Patent ID: 6323453
Filing Date: 2001-11-27
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
In a resistance seam weld apparatus having a frame, first and second wheel-type welding electrodes disposed vertically one above the other and defining a weld nip therebetween, first and second rotatable shafts respectively having said first and second electrodes nonrotatably secured thereto, and first and second electrically conductive bearing assemblies for respectively rotatably supporting said first and second shafts and for permitting transfer of electrical current therethrough to the respective shaft for supply to the respective electrode, each of said bearing assemblies having a nonrotatable outer housing, a conductive current-transmitting member joined to each said housing and to a welding transformer, said first welding electrode being vertically movable to accommodate thickness variations of the work located in the weld nip, and a welding force generating device cooperating with said first welding electrode for applying a force thereto so as to urge said first welding electrode toward said second welding electrode, comprising the improvement wherein said first shaft is axially elongated and has said first welding electrode mounted thereon adjacent one end thereof and said first electrically conductive bearing assembly cooperates with said first shaft at a location spaced axially a substantial distance away from said first welding electrode, and a support arrangement coupling the housing of said first bearing assembly to said frame, said support arrangement including a slide member which is slidably supported for movement in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane which is defined by the weld nip, the welding force generating device being coupled to the slide member for controlling movement thereof, said support arrangement also including a pivot connected between said housing and said slide member and defining a pivot shaft which extends generally perpendicularly relative to said first shaft and which is displaced axially a substantial distance from said first welding electrode whereby rotational inertia of said first conductive bearing assembly about said pivot axis is minimized when said first electrode vertically moves causing pivoting of said first shaft about said pivot axis.