Fiber laser

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of lasers, and discloses an optical fiber laser, which comprises a shell, and a heat dissipation cold plate, a first heating device group and a second heating device group which are arranged in the shell, a cooling water channel is arranged in the heat dissipation cold plate, the cooling water channel is distributed in the heat dissipation cold plate along a curve-shaped or broken-line-shaped extension path, and the first heating device group and the second heating device group are arranged in the shell. The heat dissipation cold plate is provided with a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface which are covered by the cooling water channel, and the first heating device group and the second heating device group are respectively mounted on the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface in a staggered manner along the extension path. According to the utility model, the overall size of the fiber laser is reduced, the heat of each heating device can be better taken away, and the fiber laser is compact in overall structural layout, can be suitable for additive manufacturing, can be favorable for placing more lasers and other equipment in the same equipment box space, and also reduces the processing and manufacturing cost of the lasers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of lasers, and particularly relates to an optical fiber laser. Background Art

[0002] An optical fiber laser is a laser that uses rare earth element-doped glass optical fiber as a gain medium. Optical fiber lasers have a wide range of applications in industrial cutting, laser welding, additive manufacturing, etc.

[0003] When an optical fiber laser is applied to the field of additive manufacturing, multiple lasers often need to work together. Therefore, multiple lasers need to be integrated into the same equipment box. However, most of the current optical fiber lasers are large in volume and weight, resulting in a small number of lasers that can be integrated in a single equipment box. In addition, the large volume of the laser also correspondingly squeezes the space for placing other additive manufacturing equipment in the equipment box. In addition, complex mechanical and heat dissipation structures also increase the processing, manufacturing and transportation costs of the optical fiber laser. Summary of the Utility Model

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of the utility model is to provide an optical fiber laser to solve the problems that the existing optical fiber laser is large in volume and the heat dissipation structure is not conducive to making the structure compact.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] An optical fiber laser includes a housing and a heat dissipation cold plate, a first heating device group, and a second heating device group disposed in the housing. The heat dissipation cold plate is provided with a cooling water channel, and the cooling water channel is distributed along a curved or zigzag extension path in the heat dissipation cold plate. The heat dissipation cold plate has a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface both covered by the cooling water channel. The first heating device group and the second heating device group are respectively mounted on the first mounting surface and the second mounting surface in a staggered manner along the extension path.

[0007] In a possible implementation manner, the second heating device group includes a pump source, the first heating device group includes a main optical path component, the pump source is mounted on the second mounting surface along the proximal or distal end of the extension path, and the main optical path component is mounted on the first mounting surface along an intermediate section between the proximal and distal ends of the extension path.

[0008] In a possible implementation manner, the intermediate section includes a matching section, and the shape of the cooling water channel in the matching section matches at least part of the contour shape of the main optical path component.

[0009] In a possible implementation, the middle section includes two matching sections and a transition section connecting the two matching sections. The two matching sections are respectively curved to match both sides of the contour of the annular main optical path component. The second heating device group includes a first heating device installed on the second mounting surface along the transition section.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the heat dissipation cold plate includes a first mounting side and a second mounting side. The pump source is provided with two, which are respectively installed on the first mounting side along the proximal end and the distal end of the extension path, and the main optical path component is installed on the second mounting side.

[0011] In a possible implementation, the cooling water channels are distributed along an S-shaped extension path, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins are arranged in the cooling water channels along the extension path.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the housing includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a plurality of peripheral side panels that jointly enclose to form the housing. The heat dissipation cold plate is fixed inside the housing, and the front panel or the rear panel is provided with a water inlet interface communicating with the water inlet end of the cooling water channel and a water outlet interface communicating with the water outlet end of the cooling water channel.

[0013] In a possible implementation, it further includes a control board matching the shape of the front panel or the rear panel, and the control board is installed on the front panel or the rear panel.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first heating device group includes a beam combiner, a mode field adapter, and a photodiode, and the beam combiner, the mode field adapter, and the photodiode are installed on the first mounting surface along the extension path.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the front panel is provided with a handle.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] For the fiber laser of the present utility model, by making its cooling water channels distributed in a curved or folded structure in the heat dissipation cold plate, and installing the first heating device group and the second heating device group along the extension path of the cooling water channels, it is beneficial to install the heating devices of the laser on a heat dissipation cold plate with a smaller size, reduce the overall volume of the fiber laser, and can also better take away the heat of each heating device. Moreover, the first heating device group and the second heating device are installed in a staggered manner along the extension path, which can improve the effective utilization rate of the heat dissipation cold plate on the premise of more uniform heat dissipation, is more conducive to reducing the area of the heat dissipation cold plate, and the overall volume of the laser is smaller and the structure is more compact.

[0018] Furthermore, the overall structure layout of the fiber laser is compact, can be applied to additive manufacturing, is beneficial to place more lasers and other devices in the same equipment box space, and also reduces the processing and manufacturing cost of the laser. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 FIG. is a perspective view of a fiber laser from a first perspective, with the side panels hidden;

[0020] Figure 2 FIG. is a perspective view of a fiber laser from a second perspective, with the side panels hidden;

[0021] Figure 3 FIG. is a perspective view of the cooling water channels of a fiber laser in a three-dimensional structure;

[0022] Figure 4 FIG. is an exploded view of the housing and the heat dissipation cold plate of a fiber laser;

[0023] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the front panel and the control board of a fiber laser.

[0024] In the figures: 1 - heat dissipation cold plate; 11 - cooling water channel; 111 - proximal end; 112 - matching section; 113 - transition section; 114 - distal end; 12 - heat dissipation fins; 13 - first mounting surface; 14 - second mounting surface; 2 - pump source; 3 - drive board; 4 - main optical path component; 5 - photodiode; 6 - mode field adapter; 7 - beam combiner; 8 - control board; 9 - front panel; 10 - handle; 100 - peripheral side panel; 110 - rear panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0025] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the specific embodiments.

[0026] Please refer to Figures 1 - 3 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a fiber laser, including a housing and a heat dissipation cold plate 1, a first heat generating device group, and a second heat generating device group disposed in the housing. The heat dissipation cold plate 1 is provided with a cooling water channel 11, and the cooling water channel 11 is distributed in the heat dissipation cold plate 1 along a curved or zigzag extension path. The heat dissipation cold plate 1 has a first mounting surface 13 and a second mounting surface 14 that are both covered by the cooling water channel 11. The first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group are respectively mounted on the first mounting surface 13 and the second mounting surface 14 in a staggered manner along the extension path.

[0027] Among them, the heat dissipation cold plate 1 dissipates heat from the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group installed thereon through the internal cooling water channel 11, and the flowing coolant in it takes away the heat transferred by the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group, thereby realizing heat dissipation. The cooling water channel 11 is distributed in a curved or zigzag extension path in the heat dissipation plate, so that the cooling water channel 11 can have a larger distribution area per unit area, with better heat dissipation effect. The relevant electronic devices can be installed on the heat dissipation cold plate 1 with a smaller area size. In this way, it is beneficial to reduce the overall volume of the laser, and on this basis, the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group are installed in a staggered manner along its extension path, which can make the layout compact and the heat dissipation more uniform. At the same time, it also improves the effective utilization rate of the heat dissipation cold plate 1, is more conducive to reducing the area of the heat dissipation cold plate 1, and the overall volume of the laser is smaller and the structure is more compact.

[0028] Through the above technical solution, the cooling water channel 11 is distributed in a curved or zigzag structure in the heat dissipation cold plate 1, and the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group are installed along the extension path of the cooling water channel 11, which is beneficial to installing the heat generating devices of the laser on the heat dissipation cold plate 1 with a smaller size, reducing the overall volume of the fiber laser, and can also better take away the heat of each heat generating device. Moreover, the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device are installed in a staggered manner along the extension path, which can improve the effective utilization rate of the heat dissipation cold plate 1 on the premise of more uniform heat dissipation, is more conducive to reducing the area of the heat dissipation cold plate 1, and the overall volume of the laser is smaller and the structure is more compact.

[0029] In an embodiment, the second heat generating device group includes a pump source 2, the first heat generating device group includes a main optical path component 4, the pump source 2 is installed on the second mounting surface 14 along the proximal end 111 or the distal end 114 of the extension path, and the main optical path component 4 is installed on the first mounting surface 13 along the middle section between the proximal end 111 and the distal end 114 of the extension path.

