Laser Beam Alignment Control to Protect Transmission Fibers
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-output power laser light used in machining often deviates from the core of transmission fibers, causing damage due to entry into the cladding, making it difficult to correct optical axis deviations with existing configurations.
Innovation Solution
A laser apparatus with an optical path changing component, actuator, and optical axis deviation detector that corrects optical axis deviations by displacing the optical path changing component based on detection results, ensuring accurate alignment with the core of the transmission fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a beam splitter and multi-split light receiver are used to detect optical axis deviation, then optical axis alignment can be achieved, but high-output power laser light damages the transmission fiber when it deviates and enters the cladding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a beam separator as an intermediary component that divides the high-power laser beam into a monitoring beam and a processing beam. The monitoring beam with lower power is used for optical axis alignment detection, while the processing beam carries out the actual machining. This mediator prevents the high-power beam from directly damaging the transmission fiber during alignment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam is segmented into two separate beams: a monitoring beam for alignment detection and a processing beam for machining. This segmentation allows the monitoring function to operate with reduced power that won't damage the fiber, while the processing beam maintains full power for effective machining.
2Ease of manufacture
If the laser apparatus configuration is simplified, then ease of manufacture and operation improve, but the ability to correct optical axis deviation of high-output power laser light may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The beam separator acts as a simple intermediary component that enables both monitoring and processing functions without requiring complex multi-component systems. This single component approach maintains ease of manufacture while ensuring reliable optical axis correction capability.
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 effectively corrects optical axis deviations of high-output power laser light, improving machining quality and preventing transmission fiber damage.
Implementation Method 1
an optical axis deviation detector that is disposed to surround the optical path of the laser light and detects an optical axis deviation of the laser light
Implementation Method 2
an actuator that is coupled to the optical path changing component and displaces the optical path changing component
Data Source
AI summary
Laser apparatus (10) includes at least: a laser oscillator that emits laser light (LB); reflection mirrors (M1), (M2) that are disposed on an optical path of laser light (LB) and change the optical path; actuators (ACT1), (ACT2) that are respectively coupled to reflection mirrors (M1), (M2) and displace reflection mirrors (M1), (M2); optical axis deviation detector (16) that is disposed to surround the optical path of laser light (LB) and detects an optical axis deviation of laser light (LB); and a controller that drives actuators (ACT1), (ACT2) on the basis of a detection result of optical axis deviation detector (16) to displace reflection mirrors (M1), (M2) and correct the optical axis deviation of laser light (LB).