Bonding device

Abstract

A joining device is provided that can effectively heat and join the joined portions of two workpieces. The joining device comprises: a pressing force applying means for pressing at least one of a first workpiece and a second workpiece toward the other to cause the first joined portion to abut against the second joined portion; a workpiece moving mechanism for moving the first workpiece and the second workpiece along the extending direction of the first and second joined portions while the first and second joined portions are abutted against each other; a separating means for deforming the first and second workpieces so that a portion of the abutting portion between the first and second joined portions is flipped upward during movement of the first and second workpieces, thereby temporarily separating the first and second joined portions from each other; and a laser irradiating means for irradiating a portion of the separated first and second joined portions with a laser beam downstream of the separating means in the moving direction of the first and second workpieces where the first and second joined portions are brought into close proximity again.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a joining device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a joining device that butts the joined portions of two workpieces against each other and irradiates the butted portions with laser light to perform welding (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Prior Art Literature]

[0004] (Patent Document)

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 6242109 Summary of the Invention

[0006] [Problems to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Laser irradiation is performed from above on the joining portions of the two workpieces being joined, melting them separately and joining them. However, when laser irradiation is applied to the joining portion from above, heat conduction differs between the upper surface of the workpieces exposed to the laser and the lower surface of the workpieces not exposed to the laser. This results in an inability to effectively heat the entire joining portion, including the end faces of the joining portions. If the entire joining portion is not effectively heated, for example, if the workpieces have a galvanized layer on their surfaces, the galvanized layer on the end faces of the joining portions cannot be fully removed, potentially reducing the quality of the joining.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a joining apparatus capable of efficiently heating and joining parts of two workpieces to be joined.

[0009] [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] (1) The joining device of the present invention (for example, the joining device 1 described later) joins a first workpiece (for example, the workpiece W1 described later) and a second workpiece (for example, the workpiece W2 described later), wherein the first workpiece has a first joined portion extending linearly (for example, the joined portion W11 described later), and the second workpiece has a second joined portion extending linearly (for example, the joined portion W21 described later), and the joining device comprises: a pressing force applying means (for example, the first upstream side roller 31a, the first downstream side roller 31b, and the side pressing mechanism portion 312 described later) for pressing at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other so that the first joined portion and the second joined portion are docked; and a workpiece moving mechanism (for example, the conveying rollers 15, 16 and the guide roller 17 described later) for moving the first joined portion and the second joined portion toward each other. In the docking state, the first workpiece and the second workpiece are moved along the extension direction of the first joined part and the second joined part (for example, the D direction described later); the separation means (for example, the separation component 4 described later, the lifting actuator 41) is deformed in a manner that a part of the docking part (for example, the docking part Wa described later) of the first joined part and the second joined part is flipped upward during the movement of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, thereby temporarily separating the first joined part and the second joined part from each other; and the laser irradiation means (for example, the laser irradiation part 2 described later) irradiates the part where the first joined part and the second joined part are approached again after separation (for example, the re-approaching part Wa1 described later) with laser on the downstream side of the separation means in the moving direction of the first workpiece and the second workpiece.

[0011] (2) In the joining device described in (1) above, the pressing force applying means includes: a first pressing force applying means (for example, the first upstream side roller 31a, the first downstream side roller 31b, and the side pressing mechanism portion 312 described later) for pressing at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other before being irradiated with laser by the laser irradiation means; and a second pressing force applying means (for example, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b, the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism portion 511, and the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism portion 514 described later) for pressing at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other at the position irradiated with laser by the laser irradiation means; the pressing force of the second pressing force applying means (for example, the pressing force F2 described later) is greater than the pressing force of the first pressing force applying means (for example, the pressing force F1 described later).

[0012] (3) In the joining device described in (1) or (2) above, the aforementioned pressing force applying means has a suppressing component (for example, the first upper surface suppressing roller 61a, the first lower surface suppressing roller 61b, the second upper surface suppressing roller 62a, and the second lower surface suppressing roller 62b described later), and the suppressing component suppresses the deformation range of the aforementioned docking part when the aforementioned docking part is flipped up by the aforementioned separation means.

[0013] (Effects of the Invention)

[0014] According to the above (1), since the laser can be irradiated at the portion where the first and second joined parts, which have been deformed by the separation means and turned upward, are close to each other again, the laser can be directly used to melt the portion of the first and second joined parts immediately before they are close to each other again. Therefore, each of the joined parts, including the end faces of the first and second joined parts, can be effectively heated and joined with less heat. As a result, excessive heating can be suppressed and the joining quality can be improved. In addition, since efficient heating can be achieved, it is also expected that the processing speed will be increased and the equipment investment of the laser oscillator will be reduced.

[0015] According to the above (2), the pressing force applied to the workpieces at the laser-irradiated position for abutting the first joined portion and the second joining portion is increased compared to before laser irradiation, thereby enabling the laser-melted first joined portion and the second joining portion to be in good close contact. Therefore, the joining quality of the workpieces can be further improved.

[0016] According to the above (3), since the vibration caused by the movement of each joined part and the excessive deformation of the joint part turned up by the separation means are suppressed, it is easy to position the workpiece when the first and second joined parts are close to each other again after separation. Therefore, the joining quality can be further improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a bonding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 It is a perspective view showing the main parts of a bonding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the main parts of a bonding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a bonding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a view of the workpiece after the butted portion is separated, as viewed from the upstream side in the moving direction of the workpiece.

[0022] Figure 6 It is a side view showing the main part of the bonding device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a perspective view of a laser irradiation position in a bonding apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the downstream side in the moving direction of the workpiece.

[0024] Figure 8 The figure shows the irradiation area of the laser beam on the joined parts of the separated workpieces. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 4 As shown, a joining device 1 joins two workpieces W1 and W2, each made of metal plates, using laser irradiation. In this embodiment, workpieces W1 and W2 are made of galvanized steel plates with zinc coating applied to their surfaces, and each has a joined portion W11 and a joined portion W21 extending linearly along the D direction at its side end.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the workpiece W1 is a first workpiece, the workpiece W2 is a second workpiece, the joined portion W11 is a first joined portion, and the joined portion W21 is a second joined portion.

[0027] The joining apparatus 1 joins the workpieces W1 and W2 by irradiating a laser beam from a laser irradiation unit 2 onto abutting portions Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2 where the join portions W11 and W21 abut against each other, while moving the workpieces W1 and W2 in a direction D, the direction in which the join portions W11 and W2 extend. The laser irradiation unit 2 then irradiates the workpieces W1 and W2 with a laser beam, thereby joining the workpieces W1 and W2. In this specification, the terms "upstream" and "downstream" refer to the upstream and downstream sides of the workpieces W1 and W2 in the direction in which they are moving, respectively, along the D direction.

[0028] The joining device 1 comprises: a base frame 11, which is installed on the ground; a pair of longitudinal frames 12, 12, which stand upward from both ends of the base frame 11 along the width direction of the joining device 1 perpendicular to the D direction; and an upper transverse frame 13 and a lower transverse frame 14, which are erected along the width direction of the joining device 1 across the pair of longitudinal frames 12, 12 and are arranged at intervals in the upper and lower directions. A pair of conveying rollers 15, 16 are arranged on the downstream side of the upper transverse frame 13 and the lower transverse frame 14, each of which clamps the workpieces W1, W2 from the upper and lower sides. In addition, Figure 3 In FIG, the frame of the bonding device 1 is omitted from illustration.

[0029] Hereinafter, the configuration of each portion of the bonding apparatus 1 will be described.

[0030] (Conveyor rollers and guide rollers)

[0031] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the rotation axes of the conveyor rollers 15 and 16 are arranged along the width direction of the joining device 1. The conveyor rollers 15 and 16 are driven to rotate by a motor (not shown) to move the workpieces W1 and W2 at a predetermined speed along the direction D, which is the extending direction of the joined portions W11 and W21, while the joined portions W11 and W21 are butted against each other.

[0032] In this embodiment, a pair of conveyor rollers 15 and 16 are arranged along the width direction of the joining apparatus 1. Each pair of conveyor rollers 15 and 16 is arranged so as to cover the butt joint Wa and sandwich it from above and below. Furthermore, if the workpieces W1 and W2 have different thicknesses and the butt joint Wa is uneven during joining, the butt joint Wa can be positioned between each pair of conveyor rollers 15 and 16 so that the conveyor rollers 15 and 16 do not sandwich the butt joint Wa from above and below.

[0033] A plurality of guide rollers 17 are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the upper and lower lateral frames 13, 14, respectively, extending in the direction of movement of the workpieces W1 and W2 so as to sandwich the conveyor rollers 15 and 16. The guide rollers 17 are arranged parallel to the width direction of the joining apparatus 1. The guide rollers 17 support the lower surfaces of the workpieces W1 and W2 as they are moved by the conveyor rollers 15 and 16, and define a movement path for the workpieces W1 and W2 passing between the upper and lower lateral frames 13 and 14.

[0034] In the present embodiment, the conveying rollers 15 and 16 and the guide rollers 17 constitute a work moving mechanism that moves the workpieces W and W2 along the extending direction of the joined portions W11 and W21 in a state where the joined portions W11 and W21 are butted against each other.

[0035] (Laser irradiation part)

[0036] The laser irradiation unit 2 is mounted on the upstream side of the upper horizontal frame 13 via the mounting portion 131 and is positioned directly above the butt joint Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2 that are moving between the upper horizontal frame 13 and the lower horizontal frame 14. The laser irradiation unit 2 is driven by a laser driving unit (not shown) to irradiate the butt joint Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2 from above. Figure 4 As shown, the laser irradiation unit 2 of this embodiment is configured to irradiate the laser to the docking portion Wa from the upstream side to the downstream side obliquely downward, but is not limited to such a structure, as long as the laser can be irradiated from a direction away from the docking portion Wa. Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the figure, the laser irradiation unit 2 is omitted.

[0037] In this embodiment, the laser irradiation unit 2 and the laser driving unit together constitute laser irradiation means.

[0038] (Side Roller)

[0039] The lower horizontal frame 14 of the joining device 1 includes side rollers that are arranged to clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 from the width direction as they move on the guide rollers 17. The side rollers in this embodiment are composed of a pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and 31b, and second upstream side rollers 32a and 32b. The rotation axes of the first upstream side rollers 31a and 31b, and the second upstream side rollers 32a and 32b are arranged in the vertical direction. The pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and 31b, and the pair of second upstream side rollers 32a and 32b are symmetrically arranged to clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 between them.

[0040] like Figure 1 、 Figure 3 and Figure 6 As shown, a pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and first downstream side rollers 31b are rotatably mounted at a predetermined interval along the direction of movement of the workpiece W1 on a roller support plate 311 extending in the direction of movement of the workpiece W1. The first upstream side rollers 31a and first downstream side rollers 31b contact the outer side end W12 of the workpiece W1, which is located opposite the welded portion W11, when the workpiece W1 is introduced into the welding apparatus 1. As a result, the pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and first downstream side rollers 31b rotate in accordance with the movement of the workpiece W1, thereby supporting the smooth movement of the workpiece W1.

[0041] The second upstream side rollers 32a and second downstream side rollers 32b are rotatably mounted at predetermined intervals along the direction of movement of the workpiece W2 on a roller mounting plate 321 extending in the direction of movement of the workpiece W2. The second upstream side rollers 32a and second downstream side rollers 32b contact the outer side end W22 of the workpiece W2, which is located opposite the joining portion W21, when the workpiece W2 is introduced into the joining apparatus 1. Thus, the pair of second upstream side rollers 32a and second downstream side rollers 32b rotate in accordance with the movement of the workpiece W2, thereby supporting the smooth movement of the workpiece W2.

[0042] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 and Figure 6As shown, the roller support plate 311 supporting the first upstream side roller 31a and the first downstream side roller 31b is attached to a side pressing mechanism 312, which is provided on the lower horizontal frame 14. The side pressing mechanism 312 includes a sliding portion 3121 fixed to the roller support plate 311; a guide rail 3122 extending in the width direction of the bonding apparatus 1 and guiding the movement of the sliding portion 3121; and an actuator 3123 connected to the sliding portion 3121. The actuator 3123 drives the sliding portion 3121 and the roller support plate 311 to move along the guide rail 3122 toward the width direction inner side of the bonding apparatus 1 (toward the workpiece W1). Therefore, the first upstream side roller 31a and the first downstream side roller 31b are configured to be movable toward the width direction inner side of the bonding apparatus 1 by driving the actuator 3123 of the side pressing mechanism 312.

[0043] In contrast, the roller mounting plate 321 supporting the second upstream side roller 32a and the second downstream side roller 32b is immovably fixed to the lower lateral frame 14. Therefore, the second upstream side roller 32a and the second downstream side roller 32b define the position of the side end W22 of the workpiece W2 by supporting the movement of the side end W22 of the workpiece W2.

[0044] When the first upstream and downstream rollers 31a and 31b are driven by the actuator 3123 to move inward in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1, they press the workpiece W1, which is being conveyed by the conveyor rollers 15 and 16, toward the workpiece W2. At this time, the second upstream and downstream rollers 32a and 32b function as receiving elements, contacting the side ends W22 of the workpiece W2 to prevent the workpieces W1 and W2 from excessively moving toward the second upstream and downstream rollers 32a and 32b. As a result, the workpieces W1 and W2 pass between the first and second upstream rollers 31a and 32a, and between the first and second downstream rollers 31b and 32b, respectively. This forces the joined portions W11 and W21 of the workpieces W1 and W2, introduced into the joining apparatus 1 in a butted state, to further contact each other.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first upstream side roller 31a, the first downstream side roller 31b, and the side pressing mechanism portion 312 constitute a first pressing force applying means, which is a first pressing force applying means that presses at least one of the workpieces W1 and W2 (the workpiece W1) toward the other (the workpiece W2) before being irradiated with the laser from the laser irradiation portion 2. The pressing force applying means presses at least one of the positions of the workpieces W1 and W2 (the workpiece W1) toward the other (the workpiece W2) so that the joined parts W11 and W21 are butted against each other.

[0046] (Separate parts)

[0047] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a separation member 4 is disposed below the butting portion Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2. The separation member 4 is formed of a long metal block extending in the direction of movement of the workpieces W1 and W2 and is configured to be movable up and down by a lifting actuator 41 disposed below the guide roller 17. The upper surface of the separation member 4 has a flat surface portion 4a that is inclined downward toward the upstream side, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the ridgeline 4b is continuous with the downstream side of the flat surface portion 4a and is formed of a triangular protruding top. The ridgeline 4b extends along the moving direction of the workpieces W1 and W2, that is, the extending direction of the butting portion Wa.

