JP6738088B2 - Laser irradiation device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a laser irradiation device.

As a conventional laser irradiation device, there is a laser irradiation device using a composite type optical fiber in which an optical fiber for laser light transmission and an optical fiber for image transmission for observing an object are combined (for example, Patent Document 1). See 1).

However, in the case of the laser irradiation device provided with the above-mentioned composite optical fiber, since the optical fiber for laser light transmission not involved in image transmission is incorporated in the center of the inside of the composite optical fiber, the image obtained by the optical fiber for image transmission is A blank region was generated in the central portion, and it was not possible to confirm the condition of the region where the laser light was irradiated on the object and/or the irradiated region.

JP, 9-216086, A

It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation device capable of irradiating a laser beam while confirming the condition of the region irradiated with the laser beam and/or the irradiated region.

The laser irradiation device of the present invention is a laser irradiation device for irradiating a laser beam to an object, wherein the laser irradiation device is a laser light source configured to emit the laser beam, and an illumination light to the object. An illumination light source configured to irradiate the laser light, an optical fiber for transmitting laser light configured to transmit the laser light emitted from the laser light source, and an image transmission configured to transmit the image light. A composite optical fiber comprising an optical fiber, and an optical system configured to irradiate the object with the laser light transmitted through the laser light transmitting optical fiber, wherein the object is irradiated with the laser light. An optical system configured such that at least a part of the light reflected by the object out of the illumination light is incident on the optical fiber for image transmission as the image light, and the object is irradiated with the laser light. An optical system drive unit configured to move the optical system between a first position and a second position where the laser light is not applied to the object, and the optical fiber for image transmission by the optical system. An image pickup device that generates an image of the object by receiving the image light that has been incident on and transmitted by the image transmission optical fiber; and the image pickup device when the optical system is in the first position. A display image is generated based on at least the generated first image of the object and the second image of the object generated by the imaging device when the optical system is at the second position. And an image generator configured to generate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical system drive unit may be configured to move the optical system only when the object is not irradiated with the laser light.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser light may be pulsed laser light.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical system driving unit may be configured to move the optical system in synchronization with the timing of the pulse of the pulsed laser light.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the pulsed laser light may be QCW (quasi continuous wave) laser light.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image generation unit identifies at least a common portion in the first image and the second image, and based on the identified common portion, at least the first portion. The display image may be generated by superimposing the image and the second image.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser transmission optical fiber is arranged at the center of the composite optical fiber, and the image transmission optical fiber is around the laser transmission optical fiber and the laser transmission optical fiber. It may be arranged coaxially.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a display unit that displays the display image generated by the image generation unit may be further included.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device may be a device that processes the object.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the laser irradiation device may be a device that treats the object.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it is possible to provide the laser irradiation apparatus which can irradiate a laser beam, checking the area|region which a laser beam is irradiated and/or the condition of the irradiated area.

The figure which shows an example of a structure of the laser irradiation apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the cross-section of the composite-type optical fiber 20. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the path|route of the image light when the optical system 30 exists in a 1st position, and a path|route of a laser beam when the optical system 30 exists in a 1st position, (b) shows, The figure which shows an example of the 1st image of the target object imaged when the optical system 30 exists in a 1st position. (A) is a figure which shows an example of the path|route of the image light when the optical system 30 exists in a 2nd position, (b) shows the target object imaged when the optical system 30 exists in a 2nd position. The figure which shows an example of the 2nd image of. The figure which shows an example of the image for a display produced|generated by the image production|generation part 90. FIG. The figure which shows another example of the image for a display produced|generated by the image production|generation part 90. FIG. The figure which shows an example of the timing of ON/OFF of irradiation of a laser beam, and the timing of ON/OFF of the optical system drive part 40.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1. Basic Configuration of Laser Irradiation Apparatus The present invention realizes a laser irradiation apparatus capable of irradiating a laser beam while confirming the condition of the region irradiated with the laser beam and/or the irradiated region.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a laser irradiation apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The laser irradiation device 1 transmits a laser light source 10 configured to emit laser light, a laser light transmission optical fiber 21 configured to transmit the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10, and image light. And the optical system 30 configured to irradiate the object A with the laser light transmitted through the laser light transmission optical fiber 21. including.

The irradiation of the laser light onto the object A by the laser irradiation device 1 is performed by the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10 through the wavelength filter 70 and the optical fiber 21 for transmitting laser light of the composite optical fiber 20 to form an optical system. It is achieved by illuminating the object A via 30. A solid line arrow shown in FIG. 1 indicates an example of a path until the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10 is applied to the object A.

The laser irradiation device 1 further includes an illumination light source 50 configured to illuminate the object A with illumination light.

The irradiation of the object A with the illumination light by the laser irradiation device 1 is achieved by the irradiation of the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 50 toward the object A from the illumination optical fiber 60. The right-pointing dashed arrow shown in FIG. 1 indicates an example of a path until the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 50 is applied to the object A.

The optical system 30 of the laser irradiation device 1 is further configured so that at least a part of the light reflected by the object A among the illumination light applied to the object A is incident on the image transmission optical fiber 22 as image light. Has been done. The laser irradiation device 1 further includes an imaging device 80 that receives the image light transmitted from the image transmission optical fiber 22 by the optical system 30 to generate an image of the object A.

When the image of the object A is picked up by the laser irradiation device 1, the image light is input to the image pickup device 80 through the wavelength filter 70 through the image transmission optical fiber 22 of the composite optical fiber 20 through the optical system 30. To be achieved. The left-pointing dashed arrow shown in FIG. 1 indicates an example of a path until at least a part of the light reflected by the target A among the illumination light applied to the target A is input to the imaging device 80.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a cross-sectional structure of the composite optical fiber 20. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the laser light transmission optical fiber 21 includes a core 21a and a clad 21b around the core 21a. The core 21a is made of, for example, pure silica. The clad 21b is formed of, for example, pure silica to which fluorine and/or boron is added. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the image transmission optical fiber 22 includes a plurality of cores 22a and a clad 22b around the plurality of cores 22a. Each of the plurality of cores 22a is formed of, for example, pure silica. The cladding 22b is formed of, for example, pure silica to which fluorine and/or boron is added. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in the image transmission optical fiber 22, a large number of cores 22a are integrated by a common clad 22b, and a large number of island-shaped cores 22a and a sea formed continuously around them. The case of the sea-island structure including the clad 22b in the shape described above has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image transmission optical fiber 22 may be a bundle of many small-diameter optical fibers having one core 22a and one clad 22b.

Referring to FIG. 1 again, the laser irradiation device 1 includes an optical system 30 between a first position where the object A is irradiated with the laser light and a second position where the object A is not irradiated with the laser light. Further included is an optical system driver 40 configured to move the.

The optical system driving unit 40 drives the optical system 30 to move between the first position and the second position. Accordingly, it is possible to change the image capturing area of the image of the target object A captured by the image capturing device 80.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the first image of the object A captured when the optical system 30 is in the first position and the optical system 30 is captured when the optical system 30 is in the second position. The second image of the target object A will be described. 3 and 4, the case where the object A is divided into the first portion A1 and the second portion A2 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example. The first portion A1 indicates a portion of the object A above the joint W. The second portion A2 indicates a portion of the object A below the joint W. The reason why the object A is divided into the first portion A1 of the object and the second portion A2 of the object is that the object imaged when the optical system 30 is in the first position. To clarify that the imaging area of the first image of the object A and the imaging area of the second image of the object A imaged when the optical system 30 is in the second position are different. That is the reason. It is therefore clear that the invention also covers the case where the object A is not divided into a first part A1 of the object and a second part A2 of the object.

FIG. 3A shows an example of the path of the image light when the optical system 30 is at the first position and the path of the laser light when the optical system 30 is at the first position. FIG. 3B shows an example of a first image of the target object A captured when the optical system 30 is at the first position.

As shown in FIG. 3A, at least a part of the light reflected by the object A out of the illumination light applied to the object A passes through the optical system 30 at the first position as image light. It is incident on the optical fiber 22 for image transmission of the composite type optical fiber 20 via the optical fiber. The image light incident on the image transmission optical fiber 22 is input to the imaging device 80 via the image transmission optical fiber 22 and is captured by the imaging device 80 as a first image. A dotted arrow shown in FIG. 3A shows an example of a path from the image light to the image transmission optical fiber 22 from the object A through the optical system 30 at the first position. A solid line arrow shown in FIG. 3A indicates an example of a path through which the object A is irradiated with the laser light.

As shown in FIG. 3B, in the center of the first image, there is an area that is not imaged by the imaging device 80 because the laser light transmission optical fiber 21 is present. This area that is not imaged is called a blank area. In FIG. 3B, W indicates a joint (welding line) between the first portion A1 of the object A and the second portion A2 of the object A. Here, it is assumed that the laser light is applied toward the joint W to weld the joint W between the first portion A1 of the object A and the second portion A2 of the object A. .. Further, welding is performed over the entire joint W by moving the region of the laser light irradiated toward the joint W along the joint W.

When the first image is captured before being irradiated with laser light, the blank area of the first image includes a region to be irradiated with laser light. Further, when the first image is captured after being irradiated with the laser light, the blank area in the first image includes the area irradiated with the laser light. Therefore, even if the first image is confirmed, it is not possible to confirm whether or not the laser light is applied to the joint W and/or the laser light is applied.

FIG. 4A shows an example of the path of the image light when the optical system 30 is at the second position. FIG. 4B shows an example of the second image of the object A captured when the optical system 30 is at the second position.

As shown in FIG. 4A, at least a part of the light reflected by the object A out of the illumination light applied to the object A passes through the optical system 30 at the second position as image light. It is incident on the optical fiber 22 for image transmission of the composite type optical fiber 20 via the optical fiber. The image light incident on the image transmission optical fiber 22 is input to the imaging device 80 via the image transmission optical fiber 22 and is captured by the imaging device 80 as a second image. The dotted arrow shown in FIG. 4A shows an example of a path from the image light to the image transmission optical fiber 22 from the object A via the optical system 30 at the second position. The solid arrow shown in FIG. 4A indicates the moving direction of the optical system 30 from the first position.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the center of the second image, there is an area that is not imaged by the imaging device 80 because the laser light transmission optical fiber 21 is present. This area that is not imaged is called a blank area. In FIG. 4B, W indicates a joint (welding line) between the first portion A1 of the object A and the second portion A2 of the object A. Here, it is assumed that the laser light is applied toward the joint W to weld the joint W between the first portion A1 of the object A and the second portion A2 of the object A. Furthermore, by moving the region of the laser light irradiated toward the joint W along the joint W, the entire joint W is welded. In the case of the second image captured before being irradiated with the laser light, the blank area of the second image does not include the area to be irradiated with the laser light. In the case of the second image captured after being irradiated with the laser light, the blank area of the second image does not include the area irradiated with the laser light. Therefore, by confirming the second image, it is possible to confirm whether or not the laser light is irradiated onto the joint W and/or is irradiated.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the laser irradiation apparatus 1 includes a plurality of images (for example, the first image shown in FIG. 3B and the second image shown in FIG. 4B) imaged by the imaging device 80. The image generation unit 90 that generates a display image based on the image of FIG. When the optical system 30 irradiated with the laser light is in the first position and the optical system 30 not irradiated with the laser light is in the second position, the image generation unit 90 captures the first image. A display image is generated based at least on the captured second image.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a display image generated by the image generation unit 90.

The display image Ia+b is generated based on at least the first image Ia and the second image Ib. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the display image Ia+b is obtained by superimposing the first image Ia and the second image Ib, but is not limited thereto. The display image Ia+b can be generated in any manner as long as it is generated based on at least the first image Ia and the second image Ib.

Here, the first image Ia is the same as the first image shown in FIG. 3B, but the portion indicated by reference numeral S is displayed thick for the sake of convenience in the description below. The second image Ib is the same as the second image shown in FIG. 4B, but the portion indicated by the reference symbol S is displayed thick for the sake of convenience of the description below. The first image Ia and the second image Ib are images captured at different times. The first image Ia is an image captured temporally before the second image Ib, and the second image Ib is an image captured temporally later than the first image Ia.

