Laser marking instrument

Abstract

To provide a laser marking instrument that can be easily installed at a target position.SOLUTION: A laser marking instrument 1 comprises an LED 6, a mounting substrate 91, and a cover 7. The LED 6 emits spot light indicating a ground marking point. The mounting substrate 91 has the LED 6 mounted thereon. The cover 7 is arranged on the mounting substrate 91 and covers the LED 6. The cover 7 has a cover opening 71 that transmits at least part of the spot light. The opening area X1 of the cover opening 71 is smaller than a bright point of the LED 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a laser marker, and more particularly to a laser marker including an LED that emits a spot light that indicates a marking point. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an aperture laser line marker that consists of a central laser point light and line light projection head that is placed in the center of a square opening to be opened in the ceiling, and four laser line light projection heads that are arranged in a square around this projection head, and the four laser line light projection heads can be adjusted to project parallel and perpendicular to the central line light and at equal distances or angles to the central point light. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-28359 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Laser markers, such as the aperture laser line marker mentioned above, are sometimes equipped with an LED that emits a spot light that indicates the reference point when setting up. In this case, the spot light emitted by the LED as the reference point may spread, making it difficult to determine the exact position of the reference point when setting up the laser marker. In other words, there is a problem that it is difficult to set up the laser marker accurately in the desired position.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a laser marking device that can be easily and accurately installed at a desired position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A laser marker according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an LED, a mounting board, and a cover. The LED emits a spot light that indicates a marking point. The LED is mounted on the mounting board. The cover is disposed on the mounting board and covers the LED. The cover has a cover opening that transmits at least a portion of the spot light. The opening area of the cover opening is smaller than the bright spot of the LED. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure has the advantage of being easy to install accurately at the desired position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laser marking device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the laser marking device when a plurality of legs are in an open position. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the laser marking device when a plurality of legs are in an open position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing spot light emitted from a laser marking device of the comparative example and irradiated onto an installation surface. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing spot light emitted from the laser marking device according to this embodiment and irradiated onto the installation surface. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting board and a cover in the laser marker. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the laser marking device taken along line VII-VII in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the laser marking device when a plurality of legs are in a closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The embodiments and modifications described below are merely examples of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modifications, and various modifications other than these embodiments and modifications are possible depending on the design, etc., as long as they do not deviate from the technical concept of the present disclosure. The drawings described in the following embodiments and modifications are schematic drawings, and the ratios of the sizes and thicknesses of the components in the drawings do not necessarily reflect the actual dimensional ratios.

[0010] (Embodiment) (1) Overview An overview of the laser marking device 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0011] The laser marking device 1 of this embodiment is placed on an installation surface G1 (see FIG. 1 ), such as the ground or floor, at a work site (e.g., a housing construction site or an electrical work site). When installed on the installation surface G1 at the work site, the laser marking device 1 emits three laser beams: a point beam L1, a horizontal line beam L2 that spreads horizontally in a fan-like shape, and a vertical line beam L3 that spreads vertically. The point beam L1 is emitted vertically upward, the horizontal line beam L2 is emitted forward in a horizontal direction, and the vertical line beam L3 is emitted forward in a vertical direction. These point beams L1, horizontal line beam L2, and vertical line beam L3 are used as reference points and reference lines to be marked on walls and ceilings during work at the work site (e.g., housing construction or electrical work). Hereinafter, the point beam L1, horizontal line beam L2, and vertical line beam L3 may be collectively referred to as laser beams L1-L3.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the laser marking device 1 of this embodiment includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 6, a mounting board 91, and a cover 7. The LED 6 emits a spot light S1 (see FIG. 5) that indicates the marking point. The LED 6 is mounted on the mounting board 91. The cover 7 is disposed on the mounting board 91 and covers the LED 6. Note that the "marking point" referred to in this disclosure is a reference used by an operator when installing the laser marking device 1 at a desired position on the installation surface G1. For example, the operator installs the laser marking device 1 on the installation surface G1 so that the spot light S1 of the LED 6 that indicates the marking point overlaps with the desired position on the installation surface G1. Note that the "marking point" referred to in this disclosure is also referred to as a marking spot.

[0013] 3, the cover 7 has a cover opening 71 that transmits the spot light S1 emitted by the LED 6. The opening area X1 of the cover opening 71 is smaller than the bright spot of the LED 6. Note that the "bright spot of the LED 6" in this disclosure refers to the surface from which the LED 6 emits the spot light S1, i.e., the light-emitting surface of the LED 6.

[0014] In the laser level of the comparative example, the LED is not covered with a cover having a cover opening with an opening area smaller than the LED's bright spot. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the irradiation range ES2 of the spot light ES1 emitted from the LED and irradiated onto the installation surface becomes large. In other words, in the laser level of the comparative example, the spot light ES1 emitted from the LED and irradiated onto the installation surface becomes wide. As a result, it is thought that it becomes difficult to determine the exact position of the ground mark point, which serves as a reference when installing the laser level. In other words, the laser level of the comparative example has the problem that it is difficult to install the laser level accurately in the desired position.

[0015] On the other hand, in the laser marker 1 of this embodiment, the LED 6 is covered by a cover 7 having a cover opening 71. As shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6 passes through the cover opening 71 and is irradiated onto the installation surface G1. Therefore, in the laser marker 1 of this embodiment, the irradiation range S2 of the spot light S1 irradiated onto the installation surface G1 is smaller than the irradiation range ES2 of the spot light ES1 in the laser marker of the comparative example. In short, the laser marker 1 of this embodiment can prevent the spot light S1 irradiated onto the installation surface G1 from the LED 6 from spreading. As a result, it is easy to understand the exact position of the ground mark point, which serves as a reference when installing the laser marker 1. In other words, the laser marker 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being easily installed accurately at the desired position.

[0016] (2) Detailed configuration (2-1) Overall structure The detailed configuration of the laser marking device 1 of this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. In the following description, the top, bottom, left, right, front, back (top, bottom, left, right, front, back in Fig. 1) will be basically described as the top, bottom, left, right, front, back when the laser marking device 1 is installed on a horizontal installation surface. The top, bottom, left, right, and front, back directions are all orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the orientation in which the laser marking device 1 is installed is not limited to the above orientations. Furthermore, the arrows indicating the various directions in the drawings are merely shown for the purpose of explanation and do not have any substance.

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the laser marking device 1 of this embodiment comprises a housing 2, a leg 3, a main body 4, a laser diode 5, an LED 6, a cover 7, a tip 8, a mounting board 91, a focusing lens 92, and an optical system 93.

[0018] (2-2) Housing 2 and 3, the housing 2 accommodates a main body 4, a laser diode 5, an LED 6, a cover 7, a tip portion 8, a mounting substrate 91, a condenser lens 92, and an optical system 93. The housing 2 has a top surface 26 and side surfaces 27, and is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0019] The top surface 26 is circular and has a recess 261, and is made of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin, except for the exit windows 23 and 25, which will be described later. The top surface 26 has the exit window 23 and a portion of the exit window 25. The exit window 23 is formed near the center of the top surface 26 and corresponds to the zenith portion of the laser marking device 1. The exit window 23 is an area through which the laser marking device 1 emits the point light L1 to the outside of the housing 2. The exit window 25 is formed across the recess 261 of the top surface 26 and the recess 271 of the side surface 27. The exit window 25 is an area through which the laser marking device 1 emits the vertical line light L3 to the outside of the housing 2. The exit windows 23 and 25 are made of, for example, synthetic resin or glass, and are transparent.

[0020] The side surface portion 27 is made of synthetic resin such as ABS resin, except for the exit window 24 described below. In addition to a portion of the exit window 25 described above, the side surface portion 27 also has the exit window 24. The exit window 24 is an area through which the laser marking device 1 emits the horizontal line light L2 to the outside of the housing 2. The exit window 24 is made of, for example, synthetic resin or glass, and is transparent.

[0021] The housing 2 also has a main body 4 therein for emitting the above-mentioned laser light. The housing 2 holds the main body 4 via a so-called gimbal mechanism (a horizontal holding device) so that the main body 4 is aligned in the vertical direction.

[0022] (2-3) Legs 1, the leg 3 has a base 30 and multiple (three in the illustrated example) legs 31a, 31b, 31c (movable members), and is a member for supporting the laser marker 1 (housing 2) on an installation surface. In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between the three legs 31a, 31b, 31c, each of the three legs 31a, 31b, 31c will be referred to as a leg 31. The leg 3 is connected and fixed to the housing 2. The material of the leg 3 is, for example, metal or hard plastic.

[0023] All three legs 31 are rod-shaped. One end (upper end) of each of the multiple legs 31 is connected to one end (lower end) of the base 30. Specifically, the multiple legs 31 are connected to the periphery of the lower end of the base 30 so as to be rotatable relative to the base 30. Screws 314a passing through connecting holes 34 of the base 30 are inserted into through holes 313, thereby connecting the base 30 and the legs 31. In a state in which the base 30 and the legs 31 are connected, the base 30 supports the legs 31 in a state in which they can rotate around the screws 314a. In other words, the legs 31 are movable members that can rotate around the screws 314a.

