Laser scattered light measurement device

Abstract

The present invention provides a laser scattered light measuring device that can be operated with one hand, eliminates the influence of ambient light on the detection results at the light receiving unit, and allows for easier and more accurate verification of the safety of laser scattered light on the human body. [Solution] The laser scattered light measuring device comprises a light receiving unit 10, a calculation unit (30), a display unit 40, a housing 3 that houses these components and can be held with one hand to change the direction the light receiving unit faces, and a calculation circuit 30 for zero point setting. The light receiving unit 10 receives scattered light L1 generated when laser light L0 is irradiated onto an object 2 and detects the intensity of the scattered light L1. The calculation unit (30) compares the intensity of the scattered light L1 received by the light receiving unit 10 with a predetermined threshold R0, and based on the comparison result calculates the danger level D of the scattered light L1 to the human body and performs a calibration process. The display unit 40 displays the danger level D calculated by the calculation unit (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a measuring device for laser scattered light, and particularly to a measuring device for laser scattered light for confirming the safety of laser scattered light with respect to the human body.

Background Art

[0002] For photoacoustic imaging, as a laser irradiation device for irradiating a human body with a laser, Patent Document 1 describes a laser irradiation device including a laser light source, a detection unit, and a control unit. The detection unit detects the irradiance of the laser on the human body. The control unit controls the output of the laser light source so that the irradiance of the laser detected by the detection unit does not exceed the maximum allowable exposure amount described in JIS standard C6802 or the like. By controlling the output of the laser light source so that the control unit does not exceed the maximum allowable exposure amount, the safety of the laser light with respect to the human body is ensured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the laser irradiation device described in Patent Document 1, even if the irradiance of the laser light directly irradiated on the human body can be controlled so as not to be dangerous to the human body, for example, when the laser is used for cutting or drilling a metal material, etc., it is impossible to control the scattered light so as not to be dangerous to the human body.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to provide a laser scattered light measuring device that can be operated with one hand, eliminates the influence of ambient light on the detection results in the light receiving section, and allows for easier and more accurate confirmation of the safety of laser scattered light to the human body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The laser scattered light measuring device disclosed herein is a laser scattered light measuring device formed to be held and handled with one hand, and comprises a light receiving unit, a calculation unit, a display unit, and a housing. The light receiving unit receives laser scattered light generated when laser light is irradiated onto an object and detects the intensity of the laser scattered light. The calculation unit compares the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit with a predetermined threshold corresponding to the maximum permissible exposure amount shown in the public standards for safety standards of laser products, and calculates the degree of danger of the laser scattered light to the human body based on the comparison result. The display unit displays the degree of danger calculated by the calculation unit based on the comparison result with the threshold. The housing houses the light receiving unit, the calculation unit, and the display unit, and allows the user to hold it with one hand and change the direction in which the light receiving unit faces. Furthermore, the light receiving unit has a light sensor that outputs a light intensity signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light to the calculation unit, and the calculation unit performs a calibration process that corrects the light intensity signal output by the light sensor, using the light intensity signal when the light receiving unit receives ambient light as the zero point. The official standard for safety standards for the laser product is, for example, JIS C6802. The risk level is calculated, for example, based on the ratio of the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit to the threshold value.

[0007] The laser scattered light measuring device disclosed herein further comprises a calibration switch. The calibration switch is disposed in the housing and receives an operation to instruct the calculation circuit to perform the calibration process. The laser scattered light measuring device disclosed herein may further comprise a laser pointer. The laser pointer indicates the generation position of the laser scattered light on the object received by the light receiving unit.

[0008] The laser scattering light measuring device disclosed herein further comprises an alarm unit. The alarm unit emits an alarm sound when the risk level is equal to or greater than a standard value determined based on the threshold.

[0009] The laser scattered light measuring device disclosed herein further comprises a maximum value recording means. The maximum value recording means records the maximum value of the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit. The display unit displays the change in the risk level in real time and continuously displays the risk level corresponding to the maximum value.

