A protective gas cover and a laser wire feeding cladding device

Abstract

The application relates to a protective gas cover and a laser wire feeding cladding device, the protective gas cover is provided with a mounting through hole, a gas flow channel is arranged in the protective gas cover, the gas flow channel is arranged around the mounting through hole, the gas flow channel extends to the bottom of the protective gas cover to form a gas outlet, one side of the protective gas cover is protrudingly arranged to form a gas inlet port, the gas flow channel extends to the gas inlet port to form a gas inlet, and the gas inlet port is bent towards a direction opposite to the gas outlet. The gas inlet port is bent towards the direction opposite to the gas outlet, so that the gas inlet port and a connected gas source pipeline are far away from a molten pool and a surrounding high-temperature area corresponding to the gas outlet, the roasting of high temperature on the gas inlet connecting structure and the pipeline in the laser wire feeding process is effectively avoided, the problems that the gas inlet part is prone to aging, deformation and even damage due to exposure in a high-temperature environment are solved, the service life of the overall equipment is prolonged, the maintenance frequency and cost are reduced, and the continuity and stability of protective gas delivery are ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of laser wire feeding, and in particular to a protective gas shield and a laser wire feeding cladding device. Background Technology

[0002] Laser wire feeding technology, a key process in laser processing, precisely feeds metal wire into the laser-acting zone, causing the wire and substrate to melt synchronously under the influence of laser energy, forming a molten pool. Rapid solidification then achieves metallurgical bonding. In this technology, the protection of the molten pool and surrounding unsolidified areas directly determines the forming quality. Because the laser focusing and wire melting generate extremely high temperatures during wire feeding, reactive metal wires such as titanium and aluminum, as well as the molten pool, are prone to reacting with oxygen and nitrogen in the air, leading to defects such as oxide inclusions and cracks in the cladding layer. Simultaneously, moisture and dust from the open environment are adsorbed onto the surface of the molten pool, causing a decrease in the mechanical properties of the formed part.

[0003] To address the aforementioned issues, most existing protection solutions employ a protective gas hood to supply a high concentration of inert gas to the molten pool area for protection. This achieves protection of the molten pool area. However, the unsolidified area formed after laser processing—that is, the area that has just been laminated but has not yet fully cooled and solidified—faces a serious risk of oxidation due to the lack of a dedicated protective gas supply.

[0004] To solve the problem of protecting the non-condensed area, simply expanding the central gas channel of the traditional device to increase the area covered by the protective gas can partially cover the non-condensed area, but it will lead to a large-scale increase in gas consumption.

[0005] Meanwhile, in order to maintain the same gas flow field uniformity and turbulence effect, more protective gas needs to be delivered per unit time. This not only significantly increases production costs, but may also adversely affect the stability of the molten pool due to the airflow turbulence generated in the larger gas channel, creating new processing quality hazards.

[0006] Therefore, the laser cladding protective head with the publication number CN221918243U discloses a technical solution for setting up a separate gas path to protect the unsolidified area. However, its dual air inlets are directly connected to the gas source. Since the temperature of the molten pool and its surroundings is extremely high when the laser feeds the wire, the connection structure and pipes used to transport the gas source are exposed to the extremely high temperature environment, which is prone to aging, deformation or even damage.

[0007] Therefore, in view of the problems in the existing technology, such as the unreasonable air intake position of the protective air cover and the susceptibility of the connected air intake pipe to high temperature damage, there is an urgent need for a protective air cover structure with optimized air intake path. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, the purpose of this application is to provide a protective gas shield and a laser wire feeding and cladding device, which can optimize the air intake path to protect the air intake pipe.

[0009] The above-mentioned objective of this application is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0010] A protective gas cover has an installation through hole and a gas flow channel inside the protective gas cover. The gas flow channel surrounds the installation through hole and extends to the bottom of the protective gas cover to form an air outlet. One side of the protective gas cover protrudes to form an air inlet, and the gas flow channel extends to the air inlet to form an air inlet. The air inlet is bent in a direction opposite to the air outlet.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air intake port is provided with one or more layers of layered guide vanes, the layered guide vanes having the same bending trend as the air intake port, and the one or more layers of layered guide vanes separating the air intake port along the thickness direction of the air intake port to form multiple air intake channels.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the gas flow channel includes an outer flow channel and an inner flow channel. The outer flow channel is spirally connected to the inner flow channel from the air inlet and the inner flow channel extends downward to the lower surface of the protective gas cover to form the air outlet.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner flow channel is arranged in a ring, and a plurality of guide plates are provided in the inner flow channel. Each guide plate forms an angle with the outer flow channel, and each guide plate points to the air outlet.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective gas cover includes an upper cover and a lower cover, the upper cover and the lower cover together forming the gas flow channel, the air inlet is located on one side of the upper cover, and the air outlet is opened on the lower surface of the lower cover.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, both the upper cover and the lower cover are provided with grooves for placing the sealing rings. One end of the groove is located on one side of the air intake port and points towards the air intake port. The groove is provided along the outer side of the upper cover or the lower cover, and the other end of the groove is located on the other side of the air intake port and is flush with the air intake port.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lower cover is provided with a latch, the latch is located at one end of the groove, and the upper cover is provided with a latch block on the air inlet port, the latch block being embedded in the latch.

