# US 2012/0074104 A1 · Resistance welding method and device therefor

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- Number: US 2012/0074104 A1
- Document ID: US20120074104A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/375,579
- Filed: 2010-06-02
- Published: 2012-03-29
- Earliest claimed: 2009-06-05
- Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
- Inventors: Akira Goto; Yushi Aoki
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120074104A1

## CPC

- B23K 11/315: {with one electrode moving on a linear path}
- B23K 11/115: {by means of two electrodes placed opposite one another on both sides of the welded parts}
- B23K 11/36: Auxiliary equipment (B23K11/31 takes precedence)
- 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

Disclosed are a resistance welding method for welding a stack of three or more works and a device therefor. A stack is formed in such that the thinnest work having the smallest thickness among the works is placed in the outermost position. The stack is held between a first welding electrode and a second welding electrode. A pressing member is brought into contact with a location of the thinnest work different from the location with which the first welding electrode is in contact, and the pressing member is caused to press the stack from the thinnest work side. In a state that the pressing force exerted on the stack by the first welding electrode and the pressing member is balanced with the pressing force exerted on the stack by the second welding electrode, current is applied between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A resistance welding method for resistance-welding a stacked assembly of at least three workpieces, including a thinnest workpiece of smallest thickness disposed on an outermost side of the stacked assembly, comprising the steps of:
gripping the stacked assembly with a first welding electrode and a second welding electrode, holding a pressing member in abutment against an area of the thinnest workpiece, which differs from an area against which the first welding electrode is held in abutment, and causing the pressing member to press the stacked assembly from the side of the thinnest workpiece; and
passing an electric current between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode, while pressing forces applied from the first welding electrode and the pressing member to the stacked assembly and a pressing force applied from the second welding electrode to the stacked assembly are held in equilibrium with each other.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The resistance welding method according to claim 1, wherein the pressing member comprises an auxiliary electrode, which is opposite in polarity to the first welding electrode, such that when the electric current is passed between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode, either a branched electric current directed from the first welding electrode toward the auxiliary electrode, or a branched electric current directed from the auxiliary electrode toward the first welding electrode is produced.

### Claim 3

A resistance welding apparatus for resistance-welding a stacked assembly of at least three workpieces, including a thinnest workpiece of smallest thickness disposed on an outermost side of the stacked assembly, comprising:
a welding gun including:
a first welding electrode that abuts against the thinnest workpiece;
a second welding electrode that grips the stacked assembly in coaction with the first welding electrode; and
a pressing member, which abuts against an area of the thinnest workpiece that differs from an area against which the first welding electrode is held in abutment, and which presses the stacked assembly from the side of the thinnest workpiece;
a pressing mechanism, which applies pressing forces for pressing the stacked assembly against the pressing member; and
control means for controlling the pressing mechanism,
wherein when an electric current is passed between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode, the control means holds pressing forces, which are applied from the first welding electrode and the pressing member to the stacked assembly, and a pressing force applied from the second welding electrode to the stacked assembly, in equilibrium with each other.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The resistance welding apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:
a robot supporting the welding gun, the pressing mechanism being mounted on the welding gun.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The resistance welding apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member comprises an auxiliary electrode, which is opposite in polarity to the first welding electrode, such that when the electric current is passed between the first welding electrode and the second welding electrode, either a branched electric current directed from the first welding electrode toward the auxiliary electrode, or a branched electric current directed from the auxiliary electrode toward the first welding electrode is produced.