[0010] In the laser scattered light measuring device disclosed herein, the light receiving unit further comprises a dimming unit. The dimming unit selectively transmits laser light of the wavelength to be measured from the light received by the light receiving unit. The dimming unit includes at least an optical filter and a diffuser plate. The light receiving unit may also have a lens. The lens focuses the laser scattered light. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The laser scattered light measuring device of the present invention can be operated with one hand, eliminates the influence of ambient light on the detection results at the light receiving unit, and allows for easier and more accurate confirmation of the safety of laser scattered light on the human body. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]This is a functional block diagram showing a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a front perspective view showing a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a rear perspective view showing a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the main processing in a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a flowchart showing the laser light measurement process in a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows the maximum value recording process in a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Hereinafter, a laser scattered light measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred examples for carrying out the present invention and therefore have various technical limitations. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless specifically stated in the following description to limit the invention.

[0014] <Embodiment> Below, an embodiment of the laser scattered light measuring device of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram showing the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a front perspective view showing the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment. Figure 3 is a rear perspective view showing the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the measuring apparatus for laser scattered light according to the embodiment is an apparatus for measuring the intensity of laser scattered light L1 generated when the laser device 1 irradiates an object such as a workpiece 2 with laser light L0, and includes a light receiving unit 10, a laser pointer 20, an arithmetic circuit 30 as a calculation unit, a display unit 40, an alarm unit 50, an operation unit 60, and a communication module 70 as communication means. Each part of the measuring apparatus is connected via a bus. Note that each part of the measuring apparatus may be connected one-to-one.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the measuring apparatus has a housing 3. The housing 3 houses the light receiving unit 10, the laser pointer 20, the arithmetic circuit 30, the display unit 40, the alarm unit 50, the operation unit 60, and the communication module 70. In the embodiment, the size of the housing 3 is set to a size that can be held with one hand in order to facilitate handling of the measuring apparatus. For example, the height of the housing 3 is set to about 10 cm. Further, the housing 3 has a recess 3a having a shape in which a finger can be hooked when the measuring apparatus is gripped with one hand.

[0017] Typically, the measuring apparatus according to the embodiment uses a laser device 1 such as a CW-YAG laser capable of continuously oscillating laser light L0, and in a workplace where processes such as welding and cutting a workpiece 2 such as a metal material are performed, in order to ensure a safe area for people to move around, at an appropriate distance from the generation position of the laser scattered light L1, or in a scene where an appropriate shielding object is installed between the generation position of the laser scattered light L1, it is used to confirm the safety of the laser scattered light L1 with respect to the human body.

[0018] The light receiving unit 10 includes a lens 11, a light control unit 12, and a photosensor 13, receives the laser scattered light L1 generated when the laser light L0 is irradiated onto an object such as the workpiece 2, and detects the intensity of the laser scattered light L1. The intensity of the laser scattered light L1 can be represented by the irradiance, which is a value obtained by dividing the radiant flux incident on the plane surface by the area of the plane surface. The unit of irradiance is "watts per square meter (W / m 2)”. Also, the laser scattered light L1 is typically generated by reflection and / or diffusion of the laser light L0 in an object such as the workpiece 2 or the like.

[0019] The lens 11 condenses the laser scattered light L1 that enters through the light receiving aperture 10a provided in the housing 3. In the embodiment, the light receiving aperture 10a is circular, and the diameter is set to 7 mm in accordance with “A.2 Limiting Aperture” of the annex of JIS standard C6802.

[0020] The light control unit 12 adjusts the frequency components of the light transmitted through the lens 11 so as to selectively transmit the frequency components in a specific frequency band determined based on, for example, the wavelength of the laser light L0 irradiated to the workpiece 2. The light control unit 12 is formed using at least one of, for example, a wavelength conversion material (wavelength conversion element) such as an optical filter, a polarizing plate, a wavelength plate, a non-linear crystal, a diffusion plate, and a diffraction plate. As the optical filter, a reflection filter and an absorption filter can be used. As the reflection filter and the absorption filter, a band-pass filter, a short-pass filter, a long-pass filter, a dimming filter (ND filter), or the like can be used.

[0021] If the laser device 1 is a CW-YAG laser, the wavelength of the laser light L0 is 1064 nm, and a band-pass filter or the like that selectively transmits the frequency components in the frequency band determined based on the wavelength of 1064 nm is adopted for the light control unit 12.

[0022] In the embodiment, the optical sensor 13 is formed from a photoelectric effect type sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, a phototransistor, etc., and outputs a light intensity signal which is an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the light transmitted through the light control unit 12.

[0023] The laser pointer 20 indicates the location on the workpiece 2 where the laser scattered light L1, which is received by the light receiving unit 10, originates. The laser light L0 is highly directional, and when detecting the intensity of the laser scattered light L1, it is necessary to position and orient the measuring device so that the lens 11 is directly facing the location where the laser scattered light L1 originates. By including the laser pointer 20 in the measuring device of this embodiment, the light receiving unit 10 can receive the laser scattered light L1 when the lens 11 is directly facing the location where the laser scattered light L1 originates, and the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 can be accurately detected.

[0024] The calculation unit, the arithmetic circuit 30, compares the irradiance I1, which is the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 received by the light receiving unit 10, with a predetermined threshold R0, and calculates the danger level D of the laser scattered light L1 to the human body based on the comparison result. The calculation circuit 30 also acts as the central control unit, controlling various parts such as the laser pointer 20, display unit 40, alarm unit 50, and communication module 70.

[0025] In this embodiment, the threshold R0 is a numerical value corresponding to the maximum permissible exposure amount described in Annex A of JIS standard C6802, and is stored in the storage device 31. The maximum permissible exposure amount varies depending on the wavelength of the laser light L0, and in Annex A, it is indicated by irradiance or radiation exposure. If the laser device 1 is a CW-YAG laser and the wavelength of the laser light L0 is 1064 nm, the maximum permissible exposure amount is 50 W / m² as a reference value. 2 Therefore, the numerical value corresponding to this irradiance is used as the threshold R0.

[0026] In this embodiment, the risk level D is calculated based on the ratio of irradiance I1 to the threshold R0. For example, when irradiance I1 is 100% or more of the threshold R0, the risk level D is set to a value of "10", and when irradiance I1 is 90% or more but less than 100% of the threshold R0, the risk level D is set to a value of "9". Thus, in this embodiment, the risk level D is calculated based on the ratio of irradiance I1 to the threshold R0.

[0027] The display unit 40 displays the risk level D calculated by the calculation circuit 30. As shown in Figure 3, in the implementation configuration, the display unit 40 is a 10-level meter, with each level corresponding to a value of risk level D. In this embodiment, when the risk level D is value "1", the ratio of irradiance I1 to the threshold R0 is between a predetermined lower limit ratio LR and less than 20%, and when the risk level D is value "2", it is between 20% and less than 30%, and thereafter the upper and lower limits of the ratio increase by 10% each time.

[0028] In this embodiment, the lower limit percentage LR is set to a predetermined percentage that is greater than 0% and less than 10%. Furthermore, the display unit 40 is not limited to a level meter; it can be any device that allows the danger level D to be visually displayed, for example, a liquid crystal panel that displays the danger level D as a numerical value.

[0029] The alarm unit 50 emits an alarm sound when the danger level D is equal to or greater than the reference value R1. The reference value R1 is determined based on the threshold value R0. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment, the alarm unit 50 includes a speaker 51. In this embodiment, the reference value R1 is set to "10", the value of danger level D when the ratio of irradiance I1 to the threshold value R0 is 100% or more, and when the ratio of irradiance I1 to the threshold value R0 is 100% or more, the alarm unit 50 emits an alarm sound from the speaker 51. In this embodiment, the calculation circuit 30 also alerts that the danger level D is equal to or greater than the reference value R1 by controlling the display unit 40 so that the display on the display unit 40 flashes at the same time as the alarm sound is emitted from the speaker 51.

[0030] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the operating unit 60 in this embodiment includes a power switch 61, a calibration switch 62, and a laser pointer switch 63. The power switch 61 turns the power of the measuring device on and off. The calibration switch 62 instructs the calculation circuit 30 to perform calibration. The laser pointer switch 63 instructs the calculation circuit 30 to emit the laser pointer 20. The functions of each switch will be explained as necessary, referring to Figures 4 to 6.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the communication module 70 communicates with an external storage means such as a cloud 3, or a terminal device 4 such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer, and transmits various data to the external storage means such as the cloud 3 or the terminal device 4, including the irradiance I1 at each point in time, the hazard level D, the maximum value of the irradiance I1 (explained later with reference to Figure 6), the maximum hazard level D corresponding to the maximum value of the irradiance I1, and whether or not the maximum hazard level D is greater than or equal to the reference value R1, indicating a dangerous condition.