[0017] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the upper cover is provided with an annular partition, the annular partition being operably embedded in the lower cover, and the annular partition simultaneously forming the inner wall of the gas flow channel and the outer wall of the mounting through hole.

[0018] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective gas cover has a processing surface facing the substrate, the gas channel forms the gas outlet on the processing surface, the processing surface outside the gas outlet forms a guide surface, and the guide surface is inclined from the center outward and from high to low.

[0019] A laser wire feeding and cladding device includes the aforementioned protective gas shroud, and further includes a laser wire feeding assembly and a gas source assembly. The laser wire feeding assembly has a protective gas delivery channel, and includes a wire feeding channel and a laser channel. The wire feeding channel and the laser channel extend into the protective gas delivery channel. The protective gas delivery channel is connected to the mounting through hole. The gas source assembly is connected to the air inlet through a gas source delivery pipe.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the number of the wire feeding channels is multiple and arranged around the laser channel.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protective gas cover has a mounting portion protruding from the upper end, and the protective gas cover is mounted to the laser wire feeding assembly through the mounting portion.

[0022] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the laser wire feeding assembly has an inclined surface, which is arranged around the outside of the protective gas delivery channel. The inclined surface is inclined towards the center in a downward direction, and the air inlet port is bent to fit the inclined surface.

[0023] In summary, the beneficial technical effects of this application are as follows:

[0024] 1. The air inlet port of this application is bent in the opposite direction to the air outlet, so that the air inlet port and the connected air source pipe are far away from the molten pool and surrounding high temperature area corresponding to the air outlet. This effectively avoids the high temperature during laser wire feeding from baking the air inlet connection structure and pipe, solves the problem that the air inlet components are prone to aging, deformation or even damage due to exposure to high temperature environment, extends the service life of the overall equipment, reduces the maintenance frequency and cost, and ensures the continuity and stability of protective gas delivery.

[0025] 2. The gas flow channel of this application is installed around the through hole, which can form an annular airflow field, so that the protective gas is evenly sprayed out from the bottom gas outlet, which can cover the unsolidified area around the molten pool, ensuring that the protective gas completely wraps the high-temperature area to be protected, avoiding oxidation, nitriding and other reactions, and ensuring the forming quality of the cladding or welding process. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the protective air shield.

[0027] Figure 2 Exploded view of the upper and lower covers of the protective gas shield.

[0028] Figure 3 The cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along the middle of the mounting through hole to protect the air cover.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view obtained by cutting along the middle of the protective air cover.

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the assembly of the laser wire feeding component and the protective gas shield.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the laser wire feeding assembly.

[0032] Reference numerals: 1. Protective gas cover; 11. Top cover; 12. Bottom cover; 13. Air inlet port; 111. Mounting through hole; 112. Gas flow channel; 113. Air outlet; 114. Air inlet; 115. Layered guide vane; 116. Outer flow channel; 117. Inner flow channel; 118. Guide plate; 119. Groove; 120. Mounting hole; 121. Bayonet; 122. Annular partition; 123. Machining surface; 124. Guide surface; 125. Mounting part; 2. Laser wire feeding assembly; 21. Protective gas delivery channel; 22. Laser channel; 23. Wire feeding channel; 24. Inclined surface; F1. Thickness direction; R1. Approach angle. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] like Figure 1 As shown, a protective gas shroud 1 is mounted on a laser wire feeding assembly 2. The protective gas shroud 1 has a mounting through hole 111 that penetrates through it. A portion of the laser wire feeding assembly 2 extends into the mounting through hole 111. The mounting through hole 111 provides a through-channel for the laser emitted by the laser wire feeding assembly 2 and the wire being fed, ensuring that the laser energy can accurately act on the surface of the substrate to form a molten pool. At the same time, it ensures that the wire feeding mechanism can stably transport the metal wire to the molten pool area. The laser wire feeding assembly 2 has a protective gas delivery channel 21 that communicates with the mounting through hole 111 to form a protective gas delivery channel for the molten pool area, thereby ensuring the protective gas concentration in the molten pool area.

