Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of resistance-welding two laminates each having a basic structure of a metal layer/a thermally softenable insulating layer/a metal layer, comprising the steps of: preparing laminates in which the thickness of each metal layer falls within a range between 0.02 and 0.5 mm and the ratio of the total thickness of the two metal layers of each laminate to the total thickness of the laminate falls within a range between 1/3 and 2/3; holding a pair of electrodes for resistance-welding on opposite sides of overlapped portions of the two laminates, heating the overlapped portions to a temperature not lower than the softening temperature of the insulating layers by electrodes which are heated by heaters arranged around the electrodes to a temperature higher than the softening temperature of the insulating layers, thus softening the insulating layers, and applying pressure to the pair of electrodes at the overlapped portions to thereby bring the metal layers of the two laminates into contact with each other; and supplying power to said pair of electrodes while said metal layers of the two laminates are in contact with each other.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method of resistance-welding two laminates each having a basic structure of a metal layer/a thermally softenable insulating layer/a metal layer, comprising the steps of: preparing laminates in which the thickness of each metal layer falls within a range between 0.02 and 0.5 mm and the ratio of the total thickness of the two metal layers of each laminate to the total thickness of the laminate falls within a range between 1/3 and 2/3; holding a pair of electrodes for resistance-welding on opposite sides of overlapped portions of the two laminates, heating the overlapped portions to a temperature not lower than the softening temperature of the insulating layers by electrodes which are heated by heaters arranged around the electrodes to a temperature higher than the softening temperature of the insulating layers, thus softening the insulating layers, and applying pressure to the pair of electrodes at the overlapped portions to thereby bring the metal layers of the two laminates into contact with each other; and supplying power to said pair of electrodes while said metal layers of the two laminates are in contact with each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein heaters for heating the electrodes are arranged around the electrodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein a holding jig in contact with the laminates surrounds one of said electrodes, the surface of said holding jig is parallel to the tip of said electrode, contact areas of said holding jig with the laminates being wider than a thermally deformed area of the welded spot of the laminates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermally softenable insulating layers consist of a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the thermoplastic resin is a polyolefin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal layers consist of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy and a metal member and an alloy member surface-treated with a conductive material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the resistance welding is spot welding.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the metal layers of the laminates consist of a material selected from the group consisting of iron and iron-based alloys, each of said electrodes having at least tips thereof consisting of molybdenum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein when the insulating layers consist of a polypropylene, the electrodes are heated to a temperature falling within a range between 260° and 300° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein when the insulating layers consist of a polypropylene, the electrodes having the holding jig therearound are heated to a temperature falling within a range between 240° and 300° C.