Patent Publication Number: US-2022226936-A1

Title: Housing and handling method for processing device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a housing and a handling method for a processing device. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     JP 5868118 B2 discloses a laser processing device provided with a dust discharge means for sucking and discharging dust generated in the vicinity of a processing point by a laser beam directed to a workpiece. In JP 5868118 B2, the output of the laser beam is measured by a thermal output measuring means in a state where a blower provided in a dust treatment apparatus connected to a dust discharge means is driven. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     However, with the technique described in JP 5868118 B2, it is not always possible to sufficiently suppress the adhesion of dust or the like to the output measuring means. If dust or the like adheres to the output measuring means, the output of the laser beam cannot be satisfactorily detected. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a housing and a handling method for a processing device capable of suppressing adhesion of dust or the like to a sensor. 
     According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing accommodating a sensor that detects an energy beam, the housing including: a chamber provided with a beam-transparent member that allows the energy beam to pass; and a supply port that supplies a gas into the chamber, wherein the sensor detects the energy beam incident through the beam-transparent member. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handling method for a processing device including: an irradiation unit that outputs an energy beam; a housing including a chamber provided with a beam-transparent member that allows the energy beam to pass; and a sensor that is accommodated in the housing and detects the energy beam incident through the beam-transparent member. The chamber is partitioned by a partition plate provided with the beam-transparent member. The beam-transparent member is attached to the partition plate in a replaceable manner. The partition plate is slid, whereby the beam-transparent member is pulled out of the housing and replaced. 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a housing and a handling method for a processing device capable of satisfactorily suppressing adhesion of dust or the like to a sensor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an irradiation device provided for a processing device according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing a processing device according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are cross-sectional views showing a sensor device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The housing and the handling method for a processing device according to the invention will be explained in more detail below by way of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Embodiment 
     A housing and a handling method for a processing device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an irradiation device provided for a processing device according to the present embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the processing device  10  according to the present embodiment includes an irradiation device  12  and a transport mechanism  32  that transports the irradiation device  12 . 
     The irradiation device  12  includes an energy beam generation unit (not illustrated), an irradiation unit  38  that irradiates an object with an energy beam  42  output from the energy beam generation unit, and a holding unit  40  that holds the irradiation unit  38 . The energy beam  42  is, for example, a laser beam, but is not limited thereto. 
     The transport mechanism  32  is configured by, for example, an articulated robot, but is not limited thereto. A support frame  52  that supports the holding unit  40  is provided at the distal end portion of the transport mechanism  32 . By irradiating the object with the energy beam  42  output from the irradiation unit  38  while moving the irradiation unit  38  by the transport mechanism  32 , the object is processed. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the processing device according to the present embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the processing device  10  according to the present embodiment further includes a sensor device  14 , a gas supply unit  16 , and a control unit  46 .  FIG. 2  shows part of the irradiation device  12 . 
     The control unit  46  governs the overall control of the processing device  10 . The control unit  46  includes a computation unit  48  and a storage unit  50 . The computation unit  48  can be configured by, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) or the like, but is not limited thereto. The storage unit  50  includes a volatile memory (not shown) and a nonvolatile memory (not shown). Examples of the volatile memory include a random access memory (RAM) or the like. Examples of the nonvolatile memory include a read only memory (ROM), a flash memory, or the like. Programs, data, and the like can be stored in the storage unit  50 . 
     The sensor device  14  can be used in an inspection for determining the intensity of the energy beam  42  output from the irradiation unit  38 . In order to ensure machining accuracy, such inspection can be performed before machining of a workpiece is performed by the processing device  10 . In the inspection of the intensity of the energy beam  42 , the control unit  46  controls the irradiation device  12  so that the energy beam  42  is output from the irradiation unit  38 . The energy beam  42  output from the irradiation unit  38  is detected by the sensor device  14 . The sensor device  14  outputs a signal indicating the detected intensity of the energy beam  42  to the control unit  46 . The control unit  46  determines whether not the intensity of the energy beam  42  is within a predetermined range. 
     When the intensity of the energy beam  42  output from the irradiation unit  38  is within the predetermined range, the intensity of the energy beam  42  is normal. In such a case, the control unit  46  controls the processing device  10  to perform processing on the object. 
     On the other hand, when the intensity of the energy beam  42  output from the irradiation unit  38  is outside the predetermined range, the intensity of the energy beam  42  is abnormal. In such a case, the control unit  46  issues a notification for prompting a user to perform maintenance or the like on the processing device  10 . In the maintenance of the processing device  10 , a beam-transparent member  24  (see  FIG. 3A ) described later may be replaced, the intensity of the energy beam  42  may be adjusted, or a protective glass (beam-transparent member)  39  provided for the irradiation unit  38  may be replaced. 
     The gas supply unit  16  supplies a gas into a chamber  18 A (see  FIG. 3A ) described later. As will be described later, the chamber  18 A is configured by part of a housing  18  (see  FIG. 3A ) provided for the sensor device  14 . When dust (welding fume) or the like enters of the chamber  18 A, the dust or the like may adhere to a light receiving portion  22  (see  FIG. 3A ) of a sensor  20  (see  FIG. 3A ) described later. Therefore, the gas supply unit  16  continuously supplies the gas into the chamber  18 A so that dust or the like does not enter the chamber  18 A. Note that the gas is, for example, air, but is not limited thereto. A nonflammable gas or the like may be used as appropriate. 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are cross-sectional views showing the sensor device according to the present embodiment.  FIG. 3A  shows a state in which a partition plate  26  has not yet been slid. That is,  FIG. 3A  shows a state in which the position of the partition plate  26  is set such that the beam-transparent member  24  and the sensor  20  overlap each other in plan view.  FIG. 3B  shows a state in which the beam-transparent member  24  has been pulled out of the housing  18  by sliding the partition plate  26 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the sensor device  14  includes a housing  18  and a sensor (detector, power meter)  20  accommodated in the housing  18 . The sensor  20  includes a light receiving portion  22 . The light receiving portion  22  is located, for example, on the upper surface of the sensor  20 . The light receiving portion  22  receives an energy beam  42  (see  FIG. 2 ) incident via the beam-transparent member  24  described later. The sensor  20  outputs a signal indicating the intensity of the energy beam  42  incident on the light receiver  22 . 
     Part of the housing  18  constitutes a chamber  18 A. To be more specific, the chamber  18 A is formed by a portion of the housing  18  that is located above a portion in which the sensor  20  is accommodated. 
     The housing  18  is formed with insertion ports (slits, insertion portions)  18 D,  18 E for inserting the partition plate  26 . The insertion port  18 D is located on one side (right side on the surface of  FIG. 3A ) with respect to the chamber  18 A. The insertion port  18 E is located on the other side (left side on the surface of  FIG. 3A ) with respect to the chamber  18 A. A chamber  18 A is partitioned by the partition plate  26  one end side of which is inserted into insertion port  18 D and the other end side of which is inserted into the insertion port  18 E. The partition plate  26  is provided between the sensor  20  and a shutter  34  described later. 
     The partition plate  26  is provided with the beam-transparent member  24  that allows the energy beam  42  to pass. The beam-transparent member  24  is attached to the partition plate  26  in a replaceable manner. The beam-transparent member  24  is formed of, for example, glass, but is not limited thereto. 
     The partition plate  26  can be slid, for example, in the horizontal direction. The partition plate  26  is provided with a stopper  28  for limiting the sliding amount of the partition plate  26 . Since the partition plate  26  is provided with the stopper  28 , an opening can be prevented from being formed when the partition plate  26  is slid. Therefore, it is possible to prevent contaminated air containing dust from entering a space  36 A defined by the partition plate  26 , the sensor  20 , and the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18 . That is, it is possible to prevent contaminated air containing dust from entering the chamber  18 A. 
     The housing  18  further includes a shutter  34  that automatically opens and closes. The shutter  34  may be opened and closed by an opening/closing mechanism (not shown). The shutter  34  is located above the partition plate  26 . The shutter  34  is opened with the sole purpose of detecting the intensity of the energy beam  42 . Except a case where the detection of the intensity of the energy beam  42  is the purpose, the shutter  34  is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust generated when the object is processed from adhering to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     The housing  18  is further provided with a supply port  18 B for supplying gas into the chamber  18 A. The supply port  18 B is formed at a position lower than the position where the partition plate  26  is provided. Therefore, the gas is supplied through the supply port  18 B into the space  36 A defined by the partition plate  26 , the sensor  20 , and the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18 . That is, the gas is supplied into the chamber  18 A via the supply port  18 B. Since the gas is supplied into the chamber  18 A, pressure inside the chamber  18 A is higher than pressure outside the chamber  18 A. The pressure outside the chamber  18 A is, for example, atmospheric pressure, and the pressure inside the chamber  18 A becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure. The gas supplied into the chamber  18 A flows out of the chamber  18 A through a clearance, for example, between the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18  and the bottom surface of the partition plate  26 , and the gas flow in the clearance is relatively fast because the clearance is small. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering the chamber  18 A through the clearance, and it is possible to prevent dust or the like from adhering to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     The housing  18  is further provided with an accommodation portion  18 C for accommodating part of the partition plate  26  projecting out from the housing  18 . The accommodation portion  18 C and the housing  18  may be integrally formed, or the accommodation portion  18 C and the housing  18  may be configured by separate members. 
     In the state shown in  FIG. 3A , the gas supplied into the chamber  18 A flows out of the chamber  18 A through the clearance between the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18  and the lower surface of the partition plate  26 , and the clearance is small. Therefore, the gas flow in the clearance is relatively fast. Therefore, entry of dust or the like into the chamber  18 A is suppressed, and the inside of the chamber  18 A is kept clean. On the other hand, no gas is supplied into a space  36 B defined by the partition plate  26 , the shutter  34 , and the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18 . Therefore, dust or the like may enter the space  36 B through a clearance between the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18  and the upper surface of the partition plate  26 . In addition, dust or the like may enter the space  36 B through a clearance or the like between the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18  and the lower surface of the shutter  34 . 
     When the partition plate  26  is slid and thus the beam-transparent member  24  is pulled out of the housing  18 , the state shown in  FIG. 3B  is obtained. In the present embodiment, the accommodation portion  18 C is set to be long. That is, in the present embodiment, the horizontal dimension of the accommodation portion  18 C is set to be long. In the present embodiment, the length of the partition plate  26  is set to be long. That is, in the present embodiment, the horizontal dimension of the partition plate  26  is set to be long. Therefore, even when the partition plate  26  has been slid and thus the beam-transparent member  24  has been pulled out of the housing  18 , the following state is maintained. That is, a state in which one end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from one side of the housing  18  and the other end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from the other side of the housing  18  is maintained. Since the partition plate  26  is provided with the stopper  28 , the partition plate  26  is not slid until an opening is formed between the partition plate  26  and the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18 . In the present embodiment, since an opening is not formed when the beam-transparent member  24  is pulled out from the housing  18 , dust or the like that has entered the space  36 B is prevented from entering the housing  18 . 
     In the present embodiment, the beam-transparent member  24  is replaced in the following manner. That is, the partition plate  26  is slid while a state is maintained in which one end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from one side of the housing  18  and the other end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from the other side of the housing  18 . Since the partition plate  26  is provided with the stopper  28 , no opening is formed between the partition plate  26  and the partition wall  18 F of the housing  18 . In this way, the beam-transparent member  24  is withdrawn from the housing  18 . Thereafter, the beam-transparent member  24  is replaced. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, since the gas is supplied into the chamber  18 A via the supply port  18 B, the pressure inside the chamber  18 A becomes higher than the pressure outside the housing  18 , and the gas flows from the inside of the chamber  18 A to the outside of the chamber  18 A. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent dust or the like generated during processing from entering the chamber  18 A, and consequently, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from sticking to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     In addition, in the present embodiment, the beam-transparent member  24  is replaced while the shutter  34  is closed. For this reason, according to the present embodiment, the pressures in the spaces  36 A and  36 B become higher than the pressure outside the housing  18 , and thus a gas flow from the inside of the housing  18  to the outside of the housing  18  occurs; therefore it is possible to suppress the entry of dust or the like into the housing  18 . Moreover, in the present embodiment, since the partition plate  26  is provided with the stopper  28 , an opening is not formed when the partition plate  26  is slid. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering the chamber  18 A, and consequently, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from adhering to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     Moreover, according to the present embodiment, a seal member such as a packing is unnecessary. That is, according to the present embodiment, a complicated dust-proof structure is unnecessary. As the gas supplied into the chamber  18 A through the supply port  18 B, air obtained by purifying compressed air generally provided in a factory or the like may be used. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily suppress the adhesion of dust or the like to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     Moreover, according to the present embodiment, the partition plate  26  is slid while the state is maintained in which one end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from one side of the housing  18  and the other end of the partition plate  26  protrudes from the other side of the housing  18 . Therefore, according to the present embodiment, dust or the like that has entered the space  36 B can reliably be prevented from entering the housing  18 , and consequently, it is possible to reliably prevent dust or the like from adhering to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the essence and gist of the present invention. 
     For example, a slight opening may be formed when the partition plate  26  is slid. If the opening is small, the gas flows from the inside of the space  36 A to the inside of the space  36 B at a certain speed through the opening. Therefore, dust or the like present in the space  36 B is less likely to enter the space  36 A. That is, if the opening is small, the gas flows from the inside of the space  36 A to the inside of the space  36 B at a certain speed through the opening. Therefore, dust and the like present in the space  36 B is less likely to enter the chamber  18 A. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering the chamber  18 A, and consequently to prevent dust or the like from adhering to the light receiving portion  22  of the sensor  20 . 
     In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case has been described as an example where the partition plate  26  is slid in a state in which the gas is being supplied into the chamber  18 A through the supply port  18 B, whereby the beam-transparent member  24  is pulled out of the housing  18  and the beam-transparent member  24  is replaced. However, the embodiment is not limited thereto. When the outside air of the housing  18  is clean, the beam-transparent member  24  may be replaced in a state where the gas is not being supplied into the chamber  18 A via the supply port  18 B. 
     The above embodiments are summarized as follows. 
     The housing ( 18 ) accommodates a sensor ( 20 ) that detects an energy beam ( 42 ), and includes a chamber ( 18 A) provided with a beam-transparent member ( 24 ) that allows the energy beam to pass, and a supply port ( 18 B) that supplies a gas into the chamber wherein the sensor detects the energy beam incident through the beam-transparent member. According to such a configuration, since the gas is supplied into the chamber through the supply port, the pressure in the chamber becomes higher than the pressure outside the housing, and the gas flows from the inside of the chamber to the outside of the chamber. Therefore, according to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent dust or the like generated outside the housing from entering the chamber, and thus it is possible to prevent dust or the like from adhering to the sensor. 
     The chamber may be partitioned by a partition plate ( 26 ) provided with the beam-transparent member. 
     The beam-transparent member may be attached to the partition plate in a replaceable manner, and the partition plate is slid, whereby the beam-transparent member may be pulled out of the housing. According to such a configuration, the partition plate is slid, whereby the beam-transparent member can be pulled out of the housing and be easily replaced. 
     The partition plate may include a stopper ( 28 ) that limits a sliding amount of the partition plate. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent an opening from being created for the chamber when the partition plate is slid, whereby it is possible to more reliably prevent dust or the like from entering the chamber and it is possible to more reliably prevent dust or the like from adhering to the sensor. 
     In a state where the partition plate has been slid and thus the beam-transparent member has been pulled out of the housing, one end of the partition plate may protrude from one side of the housing, and another end of the partition plate may protrude from another side of the housing. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably suppress entry of dust or the like into the chamber when the partition plate is slid, and consequently, it is possible to more reliably suppress sticking of dust or the like to the sensor. 
     When the beam-transparent member is replaced, the gas may continue to be supplied into the chamber through the supply port. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering the chamber when the beam-transparent member is replaced, and thus it is possible to prevent dust or the like from sticking to the sensor. 
     The energy beam may be a laser beam. 
     A handling method for a processing device ( 10 ) includes: an irradiation unit ( 38 ) that outputs an energy beam; a housing that includes a chamber provided with a beam-transparent member that allows the energy beam to pass; and a sensor that is accommodated in the housing and detects the energy beam incident through the beam-transparent member, the handling method including partitioning the chamber with a partition plate provided with the beam-transparent member, attaching the beam-transparent member to the partition plate in a replaceable manner, and sliding partition plate, whereby the beam-transparent member is pulled out of the housing and is replaced. According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent dust or the like generated outside the housing from entering the chamber, and thus it is possible to prevent dust or the like from adhering to the sensor. 
     The processing device may further include a gas supply unit ( 16 ) that supplies a gas into the chamber through a supply port provided for the chamber, and in a state in which the gas is supplied into the chamber through the supply port, the partition plate is slid, whereby the beam-transparent member may be pulled out of the housing and is replaced. 
     The housing may include a shutter ( 34 ) that automatically opens and closes, the partition plate may be located between the shutter and the sensor, and the transparent member may be replaced while the shutter is closed. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent dust or the like from entering the housing. 
     While a state is maintained in which one end of the partition plate protrudes from one side of the housing and another end of the partition plate protrudes from another side of the housing, the partition plate is slid, whereby the beam-transparent member may be pulled out of the housing and replaced. According to such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent dust or the like from entering the housing. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10  . . . processing device 
           12  . . . irradiation device 
           14  . . . sensor device 
           16  . . . gas supply unit 
           18  . . . housing 
           18 A . . . chamber 
           18 B . . . supply port 
           18 C . . . accommodation portion 
           18 D,  18 E . . . insertion port 
           18 F . . . partition wall 
           20  . . . sensor 
           22  . . . light receiving portion 
           24  . . . beam-transparent member 
           26  . . . partition plate 
           28  . . . stopper 
           32  . . . transport mechanism 
           34  . . . shutter 
           36 A,  36 B . . . space 
           38  . . . irradiating portion 
           39  . . . protective glass 
           40  . . . holding unit 
           42  . . . energy beam 
           46  . . . control unit 
           48  . . . computation unit 
           50  . . . storage unit 
           52  . . . support frame