CN112917020A

CN112917020A - Laser system

Info

Publication number: CN112917020A
Application number: CN202110140836.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭亚银; 马淑贞; 蔡东鹏; 杨继明; 查从文; 陈焱; 高云峰
Original assignee: Shenzhen Han's Photon Laser Technology Co ltd; Han s Laser Technology Industry Group Co Ltd
Current assignee: Shenzhen Han's Photon Laser Technology Co ltd; Han s Laser Technology Industry Group Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-02-02
Filing date: 2021-02-02
Publication date: 2021-06-08

Abstract

The invention relates to a laser system which comprises a plurality of laser beam combining modules which are sequentially cascaded, wherein each laser beam combining module comprises a beam combiner, at least two laser sources and an input optical fiber which is matched and connected with each laser source, the beam combiner is provided with a beam combining end and an output end, the at least two laser sources inject laser into the beam combining end through the corresponding input optical fiber, the laser system also comprises a connecting optical fiber, and the output end of the beam combiner in the previous laser beam combining module is connected with the beam combining end of the beam combiner in the next laser beam combining module through the connecting optical fiber. The laser system provided by the invention has better cutting reliability.

Description

Laser system

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of laser, in particular to a laser system.

Background

With the development of laser technology, the manner of cutting metal by using laser is more and more common. In the field of laser technology, a mode of combining laser beams is an important means for realizing high-power laser output. The number of input branches of the laser beam combiner is an important factor for limiting the output of a high-power laser system under the condition of certain power sub-module input. The more the number of input branches of the laser beam combiner is, the higher the power output by the laser system is. However, as the number of input branches of the laser beam combiner increases, the tendency of degradation of the quality of the laser beam of the laser system becomes more obvious, so that the laser system cannot effectively cut metal, and the cutting reliability is low.

Disclosure of Invention

Therefore, there is a need to provide a laser system with better cutting reliability to solve the problem of low cutting reliability of the conventional laser system.

The utility model provides a laser system, laser system includes a plurality of cascaded laser in proper order and closes and restraints the module, every the laser closes and restraints the module including beam combiner, two at least laser sources and with every the input fiber that laser source connects, beam combiner has and closes and restraints end and output, two at least laser sources pass through corresponding input fiber to it injects laser to close restraints the end, laser system is still including connecting fiber, and last one-level in the laser closes and restraints the module beam combiner the output passes through connecting fiber and next stage in the laser closes and restraints the module beam combiner close the end and connect.

In one embodiment, the input fiber comprises an input fiber core, and the numerical aperture of the input fiber core is in the range of 0.06-0.25.

In one embodiment, in the same beam combiner, the tapering ratio of the beam combining end to the output end is within a range of 3-4.

In one embodiment, the output end comprises an output core, and the numerical aperture of the output core is in the range of 0.10-0.25.

In one embodiment, the input optical fiber has an input stripper thereon.

In one embodiment, the connecting optical fiber has a connecting stripping portion thereon.

In one embodiment, the laser combiner further includes a laser output module, where the laser combining module includes a first-stage laser combining module and a last-stage laser combining module connected to the first-stage laser combining module, and the laser output module includes an output optical fiber and an output connector, where the output optical fiber is connected between the output connector and the output end of the beam combiner in the last-stage laser combining module.

In one embodiment, the output optical fiber is formed by sequentially welding a plurality of multi-clad output optical fiber units.

In one embodiment, the output fiber has an output stripper.

In one embodiment, the laser beam combiner further comprises a controller, the controller is electrically connected with the plurality of laser beam combining modules respectively, and the controller is configured to control the plurality of laser beam combining modules to be started. According to the laser system, the laser source of the previous stage injects the laser in the beam combining end of the previous stage, after the laser is combined in the beam combiner, the laser is injected into the beam combining end of the beam combiner in the laser beam combining module of the next stage through the connecting optical fiber, the plurality of laser input branches are respectively distributed into the plurality of laser beam combining modules by arranging the plurality of laser beam combining modules which are sequentially cascaded, the laser input branches in each laser beam combining module can be controlled within a reasonable range while the output power of the laser beam can be improved, the quality degradation of the output laser beam can be prevented, and the laser system has better cutting reliability.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laser system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the first-stage combiner shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the two-stage beam combiner shown in fig. 1.

Description of the drawings:

100. a laser system; 10. a primary laser beam combining module; 11. a first-stage beam combiner; 111. a first-stage beam combining end; 112. a primary output terminal; 1121. a primary output fiber core; 1123. a primary output cladding; 113. a first-stage glass tube; 114. a first-order beam-combining optical fiber; 115. a first tapered section; 1152. a first tapered core; 1154. a first tapered cladding layer; 116. a second tapered section; 12. a primary input optical fiber; 13. a primary laser source; 20. a secondary laser beam combining module; 21. a secondary beam combiner; 211. a second-stage beam combining end; 212. a secondary output end; 2121. a secondary output fiber core; 2123. a secondary output cladding; 2125. an outer output envelope; 213. a secondary glass tube; 214. a second-order beam-combining optical fiber; 215. an intermediate bundled optical fiber; 22. a secondary input optical fiber; 221. a secondary peeling section; 23. a secondary laser source; 30. a laser output module; 31. an output optical fiber; 310. an output peeling section; 32. an output connector; 40. connecting an optical fiber; 41. and a connection stripping part.

