Strainer Bar Spacer Welding for Liquid Press Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing strainer rods for devices that squeeze liquids face challenges such as spacer element slipping and high production costs due to manual placement or one-piece production, and energy-intensive coating methods that distort the component geometry.

Innovation Solution

The method involves welding prefabricated bolt-shaped spacer elements to the strainer rod using electric spot welding, with pulse welding to minimize heat input and maintain precise spacing between rods, allowing for reliable and cost-effective production while maintaining component geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If spacer elements are manually placed and connected by welding, then production flexibility is maintained, but the spacer elements can slip and welds may tear off, compromising reliability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidspacer element stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer elements are pre-formed with attachment features (such as protrusions or holes) before the strainer rod production. This preliminary preparation enables automated or semi-automated attachment processes, reducing manual intervention while ensuring consistent, reliable connection to the strainer rod, thereby preventing slipping and weld failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If spacer elements are formed in one piece with strainer rods by milling or grinding, then slipping is avoided and stability is high, but production costs increase considerably

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespacer element stabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The strainer rod system is segmented into separate components: the strainer rod body and the spacer elements. The spacer elements are manufactured independently as separate parts and then attached to the strainer rod. This segmentation allows for simplified, more cost-effective production of each component while maintaining the stability and anti-slip properties through dedicated attachment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If spacer elements are applied by coating processes such as build-up welding or laser welding, then connection stability is improved, but high energy input causes plastic deformation and negative effects on component geometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidcomponent geometry
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

An intermediary attachment mechanism is introduced between the spacer element and the strainer rod, such as mechanical interlocking features, rivets, or specialized fasteners. This intermediary approach provides stable connection without requiring high-energy welding processes that would cause plastic deformation, thereby preserving the precise geometry of the components while ensuring reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach ensures reliable spacing between strainer rods during the pressing process, reduces production costs, and minimizes thermal distortion, enhancing the stability and efficiency of the strainer basket in liquid extraction devices.

Implementation Method 1

The method involves welding prefabricated bolt-shaped spacer elements to the strainer rod using electric spot welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Implementation Method 2

with pulse welding to minimize heat input and maintain precise spacing between rods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPulse welding:

Data Source

PatentEP3169513B1Strainer bar and method for producing a strainer bar
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 HARBURG FREUDENBERGER MASCHINENBAU GMBH
  • EP3169513B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3169513B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Strainer bar (1) for forming a strainer cage for confining a compression space of a device for pressing liquids, comprising a main body (20), on which a reinforcement (10) with at least one wearing surface (11) is fixed and at least one spacer element (30), which is positioned laterally in relation to a longitudinal extent of the strainer bar (1) in such a way that it rises up over a side face of the strainer bar (1), wherein at least one spacer element (30) is connected in a material-bonding manner to the main element (20) of the strainer bar (1), and method for producing a strainer bar (1), wherein the at least one spacer element (30) is connected in a material-bonding manner to the main element (20) of the strainer bar (1) by electrical pulsed spot welding.