Optical fiber slip ring for OCT (optical coherence tomography) system

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, and discloses an optical fiber slip ring for an OCT (optical coherence tomography) system, which comprises a shell, a central rotating shaft rotationally arranged in an inner cavity of the shell and a central shaft fixedly arranged in the inner cavity of the shell, the light beam input into the light beam receiving and releasing assembly by the optical fiber is expanded, the energy density is reduced, and then the light beam is transmitted to the other light beam receiving and releasing assembly. An inner cavity of the central rotating shaft is provided with an aligning mechanism used for adjusting the light beam receiving and releasing assembly to coincide with the axis of the central rotating shaft. And a bearing compensation mechanism is arranged between the synchronous driving wheel and the outer bearing on the central rotating shaft. The optical fiber slip ring is provided with the high-power transceiving assembly and the output assembly, and adopts a precise aligning structure and a bearing compensation structure, so that the transmission precision of the optical fiber slip ring is improved, the fluctuation in the movement process is weakened, and the stability of product operation is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber communication, in particular to an optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system. Background Art

[0002] The single-channel fiber optic slip ring consists of a shell, a rotating shaft, a pair of miniature high-speed bearings, a pair of unbiased fiber optic collimators, and other devices for protecting the pigtail. The shell and the rotating shaft are designed with high-precision inner holes for installing the unbiased collimator. The unbiased collimator is highly coaxial with the product's rotation axis. When the fiber optic slip ring is working, the unbiased collimator at the rotor end does not revolve but only rotates. Therefore, the unbiased collimator installed in the center of the shell can efficiently receive optical signals in a static state.

[0003] Currently, all OCT fiber slip rings on the market are low-power fiber slip rings, with power generally less than 100mW. They use a relatively simple type of optical fiber, generally single-mode optical fiber. For example, patent document CN111736269A discloses a fiber slip ring and OCT imaging system for an OCT system. The single-mode fiber collimator and SC / APC female connector used in the system cannot withstand the transmission of high pulses, high peak power, and high-power lasers, resulting in limited OCT technology and application scenarios, many of which are limited to biological imaging. In addition, in high-power transmission scenarios, small fluctuations and low losses are required during the rotation process. Current fiber slip rings cannot well meet the application requirements of high-power transmission scenarios. Utility Model Content

[0004] (1) Technical problems solved

[0005] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the utility model provides a fiber optic slip ring for an OCT system, which solves the problem that the existing fiber optic slip ring has large fluctuations and losses when used in high-pulse, high-peak power and high-power laser scenarios, making it difficult to meet application requirements.

[0006] (2) Technical solution

[0007] In order to achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solutions:

[0008] A fiber optic slip ring for an OCT system comprises a shell, a central rotating shaft rotatably arranged in the inner cavity of the shell, and a central shaft fixedly arranged in the inner cavity of the shell. A beam receiving and releasing assembly is arranged opposite to the inner cavity of the central shaft and the central rotating shaft. The light beam input by the optical fiber into the beam receiving and releasing assembly is expanded and the energy density is reduced before being transmitted to another beam receiving and releasing assembly. The inner cavity of the central rotating shaft is provided with a centering mechanism for adjusting the coincidence of the axis of the beam receiving and releasing assembly with the central rotating shaft. A synchronous drive wheel is fixedly arranged on the outer surface of one end of the central rotating shaft close to the central shaft. A bearing compensation mechanism is arranged on the central rotating shaft between the synchronous drive wheel and the outer bearing to compensate for the clearance movement of the outer bearing during the movement of the central rotating shaft.

[0009] Preferably, the beam receiving and releasing assembly includes a metal tube, a quartz rod fixedly arranged in the inner cavity of the metal tube, and an achromatic lens, and an optical fiber is fused to one end of the quartz rod away from the achromatic lens.

[0010] Preferably, an inner bearing is arranged between the central rotating shaft and the central shaft, the inner bearing is arranged outside the central shaft, a first support sleeve is provided between the two inner bearings, and one end of the central shaft is locked and fixed to the inner bearing by a first locking nut.

[0011] Preferably, the central rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the outer shell through an outer bearing, a second support sleeve is provided between the outer bearings, a second locking nut for locking the outer bearing is provided at one end of the outer shell, the bearing compensation mechanism includes a flat washer and a corrugated washer, a flat washer and a corrugated washer are respectively arranged tightly between the outer bearing and the synchronous drive wheel, and the flat washer and the corrugated washer are arranged in a sleeve on the central rotating shaft.

[0012] Preferably, the centering mechanism comprises a centering hole annularly arranged on the central rotating shaft, and the six degrees of freedom of the beam retracting and releasing assembly are adjusted by screws threadedly connected in the centering hole.

