Optical Tool Park Housing With Inflatable Sealing Sleeve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser cutting systems face contamination issues due to impurities entering the mirror head, leading to quality problems and potential damage, and existing solutions like continuous nitrogen flow or manual taping are inefficient or hazardous, especially during long downtimes.
Innovation Solution
A tool arrangement with a housing and inflatable sealing sleeve that automatically adapts to seal the optical tool, using existing gases to create a gastight environment, allowing for safe and automated storage, and incorporating a power meter for monitoring and maintaining cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If nitrogen is continuously passed out through the laser exit aperture to protect optics, then contamination protection is improved, but system safety is worsened due to life-threatening hazard during shutdown
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic sealing mechanism that adapts the sealing state based on system operation status. During operation, the seal remains open to allow nitrogen flow and protect optics. During shutdown or vacation periods, the seal automatically closes to prevent hazardous nitrogen accumulation, thus resolving the safety contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a seal that is pre-positioned to close automatically when the system shuts down, preventing hazardous nitrogen from accumulating in the housing before personnel may enter. This preliminary protective action eliminates the life-threatening hazard while maintaining contamination protection during active operation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If manual taping of the laser exit aperture is performed to prevent contamination, then contamination protection is improved, but automation capability is worsened due to inability to carry out frequently during brief downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated sealing system that operates without human intervention. The seal automatically opens during operation to allow nitrogen flow and closes during shutdown to prevent contamination and hazards, eliminating the need for manual taping and fully automating the contamination protection process.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the system exhaust is continuously operated to maintain nitrogen flow, then contamination protection is improved, but energy consumption is worsened during long downtimes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the exhaust system controlled by the automated seal. The exhaust operates only when the seal is open during active periods, and remains inactive when the seal is closed during shutdown periods. This periodic action maintains contamination protection when needed while eliminating energy waste during long downtimes.
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 provides a cost-effective, safe, and automated method for storing optical tools, preventing contamination and hazardous gas leaks during downtimes, ensuring the optical tool remains clean and functional, and allowing for efficient reactivation without damage.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing sleeve has a fluid-carrying line for adapting a variable fill volume of the sealing sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A tool arrangement is provided for accommodating portions of an optical tool in a park position, having an optical tool and having a housing with an opening suitable for accommodating portions of the optical tool in a housing interior, with a housing discharge connected to the housing in a fluid-conducting manner, and with a sealing sleeve arranged at the opening of the housing, wherein the sealing sleeve has a fluid-carrying line for adapting a variable fill volume of the sealing sleeve. In addition, a method is provided for accommodating portions of an optical tool in a park position.