A laser and its pump source drive control system

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of laser processing and provides a laser and its pump source drive control system. The laser pump source drive control system includes a first controller, a pump source drive circuit, a first switch drive circuit, and a first switch, all electrically connected in sequence. It also includes a second controller, a constant current closed-loop drive circuit, a second switch drive circuit, and a second switch, all electrically connected in sequence. Furthermore, it includes a pump source drive power supply electrically connected to the first switch drive circuit and a pump source current acquisition circuit electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit and the constant current closed-loop drive circuit. The first switch drive circuit is also electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit, and the first controller is also electrically connected to the second controller. This invention employs a series interlocked joint drive method between the first and second switches to achieve real-time dual protection for the laser pump source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of laser processing, and particularly relates to a laser and its pump source drive control system. Background Technology

[0002] Lasers are high-power, high-end equipment in the industrial control industry. They are generally used in precision cutting, welding, 3D printing, marking, engraving, cladding, cleaning and other specialized processing industries. These industries have high requirements for the functionality, performance, stability, safety and reliability of lasers.

[0003] Because the laser is integrated into the entire large system and multiple devices operate in coordination, higher safety requirements are required for the laser, especially for the pump source drive control system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a laser and its pump source drive control system that can realize safe real-time switching control of the pump source and closed-loop control of the output power of the pump source.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a pump source drive control system for a laser, the pump source drive control system for a laser comprising a first controller, a pump source drive circuit, a first switch drive circuit and a first switch connected in sequence, and further comprising a second controller, a constant current closed-loop drive circuit, a second switch drive circuit and a second switch connected in sequence, and further comprising a pump source drive power supply electrically connected to the first switch drive circuit and a pump source current acquisition circuit electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit and the constant current closed-loop drive circuit, the first switch drive circuit being electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit, and the first controller being electrically connected to the second controller;

[0006] The pump source current acquisition circuit is used to acquire the output current of the pump source load and feed it back to the constant current closed-loop drive circuit to form a first-level hardware closed-loop control of the power.

[0007] When the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports the alarm information to the first controller. The first controller then sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit to control the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit, thus turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm information to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch.

[0008] Furthermore, the pump source drive control system also includes a differential current sampling circuit that is electrically connected to the pump source current acquisition circuit and the second controller. The differential current sampling circuit detects the magnitude of the drive current in real time. The second controller compares the drive current detected in real time by the differential current sampling circuit with a threshold set by the second controller. If the drive current exceeds the threshold, a secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to shut down the pump source output analog signal.

[0009] Furthermore, the pump source drive control system of the laser also includes a controller that is electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply and the first controller respectively, for detecting whether the pump source drive power supply is leaking current. When the pump source drive power supply is detected to be leaking current, an alarm signal is sent to the first controller.

[0010] Furthermore, the first controller is also electrically connected to the first switch driving circuit and the second switch driving circuit respectively, and is used to detect whether the first switch and the second switch are short-circuited during the power-on process and the reset initialization process. When the first switch or the second switch is detected to be short-circuited, a second switch or second switch closing protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to close the first switch or the second switch that is short-circuited. At the same time, an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to trigger the shielding of external control signals. The external control signals include the first controller external control signal and the second controller external control signal.

[0011] Furthermore, the pump source drive control system also includes an operational amplifier circuit that is electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply and the first controller respectively. The first controller is used to detect the voltage of the pump source drive power supply in real time during the power-on process and operation. If there is overvoltage or undervoltage, it sends a pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism trigger signal to shut down the pump source drive power supply. At the same time, it sends an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal to shield the external control signal. The external control signal includes the external control signal of the first controller and the external control signal of the second controller.

[0012] Furthermore, the protection mechanism of the laser is divided into four priorities:

[0013] First priority, second switch off protection mechanism;

[0014] Second priority, first switch off protection mechanism;

[0015] Third priority: Pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism;

[0016] The fourth priority is the input signal shielding protection mechanism and the secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism;

[0017] The first controller uniformly processes the protection mechanism trigger signals or alarm signals detected by the second controller or the first controller, issues corresponding alarm instructions according to the priority of the protection mechanism, and sends alarm signals to the outside.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a laser, including a pump source drive control system for the laser as described above.

[0019] The beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows: Since the first controller controls the first switch drive circuit and the second controller controls the second switch drive circuit, and the second controller is connected to the first controller, when the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports an alarm message to the first controller. The first controller then issues a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit, thereby controlling the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit and turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm message to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch. In other words, a series interlocked joint drive method using the first and second switches achieves real-time dual protection for the laser pump source. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a pump source drive control system for a laser provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a pump source drive control system for a laser provided in another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention.

[0023] To illustrate the technical solution described in this invention, specific embodiments are described below.

