Scanner Mirror Sealing in Laser Machining Heads for Particle Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser machining heads with scanner mirrors suffer from particle formation due to abrasion between movable components, leading to contamination in the optical space, which is critical in high-power laser cutting systems.
Innovation Solution
A laser machining head with a scanner unit featuring a mirror unit and a frame, equipped with an annular elastic seal that engages a circumferential groove and a diaphragm with a labyrinth seal, minimizes particle ingress by sealing the optical space from the drive components, and includes a cover for active cooling and pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a scanner mirror with movable components is used to dynamically deflect the laser beam, then high-speed beam deflection is achieved, but particle formation occurs due to abrasion between movable components
Solution Approach 1:
The scanner assembly is segmented into distinct functional zones: a clean optical space for the laser beam path and a contaminated drive space for the scanner mirror mechanism. This spatial segmentation prevents particles generated in the drive space from contaminating the optical space, while maintaining high-speed beam deflection capability through the scanner mirror.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal element acts as an intermediary barrier between the clean optical space and the contaminated drive space. This seal element prevents particle migration from the drive space to the optical space, allowing the scanner mirror to operate at high speeds without compromising optical cleanliness.
2Volume of moving object
If the scanner assembly is highly integrated with mounted components to reduce size, then compact design is achieved, but shielding the optical space from contamination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Even in a compact scanner assembly, the invention maintains clear spatial segmentation between the optical space and drive space. The seal element is strategically positioned to create an effective barrier despite the reduced overall size, ensuring that contamination prevention is not compromised by the compact integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element functions as a flexible barrier that adapts to the compact scanner assembly geometry. This flexible sealing solution effectively shields the optical space from contamination while accommodating the highly integrated, compact design of the scanner mirror and its mounting components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If movable components are used in the scanner mirror assembly to enable dynamic deflection, then beam positioning flexibility is improved, but abrasion between components increases leading to particle generation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segregates the movable components responsible for beam positioning flexibility into a separate drive space, isolated from the optical space by a seal element. This allows the scanner mirror to maintain its adaptability for dynamic beam deflection while preventing abrasion-generated particles from reaching the optical path.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element serves as an intermediary barrier that allows the movable scanner mirror components to operate with full flexibility in the drive space while preventing particle generation in the optical space. This mediator enables beam positioning versatility without the harmful side effect of optical contamination.
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 design enhances the cleanliness and durability of the optical space, reduces contamination risks, and improves cooling efficiency, making it suitable for multi-kilowatt laser cutting systems.
Implementation Method 1
an annular elastic seal element which is secured to the frame along an outer circumference of the seal element and engages along an inner circumference of the seal element with the groove
Implementation Method 2
a mirror unit with a scanner mirror... dynamically deflecting a laser beam... by a controlled tilting of one or more scanner mirrors
Implementation Method 3
a cover for active cooling and pressure equalization
Data Source
AI summary
A laser machining head includes a scanner. The scanner includes a mirror unit with a scanner mirror. The mirror unit has a groove that runs in a circumferential direction. The scanner further includes a frame capable of being secured in the laser machining head. The mirror unit is movably mounted in the frame. The scanner further includes an annular elastic seal secured to the frame on an outer circumference of the seal and engages with the groove on an inner circumference of the seal.