Laser irradiation device head

Abstract

To provide a head of a laser irradiation device that can remove adhered articles on a surface of an article to be irradiated, without interfering with the passage of laser light by dust generated by laser irradiation.SOLUTION: A head of a laser irradiation device is equipped with a deformable cylindrical casing 1 that has a base end opening portion 11, a tip end opening portion 12, and an exhaust portion 13, and a separator 2 that is provided with a channel from the tip end opening portion 12 to the exhaust portion 13 in the casing 1. The base end opening portion 11 opens so that laser light can pass through, and can be attached to a laser light injecting portion S of the laser irradiation device. The tip end opening portion 12 opens so that laser light can pass through, and may function as a suction port of crushed adhered articles. The separator 2 separates the inside of the casing 1 at a position where the laser light can pass through from the base end opening portion 11 to the tip end opening portion 12, and is provided with a channel 21 of an upstream portion and a channel 22 of a downstream portion from the tip end opening portion 12 to the exhaust portion 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a head of a laser irradiation device that is provided in a laser irradiation device that emits laser light for pulverizing solid material adhering to the surface of a structure. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various devices for removing solid objects attached to the surface of a structure. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a laser irradiation device that removes coatings, foreign objects, and the like attached to the surface of an object by irradiating the surface with a laser beam.

[0003] This laser irradiation device includes an optical system and a fluid supply unit. The optical system includes a focusing optical system and a deflection optical system. The focusing optical system focuses a laser beam generated by a laser oscillator at a predetermined focal position. The deflection optical system deflects the laser beam and scans the focal position along a surface of an irradiation target in a predetermined scanning pattern.

[0004] The fluid supply unit has a cover portion, a shielding gas supply tube, and a dust collector connection tube. The cover portion is a container-like member that is placed on the irradiation object so as to cover the irradiation location (Patent Document 1 states that it is "attached") and has side and top portions. The side portion is formed into a frame shape by four side walls. The shielding gas supply tube and the dust collector connection tube are connected to the opposing side walls. The top portion has an opening formed therein to allow the laser light to pass through.

[0005] This laser irradiation device prevents an oxide coating from forming on the surface of the object to be irradiated at the irradiation position by supplying a fluid (hereinafter referred to as "shielding gas") mainly composed of an inert gas from a shielding gas supply tube into the cover section, filling it therewith. This laser irradiation device also sucks in dust generated by the irradiation of the object with laser light from the dust collector connection tube. Therefore, a laser irradiation device equipped with a dust collector connection tube can prevent dust generated by the irradiation of the laser light from re-adhering to the object to be irradiated, thereby impairing the quality of the laser processing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-22978 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The laser irradiation device described in Patent Document 1 supplies shielding gas from the shielding gas supply tube into the cover part, while sucking dust generated in the cover part through the dust collector connection tube. Therefore, in this laser irradiation device, if the amount of shielding gas supplied from the shielding gas supply tube is less than the dust sucked through the dust collector connection tube, the inside of the cover part is not filled with shielding gas, and an oxide coating is formed on the surface of the irradiation object. Conversely, if the amount of dust sucked through the dust collector connection tube is less than the amount of shielding gas supplied from the shielding gas supply tube into the cover part, dust adheres to the surface of the irradiation object.

[0008] In this way, the laser irradiation device described in Patent Document 1 needs to balance the supply amount of shielding gas and the suction amount of generated dust in order to prevent an oxide film from being formed on the surface of the irradiation object while preventing dust generated by the irradiation of the laser light from re-adhering to the surface of the irradiation object. Therefore, depending on whether or not this balance is achieved, this laser irradiation device may or may not be able to remove foreign matter attached to the irradiation object.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a head of a laser irradiation device that is capable of removing solid matter on the surface of an object to be irradiated without dust generated by laser irradiation interfering with the passage of laser light. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention comprises: A head of a laser beam irradiation device that is attached to a laser beam emission unit of a laser beam irradiation device that emits a laser beam for pulverizing a solid object attached to a surface of a structure, comprising: a deformed cylindrical casing having a base end opening, a tip end opening, and an exhaust portion; a separator that provides a flow path from the tip opening to the exhaust portion within the casing; Equipped with the base end opening is opened so that the laser light can pass therethrough and is attachable to a laser light emission unit of the laser irradiation device; The tip opening is opened so that the laser light can pass through, and is also used as a suction port for the crushed adherent material, The separator divides the inside of the casing at a position through which the laser light can pass from the base end opening to the tip end opening, and provides a flow path from the tip end opening to the exhaust section.

