Apparatus for translational movement and swivelling

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for adjusting a lens (12) in two directions (8, 9) perpendicular to an axis of the lens (12) and swivelling the lens (12) around two axes (10, 11) parallel to the two directions (8, 9). The invention proposes a monolithic 3D-printed apparatus (1) with two pairs of parallel leaf springs (4, 5) as guides for the translational movement and crossing leaf springs (6, 7) forming X-shaped swivel bearings.

Description

Apparatus for translational movement and swivellingDescription

[0001] The invention relates to an apparatus for translational movement and swivelling. The apparatus is especially for translational movement and swivelling of a lens in order to align a laser beam from a laser diode or another laser device into an optical fiber. More general the apparatus according to the invention can be used for translational movement and swivelling of a lens or another optical element like a mirror, a prism or an optical grating in order to align, collimate, steer or the like a laser or another light beam. In general, the apparatus according to the invention can be used for translational movement and swivelling of any optical or non-optical component or element.

[0002] An apparatus for directing a light beam is known from US 10,670,825 B2. The apparatus allows a translational movement of a mirror or a lens in two directions whichare perpendicular one to another and perpendicular to the direction of an axis of the lens or of the light beam. The apparatus comprises a rectangular outer frame, a rectangular inner frame and a hub arranged in the inner frame which outer frame serves as a device mount for the apparatus and which hub holds the mirror or lens.

[0003] The outer and the inner frame are flexible connected by pairs of parallel first leaf springs arranged in interspaces between opposite sides of the inner and the outer frame which allow translational movement of the inner frame in relation to the outer frame in a first direction perpendicular to the opposite sides of the two frames by elastic bending of the first leaf springs.

[0004] The inner frame and the hub are flexibly connected by pairs of parallel second leaf springs arranged in interspaces between opposite sides of the inner frame and the hub perpendicular to the first leaf springs. The second leaf springs allow translational movement of the hub in relation to the inner frame and thus in relation to the outer frame too in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction by elastic bending of the second leaf springs.

[0005] To move the inner frame and the hub the known apparatus has adjusting screws screwed through the opposite sides of the outer frame and abutting against the inner frame and adjusting screws screwed through the perpendicular sides of the inner frame and abutting against the hub.

[0006] The two frames, the hub and the leaf springs of the known apparatus are manufactured monolithic (in one piece) by machining, injection moulding or 3D-printing.

[0007] For swivelling the mirror or lens of the known apparatus is adjustably connected to the hub by three adjusting screws.

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide such a monolithic apparatus with two translational directions and two swivelling axes.

[0009] This objective is achieved by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims are directed on improvements and further developments of invention.

[0010] The apparatus according to the invention is especially to align, collimate, steer or the like a laser or a light beam by moving an optical element as a lens, a mirror, a prism, an optical grating or the like translational in two directions and by swivelling the optical element around two axes which directions and axes are in angles, especially in right angles, one to another and to an axis of the lens or to the laser or light beam. The axes can cross one another and / or the axis of the lens or the laser or light beam in one or two points of intersection or they pass one another with an offset. Of course, the apparatus can as well be used for moving non-optical components or elements translational in the two directions and swivelling around the two axes.

[0011] Especially a laser beam emitted from a quantum cascade laser (QCL- laser) or another semiconductor laser is aligned into an optical fiber and in embodiments of the invention focus on an end of the fiber with the apparatus according to the invention. An optical element such as a mirror is positioned such that the laser beam is aligned and possibly additionally focused to the fiber. The apparatus is arranged such between the laser source and the end of the fiber that the optical element which is arranged at a translational movable and swivelling part of the apparatus that the laser beam hits the optical element which can be moved such that the laser beam is aligned to the optical fiber. The laser beam hits the optical element and is reflected from the optical element into the end of the fiber. By moving the optical element in two directions perpendicular to the laser beam the optical element can be aligned with the laser beam and by swivelling the optical element around two axes the reflected laser beam can be aligned with the fiber and directed into the end of the fiber. An optical element as a lens can be aligned coaxially with a laser beam such that the laser beam passes through a center of the optical element and can be aligned perpendicular to the laser beam with the apparatus according to the invention.

[0012] A main usage of the apparatus according to the invention is to collimate a laser beam from a quantum cascade laser (QCL), an interband cascade laser (ICL) or another semiconductor laser with a broad gain. The laser beam is directed toward a grating which is arranged in an angle to the laser beam such that only a given wavelength is reflec-ted back to a laser chip. A lens which is arranged in the laser beam between the laser chip and the grating acts both ways and collimates the laser beam from the laser chip to the grating and back from the grating to the laser chip. The lens is hold by the apparatus according to the invention and can be precisely aligned with the apparatus. A cavity which is formed outside of the laser chip between the grating and the front facet of the laser chip can be called an external cavity. A possible second apparatus with a second lens in front of the front facet of the laser chip can be used for collimating the laser beam. Of course, the invention is not restricted to this usage.

[0013] The apparatus according to the invention comprises a device mount which can be understood as a basis which can be fixed to a base or the like in order to hold the apparatus.

[0014] Further the apparatus according to the invention comprises a movable part which is movable in relation to the device mount in the two directions and swivelling in relation to the device mount around the two axes. The movable part can be understood as a mount for the optical or non-optical element which is to be moved translational in the two directions and swivelled around the two axes.

[0015] According to the invention the movable part is flexibly connected to the device mount by leaf springs. The leaf springs are thin, strip-shaped areas of the apparatus such that they are elastically bendable such that areas of the apparatus which are connected by the leaf springs are movable in relation on to another by elastic bending of the areas of the apparatus which form the leaf springs. The leaf springs are especially two-dimensional structures, what means they are thin in relation to their length and width. They can be flat or curved. The invention does not exclude differently shaped leaf springs. According to the invention the shape of the leaf springs has to be such that areas of the apparatus connected by one of the leaf springs can move translational in one of the two directions or swivel around one of the two axes. Further according to the invention, the leaf springs connect areas of the apparatus are monolithic, what means the leaf springs or ends of the leaf springs are integrally with the areas of the apparatus which the leaf springs connect flexibly in relation one to another. In other words, the leaf springs, respectively their ends merge in one piece into other especially rigid areas of the apparatus which areas are especially themovable part, the device mount and intermediate and / or connecting areas which connect the leaf springs.

[0016] According to the invention a first and a second leaf spring connect the movable part of the apparatus flexibly with the device mount such that the movable part is translational movable in relation to the device mount in the first direction by elastic bending of the first leaf spring and in the second direction by elastic bending of the second leaf spring. The leaf springs are numbered in order to distinguish and to identify them and to assign them to the two directions of translational movement and to the two axes of swivelling. The first and the second leaf springs need not to connect the movable part or the apparatus directly with the device mount but as well can connect the movable part indirectly over another area of the apparatus arranged between the movable part, the device mount and the leaf spring(s).

[0017] In embodiments of the invention the first and the second leaf springs are arranged perpendicular to the first and the second direction such that if the leaf springs are flat in an undeformed state they elastically bend to an S-shape when they are moved, respectively elastically deformed whereat the first, respectively the second leaf springs guide the areas of the apparatus flexibly connected by them to move translational in the first, respectively the second direction. If the first and / or the second leaf springs are not flat in their undeformed state they bend in another way to guide the areas of the apparatus flexibly connected by them to move translational in the first, respectively second direction.

[0018] For swivelling of the movable part in relation to the device mount around the first and the second axis, the apparatus according to the invention comprises a third and a fourth leaf spring which connect the movable part of the apparatus flexibly with the device mount such that the movable part can swivel around the first axis in relation to the device mount by elastic bending of the third leaf spring and around the second axis in relation to the device mount by elastic bending of the fourth leaf spring.

[0019] The third and the fourth leaf springs form kinds of swivel bearings which connect the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention flexibly with the devicemount swivelling around the first, respectively the second axis. For swivelling bear, the movable part around the first, respectively the second axis the third and / or the fourth leaf springs are elastically bent from a flat shape into a bent shape or from a bent shape to a more or a less bent shape or to a flat shape. The invention does not exclude other undeformed shapes of the third and / or the fourth leaf springs nor another type of elastic bending.

[0020] One leaf spring does not directly connect the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention with the device mount but more as a kind of a chain with rigid intermediate and / or connecting areas of the apparatus between the leaf springs which connect the leaf springs. Rigid means the rigid intermediate and / or connecting areas of the apparatus according to the invention are not deformed by forces which bend the leaf springs elastically and moving the movable part with respect to the device mount or at the most deformation of the rigid areas of the apparatus is negligible with respect to the elastic bending of the leaf springs and with respect to the movement of the movable part with respect to the device mount.

[0021] For the translational movement of the movable part in relation to the device mount in the first and / or the second direction an embodiment of the invention comprises two first, respectively two second leaf springs, which two first, respectively two second leaf springs are arranged at a distance one to the other and which two first, respectively two second leaf springs are parallel one to the other. These two parallel leaf springs which can be regarded as a pair of leaf springs form a kind of parallelogram guide which with high precision guides the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention in relation to its device mount in the first, respectively the second, direction and prevents it from movement in another direction and from swivelling.

[0022] For the swivelling of the movable part in relation to the device mount around the first and / or the second axis an embodiment of the invention comprises two third, respectively two fourth leaf springs which two third, respectively two fourth leaf springs cross one another perpendicular or in another angle. The two third, respectively fourth leaf springs form a flexible X-structure and form a kind of hinge which allows the movable part to swivel around the first, respectively the second axis in relation to the device mount and prevents itfrom swivelling around the or any other axis and from translational movement or at least limits such movement to a very small degree.

[0023] According to one aspect of the invention one end of one of the leaf springs, especially one end of the first leaf spring(s) is rigidly connected to the device mount and / or another end of another one of the leaf springs, for example of the second or the fourth leaf spring(s) is rigidly connected to the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention. Besides that, according to one aspect of the invention a second end of one of the leaf springs is rigidly connected to a first end of another one of the leaf springs of the apparatus according to the invention. The connection between the ends of the leaf springs can be done by rigid intermediate and / or connecting areas of the apparatus according to the invention arranged between the ends of the leaf springs. Following this embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises a kind of chain which chain links are formed by the leaf springs allowing the movement in the desired direction, respectively around the desired axes and rigid intermediate and / or connecting areas. The chain links, respectively the ends of the leaf springs can directly be monolithic connected and preferably are monolithic rigidly connected by rigid areas of the apparatus according to the invention.

[0024] In one embodiment of the invention the movable part holds an optical element such as a lens, a mirror, a prism or the like which can be moved translational in the first and the second direction and swivelled around the first and the second axis with the apparatus according to the invention in order to direct or align a laser or a light beam for example. According to one aspect of the invention the movable part comprises an adjustment device which allows to move the optical element in a third direction which is perpendicular or in another angle to the first and the second direction. This is to adjust a focus of the lens, mirror or the like in a longitudinal direction what means in a direction of an axis of the lens, mirror or the like. The adjustment device can but needs not to be a monolithic part of the apparatus according to the invention. The adjustment device may comprise a mount for the optical element in the form of a ring or a pipe as a frame for the optical element especially if it is a lens and or a thread for adjustment in the third direction.

[0025] In embodiments of the invention the apparatus comprises adjusting screws to move the movable part in relation to the device mount in the first and the seconddirection and to swivel the movable part in relation to the device mount around the first and the second axes. These adjusting screws are screwed into or at a rigid area of the apparatus and abut against another rigid area of the apparatus which is flexibly connected to the one rigid area by one of the leaf springs. By turning the adjusting screws, the respective leaf springs are elastically bent and the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention is translational moved in the first or the second direction or swivelled around the first or the second axis.

[0026] For translational movement of the movable part of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in the first or the second direction with respect to the device mount an axis of the respective adjusting screw is in line with or parallel to the first, respectively the second direction. By this, an amount of axial movement of the adjusting screw by turning the screw is the same amount which the movable part of the apparatus according to the invention moves translational in the first, respectively the second direction, with respect to the device mount.

[0027] For accurate directing or alignment of the movement of the movable part of the apparatus according to the device mount in embodiments of the invention micrometre screws are used as adjusting screws. Micrometre screws have small pitches and have graduations at their circumferences which allow accurate movements.

[0028] A development of the invention comprises a preload spring which preloads the apparatus against the adjusting screw for the complete stroke of the adjustment. Especially there is a preload spring for every adjusting screw. The preload spring is fixed at one rigid area of the apparatus and forces another rigid area of the apparatus which is flexibly connected to the one rigid area by one or more of the leaf springs against one of the adjusting screws.

