# US 11,440,124 B2 · Joining apparatus for panel sheets and joining method for panel sheets using the same

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- Number: US 11,440,124 B2
- Document ID: US11440124B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/549,642
- Filed: 2019-08-23
- Published: 2019-12-12
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2016-09-01
- Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company; Kia Motors Corporation
- Inventors: Jae Hun Song
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440124B2

## CPC

- B23K 11/087: for rectilinear seams
- B23K 11/115: {by means of two electrodes placed opposite one another on both sides of the welded parts}
- B23K 11/185: {of aluminium or aluminium alloys}
- B23K 11/20: of different metals
- B23K 11/314: {Spot welding guns, e.g. mounted on robots}
- B23K 11/315: {with one electrode moving on a linear path}
- B23K 11/318: {Supporting devices for electrode holders}
- B23K 11/34: Preliminary treatment
- B23K 11/36: Auxiliary equipment (B23K11/31 takes precedence)
- B23K 2101/006: {Vehicles}
- B23K 2101/18: Sheet panels
- B23K 2103/04: Steel {or steel} alloys
- B23K 2103/10: Aluminium or alloys thereof
- B23K 2103/20: Ferrous alloys and aluminium or alloys thereof
- B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM

## Abstract

A joining apparatus for panel sheets and a joining method for panel sheets using the same are provided. The joining apparatus includes an element punching device which stores and supplies elements according to a specification of a panel sheet and inserts the element into a first panel sheet among different types of panel sheets. Additionally, a welding device resistively welds a part of the first panel sheet into which the element is inserted by the element punching device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A joining method of panel sheets, comprising:
locating, by a controller, a supply block configured to supply an element in a position that corresponds to a joining portion of different types of panel sheets loaded on a die;
inserting, by the controller, the element into a first panel sheet among the different types of panel sheets through a punch operated by a punch cylinder to a supply aperture formed in the supply block;
pressurizing, by the controller, upper and lower electrodes while locating upper and lower electrodes of a welding device that corresponds to upper and lower sides of the joining portion of different types of panel sheets; and
resistively welding, by the controller, the edge of the element to a second panel sheet among the different types of panel sheets through the upper and lower electrodes by supplying power to the welding device.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The joining method of claim 1, wherein in the different types of panel sheets loaded on the die, a sealer is applied between a first panel sheet and a second panel sheet to form a sealer layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The joining method of claim 2, wherein the first panel sheet is formed of an aluminum material and the second panel sheet is formed of a steel material.