[0011] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The casing has an intake section, The separator has a flow path from the intake portion to the tip opening as an upstream flow path, and a flow path from the tip opening to the exhaust portion as a downstream flow path.

[0012] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The tip opening is opened in a rectangular shape within the range scanned by the laser light.

[0013] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, A frame is provided to reinforce the casing.

[0014] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The spacer has a switch function for emitting the laser light. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a head of a laser irradiation device that is capable of removing solid matter on the surface of an object to be irradiated without dust generated by laser irradiation interfering with the passage of laser light. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional front view showing one embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view showing one embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a sectional front view of a head of a laser irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state of use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. Fig. 1 is a sectional front view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. Fig. 4 is a side view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a sectional front view showing an embodiment of a head of a laser irradiation device according to the present invention in use.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 5, the head of this laser irradiation device can be attached to a laser beam emission unit S of a laser irradiation device that emits a laser beam. The laser beam breaks up the adherent matter (not shown) attached to the surface of the structure A. The structure A is not limited to a large structure or a small structure such as a bridge, a building, a ship, or a pipe, and is not limited to whether it is a fixed structure or a mobile structure. The adherent matter is not limited to a coating film such as paint attached to the surface of the structure A, rust, a pollutant, the surface of the structure A that has been oxidized or discolored, or the structure itself. The laser irradiation device breaks up the adherent matter by irradiating the laser beam to the adherent matter, and removes it from the surface of the structure A as a removed matter C.

[0019] The laser irradiation device comprises an ejector (not shown) and a main body casing (hereinafter referred to as the "main body"). The ejector comprises a laser oscillator, a scanner, an optical fiber, etc. The laser oscillator is provided away from the main body. The scanner is built into the main body and emits laser light back and forth at a predetermined width to scan the surface of structure A, which is the focal position. The laser oscillator and scanner are connected by an optical fiber.

[0020] The main body has a deformed box shape with a size and weight that allows an operator to hold it in his hand. One end of the main body is a closed section, to which the tip of the optical fiber is connected. The other end of the main body is a laser light emitting section S that opens to allow the laser light emitted from the scanner to pass through. The laser light emitting section S has, for example, a cylindrical opening (not shown). The main body is used with the line connecting the closed section and the laser light emitting section S basically oriented horizontally.

[0021] A head of the laser emission device is attached to a connection part of the laser light emission part S of this main body. As shown in Fig. 1, this head includes a casing for head (hereinafter mainly referred to as "casing") 1 and a separator 2. The head further includes a frame 3.

[0022] The casing 1 has a deformed cylindrical shape and has a base end opening 11, a tip opening 12, and an exhaust section 13. The casing 1 further has an intake section 14. The base end opening 11 of the casing is fitted into the connection section of the laser light emission section S of the main body. Therefore, here, a case will be described where the line connecting the base end opening 11 and the tip opening 12 of the casing 1 is used in the horizontal direction, which is the same as the direction of the main body.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, in this orientation, the casing 1 has a base end side tubular portion 101, an upper top surface portion 102, a lower bottom surface portion 103, and side surface portions 104 on both the left and right sides (left and right when looking from the base end opening 11 to the tip opening 12). The top surface portion 102 and the bottom surface portion 103 are divided into left and right parts and have a plurality of engagement claws 105. The left and right top surface portions 102 and the bottom surface portions 103 are separably integrated by engaging the engagement claws 105. The top surface portion 102 and the bottom surface portion 103 are formed in an arch shape that bulges slightly downward. The distance between the top surface portion 102 and the bottom surface portion 103 is wider on the base end opening 11 side and narrower on the tip opening 12 side.

[0024] The base end opening 11 of the casing 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the laser light irradiated from the laser light emitting device can pass through. Since the laser light emitting part S of the laser emitting device is formed in a cylindrical shape, the base end opening 11 of the casing 1 is detachably attached to the laser light emitting part S of the laser light emitting device.

[0025] The tip opening 12 of the casing 1 is opened so that the laser light can pass through, and is also used as an inlet for the removed matter C from which the crushed adhering matter has been removed. Since the laser light scans back and forth at a predetermined width, the tip opening 12 is formed in a rectangular shape that allows the laser light to scan. This opening is formed in a rectangular shape with long sides provided at the edges of the top surface portion 102 and the bottom surface portion 103, and short sides provided at the edges of the side surface portions 104 on both sides. An intake portion 14 is provided in the center of the top surface portion 102. The intake portion 14 is formed by an oval through hole. However, the shape of the intake portion 14 is not limited.

[0026] An exhaust section 13 is provided in the center of the bottom section 103. The exhaust section 13 is formed in a cylindrical shape that protrudes from the bottom section 103.

[0027] The frame 3 is basically disposed inside the casing 1. The base end side 31 of the frame 3 is thick and cylindrical. The frame 3 is thin-walled from the middle part 32 to the tip side 33 and tapered to fit along each side part 104 of the casing 1. The frame 3 does not fit along the upper surface of the bottom part 103 or the lower surface of the separator 2, but is in close contact with the inner surface of each side part 104. A hollowed-out part 34 is formed at the boundary between the base end side 31 and the tip side 33 of the frame 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the most distal part of the tip side 33 of the frame 3 is bifurcated.

[0028] This head is equipped with a pair of spacers 4 protruding from the end face of the tip opening 12. Each spacer 4 is equipped with a rotating shaft 41 and a roller 42. The rotating shaft 41 passes through the center of the roller 42 and is hung over the fork-shaped tip of the frame 3. The roller 42 is supported by the rotating shaft 41 and is sandwiched between the fork-shaped tip of the frame 3 with a gap therebetween. A part of the outer periphery of the roller 42 protrudes from the end face of the tip opening 12 of the casing 1.

[0029] The spacer 4 has a switching function for emitting laser light. Although not shown, the switching function includes electronic components such as a microswitch that turns ON when the roller 42 is pressed against the surface of the structure A and turns OFF when the roller 42 is separated from the surface of the structure A, and a touch sensor that detects whether the roller 42 is in contact with the surface of the structure A. These electronic components are connected to the laser oscillator, scanner, etc. of the laser irradiation device by cables (not shown).

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the separator 2 provides a downstream flow path 22 from the tip opening 12 to the exhaust section 13 in the casing 1. Between the separator 2 and the top surface section 102, a space is provided through which the laser light can pass from the base end opening 11 to the tip opening 12. The separator 2 is formed in an arch shape that bulges slightly upward. The separator 2 has the same width as the top surface section 102 and the bottom surface section 103, and both side edges are in close contact with the inner surface of each side surface section 104. Between the separator 2 and the top surface section 102, an upstream flow path 21, which is an airflow flow path, is provided. The upstream flow path 21 is formed by the separator 2 so as to gradually narrow from the base end opening 11 to the tip opening 12. In the downstream flow path 22, the separator 2 generates a smooth airflow from the tip opening 12 to the exhaust section 13.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2, the exhaust unit 13 is connected to the upstream end of an exhaust pipe E. The downstream end of the exhaust pipe E is connected to a suction device (not shown). When the laser irradiation device is turned on, the suction device is turned on. However, even after the laser irradiation device is turned off, the suction device continues to be turned on for a while before being turned off.

[0032] Here, a method for removing adherent material on the surface of the structure A by attaching the base end opening 11 of such a head to the connection part of the laser light emitting part S of the main body of the laser irradiation device will be described.

[0033] The head is oriented horizontally, and the roller 42 of the spacer 4 is brought into contact with the surface of the structure A. In this way, the end face of the base end opening 11 of the casing 1 is spaced a certain distance from the surface of the structure A, that is, the end face of the base end opening 11 is raised above the surface of the structure A by the amount that the roller 42 protrudes from the end face of the base end opening 11. The distance between the scanner in the main body and the surface of the structure A is then maintained at a predetermined distance. Therefore, the focal length of the laser light irradiated from the scanner coincides with the surface of the structure A.

[0034] Furthermore, when the spacer 4 is applied to the surface of the structure A, the laser oscillator and scanner of the laser irradiation device are turned on, and the suction device is also turned on. The laser light emitted from the laser oscillator is scanned over the surface of the structure A at a predetermined width by the scanner. When the spacer 4 is applied to the surface of the structure A, the distance between the scanner and the surface of the structure A is maintained at the treatment interval. The laser light is focused on the surface of the structure A and scanned. This laser light pulverizes the solidified material on the surface of the structure A within the scanning width, and removes it as removed material C.

