Integrated protection mechanism laser multifunction control method and interface

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of laser technology and discloses a multi-functional control method and interface for lasers with integrated protection mechanisms. The method includes: receiving multiple control signals from the laser through an external control signal input terminal; transmitting the received multiple control signals to a detection circuit and preprocessing the multiple control signals; transmitting the preprocessed signals to an MCU control unit through a signal isolation module, which blocks external interference signals from entering the MCU control unit; and the MCU control unit identifying, processing, and logically judging the preprocessed signals. This invention, by integrating detection, isolation, feedback, and protection mechanisms, solves the problems of poor signal isolation, slow protection response, and insufficient signal synchronization in existing interface control technologies, significantly improving the reliability, safety, and intelligent industrial control level of lasers in complex industrial environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser technology, and specifically to a multi-functional control method and interface for lasers with integrated protection mechanisms. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, existing interface control technologies on the market mainly focus on basic signal transmission and single protection, which cannot meet the needs of laser applications for synchronous management of multiple signals (enable, power control, fault indication, interlock signals, etc.). Furthermore, existing protection mechanisms are mostly unidirectional triggering, lacking real-time monitoring and automatic feedback, resulting in delayed system response under abnormal conditions and posing a risk of equipment damage. In addition, interface isolation performance is limited, leading to insufficient stability in high-interference industrial environments. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention provides a laser multifunctional control method and interface with integrated protection mechanism to solve the above problems.

[0004] To address the above technical problems, this invention provides a multi-functional control method for lasers with an integrated protection mechanism, comprising: Receive multiple control signals from the laser through an external control signal input terminal; The received multiple control signals are transmitted to the detection circuit, and the multiple control signals are preprocessed. The preprocessed signal is transmitted to the MCU control unit through the signal isolation module, which blocks external interference signals from entering the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit identifies, processes, and makes logical judgments on the pre-processed signals. If the signal is normal, the MCU control unit outputs control commands to the laser driver module to control the laser to work according to the commands. If the signal is abnormal, the MCU control unit triggers the protection circuit and forcibly shuts down the laser output; The MCU control unit transmits the laser's operating status signal to the feedback circuit, which then sends the operating status signal back to the external control signal output terminal.

[0005] As an optional approach, the external control signal input terminal receives multiple control signals, including enable signals, power control signals, red light control signals, and interlock signals.

[0006] As an optional approach, preprocessing of multiple control signals includes: The detection circuit performs voltage matching and level matching on each control signal to ensure that the pre-processed signal meets the working requirements of the MCU control unit.

[0007] As an optional approach, the MCU control unit's identification, processing, and logical judgment of the preprocessed signal also includes: If the received signal is an enable signal, the laser driver module controls the switching of the laser main control module. If the received signal is a power control signal, then the laser driver module is controlled to adjust the output power of the laser. If the received signal is a red light control signal, then the laser driver module is controlled to adjust the on / off state of the laser indicator module; If the received signal is an interlock signal, it will be used as the basis for determining the laser safety linkage protection.

[0008] As an optional method, the MCU control unit determines signal abnormalities including excessively high input signal voltage, input signal logic conflict, and broken interlock signals.

[0009] As an optional approach, the laser operating status signals fed back by the feedback circuit to the external control signal output include the laser's enable status signal, power status signal, and fault status signal.

[0010] As an alternative, after the laser fault is cleared, the fault reset module receives an external reset signal and transmits the reset signal to the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit then controls the laser to resume normal operation based on the reset signal.

[0011] On the other hand, the present invention also provides a multi-functional control interface for a laser with an integrated protection mechanism, comprising: External control signal input terminal, detection circuit, signal isolation module, MCU control unit, feedback circuit, protection circuit and laser driver module; The external control signal input terminal is electrically connected to the detection circuit. The detection circuit is electrically connected to the MCU control unit through the signal isolation module. The MCU control unit is electrically connected to the feedback circuit, the protection circuit, and the laser driver module, respectively. The feedback circuit is also electrically connected to the external control signal input terminal.

