Ultrasonic cutting equipment

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic fusion device capable of preventing, by detecting cutting completion of an object to be fused from unique acoustic vibration generated from an anvil, generation of an unpleasant sound by enabling ultrasonic oscillation of a horn enough even under a low pressure condition and prolonging the life of the born or the anvil.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic fusion device 100 for placing a sheet-like body S on an anvil 20 having a projected part 21 corresponding to a fusion part, bringing a horn 60 having ultrasonic vibration applied thereto into contact with the sheet-like body S by prescribed pressure, and fusing the sheet-like body S comprises: a microphone 80 that detects unique acoustic vibration generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 abuts against the sheet-like body S; and an ultrasonic end oscillator 70 that stop-controls the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 60 after the lapse of certain time from the detection of the acoustic vibration at the microphone 80.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic fusing device, and more particularly to an ultrasonic fusing device suitable for fusing sheet-like objects such as nonwoven fabric. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART An "ultrasonic cutting device" disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known as a device for cutting a sheet-like object such as a nonwoven fabric by clamping it between an anvil and an ultrasonic horn (hereinafter simply referred to as a horn).

[0003] In the "ultrasonic cutting device" disclosed in Patent Document 1, the completion of cutting of the workpiece is detected when the horn, which is controlled to descend, electrically contacts the anvil. However, because electrical contact between the horn and the anvil occurs through partial contact between the horn and the anvil, in order to ensure complete cutting of the workpiece, it is necessary to continue ultrasonic oscillation of the horn for a certain period of time after detecting electrical contact between the horn and the anvil.

[0004] Furthermore, when cutting a sheet-like object such as a nonwoven fabric, it is necessary to fuse the cut surface of the object to prevent the cut surface from fraying.

[0005] However, when cutting sheet-like materials such as nonwoven fabric, in order to ensure a welding strength above a predetermined level, the horn must be operated under low-pressure processing conditions, and the tip of the anvil must also be blunted.

[0006] Under these conditions, if a sheet-like object to be cut, such as a nonwoven fabric, is sandwiched between a horn and anvil and ultrasonically cut, the molten nonwoven fabric may form a thin resin film between the horn and the anvil, which may interfere with electrical contact between the horn and the anvil. Therefore, if the completion of cutting is detected by the electrical contact between the horn and the anvil, the ultrasonic oscillation of the horn may continue longer than necessary, even though cutting of the object to be cut has actually been substantially completed.

[0007] If the horn continues to oscillate ultrasonically while the horn and anvil are in close proximity, an unpleasant noise of over 80 dB will be generated at a frequency of around 4 KHz to 8 KHz. In addition, this will cause excessive wear on the horn and anvil, significantly shortening their lifespan. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-0005 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an ultrasonic cutting device that detects the completion of cutting of the object to be cut from the inherent acoustic vibrations generated by the anvil, thereby enabling sufficient control of the ultrasonic oscillation of the horn even under low-pressure conditions, preventing the generation of unpleasant noise, and extending the life of the horn and anvil. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an ultrasonic fusing device that places an object to be fusing on an anvil having a protrusion corresponding to a fusing portion, brings an ultrasonic horn to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied into contact with the object to be fusing at a predetermined pressure, and fusing the object to be fusing at the fusing portion, characterized in that it comprises an acoustic vibration sensor that detects the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil when the ultrasonic horn contacts the object to be fusing, and ultrasonic control means that controls the ultrasonic vibrations of the ultrasonic horn to stop after a certain time has elapsed since the acoustic vibration sensor detected the acoustic vibrations.

[0011] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 1, the contact surface of the ultrasonic horn with the object to be melted is inclined at a predetermined angle in the longitudinal direction with respect to the anvil.

[0012] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1, the tip of the protrusion of the anvil is inclined at a predetermined angle in its longitudinal direction with respect to the contact surface of the ultrasonic horn that contacts the object to be fused.

[0013] The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 2 or 3, the ultrasonic horn contacts the object to be melted in its longitudinal direction with a predetermined time difference, and the certain time is set corresponding to the time difference.

[0014] The invention of claim 5 is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the acoustic vibration sensor is a microphone disposed in the vicinity of the anvil.

[0015] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in the invention of claim 5, the microphone has a frequency characteristic that selectively detects the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil.

[0016] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 5 or 6, the microphone has a directionality that allows it to selectively detect the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil.

[0017] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, the acoustic vibration sensor is a vibration sensor attached to the anvil.

[0018] The invention of claim 9 is the invention of claim 8, and the invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 5, characterized in that the vibration sensor has a frequency characteristic that selectively detects the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil.

[0019] The invention of claim 10 is characterized in that in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 9, the object to be fused is made of a sheet-like body in which nonwoven fabric is laminated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, an ultrasonic fusing device is provided in which an object to be fusing is placed on an anvil having a protrusion corresponding to a fusing portion, an ultrasonic horn to which ultrasonic vibrations have been applied is brought into contact with the object to be fusing at the fusing portion, and the object to be fusing is cut at the fusing portion. The ultrasonic fusing device is equipped with an acoustic vibration sensor that detects the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil when the ultrasonic horn comes into contact with the object to be fusing, and ultrasonic control means that controls the ultrasonic horn to stop vibrating after a certain time has elapsed since the acoustic vibration sensor detected the acoustic vibrations. This has the effect of providing an ultrasonic fusing device that enables the horn to generate sufficient ultrasonic vibrations even under low-pressure conditions, preventing the generation of unpleasant sounds, and enabling the horn and anvil to have a long life. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an ultrasonic fusing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a side view of a horn and a side view and a top view of an anvil used in the ultrasonic fusing apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3A and 3B are another side view and a top view of the horn and anvil used in the ultrasonic fusing apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of fusing an object to be fusing by the ultrasonic fusing device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an outline of another embodiment of the ultrasonic fusing device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view showing an outline of still another embodiment of the ultrasonic fusing device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a side view showing an outline of an ultrasonic fusing device according to the present invention.

[0024] In Figure 1, the ultrasonic fusing apparatus 100 of the present invention is composed of a base 10, an anvil 20 fixed on the base 10 and on which the sheet-like material S, which is the object to be fusing, is placed, a support 30, an ultrasonic press 40 attached to the support 30 so that it can move up and down, a cone 50 to which ultrasonic vibrations generated from an ultrasonic vibrator (hereinafter simply referred to as the vibrator) not shown installed inside the ultrasonic press 40 are transmitted, a horn 60 to which ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted via the cone 50, an ultrasonic oscillator 70 that generates ultrasonic vibrations in the vibrator inside the ultrasonic press 40, a microphone 80 that detects acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 contacts the sheet-like material S placed on the anvil 20, and a touch sensor 90 that detects that the horn 60 has contacted the sheet-like material S from the acoustic vibrations detected by the microphone 80 and outputs the detection output to the ultrasonic oscillator, thereby controlling the ultrasonic vibrations generated from the vibrator inside the ultrasonic press 40.

[0025] 2(A) is a side view of the horn 60 used in the ultrasonic fusing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2(B) is a side view of the anvil 20 used in the ultrasonic fusing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2(C) is a top view of the anvil 20 shown in FIG. 2(B).

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2(A), the horn 60 has a contact surface 61 that contacts the sheet material S and is inclined at a predetermined angle θ in the longitudinal direction relative to the anvil 20.

[0027] As shown in Figs. 2(B) and 2(C), the anvil 20 has a curved protrusion 21 formed on its upper surface, which protrudes along the fused portion of the sheet material S.

[0028] When the vibrator inside the ultrasonic press 40 is oscillated by the ultrasonic vibration generated by the ultrasonic oscillator 70 , the ultrasonic vibration oscillated by the vibrator is transmitted to the horn 60 via the cone 50 .

[0029] In this state, the ultrasonic press 40, which is attached to the support 30 so that it can move up and down, moves downward, and when the horn 60 comes into contact with the sheet-like body S, the ultrasonic waves generated from the horn 60 melt the cut surface of the sheet-like body S, and the sheet-like body S is cut.

[0030] Here, as shown in Figure 2(A), the contact surface 61 of the horn 60 against the sheet-like body S is inclined at a predetermined angle θ in its longitudinal direction, so that the horn 60 contacts the sheet-like body S in its longitudinal direction with a predetermined time difference, thereby melting the sheet-like body S with a predetermined time difference.

[0031] When the horn 60 comes into contact with the sheet S under low pressure during this cutting, the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 60 is transmitted to the anvil 20 via the sheet S, causing the anvil 20 to generate a specific acoustic vibration.

[0032] In the ultrasonic fusing device 100 of this embodiment, the microphone 80 detects the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the sheet material S is being cut, and the detection output of these acoustic vibrations is used to control the generation of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic oscillator 70. Specifically, when the horn 60 comes into contact with the sheet material S, the anvil 20 generates inherent acoustic vibrations, which rise suddenly. This suddenly rising acoustic vibration is detected by the microphone 80, and when the detected sound pressure level of the microphone 80 exceeds a predetermined threshold, this is detected by the touch sensor 90 as the start of fusing of the sheet material S, and this detection output is output to the ultrasonic oscillator 70.

