GB2344487A - Ultrasonic resonator has slots extending through resonant body which are of non-uniform width - Google Patents
Ultrasonic resonator has slots extending through resonant body which are of non-uniform width Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2344487A GB2344487A GB9826296A GB9826296A GB2344487A GB 2344487 A GB2344487 A GB 2344487A GB 9826296 A GB9826296 A GB 9826296A GB 9826296 A GB9826296 A GB 9826296A GB 2344487 A GB2344487 A GB 2344487A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- slot
- sonotrode
- slots
- resonator
- width
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
- B29C65/08—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using ultrasonic vibrations
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B3/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K20/00—Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating
- B23K20/10—Non-electric welding by applying impact or other pressure, with or without the application of heat, e.g. cladding or plating making use of vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic welding
- B23K20/106—Features related to sonotrodes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8167—Quick change joining tools or surfaces
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
- B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
- B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
- B29C66/21—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being formed by a single dot or dash or by several dots or dashes, i.e. spot joining or spot welding
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
- B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
- B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
- B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
- B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
- B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
- B29C66/81463—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
- B29C66/95—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94
- B29C66/951—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 by measuring or controlling the vibration frequency and/or the vibration amplitude of vibrating joining tools, e.g. of ultrasonic welding tools
- B29C66/9513—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 by measuring or controlling the vibration frequency and/or the vibration amplitude of vibrating joining tools, e.g. of ultrasonic welding tools characterised by specific vibration frequency values or ranges
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
- B29C66/90—Measuring or controlling the joining process
- B29C66/95—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94
- B29C66/951—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 by measuring or controlling the vibration frequency and/or the vibration amplitude of vibrating joining tools, e.g. of ultrasonic welding tools
- B29C66/9516—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling specific variables not covered by groups B29C66/91 - B29C66/94 by measuring or controlling the vibration frequency and/or the vibration amplitude of vibrating joining tools, e.g. of ultrasonic welding tools by controlling their vibration amplitude
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29K—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR MOULDS, REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS
- B29K2101/00—Use of unspecified macromolecular compounds as moulding material
- B29K2101/12—Thermoplastic materials
Abstract
The ultrasonic resonator, e.g. a sonotrode is used for ultrasonic welding and joining equipment and comprises a resonant body having an input face 12, an output face 13 and one or more slots 22. The slots extend through the resonant body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof, and are of non-uniform width to improve the efficiency of the sonotrode. Embodiments include tapered ends, convex or concave sides, and lozenge shaped slots.
Description
ULTRASONIC RESONATOR
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic resonator. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an ultrasonic resonator for use with ultrasonic welding and joining equipment.
An ultrasonic resonator is an important component of ultrasonic welding and joining equipment. Typically, such equipment consists of a piezoelectric transducer that converts an electrical signal into an ultrasonic mechanical vibration, a booster that amplifies the magnitude of the vibration and an ultrasonic resonator (often referred to as a sonotrode or horn) that engages the workpiece. Alternatively, one or more tools may be attached to the ultrasonic resonator for engaging the workpiece. This is sometimes referred to as a"mother and daughter"arrangement.
The ultrasonic resonator typically consists of an aluminium block having an input face that is attached to the booster and an output face that engages the workpiece or, in a mother and daughter arrangement, to which the tools are attached. Mechanical vibrations are fed into the resonator at the input face causing it to resonate. This results in vibrations at the output face that are transmitted to the workpiece, which is typically made of a thermoplastic material, thereby causing it to melt. A welding or joining operation is thereby carried out. Alternatively, in a mother and daughter arrangement, the vibrations at the output face of the resonator are transmitted to the workpiece by the tools attached to the output face.
Ideally, all of the energy fed into the resonator at the input would be transmitted to the output face, to be applied to the workpiece. In practice, some losses occur that reduce the efficiency of the device. In particular, if the lateral dimensions of the resonator are greater than the wavelength of the ultrasonic vibrations in the resonator, the vibrational waves can be dispersed, with the result that energy is lost to the side faces of the resonator rather than being transmitted to the output face.
In order to reduce dispersion losses, large ultrasonic resonators normally have elongate slots formed in them that extend through the block, perpendicular to the direction of energy flow. These slots reduce the effective width of the resonator block thereby reducing dispersion.
Normally, these slots are of a uniform width. The inventor has discovered that by modifying the shape of the slots, the efficiency of the ultrasonic resonator can be significantly increased.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ultrasonic resonator that operates more efficiently.