[0024] Please see Figure 1An embodiment of the present invention provides a pump source drive control system for a laser, comprising a first controller 11, a pump source drive circuit 12, a first switch drive circuit 13, and a first switch 14 connected in sequence, and further comprising a second controller 15, a constant current closed-loop drive circuit 16, a second switch drive circuit 17, and a second switch 18 connected in sequence, and further comprising a pump source drive power supply 19 electrically connected to the first switch drive circuit 13 and a pump source current acquisition circuit 20 electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit 17 and the constant current closed-loop drive circuit 16. The first switch drive circuit 13 is also electrically connected to the second switch drive circuit 17, and the first controller 11 is also electrically connected to the second controller 15. The first controller can be an ARM controller, and the second controller can be an FPGA controller.

[0025] The working principle of the laser pump source drive control system provided in one embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0026] When the laser is ready to emit light, the first controller first sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit, thereby turning on the first switch and connecting the pump source drive power supply to the first switch drive circuit. Then, the second controller sends an enable signal, a pump source emission analog signal, and a PWM pulse signal, which, through a constant current closed-loop drive circuit, control the drive power output to the second switch drive circuit, thus controlling the second switch drive circuit to operate in the variable resistance amplification region.

[0027] After the first and second switches are turned on simultaneously, the pump source load begins to operate normally and outputs pump laser. The pump source current acquisition circuit begins to acquire the output current of the pump source load and feeds it back to the constant current closed-loop drive circuit, forming a first-level hardware closed-loop control of the power.

[0028] The second controller is connected to the first controller to achieve data sharing. When the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports the alarm information to the first controller. The first controller then sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit, which in turn controls the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit, thus turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm information to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch. In other words, the first and second switches are connected in series and interlocked for joint driving, achieving real-time dual protection for the laser pump source.

[0029] Please see Figure 2The pump source drive control system for a laser provided in another embodiment of the present invention differs from the pump source drive control system for a laser provided in one embodiment of the present invention in that: it further includes a controller 22 that is electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply 21 and the first controller 23 respectively, for detecting whether the pump source drive power supply 21 is leaking current, and when the pump source drive power supply 21 is detected to be leaking current, it sends an alarm signal to the first controller 23.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump source drive control system of the laser is provided, and the first controller 23 is also electrically connected to the first switch 25 and the second switch 26 respectively. It is used to detect whether the first switch and the second switch are short-circuited during the power-on process and the reset initialization process. When the first switch or the second switch is detected to be short-circuited, a first switch or second switch closing protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to close the first switch or the second switch that is short-circuited. At the same time, an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to trigger the shielding of the external control signal. The external control signal includes the first controller external control signal (ARM external control signal) and the second controller external control signal (FPGA external control signal).

[0031] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump source drive control system for a laser further includes an operational amplifier circuit 27 electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply 21 and the first controller 23. The first controller 23 is used to detect the voltage of the pump source drive power supply in real time during the power-on process and operation. If there is overvoltage or undervoltage, it issues a pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism trigger signal to shut down the pump source drive power supply. At the same time, it issues an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal to shield the external control signal. The external control signal includes the first controller external control signal (ARM external control signal) and the second controller external control signal (FPGA external control signal).

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump source drive control system of the laser further includes a differential current sampling circuit 30 electrically connected to the pump source current acquisition circuit 28 and the second controller 29 respectively. The differential current sampling circuit 30 detects the magnitude of the drive current in real time. The second controller 29 is used to compare the drive current detected by the differential current sampling circuit 30 in real time with the threshold set by the second controller 29. If the drive current exceeds the threshold, a secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to shut down the pump source output analog signal.

[0033] The working principle of the laser pump source drive control system provided in another embodiment of the present invention is as follows:

[0034] During the laser system power-on or reset initialization process, the first controller detects whether the first and second switches are short-circuited. It independently controls the first switch drive circuit to open the first switch and controls the second switch drive circuit to close the second switch. Based on the detected voltage, it determines whether the first switch is short-circuited or open-circuited. Then, it independently controls the second switch drive circuit to open the second switch and controls the first switch drive circuit to close the first switch, determining whether the second switch is short-circuited or open-circuited. When a short circuit is detected in either the first or second switch, a protection mechanism trigger signal is issued, shutting down the short-circuited first or second switch.

[0035] When the laser is ready to emit light, the first controller first sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit, thereby turning on the first switch and connecting the pump source drive power supply to the first switch drive circuit. Then, the second controller sends an enable signal, a pump source emission analog signal, and a PWM pulse signal, which, through a constant current closed-loop drive circuit, control the drive power output to the second switch drive circuit, thus controlling the second switch drive circuit to operate in the variable resistance amplification region.

[0036] After the first and second switches are turned on simultaneously, the pump source load begins normal operation, outputting pump laser light. The pump source current acquisition circuit begins to acquire the output current of the pump source load and feeds it back to the constant current closed-loop drive circuit, forming a first-level hardware closed-loop control of the power. At the same time, the differential current sampling circuit monitors the magnitude of the drive current in real time. The second controller compares the drive current detected in real time by the differential current sampling circuit with the threshold set by the second controller. If the drive current exceeds the threshold, a second-level software closed-loop protection mechanism trigger signal is issued, shutting down the pump source's analog light output signal.

