WO2011092445A1 - Ultrasonic welding device, in particular for welding a stack of cellular sheets - Google Patents

Ultrasonic welding device, in particular for welding a stack of cellular sheets Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011092445A1
WO2011092445A1 PCT/FR2011/050195 FR2011050195W WO2011092445A1 WO 2011092445 A1 WO2011092445 A1 WO 2011092445A1 FR 2011050195 W FR2011050195 W FR 2011050195W WO 2011092445 A1 WO2011092445 A1 WO 2011092445A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sonotrode
support
elements
stack
welding
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2011/050195
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Yves Bezault
Claude Martin
Original Assignee
Hamon Thermal Europe (France)
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 Hamon Thermal Europe (France) filed Critical Hamon Thermal Europe (France)
Priority to EP11707446A priority Critical patent/EP2531343A1/en
Publication of WO2011092445A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011092445A1/en

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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
    • B29C66/40—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
    • B29C66/438—Joining sheets for making hollow-walled, channelled structures or multi-tubular articles
    • 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
    • B29C66/01—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
    • B29C66/01—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
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B29C66/1312—Single flange to flange joints, the parts to be joined being rigid
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • B29C66/90—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
    • B29C66/924—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9261—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/92611—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the gap between 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
    • B29C66/96—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
    • B29C66/70—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
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • 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
    • B29C66/924—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools
    • B29C66/9241—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power
    • B29C66/92451—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 controlling or regulating the pressure, the force, the mechanical power or the displacement of the joining tools by controlling or regulating the pressure, the force or the mechanical power using joining tools having different pressure zones or using several joining tools with different pressures
    • 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
    • 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
    • B29L2031/18—Heat-exchangers or parts thereof
    • 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
    • B29L2031/60—Multitubular or multicompartmented articles, e.g. honeycomb
    • B29L2031/608—Honeycomb structures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D9/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D9/0031—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • F28D9/0037—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary plate-like or laminated conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits for one heat-exchange medium being formed by paired plates touching each other the conduits for the other heat-exchange medium also being formed by paired plates touching each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F21/00—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials
    • F28F21/06—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of plastics material
    • F28F21/065—Constructions of heat-exchange apparatus characterised by the selection of particular materials of plastics material the heat-exchange apparatus employing plate-like or laminated conduits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F28F2275/00—Fastening; Joining
    • F28F2275/06—Fastening; Joining by welding
    • F28F2275/065—Fastening; Joining by welding by ultrasonic or vibration welding

Definitions

  • Ultrasonic welding device in particular for welding a stack of honeycomb sheets
  • the present invention relates to a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements.
  • the ultrasonic welding consists in sending high frequency vibrations to two stacked elements to be welded, by means of a vibrating tool, called sonotrode.
  • the welding is done thanks to the heat generated by the vibrations at the interface between the two elements.
  • thermoplastic elements of the type comprising:
  • At least one sonotrode At least one sonotrode
  • a force measurement sensor capable of measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded on the sonotrode
  • the support has an anvil function, that is to say that the support forms a tool for taking up the force applied by the sonotrode on the elements to be welded, so that these elements to be welded are firmly pressed against each other during welding.
  • the elements to be welded are pinched between the sonotrode and the anvil in each welding zone.
  • the force measurement sensor is intended to verify that the compression force of the elements to be welded against each other, applied between the sonotrode and the anvil, is constant during welding, to ensure a homogeneous weld.
  • Such a stack is for example used in a heat exchanger, in particular for a thermal or nuclear power plant, in which water is brought into direct contact with the air passing through the stack of honeycomb sheets, in order to carry out a transfer. heat.
  • two adjacent honeycomb sheets are in contact only in generally flat areas formed between these cells. Thus, the connection between these sheets can be achieved only in these contact areas. It will be noted that the contact zones of two adjacent sheets are generally opposite cells of a third sheet. Thus, for a stack of at least three honeycomb sheets, it is not possible to firmly hold the contact areas of two adjacent sheets between an anvil and a sonotrode. In particular, it is not possible to introduce the anvil into the stack so that these contact areas rest on this anvil.
  • the invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback by providing an ultrasonic welding device capable of making welds between each sheet of a stack of honeycomb sheets, these welds can be made on the entire surface of each sheet.
  • the subject of the invention is in particular a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements, in particular a stack of at least two cellular sheets, of the type comprising:
  • At least one sonotrode At least one sonotrode
  • a force measurement sensor capable of measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded on the sonotrode
  • the displacement means are adapted to move the support and the sonotrode towards each other until the force measured by the sensor reaches a predetermined non-zero adjustable value
  • the welding device further comprising means for activating the sonotrode, suitable for keeping the sonotrode inactive as long as the force measured by the sensor is less than the predetermined value, and for activating the sonotrode when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the value predetermined.
  • the invention proposes to provide a welding device to overcome the use of an anvil.
  • the invention proposes to use a force sensor, not to verify that the force is constant during welding, but to condition the completion of the weld.
  • the sonotrode is activated only when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the predetermined value.
  • the invention makes it possible to use the inherent stiffness of the stack of honeycomb sheets in place of an anvil. To do this, the support and the sonotrode move towards each other by compressing the stack until the measured force reaches the predetermined value. It is considered that the force applied by the sonotrode on the two upper adjacent sheets of the stack is sufficient to achieve the weld, although these two upper adjacent sheets are not pinched between an anvil and the sonotrode in the area. Welding.
  • the invention makes it possible to perform welds in all the contact zones between the two upper end sheets of the stack, and not only at their periphery, and this without it being necessary to introduce a anvil under these contact areas.
  • a welding device advantageously comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination.
  • the sonotrode is arranged vertically above the support, the support having a vertically movable plate relative to the sonotrode, for receiving the elements to be welded.
  • the sonotrode is likely to be driven in motion along a path limited by the elements to be welded, when these elements to be welded are moved by the support to the sonotrode.
  • the force measurement sensor comprises a photocell, intended to measure the movement of the sonotrode when it is driven in motion, the value of the force being deduced from the measured displacement.
  • the photocell defines a threshold for the displacement of the sonotrode, from which the displacement means stop moving the support, and the activation means activate the sonotrode.
  • the welding device comprises peripheral stiffening elements of the stack of elements to be welded, intended to be inserted under a peripheral rim of an upper element of the stack, so as to support the peripheral rim.
  • the welding device comprises a plurality of sonotrodes, at least one sonotrode is connected to the measuring sensor, the activation means being common to at least two sonotrodes, preferably all sonotrodes.
  • the invention also relates to a process for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements, in particular a stack of at least two cellular sheets, using a welding device according to any one of the following: preceding claims, comprising: a step during which a stack of at least two elements to be welded is arranged on the support,
  • a step subsequent to the relative displacement of the support and the sonotrode, during which the sonotrode is activated when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the predetermined value.
  • the invention also relates to the use of a welding device as defined above for the ultrasonic welding of a stack of at least three foils.
  • the invention relates to a stack of at least three honeycomb sheets, each honeycomb sheet delimiting cells with an adjacent honeycomb sheet, wherein at least one cellular sheet has at least one first weld zone with an upper, adjacent honeycomb sheet, and at least one second weld zone with an adjacent lower corrugated sheet, such that each of the first and second weld zones is separated from each peripheral rim of the honeycomb sheet by at least one cell.
  • FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a welding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a welding tool of the device of Figure 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional front view stack of honeycomb sheets.
  • FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic welding device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
  • the welding device 10 comprises a frame 12 including a set of welding tools 14 and a support 16.
  • the welding tools 14 are arranged vertically above the support 16, vis-à-vis the support 16.
  • the support 16 comprises a mobile plate 18 intended to receive a stack 20 of elements 21 made of thermoplastic material, such as that represented in FIG. 2.
  • the elements 21 are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).
  • the elements made of thermoplastic material are honeycomb sheets 21, that is to say having a shape such that two adjacent honeycomb sheets delimit between them at least one cell 22.
  • Two adjacent honeycomb sheets 21 also have thin contact zones 23 formed between two cells 22, intended to form weld zones. Indeed, two adjacent honeycomb sheets 21 are in contact only in these contact zones 23. These contact zones 23 are relatively thin, so as to allow the realization of ultrasonic welding in these contact zones 23. Preferably, these contact areas 23 are flat.
  • the movable plate 18 is mounted on displacement means 24, able to move this plate 18 horizontally in first and second directions perpendicular to each other, and vertically in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
  • the horizontal displacement of the plate 18 makes it possible to align this plate 18 in a desired manner with respect to the welding tools 14, so that each welding tool 14 is arranged facing a contact zone 23 of the two cellular sheets 21 from the top of the stack 20, said honeycombed upper end sheets.
  • each welding tool 14 is arranged facing a contact zone 23 of the two cellular sheets 21 from the top of the stack 20, said honeycombed upper end sheets.
  • the vertical movement meanwhile makes it possible to bring the stack 20 in contact with the welding tools 14, in order to perform the welds in the contact zones 23 of the upper end foamed sheets.
  • the frame 12 comprises a device 25 for feeding the honeycomb sheets 21 onto the plate 18.
  • This feeder 25 can be loaded manually or automatically by means of loading tongs 26.
  • Each welding tool 14, one of them being shown in FIG. 2 comprises a converter 28, intended to convert electrical energy into vibrations, and a sonotrode 30, connected to the converter 28 so as to transmit the generated ultrasound to the elements to be welded.
  • these sonotrodes 30 are adapted to vibrate at a frequency greater than 25 kHz.
  • each sonotrode 30 is capable of being driven vertically, by the stack 20, when this stack 20 is moved by the support 16 towards this sonotrode 30.
  • the welding device 10 comprises least one force measurement sensor 32, connected to one of the sonotrodes 30, so as to measure the force applied by the stack 20 on the sonotrode 30.
  • the predetermined value is the value of the force for which it is considered that this force is sufficient to perform the ultrasonic welding.
  • This predetermined value is non-zero, and preferably adjustable, so that it can be adapted to the material in which the sheets 21 are made.
  • the force measurement sensor 32 is connected to a central sonotrode 30A, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the force measured is that which is applied in a central zone of the stack 20.
  • a "central sonotrode 30A” is a sonotrode which is interposed between at least two adjacent sonotrodes in each of the first and second directions of movement of the plate 18.
  • the force measurement sensor 32 comprises a photocell 33, capable of measuring the displacement of the sonotrode 30 when it is driven in motion.
  • the value of the force applied to the sonotrode 30 is deduced from this measured displacement.
  • the photocell defines a threshold for the displacement of the sonotrode 30, from which it is considered that the applied force reaches the predetermined value.
  • the displacement means 24 of the support 16 are connected to the force sensor 32, so that the displacement of the movable plate 18 towards the sonotrode 30 is interrupted when the force measured by the sensor 32 reaches the predetermined value.
  • the sonotrodes 30 are activated only when the force applied by these sonotrodes 30 on the stack 20 is at least equal to the predetermined value.
  • the welding device 10 comprises means 34 for activating the sonotrodes 30, able to keep the sonotrodes 30 inactive as long as the force measured by the sensor 32 is less than the predetermined value, and to activate the sonotrodes 30 when the the force measured by the sensor 32 is at least equal to the predetermined non-zero value.
  • the activation means 34 are advantageously common to all the sonotrodes 30, so that they are activated simultaneously.
  • a second force sensor (not shown) connected to a peripheral sonotrode.
  • the peripheral sonotrode in opposition to a central sonotrode, is a sonotrode which is not interposed between two adjacent sonotrodes in at least one of the first and second directions of movement of the plate 18.
  • this stack 20 generally has a higher rigidity in its central zone with respect to its zone. peripheral. It may therefore be advantageous to also check that the force of the peripheral sonotrodes on the peripheral zone of the stack is also sufficient to perform an ultrasonic weld.
  • peripheral stiffening elements 36 connected to the frame 12, intended to be inserted under a peripheral rim of the upper end sheet 21 A of the stack 20, so as to support this peripheral rim when the welding.
  • Such peripheral stiffening elements 36 make it possible to stiffen the peripheral zone of the stack 20, so as to homogenize the rigidity of the stack 20.
  • the invention allows stacks 20 of foamed thermoplastic sheets 21 to be made during an ultrasonic welding process which will be described below.
  • a stack 20 of two cellular sheets 21 is placed on the plate 18.
  • the two sheets 21 are brought consecutively on the plate 18 by the delivery device 25.
  • the method then comprises a step of positioning the plate 18 opposite the sonotrodes 30, during which the plate is moved horizontally, in an automated or controlled manner, so as to arrange each welding zone 23 of the sheets 21 opposite a sonotrode 30.
  • this plate 18 is moved vertically towards the sonotrodes 30, until the force measured by the measurement sensor 32 reaches the predetermined value.
  • This measured effort corresponds to the force applied by the sonotrode 30A on the corresponding contact zone 23.
  • the force applied by the sonotrodes 30 on the stack 20 is sufficient to achieve a weld.
  • the contact zones 23 in contact with the sheets 21 to be welded are located away from the plate 18, being spaced from this plate 18 by a non-zero height H.
  • This height H depends on the number of sheets 21 stacked, the height of the cells 22 and the crushing of the stack 20 between the sonotrodes 30 and the plate 18.
  • the plate 18 does not act as an anvil, since the contact zones 23 to be welded are not pinched between the sonotrodes 30 and this plate 18.
  • the method according to the invention provides for using the inherent rigidity stack 20 instead of an anvil. We then go to a welding step, during which the sonotrodes 30 are activated by the activation means 34, since the force measured by the sensor 32 is at least equal to the predetermined value.
  • the tray is lowered.
  • the force measured by the sensor 32 then becomes less than the predetermined value, and the activation means 34 thus deactivate the sonotrodes 30.
  • the plate is returned to the receiving position of a new honeycomb sheet which is provided on the stack 20 by the feeder 25.
  • This new honeycomb sheet 21 is welded to the previous ones in the same way as defined above.
  • This welding process can be repeated as many times as necessary, by successive addition of honeycomb sheets 21, until a stack 20 of desired height is obtained.
  • the height of this stack 20 is limited only by the dimensions of the welding device 10, in particular by the maximum vertical distance between the plate 18 and the sonotrodes 30.