[0013] Preferably, one end of the beam retracting and releasing assembly located within the central rotating shaft is connected to an output head via an optical fiber, and one end of the output head is provided with a quick-connect interface.

[0014] Preferably, a microlens connected to one end of the optical fiber is arranged in the output head to convert the light beam into spatial light output.

[0015] (3) Beneficial effects

[0016] The utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0017] This optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system, through the provided beam receiving and releasing assembly, can expand the light beam sent by the optical fiber into the beam receiving and releasing assembly, reduce the energy density, and then transmit it to another beam receiving and releasing assembly. Since the output light beam becomes larger and the energy density is reduced, the two beam receiving and releasing assemblies can withstand high-power, high-pulse laser beams without damage. The provided centering mechanism can adjust the beam receiving and releasing assembly located in the inner cavity of the central rotating shaft so that the optical axis of the transmitting and receiving end coincides with the axis of the central rotating shaft, thereby improving transmission accuracy. The provided bearing compensation mechanism can compensate for the bearing clearance during the rotation of the central rotating shaft to improve the stability of the product operation, thereby reducing the fluctuation of the overall movement of the product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the utility model in the AA direction;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the center alignment hole layout structure of the utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the layout structure of the outer bearing and synchronous drive wheel of the utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the flat pad and corrugated pad of the utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the layout structure of the beam retracting and releasing component of the utility model;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the state of the light beam of the utility model when passing through the light beam retracting and extending component.

[0025] In the figure: 1. Outer shell; 2. Central axis; 3. Beam transceiver assembly; 31. Metal tube; 32. Quartz rod; 33. Achromatic lens; 4. First support sleeve; 5. Inner bearing; 6. First locking nut; 7. Central rotating shaft; 8. Outer bearing; 9. Second support sleeve; 10. Second locking nut; 11. Centering hole; 12. Output head; 13. Quick-connect interface; 14. Synchronous drive wheel; 15. Flat washer; 16. Corrugated washer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] See also Figure 1 The utility model provides a technical solution: a fiber optic slip ring for an OCT system, comprising a shell 1, a central rotating shaft 7 rotatably arranged in the inner cavity of the shell 1, and a central shaft 2 fixedly arranged in the inner cavity of the shell 1, a beam receiving and releasing assembly is arranged opposite to the inner cavity of the central rotating shaft 7, the light beam of the optical fiber input beam receiving and releasing assembly is expanded, the energy density is reduced, and then the light beam is transmitted to another beam receiving and releasing assembly, the inner cavity of the central rotating shaft 7 is provided with a centering mechanism for adjusting the coincidence of the axis of the beam receiving and releasing assembly with the central rotating shaft 7, a synchronous driving wheel 14 is fixedly provided on the outer surface of one end of the central rotating shaft 7 close to the central shaft 2, and a bearing compensation mechanism is arranged on the central rotating shaft 7 between the synchronous driving wheel 14 and the outer bearing 8 to compensate for the clearance movement of the outer bearing 8 during the movement of the central rotating shaft 7.

[0028] The utility model, through the provision of a beam receiving and releasing assembly, can expand the light beam sent by the optical fiber into the beam receiving and releasing assembly, and transmit it to another beam receiving and releasing assembly after the energy density is reduced. Since the output light beam becomes larger and the energy density is reduced, the two beam receiving and releasing assemblies can withstand high-power, high-pulse laser beams without being damaged; through the provision of a centering mechanism, the light beam receiving and releasing assembly located in the inner cavity of the central rotating shaft 7 can be adjusted so that the optical axis of the transmitting and receiving end coincides with the axis center of the central rotating shaft 7, thereby improving the transmission accuracy; through the provision of a bearing compensation mechanism, when the central rotating shaft 7 rotates, in order to improve the stability of the product operation, the clearance movement of the bearing during the movement can be compensated, thereby making the fluctuation of the overall movement of the product smaller.

[0029] Reference Figure 6 and 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the beam retraction and deployment assembly includes a metal tube 31, a quartz rod 32 fixedly disposed within the inner cavity of the metal tube 31, and an achromatic lens 33. An optical fiber is fused to the end of the quartz rod 32, distal from the achromatic lens 33. The optical fiber is fused to the quartz rod 32 using a fusion process. The material of the quartz rod 32 is similar to that of the optical fiber. After fusion, the output surface is the other end of the quartz rod 32. Because the output beam is larger and the energy density is reduced, it can withstand high-power, high-pulse laser beams without damage.