[0037] The second controller is connected to the first controller to achieve data sharing. When the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports the alarm information to the first controller. The first controller then sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit, which in turn controls the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit, thus turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm information to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch. In other words, the first and second switches are connected in series and interlocked for joint driving, achieving real-time dual protection for the laser pump source.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the pump source driving subsystem of the laser is further equipped with a controller that detects whether the pump source driving power supply is leaking current. When leakage is detected, an alarm signal is sent to the first controller. The first controller also monitors the voltage of the pump source driving power supply in real time during the power-on process and operation. If there is overvoltage or undervoltage, a protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to shut down the pump source driving power supply.

[0039] The protection mechanism of the laser in this invention is divided into four priorities:

[0040] First priority, second switch off protection mechanism;

[0041] Second priority, first switch off protection mechanism;

[0042] Third priority: Pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism;

[0043] The fourth priority is the external control signal shielding protection mechanism and the secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism.

[0044] The first controller uniformly processes the protection mechanism trigger signals or alarm signals detected by the second controller or the first controller, and issues corresponding alarm indications (e.g., through a speaker or indicator light) according to the priority of the protection mechanism, and sends alarm signals to the outside.

[0045] The present invention also provides a laser comprising a pump source drive control system for a laser provided in one or another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] In this invention, the first controller controls the first switch drive circuit, and the second controller controls the second switch drive circuit. The second controller and the first controller are connected. When the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports an alarm message to the first controller. The first controller then issues a pump source switch control signal to activate the pump source drive circuit, thereby controlling the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit and turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm message to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch. In other words, a series interlocked joint drive method using the first and second switches achieves real-time dual protection for the laser pump source.

[0047] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pump source drive control system for a laser, characterized in that, The pump source drive control system of the laser includes a first controller, a pump source drive circuit, a first switch drive circuit and a first switch connected in sequence, and a second controller, a constant current closed-loop drive circuit, a second switch drive circuit and a second switch connected in sequence, and a pump source drive power supply connected to the first switch drive circuit and a pump source current acquisition circuit connected to the second switch drive circuit and the constant current closed-loop drive circuit, respectively. The first switch drive circuit is also connected to the second switch drive circuit, and the first controller is also connected to the second controller. The pump source current acquisition circuit is used to acquire the output current of the pump source load and feed it back to the constant current closed-loop drive circuit to form a first-level hardware closed-loop control of the power. When the second controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it reports the alarm information to the first controller. The first controller then sends a pump source switch control signal to start the pump source drive circuit to control the shutdown of the first switch drive circuit, thus turning off the first switch. When the first controller detects a protection mechanism trigger signal or an alarm signal, it sends an alarm information to the second controller, which then controls the shutdown of the second switch.

2. The pump source drive control system for the laser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pump source drive control system also includes a differential current sampling circuit that is electrically connected to the pump source current acquisition circuit and the second controller. The differential current sampling circuit detects the magnitude of the drive current in real time. The second controller compares the drive current detected in real time by the differential current sampling circuit with a threshold set by the second controller. If the drive current exceeds the threshold, a secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to shut down the pump source output analog signal.

3. The pump source drive control system for the laser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pump source drive control system of the laser also includes a controller that is electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply and the first controller respectively, for detecting whether the pump source drive power supply is leaking current. When the pump source drive power supply is detected to be leaking current, an alarm signal is sent to the first controller.

4. The pump source drive control system for the laser as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first controller is also electrically connected to the first switch driving circuit and the second switch driving circuit respectively, and is used to detect whether the first switch and the second switch are short-circuited during the power-on process and the reset initialization process. When the first switch or the second switch is detected to be short-circuited, a second switch or second switch closing protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to close the first switch or the second switch that is short-circuited. At the same time, an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal is issued to trigger the shielding of external control signals. The external control signals include the first controller external control signal and the second controller external control signal.

5. The pump source drive control system for the laser as described in claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The pump source drive control system further includes an operational amplifier circuit that is electrically connected to the pump source drive power supply and the first controller respectively. The first controller is used to detect the voltage of the pump source drive power supply in real time during the power-on process and operation. If there is overvoltage or undervoltage, it sends a pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism trigger signal to shut down the pump source drive power supply. At the same time, it sends an external control signal shielding protection mechanism trigger signal to shield the external control signal. The external control signal includes the external control signal of the first controller and the external control signal of the second controller.

6. The pump source drive control system for the laser as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The laser's protection mechanism is divided into four priorities: First priority, second switch off protection mechanism; Second priority, first switch off protection mechanism; Third priority: Pump source drive power supply shutdown protection mechanism; The fourth priority is the input signal shielding protection mechanism and the secondary software closed-loop protection mechanism; The first controller uniformly processes the protection mechanism trigger signals or alarm signals detected by the second controller or the first controller, issues corresponding alarm instructions according to the priority of the protection mechanism, and sends alarm signals to the outside.

7. A laser, characterized in that, Includes a pump source drive control system for a laser as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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