Laser Beam Shielding Element for Reflection Containment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy beam processing apparatuses, such as those using laser beams, lack an effective functional and constructive design to prevent unwanted redirection of primary and secondary energy beams away from the intended processing region, posing safety and quality concerns.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a shielding device that includes a shielding element with a base body and contact portion, capable of directing primary energy beams and shielding secondary beams, featuring adjustable dimensions, elastic materials, and adaptive geometry to ensure precise alignment and containment, along with an atmosphere and pressure monitoring system to maintain operational integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no shielding device is used, then the apparatus structure is simple and easy to operate, but the energy beam may be redirected to unwanted regions causing safety and quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element acts as an intermediary component between the processing device and workpiece, containing both primary and secondary energy beams within a defined channel. This mediator structure prevents harmful beam redirection while maintaining a relatively simple overall apparatus design.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding element is divided into distinct functional segments: a base body forming the main structure, a contact portion for workpiece interaction, and a defined channel for beam containment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design manageable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid shielding structure is used, then beam containment is effective, but the shielding device cannot adapt to different workpiece geometries and positions
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is designed with elastic properties, allowing it to deform and adapt to different workpiece surfaces and geometries. This dynamic characteristic enables the rigid base body to maintain beam containment while the flexible contact portion ensures proper positioning and sealing against various workpiece configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact portion utilizes elastic material properties similar to flexible shells, enabling it to conform to different workpiece surfaces while maintaining the integrity of the beam containment channel. This flexibility allows adaptation to various geometries without compromising the shielding function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the shielding element is designed with fixed dimensions, then manufacturing is simple, but it cannot accommodate different processing distances and configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding element is segmented into a base body with fixed, easily manufacturable dimensions and a contact portion with adjustable elastic properties. This segmentation allows the main structure to be manufactured simply while the contact portion can be adjusted or replaced to accommodate different processing distances and configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic properties of the contact portion allow for parameter adjustments in terms of deformation and positioning. By changing the material properties or dimensions of the elastic contact portion, the shielding element can adapt to different processing parameters while maintaining the overall simple structure of the base body.
4Manufacturing precision
If monitoring systems are added to maintain operational integrity, then processing quality and safety improve, but the apparatus complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic contact portion provides inherent feedback through its deformation behavior, indicating whether proper contact and sealing are achieved. This passive feedback mechanism monitors operational integrity without requiring complex active sensing systems, maintaining processing quality while minimizing added complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Apparatus (1) for processing of a workpiece (2) by means of at least one energy beam, particularly a laser beam, the apparatus (1) comprising: -a processing device (4) configured to direct at least one primary energy beam (3), particularly a primary laser beam, towards a workpiece (2) so as to process the workpiece (2), -a shielding device (7) configured to shield the at least one primary energy beam and/or at least one secondary energy beam, particularly generated by reflection of the at least one primary energy beam at the workpiece (2), the shielding device (8) configured to extend between the processing device (4), particularly an energy beam exit window (5) of the processing device (4), and a workpiece (2) which is to be processed by means of the processing device and apparatus, respectively (1).