Apparatus and method for weld bonding
First Claim
1. Apparatus for welding together a pair of conductors separated by a thermo-plastic insulation material comprising:
- a source of pressure;
a pair of welding electrodes moveable relatively toward each other when pressure from said source is applied thereto, said electrodes having a first pre-selected level of pressure for urging said pair of conductors into electrical contact and a second pre-selected increased level of pressure for forging the portion of said pair of conductors between the electrodes;
a power supply for supplying voltage at a first level of current through said electrodes and said pair of conductors during said first level of pressure for generating heat to soften said insulation material adjacent said electrodes and thereby effect penetration of said insulation between said electrodes and supplying voltage at a second higher level of current for welding together said pair of conductors at the location of said penetration;
a first control means comprising a detecting means for detecting said penetration and providing a control signal responsive thereto and a timing means activated by said control signal for changing from said first level of current to said second level of current after a pre-selected time delay from said penetration; and
a second control means for increasing the electrode pressure from said first pre-selected level to said second pre-selected increased level during at least a portion of said second higher level of current.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved apparatus for weld bonding together a pair of conductors separated by a layer of thermo-plastic insulation material. The apparatus comprises a pair of welding electrodes for urging the pair of conductors together at a first level of electrode squeeze pressure while a first low level of current flows through the electrodes and conductors until the thermo-insulation material between the conductors beneath the electrodes is penetrated, electronic circuits for sensing this insulation penetration and initiating after a pre-selected time delay, a second higher level of welding current and electronic controls for increasing the electrode squeeze pressure from the first level to a second higher or forging level for at least a portion of the flow of the second higher welding level of current. A method for forming the weld bond is included.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. Apparatus for welding together a pair of conductors separated by a thermo-plastic insulation material comprising:
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a source of pressure; a pair of welding electrodes moveable relatively toward each other when pressure from said source is applied thereto, said electrodes having a first pre-selected level of pressure for urging said pair of conductors into electrical contact and a second pre-selected increased level of pressure for forging the portion of said pair of conductors between the electrodes; a power supply for supplying voltage at a first level of current through said electrodes and said pair of conductors during said first level of pressure for generating heat to soften said insulation material adjacent said electrodes and thereby effect penetration of said insulation between said electrodes and supplying voltage at a second higher level of current for welding together said pair of conductors at the location of said penetration; a first control means comprising a detecting means for detecting said penetration and providing a control signal responsive thereto and a timing means activated by said control signal for changing from said first level of current to said second level of current after a pre-selected time delay from said penetration; and a second control means for increasing the electrode pressure from said first pre-selected level to said second pre-selected increased level during at least a portion of said second higher level of current. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. Method of welding together a pair of conductors separated by a thermo-plastic insulation material comprising the steps of:
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applying a first pre-selected level of pressure to said pair of conductors positioned between a pair of electrodes; passing a first level of current through said electrodes and said pair of conductors; sensing electrical contact through said thermo-plastic insulation and said pair of conductors between said pair of electrodes; maintaining said first level of current for a pre-selected length of time after sensing said electrical contact; terminating said first level on current after said pre-selected length of time; passing a second higher level of current at the termination of first level of current through said electrodes and said pair of conductors between said electrodes; and increasing progressively from said first pre-selected level of pressure to a second pre-selected higher level of pre-selected pressure during at least a portion of the flow of said second higher level of current.
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Specification