A focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head

Abstract

A focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head, belonging to the technical field of focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing devices, includes a laser head, a connecting bracket, a spherical focused ultrasound generator, a focused ultrasound working head shell, a hollow tube, a vibration transducer, a focusing lens, and a central hole. The laser head and the focused ultrasound working head shell are fixed and coaxially arranged by the connecting bracket. A hollow tube is located along the axis of the focused ultrasound working head shell, forming a laser path. A focusing lens is installed inside the hollow tube. A spherical focused ultrasound generator with a central hole is sealed and fixedly connected between the upper end of the hollow tube and the edge of the upper port of the focused ultrasound working head shell. A vibration transducer is sealed and fixedly connected between the lower end of the hollow tube and the edge of the lower port of the focused ultrasound working head shell. The focused ultrasound working head shell is filled with pure water. This invention enables simultaneous, precise, and efficient focusing of focused ultrasound and laser on the surface of workpieces of various sizes, improving laser processing efficiency and accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the technical field of focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing devices, and specifically relates to a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head. Background Technology

[0002] Laser processing technology mostly relies on the high energy of lasers to melt the workpiece material, thereby achieving material removal. Currently, ultrasonic-assisted laser processing technology is receiving increasingly widespread research as a novel method to improve the surface quality of laser-processed materials.

[0003] Currently, in the field of ultrasound-assisted laser processing, ultrasonic vibration can be broadly categorized into three types based on the method of ultrasonic application: Patents CN201310415092.5 and CN201610114914.X apply the ultrasonic vibration source to the bottom or side of the workpiece. However, this method is limited by the size and mass of the workpiece; the larger the workpiece, the less obvious the effect of ultrasonic vibration, making it difficult to apply to the laser processing of large parts. Furthermore, the vibration of the workpiece affects the laser focusing effect, thus reducing the quality of the laser processing. Patents CN201611042347.8 and CN201610290848.1 suspend the transducer, allowing the ultrasound to act directly on the laser molten pool, without being limited by the size and mass of the workpiece. However, the laser molten pool is very small, only a few millimeters in diameter, and the pool temperature is extremely high. The ultrasonic transducer must maintain a certain distance from the molten pool, and the vibration transmitted through the air is weak and the effect is not significant. Patent CN202110200631.8 discloses a method and apparatus for multi-degree-of-freedom focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing. This apparatus utilizes the spherical self-focusing principle of a focused ultrasound system, enabling long-distance and precise focusing of ultrasonic waves. However, focused ultrasound attenuates significantly when propagating in air, and the focal vibration effect during air transmission is insufficient. While using liquid media such as water or ethanol to transmit focused ultrasound can solve the problem of ultrasonic focusing intensity, creating a sufficiently thick water layer on the surface of large workpieces is a difficult issue. Moreover, an excessively thick water layer significantly weakens the laser, hindering practical application. Therefore, novel apparatus and methods are needed to achieve effective coupling between focused ultrasound and laser. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention discloses a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head, which enables focused ultrasound and laser to be simultaneously, precisely, and efficiently focused on the surface of workpieces of various specifications. This allows focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing technology to be more widely used in laser cutting, drilling, and other fields, in order to assist in the removal of cladding layers and slag, and improve the efficiency and precision of laser processing.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0006] A focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head includes a laser head, a connecting bracket, a spherical focused ultrasound generator, a focused ultrasound working head housing, a hollow tube, a transducer, a focusing lens, and a central hole. The laser head and the focused ultrasound working head housing are fixed and coaxially arranged by the connecting bracket. A hollow tube is provided at the axis of the focused ultrasound working head housing, forming a laser path. A focusing lens is installed inside the hollow tube. A spherical focused ultrasound generator with a central hole is sealed and fixedly connected between the upper end of the hollow tube and the edge of the upper port of the focused ultrasound working head housing. A transducer is sealed and fixedly connected between the lower end of the hollow tube and the edge of the lower port of the focused ultrasound working head housing. The focused ultrasound working head housing is filled with pure water, which cools the spherical focused ultrasound generator and efficiently transmits ultrasonic waves, improving the focusing effect of the focused ultrasound at the focal point.

