WO2015144555A1

WO2015144555A1 - Locking element, accommodating element, locking system, method for producing a locking system, and laser transmission welding method

Info

Publication number: WO2015144555A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/055788
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Junker; Thomas BRETTSCHNEIDER; Reiner Luetzeler; Juergen Steigert; Franz Laermer
Original assignee: Robert Bosch Gmbh
Priority date: 2014-03-28
Filing date: 2015-03-19
Publication date: 2015-10-01
Also published as: DE102014205893A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking element (100), which is designed to be joined in a bonded manner to an accommodating element (102) by means of a laser transmission welding method. The locking element (100) has at least one locking hook (106), which is designed to engage in a locking step (120) of the accommodating element (102) in order to press the joining surface (104) of the locking element (100) against an accommodating surface (116) of the accommodating element (102) with a predefined pressing force acting transversely to the joining surface (104), while a form closure is formed between the locking element (100) and the accommodating element (102).

Description

Description title

Detent element, receiving element, latching system, method for producing a latching system and laser transmission welding process

State of the art

The present invention relates to a latching element, on a

Receiving element, on a latching element and the receiving element exhibiting locking system, a method for producing a latching system, a laser transmission welding method and a corresponding computer program.

Laser transmission welding of plastics is an established method for joining polymer layers. In this case, a joining partner transparent to the wavelength of the laser used is usually brought into contact with an absorbing joining partner. Subsequently, laser light is coupled through the transparent layer and converted into heat in the region of the interface to the absorbent joining partner. By heat conduction both joining partners are melted and it comes to the mixing of the two materials at the interface. After solidification, there is a cohesive connection.

In order to obtain the best possible weld joint, the two joining partners are usually compressed during the welding process by external devices, for example using

Printing cylinders between a base plate and a glass plate; through the glass plate, the laser radiation for producing the cohesive

Connection of joining partners coupled. Laser transmission welding is used in many fields of application, for example in the automotive sector, for. B. for joining housings for ECUs, and for producing microfluidic polymer layer systems, for. As a Lab-on-a-chip (LoC), ie a so-called Westentaschenlabors. Advantageous to this

Joining process is that the energy can be applied locally and fluidly sealed welds can be realized.

Disclosure of the invention

Against this background, the approach presented here is used

Latching element, a receiving element, a locking system, a method for producing a latching system and a laser transmission welding method, and finally a corresponding computer program according to the

Main claims presented. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the respective subclaims and the following description.

A mechanical anchoring between joining partners of a

Laser transmission welding process allows the generation of a

intrinsic mechanical stress between the joining partners, acting perpendicular to a joining surface between the joining partners,

Contact force for pressing the one joining partner to the other

Joining partners. Taking advantage of the contact force thus generated between the

Joining partners can without the use of an external device for

Compressing the joining partners a robust weld between the joining partners are produced.

In one development of the concept presented here, at least one

Joining partners be designed so that this in the relaxed state a

Has joining surface, which can be brought into contact with a joining surface of another joining partner only under elastic deformation. The contact, for example, by barbs between the joining partners permanently

maintained and so the desired mechanical stress in preparation for the joining of the joining partners produced by laser transmission welding

become. With the feasible according to the proposed approach here omission of an external pressing device for compressing the joining partners, the cost of a laser welding machine used to carry out the laser welding can be reduced, since neither compressed air for printing cylinder nor the unimpeded passage of the laser light ensuring cleaning of the glass plate used in conventional methods required is. With the elimination of this cleaning step, the laser welding system

advantageously be kept longer in continuous operation.

When using the laser transmission welding produced

Welded joint of the joining partners to seal under pressure recesses between the joining partners, according to the approach presented here by the elastic deformation impressed force acting permanently so that at least a part of a by the pressure on the

Welding compound acting force can be compensated. As a result, the load on the welded joint can be lowered and its reliability can be increased.

A latching element is provided, which is designed to be materially joined to a receiving element by means of a laser transmission welding method, wherein the latching element has at least one latching hook, which is arranged and formed in particular on a joining surface of the latching element, in order to engage in a latching step of the receiving element, to form a positive connection between the locking element and the

Receiving element to press the joining surface of the locking element with a transverse to the joining surface acting predefined contact force against a receiving surface of the receiving element.