Any standard can be adopted as a standard for superimposing the first image Ia and the second image Ib. For example, it is possible to use, as a reference, the edge portion of the joint portion W, which is a common portion (a portion indicated by reference symbol S in FIG. 5) between the first image Ia and the second image Ib. The edge portion of the joint portion W is a side surface facing the second portion A2 of the first portion A1 of the object A and/or a first portion A1 of the second portion A2 of the object A. It is the side to do. The edge portion of the joint W has characteristic points (swells and minute irregularities) whose size and shape are different depending on the location. Therefore, by comparing the first image Ia and the second image Ib, the feature points existing in both images among the feature points of the edge portion of the joint W are extracted, and the feature points are shared. It can be specified as a part. In this case, the generation of the display image Ia+b is achieved by specifying the common portion S and superimposing the first image Ia and the second image Ib on the basis of the common portion S. .. As a result, the display image Ia+b has a region wider than the first image Ia by the region M shown in FIG.

As can be seen from the display image Ia+b shown in FIG. 5, the first image Ia and the second image Ib are overlapped with each other so that the blank area existing in the first image Ia (the lower side of FIG. 5). It is possible to eliminate both blank areas from the display image Ia+b by complementing each other with the blank area existing in the second image Ib (dotted circle in FIG. 5). This makes it possible to confirm the entire area of the first image Ia and the entire area of the second image Ib.

In this way, by using the display image Ia+b generated by the image generation unit 90, it is possible to confirm the region irradiated with the laser beam and/or the irradiated region which could not be confirmed in the first image Ia. Is. Thereby, it is possible to irradiate the object A with the laser light while confirming the condition of the region irradiated with the laser light and/or the irradiated region. Furthermore, since the field of view is expanded by superimposing the first image and the second image, it is possible to more accurately and easily confirm the position where the laser light is irradiated and/or the position where the laser light is irradiated.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, another display image generated by the image generation unit 90 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 shows another example of the display image generated by the image generation unit 90. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the object A to be irradiated with the laser light has a pattern made of the letters B, and the laser light is emitted toward the line located in the center among the lines forming the letter B. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it is obvious that the case of irradiating laser light toward other portions of the letter B, other letters, various patterns such as a curved line is also included.

In the example shown in FIG. 6, as a reference when superimposing the first image I′a and the second image I′b, a common portion () between the first image Ia and the second image Ib ( It is possible to use (the part indicated by reference numeral S′ in FIG. 6) as a reference.

As can be seen from the display image I′a+b shown in FIG. 6, it was present in the first image I′a by superimposing the first image I′a and the second image I′b. By mutually complementing the blank area (lower dotted circle in FIG. 6) and the blank area (upper dotted circle in FIG. 6) that existed in the second image I′b, both from the display image I′a+b. It is possible to eliminate the blank area. As a result, the same effect as that of the example shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained.

2. Detailed Description of Components of Laser Irradiation Device With reference to FIG. 1 again, the components of the laser irradiation device 1 will be described in detail.

[Laser light source 10]
The laser light source 10 is configured to emit laser light. Although the wavelength of the laser light emitted by the laser light source 10 and the type of the laser light source 10 are arbitrary, it is preferable to use one appropriately selected according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing. The wavelength of the laser light emitted by the laser light source 10 is, for example, within the wavelength range from the visible region to the near infrared region.

When the laser irradiation device 1 is used for processing such as welding, the laser irradiation device 1 may be, for example, a YAG laser or a high-power fiber laser. When the laser irradiation device 1 is used for treatment of PDT or the like, for example, an Nd:YAG laser may be used as the laser irradiation device 1. As the laser light source 10, for example, a light source such as an argon laser, a dye laser, or a Ho:YAG laser may be used. The laser light source 10 may be a laser light source that oscillates a pulsed laser beam, or a QCW laser light source that oscillates a pulsed laser beam that quasi-continuously oscillates. It may be a CW laser light source that oscillates.

When irradiating pulsed laser light, the duty ratio of the pulsed laser light (irradiation ON time ratio to irradiation ON/OFF 1 cycle) is arbitrary, but it is appropriate according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing. It is preferable to use the selected one. For example, when there is a possibility of melting loss of the processed portion in processing such as welding, it is preferable to lower the duty ratio (i.e., increase the irradiation OFF time) in order to increase the cooling time. Further, the duty ratio may be changed continuously or discontinuously.

