Side Nozzle Assembly for Ridge and Valley Laser Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser welding machines require complex and time-consuming nozzle replacement and repositioning when switching between welding ridge and valley portions on box-shaped products.
Innovation Solution
A side nozzle with a main nozzle and a removable sub-nozzle configuration, allowing seamless switching between welding ridge and valley portions without replacing the nozzle, using a single side nozzle attached to the welding head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle replacement is performed to weld both ridge and valley portions, then welding versatility is improved, but device complexity and operation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The side nozzle is designed with a universal structure that can weld both ridge portions and valley portions without requiring replacement with different nozzles. The gas blow nozzle is positioned at the side of the head attachment, enabling it to effectively shield both ridge and valley weld positions through optimized gas flow patterns that adapt to different geometric configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple nozzles (side nozzle and narrow nozzle) into a single side nozzle design. By integrating the gas blow nozzle with the head attachment and positioning it to blow shielding gas from the rear toward the weld position, the system combines the advantages of both previously separate nozzle types into one unified device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If nozzle replacement is performed to weld both ridge and valley portions, then welding versatility is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The side nozzle serves multiple welding scenarios (ridge and valley portions) with a single device configuration, eliminating the time-consuming process of replacing nozzles between different welding operations. The universal design allows operators to complete both types of welds using the same attached nozzle.
3Reliability
If shielding gas is blown from directly above the weld position, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but accessibility to valley portions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of blowing shielding gas only from directly above the weld position (vertical dimension), the gas blow nozzle is positioned at the side of the head attachment and blows shielding gas from the rear toward the weld position (horizontal/longitudinal dimension). This dimensional change in gas flow direction enables effective shielding while maintaining accessibility to difficult-to-reach valley portions.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than positioning the gas blow nozzle to blow gas forward from above the weld position, the invention inverts the approach by positioning the nozzle at the rear and blowing gas forward toward the weld position. This reversed configuration allows the nozzle to reach valley portions that would be inaccessible from above while still providing effective shielding.
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
Enables efficient welding of both ridge and valley portions with improved shielding and reduced turbulence, maintaining high processing quality and accessibility without the need for frequent nozzle adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
blows, to the weld position, shielding gas that inhibits molten metal from reacting with oxygen
Implementation Method 2
irradiates a weld position on a sheet metal with a laser beam to weld the weld position
Data Source
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AI summary
A head attachment (31) is attached to a welding head of a laser welding machine. The head attachment (31) includes an opening (31a) through which a laser beam emitted from the welding head for irradiation to a weld position passes. A gas blow nozzle (32) is attached to the side of the head attachment (31) and blows shielding gas to the weld position. The gas blow nozzle (32) includes a main nozzle (321) that is disposed closer to the head attachment (31) and is supplied with the shielding gas by a first gas pipe (311), and a sub-nozzle (322) that is disposed so as to be adjacent to the main nozzle (321) and farther away from the head attachment (31) than the main nozzle (321) and is supplied with the shielding gas by a second gas pipe (312). The sub-nozzle (322) is removable from the main nozzle (321).