Articulated Laser Arm Mounting for Fewer Couplers and Beam Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing articulated arms for delivering laser beams suffer from energy losses and beam pointing variations due to multiple mirrors and couplers, which increase costs and reduce efficiency, while also requiring expensive engineering to minimize free play and maintain six degrees of freedom for precise movement.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with a base, bearing sleeve, and vertical support post allows the laser and articulated arm to be pivotable in two axes, reducing the number of couplers needed by integrating two-axis rotatability, thereby maintaining six degrees of freedom with fewer components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mirrors and couplers are used in the articulated arm to provide six degrees of freedom, then the precision and flexibility of beam delivery is improved, but energy loss increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function of providing rotational degrees of freedom from the articulated arm's internal couplers and relocates it to the external mounting structure. By mounting the laser and articulated arm assembly on a support structure that provides two-axis transverse pivoting, the invention removes the need for certain couplers within the articulated arm itself, thereby reducing the number of mirrors and energy loss while maintaining six degrees of freedom capability
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure acts as an intermediary between the fixed base and the articulated arm assembly. This intermediary structure provides the transverse pivoting capability that would otherwise require additional couplers within the articulated arm, thereby mediating the conflict between maintaining degrees of freedom and reducing energy loss through fewer mirrors
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple couplers are used in the articulated arm to enable six degrees of freedom, then the flexibility of movement is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pivoting function from the expensive articulated arm couplers and places it in the simpler support structure mounting system. This extraction reduces the number of couplers needed in the articulated arm from four to three, directly lowering device complexity and cost while preserving six degrees of freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure creates a simplified copy of the rotational/pivoting functionality that the couplers would otherwise provide. Instead of using complex articulated couplers for all rotations, the invention uses a simpler mounting structure that replicates the necessary degrees of freedom at a lower cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mirrors are used in the articulated arm to steer the beam through multiple tubes, then the flexibility of beam direction is improved, but beam pointing variations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts certain beam steering functions from the articulated arm's internal mirror system by providing transverse pivoting at the mounting level. This reduces the number of mirrors required within the articulated arm, thereby reducing cumulative beam pointing variations while maintaining the ability to direct the beam in multiple directions through the combination of mounting pivots and remaining arm articulation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration reduces energy losses, minimizes beam pointing variations, and decreases the overall cost of the articulated arm without compromising the degrees of freedom required for precise laser delivery, achieving improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
A support structure with a base, bearing sleeve, and vertical support post allows the laser and articulated arm to pivot in two axes transversely
Data Source
AI summary
A laser assembly includes a laser and an articulated arm having a plurality of couplers arranged to receive a laser-beam from the laser. The assembly is mounted on a support structure, and is rotatable on the support structure in two axes perpendicular to each other. Six degrees of freedom of motion of the end of the articulated arm can be accomplished with one less coupler in the arm than would be necessary without rotation of the assembly on the support structure.