Spot joining device

Abstract

To provide a joining device that can be enhanced in versatility.SOLUTION: A spot joining device comprises a pressurizing shaft 100 that can pressurize welded materials to be welded to each other, in a thickness direction thereof, and an electrode 200 that can distribute electricity to the welded materials. The electrode includes: an electrode main body 210 having a shape surrounding the pressurizing shaft; a tip electrode 220 that can be attachably and detachably connected to a tip part 212 of the electrode main body and has a space where the pressurizing shaft can move along an axial direction of the electrode main body; and a solid electrode 230 that can be attachably and detachably connected to the tip part of the electrode main body, which is formed in a solid shape and is used for resistance spot welding.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a spot bonding device. [Background technology]

[0002] WO 2021 / 182444 discloses a solid-state spot joining device including a pressing unit and a pair of welding electrodes. The pressing unit is capable of pressing two metal plates in a direction perpendicular to the metal plates. The pair of welding electrodes heats each metal plate by passing current through the two metal plates while sandwiching them from both sides in the thickness direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2021 / 182444 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a need to increase the versatility of bonding devices such as those described in WO 2021 / 182444.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a joining device that can enhance versatility. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A spot welding device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a pressure shaft capable of applying pressure in the thickness direction of materials to be joined together, and an electrode arranged around the pressure shaft and capable of passing a current through the materials to be joined, wherein the electrode includes an electrode body having a shape that surrounds the pressure shaft, a tip electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip of the electrode body and has a space that allows the pressure shaft to move along the axial direction of the electrode body, and a solid electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip of the electrode body and is formed in a solid shape and is used for resistance spot welding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a joining device that can enhance versatility. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a solid-state resistance spot joining mode of a spot joining apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solid resistance spot joining embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a resistance spot welding mode of a spot joining device in a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the resistance spot welding embodiment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the resistance spot welding embodiment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] 10A-10C are diagrams illustrating a process for switching from a solid resistance spot joining mode to a resistance spot welding mode. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a solid-state resistance spot joining mode of a spot joining apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a resistance spot welding mode of a spot joining device in a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the area indicated by the solid line IX in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10A-10C are diagrams illustrating a process for switching from a solid resistance spot joining mode to a resistance spot welding mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0010] (First embodiment) The spot joining apparatus 10 in this embodiment is switchable between a solid resistance spot joining mode in which solid resistance spot joining can be performed, and a resistance spot welding mode in which resistance spot welding can be performed.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a solid-state resistance spot joining mode of a spot joining apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the solid-state resistance spot joining mode shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a resistance spot welding mode of the spot joining apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the resistance spot welding mode shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the resistance spot welding mode shown in Fig. 3.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the spot bonding device 10 includes a pressure shaft 100, an electrode 200, and an insulating member 300.

[0013] The pressure shaft 100 is capable of applying pressure to materials to be joined (not shown) in the thickness direction. The pressure shaft 100 is made of a sintered material containing, for example, tungsten or cobalt. The pressure shaft 100 may be formed in a cylindrical shape. The pressure shaft 100 is driven by a drive source (such as a servo press) not shown.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure applying shaft 100 has a pressure applying shaft main body 110 and a tip pressure applying portion 120 .

[0015] The pressing shaft body 110 has a shape that extends in one direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 2). The pressing shaft body 110 is formed like a cylinder. The pressing shaft body 110 has a tip portion 112.

[0016] The tip pressure member 120 is detachable from the tip portion 112 of the pressure shaft body 110. In this embodiment, a female thread is formed on the tip portion 112 of the pressure shaft body 110, and a male thread is formed on the tip pressure member 120.

[0017] The electrode 200 is disposed around the pressing shaft 100, and is capable of passing a current through the materials to be joined. The electrode 200 is made of, for example, copper. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the electrode 200 has an electrode body 210, a tip electrode 220, and a solid electrode 230.

[0018] The electrode body 210 has a shape that surrounds the pressure shaft 100. The electrode body 210 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The electrode body 210 has a tip portion 212.

[0019] The tip electrode 220 is detachably connectable to the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210. The tip electrode 220 is an electrode used for solid-state resistance spot welding. That is, by attaching the tip electrode 220 to the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210, the spot welding device 10 becomes the solid-state resistance spot welding mode 11 shown in Figures 1 and 2. In this embodiment, a female thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface 210s of the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210, and a male thread is formed on the base end of the tip electrode 220.

[0020] The tip electrode 220 has a space in which the pressure applying shaft 100 can move along the axial direction of the electrode main body 210. In this embodiment, the tip electrode 220 is formed in an annular shape that surrounds the pressure applying shaft 100. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tip electrode 220 has an opposing surface 220s that faces the pressure applying shaft 100 in the radial direction of the pressure applying shaft 100. The inner diameter of the opposing surface 220s is preferably equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 210s of the tip portion 212 of the electrode main body 210.

[0021] The solid electrode 230 is detachably connectable to the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210. The solid electrode 230 is formed in a solid shape and is an electrode used for resistance spot welding. That is, by attaching the solid electrode 230 to the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210, the spot joining device 10 becomes the resistance spot welding mode 12 shown in FIGS. 3 to 5. In this embodiment, a male thread is formed at the base end of the solid electrode 230. Note that FIGS. 3 to 5 show a DR-type electrode as an example of the solid electrode 230.

[0022] The solid electrode 230 has an opposing surface 230s that faces the pressing shaft 100 in the radial direction of the pressing shaft 100. The inner diameter of the opposing surface 230s is preferably equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 210s of the tip portion 212 of the electrode body 210.

[0023] The insulating member 300 is used when the spot joining apparatus 10 is in the resistance spot welding mode 12. The insulating member 300 can be disposed between the pressing shaft 100 and the solid electrode 230.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the insulating member 300 has an insulating member main body 310 and an elastic portion 320.

[0025] The insulating member body 310 is detachably attached to the tip end 112 of the pressing shaft body 110. A male thread is formed at the base end of the insulating member body 310 to be mated with a female thread formed at the tip end 112 of the pressing shaft body 110. The insulating member body 310 is made of, for example, ceramics or high-strength resin.

[0026] The elastic portion 320 is connected to the tip surface of the insulating member body 310. The elastic portion 320 has a compressive elastic modulus smaller than that of the insulating member body 310. The elastic portion 320 is formed in a disk shape. The elastic portion 320 may be in contact with the solid electrode 230 or may be spaced apart from the solid electrode 230.

[0027] Next, with reference to Figure 6, the process of switching the spot welding apparatus 10 from solid resistance spot welding mode 11 to resistance spot welding mode 12 will be described. First, with the spot welding apparatus 10 in solid resistance spot welding mode 11, the tip pressure member 120 is removed from the tip end 112 of the pressure shaft body 110, and the tip electrode 220 is removed from the tip end 212 of the electrode body 210. Next, an insulating member 300 is attached to the tip end 112 of the pressure shaft body 110, and a solid electrode 230 is attached to the tip end 212 of the electrode body 210. Note that the process of switching from resistance spot welding mode 12 to solid resistance spot welding mode 11 is reversed from the above.

[0028] As described above, with the spot joining device 10 of this embodiment, solid-state resistance spot joining can be performed by connecting the tip electrode 220 to the electrode body 210, and resistance spot welding can be performed by connecting the solid electrode 230 to the electrode body 210. This increases the versatility of the spot joining device 10.

[0029] (Second embodiment) Next, a spot joining device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 10. Note that in the second embodiment, only the parts that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same structure, action, and effect as in the first embodiment will not be repeated.

[0030] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pressure shaft 100 does not have a tip pressure portion 120 and is configured as a single member.

[0031] 8, the solid electrode 230 includes a holding portion 232 that holds the insulating member 300. The holding portion 232 is configured as a recess that is recessed in a direction away from the tip portion 112 of the pressurizing shaft 100. The inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the holding portion 232 is set to be the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the insulating member 300. In other words, the insulating member 300 is held by the holding portion 232 by being press-fitted into the holding portion 232.

[0032] The insulating member body 310 of the insulating member 300 has a recess that receives the tip portion 112 of the pressing shaft 100. The elastic portion 320 is provided on the upper surface of the insulating member body 310. The elastic portion 320 is formed in an annular shape.

[0033] 9, the opposing surface 230s of the solid electrode 230 has a first opposing surface s1 and a second opposing surface s2. The inner diameter of the first opposing surface s1 is set to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface 210s of the electrode body 210. The second opposing surface s2 is formed closer to the tip side than the first opposing surface s1. The inner diameter of the second opposing surface s2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first opposing surface s1. An insulating coating 234 may be applied to the inner circumferential surface of the second opposing surface s2.

[0034] Next, with reference to Figure 10, we will explain the process of switching the spot joining apparatus 10 from solid resistance spot joining mode 11 to resistance spot welding mode 12. First, in the state of solid resistance spot joining mode 11, the tip electrode 220 is removed from the tip end 212 of the electrode body 210. Then, the insulating member 300 is held by the holding portion 232 of the solid electrode 230, and the solid electrode 230 is attached to the tip end 212 of the electrode body 210. Note that the process of switching from resistance spot welding mode 12 to solid resistance spot joining mode 11 is reversed from the above.

