阅读说明：本技术 电阻焊接设备及使用该设备的方法 (Resistance welding apparatus and method of using the same ) 是由 W·佛克 于 2021-03-01 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种电阻焊接设备(10,100),电阻焊接设备(10,100)被配置用于与电端子(1)一起使用,电端子(1)具有第一表面(2)和与第一表面(2)相对的第二表面(3),焊料组合物层(4)被设置在第二表面(3)上,电阻焊接设备(10、100)包括电极(122,112),电极(122,112)具有被配置成被连接到电源的正极的第一电导体(14,114)、被配置成被连接到电源的负极的第二电导体(16,116)、以及将第一电导体和第二电导体互连的电阻桥(18,118)。还呈现了电阻焊接的方法(200)。(A resistance welding device (10, 100), the resistance welding device (10, 100) being configured for use with an electrical terminal (1), the electrical terminal (1) having a first surface (2) and a second surface (3) opposite the first surface (2), a solder composition layer (4) being provided on the second surface (3), the resistance welding device (10, 100) comprising an electrode (122, 112), the electrode (122, 112) having a first electrical conductor (14, 114) configured to be connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor (16, 116) configured to be connected to a negative pole of the power source, and a resistive bridge (18, 118) interconnecting the first and second electrical conductors. A method (200) of resistance welding is also presented.)

1. A resistance welding device (10, 100) configured for use with an electrical terminal (1), the electrical terminal (1) having a first surface (2) and a second surface (3) opposite the first surface (1), a layer of solder composition (4) being provided on the second surface (3), the resistance welding device (10, 100) comprising:

an electrode (10, 100), the electrode (10, 100) having a first electrical conductor (14, 114) configured to be connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor (16, 116) configured to be connected to a negative pole of the power source, and a resistive bridge (18, 118) interconnecting the first electrical conductor (14, 114) and the second electrical conductor (16, 116).

2. The resistance welding apparatus (100) according to claim 1, wherein the bridge (118) has a fixed end (134) connected to the first electrical conductor (114) and a free end (136) configured to directly contact the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1), and wherein the second electrical conductor (116) contacts the bridge (118) at a position closer to the free end (136) than the fixed end (134).

3. The resistance welding apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the bridge (118) deflects the second electrical conductor (116) providing a contact spring force between the bridge (118) and the second electrical conductor (116).

4. The resistance welding apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the second electrical conductor (116) defines a V-shaped notch at a contact point (138) between the second electrical conductor (116) and the bridge (118).

5. The resistance welding apparatus (100) according to claim 2, wherein the electrode (118) is a first electrode, and wherein the resistance welding apparatus (100) further comprises a second electrode (118) and a mechanism (140) to hold the first and second electrodes (118), the mechanism (140) being configured to vary a distance between a free end (136) of the first electrode and a free end (136) of the second electrode (118) to place the first and second electrodes (118) in position to contact two different points on the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1).

6. The resistance welding apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the electrode (12) further comprises a thermally conductive foot (20) in thermal communication with the bridge (18) and configured to contact two different points on the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1).

7. The resistance welding device (10) according to claim 6, wherein the thermally conductive foot (20) is configured to be removable from the resistance welding device (10) and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot defining a different pair of protrusions configured to contact the electrical terminal (1) at two different points.

8. The resistance welding apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature measuring device (24).

9. The resistance welding apparatus (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a pneumatic tube (26) connected to an air moving device, the pneumatic tube (26) configured to cool the electrical terminal (1).

10. A resistance welding device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a spring device (32), the spring device (32) being configured to apply a compressive force between the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1) and the electrode (12).

