Method for automatically selecting the welding sequence for manual welding electrode holders; manual welding electrode holder for implementing the method
First Claim
1. Method for automatically selecting a welding sequence for a manual electrode holder, concerning a manual electric resistance spot welding electrode holder for assembling sheet metal, comprising an electrode holder body (1) connected by a flexible cable (4) to an electric current supply and, if appropriate, carrying a step-down transformer to supply the welding electrode holder with high-intensity current, said electrode holder body being suspended by means of an articulated link (9, 13, 14) from a sling (6) extending while at rest along a vertical axis and preferably provided with a balancing reel (7), which articulated link comprises firstly a circular pivot collar (13) inside which said electrode holder body (1) can rotate around a principal longitudinal, swiveling axis (X), and secondly a pivot (14) mounted on said circular collar (13) and by means of which said collar, and therefore the electrode holder body (1), can pivot on the lower end of said sling (6) around a horizontal, lateral axis (y) perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), the electrode holder also including at least one handle (10, 11) by means of which an operator can suitably manipulate the electrode holder in relation to the sheet metal to be welded, following which he can initiate said welding sequence by actuating a control (12) on the electrode holder, wherein said electrode holder body (1) is integral with an inclinometer unit which is able to supply at least two sets of information in the form of signals:
- a) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said principal longitudinal axis (X) in relation to a reference axis (V); and
b) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said lateral axis (y) in relation to said reference axis (V), following which this information is used to identify the welding location and to automatically select the appropriate welding sequence corresponding to this location, the welding sequence identified being so coded as to be able to be transferred to and then executed by a welding control cabinet.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The electrode holder comprises a body 1 suspended by an articulated link 9, 13, 14 from a sling 6, this articulated link comprising a pivot collar 13 in which the body can rotate around a principal longitudinal, swiveling axis X and a pivot 14 mounted on this collar and by means of which the body 1 can pivot on the end of the sling 6 around a horizontal lateral axis y perpendicular to axis X. The body 1 is integral with an inclinometer giving the value and sense of the angle of pivot of the body around the principal axis X, and of the lateral axis y in relation to a reference vertical. This information is used to identify the welding location and to automatically select the appropriate welding sequence corresponding to this location. This sequence is coded and transferred to a welding control cabinet to be executed.
76 Citations
13 Claims
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1. Method for automatically selecting a welding sequence for a manual electrode holder, concerning a manual electric resistance spot welding electrode holder for assembling sheet metal, comprising an electrode holder body (1) connected by a flexible cable (4) to an electric current supply and, if appropriate, carrying a step-down transformer to supply the welding electrode holder with high-intensity current, said electrode holder body being suspended by means of an articulated link (9, 13, 14) from a sling (6) extending while at rest along a vertical axis and preferably provided with a balancing reel (7), which articulated link comprises firstly a circular pivot collar (13) inside which said electrode holder body (1) can rotate around a principal longitudinal, swiveling axis (X), and secondly a pivot (14) mounted on said circular collar (13) and by means of which said collar, and therefore the electrode holder body (1), can pivot on the lower end of said sling (6) around a horizontal, lateral axis (y) perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (X), the electrode holder also including at least one handle (10, 11) by means of which an operator can suitably manipulate the electrode holder in relation to the sheet metal to be welded, following which he can initiate said welding sequence by actuating a control (12) on the electrode holder, wherein said electrode holder body (1) is integral with an inclinometer unit which is able to supply at least two sets of information in the form of signals:
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a) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said principal longitudinal axis (X) in relation to a reference axis (V); and
b) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said lateral axis (y) in relation to said reference axis (V), following which this information is used to identify the welding location and to automatically select the appropriate welding sequence corresponding to this location, the welding sequence identified being so coded as to be able to be transferred to and then executed by a welding control cabinet. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
a) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said principal longitudinal axis (X) in relation to a reference axis (V); and
b) information representing the value and direction of the angle of pivot of said electrode holder body (1) around said lateral axis (y) in relation to said reference axis (V), following which this information is used to identify the welding location and to automatically select the appropriate welding sequence corresponding to this location, the welding sequence identified being so coded as to be able to be transferred to and then executed by a welding control cabinet.
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10. Electrode holder according to claim 9, wherein said inclinometer unit includes at least two accelerometers able to measure angular displacements of said longitudinal (X) and lateral (y) axes of the electrode holder body in relation to a vertical reference axis (V).
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11. Electrode holder according to claim 9, wherein said inclinometer unit includes a third accelerometer able to measure angular displacements in relation to said vertical reference axis (V) of a third axis (Z) of the electrode holder body (1) perpendicular to said lateral (y) and longitudinal (X) axes.
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12. Electrode holder according to claim 9, wherein said electrode holder body (1) additionally carries a detector of rotation around said vertical reference axis (V).
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13. Electrode holder according to claim 10, wherein said accelerometers include a capacitance sensor which supplies a width modulated pulse signal.
Specification