Device for manufacturing at least one sensor casing from two plastic films

Abstract

Device for producing at least one sensor shell (12) from two plastic films (1), wherein the device for welding the plastic films (1) comprises a laser device (3) with a Tm fiber laser and a closable processing chamber (2) with a device (4) influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, and wherein the plastic films (1) are arranged one on top of the other in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser, characterized in that the closable processing chamber (2) has a first opening (6) and a second opening (7) for introducing at least one gaseous substance, that the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) are spaced apart from each other, that the plastic films (1) are located between the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) during the application of the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser,wherein pressure is exerted on the plastic films (1) by the gaseous substances and during the application of laser radiation from the Tm fiber laser, so that the plastic films (1) are pressed together and positioned between the first opening (6) and the second opening (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing at least one sensor cover from two plastic films, wherein the device for welding the plastic films has a laser device with a Tm fiber laser and a closable processing chamber with a device influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser and wherein the plastic films are arranged on top of one another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser.

[0002] DE 198 32 168 A1 discloses a method and device for welding thermoplastics with laser light, wherein the laser light is directed onto a workpiece made of transparent plastic. The laser light has a wavelength of 1.6 µm to 2.4 µm. This allows two workpieces to be welded together flat. During welding, the laser light heats the workpieces on both sides of the contact area. Any attenuation due to absorption in the area of ​​the rear workpiece can be compensated for by a reflector arranged behind this workpiece, which can also be designed to be coolable. The workpieces are located between two holding elements, one holding element being a quartz glass plate. The second holding element can be designed as a reflector.

[0003] The invention defined in claim 1 is based on the object of providing a device for the simple production of at least one sensor cover from two plastic films arranged one on top of the other in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser.

[0004] This problem is solved by the features listed in claim 1.

[0005] The device for producing at least one sensor cover from two plastic films, wherein the device for welding the plastic films has a laser device with a Tm fiber laser and a closable processing chamber with a device influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser and wherein the plastic films are arranged on top of one another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser, is characterized in particular in that the sensor cover is easy to produce.

[0006] For this purpose, the sealable processing chamber has a first opening and a second opening for introducing at least one gaseous substance. The first opening and the second opening are spaced apart from one another. Furthermore, the plastic films are located between the first opening and the second opening during exposure to the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser. Pressure is exerted on the plastic films by the gaseous substances and during exposure to the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser. This forces the plastic films together and positions them between the first opening and the second opening.

[0007] The Tm (Tm equals thulium) fiber laser is advantageously used to weld the plastic films. In overlap transmission welding, the Tm fiber laser with a wavelength of 1.95 µm can produce tight welds with a seam width of less than or equal to 100 µm without the need for an additional absorption agent. A tight weld can be formed in such a way that it defines at least one open channel for receiving and transporting a flowable medium from the environment of the plastic films, in conjunction with at least one chamber-like area receiving the flowable medium from the channel. This allows at least one sensor casing to be implemented as a component of a sensor.

[0008] The closable processing chamber is characterized in particular by the fact that the plastic films for forming the at least one sensor cover can also be freely fixed in the closed processing chamber by means of the acting pressures.

[0009] Advantageous refinements of the invention are set forth in the following developments and embodiments. These can develop the device for producing at least one sensor cover from two plastic films, wherein the device for welding the plastic films comprises a laser device with a Tm fiber laser and a sealable processing chamber with a device for influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, and wherein the plastic films are arranged one on top of the other in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser, individually or in combination.

[0010] In a further development of the sealable processing chamber, a stop and / or a support for the plastic films arranged one upon another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser to form the sensor casing can be located between the first opening and the second opening. Furthermore, the stop and / or the support is / are designed such that the surface of the plastic films to be exposed to the laser beams is free. The stop and the support simplify the positioning of the plastic films in the sealable processing chamber. This makes it easier and simpler to achieve a specific position of the plastic films relative to the device influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, as or with the device that couples out the laser beams.

[0011] In one embodiment, the plastic films arranged on top of one another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser can be located on a further plastic film as a carrier. The further plastic film is thus a carrier plastic film. During the welding of the plastic films arranged on top of one another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser, this further plastic film as a carrier of the plastic films for forming the sensor casing can also be damaged in places or regions, in particular by reflected laser beams, without damaging the plastic films forming the sensor casing. Any residue of further plastic film can simply remain on the plastic films forming the sensor casing without affecting its functionality. The further plastic film thus represents both a carrier and a protective means for the plastic films arranged on top of one another to form the sensor casing.

[0012] In one embodiment, the first opening and the second opening can each be connected to a pump or to a pump via a valve as inlets of the gaseous substance.

[0013] In one embodiment, the device influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser can be a device in the sealable processing chamber that shapes and / or deflects the laser radiation. In particular, the device that deflects the laser radiation is connected to a control device.

[0014] In a further development, pressure sensors can be arranged in the sealable processing chamber so that the pressures caused by the introduced gaseous substances are measured at the first opening and the second opening. Furthermore, the pressure sensors and the pumps or the actuating devices of the valves and the pumps are connected to the control device in such a way that the stacked plastic films are positioned in the closed processing chamber and held in this position, thus exerting pressure on the plastic films.

[0015] In a further development, pressure sensors can be arranged in the sealable processing chamber such that the pressures caused by the introduced gaseous substances are measured at the first opening and the second opening. Furthermore, the pressure sensors and the pumps or the actuating devices of the valves and the pumps are connected to the control device as a data processing system such that different pressures act on the plastic films for positioning the plastic films and equal pressures act on the plastic films for fixing them in a specific position.

[0016] In one embodiment, the end regions of the plastic films can be located in a frame. The frame has at least one cavity. At least one region of the plastic films ends at or in the cavity. Furthermore, the cavity is connected to or in connection with a vacuum pump. This ensures that the films lie flat against one another.

[0017] In a further development, the frame can have at least two detachably connectable frame parts. Furthermore, at least one frame part has a recess forming the cavity.

[0018] An embodiment of the invention is shown in principle in the drawings and is described in more detail below.

[0019] They show: Fig. 1 a device for producing at least one sensor cover from two plastic films, Fig. 2 two plastic films on another plastic film as a carrier for the realization of at least one sensor cover, Fig. 3 a tight weld seam connecting two plastic films with a channel and a chamber-like area, Fig. 4 a frame with two plastic films and Fig. 5 a section of a frame.

[0020] A device for producing at least one sensor sleeve 12 from two plastic films 1 essentially consists of a sealable processing chamber 2, a laser device 3 with a Tm fiber laser, a device 4 influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, means for introducing at least one gaseous substance into the sealable processing chamber 2 and a control device 5. For this purpose, the plastic films 1 are arranged one on top of the other in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser.

[0021] The Fig. 1 shows a device for producing at least one sensor cover 12 from two plastic films 1 in a schematic representation.

[0022] In one embodiment, the sealable processing chamber 2 can have a door for inserting and removing the plastic films 1. This door can be part of a wall of the sealable processing chamber 2. In another embodiment, the sealable processing chamber can also be constructed in multiple parts, with the parts being detachable from one another. The separated parts allow the plastic films 1 to be easily placed and removed after processing.

[0023] The sealable processing chamber 2 has a first opening 6 and a second opening 7 for introducing at least one gas. The first opening 6 and the second opening 7 are arranged at a distance from one another such that the plastic films 1 are located between the first opening 6 and the second opening 7 when the plastic films 1 are subjected to pressure. For this purpose, these openings 6, 7 can be arranged on a wall of the sealable processing chamber 2, on walls of the sealable processing chamber 2, and / or on the floor and a ceiling of the sealable processing chamber 2. The device 4 influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser is, in particular, a device in the sealable processing chamber 2 that shapes and / or deflects the laser radiation of the laser device 3. For this purpose, the device is arranged in the sealable processing chamber 2 such that the laser radiation for welding the plastic films 1 can be guided over them.In particular, the device that deflects the laser radiation of the device 4 that influences the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser is connected to the control device 5. In one embodiment or in embodiments, the device 4 that influences the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser can be a scanner device and / or a scanner device with at least one laser radiation focusing device.

[0024] In a further embodiment, a stop and / or a support 8 for the plastic films 1 can be located between the first opening 6 and the second opening 7. The stop and / or the support 8 is or are designed such that the surface of the plastic films 1 to be exposed to the laser beams is free.

[0025] The first opening 6 and the second opening 7 are the inlets for the gas. For this purpose, the first opening 6 and the second opening 7 are connected via valves 9 and pumps 10 as a means for introducing the gas into the sealable processing chamber 2 to at least one reservoir of the gas. This can be a container or a net containing the gas and is known in the Fig. 1 not shown. The actuating devices of the valves 9 and the pumps 10 are connected to the control device 5. The control device 5 is in particular a data processing system which is designed such that a gas pressure acts on the plastic films 1, pressing the plastic films 1 against one another and positioning the plastic films 1 between the first opening 6 and the second opening 7 and holding them in this position. In a further embodiment, pressure sensors can be arranged in the closable processing chamber 2 such that the pressures caused by the introduced gases are measured at the first opening 6 and at the second opening 7. For this purpose, the pressure sensors, the actuating devices of the valves and the pumps are connected to the control device such that the plastic films 1 are positioned in the closed processing chamber 2 and held in this position and that pressure acts on the plastic films 1.For this purpose, the data processing system can also be designed in conjunction with the pressure sensors, the actuating devices of the valves 9 and the pumps 10 in such a way that different pressures act on the plastic films 1 for positioning the plastic films 1 in the closed processing chamber 2 and the same pressures act on them for fixing them in the specific position.