  • a welding device that can receive a stack comprising up to to fifty stacked sheets 21 stacked, that is to say having a height of about 1 meter.
  • each cellular sheet 21 is welded at the same time with an adjacent upper sheet and with an adjacent lower sheet, the welding zones being not located only in a peripheral zone. of these leaves 21.
  • each honeycomb sheet 21, with the exception of the upper and lower end sheets of the stack, comprises at least a first weld zone with an upper adjacent honeycomb sheet, and at least a second zone of welding with an adjacent lower corrugated sheet, such that each of the first and second contact areas is separated from each peripheral rim of the cellular sheet 21 by at least one cell 22.
  • the welding zones are therefore distributed over the entire surface of each cellular sheet 21, which ensures a robust connection of the honeycomb sheets 21 between them.
  • the device 10 may alternatively comprise a fixed support and moving sonotrodes relative to this support.

Abstract

The invention relates to a welding device (10) which comprises: a sonotrode (30); a mounting (16) for the elements (21) to be welded, mobile relative to the sonotrode (30); a force sensor (32), suitable for measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded (21) on the sonotrode (30); and a means (24) for moving the mounting (16) and the sonotrode (30) towards one another until the force measured by the sensor (32) reaches a predetermined adjustable non-zero value. The welding device (10) also comprises a means (34) for activating the sonotrode (30), which is suitable for keeping the sonotrode (30) inactive while the force measured by the sensor (32) is lower than the predetermined value, and for activating the sonotrode (30) when the force measured by the sensor (32) is at least equal to the predetermined value.

Description

Dispositif de soudage par ultrasons, notamment pour le soudage d'un empilement de feuilles alvéolées  Ultrasonic welding device, in particular for welding a stack of honeycomb sheets
La présente invention concerne un dispositif de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments en matière thermoplastique.  The present invention relates to a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements.
On rappelle que le soudage par ultrasons consiste à envoyer des vibrations de haute fréquence à deux éléments empilés à souder, par l'intermédiaire d'un outil vibrant, appelé sonotrode. La soudure se fait alors grâce à la chaleur générée par les vibrations à l'interface entre les deux éléments.  It is recalled that the ultrasonic welding consists in sending high frequency vibrations to two stacked elements to be welded, by means of a vibrating tool, called sonotrode. The welding is done thanks to the heat generated by the vibrations at the interface between the two elements.
On connaît déjà dans l'état de la technique, notamment d'après US 6 190 296, un dispositif de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments en matière thermoplastique, du type comportant :  Already known in the state of the art, in particular according to US Pat. No. 6,190,296, a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements, of the type comprising:
- au moins une sonotrode,  at least one sonotrode,
- au moins un support pour les éléments à souder, le support et la sonotrode étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre,  at least one support for the elements to be welded, the support and the sonotrode being movable relative to each other,
- un capteur de mesure d'effort, propre à mesurer l'effort appliqué par les éléments à souder sur la sonotrode, et  a force measurement sensor capable of measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded on the sonotrode, and
- des moyens pour déplacer le support et la sonotrode l'un vers l'autre.  means for moving the support and the sonotrode towards each other.
Dans un tel dispositif, le support a une fonction d'enclume, c'est-à-dire que le support forme un outil destiné à reprendre l'effort appliqué par la sonotrode sur les éléments à souder, de sorte que ces éléments à souder sont fermement appliqués l'un contre l'autre lors du soudage. En d'autres termes, les éléments à souder sont pincés entre la sonotrode et l'enclume dans chaque zone de soudure.  In such a device, the support has an anvil function, that is to say that the support forms a tool for taking up the force applied by the sonotrode on the elements to be welded, so that these elements to be welded are firmly pressed against each other during welding. In other words, the elements to be welded are pinched between the sonotrode and the anvil in each welding zone.
Dans US 6 190 296, le capteur de mesure d'effort est destiné à vérifier que l'effort de compression des éléments à souder l'un contre l'autre, appliqué entre la sonotrode et l'enclume, est constant lors du soudage, afin d'assurer une soudure homogène.  In US Pat. No. 6,190,296, the force measurement sensor is intended to verify that the compression force of the elements to be welded against each other, applied between the sonotrode and the anvil, is constant during welding, to ensure a homogeneous weld.
On notera qu'un tel dispositif est peu adapté pour le soudage d'un empilement de feuilles alvéolées, c'est-à-dire d'un empilement dans lequel chaque feuille délimite au moins une alvéole avec au moins une feuille immédiatement adjacente.  Note that such a device is not very suitable for welding a stack of honeycomb sheets, that is to say a stack in which each sheet delimits at least one cell with at least one immediately adjacent sheet.
Un tel empilement est par exemple utilisé dans un échangeur de chaleur, notamment pour centrale thermique ou nucléaire, dans lequel de l'eau est mise en contact direct avec de l'air traversant l'empilement de feuilles alvéolées, afin d'effectuer un transfert de chaleur.  Such a stack is for example used in a heat exchanger, in particular for a thermal or nuclear power plant, in which water is brought into direct contact with the air passing through the stack of honeycomb sheets, in order to carry out a transfer. heat.
Du fait des alvéoles, deux feuilles alvéolées adjacentes ne sont en contact que dans des zones généralement planes ménagées entre ces alvéoles. Ainsi, la liaison entre ces feuilles ne peut être réalisée que dans ces zones de contact. On notera que les zones de contact de deux feuilles adjacentes sont généralement en regard d'alvéoles d'une troisième feuille. Ainsi, pour un empilement d'au moins trois feuilles alvéolées, il n'est pas possible de maintenir fermement les zones de contact de deux feuilles adjacentes entre une enclume et une sonotrode. En particulier, il n'est pas possible d'introduire l'enclume dans l'empilement de façon que ces zones de contact reposent sur cette enclume. Due to the cells, two adjacent honeycomb sheets are in contact only in generally flat areas formed between these cells. Thus, the connection between these sheets can be achieved only in these contact areas. It will be noted that the contact zones of two adjacent sheets are generally opposite cells of a third sheet. Thus, for a stack of at least three honeycomb sheets, it is not possible to firmly hold the contact areas of two adjacent sheets between an anvil and a sonotrode. In particular, it is not possible to introduce the anvil into the stack so that these contact areas rest on this anvil.
Habituellement, le soudage de tels empilements est réalisé sur des rebords périphériques des feuilles, qui peuvent présenter des accès pour une enclume. Toutefois, il n'est pas possible de réaliser des soudures réparties sur toute la surface des feuilles alvéolées.  Usually, such stacks are welded on peripheral edges of the sheets, which may have access for an anvil. However, it is not possible to perform welds distributed over the entire surface of the honeycomb sheets.
L'invention a notamment pour but de remédier à cet inconvénient en fournissant un dispositif de soudage par ultrasons capable de réaliser des soudures entre chaque feuille d'un empilement de feuilles alvéolées, ces soudures pouvant être réalisées sur toute la surface de chaque feuille.  The invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback by providing an ultrasonic welding device capable of making welds between each sheet of a stack of honeycomb sheets, these welds can be made on the entire surface of each sheet.
