A cooling structure for laser cutting head

Abstract

The present invention discloses a cooling structure for a laser cutting head, and belongs to the field of laser cutting technology. It comprises: a shell set fixed on the outer wall of the laser head; a closed inner cavity is provided in the shell; a floating sleeve is installed in the inner cavity of the shell, and the floating sleeve is coaxial with the laser head; a driving device is used to drive the floating sleeve to rotate around the axis of the laser head; wherein a closed annular cavity is formed between the inner wall of the floating sleeve, the outer wall of the laser head, and the top plate and the bottom plate of the shell; a plurality of blades evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve are fixed to the inner wall of the floating sleeve, and the blades divide the annular cavity into a plurality of independent cooling unit cavities; a liquid outlet joint assembly connected to the annular cavity is fixed on the top plate of the shell, and a liquid inlet joint assembly connected to the annular cavity is fixed on the bottom plate of the shell. The present invention increases the relative speed between the coolant and the outer wall of the laser head by driving the floating sleeve to rotate around the axis of the laser head, thereby achieving an improvement in cooling efficiency without increasing the pump pressure of the coolant source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of laser cutting, and in particular to a cooling structure of a laser cutting head. Background Art

[0002] In laser cutting equipment, the laser head is a core component, and the stable control of its operating temperature is crucial to processing accuracy, efficiency and equipment life. Although the traditional air cooling structure is simple, it is often difficult to meet the heat dissipation requirements in high-power laser cutting operations, while the water cooling structure has become the mainstream choice due to its efficient heat conduction performance. However, the existing water cooling structure has the following shortcomings:

[0003] First, the contact area is limited: Although the heat dissipation effect can be improved by increasing the contact surface between the coolant and the laser head, this increase has limitations within the compact structure of the laser head and it is difficult to achieve a significant improvement;

[0004] Second, pump pressure and sealing issues: Increasing the coolant flow rate is another way to enhance cooling efficiency, but this usually requires increasing the pump pressure of the liquid supply component, which brings a series of problems. High pump pressure not only increases energy consumption, but also places higher requirements on the structural strength and sealing of the pipes in the cooling circulation system, increases the risk of leakage and maintenance difficulty, and affects the stability and reliability of the system. Summary of the invention

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned technical deficiencies, the present invention provides a laser cutting head cooling structure, which increases the relative speed between the coolant in the cooling unit cavity and the laser head through a rotating floating sleeve, thereby improving the cooling efficiency without increasing the pump pressure of the liquid supply component.

[0006] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: a laser cutting head cooling structure, comprising:

[0007] A shell is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of the laser head; the shell has a closed inner cavity;

[0008] A floating sleeve is installed in the inner cavity of the housing; the upper and lower ends of the floating sleeve are respectively slidably matched with the top plate and the bottom plate of the housing, and the floating sleeve is coaxial with the laser head;

[0009] A driving device, connected to the floating sleeve, used to drive the floating sleeve to rotate around the axis of the laser head;

[0010] The inner wall of the floating sleeve, the outer wall of the laser head, and the top plate and bottom plate of the shell form a closed annular cavity; the inner wall of the floating sleeve is fixed with a plurality of blades evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve, and the blades divide the annular cavity into a plurality of independent cooling unit cavities;

[0011] A liquid outlet joint assembly communicating with the annular cavity is fixed on the top plate of the shell, and a liquid inlet joint assembly communicating with the annular cavity is fixed on the bottom plate of the shell.

[0012] Further, the blades of the floating sleeve are arc-shaped, the upper and lower ends of the blades are respectively fitted with a clearance between the top plate and the bottom plate of the shell, and the inner side of the blades is fitted with a clearance between the outer wall of the laser head;

[0013] A plurality of evenly distributed annular heat dissipation grooves are provided on the outer wall of the laser head at positions opposite to the blades.

[0014] The upper and lower end surfaces of the floating sleeve are respectively provided with an upper annular groove and a lower annular groove;

[0015] The upper end surface of the floating sleeve is provided with an upper connecting groove connecting the upper annular groove and the cooling unit cavity;

[0016] The lower end surface of the floating sleeve is provided with a lower connecting groove connecting the lower annular groove and the cooling unit cavity. The lower end surface of the floating sleeve is also provided with a plurality of radial oil grooves intersecting with the lower annular groove. The plurality of radial oil grooves are evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve.

[0017] The outer side wall of the floating sleeve has two shaft shoulders, and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft shoulders is in sliding fit with the side wall of the shell;

[0018] The outer peripheral surface of the shaft shoulder is provided with a middle annular groove, the bottom of which has evenly distributed arc-shaped protrusions, the highest end of which does not exceed the middle annular groove; a middle connecting groove connecting the middle annular groove and the cooling unit cavity is provided on the side wall of the floating sleeve.