[0035] See Figure 2As shown, the protective gas shield 1 also has a gas flow channel 112 inside. This gas flow channel 112 is arranged in a ring-shaped manner around the mounting through hole 111, employing an annular flow channel structure. The cross-section of the flow channel can be circular, rectangular, or other shapes adapted to gas flow. This ring-shaped design allows the gas to form a uniformly distributed airflow around the mounting through hole 111. One end of the gas flow channel 112 extends towards the bottom of the protective gas shield 1, see [reference needed]. Figure 4 Finally, an outlet 113 is formed on the bottom end face of the protective gas shield 1. The location of the outlet 113 corresponds to the molten pool and the surrounding unsolidified area, ensuring that the protective gas flowing out of the outlet 113 can directly cover the high-temperature area to be protected. The outlet 113 can adopt an annular slit shape or a structure of multiple evenly distributed small holes to further optimize the uniformity of gas ejection and avoid excessive local airflow impacting the molten pool.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, an air inlet port 13 protrudes outward from one side of the protective gas cover 1. The air inlet port 13 is integrally formed with the main structure of the protective gas cover 1. The gas flow channel 112 extends to the air inlet port 13 to form an air inlet 114. The air inlet 114 can be connected to an external inert gas source through quick connectors, hoses and other connectors in the prior art to achieve a stable input of protective gas.

[0037] Specifically, the deflection direction of the inlet port 13 is set to be opposite to the direction of the outlet port 113, that is, the outlet port 113 faces the molten pool area at the bottom of the protective gas shield 1, i.e., it is set downwards. Therefore, the inlet port 13 bends away from the molten pool, as shown in the following example. Figure 1 As shown, the air inlet port 13 is inclined upwards and bent. This bending structure keeps the air inlet port 13 and the connected gas source pipe away from the molten pool and the surrounding high-temperature environment. Through physical space avoidance, the high temperature avoids scorching of the pipe and connecting parts, while not affecting the path of the gas flow channel 112 to deliver protective gas to the air outlet 113. Preferably, the bend can adopt an arc transition, and its bending angle can be adjusted according to the layout of the surrounding equipment in the actual processing scenario to adapt to different installation space requirements and improve the compatibility of the protective gas cover 1 with the overall processing system.

[0038] During operation, external protective gas enters the gas flow channel 112 through the air inlet 114 of the air inlet port 13, flows along the flow path around the mounting through hole 111, and is finally ejected from the bottom air outlet 113, forming a protective gas layer covering the molten pool and the unsolidified area. At the same time, due to the bending design of the air inlet port 13, the gas source connection pipeline is always in the low temperature safety area, ensuring the continuity and stability of gas delivery.

[0039] Furthermore, one or more layers of layered guide vanes 115 are provided inside the air inlet port 13 of the protective gas shroud 1. These layered guide vanes 115 serve to guide and distribute the protective gas entering the air inlet port 13, thereby optimizing the gas flow state. The specific structural design of the layered guide vanes 115 is consistent with the curvature of the air inlet port 13, that is, they are arranged along the curvature direction of the air inlet port 13, thus ensuring that the gas maintains a stable flow direction when flowing through the curved air inlet port 13, reducing turbulence or eddies caused by sudden changes in direction.

[0040] One or more layers of layered guide vanes 115 are arranged sequentially along the thickness direction F1 of the air intake port 13, i.e. Figure 3 The direction shown is perpendicular to the upper and lower edges of the inlet port 13. Due to the bend in the inlet port 13, without the layered guide vanes 115, the airflow would accumulate at the bottom, hindering gas flow. The layered guide vanes 115, however, divide the protective gas into multiple streams after entering the inlet port 13, allowing each stream to flow through different inlet channels, thus optimizing the gas flow path and improving the uniformity of gas distribution. Furthermore, the spacing of the multi-layered guide vanes 115 can be adjusted according to actual needs to adapt to gas delivery requirements under different flow rates and pressures.

[0041] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the gas flow channel 112 of the protective gas shield 1 adopts a segmented design, specifically including an outer flow channel 116 and an inner flow channel 117. The outer flow channel 116 starts from the air inlet 114, gradually narrows along a spiral path, and extends to the inner flow channel 117, forming a continuous gas delivery channel. It is worth noting that the spiral-like narrowing here refers to the spiral shape of the outer flow channel 116. See also... Figure 4 As shown, its cross-sectional area gradually decreases along the gas flow direction, guiding the gas to rotate through a spiral path. At the same time, the gradually narrowing structure gradually accelerates the gas during the flow, reducing turbulence and improving the kinetic energy and pressure stability of the gas. The inner flow channel 117 connects to the end of the outer flow channel 116 and extends downwards, eventually forming an outlet 113 on the lower surface of the protective gas cover 1.

