Motorized bracket comprising an optical path for a laser beam

Abstract

The invention relates to a bracket (10) comprising a motorized body (100) and a head (200), the body (100) comprising at least a first and a second axis of rotation (R1, R2), the body (100) being configured to support and move the head (200), the head (200) comprising one or more head devices (210, 220) configured to be supplied by at least one laser source, the bracket (10) being characterized in that a hollow optical path (400) for guiding one or more laser beams is integrated into the body (100) of the bracket (10), and in that a portion of said optical path (400) connecting at least the first axis of rotation to the second axis of rotation comprises reflectors (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d) oriented at a determined angle with respect to the first and second axes of rotation (R1, R2).

Description

Description Title of the invention: Motorized lyre comprising an optical path for a laser beam Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motorized lyres for moving devices emitting light beams, in particular laser beams. Prior art

[0002] Two- or three-axis motorized lyres for supporting and moving various devices are well known. Examples of two- or three-axis motorized lyres are for example described in WO 2023 / 037061 A1 and WO 2023 / 037062 A1. Such lyres usually comprise a motorized body allowing the support and movement of a lyre head. Various devices can be mounted on the lyre head, such as cameras, projectors (light or video) or laser transmitters.

[0003] Some devices require power from one or more laser sources. The laser source(s) can be mounted on the head of the lyre. However, such a configuration has several disadvantages. First, the dimensions and mass of the laser source are limited by the space available at the head of the lyre and by the weight that can be supported by the body and the head of the lyre. For similar reasons, the size and mass of the cooling system associated with the laser source are also very limited. Thus, only low-power laser sources can be used, and the mass and size of the lyre are increased.

[0004] To overcome these drawbacks, it is known to use one or more external laser sources. Said external laser source(s) are thus connected to the head of the lyre via one or more optical fibers. However, such a configuration has several drawbacks. Indeed, in order not to damage the optical fiber(s) during movements of the motorized body, the amplitude and speed of the rotations of said motorized body must be limited. Thus, the motorized body cannot perform complete rotations or rotations greater than 360° or 380°. In addition, since the optical fiber(s) are fragile, the motorized lyre can only be operated under favorable conditions within a protected environment. Statement of the invention

[0005] The present invention makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks described above, by proposing a mobile and robust lyre capable of using powerful and varied laser sources, for example of different wavelengths.

[0006] To this end, the invention proposes a lyre comprising a motorized body and a head, the body comprising at least a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation extending in different directions, the body being configured to support and move the head, the head comprising one or more head devices configured to be powered by at least one laser source, the lyre being characterized in that a hollow optical path for guiding one or more laser beams is integrated in the body of the lyre, and that a part of said optical path connecting at least the first axis of rotation to the second axis of rotation comprises reflectors oriented at a determined angle relative to the first and second axes of rotation.

[0007] Thus, the lyre according to the invention allows the use of various external laser sources while being robust and mobile. The optical path allows various different types of lasers to be guided simultaneously. The lyre according to the invention is thus very versatile. Since the optical path is integrated into the body, the latter is protected from the environment. Thus, the lyre is more robust and can be used in many environments, including in difficult conditions. The lyre is also quick to install and can be quickly operational. In addition, the optical path of the invention allows the body to be rotated infinitely, without amplitude limitation. Since the lyre is very mobile and the head is light, it can move at high speed and with improved precision.

[0008] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the body of the lyre further comprises an optical input configured to be connected to at least one laser source, the optical path connecting the optical input to the head of the lyre.

[0009] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the head device(s) are galvanometric scanners.

[0010] Thus, a single lyre can emit laser beams towards several targets simultaneously with great precision.

[0011] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the diameter of the optical path is greater than 20 mm. For example, the diameter of the optical path is between 20 mm and 50 mm. For example, the diameter of the optical path is greater than 30 mm.

