Optical fiber switching system for laser welding

Abstract

A switching system for selectively distributing a laser beam from a laser source to one of a plurality of welding stations for laser welding thereat. The system includes a first optical fiber directing the laser beam therethrough, and a pair of second optical fibers leading to the welding stations, respectively. A switching device connects the first optical fiber selectively to one of the second optical fibers so as to pass the laser beam to the corresponding welding station for enabling the laser welding thereat. The switching device comprises a housing having a longitudinal axis and holding input ends of the second optical fibers in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis, a carrier supporting an output end of the first optical fiber and linearly movable together therewith within the housing in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the output end of the first optical fiber comes into and out of closely end-to-end facing relation to the input ends of the second optical fibers. An electromagnetic relay is included to have an armature which is movable between two positions and operatively connected to move the carrier for aligning the output end of the first optical fiber to the input end of a selected one of the second optical fibers for passing the laser beam to the selected one of the second optical fibers. The output and input ends of the optical fibers are each provided on with a heat-radiating sleeve for dissipation of heat.