Light-Guided Joining Tool Unit for Faster Shielded Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining tool units have long cycle times and require expensive, complex laser-based systems with radiation protection enclosures, posing safety and cost challenges.
Innovation Solution
A joining tool unit with a hold-down device, movable tool, counter-tool element, drive unit, light source, and control unit, utilizing a light guide system to facilitate a thermally assisted joining process, reducing cycle time and eliminating the need for radiation protection enclosures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire joining tool unit is provided with a light-tight housing for radiation protection, then employee safety is ensured, but the device becomes comparatively expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light-tight enclosure is segmented into two parts: a fixed housing portion and a movable hold-down device portion. The hold-down device contains the light guide system and can be moved into position to shield the laser beam path only when needed during joining operations, rather than enclosing the entire tool unit permanently.
Solution Approach 2:
The hold-down device is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned dynamically during operation. The device moves from an initial position where the workpiece can be loaded to a final position where it shields the laser beam path, providing radiation protection only when the laser is active and the workpiece is in place.
2Adaptability or versatility
If laser beam heat input is used to heat the workpiece location, then joining can be performed on workpieces with different materials, but the joining cycle time becomes comparatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down device is moved into its final position and the light guide system is positioned to shield the laser path before the laser beam is activated. This preliminary positioning ensures that the workpiece is properly clamped and the radiation protection is in place before heating begins, optimizing the joining process efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide system acts as an intermediary component that redirects and controls the laser beam path. It channels the laser energy precisely to the joining location while protecting surrounding areas, enabling efficient heating of workpieces with different materials without requiring extended cycle times for safety precautions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the hold-down device is moved to touch the workpiece before irradiation begins, then radiation protection is provided during heating, but the joining cycle time may be extended
Solution Approach 1:
The hold-down device combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical clamping to hold the workpiece, contains the light guide system for laser beam redirection, and serves as radiation shielding. This integration eliminates the need for separate timing operations for clamping and radiation protection setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable hold-down device allows for continuous operation by being positioned in advance to shield the laser path before irradiation begins. Once in position, it remains in place throughout the heating process, ensuring uninterrupted radiation protection and continuous useful action without requiring repeated adjustments or interruptions.
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 enables shorter cycle times and cost-effective operation while ensuring employee safety by using a light guide system to shield radiation, allowing for efficient joining of workpieces with different materials.
Implementation Method 1
the joining tool unit is configured to begin irradiating or illuminating a joining point of the workpiece with the light from the light source when the hold-down device has reached this position
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a joining tool unit (2), said joining tool unit comprising a hold-down device (6), a movable tool (7), a tool counterpart element (4), a drive unit (8), a light source (10) and a conrol unit (40). 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 is designed to join a workpiece (25) arranged on the joining tool unit by a movement of the movable tool relative to the tool counterpart element. The control unit is designed for 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, and the joining tool unit is designed to begin irradiation or illumination of a joining point of the workpiece with the light of the light source when the hold-down device has reached the position.