Pressure nozzle for laser welding and corresponding laser welding system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pressure head nozzle for laser welding, comprising: a laser processing chamber (11) allowing a laser beam to pass through and reach a part to be welded; a protective gas delivery structure (12), which has a gas inlet (121) for receiving protective gas from a protective gas source, a gas outlet (122) for applying protective gas to the part to be welded in the laser processing chamber (11), and a gas delivery channel (123) connecting the gas inlet (121) and the gas outlet (122); a dust removal structure (13) for removing smoke and dust generated during welding by suction; and a pressure head structure (14) for applying pressure to the part to be welded, wherein a laminar flow structure (1231) for promoting the shielding gas to be discharged from the gas outlet (122) in a laminar flow state is provided in the gas delivery channel (123). A corresponding laser welding system is also disclosed. According to certain exemplary embodiments, the structure can be simplified and the welding quality can be improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a pressure head nozzle for laser welding and a corresponding laser welding system. Background Art

[0002] Lithium batteries are widely used in various electronic devices and vehicles, such as electric vehicles, due to their many advantages such as high specific energy, long cycle life, low self-discharge, no memory effect and no pollution. When used in vehicles, lithium batteries can also be called power batteries.

[0003] Laser welding is required in the manufacturing process of lithium batteries. However, the traditional laser welding head nozzle is manufactured by machining, which makes it difficult to achieve complex internal structures, resulting in the inability of the shielding gas to cover the weld surface in the desired way, causing unstable welding penetration and surface forming.

[0004] Moreover, the current pressure head nozzle structure is complex and not compact enough.

[0005] In addition, there are other possible problems in reality. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the existing pressure head nozzle to improve the laser welding process. Utility Model Content

[0006] Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved pressure head nozzle for laser welding and a corresponding laser welding system.

[0007] According to the first aspect of the utility model, a pressure head nozzle for laser welding is provided, and the pressure head nozzle comprises: a laser processing chamber that allows the laser beam to pass through and reach the part to be welded; a protective gas delivery structure, which has a gas inlet for receiving protective gas from a protective gas source, a gas outlet for applying protective gas to the part to be welded in the laser processing chamber, and a gas delivery channel connecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet; a dust removal structure for removing smoke generated during welding by suction; and a pressure head structure for applying pressure to the part to be welded, wherein a laminar structure for promoting the discharge of protective gas from the gas outlet in a laminar state is provided in the gas delivery channel.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the laminar structure includes a multi-layer chamber structure, and adjacent chambers are connected through holes.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the laminar flow structure includes a grid filling structure.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the grid filling structure is at least filled in the cavity.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the utility model, the gas delivery channel includes an air intake section, a middle section and an exhaust section in sequence from the gas inlet to the gas outlet, wherein the middle section is enlarged relative to the air intake section and the exhaust section.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas delivery channel has a tortuous extension path.

[0013] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas delivery channel descends in a step-like manner from the gas inlet to the gas outlet.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the utility model, the dust removal structure includes an air intake port for sucking smoke from the laser processing chamber and an exhaust port for discharging smoke away from the pressure head nozzle, wherein, in use, the air intake port is higher than the gas outlet.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the present utility model, the dust removal structure has a tortuous suction channel.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the present utility model, the exhaust port is arranged at an end of the pressure head nozzle opposite to the pressure head structure.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the laser processing chamber further includes a protruding structure located between the air suction port and the gas outlet.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas suction port and the gas outlet are located on the same side of the wall of the laser processing chamber.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the air suction port and the gas outlet are arranged close to the central area of ​​the pressure head nozzle.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas inlet is arranged at the periphery of the pressure head nozzle.

[0021] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle has a plurality of laser processing cavities which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0022] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head structure includes a protrusion.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the multiple laser processing cavities are three laser processing cavities.

[0024] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle includes a recessed portion located between adjacent laser processing cavities on the pressure head structure side, and a functional unit that does not contact the part to be processed is provided in the recessed portion.

[0025] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas outlet is arranged adjacent to the bottom of the pressure head nozzle.

[0026] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the gas outlet is in a closed shape.

[0027] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is integrally formed.

[0028] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is at least partially manufactured by additive manufacturing technology.

[0029] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is configured to be suitable for welding cylindrical lithium batteries.

[0030] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is configured as a stepped column.

