US4832246A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic soldering machines
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-10-19
•
Granted: 1989-05-23
•
Expires: 2008-10-19
Abstract
Abstract An automatic spot soldering machine incorporates apparatus for automatically sequencing through operations for forming soldered joints at a predetermined position. The sequence includes preforming a quantity of solder from a length of solder wire and positioning it on the joint, and lowering a soldering iron into position for a predetermined period of time. The solder wire is advanced and retracted by a reversible clutch incorporating a rotatable disk and a concentric clamping ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Ono
- 👤 Howard Hieshima
- 👤 Robert Meixner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 22:16
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K3/00; H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
An automatic solder machine comprising a soldering iron tip, means for moving said soldering iron tip relative to a joint to be soldered, a source of solder, means including a solder guide for advancing a quantity of solder from said source to said joint, means for moving said soldering iron tip into contact with said solder, said solder comprising an elongate length of meltable material, and means for retracting said solder toward said source after said tip has been lowered, whereby a quantity of solder is broken or melted from said source of solder, and means for moving said solder guide away from said soldering iron tip.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
An automatic solder machine comprising a soldering iron tip, means for moving said soldering iron tip relative to a joint to be soldered, a source of solder, means including a solder guide for advancing a quantity of solder from said source to said joint, means for moving said soldering iron tip into contact with said solder, said solder comprising an elongate length of meltable material, and means for retracting said solder toward said source after said tip has been lowered, whereby a quantity of solder is broken or melted from said source of solder, and means for moving said solder guide away from said soldering iron tip.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including adjustable timer means for selecting the time interval between contact with said solder by said soldering iron tip, and retraction of said solder from said joint.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including stamping means juxtaposed with said source of solder, said stamping means adapted to score said solder at a predetermined position relative to the end of said length of solder, whereby said score line represents a weakened portion of said solder and constitutes a heat barrier tending to insulate the solder source from the heat of said soldering iron tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including preset adjustable means for lowering said soldering iron tip into proximity with said joint, whereby said soldering iron tip is lowered at a preset speed into juxtaposition with said joint and bears on said joint with a preset force.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for allowing manual adjustment of the force with which said soldering iron tip bears on said joint.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, including an adjustable spring for supplying said force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a two stage damper, the first stage of said damper slowing the initial travel of said soldering iron tip until it comes into proximity with said joint, and said second stage adapted to more greatly slow the speed of said soldering iron tip as it approaches the location of said joint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, including adjustment means for regulating the final velocity of said soldering iron tip as it approaches said joint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a vibrator, said vibrator being mechanically connected to said soldering iron, whereby said solder is subjected to mechanical agitation during melting, connected to means for moving said soldering iron.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said vibrator is connected to said means for moving said soldering iron.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for advancing a quantity of solder comprises a rotational clutch mechanism having a rotatable disk, and a friction ring selectively engaging said disk for selectively applying the energy of rotation of said disk to the advancement of said solder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, including lever means for clamping said friction ring to said disk.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said lever means incorporates an outwardly extending projection for applying a clamping force to said friction ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, including a plurality of levers extending outwardly from said friction ring in opposite directions and means for bearing on said levers for engaging said clutch in forward and reverse directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a close fitting guide tube surrounding said length of solder, whereby the end of said length of solder is straightened as it is withdrawn from said joint.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a control means comprising means for selecting an adjustable time duration for upward and downward movement of said soldering iron tip, whereby a shortened time may be selected for upward movement of said soldering iron tip, and means for advancing said quantity of solder during said spindle movement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for brushing said soldering iron tip after each soldering operation.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 17, including means for periodically applying solvent to said brush.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for advancing a quantity of solder comprises a pivotally mounted feeder assembly having a pair of feed rolls, the distance from the pivot axis of said feeder assembly to said feed rolls being less than 50% of the distance from said feed rolls to said joint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 19, including actuating means connected with said means for moving said soldering iron tip, whereby said quantity of solder is advanced synchronously with movement of said soldering iron tip.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for preforming said quantity of solder while said soldering iron tip is in its position removed from said joint.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including a light source, and means for focusing said light source at the position of said joint.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, including means for surrounding said soldering iron tip with an inert gas.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for advancing a quantity of solder comprises a pair of feed rollers, said feed rollers being comprised of elastic material, and including means for cyclically opening and closing said rollers relative to said solder.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-22 | 1992-11-21 | 1993-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-22 | 1996-11-21 | 1997-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-22 | 2000-11-21 | 2001-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |