Contact tip changer

Abstract

A welding tip magazine (3) houses a plurality of contact tips (10) in a linear manner in a horizontal direction in a posture with the tip ends of the contact tips (10) facing downward. A reciprocating drive mechanism (5) moves the welding tip magazine (3) in a direction in which the contact tips (10) are arranged to enter or exit relative to a welding tip supply space (S2). A welding tip extraction mechanism (6) extracts the contact tips (10) upward from the welding tip magazine (3) in a state of entry into the welding tip supply space (S2). A gripping and rotating mechanism (4) threadedly connects or detaches the contact tips (10) extracted by the welding tip extraction mechanism (6) to or from a welding torch body (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a contact nozzle replacement device that automatically replaces a contact nozzle threadedly connected to the top end of the welding torch body for arc welding. Background Technology

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a contact tip replacement device that automatically replaces the contact tip threadedly connected to the torch body of an arc welding torch. This contact tip replacement device has a main body that, when viewed from above, is roughly the shape of a keyhole. A contact tip mounting mechanism is provided on one side of the main body for mounting the contact tip to the torch body, and a contact tip removal mechanism is provided on the other side of the main body for removing the contact tip from the torch body.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2017 / 179237 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, the contact welding nozzle replacement device in Patent Document 1 has the following problems: the contact welding nozzle installation mechanism and the contact welding nozzle disassembly mechanism are different mechanisms, and the installation position and disassembly position of the contact welding nozzle are set at different positions in the horizontal direction of the device, thus making the device large-scale.

[0008] The present invention provides a contact nozzle replacement device that allows for the detachment and assembly of a contact nozzle relative to the welding torch body, and enables the entire device to be configured in a compact shape.

[0009] Solution for solving the problem

[0010] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is characterized by enabling the disassembly and assembly of the contact welding nozzle to be performed in one area.

[0011] Specifically, the following solution was adopted in the contact nozzle replacement device for replacing the contact nozzle that is threadedly connected to the welding torch body.

[0012] That is, in the first invention, the invention comprises: a receiving box capable of housing multiple contact welding nozzles arranged in a straight line in the horizontal direction with the central axis extending vertically and the top facing downward; a reciprocating drive mechanism that moves the receiving box back and forth in the arrangement direction of the contact welding nozzles to enter or exit the welding nozzle supply space; a welding nozzle removal mechanism that removes the contact welding nozzles upward from the receiving box in the state of entering the welding nozzle supply space; and a holding and rotating mechanism disposed above the welding nozzle supply space, configured to hold the contact welding nozzles removed by the welding nozzle removal mechanism from the side and to release the holding, and configured to rotate the contact welding nozzles about the central axis while holding the contact welding nozzles, thereby threading the contact welding nozzles to the welding torch body or detaching the contact welding nozzles from the welding torch body.

[0013] In the second invention, according to the first invention, the reciprocating drive mechanism is characterized by having a sliding member that reciprocates in the horizontal direction, and the receiving box is configured to be detachable from the sliding member.

[0014] In the third invention, according to the second invention, the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a cylinder, a piston rod of which extends in the sliding direction of the sliding member and is connected to the sliding member, and the receiving box is reciprocated by the sliding action of the piston rod.

[0015] In the fourth invention, according to the third invention, the cylinder is located to the side of the gripping rotation mechanism and above the sliding member.

[0016] In the fifth invention, according to the first invention, the welding nozzle removal mechanism is characterized in that the welding nozzle removal mechanism includes a rod member extending vertically along its center line, and the rod member extending vertically and retracting vertically, forming an upper opening at the upper end of the receiving box for removing the contact welding nozzle, and forming a lower opening at the lower end of the receiving box at a position corresponding to the upper opening, the lower opening communicating with the interior of the receiving box, and the extended rod member being able to pass through the lower opening when the receiving box enters the welding nozzle supply space.

[0017] In the sixth invention, according to the first invention, the welding nozzle removal mechanism is connected to the reciprocating drive mechanism and is configured to reciprocate in the same direction in conjunction with the reciprocating action of the reciprocating drive mechanism.

[0018] In the seventh invention, according to the first invention, the gripping rotation mechanism comprises: a first rotating body having a gripping working space, wherein a rotation axis extending in the vertical direction is set at the center of the gripping working space, and the first rotating body has a plurality of fitting portions at equal intervals around the rotation axis; a second rotating body configured to rotate relative to the first rotating body about the rotation axis; and a gripping body disposed at positions corresponding to each of the fitting portions, and axially supported on the second rotating body in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the same direction as the rotation axis, the gripping body being formed at its top end in a circumferentially separated about the rotation axis. The gripping body has a pair of claws. On the other hand, the base of the gripping body is in clearance fit with the corresponding fitting part. The gripping rotation mechanism is configured such that if the first rotating body and the second rotating body rotate relative to each other from the reference position, the gripping body rotates to one side due to the pushing action of the fitting part on the base to one side. One claw of each gripping body moves into the gripping working space and grips the contact welding nozzle. On the other hand, if the first rotating body and the second rotating body rotate relative to each other from the reference position to the other side, the gripping body rotates to the other side due to the pushing action of the fitting part on the base to the other side. The other claw of each gripping body moves into the gripping working space and grips the contact welding nozzle.

