Laser Lance Cover With Gas Flow for Clean Through-Hole Structuring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for laser structuring of cylinder openings in cylinder crankcases for internal combustion engines face contamination issues due to particle formation from vaporized material, which can impair the exit of laser radiation and affect the structuring result.
Innovation Solution
A device with a lance for emitting laser radiation and a covering device with integrated compressed gas guide to introduce compressed air, creating a localized and directed gas flow that effectively removes particles from the surface, minimizing contamination and enhancing the structuring process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If laser radiation is used to structure the surface of a through-opening in a cylinder crankcase, then the adhesion and quality of the structuring process is improved, but particles form from vaporized material that contaminate the lance and other components, impairing the exit of laser radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful particles are extracted and removed from the processing area by introducing compressed gas that flows through the through-opening, carrying particles away from the lance and preventing contamination of optical components
Solution Approach 2:
Compressed gas is introduced as an intermediary substance between the laser radiation source and the structured surface, serving as a medium to transport vaporized material away from the lance while allowing laser radiation to pass through unaffected
2Object-affected harmful factors
If air flow is introduced to expel particles from the lance and cylinder opening, then contamination is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional gas supply systems
Solution Approach 1:
The compressed gas system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it protects optical components from contamination, cools the structured surface, and prevents oxidation of vaporized material, eliminating the need for separate protective systems
Solution Approach 2:
The existing compressed gas infrastructure in industrial environments is utilized to power the particle removal system, and the gas flow automatically adjusts based on the processing conditions without requiring complex control mechanisms
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 effectively prevents contamination of the lance and other components, ensuring a clear path for laser radiation and improving the adhesion and quality of the structuring process, leading to better surface preparation for coatings.
Implementation Method 1
The laser radiation impinging on the surface vaporizes the material there, thereby forming depressions that, in combination, represent the surface structure to be formed
Implementation Method 2
pulSED laser radiation is emitted toward a surface to be structured and moved along this surface. The laser radiation impinging on the surface vaporizes the material there
Implementation Method 3
the method disclosed in EP 2 799 180 A2 provides for air to flow through the lance or through the annular space formed between the lance and the surface of the cylinder opening. The air flow expels the particles from the lance or the cylinder opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A device for structuring the surface of a through-opening 2 in a component 1, in particular a cylinder opening of a cylinder crankcase for an internal combustion engine, is provided. The device comprises a lance 4, which can be moved into the through-opening 2 by means of a movement device 5, wherein the lance 4 has means for emitting a laser beam 10 from a laser light source 3 towards the surface of the through-opening 2. Furthermore, a preferably plate-shaped cover device 14 is provided, which is designed for arrangement on an end face of the component 1, wherein the cover device 14 forms a passage opening 16, which is dimensioned such that the lance 4 can be moved through it.Such a device is characterized by the integration of a pressurized gas guide into the cover device 14, wherein the pressurized gas guide includes means for connecting to a pressurized gas source 31 and forms one or more outlet openings on the periphery of the passage opening 16.