Device and method for alignment of parts for laser welding

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10850348-B2
Application number	US-201816047572-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 27, 2018
Priority date	Jul 28, 2017
Publication date	Dec 1, 2020
Grant date	Dec 1, 2020

Abstract

A device and method for alignment of parts for welding, having a bottom welding fixture and a top welding fixture. The bottom welding fixture has a plurality of fixed locating pins for positioning of parts to be welded and limiting movement of the parts in a first axis and a perpendicular second axis. At least pair of alignment block assemblies to actuate movement of the parts to be welded in the first and second axes. The alignment block assembly having an alignment block moveable from a first position to a second position for contacting and aligning the parts. An actuator coupled to the top welding or bottom welding fixture to actuate movement of the alignment block from the first position to the second position upon engagement of the top welding fixture to the bottom welding fixture.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A device for alignment of parts for welding, the device comprising:
a bottom welding fixture and a top welding fixture, the top welding fixture moveable from an engaged position having the top welding fixture engage the bottom welding fixture, to a disengaged position having the top welding fixture spaced from the bottom welding fixture;
the bottom welding fixture having:
a profile providing an outline of a position of the parts to be welded;
a plurality of fixed locating pins positioned along a peripheral edge of the profile limiting movement of the part to be welded in a first axis and a second axis, the first axis being perpendicular to the second axis; and
at least a pair of alignment block assemblies positioned along the peripheral edge of the profile to actuate movement of the part to be welded in the first axis and the second axis; each of the alignment block assemblies having an alignment block moveable from a first position having the alignment block spaced from the peripheral edge of the profile to a second position having the alignment block proximate to the profile; and

an actuator coupled to the top welding fixture or the bottom welding fixture to actuate movement of the alignment block from the first position to the second position upon engagement of the top welding fixture to the bottom welding fixture.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the bottom welding fixture has a cavity for receiving the alignment block assembly.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the alignment block is a L-shaped alignment block having a chamber with a block spring in the chamber; and
wherein each of the alignment block assemblies comprises:
a block holder engaging a lip of the L-shaped alignment block, the block holder retaining the L-shaped alignment block in a cavity of the bottom welding fixture; and
a fastener for fastening the block holder to the bottom welding fixture, and

wherein a portion of the L-shaped alignment block protrudes above a top surface of the bottom welding fixture.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the portion of the L-shaped alignment block that protrudes above the top surface of the bottom welding fixture has a plate contacting face and an opposed tapered or rounded surface.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the top welding fixture has a cut-out on a bottom surface of the top welding fixture, the cut-out being formed to receive the portion of the L-shaped alignment block that protrudes above the top surface of the bottom welding fixture, and permit movement of the L-shaped alignment block from the first position to the second position.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the top welding fixture.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the actuator is a wedge pusher assembly positioned in an aperture in the top welding fixture, the top welding fixture having the aperture proximate to the cut-out in the top welding fixture.

8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the wedge pusher assembly comprises:
a T-shaped wedge pusher having a top end of the T-shaped wedge pusher engaging a step in a wall of the top welding fixture defining the aperture;
a spring cover affixed to a top surface of the top welding fixture; and
a wedge pusher assembly spring sandwiched between the T-shaped wedge pusher and the spring cover, the wedge pusher assembly spring biasing the top end of the T-shaped wedge pusher to contact the step,
wherein when the top welding fixture engages the bottom welding fixture, the bottom end of the T-shaped wedge pusher contacts the L-shaped alignment block for actuating movement of the L-shaped alignment block in a cavity of the bottom welding fixture from the first position to the second position of the L-shaped alignment block.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the bottom end of the T-shaped wedge pusher has a tapered surface, the tapered surface of the wedge pusher contacting the tapered or rounded surface on the L-shaped alignment block when the top welding fixture engages the bottom welding fixture.

10. The device of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is coupled to the bottom welding fixture and positioned in a cavity of the bottom welding fixture.

11. The device of claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises:
an anchor block affixed to the bottom welding fixture;
an axis pin coupled to the anchor block; and
a tilt block coupled to the axis pin and rotatable about the axis pin to actuate movement of the L-shaped alignment block from the first position to the second position when the top welding fixture contacts the bottom welding fixture.

12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the tilt block comprises:
a protrusion extending above a plane of the top surface of the bottom welding fixture towards the top welding fixture, with the L-shaped alignment block in the first position; and
a tongue moveable from a rest position to an actuated position to actuate movement of the L-shaped block to the second position upon rotation of the tilt block;
wherein the bottom surface of the top welding fixture contacts the protrusion on the block actuating rotation of the tilt block and movement of the tongue from the rest position to the actuated position, the protrusion being flush with the top surface of the bottom welding fixture upon engagement of the top welding fixture with the bottom welding fixture.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein the top welding fixture comprises one or more slits along one or more peripheral edges of the parts permitting welding of the parts.

14. A method of welding parts using a device having a bottom welding fixture and a top welding fixture, the bottom welding fixture having a plurality of fixed locating pins for positioning of parts to be welded and limiting movement of the parts in a first axis and a perpendicular second axis, and at least pair of alignment block assemblies to actuate movement of the parts to be welded in the first axis and the second axis, the alignment block assembly having an alignment block moveable from a first position to a second position for contacting and aligning the parts, and an actuator coupled to the top welding or bottom welding fixture to actuate movement of the alignment block from the first position to the second position upon engagement of the top welding fixture to the bottom welding fixture, and the top welding fixture having slits along edges of the parts to be welded, the method comprising:
positioning the parts to be welded on the bottom welding fixture;
positioning the top welding fixture on the bottom welding fixture;
actuating the alignment block to move from the first position to the second position for aligning of the parts to be welded; and
welding the parts via the slits to weld the parts.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the welding is performed by laser welding.

Assignees

• Dana Canada Corp

Inventors

• Lin Shuding
• St Pierre Mike

Classifications

• B23K37/04

  for holding or positioning work · CPC title

• F28F2275/067

  by laser welding · CPC title

• B23K37/0408 Primary

  for planar work · CPC title

• B23K26/037 Primary

  by pressing on the workpiece, e.g. using a pressing roller foot · CPC title

• B23K2101/36

  Electric or electronic devices · CPC title