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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The manufacture of friction bands such as transmission bands for automatic
vehicle transmissions and brake bands have been relatively expensive. The
bands, which have an arcuate shape, comprise an outer metallic strip and
an inner friction lining strip. A bracket is applied on each free end of
the metallic strip for gripping of the band and tightening around a drum.
The brackets have generally been welded to the metallic strip.
In the past, because of the high heat of welding, the metallic strips have
first been formed into the arcuate shape desired and the brackets then
welded onto the ends. The lining strip has then been adhered to the
interior surface of the metallic strip. As will be appreciated, the
process of adhering a lining strip to an arcuate metal band is time
consuming and expensive. However, in order to avoid damage to the lining
strip by the heat of welding, it has been necessary to adhere the lining
strip at the last stage of the manufacture of the band.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,380, over which the present invention constitutes an
improvement, the lining strip was adhered to the metallic strip before the
brackets were welded on. The adhering step was thus accomplished while the
strips were flat straight elements and could be accomplished in a
relatively inexpensive manner. The two adhered strips were then formed
into the desired arcuate shapes and the brackets were welded onto the ends
of the metallic strip. The method of welding involved placing one
electrode directly against a bracket and placing another electrode against
the side edges of the metallic strip for the flow of current between the
two electrodes.
One problem with this type of welding is that prior to the welding step, it
has been necessary to be sure that the edges of the metallic strip are
uniform and that none of the friction material overlaps the edges of the
metallic strip which requires additional manufacturing effort.
In accordance with the present invention, it has been learned that it is
possible to provide sufficient exposed area of the outer surface of the
metallic strip in the area of the brackets to permit closely adjacent
contact of the electrodes against the brackets and outer surface of the
metallic strip to result in substantially direct flow of current between
the electrodes in the area of the desired weld. This minimizes
inconsistencies which might occur in welding if the path of the current is
not effectively controlled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method of manufacturing a friction band is provided. In the method, a
lining strip is adhered to one surface of a generally flat metallic strip.
The adhered strips are then formed into a generally arcuate shape, with
the lining strip on the interior thereof. A bracket is then welded onto
the exterior of each free end of the metallic strip. In this welding step,
first electrode means are placed in contact with an exterior portion of a
bracket. Second electrode means are placed in contact with the exterior of
the metallic strip in closely adjacent relationship to the first electrode
means. The electrode means are then electrically energized so that an
electrical current flows therebetween to cause welding of the bracket to
the metallic strip.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial view of a friction band illustrating one method of
welding brackets in place in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 of FIG. 1
looking in the direction of the arrows;
FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the friction band before welding the
brackets thereon;
FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating another embodiment of
the method for welding of a bracket in place; and
FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating another embodiment of
the welding step.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the elements from which the friction band is
constructed. The band comprises a metallic strip 10 to which is adhered a
frictional strip of lining material 12. The strip 10 may be fabricated of
any metal having the necessary strength characteristics to form a rigid
backing for a band. Conventionally, such strips are fabricated of
cold-rolled steel. The strip 10 may have a thickness in the order of 0.065
inch. The lining strip 12 may be fabricated of a variety of different
materials. It may be constructed from what is termed "paper" lining of the
type formed on a paper making machine and comprising, for example, an
asbestos base with cellulose intermixed therein and impregnated with
graphite, iron oxide powder, or a resin. Alternately, the lining strip 12
may be of what is termed a "semi-metallic" material which is generally
extruded and consists of a base of asbestos and having therein a
relatively high content of metallic powders such as copper oxide, iron
oxide, carbon, copper chips or woven wire. The lining strip 12 may have a
thickness of, for example, 0.029 or 0.042 inch.
A metallic bracket 14, 16 is provided for each free end of the band. The
brackets are welded to the metallic strip 10. The function of the brackets
is to provide a structure for attachment of power means to open and close
the band on a drum.
In the first step of the method, adhesive material is applied to one of the
metal strips 10 and lining 12. The strips are then placed together in
adhering relationship. The assembly may then be placed into an oven which
is operated at an elevated temperature to cure the adhesive material and
bond the metal strip 10 to the lining 12.
Alternately, preglued steel may be used to eliminate roller coating and
partial cure of the adhesive before applying it to the lining strip. Such
preglued steel can be induction bonded, eliminating stacking and oven
curing.
Any number of commercially available adhesives may be used in accordance
with the invention. Preferably, the adhesive is a thermosetting phenolic
material. However, other materials, such as the epoxies, may be used.
As illustrated in my copending application, Ser. No. 737,694, filed Oct.
