CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding processing equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of optical fiber cladding processing, in particular to CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding processing equipment which comprises a machine frame and an optical fiber body, two clamping assemblies used for clamping the optical fiber body are symmetrically arranged on the front side of the machine frame, and an X-axis overall driving mechanism used for driving the clamping assemblies to move is fixedly installed at the inner bottom of the front side of the machine frame. According to the device, an ablation mechanism and a scattering mechanism are combined, high-efficiency stripping of cladding light power is achieved, the performance of an optical fiber in laser transmission, sensing and other applications is greatly improved through the characteristic, energy loss and signal interference caused by cladding light are effectively reduced, the CO2 laser ablation technology is adopted, and the laser ablation efficiency is improved. The device can accurately control the distance and the ablation depth in the etching process, optical fibers with different specifications and requirements can be finely processed by adjusting parameters of the laser emission assembly, it is ensured that etching of each part meets the preset standard, and the consistency and stability of processing are greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of optical fiber cladding processing technology, specifically to a CO2 laser etching equipment for optical fiber cladding processing. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of technology, optical fibers are increasingly widely used in laser transmission, communication, and sensing. In these applications, efficient and precise processing of the fiber cladding has become a key step in improving fiber performance and expanding its application range. Current industrial methods for stripping cladding power mainly include light-absorbing coating, bending loss methods, and chemical etching. The light-absorbing coating method involves coating the fiber cladding surface with light-absorbing materials (such as metal oxides or ceramic coatings), which absorb the cladding light energy through photothermal conversion. This method requires a highly efficient heat dissipation structure and may suffer from ablation or damage under prolonged high power conditions. The aging and bending loss method involves bending the optical fiber to a critical radius, causing higher-order modes in the cladding to leak out due to bending. This method is low in cost, but the stripping efficiency is limited and the stripping effect is unstable. It can only be used for low power or short wavelengths, and the stripping effect is poor for high power. The chemical etching method uses chemical solutions (such as hydrofluoric acid) to selectively etch the cladding material to form a scattering or rough surface to leak light. This method requires the use of highly corrosive chemicals, which makes the operation highly dangerous. The waste liquid treatment is complicated and not environmentally friendly. In addition, the optical fiber becomes brittle and easy to break after chemical etching, and its mechanical properties decrease.

[0003] Therefore, with the increasing demands for optical fiber performance from various industries and the growing emphasis on green manufacturing, it is imperative to develop an efficient, precise, widely applicable, and environmentally friendly optical fiber cladding processing equipment. Utility Model Content

[0004] One of the technical problems to be solved by this application is that this device combines ablation and scattering mechanisms to achieve efficient stripping of cladding optical power.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a CO2 laser etching fiber cladding processing device, comprising a frame and an optical fiber body. Two clamping components for clamping the optical fiber body are symmetrically arranged on the front side of the frame. An X-axis integral drive mechanism for driving the clamping components to move is fixedly installed on the inner bottom of the front side of the frame. A laser emitting component is arranged inside the frame, and a power switch is arranged on the frame.

[0006] In some embodiments, in order to connect the clamping components to the X-axis integral drive mechanism, the lower ends of the two clamping components are connected to a clamping base plate, which is located inside the frame and connected to the X-axis integral drive mechanism.

[0007] In some embodiments, in order to adjust the distance between the two clamping components, one clamping component is fixedly connected to the clamping base plate, and the other clamping component is slidably connected to the clamping base plate. The clamping base plate is provided with a distance adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the two clamping components.

[0008] In some embodiments, in order to clamp and rotate the optical fiber body, the clamping assembly includes an optical fiber rotating clamp with a built-in rotating mechanism and an optical fiber positioner. The optical fiber rotating clamp is used to clamp the optical fiber body while controlling the rotation of the optical fiber body.

[0009] In some embodiments, in order to provide a laser source for ablation of the optical fiber body, the laser emitting assembly includes a CO2 laser, an indicator light and laser coupler, a collimating lens, a first reflecting mirror, a second reflecting mirror, a third reflecting mirror, a fourth reflecting mirror, and a focusing lens. The CO2 laser is fixedly installed inside the rack, and one end of the indicator light and laser coupler is fixedly connected to the emitting end of the CO2 laser.

