A protective mirror module suitable for intracavity positive pressure laser processing head

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of laser processing technology, and specifically to a protective mirror module suitable for an inner cavity positive pressure laser processing head, comprising a protective mirror seat, a protective mirror drawer, a protective lens, and a baffle mechanism. The protective mirror seat is fixed to the bottom of the laser processing head with inner cavity positive pressure, a drawer slot is provided on the protective mirror seat, the protective mirror drawer is installed in the drawer slot, and the protective lens is installed in the protective mirror drawer; a baffle mechanism is provided in the protective mirror seat. During normal laser processing, the present invention isolates the inner cavity of the laser processing head from the outside world through the protective mirror drawer and the protective lens; when it is necessary to inspect or replace the protective lens, the protective mirror drawer is pulled out, and the baffle mechanism linked to the protective mirror drawer can isolate the inner cavity of the laser processing head from the outside world and seal the port of the drawer slot, thereby avoiding as much as possible the entry of dust when the inner cavity of the laser processing head is exposed to the outside due to inspection or replacement of the protective lens at the processing site, thereby extending the service life of the lens.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of laser processing, and in particular to a protective mirror module suitable for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head. Background Art

[0002] The protective lens is a crucial consumable component in laser processing heads. Installed in the protective lens module, it forms a complete unit with the other components of the laser processing head. The protective lens's function is to allow laser light to escape from the processing head's exit port while preventing dust particles from entering the head's inner cavity. Because the laser processing optical path must remain clean, the laser processing head's inner cavity must, in principle, be opened in a dust-free environment. However, this is often not possible in actual production. Regardless of the availability of a dust-free workbench, even with one, removing the laser processing head for inspection and reinstallation is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Existing commercially available reflective laser processing heads expose their inner cavity to the harsh production environment during inspection or replacement of the protective lens. Each time the protective lens is removed or inserted, dust particles inevitably enter. Once these particles adhere to the protective lens, they reduce its lifespan, shorten replacement cycles, and increase operating costs. Furthermore, dust particles that enter the laser processing head can land on other important lenses within the laser processing head, potentially burning them. In more serious cases, they can reflect some of the laser light back along its original path, burning the connector between the laser and the laser processing head, or even damaging components within the laser. The resulting downtime for laser processing head or laser repairs can be incalculable. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a protective mirror module suitable for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head, which can at least solve some of the defects in the prior art.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical solution of the present invention is a protective mirror module suitable for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head, comprising a protective mirror seat, a protective mirror drawer, a protective lens and a baffle mechanism, wherein the protective mirror seat is fixed to the bottom of the laser processing head with intracavity positive pressure, a drawer slot is provided on the protective mirror seat, the protective mirror drawer is installed in the drawer slot, and the protective lens is installed in the protective mirror drawer; a baffle mechanism is provided in the protective mirror seat, which can separate the space above and below the drawer slot and seal the port of the drawer slot when the protective mirror drawer is pulled out of the protective mirror seat.

[0005] Furthermore, the baffle mechanism includes a rotating shaft, an L-shaped baffle and a torsion spring. The rotating shaft is rotatably installed in the protective mirror seat and is located below the protective mirror drawer. The L-shaped baffle and the torsion spring are both installed on the rotating shaft, and the two ends of the torsion spring are respectively against the inner wall of the protective mirror seat and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle; when the protective mirror drawer is pulled out of the protective mirror seat, the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle blocks the port of the drawer slot, and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle separates the space above and below the drawer slot.

[0006] Furthermore, a first limiting protrusion for limiting the upward rotation of the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle is provided on the inner wall of the protective mirror seat.

[0007] Furthermore, a second limiting protrusion for limiting the outward rotation of the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle is provided at the end of the drawer slot.

[0008] Furthermore, the protective lens drawer includes a lens mounting seat and a front panel, one end of the lens mounting seat is fixed to the front panel, screws are installed on the front panel, and the front panel is fixed to the protective lens seat through the screws.

[0009] Furthermore, the protective lens is fixed to the lens mounting seat via a pressure ring, and the pressure ring is threadedly connected to the lens mounting seat.

[0010] Furthermore, a bell-shaped arc groove is provided on the lens mounting seat at a position facing the front panel.

[0011] Furthermore, a sealing groove is provided on the end surface of the drawer slot, and a sealing ring is provided at the corner between the lens mounting seat and the front panel, and the sealing ring matches the sealing groove.

[0012] Furthermore, a protective gas interface is provided on the protective mirror seat at a position below the protective mirror drawer.

