Laser-Guided Joining Tool Gripper Without Light-Proof Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining tool units require expensive and complex designs to protect operators from laser radiation, which increases costs and complexity, especially in automated processes.
Innovation Solution
A joining tool unit with a hold-down device, a movable tool, and a tool counter element, equipped with a light guiding system that directs a light beam towards the joint location, allowing for safe and efficient joining of hard workpieces without the need for a light-proof housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-proof housing is provided to protect operators from laser radiation, then operator safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-proof housing from the joining tool unit, eliminating the need for a complete enclosed housing. Instead, only essential radiation protection measures are retained, significantly simplifying the device structure while maintaining operator safety through targeted protection approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective plate as an intermediary element between the laser beam and the surrounding environment. This plate redirects the laser beam along a defined path, serving as a mediator that controls radiation exposure without requiring a complete light-proof enclosure, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining safety.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a light-proof housing is provided to protect operators from laser radiation, then operator safety is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the expensive light-proof housing component from the design, extracting only the essential radiation protection function. This is achieved by using a reflective plate and open tool design, which significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate operator protection through controlled beam redirection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a reflective plate as a simple, cost-effective radiation control element instead of investing in expensive light-proof housing. The reflective plate provides the necessary radiation management function at a fraction of the cost of a complete enclosed housing system, making the overall device more economically viable.
3Manufacturing precision
If a light guiding system is used to direct light beam to joint location, then joining precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a reflective plate as an intermediary optical element to redirect the laser beam to the joint location. This simple reflective surface provides the necessary beam direction control without requiring complex light guiding systems, maintaining joining precision while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical light guiding systems with a simpler optical reflection approach. Instead of using elaborate lenses, mirrors, or fiber optic systems, the invention employs a reflective plate to redirect the beam, substituting a complex mechanical-optical system with a simpler reflective mechanism that achieves the same positioning function.
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
The solution enables safe and efficient joining of hard workpieces by directing a light beam towards the joint location, reducing the need for expensive radiation protection measures and simplifying the design of the joining tool unit.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding system is formed on the hold-down device, wherein the light guiding system is designed to conduct a light beam of a light in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
the joining tool unit is configured such that the workpiece part, on which the movable tool acts, can be heated by a light
Data Source
AI summary
A joining tool unit including a hold-down device with a movable tool and a tool counter element. The hold-down device together with the movable tool and the tool counter element are provided opposite each other. A workpiece can be positioned between the hold-down device and the tool counter element in the arranged state. The movable tool and the tool counter element interact in order to form a joint connection. A light-guiding system is formed on the hold-down device, to conduct a light beam in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. A flow channel for a fluid is defined along a section of the light beam up to a workpiece-side end of the hold-down device.