Ultrasonic welding device with movable stop element

Abstract

The invention relates to an ultrasonic welding device (1) comprising a sonotrode (3), an anvil (5), a contact element (7), a side slide (9), a first stop element (11), an actuating device (29), and a receiving space (13) in which the parts to be joined (15) are housed. The receiving space is delimited on a first side by a surface (21) of the sonotrode and on a second side, opposite the first, by a surface (23) of the anvil. The receiving space is also delimited on a third side by a surface (25) of the contact element and on a fourth side, opposite the third, by a surface (27) of the side slide. The first stop element is movable between a retracted and an extended position.In the retracted position, the first stop defines the receiving space on a fifth side that extends transversely from the first to the fourth side; in the extended position, the first stop leaves the receiving space open on the fifth side. The actuating device is designed to actively move the first stop between the retracted and extended positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] For a wide variety of technical applications, it may be necessary to mechanically and / or electrically connect two components. For example, various applications may require connecting cables or their strands in a mechanically and electrically conductive way. This allows, for instance, the construction of cable harnesses or wiring bundles, which can be used to electrically connect electrical components within a vehicle, to a power source, and / or to a control system.

[0002] To create a material-bonded, and therefore mechanically robust and electrically conductive, joint between two electrically conductive components, ultrasonic welding was developed. It is a specific type of friction welding in which the components to be welded, also referred to as joining partners or weld metal, are brought into contact with each other and moved against each other under low pressure and high-frequency mechanical vibrations. These vibrations can be generated using a sonotrode, which produces ultrasonic vibrations with frequencies typically ranging from 20 kHz to 50 kHz and transmits them to at least one of the joining partners. Through plastic flow, the joining partners can then interlock or interlock near the surface without the materials of the joining partners necessarily melting.Ultrasonic welding allows joining partners to be connected gently, quickly and economically.

[0003] Ultrasonic welding can be used in particular for welding metallic components, such as strands of two or more cables to be joined, or two or more individual wires of a cable strand to be welded and compacted. For this purpose, the components are generally placed in a receiving chamber of an ultrasonic welding device and then welded together between an ultrasonically vibrating sonotrode and an anvil.

[0004] In ultrasonic welding, the relative positioning of the joining partners to each other during the welding process can have a significant influence on the quality of the resulting weld. In particular, the ends of one, two, or more strands to be welded should be positioned as precisely as possible above one another in the receiving chamber of the ultrasonic welding device, so that they are approximately aligned with each other between the sonotrode and the anvil and can be welded together.

[0005] Traditionally, an operator of an ultrasonic welding machine often had to ensure that the cables to be welded, with their strands, were correctly positioned within the machine's receiving area. Markings could be provided within the receiving area to align the strand ends.

[0006] To weld cables together in the form of a so-called end knot, i.e., when both cables had to be inserted into the receiving chamber of the ultrasonic welding device from the same direction, it was also known to manually screw a stop element in the form of a so-called strand end stop onto a mounting plate and then mount this mounting plate in a suitable position in the ultrasonic welding device. The strands of the cables could then be positioned in the receiving chamber so that their ends rested against the stop element. However, such stop elements required complex assembly and had to be removed again when not in use.

[0007] DE 10 2013 222 938 B3, which forms the basis for the preamble of claim 1, discloses a device for welding electrical conductors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGEOUS EXECUTIONS

[0008] There may be a need for an ultrasonic welding device for welding two or more joining partners, which is easy to operate and / or which can be easily configured for different applications, especially for producing different types of weld nodes.

[0009] Such a need can be met by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic welding device according to claim 1 is described.

[0011] Ideas and possible features for embodiments of the invention can be considered to be based, among other things, on the thoughts and findings described below.

[0012] The receiving chamber of the ultrasonic welding device is designed to hold the components to be welded before and during the welding process. This receiving chamber is typically bounded on at least four sides, so the components can only fit within a limited volume. On two opposite sides, i.e., for example, top and bottom, the receiving chamber can be bounded by a surface of the sonotrode and a surface of the anvil, respectively. The sonotrode and / or the anvil can be movable, allowing these two components to be moved relative to each other, thus reducing or enlarging the receiving chamber in a first direction, i.e., vertically. On two further opposite sides, which run transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the two aforementioned sides, i.e.,For example, on the left and right, the receiving area can be bounded on one side by a surface of the touch element and on the other by a surface of the side slider. The touch element and / or the side slider can be movable, allowing these two components to be moved relative to each other, thus reducing or enlarging the receiving area in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction mentioned above. The surfaces of these components can surround the receiving area like a frame, particularly a rectangular frame. The joining partners can be inserted or slid into the frame-bound receiving area on the fifth or sixth side, which is not bounded by these components.

[0013] The phrase "limit the receiving space on one side" can be understood to mean that the surface of the respective component prevents the joining partners from moving beyond the boundary created by that surface. This can be achieved by the surface completely covering the receiving space on that side. Alternatively, partial coverage of the receiving space on that side is sufficient, as long as it is ensured that the joining partners remain within the receiving space.

[0014] The two opposing components, i.e., the sonotrode and the anvil or the touching element and the side slide, can preferably be moved relative to each other, in particular towards each other, in order to temporarily reduce the volume of the receiving space and, in particular, to press the joining partners received therein into contact with each other.

[0015] By providing the joining partners with only a relatively small receiving space, which is surrounded by the four aforementioned components in a frame-like manner perpendicular to the direction in which the mostly elongated joining partners are inserted or placed into the receiving space, it is possible to ensure that the joining partners can or must be arranged in a predetermined position relative to each other within the receiving space before the actual welding process begins, i.e., before the joining partners are pressed together between the sonotrode and the anvil. For example, it can be ensured that the strands of two cables serving as joining partners, and stripped at their ends, are arranged in the receiving space in such a way that they are pressed too closely together when the sonotrode and the anvil are brought together.If the sonotrode and the anvil limit the receiving volume from above and below, this means that the two cable ends are advantageously arranged vertically, one above the other. Such an arrangement typically has a positive effect on the welding result, whereas strands arranged side by side would often only be inadequately welded.

[0016] Unlike conventional ultrasonic welding devices, the ultrasonic welding device described here is designed to have a first stop element that can also define a fifth side of the receiving space. This fifth side runs transversely, preferably perpendicularly, to the other four sides described above, which are frame-like and bounded by other components. The first stop element can thus limit or close off a passage through the frame-like bounding of the receiving space, such as would otherwise occur between the fifth and the opposite sixth side, on the fifth side.

[0017] Accordingly, one or more joining partners can be inserted into the receiving space on the sixth side, but cannot exit the receiving space on the fifth side or protrude beyond it. Instead, elongated joining partners can only extend their end face to a surface of the stop element facing the receiving space and come into contact with it.

[0018] Thus, one or more components to be welded can each be placed into the receiving chamber and pushed with their end faces up to the stop element, so that their end faces are aligned against the stop element or, in the case of multiple components, so that their end faces are aligned with each other, one above the other and / or next to each other. The components can be inserted by a user operating the ultrasonic welding device or by another machine.

[0019] The placement of the stop element on the fifth side of the receiving space allows for very easy insertion of the components into the receiving space in a configuration aligned relative to each other. For example, a person can insert cables into the receiving space from the sixth side until they feel the cables touch the stop element located on the opposite side. Therefore, a visual check of the cable positioning is unnecessary, at least in some cases.

[0020] However, it was recognized that the stop element limiting the fifth side can be a hindrance or even undesirable in certain cases. For example, it may be desirable to use the ultrasonic welding device for welding so-called through-joints. Cables welded together in a through-joint configuration form an extension of an electrical line, whereas the end-joint configuration can be seen as a kind of return path for the electrical line. To create a through-joint by ultrasonic welding, cables are inserted into the receiving space from opposite sides. Accordingly, the opposing fifth and sixth sides of the receiving space should, at least for this application, not be permanently limited by a stop element.

[0021] Therefore, it is proposed that the first stop element be provided as an integrated component of the ultrasonic welding device; that is, the first stop element is permanently connected to and interacts with other components of the ultrasonic welding device. However, the first stop element should not be fixed stationary within the ultrasonic welding device. Instead, it is proposed that the first stop element be designed to be movable, allowing it to move between a first, so-called retracted position and a second, so-called extended position. In the retracted position, the first stop element delimits the receiving space on its fifth side. Accordingly, in this configuration, it can serve as a mechanical stop for one or more joining partners that are inserted into the receiving space from the sixth side.In the extended position, the stop element opens the fifth side at least sufficiently to allow one or more joining partners to be inserted into the receiving space from that side as well. In other words, the stop element of the ultrasonic welding device described herein can be selectively extended or retracted, depending, for example, on whether an end node or a through node is to be welded. The retracted and extended positions can be separated by several millimeters up to several centimeters, for example, between 2 mm and 10 cm, preferably between 4 mm and 4 cm.

[0022] The ultrasonic welding device further includes the drive unit, which is configured to actively move the first stop element between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0023] In other words, the ultrasonic welding device should not have a first stop element that is merely passively moved, for example, by a person operating the device between the retracted and extended positions. Instead, the ultrasonic welding device should have a drive unit that can actively move the first stop element from the retracted position to the extended position and / or vice versa. Such a drive unit allows the movement of the first stop element to be automated. The drive unit can be connected to a power supply. Furthermore, the drive unit can be connected to a controller or have an integrated controller that manages its operation.

[0024] In particular, according to a more specific embodiment, the drive device can be configured to move the stop element by means of an electric motor, hydraulics or pneumatics.

[0025] For example, an electric motor can be coupled directly, via a gearbox, or via another mechanical device to the stop element so that, by operating the electric motor in the appropriate direction, the stop element can be moved back and forth between the retracted and extended positions. The electric motor can be powered by an electrical power supply. The power supply can be controlled as needed.

[0026] Alternatively, the stop element can be coupled to moving components of a hydraulic or pneumatic system and moved between the retracted and extended positions by these components. The hydraulic or pneumatic system can be connected to a pressure accumulator or a pressure generator and supplied with pressurized fluid or gas, with the supply potentially being controlled as needed, for example, by opening and closing valves.

[0027] According to a further specified embodiment, the drive device is configured to move the first stop element linearly between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0028] In other words, the drive unit can be capable of moving the first stop element along a straight path from the retracted to the extended position and / or vice versa. Such a linear drive unit can be implemented simply and / or require minimal installation space. Furthermore, the first stop element can be moved between its two extreme positions along the shortest possible path. Examples of suitable drive units include an electric linear actuator, a rotating electric motor (where rotation is converted into linear motion, for example, by means of a gearbox), a hydraulically or pneumatically driven piston, or similar devices.

[0029] According to an alternative, more detailed embodiment, the drive device is configured to pivot the first stop element between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0030] In other words, the drive unit can be designed to move the first stop element along a curved travel path between the retracted and extended positions. For this purpose, the drive unit can, for example, use an electric motor, hydraulics, or pneumatics to effect a rotary movement that pivots the first stop element, coupled to the drive unit, into or out of the retracted position.

[0031] According to one of several possible embodiments of the invention, the ultrasonic welding device further comprises a joining partner detection device, which is configured to detect the presence of a joining partner in the receiving space and subsequently generate a detection signal. The drive device can be configured to automatically move the stop element between the retracted and extended positions, depending on the detection signal.

[0032] The joining partner detection device can, for example, be equipped with sensors that, by appropriately monitoring certain physical parameters, enable it to detect whether one or more joining partners are currently located in the receiving space. The sensors can monitor, for example, optical, magnetic, electrical, mechanical, or other parameters. The sensors may even be designed to detect the position of a joining partner within the receiving space and / or the direction in which the joining partner is moving within the receiving space. Based on one or more of these pieces of information, the joining partner detection device can then generate a detection signal. A controller that manages the function of the drive unit can receive this detection signal and, in response, appropriately control the drive unit. The controller can be part of the drive unit itself.Alternatively, the drive unit can be designed to be controlled by an external control system.

[0033] By using the joining partner detection device to detect the presence of a joining partner in the receiving space, the drive device can move the stop element fully automatically or semi-automatically to a desired position.

[0034] For example, if it is initially detected that a joining partner has been inserted into the receiving space from the sixth side, the first stop element can first be moved into its retracted position so that the joining partner can be mechanically aligned against it. Once this has been done, the first stop element can, if necessary, be automatically moved back into its extended position to allow one or more further joining partners to be inserted into the receiving space from the opposite fifth side. In this way, the first joining partner(s) can then be welded to the subsequently inserted joining partner(s) to form a through-joint.

[0035] According to another of several possible embodiments of the invention, the ultrasonic welding device alternatively or additionally has a human-machine interface which is configured to generate requirement data based on input from a user. The drive unit can then be configured to automatically move the first stop element between the retracted position and the extended position, depending on the requirement data.

[0036] The human-machine interface can be, for example, a keyboard, a touchscreen, a microphone with speech recognition, or similar devices. A user operating the ultrasonic welding system can use the human-machine interface to input data, such as information about the components to be welded and / or the weld node to be created. For example, the user can specify that two components are to be welded to form a through-hole. Based on this input, the human-machine interface can generate request data and transmit it to a controller. The controller can then operate the drive unit fully or semi-automatically to move the first stop element to the desired position.

[0037] For example, if it is known that a through-joint is to be welded, the first stop element can first be moved into the retracted position to allow the first joining partner to be correctly positioned against it. The first stop element can then be automatically moved into the extended position to allow the second joining partner to be inserted into the receiving area from the opposite side.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic welding device can further include a sensor configured to detect when the first stop element reaches the retracted position and then generate a retracted signal and / or to detect when the first stop element reaches the extended position and then generate an extended signal.

[0039] In other words, sensors can be provided to detect the actual position of the first stop element. When the stop element has reached its retracted position, the sensors generate a specific retraction signal. Similarly, when it has reached its extended position, the sensors generate a specific extension signal. These specific signals allow for independent detection of whether the first stop element has actually reached its target position, independent of control signals used, for example, by a controller to move the drive unit to a specific position. This enables the detection of potential malfunctions in the drive unit's control system and / or in the resulting movement of the stop element.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic welding device may further have a guide to guide the first stop element during a displacement movement between the retracted position and the extended position.

[0041] The guide can direct the first stop element during its displacement movement in such a way that it can move along a desired displacement path, i.e., for example, along the shortest path between the extended and retracted positions, with minimal force, while being supported perpendicular to the displacement path and thus unable to deviate from it without the application of excessive forces. The guide can, for example, help prevent damage to the stop element and / or the associated drive unit, such as from improper handling by a user and / or from joining partners applying excessive force against the stop element.

[0042] According to a particularly easy-to-implement embodiment, the first stop element can limit the receiving space with a single plate.

[0043] In other words, the first stop element can be designed as a single, flat plate. The dimensions and / or material of the plate can be chosen such that, on the one hand, the plate is sufficiently stable to withstand the forces occurring when aligning joining partners against the first stop element, but on the other hand, the plate remains light enough to be easily repositioned.

[0044] According to a further developed embodiment, the ultrasonic welding device can also have a second stop element. The second stop element can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the second stop element is intended to at least partially limit the receiving space on a sixth side, which runs transversely to the first to fourth sides and is opposite the fifth side, and in the extended position, to leave the receiving space open on the sixth side.

