Electrode cap replacing assembly for electrode holder

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of welding pliers equipment, in particular to an electrode cap replacing assembly for welding pliers, which comprises a supporting structure, a cap unloading structure and a cap supplying structure, the cap unloading structure and the cap supplying structure are arranged on the supporting structure; the cap unloading structure comprises a cap unloading mechanism; the cap unloading mechanism is connected with a driving mechanism; the cap unloading mechanism comprises a fixed clamping plate arranged on the stand column and a movable clamping plate arranged opposite to the fixed clamping plate, and the movable clamping plate can be driven by the driving mechanism to move in the length direction of the fixed clamping plate. A penetrating clamping groove is formed in the fixed clamping plate; a discharging clamping groove is formed in the movable clamping plate; according to the electrode cap replacing assembly disclosed by the invention, the supporting structure, the cap unloading structure and the cap supplying structure are matched for use, so that the old electrode cap on the electrode holder can be disassembled and replaced; therefore, the number of workers for replacing the electrode cap of the electrode holder is reduced; the production cost is saved; and the replacement time of the electrode cap of the spot welding clamp is shortened.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of welding tongs equipment, in particular to a welding tongs electrode cap changing assembly. BACKGROUND

[0002] On the automobile body welding production line, the spot welding robot is the core equipment, which carries out spot welding on sheet metal parts through the electrode cap on the welding tongs.

[0003] Because the electrode cap bears high temperature, high pressure and large current for a long time during the welding process, it will be worn, adhered and deformed, resulting in a decrease in welding quality.

[0004] Therefore, the electrode cap needs to be replaced regularly, and the frequency is very high, which becomes a key link affecting the overall efficiency in large-scale production.

[0005] Currently, there are mainly two ways to replace the welding tongs electrode cap on the production line:

[0006] 1. Manual replacement: This is the most traditional method, which uses a specific tool to manually unscrew the old electrode cap and replace it with a new one.

[0007] This method has the following disadvantages:

[0008] Low efficiency: Each replacement requires the robot to stop working, and the operator needs to manually operate in the work station, which takes a long time and seriously affects the production line rhythm and overall efficiency.

[0009] High labor cost: In order to ensure the continuity of production, special maintenance personnel are usually needed, which increases the long-term labor cost.

[0010] Safety and quality risk: Manual operation has uncertainties, such as uneven tightening torque, improper installation, etc., which affects the stability of welding quality; at the same time, personnel need to move in the robot working area, which has certain safety hazards.

[0011] 2. Use a replacement device or system to replace it;

[0012] For example, the content disclosed in CN 107253206 A-Industrial robot fixed resistance spot welding tongs electrode cap milling and replacement system.

[0013] However, the existing replacement system has a complex structure and high cost.

[0014] Therefore, in order to improve or solve at least one of the above technical problems, an auxiliary device is needed to assist in the replacement of the welding tongs electrode cap. SUMMARY

[0015] The electrode cap changing assembly of the present application can assist in changing the electrode cap of the welding tongs.

[0016] To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the technical scheme adopted by the present application is as follows:

[0017] An electrode cap changing assembly for welding tongs, comprising a support structure, a cap removing structure and a cap supplying structure; the cap removing structure and the cap supplying structure are arranged on the support structure;

[0018] The support structure comprises a stand column;

[0019] The cap removing structure comprises a cap removing mechanism; the cap removing mechanism is connected with a driving mechanism;

[0020] The cap removing mechanism comprises a fixed clamping plate arranged on the stand column and a movable clamping plate arranged opposite to the fixed clamping plate; the movable clamping plate can move along the length direction of the fixed clamping plate under the driving of the driving mechanism;

[0021] The fixed clamping plate is provided with a through clamping groove;

[0022] The movable clamping plate is provided with a discharging clamping groove; the width of the through clamping groove is not less than the width of the electrode cap; the width of the discharging clamping groove is less than the width of the electrode cap;

[0023] The cap supplying structure comprises a feeding mechanism arranged on the stand column; the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding box; the feeding box stores new electrode caps.

[0024] The cap removing structure comprises a rear connecting plate; the cap removing mechanism is connected to the stand column through the rear connecting plate; the driving mechanism comprises a driving cylinder; one end of the driving cylinder is connected to the rear connecting plate, and the other end is connected to the movable clamping plate.

[0025] Each cap removing structure comprises two oppositely arranged cap removing mechanisms; the two cap removing mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the driving mechanism; the driving mechanism can synchronously drive the movable clamping plates in the two cap removing mechanisms to move; the driving cylinder in the driving mechanism is connected to the movable clamping plates in the two cap removing mechanisms through a transverse connecting plate.

[0026] The fixed clamping plate is provided with a plug-in groove; the end of the movable clamping plate is plugged into the plug-in groove of the fixed clamping plate.

[0027] The two cap removing mechanisms in the cap removing structure are arranged in a central symmetry.

[0028] The electrode cap changing assembly further comprises a waste mechanism; the waste mechanism comprises a waste box arranged on the stand column.

[0029] The feeding box comprises a box body; the box body is provided with a feeding mechanism;

[0030] The feeding mechanism comprises a feeding groove, a discharging port and a feeding port arranged on the box body; the feeding port is connected with the discharging port through the feeding groove;

[0031] The feeding port is arranged on the side of the box body; the discharging port and the feeding port are arranged in a perpendicular manner.

[0032] The discharging port is provided with a limiting unit;

[0033] The limiting unit comprises a lateral limiting unit; the lateral limiting unit comprises a lateral plate and a lateral block; the lateral block is connected to the box body through the lateral plate; the lateral block can be pressed on the electrode cap at the discharging port;

[0034] The limiting unit further comprises a supporting unit; the supporting unit comprises a supporting horizontal plate arranged at the edge of the discharging port; the supporting horizontal plate is arranged on the two sides of the discharging port in a opposite manner with the lateral limiting unit; the supporting horizontal plate is coincided with the horizontal projection of the discharging port.

[0035] The feeding groove is provided with a pushing unit; the pushing unit comprises a pushing head; the pushing head is connected to the inner wall of the feeding groove through an elastic mechanism; the elastic mechanism comprises a supporting spring; the pushing head is connected to the inner wall of the feeding groove away from the discharging port through the supporting spring; the outer side surface of the pushing head close to the discharging port is an arc surface.

[0036] The electrode cap changing assembly for the welding tongs further comprises a control system; the control system comprises a detection module; the detection module is connected with a control module; the control module is connected with an execution module;

[0037] The electrode cap changing assembly for the welding tongs is used as follows:

[0038] Initial preparation stage:

[0039] The welding tongs carrying the old electrode cap are moved to the designated cap removing position of the electrode cap changing assembly by the robot control; the cap removing position is at the position of the discharging clamping groove; it is required that the old electrode cap carried by the welding tongs passes through the corresponding fixed clamping plate through the discharging clamping groove;

[0040] Cap removing process:

[0041] Driving mechanism starts: after the control module receives the welding tongs positioning signal, the driving mechanism is triggered to move; the driving mechanism drives the movable clamping plate to move along the length direction of the fixed clamping plate, so that the movable clamping plate is inserted on the electrode arm connected with the old electrode cap through the penetrating clamping groove;

[0042] Welding tongs move to remove the cap: the welding tongs controlled by the robot move in the direction parallel to the central axis of the electrode cap, and under the limiting block of the movable clamping plate, the old electrode cap is forced to be removed from the electrode arm of the welding tongs; after the electrode cap is removed, the welding tongs are moved: the robot moves the welding tongs electrode arm without the electrode cap to the position of the feeding tank outlet of the cap supply structure, and aligns the new electrode cap; the welding tongs electrode moves towards the direction of the new electrode cap, and the new electrode cap is pressed and assembled onto the corresponding electrode arm of the welding tongs; thus, the cap changing is completed: the robot moves the welding tongs back to the working position, and the electrode cap changing assembly is reset.

[0043] The advantages of the present application are:

[0044] The application discloses an electrode cap changing assembly for a welding tongs.

[0045] The electrode cap changing assembly disclosed by the present application can realize the dismounting and replacement of the old electrode cap on the welding tongs through the cooperation of the supporting structure, the cap removing structure and the cap supplying structure, so that the number of workers for replacing the electrode cap of the welding tongs is reduced, production cost is saved, and the replacement time of the electrode cap of the spot welding tongs is reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] The content expressed by each drawing in the specification of the present application and the marks in the drawings are briefly described as follows:

[0047] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of the present application.

[0048] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first perspective view of the cap removing structure in the present application.

[0049] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of the second perspective view of the cap removing structure in the present application.

[0050] Figure 4 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first perspective view of the feeding structure in the present application.

[0051] Figure 5 It is a structural schematic diagram of the second perspective view of the feeding structure in the present application.

[0052] Figure 6 It is a structural schematic diagram of the first perspective view of the feeding structure in the present application after removing the upper and lower cover plates.

[0053] Figure 7 It is a structural schematic diagram of the second perspective view of the feeding structure in the present application after removing the upper and lower cover plates.

[0054] Figure 8 It is a structural schematic diagram of the second perspective view of the feeding structure in the present application.

[0055] The marks in the above drawings are as follows:

[0056] 1, support structure, 2, waste box, 3, cap unloading structure, 4, cap feeding structure, 5, driving mechanism, 6, new electrode cap, 11, column, 31, cap unloading mechanism, 32, rear connecting plate, 33, transverse connecting plate, 41, feeding box, 42, feeding groove, 43, feeding opening, 44, discharging opening, 45, lateral limiting unit, 46, pushing unit, 47, supporting cross plate, 311, fixed clamping plate, 312, through clamping groove, 313, movable clamping plate, 314, discharging clamping groove, 315, insertion groove, 451, lateral plate, 452, lateral block, 461, pushing head, 462, elastic mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0058] An electrode cap changing assembly for welding tongs comprises a support structure 1, a cap unloading structure 3 and a cap feeding structure 4; the cap unloading structure 3 and the cap feeding structure 4 are arranged on the support structure 1; the electrode cap changing assembly disclosed in the present application can realize the dismounting and replacement of the old electrode cap on the welding tongs through the cooperation of the support structure 1, the cap unloading structure 3 and the cap feeding structure 4; thereby reducing the number of workers for replacing the electrode cap of the welding tongs, saving production cost and reducing the replacement time of the electrode cap of the spot welding tongs.

[0059] In the present application, the support structure 1 comprises a column 11; the column 11 serves as a support frame to increase the height, and is also used for facilitating the arrangement and placement of the subsequent cap unloading structure 3 and cap feeding structure 4.

[0060] In the present application, the cap unloading structure 3 is mainly used for the dismounting of the old electrode cap, and the cap feeding structure 4 is mainly used for supplying the new electrode cap; through the movement of the welding tongs, the new electrode cap 6 is assembled on the welding tongs.

[0061] In the present application, the cap unloading structure 3 comprises a cap unloading mechanism 31; the cap unloading mechanism 31 is essentially used for limiting the position of the old electrode cap, and then cooperates with the movement of the welding tongs to realize the disengagement of the old electrode cap from the electrode arm.

[0062] The cap unloading mechanism 31 is connected with a driving mechanism 5; the driving mechanism 5 is mainly used for controlling the movement of the movable clamping plate 313.

[0063] In the present application, the cap unloading mechanism 31 comprises a fixed clamping plate 311 arranged on the column 11 and a movable clamping plate 313 arranged opposite to the fixed clamping plate 311; the movable clamping plate 313 can move along the length direction of the fixed clamping plate 311 under the driving of the driving mechanism 5; in the present application, the fixed clamping plate 311 is in a stationary state during the subsequent use, and the movable clamping plate 313 is a movable part.

[0064] The fixed clamping plate 311 is provided with a through clamping groove 312; the movable clamping plate 313 is provided with a discharging clamping groove 314; the width of the through clamping groove 312 is not less than the width of the electrode cap; the width of the discharging clamping groove 314 is less than the width of the electrode cap; based on the design, the through clamping groove 312 is arranged to facilitate the through connection of the old electrode cap on the fixed clamping plate 311; the discharging clamping groove 314 is arranged to facilitate the clamping of the movable clamping plate 313 on the electrode arm; the discharging clamping groove 314 is small in size, and the movable clamping plate 313 can limit the position of the old electrode cap, so as to realize the removal of the old electrode cap by cooperating with the movement of the welding tongs.

[0065] In addition, the cap supply structure 4 in the application includes a feeding mechanism arranged on the stand column 11; the feeding mechanism includes a feeding box 41; the feeding box 41 stores new electrode caps; the feeding mechanism can provide new electrode caps for the welding tongs; the feeding box 41 is a box body structure, and a discharging port 44 is arranged on the feeding box 41; the electrode cap is arranged at the discharging port 44 in subsequent use; the welding tongs can be inserted into the new electrode cap, so as to realize the loading operation of the new electrode cap.

[0066] Further, the cap discharging structure 3 in the application includes a rear connecting plate 32; the cap discharging mechanism 31 is connected to the stand column 11 through the rear connecting plate 32; the driving mechanism 5 includes a driving cylinder, one end of the driving cylinder is connected to the rear connecting plate 32, and the other end of the driving cylinder is connected to the movable clamping plate 313; the rear connecting plate 32 facilitates the installation and fixation of the cap discharging structure 3 on the stand column 11, and the rear connecting plate 32 can be connected to the stand column 11 through fasteners; the driving cylinder in the application can be an oil cylinder or an air cylinder, which can be selected according to needs; in subsequent use, the driving cylinder is controlled to stretch and retract, so as to realize the operation control of the movable clamping plate 313.

[0067] Further, each cap discharging structure 3 in the application includes two oppositely arranged cap discharging mechanisms 31; the two cap discharging mechanisms 31 are distributed on both sides of the driving mechanism 5; the driving mechanism 5 can synchronously drive the movable clamping plates 313 in the two cap discharging mechanisms 31 to move; the driving cylinder in the driving mechanism 5 is connected to the movable clamping plates 313 in the two cap discharging mechanisms 31 through a transverse connecting plate 33; in the application, the driving cylinder serves as the only power source, and the piston rod of the driving cylinder is connected to a transverse connecting plate 33; the transverse connecting plate 33 is like a “latch” and is rigidly connected to the movable clamping plates 313 of the left and right cap discharging mechanisms 31.

[0068] In the application, the two movable clamping plates 313 are physically connected to the same transverse connecting plate 33, and when the driving cylinder acts, the two movable clamping plates 313 necessarily move simultaneously, in the same direction and with the same displacement.

[0069] The two hat removing mechanisms 31 in the hat removing structure 3 are arranged in a central symmetry in the application; such arrangement can mainly realize the old electrode cap removal operation on the two electrode arms of one welding tongs by the electrode cap changing assembly.

[0070] In the automobile spot welding, many welding tongs are "C-shaped", having upper and lower two electrode arms, and two electrode caps need to be replaced.

[0071] The above-mentioned central symmetry arrangement is adopted in the application, so that the two hat removing mechanisms 31 can respectively perform the hat removing operation on one electrode arm.

[0072] The central symmetry arrangement of the two hat removing mechanisms 31 in the hat removing structure 3 in the application is equivalent to forming two hat removing directions, and the hat changing efficiency is improved.

[0073] Further, the fixed clamping plate 311 is provided with a plug-in slot 315, and the end of the movable clamping plate 313 is plugged into the plug-in slot 315 of the fixed clamping plate 311; the plug-in slot 315 plays a mounting limiting role, mainly to facilitate the relative position stability of the movable clamping plate 313 and the fixed clamping plate 311, and the plug-in slot 315 also plays a good operation guiding role, avoiding the running misalignment of the movable clamping plate 313 and the fixed clamping plate 311.

[0074] Further, the electrode cap changing assembly further comprises a waste mechanism; the waste mechanism comprises a waste box 2 arranged on the column 11; the arrangement of the waste mechanism facilitates the collection operation of the removed old electrode cap.

[0075] Further, the feeding box 41 comprises a box body; the box body is provided with a feeding mechanism; the arrangement of the feeding mechanism facilitates the loading and placement of the new electrode cap.

[0076] In the application, the feeding mechanism comprises a feeding slot 42, a discharge port 44 and a feeding port 43 arranged on the box body; the feeding port 43 is connected with the discharge port 44 through the feeding slot 42; the feeding port 43 is located on the side surface of the box body; the discharge port 44 and the feeding port 43 are distributed in a perpendicular manner; in the application, the feeding slot 42 is arranged transversely, and the feeding port 43 is located on the side surface of the box body, and the subsequent new electrode cap 6 is fed into the feeding slot 42 through the feeding port 43; the discharge port 44 is located on the upper end surface or the lower end surface of the box body, and the discharge port 44 is mainly used for the new electrode cap 6 in the feeding slot 42 to exit; the single new electrode cap 6 is conveniently connected and assembled with the corresponding electrode arm of the welding tongs.

[0077] In the application, the discharge port 44 is provided with a limiting unit; the arrangement of the limiting unit can bind and limit the electrode cap at the discharge port 44, so as to ensure the stability of the arrangement position of the electrode cap at the discharge port 44.

[0078] The main reason for setting the limiting unit is that the feeding box 41 is longitudinally arranged, and the feeding box 41 is provided with a feeding unit at the upper end and the lower end, respectively, which mainly feeds two oppositely arranged electrode arms.

[0079] In the application, the limiting unit comprises a lateral limiting unit 45, the lateral limiting unit 45 comprises a lateral plate 451 and a lateral block 452, the lateral block 452 is connected to the box through the lateral plate 451, the lateral block 452 can be extruded on the electrode cap at the discharge port 44, the lateral plate 451 of the application uses an elastic plate, the lateral block 452 can be a rubber block or a nylon block, which mainly cooperates with the inner wall of the discharge port 44 to achieve the binding and fixing of the electrode cap at the discharge port 44.

[0080] In addition, the limiting unit in the application further comprises a supporting unit, the supporting unit comprises a supporting horizontal plate 47 arranged at the edge of the discharge port 44, the supporting horizontal plate 47 is at the end of the electrode cap, which can support and limit the electrode cap, avoiding the electrode cap from being separated from the corresponding discharge port 44 without external force or under the action of gravity.

[0081] Meanwhile, the supporting horizontal plate 47 and the lateral limiting unit 45 are oppositely distributed on both sides of the discharge port 44 in the application, the supporting horizontal plate 47 coincides with the horizontal projection part of the discharge port 44, based on this design, the binding and fixing of the electrode cap at the discharge port 44 can be ensured through the cooperation of supporting and lateral extrusion.

[0082] In addition, the limiting unit in the application is mainly arranged at the discharge port 44 at the lower end of the feeding box 41, that is, the discharge port 44 is directed to the discharge port 44, the reason for this design is to avoid the problem that the electrode cap is easily dropped from the discharge port 44 when the discharge port 44 is downward.

[0083] Further, the feeding groove 42 is provided with a pushing unit 46 in the application, the pushing unit 46 comprises a pushing head 461, the pushing head 461 is connected to the inner wall of the feeding groove 42 through an elastic mechanism 462, the elastic mechanism 462 comprises a supporting spring, the pushing head 461 is connected to the inner wall of the feeding groove 42 away from the discharge port 44 through the supporting spring, the pushing unit 46 can laterally extrude the electrode cap in the feeding groove 42, which facilitates the movement of the electrode cap in the feeding groove 42 to the discharge port 44 in turn, and a new electrode cap can be continuously supplemented at the corresponding discharge port 44 after one electrode cap is moved out of the discharge port 44, which facilitates the subsequent new welding tongs cap supplementing operation.

[0084] In the application, the outer side of the pushing head 461 close to the discharge port 44 is an arc surface, the setting of the arc surface reduces the influence of the pushing head 461 on the entry of the newly fed electrode cap.

[0085] Further, the electrode cap changing assembly for the welding tongs in the application further comprises a control system; the control system comprises a detection module connected with a control module, and the control module is connected with an execution module; the detection module is mainly used for detection and identification, and generally comprises a position sensor; and the position sensor is mainly used for identifying the positions of the movable clamping plate 313, the welding tongs and the like.

[0086] The control module is generally a controller, which can be an industrial computer or a conventional PLC controller; the controller is mainly used for receiving signals transmitted by the detection module, identifying and judging, and then giving instructions; the execution module is an execution end, and the execution module is a driving cylinder; after receiving the instructions from the control module, the driving cylinder operates to control the position of the movable clamping plate 313, so as to realize the dismounting operation of the old electrode cap on the welding tongs.

[0087] When the electrode cap changing assembly for the welding tongs in the application is used, the following steps are required:

[0088] Initial preparation stage:

[0089] The welding tongs carrying the old electrode cap are moved to the designated cap dismounting position of the electrode cap changing assembly by the robot control; the cap dismounting position is located at the position of the discharging clamping groove 314; it is required that the old electrode cap carried by the welding tongs passes through the corresponding fixed clamping plate 311 through the discharging clamping groove 314;

[0090] Cap dismounting process:

[0091] Driving mechanism 5 starts: after the control module receives the welding tongs positioning signal, the driving mechanism 5 is triggered to move; the driving mechanism 5 drives the movable clamping plate 313 to move along the length direction of the fixed clamping plate 311, so that the movable clamping plate 313 is inserted on the electrode arm connected with the old electrode cap through the penetrating clamping groove 312;

[0092] Welding tongs moving for dismounting the cap: the robot controls the welding tongs to move along the direction parallel to the central axis of the electrode cap, and under the limiting block of the movable clamping plate 313, the old electrode cap is forcibly dismounted from the electrode arm of the welding tongs; after the electrode cap is dismounted, the welding tongs are moved: the robot moves the electrode arm of the welding tongs without the electrode cap to the discharging opening 44 position of the feeding tank 41 of the cap feeding structure 4, and aligns with the new electrode cap 6; the electrode arm of the welding tongs moves towards the new electrode cap, and the new electrode cap 6 is pressed and mounted on the corresponding electrode arm of the welding tongs; thus, the cap changing is completed: the robot moves the welding tongs back to the working position, and the electrode cap changing assembly is returned.

[0093] Based on the above process steps, the electrode cap changing assembly can realize the dismounting of the old electrode cap on the welding tongs and the installation of the new electrode cap 6.

[0094] Embodiment:

[0095] The application discloses a welding tongs electrode cap changing assembly, which comprises a support structure 1, a cap removing structure 3, a cap supplying structure 4, a waste material mechanism and a control system.

[0096] The support structure 1 comprises a column 11, which is fixed to the ground or a working platform as a mounting base of the whole assembly, and the cap removing structure 3 and the cap supplying structure 4 are arranged on the column 11.

[0097] The cap removing structure 3 comprises a rear connecting plate 32, a driving mechanism 5 and two oppositely arranged cap removing mechanisms 31.

[0098] The rear connecting plate 32 is fixedly installed on the column 11 through fasteners.

[0099] The driving mechanism 5 adopts a driving cylinder (preferably a pneumatic cylinder), the tail part of the cylinder body of which is hinged or fixedly connected with the rear connecting plate 32.

[0100] Each cap removing mechanism 31 comprises a fixed clamping plate 311 and a movable clamping plate 313.

[0101] The fixed clamping plate 311 is fixedly installed on the rear connecting plate 32 and is provided with a through clamping groove 312, and the width of the through clamping groove 312 is not less than the diameter of the electrode cap to be replaced, so that the electrode cap and the electrode arm of the welding tongs can smoothly pass through.

[0102] The movable clamping plate 313 is oppositely arranged with the fixed clamping plate 311 and is provided with a discharging clamping groove 314, and the width of the discharging clamping groove 314 is less than the diameter of the electrode cap but is sufficient to clamp the electrode arm.

[0103] The two cap removing mechanisms 31 are centrally symmetrically arranged with the driving mechanism 5 as the center.

[0104] A transverse connecting plate 33 is connected with the front end of the piston rod of the driving cylinder, and the two ends of the transverse connecting plate 33 are rigidly connected with the two movable clamping plates 313 respectively.

[0105] Therefore, when the piston rod of the driving cylinder is retracted or extended, the two movable clamping plates 313 can be synchronously driven to move along the length direction of the fixed clamping plate 311 through the transverse connecting plate 33.

[0106] In order to further ensure the stability of the movement of the movable clamping plate 313, the fixed clamping plate 311 is preferably provided with an insertion groove 315, and the end of the movable clamping plate 313 is inserted into the insertion groove 315, so that a good movement guide is formed.

[0107] The cap supply structure 4 comprises a supply mechanism, which comprises a supply box 41; a feeding mechanism is arranged in the supply box 41. The feeding mechanism comprises a feeding groove 42, a feeding opening 43 and a discharging opening 44. The feeding opening 43 is arranged on the side of the box body and is used for batch loading of new electrode caps. The discharging opening 44 is arranged vertically to the feeding opening 43 and is connected with the feeding opening 43 through the feeding groove 42; a pushing unit 46 is arranged in the feeding groove 42, and the pushing unit 46 comprises a pushing head 461 and a supporting spring.

[0108] The pushing head 461 is connected with the inner wall of the end of the feeding groove 42 away from the discharging opening 44 through the supporting spring and continuously pushes the electrode cap to the discharging opening 44 under the action of the spring force. The outer surface of the side of the pushing head 461 close to the discharging opening 44 is an arc surface, so that the new electrode cap 6 can be smoothly loaded.

[0109] A limiting unit is arranged at the discharging opening 44; the limiting unit comprises a lateral limiting unit 45 and a supporting unit; the lateral limiting unit 45 comprises a lateral plate 451 and a lateral block 452, the lateral block 452 is connected with the box body through the elastic lateral plate 451, so as to be elastically pressed against the side surface of the electrode cap at the discharging opening 44 and provide lateral restraint.

[0110] The supporting unit comprises a supporting horizontal plate 47 arranged at the edge of the discharging opening 44, which is arranged opposite to the lateral limiting unit 45 and coincides with the horizontal projection of the discharging opening 44, and is used for supporting the end of the electrode cap and preventing the electrode cap from falling off; this limiting unit is particularly important for the downward arranged discharging opening 44.

[0111] The waste mechanism comprises a waste box 2 arranged on the stand column 11 and used for collecting the unloaded old electrode cap.

[0112] The control system comprises a detection module, a control module and an execution module; the detection module (such as a position sensor) is used for detecting signals such as the position of the welding tongs and the position of the movable clamping plate 313. The control module (such as a PLC controller) receives the signals of the detection module, performs logical judgment, and then sends instructions to the execution module; the execution module (i.e. the driving mechanism 5) receives the instructions and performs corresponding actions.

[0113] The working process of the present application is as follows:

[0114] Initial preparation: the robot carrying the welding tongs loaded with the old electrode cap moves to the cap unloading station of the cap changing assembly, so that the old electrode arm and the electrode cap pass through the through clamping groove 312 of the fixed clamping plate 311.

[0115] Cap removal process: after receiving the welding tongs in place signal, the control module instructs the drive cylinder to act, the piston rod pushes the two movable clamping plates 313 through the cross connecting plate 33 to move synchronously, so that the discharge clamping groove 314 of the movable clamping plate 313 is clamped into the electrode arm of the welding tongs.

[0116] Subsequently, the robot controls the welding tongs to move in the direction parallel to the central axis of the electrode cap, the edge of the discharge clamping groove 314 of the movable clamping plate 313 blocks the old electrode cap, so as to forcibly remove it from the electrode arm, and the old cap falls into the waste box 2.

[0117] Cap installation process: the robot moves the electrode arm of the welding tongs with the removed cap to the discharge port 44 of the cap supply structure 4, and aligns the new electrode cap 6 fixed by the limiting unit.

[0118] Then, the electrode of the welding tongs moves towards the new electrode cap 6, and the new electrode cap 6 is pressed and installed on the electrode arm.

[0119] Cap replacement completion: after the cap installation is in place, the robot moves the welding tongs back to the working position, and the drive cylinder resets to drive the movable clamping plate 313 to retreat, so that the whole cap replacement assembly is ready for the next operation.

[0120] Obviously, the specific implementation of the present application is not limited by the above-mentioned manner, and various non-essential improvements made by adopting the method concept and technical scheme of the present application are within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A welding clamp electrode cap replacement assembly, characterized in that, It includes a support structure, a cap removal structure, and a cap supply structure; the cap removal structure and the cap supply structure are installed on the support structure; The supporting structure includes columns; The cap removal structure includes a cap removal mechanism; the cap removal mechanism is connected to a drive mechanism. The cap removal mechanism includes a fixed plate mounted on a column and a movable plate arranged opposite to the fixed plate. The movable plate can move along the length of the fixed plate under the drive of the driving mechanism. The fixing plate is provided with a through slot; The movable card plate is provided with a discharge slot; the width of the through slot is not less than the width of the electrode cap; the width of the discharge slot is less than the width of the electrode cap; The electrode cap supply structure includes a feeding mechanism mounted on a column; the feeding mechanism includes a feeding box; and the feeding box contains new electrode caps.

2. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cap removal structure includes a rear connecting plate; the cap removal mechanism is connected to the column via the rear connecting plate; the driving mechanism includes a driving cylinder, one end of which is connected to the rear connecting plate and the other end of which is connected to the movable clamping plate.

3. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each cap removal structure includes two cap removal mechanisms arranged opposite each other; the two cap removal mechanisms are distributed on both sides of the drive mechanism; the drive mechanism can synchronously drive the movable plates in the two cap removal mechanisms to move; the drive cylinder in the drive mechanism is connected to the movable plates in the two cap removal mechanisms through a horizontal connecting plate.

4. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixed plate is provided with an insertion slot, and the end of the movable plate is inserted into the insertion slot of the fixed plate.

5. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 3, characterized in that, The two cap-removing mechanisms in the cap-removing structure are arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner.

6. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode cap replacement assembly also includes a waste disposal mechanism; the waste disposal mechanism includes a waste box mounted on a column.

7. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The feeding box includes a box body; the box body is equipped with a feeding mechanism; The feeding mechanism includes a feeding trough, a discharge port, and a loading port disposed on the box body; the loading port is connected to the discharge port through the feeding trough. The feeding port is located on the side of the box; the discharge port is perpendicular to the feeding port.

8. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 7, characterized in that, The discharge port is equipped with a limiting unit; The limiting unit includes a lateral limiting unit; the lateral limiting unit includes a lateral plate and a lateral block, the lateral block being connected to the housing via the lateral plate; the lateral block can press against the electrode cap located at the discharge port; The limiting unit further includes a support unit, which includes a support plate disposed at the edge of the discharge port; the support plate and the lateral limiting unit are distributed opposite to each other on both sides of the discharge port; the support plate and the horizontal projection of the discharge port are partially overlapped.

9. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 7, characterized in that, The feeding trough is equipped with a pushing unit, which includes a pushing head. The pushing head is connected to the inner wall of the feeding trough through an elastic mechanism, which includes a support spring. The pushing head is connected to the inner wall of the feeding trough at the end away from the discharge port through the support spring. The outer surface of the pushing head near the discharge port is an arc-shaped surface.

10. The electrode cap replacement assembly for welding clamps according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrode cap replacement assembly for the welding clamp also includes a control system; the control system includes a detection module, which is connected to the control module, and the control module is connected to the execution module. When using the electrode cap replacement assembly for the welding clamp, the following steps must be followed: Initial preparation phase: The welding clamp carries the old electrode cap and is moved by the robot to the designated cap removal position of the electrode cap replacement assembly; the cap removal position is located at the position of the unloading slot; the old electrode cap carried by the welding clamp is required to pass through the unloading slot and pass through the corresponding fixed plate; Cap removal process: Drive mechanism start: After the control module receives the welding clamp position signal, it triggers the microphone mechanism to move; the drive mechanism drives the movable plate to move along the length of the fixed plate, so that the movable plate is inserted into the electrode arm connected to the old electrode cap through the through slot; Welding clamp movement and cap removal: The robot controls the welding clamp to move along a direction parallel to the central axis of the electrode cap. Under the limiting obstruction of the movable clamp, the old electrode cap is forcibly removed from the electrode arm of the welding clamp. After the electrode cap is removed, the welding clamp is repositioned: The robot moves the electrode arm of the welding clamp without the electrode cap to the discharge port of the feeding box of the cap supply structure and aligns it with the new electrode cap. The welding clamp electrode moves towards the new electrode cap and presses the new electrode cap onto the corresponding electrode arm of the welding clamp. At this point, the cap replacement is completed: The robot moves the welding clamp back to the working position, and the electrode cap replacement assembly returns to its original position.

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