Laser Stem Holder Recess Alignment for Dust Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass-less laser light source apparatuses are prone to image defects due to foreign substance adhesion, particularly dust particles, which can enter through air flows created by gaps between the laser stem and holder, and shavings from the assembly process can affect precise positioning and collimator lens adjustment, increasing costs and defect risks.

Innovation Solution

The light source apparatus features a holder with recessed contact surfaces that align with the laser stem's recesses, eliminating gaps between the stem and holder, and using photo-curable adhesive to secure the collimator lens, minimizing air flow and shaving accumulation, thus preventing foreign substance adhesion and maintaining precise positioning without expanding the collimator lens adjustment range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the laser stem is pressed into the holder without considering recess alignment, then assembly is simpler, but gaps are created that allow air flow and foreign substance entry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidforeign substance prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder's inner surface is designed with contact surfaces at specific locations that correspond to the recesses in the laser stem. This localized structural modification ensures that when the laser is pressed into the holder, the contact surfaces align with the recesses to eliminate gaps, preventing air flow and foreign substance entry while maintaining assembly simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surfaces act as intermediary structures between the holder and the laser stem. These surfaces are specifically positioned to interface with the recesses, mediating the connection to eliminate gaps without requiring complex assembly procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If the collimator lens adjustment range is increased to accommodate positioning variations, then positioning precision can be maintained, but assembly time and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelaser positioning precisionVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is pre-designed with contact surfaces positioned at optimal locations that correspond to the laser stem recesses. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that when the laser is assembled, it is automatically positioned at the correct location without requiring extensive adjustment of the collimator lens, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining positioning precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The structure of the holder with its specifically positioned contact surfaces enables the laser to self-align and self-position correctly during assembly. The contact surfaces guide the laser stem into the proper position, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustment of the collimator lens

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 design significantly reduces image defects from foreign substance adhesion and maintains precise laser positioning without increasing the collimator lens adjustment range, thereby reducing assembly time and costs.

Implementation Method 1

it is fixed to the holder with the use of photo-curable adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhoto-curable adhesive curing: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentEP3147717B1Light source device, optical scanning apparatus, and image forming apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 CANON KK
  • EP3147717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3147717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3147717B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

A light source device includes a semiconductor laser configured to emit a laser beam, the semiconductor laser including a stem provided with a cut-away portion; and a holder member including a cylindrical portion configured to hold the semiconductor laser, wherein an inner surface of the cylindrical portion has a surface opposing the stem, and wherein the opposing surface includes a contact portion disposed at a position corresponding to the cut-away portion and contacting the stem and a spaced portion spaced from the stem.