Modular Laser Cooling Device with Detachable Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling devices for laser arrangements are costly and require high precision alignment when multiple units are combined, leading to increased complexity and expense.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device with a detachable interconnection system, featuring a mounting area, cooling channels, coolant inlets and outlets, and coupling elements such as PCBs or Direct Bonded Copper multilayers with electrical connectors, allowing for easy scalability and alignment of multiple cooling devices without the need for complex water distribution plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If multiple cooling devices are combined to cool laser arrangements, then cooling capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost and alignment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is divided into modular cooling units that can be independently manufactured and then stacked together. Each unit contains complete cooling functionality including coolant supply holes, cooling channels, and coupling elements, allowing systematic combination without increasing alignment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling devices are designed with standardized universal coupling elements and coolant supply hole arrangements that enable any cooling unit to be interchangeably connected to form systems of different sizes. This standardization eliminates the need for custom alignment procedures when combining multiple units
2Temperature
If multiple cooling devices are combined to cool laser arrangements, then cooling capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cooling system into identical modular units, the patent enables mass production of standardized components. Each module can be manufactured independently using the same processes and materials, achieving economies of scale that reduce per-unit costs compared to custom-built multi-unit systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical copies of standardized cooling units with uniform designs for coolant supply holes, cooling channels, and coupling elements. This copying approach simplifies manufacturing by repeating proven designs rather than creating new custom solutions for each application
3Adaptability or versatility
If detachable interconnection is implemented, then scalability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed as universal standardized interfaces that provide detachable interconnection functionality across all cooling units. These universal connectors handle both mechanical attachment and coolant flow path alignment simultaneously, achieving scalability without proportionally increasing interconnection complexity
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
Enables simplified scalability of laser systems with reduced costs and material requirements, allowing for efficient cooling of high-power laser modules like VCSEL arrays, while maintaining precise alignment and coolant proof coupling.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling volume (140), which comprises cooling channels being arranged to cool the mounting area
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
The invention describes a cooling device (100) for cooling a laser arrangement and a laser system comprising at least two of such cooling devices (100). The invention further describes a method of manufacturing the cooling device (100) and the laser system. The cooling device (100) comprises a mounting area for the laser arrangement, a cooling volume (140) comprising cooling channels being arranged to cool the mounting area (105), a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet (150,145) being connected to the cooling channels of the cooling volume (140), a first coolant supply through hole (110) being connected to the coolant inlet (150), a second coolant supply through hole (111) being connected to the coolant outlet (145). The cooling device (100) further comprises at least one coupling element (115, 130, 135) enabling a detachable interconnection to a second cooling device (100) such that upon interconnecting the cooling device (100) to the second cooling device (100), the first coolant supply through hole (110) of the cooling device (100) being connected to a first coolant supply through hole of the second cooling device (100) and the second coolant supply through hole (111) of the cooling device (100) being connected to a second coolant supply through hole of the second cooling device (100), wherein the cooling device (100) being arranged in a way that a coolant can be supplied to the cooling volume via the first coolant supply through hole (110) and the second coolant supply through hole (111). The cooling device (100) enables a cost effective and scalable laser system.