Welding equipment and welding method

Abstract

The invention discloses welding equipment which is characterized by comprising a welding gun electrode and a laser positioning system used for emitting a laser beam to a welding surface of an automobile part when an angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface of the automobile part is corrected. According to the welding equipment, the position of the welding spot is determined by arranging the laser positioning system, it is guaranteed that the welding gun electrode is perpendicular to the welding face during welding, the appearance quality of the welding spot and the connection strength between automobile parts are guaranteed, and the welding quality of the automobile parts is improved. The invention further discloses a welding method of the automobile back door tail lamp mounting box and a back door and a welding method of an automobile back floor longitudinal beam and a side wall wheel cover.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of automobile production equipment, and in particular, relates to welding equipment and a welding method. Background Art

[0002] Spot welding is a widely used connection process in the manufacture of automobile body-in-white, with the advantages of low cost, high production efficiency, and high connection strength. During spot welding, the welding gun electrode needs to be perpendicular to the welding surface to ensure the quality of the weld, otherwise the weld is prone to distortion, which affects the appearance quality and connection strength of the weld. Due to structural limitations, some areas on the body-in-white have welds arranged on inclined or even curved surfaces. During the welding point debugging, whether the welding gun electrode is perpendicular to the welding surface is completely guaranteed by the debugging personnel's visual inspection. There is a certain error from the actual situation, and it is difficult to achieve complete verticality, which leads to quality problems.

[0003] like Figure 2 As shown, the common rear door taillight installation box has welding spots at both the upper and lower parts, and the welding spots are not on the plane. If the existing welding equipment is used for spot welding, the welding spots will be seriously distorted, which will affect the installation of the taillight.

[0004] like Figure 3 As shown, the welding points at the overlap between the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover are arranged on the arc surface. When spot welding is performed using existing welding equipment, the welding gun electrode is not perpendicular to the arc surface, causing the welding points to be distorted, which in turn affects the connection strength between the upper and lower car bodies.

[0005] The Chinese patent application number 202320905131.9 discloses an integrated robot spot welding gun, including a first welding gun and a second welding gun; the first welding gun and the second welding gun are connected as a whole through a connecting member, the first welding gun is connected to the robot, and the second welding gun is also electrically connected to the first welding gun through a positive connection block and a negative connection block; the welding direction of the first welding gun is perpendicular to the welding direction of the second welding gun, and is controlled by the same welding controller, and can complete the spot welding of the water flow trough at the rear of the side panel and the spot welding of the taillight bracket. It can complete the welding work of two parts of the car, reduce the cycle loss caused by changing the welding gun, improve production efficiency, and reduce production costs.

[0006] It would be desirable to provide an improved welding apparatus, particularly with respect to improving the quality of welds on automotive parts. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a welding device, the purpose of which is to improve the welding quality of automobile parts.

[0008] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is: a welding device, characterized in that it includes a welding gun electrode and a laser positioning system for emitting a laser beam to the welding surface of an automobile part when correcting the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface of the automobile part.

[0009] The laser positioning system is arranged on the welding gun electrode.

[0010] The laser positioning system comprises a laser light source and a visual system. The laser light source is used to emit a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile parts.

[0011] The vision system includes an imaging device.

[0012] After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile component, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection, which is regarded as the welding point position.

[0013] The present invention also provides a method for welding a car rear door taillight installation box and a rear door. Using the welding equipment, a laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the car rear door taillight installation box and the rear door.

[0014] The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the automobile rear door taillight mounting box is welded to the rear door.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for welding a rear floor longitudinal beam and a side wheel cover of an automobile. Using the welding equipment, a laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover of the automobile.

[0016] The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the rear floor longitudinal beam of the automobile and the side wheel cover are welded.

[0017] The welding equipment of the present invention determines the position of the welding spot by setting a laser positioning system, ensures that the welding gun electrode is perpendicular to the welding surface during welding, and the welding spot will not be distorted, thereby ensuring the appearance quality of the welding spot and the connection strength between automobile parts, and improving the welding quality of automobile parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the welding equipment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the welding surface at the taillight box of the rear door;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the welding at the joint between the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover;

[0021] The marks in the above figures are: 1. laser beam; 2. laser positioning system; 3. welding surface; 4. taillight box of rear door; 5. upper section of rear door outer panel; 6. lower section of rear door outer panel; 7. welding gun; 8. welding gun electrode; 9. side wheel cover; 10. welding surface of the joint between the side rear wheel cover and the rear floor longitudinal beam; 11. rear floor longitudinal beam. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The specific implementation methods of the present invention are further explained in detail below by describing the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, with the aim of helping those skilled in the art to have a more complete, accurate and in-depth understanding of the concept and technical solution of the present invention and facilitating its implementation.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "upper", "lower" and similar expressions used in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly connected by technicians in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The terminology used in the specification of the present invention is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a welding device, including a welding gun electrode and a laser positioning system for emitting a laser beam toward the welding surface of an automobile part when correcting the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface of the automobile part.

[0026] The laser positioning system is arranged on the welding gun electrode.

[0027] The laser positioning system comprises a laser light source and a visual system. The laser light source is used to emit a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile parts.

[0028] The vision system includes an imaging device.

[0029] After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile component, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection, which is regarded as the welding point position.

[0030] The present invention also provides a method for welding a car rear door taillight installation box and a rear door. Using the welding equipment, a laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the car rear door taillight installation box and the rear door.

[0031] The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the automobile rear door taillight mounting box is welded to the rear door.

[0032] The present invention also provides a method for welding a rear floor longitudinal beam and a side wheel cover of an automobile. Using the welding equipment, a laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover of the automobile.

[0033] The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the rear floor longitudinal beam of the automobile and the side wheel cover are welded.

[0034] Example

[0035] First, as Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a welding device, including a welding gun, wherein the welding gun includes a welding gun electrode and a laser positioning system for emitting a laser beam to the welding surface of an automobile part when correcting the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface of the automobile part.

[0036] Specifically, if Figure 1 As shown, the laser positioning system is arranged on the welding gun electrode. The laser positioning system mainly includes a laser light source and a visual system. The laser light source is used to emit a laser beam to the target surface, such as the welding surface of an automobile part, and the laser beam is parallel to the welding gun electrode. The laser light source can usually use a laser, such as a laser diode, which can emit a stable, high-brightness laser beam. The laser beam has the characteristics of good directionality, high brightness, and good monochromaticity, and is suitable for precise measurement and positioning.

[0037] The visual system includes an imaging device and a processing device. The imaging device is a CCD camera or a similar image sensor. The imaging device is used to directly observe and capture the projection image of the laser beam on the target surface, as well as the real-time image during the welding process. The imaging device has high resolution and high sensitivity, and can clearly image and transmit it to the subsequent processing device. The processing device mainly includes an industrial computer, an image acquisition card, image processing software, etc. The processing device is used to receive, process and analyze the image signal from the imaging device, extract useful information, such as the center point position of the laser beam projection, the angle between the laser beam and the welding surface, etc., and feed it back to the control system.

[0038] Preferably, when welding automobile parts, after the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile parts, the vision system captures the image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection, which is regarded as the weld point position.

[0039] The laser positioning system is a comprehensive system that integrates laser light source, imaging equipment, processing equipment, etc. It uses laser beam projection and imaging technology, combined with advanced image processing and control technology, to achieve precise guidance and real-time adjustment of the welding process, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of welding.

[0040] When welding automotive parts, first, the laser positioning system emits a laser beam to the welding surface, and this laser beam is parallel to the welding gun electrode. The projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface will be automatically imported into the vision system. The image collected by the vision system can be processed by the processing equipment to accurately calculate the center point position of the laser beam projection, which is regarded as the welding point position.

[0041] Next, the vision system not only determines the location of the weld, but also further analyzes the environment around the weld. Specifically, the vision system selects three points near the weld and uses these three points to create a reference plane. This reference plane can approximately represent the local morphology of the weld surface. The vision system then calculates the angle between the laser beam (that is, the direction of the welding gun electrode) and this reference plane. This angle information is crucial to the welding process. Because ideally, we want the welding gun electrode to be perpendicular to the welding surface to ensure the strength and beauty of the weld. If the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the 90° requirement, the welding quality may be affected.

[0042] Therefore, when the visual system finds that the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the requirements, it will feed this information back to the control system. After receiving the information, the control system will immediately start the adjustment mechanism to control the welding gun to automatically adjust the posture of the welding electrode in real time. This process is continuous and dynamic until the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane reaches 90°, at which time the surface welding gun electrode and the welding surface are perpendicular.

[0043] Therefore, the laser positioning system plays a key role in the welding process. It can not only accurately locate the welding point, but also monitor and adjust the posture of the welding gun electrode in real time to ensure the high quality and efficiency of the welding process.

[0044] In the second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for welding a car rear door taillight installation box and a rear door, using the welding equipment of the above structure, firstly, a laser positioning system emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the car rear door taillight installation box and the rear door.

[0045] When the welding equipment of the above structure is used to weld the rear door taillight mounting box and the rear door of the automobile, first, the laser positioning system emits a laser beam to the welding surface (the welding surface is the surface of the rear door taillight mounting box), and this laser beam is parallel to the welding gun electrode. The projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface will be collected by the visual system. After the image collected by the visual system is processed by the processing device, the center point position of the laser beam projection can be accurately calculated, and this position is regarded as the welding point position. Then, the visual system further analyzes the environment around the welding point. The visual system will select 3 points near the welding point position and use these 3 points to create a reference plane. This reference plane can approximately represent the local morphology of the welding surface. Then, the visual system will calculate the angle between the laser beam (that is, the direction of the welding gun electrode) and the reference plane. If the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the requirement of 90°, the welding quality may be affected. When the visual system finds that the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the requirement, it will feed back this information to the control system. After receiving the information, the control system will immediately start the adjustment mechanism to control the welding gun to automatically adjust the posture of the welding electrode in real time until the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane reaches 90°, at which time the surface welding gun electrode and the welding surface are perpendicular. After the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface is corrected to 90°, the rear door taillight mounting box and the rear door can be welded.

[0046] In the third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention also provides a method for welding the longitudinal beam of the rear floor of an automobile and the side wheel cover. Using the welding equipment of the above structure, the laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the longitudinal beam of the rear floor of the automobile and the side wheel cover.

[0047] When the welding equipment of the above structure is used to weld the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover of the automobile, first, the laser positioning system emits a laser beam to the welding surface (the welding surface is the surface of the side wheel cover), and this laser beam is parallel to the welding gun electrode. The projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface will be collected by the visual system. After the image collected by the visual system is processed by the processing equipment, the center point position of the laser beam projection can be accurately calculated, and this position is regarded as the welding point position. Then, the visual system further analyzes the environment around the welding point. The visual system will select 3 points near the welding point position and use these 3 points to create a reference plane. This reference plane can approximately represent the local morphology of the welding surface. Then, the visual system will calculate the angle between the laser beam (that is, the direction of the welding gun electrode) and the reference plane. If the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the requirement of 90°, the welding quality may be affected. When the visual system finds that the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane does not meet the requirement, it will feed this information back to the control system. After receiving the information, the control system will immediately start the adjustment mechanism to control the welding gun to automatically adjust the welding electrode posture in real time until the angle between the laser beam and the reference plane reaches 90°, at which time the surface welding gun electrode and the welding surface are perpendicular. After the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface reaches 90°, the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover of the car can be welded.

[0048] The present invention is described above by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is obvious that the specific implementation of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned method. As long as various non-substantial improvements are made using the method concept and technical solution of the present invention, or the concept and technical solution of the present invention are directly applied to other occasions without improvement, they are all within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Welding equipment, characterized in that The invention comprises a welding gun electrode and a laser positioning system for emitting a laser beam toward the welding surface of the automobile part when correcting the angle between the welding gun electrode and the welding surface of the automobile part.

2. The welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that The laser positioning system is arranged on the welding gun electrode.

3. The welding device according to claim 1, characterized in that The laser positioning system comprises a laser light source and a visual system. The laser light source is used to emit a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile parts.

4. The welding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The vision system includes an imaging device.

5. The welding device according to claim 3, characterized in that: After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface of the automobile component, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection, which is regarded as the welding point position.

6. A method for welding a car rear door taillight mounting box and a rear door, characterized in that: By using the welding equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the automobile rear door taillight mounting box and the rear door.

7. The method for welding the automobile rear door taillight mounting box and the rear door according to claim 6, characterized in that: The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the automobile rear door taillight mounting box is welded to the rear door.

8. A method for welding a rear floor longitudinal beam and a side wheel cover of an automobile, characterized in that: By using the welding equipment described in any one of claims 1 to 5, a laser positioning system first emits a laser beam to the welding surface, then determines the position of the welding point, and finally welds the rear floor longitudinal beam and the side wheel cover of the automobile.

9. The method for welding the automobile rear door taillight mounting box and the rear door according to claim 8, characterized in that: The laser positioning system includes a laser light source and a visual system. After the laser light source emits a laser beam to the welding surface, the visual system collects an image of the welding surface, identifies the projection position of the laser beam on the welding surface, and calculates the center point position of the laser beam projection. This position is regarded as the welding point position. Finally, the rear floor longitudinal beam of the automobile and the side wheel cover are welded.

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