[0042] like Figure 4 As shown, the extension direction of the inner flow channel 117 is inclined to the bottom plane of the protective gas cover 1. The inner flow channel 117 extends outward. Specifically, the inner side refers to the middle part of the protective gas cover 1, i.e. the location of the installation through hole 111, and the outer side is the edge of the protective gas cover 1, to ensure that the gas can be accurately guided and cover the unsolidified area around the molten pool after being transported through the inner flow channel 117.

[0043] From a working principle perspective, after the protective gas enters the outer flow channel 116 through the inlet 114, under the action of the spirally tapering structure, it rotates along the spiral path to form a stable circulation state. Simultaneously, due to the gradually narrowing cross-section, the flow velocity and pressure gradually increase, ensuring a uniform and orderly flow field before entering the inner flow channel 117. Subsequently, the gas is conveyed downwards through the inner flow channel 117 and ejected from the outlet 113, forming a protective air curtain with precise coverage and stable flow velocity. Compared to traditional straight channels or disordered flow channels, this application effectively avoids eddies or sudden changes in flow velocity during gas delivery. The centrifugal force generated by the spiral motion evenly diffuses the gas to the surrounding uncondensed areas, solving the problems of uneven gas coverage or turbulent airflow in existing technologies.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, the inner flow channel 117 is arranged in a ring shape, surrounding the outside of the mounting through hole 111, and the air outlet 113 formed at its bottom can form a ring-shaped covered flow field. At the same time, multiple guide plates 118 are provided inside the inner flow channel 117. These guide plates 118 are distributed at intervals along the ring circumference of the inner flow channel 117. Each guide plate 118 forms a specific angle with the outer flow channel 116. This angle refers to the angle between the extension direction of the guide plate 118 and the helical tangent direction of the outer flow channel 116. The guide plates 118 guide the rotating airflow in the outer flow channel 116 to smoothly transition to the inner flow channel 117, reducing the energy loss caused by airflow impact.

[0045] Furthermore, all the guide vanes 118 extend toward the air outlet 113, that is, their ends point toward the air outlet 113 on the lower surface of the protective gas cover 1. This directional design can further constrain the airflow direction, so that the gas in the inner channel 117 forms a convergence trend under the guidance of the guide vanes 118, and finally sprays out from the air outlet 113 in a uniform and concentrated state, accurately covering the molten pool and the surrounding unsolidified area.

[0046] Furthermore, the number of multiple guide plates 118 can be set according to the annular diameter of the inner flow channel 117, and the spacing between adjacent guide plates 118 remains uniform to ensure that the airflow is evenly divided into multiple sub-flows, avoiding excessively strong or weak local airflow. This design of the outer flow channel 116 and the inner flow channel 117 achieves gas pressurization and flow stabilization through spiral convergence, and eliminates turbulence during airflow turning by the directional guidance of the guide plates 118. Ultimately, the protective gas is ejected from the outlet 113 at a controllable flow rate and direction, which not only provides precise coverage but also avoids impacting the molten pool, effectively solving the problems of uneven airflow and poor protection effect in traditional flow channels.

[0047] This protective gas shield 1 can be manufactured using additive printing technology. It is formed by layer-by-layer material deposition, enabling precise integrated manufacturing of complex internal structures. This method is particularly suitable for processing irregularly shaped structures such as the gas flow channel 112 surrounding the mounting through-hole 111 and the layered guide vanes 115. Considering the spiral structure of the internal flow channel, the multi-directional distribution of the layered guide vanes 115, and the through-flow design between the flow channel and the inlet port 13 and outlet port 113, the overall structure is complex and contains a large number of closed or semi-closed spaces. If an integrated additive printing method is used, numerous support structures need to be installed in the internal cavities during the printing process to ensure molding stability. These support structures are tightly connected to the inner wall of the flow channel and the surface of the guide vanes 118, making their removal extremely difficult after molding. This not only easily damages the internal structure but may also leave residual support debris that blocks the flow channel, affecting the smoothness of gas flow.

