Contoured Electrodes for Joining Workpieces with Curved Surfaces
AssigneeKTH Parts Industries, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Hayes, Johnathan H. Mead
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A welding electrode for use in resistance spot welding an assembly of metal workpieces with curved surfaces and closed or open sections is disclosed. The welding electrode includes a body, a weld face at one end of the body, and contoured curvature forming the weld face. The contoured curvature is configured to seat around the curved surfaces of the metal workpieces when the weld face is pressed against the workpieces during a resistance spot weld event. When brought into contact with the curved surface of the workpiece, the electrode has an optimal contact area, which improves the spot weld process by improving the pressure and current distributions.
Claims20
A method of using an electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrode that comprises a body with a weld face at one end, the weld face having a contoured curvature, the contoured curvature covering the entire weld face, the contoured curvature having a radius similar to a curvature of one or more workpieces to be welded;
- and contacting the contoured curvature of the electrode weld face with the one or more workpieces to form at least one electrical resistance spot weld at the one or more workpieces.
A method of using an electrode, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electrode that comprises a body with a weld face at one end, the weld face having a concave groove therein, the concave groove forming the entire weld face, the concave groove having a radius similar to a curvature of one or more workpieces to be welded;
- and contacting the concave groove of the electrode weld face with the one or more workpieces to form at least one electrical resistance spot weld at the one or more workpieces.
An electrode for spot welding one or more curved workpieces, the electrode comprising a body with a weld face at one end, the weld face having a contoured curvature, the contoured curvature covering the entire weld face, the contoured curvature having a radius similar to a curvature of one or more curved workpieces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.