The repetition frequency of the pulsed laser light (the number of times of irradiation ON/OFF repeated in 1 second) is arbitrary, but the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing and the irradiation ON/OFF of the pulsed laser light described later. It is preferable to use one appropriately selected according to the time required to move the optical system in synchronization with. Further, the repetition frequency may be changed continuously or discontinuously.

The average output and peak output of the laser light are arbitrary, but it is preferable to use one appropriately selected according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing of the object. For example, it is preferable to use one having an average output of 300 W and a peak output of 3 kW for processing such as welding, and it is preferable to use one having an average output of 60 to 100 W for treatment such as PDT.

[Composite optical fiber 20]
The composite optical fiber 20 includes a laser light transmission optical fiber 21 and an image transmission optical fiber 22. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in the composite optical fiber 20, the laser light transmitting optical fiber 21 is arranged at the center of the composite optical fiber 20, and the image transmitting optical fiber 22 is around the laser light transmitting optical fiber 21. Although the case where the optical fiber 21 for laser irradiation is arranged coaxially has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the laser light transmission optical fiber 21 may not be arranged at the center of the composite optical fiber 20, the image transmission optical fiber 22 may not be provided around the laser light transmission optical fiber 21, or the image The transmission optical fiber 22 may not be arranged coaxially with the laser irradiation optical fiber 21.

The outer diameter and the length of the composite optical fiber 20 are arbitrary, but it is preferable to use one selected appropriately according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing. The composite optical fiber 20 has, for example, an outer diameter of 0.4 mm to 1.5 mm and a length of 1 m to several tens m.

[Optical system 30]
The optical system 30 is configured to irradiate the object A with the laser light transmitted through the optical fiber 20 for transmitting laser light. The optical system 30 is further configured so that at least a part of the light reflected by the object A among the illumination light applied to the object A is incident on the image transmission optical fiber 22 as image light. As the optical system 30, it is preferable to use one appropriately selected according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing, and for example, an objective lens and/or a scanning element. Further, the objective lens and/or the scanning element may each be configured by one optical element, or may be configured by a plurality of optical elements. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the case where the optical system 30 irradiates only the laser light transmitted through the optical fiber 21 for transmitting laser light to the object A has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the object A may be irradiated with the laser light transmitted via the laser light transmitting optical fiber 21 and the illumination light transmitted via the image transmitting optical fiber 22.

[Optical system drive unit 40]
The optical system driving unit 40 is configured to move the optical system 30 between a first position where the object A is irradiated with the laser light and a second position where the object A is not irradiated with the laser light. There is. The optical system driving section 40 drives at least one optical element that constitutes the optical system 30. The drive source of the optical system drive unit 40 for moving the optical system 30 is arbitrary, but it is preferable to use one selected appropriately according to the moving time, the moving distance, etc. For example, an electromagnetic actuator may be used, It may be a piezoelectric actuator or a servomotor. Further, in the examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case where the optical system driving unit 40 moves the optical system 30 only to one side (upward in FIGS. 3 and 4) with respect to the first position has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the third position may be moved to the other side (downward in FIGS. 3 and 4) with respect to the first position, or may be moved to both the one side and the other side. It may be moved in the original direction. A known mechanism such as a cylinder mechanism or a slide mechanism can be used as the mechanism for moving to one side and/or the other side. Further, a known mechanism such as a cam mechanism can be used as the mechanism for moving in the three-dimensional direction.

The optical system driving unit 40 moves the optical system 30 at least one reciprocation between the first position and the second position when the laser light is not irradiated, and when the laser light is irradiated, the optical system driving unit 40 moves the optical system 30 at least once. Drive 30 so that it is in the first position. By keeping the optical system 30 at the first position when the laser light is irradiated, it is possible to prevent the region irradiated with the laser light from being deviated from the desired irradiation position. The optical system 30 must be arranged at the first position when the laser light is irradiated, but the optical system 30 may be arranged at the first position when the laser light is not irradiated, It may be arranged in the second position.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the ON/OFF timing of laser light irradiation and the ON/OFF timing of the optical system driving section 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the laser light is a pulsed laser light having a cycle of 500 msec and a duty ratio of 20%. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the optical system driving unit 40 performs an operation of turning on the pulsed laser light in synchronization with the irradiation off timing. During 200 msec when the optical system driving unit 40 is turned on, the optical system driving unit 40 moves the optical system 30 so that the optical system 30 moves at least one reciprocation between the first position and the second position. To drive.

Note that, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the irradiation ON/OFF timing of the pulsed laser light and the ON/OFF timing of the optical system driving unit 40 have been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the irradiation ON/OFF timing of the pulsed laser light, the irradiation ON/OFF timing appropriately performed in the continuously oscillating laser light may be used.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, a case has been described in which the ON timing of the optical system driving section 40 is synchronized with the irradiation OFF of the pulsed laser light, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the ON timing of the optical system driving unit 40 may be synchronized with the irradiation ON timing of the pulsed laser light, or the ON timing of the optical system driving unit 40 may be changed to the ON timing of the pulsed laser light. The irradiation may not be performed in synchronization with the ON/OFF timing.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the duty ratio of the pulsed laser light, the drive time of the optical system drive unit 40, and the drive time interval are described using specific values, but the present invention uses these values. Not limited. For example, it is possible to adjust the duty ratio of the pulsed laser light, the drive time of the optical system drive unit 40, and the drive time interval to appropriate values according to the irradiation purpose such as treatment and processing.

[Illumination light source 50]
The illumination light source 50 is configured to illuminate the object A with illumination light. The type of the illumination light source 50 is arbitrary, but it is preferable to use one that is appropriately selected according to the purpose of irradiation such as treatment and processing. The illumination light source 50 may be, for example, an LED lamp capable of emitting blue, green, or red colors, a xenon lamp, or a halogen lamp. For example, by using an LED lamp capable of emitting each color of blue, green, and red as the illumination light source 50, it is possible to emit any color.

[Optical fiber 60 for illumination light]
The optical fiber 60 for illumination light is configured to transmit the illumination light emitted from the illumination light source 50 to the vicinity of the tip of the laser irradiation device 1. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the illumination light optical fiber 60 is provided so as to cover the outer periphery of the composite optical fiber 20, the tip side (right side in FIG. 1) thereof is located in front of the optical system 30, and the rear end side thereof. The left side of FIG. 1 shows a case where the composite optical fiber 20 is branched along the way and is connected to the illumination light source 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the tip of the illumination light optical fiber 60 may be located closer to the object than the optical system 30 within the range where the illumination light emitted from the tip of the illumination light optical fiber is emitted to the object, or vice versa. In addition, the tip of the optical fiber 60 for illumination light may be located on the side opposite to the object side with respect to the optical system 30. As the optical fiber 60 for illumination light, it is preferable to use one that is appropriately selected according to the purpose of irradiation such as treatment and processing. For example, it is preferable to use a multi-component glass optical fiber as the optical fiber 60 for illumination light. Alternatively, a quartz glass fiber or a plastic clad fiber may be used as the illumination light optical fiber 60. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows a case where the optical fiber 60 for illumination light is provided so as to cover the periphery of the composite optical fiber 20, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the illumination light optical fiber 60 may be provided at a position apart from the composite optical fiber 20.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the illumination light optical fiber 60 is not an essential component. For example, it is possible to omit the illumination light optical fiber 60 by transmitting through the image transmission optical fiber 22 of the composite optical fiber 20. Alternatively, the illumination light source 50 may be provided on the tip side (right side in FIG. 1) of the laser irradiation device 1 and the illumination light may be directly emitted from the illumination light source 50 to the object A to omit the illumination light optical fiber 60. It is possible.

[Wavelength filter 70]
The wavelength filter 70 is configured to transmit the light of the wavelength of the laser light emitted from the laser light source 10 and reflect the reflected light from the object A. Further, the wavelength filter 70 receives at least a part of the light reflected by the object A among the illumination light applied to the object A as image light after passing through the optical system 30 and the image optical fiber 22, It is arranged between the laser light source 10 and the illumination light source 50 and the composite optical fiber 20 so as to reflect the image light and transmit it to the imaging device 80. The wavelength filter 70 can be configured using, for example, a dichroic beam mirror having a dielectric multilayer film. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the case where the wavelength filter 70 is used has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, instead of the wavelength filter 70, any means that enables the laser light source 10 and the composite optical fiber 20 to be optically connected, and/or the composite optical fiber 20 and the imaging device 80 are optically connected. Any means that allows connection may be used.