[0019] The driving device comprises:

[0020] An outer gear ring, sleeved and fixed on the upper end of the floating sleeve;

[0021] A pair of gears are arranged in the housing and mesh with the outer gear ring respectively; the two gears are evenly distributed around the outer gear ring, and the rotating shafts of the gears are rotatably connected to the housing;

[0022] One end of the rotating shaft of one of the gears passes through the housing and is connected to a motor.

[0023] The bottom plate and side wall of the shell are integrally formed, and the bottom plate is welded to the outer wall of the laser head; the side wall has two outwardly protruding mounting cavities for mounting the gears; the top plate is fixed to the upper end of the side wall by bolts, and sealing gaskets are respectively installed between the top plate and the side wall and the outer wall of the laser head.

[0024] The liquid inlet joint assembly comprises:

[0025] An arc-shaped through groove is provided on the bottom plate at a position opposite to the annular cavity;

[0026] An arc-shaped liquid inlet cover is fixed on the bottom plate and communicates with the arc-shaped through groove;

[0027] The liquid inlet pipe is fixedly connected to the arc-shaped liquid inlet cover.

[0028] The liquid outlet joint assembly has the same structure as the liquid inlet joint assembly, and the liquid outlet joint assembly and the liquid inlet joint assembly are staggered in the rotation direction of the floating sleeve.

[0029] The liquid outlet joint assembly and the liquid inlet joint assembly are installed on a side away from the motor.

[0030] The beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0031] By driving the floating sleeve to rotate around the axis of the laser head, the relative speed between the coolant and the outer wall of the laser head is increased, thereby improving the cooling efficiency without increasing the pump pressure of the coolant source. This is more efficient and less costly than simply increasing the coolant flow rate or contact area. In addition, the annular heat dissipation groove allows the coolant to flow freely between the cavities of each cooling unit, avoiding the pressure buildup caused by the rotation of the blades in the floating sleeve, and ensuring the normal operation of the cooling structure.

[0032] The floating sleeve adopts a floating structure and uses coolant as lubricant, eliminating the need for a slewing bearing, which not only reduces the size and weight of the entire cooling structure, but also improves the compactness and reliability of the system; through the design of annular grooves and connecting grooves, the coolant is used to form an oil film, which reduces friction and prolongs the service life; using synthetic oil or mineral oil as coolant not only has good cooling performance, but also has certain lubricity, making it suitable for working in a rotating environment;

[0033] The arc-shaped convex design on the outer wall of the floating sleeve can squeeze the coolant during rotation, straighten the axis of the floating sleeve, and improve its rotational stability; at the same time, a double-gear drive structure is adopted, with one driving gear driving the floating sleeve and the other driven gear providing support, which offsets the force of the driving gear and further enhances the axis stability. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. 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 creative work.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram of a cooling structure of a laser cutting head according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2This is a top view of a cooling structure for a laser cutting head according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Center AA view.

[0038] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point B in the middle.

[0039] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of a cooling structure of a laser cutting head according to the present invention.

[0040] Figure 6 This is a stereoscopic view of the outer gear ring and floating sleeve (first perspective).

[0041] Figure 7 This is a stereoscopic view of the outer gear ring and the floating sleeve (second perspective).

[0042] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of point C in the middle.

[0043] Fig. 9 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the liquid inlet connector assembly and the housing.

[0044] Description of reference numerals:

[0045] 1. Laser head; 11. Annular heat dissipation groove; 12. Lower positioning stop; 13. Upper positioning stop;

[0046] 2. Shell; 21. Inner cavity; 22. Top plate; 23. Bottom plate; 24. Side wall; 241. Mounting cavity;

[0047] 3. floating sleeve; 31. annular cavity; 311. cooling unit cavity; 32. blade; 33. upper annular groove; 331. upper connecting groove; 34. lower annular groove; 341. lower connecting groove; 342. radial oil groove; 35. middle annular groove; 351. middle connecting groove; 352. arc-shaped protrusion; 36. shaft shoulder;

[0048] 4. driving device; 41. outer gear ring; 42. gear; 43. motor;

[0049] 5. Liquid outlet connector assembly;

[0050] 6. Liquid inlet joint assembly; 61. Arc-shaped through groove; 62. Arc-shaped liquid inlet cover; 63. Liquid inlet pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. 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 creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] Embodiment 1:

[0053] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the present invention provides a cooling structure for a laser cutting head, comprising a shell 2 which is fixedly mounted on the outer wall of a laser head 1, and a closed inner cavity 21 is provided in the shell 2. A floating sleeve 3 is installed in the inner cavity 21 of the shell 2, and the floating sleeve 3 is coaxial with the laser head 1. The upper and lower ends of the floating sleeve 3 are respectively slidably matched with the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23 of the shell 2, and a closed annular cavity 31 is formed between the inner wall of the floating sleeve 3, the outer wall of the laser head 1, and the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23 of the shell 2. A plurality of blades 32 evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve 3 are fixed to the inner wall of the floating sleeve 3, and the blades 32 divide the annular cavity 31 into a plurality of independent cooling unit cavities 311. A liquid outlet joint assembly 5 communicating with the annular cavity 31 is fixed to the top plate 22 of the shell 2, and a liquid inlet joint assembly 6 communicating with the annular cavity 31 is fixed to the bottom plate 23 of the shell 2. The coolant in this embodiment uses synthetic oil or mineral oil.

[0054] The driving device 4 is installed on the housing 2, and is used to drive the floating sleeve 3 to rotate around the axis of the laser head 1. During operation, the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 injects coolant into the cooling unit cavity 311 in the floating sleeve 3, and the rotating floating sleeve 3 drives the coolant in each cooling unit cavity 311 to rotate around the outer wall of the laser head 1, and then flows out from the liquid outlet joint assembly 5; the rotating floating sleeve 3 is equivalent to accelerating the flow rate of the coolant, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0055] Combination Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the blades 32 of the floating sleeve 3 are arc-shaped; when the floating sleeve 3 rotates, the arc-shaped blades 32 have a tendency to push the coolant inward, increasing the pressure between the coolant and the outer wall of the laser head 1. The upper and lower ends of the blades 32 are respectively fitted with the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 23 of the housing 2 by clearance, and the inner side of the blades 32 is fitted with the outer wall of the laser head 1 by clearance, reducing the friction force when the blades 32 rotate. A plurality of evenly distributed annular heat dissipation grooves 11 are provided on the outer wall of the laser head 1. The annular heat dissipation grooves 11 are opposite to the blades 32, and are used to increase the contact area between the outer wall of the laser head 1 and the coolant, and can also reduce the friction between the inner side of the blades 32 and the outer wall of the laser head 1; most importantly, the annular heat dissipation grooves 11 are connected to each cooling unit cavity 311, which allows a certain amount of free flow of the coolant between each cooling unit cavity 311, preventing the coolant in the cooling unit cavity 311 from being pressed.

[0056] Combination Figures 3 to 8 As shown, the floating sleeve 3 adopts a floating structure, uses coolant as lubricant, eliminates the need for a rotary bearing, and reduces the size of the entire cooling structure. Specifically: the upper end surface of the floating sleeve 3 is provided with a circle of upper annular grooves 33, and the upper end surface of the floating sleeve 3 is also provided with a plurality of upper connecting grooves 331; the upper connecting grooves 331 connect the upper annular groove 33 with the cooling unit cavity 311, and are used to guide the coolant into the upper annular groove 33; a sealing ring is installed in the upper annular groove 33.

[0057] A circle of lower annular grooves 34 are formed on the lower end surface of the floating sleeve 3, and a plurality of lower connecting grooves 341 are also formed on the lower end surface of the floating sleeve 3; the lower connecting grooves 341 connect the lower annular groove 34 with the cooling unit cavity 311, and are used to introduce the coolant into the lower annular groove 34; in addition, a plurality of radial oil grooves 342 are also formed on the lower end surface of the floating sleeve 3, the middle part of the radial oil grooves 342 intersects with the lower annular groove 34, the two ends of the radial oil grooves 342 do not exceed the side wall of the floating sleeve 3, and the plurality of radial oil grooves 342 are evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve 3; when the floating sleeve 3 rotates, the coolant introduced into the lower annular groove 34 and the radial oil grooves 342 forms an oil film to reduce the friction between the floating sleeve 3 and the base plate 23.

[0058] The upper and lower parts of the outer wall of the floating sleeve 3 are respectively provided with a shoulder 36; the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder 36 is slidably matched with the side wall 24 of the housing 2, and is used to locate the axis of the floating sleeve 3; the outer peripheral surface of the shoulder 36 is provided with a middle annular groove 35; a plurality of middle connecting grooves 351 are provided on the side wall of the floating sleeve 3; the middle connecting grooves 351 connect the middle annular groove 35 with the cooling unit cavity 311, and are used to introduce the coolant into the middle annular groove 35. The bottom of the middle annular groove 35 has a plurality of evenly distributed arc-shaped protrusions 352, and the highest end of the arc-shaped protrusions 352 does not exceed the middle annular groove 35; when the floating sleeve 3 rotates, each arc-shaped protrusion 352 can squeeze the coolant in the middle annular groove 35 to straighten the axis of the floating sleeve 3 and improve the rotation stability of the floating sleeve 3.

