Light Shielding Unit With Guided Diffraction for 3D Modeling Lasers
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Solution Overview
Problem
In three-dimensional modeling apparatuses, the increased power density of laser beams for improved productivity leads to heat accumulation in light shielding parts, potentially damaging them and degrading laser beam irradiation accuracy due to heat shielding inefficiencies and scattered light.
Innovation Solution
An optical apparatus with a light shielding unit that includes a zero-order diffracted beam aperture, an introductory reflection surface, a light guide path, and a light absorbing part, where the first-order diffracted beam is reflected and diffused to reduce power density and prevent temperature rises, using a mirror-finished surface and scattering reflection surfaces to enhance diffusion and absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power density of the laser beam is increased to improve productivity, then the output efficiency is improved, but the temperature of the light shielding part locally increases and there arises a possibility that the light shielding part should be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful first-order diffracted beam is extracted from the main optical path using a light shielding part with a light guide path that redirects the beam away from the zero-order diffracted beam path. This separates the useful light (zero-order) from the harmful light (first-order) that would otherwise cause temperature rise
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide path acts as an intermediary structure that receives the first-order diffracted beam and redirects it to a different location. The light guide path includes a light incident surface that receives the diffracted beam and a light guide surface that redirects it, preventing direct heating of the light shielding part while maintaining optical path separation
2Productivity
If the power density of the laser beam is increased to improve productivity, then the output efficiency is improved, but the irradiation accuracy of the laser beam should be degraded due to temperature rise of components
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful first-order diffracted beam is extracted and redirected away from the optical path using the light guide path structure. This prevents temperature rise of surrounding components that would otherwise cause thermal expansion and degradation of irradiation accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide path serves as an intermediary that intercepts and redirects the first-order diffracted beam before it can heat surrounding optical components. This maintains stable temperatures of mirrors and other elements, preserving the precision of the laser beam irradiation position
3Reliability
If a light shielding part is provided to block the first-order diffracted beam, then the useful light is protected, but light leakage occurs and the temperature of components therearound increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide path acts as an intermediary structure that receives the first-order diffracted beam and redirects it away from the optical axis. The light guide path includes a light incident surface for receiving the beam and a light guide surface for redirecting it, preventing both light leakage and temperature rise of surrounding components
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a simple opaque light shielding part that blocks and absorbs light (converting it to heat), the invention uses a light guide path with reflective surfaces to redirect the light mechanically. This substitutes the thermal management approach with an optical redirection approach, eliminating the heat generation problem
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
Effectively suppresses light leakage and temperature rises in the light shielding unit, allowing for higher power density laser beams without damaging the components, thus enhancing the accuracy and productivity of three-dimensional modeling processes.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination optical system for collimating a laser beam emitted from a laser light source into a predetermined shape
Implementation Method 2
an optical modulator for modulating the laser beam collimated by the illumination optical system into a modulated beam
Implementation Method 3
a projection optical system for guiding the modulated beam onto a target object
Implementation Method 4
a light shielding unit for passing a zero-order diffracted beam from the optical modulator therethrough and blocking a first-order diffracted beam
Implementation Method 5
an introductory reflection surface positioned in vicinity of a focus position of the first-order diffracted beam on an optical axis of the first-order diffracted beam and in vicinity of the zero-order diffracted beam aperture, for reflecting the first-order diffracted beam in a direction deviating from an incident direction of the first-order diffracted beam
Implementation Method 6
a light guide path having an introduction port to which light from the introductory reflection surface is incident and guiding light introduced from the introduction port, which is surrounded by a light shielding member
Implementation Method 7
a light absorbing part for absorbing light guided while being diffused by the light guide path
Data Source
AI summary
In a light shielding unit, an introductory reflection surface is positioned in the vicinity of a focus position of a first-order diffracted beam on an optical axis of a first-order diffracted beam and in the vicinity of a zero-order diffracted beam aperture. The introductory reflection surface reflects the first-order diffracted beam in a direction deviating from an incident direction of the first-order diffracted beam and going away from an optical axis of a zero-order diffracted beam. A light guide path has an introduction port to which light from the introductory reflection surface is incident and guides light introduced from the introduction port. A circumference of the light guide path is surrounded by a light shielding member. A light absorbing part absorbs light guided while being diffused by the light guide path.