Patent Description:
In general, as portable wireless devices such as video cameras, mobile phones, and portable computers become light-weight and equipped with high level functions, a lot of researches have been made on secondary batteries used as a driving power source. Such secondary batteries include, for example, a nickel-cadmium battery, a nickel-hydrogen battery, a nickel-zinc battery, a lithium battery, and the like. Among these batteries, the lithium secondary battery is rechargeable, can be small in size but with high capacity, and has high operating voltage and high energy density per unit weight, and thus, the lithium secondary battery has been widely used in high-tech electronic devices.

Since various parts in the lithium secondary battery need to be welded during a manufacturing process, an ultrasonic welding device, a laser welding device, or the like is used to perform a welding process. Among the welding devices, one example of the laser welding device is disclosed in <CIT>).

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology, and therefore it may contain information that does not form the related art.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT> all provide disclosures related to laser welding.

An aspect of the present invention provides a protecting module for coupling to a laser welding device according to claim <NUM>. Details of embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to describe the present disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. The following embodiments may be modified to various types, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. In the drawings, the thickness and size of each layer are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and clarity, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used in this specification, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Also, in this specification, it will be understood that when an element A is referred to as being "connected to" an element B, the element A can be directly connected to the element B, or an intervening element C may be present between the elements A and B so that the element A can be indirectly connected to the element B.

As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, it will be further understood that the terms "comprise or include" and/or "comprising or including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements, and/or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, members, elements, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various members, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these members, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one member, component, region, layer and/or section from another. Thus, a first member, a first component, a first region, a first layer and/or a first section discussed below could be termed a second member, a second component, a second region, a second layer and/or a second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "beneath" or "below" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "upper" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "beneath" can encompass both an orientation of "above" and "below".

For convenience, hereinafter, the description will be made assuming that the side near a protecting module of a laser welding device is defined as front, and the side near a main housing is defined as rear.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a protecting module for a laser welding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a front view of a protecting module for a laser welding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a laser welding device <NUM> may include a main housing <NUM> to which various components for generating and emitting a laser beam are mounted, an optical system housing <NUM> which is coupled to one side of the main housing <NUM> to accommodate an optical system such as lenses, and a protecting module <NUM> which is disposed in front of the main housing <NUM> to protect the optical system.

The main housing <NUM> has, in an embodiment, an approximate box shape, and the optical system housing <NUM> and the protecting module <NUM> are coupled to a front surface of the main housing <NUM>.

In an embodiment, an optical system component such as a lens for emitting laser is disposed inside the optical system housing <NUM>, and protective glass <NUM> is coupled to a front surface of the optical system housing <NUM>.

The protective glass <NUM> may be a kind of a shielding wall for protecting the optical system component. The protective glass <NUM> allows the laser beam emitted from an optical system to pass therethrough but prevents foreign substances such as spatter or fume generated during laser welding from entering the optical system (see <FIG>).

Thus, since the foreign substances are attached to the protective glass <NUM>, periodic cleaning is necessary. However, if the protective glass <NUM> is cleaned frequently, micro damage may occur in the protective glass <NUM>.

Also, when there are scratches on the protective glass <NUM> due to the foreign substances and increases in damage, the replacement cycle of the protective glass <NUM> becomes shorter, and the protective glass <NUM> may be broken if not replaced. Thus, since the protective glass <NUM> needs to be replaced periodically, the maintenance costs may increase. To prevent the damage to the protective glass <NUM> due to the cleaning and an increase in costs due to the shortened replacement cycle, the protecting module <NUM> may be mounted.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing, in one direction, main parts of a protecting module for a laser welding device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing, in another direction, the main parts of the protecting module for a laser welding device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing an air flow path of the protecting module for a laser welding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is an exploded view showing a protecting module with features according to embodiments of the present invention. The protecting module <NUM> comprises a first cover (<NUM>) and a second cover (<NUM>), wherein one of the first cover or the second cover comprises a plurality of air supply units (<NUM>), though which air can flow, installed on the outer circumferential surface of one of the first cover or the second cover. Each of the first cover and the second cover comprises an aperture through which a laser beam can pass. When the protecting module is coupled to a laser welding device, and when the latter is in operation, the laser beam passes through protective glass (<NUM>) of the welding device (<NUM>). Typically such a welding device comprises a main housing (<NUM>), an optical system housing (<NUM>) and protective glass (<NUM>). When the protecting module is coupled to a laser welding device, the second cover is coupled to the optical system housing (<NUM>) that supports the protective glass. The first cover or the second cover comprises an air flow path (<NUM>). The air flow path (<NUM>) is a channel which is recessed from a plate surface on one side of the cover. A plurality of air holes (<NUM>) which pass through the cover allow the air flow path (<NUM>) and the outer circumferential surface to be in fluid communication with each other, and the air supply units (<NUM>) are in fluid communication with the air holes. In an embodiment, the air flow path is located on a side of the first cover which faces the second cover. In another embodiment, the air flow path is located on a side of the second cover which faces the first cover.