[0007] Preferably, the focused ultrasound working head housing is an inverted frustum-shaped structure, and the two ends of the connecting bracket are respectively fixedly connected to the laser head and the focused ultrasound working head housing by ring clamps. The side wall of the focused ultrasound working head housing is provided with water inlet and outlet.

[0008] Preferably, the edge of the focusing lens is fitted with a vibration-damping rubber sleeve, and the vibration-damping rubber sleeve is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the hollow tube.

[0009] Preferably, a nozzle is fixedly connected to the outer surface of the focused ultrasound working head housing, and the nozzle is connected to a water source through a connecting pipe, which is equipped with a valve.

[0010] A method for using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in a water tank and immersing it in water; placing the assembled focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head directly above the workpiece, immersing the transducer in the water, and adjusting the distance between the transducer and the workpiece surface so that the ultrasonic waves generated by the spherical focused ultrasound generator pass through pure water and the transducer and are focused on the laser focal area on the workpiece surface, assisting the laser in processing. The focused ultrasound removes the molten material generated during laser processing on the workpiece surface, improving the efficiency and quality of laser processing.

[0011] A method for using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in the air, continuously supplying water to the surface of the workpiece through a nozzle to form a water film, and placing a transducer plate above the workpiece in close contact with the water film for processing.

[0012] The beneficial effects of the focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head of the present invention are as follows:

[0013] (1) The laser head and the housing of the focused ultrasonic working head of the present invention are coaxially arranged. The focused ultrasonic and the laser can be focused synchronously on the processing area of ​​the workpiece surface. The high intensity of the focused ultrasonic on the workpiece surface enhances the auxiliary effect of the ultrasonic on the laser processing.

[0014] (2) The present invention is small in size, easy to install and use. Only a thin water layer is required on the surface of the workpiece. It can be formed by immersion or external water jet. It has few restrictions on the size and mass of the workpiece and can be applied to the processing of workpieces of various sizes.

[0015] (3) In this invention, water is always used as a medium during the focused ultrasound transmission process, which enhances the transmission efficiency of focused ultrasound and ensures the auxiliary processing effect of focused ultrasound. At the same time, the workpiece surface of this invention does not require a large water layer, which will not seriously weaken the laser energy, thus ensuring the efficiency and sustainability of laser processing.

[0016] (4) This invention can be used for various types of laser processing such as laser drilling, laser cutting, and laser strengthening, and has a wide range of applications.

[0017] Instruction manual illustrations

[0018] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 Internal cross-sectional view (partial enlargement) of the focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head of the present invention.

[0020] Reference numerals: 1-Laser head, 2-Connecting bracket, 3-Spherical focusing ultrasonic generator, 4-Focusing ultrasonic working head shell, 5-Inlet / outlet, 6-Hollow tube, 7-Vibration transducer, 8-Focusing lens, 9-Vibration isolation rubber sleeve, 10-Center hole. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The following description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] A focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head, such as Figure 1 , 2As shown, the device includes a laser head 1, a connecting bracket 2, a spherical focusing ultrasound generator 3, a focusing ultrasound working head housing 4, a hollow tube 6, a transducer 7, a focusing lens 8, and a central hole 10. The laser head 1 and the focusing ultrasound working head housing 4 are fixed and coaxially arranged by the connecting bracket 2. A hollow tube 6 is provided at the axis of the focusing ultrasound working head housing 4, forming a laser path. A focusing lens 8 is installed inside the hollow tube 6. A spherical focusing ultrasound generator 3 with a central hole 10 is sealed and fixedly connected between the upper end of the hollow tube 6 and the edge of the upper port of the focusing ultrasound working head housing 4. A transducer 7 is sealed and fixedly connected between the lower end of the hollow tube 6 and the edge of the lower port of the focusing ultrasound housing 4. The focusing ultrasound housing 4 is filled with pure water, which cools the spherical focusing ultrasound generator and efficiently transmits ultrasound waves, improving the focusing effect of the focusing ultrasound at the focal point.

