Copper core weld gun

• US 5,731,563 A
• Filed: 11/20/1996
• Issued: 03/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Baustert, George N.
• Primary Examiner(s): BERHANE, ADOLF D
• Application Number:
  US08/752,276
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 219/86.25, 219/86.31, 219/86.8, 219/89, 219/120, 219/110, 219/101
• US Class Current: 219/89
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/314 Spot welding guns, e.g. mounted on robots
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/318 Supporting devices for electrode holders

Abstract

A copper core weld gun assembly is provided with a substantially omega (Ω) shaped cross-section taken through each arm of the assembly. Concentric copper tubes are provided to carry cooling water and electric current to the electrodes of each arm. Special fittings are provided to insure that cooling water is carried directly to and from the electrodes without contacting the body, thereby eliminating galvanization in aluminum bodies. The design includes wedge-shaped barrel locks, crown-tipped incoming water tubes, thimble-shaped female electrode caps, and provides modular design capability. A modular gun design separates the gun into three fundamental areas: (a) the electrode system; (b) the body/frame system; and (c) the moment arm design.

Claims

1. A modular weld gun assembly, comprising:

a modular body, including first and second pivot units pivotally connected about a pivot joint along a pivot axis;

first and second moment arms formed separately from the body and adapted for attachment to the first and second pivot units respectively for pivoting the pivot units;

a modular electrode system adapted for attachment to said pivot units for carrying coolant and electric power through the pivot units for welding; and

a drive member connected between the first and second moment arms for actuating the arms.

2. The modular weld gun assembly of claim 1, wherein each said pivot unit comprises a cast material.

3. The modular weld gun assembly of claim 2, wherein each said pivot unit comprises a plurality of raised ribs, said ribs forming a plurality of right triangles in a plane perpendicular to said pivot axis for structural support.

4. The modular weld gun assembly of claim 3, wherein said plurality of right triangles forms, in combination, a larger triangle having an apex intersecting said pivot axis.