[0031] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is manufactured as a whole through 3D printing technology.

[0032] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle is configured as a stepped cylinder, which includes a first section and a second section arranged coaxially, wherein the first section is adjacent to the pressure head structure, and the outer diameter of the first section is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section.

[0033] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a laser welding system is provided, wherein the laser welding system comprises at least a pressure head nozzle according to any one of the above exemplary embodiments.

[0034] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the structure can be simplified, the integration of the device can be increased, and the suction performance and the quality of the weld can be improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that the principles, features and advantages of the present invention can be better understood. The accompanying drawings include:

[0036] Figure 1 A three-dimensional top view of a pressure head nozzle for laser welding according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a portion of the internal structure is also shown with a relatively lighter line.

[0037] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a pressure head nozzle is shown, wherein a portion of the internal structure is also indicated by relatively lighter dotted lines.

[0038] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The bottom perspective view of the pressure head nozzle is shown, wherein a part of the internal structure is also indicated by relatively lighter dashed lines. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial technical effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and multiple exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] For the purpose of clear description, directional or orientation terms may be used in this article, but unless otherwise specified, any directional or orientation terms involved are relative to the normal usage state or the illustrated orientation state, but this does not mean that this direction or orientation is the case in any scenario.

[0041] Figure 1 A three-dimensional top view of a pressure head nozzle for laser welding according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein a portion of the internal structure is also shown with a relatively lighter line.

[0042] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A three-dimensional cross-sectional view of a pressure head nozzle is shown, wherein a portion of the internal structure is also indicated by relatively lighter dotted lines.

[0043] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 The bottom perspective view of the pressure head nozzle is shown, wherein a part of the internal structure is also indicated by relatively lighter dashed lines.

[0044] Before officially starting the description, it should be noted that due to the viewing angle and the space limitations of the figure marks in the figures, some figure marks are not marked in all views. Therefore, when referring to the description, if necessary, you can refer to multiple views at the same time to facilitate understanding, but this does not mean that all features must appear at the same time in all embodiments.

[0045] First, according to one aspect of the present invention, Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, a pressure head nozzle 1 for laser welding is provided, and the pressure head nozzle 1 comprises: a laser processing cavity 11 that allows the laser beam to pass through and reach the part to be welded, combined with Figure 2 , such as a laser beam from Figure 1The upper part of the laser processing chamber 11 enters the laser processing chamber 11 to reach the part to be welded at the bottom; a protective gas delivery structure 12, which has a gas inlet 121 for receiving protective gas from a protective gas source, a gas outlet 122 for applying protective gas to the part to be welded in the laser processing chamber 11, and a gas delivery channel 123 connecting the gas inlet 121 and the gas outlet 122, wherein the protective gas can be helium or argon or any other suitable gas; a dust removal structure 13 for removing smoke generated during welding by suction; and a pressure head structure 14 for applying pressure to the part to be welded, wherein a laminar structure 1231 is provided in the gas delivery channel 123 for promoting the shielding gas to be discharged from the gas outlet 122 in a laminar state. The shielding gas is applied to the part to be welded in a laminar state, which can greatly improve the welding process and produce better welding quality. The shielding gas is usually stored in a tank at high pressure, so it will be sprayed into the gas inlet 121, and the laminar structure 1231 of the utility model can have a homogenizing effect on this spray to achieve a laminar state.

[0046] The pressure head structure 14 can be specifically designed according to the actual size of the parts to be processed, and can apply pressure to the surface of the parts to be welded to make the parts fit tightly together, eliminate the gaps between the parts, and ensure the quality of laser welding.

[0047] like Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laminar structure 1231 includes a multi-layer chamber structure 1232, and adjacent chambers are connected through holes 1233. The protective gas enters the next chamber from one chamber through the holes 1233. This structure can produce the effect of "dispersing" the spray gas. Figure 1 These holes 1233 can be vaguely seen in the figure.

[0048] In order to enhance the homogenization effect, the laminar flow structure 1231 may also include a grid filling structure (not shown in the figure). The grid filling structure may have tortuous, interconnected micro-channels, similar to a "wire ball", and the protective gas can be well homogenized after passing through these micro-channels.

[0049] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a grid filling structure is at least filled in the cavity.

[0050] like Figure 1-Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the gas delivery channel 123 includes an intake section 1234, an intermediate section 1235 and an exhaust section 1236 from the gas inlet 121 to the gas outlet 122, wherein the intermediate section 1235 is enlarged relative to the intake section 1234 and the exhaust section 1236, in particular, see Figure 1This can be clearly seen. This local enlargement of the size allows the shielding gas to stay here for a certain period of time and facilitates the homogenization of the shielding gas.

[0051] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model, the gas delivery channel 123 has a tortuous extension path. It should be pointed out that the "tortuous extension path" means that the overall flow direction of the shielding gas in the gas delivery channel 123 is tortuous, and does not simply mean that the flow of the shielding gas in the laminar structure 1231 is tortuous. This tortuous extension path can, on the one hand, allow the gas delivery channel 123 to be flexibly arranged to improve the compactness of the structure, and on the other hand, can also help to homogenize the shielding gas.

[0052] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, the gas delivery channel 123 descends in a step-like manner from the gas inlet 121 to the gas outlet 122 .

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1-2 As shown, the dust removal structure 13 includes an air intake port 131 for sucking smoke from the laser processing chamber 11 and an air exhaust port 132 for exhausting the smoke from the pressure head nozzle 1, wherein in the use state, the air intake port 131 is higher than the gas outlet 122.

[0054] Preferably, the dust removal structure 13 has a tortuous suction channel, which is also beneficial to the flexibility of the structural arrangement.

[0055] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1-2 As shown, the exhaust port 132 is arranged at the end of the pressure head nozzle 1 opposite to the pressure head structure 14, that is, Figure 2 The upper end of.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the laser processing chamber 11 further includes a protruding structure 15 located between the air inlet 131 and the gas outlet 122. The protruding structure 15 can separate the air inlet 131 from the gas outlet 122, thereby minimizing the adverse disturbance to the flow of the protective gas at the gas outlet 122 when the smoke is extracted.

[0057] You can also Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the gas inlet 131 and the gas outlet 122 are located on the same side of the wall of the laser processing chamber 11 . In particular, the gas inlet 131 and the gas outlet 122 are arranged near the central area of ​​the pressure head nozzle 1 .

[0058] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1-2 As shown, the gas inlet 121 is arranged at the outer circumference of the pressure head nozzle 1 .

[0059] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle 1 has a plurality of, for example, three, laser processing cavities 11 which are preferably evenly spaced from each other in the circumferential direction. At this time, the cross section of each laser processing cavity 11 is substantially fan-shaped.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head structure 14 includes a protrusion 141 .

[0061] Also available from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the ram nozzle 1 includes a recess 16 located between adjacent laser processing chambers 11 on the ram structure 14 side, and a functional unit (not specifically shown) that does not contact the part to be processed is disposed in the recess 16. Figure 3 In the embodiment, a “Y”-shaped recess 16 may be formed between the laser processing cavities 11 . The recess 16 may be defined by the protruding indenter structure 14 .

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas outlet 122 is disposed adjacent to the bottom of the ram nozzle 1. When the ram nozzle 1 is pressed against the workpiece to be welded, the gas outlet 122 is adjacent to the welded portion and tilted toward the welded portion.

[0063] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the gas outlet 122 is in a closed shape, so that the uniformized shielding gas can be directed more concentratedly toward the part to be welded.

[0064] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle 1 is integrally formed.

[0065] As described above, the complexity of the laminar structure 1231, especially the grid filling structure, is difficult to manufacture using a subtractive process. Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the pressure head nozzle 1 is at least partially manufactured using an additive technology. In particular, the pressure head nozzle 1 is manufactured as a whole using 3D printing technology.

[0066] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the indenter nozzle 1 is configured to be suitable for welding cylindrical lithium batteries.

[0067] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the pressure head nozzle 1 can be configured as a stepped cylinder. According to an exemplary embodiment of the utility model, the pressure head nozzle 1 is configured as a stepped cylinder, and the cylinder includes a first section 17 and a second section 18 arranged coaxially, wherein the first section 17 is adjacent to the pressure head structure 14, and the outer diameter of the first section 17 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section 18 to form a stepped shape. It can be understood by those skilled in the art that the "cylinder" here should not be simply and exclusively understood as a strict cylinder in a mathematical sense, but can be a roughly cylindrical shape.

