Dust collecting device and dust collecting system

Abstract

To provide a device and a system that can efficiently and properly collect dust.SOLUTION: A dust collecting device includes: a dust collection section that is provided on a side of a mounting section on which a workpiece can be mounted and collects dust generated by processing the workpiece on the mounting section; an air supply section that is on a side of the mounting section so that the mounting section is positioned between the air supply section and the dust collection section, is formed with an air supply port for supplying air toward the dust collection section, and generates a first air flow; and an injection section that is provided between the mounting section and the air supply section, is formed with an injection port for injecting gas toward the dust collection section below the air supply port, and generates a second air flow having higher speed than that of the first air flow.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to dust collection devices and dust collection systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a laser scriber that includes a condenser lens facing a ceramic substrate, a lens hood that covers the condenser lens, and a gas injection device that supplies gas into the lens hood to inject the gas toward the ceramic substrate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-58050 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a processing unit that processes a workpiece (object to be processed) using a laser or the like, it is necessary to efficiently and reliably exhaust dust to the outside to prevent dust generated during processing from adhering to the workpiece or the processing unit. One possible method for exhausting dust to the outside is to supply gas. However, when exhausting dust to the outside by supplying gas, the generated airflow becomes turbulent, and there is a possibility that the dust will not be properly exhausted. The present disclosure provides a dust collection device and a dust collection system that can efficiently and properly collect dust. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A dust collection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a dust collection section provided to the side of a mounting section on an upper surface of which a workpiece can be placed, and which collects dust generated when the workpiece on the mounting section is processed; an air supply section provided to the side of the mounting section so that the mounting section is positioned between the dust collection section and the air supply section, which has an air supply port formed therein for supplying air toward the dust collection section and which generates a first airflow; and an injection section provided between the mounting section and the air supply section, which has an injection port formed below the air supply port for injecting gas toward the dust collection section and which generates a second airflow faster than the first airflow. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, dust can be collected efficiently and appropriately. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a dust collection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view that schematically illustrates a dust collection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an air sending unit in the dust collection system. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view that schematically shows a dust collection system according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" are based on the illustrated state and are for convenience only.

[0009] In the following description, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions are mutually perpendicular axes in a Cartesian coordinate system in three-dimensional space. The flow direction of the first airflow and the second airflow is referred to as the Y-axis direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction is referred to as the X-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis directions is referred to as the Z-axis direction. The X-axis and Y-axis directions are horizontal directions, and the Z-axis direction is vertical. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are used based on the downstream direction of the first airflow and the second airflow. For example, the "upstream" region refers to the region on the negative side of the Y-axis relative to the "downstream" region.

[0010] [Dust collection system overview] A dust collection system is a system equipped with a dust collection device that collects dust. The dust to be collected in a dust collection system is not limited to dust generated by equipment of a specific type of business. The dust collection system may be installed at a location in a factory where dust is discharged.

[0011] [Outline of dust collection systems for laser processing] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that schematically shows a dust collection system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view that schematically shows a dust collection system according to an embodiment. The dust collection system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example of a form incorporated into a processing system for laser processing a workpiece W. The dust collection system 1 of this embodiment includes a dust collection device 100. The dust collection device 100 of this embodiment includes an air supply unit 10, an injection unit 20, and a dust collection unit 30. The dust collection system 1 further includes a placement unit P and a laser processing unit 5. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air supply unit 10, the injection unit 20, the laser processing unit 5 (placement unit P), and the dust collection unit 30 are arranged in this order in the positive direction of the Y axis.

[0012] The placement unit P is configured so that the workpiece W can be placed on its upper surface. The workpiece W is, for example, a metal plate. However, the workpiece W may also be a member made of a material other than metal. The placement unit P extends, for example, along the X-axis and Y-axis directions. The placement unit P may be a portion that can be fixed to the ground surface on which the air supply unit 10, the spray unit 20, and the dust collection unit 30 are provided, or may be a movable portion. The placement unit P may be, for example, a part of a belt conveyor (not shown) having an upper surface on which the workpiece can be placed. In this embodiment, the placement unit P is flush with the ground surface on which the air supply unit 10, the spray unit 20, and the dust collection unit 30 are provided. In other words, the surface of the placement unit P on which the workpiece W is placed has the same height as the ground surface. The placement unit P is provided between the dust collection unit 30 and the air supply unit 10 and the spray unit 20. As shown in the examples of Figures 1 and 2, at least the portion of the air supply unit 10 where the air supply port 19a described below is provided and the portion of the injection unit 20 where the injection port 24 is provided may be separated from the ground surface.