According to the present invention there is provide an ultrasonic resonator comprising a resonant body having an input face and an output face and at least one slot that extends through the resonant body, wherein said slot is of non-uniform width.
The inventor has found that the shape of the slot or slots significantly affects the amount of dispersion and, therefore, the efficiency of the resonator. By carefully selecting the shape of the slot, the efficiency of the resonator can be improved.
Advantageously, the width of the slot decreases towards at least one of its ends. The width may decrease towards both ends of the slot. The slot may be tapered towards one or both of its ends, and it may for example be lozenge-shaped or have concave or convex curved surfaces. The reduced width portion preferably comprises at least 10%, and more preferably at least 20%, of the total slot height.
The resonator may be shaped to amplify the magnitude of the mechanical vibrations.
For example, the effective cross-sectional area of the resonator may be greater at the input face than at the output face.
The cross-sectional shape of the resonator may be square, rectangular, circular, cylindrical or any other shape. A plurality of slots may extend through the block in different directions. The resonator body may be made of aluminium or any other suitable material.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a typical prior art resonator system for an ultrasonic welding machine;
Figure 2 is a front view of a sonotrode according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a side view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a top view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 2;
Figure 5 is a detailed view of the slot shown in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a detailed view of the slot shown in Figure 2;
Figure 7 is a front view of a sonotrode according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a top view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a detailed view of one of the slots shown in Figure 7;
Figure 11 is a detailed view of an alternative form of the slot shown in Figure 6;
Figure 12 is a detailed view of an alternative form of the slot shown in Figure 10;
Figure 13 is a side view of a sonotrode according to third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 14 is a top view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a side view of a sonotrode according to a fourth embodiment of the invention ;
Figure 16 is a top view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 15;
Figure 17 is a front view of a sonotrode according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 18 is a side view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a front view of a sonotrode according to a sixth embodiment of the invention ;
Figure 20 is a side view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a front view of a sonotrode according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;
Figure 22 is a side view of the sonotrode shown in Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a front view of a motherblock with two attached tools according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;
Figure 24 is a side view of the motherblock and tools shown in Figure 23; and
Figures 25, 26,27 and 28 show alternative slot shapes.
The prior art resonator system shown in Figure 1 consists of a transducer 1, a transformer (or"booster") 2 and a sonotrode 3 that are connected end-to-end. The resonator system is mounted in a mounting flange 4 that engages the transformer 2.
The transducer 1 includes a piezoelectric element 5 that is connected to an alternating electrical supply (not shown). Applying an alternating voltage to the piezoelectric element causes the transducer to extend and contract longitudinally, thereby causing vibrations that are transmitted to the transformer 2. The upper portion of the transformer 2 has a larger cross-sectional area than the lower portion which results in the amplitude of the vibrations transmitted through the transformer being increased.
The sonotrode 3 has an input face 6 that is connected to the output face of the transformer 2 and an output face 7 that in use contacts the workpiece. The sonotrode is made of aluminium or another suitable material and is substantially cuboidal in shape. The sonotrode has a longitudinal axis 8 that extends through the sonotrode substantially perpendicular to the input and output faces 6,7. In use, vibrations are transmitted from the input face 6 to the output face 7, travelling through the sonotrode 3 in the direction of the longitudinal axis 8.
A pair of elongate slots 9 extend through the sonotrode, the axes of the slots being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 8 and to the front face of the sonotrode. These slots 9 reduce the effective width of the sonotrode, which helps to reduce dispersion of the ultrasonic vibrations towards the side faces of the sonotrode.
The slots are of substantially uniform width and have rounded ends.
The sonotrode acts as a resonator that resonates at the driving frequency of the transducer 5. The sonotrode shown in Figure 1 is designed to resonate at a frequency of 20kHz. Ultrasonic welding machines typically operate at frequencies in the range 20-50kHz.
A sonotrode according to the present invention is shown in Figures 2 to 6. The sonotrode has the shape of a cuboid, having an upper (or input) face 12, a lower (or output) face 13, front and rear faces 14,15 and two sides faces 16. A threaded hole 18 is provided in the centre of the top face 12 for connection to the booster 2. The lower portions 19 of the side faces 16 are stepped inwards slightly, reducing the overall width of the sonotrode adjacent the output face 13.
