Laser control system
Through the laser control system that shares the constant current driving unit and switch, the problem of large space occupation and high cost of traditional laser control systems is solved, and space saving and cost reduction of laser control systems is achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422344013.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-25
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-09-25
AI Technical Summary
The control system of traditional multi-channel semiconductor lasers has a large space occupancy and high cost, making it difficult to apply in small and compact devices.
Using a common constant current driving unit and a control terminal switching switch, the time-sharing control of the multiple laser is realized through the controller sending a switching signal, and a shared laser signal acquisition unit is shared through the acquisition terminal switching switch, simplifying the circuit design.
Space saving and cost reduction of laser control system are achieved, circuit design is simplified, and the number of electronic components is reduced.
Smart Images
Figure CN223066627U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the technical field of laser control circuits, and particularly to a laser control system. Background Art
[0002] A laser is a device that can emit high-intensity, monochromatic, and coherent light beams. It can be used in fields such as communication, medical treatment, industry, and military. According to the working medium, it can be divided into gas lasers, solid lasers, semiconductor lasers, fiber lasers, dye lasers, etc. A semiconductor laser is a current-driven device, and a constant drive current is required to ensure the stability of its output laser.
[0003] The control of traditional multi-channel semiconductor lasers includes a main controller, a laser constant current drive module, a laser feedback acquisition module, a temperature control module, a communication module, etc. Each laser must have an independent constant current drive module and a laser feedback acquisition module, which occupy a large space and are costly, restricting their application in some multi-channel micro-miniature laser devices with compact space requirements. Utility Model Content
[0004] An object of this utility model is to provide a laser control system that occupies a small space and has a relatively low cost.
[0005] Another object of this utility model is to further simplify the circuit design, reduce components, thereby further saving system space and cost.
[0006] An embodiment of this utility model provides a laser control system, including:
[0007] A controller, configured to send a first switching signal and a constant current control signal;
[0008] A constant current drive unit, connected to the controller, configured to receive the constant current control signal and perform corresponding output according to the constant current control signal;
[0009] Multiple lasers;
[0010] A control terminal switching switch, disposed between the constant current drive unit and the multiple lasers, configured to selectively connect the constant current drive unit to the lasers, and the control terminal switching switch is connected to the controller, configured to receive the first switching signal and turn on the corresponding laser according to the first switching signal.
[0011] Further, the laser control system further includes:
[0012] Multiple laser signal receiving sensors, arranged in one-to-one correspondence with each laser, and each laser signal receiving sensor is configured to receive the laser signal of its corresponding laser;
[0013] A laser signal acquisition unit, connected to the controller, is configured to acquire the laser signal of the currently turned-on laser and feedback the laser signal to the controller.
[0014] Further, the laser signal receiving sensor is built in the laser.
[0015] Further, the laser signal is a laser brightness value, and the laser signal receiving sensor is a photodetector, a power meter or a thermal detector.
[0016] Further, the laser control system further includes an acquisition end switch, which is arranged between the plurality of laser signal receiving sensors and the laser signal acquisition unit, and the acquisition end switch is configured to selectively connect the laser signal acquisition unit to the laser signal receiving sensors.
[0017] Further, the controller is further configured to send a second switch signal;
[0018] The acquisition end switch is connected to the controller, and is configured to control the acquisition end switch to connect to the target laser signal receiving sensor when receiving the second switch signal, and the target laser signal receiving sensor is the laser signal receiving sensor corresponding to the laser turned on by the first switch signal.
[0019] Further, the laser control system further includes a host computer, which is configured to receive a laser control signal. The host computer is connected to the controller and sends the laser control signal to the controller. When receiving the laser control signal, the controller sends the first switch signal to the control end switch, sends the constant current control signal to the constant current driving unit, and sends the second switch signal to the acquisition end switch.
[0020] Further, the constant current driving unit includes:
[0021] A constant current driving control unit, connected to the controller, is configured to receive the constant current control signal and generate a constant current driving signal according to the constant current control signal;
[0022] A constant current source, connected to the constant current driving control unit, is configured to receive the constant current driving signal and output a constant current signal to the laser according to the constant current driving signal.
[0023] Further, the controller is a microcontroller.
[0024] Further, the plurality of lasers include lasers with different working currents.
[0025] According to the first aspect of the present utility model, multiple lasers of the laser control system share a constant current driving unit, and a control terminal switching switch is arranged between the constant current driving unit and the multiple lasers. The controller is used to send a first switching signal to the control terminal switching switch, and the controller is also used to send a constant current control signal to the constant current driving unit, so that the constant current driving unit outputs the constant current working current of the laser that needs to be controlled currently. The control terminal switching switch controls the constant current driving unit to connect to the laser that needs to be controlled, so that the laser can work according to its corresponding constant current working current. In this embodiment, the purpose of time-sharing control of multiple lasers is achieved through the control terminal switching switch. Compared with the prior art solution where one laser corresponds to one constant current driving circuit, the circuit design is simplified and the number of electronic components is reduced, thereby achieving the purpose of saving system space and reducing costs.
[0026] According to the second aspect of the present utility model, the laser control system is further provided with a collection terminal switching switch, so that the laser signal collection unit can selectively collect laser signals and feedback them to the controller. Therefore, in the laser control system of this embodiment, multiple lasers and multiple laser signal receiving sensors share a laser signal collection unit, and time-sharing control is achieved through the collection terminal switching switch. Therefore, the circuit design is further simplified and the use of components is reduced, thereby further saving system space and costs. Description of the Drawings
[0027] Figure 1 It is a connection block diagram of a laser control system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;
[0028] Figure 2 It is a connection block diagram of a laser control system according to another embodiment of the present utility model;
[0029] Reference Signs:
[0030] 100 - Laser control system, 10 - Controller, 11 - Microcontroller, 20 - Constant current driving unit, 21 - Constant current driving control unit, 22 - Constant current source, 30 - Laser, 40 - Control terminal switching switch, 50 - Laser signal receiving sensor, 60 - Laser signal collection unit, 70 - Collection terminal switching switch, 80 - Host computer. Detailed Embodiments
[0031] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present application more apparent and understandable, the following provides a detailed description of the specific embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only for explaining the present application and not for limiting the present application. Additionally, it should be noted that for the sake of convenience in description, only the parts related to the present application rather than all the structures are shown in the drawings. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application without creative efforts fall within the scope of protection of the present application.
[0032] The specifically used term "exemplary" herein means "serving as an example, embodiment, or illustrative". Any embodiment described as "exemplary" here does not necessarily need to be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments.
[0033] In addition, for a better explanation of the present invention, numerous specific details are given in the following specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention can also be implemented without certain specific details. In some instances, methods, means, elements, and circuits well-known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail to highlight the gist of the present disclosure.
[0034] It should be understood that the term "and / or" herein is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. Additionally, the character " / " herein indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.
[0035] The term "a plurality of" that appears in the embodiments of the present invention refers to two or more. The descriptions such as the first and the second that appear in the embodiments of the present invention are only for indicating and distinguishing the described objects, without an order, and do not represent a special limitation on the number in the embodiments of the present invention, and cannot constitute any limitation to the embodiments of the present invention.
[0036] Figure 1 It is a connection block diagram of a laser control system 100 according to an embodiment of the present utility model. As Figure 1As shown, in one embodiment, the laser control system 100 includes a controller 10, a constant current drive unit 20, multiple lasers 30, and a control terminal switch 40. The controller 10 is configured to send a first switch signal and a constant current control signal. Here, the constant current control signal can be input through other human-machine interaction units and transmitted to the controller 10. The constant current control signal can include the laser channel number information of the target laser that needs to be controlled currently, the control current, and the duration. Optionally, the controller 10 is a microcontroller 11. The constant current drive unit 20 is connected to the controller 10 and is configured to receive the constant current control signal and perform corresponding output according to the constant current control signal, that is, output the constant current operating current required for the target laser (i.e., the above-mentioned control current). The types of the multiple lasers 30 can be the same or different, that is, the constant current operating currents corresponding to the multiple lasers 30 can be the same or different. Correspondingly, the constant current drive unit 20 has a current adjustment ability adapted to each laser 30. The control terminal switch 40 is disposed between the constant current drive unit 20 and the multiple lasers 30 and is configured to selectively connect the constant current drive unit 20 to the lasers 30. The control terminal switch 40 is connected to the controller 10 and is configured to receive the first switch signal and turn on the corresponding laser 30 according to the first switch signal, that is, the above-mentioned target laser. In one embodiment, the lasers 30 are all semiconductor lasers, and the control terminal switch 40 can adopt a transistor switch.
[0037] Since the multiple lasers 30 of the laser control system 100 share a constant current drive unit 20, a control terminal switch 40 is disposed between the constant current drive unit 20 and the multiple lasers 30. The controller 10 is configured to send a first switch signal to the control terminal switch 40, and the controller 10 is further configured to send a constant current control signal to the constant current drive unit 20, so that the constant current drive unit 20 outputs the constant current operating current of the laser 30 that needs to be controlled currently. The control terminal switch 40 controls the constant current drive unit 20 to turn on the laser 30 that needs to be controlled, so that the laser 30 can operate according to its corresponding constant current operating current. Through the control terminal switch 40, the purpose of time-sharing control of multiple lasers is achieved. Compared with the prior art solution where one laser corresponds to one constant current drive circuit, the circuit design is simplified and the number of electronic components is reduced, thereby achieving the purpose of saving system space and reducing costs.
[0038] Figure 2 It is a connection block diagram of the laser control system 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment, as Figure 2As shown, the laser control system 100 further includes a plurality of laser signal receiving sensors 50, a collection end switching switch 70, and a laser signal collection unit 60. The plurality of laser signal receiving sensors 50 are respectively arranged in one-to-one correspondence with each laser 30. Each laser signal receiving sensor 50 is used to receive the laser signal of its corresponding laser 30. The laser signal collection unit 60 is connected to the microcontroller 11 and is used to collect the laser signal of the currently connected laser 30 and feedback the laser signal to the microcontroller 11. In this embodiment, the laser signal receiving sensor 50 can be arranged independently of the laser 30 or integrated inside the laser 30, and no limitation is made here. The laser signal can be a laser brightness value, and the laser signal receiving sensor 50 is a common laser brightness value measurement sensor such as a photodetector, a power meter, or a thermal detector. The collection end switching switch 70 is arranged between the plurality of laser signal receiving sensors 50 and the laser signal collection unit 60. The collection end switching switch 70 is used to selectively connect the laser signal collection unit 60 to the laser signal receiving sensor 50. The microcontroller 11 is further used to send a second switch signal. The collection end switching switch 70 is connected to the microcontroller 11 and is used to control the collection end switching switch 70 to connect to the target laser signal receiving sensor 50 when receiving the second switch signal. The target laser signal receiving sensor 50 is the laser signal receiving sensor 50 corresponding to the laser 30 switched on by the first switch signal.
[0039] In this embodiment, the constant current driving unit 20 includes a constant current driving control unit 21 and a constant current source 22. The constant current driving control unit 21 is connected to the microcontroller 11 and is used to receive the constant current control signal and generate a constant current driving signal according to the constant current control signal. Here, the constant current driving signal can be the driving voltage value, the control start time, and the control duration that need to be output to the constant current source 22. The constant current source 22 is connected to the constant current driving control unit 21 and is used to receive the constant current driving signal and output a constant current signal to the laser 30 according to the constant current driving signal so that the laser 30 operates at its adapted constant current operating current.
[0040] In one embodiment, the laser control system 100 further includes a host computer 80. The host computer 80 is used to receive the laser control signal. The host computer 80 is connected to the microcontroller 11 and sends the laser control signal to the microcontroller 11. When receiving the laser control signal, the microcontroller 11 sends the first switch signal to the control end switching switch 40, sends the constant current control signal to the constant current driving unit 20, and sends the second switch signal to the collection end switching switch 70.
[0041] When the microcontroller 11 receives the laser control signal sent by the host computer 80, the microcontroller 11 generates a first switching signal, a second switching signal, and a constant current control signal corresponding to the laser control signal, and sends the first switching signal to the control terminal switching switch 40, sends the second switching signal to the acquisition terminal switching switch 70, and sends the constant current control signal to the constant current drive control unit 21. These three signals can be sent synchronously by the microcontroller 11, or the constant current control signal and the second switching signal can be slightly delayed compared to the first switching signal. This control can be achieved by setting a common delay circuit. Then, the control terminal switching switch 40 controls the connection of the constant current source 22 to the target laser, and the constant current drive control unit 21 controls the constant current source 22 to output a constant current working current corresponding to the target laser, so that the target laser is lit and other lasers are turned off. The laser signal receiving sensor 50 corresponding to the target laser is connected to the laser signal acquisition unit 60 through the acquisition terminal switching switch 70. The laser signal receiving sensor 50 receives the laser brightness value and generates a corresponding electrical signal, such as a voltage signal. The laser signal acquisition unit 60 acquires this electrical signal and feeds it back to the microcontroller 11. Then, the microcontroller 11 compares the electrical signal sent by the laser signal acquisition unit 60 with the electrical signal set by the software of the host computer 80, and feeds back the difference between the two to the constant current drive control unit 21 again, forming a laser control feedback loop, and continuously repeating until the electrical signal fed back by the laser signal acquisition unit 60 meets the preset conditions, such as the difference between the two is less than the preset value, so as to achieve the purpose of precise laser control. This closed-loop control is a conventional technology in the art and will not be elaborated here.
