Helical Probe Structure for Durable Friction Stir Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Friction stir welding tools face limitations in durability due to abrasion of thread tips and insufficient stirring force, leading to reduced welding quality and tool lifespan.

Innovation Solution

A friction stir welding tool with a helical concavo-convex portion on its probe, featuring varying areas of adjacent ridge and valley parts, which generates unsteady plastic flow and enhances stirring force while maintaining durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed screw shape is used in the thread groove structure, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the stirring force is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethread groove structureVSAvoidstirring force
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the thread groove structure variable rather than fixed. The pitch of the thread groove is changed along the axial direction of the probe, with the pitch being different in different axial sections. This dynamic variation in pitch allows the thread groove to adapt to different material flow conditions at different depths, thereby improving the stirring force while still maintaining manufacturability through a systematic gradient design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the thread groove structure is provided on the welding tool member, then the joint efficiency is improved, but the durability of the welding tool member is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvejoint efficiencyVSAvoiddurability of welding tool member
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the pitch parameter of the thread groove along the axial direction. The pitch is designed to be larger in the upper section and smaller in the lower section, creating a gradient structure that optimizes both the material stirring effect (improving joint efficiency) and the stress distribution (improving durability). This parameter optimization allows the tool to maintain high performance while reducing wear and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If high-speed rotation is used to generate frictional heat, then the welding process is efficient, but the abrasion resistance of the tool member is challenged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding speedVSAvoidabrasion resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different thread groove characteristics at different locations along the probe. The variable pitch design ensures that each axial section has optimized groove parameters suitable for its specific function: the upper section with larger pitch handles material transport, while the lower section with smaller pitch provides intensive stirring. This localized optimization reduces overall tool wear while maintaining high-speed welding capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

The tool achieves improved stirring force and durability, reducing tool wear and increasing welding efficiency with minimal tool replacement needs.

Implementation Method 1

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a welding method of integrating a plurality of members by using frictional heat generated by pressing a welding tool member called a probe rotating at high speed, against the members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

cause a periphery of a welding portion to plastically flow by rotational force of the probe, thereby integrating the plurality of members

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic flow: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS20240246169A1Friction stir welding tool member, friction stir welding apparatus, and friction stir welding method
Publication Date: 2024.07.25 NITERRA MATERIALS CO LTD
  • US20240246169A1 patent drawing
  • US20240246169A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A friction stir welding tool member including: a shoulder portion; and a probe portion. A helical concavo-convex portion including a ridge and a valley is provided on a side peripheral surface of the probe portion. In a cross-section passing through a rotation axis of the probe portion, a differential rate of areas of valley parts adjacent along an axis parallel to the rotation axis out of the valley is within a range of 5% or more and 30% or less. A difference between pitches of ridge parts adjacent along the axis parallel to the rotation axis out of the ridge is preferably within a range of 0.01 mm or more and 0.2 mm or less. A difference between depths of valley parts adjacent along the axis parallel to the rotation axis out of the valley is preferably within a range of 0.01 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less.