[0013] The laser processing unit 5 laser processes the workpiece W on the mounting portion P. The laser processing unit 5 irradiates a laser. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the laser processing unit 5 is provided above the mounting portion P. The laser processing unit 5 irradiates a laser toward the workpiece W on the mounting portion P directly below it. When the workpiece W is laser processed by the laser processing unit 5, dust D is generated. The dust D includes fumes F and spatter S. Fumes F are metal particles with small particle diameters among the dust D. Spatter S are metal particles with large particle diameters among the dust D that can be visually confirmed by an operator. The particle diameter of spatter S is larger than the particle diameter of fumes F. The scattering speed of spatter S during laser processing is, for example, faster than the scattering speed of fumes F. Note that if the workpiece W is made of a material other than metal, the spatter S and fumes F are particles made of that material other than metal. When the first air current and the second air current described below are not generated, the generated dust D scatters horizontally and upward from the area where the workpiece W is placed on the placement part P.

[0014] The air supply unit 10 generates a first airflow by supplying air through the air supply port 19a toward the dust collection unit 30. The air supply unit 10 generates a first airflow toward the space above the placement unit P and the dust collection unit 30. The air supply unit 10 is provided to the side of the placement unit P (negative direction of the Y axis) so that the placement unit P is located between the air supply unit 10 and the dust collection unit 30. The placement unit P and the air supply unit 10 are arranged so that the laser processing unit 5 and the area of ​​the placement unit P where the workpiece W is placed are located in the center of the air supply unit 10 in the X axis direction. The air supply unit 10 has at least one fan 12 and a rectifying unit 16. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the air supply unit in the dust collection system. In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the air supply unit 10 has an air supply housing 11, multiple fans 12, a plate-shaped member 15, and a rectifying unit 16. The air supply housing 11 houses a plurality of fans 12, a plate-like member 15, and a straightening unit 16. The air supply housing 11 is, for example, a hollow box. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, a lid that covers the upper end of the air supply housing 11 is not shown, but the air supply housing 11 is provided with a lid that covers the plurality of fans 12, the plate-like member 15, and the straightening unit 16. The wall 11a of the air supply housing 11 facing the negative direction of the Y axis is, for example, mesh-like so that air can pass from the outside to the inside.

[0015] The multiple fans 12 are arranged in a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first airflow. The multiple fans 12 are arranged, for example, along the X-axis direction on a surface extending in the horizontal direction (the upper surface of the mounting portion P). The multiple fans 12 are arranged at equal intervals from one another. In the example shown in FIG. 3, one fan 12 is arranged in the Z-axis direction, but multiple fans 12 may be arranged in the Z-axis direction. Each fan 12 is, for example, an axial flow fan. Each fan 12 takes in gas from the outside through the wall portion 11a of the air supply housing portion 11.

[0016] Each fan 12 has a propeller 13 and a filter 14. The propeller 13 rotates around a rotation axis extending along the Y-axis direction, thereby blowing air in the positive direction of the Y-axis and generating a first airflow. The propeller 13 is driven, for example, by power supplied from a power source (not shown). The filter 14 is, for example, a honeycomb filter. The filter 14 is a member that allows the first airflow blown out from the propeller 13 to travel in a straight line. The filter 14 is, for example, made of aluminum or polyvinyl chloride resin.

[0017] The plate-shaped member 15 is provided between the multiple fans 12 and the rectifier 16 in the Y-axis direction. The plate-shaped member 15 extends along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Openings 15a are formed in the plate-shaped member 15 at positions facing each of the multiple fans 12 in the Y-axis direction. Each opening 15a penetrates in the Y-axis direction. Each opening 15a is at least larger than the propeller 13 of the fan 12.

[0018] The rectifying unit 16 is disposed between the multiple fans 12 and the dust collecting unit 30 in the downstream direction of the first airflow (positive direction of the Y-axis), and rectifies the air sent from the multiple fans 12. The rectifying unit 16 has, for example, a first perforated metal piece 17, a second perforated metal piece 18, and a filter 19. The first perforated metal piece 17, the second perforated metal piece 18, and the filter 19 extend along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, respectively. In the example shown in FIG. 2 , the first perforated metal piece 17, the second perforated metal piece 18, and the filter 19 are disposed side by side in this order in the positive direction of the Y-axis.

[0019] The first perforated metal member 17 is a member that enhances the rectifying effect by providing resistance to the airflow blown out from the multiple fans 12. The first perforated metal member 17 has multiple openings that penetrate in the Y-axis direction. The openings in the first perforated metal member 17 have a diameter of 6 mm, and are arranged at 8 mm pitches and in a staggered pattern with an angle of 60 degrees. The opening ratio of the first perforated metal member 17 is, for example, approximately 51%.

