Laser Control Device Using Classifier for Safe Re-Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for detecting damage in optical fibers used in high-output laser devices are inadequate, as they often fail to accurately determine whether it is safe to re-output laser light after an abnormality is detected, leading to potential further damage to the fiber and oscillator, and require extensive manual investigation.
Innovation Solution
A laser control device that uses a processor to analyze time-series data of laser output and return light before and after an abnormality is detected, determining whether to enable or disable re-outputting of laser light based on input data, including state and environmental data, using a trained classifier to assess the safety of re-initiating laser output without physically passing light through the optical fiber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If light is passed through the optical fiber to detect damage, then damage detection capability is improved, but the risk of expanding damage to the laser oscillator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs damage detection by analyzing time-series data of laser output light and return light before actually passing light through the optical fiber. This preliminary analysis using stored data allows the system to determine damage state without exposing the fiber to new light that could expand existing damage.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of passing physical light through the optical fiber to detect damage, the system uses photodetectors to capture light amount data and creates a digital representation of the fiber's transmission state. This copying approach allows damage assessment without physical interaction that could worsen the condition.
2Measurement precision
If manual investigation of the laser device is performed to determine safety of re-output, then accuracy of damage assessment is improved, but the time required and operational downtime increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The laser device performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing time-series data of laser output and return light using photodetectors and a determination unit. This self-assessment capability eliminates the need for manual investigation while providing accurate damage evaluation, thus reducing operational downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors laser output light and return light using photodetectors, creating a feedback loop that provides real-time data about the optical fiber's condition. This continuous feedback enables automatic determination of damage state and safety of re-output without manual intervention.
3Reliability
If the laser light output is stopped immediately when abnormality is detected, then protection of the laser oscillator is improved, but the ability to determine whether re-output is safe is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system stores time-series data of laser output light and return light in memory before stopping the laser output. This preliminary data capture ensures that sufficient information is available to accurately determine re-output safety after the protective stop, resolving the contradiction between immediate protection and accurate reassessment.
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 approach allows for accurate determination of whether to re-output laser light, reducing the risk of further damage and minimizing manual investigation time, thereby preventing unnecessary expansion of damage and streamlining the operation of high-output laser devices.
Implementation Method 1
a photodetector that can detect the light amount in a short period
Implementation Method 2
an optical fiber for guiding laser output light to a processing head
Data Source
AI summary
A laser control device includes a processor configured to control, when a control circuit of a laser device detects occurrence of an abnormality in a laser oscillator or a laser optical system and stops laser output from the laser oscillator, the control circuit based on a result of determining whether to enable or disable re-outputting of laser light from the laser oscillator by inputting, to a classifier, input data being at least a part of environmental data and state data about the laser device in a predetermined period including a stop time of laser output. Then, the state data and the input data in the predetermined period include at least one of time-series data about a light amount of laser light and time-series data about a light amount of return light propagating in a direction opposite to a direction of the laser light in the predetermined period.