[0030] In this embodiment, an inner bearing 5 is arranged between the central rotating shaft 7 and the central shaft 2. The inner bearing 5 is arranged outside the central shaft 2. A first support sleeve 4 is provided between the two inner bearings 5. One end of the central shaft 2 is locked and fixed by a first locking nut 6.

[0031] Reference Figure 3 and 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the central rotating shaft 7 is rotatably connected to the housing 1 via an outer bearing 8. A second support sleeve 9 is positioned between the outer bearing 8. A second locking nut 10 is provided at one end of the housing 1 to lock the outer bearing 8. The bearing compensation mechanism includes a flat washer 15 and a corrugated washer 16. These two washers are respectively positioned between the outer bearing 8 and the synchronous drive wheel 14. The flat washer 15 and the corrugated washer 16 are sleeved onto the central rotating shaft 7. To improve the stability of the product's operation, a corrugated washer is used to compensate for the play of the outer bearing 8 during movement, minimizing fluctuations in the product's movement.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 and 4 As shown, in this embodiment, the centering mechanism includes a centering hole 11 arranged in an annular pattern on the central rotating shaft 7. Screws threaded into the centering hole 11 adjust the six degrees of freedom of the beam retraction assembly. The centering hole 11 is added to the central rotating shaft 7, and eight screws are used to adjust the six degrees of freedom of the beam retraction assembly so that the optical axis of the transmitting and receiving end coincides with the axis of the central rotating shaft 7.

[0033] In this embodiment, one end of the beam retracting and extending assembly located within the central rotating shaft 7 is connected to an output head 12 via an optical fiber, and a quick-connect interface 13 is arranged at one end of the output head 12 .

[0034] In this embodiment, the output connector 12 contains a microlens connected to one end of the optical fiber to convert the light beam into a spatial light output. Conventional connectors, such as FC / APC and SC / APC, utilize precise physical contact, which can easily burn out when high-power energy density is concentrated. Using an output connector 12 with a built-in microlens, the light beam is converted into a spatial light output, effectively avoiding concentrated energy density and connector burnout.

[0035] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, etc., are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Moreover, the terms "include," "comprise," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article, or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or device. In the absence of further limitations. The phrase "includes an element defined by..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the element.

[0036] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A fiber optic slip ring for an OCT system, comprising a housing, a central rotating shaft rotatably disposed within an inner cavity of the housing, and a central shaft fixedly disposed within the inner cavity of the housing, characterized in that: The inner cavities of the central axis and the central rotating axis are provided with beam receiving and releasing components opposite to each other. The light beam input by the optical fiber into the beam receiving and releasing component is expanded and its energy density is reduced before being transmitted to the other beam receiving and releasing component. The inner cavity on the central rotating axis is provided with a centering mechanism for adjusting the coincidence of the axis of the beam receiving and releasing component with that of the central rotating axis. A synchronous driving wheel is fixedly provided on the outer surface of one end of the central rotating axis close to the central axis. A bearing compensation mechanism is arranged on the central rotating axis between the synchronous driving wheel and the outer bearing to compensate for the clearance movement of the outer bearing during the movement of the central rotating axis.

2. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The beam retracting and releasing assembly comprises a metal tube, a quartz rod fixedly arranged in the inner cavity of the metal tube, and an achromatic lens. An end of the quartz rod away from the achromatic lens is fused with an optical fiber.

3. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to claim 2, characterized in that: An inner bearing is arranged between the central rotating shaft and the central shaft, and the inner bearing is arranged outside the central shaft. A first support sleeve is provided between the two inner bearings, and one end of the central shaft is locked and fixed to the inner bearing by a first locking nut.

4. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The central rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the outer shell through an outer bearing, a second support sleeve is arranged between the outer bearings, and a second locking nut for locking the outer bearing is provided at one end of the outer shell. The bearing compensation mechanism includes a flat washer and a corrugated washer, and a flat washer and a corrugated washer are respectively arranged between the outer bearing and the synchronous drive wheel, and the flat washer and the corrugated washer are arranged in a sleeve on the central rotating shaft.

5. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The centering mechanism comprises a centering hole annularly arranged on the central rotating shaft, and screws threadedly connected in the centering hole are used to adjust the six degrees of freedom of the beam retracting and releasing assembly.

6. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to claim 5, characterized in that: One end of the beam retracting and releasing component located in the central rotating shaft is connected to an output head via an optical fiber, and one end of the output head is provided with a quick-insert interface.

7. The optical fiber slip ring for an OCT system according to claim 6, characterized in that: A microlens connected to one end of the optical fiber is arranged in the output head to convert the light beam into spatial light output.

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