[0020] The second perforated metal member 18 has a smaller opening ratio than the first perforated metal member 17, and is a member that further enhances the rectifying effect by adding resistance. The second perforated metal member 18 has a plurality of openings that penetrate in the Y-axis direction. The openings in the second perforated metal member 18 have a diameter of 1 mm, are arranged at a 2 mm pitch, and are arranged in a staggered pattern with an angle of 60 degrees. The opening ratio of the second perforated metal member 18 is, for example, approximately 23%.

[0021] The filter 19 is a member for imparting straightness to the blown airflow. In this embodiment, it is the same member as the filter 14. The side surface of the filter 19 on the positive side of the Y axis forms an air outlet 19a through which the first airflow is blown out (air is sent). For example, the first airflow is generated by the airflow generated by each fan 12 passing through the first perforated metal member 17, the second perforated metal member 18, the filter 19, and the air outlet 19a. The types, numbers, and arrangements of the filter 14, the first perforated metal member 17, the second perforated metal member 18, and the filter 19 described above are merely examples, and are not limited to the above examples as long as the airflows blown out from the multiple fans 12 can be made uniform and straight.

[0022] The first airflow is generated by the multiple fans 12 and flows in the positive direction of the Y axis via the airflow rectifier 16. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the first airflow flows in the direction of arrow F11 above the ejection unit 20, in the direction of arrow F12 above the mounting unit P, and in the direction of arrow F13 toward the dust collector 30. The wind speed of the first airflow is, for example, several meters per second or less.

[0023] The injection unit 20 generates a second airflow faster than the first airflow by injecting gas through an injection port 24 toward the dust collection unit 30. In the Y-axis direction, the injection unit 20 is provided between the placement unit P and the air supply unit 10. In the X-axis direction, the injection unit 20 is arranged so that the laser processing unit 5 and the area of ​​the placement unit P where the workpiece W is placed are located at the center of the injection unit 20. The injection unit 20 has at least one compressor 21 and an injection nozzle 23 having an injection port 24 for injecting gas at its tip on the dust collection unit 30 side. The injection unit 20 further has a plurality of pipes 22 connecting the compressor 21 and the injection nozzle 23.

[0024] The compressor 21 supplies compressed gas. The compressed gas is, for example, compressed air. The compressor 21 may be a gas supply source provided in a factory. The compressor 21 is connected to a plurality of pipelines 22. The compressed gas flows through the plurality of pipelines 22 from the compressor 21 in the direction of arrow F21. As shown in FIG. 1, the injection unit 20 has two pipelines 22 (the compressor 21 is not shown). The two pipelines 22 are connected to both ends of an injection nozzle 23 extending in the X-axis direction.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the injection nozzle 23 is provided in the positive direction of the Y axis of the air supply unit 10. The injection nozzle 23 extends so that the longitudinal direction is the X axis direction. The injection port 24 is provided at the end of the injection nozzle 23 on the positive side of the Y axis and on the lower side. The injection port 24 opens downward. The injection port 24 is formed below the air supply port 19a. The injection port 24 is formed in a slit shape. The injection nozzle 23 is formed with a first flow path 23a and a second flow path 23b. The first flow path 23a communicates with the multiple pipes 22. The first flow path 23a guides the compressed gas supplied from the multiple pipes 22 toward the second flow path 23b and the injection port 24.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the injection nozzle 23 has a second flow path 23b formed therein, a portion of which is inclined toward the nozzle 24 with respect to the mounting portion P and which guides the gas. The second flow path 23b is connected to the first flow path 23a. The second flow path 23b is provided on the positive Y-axis side and lower side of the first flow path 23a. That is, the second flow path 23b is provided closer to the nozzle 24 than the first flow path 23a. At least a portion of the second flow path 23b is inclined toward the nozzle 24 with respect to the upper surface of the mounting portion P on which the workpiece is placed (the ground surface extending along this surface). The second flow path 23b is formed, for example, by an inclined surface extending toward the nozzle 24. The inclined surface slopes downward as it approaches the positive Y-axis. The second flow path 23b may be curved. The second flow path 23b generates an airflow toward the nozzle 24 along the arrow F22.

