Light-Guided Joining Tool Timing for Faster Clinching Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing joining tool units for clinching have long joining cycle times and require complex and expensive radiation protection due to the use of lasers for thermal introduction.
Innovation Solution
A joining tool unit with a movable tool, a tool counter-element, a drive unit, a light guiding system, a light source, and a control unit, where the light guiding system directs light to the joining location, and the control unit synchronizes the movement of the movable tool with the illumination, ensuring the light is ended before or at the start of the tool's movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If laser beam thermal introduction is used to heat the joining location, then the joining process can be performed, but the joining cycle time becomes comparatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed laser irradiation instead of continuous heating. The control unit is configured to end the laser irradiation before or at the start of the tool movement, creating distinct heating and joining phases. This periodic approach allows the material to reach the required temperature quickly during the pulse, then cool slightly during the tool approach, optimizing both temperature achievement and cycle time reduction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the complete joining tool unit is provided with a surrounding housing impermeable to laser light for radiation protection, then employee safety is ensured, but the device becomes comparatively expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiation protection function from the overall housing structure and assigns it specifically to the light guiding system. The light guiding system is configured to guide the laser light in a controlled manner and inherently provides radiation protection by directing light only to the joining location. This separates the protection function from the general housing, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding system acts as an intermediary between the light source and the workpiece, serving dual functions: guiding the laser beam to the precise joining location and providing radiation protection. This intermediary component controls the laser light path, preventing stray radiation while maintaining the joining function, thus eliminating the need for additional protective housing structures.
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 configuration allows for a significantly shorter joining cycle time and reduces the maximum heating of the joining location, while also eliminating the need for a costly and complex surrounding housing for radiation protection.
Implementation Method 1
by means of laser beam thermal introduction a location, which is intended to be joined, of a workpiece is heated
Implementation Method 2
the light guiding system is configured to guide a light of the light source in the direction of a joining location of a workpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A joining tool unit having a movable tool, a tool counter element, a drive unit, a light-guiding system, a light source, and a monitoring unit. The movable tool and the tool counter element are arranged opposite each other on the joining tool unit, and the light-guiding system is designed to conduct light of the light source in the direction of a joint location of a workpiece when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit, wherein the movable tool can be moved by the drive device in the direction of the tool counter element, and the workpiece is joined by the movement of the movable tool in the direction of the tool counter element when the workpiece is arranged on the joining tool unit. The monitoring unit controls and/or regulate the drive unit and to control and/or regulate the light source and/or a component of the light-guiding system.