[0045] The second stop element can thus be positioned on the opposite side to the first stop element, so that both stop elements define the receiving space between them. The first stop element can serve to position joining partners inserted into the receiving space from the sixth side so that they rest against the first stop element and thus extend directly to the edge of the receiving space, but do not protrude beyond it. The second stop element, on the other hand, can be used to perform a similar function for joining partners inserted from the opposite fifth side, i.e., to position them by pressing their end faces against the second stop element so that they extend to the opposite edge of the receiving space, but do not protrude beyond it.With the help of the two stop elements, joining partners can thus be picked up one after the other from both opposite sides in the receiving space and positioned appropriately in it in order to form a high-quality through-joint after the ultrasonic welding process.

[0046] The second stop element, like the first, should be movable between a retracted and an extended position. Accordingly, while the first stop element is in its retracted position, the second stop element can be moved to its extended position, opening the sixth side of the receiving space. From there, one or more components can be inserted into the receiving space until they contact the first stop element. Subsequently, the first stop element can be moved to its extended position, and the second stop element can be moved to its retracted position. In this configuration, the fifth side of the receiving space is open, allowing one or more components to be inserted into the receiving space from there until they contact the second stop element.The repositioning of the first and second stop elements can occur independently or in relation to each other. Furthermore, it can be fully or semi-automated.

[0047] According to a more detailed embodiment, the second stop element can have several elongated segments, each extending in one direction along the sixth side and parallel to each other. Each segment can be moved independently of neighboring segments between the retracted and extended positions.

[0048] In other words, the second stop element can preferably be multi-part. A boundary of the receiving space formed by the second stop element on its sixth side can be composed of several segments. Each individual segment can be elongated and extend along the sixth side, in its extension, or parallel to it. The various segments can extend parallel to each other and thus, when retracted into their closed positions, cover at least part of the sixth side of the receiving space with their surfaces.

[0049] The segments can be moved independently between their retracted and extended positions. In other words, each segment can be moved along its longitudinal axis independently of neighboring segments. Accordingly, some segments may remain in their extended position, while others move to their retracted position or to an intermediate position.

[0050] This segmented design of the second stop element allows the boundary it creates on the sixth side of the receiving space to cover only parts of it, rather than the entire sixth side. This can be advantageous, for example, if components have already been positioned in the receiving space from the sixth side, preventing the sixth side from being completely closed. In this case, the segments that would cover a portion of the sixth side from which the already inserted components extend can remain in their extended position, while the other segments can cover an adjacent portion of the sixth side by retracting to their retracted position.The segments moved into the retracted position can then form a physical stop for joining partners introduced from the opposite fifth side.

[0051] According to a further specified embodiment, in such a segment-like second stop element, at least some of the segments can be held elastically on a respective associated segment movement element, so that when they are subjected to force towards the retracted position, they are elastically pre-tensioned towards the retracted position.

[0052] In other words, each segment of the second stop element can be moved by an associated segment movement element to the retracted position and back to the extended position. However, the segment is not rigidly coupled to the segment movement element, but rather held elastically by it. When the segment movement element is moved towards the retracted position, it carries the segment along unimpeded, provided no opposing force acts on the segment. The segment is elastically pre-tensioned towards the retracted position. This means that if an opposing force acts on the segment towards the extended position, the segment can be moved towards the extended position against this elastic pre-tension.Even if the segment movement element is moved towards the retracted position, but the segment elastically coupled to it encounters an obstacle on the way to the retracted position which exerts an opposing force on the segment, the segment movement element can continue to be moved towards the retracted position, but the segment may remain in its original position despite successively increasing elastic preload.

[0053] In such a configuration, an attempt can be made to move the second stop element, for example, with all its segments, towards the retracted position. For this purpose, all segment movement elements can be moved in the direction of the retracted position. However, only those segments of the second stop element that do not encounter an obstacle on their way there will actually move towards the retracted position. Such an obstacle can be formed, in particular, by joining partners already arranged in the receiving space. As a result, the second stop element can adapt itself almost automatically to the previously arranged joining partners in the receiving space, by only moving those segments into the retracted position that are not blocked by joining partners extending out of the receiving space on the sixth side.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the ultrasonic welding device may further include a drive device for driving the second stop segment, a further joining partner detection device for detecting joining partners in the receiving space near the second stop segment, a sensor for detecting a current position of the second stop element and / or a guide for guiding a displacement movement of the second stop element.