[0013] Furthermore, a distance sensor is installed in the protective mirror seat at a position facing the protective mirror drawer.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1) During normal laser processing, the present invention isolates the inner cavity of the laser processing head from the outside world through the protective mirror drawer and the protective lens. When the protective lens needs to be inspected or replaced, the protective mirror drawer is pulled out. At this time, the baffle mechanism linked to the protective mirror drawer can isolate the inner cavity of the laser processing head from the outside world and seal the port of the drawer slot, thereby preventing dust from entering the inner cavity of the laser processing head when the protective lens is exposed to the outside during inspection or replacement at the processing site, thereby extending the service life of the lens.

[0016] (2) When the protective lens drawer is pulled out, the inner cavity of the laser processing head is filled with positive pressure gas, which can prevent external dust from entering the inner cavity of the laser processing head; during the process of inserting the protective lens drawer, the positive pressure gas is blown toward the upper surface of the protective lens through the bell-shaped arc groove on the protective lens drawer, blowing any dust that may exist to the outside, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the upper surface of the protective lens; during processing, the protective gas introduced into the B area below the protective lens can blow away any dust that may be attached to the lower surface of the protective lens, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the lower surface of the protective lens;

[0017] (3) When a laser processing head with positive inner cavity pressure adopts the protective mirror module of the present invention, it can be used for laser quenching processing; when a powder feeding module is connected below the protective mirror module of the present invention, it can be used for laser cladding processing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a laser processing head with positive internal pressure using the protective mirror module of this embodiment in operation;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a laser processing head with positive internal pressure using the protective mirror module of this embodiment when the protective mirror drawer is pulled out;

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a laser processing head with positive internal pressure using the protective mirror module of this embodiment when inserted into a protective mirror drawer;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a structural perspective view of the protective mirror drawer of this embodiment;

[0023] In the figure: 1. Screw; 2. Protective lens drawer; 3. Protective lens holder; 4. Laser processing head; 5. Protective lens; 6. Pressure ring; 7. Sensor; 8. Protective gas interface; 9. L-shaped baffle; 10. Rotating shaft; 11. Bell-mouth arc groove. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0026] like Figures 1-4 As shown, this embodiment provides a protective mirror module suitable for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head, comprising a protective mirror seat 3, a protective mirror drawer 2, a protective lens 5 and a baffle mechanism. The protective mirror seat 3 is fixed to the bottom of the laser processing head 4 with intracavity positive pressure. A drawer slot is provided on the protective mirror seat 3, the protective mirror drawer 2 is installed in the drawer slot, and the protective lens 5 is installed in the protective mirror drawer 2; above the protective mirror drawer 2 is area A connected to the intracavity of the laser processing head 4, and below the protective mirror drawer 2 is area B connected to the outside world. A baffle mechanism is provided in the protective mirror seat 3, which can separate area A and area B and close the port of the drawer slot when the protective mirror drawer 2 is pulled out of the protective mirror seat 3.

[0027] During normal laser processing, the protective mirror drawer 2 is inserted into the protective mirror seat 3. At this time, the protective lens 5 isolates the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 from the outside world; when it is necessary to inspect or replace the protective lens 5, the protective mirror drawer 2 is pulled out. At this time, the baffle mechanism linked to the protective mirror drawer 2 closes the gap at the protective mirror lens position, isolates the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 from the outside world and closes the port of the drawer slot, which can avoid as much as possible the entry of dust when the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 is exposed to the outside due to inspection or replacement of the protective lens 5 at the processing site, reduce unnecessary loss of lenses caused by excessive contamination of the inner cavity, reduce consumption of protective mirror lenses, and save processing costs.

[0028] Among them, the top of the protective mirror seat 3 is connected to the bottom of the laser processing head 4 with positive inner cavity pressure through screws. Optimally, an annular sealing groove can be set on the top surface of the protective mirror seat 3, and a sealing ring can be installed in the sealing groove to ensure the sealing performance of the connection between the protective mirror seat 3 and the laser processing head 4.

[0029] Furthermore, the baffle mechanism includes a rotating shaft 10, an L-shaped baffle 9 and a torsion spring. The rotating shaft 10 is rotatably installed in the protective mirror seat 3 and is located below the protective mirror drawer 2. The L-shaped baffle 9 and the torsion spring are both installed on the rotating shaft 10, and the L-shaped baffle 9 can rotate around the rotating shaft 10. The two ends of the torsion spring respectively rest on the inner wall of the protective mirror seat 3 and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9; when the protective mirror drawer 2 is pulled out of the protective mirror seat 3, the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 blocks the port of the drawer slot, and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 separates area A and area B; when the protective mirror drawer 2 is inserted into the protective mirror seat 3, the end of the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 tilts upward and rests on the bottom of the protective mirror drawer 2, and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 is tilted downward, and neither the short baffle nor the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 blocks the laser transmission channel.

