Double-Walled Laser Protective Hood for Lighter Fiber Laser Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for thermal processing of workpieces using fiber lasers face challenges with cost-effectiveness, weight, and complexity due to the need for extensive protective enclosures and multiple laser light sensors to detect diffuse scattered light.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a fiber laser with a laser processing machine and a double-walled active laser protective hood with strategically placed laser light sensors, which reduces the weight and complexity of the protective system while maintaining effective protection against directed and diffuse laser radiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passive protective elements with large wall thickness are used to protect against fiber laser radiation, then protection reliability is improved, but device weight and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is divided into two distinct walls: an inner wall facing the laser source and an outer wall forming the external protective barrier. This segmentation allows each wall to be optimized independently - the inner wall can be thinner since it's protected by the outer wall, while the outer wall provides the primary protection. The cavity between them houses sensor elements for active monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity between the inner and outer walls acts as an intermediary space that houses sensor elements (such as laser light sensors or cameras) to actively detect laser radiation or damage. This intermediary layer enables active protection mechanisms without requiring the walls themselves to be excessively thick, thus reducing overall weight while maintaining or improving protection reliability.
2Reliability
If a complete enclosure with multiple laser light sensors is used to detect damage, then protection reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting laser radiation leakage, monitoring wall integrity, and triggering alarm signals. By making the sensor system multi-functional, fewer sensors are needed compared to having separate dedicated sensors for each function, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor elements provide continuous feedback about the protective element's condition and laser radiation levels. This feedback mechanism enables real-time monitoring and automatic alarm triggering when damage or excessive radiation is detected, improving reliability without requiring complex manual inspection systems.
3Reliability
If thick metal plates are used for passive protective elements, then protection against laser radiation is improved, but ease of manufacture and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Dividing the protective structure into two thinner walls (inner and outer) makes each component easier to manufacture compared to a single thick wall. Thinner plates are more manageable during fabrication, assembly, and installation, while the dual-wall configuration with cavity still provides equivalent or superior protection through the combined effect of both walls and the active monitoring system.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, lightweight, and easy-to-move protective system that ensures reliable protection against laser radiation, allowing for precise movement of the laser processing head and reduced downtimes in thermal processing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor element is a laser light sensor which is configured to detect laser radiation that strikes it
Implementation Method 2
In fiber lasers, the laser radiation is formed by laser-active dopants in the core of a glass fiber
Data Source
AI summary
A device for the thermal processing of a workpiece with a fiber laser, which generates laser radiation with a wavelength in a range, in particular, from 1020 nm to 1120 nm. The device includes a laser processing machine, having a support surface for the workpiece, a laser processing unit with a laser machining head, and a movement unit with a transverse gantry for moving the laser processing head relative to the support surface. A laser protective hood surrounds the laser processing head, is open towards the support surface, and is movable by the movement unit together with the laser processing head. The protective hood has an outer wall and an inner wall, and a cavity therebetween. At least one laser-light sensor is arranged in the cavity. A laser protection housing surrounds the laser processing machine and the protective hood in a hood-like manner.