[0032] External storage means such as Cloud 3 stores and saves the data transmitted by the communication module 70. Terminal device 4 displays the data transmitted by the communication module 70 on a display device such as an LCD panel or monitor using a dedicated application or software. The form in which terminal device 4 displays the data transmitted by the communication module 70 on the display device may be the same as the display unit 40, for example, by displaying a level meter on an LCD panel, or by directly displaying each data such as risk level D using characters or numbers.

[0033] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the communication module 70 communicates wirelessly with external storage means such as Cloud 3 and terminal device 4. However, it may also be connected to external storage means such as Cloud 3 and terminal device 4 via a wired connection, for example, via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) terminal or a wired local area network (LAN). In addition, the external storage means is not limited to Cloud 3, but may also be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory or an SD memory card, etc.

[0034] Furthermore, the communication module 70 may transmit the various data described above to the laser device 1, and the laser device 1 may have control means to control the intensity of the laser light L0 irradiated onto the object based on the data transmitted by the communication module 70. For example, when a dangerous situation occurs, such as when the maximum danger level D is equal to or greater than the reference value R1, the control means may control the laser device 1 to stop the oscillation of the laser light L0 or to reduce the intensity of the irradiated laser light L0.

[0035] Next, the operation of the measuring device according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figures 4 to 6. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the main processing in the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the laser light measurement processing in the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the maximum value recording processing in the laser scattered light measuring device according to the embodiment.

[0036] In step S1 of the main process shown in Figure 4, the power switch 61 is switched from "off" to "on," power is supplied to each part of the measuring device from a power supply device such as a battery (not shown), and a predetermined initialization process is performed. Once the initialization process is completed, the detection of the intensity of light incident on the light receiving unit 10 begins. During the initialization process, various processes are performed, such as reading the threshold value R0 from the storage device 31 to the arithmetic circuit 30.

[0037] In step S2 of the main processing shown in Figure 4, ambient light detection processing is performed in order to perform calibration, which is zero point setting. In order to eliminate the influence of ambient light such as fluorescent light indoors and sunlight outdoors on the detection results of the light receiving unit 10, in the ambient light detection processing, the power switch 61 is turned from "off" to "on," and when the light receiving unit 10 starts detecting light intensity, the light sensor 13 outputs a light intensity signal as the zero point.

[0038] In step S3 of the main process shown in Figure 4, a calibration process is performed. The arithmetic circuit 30 controls the memory device 31 to store the light intensity signal output by the light sensor 13 in step S2 as the zero point. The light intensity signal stored in the memory device 31 as the zero point is used in subsequent laser light measurement processes.

[0039] Furthermore, the calibration process in step S3 is also performed whenever the calibration switch 62 is operated. By performing the calibration process as needed, the zero point can be reset to a more appropriate value even when the measurement environment for laser scattered light changes during the measurement operation, and the influence of ambient light on the measurement results of laser scattered light can be more effectively eliminated.

[0040] In step S4 of the main process shown in Figure 4, positioning is performed using a laser pointer 20. The operator uses the laser pointer 20 to point to the position where the strongest laser scattered light is thought to be generated, for example, the position where the laser beam L0 strikes the workpiece 2, and positions the target position for measurement of the laser scattered light L1 to the position where the strongest laser scattered light is thought to be generated.

[0041] In step S5 of the main process shown in Figure 4, the laser beam measurement process is performed. The laser beam measurement process will be explained below with reference to Figure 5. In the process shown in Figure 5, for example, while the power switch 61 is "on", steps S11 to S15 are repeatedly executed.

[0042] In step S11 of the laser light measurement process shown in Figure 5, a measurement value calculation process is performed. In the measurement value calculation process, the calculation circuit 30 calculates the irradiance I1, which is the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 at each time point, from the difference between the light intensity signal V1 output by the light sensor 13 at each time point and the zero point set in step S3 in Figure 4.