[0042] Since the laser control system 100 is also provided with an acquisition terminal switching switch 70 to facilitate the laser signal acquisition unit 60 to selectively acquire laser signals and feed them back to the microcontroller 11, therefore, multiple lasers and multiple laser signal receiving sensors 50 of the laser control system 100 share a laser signal acquisition unit 60, and time-sharing control is achieved through the acquisition terminal switching switch 70. Therefore, the circuit design is further simplified, the use of components is reduced, and thus the system space and cost are further saved.
[0043] In other embodiments not shown, the laser signal receiving sensor 50 is an independently provided sensor. The laser control system 100 may be provided with only one laser signal receiving sensor 50, which is connected to each laser 30, so as to collect the laser signals of the currently turned-on lasers 30. At this time, there is no need to set the acquisition end switching switch 70. A receiving end switching switch may be set between each laser 30 and the laser signal receiving sensor 50, and the receiving end switching switch is connected to the controller 10. When the host computer 80 sends a laser control signal, the controller 10 is further configured to generate a third switching signal and send it to the receiving end switching switch, so as to control the connection between the laser signal receiving sensor 50 and the currently turned-on laser 30 for signal transmission.
[0044] Since the laser control system 100 selects one laser signal receiving sensor 50 capable of collecting the laser signals of each laser 30, the number of laser signal receiving sensors 50 is saved, further saving the number of components, cost and system space.
[0045] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present invention. The description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present invention, several modifications and improvements can be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the utility model patent shall be subject to the appended claims.
Claims
1. A laser control system, characterized in that, include: A controller, used for sending a first switch signal and a constant current control signal; A constant current driving unit, connected to the controller, for receiving the constant current control signal and performing corresponding output according to the constant current control signal; Multiple lasers; The control end switching switch is arranged between the constant current driving unit and the plurality of the lasers, and is used to selectively connect the constant current driving unit to the lasers. The control end switching switch is connected to the controller, and is used to receive the first switching signal and turn on the corresponding laser according to the first switching signal.
2. The laser control system according to claim 1, wherein Also includes: A plurality of laser signal receiving sensors are arranged corresponding to each of the lasers, and each of the laser signal receiving sensors is used to receive the laser signal of the corresponding laser; The laser signal acquisition unit is connected to the controller and is used to acquire the laser signal of the currently turned-on laser and feed the laser signal back to the controller.
3. The laser control system according to claim 2, wherein, The laser signal receiving sensor is built in the laser.
4. The laser control system according to claim 2, wherein The laser signal is a laser brightness value, and the laser signal receiving sensor is a photoelectric detector, a power meter or a thermal detector.
5. The laser control system according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, It also includes a collection end switching switch, which is arranged between the plurality of laser signal receiving sensors and the laser signal collection unit, and the collection end switching switch is used to selectively connect the laser signal collection unit to the laser signal receiving sensor.
6. The laser control system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The controller is also used to send a second switch signal; The acquisition end switching switch is connected to the controller and is used to control the acquisition end switching switch to turn on the target laser signal receiving sensor when the second switch signal is received. The target laser signal receiving sensor is the laser signal receiving sensor corresponding to the laser turned on by the first switch signal.
7. The laser control system according to claim 6, wherein It also includes a host computer for receiving a laser control signal. The host computer is connected to the controller and sends the laser control signal to the controller. When receiving the laser control signal, the controller sends the first switch signal to the control end switch, sends the constant current control signal to the constant current drive unit, and sends the second switch signal to the acquisition end switch.
8. The laser control system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The constant current driving unit comprises: A constant current drive control unit, connected to the controller, configured to receive the constant current control signal and generate a constant current drive signal according to the constant current control signal; A constant current source is connected to the constant current drive control unit and is used to receive the constant current drive signal and output a constant current signal to the laser according to the constant current drive signal.
9. The laser control system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The controller is a microcontroller.
10. The laser control system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The plurality of lasers include lasers having different operating currents.