Note that in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the wavelength filter 70 is not an essential component. For example, on the rear side (left side in FIG. 1) of the composite optical fiber 20, the laser light transmitting optical fiber 21 and the image transmitting optical fiber 22 are branched, the laser light transmitting optical fiber 21 and the laser light source 10 are connected, and The wavelength filter 70 can be omitted by connecting the image transmission optical fiber 22 and the imaging device 80.

[Imaging device 80]
The image pickup device 80 is configured to generate an image of the object A by receiving the image light that is incident on the image transmission optical fiber 22 by the optical system 30 and transmitted by the image transmission optical fiber 22. The imaging device 80 may be, for example, a two-dimensional camera having a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD or a three-dimensional camera. The CCD may be a color CCD or a black and white CCD. It is preferable that the frame rate (the number of images captured per second) of the imaging device 80 is 30 per second of the NTSC system used in a normal imaging device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, if a smoother image is required, it is possible to use an arbitrary frame rate depending on the situation, such as increasing the frame rate to 60 or 120.

[Image generation unit 90]
The image generation unit 90 is configured to generate a display image based on at least the first image and the second image captured by the imaging device 80.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the case where the images to be superimposed are two, that is, one first image and one second image has been described. Not limited to. For example, it is possible to superimpose an arbitrary number of images, and for example, a plurality of first images and a plurality of second images may be superposed.

Furthermore, in the process of superimposing a plurality of images, a plurality of images that are temporally continuous may be superposed, or some images that are not temporally continuous (for example, temporally continuous images may be superimposed). Some images selected from the plurality of images) may be superposed.

Further, in the process of superimposing a plurality of images, the first image when the laser light is irradiated serves as a reference when the images are superposed by halation caused by the high-intensity light generated upon irradiation. Sometimes common parts cannot be identified. In this case, an image in which a common portion can be confirmed before and after it may be used for superimposing without using the image having halation for superimposing.

Further, it is possible to arbitrarily set the time interval when the first image and the second image which are temporally before and after are overlapped with each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, when the edge portion of the joint W is used as a common portion which is a reference when superposing a plurality of images, in the example shown in FIG. 6, the reference when superposing a plurality of images Although the case where a pattern such as a character existing on the object is used as the common portion has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as the common part, it is possible to appropriately select an arbitrary part such as a lesion part existing in the object to be treated or a hole or a projection part existing in the object to be processed. Since extraction of these common portions can be performed using a known image recognition method (pattern matching), the details thereof will be omitted.

In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first image is an image temporally earlier than the second image, and the second image is an image temporally later than the first image. The present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first image may be an image temporally later than the second image, and the image of the second image may be an image temporally earlier than the first image.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reference when superimposing a plurality of images is the common part to the plurality of images, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the position of the optical system may be detected by a position detection sensor such as GPS or an acceleration sensor, and a plurality of images may be superposed on the basis of the detected position. In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the case where the field of view is expanded by superimposing the first image and the second image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second image may be overlapped within a range that does not exceed the imaging region of the first image.

[Display unit 100]
The display unit 100 is configured to display the display image generated by the image generation unit 90. For example, the display unit 10 may be a CRT monitor, a liquid crystal monitor, or an organic EL monitor. The display unit 10 may be a monochrome monitor or a color monitor. By displaying the display image on the display unit 100, the operator of the laser irradiation device 1 can confirm the condition of the region irradiated with the laser light and/or the irradiated region. This makes it possible to accurately irradiate the desired irradiation position with the laser light.

