Welding Gun Cover Structure for Stable Bellows Expansion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The cover member in existing resistance welding apparatuses struggles to stably expand and contract due to potential excessive proximity to the shaft, leading to potential damage and instability in the welding process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a bellows-shaped cover member with a proximity restricting mechanism that includes tube-shaped members to prevent the cover member from approaching too closely the shaft, allowing it to expand and contract stably by maintaining a uniform distance and facilitating smooth movement during the expansion and contraction processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the cover member is positioned close to the shaft to reduce space, then the device becomes more compact, but the cover member cannot stably expand and contract and may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace occupied by electrode moving mechanismVSAvoidstability of cover member expansion and contraction

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity restricting mechanism acts as an intermediary component between the cover member and the shaft. It includes a restricting member that contacts the cover member and transmits axial forces, preventing the cover member from approaching too closely to the shaft while still allowing controlled expansion and contraction movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity restricting mechanism applies a preliminary restraining force to prevent the cover member from moving too close to the shaft before damage can occur. The restricting member is positioned and configured to engage with the cover member and provide counter-action against excessive approach, thereby preventing potential damage in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Device complexity

If the cover member is allowed to approach the shaft freely, then the device structure is simpler, but excessive load fluctuations occur and the cover member may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of electrode moving mechanismVSAvoidload stability on cover member

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity restricting mechanism serves as an intermediary that mediates the interaction between the cover member and shaft. It includes a restricting member with specific geometric features (such as a protrusion or flange) that engages with the cover member, providing controlled resistance and preventing excessive approach while maintaining structural integrity under load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The proximity restricting mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by positioning the restricting member to engage with the cover member at a predetermined minimum distance from the shaft. This prevents excessive loads and potential damage before they can occur, cushioning the system against extreme positions during expansion and contraction cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11325201B2Resistance welding apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A welding gun includes a proximity restricting mechanism that is provided between a shaft and a cover member in a manner to surround the shaft and to be displaceable relative to the shaft in an axial direction in accordance with expansion and contraction of the cover member, and that restricts the cover member from approaching too closely the shaft.