[0019] In the eighth invention, according to the first invention, the receiver box is characterized by having: a welding nozzle receiving portion that receives a plurality of the contact welding nozzles arranged in an array; and a pushing mechanism that pushes the plurality of contact welding nozzles received in the welding nozzle receiving portion toward one end of the receiver box, the pushing mechanism comprising: a guide groove formed on the inner surface of the welding nozzle receiving portion and extending in a horizontal direction; a pushing member guided by the guide groove; and a force-applying member that applies force to the pushing member.

[0020] The effects of the invention

[0021] In the first invention, if the contact nozzle, which is threadedly connected to the welding torch body, is brought close to the holding and rotating mechanism and held by the holding and rotating mechanism, and the contact nozzle is rotated to one side about its center line, the contact nozzle can be removed from the welding torch body. If the holding and rotating mechanism is released when the receiving box has exited the nozzle supply space, the contact nozzle removed from the welding torch body falls downward through the nozzle supply space and is discarded. On the other hand, the contact nozzle housed in the receiving box, which enters the nozzle supply space by a reciprocating drive mechanism, is taken out of the receiving box upward by the nozzle removal mechanism. Therefore, if the contact nozzle is held from the side by the holding and rotating mechanism, and the contact nozzle is rotated to the other side about its center line while the welding torch body is brought close to the holding and rotating mechanism, the contact nozzle can be installed on the welding torch body. In this way, the installation and removal positions of the contact nozzle can be in the same position of the device, thus allowing the entire device to be designed in a compact shape.

[0022] In the second invention, when all the contact welding nozzles in the receiving box are exhausted due to repeated replacement of the contact welding nozzles, the box can be easily replaced with a pre-prepared receiving box. Therefore, the operation of filling the device with contact welding nozzles becomes simple, reducing device downtime and enabling the device to operate efficiently.

[0023] In the third invention, the housing can be moved back and forth using a simple structure, thus keeping the manufacturing cost of the device low.

[0024] In the fourth invention, the cylinder, which serves as the drive source for reciprocating movement, is placed in a useless space, thus making the entire device more compact.

[0025] In the fifth invention, if the rod member of the welding nozzle removal mechanism is extended while the receiving box is being moved into the welding nozzle supply space using a reciprocating drive mechanism, the rod member passes through the lower opening of the receiving box and pushes the welding nozzle upwards. Therefore, the welding nozzle pushed by the rod member extends from the upper opening of the receiving box and reaches the holding and rotating mechanism. In this way, each welding nozzle housed in the receiving box can be sequentially removed using a simple mechanism.

[0026] In the sixth invention, the welding nozzle removal mechanism can be moved to a position where it will not become an obstruction when the contact welding nozzle is dropped from the holding and rotating mechanism and discarded. In addition, the welding nozzle removal mechanism can be moved by a reciprocating drive mechanism that moves the receiving box back and forth, without the need to install a dedicated drive source for moving the welding nozzle removal mechanism, thus enabling it to be a low-cost device.

[0027] In the seventh invention, if the contact welding nozzle is positioned in the holding work space with the first and second rotating bodies in the reference position, and then the first and second rotating bodies are rotated relative to each other to one side, one claw of each holding body moves into the holding work space to hold the contact welding nozzle, and the first and second rotating bodies rotate together to one side in the direction about the center line of the contact welding nozzle. On the other hand, if the contact welding nozzle is positioned in the holding work space with the first and second rotating bodies in the reference position, and then the first and second rotating bodies are rotated relative to each other to the other side, the other claw of each holding body moves into the holding work space to hold the contact welding nozzle, and the first and second rotating bodies rotate together to the other side in the direction about the center line of the contact welding nozzle. Thus, regardless of which direction the first and second rotating bodies rotate relative to each other, the contact welding nozzle can be held, and the contact welding nozzle can be rotated around its center line while being held. Therefore, the installation and removal of the contact welding nozzle relative to the welding torch body can be performed only at the holding and rotating mechanism.

[0028] In the eighth invention, when one contact welding nozzle is removed from the receiving box, the pushing member moves along the guide groove under the force of the force-applying member, pushing each contact welding nozzle in the receiving box in its arrangement direction. Therefore, after one contact welding nozzle is removed from the receiving box, the contact welding nozzles in the receiving box immediately become arranged adjacent to each other without gaps, thus efficiently setting them to a ready state to supply the next contact welding nozzle. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a contact welding nozzle replacement device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the contact nozzle replacement device, showing the nozzle box after it has been removed from the main body of the device.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the welding nozzle box.

[0032] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view at line IV-IV.

[0033] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A cross-sectional view at the VV line.

[0034] Figure 6 This indicates the state just before the welding nozzle is removed from the welding torch body. Figure 4 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0035] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A sectional view at line VII-VII.

[0036] Figure 8 It means in Figure 7 The image shows the state of the welding nozzle immediately after it was removed from the welding torch body.

[0037] Figure 9 It means in Figure 8 The following diagram shows the state in which the contact welding nozzle will be installed before the welding torch body.

[0038] Figure 10 It means in Figure 9 The following diagram shows the state of the contact welding nozzle during its installation onto the welding torch body.

[0039] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 A cross-sectional view at line XI-XI.

[0040] Figure 12 It means in Figure 10 The image shows the state immediately after the contact welding nozzle has been installed onto the welding torch body. Detailed Implementation

[0041] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the following description of preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature.

[0042] Figure 1 The present invention illustrates a contact nozzle replacement device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This contact nozzle replacement device 1 is used to automatically replace a used contact nozzle 10 installed on a welding torch (not shown) for arc welding with a new contact nozzle, and includes: a device body 2, which is surrounded by a housing 20 in the shape of a box; and a nozzle box 3 (reservation box), which can be detached from the device body 2.

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the welding nozzle box 3 is in the shape of a plate with thickness, and is used in a posture in which the longitudinal direction extends horizontally and the plate surface extends vertically.

[0044] Inside the welding nozzle box 3, a welding nozzle receiving section S1 is formed that extends from one end of its longitudinal direction to the middle. The welding nozzle receiving section S1 can receive a plurality of contact welding nozzles 10 in a state in which a plurality of contact welding nozzles 10 extend in the vertical direction along the central axis and are arranged in a straight line in the horizontal direction with their tops facing downward.

[0045] An upper opening 3a is formed at one end of the upper end face of the welding nozzle box 3 along the longitudinal direction, which allows the welding nozzle 10 to be taken out from the external thread portion 10a and contacted. A lower opening 3b is formed at the lower end face of the welding nozzle box 3 at a position corresponding to the upper opening 3a, which communicates with the welding nozzle receiving portion S1.

[0046] In addition, a guide groove 3c with a concave cross section that extends in a straight line in the horizontal direction is formed on the upper side of the inner side of the welding nozzle box 3 corresponding to the welding nozzle receiving part S1. The guide groove 3c can guide the approximately cylindrical pushing member 3d with its center line pointing in the horizontal direction.

[0047] A spring receiving portion 3e extending in the horizontal direction and into which the pushing member 3d can be inserted is formed on the upper region of the other end of the welding nozzle box 3 in the longitudinal direction. The spring receiving portion 3e opens at a position corresponding to the guide groove 3c of the welding nozzle receiving portion S1.

[0048] The spring housing 3e houses a helical spring 3f (force-applying member), which applies force to the pushing member 3d towards one end of the welding nozzle box 3 in the longitudinal direction.

[0049] Furthermore, the push mechanism 12 of the present invention is constructed by the guide groove 3c, the push member 3d and the helical spring 3f. The push mechanism 12 pushes one or more contact welding nozzles 10 that are housed in the welding nozzle receiving part S1 to one end of the welding nozzle box 3.

[0050] A fitting recess 3g is formed on the lower side of the other end of the longitudinal direction of the welding nozzle box 3. It extends in the horizontal direction and opens in the horizontal direction at the other end of the longitudinal direction of the welding nozzle box 3. An opening 3h communicating with the outside of the welding nozzle box 3 is formed on the inner bottom surface of the fitting recess 3g.

[0051] A locking member 3j, shaped like a thin rod with its center line pointing horizontally, is embedded in the fitting recess 3g.

[0052] A protrusion 3k protruding outward is provided on the top side of the locking member 3j, while the base side of the locking member 3j extends out of the fitting recess 3g in such a way that the locking member 3j can be operated.

[0053] Furthermore, if the locking member 3j is rotated to one side, the protrusion 3k extends downward from the lower surface of the welding nozzle box 3 through the opening 3h. On the other hand, if the locking member 3j is rotated to the other side, the protrusion 3k enters the interior of the welding nozzle box 3 through the opening 3h.

[0054] On one side of the upper surface of the housing 20 in the width direction, a first through hole 20a in the circular shape communicating with the interior of the housing 20 is formed on one side of the longitudinal direction of the housing 20. On the other side, on the other side of the upper surface of the housing 20 in the width direction, a second through hole 20b and a third through hole 20c in the circular shape communicating with the interior of the housing 20 are formed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20.

