Suction device and laser device

Abstract

A suction device is disclosed, comprising an air directing device and an inlet for generating a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet. The air directing device is configured such that the protrusion of the air directing device onto the surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 30% of the surface. The protrusion here is performed in a radial direction from the center point of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere, and the center point of the imaginary sphere is located at the center of the inlet. The radius of the imaginary sphere is selected so that the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device. The air directing device has a first opening that faces a processing site on a substrate during operation and a second opening through which laser light can be emitted through the air directing device and the first opening. A laser device is also disclosed, comprising a suction device and a laser emitting device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the field of suction devices for laser processing. [Background technology]

[0002] It is known in practice to suction process residues (such as particles or vapors) that arise during laser processing of a substrate (for example cleaning the substrate with laser light or removing parts of the substrate with laser light). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] Known suction devices may always provide insufficient suction under certain conditions, which can result in process residues reaching the ambient air in an undesired manner, for example by staying in the laser path for a longer than desired time period, degrading performance, being deposited on the substrate and / or depositing on the laser optics, etc.

[0004] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a technique that allows for improved aspiration while essentially avoiding one or more of the aforementioned problems.

[0005] This need is met by the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments are set out in the dependent claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to a first aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a suction device.

[0007] According to an embodiment of the first aspect, there is provided a suction device, the suction device comprising an air directing device and an inlet section for generating a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet section, the air directing device being configured such that its projection onto a surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface, the projection being performed in a radial direction from a center point of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere, the center point of the imaginary sphere being located at the center of the inlet section, and the radius of the imaginary sphere being selected so that the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device, the air directing device further having a first opening facing a processing site on a substrate during operation, and the air directing device further having a second opening through which laser light can be emitted through the air directing device and the first opening.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a laser device.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the second aspect, there is provided a laser apparatus, comprising: a laser emitting device for processing a substrate surface in an irradiation area by emitting laser light onto the substrate surface of the substrate; and a suction device for suctioning process residues generated during processing of the substrate surface, the suction device being formed according to the first aspect or at least one embodiment of the first aspect.

[0010] Although this specification may refer to particular shortcomings of the known art, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that overcome any or all of the noted shortcomings of the known art.Furthermore, although this specification may refer, either explicitly or implicitly, to particular advantages of the disclosed subject matter, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that possess any or all of those advantages.

[0011] In one embodiment, the suction device according to the first aspect includes an air directing device. In one embodiment, the suction device further includes an inlet section for generating a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet section. In one embodiment, the air directing device is configured so that the projection of the air directing device onto the surface of a virtual sphere covers at least 60% of the surface (of the virtual sphere). In another embodiment, the projection of the air directing device onto the surface of the virtual sphere covers at least 75% or at least 85% of the surface. In one embodiment, the projection is performed in a radial direction from the center point of the virtual sphere to the surface of the virtual sphere. In one embodiment, the center point of the virtual sphere is located at the center of the inlet section. In one embodiment, the radius of the virtual sphere is selected so that the virtual sphere completely surrounds the air directing device. In another embodiment, the air directing device further includes a first opening that faces the processing site on the substrate during operation (of the suction device). In one embodiment, the air guide device further has a second opening through which laser light can be emitted through the air guide device and the first opening (to emit laser light onto the substrate for processing the substrate when the suction device is operating).

[0012] In one embodiment, the laser apparatus according to the second aspect includes a laser emitting device for emitting laser light onto a substrate surface of a substrate. Emission of laser light onto the substrate surface (i.e., a processing region of the substrate surface) processes the substrate surface in the processing region in one embodiment. In one embodiment, the laser apparatus further includes a suction device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the suction device is configured to suction process residues generated during processing of the substrate surface. Process residues in the sense of the present disclosure include, for example, particles and / or vapors generated during laser processing of a substrate (e.g., cleaning a substrate with laser light or removing a portion of a substrate with laser light).

[0013] At least some aspects and embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are based on the idea that a suction device for sucking process residues during laser processing can be improved by providing an air guide device, the protrusion of the air guide device onto the surface of an imaginary sphere with respect to an inlet that generates a suction flow covering at least 30% of the surface of the sphere, the air guide device having at least a first opening and a second opening, and configuring the air guide device so that laser light can be emitted through the openings through the air guide device onto the surface of a substrate to be processed. The embodiments mentioned herein are suitable for improving or optimizing the suction of process residues.

[0014] According to an embodiment 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 necessary for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular for the embodiments of the first and / or second aspect.

[0015] According to an embodiment 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 necessary for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, in particular for the embodiments of the first and / or second aspect.

[0016] Exemplary implementations of the subject matter disclosed herein particularly comprise the embodiments and combinations of embodiments described below.

[0017] In one embodiment, the air guide device has a linear beam path for the laser light. For example, the linear beam path extends through the second opening and the first opening. In one embodiment, the beam path does not include a solid material. In another embodiment, a material that is transparent to the laser light is arranged in the beam path. In another embodiment, the material in the beam path is a solid material. For example, in one embodiment, a window can be arranged in the second opening. It goes without saying that the window can be formed (e.g., the material of the window can be selected) so that it is transparent to the laser light used.

[0018] In another embodiment, the air directing device has a third opening disposed between the first opening and the second opening. In one embodiment, the third opening faces the inlet. In another embodiment, the third opening defines a flow path from the third opening to the inlet, which in one embodiment extends through the beam path. In other words, the first opening and the second opening define a first direction extending perpendicular to the flow path leading from the third opening into the flow path.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the third opening displaces not only the flow entering the air guidance device through the first opening but also the flow entering the air guidance device through the second opening in the direction of the inlet.

[0020] In one embodiment, the suction flow has a flow direction at the inlet, and the linear beam path (of the laser light) forms an angle with the flow direction at the inlet of greater than 30 degrees. For example, the angle is greater than 50 degrees or greater than 70 degrees. In another embodiment, the angle is less than 90 degrees. In other words, in one embodiment, the inlet does not extend perpendicular to the beam path of the laser light, but is inclined at an acute angle to the first opening (which faces the substrate in operation). For example, the (acute) angle can be 75 degrees.

[0021] In one embodiment, the protrusion of the air guide device does not cover a surface portion of the surface of the imaginary sphere, the uncovered surface portion being located opposite the inlet portion, for example, the surface portion of the surface of the imaginary sphere not covered by the protrusion of the air guide device is defined by a third opening.

[0022] According to one embodiment, a line defined by the center point of the imaginary sphere and the flow direction of the suction flow at the inlet extends through the uncovered surface of the imaginary sphere.

[0023] In one embodiment, the protrusion of the air directing device and the protrusion of the first opening together cover at least 70% of the imaginary sphere. In other words, the protrusion of all openings of the air directing device except for the first opening (facing the substrate) covers at most 30%, for example at most 20%, at most 10% or at most 5% of the imaginary sphere. In another embodiment, the protrusion of the air directing device and the protrusion of the first opening together cover at least 80% or at least 90% of the imaginary sphere.

[0024] In one embodiment, the air guide device has at least two parts (i.e., air guide portions) that are spatially fixed relative to one another. For example, the openings (e.g., the first opening, the second opening, and / or the third opening) of the air guide device can be defined by two or more parts of the air guide device. For example, the air guide device can be assembled using two or more parts. In an alternative embodiment, the air guide device can be formed integrally.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the radius of the imaginary sphere is the smallest radius at which the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device.

[0026] In one embodiment, the suction flow through the air guide device has a flow portion from which at least one directional component extends along the linear beam path (of the laser light) through the second opening into the air guide device (i.e., away from the laser light source).

[0027] In one embodiment, the air directing device is mechanically coupled to the inlet. For example, in one embodiment, the air directing device is mechanically coupled to the inlet such that movement of the inlet results in a corresponding movement of the air directing device. For example, the air directing device can be fixedly coupled to the inlet, for example, fixed at the inlet (or at a tube forming the inlet).

[0028] In one embodiment, the suction device has a negative pressure source and a first flow path that fluidly connects the negative pressure source with the inlet so as to generate a suction flow into the inlet together with the negative pressure source. The first flow path can be formed, for example, by a pipe. In one embodiment, the suction device is fixed to the pipe. In another embodiment, the suction device can be formed at least in part by the end of a correspondingly configured pipe. In one embodiment, the inlet is formed by the pipe.

[0029] In one embodiment, the flow velocity at the inlet is at least 15 m / s, for example greater than 25 m / s. For example, in one embodiment, the negative pressure source and / or the first flow path are configured to obtain a flow velocity at the inlet of greater than 15 m / s. In another embodiment, the volumetric flow at the inlet is greater than 100 m / s. 3 In another embodiment, the negative pressure wave is greater than 100 m / h at the inlet. 3 / h. In one embodiment, the volumetric flow is greater than 150 m 3 Greater than / h.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the average cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path is 30 cm 2 Larger than, for example, 38cm 2 (corresponding to a circular cross section of 70 mm diameter).

[0031] In one embodiment, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of all openings of the air guidance device (e.g., the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening) is less than three times the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet. In other words, in 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 inlet has a fourth cross-sectional area, and 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. In another embodiment, the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the openings (all openings) of the air guidance device is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In one embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet is 10 cm 2 30cm from 2 For example, 19cm 2 For example, in one embodiment the inlet is circular with a diameter of 50 mm.

[0034] In one embodiment, the second opening is smaller than the first opening. In another embodiment, the first opening is rectangular or approximately rectangular. In another embodiment, the short side of the first opening is less than 20 mm.

[0035] A high flow velocity at the inlet as well as a limited total cross-sectional area of ​​the openings of the air directing device can contribute to efficient suction.

[0036] In one embodiment, the air directing device has a body and a coating on the body. For example, the coating is made of a material that reduces adhesion of contaminant particles compared to adhesion of contaminant particles to the material of the body. For example, in one embodiment, the coating is a non-stick coating. For example, in one embodiment, the coating comprises polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In one embodiment, the body is completely covered by the coating.

[0037] According to one embodiment the suction device may be part of a laser device, for example a laser device as defined above in connection with the second aspect.

[0038] In one embodiment, the laser emitting device defines an irradiation area on the substrate surface, which can be illuminated with laser light without any relative movement of the laser emitting device, the suction device, and the substrate surface relative to one another. For example, in one embodiment, the laser light forms a laser spot on the substrate surface, which defines the irradiation area. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the irradiation area can be defined, for example, by a scanning area of ​​the laser emitting device, for example, if the laser emitting device is configured to move (scan) the laser light over the scanning area. In this case, scanning can be performed, for example, using one or more galvanometer scanners, without or independent of relative movement of the laser emitting device relative to the substrate, as is customary.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the laser device comprises an actuator device, which is configured to move the irradiation area and the substrate surface relative to each other. According to one embodiment, the actuator device is configured to move the laser emitting device and the substrate relative to each other, particularly when emitting laser light. Herein, the relative movement between the substrate surface and the irradiation area or the relative movement between the substrate surface and the laser emitting device is also referred to as relative movement. For example, the actuator device can be configured to pivot the laser emitting device relative to the substrate surface, e.g., pivot the laser emitting device about the rotation axis of the pneumatic tire and / or move the laser emitting device parallel to the rotation axis of the pneumatic tire. According to another embodiment, the actuator device is configured to move the substrate relative to the laser emitting device, e.g., rotate the pneumatic tire about its rotation axis while maintaining the position of the laser emitting device.

[0040] In one embodiment, the laser device comprises a substrate carrier, which in one embodiment is configured to carry the substrate during processing of the substrate surface.

[0041] In one embodiment, the substrate is a vulcanized rubber material. For example, the substrate is a pneumatic tire with a vulcanized rubber material. The vulcanized rubber material may contain additives, such as carbon black, in a known manner. In one embodiment, the substrate carrier is a tire carrier that grips the pneumatic tire in the area of ​​the tire beads.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the relative movement of the substrate surface and the irradiation area relative to one another is a circular movement about the tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire. According to one embodiment, the actuator device can be configured to move the inlet portion radially relative to the tire rotation axis, for example to position the inlet portion at a predetermined position relative to the surface of the pneumatic tire.

[0043] In one embodiment, the laser device is configured to selectively remove rubber material (e.g., rubber material of a pneumatic tire). In one embodiment, the laser device may be configured to selectively remove rubber material to thereby correct (or improve) the runout characteristics of the pneumatic tire.

[0044] In one embodiment, the laser device is configured to remove process residues from tire curing. For example, the laser device may be configured to remove release agent remaining on the inner surface of the tire after tire curing.

[0045] In one embodiment, the center point of the virtual sphere is located at a distance of less than 20 cm from the processing area (or irradiation area). In other words, in one embodiment, the distance of the center point of the virtual sphere from the processing area / irradiation area is less than 20 cm. In one embodiment, the distance between the center point of the virtual sphere and the processing area / irradiation area is less than 15 cm, or in another embodiment, less than 10 cm. As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the center point of the virtual sphere is located at the center of the inlet. Therefore, the terms "center point of the virtual sphere" and "center of the inlet" are interchangeable within the meaning of the present disclosure. Therefore, in one embodiment, the center of the inlet is located at a distance of less than 20 cm from the processing area / irradiation area.

[0046] In one embodiment, a second flow path is formed between the substrate and the air directing device. In one embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is greater than 5% of the surface area of ​​a virtual sphere. In another embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is less than 15% of the surface area of ​​a virtual sphere. In another embodiment, the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is less than twice the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet.

[0047] In one embodiment, the second flow path guides at least a portion of the suction flow over a portion of the processing area, and in another embodiment, the second flow path always guides at least a portion of the suction flow over the irradiation area (i.e., the area that can be illuminated by the laser emitting device without relative motion between the laser emitting device and the substrate).

[0048] In one embodiment, at least one edge of the first opening or at least one edge of the air guide device has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 millimeters (mm). In another embodiment, the radius of curvature is greater than 1 mm or greater than 5 mm. For example, the edge is formed by two mutually perpendicularly extending surface portions of the air guide device. Rounded edges with such a radius of curvature can prevent undesired vortices in the suction flow.

[0049] According to another embodiment, the open end of the first opening (facing the substrate) and / or the surface of the air directing device that at least partially defines the second flow path extend in a curved plane. In other words, the open end and / or the surface of the air directing device that faces the substrate (when the suction device is operating) are correspondingly curved. The curved surface (a surface in the mathematical sense) can have a radius of curvature greater than 100 millimeters. According to another embodiment, the curved surface can be continuous with the surface of the substrate. In other words, according to one embodiment, the distance between the curved surface and the substrate (e.g., the distance between the open end or the surface of the air directing device) can be uniform or approximately uniform.

[0050] In one embodiment, the laser emitter is configured to pivot the laser beam relative to the substrate surface. For example, the laser emitter can have at least one galvanometer scanner, which allows the laser beam to be pivoted in at least one pivot plane relative to the laser emitter. This allows the laser beam to be moved relative to the substrate surface without moving the laser emitter. It goes without saying that in a general embodiment, not only can the laser beam be moved relative to the laser emitter, but also the laser emitter and the substrate relative to each other. For example, due to the runout characteristics of a pneumatic tire, an actuator device can move the laser emitter and the pneumatic tire relative to each other about the axis of rotation of the pneumatic tire, and this rotational movement can be caused by one or more of the galvanometer scanners described above to move the laser beam in a plane perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the pneumatic tire.

[0051] In one embodiment, the laser device includes a controller configured to control the laser emitting device, for example, the controller may be configured to process the pneumatic tire with a laser beam from the laser device based on parameter values ​​representing a desired correction of the runout characteristics of the pneumatic tire to effect the desired correction.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the laser device comprises a further control device configured to control the actuator device.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the control device and the further control device are formed by a single common control device, which can for example control the output of the laser light and / or the at least one galvanometer scanner on the one hand and the actuator device for moving the illumination area and the pneumatic tire relative to each other on the other hand.

[0054] In 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. In another embodiment, the laser apparatus includes a controller that adjusts the spatial relationship between the substrate and the suction device according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0055] Unless otherwise stated, numerical values ​​disclosed herein are understood to include a tolerance of ±5%, i.e., according to one embodiment, a distance indication of 10 cm comprises a distance within the range (10±5%) cm = [9.5 cm; 10.5 cm], and a percentage indication of 50% comprises a percentage indication within the range 50%±5% = [47.5%; 52.5%] according to one embodiment. According to another embodiment, numerical values ​​are understood to include a tolerance of ±10%.

[0056] Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein are described below, with reference to, for example, a suction device and a laser device. It should be emphasized that any combination of features of the different aspects, embodiments, and examples is of course possible. In particular, some embodiments will be described in relation to a method, while other embodiments will be described in relation to an apparatus. Also, other embodiments will be described in relation to a laser device, while other embodiments will be described in relation to a control device for interacting with elements of the laser device. However, those skilled in the art will infer from the above and below description, claims, and drawings that, unless otherwise specified, features of the different aspects, embodiments, and examples can be combined, and that such combinations of features should be considered to be disclosed by the present application. For example, features related to a method can be combined with features related to an apparatus, and vice versa.

[0057] According to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein may define the functionality of the device disclosed herein without being limited to device-specific features. In this regard, any functionality disclosed herein of a device disclosed herein implicitly discloses a corresponding method defined solely by the disclosed functionality. Conversely, according to one embodiment, a method disclosed herein can be implemented using any suitable known device (which may have a single element or multiple interacting elements). In this regard, any method disclosed herein implicitly discloses a corresponding device configured to implement the method.

[0058] Other advantages and features of the disclosure herein can be obtained from the following illustrative description of the presently preferred embodiments, without the scope of the claims being limited thereto. The individual figures in the drawings of this specification should be considered as merely schematic and not to scale. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0059] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram of a suction device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. [Figure 2] 2 is a view of the suction device in FIG. 1 without the virtual sphere and the corresponding protrusions. [Figure 3] 3 is a plan view of the suction device in FIG. 2 taken along line III-III. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another suction device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. [Figure 5] 1 is a diagram of a portion of a laser device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the laser device in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of a laser device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] In addition, similar or identical elements or components in different drawings are designated by the same reference numerals or reference numerals that differ only in the first digit. Such features and components that are identical or at least functionally identical to corresponding features or components in another drawing will be described hereinafter only the first time they appear and will not be described again when the feature or component (or corresponding reference numeral) appears thereafter.

[0061] It should be understood that, unless otherwise indicated, exemplary implementations of the numbered elements described below are illustrated in the appropriate drawings and configured according to the following description.

[0062] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a suction device 100 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0063] In one embodiment, the suction device 100 includes an air directing device 102 and an inlet 104 for generating a suction flow 106 through the air directing device 102 and into the inlet 104. In one embodiment, the air directing device 102 is configured such that its projection onto the surface 108 of an imaginary sphere 110 covers at least 60% of the surface 108. In FIG. 1 , the coverage of the sphere's surface 108 by the air directing device's projection is illustrated by dashed lines 112; for simplicity, only a cross-section of the sphere, its center point, and three openings is shown. In one embodiment, the projection of the air directing device 102 onto the surface 108 covers at least 65% of the surface 108, as shown in FIG. 1 , for example, or in other embodiments, at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90% of the surface 108.

[0064] Within the scope of the present disclosure, the projection of the air directing device 102 onto the surface 108 of the imaginary sphere 110 is generally performed from a center point 114 of the imaginary sphere to the surface 108 of the imaginary sphere 110. An exemplary projection line is illustrated in FIG. 1 by 116.

[0065] In one embodiment, the center point 114 of the imaginary sphere 110 is located at the center 118 of the inlet 104. In other words, the imaginary sphere is located so that the center point 114 is at the center 118 of the inlet 104. In one embodiment, the radius 120 of the imaginary sphere 110 is selected so that the imaginary sphere 110 completely surrounds the air directing device 102, as shown in FIG.

[0066] FIG. 2 illustrates the suction device 100 of FIG. 1 without the virtual spheres and corresponding protrusions to facilitate identification of the individual elements of the suction device 100. FIG.

[0067] In one embodiment, the air directing device 102 has a first opening 122, which faces an irradiation area 124 on the substrate 126 when the suction device 102 is in operation. In another embodiment, the air directing device further has a second opening 128, which is positioned so that laser light 129 can be emitted through the second opening 128 and the first opening 122 onto the substrate 126 or substrate surface 130 to be processed. In one embodiment, the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 define (or enable) a linear beam path 131 for the laser light 129 through the air directing device 102.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the distance 125 of the center 114 of the inlet 104 (corresponding to the center point of a virtual sphere, not shown in FIG. 2) from the irradiation area 124 is less than 20 cm.

[0069] In one embodiment, the air directing device has a third opening 132, which is located between the first opening 122 and the second opening 128, as shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, the third opening 132 faces the inlet 104.

[0070] In one embodiment, the inlet 104 is disposed at an acute angle 134 with respect to the beam path 131, the acute angle being between 1 and 50 degrees, for example 13 degrees as shown in Figure 2. In another embodiment, the suction flow 106 in the inlet 104 has a flow direction 136, and the beam path 131 forms an angle 138 with the flow direction 136 that is greater than 30 degrees, for example as shown in Figure 2. In one embodiment, the flow direction 136 of the suction flow 106 in the inlet 104 is perpendicular or approximately perpendicular to the plane in which the inlet extends, for example as shown in Figure 2.

[0071] In one embodiment, the air directing device has at least two portions, e.g., first portion 140 and second portion 142, that are spatially fixed relative to one another. In one embodiment, the suction flow 106 has a flow portion 144 from which at least one directional component extends along the linear beam path 131 through the second opening 128 into the air directing device 102, as shown in FIG.

[0072] In one embodiment, the edge 146 of the suction device 100 has a radius of curvature (perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the edge) greater than 0.5 millimeters, as shown, for example, in Figure 2. In one embodiment, the edge 146 may follow the curvature of the substrate surface 130 at least in part in its longitudinal direction, or may approximate the curvature of the substrate surface 130, as shown, for example, in Figure 2. For example, if the substrate 126 is a pneumatic tire whose surface 130 to be processed has a predetermined curvature, it may be advantageous for good suction if the part 147 of the suction device 100 facing the substrate surface 130 (also referred to herein as the foot) has a curvature similar to that of the substrate surface 130, or at least curves in the same direction as the substrate surface 130.

[0073] In one embodiment, the foot 147 defines a second flow path 149 for the suction flow 106 to enter the air directing device 102 through the first opening 122 along with the opposing substrate surface 130 .

[0074] In one embodiment, the inlet 104 is formed by the end of a tube 148, as shown, for example, in Figure 1. In one embodiment, the tube 148 is part of piping 150, which is only partially and diagrammatically shown in Figure 2, fluidly connecting the inlet 104 to a negative pressure source 152 (e.g., a suction pump) such that the negative pressure source 152 can generate a suction flow 106 at the inlet 104.

[0075] In one embodiment, the inlet 104 is defined by a tube 148 and a flat surface that contacts the first opening 122 as well as the second opening 128, for example as shown in FIG.

[0076] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the suction device 100 of FIG. 2 taken along line III-III.

[0077] In one embodiment, the air guidance device has two side surfaces 154, between which the first and second parts 140 and 142 of the air guidance device are arranged, as shown in Fig. 3. In one embodiment, the first and second parts 140 and 142 are fixed to the side surfaces 152. This allows for a structurally simple construction of the air guidance device.

[0078] In one embodiment, the air directing device has closed sides adjacent to the first opening 122 (not shown in FIG. 3) and the second opening 128. For example, the side portion 154 may be closed (i.e., have no openings). In one embodiment, the side portion 154 is formed in the shape of a plate, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the tube 148 has a rectangular outer shape in the area of ​​the inlet 104. This may allow for easy attachment of the side part 154 of the air directing device 102 to the tube 148.

[0080] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another suction device 200 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0081] 1-3, the implementation of suction device 200 according to one embodiment in FIG. 4 has an enlarged third opening 132. In another embodiment, a surface 156 of second portion 142 of air directing device 102 facing base 126 (not shown in FIG. 4) does not follow the curvature of side portion 154 of air directing device 102. Side 156 of second portion 142 is also referred to herein as a foot of the suction device. In one embodiment, side portion 154 extends beyond bottom surface 156 of air directing device 102, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, to define second flow path 149 between air directing device 102 and base 126, the second flow path being defined laterally by side portion 154 of air directing device 102.

[0082] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a portion of a laser device 160 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0083] According to one embodiment, the laser device 160 includes a laser emitting device 162 for emitting laser light and a suction device according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein, such as the suction devices 100, 200 shown and described in connection with Figures 1 to 4.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the substrate 126 is a pneumatic tire, such as the pneumatic tire illustrated in cross section in FIG.

[0085] Although some embodiments are described below with reference to a pneumatic tire 126, it will be appreciated that the reference to a pneumatic tire is merely exemplary and that the embodiments are equally applicable to any suitable substrate 126.

[0086] In one embodiment, the laser device has a substrate carrier 164 configured to support the pneumatic tire 126 during processing of the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire. In one embodiment, the substrate carrier 164 has a number of first retaining elements 166 that support the pneumatic tire in the region of the first bead 167 and a number of second retaining elements 168 that support the pneumatic tire 126 in the region of the second bead 171. For example, eight first retaining elements 166 and six second retaining elements 168 can be provided. In one embodiment, the first retaining elements 166 and the second retaining elements 168 are configured to hold the first bead 167 and the second bead 171 at a predetermined distance relative to each other. This can improve the quality of the laser processing as well as the quality of the suction in one embodiment.

[0087] In one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 and suction devices 100, 200 are configured (or can be configured) to process the inner surface 170 of the pneumatic tire 126 facing away from the tread 172, as shown in FIG. 5, for example.

[0088] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the laser device 160 of FIG.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 are configured to be provided radially inside the pneumatic tire 126 and the first and second holding elements 166, 168. According to one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 are arranged on the same carrier (not shown in FIG. 6 ), which makes it possible to change the position and / or arrangement of the laser emitting device 162 with respect to the pneumatic tire 126 without changing the spatial relationship between the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200. In other words, according to one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 are or can be fixed spatially relative to each other. This ensures that the laser light 129 (not shown in FIG. 6 ) is emitted through the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air directing device 102.

[0090] In one embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 is positioned at the center of the pneumatic tire 126 and is rotatable about the tire rotation axis 169 of the pneumatic tire 126, thereby rotating the laser light 129 emitted from the laser emitting device toward the tire surface 130.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the laser device comprises a controller 170 that is controllably coupled to the laser emitting device 162 to control the laser emitting device 162 (coupling not shown in FIG. 6 for clarity).

[0092] In another embodiment, the laser device 160 comprises an actuator device 172 configured to move the suction device 100, 200 (and thus in one embodiment also the air guide device 102 and / or the inlet 104 (not shown in FIG. 6 )) radially relative to the tire rotation axis 169. This allows the air guide device 102 to be positioned at an appropriate distance relative to the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire to be processed. In one embodiment, the actuator device 172 is controlled by the control device 170.

[0093] FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a laser device 160 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

[0094] In one embodiment, the laser device 160 includes another actuator device 174 that can move the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 axially (i.e., parallel to the tire rotation axis 169) as shown at 176 in FIG. 7 , for example, to position the laser emitting device and the suction devices 100, 200 inside the pneumatic tire 126 to process the pneumatic tire 126, as shown in FIG. 7 . In one embodiment, after processing the pneumatic tire, the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 can be moved axially 176 out of the pneumatic tire 126, for example, to transport the pneumatic tire perpendicular to the tire rotation axis 169 (e.g., using a belt conveyor, not shown). In one embodiment, the another actuator device 174 is configured to rotate the laser emitting device 162 and the suction devices 100, 200 around the tire rotation axis 169 as shown at 178, for example, to pivot the laser beam 129 in a circumferential direction of the tire.

[0095] As already explained in connection with Figure 6, according to one embodiment, an actuator device 172 (not shown in Figure 7) may be provided, by means of which the suction device 100, 200 may be moved in a radial direction (indicated at 180 in Figure 7) relative to the tire rotation axis 169, e.g., relative to the laser emitting device 162. This may allow the distance 182 between the suction device 100, 200 and the pneumatic tire 126 (or substrate) to be adjustable.

[0096] According to another embodiment, the laser emitting device 162 is configured to pivot the laser beam 129 relative to the laser emitting device 162, thereby pivoting the laser beam 129 over an angular range 184, as shown in FIG. 7 . The angular range 184 around which the laser beam 129 is pivoted (without requiring movement of the laser emitting device 162) corresponds to an irradiation area 188 on the surface 130 to be processed within the meaning of the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, by rotation 178 and / or axial movement 176, the irradiation area 188 can be moved over the surface 130 of the pneumatic tire 126 (and thus over the entire processing area to be processed by the laser beam 129). By pivoting over the angular range 184, the irradiation area 188 is larger than the surface area of ​​the laser spot generated by the laser beam 129.

[0097] In one embodiment, the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air directing device 102 are sized such that the laser beam 129 can pass unimpeded through the first opening 122 and the second opening 128 of the air directing device 102 (and thus through the entire air directing device 102) when the laser beam 129 is swiveled over an angular range 184 (see also FIG. 3). At least one galvanometer scanner 186 can be provided, for example, to swivel the laser beam 129.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the further actuator device 174 and the laser emitting device are controlled by a controller 170 as shown generally at 190 in FIG.

[0099] According to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, any suitable components (e.g., devices, elements, or portions) may be provided, at least in part, in the form of a corresponding computer program that enables a processor device to provide the functionality of the corresponding components described herein. According to other embodiments, any suitable components described herein may be provided as hardware. According to other hybrid embodiments, some components may be provided as software while other components are provided as hardware.

[0100] It should be noted that any components (e.g., devices, arrangements, elements, etc.) disclosed herein are not limited to the specific components described in some embodiments. Rather, the subject matter described herein can be provided on a device or function basis in various ways and with varying degrees of precision while still providing the functionality referenced. In other embodiments, a single component may be configured to provide two or more of the functions described herein. In yet other embodiments, two or more components may be configured to both provide the functions described herein.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the control device comprises a processor device having at least one processor for executing at least one program element, which may correspond to a corresponding software module.

[0102] Naturally, a definition of an optical device or optical arrangement with reference to laser light can be analogously defined with reference to the beam path of the laser light, and vice versa, and in this respect any reference to laser light analogously discloses a reference to the beam path of the laser light.

[0103] It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are merely a limited selection of possible embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, since features of different embodiments can be appropriately combined, it should be considered that a person skilled in the art has disclosed many combinations of different embodiments using the embodiments explicitly disclosed herein. Furthermore, it should be noted that expressions such as "one" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Expressions such as "comprise" or "have" do not exclude other features or method steps. Thus, in one embodiment, the expression "have" or "comprise" means "have, among other things." In another embodiment, the expression "have" or "comprise" means "consist of."

[0104] It should also be noted that the reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. It should also be noted that the reference signs in the specification and the specification, when referring to the drawings, should not be construed as limiting the scope of the specification. Rather, the drawings only illustrate exemplary implementations of certain combinations of embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein, and any other combinations of embodiments are also possible and are considered to be disclosed in this application.

[0105] In exemplary implementations comprising advantageous combinations of the embodiments disclosed herein, the following can be observed:

[0106] A suction device is disclosed that has an air directing device and an inlet section that generates a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet section. The air directing device is configured so that the protrusion of the air directing device onto the surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 30% of the surface. The protrusion here is performed in a radial direction from the center point of the imaginary sphere to the surface of the imaginary sphere, and the center point of the imaginary sphere is located at the center of the inlet section. The radius of the imaginary sphere is selected so that the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device. The air directing device has a first opening that faces a processing site on a substrate during operation and a second opening that can emit laser light through the air directing device and the first opening. A laser device is also disclosed that has a suction device and a laser emitting device. (Other possible items) (Item 1) an air directing device; an inlet that creates a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet; A suction device comprising: the air directing device is configured such that its projection onto the surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface; the protrusion is performed in a radial direction from a center point of the virtual sphere to a surface of the virtual sphere; the center point of the virtual sphere is located at the center of the inlet, selecting a radius of the imaginary sphere such that the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device; the air guide device further has a first opening facing a processing site on the substrate during operation; the air directing device further has a second opening through which laser light can be emitted through the air directing device and the first opening; The suction device, wherein the substrate is vulcanized rubber. (Item 2) the air directing device has a linear beam path for the laser light; the linear beam path extends through the second opening and the first opening; Item 1. The suction device according to item 1. (Item 3) the air directing device has a third opening disposed between the first opening and the second opening; In particular, the 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, in particular less than twice, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet; 3. The suction device according to item 1 or 2. (Item 4) the suction flow has a flow direction at the inlet; the linear beam path forms an angle with the flow direction that is greater than 30 degrees; 4. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 3. (Item 5) the protrusion of the air directing device and the protrusion of the first opening together cover at least 70% of the surface of the imaginary sphere; 5. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 4. (Item 6) disposing a window in the second opening; 6. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 5. (Item 7) The air directing device has at least two parts that are spatially fixed relative to each other. 7. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 6. (Item 8) the radius of the imaginary sphere is the smallest radius at which the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air guidance device; 8. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 7. (Item 9) the air guide device has a body and a coating on the body, and the material forming the coating has low adhesion of contaminant particles compared to adhesion of contaminant particles to the material of the body; 9. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 8. (Item 10) The protrusion of the air guide device does not cover one surface portion of the surface of the virtual sphere, and the uncovered surface portion is arranged opposite to the inlet portion. 10. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 9. (Item 11) the suction flow through the air directing device has a flow portion, and at least one directional component from the flow portion extends into the air directing device in a direction along the linear beam path through the second opening; 11. The suction device according to any one of items 2 to 10. (Item 12) The air directing device is mechanically coupled to the inlet. 12. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 11. (Item 13) below, The flow velocity at the inlet is at least 15 m / s and the volumetric flow at the inlet is at least 100 m 3 / h or greater, The cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet is 10 cm 2 30cm from 2 Between The inlet has a circular cross section. The first opening has a rectangular cross section, in particular with a short side smaller than 20 mm. 13. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 12, further comprising at least one of the following features: (Item 14) A negative pressure source; a first flow path connecting the negative pressure source and the inlet for generating the suction flow into the inlet together with the negative pressure source; 14. The suction device according to any one of items 1 to 13. (Item 15) a laser emitting device for processing a substrate surface in an irradiation area by emitting laser light onto a substrate surface of the substrate, the substrate being a vulcanized rubber material; a suction device for suctioning process residues generated during processing of the substrate surface; A laser device comprising: 15. The laser device, wherein the suction device is formed according to any one of items 1 to 14. (Item 16) further comprising an actuator device for moving the illumination area and the substrate surface relative to one another. Item 16. The laser device according to item 15. (Item 17) further comprising a substrate carrier configured to support the substrate during processing of the substrate surface. Item 17. The laser device according to item 15 or 16. (Item 18) The center point of the virtual sphere is located less than 20 cm away from the illumination area. 18. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 17. (Item 19) A second flow path is formed between the substrate and the air directing device. 19. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 18. (Item 20) the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is greater than 5% of the surface area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere; Item 19. The laser device according to item 19. (Item 21) the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is less than 15% of the surface area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere; 21. The laser device according to item 19 or 20. (Item 22) The second flow path guides at least a portion of the suction flow across the irradiation region. 22. The laser device according to any one of items 19 to 21. (Item 23) The substrate is a pneumatic tire, for example the inner surface or bead ring region of a pneumatic tire; 22. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 21. (Item 24) the relative movement between the substrate surface and the irradiation area is a circular movement around the tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire; 22. A laser device according to any one of items 15 to 21, further having the features of item 16. (Item 25) the actuator device is configured to move the inlet portion radially relative to the tire rotation axis; Item 25. The laser device according to item 24. (Item 26) The laser device is configured to selectively remove rubber material specifically for pneumatic tire runout characteristics. 26. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 25. (Item 27) The laser device is configured to remove process residues from tire vulcanization, and in particular to remove release agents remaining on the inner surface of the tire after tire vulcanization. 27. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 26. (Item 28) At least one edge of the first opening and / or at least one edge of the air directing device has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 mm. 28. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 27. (Item 29) the laser emitting device is configured to steer laser light relative to the substrate surface; 29. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 28. (Item 30) a controller for controlling the laser emitting device; 30. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 29. (Item 31) further comprising a separate controller configured to control the actuator device; 31. The laser device according to any one of items 15 to 30. (Item 32) the control device and the further control device are formed by a single common control device; A laser device having the features according to items 30 and 31.

Claims

1. an air directing device; an inlet that creates a suction flow through the air directing device into the inlet; A suction device comprising: the air directing device is configured such that its projection onto the surface of an imaginary sphere covers at least 60% of the surface; the protrusion is performed in a radial direction from a center point of the virtual sphere to a surface of the virtual sphere; the center point of the virtual sphere is located at the center of the inlet, selecting a radius of the imaginary sphere such that the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air directing device; the air guide device further has a first opening facing a processing site on the substrate during operation; the air directing device further has a second opening through which laser light can be emitted through the air directing device and the first opening; The suction device, wherein the substrate is vulcanized rubber.

2. the air directing device has a linear beam path for the laser light; the linear beam path extends through the second opening and the first opening; The suction device of claim 1 .

3. the air directing device has a third opening disposed between the first opening and the second opening; In particular, the 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, in particular less than twice, the cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet. The suction device of claim 1 .

4. the suction flow has a flow direction at the inlet; the linear beam path forms an angle with the flow direction that is greater than 30 degrees; 3. The suction device according to claim 2.

5. the protrusion of the air directing device and the protrusion of the first opening together cover at least 70% of the surface of the imaginary sphere; The suction device of claim 1 .

6. disposing a window in the second opening; The suction device of claim 1 .

7. The air directing device has at least two parts that are spatially fixed relative to each other. The suction device of claim 1 .

8. the radius of the imaginary sphere is the smallest radius at which the imaginary sphere completely surrounds the air guidance device; The suction device of claim 1 .

9. the air guide device has a body and a coating on the body, and the material forming the coating has low adhesion of contaminant particles compared to adhesion of contaminant particles to the material of the body; The suction device of claim 1 .

10. The protrusion of the air guide device does not cover one surface portion of the surface of the virtual sphere, and the uncovered surface portion is arranged opposite to the inlet portion. The suction device of claim 1 .

11. the suction flow through the air directing device has a flow portion, and at least one directional component from the flow portion extends into the air directing device in a direction along the linear beam path through the second opening.

3. The suction device according to claim 2.

12. The air directing device is mechanically coupled to the inlet. The suction device of claim 1 .

13. below, The flow velocity at the inlet is at least 15 m / s and the volumetric flow at the inlet is at least 100 m ３ / h is greater than The cross-sectional area of ​​the inlet is 10 cm ２ 30cm from ２ Between The inlet has a circular cross section. The first opening has a rectangular cross section, in particular with a short side smaller than 20 mm. The suction device of claim 1 further comprising at least one of the following features:

14. A negative pressure source; a first flow path connecting the negative pressure source and the inlet for generating, together with the negative pressure source, the suction flow into the inlet; A suction device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. a laser emitting device for processing a substrate surface in an irradiation area by emitting laser light onto a substrate surface of the substrate, the substrate being a vulcanized rubber material; a suction device for suctioning process residues generated during processing of the substrate surface; A laser device comprising: The suction device is a laser device according to claim 1 .

16. further comprising an actuator device for moving the illumination area and the substrate surface relative to one another.

16. The laser device according to claim 15.

17. further comprising a substrate carrier configured to support the substrate during processing of the substrate surface.

16. The laser device according to claim 15.

18. The center point of the virtual sphere is located less than 20 cm away from the illumination area.

16. The laser device according to claim 15.

19. a second flow path is formed between the substrate and the air directing device; 16. The laser device according to claim 15.

20. the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is greater than 5% of the surface area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere; 20. The laser device of claim 19.

21. the second flow path has a cross-sectional area at its narrowest point that is less than 15% of the surface area of ​​the surface of the imaginary sphere; 20. The laser device of claim 19.

22. the second flow path guides at least a portion of the suction flow across the irradiation region.

20. The laser device of claim 19.

23. The substrate is a pneumatic tire, for example the inner surface or bead ring region of a pneumatic tire; 17. The laser device of claim 16.

24. the relative movement between the substrate surface and the irradiation area is a circular movement around the tire rotation axis of the pneumatic tire; 24. The laser device of claim 23.

25. the actuator device is configured to move the inlet portion radially relative to the tire rotation axis; 25. The laser device of claim 24.

26. The laser device is configured to selectively remove rubber material specifically for pneumatic tire runout characteristics.

16. The laser device according to claim 15.

27. The laser device is configured to remove process residues from tire vulcanization, and in particular to remove release agents remaining on the inner surface of the tire after tire vulcanization.

16. The laser device according to claim 15.

28. at least one edge of the first opening and / or at least one edge of the air directing device has a radius of curvature greater than 0.5 mm; 16. The laser device according to claim 15.

29. the laser emitting device is configured to steer laser light relative to the substrate surface; 29. A laser device according to any one of claims 15 to 28.

30. a controller for controlling the laser emitting device; 17. The laser device of claim 16.

31. further comprising a separate controller configured to control the actuator device; 31. The laser device of claim 30.

32. the control device and the further control device are formed by a single common control device; 32. The laser device of claim 31.

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