Workpiece positioning device

Abstract

This application discloses a workpiece positioning device, belonging to the technical field of welding equipment. The workpiece positioning device includes: a welding worktable, comprising a movable worktable and a fixed worktable, the movable worktable being operable to move horizontally to move away from or towards the fixed worktable; a lifting mechanism connected to the laser welding equipment, the lifting mechanism having a lifting end that moves vertically back and forth; a swing mechanism connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism, the swing surface of the swing mechanism being perpendicular to the welding worktable, the swing end of the swing mechanism being equipped with a guide shaft, the guide shaft being parallel to and above the welding worktable; and a plurality of positioning pins, spaced apart and slidably connected to the guide shaft, which can be switched between the movable worktable and the fixed worktable, and above the welding worktable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of welding equipment technology, and in particular relates to a workpiece positioning device. Background Technology

[0002] Laser welding machines are machines used for laser material processing. According to their working method, they are divided into laser mold welding machines, automatic laser welding machines, laser spot welding machines, and fiber optic transmission laser welding machines. Laser welding uses high-energy laser pulses to locally heat materials in a small area. The energy emitted by the laser diffuses into the interior of the material through heat conduction, melting the material to form a specific molten pool to achieve the purpose of welding.

[0003] Domestically, there are various types of steel plate positioning devices used in laser welding production equipment for passenger vehicles. However, these devices are generally suitable for large-volume production of steel plates. When changing workpiece types and readjusting the positioning is required, a lengthy adjustment process is necessary. Furthermore, with the rapid pace of design iteration in domestic passenger vehicles, the welding demands for various splicing sizes and multi-plate splicing structures are constantly increasing. Therefore, there is a need for a workpiece positioning device for laser welding that can flexibly position different types of structures. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application aims to at least partially solve the technical problem in the prior art where laser welding positioning fixtures cannot flexibly position different types of welded steel plates. To this end, this application provides a workpiece positioning device.

[0005] In a first aspect, the embodiments of this application provide a workpiece positioning device, the workpiece positioning device comprising:

[0006] A welding workbench includes a movable workbench and a fixed workbench, wherein the movable workbench is operable to move horizontally to move away from or towards the fixed workbench;

[0007] A lifting mechanism is connected to a laser welding equipment, the lifting mechanism having a lifting end that moves vertically back and forth;

[0008] A swing mechanism is connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism. The swing surface of the swing mechanism is perpendicular to the welding worktable. A guide shaft is installed at the swing end of the swing mechanism, and the guide shaft is arranged parallel to the top of the welding worktable.

[0009] Several positioning pins are spaced apart and mounted on the guide shaft, and are slidably connected to the guide shaft. They can be switched between the movable worktable and the fixed worktable, as well as above the welding worktable.

[0010] In some embodiments, the lifting height of the lifting mechanism is adapted to the size of the steel plate to be welded.

[0011] In some embodiments, the guide shaft is provided with a sliding channel along its length, the sliding channel is provided vertically, and the positioning pin is slidably disposed within the sliding channel;

[0012] The workpiece positioning device further includes:

[0013] A positioning ring is slidably sleeved on the guide shaft. The top and bottom of the positioning ring have through holes communicating with the sliding channel. The top end of the positioning pin is fixedly connected to the top end of the positioning ring, and the bottom end of the positioning pin passes through the top end of the positioning ring, the sliding channel, and the bottom end of the positioning ring in sequence.

[0014] In some embodiments, a limit rod is provided at the lower end of the positioning ring, and the periphery of the positioning ring is detachably connected to the circumferential surface of the guide shaft by one or more locking elements.

[0015] In some embodiments, the outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft is provided with one or more guide grooves; the inner circumferential surface of the positioning ring is provided with guide protrusions that cooperate with the guide grooves.

[0016] In some embodiments, the workpiece positioning device further includes a limiting rod disposed at the bottom of the positioning ring, and the bottom end of the positioning pin passes through the limiting rod.

[0017] In some embodiments, a conductive pad is provided at the top of the positioning pin, the positioning pin gap passes through the positioning ring, the guide shaft and the limiting rod, a first insulating bushing is provided between the through hole at the top of the positioning ring and the positioning pin, and a second insulating bushing is provided between the bottom end of the limiting rod and the positioning pin.

[0018] In some embodiments, the lifting mechanism includes:

[0019] The driving component is connected to the laser welding equipment;

[0020] One or more transmission rods, the first end of which is fixedly connected to the lifting end of the drive component, and the second ends of several transmission rods are fixedly connected to the swing mechanism.

[0021] In some embodiments, the swing mechanism includes:

[0022] The mounting base is fixedly connected to the second end of one or more of the drive rods;

[0023] A drive motor is mounted on the mounting base;

[0024] A rotating shaft is rotatably connected to the mounting base, the rotating shaft is parallel to the welding worktable, and a gear is fitted at one end of the rotating shaft, the gear meshing with the output shaft of the drive motor for transmission;

[0025] The swing arm is fixedly connected at one end to the other end of the rotating shaft, and at the other end to the guide shaft.

[0026] In some embodiments, both ends of the guide shaft are provided with the lifting mechanism and the swing mechanism, and the lifting mechanism and the swing mechanism located at both ends of the guide shaft move synchronously.

[0027] The beneficial effects of this application are:

[0028] The workpiece positioning device provided in this application allows for the operable horizontal movement of a movable worktable. Operating the movable worktable moves it away from the fixed worktable, creating a sufficient positioning gap between them. A lifting mechanism lowers the worktable, positioning a positioning pin within this gap. The steel plates to be welded on both the fixed and movable worktables are then positioned against the positioning pins on both sides, completing the positioning. A swing mechanism is then activated to disengage the positioning pins from the steel plates, providing space for the welding torch on the laser welding equipment. The movable worktable is then brought closer to the fixed worktable, ensuring a tight fit between the steel plates for laser welding. The gap is then welded together using the welding torch on the laser welding equipment, thus bonding the steel plates on the fixed and movable worktables into a single unit. Because several locating pins are spaced apart and slidably connected to the guide shaft, the position of the locating pins can be adjusted according to steel plates of different sizes and structures. This allows for flexible positioning of different types of steel plates, facilitating welding of various structures and offering excellent practicality. The steel plate to be welded is manually loaded and pushed to the locating pin until the pin sends a contact signal. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This application provides a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a workpiece positioning device.

[0031] Figure 2 This paper shows a top view of a workpiece positioning device provided in this application.

[0032] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the center positioning pin.

[0033] Reference numerals: 1. Movable worktable; 2. Fixed worktable; 3. Lifting mechanism; 301. Driving component; 302. Transmission rod; 4. Swinging mechanism; 401. Mounting base; 402. Drive motor; 403. Rotating shaft; 404. Swing rod; 5. Guide shaft; 6. Positioning pin; 7. Sliding channel; 8. Positioning ring; 9. Locking component; 10. Guide groove; 11. Guide protrusion; 12. Limiting rod; 13. Conductive pad; 14. First insulating bushing; 15. Second insulating bushing. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connection," "fixed," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, "fixed" can mean a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; it can mean a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can mean a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can mean the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] Furthermore, in this invention, descriptions involving "first," "second," etc., are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0038] In related technologies, workpiece positioning devices used for laser welding suffer from inconvenience in use. This application provides a workpiece positioning device that can at least partially solve the technical problem in the prior art where laser welding positioning fixtures cannot flexibly position different types of welded steel plates.

[0039] This application is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0040] This application provides a workpiece positioning device that can position workpieces of different types.

[0041] Firstly, please refer to Figure 1This application provides a workpiece positioning device comprising: a welding worktable, including a movable worktable 1 and a fixed worktable 2, wherein the movable worktable 1 is operably movable horizontally to move away from or closer to the fixed worktable 2; a lifting mechanism 3 connected to a laser welding equipment, the lifting mechanism 3 having a lifting end that moves vertically back and forth; and a swing mechanism 4 connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism 3. Typically, the maximum thickness of the steel plates to be welded is 1.5mm, therefore the lifting mechanism is determined to be 1.5mm or thicker. After positioning is completed, the operator can use the lifting mechanism 3 to raise or lower the entire workpiece positioning device, thereby allowing the positioning pins 6 to be pulled out of the welding worktable. The swing surface of the swing mechanism 4 is perpendicular to the welding worktable, and the swing end of the swing mechanism 4 is equipped with a guide shaft 5, which is parallel to the top of the welding worktable; a plurality of positioning pins 6 are spaced apart and installed on the guide shaft 5, and are slidably connected to the guide shaft 5, and can be switched between the movable worktable 1 and the fixed worktable 2, and above the welding worktable. With the above structure, when the entire positioning device is in the positioning working state line, the position of the positioning pin 6 is adjusted and locked according to the relative position requirements of the steel plate to be welded. The swing mechanism 4 is controlled to make the positioning pin 6 perpendicular to the welding worktable, and the lifting mechanism 3 is controlled to descend vertically. The operator manually loads the workpiece. During the loading process, the operator can select different types, sizes, and quantities of workpieces to be welded and push the workpiece to be welded to the positioning pin 6. The magnetic attraction of the welding worktable is used to fix the workpiece to be welded. The lifting mechanism 3 starts to rise, thereby leaving working space for welding. By controlling the swing mechanism 4, the positioning pin 6 is made parallel to the welding worktable, reserving welding space for the laser welding device. The moving worktable 1 is driven to move until it is in contact with the fixed worktable 2, so that the workpiece to be welded can be in contact. The laser welding head moves linearly to weld, and multiple steel plates are welded into one piece, ultimately realizing the function of welding different types of workpieces.

[0042] In some implementation methods, please participate Figure 1 , Figure 2 The lifting height of the lifting mechanism 3 is adapted to the size of the steel plate to be welded. Specifically, the lifting height of the lifting mechanism is slightly greater than the thickness of the steel plate to be welded. For example, the height of the steel plate to be welded is usually 1.5mm, and the height of the lifting mechanism is 3mm.

[0043] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 3The guide shaft 5 has a sliding channel 7 along its length, which extends vertically. The positioning pin 6 is slidably disposed within the sliding channel 7. The workpiece positioning device further includes a positioning ring 8, which is slidably sleeved on the guide shaft 5. The top and bottom of the positioning ring 8 have through holes communicating with the sliding channel 7. The top end of the positioning pin 6 is fixedly connected to the top end of the positioning ring 8, and the bottom end of the positioning pin 6 passes through the top end of the positioning ring 8, the sliding channel 7, and the bottom end of the positioning ring 8 in sequence. This structure allows for adjusting the distance of the positioning pin 6 on the guide shaft 5. Specifically, when the operator needs to adjust the position of the positioning pin 6, they first unlock the fixing structure, allowing relative movement between the positioning ring 8 and the guide shaft 5. Then, they adjust and move the positioning ring 8, thereby moving the position of the positioning pin 6 on the guide shaft 5. After the movement is complete, the device achieves the function of positioning workpieces of different sizes to be welded.

[0044] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 3 The periphery of the positioning ring 8 is detachably connected to the circumference of the guide shaft 5 via one or more locking components 9. The locking component 9 is a bolt, and the positioning ring 8 has a fixing hole through which the bolt abuts against the guide shaft 5. With this structure, when the positioning pin 6 needs to be fixed, the operator needs to tighten the bolt so that it abuts against the guide shaft 5, thereby fixing the positioning ring 8. When the positioning pin 6 needs to be moved, the operator loosens the bolt, creating a relative distance between the bolt and the guide shaft 5, allowing the positioning ring 8 to slide smoothly against the guide shaft 5, thus enabling adjustment of the positioning ring 8.

[0045] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 3 The guide shaft 5 has one or more guide grooves 10 on its outer circumferential surface; the positioning ring 8 has guide protrusions 11 on its inner circumferential surface that cooperate with the guide grooves 10. This structure allows the positioning ring 8 to move axially during adjustment without rotational offset, thus ensuring the accuracy of the positioning pin 6 during positioning.

[0046] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 3 The workpiece positioning device further includes a limiting rod 12 disposed at the bottom of the positioning ring 8. The bottom end of the positioning pin 6 passes through the limiting rod 12. The limiting rod 12 is a hollow rod. The limiting rod 12 can ensure the installation accuracy of the positioning pin 6, thereby ensuring the positioning accuracy of the present invention.

[0047] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 3 A conductive pad 13 is provided at the top of the positioning pin 6. Gaps are provided between the positioning pin 6 and the positioning ring 8, the guide shaft 5, and the limiting rod 12. The positioning pin 6 passes through these gaps. A first insulating sleeve 14 is provided between the through hole at the top of the positioning ring 8 and the positioning pin 6. A second insulating sleeve 15 is provided between the bottom end of the limiting rod 12 and the positioning pin 6. Through this structure, the cooperation of the two positioning pins 6 enables the detection of whether the positioning is in place. The two positioning pins 6 are a first pin and a second pin, respectively. The conductive pad 13 on the first pin, the positioning pin 6 on the first pin, the workpiece to be welded, the positioning pin 6 on the second pin, and the conductive pad 13 on the second pin form a circuit for electric shock testing, thereby confirming that the workpiece to be welded is positioned accurately. If the conductive pad 13 on the first pin, the positioning pin 6 on the first pin, the workpiece to be welded, the positioning pin 6 on the second pin, and the conductive pad 13 on the second pin do not form a circuit, the positioning is inaccurate and needs to be readjusted. The second insulating bushing 15 and the first insulating bushing 14 can prevent leakage of current in the conductive circuit of the positioning ring 8.

[0048] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 2 The lifting mechanism 3 includes: a driving component 301 connected to the laser welding equipment; one or more transmission rods 302, the first end of which is fixedly connected to the lifting end of the driving component 301, and the second end of the transmission rods 302 is fixedly connected to the swing mechanism 4. The driving component 301 can raise and lower the entire workpiece positioning device. In daily use, the positioning pin 6 sinks to 1.0-1.5mm below the welding worktable. Considering that the maximum thickness of the workpiece to be welded is generally 1.5mm, the vertical lifting height of the driving component 301 is about 4mm, usually 4mm, so that the positioning pin 6 can be pulled out without affecting the positioning effect of the workpiece to be welded.

[0049] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 2The swing mechanism 4 includes: a mounting base 401, fixedly connected to the second end of one or more transmission rods 302; a drive motor 402, mounted on the mounting base 401; a rotating shaft 403, rotatably connected to the mounting base 401, the rotating shaft 403 being parallel to the welding worktable, one end of the rotating shaft 403 being fitted with a gear, the gear meshing with the output shaft of the drive motor 402; and a swing rod 404, one end fixedly connected to the other end of the rotating shaft 403, the other end being fixedly connected to the guide shaft 5. The mounting base 401 is provided with a mounting hole through which the rotating shaft 403 passes, and a wear-resistant bushing is provided between the mounting hole and the rotating shaft 403 to reduce friction and increase service life. The rotating shaft 403 of the drive motor 402 is parallel to the welding worktable, and the drive motor 402 drives the gear, transmitting power to the guide shaft 5 through the gear, thereby causing the guide shaft 5 to swing under the action of the rotating shaft 403.

[0050] In some implementations, please refer to Figure 2 The guide shaft 5 is equipped with a lifting mechanism 3 and a swing mechanism 4 at both ends, and the lifting mechanism 3 and the swing mechanism 4 at both ends of the guide shaft 5 move synchronously. This structure ensures that the guide shaft 5 always remains on the same horizontal plane, thereby improving the accuracy of this application.

