JPH0666053U - Laser device safety mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] To prevent accidents when the optical fiber cable is not connected and improve the safety of the emission unit side. [Structure] The apparatus main body 10 includes a laser light generator 22, an incident unit 18, a controller 24, and the like. The incident unit 18 is provided with a microswitch 30 for detecting whether one end 14a of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the incident unit 18. Output unit 1
2 is provided with a micro switch 38 for detecting whether or not the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the emitting unit 12. The micro switch 38b and the display lamp 20 are connected to the control unit 24 on the apparatus body 10 side via the electric cable 16.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a safety mechanism of a laser device that sends laser light to an emission unit through an optical fiber cable.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In the laser processing apparatus, in order to perform laser processing at a plurality of places or at remote places, as shown in FIG. 7, laser light generated in the apparatus main body 100 is transmitted to the emission unit 104 through the optical fiber cable 102, The laser beam LB is emitted (irradiated) toward the workpiece W from the emission unit 104. In this type of laser device, since a high-power laser beam is generated, a high voltage is used in the power supply circuit in the device main body 100, the laser oscillator, etc., and it is extremely dangerous to get an electric shock. Also, if the laser light or scattered light hits the human body, there is a risk of causing burns and other injuries. Then, when the cover of the apparatus main body 100 is opened, the internal interlock mechanism is activated, the high voltage is cut off, and the oscillation output of the laser light is also stopped. Further, the emission unit 104 is provided with a label (danger display label) for prohibiting looking into the emission port or touching the unit.

[0003]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, in the conventional laser processing apparatus, no safety measure is taken when the optical fiber cable 102 is disconnected. One end of the optical fiber cable 102 is detachably connected to an incident unit (not shown) in the apparatus main body 100 via a connector 106, and the other end is detachably connected to an emission unit 104 via a connector 108. It is like this. Therefore, for example, the laser light LB may be transmitted from the apparatus main body 100 side in a state where the connector 108 is not attached to the emission unit 104. In that case, the laser light LB is emitted from the other end of the optical fiber cable 102. It was extremely dangerous because it came out in an undesired place or direction. Even when the laser beam is output from the laser oscillator with the connector 106 disconnected from the device body 100, the laser beam LB or its scattered light leaks from the incident unit of the device body 100 to the vicinity, which is very dangerous. It was

In addition, in the conventional laser processing apparatus, since it is not known on the emission unit 104 side whether or not the laser light can be output, especially on the apparatus main body 100 side, the invisible ( For example, YAG laser light may be combined with infrared rays) and an unexpected accident could occur.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to provide a safety mechanism for a laser device, which prevents an accident when the optical fiber cable is disconnected. A second object of the present invention is to provide a safety mechanism of a laser device for improving the safety of the emitting unit side.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, a first safety mechanism of the present invention is that a laser beam generated by a laser beam generating means is incident on one end of an optical fiber cable by an incident unit, and the other An optical fiber cable for detecting whether or not the optical fiber cable is connected to the incident unit or the emission unit in a laser device in which a laser beam emitted from an end is condensed and emitted by an emission unit. It is configured to have a connection state detection unit and a control unit that conditionally enables the laser light to enter one end of the optical fiber cable in response to a detection signal from the optical fiber cable connection state detection unit. .

In order to achieve the second object, the second safety mechanism of the present invention is that the laser light generated by the laser light generating means is incident on one end of the optical fiber cable by an incident unit, In a laser device in which a laser beam emitted from the other end of the optical fiber cable is collected and emitted by an emission unit, a control means for outputting a signal indicating a predetermined condition in the laser device and the emission unit are provided. A caution warning means provided for outputting a predetermined caution warning in response to the signal from the control means; and an electric cable for electrically connecting the control means and the display means of the emission unit. It is configured to have.

[0008]

[Action]

 In the first safety mechanism of the present invention, whether each end of the optical fiber cable is connected to the entrance unit or the other end of the optical fiber cable is connected to the exit unit It is detected by the fiber cable connection state detection means provided in the control means, and the control means can monitor the connection state of the optical fiber cable via the fiber cable connection state detection means. The control means generates laser light from the laser light generation means and sends it to the incident unit only when the optical fiber cable is connected between the incident unit and the emission unit, and the optical fiber cable is connected to the incident unit. When it is not connected to the emission unit, the output of the laser beam from the laser beam generator is prohibited, or it is cut off before entering the incident unit. Is not incident.