[0030] The L-shaped baffle 9 in this embodiment is linked to the protective mirror drawer 2 through a torsion spring. When the protective mirror drawer 2 is pulled out, the torsion spring causes the L-shaped baffle 9 to rotate around the rotation axis toward the drawer slot port. Since a first limiting protrusion is provided on the inner wall of the protective mirror seat 3 for limiting the upward rotation of the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9, and a second limiting protrusion is provided at the port of the drawer slot for limiting the outward rotation of the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9, it can not only limit the L-shaped baffle 9 from rotating into place, but also ensure that the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle 9 can block the drawer slot port and the long baffle can replace the protective lens 5 to separate area A and area B.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the protective mirror drawer 2 of this embodiment includes a lens mounting seat and a front panel, one end of the lens mounting seat is fixed to the inner side of the front panel, and the protective lens 5 is installed in the lens mounting seat; a number of screws 1 are installed on the front panel, and the nuts of the screws 1 are located on the outer side of the front panel; screw holes corresponding to the screws 1 are provided on the protective mirror seat 3; when the protective mirror drawer 2 is inserted into the drawer slot of the protective mirror seat 3, the front panel and the protective mirror seat 3 are fixed by tightening the screws 1 on the front panel; when the protective mirror drawer 2 needs to be pulled out of the drawer slot, the front panel and the protective mirror seat 3 can be separated by loosening the screws 1, so that the protective mirror drawer 2 can be pulled out.

[0032] Specifically, a through hole is provided on the lens mounting seat, and two steps are provided on the inner wall of the through hole from the bottom surface of the lens mounting seat. The edge of the protective lens 5 is placed on the step surface of the second step and is pressed by the pressure ring 6; the side wall of the first step is provided with an internal thread, and the side wall of the pressure ring 6 is provided with an external thread. The pressure ring 6 is fixed to the lens mounting seat through the cooperation of the external thread and the internal thread, thereby fixing the protective lens 5 in the lens mounting seat and facilitating disassembly.

[0033] The above embodiment is optimized. A bell-shaped arc groove 11 is provided on the lens mounting seat at a position facing the front panel. The bottom surface of the bell-shaped arc groove 11 extends downward and inward from the outer edge of the lens mounting seat to the protective lens 5. The opening size of the bell-shaped arc groove 11 increases from the outer edge of the lens mounting seat to the protective lens 5. Since the entire protective lens 5 is always in the external environment when inspecting or replacing the protective lens, dust may be attached to the upper and lower surfaces of the protective lens 5. When the protective lens drawer 2 is inserted into the drawer slot on the protective lens seat 3, if Figure 3 As shown, a part of the airflow in area A above the protective lens 5 will be blown toward the upper surface of the protective lens 5 along the bell-shaped arc groove 11, and the dust that may exist on the upper surface of the protective lens 5 will be blown to the outside through the gap between the protective lens drawer 2 and the protective lens seat 3, thereby realizing self-cleaning of the upper surface of the protective lens 5; and after the protective lens drawer 2 is inserted into the drawer slot on the protective lens seat 3, protective gas is introduced into area B below the protective lens 5 through the protective gas interface 8 on the protective lens seat 3 during processing, and the protective gas will blow away the dust that may be attached to the lower surface of the protective lens 5 and blow it to the outside through area B, thereby realizing self-cleaning of the lower surface of the protective lens 5.

[0034] Furthermore, an annular sealing groove is provided on the port surface of the above-mentioned drawer slot, and an annular sealing ring is provided at the corner of the lens mounting seat and the front panel, and the sealing ring matches the sealing groove. When the protective lens drawer 2 is fully inserted into the drawer slot on the protective lens seat 3, the sealing ring is embedded in the sealing groove and sealed.

[0035] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, a protective gas interface 8 is provided on the protective lens seat 3 of this embodiment, and the protective gas interface 8 is located below the protective lens drawer 2. The protective gas interface 8 is connected to the protective gas supply system. When the laser processing head 4 is working, the protective gas supply system introduces protective gas to the area B below the protective lens 5 through the protective gas interface 8; when the laser processing head 4 stops processing, the protective gas is stopped from being introduced into the B area.

[0036] The above embodiment is optimized, and a distance sensor 7 is installed at a position in the protective lens seat 3 facing the protective lens drawer 2, that is, the side of the lens mounting seat facing away from the front panel faces the distance sensor 7. The distance sensor 7 can detect the distance between the protective lens drawer 2 and the distance sensor 7. The system fills the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 with positive pressure gas or stops filling the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 with positive pressure gas according to the signal fed back by the distance sensor 7.

[0037] The working process of the laser processing head 4 with positive internal pressure when using the protective mirror module of this embodiment is as follows:

[0038] When the laser processing head 4 is working, the state is as follows Figure 1 As shown, the laser beam is emitted from area A to area B toward the workpiece, and the shielding gas is continuously injected into area B through the shielding gas interface 8, cleaning the lower surface of the protective lens 5 while ensuring that area B is in a positive pressure state to prevent the entry of external dust. At this time, since area A is isolated from the outside world by the protective lens drawer 2 and the protective lens 5, the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 connected to area A does not need to be positively pressurized.

[0039] When the laser processing head 4 stops processing, the laser beam stops. Since the cost of using protective gas is higher than that of ordinary air, it also stops entering the B area from the protective gas interface 8. When it is necessary to check or replace the protective lens 5, as shown in the following example: Figure 2 As shown, after loosening the screw 1, the protective mirror drawer 2 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow, and the distance between the protective mirror drawer 2 and the distance sensor 7 changes. The distance sensor 7 sends a signal to the system, and the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 is immediately filled with positive pressure gas, preventing dust that may exist in area B from entering area A and the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4; when the protective mirror drawer 2 is completely pulled out, due to the absence of the obstruction of the protective mirror drawer 2, the L-shaped baffle 9 is quickly bounced to the limit position in the protective mirror seat 3 by the torsion spring around the rotating shaft 10, and its short baffle blocks the drawer slot port on the protective mirror seat 3, and the long baffle replaces the protective lens 5 to separate area A from area B; since the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 and area A are in a positive pressure state, it is difficult for external dust to enter the inner cavity of the laser processing head 4 through the small gap between area A and area B;

[0040] After checking or replacing the protective lens 5, insert the protective lens drawer 2 into the protective lens seat 3. Figure 3 As shown, the protective mirror drawer 2 will push open the L-shaped baffle 9, and area A and area B will be temporarily connected. However, since area A is in a positive pressure state, a large amount of airflow flows from area A to area B, preventing external dust from entering area A; when the protective mirror drawer 2 is installed in the correct position, the distance between it and the distance sensor 7 is normal, and the distance sensor 7 sends a signal to the system to stop supplying air.

[0041] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A protective lens module suitable for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head, characterized by: The laser processing device comprises a protective mirror seat, a protective mirror drawer, a protective lens and a baffle mechanism, wherein the protective mirror seat is fixed to the bottom of the laser processing head with positive inner cavity pressure, the protective mirror seat is provided with a drawer slot, the protective mirror drawer is installed in the drawer slot, and the protective lens is installed in the protective mirror drawer; a baffle mechanism is provided in the protective mirror seat, which can separate the space above and below the drawer slot and block the port of the drawer slot when the protective mirror drawer is pulled out of the protective mirror seat; the baffle mechanism comprises a rotating shaft, an L-shaped baffle and a torsion spring, the rotating shaft is rotatably installed in the protective mirror seat and is located below the protective mirror drawer, the L-shaped baffle and the torsion spring are both installed on the rotating shaft, and the two ends of the torsion spring respectively abut against the inner wall of the protective mirror seat and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle; when the protective mirror drawer is pulled out of the protective mirror seat, the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle blocks the port of the drawer slot, and the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle separates the space above and below the drawer slot.

2. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first limiting protrusion for limiting the upward rotation of the long baffle of the L-shaped baffle is provided on the inner wall of the protective mirror seat.

3. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second limiting protrusion for limiting the outward rotation of the short baffle of the L-shaped baffle is provided at the end of the drawer slot.

4. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: The protective mirror drawer includes a lens mounting seat and a front panel, one end of the lens mounting seat is fixed to the front panel, screws are installed on the front panel, and the front panel is fixed to the protective mirror seat through the screws.

5. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 4, characterized in that: The protective lens is fixed on the lens mounting seat via a pressure ring, and the pressure ring is threadedly connected to the lens mounting seat.

6. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 4, characterized in that: A trumpet-shaped arc groove is provided on the lens mounting seat at a position facing the front panel.

7. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 4, characterized in that: A sealing groove is provided on the end surface of the drawer slot, and a sealing ring is provided at the corner between the lens mounting seat and the front panel, and the sealing ring matches the sealing groove.

8. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: A protective gas interface is provided on the protective mirror seat at a position below the protective mirror drawer.

9. The protective mirror module for an intracavity positive pressure laser processing head according to claim 1, characterized in that: A distance sensor is installed in the protective mirror seat at a position facing the protective mirror drawer.

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