A welding apparatus and a welding method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of welding technology, providing a welding device and a welding method. The welding device includes a welding clamp, a supply mechanism, and a welding rod changing drive mechanism. The welding clamp includes a clamp body and a clamping member disposed on the clamp body. The clamping member has a clamping cavity, and one end of the clamping member has a clamping port communicating with the clamping cavity. The supply mechanism includes a welding rod storage chamber for accommodating welding rods, providing welding rods to be clamped to the clamping member. The welding rod changing drive mechanism includes a negative pressure adsorption component and a positive pressure blowing component. The adsorption end of the negative pressure adsorption component and the air outlet end of the positive pressure blowing component are both communicating with the clamping cavity. This invention automates the welding rod changing process by automatically grabbing new welding rods using the negative pressure adsorption component and automatically blowing away old welding rod heads using the positive pressure blowing component, shortening the welding rod changing time and improving the continuity and efficiency of welding operations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of arc welding, and in particular to a welding device and welding method. Background Technology

[0002] Manual arc welding is a common method of metal joining, widely used in steel structure fabrication, equipment maintenance, pipeline installation, mining machinery maintenance, and on-site assembly. This welding method typically involves a welding machine outputting welding current, which is conducted through a welding cable and welding clamp to the welding electrode. An electric arc is formed between the electrode and the workpiece, completing the fusion process. Due to the complex working environment, dispersed welding positions, and numerous variations in welding posture, manual arc welding remains highly applicable in many scenarios. For operations requiring continuous weld formation, the smoothness of electrode handling and the continuity of electrode changing in the welding clamp directly affect the continuity of the welding process and the formation of the joint.

[0003] In manual arc welding, welding electrodes are typically stored in electrode casks, electrode boxes, or carried by the operator for manual retrieval. When an electrode is used up, the operator must first remove the remaining electrode tip from the welding clamp, then grab a new electrode and load it into the clamp. For operations requiring continuous welding, such as single-sided welding with double-sided forming, prolonged electrode replacement time can cause the molten pool temperature to drop, affecting the continuous forming of the joint. Experienced welders typically shorten electrode replacement time by holding the welding cap in their left hand while simultaneously clamping multiple electrodes. While keeping their wrist relatively still, they use their fingers to push out individual electrodes one by one, allowing their right hand to immediately load a new electrode after discarding the remaining electrode tip and continue welding.

[0004] However, the above-mentioned operation methods are highly dependent on proficiency, and novices usually need a long period of practice before they can perform continuous electrode changing. On the other hand, the existing manual electrode changing process usually requires the operator to directly contact the electrode and the clamping part of the welding clamp. When the working environment is humid or the electrode is hot, manual electrode changing has certain limitations in terms of operational convenience and safety. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the problems in existing technologies, such as the lack of continuous connection in the transfer of welding electrodes from the storage location to the clamping position, and the reliance on manual operation for electrode replacement which affects continuous welding, this invention provides a welding device and welding method. This welding device, through the cooperation of a supply mechanism and an electrode-changing drive mechanism, enables the welding electrodes to be continuously fed to a preset pick-up position. It utilizes negative pressure adsorption and positive pressure blowing to complete the insertion of new welding electrodes and the separation of old electrode heads, thereby eliminating the need for manual contact with the welding electrodes and improving the continuity of welding operations.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical means: a welding device, comprising a welding clamp, a supply mechanism, and a bar changing drive mechanism;

[0007] The welding clamp includes a welding clamp body and a clamping member disposed on the welding clamp body. The clamping member has a clamping cavity and a clamping opening communicating with the clamping cavity is provided at one end of the clamping member.

[0008] The supply mechanism includes a storage bin for holding welding electrodes to supply welding electrodes to the clamping member;

[0009] The strip-changing drive mechanism includes a negative pressure adsorption component and a positive pressure blowing component. The adsorption end of the negative pressure adsorption component and the air outlet end of the positive pressure blowing component are both connected to the clamping cavity.

[0010] In one embodiment, the supply mechanism further includes a welding rod holder, a drive assembly, and a guide component;

[0011] The welding electrode holder is rotatably mounted inside the electrode storage bin;

[0012] The drive assembly is connected to the electrode holder in a transmission manner to drive the electrode holder to rotate;

[0013] The bar storage bin has a pre-set outlet, and the guide member communicates with the outlet. The side of the guide member away from the outlet forms a pick-up position, where the electrode is positioned, with its tail end exposed outside the guide member. This configuration allows the electrodes in the storage bin to move one by one to the pick-up position, enabling the welding clamp to pick up the electrode tail end.

