Plate Stack Welding Support Rollers for Distortion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing welding devices for plate laminated bodies face issues with sag in the welding bead due to gravity and thermal distortion, leading to deflection and inclination of the plate laminated body, which restricts the number of laminations and results in poor welding.

Innovation Solution

A welding device with a chuck that grips the plate laminated body in a horizontal position and supports it from below, using a support roller to rotate the plates while applying an equal support reaction force to correct deflection and inclination, and a control system to adjust the support height based on the rotation angle and load, ensuring consistent support and preventing distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the welding torch is positioned horizontally to weld outer peripheral edges of laminated plates, then the welding device can accommodate non-circular plate shapes, but sag occurs in the welding bead due to gravity causing poor welding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to weld non-circular platesVSAvoidwelding bead quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional welding approach by positioning the welding torch vertically instead of horizontally, and rotating the plates horizontally instead of moving the torch horizontally. This inversion eliminates gravity-induced sag in the welding bead while maintaining the ability to weld non-circular plates through rotational movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic rotation of the laminated plates around a vertical axis, transforming the static horizontal welding process into a dynamic rotational process. This allows the welding torch to remain stationary in the vertical direction while the plates rotate, achieving both precise welding quality and versatility for non-circular shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If multiple plates are laminated in the vertical direction, then the plate structure can achieve greater height and capacity, but thermal distortion during welding causes inclination with respect to the lamination direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of laminationsVSAvoidinclination due to thermal distortion
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces support rollers that apply counteracting support forces to compensate for thermal distortion during welding. These support rollers act as a counterweight system, providing upward support to prevent inclination of the laminated plate structure while allowing multiple plates to be welded together vertically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The support rollers serve as intermediary elements between the welding process and the laminated plate structure. They mediate the thermal distortion effects by providing continuous support during welding, enabling stable lamination of multiple plates without inclination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the welding torch is held at a constant angle relative to the plate surface, then welding quality is maintained for circular plates, but the device cannot effectively correct inclination during welding of laminated bodies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoidability to correct inclination
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by keeping the welding torch angle constant in the vertical direction and achieving adaptability through rotation of the plates rather than adjustment of the torch angle. This maintains welding quality while enabling processing of various plate shapes and sizes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 effectively suppresses deflection and inclination due to thermal distortion, allowing for more laminations and preventing sag, thereby improving the quality of the welding process.

Implementation Method 1

a welding torch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric arc: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 2

the support roller is constituted by a support roller, the plate laminated body is rotated around an axis of the plate laminated body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3967446B1Welding device for plate stack body and manufacturing method for plate structure
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 MAYEKAWA MFG CO LTD
  • EP3967446B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3967446B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3967446B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A welding device for a plate laminated body according to an embodiment includes a welding torch, a chuck for gripping a plurality of laminated plates with a lamination direction being in a horizontal position, and at least one support extending along the lamination direction for supporting the plate laminated body from below.