Instrument for visually recognizing orientation of laser beam

Abstract

To disclose an instrument for an inspector to visually recognize an orientation of a laser beam from a distance in an incidence direction of the laser beam.SOLUTION: An instrument 100 for visually recognizing an orientation of a laser beam 200 includes a plate 101 formed with a linear through hole 101a for allowing the laser beam 200 to pass therethrough. The plate 101 includes a first surface part 101b1 and a second surface part 101b2 that constitute a retroreflective surface. A part slightly misaligned from the through hole 101a, of the laser beam 200 is reflected on the first surface part 101b1 that surrounds the through hole 101a, and then reflected on the second surface part 101b2 that surrounds the first surface part 101b1. A part of the light reflected on the second surface part 101b2 travels in an incidence direction of the laser beam 200. In other words, slight deviation of the laser beam 200 from the through hole 101a is magnified and converted into a distance from the through hole 101a to an illuminated portion of the second surface part 101b2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam.

Background Art

[0002] Laser light is used, for example, in measurement, processing, etc. In the practical use of such laser light, usually, the laser light is irradiated onto an object in a defined orientation (i.e., geometric state). For this reason, before performing measurement, processing, etc. using the laser light, it is necessary for an inspector to visually set the orientation of the laser light with respect to the object.

[0003] Some examples of the prior art of instruments for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam are disclosed in Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The dye laser device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a target for optical axis adjustment. The target for optical axis adjustment includes a small hole for allowing laser light to pass through. One surface of the target for optical axis adjustment is a grooved surface for making the position where the laser light hits clearly visible by diffuse reflection of the laser light. When the optical axis of the laser light is deviated from the correct optical axis, since the laser light is diffusely reflected by the target for optical axis adjustment, the deviation direction of the laser light can be known. According to the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the optical axis of the laser light is significantly deviated from the correct optical axis, an inspector can visually know the deviation direction of the laser light. However, when the optical axis of the laser light is slightly deviated from the correct optical axis, only a slight portion of the edge of the small hole shines, so it is not easy for an inspector to visually know the deviation direction of the laser light from a distance.

[0006] The alignment jig disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a jig body attached to an object to be irradiated. The jig body includes a wall portion provided with a pinhole for allowing laser light to pass through, a reflecting mirror arranged opposite to the wall portion, and an opening portion for holding the wall portion and the reflecting mirror in a fixed state with respect to each other. The laser light reflected by the reflecting mirror forms a laser spot on the inner surface of the wall portion that introduces the laser light. Therefore, an inspector can know the deviation direction of the laser light by observing the laser spot from the opening portion. However, due to its structure, it is impossible to observe the laser spot from the incident direction of the laser light.

[0007] The alignment device disclosed in Patent Document 3 includes a laser light source unit and a reflecting mirror unit. The reflecting mirror unit includes a diffusing reflecting mirror that is a convex mirror or a concave mirror, and a pinhole plate fixed to the front surface of the diffusing reflecting mirror. The laser light emitting surface of the laser light source unit is a target surface on which the reflected light from the diffusing reflecting mirror hits. The laser light reflected by the diffusing reflecting mirror forms a laser spot on the laser light emitting surface of the laser light source unit. Therefore, an inspector can know the deviation direction of the laser light by observing the laser spot. However, due to its structure, it is impossible to observe the laser spot from the incident direction of the laser light.

[0008] In view of the above background art and technical problems, there is disclosed an instrument for an inspector to visually recognize the orientation of a laser beam from a distance in the incident direction of the laser beam.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The technical matters described herein are not for explicitly or implicitly limiting the invention described in the claims, nor for enabling persons other than those who benefit from the present invention (for example, the applicant and the patentee) to limit the invention described in the claims, but are merely provided for facilitating the understanding of the gist of the present invention. The overview of the present invention from other viewpoints can be understood, for example, from the claims at the time of filing this patent application.

[0010] The instrument of the present disclosure is an instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam, and includes a plate in which a linear through-hole for passing the laser beam is formed. The plate includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion that constitute a retroreflective surface. A part of the laser beam slightly deviated from the through-hole is reflected by the first surface portion surrounding the through-hole, and then is reflected by the second surface portion surrounding the first surface portion. A part of the reflected light at the second surface portion travels toward the incident direction of the laser beam. That is, a slight deviation of the laser beam from the through-hole is magnified and converted into the distance from the through-hole to the portion that shines at the second surface portion.

