Laser welding torch having lens protection function

Abstract

The present technology relates to a laser welding torch, which can prevent a lens from being damaged by the diffused reflection of a laser and can prevent a trigger from being operated because of the negligence of an operator and the like, and, more specifically, to a laser welding torch having a plurality of lenses inside a torch body so that the irradiation angle of the laser can be changed, the torch comprising a lens protection socket which is provided in the torch body so as to be positioned between a focus lens and a protective lens, and which confines the laser diffusely reflected from the protective lens toward the focus lens, so as to prevent damage to the protective lens.

Description

Laser welding torch with lens protection function

[0001] This technology relates to a laser welding torch that can prevent damage to a lens due to laser glare and prevent the trigger from being operated due to carelessness of a worker.

[0002] Typically, a variety of machine tools are used to process base materials. Various types of machine tools, including lathes, milling machines, and drilling machines, can be used to process base materials. Using one or more machine tools can produce a wider variety of products tailored to specific needs.

[0003] In addition to contact processing devices that process by bringing cutting blades into contact with the base material, machine tools are also widely used, as are non-contact processing devices that process by irradiating the base material with a high-temperature laser beam.

[0004] Laser processing devices are designed to generate, focus, and irradiate laser light toward the workpiece surface of a base material. Laser processing devices are highly useful in industrial settings because they produce smooth surfaces, operate quietly, and enable precise and fine processing.

[0005] These laser processing devices are installed on a robot arm and used in one of two ways: in the form of a gun type, where the operator holds the device and directly welds the base material.

[0006] A head with a light nozzle is formed at the portion of the laser processing device facing the substrate, and an optical system comprising a number of lenses is provided inside the head. Accordingly, focused laser light can be irradiated from the optical system through the nozzle onto the substrate.

[0007] In addition, since the laser processing device generates heat in the head formed with the light nozzle and the optical system composed of a number of lenses, the heat is cooled using an air-cooling method or a water-cooling method.

[0008] Meanwhile, conventional laser welding torches may cause damage to the lens due to the diffuse reflection of the laser during the laser irradiation process, and in particular, the problem of the protective lens being damaged due to the diffuse reflection of the laser irradiated from the focus lens to the protective lens occurs.

[0009] In addition, conventional laser welding torches operate by the operator pressing a microswitch type trigger that controls whether or not the operation is performed. However, since this trigger is exposed to the outside, there is a problem that safety accidents may occur due to unwanted operation when the trigger is pressed during the process of holding the welding torch.

[0010] In addition, since the conventional laser welding torch has a single configuration of the laser welding torch terminal and the laser generator terminal when electrically connecting with the laser generator, if poor contact occurs, problems may arise in which laser irradiation is not performed smoothly or the operation itself is not performed.

[0011] In addition, conventional laser welding torches have a problem in that the pressure increases due to the acceleration of the gas as it is discharged from the inside to the outside, and this increase in pressure causes unstable gas discharge, which prevents welding from proceeding smoothly.

[0012] In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a laser welding torch capable of preventing damage to a protective lens due to diffuse reflection of a laser.

[0013] In addition, it has a different purpose of preventing safety accidents by preventing the worker from pressing the trigger unintentionally while holding the laser welding torch, compared to the conventional method.

[0014] In addition, another purpose is to improve the structure of the terminal that implements electrical contact between the laser generator and the laser welding torch compared to the conventional one to ensure smooth operation.

[0015] In addition, another purpose is to provide convenience in welding by preventing unstable gas emission due to gas acceleration when releasing gas from the inside to the outside, compared to the conventional method.

[0016] As a means of solving the problem of the conventional art described above, a laser welding torch having a lens protection function according to the present invention is characterized in that a plurality of lenses are provided inside a torch body (10) so as to change the irradiation angle of a laser, the laser welding torch is provided in the torch body (10) so as to be positioned between a focus lens (20) and a protection lens (30), and a lens protection socket (100) is included to confine a laser that is diffusely reflected from the protection lens (30) toward the focus lens (20) to prevent damage to the protection lens (30).

