Rotary Laser Emission Surface Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rotary lasers face challenges in correcting the 'step error' due to changes in the coaxiality of the laser beam to the axis of rotation, which occurs when the laser beam has a lateral offset, leading to slight up and down movements during pentaprism rotation, and this adjustment is typically possible only after disassembly.

Innovation Solution

The emission surface is made adjustable in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation using adjustment elements, such as screws and spring elements, allowing for displacement of the emission surface carrier relative to the pendulum body, enabling precise alignment and correction of the laser beam's coaxiality with the axis of rotation without disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the laser device is arranged in the center of the housing and surrounded by components, then the device structure is compact, but the coaxiality adjustment of the laser beam to the axis of rotation can only be performed after disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidcoaxiality adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The emission surface carrier is segmented from the pendulum body, allowing independent adjustment of the emission surface position. The adjustment elements are integrated into the pendulum body structure, enabling coaxiality adjustment without disassembling the entire laser device from the housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The emission surface carrier acts as an intermediary component between the laser device and the pendulum body. It provides a contact surface that interfaces with the pendulum body's counter contact surface, enabling position adjustment while maintaining the compact integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the emission surface is fixed relative to the pendulum body, then the device structure is simple, but the step error caused by lateral offset cannot be corrected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidlaser beam alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The emission surface carrier is made dynamically adjustable relative to the pendulum body through adjustment elements. This allows the emission surface position to be modified to correct lateral offsets and eliminate step error, while maintaining a simple fixed structure during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameters of the emission surface relative to the axis of rotation can be changed through the adjustment elements. This enables correction of the lateral offset parameter that causes step error, improving laser beam alignment precision without complicating the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If adjustment elements are provided inside the housing, then coaxiality adjustment can be performed in the assembled state, but the housing structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoaxiality adjustmentVSAvoidhousing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment elements are merged with the pendulum body structure, which is already an integral part of the laser device. This combines the adjustment function with the existing structural components, enabling coaxiality adjustment in the assembled state without significantly increasing housing structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pendulum body serves multiple functions: it provides the rotating mass for the laser beam, supports the emission surface carrier, and integrates the adjustment elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms in the housing, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling assembled-state adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution allows for easy correction of the 'step error' in the fully assembled state by enabling precise adjustment of the emission surface's position relative to the axis of rotation, ensuring accurate laser beam alignment and reducing the need for post-assembly adjustments.

Implementation Method 1

The adjusting screws are inserted in threaded openings in the pendulum body and preferably act against an extension of the emission surface carrier that protrudes into a cavity in the pendulum body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

Spring elements are preferably provided to generate the contact force. The spring elements can be formed by helical compression springs or cup springs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

Multiple reflections of the laser beam take place within the optical waveguide, so that the beam cross section is homogenized and the aperture is illuminated essentially homogeneously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

The laser device carries a deflection element, which can be driven in rotation about an axis of rotation relative to the laser device in order to at least partially deflect the laser beam passing through the beam passage channel parallel to the axis of rotation into a plane of rotation running in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction and reflection: Prism

Data Source

PatentEP3236205B1Rotation laser
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 STATUS PRO MASCHENMESSTECHN
  • EP3236205B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3236205B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3236205B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a rotary laser with a housing (1) and a pendulum body (51) of a laser device (2) which is gimbal-mounted in the housing (1) and tiltable about two axes (40, 42) by actuating elements (6, 7). The laser device (2) has a beam transmission channel (52) with an emission surface (15) arranged at the bottom of the beam transmission channel (52) for emitting a laser beam (16). The laser device (2) further carries a deflecting element (18) which is rotatably driven about a rotational axis (11) relative to the laser device (2) in order to deflect the laser beam (16) passing through the beam transmission channel (52) parallel to the rotational axis (11) at least partially into a plane of rotation extending in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis (11). Adjustment elements (53, 35, 57) are provided to adjust the laser beam (16) from a radial To adjust the offset position (V) to the axis of rotation (11) into the axis of rotation (11).To correct the "step error", it is proposed that the emission surface (15) can be displaced relative to the axis of rotation (11) in an adjustment plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation (11).