[0055] The aforementioned devices or components can be designed in an analogous manner to that described above in connection with the first stop element.

[0056] It is noted that possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are described herein partly with reference to an ultrasonic welding device designed according to the invention and partly with reference to a way in which it can be operated or used. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features described for individual embodiments can be appropriately transferred, adapted, and / or exchanged in an analogous manner to other embodiments in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention and possibly synergistic effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the explanations are to be interpreted as limiting the invention in any way. Fig. 1shows a highly schematic side view of an ultrasonic welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of an ultrasonic welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a first stop element in its retracted position. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an ultrasonic welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention with a first stop element in its extended position. Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of an ultrasonic welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention with an additional second stop element in its at least partially retracted position.

[0058] The figures are merely schematic and not to scale. The same reference symbols denote identical or equivalent features in the different drawings. DESCRIPTION OF ADVANTAGEOUS EXECUTION FORMS

[0059] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows, in a highly schematic manner, an ultrasonic welding device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic welding device 1 is shown in a specific embodiment in perspective view and, with regard to some main components, also in more detail. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 depicted.

[0060] The ultrasonic welding device 1 comprises a sonotrode 3, an anvil 5, a touch element 7, and a side slide 9. These components surround a receiving chamber 13 in a frame-like manner. This chamber can hold joining partners 15, such as a first strand 17 of a first cable and a second strand 19 of a second cable. A first side (bottom in the illustrated example) of the receiving chamber 13 is bounded by a surface 21 of the sonotrode 3. A second side (top in the illustrated example) of the working chamber 13, opposite the first side, is bounded by a surface 23 of the anvil 5. A third side (right in the illustrated example) of the receiving chamber 13 is bounded by a surface 25 of the touch element 7. And a fourth side (left in the illustrated example) of the receiving chamber 13, opposite the third side, is bounded by a surface 27 of the side slide 9.In the illustrated example, the surfaces 21 and 23 of the sonotrode 3 and the anvil 5 are each horizontal and parallel to each other, whereas the surfaces 25 and 27 of the touching element 7 and the side slider 9 are each vertical and again parallel to each other. The receiving space 13 bounded by the aforementioned surfaces 21, 23, 25, 27 is thus approximately cuboid in shape.

[0061] As in the perspectively depicted Figures 2 and 3 As can be clearly seen, a first stop element 11 is provided behind the side slide 9. This first stop element 11 can, as shown in Fig. 2 The first stop element 11 can be arranged in a retracted position, where it limits the receiving space 13 on a fifth side (at the rear in the example shown). If necessary, the first stop element 11 can be, as shown in Fig. 3 depicted, moved into an extended position, leaving the recording chamber 13 open on the fifth side.

[0062] For the sake of clarity, the following are included: Figs. 2 and 3 Only some of the main components of the ultrasonic welding system are shown; however, some of the optional components explained below are only available in [various other configurations]. Fig. 1 schematically illustrated and in Figs. 2 and 3 omitted.

[0063] The first stop element 11 can be moved between the retracted and extended positions along a displacement direction 31 by means of a drive unit 29. For this purpose, the drive unit 29 can be controlled by a controller 35. The controller 35 can be designed as a separate component or integrated into the drive unit 29.

[0064] The control unit 35 can, for example, communicate with a joining partner detection device 37 and receive a recognition signal from it as soon as the presence of one or more joining partners 15 is detected in the receiving chamber 13. The control unit 35 can then automatically control the drive unit 29 to move the first stop element 11 into its retracted position. Accordingly, the joining partners 15, which were inserted into the receiving chamber 13 on the sixth side, can then be moved with their end faces up to the first stop element 11 and thus be aligned approximately with the edge of the sonotrode 3 on the fifth side of the receiving chamber 13.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the controller 35 can communicate with a human-machine interface 39, through which an operator can input data. This data can specify, for example, the type of contact node to be created, the properties of the joining partners 15 to be welded, etc. Based on this data, request data can be transmitted to the controller 35, which can then automatically control the drive unit to move the first stop element 11 to a suitable position, i.e., in particular to the retracted or extended position.