[0017] In addition, it is preferable that the lens protection socket (100) includes a first through hole (110) formed so as to extend from one surface of the lens protection socket (100) to the other surface, and a groove (120) formed on the outer surface of the lens protection socket (100) facing the protection lens (30) so as to confine the laser reflected from the protection lens (30) so as not to be irradiated back toward the protection lens (30).

[0018] In addition, it is preferable that the first through hole (110) is formed in the shape of a long hole with an opening width that narrows from the focus lens (20) toward the protective lens (30).

[0019] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned home portions (120) are formed in multiple numbers with the same spacing in the outward direction centered on the first through hole (110).

[0020] In addition, the laser welding torch further includes a safety cover (200) for controlling whether a trigger (15) provided in the torch body (10) operates, and the safety cover (200) is provided so as to be rotatable with the torch body (10) so that whether the trigger (15) is exposed to the outside can be determined by rotation, and it is preferable that the safety cover (200) is opened and closed by the elastic force of the first elastic body (210).

[0021] In addition, the laser welding torch includes a terminal member (300) provided on the inside of the torch body (10) so as to make electrical contact between the torch body (10) and the laser generator (40), and it is preferable that the terminal members (300) operate individually as a pair to make electrical contact with the laser generator (40).

[0022] In addition, it is preferable that each of the terminal members (300) includes a terminal (310) formed to protrude from the inner surface of a joining hole (11) formed in the torch body (10) so that a laser generator (40) is inserted therein, and a second elastic body (320) provided so that the protruding terminal (310) can move by elastic force when inserted into or separated from the joining hole (11).

[0023] In addition, the laser welding torch includes a pressure control socket (400) to prevent pressure from increasing due to an increase in acceleration of the gas supplied when the gas is discharged from the inside of the torch body (10) to the outside. Preferably, the pressure control socket (400) includes a first control socket (410) provided inside the torch body (10) so as to be positioned in front of the focus lens (20) in the direction in which the gas is discharged, and a second control socket (420) positioned in front of the first control socket (410).

[0024] In addition, it is preferable that the first control socket (410) includes a second through hole (411) formed in a long hole shape extending from one side to the other side, and a first distribution hole (413) formed in a plurality of radial holes so that some of the gas that did not flow into the second through hole (411) can be dispersed and supplied toward the second control socket (420).

[0025] In addition, it is preferable that the second control socket (420) includes a third through hole (421) formed in a perforated shape extending from one side to the other, a second distribution hole (423) formed radially in the second control socket (420) so as to be located on the inner side of the third through hole (421) to disperse gas, and a third distribution hole (425) formed radially in the outer side of the third through hole (421) so that the gas dispersed through the second distribution hole (423) can be discharged in the direction of the discharge hole (13) of the torch body (10).

[0026] In addition, a step portion (427) having different heights is formed on the outer surface of the second control socket (420) facing the discharge hole (13), and the outer surface of the step portion (427) forms an inclined surface (429) having a predetermined angle. When the step portion (427) is formed in a plurality of configurations, it is preferable that the outer surface of each of the step portions (427) be formed with an inclined surface (429) having a different angle.

[0027] In addition, it is preferable that a fixing protrusion is further formed on the outer surface of the second control socket (420), and the fixing protrusion is detachably combined with a groove formed in the torch body (10) by shape matching so that the second control socket (420) is in a fixed state.

[0028] According to the present invention, unlike the conventional one, a lens protection socket (100) is provided with a plurality of grooves (120) formed between a focus lens (20) and a protection lens (30), thereby satisfying a structure for confining a laser beam scattered in the grooves (120), thereby preventing damage to the protection lens (30).

[0029] In addition, unlike the conventional one, the safety cover (200) that covers the trigger (15) is installed rotatably with the torch body (10), thereby preventing the trigger (15) from being pressed due to operator error, thereby preventing safety accidents.

[0030] In addition, unlike the conventional method, it is expected that at least one of the terminal members (300) that operate individually in a plurality of configurations inside the joint hole (11) of the torch body (10) will make electrical contact with the laser generator (40), thereby enabling smooth operation of the welding torch (1).

[0031] In addition, unlike conventional methods, it is expected that the gas will be dispersed and released during welding, thereby preventing pressure from increasing due to the acceleration of the gas, thereby providing convenience in welding.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a laser welding torch having a lens protection function according to the present invention.

[0033] Figures 2 and 3 are drawings illustrating a lens protection socket for Figure 1.

[0034] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lens protection socket for Fig. 2.

[0035] Figure 5 is a drawing showing a safety cover for Figure 1.

[0036] Figure 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of Figure 5.

[0037] Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the terminal member for Fig. 1.

[0038] Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the laser generator combined with Fig. 7.

[0039] Fig. 9a is a front perspective view of the first control socket among the pressure control sockets for Fig. 1.

[0040] Fig. 9b is a rear perspective view of the first control socket among the pressure control sockets for Fig. 1.

[0041] Fig. 10 is a drawing showing the coupling relationship between the torch body and the first control socket of Fig. 1.

[0042] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the first control socket for Fig. 9.

[0043] Figures 12 and 13 are drawings showing the second control socket among the pressure control sockets for Figure 1.

[0044] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 12.

[0045] Figure 15 is a diagram of the working relationship for Figure 14.

[0046] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 14.

[0047] Fig. 17 is an exploded perspective view showing the connection between the second control socket and the torch body of Fig. 12.

[0048] Hereinafter, a laser welding torch having a lens protection function according to the present invention (hereinafter, simply referred to as “welding torch”) will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0049] Before the explanation, the welding torch (1) according to the present invention means a conventional laser welding machine that can perform welding using gas and a laser supplied to a torch body (10), and a plurality of lenses are provided inside the torch body (10), and a plurality of circulation paths and gas supply paths are formed on the outer surface of the torch body (10) through which cooling water can circulate to perform cooling. However, in order to clearly understand the gist of the present invention, a structural description of the torch body (10) will be omitted.

[0050] First, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8, the welding torch (1) according to the present invention includes a lens protection socket (100), a safety cover (200), a terminal member (300), and a pressure control socket (400), and the above-described components are formed inside or outside the torch body (10).

[0051] To explain in more detail, the lens protection socket (100) is provided inside the torch body (10) so as to be positioned between the focus lens (20) and the protection lens (30), and includes a first through hole (110) and a groove (120) to prevent the protection lens (30) from being damaged due to the diffuse reflection of the laser (L).

[0052] For example, as shown, the first through hole (110) is formed to extend from one side of the lens protection socket (100) (e.g., the side facing the focus lens) to the other side (e.g., the side facing the protection lens) to provide a path for gas (G) or laser (L) to move.

[0053] The first through hole (110) is formed to have the shape of a long hole, but the opening width on one side is formed to be narrower than the opening width on the other side.

[0054] Here, the reason why the first through hole (110) has a long hole shape is to satisfy a situation in which the laser generator (40) that generates the laser and the torch body (10) are combined with each other so that the laser can move back and forth in the left and right directions at a predetermined distance depending on the welding method when irradiating the laser.

[0055] In addition, the home portion (120) is formed on the other surface of the lens protection socket (100) facing the protection lens (30), and as shown, is formed in a plurality of configurations so as to have the same spacing in the outer direction of the first through hole (110).

[0056] Through this, as shown in Fig. 4, a portion of the laser that passes through the first through hole (110) and is reflected toward the lens protection socket (100) while passing through the protection lens is confined within the groove (120) and is not reflected again toward the protection lens (30), thereby preventing damage to the protection lens (30).

[0057] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the home portion (120) is shown as having three holes formed based on the first through hole (110), but this is only one embodiment, and it is possible to form fewer or more holes as needed.

[0058] In addition, the safety cover (200) is configured to prevent the trigger (15) that determines whether the welding torch (1) is always exposed to the outside and is rotatable with the torch body (10) from being erroneously operated by the worker.

[0059] For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the safety cover (200) is provided so that one side can be rotatably coupled with the torch body (10), and is opened and closed to cover or expose the trigger (15) that is always exposed to the outside of the torch body (10) through the rotation.

[0060] At this time, it is preferable that the safety cover (200) that is rotatably coupled to the torch body (10) is coupled to the shaft through a first elastic body (210) such as a torsion spring having elasticity, so that the safety cover (200) can be rotated so that the trigger (15) can be covered without applying a separate external force through the elasticity of the first elastic body (210).

[0061] That is, the trigger (15) pushed by the worker to operate (execute welding) the welding torch (1) of the present invention is made of a microswitch type, so that the operation can be performed even with a very small amount of pressure, and thus the trigger (15) operation can be performed due to the worker's lack of skill or carelessness.

[0062] Accordingly, in order to prevent the above malfunction, when using the welding torch (1), the outside of the trigger (15) is covered by an elastic safety cover (200), and the safety cover (200) is rotated so that the trigger (15) can be exposed to the outside to perform welding, thereby enabling the use of the welding torch (1) to prevent malfunction.

[0063] And, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the terminal member (300) includes a terminal (310) and a second elastic body (320) configured to electrically contact the laser generator (40) and receive the laser necessary for welding of the welding torch (1).

[0064] At this time, as illustrated, it is preferable that the terminal members (300) are provided in pairs in the longitudinal direction of the torch body (10) so that one of the terminal members (300) can make electrical contact with the contact terminal of the laser generator (40).

[0065] For example, as shown, the terminal (310) is formed to protrude inside the joint hole (11) formed in the torch body (10) so that the laser generator (40) can be inserted, and the protruding state can be maintained by the elastic force of the second elastic body (320) in the form of a coil spring.

[0066] Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 8, when the laser generator (40) is inserted into the joint hole (11), the plurality of contact terminals formed on the outer surface of the laser generator (40) and the plurality of terminals (310) individually correspond to each other and electrically contact each other, so that the second elastic body (320) moves to contract, and the malfunction of the welding torch (1) due to poor contact can be prevented through pressure applied by the continuous elastic force of the second elastic body (320).

[0067] In addition, the pressure control socket (400) includes a first control socket (410) and a second control socket (420) configured to prevent pressure from increasing due to an increase in acceleration of gas discharged to the outside through the discharge hole (13) inside the torch body (10), and the pressure control socket (400) is provided so that the first control socket (410) and the second control socket (420) can be maintained airtight inside the torch body (10) based on the direction of movement of the gas.

[0068] For example, as shown in FIGS. 9a to 11, the first control socket (410) for primarily reducing the pressure rise of the gas includes a second through hole (411) and a first distribution hole (413).

[0069] As shown, the second through hole (411) is formed to have a long hole shape extending from one side of the first control socket (410) (e.g., the side facing the protective lens) to the other side (e.g., the side facing the second control socket), and provides a path for gas flowing into the inside of the torch body (10) to move.

[0070] The first distribution hole (413) is formed with a number of perforations radially centered on the second through hole (411), and allows some of the undesired gas flowing into the second through hole (411) to be dispersed and introduced through collision with the first control socket (410).

[0071] At this time, it is preferable that a guide (415) is further formed on the outer surface of the first control socket (410) so that the dispersed gas flowing into the first distribution hole (413) can be easily guided and supplied to the first distribution hole (413).

[0072] Thus, as shown in Fig. 10, the surface (10a) of the torch body (10) facing the first control socket (410) is mounted in a manner that pressurizes the surface (410a) of the first control socket (410) to maintain a seal, and in order to fix this pressurized state, it is fixed by a fixing bolt (417) that penetrates a plurality of holes (H) formed in the torch body (10), thereby stably spraying gas.

[0073] Meanwhile, the hole (H) may be formed to have a long hole shape, and as shown in FIG. 17, the second control socket (420) may be coupled to the torch body (10) by the above-described fixing bolt (417), but preferably, the fixing protrusion (B) formed protruding toward the rear of the second control socket (420) may be inserted into and coupled to the groove (17) formed in the torch body (10) in a shape-fitting manner, and the head nozzle in which the discharge hole (13) is formed may also be provided in the torch body (10) so that the fixing protrusion (B) can be fitted into the groove (17).

[0074] In addition, the second control socket (420) includes a third through hole (421), a second distribution hole (423), and a third distribution hole (425) configured to guide the gas primarily distributed by the first control socket (410) described above to be secondarily distributed and concentrated in the direction of the discharge hole (13), as illustrated in FIGS. 12 to 16.

[0075] As shown, the third through hole (421) is formed to have a long hole shape extending from one side (e.g., the side facing the first control socket) to the other side (e.g., the side facing the discharge hole) to provide a path for gas to move.

[0076] At this time, it is preferable that the third through hole (421) be formed in a shape in which the width narrows in the direction from one side to the other so that the gas passing through the second control socket (420) can be collected and discharged in the direction of the discharge hole (13).

[0077] As shown, the second distribution hole (423) is formed with a number of radial holes on the side of the second control socket (420) to communicate with the third through hole (421), and allows some of the gas flowing into the third through hole (421) to be distributed through the second distribution hole (423).

[0078] As shown, the third distribution hole (425) is formed with a plurality of perforations to have a radial shape based on the third penetration hole (421) on the other side of the second control socket (420), and allows the gas dispersed through the second distribution hole (423) to be discharged in the direction of the discharge hole (13).

[0079] To this end, the third distribution hole (425) may be formed with perforations having different inclination angles so that the dispersed gas emitted through each of the third distribution holes (425) can be gathered in the direction of the discharge hole (13).

[0080] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the second control socket (420) may be formed with one or more stepped portions (427) having an inclined surface (429) so that the laser beam irradiated to the outside of the torch body (10) through the discharge hole (13) is reflected again when the laser beam is introduced into the torch body (10) through the discharge hole (13) due to diffused reflection, and is irradiated to the outside of the torch body (10) through the discharge hole (13).

[0081] Here, as shown, the step portion (427) is formed to have different heights in the direction of the discharge hole (13) on the other surface of the second control socket (420), and the outer surface of each step portion (427) is formed with an inclined surface (429) having a different angle, so that the laser introduced through the discharge hole (13) can be radiated again toward the discharge hole (13) by the inclined surface (429).

[0082] As described above, the welding torch (1) according to the present invention has a lens protection socket (100) having a plurality of grooves (120) formed between a focus lens (20) and a protection lens (30), which is different from the conventional one, and thus satisfies the structure of confining the laser beam scattered in the grooves (120), thereby having the effect of preventing damage to the protection lens (30).

[0083] In addition, unlike the conventional one, the safety cover (200) that covers the trigger (15) is installed rotatably with the torch body (10), thereby preventing the trigger (15) from being pressed due to operator error, thereby preventing safety accidents.

[0084] In addition, unlike the conventional method, it is expected that at least one of the terminal members (300) that operate individually in a plurality of configurations inside the joint hole (11) of the torch body (10) will make electrical contact with the laser generator (40), thereby enabling smooth operation of the welding torch (1).

[0085] In addition, unlike conventional methods, it is expected that the gas will be dispersed and released during welding, thereby preventing pressure from increasing due to the acceleration of the gas, thereby providing convenience in welding.

Claims

1. In a laser welding torch having a plurality of lenses inside the torch body (10) to change the laser irradiation angle, The above laser welding torch A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that it includes a lens protection socket (100) which is provided in the torch body (10) so as to be positioned between the focus lens (20) and the protection lens (30), and which confines the laser beam that is scattered from the protection lens (30) toward the focus lens (20) to prevent damage to the protection lens (30).

2. In paragraph 1, The above lens protection socket (100) A first through hole (110) formed to extend from one side of the lens protection socket (100) to the other side; and A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized by including a groove (120) formed on the outer surface of the lens protection socket (100) facing the protective lens (30) so as to confine the laser beam reflected from the protective lens (30) so as not to be irradiated again in the direction of the protective lens (30).

3. In paragraph 2, The above first through hole (110) A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that the aperture width is narrowed in the direction from the focus lens (20) to the protection lens (30) in the shape of a long hole.

4. In paragraph 2, The above home part (120) A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that a plurality of lenses are formed with equal spacing in the outward direction centered on the first through hole (110).

5. In paragraph 1, The above laser welding torch Further comprising a safety cover (200) for controlling whether the trigger (15) provided in the above torch body (10) operates; The above safety cover (200) is provided so as to be rotatable with the torch body (10) so that the external exposure of the trigger (15) can be determined by rotation. A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that the safety cover (200) above is opened and closed by the elastic force of the first elastic body (210).

6. In paragraph 1, The above laser welding torch A terminal member (300) provided on the inside of the torch body (10) to allow electrical contact between the torch body (10) and the laser generator (40); A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that the terminal member (300) operates individually as a pair to make electrical contact with the laser generator (40).

7. In paragraph 6, Each of the above terminal members (300) A terminal (310) formed protrudingly on the inner surface of a joining hole (11) formed in the torch body (10) so that a laser generator (40) is inserted; and A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that it includes a second elastic body (320) that is provided so that the protruding terminal (310) can be inserted into the inside of the joining hole (11) or moved by elastic force when separated.

8. In paragraph 1, The above laser welding torch Including a pressure control socket (400) to prevent pressure from increasing due to an increase in acceleration of the gas supplied when the gas is discharged from the inside to the outside of the torch body (10); A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that the pressure control socket (400) includes a first control socket (410) provided on the inside of the torch body (10) so as to be positioned in front of the focus lens (20) in the direction in which gas is emitted, and a second control socket (420) positioned in front of the first control socket (410).

9. In paragraph 8, The above first control socket (410) A second through hole (411) formed in the shape of a long hole extending from one side to the other; and A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized by including a first dispersion hole (413) formed radially in a plurality of holes so that some of the gas that did not flow into the second penetration hole (411) can be dispersed and supplied in the direction of the second control socket (420).

10. In paragraph 8, The above second control socket (420) A third through hole (421) formed by perforation so as to have a long hole shape extending from one side to the other side; A second distribution hole (423) formed radially in the second control socket (420) so as to be positioned on the inner surface of the third through hole (421) to disperse gas; and A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that it includes a third dispersion hole (425) in which a plurality of perforations are formed radially in the outer direction of the third penetration hole (421) and which allows gas dispersed through the second dispersion hole (423) to be discharged in the direction of the discharge hole (13) of the torch body (10).

11. In paragraph 10, On the outer surface of the second control socket (420) facing the discharge hole (13) A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that a step portion (427) having different heights is formed, and the outer surface of the step portion (427) forms an inclined surface (429) having a predetermined angle, and when the step portion (427) is formed in a plurality of configurations, the outer surface of each of the step portions (427) can form an inclined surface (429) having a different angle.

12. In paragraph 10, A laser welding torch having a lens protection function, characterized in that a fixing protrusion is further formed on the outer surface of the second control socket (420), and the fixing protrusion is detachably combined with a groove formed in the torch body (10) in a shape that matches the shape so that the second control socket (420) is in a fixed state.

Images