Cyclone Airflow Shielding for Laser Welding Optics Glass
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for protecting the protective glass of a laser look in laser hybrid welding heads are inefficient, leading to frequent replacements and reduced productivity due to increased development of welding smoke and splashes with higher laser performance.
Innovation Solution
A cyclone-based air flow generation system with a rotation-symmetrical hollow body and tangentially introduced gaseous medium, which creates a radial air flow to protect the protective glass, optimizing air flow distribution and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher laser power is used to increase welding speed and penetration, then productivity and welding quality are improved, but the generation of welding smoke and spatter increases, leading to more frequent protective glass replacement
Solution Approach 1:
A protective airflow is generated in advance and maintained continuously over the protective glass surface before contamination occurs. The airflow system is pre-configured with cyclone structures and multiple inlet openings that create a protective barrier, preventing welding smoke and spatter from reaching the glass surface during the welding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a gaseous medium (air or protective gas) delivered through a nozzle system with cyclone structures to create a protective airflow field. The pneumatic system generates controlled air currents that flow over the protective glass, using gas dynamics to remove or deflect contaminants away from the optical surface.
2Reliability
If traditional air flow systems are used to protect the protective glass, then some protection is provided, but turbulence and backflow occur, reducing the protective effect and still requiring frequent glass replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The air supply system is divided into multiple independent inlet openings (at least three) distributed around the nozzle perimeter. Each inlet feeds into separate cyclone structures, creating multiple stable vortex flows that combine to form a uniform protective pattern. This segmentation prevents turbulence by distributing the airflow input across multiple controlled channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Cyclone structures with curved, rotationally symmetrical hollow bodies are used to guide the gaseous medium through tangential inlet openings. The curved geometry creates controlled rotational flow patterns that stabilize the air current, eliminating turbulence and backflow while maintaining continuous protective coverage over the glass surface.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If more air is used to increase the protective effect, then contamination is reduced, but the interaction with cross-jet suction creates turbulence and reduces protection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle system is designed with localized cyclone structures at specific positions around the perimeter, with inlet openings strategically placed to create targeted airflow zones. Each local cyclone structure generates a stable vortex that protects a specific area of the protective glass, allowing precise control of airflow distribution without creating overall turbulence.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively extends the service life of the protective glass and reduces maintenance intervals, maintaining high productivity while minimizing turbulence and backflows.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclone, a rotationally symmetrical hollow body with a cylindrical area with a supply line for a gaseous medium for generating the airflow
Implementation Method 2
which creates a radial air flow to protect the protective glass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for generating an airflow to protect the protective glass (24) of a laser optic (21) of a laser hybrid welding head (20) for processing a workpiece (W), comprising a cyclone (2) including a rotationally symmetrical hollow body (3) with a cylindrical section (4) with a supply line (5) for a gaseous medium for generating the airflow, which supply line (5) is connected to several inlets (6), and with a conical section (7) that tapers towards the workpiece (W) to be processed and opens into a circular outlet (8), as well as a laser hybrid welding head (20) with such a device (1). According to the invention, the supply line (5) for the gaseous medium opens tangentially into a substantially circular channel (9) and the inlets (6) are arranged on the inside of the channel (9).This results in optimal flow of the gaseous medium in the cyclone (2) and optimal protection of the protective glass (24).