[0066] The ultrasonic welding device 1 optionally includes a sensor 41, which can detect when the first stop element 11 has actually reached its retracted or extended position. The sensor 41 can then generate a retracted or extended signal, respectively. These signals can in turn be forwarded to the controller 35, which thereby receives feedback on the current actual position of the first stop element 11. The signals can thus be used, for example, to control the operation of the drive unit 29.

[0067] To prevent the first stop element 11 from deviating from its desired displacement path when moving between the extended and retracted positions, a guide 47 is also provided. In the illustrated example, the guide 47 is configured with a guide rail 43, which guides a lower edge of the first stop element 11, designed in this example as a one-piece plate.

[0068] Regardless of any movement of the first stop element 11, the side slide 9 can also be moved in a displacement direction 33 in order to reduce the receiving space 13 after the insertion of the joining partners 15 and thus to be able to hold the joining partners 15 in a desired position.

[0069] Fig. 4Figure 1 illustrates a configuration of the ultrasonic welding device 1 in which a second stop element 49 has been moved, at least partially, into its retracted position. The second stop element 49 extends adjacent to the receiving chamber 13 on the sixth side, opposite the fifth side. Thus, the second stop element 49 can serve as a mechanical stop for joining partners 15 that have been inserted into the receiving chamber 13 from the fifth side.

[0070] The second stop element 49 is not designed as a simple, one-piece plate like the first stop element 11, but rather has several elongated segments 51. The segments 51 can be moved independently of one another into the retracted and / or extended position. For this purpose, each segment 51 is coupled to a segment movement element 53, which can be moved by a drive unit (not shown). The segment movement element 53 does not, however, rigidly transmit a movement of the drive unit to the corresponding segment 51. Instead, the segment 51 is coupled to the segment movement element 53 via a spring 55. In this way, when the respective segment 51 is subjected to force from its segment movement element 53 towards the retracted position, it is elastically pre-tensioned towards the retracted position, but does not actually move necessarily towards the retracted position.Instead, segments 51, which encounter an obstacle such as joining partners 15 arranged in the receiving space 13 during a movement towards the retracted position, can be stopped by this obstacle. These segments 51 then exert an elastically pre-tensioned pressure on the obstacle. This can be used to temporarily fix joining partners 15 already arranged in the receiving space 13. This is shown in . Fig. 4 The lower three segments 51 are shown. Those segments 51 that do not encounter an obstacle are moved towards the retracted position. There, they form a boundary of the receiving space 13, against which joining partners inserted from the opposite side can mechanically abut and thus be aligned. This is shown in Fig. 4 The upper four segments are shown in 51.

[0071] Summarized, albeit with slightly different terminology, the first and / or the second stop element 11, 49 are integrated into the ultrasonic welding device 1 and can be automatically extended or retracted, for example, by a software-controlled drive (e.g., electrically or pneumatically), depending on the node parameters. This is possible for both end nodes and through nodes, provided that two stop elements 11, 49 are provided for the latter. The second stop element 49 preferably consists of several spring-loaded, movable segments that extend completely only at those points not occupied by previously inserted joining partners 15. Thus, only one stop is required for the joining partners 15 to be inserted from the opposite side (left).

[0072] With embodiments of the ultrasonic welding device 1 proposed herein, downtimes that were conventionally required, for example, for installing or removing a separate stop, can be reduced and / or consistent weld quality can be achieved. Furthermore, the ultrasonic welding device 1 can optionally be used for forming both end nodes and through nodes with their respective stops. Fluctuations in the quality of the finished product, which can conventionally arise due to inaccurate insertion positions of the joining partners placed in the receiving chamber, can be largely avoided with the proposed ultrasonic welding device 1.

[0073] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps from other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. Reference symbol list

[0074] 1 Ultra-welding device 3 Sonotrode 5 Anvil 7 Touching element 9 Side slide 11 First stop element 12 Plate 13 Receiving chamber 15 Joining partner 17 First wire 19 Second wire 21 Surface of the sonotrode 23 Surface of the anvil 25 Surface of the touching element 27 Surface of the side slide 29 Drive device 31 Displacement direction of the first stop element 33 Displacement direction of the side slide 35 Control 37 Joining partner detection device 39 Human-machine interface 41 Sensors 43 Guide rail 47 Guide 49 Second stop element 51 Segments 53 Segment movement element 55 Springs

Claims

1. Ultrasonic welding device (1), comprising: a sonotrode (3); an anvil (5); a touching element (7); a lateral slide (9); a first stop element (11); and a receiving chamber (13) in which joining partners (15) are to be received; wherein the receiving chamber is defined on a first side by a surface (21) of the sonotrode and on a second side opposing the first side by a surface (23) of the anvil; wherein the receiving chamber is further defined on a third side by a surface (25) of the touching element and on a fourth side opposing the third side by a surface (27) of the lateral slide; wherein the first stop element is displaceable between a pulled-in position and a pulled-out position; wherein the first stop element in the pulled-in position defines the receiving chamber on a fifth side extending transverse to the first to fourth sides and in the pulled-out position leaves the receiving chamber open on the fifth side; characterized in that the ultrasonic welding device further comprises: a drive device (29) which is configured to actively displace the first stop element between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position, and wherein the ultrasonic welding device further comprises: (i) a joining partner detection device (37) which is adapted to detect a presence of a joining partner in the receiving chamber and then to generate a detection signal, wherein the drive device is configured to displace the stop element between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position in an automated manner in dependence on the detection signal, wherein a controller is configured to receive the detection signal and to suitably control the drive device in reaction thereto, and / or (ii) a human-machine interface (39) which is adapted to generate request data on the basis of an input by a user, wherein the drive device is configured to displace the first stop element between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position in an automated manner in dependence on the request data, wherein a controller is configured to receive the request data and to suitably control the drive device in reaction thereto,.

2. Ultrasonic welding device according to claim 1, wherein the drive device is configured to displace the stop element by means of an electric motor, by means of a hydraulic system or by means of a pneumatic system.

3. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive device is configured to displace the first stop element linearly between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position.

4. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of preceding claims 1 and 2, wherein the drive device is configured to pivot the first stop element between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position.

5. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor system (41) which is configured to detect that the first stop element has reached the pulled-in position and then to generate a pulled-in signal and / or to detect that the first stop element has reached the pulled-out position and then to generate a pulled-out signal.

6. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a guide (47) for guiding the first stop element during a displacement movement between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position.

7. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first stop element defines the receiving chamber with a single plate (12).

8. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second stop element (49), wherein the second stop element is displaceable between a pulled-in position and a pulled-out position, wherein the second stop element in the pulled-in position defines the receiving chamber at least in some regions on a sixth side extending transverse to the first to fourth sides and opposing the fifth side and in the pulled-out position leaves the receiving chamber open on the sixth side.

9. Ultrasonic welding device according to claim 8, wherein the second stop element comprises a plurality of elongate segments (51) which each extend in a direction along the sixth side and parallel to each other, wherein each of the segments is displaceable between the pulled-in position and the pulled-out position independently of adjacent segments.

10. Ultrasonic welding device according to claim 9, wherein at least some of the segments are each elastically held on a respective associated segment-moving element (53) so that, when they are force-actuated toward the pulled-in position, they are elastically biased toward the pulled-in position.

11. Ultrasonic welding device according to one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a drive device for driving the second stop element, a joining partner detection device for detecting joining partners in the receiving chamber close to the second stop element, a sensor system for detecting a current position of the second stop element, and / or a guide for guiding a displacement movement of the second stop element.

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