The locking element may be one of, for example, two

Acting joining partners who are to be joined by means of the laser transmission welding process. Laser transmission welding may be understood to mean a welding method in which, in response to heating by laser light irradiation, the joining partners are partially plasticized and brought into contact by means of the predefined contact pressure acting on them after cooling and Re-curing cohesively connected. Since that

Laser transmission welding method is suitable for joining plastics, the locking element may be formed of a plastic such as a thermoplastic. In order to enable the laser light irradiation to a boundary or joining surface between the locking element and the part to be joined

Can penetrate receiving element to effect there the plasticization, the locking element can be made transparent and the receiving element opaque or alternatively the receiving element transparent and the locking element be formed opaque. In the joining surface of the locking element may be a main page - so a page with maximum dimensions -

Arresting act, which is to be plasticized in the course of the laser transmission welding process and to connect to the likewise to be plasticized receiving surface of the receiving element cohesively. The eponymous

Latching hook of the latching element can be designed to be snapped into a suitably shaped region of the joining partner to the

Rastelement so engage with the joining partner, that the

positive connection arises. A force across the joining surface may be understood to mean a force directed in a direction pointing out of or into the joining plane. In particular, the force transverse to the joining surface may have a component perpendicular to the joining surface.

According to one embodiment, the latching element can have at least one further latching hook (for example on the joining surface). In particular, the latching hook and / or the at least one further latching hook can extend transversely to the joining surface away from the joining surface. The further latching hook can be arranged so that it extends in a direction away from the joining surface, which has at least one component perpendicular to the joining surface. Thus, a maximum of the contact pressure between the locking element and the receiving element can be generated in a simple manner.

According to a further embodiment, the latching hook in a

Be arranged central region of the joining surface. In particular, the at least one further latching hook can be arranged in an edge region of the joining surface. This embodiment of the locking element can ensure the most balanced possible distribution of the contact pressure over the entire joining surface. Alternatively, the latching hook can be arranged in an edge region of the joining surface and the further latching hook can be arranged in a further edge region of the joining surface opposite the edge region. In this

Embodiment, the locking element can be made particularly inexpensive.

According to a particular embodiment, the latching element may have a curvature in a main extension direction of the latching element.

This results in the advantage that the contact force generated by means of the positive connection between locking element and joining partner can be increased considerably without additional elements.

Based on the curvature, a normal from a first position of the joining surface and a normal from a from the first position

Distinguish the second position differing from the joint surface. This embodiment of the latching element facilitates positioning of a latching hook arranged in the middle region of the joining surface with respect to a region of the joining partner designed to receive the latching hook.

Alternatively, based on the curvature, a normal can point from a first position of the joining surface and a normal from a second position, which differs from the first position, from the joining surface. In this advantageous embodiment of the locking element can be dispensed with latching hooks in the edge region of the joining surface and thus the locking element

be made cheaper and with less weight.

Furthermore, a receiving element is provided, which is designed to be materially joined to a latching element by means of a laser transmission welding method, the receiving element having at least one latching step, which is designed to engage a latching hook of a latching element in order to form a positive connection between the locking element and the receiving element a receiving surface of

Receiving element with a transversely acting on the receiving surface

press predefined contact force to a joining surface of the locking element. The receiving element can be a joining partner to be joined materially by means of the laser transmission welding method with the latching element explained above. The receiving element may be formed of a plastic such as a thermoplastic. In order to make it possible for the laser light irradiation to penetrate to a boundary or joining surface between the receiving element and the latching element that represents the joining partner, in order to effect the plasticization there, the

Receiving element transparent and the locking element to be opaque or alternatively the locking element transparent and the receiving element to be opaque. In the receiving surface of the receiving element may be a main page - ie a page with maximum dimensions -

Receiving element to act in the course of the

Laser Durchstrahlschweißverfahrens to plasticize and to connect with the also to be plasticized joining surface of the locking element cohesively. Under the latching step of the receiving element may be a step-shaped

Recess in the receiving element to be understood in the one

Locking element of a joining partner can be snapped so that the positive connection is formed.

According to one embodiment of the receiving element, the latching step may be formed on a surface of the receiving element opposite the receiving surface. Thus, a joining hook exhibiting joint partners readily readily be fixed to the receiving element.

According to a particular embodiment, the receiving surface may have at least one recess. Thus, a microfluidic system between the receiving element and its joining partner can be installed in a simple and cost-effective manner.

