Suction device and laser device

Abstract

The invention relates to a suction device comprising: an air guiding device (102) and a flow inlet (104) for generating a suction flow through the air guiding device into the flow inlet. The air guiding device is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of a notional sphere (110) covers at least 30% of the surface. The projection takes place in a radial direction from a centre point of the notional sphere to the surface of the notional sphere, with the centre point of the notional sphere being arranged at the centre of the flow inlet. A radius of the notional sphere is selected to be of a sufficient size that the notional sphere entirely encloses the air guiding device. The air guiding device has a first opening (122) which, during operation, lies opposite a processing site on a substrate and a second opening (128) through which a laser beam can be emitted via the air guiding device and via the first opening. The invention also relates to a laser device comprising the suction device and a laser output device.

Description

[0001] Suction device and laser device

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of extraction devices for laser processing.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] It is known from practice to extract process residues (such as particles or vapors) that arise during the laser processing of substrates (for example when cleaning a substrate with laser radiation or removing part of the substrate with laser radiation).

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] Under certain conditions, known extraction devices can, in any case, result in insufficient extraction, allowing process residues to enter the ambient air in an undesirable manner. For example, process residues can remain in the laser beam path longer than desired, reducing performance, deposit on the substrate, and / or condense on the laser optics, to name just a few examples. Given the situation described above, there is a need for a technology that allows for improved extraction while substantially avoiding one or more of the problems mentioned above.

[0008] This need is addressed by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a suction device is provided.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, a suction device is provided, the suction device comprising: an air guiding device; a flow inlet for generating a suction flow through the air guiding device into the flow inlet; wherein the air guiding device is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface; wherein the projection occurs in a radial direction from a center point of the imaginary sphere to a surface of the imaginary sphere; wherein the center point of the imaginary sphere is arranged at a center of the flow inlet; and wherein a radius of the imaginary sphere is selected such that the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device; wherein the air guiding device further comprises a first opening which, during operation, is opposite a processing location on a substrate;and wherein the air guiding device further comprises a second opening through which laser radiation can be emitted through the air guiding device and through the first opening;

[0011] According to a second aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein, a laser device is provided. According to one embodiment of the second aspect, a laser device is provided, the laser device comprising: a laser emission device for emitting laser radiation onto a substrate surface of a substrate and thereby processing the substrate surface in a processing region; a suction device for extracting process residues that arise during the processing of the substrate surface; wherein the suction device is configured according to the first aspect or at least one embodiment of the first aspect.

[0012] DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Although certain disadvantages of known technologies are mentioned herein, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that overcome some or all of the noted disadvantages of the known technologies. Furthermore, although certain advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein are mentioned or implied in the present disclosure, the claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to implementations that have some or all of those advantages.

[0014] In one embodiment, a suction device according to the first aspect comprises an air guiding device. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the suction device comprises a flow inlet for generating a suction flow through the air guiding device and into the flow inlet. According to one embodiment, the air guiding device is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface (of the imaginary sphere). According to a further embodiment, the projection of the air guiding device onto the surface of the imaginary sphere covers at least 75% or at least 85% of the surface. In one embodiment, the projection occurs in a radial direction from a center point of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere. According to one embodiment, the center point of the imaginary sphere is arranged at a center of the flow inlet.According to one embodiment, a radius of the imaginary sphere is selected such that the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device. According to another embodiment, the air guiding device further comprises a first opening, which, during operation (of the suction device), is opposite a processing location on a substrate. According to one embodiment, the air guiding device further comprises a second opening through which laser radiation can be emitted through the air guiding device and through the first opening (during operation of the suction device, the laser radiation is emitted onto the substrate to thereby process the substrate).

[0015] A laser device according to the second aspect comprises, in one embodiment, a laser emission device for emitting laser radiation onto a substrate surface of a substrate. By emitting the laser radiation onto the substrate surface (i.e., onto a processing region of the substrate surface), the substrate surface is processed in the processing region, according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the laser device further comprises a suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the suction device is configured to suction away process residues that arise during the processing of the substrate surface.Process residues within the meaning of the present disclosure include, for example, particles and / or vapors that arise during the laser processing of substrates (for example during cleaning of a substrate with laser radiation or during ablation of a part of the substrate with laser radiation).At least some of the aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the idea that an extraction device for extracting process residues during laser processing can be improved by providing an air guiding device configured such that, with respect to a flow inlet through which an extraction flow is generated, the projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 30% of the surface of this sphere, wherein the air guiding device has at least a first opening and a second opening through which the laser radiation can be emitted through the air guiding device onto the substrate surface to be processed. The embodiments explained herein are suitable for improving or optimizing the extraction of process residues.

[0016] According to embodiments of the first aspect, the suction device is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0017] According to embodiments of the second aspect, the laser device is configured to provide the functionality of one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein and / or to provide the functionality as required for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular the embodiments of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0018] Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein include, in particular, the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described below: According to one embodiment, the air guiding device has a rectilinear beam path for the laser radiation. For example, the rectilinear beam path extends through the second opening and the first opening. According to one embodiment, the beam path is free of solids. According to another embodiment, a material that is transparent to the laser radiation is arranged in the beam path. According to another embodiment, the material in the beam path is a solid. For example, according to one embodiment, a window can be arranged in the second opening. It is understood that the window is designed such that (for example, a material of the window is selected such that) the window is transparent to the laser radiation used.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the air guiding device has a third opening arranged between the first opening and the second opening. According to one embodiment, the third opening is opposite the flow inlet. According to a further embodiment, the third opening defines a flow path from the third opening into the flow inlet, wherein this flow path, according to one embodiment, extends through the jet path. In other words, the first opening and the second opening define a first direction extending transversely to the flow path leading from the third opening into the flow inlet.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the third opening deflects both a flow entering the air guiding device through the first opening and a flow entering the air guiding device through the second opening in the direction of the flow inlet.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the suction flow in the

[0022] The flow inlet has a flow direction, and the rectilinear beam path (of the laser radiation) forms an angle greater than 30 degrees with the flow direction in the flow inlet. For example, this angle is greater than 50 degrees or greater than 70 degrees. According to a further embodiment, this angle is less than 90 degrees. In other words, according to one embodiment, the flow inlet does not extend perpendicular to the beam path of the laser radiation, but is inclined at an acute angle to the first opening (which, during operation, is opposite the substrate). For example, the (acute) angle can be 75 degrees.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the projection of the air guiding device does not cover a surface portion of the surface of the imaginary sphere, wherein this uncovered surface portion is arranged opposite the flow inlet. For example, the surface portion of the surface of the imaginary sphere not covered by the projection of the air guiding device is defined by the third opening.

[0024] According to one embodiment, a straight line defined by the center of the imaginary sphere and the flow direction of the suction flow in the flow inlet extends through the uncovered surface portion of the imaginary sphere.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the projection of the air guiding device and a projection of the first opening together cover at least 70% of the imaginary sphere. In other words, a projection of all openings of the air guiding device, with the exception of the first opening (which is opposite the substrate), covers at most 30% of the imaginary sphere, for example at most 20%, at most 10%, or at most 5%. According to a further embodiment, the projection of the air guiding device and a projection of the first opening together cover at least 80% or at least 90% of the imaginary sphere. According to one embodiment, the air guiding device has at least two sections (i.e., air guiding sections) that are spatially fixed relative to one another. For example, the openings of the air guiding device (e.g., the first opening, the second opening, and / or the third opening) can be defined by two or more sections of the air guiding device.For example, the air guiding device can be composed of two or more parts. According to an alternative embodiment, the air guiding device can be formed in one piece.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the radius of the imaginary sphere is a minimum radius with which the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the suction flow through the air guiding device has a flow part, of which at least one directional component extends along the rectilinear beam path (of the laser beam) and through the second opening into the air guiding device (ie away from a laser source).

[0028] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device is mechanically connected to the flow inlet. For example, according to one embodiment, the air guiding device is mechanically connected to the flow inlet such that a movement of the flow inlet causes a corresponding movement of the air guiding device. For example, the air guiding device can be rigidly connected to the flow inlet, e.g., attached to the flow inlet (or a pipe section forming the flow inlet).

[0029] According to one embodiment, the suction device has a

[0030] Vacuum source and a first flow path which fluidly connects the vacuum source and the flow inlet in order to generate the suction flow into the flow inlet with the vacuum source. The first flow path can be formed, for example, by piping. According to one embodiment, the suction device is attached to the piping. According to a further embodiment, the suction device can be formed at least partially by a correspondingly configured end of the piping. According to one embodiment, the flow inlet is formed by the piping.

[0031] According to one embodiment, a flow velocity in the flow inlet is at least 15 m / s, for example, more than 25 m / s. For example, according to one embodiment, the negative pressure source and / or the first flow path are configured to achieve flow velocities of more than 15 m / s in the flow inlet. According to another embodiment, a volume flow in the flow inlet is more than 100 m 3 / h. According to a further embodiment, the vacuum wave is configured to achieve a volume flow >100 m 3 / h in the flow inlet. According to one embodiment, the volume flow is >150 m 3 / h.

[0032] According to one embodiment, an average cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path is greater than 30 cm 2 , for example larger than 38 cm 2 (corresponding to a circular cross-section of 70 mm diameter).

[0033] According to one embodiment, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all openings of the air guiding device (e.g., a sum of the cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the third opening) is less than three times the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet. In other words, according to one embodiment, the first opening has a first cross-sectional area, the second opening has a second cross-sectional area, the third opening has a third cross-sectional area, and the flow inlet has a fourth cross-sectional area, wherein the sum of the first cross-sectional area, the second cross-sectional area, and the third cross-sectional area is less than three times the fourth cross-sectional area.According to a further embodiment, the sum of the cross-sectional area of ​​the openings (all openings) of the air guiding device is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the flow velocity in at least one of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening is greater than 10 m / s. According to another embodiment, the flow velocity in the second flow path is at least partially greater than 10 m / s.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet is between 10 cm 2 and 30 cm 2 , for example 19 cm 2 For example, according to one embodiment, the flow inlet is circular with a diameter of 50 mm.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the second opening is smaller than the first opening. According to another embodiment, the first opening is rectangular or approximately rectangular. According to another embodiment, a short side of the first opening is smaller than 20 mm.

[0037] Both a high flow velocity in the flow inlet and a limited cross-sectional area of ​​the openings of the air guiding device can contribute to efficient extraction.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device comprises a body and a coating on the body. For example, the coating is formed from a material in which the adhesion of dirt particles is reduced compared to the adhesion of dirt particles to a material of the body. For example, according to one embodiment, the coating is a non-stick coating. For example, according to one embodiment, the coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). According to one embodiment, the body is completely coated with the coating.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the suction device may be part of a laser device, for example a laser device as defined above with reference to the second aspect.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device defines an irradiation area on the substrate surface, which can be illuminated by the laser radiation without relative movement of the laser delivery device, the extraction device, and the substrate surface relative to one another. For example, according to one embodiment, the laser radiation forms a laser spot on the substrate surface, wherein the irradiation area is defined by the laser spot. Furthermore, according to one embodiment, the irradiation area can be defined, for example, by a scanning area of ​​the laser delivery device, for example if the laser delivery device is configured to move (scan) the laser radiation across the scanning area. Scanning can be carried out as usual without or independently of a relative movement of the laser delivery device to the substrate, for example by one or more galvanometer scanners.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the laser device comprises an actuator arrangement, wherein the actuator arrangement is configured to move the irradiation region and the substrate surface relative to one another. According to one embodiment, the actuator arrangement is configured to move the laser delivery device and the substrate relative to one another, in particular during the emission of the laser radiation. A movement of the substrate surface and the irradiation region relative to one another or a movement of the substrate surface and the laser delivery device relative to one another is also referred to herein as a relative movement. For example, the actuator arrangement can be designed to pivot the laser delivery device relative to the substrate surface, for example to pivot the laser delivery device about a rotational axis of the pneumatic tire and / or to move the laser delivery device parallel to the rotational axis of the pneumatic tire.According to a further embodiment, the actuator arrangement is designed to move the substrate relative to the laser delivery device, for example to rotate a pneumatic tire about its axis of rotation, for example while maintaining a position of the laser delivery device.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the laser device comprises a substrate carrier. According to one embodiment, the substrate carrier is designed to support the substrate during processing of the substrate surface.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the substrate is a vulcanized rubber material. For example, the substrate is a pneumatic tire comprising a vulcanized rubber material. The vulcanized rubber material can contain additives, for example, carbon black, in a known manner. According to one embodiment, the substrate carrier is a tire carrier that grips the pneumatic tire in the region of the tire bead.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the relative movement of the substrate surface and the irradiation region relative to each other is a circular movement around a tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, it can be provided that the actuator arrangement is configured to move the flow inlet radially to the tire rotation axis, for example, to position the flow inlet in a predetermined position relative to a surface of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the laser device is configured to selectively remove rubber material (for example, rubber material of the pneumatic tire). According to one embodiment, the laser device can be configured to selectively remove rubber material in order to thereby correct (or improve) the concentricity properties of a pneumatic tire.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the laser device is configured to remove process residues from tire vulcanization. For example, the laser device can be configured to remove a release agent remaining on a tire's inner surface after tire vulcanization.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the center of the imaginary sphere is less than 20 cm from the processing area (or the irradiation area). In other words, according to one embodiment, the distance between the center of the imaginary sphere and the processing area / irradiation area is less than 20 cm. According to one embodiment, the distance between the center of the imaginary sphere and the processing area / irradiation area is less than 15 cm or, in another embodiment, less than 10 cm. As explained above, according to one embodiment, the center of the imaginary sphere is arranged at a center of the flow inlet.

[0047] Consequently, the terms "center of the imaginary sphere" and "center of the flow inlet" are interchangeable within the scope of this disclosure. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the center of the flow inlet is less than 20 cm from the treatment area / irradiation area.

[0048] According to one embodiment, a second flow path is formed between the substrate and the air guiding device. According to one embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point whose surface area is greater than 5% of the surface area of ​​the imaginary sphere. According to another embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point whose surface area is less than 15% of the surface area of ​​the imaginary sphere. According to another embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point whose surface area is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the second flow path guides at least a portion of the extraction flow over a portion of the processing area. According to another embodiment, the second flow path guides at least a portion of the extraction flow over the irradiation area (i.e., the area that can be illuminated by the laser delivery device without relative movement of the laser delivery device and the substrate).

