Sonotrode Tool Integrated Heat Pipe Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sonotrode tools face high heat accumulation at the contact area during high-frequency mechanical vibrations, leading to increased temperature and potential softening of materials, requiring complex and costly external cooling systems.

Innovation Solution

A heat dissipation device is integrated entirely within the sonotrode body, utilizing a heat transport mechanism such as a heat pipe or thermosiphon, where a coolant in the liquid phase evaporates and condenses to efficiently transfer heat away from the contact area, reducing thermal resistance and maintaining a uniform temperature distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional external cooling systems are used to dissipate heat from the contact area, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and acquisition costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact area temperatureVSAvoidcooling system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the sonotrode body itself. The sonotrode body is designed with an integrated cooling circuit that includes coolant supply and drainage channels directly within its structure, eliminating the need for separate external cooling systems. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the contact area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A coolant is introduced as an intermediary substance to transfer heat away from the contact area. The coolant flows through the integrated cooling circuit, absorbing heat at the contact area and carrying it to the drainage region, thereby mediating the heat transfer process and protecting the sonotrode from excessive temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If external cooling systems with supply and drainage pipes are installed, then heat dissipation capability is improved, but acquisition and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact area temperatureVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling function is merged with the sonotrode body itself. The sonotrode body is designed with an integrated cooling circuit that includes coolant supply and drainage channels directly within its structure, eliminating the need for separate external cooling systems. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining effective heat dissipation from the contact area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the entire sonotrode body is cooled with constant coolant flow, then heat dissipation is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesonotrode body temperatureVSAvoidcoolant pump energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cooling system is designed with local quality by concentrating the cooling function at the contact area where heat is generated. The cooling circuit includes a supply channel leading directly to the contact area and a drainage channel at the drainage region, enabling targeted heat removal without requiring constant coolant flow through the entire sonotrode body, thus reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 effectively reduces the temperature load on the contact area without external cooling systems, preventing material softening and achieving cost-effective and reliable heat dissipation, enhancing the sonotrode's operational efficiency and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a cooling fluid in at least one cavity formed in the sonotrode body, which is at least partially in the liquid phase and can be vaporized to remove heat from the contact area adjacent to it

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

at least one contact area remote point is condensable on a condensation surface to the liquid phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

the heat transport device comprises a cooling fluid in at least one cavity formed in the sonotrode body, which is at least partially in the liquid phase and can be vaporized to remove heat from the contact area adjacent to it and at least one of the Contact area remote point is condensable on a condensation surface to the liquid phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat pipe: Heat Pipe

Implementation Method 4

power in the form of ultrasound is introduced at one point of the component or material, which causes boundary surface and molecular friction between the components or materials at another point, for example a joint to a second component connected thereto is thus released in the form of heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2832456B1Sonotrode tool with integrated cooling device
Publication Date: 2018.08.22 PP TECH
  • EP2832456B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2832456B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2832456B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a sonotrode (100; 100'; 100"), comprising a sonotrode body (10; 10'; 10"), which has at least one contact area (12; 12'; 12") for striking at least one workpiece (200; 200'; 200") or material or a further tool acting on it with high-frequency mechanical vibrations introduced at at least one introduction area (14; 14'; 14") of the sonotrode body (10; 10'; 10") by a vibration unit, and a heat dissipation device by means of which heat can be dissipated from the contact area.