SE540602C2 - A welding apparatus - Google Patents

A welding apparatus

Info

Publication number
SE540602C2
SE540602C2 SE1551162A SE1551162A SE540602C2 SE 540602 C2 SE540602 C2 SE 540602C2 SE 1551162 A SE1551162 A SE 1551162A SE 1551162 A SE1551162 A SE 1551162A SE 540602 C2 SE540602 C2 SE 540602C2
Authority
SE
Sweden
Prior art keywords
electrodes
welding apparatus
welding
energy
sensor
Prior art date
Application number
SE1551162A
Other languages
Swedish (sv)
Other versions
SE1551162A1 (en
Inventor
Jansson Per
Original Assignee
Conroy Medical Ab
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Conroy Medical Ab filed Critical Conroy Medical Ab
Priority to SE1551162A priority Critical patent/SE540602C2/en
Publication of SE1551162A1 publication Critical patent/SE1551162A1/en
Publication of SE540602C2 publication Critical patent/SE540602C2/en

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/922—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • 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
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/857—Medical tube welding machines
    • 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
    • B29C65/04—Dielectric heating, e.g. high-frequency welding, i.e. radio frequency welding of plastic materials having dielectric properties, e.g. PVC
    • 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
    • B29C65/40—Applying molten plastics, e.g. hot melt
    • 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
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B29C66/1122—Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints
    • 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
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/41—Joining substantially flat articles ; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles
    • B29C66/43—Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles
    • B29C66/431—Joining the articles to themselves
    • B29C66/4312—Joining the articles to themselves for making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles, e.g. transversal seams
    • 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
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • 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
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B29C66/83221—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis cooperating reciprocating tools, each tool reciprocating along one axis
    • 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
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/849—Packaging machines
    • B29C66/8491—Packaging machines welding through a filled container, e.g. tube or bag
    • 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
    • B29C66/84—Specific machine types or machines suitable for specific applications
    • B29C66/861—Hand-held tools
    • B29C66/8618—Hand-held tools being battery operated
    • 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
    • B29C66/87—Auxiliary operations or devices
    • B29C66/874—Safety measures or devices
    • B29C66/8746—Detecting the absence of the articles to be joined
    • 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
    • B29C66/91—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/914—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux
    • B29C66/9161—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the temperature, the heat or the thermal flux by controlling or regulating the heat or the thermal flux, i.e. the heat flux
    • 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
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/922—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9221—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • 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
    • B29C66/92—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/922—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9231—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by measuring the displacement of the joining tools
    • 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
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/944—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time by controlling or regulating the time
    • 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
    • B29C66/94—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time
    • B29C66/944—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time by controlling or regulating the time
    • B29C66/9441—Measuring or controlling the joining process by measuring or controlling the time by controlling or regulating the time the time being controlled or regulated as a function of another parameter
    • 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
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/961—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving a feedback loop mechanism, e.g. comparison with a desired value
    • 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
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/967—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes
    • B29C66/9672—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes involving special data inputs, e.g. involving barcodes, RFID tags
    • 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
    • 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
    • B29C66/71—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 composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • 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
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/963—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process using stored or historical data sets, e.g. using expert systems
    • 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
    • B29C66/96—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process
    • B29C66/967—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes
    • B29C66/9674—Measuring or controlling the joining process characterised by the method for implementing the controlling of the joining process involving special data inputs or special data outputs, e.g. for monitoring purposes involving special data outputs, e.g. special data display means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2023/00—Tubular articles
    • B29L2023/005—Hoses, i.e. flexible
    • B29L2023/007—Medical tubes other than catheters
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/712—Containers; Packaging elements or accessories, Packages
    • B29L2031/7148—Blood bags, medical bags

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)
  • Resistance Welding (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to a welding apparatus 10; 30 comprising: two electrodes 11, 12; 21, 22, whereof at least one of said two electrodes is movably arranged in relation to the other electrode. The electrodes are in non-contact with each other and define a gap 13 in which an object 14 provided with an electrically non-conductive surface to be sealed may be inserted. The welding apparatus comprises an actuator 15; 25 configured to move at least one electrode when activated to squeeze the object, a detector 16; 26 configured to determine a clamping force when the inserted object 14 is squeezed between the electrodes, a first sensor 17; 23 configured to measure the distance between the electrodes, a processor 18 configured to calculate time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and the measured distance between the electrodes, and to control 34 the energy emitted from the energy source based on the calculated time and/or energy, and an energy source 20 configured to provide energy to said electrodes to perform a welding procedure.