[0029] Preferably a stop limits the translational or swivelling movement of the movable part or a movable rigid area of the apparatus in relation to the device mount or another movable rigid area. There can be a stop for the translational movement in the first and / or the second direction and / or a stop for swivelling around the first and / or the secondaxis. The stop avoids damage of the apparatus especially plastic bending or rupture of the leaf springs.

[0030] The stop can be realized by a protrusion at a rigid area of the apparatus which protrusion protrudes into a recess in another rigid area of the apparatus which is flexibly connected to the one rigid area by one or more of the leaf springs. Between the protrusion and the recess is an interspace allowing the limited movement of the two rigid areas in relation on to the other.

[0031] Especially the apparatus or at least the movable part, the device mount, the leaf springs and rigid areas monolithic flexibly connected by the leaf springs are additive manufactured respectively manufactured by 3D printing, metal or plastic 3D printing for example. The invention does not exclude other ways of manufacturing the apparatus or its monolithic parts or areas.

[0032] According to the invention, the apparatus is monolithic what means the device mount, the leaf springs, the movable part and rigid intermediate and / or connecting areas connecting the leaf springs one with another are formed integrally in one piece. This does not exclude the apparatus comprising further parts which are not monolithic with the named parts.

[0033] All features mentioned in the description and / or shown in the drawings can be implemented individually or in any combination in embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention which do not comprise all but only some of the features of a claim, including the independent claim, are possible.

[0034]

[0012] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings which show an embodiment of the invention. In the drawings figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention;figure 2 is a perspective view of a monolithic component of the apparatus of figure 1; figure 3 is a front view of the monolithic component of the apparatus of figure 2; figure 4 is a section along line IV-IV in figure 3; and figure 5 is a section along line V-V in figure 3.

[0035] The apparatus 1 according to the invention shown in figure 1 is intended for aligning a laser beam into an end of an optical fiber which laser beam and which fiber are not shown. For this purpose the apparatus 1 comprises a movable part 2 which is flexibly connected to a device mount 3 of the apparatus 1 by leaf springs 4, 5, 6, 7 which leaf springs 4, 5, 6 7 allow translational movement of the movable part 2 in relation to the device mount 3 in a first direction 8 and in a second direction 9 and swivel of the movable part 2 in relation to the device mount 3 around a first axis 10 and a second axis 11. For aligning or directing the laser beam a lens 12 is attached to the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1. Instead of the lens 12 which generally can also be regarded as an optical element or another optical element as a mirror or a prism (not shown) can be attached to the movable part 2 of the apparatus. The first and the second direction 8, 9 as well as a third direction 30 are indicated in the drawings with double arrows and the first and the second axes 10, 11 are indicated in the drawings with dash-dot-lines.

[0036] The device mount 3 allows fixation of the apparatus 1 .

[0037] For example a mirror (not shown) as optical element can be fixed to the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 according to the invention. The apparatus is arranged such between the laser source and the end of the fiber that a laser beam emitted from a quantum cascade laser (QCL-laser) or an other semiconductor laser hits the mirror which reflects the laser beam into an end of an optical fiber. By translational moving the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 together with the mirror in two directions perpendicular to the laser beam the optical element can be aligned with the laser beam and by swivelling the movablepart 2 around two axes the reflected laser beam can be aligned with the fiber and directed into the end of the fiber. An optical element as a lens which is fixed at or in the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 according to the invention can be aligned coaxially with a laser beam such that the laser beam passes through a center of the lens and the lens can be aligned perpendicular to the laser beam with the apparatus 1 according to the invention by swivelling the movable part 2 together with the lens around two axes perpendicular to the laser beam.

[0038] Of course, the apparatus 1 can be used to align, direct or the like other light beams than laser with other optical elements than the lens like a mirror or a prism (not shown). Further the apparatus according to the invention can be used to move another element or component than an optical element in the first and the second direction 8, 9 and swivel it around the first and the second axis 10, 11 (not shown).

[0039] In the embodiment of the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings the directions 8, 9 and the axes 10, 11 cross each other perpendicular and the first direction 8 and the first axis 10 as well as the second direction 9 and the second axis 11 are aligned or at least parallel. But embodiments of the invention may have the two directions 8, 9 and / or the two axes 10, 11 in other angles and need not to cross but can have distances one from the other.

[0040] According to the invention the movable part 2, the device mount 3 and the leaf springs 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are monolithic which means they are not manufactured as individual components and attached one to another, but they are manufactured integrally in one part especially by additive manufacturing respectively 3D printing, metal or plastic 3D printing for example.

[0041] In the embodiment of the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings the device mount 3 comprises a rectangular frame 13 which at one side has fastening lugs 14 for fixing the apparatus 1 to a base or the like.

[0042] The movable part 2 is arranged within in the frame 13 whereby there is an interspace 15 between the movable part 2 and the frame 13 surrounding the movable part2 in the frame 13 allowing movement of the movable part 2 in the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 in relation to the frame 13, respectively the device mount 3.

[0043] The movable part 2 is flexibly connected to the frame 13 by a pair of first leaf springs 4 and a pair of second leaf springs 5 which are arranged in the interspace 15 surrounding the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 according to the invention in the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 of the apparatus 1 (figures 2 and 3).

[0044] The first leaf springs 4 are arranged parallel to each other in the interspace 15 between the frame 13 and the movable part 2 on opposite sides of the movable part 2. The pair of parallel first leaf springs 4 form a kind of parallelogram guide for the movable part 2 in the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 which guides the movable part 2 very precise in the first direction 8 in the frame 13 which first direction 8 is perpendicular to the parallel first leaf springs 4.

[0045] The second leaf springs 5 are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first leaf springs 4 in the interspace 15 between the frame 13 and the movable part 2 on opposite sides of the movable part 2. The second leaf springs 5 are arranged on sides of the movable part 2 which are adjacent to the sides on which the first leaf springs 4 are arranged. The pair of parallel second leaf springs 5 form a kind of parallelogram guide for the movable part 2 which guides the movable part 2 very precise in the second direction 9 which due to the rectangular arrangement of the second leaf springs 5 to the first leaf springs 4 is perpendicular to the first direction 8. An arrangement of the second leaf springs 5 to the first leaf springs 4 in another angle than perpendicular would guide the movable part 2 in two directions in another angle than perpendicular (not shown).

[0046] Moving the movable part 2 in the frame 13, respectively the device mount3 in the first direction 8 bends the first leaf springs 4 elastically into an S-shape and moving the movable part 2 in the frame 13, respectively the device mount 3 in the second direction 9 bends the second leaf springs 5 elastically into an S-shape.

[0047] The leaf springs 4, 5 are strip-shaped areas of the apparatus 1 which are so thin that they can be elastically bent like leaf springs. One ends of the first leaf springs 4 are flexibly connected to the frame 14, respectively the device mount 3, over pairs of third leaf springs 6 which form X-structures and will be described later. Other ends of the first leaf springs 4 merge integrally in one piece into a rigid connecting area 16 of the apparatus 1 which rigidly connects the other ends of the first leaf springs 4 with one end of the second leaf springs 5. In the embodiment of the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings the rigid connecting area 16 has an L-shape with its sides parallel to adjacent sides of the frame 13 and adjacent sides of the movable part 2 and is movable arranged in the interspace 15 between the two adjacent sides of the frame 13 on an outer side of the rigid connecting area 16 and the two adjacent sides of the movable part 2 at an inner side of the rigid connecting area 16. The other ends of the second leaf springs 5 merge integrally in one piece into the movable part 2 such that the movable part 2 is movable guided in the first direction 8 by the pair of parallel first leaf springs 4 and in the second direction 9 by the pair of parallel second leaf springs 5.

[0048] The connecting area 16 comprises two protrusions on opposite sides of the connecting area 16 forming a pair of first stops 17. The first stops 17 are located at the other ends of the first leaf springs 4 and end in the interspace 15 between the frame 13 and the movable part 2, respectively the connecting area 16 at a distance from the frame 13. The first stops 17 terminate the movement of the connecting area 16 together with the movable part 2 in the first direction 8 when abutting against the frame 13 and thereby limit the movement of the connecting area 16 together with the movable part 2 in the first direction 8. Thus, the first stops 17 limit an amount of bending of the first leaf springs 4 and thereby prevent the first leaf springs 4 from plastic deformation or other damage.

[0049] Further the connecting area 16 comprises two protrusions on other opposite sides of the connecting area 16 forming a pair of second stops 18. The second stops 18 are located at the other ends of the second leaf springs 5 and end in the interspace 15 between the frame 13 and the movable part 2, respectively the connecting area 16 at a distance from the frame 13. The second stops 18 terminate the movement of the connecting area 16 together with the movable part 2 in the second direction 9 when abutting against the frame 13 and thereby limit the movement of the connecting area 16 together with themovable part 2 in the second direction 9. Thus, the second stops 18 limit an amount of bending of the second leaf springs 5 and thereby prevent the second leaf springs 5 from plastic deformation or other damage.

[0050] For swivelling of the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 according to the invention around the first axis 10 the apparatus 1 comprises two pairs of third leaf springs6 which two third leaf springs 6 of each pair cross one another forming an X-structure. A crossing line of the X-structure is coaxial to the first axis 10 which in the embodiment of the invention described herein and shown in the drawings is parallel to the first direction 8. The two pairs of third leaf springs 6 are located in the interspace 15 between the movable part 2 and the frame 13 on opposite sides of the movable part 2 but are not directly connected with the movable part 2. Instead, the two pairs of third leaf springs 6 merge at one end of their X-structure integrally in one piece into the frame 13, respectively the device mount 3 and at another end of their X-structure into the one end of the first leaf springs 4. The X- structures of the third leaf springs 6 form kinds of joints which allow swivelling of the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 together with the first and the second leaf springs 4, 5 and the rigid connecting area 16 around the first axis 10 by elastic bending of the third leaf springs 6. The joints formed by the X-structures of the crossing pairs of the third leaf springs 6 guide the swivelling movement of the movable part 2 around the first axis 10 in relation to the device mount 3 very precise.

[0051] Another such X-structure formed by a pair of crossing fourth leaf springs7 is arranged between the rigid connecting area 16 and the movable part 2 which pair of crossing fourth leaf springs 7 flexibly connect the movable part 2 swivelling around the second axis 11 with the rigid connecting area 16. The two fourth leaf springs 7 cross one another in a line which is coaxial with the second axis 11 . The two crossing fourth leaf springs 7 form a kind of joint which allows swivelling of the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 around the second axis 11 by elastic bending of the fourth leaf springs 7 and guide the swivelling movement of the movable part 2 around the second axis 11 in relation to the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 very precise.

[0052] A protrusion of the rigid connecting area 16 of the apparatus 1 projecting into a recess 19 in the frame 13 opposite to the first axis 10 forms a third stop 20 whichlimits a swivel angel of the movable part 2 around the first axis (figure 4). In the embodiment of the invention described here and shown in the drawings the third stop 20 as well as the recess 19 have a V-shape. There is an interspace between the third stop 20 and the recess 19 allowing the limited swivel of the movable part 2.

[0053] Another such protrusion forming a fourth stop 21 is located at the rigid connecting area 16 and projects into a recess 35 in a side of the movable part 2 facing one of the first leaf springs 4 (figure 5). The fourth stop 21 limits a swivel angle of the movable part 2 around the second axis 11 .

[0054] For moving the movable part 2 in relation to the device mount 3 the embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings comprises an adjusting screw 22, 23, 24, 25 for translational movement in the first and the second direction 8, 9 and for swivelling around the first and the second axes 10, 11 . A first adjusting screw 22 for the translational movement of the movable part 2 in the first direction 8 is perpendicular to the respective first leaf spring 4 screwed through the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 and abuts against the rigid connecting area 16 of the apparatus 1 at the other end of one of the two first leaf springs 4 which other end merges integrally in one piece into the rigid connecting area 16.

[0055] A second adjusting screw 23 for the translational movement of the movable part 2 in the second direction 9 is perpendicular to the respective second leaf spring 5 screwed through the frame 13 which forms the device mount 3 and abuts against the rigid connecting area 16 of the apparatus 1 at the other end of one of the two second leaf springs 5 which other end merges integrally in one piece into the movable part 2.

[0056] The first and the second adjusting screws 22, 23 are coaxial with or at least parallel to the first, respectively the second direction 8, 9.

[0057] A third adjusting screw 24 for swivelling the movable part 2 around the first axis 10 is perpendicular to the first and to the second directions 8, 9 screwed through a hook-shaped protrusion 26 which is monolithic with the frame 13. The third adjustingscrew 24 abuts against the rigid connecting area 16 at a distance from third leaf springs 6 forming the X-structures. The third adjusting screw 24 abuts against the rigid connecting area 16 near a side of the frame 13 which is opposite of the third leaf springs 6.

[0058] A fourth adjusting screw 25 for swivelling the movable part 2 around the second axis 11 is parallel to the second direction 9 screwed through a protrusion 27 which is monolithic with the rigid connecting area 16 which fourth adjusting screw 25 abuts against a protrusion of the movable part 2. The fourth adjusting screw 25 is arranged at a distance from the second axis 11 .

[0059] The adjusting screws 22, 23, 24, 25 are not monolithic with the apparatus 1 but are components of the apparatus 1 screwed through the frame 13 forming the device mount 3, respectively screwed through the rigid connecting area 16.

[0060] In the embodiment of the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings the adjusting screws 22, 23, 24, 25 are micrometre screws which have small pitches and graduations at their circumferences which allow accurate movements. The first and the second adjusting screws 22, 23 for the translational movement of the movable part 2 allow an adjustment with a resolution of 0,5 pm / ° and the third and the fourth adjusting screws 24, 25 allow an adjustment with a resolution of 0,0037 °.

[0061] In order to lock the adjusting screws 22, 23, 24, 25 against unintended turning, lock nuts 34 are screwed on the adjusting screws 22, 23, 24, 25.

[0062] The embodiment of the apparatus 1 according to the invention explained in this description and shown in the drawings comprises one first preload spring 29 and two pairs of second and third preload springs 36, 32. Each preload spring 29, 32, 36 acts on one or more of the two directions 8, 9 and / or of the two axes 10, 11. The preload springs 29, 32, 36 force the rigid connecting area 16 and the movable part 2 elastically against the adjusting screws 22, 23, 24, 25.

[0063] The first preload spring 29 is arranged horizontal and inclined above the frame 13 and acts in the first direction 8 as well as on the first axis 10 what means that the first preload spring 29 forces the movable part 2 in relation to the device mount 3 in the first direction 8 as well as around the first axis 10. For this one end of the first preload spring 29 is fixed at the frame 13 and another end of the first preload spring 29 is fixed at connecting area 26.

[0064] The pair of second preload springs 36 is arranged central horizontal and inclined before the apparatus 1 and acts on the second axis 11 . One ends of the second preload springs 36 are fixed to the connecting area 16 and other ends of the second preload springs 36 are fixed to the movable part 2.

[0065] One third preload spring 32 is arranged vertical on one side and in front of the apparatus 1 which third preload spring 32 acts in the second direction 9. One end of the third preload spring 32 is fixed at the connecting area 16 and another end of the third preload spring 32 is fixed at the movable part 2. There is another third preload spring on the back of the apparatus 1 which is not visible in the drawing.

[0066] The preload springs 29, 32, 36 act on full stroke of the respective adjusting screw 23, 24, 25, 26 from abutting against one stop 17, 18, 20, 21 until abutting against the respective opposing stop 17, 18, 20, 21. This allows for better adjustment retention in regards of external forces.

[0067] For adjustment of the lens 12 in the third direction 30 perpendicular to the first and the second direction 8, 9 the apparatus 1 comprises an adjustment device 31 which is arranged in, through or at the movable part 2 such that the adjustment device 31 and the lens 12 move and swivel with the movable part 2. In the embodiment of the invention explained in this description as shown in the drawings the adjustment device 31 comprises an inner pipe 33 in an outer pipe both pipes being coaxial to the third direction 30. The outer pipe 33 passes through the movable part 2 and is fixed in or at the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1. The inner pipe 33 is screwed into the outer pipe what allows a translational movement of the inner pipe 33 in the third direction 30 by turning the inner pipe 33. Theinner pipe 33 forms a lens mount for the lens 12 in or to which the lens 12 is fixed by glueing for example.

[0068] Instead of the lens 12 another optical element like a mirror, a prism or an optical grating (not shown) can be arranged at the inner pipe or without the adjustment device 31 at the movable part 2 of the apparatus 1 . Even another component than an optical element can be arranged in or at the adjustment device 31 or the movable part 2 (not shown).

[0069] The preload springs 29, 32, 36 and the adjustment device 31 are components of the apparatus 1 which are not monolithic with the apparatus 1 , respectively the frame 13, the movable part 2, the leaf springs 4, 5, 6, 7 and the rigid connecting area 16 of the apparatus 1 .

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 07 April 2026 (07.04.2026)1 . Apparatus for translational movement and swivelling especially an optical element to align a laser or light beam, the apparatus (1) being monolithic, the apparatus (1) comprising a device mount (3) configured to be fixed to a base, a movable part (2) being movable in relation to the device mount (3), a first leaf spring (4) flexibly connecting the movable part (2) with the device mount (3) and configured to permit translational movement of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) in a first direction (8) by elastic bending of the first leaf spring (4), and a second leaf spring (5) flexibly connecting the movable part (2) with the device mount (3) and configured to permit translational movement of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) in a second direction (9) at an angle to the first direction (8) by elastic bending of the second leaf spring (5), a third leaf spring (6) flexibly connecting the movable part (2) with the device mount (3) and configured to permit swivelling of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) around a first axis (10) by elastic bending of the third leaf spring (6) and a fourth leaf spring (7) flexibly connecting the movable part (2) with the device mount (3) and configured to permit swivelling of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) around a second axis (11) at an angle to the first axis (10) by elastic bending of the fourth leaf spring (7), the device mount (3), the first leaf spring (4), the second leaf spring (5), the third leaf spring (6), the fourth leaf spring (7) and the movable part (2) being formed integrally with each other, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises two third leaf springs (6) and / or two fourth leaf springs (7) the two third leaf springs (6) and / or the two fourth leaf springs (7) are arranged in an angle one to the other and cross in the first axis (10), respectively the second axis (11).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises two first leaf springs (4) and / or two second leaf springs (5), the two first leaf springs (4) and / or the two second leaf springs (5) being arranged at a distance from each other and parallel to each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that one end of the first leaf spring (4) or the third leaf spring (6) is rigidly connected to the device mount (3) and / or that another end of the second leaf spring (5) or the fourth leaf spring (7) is rigidly connected to the movable part (2) and / or that another end of the first leaf spring (4), the second leaf spring (5) and / or the third leaf spring (6) is rigidly connected to the first end of the second leaf spring (5), the third leaf spring (6) and / or the fourth leaf spring (7).

4. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises an optical element (13) and that the movable part (2) comprises an adjustment device (31) configured to move the optical element (13) in a third direction (30) at an angle to the first and to the second direction (8, 9).

5. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises an adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) configured to move the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) in the first and / or second direction (8, 9) or to swivel the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3) around the first and / or second axis (10, 11).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) is screwable arranged at the movable part (2) and acting on the device mount (3) or vice versa the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) is screwable arranged at the device mount (3) and acting on the movable part (2).

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that an axis of the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) is coaxial with or parallel to the first or the second direction (8, 9).

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the axis of the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) is arranged at a distance from the first or second axis (8, 9).

9. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25) comprises a micrometer screw.

10. Apparatus according to one or more of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a preload spring (29, 32, 36) configured to preload the apparatus (1) against the adjusting screw (22, 23, 24, 25).

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, characterized in that the preload spring (29, 32, 36) is arranged at a connecting area (16) or the movable part (2) and acts on the device mount (3) or the connecting area (16) or vice versa the preload spring (29, 32, 36) is arranged at the device mount (3) or the connecting area (16) and acts on the movable part (2) or the connecting area (16).

12. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a stop (17, 18, 20, 21) configured to limit translational or swivelling movement of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3).

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the stop (17, 18, 20, 21) comprises a recess (19, 22) and a protrusion which is arranged at a part of the apparatus (1) which is movable in respect to the recess (19, 22) and which protrusion protrudes into the recess (19, 22) with a space between the protrusion and the recess (19, 22) allowing the limited movement of the movable part (2) in relation to the device mount (3).

14. Apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) is additive manufactured, especially manufactured by 3D printing.

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