Rotatable Laser Treatment Head for Flexible Beam Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser cleaning equipment has limited manoeuvrability due to heavy and vulnerable field lenses mounted at the front, which are exposed to contaminants, and lacks flexibility in directing the laser beam according to surface geometry.
Innovation Solution
A laser treatment head with a directional body that is configurable relative to the casing in at least two positions, allowing the laser bundle to be directed in various emission directions, including a range of 90° rotation, enhancing manoeuvrability and versatility on different surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a field lens is mounted at the front of the laser head to provide focus on the surface, then the laser treatment effectiveness is improved, but the manoeuvrability and safety of the laser head deteriorate due to the lens being heavy, expensive, and vulnerable to contaminants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the field lens from the front mounting position and extracts its focusing function. Instead, a protective glass is mounted at the front to shield internal components, while the laser head's directional body can be rotated to achieve proper focus angles without requiring a front-mounted lens. This extraction resolves the contradiction by eliminating the vulnerable, heavy lens from the exposed position while maintaining focusing capability through alternative means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective glass as an intermediary element between the laser head's internal optics and the external environment. This protective glass shields the internal field lens or focusing components from contaminants while allowing the laser beam to pass through. The intermediary protects the vulnerable components without compromising the focusing function, thereby improving manoeuvrability and safety while maintaining precision.
2Device complexity
If the laser head has a fixed emission direction to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the versatility and adaptability to different surface geometries deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the laser head's emission direction dynamic by introducing a rotatable directional body that can be adjusted to different angles. This dynamic capability allows the laser head to adapt to various surface geometries and treatment requirements. The rotation mechanism adds controlled complexity only where needed, maintaining structural simplicity in other aspects while achieving high versatility for different application scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable directional body enables a single laser head design to perform multiple functions by directing the laser beam at different angles. This universal design allows the same device to treat various surface geometries (vertical, horizontal, angled surfaces) without requiring multiple specialized heads, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Reliability
If the field lens is permanently mounted in the laser head to ensure stable focusing, then the reliability of the optical system is improved, but the vulnerability to contaminants and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by mounting a protective glass in front of the internal optical components before they can be exposed to contaminants. This protective barrier is installed in advance to prevent direct contact between contaminants and the vulnerable field lens, thereby maintaining optical system reliability while protecting against harmful factors. The protective glass acts as a preventive measure against potential damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective glass serves as an intermediary element that separates the internal optical system from the external contaminated environment. It allows the field lens to remain permanently mounted and stable for reliable focusing, while the intermediary protective glass absorbs the impact of contaminants, preventing them from reaching and damaging the critical optical components.
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
The solution provides greater flexibility and safety by allowing the laser beam to be directed optimally for various surface geometries, reducing the risk of lens damage and improving ergonomics and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
The laser head comprises a collimator and two movable mirrors. The movement of these mirrors is such that the collimated laser bundle scans the surface, through a field lens and an exit window with protective glass. The field lens provides focus on the surface.
Implementation Method 2
The laser head comprises a collimator and two movable mirrors. The movement of these mirrors is such that the collimated laser bundle scans the surface
Implementation Method 3
Laser treatment and laser cleaning are in themselves known in the state-of-the-art
Implementation Method 4
Laser treatment and laser cleaning are in themselves known in the state-of-the-art
Data Source
AI summary
In a first aspect, the invention relates to a laser treatment head comprising an input for a laser bundle, and further provided with a lens system for focusing the laser bundle and a scanning system for deflecting the laser bundle according to a one-dimensional or two-dimensional touch pattern. In particular, the laser treatment head further comprises an directional body configurable relative to the casing between at least a first position and a second position, for variably emitting the deflected laser bundle with said touch pattern, in at least a first or a second emission direction. In further aspects, the invention relates to a laser treatment device and a laser treatment process.