DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of mechanical engineering. In particular, the present disclosure relates to the field of welding guns.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicate otherwise.
Faying Surface: The term ‘faying surface’ hereinafter in the complete specification relates to a surface where parts / workpieces are joined together with adhesion or welding.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
Spot welding is a process where contacting metal surfaces are joined by heating them using an electric current. A welding force is applied on a workpiece when the electric current is passed, for a pre-defined time interval, through the workpiece to be welded with the aid of electrodes. The electric current supply is continued until the fusion takes place at the faying surface of the workpiece. In conventional process, spot welding is performed directly on the skin panels/workpieces, which results in spot quality defects. To avoid the spot quality defects, the conventional spot welding technique uses spot welding gun with copper alloy plates mounted between the workpiece and the spot welding gun, such that the spots are taken on the copper alloy plates. However, the use of copper alloy plate hinders spot identification during the spot welding process unless the copper alloy plate is removed from its position. Moreover, the conventional spot welding gun with copper alloy plates is not self-cooled, thereby leading to the erosion of the assembly material. Further, due to the placement of the copper alloy plate, a gap is formed between the workpiece and the copper alloy plate, which leads to spot welding defects. Additionally, different copper alloy plate configurations lead to incorrect loading of the copper alloy plates. Also, the conventional configuration of the spot welding gun is not built for different thickness of panels, so there is a possibility of human error while loading the copper alloy plate on the workpiece.
Therefore, there is felt a need to limit the aforementioned drawbacks, and provide an attachment for a spot welding gun.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an attachment, for a spot welding gun, that provides a self-cooling arrangement for the cooling of the copper plate that is coupled with the spot welding gun.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an attachment, for a spot welding gun, that eliminates spot welding defects due to impact force of the copper plates and improves spot indentation.
Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide an attachment, for a spot welding gun, that reduces copper wastage.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an attachment for mounting a copper plate on a spot welding gun. The spot welding gun has a movable arm and a first electrode mounted on the movable arm.
The attachment comprises a mounting arrangement, and a plurality of studs. The mounting arrangement is configured to facilitate the coupling of a copper plate with the movable arm of the spot welding gun. The mounting arrangement has an aperture configured thereon to facilitate mounting of the mounting arrangement on the movable arm. The shape and dimensions of the aperture are complementary to the shape and dimensions of the first electrode. The plurality of studs is configured to connect the copper plate with the mounting arrangement, and is configured to provide spring action to the copper plate.
In one embodiment, the attachment includes a cooling arrangement. The cooling arrangement fits on either side of the copper plate, and is configured to cool the copper plate.
In another embodiment, the mounting arrangement is securely connected to the movable arm by means of a fastener. In still another embodiment, the fastener is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a rivet, and nut and bolt assembly.
In one embodiment, the plurality of studs is fastened to the mounting arrangement via a plurality of nuts.
In still another embodiment, the distance between the copper plate and the movable arm ranges from 5 mm to 8 mm. In yet another embodiment, the copper plate has a convex shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An attachment for a spot welding gun will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an attachment for a spot welding gun in accordance with the present disclosure; and
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the attachment of Figure 1 mounted on a spot welding gun in accordance with the present disclosure.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 - Attachment
102 - Mounting arrangement
104 - Studs
106 - Copper plate
108 - Nuts
110 - Cooling arrangement
112 - Aperture
114 - Fastener
200 - Spot welding gun
202 - Gun cylinder
204 - Fixed arm
206 - movable arm
208a - First electrode
208b - Second electrode

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Spot welding is a process where contacting metal surfaces are joined by heating them using an electric current. A welding force is applied on a workpiece when the electric current is passed, for a pre-defined time interval, through the workpiece to be welded with the aid of electrodes. The electric current supply is continued until the fusion takes place at the faying surface of the workpiece. In the conventional process, spot welding is performed directly on the skin panels/workpieces, which results in spot quality defects. To avoid the spot quality defects, the conventional spot welding technique uses spot welding gun with copper alloy plates mounted between the workpiece and the spot welding gun, such that the spots are taken on the copper alloy plates. However, the use of copper alloy plate hinders spot identification during the spot welding process unless the copper alloy plate is removed from its position. Moreover, the conventional spot welding gun with copper alloy plates are not self-cooled which leads to the erosion of the assembly material. Further, due to the placement of the copper alloy plate, a gap is formed between the workpiece and the copper alloy plate, which leads to spot welding defects. Additionally, different copper alloy plate configurations lead to incorrect placement of the copper alloy plates. Also, the conventional configuration of the spot welding gun is not built for different thickness of panels, so there is a possibility of human error while loading the copper alloy plate on the workpiece.
The present disclosure envisages an attachment for a spot welding gun that is configured to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional spot welding gun. A preferred embodiment of the attachment for a spot welding gun, of the present disclosure is now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
A preferred embodiment of the attachment for the spot welding gun, of the present disclosure is now be described in detail with reference to the Figure 1 and Figure 2.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of an attachment 100 for a spot welding gun in accordance with the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the attachment 100 of Figure 1 mounted on a spot welding gun 200. The spot welding gun 200 includes a gun cylinder 202, a movable arm 206, a first electrode 208a, a second electrode 208b, and a fixed arm 204. The movable arm 206 and the fixed arm 204 are mounted on the gun cylinder 202. In an embodiment, the fixed arm 204 is an electrically insulated fixed arm. The first electrode 208a and the second electrode 208b extend from the movable arm 206 and the fixed arm 204 respectively to facilitate spot welding. In an embodiment, the spot welding gun 200 is made of a hardened mild steel.
The attachment 100 comprises a mounting arrangement 102, a plurality of studs 104, and a cooling arrangement 110.
The mounting arrangement 102 is configured to facilitate the coupling of a copper plate 106 with the movable arm 206. The mounting arrangement 102 is securely connected to the movable arm 206 by means of a fastener 114. In one embodiment, the fastener 114 is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a rivet, and nut and bolt assembly. The mounting arrangement 102 has an aperture 112 configured thereon, wherein the shape and dimensions of the aperture 112 are complementary to the shape and dimensions of the first electrode 208a. The plurality of studs 104 is configured to connect the copper plate 106 to the mounting arrangement 102. In an embodiment, the plurality of studs 104 is fastened to the mounting arrangement 102 via a plurality of nuts 108. In another embodiment, the plurality of studs 104 is fastened to the mounting arrangement through allen/ hex bolts. The plurality of studs 104 is configured to provide spring action to the copper plate 106.
The cooling arrangement 110 is fitted on either side of the copper plate 106. The cooling arrangement 110 is configured to facilitate cooling of the copper plate 106 by means of a fluid. In an embodiment, the fluid is water, a coolant, and the like. The fluid is circulated around the copper plate 106, thereby cooling the copper plate 106.
The attachment 100 of the present disclosure is portable in nature. The distance between the copper plate 106 and the movable arm 206 is kept optimum to eliminate any defect due to impact force of the copper plate 106. In an embodiment, the distance between the copper plate 106 and the movable arm 206 ranges from 5 mm to 8 mm. In another embodiment, the copper plate 106 is convex in shape and its angle varies from 1-5 degrees. Further, total length of each of the plurality of studs 104 is determined so as to avoid any cantilever action. The attachment 100 of the present disclosure eliminates blind operation and also enables easy replacement of the copper plate 106.
The conventional spot welding gun requires maintenance of the complete assembly, whereas the spot welding gun 200 having the attachment 100 of the present disclosure only requires maintenance of the copper plate 106, thereby reducing the maintenance cost. Further, the attachment 100 facilitates provision of skin panel spots without any additional support to the workpiece. Use of the attachment 100 also eliminates excessive handling of the copper plate 106. The cooling arrangement 110 reduces the copper wastage and improves life of the copper plate 106.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND ECONOMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of an attachment for a spot welding gun that:
? provides a self-cooling arrangement for the cooling of a copper plate coupled with the spot welding gun;
? eliminates defects due to impact force of copper plates and improves spot indentation; and
? reduces copper wastage.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An attachment (100) for a spot welding gun (200), said spot welding gun (200) having a movable arm (206) and a first electrode (208a) extending from said movable arm (206), said attachment (100) comprising:
a. a mounting arrangement (102) configured to facilitate coupling of a copper plate (106) with said movable arm (206), said mounting arrangement (102) having an aperture (112) configured thereon to facilitate mounting of said mounting arrangement (102) on said movable arm (206), wherein the shape and dimensions of said aperture (112) are complementary to the shape and dimensions of said first electrode (208a); and
b. a plurality of studs (104) configured to connect said copper plate (106) with said mounting arrangement (102), said plurality of studs (104) configured to provide spring action to said copper plate (106).
2. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, which includes a cooling arrangement (110) fitted on either side of said copper plate (106), and configured to cool said copper plate (106).
3. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of studs (104) is fasten to said mounting arrangement (102) via a plurality of nuts (108).
4. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting arrangement 102 is securely connected to said movable arm (206) by means of a fastener (114).
5. The attachment as claimed in claim 4, wherein said fastener (114) is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a rivet, and nut and bolt assembly.
6. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between said copper plate (106) and said movable arm (206) ranges from 5 mm to 8 mm.
7. The attachment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said copper plate (106) has a convex shape.