Slit Width Adjusting Device for Laser Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slit width adjusting devices for laser processing apparatuses face challenges in accuracy and mechanical stability due to complex mechanisms and repeated contact between slit members, leading to decreased detection accuracy and difficulty in high-precision slit width adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A slit width adjusting device with a pair of parallel slit members that can be moved to adjust their width, utilizing an absolute position detection system and a storage unit to store slit width tables correlating displacement amounts with drive instruction values, allowing for precise control of the slit width without a complicated mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the slit members are in contact and driven by a stepping motor with original point signal generation electrodes, then the slit width can be adjusted to a predetermined width, but the mechanism becomes complicated and the detection accuracy decreases due to repeated contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslit width adjustment accuracyVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based original point detection system with a non-contact optical detection system. The absolute position detection section uses optical fields to detect the original point position without physical contact between components, thereby eliminating the complexity of mechanical contact mechanisms while maintaining high detection accuracy for slit width adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an optical field as an intermediary between the detection system and the slit members. The absolute position detection section detects positions through optical fields rather than direct mechanical contact, serving as a mediator that enables accurate position detection without the complexity and wear associated with mechanical contact systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the original point signal generation electrodes are in contact repeatedly, then the slit width can be adjusted multiple times, but the accuracy of the contacting position decreases and mechanical stability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoriginal point position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based detection system with a non-contact optical detection system using an absolute position detection section. This allows the slit members to be adjusted repeatedly without the degradation in detection accuracy that occurs with repeated mechanical contact, as the optical field-based detection does not suffer from wear or positional drift

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The absolute position detection section automatically detects the original point position without requiring manual intervention or repeated mechanical contact. The system self-calibrates and maintains detection accuracy through the optical field-based detection mechanism, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical contact to establish position references

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slit mechanism rigidity is decreased due to contact mechanisms, then the device becomes more flexible for adjustment, but the detection accuracy of original point position decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveslit width adjustabilityVSAvoidoriginal point position detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based positioning system with a non-contact optical detection system. This substitution allows the slit mechanism to maintain its rigidity for accurate position detection while still providing full adjustability through the optical field-based detection method, which does not require mechanical contact or compromise structural rigidity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8680428B2Slit width adjusting device and microscope laser processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.03.25 MITUTOYO CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a slit width adjusting device comprising: a pair of slit members parallel to each other, which is moved to approach each other or to be separated from each other to adjust a slit width; a driving section to move the pair of slit members; an absolute position original point detection section to detect an arbitrary absolute position of the slit members as an original point; and an adjustment section to adjust the slit width, wherein the adjustment section comprises: a storage unit to store a slit width table in which a displacement amount of the slit width from the original point, and a drive instruction value corresponding to the displacement amount, are corresponding to each other; and a drive control unit to extract the drive instruction value corresponding to a specified slit width, to drive the driving section according to the extracted drive instruction value.