[0012] As an optional method, the external control signal input terminal is used to receive multiple control signals from the laser; The detection circuit is used to preprocess the received multiple control signals; The signal isolation module is used to block external interference signals from entering the MCU control unit; The MCU control unit is used to identify, process and make logical judgments on the pre-processed signals: when the signal is normal, it outputs control commands to the laser driver module to control the laser to work, and triggers the protection circuit when the signal is abnormal. The protection circuit is used to forcibly shut down the laser output when triggered, and the feedback circuit is used to send the laser's operating status signal back to the external control signal output terminal.

[0013] As an alternative approach, the detection circuit and signal isolation module are positioned close to the external control signal input terminal; the MCU control unit is located in the center, and the protection circuit and feedback circuit are positioned close to the laser driver module.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention solves the problems of poor signal isolation, slow protection response, and insufficient signal synchronization in existing interface control technologies by integrating detection, isolation, feedback, and protection mechanisms, and significantly improves the reliability, safety, and intelligent industrial control level of lasers in complex industrial environments. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the interface module layout of the present invention; Figure 2 This is the logic flowchart of the external control signal of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art will understand that many technical details have been presented in the various embodiments of the present invention to enable the reader to better understand the present invention. However, the technical solutions claimed in the present invention can be implemented even without these technical details and various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments.

[0017] This embodiment aims to describe in detail a multi-functional control interface for lasers with an integrated protection mechanism and its corresponding control method, in order to solve the shortcomings of existing interface technologies in terms of signal isolation, environmental adaptability and multi-signal collaborative control, and ensure the safe and stable operation of lasers in complex industrial environments.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, this is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser multi-functional control interface with integrated protection mechanism in this embodiment. The interface described in this embodiment includes an external control signal input terminal, a detection circuit, a signal isolation module, an MCU control unit, a feedback circuit, a protection circuit, and a laser driver module. All parts are electrically connected to form a complete control link.

[0019] The external control signal input terminal is directly connected to the detection circuit. The detection circuit is not directly connected to the MCU control unit, but is connected to the MCU control unit through a signal isolation module. This connection method can effectively block external interference. The MCU control unit is electrically connected to the feedback circuit, the protection circuit and the laser driver module respectively. At the same time, the feedback circuit is also electrically connected to the external control signal input terminal.

[0020] The external control signal input terminal receives multiple control signals required for laser operation, including enable signals, power control signals, red light control signals, and interlock signals. The detection circuit is responsible for preprocessing each received control signal. The preprocessing process involves voltage matching and level matching for each control signal. This ensures that the preprocessed signal parameters fully meet the operating requirements of the MCU control unit, preventing the MCU from failing to accurately identify signals due to mismatch. The signal isolation module is used for anti-interference, using physical isolation design to block noise interference signals from the external industrial environment from entering the MCU control unit, ensuring the stability of the internal control logic. The MCU control unit, as the core control component of the entire interface, performs signal recognition, processing, and logic judgment operations.

[0021] As an optional approach, when it receives a preprocessed signal, it will first identify the signal type and process it according to preset logic: If the received signal is an enable signal, the laser driver module controls the switching of the laser main control module; if it is a power control signal, the laser driver module adjusts the laser's output power; if it is a red light control signal, the laser indicator module's switching state is adjusted; if it is an interlock signal, it is used as the basis for judging the laser's safety linkage protection. Simultaneously, the MCU control unit monitors the signal status in real time. When an abnormal signal is detected (e.g., excessively high input voltage, input signal logic conflict, or interlock signal disconnection), the protection circuit is immediately triggered. Once triggered, the protection circuit quickly executes a forced shutdown of the laser output to prevent damage to the laser due to abnormal signals. The feedback circuit is responsible for transmitting the laser's real-time operating status signal back to the external control signal output terminal for the host computer or user system to read. The transmitted operating status signal specifically includes the laser's enable status signal, power status signal, and fault status signal, enabling visualized monitoring of the laser's operating status.

