Apparatus for welding automotive brake shoes

• US 4,332,998 A
• Filed: 08/28/1980
• Issued: 06/01/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
• Inventors: Boros, Lawrence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rubinson, Gene Z.
• Assistant Examiner(s): George, Keith E.
• Application Number:
  US06/182,050
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 219/61.2, 219/78.01, 219/78.16, 219/102, 219/107, 219/159
• US Class Current: 219/107
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/065 for welding curved planar seams
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 13/00 Welding by high-frequency current heating
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/08 for internally-engaging brakes

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for welding an edge surface of a curved metal brake shoe to a substantially flat metal brake shoe table surface. The apparatus has a positioning mechanism which positions the brake shoe table in longitudinal alignment with the brake shoe web with one end portion of the table surface abutting the brake shoe web surface over a predetermined distance and with the table surface diverging away from the brake shoe web edge forming a vertex where the surfaces abut. A wheel is provided for pressing the abutting surfaces together at the vertex. Conductors are used to contact both the brake shoe web and the brake shoe table to provide a high frequency alternating potential to the pieces to induce current to flow therebetween and thereby heat the interfacing surfaces in the area of the vertex. A fixture is provided for rotating the brake shoe table and the brake shoe web together along a curvilinear path while maintaining the pressure and the high frequency alternating potential to weld the interfacing surfaces together. At least one deflecting element is provided contacting the brake shoe table and holding the brake shoe table in contact with the brake shoe web while the fixture is rotating thus allowing the interfacing surfaces to cool.

Claims

1. An apparatus for welding the edge surfaces of a pair of curved metal brake shoe webs to a substantially flat brake shoe table surface comprising:

means for positioning said brake shoe table in longitudinal alignment with said brake shoe webs with one end portion of said table surface abutting the surface of said brake shoe webs over a predetermined distance with said table surface diverging away from said brake shoe web edge surface forming a vertex where said surfaces abut;

a forge wheel capable of pressing said abutting surfaces together at said vertexes;

means for providing a high frequency alternating potential to said table and said webs to induce current to flow therebetween and thereby heat the interfacing surfaces in the area of said vertexes;

means for rotating said brake shoe table and said brake shoe webs together along a curvelinear path while maintaining said pressure and high frequency alternating potential to melt said interfacing surfaces together; and

a pair of fingers contacting said brake shoe table for bending said brake shoe table to the curvature of said brake web and holding said brake shoe table in contact with said brake shoe webs as said interfacing surfaces begin to cool.