Air-cooled welding gun

Abstract

An air-cooled welding gun, comprising: a welding gun body, an optical component, a gun head, and a fan. The optical component and the gun head are arranged inside the welding gun body, the gun head being arranged at the output end of the welding gun body, and the optical component comprising an optical lens; a flow channel allowing air flow is provided inside the welding gun body, the distribution area of the flow channel comprising the area where the optical lens is located; the fan is connected to the flow channel, and the fan is used for introducing an airflow into the flow channel and directing the airflow to an air outlet of the flow channel through a target area; the air outlet is provided on the air-cooled welding gun. The air-cooled welding gun not only prevents splashing during welding or cutting, but also eliminates the need for external air pipes or water pipes connected to compressed air cylinders or water coolers, thereby effectively improving the portability and flexibility of welding guns, realizing non-support use, and reducing environmental pollution and use costs.

Description

A type of air-cooled welding torch Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of laser welding technology, and more specifically to an air-cooled welding torch. Background Technology

[0002] Lasers can be applied to various industrial fields such as welding, cutting, cleaning, and additive manufacturing. With the emergence of handheld laser welding / cutting equipment, its portability and flexibility have led to its widespread use in space-constrained, outdoor, long-distance, and arbitrary-angle welding / cutting applications, making it one of the fastest-growing applications in future laser processing equipment. As the core component of handheld welding / cutting equipment, the portability and flexibility of the welding torch directly impact the user experience.

[0003] Because welding torches in related technologies require heat dissipation and protection against spatter during welding / cutting, water or compressed gas is usually circulated at the beginning and end of the welding torch fiber optic cable for cooling. High-pressure compressed gas is circulated at the light-emitting lens to prevent welding or cutting spatter and protect the light-emitting lens. This requires the welding torch to be connected to a compressed gas cylinder or water chiller via a gas or water hose, resulting in poor portability and flexibility of the welding torch.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a new type of supportless air-cooled welding torch is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide an air-cooled welding torch to solve the technical problems of poor portability and flexibility of the welding torches provided in the aforementioned related technologies.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an air-cooled welding torch, comprising: a welding torch body, an optical component, a torch head, and a fan. The optical component and the torch head are disposed inside the welding torch body, and the torch head is disposed at the output end of the welding torch body. The optical component includes an optical lens, and the welding torch body is provided with a flow channel for airflow. The distribution area of ​​the flow channel includes the area where the optical lens is located.

[0007] The fan is connected to the flow channel. The fan is used to introduce airflow into the flow channel and allow the airflow to flow through the target area to the air outlet of the flow channel. The air outlet is located on the air-cooled welding torch.

[0008] In some embodiments, the fan is located in either the tail region of the welding torch body or the region where the optical lens is located.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fan includes a axial fan and a centrifugal fan.

[0010] In some embodiments, the fan includes an intake fan and an exhaust fan.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fan has a diameter of less than 50 mm, a rotational speed of more than 20,000 rpm, a flow rate of more than 5 liters per second, and a wind pressure of more than 0.5 kPa.

[0012] In some embodiments, the flow channel is a trachea.

[0013] In some embodiments, the air-cooled welding torch further includes an optical cable that passes through the interior of the welding torch body and is connected to the optical component.

[0014] In some embodiments, the fan has a through hole at its center, the fan is located in the area where the optical cable is located, the optical cable passes through the through hole and is connected to the optical component, and the distribution area of ​​the flow channel includes the area where the optical cable and the optical component are located.

[0015] In some embodiments, the air outlet is located in the axial direction of the torch head and at a position away from the torch body.

[0016] In some embodiments, the air outlet is located at a position in the radial direction of the welding torch body.

[0017] This invention provides an air-cooled welding torch. By setting an airflow channel inside the torch body, the channel's distribution area includes the area where the optical lens is located. A fan is connected to the channel, allowing the fan to introduce airflow into the channel and guide it through the target area to the channel's outlet. This prevents spattering during welding or cutting. Furthermore, by placing the airflow channel inside the torch body, it eliminates the need for external air or water pipes to connect to compressed air cylinders or water coolers, effectively improving the torch's portability and flexibility, and enabling unreliant use. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0019] In the attached diagram:

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of an air-cooled welding torch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the air-cooled welding torch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the air-cooled welding torch provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the air-cooled welding torch provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the location of the air outlet of the flow channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another location of the air outlet of the flow channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] It should be understood that the steps described in the method embodiments of this disclosure may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. Furthermore, the method embodiments may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown. The scope of this disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0028] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended inclusions, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the description below.

[0029] In this invention embodiment, lasers can be applied to various industrial fields such as welding, cutting, cleaning, and additive manufacturing. With the emergence of handheld laser welding / cutting equipment, its portability and flexibility have led to its widespread use in space-constrained, outdoor, long-distance, and arbitrary-angle welding / cutting applications, making it one of the fastest-growing applications in future laser processing equipment. As the core component of handheld welding / cutting equipment, the portability and flexibility of the welding torch directly impact the user experience.

[0030] Because welding torches in related technologies require heat dissipation and protection against spatter during welding / cutting, water or compressed gas is usually circulated at the beginning and end of the welding torch fiber optic cable for cooling. High-pressure compressed gas is circulated at the light-emitting lens to prevent welding or cutting spatter and protect the light-emitting lens. This requires the welding torch to be connected to a compressed gas cylinder or water chiller via a gas or water hose, resulting in poor portability and flexibility of the welding torch.

[0031] Therefore, how to provide a new type of supportless air-cooled welding torch is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0032] To address the technical problems existing in related technologies, this invention provides an air-cooled welding torch. Please refer to Figure 1, which is a structural schematic diagram of an air-cooled welding torch provided in this invention. As shown in Figure 1, the air-cooled welding torch provided in this invention includes: a welding torch body, an optical component, a torch head, and a fan. The optical component and the torch head are disposed inside the welding torch body. The torch head is disposed at the output end of the welding torch body. The optical component includes an optical lens. The welding torch body has a flow channel for airflow, and the distribution area of ​​the flow channel includes the area where the optical lens is located. The fan is connected to the flow channel and is used to introduce airflow into the flow channel and allow the airflow to flow through the target area to the air outlet of the flow channel. The air outlet is disposed on the air-cooled welding torch.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fan can be located in either the tail region of the welding torch body or the region where the optical lens is located. The optical component provided in this embodiment is not limited to the optical lens; it can be any optical device required in the welding torch, and no specific limitation is made here.

[0034] Specifically, please refer to Figures 1 to 3 respectively. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the second structure of the air-cooled welding gun provided in the embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the third structure of the air-cooled welding gun provided in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] In some embodiments, the fan provided in this embodiment can be located in the tail region of the air-cooled welding torch, as shown in Figure 1. The distribution area of ​​the flow channel provided in this embodiment can include the area where the optical components are located. Thus, the airflow generated by the fan can be introduced through the flow channel inside the welding torch body into the area where the optical components are located, specifically into the high-temperature area where the optical lenses are located, to prevent spatter during welding or cutting. This not only protects the optical lenses but also dissipates heat from the welding torch.

[0036] In another embodiment, the fan provided in this embodiment can be located in the area where the optical lens is located, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Specifically, the fan can be located at the lower end of the optical lens, i.e., the position shown in Figure 2; or it can be located on the side of the optical lens, i.e., the position shown in Figure 3. The distribution area of ​​the flow channel provided in this embodiment can simply include the optical lens within the optical component. In this way, the airflow generated by the fan can be directly introduced into the high-temperature area where the optical lens is located through the flow channel inside the welding torch body, preventing spatter during welding or cutting. This not only protects the optical lens but also dissipates heat from the welding torch.

[0037] In this embodiment, the fan provided is mainly a micro high-speed fan with a diameter of less than 50 mm, a speed of more than 20,000 rpm, a flow rate of more than 5 liters per second, and a wind pressure of more than 0.5 kPa. This allows it to be directly installed on the air-cooled welding torch provided in this embodiment, thereby providing sufficient airflow to the inside of the air-cooled welding torch to remove the heat generated during the operation of the torch and achieve the purpose of heat dissipation. At the same time, it can also prevent spatter to protect the optical lenses.

[0038] It should be noted that the structural parameters of the fan provided in this embodiment, such as diameter and operating parameters such as rotational speed, are not limited to the values ​​provided in the above embodiment. They can also be adapted and adjusted according to the structural size of the welding torch used in actual applications. Therefore, no specific limitations are made here.

[0039] The fan provided in this embodiment may include a axial fan and a centrifugal fan, and the fan can operate in both intake and exhaust modes. Specifically, when the fan provided in this embodiment is an intake fan, the airflow direction is as shown in Figures 1-3; when the fan provided in this embodiment is an exhaust fan, the airflow direction is opposite to that shown in Figures 1-3.

[0040] Optionally, in order to achieve high-speed flow of air inside the air-cooled welding torch provided in this embodiment, the flow channel provided in this embodiment can be an air pipe, or it can be integrally formed with the welding torch body through technologies such as die casting and additive manufacturing (3D printing), as long as it can ensure high-speed flow of gas inside the air-cooled welding torch provided in this embodiment.

[0041] As an optional embodiment, the air-cooled welding gun provided in this embodiment may also include an optical cable, which passes through the inside of the welding gun body and is connected to the optical component so that the air-cooled welding gun can perform welding or cutting operations.

[0042] In this embodiment, after the air-cooled welding torch is connected to the optical cable, the center of the fan provided in this embodiment can be provided with a through hole. The fan can also be located in the area where the optical cable is located, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the fourth structure of the air-cooled welding torch provided in this embodiment. In this case, the distribution area of ​​the flow channel provided in this embodiment can include the area where the optical cable and the optical component are located. The optical cable can pass through the through hole and connect to the optical component. In this way, the airflow generated by the fan can be introduced into the high-temperature area where the optical cable and the optical component are located through the flow channel inside the welding torch body. This not only prevents spatter during welding or cutting to protect the optical lens, but also cools and dissipates heat from the surface of the optical cable, achieving the purpose of overall heat dissipation of the welding torch body.

[0043] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6 respectively. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of one position of the air outlet of the flow channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another position of the air outlet of the flow channel provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG5, the air outlet of the flow channel provided in this embodiment can be located in the axial direction of the torch head and away from the welding torch body. This allows the airflow generated by the fan to pass through the flow channel in the high-temperature region inside the air-cooled welding torch and be discharged from the axial direction of the torch head and away from the welding torch body. In other words, the airflow is guided parallel to the torch outlet, thereby protecting the lens, cooling the weld, and blowing away cutting material, achieving the purpose of high-quality welding and cutting applications. The airflow direction in the air-cooled welding torch in this embodiment can be referred to the airflow directions shown in FIG1-5.

[0045] In other embodiments, as shown in Figure 6, the air outlet of the flow channel provided in this embodiment can be located in the radial direction of the welding torch body, that is, the airflow is guided to exit in a direction perpendicular to the welding torch, so as to protect the lens and prevent excessive airflow from affecting the weld or cutting, thereby achieving high-quality welding and cutting applications. Using this embodiment of the invention, the optical lens inside the welding torch body can be quickly cooled and dissipated, preventing spatter during welding or cutting, and effectively ensuring the safety of the optical lens. In this embodiment, the airflow direction within the welding torch body can be as shown in Figures 1-4, and after the airflow passes through the optical lens, the airflow direction is as shown in Figure 6.

[0046] It should be noted that the air outlet of the flow channel provided in this embodiment is not limited to the position limited to the above embodiment. It can also be any other position that can allow the airflow to carry away the high-temperature heat generated by the optical component and discharge the high-temperature airflow. No specific limitation is made here.

[0047] In summary, this invention provides an air-cooled welding torch, comprising: a torch body, an optical component, a torch head, and a fan. The optical component and the torch head are disposed inside the torch body, with the torch head located at the output end of the torch body. The optical component includes an optical lens. The torch body has an internal flow channel for airflow, the flow channel covering the area where the optical lens is located. The fan is connected to the flow channel and is used to introduce airflow into the flow channel and guide it through the target area to the outlet of the flow channel. The outlet is located on the air-cooled welding torch. Using the air-cooled welding torch provided by this invention not only prevents spatter during welding or cutting but also eliminates the need for external air or water pipes connected to compressed air cylinders or water chillers, effectively improving the portability and flexibility of the welding torch and achieving unreliant use.

[0048] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0049] Furthermore, it should be noted that if any directional indication (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.) is involved in the embodiments of the present invention, the directional indication is only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of each component in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0050] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the meaning of "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions; for example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this invention, "multiple" refers to two or more. Moreover, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0051] The foregoing has provided a detailed description of an air-cooled welding torch according to the embodiments of this application. Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this application. The descriptions of the embodiments above are merely for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this application. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this application, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this application. Moreover, those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications without departing from the principles of this invention, and these improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An air-cooled welding torch, characterized in that, include: The welding torch includes a welding torch body, an optical component, a torch head, and a fan. The optical component and the torch head are located inside the welding torch body. The torch head is located at the output end of the welding torch body. The optical component includes an optical lens. The welding torch body has a flow channel for airflow. The distribution area of ​​the flow channel includes the area where the optical lens is located. The fan is connected to the flow channel. The fan is used to introduce airflow into the flow channel and allow the airflow to flow through the target area to the air outlet of the flow channel. The air outlet is located on the air-cooled welding torch.

2. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan is located in either the tail region of the welding torch body or the region where the optical lens is located.

3. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan includes a axial fan and a centrifugal fan.

4. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan includes an intake fan and an exhaust fan.

5. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fan has a diameter of less than 50 mm, a rotation speed of more than 20,000 rpm, a flow rate of more than 5 liters per second, and a wind pressure of more than 0.5 kPa.

6. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The flow channel is a trachea.

7. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-cooled welding torch also includes an optical cable, which passes through the interior of the welding torch body and connects to the optical component.

8. The air-cooled welding torch according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fan has a through hole at its center. The fan is located in the area where the optical cable is located. The optical cable passes through the through hole and is connected to the optical component. The distribution area of ​​the flow channel includes the area where the optical cable and the optical component are located.

9. The air-cooled welding torch according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The air outlet is located in the axial direction of the gun head and at a position away from the welding gun body.

10. The air-cooled welding torch according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The air outlet is located in the radial direction of the welding torch body.

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