[0024] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown, the focused ultrasonic working head housing 4 is an inverted frustum-shaped structure. The two ends of the connecting bracket 2 are fixedly connected to the laser head 1 and the focused ultrasonic working head housing 4 respectively via ring clamps (not marked in the figure). The side wall of the focused ultrasonic working head housing 4 is provided with water inlet and outlet ports 5. This configuration ensures that the laser emitted by the laser head and the ultrasonic waves can be simultaneously focused in the processing area on the workpiece surface.

[0025] like Figure 2 As shown, the edge of the focusing lens 8 is fitted with a vibration-damping rubber sleeve 9, which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the hollow tube to prevent the vibration of the focusing lens 8 from affecting laser focusing.

[0026] Example 2

[0027] Based on Example 1, this example discloses:

[0028] A method for using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in a water tank and immersing it in water; placing the assembled focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head directly above the workpiece, immersing the transducer 7 in the water, and adjusting the distance between the transducer 7 and the workpiece surface so that the ultrasonic waves generated by the spherical focused ultrasound generator 3 are focused on the laser focal area on the workpiece surface, assisting the laser in processing, and using focused ultrasound to remove the molten material generated during laser processing on the workpiece surface, thereby improving the efficiency and quality of laser processing.

[0029] Example 3

[0030] Based on Example 1, this example discloses:

[0031] like Figure 1 , 2As shown, a nozzle (not shown in the figure) is also fixedly connected to the outer surface of the focused ultrasound working head shell 4. The nozzle is connected to a water source through a connecting pipe, and the connecting pipe is equipped with a valve.

[0032] Example 4

[0033] Based on Example 3, this example discloses:

[0034] A method for using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in the air, continuously supplying water to the surface of the workpiece through a nozzle to form a water film, and placing a transducer 7 above the workpiece in close contact with the water film for processing.

Claims

1. A focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head, characterized in that: The device includes a laser head, a connecting bracket, a spherical focusing ultrasonic generator, a focusing ultrasonic working head housing, a hollow tube, a transducer, a focusing lens, and a central hole. The laser head and the focusing ultrasonic working head housing are fixed and coaxially arranged by the connecting bracket. A hollow tube is located along the axis of the focusing ultrasonic working head housing, forming a laser path. A focusing lens is installed inside the hollow tube. A spherical focusing ultrasonic generator with a central hole is sealed and fixedly connected between the upper end of the hollow tube and the edge of the upper port of the focusing ultrasonic working head housing. A transducer is sealed and fixedly connected between the lower end of the hollow tube and the edge of the lower port of the focusing ultrasonic working head housing. The focusing ultrasonic working head housing is filled with pure water, which cools the spherical focusing ultrasonic generator and efficiently transmits ultrasonic waves, improving the focusing effect of the focused ultrasound at the focal point. The ultrasonic waves generated by the spherical focusing ultrasonic generator are focused on the laser focal area on the workpiece surface. The focused ultrasound working head housing is an inverted frustum-shaped structure. The two ends of the connecting bracket are fixedly connected to the laser head and the focused ultrasound working head housing respectively by ring clamps. The side wall of the focused ultrasound working head housing is provided with water inlet and outlet.

2. The focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The edge of the focusing lens is fitted with a vibration-damping rubber sleeve, which is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the hollow tube.

3. The focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The outer surface of the focused ultrasound working head housing is also fixedly connected to a nozzle, which is connected to a water source via a connecting pipe, and the connecting pipe is equipped with a valve.

4. The method of using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in a water tank and immersing it in water; placing the assembled focused ultrasonic-assisted laser processing head directly above the workpiece, immersing the transducer in the water, and adjusting the distance between the transducer and the workpiece surface so that the ultrasonic waves generated by the spherical focused ultrasonic generator are focused on the laser focal area on the workpiece surface, assisting the laser in processing. The focused ultrasound is used to remove the molten material generated during laser processing on the workpiece surface, improving the efficiency and quality of laser processing.

5. The method of using a focused ultrasound-assisted laser processing head as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The process includes the following steps: placing the workpiece in the air, continuously supplying water to the surface of the workpiece through a nozzle to form a water film, and placing a vibration plate above the workpiece to process the water film.

Images