[0033] When the ultrasonic oscillator 70 receives the detection output from the touch sensor 90, it continues to oscillate ultrasonically for a period of time corresponding to the predetermined time difference until the sheet material S is completely cut, and then stops oscillating ultrasonically.

[0034] This prevents the ultrasonic vibration of the horn 60 from being sustained longer than necessary, suppresses the generation of unpleasant noise exceeding 80 dB at frequencies of approximately 4 kHz to 8 kHz, which is based on the inherent acoustic vibration generated by the anvil 20, and also reduces wear on the horn 60 and anvil 20, thereby extending the life of the horn and anvil, and ensuring reliable cutting of the sheet-like material S, which is the object to be cut, such as a nonwoven fabric.

[0035] In order to cut the sheet-like material S, which is the object to be cut, such as a nonwoven fabric, with a predetermined time difference, in the configuration shown in Figure 2, as shown in Figure 2(A), the contact surface 61 of the horn 60 that contacts the sheet-like material S is configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ in its longitudinal direction relative to the anvil 20.However, as shown in Figure 3(B), the tip of the protrusion 21 of the anvil 20 may be configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ in its longitudinal direction relative to the contact surface 61 of the horn 60 that contacts the sheet-like material S.

[0036] That is, Figure 3(A) is a side view of the horn 60 used in the ultrasonic fusing device 100 shown in Figure 1, Figure 3(B) is a side view of the anvil 20 used in the ultrasonic fusing device 100 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3(C) is a top view of the anvil 20 shown in Figure 2(B).

[0037] Here, the contact surface 61 of the horn 60 shown in Figure 3(A) that contacts the sheet-like body S is not inclined, but the anvil 20 has a curved protrusion 21 formed on its upper surface that follows the fused portion of the sheet-like body S, as shown in Figures 3(B) and 3(C), and the tip of the protrusion 21 of the anvil 20 is inclined at a predetermined angle θ in the longitudinal direction relative to the contact surface 61 of the horn 60 that contacts the sheet-like body S.

[0038] Even in such a configuration, the horn 60 comes into contact with the sheet S in the length direction thereof with a predetermined time difference, and as a result, the sheet S is melted with a predetermined time difference.

[0039] In this configuration, the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the sheet material S is melt-cut are detected by the microphone 80, and the detection output of these acoustic vibrations is used to control the generation of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic oscillator 70. That is, when the horn 60 comes into contact with the sheet material S, the anvil 20 generates inherent acoustic vibrations, which rise suddenly. This sudden rise in acoustic vibration is detected by the microphone 80, and when the detected sound pressure level of the microphone 80 exceeds a predetermined threshold, this is detected by the touch sensor 90. Based on this detection output, the ultrasonic oscillator 70 continues to generate ultrasonic waves for a period of time corresponding to the predetermined time difference until the melt-cutting of the sheet material S is complete, and then stops generating ultrasonic waves.

[0040] This reduces the generation of unpleasant noise due to the inherent acoustic vibrations generated by the anvil 20, reduces wear on the horn 60 and anvil 20, extends the life of the horn and anvil, and ensures that the sheet-like material S, which is the object to be cut, such as nonwoven fabric, can be cut reliably.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of fusing an object to be fusing by ultrasonic fusing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

[0042] When the operation of fusing the object to be fusing is started, first, horn 40 is controlled to descend (step 401), and then ultrasonic oscillator 70 starts to oscillate ultrasonic waves to be applied to horn 60 (step 402).

[0043] Next, the touch sensor 90 monitors the detection output of the microphone 80 to check whether the sound pressure level of the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil 20 detected by the microphone 80 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step 403).

[0044] Here, if the sound pressure level of the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil 20 does not exceed the predetermined threshold (NO in step 403), the process returns to step 403 and continues to monitor the detection output of the microphone 80.

[0045] In step 403, if it is determined that the sound pressure level of the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil 20 exceeds a predetermined threshold, a timer is started to measure a predetermined fixed time corresponding to the time difference between when the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S (step 404).

[0046] Next, it is checked whether the time counted by the timer has passed a certain period of time (step 405). If the certain period of time has not passed (NO in step 405), the process returns to step 405 and the ultrasonic oscillation of horn 60 continues. However, if it is determined that the certain period of time has passed (YES in step 405), oscillator 70 is controlled to stop the ultrasonic oscillation of horn 60 (step 406).

