Laser Unit Vibration Isolation via Optical Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser apparatuses face challenges in efficiently dissipating heat and suppressing vibration generated by cooling airflow, limiting their cooling capacity and reliability, especially in compact high-output designs.
Innovation Solution
The laser apparatus incorporates a heat conduction member with high thermal conductivity, a partition member to separate the laser unit from the cooling gas flow, and a blower fan configuration that directs cooling gas through a through-hole in the frame to efficiently dissipate heat while minimizing vibration transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the laser apparatus is made compact to reduce size, then the volume is reduced, but heat generation becomes more serious and cooling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: the laser unit is mounted on an optical substrate that is separate from the housing, and the cooling fan is positioned in the housing rather than integrated with the laser unit. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's thermal management while maintaining compact overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical substrate acts as an intermediary between the laser unit and the housing. It provides a mounting surface for the laser unit while allowing cooling air to pass through to the heat dissipating member, effectively mediating both mechanical support and thermal management functions.
2Temperature
If a cooling fan is positioned to directly face the heat dissipating member for efficient cooling, then heat dissipation improves, but vibration generated by the fan is transmitted to the laser unit
Solution Approach 1:
The optical substrate serves as a vibration-isolating intermediary between the cooling fan and the laser unit. The substrate is mounted to the housing with mounting portions that provide mechanical isolation, allowing cooling air to pass through while blocking vibration transmission paths to the laser unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fan is extracted from direct integration with the laser unit and positioned separately in the housing. This separation removes the vibration source from proximity to the laser unit while maintaining the cooling function through the optical substrate's airflow path.
3Temperature
If the cooling air flow path is optimized for maximum heat dissipation, then cooling capacity improves, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The optical substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it mounts the laser unit, provides a path for cooling air flow to reach the heat dissipating member, and acts as a vibration isolation barrier. This multi-functionality achieves effective cooling without adding separate structural components.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function and cooling airflow path are merged into the optical substrate structure. The substrate's physical structure serves both mechanical support and thermal management purposes, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or airflow channels.
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 enhances heat dissipation efficiency and reduces vibration transmission to the laser unit, improving the overall cooling capacity and reliability of the laser apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conduction member that transmits heat generated by the laser unit to the frame
Implementation Method 2
a cooling structure in a laser oscillation apparatus that obtains output laser light by making light, which is emitted from a semiconductor laser, incident on an optical fiber for fiber laser as excitation light
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
In a laser apparatus, transmission of vibration, which is generated in a portion that generates a cooling gas flow, to a laser unit is suppressed, and heat generated from the laser unit is efficiently dissipated. A laser unit (35) is housed inside a box-shaped housing having a plurality of faces. A frame (33) supports a laser unit (35) with a first mount (40) interposed therebetween inside the housing. The frame (33) has a through-hole penetrating from one face side to the other face side. A blower fan (39) generates a flow of cooling gas for cooling the laser unit (35). The blower fan (39) is attached to, for example, a second housing (32) so as to face the laser unit (35). The cooling gas moves through the through-hole of the frame (33) between the blower fan (39) and the laser unit (35).