[0050] According to one embodiment, at least one edge of the first opening or at least one edge of the air guiding device has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 millimeters (mm). According to another embodiment, the radius of curvature is greater than 1 mm or greater than 5 mm. For example, the edge is formed by two surface portions of the air guiding device running transversely to each other. Rounded edges with such a radius of curvature can prevent unwanted turbulence in the extraction flow.

[0051] According to a further embodiment, an opening edge of the first opening (which lies opposite in the substrate) and / or a surface of the air guiding device, which at least partially defines the second flow path, extends in a curved surface. In other words, the opening edge and / or the surface of the air guiding device, which lies opposite the substrate (during operation of the suction device), are correspondingly curved. The curved surface (which is a surface in the mathematical sense) can have a radius of curvature greater than 100 millimeters. According to a further embodiment, the curved surface can follow the surface of the substrate. In other words, according to one embodiment, a distance between the curved surface (e.g. a distance between the opening edge or the surface of the air guiding device) and the substrate can be constant or approximately constant.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device is configured to pivot the laser radiation relative to the substrate surface. For example, the laser delivery device can comprise at least one galvanometer scanner, by means of which the laser radiation can be pivoted relative to the laser delivery device in at least one pivot plane. In this way, the laser radiation can be moved relative to the substrate surface without moving the laser delivery device. It is understood that in a general embodiment, both a movement of the laser radiation relative to the laser delivery device and a movement of the laser delivery device and the substrate relative to one another can occur.For example, for a runout correction of a pneumatic tire, it can be provided that the actuator arrangement moves the laser emitting device and the pneumatic tire relative to each other about the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire and that this rotational movement is accompanied by a movement of the laser radiation in a plane transverse to a plane of rotation of the pneumatic tire, for example by one or more galvanometer scanners as described above.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the laser device comprises a

[0054] A control device is provided, wherein the control device is configured to control the laser output device. For example, the control device can be configured to process the pneumatic tire with the laser radiation of the laser device based on parameter values ​​representing a desired correction of the concentricity properties of a pneumatic tire, thereby performing the desired correction.

[0055] According to a further embodiment, the laser device has a further control device which is configured to control the actuator arrangement.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the control device and the further control device are formed by a single, common control device. For example, it can be provided that the common control device, on the one hand, controls the power of the laser radiation and / or the at least one galvanometer scanner, and, on the other hand, controls the actuator arrangement for moving the irradiation area and the pneumatic tire relative to one another.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the substrate carrier and the suction device are configured and arranged to define or ensure a spatial relationship between the substrate and the suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. According to another embodiment, the laser device comprises a control device that adjusts a spatial relationship between the substrate and the suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0058] Unless otherwise stated, numerical values ​​disclosed herein are to be understood as including a ±5% window. For example, a specification of a distance of 10 cm according to one embodiment includes a distance within an interval of (10 ± 5%) cm = [9.5 cm; 10.5 cm], and a percentage of 50% according to one embodiment includes a percentage within an interval of 50% ± 5% = [47.5%; 52.5%]. According to a further embodiment, numerical values ​​are to be understood as including a ±10% window.

[0059] Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are described below, with reference, for example, to a suction device and a laser device. It should be emphasized that any combination of features of different aspects, embodiments, and examples is naturally possible. In particular, some embodiments are described with reference to a method, while other embodiments are described with reference to a device. Yet other embodiments are described with reference to a laser device, while other embodiments are described with reference to a control device for interacting with elements of the laser device.However, those skilled in the art will appreciate from the above and following description, claims, and drawings that, unless otherwise stated, features of various aspects, embodiments, and examples may be combined, and such combinations of features are to be considered as disclosed by this application. For example, even a feature relating to a method may be combined with a feature relating to a device, and vice versa.

[0060] According to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein may define the functionality of a device disclosed herein without being limited to the device-specific features. Therefore, any functionality of a device disclosed herein disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding method defined exclusively by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein may be performed with any suitable known device (which may comprise a single element or multiple cooperating elements). Therefore, any method disclosed herein is intended to implicitly disclose a corresponding device configured to perform the method.

[0061] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following exemplary description of currently preferred embodiments, to which the claimed invention is not limited, however. The individual figures of the drawings in this document are to be considered merely schematic and not to scale.

[0062] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Fig. 1 shows a suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0064] Fig. 2 shows the suction device from Fig. 1 without the imaginary sphere and the corresponding projections.

[0065] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the suction device from Fig. 2 seen from the line III-III.

[0066] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0067] Fig. 5 shows a portion of a laser device according to embodiments of the subject matters disclosed herein.

