Laser output head

Abstract

The utility model discloses a laser output head which is provided with a cooling cavity and a water cooling head which is provided with a cooling cavity. The end cap is arranged at one end of the water cooling head and located in the cooling cavity; the first diaphragm is arranged in the cooling cavity; the laser output head comprises a cooling cavity and an end cap arranged in the cooling cavity, bundled optical fibers arranged in a preset shape, one end of each bundled optical fiber is fixedly connected with the end cap, and the other end of each bundled optical fiber penetrates through the first diaphragm, extends out of the cooling cavity and is arranged along a preset direction. The problem that an existing laser output head cannot be assembled with a clustered array optical fiber or cannot meet the requirement that high-power laser based on the array optical fiber can be efficiently and safely output can be well solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of lasers, in particular to a laser output head. Background Art

[0002] High-power fiber lasers have been widely used in various fields due to their small size, high efficiency and strong stability. In recent years, with the increasing demand for high power and processing efficiency in scientific research and industry, the industry has proposed to meet the above needs by using fiber lasers bundled with bundled fibers.

[0003] Compared with traditional fiber lasers that use a single fiber to output laser light, Figure 1 As shown, the output end of the cluster fiber laser has multiple optical fibers, which are arranged in cluster fibers. The laser generated by each fiber is combined into a high-power laser beam output through the cluster fiber end cap, which also causes the overall size and shape of the array fiber end cap to be different from the conventional output fiber and cannot be installed in the conventional QBH output head. Now a QBH output head matching the array fiber is needed, so that the output head can ensure that the high-power laser based on the array fiber can be output efficiently and safely while meeting the array fiber packaging requirements, and is compatible with existing cutting, welding heads and other processing equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a laser output head to solve the problem that the existing laser output head cannot be equipped with a bundled optical fiber or cannot meet the problem of efficient and safe output of high-power laser based on array optical fiber.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose and other related purposes, the utility model provides a laser output head, the laser output head comprising:

[0006] A water-cooled head having a cooling chamber;

[0007] An end cap, provided at one end of the water cooling head and located in the cooling cavity;

[0008] a first aperture, the first aperture being disposed in the cooling cavity;

[0009] The bundled optical fiber is arranged in a predetermined shape, one end of the bundled optical fiber is fixedly connected to the end cap, and the other end is passed through the first aperture and extends out of the cooling cavity and is arranged along a predetermined direction.

[0010] Preferably, the laser output head includes a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are both hollow, and the first aperture is sleeved in the inner cavity of the second aperture.

[0011] Preferably, the water cooling head comprises an inner shell and an outer shell which are sleeved on each other, and a first limiting portion is provided on an inner wall of the inner shell.

[0012] Preferably, the laser output head includes a dispensing ring, which is arranged at the other end of the water cooling head. The dispensing ring is provided with a second limiting portion. The dispensing ring is coaxially connected to the end face of the water cooling head through the second limiting portion, and the two ends of the second aperture are respectively abutted against the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion.

[0013] Preferably, a first sealing ring is arranged between the dispensing ring and the end face of the inner shell, the second limiting portion extends from the end face of the dispensing ring to the inside of the cooling cavity, and a second sealing ring is arranged between the second limiting portion and the second aperture.

[0014] Preferably, a cooling medium channel for cooling medium to flow through is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell, and the cooling medium channel is at least partially arranged around the end cap.

[0015] Preferably, the inner wall of the cooling cavity is provided with an alignment portion, and the end cap is provided with an alignment matching portion matching with the alignment portion.

[0016] Preferably, an extension portion is provided at one end of the glue dispensing ring away from the second limiting portion, a plurality of glue injection holes are provided on the circumference of the extension portion, and a fixing hole for the bundled optical fiber to pass through is provided on the end face of the extension portion.

[0017] Preferably, the number of the first apertures can be configured to be multiple, and the multiple first apertures are arranged in the inner cavity of the second aperture at intervals from each other;

[0018] The second aperture is made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, brass or copper, and / or the first aperture is made of ceramic, Teflon or the first aperture is a Teflon coating coated on the inner cavity of the second aperture.

[0019] Preferably, a third sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the second aperture and the inner wall of the cooling cavity.

[0020] As described above, the utility model provides a laser output head, which uses a bundled optical fiber arranged in a predetermined shape. The laser output head includes a water-cooled head, an end cap, a glue-dispensing ring and a first aperture. The water-cooled head has a cooling cavity; the end cap is provided at one end of the water-cooled head and is located in the cooling cavity; the glue-dispensing ring is provided at the other end of the water-cooled head; the first aperture is provided in the cooling cavity and is located between the end cap and the glue-dispensing ring, and the two ends of the bundled optical fiber are respectively fixedly connected to the glue-dispensing ring and the end cap, and the bundled optical fiber can be movably passed through the first aperture and arranged along a predetermined direction. This solves the problem that the existing output head cannot match the array optical fiber end cap, resulting in the inability of the laser beam output by the array optical fiber to maintain stable and high-quality output BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] One or more embodiments are exemplarily described by pictures in the corresponding drawings, and these exemplified descriptions do not constitute limitations on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings represent similar elements, and unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings do not constitute proportional limitations.

[0022] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the structure of the fusion splicing location between the bundled optical fiber and the end cap.

[0023] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the stress at various points on the fusion surface between the bundled optical fiber and the end cap.

[0024] Figure 3 Shown is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the laser output head provided in this embodiment.

[0025] Figure 4 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the armored cable fixing assembly provided in this embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 Shown is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the armored cable fixing assembly provided in this embodiment.

[0027] Figure 6 Shown is a schematic structural diagram of the water cooling head provided in this embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 Shown is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the water cooling head assembly provided in this embodiment.

[0029] Figure 8 Shown is a schematic diagram of the limiting hole structure of the first aperture provided in this embodiment.

[0030] Fig. 9 Shown is a schematic diagram of assembling the second aperture and the first aperture provided in this embodiment;

[0031] Fig.10 Shown is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laser output head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] In order to facilitate the understanding of the utility model, the utility model is described in more detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on another element, or there can be one or more centered elements therebetween. When an element is described as "electrically connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to another element, or there can be one or more centered elements therebetween. The orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "inner", "outer", "bottom" and the like used in this specification is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, only for the convenience of describing the utility model and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the utility model. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third" and the like are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0033] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not used to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0034] In addition, the technical features involved in different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0035] like Figure 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a laser output head 1, which is used to fix the bundled optical fiber 22 located in the output armored cable 2, ensure the stability of the bundled optical fiber, and prevent the bundled optical fiber end and the end cap from breaking at the fusion joint; synchronously, the heat generated at the output part of the bundled optical fiber is dissipated. The bundled optical fiber is composed of multiple single optical fibers arranged in a predetermined shape. For example: arranged in a row or multiple rows along a linear line; or arranged in a polygonal cross-section, etc.

[0036] Since the bending range of the bundled optical fiber 22 is significantly reduced compared to a single optical fiber, it is easy to break due to bending and uneven force without stability, or cause the optical fiber and the end cap to break, thus affecting the use. Therefore, for the output head using bundled optical fiber, the stability of the optical fiber is particularly important.

[0037] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the laser output head 1 includes an armored cable fixing assembly 11 and a water cooling head 12. The output armored cable 2 fixed in the laser output head 1 is divided into two parts, namely: an armored cable 21 and a bundled optical fiber 22 exposed after the cable tube and other components are stripped off.

[0038] like Figure 4 As shown, the armor cable fixing assembly 11 includes a fixing tube 111. The fixing tube 111 is hollow inside, and a hole groove is provided at the upstream position of the fixing tube 111. The hole groove fixes the armor cable 21 therein through a set screw, and the tail end of the fixing tube 111 is connected to the water cooling head 12 through a mechanical thread.

[0039] like Figure 5 As shown, the armor cable fixing assembly 11 also includes an anti-bending spring 112, a Teflon bushing 113, and a fixing buckle 114 arranged inside the fixing tube 111, and the armor cable 21 includes a Teflon round tube 211 and a cable tube 212 which are sequentially nested around the bundled optical fiber. The tail end of the Teflon round tube 211 is connected to the fixing buckle 114. Figure 5 The output armored cable 2 located on the left side of the fixing buckle 114 is the armored cable 21, and the output armored cable 2 located on the right side of the fixing buckle 114 is the exposed bundled optical fiber 22. The anti-bending spring 112 and the Teflon bushing 113 are nested outside the cable tube 212. The tail end of the anti-bending spring 112 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the Teflon bushing 113 to prevent the armored cable fixing assembly 11 and the output armored cable 2 from breaking at the connection. The Teflon bushing 113 is used to space the anti-bending spring 112 and the cable tube 212 to reduce friction.

[0040] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the water-cooled head 12 is a hollow structure, which is provided with a cooling cavity 121. The water-cooled head 12 includes an inner shell 1212 and an outer shell 1211 which are arranged mutually. A cooling medium channel 20 is provided between the inner shell 1212 and the outer shell 1211. The cooling medium channel is connected to the cooling water connector 122 and connected to the cooling water. The cooling water is circulated to provide cooling capacity for the cooling cavity 121 to ensure the stability and service life of the laser output head.

[0041] Optionally, the cooling medium channel may be provided on any inner wall of the inner shell 1212 and the outer shell 1211 .

[0042] Furthermore, the cooling medium channel is at least partially arranged around the circumference of the end cap 124 , so as to fully and accurately dissipate the heat of the end cap 124 .

[0043] like Figure 7As shown, a glue ring 123 is provided at the entrance of the cooling cavity 121, and the glue ring 123 is fixed to the end surface of the inner shell 1212 by fixing screws, and is sealed by the first sealing ring 21. The glue ring 123 is provided with a second limit portion 1231 extending from the end to the inner shell 1212, and the inner wall of the inner shell 1212 is provided with a first limit portion 30. When the second diaphragm 128 is sleeved inside the cooling cavity 121, the two ends of the second diaphragm 128 are sealed and abutted against the first limit portion 30 and the second limit portion 1231 respectively.

[0044] Optionally, in order to enhance sealing, a second sealing ring 22 is provided between the second limiting portion 1231 and the second aperture 128 .

[0045] The glue-dispensing ring 123 not only fixes the bundled optical fiber 22 , but also seals the cooling cavity 121 , thereby ensuring that external water vapor and dust will not affect the optical path set inside the cooling cavity 121 .

[0046] The end of the glue-dispensing ring 123 away from the second limiting portion is provided with an extension portion 1232, and a plurality of glue injection holes 40 are provided around the extension portion 1232, and a fixing hole 50 for the bundled optical fiber to pass through is provided on the end face of the extension portion 1232. The bundled optical fiber 22 is inserted into the fixing hole 50, and the curing glue is injected through the glue injection hole 40 to fix the position. In other words, after the end of the bundled optical fiber 22 is fixed to the end cap 124 by fusion, it is fixed through the fixing hole 50.

[0047] Among them, the opening shape of the fixing hole 50 can be adapted to the contour shape of the bundled optical fiber 22, and the curing glue flows into the gap between the fixing hole 50 and the bundled optical fiber 22 as filling. After solidification, the bundled optical fiber 22 is fixed and the fixing hole 50 is sealed to ensure the sealing of the cooling cavity 121.

[0048] Optionally, the first limiting portion 30 is a step protruding from the cooling cavity 121 , and the corresponding end of the second aperture 128 is provided with a groove structure matching the first limiting portion 30 , and the cooperation of the structure can effectively block the laser returning from the end cap 124 .

[0049] like Figure 7 As shown, the end cap 124 is disposed near the outlet of the cooling cavity 121 , and the end cap 124 is fused with the bundled optical fiber 22 .

[0050] Since the laser spot formed by the bundled optical fiber is directional compared to the laser spot formed by a single optical fiber, taking the strip spot as an example, the spot formed is strip-shaped, so it is necessary to preset and mark the position of the wide side or narrow side of the strip spot. Figure 7As shown, the end cap is not a traditional conical column, and an alignment portion 1210 is provided on the inner wall of the cooling cavity 121, and an alignment matching portion 1241 is provided on the end cap 124, which can be aligned with the cooling cavity 121 and can be aligned and calibrated to ensure that the strip light spot is emitted in a preset direction.

