Sonotrode Elastomeric Ring Centering Ultrasonic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sonotrode systems face challenges in ensuring proper positioning of the opening device, leading to inefficient sealing due to ultrasonic vibrations being transferred to the cap instead of the flange, which affects the sealing quality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of an elastomeric ring within the sonotrode that centers the opening device and prevents ultrasonic vibrations from being transferred to the cap, ensuring that vibrations are directed to the flange for effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the opening device is not properly positioned inside the sonotrode, then the ultrasonic vibration is transferred to the cap of the opening device, but this penalizes the sealing of opening devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a positioning element as an intermediary component between the opening device and the sonotrode cavity. This positioning element actively centers the opening device, ensuring that ultrasonic vibrations are transferred to the flange rather than the cap, thereby resolving the positioning precision issue without compromising sealing quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning of the opening device within the sonotrode cavity before the sealing operation begins. The positioning element pre-centers the opening device, ensuring proper alignment is established in advance, which prevents incorrect vibration transfer during the sealing process
2Productivity
If the opening device is not properly positioned inside the sonotrode, then the ultrasonic vibration is transferred to the cap of the opening device, instead of to the flange, thus penalizing the sealing of opening devices
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning element serves as a mediator that actively centers the opening device within the sonotrode cavity. By ensuring proper positioning, it directs ultrasonic vibrations to the flange for effective sealing, thereby maintaining high sealing efficiency without suffering from positioning errors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces passive mechanical positioning (relying on friction or interference fits) with an active centering mechanism. The positioning element provides positive geometric centering, ensuring consistent and precise positioning that maintains sealing efficiency
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 elastomeric ring effectively centers the opening device and directs ultrasonic vibrations to the flange, enhancing the sealing process by preventing vibration transfer to the cap, thus improving the sealing quality and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the piezoelectric ceramic plates convert the electrical supplied voltage into a mechanical strain, which causes the oscillation of the head
Implementation Method 2
the elastomeric ring effectively centers the opening device and directs ultrasonic vibrations to the flange, enhancing the sealing process by preventing vibration transfer to the cap
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a sonotrode for sealing an opening device onto a hole of a packaging material destined to from a sealed package, comprising: a sealing surface adapted to cooperate with packaging material in order to seal the opening device to the packaging material; a cavity bounded by an opening of sealing surface and adapted to receive the opening device and a ring made in an elastomeric material, partially protruding inside the cavity, and adapted to center a first axis of the opening device on a second axis of the sonotrode.