[0051] 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 this application. 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. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0052] Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only if they are based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or cannot be implemented, it should be considered that such combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0053] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A workpiece positioning apparatus, characterized by, The workpiece positioning device includes: The welding workbench includes a movable workbench (1) and a fixed workbench (2), the movable workbench (1) being operable to move horizontally away from or near the fixed workbench (2). A lifting mechanism (3) is connected to a laser welding device, the lifting mechanism (3) having a lifting end that moves vertically back and forth; A swing mechanism (4) is connected to the lifting end of the lifting mechanism (3). The swing center axis of the swing mechanism (4) is parallel to the top surface of the welding workbench. A guide shaft (5) is installed at the swing end of the swing mechanism (4). The guide shaft (5) is arranged parallel above the welding workbench. A number of positioning pins (6) are spaced apart on the guide shaft (5) and slidably connected to the guide shaft (5). By switching, the positioning pins (6) are located between the movable worktable (1) and the fixed worktable (2) or above the welding worktable. The guide shaft (5) is provided with a sliding channel (7) along its length direction. The sliding channel (7) is provided vertically. The positioning pin (6) is slidably disposed in the sliding channel (7). The workpiece positioning device further includes: The positioning ring (8) is slidably sleeved on the guide shaft (5). The top and bottom of the positioning ring (8) are provided with through holes communicating with the sliding channel (7). The top end of the positioning pin (6) is fixedly connected to the top end of the positioning ring (8). The bottom end of the positioning pin (6) passes through the top end of the positioning ring (8), the sliding channel (7), and the bottom end of the positioning ring (8) in sequence. The workpiece positioning device also includes a limiting rod (12) disposed at the bottom of the positioning ring (8), and the bottom end of the positioning pin (6) passes through the limiting rod (12). The top end of the positioning pin (6) is provided with a conductive pad (13). The positioning pin (6) passes through the positioning ring (8), the guide shaft (5) and the limiting rod (12). A first insulating bushing (14) is provided between the through hole at the top of the positioning ring (8) and the positioning pin (6). A second insulating bushing (15) is provided between the bottom end of the limiting rod (12) and the positioning pin (6).

2. The workpiece positioning apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The lifting height of the lifting mechanism is adapted to the size of the steel plate to be welded.

3. The workpiece positioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein, The periphery of the positioning ring (8) is detachably connected to the circumference of the guide shaft (5) by one or more locking elements (9).

4. The workpiece positioning apparatus of claim 3, wherein, The outer circumferential surface of the guide shaft (5) is provided with one or more guide grooves (10); the inner circumferential surface of the positioning ring (8) is provided with guide protrusions (11) that cooperate with the guide grooves (10).

5. A workpiece positioning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The lifting mechanism (3) includes: The drive unit (301) is connected to the laser welding equipment; One or more transmission rods (302) have their first ends fixedly connected to the lifting end of the drive member (301), and the second ends of several transmission rods (302) are fixedly connected to the swing mechanism (4).

6. A workpiece positioning apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The swing mechanism (4) includes: Mounting base (401) is fixedly connected to the second end of one or more of the transmission rods (302); A drive motor (402) is mounted on the mounting base (401); A rotating shaft (403) is rotatably connected to the mounting base (401). The rotating shaft (403) is parallel to the welding worktable. A gear is fitted at one end of the rotating shaft (403). The gear meshes with the output shaft of the drive motor (402) for transmission. The swing arm (404) is fixedly connected at one end to the other end of the rotating shaft (403), and the other end is fixedly connected to the guide shaft (5).

7. The workpiece positioning apparatus of any of claims 1-3 and 6, wherein, The guide shaft (5) is provided with a lifting mechanism (3) and a swing mechanism (4) at both ends. The lifting mechanism (3) and the swing mechanism (4) at both ends of the guide shaft (5) move synchronously.

Images