Laser safety control system and control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a laser safety control system and a control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of lasers.The laser safety control system comprises a multimode main control device and at least one single-mode main control device, wherein the multimode main control device is electrically connected with the single-mode main control device, is used for receiving two emergency stop interlocking signals input through an external control board, and is used for coupling the two emergency stop interlocking signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a double-channel emergency stop interlocking pulse signal and transmitting the double-channel emergency stop interlocking pulse signal to the single-mode main control device; and the single-mode main control device is used for receiving the double-channel emergency stop interlocking pulse signal and controlling a laser according to the double-channel emergency stop interlocking pulse signal. Therefore, the safety control logic of the laser can be optimized, the safety level of the laser control is improved, the workpiece is prevented from being damaged, the machining efficiency is improved, and the safety of equipment and personnel is ensured.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lasers, and more particularly to a laser safety control system and its control method. [Background Technology]

[0002] High-power lasers offer advantages such as high processing efficiency, high precision, and low energy consumption, and have been widely used in recent years in high-end manufacturing fields such as cutting, welding, marking, and cladding. When applying high-power lasers to these fields, manufacturers of processing systems and equipment have placed higher demands on the safe emission and shutdown control of the lasers. In particular, when the laser experiences an emergency stop alarm or operational malfunction, it is necessary to promptly stop the emission of light to ensure the absolute safety and controllability of the laser.

[0003] However, existing lasers have a risk of failing to recognize the logic of safety signals such as interlock emergency stop during power-on and operation, leading to uncontrolled laser output, damage to workpieces, increased downtime, and reduced processing efficiency. Furthermore, the current control methods of traditional laser systems also have safety hazards, which may result in laser-related injuries due to equipment malfunctions or improper operation during actual end-use applications. This makes it impossible to guarantee the safety of equipment and personnel, preventing lasers from becoming truly reliable processing tools. [Summary of the Invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a laser safety control system and its control method, which aims to solve the problem that the current laser safety control system has the risk of failure to recognize the logical judgment of safety signals such as laser interlock emergency stop, which leads to uncontrolled laser output, damage to workpieces, reduced processing efficiency, and failure to guarantee the safety of equipment and personnel.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a laser safety control system, comprising: a multimode main control device and at least one single-mode main control device, wherein:

[0006] The multi-mode main control device is electrically connected to the single-mode main control device and is used to receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device.

[0007] The single-mode main control device is used to receive the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and control the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0008] Optionally, the two emergency stop interlock signals include a first emergency stop interlock signal and a second emergency stop interlock signal; after the first emergency stop interlock signal and the second emergency stop interlock signal enter the multi-mode main control device through the external control interface terminal of the multi-mode main control device, the multi-mode main control device couples the first emergency stop interlock signal and the second emergency stop interlock signal to a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, wherein the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal includes the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0009] Optionally, the single-mode main control device includes a first controller and a second controller; wherein:

[0010] The first controller is used to acquire the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a light enable signal to control the laser according to the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0011] The second controller is used to acquire the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a power control signal to the laser according to the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal;

[0012] The first controller is electrically connected to the second controller, and a safety interlock logic judgment is performed between the first controller and the second controller.

[0013] Optionally, the single-mode main control device further includes a first switch and a second switch; wherein:

[0014] The first switch is electrically connected to the first controller and is used to control the laser connected to it to emit laser light according to the light emission enable signal output by the first controller;

[0015] The second switch is electrically connected to the second controller and is used to control the power output of the laser connected to it according to the power control signal output by the second controller.

[0016] Optionally, a safety interlock logic judgment is performed between the first controller and the second controller; specifically including:

[0017] The laser can emit light normally only when the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the first controller and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the second controller are detected in real time, as well as the light output enable signal output by the first controller and the power control signal output by the second controller are detected in real time. Otherwise, the laser will issue a safety alarm.

[0018] Optionally, the laser safety control system further includes an external control board, which includes an emergency stop button. The emergency stop button is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and is used to generate the two emergency stop interlock signals when it is pressed, and transmit them to the multimode main control device.

[0019] Optionally, the laser safety control system further includes a touch screen, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and the single-mode main control device respectively, for realizing human-computer interaction.

[0020] Optionally, the laser safety control system further includes an alarm device, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and the single-mode main control device respectively, and is used to issue an alarm based on the alarm signals of the multimode main control device and / or the single-mode main control device.

[0021] Optionally, the laser safety control system further includes a drive power module, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and the single-mode main control device, respectively, and is used to supply power to the multimode main control device 1 and the single-mode main control device.

[0022] Accordingly, a second aspect of the present invention provides a laser safety control method, which is applied to the laser safety control system described in the first aspect of the present invention, the laser safety control method comprising:

[0023] Receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal;

[0024] The laser is controlled according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0025] Compared with existing technologies, this invention provides a laser safety control system and its control method. The laser safety control system includes a multi-mode main control device and at least one single-mode main control device. The multi-mode main control device is electrically connected to the single-mode main control device and receives two emergency stop interlock signals input through an external control board. It couples these two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device. The single-mode main control device receives the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and controls the laser according to it. This optimizes the laser safety control logic, improves the safety level of laser control, avoids workpiece damage, reduces downtime, improves processing efficiency, ensures equipment and personnel safety, and enables the laser safety control system to meet the highest PLE (Power Level Assist) certification for lasers, making the laser a truly reliable processing tool. [Attached Image Description]

[0026] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference numerals in the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements with the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the figures in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a single-mode main control device in a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control logic and control timing of a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the control logic and control timing of a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first controller in a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second controller in a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 7 This is another structural schematic diagram of a laser safety control system provided by the present invention;

[0034] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a laser safety control method provided by the present invention.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0035] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as being "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. When an element is described as being "electrically connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "bottom," etc., used in this specification indicate orientation or positional relationships based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The term "and / or" as used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0037] Furthermore, the technical features involved in the different embodiments of the present invention described below can be combined with each other as long as they do not conflict with each other.

[0038] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a laser safety control system 100, which includes: a multimode main control device 10 and at least one single-mode main control device 20, wherein:

[0039] The multi-mode main control device 10 is electrically connected to the single-mode main control device 20, and is used to receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse-width modulation (PWM) pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device 20.

[0040] The single-mode main control device 20 is used to receive the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and control the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0041] In this embodiment, a laser safety control system is provided, including a multi-mode main control device and at least one single-mode main control device. The multi-mode main control device is electrically connected to the single-mode main control device and receives two emergency stop interlock signals input from an external control board. It couples these two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device. The single-mode main control device receives the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and controls the laser according to it. This optimizes the laser safety control logic, improves the safety level of laser control, avoids workpiece damage, reduces downtime, increases processing efficiency, ensures equipment and personnel safety, and enables the laser safety control system to meet the highest PLE (Power Level Assist) certification for lasers, making the laser a truly reliable processing tool.

[0042] In one embodiment, the multi-mode master control device 10 is electrically connected to the single-mode master control device 20, and is used to receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode master control device 20.

[0043] Specifically, the two emergency stop interlock signals include a first emergency stop interlock signal and a second emergency stop interlock signal. After the first and second emergency stop interlock signals enter the multi-mode main control device 10 through the external control interface terminal of the multi-mode main control device, the multi-mode main control device 10 receives the first and second emergency stop interlock signals, performs optocoupler isolation and level logic inversion processing on the first and second emergency stop interlock signals, and couples them to a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device 20. The dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal includes the first and second emergency stop interlock pulse signals.

[0044] In this embodiment, the multi-mode main control device couples two emergency stop interlock signals input from the external control board with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal. This allows the abnormal input emergency stop interlock signal to be detected even when one of the two emergency stop interlock signals input from the external control board is interrupted, whether the signal is normally closed or normally open. This greatly reduces the risk of failure to detect and identify the failure and improves the safety level of laser control.

[0045] In one embodiment, the single-mode main control device 20 is used to receive the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and control the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0046] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the single-mode main control device 20 includes a first controller 21 and a second controller 22; wherein:

[0047] The first controller 21 is used to acquire the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a light enable signal to control the laser according to the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0048] The second controller 22 is used to acquire the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a power control signal to the laser according to the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0049] The first controller 21 is electrically connected to the second controller 22, and the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 communicate logically to perform safety interlock logic judgment.

[0050] Furthermore, the first controller 21 is also used for laser status detection and alarm processing, reporting, and display.

[0051] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the single-mode main control device 20 further includes a first switch 23 and a second switch 24; wherein:

[0052] The first switch 23 is electrically connected to the first controller 21 and is used to control the laser connected to it to emit laser light according to the light emission enable signal output by the first controller 21. That is, the first controller 21 outputs the light emission enable signal to control the first switch 23 according to the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and detects the light emission enable of the first switch 23.

