Single-Guide Welding Gun Structure for Electrode Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding guns with multiple guide rods to prevent movable electrode misalignment increase in size, limiting their mobility and use range.
Innovation Solution
A welding gun design incorporating a single high-rigidity ball spline guide mechanism parallel to the rod portion's axis, which supports the holding member and maintains electrode alignment without increasing the gun's width, allowing for reduced size and enhanced mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If two round bar guide rods are arranged in parallel in the width direction to prevent movable electrode misalignment, then the alignment precision is improved, but the welding gun size in the width direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement (two parallel guide rods in the width direction) to a three-dimensional configuration (single guide rod combined with offset positioning of the rod portion). By fixing the rod portion to the holding member at a position offset from the extended line of the fixed electrode axis, the system achieves alignment control through spatial distribution rather than parallel arrangement, thereby reducing the welding gun's width while maintaining alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the alignment function from the pressing function by positioning the rod portion offset from the electrode axis. The guide rod provides guidance in one location while the offset rod portion provides pressing force at a different location, allowing each component to be optimized independently and reducing the overall width requirement compared to having two guide rods.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a guide mechanism with two round bar guide rods is used to prevent holding member rotation, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing guidance at two separate locations (two guide rods), the patent inverts the approach by providing guidance at one location (single guide rod) and creating stability through the offset positioning of the rod portion. The offset configuration creates a lever arm effect that resists rotational forces, achieving stability through a different mechanical principle.
Solution Approach 2:
The single guide rod in the patent serves multiple functions: it guides the holding member's linear movement and works in conjunction with the offset rod portion to prevent rotation. The offset rod portion simultaneously serves as both the pressing mechanism and a rotational constraint, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The ball spline guide mechanism effectively prevents movable electrode misalignment while reducing the welding gun's width, thereby expanding its operational range and ensuring consistent welding pressure application.
Implementation Method 1
a guide mechanism that is disposed to extend parallel to an axis of the rod portion, and guides the holding member, wherein the rod portion is fixed to the holding member to be offset to an extended line of an axis of the fixed electrode, and the guide mechanism includes only one guide rod fixed to any of movable portions including the movable electrode, the holding member, and the rod portion
Data Source
AI summary
A welding gun includes a fixed electrode fixed to an arm, a movable electrode held by a holding member separated from the arm, a pressure driver including a rod portion that is fixed to the holding member, and linearly advances and retracts. The pressure driver applies pressure to a welding target sandwiched between the movable electrode and the fixed electrode by advancing the holding member to the arm with the rod portion, and a guide mechanism that is disposed to extend parallel to an axis of the rod portion, and guides the holding member. The rod portion is fixed to the holding member to be offset to an extended line of an axis of the fixed electrode, and the guide mechanism includes only one guide rod fixed to any of movable portions including the movable electrode, the holding member, and the rod portion.