Method and device for the resistance welding of sandwich sheets
First Claim
1. A method for resistance welding a sandwich sheet to a metallic component, wherein the sandwich sheet comprises a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers, the method comprising:
- using a clamping arrangement to secure the sandwich sheet relative to the metallic component, the clamping arrangement comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm comprises an electrically conductive contacting region;
heating a region of the sandwich sheet to be welded by way of a preheating current so as to soften the thermoplastic material layer, wherein a first electrode of a first electrode arrangement directly contacts the electrically conductive contacting region of the clamping arrangement so that the preheating current flows via a brace or a clamp of the clamping arrangement and the preheating current does not flow via the sandwich sheet;
compressing the two metallic cover layers in the region to be welded so as to displace the thermoplastic material layer out of the region; and
welding at least one of the two metallic cover layers to the metallic component by way of a welding current via the first welding electrode of the first electrode arrangement and a second welding electrode of a second electrode arrangement.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure concerns devices and methods for resistance welding sandwich sheets to other components. Many sandwich sheets include a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers. The sandwich sheet and the other component may be secured relative to one another by a clamping arrangement. A region of the sandwich sheet to be welded may be heated by a preheating current to soften and displace the thermoplastic material layer when the cover layers are pressed together. With respect to the preheating current, a first electrode arrangement may at least temporarily contact an electrically conductive contacting region of the clamping arrangement such that the preheating current can flow via the clamping arrangement. The cover layers may be welded to the other component with a welding current via the first welding electrode of the first electrode arrangement and a second welding electrode of a second electrode arrangement.
7 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for resistance welding a sandwich sheet to a metallic component, wherein the sandwich sheet comprises a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers, the method comprising:
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using a clamping arrangement to secure the sandwich sheet relative to the metallic component, the clamping arrangement comprising a first arm and a second arm, wherein the first arm comprises an electrically conductive contacting region; heating a region of the sandwich sheet to be welded by way of a preheating current so as to soften the thermoplastic material layer, wherein a first electrode of a first electrode arrangement directly contacts the electrically conductive contacting region of the clamping arrangement so that the preheating current flows via a brace or a clamp of the clamping arrangement and the preheating current does not flow via the sandwich sheet; compressing the two metallic cover layers in the region to be welded so as to displace the thermoplastic material layer out of the region; and welding at least one of the two metallic cover layers to the metallic component by way of a welding current via the first welding electrode of the first electrode arrangement and a second welding electrode of a second electrode arrangement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A device for resistance welding a sandwich sheet to a metallic component, wherein the sandwich sheet comprises a thermoplastic material layer disposed between two metallic cover layers, the device comprising:
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a first electrode arrangement including a first welding electrode; a second electrode arrangement including a second welding electrode; circuitry configured to generate and transmit a welding current at least via the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode for producing a welded connection, wherein the circuitry is configured to generate a preheating current for heating a region of the sandwich sheet to be welded, with the preheating current capable of softening the thermoplastic material layer to an extent that the thermoplastic material layer is displaceable from the region when the two metallic cover layers are compressed; and a clamping arrangement for securing the sandwich sheet relative to the metallic component, wherein the clamping arrangement comprises a first arm, a second arm, and a closing mechanism, wherein the first arm comprises an electrically conductive contacting region that directly contacts the first electrode arrangement and is disposed between the first electrode arrangement and one of the metallic layers, wherein the clamping arrangement is configured to conduct the preheating current generated by the circuitry, wherein the closing mechanism secures the clamping arrangement around the sandwich sheet and the metallic component, and wherein the preheating current flows via a brace or clamp of the clamping arrangement and does not flow via the sandwich sheet. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification