US 2006/0138198 A1Published application

Frictional spot joining method and frictional spot joining apparatus

AssigneeMazda Motor Corporation

InventorsToshiyuki Gendou, Yukihiro Sugimoto, Katsuya Nishiguchi, Kenji Takase, Yohei Shoji

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Abstract

In the third step of joining of the metal members, the pressing force of the rotational tool under rotation is maintained at the third pressing force that is smaller than the second pressing force until a specified period of time elapses after the tip of the pin portion of the rotational tool has reached the specified point that is at a distance from the joining face. Accordingly, the proper plastic flow of the metal member can be generated and thereby the joining strength with a sufficient period of time of agitation can be ensured, by maintaining a high temperature enough to soften the metal member and by preventing the rotational tool from coming into the metal member too deeply or from penetrating the metal member.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A frictional spot joining method of metal members, in which a work comprising a first metal member and a second metal member that lap over is provided, a melting point of the second metal member being higher than that of the first metal member, and a rotational tool is pushed against the work from a side of the first metal member and the first metal member is softened and made in a plastic flow state by a frictional heat generated through a rotational and pressing operation of the rotational tool, the frictional spot joining method comprising:

a step of providing the rotational tool that comprises a shoulder portion to face the work and a pin portion that is located on a rotational axis of the rotational tool and projects toward the work from the shoulder portion;
a first step of pushing the rotational tool under rotation with a first pressing force until the first metal member is softened by the rotational tool whose pin portion or both pin portion and shoulder portion come into the first metal member;
a second step of pushing the rotational tool under rotation with a second pressing force that is greater than the first pressing force until a tip of the pin portion of the rotational tool reaches a specified point that is at a distance from a joining face of the first and second metal members;
and
a third step of maintaining the pressing force of the rotational tool under rotation at a third pressing force that is smaller than the second pressing force until a specified period of time elapses after the tip of the pin portion has reached said specified point that is at the distance from the joining face.

2 more elements

A frictional spot joining apparatus of metal members, in which a work comprising a first metal member and a second metal member that lap over is provided, a melting point of the second metal member being higher than that of the first metal member, and a rotational tool is pushed against the work from a side of the first metal member and the first metal member is softened and made in a plastic flow state by a frictional heat generated through a rotational and pressing operation of the rotational tool,

wherein said rotational tool comprises a shoulder portion to face the work and a pin portion that is located on a rotational axis of the rotational tool and projects toward the work from the shoulder portion, and
said frictional spot joining apparatus comprises:
a rotating device to rotate said rotational tool;
a moving device to move and push said rotational tool relative to the work;
and
a pressing force control device to operate said rotating device and said moving device so that the rotational tool under rotation is pushed with a first pressing force until the first metal member is softened by the rotational tool whose pin portion or both pin portion and shoulder portion come into the first metal member, the rotational tool under rotation is pushed with a second pressing force that is greater than the first pressing force until a tip of the pin portion of the rotational tool reaches a specified point that is at a distance from a joining face of the first and second metal members, and the pressing force of the rotational tool under rotation is maintained at a third pressing force that is smaller than the second pressing force until a specified period of time elapses after the tip of the pin portion has reached said specified point that is at the distance from the joining face.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/295,615Filed 7 Dec 2005
Priority: JP 2004-37318724 Dec 2004
Published: 29 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B23K 20/2275
With ferrous layer: the other layer being aluminium
B23K 20/123
Using a non-consumable tool, e.g. friction stir welding: controlling or monitoring the welding process
B23K 20/1265
Using a non-consumable tool, e.g. friction stir welding: non-butt welded joints, e.g. overlap-joints, T-joints or spot welds
B23K 20/128
Using a non-consumable tool, e.g. friction stir welding: making use of additional material