[0043] In step S12 of the laser light measurement process shown in Figure 5, the calculation circuit 30 calculates the risk level D based on the irradiance I1 calculated in step S11, and controls the display unit 40 to display the calculated risk level D. The calculation circuit 30 also controls the alarm unit 50 to emit an alarm sound when the risk level D is "10".

[0044] Figure 3 shows examples a, b, and c of the display of the risk level D in the display unit 40. Example a is the display example when the risk level D is value "1", example b is the display example when the risk level D is value "6", and example c is the display example when the risk level D is value "10". In the example shown in Figure 3, when the risk level D is value "7" or higher, the display method is changed, for example, by changing the display color, to indicate that the irradiance I1 is approaching the maximum permissible exposure.

[0045] In step S13 of the laser light measurement process shown in Figure 5, a maximum value recording process is performed as a maximum value recording means. In the maximum value recording process, for example, the maximum value of the irradiance I1 calculated in step S11 is recorded between the time the power switch 61 is turned "on" and when it is turned "off". Details of the maximum value recording process will be described later with reference to Figure 6.

[0046] In step S14 of the laser light measurement process shown in Figure 5, it is determined whether the irradiance I1 calculated at each time point is greater than or equal to the threshold R0. If the irradiance I1 at each time point is greater than or equal to the threshold R0 (Yes), the process proceeds to step S15; if it is less than the threshold R0 (No), the process returns to step S11.

[0047] In step S15 of the laser beam measurement process shown in Figure 5, the calculation circuit 30 controls the alarm unit 50 to emit an alarm sound. In this embodiment, the calculation circuit 30 controls the alarm unit 50 so that the speaker 51 emits an alarm sound indicating an abnormality, for example, a rapid, intermittent sound. The calculation circuit 30 can also emit an alarm by controlling the display unit 40 to blink.

[0048] Returning to Figure 4, in step S6 of the main processing, the display unit 40 displays the change in risk level D in real time through the control of the calculation circuit 30 in steps S12 and S15 of Figure 5, and continuously displays the risk level D corresponding to the maximum value of irradiance I1. If the irradiance I1 is greater than or equal to the threshold R0, the alarm unit 50 emits an alarm sound and the display unit 40 flashes to issue an alarm. As for the form in which the display unit 40 continuously displays the risk level D corresponding to the maximum value of irradiance I1, if the display unit 40 is a level meter, it is conceivable that only the light-emitting element of the level meter corresponding to the maximum risk level D remains lit and does not turn off. Alternatively, if the display unit 40 is a liquid crystal panel, it is conceivable that it continuously displays the numerical value indicating the maximum risk level D.

[0049] Furthermore, in step S6 of the main processing, the communication module 70 transmits various data, such as the irradiance I1, the hazard level D, the maximum value of the irradiance I1, the maximum hazard level D corresponding to the maximum value of the irradiance I1, and whether or not the maximum hazard level D is greater than or equal to the standard value R1, to an external storage means such as the cloud 3 or a terminal device 4.

[0050] The maximum value recording process will now be explained with reference to Figure 6. In the maximum value recording process shown in Figure 6, for example, while the power switch 61 is "on", the processes from step S22 to step S24 are repeatedly executed.

[0051] In step S21 of the maximum value recording process shown in Figure 6, as part of the initialization process in step S1 in Figure 4, the maximum value of the irradiance I1 is set to the initial value "0".

[0052] In step S22 of the maximum value recording process shown in Figure 6, the irradiance I1 at each point in time is calculated by the calculation circuit 30 and compared with the maximum value. In step S23, it is determined whether the irradiance I1 is greater than or equal to the maximum value. If the irradiance I1 is greater than or equal to the maximum value (Yes), the process proceeds to step S24; otherwise, it returns to step S22.

[0053] In step S24 of the maximum value recording process shown in Figure 6, the calculation circuit 30 controls the memory device 31 to store the irradiance I1, which is determined to be greater than or equal to the maximum value at that time, as the new maximum value. The maximum value is overwritten when the irradiance I1 at that time is stored in the memory device 31 as the new maximum value.

[0054] As described above with reference to Figures 1 to 6, according to the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment, the light receiving unit 10 detects the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 generated when the laser light L0 is irradiated onto an object, the calculation circuit 30 compares the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 received by the light receiving unit 10 with a threshold R0, calculates the degree of danger D of the laser scattered light L1 to the human body based on the comparison result, and the display unit 40 displays the degree of danger D calculated by the calculation circuit 30.

[0055] Therefore, in an environment where a high-power laser device 1, which poses a high risk to human health, is used, the light-receiving unit 10 can be directed towards the location where the most powerful laser scattered light L1 is thought to be generated, the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 can be detected, and the risk level D can be calculated and displayed. As a result, the safety of the laser scattered light to the human body can be easily confirmed in situations where an appropriate distance is maintained from the location where the laser scattered light L1 is generated, or where appropriate shielding is installed between the location and the location where the laser scattered light L1 is generated, thereby ensuring an area where people can move around safely.

[0056] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment further comprises a laser pointer 20. Therefore, the laser pointer 20 can point to the location where the strongest laser scattered light L1 is thought to be generated, allowing the light receiving unit 10 to be accurately directed to the location where the strongest laser scattered light L1 is thought to be generated, thereby accurately detecting the intensity of the laser scattered light L1 and easily and accurately confirming the safety of the laser scattered light to the human body.

[0057] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, according to the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment, the alarm unit 50 emits an alarm sound when the danger level D is equal to or greater than the reference value R1 determined based on the threshold R. Therefore, for example, when using a laser pointer 20 and pointing the light receiving unit 10 at a location where the strongest laser scattered light L1 is thought to be generated, the sound allows one to know that the irradiance I1 of the laser scattered light L1 has become equal to or greater than the threshold R determined, for example, according to the maximum permissible exposure amount, and the safety of the laser scattered light to the human body can be confirmed even more easily.

[0058] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, according to the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment, the maximum value of the danger level D during the period from when the power switch is turned on to when it is turned off is continuously displayed on the display unit 40 by the maximum value recording process. Therefore, for example, while performing an operation such as using a laser pointer 20 and pointing the light receiving unit 10 at the position where the strongest laser scattered light L1 is thought to be generated, the maximum value of the danger level D can be checked at any time, making it even easier to confirm the safety of laser scattered light to the human body.

[0059] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, according to the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment, the housing 3 of the measuring device is small enough to be held in one hand and has a recess 3a shaped to allow a finger to be placed when gripping the measuring device with one hand. Therefore, for example, it is possible to easily point to the point where the strongest laser scattered light L1 is generated using a laser pointer 20, and the safety of the laser scattered light to the human body can be confirmed even more easily.

[0060] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment has a light receiving unit 10 that has a light adjustment unit 12 that adjusts the frequency components of the light transmitted through the lens 11 so as to selectively transmit frequency components in a specific frequency band determined based on the wavelength of the laser light L0 irradiated onto the object, for example, among the light transmitted through the lens 11.Therefore, the intensity of laser scattered light L1, which poses a high risk to the human body, can be accurately detected, the risk level D can be calculated, and the safety of laser scattered light to the human body can be confirmed more simply and accurately.

[0061] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, in the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment, the calculation circuit 30 performs ambient light detection processing for calibration, which is zero point setting. Therefore, the influence of ambient light such as fluorescent light indoors or sunlight outdoors on the detection results in the light receiving unit 10 can be eliminated, and the safety of laser scattered light on the human body can be confirmed more simply and accurately.

[0062] Furthermore, as explained with reference to Figures 1 to 6, the laser scattered light measuring device of the embodiment further comprises a communication module 70. Therefore, the communication module 70 can transmit various data, such as irradiance I1, hazard level D, maximum value of irradiance I1, maximum hazard level D corresponding to the maximum value of irradiance I1, and whether or not a dangerous condition exists where the maximum hazard level D is equal to or greater than the reference value R1, to an external storage means such as a cloud 3 or a terminal device 4. This allows for sharing of various data among relevant parties, long-term storage, and easy confirmation of the safety of laser scattered light to the human body at remote locations other than the measurement site of the laser scattered light L1, thereby enabling more effective utilization of information regarding the safety of laser scattered light to the human body.