In another embodiment, the second cover may further comprise a sealing member (<NUM>), which, when the protective module is coupled with the welding device, is inserted between the second cover and the optical system housing. In another embodiment, the second cover further comprises a sealing section (<NUM>) which is recessed in a plate surface of the second cover and may receive the sealing member (<NUM>). In another embodiment, the first cover may further comprise a plurality of fastening holes (<NUM>). In the present invention, the protecting module comprises a reflect light-absorbing plate (<NUM>). In another embodiment, the protecting device may further comprise a fixing frame (<NUM>) for coupling to the main housing. The details of the fixing frame and features associated with it in other embodiments are described below.

The exploded view in <FIG> further illustrates additional features which may be provided in other embodiments, including a fixing frame <NUM> coupled to the main housing <NUM>, a sliding frame <NUM> movably coupled to the fixing frame <NUM>, and a support frame <NUM> movably coupled to the sliding frame <NUM>. In an embodiment, a lamp <NUM> may be coupled to the support frame <NUM>. According to the present invention, the protecting module <NUM> includes a reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> disposed in front of the optical system housing <NUM> and, in an embodiment, a cover assembly disposed between the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> and the optical system housing <NUM>. The cover assembly represents a part in which a first cover <NUM> and a second cover <NUM> are coupled to each other. The first cover <NUM> is connected to a plurality of air supply units <NUM>, and a sealing member <NUM> is inserted between the second cover <NUM> and the optical system housing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fixing frame <NUM>, as included in some embodiments, has an approximately 'U'-shape in which both ends thereof are bent forward to face each other. A movement slit <NUM> is provided in each of the facing ends of the fixing frame <NUM>, and a central section of the fixing frame <NUM> is coupled to the main housing <NUM> by a plurality of fastening members <NUM>. The fastening members <NUM> may be provided as a coupling pin, a bolt, or the like.

The movement slit <NUM> passes through each of the bent ends of the fixing frame <NUM> and has a certain length in a longitudinal direction. As the sliding frame <NUM> slides along the movement slit <NUM>, the support frame <NUM> is close to or away from the first cover <NUM>. Accordingly, an installation position of the lamp <NUM> installed in the support frame <NUM> may be adjusted.

As illustrate in <FIG>, the sliding frame <NUM> is provided in a pair and movably coupled to the respective one of the movement slits <NUM>. The sliding frames <NUM> have a straight bar shape and are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the movement slits <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a cylindrical connection pin <NUM> is coupled to between the pair of the sliding frames <NUM> (inner surfaces thereof), and thus, the sliding frames <NUM> are connected to each other to move as a single body. A sliding pin <NUM> is coupled to each of end portions of the sliding frames <NUM> spaced apart from a region into which the connection pin <NUM> is inserted.

Each of the sliding pins <NUM> is disposed protruding from an outer surface of the sliding frame <NUM> toward the movement slit <NUM>. The sliding pin <NUM> includes a pin body 524a coupled to the sliding frame <NUM> and a pin head 524b protruding outward from the movement slit <NUM>. The pin body 524a and the pin head 524b are integrated with each other, and a diameter of the pin head 524b is greater than a diameter of the pin body 524a and a width of the movement slit <NUM>.

The sliding pin <NUM> is inserted into the movement slit <NUM> and is fixed to the sliding frame <NUM> in a state in which the sliding frame <NUM> is disposed along the movement slit <NUM>, and thus, the sliding frames <NUM> may be movably coupled to the movement slits <NUM> of the fixing frame <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> is coupled to the sliding frame <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the support frame <NUM> is disposed to be perpendicular to a front end portion of the sliding frame <NUM>. Also, the support frame <NUM> is disposed in parallel to the first cover <NUM>. Since the sliding frame <NUM> is provided in a pair, the support frame <NUM> is also provided in a pair and coupled to the respective one of the end portions of the sliding frames <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the support frame <NUM> has a bar shape having a certain width, and adjustment slit <NUM> passes through one end thereof in a width direction. An adjustment pin <NUM> is inserted into the adjustment slit <NUM>, and thus, the support frame <NUM> is movably coupled to the sliding frame <NUM>. The adjustment pin <NUM> has the same type as the sliding pin <NUM>, and when the support frame <NUM> is moved in the width direction in a state in which the adjustment slit <NUM> is constrained by the adjustment pin <NUM>, a position of the support frame <NUM> is adjusted. As the position of the support frame <NUM> changes, a position of the lamp <NUM> mounted to the support frame <NUM> also changes.

In an embodiment, a support bracket <NUM> for mounting the lamp <NUM> is coupled to a front surface of the support frame <NUM>.

One end of the support bracket <NUM> is fixed on the support frame <NUM>, and the other end thereof is bent at right angle and extends. The support bracket <NUM> is provided in a pair, and the pair of support brackets <NUM> are fixed on the support frame <NUM> in a state of being spaced apart from each other by a distance corresponding to a length of the lamp <NUM>. The support brackets <NUM> are installed such that the portions extending at right angle face each other in parallel, and the lamp <NUM> is inserted between the extended portions and coupled to the support brackets <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the lamp <NUM> has a cuboidal shape and coupled between the pair of support brackets <NUM>. The lamp <NUM> may be embodied as LED, etc., and a substrate (not shown) for operation, a power connector (not shown) for connection with an external power supply, or the like may be built therein. The lamp <NUM> is provided to monitor the particular wavelength band and is used to check welding quality. That is, the lamp <NUM> for emitting light corresponding to a wavelength band of the laser beam is utilized, and thus, the laser welding quality may be checked.

Also, in an embodiment, the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is disposed behind the lamp <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and according to the present invention, the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> has a disc shape and is configured to absorb a reflected beam generated during laser welding to prevent peripheral components from be damaged by the reflected light. The reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> may be made of a material such as steel, and the surface thereof may be treated to have dark color through an anodizing method or the like. According to the present invention, the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is treated to have black color so that the reflected beam may be easily absorbed. Thus, the occurrence of back reflection of the laser may be reduced as much as possible.

In an embodiment, the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> includes the material such as the steel, and thus, a magnetic body may be attached to a surface thereof. Using this characteristics, a displacement sensor (not shown) provided with a magnet may be attached to the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>. A focal length of laser may be easily measured by attaching the displacement sensor to the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>, and thus, the precision when the optical system of the laser welding device is set may be enhanced.

Also and according to the present invention, a through-hole is provided in a plate surface of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> so that the laser beam may pass therethrough. A plurality of plate slits <NUM> for discharging air sprayed from the cover assembly pass through an edge of the plate surface of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>.

In the present invention, each of the plate slits <NUM> has a streamline shape, which may correspond to a shape of the edge of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>, and the plurality of plate slits <NUM> are disposed spaced apart from each other without contacting each other. In operation, the air sprayed from the cover assembly is moved along the plate slits <NUM> and then discharged toward an edge of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>. Thus, there an air flow path (air current) is provided, which allows the air sprayed from the cover assembly to escape from the cover assembly to the outside of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is tightly coupled to the first cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the cover assembly includes the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>. Although not illustrated in the drawings, the cover assembly may be coupled to the sliding frame <NUM> or the support frame <NUM>. When the protecting module <NUM> is installed, the cover assembly is coupled to the optical system housing <NUM> separately, and the fixing frame <NUM> is coupled to the main housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the cover assembly is first coupled to the main housing <NUM> in a state of being coupled to the sliding frame <NUM> or the support frame <NUM>, and then, the cover assembly may be coupled to the optical system housing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and according to the present invention, the first cover <NUM> has a disc shape having a certain thickness and has a ring shape in which an aperture is provided to allow the laser beam to pass therethrough. In a rear surface of the first cover <NUM> coupled to the second cover <NUM>, an air flow path <NUM> and an air hole <NUM> are provided. In a front surface thereof, a plate insertion section <NUM> for supporting the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is provided.

According to the present invention, the air flow path <NUM> has a ring shape along the ring-shaped rear surface of the first cover <NUM> and is recessed from the rear surface thereof. The plurality of air supply units <NUM> having a tube or pipe shape are connected to an outer circumferential surface of the first cover <NUM>. Each of the air supply units <NUM> may communicate with the air flow path <NUM> through a plurality of air holes <NUM>. The air flow path <NUM> provides a flow path allowing the air, which is supplied through the air supply units <NUM> and the air hole <NUM>, to flow. The air flowing into the air flow path <NUM> is discharged between the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> and forms an "air knife" to block foreign substances. The concept of the "air knife" and its operation will be described later.

The air hole <NUM> is a through-hole for connecting the air flow path <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface and passes through a position corresponding to the air supply unit <NUM>. The air holes <NUM> may be provided to correspond to the number and positions of the air supply units <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the plate insertion section <NUM> is recessed from the front surface of the first cover <NUM> and has a shape corresponding to the size and shape of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>. Thus, in a state where the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is inserted, the front surface of the first cover <NUM> is positioned on the same plane as a front surface of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>. That is, in the state where the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> is inserted into the plate insertion section <NUM>, the front surface of the first cover <NUM> become flat with no height difference from the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>.

The second cover <NUM> is coupled to the rear surface of the first cover <NUM> by a plurality of fastening members (not shown). To this end, a plurality of fastening holes <NUM> may pass through an edge of the plate surface of the first cover <NUM>.

Similar to the first cover <NUM>, in an embodiment, the second cover <NUM> includes a ring-shaped plate material having a certain thickness. A front surface of the second cover <NUM> may have a flat shape, and a plurality of fastening holes <NUM> may pass through an edge of the front surface thereof to establish the connection with the first cover <NUM>. A sealing section <NUM>, into which the sealing member <NUM> is inserted, may be provided in a rear surface of the second cover <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sealing section <NUM> has a groove shape corresponding to a shape of the sealing member <NUM> and may be recessed from the rear surface of the second cover <NUM>. Alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing section <NUM> protrudes from the rear surface of the second cover <NUM>, and this protrusion section has a groove into which the sealing member <NUM> is inserted. In this case, the protrusion section is inserted into the optical system housing <NUM>, and thus, when the cover assembly is coupled to the optical system housing <NUM>, the second cover <NUM> comes into close contact with the optical system housing <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> has a ring shape and provides sealing between the second cover <NUM> and the optical system housing <NUM>. In a state of being inserted into the sealing section <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> may protrude slightly from the sealing section <NUM>. Accordingly, when the second cover <NUM> and the optical system housing <NUM> are coupled to each other, sealing characteristics are enhanced as the sealing member <NUM> is pressed.

In the protecting module for a laser welding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure having the configuration described above, a process in which the air knife is formed will be described in detail.

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view showing a form of air spraying in the protecting module for a laser welding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The paths through which the air flows into, moves, and is discharged are illustrated by arrows in <FIG>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, in a state where the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> are coupled to each other, air flows into the air flow path <NUM> from the outside through the air supply units <NUM> and the air holes <NUM> inside the first cover <NUM>. Since the front surface of the second cover <NUM> is flat, the air introduced in the state where the second cover <NUM> is coupled to the first cover <NUM> moves within the air flow path <NUM>.

The air flowing into the first cover <NUM> is discharged toward the inner circumferential surface of the cover assembly through a space A between mating surfaces of the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>. To this end, the space A between the mating surfaces on the inner circumferential surface sides of the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM> is not completely closed but has a gap sufficient to allow the air to be discharged.

The external air flowing into the first cover <NUM> is discharged toward the gap (to the apertures) of the space A between the mating surfaces of the first cover <NUM> and the second cover <NUM>. The air to be discharged is circularly discharged along the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the cover assembly. This air being discharged serves as a curtain for blocking the inner circumferential surface side of the cover assembly, and thus, when the air being discharged has an effect similar to that of forming an air membrane, the air is defined as an air curtain or an air knife.

The air forming the air knife moves toward the front surface of the first cover <NUM> because the second cover <NUM> is closed, and is then guided to the outside of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> through the aperture and the plate slit <NUM> of the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> and discharged to the outside of the cover assembly.

Although the laser beam is emitted to the aperture of the cover assembly, the air knife has no effect on emission of the laser beam having strong straightness. However, fine foreign substances such as spatter or fume generated during the laser welding are not allowed to flow toward the optical system housing <NUM> by the air knife but blocked. Thus, the air knife may prevent foreign substances from being attached on the protective glass <NUM> mounted to the front surface of the optical system housing <NUM> and protect the protective glass <NUM>.

As described above, the laser welding device according to the present disclosure is provided with the protecting module <NUM> capable of forming the air knife, and thus, there is the effect of preventing the protective glass <NUM> from being contaminated and protecting the protective glass <NUM>. Since the contamination of the protective glass <NUM> is prevented, there is the effect of making it possible to reduce loss due to the cleaning, maintain the quality of the protective glass <NUM>, and increase the replacement cycle of the protective glass <NUM>.

The protecting module <NUM> is provided with the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM> made of the metal material and absorbs the reflected beam generated during the laser welding, and thus, the occurrence of back reflection of the laser beam may be reduced as much as possible. Also, since the displacement sensor for measuring the focal length of laser may be attached to the reflected light-absorbing plate <NUM>, a separate sensor mounting mechanism is not necessary. Since the displacement sensor may be easily mounted, there is the effect of enhancing the precision when the laser welding device <NUM> is set.

Also, since the protecting module <NUM> of the present disclosure is provided with the lamp <NUM>, the welding quality in the particular wavelength band may be monitored.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the air is sprayed from the inside of the first cover and the second cover and allowed to flow toward the slits of the reflected light-absorbing plate disposed in front of the protective glass. Therefore, the protective glass is prevented from being contaminated.

Also, the absorbing plate for absorbing the reflected laser beam is installed in the front of the protecting module, and thus, the light reflected during the welding is absorbed. Therefore, the damage of the components due to the reflected light is prevented. In addition, the absorbing plate is used as an attachment pad to which the displacement sensor for measuring the focal length of laser is attached. Therefore, the increase in the number of components is suppressed, and the structure is simplified.

That is, the embodiment of the present disclosure provides the protecting module for the laser welding device, which may use the simple structure to protect the optical system and be used for various purposes.

Claim 1:
A protecting module (<NUM>) for coupling, in use, to a laser welding device (<NUM>), the laser welding device comprising a main housing (<NUM>), a protective glass (<NUM>) and an optical system housing (<NUM>) for supporting the protective glass, wherein, in operation the laser welding device provides a laser beam which passes through the protective glass, the protecting module comprising:
a first cover (<NUM>) having an aperture for allowing, in use, a laser beam to pass therethrough;
a second cover (<NUM>) which is, in use, provided on one side of a main housing of the laser welding device in a coupled state with the first cover, is couplable to the optical system housing and when so-coupled is located on one side of a main housing , and has an aperture that allows, in use, the laser beam to pass therethrough; and
a plurality of air supply units (<NUM>) which are installed on an outer circumferential surface of the first cover or the second cover and through which outside air flows into,
wherein the first cover (<NUM>) or the second cover (<NUM>) comprises an air flow path, said air flow path being a channel which is recessed from a plate surface on one side of the first cover or the second cover and a plurality of air holes (<NUM>) which pass therethrough to allow the air flow path and the outer circumferential surface of the first cover or the second cover to be in fluid communication with each other, and the air supply units are in fluid communication with the air holes,
wherein the air supply units are configured to supply air to the air flow path, such that it is, in use, discharged to a space A space between mating surfaces of the first cover and the second cover and toward the apertures,
wherein the first cover and the second cover have a disc shape, and the air flow path has a ring shape and is provided in the plate surface of the first cover or the second cover, and
characterised in that
the protecting module further comprises a reflected light-absorbing plate (<NUM>) which is coupled to a plate surface of the first cover on the opposite side from the second cover, has a hole which allows the laser beam, in use, beam to pass therethrough, and has black color, wherein the reflected light-absorbing plate has a disc shape and has a plurality of streamline-shaped plate slits (<NUM>) which pass therethrough and are spaced apart from each other along an outer edge.