Furthermore, a locking system is presented, which is suitable for joining by means of a laser transmission welding method and has the following features: a locking element according to one of the above explained

Embodiments; and a receiving element according to one of the above-explained embodiments, wherein a latching step of the receiving element so forms a positive connection with a latching hook of the latching element, that the latching element and the receiving element are pressed together with a predefined contact force.

According to one embodiment, the latching system may have a flexible layer arranged between the latching element and the receiving element. In addition to a realization of microfluidic functions, this additional element can be used to prevent imperfections on the joining surface of the latching element and / or of the sealing system that impair the tightness of the latching system

Receiving surface of the receiving element can be compensated. If the flexible layer opaque selected, also the locking element and the

Make the receiving element transparent, so that microfluidic processes within the system can be observed from the outside.

Furthermore, a method for producing a latching system is presented, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

Providing a latching element having at least one latching hook;

Providing a receiving element having at least one latching step; and

Engaging the latching hook in the latching step in order to prepare a cohesive joining of the locking element with the receiving element by means of the laser transmission welding process to form a positive connection between the locking element and the receiving element, the locking element and the receiving element with a predefined contact pressure

compress. Furthermore, a laser transmission welding process with the following steps is presented:

Provision of a latching system with a latching element with at least one latching hook and a receiving element with at least one latching step, wherein the latching hook is locked to form a positive connection between the latching element and the receiving element in the latching step, that

Locking element and the receiving element are pressed together with a predefined contact pressure; and

Applying a laser light beam to the latching system on the side of

Locking element, when the locking element is transparent, or on the side of the receiving element, when the receiving element is formed transparent to add the locking element and the receiving element cohesively.

The laser transmission welding method can be used in a laser welding machine without the use of an external device for compressing the elements of the latching system. The locking system provided in the step of providing may have been produced by means of the method explained above.

The approach presented here also provides a device which is designed to implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here

implement or implement appropriate facilities. Also by this embodiment of the invention in the form of a device, the object underlying the invention can be solved quickly and efficiently.

In the present case, a device can be understood as meaning an electrical device which processes sensor signals and outputs control and / or data signals in dependence thereon. The device may have an interface, which may be formed in hardware and / or software. In the case of a hardware-based embodiment, the interfaces can be part of a so-called system ASIC, for example, which contains a wide variety of functions of the device. However, it is also possible that the interfaces have their own, integrated Circuits are or at least partially consist of discrete components. In a software training, the interfaces may be software modules that are present, for example, on a microcontroller in addition to other software modules.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the above

described embodiments, in particular when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

The approach presented here will be described below with reference to the attached

Illustrated drawings by way of example. Show it:

1 is a sectional view of a combination of a locking element according to an embodiment of the present invention and a

Receiving element according to an embodiment of the present invention

Invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the locking element and the

Receiving element of Fig. 1 having locking system according to a

Embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the latching system of FIG. 2 after a

Laser transmission welding method, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a combination of a curved

Locking element with a planar receiving element, according to a

Embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of a combination of a curved

Locking element with a planar receiving element, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

6 is a sectional view of a combination of locking element,

Receiving element and additional flexible layer, according to a

Embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a

Ratchet system, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

8 is a flowchart of a laser transmission welding method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention are for the in the various figures

represented and similar elements acting the same or similar

Reference numeral used, wherein a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a sectional view of a latching element 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a receiving element 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The locking element 100 is made of a plastic and has in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in the form of a planar layer or plate. At a joining surface 104 of the locking element 100, three latching hooks 106 are arranged, wherein one of the latching hooks 106 is located in a central region 108 of the joining surface 104, the second latching hooks 106 in an edge region 110 of

Joining surface 104 is located and the third latching hook 106 in a the

Edge region 110 opposite further edge region 112 of the joining surface 104 is located. In the exemplary embodiment of the latching element 100 shown in FIG. 1, the latching hooks 106 are formed in one piece with the plate-shaped remaining region of the latching element 100. According to alternative embodiments, the latching hooks 106 may also be manufactured separately and subsequently into suitable ones Contours have been used in the plate-shaped portion of the locking element 100. The joining surface 104 is one of two main sides of the layer-shaped detent element 100, that is to say one of the two opposite sides of the detent element 100 with the largest dimensions. The latching element 100 is designed to be connected to the joining surface 104 by means of a