A cet effet, l'invention a notamment pour objet un dispositif de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments en matière thermoplastique, notamment d'un empilement d'au moins deux feuilles alvéolées, du type comportant :  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is in particular a device for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements, in particular a stack of at least two cellular sheets, of the type comprising:
- au moins une sonotrode,  at least one sonotrode,
- au moins un support pour les éléments à souder, le support et la sonotrode étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre,  at least one support for the elements to be welded, the support and the sonotrode being movable relative to each other,
- un capteur de mesure d'effort, propre à mesurer l'effort appliqué par les éléments à souder sur la sonotrode,  a force measurement sensor capable of measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded on the sonotrode,
- des moyens pour déplacer le support et la sonotrode l'un vers l'autre,  means for moving the support and the sonotrode towards each other,
dans lequel les moyens de déplacement sont propres à déplacer le support et la sonotrode l'un vers l'autre jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré par le capteur atteigne une valeur réglable prédéterminée non nulle, le dispositif de soudage comportant en outre des moyens d'activation de la sonotrode, propres à maintenir la sonotrode inactive tant que l'effort mesuré par le capteur est inférieur à la valeur prédéterminée, et à activer la sonotrode lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée. wherein the displacement means are adapted to move the support and the sonotrode towards each other until the force measured by the sensor reaches a predetermined non-zero adjustable value, the welding device further comprising means for activating the sonotrode, suitable for keeping the sonotrode inactive as long as the force measured by the sensor is less than the predetermined value, and for activating the sonotrode when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the value predetermined.
Ainsi, afin de remédier à l'inconvénient précité, l'invention propose de fournir un dispositif de soudage permettant de s'affranchir de l'utilisation d'une enclume. A cet effet, l'invention propose d'utiliser un capteur d'effort, non pas pour vérifier que l'effort est constant en cours de soudure, mais pour conditionner la réalisation de la soudure. Ainsi, la sonotrode n'est activée que lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée. En d'autres termes, l'invention permet d'utiliser la rigidité inhérente de l'empilement de feuilles alvéolées en lieu et place d'une enclume. Pour ce faire, le support et la sonotrode se déplacent l'un vers l'autre en compressant l'empilement jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré atteigne la valeur prédéterminée. On considère alors que l'effort, appliqué par la sonotrode sur les deux feuilles adjacentes supérieures de l'empilement, est suffisant pour réaliser la soudure, bien que ces deux feuilles adjacentes supérieures ne soient pas pincées entre une enclume et la sonotrode dans la zone de soudure. Thus, to overcome the aforementioned drawback, the invention proposes to provide a welding device to overcome the use of an anvil. For this purpose, the invention proposes to use a force sensor, not to verify that the force is constant during welding, but to condition the completion of the weld. Thus, the sonotrode is activated only when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the predetermined value. In other words, the invention makes it possible to use the inherent stiffness of the stack of honeycomb sheets in place of an anvil. To do this, the support and the sonotrode move towards each other by compressing the stack until the measured force reaches the predetermined value. It is considered that the force applied by the sonotrode on the two upper adjacent sheets of the stack is sufficient to achieve the weld, although these two upper adjacent sheets are not pinched between an anvil and the sonotrode in the area. Welding.
Ainsi, l'invention permet de réaliser des soudures dans toutes les zones de contact entre les deux feuilles d'extrémité supérieure de l'empilement, et non pas uniquement à leur périphérie, et cela sans qu'il ne soit nécessaire d'introduire une enclume sous ces zones de contact.  Thus, the invention makes it possible to perform welds in all the contact zones between the two upper end sheets of the stack, and not only at their periphery, and this without it being necessary to introduce a anvil under these contact areas.
Un dispositif de soudage selon l'invention comporte avantageusement l'une ou plusieurs des caractéristiques suivantes, prises seules ou selon toutes les combinaisons techniquement possibles.  A welding device according to the invention advantageously comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken alone or in any technically possible combination.
- La sonotrode est agencée verticalement au dessus du support, le support comportant un plateau mobile verticalement relativement à la sonotrode, destiné à recevoir les éléments à souder.  - The sonotrode is arranged vertically above the support, the support having a vertically movable plate relative to the sonotrode, for receiving the elements to be welded.
- La sonotrode est susceptible d'être entraînée en mouvement le long d'une course limitée par les éléments à souder, lorsque ces éléments à souder sont déplacés par le support vers la sonotrode.  - The sonotrode is likely to be driven in motion along a path limited by the elements to be welded, when these elements to be welded are moved by the support to the sonotrode.
- Le capteur de mesure d'effort comporte une cellule photoélectrique, destinée à mesurer le déplacement de la sonotrode lorsqu'elle est entraînée en mouvement, la valeur de l'effort étant déduite du déplacement mesuré.  - The force measurement sensor comprises a photocell, intended to measure the movement of the sonotrode when it is driven in motion, the value of the force being deduced from the measured displacement.
- La cellule photoélectrique définit un seuil du déplacement de la sonotrode, à partir duquel les moyens de déplacement cessent de déplacer le support, et les moyens d'activation activent la sonotrode.  The photocell defines a threshold for the displacement of the sonotrode, from which the displacement means stop moving the support, and the activation means activate the sonotrode.
- Le dispositif de soudage comporte des éléments périphériques de rigidification de l'empilement d'éléments à souder, destinés à être insérés sous un rebord périphérique d'un élément supérieur de l'empilement, de façon à soutenir ce rebord périphérique.  - The welding device comprises peripheral stiffening elements of the stack of elements to be welded, intended to be inserted under a peripheral rim of an upper element of the stack, so as to support the peripheral rim.
- Le dispositif de soudage comporte une pluralité de sonotrodes, dont au moins une sonotrode est reliée au capteur de mesure, les moyens d'activation étant communs à au moins deux sonotrodes, de préférence à toutes les sonotrodes.  - The welding device comprises a plurality of sonotrodes, at least one sonotrode is connected to the measuring sensor, the activation means being common to at least two sonotrodes, preferably all sonotrodes.
L'invention concerne également un procédé de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments en matière thermoplastique, notamment d'un empilement d'au moins deux feuilles alvéolées, à l'aide d'un dispositif de soudage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant : - une étape au cours de laquelle un empilement d'au moins deux éléments à souder est disposé sur le support, The invention also relates to a process for ultrasonic welding of at least two thermoplastic elements, in particular a stack of at least two cellular sheets, using a welding device according to any one of the following: preceding claims, comprising: a step during which a stack of at least two elements to be welded is arranged on the support,
- une étape au cours de laquelle le support et la sonotrode sont déplacés relativement l'un vers l'autre jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré par le capteur de mesure d'effort atteigne une valeur prédéterminée  a step during which the support and the sonotrode are moved relative to one another until the force measured by the force measurement sensor reaches a predetermined value
- une étape, postérieure au déplacement relatif du support et de la sonotrode, au cours de laquelle la sonotrode est activée lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée.  a step, subsequent to the relative displacement of the support and the sonotrode, during which the sonotrode is activated when the force measured by the sensor is at least equal to the predetermined value.
L'invention concerne également l'utilisation d'un dispositif de soudage tel que défini précédemment pour le soudage par ultrasons d'un empilement d'au moins trois feuilles alvéolées.  The invention also relates to the use of a welding device as defined above for the ultrasonic welding of a stack of at least three foils.
L'invention concerne enfin un empilement d'au moins trois feuilles alvéolées, chaque feuille alvéolée délimitant des alvéoles avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente, dans lequel au moins une feuille alvéolée comporte au moins une première zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente supérieure, et au moins une deuxième zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente inférieure, telles que chacune des première et deuxième zones de soudure est séparée de chaque rebord périphérique de la feuille alvéolée par au moins une alvéole.  Finally, the invention relates to a stack of at least three honeycomb sheets, each honeycomb sheet delimiting cells with an adjacent honeycomb sheet, wherein at least one cellular sheet has at least one first weld zone with an upper, adjacent honeycomb sheet, and at least one second weld zone with an adjacent lower corrugated sheet, such that each of the first and second weld zones is separated from each peripheral rim of the honeycomb sheet by at least one cell.
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant aux figures annexées dans lesquelles :  The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended figures in which:
- la figure 1 est une vue en coupe d'un dispositif de soudage selon un exemple de mode de réalisation de l'invention ;  - Figure 1 is a sectional view of a welding device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'un outil de soudage du dispositif de la figure 1 ; et  - Figure 2 is a sectional view of a welding tool of the device of Figure 1; and
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe de face empilement de feuilles alvéolées.  - Figure 3 is a sectional front view stack of honeycomb sheets.
On a représenté sur la figure 1 un dispositif 10 de soudage par ultrasons selon un exemple de mode de réalisation de l'invention.  FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic welding device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Le dispositif de soudage 10 comporte un bâti 12 portant notamment un ensemble d'outils de soudage 14 et un support 16. Les outils de soudage 14 sont agencés verticalement au dessus du support 16, en vis-à-vis de ce support 16.  The welding device 10 comprises a frame 12 including a set of welding tools 14 and a support 16. The welding tools 14 are arranged vertically above the support 16, vis-à-vis the support 16.
Le support 16 comporte un plateau mobile 18 destiné à recevoir un empilement 20 d'éléments 21 en matière thermoplastique, tel que celui représenté sur la figure 2. Par exemple, les éléments 21 sont réalisés en polychlorure de vinyle (PVC), en polypropylène (PP), ou en acrylonitrile butadiène styrène (ABS). Les éléments en matière thermoplastique sont des feuilles alvéolées 21 , c'est-à- dire présentant une forme telle que deux feuilles alvéolées adjacentes délimitent entre elles au moins une alvéole 22. The support 16 comprises a mobile plate 18 intended to receive a stack 20 of elements 21 made of thermoplastic material, such as that represented in FIG. 2. For example, the elements 21 are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene ( PP), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The elements made of thermoplastic material are honeycomb sheets 21, that is to say having a shape such that two adjacent honeycomb sheets delimit between them at least one cell 22.
Deux feuilles alvéolées adjacentes 21 présentent également des zones de contact minces 23, ménagées entre deux alvéoles 22, destinées à former des zones de soudure. En effet, deux feuilles alvéolées adjacentes 21 ne sont en contact que dans ces zones de contact 23. Ces zones de contact 23 sont relativement minces, de façon à permettre la réalisation de soudures par ultrasons dans ces zones de contact 23. De préférence, ces zones de contact 23 sont planes.  Two adjacent honeycomb sheets 21 also have thin contact zones 23 formed between two cells 22, intended to form weld zones. Indeed, two adjacent honeycomb sheets 21 are in contact only in these contact zones 23. These contact zones 23 are relatively thin, so as to allow the realization of ultrasonic welding in these contact zones 23. Preferably, these contact areas 23 are flat.
Le plateau mobile 18 est monté sur des moyens de déplacement 24, propres à déplacer ce plateau 18 horizontalement dans des première et deuxième directions perpendiculaires entre elles, et verticalement dans une troisième direction perpendiculaire aux première et deuxième directions.  The movable plate 18 is mounted on displacement means 24, able to move this plate 18 horizontally in first and second directions perpendicular to each other, and vertically in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
Le déplacement horizontal du plateau 18 permet d'aligner ce plateau 18 de manière désirée par rapport aux outils de soudage 14, de sorte que chaque outil de soudage 14 soit disposé en regard d'une zone de contact 23 des deux feuilles alvéolées 21 du haut de l'empilement 20, dites feuilles alvéolées d'extrémité supérieure. Ainsi, il est possible d'adapter le positionnement des outils soudage 14 à toute forme de feuille alvéolée 21 .  The horizontal displacement of the plate 18 makes it possible to align this plate 18 in a desired manner with respect to the welding tools 14, so that each welding tool 14 is arranged facing a contact zone 23 of the two cellular sheets 21 from the top of the stack 20, said honeycombed upper end sheets. Thus, it is possible to adapt the positioning of the welding tools 14 to any form of foil 21.
Le déplacement vertical quant à lui permet d'amener l'empilement 20 au contact des outils de soudage 14, afin de réaliser les soudures dans les zones de contact 23 des feuilles alvéolées d'extrémité supérieure.  The vertical movement meanwhile makes it possible to bring the stack 20 in contact with the welding tools 14, in order to perform the welds in the contact zones 23 of the upper end foamed sheets.
Par ailleurs, le bâti 12 comporte un dispositif 25 d'amenée des feuilles alvéolées 21 sur le plateau 18. Ce dispositif d'amenée 25 peut être chargé manuellement ou automatiquement à l'aide de pinces de chargement 26.  Moreover, the frame 12 comprises a device 25 for feeding the honeycomb sheets 21 onto the plate 18. This feeder 25 can be loaded manually or automatically by means of loading tongs 26.
Chaque outil de soudage 14, l'un d'entre eux étant représenté sur la figure 2, comporte un convertisseur 28, destiné à convertir de l'énergie électrique en vibrations, et une sonotrode 30, reliée au convertisseur 28 de façon à transmettre les ultrasons générés aux éléments à souder. Avantageusement, ces sonotrodes 30 sont adaptées pour vibrer à une fréquence supérieure à 25 kHz.  Each welding tool 14, one of them being shown in FIG. 2, comprises a converter 28, intended to convert electrical energy into vibrations, and a sonotrode 30, connected to the converter 28 so as to transmit the generated ultrasound to the elements to be welded. Advantageously, these sonotrodes 30 are adapted to vibrate at a frequency greater than 25 kHz.
On notera que chaque sonotrode 30 est susceptible d'être entraînée verticalement, par l'empilement 20, lorsque cet empilement 20 est déplacé par le support 16 vers cette sonotrode 30.  It will be noted that each sonotrode 30 is capable of being driven vertically, by the stack 20, when this stack 20 is moved by the support 16 towards this sonotrode 30.
Afin de déterminer si l'effort, appliqué par l'empilement 20 sur la sonotrode 30, est suffisant pour réaliser une soudure par ultrasons, le dispositif de soudage 10 comporte au moins un capteur de mesure d'effort 32, relié à l'une des sonotrodes 30, de façon à mesurer l'effort appliqué par l'empilement 20 sur la sonotrode 30. In order to determine whether the force applied by the stack 20 on the sonotrode 30 is sufficient to produce an ultrasonic weld, the welding device 10 comprises least one force measurement sensor 32, connected to one of the sonotrodes 30, so as to measure the force applied by the stack 20 on the sonotrode 30.
On appelle valeur prédéterminée la valeur de l'effort pour laquelle on considère que cet effort est suffisant pour réaliser la soudure par ultrasons. Cette valeur prédéterminée est non nulle, et de préférence réglable, de sorte qu'elle puisse être adaptée au matériau dans lequel sont réalisées les feuilles 21 .  The predetermined value is the value of the force for which it is considered that this force is sufficient to perform the ultrasonic welding. This predetermined value is non-zero, and preferably adjustable, so that it can be adapted to the material in which the sheets 21 are made.
De préférence, le capteur de mesure d'effort 32 est relié à une sonotrode centrale 30A, comme cela est représenté sur la figure 2, de sorte que l'effort mesuré est celui qui est appliqué dans une zone centrale de l'empilement 20. On appelle « sonotrode centrale 30A » une sonotrode qui est interposée entre au moins deux sonotrodes adjacentes dans chacune des première et seconde directions de déplacement du plateau 18.  Preferably, the force measurement sensor 32 is connected to a central sonotrode 30A, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the force measured is that which is applied in a central zone of the stack 20. A "central sonotrode 30A" is a sonotrode which is interposed between at least two adjacent sonotrodes in each of the first and second directions of movement of the plate 18.
De préférence, le capteur de mesure d'effort 32 comporte une cellule photoélectrique 33, propre à mesurer le déplacement de la sonotrode 30 lorsqu'elle est entraînée en mouvement. La valeur de l'effort appliqué sur la sonotrode 30 est déduite de ce déplacement mesuré. Par exemple, la cellule photoélectrique définit un seuil du déplacement de la sonotrode 30, à partir duquel on considère que l'effort appliqué atteint la valeur prédéterminée.  Preferably, the force measurement sensor 32 comprises a photocell 33, capable of measuring the displacement of the sonotrode 30 when it is driven in motion. The value of the force applied to the sonotrode 30 is deduced from this measured displacement. For example, the photocell defines a threshold for the displacement of the sonotrode 30, from which it is considered that the applied force reaches the predetermined value.
Les moyens de déplacement 24 du support 16 sont reliés au capteur d'effort 32, de sorte que le déplacement du plateau mobile 18 vers la sonotrode 30 est interrompu lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur 32 atteint la valeur prédéterminée.  The displacement means 24 of the support 16 are connected to the force sensor 32, so that the displacement of the movable plate 18 towards the sonotrode 30 is interrupted when the force measured by the sensor 32 reaches the predetermined value.
Pour une bonne réalisation de la soudure, les sonotrodes 30 ne sont activées que lorsque l'effort appliqué par ces sonotrodes 30 sur l'empilement 20 est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée. Ainsi, le dispositif de soudage 10 comporte des moyens 34 d'activation des sonotrodes 30, propres à maintenir les sonotrodes 30 inactives tant que l'effort mesuré par le capteur 32 est inférieur à la valeur prédéterminée, et à activer les sonotrodes 30 lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur 32 est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée non nulle. On notera que les moyens d'activation 34 sont avantageusement communs à toutes les sonotrodes 30, de sorte qu'elles sont activées simultanément.  For a good realization of the weld, the sonotrodes 30 are activated only when the force applied by these sonotrodes 30 on the stack 20 is at least equal to the predetermined value. Thus, the welding device 10 comprises means 34 for activating the sonotrodes 30, able to keep the sonotrodes 30 inactive as long as the force measured by the sensor 32 is less than the predetermined value, and to activate the sonotrodes 30 when the the force measured by the sensor 32 is at least equal to the predetermined non-zero value. It will be noted that the activation means 34 are advantageously common to all the sonotrodes 30, so that they are activated simultaneously.
De manière optionnelle, on peut prévoir un deuxième capteur d'effort (non représenté), relié à une sonotrode périphérique. On appelle sonotrode périphérique, en opposition avec une sonotrode centrale, une sonotrode qui n'est pas interposée entre deux sonotrodes adjacentes dans au moins une des première et seconde directions de déplacement du plateau 18.  Optionally, it is possible to provide a second force sensor (not shown) connected to a peripheral sonotrode. The peripheral sonotrode, in opposition to a central sonotrode, is a sonotrode which is not interposed between two adjacent sonotrodes in at least one of the first and second directions of movement of the plate 18.
En effet, du fait de la structure de l'empilement 20, cet empilement 20 présente généralement une rigidité supérieure dans sa zone centrale par rapport à sa zone périphérique. Il peut donc être avantageux de vérifier également que l'effort des sonotrodes périphériques sur la zone périphérique de l'empilement est également suffisant pour réaliser une soudure par ultrasons. Indeed, because of the structure of the stack 20, this stack 20 generally has a higher rigidity in its central zone with respect to its zone. peripheral. It may therefore be advantageous to also check that the force of the peripheral sonotrodes on the peripheral zone of the stack is also sufficient to perform an ultrasonic weld.
Avantageusement, on peut également prévoir des éléments périphériques 36 de rigidification, liés au bâti 12, destinés à être insérés sous un rebord périphérique de la feuille d'extrémité supérieure 21 A de l'empilement 20, de façon à soutenir ce rebord périphérique lors de la soudure. De tels éléments périphériques de rigidification 36 permettent de rigidifier la zone périphérique de l'empilement 20, de façon à homogénéiser la rigidité de l'empilement 20.  Advantageously, it is also possible to provide peripheral stiffening elements 36, connected to the frame 12, intended to be inserted under a peripheral rim of the upper end sheet 21 A of the stack 20, so as to support this peripheral rim when the welding. Such peripheral stiffening elements 36 make it possible to stiffen the peripheral zone of the stack 20, so as to homogenize the rigidity of the stack 20.
L'invention permet de réaliser des empilements 20 de feuilles thermoplastiques alvéolées 21 au cours d'un procédé de soudage par ultrasons qui sera décrit ci-dessous.  The invention allows stacks 20 of foamed thermoplastic sheets 21 to be made during an ultrasonic welding process which will be described below.
Au cours d'une première étape, un empilement 20 de deux feuilles alvéolées 21 est disposé sur le plateau 18. Par exemple, les deux feuilles 21 sont amenées consécutivement sur le plateau 18 par le dispositif d'amenée 25.  During a first step, a stack 20 of two cellular sheets 21 is placed on the plate 18. For example, the two sheets 21 are brought consecutively on the plate 18 by the delivery device 25.
Le procédé comporte ensuite une étape de positionnement du plateau 18 en regard des sonotrodes 30, au cours de laquelle le plateau est déplacé horizontalement, de manière automatisée ou commandée, de façon à agencer chaque zone de soudure 23 des feuilles 21 en regard d'une sonotrode 30.  The method then comprises a step of positioning the plate 18 opposite the sonotrodes 30, during which the plate is moved horizontally, in an automated or controlled manner, so as to arrange each welding zone 23 of the sheets 21 opposite a sonotrode 30.
Puis, au cours d'une étape de montée du plateau 18, ce plateau 18 est déplacé verticalement vers les sonotrodes 30, jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré par le capteur de mesure 32 atteigne la valeur prédéterminée.  Then, during a step of raising the plate 18, this plate 18 is moved vertically towards the sonotrodes 30, until the force measured by the measurement sensor 32 reaches the predetermined value.
