Igniter Base Embossing for Weld Seam Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

The weld seam between the igniter base and the cap in existing igniter systems reduces the overall load capacity of the igniter, and current production methods are inefficient, leading to potential gaps and unreliable welding.

Innovation Solution

A method involving embossing, scraping, and punching steps to create a smooth and uniform contact surface on the igniter base, ensuring a tight fit with the cap for reliable welding and improved load capacity, while maintaining low production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the igniter base is stamped using conventional methods, then production cost is low, but the contact surface quality is poor and weld seam strength is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact surface qualityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The method applies preliminary actions by performing embossing to create a shoulder and cylinder jacket surface before punching. This preliminary shaping ensures that the contact surface is pre-formed with high precision, allowing the subsequent punching operation to cleanly separate the base without compromising surface quality. The preliminary embossing action prepares the material structure to receive the final punching operation with optimal results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing process is segmented into distinct sequential operations: embossing first to form the contact surface geometry (shoulder and cylinder jacket), then punching to separate the base. This segmentation allows each operation to be optimized independently - embossing for surface quality and punching for clean separation - thereby achieving high manufacturing precision without excessive overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a weld seam is used to connect the igniter base and cap, then assembly is simple, but the overall load capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload capacityVSAvoidwelding requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method extracts and removes the problematic shoulder portion after the contact surface has been formed by embossing. By punching out the shoulder, the design eliminates the weak point that would compromise load capacity, while retaining the high-quality cylinder jacket contact surface. This extraction of the unnecessary shoulder portion allows the weld seam to connect only the optimized contact surfaces, improving overall strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The embossing process applies local quality by creating a specifically shaped cylinder jacket surface with precise geometric properties at the contact area. This localized geometric optimization ensures that the contact surface has the ideal shape for welding, concentrating the structural integrity where it is most needed at the weld interface, while the rest of the base can be simpler in form.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the contact surface is not smooth and uniform, then manufacturing is simpler, but welding reliability is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The embossing operation performs a preliminary action to pre-form the contact surface with the required smooth cylinder jacket geometry before the punching operation. This preliminary shaping ensures that when the base is finally separated by punching, the contact surface is already optimized for welding, eliminating the need for additional finishing operations and maintaining high manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method replaces complex multi-step machining operations with a combined embossing and punching mechanical system. The embossing die integrates both the shaping function (creating the smooth cylinder jacket surface) and the separation function (punching out the shoulder), substituting what would traditionally require multiple separate machining operations with a more efficient integrated mechanical process.

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

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 produces an igniter base with enhanced resilience and load capacity, reducing manufacturing effort and the number of faulty detonators, with a high-quality contact surface facilitating error-free welding and increased reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a preliminary outer contour of a base body (2) is embossed to form a cylinder jacket surface (3) and a shoulder (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

at least the cylinder jacket surface (3) is scraped off essentially in the direction of a generating straight line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 3

the shoulder (4) is punched out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentEP3099999B1Method for producing an igniter socket
Publication Date: 2017.11.01 ELECTROVAC HACHT & HUBER
  • EP3099999B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3099999B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3099999B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Proposed is a method for producing an igniter socket (1) for pyrotechnical systems, comprising the following steps: an embossing step in which an outer contour of a main part (2) of the igniter socket (1) is embossed, forming a cylinder face (3) and a shoulder (4) adjoining the cylinder face (3), a generatrix line of the cylinder face (3) being parallel to the embossing direction; a shaving step in which at least the cylinder face (3) is shaved substantially along the generatrix line; and a punching step in which the shoulder (4) is removed.