Joining Tool Hold-Down With Angled Light Guidance and Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining tool units face challenges in safety and practicality, particularly when using alternative technologies like light-energy-based methods, which often require complex and costly enclosures for radiation protection, limiting their application in automated processes and industrial settings.
Innovation Solution
A joining tool unit with a light guidance system that shields the light beam internally within the holding-down device, allowing for safe and efficient light-energy input to the workpiece without external radiation exposure, enabling broader industrial applications without additional safety enclosures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If light-energy-based joining technology is used, then joining precision and material versatility are improved, but safety hazards from radiation exposure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guidance system is nested within the holding-down device, with the light source, light guide, and exit opening all contained within the device's housing. This integration allows the light beam to be delivered precisely to the joining site while the housing contains and directs the radiation, preventing harmful exposure to operators and surrounding areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guidance system acts as an intermediary between the light source and the workpiece. It includes a light guide that channels the light beam and an exit opening that directs it precisely to the joining site. This intermediary structure enables controlled energy delivery while containing the radiation within the device boundaries.
2Reliability
If external radiation protection enclosures are added, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protective housing of the holding-down device is merged with the light guidance system housing. The same structural elements that contain and support the light guidance components also serve as the radiation protection enclosure. This eliminates the need for separate external enclosures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing of the holding-down device performs multiple functions: it contains the light source and light guide, provides structural support for the tool, and serves as the radiation protection enclosure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated safety enclosures, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Ease of operation
If light guidance system is integrated in holding-down device, then safety and compactness are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holding-down device is segmented into functional modules: the light source module, the light guide module, and the tool module. Each can be manufactured and tested separately, then assembled into the complete device. This modular approach manages manufacturing complexity while achieving the integrated design benefits.
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 solution provides a safer, more cost-effective, and versatile joining tool unit that can process a wide range of materials, including difficult-to-process combinations, with reduced cycle times and enhanced automation capabilities, as the light guidance system integrates light-energy input directly to the workpiece without external radiation risks.
Implementation Method 1
the light guidance system is designed to guide a light beam of light in the direction of a joining site of the workpiece
Implementation Method 2
light-energy-based technology with workpiece-side energy input by way of light radiation
Implementation Method 3
the light guidance system of the holding-down device shields the light along its light beam against the outside in a light-tight manner
Data Source
AI summary
A joining tool unit including a hold-down device, a linearly movable tool, and a tool counter element. The hold-down device and the tool counter element are provided opposite each other, a workpiece lies on the tool counter element when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit, and the hold-down device is arranged to be supported on a surface of the workpiece. The hold-down device has a light-guiding system, and the light-guiding system is designed to guide a light beam of a light in the direction of a joint location of the workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. The light-guiding system is provided on the hold-down device such that the light beam is irradiated onto the joint location solely at an angle which is greater than 0° relative to a movement axis of the linearly movable tool.