Note that in the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the display unit 100 is not an essential component. For example, instead of mounting the display unit 100 as a part of the laser irradiation device 1, the display unit 100 can be mounted as a display device outside the laser irradiation device 1. In this case, by connecting the display device and the laser irradiation device 1 by any means, the display device can be made to function as an equivalent to the display unit 100. Therefore, the display unit 100 can be omitted. Alternatively, when the robot or the like checks the condition of the area irradiated with the laser light and/or the irradiated area based on the display image generated by the image generation unit 90, it is necessary to display the display image. Absent. Therefore, the display unit 100 can be omitted.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the case where at least a part of the light reflected by the object A among the illumination light applied to the object A is used as the image light has been described. The invention is not limited to this. For example, the image light may include light emitted by heating the object A by irradiating the object A with laser light.

The laser irradiation device 1 may be a device that processes the target A (for example, a device that performs welding, cutting, cutting, drilling, or the like on the target A), or may target the target A. It may be a device that performs treatment (for example, a device that performs PDT, cautery, or the like).

3. Main Effects Achieved by Laser Irradiation Device As described above, according to the laser irradiation device 1, the first image captured at the first position where the laser light is irradiated and the laser light is irradiated. By confirming the area irradiated with the laser beam and/or the area irradiated with the laser beam, which could not be confirmed in the first image, by superimposing the second image captured while being in the second position which is not controlled. Is possible. Thereby, it is possible to accurately irradiate the desired irradiation position with the laser light while confirming the condition of the region irradiated with the laser light and/or the irradiated region. Further, since the field of view is expanded by superimposing a plurality of images, it is possible to more accurately and easily confirm the position irradiated with the laser light and/or the irradiated position.

Although the present invention has been illustrated by using the preferred embodiment of the present invention as described above, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to this embodiment. It is understood that the scope of the present invention should be construed only by the scope of the claims. It is understood that those skilled in the art can implement an equivalent range based on the description of the present invention and common general knowledge from the description of the specific preferred embodiments of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as a laser irradiation device and the like capable of irradiating a laser beam while confirming the condition of the region irradiated with the laser beam and/or the irradiated region.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser irradiation device 10 Laser light source 20 Composite optical fiber 21 Laser light transmission optical fiber 22 Image transmission optical fiber 30 Optical system 40 Optical system drive unit 50 Illumination light source 60 Illumination light optical fiber 70 Wavelength filter 80 Imaging device 90 Image generation unit 100 Display Department

Claims (10)

A laser irradiation device for irradiating an object with a laser beam,
The laser irradiation device,
A laser light source configured to emit the laser light,
An illumination light source configured to illuminate the object with illumination light,
A composite optical fiber comprising a laser light transmission optical fiber configured to transmit the laser light emitted from the laser light source and an image transmission optical fiber configured to transmit image light,
An optical system configured to irradiate the object with the laser light transmitted through the optical fiber for transmitting laser light, wherein the object is a part of the illumination light irradiated on the object and is reflected by the object. An optical system configured to enter at least a part of the generated light into the image transmission optical fiber as the image light;
An optical system driving unit configured to move the optical system between a first position where the laser light is applied to the object and a second position where the laser light is not applied to the object. When,
An imaging device that generates an image of the object by receiving the image light that is incident on the image transmission optical fiber by the optical system and transmitted by the image transmission optical fiber,
A first image of the object produced by the imager when the optical system is in the first position, and an image produced by the imager when the optical system is in the second position. An image generation unit configured to generate a display image based on at least the second image of the object. The laser irradiation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system driving unit is configured to move the optical system only when the object is not irradiated with the laser light. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the laser light is pulsed laser light. The laser irradiation device according to claim 3, wherein the optical system driving unit is configured to move the optical system in synchronization with a timing of a pulse of the pulsed laser light. The laser irradiation device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the pulsed laser light is QCW (quasi continuous wave) laser light. The image generation unit identifies at least a common portion in the first image and the second image, and determines at least the first image and the second image based on the identified common portion. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the laser irradiation device is configured to generate the display image by overlapping. The optical fiber for laser transmission is arranged at the center of the composite optical fiber, and the optical fiber for image transmission is arranged around the optical fiber for laser transmission and coaxially with the optical fiber for laser transmission. The laser irradiation device according to any one of 1 to 6. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays the display image generated by the image generation unit. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the laser irradiation device is a device that processes the object. The laser irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the laser irradiation device is a device that treats the target object.

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