[0030] In this way, the two major heat sources, the pump source 2 and the main optical path component 4, can be arranged in a staggered manner, avoiding mutual interference during heat dissipation of these two large heat generating bodies. And by installing them on the first mounting surface 13 and the second mounting side respectively, it is beneficial to the arrangement of the optical fiber of the main optical path component 4, ensuring the space for the optical fiber arrangement to meet the requirements of the bending radius of the optical fiber.

[0031] Furthermore, in order to provide a better heat dissipation environment for the main optical path component 4 and ensure the uniformity of its overall temperature, the middle section includes a matching section 112, and the shape of the cooling water channel 11 in the matching section 112 matches at least part of the contour shape of the main optical path component 4.

[0032] Since in some optical fiber arrangement structures, the main optical path component 4 is arranged in a circle, in order to take into account the heat dissipation of the main optical path component 4 and the heat dissipation of other heating devices at the same time, the middle section further includes two matching sections 112 and a transition section 113 connected between the two matching sections 112, and the two matching sections 112 are respectively curved to match the two sides of the contour of the annular main optical path component 4, and the second heating device group includes a first heating device installed on the second mounting surface 14 along the transition section 113.

[0033] The two curved and symmetrical matching sections 112 can respectively match the two sides of the contour of the annular main optical path component 4 to achieve heat dissipation of the main optical path component 4 with a larger coverage length or area, and the cooling water channel 11 through the transition section 113 can be connected as a whole with the cooling water channels 11 corresponding to the two matching sections 112, thereby achieving the purpose of taking into account the heat dissipation of the first heating device and improving the utilization rate of the cooling water channel 11.

[0034] Specifically, the first heating device can be a driving plate 3, which is located on the same side as the two pump sources 2 and between the two pump sources 2, so that it can be arranged more compactly and can also be staggered with the main optical path component 4, further avoiding mutual interference between the two large heating elements when dissipating heat.

[0035] It can be understood that the heat dissipation cold plate 1 can be regarded as divided into a first installation side and a second installation side. The pump source 2 is provided with two proximal ends 111 and distal ends 114 respectively installed along the extension path on the first installation side, and the second installation side is mainly installed with the main optical path component 4. Such an arrangement can form a distribution structure in which the two major heat sources are staggered, so as to better avoid mutual interference.

[0036] Preferably, the cooling water channel 11 is distributed along an S-shaped extension path, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 12 are provided along the extension path in the cooling water channel 11. The cooling water channel 11 is distributed along the S-shaped extension path, so that its extension length in the heat dissipation cold plate 1 can be increased, thereby improving its heat dissipation effect and being able to more effectively cover the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group for heat dissipation, and by providing the heat dissipation fins 12 in the cooling water channel 11, the heat dissipation area can be increased, and the heat dissipation capacity of the heat dissipation cold plate 1 can be improved.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the housing, Figure 4 As shown, the shell may include a front panel 9, a rear panel 110 and a plurality of peripheral side panels 100 that together enclose the shell. The heat dissipation cold plate 1 is fixed in the shell, and the front panel or the rear panel is provided with a water inlet interface connected to the water inlet end of the cooling water channel 11 and a water outlet interface connected to the water outlet end of the cooling water channel 11.

[0038] The housing is in a shape with a relatively small thickness and is mainly formed based on the size of the heat dissipation cold plate 1. Also, the first heat generating device group and the second heat generating device group are mainly installed on the first mounting surface 13 and the second mounting surface 14 of the heat dissipation cold plate 1, which can also form a relatively small housing size. The peripheral side plate 100, the front panel 9, and the rear panel 110 are fixed to the periphery and the heat dissipation cold plate 1, and the overall structure of the machine is simple and easy to assemble. The cooling water channel 11 of the heat dissipation cold plate 1 is externally connected to a coolant pipeline through a water inlet interface and a water outlet interface, and circulates and cools under the action of the coolant pipeline.

[0039] On this basis, in combination with Figure 5 As shown, it may further include a control board 8 that matches the shape of the front panel 9 or the rear panel 110, and the control board 8 is installed on the front panel 9 or the rear panel 110. When the control board 8 is installed on the front panel 9, the design of the control board 8 matches the shape of the front panel 9, saving the space inside the laser to the greatest extent.

[0040] Specifically, the first heat generating device group may further include a beam combiner 7, a mode field adapter 6 (i.e., MFA), and a photodiode 5 (i.e., PD). The beam combiner 7, the mode field adapter 6, and the photodiode 5 are installed on the first mounting surface 13 along the extension path. By installing the devices related to the optical fiber on the first mounting surface 13, the layout is made more reasonable.

