front view, a side view and a top view of the laser connection module in the preceding figures in the assembled position.

[0041] - Figure 6 shows a perspective exploded view of a first embodiment variant of a laser connection module according to the application, which in this case comprises a plurality of laser diodes arranged alternately with the respective electrodes.

[0042] - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of Figure 6 once assembled.

[0043] - Figure 8 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment variant of a laser connection module, in which the structure comprises guide posts that are part of the means for fastening the upper and lower parts and for vertically aligning the electrodes.

[0044] - Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the laser connection module of Figure 8 in an assembled position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] In view of the above figures, and according to the numbering adopted, it can be seen that the two non-limiting examples of the laser connection module described comprise the components and elements detailed and described below.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the laser connection module (1) comprises electrodes (2) connected alternately with opposite polarity of a power supply, spacers (3) arranged between opposite surfaces of the consecutive electrodes (2) to prevent direct contact and short-circuiting of the electrodes, laser diodes (4) mounted between opposite surfaces of the consecutive electrodes (2) in contact with the electrodes in the free area left by the respective spacers (3), and clamping means (6) for clamping the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) to each other.

[0047] The surface of the spacers (3) is smaller than the opposite surfaces of the electrodes (2).

[0048] According to the invention, the module (1) comprises an external structure (5) which delimits a space defined by the light-emitting zone of the laser diodes (4) and is adapted to house the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4), the clamping means (6) being mounted at a first end of the structure (5) and pressing the assembly of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) against the opposite second end of said structure, thereby establishing the fastening of the laser diodes (4) to the consecutive electrodes (2) and the mutual contact of the laser diodes (4) and the consecutive electrodes (2).

[0049] The module (1) comprises, between the clamping means (6) and the electrode (2) closest to said clamping means (6), an intermediate plate (50) which protects said electrode (2) at the end.

[0050] The external structure (5) comprises: - an upper part (a) which forms the first end of the structure (5) and is provided with threaded holes (55) in which studs (60) are mounted to form part of the clamping means (6), - a lower part (b) which forms the second end of the structure (5), and - means for fixing said upper part (a) and said lower part (b) in parallel position and vertically separated by an appropriate distance, so as to house the assembly of electrodes and laser diodes between said upper and lower parts without constraint.

[0051] In this first embodiment, the means for fastening the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the outer structure (5) comprise a fastening screw (51) which is inserted in a through hole (52) defined in the upper part (a) and inserted into a threaded hole (53) of the lower part (b), thus allowing adjustment of the gap between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the outer structure (5).

[0052] The module (1) has a connector (7) for the wiring (not shown) of the power supply of the electrodes (2), and an internal duct (10) for the circulation of the cooling product.

[0053] In this embodiment, the module (1) comprises means for vertical alignment of the successive electrodes (2), which consist of a pin (8) housed in a vertical hole made in the successive electrodes (2) and in the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the outer structure (5); a seal (9) is placed between these elements to prevent leaks.

[0054] In the described embodiment, the laser diodes (4) are arranged between the front ends of the electrodes (2), and electrically insulating spacers (3) having a similar thickness to the laser diodes (4) are arranged between the successive rear ends of the electrodes (2).

[0055] In this particular embodiment, the clamping means comprise a front end stud (60) which presses the front end of the electrode (2) against the laser diode (4), and a rear end stud (61) which presses the rear end of the electrode (2) against the electrically insulating spacer (3).

[0056] In the variant of the first embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the laser connection module has a configuration similar to that described above, in this case comprising a large number of electrodes (2) and laser diodes (4) stacked in an alternating order.

[0057] In this embodiment, the means for fastening the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the structure (5) comprise a tubular spacer (56) arranged between said upper part (a) and said lower part (b) and mounted on the fastening screw (51), said tubular spacer (56) determining the appropriate spacing between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b).

[0058] In Figures 8 and 9, the means for fastening the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the outer structure (5) comprise a guide post (57) arranged between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b), and this guide post (57) is fixed by screws (58) to said upper part and lower part at its ends.

