Clinching Tool Unit With Local Light Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining tool units for clinching have long cycle times and require expensive, complex laser beam protection systems due to the use of laser technology, which complicates the setup and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A joining tool unit with a holding-down member, movable tool, tool counter-element, drive unit, light source, and control unit, where the holding-down member moves to touch the workpiece, and the light source is used to heat the joining location, allowing for efficient clinching operations without the need for additional beam protection housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a surrounding housing impermeable to laser light is provided to protect employees, then radiation protection is ensured, but the device becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light-blocking function from a complete surrounding housing and implements it only where necessary - specifically in the holding-down member at the joining location. This localized approach provides laser radiation protection without requiring a complex enclosing housing structure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding-down member is designed with light-blocking properties specifically at the regions where laser radiation could escape, rather than making the entire housing light-impermeable. This localized quality approach ensures radiation protection at critical points while keeping the overall structure simpler and more cost-effective.
2Loss of time
If the holding-down member is moved to touch the workpiece before irradiation, then cycle time is reduced, but the light beam must be contained more precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The holding-down member is moved to touch the workpiece before laser irradiation begins, performing the positioning action in advance. This preliminary action allows the laser beam to be contained within the already-positioned holding-down member structure, simplifying the containment requirement compared to initiating movement during irradiation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding-down member serves as an intermediary structure that both positions the workpiece and contains the laser beam. By integrating the light-blocking function into the holding-down member itself, the patent eliminates the need for separate beam containment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while enabling the time-saving positioning approach.
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 configuration reduces cycle times and eliminates the need for costly beam protection housing, making the process more cost-effective and safer for employees by integrating a light guiding system to contain the light beam radially.
Implementation Method 1
the joining tool unit is configured to begin irradiation or illumination of a joining location of the workpiece with the light of the light source when the holding-down member has reached the position
Data Source
AI summary
A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a movable tool, a tool counterpart element, a drive unit, a light source and a control unit. The hold-down device and the movable tool are provided opposite the tool counterpart element, the hold-down device being movable in the direction of the tool counterpart element by the drive unit. The joining tool unit joins a workpiece arranged on the joining tool unit by movement of the movable tool relative to the tool counterpart element. The control unit performs open- and/or closed-loop control of the drive unit, and the control unit is designed for open- and/or closed loop control of the light source. The joining tool unit is designed to move the hold-down device in the direction of the tool counterpart element to a position at which the hold-down device and the tool counterpart element touch the workpiece arranged on the joining tool unit.