[0024] The three legs 31 are configured to be movable between an open-leg state (see FIGS. 1 and 2) and a closed-leg state (see FIG. 8). More specifically, the three legs 31 are configured to be rotatable about one end (upper end) between the open-leg state and the closed-leg state. The "open-leg state" here refers to a state in which the legs 31 are inclined relative to the housing 2 so that the legs 31 point outward toward the lower end. On the other hand, the "closed-leg state" refers to a state in which the length direction of the legs 31 is aligned with the length direction of the housing 2 (i.e., the up-and-down direction).

[0025] When each of the three legs 31 rotates from a closed state to an open state, the lower ends of the legs 31 move away from each other. On the other hand, when each of the three legs 31 rotates from an open state to a closed state, the lower ends of the legs 31 move toward each other. When the three legs 31 are in an open state, the laser level 1 can be placed upright by placing one end (lower end) of each leg 31 on the installation surface. In other words, when the three legs 31 are in an open state, they support the housing 2 (i.e., the main body 4 and the optical system 93) on the installation surface. When the legs 31 are in a closed state, the legs 31 are bundled together, and the overall shape of the laser level 1 is a straight rod (see FIG. 8).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 8 , each of the three legs 31 has a protruding piece 311 that is received in a groove 82 (described later) of the distal end portion 8 when the legs are in a closed position. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 8 , the protruding piece 311 protrudes from one end (top end) of each of the three legs 31 toward the distal end portion 8 along the length of the leg 31. In other words, the protruding piece 311 protrudes from one end (top end) of each of the three legs 31 in a direction away from the one end along the length of the leg 31. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the protruding piece 311 is received in the groove 82, the tip (top end) of the protruding piece 311 abuts against the surface of the groove 82. This configuration has the advantage that each of the multiple legs 31 can be fixed when the multiple legs 31 are in a closed position. Furthermore, this configuration has the advantage that shaking of the optical system 93 can be suppressed when the multiple legs 31 are in a closed position.

[0027] The protruding piece 311 of this embodiment has a tapered shape that tapers toward the tip (upper end), and is curved outward as it approaches the tip (upper end).

[0028] (2-4) Mounting board As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting substrate 91 is a substrate on which the LED 6 and the laser diode 5 are mounted. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the mounting substrate 91 has a first surface 911 on which the LED 6 is mounted and a second surface 912 opposite the first surface 911 on which the laser diode 5 is mounted. The first surface 911 and the second surface 912 face each other in the vertical direction. That is, the thickness direction of the mounting substrate 91 is aligned with the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the first surface 911 is the lower surface of the mounting substrate 91, and the second surface 912 is the upper surface of the mounting substrate 91. Note that the substrate referred to in this disclosure is a printed wiring board having a conductor portion.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 7, the mounting substrate 91 has a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) insertion holes 913 through which corresponding leads 51 of the laser diode 5, which will be described later, are inserted.

[0030] (2-5) Laser diode The laser diode 5 emits laser light L0. The laser diode 5 of this embodiment emits red laser light L0. However, the color of the laser light L0 emitted by the laser diode 5 is not limited to red, and may be green or blue. Note that the "laser diode 5" referred to in this disclosure is also referred to as a semiconductor laser.

[0031] The optical system 93 guides the laser light L0 emitted by the laser diode 5 to the exit windows 23, 24, and 25. The optical system 93 includes, for example, a plurality of beam splitters (e.g., half mirrors), a plurality of reflecting members (e.g., half mirrors), and a plurality of exit lenses (not shown). The plurality of beam splitters transmit a portion of the laser light L0 and reflect a portion of the laser light L0. The plurality of reflecting members further reflect the laser light L0 reflected by the beam splitters. Each of the plurality of exit lenses converts a portion of the laser light L0 into a horizontal line light L2 that is linear in the horizontal direction, or converts a portion of the laser light L0 into a vertical line light L3 that is linear in the vertical direction.

[0032] 3 and 7, the laser diode 5 has a plurality of leads 51 (three in the illustrated example) for supplying power to the light source. The plurality of leads 51 are inserted from the second surface 912 to the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91. More specifically, each of the plurality of leads 51 is inserted from the second surface 912 to the first surface 911 through a corresponding one of a plurality of insertion holes 913 in the mounting substrate 91.

[0033] (2-6) LED The LED 6 is a module that emits a spot light S1. The LED 6 of this embodiment emits a green spot light S1. However, the color of the spot light S1 emitted by the laser diode 5 is not limited to green, and may be red or blue. The LED 6 of this embodiment is a surface-mounted chip LED. In the LED 6 of this embodiment, the surface opposite to the surface mounted on the mounting substrate 91 is the surface that emits the spot light S1, i.e., the light-emitting surface.

