JPS6410913B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a preferably strand-shaped electrical It relates to devices for connecting conductors.

In order to connect two electrical conductors, the connection point is usually covered by a sleeve, which is crimped onto the conductors and then welded together. This is done, for example, by soldering, resistance welding or ultrasonic welding. A fundamental drawback of these methods is that assembly requires a long time, since the ends of the conductors must first be inserted into the sleeve and then firmly connected.

German application no. 2621508 shows a device for connecting electrical conductors, such as strands, with a metal support. In this case, the electrical conductor is inserted into a counter electrode configured as an anvil of an ultrasonic welding device. The electrical support to be connected with the conductor is then installed on the anvil in order to move the sonotrode towards the anvil. In order to connect the support with conductors of different diameters, a spring-loaded movable slide is arranged on the anvil, into which the sonotrode can be lowered. Therefore, the space between the slides is always smaller than the corresponding extension of the area of the adjacent sonotrode.

This invention was made in view of the above points, and it is possible to connect two electrical conductors, preferably strands, etc., at low cost and economically without covering the conductors to be connected with a sleeve, It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection device that eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks and can be easily applied to conductors of different sizes.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the sonotrode or sonotrode head has on its peripheral area at least one recess adapted to the conductor to be connected. This recess starts from the sonotrode or the sonotrode head, and the region of the anvil in which the projection fitted into the recess is arranged forms a cavity in which the recess and the corresponding projection represent a compression chamber at the welding location. and is movable so as to extend parallel or substantially parallel to the vibration axis of the sonotrode. The chamber has an opening at its front side for inserting the conductor.
Of course, the projection and the recess are applied to each other in such a way that a mutual action occurs with the sonotrode head, which ultimately results in a weld.

According to the invention, therefore, the conductor to be connected only needs to be placed in the compression chamber for the connection. Preferably, the conductor to be connected is placed in the recess of the sonotrode when the anvil is raised without removing its surface corresponding to the side from its side. The anvil is then lowered until the protrusion interacts with the recess so as to form a compression chamber or hollow space and allow vibration of the sonotrode.

Even if the rising anvil, which has a projection on its surface, touches the side surface with the recess, it is easy to place the end of the conductor in the recess, since the anvil serves as a guiding aid.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sonotrode or the head of the sonotrode forms a polygon and has a plurality of horizontally extending sides corresponding to the surrounding area. Recesses of different size are preferably arranged at the intersections of the sides. Therefore, a plurality of recesses are arranged on the periphery of the sonotrode or the head of the sonotrode, which interact with corresponding projections, providing chambers of different sizes for conductors of different diameters.

The following description is of an embodiment of the invention. The two sides of the sonotrode or the head of the sonotrode extend parallel to each other, along which an anvil with projections can be moved preferably synchronously with respect to each other, the projections being applied in the corresponding recesses. . According to the invention, there is provided the possibility of placing the conductors individually in the recesses of the sonotrode facing and facing the corresponding anvil, in order to produce two connection points simultaneously in one working phase. It is clear that similar devices for automatically connecting two conductors can be used as well.

Preferably, each anvil is movable along the side of the sonotrode and has an area in which a plurality of different projections are disposed. This provides the opportunity for different sized conductors to be welded together by different protrusions without having to use different anvils for each conductor size. In order to be able to align the desired projection with a particular recess, according to one embodiment of the invention, the anvil swings about a main axis extending parallel to the direction of movement. Similarly, the sonotrode is arranged to rotate along its main axis, optimizing the characteristic "rotating sonotrode."

The recess corresponding to the size of the conductor to be connected is preferably limited by two side walls extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sonotrode. one of the side walls formed stepwise relative to the matching side surface extends parallel to that surface, and the other side wall starting from that side surface is inclined relative to that side surface at an angle of 90° or less; The passage between the side walls is preferably rounded, such as concave. The angle between the side walls is
If it is less than 90°, it is guaranteed that the ends of the inserted conductors will not slip out. The rounded passage between the flanges ensures that the welded final product does not have any sharp edges.

In order to give particularly high stability to the connection points of the welded conductors, in other embodiments recessed sections (flanges) extending parallel to the corresponding sides
is composed of ridges and excavations arranged alternately parallel to the direction of movement of the albil moving along the sides, forming so-called grooves, which grooves, for example,
Cut by electrical discharge machining.

On the other hand, the projection arranged on the anvil is preferably formed in one step, the first section of which corresponds to and starts from the area movable along the side of the sonotrode. The other second section preferably intersects it at an angle of 90°;
The lateral extension of the second section from the first section is equal to or less than the depth of the recess of the sonotrode to be adjusted. Furthermore, that area of the anvil movable along the side of the sonotrode is made of hard metal material to avoid wear and tear.

Finally, the direction of movement of the anvil with respect to the direction of vibration of the sonotrode is within the range of 90° ± 20°, and this angle is adjusted depending on the material of the conductor to be welded.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 shows sonotrode 1
0 is shown in side view. Sonotrode 10
has a sonotrode head 12 having recesses 14 and 16 in its circumferential surface. The configuration and operation of the sonotrode 10 will be explained based on FIGS. 2 to 6.

The sonotrode 10 vibrates longitudinally to generate sonic or ultrasonic vibrations to interconnect the electrical conductors located within the recesses 14 and 16. The sonotrode 10 is aligned with a counter electrode, also referred to as an anvil. In this case, an electrical conductor is placed between the anvil and the sonotrode 10 to form a welded connection point.

FIG. 2 shows the anvil 18 positioned relative to the anvil 18 so that a predetermined weld can be made. Thus, the sonotrode 20 or the corresponding sonotrode head has four recesses 22, 24, 2 on its circumferential surface.
6 and 28. These recesses 22-28
is a side surface 3 forming a peripheral area and extending to equal dimensions.
It is located at the intersection of 0, 32, 34 and 36. In other words, the cross-section of sonotrode head 20 has its corners removed to form recesses 22, 24,
26 and 28 are formed in a rectangular shape. Anvil 18 is configured to have a movable flat area 38 along side surface 36 . Furthermore, after the recess 22 is aligned with the protrusion 42 and the conductor is inserted (as shown by strand 44 in FIG. 2),
The protrusion 42 and aligned recess 22 form a compression chamber 46 .

When welding conductors, the following operations are performed. First, the anvil 18 is in the raised position (in Fig. 2,
), so that the conductor is located in recess 2
It is located within 2. In this case, the region 38 of the anvil 18 movable along the side surface 36 of the sonotrode 20 simultaneously functions as a guideway.
As soon as the conductor is inserted into the recess 22, the anvil 18 is moved in the direction of the sonotrode 20 (in FIG.
The space remaining between the protrusion 42 and the recess 22 (as shown in solid lines) is lowered until the required compression chamber 46 is provided. After that, sonotrode 10
causes vibration for a period in the range of 1/10 of a second, thus welding the conductors together to create a connection point. The anvil 18 is then lifted again to remove the welded conductor.

In order to securely weld together conductors of different diameters and similar sonotrodes as well as only one anvil, the recesses 22 to 28 are formed with different depths or heights. At the same time, the anvil has other protrusions 48 in addition to the protrusions 42 of the embodiment of FIG. The protrusions 42 and 48 can differ from each other with respect to their outwardly directed extensions or with respect to their relative entry height into the welding location of the anvil 18. That is, the anvil 18 and the sonotrode are each rotatably disposed about their longitudinal axes, as indicated by the arrows.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the anvil has a T-shaped cross section and a rectangular upper surface. It goes without saying that the four projections align with the recesses 22, 24, 26, 28 and the corresponding anvils intersect in top view.

As for the recess, the recess is limited by the longitudinally extending side walls 50 and 52 of the sonotrode;
The side walls staggered on the adjusted side 30 along which the anvil moves extend parallel to the side 30, while the side walls 5 extending from the side 30
2 extends at 90° or an acute angle towards the center of the sonotrode. Additionally, the passageway between the side walls 50 and 52 is concave to facilitate insertion of the conductor to be connected. In other words, the cross section of the recess 24 is preferably J-shaped. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the sonotrode is aligned with only one of the anvils and the recesses are rotated in the same direction.

Each projection 42 or 48 of the anvil 18 is stepped-shaped, one section 54 of which corresponds to or is an extension of a region movable along the side of the sonotrode 20, and the other sections 54 56 intersects it, preferably at a 90° angle. Section 54 of Section 56
The helical extension from is equal to or less than the depth of the matching recess of sonotrode 200. Additionally, section 56 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sonotrode.

A further embodiment of the sonotrode head recess is shown in FIG. In order to provide good stability to the connected conductors, side walls extending parallel to the area of the anvil (in the embodiment of FIG.
The side wall 50 of the recess 24 has a groove structure, and the groove in that portion extends perpendicularly to the direction of vibration of the sonotrode. These grooves can press themselves into the conductor at the connection point. This achieves the above-mentioned stabilizing effect and increased strength.

FIG. 3 shows the external appearance of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. The sonotrode 58 or sonotrode head has two conductors in order to be able to weld together multiple conductors in different recesses simultaneously in one step.
anvils 60 and 62.
Regarding the shape of the recesses of the sonotrode 58 or the protrusions of the anvils 60 and 62, reference can be made to the combined explanation of FIGS. 1 and 2.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 and 4, the matching recesses 68 are formed by 70 and projections 72 and 74 in order to simultaneously form two connection points on different conductors in a single step. It is easy to place the conductors in two insulation displacement chambers, such as chambers 64 and 66. Thereby, those areas 76 of the anvils 60 and 62, which are opposite to and movable along the sonotrode, are guided via 78, after which electrical conductors, preferably of the strand type, are placed in the recesses 64 and 66. Alternatively, anvils 60 and 62 are raised to allow insertion (not shown). Next, anvil 60
and 62 are lowered synchronously to form the compression chambers 64 and 66 described above. The sonotrode then oscillates longitudinally to perform the welding operation after 1/10 seconds.

