Ultrasonic Welding Tool Profiles for Precise Conductor Joining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic welding methods and devices struggle with reproducibility and process reliability due to manufacturing tolerances and surface roughness, leading to inconsistent welding paths and positioning issues between conductors and connection parts.

Innovation Solution

The use of ultrasonic welding tools with mutually corresponding profiles on their contact surfaces, allowing for form-fitting engagement and increased effective contact area, which enhances process accuracy and reduces variance in welding paths, enabling reliable and reproducible welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If frictional engagement is used to fix the connecting part to the ultrasonic welding tool, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to compensate for manufacturing tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing mechanism complexityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is segmented into multiple corresponding profiles (ridges and grooves) that interlock to provide precise positioning. This segmentation allows the connecting part to be fixed with high precision through the interlocking profiles while maintaining a relatively simple overall fixing mechanism without complex adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The contact surface is given a specific local quality through the corresponding profiles that provide form-fitting engagement. This local structural feature enables precise positioning at the critical contact interface, compensating for manufacturing tolerances without requiring the entire fixing mechanism to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If clamping devices are used to fix the connecting part, then the reliability of fixation is improved, but the device complexity increases and manufacturing precision deteriorates due to surface roughness and tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoidclamping device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is divided into corresponding profiles that create multiple interlocking points. This segmentation provides reliable fixation through the interlocking mechanism while avoiding the need for complex clamping devices with multiple surfaces, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using external clamping devices to force connection, the solution inverts the approach by designing the contact surfaces themselves to provide form-fitting engagement through corresponding profiles. The fixation reliability is achieved through the geometry of the contact surfaces rather than external clamping forces.

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

3Ease of manufacture

If flat contact surfaces are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances causing welding path deviations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact surface manufacturingVSAvoidwelding path precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The contact surface is given a specific local quality through corresponding profiles that provide form-fitting engagement. This local structural feature enables precise welding path positioning while the overall manufacturing process remains relatively simple, as the profiles can be integrated into the contact surface manufacturing without requiring separate complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The corresponding profiles on the contact surfaces provide a form of curvature or non-flat geometry that enables precise positioning. The interlocking profiles create a unique engagement geometry that compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures consistent welding paths, while still being manufacturable using standard techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 improves the accuracy and reliability of the welding process by compensating for manufacturing tolerances and surface irregularities, ensuring consistent and robust connections between conductors and connection parts.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic vibration is introduced into one of the components to be welded by a sonotrode

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

This relative movement results in friction and ultimately in the welding of the surfaces of the two components

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

ultrasonic welding breaks down the aluminum oxide layer at the contact surface between the components to be welded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding breakdown: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 4

The sonotrode is excited by ultrasonic vibration via an ultrasonic converter and an optional booster. The ultrasonic vibration is introduced into the terminal part or conductor by means of the contact force of the sonotrode or anvil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectContact force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4076822B1Welding device and welding method for producing an integrally bonded connection between a conductor and a connection part
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 AUTO KABEL MANAGEMENT GMBH
  • EP4076822B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4076822B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a welding device and to a welding method for producing an integrally bonded connection between a conductor (10) and a connection part (8), with at least one ultrasonic welding tool (4), wherein at least part of a contact face (18) of the connection part (8) contacts at least part of a contact face (16) of the ultrasonic welding tool (4).