Rotating device and method based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of laser processing, in particular to a rotating device and method based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding. The device comprises a supporting platform unit, a central rotating shaft, a rotating platform unit, a clamping unit, a laser welding unit and a controller. Wherein the supporting platform unit comprises a rotary supporting platform, a supporting base and a control panel; the central rotating shaft comprises a rotating motor and a spindle; the rotating platform unit comprises a rotating platform, a working platform, a first telescopic hydraulic rod, a second telescopic hydraulic rod, a third telescopic hydraulic rod, a fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, a first roller and a second roller; the laser welding unit comprises a first supporting stand column, a second supporting stand column, a supporting cross beam, a first sliding cross beam, a second sliding cross beam, a laser head and a sensing subunit. The liquid metal can be effectively driven to flow in the radial direction, the device adapts to workpieces of different types and sizes, the distribution uniformity of the liquid metal is improved, and the defects such as incomplete fusion or air holes are reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of laser processing, in particular to a rotating device and method based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding. BACKGROUND

[0002] Laser welding technology realizes the connection of materials with the help of high energy density laser beams, and is widely used in the welding scenes of dissimilar materials (such as aluminum and steel, copper and titanium) and same material with different thicknesses. In the prior art, the laser welding auxiliary device has the following problems in the scenes of annular weld, cylinder and accessory welding: first, the direction of external force is fixed, and the liquid metal cannot be driven to flow along the radial direction, resulting in accumulation of liquid metal inside and non-fusion outside in the annular weld; second, when welding a rotating body of dissimilar materials or different thicknesses, the liquid metal segregates due to surface tension and density difference, and the existing device cannot inhibit this phenomenon through directional force; third, there is no precise regulation mechanism for centrifugal force, and it is difficult to match the appropriate force value according to the material characteristics (such as liquid viscosity and surface tension), which may cause the problem of liquid metal being thrown out or insufficient driving force.

[0003] In summary, the technical problems in the related art need to be improved. SUMMARY

[0004] The main purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a rotating device and method based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding, which can effectively drive the liquid metal to flow along the radial direction, adapt to different types and sizes of workpieces, improve the uniformity of liquid metal distribution, and reduce defects such as non-fusion or porosity.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, one aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a rotating device based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding, which comprises: A support platform unit, which comprises a rotating support platform, a support base and a control panel, the shape of the rotating support platform comprises an annular shape, the lower part of the rotating support platform is fixedly connected with the support base, and the control panel is fixedly connected with the rotating support platform or the support base; A central rotating shaft, which comprises a rotating motor and a main shaft, the rotating motor is fixed at the upper end of the main shaft, and the main shaft is fixedly connected with the inner circle of the rotating support platform; A rotating platform unit includes a rotating platform, a working platform, a first telescopic hydraulic rod, a second telescopic hydraulic rod, a third telescopic hydraulic rod, a fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, a first roller, and a second roller. The rotating platform and the working platform are movably connected via the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod. One side of the rotating platform is fixedly connected to a rotating motor, and the lower sides of both sides of the working platform are fixedly connected to the first roller and the second roller, respectively. A clamping unit is movably connected to the working platform and is used to clamp and fix the workpiece to be welded. A laser welding unit includes a first support column, a second support column, a support beam, a first sliding beam, a second sliding beam, a laser head, and a sensing subunit. The first support column and the second support column are respectively fixed to both sides of the working platform. The support beam is fixedly connected to the first support column and the second support column. The two ends of the first sliding beam are movably connected to the first support column and the second support column, respectively. The second sliding beam is movably connected to the first sliding beam and the laser head and the sensing subunit. The controller is communicatively connected to the control panel, the rotary motor, the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, the first support column, the second support column, the first sliding beam, the second sliding beam, the laser head, and the sensing subunit.

[0006] In some embodiments, the support platform unit further includes a plurality of connecting pillars; One end of each of the multiple connecting pillars is fixedly connected to the inner circle of the rotating support platform, and the other end of each of the multiple connecting pillars is fixedly connected to the main shaft.

[0007] In some embodiments, the spindle includes a fifth telescopic hydraulic rod; One end of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod is fixedly connected to the rotary motor, and the other end of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod is supported on the worktable by the support base.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, and the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod each comprise a single-stage electrically controlled telescopic hydraulic rod or a solenoid valve-controlled hydraulic rod.

[0009] In some embodiments, the rotating platform unit further includes a multi-directional control unit; The first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod are movably connected to the rotating platform and the working platform respectively through the multi-directional control unit; The multi-directional control unit includes an electro-hydraulic joint seat, an adjustable hydraulic strut assembly, or an angle-adjustable hydraulic support.

[0010] In some embodiments, the working platform is provided with a plurality of clamping holes; The clamping unit includes a first clamp, a second clamp, a first fixing rod, and a second fixing rod; the first clamp is connected to the work platform via the first fixing rod, and the second clamp is connected to the work platform via the second fixing rod.

[0011] In some embodiments, the inner sides of the first support column and the second support column are respectively provided with a first lead screw drive mechanism and a second lead screw drive mechanism. Alternatively, the first support column may be equipped with the first lead screw drive mechanism, and the second support column may be equipped with a vertical guide rail. The two ends of the first sliding beam are respectively fixedly connected to the first lead screw drive mechanism and the second lead screw drive mechanism or the slider in the vertical guide rail.

