Modular Handheld Laser Nozzle Assembly for Fast Process Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-power laser devices for material processing are expensive and impractical for smaller-scale users, limiting their accessibility for applications like cutting, welding, and other material processes, as existing systems are costly and inflexible.
Innovation Solution
A handheld laser system with a modular nozzle assembly that uses a twist-lock mechanism for easy nozzle swapping, allowing the same device to perform multiple material processing operations without the need for separate equipment, featuring a coupling mechanism with a retaining portion and engagement portion for secure attachment and gas supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate laser equipment are used for different material processing operations, then each operation can be performed with dedicated equipment, but equipment cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The handheld laser device employs a universal laser source and control system that can work with multiple types of nozzles (cutting nozzle, welding nozzle, cleaning nozzle, etc.) to perform different material processing operations. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple dedicated equipment, reducing overall system complexity and cost while maintaining versatility across cutting, welding, cleaning, and other material processing tasks
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate laser equipment are used for different material processing operations, then each operation has optimized performance, but equipment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a single handheld laser device with a universal laser source that can be coupled to different nozzles for various operations. This eliminates the need to purchase and maintain multiple separate laser equipment, significantly reducing equipment cost while still providing optimized performance for each specific operation through nozzle-specific design
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the material processing functionality into modular components: a universal laser source and operation-specific nozzles. This segmentation allows the expensive laser source to be shared across multiple operations, while only the relatively inexpensive nozzles need to be swapped depending on the task, thereby reducing overall equipment cost
3Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle swapping is required for different material processing operations, then equipment versatility is improved, but processing time increases due to nozzle changeover
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism incorporates a quick-release design with movable locking components that allow nozzles to be rapidly attached and detached. The dynamic locking mechanism can be quickly actuated to secure or release nozzles, minimizing the time required for nozzle changeover while maintaining secure attachment during operation
4Ease of operation
If a modular nozzle assembly with coupling mechanism is used, then nozzle swapping ease is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism uses simple dynamic elements such as spring-loaded locking arms and cam-actuated release mechanisms that provide easy nozzle swapping through minimal user action. These dynamic components automatically engage or disengage with simple movements, making nozzle replacement intuitive and quick without requiring complex procedures
Data Source
AI summary
A nozzle assembly for performing material processing operations with a handheld laser system on a surface of a workpiece. The handheld laser system comprises a laser source configured to generate laser radiation, a handheld device that guides the laser radiation, and an optical fiber coupling the handheld device to the laser source, and the nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle configured to deliver the laser radiation to the surface, and a coupling mechanism that includes a retaining portion formed on an output end of the handheld device, and an engagement portion configured to be releasably attachable to the nozzle and engage with the retaining portion.