11. A method (200) of resistance welding, comprising:

a) providing (202) a controllable power source having a negative pole and a positive pole;

b) providing (204) an electrical terminal (1), the electrical terminal (1) having a first surface (2) and a second surface (3) opposite to the first surface (2), a solder layer (4) being provided on the second surface (3);

c) providing (206) a resistance welding device (10, 100) having an electrode (12, 112), the electrode (12, 112) having a first electrical conductor (14, 114) connected to the positive pole of the power source, a second electrical conductor (16, 116) connected to the negative pole of the power source, a resistive bridge (18, 118) interconnecting the first electrical conductor (14, 114) and the second electrical conductor (16, 116);

d) turning on (208) the power source to provide a current between the positive and negative electrodes; and

e) -contacting (216) the electrode (12, 112) with the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1).

12. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the electrode (112) is a first electrode (112), and wherein the resistance welding apparatus (100) further comprises a second electrode (112), and wherein step e) (216) further comprises: -contacting the first and second electrodes (112) on two different points on the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1).

13. The method (200) of claim 12, wherein the resistance welding apparatus (100) further comprises a mechanism (140) that holds the first and second electrodes (112), and wherein step e) (216) further comprises: changing a distance between a free end (136) of the first electrode (114) and a free end (136) of the second electrode (116) via the mechanism (140).

14. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the electrode (12) comprises a thermally conductive foot (20), the thermally conductive foot (20) defining a pair of projections (22), the pair of projections (22) being sized, shaped and arranged to contact the electrical terminal (1) at least two different points, and the pair of projections (22) being configured to contact the first surface (2) of the electrical terminal (1), and wherein step e) (216) further comprises: -bringing said pair of projections (22) into contact at two different points on said first surface (2) of said electric terminal (1).

15. The method (200) of claim 14, wherein the thermally conductive foot (20) is configured to be removable from the resistance welding device (10) and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot defining a different pair of protrusions configured to contact different electrical terminal configurations at least two different points, and wherein the method (200) further comprises:

f) removing (224) the thermally conductive legs from the resistance welding apparatus; and

g) attaching (226) the other thermally conductive foot to the resistance welding device.

16. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the electrode (12) comprises a temperature measurement device (24), and wherein the method (200) further comprises:

h) determining (210) a temperature of the electrode (12) via the temperature measurement device (24);

i) determining (212) whether the temperature at least meets a temperature threshold; and

j) performing (214) step e) (216) in dependence of the temperature at least meeting the temperature threshold.

17. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the resistance welding device (10) further comprises a cooling device (26), the cooling device (26) being configured to cool the electrical terminal (1), and wherein the method (200) further comprises:

k) turning off (220) the power supplied to the positive and negative electrodes; and

l) cooling (222) the electrical terminal (1) and the solder layer (4) via the cooling device (24), wherein steps k) and l) (220, 222) are performed after completion of step e) (216).

18. The method (200) of claim 17, wherein the cooling device (24) is a pipe connected to an air moving device.

19. The method (200) of claim 11, wherein the resistance welding device (10) further comprises a spring device (32), the spring device (32) being configured to apply a compressive force between the electrode (12) and the electrical terminal (1), and wherein the method (200) further comprises:

m) applying (218) the compressive force to the electrical terminal, wherein step m) (218) is performed simultaneously with step e) (216).

20. The method (200) of claim 19, wherein the spring device (32) is a helical compression spring.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to resistance welding, and more particularly to a resistance welding apparatus and method for attaching metal components, such as electrical terminals, to conductive pads printed on a glass surface.