[0063] Embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 6). However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence (for example, (1) to (4) below).

[0064] (1) In this embodiment, the reference value R1 corresponds to a risk level D of value "10", and the alarm unit 50 emits an alarm sound when the ratio of the irradiance I1 to the threshold R0 is 100% or more. However, it is not limited to this, and the reference value R1 can also be set to correspond to a risk level D smaller than the value "10". Furthermore, the calculation circuit 30 can control the alarm unit 50 to change the pitch, height, and volume of the alarm sound according to the value of the risk level D.

[0065] (2) In this embodiment, the risk level D is represented by a numerical value on a scale of 10. However, the risk level D may be represented by a numerical value greater than 10, or less than 10, as long as it is calculated based on the ratio of the irradiance I1 to the threshold R0. If the display unit 40 is a level meter, the number of segments can also be set according to the number of risk level D levels. Furthermore, the range of the ratios corresponding to each value of risk level D does not need to be constant. For example, the range of the ratios corresponding to each value of risk level D can be changed so that the difference between the upper and lower limits becomes smaller as the risk level D value increases. Alternatively, the range of the ratios corresponding to each value of risk level D can be changed so that the difference between the upper and lower limits becomes larger as the risk level D value increases.

[0066] (3) In this embodiment, the size of the housing 3 is set to a size that can be held in one hand in order to facilitate the handling of the measuring device, but it is not limited to this, and the size of the housing 3 may be larger than the size that can be held in one hand, and the measuring device may be designed to be used with support from dedicated legs or the like.

[0067] (4) In this embodiment, the laser device 1 was a CW-YAG laser and the wavelength of the laser light L0 was 1064 nm, but it is not limited to this and various lasers can be used in the laser device 1. Also, although the dimming unit 12 corresponds to the wavelength of the laser light L0 of 1064 nm, a bandpass filter or the like corresponding to the wavelength of various lasers can be used as the dimming unit 12, and the threshold R0 can be set according to the wavelength of various lasers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] L0... Laser light L1... Laser scattered light LR...Lower limit percentage R0...threshold R1...Reference value V1...Light intensity signal 2…Workpiece (object) 10...Light receiving section 11... Lens 12... Dimming section 13…Light sensor 20… Laser pointer 30...Arithmetic circuit (calculation section) 40...Display section 50...Alarm section 60...Operation unit

Claims

1. A laser scattering light measuring device formed to be gripped and handled with one hand, A light receiving unit that receives laser scattered light generated when laser light is irradiated onto an object and detects the intensity of the laser scattered light, A calculation unit compares the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit with a predetermined threshold corresponding to the maximum permissible exposure amount specified in the public standards for safety standards of laser products, and calculates the degree of danger of the laser scattered light to the human body based on the comparison result. A display unit that displays the risk level calculated by the calculation unit based on the comparison result with the threshold, A housing that houses the light receiving unit, the calculation unit, and the display unit, and that the user can hold in one hand to change the direction the light receiving unit faces. It is equipped with, A laser scattered light measuring device, wherein the light receiving unit has a light sensor that outputs a light intensity signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light to the calculation unit, and the calculation unit performs a calibration process to correct the light intensity signal output by the light sensor, using the light intensity signal when ambient light is received as the zero point.

2. The laser scattered light measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the official standard for safety standards of the laser product is JIS C6802.

3. The laser scattered light measuring device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the risk level is calculated based on the ratio of the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit to the threshold value.

4. A laser scattering light measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a calibration switch disposed in the housing and receiving an operation to instruct the calculation circuit to perform the calibration process.

5. A laser scattering light measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an alarm unit that emits an alarm sound when the risk level is equal to or greater than a standard value determined based on the threshold.

6. A laser scattered light measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a maximum value recording means for recording the maximum value of the intensity of the laser scattered light detected by the light receiving unit, wherein the display unit displays the change in the risk level in real time and continuously displays the risk level corresponding to the maximum value.

7. The light receiving unit further includes a dimming unit that selectively transmits laser scattered light of a wavelength to be measured from the received light, and the dimming unit includes at least an optical filter and a diffuser plate, the laser scattered light measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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