Device for fixing optical element

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for inserting a lens barrel into an optical system, the system comprising an optical system housing having an opening for inserting the lens barrel transversely to a beam direction of the optical system into a space behind the opening, the space having lateral guiding and positioning elements; and the lens barrel has sliding and sealing elements on an end face thereof.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of German patent application DE102024107748.4 filed on March 19, 2024. The above application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a system having a mounting structure for an optical assembly in a laser machining system for simplified installation and removal. Background Art

[0004] Development and production of lasers, laser processing heads and systems, their components and accessories, as well as laser measuring instruments. Laser processing heads and systems are designed for material processing, including welding, soldering and cutting.

[0005] Laser processing heads and systems include a number of optical components. For example, lenses that collimate or focus the laser beam are used in laser processing systems to shape the beam.

[0006] In laser material processing of metals or other materials, it is often necessary to shape the beam so that it has properties suitable for the respective application. This beam shaping is achieved by optical elements arranged along the beam direction of the laser beam.

[0007] The optical elements can be arranged in a so-called lens barrel. This is preferably, but not necessarily, a cylindrical body, inside which the optical elements are arranged. The optical elements can be lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam shaping optics, including refractive and diffractive optics, and / or protective glasses. The advantage of using a lens barrel is that the optical elements can be replaced as a unit. If individual optical elements are replaced, it may be necessary to correctly reposition the respective optical elements relative to each other. When using a lens barrel, this is not necessary.

[0008] Lens barrels are known in the prior art and are mounted in optical devices using threaded rings, clamps, or the like. Assembly and disassembly are usually only possible using screw-in tools or other specialized tools. To replace the lens barrel, the device in which it is used must sometimes be dismantled. To prevent contamination, the replacement of optical components must be carried out in a clean room to avoid contamination of the device with particles, etc. This significantly increases the downtime of the device during lens barrel replacement.

[0009] This is often disadvantageous when replacing optical components at the end customer or during maintenance. Screw connections in the optical housing are also considered disadvantageous due to material wear, as deposits can be introduced into the optical housing. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an alternative accessory for a lens barrel which avoids the disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art.

[0011] The present disclosure provides a system for inserting a lens barrel into an optical system, comprising:

[0012] a housing for the optical system, the housing having an opening for inserting a lens barrel transversely to the beam direction of the optical system into a space behind the opening, the space having lateral guiding and positioning elements; and

[0013] A lens barrel having sliding and sealing elements on its end faces.

[0014] In one embodiment of the system according to the present disclosure, the space behind the opening has a first stop on a wall of the housing opposite the opening.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the system has a cover for closing the opening, and according to this embodiment, the cover has a second stop portion so that the lens barrel can be fixed and aligned between the first stop portion and the second stop portion after insertion.

[0016] According to the present invention, in one embodiment, the first stop of the system further has a concave shape corresponding to the outer shape of the lens barrel.

[0017] The system also includes a first stop composed of two triangular elements.

[0018] According to the invention, the system has a first additional positioning element on a side of the housing of the optical system opposite the opening.

[0019] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lens barrel has a second additional positioning element on a longitudinal side of the housing facing the optical system on the side opposite the opening.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first additional positioning element and the second additional positioning element have inclined surfaces, such that the angles of the corresponding inclined surfaces add up to 90°.

[0021] The present disclosure also includes an embodiment of the system, wherein optical elements selected from the group consisting of lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam shaping optical elements, refractive and diffractive optical elements, and protective glasses are arranged in the lens barrel.

[0022] Furthermore, the cover and opening of a system according to the present disclosure may have corresponding shapes for proper alignment of the lens barrel.

[0023] The corresponding shape is selected from the group consisting of a wedge, a half shell, a stop and a ball.

[0024] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will readily appear from the following detailed description, which briefly describes preferred embodiments and implementations. The present disclosure may also be implemented in other and different embodiments, and its various details may be modified in various obvious respects without departing from the teachings and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are partially set forth in the following description and partially apparent from the description, or may be inferred from the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these are merely possible exemplary embodiments, and the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown, wherein:

[0026] Figure 1 A housing is schematically shown with an opening, in front of which a lens barrel is arranged.

