Patent ID: 7703655
Filing Date: 2010-04-27
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A frictional spot joining apparatus, in which a plurality of metal members that lap over are jointed, comprising: a joining device that comprises a rotating tool, a receiving tool that is disposed to face the rotating tool substantially on a rotational axis of the rotating tool, and a drive device that rotates and moves the rotating tool in a pushing direction toward the metal members, the rotating tool and the receiving tool being connected to each other via a connecting arm member, the metal members lapping over being located between the rotating tool and the receiving tool of the joining device when being joined, the rotating tool being pushed against one of the metal members without reaching the other metal member such that the one of the metal members is softened and made in a plastic flow state by a frictional heat generated by the rotating tool; a holding member that is located on a side of the receiving tool when the metal members are joined, the holding member having a through hole that has an inner-diameter shape that mates with an outer-diameter shape of the receiving tool; and a moving device that moves the joining device such that said rotating tool, receiving tool and connecting arm member are moved together in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating tool and that the receiving tool is moved in a direction of the rotational axis of the rotating tool independently from said moving direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis so as to get in or get out of said through hole of the holding member, wherein in case the receiving tool gets in the through hole of the holding member when the metal members are joined, a movement of the receiving tool in said direction substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rotating tool is restrained by the through hole of the holding member.