Laser emission device and optical fiber attachment / detachment method

Abstract

To inhibit dust from adhering to an optical component disposed within a head body.SOLUTION: A head body 21 has: a fiber connection port 22; and a maintenance opening 23. A collimator lens 24 is disposed on the downstream side of the maintenance opening 23 at the head body 21 in an emission direction. An air blowout part 26 blows air into an internal space S of the head body 21. A first lid member 31 is detachably attached to the head body 21 so as to close the maintenance opening 23.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a laser beam emitting device and an optical fiber attachment / detachment method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a laser emission unit in which shielding gas is injected from an injection port, traverses the optical path space along the incident surface of the collimating lens, and is exhausted to the outside from an exhaust port directly opposite, forming an air curtain that covers the incident surface of the collimating lens.

[0003] In the invention of Patent Document 1, dust and dirt that has entered the optical path space from the optical fiber insertion port is blocked by an air curtain from adhering to the collimator lens. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6150612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the invention of Patent Document 1 injects shielding gas along the incident surface of the collimating lens, and there is a risk that large amounts of dust that cannot be blown away by the flow of shielding gas alone will adhere to the collimating lens.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and its object is to prevent dust from adhering to optical components arranged inside the head main body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first invention is a laser emission device that emits laser light transmitted through an optical fiber, and includes a head body having a fiber connection port for detachably connecting the optical fiber and a maintenance opening that opens in a direction intersecting the fiber connection port, an optical component arranged downstream of the maintenance opening in the head body in the emission direction, an air blowing section that blows air into an internal space in the head body between the optical component and the fiber connection port, and a cover member that is detachably attached to the head body and closes the maintenance opening.

[0008] In the first invention, air is blown into the internal space between the optical component and the fiber connection port in the head body, creating a positive pressure in the internal space. The air blown into the internal space is then exhausted to the outside through the fiber connection port, preventing dust from entering through the fiber connection port.

[0009] Specifically, in a configuration in which an air curtain is formed by circulating gas across the fiber connection port, as in the conventional invention, the gas flow creates a negative pressure in the internal space, causing outside air to flow in through the fiber connection port. While most of the dust contained in the outside air is exhausted through the exhaust port, the large amount of dust that cannot be blown away by the gas will adhere to the collimating lens, which is an optical component, so it is undesirable for outside air to flow into the head main body.

[0010] In contrast, in the present invention, the air blown into the internal space of the head body is exhausted to the outside through the fiber connection port, which prevents outside air from flowing in through the fiber connection port, thereby preventing dust contained in the outside air from adhering to optical components.

[0011] A second invention is a laser emission device according to the first invention, wherein the cover member includes a first cover member and a second cover member replaceable with the first cover member, the first cover member having a first cover body that closes the maintenance opening, and the second cover member having a second cover body that closes the maintenance opening and a protective plate provided on the second cover body that overlaps the optical component when viewed from the fiber connection port.

[0012] In the second invention, the first cover member and the second cover member are interchangeable. Specifically, the first cover member closes the maintenance opening when the laser beam output device is in operation, and the second cover member closes the maintenance opening when the optical fiber is being attached or detached.

[0013] In this way, when attaching or detaching the optical fiber, the protective plate is positioned so that it overlaps the optical component when viewed from the fiber connection port. Therefore, even if large amounts of dust that cannot be blown away by air enter the internal space through the fiber connection port, the dust can be caught by the protective plate, preventing the dust from adhering to the optical component. After attaching or detaching the optical fiber, the dust caught by the protective plate can be collected by removing the second cover member.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention is the laser emission device of the second aspect of the present invention, wherein a recess is formed by recessing a part of the protection plate on a surface of the protection plate facing the fiber connection port.

[0015] In the third aspect of the present invention, by forming a recess on the surface of the protection plate facing the fiber connection port, dust that has entered the internal space can be easily collected by being contained within the recess of the protection plate.

[0016] A fourth aspect of the present invention is the laser emission device according to the second or third aspect of the present invention, wherein the protection plate is made of a glass material that transmits the laser light.

[0017] In the fourth aspect of the present invention, by making the protective plate out of a glass material, the second cover member can remain attached to the head body even when the laser emission device is in operation. This means that by preparing only the second cover member, it is possible to respond to both the operation of the laser emission device and the attachment and detachment of the optical fiber, making inventory management easier.

[0018] A fifth invention is an optical fiber attachment / detachment method for attaching / detaching the optical fiber in the laser emission device of any one of the second to fourth inventions, comprising the steps of blowing air into the internal space, removing the first cover member from the head body and then attaching the second cover member, connecting the optical fiber to the fiber connection port, removing the second cover member from the head body and then attaching the first cover member, and stopping the blowing of air into the internal space.

[0019] In the fifth invention, by blowing air into the internal space to create a positive pressure in the internal space, it is possible to prevent outside air from entering through the fiber connection port. Also, by replacing the first cover member with the second cover member, it is possible to catch large amounts of dust that have entered the internal space through the fiber connection port with the protective plate. Furthermore, by stopping the blowing of air after replacing the second cover member with the first cover member, it is possible to collect the dust caught by the protective plate and prevent the dust from adhering to optical components. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the optical components arranged inside the head main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser beam emission device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a laser processing head. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for attaching and detaching an optical fiber. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the laser processing head at the time of product shipment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the cap is removed and air is blown into the internal space. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a view showing a state in which the first cover member is removed and the second cover member is attached. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a second lid member. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which optical fibers are connected. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a view showing the state in which the second cover member is removed and the first cover member is attached. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which air blowing is stopped. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0023] <Configuration of laser emission device> As shown in FIG. 1, the laser emission device 1 includes a laser oscillator 10, an optical fiber 11, a robot 15, a control unit 16, and a laser processing head 20.

[0024] The laser oscillator 10 oscillates laser light LB. For example, a solid-state laser light source, a gas laser light source, or a fiber laser light source can be used as the laser oscillator 10. The laser oscillator 10 may also be a semiconductor laser light source that directly uses light emitted from a semiconductor laser, or a semiconductor laser array that includes multiple laser light emitters.

[0025] The laser oscillator 10 is connected to an input end of an optical fiber 11. The laser processing head 20 is connected to an output end of the optical fiber 11. The laser light LB emitted from the laser oscillator 10 is transmitted to the laser processing head 20 via the optical fiber 11.

[0026] The laser processing head 20 is attached to the robot 15. The laser processing head 20 is capable of changing the emission position and focal position of the laser light LB relative to the workpiece W by operating the robot 15.

[0027] The control unit 16 is connected to the laser oscillator 10, the laser processing head 20, and the robot 15. The control unit 16 controls the movement speed of the laser processing head 20 as well as the start and stop of output of the laser light LB, the output intensity of the laser light LB, and the like.

[0028] <Configuration of laser processing head> As shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing head 20 has a head main body 21, a collimator lens 24 as optical components, a focus lens 25, and an air blowing unit 26.

[0029] The head body 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape extending in the emission direction of the laser light LB. The head body 21 has a fiber connection port 22, a maintenance opening 23, and a laser emission port (not shown). The laser emission port opens on the surface facing the workpiece W in FIG. 1.

[0030] The optical fiber 11 is detachably connected to the fiber connection port 22. Specifically, a fiber connector 12 is provided at the output end of the optical fiber 11. The optical fiber 11 is connected to the head body 21 by inserting the fiber connector 12 into the fiber connection port 22.

[0031] The maintenance opening 23 opens in a direction intersecting with the fiber connection port 22. Specifically, the maintenance opening 23 opens in the side wall of the head body 21, perpendicular to the emission direction of the laser light LB.

[0032] The collimating lens 24 is disposed downstream in the emission direction of the laser light LB from the maintenance opening in the head body 21. The collimating lens 24 collimates the laser light LB emitted from the emission end of the optical fiber 11.

[0033] The focus lens 25 focuses the laser light LB that has been collimated by the collimator lens 24. The laser light LB focused by the focus lens 25 passes through a laser emission port and is emitted to the workpiece W.

[0034] An internal space S is provided in the head body 21. The internal space S is the space between the collimator lens 24 and the fiber connection port 22 in the head body 21. A head nozzle 29 is provided at the lower end of the head body 21. An air pipe 27 is detachably connected to the head nozzle 29. An air supply unit 28 is connected to the air pipe 27. The air supply unit 28 is, for example, an air pump.

[0035] Here, during laser processing, the head nozzle 29 is connected to the air supply unit 28 via the air piping 27. The head nozzle 29 blows out the air supplied from the air supply unit 28 downstream in the emission direction of the laser light LB. This prevents spatter generated at the processing point of the workpiece W from entering the inside of the head main body 21.