Detailed Description

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied with figures are described in detail below. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the description of the present invention, it is to be understood that the terms "central," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," "circumferential," and the like are used in the orientations and positional relationships indicated in the drawings for convenience in describing the invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the referenced device or element must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and are not to be considered limiting of the invention.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second" and "first" are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless specifically limited otherwise.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and can, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally formed; can be mechanically or electrically connected; they may be directly connected or indirectly connected through intervening media, or they may be connected internally or in any other suitable relationship, unless expressly stated otherwise. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood by those skilled in the art according to specific situations.

In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly stated or limited, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature may be directly contacting the first and second features or indirectly contacting the first and second features through an intermediate. Also, a first feature "on," "over," and "above" a second feature may be directly or diagonally above the second feature, or may simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. A first feature being "under," "below," and "beneath" a second feature may be directly under or obliquely under the first feature, or may simply mean that the first feature is at a lesser elevation than the second feature.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "secured to" or "disposed on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and the like as used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not denote a unique embodiment.

Referring to fig. 1, the present application provides a laser system 100, wherein the laser system 100 can be used for cutting. The laser system 100 includes a plurality of sequentially cascaded laser beam combining modules, each laser beam combining module includes a beam combiner, at least two laser sources and an input optical fiber connected to each laser source in a matching manner, the beam combiner has a beam combining end and an output end, the at least two laser sources inject laser into the beam combining end through the corresponding input optical fiber, the laser system 100 further includes a connecting optical fiber 40, and the output end of the beam combiner in the previous laser beam combining module is connected to the beam combining end of the beam combiner in the next laser beam combining module through the connecting optical fiber 40.

In the laser system 100, after the laser source of the previous stage is combined in the beam combiner of the current stage, the laser source is injected into the beam combining end of the beam combiner in the laser beam combining module of the next stage through the connecting optical fiber 40. By arranging a plurality of laser beam combining modules which are sequentially cascaded, laser input branches which can improve the output power of laser beams output by the laser system 100 are respectively distributed into the laser beam combining modules, the output power of the laser beams can be improved, and meanwhile, the laser input branches in each laser beam combining module can be controlled within a reasonable range, so that the quality degradation of the output laser beams is prevented, and the laser system 100 has better cutting reliability. It is understood that during the cutting process of the laser system 100, if the energy density of the cutting is small, the thickness of the cutting process of the laser system 100 is limited, and the cutting process may not be effective. And the quality of the laser beam determines the density of the energy density of the cut. If the quality of the laser beam is good, the energy density is large, and the cutting thickness is deeper, and if the quality of the laser beam is poor, the energy density is small, and the cutting thickness is shallow.

Specifically, in each laser beam combining module, each laser source and the corresponding input optical fiber form a laser input branch, and the more the laser input branches are, the higher the power of the laser beam output by the laser system 100 is, so as to meet the requirement of high-power output of the laser system 100. The power of the output laser beam is the sum of the powers of each input branch, without considering the loss of the laser in the laser system 100 during transmission. In the conventional laser system 100, only one laser beam combining module is provided, and assuming that in the laser beam combining module, the laser input branches are in the range of 1 to 7, the laser beam quality increases with the increase of the laser input branches, and when the laser input branches are equal to 8 or greater than 8, the laser beam quality decreases with the increase of the laser input branches, then in this application, the 8 laser input branches may be distributed into a plurality of laser beam combining modules, so that the laser input branches in each laser beam combining module are in the range of less than 8, and thus, on the premise that the output power of the laser beam may be increased, the deterioration of the beam quality may also be avoided, so that the laser system 100 has a better cutting effect. It can be understood that, as the number of the laser input branches increases, the number of the laser beam combining modules may also be increased or kept unchanged, and only the laser system 100 needs to ensure that it has better beam quality while outputting high-power laser.

Alternatively, in the laser system 100, there may be two or more laser beam combining modules, and the following embodiments are described by taking two laser beam combining modules and one connecting optical fiber 40 as an example. Specifically, the laser beam combining module comprises a primary laser beam combining module 10 and a secondary laser beam combining module 20 which are sequentially cascaded, wherein a beam combiner, a laser source and an input optical fiber in the primary laser beam combining module 10 are respectively named as a primary beam combiner 11, a primary laser source 13 and a primary input optical fiber 12; it can be understood that the primary laser beam combining module 10 includes a primary beam combiner 11, at least two primary laser sources 13 and a primary input optical fiber 12 coupled to each of the primary laser sources 13, the primary beam combiner 11 has a primary beam combining end 111 and a primary output end 112, and the at least two primary laser sources 13 inject laser into the primary beam combining end 111 through the corresponding primary input optical fiber 12; the beam combiner, the laser source and the input optical fiber in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 are respectively named as a secondary beam combiner 21, a secondary laser source 23 and a secondary input optical fiber 22; it is understood that the secondary laser beam combining module 20 includes a secondary beam combiner 21, at least two secondary laser sources 23, and a secondary input fiber 22 coupled to each secondary laser source 23, the secondary beam combiner 21 has a secondary beam combining end 211 and a secondary output end 212, and the at least two secondary laser sources 23 inject laser light into the secondary beam combining end 211 through the corresponding secondary input fibers 22. The laser system 100 further includes a connection optical fiber 40, and the primary output end 112 of the primary beam combiner 11 in the primary laser beam combining module 10 is connected to the secondary beam combining end 211 of the secondary beam combiner 21 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 through the connection optical fiber 40.

In operation of the laser system 100, the plurality of laser beam combining modules may all be activated simultaneously, or partially simultaneously, or all be activated asynchronously. Taking two laser beam combining modules as an example, the laser system 100 has three working modes, the first working mode is that at least two primary laser sources 13 in the primary laser beam combining module 10 are started, the lasers emitted by the primary laser sources 13 are all converged into the primary beam combiner 11 through the primary input optical fibers 12 corresponding to the lasers, and are combined in the primary beam combiner 11 to form laser beams with higher power, and then the laser beams are output through the secondary beam combiner 21. Specifically, in the first operation mode, the propagation path of the laser light is the primary laser light source 13 → the primary beam combiner 11 → the secondary beam combiner 21 → the outside. In the second working mode, at least two secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 are started, the lasers emitted by the secondary laser sources 23 are all converged into the secondary beam combiner 21 through the secondary input fibers 22 corresponding to the lasers, and are combined in the secondary beam combiner 21 to form a laser beam with a relatively high power, and then the laser beam is output to the outside from the secondary output end 212 of the secondary beam combiner 21. Specifically, in the second operation mode, the propagation path of the laser light is the secondary laser light source 23 → the secondary beam combiner 21 → the outside. The third working mode is that the primary laser beam combining module 10 and the secondary laser beam combining module 20 are started simultaneously, at least two primary laser sources 13 in the primary laser beam combining module 10 are started, the lasers emitted by the at least two primary laser sources 13 are converged into the primary beam combiner 11 through the primary input optical fibers 12 corresponding to the lasers, and are combined in the primary beam combiner 11 to form a laser beam with higher power, then the laser beams are converged into a secondary beam combiner 21, at the same time, at least two secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 are started, the laser beams emitted by the at least two secondary laser sources 23 are converged into the secondary beam combiner 21 through a secondary input optical fiber 22 corresponding to the laser beams, and the laser beams input by the secondary beam combiner 21 and the primary beam combiner 11 are combined, to form a laser beam with a larger power, and then output to the outside from the secondary output terminal 212 of the secondary beam combiner 21.

When the above-mentioned one-level laser closes and restraints module 10 and starts, if one-level laser closes and restraints including a plurality of one-level laser sources 13 in the module 10, a plurality of one-level laser sources 13 can start simultaneously, also can only partly start, only need guarantee that one-level laser closes when restrainting module 10 and starts, have at least two one-level laser sources 13 start can. When the above-mentioned second grade laser closes and restraints module 20 and starts, if include a plurality of second grade laser sources 23 in the second grade laser closes and restraints module 20, a plurality of second grade laser sources 23 can start simultaneously, also can only partly start, only need guarantee that second grade laser closes when restrainting module 20 starts, at least two second grade laser sources 23 can start.

Specifically, the number of the primary laser sources 13 may be two or more, and correspondingly, the number of the primary input fibers 12 may also be two or more, and the number of the primary input fibers 12 is equal to that of the primary laser sources 13 and corresponds to that of the primary laser sources 13 one by one; likewise, there may be two or more secondary laser sources 23, and correspondingly, there may be two or more secondary input fibers 22, and the number of secondary input fibers 22 is equal to that of the secondary laser sources 23 and corresponds to one.

Specifically, the input optical fiber comprises an input core and an input cladding covering the input core, wherein the diameter of the input core is within the range of 10-55 μm, and the diameter of the input cladding is within the range of 120-255 μm. Correspondingly, in the primary laser beam combining module 10, the primary input fiber 12 includes a primary input fiber core and a primary input cladding coated on the primary input fiber core, the secondary input fiber 22 includes a secondary input fiber core and a secondary input cladding coated on the secondary input fiber core, the diameters of the primary input fiber core and the secondary input fiber core are both in the range of 10 μm to 55 μm, and the diameters of the primary input cladding and the secondary input cladding are both in the range of 120 μm to 255 μm.

Furthermore, the numerical aperture of the input fiber core is within the range of 0.06-0.25. That is, the numerical apertures of the primary input fiber core and the secondary input fiber core are both in the range of 0.06-0.25. Specifically, the size of the numerical aperture of the input core determines the laser locking capacity of the input core, and the larger the numerical aperture, the weaker the laser locking capacity, and the smaller the numerical aperture, the larger the laser locking capacity. In the primary laser beam combining module 10, the laser emitted by the primary laser source 13 is transmitted into the primary beam combiner 11 through the primary input fiber core, in the secondary laser beam combining module 20, the laser emitted by the secondary laser source 23 is transmitted into the secondary beam combiner 21 through the secondary input fiber core, and by setting the numerical aperture of the input fiber core within the range of 0.06-0.25, the laser emitted by the primary laser source 13 passes through the primary input fiber core, and the loss of the laser emitted by the secondary laser source 23 is smaller in the process of passing through the secondary input fiber core, so that the laser system 100 has larger output power.

In one embodiment, in the same beam combiner, the tapering ratio of the beam combining end to the output end is within a range of 3-4. Under the tapering ratio, the laser beam formed by combining the beams by the beam combiner has better beam quality, so as to improve the cutting reliability of the laser system 100. Specifically, the tapering ratio of the beam combining end to the output end in the range of 3-4 is as follows: in each laser beam combining module, the tapering ratio of the beam combining end and the output end of each beam combiner is within the range of 3-4. For example, the laser system 100 includes a first-stage laser beam combining module 10 and a second-stage laser beam combining module 20, and the tapering ratios of the first-stage beam combining end 111 and the first-stage output end 112, and the second-stage beam combining end 211 and the second-stage output end 212 are all within a range of 3-4.

Referring also to fig. 2, the output end includes an output core and an output cladding surrounding the output core. It is understood that the primary output end 112 includes a primary output fiber core 1121 and a primary output cladding 1123 covering the primary output fiber core 1121, and the laser light emitted by the primary laser source 13 is transmitted to the primary beam combining end 111 along the corresponding primary input fiber core of the primary input fiber 12. Taking three primary laser sources 13 and three primary input fibers 12 as an example, correspondingly, the primary beam combiner 11 includes a primary glass tube 113 and three primary beam combining fibers 114, the primary beam combining fibers 114 include a primary beam combining fiber core and a primary beam combining cladding coated on the primary beam combining fiber core (the diameter of the primary beam combining fiber core may be equal to or larger than the diameter of the primary input fiber core), the primary beam combining cladding and the primary input cladding may be the same or different, the three primary beam combining fiber cores and the three primary input fiber cores are in one-to-one correspondence and connected, and the three primary beam combining claddings and the three primary input claddings are in one-to-one correspondence and connected. It is understood that the primary combining core may also be an extension of the corresponding primary input core, and the primary combining cladding may also be an extension of the corresponding primary input cladding. It should be noted that, in general, the beam combining end of the beam combiner is generally 3 branches, 7 branches, 12 branches, 19 branches, etc. for internal arrangement, and therefore, the number of the primary beam combining optical fibers 114 is also generally 3, 7, 12, 19 branches, etc. Correspondingly, the number of the primary beam combining optical fibers 114 is equal to that of the primary input optical fibers 12, and the number of the primary input optical fibers 12 is also 3, 7, 12, 19 branches, etc., while the number of the primary glass tubes 113 is one.

The three primary bundled optical fibers 114 are arranged in the primary glass tube 113 in a penetrating and tight manner, and the primary bundled end 111, the first tapered section 115, the second tapered section 116 and the primary output end 112 which are connected in sequence are formed by corroding, tapering and welding the primary glass tube 113 and the three primary bundled optical fibers 114.

It is understood that the tapering ratio of the primary combining end 111 to the primary output end 112 is the ratio of the inner diameter of the primary glass tube 113 to the diameter of the primary output core 1121. It will be appreciated that the primary glass tube 113 has a minimum inner diameter to accommodate the three primary bundled optical fibers 114.

In order to meet the tapering ratio, at the primary bundling end 111, the primary bundling cladding layers in the two primary bundling optical fibers 114 are respectively reduced in diameter through tapering or corrosion, so that the three primary bundling optical fibers 114 can be conveniently arranged in the primary glass tube 113 in a penetrating manner, but the diameter of the primary glass tube 113 is unchanged; in the first tapering section 115, the three primary combined optical fibers 114 penetrate through the primary glass tube 113, primary combined fiber cores of the three primary combined optical fibers 114 and primary combined cladding layers of the three primary combined optical fibers 114 are combined to form a first tapering fiber core 1152 of the first tapering section 115, and the primary glass tube 113 forms a first tapering cladding 1154 of the first tapering section 115; in the second tapering section 116, the three primary combined optical fibers 114 penetrate through the primary glass tube 113, the primary combined fiber cores of the three primary combined optical fibers 114 and the primary combined cladding of the three primary combined optical fibers 114 are bundled to form a second tapering fiber core of the second tapering section 116, and the primary glass tube 113 forms a second tapering cladding of the second tapering section 116, wherein in the tapering process, the diameter of the second tapering cladding is possibly equal to or smaller than that of the primary glass tube 113 at the primary combined end 111; at the primary output end 112, primary beam-combining fiber cores of the three primary beam-combining optical fibers 114 and primary beam-combining cladding bundles of the three primary beam-combining optical fibers 114 form a primary output fiber core 1121, and a primary output cladding 1123 is formed by the primary glass tube 113; also, the primary output cores 1121 may or may not have the same diameter as the first tapered core 1152, and may or may not have the same diameter as the second tapered core, but are smaller than the diameter of the primary glass tube 113 at the primary combining end 111.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 2, a cross-sectional view of the primary beam combiner end 111 along the radial direction of the primary beam combiner 11 is shown, a cross-sectional view of the first tapered segment 115 along the axial direction of the primary beam combiner 11 is shown, wherein the arrow direction in the first tapered core 1152 indicates the transmission direction of the laser light, and a cross-sectional view of the primary output end 112 along the axial direction of the primary beam combiner 11 is also shown.

Of course, when the number of the primary input fibers 12 and the number of the primary laser sources 13 are changed, the number of the primary beam combiner 114 in the primary beam combiner 11 is also changed, and the number of the primary beam combiner 114 should be equal to the number of the primary input fibers 12.

Referring to fig. 3, for example, the secondary laser source 23 and the secondary input fiber 22 are six, the connecting fiber 40 and the primary beam combiner 11 are one, the connecting fiber 40 includes a connecting input fiber core and a connecting input cladding coated on the connecting input fiber core, the connecting input fiber core is completely the same as the primary output fiber core 1121, one end of the connecting input fiber core is connected to the primary output fiber core 1121, the connecting input cladding is completely the same as the primary output cladding 1123, one end of the connecting input cladding is connected to the primary output cladding 1123, the secondary input fiber 22 includes a secondary input fiber core and a secondary input cladding coated on the secondary input fiber core, the secondary output end 212 includes a secondary output fiber core 2121 and a secondary output cladding 2123 coated on the secondary output fiber core 2121, and the laser output by the primary beam combiner 11 is transmitted to the secondary beam combiner 21 along the connecting input fiber core. The secondary beam combiner 21 comprises a secondary glass tube 213, six secondary beam combining optical fibers 214 and a middle beam combining optical fiber 215, wherein the secondary beam combining optical fiber 214 comprises a secondary beam combining fiber core and a secondary beam combining cladding coated on the secondary beam combining fiber core, the secondary beam combining fiber core and the secondary input fiber core can be the same or different, the secondary beam combining cladding and the secondary input cladding can be the same or different, the six secondary beam combining fiber cores are in one-to-one correspondence with and connected with the six secondary input fiber cores, and the six secondary beam combining claddings are in one-to-one correspondence with and connected with the six secondary input claddings. It is understood that the secondary beam combining core may also be an extension of the secondary input core corresponding thereto, and the secondary beam combining cladding may also be an extension of the secondary input cladding corresponding thereto. The intermediate beam combining optical fiber 215 includes an intermediate beam combining fiber core and an intermediate beam combining cladding layer covering the intermediate beam combining fiber core, the intermediate beam combining fiber core may be the same as or different from the connection input fiber core, the intermediate beam combining fiber core is connected to the connection input fiber core, the intermediate beam combining cladding may be the same as or different from the connection input cladding, and the intermediate beam combining cladding layer is connected to the connection input cladding.

Six secondary beam-combining optical fibers 214 and one middle beam-combining optical fiber 215 are arranged in the secondary glass tube 213 in a penetrating and tight manner, and the six secondary beam-combining optical fibers 214 and the middle beam-combining optical fiber 215 are arranged in the secondary glass tube 213 in a tight manner along the circumferential direction of the middle beam-combining optical fiber 215. The secondary glass tube 213, the six secondary beam combining optical fibers 214 and the middle beam combining optical fiber 215 are respectively formed by corrosion, tapering and welding to be sequentially connected with the secondary beam combining end 211, the third tapering section and the secondary output end 212. It will be appreciated that the tapering ratio of the secondary combining end 211 to the secondary output end 212 is the ratio of the inside diameter of the secondary glass tube 213 to the diameter of the secondary output core 2121. It is understood that the inner diameter of the secondary glass tube 213 is the smallest inner diameter that can accommodate six secondary bundled optical fibers 214 and one intermediate bundled optical fiber 215.

In order to meet the tapering ratio, the diameters of the secondary beam combining cladding layers in the six secondary beam combining optical fibers 214 and the intermediate beam combining cladding layer in the intermediate beam combining optical fiber 215 at the secondary beam combining end 211 are reduced in a tapering or corrosion manner, so that the six secondary beam combining optical fibers 214 and the intermediate beam combining optical fiber 215 can be conveniently arranged in the secondary glass tube 213 in a penetrating manner, but the diameter of the secondary glass tube 213 can be unchanged; in the third tapered section, six secondary combined optical fibers 214 and one intermediate combined optical fiber 215 penetrate through the secondary glass tube 213, one intermediate combined optical fiber 215 forms a third tapered core of the third tapered section, six secondary combined optical fibers 214 are combined to form a third tapered cladding covering the third tapered core, and the secondary glass tube 213 forms a fourth tapered cladding covering the third tapered cladding. The secondary output end 212 is the same as the third tapered section, the secondary output core 2121 has the same diameter as the third tapered core, the secondary output cladding 2123 has the same diameter as the third tapered cladding, the secondary output end 212 further has an outer output cladding 2125, and the outer output cladding 2125 has the same diameter as the fourth tapered cladding and is smaller than the diameter of the secondary glass tube 213 at the secondary beam combining end 211. The laser output from the primary beam combiner 11 is output through the connecting input fiber core, the intermediate beam combining fiber core, the third tapered fiber core and the secondary output fiber core 2121, and the laser emitted from the secondary laser source 23 is output through the secondary input fiber core, the secondary beam combining fiber core, the third tapered cladding and the secondary output cladding 2123.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 3, a cross-sectional view of the secondary beam combining end 211 along the radial direction of the secondary beam combiner 21 and a cross-sectional view of the secondary output end 212 along the axial direction of the secondary beam combiner 21 are shown, wherein the arrow direction in the secondary output end 212 indicates the transmission direction of the laser light emitted by the secondary laser source 23.

Of course, when the number of the secondary input fibers 22 and the secondary laser sources 23 is changed, the number of the secondary combined optical fibers 214 in the secondary combiner 21 is also changed, the number of the secondary combined optical fibers 214 should be equal to the number of the secondary input fibers 22, and the number of the intermediate combined optical fibers 215 should be equal to the number of the connecting fibers 40.

Specifically, the diameter of the output core is in the range of 45 μm to 105 μm, and the diameter of the output cladding is in the range of 120 μm to 255 μm. It is understood that the diameters of the primary output core 1121 and the secondary output core 2121 are both in the range of 45 μm to 105 μm, and the diameters of the primary output cladding 1123 and the secondary output cladding 2123 are both in the range of 120 μm to 255 μm. Within this range, and on the premise that the tapering ratios of the primary beam combining end 111 and the primary output end 112, and the secondary beam combining end 211 and the secondary output end 212 are within the range of 3 to 4, the laser beam output from the primary beam combiner 11 and the laser beam output from the secondary beam combiner 21 both have better beam quality. Optionally, the outer diameter of the primary glass tube 113 is in the range of 125 μm to 360 μm, and optionally, the outer diameter of the secondary glass tube 213 is in the range of 250 μm to 500 μm.

Optionally, the number of the primary input fibers 12 is preferably three, the number of the primary laser sources 13 is preferably three, the number of the secondary input fibers 22 is preferably six, the number of the secondary laser sources 23 is six, and any two adjacent laser beam combining modules are connected by one connecting fiber 40.

In summary, the laser beam output by the entire laser system 100 has better beam quality.

Furthermore, the numerical aperture of the output fiber core is within the range of 0.10-0.25. It can be understood that the numerical apertures of the primary output core and the secondary output core are both in the range of 0.10-0.25. Therefore, the laser output by the primary laser source 13 has less loss and better beam quality when passing through the primary beam combiner 11 and the secondary beam combiner 21, and the laser output by the secondary laser source 23 also has less loss and better beam quality when passing through the secondary beam combiner 21.

It should be noted that, at the primary combining end 111, the numerical aperture of the primary combining fiber core of the primary combining optical fiber 114 is equal to the numerical aperture of the primary input fiber core, and the numerical apertures of the first tapered fiber core 1152 and the second tapered fiber core are respectively equal to the numerical apertures of the primary output fiber cores 1121.

In one embodiment, the input optical fiber is provided with an input stripping portion. Specifically, each primary input fiber 12 is provided with a primary stripping portion (not shown), and each secondary input fiber 232 is provided with a secondary stripping portion 221. Specifically, the primary stripping section is used to strip the laser light in the primary input cladding of the primary input fiber 12 corresponding thereto. The presence of laser light in the primary input cladding results in a primary beam combining fiber 114 with poor beam combining reliability during beam combining by the first tapered section 115. By arranging the first-stage stripping part, the laser in the first-stage input cladding can be effectively stripped, so that the first-stage beam combiner 11 has better beam combination reliability. Specifically, the primary input fiber 12 further includes a primary coating layer, the primary coating layer is coated on the primary input cladding layer, and a partial region of the primary input fiber 12 directly peels off the primary coating layer to form a primary peeling portion, so that the laser can be peeled off in the process of flowing through the primary peeling portion from the primary laser source 13. In contrast to a method of connecting a stripper to the primary input fiber 12 by fusion splicing, the method of directly forming the primary stripping portion on the primary input fiber 12 has fewer fusion splicing points, so that the refraction of laser from the fusion splicing points to the primary input cladding can be effectively reduced, so as to reduce the generation of cladding light, and the laser input into the primary beam combiner 11 has higher power.

The secondary stripping portion 221 is used for stripping the laser in the secondary input cladding in the secondary input fiber 22, so that the laser in the secondary input cladding can be prevented from being transmitted into the secondary glass tube 213, and the secondary beam combiner 21 has better beam combining reliability. Specifically, the secondary input fiber 22 further includes a secondary coating layer, the secondary coating layer is coated on the secondary input cladding layer, and the secondary coating layer is directly peeled off from a partial region of the secondary input fiber 22 to directly form the secondary peeling portion 221, so that compared with a method of connecting a stripper with the secondary input fiber 22 by welding, fewer welding points are provided, and therefore, the generation of cladding light of the secondary laser beam combining module 20 can be effectively reduced, and the laser output by the secondary beam combiner 21 has higher power.

Furthermore, the connection fiber 40 has a connection stripping portion 41, and the connection stripping portion 41 is used for stripping the laser in the connection input cladding of the connection fiber 40, so that the connection input cladding and the laser therein can be prevented from being transmitted into the secondary glass tube 213, and the secondary beam combiner 21 has better beam combination reliability. Specifically, the connection optical fiber 40 further includes a connection coating layer, the connection coating layer is coated on the connection input cladding, a part of the connection optical fiber 40 is directly stripped to form a connection stripping portion 41, and by directly forming the connection stripping portion 41 on the connection optical fiber 40, compared with a method of connecting a stripper and the connection optical fiber 40 by fusion, the connection optical fiber 40 has fewer fusion points, so that generation of cladding light in the connection optical fiber 40 can be effectively reduced, and laser output by the secondary beam combiner 21 has higher power.

In an embodiment, the laser system 100 further includes a laser output module 30, the laser beam combining module includes a first-stage laser beam combining module 10 and a last-stage laser beam combining module connected to the first-stage laser beam combining module 10, the laser output module 30 includes an output optical fiber 31 and an output connector 32, and the output optical fiber 31 is connected between the output connector 32 and an output end of a beam combiner of the last-stage laser beam combining module. Taking the example that the laser beam combining module includes two stages of laser beam combining modules, the second stage laser beam combining module 20 in the two stages of laser beam combining modules is the final stage laser beam combining module, the output end of the beam combiner in the final stage laser beam combining module is the second stage output end 212, and the output optical fiber 31 is connected between the second stage output end 212 and the output joint 32. The laser beam output from the secondary output end 212 of the secondary beam combiner 21 is transmitted to the output connector 32 via the output optical fiber 31 and used for welding.

Specifically, the output fiber 31 is formed by sequentially fusion-splicing a plurality of multi-clad output fiber units. Specifically, a plurality of multi-clad output fiber units are sequentially fusion-spliced end to form the output fiber 31. The output optical fiber units each include a final output core, a final output cladding, and a final output coating layer (not shown), the final output cladding is coated on the outside of the final output core, and the final output coating layer is coated on the outside of the final output cladding and is made of an insulating rubber member. In general, the final output core and the final output coating layer are both one layer, the final output cladding may be one or more layers, the single-clad output fiber unit refers to an output fiber unit having only one final output cladding, and the N-clad output fiber unit refers to an output fiber unit having N final output claddings. When laser light is input from the secondary beam combiner 21 to the output fiber 31, the laser light output from the primary laser light source 13 propagates through the final output core, which is completely the same as the secondary output core 2121, and the laser light output from the secondary laser light source 23 propagates through the final output cladding closest to the final output core, which is completely the same as the secondary output cladding 2123. Since the output optical fiber 31 is formed by sequentially end-to-end fusion-splicing a plurality of multi-clad output optical fiber units, when laser light passes through the fusion-splicing points of two adjacent output optical fiber units, the laser light is liable to leak outward from the fusion-splicing points in the radial direction of the output optical fiber units. And through the output fiber unit who sets up a plurality of many claddings butt fusion in proper order form input fiber, suppose that output fiber unit is formed by the output fiber unit butt fusion of a plurality of two claddings, the cladding of definition cladding in output fiber core is first cladding, cladding in first cladding be the second cladding, the light beam that secondary laser source 23 launched is transmitted at first cladding, when laser passes through the splice point, because the setting of second cladding, along the laser of first cladding transmission can be refracted to the second cladding by first cladding, like this, can prevent that laser and output coating contact and lead to the burning of output coating, make laser welding device have the fail safe nature of preferred.

Further, the output fiber 31 has an output stripping section 310. The output peeling part 310 is used to peel the laser in the final output clad layer closest to the final output coating layer to prevent the laser in the final output clad layer closest to the final output coating layer from being refracted to the final output coating layer to ignite the coating layer in the process of passing through the welding point. Specifically, the output peeling section 310 is formed by directly peeling off a partial region on the output optical fiber 31. This way, compared to connecting a stripper to the output fiber 31 by fusion splicing, has fewer fusion splicing points, so that the refraction of laser light from the fusion splicing points to the outside can be effectively reduced, and the laser light output by the laser system 100 has larger power.