[0048] The separation member 4 is arranged between the first upstream side roller 31a and the second upstream side roller 32a arranged just below and upstream of the butt joint Wa and the first downstream side roller 31b and the second downstream side roller 32b arranged downstream so that the ridge line 4b is along the extending direction of the butt joint Wa. Figure 5 As shown, when the separation member 4 is driven to rise by the lifting actuator 41 , a portion of the abutting portion Wa is deformed so as to flip upward from the bottom, thereby temporarily separating the joined portions W11 and W21 from each other.

[0049] In this embodiment, the separation component 4 and the lifting actuator 41 constitute a separation means, which deforms in a manner that causes a portion of the docking portion Wa of the joined parts W11 and W21 to flip upward during the movement of the workpieces W1 and W2, thereby temporarily separating the joined parts W11 and W21 from each other.

[0050] (Clamping roller)

[0051] The joining device 1 has clamping rollers positioned upstream of the conveyor rollers 15 and 16 and downstream of the separating member 4 to clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 moving on the guide rollers 17 from above and below. The clamping rollers in this embodiment are composed of a pair of first upper and lower clamping rollers 51a and 51b, and second upper and lower clamping rollers 52a and 52b. The rotation axes of the first and lower clamping rollers 51a and 51b, and the second and lower clamping rollers 52a and 52b are arranged along the width direction of the joining device 1.

[0052] The first upper surface clamping roller 51a and the first lower surface clamping roller 51b are arranged on the workpiece W1 side relative to the butt joint Wa. The second upper surface clamping roller 52a and the second lower surface clamping roller 52b are arranged on the workpiece W2 side relative to the butt joint Wa. A pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and the first lower surface clamping roller 51b and a pair of second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and the second lower surface clamping rollers 52b are arranged close to the butt joint Wa on both sides of the butt joint Wa, with the butt joint Wa arranged therebetween. A pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and the first lower surface clamping roller 51b and a pair of second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and the second lower surface clamping rollers 52b are symmetrically arranged so as to clamp the butt joint Wa therebetween. The laser beam emitted from the laser irradiation unit 2 is irradiated toward the abutting portion Wa between the pair of first upper and lower surface nip rollers 51 a and 51 b and the pair of second upper and lower surface nip rollers 52 a and 52 b .

[0053] (1) First upper surface clamping roller 51a, first lower surface clamping roller 51b

[0054] First, the pair of first upper and lower clamping rollers 51a, 51b that clamp the workpiece W1 will be described. The pair of first upper and lower clamping rollers 51a, 51b are provided so as to be movable in the rotation axis direction relative to the upper and lower horizontal frames 13, 14, respectively.

[0055] Specifically, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a is provided on the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism portion 511 mounted on the upper horizontal frame 13. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 includes a sliding portion 5111, a guide rail 5112 extending in the width direction of the bonding apparatus 1 and guiding the movement of the sliding portion 5111, and an actuator 5113 connected to the sliding portion 5111. The first upper surface clamping roller 51a is rotatably mounted between roller support frames 512a and 513a that protrude downward from the sliding portion 5111.

[0056] Among the roller support frames 512a and 513a, the roller support frame 512a is arranged on the side away from the docking portion Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2, and is formed into an L-shape extending from the installation position of the first upper surface clamping roller 51a toward the upstream side, and the first upper surface suppression roller 61a described later is rotatably installed at its upstream end.

[0057] The actuator 5113 of the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 drives the sliding portion 5111 to move along the guide rail 5112 toward the inner side in the width direction of the bonding apparatus 1. Therefore, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, which is supported by the roller support frames 512a and 513a on the sliding portion 5111, is configured to be movable in the rotation axis direction toward the inner side in the width direction of the bonding apparatus 1, that is, toward the abutting portion Wa, by the drive of the actuator 5113 of the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511.

[0058] The first lower surface clamping roller 51b is provided on the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514 mounted on the lower horizontal frame 14. Figure 2 and Figure 6 As shown, the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514 includes a sliding portion 5141; a guide rail 5142 extending in the width direction of the bonding device 1 and guiding the movement of the sliding portion 5141; and an actuator 5143 connected to the sliding portion 5141. The first lower surface clamping roller 51b is rotatably mounted between roller support frames 512b and 513b that protrude upward from the sliding portion 5141.

[0059] Among the roller support frames 512b and 513b, the roller support frame 512b, which is arranged on the side of the docking portion Wa away from the workpieces W1 and W2, is formed into an L-shape extending from the installation position of the first lower surface clamping roller 51b toward the upstream side, and the first lower surface suppression roller 61b described later is rotatably installed at its upstream end.

[0060] The actuator 5143 of the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514 drives the sliding portion 5141 to move along the guide rail 5142 toward the inner side of the width direction of the joining device 1. Therefore, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b supported by the roller support frames 512b and 513b on the sliding portion 5141 is configured to be driven by the actuator 5143 of the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514 so as to be able to move toward the inner side of the width direction of the joining device 1, that is, the docking portion Wa, along the rotation axis direction. Figure 2 and Figure 6 Among the roller support frames 512b and 513b, the roller support frame 513b disposed on the inner side in the width direction of the joining device 1 is hidden from view.

[0061] The upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 is connected to a first downward pressing mechanism 515 provided on the upper horizontal frame 13. The first downward pressing mechanism 515 comprises a plurality of cylinders 5151 extending vertically through the upper horizontal frame 13 and an actuator 5152. The cylinders 5151 support the entire upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 directly below the upper horizontal frame 13 so that it can move vertically. The actuator 5152 drives the entire upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 downward toward the workpiece W1 below.

[0062] In contrast, the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514 is configured to be immovable relative to the lower horizontal frame 14. Therefore, when the actuator 5152 of the first downward pressing mechanism 515 is driven, the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 moves downward, thereby causing the first upper surface clamping roller 51a mounted on the sliding portion 5111 to press the workpiece W1 downward, thereby clamping the workpiece W1 between the first upper surface clamping roller 51a and the first lower surface clamping roller 51b with a predetermined clamping force. Alternatively, instead of the actuator 5152, a plurality of cylinders 5151 may be used to apply the downward pressing force to the first upper surface clamping roller 51a.

[0063] (2) Second upper surface clamping roller 52a, second lower surface clamping roller 52b

[0064] Next, the pair of second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b that clamp the workpiece W2 will be described. Unlike the pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b, the pair of second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b that clamp the workpiece W2 are both configured to be immovable along the rotation axis.

[0065] In detail, Figure 2 As shown, the second upper surface clamping roller 52 a is rotatably mounted between roller support frames 521 a and 522 a , which protrude downward from a mounting base plate 520 disposed immediately below the upper horizontal frame 13 .

[0066] The roller support frame 521a among the roller support frames 521a and 522a is arranged on the side of the docking portion Wa away from the workpieces W1 and W2, and is formed into an L-shape extending from the installation position of the second upper surface clamping roller 52a toward the upstream side, and the second upper surface suppression roller 62a described later is rotatably installed at its upstream end.

[0067] The second lower surface pinch roller 52 b is rotatably mounted between roller support frames 521 b and 522 b that protrude upward from the lower horizontal frame 14 .

[0068] The roller support frame 521b among the roller support frames 521b and 522b is arranged on the side of the docking portion Wa away from the workpieces W1 and W2, and is formed into an L-shape extending from the installation position of the second lower surface clamping roller 52b toward the upstream side, and the second lower surface suppression roller 62b described later is rotatably installed at its upstream end.

[0069] The mounting base plate 520, which rotatably supports the second upper surface clamping roller 52a, is connected to the second downward pressing mechanism 516 provided on the upper horizontal frame 13. The second downward pressing mechanism 516 comprises a plurality of cylinders 5161 extending vertically through the upper horizontal frame 13 and an actuator 5162. The cylinders 5161 vertically support the mounting base plate 520 directly below the upper horizontal frame 13. The actuator 5162 drives the mounting base plate 520 to move downward toward the workpiece W2 below.

[0070] In contrast, the second lower surface clamping roller 52b is configured to be immovable relative to the lower horizontal frame 14. Therefore, when the actuator 5162 of the second downward pressing mechanism 516 is driven, the mounting base 520 moves downward, causing the second upper surface clamping roller 52a mounted on the mounting base 520 to press the workpiece W2 downward, thereby clamping the workpiece W2 with the second lower surface clamping roller 52b with a predetermined clamping force. Alternatively, instead of the actuator 5162, a plurality of cylinders 5161 may be used to apply downward pressure to the second upper surface clamping roller 52a.

[0071] The actuator 5113 of the upper surface width direction pressing mechanism 511 is driven synchronously with the actuator 5143 of the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism 514. Consequently, the pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b, while clamping the workpiece W1 from above and below with a predetermined clamping force, are moved in the rotation axis direction along the guide rails 5112 and 5142 toward the workpiece W2 by the synchronous driving of the actuators 5113 and 5143. This allows the pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b to apply a predetermined pressing force to the workpiece W1 toward the workpiece W2. At this time, since the second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b are immovable in the rotation axis direction while clamping the workpiece W2 from above and below with a predetermined clamping force, the joined portions W11 and W21 of the abutting workpieces W1 and W2 are pressed toward close contact with each other.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b, and the lower surface width direction pressing mechanism part 514 constitute a second pressing force applying means, which is a second pressing force applying means among the pressing force applying means that presses at least one of the workpieces W1 and W2 (the workpiece W1) toward the other (the workpiece W2) at the position irradiated by the laser from the laser irradiation part 2. The pressing force applying means presses at least one of the workpieces W1 and W2 (the workpiece W1) toward the other (the workpiece W2) so that the joined parts W11 and W21 are connected to each other.

[0073] (Restraint Roller)

[0074] On the upstream side of the first upper and lower surface clamping rollers 51a and 51b, and the second upper and lower surface clamping rollers 52a and 52b, restraining rollers are provided to clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 from above and below. These restraining rollers consist of a pair of first upper and lower surface clamping rollers 61a and 61b, and second upper and lower surface clamping rollers 62a and 62b. The rotation axes of the first and lower surface clamping rollers 61a and 61b, and the second and lower surface clamping rollers 62a and 62b are arranged along the width direction of the joining apparatus 1.

[0075] In this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown, the length of the first upper surface restraining roller 61a, the first lower surface restraining roller 61b, and the second upper surface restraining roller 62a, 62b in the direction of the rotation axis is approximately half the length of the first upper surface nipping roller 51a, the first lower surface nipping roller 51b, and the second upper surface nipping roller 52a, 52b in the direction of the rotation axis. Therefore, the distance between the pair of first upper surface restraining rollers 61a, 61b and the abutting portion Wa, and the distance between the pair of second upper surface restraining rollers 62a, 62b and the abutting portion Wa, are greater than the distance between the pair of first upper surface nipping rollers 51a, 51b and the abutting portion Wa, and the distance between the pair of second upper surface nipping rollers 52a, 52b and the abutting portion Wa.

[0076] The first upper surface restraining roller 61a is rotatably mounted on the upstream end of a roller support frame 512a, which rotatably supports the first upper surface clamping roller 51a. The first lower surface restraining roller 61b is rotatably mounted on the upstream end of a roller support frame 512b, which rotatably supports the first lower surface clamping roller 51b. The pair of first upper surface restraining rollers 61a and first lower surface restraining rollers 61b are positioned on the workpiece W1 side relative to the abutting portion Wa. The first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b clamp the workpiece W1 by driving the actuator 5152 of the first downward pressing mechanism 515, thereby clamping the workpiece W1 vertically.

[0077] The second upper surface restraining roller 62a is rotatably mounted on the upstream end of a roller support frame 521a. The roller support frame 521a rotatably supports the second upper surface clamping roller 52a. The second lower surface restraining roller 62b is rotatably mounted on the upstream end of a roller support frame 521b. The roller support frame 521b rotatably supports the second lower surface clamping roller 52b. The pair of second upper surface restraining rollers 62a and second lower surface restraining rollers 62b are positioned on the workpiece W1 side relative to the abutting portion Wa. The second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b clamp the workpiece W2 by driving the actuator 5162 of the second downward pressing mechanism 516, thereby clamping the workpiece W2 vertically.

[0078] In more detail, Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a pair of first upper surface restraining rollers 61a and first lower surface restraining rollers 61b are arranged on the workpiece W1 side between the first upstream side roller 31a and the first downstream side roller 31b along the direction of movement of the workpieces W1 and W2, near the point 4c where the flat surface portion 4a of the separating member 4 intersects the ridgeline 4b. A pair of second upper surface restraining rollers 62a and second lower surface restraining rollers 62b are arranged on the workpiece W2 side between the second upstream side roller 32a and the second downstream side roller 32b along the direction of movement of the workpieces W1 and W2, near the point 4c where the flat surface portion 4a of the separating member 4 intersects the ridgeline 4b.

[0079] These pairs of first upper surface restraining rollers 61a, first lower surface restraining rollers 61b, and second upper surface restraining rollers 62a, second lower surface restraining rollers 62b, clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 from above and below on both sides of the separating member 4, thereby suppressing the deformation range of the butted portion Wa and preventing the upward tilt of the separated member 4 from excessively extending to both sides of the butted portion Wa. Furthermore, since the first upper surface restraining rollers 61a, first lower surface restraining rollers 61b, and second upper surface restraining rollers 62a, second lower surface restraining rollers 62b clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 from above and below on both sides of the separating member 4, they also effectively suppress vibrations of the joined portions W11 and W21 caused by the movement of the workpieces W1 and W2.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first upper surface restraining roller 61a, the first lower surface restraining roller 61b, the second upper surface restraining roller 62a, and the second lower surface restraining roller 62b constitute restraining members that restrain the deformation range of the butt joint Wa when the separated member 4 turns the butt joint Wa upward.

[0081] (Joining action of the joining device on the workpiece)

[0082] Next, a description will be given of the joining operation of the joining apparatus 1 when joining the joined portions W11 and W21 of the workpieces W1 and W2 to each other.

[0083] First, the workpieces W1 and W2 are aligned so that their respective welded portions W11 and W21 abut against each other, and are then introduced onto the guide rollers 17 from the upstream side of the welding apparatus 1. After being introduced onto the guide rollers 17, the workpieces W1 and W2, while being held between the first upstream roller 31a and the second upstream roller 32a, and between the first downstream roller 31b and the second downstream roller 32b, sequentially pass through the first upper surface control roller 61a, the first lower surface control roller 61b, the second upper surface control roller 62a, the second lower surface control roller 62b, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b, the second upper surface clamping roller 52a, and the second lower surface clamping roller 52b. They are then clamped from above and below by the conveying rollers 15 and 16. The workpieces W1 and W2, clamped between the conveying rollers 15 and 16, begin to move in the D direction at a predetermined speed due to the rotation of the conveying rollers 15 and 16. Before the workpieces W1 and W2 start to move due to the rotation of the conveying rollers 15 and 16 , the separating member 4 retreats to a position below the moving path of the workpieces W1 and W2 so as not to interfere with the introduction operation of the workpieces W1 and W2 .

[0084] When workpieces W1 and W2 begin to move, the first upstream side roller 31a and the first downstream side roller 31b press the side end W12 of workpiece W1 with a predetermined pressing force, bringing the joined portions W11 and W21 into close contact with each other, driven by the actuator 3123 of the side pressing mechanism 312. Furthermore, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a and the second upper surface clamping roller 52a, located on the upper surface side of workpieces W1 and W2, respectively, are driven by the actuators 5152 and 5162 of the first lower direction pressing mechanism 515 and the second lower direction pressing mechanism 51, respectively, to move toward workpieces W1 and W2. These rollers clamp workpieces W1 and W2 from above and below with a predetermined clamping force between the first lower surface clamping roller 51b and the second lower surface clamping roller 52b, located on the lower surface side of workpieces W1 and W2.

[0085] Furthermore, when the workpieces W1 and W2 begin to move, the separating member 4 is driven by the lifting actuator 41 to rise to a position slightly above the upper end of the guide roller 17 supporting the lower surface of the workpieces W1 and W2, and presses the butt joint Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2 from below to above. As a result, the butt joint Wa rises from the flat portion 4a of the separating member 4 to the upper surface of the separating member 4 and is guided toward the top ridge 4b. Figure 5 As shown, the ridge 4b of the separating member 4 deforms so that a portion of the butting portion Wa flips upward and to the left and right, separating the joined portions W11 and W21 from each other. After separation, the end surfaces W11a and W21a of the joined portions W11 and W21 are slightly exposed upward.

[0086] During the movement of the workpieces W1 and W2, the separating member 4 continues to be arranged in the raised position, thereby deforming the butting portion Wa of the workpieces W1 and W2 in a continuously turned-up manner. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b, and the second upper surface clamping roller 52a, 52b are arranged on both sides of the abutting portion Wa immediately downstream of the separating member 4. These rollers clamp the workpieces W1 and W2 from above and below, simultaneously pressing the joined portions W11 and W21 into close contact with each other. Therefore, the joined portions W11 and W21, which are lifted and separated by the separating member 4, are immediately clamped by the first upper surface clamping roller 51a, the first lower surface clamping roller 51b, and the second upper surface clamping roller 52a, 52b after passing through the separating member 4, flattening them and bringing them closer together. Therefore, the separating member 4 deforms only to temporarily separate the joined portions W11 and W21 of the workpieces W1 and W2.

[0087] Furthermore, since the first upper surface restraining roller 61a, the first lower surface restraining roller 61b, and the second upper surface restraining roller 62a, the second lower surface restraining roller 62b are disposed on both sides of the separating member 4, deformation of each of the joined portions W11 and W21 is prevented from excessively spreading on both sides of the butt joint Wa, thereby limiting the deformation range of the butt joint Wa. Furthermore, vibration of the joined portions W11 and W21 caused by the movement of the workpieces W1 and W2 is also suppressed.

[0088] The bonding device 1 irradiates the laser beam from the laser irradiation unit 2 to the butt joint Wa between the first upper surface clamping roller 51a and the second upper surface clamping roller 52a after the separation of the separation component 4 on the downstream side of the separation component 4. Figure 7 As shown, the laser irradiation unit 2 irradiates the laser beam toward the vicinity of the reapproximation portion Wa1 where the joined portions W11 and W21 of the workpieces W1 and W2 separated by the separation member 4 approach each other again, specifically, toward the immediately upstream side of the reapproximation portion Wa1. Figure 8 As shown, the laser is irradiated onto the region X including the end faces W11a, W21a of the separated joined portions W11, W21. Therefore, the end faces W11a, W21a of the joined portions W11, W21 of the workpieces W1, W2 are also directly irradiated with the laser, effectively heated with a relatively low amount of heat, and the zinc plating formed on the end faces W11a, W21a is completely removed by the laser.

[0089] like Figure 7 As shown, the laser-melted welded portions W11 and W21 are rejoined at the reapproximation portion Wa, forming the joint Wa2. Because the zinc coating on the end surfaces W11a and W21a of the welded portions W11 and W21 is completely removed in the reapproximation portion Wa1, the welded portions W11 and W21 are in close contact and joined in the joint Wa2. Therefore, this joining apparatus 1 can suppress excessive heating and improve the quality of the joining of the workpieces W1 and W2. Furthermore, the welded portions W11 and W21 of the workpieces W1 and W2 can be efficiently heated, thereby increasing processing speed and reducing equipment investment in the laser oscillator.