[0059] In this embodiment, the electrode (2) has recesses (21) in its profile, which have a complementary configuration with the partial section of the guide posts (57) and are suitable for mounting the electrode (2) as a sliding element between the guide posts; the guide posts (57) simultaneously form the means for separating the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the structure and the means for vertical alignment of the electrode (2).

[0060] With respect to the previous embodiment, the use of these guide posts (57) is advantageous because it allows the pins (8) to be eliminated and the studs (60) forming the clamping means (6) to be arranged in a central position with respect to the assembly of the electrode (2) and the laser diode (4), thus avoiding the use of electrically insulating spacers (3) and a second set of studs (61) to press the electrode (2) against said spacers (3).

[0061] Having described the features of the present application and given an example of a preferred embodiment, it is hereby declared that the materials, shapes, dimensions and configurations of the elements described can be modified for related purposes, without changing the essential features of the invention for which protection is claimed.

Claims

1. A laser connection module (1), comprising: Multiple superimposed electrodes (2) are alternately connected to opposite power supply electrodes; At least one laser diode (4) is mounted between opposing surfaces of consecutive electrodes (2) and in contact with said electrodes (2); and means for clamping the components of the electrodes (2) and the laser diode (4) together; characterized in that the laser connection module (1) comprises: An external structure (5) defines a space defined by the light-emitting area of ​​the laser diode (4) and is adapted to accommodate a combination of superimposed electrodes (2) and laser diode (4); A clamping device (6) includes a stud (60) mounted on a threaded hole (55) at a first end of a structure (5) defined externally, and presses the assembly of the electrode (2) and the laser diode (4) against the opposing second ends of the structure (5), thereby establishing a fastening of the laser diode (4) to the continuous electrode (2) and mutual contact between the laser diode (4) and the continuous electrode (2), and An intermediate protective plate (50) is disposed between the clamping device (6) and the electrode (2) closest to the end of the clamping device (6); The external structure (5) includes: Upper component (a), which forms the first end of the structure; The lower component (b) forms the second end of the structure; An apparatus for fixing the upper part and the lower part in a parallel position, the upper part and the lower part being vertically separated by an appropriate distance, thereby accommodating an assembly of an electrode (2) and a laser diode (4) without constraint between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b).

2. The laser connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The means for fastening the upper part (a) and lower part (b) of the structure (5) include fastening screws (51).

3. The laser connection module according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fastening device includes a tubular spacer (56) arranged between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the structure (5) and mounted on a fastening screw (51).

4. The laser connection module according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, The laser connection module (1) includes means for vertically aligning continuous electrodes (2), the means consisting of pins (8) housed in vertical holes, the vertical holes being formed in at least one of the upper part (a) and lower part (b) of the continuous electrodes and structure.

5. The laser connection module according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that, The laser diode (4) is disposed between the front ends of the electrodes (2), and the laser connection module (1) includes electrically insulating spacers (3) arranged between the consecutive rear ends of the electrodes (2), and the thickness of the spacers (3) is similar to the thickness of the laser diode (4).

6. The laser connection module according to claim 5, characterized in that, The clamping device (6) includes a stud (60) that presses the front end of the electrode (2) against the front end of the laser diode (4), and a stud (61) that presses the rear end of the electrode (2) against the electrically insulating spacer (3).

7. The laser connection module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device for fastening the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the structure includes a guide post (57) disposed between the upper part (a) and the lower part (b), and the guide post (57) is fixed to the upper part and the lower part by screws (58) at its end.

8. The laser connection module according to claim 7, characterized in that, The electrode (2) has a groove (21) on its contour, the groove (21) having a complementary structure to a portion of the cross section of the guide post (57), and is suitable for mounting the electrode (2) as a sliding element between the guide posts without the use of a spacer (3); the guide post (57) simultaneously forms a means for separating the upper part (a) and the lower part (b) of the structure (5) and a means for vertically aligning the electrode (2).

9. The laser connection module according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The stud (60) forming the clamping device (6) is arranged at the center of the assembly relative to the electrode (2) and the laser diode (4).

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