The sonotrode 58 can be a tandem sonotrode in order to attach two anvils 60, 62 to it. In this case, and contrary to the embodiment of FIG. Together with each projection 72 or 74, they interact simultaneously.

In addition to the protrusions 68 and 70, the tandem sonotrode 58 has two further protrusions 76 and 78. As for their size, they can differ from those mentioned at the beginning, in order to be able to weld with one sonotrode despite the size of the conductor. Similar to the different shapes of the recesses, the anvils 60 and 62
In addition to protrusions 72 and 74, it also has protrusions 80 and 82 with different diameters.

To allow different projections to work with different recesses, anvils 60 and 62 and sonotrode 58 are arranged to rotate about their longitudinal axes.

According to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, if all four recesses are arranged on the circumferential surface of the sonotrode, which is approximately rectangular in plan view, larger deformations and application modes are possible. To provide, Figures 5 and 6
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, more than four recesses can be provided. This makes it possible to apply welding to relatively large widths of conductors of different sizes.

Therefore, the side surfaces 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, and 96 forming the circumferential surface of the sonotrode 84 form a hexagon with a recess provided in the center thereof.
One of these recesses is indicated, for example, at 98. In this example, the sonotrode 84
The side surface 96 of the region 10 terminates in a protrusion 104.
2, this protrusion 104 is fitted into the recess 98 to form the desired compression chamber in which the ends of the conductors are positioned and then welded. Since only one anvil 100 is attached to the sonotrode 84, the recesses are rotated in the same manner.

If all two anvils are attached to a sonotrode with four or more recesses, the number of recesses corresponds to a multiple of four. In this case, two adjacent recesses are opposed to each other and thus have a constant symmetry with respect to the center line formed between them.

The sonotrode of the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 is
It is also called a rotary sonotrode because it has a plurality of recesses on its circumferential surface and rotates about its longitudinal axis. Therefore, anvil 100 is referred to as a rotating anvil.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the sonotrode according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a front view of the second embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, 20... sonotrode, 12... sonotrode head, 14, 16, 22, 24, 26,
28... recess.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A device for connecting electrical conductors having a sonotrode generating sonic or ultrasonic vibrations and at least one counter electrode functioning as an anvil, the sonotrode being adapted to the conductor to be connected. has at least one recess on its circumferential surface,
The recess starts from the side of the sonotrode, and a region of the anvil with a projection adapted to the recess is movable along the recess, at the position of the sonotrode and anvil connecting the conductor;
The recess and the aligned projection form a cavity corresponding to a compression chamber, extending parallel or substantially parallel to the vibration axis of the sonotrode, the front surface of which is open for insertion of the conductor. A connecting device for electrical conductors, characterized by: 2. The sonotrode forms a polygon, extends flat, and has a plurality of side surfaces corresponding to peripheral surfaces, and a recess is provided at the intersection of these side surfaces. The electrical conductor connection device according to item 1. 3. The two sides of the sonotrode extend parallel to each other, each anvil with a projection can be moved relative to the other, said projection being fitted into an aligned recess. A connecting device for electrical conductors according to scope 1 or 2. 4. The electrical conductor connection device according to claim 1, wherein the anvil has a region that moves along the side of the sonotrode, and this region has a plurality of protrusions. 5. The electrical conductor connection device according to claim 1, wherein the anvil is rotatable around its main axis extending parallel to the direction of movement thereof. 6. A recess arranged in the peripheral surface of the sonotrode is limited by two side walls extending in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the sonotrode, one of said side walls being stepped with respect to the matching side surface. 2. A device for connecting electrical conductors according to claim 1, characterized in that the other side wall extending parallel to said side surface forms an angle of 90 DEG or less to said side surface. 7. The electrical conductor connection device according to claim 6, wherein the side wall extending parallel to the matching side surface is configured parallel to the direction of movement of the anvil, and the anvil is movable along the side surface. . 8. Each protrusion of said anvil is formed in the form of a step, the first section of which corresponds to an area extending along and extending from the side of the sonotrode, the second section intersecting it and extending from the side of the sonotrode.
2. Device for connecting electrical conductors according to claim 1, characterized in that the lateral extension of the second section starting from the section is equal to or smaller than the depth of the recess of the corresponding sonotrode. 9. A device for connecting electrical conductors according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the region of the anvil movable along the side of the sonotrode is made of a hard metallic material. 10. The electrical conductor connection device according to claim 1, wherein the direction of movement of the anvil with respect to the vibration direction of the sonotrode is within a range of 90°±20°.