[0012] A large aperture in the optical path diameter allows multiple laser beams to pass through simultaneously, with varying divergences, and allows the guidance of several different types of lasers. For example, the optical path can guide both RGB and infrared laser beams.

[0013] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the body of the lyre is motorized by hollow shaft motors, said hollow shafts of the motors extending around the optical path.

[0014] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the lyre comprises an electrical collector with a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft of the electrical collector extending around the optical path.

[0015] The electrical collector is configured to transmit electrical power and transmit data to the head devices.

[0016] The use of hollow shaft motors or collectors makes the lyre more compact and lightweight, and facilitates the integration of the optical path inside the lyre body.

[0017] According to another particular aspect of the invention, the lyre further comprises at least one dichroic mirror arranged between the optical path and the device(s) of head, the dichroic mirror(s) being configured to separate the laser beam from the optical path into multiple laser beams directed toward the head device(s).

[0018] In conclusion, the invention combines the optical aspect, the mechanical aspect and the electrical aspect to obtain a mobile, robust, compact and versatile lyre.

[0019] The invention also relates to a laser beam emission system comprising a lyre as described previously and one or more laser sources, the laser source(s) being connected to the optical path.

[0020] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the laser beam emission system comprises at least a first laser source emitting a laser beam at a first wavelength and a second laser source emitting a laser beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the lyre comprising at least a first galvanometric scanner and a second galvanometric scanner, the lyre further comprising at least one dichroic mirror arranged between the optical path and the first and second galvanometric scanners, said dichroic mirror being configured to direct the laser beam at the first wavelength towards the first galvanometric scanner and to direct the laser beam at the second wavelength towards the second galvanometric scanner.

[0021] According to a particular aspect of the invention, the first laser source emits an RGB type laser beam and the second laser source emits an infrared laser beam. Brief description of the drawings

[0022] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a lyre according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a detailed view of Figure 1 illustrating a reflector of the lyre.

[0024] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a detailed view of Figure 1 illustrating a motor and an electric commutator of the lyre.

[0025] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a galvanometric scanner.

[0026] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a system including the lyre of Figure 1 for target illumination. Description of the embodiments

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a lyre 10 according to the invention. The lyre 10 comprises a body 100 and a head 200. The body 100 is configured to support and move the head 200.

[0028] The body 100 is movable at least along a first axis of rotation Ri and along a second axis of rotation R2. The first axis of rotation Ri and the second axis of rotation R2 extend in different directions. The first axis of rotation Ri is preferably perpendicular to the second axis of rotation R2. Preferably, the first axis of rotation Ri allows a “pan” type rotation and the second axis of rotation R2 allows a “tilt” type rotation. It is of course not outside the scope of the invention if the body is movable along a third axis of rotation extending in a direction different from the directions of the first and second axes of rotation. The third axis of rotation R3 can allow a “roll” type rotation. Other axes of rotation are of course possible.

[0029] The body 100 is motorized. The body 100 comprises at least a first motor 110 for performing rotation along the first axis of rotation Ri and a second motor 120 for performing rotation along the second axis of rotation R2. If the body is movable along a third axis of rotation, the body may comprise a third motor for performing rotation around the third axis of rotation.

[0030] The body 100 may include a foot configured to secure the lyre 10. For example, the foot of the body 100 may be configured to be disposed on the ground or on a platform, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The foot of the body 100 may be configured to be secured to a structure, a wall, or a ceiling. Thus, the foot of the body 100 may allow the lyre 10 to be secured at a height or the lyre 10 to be suspended.

[0031] The first axis of rotation Ri can allow rotation between the foot and the rest of the body 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The second axis of rotation R2 can allow rotation of the head 200 relative to the body 100.

[0032] The body 100 may further comprise an electrical collector 130. The electrical collector 130 may be configured to transmit different types of data between the components of the lyre 10. For example, the electrical collector 130 may be used to transmit video data. The electrical collector 130 may also be configured to transmit voltages to power the components of the lyre 10. The electrical collector 130 may, for example, transmit voltages between 5V and 240V. The electrical collector 130 may both be configured to transmit different types of data between the components of the lyre 10 and to power the components of the lyre 10.