[0022] In this embodiment, to further improve signal transmission efficiency and anti-interference capability, the detection circuit and signal isolation module are positioned close to the external control signal input terminal, shortening the transmission path of external signals into the detection circuit and reducing signal attenuation. The MCU control unit is located at the center of the entire interface structure. This layout can adapt to the multi-directional signal transmission of the detection circuit, protection circuit, feedback circuit, and laser driver module, reducing signal transmission delay. The protection circuit and feedback circuit are positioned close to the laser driver module, ensuring that the protection circuit can quickly act on the laser driver module when triggered, while the feedback circuit can promptly collect the laser's operating status, further improving the system response speed.

[0023] Based on the aforementioned integrated protection mechanism, the specific execution process of the laser multi-function control interface with the corresponding integrated protection mechanism is as follows: Please see Figure 2 The system acquires all control signals required for laser operation through the external control signal input terminal of the control interface. Multiple signals enter the system through independent input channels, effectively avoiding interference caused by the mixing of different signals. The control signals in this embodiment include enable signals, power control signals, red light control signals, and interlock signals. Multiple signals are input through independent channels to avoid signal mixing and interference.

[0024] After receiving multiple signals, all signals are synchronously transmitted to the interface's detection circuit. The detection circuit performs targeted preprocessing operations on each signal, with voltage matching and level matching being optional. Since the multiple externally input signals may originate from different control devices, their initial voltage and level parameters may not match the operating parameters of the MCU control unit. Direct transmission to the MCU could lead to signal recognition errors or damage to the MCU. Therefore, the detection circuit needs to adjust the voltage and level of each signal to a range completely consistent with the preset operating requirements of the MCU control unit through resistor voltage dividers, level conversion chips, etc., to ensure that subsequent signals can be accurately recognized and processed by the MCU.

[0025] The preprocessed signals are then transmitted to the MCU control unit via a signal isolation module. However, the preprocessed multiple signals are not directly transmitted to the MCU control unit; instead, they first enter the interface's signal isolation module. Considering that lasers are often exposed to interference from other sources in their operating environments, without isolation, interference signals would enter the MCU along with the control signals, causing MCU logic errors. The signal isolation module physically severs the direct electrical connection between the external input circuit and the MCU control circuit through optocouplers, magnetic isolation, etc., transmitting only the preprocessed valid control signals while completely blocking external noise interference outside the isolation module.

[0026] The MCU control unit identifies, processes, and makes logical judgments on the pre-processed signals. First, the signal type is identified. If it's an enable signal, the laser driver module adjusts the switch of the laser main control module. If it's a power control signal, the laser's output power is adjusted. If it's a red light control signal, the laser indicator module's switch status is adjusted. If it's an interlock signal, it serves as the basis for safety linkage protection. Simultaneously, the MCU control unit continuously checks the signal's normality. If the signal is normal, it outputs control commands to the laser driver module, controlling the laser to perform the corresponding operations. If an abnormal signal is detected, the interface's protection circuit is immediately triggered, outputting a forced stop command to the laser driver module to quickly cut off the laser's output, preventing damage to internal components due to abnormal signals or safety risks caused by unprotected laser output. Throughout the control process, the MCU control unit continuously collects real-time operating status information from the laser and converts this information into standardized operating status signals, which are then transmitted to the interface feedback circuit. Upon receiving the signals, the feedback circuit sends them back to the external control signal output terminal for reading by the connected host computer or user control system. Optionally, the returned operating status signals include three categories: enable status signals, power status signals, and fault status signals. This allows operators or the host system to monitor the laser's operating status in real time, understanding the equipment's operation without on-site inspections.

[0027] Furthermore, when the laser triggers the protection circuit and stops outputting due to signal abnormality, the operator will first troubleshoot and resolve the fault. After troubleshooting, the operator sends an external reset signal to the fault reset module of the interface through an external control device. Upon receiving the signal, the fault reset module will transmit it to the MCU control unit. After receiving the reset signal, the MCU control unit will first re-check the status of all input signals. Once it confirms that the abnormality has been eliminated, it will release the forced shutdown state of the protection circuit and output a command to the laser driver module to resume operation, ensuring that the equipment can be quickly restarted after the fault is resolved, reducing downtime.

[0028] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. The various embodiments in the specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus disclosed in the embodiments, since it corresponds to the method disclosed in the embodiments, the description is relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to in the method section. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-functional control method for a laser with an integrated protection mechanism, characterized in that, include: Receive multiple control signals from the laser through an external control signal input terminal; The received multiple control signals are transmitted to the detection circuit, and the multiple control signals are preprocessed. The preprocessed signal is transmitted to the MCU control unit through the signal isolation module, which blocks external interference signals from entering the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit identifies, processes, and makes logical judgments on the pre-processed signals. If the signal is normal, the MCU control unit outputs control commands to the laser driver module to control the laser to work according to the commands. If the signal is abnormal, the MCU control unit triggers the protection circuit and forcibly shuts down the laser output; The MCU control unit transmits the laser's operating status signal to the feedback circuit, which then sends the operating status signal back to the external control signal output terminal.

2. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The external control signal input terminal receives multiple control signals, including enable signal, power control signal, red light control signal, and interlock signal.

3. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preprocessing of the multiple control signals includes: The detection circuit performs voltage matching and level matching on each control signal to ensure that the pre-processed signal meets the working requirements of the MCU control unit.

4. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU control unit's identification, processing, and logical judgment of the preprocessed signal also includes: If the received signal is an enable signal, the laser driver module controls the switching of the laser main control module. If the received signal is a power control signal, then the laser driver module is controlled to adjust the output power of the laser. If the received signal is a red light control signal, then the laser driver module is controlled to adjust the switching state of the laser indicator module; If the received signal is an interlock signal, it will be used as the basis for determining the laser safety linkage protection.

5. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU control unit determines signal abnormalities including excessively high input signal voltage, input signal logic conflict, and disconnection of interlock signals.

6. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser operating status signals fed back from the feedback circuit to the external control signal output terminal include the laser's enable status signal, power status signal, and fault status signal.

7. The laser multifunctional control method with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, Once the laser fault is cleared, the fault reset module receives an external reset signal and transmits it to the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit then controls the laser to resume normal operation based on the reset signal.

8. A multi-functional control interface for a laser with an integrated protection mechanism, characterized in that, include: External control signal input terminal, detection circuit, signal isolation module, MCU control unit, feedback circuit, protection circuit and laser driver module; The external control signal input terminal is electrically connected to the detection circuit. The detection circuit is electrically connected to the MCU control unit through a signal isolation module. The MCU control unit is electrically connected to the feedback circuit, the protection circuit, and the laser drive module, respectively. The feedback circuit is also electrically connected to the external control signal input terminal.

9. The laser multi-functional control interface with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The external control signal input terminal is used to receive multiple control signals from the laser; The detection circuit is used to preprocess the received multiple control signals; The signal isolation module is used to block external interference signals from entering the MCU control unit; The MCU control unit is used to identify, process and make logical judgments on the preprocessed signal: when the signal is normal, it outputs control commands to the laser driver module to control the laser to work, and triggers the protection circuit when the signal is abnormal. The protection circuit is used to forcibly shut down the laser output when triggered, and the feedback circuit is used to send the laser's operating status signal back to the external control signal output terminal.

10. The laser multi-functional control interface with integrated protection mechanism according to claim 8, characterized in that, The detection circuit and signal isolation module are positioned close to the external control signal input terminal; the MCU control unit is located in the center, and the protection circuit and feedback circuit are positioned close to the laser driver module.

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