Laser transmission welding process plasticized and with a joining partner, here the receiving element 102, to be materially connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the latching hooks 106 extend transversely to the joining surface 104 away from the joining surface 104 and point in the end region

Latches 114 which extend parallel to the joining surface 104. Thus, the latching hooks 106 act as barbs that can be snapped into corresponding contours of the joining partner to form a positive

Make connection between locking element 100 and joining partners. In the case of the latching hooks or barbs 106 arranged in the edge regions 110, 112, the latching lugs 114 point inward, ie in the direction of the latching hook 106 arranged in the central region 108. The latching hook 106 arranged in the middle region 108 is designed in two parts and has correspondingly two latching lugs pointing away from one another 114th

The receiving element 102 is like the locking element 100 also made of a plastic and has in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 also in the form of a planar layer or plate. The receiving element 102 has in a direction indicated by a double arrow common main extension direction 115 of the locking element 100 and the

Receiving element 102 smaller dimensions than the locking element 100 on. In particular, a dimension of the receiving element 102 in the main extension direction 115 corresponds to a dimension of the latching element 100 in the main extension direction 115 between attachment points of the latching hooks 106 on the joining surface 104.

A receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102 is designed to be plasticized by means of a laser transmission welding method and with a

Joining partner, here the locking element 100, to be materially connected. The receiving surface 116 is one of two major sides of the Layer-shaped receiving element 102, so one of the two opposite sides of the receiving element 102 with the largest dimensions. Four latching steps 120 are applied to a surface 118 of the receiving element 102 opposite the receiving surface 116, two latching steps 120 being located in a central region 122 of the surface 118, a third latching step 120 being located in an edge region 124 of the surface 118 and a fourth latching step 120 in FIG a further edge region 126 of the surface 118 opposite the edge region 124 is located. In the embodiment of the locking element 100 shown in FIG

Ratchet steps 120 formed as a right-angled step-shaped recesses of the receiving element material on the surface 118, wherein

Receiving surfaces 128 of the latching steps 120 extend parallel to the locking lugs 114 of the locking element 100 in a length corresponding to a length of the locking lugs 114. Thus, the receiving surfaces 128 act as an abutment for the locking lugs 114 of the latching hooks 106 and provide, when the latching hooks 106 have been snapped onto the latching steps 120, the form-fitting

Connection between the locking element 100 and the receiving element 102 safely. As the illustration in Fig. 1 shows, the latching steps 120 are in

Middle region 122 of the surface 118 close to each other and arranged in mirror image and close to a passage opening 130 through the

Receiving element 102 on. The passage opening 130 is suitable for the passage of the latching hook 106 formed in the central region 108 of the joining surface 104 in order to reach the latching steps 120 arranged in the central region 122 of the surface 118. A width of the passage opening 130 corresponds to a width of the transverse to the joining surface 104 extending portions of the two-piece running latching hook 106th

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 of the receiving element 102 has the peculiarity of two formed in the receiving surface 116

Recesses 132 on. The recesses 132 may be formed in the form of channels. Embodiments of the receiving element 102 without or with differently shaped recesses 132 or embodiments in which the recesses 132 are additionally or exclusively machined out of the joining surface 104 of the detent element 100 are conceivable. In the cross section through the latching element 100 and the receiving element 102 shown in FIG. 1, the two layers 100, 102 are arranged against one another such that the mechanical barbs 106 in the edge regions 110, 112 and in the inner region 108 of the joining surface 104 of the latching element 100 in FIG the barbs 106 corresponding receptacles 120 of the joining partner forming receiving element 102 can engage. The ones in here

Receiving element 102 formed recesses 132 may

for example, be part of a microfluidic network. Alternatively, these recesses 132 may include other components, such as electronic components z. B., when the locking element 100 and the

Receiving element 102 to a housing z. B. for a controller

are to be joined together. Unlike shown in Fig. 1, the locking element 100 may have more or less than the three locking hooks 106 shown, for example, only the latching hook 106 in the central region 108 of the joining surface 104 or the latching hook 106 in the central region 108 in combination with one of the latching hooks 106 in the Edge regions 110, 112 of the joining surface 104, or only the locking hooks 106 in the edge regions 110, 112 of the joining surface 104. Accordingly, the

Receiving element 102 more or less, at appropriate positions

arranged latching steps 120 as the four latching stages 120 shown.

