US 11,883,900 B2
Element supply apparatus for a setting welding device, an element nest and a retrofit kit for the setting welding device as well as corresponding supply methods of a welding auxiliary joining part
Dennis Schröder, Herford (DE); Bernd Haesler, Halle (DE); Kilian Doedtmann, Bramsche (DE); Stefan Rehling, Bückeburg (DE); Sergej Hartwig-Biglau, Hiddenhausen (DE); Wilhelm Westermann, Bielefeld (DE); and Oliver Schienstock, Delbrück (DE)
Assigned to Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH, Bielefeld (DE)
Filed by Böllhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH, Bielefeld (DE)
Filed on Jan. 26, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/158,273.
Claims priority of application No. 20154411 (EP), filed on Jan. 29, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0252631 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. B23K 11/31 (2006.01); B23K 11/11 (2006.01); B23K 37/02 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 11/315 (2013.01) [B23K 11/115 (2013.01); B23K 11/318 (2013.01); B23K 37/0211 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An element supply apparatus of a setting welding device for a welding auxiliary joining part with a head and a shaft, comprising the following features:
a. a linear drive,
which is fastenable at the welding setting device and
which is configured to move an element nest provided at a movable end of the linear drive, wherein in the element nest a welding auxiliary joining part is releasably receivable, and
b. the element nest is movable by means of a linear movement of the linear drive in a first movement direction at least to a joining location of the welding auxiliary joining part, wherein
c1. the element nest is supported in a plane approximately perpendicular to a joining direction in a floating manner, in order to be positionable via a mechanical stop alignment in abutment with an electrode punch in the joining direction below the electrode punch,
and wherein
c2. the element nest is connected with the movable end of the linear drive via a mechanical direction-changing coupling component so that the element nest is movable in a second movement direction by means of the linear movement of the linear drive in the first movement direction so that the welding auxiliary joining part is positionable at the joining location, wherein the second movement direction is oriented at an angle unequal 0° and unequal 180° with respect to the first movement direction.