Laser Apparatus Effective Driving Time Calculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser apparatuses struggle to accurately determine the effective driving time and remaining life of light sources under various optical output conditions, from low to high output and continuous to pulse laser outputs, due to varying deterioration speeds and the difficulty in monitoring life before significant deterioration occurs.
Innovation Solution
A laser apparatus with a power source, control unit, recording units, and a calculation unit that calculates effective driving time through time integration of life load rates, using a ratio of standard to actual driving currents, and adjusts for pulse waveform corrections, enabling accurate monitoring of remaining life even under non-standard conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If constant standard driving current is supplied to the light source, then driving time can be easily determined, but accurate determination of actual driving time under various optical output conditions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing a life load rate that varies based on driving current conditions. Instead of using a constant standard driving current, the system calculates different life load rates corresponding to different driving current levels (e.g., 1.0 for standard current, 3.0 for higher current). This allows the system to easily determine driving time while accurately reflecting the actual life consumption under various optical output conditions by integrating the life load rate over time.
2Device complexity
If life prediction is based on simple operation time storage, then device complexity is reduced, but accuracy of remaining life monitoring deteriorates under varying current conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a life load rate as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the simple operation time storage and the accurate remaining life prediction. The life load rate acts as a weighting factor that translates actual driving conditions into equivalent standard driving time. By storing and integrating this intermediary parameter, the system maintains relative simplicity while achieving high accuracy in remaining life monitoring under varying current conditions.
3Loss of energy
If replacement timing is determined after deterioration appears, then maintenance costs are reduced, but productivity is lost due to unexpected failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and accumulating life load rate from the beginning of operation, enabling prediction of remaining life before significant deterioration occurs. The system continuously integrates the life load rate to determine the effective driving time and compares it against the total rated life, allowing users to plan light source replacement in advance. This prevents unexpected failures and maintains operational continuity while optimizing maintenance timing.
Data Source
AI summary
Even when a light source is driven under various conditions, an effective driving time is accurately calculated. A laser apparatus includes a light source, a power source which charges driving current to the light source, a control unit for controlling the power source, a first recording unit which calculates a life load rate of the light source and records the same in association with time, and a calculation unit which calculates, as an effective driving time, a time integration of the life load rate between a first time point, at which the laser apparatus is actually driven, and a second time point after the first time point, based on a recording result of the first recording unit.