[0027] The lower surface of the injection nozzle 23 extends horizontally along the placement portion P (the upper surface of the placement portion P). The injection nozzle 23 is provided above the placement portion P. Compressed gas is injected from the injection port 24 through the second flow path 23b of the injection nozzle 23 in the positive direction of the Y axis, thereby generating a Coanda flow toward the dust collection unit 30. Gas outside the injection nozzle 23 is drawn in the positive direction of the Y axis, as indicated by arrow F23, between the lower surface of the injection nozzle 23 and the placement portion P. As a result, the compressed gas injected from the injection port 24 along arrow F22 and the external gas drawn in through the lower surface of the injection nozzle 23 along arrow F23 join below the injection port 24, generating a second airflow along the placement portion P as indicated by arrow F24. In this way, the ejector effect draws the external gas into the compressed gas injected by the injection unit 20, enabling strong injection with little energy consumption. The second airflow flows in the direction of arrow F24 above the mounting unit P and then flows in the direction of arrow F25 toward the dust collecting unit 30. The wind speed of the second airflow is, for example, from several tens of meters per second to several hundred meters per second. The wind speed of the second airflow is, for example, from several tens of meters per second to 150 meters per second. Because the jetting port 24 is formed below the air supply port 19a, the second airflow jetted from the jetting unit 20 (jetting port 24) flows below the first airflow sent from the air supply unit 10 (air supply port 19a). The jetting unit 20 jets gas toward the dust collecting unit 30 through the jetting port 24, thereby generating a second airflow that is below the first airflow and has a faster speed than the first airflow along the upper surface of the mounting unit P.

[0028] The dust collection unit 30 collects dust D generated when the workpiece W on the placement unit P is processed. The dust collection unit 30 is provided on the side of the placement unit P (positive direction of the Y axis). The dust collection unit 30 has a hollow storage unit 31. The storage unit 31 is arranged so that the laser processing unit 5 and the area of ​​the placement unit P where the workpiece W is placed are located at the center of the storage unit 31 in the X axis direction.

[0029] The storage section 31 has a substantially cylindrical shape. A space 31b is formed in the storage section 31. The storage section 31 extends in the X-axis direction. Both side surfaces of the substantially disk-shaped storage section 31 are arranged to face the positive and negative directions of the X-axis, and the circumferential surface of the storage section 31 is arranged to face the positive direction of the Y-axis. The bottom of the storage section 31 is in contact with the placement section P, for example.

[0030] The accommodation unit 31 is formed with a first opening 31a, multiple second openings 32a and 33a, and a third opening 34a. The first opening 31a opens toward the air supply unit 10 and the ejection unit 20. The first opening 31a is provided on the surface of the accommodation unit 31 on the negative side of the Y axis and opens toward the negative side of the Y axis. The first airflow and the second airflow flow into the space 31b within the accommodation unit 31 through the first opening 31a. The multiple second openings 32a and 33a open toward the X axis direction (a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first airflow and the second airflow). In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, two second openings 32a and 33a are provided at both ends (both side surfaces) of the accommodation unit 31 in the X axis direction. The third opening 34a opens toward the Y axis direction. The third opening 34a is provided on the surface of the accommodation unit 31 on the positive side of the Y axis. The third opening 34a is provided, for example, in the center in the X-axis direction of the storage unit 31. The gas and dust D stored in the space 31b inside the storage unit 31 are discharged through the multiple second openings 32a, 33a and the third opening 34a.

[0031] The dust collecting unit 30 further includes a first discharge pipe 32, a second discharge pipe 33, and a third discharge pipe 34. The first discharge pipe 32 is provided at one of the second openings 32a provided on the negative side of the X-axis. The first discharge pipe 32 is connected to the space 31b of the storage unit 31 via the one of the second openings 32a. The second discharge pipe 33 is provided at the other of the second openings 32a provided on the positive side of the X-axis. The second discharge pipe 33 is connected to the space 31b of the storage unit 31 via the other of the second openings 33a. The third discharge pipe 34 is provided at the third opening 34a. The third discharge pipe 34 is connected to the space 31b of the storage unit 31 via the third opening 34a.

[0032] The dust collection unit 30 may have an exhaust unit (not shown) that is connected to the storage unit 31 through a first exhaust pipe 32, a second exhaust pipe 33, and a third exhaust pipe 34, and that sucks the gas and dust D contained in the space 31b of the storage unit 31 toward the outside and exhausts the gas and dust D. The exhaust unit sucks the gas in the space 31b of the storage unit 31 so as to exhaust the gas in the space 31b toward the outside. As a result, the gas and dust D contained in the space 31b of the storage unit 31 are exhausted from the space 31b of the storage unit 31 by the first exhaust pipe 32, the second exhaust pipe 33, and the third exhaust pipe 34.

