# US 11,440,129 B2 · Electrode for resistance spot welding

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- Number: US 11,440,129 B2
- Document ID: US11440129B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/674,064
- Filed: 2019-11-05
- Published: 2020-05-21
- Granted: 2022-09-13
- Earliest claimed: 2018-11-16
- Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Toru Hioki; Manabu Ooga; Tomonori Yanagawa; Shun Kato; Takashi Goto; Hideaki Matsuoka
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440129B2

## CPC

- B23K 11/30: Features relating to electrodes
- B23K 11/115: {by means of two electrodes placed opposite one another on both sides of the welded parts}
- B23K 35/0205: {Non-consumable electrodes; C-electrodes}
- 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

An electrode tip portion is provided with a projection portion and a plurality of recess portions. The plurality of the recess portions are independent of one another, and are provided at the electrode tip portion in a dispersed manner. The projection portion is a region other than regions where the recess portions are provided, and is configured to be equipped with a continuous surface that continues in regions among the plurality of the recess portions.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A resistance spot welding method comprising:
holding a plurality of metal plate materials superimposed on one another along a plate thickness direction of the metal plate materials by electrodes for resistance spot welding; and
joining the metal plate materials to one another through energizing the electrodes, wherein
each of the electrodes includes an electrode tip portion configured to hold each of the metal plate materials being provided with a projection portion and a plurality of recess portions,
the plurality of the recess portions, which are independent of one another, are provided in the electrode tip portion in a dispersed manner,
the projection portion is a region other than regions where the recess portions are provided, and is configured to be equipped with a continuous surface that continues in regions among the plurality of the recess portions without being divided by the recess portions, and
the projection portion contacts with a film present on surfaces of the metal plate materials in holding a plurality of metal plate materials superimposed on one another along a plate thickness direction of the metal plate materials by the electrodes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein
the continuous surface that constitutes the projection portion is formed as a projecting curved surface that bulges most at a position on an electrode centerline.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein
the plurality of the recess portions are dispersed at positions that are point-symmetric to each other with respect to a symmetric center respectively.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 3, wherein
the plurality of the recess portions are dispersed at the positions that are point-symmetric with respect to a position on an electrode centerline at the electrode tip portion.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein
a depth of the recess portions is equal to or greater than 30 μm and equal to or smaller than 150 μm.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein
a distance between central positions of those of the recess portions which are adjacent to each other is equal to or longer than 400 μm and equal to or shorter than 1200 μm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein
an opening end of each of the recess portions at the electrode tip portion is square, and
a length of one side of the opening end is equal to or longer than 80 μm and equal to or shorter than 350 μm.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 1, wherein the metal plate materials consists of a single material.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The resistance spot welding method according to claim 8, wherein the single material is aluminum.