An exemplary thickness of the layers 100 and 102 is between 0.1 and 10 millimeters, preferably between one and three millimeters. An exemplary

Cross section of the recesses or channels 132 is 10 × 10

Square micrometer to 3 x 3 square millimeters, preferably 100 x 100

Square micrometer to 1 x 1 square millimeter. As material for the layers 100 and 102 are suitable for the laser transmission welding process suitable thermoplastics, z. PC, PP, PE, PMMA, COP or COC.

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a latching system 200 formed using latching element 100 and receiving element 102 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As the

Illustration shows, the locking hooks 106 of the locking element 100 were so with the Latching stages 120 of the receiving element 102 compressed that the locking lugs 114 of the latching hooks 106 serving as the abutment

Receiving surfaces 128 of the locking lugs 120 abut and thus produce a gap-free positive connection between the locking element 100 and the receiving element 102.

In the process of compressing the layers 100 and 102, the latching hooks 106 arranged in the edge regions 110, 112 of the joining surface 104 were based on a lengthwise sliding of the associated latching lugs 114 on each edge 202 of the receiving element 102, that in the edge regions 124, 126 of the surface 118 arranged locking steps 120 are opposite, to the

Reaching the latching steps 120 pushed outward. The sections of the arranged in the central region 108 of the joining surface 104 two-piece latching hook 106 were based on a sliding along the associated latching lugs 114 on each edge 202 of the receiving element 102, which lie opposite the arranged in the central region 122 of the surface 118 latching steps 120, to

Reaching the latching steps 120 compressed. Dimensions of the

Barb 106 and the latching steps or receptacles 120 are designed so that after locking the latching hooks 106 in the latching steps 120 a marked by arrows in the illustration predefined contact force 204 perpendicular to the joining surface 104 and the receiving surface 116 and perpendicular to an interface between the locking element 100 and the receiving element acts permanently. Lateral dimensions of the exemplary overall system shown in FIG. 2

200 amount to z. B. 10 x 10 to 200 x 200 square millimeters, preferably 50 x 50 square millimeters to 100 x 100 square millimeters. The contact pressure 204 is per square centimeter of the joining surface 104 z. B. 10 to 500 Newtons, preferably 100 to 200 Newton.

FIG. 3 shows, on the basis of a further sectional illustration, the latching system 200 from FIG. 2 according to a laser transmission welding method, according to FIG

Embodiment of the present invention. In the state of the latching system 200 shown in FIG. 3, the boundary surface between the layers 100 and 102, more precisely the joining surface 104 of the laser beam welding, was laser-welded Detent element 100 and the receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102, melted and joined or formed to form a plurality of welds 300 cohesively. In this case, it is not necessary during the welding process to compress the layers 100, 102 with an external device, since this is the result of the permanently acting force 204

is taken over.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the resulting welds 300 are used to seal the recesses 132.

According to embodiments, the recesses 132 can also be designed to be pressurized during use of the finished latching system 200. It inevitably acts a force perpendicular to the

Welded joints 300 that pollutes them. However, according to the concept presented here, the one acting on the positive locking between the

Detent element 100 and the receiving element 102 impressed force 204 so permanently that at least part of the pressure acting in the channels 132 force is compensated. This reduces the load on the

Welded connections 300 and the reliability of the latching system 200 are considered to be so high that, even in combination with an elevated temperature, there is little or no danger of a failure of the welded connections 300.

Fig. 4 shows a further sectional view of a special

Embodiment of the locking element 100 in combination with the

exemplary receiving element 102 of Figures 1 to 3. Like the

Representation in Fig. 4, the receiving element 102 along the

common extension direction 115 performed planar while the

Detent element 100 along the common main extension direction 115 has a curvature. In the embodiment of the latching element 100 shown in FIG. 4, the curvature is a positive one

Curvature, characterized in that based on the curvature of a

Normal 400 from a first position 402 of the joining surface 104 and a normal 400 from a different from the first position 402 second position 404 from the joining surface 104 away from each other. As the

Representation in Fig. 4 is based on the positive curvature of the Detent element 100, the joining surface 104 is formed convexly relative to the receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102.

Accordingly, also based on the positive curvature of the

Detent element 100, the outer or edge regions 110, 112 of the joining surface 104 in the relaxed state of the locking element 100 shown in FIG. 4 a greater distance from the receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102 as the inner region or central region 108 of the joining surface 104. This in Fig The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 has the particular advantage that the

Locking element 100 elastically deformed during engagement of the barbs 106 and thus increased in the combined state of the layers 100, 102 by the elastic deformation of the contact pressure on the joining surface 104 and the receiving surface 116 and evenly distributed. This makes it possible to produce even more robust welded joints between the latching element 100 and the receiving element 102 and to perform the welding process in a reproducible manner.

5 shows a sectional illustration of an exemplary alternative combination of curved latching element 100 and planar receiving element 102. The receiving element 102 is in turn planar in the same way as in FIGS. 1 to 4. The locking element 100 has here along the common

Main extension direction 115 a negative curvature on, d. H. is characterized in that, based on the curvature, the normal 400 from the first position 402 of the joining surface 104 and the normal 400 from the second position 404, which differs from the first position 402, from the

Join surface 104 facing each other. Thus, based on the negative curvature of the latching element 100, the joining surface 104 is concave with respect to the receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102. Based on the negative curvature of the locking element 100 have the

Outside and edge regions 110, 112 of the joining surface 104 in the relaxed state of the locking element 100 shown in Fig. 5 a smaller distance to the receiving surface 116 of the receiving element 102 as the inner region or central region 108 of the joining surface 104. Also in the in Fig. 5 shown

Embodiment, the locking element 100 and the receiving element 102 are snapped together under elastic deformation of the locking element 100 so that the contact pressure between the locking element 100 and the receiving element 102 can be advantageously increased. Moreover, the embodiment of the latching element 100 shown in FIG. 5 has the particular advantage that the barbs in the outer regions 110,

112 can be dispensed with, since the edge regions 110, 112 are pressed onto the layer 102 with sufficient force, based on the elastic deformation of the layer 100. In the case of the suitable geometry of the layer system consisting of the latching element 100 and the receiving element 102 shown in the illustration, in this exemplary embodiment the single centrally arranged barb is shown

106 sufficient for producing the positive connection between the layers 100, 102nd

6 shows an example of a further sectional illustration

Extension of the combination of negative curved shown in Fig. 5

Locking element 100 and planar receiving element 102 to a flexible layer 600. The additional flexible layer 600 is inserted between the locking element 100 and the receiving element 102. Depending on the embodiment, the layer 600 is formed from an elastomer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic or other suitable materials and may, for example, be in the form of a heat-adhesive film. A thickness of the layer 600 may be 5 to 500 microns, preferably 50 to 150 microns. For a passage of the centrally arranged latching hook 106, the layer 600 has a center

arranged opening 602. This exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is particularly advantageous in that surface irregularities of the joining surface 104 and / or the receiving surface 116 can be compensated by the layer 600 in the positive connection between the layers 100 and 102. In addition or as an alternative, microfluidic functions can thus be completed

Ratchet be realized, such as diaphragm valves or

Diaphragm pumps. In addition, if the flexible layer is chosen to be opaque, the locking element and the receiving element can be made transparent, so that microfluidic processes within the system can be observed from the outside. FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method 700 for producing a latching system. In a step 702 a suitable for the laser transmission welding method locking element is provided with at least one latching hook. In a step 704, a for the

Laser transmission welding method suitable receiving element provided with at least one latching step. The latching element provided in step 702 may be a latching element introduced with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. When provided in step 704

Receiving element may be a presented with reference to Figures 1 to 6 receiving element. Either the locking element or the

The receiving element is transparent and the other element is opaque. In a step 706, the latching hook of the latching element is in the latching step of the. Using a sufficient pressure

Engaged receiving element to prepare for a cohesive joining of the locking element with the receiving element by means of

Laser transmission welding process to form a positive connection between the locking element and the receiving element, the locking element and the receiving element with a predefined contact pressure

compress.

Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a

Laser transmission welding process 800. In a step 802, a locking system produced according to the method explained with reference to FIG. 7 is provided comprising a latching element and a receiving element, which are positively connected and pressed together with the predefined contact force. In a step 804, a laser light beam is applied to the latching system on the side of the latching element when the latching element is transparent, or alternatively on the side of the receiving element to the latching system

applied when the receiving element is transparent, to add the locking element and the receiving element cohesively.

The laser welding method presented here for joining polymer layers under mechanical stress can be used for all fields of application for joining polymer components, for example for microfluidic labware. On-chip systems for medical diagnostics or, for example, for joining housings for control units in the automotive sector.

The embodiments described and shown in the figures are chosen only by way of example. Different embodiments may be combined together or in relation to individual features. Also, an embodiment can be supplemented by features of another embodiment. Furthermore, the method steps presented here can be repeated as well as executed in a sequence other than that described.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises an "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

claims

1. latching element (100) which is adapted to by means of a

Laser transmission welding method (800) with a receiving element (102) to be materially joined, wherein the latching element (100) has at least one latching hook (106) which is adapted to engage in a latching step (120) of the receiving element (102) to form a positive connection between the latching element (100) and the receiving element (102) the joining surface (104) of the

Snap element (100) with a transverse to the joining surface (104) acting predefined contact force (204) to a receiving surface (116) of the receiving element (102) to press.

2. latching element (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the latching element (100) has at least one further latching hook (106), in particular wherein the latching hook (106) and / or the at least one further latching hook (106) transversely to the Joining surface (104) from the joining surface (104) extends away.

3. latching element (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the latching hook (106) in a central region (108) of the joining surface (104) is arranged, in particular wherein the at least one further

Latching hook (106) in an edge region (110) of the joining surface (104) is arranged.

4. locking element (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized

in that the latching hook (106) is arranged in an edge region (110) of the joining surface (104) and the further latching hook (106) is arranged in a further edge region (112) of the joining surface (104) lying opposite the edge region (110). Locking element (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the latching element (100) in a Hauptausdehnungsrichtung (115) of the latching element (100) a

Curvature has.

A latching element (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that based on the curvature, a normal (400) to a first position (402) of the joining surface (104) and a normal (400) to a different from the first position (402) second position (404) from the joining surface (104) facing away from each other.

A latching element (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that based on the curvature, a normal (400) to a first position (402) of the joining surface (104) and a normal (400) to a different from the first position (402) second position (404) of

Mating surface (104) face each other.

Receiving element (102) which is designed to be connected by means of a

Laser transmission welding method (800) with a locking element (100) to be joined materially, wherein the receiving element (102) has at least one latching step (120) which is adapted to engage a latching hook (106) of a latching element (100) forming a positive connection between the latching element (100) and the receiving element (102) a receiving surface (116) of the receiving element (102) with a transverse to the receiving surface (116) acting predefined contact force (204) to a joining surface (104) of the latching element ( 100).

Receiving element (102) according to claim 8, characterized in that the latching step (120) on one of the receiving surface (116)

opposite surface (118) of the receiving element (102) is formed. Receiving element (102) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the receiving surface (116) has at least one recess (132).

Ratchet system (200), which can be used for a joint by means of a

Laser transmission welding method (800) is suitable and has the following features: a latching element (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7; and a receiving element (102) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a latching step (120) of the receiving element (102) with a latching hook (106) of the latching element (100) forms a positive connection, that the latching element (100) and the receiving element (102) are pressed together with a predefined contact force (204).

The latching system (200) according to claim 11, characterized in that the latching system (200) has a flexible layer (600) which is arranged between the latching element (100) and the receiving element (102).

A method (700) of manufacturing a detent system (200), the method (700) comprising the steps of:

Providing (702) a detent element (100) having at least one latching hook (106);

Providing (704) a receiving element (102) having at least one detent step (120); and

Engaging (706) of the latching hook (106) in the latching step (120) in order to prepare a cohesive joining of the latching element (100) with the receiving element (102) by means of

Laser transmission welding process (800) to form a

Positive connection between the locking element (100) and the Receiving element (102), the locking element (100) and the

Pickup element (102) with a predefined contact force (204) to compress.

14. Laser transmission welding process (800) with the following steps:

Providing (802) a latching system (200) with a latching element (100) having at least one latching hook (106) and a

Receiving element (102) with at least one latching step (120), wherein the latching hook (106) is latched into the latching step (120) to form a positive connection between the latching element (100) and the receiving element (102) such that the latching element (100) and the

Receiving element (102) are pressed together with a predefined contact force (204); and

Applying (804) a laser light beam to the latching system (200) on the side of the latching element (100) when the latching element (100) is transparent, or on sides of the receiving element (102) when the receiving element (102) is transparent to add the locking element (100) and the receiving element (102) cohesively.

15. Computer program that is set up to take all the steps of a

Method (700, 800) according to claim 13 or 14.