Cet effort mesuré correspond à l'effort appliqué par la sonotrode 30A sur la zone de contact 23 correspondante. Ainsi, une fois la valeur prédéterminée atteinte, on estime que l'effort appliqué par les sonotrodes 30 sur l'empilement 20 est suffisant pour réaliser une soudure.  This measured effort corresponds to the force applied by the sonotrode 30A on the corresponding contact zone 23. Thus, once the predetermined value is reached, it is estimated that the force applied by the sonotrodes 30 on the stack 20 is sufficient to achieve a weld.
On notera que, du fait des alvéoles 22 de chaque feuille 21 , les zones de contact 23 en contact des feuilles 21 à souder sont situées à l'écart du plateau 18, étant espacées de ce plateau 18 par une hauteur H non nulle. Cette hauteur H dépend du nombre de feuilles 21 empilées, de la hauteur des alvéoles 22 et de l'écrasement de l'empilement 20 entre les sonotrodes 30 et le plateau 18.  It will be noted that, because of the cells 22 of each sheet 21, the contact zones 23 in contact with the sheets 21 to be welded are located away from the plate 18, being spaced from this plate 18 by a non-zero height H. This height H depends on the number of sheets 21 stacked, the height of the cells 22 and the crushing of the stack 20 between the sonotrodes 30 and the plate 18.
Ainsi, le plateau 18 n'agit pas comme une enclume, puisque les zones de contact 23 à souder ne sont pas pincées entre les sonotrodes 30 et ce plateau 18. En effet, le procédé selon l'invention prévoit d'utiliser la rigidité inhérente de l'empilement 20 en lieu et place d'une enclume. On passe ensuite à une étape de soudure, au cours de laquelle les sonotrodes 30 sont activées par les moyens d'activation 34, puisque l'effort mesuré par le capteur 32 est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée. Thus, the plate 18 does not act as an anvil, since the contact zones 23 to be welded are not pinched between the sonotrodes 30 and this plate 18. In fact, the method according to the invention provides for using the inherent rigidity stack 20 instead of an anvil. We then go to a welding step, during which the sonotrodes 30 are activated by the activation means 34, since the force measured by the sensor 32 is at least equal to the predetermined value.
Une fois la soudure réalisée, le plateau est rabaissé. L'effort mesuré par le capteur 32 redevient alors inférieur à la valeur prédéterminée, et les moyens d'activation 34 désactivent donc les sonotrodes 30.  Once the welding done, the tray is lowered. The force measured by the sensor 32 then becomes less than the predetermined value, and the activation means 34 thus deactivate the sonotrodes 30.
De manière optionnelle, on peut de nouveau réaliser une étape de positionnement horizontal du plateau 18, de façon à définir d'autres zones de soudure si cela est nécessaire. Dans ce cas, on passe ensuite à nouveau à une étape de montée du plateau 18 jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré atteigne la valeur prédéterminée, et à une étape de soudure similaire à celle qui a été définie ci-dessus.  Optionally, it is again possible to perform a horizontal positioning step of the plate 18, so as to define other areas of welding if necessary. In this case, we then go back to a stage of raising the plate 18 until the measured force reaches the predetermined value, and a similar welding step to that which has been defined above.
Une fois la soudure réalisée, le plateau est ramené en position de réception d'une nouvelle feuille alvéolée qui est apportée sur l'empilement 20 par le dispositif d'amenée 25. Cette nouvelle feuille alvéolée 21 est soudée aux précédentes de la même manière que définie ci-dessus.  Once the weld is completed, the plate is returned to the receiving position of a new honeycomb sheet which is provided on the stack 20 by the feeder 25. This new honeycomb sheet 21 is welded to the previous ones in the same way as defined above.
Ce procédé de soudage peut être répété autant de fois que nécessaire, par ajout successif de feuilles alvéolées 21 , jusqu'à obtenir un empilement 20 de hauteur désirée. La hauteur de cet empilement 20 n'est limitée que par les dimensions du dispositif de soudage 10, notamment par la distance verticale maximale entre le plateau 18 et les sonotrodes 30. Généralement, on prévoit un dispositif de soudage pouvant recevoir un empilement 20 comportant jusqu'à cinquante feuilles alvéolées 21 empilées, c'est-à-dire ayant une hauteur d'environ 1 mètre.  This welding process can be repeated as many times as necessary, by successive addition of honeycomb sheets 21, until a stack 20 of desired height is obtained. The height of this stack 20 is limited only by the dimensions of the welding device 10, in particular by the maximum vertical distance between the plate 18 and the sonotrodes 30. Generally, there is provided a welding device that can receive a stack comprising up to to fifty stacked sheets 21 stacked, that is to say having a height of about 1 meter.
Il apparaît clairement que l'invention permet de réaliser des empilements 20 dans lesquels chaque feuille alvéolée 21 est soudée à la fois avec une feuille supérieure adjacente et avec une feuille inférieure adjacente, les zones de soudure n'étant pas localisées uniquement dans une zone périphérique de ces feuilles 21 .  It clearly appears that the invention makes it possible to produce stacks in which each cellular sheet 21 is welded at the same time with an adjacent upper sheet and with an adjacent lower sheet, the welding zones being not located only in a peripheral zone. of these leaves 21.
En d'autres termes, chaque feuille alvéolée 21 , à l'exception des feuilles d'extrémité supérieure et inférieure de l'empilement, comporte au moins une première zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente supérieure, et au moins une deuxième zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente inférieure, telles que chacune des première et deuxième zones de contact est séparée de chaque rebord périphérique de la feuille alvéolée 21 par au moins une alvéole 22.  In other words, each honeycomb sheet 21, with the exception of the upper and lower end sheets of the stack, comprises at least a first weld zone with an upper adjacent honeycomb sheet, and at least a second zone of welding with an adjacent lower corrugated sheet, such that each of the first and second contact areas is separated from each peripheral rim of the cellular sheet 21 by at least one cell 22.
Les zones de soudure sont donc réparties sur toute la surface de chaque feuille alvéolée 21 , ce qui assure une liaison robuste des feuilles alvéolées 21 entre elles.  The welding zones are therefore distributed over the entire surface of each cellular sheet 21, which ensures a robust connection of the honeycomb sheets 21 between them.
L'invention n'est pas limitée au mode de réalisation précédemment décrit, et pourrait présenter diverses variantes sans sortir du cadre des revendications. En particulier, le dispositif 10 peut en variante comporter un support fixe et des sonotrodes mobiles par rapport à ce support. The invention is not limited to the embodiment previously described, and could have various variants without departing from the scope of the claims. In particular, the device 10 may alternatively comprise a fixed support and moving sonotrodes relative to this support.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Dispositif (10) de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments (21 ) en matière thermoplastique, notamment d'un empilement (20) d'au moins deux feuilles alvéolées (21 ), du type comportant : 1. Device (10) for ultrasonically welding at least two thermoplastic elements (21), in particular a stack (20) of at least two cellular sheets (21), of the type comprising:
- au moins une sonotrode (30),  at least one sonotrode (30),
- au moins un support (16) pour les éléments (21 ) à souder, le support (16) et la sonotrode (30) étant mobiles l'un par rapport à l'autre,  at least one support (16) for the elements (21) to be welded, the support (16) and the sonotrode (30) being movable with respect to each other,
- un capteur de mesure d'effort (32), propre à mesurer l'effort appliqué par les éléments à souder (21 ) sur la sonotrode (30),  a force measurement sensor (32) capable of measuring the force applied by the elements to be welded (21) on the sonotrode (30),
- des moyens (24) pour déplacer le support (16) et la sonotrode (30) l'un vers l'autre,  means (24) for moving the support (16) and the sonotrode (30) towards each other,
caractérisé en ce que les moyens de déplacement (24) sont propres à déplacer le support (16) et la sonotrode (30) l'un vers l'autre jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré par le capteur (32) atteigne une valeur réglable prédéterminée non nulle, le dispositif de soudage (10) comportant en outre des moyens (34) d'activation de la sonotrode (30), propres à maintenir la sonotrode (30) inactive tant que l'effort mesuré par le capteur (32) est inférieur à la valeur prédéterminée, et à activer la sonotrode (30) lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur (32) est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée. characterized in that the displacement means (24) is adapted to move the support (16) and the sonotrode (30) towards each other until the force measured by the sensor (32) reaches a predetermined non-zero adjustable value, the welding device (10) further comprising means (34) for activating the sonotrode (30), adapted to keep the sonotrode (30) inactive as long as the force measured by the sensor ( 32) is less than the predetermined value, and to activate the sonotrode (30) when the force measured by the sensor (32) is at least equal to the predetermined value.
2. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon la revendication 1 , dans lequel la sonotrode Welding device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sonotrode
(30) est agencée verticalement au dessus du support (16), le support (16) comportant un plateau (18) mobile verticalement relativement à la sonotrode (30), destiné à recevoir les éléments à souder (21 ). (30) is arranged vertically above the support (16), the support (16) comprising a plate (18) movable vertically relative to the sonotrode (30) for receiving the elements to be welded (21).
3. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon la revendication 2, dans lequel, la sonotrode (30) est susceptible d'être entraînée en mouvement le long d'une course limitée par les éléments à souder (21 ), lorsque ces éléments à souder (21 ) sont déplacés par le support (16) vers la sonotrode (30).  Welding device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the sonotrode (30) is capable of being driven in motion along a path limited by the elements to be welded (21), when these elements to be welded (21) are moved by the support (16) to the sonotrode (30).
4. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le capteur de mesure d'effort (32) comporte une cellule photoélectrique, destinée à mesurer le déplacement de la sonotrode (30) lorsqu'elle est entraînée en mouvement, la valeur de l'effort étant déduite du déplacement mesuré.  Welding device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the force measuring sensor (32) comprises a photoelectric cell for measuring the displacement of the sonotrode (30) when it is driven in motion, the value of the force being deduced from the measured displacement.
5. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel la cellule photoélectrique définit un seuil du déplacement de la sonotrode (30), à partir duquel les moyens de déplacement (24) cessent de déplacer le support (16), et les moyens d'activation activent la sonotrode (30). The welding device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the photoelectric cell defines a threshold for the displacement of the sonotrode (30), from which the displacement means (24) stops moving the support (16), and the activation means activate the sonotrode (30).
6. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant des éléments périphériques (36) de rigidification de l'empilement6. Welding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising peripheral elements (36) for stiffening the stack.
(20) d'éléments à souder (21 ), destinés à être insérés sous un rebord périphérique d'un élément supérieur (21 A) de l'empilement (20), de façon à soutenir ce rebord périphérique. (20) welding elements (21) for insertion under a peripheral rim of an upper element (21A) of the stack (20), so as to support the peripheral rim.
7. Dispositif de soudage (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant une pluralité de sonotrodes (30), dont au moins une sonotrode (30A) est reliée au capteur de mesure (32), les moyens d'activation (34) étant communs à au moins deux sonotrodes (30), de préférence à toutes les sonotrodes (30).  7. Welding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of sonotrodes (30), of which at least one sonotrode (30A) is connected to the measurement sensor (32), the activation means ( 34) being common to at least two sonotrodes (30), preferably to all the sonotrodes (30).
8. Procédé de soudage par ultrasons d'au moins deux éléments (21 ) en matière thermoplastique, notamment d'un empilement (20) d'au moins deux feuilles alvéolées 8. A method of ultrasonic welding of at least two elements (21) of thermoplastic material, in particular a stack (20) of at least two sheets of honeycomb
(21 ) , à l'aide d'un dispositif de soudage (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte : (21), with the aid of a welding device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises:
- une étape au cours de laquelle un empilement (20) d'au moins deux éléments à souder (21 ) est disposé sur le support (16),  a step during which a stack (20) of at least two elements to be welded (21) is arranged on the support (16),
- une étape au cours de laquelle le support (16) et la sonotrode (30) sont déplacés relativement l'un vers l'autre jusqu'à ce que l'effort mesuré par le capteur de mesure d'effort (32) atteigne une valeur prédéterminée  a step during which the support (16) and the sonotrode (30) are moved relative to each other until the force measured by the force measuring sensor (32) reaches a maximum predetermined value
- une étape, postérieure au déplacement relatif du support (16) et de la sonotrode (30), au cours de laquelle la sonotrode (30) est activée lorsque l'effort mesuré par le capteur (32) est au moins égal à la valeur prédéterminée.  a step, subsequent to the relative displacement of the support (16) and the sonotrode (30), during which the sonotrode (30) is activated when the force measured by the sensor (32) is at least equal to the value predetermined.
9. Utilisation d'un dispositif de soudage (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, pour le soudage par ultrasons d'un empilement (20) d'au moins trois feuilles alvéolées (21 ).  9. Use of a welding device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 for the ultrasonic welding of a stack (20) of at least three foils (21).
10. Empilement (20) d'au moins trois feuilles alvéolées (21 ), chaque feuille alvéolée (21 ) délimitant des alvéoles (22) avec une feuille alvéolée (21 ) adjacente, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une feuille alvéolée (21 ) comporte au moins une première zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente supérieure, et au moins une deuxième zone de soudure avec une feuille alvéolée adjacente inférieure, telles que chacune des première et deuxième zones de soudure est séparée de chaque rebord périphérique de la feuille alvéolée (21 ) par au moins une alvéole (22).  10. Stacking (20) at least three honeycomb sheets (21), each honeycomb sheet (21) delimiting cells (22) with an adjacent honeycomb sheet (21), characterized in that at least one honeycomb sheet (21) ) has at least one first weld zone with an upper adjacent blister sheet, and at least one second weld zone with a lower adjacent blister sheet, such that each of the first and second weld zones is separated from each peripheral edge of the sheet honeycomb (21) by at least one cell (22).
PCT/FR2011/050195 2010-02-01 2011-02-01 Ultrasonic welding device, in particular for welding a stack of cellular sheets WO2011092445A1 (en)

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FR1050659A FR2955796B1 (en) 2010-02-01 2010-02-01 ULTRASOUND WELDING DEVICE, IN PARTICULAR FOR WELDING A STACK OF ALVEOLE SHEETS
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EP2531343A1 (en) 2012-12-12
FR2955796A1 (en) 2011-08-05
FR2955796B1 (en) 2012-05-25

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