[0047] Then, the horn 60 is raised (step 407), and next, it is checked whether the fusing of the object to be cut is complete, i.e., whether the processing is complete (step 408). If the processing is not complete (NO in step 408), the process returns to step 401 and the fusing operation of the object to be cut is continued, but if the processing is complete (YES in step 408), the fusing operation of the object to be cut is completed.

[0048] Here, the time during which the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S and generates inherent acoustic vibrations from the anvil 20 is only a fixed time set by the timer in step 404, and this fixed time is a very short time, for example, less than 0.5 seconds, so that the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 do not cause discomfort to workers, etc. Furthermore, wear on the horn 60 and the anvil 20 is kept to a minimum, thereby extending the life of the horn 60 and the anvil 20.

[0049] In the ultrasonic fusing device 100 of the present invention, the microphone 80 detects the inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S, and the ultrasonic oscillator 70 is controlled based on this detection output, so the effects of ambient noise must be taken into consideration.

[0050] Therefore, the microphone 80 used in the ultrasonic fusing apparatus 100 of the present invention should have frequency characteristics and / or directivity that selectively detect the acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S, so as not to be affected by ambient noise.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a side view showing an outline of another embodiment of the ultrasonic fusing device according to the present invention.

[0052] 5, a sound collection tube 81 is disposed between the anvil 20 and a microphone 80 that detects acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S, to prevent the microphone 80 from being affected by ambient noise. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the ultrasonic fusing device 100 shown in FIG.

[0053] FIG. 6 is a side view showing an outline of still another embodiment of the ultrasonic fusing device according to the present invention.

[0054] 6, a vibration sensor 82 is used instead of the microphone 80 of the ultrasonic fusing device 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, and this vibration sensor 82 is attached to the anvil 20 so as to detect acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil 20 when the horn 60 contacts the sheet material S. The rest of the configuration is the same as that of the ultrasonic fusing device 100 shown in FIG.

[0055] The above is a description of one embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many modifications can be made by those skilled in the art using the ordinary creative ability within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a sheet-like body S such as a nonwoven fabric is used as the object to be fused, but the same configuration can be achieved using an object to be fused other than a nonwoven fabric, etc. Also, in Fig. 5, a configuration in which a sound collection tube 81 is provided as a method for increasing the directivity of microphone 80 is shown, but other well-known methods for increasing directivity may also be adopted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10...Pedestal 20...Anvil 21...Protrusion 30…Strut part 40...Ultrasonic press machine 50...Corn 60...Horn 70...Ultrasonic oscillator 80...Microphone 81…Sound collection tube 82...Vibration sensor 90...Touch sensor 100...Ultrasonic cutting device 200...Ultrasonic cutting device

Claims

1. An ultrasonic fusing device comprising: an anvil having a protrusion corresponding to a fusing portion; an ultrasonic horn to which ultrasonic vibrations are applied is brought into contact with the object at a predetermined pressure; and the object is fusing at the fusing portion; an acoustic vibration sensor that detects inherent acoustic vibrations generated from the anvil when the ultrasonic horn comes into contact with the object to be fused; an ultrasonic control means for controlling the ultrasonic horn to stop vibrating after a predetermined time has elapsed since the acoustic vibration sensor detected the acoustic vibration; An ultrasonic welding device comprising:

2. The contact surface of the ultrasonic horn against the object to be fused is inclined at a predetermined angle in the longitudinal direction with respect to the anvil.

2. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 1.

3. The tip of the protrusion of the anvil is inclined at a predetermined angle in the longitudinal direction with respect to the contact surface of the ultrasonic horn that contacts the object to be fused.

2. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 1.

4. The ultrasonic horn is brought into contact with the object to be fused in the longitudinal direction thereof at a predetermined time interval, and the predetermined time interval is set corresponding to the time interval.

4. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. The acoustic vibration sensor includes: A microphone is disposed near the anvil.

5. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic fusing device is a welding tool.

6. The microphone is The frequency characteristic is such that the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil is selectively detected.

6. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 5.

7. The microphone is The acoustic vibration generated from the anvil is selectively detected.

7. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The acoustic vibration sensor includes: a vibration sensor attached to the anvil 5. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic fusing device is a welding tool.

9. The vibration sensor The frequency characteristic is such that the acoustic vibration generated from the anvil is selectively detected.

9. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 8.

10. The object to be melted is Consists of a sheet-like body made of laminated nonwoven fabric 10. The ultrasonic fusing device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic fusing device is a welding tool.

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