Fiber Laser Beam Machine Shock-Absorbing Cable Holder

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber laser beam machines lack a mechanism to reduce damage to the fiber and fiber connector when the machining head collides with them.

Innovation Solution

A fiber laser beam machine design that includes a flexible cable holding device to house the fiber, a fixing section to securely attach the cable holding device to the machining head, and resilient machining-head fixing bolts to absorb impact, preventing positional and angular deviation between the machining head and the fiber.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the fiber is directly connected to the machining head, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fiber and fiber connector are vulnerable to damage during collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidfiber and fiber connector damage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a shock-absorbing mechanism with resilient members (springs or rubber buffers) positioned between the machining head and the fiber connector. These resilient members are pre-installed to absorb impact energy before it reaches the fiber, providing beforehand protection against collision damage while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If a shock-absorbing mechanism is introduced to protect the fiber, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber and fiber connector damage resistanceVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shock-absorbing mechanism is nested within the existing machining head structure. The resilient members are integrated into the holder or mounting structure, with the fiber passing through or alongside the cushioning elements. This nesting approach allows the protective function to be incorporated without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If the fiber is made more flexible to reduce damage, then the damage resistance improves, but the positional precision and machining accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiber damage resistanceVSAvoidmachining accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the fiber assembly. The fiber itself maintains its standard optical properties for precise beam transmission, while the holder or protective sheath containing the fiber is designed with shock-absorbing characteristics. This local differentiation allows the fiber to remain precise while the surrounding structure provides flexibility and damage resistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9550253B2Fiber laser beam machine

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A fiber laser beam machine includes a machining head that condenses a laser beam and irradiates the laser beam on a workpiece; a fiber that guides the laser beam output from a laser oscillator to the machining head; a fiber connector that fixedly joins the fiber to the machining head; a cable holding device such as a cable bear (registered trademark) that is flexible, is in a U shape, and houses the fiber; and a fixing section that fixedly joins the cable holding device to the machining head.