Heat Sealer Interface Temperature Sensor Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current heat-sealing techniques lack precise control over welding face temperature, leading to inconsistent bonding quality and increased risk of agglomerate bonding, which can result in easy opening issues due to temperature variations exceeding 10 °C during the heat bonding process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the use of minute temperature sensors on the surface of the heating body and cover material to measure temperature differences, allowing for real-time control of the welding face temperature by simulating temperature response, thereby ensuring accurate temperature management within a narrow range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heating temperature is raised to reach target temperature faster, then productivity is improved, but temperature control precision deteriorates causing agglomerate bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidtemperature control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by continuously measuring the actual welding face temperature with temperature sensors and comparing it to the target temperature. The heating control is adjusted based on this feedback to maintain precise temperature control even during high-speed heating operations, preventing agglomerate bonding while achieving fast heating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical time-based heating control with intelligent temperature-based control using temperature sensors and microprocessor control. This substitution enables precise temperature management regardless of heating speed, allowing the system to adapt heating parameters dynamically to maintain optimal temperature within the narrow interfacial bonding zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If heating temperature is controlled precisely within narrow range, then bonding quality is improved, but heating time increases reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control precisionVSAvoidheating time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic heating control where heating power is continuously adjusted based on real-time temperature measurements. The system transitions from static time-based heating to dynamic temperature-based heating, enabling the heating process to adapt continuously and reach the target temperature faster while maintaining precision within the narrow interfacial bonding temperature zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the control parameter from time-based heating to temperature-based heating. By monitoring actual welding face temperature and adjusting heating power dynamically, the system optimizes both heating speed and temperature precision, achieving faster heating times without sacrificing control accuracy within the 3-8°C interfacial bonding temperature range.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If temperature measurement is performed at heating body surface, then measurement simplicity is improved, but temperature accuracy deteriorates due to heat loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement simplicityVSAvoidwelding face temperature accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thermal conduction as an intermediary mechanism to transfer temperature information from the welding face to the heating body surface where sensors can be conveniently placed. By ensuring good thermal contact and accounting for heat conduction characteristics, the system achieves accurate welding face temperature measurement through surface temperature sensors, balancing measurement simplicity with accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a thermal copy of the welding face temperature at the heating body surface. Temperature sensors mounted on the heating body surface measure a temperature that accurately reflects the welding face temperature through thermal conduction, providing a convenient and accurate indirect measurement method that maintains both simplicity and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Speed

If heating temperature exceeds boundary zone, then heating speed is improved, but bonding quality deteriorates due to agglomerate bonding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating speedVSAvoidbonding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control to prevent heating temperature from exceeding the boundary zone between interfacial bonding and agglomerate bonding. Temperature sensors continuously monitor the actual welding face temperature, and the control system adjusts heating power to maintain temperature within the optimal range, ensuring reliable bonding quality while achieving fast heating through the interfacial bonding temperature zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach enhances the reliability and quality of heat-sealing by maintaining precise temperature control, reducing the likelihood of agglomerate bonding and ensuring effective sealing while allowing for easy opening.

Implementation Method 1

a minute sensor for detecting interface temperature between the cover material and the heat seal material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a heating body is pressed on the surface of a heat seal material, and faces to be in contact with each other and heat-bonded utilizing heat conduction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The heat bonding (heat-sealing) utilizes thermoplasticity phenomenon of plastics

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermoplasticity: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP3812287B1Heat sealer provided with interface temperature sensor
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 HISHINUMA KAZUO
  • EP3812287B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3812287B1 patent drawingFigure 3~3(b)
  • EP3812287B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5(b)

AI summary

[Solving Means] The present invention provides a means of controlling heat sealing temperature exactly by measuring the temperature in a real machine which has been achieved by a method of heat-sealing using a heat-sealing apparatus which heat-seals a heat seal materials by nipping it between a pair of heating bodies, which comprises; mounting a cover material on the surface of at least one of the heating bodies to be in contact with the heat seal material, attaching a minute temperature sensor to the surface of the cover material on the side to be in contact with the heat seal material, and controlling temperature of welding face by the temperature detected by the minute temperature sensor, and an apparatus therefor.