29, 1976, the assembly is then rolled into an arcuate form. The assembly
is directed from a guide member between a pair of rollers. One roller is
of greater diameter than the other roller. It has been found that this
relationship results in a superior rolling action. The larger roller is
formed of a material such as polyurethane to provide a good gripping
surface. By making this roller larger, it will last longer, it being
appreciated that polyurethane is subject to wear. The smaller roller is
formed of a hard, metallic material such as steel. As is conventional, the
assembly will follow the roller configuration to form into a circular
shaped band as shown in FIG. 3. There is a gap between the ends 26, 28,
thus permitting the band to be flexed to a smaller diameter to grip a
drum.
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the step of the method wherein the brackets 14, 16
are welded onto the metallic strip 10. The ends 26, 28 of the band each
have two spaced apart pairs of radially outwardly extending projections
30, 32, 34, 36 stamped therein adapted to be placed in opposed
relationship to the bracket feed 38, 40, 42, 44. The circular band is
received on a mandrel structure 46.
The provision of the projections 30, 32, 34, 36 extending radially
outwardly from the metallic strip 10 is advantageous in that during the
welding process the material forming the projections, or at least portions
thereof, will tend to collapse into the void, as void 48 in FIG. 2. The
voids are formed as a result of the punching action which creates the
projections. When the projections are provided on the brackets, a small
projection tends to be created on the inner surface of the metallic strip
10 and pushes into the lining strip 12. This forms a wear point in use of
the friction band which is undesirable.
After the brackets have been positioned for welding, electrode structures
50, 52 are then placed on each bracket. Each electrode structure has a
central opening 54, 56 to receive lug portions 58, 60 of the brackets.
Depending electrode leg structures 62, 64, 66, 68 extend into direct
contact with the brackets, a portion of each leg structure extending
directly over each of the projections. For purposes of identification,
electrode structures 50, 52 will be referred to as "welding electrodes".
As will be noted in FIG. 1, the feet 40, 42 of the brackets are spaced from
the ends of the metallic strip 10, leaving a space for application of
electrodes 70, 72 closely adjacent to the welding electrode legs 64, 66.
Additional electrodes 74, 76 are positioned against the metallic strip 10
closely adjacent to the other welding electrode legs 62, 68. For purposes
of identification, these latter electrodes will be referred to as "contact
electrodes".
After the electrodes have made sufficient physical contact, a high amperage
alternating current is applied for a very short time. Because of the
positionment of the electrodes, current flows from the welding electrodes
through the bracket feet and thence along the metallic strip to the
contact electrodes. As will be appreciated, this is a relatively short and
well defined path. The good contact of the electrodes with the metal
substantially insures a relatively constant flow path which results in
satisfactory welding.
It is preferred that the current be applied only for a very short time. One
or two cycles of 60 cycles per second alternating current (0.0167-0.0333
second) are satisfactory. Preferably, only a fraction of a cycle is used,
for example, one-half of a cycle which equals 0.0083 second. Even less
than one-half of a cycle may be used. This short period of applied current
reduces any lining damage which may occur as a result of the high heat of
welding.
The application of this amperage is sufficient to cause welding of the
intended material of the lugs to the metallic strip. In the welding
operation, the indented material loses its separate identity and a true
weld is formed between the lugs and the metallic strip.
Another embodiment of the welding procedure is illustrated in FIG. 4. In
the FIG. 4 embodiment, metallic strip 78 with adhered lining strip 80,
which have been formed into an arcuate band, are positioned on support
structure 82. Again, projections 84 are directed radially outwardly from
the metallic strip 78. In this embodiment, the bracket feet 86 are
narrower than the width of the metallic strip 78, thereby leaving the
surface area of the strip 78 unobstructed on either side of the bracket.
This permits positionment of contact electrodes 88, 90 on either side of
the bracket feet closely adjacent to welding electrode 92 which is placed
directly against the bracket feet. Welding is accomplished as above
described.
Another method for accomplishing the welding step is illustrated in FIG. 5.
In FIG. 5, the metallic strip 94 with adhered lining strip 96 are
supported on support structure 98. In this case, an opening 100 is
provided in the bracket feet 102 permitting introduction of contact
electrode 104 directly against the outer surface of the metallic strip 94
closely adjacent to welding electrodes 106, 108 which are placed in direct
contact with bracket feet segments 110, 112. In this case, the projections
114, 116 are provided in segments 110, 112, which is the reverse of the
procedure previously described. The projections may be provided on the
bracket although it is preferable that they be provided on the metallic
strip. Welding occurs in the FIG. 5 embodiment as previously described.
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