Dual-Lens Focus Adjustment for Vibration-Free Laser Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

In laser material processing, rapid and vibration-free adjustment of beam sizes and focus positions is challenging, especially for 3D processing and compensating for uneven surfaces or system fluctuations.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a movably arranged first and second lens unit, where the adjustment device moves these lenses in opposite directions to adjust the distance between them, using actuators and momentum transfers to prevent vibrations, allowing for quick focus adjustment and beam size changes without inducing device vibrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a single lens is moved quickly for focus adjustment, then the response speed is improved, but vibrations are generated that deteriorate processing quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefocus adjustment speedVSAvoidvibrations
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the counterweight principle by moving a second lens in the opposite direction to the first lens. When the first lens moves in one direction, the second lens moves in the opposite direction with comparable momentum, creating counterbalancing forces that cancel out vibrations and prevent them from being transmitted to the device housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the focus adjustment function into two separate lens units instead of moving a single lens. Each lens unit can be independently controlled and moved in opposite directions, allowing the system to achieve both rapid focus adjustment and vibration cancellation through coordinated movement of the segmented lens units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If complex stable constructions are used to prevent vibrations, then vibration stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevibration stabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by making the lens movement system itself generate the counteracting forces needed for vibration cancellation. The momentum transfers during lens movement automatically create opposing forces that stabilize the system, eliminating the need for separate vibration damping mechanisms or complex stable constructions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic movement control of the lens units to achieve stability. Instead of relying on static stable constructions, the system dynamically adjusts the movement of the two lens units in opposite directions, allowing the forces generated during movement to self-cancel vibrations and maintain system stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables fast, vibration-free focus adjustment in laser material processing, eliminating the need for complex stable constructions and achieving a compact, high-optical-effect z-adjuster with improved processing precision.

Implementation Method 1

a movably arranged first lens unit, which comprises a first lens, and a movably arranged second lens unit, which comprises a second lens, has an adjustment device that is designed to move the first lens unit in a first direction and the second lens unit in a second direction opposite to the first direction in order to adjust a distance between the first lens and the second lens for the focus adjustment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 2

When the lenses move quickly, the change in the momentums of the lens units causes forces to act on an external system, for example a housing or a holder of an adjuster. Due to the opposing movements of the lens units, these changing forces can be prevented from causing vibrations in the device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMomentum compensation: Conservation of Momentum

Data Source

PatentUS12083621B2Apparatus and method for focus adjustment for a material processing device, and device for laser material processing
Publication Date: 2024.09.10 JENOPTIK OPTICAL SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • US12083621B2 patent drawing
  • US12083621B2 patent drawing
  • US12083621B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An apparatus (112) for focus adjustment for a device (100) for laser material processing, which has a movably arranged first lens unit (124), which comprises a first lens (108), and a movably arranged second lens unit (126), which comprises a second lens (110), has an adjustment device (114) which is designed to move the first lens unit (124) in a first direction (116) and to move the second lens unit (126) in a second direction (118) opposite to the first direction (116) in order to adjust a distance between the first lens (108) and the second lens (110) for the focus adjustment.