Handheld laser welding equipment

By setting up an interlock circuit in the handheld laser welding equipment, it is ensured that the laser will emit light only when the two switches are activated in sequence, which solves the safety hazards caused by misoperation and improves safety and accuracy.

CN223198268UActive Publication Date: 2025-08-08LONGDIAO INTELLIGENT EQUIP (SHANDONG) CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202422506236.4
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-10-16
Publication Date
2025-08-08
Estimated Expiration
2034-10-16

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing handheld laser welding machines can easily cause laser light to accidentally exit when operated or touched by mistake, which poses safety hazards, especially damage to operators and workpieces.

Method used

A handheld laser welding device is designed, and a first switch is provided on the welding gun to control the red light indicator and the second switch to activate the laser, and an interlocking circuit is formed through a safety relay, a first current relay and a second current relay to ensure that the laser emits light only when the two switches are activated in sequence.

Benefits of technology

It avoids personnel burns and workpiece damage caused by misoperation, improves operational safety, and improves welding accuracy and equipment safety.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The utility model provides handheld laser welding equipment which comprises a welding gun, a laser device and a control device electrically connected with the welding gun and the laser device. The welding gun comprises a gun body and a handle connected with the gun body, the gun body is provided with a red light indicator, the handle is provided with a first switch and a second switch, and the control device comprises a safety relay, a first current relay and a second current relay; wherein the first switch, the first current relay and the red light indicator are electrically connected in sequence to form a red light control circuit, the second switch is electrically connected with the laser to form a laser control circuit, and the first current relay is further electrically connected with the second switch, the second current relay and the safety relay to form an interlocking circuit. According to the invention, the safety interlocking among the electrical elements can be realized, and the laser can emit light for welding only when the two switches are activated in sequence, so that personnel burn and workpiece damage caused by misoperation are avoided to the greatest extent.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of laser welding, in particular to a handheld laser welding device. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of modern industry, laser welding technology has gained widespread application in the manufacturing industry due to its advantages such as high precision, high efficiency, and minimal heat-affected zone. Handheld laser welders, as portable laser welding equipment, utilize high-energy laser pulses to locally heat a small area of the material. During the welding process, the energy from the laser radiation diffuses into the material through heat conduction, melting the material to form a specific molten pool, thus achieving welding.

[0003] However, due to the high radiation and energy characteristics of lasers, operator error can easily lead to damage to the workpiece and burns. Currently, most handheld laser welding machines on the market often feature overly simplified welding gun designs, equipped with only a single switch to control laser output. This design improves convenience but has significant safety drawbacks. Especially when the device is being carried or not in operation, the welding gun switch can be accidentally touched, causing the laser to emit unexpectedly, posing a direct threat to personnel and workpieces.

[0004] In view of this, there is still room for improvement in the safety protection mechanism of existing handheld laser welding machines, especially in preventing misoperation and improving operator safety. Therefore, the development of a handheld laser welding device with a safety interlock function has become an urgent problem to be solved in the industry. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of the above problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a handheld laser welding device to solve the problem that the welding gun in the existing handheld laser welding machine may accidentally emit laser light due to misoperation or mistouch.

[0006] The embodiment of the utility model provides a handheld laser welding device, comprising a welding gun and a laser, and a control device electrically connected to the welding gun and the laser respectively;

[0007] The welding gun includes a gun body and a handle connected to the gun body, the gun body is provided with a red light indicator, the handle is provided with a first switch and a second switch, and the control device includes a safety relay, a first current relay and a second current relay;

[0008] Among them, the first switch, the first current relay and the red light indicator are electrically connected in sequence to form a red light control circuit, the second switch is electrically connected to the laser to form a laser control circuit, and the first current relay is also electrically connected to the second switch, the second current relay and the safety relay to form an interlocking circuit.

