DEVICE FOR FIXING AN OPTICAL ELEMENT

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a system for inserting a lens tube into an optical system, comprising a housing of an optical system with an opening for inserting a lens tube transversely to the beam direction of the optical system into a space behind the opening, wherein the space has lateral guiding and positioning elements; and the lens tube, which has sliding and sealing elements on its end faces.

Description

Area of ​​Revelation

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a system having a mounting structure for an optics bus in a laser processing system for simplified installation and removal. Brief description of the state of the art

[0002] COHERENT ® develops and manufactures lasers, laser processing heads and systems, components and accessories, as well as laser measuring instruments. The laser processing heads and systems are designed for processing materials, including welding, soldering, and cutting.

[0003] Laser processing heads and systems comprise a variety of optical elements. For beam shaping, laser processing systems use lenses that collimate or focus the laser beam.

[0004] When laser processing metals or other materials, it is often desirable to shape the beam so that it exhibits the appropriate properties for the respective application. Such beam shaping is achieved using optical elements arranged in the direction of the laser beam.

[0005] The optical elements can be arranged in a so-called lens tube. This is preferably, but not necessarily, a cylinder with the optical elements arranged inside. The optical elements can be lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam-shaping optical elements, including refractive and diffractive optical elements, and / or protective glasses. The advantage of using a lens tube is that the optical elements can be replaced as a unit. If individual optical elements are replaced, it may be necessary to correctly position the respective optical elements relative to one another. This effort is eliminated when using a lens tube.

[0006] Lens tubes are known from the state of the art; they are installed in optical devices using screw rings, clamps, or similar devices. Assembly and disassembly are generally only possible with screw-in tools or other special tools. Replacing the lens tubes requires partial disassembly of the device in which the lens tube is used. To prevent the ingress of contaminants, replacing an optical element must be performed in a dust-free room to prevent contamination of the device with particles, for example. This significantly increases the downtime of a device during lens tube replacement.

[0007] This is generally a disadvantage when replacing optical elements at the end customer's site or during service. Screw connections in the optical chamber are also considered disadvantageous due to material abrasion, as deposits can be introduced into the optical chamber.

[0008] The published German utility model DE 20 2009 012 924 U1 discloses an insert for holding an optical system, in particular a focusing optics, in a laser processing head for processing a workpiece with a laser beam, wherein the optical system is displaceable relative to the insert via adjustment means, characterized in that the adjustment means for displacing the optical system in the longitudinal direction of the laser beam comprise a linear adjustment device with a synchronous linear motor, and a laser processing head for processing a workpiece by means of a laser beam, with a housing into which the insert according to one of the preceding claims can be inserted laterally.

[0009] The published German patent DE 10 2015 107 556 B3 relates to a cassette module for holding an optical element in a laser processing system, in particular a laser processing head for processing a workpiece with a laser beam, comprising a housing having a receiving shaft for receiving the optical element or protective glass and, on two opposite sides, an opening for the passage of a beam path guided through the laser processing system, and a cassette in which the optical element is held and which can be inserted into the receiving shaft to position the optical element in the beam path. In order to largely prevent the occurrence of abrasion when changing the optical element or protective glass, it is provided that the cassette has at least two mutually opposite contact surfaces for engagement with corresponding walls of the receiving shaft, which converge in the insertion direction.

[0010] Published European patent application EP 2 062 676 A1 discloses a modular processing head for a laser processing machine for processing a workpiece using a laser beam. The modular processing head comprises a stationary part and an interchangeable module, wherein each interchangeable module comprises focusing optics for focusing the laser beam, and wherein a drive device is provided for moving and / or adjusting the focusing optics. The drive device comprises at least one driven part, wherein the respective driven parts are movable relative to the stationary part of the processing head, and the focusing optics are coupled to at least one driven part of the drive device such that the position of the focusing optics relative to the stationary part of the processing head is variable.The exchange module comprises the focusing optics, the respective driven parts of the drive device and a support structure for the focusing optics and the respective driven parts of the drive device, wherein the support structure can be brought into a stationary operating position with respect to the stationary part of the processing head and the focusing optics and the respective driven parts of the drive device are arranged on the support structure in such a way that the focusing optics can be moved relative to the support structure by means of the drive device.

[0011] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an alternative fastening for a lens tube which avoids the disadvantages of the solutions known from the prior art. Summary of Revelation

[0012] The present disclosure provides a system for inserting a lens barrel into an optical system comprising - a housing of an optical system with an opening for inserting a lens tube transversely to the beam direction of the optical system into a space behind the opening, wherein the space has lateral guide and positioning elements and has a first stop behind the opening on the wall of the housing opposite the opening; - a cover for closing the opening, the cover having a second stop for fixing and aligning the lens barrel after insertion between the first and second stops; and - the lens tube, which has sliding and sealing elements on its front sides.

[0013] According to the invention, it is also provided that the first stop of a system in one embodiment has a concave shape corresponding to the outer shape of the lens tube.

[0014] The system also includes a first stop formed by two triangular elements.

[0015] According to the invention, the system comprises first additional positioning elements on the side of the housing of the optical system opposite the opening.

[0016] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lens tube has second additional positioning elements on the longitudinal side facing the side of the housing of the optical system opposite the opening.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first and second additional positioning elements are bevelled in such a way that the angles of the respective bevel add up to 90°.

[0018] The present disclosure further includes an embodiment of the system in which optical elements selected from the group comprising lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam-shaping optical elements, refractive and diffractive optical elements, and protective glasses are arranged in the lens tube.

[0019] Furthermore, the cover and opening of a system according to the present disclosure may have corresponding shapes for correct alignment of the lens barrel.

[0020] It is also intended that the corresponding formations are selected from the group comprising wedges, half shells, stops and balls.

[0021] Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, which simply shows preferred embodiments and implementations. The present disclosure is capable of being embodied in other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Short description of the characters

[0022] The disclosure is presented in more detail below with reference to figures. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these are only possible exemplary embodiments, without the disclosure being limited to the embodiments shown, wherein: Fig. 1 shows schematically a housing with an opening in front of which a lens tube is arranged. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the interaction of the sliding and / or sealing elements with the guide elements when the lens barrel is inserted into the housing. Fig. Figure 3 shows the lens barrel in its final position in the housing of the optical device. Fig. Figure 4 shows the lens barrel in its final position inside the optical device housing with the cover closed. Fig. 5 shows first and second additional positioning elements of the housing and the cover for the defined positioning of the lens tube. Fig. Figure 6 shows schematically a section through space at 90° to the previous figures. Detailed description of the revelation

[0023] The above-stated object of the disclosure is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims cover further specific embodiments of the disclosure.

[0024] According to the invention, a system comprising a receptacle for a lens tube and a lens tube is provided, in which the receptacle for the lens tube is formed by a lateral opening in the housing of the optical device. Spacers and / or guides are provided inside the optical device in the area of ​​the receptacle, ensuring precise positioning of the lens tube in the receptacle.

[0025] A lens tube, as used herein, is a cylindrical assembly containing an array of optical elements within its interior. The lens tube is sealed to prevent contaminants from entering the lens tube. Furthermore, the optical elements are fixed in their alignment within the lens tube.

[0026] The lens tube is designed as a slide-in element and is installed into the optical device via the receptacle, which is formed as a side opening in the housing. Sliding and / or sealing elements can be attached to the end faces of the lens tube and / or to the guides and / or spacers of the housing. These elements facilitate insertion of the lens tube, minimize abrasion, and seal the space around the optical axis of the device dust-tight.

[0027] The lens tube receptacle is closed with a cover. Appropriate contours (wedges, half-shells, stops, balls, and the like) are arranged in the housing and cover to ensure precise alignment of the lens tube. Furthermore, sealing elements are provided, or the contours are designed to ensure adequate sealing of the opening against the ingress of contaminants such as dust or particles.

[0028] The lens tube itself can contain all kinds of optical elements, such as lenses, protective glasses, mirrors, beam-shaping elements or similar.

[0029] The housing of the optical device and the cover or cover of the mount ensure precise alignment of the lens tube through the aforementioned contours (wedges, half-shells, stops, balls, and the like). By screwing the cover to the device, the lens tube is clamped tightly to prevent the ingress of particles and contaminants.

[0030] The lens tube features sliding and sealing elements that allow the lens tube to be inserted smoothly and prevent abrasion and contamination during insertion and removal. These elements also ensure that the lens tube is securely held inside the optical device. Furthermore, these elements seal the lens tube against the volume inside the optical device.

[0031] Fig. 1 schematically shows a housing 1 with an opening 2. A lens tube 10 is arranged in front of the opening 2. The housing has lateral guide and positioning elements 5 so that the lens tube 10 can only be inserted into a predefined position in the housing 1 of the optical device. At the end of the space 4 for inserting the lens tube 10, a first stop 7 is arranged, which limits the maximum insertion of the lens tube 10 into the space 4 and also ensures the desired alignment of the lens tube. Insertion occurs in the direction indicated by the arrow.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the interaction of the sliding and / or sealing elements 3 with the guide elements 5 when the lens tube 10 is inserted into the housing 1. The arrow again indicates the insertion direction.

[0033] Fig. Figure 3 shows the lens tube 10 in its final position in the housing 1 of the optical device. The cover 20 of the housing 1 has not yet been applied to the opening 2 through which the lens tube 10 was inserted into the housing 1 of the optical device.

[0034] Fig. Figure 4 shows the lens tube 10 in its final position inside the housing 1 of the optical device with the cover 20 closed. The cover 20 has a second stop 21 for securely and firmly holding the lens tube 10 inside the housing 1 of the optical device. The lens tube 10 is fixedly arranged between the first stop 7, the second stop 21, and the lateral guide and positioning elements 5.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows first and second additional positioning elements 6, 16 of the housing 1 and the cover for the defined positioning of the lens tube 10. The first additional positioning elements 6 of the housing have an angle that corresponds to the angle of the second additional positioning elements 16 arranged on the lens tube 10. The corresponding angles of the first and second additional positioning elements 6, 16 center the lens tube 10 in the space 4. Cover 20 with second stop 21 exerts pressure on the lens tube 10 so that it is positioned centrally on the beveled surfaces of the first and second positioning elements 6, 16 in front of the first stop 7. The bevel of the first and second stops adds up to 90°.

[0036] Fig.Figure 6 schematically shows a section through chamber 4, extending at 90° to the previous figures. The lens tube 10 is already arranged in the housing 1. Cover 20 with the second stop 21 exerts pressure on the lens tube 10, so that it is positioned centrally on the beveled surfaces of the first and second positioning elements 6, 16 in front of the first stop 7.

[0037] The second stop 21 can be concave such that the curvature corresponds to the outer shape of the lens barrel. Furthermore, the second stop can be formed from two beveled elements.

[0038] The present disclosure provides an alternative for inserting and securing a lens tube into an optical device. The lens tube is firmly arranged and fixed in a predefined position within the housing of the optical device. Furthermore, the lens tube is sealed dust-tight against the opening through which it is inserted.

[0039] The advantages of the present disclosure can be summarized as follows: - Easy insertion of a lens tube into a housing. - Secure positioning of the lens tube in the housing using positioning elements. - Lens tube can be replaced without special tools. - Reduction of the entry of contamination. - Lens tube can be replaced in the field.

[0040] Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, which simply shows preferred embodiments and implementations. The present disclosure is capable of being embodied in other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various obvious aspects, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Additional objects and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the following description and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure. Reference symbol 1 housing 2 Opening 3 sliding and sealing elements 4 Space for insert 5 lateral guide and positioning elements 6 first additional position elements 7 first attack 10 lens tube 16 second position elements 20 Cover 21 second attack

Claims

[1] A system for inserting a lens tube (10) into an optical system, comprising - a housing (1) of an optical system with an opening (2) for inserting a lens tube (10) transversely to the beam direction of the optical system into a space (4) behind the opening (2), wherein the space (4) has lateral guide and positioning elements (5) and has a first stop (7) behind the opening (2) on the wall of the housing (1) opposite the opening (2); - a cover (20) for closing the opening (2), the cover (20) having a second stop (21) for fixing and aligning the lens barrel (10) after insertion between the first and second stops (7, 21); and - the lens tube (10), which has sliding and sealing elements (3) on its front sides. [2] The system according to claim 1, wherein the first stopper (7) has a concave shape corresponding to the outer shape of the lens barrel (10). [3] The system according to claim 1, wherein the first stop (7) is formed from two triangular elements. [4] The system according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the side of the housing (1) of the optical system opposite the opening (2) has first additional positioning elements (6). [5] The system according to claim 4, wherein the lens barrel (10) has second additional positioning elements (16) on the longitudinal side facing the side of the housing (1) of the optical system opposite the opening (2). [6] The system according to claim 5, wherein first and second additional positioning elements (6, 16) are bevelled such that the angles of the respective bevel add up to 90°. [7] The system according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein optical elements selected from the group comprising lenses, lens groups, mirrors, beam-shaping optical elements, refractive and diffractive optical elements, and protective glasses are arranged in the lens tube (10). [8] The system according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cover (20) and opening (2) have corresponding formations for a correct alignment of the lens tube (10). [9] The system according to claim 8, wherein the corresponding formations are selected from the group comprising wedges, half-shells, stops and balls.

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