Laser Welding Lens Locking Pin for Fail-Safe Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser welding machines face equipment damage and costly repairs due to improper installation and loosening of refractive lenses during operation, which can be exacerbated by frequent cleaning and reinstallation.
Innovation Solution
A locking and fail-safe system is implemented, featuring a spring pin member with a movable slide pin that locks into an alignment tab aperture, ensuring proper installation and preventing the lens assembly from being removed during operation, with sensors monitoring the pin's position to enable or disable the machine based on correct alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the lens assembly is made removable for frequent cleaning, then ease of maintenance is improved, but the risk of improper installation and loosening during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tab with aperture is pre-configured on the lens assembly, and the locking mechanism with slide pin is pre-positioned in the laser welding machine. When the lens assembly is installed, the aperture automatically aligns with the slide pin, enabling immediate locking without requiring additional alignment steps or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide pin acts as an intermediary locking element between the laser welding machine housing and the lens assembly. The spring-loaded slide pin engages with the aperture in the alignment tab, providing a reliable mechanical connection that prevents loosening during operation while allowing easy removal when needed.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent lens loosening, then lens assembly stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded slide pin automatically engages with the aperture in the alignment tab when the lens assembly is installed. The spring force ensures the slide pin remains engaged during operation, and the mechanism self-locks without requiring additional fasteners, tools, or complex adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted as a separate, simple spring-loaded slide pin mechanism that can be independently positioned and engaged. This modular approach allows the locking function to be added without complicating the overall lens assembly design or installation procedure.
3Measurement precision
If sensors are added to monitor pin position, then installation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are positioned to detect whether the spring-loaded slide pin is properly engaged with the aperture in the alignment tab. The sensors provide feedback to the control system, which can then verify correct installation, alert operators to misalignment, or prevent machine operation until proper installation is achieved.
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 system ensures the lens assembly is securely locked in place, preventing damage and downtime by providing a visual confirmation of proper installation and automatically disabling the machine if the lens is not correctly aligned, thus reducing maintenance costs and equipment damage.
Implementation Method 1
The spring pin member can include a slide pin movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The slide pin can be biased into the extended position.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking and fail-safe system can ensure proper installation of a lens assembly in a laser welding machine. The laser welding machine includes a laser head, a lens assembly, and an alignment tab operatively connected to the lens assembly. A device can be operatively positioned relative to the laser welding machine. The device can include a spring pin member with a movable slide pin. In a locked condition, the spring pin member can be positioned such that the slide pin is received in an aperture in the alignment tab, indicating that the lens assembly is properly installed and locking the lens assembly in place. A sensor can be used to determine whether the spring pin assembly is in a correct position, location, and/or orientation. The laser welding machine can be disabled if the spring pin member is not in a correct position, location, and/or orientation.