Patent GB-1403098-A (GB)
Title: Linear force transferring and multiplying systems
IPC: B23K11/00
Filed: 1972-10-25
Abstract: 1403098 Welding by pressure; stamping; piercing J H BREMS 25 Oct 1972 [2 Nov 1971] 49198/72 Headings B3R B3Q and B3W [Also in Division F2] A linearly movable actuator 40, 16, 64 for operating a weld electrode in a multiple spot resistance weld fixture, or for other applications such as stamping, piercing, embossing &c., is arranged to provide an output movement equal to the input movement until the output member 64 encounters an external load, i.e. when the electrode (not shown) touches the workpiece (not shown), in excess of an internal threshold load (i.e. spring detent 58) of the mechanism in its normal direct coupled condition, at which point of operation the incremental input movement becomes greater than the incremental output movement such that the mechanical .advantage from the input member 40 to the output member 64 is multiplied by a factor greater than one whereby the output force exerted on the electrode becomes greater than the input force applied over the small range of output movement to effect the very high force required for a satisfactory spot weld. As shown, a "U"-channel member 16 is slidably mounted in a box frame support 10, 12 and resiliently carries via springs 32, 34 a fulcrum member 18 laterally movable connected by pin and slot connections 20-30 to the member 16 and having a toothed base for selective one-way brake engagement during force multiplication, with a corresponding toothed section in the frame support base 12. A pneumatically operated input rod 40 is connected, via a link 42, to one end of a second order lever 46 the other end of which is pivoted on a pin 52 and bearing saddle 51 of the fulcrum member 18. An output rod 64 is connected intermediate the lever 46 via a link 60 mated to the lever 46 through a bearing surface 61 which is maintained in contact by a spring 70 between the output rod 64 and slidable member 16. The output rod 64 and link 60 are pivotally connected by a pin 66 which at its outer ends engages elongated slots 68 formed each side in slide member 16. The input rod link 42 is connected to the second order lever 46 by a pin 48 which at its outer ends engages cam slots 50 partly arcuate about pivot pin 52 and formed each side in the slide member 16, the right-hand ends of the slots slightly rising away from the true arc about pin 52 so as to lift the fulcrum member 18 out of engagement with the toothed base 12 in its normal direct coupled condition (Fig. 1), the detent spring 58 together with springs 32, 34 holding the lever 46 and fulcrum member 18 in the normal direct coupled condition such that before contact of the electrode with the workpiece the linear actuator 40, 16, 64 moves as a unit within the support 10, 12. When the output rod 64 engages the electrode with the workpiece, the increased load at the output rod 64 causes the input rod 40 to overcome the spring detent 58 and, via the cam slots 50, pivot the lever 46 to downwardly move the toothed fulcrum member 18, and hence hold the members 16, into locked engagement with the toothed support base 12 whereafter the lever 46 pivots on the now stationary fulcrum member 18 to effect a muliplication of force between the now relatively moving input and output rods for effecting the very high load required at the output rod for completing the spot weld. During the return stroke, the input rod 40 pivots the lever 46 back into engagement with the spring detent 58, the end of the cam slots lifting and hence unlocking the fulcrum member 18 and hence the member 16 from the base 12. The linear actuator then moves back as a complete unit, the slots 68 in the member 16 serving to positively withdraw the output rod 69. In an alternative arrangement of Figs. 5 to 9 (not shown) the box frame support is replaced by a cylindrical housing (80) and the second order lever (88) is fulcrummed on a fixed pivot (86) of a cylindrical slidably arranged sleeve (82) within the housing (80), a one-way barrel roller brake (114) serving to lock the sleeve (82) to the housing (80) during load multiplication via the lever (88). In Fig. 10 (not shown) the one-way barrel roller brake (114) is replaced by a oneway spring type brake.