Protective Optics Gas Flow Layout for Laser Welding Fume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In laser welding apparatuses, air can flow upward, causing fumes to adhere to or deposit on protective optical members, which affects the welding process quality.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes an upper-side gas supply unit with first and second ejection ports to direct gas downward, and a lower-side gas supply unit with ejection ports to prevent upward air flow, using a plate-like and cylindrical protective optical member configuration to ensure gas flows downward, preventing fumes from reaching the optical member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air is supplied to cool the protective optical member, then cooling effect is achieved, but upward air flow causes fumes to adhere to the protective optical member
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional upward air flow direction to downward direction. The gas supply unit is positioned above the protective optical member and ejects gas downward, creating a downward flow that prevents fumes from adhering to the protective optical member while still providing cooling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful upward air flow that carries fumes into a beneficial downward air flow. By positioning the gas supply unit above and directing gas downward, the same air flow mechanism that could cause fume adhesion is transformed into a protective shield that pushes fumes away from the protective optical member.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gas is ejected downward to prevent fume adhesion, then fume adhesion is reduced, but upward air flow may still occur in certain regions
Solution Approach 1:
The gas supply system is segmented into multiple ejection ports arranged in a specific pattern above the protective optical member. This segmentation allows different regions to have optimized gas flow patterns, ensuring comprehensive coverage and preventing upward air flow in all critical areas around the protective optical member.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning gas ejection ports at specific locations above the protective optical member where upward air flow is most likely to occur. The gas flow is targeted precisely at these problematic regions, creating localized downward flow zones that stabilize the air composition and prevent fume adhesion where it matters most.
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 configuration effectively eliminates or reduces the possibility of fumes adhering to the protective optical member, ensuring better welding quality by ensuring gas flows downward and preventing upward air movement.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of first ejection ports eject gas from the outer edge of the plate-like part to the center thereof, and the gas flows downward at the center. Further, the plurality of second ejection ports eject gas downward from the outer edge of the plate-like part
Data Source
AI summary
A laser welding apparatus capable of eliminating or reducing a possibility that a part of air flows upward and hence fumes adhere to its protective optical member is provided. A laser welding apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a protective optical member disposed between a laser scanner and a workpiece, an upper-side gas supply unit, and a lower-side gas supply unit disposed below the upper-side gas supply unit. The protective optical member includes a plate-like part and a cylindrical part extending downward from an outer edge of the plate-like part. The upper-side gas supply unit is disposed below the plate-like part of the protective optical member. The upper-side gas supply unit includes a plurality of first ejection ports configured to eject gas to a center of the plate-like part, and a plurality of second ejection ports configured to eject gas downward with respect to the plate-like part.