[0055] Additionally, a slit-shaped box mounting and removal section 20d is formed on the upper part of the side surface on the other side of the longitudinal direction of the outer casing 20, which communicates with the interior of the outer casing 20. The box mounting and removal section 20d is a slit shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the welding nozzle box 3 that is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

[0056] Inside the outer casing 20 are provided: a contact welding nozzle replacement unit 2A, which performs the installation and removal of the contact welding nozzle 10; a nozzle removal and installation unit 2B, which removes and installs nozzles (not shown) relative to the welding torch body 11; and a welding torch cleaning unit 2C, which cleans the welding torch. The contact welding nozzle replacement unit 2A is positioned corresponding to the first through hole 20a and the box installation and removal part 20d, the nozzle removal and installation unit 2B is positioned corresponding to the second through hole 20b, and the welding torch cleaning unit 2C is positioned corresponding to the third through hole 20c.

[0057] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the contact welding nozzle replacement unit 2A includes: a holding rotation mechanism 4 that holds the contact welding nozzle 10 and causes the contact welding nozzle 10 to rotate; a reciprocating drive mechanism 5 that causes the welding nozzle box 3 to reciprocate; and a welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 that removes the contact welding nozzle 10 from the welding nozzle box 3.

[0058] The reciprocating drive mechanism 5 has a sliding member 51 with a generally C-shaped cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20 from a position inside the housing 20 corresponding to the box mounting and removal part 20d. If the welding nozzle box 3 is inserted into the housing 20 via the box mounting and removal part 20d, the welding nozzle box 3 enters the inner side of the sliding member 51.

[0059] A connecting portion 51a is formed on the bottom surface of the sliding member 51 on the side of the box mounting and removal portion 20d, which connects the inner side and the outer side of the sliding member 51. If the welding nozzle box 3 is inserted into the sliding member 51 and the locking member 3j is rotated to one side, the protrusion 3k extends from the lower surface of the welding nozzle box 3 and enters the connecting portion 51a, thereby fixing the welding nozzle box 3 to the sliding member 51.

[0060] That is, by inserting the welding nozzle box 3 into the sliding member 51 and rotating the locking member 3j, the welding nozzle box 3 can be installed and removed relative to the sliding member 51.

[0061] A double-rod cylinder 52 is disposed above the sliding member 51 inside the housing 20, and the piston rod 52a of the cylinder 52 extends in the longitudinal direction of the housing 20.

[0062] Support brackets 53, which are L-shaped in side view, are installed at one end and the other end of the piston rod 52a. Each support bracket 53 supports the sliding member 51 in a suspended manner, and the cylinder 52 is connected to the sliding member 51 by means of each support bracket 53.

[0063] And, as Figure 6 and Figure 9 As shown, the welding nozzle box 3, which is fixed to the sliding member 51, slides in the longitudinal direction of the outer shell 20 due to the movement of the piston rod 52a.

[0064] That is, the reciprocating drive mechanism 5 causes the welding nozzle box 3 to reciprocate in the direction of the arrangement of the welding nozzles 10, so that the welding nozzle box 3 enters or exits the welding nozzle supply space S2 relative to the longitudinal direction region set inside the housing 20.

[0065] The welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 is located below the sliding member 51 on the side near the welding nozzle supply space S2, and is connected to the reciprocating drive mechanism 5, so as to move in the same direction as the reciprocating action of the reciprocating drive mechanism 5.

[0066] The welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 includes a rod member 6a, which extends vertically along its center line and is capable of vertical extension and retraction. If the rod member 6a is extended while the sliding member 51 is moving and the welding nozzle box 3 is in the welding nozzle supply space S2, then... Figure 10 As shown, the rod member 6a is inserted into the lower opening 3b of the welding nozzle box 3 and pushes the contact welding nozzle 10 located at one end of the longitudinal direction of the welding nozzle box 3 upward, thereby removing the contact welding nozzle 10 from the upper part of the welding nozzle box 3 through the upper opening 3a.

[0067] Below the first through hole 20a and above the welding nozzle supply space S2, there is a gripping rotation mechanism 4 that can grip the welding nozzle 10 from the side with the tip of the welding nozzle 10, which is taken out by the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6, facing downward, and can release the gripping.

[0068] The gripping and rotating mechanism 4 is located on the side of the cylinder 52, and the gripping working space V1 of the gripping and rotating mechanism 4 is set directly below the first through hole 20a.

[0069] The holding and rotating mechanism 4 includes a driven gear 41 (first rotating body) and a rotating disk 42 (second rotating body) with a rotating shaft C1 extending in the vertical direction set at the center of the holding working space V1. The driven gear 41 is supported on the frame part of the device body 2 by means of a bearing B1.

[0070] Driven gear 41 and rotating disk 42 are configured to rotate relative to each other with the aid of bearing B2 around the rotation axis C1.

[0071] If the drive motor (not shown) rotates forward, then as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the driven gear 41 rotates to one side (X1 direction) via the drive gear; on the other hand, if the drive motor reverses, then... Figure 11 As shown, the driven gear 41 rotates to the other side (X2 direction) by means of the driving gear.

[0072] like Figure 5 As shown, the driven gear 41 is generally ring-shaped, and on its inner circumferential surface, there are four concave fitting portions 41a that open on the inner side of the driven gear 41 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis C1.

[0073] The rotating disk 42 has an upper disk 42a and a lower disk 42b, which are in the shape of discs and are located on the upper side and the inner side of the driven gear 41, respectively.

[0074] The upper plate 42a is roughly circular in shape, with a circular upper welding nozzle through hole 42c in the center corresponding to the holding work space V1.

[0075] On the other hand, a circular lower welding nozzle communication hole 42d corresponding to the holding work space V1 is formed in the center of the lower plate 42b.

[0076] A leaf spring (not shown) is disposed between the upper side plate 42a and the driven gear 41 to increase the resistance value between the upper side plate 42a and the driven gear 41.

[0077] like Figure 5 As shown, four gripping bodies 43, which are roughly arrow-shaped when viewed from above, are arranged inside the driven gear 41 and between the upper side plate 42a and the lower side plate 42b. Each gripping body 43 is positioned corresponding to each fitting part 41a.

[0078] A through hole 43a is formed approximately in the center of each gripping body 43, through which a rotating shaft 43b extending in the same direction as the rotation axis C1 passes.

[0079] Each end of the rotating shaft 43b is fixed to the upper side plate 42a and the lower side plate 42b respectively, and the handle 43 is axially supported on the rotating disk 42 in a manner that allows it to rotate around the rotating shaft 43b.

[0080] A pair of claws 43c are provided at the top of the gripping body 43, protruding toward the gripping work space V1, and the claws 43c are separated in the circumferential direction about the rotation axis C1.

[0081] On the other hand, a protruding base 43d is provided at the center of the base end side of the gripping body 43, which protrudes to the opposite side of the gripping working space V1. The base 43d is in clearance fit with the corresponding fitting part 41a.

[0082] And, as Figure 6 As shown, if the drive motor (not shown) is rotated forward with the contact welding nozzle 10 positioned in the holding work space V1, then as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the driven gear 41 rotates relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side (X1 direction). Due to the pushing action of the mating part 41a, which is linked to this, on the base 43d, the holding body 43 rotates to one side (Z1 direction). A claw part 43c moves forward into the holding work space V1 and holds the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0083] Furthermore, if the contact welding nozzle 10 is held by one claw portion 43c of each holding body 43, and the drive motor (not shown) is rotated further forward while the welding torch body 11 is brought closer, the external thread portion 10a of the contact welding nozzle 10 is screwed out from the internal thread portion (not shown) of the welding torch body 11 and the contact welding nozzle 10 is removed from the welding torch body 11.

[0084] Furthermore, after the contact welding nozzle 10 is installed onto the welding torch body 11, if the drive motor (not shown) is reversed, the driven gear 41 rotates relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side (X2 direction). Due to the pushing action of the mating part 41a, which is linked to this, on the base 43d to the other side, the holding body 43 rotates to the other side (Z2 direction). One claw part 43c retracts from the holding working space V1, causing the contact welding nozzle 10 to fall from the holding working space V1 and be discarded.

[0085] On the other hand, such as Figure 10 As shown, if the drive motor (not shown) is reversed while the welding nozzle 10 is pushed upwards from the welding nozzle box 3 by the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 and positioned in the holding work space V1, then as... Figure 11 As shown, the driven gear 41 rotates relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side (X2 direction). Due to the pushing action of the mating part 41a, which is linked to this, the base 43d is pushed to the other side, causing the holding body 43 to rotate to the other side. The other claw part 43c moves forward into the holding work space V1 and holds the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0086] Furthermore, if the welding torch body 11 is brought close to the holding work space V1 and abuts against the external thread 10a of the welding nozzle 10 while the welding nozzle 10 is held by the other claw 43c of each holding body 43, and the drive motor (not shown) is further reversed, the external thread 10a of the welding nozzle 10 is screwed into the internal thread (not shown) of the welding torch body 11, thereby connecting the welding nozzle 10 and the welding torch body 11.

[0087] Furthermore, after the contact welding nozzle 10 is installed onto the welding torch body 11, if the drive motor (not shown) is rotated forward while the contact welding nozzle 10 is held by the other claw 43c of each holding body 43, the driven gear 41 rotates relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side (X1 direction). Due to the pushing action of the mating part 41a, which is linked to this, on the base 43d, the holding body 43 rotates to one side, and the other claw 43c retracts from the holding work space V1, releasing the holding state of the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0088] Furthermore, the nozzle mounting / removing unit 2B in this embodiment has the same structure as the holding and rotating mechanism 4, except that it uses a rotational motion to mount and remove the nozzle cover (not shown) relative to the welding torch body 11. Therefore, detailed description is omitted. Additionally, the welding torch cleaning unit 2C is a structure already well-known in the art, therefore, detailed description is omitted.

[0089] Next, the replacement operation of the contact welding nozzle 10 using the contact welding nozzle replacement device 1 will be discussed in detail.

[0090] First, such as Figure 6 As shown, the contact nozzle 10, which is installed on the welding torch body 11 after use, is moved and positioned above the holding working space V1 of the holding rotation mechanism 4.

[0091] If the used contact welding nozzle 10 is positioned in the holding work space V1, the drive motor (not shown) rotates forward, causing the driven gear 41 to rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side (X1 direction). Thus, as... Figure 7 As shown, the mating part 41a and the driven gear 41 rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side and push the base 43d to one side. Due to this pushing action, the holding body 43 rotates to one side (Z1 direction), and a claw part 43c moves forward into the holding working space V1 to hold the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0092] When each holding body 43 holds the contact welding nozzle 10, the drive motor rotates further forward. As a result, the contact welding nozzle 10 rotates to one side and is detached from the welding torch body 11.

[0093] Then, by reversing the drive motor, the driven gear 41 is rotated relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side. Thus, as Figure 8 As shown, the mating part 41a and the driven gear 41 rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side and push the base 43d to the other side. Due to this pushing action, the holding body 43 rotates to the other side, and a claw part 43c retracts from the holding working space V1. As a result, the holding state of each holding body 43 on the contact welding nozzle 10 is released, and the contact welding nozzle 10 falls from the holding working space V1 and is discarded.

[0094] Next, cylinder 52 is activated, causing piston rod 52a to slide to one side. Thus, as... Figure 9 As shown, the sliding member 51 moves to one side, causing the welding nozzle box 3 to enter the welding nozzle supply space S2.

[0095] Next, the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 is activated, causing the rod member 6a to extend. Thus, as... Figure 10 As shown, the rod member 6a enters the interior of the welding nozzle box 3 through the lower opening 3b and pushes upward the contact welding nozzle 10 located at one end of the longitudinal direction of the welding nozzle box 3 before use. Then, the contact welding nozzle 10 is taken out upward through the upper opening 3a and placed in the holding work space V1.

[0096] Then, the drive motor (not shown) reverses, causing the driven gear 41 to rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side (X2 direction). Thus, as Figure 11 As shown, the mating part 41a and the driven gear 41 rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to the other side and push the base 43d to the other side. Due to this pushing action, the holding body 43 rotates to the other side (Z2 direction), and the other claw part 43c moves forward into the holding work space V1 to hold the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0097] When the contact welding nozzle 10 is held by each holding body 43, the welding torch body 11 approaches the holding work space V1 from above and comes into contact with the external thread 10a of the contact welding nozzle 10 held by each holding body 43, and then the drive motor is reversed further. As a result, the contact welding nozzle 10 rotates to the other side and is threadedly connected to the welding torch body 11.

[0098] Then, by making the drive motor rotate forward, the driven gear 41 rotates relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side. Thus, as Figure 12 As shown, the engaging part 41a and the driven gear 41 rotate relative to the rotating disk 42 to one side, pushing the base 43d to one side. Due to this pushing action, the holding body 43 rotates to one side, and the other claw part 43c retracts from the holding working space V1, releasing the contact welding nozzle 10 from each holding body 43. Afterwards, the welding torch body 11 moves upward, and the contact welding nozzle 10 threadedly connected to the welding torch body 11 retracts from the holding working space V1, thereby completing the replacement operation of the contact welding nozzle 10.

[0099] In summary, according to the embodiments of the present invention, if the contact welding nozzle 10, which is threadedly connected to the welding torch body 11, is brought close to the holding and rotating mechanism 4 and held by the holding and rotating mechanism 4, and the contact welding nozzle 10 is rotated to one side about its center line, the contact welding nozzle can be removed from the welding torch body 11. If the holding state of the holding and rotating mechanism 4 is released when the welding nozzle box 3 has withdrawn from the welding nozzle supply space S2, the contact welding nozzle 10 removed from the welding torch body 11 falls downward through the welding nozzle supply space S2 and is discarded. On the other hand, the contact nozzle 10, which is housed in the nozzle box 3 and enters the nozzle supply space S2 via the reciprocating drive mechanism 5, is taken out of the nozzle box 3 upwards by the nozzle removal mechanism 6. Therefore, if the contact nozzle 10 is held from the side by the holding and rotating mechanism 4, and the contact nozzle 10 is rotated to the other side around its centerline while the torch body 11 is close to the holding and rotating mechanism 4, the contact nozzle 10 can be installed on the torch body 11. In this way, the installation position and removal position of the contact nozzle 10 can be in the same position of the device, so the entire contact nozzle replacement device 1 can be made into a compact shape.

[0100] Furthermore, the welding nozzle box 3 is designed to be detached from the sliding member 51 of the reciprocating drive mechanism 5. Therefore, when all the welding nozzles 10 stored in the welding nozzle box are depleted due to repeated replacement operations of the welding nozzles 10, it can be easily replaced with a pre-prepared welding nozzle box 3. Consequently, the operation of filling the welding nozzle replacement device 1 with welding nozzles 10 is simplified, reducing the downtime of the welding nozzle replacement device 1 and enabling it to operate efficiently.

[0101] Furthermore, by using cylinder 52 to perform the reciprocating motion of sliding member 51, the welding nozzle box 3 can be moved back and forth with a simple structure, thus keeping the manufacturing cost of the contact welding nozzle replacement device 1 low.

[0102] Furthermore, the cylinder 52, which serves as the drive source for reciprocating the welding nozzle box 3, is located in the unused space on the side of the holding rotation mechanism 4 and above the sliding member 51, thus making the entire contact welding nozzle replacement device 1 more compact.

[0103] Furthermore, if the welding nozzle box 3 is inserted into the welding nozzle supply space S2 using the reciprocating drive mechanism 5, and the rod member 6a of the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 is extended, the rod member 6a passes through the lower opening 3b of the welding nozzle box 3 and pushes the contact welding nozzle 10 upward. Therefore, the contact welding nozzle 10 pushed by the rod member 6a extends out from the upper opening 3a of the welding nozzle box 3 and reaches the holding rotation mechanism 4. In this way, each contact welding nozzle 10 housed in the welding nozzle box 3 can be removed sequentially using a simple mechanism.

[0104] Furthermore, the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 reciprocates in the same direction as the reciprocating drive mechanism 5, thus allowing the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 to be moved to a position where it will not become an obstruction when the contact welding nozzle 10 is dropped from the holding and rotating mechanism 4 and discarded. Additionally, the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 can be moved using the reciprocating drive mechanism 5 that reciprocates the welding nozzle box 3, eliminating the need for a dedicated drive source for moving the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6. Therefore, it can be configured as a low-cost contact welding nozzle replacement device 1.

[0105] Furthermore, if the contact welding nozzle 10 is positioned in the holding work space V1 with the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 in the reference position, and then the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 are rotated relative to each other to one side, one claw 43c of each holding body 43 advances into the holding work space V1 to hold the contact welding nozzle 10, and the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 rotate together to one side in the direction about the center line of the contact welding nozzle 10. On the other hand, if the contact welding nozzle 10 is positioned in the holding work space V1 with the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 in the reference position, and then the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 are rotated relative to each other to the other side, the other claw 43c of each holding body 43 advances into the holding work space V1 to hold the contact welding nozzle 10, and the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 rotate together to the other side in the direction about the center line of the contact welding nozzle 10. Thus, regardless of which direction the driven gear 41 and the rotating disk 42 rotate relative to each other, the contact welding nozzle 10 can be held, and the contact welding nozzle 10 can be rotated around its center line while being held. Therefore, the installation and removal of the contact welding nozzle 10 relative to the welding torch body 11 can be performed only at the holding and rotating mechanism 4.

[0106] Furthermore, when one contact welding nozzle 10 is removed from the welding nozzle box 3, the pushing member 3d moves while being guided by the guide groove 3c due to the force of the helical spring 3f, thus pushing each contact welding nozzle 10 in the welding nozzle box 3 in its arrangement direction. Therefore, after one contact welding nozzle 10 is removed from the welding nozzle box 3, each contact welding nozzle 10 in the welding nozzle box 3 immediately becomes arranged adjacent to each other without gaps, thus efficiently setting it to a ready state to supply the next contact welding nozzle 10.

[0107] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the reciprocating drive mechanism 5 is used to reciprocate the welding nozzle box 3 using the cylinder 52, but other mechanisms can also be used to make it reciprocate, for example, a gear and rack mechanism can also be used to make it reciprocate.

[0108] In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, the rod member 6a of the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 is extended to push out the contact welding nozzle 10 in the welding nozzle box 3, thereby removing the contact welding nozzle 10 from the welding nozzle box 3. However, it is also possible to remove it by other methods, such as by grabbing and pulling out the contact welding nozzle 10 in the welding nozzle box 3.

[0109] In addition, the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 operates in conjunction with the reciprocating motion of the reciprocating drive mechanism 5, but a different drive source can also be prepared to make the welding nozzle removal mechanism 6 and the reciprocating drive mechanism 5 operate asynchronously.

[0110] In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, a helical spring 3f is used in the welding nozzle box 3 as a force-applying component to generate the force of pushing and contacting the welding nozzle 10, but other force-applying components may also be used, such as rubber components, cylinders, etc.