[0009] In some embodiments, the first switch has a first terminal, the second switch has a second terminal and a third terminal, the first current relay has a first port and a second port, and the second current relay has a third port;

[0010] The first terminal cooperates with the first port, the second terminal cooperates with the second port, and the third terminal cooperates with the third port to respectively realize electrical connection between the first switch and the first current relay, the second switch and the first current relay, and the second switch and the second current relay.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first current relay further has a fourth port, the second current relay further has a fifth port, and the safety relay has a first interface and a second interface;

[0012] The first interface cooperates with the fourth port, and the second interface cooperates with the fifth port to respectively realize electrical connections between the safety relay, the first current relay, and the second current relay.

[0013] In some embodiments, the control device further includes an alligator clip electrically connected to the safety relay, the second current relay further has a sixth port and a seventh port, and the safety relay further has a third interface and a fourth interface;

[0014] The sixth port cooperates with the third interface, and the seventh port cooperates with the fourth interface, so that the safety relay and the second current relay are electrically connected and form a safety ground locking circuit.

[0015] In some embodiments, the safety relay has an enable switch electrically connected to the laser, and in response to the safety lock circuit being turned on, the enable switch is turned on and sends the generated enable signal to the laser.

[0016] In some embodiments, there are multiple safety lock circuits.

[0017] In some embodiments, the control device further includes a leakage circuit breaker, and the leakage circuit breaker is electrically connected to the laser and the safety relay respectively to form a leakage protection circuit.

[0018] In some embodiments, the handle has first side surfaces that are opposite to each other, and the first switch and the second switch are both spaced apart and arranged on the first side surfaces.

[0019] In some embodiments, the handle further has a second side surface connected to the first side surfaces respectively, and the first switch and the second switch are both spaced apart and arranged on the second side surfaces.

[0020] In some embodiments, the handle further has a second side surface respectively connected to the first side surface, the first switch is arranged on the first side surface, and the second switch is arranged on the second side surface.

[0021] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the technical effects achieved by the present invention are as follows:

[0022] The utility model provides a handheld laser welding device, including a welding gun, a laser and a control device. A first switch and a second switch are provided on the handle of the welding gun. The control device includes a safety relay, a first current relay and a second current relay. The electrical connections between the above-mentioned electrical components respectively form a red light control circuit, a laser control circuit and an interlock circuit. Among them, the first switch is used to control the red light indicator to help the operator aim at the welding point, and the second switch is used to activate the laser. The interlock circuit can achieve a safety interlock between the electrical components, ensuring that the laser will only emit light for welding when the two switches are activated in sequence, thereby minimizing burns to personnel and damage to workpieces caused by misoperation, and helping to improve the safety of operation. In addition, this sequential control logic can also prevent the laser from being accidentally activated when aiming is not performed, which not only helps to improve the safety of laser welding, but also helps to improve the accuracy of laser welding.

[0023] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the embodiment of the utility model. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the embodiment of the utility model, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the embodiment of the utility model more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation method of the utility model is specifically listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are only used to illustrate the embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present invention. In addition, the same reference symbols are used to represent the same components throughout the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a welding gun provided by the utility model;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of another welding gun provided by the utility model;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a red light control circuit provided by the utility model;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an interlocking circuit provided by the utility model.

[0029] In the picture:

[0030] 100 welding gun, 110 gun body, 120 handle, 121 first switch, 122 second switch, 123 first side surface, 124 second side surface;

[0031] 200 control device, 210 safety relay, 211 enabling switch, 220 first current relay, 230 second current relay. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the accompanying drawings show exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0033] Reference Figure 1-Figure 4 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a handheld laser welding device, including a welding gun 100 and a laser (not shown in the figure), and a control device 200 electrically connected to the welding gun 100 and the laser, respectively. The welding gun 100 includes a gun body 110 and a handle 120 connected to the gun body 110. The gun body 110 is provided with a red light indicator (not shown in the figure). The handle 120 is provided with a first switch 121 and a second switch 122. The control device 200 includes a safety relay 210, a first current relay 220, and a second current relay 230. Specifically, the first switch 121, the first current relay 220, and the red light indicator are electrically connected in sequence to form a red light control circuit. The second switch 122 is electrically connected to the laser to form a laser control circuit. The first current relay 220 is also electrically connected to the second switch 122, the second current relay 230, and the safety relay 210 to form an interlocking circuit.

