US 6,307,179 B1 · Wire welding gun having improved connection between a contact tip and its mating part

Abstract

A welding gun contact tip which seats within a retaining member and in two different seating locations relative to the contact member. The contact tip includes an interwoven-double-start thread having two thread cuts which start 180 degrees from one another as measured around the circumference of the contact tip. Additionally, the retaining member includes an interwoven-double-start thread having two thread cuts which start 180 degrees from one another as measured around the circumference of the contact tip. Because of the configuration of the interwoven-double-start threads, the two seating locations of the contact tip are 180 degrees apart thereby enabling the contact tip to be used twice as long as a conventional contact tip which includes a single cut thread. Further, the contact tip and retaining member include mating frustum surfaces which are configured and dimensioned so that the contact tip seats within the retaining member with less than one turn of the contact tip relative to the retaining member. Therefore, the contact tip may be quickly inserted in, and removed from, the retaining member. Moreover, the mating frustum surfaces, and interwoven-double-start threads provide a large area of contact between the contact tip and retaining member hence providing a strong connection, as well as reducing resistance heating, therebetween.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A contact tip, for a welding apparatus, comprising:

a body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said first end is opposite to said second end along said longitudinal axis;
a hole in said body and extending along said longitudinal axis from said first end to said second end;
and
an interwoven-double-start thread on said first end of said body,
wherein said interwoven-double-start thread includes two thread cuts, each of said two thread cuts having a transverse profile with a base that tapers to a flat crest.

2 more elements

A welding apparatus comprising:

a contact tip, and a gas diffuser which seats said contact tip therein,
wherein said contact tip includes
(1) a body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said first end is opposite to said second end along said longitudinal axis;
(2) a hole in said body and extending along said longitudinal axis from said first end to said second end;
and
(3) an interwoven-double-start thread on said first end of said body, wherein said contact tip interwoven-double-start thread includes two thread cuts, each of said two thread cuts having a transverse profile with a base that tapers to a flat crest;
wherein said gas diffuser includes
(1) a gas diffuser body having a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, wherein said gas diffuser first end is opposite said gas diffuser second end;
(2) an axial passage through said gas diffuser body and extending along said gas diffuser longitudinal axis from said gas diffuser first end to said gas diffuser second end;
and
(3) an interwoven-double-start thread on said gas diffuser body second end and in said axial passage, and
wherein said interwoven-double-start thread on said contact tip mates with said interwoven-double-start thread on said gas diffuser.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Wire welding gun having improved connection between a contact tip and its mating part

Life of this patent

Wire welding gun having improved connection between a contact tip and its mating part

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20