WELDING CONTACT TIP AND DIFFUSER

摘要

A welding contact tip (3) and diffuser (5) assembly for use in a welding apparatus. The assembly includes an electrically conductive contact tip (3) having a tapered exterior surface, a diffuser (5) having a cavity with a tapered interior surface, and a releasable connection (91) for holding the contact tip (3) in the diffuser (5). The connection includes at least one detent element (93) in either the diffuser (5) or the contact tip (3), at least one recess forming a ramp in the other of the diffuser (5) or contact tip (3), and at least one spring (95). The spring (95) biases the detent element (93) into the recess and against the ramp to generate an axial force against the ramp. The axial force tends to urge the tapered surfaces of the contact tip (3) and diffuser (5) into contact with one another.