[0048] Therefore, this protective gas cover 1 adopts a split design, dividing it into an upper cover 11 and a lower cover 12 for additive printing, see [reference]. Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown. The division between the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 can be determined based on the distribution characteristics of the internal flow channels. Taking the middle cross-section of the gas flow channel 112 as the boundary, the upper cover 11 includes part of the flow channel and the air inlet port 13 structure, while the lower cover 12 includes the remaining flow channel, the air outlet 113, and the guide plate 118, etc. This split design significantly reduces the structural complexity of the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12, reduces the internal cavity of individual components, greatly reduces the number of support structures required during the printing process, and the supports are mostly distributed in non-critical flow channel areas, which are easy to remove by mechanical cleaning or chemical dissolution, effectively avoiding the risk of support residue clogging the gas flow channel 112.

[0049] Further, see Figure 2 As shown, grooves 119 for placing sealing rings are provided on the mating surfaces of the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 of the protective gas cover 1. The grooves 119 are designed to achieve a sealed connection between the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 through the sealing ring, preventing the protective gas from leaking from the mating gap between the two when flowing through the internal flow channel, and ensuring that the gas can be efficiently ejected from the outlet 113 to form effective protection.

[0050] like Figure 2 As shown, the overall layout of the groove 119 is adapted to the outer contour of the air intake port 13 and the protective air cover 1. One end of the groove 119 is opened on one side of the air intake port 13, and the port of one end of the groove 119 points to the side wall of the air intake port 13. The other end of the groove 119 is opened on the other side of the air intake port 13 and is flush with the end of the air intake port 13. This ensures that the sealing range can completely cover the key docking areas on both sides and the outside of the air intake port 13, and will not interfere with the connection operation between the air intake port 13 and the external air source due to excessive extension.

[0051] A sealing ring is installed within the groove 119, and mounting holes 120 for bolt fixing are provided on both the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 surrounding the groove 119. When the upper and lower covers 12 are connected by bolts or other fasteners, the sealing ring can fill the gap between the groove 119 and the mating surface through its own compression deformation, achieving a reliable seal. The cross-sectional shape of the groove 119 can be rectangular or semi-circular, and its dimensions must match the cross-sectional dimensions of the sealing ring. Typically, the width of the groove 119 is slightly larger than the diameter of the sealing ring to ensure that the sealing ring can fully fit the inner wall of the groove 119 and the mating surface under pressure, achieving the best sealing effect. This combination design of the groove 119 and the sealing ring achieves efficient sealing without interfering with the gas flow channel 112 inside the protective gas cover 1, ensuring the integrity of the gas flow path.

[0052] Further, see Figure 2 As shown in the assembly structure of the upper cover 11 and lower cover 12 of the protective gas cover 1, the lower cover 12 is provided with a latch 121. The latch 121 is specifically located at one end of the groove 119 provided in the lower cover 12, forming a continuous structural layout with the groove 119. The shape and size of the latch 121 are adapted to the latching block provided on the air inlet port 13 of the upper cover 11. The latch 121 is recessed as a whole, and its fit with the latching block ensures structural strength and assembly accuracy.

[0053] A locking block is located at the air inlet port 13 of the upper cover 11. The locking block is a block-shaped structure protruding outward from the outer wall of the air inlet port 13 and can be manufactured simultaneously with the air inlet port 13 through additive printing, exhibiting good structural integrity. When assembling the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12, the locking block can precisely embed into the locking slot 121 of the lower cover 12, forming a stable locking fit. The main function of this locking structure is to achieve rapid positioning and pre-fixation of the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12. After the locking block is embedded in the locking slot 121, it can limit the relative displacement of the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 in the horizontal direction, ensuring that they will not misalign during assembly, thereby ensuring that the gas flow channels 112 of the upper cover 11 and the grooves 119 of the lower cover 12 can be precisely aligned and completely aligned. This is crucial for the sealing ring to play an effective sealing role, avoiding air leakage caused by uneven force on the sealing ring due to misalignment of the upper and lower covers 12. At the same time, the locking fit provides a reference for subsequent fastening processes, such as bolt connections, reducing assembly errors and improving assembly efficiency.

[0054] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, an annular partition 122 is provided at the bottom of the upper cover 11. The annular partition 122 is circular and arranged circumferentially along the central axis of the upper cover 11. The main function of the annular partition 122 is to form a clear structural separation inside the protective gas cover 1. When the upper cover 11 and the lower cover 12 of the protective gas cover 1 are assembled, the annular partition 122 is operably embedded in the corresponding annular hollow part of the lower cover 12. The annular partition 122 also undertakes a dual structural function: firstly, it forms the inner wall of the gas flow channel 112, allowing the protective gas to travel along the path defined by the annular partition 122 during flow, ensuring the stability and directionality of the airflow; secondly, it forms the outer wall of the mounting through hole 111, while isolating the mounting through hole 111 from the gas flow channel 112 to avoid interference between the two.

[0055] In actual operation, when the protective gas enters the gas flow channel 112 from the inlet port 13, the inner wall formed by the annular baffle 122 guides the gas to flow along a specific path and finally discharges evenly from the outlet port 113, thus achieving effective protection of the molten pool and the surrounding unsolidified area.

[0056] Meanwhile, the mounting through hole 111 is connected to the protective gas delivery channel 21 of the laser wire feeding assembly 2 to form gas protection for the molten pool area, and a delivery channel for the laser beam and wire is formed inside the mounting through hole 111. The outer wall of the mounting through hole 111 is composed of an annular partition 122. This design of using the annular partition 122 as a dual-function structure not only optimizes the internal space layout of the protective gas cover 1, but also improves the overall working efficiency and reliability.

[0057] See Figure 4 As shown, the bottom of the protective gas shield 1, i.e., the surface facing the substrate, has a processing surface 123. This processing surface 123 is the working surface of the protective gas shield 1 facing the substrate in the working state, and its flatness and positional accuracy directly affect the guiding effect of the protective gas. The gas flow channel 112 extends to the processing surface 123 to form an outlet 113, so that the protective gas can be sprayed directly from the processing surface 123 to the molten pool area on the substrate, ensuring the straightness and efficiency of the gas delivery path.

[0058] On the outer side of the vent 113, the machining surface 123 further extends to form a guide surface 124. The guide surface 124 has a clear directionality, extending from the center of the machining surface 123, i.e., the location of the vent 113, towards the outer edge, while sloping from high to low. The core function of the guide surface 124 is to guide and diffuse the protective gas ejected from the vent 113. After the protective gas is discharged from the vent 113, it flows outward along the inclined direction of the guide surface 124, forming a stable diffused airflow under the constraint of the guide surface 124. This design can prevent the gas from generating turbulence due to sudden loss of constraint after ejection, and at the same time, the guide surface of the inclined slope expands the coverage of the protective gas, allowing the gas to more evenly wrap the unsolidified area outside the molten pool and reduce the intrusion of outside air.

[0059] Due to the overlapping of laser wire feeding layers, the height of the processed area is higher than that of the unprocessed area, thus bringing it closer to the processed surface 123. As the guide surface 124 slopes from high to low, it further gradually shortens the distance to the processed area, i.e., the weld bead. This results in a high shielding gas velocity near the gas outlet 113 above the weld bead, and a smaller gas flow space further away from the outlet 113, ensuring a high gas concentration within the coverage area of ​​the guide surface 124. In actual operation, the shielding gas shield 1 is close to the substrate, and a gradually narrowing wedge-shaped space is formed between the guide surface 124 and the substrate from the inside out. The shielding gas flows along the guide surface 124 and spreads evenly within this space, enhancing the protection of the surrounding area and further improving the stability and forming quality of the laser processing.

[0060] See Figure 5 A laser wire feeding and cladding device is shown, including the aforementioned protective gas cover 1, and also including a laser wire feeding assembly 2 and a gas source assembly to form a complete processing system, thereby achieving efficient protection and stable operation of the laser cladding process.

[0061] The laser wire feeding assembly 2, as the core actuator of the device, has a protective gas delivery channel 21 inside. This channel houses at least a portion of the wire feeding channel 23 and the laser channel 22. The wire feeding channel 23 is used to precisely deliver the metal wire to the molten pool area. Its diameter is adapted to the wire specifications and can be driven by an existing servo wire feeding mechanism to continuously feed the wire. The laser channel 22 is used to transmit a high-energy laser beam. After being focused by the channel, the laser beam acts on the surface of the substrate, causing the substrate and the wire to melt synchronously to form a molten pool. The end of the protective gas delivery channel 21 is connected to the mounting through hole 111 of the protective gas cover 1. This connection design ensures that the laser beam and the metal wire can pass through the mounting through hole 111 directly to the processing area, achieving stable protection of the molten pool area.

[0062] The gas source assembly provides a stable protective gas to the gas flow channel 112. It typically consists of existing components such as an inert gas cylinder, a pressure reducing valve, and a flow controller, and the gas pressure and flow rate can be adjusted according to processing requirements. The gas source assembly is connected to the inlet 114 of the protective gas cover 1 via a gas supply pipeline. Gas enters the gas flow channel 112 through the inlet 114 on the inlet port 13 and is finally ejected from the outlet 113 at the bottom of the protective gas cover 1. Because the inlet port 13 of the protective gas cover 1 adopts a bent design, the gas supply pipeline is kept away from the high-temperature area of ​​the processing surface 123 after connection, avoiding damage to the pipeline and connection points caused by high temperatures during laser cladding and ensuring the continuity of gas supply.