[0068] According to another aspect of the present invention, a laser welding system is provided. The laser welding system at least includes a pressure head nozzle according to any one of the above exemplary embodiments.

[0069] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to laser welding of lithium battery housings, but can also be used to weld structures of any other shape.

[0070] Although specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein, they are provided for the purpose of explanation only and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention. Various substitutions, changes and modifications may also be conceived without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure head nozzle for laser welding, characterized in that: The pressure head nozzle (1) comprises: A laser processing chamber (11) that allows the laser beam to pass through and reach the part to be welded; A shielding gas delivery structure (12), comprising a gas inlet (121) for receiving shielding gas from a shielding gas source, a gas outlet (122) for applying shielding gas to a part to be welded in the laser processing chamber (11), and a gas delivery channel (123) connecting the gas inlet (121) and the gas outlet (122); A dust removal structure (13) for removing fumes generated during welding by suction; and A pressure head structure (14) for applying pressure to the parts to be welded, Wherein, a laminar flow structure (1231) is provided in the gas delivery channel (123) for promoting the shielding gas to be discharged from the gas outlet (122) in a laminar flow state.

2. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 1, characterized in that: The laminar structure (1231) comprises a multi-layer chamber structure (1232), and adjacent chambers are connected via holes (1233); and / or The laminar fluidization structure (1231) includes a grid filling structure.

3. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 2, characterized in that: The grid filling structure is at least filled in the cavity.

4. The pressure head nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The gas delivery channel (123) includes an air intake section (1234), an intermediate section (1235) and an exhaust section (1236) from the gas inlet (121) to the gas outlet (122), wherein the intermediate section (1235) is enlarged relative to the air intake section (1234) and the exhaust section (1236); and / or The gas delivery channel (123) has a tortuous extension path.

5. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 4, characterized in that: The gas delivery channel (123) descends in a step-like manner from the gas inlet (121) to the gas outlet (122).

6. The pressure head nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, characterized in that: The dust removal structure (13) comprises an air intake port (131) for sucking smoke from the laser processing chamber (11) and an air exhaust port (132) for exhausting the smoke from the pressure head nozzle (1), wherein, in a use state, the air intake port (131) is higher than the gas outlet (122); and / or The dust removal structure (13) has a tortuous suction channel.

7. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 6, characterized in that: The exhaust port (132) is arranged at an end of the pressure head nozzle (1) opposite to the pressure head structure (14); and / or The laser processing chamber (11) further comprises a protruding structure (15) located between the air suction port (131) and the gas outlet (122); and / or The gas inlet (131) and the gas outlet (122) are located on the same side of the wall of the laser processing chamber (11); and / or The air intake port (131) and the gas outlet (122) are arranged close to the central area of ​​the pressure head nozzle (1).

8. The pressure head nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, 5 and 7, characterized in that: The gas inlet (121) is arranged at the periphery of the pressure head nozzle (1); and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) has a plurality of laser processing cavities (11) which are arranged spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction; and / or The pressure head structure (14) comprises a protrusion (141).

9. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 8, characterized in that: The multiple laser processing chambers (11) are three laser processing chambers (11); and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) comprises a recess (16) located between adjacent laser processing chambers (11) on the pressure head structure (14) side, and a functional unit that does not contact the part to be processed is arranged in the recess (16).

10. The pressure head nozzle according to any one of claims 1-3, 5, 7, and 9, characterized in that: The gas outlet (122) is arranged adjacent to the bottom of the pressure head nozzle (1); and / or The gas outlet (122) is in a closed shape; and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) is integrally formed; and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) is at least partially manufactured by additive manufacturing technology; and / or The press head nozzle (1) is configured to be suitable for welding cylindrical lithium batteries; and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) is configured as a stepped column.

11. The pressure head nozzle according to claim 10, characterized in that: The pressure head nozzle (1) is manufactured as a whole by 3D printing technology; and / or The pressure head nozzle (1) is configured as a stepped cylinder, which includes a first section (17) and a second section (18) arranged coaxially, wherein the first section (17) is adjacent to the pressure head structure (14), and the outer diameter of the first section (17) is smaller than the outer diameter of the second section (18).

12. A laser welding system, characterized in that: The laser welding system comprises at least a pressure head nozzle according to any one of claims 1-11.

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