[0041] In addition, two handles 10 are provided on the front panel 9. Through the two handles 10, it is convenient to carry and place the entire laser. A DB9 serial port, a DB25 serial port, a network port, and a QCS are also provided on the front panel 9; a power supply connector and an interlock connector are provided on the rear panel 110.

[0042] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application mainly focus on the layout of the above heat generating devices to make the structure more compact and conducive to heat dissipation, and do not involve improvements in the connection relationships and the self-structures of the above heat generating devices, serial ports, and connectors. Therefore, they will not be elaborated here.

[0043] A fiber laser in an embodiment of the present application is mainly used for fiber lasers with powers of 350 - 750W. Its structural size is significantly smaller than that of traditional lasers on the current market, and the assembly form is simple and easy to operate. The cooling water channel 11 is designed in cooperation with the optoelectronic heat generating devices, which can better take away the heat of each heat generating device, achieve a relatively small temperature gradient in the main optical path, ensure the long-term power stability of the laser, and have low requirements for external cooling conditions. Only a cooling water flow rate of 3L / min is required to meet the heat dissipation requirements.

[0044] Moreover, the overall volume of the machine is greatly compressed within the size of traditional lasers, saving space for additive manufacturing printing equipment. At the same time, the structure is simple, easy to assemble, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[0045] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present utility model. It should be noted that the above preferred embodiments should not be construed as limiting the present utility model. The protection scope of the present utility model should be subject to the scope defined by the claims. For those of ordinary skill in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present utility model, and these improvements and modifications should also be regarded as within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A fiber laser, characterized in that: The invention comprises a shell and a heat dissipation cold plate (1), a first heating device group and a second heating device group arranged in the shell. The heat dissipation cold plate (1) is provided with a cooling water channel (11). The cooling water channel (11) is distributed along a curved or folded line extension path in the heat dissipation cold plate (1). The heat dissipation cold plate (1) has a first mounting surface (13) and a second mounting surface (14) both covered by the cooling water channel (11). The first heating device group and the second heating device group are respectively installed on the first mounting surface (13) and the second mounting surface (14) in a staggered manner along the extension path.

2. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The second heating device group includes a pump source (2), and the first heating device group includes a main optical path component (4). The pump source (2) is mounted on the second mounting surface (14) along the proximal end (111) or the distal end (114) of the extension path, and the main optical path component (4) is mounted on the first mounting surface (13) along the middle section between the proximal end (111) and the distal end (114) of the extension path.

3. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The middle section comprises a matching section (112), and the shape of the cooling water channel (11) of the matching section (112) matches at least a part of the contour shape of the main optical path component (4).

4. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The middle section comprises two matching sections (112) and a transition section (113) connected between the two matching sections (112); the two matching sections (112) are respectively curved to match the two sides of the contour of the annular main optical path component (4); and the second heating device group comprises a first heating device installed on the second installation surface (14) along the transition section (113).

5. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The heat dissipation cold plate (1) comprises a first mounting side and a second mounting side, the pump source (2) is provided with two proximal ends (111) and distal ends (114) respectively mounted along the extension path on the first mounting side, and the second mounting side is mounted with a main optical path component (4).

6. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling water channel (11) is distributed along an S-shaped extension path, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins (12) are arranged in the cooling water channel (11) along the extension path.

7. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The shell comprises a front panel (9), a rear panel (110) and a plurality of peripheral side panels (100) which together enclose the shell; the heat dissipation cold plate (1) is fixed in the shell; the front panel (9) or the rear panel (110) is provided with a water inlet interface connected to a water inlet end of a cooling water channel (11) and a water outlet interface connected to a water outlet end of the cooling water channel (11).

8. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: It also comprises a control panel (8) whose shape matches that of the front panel (9) or the rear panel (110), and the control panel (8) is mounted on the front panel (9) or the rear panel (110).

9. A fiber laser as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The front panel (9) is provided with a handle (10).

10. The optical fiber laser according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first heating device group comprises a beam combiner (7), a mode field adapter (6) and a photodiode (5), and the beam combiner (7), the mode field adapter (6) and the photodiode (5) are mounted on the first mounting surface (13) along the extension path.

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