Rotating Ultrasonic Sealing Device Node Securing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic lateral sealing devices for packaging machines face challenges in minimizing size and efficiently powering rotating horn and anvil assemblies, leading to increased device dimensions and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A lateral sealing device design that secures the horn assembly on both sides of the rotating bodies near the node of ultrasonic vibration, using a securing member with resonators, holding, and securing parts, and employs a mercury slip ring for low-cost power feeding to reduce device size and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the horn is supported in a cantilever fashion from the side on which the vibrating element is arranged, then the horn can be secured to the rotating body, but the rotational diameter becomes greater and the overall size of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorn securing stabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The securing member is positioned at the node of ultrasonic vibration, which is a different spatial dimension from the cantilever support location. This allows the horn to be secured in a location that does not increase the rotational diameter, effectively changing where the securing function is applied in space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing member acts as an intermediary component that bridges the horn assembly and the rotating body at the node location. This mediator allows secure attachment without requiring the horn to be supported from the side in a cantilever fashion, thus avoiding increased device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple vibrating elements are coupled to the horn on the rotating side, then effective ultrasonic sealing is achieved, but power feeding becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing efficiencyVSAvoidpower feeding complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The slip ring serves as an intermediary power transmission device between the non-rotating power source and the rotating vibrating elements. This allows multiple vibrating elements to be powered efficiently without complex wiring arrangements, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining sealing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the securing member is arranged further rearward from the vibrating element, then the horn can be securely held, but the rotational diameter increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehorn assembly securingVSAvoidrotational diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of positioning the securing member further rearward in the axial direction (which would increase rotational diameter), the invention positions it at the node of ultrasonic vibration in a different spatial location. This dimensional repositioning allows secure holding without increasing the rotational diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design minimizes device size by reducing the space occupied by the securing member and allows for reliable, efficient power feeding to the vibrating elements, ensuring constant sealing time and preventing interference, while maintaining high-speed operation.

Implementation Method 1

a cylindrical packaging material is sandwiched and ultrasonically sealed along a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction thereof while the horn and anvil are rotated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the ultrasonic sealing device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4147309 obtains stable driving of the horn by securing the horn assembly to the moving body in the vicinity of a node of the ultrasonic vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNode of ultrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP2522493B1Lateral sealing device of packaging machine
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 ISHIDA CO LTD
  • EP2522493B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2522493B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2522493B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In a lateral sealing mechanism (17), a cylindrical film (Fm) is sandwiched and ultrasonic sealing is performed along a direction that intersects a conveying direction while a first horn (51a) and a first anvil (51b), and a second horn (52b) and a second anvil (52a) rotate. The first horn (51a) is mounted on a first rotating body (50a) in a state of being coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements (511). The second horn (52b) is mounted on the second rotating body (50b) in a state coupled to a plurality of vibrating elements (521). A securing member grips a horn unit, which includes the horns and the plurality of vibrating elements, on the forward and rearward sides in the direction of rotation of the horn assembly in the vicinity of the node of ultrasonic vibration and secures the horn unit to the first rotating body (50a) and the second rotating body (50b), respectively.