JP5392427B2 - Combined laser light source - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a combined laser light source including a plurality of laser modules and a plurality of collimator lenses.

  First, the combined laser light source will be described. Conventionally, when the output (power) of laser light emitted from one laser module is insufficient, a plurality of the laser modules are used simultaneously, and the plurality of laser lights emitted from the plurality of laser modules are combined into one. Thus, a desired power as a laser light source was obtained. A laser light source that uses a plurality of laser modules at the same time, a plurality of collimator lenses paired with them, and a condensing lens for combining the plurality of laser lights into one is called a combined laser light source.

  Unlike a laser light source that uses only one set of a laser module and a collimator lens, the combined laser light source uses a plurality of laser modules and a plurality of collimator lenses, so that it takes time to assemble the number of collimator lenses used. In addition, the alignment (alignment work) between the collimator lens and the paired laser module requires time only for the combination to be used, so it takes a lot of time to make one combined laser light source. Become.

  Further, the combined laser light source uses a plurality of laser modules and a plurality of collimator lenses, and requires a large installation space in terms of structure, so that the size as the light source tends to increase. Therefore, a structure in which the laser module and the collimator lens are arranged as efficiently and space-saving as possible is desired.

  In addition, since the combined laser light source uses a plurality of laser modules and a plurality of collimator lenses, the number of parts to be used is increased, and the laser light source is an expensive laser light source having a high part cost. Therefore, a highly reworkable structure that can be easily removed and replaced in the event of a work mistake or a component failure is desired.

  Conventionally, a spherical lens is fixed to a cylindrical lens holder by providing a step for holding the lens inside a cylindrical lens barrel, and the lens engaged with the step is attached to the lens barrel by a screwed ring screw. Some are fixed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, there are some which are configured as a lens array in which a plurality of collimator lenses are integrated, and the collimator lenses are arranged close to each other to reduce the light source size, reduce the number of assembly steps, and shorten the working time. (For example, see Patent Document 2)

  In addition, there is one that holds a lens unit folder of a camera module for a small camera with a leaf spring (having a gimbal structure) (for example, see Patent Document 3).

  Hereinafter, an example of a coupling unit using a plurality of collimator lenses will be described by a method of fixing a spherical lens to a cylindrical lens folder with a ring screw as in Patent Document 1 (ring screw type). FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the coupling unit of the ring screw type combined laser light source in the optical axis direction. The plurality of collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are attached at positions corresponding to the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c provided on the base 30, respectively. The base 30 is a part that comes into contact with the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c and the laser modules 40a, 40b, and 40c and requires assembly accuracy. Therefore, the base 30 is generally made of a metal such as aluminum.

  When the laser modules 40a, 40b, and 40c are attached to the base 30, the laser modules 40a, 40b, and 40c are not shown through an optical lens system such as collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c installed in the optical axis direction or a condenser lens (not shown). The position is adjusted to an optimum place so as to be converged at the tip of the fiber, but the adjustment method is not particularly limited in the present invention.

  Next, the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c have shapes in which the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are stored so as not to rattle, and the openings are provided with screw processing.

  The collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are respectively stored in the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c, and then fixed to the base 30 by ring screws 60a, 60b, and 60c. The outer shape of the ring screws 60a, 60b, 60c is made equal to or larger than the outer shape of the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, 20c, and the inner diameters of the ring screws 60a, 60b, 60c are the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, 20c. The outer diameter of the lens is larger than the effective diameter of the lens.

JP-A-4-274207 (paragraphs 0010 to 0012, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-202442 (paragraph 0024, FIG. 10) JP 2008-58732 A (paragraph 0016, FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional combined laser light source as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are individually formed one by one, and a plurality of ring screws 60a, Since 60b and 60c were used, a lot of time was required for the fixing work. Also, when tightening the ring screw, not only damage to the surface of the collimator lens by the tightening tool or inadequate tightening of the collimator lens due to the biting of the ring screw, but also burrs generated during thread processing, etc. When it is attached, it often adheres to the surface of the collimator lens due to peeling off, resulting in a problem of deteriorating the quality as a light source.