[0033] The head 200 of the lyre 10 comprises one or more head devices 210, 220. The head 200 comprises at least one head device configured to be powered by a laser source. Such devices configured to be powered by a laser source may for example be one or more scanners, for example galvanometric. Such devices configured to be powered by a laser source may for example be one or more measuring instruments, for example of the lidar type. The head 200 may comprise a combination of several types of devices powered by a laser source.

[0034] The head 200 may further comprise other types of head devices powered by means other than a laser source. The head 200 may comprise, for example, one or more cameras, one or more non-laser scanners and / or one or more measuring instruments, such as, for example, rangefinders or radars.

[0035] According to the invention, the lyre 10 does not include a laser source. The laser source(s) are external to the lyre 10.

[0036] The body 100 comprises at least one optical input. The optical input of the body 100 is configured to be connected to one or more laser sources.

[0037] The lyre 10 comprises a hollow optical path 400 connected to the optical input and connected to the head 200. The optical path 400 extends at least from the first axis of rotation Ri to the second axis of rotation R2 of the body 100. Preferably, the path optical 400 extends from the optical input of the body 100 to the head 200, as in the example illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0038] In this application, the terms "input", "output", "previous" and "next" are defined with respect to the direction of travel of the laser beam.

[0039] An optical collector may be present at the optical input (not shown). The optical collector is configured to collect laser beams from different laser sources and direct them into the optical path 400. The optical collector includes a plurality of reflectors.

[0040] The optical path 400 is configured to guide one or more laser beams. The optical path 400 is integrated into the body 100 of the lyre 10. The optical path 400 comprises walls that delimit an internal volume for the passage of laser beams. The walls of the optical path 400 are rigid. The internal volume is devoid of solid-state material. The optical path 400 is not an optical fiber. The optical path 400 is not an optical fiber passage.

[0041] The diameter of the optical path 400 is preferably greater than 30 mm, or even greater than 40 mm. Indeed, the larger the diameter of the optical path 400, the more the optical path 400 can guide a wide variety of laser beams, and of different divergences.

[0042] The optical path 400 can guide laser beams of class 1 to 4. The optical path 400 can guide laser beams having a power of between 10W and 4kW. The optical path 400 can guide laser beams having a power greater than 4kW. The optical path 400 can guide RGB or infrared laser beams.

[0043] The 400 optical path allows laser beams to be guided while maintaining the same diameter for the input and output beams.

[0044] The optical path 400 may be secured within the body 100 by means of fixing clamps 404, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0045] The optical path 400 comprises at least a first main section 410 extending along the first axis of rotation Ri and a second main section 420 extending along the second axis of rotation F The first main section is rotatable about the first axis of rotation Ri and the second main section 420 is rotatable about the second axis of rotation R2. The optical path 400 may comprise a plurality of main sections 410, 420 extending along each axis of rotation Ri, R2 of the body 100. The main sections 410, 420 are rectilinear. The main sections 410, 420 are axisymmetric about their axis of rotation Ri, R2.

[0046] The optical path 400 may further comprise secondary sections 430, 440 connecting the first main section 410 to the second main section 420. The secondary sections 430, 440 are rectilinear. The first main section 410 may also be connected to the optical input by a secondary input section 450.

[0047] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the secondary input section 450 connects the optical input to the input of the first main section 410. The first secondary section 430 connects the output of the first main section 410 to the input of the second secondary section 440. The second secondary section 440 connects the output of the first secondary section 430 to the input of the second main section 420. The output of the second main section 420 is connected to the head 200.

[0048] The main sections 410, 420 are rotatable relative to the previous section 450, 440 of the optical path 400. Thus, the first main section 410 is rotatable relative to the secondary input section 450. The second main section 420 is rotatable relative to the second secondary section 440.

