Laser Groove Control for Grain-Oriented Steel Magnetic Domain Refining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for permanently refining magnetic domains in grain-oriented electrical steel strips, such as temporary and permanent domain refining methods, face challenges including increased manufacturing costs, damage to insulating coatings, environmental concerns, and complexity in controlling groove formation, leading to inefficiencies in reducing iron loss and enhancing magnetic flux density.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a laser to refine magnetic domains by adjusting the steel strip's position and tension, detecting groove defects, and correcting the laser focal point to optimize groove formation, ensuring consistent and high-quality processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a laser beam is irradiated to form a molten groove on the steel strip surface, then magnetic domain refining efficiency is improved, but groove formation depth and width control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemagnetic domain refining efficiencyVSAvoidgroove formation depth and width control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a feedback control mechanism where the position of the steel strip is continuously monitored and adjusted in real-time during laser irradiation. This ensures that the groove formation depth and width remain consistent by dynamically compensating for position deviations, thereby resolving the control difficulty while maintaining high refining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes laser processing parameters including irradiation speed, laser power, and focal point position to achieve precise groove formation. By carefully controlling these parameters, the system maintains consistent groove depth and width while preserving high magnetic domain refining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the laser focal point position is not accurately controlled, then processing speed can be maintained, but groove formation quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidgroove formation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements real-time feedback control of the laser focal point position relative to the steel strip. This allows the system to maintain optimal groove formation quality even at high processing speeds by continuously adjusting the focal point position based on detected strip position variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary positioning and alignment adjustments before laser irradiation begins. This preliminary action ensures that the laser focal point is correctly positioned on the strip surface, enabling high-quality groove formation from the start of processing without requiring speed reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If real-time defect detection and correction is implemented, then product quality is improved, but equipment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct qualityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a feedback system that detects groove defects in real-time during laser processing and automatically triggers correction actions. This feedback mechanism improves product quality by identifying and correcting defects as they occur, while the automated nature of the system minimizes the operational complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-correction of groove formation defects through automated adjustment mechanisms that respond to detected anomalies. This self-service capability allows the equipment to maintain high product quality while reducing the need for complex external monitoring and intervention systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 approach improves iron loss reduction and magnetic flux density by 5% or more before and after heat treatment, minimizes defective product production, and enhances productivity by allowing real-time defect detection and correction, while maintaining equipment in an optimal state.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam irradiating step of forming a groove on a surface of the steel strip by irradiating a laser beam onto the surface of the steel strip to melt the steel strip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser heating: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3561089B1Method for refining magnetic domain of grain-oriented electrical steel plate and device therefor
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 POSCO HLDG INC
  • EP3561089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3561089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3561089B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for refining a magnetic domain of a grain-oriented electrical steel strip is provided, including a steel strip supporting roll position adjusting step of controlling a position of the steel strip in a vertical direction while supporting the steel strip proceeding along a production line, a laser irradiating step of forming a groove on a surface of the steel strip by irradiating a laser beam onto the surface of the steel strip to melt the steel strip, and a detecting step of detecting a defect in the groove formed on the surface of the steel strip while the steel strip proceeds, so as to be able to detect whether the groove is defective by confirming a machining state of a magnetic domain refined groove formed on the surface of the steel strip in a working process.