  In addition, the fixing method using the ring screws 60a, 60b, and 60c as shown in FIG. 2 causes problems such as the screw biting during rework as well as during tightening. There is a problem that a large work time and a risk of failure of parts occur.

  In addition, when the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are fixed with an adhesive without using the ring screws 60a, 60b, and 60c, the ring screw tightening work itself is eliminated, so that the above problem does not occur. Depending on the application to be used, it is difficult to control the conditions such as the adhesive outgas problem, adhesive application amount, curing time, curing temperature, etc. There was a problem that rework work was not possible.

  Further, in the case of the conventional example described in Patent Document 2, in order to configure a lens array in which a plurality of collimator lenses are integrated with each other, compared to a type in which a plurality of collimator lenses shown in FIG. Although a relatively small light source can be made and the assembly time of the collimator lens can be reduced by one, the assembly time can be shortened, but the same problem occurs because screws and adhesives are used to attach the collimator lens array. Was.

  Furthermore, in the case of the conventional example described in Patent Document 2, since a plurality of collimator lenses are configured as a lens array integrated with each other, not only the lens processing becomes complicated and expensive in terms of cost, but also a problem with one collimator lens. Even if this occurs, it is impossible to rework individual collimator lenses, so it is necessary to replace all collimator lenses, which is uneconomical in terms of cost.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a combined laser light source in which a plurality of collimator lenses are fixed at a time in a balanced manner, and reworkability is high, which is economical in terms of quality and cost.

The combined laser light source according to the present invention includes a plurality of laser modules that emit laser light, a plurality of collimator lenses that collimate each laser light emitted from the plurality of laser modules, and the plurality of collimator lenses. a base having a plurality of lenses boxes for fixing, provided on the base, and a single leaf spring in which a plurality of gimbal spring is provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of collimator lenses, the plurality of The collimator lens is held in the plurality of lens boxes by the plurality of gimbal springs provided on the plate spring .

  The combined laser light source according to the present invention can suppress variations in spring force for holding a plurality of lenses.

It is a block diagram of the coupling unit part of the combining laser light source of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram of the coupling unit part of the conventional multiplex laser light source. It is a front view of the lens pressing spring used for the combining laser light source of Embodiment 1 which concerns on this invention. It is a layout view of a gimbal spring and a fixing screw part for a triplex laser light source according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is a layout view of a gimbal spring and a fixing screw part for a 7-multiplex laser source according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. It is sectional drawing showing the state in which the groove part of the gimbal spring structure of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention corresponds with the outermost shape of a collimator lens. It is an expanded sectional view showing the state where the groove part of the gimbal spring structure of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention is not in agreement with the outermost shape of a collimator lens. It is the cross-sectional enlarged view which showed the state which the groove part of the gimbal spring structure of Embodiment 3 which concerns on this invention does not correspond to the outermost shape of a collimator lens. The front view of the lens pressing spring in which the gimbal spring of Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention was formed in high density. The front view of the reinforcement board used simultaneously with the lens pressing spring in which the gimbal spring of Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention was formed in high density. It is a block diagram of the coupling unit part of a combined laser light source which uses the reinforcing plate of the leaf | plate spring of Embodiment 4 which concerns on this invention. It is a front view explaining the assembly method of the coupling unit part of the combining laser light source of Embodiment 5 which concerns on this invention. It is AA sectional drawing explaining the assembly method of the coupling unit part of the combining laser light source of Embodiment 5 which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, a combined laser light source according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a laser module and a coupling unit of a combined laser light source according to the present invention in the optical axis direction. Reference numerals 40a, 40b, and 40c denote a plurality of laser modules, which respectively correspond to lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c provided on the base 30. The base 30 is a part for fixing the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c and the laser modules 40a, 40b, and 40c, and requires assembly accuracy. Therefore, the base 30 is generally made by precision machining a metal such as aluminum. Yes.

  The laser modules 40a, 40b, and 40c are arranged in accordance with optical lens systems such as collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c and a condenser lens (not shown) that are installed in the optical axis direction in advance. The position of the laser beam emitted from 40b and 40c is adjusted to an optimum position so that the laser beam is converged at the tip of one fiber (not shown), but the method is not particularly limited in the present invention.

  The lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c provided on the base 30 correspond to the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively, and the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c can be used during vibration and impact on the combined laser light source. In order to prevent the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c from being detached from the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c, ½ or more of the collar thickness d is stored in the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c, respectively. The external dimensions are designed so that the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c are not displaced. Further, since the projection amount of the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c is changed by changing the depth of the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c, the spring force of the gimbal spring can be adjusted.

  The leaf spring 10 is formed with gimbal springs 10a, 10b, and 10c for fixing the plurality of collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c, and corresponds to the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c, respectively. The gimbal springs 10a, 10b, and 10c and the lens boxes 30a, 30b, and 30c are designed so that the gimbal springs 10a, 10b, and 10c bend and hold at a desired stress by completely sandwiching the collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c. ing.

  Next, the leaf spring 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view for explaining the structure of a plurality of gimbal springs 10 a formed on the plate spring 10. The gimbal spring 10a includes an inner ring 11a, an outer ring 12a, and a base ring 17a, an inner ring bridge portion 13a that connects the inner ring 11a and the outer ring 12a, and an outer ring that connects the outer ring 12a and the base ring 17a. A bridging portion 14a, a gimbal spring inner groove portion 15a, and a gimbal spring outer groove portion 16a are provided.

  The inner diameter 11a of the gimbal spring 10a is designed to be larger than the effective lens diameter of the collimator lens 20a, and is in contact with and held in a region other than the effective region of the collimator lens 20a. By doing so, the laser beam emitted from the laser module 40a is not shielded. Further, when vibration or impact is applied to the combined laser light source, the inner ring 11a performs a seesaw motion for absorbing vibration around the inner ring bridge portion 13a, and the outer ring 12a is bridged by the outer ring. A seesaw motion is absorbed to absorb vibration about the portion 14a. In this way, vibrations and impacts applied to the collimator lens 20a are absorbed by the inner return 11a and the outer ring 12a of the gimbal spring 10a, and the retaining property is maintained.

  As described above, a plurality of collimator lenses paired with a plurality of laser modules can be held in a balanced manner at a time by a plurality of gimbal springs provided on one plate spring. Further, since it is a gimbal spring, it can be held with an appropriate stress without damaging the collimator lens, and the spring property is maintained unless it yields.

  In terms of quality, the ring screw is not used to fix the collimator lens, so the lens surface is damaged by the tightening tool, the lens is not tightened correctly due to the ring screw being caught, and the thread is processed. The burrs generated at the time of peeling off during screw tightening adhere to the collimator lens surface, eliminating the problem of deteriorating the quality of the light source.

  In addition, since no adhesive is used to fix the collimator lens, it is possible to rework the collimator lens due to outgassing problems due to the adhesive, variations in quality such as the amount of adhesive applied, curing time, and curing temperature. The problem of not disappearing.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the leaf spring 10 used in the combined laser light source according to the present invention. In order to simplify the description, a three-multiplex laser light source using three collimator lenses will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 4, when three collimator lenses are used, the gimbal springs 10a, 10b and 10c are generally formed in a triangular arrangement in order to minimize the installation area. Screw holes 101, 102, 103 for fixing screws for fixing the leaf spring 10 are provided in a space that is not necessarily used. Incidentally, the fixing screw is a general screw such as a commercially available M3 screw and is not special.

  When the screw holes 101, 102, 103 are thus arranged at the locations shown in FIG. 4, first, the outer ring bridging portion 14 a of the gimbal spring 10 a is symmetric with respect to the screw holes 101, 102, respectively. Formed as follows. Similarly, the outer ring bridging portions 14b and 14c (not shown) of the gimbal spring 10b and the gimbal spring 10c are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the screw holes 102 and 103 and the screw holes 101 and 103, respectively.

  In this way, the outer ring bridging portions 14a of the gimbal springs 10a, 10b, and 10c are located in the vicinity of the respective screw holes 101, 102, and 103, that is, each gimbal spring is positioned relative to the fixed screw position of the plate spring. Since the fixing screws (not shown) support the stress generated at the roots of the outer ring bridge portions 14a of the respective gimbal springs, the gimbal springs 10a, 10b, 10c The collimator lenses 20a, 20b, and 20c to be paired can be fixed in a balanced manner with a desired uniform spring force.

  At this time, by preventing the fixing screw used from directly interfering with the collimator lens, it is possible to eliminate concerns about damage to the surface of the collimator lens and dropping of burrs generated in the screw hole. In addition, assembly is facilitated, and the cost is low because of the commercially available M screws.

  FIG. 5 shows a lens holding spring used for a 7-multiplex laser light source using 7 collimator lenses. As in the case of the three-multiplex laser light source in FIG. 4, fixing screw holes 101 to 108 are provided in unused spaces, and the vicinity of the roots of the outer ring bridging portions 14a of the gimbal springs 10a to 10g are fixed for the fixing. The directions of the gimbal springs 10a to 10g are set so as to be in the vicinity of the screw holes 101 to 103. Even when the number of collimator lenses to be used is increased in this way, the same effect as in the case of a three-combined laser light source can be obtained in the same manner.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the gimbal spring formed on the leaf spring of the embodiment according to the present invention fixes the collimator lens to the lens box. The gimbal spring 10a includes an inner ring 11a, an outer ring 12a, and a base ring 17a. In order to hold the collimator lens 20a stored in the lens box 30a with a spring force, the gimbal spring 10a is deformed in the optical axis direction. It is in a state. The inner diameter of the inner ring 11a of the gimbal spring is designed to be larger than the effective lens diameter so as not to shield the laser beam.

  FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the outer end of the collimator lens 20a of FIG. The gimbal spring 10a is represented by an inner ring 11a, an outer ring 12a, and a base ring 17a. The outermost contour of the collimator lens 20a is aligned with the inner groove portion 15a of the gimbal spring between the inner ring 11a and the outer ring 12a. Since the gimbal structure is designed, the outermost portion of the collimator lens 20a is designed not to interfere with the outer ring 12a even when the collimator lens 20a vibrates.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the state where the outer ring 12a of the gimbal spring 10a and the outermost surface of the collimator lens 20a interfere with each other. When the outermost contour of the collimator lens 20a comes into contact with the outer ring 12a of the gimbal spring 10a, the inner ring 11a is lifted, the balance of the spring force as the gimbal spring is lost, and the collimator lens 20a is displaced.

  As described above, since the outermost contours of the plurality of collimator lenses coincide with the grooves of the plurality of gimbal springs provided in the leaf spring, even if there are excessively extended gimbal springs, Since the base ring portion and the collimator lens do not contact each other, the point of action with the collimator lens does not change and the spring property does not change, so that all the collimator lenses can be held with an equal spring force.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 9 shows a front view of the leaf spring when seven collimator lenses are formed with high density. If the collimator lenses are arranged at a high density in this way, the space between the collimator lenses is reduced and the space is reduced, so that the screw holes for the fixing screws for fixing the leaf spring 10 to the base 3 can be arranged at desired positions. Disappear. Therefore, as shown in the figure, for example, when the leaf spring 10 is fixed by the three screw holes 101 to 103, the stress generated at the base of the outer ring bridge portion of the gimbal springs 10a to 10g cannot be supported by the fixing screws. In particular, since the entire gimbal spring 10d floats, the collimator lens 20d (not shown) cannot be held.

  FIG. 10 shows a reinforcing plate for reinforcing a bridge portion between a plurality of gimbal springs according to the embodiment of the present invention. The reinforcing plate 50 is a hard material such as a steel plate having a thickness of about 1.5 times or more the thickness of the plate spring 10, and the size of the presser holes 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g. Is designed to have a size equivalent to the base ring of the gimbal springs 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g. For example, since the gimbal spring can produce a desired spring force by pressing the base ring portion of the gimbal spring 10a against the bridge portion of the presser hole 50a of the reinforcing plate, the collimator lens can be held uniformly.

  FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the configuration diagram in the optical axis direction when the reinforcing plate 50 is used. When it is difficult to provide the fixing screw for the leaf spring 10 at a desired position in this manner, the reinforcing plate 50 is disposed on the leaf spring 10 so that the reinforcing plate 50 is overlaid. The bridge portions between the gimbal springs 10a, 10b, and 10c can be reinforced by the bridge portions of the holes 50a, 50b, and 50c of the reinforcing plate 50.