[0033] The following describes a dust collection method when laser processing the workpiece W or when laser processing has been performed. First, the air supply unit 10 and the injection unit 20 are driven. By starting the multiple fans 12, the air supply unit 10 can cause gas to flow through the rectification unit 16, generating a first airflow. As a result, the first airflow flows toward the space above the area on the placement unit P where the workpiece W is placed and toward the dust collection unit 30.

[0034] Injection unit 20 supplies compressed air from compressor 21 to injection nozzle 23 and injects it from injection port 24, thereby taking in external gas through the ejector effect and generating a second airflow. As a result, the second airflow flows along mounting unit P toward dust collection unit 30. Because the second airflow flows along mounting unit P, a fast airflow can be directed to the processing point where laser processing is performed on workpiece W. As a result, dust D generated on workpiece W located on the upper surface of mounting unit P can be appropriately moved toward the dust collection unit, and the dust D is prevented from adhering to laser processing unit 5.

[0035] The wind speed of the second airflow is several orders of magnitude greater than that of the first airflow. The second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, experiences a greater attenuation rate due to air resistance than the first airflow. In other words, the second airflow stalls faster than the first airflow. The first airflow is in at least one of a laminar flow state and a state close to a laminar flow state. For example, the first airflow generated by the air supply unit 10, which includes multiple fans 12 arranged in the X-axis direction and an air supply port 19a larger than the nozzle 24 in the Z-axis direction, flows steadily over a wide area above the second airflow. Air in the space above the placement unit P is pushed toward the dust collection unit 30. In other words, the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, flows in a localized area near the processing point. As a result, the area where the second airflow, which has a large speed difference from the first airflow, interferes with the first airflow is very small compared to the overall area through which the first airflow flows. That is, in the space above the mounting portion P, the influence of mutual interference between the first airflow and the second airflow is reduced.

[0036] In the dust collecting unit 30, the exhaust unit is driven to suck in the gas in the space 31b of the storage unit 31 through the first exhaust pipe 32, the second exhaust pipe 33, and the third exhaust pipe 34. As a result, the dust collecting unit 30 sucks in the gas located in the negative direction of the Y axis of the dust collecting unit 30 toward the space 31b through the first opening 31a.

[0037] With the first and second airflows being generated and the dust collection unit 30 sucking gas toward the space 31b of the storage unit 31, the workpiece W is placed on the placement unit P. When the workpiece W on the placement unit P is processed by the laser processing unit 5, dust D is generated and attempts to scatter to the surrounding area. The dust D, including spatter S with large particle size, is pressed in the positive direction of the Y axis (downstream) by the second airflow, which has a faster wind speed than the first airflow. This allows the dust D, including spatter S, to move toward the dust collection unit 30. Furthermore, the dust D is pressed in the positive direction of the Y axis (downstream) by the first and second airflows, and moves toward the dust collection unit 30.

[0038] The dust D that has risen to the top of the mounting section P is carried by the first air current and the second air current and moves in the positive direction of the Y axis, and is sucked into the space 31b through the first opening 31a of the storage section 31 of the dust collection section 30. The gas and dust D in the space 31b are discharged by the discharge section through the first discharge pipe 32, the second discharge pipe 33, and the third discharge pipe 34.

[0039] Here, if the two second openings 32a, 33a are not provided, the first airflow and the second airflow do not concentrate at both ends of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction, and the wind speed is slower there than at the central part of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction. For this reason, if the two second openings 32a, 33a are not provided, dust D may remain in the space 31b of the storage unit 31. By providing the two second openings 32a, 33a at both ends of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction as in this embodiment, a tornado with its axial direction in the X-axis direction can be generated along the inner circumferential surface of the storage unit 31, and dust D can be properly discharged even at both ends of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction.

[0040] Furthermore, even if the length of the workpiece W, storage section 31, etc. in the X-axis direction is long, the third discharge pipe 34 connected at the third opening 34a is connected to the storage section 31, so that dust D can be properly discharged even in the center of the storage section 31 in the X-axis direction.

