Adjusting mechanism for adjusting posture of laser endoscope

Abstract

The invention discloses an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser endoscope, the adjusting mechanism is installed on a spacer of a laser, the adjusting mechanism comprises a shell, the shell comprises a shell front part and a shell rear part, the shell front part is internally provided with an endoscope and an endoscope support, the endoscope support is provided with a light outlet, the shell rear part is provided with a plurality of fine thread pairs, and the fine thread pairs are arranged in the shell front part; the light outlet is located in the rear portion of the shell and the center of the endoscope support and penetrates through the front portion of the shell to be connected with the endoscope, the endoscope is located in the center of the front portion of the shell and fixed to the endoscope support, an elastic cushion is installed between the endoscope support and the shell, and a thread pair cushion block is installed between a screw of each fine thread pair and the endoscope support. And the endoscope support is pushed to press the elastic cushion by adjusting the expansion and contraction of the screws of the fine thread pairs, so that the swinging and pitching attitudes of the endoscope are adjusted. The device is simple in structure, low in material requirement, low in cost and high in mechanical stability and reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of optical path adjustment, and particularly relates to an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of a laser cavity mirror. Background Art

[0002] In order to ensure the stability and reliability of the operation of a laser, it is necessary to adjust the attitude of the laser cavity mirror. For example, an iodine-stabilized laser is a low-power frequency-stabilized laser that requires precise control of the cavity length. Generally, it is used as a national length reference device and requires high stability and reliability. As Figure 1 shown, an iodine-stabilized laser generally consists of a gain tube, an iodine absorption chamber, two cavity mirrors, a piezoelectric ceramic, and a spacer. Among them, the spacer is used to support all components. In order to reduce the influence of environmental temperature on the cavity length, the spacer must be made of a low thermal expansion material. One cavity mirror is fixed on the piezoelectric ceramic. The piezoelectric ceramic controls and adjusts the cavity length of the laser in real time by elongation or shortening, so as to maintain the frequency stability of the laser. The resonant cavity of the iodine-stabilized laser has two structures: a fully external cavity and a semi-internal cavity. The fully external cavity structure means that both cavity mirrors of the resonant cavity are separated from the gain tube, as Figure 1 shown. The semi-internal cavity structure means that one cavity mirror of the resonant cavity is connected and fixed to the gain tube and cannot be adjusted, and the other cavity mirror is separated from the gain tube, as Figure 2 shown.

[0003] Currently, there are two ways to connect the cavity mirror to the spacer. One is the way of bonding and fixing, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown. That is, when assembling the laser, the attitude of the cavity mirror is adjusted first, and then the cavity mirror and the spacer are fixed with an adhesive while maintaining the attitude of the cavity mirror. The other is to connect the cavity mirror and the spacer through a commercial optical adjustment mount as Figures 3 - 4 shown, which is not shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 . The optical adjustment mount is fixed on the spacer, and the cavity mirror is fixed on the optical adjustment mount. By adjusting the screw on the optical adjustment mount, the left-right swing and up-down pitch of the cavity mirror are adjusted.

[0004] However, the bonding and fixing method has the following defects:

[0005] (1) It has high requirements for the process accuracy of laser assembly, and it is very difficult to achieve.

[0006] (2) It has relatively high requirements for the performance of the adhesive. It must not age or deform for a long time at a relatively high temperature.

[0007] (3) After bonding, the attitude of the endoscope is solidified and cannot be adjusted. Once the laser is assembled, the attitude of the endoscope can no longer be adjusted. After long-term use, the deformation of the spacer and gain tube due to uneven heat and force, and the strain of the piezoelectric ceramic due to aging cannot be compensated by adjusting the attitude of the endoscope, resulting in the deformation of the resonant cavity and the continuous decrease of the laser power.

[0008] The fixing method of the optical adjustment frame has the following defects:

[0009] (1) The stability of the optical adjustment frame is poor. The optical adjustment frame uses the tension of the spring and the thrust of the screw to cooperate with each other to adjust the attitude of the endoscope. Its structure is relatively complex, so the mechanical stability is poor.

[0010] (2) The creep of the spring in the optical adjustment frame also causes the position and attitude of the laser endoscope to change slowly, resulting in the deformation of the laser resonant cavity, the gradual decrease of the laser power, and even complete detuning and no light output. The endoscope needs to be adjusted irregularly. The technical requirements for the users of the laser are relatively high.

[0011] (3) The main function of the commercial optical adjustment frame is to precisely adjust the attitude of the endoscope. Its property of fixing the endoscope is relatively weak. Generally, a screw is used to hold the lens from the side. The mechanical reliability of this fixing method is poor. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Aiming at the deficiencies in the prior art, the present invention provides an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the laser endoscope, which has a simple structure, low requirements for materials, low cost, high mechanical stability and reliability.

[0013] The present invention provides an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the laser endoscope. The adjustment mechanism is installed on the spacer of the laser. The adjustment mechanism includes: a housing, the housing includes a front part and a rear part of the housing. A endoscope and an endoscope holder are arranged in the front part of the housing. An optical output port is arranged on the endoscope holder. A plurality of fine-thread screw pairs are arranged on the rear part of the housing. The optical output port is located at the center of the rear part of the housing and the endoscope holder and passes through the front part of the housing to connect the endoscope. The endoscope is located at the center of the front part of the housing and is fixed on the endoscope holder. An elastic pad is installed between the endoscope holder and the housing. A screw pair spacer is installed between the screw of each fine-thread screw pair and the endoscope holder;

[0014] By adjusting the telescopic of the screws of the plurality of fine-thread screw pairs, the endoscope holder is pushed to press the elastic pad, so as to realize the adjustment of the swing and pitching attitudes of the endoscope.

[0015] Preferably, a through hole is further arranged on the housing for fixing the adjustment mechanism on the spacer of the laser.

[0016] Preferably, the housing is further provided with countersunk holes and threaded holes for connecting the front part and the rear part of the housing.

[0017] Preferably, the adjustment mechanism is integrally mounted on the spacer of the laser, and the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism is flexibly designed according to the structure and shape of the spacer of the laser.

[0018] Preferably, the front part of the housing is bowl-shaped and the rear part of the housing is flat, or the front part of the housing is flat and the rear part of the housing is bowl-shaped, or both the front part and the rear part of the housing are bowl-shaped.

[0019] Preferably, the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism is a cylinder or a cube; when the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism is a cylinder and the spacer is cylindrical, a plurality of screws are arranged on the housing of the adjustment mechanism along the circumference for fixing the front part and the rear part of the housing and for fixing the adjustment mechanism at one end of the spacer.

[0020] Preferably, the housing is made of aluminum alloy material or hard material; the elastic pad is circular or divided into several pieces and is evenly distributed between the mirror holder and the housing, and is made of elastic hard material; the mirror holder is circular or cubic and is made of hard material.

[0021] Preferably, the plurality of fine-thread screw pairs are distributed in a centrally symmetric circular pattern or in a horn-shaped pattern; the number of the plurality of screw pairs is set to three and they are arranged on the rear part of the housing at an angle of 120° to each other.

[0022] Preferably, the laser is an iodine-stabilized laser.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0024] 1. In the present invention, an elastic pad is used to replace the spring in the prior art as the elastic device in the adjustment mechanism, so that the adjustment device can be adjusted and maintain its posture. The elastic pad and the screw pair both apply pressure to the mirror holder, and the mechanical stability is better. After the posture of the mirror is adjusted, the elastic pad can be compressed to the maximum extent, and the fixing method of two-way extrusion makes the mechanical performance more stable, avoiding the influence caused by the long-term creep of the spring.

[0025] 2. The structure of the present invention is simple, the requirements for material properties are low, the manufacturing cost is low, the mechanical stability and reliability are high, and it can be used for the adjustment and fixation of the mirror of the iodine-stabilized laser, reducing the assembly difficulty of the iodine-stabilized laser. This mechanism can also be used for the adjustment and fixation of the mirrors of other types of lasers. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1Schematic diagram of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure) provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure) provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 Physical diagram of the commercial optical mount provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the structure of the commercial optical mount provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the laser cavity mirror provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the structure of another adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the laser cavity mirror (left side view, right cross-section) provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the structure of another adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the laser cavity mirror (left cross-section, right perspective) provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 8 Physical diagram of the adjustment mechanism installed on the cylindrical spacer provided by the present invention;

[0034] The serial numbers and references of each component in the drawings are as follows:

[0035] Figure 1 Among them, 1-1 is the first cavity mirror of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure); 1-2 is the gain tube of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure); 1-3 is the spacer of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure); 1-4 is the iodine absorption chamber of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure); 1-5 is the second cavity mirror of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure); 1-6 is the piezoelectric ceramic of the iodine-stabilized laser (fully external cavity structure).

[0036] Figure 2 Among them, 2-1 is the first cavity mirror of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure); 2-2 is the gain tube of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure); 2-3 is the spacer of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure); 2-4 is the iodine absorption chamber of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure); 2-5 is the second cavity mirror of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure); 2-6 is the piezoelectric ceramic of the iodine-stabilized laser (semi-internal cavity structure).

[0037] Figures 5 - 8Among them, 1. endoscope; 2. endoscope support; 3. elastic pad; 4. front part of the housing; 5. rear part of the housing; 6. fine thread pair; 7. thread pair spacer block; 8. spacer; 9. light outlet hole; 10. through hole; 11. counterbore; 12. threaded hole. Detailed implementation manners

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Apparently, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] As Figures 5 - 8 shown, the present invention provides an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of the endoscope of a laser. The adjustment mechanism is installed on the spacer 8 of the laser. The adjustment mechanism includes: a housing, the housing includes a front part 4 of the housing and a rear part 5 of the housing. The front part 4 of the housing is provided with an endoscope 1 and an endoscope support 2. The endoscope support is provided with a light outlet 9. The rear part 5 of the housing is provided with a plurality of fine thread pairs 6. The light outlet 9 is located at the center of the rear part 5 of the housing and the endoscope support 2 and passes through the front part 4 of the housing to connect to the endoscope 1. The endoscope 1 is located at the center of the front part 4 of the housing and is fixed on the endoscope support 2. An elastic pad 3 is installed between the endoscope support 2 and the housing. A thread pair spacer block 7 is installed between the screw of each fine thread pair 6 and the endoscope support 2; by adjusting the telescopic movement of the screws of the plurality of fine thread pairs 6, the endoscope support 2 is pushed to compress the elastic pad 3, so as to realize the adjustment of the swing and pitching postures of the endoscope.

[0041] In the embodiment of the present invention, the housing is further provided with a through hole 10 for fixing the adjustment mechanism on the spacer 8 of the laser.

[0042] In the embodiment of the present invention, the housing is further provided with a counterbore 11 and a threaded hole 12 for connecting the front part 4 of the housing and the rear part 5 of the housing.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment mechanism is integrally installed on the spacer 8 of the laser, and the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism is flexibly designed according to the structure and shape of the spacer 8 of the laser.

[0044] In the embodiment of the present invention, the front part 4 of the housing is bowl-shaped and the rear part 5 of the housing is flat, or the front part 4 of the housing is flat and the rear part 5 of the housing is bowl-shaped, or both the front part 4 of the housing and the rear part 5 of the housing are bowl-shaped.

[0045] In the embodiment of the present invention, the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism is a cylinder or a cube.

[0046] As shown Figures 6 - 7 in the figure, the housing of the adjustment mechanism is cylindrical in shape, the spacer 8 is cylindrical, and a number of screws are arranged along the circumference on the housing of the adjustment mechanism for fixing the front part 4 and the rear part 5 of the housing, and for fixing the adjustment mechanism to one end of the spacer 8.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present invention, the housing is made of aluminum alloy material or hard material, such as microcrystalline glass, metal, etc.; the elastic pad 3 is circular or divided into several pieces, evenly distributed between the endoscope holder 2 and the housing, and made of elastic hard material, such as silicone rubber, vacuum rubber, etc.; the endoscope holder 2 is circular or cubic in shape, and made of hard material, such as aluminum alloy, glass material or microcrystalline glass, etc.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of fine-thread screw pairs 6 are distributed in a centrosymmetric circular shape or in a horn shape; the number of the plurality of fine-thread screw pairs 6 is set to three, and they are arranged on the rear part of the housing at an angle of 120° to each other. Precision screw pairs are adopted.

[0049] In the embodiment of the present invention, the laser is an iodine-stabilized laser. The present invention can be used for adjusting the attitude of the cavity mirror of an iodine-stabilized He-Ne laser, and can also be used for adjusting the cavity mirror of other lasers.

[0050] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0051] 1. The present invention uses an elastic pad instead of a spring in the prior art as an elastic device in the adjustment mechanism, so that the adjustment device can be adjusted and maintain its attitude. The elastic pad and the screw pair both apply pressure to the endoscope holder, and the mechanical stability is better. After adjusting the attitude of the cavity mirror, the elastic pad can be compressed to the maximum extent, and the two-way extrusion fixing method makes the mechanical performance more stable, avoiding the influence caused by the long-term creep of the spring.

[0052] 2. The structure of the present invention is simple, the requirements for material performance are low, the manufacturing cost is low, the mechanical stability and reliability are high, it can be used for adjusting and fixing the cavity mirror of an iodine-stabilized laser, and reduces the assembly difficulty of the iodine-stabilized laser. This mechanism can also be used for adjusting and fixing the cavity mirrors of other types of lasers.

[0053] 3. The adjustment mechanism of the present invention can be integrally installed on the spacer of the laser, and the shape of the housing of the adjustment mechanism can be flexibly designed according to the structure and shape of the spacer of the laser, and can adapt to spacers of various structures and shapes.

[0054] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror, characterized in that: The adjustment mechanism is mounted on a spacer (8) of the laser, and comprises: a shell, the shell comprising a shell front portion (4) and a shell rear portion (5), a cavity mirror (1) and a cavity mirror support (2) are arranged in the shell front portion (4), the cavity mirror support is provided with a light outlet (9), the shell rear portion (5) is provided with a plurality of fine-pitch thread pairs (6), the light outlet (9) is located at the center of the shell rear portion (5) and the cavity mirror support (2) and passes through the shell front portion (4) to connect the cavity mirror (1), the cavity mirror (1) is located at the center of the shell front portion (4) and is fixed on the cavity mirror support (2), an elastic pad (3) is installed between the cavity mirror support (2) and the shell, and a thread pair pad (7) is installed between the screw of each fine-pitch thread pair (6) and the cavity mirror support (2); By adjusting the extension and retraction of the screws of the plurality of fine-pitch thread pairs (6), the laparoscope support (2) is pushed to compress the elastic pad (3), thereby achieving adjustment of the swing and pitch posture of the laparoscope.

2. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing is also provided with a through hole (10) for fixing the adjustment mechanism on the spacer (8) of the laser.

3. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is also provided with a countersunk hole (11) and a threaded hole (12) for connecting the front part (4) of the shell and the rear part (5) of the shell.

4. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustment mechanism is integrally mounted on the spacer (8) of the laser, and the shape of the outer shell of the adjustment mechanism is flexibly designed according to the structure and shape of the spacer (8) of the laser.

5. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The front part (4) of the shell is bowl-shaped and the rear part (5) of the shell is a flat plate, or the front part (4) of the shell is a flat plate and the rear part (5) of the shell is bowl-shaped, or both the front part (4) of the shell and the rear part (5) of the shell are bowl-shaped.

6. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer shell of the adjustment mechanism is in the shape of a cylinder or a cube; the outer shell of the adjustment mechanism is in the shape of a cylinder, the spacer is cylindrical, and a plurality of screws are arranged along the circumference of the outer shell of the adjustment mechanism for fixing the front part (4) of the outer shell and the rear part (5) of the outer shell, and for fixing the adjustment mechanism on the spacer (8).

7. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shell is made of aluminum alloy or hard material; the elastic pad (3) is in a circular ring shape or is divided into several pieces, which are evenly distributed between the laparoscope holder (2) and the shell, and is made of elastic hard material; the laparoscope holder (2) is in a circular ring shape or a cubic shape, and is made of hard material.

8. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of fine pitch thread pairs (6) are centrally symmetrically distributed in a circular shape or in a horn shape; the number of the plurality of thread pairs (6) is set to three, and they are arranged at an angle of 120° to each other on the rear part of the housing.

9. The adjustment mechanism for adjusting the posture of a laser cavity mirror according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The laser is an iodine-stabilized laser.

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