[0034] (2-7) Cover 3, the cover 7 is disposed on the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91, and covers the LEDs 6. In other words, the cover 7 is disposed on the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91 so as to cover the LEDs 6.

[0035] 6 and 7, the cover 7 has a base 70, a front wall 721, a rear wall 722, a left side wall 723, and a right side wall 724. The base 70 is a rectangular plate member. The thickness direction of the base 70 is aligned with the up-down direction.

[0036] The front wall 721, the rear wall 722, the left side wall 723, and the right side wall 724 are rectangular plate members, similar to the base 70. The front wall 721 protrudes from the front edge of the base 70 toward the mounting board 91 (i.e., upward), and the rear wall 722 protrudes from the rear edge of the base 70 toward the mounting board 91 (i.e., upward). The thickness directions of the front wall 721 and the rear wall 722 are along the front-to-rear direction. That is, the front wall 721 and the rear wall 722 face each other along the front-to-rear direction. Similarly, the left side wall 723 protrudes from the left edge of the base 70 toward the mounting board 91 (i.e., upward), and the right side wall 724 protrudes from the right edge of the base 70 toward the mounting board 91 (i.e., upward). The thickness directions of the left wall 723 and the right side wall 724 are along the left-to-right direction. That is, the left side wall 723 and the right side wall 724 face each other in the left-right direction. That is, the cover 7 is in the shape of a hollow rectangular box having an opening at the top.

[0037] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cover 7 has a cover opening 71, multiple (two in the illustrated example) recesses 73, multiple (two in the illustrated example) locking portions 74, a lead accommodating portion 75, a barrier 77, and multiple (two in the illustrated example) support walls 78.

[0038] The cover opening 71 transmits at least a portion of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6. The cover opening 71 is an opening provided in the base 70 so as to penetrate along the thickness direction of the base 70. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover opening 71 of this embodiment is provided above the center portion in the left-right direction of the base 70. The cover opening 71 of this embodiment has a circular shape when viewed from above.

[0039] The opening area X1 (see FIG. 3) of the cover opening 71 is smaller than the bright spot of the LED 6. In other words, the opening area X1 of the cover opening 71 is smaller than the area of the light-emitting surface of the LED 6. As an example, the diameter of the cover opening 71 is preferably 0.4 to 0.5 mm.

[0040] 6, the cover 7 is disposed on the mounting substrate 91 so that the cover opening 71 is positioned on the optical axis AX1 of the LED 6. This configuration has the effect of preventing a decrease in the amount of spot light S1 from the LED 6 that passes through the cover opening 71. As a result, there is an advantage in that a decrease in the illuminance of the spot light S1 that is emitted from the LED 6 and irradiated onto the installation surface G1 can be prevented.

[0041] Each of the two recesses 73 is provided in the thickness direction of the base 70. In other words, each of the two recesses 73 is provided in the thickness direction of the mounting substrate 91 when the cover 7 is placed on the mounting substrate 91. Each of the two recesses 73 is provided on the surface of the cover 7 opposite the side that is mounted on the mounting substrate 91 (i.e., the underside of the base 70) when the cover 7 is placed on the mounting substrate 91. In this embodiment, the two recesses 73 are provided at positions opposing each other in the left-right direction on the underside of the base 70. Note that the two recesses 73 may also be provided at positions opposing each other in the front-rear direction on the underside of the base 70.

[0042] According to the above configuration, when an operator places the cover 7 on the mounting board 91 or removes the cover 7 from the mounting board 91, the operator can easily grasp the cover 7 with the tool by inserting the tip of the tool (for example, tweezers) into each of the two recesses 73. As a result, there is an advantage that the operator can easily place the cover 7 on the mounting board 91 or remove the cover 7 from the mounting board 91.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 6, each of the two locking portions 74 is locked to the second surface 912 of the mounting board 91. The two locking portions 74 are provided at positions opposing each other in the left-right direction. Of the two locking portions 74, the left locking portion 74 protrudes upward from the upper end of the left side wall 723, and the left locking portion 74 of the two locking portions 74 protrudes upward from the upper end of the right side wall 724. By locking the two locking portions 74 to the second surface 912 of the mounting board 91, the cover 7 is attached (fixed) to the first surface 911 of the mounting board 91.

[0044] The lead accommodating section 75 accommodates the multiple leads 51 of the laser diode 5. More specifically, the lead accommodating section 75 accommodates the portions of the multiple leads 51 of the laser diode 5 that are inserted from the second surface 912 to the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91 and protrude from the first surface 911. The lead accommodating section 75 of this embodiment is in the shape of a hollow rectangular box with an opening at the top.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7 , the barrier 77 divides the internal space of the cover 7 into a first space Sp1 in which the LED 6 is disposed and a second space Sp2 in which the leads 51 of the laser diode 5 are disposed. In this disclosure, the "internal space of the cover 7" refers to the space surrounded by the cover 7 and the mounting substrate 91. More specifically, it refers to the space surrounded by the base 70, the front side wall 721, the rear side wall 722, the left side wall 723, the right side wall 724, and the mounting substrate 91. The second space Sp2 is the space in which the portions of the leads 51 of the laser diode 5 that are inserted from the second surface 912 to the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91 and protrude beyond the first surface 911 are disposed. This configuration has the advantage of suppressing reflection of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6. For example, it is possible to suppress reflection of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6 by the leads 51 of the laser diode 5, etc.

[0046] The barrier 77 of this embodiment includes a first barrier 771, a second barrier 772, and a third barrier 773.

[0047] The first barrier 771, the second barrier 772, and the third barrier 773 are rectangular plate members. Each of the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 protrudes rearward from the inner surface of the front wall 721. The thickness direction of the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 is along the left-right direction. That is, the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 face each other along the left-right direction. The first barrier 771 is located to the left of the LED 6, and the second barrier 772 is located to the right of the LED 6. That is, the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 face each other along the left-right direction, sandwiching the LED 6 therebetween.

[0048] The third barrier 773 connects the rear end of the first barrier 771 and the rear end of the second barrier 772. The thickness direction of the third barrier 773 is along the front-rear direction. The third barrier 773 is located between the LED 6 and the three leads 51 of the laser diode 5 in the front-rear direction.

[0049] The cover 7 has a positioning portion Y2 that determines the relative position of the LED 6 with respect to the cover opening 71. This configuration has the advantage that the cover opening 71 can be positioned on the optical axis AX1 of the LED 6 regardless of the position at which the LED 6 is mounted on the mounting board 91.

[0050] In this embodiment, the positioning portions Y2 are a plurality of (six in the illustrated example) rib portions 76a to 76f that protrude toward the LEDs 6 along the surface direction of the first surface 911 on which the LEDs 6 are mounted in the mounting substrate 91. The rib portions 76a to 76f are plate members.

[0051] Each of the ribs 76a, 76b protrudes from the inner surface (rear surface) of the front wall 721 toward the LED 6 (rearward) along the surface direction of the first surface 911. The thickness direction of the ribs 76a, 76b is along the left-right direction. That is, the ribs 76a, 76b face each other along the left-right direction. The rib 76a is located to the left of the rib 76b. The ribs 76a, 76b are located between the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 in the left-right direction.

[0052] Similarly, each of the ribs 76c and 76d protrudes (forward) from the inner surface (front surface) of the third barrier 773 toward the LED 6 along the surface direction of the first surface 911. The thickness direction of the ribs 76c and 76d is along the left-right direction. That is, the ribs 76c and 76d face each other along the left-right direction. The rib 76c is located to the left of the rib 76d. The ribs 76c and 76d are located between the first barrier 771 and the second barrier 772 in the left-right direction.

[0053] The rib portion 76e protrudes (to the right) from the inner surface (right surface) of the first barrier 771 toward the LED 6 along the surface direction of the first surface 911. On the other hand, the rib portion 76f protrudes (to the left) from the inner surface (left surface) of the second barrier 772 toward the LED 6 along the surface direction of the first surface 911. The thickness direction of the ribs 76e and 76f is along the front-rear direction.

[0054] Since the positioning portions Y2 are the ribs 76a to 76f, the relative position of the cover 7 with respect to the LEDs 6 is fixed when the cover 7 is attached to the first surface 911 of the mounting substrate 91. Therefore, the cover opening 71 is positioned on the optical axis AX1 of the LEDs 6 regardless of the position at which the LEDs 6 are mounted on the mounting substrate 91. That is, there is an advantage in that the cover opening 71 can be positioned on the optical axis AX1 of the LEDs 6 regardless of the position at which the LEDs 6 are mounted on the mounting substrate 91 without complicating the structure of the cover 7.

[0055] The two support walls 78 support the base 70. The two support walls 78 are plate members. The two support walls 78 protrude (forward) from the inner surface (front surface) of the rear wall 722 toward the front wall 721 along the surface direction of the first surface 911. The thickness direction of the two support walls 78 is along the left-right direction. In other words, the two support walls 78 face each other along the left-right direction.

[0056] (2-8) Main body The main body 4 is a member that holds the mounting substrate 91 and the optical system 93. The main body 4 of this embodiment has a generally rectangular columnar shape when viewed from above, and is made of a metal such as iron, aluminum, or zinc. The main body 4 has a main body opening 42 that transmits the spot light S1 at the end (lower end) on the side (lower side) where the LED 6 emits the spot light S1. A condenser lens 92, which will be described later, is arranged in the main body opening 42.

[0057] The tip portion 8 is attached to the end (lower end) of the main body 4 on the side where the LED 6 emits the spot light S1. Note that the "end on the side where the LED 6 emits the spot light S1" here refers to the end of the main body 4 on the side where the LED 6 is mounted on the mounting board 91.

[0058] (2-9)Tip The tip portion 8 is attached to the end (lower end) of the main body 4 on the side where the LED 6 emits the spot light S1. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip portion 8 has a bottom portion 801 and a side portion 802. The bottom portion 801 is plate-shaped. More specifically, the bottom portion 801 is circular plate-shaped. The thickness direction of the bottom portion 801 is along the up-down direction. The side portion 802 protrudes from the periphery of the bottom portion 801 toward the main body 4 (i.e., upward). The side portion 802 is circular and cylindrical.

[0059] The tip portion 8 has a tip opening 81 at the bottom 801 that transmits at least a portion of the spot light S1 emitted by the LED 6. The tip opening 81 is provided at a position on the bottom 801 that overlaps with the cover opening 71 in a plan view from above. By having the tip opening 81 at the tip portion 8, it is possible to further prevent the spot light S1 irradiated from the LED 6 onto the installation surface G1 from spreading. As a result, it is possible to more easily determine the exact position of the ground mark point that serves as a reference when installing the laser marker 1. In other words, there is an advantage in that it becomes easier to install the laser marker 1 more accurately at the desired position.

[0060] The tip opening 81 in this embodiment has a circular shape when viewed from above. The tip opening 81 is provided in the bottom 801 so as to be positioned coaxially with the cover opening 71. That is, the tip opening 81 is provided in the bottom 801 so as to be positioned on the optical axis AX1 of the LED 6, similar to the cover opening 71. As an example, the diameter of the cover opening 71 is preferably 3.0 to 4.0 mm.

[0061] The opening area X2 of the tip opening 81 is larger than the opening area X1 of the cover opening 71. In other words, in this embodiment, the tip opening 81 and the cover opening 71 have circular shapes, and therefore the radius of the tip opening 81 is larger than the radius of the cover opening 71. The above configuration has the advantage of being able to further suppress a decrease in the illuminance of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6 and irradiated onto the installation surface G1.

[0062] The tip portion 8 has a groove portion 82 provided on the surface (lower surface) opposite to the surface where the LED 6 is attached to the end (lower end) of the main body 4 from which the spot light S1 is emitted. The groove portion 82 has a truncated cone shape.

[0063] (2-10) Condenser lens 3, the condenser lens 92 is disposed between the main body 4 and the tip 8, and condenses at least a portion of the spot light S1 that has passed through the cover opening 71. The condenser lens 92 in this embodiment is a convex lens. Note that the condenser lens 92 is not limited to a convex lens, and any lens that can condense at least a portion of the spot light S1 that has passed through the cover opening 71 may be used, and the shape of the condenser lens 92 is not limited.

[0064] In this embodiment, the main body 4 and the tip portion 8 each have a thread structure Y1 that connects the two in a state in which the condensing lens 92 is held between the main body 4 and the tip portion 8. More specifically, the main body 4 has a male thread 41 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the end (lower end) on the side from which the LED 6 emits the spot light S1, as the thread structure Y1. Meanwhile, the tip portion 8 has a female thread 83 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the side portion 802, as the thread structure Y1. This configuration has the advantage that the condensing lens 92 can be held without complicating the structures of the main body 4 and the tip portion 8.

[0065] (3) Advantages In the laser level of the comparative example, the LED is not covered with a cover having a cover opening with an opening area smaller than the LED's bright spot. Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, the irradiation range ES2 of the spot light ES1 emitted from the LED and irradiated onto the installation surface becomes large. In other words, in the laser level of the comparative example, the spot light ES1 emitted from the LED and irradiated onto the installation surface becomes wide. As a result, it is thought that it becomes difficult to determine the exact position of the ground mark point, which serves as a reference when installing the laser level. In other words, the laser level of the comparative example has the problem that it is difficult to install the laser level accurately in the desired position.

[0066] On the other hand, in the laser marker 1 of this embodiment, the LED 6 is covered by a cover 7 having a cover opening 71. As shown in FIG. 5, at least a portion of the spot light S1 emitted from the LED 6 passes through the cover opening 71 and is irradiated onto the installation surface G1. Therefore, in the laser marker 1 of this embodiment, the irradiation range S2 of the spot light S1 irradiated onto the installation surface G1 is smaller than the irradiation range ES2 of the spot light ES1 in the laser marker of the comparative example. In short, the laser marker 1 of this embodiment can prevent the spot light S1 irradiated onto the installation surface G1 from the LED 6 from spreading. As a result, it is easy to understand the exact position of the ground mark point, which serves as a reference when installing the laser marker 1. In other words, the laser marker 1 of this embodiment has the advantage of being easily installed accurately at the desired position.

[0067] (4) Variations Modifications of the above-described embodiment are listed below. The following modifications may be implemented in appropriate combination.

[0068] In the above embodiment, the shape of the cover opening 71 is circular when viewed from above, but it may be rectangular when viewed from above. The shape of the cover opening 71 when viewed from above is not limited.

[0069] In the above-described embodiment, the number of recesses 73 is plural, but it may be one. That is, it is sufficient for the cover 7 to have at least one recess 73. For example, if the cover 7 has one recess 73, when a worker places the cover 7 on the mounting board 91 or removes the cover 7 from the mounting board 91, the worker can easily perform the above work by inserting a tool into one recess 73. That is, there is an advantage that the worker can easily place the cover 7 on the mounting board 91 or remove the cover 7 from the mounting board 91.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the positioning portion Y2 is the plurality of rib portions 76a to 76e, but the positioning portion Y2 may be at least one of the plurality of rib portions 76a to 76e.

[0071] In the above-described embodiment, the tip portion 8 has the groove portion 82, but it may not have the groove portion 82. In this case, each of the three legs 31 does not have the protruding piece 311 that is housed in the groove portion 82 when the legs are in the closed state.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the shape of the tip opening 81 is circular when viewed from above, but it may be rectangular when viewed from above. The shape of the tip opening 81 when viewed from above is not limited.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the leg portion 3 has three legs 31, but it may have four or more legs 31, or may have two legs 31. In other words, the number of legs 31 is not limited.

[0074] In the above embodiment, all three legs 31 are rod-shaped. However, the shape of the legs 31 is not limited thereto. For example, the legs 31 may be plate-shaped.

[0075] (summary) The laser marker (1) of the first embodiment includes an LED (6), a mounting board (91), and a cover (7). The LED (6) emits a spot light (S1) that indicates the marking point. The LED (6) is mounted on the mounting board (91). The cover (7) is disposed on the mounting board (91) and covers the LED (6). The cover (7) has a cover opening (71) that transmits at least a portion of the spot light (S1). The opening area (X1) of the cover opening (71) is smaller than the bright spot of the LED (6).

[0076] This embodiment has the advantage that it can be easily and accurately installed at the desired position.

[0077] In the second embodiment of the laser marker (1), in the first embodiment, the cover (7) is placed on the mounting board (91) so that the cover opening (71) is positioned on the optical axis (AX1) of the LED (6).

[0078] This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to prevent the illuminance of the spot light (S1) emitted from the LED (6) from decreasing.

[0079] The laser marker (1) of the third aspect is the same as that of the first or second aspect, and further includes a main body (4) and a tip portion (8). The main body (4) holds a mounting board (91). The tip portion (8) is attached to the end of the main body (4) on the side from which the LED (6) emits the spot light (S1). The tip portion (8) has a tip opening (81) that transmits at least a portion of the spot light (S1).

[0080] This embodiment has the advantage that it is easier to install the device at the desired position more accurately.

[0081] In the laser marking device (1) of the fourth embodiment, the opening area (X1) of the tip opening (81) is larger than the opening area (X2) of the cover opening (71) in the third embodiment.

[0082] This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to further suppress a decrease in the illuminance of the spot light (S1) emitted from the LED (6).

[0083] The laser marker (1) of the fifth aspect is the third or fourth aspect, and further includes a condenser lens (92) that is disposed between the main body portion (4) and the tip portion (8) and condenses at least a portion of the spot light (S1) that has passed through the cover opening (71). Each of the main body portion (4) and the tip portion (8) has a screw structure (Y1) that connects them in a state in which the condenser lens (92) is held between the main body portion (4) and the tip portion (8).

[0084] This embodiment has the advantage that the condenser lens 92 can be held without complicating the structures of the main body 4 and the tip end 8.

[0085] The laser marking device (1) of the sixth aspect is any one of the third to fifth aspects, and further includes a plurality of legs (31: 31a, 31b, 31c) that are movable between an open leg state and a closed leg state and support the main body (4) on the installation surface (G1) when in the open leg state. The tip portion (8) has a groove portion (82) provided on the surface opposite to the surface attached to the end portion. Each of the plurality of legs (31: 31a, 31b, 31c) has a protruding piece (311) that is received in the groove portion (82) when in the closed leg state.

[0086] This embodiment has the advantage that when the legs (31: 31a, 31b, 31c) are in the closed state, each of the legs (31: 31a, 31b, 31c) can be fixed.