[0063] In actual operation, the laser channel 22 of the laser wire feeding assembly 2 outputs a laser beam, while the wire feeding channel 23 simultaneously transports the metal wire, forming a molten pool on the substrate surface. Preferably, the gas source assembly, while supplying protective gas to the unsolidified area through the gas flow channel 112 of the protective gas shroud 1, also connects to the protective gas delivery channel 21 of the laser wire feeding assembly 2 to supply protective gas to the central area of ​​the molten pool, forming a complementary protection range. The guide surface 124 of the protective gas shroud 1 guides the gas ejected from the outlet 113 to diffuse outward along an inclined direction, further expanding the protection range while reducing the intrusion of outside air. This multi-path, multi-area protection design, combined with the structural optimization of the protective gas shroud 1, effectively solves the problems of uneven protective gas coverage and easy damage to the air intake components in existing devices, significantly improving the processing quality and equipment stability of laser wire feeding cladding.

[0064] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 As shown, the laser wire feeding assembly 2 has multiple wire feeding channels 23, which are circumferentially distributed around the laser channel 22. Specifically, the multiple wire feeding channels 23 are arranged at uniform intervals around the laser channel 22 as the central axis, forming a ring array structure. The core function of this layout design is to achieve multi-directional coordinated wire feeding. During operation, the laser beam is focused on the substrate surface through the central laser channel 22 to form a high-temperature molten pool, while multiple metal wires are synchronously fed to the molten pool area through the surrounding wire feeding channels 23. Since the wires enter the molten pool from different directions, they can melt more uniformly under the action of laser energy, reducing the problems of local overheating of the molten pool or insufficient melting of the wires that may be caused by unidirectional wire feeding. At the same time, it avoids the influence of vibration or position deviation on the formation of the cladding layer when a single wire is fed in.

[0065] Further, see Figure 1 and Figure 5The protective gas shield 1 has a mounting portion 125 protruding from its main structure at its upper end. The main function of the mounting portion 125 is to achieve a stable connection and precise positioning between the protective gas shield 1 and the laser wire feeding assembly 2. The mounting portion 125 is specifically ring-shaped and is integrally formed with the main body of the protective gas shield 1 through additive manufacturing process, ensuring structural strength and processing accuracy. In actual operation, the protective gas shield 1 is stably mounted on the laser wire feeding assembly 2 through the mounting portion 125, forming a complete processing unit. When the laser beam irradiates the substrate surface through the laser channel 22 to form a molten pool, the metal wire is synchronously transported to the molten pool area through the wire feeding channel 23, while the protective gas is uniformly sprayed out from the gas outlet 113 of the protective gas shield 1, effectively protecting the molten pool and the surrounding unsolidified area. The design of the mounting portion 125 not only ensures the structural stability of the entire device, but also ensures the coordination accuracy between various functional components, thereby improving the quality and reliability of laser wire feeding cladding processing.

[0066] Further, see Figure 6As shown, the lower end of the laser filament feeding assembly 2 has an inclined surface 24 on its side. This inclined surface 24 is located on the outer side of the lower end of the laser filament feeding assembly 2, tilting downwards towards the central axis of the laser filament feeding assembly 2, forming an approximately inverted conical outer profile. The inclined surface 24 forms an approach angle R1 with the horizontal plane. The preferred approach angle R1 is set to 22°. The approach angle R1 provides the additive head with great flexibility when approaching the workpiece surface, enabling it to easily handle workpiece surfaces of various shapes and angles. It is suitable for printing tasks with complex geometric features or requiring fine operation, because the 22° approach angle R1 allows the additive head at the lower end of the laser filament feeding assembly 2 to turn and adjust with a smaller radius, thereby reducing the possibility of collisions or interference during printing. A smaller approach angle R1 means that the additive head can approach the edge or corner of the workpiece more closely, achieving a finer and more precise printing effect. Furthermore, a smaller approach angle R1 helps improve print coverage and detail, especially when printing workpieces with steep angles or overhangs. The additive head can reach these areas more effectively, ensuring uniform material deposition and avoiding interlayer delamination or unevenness caused by improper printing angles. A smaller approach angle R1 also helps reduce the need for support structures during printing, as the additive head can print more directly to complex parts of the workpiece, simplifying print preparation and reducing printing time. A smaller approach angle R1 also improves the dynamic performance of the additive head, allowing for faster directional changes during high-speed movement, which is crucial for increasing printing speed and productivity. Simultaneously, this design reduces printing deviations caused by inertial forces during additive head movement, improving the stability and reliability of the printing process. In practical applications, a smaller approach angle R1 also means that the additive head can be more easily integrated into automated production lines, working collaboratively with other automated equipment to achieve more efficient production processes. This flexibility and adaptability allows the additive head to not only handle single printing tasks but also adapt to changing production needs, improving the flexibility and responsiveness of the production line.