[0053] The second switch 24 is electrically connected to the second controller and is used to control the power output of the laser connected to it according to the power control signal output by the second controller 22. That is, the second controller 22 outputs a power control signal to the second switch 24 according to the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal and detects the power of the second switch 24.

[0054] The first controller 21 and the second controller 22 are electrically connected, and logical communication is performed between the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 to perform safety interlock logic judgment; specifically including:

[0055] The laser emits light normally only when the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the first controller 21 and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the second controller 22 are detected in real time, as well as the light output enable signal output by the first controller 21 and the power control signal output by the second controller 22 are detected in real time. Otherwise, the laser will issue a safety alarm.

[0056] Specifically, the input first and second emergency stop interlock pulse signals are confirmed to be valid only when the first pulse of the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal are asynchronously triggered within a preset time (e.g., 150ms), and the frequency and duty cycle of the pulses are preset values.

[0057] The first controller 21 detects the output signal of the first switch 23 and the second controller 22 detects the output signal of the second switch 24. When a valid output signal can be detected within a preset time, the output light output enable signal and power control signal are valid.

[0058] like Figure 3 The diagram shown illustrates the control logic and timing of the laser safety control system. Figure 3 In the process, the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal of the first emergency stop interlock channel is transmitted to the first controller 21, and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal of the second emergency stop interlock channel is transmitted to the second controller 22. Both the first controller 21 and the second controller 22 must effectively detect and satisfy the safety interlock logic for the laser to emit light normally; specifically including:

[0059] 1. When the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal trigger rising edges (logic level from 0 to 1), and the asynchronous triggering delay between the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is less than a preset time (e.g., 150ms), then the output interlock safety door alarm is 0, the laser is in a ready state, can emit light normally, and the laser does not alarm.

[0060] For example, Figure 3In the first and second emergency stop interlock channels, the timing sequence that is simultaneously triggered from logic 0 to logic 1 is triggered from logic 0 in timing sequence 4 (#4) to logic 1 in timing sequence 5 (#5), and from logic 0 in timing sequence 8 (#8) to logic 1 in timing sequence 9 (#9). Therefore, the laser is in a ready state in timing sequence 5 (#5) and timing sequence 9 (#9) and can emit light normally. The laser does not alarm. At this time, the output interlock safety door alarm is 0.

[0061] 2. When the machine tool system is first turned on (before initialization is completed), the rising edge is not judged, only the level status is judged. If the level status is normal, the output interlock safety door alarm is 0, the laser is in the ready state and can output light normally, and the laser will not alarm.

[0062] 3. If the level of either the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal (i.e., the logic level of either the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is not from 0 to 1), then the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0063] For example, Figure 3 In the first emergency stop interlock channel, the logic 1 of timing sequence #1 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #2, the logic 1 of timing sequence #3 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #4, and the logic 1 of timing sequence #7 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #8. If the level of the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal during the above timing changes, the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0064] In the second emergency stop interlock channel, the logic 1 of timing sequence #3 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #4, the logic 1 of timing sequence #5 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #6, and the logic 1 of timing sequence #7 drops to logic 0 of timing sequence #8. If the level of the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal during the above timing changes, the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0065] 4. If the rising edge state of either the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal (i.e., the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is not a trigger rising edge), then the output interlock safety door alarm is 1, the laser is in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser alarm is triggered.

[0066] For example, Figure 3 In the first emergency stop interlock channel, the logic 1 of timing sequence #1 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #2, the logic 1 of timing sequence #3 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #4, and the logic 1 of timing sequence #7 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #8. If the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal is not at the rising edge of the trigger during the above timing changes, the output interlock safety door alarm is 1, the laser is in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser alarm is triggered.

[0067] In the second emergency stop interlock channel, the logic 1 of timing sequence #3 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #4, the logic 1 of timing sequence #5 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #6, and the logic 1 of timing sequence #7 drops to the logic 0 of timing sequence #8. If the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal is not at the rising edge of the trigger during the above timing changes, the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0068] 5. If the asynchronous trigger delay of two interlock states exceeds the preset time (e.g., 150ms), the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0069] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a flowchart illustrating the control logic and timing of a laser safety control system.

[0070] A1. The safety door of the machine tool system is closed.

[0071] A2. After the safety door of the machine tool system is closed, the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal is short-circuited, and the laser begins to perform interlock self-test.

[0072] A3. The self-test status is fed back to the master station system through the EtherCAT bus protocol flag or external control signal.

[0073] A4. The main station system determines whether the interlocked safety door alarm value is 0 or 1; if the interlocked safety door alarm value is 1, proceed to step A5; if the interlocked safety door alarm value is 0, proceed to step A7.

[0074] A5. When the main station system determines that the interlock safety door alarm value is 1, a laser interlock alarm occurs, and the laser interlock safety self-test fails.

[0075] A6. Stop laser control logic.

[0076] A7. The laser enters an unprepared state, and the laser is turned off; proceed to step A13.

[0077] A8. When the main station system determines that the interlock safety door alarm value is 0, no laser interlock alarm occurs, and the laser interlock safety self-test passes.

[0078] A9. Continue with the laser control logic.

[0079] A10 outputs enable, control, and power signals to the laser.

[0080] A11. Control the laser to emit light normally; proceed to step A12.

[0081] A12, End.

[0082] In this embodiment, after the machine tool system's safety door closes, the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal is short-circuited, and the laser begins an interlock self-test. The self-test status is fed back to the master station system via a flag bit in the bus protocol or an external control signal. When a laser interlock alarm occurs, laser output stops, and the laser enters an unprepared state. When the laser interlock safety self-test passes, laser control commands can continue. The laser is given an enable signal, and outputs an output enable signal and a power control signal, thus controlling the laser to switch on and off normally.

[0083] In this invention, the external control signals of the laser are divided into three categories:

[0084] The first category is safety signal interfaces, which include at least one of the following: emergency stop button, physical emergency stop output, emergency stop external control signal line, digital emergency stop output, interlock input, and interlock status output.

[0085] The second category is the control and status interface, which includes at least one of the following: First channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, key switch, remote start signal input, error reset, multiple temperature alarms, multiple water flow alarms, infrared sensor contact input, welded part short circuit detection input; Second channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, enable input, red light input signal, PWM modulation signal input; Main power status, laser Ready, alarm output signal, laser output signal.

[0086] Among them, such as Figure 5 As shown, the second type of external control signals involved in the first controller 21 include: first emergency stop interlock pulse signal, key switch, remote start signal input, error reset, multiple temperature alarms, multiple water flow alarms, infrared sensor contact input, welded part short circuit detection input; main power status, laser Ready.

[0087] like Figure 6As shown, the second type of external control signals involved in the second controller 22 include: a second emergency stop interlock pulse signal, an enable input, a red light input signal, a PWM modulation signal input; an alarm output signal, and a laser output signal.

[0088] The third category is analog signal interfaces, which include at least one of the following: 0-10V power input; red light output, light output power feedback, high-reflection power feedback; buzzer, indicator light, human-machine interface, front panel START green light, air conditioner temperature adjustment, fan speed control, chiller water flow control.

[0089] like Figure 5 As shown, the third type of external control signals involved in the first controller 21 include: buzzer, indicator light, human-machine interface, front panel START green light, air conditioner temperature adjustment, fan speed control, and chiller water flow control.

[0090] like Figure 6 As shown, the third type of external control signals involved in the second controller 22 include: 0-10V power input; red light output; light output power feedback; and high-reflection power feedback. Among these, the light output power feedback and the high-reflection power feedback are both power control signals.

[0091] As an example, the first controller 21 is a micro controller unit (MCU), and the second controller 22 is a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0092] In this embodiment, the single-mode main control device includes a first controller and a second controller, which are electrically connected. The first and second controllers perform output signal failure logic checks on the two laser switching signals, ensuring the absolute validity of the output signals and enabling the laser safety control system to dynamically detect input and output signals. Furthermore, the addition of asynchronous trigger duration safety logic further enhances the laser's safety level. Thus, the first and second controllers constitute a dual-controller, dual-channel safety detection system, capable of detecting any controller malfunction, making the laser safety control system even safer.

[0093] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the laser safety control system 100 further includes an external control board 30, which includes an emergency stop button. The emergency stop button is electrically connected to the multimode main control device 10 and is used to generate the two emergency stop interlock signals when it is pressed, and transmit them to the multimode main control device.

[0094] Specifically, the emergency stop button is a first-class safety signal interface. The emergency stop button is electrically connected to the external control interface terminal of the multi-mode main control device. When the emergency stop button is pressed, it generates the first emergency stop interlock signal and the second emergency stop interlock signal, which enter the multi-mode main control device through the external control interface terminal.