[0010] In some embodiments, in order to collimate the laser beam, a perforated vertical plate is fixedly mounted on one end of the collimating lens, the first reflector is located at the lower end of the perforated vertical plate and cooperates with the collimating lens, and the second reflector is located at the upper end of the perforated vertical plate.

[0011] In some embodiments, in order to adjust the position of the focusing lens through the laser adjustment mechanism and thereby improve the flexibility of ablation of the optical fiber body, a column is fixedly installed inside the frame, the third reflecting mirror is fixedly installed at one end of the column, the fourth reflecting mirror is slidably installed at the other end of the column, the focusing lens is vertically fixedly installed below the fourth reflecting mirror, and a laser adjustment mechanism is fixedly installed on the column to push the collimating lens to move.

[0012] In some embodiments, in order to protect the fourth reflector, a laser protective cover is fixedly installed on the front side of the frame, and the upper ends of the fourth reflector and the collimating lens are located inside the laser protective cover.

[0013] This invention has at least the following beneficial effects: 1. This device combines ablation and scattering mechanisms to achieve efficient stripping of cladding light power. This feature greatly improves the performance of optical fibers in applications such as laser transmission and sensing, and effectively reduces energy loss and signal interference caused by cladding light.

[0014] 2. Using CO2 laser ablation technology, the equipment can precisely control the spacing and ablation depth during the etching process. By adjusting the parameters of the laser emitting component, it can perform fine processing on optical fibers of different specifications and requirements, ensuring that each etching meets the preset standards, which greatly improves the consistency and stability of the processing.

[0015] 3. The two clamping components, together with the X-axis integrated drive mechanism, can easily achieve the positioning and movement of optical fibers. The operation is simple and flexible. Operators only need to control the operation of the equipment through the power switch and set the parameters of the laser emission component in advance to complete various types of processing tasks, such as the processing of complex patterns such as micro-holes, rings and threads. This effectively reduces the requirements for the professional skills of operators, improves production efficiency, and the non-contact processing method avoids mechanical stress damage to the optical fiber, effectively maintaining the mechanical strength and optical performance of the optical fiber. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the laser emitting component of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the position of the laser adjustment mechanism of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the overall X-axis drive mechanism of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the clamping assembly of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 6 This is a front view of the X-axis integral drive mechanism of this utility model;

[0022] Figure 7 This is a top view of the frame of this utility model.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Frame; 2. Fiber optic cable body; 3. Clamping assembly; 301. Rotation mechanism; 302. Fiber optic rotation clamp; 303. Fiber optic positioner; 4. X-axis integrated drive mechanism; 5. Laser emitting assembly; 501. CO2 laser; 502. Indicator light and laser coupler; 503. Collimating lens; 504. First reflecting mirror; 505. Second reflecting mirror; 506. Third reflecting mirror; 507. Fourth reflecting mirror; 508. Focusing lens; 6. Power switch; 7. Clamping base plate; 8. Spacing adjustment mechanism; 9. Perforated vertical plate; 10. Column; 11. Laser adjustment mechanism; 12. Laser protective cover. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0025] Example 1: Please refer to Figure 1-7 This utility model provides a technical solution: a CO2 laser etching fiber cladding processing device, including a frame 1 and an fiber body 2. Two clamping components 3 for clamping the fiber body 2 are symmetrically arranged on the front side of the frame 1. The lower ends of the two clamping components 3 are connected to a clamping base plate 7. An X-axis integral drive mechanism 4 for driving the movement of the clamping components 3 is fixedly installed on the inner bottom of the front side of the frame 1. It should be noted that... Figure 4 As shown, the X-axis integrated drive mechanism 4 is composed of common linear motion structures on the market, such as motors, guide rails, and lead screws. Therefore, its internal parts are not labeled in the figure.

[0026] The clamping base plate 7 is located inside the frame 1 and is connected to the X-axis integral drive mechanism 4. The frame 1 is equipped with a laser emission assembly 5 and a power switch 6.

[0027] Example 2: As Figure 5 As shown, one clamping component 3 is fixedly connected to the clamping base plate 7, and the other clamping component 3 is slidably connected to the clamping base plate 7. The clamping base plate 7 is provided with a spacing adjustment mechanism 8 for adjusting the distance between the two clamping components 3. It should be noted that the spacing adjustment mechanism 8 is also composed of common linear motion structures on the market such as motors, guide rails and lead screws. Its purpose is to drive the clamping component 3 at one end of the clamping base plate 7 to adjust its position.

