Friction welding tool cooling method and friction welding method

Abstract

The application provides a friction welding tool cooling method and a friction welding method, and relates to the technical field of friction stir welding. The friction welding tool cooling method comprises the following steps: rotating a friction welding tool; introducing external cooling air into a cooling cavity in the friction welding tool through at least one air inlet part, wherein the air inlet part is directed towards the windward direction of the friction welding tool; performing heat exchange of the cooling air inside the cooling cavity to cool the shaft shoulder and / or the welding pin of the friction welding tool; and discharging the cooling air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling cavity through at least one air outlet part, wherein the air outlet part is directed towards the leeward direction of the friction welding tool. The application generates air flow by autorotation of the friction welding tool to achieve the cooling purpose, reduces the temperature at the bottom end of the friction welding tool, and improves the service life of the friction welding tool and the weld quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of friction welding equipment technology, and in particular to a method for cooling friction welding tools and a friction welding method. Background Technology

[0002] Friction welding is a method of welding that utilizes the heat generated by friction between the contact surfaces of workpieces as a heat source, causing the workpieces to undergo plastic deformation under pressure. Under constant or increasing pressure and torque, the relative motion between the welding contact surfaces generates frictional heat and plastic deformation heat in the friction surface and its vicinity, raising the temperature in the vicinity to a range close to but generally below the melting point. This reduces the material's resistance to deformation, increases its plasticity, and breaks down the oxide film at the interface. Under the action of upsetting pressure, the material undergoes plastic deformation and flow, achieving solid-state welding through molecular diffusion and recrystallization at the interface.

[0003] Friction welding refers to the use of heat generated by the friction between a high-speed rotating welding tool and the workpiece to locally melt the materials being welded. As the welding tool moves forward along the welding interface, the plasticized material flows from the front to the rear of the welding tool under the action of the rotational friction force of the welding tool, and forms a dense solid phase weld under the extrusion of the welding tool.

[0004] Friction welding has attracted attention from research institutions worldwide due to its advantages such as minimal welding deformation and residual stress, the elimination of shielding gas and filler materials, the removal of welding defects like porosity, inclusions, and cracks, and the absence of arc light, fumes, and noise pollution. Furthermore, it significantly reduces costs, saves materials, optimizes structures, and lightens the structural weight of aircraft. Because of its many unique characteristics, it has been rapidly adopted in the aerospace field; for example, the longitudinal seams of the core stage propellant tank section of a new generation of launch vehicles are welded using this method. While friction welding can produce high-quality welds—the friction between the welding needle and the workpiece surface generates significant heat, aiding in the rapid softening of the base material—the increased base material temperature can cause workpiece deformation, grain growth, and reduced base material properties. It also increases the heat-affected zone of the weld, decreasing weld strength and overall weld quality. Therefore, rapidly reducing the temperature of the welding tool is crucial.

[0005] In existing technologies, surface cooling is used to cool friction welding tools. However, this method requires surface cooling of areas far from the welding pin or shoulder, rather than directly cooling the center of the tool near the shoulder and welding pin, resulting in low cooling efficiency. Furthermore, during operation, improper parameters leading to heat accumulation and excessively high friction temperatures can cause accelerated tool wear, shortened tool life, or decreased weld mechanical properties. While reducing the rotational speed and increasing the movement of the tool can lower the temperature, this method is slow and unsuitable for high-speed applications. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the problems in the prior art, this application proposes a cooling method for friction welding tools and a friction welding method. The method uses airflow generated by rotation to cool the friction welding tool, thereby improving the service life of the friction welding tool and the quality of the weld.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides a method for cooling a friction welding tool, comprising:

[0008] Rotary friction welding tools;

[0009] External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber of the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet, wherein the air inlet faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0010] The cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber to cool the shoulder and / or welding needle of the friction welding tool;

[0011] Cooling air after heat exchange is discharged outside the cooling chamber through at least one air outlet, wherein the air outlet faces the leeward direction of the friction welding tool.

[0012] The above-described friction welding tool cooling method further includes the step of introducing external cooling air into the cooling chamber within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet, comprising:

[0013] External cooling air is introduced into at least one air inlet channel through at least one air inlet;

[0014] At least one of the air inlet channels allows cooling air to enter the cooling chamber through at least one air inlet outlet.