[0095] The emergency stop button is normally closed. When pressed to activate an emergency stop, it opens and generates an emergency stop interlock signal. The emergency stop interlock signal is a passive signal input. In the short-circuit state, there is no alarm and the machine tool system laser emits light; in the open state, there is an alarm and the machine tool system laser cannot emit light.

[0096] In this embodiment, to ensure system safety, the user can trigger an emergency stop interlock signal via the emergency stop button on the external control board in case of a malfunction or danger. This will cause the system to shut down the module's operating voltage and trigger an alarm. To ensure safe external operation by the customer, the user can input two interlock signals via the external control board. When the customer performs an abnormal operation, triggering the interlock signal will stop the system's light output and trigger an alarm.

[0097] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the laser safety control system 100 further includes a drive power module 40, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device 10 and the single-mode main control device 20 respectively, and is used to supply power to the multimode main control device 10 and the single-mode main control device 20.

[0098] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the laser safety control system 100 also includes a touch screen 50, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device 10 and is used to realize human-machine interaction, view the laser status and alarm information in real time, record processing information, edit welding waveforms and store and recall waveforms.

[0099] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, the laser safety control system 100 further includes an alarm device 60, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device 10 and is used to issue an alarm based on the alarm signal from the multimode main control device 10.

[0100] As an example, the alarm device 60 includes a buzzer and / or a tri-color (red, yellow, green) pillar light.

[0101] This invention provides a laser safety control system 100. During cutting applications, after the laser is powered on, the emergency stop interlock signals (including the first and second emergency stop interlock signals) are shorted. Then, the machine tool sends a key switch signal, the laser power supply starts, and the system returns to the main power status signal. The laser checks for alarm status; if an alarm is detected, an external control alarm signal is sent. After clearing the alarm, the rising edge of the external control line resets a reset command, which remains high for at least 5ms. The machine tool then sends a remote start signal input, the laser start green light illuminates, and the system returns to the laser Ready status. Finally, the laser's enable power and pulse width modulation pulse signal are set to enable laser cutting.

[0102] When performing welding applications, the laser is subjected to safety interlock logic judgment to improve the safety level of laser control, avoid damage to the workpiece, reduce downtime, and improve processing efficiency.

[0103] Based on the same concept, in one embodiment, such as Figure 8 As shown, the present invention provides a laser safety control method, which is applied to the laser safety control system 100 described in any of the above embodiments; the laser safety control method includes:

[0104] S1. Receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal;

[0105] S2. Control the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0106] In this embodiment, a laser safety control method is provided, comprising receiving two emergency stop interlock signals input through an external control board, coupling the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, and controlling the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal. This optimizes the laser safety control logic, improves the safety level of laser control, avoids workpiece damage, reduces downtime, improves processing efficiency, ensures equipment and personnel safety, and enables the laser safety control system to meet the highest PLE (Power Level Assisted Responsibility) certification for lasers, making the laser a truly reliable processing tool.

[0107] In one embodiment, in step S1, the two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board are received, and the two emergency stop interlock signals are coupled with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0108] Specifically, the two emergency stop interlock signals include a first emergency stop interlock signal and a second emergency stop interlock signal. After the first and second emergency stop interlock signals enter the multi-mode main control device through the external control interface terminal of the multi-mode main control device, the multi-mode main control device receives the first and second emergency stop interlock signals, performs optocoupler isolation and level logic inversion processing on the first and second emergency stop interlock signals, and then couples them to a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal. The dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal includes the first and second emergency stop interlock pulse signals.

[0109] In one embodiment, in step S2, the laser is controlled according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0110] Specifically, the single-mode main control device includes a first controller, a second controller, a first switch, and a second switch; wherein:

[0111] The first controller is electrically connected to the first switch, acquires the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal, and outputs a light enable signal to the laser connected to the first switch to emit laser light according to the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0112] The second controller is electrically connected to the second switch, acquires the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal, and outputs a power control signal to the second switch to control the power output of the laser connected to it, based on the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

[0113] The first controller and the second controller are electrically connected, and the first controller and the second controller communicate logically with each other to perform safety interlock logic judgments; specifically including:

[0114] The laser can emit light normally only when the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the first controller and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the second controller are detected in real time, as well as the light output enable signal output by the first controller and the power control signal output by the second controller are detected in real time. Otherwise, the laser will issue a safety alarm.