The sonotrode has a longitudinal axis 20 that extends through the sonotrode perpendicular to the input face 12 and the output face 13. A plurality of slots extend through the sonotrode, the axes of these slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 20. Two slots 22 extend through the block from the front face 14 to the rear face 15 and a third slot 23 extends through the block from one side face 16 to the other. The slots 22,23 are elongate, the height of each slot in the direction of the longitudinal axis 20 being considerably greater than its width. The first two slots 22 are somewhat taller than the third slot 23.
The shapes of the slot are shown in more detail in Figures 5 and 6. Both slots include a central portion 22a, 23a of substantially uniform width (approximately 6mm) and upper and lower ends portions 22b, 23b that taper to a width of approximately 1. 5mm. The length of the tapered end portions 22b, 23b is in each case between approximately one quarter and one third the total height of the slot. The extreme upper and lower ends of the slots are radiused to a radius of approximately. 75mm.
A second type of sonotrode according to the present invention is shown in Figures 7 to 10. The sonotrode has an upper input face 25, a lower output face 26, front and rear faces 27,28, two side faces 29 and a longitudinal axis 30 that extends perpendicular to the input and output faces 25,26. The front and rear faces 27,28 are inclined with the result that the width of the output face 26 is approximately two thirds the width of the input face 25. The sonotrode therefore acts as a booster in use, increasing the amplitude of the vibrations by approximately 50%.
Four slots 32 extend through the sonotrode from the front face 27 to the rear face 28, the axes of those slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 30. One of these slots is shown in more detail in Figure 10. It is essentially lozenge-shaped, having a maximum width of approximately 6mm at the centre point 32a and having upper and lower portions 32b that taper to approximately 3mm in width at the ends. The extreme upper and lower ends of the slot are radiused to a radius of approximately 1. 5mm. The sonotrode is designed to resonate at a resonant frequency of 40kHz.
Alternative sonotrode slot designs are shown in Figures 11 and 12. The first slot 34, which is designed for use in a sonotrode having a resonant frequency of 20kHz, is substantially bi-convex in shape, the width of the slot decreasing from approximately 6mm at its centre to approximately 3mm at its ends. The extreme upper and lower ends are radiused to a radius of approximately 1. 5mm. The slot has a height of approximately 82mm.
The second slot 35 shown in Figure 12 is also bi-convex and is designed for use in a sonotrode having a resonant frequency of 40kHz. The width of the slot decreases from approximately 6mm at its mid-point to approximately 3mm at each end. The extreme upper and lower ends are radiused to a radius of approximately 1. 5mm. The slot has a height of 32mm.
Figures 13 and 14 show a third type of sonotrode. The sonotrode is circular in crosssection and has an upper input face 38, a lower output face 39 and a longitudinal axis 40 that extends through the sonotrode from the input face to the output face. The sonotrode has an upper portion 41 and a lower portion 42 that is of smaller diameter.
The cross-sectional area of the lower portion 42 is approximately 60% of the crosssectional area of the upper portion 41 and the sonotrode therefore acts as a booster, increasing the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations.
Two slots 43 extend through the sonotrode, the axes of the slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 40 and to each other. The slots have tapered upper and lower portions and are similar in shape to the slots shown in Figures 5 and 6.
A fourth form of sonotrode is shown in Figures 15 and 16. The sonotrode is cylindrical in shape and has an upper input face 45, a lower output face 46 and a longitudinal axis 47 that extends through the sonotrode from the input face to the output face. A recess 48 is provided in the lower part of the sonotrode, so that the effective area of the output face 46 is smaller than that of the input face 45. The sonotrode therefore acts as a booster, increasing the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibrations. Two slots 49 extend through the sonotrode 49 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 47, the slots being similar in shape and orientation to those of the sonotrode shown in Figures 13 and 14.
A fifth form of sonotrode is shown in Figures 17 and 18. The sonotrode is cuboidal in shape and has an input face 50 and an output face 51. The sonotrode is similar to that shown in Figures 2 to 6, except that it does not have a portion of reduced width adjacent to the output face 51. The first and second slots 52 are also the same height as the third slot 53.
Figures 19 and 20 show a sixth form of sonotrode having an input face 54 and an output face 55. The lower portion of the sonotrode is reduced in width and tapers towards the output face 55. Two slots 57 extend through the sonotrode from the front face 58 to the rear face 59.
