Laser Apparatus Reference Surface Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional laser apparatuses face issues with precise alignment of optical components due to adhesive fixing, leading to misalignment and reduced input efficiency of laser beams into optical fibers, as the orientation of small optical components can vary with the direction and distribution of pressing force during adhesion, causing slight inclinations that affect the parallelism between optical axes and fiber cores.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves forming reference surfaces on attachment and fixing members to ensure precise parallelism between adhesion and mounting surfaces by measuring and adjusting angles using a laser autocollimator, allowing for precise adhesive fixing and high-precision alignment of optical components, such as collimator lenses and condensing lenses, with respect to the optical fiber axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adhesive fixing is used to fix small optical components and holders to the main body, then the fixing process is simple and widely applicable, but the positions of the optical components and holders are likely to be inclined from desired positions due to variation in orientation according to pressing force direction and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming precise reference surfaces on both the attachment part (holder or optical component) and the fixing member before the adhesive fixing process. These reference surfaces are created with high precision through machining or other precision processing methods, establishing a predetermined parallel relationship that guides the subsequent adhesive bonding. This preliminary preparation ensures that when adhesive fixing is performed, the optical components maintain their desired alignment without inclination, thereby resolving the contradiction between the simplicity of adhesive fixing and the precision of component alignment.
2Ease of operation
If the optical axis of the condensing lens is made parallel to the bottom surface of the package by pressing the lens against the holder, then the alignment should be correct, but the optical axis may not become parallel due to variation in orientation according to pressing force direction and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference surfaces as intermediary elements that mediate between the simple pressing operation and the precise alignment requirement. The reference surface on the holder and the reference surface on the attachment part serve as intermediaries that translate the simple act of pressing into precise parallel alignment. When the attachment part is pressed against the holder, the reference surfaces ensure that the adhesion surface becomes parallel to the mounting surface, which in turn ensures that the optical axis of the condensing lens becomes parallel to the bottom surface of the package and aligned with the fiber core axis, thereby resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If reference surfaces are formed on attachment and fixing members with precise angles, then parallel alignment can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex requiring angle measurement and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the alignment function into separate reference surfaces on different components. Instead of requiring complex precision machining of the entire assembly, the alignment function is segmented into a reference surface on the holder and a reference surface on the attachment part. Each reference surface can be processed and measured independently, and their relative parallel relationship is established through the adhesive bonding process itself. This segmentation reduces the overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high precision alignment, as each component can be manufactured and inspected separately before assembly.
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 method ensures precise parallel alignment of optical components with the optical fiber axis, enhancing the input efficiency of laser beams and allowing for the detection of defective products, thereby improving the overall performance and reliability of the laser apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
measuring and adjusting angles using a laser autocollimator
Data Source
AI summary
In a laser apparatus: an adhesion surface and a first reference surface making a first predetermined angle with the adhesion surface are formed on an attachment part, and a mounting surface and a second reference surface making a second predetermined angle with the mounting surface are formed on a fixing member which is directly or indirectly fixed to a main body and arranged to adhesively hold the attachment part. In a method for assembling the laser apparatus: a first angle between the second reference surface and a reference direction is measured; the orientation of the attachment part is adjusted while measuring a second angle between the first reference surface and the reference direction; and the attachment part is adhesively fixed to the fixing member when the second angle is equal to an angle predetermined based on the first angle and the first and second predetermined angles.