Background

Resistance welding is a process of heating solder by passing a current through a resistance electrode. This process has been used to solder electrical terminals to conductive pads (conductive pads) printed on the surface of glass. Existing resistance welding equipment typically requires that the objects being welded (e.g., electrical connectors and terminals) be electrically conductive elements to complete an electrical heating circuit in the resistance welding equipment. As electrical connectors and terminals become smaller, it becomes more difficult to establish a secure (robust) electrical contact between the resistance welding device and the electrical component. On larger terminals with two independent electrical contacts, the difference in resistance in the terminals can result in poor weld quality due to temperature variations across the (across) terminals. Accordingly, a resistance welding apparatus that eliminates these problems to provide a more robust welding process is desired.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because of its mention in the background section. Similarly, the problems mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches that may be inventions in their own right.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a resistance welding device configured for use with an electrical terminal having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface on which a layer of solder composition is disposed is provided. The resistance welding device includes an electrode having a first electrical conductor configured to be connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor configured to be connected to a negative pole of the power source, and a resistive bridge interconnecting the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to the preceding paragraph, the bridge has a fixed end connected to the first electrical conductor and a free end configured to directly contact the first surface of the electrical terminal, and wherein the second electrical conductor contacts the bridge at a position closer to the free end than the fixed end.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the bridge deflects the second electrical conductor to provide a contact spring force between the bridge and the second electrical conductor.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the bridge deflects a second electrical conductor that defines a V-shaped notch at a point of contact between the second electrical conductor and the bridge.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electrode is a first electrode, and wherein the resistance welding apparatus further comprises a second electrode and a mechanism to hold the first electrode and the second electrode, the mechanism being configured to change a distance between a free end of the first electrode and a free end of the second electrode, thereby placing the first electrode and the second electrode in position to contact two different points on the first surface of the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electrode further comprises a thermally conductive foot in thermal communication with the bridge and configured to contact two different points on the first surface of the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the thermally conductive foot is configured to be removable from the resistance welding apparatus and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot defining a different pair of projections configured to contact the electrical terminal at two different points.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the resistance welding apparatus further comprises a temperature measurement apparatus.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the resistance welding apparatus further comprises a pneumatic tube (pneumatic tube) connected to the air moving device, the pneumatic tube configured to cool the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the resistance welding apparatus according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the resistance welding apparatus further comprises a spring apparatus configured to apply a compressive force between the first surface of the electrical terminal and the electrode.

According to one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a method of resistance welding includes the steps of:

a) providing a controllable power source having a cathode and an anode;

b) providing an electrical terminal having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a solder layer being disposed on the second surface;

c) providing a resistance welding device having an electrode with a first electrical conductor connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor connected to a negative pole of the power source, a resistive bridge interconnecting the first and second electrical conductors;

d) turning on a power supply to provide a current between the positive and negative electrodes; and

e) the electrode is brought into contact with a first surface of the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to the preceding paragraph, the electrode is a first electrode. The resistance welding apparatus further includes a second electrode. Step e) further comprises: the first and second electrodes are contacted at two different points on the first surface of the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electric resistance welding equipment further comprises a mechanism that holds the first electrode and the second electrode. Step e) further comprises: the distance between the free end of the first electrode and the free end of the second electrode is varied via the mechanism.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electrode comprises a thermally conductive foot defining a pair of projections, the pair of projections being sized, shaped and arranged to contact the electrical terminal at least two different points and the pair of projections being configured to contact the first surface of the electrical terminal. Step e) further comprises: the pair of projections are brought into contact at two different points on the first surface of the electrical terminal.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the thermally conductive foot is configured to be removable from the resistance welding device and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot defining a different pair of projections configured to contact different electrical terminal configurations at least two different points. The method further comprises the following steps:

f) disassembling the heat conducting pins from the resistance welding equipment; and

g) another thermally conductive foot is attached to the resistance welding apparatus.

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the electrode comprises a temperature measurement device. The method further comprises the following steps:

h) determining a temperature of the electrode via a temperature measurement device;

i) determining whether the temperature at least satisfies a temperature threshold; and

j) step e) is performed depending on the temperature at least meeting a temperature threshold.

In one or more embodiments of the method of any of the preceding paragraphs, the resistance welding device further comprises a cooling device configured to cool the electrical terminal. The method further comprises the following steps:

k) turning off power supplied to the positive and negative electrodes; and

l) cooling the electrical terminal and the solder layer via a cooling device, wherein steps k) and l) are performed after completion of step e).

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the cooling device is a pipe connected to the air moving device.