[0012] In some embodiments, a third lead screw drive mechanism is provided on one side of the first sliding crossbeam; The slider in the third lead screw drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the midpoint of one side of the second sliding beam; The included angle between the first sliding beam and the second sliding beam includes 90°; A fourth lead screw drive mechanism is provided on the other side of the second sliding crossbeam; The slider in the fourth lead screw drive mechanism is fixedly connected to the laser head; The sensing subunit is fixedly connected to the laser head.

[0013] To achieve the above objectives, another aspect of this application proposes a method for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding, the method comprising the following steps: Ensure that the rotating device for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding described above is set on a stable working plane and turn on the power. Then, fix the workpiece to be welded on the working platform using the clamping unit. The operator sets the parameters of the rotary motor and the workpiece to be welded through the control panel; The operator starts the rotary motor, which drives the rotary platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit; The controller obtains the start and end points of the area to be welded through the sensing subunit; The controller controls the first support column, the second support column, the first sliding beam, and the second sliding beam to move the laser head for welding based on the positions of the starting point and the ending point. When the laser head completes welding, the controller controls the rotary motor to stop operating, and the operator shuts down the rotating device based on centrifugal force-assisted laser welding.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotary motor drives the rotary platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit, including the following steps: The rotary motor drives the rotary platform to rotate; The rotating platform drives the working platform, the first roller, and the second roller to rotate on the rotating support platform via the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod. The controller controls the lengths of the first, second, third, and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods respectively, ensuring that the working platform maintains a consistent distance from the main shaft during rotation.

[0015] The embodiments of this application include at least the following beneficial effects: This application provides a rotating device and method for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding. This scheme involves fixing a central rotating shaft to a support platform unit, with a clamping unit fixing the workpiece to be welded on the working platform within the rotating platform unit. A controller controls the central rotating shaft to drive the rotating platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit. Simultaneously, the controller controls the sensing subunit in the laser welding unit to identify the start and end points of the welding area, and controls the laser head to move according to the start and end points until welding is completed. The directional centrifugal force generated by rotation effectively drives the liquid metal produced during welding to flow radially, making it particularly suitable for welding circumferential welds and cylindrical workpieces. Combined with the precise adjustment of the laser head focus by the laser welding unit, it can adapt to workpieces of different types and sizes. The closed-loop control of the control system ensures stable rotation speed, matches appropriate centrifugal force according to material characteristics, improves the uniformity of liquid metal distribution, and reduces defects such as incomplete fusion and porosity. This application dynamically adapts to different processing techniques and working conditions, significantly improving weld quality and process adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the rotating device in state one of the centrifugal force-assisted laser welding embodiments provided in this application; Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the rotating platform unit; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the laser welding unit. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating device in state two based on centrifugal force-assisted laser welding; Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method based on centrifugal force-assisted laser welding. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit it. In the following description, when referring to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with those of this application; they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0018] It is understood that the terms “first,” “second,” etc., used in this application may be used herein to describe various concepts, but unless otherwise stated, these concepts are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one concept from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of this application, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the words “if,” “when,” or “in response to a determination” as used herein may be interpreted as “when…” or “when…” or “in response to a determination.”

[0019] As used in this application, the terms "at least one", "multiple", "each", "any", etc., "at least one" includes one, two or more, "multiple" includes two or more, "each" refers to each of the corresponding multiples, and "any" refers to any one of the multiples.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this application only and is not intended to limit this application.

[0021] In related technologies, due to differences in melting point, thermal conductivity, and liquid flowability of materials, uneven distribution of liquid metal is prone to occur, manifesting as defects such as incomplete fusion, porosity, and compositional segregation, which severely affect the mechanical properties and forming quality of the weld. Therefore, existing technologies often introduce ultrasonic vibration as an auxiliary means of laser welding, utilizing the cavitation and acoustic flow effects of ultrasound to improve the flowability of liquid metal. However, the direction of ultrasonic vibration is often unidirectional, such as only achieving vibration in two directions, axial or in a plane. In the welding of circumferential welds or metal column-like workpieces, it is difficult to drive the liquid metal radially to achieve uniform spreading. For example, when welding annular attachments on the outer periphery of a metal column, unidirectional ultrasonic vibration cannot solve the problem of liquid metal accumulating inward or failing to fuse on the outer side, leading to a decline in weld quality.

[0022] In view of this, this application provides a rotating device for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding, which includes a support platform unit, a central rotating shaft, a rotating platform unit, a clamping unit, a laser welding unit, and a controller. The support platform unit includes a rotating support platform 110, a support base 120, and a control panel 130. The rotating support platform is annular in shape, with its lower part fixedly connected to the support base. The control panel is fixedly connected to either the rotating support platform or the support base. The central rotating shaft includes a rotating motor 210 and a main shaft 220. The rotating motor is fixed to the upper end of the main shaft, which is fixedly connected to the inner circle of the rotating support platform. The rotating platform unit includes a rotating platform 310, a working platform 320, a first telescopic hydraulic rod 331, a second telescopic hydraulic rod 332, a third telescopic hydraulic rod 333, a fourth telescopic hydraulic rod 334, a first roller 341, and a second roller 342. The rotating platform and the working platform are movably connected via the first, second, third, and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods. One side of the rotating platform is fixedly connected to the rotating motor, and the lower sides of the working platform are fixedly connected to the first and second rollers. The first and second rollers are respectively connected to the working platform. The lower sides of both sides are fixedly connected; the clamping unit is movably connected to the work platform and is used to clamp and fix the workpiece to be welded; the laser welding unit includes a first support column 411, a second support column 412, a support beam 420, a first sliding beam 431, a second sliding beam 432, a laser head (not shown in the figure), and a sensing subunit (not shown in the figure). The first support column and the second support column are fixedly fixed to both sides of the work platform. The support beam is fixedly connected to the first support column and the second support column respectively. The two ends of the first sliding beam are movably connected to the first support column and the second support column respectively. The second sliding beam is movably connected to the first sliding beam and the laser head and the sensing subunit respectively. The controller is movably connected to the control panel, the rotary motor, the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, the first support column, the second support column, the first sliding beam, the second sliding beam, the laser head, and the sensing subunit.

[0023] Specifically, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the centrifugal force-assisted laser welding rotating device is an integrated unit combining rotational positioning, multi-degree-of-freedom attitude adjustment, precision welding, and intelligent control. The support platform unit serves as the foundation of the device; the lower end of the annular rotating support platform is rigidly fixed to the support base, providing stable support for the entire device. The control panel can be optionally fixed to the side wall of the rotating support platform or the front end of the support base for manual input of operating commands. The main shaft of the central rotating axis is fixedly connected to the inner circle of the rotating support platform, and the rotating motor is installed at the top of the main shaft, providing the power source for the overall rotation of the device. In the rotating platform unit, one side of the rotating platform is fixed to the output end of the rotating motor, and its upper surface is flexibly connected to the working platform via a rectangularly distributed first, second, third, and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods. The bottom sides of the working platform are fixedly connected to the first and second rollers, respectively, which assist the working platform in completing attitude adjustment and position adaptation. The clamping unit is movably assembled in the central area of ​​the working platform, capable of adjusting its position according to the size of the workpiece and achieving secure clamping. The first and second support columns of the laser welding unit are symmetrically fixed to the two sides of the working platform. A support beam is horizontally mounted on top of the two columns, forming a rigid connection. The first sliding beam is movably connected at both ends to the vertical guide rails of the two columns, allowing it to move up and down along the columns. The second sliding beam is adapted to the horizontal guide rail of the first sliding beam, enabling forward, backward, left, and right translation. The laser head and sensing subunit are movably connected to the second sliding beam, allowing for fine-tuning and angle calibration. The controller establishes communication connections with the control panel, rotary motor, four sets of telescopic hydraulic rods, the drive components of the support columns and sliding beams, the laser head, and the sensing subunit via wiring, forming a comprehensive control network.

[0024] The annular rotating support platform is preferably made of high-strength alloy material, possessing excellent rigidity and wear resistance. Its inner circumference has a through-hole, the size of which can be flexibly adapted to the diameter of the main shaft, ensuring the main shaft can stably pass through and remain aligned with the rotation axis. The rotary motor, as the drive module, is the core component for realizing the movement of the rotating platform unit. The rotary motor includes a servo motor as the power source, and its output shaft is connected to the input end of a reducer via a coupling. The reducer converts the high-speed rotation of the motor into a suitable output speed and increases the output torque. The output end of the reducer is connected to a drive gear, which meshes with an annular driven gear at the bottom of the rotating platform, driving the rotating platform to rotate smoothly through gear transmission. This transmission method ensures the continuity and stability of the rotational motion and facilitates precise speed adjustment by controlling the motor output; the preferred motor output speed is approximately 100 rpm.

[0025] When welding circumferential or irregularly shaped welds is required, the controller starts the rotary motor on the central rotating shaft. The motor drives the rotating platform, the working platform, and the workpiece to be welded to rotate around the main shaft at a uniform or variable speed. At the same time, the controller coordinates with the laser welding unit: the first and second support columns drive the first sliding beam to complete the vertical height adjustment to match the welding height of the workpiece; the first sliding beam drives the second sliding beam to move horizontally left and right, initially positioning the lateral position of the laser head; the second sliding beam then finely adjusts the front and back position of the laser head. With the real-time weld position data collected by the sensing subunit, the controller achieves precise alignment of the laser head and the weld through closed-loop control, ensuring that the welding starting point and the weld trajectory are completely coincident.

[0026] After alignment, the controller activates the laser head, which outputs a laser beam of set power to perform fusion welding on the weld seam. During welding, the sensing subunit continuously monitors the weld pool temperature, forming state, and positional offset of the workpiece, feeding the data back to the controller in real time. If a positional deviation occurs, the controller synchronously adjusts the rotation speed of the rotary motor, the stroke of the telescopic hydraulic rod, and the three-axis displacement of the laser welding unit to achieve dynamic compensation. For continuous circumferential weld seams, the rotary platform drives the workpiece to rotate continuously while the laser head remains in a fixed position to complete the entire circumference welding. For segmented weld seams, the controller controls the rotary motor to start and stop intermittently, while simultaneously driving the laser welding unit to move to the position of each segment weld seam and weld them sequentially. After welding is completed, the controller first shuts off the laser head, then drives all moving components to reset, allowing the operator to release the clamping unit and remove the workpiece, completing one welding operation.

[0027] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4 As shown, the support platform unit adds multiple connecting pillars 140 to the original rotating support platform, support base, and control panel, further enhancing the stability of the overall connection structure and the reliability of power transmission. The annular rotating support platform, as the core load-bearing component of the support platform unit, is rigidly fixed to the support base at its lower end, providing a stable foundation for the entire device. The control panel can be fixed to either the side wall of the rotating support platform or the front end of the support base, depending on actual operational needs, facilitating the input of various operational commands by operators. The newly added connecting pillars are evenly distributed circumferentially within the inner circle of the rotating support platform. One end of each pillar is fixedly connected to the inner circle of the rotating support platform, while the other ends converge and are precisely and stably fixedly connected to the main shaft of the central rotating shaft, forming a multi-point force transmission structure from the rotating support platform to the main shaft. This effectively prevents deformation or loosening of the inner circle of the rotating support platform due to single-point force, ensuring that when the rotating motor of the central rotating shaft rotates, power can be evenly transmitted to the rotating support platform, thereby ensuring that subsequent connected rotating platform units, welded components, and other parts can achieve smooth and synchronous rotational movement.

[0028] The support base is the fundamental support component of the device in this application. It is made of rigid plate material and provides a stable mounting platform for each component. The support base has multiple connection holes for fixing each component, and the positional accuracy of each connection hole is precision machined to ensure that each component maintains the correct relative position after installation, thus ensuring the overall stability of the device.

[0029] In some embodiments, in addition to the control panel, a speed sensor is also included. The control panel has an operation knob and a display interface. The operator can set parameters such as rotation speed, acceleration time, and deceleration time through the knob, and the display interface can provide real-time feedback on information such as the current rotation speed and operating status, facilitating real-time monitoring. The speed sensor is installed on the edge of the rotating platform and can detect the platform's rotation speed in real time, transmitting the signal to the controller. The controller dynamically adjusts according to the deviation between the set parameters and the actual rotation speed, forming a closed-loop control to ensure that the rotation speed is stable at the set value, avoiding the impact of rotation speed fluctuations on the stability of centrifugal force. The core of this application lies in regulating the flow of liquid metal through the centrifugal force generated by rotation. The magnitude of the centrifugal force can be calculated using the following formula: ; Where F represents the centrifugal force acting on the liquid metal, and m represents the mass of the liquid metal. Let ω represent the angular velocity of the rotating platform, and r represent the radius of rotation of the liquid metal. This formula shows that the centrifugal force is proportional to the square of the angular velocity, the radius of rotation, and the mass of the liquid metal. Therefore, the desired centrifugal force can be obtained by adjusting the rotation speed or changing the position of the workpiece on the rotating platform (i.e., changing the radius of rotation). The conversion relationship between angular velocity and rotational speed of the rotating platform is as follows: ; in, Let v represent the density of the liquid metal and v represent the flow velocity of the liquid metal. This indicates the dynamic viscosity of liquid metal. When the Reynolds number is within a suitable range, the liquid metal is in a laminar flow state, which is conducive to uniform spreading; if the Reynolds number is too high, it may lead to turbulence and splashing, so it is necessary to adjust the rotation speed to keep the Reynolds number within a reasonable range.

[0030] In some embodiments, such as Figure 4As shown, the main shaft 220 of the central rotating shaft can be replaced with a fifth telescopic hydraulic rod as needed. One end of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod is fixedly connected to the housing of the rotary motor, providing a stable mounting base and support for the rotary motor. The other end directly acts on the worktable surface and forms a cooperative support structure with the support base, jointly bearing the weight of the upper components such as the rotary motor and the rotary platform unit, thus enhancing the overall support stability of the device. The output end of the rotary motor is only fixed to one side of the rotary platform unit, and is only responsible for driving the overall rotation of the rotary platform unit. The fifth telescopic hydraulic rod, as the main shaft, remains stationary throughout the entire process, avoiding interference with the extension and retraction control of the hydraulic rod due to the rotation of the main shaft. In the rotating platform unit, the rotating platform and the working platform are still movably connected via the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods arranged in a rectangular pattern. The first and second rollers on both sides of the bottom of the working platform are in contact with the upper surface of the annular rotating support platform. Simultaneously, the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod forms a linkage mechanism with the first, second, third, and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods. Its extension stroke precisely matches the extension and retraction movements of the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods, ensuring that the distance between the working platform and the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod (which acts as the main shaft) remains constant throughout the entire rotation process of the rotating platform. This limits the movement trajectory of the first and second rollers, preventing them from leaving the effective support range of the rotating support platform. Furthermore, the first to fifth telescopic hydraulic rods are uniformly configured as either single-stage electrically controlled telescopic hydraulic rods or solenoid valve-controlled hydraulic rods. Both types of hydraulic rods have the capability for electrically controlled extension and retraction adapted to controller commands. The extension stroke and rate can be precisely controlled through the electrical signals output by the controller, providing reliable actuation power for the coordinated attitude and position of various components of the device.

[0031] The coordinated extension and retraction of each hydraulic rod is the core of ensuring stable welding operations. The overall operation process revolves around four stages: workpiece clamping, posture calibration, rotational welding, and resetting and removing the workpiece. Each stage is accompanied by precise linkage of the hydraulic rods. In the workpiece clamping stage, after the operator issues instructions to the controller through the control panel, the workpiece is first fixed to the clamping unit of the work platform. Then, the controller will first activate the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod for initial length adjustment to determine the reference distance between the work platform and the spindle. Then, it will drive the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods to extend and retract slightly to fine-tune the horizontal posture of the work platform and ensure that the workpiece is in the initial welding position. At this time, the first and second rollers will be in contact with the surface of the rotation support platform, eliminating the risk of displacement. During the attitude calibration and rotation positioning stage, the controller differentiates the extension and retraction strokes of the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods, driving the work platform to achieve pitch, tilt, and other attitude changes. Simultaneously, the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod performs adaptive extension and retraction, compensating in real-time for spacing deviations caused by changes in the work platform's attitude, maintaining a constant distance between the work platform and the spindle, and preventing the rollers from slipping off the rotating support platform due to spacing imbalance. When welding circular or irregularly shaped welds, the controller activates the rotary motor, rotating only the rotating platform unit while the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod remains stationary. Meanwhile, the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods adjust their extension and retraction in real-time according to the rotation angle, working in conjunction with the support limit of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod to ensure the work platform remains on a stable trajectory during rotation, with the rollers always in contact with the rotating support platform. During the laser welding stage, the sensing subunit provides real-time feedback on the weld position and molten pool status. Based on this feedback data, the controller synchronously controls the extension and retraction of the five sets of hydraulic rods: if a deviation in the position of the workpiece is detected, the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod fine-tunes its length to correct the reference spacing, while the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods adjust the attitude and position of the work platform, linking with the laser welding unit to complete dynamic compensation and ensure welding accuracy. After welding is completed, the controller first shuts down the laser head, then drives the five sets of hydraulic rods to reset synchronously, bringing the work platform back to the initial position. The operator can then release the clamping unit to remove the weldment, completing a full operation.

[0032] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, it also includes a multi-directional control unit 350 that works in conjunction with the first, second, third, and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods, involving three scenarios: electrical control of the telescopic hydraulic rods + mechanical control of the multi-directional control unit; electrical control of the multi-directional control unit + mechanical length adjustment of the telescopic hydraulic rods; and dual electrical control of the telescopic hydraulic rods and the multi-directional control unit.

[0033] Specifically, the multi-directional control unit of the rotating platform unit is a purely mechanical connector. The eight electro-hydraulic joint seats, adjustable hydraulic strut assemblies, or angle-adjustable hydraulic supports only have mechanical angle limiting and adaptation functions, lacking electro-control adjustment capabilities. The core of attitude control is undertaken by the first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods. The extension and retraction strokes of the four sets of telescopic hydraulic rods are directly driven by the controller. Their two ends are respectively hinged to the rotating platform and the working platform through the mechanical multi-directional control unit. The mechanical connectors can passively adapt to the angle changes during the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rods, but cannot actively adjust the joint angles. During operation, the controller sends extension and retraction commands to the hydraulic rods according to the welding requirements. By differentially controlling the strokes of the four sets of hydraulic rods, the working platform achieves attitude adjustments such as pitch and tilt. The mechanical multi-directional control unit only buffers angle stress and ensures connection stability during the extension and retraction of the hydraulic rods through its own mechanical hinge structure. The overall structure is simple and low-cost, suitable for conventional welding scenarios where the requirements for attitude control precision are not high.

[0034] The first to fourth telescopic hydraulic rods lack an electronic control module; their length is mechanically controlled only by hydraulic devices. Their connection angles with the rotating platform and working platform are precisely adjusted electronically by eight electro-hydraulic joint seats, adjustable hydraulic strut assemblies, or angle-adjustable hydraulic supports. During welding, the controller sends angle commands to the multi-directional control unit, driving each electro-hydraulic joint seat or hydraulic strut assembly to rotate synchronously or differentially, changing the hinge angles at both ends of the hydraulic rod, thereby causing the working platform to complete posture changes. This solution eliminates the need for an electronically controlled drive system for the hydraulic rods, reducing the complexity of the hydraulic circuit. Furthermore, the multi-directional control unit offers fast response to angle adjustments, enabling precise micro-adjustments of the working platform's posture within a small range. This approach is suitable for scenarios where the size of the workpiece to be welded is fixed or requires high-frequency micro-adjustments of the welding angle.

[0035] Four sets of hydraulic rods can be electrically controlled to adjust their extension and retraction strokes, and eight electro-hydraulic joint seats and other multi-directional control units can also be independently electrically controlled to adjust the connection angles. Together, they form a dual-layer control system. During operation, the controller can simultaneously issue commands to the hydraulic rods and multi-directional control units based on weld data fed back from the sensor subunits. This allows for both large-scale attitude adjustments of the work platform through differentiated control of the hydraulic rod strokes and precise small-range attitude compensation using the angle control function of the multi-directional control units. For example, when the workpiece needs to be tilted significantly, the controller drives the hydraulic rods to extend and retract for coarse adjustment, and then the multi-directional control units fine-tune the joint angles for precise positioning. This solution offers comprehensive control dimensions and strong attitude adaptability, capable of handling the welding needs of complex irregular weld seams. It boasts the highest overall level of intelligence and precision, making it suitable for high-end precision laser welding scenarios.

[0036] In some embodiments, the surface of the work platform 320 has a plurality of clamping holes (not shown in the figure) arranged in a matrix or ring pattern. The hole diameter and spacing are standardized to accommodate different sizes of fixing rods. The clamping holes have internal threads or slots that can firmly engage with the connectors at the ends of the fixing rods, ensuring connection stability and allowing for flexible switching of the fixing rods between different hole positions. The multi-hole layout can be adapted to the size, shape, and welding requirements of the workpiece. The clamping unit consists of a first clamp, a second clamp, a first fixing rod, and a second fixing rod, all detachably connected to the work platform via the fixing rods and clamping holes. The first clamp is rigidly connected to one end of the first fixing rod, while the other end of the fixing rod is screwed into or snapped into a designated clamping hole on the work platform to position the first clamp. The second clamp is connected to the second fixing rod in the same way. The spacing and angle of the two clamps can be adjusted according to the contour of the workpiece, achieving stable clamping of the workpiece through the clamping mechanism of the clamps themselves, meeting the clamping requirements of different workpieces.

[0037] In some embodiments, the clamping unit, used to fix the workpiece to be welded, consists of an arc-shaped clamping plate and an adjusting screw. The inner surface of the arc-shaped clamping plate is adapted to the shape of the workpiece and is coated with anti-slip material, ensuring both a firm fixation of the workpiece and preventing damage to its surface. The adjusting screw passes through the side of the clamping plate; rotating the screw changes the distance between the clamping plates, thus accommodating welding attachments of different diameters and achieving reliable clamping of the workpiece. The bottom of the fixture has a connection structure that matches the threaded hole of the rotating platform, allowing it to be fixed at any radial position on the rotating platform with screws to meet the needs of different weld positions. A balancing assembly consisting of counterweights and radial slide rails is used to counteract vibrations caused by workpiece eccentricity, ensuring smooth operation of the rotating platform. The radial slide rails are fixed along the diameter of the rotating platform, while the counterweights can slide freely along the slide rails and are fixed with screws. The operator adjusts the number and position of the counterweights according to the workpiece eccentricity to align the center of gravity of the rotating platform with the rotation axis, thereby reducing vibration during rotation and preventing laser focus shift or workpiece loosening due to vibration.

[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3As shown, the vertical lifting of the first sliding crossbeam in the laser welding unit is achieved by two driving schemes, both relying on the inner sides of the first and second support columns. Scheme 1 is a double-sided screw drive, with the first and second screw drive mechanisms respectively installed on the inner sides of the two columns. The mechanisms have built-in servo motors, ball screws, and vertical guide rails. The two ends of the first sliding crossbeam are rigidly connected to the nut sliders of the two screw drive mechanisms. The motor synchronously drives the screws to rotate, which can drive the crossbeam to lift and lower smoothly. Scheme 2 is a single-sided screw + single-sided guide, with the first screw drive mechanism only installed on the first support column. The vertical guide rail is installed on the inner side of the second support column. One end of the crossbeam is connected to the screw slider, and the other end is engaged with the guide rail slider, balancing lifting accuracy and structural simplicity, and meeting the welding requirements of small and medium loads. A third screw drive mechanism is arranged on one side of the first sliding crossbeam. Its slider is fixed to the midpoint of the side of the second sliding crossbeam, and the two are distributed at 90° perpendicularly. When the third screw is started, it can drive the second sliding crossbeam to move horizontally left and right along the first sliding crossbeam. A fourth lead screw drive mechanism is installed on the other side of the second sliding crossbeam. Its slider is directly fixed to the laser head, and the sensing subunit is integrated with the laser head. The fourth lead screw can drive the laser head to move back and forth along the second sliding crossbeam. In conjunction with the lifting drive on the column side, the entire lead screw mechanism works together to precisely control the laser head to complete the three-axis displacement of up, down, left, right, and back and forth, ensuring high-precision matching of the welding trajectory.

[0039] Figure 5 This is an optional flowchart of the centrifugal force-assisted laser welding method provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 5 The method may include, but is not limited to, steps S501 to S506.

[0040] Step S501: Determine that the rotating device for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding is set on a stable working plane and turn on the power. Fix the workpiece to be welded on the working platform through the clamping unit. Step S502: The operator sets the parameters of the rotary motor and the workpiece to be welded through the control panel; In step S503, the operator starts the rotary motor, which drives the rotary platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit. In step S504, the controller obtains the start and end points of the area to be welded through the sensing subunit; In step S505, the controller controls the first support column, the second support column, the first sliding beam, and the second sliding beam to move the laser head for welding based on the positions of the starting point and the ending point. In step S506, when the laser head completes welding, the controller controls the rotary motor to stop operating, and the operator shuts down the rotating device for centrifugal force-assisted laser welding.

[0041] In steps S501 to S506 of this embodiment, the rotating device based on centrifugal force-assisted laser welding is placed on a stable working plane and powered on. The workpiece to be welded is fixed to the working platform by the clamping unit. After the operator sets the parameters of the rotating motor and the workpiece to be welded through the control panel, the motor is started. The motor drives the rotating platform to rotate. The platform is pulled synchronously along the rotating support platform by four sets of telescopic hydraulic rods, which pull the working platform and the bottom rollers. The controller adjusts the length of the four sets of hydraulic rods to maintain a constant distance between the working platform and the spindle. Subsequently, the controller obtains the start and end points of the area to be welded through the sensing subunit, and then drives the support column and sliding beam to move the laser head to perform welding. After welding is completed, the controller shuts off the rotating motor, and the operator shuts down the entire device.

[0042] In some embodiments, in steps S501 to S502, before performing centrifugal force-assisted laser welding, the entire rotating device must first be stably placed on a flat and vibration-free working surface, ensuring that the support base at the bottom of the device is completely in contact with the surface to avoid affecting welding accuracy due to device shaking during welding. Then, the main power supply to the device is turned on. After the control panel illuminates the start indicator light, and each unit completes its power-on self-test without any fault indication, the operator moves the workpiece to be welded to the clamping unit area of ​​the work platform. Based on the dimensions of the workpiece and welding requirements, the clamping unit's jaw spacing or positioning reference is adjusted. The workpiece is slowly placed into the clamping area, and the clamping program is started, ensuring that the clamping unit firmly fixes the workpiece from its edge or a specific positioning point. Simultaneously, the contact status between the workpiece and the work platform is checked to ensure that the workpiece is not loose or shifted.

[0043] After the workpiece is clamped, the operator accesses the parameter setting interface through the control panel of the device. First, the parameters of the rotary motor are configured. Based on the weld trajectory type of the workpiece, such as circular, arc-shaped, or segmented circular, the rotation direction, rated speed, start / stop threshold, and total number of rotations or angle range of the rotary motor are set. If intermittent welding is used, the duration of the motor's pause interval also needs to be set. Then, the core parameters of the workpiece are entered, including the material, thickness, estimated weld width and depth, and approximate area to be welded. These parameters are simultaneously transmitted to the controller, providing data support for the controller to subsequently adjust various execution units and match the welding process. After parameter settings are completed, a second confirmation is required to prevent welding deviations due to incorrect parameter input.

[0044] In some embodiments, in step S503, after the parameters are confirmed to be correct, the operator issues a start command through the control panel, and the rotary motor starts operating according to the preset parameters. The rotary motor drives the fixed rotary platform to rotate synchronously. Since the rotary platform and the working platform are movably connected by a first telescopic hydraulic rod, a second telescopic hydraulic rod, a third telescopic hydraulic rod, and a fourth telescopic hydraulic rod arranged in a rectangle, the rotation of the rotary platform is transmitted to the working platform through the hydraulic rods, thereby driving the working platform and its bottom first roller and second roller to rotate synchronously along the inner circle trajectory of the annular rotary support platform. During this process, the controller monitors the distance between each edge of the working platform and the main shaft in real time, and adjusts the extension length of the four sets of telescopic hydraulic rods through closed-loop control: when it is detected that the distance between one side of the working platform and the main shaft is too large, the controller shortens the length of the hydraulic rod on the corresponding side, and extends it, thereby ensuring that the working platform maintains a constant distance from the main shaft throughout the entire rotation cycle, ensuring the coaxiality of the rotation trajectory of the workpiece to be welded, and providing a stable rotation condition for centrifugal force-assisted molten pool mixing.

[0045] In some embodiments, after the working platform enters a stable rotation state in steps S504 to S506, the controller activates the sensing subunit of the laser welding unit. This unit performs a full-area scan of the workpiece to be welded during the rotation process using a combination of visual recognition and laser ranging detection methods. The sensing subunit first identifies the weld markings on the surface of the workpiece or uses a preset weld feature algorithm to accurately locate the welding start point of the area to be welded, while simultaneously capturing the end position of the weld as the welding end point. For circumferential welds, it automatically determines the coincidence point between the start and end points; for segmented circumferential welds, it marks the start and end coordinates of each segment separately. Subsequently, the sensing subunit feeds back these position data to the coordinate calculation module of the controller in real time. The controller then combines the rotation speed of the workpiece to be welded to calibrate the time and spatial positions of the welding start and end points, providing a precise path reference for the subsequent precise movement and welding of the laser head.

[0046] Based on the start and end positions of the welding area fed back by the sensing subunit, the controller initiates the welding program and coordinates the various motion components of the laser welding unit. First, it controls the drive mechanisms within the first and second support columns to adjust the vertical height of the first sliding beam, maintaining the optimal welding distance between the laser head and the surface of the workpiece. Next, it drives the first sliding beam to move laterally along the support columns, while simultaneously controlling the second sliding beam to make minor horizontal adjustments on the first beam, quickly moving the laser head to the welding start position. Once the laser head is positioned, the controller activates the laser emission module, and the laser head outputs a laser beam of set power to weld at the start point. Simultaneously, based on the weld seam trajectory, it coordinates the rotation speed of the rotary motor and the three-axis displacement of the laser welding unit: for continuous annular weld seams, the laser head remains fixed, relying on the rotation of the workpiece to complete the entire circle of welding; for segmented weld seams, the controller drives the laser head to move and weld when the workpiece rotates to the start point of each segment, until the laser head reaches the preset welding end point, completing the welding operation for the entire weld seam.

[0047] Once the sensing subunit detects that the laser head has reached the welding endpoint and the weld quality meets the preset standards, the controller will first shut down the laser head's laser emission module, stopping the welding operation. The controller then sends a stop command, gradually reducing the rotation speed of the rotary motor until it stops completely, preventing sudden motor stops from causing displacement of the workpiece due to inertia or weld deformation. After the rotating platform and work platform have completely stopped, the controller will drive each telescopic hydraulic rod to return to its initial length, simultaneously controlling the first and second sliding beams of the laser welding unit to return to their safe standby positions.

[0048] The embodiments described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of technology and the emergence of new application scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical solutions shown in the figures do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application, and may include more or fewer steps than shown, or combine certain steps, or different steps.

[0050] The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or some of the steps in the methods disclosed above, as well as the functional modules / units in the systems and devices, can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or suitable combinations thereof.

[0052] It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0053] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, and "more than" means two or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0054] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of the units described above is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0055] The preferred embodiments of the present application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but this does not limit the scope of the claims of the present application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and substance of the embodiments of the present application shall be within the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A rotating device based on centrifugal force assisted laser welding, characterized in that, The rotating device comprises: a support platform unit, which comprises a rotating support platform, a support base and a control panel, the rotating support platform is in the shape of a ring, the lower part of the rotating support platform is fixedly connected with the support base, and the control panel is fixedly connected with the rotating support platform or the support base; a central rotating shaft, which comprises a rotating motor and a main shaft, the rotating motor is fixed at the upper end of the main shaft, and the main shaft is fixedly connected with the inner circle of the rotating support platform; a rotating platform unit, which comprises a rotating platform, a work platform, a first telescopic hydraulic rod, a second telescopic hydraulic rod, a third telescopic hydraulic rod, a fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, a first roller and a second roller, the rotating platform and the work platform are movably connected through the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, one side of the rotating platform is fixedly connected with the rotating motor, the lower parts of the two sides of the work platform are fixedly connected with the first roller and the second roller, and the first roller and the second roller are respectively fixedly connected with the lower parts of the two sides of the work platform; a clamping unit, which is movably connected with the work platform and is used for clamping a to-be-welded piece; a laser welding unit, which comprises a first support column, a second support column, a support beam, a first sliding beam, a second sliding beam, a laser head and a sensing subunit, the first support column and the second support column are respectively fixed on the two sides of the work platform, the support beam is fixedly connected with the first support column and the second support column, the two ends of the first sliding beam are movably connected with the first support column and the second support column, the second sliding beam is movably connected with the first sliding beam, and the second sliding beam is movably connected with the laser head and the sensing subunit; a controller, which is in communication connection with the control panel, the rotating motor, the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod, the first support column, the second support column, the first sliding beam, the second sliding beam, the laser head and the sensing subunit.

2. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 1, wherein, The support platform unit further comprises a plurality of connecting struts; one end of each of the plurality of connecting struts is fixedly connected with the inner circle of the rotating support platform, and the other end of each of the plurality of connecting struts is fixedly connected with the main shaft.

3. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 1, wherein, The main shaft comprises a fifth telescopic hydraulic rod; one end of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod is fixedly connected with the rotating motor, and the other end of the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod supports the support base on the workbench surface.

4. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 3, wherein, The first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod, the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod and the fifth telescopic hydraulic rod each comprise a single-stage electric control telescopic hydraulic rod or an electromagnetic valve control hydraulic rod.

5. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 1, wherein, The rotating platform unit further comprises a multidirectional control unit; The first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod are movably connected with the rotating platform and the working platform respectively through the multi-directional control unit; The multi-directional control unit comprises an electrically controlled hydraulic joint seat, an adjustable hydraulic support rod assembly or an angle-adjustable hydraulic support.

6. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 1, wherein, A plurality of clamping holes are arranged on the working platform. The clamping unit comprises a first clamp, a second clamp, a first fixed rod and a second fixed rod; the first clamp is connected with the working platform through the first fixed rod, and the second clamp is connected with the working platform through the second fixed rod.

7. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 1, wherein, First and second screw drive mechanisms are arranged in the first and second support columns respectively. Alternatively, the first screw drive mechanism is arranged on the first support column, and a vertical guide rail is arranged on the second support column. The first sliding cross beam is fixedly connected with the sliding blocks in the first and second screw drive mechanisms or the vertical guide rail at both ends thereof.

8. The centrifugal force assisted laser welding based rotating device of claim 7, wherein, A third screw drive mechanism is arranged on one side of the first sliding cross beam. The sliding block in the third screw drive mechanism is fixedly connected with the midpoint on one side of the second sliding cross beam. The included angle between the first and second sliding cross beams is 90°. A fourth screw drive mechanism is arranged on the other side of the second sliding cross beam. The sliding block in the fourth screw drive mechanism is fixedly connected with the laser head. The sensing subunit is fixedly connected with the laser head.

9. Method for laser welding based on centrifugal force assistance, characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: The centrifugal force assisted laser welding rotating device is arranged on a stable working plane and powered on, and the workpiece to be welded is fixed on the working platform through the clamping unit. The operator sets the parameters of the rotating motor and the workpiece to be welded through the control panel. The operator starts the rotating motor, and the rotating motor drives the rotating platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit. The controller obtains the start point and the end point of the welding area through the sensing subunit. The controller controls the first and second support columns, the first and second sliding cross beams to drive the laser head to move and weld according to the positions of the start point and the end point. When the laser head completes welding, the controller controls the rotating motor to stop working, and the operator turns off the centrifugal force assisted laser welding rotating device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The rotating motor drives the rotating platform unit to rotate on the support platform unit, which comprises the following steps: The rotating motor drives the rotating platform to rotate. The rotating platform drives the working platform and the first and second rollers to rotate on the rotating support platform through the first, second, third and fourth telescopic hydraulic rods. The first and second rollers are arranged on the rotating platform and are movably connected with the rotating platform through the first and second telescopic hydraulic rods respectively. The controller controls lengths of the first telescopic hydraulic rod, the second telescopic hydraulic rod, the third telescopic hydraulic rod and the fourth telescopic hydraulic rod respectively, so that the working platform keeps a consistent distance from the main shaft during rotation.

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