[0034] It should be noted that the red light indicator is used to emit red light and can be a laser diode, LED indicator, etc. This application does not limit the specific type of red light indicator. The red light indicator is used to indicate the position of the laser and the cutting path, which helps the user ensure that the laser beam accurately illuminates the workpiece surface, thereby improving the accuracy of the equipment's welding and cutting. The red light indication can also simplify the user's operating process and help reduce the difficulty of operation. In addition, the use of red light can also reduce the need for laser position calibration, saving equipment processing time, thereby improving the equipment's operating efficiency.

[0035] Safety relay 210 is an electrical component designed specifically to enhance equipment and operator safety. It is typically used in combination with multiple relays and circuits to compensate for each other's anomalies and defects, achieving complete functionality with correct operation and minimal false positives. Safety relay 210 features a forced-guided contact structure, ensuring safety even in the event of contact welding. Safety relay 210 receives safety inputs and, through internal circuitry, deterministically outputs switching signals to the device's control circuit. Safety relay 210 typically has a dual-channel signaling system and operates properly only when both channel signals are normal. During operation, if either channel signal is disconnected, safety relay 210 ceases output until both channel signals return to normal and are reset.

[0036] During operation, the user first presses the first switch 121, which turns on the red light control circuit and causes the red light indicator to emit red light for subsequent welding position indication. Then, the user presses the second switch 122, which turns on the interlock circuit and the laser control circuit, starting the laser and emitting laser light. It should be noted that if the user mistakenly presses the second switch 122 first, the interlock circuit will not turn on. Even though the laser control circuit is turned on, the laser will not emit laser light, thus minimizing the risk of accidental laser light emission.

[0037] The present invention provides a handheld laser welding device. A first switch 121 is used to control a red light indicator to help the operator aim at the welding point, while a second switch 122 is used to activate the laser. An interlock circuit can achieve a safety interlock between the various electrical components, ensuring that the laser will emit light for welding only when the two switches are activated in sequence. This minimizes burns to personnel and damage to workpieces caused by misoperation, thereby improving operational safety. Furthermore, this sequential control logic can prevent accidental activation of the laser when aiming is not in place, which not only improves the safety of laser welding but also helps to enhance laser welding accuracy.

[0038] In some embodiments, reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first switch 121 has a first terminal S1, the second switch 122 has a second terminal S2 and a third terminal S3, the first current relay 220 has a first port A1 and a second port A2, and the second current relay 230 has a third port A3; the first terminal S1 cooperates with the first port A1, the second terminal S2 cooperates with the second port A2, and the third terminal S3 cooperates with the third port A3 to respectively realize electrical connections between the first switch 121 and the first current relay 220, the second switch 122 and the first current relay 220, and the second switch 122 and the second current relay 230.

[0039] Furthermore, the first current relay 220 also has a fourth port A4, the second current relay 230 also has a fifth port A5, and the safety relay 210 has a first interface L1 and a second interface L2; the first interface L1 cooperates with the fourth port A4, and the second interface L2 cooperates with the fifth port A5 to respectively realize electrical connection between the safety relay 210, the first current relay 220 and the second current relay 230.

[0040] The electrical connection between the first switch 121 and the first current relay can facilitate the conduction of the red light control circuit; the electrical connection between the second switch 122 and the first current relay 220, the second current relay 230, and the safety relay 210, the first current relay 220 and the second current relay 230 can achieve the conduction of the interlocking circuit.

[0041] It should be noted that the terms "terminal," "port," and "interface" in this application refer to structures within specific electrical components used to connect wires, signal lines, data lines, and other circuits. Depending on the type of circuit, transmission protocol, and other factors, these structures can have various implementations. For example, the aforementioned "terminal," "port," and "interface" may be an RS-232 interface, an RS-485 interface, an Ethernet interface, a fiber optic interface, and the like, but this application does not limit these.

[0042] In some embodiments, reference Figure 4 As shown, the control device 200 also includes an alligator clip (not shown in the figure) electrically connected to the safety relay 210, the second current relay 230 also has a sixth port A6 and a seventh port A7, and the safety relay 210 also has a third interface L3 and a fourth interface L4; the sixth port A6 cooperates with the third interface L3, and the seventh port A7 cooperates with the fourth interface L4 to electrically connect the safety relay 210 and the second current relay 230, and form a safety ground locking circuit.

[0043] It should be noted that the alligator clip is used to establish a good electrical connection between the welding gun 100 and the workpiece. This connection is necessary for triggering laser emission, as the design of many laser welding equipment requires that the welding head in the welding gun 100 contact the workpiece before the laser is activated. The provision of the alligator clip ensures that a stable electrical pathway is formed between the welding head and the workpiece, so that when the user presses the switch on the welding gun 100, the laser can be safely activated for welding. In addition, when the alligator clip is clamped to the workpiece, it can also be used to detect whether the safety lock circuit is conductive. If the welding head does not properly contact the workpiece, the safety lock circuit will not form a closed loop, and the laser will not be able to start, thereby preventing the laser from emitting without a workpiece and ensuring safe operation.

[0044] In addition, the safety ground lock circuits in this application can be multiple, such as two, three, etc. On the one hand, the design of multiple safety ground lock circuits provides multiple safety protection measures. Even if a certain level of safety protection fails, other levels of protection can still play a role, thereby ensuring the safety of the equipment; on the other hand, under normal production conditions, multiple safety ground lock circuits can prevent unplanned shutdowns caused by component failures within the system or human errors, thereby reducing the impact on production; on the other hand, by setting up multiple safety ground lock circuits, the load of a single circuit can be dispersed, reducing the failure rate of a single circuit component, thereby improving the stability and durability of the entire system.

[0045] Furthermore, the safety relay 210 has an enable switch 211 electrically connected to the laser. In response to the safety lock circuit being turned on, the enable switch 211 is turned on and sends the generated enable signal to the laser.

[0046] In handheld laser welding equipment, the operator activates the laser by pressing a switch on the welding torch 100. This switch signal is transmitted to the safety relay 210 in the control unit 200. The safety relay 210 checks all relevant safety conditions, such as whether the welding torch 100 is properly contacting the workpiece and whether the emergency stop button is activated. If all conditions are met, the safety relay 210 generates an enable signal and sends it to the laser, activating laser emission.

[0047] In some embodiments, the control device 200 further includes a leakage circuit breaker (not shown in the figure), and the leakage circuit breaker is electrically connected to the laser and the safety relay 210 respectively to form a leakage protection circuit.

[0048] A leakage current circuit breaker is an electrical safety device whose primary function is to automatically and quickly cut off power when a leakage current fault occurs in a circuit or electrical equipment, posing a fatal electric shock hazard to humans. This protects personal safety and prevents accidents such as electrical fires and equipment damage. The leakage current breaker monitors the circuit for abnormal current leaking into unintended paths (such as through the human body or the ground). When it detects that the leakage current reaches a predetermined value, the internal trip device activates, causing the switch to disconnect the circuit. By electrically connecting to the safety relay 210 and the laser, the leakage current breaker can provide overload protection, short-circuit protection, and circuit breaker protection for the safety relay 210 and the laser, further enhancing the safety of the equipment.

[0049] Regarding the arrangement positions of the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 on the handle 120, the present application may have a variety of different implementations, specifically:

[0050] In one embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the handle 120 has first side surfaces 123 opposite to each other, and the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 are both spaced apart and arranged on the first side surface 123 .

[0051] In this embodiment, when the user's hand is gripping the surface of the handle 120, the index finger and the middle finger can correspond to the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 respectively, or the middle finger and the ring finger can correspond to the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 respectively, or the index finger and the ring finger can correspond to the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 respectively, so that the handle 120 can be controlled by one hand.

[0052] In another embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the handle 120 further has a second side surface 124 connected to the first side surface 123 , and the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 are both spaced apart and arranged on the second side surface 124 .

[0053] In this embodiment, when the user holds the handle 120 with his thumb against the second side surface 124 , the user can operate the first switch 121 and the second switch 122 only with his thumb.

[0054] In another embodiment, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the handle 120 further has a second side surface 124 connected to the first side surface 123 , the first switch 121 is disposed on the first side surface 123 , and the second switch 122 is disposed on the second side surface 124 .

[0055] In this embodiment, when the user's hand is gripped on the surface of the handle 120, four fingers are pressed against the first side surface 123, and the thumb is pressed against the second side surface 124, so that the user can operate the first switch 121 with the index finger or middle finger of the four fingers, and operate the second switch 122 with the thumb.

[0056] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are described. However, it is understood that embodiments of the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. Similarly, in order to streamline the present invention and facilitate understanding of one or more of the various aspects of the present invention, in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various features of the embodiments of the present invention are sometimes grouped together into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. The claims that follow the detailed description are hereby expressly incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim itself serving as a separate embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] It should be noted that the above embodiments illustrate rather than limit the present invention, and that a person skilled in the art may devise alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between brackets should not be construed as limiting the claims. The word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not listed in the claims. The word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The present invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several different elements and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In a unit claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by the same item of hardware. The use of the words first, second, and third etc. does not indicate any order. These words may be interpreted as names. The steps in the above embodiments should not be understood as limiting the order of execution unless otherwise specified.

Claims

1. A handheld laser welding device, characterized in that: It includes a welding gun and a laser, and a control device electrically connected to the welding gun and the laser respectively; The welding gun includes a gun body and a handle connected to the gun body, the gun body is provided with a red light indicator, the handle is provided with a first switch and a second switch, and the control device includes a safety relay, a first current relay and a second current relay; Among them, the first switch, the first current relay and the red light indicator are electrically connected in sequence to form a red light control circuit, the second switch is electrically connected to the laser to form a laser control circuit, and the first current relay is also electrically connected to the second switch, the second current relay and the safety relay to form an interlocking circuit.

2. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first switch has a first terminal, the second switch has a second terminal and a third terminal, the first current relay has a first port and a second port, and the second current relay has a third port; The first terminal cooperates with the first port, the second terminal cooperates with the second port, and the third terminal cooperates with the third port to respectively realize electrical connection between the first switch and the first current relay, the second switch and the first current relay, and the second switch and the second current relay.

3. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first current relay further has a fourth port, the second current relay further has a fifth port, and the safety relay has a first interface and a second interface; The first interface cooperates with the fourth port, and the second interface cooperates with the fifth port to respectively realize electrical connections between the safety relay, the first current relay, and the second current relay.

4. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control device further includes an alligator clip electrically connected to the safety relay, the second current relay further has a sixth port and a seventh port, and the safety relay further has a third interface and a fourth interface; The sixth port cooperates with the third interface, and the seventh port cooperates with the fourth interface, so that the safety relay and the second current relay are electrically connected and form a safety ground locking circuit.

5. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The safety relay has an enable switch electrically connected to the laser. In response to the safety lock circuit being turned on, the enable switch is turned on and sends the generated enable signal to the laser.

6. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 5, characterized in that: There are multiple safety lock circuits.

7. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control device further includes a leakage circuit breaker, and the leakage circuit breaker is electrically connected to the laser and the safety relay respectively to form a leakage protection circuit.

8. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The handle has first side surfaces that are opposite to each other, and the first switch and the second switch are both spaced apart and arranged on the first side surfaces.

9. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The handle further has second side surfaces respectively connected to the first side surfaces, and the first switch and the second switch are both arranged at intervals on the second side surfaces.

10. The handheld laser welding device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The handle further has second side surfaces respectively connected to the first side surfaces. The first switch is arranged on the first side surfaces, and the second switch is arranged on the second side surfaces.