[0014] In one embodiment, the welding rod holder includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member spaced apart along a first direction, and a support rod connecting the first limiting member and the second limiting member;

[0015] Both the first and second limiting members are provided with multiple limiting holes. The two ends of the welding rod are respectively inserted into the limiting holes of the first and second limiting members, so that the multiple welding rods are distributed circumferentially along the welding rod holder. Through the above arrangement, the two ends of the welding rod can be limited, and the multiple welding rods can rotate synchronously with the welding rod holder.

[0016] In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a geared motor, and an electrical compartment is provided on the lower side of the storage bar compartment;

[0017] The geared motor is fixed inside the electrical compartment and is connected to the electrode holder for transmission, thereby driving the electrode holder to rotate. This causes the electrodes to move sequentially to the electrode outlet and then through the guide to the electrode pick-up position. With this configuration, the electrode holder can be rotated using the geared motor, enabling the feeding of electrodes one by one.

[0018] In one embodiment, the guide member is formed in the shape of a box;

[0019] The bottom wall of the guide is inclined so that the welding electrode slides along the guide to the position to be picked up after falling from the outlet.

[0020] The upper side of the guide is open, and the height of the guide is less than the length of the welding rod, so that when the welding rod is in the position to be picked up, its tail end is exposed outside the guide.

[0021] The guide member has an opening on the side near the bar storage bin that communicates with the bar outlet. This design allows the welding rod to slide along a predetermined path after being dropped and to remain in a position conducive to absorption at the desired bar location.

[0022] In one embodiment, the supply mechanism further includes a detection unit electrically connected to the drive assembly. The detection unit sends a stop signal to the geared motor when it detects that the welding electrode is at the electrode outlet, and sends a start signal to the geared motor when it detects that there is no welding electrode at the electrode pick-up position. With this configuration, the geared motor can be controlled to start and stop according to the state of the welding electrode at the electrode outlet and the electrode pick-up position, achieving on-demand material supply.

[0023] In one embodiment, the supply mechanism further includes a heating and insulation module, which includes a heating element disposed within the bar storage bin and a temperature control element electrically connected to the heating element, for heating and insulation of the welding rods within the bar storage bin. This configuration allows for maintaining preset temperature conditions during welding rod storage, making it suitable for welding rods requiring specific storage temperatures.

[0024] In one embodiment, the negative pressure adsorption assembly includes a negative pressure source, a negative pressure control valve, and a negative pressure channel; the positive pressure blowing assembly includes a positive pressure air source, a positive pressure control valve, and a positive pressure channel. The negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel are both connected to the clamping cavity. The clamping member is integrally formed in a cylindrical shape, with the clamping cavity formed in its middle. The clamping opening is located on the lower side of the clamping member, and an air pipe communicating with the clamping cavity is provided on the upper side of the clamping member. Both the negative pressure source and the positive pressure air source are connected to the clamping cavity through the air pipe. With the above configuration, negative pressure adsorption and positive pressure blowing can be achieved using the same clamping cavity.

[0025] In one embodiment, the welding clamp further includes a clamping assembly and a control assembly. The clamping assembly includes a cylinder and a support member. The support member is located on the outside of the clamping member, and the cylinder is mounted on the support member. The output end of the cylinder slides through the side wall of the clamping member and seals against the clamping member to extend into the clamping cavity and abut against the tail end of the welding electrode. The control assembly includes a first operating member and a second operating member located on the welding clamp body. The first operating member controls the positive pressure control valve and the clamping assembly, and the second operating member controls the negative pressure control valve and the clamping assembly. With the above configuration, clamping control and air path control can be achieved during the electrode suction and electrode retraction processes, respectively.

[0026] This invention also provides a welding method using the aforementioned welding equipment, comprising the following steps: placing welding rods in a storage bin; controlling a supply mechanism to deliver the welding rods to the desired position; controlling a negative pressure adsorption component to adsorb the welding rods at the desired position and guide them into a clamping component; performing the welding operation; and controlling a positive pressure blowing component to blow the welded electrode head out of the clamping component. Through these steps, a continuous operation process of welding rod supply, electrode retrieval, welding, and electrode removal can be completed.

