Laser Optical Casing Structure for Safe Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems with laser sources pose safety risks during maintenance due to the potential for accidental exposure to laser beams, as current protection methods are either ineffective or cumbersome, and often overlooked, particularly for personnel not directly involved in the operation.
Innovation Solution
A compact optical system design featuring a casing with sliding and hinged parts that allow safe access for maintenance without disassembly, incorporating access openings that can be easily opened for maintenance while maintaining the laser beam within a controlled compartment, ensuring safety for nearby personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable laser protection device is used, then the optical system can be protected during maintenance, but the device is not often used because it is stored in a different location and people do not take the time to look for it
Solution Approach 1:
The protection device is merged with the optical system itself, forming an integrated casing structure that surrounds the laser source and optical components. This eliminates the need for separate removable protection devices stored elsewhere, making the protection always available and immediately accessible during maintenance operations.
2Reliability
If a shell-like structure is built around the optical system, then the laser beam cannot propagate outside the structure, but the structure is particularly cumbersome and requires rigorous positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is segmented into multiple parts including a fixed first part and movable second part(s). This segmentation allows the structure to provide complete laser beam containment when closed, while enabling easy access during maintenance by simply moving the second part, thereby reducing operational complexity without compromising safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing incorporates movable elements such as sliding second parts that can transition between closed (protection) and open (maintenance) positions. This dynamic design allows the structure to adapt between two states: providing rigorous laser beam containment during operation and enabling easy access during maintenance, eliminating the need for cumbersome fixed structures.
3Reliability
If the optical system is placed in a specific room, then the safety of nearby people is ensured, but it is not always possible to monopolize a specific room for one optical device
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is extracted from the environmental context (specific room isolation) and transferred to the device itself through the integrated casing structure. This allows the optical system to provide its own safety containment, making it adaptable to various installation locations without requiring dedicated rooms or space monopolization.
4Reliability
If the optical system is designed with a compact casing, then the structure allows safe operation and maintenance, but access to components requires disassembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The casing incorporates movable elements such as sliding second parts that can transition between closed (protection) and open (maintenance) positions. This dynamic design allows the structure to adapt between two states: providing rigorous laser beam containment during operation and enabling easy access during maintenance, eliminating the need for cumbersome fixed structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The casing is segmented into multiple parts including a fixed first part and movable second part(s). This segmentation allows the structure to provide complete laser beam containment when closed, while enabling easy access during maintenance by simply moving the second part, thereby reducing operational complexity without compromising safety.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical system (1) comprising: - a base support (10), - a laser source (20) emitting a laser beam, said laser source (20) being mounted on the base support (10), - at least one optical component (30) mounted on the base support (10) and receiving the laser beam, and - a casing (100) comprising a first part (110) and a second part (120), said first part (110) being fixed to the base support (10), the first part (110) comprising a first front wall (112) bordered by a portion (114, 116) of a first side wall (113), the first front wall (112) facing the base support (10), the second part (120) comprising a second front wall (122) bordered by a portion (124, 126) of a second side wall (123), the second front wall (122) extending parallel to the first front wall (112), the portion (124, 126) of the second side wall (123) being arranged in the extension of the portion (114, 116) of the first side wall (113), the first part (110) and the second part delimiting a compartment in which the laser beam propagates, the second part (120) comprising an access opening facing the second front wall (122), said access opening being arranged in order to allow access to the compartment (50).