[0051] Optionally, the welding portion of the end cap 124 may be conical, or may be a structure in which a small end surface is provided at the top of the cone.

[0052] like Figure 6 As shown, a window mirror 125 and a dust cap 126 are also provided at the exit position of the cooling chamber 121. The window mirror 125 is sealed and arranged at the exit position as an exit window of the laser. It can be coated with an anti-reflection film layer that matches the wavelength of the exiting laser to improve the efficiency of laser emission and reduce the return light. The dust cap 126 is mounted on the outside of the window mirror 124 to provide structural protection when the laser output head is being transported or in use, and to prevent dust from contaminating the window mirror.

[0053] like Figure 7 As shown, a second aperture 128 and a plurality of first apertures 1271~127n are provided between the entrance and exit of the cooling cavity 121, and each first aperture 12171 is arranged at intervals inside the second aperture 128, so that the end cap and the plurality of first apertures 1271 form multi-point positioning for the bundled optical fiber 22.

[0054] Taking the provision of two first apertures 1271 and 1272 as an example, each of the first apertures 1271 and 1272 is provided with a limiting hole through which the industrially bundled optical fiber 22 passes. Figure 8 As shown, the opening shape of the limiting hole is adapted to the contour shape of the bundled optical fiber 22, and the opening size is slightly larger than the size of the bundled optical fiber 22. When the bundled optical fiber 22 passes through, it allows the bundled optical fiber 22 to have a certain amount of shaking, while preventing the shaking amount from being too large. The bundled optical fiber 22 is fixed at two points in the cooling cavity 121 through the fixing hole 50 and the end cap 124. However, since the bundled optical fiber 22 in the cooling cavity 121 is not in a straightened and tight state, the bundled optical fiber 22 will have a large shaking amplitude; the two first apertures 124 and 125 in the cooling cavity 121 are arranged at a certain interval, and the limiting holes arranged at multiple positions at intervals decompose the bundled optical fiber 22 from a large shaking amplitude into several smaller shaking amplitudes, thereby reducing the stress generated on the fusion surface of the bundled optical fiber 22 and the end cap 124, ensuring that the fusion surface does not break.

[0055] Among them, the first aperture 1271 adjacent to the end cap 124 not only has the function of limiting, but also needs to receive the reflected light formed by the fusion surface of the bundled optical fiber 22 and the end cap 124. The energy of the reflected light is absorbed by the limiting optical path 1272, causing the temperature to rise. Therefore, the first aperture 1271 is made of brass, which helps it to dissipate heat through the cooling cavity 121; the first aperture 1271 receives less reflected light, so it is not necessary to use brass material, and it can be made of ceramic material to reduce the metal debris caused by friction from contaminating the cooling cavity.

[0056] In some embodiments, Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, each first aperture 1271 is arranged inside the second aperture 128. The second aperture 128 is relatively long, and its outer wall shape is consistent with the inner wall shape of the cooling cavity 121. The second aperture 128 separates the first aperture 1271 from the inner wall of the cooling cavity 121, and allows the first aperture 1271 to rotate slightly therein to allow slight deformation of the bundled optical fiber 22; and the first aperture 1271 is arranged at a position where the second aperture 128 is adjacent to the end cap 124, and both receive the returned light. In order to reduce the attenuation of heat transfer on the medium surface, the second aperture 128 and the first aperture 1272 adjacent to the end cap 124 can be set as an integrated structure.

[0057] The laser output head 1 introduced above adopts the QBH type laser adapter structure. For the laser adapter structures of QCS, QD and other models, a plurality of first apertures 1271 matching the contour of the bundled optical fiber are also arranged in the cooling cavity, and the specific structural structures are not described one by one.

[0058] In summary, the laser output head described in the utility model has a plurality of first apertures arranged inside the laser output head, and the first apertures are provided with limiting holes, and the shape of the limiting holes is the same as the contour shape of the bundled optical fiber, and the plurality of limiting holes respectively limit the bundled optical fiber at a plurality of positions, so that the bundled optical fiber can have a certain shaking space inside the output head, and will not cause the fusion surface to separate due to tightness, and can also prevent the fusion surface from breaking due to large shaking. Therefore, the utility model effectively overcomes various shortcomings in the prior art and has a high industrial utilization value.

