Laser Beam Aperture Tracking for Optical Element Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser irradiation apparatuses face challenges in preventing foreign substances such as dust, rust, and old paint coatings from adhering to optical elements during surface treatment, leading to deterioration and burnout, especially when using a deflection optical system like a revolving wedge prism.
Innovation Solution
A laser irradiation apparatus with a protective member that moves in synchronization with the beam's direction and position changes, featuring an aperture that follows the beam to prevent foreign substances from entering the optical system, and optionally includes a rotary optical system, mirror configurations, and airflow generation to enhance protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a deflection optical system (revolving wedge prism) is used to scan the laser beam across the surface, then the beam can cover a larger area and improve productivity, but the aperture diameter must be increased to prevent interference with the laser beam, making it difficult to prevent intrusion of foreign substances
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is configured to rotate together with the wedge prism, making the aperture position dynamic rather than fixed. This allows the aperture to track and follow the moving laser beam path, maintaining effective protection while accommodating the beam's movement across the scanning surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member replicates the rotational motion of the wedge prism, creating a synchronized copying motion. The aperture's position is copied from the beam's position, ensuring the aperture remains aligned with the beam path while the beam scans across the surface.
2Ease of operation
If the aperture diameter is increased to accommodate beam deflection, then beam interference is prevented, but foreign substances can more easily enter the optical system and adhere to optical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member rotates synchronously with the wedge prism, making the aperture position dynamic. This allows the aperture to follow the beam's movement, maintaining effective protection with a smaller effective opening while accommodating beam deflection during scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective member acts as an intermediary between the external environment and the optical elements. By rotating with the wedge prism, it dynamically adjusts its aperture position to follow the beam, providing continuous protection while allowing beam passage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed protective member with small aperture is used, then foreign substance intrusion is prevented, but the laser beam cannot be deflected to scan the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The protective member is made dynamic by coupling its rotation to the wedge prism's rotation. The aperture position changes dynamically to follow the beam path, enabling both protection and beam deflection functionality to coexist during surface scanning operations.
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
Effectively prevents foreign substances from entering the optical system, reducing the risk of deterioration and burnout, while maintaining a compact design and efficient surface treatment capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a protective member which is provided between the emission optical system and the beam spot, and which suppresses an arrival of foreign substances scattered from the irradiation object side to the emission optical system
Implementation Method 2
which has an aperture through which the beam passes
Implementation Method 3
which moves in connection with a change in at least one of an irradiation direction and an optical path position of the beam so that a position of the aperture is positioned on a path of the beam
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a laser irradiation apparatus which suppresses adhesion of foreign matters to an optical element, a laser irradiation device includes: emission optical systems, which form a beam in which laser light generated by a laser oscillator converges on a predetermined beam spot, and continuously change an irradiation direction or the like of the beam; and a protective member which is arranged between the emission optical system and the beam spot, and protects the emission optical system from foreign matters scattered from an irradiation object side, and the protective member has an aperture through which the beam passes and moves in connection with a change of the irradiation direction or the like of the beam so that the aperture is positioned on a path of the beam.