[0015] The air inlet channel extends spirally from the air inlet to the air outlet, and the spiral direction of the air inlet channel is the same as the rotation direction of the friction welding tool.

[0016] In the above-described friction welding tool cooling method, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet channel gradually decreases from the air inlet to the air outlet.

[0017] The above-mentioned friction welding tool cooling method further includes the step of discharging the cooled air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling chamber via at least one air outlet, which includes:

[0018] The cooled air after heat exchange is discharged to at least one air outlet channel through at least one air outlet inlet;

[0019] At least one of the cooling air outlet channels is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber through at least one air outlet.

[0020] The air outlet channel extends spirally from the air outlet inlet to the air outlet outlet, and the spiral direction of the air outlet channel is opposite to that of the air inlet channel.

[0021] In the above-described friction welding tool cooling method, the cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet.

[0022] In the above-mentioned friction welding tool cooling method, the cooling cavity is provided with a heat dissipation component near the bottom of the shoulder and / or the welding needle;

[0023] The step of heat exchange between the cooling air and the cooling chamber includes:

[0024] The heat generated by the shoulder and / or welding pin is transferred to the heat dissipation assembly;

[0025] The cooling air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation component and carries away the heat from the heat dissipation component.

[0026] In the above-mentioned friction welding tool cooling method, the cooling chamber extends upward from the position of the shoulder and / or welding needle, the air inlet communicates with the bottom of the cooling chamber near the shoulder and / or welding needle, and the air outlet communicates with the upper part of the cooling chamber;

[0027] The step of exchanging heat between the cooling air and the heat dissipation component to remove heat from the heat dissipation component includes:

[0028] The cooling air fills the bottom of the cooling chamber and exchanges heat with the heat dissipation components;

[0029] The cooling air after heat exchange flows along the cooling chamber toward the air outlet.

[0030] The above-described friction welding tool cooling method further includes the friction welding tool being connected to the machine head via a rotating spindle, and the step of rotating the friction welding tool includes:

[0031] Adjust the friction welding tool so that the air inlet faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0032] The friction welding tool rotates relative to the workpiece under the drive of the rotating spindle of the machine head.

[0033] Another aspect of the present invention provides a friction welding method, comprising:

[0034] Move the friction welding tool to the weld position of the workpiece to be welded;

[0035] The friction welding tool is driven to rotate in order to weld at the weld position;

[0036] External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber of the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet, wherein the air inlet faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0037] The cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber to cool the shoulder and / or welding needle of the friction welding tool;

[0038] Cooling air after heat exchange is discharged outside the cooling chamber through at least one air outlet, wherein the air outlet faces the leeward direction of the friction welding tool.

[0039] The aforementioned friction welding method further includes:

[0040] A protective medium is introduced into the weld location.

[0041] The above-mentioned technical features can be combined in various suitable ways or replaced by equivalent technical features, as long as the purpose of the present invention can be achieved.

[0042] The friction welding tool cooling method and friction welding method provided by this invention have at least the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0043] The friction welding tool cooling method of this application utilizes the rotation of the friction welding tool to induce external cooling airflow within the tool, creating convective cooling. This reduces the temperature at the tool's shoulder and / or welding pin location, minimizing accelerated wear due to overheating and improving tool life and weld quality. Specifically, during rotation, external cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber through the air inlet to cool the bottom of the tool. Due to the pressure difference and the higher temperature at the bottom of the cooling chamber compared to the top, the cooled air flows upwards after heat exchange and exits through the air outlet, achieving convective heat dissipation. No additional cooling device is required, effectively saving costs. Furthermore, in high-speed applications, the increased airflow as the tool's rotation speed increases further enhances the cooling effect.

[0044] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, preferred embodiments are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0046] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0048] Figure 2 This is a further flow diagram of step S10 in the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a further flow diagram of step S20 in the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 4 This is a further schematic diagram of step S40 in the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0051] Figure 5 This is a further schematic diagram of step S30 in the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 6This is a further flow diagram of step S32 in the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 7 This is a schematic flowchart of the friction welding method of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the structure of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention, focusing on the structure of the air inlet and air outlet.