[0059] Optionally, the second aperture 128 is made of metal or plastic material with good heat dissipation such as copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or red copper. The first aperture 1271 is made of ceramic material. Ceramics have the characteristics of wear resistance and high temperature resistance. Even if the bundled optical fiber shakes, the friction dust generated is small, which helps to keep the inner cavity clean. The second aperture 128 with good heat dissipation can quickly conduct the heat generated by the return light entering the inner cavity of the second aperture 128. Optionally, the first aperture 1271 can also be replaced by Teflon material, Teflon coating or other compliant materials.

[0060] Optionally, a third sealing ring 23 is provided between the outer wall of the second aperture 128 and the cooling cavity 121 .

[0061] Of course, in other embodiments, only a fixing hole 50 is provided on the end surface of the second aperture 128 close to the end cap 124 , and a first aperture 1271 is provided inside the second aperture 128 close to the dispensing ring 123 .

[0062] Optionally, the fixing hole 50 and the limiting hole of the present application may be adaptively designed according to the outer contour of the bundled optical fiber 22 .

[0063] Optionally, in other embodiments, the opening edge walls of the fixing hole 5 and the limiting hole are provided with elastic protective parts, such as silicon, rubber, etc.

[0064] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and effects of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone familiar with the art may modify or alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent modifications or alterations made by a person of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and technical concept disclosed by the present invention shall still be covered by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A laser output head, characterized in that: The laser output head comprises: A water-cooled head having a cooling chamber; An end cap, provided at one end of the water cooling head and located in the cooling cavity; a first aperture, the first aperture being disposed in the cooling cavity; The bundled optical fiber is arranged in a predetermined shape, one end of the bundled optical fiber is fixedly connected to the end cap, and the other end is passed through the first aperture and extends out of the cooling cavity and is arranged along a predetermined direction.

2. The laser output head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laser output head comprises a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture are both hollow, and the first aperture is sleeved in the inner cavity of the second aperture.

3. The laser output head according to claim 2, characterized in that: The water cooling head comprises an inner shell and an outer shell which are sleeved with each other, and a first limiting portion is arranged on the inner wall of the inner shell.

4. The laser output head according to claim 3, characterized in that: The laser output head includes a dispensing ring, which is arranged at the other end of the water cooling head. The dispensing ring is provided with a second limiting portion. The dispensing ring is coaxially connected to the end surface of the water cooling head through the second limiting portion, and the two ends of the second aperture are respectively abutted against the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion.

5. The laser output head according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first sealing ring is arranged between the dispensing ring and the end surface of the inner shell, the second limiting portion extends from the end surface of the dispensing ring to the inside of the cooling cavity, and a second sealing ring is arranged between the second limiting portion and the second aperture.

6. The laser output head according to claim 3, characterized in that: A cooling medium channel for cooling medium to flow is formed between the inner shell and the outer shell, and the cooling medium channel is at least partially arranged around the end cap.

7. The laser output head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner wall of the cooling cavity is provided with an alignment portion, and the end cap is provided with an alignment matching portion matching with the alignment portion.

8. The laser output head according to claim 4, characterized in that: An extension portion is provided at one end of the glue dispensing ring away from the second limiting portion, a plurality of glue injection holes are provided on the periphery of the extension portion, and a fixing hole for the bundled optical fiber to pass through is provided on the end face of the extension portion.

9. The laser output head according to claim 2, characterized in that: The number of the first apertures can be configured to be multiple, and the multiple first apertures are arranged in the inner cavity of the second aperture at intervals; The second aperture is made of copper, copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy, brass or copper, and / or the first aperture is made of ceramic, Teflon or the first aperture is a Teflon coating coated on the inner cavity of the second aperture.

10. The laser output head according to claim 2, characterized in that: A third sealing ring is provided between the outer wall of the second aperture and the inner wall of the cooling cavity.

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