In the second safety mechanism of the present invention, the warning unit is provided in the emitting unit, and the control unit on the side of the incident unit controls the warning output of the warning unit via an electric cable. When this electric cable is not connected to both the display means and the control means, the caution warning means, for example, the display means remains off. I can inform you. Under the condition that this electric cable is connected to both the caution warning means and the control means, the caution warning means gives a predetermined caution warning in response to the signal from the control means, so that the connection state of the optical fiber cable is It is possible to inform the worker in the vicinity of the emission unit of the operating state of the laser light generating means, particularly whether or not the laser output is possible and whether or not the laser is being output.

[0010]

【Example】

 An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing the system configuration of a YAG laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the device body 10 and the emission unit 12 are optically connected by an optical fiber cable 14 and also electrically connected by an electric cable 16. A laser oscillator, a laser power supply circuit, a cooling device, and a control circuit (not shown) are provided in the housing of the device body 10, and the laser light LB output from the laser oscillator is connected to one end of the optical fiber cable 14. An incidence unit 18 for incidence is provided. The laser light LB that is incident on one end of the optical fiber cable 14 by the incident unit 18 is emitted from the other end of the optical fiber cable 14 in the emission unit 12 and emitted toward the workpiece W. . The emitting unit 12 is provided with a display lamp 20 for displaying on the emitting unit 12 side a predetermined condition inside the laser device, particularly an operating condition of the laser generator inside the device body 10. The display lamp 20 is connected to the control unit in the apparatus body 10 via the electric cable 16.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the system configuration of the laser processing apparatus according to this embodiment. In the device body 10, the laser light generator 22 includes a laser power supply circuit, a cooling device and the like in addition to a laser oscillator including a YAG rod, an excitation lamp, a resonator mirror and a shutter. The control unit 24 includes a control circuit, an interface circuit, a drive circuit and the like. The laser light LB output from the laser light generator 22 bends the optical path by the mirror 26 and enters the entrance unit 18, where it is condensed by the optical lens 28 and enters the one end 14a of the optical fiber cable 14.

The incident unit 18 is provided with a sensor, for example, a micro switch 30, for detecting whether or not one end 14 a of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the incident unit 18. When one end 14a of the optical fiber cable 14 is attached to the optical fiber mounting portion of the incident unit 18 via the connector 32, the actuator 30a of the microswitch 30 operates to close the switch 30b. . The switch 30b is connected to the control unit 24 via a wire 31 in the apparatus body 10, and the open / closed state of the switch 30b is monitored by the control unit 24. A socket 34 is connected to the control unit 24, and one end of the electric cable 16 is detachably connected to the socket 34 via a plug 36.

The emitting unit 12 is provided with a sensor, for example, a micro switch 38, for detecting whether or not the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the emitting unit 12. When the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 is attached to the optical fiber mounting portion of the emitting unit 12 via the connector 40, the actuator 38a of the micro switch 38 operates to close the switch 38b. There is. The switch 38b is connected to the socket 42 via the wiring 39 in the emitting unit 12. The other end of the electric cable 16 is detachably connected to the socket 42 via a plug 44. Under the condition that the electric cable 16 is connected to both the socket 34 of the device body 10 and the socket 42 of the emitting unit 12, the switch 38b in the emitting unit 12 is controlled via the electric cable 16 in the device body 10. Connected to the section 24, the control section 24 can monitor the open / closed state of the switch 38b.

The display lamp 20 provided on the outer side surface of the emitting unit 12 is made of, for example, a light emitting diode, which is also connected to the socket 42. Therefore, under the condition that the electric cable 16 is connected to both the socket 34 of the device body 10 and the socket 42 of the emitting unit 12, the display lamp 20 is also connected to the control unit 24 in the device body 10 via the electric cable 16. When connected, the control unit 24 can control the lighting of the display lamp 20. In the emitting unit 12, an optical lens 46 is arranged at a position on the inner side facing the optical fiber mounting portion, and the laser light LB emitted from the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 passes through the optical lens 46. The work W is focused and irradiated.

As described above, in the laser apparatus according to the present embodiment, the micro switch 30 for detecting whether or not the one end 14a of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the incident unit 18 is provided in the apparatus main body 10 and emitted. The emitting unit 12 is provided with a micro switch 38 for detecting whether or not the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the unit 12. The micro switch 30 on the apparatus main body 10 side is electrically connected to the control unit 24 via the internal wiring 31, and the micro switch 38 on the emission unit 12 side includes the internal wiring 39, the socket 42, and the removable one. It is electrically connected to the control unit 24 via the electric cable 16.

As a result, the control unit 24 can constantly monitor whether or not the one end 14 a of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the incident unit 18 via the micro switch 30, and the emitting unit 12 Whether or not the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 is connected can be monitored via the micro switch 38 as long as the electric cable 16 is connected between the apparatus body 10 and the emission unit 12. Is. Therefore, for example, the electric cable 16 is connected to the apparatus body 10 and the emission unit 12, but the optical fiber cable 14 is connected to the incident unit 18 but not to the emission unit 12, or It is possible to detect a state in which 16 is not connected to both or one of the apparatus main body 10 and the emission unit 12.

As described above, the control unit 24 controls the state in which both the optical fiber cable 14 and the electric cable 16 are connected between the apparatus body 10 and the emission unit 12 (normal connection state) and the state in which they are not. That is, it can be determined that at least one of the cables 14 and 16 is not connected to the apparatus main body 10 or the emission unit 12 (unconnected or incompletely connected state). As a result, the laser beam LB can be output from the laser beam generator 22 only when the laser beam generator 22 is in the normal connection state, and the laser beam LB is output from the laser beam generator 22 when the laser beam generator LB is not connected or incompletely connected. The output of the optical LB can be prohibited. Therefore, under the condition that the optical fiber cable 14 is not normally connected between the incident unit 18 and the emission unit 12, the laser beam LB is not output from the laser beam generator 22 and the laser beam LB is not output. Accidents due to erroneous emission or leakage of are prevented.

Further, in the laser device of this embodiment, the display unit 20 is provided with the display lamp 20, and the control unit 24 on the device body 10 side controls the display output of the display lamp 20 via the electric cable 16. It is possible. Although only one display lamp is shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of display lamps are provided, a display lamp that emits light of multiple colors is provided, and a display means such as a liquid crystal panel is used instead of the light emitting diode. It is also possible to use. Therefore, for example, when the electric cable 16 is not connected between the apparatus main body 10 and the emission unit 12, the display lamp 20 does not light at all, so that the worker near the emission unit 12 is not connected or is incomplete. You can notice the connection status. Further, under the condition that the electric cable 16 is connected between the apparatus body 10 and the emission unit 12, the display lamp 20 outputs a predetermined display in response to the display signal from the control unit 24. The connection status of the optical fiber cable 14, the operation status of the laser generation unit 22, that is, whether the laser output is possible, whether the laser is being output, and other various statuses are displayed near the emission unit 12. Can inform the workers. Therefore, the worker on the side of the emission unit 12 can safely perform the work based on the display output of the display lamp 20, and does not have to accidentally receive the laser beam LB by the human body.

2 and 3 are a partial cross-sectional plan view and a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of the incident unit 18 in the present embodiment. The entrance unit 18 is provided with an opening 50 for receiving the laser light LB from the laser light generator 22 at one end, and a receptacle (for connecting) the one end 14a of the optical fiber cable 14 at the other end. An optical fiber attachment portion) 52 is provided. The receptacle 52 is fixed between the concave portion of the support portion 54 and the holding plate 56, and has a through hole 52a in the center for passing the laser light LB and the optical fiber 14f. The center or outside of the through hole 52a is formed as a cylindrical hole of a cylindrical projection 52b extending outward through an opening 56a formed in the center of the restraining plate 56. A screw 52c is cut on the outer peripheral wall of the portion 52b. The connector 32 of the optical fiber cable 14 is attached to the receptacle protrusion 52b such that the cylindrical protrusion 32a is screwed onto the screw 52c.

As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of counterbored holes 52 d are formed in the receptacle 52 at predetermined intervals, and the base end of the compression coil spring 58 is housed in each counterbored hole 52 d. The tip of each compression coil spring 58 extends in parallel with the receptacle cylindrical portion 52b through the opening 56b of the holding plate 56, and is connected to the slide ring plate 60 at the tip. As shown in FIG. 4, the slide ring plate 60 has a plurality of guide shafts 62 slidably inserted into the receptacle 52, and the tip end portions of the guide shafts 62 are fixed to the slide ring plate 60. A small micro switch 30 is provided.

According to this structure, when the cylindrical protrusion 32a of the connector 32 is mounted so as to be screwed into the cylindrical protrusion 32a of the receptacle 52, the connector edge 32b outside the cylindrical protrusion 32a is slidably attached to the slide ring plate. The plate 60 is locked to the plate 60 and pressed against the elastic force of the compression coil spring 58, and the base end of the guide shaft 62 is moved inwardly of the unit 18 by the pressing force. Actuator 30a is activated. The output terminal 30c of the micro switch 30 is connected to the socket 42 (FIG. 1) via a wire (not shown).

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of the emission unit 12 in this embodiment. In this emitting unit 12, the receptacle mechanism for mounting the other end portion 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 and the sensor mechanism for detecting the mounting state of the cable 14 may have the same configuration as that of the incident unit 18 described above. , 64 is a cylindrical projection with a screw of the receptacle, 66 is a slide ring plate, 68 is a guide shaft, and 70 is a compression coil spring. The socket 42 for receiving the plug 44 of the electric cable 16 and the indicator lamp 20 are provided on the side of the emitting unit 12. In the example of FIG. 4, the optical fiber cable 14 and the electric cable 16 are housed together in one PVC-coated SUS flexible tube 70, and both cables 14, 16 are branched near the apparatus main body 10 and the incident unit 18. I am trying. By housing the optical fiber cable 14 and the electric cable 16 in a single PVC-coated SUS flexible tube 70 in this manner, both cables can be easily mounted at the same time, and it is possible to prevent a situation where one of the cables is forgotten. You can

FIG. 5 shows a configuration example in which the optical fiber cable and the electric cable are integrated to the end, that is, to each connector or plug. According to this configuration example, since both cables are reliably attached at the same time, it is possible to completely prevent a situation in which only one cable is attached and the other attachment is forgotten.

In the embodiment described above, the microswitch 30 is used as a sensor for detecting whether or not the one end 14a and the other end 14b of the optical fiber cable 14 are connected in the device body 10 and the emission unit 12. However, it is also possible to use another sensor such as an optical sensor. Further, if necessary, it is possible to provide the optical fiber connection state detecting means on only one of the apparatus body 10 and the emitting unit 12. Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the display lamp 20 is provided as the caution warning means on the side of the emission unit 12, but even if the display output is not made, a caution or warning can be given by an audible sound such as an alarm or a voice message. Hearing sound output means may be provided. It is also possible to provide caution warning means on the apparatus body 10 side and output the caution warning simultaneously (simultaneously) with the emission unit 12 side. In addition, the configuration examples of the incident unit 18 and the emission unit 12 in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various unit configurations are possible. Further, although the above-mentioned embodiment relates to the laser processing apparatus, the present invention can be applied to other laser apparatuses.

[0025]

[Effect of device]

 As described above, according to the safety mechanism of the first laser device of the present invention, the optical fiber cable connection state detecting means for detecting whether or not the optical fiber cable is connected to the incident unit or the emission unit is provided. Since the control means has made it possible to make laser light incident on one end of the optical fiber cable conditionally according to the detection signal from the optical fiber cable connection state detection means, an optical fiber cable is connected between both units. If not, the output of laser light can be prohibited to prevent accidents due to laser light or scattered light. Further, according to the safety mechanism of the second laser device of the present invention, the emitting unit is provided with the caution warning means, and the control means controls the caution warning output of the caution warning means via the electric cable. Notify the workers near the emission unit of the unconnected or incomplete connection of the electric cable, and inform the workers near the emission unit of various conditions such as the connection state of the optical fiber cable and the operating state of the laser light generation means. It is possible to improve the safety of the emission unit side.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a system configuration of a laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing a configuration example of an incidence unit in the example.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of an incidence unit in an example.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a configuration example of an emission unit in the example.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a connector structure for collectively connecting an optical fiber cable and an electric cable for connecting the device body and the emission unit in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view schematically showing a system configuration of a laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a conventional laser processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Device Main Body 12 Emission Unit 14 Optical Fiber Cable 16 Electric Cable 18 Incident Unit 20 Display Lamp 22 Laser Light Generation Unit 24 Control Unit 30, 38 Micro Switch 32, 40 Connector 34, 42 Socket

Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location G02B 6/42 9317-2K

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A laser beam generated by a laser beam generating means is incident on one end of an optical fiber cable by an incident unit, and a laser beam emitted from the other end of the optical fiber cable is condensed and emitted by an emission unit. In the laser device thus configured, an optical fiber cable connection state detecting means for detecting whether or not the optical fiber cable is connected to the incident unit or the emitting unit, and a detection signal from the optical fiber cable connection state detecting means. And a control means that conditionally enables the laser light to be incident on one end of the optical fiber cable in accordance with the above. 2. The laser light generated by the laser light generating means is made incident on one end of the optical fiber cable by the incidence unit, and the laser light emitted at the other end of the optical fiber cable is condensed and emitted by the emission unit. In the laser device configured as described above, a control unit that outputs a signal indicating a predetermined condition in the laser device, and a warning unit that is provided in the emission unit and outputs a predetermined caution warning in response to the signal from the control unit. A safety mechanism for a laser device, comprising: a warning unit; and an electric cable for electrically connecting the control unit and the display unit of the emission unit.