[0041] [Summary of the embodiment] In the dust collection system 1 and dust collection device 100 according to this embodiment, dust D blown up by the processing of the workpiece W on the mounting portion P is moved toward the dust collection unit 30 by the first airflow and the second airflow and collected by the dust collection unit 30. Among the dust D generated by the processing of the workpiece W on the mounting portion P, dust D (spatter S) with a relatively large particle size has a high initial velocity when it scatters during processing, and therefore may scatter to and adhere to the processing tools used to process the workpiece W. The second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, flows from the nozzle 24 located below the air outlet 19a that generates the first airflow. Therefore, the second airflow flows along the mounting portion P below the first airflow. Therefore, the second airflow can redirect the movement (scattering) of the dust D toward the dust collection unit 30 when the dust D is generated by the workpiece W on the mounting portion P. This allows dust D generated on the workpiece W mounted on the upper surface of the mounting section P to be properly moved toward the dust collection section, preventing the dust D from adhering to processing tools, etc. Furthermore, in conventional dust collection devices, the generated airflow may become turbulent. The wind speed of the airflow may be slowed, preventing the dust D from being moved to the dust collection section and resulting in the dust D not being properly discharged. However, in this embodiment, the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, flows from the nozzle 24 located below the air outlet 19a that generates the first airflow, causing the first and second airflows to flow in a layered manner. Furthermore, the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, has a greater attenuation rate due to air resistance than the first airflow. In other words, the second airflow stalls faster than the first airflow. Furthermore, for example, the first airflow flows constantly (without significant attenuation) over a wide area above the second airflow, pushing the air in the space above the mounting unit P toward the dust collection unit 30. As a result, the area where the second airflow, which has a significantly different speed from the first airflow, interferes with the first airflow is much smaller than the entire area through which the first airflow flows. In other words, the influence of mutual interference between the first airflow and the second airflow in the space above the mounting unit P is reduced. As a result, the first airflow can suppress attenuation of the movement speed of the dust D caused by the second airflow. Therefore, the dust collection system 1 and the dust collection device 100 can collect dust efficiently and appropriately.

[0042] Furthermore, in the dust collection system 1 and the dust collector 100, the dust collection unit 30 includes a hollow storage unit 31 having a first opening 31a that opens toward the air supply unit 10 and the injection unit 20 and multiple second openings 32a and 33a that open in a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first and second airflows. The first and second airflows flow through the first opening 31a into a space 31b within the storage unit 31, and the gas and dust D contained in the space 31b within the storage unit 31 are discharged through the second openings 32a and 33a. In this embodiment, the gas within the space 31b is sucked through the multiple second openings 32a and 33a that open toward the X-axis, generating a tornado with the X-axis direction as its rotation axis. This allows dust D to be appropriately discharged from both ends of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction.

[0043] Furthermore, in the dust collection system 1 and the dust collection device 100, the air supply unit 10 includes a plurality of fans 12 arranged in a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first airflow, and a rectifying unit 16 arranged between the plurality of fans 12 and the dust collection unit 30 in the downstream direction of the first airflow, and rectifying the air sent from the plurality of fans 12. In this case, the first airflow generated by the plurality of fans 12 and the rectifying unit 16 is supplied widely in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the first airflow flows around the processing point where the workpiece W is processed (a region including the space above the placement unit P), and the dust D that has been stirred up (floated) is appropriately moved toward the dust collection unit 30, allowing for efficient dust collection over a wide area of ​​the placement unit P.

[0044] Furthermore, in the dust collection system 1 and the dust collecting device 100, the injection unit 20 is formed with an injection port 24 that opens downward and a second flow path 23b that guides gas and that is partially inclined toward the injection port 24 with respect to (the upper surface of) the mounting unit P. In this case, the gas guided by the second flow path 23b is injected through the injection port 24 in the inclined direction of the second flow path 23b that faces the dust collecting unit 30 and the upper surface of the mounting unit P, thereby generating a second airflow at the processing point. Furthermore, since the second airflow is injected in the inclined direction, mixing of the first airflow generated from the air outlet 19a and the second airflow generated from the injection port 24 below the air outlet 19a is suppressed. This suppresses interference between the first airflow and the second airflow, which would reduce the wind speed of the second airflow, and allows the dust D to be appropriately pushed toward the dust collecting unit 30.

[0045] Furthermore, in the dust collection system 1 and the dust collection device 100, the air sending unit 10 has at least one fan 12, and the injection unit 20 has at least one compressor 21. In this case, the wind speed of the first airflow is slower than the wind speed of the second airflow by an order of magnitude, which prevents the first airflow and the second airflow from interfering with each other at the interface between them and causing turbulence. This prevents the wind speed of the first airflow and the wind speed of the second airflow from decreasing.