[0111] Industrial availability

[0112] The present invention is a contact nozzle replacement device suitable for automatically replacing the contact nozzle that is threadedly connected to the top end of the welding torch body used for arc welding.

[0113] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0114] 1. Contact welding nozzle replacement device; 3. Welding nozzle box (receiving box); 3a. Upper opening; 3b. Lower opening; 3c. Guide groove; 3d. Pushing member; 3f. Helical spring (force application member); 4. Holding and rotating mechanism; 5. Reciprocating drive mechanism; 6. Welding nozzle removal mechanism; 6a. Rod member; 10. Contact welding nozzle; 10a. External thread; 11. Welding torch body; 12. Pushing mechanism; 41. Driven gear (first rotating body); 41a. Fitting part; 42. Rotary disk (second rotating body); 43. Holding body; 43c. Claw part; 43d. Base; 51. Sliding member; 52. Cylinder; 52a. Piston rod; C1. Rotating shaft; S1. Welding nozzle receiving part; S2. Welding nozzle supply space.

Claims

1. A contact tip changer that is a contact tip changer for replacing a contact tip that is threadedly coupled to a torch body, characterized by comprising: a housing that is capable of housing the contact tips arranged in a straight line in a horizontal direction in a state in which a central axis extends in a vertical direction and a tip end faces downward; a reciprocating drive mechanism that reciprocates the housing in an arrangement direction of the contact tips to enter or exit a tip supply space; a tip extraction mechanism that extracts the contact tips upward from the housing in a state in which the housing enters the tip supply space; and a grip and rotation mechanism that is provided above the tip supply space, is configured to be capable of gripping and releasing the contact tips extracted by the tip extraction mechanism from a side, and is configured to rotate the contact tips around the central axis in a state in which the contact tips are gripped to threadedly couple the contact tips to the torch body or detach the contact tips from the torch body.

2. The contact tip changer according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a sliding member that reciprocates in a horizontal direction, and the housing is configured to be detachable with respect to the sliding member.

3. The contact tip changer according to claim 2, characterized in that the reciprocating drive mechanism includes a cylinder whose piston rod extending in a sliding direction of the sliding member is connected to the sliding member, and reciprocates the housing by a sliding action of the piston rod.

4. The contact tip changer according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylinder is located laterally of the grip and rotation mechanism and above the sliding member.

5. The contact tip changer according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip extraction mechanism includes a rod member whose rod center line extends upward and downward, and the rod member is capable of extending upward and downward, an upper opening portion through which the contact tips are extracted is formed at an upper end of the housing, a lower opening portion is formed at a position of a lower end of the housing corresponding to the upper opening portion, the lower opening portion communicates with an inside of the housing, and the extended rod member is capable of penetrating the lower opening portion in a state in which the housing enters the tip supply space.

6. The contact tip changer according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip extraction mechanism is connected to the reciprocating drive mechanism and is configured to reciprocate in the same direction in conjunction with a reciprocating action of the reciprocating drive mechanism.

7. The contact tip changer according to claim 1, characterized in that the grip and rotation mechanism includes: a first rotary body that has a grip work space in which a rotary axis center extending in a vertical direction of the grip and rotation mechanism is set at a center of the grip work space, and has a plurality of fitting portions at equal intervals around the rotary axis center, and a second rotary body that is capable of being coupled to the first rotary body by the fitting portions. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ a second rotating body configured to relatively rotate with respect to the first rotating body about the rotation axis as a center; and a gripping body provided at positions corresponding to the fitting portions, respectively, and supported by the second rotating body so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the same direction as the rotation axis, the gripping body having a pair of claw portions formed at a tip end thereof so as to be separated in a circumferential direction about the rotation axis, and the base portion of the gripping body being in clearance fit with the corresponding fitting portion, the gripping rotating mechanism being configured such that, if the first and second rotating bodies are relatively rotated to one side from a reference position, the gripping bodies are rotated to one side due to a pushing action of the fitting portions against the base portions to one side, one of the claw portions of each of the gripping bodies advances toward the gripping work space to grip the contact tip, and, if the first and second rotating bodies are relatively rotated to the other side from the reference position, the gripping bodies are rotated to the other side due to a pushing action of the fitting portions against the base portions to the other side, the other of the claw portions of each of the gripping bodies advances toward the gripping work space to grip the contact tip.

8. The contact tip changer according to claim 1, wherein a tip housing portion housing a plurality of the contact tips in a state of being arranged in a row is provided inside the housing case, and a pushing mechanism pushes the plurality of the contact tips housed in the state of being arranged in a row to one end side of the housing case, the pushing mechanism includes a guide groove formed in an inner surface of the tip housing portion and extending in a horizontal direction, a pushing member guided by the guide groove, and an urging member urging the pushing member.

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