Balloon Envelope Heat Sealing to Termination Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a termination plate to a balloon envelope are time-consuming and lack consistency, often requiring additional seals that can damage the envelope and complicate the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a platen and termination plate assembly where the balloon envelope material is flared over the platen, the termination plate is inserted, and the envelope is heat sealed to the plate, eliminating the need for fin seals and simplifying the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing methods are used to attach termination plate to balloon envelope, then the attachment can be completed, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming and lacks consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon envelope is pre-flared over the platen before the termination plate is attached, creating a prepared configuration that speeds up the attachment process and ensures consistency. The platen itself is a pre-configured tool that guides the entire attachment process.
Solution Approach 2:
A platen is introduced as an intermediary tool between the balloon envelope and the termination plate. The platen provides a standardized interface and guiding structure that ensures consistent attachment while speeding up the process by consolidating multiple steps into one operation.
2Reliability
If additional seals are made in the balloon envelope after termination plate attachment, then the envelope can be sealed, but the process becomes more complex and the envelope may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon envelope is pre-flared over the platen before attachment, creating the necessary configuration in advance. This preliminary action eliminates the need for subsequent sealing operations, simplifying the overall process while ensuring reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-step sealing process is extracted and replaced by the single integrated flaring and attachment operation. The platen-based method consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate sealing steps into one unified process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for efficient and consistent attachment of the termination plate to the balloon envelope, reducing assembly time and minimizing damage, while eliminating the need for additional seals, thus enhancing the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
flaring the balloon envelope material outward over the top surface of the platen
Implementation Method 2
A portion of the termination plate and a portion of the balloon envelope material can be heat sealed together
Data Source
AI summary
A method for constructing a balloon assembly includes inserting balloon envelope material which will become an apex of a balloon envelope into a platen opening of a platen; flaring the balloon envelope material outward over the top surface of the platen; positioning a termination plate over the platen opening and within the apex opening; and folding at least some of the balloon envelope that overlies the platen onto the termination plate. The balloon envelope material further includes an apex opening.