[0056] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 11 A top view of a friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 12 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention, focusing on the structure of the air outlet;

[0059] Figure 13 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention, focusing on the structure of the air inlet.

[0060] Figure 14 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the friction welding tool provided in an embodiment of the present invention, focusing on the structure of the heat dissipation component.

[0061] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts are referred to by the same reference numerals, and the drawings are not to scale.

[0062] Figure label:

[0063] 10. Connecting parts;

[0064] 20. Main body; 210. Shoulder; 220. Welding pin; 230. Cooling cavity;

[0065] 30. Air inlet section; 310. Air inlet; 320. Air inlet outlet; 330. Air inlet channel; 340. Raised section;

[0066] 40. Air outlet; 410. Air inlet; 420. Air outlet; 430. Air flow channel;

[0067] 50. Heat dissipation component; 510. Heat dissipation column; 520. Heat sink. Detailed Implementation

[0068] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below with reference to specific illustrations.

[0069] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] Friction welding involves inserting a welding needle into the joint of the workpieces to be welded. The high-speed rotation of the needle causes friction between the needle and the workpiece material, raising the temperature and softening the material at the joint. As the needle moves, highly plastically deformed material gradually deposits behind it, forming a weld. However, as the welding distance increases, heat accumulation can lead to excessively high welding temperatures, resulting in accelerated wear and shortened tool life, and reduced weld performance.

[0071] Existing technologies employ surface cooling to reduce the temperature of friction welding tools. However, this method only cools the outer surface of the tool and does not reach the shoulder and welding pin, resulting in low cooling efficiency and unsuitability for high-speed applications. Therefore, this application provides a cooling method for friction welding tools. By rotating the tool, external cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber inside the tool. This air exchanges heat with the shoulder and welding pin before being exhausted through the exhaust outlet, carrying away the heat and achieving rapid cooling. This improves the tool's lifespan and weld quality. Furthermore, when applied to high-speed applications, the increased airflow as the tool's rotational speed increases further enhances the cooling effect.

[0072] Reference Figure 1 This invention provides a method for cooling friction welding tools, comprising:

[0073] Step S10: Rotate the friction welding tool;

[0074] Step S20: External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber 230 inside the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet 30, wherein the air inlet 30 faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0075] Step S30: Cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber 230 to cool the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220 of the friction welding tool;

[0076] Step S40: The cooled air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 via at least one air outlet 40, wherein the air outlet 40 is oriented towards the leeward direction of the friction welding tool.

[0077] It should be noted that the friction welding tool of the present invention can be applied to friction stir welding operations, as well as to the surface treatment of materials.

[0078] When applied to friction stir welding, the welding needle 220 at the bottom of the friction welding tool is inserted into the weld seam of the workpiece while rotating. The frictional heat between the rotating welding needle 220 and the workpiece causes the material at the weld seam to soften and form a plastic deformation flow. As the welding needle 220 moves forward, the plastic deformation flow is gradually deposited behind the welding needle, thus forming a weld seam.

[0079] When applied to the surface treatment of materials, a needle-free friction welding tool can be used to treat the material surface. By contacting the shoulder 210 at the bottom of the friction welding tool with the surface of the material to be treated, the friction welding tool is rotated to remove the oxide layer or burrs on the material surface, thereby improving the surface smoothness of the material.

[0080] It should be noted that the friction welding tool cooling method of the present invention can also be applied to underwater welding operations. In this case, both the workpiece and the welding needle are in an underwater environment. By utilizing the heat absorption effect of the water medium, the friction welding tool can be further cooled, thereby improving the service life of the friction welding tool and the quality of the weld.

[0081] The above step S10 can perform welding operations on materials using a rotary friction welding tool, thereby achieving the joining of materials or the treatment of material surfaces.

[0082] In step S20, external cooling air can be introduced into the cooling chamber 230 inside the friction welding tool through at least one air inlet 30, thereby cooling the friction welding tool.

[0083] The above step S30 can remove some of the heat generated by the friction welding tool during operation through heat exchange, thereby reducing the temperature of the friction welding tool, reducing the accelerated wear of the friction welding tool caused by excessive temperature, and improving the service life of the friction welding tool and the quality of the weld.

[0084] In step S40, the cooled air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 through at least one air outlet 40, so that external cooling air can continuously enter and form a cooling cycle to achieve real-time cooling of the friction welding tool.

[0085] It should be noted that, for ease of installation, the friction welding tool may include a connecting part 10 and a main body 20. The connecting part 10 and the main body 20 can be separate structures or integrally formed. The connecting part 10 is used to connect to the head of the corresponding equipment, or to connect the connecting part 10 to the bottom of the rotating spindle of the corresponding head. The head drives the main body 20 connected to the connecting part 10 to rotate, thereby achieving friction welding. A cooling chamber 230 is disposed within the main body 20 and located near the shoulder 210 and / or the welding needle 220. An air inlet 30 and an air outlet 40 are both disposed on the circumferential wall of the main body 20 and communicate with the cooling chamber 230, forming a convection cooling channel within the friction welding tool. When the friction welding tool rotates, its rotational motion causes cooling air to flow within the cooling channel, forming convection cooling and thus reducing the temperature of the friction welding tool.

[0086] It should be noted that, since the temperature at the bottom of the cooling chamber 230 is higher than that at the top, the air inlet 30 is located at the bottom of the main body 20 near the shoulder 210 or the welding pin 220, while the air outlet 40 is located at the top of the main body 20. This utilizes the principle of rising high-temperature gas to allow the cooled air after heat exchange to flow upwards along the cooling chamber 230 and be discharged through the air outlet 40, achieving efficient cooling of the friction welding tool.

[0087] Reference Figure 2 In some embodiments of this application, the friction welding tool is connected to the machine head via a rotating spindle, and the step of rotating the friction welding tool includes:

[0088] Step S11: Adjust the friction welding tool so that the air inlet 30 faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0089] Step S12: The friction welding tool rotates relative to the workpiece under the drive of the rotating spindle of the machine head.

[0090] The above step S11 can make the air inlet 30 face the windward direction of the friction welding tool, which makes it easier to introduce external cooling air into the cooling chamber 230 when the friction welding tool rotates.

[0091] In step S12 above, the rotating spindle can be driven by the drive device of the machine head to rotate the friction welding tool, thus preparing for the next welding operation.

[0092] Reference Figure 3 In some embodiments of this application, the step of introducing external cooling air into the cooling chamber 230 within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet 30 includes:

[0093] Step S21: Introduce external cooling air into at least one air inlet duct 330 through at least one air inlet 310;

[0094] Step S22: Cooling air in at least one air inlet channel 330 enters the cooling chamber 230 through at least one air inlet outlet 320;

[0095] The air inlet channel 330 extends spirally from the air inlet 310 to the air outlet 320, and the spiral direction of the air inlet channel 330 is the same as the rotation direction of the friction welding tool.

[0096] The above step S21 can introduce external cooling air into the air inlet channel 330 and input it into the cooling chamber 230 along the air inlet channel 330.

[0097] In step S22 above, cooling air can be delivered into the cooling chamber 230 to prepare for heat exchange between the cooling air and the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220 of the friction welding tool.

[0098] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 9 to 13 An air inlet 310 is located on the outer wall of the main body 20 and faces the windward direction when the friction welding tool rotates, so as to introduce external cooling air into the air inlet channel 330. An air outlet 320 is located on the inner wall of the cooling chamber 230 and near the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220, so that external cooling air can directly reach the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220, thereby improving cooling efficiency. The air inlet channel 330 extends spirally from the air inlet 310 to the air outlet 320, and the spiral direction of the air inlet channel 330 is the same as the rotation direction of the friction welding tool when it is working. This can guide the flow of cooling air and reduce air resistance, so that external cooling air can quickly enter the cooling chamber 230 along the air inlet channel 330.

[0099] It should be noted that the cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet channel 330 gradually decreases from the air inlet 310 to the air outlet 320, which accelerates the flow of cooling air within the air inlet channel 330, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0100] In some embodiments of this application, the air inlet 30 further includes a raised portion 340 disposed on the side wall of the main body 20. During the rotation of the friction welding tool, the end face of the raised portion 340 facing the windward direction can be considered as the windward surface, and the air inlet 310 is disposed on the windward surface. The raised portion 340 is disposed close to the outer side wall of the main body 20, and the raised portion 340 and the main body 20 can be integrally formed to further improve the structural strength.

[0101] It should be noted that the raised portion 340 can have an outwardly protruding arc-shaped structure, with part of the air inlet channel 330 located within the arc-shaped structure of the raised portion 340 and the other part extending into the main body 20. In this way, external cooling air can directly enter the cooling chamber 230 along the air inlet channel 330 and the air inlet outlet 320, reducing air resistance.

[0102] In some embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figure 4 The step of discharging the cooled air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 via at least one air outlet 40 includes:

[0103] Step S41: The cooled air after heat exchange is discharged to at least one air outlet duct 430 through at least one air outlet inlet 410;

[0104] Step S42: Cooling air in at least one air outlet duct 430 is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 through at least one air outlet 420;

[0105] The air outlet duct 430 extends spirally from the air outlet inlet 410 to the air outlet 420, and the direction of rotation of the air outlet duct 430 is opposite to that of the air inlet duct 330.

[0106] The above step S41 can introduce the cooling air after heat exchange in the cooling chamber 230 into the air outlet channel 430, so that it is output to the outside along the air outlet channel 430.

[0107] Step S42 above can discharge the cooled air after heat exchange, so that external cooling air can continuously enter to form a cooling cycle and achieve real-time cooling of the friction welding tool.

[0108] In some embodiments of this application, reference is made to Figures 9 to 12 An air inlet 410 is located on the inner wall of the cooling chamber 230, above the shoulder 210 and / or welding needle 220. An air outlet 420 is located on the outer wall of the main body 20. An air outlet channel 430 extends spirally from the air inlet 410 to the air outlet 420. The direction of rotation of the air outlet channel 430 is opposite to that of the air inlet channel 330. In this way, during the rotation of the friction welding tool, heat can be dissipated through convection to remove heat from the bottom of the friction welding tool, thereby achieving rapid cooling of the shoulder 210 and / or welding needle 220.

[0109] It should be noted that the cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet 410 can be smaller than that of the air inlet 310, so that the pressure at the bottom of the cooling chamber 230 is greater than that at the top, thereby creating a pressure difference inside the cooling chamber 230. This causes the cooling air inside the cooling chamber 230 to flow upward under the action of the pressure difference, and finally be discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 through the air outlet 40, further improving the cooling efficiency.

[0110] In some embodiments of this application, a heat dissipation assembly 50 is provided at the bottom of the cooling cavity 230 near the shoulder 210 and / or the welding pin 220. (Refer to...) Figure 5 The steps of heat exchange between the cooling air and the cooling chamber 230 include:

[0111] Step S31: The heat generated by the shoulder 210 and / or the welding pin 220 is transferred to the heat dissipation assembly 50; the above steps can increase the heat dissipation area and improve the heat dissipation effect.

[0112] Step S32: Cooling air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation component 50, carrying away the heat from the heat dissipation component 50. The above steps can remove the heat from the cooling chamber 230, achieving the purpose of cooling the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220 of the friction welding tool.

[0113] Specifically, refer to Figure 14 The heat dissipation component 50 may include a heat dissipation column 510 and at least one heat dissipation fin 520. When at least two heat dissipation fins 520 are provided, the at least two heat dissipation fins 520 may be arranged in a circumferential array around the heat dissipation column 510. The number of air inlet outlets 320 may be the same as the number of heat dissipation fins 520 and correspond one-to-one. In this way, cooling air can be blown directly to the corresponding heat dissipation fin 520 through the air inlet outlets 320, thereby achieving the purpose of rapid heat dissipation.

[0114] In some embodiments of this application, the cooling cavity 230 may extend upward from the position of the shoulder 210 and / or the welding pin 220, the air inlet 30 is connected to the bottom of the cooling cavity 230 near the shoulder 210 and / or the welding pin 220, and the air outlet 40 is connected to the upper part of the cooling cavity 230.

[0115] Reference Figure 6 The step of exchanging heat between cooling air and heat dissipation component 50 to remove heat from heat dissipation component 50 includes:

[0116] Step S321: Cooling air fills the bottom of the cooling chamber 230 and exchanges heat with the heat dissipation component 50;

[0117] Step S322: The cooling air after heat exchange flows along the cooling chamber 230 toward the air outlet 40.

[0118] Step S321 above allows the cooling air to fully contact the heat dissipation component 50, improving the heat dissipation effect and efficiency.

[0119] In step S322 above, after the cooling air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation component 50, its temperature rises. Utilizing the principle of high-temperature gas rising, the cooling air after heat exchange will flow upward along the cooling cavity 230 and can then be discharged from the air outlet 40, forming natural convection.

[0120] In some embodiments of this application, the air inlet 30 can be provided in two, three, or four, etc. In this application, three air inlets are used as an example. The three air inlets 30 are arranged in a ring array relative to the rotation axis of the main body 20, and each air inlet 30 is connected to the cooling chamber 230. By providing three air inlets 30, the amount of external cooling air introduced can be increased during the rotation operation of the friction welding tool, thereby improving the cooling efficiency and cooling effect.

[0121] Similarly, there can be two, three, or four air outlets 40. In this application, four are used as an example. The four air outlets 40 are arranged in a ring array relative to the rotation axis of the main body 20, and each air outlet 40 is connected to the cooling chamber 230. By setting four air outlets 40, the cooled air that has undergone heat exchange in the cooling chamber 230 can be discharged in a timely manner.

[0122] The present invention also provides a friction welding method, comprising:

[0123] Step S100: Move the friction welding tool to the weld position of the workpiece to be welded;

[0124] Step S200: Drive the friction welding tool to rotate to weld the weld seam.

[0125] Step S300: External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber 230 inside the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet 30, wherein the air inlet 30 faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool;

[0126] Step S400: Cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber 230 to cool the shoulder 210 and / or welding pin 220 of the friction welding tool;

[0127] Step S500: The cooled air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 via at least one air outlet 40, wherein the air outlet 40 is oriented towards the leeward direction of the friction welding tool.

[0128] In step S100, the friction welding tool can be moved to the welding area of ​​the object to be welded by the machine head, thus preparing for the subsequent welding work.

[0129] The above step S200 can drive the rotating spindle through the drive component of the machine head to rotate the friction welding tool, so as to realize the welding operation.

[0130] The above step S300 can introduce external cooling air into the cooling chamber 230 inside the friction welding tool, thereby cooling the friction welding tool.

[0131] The above step S400 can remove some of the heat generated by the friction welding tool during operation through heat exchange, thereby reducing the temperature of the friction welding tool, reducing the accelerated wear of the friction welding tool caused by excessive temperature, and improving the service life of the friction welding tool and the quality of the weld.

[0132] The above step S500 can discharge the cooled air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling chamber 230 so that external cooling air can continuously enter, forming a cooling cycle and realizing real-time cooling of the friction welding tool.

[0133] In some embodiments of this application, the above-described friction welding method further includes:

[0134] Step S600: Introduce a protective medium into the weld location. The protective medium can be a gas or a liquid.

[0135] Specifically, a shielding gas mechanism can be installed at the lower end of the friction welding tool. The shielding gas mechanism sprays shielding gas onto the bottom end of the friction welding tool and / or the processing area of ​​the workpiece to be welded, so as to prevent oxidation of the plastically deformed workpiece.

[0136] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0137] While the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements can be designed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and features described herein can be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It is also understood that features described in conjunction with individual embodiments can be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A method for cooling friction welding tools, characterized in that, include: Rotary friction welding tools; External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber (230) within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet (30), wherein the air inlet (30) faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool; wherein the step of introducing external cooling air into the cooling chamber (230) within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet (30) includes: introducing external cooling air into at least one air inlet channel (330) through at least one air inlet (310); the cooling air in at least one of the air inlet channels (330) is passed through at least one An air inlet outlet (320) enters the cooling chamber (230); wherein, the air inlet channel (330) extends spirally from the air inlet (310) to the air inlet outlet (320), and the spiral direction of the air inlet channel (330) is the same as the rotation direction of the friction welding tool; the cooling chamber (230) extends upward from the position of the shoulder (210) and / or the welding needle (220); the air inlet outlet (320) is opened on the inner wall of the cooling chamber (230) and is located near the shoulder (210) and / or the welding needle (220); The cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber (230) to cool the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) of the friction welding tool; wherein, a heat dissipation assembly (50) is provided near the bottom of the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) in the cooling chamber (230), and the step of the cooling air exchanging heat inside the cooling chamber (230) includes: the heat generated by the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) is transferred to the heat dissipation assembly (50); the cooling air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation assembly (50) and carries away the heat of the heat dissipation assembly (50); Cooling air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) via at least one air outlet (40), wherein the air outlet (40) faces the leeward direction of the friction welding tool; wherein the step of discharging cooling air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) via at least one air outlet (40) includes: discharging cooling air after heat exchange to at least one air outlet channel (430) through at least one air outlet inlet (410); at least one of the air outlet channels (430) The cooling air inside is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) through at least one air outlet (420); wherein the air outlet channel (430) extends spirally from the air outlet inlet (410) to the air outlet (420), and the direction of rotation of the air outlet channel (430) is opposite to the direction of rotation of the air inlet channel (330); the air outlet inlet (410) is opened on the inner wall of the cooling chamber (230) and is located on the upper part of the cooling chamber (230) away from the shoulder (210) and / or the welding pin (220).

2. The method for cooling friction welding tools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet channel (330) gradually decreases from the air inlet (310) to the air outlet (320).

3. The method for cooling friction welding tools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional area of ​​the air outlet (410) is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the air inlet (310).

4. The method for cooling friction welding tools according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The step of exchanging heat between the cooling air and the heat dissipation component (50) to remove heat from the heat dissipation component (50) includes: The cooling air fills the bottom of the cooling chamber (230) and exchanges heat with the heat dissipation assembly (50); The cooling air after heat exchange flows along the cooling chamber (230) toward the air outlet (40).

5. The method for cooling friction welding tools according to claim 1, characterized in that, The friction welding tool is connected to the machine head via a rotating spindle, and the steps of rotating the friction welding tool include: Adjust the friction welding tool so that the air inlet (30) faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool; The friction welding tool rotates relative to the workpiece under the drive of the rotating spindle of the machine head.

6. A friction welding method, characterized in that, include: Move the friction welding tool to the weld position of the workpiece to be welded; The friction welding tool is driven to rotate in order to weld at the weld position; External cooling air is introduced into the cooling chamber (230) within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet (30), wherein the air inlet (30) faces the windward direction of the friction welding tool; wherein the step of introducing external cooling air into the cooling chamber (230) within the friction welding tool via at least one air inlet (30) includes: introducing external cooling air into at least one air inlet channel (330) through at least one air inlet (310); the cooling air in at least one of the air inlet channels (330) is passed through at least one An air inlet outlet (320) enters the cooling chamber (230); wherein, the air inlet channel (330) extends spirally from the air inlet (310) to the air inlet outlet (320), and the spiral direction of the air inlet channel (330) is the same as the rotation direction of the friction welding tool; the cooling chamber (230) extends upward from the position of the shoulder (210) and / or the welding needle (220); the air inlet outlet (320) is opened on the inner wall of the cooling chamber (230) and is located near the shoulder (210) and / or the welding needle (220); The cooling air exchanges heat inside the cooling chamber (230) to cool the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) of the friction welding tool; wherein, a heat dissipation assembly (50) is provided near the bottom of the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) in the cooling chamber (230), and the step of the cooling air exchanging heat inside the cooling chamber (230) includes: the heat generated by the shoulder (210) and / or welding needle (220) is transferred to the heat dissipation assembly (50); the cooling air exchanges heat with the heat dissipation assembly (50) and carries away the heat of the heat dissipation assembly (50); Cooling air after heat exchange is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) via at least one air outlet (40), wherein the air outlet (40) faces the leeward direction of the friction welding tool; wherein the step of discharging cooling air after heat exchange to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) via at least one air outlet (40) includes: discharging cooling air after heat exchange to at least one air outlet channel (430) through at least one air outlet inlet (410); at least one of the air outlet channels (430) The cooling air inside is discharged to the outside of the cooling chamber (230) through at least one air outlet (420); wherein the air outlet channel (430) extends spirally from the air outlet inlet (410) to the air outlet (420), and the direction of rotation of the air outlet channel (430) is opposite to the direction of rotation of the air inlet channel (330); the air outlet inlet (410) is opened on the inner wall of the cooling chamber (230) and is located on the upper part of the cooling chamber (230) away from the shoulder (210) and / or the welding pin (220).

7. The friction welding method according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A protective medium is introduced into the weld location.

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