[0027] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following technical effects:

[0028] With the supply mechanism in this invention, the welding rod is stored and transported before entering the welding clamp, and is formed into a clamping state. Therefore, when changing rods, the welder no longer needs to grab the welding rod directly from the dispersed position with his hands.

[0029] At the same time, a clamping cavity is provided inside the clamping component, and a clamping port communicating with the clamping cavity is opened at one end of the clamping component. The welding rod to be clamped provided by the supply mechanism can enter the clamping cavity through the clamping port, thereby changing the welding rod from an external clamping state to an internal clamping state of the welding clamp.

[0030] Furthermore, the electrode changing drive mechanism is equipped with a negative pressure adsorption component and a positive pressure blowing component. Both the adsorption end of the negative pressure adsorption component and the air outlet end of the positive pressure blowing component are connected to the clamping cavity, thus forming a single clamping cavity that corresponds to both electrode suction and electrode retraction paths. When the negative pressure adsorption component is working, it creates an adsorption effect within the clamping cavity, causing the electrode to move towards the clamping cavity and enter the clamping component. When the positive pressure blowing component is working, it creates a blowing effect within the clamping cavity, causing the welded electrode head to detach from the clamping component in the opposite direction. Since the introduction of the new electrode and the removal of the old electrode head are both achieved through the same clamping cavity and are accomplished by negative and positive pressure respectively, the two actions of new electrode insertion and old electrode head removal, originally performed manually during electrode replacement, are transformed into continuous pneumatic actions performed by the electrode changing drive mechanism.

[0031] Based on this, the present invention enables a continuous replacement process in which the welding electrode is provided by the supply mechanism, introduced into the clamping component by the negative pressure adsorption component, and then discharged by the positive pressure blowing component. Therefore, it can reduce the frequency of direct manual contact with the welding electrode and the welding electrode head, reduce the impact of manual electrode replacement on welding continuity, and improve the ease of operation during electrode replacement. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the welding equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 This is a front view of the welding equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the welding equipment provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the welding clamp provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the welding clamp provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a side view of the welding clamp provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 7 This is a top view of the welding clamp provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0041] 100. Welding clamp; 200. Supply mechanism; 1. Welding clamp body; 11. Clamping component; 21. Bar storage bin; 22. Welding bar holder; 23. Drive assembly; 24. Material guide component; 25. Heating component; 3. Air pipe; 41. Support component; 42. Cylinder; 51. First operating component; 52. Second operating component; 6. Temperature sensor; 7. Adjusting component. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Figure 1 This is an isometric view of the welding equipment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a front view of the welding equipment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the welding equipment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is an isometric view of the welding clamp. Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the welding clamp. Figure 6 This is a side view of the welding clamp. Figure 7 This is a top view of the welding clamp. It should be noted that the following description describes embodiments of the present invention and is used to illustrate the technical content of the invention, not to limit the scope of protection of the invention. Conventional modifications, equivalent substitutions, or combinations made by those skilled in the art based on the disclosure of the present invention, as long as they do not depart from the technical concept of the present invention, should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 7 This embodiment provides a welding device. The welding device includes a welding clamp 100, a supply mechanism 200, and a welding rod changing drive mechanism. The welding clamp 100 is used by a worker to manually pick up, clamp, and weld welding rods. The supply mechanism 200 is used to store, separate, transport, and position multiple welding rods for retrieval. The welding rod changing drive mechanism works with the welding clamp 100 to introduce new welding rods and remove old welding rod heads. With the three mechanisms working together, the welding rod is supplied to a ready-to-retrieve state by the supply mechanism 200, then introduced into the clamping position by the welding clamp 100. After welding, the welding rod head is discharged from the welding clamp 100 by the welding rod changing drive mechanism, thus transforming the welding rod changing process from manual picking and unpicking to continuous mechanical action.

[0044] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The welding clamp 100 includes a welding clamp body 1 and a clamping member 11 disposed on the welding clamp body 1. The welding clamp body 1 can be formed into a slender handle-like component, serving both as a support component for the operator to hold and operate, and as a mounting base for gas lines and wiring. The interior of the welding clamp body 1 can form a mounting cavity or through hole for arranging negative pressure channels, positive pressure channels, control circuits, and wires connected to the welding machine. The outer surface of the welding clamp body 1 can be provided with anti-slip textures, curved transitions, or partial protrusions according to gripping habits to facilitate one-handed operation.

[0045] As an alternative implementation, the welding clamp body 1 can be formed by combining a metal frame and an insulating shell. The shell is made of heat-resistant insulating material to reduce the transfer of heat to the handheld part during welding.