[0087] In the laser marking device (1) of the seventh aspect, in any one of the first to sixth aspects, the cover (7) further has a positioning portion that determines the relative position of the LED (6) with respect to the cover opening (71).

[0088] This embodiment has the advantage that the cover opening (71) can be positioned on the optical axis (AX1) of the LED (6) regardless of the position where the LED (6) is mounted on the mounting board (91).

[0089] In the laser marking device (1) of the eighth aspect, in the seventh aspect, the positioning portion is a rib portion (76a to 76f) that protrudes toward the LED (6) along the surface direction of the surface on which the LED (6) is mounted on the mounting board (91).

[0090] This embodiment has the advantage that the cover opening (71) can be positioned on the optical axis (AX1) of the LED (6) regardless of the position where the LED (6) is mounted on the mounting board (91) without complicating the structure of the cover (7).

[0091] The laser marker (1) of a ninth aspect is the same as any one of the first to eighth aspects, and further includes a laser diode (5) that emits laser light (L0). The mounting board (91) has a first surface (911) on which the LED (6) is mounted and a second surface (912) opposite the first surface (911) on which the laser diode (5) is mounted. The laser diode (5) has a lead (51) that is inserted from the second surface (912) to the first surface (911). The cover (7) has a partition wall that separates the internal space of the cover (7) into a first space (Sp1) in which the LED (6) is disposed and a second space (Sp2) in which the lead (51) is disposed.

[0092] This embodiment has the advantage that it is possible to prevent the spot light (S1) emitted from the LED (6) from being reflected.

[0093] The laser marking device (1) of the tenth aspect is any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the cover (7) further has at least one recess provided in the thickness direction of the mounting substrate (91) when the cover (7) is placed on the mounting substrate (91).

[0094] This embodiment has the advantage that an operator can easily place the cover (7) on the mounting board (91) or remove the cover (7) from the mounting board (91). [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1 Laser level 31:31a,31b,31c Legs 311 Projecting piece 4 Main body 5. Laser Diode 51 leads 7 Cover 71 Cover opening 73 Recess 76a~76f Rib section 8 Tip 81 Tip opening 82 Groove 91 Mounting board 92 Condenser Lens 911 Page 1 912 2nd page AX1 optical axis G1 installation surface L0 laser light S1 Spot Light Sp1 1st space Sp2 2nd space X1 opening area X2 opening area Y1 screw structure

Claims

1. An LED that emits spot light indicating the plumb line point; a mounting substrate on which the LED is mounted; a cover disposed on the mounting board and covering the LED; the cover has a cover opening that transmits at least a part of the spot light; The opening area of the cover opening is smaller than the luminous spot of the LED. Laser level.

2. the cover is disposed on the mounting substrate such that the cover opening is positioned on the optical axis of the LED.

2. The laser marker according to claim 1.

3. a main body portion that holds the mounting substrate; a tip portion attached to an end portion of the main body on a side where the LED emits the spot light, the tip portion has a tip opening portion that transmits at least a part of the spot light; 2. The laser marker according to claim 1.

4. The opening area of the tip opening is larger than the opening area of the cover opening.

4. The laser marking device according to claim 3.

5. a condenser lens disposed between the main body and the tip end, the condenser lens condensing at least a portion of the spot light transmitted through the cover opening; each of the main body portion and the tip portion has a screw structure that connects the main body portion and the tip portion in a state in which the condensing lens is held between the main body portion and the tip portion; 4. The laser marking device according to claim 3.

6. The device is configured to be movable between an open leg state and a closed leg state, and further includes a plurality of legs that support the main body on a placement surface when the device is in the open leg state, The tip portion has a groove provided on a surface opposite to a surface attached to the end portion, Each of the plurality of legs has a protruding piece that is received in the groove when the legs are in the closed state.

4. The laser marking device according to claim 3.

7. The cover further includes a positioning portion that determines a relative position of the LED with respect to the cover opening.

2. The laser marker according to claim 1.

8. the positioning portion is a rib portion that protrudes toward the LED along a surface direction of the surface of the mounting board on which the LED is mounted, 8. The laser marker according to claim 7.

9. further comprising a laser diode that emits laser light; The mounting board is a first surface on which the LED is mounted; a second surface opposite to the first surface, on which the laser diode is mounted; the laser diode has a lead inserted from the second surface to the first surface, the cover has a partition wall that divides an internal space of the cover into a first space in which the LED is arranged and a second space in which the lead is arranged.

2. The laser marker according to claim 1.

10. the cover further has at least one recess provided in a thickness direction of the mounting substrate when the cover is placed on the mounting substrate; 2. The laser marker according to claim 1.

Images