[0046] Furthermore, the injection unit 20 is disposed between the air supply unit 10 and the area where the workpiece W is placed on the upper surface of the mounting unit P. In this case, the air supply unit 10 generates a first airflow from a position farther away from the injection unit 20 toward the space above the mounting unit P. The first airflow generated by the air supply unit 10 is in at least one of a laminar flow state and a state close to a laminar flow state, so the speed attenuation of the first airflow from the air supply port 19a is small. Therefore, even when the first airflow is generated toward the space above the mounting unit P from a position farther away from the injection unit 20, the first airflow can reach the space above the mounting unit P and the dust collection unit 30. Furthermore, the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, has a larger attenuation rate due to air resistance than the first airflow. In other words, the second airflow stalls faster than the first airflow. By arranging the spray unit 20 in an area closer to the placement unit P (workpiece W) than the air supply unit 10, the second airflow can be supplied toward the placement unit P (workpiece W) with little attenuation. This allows the spray unit 20 to appropriately push the dust D toward the dust collection unit 30.

[0047] [Variations] While various exemplary embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made. For example, the air supply unit 10 may be provided on the injection nozzle 23 of the injection unit 20. In the above-described embodiment, the placement unit P is provided on the same plane as the air supply unit 10, injection unit 20, and dust collection unit 30. However, the area on which the workpiece W is placed may protrude upward or be recessed downward relative to the plane on which the air supply unit 10, injection unit 20, and dust collection unit 30 are placed. If the length in the X-axis direction of the storage unit 31 for the air supply unit 10, injection unit 20, and dust collection unit 30 is greater than a predetermined threshold, multiple third openings 34a may be formed in the storage unit 31. In this case, dust D stored in areas far from both ends of the storage unit 31 in the X-axis direction can be properly discharged.

[0048] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a dust collection system according to a modified example. As shown in Fig. 4, the dust collection system 1A and the dust collection device 100A differ from the dust collection system 1 and the dust collection device 100 of the above-described embodiment in that they include a dust collection unit 30A instead of the above-described dust collection unit 30. The dust collection unit 30A has a storage unit 31A. The dust collection system 1A and the dust collection device 100A are applicable, for example, when the workpiece W is small, or when the length of the storage unit 31A of the dust collection unit 30A in the X-axis direction can be reduced.

[0049] The length of storage section 31A of dust collection unit 30A in the X-axis direction can be reduced when the wind speed of the tornado generated by two second openings 32a, 33a at the center of dust collection unit 30A is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. This allows dust collection unit 30A to collect more than a predetermined amount of dust D using the first airflow generated by air supply unit 10 and the second airflow generated by ejection unit 20.

[0050] In this way, it is not necessary to form the third opening 34a to match the size of the storage section 31A of the dust collection section 30A. This allows the dust D to be appropriately discharged and reduces the costs of installation and maintenance of the dust collection system 1A and the dust collection device 100A.

[0051] [Forms included in this disclosure] The present disclosure includes the aspects described in the following clauses.

[0052] (Article 1) A dust collection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a dust collection section provided to the side of a mounting section on an upper surface of which a workpiece can be placed, and which collects dust generated when the workpiece on the mounting section is processed; an air supply section provided to the side of the mounting section so that the mounting section is positioned between the dust collection section and the air supply section, which has an air supply port formed therein for supplying air toward the dust collection section and which generates a first airflow; and an injection section provided between the mounting section and the air supply section, which has an injection port formed below the air supply port for injecting gas toward the dust collection section and which generates a second airflow faster than the first airflow.

[0053] In the dust collecting device described in Clause 1, dust blown up by the processing of a workpiece on the mounting section moves toward the dust collecting section by the first airflow and the second airflow and is collected by the dust collecting section. Among the dust generated by the processing of a workpiece on the mounting section, dust with a relatively large particle size (spatter) has a high initial velocity when it scatters during processing, and therefore may scatter to and adhere to the processing tools used to process the workpiece. However, by having the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, flow along the mounting section, the direction of movement (scattering) of the dust can be diverted toward the dust collecting section when the dust is generated on the workpiece on the mounting section. This prevents the dust from adhering to the processing tools. Furthermore, the second airflow, which is faster than the first airflow, has a greater attenuation rate due to air resistance than the first airflow. In other words, the second airflow loses speed more quickly than the first airflow. Furthermore, the first airflow flows constantly over a wide area above the second airflow, for example, pushing the air in the space above the mounting unit toward the dust collection unit. As a result, the area where the second airflow, which has a significantly different speed from the first airflow, interferes with the first airflow is much smaller than the entire area through which the first airflow flows. In other words, the influence of mutual interference between the first airflow and the second airflow in the space above the mounting unit is reduced. This allows the first airflow to suppress attenuation of the dust movement speed caused by the second airflow. Therefore, this dust collection device can collect dust efficiently and appropriately.

[0054] (Article 2) In the dust collecting device described in Clause 1, the dust collecting unit may have a hollow accommodating unit in which a first opening that opens toward the air supply unit and the injection unit and a plurality of second openings that open toward a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first airflow and the second airflow are formed, and the first airflow and the second airflow flow into a space within the accommodating unit through the first opening, and the gas and dust contained in the space within the accommodating unit may be discharged through the second opening. In this case, by discharging the gas at both ends of the dust collecting unit where the speeds of the first airflow and the second airflow may be slow, dust can be smoothly collected even at these ends.

[0055] (Article 3) In the dust collecting device described in clause 1 or 2, the air sending unit may have a plurality of fans arranged in a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first airflow, and a rectifying unit arranged between the plurality of fans and the dust collecting unit in the downstream direction of the first airflow, and rectifying the gas sent from the plurality of fans. In this case, the rectified first airflow flows in the mounting unit, so that dust can be collected efficiently over a wide area of ​​the mounting unit.

[0056] (Article 4) In the dust collecting device described in any one of clauses 1 to 3, the injection unit may be formed with an injection port that opens downward and a flow path that guides the gas, with a portion of the flow path inclined toward the injection port with respect to the upper surface of the mounting unit. In this case, the second airflow is supplied so as to follow the mounting unit, thereby preventing the first airflow generated from the air outlet and the second airflow generated from the injection port below the air outlet from mixing. This prevents the first airflow and the second airflow from interfering with each other and reducing the wind speed of the second airflow, and allows dust to be appropriately pushed toward the dust collecting unit.

[0057] (Article 5) A dust collection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a mounting section on an upper surface of which a workpiece can be placed, a laser processing section for laser processing the workpiece on the mounting section, a dust collection section provided on the side of the mounting section and for collecting dust generated by laser processing the workpiece on the mounting section, an air supply section provided on the side of the mounting section so that the mounting section is positioned between it and the dust collection section and having an air supply port formed therein for supplying air toward the dust collection section and generating a first airflow, and an injection section provided between the mounting section and the air supply section and having an injection port formed below the air supply port for injecting gas toward the dust collection section and generating a second airflow faster than the first airflow.

[0058] The dust collection system described in clause 5 has the same operational effects as the dust collection device described in clause 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1, 1A... dust collection system, 5... laser processing section, 10... air supply section, 12... fan, 16... rectification section, 19a... air supply port, 20... injection section, 23b... second flow path (an example of a flow path), 24... injection port, 30, 30A... dust collection section, 31, 31A... storage section, 31a... first opening, 31b... space, 32a, 33a... second opening, 100, 100A... dust collection device, D... dust, P... placement section, W... workpiece.

Claims

1. a dust collecting section provided at a side of a placing section on which a workpiece can be placed and configured to collect dust generated when the workpiece is processed on the placing section; an air supply unit that is provided on a side of the placement unit so that the placement unit is positioned between the placement unit and the dust collection unit, the air supply unit having an air supply port that supplies air toward the dust collection unit and that generates a first airflow; an injection unit that is provided between the placement unit and the air supply unit, the injection port for injecting gas toward the dust collection unit being formed below the air supply port, and that generates a second airflow that is faster than the first airflow; A dust collecting device comprising:

2. The dust collection unit is a hollow containing section in which a first opening that is open toward the air supply section and the ejection section, and a plurality of second openings that are open toward a direction intersecting the downstream direction of the first air current and the second air current are formed, the first airflow and the second airflow flow through the first opening into the space within the storage section, The dust collecting device according to claim 1 , wherein the gas and the dust contained in the space within the container are discharged through the second opening.

3. The air supply unit is a plurality of fans arranged along a direction intersecting a downstream direction of the first airflow; a rectifying unit that is disposed between the plurality of fans and the dust collecting unit in a downstream direction of the first airflow and rectifies the gas sent from the plurality of fans; The dust collecting device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. 3. The dust collecting device according to claim 1, wherein the injection section is formed with the injection port that opens downward, and a flow path that guides the gas, the flow path being partially inclined toward the injection port with respect to the upper surface of the placement section.

5. a placement section on the upper surface of which a workpiece can be placed; a laser processing unit that performs laser processing on the workpiece on the mounting unit; a dust collecting unit provided on a side of the mounting unit and configured to collect dust generated when the workpiece on the mounting unit is laser processed; an air supply unit that is provided on a side of the placement unit so that the placement unit is positioned between the placement unit and the dust collection unit, the air supply unit having an air supply port that supplies air toward the dust collection unit and that generates a first airflow; an injection unit that is provided between the placement unit and the air supply unit, the injection port for injecting gas toward the dust collection unit being formed below the air supply port, and that generates a second airflow that is faster than the first airflow; A dust collection system comprising:

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