Method and mobile connecting apparatus for the thermal connection of two adjacent material webs through a connecting piece
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for thermally connecting material webs using a connecting piece are inefficient, particularly in butt welding, as they require multiple steps and can result in visible seams that are aesthetically undesirable, and often necessitate manual handling to avoid damage from excessive thermal energy.
Innovation Solution
A mobile connecting apparatus designed to guide material webs over a base body, allowing simultaneous heating of the underside of the material webs and the connecting piece, enabling the production of parallel weld seams in a single operation, thereby reducing the number of work steps and improving seam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If material webs are joined using conventional overlapping methods with hot-air or contact welding devices, then joining speed and efficiency are improved, but visible seam edges remain that are aesthetically undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the joining process into two separate sequential steps: first joining the first material web to the connecting piece, then joining the second material web to the connecting piece. This segmentation allows each web to be joined independently to the connecting piece rather than joining them directly to each other, eliminating visible seam edges while maintaining efficient joining speed through the use of automated welding devices.
2Reliability
If manual handling is used to avoid excessive thermal energy damage, then material web integrity is preserved, but working speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting piece serves as an intermediary element between the two material webs. By joining each material web to the connecting piece rather than directly to each other, the thermal energy application is distributed and controlled, preventing excessive thermal damage while allowing automated welding devices to maintain high working speed. The connecting piece acts as a buffer that protects the material webs from direct thermal exposure.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple joining steps are used for butt welding, then seam quality is improved, but the number of work steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the joining of two material webs to a connecting piece into a single integrated process using one welding device. The device simultaneously joins the first material web and the second material web to the connecting piece in one operation, achieving high seam quality through controlled thermal energy application while reducing the number of work steps from multiple separate operations to a single unified process.
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 solution increases working speed, enhances weld quality, and allows for a thermally produced, seamless connection without additional adhesives, improving operational efficiency and aesthetic outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
simultaneously and/or successively heating the undersides of the material webs, the side surfaces of the material webs and the upper side of the connecting piece in a connecting region
Implementation Method 2
upon cooling of the material of the material webs which has been melted and/or molten in the zones by heating and the melted and/or molten material of the connecting piece
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and a mobile welding apparatus (21) for thermally joining two material webs (MB1, MB2) via a connecting piece (VS) lying flat on a bottom surface (UVS), wherein the material webs (MB1, MB2) are arranged with their respective side surfaces abutting each other and at least partially lying flat on a top surface (OVS) of the connecting piece (VS) with their respective bottom surfaces (US1, US2). In particular, the two material webs (MB1, MB2) and the connecting piece (VS) can be joined together in one operation.