[0115] Specifically, the input first and second emergency stop interlock pulse signals are confirmed to be valid only when the first pulse of the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal are asynchronously triggered within a preset time (e.g., 150ms), and the frequency and duty cycle of the pulses are preset values.

[0116] The first controller detects the output signal of the first switch, and the second controller detects the output signal of the second switch. If a valid output signal is detected within a preset time, the output light-emitting enable signal and power control signal are valid. Specifically, this includes:

[0117] 1. When the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal trigger rising edges (logic level from 0 to 1), and the asynchronous triggering delay between the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is less than a preset time (e.g., 150ms), then the output interlock safety door alarm is 0, the laser is in a ready state, can emit light normally, and the laser does not alarm.

[0118] 2. When the machine tool system is first turned on (before initialization is completed), the rising edge is not judged, only the level status is judged. If the level status is normal, the output interlock safety door alarm is 0, the laser is in the ready state and can output light normally, and the laser will not alarm.

[0119] 3. If the level of either the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal, the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0120] 4. If the rising edge of either the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal or the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal is abnormal, the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0121] 5. If the asynchronous trigger delay of two interlock states exceeds the preset time (e.g., 150ms), the output interlock safety door alarm will be 1, the laser will be in an unprepared state and cannot emit light normally, and the laser will alarm.

[0122] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments of the laser safety control method and the laser safety control system belong to the same concept. For details of their implementation, please refer to the embodiments of the laser safety control system. Furthermore, the technical features in the embodiments of the laser safety control system are all applicable to the embodiments of the laser safety control method, and will not be repeated here.

[0123] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0124] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; under the concept of the present invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of the present invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A laser safety control system, characterized in that, The laser safety control system includes: a multimode main control unit and at least one single-mode main control unit, wherein: The multi-mode main control device is electrically connected to the single-mode main control device. It receives two emergency stop interlock signals input through an external control board and couples these two signals with a pulse width modulation (PWM) pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which is then transmitted to the single-mode main control device. The two emergency stop interlock signals include a first emergency stop interlock signal and a second emergency stop interlock signal. After the first and second emergency stop interlock signals enter the multi-mode main control device through its external control interface terminal, the multi-mode main control device couples them to a PWM pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal, which includes both a first and a second emergency stop interlock pulse signal. The single-mode main control device is used to receive the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal and control the laser according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

2. The laser safety control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The single-mode main control device includes a first controller and a second controller; wherein: The first controller is used to acquire the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a light enable signal to control the laser according to the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal. The second controller is used to acquire the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal and output a power control signal to the laser according to the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal; The first controller is electrically connected to the second controller, and a safety interlock logic judgment is performed between the first controller and the second controller.

3. The laser safety control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The single-mode main control device further includes a first switch and a second switch; wherein: The first switch is electrically connected to the first controller and is used to control the laser connected to it to emit laser light according to the light emission enable signal output by the first controller; The second switch is electrically connected to the second controller and is used to control the power output of the laser connected to it according to the power control signal output by the second controller.

4. The laser safety control system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first controller and the second controller perform a safety interlock logic check; specifically including: The laser can emit light normally only when the first emergency stop interlock pulse signal and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the first controller and the second emergency stop interlock pulse signal input to the second controller are detected in real time, as well as the light output enable signal output by the first controller and the power control signal output by the second controller are detected in real time. Otherwise, the laser will issue a safety alarm.

5. The laser safety control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser safety control system also includes an external control board, which includes an emergency stop button. The emergency stop button is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and is used to generate the two emergency stop interlock signals when it is pressed, and transmit them to the multimode main control device.

6. The laser safety control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser safety control system also includes a touch screen, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device for human-computer interaction.

7. The laser safety control system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser safety control system also includes an alarm device, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and is used to issue an alarm based on the alarm signal from the multimode main control device.

8. The laser safety control system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The laser safety control system further includes a drive power module, which is electrically connected to the multimode main control device and the single-mode main control device, respectively, and is used to supply power to the multimode main control device and the single-mode main control device.

9. A laser safety control method, characterized in that, The laser safety control method, applied to the laser safety control system as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprises: Receive two emergency stop interlock signals input through the external control board, and couple the two emergency stop interlock signals with a pulse width modulation pulse signal to form a dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal; The laser is controlled according to the dual-channel emergency stop interlock pulse signal.

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