[0059] Embodiment 2:

[0060] Based on the above embodiment 1, Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the bottom plate 23 and the side wall 24 of the housing 2 are integrally formed. The bottom plate 23 is annular and is mounted on the lower positioning stop 12 on the outer wall of the laser head 1. The inner circle of the bottom plate 23 is welded and fixed to the lower positioning stop 12. The upper part of the side wall 24 is provided with convex mounting cavities 241 at symmetrical positions on both sides. The top plate 22 is annular and covers the upper end of the side wall 24. The top plate 22 is fixedly connected to the side wall 24 by bolts, and the inner circle of the top plate 22 is against the upper positioning stop 13 on the outer wall of the laser head 1. Sealing gaskets are respectively installed between the top plate 22 and the side wall 24 and the upper positioning stop 13.

[0061] The driving device 4 includes an outer gear ring 41 which is fixed on the upper end of the floating sleeve 3. The upper end of the floating sleeve 3 has a step for positioning the outer gear ring 41. An interference fit is adopted between the positioning outer gear ring 41 and the floating sleeve 3. Two gears 42 are correspondingly mounted in the mounting cavity 241 on the side wall 24. The two gears 42 are respectively meshed with the outer gear ring 41. The two ends of the rotating shaft of the gear 42 are respectively connected to the side wall 24 and the top plate 22 for rotation; one of the gears 42 is active and used to drive the outer gear ring 41 and the floating sleeve 3; the other gear 42 is driven and used to support the outer gear ring 41, offset the force of the active gear 42 on the outer gear ring 41, and improve the axial stability of the floating sleeve 3 when rotating. One end of the rotating shaft of the active gear 42 passes through the housing 2 and is connected to a motor 43. The motor 43 is fixed on the top plate 22 and is used to control the rotation of the active gear 42.

[0062] Embodiment three:

[0063] Based on the above embodiment 2, combined with Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the liquid outlet joint assembly 5 and the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 are installed on the side away from the motor 43 to maintain the balance of the cooling structure. The liquid outlet joint assembly 5 has the same structure as the liquid inlet joint assembly 6. The liquid outlet joint assembly 5 and the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 are staggered in the rotation direction of the floating sleeve 3. The coolant entering the cooling unit cavity 311 from the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 is opposite to the liquid outlet joint assembly 5 after the floating sleeve 3 rotates for nearly one circle.

[0064] This embodiment is described using the liquid inlet connector assembly 6:

[0065] Recombination Fig. 9 As shown, the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 includes an arcuate groove 61 provided on the bottom plate 23; the arcuate groove 61 is opposite to the annular cavity 31, and the length of the arcuate groove 61 can be connected to more than two cooling unit cavities 311 at the same time. The arcuate liquid inlet cover 62 is fixed on the bottom plate 23 and communicates with the arcuate groove 61. The arcuate liquid inlet cover 62 is connected to a liquid inlet pipe 63. When working, the liquid inlet pipe 63 is connected to the coolant source to receive the coolant pumped out by the coolant source. Similarly, the liquid outlet joint assembly 5 is connected to the coolant source to send the heated coolant back to the coolant source.

[0066] When working;

[0067] First, the motor 43 is started, and the motor 43 drives the gear 42, thereby driving the outer gear ring 41 and the floating sleeve 3 to rotate;

[0068] The cooling liquid source is restarted, and the cooling liquid source pumps the cooling liquid into the liquid inlet joint assembly 6 at a certain pressure; the cooling liquid sequentially passes through the liquid inlet pipe 63, the arc-shaped liquid inlet cover 62, and the arc-shaped through groove 61 into a cooling unit cavity 311 in the floating sleeve 3. As the floating sleeve 3 rotates, the cooling liquid in the cooling unit cavity 311 rotates around the side wall of the laser head 1 to achieve cooling of the side wall of the laser head 1. After rotating for nearly one circle, the cooling unit cavity 311 is opposite to the liquid outlet joint assembly 5, and the cooling liquid flows back to the cooling liquid source through the liquid outlet joint assembly 5.

[0069] In actual operation, the new coolant gradually moves from the cooling unit cavity 311 from bottom to top, and then gradually flows back through the liquid outlet joint assembly 5; by increasing the rotation speed of the floating sleeve 3, it is equivalent to increasing the flow rate of the coolant relative to the side wall of the laser head 1, thereby improving the cooling efficiency.

[0070] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A laser cutting head cooling structure, characterized in that: include: A shell (2) is mounted and fixed on the outer wall of the laser head (1); the shell (2) has a closed inner cavity (21); A floating sleeve (3) is installed in the inner cavity (21) of the housing (2); the upper and lower ends of the floating sleeve (3) are respectively slidably matched with the top plate (22) and the bottom plate (23) of the housing (2), and the floating sleeve (3) is coaxial with the laser head (1); A driving device (4) connected to the floating sleeve (3) and used for driving the floating sleeve (3) to rotate around the axis of the laser head (1); The inner wall of the floating sleeve (3), the outer wall of the laser head (1), and the top plate (22) and the bottom plate (23) of the housing (2) form a closed annular cavity (31); a plurality of blades (32) evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve (3) are fixed to the inner wall of the floating sleeve (3), and the blades (32) divide the annular cavity (31) into a plurality of independent cooling unit cavities (311); A liquid outlet joint assembly (5) in communication with the annular cavity (31) is fixed on the top plate (22) of the housing (2), and a liquid inlet joint assembly (6) in communication with the annular cavity (31) is fixed on the bottom plate (23) of the housing (2); The liquid inlet joint assembly (6) comprises: An arc-shaped through groove (61) is provided on the bottom plate (23) at a position opposite to the annular cavity (31); An arc-shaped liquid inlet cover (62) is fixed on the bottom plate (23) and communicates with the arc-shaped through groove (61); A liquid inlet pipe (63) fixedly connected to the arc-shaped liquid inlet cover (62); The liquid outlet joint assembly (5) and the liquid inlet joint assembly (6) have the same structure, and the liquid outlet joint assembly (5) and the liquid inlet joint assembly (6) are staggered in the rotation direction of the floating sleeve (3); The blade (32) of the floating sleeve (3) is arc-shaped, the upper and lower ends of the blade (32) are respectively clearance-fitted with the top plate (22) and the bottom plate (23) of the housing (2), and the inner side edge of the blade (32) is clearance-fitted with the outer wall of the laser head (1); A plurality of evenly distributed annular heat dissipation grooves (11) are provided at positions of the outer wall of the laser head (1) opposite to the blades (32); The upper and lower end surfaces of the floating sleeve (3) are respectively provided with an upper annular groove (33) and a lower annular groove (34); An upper end surface of the floating sleeve (3) is provided with an upper connecting groove (331) connecting the upper annular groove (33) and the cooling unit cavity (311); The lower end surface of the floating sleeve (3) is provided with a lower connecting groove (341) connecting the lower annular groove (34) and the cooling unit cavity (311); the lower end surface of the floating sleeve (3) is also provided with a plurality of radial oil grooves (342) intersecting with the lower annular groove (34); the plurality of radial oil grooves (342) are evenly distributed around the axis of the floating sleeve (3); The outer side wall of the floating sleeve (3) has two shaft shoulders (36), and the outer peripheral surface of the shaft shoulders (36) is slidably matched with the side wall (24) of the housing (2); The outer peripheral surface of the shaft shoulder (36) is provided with a middle annular groove (35), the bottom of the middle annular groove (35) has evenly distributed arc-shaped protrusions (352), and the highest end of the arc-shaped protrusions (352) does not exceed the middle annular groove (35); the side wall of the floating sleeve (3) is provided with a middle connecting groove (351) connecting the middle annular groove (35) and the cooling unit cavity (311).

2. A laser cutting head cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The driving device (4) comprises: An outer gear ring (41) is sleeved and fixed on the upper end of the floating sleeve (3); A pair of gears (42) are arranged in the housing (2) and mesh with the outer gear ring (41) respectively; the two gears (42) are evenly distributed around the outer gear ring (41), and the rotating shafts of the gears (42) are rotatably connected to the housing (2); One end of the rotating shaft of one of the gears (42) passes through the housing (2) and is connected to a motor (43).

3. A cooling structure for a laser cutting head according to claim 2, characterized in that: The bottom plate (23) and the side wall (24) of the housing (2) are integrally formed, and the bottom plate (23) is welded to the outer wall of the laser head (1); the side wall (24) has two outwardly protruding mounting cavities (241) for mounting the gear (42); the top plate (22) is fixed to the upper end of the side wall (24) by bolts, and sealing gaskets are respectively installed between the top plate (22) and the side wall (24) and the outer wall of the laser head (1).

4. A cooling structure for a laser cutting head according to claim 2, characterized in that: The liquid outlet joint assembly (5) and the liquid inlet joint assembly (6) are installed on a side away from the motor (43).

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