[0036] An air blowing part lid 30 is detachably attached to the air blowing part 26. Here, during laser processing, the air blowing part lid 30 is attached to the air blowing part 26 to close the air blowing part 26. Note that, as will be described in detail later, when attaching or detaching the optical fiber 11, the air blowing part lid 30 is removed from the air blowing part 26. The air piping 27 is reattached from the head nozzle 29 to the air blowing part 26.

[0037] The air blowing section is provided below the maintenance opening in the side wall of the head main body 21. The air blowing section blows air supplied from the air supply section into the internal space S of the head main body .

[0038] A first cover member 31 is detachably attached to the maintenance opening 23. The first cover member 31 has a first cover body 32 that closes the maintenance opening 23. When the laser emission device 1 is in operation, the first cover member 31 closes the maintenance opening 23. As will be described in detail later, the first cover member 31 is replaced with a second cover member 35 when the optical fiber 11 is to be attached or detached.

[0039] <Optical fiber attachment / detachment method> Incidentally, when the optical fiber 11 is temporarily removed from the head body 21, such as during product shipping or replacement of the optical fiber 11, the fiber connection port 22 of the head body 21 may be left open. In this case, dust 40 (see FIG. 4) contained in the outside air may enter the internal space S of the head body 21 through the fiber connection port 22 and may adhere to the collimator lens 24.

[0040] If the laser light LB is emitted with the dust 40 attached to the collimator lens 24, there is a risk that the collimator lens 24 will be burned at the location where the dust 40 is attached.

[0041] Therefore, in this embodiment, the intrusion of dust 40 through the fiber connection port 22 is suppressed when the optical fiber 11 is attached or detached.

[0042] 3, in step ST11, the air blowing section lid 30 is removed from the air blowing section 26, and the air pipe 27 connected to the head nozzle 29 is reattached to the air blowing section 26, and the process proceeds to step ST12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the air pipe 27 is connected to the head nozzle 29. An air blowing section lid 30 is attached to the air blowing section 26. Then, in order to supply air from the air blowing section 26 to the internal space S of the head main body 21, the air blowing section lid 30 is removed from the air blowing section 26, and the air pipe 27 is removed from the head nozzle 29, and then the air pipe 27 is connected to the air blowing section 26, as shown in FIG.

[0043] 3, the cap 33 is removed from the head main body 21 to open the fiber connection port 22, and the process proceeds to step ST13. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the optical fiber 11 is removed from the head main body 21 at the time of product shipment. The cap 33 is fitted into the fiber connection port 22 to close the fiber connection port 22. The first cover member 31 is attached to the maintenance opening 23 to close the maintenance opening 23. Then, when connecting the optical fiber 11 to the fiber connection port 22 of the head main body 21, the cap 33 is removed as shown in FIG.

[0044] 3, air is blown out from the air blowing section 26 into the internal space S, and the process proceeds to step ST14. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, air supplied from the air supply section 28 is blown out from the air blowing section 26 into the internal space S. This creates a positive pressure in the internal space S. The air blown out into the internal space S is then exhausted to the outside from the fiber connection port 22, thereby preventing dust 40 from entering through the fiber connection port 22.

[0045] 3, the first cover member 31 is removed from the head main body 21, and the process proceeds to step ST15. As shown in FIG. 6, removing the first cover member 31 opens the maintenance opening 23. At this time, while the maintenance opening 23 is open, the supply of air to the internal space S continues. Therefore, the air blown into the internal space S is exhausted to the outside from the maintenance opening 23, which prevents dust 40 from entering through the maintenance opening 23.

[0046] 3, the second cover member 35 is attached to the head main body 21, and the process proceeds to step ST16. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second cover member 35 has a second cover main body 36 and a protective plate 37. The second cover main body 36 is attached to the side wall of the head main body 21 and closes the maintenance opening 23.

[0047] The protective plate 37 is provided on the second lid body 36, and overlaps the collimator lens 24 when viewed from the fiber connection port 22. A recess 38 is formed in the surface of the protective plate 37 facing the fiber connection port 22, where a part of the protective plate 37 is recessed.

[0048] 8, when the second cover member 35 is attached to the head main body 21, the protective plate 37 is disposed at a position overlapping the collimator lens 24 when viewed from the fiber connection port 22. Therefore, even if dust 40 with a large mass that cannot be blown away by air enters the internal space S from the fiber connection port 22, the dust 40 can be received by the protective plate 37, thereby preventing the dust 40 from adhering to the collimator lens 24.

[0049] 3, the fiber connector 12 of the optical fiber 11 is connected to the fiber connection port 22 of the head main body 21, and the process proceeds to step ST17. As shown in Fig. 8, when connecting the optical fiber 11, resistance is exerted by the air exhausted from the fiber connection port 22. Therefore, it is preferable to appropriately adjust the air supply pressure so that the fiber connector 12 can be inserted smoothly.

[0050] 3, the second cover member 35 is removed from the head main body 21, and the process proceeds to step ST18. As shown in FIG. 9, large amounts of dust 40 that could not be blown away by air are received in the recesses 38 of the protective plate 37 of the second cover member 35, and can be collected by removing the second cover member 35. At this time, the maintenance opening 23 is open, but the supply of air to the internal space S continues. Therefore, the air blown into the internal space S is exhausted to the outside from the maintenance opening 23, thereby preventing the dust 40 from entering through the maintenance opening 23.

[0051] 3, the first cover member 31 is attached to the maintenance opening 23 of the head main body 21, and the process proceeds to step ST19. As shown in FIG. 10, by closing the maintenance opening 23 with the first cover member 31, it is possible to prevent dust 40 from entering through the maintenance opening 23.

[0052] 3, the operation of the air supply unit 28 is stopped, the air blowing from the air blowing unit 26 is stopped, and the process proceeds to step ST20. As shown in FIG. 10, the fiber connection port 22 of the head main body 21 is closed by the fiber connector 12, and the maintenance opening 23 is closed by the first lid member 31. This makes it possible to prevent dust 40 from entering the head main body 21.

[0053] 3, the air pipe 27 connected to the air blowing unit 26 is removed and replaced with a head nozzle 29, and the air blowing unit lid 30 is attached to the air blowing unit 26. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing apparatus 1 is ready for laser processing, and the work of attaching and detaching the optical fiber 11 is completed.

[0054] Other Embodiments The above embodiment may be configured as follows.

[0055] In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the protection plate 37 of the second cover member 35 is made of a metal material, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0056] For example, the protective plate 37 of the second lid member 35 may be made of a glass material that transmits the laser light LB. By making the protective plate 37 of a glass material in this way, the second lid member 35 can remain attached to the head main body 21 even when the laser emission device 1 is in operation. This means that if only the second lid member 35 is prepared, it can be used both when the laser emission device 1 is in operation and when the optical fiber 11 is attached or detached, making inventory management easier. [Industrial Applicability]

[0057] As described above, the present invention has the highly practical effect of preventing dust from adhering to optical components arranged inside the head body, and is therefore extremely useful and has high industrial applicability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Laser emission device 11 Optical Fiber 21 Head body 22 Fiber connection port 23 Maintenance opening 24 Collimating lens (optical component) 26 Air outlet 31 First cover member (cover member) 32 1st lid body 35 Second cover member (cover member) 36 Second lid body 37 Protective plate 38 Recess LB laser light S interior space

Claims

1. A laser emission device that emits laser light transmitted through an optical fiber, comprising: a head body having a fiber connection port for detachably connecting the optical fiber and a maintenance opening that opens in a direction intersecting the fiber connection port; an optical component disposed downstream of the maintenance opening in the head body in the emission direction; an air blowing portion that blows air into an internal space between the optical component and the fiber connection port in the head body; a cover member that is detachably attached to the head body and closes the maintenance opening, The cover member includes a first cover member and a second cover member replaceable with the first cover member, the first cover member has a first cover body that closes the maintenance opening, The second cover member has a second cover body that closes the maintenance opening, and a protection plate that is provided on the second cover body and overlaps the optical component when viewed from the fiber connection port. Laser emission device.

2. 2. The laser beam emission apparatus according to claim 1, A recess is formed in the surface of the protection plate facing the fiber connection port, where the protection plate is partially recessed. Laser emission device.

3. 3. The laser beam emission device according to claim 1, The protection plate is made of a glass material that transmits the laser light. Laser emission device.

4. 4. An optical fiber attachment / detachment method for attaching / detaching the optical fiber in the laser beam emitter according to claim 1, comprising: blowing air into the internal space; and attaching the second cover member after removing the first cover member from the head body. How to attach and detach optical fiber.

5. The optical fiber attachment / detachment method according to claim 4, a step of connecting the optical fiber to the fiber connection port after attaching the second cover member; a step of attaching the first cover member after removing the second cover member from the head main body; and stopping the blowing of air into the internal space. How to attach and detach optical fiber.

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