In one or more embodiments of the method of any of the preceding paragraphs, the resistance welding device further comprises a spring device configured to apply a compressive force between the electrode and the electrical terminal. The method further comprises the following steps:

m) applying a compressive force to the electrical terminal, wherein step m) is performed simultaneously with step e).

In one or more embodiments of the method according to any of the preceding paragraphs, the spring device is a helical compression spring.

Drawings

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a resistance welding apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a contact electrode of a resistance welding apparatus according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view of the contact electrode of FIG. 2A according to some embodiments;

fig. 3A is a perspective view of an apparatus in a retracted configuration configured to change a distance between two of the contact electrodes of fig. 2A, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 3B is a perspective view of the device of fig. 3A in a deployed configuration, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 4A is a top view of an example electrical terminal that may be welded using the resistance welding apparatus of fig. 1, in accordance with some embodiments;

fig. 4B is a bottom view of the electrical terminal of fig. 4A, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of resistance welding according to some embodiments.

In the figures, different versions of elements of the various embodiments share the last two digits of a reference numeral.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various described embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the various described embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

Fig. 1 shows a non-limiting example of a resistance welding device (hereinafter referred to as device 10) configured for use with an electrical terminal 1 (see fig. 4A and 4B), the electrical terminal 1 having a first surface 2 (with the device 10 in physical contact with the first surface 2) and a second surface 3 opposite the first surface 2, a layer of solder composition 4, preferably lead-free solder, being provided on the second surface 3. The terminal 1 shown is suitable for attachment to a conductive pad on a glass surface, however, the apparatus 10 is capable of other resistance welding applications. The apparatus 10 includes an electrode 12, the electrode 12 having a first electrical conductor 14 and a second electrical conductor 16, the first electrical conductor 14 being operatively connected to a positive pole of a power source and the second electrical conductor 16 being connected to a negative pole of the power source. As shown, the first and second conductors 14, 16 are copper bus bars (bus bar), however, other embodiments are contemplated in which bus bars may be replaced with other conductor types (e.g., braided wire cables). The electrode 12 further comprises a resistive bridge 18 interconnecting the first and second electrical conductors. The bridge 18 is preferably formed on a conductive material having a greater resistance than the first and second conductors 14, 16, such as a carbon-based material. The electrode 12 also includes a thermally conductive foot 20, hereinafter referred to as foot 20, the thermally conductive foot 20 being in thermal communication with the bridge 18. The feet 20 are configured to contact the first surface 2 of the electrical terminal 1.

The feet 20 define a pair of projections 22, the pair of projections 22 being configured to contact the first surface 2 of the electrical terminal 1. The pair of projections 22 is sized, shaped and arranged to contact 1 at least two different points of the first surface 2 of the electrical terminal.

The foot 20 is configured to be removable from the device 10 and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot (not shown) of a different design defining a pair of differently configured tabs that contact at least two different points of the electrical terminal configuration. This is particularly beneficial for use of the device 10 with electrical terminals having different sizes or physical configurations.

The device 10 includes a temperature measuring device 24, such as a thermocouple device, the temperature measuring device 24 being operable to measure and control the temperature of the electrode 12 as the electrode 12 contacts the first surface 2 of the terminal 1 and applies heat to the terminal 1 to ensure a temperature at which the solder layer 4 on the second surface 3 is melted by raising the temperature of the terminal 1 above the liquidus (liquidus) temperature of the solder material.

The device 10 further comprises a cooling device 26, the cooling device 26 being configured to cool the electrical terminal 1, in particular the solder layer 4 on the second surface 3, below the solidus (solidus) temperature of the solder material after the device 10 has melted the solder layer 4. The cooling device 26 cools the electric terminal 1 by blowing an air flow smaller than the solidus temperature of the welding material onto the electric terminal 1. As shown in fig. 1, cooling device 26 is a cooling tube configured to be connected to an air moving device (not shown), such as a fan, blower, or air pump.

The apparatus further includes a housing 28 and a spacer 30 within the housing 28, the spacer 30 for maintaining proper spacing of the first and second conductors 14, 16, the cooling tube 26, and the electrode 12 within the apparatus 10.

