Resistance spot rivet welding systems and methods of use thereof

A resistance spot rivet welding method comprising:

• (i) reloading rivets into a rivet dispensing system used with a resistance spot rivet welding system, the reloading comprising:
• receiving and storing a plurality of rivets in a channel of a rivet receiving member of a rivet dispenser reloading system, wherein the rivet dispenser reloading system comprises a gate associated with the channel, wherein the gate is selectively positionable between a first configuration inhibiting movement of rivets from the channel, and a second configuration enabling movement of rivets from the channel;
• aligning a rivet dispensing system of a resistance spot rivet welding system with the rivet receiving member utilizing an alignment member in communication with the resistance spot rivet welding apparatus;
• and
• introducing the plurality of rivets stored in the channel into the rivet dispensing system via the gate;
• (ii) dispensing a rivet from the rivet dispensing system onto a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus, the dispensing comprising:
• receiving the rivet and storing the rivet on a seat member of the rivet dispensing system, wherein the seat member comprises a first jaw, a second jaw, and a block structure to receive a rivet from the second port and maintain the rivet in a preselected position and orientation;
• moving the rivet dispensing system utilizing an actuation member along a path to align the seat member with the rivet holder;
• introducing the rivet stored on the seat member to the rivet holder;
• and
• receiving the rivet, by the rivet holder, from the rivet dispensing system.

A resistance spot rivet welding system comprising:

• (i) a rivet dispensing system comprising:
• a first rivet receiving member defining a first channel therein, the first rivet receiving member comprising
• an inlet communicating with the first channel and configured to receive rivets,
• an outlet communicating with the first channel and configured to dispense rivets,
• wherein the first channel extends between the inlet and the outlet and is configured to transport rivets from the inlet to the outlet;
• and
• a seat member communicating with the outlet and configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time;
• (ii) the rivet holder comprising a collet assembly, the collet assembly comprising an actuator and a collet connected to the actuator, the collet assembly being adapted to be installed on an external electrode holder, the collet being moveable by the actuator from an advanced position, in which the collet is adapted to grip a rivet, and a retracted position, in which at least a portion of the collet is retracted into the actuator to enable an electrode attached to the electrode holder to engage the rivet;
• and
• (iii) a rivet dispenser reloading system comprising:
• a second rivet receiving member defining a second channel therein, the second rivet receiving member comprising
• a first port communicating with the second channel and configured to receive rivets, and
• a second port communicating with the second channel and configured to selectively engage with the rivet dispensing system and introduce rivets to the rivet dispensing system,
• wherein the second channel extends between the first port and the second port and is configured to transport rivets from the first port to the second port;
• and
• a first gate in communication with the second port, wherein the first gate is selectively positionable between a first configuration inhibiting movement of rivets through the second port, and a second configuration enabling movement of rivets through the second port.

A resistance spot rivet welding system comprising:

• (i) a rivet dispensing system comprising:
• a first rivet receiving member defining a first channel therein, the first rivet receiving member comprising
• an inlet communicating with the first channel and configured to receive rivets,
• an outlet communicating with the first channel and configured to dispense rivets,
• wherein the first channel extends between the inlet and the outlet and is configured to transport rivets from the inlet to the outlet;
• and
• a seat member communicating with the outlet and configured to selectively engage with a rivet holder of a resistance spot rivet welding apparatus and introduce a single rivet to the rivet holder at one time;
• and
• (ii) the rivet holder comprising a collet assembly, the collet assembly comprising an actuator and a collet connected to the actuator, the collet assembly being adapted to be installed on an external electrode holder, the collet being moveable by the actuator from an advanced position, in which the collet is adapted to grip a rivet, and a retracted position, in which at least a portion of the collet is retracted into the actuator to enable an electrode attached to the electrode holder to engage the rivet;
• wherein the actuator of the rivet holder comprises a housing comprising an upper end, a lower end opposite the upper end, and a central passage extending from the upper end to the lower end;
• wherein the collet is positioned and can slide within the central passage of the housing of the actuator;
• wherein the actuator of the rivet holder comprises a sleeve member comprising an inner sleeve positioned within the central passage of the housing of the actuator;
• wherein the collet comprises an internal passage;
• and
• wherein the inner sleeve of the sleeve member of the actuator is positioned within the internal passage of the collet.