Galvanoscanner With Rotating Optical Component for Laser Beam Oscillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional galvanoscanners face challenges in achieving favorable weld quality during weaving welding due to the need for high control cycles, which complicates the process and affects the energy density of the laser beam.
Innovation Solution
A galvanoscanner design incorporating a rotatable optical component with varying thickness and refractive index, driven by a rotary motor, allows for continuous variation in the beam position, enabling smooth oscillation and improved weld quality without increasing the control cycle of the galvano mirrors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If the beam diameter of laser beam is enlarged to increase weld width, then weld width is increased, but energy density of laser beam declines and favorable weld quality is no longer obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by oscillating the laser beam in a direction straddling the butt-welded part through high-speed rotation of the optical component. This periodic oscillation allows the laser beam to cover a wider area (increasing weld width) while maintaining concentrated energy delivery (preserving energy density and weld quality). The oscillation pattern enables the beam to repeatedly pass over the weld zone, distributing energy effectively across the required width without sacrificing penetration depth.
2Area of moving object
If weaving welding is performed by controlling galvano mirrors at high speed, then weld width is secured, but control cycle of several hundred Hz is required and favorable weld quality is not easily obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical control system (galvano mirrors requiring high-speed electronic control) with a mechanical rotation system (optical component rotated by rotary motor). This substitution transforms the control mechanism from electronic signal processing at several hundred Hz to mechanical rotation driven by a motor, simplifying the control architecture. The mechanical rotation inherently provides the oscillation motion needed for weaving welding, eliminating the need for complex real-time control algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical component acts as an intermediary between the laser beam source and the workpiece. By introducing this intermediate element with varying thickness, the system achieves beam oscillation without directly controlling the galvano mirrors at high speeds. The optical component mediates the beam path, using its physical properties (thickness variation) to modulate the beam position, thereby simplifying the overall control system while maintaining weld quality.
3Ease of operation
If galvano mirrors are used for scanning, then laser beam can be directed to workpiece, but complex control is required for weaving welding and energy density is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the galvano mirror scanning mechanism with a rotary motor-driven optical component. This mechanical substitution replaces the electronic control-based galvano system with a mechanically-driven oscillation system. The rotary motor provides continuous rotational motion that inherently creates the beam oscillation needed for weaving welding, eliminating the need for complex electronic control cycles and simplifying the operation while maintaining beam scanning capability.
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
This design simplifies the control process for weaving welding, achieving favorable weld quality by allowing the laser beam to smoothly oscillate and maintain energy density, thus enhancing the weld quality without the need for complex optical system modifications.
Implementation Method 1
an optical component (2) that is arranged so that the laser beam (L) incident on the galvano mirror (51) is incident in a thickness (T) direction... and has a refractive index that differs from a surrounding
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a galvanoscanner enabling execution of weaving welding whereby favorable weld quality is easily obtained. A galvanoscanner (50) includes: two galvano mirror (51, 52) that is configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis (X1, X2), and reflects a laser beam (L); a galvano motor (54, 54) that rotationally drives the galvano mirror (51, 52); an optical component (2) that is arranged so that the laser beam (L) incident on the galvano mirror (51, 52) is incident in a thickness direction (T), is configured to be rotatable about a rotating shaft (20), and has a refractive index that differs from a surrounding; and a rotary motor (4) that rotationally drives the optical component (2), in which the optical component (2) is arranged so that, in a cross section (C) in a thickness (T) direction, an incident side (21) and an emission side (22) are parallel to each other, and the incident side (21) is sloped relative to an optical axis (L1) of the laser beam (L) that is incident, and thickness (T) thereof continuously varies along a rotation direction.