[0028] The clamping assembly 3 includes an optical fiber rotating clamp 302 with a built-in rotating mechanism 301 and an optical fiber positioner 303. The optical fiber rotating clamp 302 is used to clamp the optical fiber body 2 and control the optical fiber body 2 to rotate. It should be noted that the rotating mechanism 301 is a gear meshing transmission mechanism driven by a motor. Through the transmission of the motor and gears, the clamp of the optical fiber rotating clamp 302 can be rotated, thereby causing the optical fiber body 2 to rotate, so that the optical fiber body 2 can be ablated in a circular motion by laser.

[0029] Example 3: As Figure 2As shown, the laser emitting assembly 5 includes a CO2 laser 501, an indicator light and laser coupler 502, a collimating lens 503, a first reflecting mirror 504, a second reflecting mirror 505, a third reflecting mirror 506, a fourth reflecting mirror 507, and a focusing lens 508. The CO2 laser 501 is fixedly installed inside the frame 1. One end of the indicator light and laser coupler 502 is fixedly connected to the emitting end of the CO2 laser 501. A perforated vertical plate 9 is fixedly installed at one end of the collimating lens 503. The first reflecting mirror 504 is located at the lower end of the perforated vertical plate 9 and cooperates with the collimating lens 503. The second reflecting mirror 505 is located at the upper end of the perforated vertical plate 9. The frame 1 is fixedly installed with... The column 10 has a third reflecting mirror 506 fixedly installed at one end, a fourth reflecting mirror 507 slidably installed at the other end, and a focusing mirror 508 vertically fixedly installed below the fourth reflecting mirror 507. This allows the laser output from the CO2 laser 501 to be combined with the laser beam by the indicator beam and laser coupler 502. Then, the beam is collimated into parallel light by the collimating mirror 503. The light path direction is then changed by the first reflecting mirror 504, the second reflecting mirror 505, the third reflecting mirror 506, and the fourth reflecting mirror 507. Finally, the beam is focused by the focusing mirror 508 to form a spot with a diameter of 10-20 μm, which ablates the fiber cladding.

[0030] A laser adjustment mechanism 11 is fixedly installed on the column 10. The laser adjustment mechanism 11 is used to move the collimating lens 503. A laser protective cover 12 is fixedly installed on the front side of the frame 1. The upper ends of the fourth reflecting mirror 507 and the collimating lens 503 are located inside the laser protective cover 12. It should be noted that... Figure 3 As shown, the laser adjustment mechanism 11 is also composed of existing linear motion structures such as motors, guide rails, and lead screws, so its detailed structure is not described in this device.

[0031] When using this invention, the power switch 6 needs to be turned on. The spacing adjustment mechanism 8 can be set to a specified width by controlling the spacing of the positioners. The operator needs to remove the coating of the optical fiber body 2 and clean the cladding of the optical fiber body 2. The optical fiber body 2 to be processed is placed in the two clamping components 3. The cladding window for removing the coating is located between the two optical fiber positioners 303. The optical fiber body 2 is straightened, and the optical fiber positioners 303 on one side and the other side are covered in sequence. The software switch is turned on to control the CO2 laser 501 to output laser. The indicator beam and the laser beam are merged by the indicator beam and laser coupler 502. Then, the beam is turned into parallel light by the collimating lens 503. Then, the light path direction is changed by the first reflecting mirror 504, the second reflecting mirror 505 and the third reflecting mirror 506. Finally, the beam is focused by the focusing lens 508 to form a light spot with a diameter of 10-20μm, which ablates the optical fiber cladding.

[0032] Micro-hole ablation involves emitting a laser from the focusing lens 508 onto the fiber optic body 2 via the laser emitting component 5. The laser forms a circular hole in the fiber optic cladding. A software switch simultaneously controls the movement of two clamping components 3 on the clamping base plate 7 via the X-axis integrated drive mechanism 4, thereby achieving precise movement of the fiber optic body 2. After completing one cycle of laser ablation, the rotation mechanism 301 inside the fiber optic positioner 303 controls the fiber optic positioners 303 in the two clamping components 3 to rotate to a specified angle, starting the next cycle of laser ablation. The device can achieve multiple cycles of laser ablation.