[0046] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 7The welding clamp body 1 is also equipped with a temperature sensor 6, which is used to detect the temperature of the welding clamp 100, especially the area near the welding clamp body 1 and the clamping part 11. When the temperature sensor 6 detects that the temperature of the welding clamp 100 exceeds a preset threshold, the temperature sensor 6 sends an electrical signal, which in turn controls the opening of the cooling valve connected to the positive pressure air source, so that compressed air is delivered to the welding clamp 100 through the corresponding passage to cool the welding clamp 100. For details about the positive pressure air source and the cooling valve, please refer to the following text. Preferably, the preset threshold can be 50°C, that is, when the temperature of the welding clamp 100 exceeds 50°C, the cooling valve automatically opens, thereby reducing the temperature rise of the welding clamp and improving the grip comfort and usage stability during continuous welding.

[0047] As a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 7 The welding clamp body 1 is also equipped with an adjustment component 7, which is preferably a current adjustment knob. The operator can adjust the output current of the welding machine through the adjustment component 7 to adapt to the welding needs of different specifications of welding rods, different welding positions, and different working conditions.

[0048] As another alternative implementation, the welding clamp body 1 can be formed entirely by assembling insulating material and local conductive connectors, with the conductive connectors electrically connected to the clamping member 11 for introducing welding machine current into the clamping member 11.

[0049] Reference Figures 3 to 7 The clamping member 11 is disposed at one end of the welding clamp body 1. The clamping member 11 has a clamping cavity, and one end of the clamping member 11 has a clamping opening communicating with the clamping cavity. The clamping member 11 can be made of conductive material, so that the welding current can be transferred to the welding electrode after the welding electrode is clamped. The clamping member 11 is preferably formed in a columnar shape, with a clamping cavity formed in the middle of its axial direction. The clamping opening can be set on the lower side of the clamping member 11, so that the tail end of the welding electrode can enter the clamping cavity from bottom to top. The size of the clamping cavity should meet the needs of the welding electrode tail end entering and the airflow. Generally, the lateral dimension of the clamping cavity is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the welding electrode tail end, so that the welding electrode can enter smoothly, while avoiding the clamping cavity being too large and weakening the negative pressure adsorption effect. The edge of the clamping opening can be formed into a chamfer, rounded corner, or flared inlet, so that when the clamping member 11 approaches the welding electrode, even if there is a certain positional deviation between the welding electrode and the clamping opening, it can still enter the clamping cavity under the guidance.

[0050] As an optional implementation, the inner wall of the clamping cavity can be provided with a guide section and a clamping section. The guide section is close to the clamping opening and is used to guide the tail end of the welding electrode when it enters. The clamping section is located above the guide section and is used to cooperate with the clamping assembly to restrict the position of the welding electrode.

[0051] As another alternative implementation, the clamping member 11 may consist of an outer sleeve and an inner liner. The inner liner forms a clamping cavity and provides electrical conductivity, while the outer sleeve is used to mount the support member 41 and connect to the welding clamp body 1.

[0052] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The supply mechanism 200 includes a bar storage bin 21 for holding welding electrodes, providing electrodes to be clamped to the clamping member 11. The bar storage bin 21 is a storage component of the supply mechanism 200, used for centralized storage of multiple welding electrodes. In this embodiment, the bar storage bin 21 is preferably integrally formed as a bin structure with an opening at the top, allowing workers to load multiple welding electrodes from above. The bar storage bin 21 can adopt a cylindrical structure, which facilitates the circumferential arrangement of multiple welding electrode stations within the internal welding electrode rack 22 and also allows the welding electrode rack 22 to rotate relative to the bar storage bin 21.

[0053] As an optional implementation, the upper edge of the bar storage compartment 21 may be fixedly provided with mounting ears, which are used to install the heating element 25.

[0054] As another optional implementation, the storage bin 21 can also be equipped with an openable cover plate. The cover plate can be hinged to the upper edge of the storage bin 21, or it can be connected by a snap-fit, screw, or sliding type, so that it can be opened when replenishing materials and closed when keeping warm.

[0055] The volume of the bar storage bin 21 can be set as needed. In one optional embodiment, the bar storage bin 21 can hold twenty to fifty welding rods.

[0056] In another alternative embodiment, the bar storage bin 21 can hold twenty-four welding rods with a length of about 350 mm to meet the bar changing requirements of continuous welding operations.

[0057] The inner wall of the storage bin 21 can be fitted with an insulation layer or a heat insulation layer to reduce heat loss within the bin, which is especially beneficial for maintaining a stable internal temperature when a heating and insulation module is installed. The insulation layer can be made of heat-resistant fiber, ceramic insulation, or heat-resistant composite insulation. The outer wall of the storage bin 21 can be fitted with feet, mounting plates, or connecting seats to fix the storage bin 21 to a bracket, frame, table, or independent base.

[0058] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The supply mechanism 200 also includes an electrode holder 22, a drive assembly 23, and a guide 24. The electrode holder 22 is rotatably mounted inside the electrode storage bin 21. The drive assembly 23 is connected to the electrode holder 22 to drive its rotation. An electrode outlet is provided at a preset position in the electrode storage bin 21. The guide 24 communicates with the outlet, and the side of the guide 24 away from the outlet forms a waiting position for electrode removal. When the electrode is in the waiting position, its tail end is exposed outside the guide 24. Therefore, the electrodes are not randomly stacked within the electrode storage bin 21, but are carried and distributed by the electrode holder 22. The drive assembly 23 then rotates the electrode holder 22, causing the electrodes to reach the outlet one by one. The electrodes then slide through the guide 24 to the waiting position, where they are finally removed by the welding clamp 100.

[0059] The electrode-retrieving position is the location where the supply mechanism 200 and the welding clamp 100 work together. This position must allow the welding electrode to be stably positioned while also facilitating the approach and adsorption of the clamping member 11 of the welding clamp 100. Therefore, the electrode-retrieving position can be located at the end of the guide member 24 or near the end of the guide member 24. Furthermore, a stop, a limiting shoulder, a buffer, or a groove can be provided at the electrode-retrieving position to ensure the welding electrode maintains a stable posture after it reaches its designated position.

[0060] As an optional implementation, a bracket for supporting the welding clamp 100 can also be provided on one side of the outer wall of the bar storage compartment 21. The bracket is located above or corresponding to the bar to be retrieved. When the operator is in the bar retrieval interval, bar changing interval, or short pause, the welding clamp 100 can be temporarily placed on the bracket, thereby reducing the burden caused by holding the welding clamp 100 for a long time and helping the clamping member 11 to be aligned with the bar to be retrieved more quickly.

[0061] As another optional implementation, the storage bin 21 is also equipped with a pull ring, which is used to facilitate the lifting and moving of the storage bin 21 by the staff.

[0062] As an optional implementation, the bar storage bin 21 and the guide component 24 can be directly and fixedly connected.

[0063] As another alternative implementation, the guide 24 can be detachably installed relative to the bar storage bin 21 so that different specifications of the guide 24 can be replaced according to different bar lengths or the requirements of the position to be retrieved.

[0064] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The electrode holder 22 includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member spaced apart along a first direction, and a support rod connecting the first limiting member and the second limiting member. In this embodiment, the first direction can be understood as the axial direction of the electrode storage chamber 21, that is, the general extension direction of the electrode within the electrode storage chamber 21. Both the first and second limiting members have multiple limiting holes, and the two ends of the electrode are respectively inserted into the limiting holes of the first and second limiting members, so that multiple electrodes are distributed circumferentially along the electrode holder 22. After limiting the two ends of the electrode with the first and second limiting members, the electrode can maintain a basically vertical or predetermined posture when the electrode holder 22 rotates, reducing the possibility of electrode collisions and coating damage. The support rod is used to fix and connect the first and second limiting members, maintaining a stable distance between them, thereby forming an integral electrode holder 22. The number of support rods can be three, four, or more, and they are spaced apart circumferentially to improve the overall rigidity of the electrode holder 22.

[0065] As an optional implementation, both the first and second limiting members can be disc-shaped, with the limiting holes evenly distributed along the circumference of the disc.

[0066] As another optional implementation, the first and second limiting members can also be formed by splicing together annular plates or several arc-shaped limiting plates. The limiting hole can be a round hole, an oblong hole, a semi-open groove, or a hole structure with an elastic bushing. When using an oblong hole or a hole structure with a bushing, it is possible to ensure the positioning of the welding rod while also accommodating the installation of welding rods of different specifications.

[0067] Furthermore, the electrode holder 22 may also include a central shaft, with a first limiting member and a second limiting member fixed on the central shaft, and the drive assembly 23 being connected to the central shaft for transmission, so that the electrode holder 22 as a whole rotates around the central shaft.