The device additionally comprises a spring device 32, such as a helical compression spring, the spring device 32 being configured to exert a compressive force between the electrode 12 and the electrical terminal 1.

Fig. 2A-3B illustrate alternative embodiments of the device 100, and in particular different embodiments of the electrodes 112. Fig. 2A shows that the first conductor 114 fixedly holds a fixed end 134 of the (hold) bridge 118, and a free end 136 of the bridge 118 is configured to directly contact the first surface 2 of the electrical terminal 1. The second conductor 116 is in the form of a curved elongated arm that contacts the bridge 118 at a contact point 138, the contact point 138 being located closer to the free end 136 than the fixed end 134. The size, shape and arrangement of the second conductor 116 is designed such that: the bridge 118 deflects the second conductor 116 and creates a contact force between the contact point 138 of the second conductor 116 and the bridge 118. As shown in fig. 2B, the contact points 138 have a V-shape so that bridges 118 having different diameters may be accommodated.

As shown in fig. 3A and 3B, device 100 has two electrodes 112, the two electrodes 112 being mounted in a mechanism 140, mechanism 140 being configured to move electrodes 112 closer together (as shown in fig. 3A) or electrodes 112 farther apart (as shown in fig. 3B) to accommodate different sized electrical terminals or to change the location on electrical terminal 1 where heat is applied. The mechanism 140 may employ a screw drive 142 with a left and right open bow (ambidextrous), i.e., a left and right handed screw, the screw drive 142 being rotated to drive the electrodes 112 closer together or further apart.

Without following (subcribe) any particular theory of operation, the electrode 12 is heated to a first desired temperature, for example, a temperature equal to or above the liquidus temperature of the solder material in the solder layer 4 of the terminal 1, by turning on the power supply and applying a current through the bridge via the first and second conductors 14, 16. The power source may be turned on by a human operator activating a switch or by an electronic controller. Once the temperature measuring device 24 indicates that the temperature of the electrode 12 has reached the desired temperature, the electrode 12 is brought into contact with the first surface 2 of the terminal 1 and the electrode 12 exerts a compressive force on the terminal by the action of the spring device 32. The electrode 12 is brought into contact with the first surface 2 of the terminal 1 by a human operator or a robotic device controlled by an electronic controller and the electrode 12 is held in place until the solder layer 4 on the second surface 3 melts. After the solder layer 4 melts, the power supply is turned off. The cooling device 26 is then activated to cool the solder layer 4 to a second desired temperature that is less than the solidus temperature of the solder material. Preferably, the compressive force exerted by the spring device is maintained while the terminal 1 is cooled to reduce the likelihood that the terminal 1 may move before the solder layer 4 solidifies. After the solder layer 4 reaches a second desired temperature and solidifies, the electrode is removed from the first surface 2 of the terminal 1. Removal of the electrode 12 from the terminal 1 may be performed by a human operator or by a robotic device under the control of an electronic controller.

FIG. 5 presents a non-limiting example of a method 200 of resistance welding. The steps of the method 200 are described below:

step 202, "providing a controllable power source having a negative pole and a positive pole" includes: providing a controllable power source having a cathode and an anode;

step 204, "providing an electrical terminal having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a solder layer disposed on the second surface," comprises: an electrical terminal 1 is provided having a first surface 2 and a second surface 3 opposite the first surface 2, a solder layer 4 being provided on the second surface 3. The solder layer 4 is preferably a lead-free solder composition.