In an embodiment, the laser system 100 further includes a controller (not shown) electrically connected to the plurality of laser beam combining modules, respectively, and the controller is configured to control the plurality of laser beam combining modules to be activated. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected with each laser source in each laser beam combining module and is used for controlling the synchronous or asynchronous starting of any two laser beam combining modules and controlling the synchronous or asynchronous starting of the plurality of laser sources in each laser beam combining module. Taking the example that the laser beam combining module includes the primary laser beam combining module 10 and the secondary laser beam combining module 20, the controller is electrically connected to the primary laser beam combining module 10 and the secondary laser beam combining module 20, and the controller is configured to control the primary laser beam combining module 10 and the secondary laser beam combining module 20 to start synchronously or asynchronously. Specifically, the controller is electrically connected to each of the primary laser sources 13 and each of the secondary laser sources 23 and is configured to control the primary laser sources 13 and the secondary laser sources 23 to be activated synchronously or asynchronously. Specifically, when in the first working mode, the controller controls a part or all of the primary laser sources 13 in the primary laser beam combining module 10 to start, and laser emitted by the primary laser sources 13 is output from the output fiber core of the output optical fiber 31 through the primary beam combiner 11 and the secondary beam combiner 21, and forms a high-brightness light spot; when in the second middle working mode, the controller controls all the secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 to start, and the laser emitted by the secondary laser sources 23 is output from the first cladding of the output optical fiber 31 through the secondary beam combiner 21 and forms an annular light spot, however, in this mode, the controller may also control part of the secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20 to start, but the formed light spot is an arc-shaped light spot; when the laser is in the third working mode, the controller controls the start of part or all of the primary laser sources 13 in the primary laser beam combining module 10 and controls the start of part or all of the secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary laser beam combining module 20, and after the laser emitted by the primary laser sources 13 is coupled with the laser emitted by the secondary laser sources 23 in the secondary beam combiner 21 through the primary beam combiner 11, the laser is respectively output from the output fiber core and the first cladding, and a large-core-diameter light spot is formed. By arranging the controller, the primary laser beam combining module 10 and the secondary laser beam combining module 20 can be controlled to be started synchronously or asynchronously so as to adapt to different cutting requirements.

In the laser system 100, the laser source of the previous stage injects the laser into the beam combining end of the previous stage, after the laser is combined in the beam combiner, the laser is injected into the beam combining end of the beam combiner in the laser beam combining module of the next stage through the connecting optical fiber 40, the plurality of laser input branches are respectively distributed into the plurality of laser beam combining modules by arranging the plurality of laser beam combining modules which are sequentially cascaded, the laser input branches in each laser beam combining module can be controlled within a reasonable range while the output power of the laser beam can be improved, so that the quality degradation of the output laser beam can be prevented, and the laser system has better cutting reliability.

The technical features of the embodiments described above may be arbitrarily combined, and for the sake of brevity, all possible combinations of the technical features in the embodiments described above are not described, but should be considered as being within the scope of the present specification as long as there is no contradiction between the combinations of the technical features.

The above-mentioned embodiments only express several embodiments of the present invention, and the description thereof is more specific and detailed, but not construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It should be noted that, for a person skilled in the art, several variations and modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept, which falls within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present patent shall be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. The utility model provides a laser system, its characterized in that, laser system includes a plurality of cascaded laser in proper order and closes a bundle module, every laser closes a bundle module including beam combiner, two at least laser sources and with every laser source connects the input fiber who joins in marriage the electricity, beam combiner has and closes bundle end and output, two at least laser sources through corresponding input fiber to close bundle end injection laser, laser system still includes connecting fiber, and last level in the laser closes a bundle module the output of beam combiner passes through connecting fiber and next level in the laser closes a bundle module the bundle end of beam combiner is connected.

2. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the input fiber comprises an input core having a numerical aperture in the range of 0.06 to 0.25.

3. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the tapering ratio of the beam combining end to the output end in the same beam combiner is in the range of 3-4.

4. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the output end comprises an output core, and the numerical aperture of the output core is in the range of 0.10 to 0.25.

5. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the input fiber has an input stripper thereon.

6. The laser system of claim 1, wherein the connecting fiber has a connection stripper thereon.

7. The laser system of claim 1, further comprising a laser output module, wherein the laser combining module comprises a first laser combining module and a last laser combining module connected to the first laser combining module, and the laser output module comprises an output fiber and an output connector, and the output fiber is connected between the output connector and the output end of the beam combiner in the last laser combining module.

8. The laser system of claim 7, wherein the output fiber is formed by sequentially welding a plurality of multi-clad output fiber units.

9. The laser system of claim 7, wherein the output fiber has an output stripper thereon.

10. The laser system of claim 1, further comprising a controller electrically connected to the plurality of laser beam combining modules, respectively, and configured to control the plurality of laser beam combining modules to be activated.