Parallel Electrode Tool for High-Frequency Seat Cover Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying decorative strips to seat covers via high-frequency welding are inefficient, particularly when multiple strips need to be aligned precisely, requiring significant effort.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing two tool halves with parallel electrodes and vertically displaceable insulators, allowing for precise alignment and welding of decorative strips onto seat covers using high-frequency AC voltage, with adjustable pressure and insulator displacement to ensure accurate placement and uniform application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple decorative strips are applied using existing methods, then decorative patterns can be created on seat covers, but the alignment precision and positioning accuracy deteriorate due to the complexity of manual adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision of decorative stripsVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the tool into two separate halves, each containing electrodes and insulators for individual decorative strips. This segmentation allows each strip to be independently positioned and adjusted, achieving precise alignment while simplifying the overall adjustment process compared to managing multiple strips as a single complex unit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insulators are designed to protrude from the electrodes before the welding process begins, creating pre-formed guide grooves that automatically guide the decorative strips into correct positions. This preliminary positioning action eliminates the need for complex real-time adjustment mechanisms during the welding process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If decorative strips are precisely aligned using manual adjustment, then positioning accuracy improves, but the time and effort required for adjustment increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of decorative stripsVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The insulators automatically perform the positioning function by protruding from the electrodes to form guide grooves. The decorative strips self-align within these grooves during insertion, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the alignment process and significantly reducing adjustment time while maintaining high positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If insulators protrude beyond electrodes during welding, then decorative strips can be securely held and guided, but the height difference creates alignment challenges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of strip insertionVSAvoidalignment precision during welding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insulators are designed to be vertically displaceable relative to the electrodes, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position. During insertion, they protrude to guide strips; during welding, they are pressed down to eliminate height differences, providing both ease of operation and manufacturing precision at different process stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables precise and efficient application of multiple decorative strips in parallel, achieving uniform and reliable attachment with dynamic optical effects, reducing the effort required for alignment and ensuring consistent quality.

Implementation Method 1

applying a high-frequency AC voltage between the electrodes of the first tool half and the second tool half, so that the decorative strips are welded onto the seat cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-frequency welding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2996864B1Method and device for applying decorative strips to a seat cover
Publication Date: 2018.10.03 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP2996864B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2996864B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2996864B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

In a device for applying at least one decorative strip (3, 4, 5, 6) to a seat cover (2) by means of high-frequency welding, comprising two tool halves (10, 30), of which one tool half has at least one electrode (14, 15, 16, 17), a plurality of decorative strips (3, 4, 5, 6) is applied with positional accuracy. This is achieved in that a first tool half (10) has at least two electrodes (14, 15, 16, 17) oriented parallel to each other, the width of said electrodes being adapted to the width of the decorative strips (3, 4, 5, 6) to be applied, wherein insulators (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) oriented in parallel are arranged between the electrodes (14, 15, 16, 17) and in parallel on the outside of the electrodes, and the insulators (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) protrude beyond the electrodes (14, 15, 16, 17) in the direction of the second tool half (30), and wherein the insulators (18, 19, 20, 21, 22) are height-adjustable relative to the electrodes (14, 15, 16, 17).