Laser Shutter with Light-Absorbing Layer for Reflected Beam Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laser machining devices require additional space and cost for a separate beam damper to absorb reflected laser beams, and without it, the reflected beams can damage device components due to their machining energy.

Innovation Solution

A laser emitting device with a shutter that can interrupt the laser beam and a protection member with light-absorbing layers to safely direct and absorb the reflected beams, eliminating the need for a separate absorbing component.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate beam damper is provided to absorb reflected laser beams, then safety against laser damage is improved, but device size increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against laser damageVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the beam damper function with the shutter by forming a light-absorbing layer directly on the shutter surface. This integration eliminates the need for a separate beam damper component, thereby maintaining safety functionality while reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a beam interrupter and a beam damper. By incorporating the light-absorbing layer, the shutter can both block the laser beam when needed and absorb reflected beams, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate safety components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a separate beam damper is provided to absorb reflected laser beams, then safety against laser damage is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against laser damageVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the beam damper function with the shutter by forming a light-absorbing layer directly on the shutter surface. This integration eliminates the need for a separate beam damper component, thereby maintaining safety functionality while reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a beam interrupter and a beam damper. By incorporating the light-absorbing layer, the shutter can both block the laser beam when needed and absorb reflected beams, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate safety components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If the beam damper is removed to reduce device size, then device size is reduced, but safety against laser damage deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidsafety against laser damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the beam damper function with the shutter by forming a light-absorbing layer directly on the shutter surface. This integration eliminates the need for a separate beam damper component, thereby maintaining safety functionality while reducing device size and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a beam interrupter and a beam damper. By incorporating the light-absorbing layer, the shutter can both block the laser beam when needed and absorb reflected beams, making it a multi-functional component that eliminates the need for separate safety components.

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

Ensures safety by effectively absorbing and reducing the intensity of reflected laser beams within the device, preventing damage to components and maintaining a compact device size without additional absorbing components.

Implementation Method 1

When the shutter is at the first position, the shutter damps and reflects the laser beam as a reflected beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

When the shutter is at the first position, the shutter damps and reflects the laser beam as a reflected beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a light-absorbing layer is formed on an inner surface of the protection member. The reflected beam forms the prescribed angle with respect to the shutter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10651620B2Laser emitting device provided with shutter for interrupting laser beam

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 BROTHER KOGYO KK

AI summary

A laser emitting device includes: a laser oscillator; an electrical part; a protection member; and a shutter. The laser oscillator is configured to emit a laser beam in an emitting direction. The protection member is interposed between the laser oscillator and the electrical part to shield the laser oscillator. The shutter is disposed to form a prescribed angle with respect to an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator. The shutter is movable between a first position at which the shutter interrupts the laser beam and a second position at which the shutter does not interrupt the laser beam. When the shutter is at the first position, the shutter damps and reflects the laser beam as a reflected beam. The reflected beam advances toward a space between the laser oscillator and the protection member. The reflected beam forms the prescribed angle with respect to the shutter.