[0027] Figure 2 The interaction of the sliding and / or sealing elements with the guiding and positioning elements when the lens barrel is inserted into the housing is schematically shown.

[0028] Figure 3 The lens barrel is shown in its final position in the housing of the optical device.

[0029] Figure 4 The lens barrel is shown in its final position within the housing of the optical device with the cover closed.

[0030] Figure 5 Shown are the first and second additional positioning elements of the housing and the cover for limiting the positioning of the lens barrel.

[0031] Figure 6 A cross section through a space at 90° to the previous figures is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The features of the independent claims solve the aforementioned tasks of the present disclosure. The dependent claims cover further specific embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] According to the invention, a system is provided comprising a lens cartridge and a receiver for the lens cartridge, wherein the receiver for the lens cartridge is formed by a lateral opening in the housing of the optical device. Within the optical device, spacing structures and / or guiding structures are provided in the region of the receiver, which ensure precise positioning of the lens cartridge in the receiver.

[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, a lens barrel is understood to be a cylindrical arrangement in which an optical element is arranged. The lens barrel is sealed to prevent contaminants from entering the lens barrel. In addition, the optical element is fixed in the lens barrel and aligned.

[0035] The lens barrel is designed as a slide-in element and is mounted in the optical device via a receiver designed as a lateral opening in the housing. Sliding and / or sealing elements can be attached to the end face of the lens barrel and / or to the spacing and / or guiding structures of the housing to facilitate the insertion of the lens barrel, minimize wear and seal the space around the optical axis of the device in a dust-tight manner.

[0036] The lens barrel holding structure is closed by a cover. Suitable profiles (wedges, half shells, stops, balls, etc.) are arranged in the housing and the cover to ensure precise alignment of the lens barrel. In addition, sealing elements are provided or the profiles are designed so that they ensure sufficient sealing of the opening to prevent the ingress of contaminants such as dust or particles.

[0037] The lens barrel itself may contain various optical elements such as lenses, protective glasses, reflectors, beam shaping elements or similar elements.

[0038] The housing and cover or lid of the optical device ensures precise alignment of the lens barrel using the above-mentioned profiles (wedges, half shells, stops, balls, etc.). By screwing the cover onto the device, the lens barrel is securely clamped in place to prevent the ingress of particles and dirt.

[0039] The lens barrel has sliding and sealing elements that, on the one hand, enable the lens barrel to be pushed in and also prevent wear and contamination during insertion and removal. On the other hand, these elements ensure that the lens barrel remains securely in place inside the optical device. Furthermore, these elements seal the lens barrel against the space inside the optical device.

[0040] Figure 1 A housing 1 with an opening 2 is schematically shown. A lens barrel 10 is arranged in front of the opening 2. The housing has lateral guiding and positioning elements 5, so that the lens barrel 10 can only be inserted into a predefined position in the housing 1 of the optical device. A first stop 7 is provided at the end of the space 4 for inserting the lens barrel 10. This first stop limits the maximum insertion depth of the lens barrel 1 in the space 4 and also ensures the desired alignment of the lens barrel. The lens barrel is inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0041] Figure 2 The interaction of the sliding and / or sealing element 3 and the lateral guiding and positioning element 5 is schematically shown when the lens barrel 10 is inserted into the housing 1. The arrows again indicate the insertion direction.

[0042] Figure 3The lens barrel 10 is shown in its final position in the housing 1 of the optical device. The cover 20 of the housing 1 has not yet been applied to the opening 2 through which the lens barrel 10 has been inserted into the housing 1 of the optical device.

[0043] Figure 4 The lens barrel 10 is shown in its final position in the housing 1 of the optical device and with the cover 20 closed. The cover 20 has a second stop 21 for reliably and securely holding the lens barrel 10 inside the housing 1 of the optical device. The lens barrel 10 is securely arranged between the first stop 7, the second stop 21 and the lateral guide and positioning element 5.

[0044] Figure 5 The first additional positioning element 6, the second additional positioning element 16 of the housing 1 and the cover for limiting the positioning of the lens barrel 10 are shown. The first additional positioning element 6 on the housing has an angle corresponding to the angle of the second additional positioning element 16, which is arranged on the lens barrel 10. The lens barrel 10 is centered in the space 4 by the corresponding angles of the first additional positioning element 6 and the second additional positioning element 16. The cover 20 with the second stop 21 applies pressure to the lens barrel 10, so that the lens barrel 10 is centered before the first stop 7 by the action between the inclined surfaces of the first additional positioning element 6 and the second additional positioning element 16. The inclinations of the first additional positioning element and the second additional positioning element add up to 90°.

[0045] Figure 6 A schematic cross-section of the space 4 at an angle of 90° to the preceding figures is shown. The lens barrel 10 is already arranged in the housing 1. The cover 20 with the second stop 21 exerts pressure on the lens barrel 10, so that the lens barrel 10 is centered before the first stop 7 by means of the action between the inclined surfaces of the first additional positioning element 6 and the second additional positioning element 16.

[0046] The second stop 21 may be concave so that its curvature corresponds to the outer shape of the lens barrel. In addition, the second stop may be formed by two inclined surface elements.

[0047] The present disclosure provides an alternative solution for inserting and fixing a lens barrel in an optical device. The lens barrel is securely arranged and fixed in a predefined position in the housing of the optical device. In addition, the lens barrel is dust-sealed relative to the opening through which it is inserted.

[0048] The advantages of the present disclosure can be summarized as follows:

[0049] -The lens barrel is simply inserted into the housing.

[0050] - Using the positioning element, the lens barrel is reliably positioned in the housing.

[0051] -No special tools are required to replace the lens barrel.

[0052] - Reduce the entry of pollutants.

[0053] -The lens barrel can be replaced in the field.

[0054] Other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will readily appear from the following detailed description, which briefly describes preferred embodiments and implementations. The present disclosure may also be implemented in other and different embodiments, and its various details may be modified in various obvious respects without departing from the teachings and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. Additional features and advantages of the present disclosure are partially set forth in the following description and partially apparent from the description, or may be inferred from the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0055] Reference numerals

[0056] 1 shell

[0057] 2 openings

[0058] 3 Sliding and / or sealing elements

[0059] 4 spaces for insertion

[0060] 5 lateral guide and positioning elements

[0061] 6 First additional positioning element

[0062] 7First stop

[0063] 10 Lens barrel

[0064] 16 Second additional positioning element

[0065] 20 Cover

[0066] 21 Second stop

Claims

1. A system for inserting a lens barrel into an optical system, comprising: an optical system housing having an opening for inserting a lens barrel transversely to the beam direction of the optical system into a space behind the opening, the space having lateral guiding and positioning elements; and The lens barrel has sliding and sealing elements on its end surface.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The space behind the opening has a first stop on a wall of the housing opposite to the opening.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cover for closing the opening.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The cover has a second stop for securing and aligning the lens barrel between the first and second stops after insertion of the lens barrel.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first stopper has a concave shape corresponding to an outer shape of the lens barrel.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein: The first stop is formed by two triangular elements.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein: A side of the housing of the optical system opposite to the opening comprises a first additional positioning element.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein: The lens barrel has a second additional positioning element on a longitudinal side of the housing facing the optical system on the side opposite the opening.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein: The first and second additional positioning elements have inclined surfaces such that the angles of the respective inclined surfaces add up to 90°.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein: Optical elements selected from the group consisting of lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam shaping optical elements, refractive and diffractive optical elements, and protective glasses are arranged in the lens barrel.

11. The system according to claim 3, wherein: The cover and opening have corresponding shapes for proper alignment of the lens barrel.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein The corresponding shape is selected from the group consisting of a wedge, a half shell, a stop and a ball.

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