System for detecting weld nut orientation

• US 8,513,561 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2009
• Issued: 08/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kuechenmeister, Joseph, Gipson, Grady
• Primary Examiner(s): Pelham, Joseph M
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bae, Gyounghyun
• Application Number:
  US12/467,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20100288737A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,555 Days
• Field of Search: 219/117.1, 219/86.51, 219/86.41, 219/93, 219/119
• US Class Current: 219/117.1
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/004 Welding of a small piece to a great or broad piece
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/14 Projection welding
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/34 Preliminary treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/36 Auxiliary equipment B23K11/31 takes precedence

Abstract

A weld gun system for detecting the orientation of a weld nut relative to the metallic component to which it is to be welded prior to welding is disclosed. The system includes a lower electrode having a weld location pin, an upper electrode having a central circular recess formed therein, a fluid supply fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode, and a pressure switch also fluidly connected to the central circular recess of the upper electrode. Once the weld nut is captured between the electrodes the fluid flows from the fluid supply into the central circular recess of the upper electrode. If the weld nut is in proper orientation the fluid continues to flow to the pressure switch and the weld occurs. If the weld nut is not in proper orientation the fluid does not flow to the pressure switch but is instead vented from the central circular recess and the weld does not occur.

Claims

1. A system for confirming orientation of a weld nut relative to a component to which the weld nut is to be welded, the system comprising:

a lower electrode;

a weld nut locating pin attached to said lower electrode;

an upper electrode having a recess formed therein for receiving fluid;

a fluid supply fluidly connected to said recess of said upper electrode; and

a fluid pressure switch fluidly connected to said recess of said upper electrode, said switch being movable to a closed position if a requisite amount of fluid pressure is detected.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said recess of said upper electrode receives at least a portion of said weld nut locating pin.

3. The system of claim 1 further including a fluid line fitted between said fluid supply and said recess of said upper electrode.

4. The system of claim 1 further including a fluid line fitted between said pressure switch and said recess of said upper electrode.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said upper electrode has a lower surface for contacting the weld nut.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said lower electrode has an upper surface for contacting the component.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said fluid supply is a gas supply.

8. A system for confirming the correct orientation of a weld nut relative to a component to which the weld nut is to be welded, the system comprising:

a lower electrode;

a weld nut locating pin attached to said lower electrode;

an upper electrode, said upper electrode having a central recess to loosely receive at least a portion of said weld nut locating pin;

a fluid supply fluidly connected to said central recess of said upper electrode; and

a pressure switch fluidly connected to said central recess of said upper electrode, whereby a fluid seal is formed between the weld nut and the upper electrode if the weld nut is in its correct orientation.

9. The system of claim 8 further including a fluid line fitted between said fluid supply and said central circular recess of said upper electrode.

10. The system of claim 8 further including a fluid line fitted between said pressure switch and said central recess of said upper electrode.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein said upper electrode has a lower surface for contacting the weld nut.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein said lower electrode has an upper surface for contacting the component.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein said fluid supply is a gas supply.

14. A method for confirming orientation of a weld nut relative to a component to which the weld nut is to be welded, the method comprising:

forming an apparatus having a lower electrode, a weld nut locating pin attached to said lower electrode, an upper electrode, said upper electrode having a central recess to receive at least a portion of said weld nut locating pin, a fluid supply fluidly connected to said central recess of said upper electrode, and a pressure switch fluidly connected to said central recess of said upper electrode placing the weld nut on said weld nut locating pin;

placing said upper electrode into contact with the weld nut; and

causing a fluid to flow from said fluid supply into said central recess of said upper electrode, whereby if the weld nut is properly oriented then fluid passes from the central recess to the pressure switch and whereby if the weld nut is not properly oriented then fluid passes between said upper electrode and the weld nut.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said apparatus further includes a fluid line fitted between said fluid supply and said central recess of said upper electrode.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said apparatus further includes a fluid line fitted between said pressure switch and said central recess of said upper electrode.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said upper electrode of said apparatus has a lower surface for contacting the weld nut.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said lower electrode of said apparatus has an upper surface for contacting the component.