[0049] The optical path 400 may comprise at least one rotation angle return system 401, 402 for each rotation axis Ri, R2 of the body 100. The rotation angle return systems 401, 402 are arranged at the entrance of each main section 410, 420. The rotation angle return systems 401, 402 provide the junction between the main section 410, 420 and the preceding section 450, 440 of the optical path 400. The rotation angle return systems 401, 402 make it possible to maintain the guidance of the laser beam despite the rotation of the main sections 410, 420.

[0050] In the example illustrated in Figure 1, the first rotational angle transmission system 401 provides the junction between the secondary input section 450 and the first main section 410. Thus, the first rotational angle transmission system 401 allows the rotation of the first main section 410 relative to the secondary input section 450 while maintaining the guidance of the laser beam. The second rotational angle transmission system 402 provides the junction between the second secondary section 440 and the second main section 420. Thus, the second rotational angle transmission system 402 allows the rotation of the second main section 420 relative to the second secondary section 440 while maintaining the guidance of the laser beam.

[0051] The optical path 400 comprises a plurality of reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d. Figure 2 illustrates an example of a reflector 400b. The reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d make it possible to reflect the laser beams guided by the optical path 400. The reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d are preferably positioned at the bends of the optical path 400. The reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d are thus positioned at the junction between two sections of the optical path 400. The reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d are oriented at a determined angle so as to reflect the laser beam(s) coming from one section of the optical path 400 towards the next section of the optical path 400. In a conventional manner, the sections 410, 420, 430, 440, 450 of the optical path 400 are arranged perpendicular to each other. In this case, the reflectors are inclined at 45°, as shown in Figure 2.The reflective surface of the reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d may have a dimension greater than 400 nm. In particular, the reflective surface of the reflectors 400a, 400b, 400c, 400d may have a dimension between 400 nm and 800 nm.

[0052] In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the laser beam passing through the optical input travels through the secondary input section 450. The laser beam is then reflected by the first reflector 400a located at the junction between the secondary input section 450 and the first main section 410. The laser beam passes through the first rotating angle return system 401. The laser beam then passes through the first main section 410. The laser beam is then reflected by the second reflector 400b located at the junction between the first main section 410 and the first secondary section 430. The laser beam then passes through the first secondary section 430. The laser beam is then reflected by the third reflector 400c located at the junction between the first secondary section 430 and the second secondary section 440. The laser beam then passes through the second secondary section 440. The laser beam is then reflected by the fourth reflector 400d located at the junction between the second secondary section 440 and the second main section 420. The laser beam passes through the second rotating angle return system 402. The laser beam then passes through the second main section 420.

[0053] The head 200 may comprise a processing system 230 for processing and / or separating the laser beam(s) originating from the optical path 400. The processing system 230 may in particular make it possible to separate the laser beam originating from the optical path 400 into several distinct laser beams, and to direct said distinct laser beams each towards one of the head devices 210, 220. The processing system 230 may for example be a dichroic mirror 230. The dichroic mirror may make it possible to separate a laser beam at a first wavelength from a laser beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The dichroic mirror may thus make it possible to separate an RGB laser beam from an infrared laser beam, or to separate laser beams of different colors.

[0054] The first main section 410 of the optical path 400 passes through the first motor 110, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3. The second main section 420 of the optical path 400 passes through the second motor 120, as illustrated in Figure 1. The first main section 410 of the optical path 400 may pass through the electrical collector 130.

[0055] The first and second motors 110 and 120 have a hollow shaft to allow the passage of the optical path 400. The hollow shafts of the motors 110, 120 have a large diameter. In order to allow the passage of the optical path 400, the diameter of the hollow shaft of the motors is preferably greater than 30 mm, or even greater than 40 mm.

[0056] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first motor 110 has a hollow shaft 114 extending along the first axis of rotation Ri. The first motor 110 comprises a stator 111 and a rotor 112. The stator 111 and the rotor 112 of the first motor 110 may be arranged one after the other along the first axis of rotation Ri. The stator 111 and the rotor 112 of the first motor 110 are arranged around the optical path 400, in particular around the first main section 410.

[0057] In order to obtain the lightest possible motors to facilitate the movement of the lyre 10, the motors 110, 120 can be direct drive, without gears.

[0058] As illustrated in Figure 3, the electrical collector 130 has a hollow shaft 134 extending along the first axis of rotation Ri. The electrical collector 130 comprises a stator 131 and a rotor 132. The stator 131 of the electrical collector 130 may be arranged around the rotor 132 of the electrical collector 130. The stator 131 and the rotor 132 of the electrical collector 130 are arranged around the optical path 400, in particular around the first main section 410. In order to allow the passage of the optical path 400, the diameter of the hollow shaft 134 of the electrical collector 130 is preferably greater than 30 mm, or even greater than 40 mm.

[0059] Thus, the body 100 can perform several complete rotations around its axes of rotation Ri, R2.

[0060] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least one of the head devices 210 may be a galvanometric scanner. The operation of galvanometric lasers is well known. Preferably, the head 200 of the lyre 10 comprises a plurality of galvanometric scanners. The galvanometric scanners 210, 220 present in the head 200 have mirror dimensions having a width greater than or equal to 90 mm and a length greater than or equal to 100 mm.

[0061] Figure 4 illustrates an example of a galvanometric scanner 210 comprising a first mirror 211 movable in rotation about a first axis of rotation R211, a second mirror 212 movable in rotation about a second axis of rotation R212 and a lens 213. Figure 4 illustrates a laser beam 7 passing through the scanner galvanometric 210. The laser beam 7 is first reflected by the first mirror 211 and then reflected by the second mirror 212. The laser beam 7 then passes through the lens 213. The laser beam 7 can then exit the lyre 10.

[0062] Figure 5 illustrates an example of a system 1 for emitting laser beams comprising the lyre 10 and one or more laser sources 20, 30. The laser source(s) 20, 30 can emit laser beams of class 1, 2, 3 or 4. The laser source(s) 20, 30 can emit laser beams having a power of between 10W and 4kW. The laser source(s) 20, 30 can emit laser beams having a power greater than 4kW. The laser source(s) 20, 30 can emit RGB or infrared laser beams.

[0063] The laser sources 20, 30 may be connected to the lyre 10 by means of optical fibers 21, 31. In particular, the laser sources 20, 30 are connected to the optical input of the body 100 of the lyre 10. Thus, the laser beams emitted by the laser sources 20, 30 enter the optical path 400. As described previously, an optical collector may be present at the optical input to collect the laser beams emitted by the different laser sources 20, 30.

[0064] The laser beams are conveyed to the head 200 of the lyre 100 by the optical path 400. The laser beams can then be processed by the processing system 230. The processing system 230 can make it possible to separate the laser beams emitted by the different sources 20, 30. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the processing system 230 can make it possible to separate the laser beam emitted by the first source 20 from the laser beam emitted by the second source 30. For example, the first source 20 can emit an RGB type laser beam and the second source can emit an infrared laser beam. The processing system 230 can then be a dichroic mirror which lets the infrared laser beam pass and reflects the RGB laser beam.

[0065] The processing system 230 then directs the separate laser beams to the different head devices 210, 220, which are for example galvanometric scanners. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, the processing system 230 directs the laser beam emitted by the first source 20 to the first scanner galvanometric scanner 210 and directs the laser beam emitted by the second source 30 towards the second galvanometric scanner 220.

[0066] The first galvanometric scanner 210 can thus enable the lyre 10 to emit a first type of directed laser beam 7a. The second galvanometric scanner 220 can enable the lyre 10 to emit a second type of directed laser beam 7b. Thus, the lyre 10 can, for example, emit with the first head device 210 one or more directed laser beams 7a of the RGB type to illuminate a target, for example to dazzle it, and with the second head device 220 one or more directed infrared laser beams 7b for night illumination. The lyre 10 can emit several types of laser beams 7a, 7b simultaneously. The lyre 10 can emit several types of laser beams 7a, 7b simultaneously on each of the pointed targets 6a, 6b, 6c.

