Patent GB-1358185-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for soldering to a metallic strip on a sheet of glass a layer of metal assembled in contact with the strip
IPC: H05B3/84
Filed: 1971-07-20
Abstract: 1358185 Soldering LIBBEY-OWENS-FORD CO 20 July 1971 [20 July 1970] 33957/71 Heading B3R In soldering to a strip of metal E, Fig. 2, on a sheet of glass 5 a metal layer B assembled in contact therewith, the sheet is fed towards a soldering station, the feed is interrupted at the station, the sheet is orientated, if necessary, to bring the layer into alignment with a plurality of heating elements at the station, the aligned metal layer is brought into soldering relationship with the heating elements, heat is applied to a plurality of spaced areas of the layer by the heating elements and a supply of solder is fed to each heated area. The strip of metal E constitutes, in an example, an electrode applied as silver frit by a silk screen process to a glass automobile window to connect heating grid wires L and the layer B is formed by a flexible or braided bus-bar. A machine for soldering busbars to the electrodes of an automobile window comprises an assembly table and a conveyer F which supplies windows with bus-bars clamped thereto to a receiving area R. Overlapping belt conveyers 30, 33, 36, 39, Figs. 3, 4 supply a window from the area R to a first soldering station ST1 where a bus-bar is soldered to an electrode at one edge of the window, to a second soldering station ST2 where a second bus-bar is soldered to an electrode at the other edge of the window and to a discharge station D. At the soldering stations a framework supported on columns 453 carries guide rails 456 which guide carriages 501 for adjusting movement transverse to the line of advance of the windows through the machine. Each carriage supports a frame 505 having arcuate edges 510, the frame being adjustable rotatably in the carriage and being fixed in an adjusted position by screws 518 in brackets 517 engaging the edges 510. Each frame 505 carries a plurality of electric soldering irons 520, Fig. 12, having tips 529 urged resiliently downwards by springs 532 and adjustable vertically, horizontally or radially. Solder wires 550 for the irons are supplied through conduits 552 to feed tubes 553 mounted on an adjustable bar 554 and feed tubes 553 are movable into and out of operative positions by cylinders 564. At each soldering station means 60, Fig. 7, are provided to correctly position a window if not already correctly positioned, and to raise the window to the soldering unit. This means comprises a platform 601 carried on a piston in a cylinder 608, the platform 601 carrying locator devices 630 to interrupt forward movement of a window S and a device 640 on one side of the window to engage one side of the window acted on by a device 650 on the other side of the window. A device 680 is provided to engage the trailing edge of the window to urge the leading edge against the devices 630. When lifted from a conveyer rubber tyred wheels 670 support the window. An electric circuit under the control of switches tripped by the window cause the various operations to be effected. In operation a window with bus-bars clamped thereon is removed from the assembly table and placed on the feeder conveyer F which feeds the window to the first soldering station ST1. When the window engages the locator devices 630 the platform 601 is raised, the device 650 presses the window against the device 640, the device 680 presses on the trailing edge of the window and the bus-bar is pressed against the soldering iron tips. The solder feed devices are swung towards the bus-bar to supply solder wires towards the soldering iron tips. After soldering the window is lowered and advanced into the second soldering station where the bus-bar on the other edge of the window is soldered. Finally the window with both bus-bars soldered is moved to discharge station D. In a modified apparatus both bus-bars are soldered at the same time. Small torches may take the place of the soldering irons.