Figures 21 and 22 illustrate a seventh type of sonotrode, having an input face 60 and an output face 61. The lower portion 62 of the sonotrode is of reduced width but is not tapered. Two slots 63 extend through the sonotrode from the front face 64 to rear face 65.
Figures 23 and 24 illustrate an eighth embodiment of the invention, in which the ultrasonic resonator comprises a motherblock 68 to which two welding tools 69 are attached. The motherblock 68 has an upper input face 70, a lower output face 71 and a longitudinal axis-'that extends from the input face to the output face. The motherblock is subs ;. ially cuboidal in shape, having a front face 73, a rear face 74 and two side faces 75. A threaded hole 76 is provided in the centre of the input face 70 for attaching the motherblock to the transformer 2 and two further threaded holes 77 are provided in the output face 71, for attaching the tools 69.
Four slots 78 extend through the motherblock from the front face 73 to the rear face 74, the axes of those slots being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 72. The slots 78 are substantially lozenge-shaped and are similar to the slots shown in Figure 10.
In use, ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted into the motherblock 68 from the transformer 2 and are transmitted from the output face 71 to the tools 69, which engage the workpiece. The slots 78 help to prevent dispersion of the ultrasonic vibrations to the side faces 75 of the block.
Four alternative slot shapes are shown in Figures 25 to 28. In Figure 25, the slot has a central portion 80 of uniform width and two end portions 81 that taper uniformly towards the ends 82 of the slot. The ends 82 are radiused. The length of each end portion 81 is equal to approximately 25% of the total slot length.
The slot shown in Figure 26 is biconvex, the width of the slot decreasing gradually from the mid-point of the slot 84 to the ends 85, which are radiused.
The slot shown in Figure 27 is essentially lozenge-shaped, the width of the slot being a maximum at its mid-point 87 and decreasing gradually towards the ends 88, which are radiused.
In Figure 28, the upper portion 90 of the slot tapers gradually towards the upper end 91 and the lower part 92 is bi-concave, reaching a minimum width at the lower end 93.
Claims (12)
- CLAIMS 1. An ultrasonic resonator comprising a resonant body having an input face and an output face and at least one slot that extends through the resonant body, wherein said slot is of non-uniform width.
- 2. A resonator according to claim 1, in which the width of the slot decreases towards one or both ends of the slot.
- 3. A resonator according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the slot has curved surfaces.
- 4. A resonator according to claim 3, in which the slot is bi-convex.
- 5. A resonator according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the slot is lozenge-shaped.
- 6. A resonator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the slot includes a reduced width portion that comprises at least 10%, and preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 30% of the total slot length.
- 7. A resonator according to claim 6, in which the reduced width portion has a width less than 90% of the maximum slot width, and preferably less than 80% of the maximum slot width.
- 8. A resonator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the resonant body is shaped to amplify the magnitude of the mechanical vibrations.
- 9. A resonator according to any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of slots that extend through the resonant body in different directions.
- 10. A resonator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the or each slot extends through the resonant body substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof.
- 11. A resonator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the resonant body is made of aluminium, an aluminium alloy or steel.
- 12. An ultrasonic resonator substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated by, any one of Figs. 2-28 of the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9826296A GB2344487A (en) | 1998-12-02 | 1998-12-02 | Ultrasonic resonator has slots extending through resonant body which are of non-uniform width |
| AU13951/00A AU1395100A (en) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-11-22 | Ultrasonic resonator with slot of non-uniform width |
| PCT/GB1999/003861 WO2000032379A1 (en) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-11-22 | Ultrasonic resonator with slot of non-uniform width |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9826296A GB2344487A (en) | 1998-12-02 | 1998-12-02 | Ultrasonic resonator has slots extending through resonant body which are of non-uniform width |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9826296D0 GB9826296D0 (en) | 1999-01-20 |
| GB2344487A true GB2344487A (en) | 2000-06-07 |
Family
ID=10843368