[0067] The use of galvanometric scanners 210, 220 can make it possible to emit laser beams 7a, 7b towards several targets 6a, 6b, 6c simultaneously with the same lyre 10 while maintaining excellent precision. The precision achieved is of the order of 1 to 3 arc seconds. The lyre 10 of the invention can thus emit laser beams 7a, 7b reaching up to five targets 6a, 6b, 6c present in the same area of ​​interest.

[0068] The laser beam emission system 1 may also comprise a control unit 40 connected to the lyre 10. The control unit 40 may be configured to control the movements of the body 100 of the lyre 10. In particular, the control unit 40 may be configured to control the actuation of the motors 110, 120 of the body 100 in order to actuate the lyre 10. The lyre 10 may thus be actuated so as to point towards an area of ​​interest.

[0069] Thanks to the optical path 400, the lyre 10 according to the invention has complete freedom of rotation and can perform rotations very quickly. Thus, the precision of the lyre 10 can be adjusted very quickly, of the order of 300 readjustments per second.

[0070] The expression "between ... and ..." must be understood as including the limits.

Claims

Claims

1. Lyre (10) comprising a motorized body (100) and a head (200), the body (100) comprising at least a first axis of rotation (Ri) and a second axis of rotation (R2) extending in different directions, the body (100) being configured to support and move the head (200), the head (200) comprising one or more head devices (210, 220) configured to be powered by at least one laser source, the lyre (10) being characterized in that a hollow optical path (400) for guiding one or more laser beams is integrated in the body (100) of the lyre (10), and that a part of said optical path (400) connecting at least the first axis of rotation to the second axis of rotation comprises reflectors (400a, 400b, 400c, 400d) oriented according to a angle determined relative to the first and second axes of rotation (Ri, R2).

2. Lyre (10) according to claim 1, wherein the body (100) of the lyre (10) further comprises an optical input configured to be connected to at least one laser source, the optical path (400) connecting the optical input to the head (200) of the lyre (10).

3. Lyre (10) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the head device(s) (210, 220) are galvanometric scanners.

4. Lyre (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the diameter of the optical path (400) is greater than 20 mm.

5. Lyre according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the body (100) of the lyre (10) is motorized by motors (110, 120) with hollow shafts, said hollow shafts (114) of the motors (110, 120) extending around the optical path (400).

6. Lyre (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the lyre (10) comprising an electrical collector (130) with a hollow shaft, said hollow shaft (134) of the electrical collector (130) extending around the optical path (400).

7. Lyre (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the lyre (10) further comprising at least one dichroic mirror (230) disposed between the optical path (400) and the head device(s) (210, 220), the dichroic mirror(s) (230) being configured to separate the laser beam coming from the optical path (400) into several laser beams directed towards the head device(s) (210, 220).

8. Laser beam emission system (1) comprising a lyre (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 and one or more laser sources (20, 30), the laser source(s) (20, 30) being connected to the optical path (400).

9. A laser beam emitting system (1) according to claim 8, comprising at least one first laser source (20) emitting a laser beam at a first wavelength and a second laser source (30) emitting a laser beam at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength, the lyre (10) comprising at least one first galvanometric scanner (210) and a second galvanometric scanner (220), the lyre (10) further comprising at least one dichroic mirror (230) disposed between the optical path (400) and the first and second galvanometric scanners (210, 220), said dichroic mirror (230) being configured to direct the laser beam at the first wavelength towards the first galvanometric scanner (210) and to direct the laser beam at the second wavelength towards the second galvanometric scanner (220).

10. A laser beam emitting system (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first laser source (20) emits an RGB type laser beam and the second laser source (30) emits an infrared laser beam.

Images