[0067] After the air inlet 13 of the protective gas cover 1 is bent away from the air outlet 113, see details. Figure 6 As shown, the bend of the air intake port 13 is close to the inclined surface 24. Specifically, there is a gap between the air intake port 13 and the inclined surface 24, and the bend angle of the air intake port 13 is approximately the same as the inclination angle of the inclined surface 24.

[0068] The embodiments described in this specific implementation are preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A protective air shield (1), characterized in that, The protective gas cover (1) has an installation through hole (111) and a gas flow channel (112) inside the protective gas cover (1). The gas flow channel (112) is arranged around the installation through hole (111) and extends to the bottom of the protective gas cover (1) to form an air outlet (113). One side of the protective gas cover (1) protrudes to form an air inlet (13). The gas flow channel (112) extends to the air inlet (13) to form an air inlet (114). The air inlet (13) bends in a direction opposite to the air outlet (113).

2. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air intake port (13) is provided with one or more layers of layered guide vanes (115), the layered guide vanes (115) have the same bending trend as the air intake port (13), and the one or more layers of layered guide vanes (115) separate the air intake port (13) along the thickness direction (F1) of the air intake port (13) to form multiple air intake channels.

3. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas flow channel (112) includes an outer flow channel (116) and an inner flow channel (117). The outer flow channel (116) spirals from the air inlet (114) and gradually connects to the inner flow channel (117). The inner flow channel (117) extends downward to the lower surface of the protective gas cover (1) to form the air outlet (113).

4. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner flow channel (117) is arranged in a ring, and a plurality of guide plates (118) are provided in the inner flow channel (117). Each guide plate (118) forms an angle with the outer flow channel (116), and each guide plate (118) points to the air outlet (113).

5. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes an upper cover (11) and a lower cover (12), the upper cover (11) and the lower cover (12) together form the gas flow channel (112), the air inlet (13) is located on one side of the upper cover (11), and the air outlet (113) is opened on the lower surface of the lower cover (12).

6. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, Both the upper cover (11) and the lower cover (12) are provided with grooves (119) for placing sealing rings. One end of the groove (119) is located on one side of the air inlet port (13) and points towards the air inlet port (13). The groove (119) is provided along the outer side of the upper cover (11) or the lower cover (12). The other end of the groove (119) is located on the other side of the air inlet port (13) and is flush with the air inlet port (13).

7. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The lower cover (12) is provided with a slot (121), which is located at one end of the groove (119). The upper cover (11) is provided with a block on the air inlet port (13), which is embedded in the slot (121).

8. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The upper cover (11) is provided with an annular partition (122), which is operably embedded in the lower cover (12), and the annular partition (122) simultaneously forms the inner wall of the gas flow channel (112) and the outer wall of the mounting through hole (111).

9. The protective gas shield (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The protective gas cover (1) has a processing surface (123) facing the substrate. The gas flow channel (112) forms the air outlet (113) on the processing surface (123). The processing surface (123) outside the air outlet (113) forms a guide surface (124). The guide surface (124) is inclined from the center outward and from high to low.

10. A laser wire feeding and cladding device, characterized in that, The protective gas cover (1) includes any one of claims 1-9, and further includes a laser wire feeding assembly (2) and a gas source assembly. The laser wire feeding assembly (2) has a protective gas delivery channel (21). The laser wire feeding assembly (2) includes a wire feeding channel (23) and a laser channel (22). The wire feeding channel (23) and the laser channel (22) extend into the protective gas delivery channel (21). The protective gas delivery channel (21) is connected to the mounting through hole (111). The gas source assembly is connected to the air inlet (114) through a gas source delivery pipe.

11. The laser wire feeding and cladding device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The number of wire feeding channels (23) is multiple and arranged around the laser channel (22).

12. The laser wire feeding and cladding device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The protective gas cover (1) has a mounting portion (125) protruding from the upper end, and the protective gas cover (1) is mounted to the laser wire feeding assembly (2) through the mounting portion (125).

13. The laser wire feeding and cladding device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The laser wire feeding assembly (2) has an inclined surface (24), which is arranged around the outside of the protective gas delivery channel (21). The inclined surface (24) is inclined towards the center in a downward direction. The air inlet port (13) is bent to fit the inclined surface (24).

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