  As described above, by further including a reinforcing plate that reinforces the bridge portion between the plurality of gimbal springs provided on the plate spring, the entire outer periphery of all the gimbal structures can be evenly and firmly printed with the reinforcing plate. Therefore, even in a narrow area where a spring fixing screw cannot be installed, all the collimator lenses can be held with a uniform spring force.

Embodiment 5 FIG.
FIG. 12 is a top view of the coupling unit of the 7-multiplex laser light source according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numerals 81 and 82 denote a positioning mechanism for positioning the components provided in a lens box for individually storing a plurality of collimator lenses and a leaf spring 10 for holding the plurality of collimator lenses. Positioning pins provided in an assembly jig are inserted into the positioning mechanisms 81 and 82.

  13 is an AA cross-sectional view of the coupling unit of the 7-multiplex laser source shown in FIG. The base 30 has a lens box 30a for storing the collimator lens 20a, screw holes 301, 308, 307, 304 to which the M screw 70 is fastened, and an arc for positioning the assembly jig (not shown). Z). Similarly, the leaf spring 10 is also provided with a gimbal spring 10a for holding the collimator lens 20a, screw holes 101, 108, 107, 104 for fastening the M screw 70, and positioning arcs 81, 82 in addition thereto. It has been.

  The assembly jig 60 includes a hole 60a for allowing the collimator lens 20a and the gimbal spring 10a to escape, and holes 604, 607, 608, and 601 through which the M screw 70 passes for fixing the leaf spring 10 and the base 30. Locating pins 61 and 62 are provided for fitting them with high accuracy. The positioning pins 61 and 62 engage with the positioning arcs 81 and 82, respectively. Further, by changing the sizes of the positioning pins 61 and 62 and the positioning arcs 81 and 82, it is possible to prevent erroneous insertion of components.

  As described above, a lens box for individually storing a plurality of collimator lenses, a gimbal spring provided on a leaf spring for holding the plurality of collimator lenses, and a bridge between the plurality of gimbal springs provided on the leaf spring. Since assembly is performed using an assembly jig for positioning with a reinforcing plate that reinforces the part, these parts can be assembled with high accuracy and good workability.

  11a Inner ring part of gimbal spring, 12a Outer ring part of gimbal spring, 13a Inner ring bridge part of gimbal spring, 14a Outer ring bridge part of gimbal spring, 15a Inner groove part of gimbal spring, 16a Outer groove part of gimbal spring, 17a Base ring part of gimbal spring, 10 Plate spring, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g Gimbal spring, 20a, 20b, 20c Collimator lens, 30 Base, 31a, 31b, 31c Lens box, 40a, 40b, 40c Laser module, 50 Reinforcement plate, 50a 50b, 50c, 50d, 50e, 50f, 50g Spring common hole of reinforcing plate, 60 assembly jig, 61, 62 positioning pin, 70 M screw, 81, 82 positioning arc, 101, 102, 103, 104, 10 5, 106, 107, 108 Screw holes for fixing leaf springs, 501, 502, 503 Screw holes for fixing reinforcing plates, 601, 604, 607, 608 Screw passage holes for assembly jigs.

Claims (4)

A plurality of laser modules that emit laser light; and
A plurality of collimator lenses for collimating each laser beam emitted from the plurality of laser modules;
A base having a plurality of lens boxes for fixing the plurality of collimator lenses;
Provided on said base, and a single leaf spring in which a plurality of gimbal spring is provided at a position corresponding to the plurality of collimator lenses,
The combined laser light source, wherein the plurality of collimator lenses are held in the plurality of lens boxes by the plurality of gimbal springs provided on the plate spring . The inner diameter of the inner ring of the gimbal spring is
The collimator lens has a diameter equal to or larger than the effective diameter of the collimator lens, and is fixed to the base by pressing the plurality of collimator lenses by contacting the collimator lens outside the effective diameter of the collimator lens. The combined laser light source according to claim 1 . The depth of the lens box for storing the collimator lens provided in the base is:
3. The combined laser light source according to claim 1 , wherein the combined laser light source is not less than ½ of a collar thickness of the collimator lens . For the base and the leaf spring,
The combined laser light source according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a positioning mechanism for positioning the base and the leaf spring is provided .

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