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9826296A Withdrawn GB2344487A (en) | 1998-12-02 | 1998-12-02 | Ultrasonic resonator has slots extending through resonant body which are of non-uniform width |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU1395100A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2344487A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000032379A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003015461A2 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2003-02-20 | Ffr Intelp Limited | Ultrasonic amplifier or horn and method of manufacture |
| WO2003068487A1 (en) * | 2002-02-12 | 2003-08-21 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Ultrasound horn |
| US7344620B2 (en) * | 2004-05-10 | 2008-03-18 | Bandelin Electronic Gmbh & Co. Kg | Ultrasonic sonotrode |
| WO2012123418A1 (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2012-09-20 | Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sonotrode with processing channel |
| EP2708291A3 (en) * | 2012-09-17 | 2016-12-21 | MS Ultraschall Technologie GmbH | Sonotrode holder |
| DE102022100500A1 (en) | 2022-01-11 | 2023-07-13 | Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sonotrode with optimized slot geometry |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP5247364B2 (en) * | 2008-11-11 | 2013-07-24 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Method for manufacturing absorbent article |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1182597A (en) * | 1966-02-28 | 1970-02-25 | E S & A Robinsons Holdings Ltd | Velocity Transformer |
| GB1261351A (en) * | 1968-04-25 | 1972-01-26 | Lucas Industries Ltd | Pasting battery plates |
| US4315181A (en) * | 1980-04-22 | 1982-02-09 | Branson Ultrasonics Corporation | Ultrasonic resonator (horn) with skewed slots |
| GB2182526A (en) * | 1985-10-23 | 1987-05-13 | Branson Ultrasonics Corp | Ultrasonic resonator |
| JPS62273832A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1987-11-27 | Eiji Mori | Tool horn for ultrasonic plastic welder |
| EP0468125A2 (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1992-01-29 | Emerson Electric Co. | Manufacture of high frequency horns |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS63139727A (en) * | 1986-12-02 | 1988-06-11 | Daicel Chem Ind Ltd | Horn for ultrasonic welding |
-
1998
- 1998-12-02 GB GB9826296A patent/GB2344487A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1999
- 1999-11-22 WO PCT/GB1999/003861 patent/WO2000032379A1/en active Application Filing
- 1999-11-22 AU AU13951/00A patent/AU1395100A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1182597A (en) * | 1966-02-28 | 1970-02-25 | E S & A Robinsons Holdings Ltd | Velocity Transformer |
| GB1261351A (en) * | 1968-04-25 | 1972-01-26 | Lucas Industries Ltd | Pasting battery plates |
| US4315181A (en) * | 1980-04-22 | 1982-02-09 | Branson Ultrasonics Corporation | Ultrasonic resonator (horn) with skewed slots |
| GB2182526A (en) * | 1985-10-23 | 1987-05-13 | Branson Ultrasonics Corp | Ultrasonic resonator |
| JPS62273832A (en) * | 1986-05-23 | 1987-11-27 | Eiji Mori | Tool horn for ultrasonic plastic welder |
| EP0468125A2 (en) * | 1990-07-26 | 1992-01-29 | Emerson Electric Co. | Manufacture of high frequency horns |
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2003015461A2 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2003-02-20 | Ffr Intelp Limited | Ultrasonic amplifier or horn and method of manufacture |
| WO2003015461A3 (en) * | 2001-08-03 | 2003-07-10 | Ffr Intelp Ltd | Ultrasonic amplifier or horn and method of manufacture |
| WO2003068487A1 (en) * | 2002-02-12 | 2003-08-21 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Ultrasound horn |
| US7122097B2 (en) | 2002-02-12 | 2006-10-17 | Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A. | Ultrasound horn |
| CN100439085C (en) * | 2002-02-12 | 2008-12-03 | 利乐拉瓦尔集团及财务有限公司 | Ultrasound horn |
| US7344620B2 (en) * | 2004-05-10 | 2008-03-18 | Bandelin Electronic Gmbh & Co. Kg | Ultrasonic sonotrode |
| WO2012123418A1 (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2012-09-20 | Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sonotrode with processing channel |
| CN103415387A (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2013-11-27 | 海尔曼超声波技术两合有限公司 | Sonotrode with processing channel |
| CN103415387B (en) * | 2011-03-15 | 2016-03-02 | 海尔曼超声波技术两合有限公司 | There is the sonotrode for the treatment of channel |
| US9449595B2 (en) | 2011-03-15 | 2016-09-20 | Hermann Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sonotrode with processing channel |
| EP2708291A3 (en) * | 2012-09-17 | 2016-12-21 | MS Ultraschall Technologie GmbH | Sonotrode holder |
| DE102022100500A1 (en) | 2022-01-11 | 2023-07-13 | Herrmann Ultraschalltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg | Sonotrode with optimized slot geometry |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2000032379A1 (en) | 2000-06-08 |
| GB9826296D0 (en) | 1999-01-20 |
| AU1395100A (en) | 2000-06-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |