Laser Optics Casing Ionization for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Contaminants such as particles can deposit on optical components within the casing of a laser processing apparatus, leading to distortion, focus deviation, and decreased laser beam output, despite efforts to isolate them.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an ionizer within the casing to capture contaminants, and using a determination section to assess cleanliness based on ion production, ensuring that the optical components remain clean and functional.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the optical system is accommodated in a sealed casing to prevent particle deposition, then protection from external contaminants is improved, but contaminants from internal components (outgas from holders and actuators) can still deposit on optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle deposition on optical componentsVSAvoidoutgas from internal components

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An ionizer is introduced as an intermediary device inside the sealed casing to capture and neutralize both external particles and internal outgas contaminants before they can deposit on the optical components. The ionizer creates ions that attract and capture charged particles in the air, preventing them from reaching the optical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ionizer operates autonomously within the sealed casing to continuously clean the internal atmosphere. It self-regulates the contamination level by generating ions that capture both external particles that penetrate the seal and internal outgas byproducts, maintaining a clean environment without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the casing is opened for maintenance and adjustment of optical components, then accessibility for maintenance is improved, but particles can penetrate into the casing and deposit on optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidparticle penetration during maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ionizer continues to operate during maintenance activities to preemptively capture particles before they can deposit on the optical components. By maintaining ion generation during the open-casing period, the system proactively prevents contamination rather than reacting to it after the fact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ionizer operates continuously without interruption during maintenance, ensuring that the contaminant capture function remains active throughout the entire maintenance period. This continuous operation maintains protection against particle deposition even when the casing is open and accessibility is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Reliability

If optical components are isolated from the outside environment, then protection from atmospheric particles is improved, but internal components (holders and actuators) release outgas that contaminates the optical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from atmospheric particlesVSAvoidoutgas from holders and actuators

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The ionizer serves as an internal intermediary that addresses the contamination problem generated by sealed isolation. It captures the outgas byproducts and particles within the sealed environment, preventing them from reaching the optical components while maintaining the benefits of the sealed configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The ionizer creates a effectively clean internal atmosphere within the sealed casing by continuously capturing contaminants. This maintains an inert-like environment that protects optical components from both external and internal contamination sources, allowing the sealed design to function effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 configuration effectively prevents contaminants from depositing on optical components, maintaining the integrity of the laser beam's profile and focus, and allows for appropriate laser processing conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an ionizer that is disposed inside the casing and captures contaminants that are present inside the casing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentUS20230364707A1Laser processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.16 DISCO CORP

AI summary

A laser processing apparatus for processing a workpiece includes a holding table that holds the workpiece and a laser beam irradiation unit that applies a laser beam to the workpiece held on the holding table. The laser beam irradiation unit has a laser oscillator that emits the laser beam, a condenser that focuses the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator, at least one optical component that guides the laser beam from the laser oscillator to the condenser, a casing that accommodates the at least one optical component, and an ionizer that is disposed inside the casing and captures contaminants that are present inside the casing.