[0033] Circular ablation involves the laser emitting component 5 emitting a laser to form a spot, which then ablates the cladding. Simultaneously, the output of the spot is controlled by the rotation mechanism 301 to rotate the fiber optic positioners 303 on both sides 360°, achieving a single circular ablation. Then, the X-axis overall drive mechanism 4 simultaneously controls the fiber optic positioners 303 on both sides to achieve precise movement of the fiber optic body 2 along the X-axis. Once the fiber optic body 2 has moved to the specified distance along the X-axis, the circular laser ablation is completed.

[0034] Thread ablation is achieved by using a laser emitting component 5 to emit a laser to form a spot and then ablate the cladding. Simultaneously, the rotating mechanism 301 controls the rotation of the fiber optic positioners 303 on both sides, and the X-axis overall drive mechanism 4 simultaneously controls the fiber optic positioners 303 on both sides to achieve precise movement of the fiber optic body 2 along the X-axis. The fiber optic body 2 rotates and moves while the laser ablates, thus achieving thread-like laser ablation. The process is completed when the fiber optic body 2 moves a specified distance along the X-axis.

[0035] For all the above ablation processes, the operator only needs to place the fiber body 2 to be processed in the designated position and turn on the software switch. The operation is simple and convenient, and the fiber cladding light stripping efficiency is high.

[0036] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0037] Although 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 alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding processing apparatus comprising a frame (1) and an optical fiber body (2), characterized in that: The front side of the frame (1) is symmetrically provided with two clamping assemblies (3) for clamping the optical fiber body (2), the inner bottom of the front side of the frame (1) is fixedly installed with an X-axis overall driving mechanism (4) for driving the clamping assemblies (3) to move, the frame (1) is internally provided with a laser emitting assembly (5), and the frame (1) is provided with a power switch (6).

2. The CO2 laser etching fiber cladding processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lower ends of the two clamping assemblies (3) are commonly connected with a clamping bottom plate (7), and the clamping bottom plate (7) is located in the frame (1) and connected with the X-axis overall driving mechanism (4).

3. The CO2 laser etching fiber cladding machining apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that: One of the clamping assemblies (3) and the clamping bottom plate (7) are fixedly connected with each other, and the other clamping assembly (3) and the clamping bottom plate (7) are slidably connected with each other, and the clamping bottom plate (7) is provided with a spacing adjusting mechanism (8) for adjusting the spacing between the two clamping assemblies (3).

4. The CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding machining apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that: The clamping assembly (3) comprises an optical fiber rotating clamp (302) provided with a rotating mechanism (301) and an optical fiber positioner (303), and the optical fiber rotating clamp (302) is used for clamping the optical fiber body (2) and can control the optical fiber body (2) to rotate.

5. The CO2 laser etching fiber cladding machining apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that: The laser emitting assembly (5) comprises a CO2 laser (501), an indicating light and laser coupler (502), a collimating mirror (503), a first reflecting mirror (504), a second reflecting mirror (505), a third reflecting mirror (506), a fourth reflecting mirror (507) and a focusing mirror (508), the CO2 laser (501) is fixedly installed in the frame (1), and one end of the indicating light and laser coupler (502) is fixedly connected with the light emitting end of the CO2 laser (501).

6. The CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding apparatus of claim 5, wherein: One end of the collimating mirror (503) is fixedly installed with a hole vertical plate (9), the first reflecting mirror (504) is located at the lower end of the hole vertical plate (9) and cooperates with the collimating mirror (503), and the second reflecting mirror (505) is located at the upper end of the hole vertical plate (9).

7. The CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding apparatus of claim 6, wherein: The frame (1) is internally fixedly installed with a stand (10), the third reflecting mirror (506) is fixedly installed at one end of the stand (10), the fourth reflecting mirror (507) is slidably installed at the other end of the stand (10), the focusing mirror (508) is vertically fixedly installed below the fourth reflecting mirror (507), and the stand (10) is fixedly installed with a laser adjusting mechanism (11), and the laser adjusting mechanism (11) is used for pushing the collimating mirror (503) to move.

8. The CO2 laser etching optical fiber cladding apparatus of claim 7, wherein: The front side of the frame (1) is fixedly installed with a laser protection cover (12), and the upper ends of the fourth reflecting mirror (507) and the collimating mirror (503) are located in the laser protection cover (12).

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