Description

A WELDING APPARATUS Technical field The present invention relates to a welding apparatus as defined in the preamble of the independent claim 1.
Background to the invention Welding apparatuses are normally used for sealing different containers designed to contain blood, such as blood bags or tubes connected to blood bags. Due to the plastic material used to manufacture blood bags and tubes, ultrasound or RF welding techniques are commonly used; such equipment is provided by the applicant and shown in figure 1.
Blood bags and tubes come in many different sizes and shapes, which in turn require the user to have access to different welding equipment adapted for a specific material, shape or thickness. Typically, a user has to seal the plastic tube when the blood bag is full, but may also have to seal of a part of the blood bag for test samples, which requires the user to have access to different welding equipment to perform the required tasks.
When sealing different containers designed to contain blood, such as blood bags, welding techniques (ultrasound or RF) are normally used. Such a product (CS546 Qseal-handy) is provided by Conroy Medical, and is shown in Fig. 1. It comprises a battery pack 2 (i.e. a DC source), a device for welding 1, which is normally handheld, and a cord/ cable 3 for connecting the battery pack with the hand-held device. The device can also be powered from the AC mains via a suitable cord. The Qsealhandy is a fully automatic system for sealing PVC and EVA tubes connected to blood bags included either in Blood Packs or in Apheresis Disposable Sets. The sealing can be performed when the donor is still connected to the Blood Pack or the Apheresis Disposable Set.
In JPH06 106623 (A) (Kawasumi) a hand held welding device for sealing tubing is disclosed (see Fig. 2). It comprises a battery pack 5 that is directly attached to the welding part 4. It also comprises a voltage converter for raising the battery voltage (a DC booster) and a high performance DC/ AC converter.
Each of the prior art welding apparatuses are adapted to be used for different types of plastic materials, shapes or thicknesses.
EP 2255917 describes a welding apparatus designed to weld electrically conductive materials using a resistance tack welder. Different thicknesses of materials can be handled in the same welding apparatus provided the materials have electrically conductive properties since the apparatus regulate the amount of current that flows between the electrodes (through the material) to perform the welding procedure.
A drawback with the welding apparatus described in EP2255917 is that electrically non-conductive materials cannot be welded by regulating the current.
Thus, there is a need to develop a welding apparatus that can perform a welding procedure on electrically non-conductive objects made from different plastic materials, and having different shapes and thicknesses.
Summary of the invention One object with the present invention is to provide a welding apparatus that is more flexible that prior art welding apparatuses.
The object may be achieved with a welding apparatus comprising: two electrodes, whereof at least one of said two electrodes is movably arranged in relation to the other electrode. The electrodes are in non-contact with each other and define a gap in which an object to be sealed may be inserted. The object is provided with an electrically non-conductive surface. an actuator configured to move said at least one electrode when activated to squeeze the object when inserted, and an energy source configured to provide energy to said electrodes to perform a welding procedure, a detector configured to determine a clamping force when the inserted object is squeezed between the electrodes, a first sensor configured to measure the distance between the electrodes when the object is squeezed by monitoring the movement of one electrode in relation to the other electrode, and a processor configured to calculate the time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and the measured distance between the electrodes, and to control the energy emitted from the energy source based on the calculated time and/or energy.
An advantage with the present invention is that tubes with different dimensions and thicknesses and plastic bags with very thin plastic material may be sealed in the same welding equipment.
Further objects and advantages will be apparent for a skilled person from the detailed description and the drawings.
Brief description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows a prior art welding apparatus Fig. 2 shows a cordless prior art welding apparatus Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of a welding apparatus Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a welding apparatus Fig. 5 shows a flow chart describing a method to perform a welding procedure.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments Figure 1 illustrates a prior art welding apparatus having a welding unit 1 attached via a cord 2 to a battery pack 3.
Figure 2 illustrates a cordless welding apparatus comprising two parts, a first unit in the form of a power unit 5 with a battery pack, and a second unit in the form of a welder 4. The power unit is inserted in a slot in the handle 6 of the apparatus.
As previously mentioned, the main drawback of the prior art welding apparatuses is that each is adapted to be used for a specific type of tube or plastic bags, etc.
Figure 3 shows a first embodiment of a welding apparatus 10 comprising two electrodes 11, 12, an actuator 15, an energy source 20, a clamping force detector 16, a first sensor 17 and a processor 18.
A first of the electrodes 1 1 is movably arranged in relation to the other electrode 12, which is stationary, and the two electrodes are in non-contact with each other. A gap 13 is defined between the electrodes in which an object 14 to be sealed may be inserted. The object 14, such as plastic tubes or plastic bags, is provided with an electrically non-conductive surface, and is typically manufactured from an electrically non-conductive material.
The actuator 15 (e.g. a step motor, brushless DC motor, etc.) is configured to move the first electrode 11 when activated towards the other electrode 1 2 to close the gap 13 when the object 14 is inserted within the gap 13. The energy source 20 is configured to provide energy to the electrodes to perform a welding procedure provided that a control signal 34 from the processor 18 is received that controls the time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure.
In order to calculate the time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure, information regarding the object needs to be collected. The clamping force detector 16 is configured to determine a clamping force and the first sensor 17 is configured to measure a distance between the electrodes when the inserted object 14 is squeezed between the electrodes 11, 12. The clamping force may be determined by detecting the clamping force or by calculating the clamping force based on power consumption (current and voltage to a DC motor) The determined clamping force and the measured distance are indicators regarding what type of properties the object has, i.e. tube or sheet; thickness and type of material. The processor calculates time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and measured distance between the electrodes.
The processor 18 is provided with a memory from which the processor retrieves data regarding an appropriate welding procedure as a function of clamping force and distance between the electrodes. The data is preferably stored in a look-up table. Furthermore, separate look-up tables may be implemented for different materials, and information regarding which material the object is made from can be obtained from a user, e.g. using a built-in bar-code reader 27 that reads the information from a barcode 28 and a signal 29 with the information is forwarded to the processor 18 to select the correct look-up table to be used for the welding procedure.
Furthermore, the welding apparatus 10 may be provided with a wireless communication interface, such as a transceiver circuitry 39, to facilitate wireless communication with external equipment, such as a computer, to exchange information. This type of information may comprise updated data to be stored in the look-up tables, and also data to be stored in a new look-up table, to adapt and thereby optimize the welding procedure. Information regarding the type of material in the object inserted in the gap may also be provided to the processor via the wireless communication interface.
The first sensor 17 is configured to measure the distance between the electrodes by monitoring the movement of the first electrode 11 in relation to the other electrode 12. In this embodiment, this is achieved by a sensor arranged to monitor the movement of a rod 15b controlled by the actuator 15 which is attached to the first electrode 11 .
Optionally, a second sensor 19a may be provided to detect if the object 14 is partly outside the defined gap 13, and the processor 18 is in this case further configured to prevent the actuator 15 to be activated when the object 14 is detected to be partly outside the defined gap 13. Thus, preventing a poor weld on the object 14.
The detection of a very thin material (based on the measured distance between the electrodes) outside the gap 13 may also be used to confirm that the object is a plastic sheet and ensure that a proper welding procedure is used.
Optionally, a third sensor 19b is provided to detect the position of the object 14 inserted between the electrodes, and the processor 18 is in this case further configured to enable said actuator 15 to be activated when the third sensor detects that the object is placed between the electrodes 11, 12. Thus, the signal from the third sensor prevents the welding procedure to be activated when no object is inserted between the electrodes. The signal from the third sensor may also be used as an indication that the actuator should be activated, whereby a separate button 3 1 as discussed below is not required.
The energy source 20 may comprise a battery which is activated by a control signal 34 from the processor 18. When the actuator 15 is activated, either by pressing a button 31 or by detecting the presence of an object in the gap 13, the gap is reduced. In case where the second sensor 19a and/or third sensor 19b is implemented, signals 32 and 33 are forwarded to the processor, which sends an enable signal (as indicated by 36) to the actuator before it may be activated. When the object 14 (inserted between the electrodes) is squeezed, the processor 18 receives signals from the clamping force detector 16 (as indicated by 36) and the first sensor 17 (as indicated by 35). The processor 18 thereafter calculates the required time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure.
Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of a welding apparatus 30 comprising two electrodes 21, 22, an actuator 25, an energy source 20, a clamping force detector 26, a first sensor 23 and a processor 18.
In this embodiment, each electrode 21, 22 are movable in relation to the other and the movement is controlled by the actuator 25, and the two electrodes are in noncontact with each other. A gap 13 is defined between the electrodes in which an object 14 to be sealed may be inserted. The object 14, such as plastic tubes or plastic bags, is provided with an electrically non-conductive surface, and is typically manufactured from an electrically non-conductive material.
The actuator 25 is configured to move the first electrode 21 and second electrode 22 towards each other to close the gap 13 when the object 14 is inserted within the gap 13. The energy source 20 is configured to provide energy to the electrodes to perform a welding procedure provided that a control signal 34 from the processor 18 is received that controls the time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure.
In order to calculate the time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure, information regarding the object needs to be collected. The clamping force detector 26 is configured to determine a clamping force and the first sensor 23 is configured to measure a distance between the electrodes when the inserted object 14 is squeezed between the electrodes 21, 22. Information regarding type of material may be obtained using a bar-code reader (not shown) or through a wireless communication interface as previously discussed in connection with figure 3.
The determined clamping force and the measured distance are indicators regarding what type of properties the object has, i.e. tube or sheet; thickness and type of material, but external information provided by a bar-code reader or through a wireless communication interface may also be provided. The processor calculates time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and measured distance between the electrodes, as described above.
In this embodiment, the first sensor 23 is an optical rangefinder configured to measure the distance between the electrodes by monitoring the movement of one electrode in relation to the other electrode using light.
Optionally, a second sensor (not shown) may be provided to detect if the object 14 is partly outside the defined gap 13, and the processor 18 is in this case further configured to prevent the actuator 25 to be activated when the object 14 is detected to be partly outside the defined gap 13. Thus, preventing a poor weld on the object 14. The second sensor may be integrated into the first sensor 23.
Optionally, a third sensor (not shown) is provided to detect the position of the object 14 inserted between the electrodes, and the processor 18 is in this case further configured to enable said actuator 25 to be activated when the third sensor detects that the object is placed between the electrodes 21, 22. Thus, the signal from the third sensor prevents the welding procedure to be activated when no object is inserted between the electrodes, and the signal may also be used to activate the actuator instead of using a separate button 3 1.
The energy source 20 may comprise a battery which is activated by a control signal 34 from the processor 18. When the actuator 25 is activated, either by pressing a button 31 or by detecting the presence of an object in the gap 13, the gap is reduced. In case where the second sensor and/or third sensor is implemented, signals are forwarded to the processor 18, which sends an enable signal (as indicated by 38) to the actuator before it may be activated. When the object 14 (inserted between the electrodes) is squeezed, the processor 18 receives signals from the clamping force detector 26 (as indicated by 38) and the first sensor 23 (as indicated by 37). The processor 18 thereafter calculates the required time and/or energy needed to perform the welding procedure.
The processor 18 in figures 3 and 4 may further be configured to calculate time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure when the determined clamping force exceeds a predetermined value to ensure that the object is sufficiently squeezed before the welding procedure commences.
Figure 5 shows a flow chart describing a method to perform a welding procedure.
The flow starts at step 40, and an object 14 with an electrically non-conductive surface is placed in a gap 13 between two electrodes 11, 12; 21, 22 in step 41. The actuator 15, 25 is activated in step 42 to move at least one of the electrodes 11; 21, 22 in relation to the other electrode to squeeze the object 14 between the electrodes.
In step 43, a clamping force is determined when the object 14 is squeezed between the electrodes 11, 12; 21, 22, and a distance between the electrodes when the object 14 is squeezed between the electrodes 11, 12; 21, 22 is measured in step 44.
The time and/or energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object 14 is calculated in the processor 18 in step 45 based on the determined clamping force and the measured distance between the electrodes, and the energy emitted from the energy source 20 is controlled by the processor 18 based on the calculated time and/or energy in step 46.
In step 47, energy is provided from the energy source and controlled by the processor 18 to said electrodes to perform the welding procedure, and the flow is completed in step 48.
Step 45 may further comprise calculating time and amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure when the determined clamping force exceeds a predetermined value to ensure that the object is sufficiently squeezed before the welding procedure commences.
The welding techniques that are commonly used for welding plastic tubes and sheets is dielectric welding using RF energy, or alternatively ultrasound welding, but other types of welding techniques may be implemented in the welding apparatus according to the invention.