Effects of the Invention

[0011] According to the instrument of the present disclosure, an inspector can visually recognize the orientation of a laser beam from a distance in the incident direction of the laser beam.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] With reference to the drawings, embodiments of the instrument of the present disclosure will be described. Note that the drawings are for understanding the embodiments, and the dimensions of each component shown are not necessarily the same as the actual dimensions.

[0014] An instrument 100 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam 200 includes a plate 101 in which a linear through-hole 101a for passing the laser beam 200 is formed. The shape of the plate 101 is not limited thereto and is a disk. The shape of the through-hole 101a is not limited thereto and is cylindrical. The material of the plate 101 is not limited thereto and is metal. The length direction of the through-hole 101a is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate 101.

[0015] One surface 101b of the plate 101 includes, as a part thereof, a first surface portion 101b1 and a second surface portion 101b2 that constitute a retroreflective surface. One surface 101b of the plate 101 is the surface facing the laser light 200. The first surface portion 101b1 is an inner edge of one surface 101b that surrounds the through-hole 101a (here, the "edge" is a portion with a certain width around an object). The inner edge of the first surface portion 101b1 (here, the "edge" is the end or boundary of an object) coincides with the opening edge of the through-hole 101a on one surface 101b (here, the "edge" is the end or boundary of an object). That is, the first surface portion 101b1 and the inner wall surface of the through-hole 101a are connected to each other. The second surface portion 101b2 is a surface that surrounds the first surface portion 101b1. The first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 may be connected to each other or may be separated from each other. Since the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 constitute a retroreflective surface, a part of the laser light 200 slightly deviated from the through-hole 101a is reflected by the first surface portion 101b1 surrounding the through-hole 101a, and then is reflected by the second surface portion 101b2 surrounding the first surface portion 101b1. Generally, since the second surface portion 101b2 is not completely flat, a part of the reflected light on the second surface portion 101b2 travels toward the incident direction of the laser light 200. That is, a slight deviation of the laser light 200 from the through-hole 101a is expanded and converted into the distance from the through-hole 101a to the portion 101y that shines on the second surface portion 101b2. Further, the area of the portion 101x that shines at the edge of the through-hole 101a due to a slight deviation of the laser light 200 from the through-hole 101a is expanded and converted into the area of the portion 101y that shines on the second surface portion 101b2.

[0016] It is not easy for an inspector to visually observe a slight deviation of the laser light 200 from the through-hole 101a from a distance in the incident direction of the laser light 200. However, due to the respective expansion and conversion of the above-mentioned distance and area, even from a distance in the incident direction of the laser light 200, the inspector can easily grasp the orientation of the laser light 200 by observing the portion 101y that shines on the second surface portion 101b2.

[0017] The preferred configuration of the retroreflective surface will be described below. First, it is preferable that the following conditions are satisfied. The inclination angle is an acute angle formed by the length direction of the through-hole 101a and the surface portion (the first surface portion 101b1 or the second surface portion 101b2). Generally, since the incident angle of the laser beam 200 is assumed to be a small value (for example, in the range of -5° to +5°), the thickness of the plate 101 can be reduced when the following conditions are satisfied. In FIG. 3, for the sake of clarity, the hatching of the cross section is omitted. (Condition) The inclination angle α (see FIG. 3) of the first surface portion 101b1 with respect to the thickness direction of the plate 101 is smaller than the inclination angle β (see FIG. 3) of the second surface portion 101b2 with respect to the thickness direction of the plate 101.

[0018] The first surface portion 101b1 is preferably a polished surface. By making the first surface portion 101b1 as flat as possible, a part of the laser beam 200 slightly deviated from the through-hole 101a is likely to be specularly reflected. By the specular reflection at the first surface portion 101b1, the spread of a part of the reflected light of the laser beam 200, which is derived from other than the surface shape of the first surface portion 101b1, can be suppressed.

[0019] The second surface portion 101b2 is preferably a rough surface. Since the second surface portion 101b2 is a rough surface, the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 is likely to be diffusely reflected (that is, specular reflection on a rough surface). Therefore, a part of the reflected light at the second surface portion 101b2 travels toward the incident direction of the laser beam 200.

[0020] The second surface portion 101b2 may be covered with a fluorescent material. When the laser beam 200 is an ultraviolet laser, the portion 101y of the second surface portion 101b2 where the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 hits emits light, so the visibility is improved.

[0021] The second surface portion 1010b2 may be covered with a photon up-conversion material. When the laser beam 200 is an infrared laser, the portion 101y of the second surface portion 101b2 where the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 hits emits light, so the visibility is improved.

[0022] From another perspective with reference to FIG. 4, the first surface portion 101b1 is, for example, a part of the side surface (i.e., a part of the conical surface) of a first cone having, as its apex, a first point P1 on a first straight line L1 passing through the through-hole 101a and parallel to the length direction of the through-hole 101a. The second surface portion 101b2 is a part of the side surface (i.e., a part of the conical surface) of a second cone having, as its apex, a second point P2 on a second straight line L2 parallel to the length direction of the through-hole 101a. However, one of the surfaces 101b can be viewed from the first point P1. The first cone may be a right cone or an oblique cone. When the first cone is a right cone, the first cone may be a circular cone or a polygonal cone. The second cone may be a right cone or an oblique cone. When the second cone is a right cone, the first cone may be a circular cone or a polygonal cone. The first straight line L1 and the second straight line L2 may coincide (see FIG. 4) or may not coincide. It is preferable that the solid angle of the first cone is smaller than the solid angle of the second cone. This corresponds to the above conditions. In FIG. 4, for the sake of clarity, the hatching of the cross-section is omitted.

[0023] As described above, the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 may be separated from each other. In this case, for example, there is a third surface portion 101b3 that is located between the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 and is connected to each of the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2. Except for the condition of not blocking the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1, the shape of the third surface portion 101b3 is not limited. Usually, the third surface portion 101b3 is a plane having a normal in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction of the plate 101 (see FIG. 5).

[0024] With reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the retroreflective surface will be further described from yet another perspective. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the first surface portion 101b1 is a part of the side surface of a conical body, the second surface portion 101b2 is a part of the side surface of a conical body, and the third surface portion 101b3 is located between the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 and is connected to each of the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2. In FIG. 5, for the sake of clarity, the hatching of the cross-section is omitted.

[0025] Hereinafter, the angles are measured counterclockwise from the central axis 101a1 of the through-hole 101a. The definitions of the symbols in FIG. 5 are as follows. A: The innermost position of the first surface portion 101b1 and the position where a part of the laser beam 200 is reflected B: The position on the second surface portion 101b2 where the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 hits C: The outermost position of the first surface portion 101b1 D: The innermost position of the second surface portion 101b2 K: The intersection point when the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 are extrapolated respectively θ1: The incident angle of the laser beam 200 θ2: The angle of the first surface portion 101b1 θ3: The angle of the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 θ4: The angle of the second surface portion 101b2 θ5: The angle formed by the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 L1: The distance between the straight line passing through A and parallel to the central axis of the through-hole 101a and the point K L2: The distance between the straight line passing through A and parallel to the central axis of the through-hole 101a and the point B (the outermost position of the second surface portion 101b2) L3: The distance between the straight line passing through A and parallel to the central axis of the through-hole 101a and the point C (the outermost position of the first surface portion 101b1) L4: The distance between the straight line passing through A and parallel to the central axis of the through-hole 101a and the point D (the innermost position of the second surface portion 101b2)

[0026] (Required conditions) The required conditions regarding the ranges of the angles and dimensions for the retroreflection to be established are as follows. First, the ranges of the angles and dimensions for a part of the laser beam 200 to be reflected by the first surface portion 101b1 and then hit the second surface portion 101b2 are as follows. -90° < θ1 < 90° 90° < θ2 < 180°

[0027] The relationship between θ1 and θ2 is such that the following relationship holds for the reflection to occur at the first surface portion 101b1. θ1 + 180° > θ2

[0028] Furthermore, from the relationship between the incident angle and the reflection angle, the following relationship holds. θ3 = 2θ2 - θ1 - 180°

[0029] Furthermore, since the reflected light from the first surface portion 101b1 hits the second surface portion 101b2, the following relationship holds. 0° < θ4 < θ3

[0030] Next, the relationship between L1 and L2 will be described. When point A is the origin (0, 0), the position coordinates of point K are (-L1, -L1tan(θ2 - 90°)). However, the two-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system is set as shown in FIG. 5. Also, L2 is represented by Equation (1).

Equation

[0031] From the geometric relationship in the cross-section shown in FIG. 5, the following relationships hold for L3 and L4. 0 < L3 < L1 L1 < L4 < L2

[0032] (Conditions for practical use when θ1 = 0°) Next, in the case where the incident angle θ1 = 0°, the preferable conditions regarding the range of the angle and the dimension for realizing the practical device 100 are as follows. When the incident angle θ1 = 0°, although the traveling direction of the laser beam 200 coincides with the length direction of the through-hole 101a, this is the case considering the possibility that the orientation of the laser beam 200 is deviated in the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the through-hole 101a. The following preferable conditions are premised on the fulfillment of the above essential conditions.

[0033] From the viewpoint of the above-described magnification conversion of the distance, it is preferable that θ3 is a value close to 90°. Therefore, for example, the following relationship holds. 70° ≤ θ3 ≤ 110°

[0034] In this case, from the above relational expression θ3 = 2θ2 - θ1 - 180°, the following relationship holds. 125° ≤ θ2 ≤ 145°

[0035] If θ4 is too small, the area expansion conversion described above is insufficient, and if θ4 is too large, the luminance of the reflected light on the second surface portion 101b2 decreases. In other words, θ5 = θ3 - θ4 should not be too small or too large. Therefore, for example, it is preferable that the following relationship holds. 45° ≤ θ4 ≤ θ3 - 15°

[0036] Examples of the respective values of the angles θ2, θ3, and θ4 are shown in Table 1.

Table 1

[0037] When the optical axis of the laser light is slightly deviated from the correct optical axis, the inspector can experience the advantages of the instrument 100. Therefore, for example, it is preferable that the following relationship holds for L1 and L3. D is the diameter of the through hole 101a. 0.5D ≤ L3 < L1 ≤ D

[0038] From the perspective of the practical size of the instrument 100, for example, it is preferable that the following relationship holds for L2. L2 ≤ 100D

[0039] (Conditions for practical use when θ1 ≠ 0°) Next, when the incident angle θ1 ≠ 0°, the preferable conditions regarding the ranges of the angles and dimensions for realizing a practical instrument 100 are as follows. The case where the incident angle θ1 ≠ 0° is when considering the possibility that the traveling direction of the laser light 200 does not coincide with the length direction of the through hole 101a. The following preferable conditions are based on the establishment of the above essential conditions. Also, the respective ranges of the angles θ2, θ3, and θ4 follow the conditions for practical use in the case of θ1 = 0° described above.

[0040] Since an inspector generally desires to correctly pass the laser beam 200 through the through hole 101a, even when the traveling direction of the laser beam 200 does not coincide with the length direction of the through hole 101a, the range of the incident angle θ1 is not large and may be considered, for example, as follows. -5° ≤ θ1 ≤ 5°

[0041] Examples of the respective values of the angles θ1, θ2, θ3, θ4, and θ5 based on the conditions described above are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

[0042] When θ1 and θ2 take arbitrary values in the ranges of -5° < θ1 < 5° and 127.5° < θ2 < 142.5°, the range of θ4 for which 70° < θ3 < 110° and 15° < θ5 hold is shown in Table 3.

Table 3

[0043] Also, the respective ranges of L1, L2, L3, and L4 follow the conditions for practical use in the case where θ1 = 0° described above.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, the configuration of the retroreflective surface will be further described from another perspective. For convenience of explanation, the first surface portion 101b1 is a part of the side surface of a cone, the second surface portion 101b2 is a part of the side surface of a cone, and the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 are connected to each other. Of course, the third surface portion 101b3 may exist. In FIG. 6, for ease of viewing, the hatching of the cross section is omitted.

[0045] The symbols are redefined based on FIG. 6 showing a cross section of the plate 101 by an arbitrarily selected plane including the central axis line 101a1 of the through hole 101a of the plate 101. α: Inclination angle of the first surface portion 101b1 with respect to the thickness direction of the plate 101 β: Angle formed by the first surface portion 101b1 and the second surface portion 101b2 γ: The maximum assumed value of the incident angle of the laser beam 200 D: The maximum reach distance of the laser beam 200 with an incident angle γ reflected by the first surface portion 101b1 to the second surface portion 101b2 H: The length of the through hole 101a R: The length of the second surface portion 101b2 S: The length of the first surface portion 101b1

[0046] From the geometric relationships in the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. 6, equations (2), (3), and (4) must hold. If the value on the left side of equation (2) is too small, the luminance of the reflected light at the second surface portion 101b2 will be small. Therefore, it is preferable that equation (2') holds for a predetermined threshold value T. The specific value of T is, for example, π / 12 [rad]. The value of γ is, for example, π / 36 [rad]. More preferably, π / 9 ≦ α ≦ π / 4 and α < β.

Number

[0047] Furthermore, the resolution of visual acuity 1 based on the Landolt ring at a position 2 m away is approximately 0.6 mm, that of visual acuity 0.5 is approximately 1.2 mm, and that of visual acuity 0.2 is approximately 3 mm. Therefore, when the instrument 100 is placed at a position 2 m away from the examiner, from the perspective of distance magnification conversion, D is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and desirably 5 mm or more. Conversely, when an examiner with a visual acuity ξ based on the Landolt ring uses the instrument 100, the maximum distance G [mm] between the examiner and the instrument 100 is given by equation (5) using D [mm] determined by equation (4).

Number

[0048] <Addendum 1> The technical features disclosed in the above-described various embodiments and their modifications are not necessarily mutually exclusive. As long as there is no contradiction from a technical perspective, the technical features of a certain embodiment or its modification may be applied to the technical features of other embodiments or their modifications.

[0049] The claims recited in the claims at the time of filing of the present application do not necessarily comprehensively claim all the inventions disclosed in this specification. In this regard, it should not be understood or interpreted that the applicant of the present application has waived the right to obtain a patent for inventions not claimed at the time of filing of the present application before filing. As long as the laws, regulations or treaties of the country or region that has accepted the application of the present application permit, the applicant of the present application reserves the right to obtain a patent for inventions not claimed in the present application, the right to file a divisional application for the invention, the right to claim the invention by amendment, and all other rights. However, this is not the case when the applicant of the present application makes an express and definite expression of opposition.

[0050] An example of the summary of the present disclosure based on another perspective is as follows.

[0051] The first invention is an instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of laser light, including a plate in which a linear through-hole for passing laser light is formed, the length direction of the through-hole being parallel to the thickness direction of the plate, one surface of the plate including a first surface portion and a second surface portion as a part thereof, the first surface portion being an edge of one surface surrounding the through-hole, the second surface portion being a surface surrounding the first surface portion, and the first surface portion and the second surface portion constituting a retroreflective surface.

[0052] The second invention is the instrument of the first invention, characterized in that the inclination angle of the first surface portion with respect to the thickness direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the second surface portion with respect to the thickness direction.

[0053] The third invention is the instrument of the first invention or the second invention, characterized in that the first surface portion is a polished surface.

[0054] The fourth invention is the instrument of any one of the first invention to the third invention, characterized in that the second surface portion is a rough surface.

[0055] The fifth invention is characterized in that, in any of the instruments according to the first to fourth inventions, the second surface portion is covered with a fluorescent material.

[0056] The sixth invention is characterized in that, in any of the instruments according to the first to fourth inventions, the second surface portion is covered with a photon up-conversion material.

[0057] The seventh invention is characterized in that, in any of the instruments according to the first to sixth inventions, one surface of the plate is the surface facing the laser light.

[0058] The eighth invention is an instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of laser light, including a plate in which a linear through-hole for passing the laser light is formed. The length direction of the through-hole is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate. One surface of the plate includes a first surface portion and a second surface portion as a part thereof. The first surface portion is the edge of one surface surrounding the through-hole. The first surface portion is a part of the side surface of a first cone having a first point on a first straight line passing through the through-hole and parallel to the length direction of the through-hole as its apex. However, the first point can be seen from one surface of the plate. The second surface portion is the surface surrounding the first surface portion. The second surface portion is a part of the side surface of a second cone having a second point on a second straight line parallel to the length direction of the through-hole as its apex.

[0059] The ninth invention is characterized in that, in the instrument according to the eighth invention, the solid angle of the first cone is smaller than the solid angle of the second cone.

[0060] The tenth invention is characterized in that, in the instrument according to the eighth or ninth invention, the first surface portion is a polished surface.

[0061] The eleventh invention is characterized in that, in any of the instruments according to the eighth to tenth inventions, the second surface portion is a rough surface.

[0062] The twelfth invention is characterized in that, in any of the instruments according to the eighth to eleventh inventions, the second surface portion is covered with a fluorescent material.