[0026] The Fig. 2 shows two plastic films 1 on a further plastic film 11 as a carrier for the realization of at least one sensor cover 12 in a basic representation.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the plastic films 1 can be located on a further plastic film 11 as a carrier to form the at least one sensor cover 12.

[0028] The Fig. 3 shows a tight weld seam 15 connecting two plastic films 1 with a channel 13 and a chamber-like area 14 in a schematic representation.

[0029] A sensor sleeve 12 can have at least one channel 13 and at least one chamber-like region 14, which are formed by the plastic films 1 and a sealed weld seam 15. Of course, several sensor sleeves 12 can also be arranged next to one another. These can be arranged individually or in groups with interconnected chamber-like regions 14.

[0030] The Fig. 4 shows a frame 16 with two plastic films 1 in a basic representation.

[0031] In a further embodiment, the plastic films 1 can be located in a frame 16.

[0032] The Fig. 5 shows a portion of a frame 16 in a basic sectional view.

[0033] The frame 16 has at least one cavity 19. At least one region of the plastic films 1 ends at and / or in the cavity 19. The cavity 19 is connected via a connecting channel 20 to a connection to or in connection with a vacuum pump. For this purpose, the connection can also be closable, so that a negative pressure relative to the normal pressure acts between the plastic films 1 and the cavity 19. The frame 16 can have at least two detachably connectable frame parts 17, 18. At least one frame part 17, 18 can have a recess forming the cavity 19.

[0034] The plastic films 1 can, for example, be two light-transparent plastic films 1 with a thickness of less than or equal to 250 µm. Light here means light with a spectral range of electromagnetic radiation visible to humans. For this purpose, several sensor sleeves 12 can be arranged next to one another. The tight weld seams 15 for forming the sensor sleeves 12 can, in particular, have widths of less than or equal to 100 µm. To form the sensor sleeve 12, at least one of the plastic films 1 can have at least one recess for forming the channel 13 and / or the chamber-like region 14. Furthermore, at least one of the plastic films 1 can have at least one electrode. The sensor sleeves 12 can thus serve, for example, to form POCT sensors and thus be components of POCT sensors, where POCT stands for ‰ point of care testing as near-patient immediate diagnostics or near-patient laboratory diagnostics.The latter are also known as rapid tests. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 198 32 168 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Device for producing at least one sensor cover (12) from two plastic films (1), wherein the device for welding the plastic films (1) comprises a laser device (3) with a Tm fiber laser and a closable processing chamber (2) with a device (4) influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, and wherein the plastic films (1) are arranged on top of one another in the beam direction of the Tm fiber laser, characterized bythat the closable processing chamber (2) has a first opening (6) and a second opening (7) for introducing at least one gaseous substance, that the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) are arranged at a distance from one another, that the plastic films (1) are located between the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) during the exposure to the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, wherein pressure acts on the plastic films (1) by the gaseous substances and during the exposure to the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser, so that the plastic films (1) are pressed against one another and positioned between the first opening (6) and the second opening (7). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat between the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) there is or are a stop and / or a support (8) for the plastic films (1), wherein the stop and / or the support (8) is or are designed such that the surface of the plastic films (1) to be exposed to the laser beams is free. [3] Device according to at least one of claims 1 and 2, characterized by that the plastic films (1) are located on another plastic film (11) as a carrier. [4] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the first opening (6) and the second opening (7) as inlets of the gaseous substance are each connected to a pump (10) or each via a valve (9) to a pump (10). [5] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the device (4) influencing the laser radiation of the Tm fiber laser is a device in the closable processing chamber (2) that shapes and / or deflects the laser radiation and that the device deflecting the laser radiation is connected to a control device (5). [6] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that pressure sensors are arranged in the processing chamber (2) in such a way that the pressures caused by the introduced gaseous substances are measured at the first opening (6) and at the second opening (7), that the pressure sensors and the pumps (10) or the actuating devices of the valves (9) and the pumps (10) are connected to the control device (5) in such a way that the plastic films (1) arranged one above the other are positioned in the closed processing chamber (2) and held in this position and that a pressure acts on the plastic films (1). [7] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that pressure sensors are arranged in the processing chamber (2) in such a way that the pressures caused by the introduced gaseous substances are measured at the first opening (6) and at the second opening (7), that the pressure sensors and the pumps (10) or the actuating devices of the valves (9) and the pumps (10) are connected to the control device (5) as a data processing system in such a way that different pressures act on the plastic films (1) for positioning the plastic films (1) and the same pressures act on them for fixing them in a specific position. [8] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the end regions of the plastic films (1) are located in a frame (16), that the frame (16) has at least one cavity (19), that at least one region of the plastic films (1) ends at or in the cavity (19), that the cavity (19) is connected to a connection to or in connection with a vacuum pump. [9] Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the frame (16) has at least two frame parts (17, 18) which can be releasably connected to one another and that at least one frame part (17, 18) has a recess forming the cavity (19).

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