Laser Head Cooling Water Mixing for Stable Antirust Concentration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for supplying cooling water to laser processing heads often result in variable antirust concentrations and cumbersome mixing processes, leading to individual differences and operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that maintain a constant ratio of water to antirust, automatically mixing and supplying cooling water to the laser processing head through connected supply paths and tanks, ensuring stable antirust concentration and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water and antirust are manually mixed in a container, then cooling water can be prepared, but the antirust concentration varies due to individual differences and the process is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mixing operationVSAvoidantirust concentration consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical mixing process with an automatic mixing system that uses a mixing pump to draw water and antirust from their respective storage tanks and mix them in a mixing tank. This substitution eliminates individual differences in manual operation and ensures consistent antirust concentration through automated control of the mixing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing system operates autonomously without requiring manual intervention. The mixing pump automatically draws water and antirust, and the system self-regulates the mixing process, eliminating the need for operators to manually measure and mix the components, thereby ensuring consistent concentration and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If water and antirust are stirred and mixed in a container, then cooling water is prepared, but cooling water spills easily and the process is troublesome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling water preparation efficiencyVSAvoidease of mixing and pouring operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual process of stirring and pouring with an automated pumping system. The mixing pump automatically mixes water and antirust in the mixing tank and supplies the mixed cooling water to the storage tank, eliminating the need for manual stirring and pouring operations that are prone to spilling and inefficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing and supply process operates continuously without interruption. The mixing pump maintains a steady flow of water and antirust through the mixing tank and into the storage tank, ensuring continuous production of cooling water without the start-stop nature of manual mixing and pouring, thereby improving productivity and eliminating spilling risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Quantity of substance

If cooling water is stored in a storage tank after manual mixing, then cooling water is available for use, but the mixing process requires significant manual effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling water storage capacityVSAvoidmixing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the cooling water supply system into separate functional components: water storage tank, antirust storage tank, mixing tank, and supply storage tank. The mixing pump selectively draws from the water and antirust tanks and delivers to the supply tank, segmenting the complex mixing process into manageable, automated steps that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing tank serves as an intermediary between the water and antirust storage tanks and the final supply storage tank. The mixing pump acts as a mediator that automatically combines the two components in the mixing tank before delivering the mixed cooling water to the supply tank, simplifying the overall process by introducing controlled intermediate steps rather than requiring direct manual mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11878370B2Method of and apparatus for supplying cooling water to laser processing head and method of producing cooling water

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 AMADA HOLDINGS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of supplying cooling water to a laser processing head includes arranging a cooling water supply path connected to the laser processing head, connecting, to the cooling water supply path, a water supply path for supplying water and an antirust supply path for supplying antirust, keeping constant a ratio between a water quantity fed by a water feed means connected to the water supply path and an antirust quantity fed by an antirust feed means connected to the antirust supply path, mixing the water and antirust in the cooling water supply path, and supplying cooling water to the laser processing head.