[0068] Fig. 6 shows the laser device of Fig. 5 in a perspective view. Fig. 7 shows a side view of a laser device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0069] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] It is noted that in different figures, similar or identical elements or components are provided with the same reference numerals, or with reference numerals that differ only in the first digit. Such features or components that are the same or at least functionally equivalent to the corresponding features or components in another figure are described in detail only at their first appearance in the following text, and the description is not repeated for subsequent appearances of these features and components (or the corresponding reference numerals).

[0071] It is understood that an exemplary implementation of the elements described below and provided with reference numerals is shown in the relevant drawings and is configured according to the following description, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0072] Fig. 1 shows a suction device 100 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0073] According to one embodiment, the suction device 100 comprises an air guiding device 102 and a flow inlet 104 for generating a suction flow 106 through the air guiding device 102 into the flow inlet 104. According to one embodiment, the air guiding device 102 is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device 102 onto a surface 108 of an imaginary sphere 110 covers at least 60% of the surface 108. In Fig. 1, the coverage of the surface 108 of the sphere by the projection of the air guiding device is shown by dashed lines at 112, wherein, for simplicity, only a sectional view of the sphere, its center point, and three openings is shown.According to one embodiment, the projection of the air guiding device 102 onto the surface 108 covers at least 65% of the surface 108 or, according to another embodiment, at least 70% of the surface 108, at least 80% of the surface 108 or at least 90% of the surface 108, for example as shown in Fig. 1.

[0074] In the context of the present disclosure, the projection of the air guiding device 102 onto the surface 108 of the imaginary sphere 110 generally occurs from a center point 114 of the imaginary sphere to the surface 108 of the imaginary sphere 110. Example projection lines are shown in Fig. 1 at 116.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the center point 114 of the imaginary sphere 110 is arranged in a center 118 of the flow inlet 104. In other words, the imaginary sphere is arranged such that the center point 114 is located in the center 118 of the flow inlet 104. According to one embodiment, a radius 120 of the imaginary sphere 110 is selected such that the imaginary sphere 110 completely encloses the air guiding device 102, for example, as shown in Fig. 1.

[0076] Fig. 2 shows the suction device 100 from Fig. 1 without the imaginary sphere and the corresponding projections in order to facilitate the identification of the individual elements of the suction device 100.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device 102 has a first opening 122, which, during operation of the extraction device 102, is opposite an irradiation area 124 on the substrate 126. According to another embodiment, the air guiding device further has a second opening 128, which is arranged such that laser radiation 129 can be emitted through the second opening 128 and the first opening 122 onto the substrate 126 or a substrate surface 130 to be processed. According to one embodiment, the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 define (or allow) a rectilinear beam path 131 for the laser radiation 129 through the air guiding device 102.

[0078] According to one embodiment, a distance 125 of the center 114 of the flow inlet 104 (corresponding to the center of the imaginary sphere, not shown in Fig. 2) from the irradiation area 124 is less than 20 cm.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device has a third opening 132 arranged between the first opening 122 and the second opening 128, for example as shown in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment, the third opening 132 is opposite the flow inlet 104.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the flow inlet 104 is arranged at an acute angle 134 with respect to the jet path 131, wherein the acute angle is between 1 degree and 50 degrees, for example 13 degrees, for example as shown in Fig. 2. According to a further embodiment, the extraction flow 106 in the flow inlet 104 has a flow direction 136, wherein the jet path 131 forms an angle 138 with the flow direction 136 that is greater than 30 degrees, for example as shown in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment, the flow direction 136 of the extraction flow 106 in the flow inlet 104 is perpendicular or almost perpendicular to a plane in which the flow inlet extends, for example as shown in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment, the air guiding device has at least two sections, for example a first section 140 and a second section 142, which are spatially fixed relative to one another.According to one embodiment, the suction flow 106 has a flow part 144, of which at least one directional component extends along the rectilinear jet path 131 through the second opening 128 into the air guiding device 102, for example as shown in Fig. 2.

[0081] According to one embodiment, an edge 146 of the suction device 100 has a radius of curvature (transverse to a longitudinal direction of the edge) that is greater than 0.5 millimeters, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. According to one embodiment, the edge 146 can, in its longitudinal direction, at least in a portion follow a curvature of the substrate surface 130 or can approximate the curvature of the substrate surface 130, for example, as shown in Fig. 2. For example, if the substrate 126 is a pneumatic tire whose surface 130 to be processed has a specific curvature, it can be advantageous for good suction if a part 147 of the suction device 100 opposite the substrate surface 130 (also referred to herein as the foot part) has a similar curvature to the substrate surface 130 or is curved at least in the same direction as the substrate surface 130.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the foot part 147 together with the opposite substrate surface 130 defines a second flow path 149 for the intake flow 106, which flows through the first opening 122 into the air guiding device 102.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the flow inlet 104 is formed by one end of a pipe section 148, for example, as shown in Fig. 1. According to one embodiment, the pipe section 148 is part of a piping 150, which is partially shown only schematically in Fig. 2 and which fluidly connects the flow inlet 104 to a vacuum source 152 (for example, a suction pump). In this way, the suction flow 106 can be generated in the flow inlet 104 by means of the vacuum source 152.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the flow inlet 104 is defined by the tube section 148 and a plane that contacts both the first opening 122 and the second opening 128, for example, as shown in Fig. 2.

[0085] Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the suction device 100 from Fig. 2 seen from the line III-III.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device has two lateral sections 154, between which the first section 140 and the second section 142 of the air guiding device are arranged, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. According to one embodiment, the first section 140 and the second section 142 are attached to the lateral sections 152. This can allow for a structurally simple design of the air guiding device.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the air guiding device is closed laterally next to the first opening 122 (not shown in Fig. 3) and the second opening 128. For example, the lateral sections 154 can be closed (ie, formed without openings). According to one embodiment, the lateral sections 154 are plate-shaped, for example, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the pipe section 148 is in the region of the

[0089] The outer shape of the flow inlet 104 is rectangular. This can enable easy assembly of the side sections 154 of the air guiding device 102 to the pipe section 148.

[0090] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of another suction device 200 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0091] Compared to the extraction device 100 in FIGS. 1 to 3, the implementation of the extraction device 200 in FIG. 4, in accordance with one embodiment, has an enlarged third opening 132. According to a further embodiment, a surface 156 of the second section 142 of the air guiding device opposite the substrate 126 (not shown in FIG. 4) does not follow the curvature of the lateral sections 154 of the air guiding device 102. The surface 156 of the second section 142 is also referred to herein as the base surface of the extraction device. According to one embodiment, the lateral sections 154 extend beyond the base surface 156 of the air guiding device 102, for example as shown in FIG. 4, and thus define a second flow path 149 between the air guiding device 102 and the substrate 126, which second flow path is laterally delimited by the lateral sections 154 of the air guiding device 102.

[0092] Fig. 5 shows a portion of a laser device 160 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the laser device 160 comprises a laser delivery device 162 for delivering laser radiation, as well as a suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, for example a suction device 100, 200, as shown and described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4.

[0094] According to one embodiment, the substrate 126 is a pneumatic tire, for example, a pneumatic tire as shown in cross-section in Fig. 5. Some embodiments will be described below with reference to a pneumatic tire 126, although it should be understood that the reference to a pneumatic tire here is only exemplary and the relevant embodiments are analogously transferable to any suitable substrate 126.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the laser device comprises a substrate carrier 164, which is designed to support the pneumatic tire 126 during the processing of the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the substrate carrier 164 comprises a number of first holding elements 166, which support the pneumatic tire in the region of a first bead 167, and a number of second holding elements 168, which support the pneumatic tire 126 in the region of a second bead 171. For example, eight first holding elements 166 and six second holding elements 168 can be provided. According to one embodiment, the first holding elements 166 and the second holding elements 168 are configured to maintain the first bead 167 and the second bead 171 at a predetermined distance relative to one another. In this way, in one embodiment, the quality of the laser processing as well as the quality of the extraction can be improved.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 are configured (or configurable) to process an inner surface 170 facing away from a tread 172 of the pneumatic tire 126, for example as shown in Fig. 5.

[0097] Fig. 6 shows the laser device 160 from Fig. 5 in a perspective view.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 are configured to be located radially inside the pneumatic tire 126 and radially inside the first and second holding elements 166, 168. According to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 are arranged on a common carrier (not shown in Fig. 6). In this way, a position and / or an orientation of the laser delivery device 162 relative to the pneumatic tire 126 can be changed without changing the spatial relationship between the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200. In other words, according to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 are spatially fixed or fixable relative to one another. In this way, the laser radiation 129 (in Fig.6 not shown) is reliably discharged through the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air guiding device 102.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 is arranged in the center of the pneumatic tire 126 and is rotatable about a tire rotation axis 169 of the pneumatic tire 126, whereby the laser radiation 129 emitted by the laser emitting device is directed with respect to the surface 130 of the tire.

[0100] According to a further embodiment, the laser device comprises a control device 170 which is control-connected to the laser output device 162 in order to control the laser output device 162 (the connection is not shown in Fig. 6 for reasons of clarity).

[0101] According to a further embodiment, the laser device 160 comprises an actuator arrangement 172 configured to move the suction device 100, 200 (and thus, in one embodiment, also the air guiding device 102 and / or the flow inlet 104 (not shown in Fig. 6)) radially relative to the tire rotation axis 169. In this way, the air guiding device 102 can be positioned at a suitable distance from the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire to be machined. According to one embodiment, the actuator arrangement 172 is controlled by the control device 170.

[0102] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a laser device 160 according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0103] According to one embodiment, the laser device 160 has a further actuator arrangement 174, with which the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 can be moved in the axial direction (ie in a direction parallel to the tire rotation axis 169), as indicated at 176 in Fig. 7, for example in order to position the laser delivery device and the suction device 100, 200 within the pneumatic tire 126 in order to process the pneumatic tire 126, for example as shown in Fig. 7. After the pneumatic tire has been processed, according to one embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200 can be moved out of the pneumatic tire 126 in the axial direction 176, for example in order to transport the pneumatic tire transversely to the tire rotation axis 169 (for example by means of a conveyor belt, not shown).According to one embodiment, the further actuator arrangement 174 is configured to rotate the laser delivery device 162 and the suction device 100, 200, indicated at 178, for example, about the tire rotation axis 169, and thereby pivot the laser radiation 129 in the circumferential direction of the tire.

[0104] As already explained with reference to Fig. 6, according to one embodiment, an actuator arrangement 172 can be provided (not shown in Fig. 7), by means of which the suction device 100, 200 can be moved in the radial direction (indicated at 180 in Fig. 7) relative to the tire rotation axis 169, for example, relative to the laser delivery device 162. In this way, a distance 182 between the suction device 100, 200 and the pneumatic tire 126 (or the substrate) can be adjusted.

[0105] According to a further embodiment, the laser delivery device 162 is configured to pivot the laser radiation 129 relative to the laser delivery device 162 and thereby pivot the laser radiation 129 over an angular range 184, for example, as shown in Fig. 7. The angular range 184, over which the laser radiation 129 is pivoted (without requiring a movement of the laser delivery device 162 for this purpose), corresponds to an irradiation area 188 on the surface 130 to be machined within the meaning of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, by a rotation 178 and / or an axial movement 176, this irradiation area 188 can be moved over the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire 126 (and thus over the entire processing area to be machined by the laser radiation 129).Due to the pivoting over the angular range 184, the irradiation area 188 is larger than the area of ​​a laser spot generated by the laser radiation 129.

[0106] According to one embodiment, the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air guiding device 102 are dimensioned (see also Fig. 3) such that when the laser radiation 129 is pivoted across the angular range 184, the laser radiation 129 can pass unhindered through the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air guiding device 102 (and thus through the air guiding device 102 as a whole). For pivoting the laser radiation 129, at least one galvanometer scanner 186 can be provided, for example.

[0107] According to one embodiment, the further actuator arrangement 174 and the laser delivery device are controlled by the control device 170, as schematically indicated at 190 in Fig. 7. According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any suitable entity (e.g., devices, elements, or parts) may be provided at least partially in the form of corresponding computer programs that enable a processor device to provide the functionality of the corresponding entity as described herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable entity as described herein may be provided in hardware. According to other, hybrid embodiments, some entities may be provided in software while other entities are provided in hardware.

[0108] It should be noted that each entity disclosed herein (e.g., a device, an assembly, an element, etc.) is not limited to a dedicated entity as described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter described herein may be provided in various ways with varying levels of granularity at the device level or at the function level while still providing the specified functionality. According to other embodiments, one entity may be configured to provide two or more functions as described herein. According to still other embodiments, two or more entities may be configured to jointly provide one function as described herein.

[0109] According to one embodiment, the control device includes a processor device having at least one processor for executing at least one program element, which may correspond to a corresponding software module.

[0110] A definition of an optical arrangement or an optical geometry with reference to laser radiation can, of course, also be defined analogously with reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation, and vice versa. In this respect, any reference to laser radiation herein analogously discloses a reference to a radiation path of the laser radiation.

[0111] It should be noted that the embodiments described herein represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, it is possible to combine the features of various embodiments in a suitable manner, so that a person skilled in the art will consider a multitude of combinations of various embodiments to be disclosed with the embodiments explicitly disclosed here. Furthermore, it should be noted that terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Terms such as "containing" or "comprising" do not exclude further features or method steps. Consequently, according to one embodiment, the term "comprising" or "containing" stands for "among other things." According to another embodiment, the term "comprising" or "containing" stands for "consisting of."

[0112] It should also be noted that reference numerals in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that reference numerals in the description and the description's reference to the drawings should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the description. Rather, the drawings illustrate only one exemplary implementation of a particular combination of several embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein; any other combination of embodiments is also possible and is to be considered disclosed in this application. In an exemplary implementation comprising an advantageous combination of embodiments disclosed herein, the following can be observed:

[0113] Disclosed is a suction device comprising: an air guiding device and a flow inlet for generating a suction flow through the air guiding device into the flow inlet. The air guiding device is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 30% of the surface. The projection occurs in a radial direction from a center of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere, wherein the center of the imaginary sphere is arranged at a center of the flow inlet. A radius of the imaginary sphere is selected to be large enough that the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device.The air guiding device has a first opening, which during operation is opposite a processing location on a substrate, and a second opening through which laser radiation can be emitted through the air guiding device and through the first opening. Furthermore, a laser device is disclosed, which has the extraction device and a laser emission device.

Claims

P a t e n t a n s p r ü c h e 1. A suction device comprising: an air guiding device; a flow inlet for generating a suction flow through the air guiding device into the flow inlet; wherein the air guiding device is configured such that a projection of the air guiding device onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface; wherein the projection occurs in a radial direction from a center of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere; wherein the center of the imaginary sphere is arranged at a center of the flow inlet; wherein a radius of the imaginary sphere is selected to be large enough that the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device; wherein the air guiding device further comprises a first opening which, during operation, is opposite a processing location on a substrate;and wherein the air guiding device further comprises a second opening through which laser radiation can be emitted through the air guiding device and through the first opening; and wherein the substrate is a vulcanized rubber material.

2. The extraction device according to claim 1, wherein the air guiding device has a linear beam path for the laser radiation; wherein the linear beam path extends through the second opening and the first opening.

3. Suction device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air guiding device has a third opening which is arranged between the first opening and the second opening; in particular wherein a sum of a cross-sectional area of ​​the first opening, a cross-sectional area of ​​the second opening and a cross-sectional area of ​​the third opening is less than three times, in particular less than twice, a cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet.

4. The suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the suction flow in the flow inlet has a flow direction; and the rectilinear jet path forms an angle with the flow direction that is greater than 30 degrees.

5. Suction device according to claim 1 to 4, wherein the projection of the air guiding device and a projection of the first opening together cover at least 70% of the surface of the imaginary sphere.

6. Suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a window is arranged in the second opening.

7. Suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding device has at least two sections which are spatially fixed relative to one another.

8. Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of the imaginary sphere is a minimum radius with which the imaginary sphere completely encloses the air guiding device.

9. Suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding device comprises a body and a coating on the body, wherein adhesion of dirt particles to a Material from which the coating is formed compared to a Adhesion of dirt particles to the material of the body is reduced.

10. Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projection of the air guiding device does not cover a surface portion of the surface of the imaginary sphere, said uncovered surface portion being arranged opposite the flow inlet.

11. Suction device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, wherein the suction flow through the air guiding device has a flow part of which at least one directional component extends along the rectilinear jet path and in a direction through the second opening into the air guiding device.

12. Extraction device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air guiding device is mechanically connected to the flow inlet.

13. Suction device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of the following features: a flow velocity in the flow inlet is at least 15 m / s; a volume flow in the flow inlet is more than 100 m 3 / h; a cross-sectional area of ​​the flow inlet is between 10 cm 2 and 30 cm 2; the flow inlet has a circular cross-section; the first opening has a rectangular cross-section, in particular with a short side less than 20 mm.

14. Suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a vacuum source; and a first flow path connecting the vacuum source and the flow inlet for generating the suction flow into the flow inlet with the vacuum source.

15. A laser device comprising: a laser emitter for emitting laser radiation onto a substrate surface of a substrate and thereby processing the substrate surface in an irradiation region, wherein the substrate is a vulcanized rubber material; an exhaust device for exhausting process residues generated during processing of the substrate surface; wherein the exhaust device is configured according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. Laser device according to claim 15, further comprising an actuator arrangement for moving the irradiation region and the substrate surface relative to each other.

17. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 or 16, further comprising a substrate carrier, wherein the substrate carrier is configured to support the substrate during processing of the substrate surface.

18. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the center of the imaginary sphere is less than 20 cm from the irradiation area.

19. A laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein a second flow path is formed between the substrate and the air guiding device.

20. Laser device according to claim 19, wherein the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point whose area is greater than 5% of the area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere.

21. Laser device according to any one of claims 19 or 20, wherein the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point whose area is less than 15% of the area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere.

22. Laser device according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the second flow path directs at least a portion of the exhaust flow over the irradiation area.

23. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the substrate is a pneumatic tire, for example an inner surface or a bead ring region of a pneumatic tire.

24. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 21 and further comprising the features according to claim 16, wherein a relative movement of the substrate surface and the irradiation region relative to each other is a circular movement about a tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire.

25. The laser device of claim 24, wherein the actuator assembly is configured to move the flow inlet radially to the tire rotation axis.

26. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 25, wherein the laser device is configured for selectively removing rubber material, in particular for correcting concentricity properties of a pneumatic tire.

27. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 26, wherein the laser device is configured to remove process residues from tire vulcanization, in particular to remove a release agent remaining on a tire inner surface after tire vulcanization.

28. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 27, wherein at least one edge of the first opening and / or at least one edge of the air guiding device has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 mm.

29. The laser device of any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the laser delivery device is configured to pivot the laser radiation with respect to the substrate surface.

30. A laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 29, further comprising a control device for controlling the laser output device.

31. Laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 30, further comprising a further control device configured to control the actuator arrangement.

32. Laser device with the features according to claim 30 and claim 31, wherein the control device and the further control device are formed by a single, common control device.

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