[0063] The 13th invention is characterized in that, in any of the apparatuses of the 8th to 11th inventions, the second surface portion is covered with a photon upconversion material.

[0064] The 14th invention is characterized in that, in any of the apparatuses of the 8th to 13th inventions, one surface of the plate is the surface facing the laser light.

[0065] Furthermore, the numerical ranges and / or conditions (including formulas (1), (2), (2'), (3), (4), (5)) described above can be applied to each of the 1st to 14th inventions.

[0066] <Addendum 2> The present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, but those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and its elements can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, many modifications can be added to adapt a particular system, device, or its components to the teachings of the present invention without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed for carrying out the present invention, but includes all embodiments included in the appended claims.

[0067] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" does not indicate order or importance, and terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish elements. The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of describing embodiments and are in no way intended to limit the present invention. The term "comprising" and its inflected forms, when used in this specification and / or the appended claims, disclose the presence of the recited features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements if any. In the claims and the specification, unless otherwise specified, "connected", "coupled", "joined", "linked", or their synonyms, and all of their inflected forms, do not necessarily negate the existence of one or more intermediate elements between, for example, two that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other or "linked" to each other. In the claims and the specification, the term "any", unless otherwise specified, should be understood as a term having the same meaning as the universal quantifier ∀. For example, the expression "for any X" has the same meaning as "for all X" or "for each X".

[0068] Unless otherwise stated, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and should not be interpreted ideally or overly formally unless explicitly defined otherwise.

[0069] In the description of the present invention, it will be understood that many techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has its individual advantages and can be used, either individually or in combination with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Therefore, to avoid complication, this specification refrains from describing every possible combination of the individual techniques or steps. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are fully within the scope of the present invention and the claims.

[0070] In the following claims, all corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of the functional elements combined with the means or steps are intended to include, if any, the structures, materials, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other elements.

[0071] As described above, embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes and modifications are permitted without departing from the gist of the present invention. The selected and described embodiments are for explaining the principles of the present invention and its practical applications. The present invention can be used in various embodiments with various changes or modifications, and such changes or modifications are determined according to the intended uses. It is intended that all such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and that, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth given fairly, legally, and equitably, the same protection be afforded.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0072] 100 Appliance 101 Plate 101a Through-hole 101a1 Central axis 101b One surface 101b1 First face portion 101b2 Second face portion 101b3 Third face portion 101x Light-emitting portion at the edge of the through-hole The portion of the second face on which the reflected light from the first face is incident 200 Laser light L1 First straight line L2 Second straight line P1 First point P2 Second point

Claims

1. An instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam, comprising: a plate having a linear through-hole formed therein for passing the laser beam; wherein the length direction of the through-hole is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate; one surface of the plate includes, as a part thereof, a first surface portion and a second surface portion; the first surface portion is an edge of the one surface surrounding the through-hole; the second surface portion is a surface surrounding the first surface portion; the first surface portion and the second surface portion constitute a retroreflective surface; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

2. In the instrument according to Claim 1, the inclination angle of the first surface portion with respect to the thickness direction is smaller than the inclination angle of the second surface portion with respect to the thickness direction; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

3. In the instrument according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the first surface portion is a polished surface; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

4. In the instrument according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the second surface portion is a rough surface; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

5. In the instrument according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the second surface portion is covered with a fluorescent material; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

6. In the instrument according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the second surface portion is covered with a photon upconversion material; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

7. In the instrument according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, the one surface is a surface facing the laser beam; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

8. An instrument for visually recognizing the orientation of a laser beam, comprising: a plate having a linear through-hole formed therein for passing the laser beam; wherein the length direction of the through-hole is parallel to the thickness direction of the plate; one surface of the plate includes, as a part thereof, a first surface portion and a second surface portion; the first surface portion is an edge of the one surface surrounding the through-hole; the first surface portion is a part of the side surface of a first cone having, as a vertex, a first point on a first straight line passing through the through-hole and parallel to the length direction of the through-hole, provided that the one surface can be seen from the first point; the second surface portion is a surface surrounding the first surface portion; the second surface portion is a part of the side surface of a second cone having, as a vertex, a second point on a second straight line parallel to the length direction of the through-hole; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

9. In the instrument according to Claim 8, the solid angle of the first cone is smaller than the solid angle of the second cone; characterized in that the instrument is as described above.

Images