[0035] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the exemplary embodiments described above are examples of the following aspects.

[0036] [Aspect 1] a pressure shaft capable of applying pressure to the workpieces to be joined in the thickness direction; an electrode disposed around the pressure shaft and capable of passing a current through the workpieces; The electrode is an electrode body having a shape surrounding the pressure shaft; a tip electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip of the electrode body and has a space in which the pressure shaft can move along the axial direction of the electrode body; a solid electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip portion of the electrode body, that is formed in a solid shape, and that is used for resistance spot welding.

[0037] This joining device enables solid-state resistance spot joining by connecting a tip electrode to the electrode body, and resistance spot welding by connecting a solid electrode to the electrode body, thereby increasing versatility.

[0038] [Aspect 2] 2. The spot bonding device of embodiment 1, further comprising an insulating member that can be disposed between the pressure shaft and the solid electrode.

[0039] In this embodiment, short circuits between the pressure shaft and the solid electrode are suppressed.

[0040] [Aspect 3] 3. The spot bonding device according to aspect 2, wherein the solid electrode includes a holding portion that holds the insulating member.

[0041] In this embodiment, it is possible to replace the tip electrode with the solid electrode while the insulating member is held by the holding portion of the solid electrode.

[0042] [Aspect 4] The pressure shaft is a pressure shaft body including a tip portion; a tip pressure portion that is detachable from the tip portion of the pressure shaft body, The spot joining device according to aspect 2 or 3, wherein the insulating member is detachably attached to the tip end of the pressure shaft body.

[0043] In this embodiment, the tip pressure portion can be removed from the pressure shaft body and an insulating member can be attached to the tip portion of the pressure shaft body, making it possible to make the solid electrode smaller than when the pressure shaft does not have a tip pressure portion.

[0044] [Aspect 5] The insulating member is an insulating member body; The spot joining device according to any one of aspects 2 to 4, further comprising: an elastic portion provided at a tip of the insulating member body.

[0045] In this embodiment, the elastic portion absorbs the impact of the insulating member body against the solid electrode, thereby preventing damage to the insulating member body.

[0046] [Aspect 6] the tip electrode and the solid electrode have opposing surfaces facing the pressure applying shaft in a radial direction of the pressure applying shaft, Aspect 6. The spot bonding device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the inner diameter of the opposing surface is equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the inner circumferential surface of the tip portion of the electrode body.

[0047] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 10 Spot welding device, 11 Solid resistance spot welding mode, 12 Resistance spot welding mode 12, 100 Pressure shaft, 110 Pressure shaft main body, 112 Tip portion, 120 Tip pressure portion, 200 Electrode, 210 Electrode main body, 210s Inner peripheral surface, 212 Tip portion, 220 Tip electrode, 220s Opposing surface, 230 Solid electrode, 230s Opposing surface, 232 Holding portion, 300 Insulating member, 310 Insulating member main body, 320 Elastic portion.

Claims

1. a pressure shaft capable of applying pressure to the workpieces to be joined in the thickness direction; an electrode disposed around the pressure shaft and capable of passing a current through the workpieces; The electrode is an electrode body having a shape surrounding the pressure shaft; a tip electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip of the electrode body and has a space in which the pressure shaft can move along the axial direction of the electrode body; a solid electrode that is detachably connectable to the tip portion of the electrode body, that is formed in a solid shape, and that is used for resistance spot welding.

2. The spot bonding device according to claim 1 , further comprising an insulating member that can be disposed between the pressure shaft and the solid electrode.

3. The spot bonding device according to claim 2 , wherein the solid electrode includes a holding portion that holds the insulating member.

4. The pressure shaft is a pressure shaft body including a tip portion; a tip pressure portion that is detachable from the tip portion of the pressure shaft body, The spot welding device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the insulating member is detachable from the tip end of the pressure shaft body.

5. The insulating member is an insulating member body; The spot joining device according to claim 2 , further comprising: an elastic portion provided at a tip of the insulating member body.

6. the tip electrode and the solid electrode have opposing surfaces facing the pressure applying shaft in a radial direction of the pressure applying shaft, The spot welding device according to claim 1 , wherein an inner diameter of the facing surface is equal to or greater than an inner diameter of an inner circumferential surface of the tip portion of the electrode body.

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