[0090] According to the joining apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the first upper surface restraining roller 61a, the first lower surface restraining roller 61b, and the second upper surface restraining roller 62a, the second lower surface restraining roller 62b suppress excessive deformation and vibration of the joined portions W11, W21 of the workpieces W1, W2. Therefore, when the separated joined portions W11, W21 reapproach the reapproaching portion Wa1, it is easier to position the workpieces W1, W2. Consequently, the joining quality of the workpieces W1, W2 is further improved.

[0091] like Figure 3 and Figure 7 As shown, when joining workpieces W1 and W2, if the pressing force applied by the pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and first downstream side rollers 31b pressing workpiece W1 toward workpiece W2 is F1, and the pressing force applied by the pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b pressing workpiece W1 toward workpiece W2 is F2, then F1 is preferably smaller than F2. By increasing the pressing force applied to workpieces W1 and W2 after or near laser irradiation to butt joint portions W11 and W21 relative to before laser irradiation, the laser-melted joint portions W11 and W21 can be brought into close contact with each other. This further improves the quality of joining workpieces W1 and W2.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the pair of first upstream side rollers 31a and first downstream side rollers 31b are moved in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press the workpiece W1 toward the workpiece W2. However, the pair of second upstream side rollers 32a and second downstream side rollers 32b may be movably provided in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press the workpiece W2 toward the workpiece W1. Furthermore, the first upstream side roller 31a, first downstream side roller 31b, and the second upstream side roller 32a, second downstream side roller 32b may be movably provided in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press both the workpieces W1 and W2 into close contact with each other.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the pair of first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b are moved in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press the workpiece W1 toward the workpiece W2. However, the pair of second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b may be movably provided in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press the workpiece W2 toward the workpiece W1. Furthermore, the first upper surface clamping rollers 51a and first lower surface clamping rollers 51b, and the second upper surface clamping rollers 52a and second lower surface clamping rollers 52b may be movably provided in the width direction of the joining apparatus 1 to press both the workpieces W1 and W2 into close contact with each other.

[0094] Reference numerals

[0095] 1 Jointing device

[0096] 15, 16 conveyor rollers (workpiece moving mechanism)

[0097] 17 Guide roller (workpiece moving mechanism)

[0098] 2 Laser irradiation part (laser irradiation means)

[0099] 4 Separation components (separation means)

[0100] 31a First upstream side roller (pressing force applying means, first pressing force applying means)

[0101] 31b First downstream side roller (pressing force applying means, first pressing force applying means)

[0102] 312 Side pressing mechanism (pressing force applying means, first pressing force applying means)

[0103] 51a First upper surface clamping roller (pressing force applying means, second pressing force applying means)

[0104] 51b First lower surface clamping roller (pressing force applying means, second pressing force applying means)

[0105] 511 Upper surface width direction pressing mechanism (pressing force applying means, second pressing force applying means)

[0106] 514 Lower surface width direction pressing mechanism (pressing force applying means, second pressing force applying means)

[0107] 61a First upper surface restraining roller (restraining member)

[0108] 61b First lower surface restraining roller (restraining member)

[0109] 62a Second upper surface restraining roller (restraining member)

[0110] 62b Second lower surface restraining roller (restraining member)

[0111] W1 workpiece (first workpiece)

[0112] W2 workpiece (second workpiece)

[0113] W11: Joined portion (first joined portion)

[0114] W21: Joined portion (second joined portion)

[0115] Wa docking part

[0116] Wa1 close to the part

[0117] F1 Pressing force of the first pressing force applying means

[0118] F2 Pressing force of the second pressing force applying means

Claims

1. A joining device for joining a first workpiece and a second workpiece, wherein the first workpiece has a first joined portion extending linearly, and the second workpiece has a second joined portion extending linearly, the joining device comprising: The pressure applying means presses at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other, so that the first joined portion and the second joined portion are butted against each other; a workpiece moving mechanism for moving the first workpiece and the second workpiece along the extending direction of the first and second joined portions in a state where the first joined portion and the second joined portion are butted against each other; Separation means, during the movement of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, deforming the first joined portion and the second joined portion so as to partially flip up the butt joint of the first joined portion and the second joined portion, thereby temporarily separating the first joined portion and the second joined portion from each other; and The laser irradiation means irradiates the end surface of the first joined part and the end surface of the second joined part with laser light at a position where the first joined part and the second joined part are brought into close proximity again after separation, on a downstream side of the separating means in the moving direction of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The laser irradiation means irradiates the laser light in the same direction as the moving direction of the first workpiece and the second workpiece while the first workpiece and the second workpiece are being moved.

2. The joining device according to claim 1, wherein The pressing force applying means comprises: a first pressing force applying means for pressing at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other before being irradiated with laser light by the laser irradiating means; and a second pressing force applying means for pressing at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece toward the other at a position irradiated with laser light by the laser irradiating means; The pressing force of the second pressing force applying means is greater than the pressing force of the first pressing force applying means.

3. The joining device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The pressing force applying means includes a suppressing member that suppresses a deformation range of the abutting portion when the abutting portion is flipped up by the separating means.

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