Step 206, "providing a resistance welding device having an electrode with a first electrical conductor connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor electrically connected to a negative pole of the power source, and a resistive bridge interconnecting the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor," comprises: providing an apparatus 10 having an electrode 12, the electrode 12 having a first electrical conductor 14 connected to a positive pole of a power source, a second electrical conductor 16 electrically connected to a negative pole of the power source, a resistive bridge 18 interconnecting the first and second electrical conductors 14, 16;

step 208, "turn on the power supply to provide current between the positive and negative electrodes," comprises: turning on a power supply to provide a current between the positive and negative electrodes;

step 210, "determining the temperature of the electrode via a temperature measurement device" is an optional step that may be performed when the electrode 12 includes a temperature measurement device 24 (such as a thermocouple device). Step 210 comprises: determining the temperature of the electrode 22 via the temperature measurement device 24;

step 212, "determining whether the temperature at least meets the temperature threshold" is an optional step that may be performed when the electrode 12 includes the temperature measurement device 24. Step 212 includes determining whether the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device 24 at least meets a temperature threshold, e.g., liquidus or solidus temperature of the solder layer 4;

step 214, "execute step 218 based on the temperature at least satisfying the temperature threshold" is an optional step that may be performed when the electrode 12 includes the temperature measurement device 24. Step 214 includes performing step 218 of the method in accordance with the temperature measured by the temperature measurement device 24 at least satisfying the temperature threshold;

step 216, "contacting the electrode to the first surface of the electrical terminal," comprises: contacting the electrode 12 with the first surface 2 of the electrical terminal 1;

step 218, "applying a compressive force to the electrical terminal" is an optional step that may be performed when device 10 includes a spring device 32 (such as a helical compression spring) configured to apply a compressive force to electrical terminal 1. Step 218 includes applying a compressive force to electrical terminal 1.

Step 220, "turning off power supplied to the positive and negative electrodes," includes: turning off power supplied to the positive and negative electrodes;

step 222, "cooling the electrical terminal and the solder layer via a cooling device" is an optional step that may be performed when the resistance welding device comprises a cooling device 26 (such as a tube) connected to an air moving device, the cooling device 26 being configured to cool the electrical terminal 1. Step 218 comprises cooling the electrical terminal 1 and the solder layer 4 via the cooling device 26;

step 224, "detach thermally conductive foot from resistance welding device" is an optional step that may be performed when device 10 has a foot 20 that is configured to be removable and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot. Step 224 includes removing the thermally conductive foot 20 from the device 10; and

step 226, "attach another thermally conductive foot to the resistance welding device" is an optional step that may be performed when the device 10 has a foot 20 that is configured to be removable and replaceable with another thermally conductive foot. Step 226 includes attaching another thermally conductive foot to apparatus 10.

Accordingly, a resistance welding apparatus 10, 100 and a method 200 of resistance welding are provided. The resistance welding apparatus 10, 100 and method 200 provide the following benefits by closing a resistance heating circuit within the apparatus 10, 100: eliminating the need to have two electrical contacts on the object being soldered (i.e., terminal 1). By having a closed loop within the electrode 12, 112, heat can be generated at the electrode 12, 112 and transferred to the terminal 1 being welded. Additionally, in addition to residual heat from the soldering process, when power is supplied to the apparatus 10, 100 when an operator or controller activates the power source, the apparatus 10, 100 simply becomes hot enough to melt the solder.

Although the present disclosure is not so limited, the following numbered examples illustrate one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

While the present invention has been described in accordance with its preferred embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto, but rather only by the scope of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. The dimensions, material types, orientations of the various components, and the numbers and locations of the various components described herein are intended to define the parameters of certain embodiments, and are in no way limiting, but merely prototype embodiments.

Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

As used herein, "one or more" includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element, e.g., in a distributed manner, several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements in some instances, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.

The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term "if" is optionally interpreted to mean "when …" or "after …" or "in response to a determination" or "in response to a detection", depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if [ stated condition or event ] is detected" is optionally to be construed as meaning "after determination …" or "in response to a determination" or "after [ stated condition or event ] is detected" or "in response to [ stated condition or event ] being detected", depending on the context.

Additionally, although terms of rule or orientation may be used herein, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Unless otherwise specified, all terms of rule or orientation are used for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another, and do not imply any particular order, sequence of operations, direction, or orientation, unless otherwise specified.