Claims (15)

Claims
1. A welding apparatus (10; 30) comprising: two electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22), whereof at least one of said two electrodes (11; 21, 22) is movably arranged in relation to the other electrode, said two electrodes are in non-contact with each other and define a gap (13) in which an object (14) to be sealed may be inserted, said object (14) being provided with an electrically non-conductive surface, an actuator (15; 25) configured to move said at least one electrode (11; 21, 22) when actiivanted to squeeze the object (14) when inserted, and - an energy source (20) configured to provide energy to said electrodes to perform a welding procedure, characterize in that said welding apparatus (10; 30) further comprises: a detector (16; 26) configured to determine a clamping force when the inserted object (14) is squeezed between the electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22), - a first sensor (17; 23) configured to measure the distance between the electrodes when the object (14) is squeezed, by monitoring the movement of one electrode (11; 21, 22) in relation to the other electrode, and a processor (18) configured to calculate time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and the measured distance between the electrodes, and to control (34) the energy emitted from the energy source based on the calculated time and/or energy.
2. The welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first sensor (17; 23) is an optical rangefinder.
3. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-2, wherein a second sensor (19a) is provided to detect if the object is partly outside the defined gap (13), and said processor (18) is further configured to prevent the actuator (15; 25) to be activated when the object (14) is detected to be partly outside the defined gap (13).
4. The welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said second sensor is integrated into said first sensor (23).
5. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein a third sensor (19b) is provided to detect the position of the object (14) inserted between the electrodes, and said processor (18) is further configured to enable said actuator (15; 25) to be activated when the third sensor detects that the object is placed between the electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22).
6. The welding apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said actuator (15; 25) is activated when said third sensor (19b) detects an object within the gap (13).
7. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, wherein at least one of said electrodes (12) is stationary.
8. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said energy source (20) comprises a battery.
9. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-8, wherein said processor is configured to calculate time and amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure when the determined clamping force exceeds a predetermined value.
10. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-9, wherein said processor (18) is configured to retrieve data from at least one look-up table to calculate time and/or energy required to perform the welding procedure.
11. The welding apparatus according to claim 10, wherein multiple look-up tables are stored in the processor (18), and the welding apparatus further comprising a bar code reader (27) configured to forward information regarding the inserted object (14) to the processor (18) to select one of said multiple look-up tables to retrieve data from.
12. The welding apparatus according to any of claims 1-11, further comprising a wireless communication interface (39) configured to receive updated data to be stored in said at least one look-up table.
13. The welding apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said wireless communication interface (39) further is configured to receive data to be stored in a new look-up table.
14. A method for welding an object (14) with an electrically non-conductive surface, said method comprises: placing the object in a gap (13) between two electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22) activating an actuator (15; 25) to move at least one of said electrodes (11; 21, 22) in relation to the other to squeeze the object between the electrodes, and provide energy from an energy source to said electrodes to perform a welding procedure characterzed by that said method further comprises: determining a clamping force when the object is squeezed between the electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22), measuring a distance between the electrodes when the object is squeezed between the electrodes (11, 12; 21, 22) by monitoring the movement of one electrode (11; 21, 22) in relation to the other electrode, calculating time and/or amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure on the inserted object based on the determined clamping force and the measured distance between the electrodes, and - controlling (34) the energy emitted from the energy source based on the calculated time and/or energy.
15. The method according to claim 15, wherein the step of calculating time and amount of energy required to perform the welding procedure is performed when the determined clamping force exceeds a predetermined value.
SE1551162A 2015-09-10 2015-09-10 A welding apparatus SE540602C2 (en)

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