[0035] Then, the exhaust pipe E is sucked in by the suction device, which is turned on by the switch function of the spacer 4. Then, outside air flows from the intake section 14 into the upstream flow path 21. This outside air becomes an airflow that flows from the upstream flow path 21 in the head, around the tip opening 12, and into the downstream flow path 22. In other words, the outside air that flows in from the upstream flow path 21 does not flow directly into the exhaust section 13 due to the separator 2, but flows toward the tip opening 12. Inside the tip opening 12, the removed matter C removed from the surface of the structure A by the laser light is carried by this airflow and discharged from the downstream flow path 22 into the exhaust pipe E.

[0036] Therefore, the removed matter C does not float in the distal opening 12, and does not reattach to the surface of the structure A or flow from the proximal opening 11 toward the main body. In this manner, in the laser irradiation device equipped with this head, the upstream flow path 21 and the downstream flow path 22 are provided by the separator 2, and the outside air flows through the upstream flow path 21 and the downstream flow path 22, thereby reliably removing the solid matter attached to the surface of the structure A, while the removed matter C does not interfere with the passage of the laser light passing through the upstream flow path 21, and the laser light can remove the solid matter attached to the surface of the structure A.

[0037] Then, the head and main body move one pitch upward or downward. Because the spacer 4 is equipped with rollers 42, the head moves smoothly over the surface of the structure A. In this way, the material adhering to the surface of the structure A is irradiated with the laser light, pulverized, and removed from the surface of the structure A as removed material C. When the spacer 4 moves away from the surface of the structure A, the switch function is turned off, and the laser irradiation device and suction device are turned off.

[0038] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described in the above embodiment, and includes other embodiments and modifications that are possible within the scope of the claims. Furthermore, various modifications and combinations of the above embodiments may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0039] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the embodiment, the line connecting the base end opening 11 and the tip opening 12 of the casing 1 is horizontal, so that the upper side is named (named) as the top surface portion 102 and the lower side is named as the bottom surface portion 103. However, depending on the usage situation of the head, the named top surface portion 102 and bottom surface portion 103 may be located on the side surface side.

[0040] In the head of the laser light irradiation device according to the embodiment, the intake section 14 is provided at the center of the top surface 102 of the casing 1. However, the head of the laser light irradiation device may have the intake section 14 at a position on the side surface 104 of the casing 1 where the intake section 14 is ventilated into the upstream flow path 21. Furthermore, the head of the laser light irradiation device may not have the intake section 14. In the head of the laser light irradiation device not having the intake section 14, the tip opening 12 also serves as the intake section. Also, in the head of the laser light irradiation device not having the intake section 14, the upstream flow path 21 is not provided, and the removed material C is discharged to the exhaust section 13 through the flow path 22 provided from the tip opening 12 to the exhaust section 13.

[0041] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the above embodiment, the tip opening 12 is opened in a rectangular shape. However, when the laser light scans in a circular shape, the tip opening 12 opens in a circular or elliptical shape. Furthermore, the tip opening 12 may open in a polygonal shape such as a square, rhombus, or triangle. Also, when the laser irradiation device does not include a scanner and the laser light does not reciprocate with a predetermined width, the tip opening 12 may be formed as a small hole.

[0042] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the embodiment described above, the casing 1 is reinforced by the frame 3. However, if the casing 1 is made of a material that is not easily damaged, the head does not need to include the frame 3.

[0043] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the above embodiment, the spacer 4 is provided by the rotating shaft 41 or the roller 42. However, the spacer 4 may be formed by a brush or two or more protrusions protruding from the tip opening 12 of the casing 1. Furthermore, the head may not include the spacer 4, and the tip surface of the tip opening 12 may be brought into contact with the surface of the structure A.

[0044] The head of the laser light irradiation device in the above embodiment is provided with the spacer 4 having a switch function. However, the head may not have the switch function, and the laser irradiation device or the suction device may each have a switch.

[0045] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the embodiment, the laser light emitting part S of the main body and the base end opening 11 of the casing are formed in a cylindrical shape. However, the laser light emitting part S and the base end opening 11 may be formed in a square tube shape or the like.

[0046] In the head of the laser light irradiation device of the embodiment, the exhaust part 13 is formed so as to protrude from the bottom surface part 103. However, the exhaust part 13 may be a through hole formed in the bottom surface part 103, and the upstream end of the exhaust pipe E may be connected to this through hole.

[0047] In summary, the head of the laser irradiation device to which the present invention is applied is sufficient if it has the following configuration, and can take a variety of different embodiments.

[0048] The head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention comprises: A head of a laser beam irradiation device that is attached to a laser beam emission unit S of a laser beam irradiation device that emits a laser beam for pulverizing a solid object attached to a surface of a structure, A deformed cylindrical casing 1 having a base end opening 11, a tip opening 12, and an exhaust section 13; a separator 2 that provides a flow path 22 from the tip opening 12 to the exhaust portion 13 within the casing 1; Equipped with The base end opening 11 is opened so that the laser light can pass therethrough, and is attachable to a laser light emitting unit S of the laser irradiation device, The tip opening 12 is opened so that the laser light can pass through, and is also used as a suction port for the crushed solid matter, The separator 2 divides the inside of the casing 1 at a position where the laser light can pass from the base end opening 11 to the tip opening 12 , and provides a flow path from the tip opening 12 to the exhaust section 13 .

[0049] The head of this laser irradiation device passes the laser light irradiated from the laser irradiation device from the base end opening 11 to the tip end opening 12 of the casing 1. This laser light breaks up the solid matter adhering to the surface of the structure A, and is sucked into the tip opening 12 as the removed matter C. The removed matter C passes from the tip opening 12 through the downstream flow path 22 and is discharged to the exhaust section 13. The downstream flow path 22 is provided by dividing the inside of the casing 1 with the separator 2. Therefore, the removed matter C does not float in the tip opening 12 or flow toward the base end opening 11, and does not interfere with the passage of the laser light.

[0050] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The casing 1 has an intake section 14, In the separator 2, a flow path from the intake portion 14 to the tip opening 12 is defined as an upstream flow path 21, and a flow path from the tip opening to the exhaust portion is defined as a downstream flow path 22.

[0051] In this laser irradiation device, an upstream flow path 21 is provided from the intake section 14 of the casing 1 to the tip opening 12, so that outside air flows from this upstream flow path 21 into the upstream flow path 21. This outside air does not immediately flow to the exhaust section 13 due to the separator 2, but flows toward the tip opening 12. This outside air flows to the exhaust section 13 at the tip opening 12 as an airflow containing the removed matter C. Therefore, the removed matter C that has flowed into the tip opening 12 is carried by this airflow and discharged to the exhaust section 13.

[0052] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The tip opening 12 opens in a rectangular shape within the range scanned by the laser light.

[0053] The head of this laser irradiation device can scan the surface of the structure A with the laser light even if the laser light is irradiated from the laser irradiation device in a reciprocating manner, without moving the tip opening 12 in a swiveling or reciprocating manner.

[0054] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, A frame 3 is provided to reinforce the casing 1.

[0055] In the head of this laser irradiation device, the casing 1 is reinforced by the frame 3, so that the casing 1 can be made thin and lightweight.

[0056] In the head of the laser irradiation device according to the present invention, The spacer 4 has a switch function for emitting the laser light.

[0057] The head of this laser irradiation device has a spacer 4 equipped with a switch function, which can be brought into contact with the surface of the structure A to switch the irradiation of the laser light on and off, thereby improving operability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Casing 11...Proximal opening 12...Tip opening 13 Exhaust section 14... Intake section 2. Separator 21...Upstream flow path 22. Downstream flow path 3. Frame 4. Spacer C...Removed items S...Laser light emission part

Claims

1. A head of a laser beam irradiation device that is attached to a laser beam emission unit of a laser beam irradiation device that emits a laser beam for pulverizing a solid object attached to a surface of a structure, comprising: a deformed cylindrical casing having a base end opening, a tip end opening, and an exhaust portion; a separator that provides a flow path from the tip opening to the exhaust portion within the casing; Equipped with the base end opening is opened so that the laser light can pass therethrough and is attachable to a laser light emission unit of the laser irradiation device; The tip opening is opened so that the laser light can pass through, and is also used as a suction port for the crushed adherent material, the separator divides the inside of the casing at a position where the laser light can pass from the base end opening to the tip end opening, and provides a flow path from the tip end opening to the exhaust section, The casing has an intake section, The separator defines a flow path from the intake portion to the tip opening as an upstream flow path, and defines a flow path from the tip opening to the exhaust portion as a downstream flow path. Head of the laser irradiation device.

2. The tip opening is opened in a rectangular shape within a range scanned by the laser light. A head of a laser irradiation device according to claim 1.

3. A frame is provided to reinforce the casing. A head of a laser irradiation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A spacer protruding from the end surface of the tip opening is provided. A head of a laser irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The spacer has a switching function for emitting the laser light.

5. A head of a laser irradiation device according to claim 4.

Images