Laser Head Lens Assembly With Sealed Sliding Focus Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser processing systems face challenges with permanently connected focusing optics and lens inserts, leading to difficulties in aligning and replacing focusing optical systems, resulting in exposure to ambient atmosphere and inaccuracies in digital manual adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A head assembly for a laser processing system with a slidingly adjustable focusing lens assembly, secured by a monolithic cover plate and pivot arms, allowing for secure and remote control of lens displacement along the beam path, enabling easy replacement and precise alignment of focusing optics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If focusing optics and lens inserts are permanently connected, then structural simplicity is improved, but alignment capability and replaceability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidalignment capability and replaceability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal head is divided into separate functional modules: a fixed mount structure, a movable focusing optics assembly, and replaceable lens inserts. The focusing optics assembly can be independently adjusted relative to the beam path, and lens inserts can be swapped without replacing the entire assembly. This segmentation enables both structural simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate focusing optical systems and lens inserts are used with swappable adaptor plates, then replaceability is improved, but device complexity and exposure to ambient atmosphere worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereplaceabilityVSAvoidadaptor plates and openings
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal mount structure accommodates multiple lens insert sizes and types through standardized interfaces. The focusing optics assembly can work with different lens inserts without requiring separate adaptor plates, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining replaceability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Lens inserts are nested within the focusing optics assembly, which itself is nested within the terminal head housing. This nested arrangement allows compact integration of multiple components and eliminates the need for separate adaptor plates, reducing device complexity while maintaining replaceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If direct digital manual adjustment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but adjustment precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The manual adjustment mechanism is replaced with an automated motorized drive system that uses electronic signals for precise positioning of the focusing optics assembly. This substitution maintains ease of operation through electronic control while dramatically improving adjustment precision through digital feedback and control algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2760620B2Head assembly for a laser processing system
Publication Date: 2022.10.19 IPG PHOTONICS CORP
  • EP2760620B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2760620B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2760620B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a head assembly for a laser processing system, preferably a fiber laser processing system. An assembly system allows a secure and a slidingly focusing displacement of a focusing lens assembly relative to a beam path in a laser processing system. The assembly system provides easy replacement of desired focusing lens assemblies. Adaptive modifications are operative to provide computerized processor control of the focusing displacement and detection of an installed optical assembly and position thereof