[0068] Furthermore, in order to reduce the friction of the welding rod inside the hole, a wear-resistant bushing or a low-friction bushing can be provided on the inner wall of the limiting hole.

[0069] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The drive assembly 23 includes a geared motor. An electrical compartment is located on the lower side of the bar storage compartment 21. The geared motor is fixed inside the electrical compartment and is connected to the electrode holder 22 for transmission, so as to drive the electrode holder 22 to rotate, causing the electrodes to move sequentially to the electrode outlet and then to the electrode picking position via the guide 24. The electrical compartment is used to install the geared motor and its related wiring components, protection components, and control components.

[0070] To prevent heat inside the bar storage bin 21 from affecting the operation of the geared motor, a heat insulation plate or layer can be installed between the electrical compartment and the bar storage bin 21. The geared motor can be directly connected to the rotating shaft of the welding rod holder 22 via a coupling, or it can be connected to the welding rod holder 22 via gear drive, synchronous belt drive, chain drive, or worm gear drive. With a geared motor, the welding rod holder 22 can rotate at a lower speed and higher torque, facilitating the gradual alignment and discharge of individual welding rods.

[0071] As an alternative implementation, the drive assembly 23 may also include an encoder for providing feedback on the angular position of the electrode holder 22.

[0072] As another optional implementation, the drive assembly 23 may also include a brake for braking the electrode holder 22 after detecting that the electrode is in place, in order to reduce inertial overshoot. The start and stop of the geared motor can be directly controlled by the detection unit, or it can be controlled by the controller after receiving a signal from the detection unit.

[0073] Furthermore, to adapt to different cycle time requirements, the drive assembly 23 can be set to a continuous rotation mode and a stepping rotation mode. In continuous rotation mode, the electrode holder 22 rotates continuously at a low speed until the electrode is detected to be in position. In stepping rotation mode, the electrode holder 22 stops after rotating one or several fixed angles each time, and then the detection unit confirms whether it is in position.

[0074] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The electrode storage chamber 21 has an electrode outlet at a predetermined position. The electrode outlet allows the electrode to detach from the support inside the electrode storage chamber 21 and enter the guide member 24. The size and shape of the electrode outlet match the shape of the electrode to allow a single electrode to pass through and prevent two electrodes from entering the guide member 24 simultaneously. The electrode outlet can be located on the bottom wall of the electrode storage chamber 21 near the guide member 24, or it can be located on the lower part of the side wall of the electrode storage chamber 21 and communicate with the inlet of the guide member 24. The edge of the electrode outlet can be rounded, beveled, or have a wear-resistant edge to reduce scratches on the flux coating caused by the electrode passing through the outlet.

[0075] As an optional implementation, an auxiliary separation component, such as a limiting plate, a material separating edge, or a double-falling baffle, can be provided near the electrode outlet to allow the electrode to detach from the electrode holder 22 in a single manner.

[0076] As another optional implementation, a local guide groove can also be formed at the outlet of the electrode to make it easier for the electrode to enter the inlet of the guide member 24 after leaving the electrode holder 22.

[0077] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3The guide member 24 is formed in the shape of a box. The bottom wall of the guide member 24 is inclined so that the welding rod slides along the guide member 24 to the position to be picked up after falling from the outlet. The upper side of the guide member 24 is open and the height of the guide member 24 is less than the length of the welding rod so that the tail end of the welding rod is exposed outside the guide member 24 when it is in the position to be picked up. The guide member 24 has an opening that communicates with the outlet on the side near the storage bin 21.

[0078] In a more specific embodiment, the guide member 24 can be formed as a parallelogram box, meaning that the upper and lower walls extending along the electrode sliding direction are not parallel to the horizontal plane, but form a predetermined angle, allowing the electrode to slide naturally to the desired position under gravity after entering. The upper side of the guide member 24 is open, facilitating electrode entry, observation, and maintenance. Since the height of the guide member 24 is less than the length of the electrode, the tail end of the electrode extends outside the guide member 24 when it is in the desired position, making it easy for the clamping member 11 to attract the tail end of the electrode through negative pressure. The guide member 24 has an opening on the side near the electrode storage chamber 21 that communicates with the electrode outlet, allowing the electrode to fall into the guide member 24 without additional turning. To make the electrode sliding more stable, the inner bottom wall of the guide member 24 can be provided with a low-friction lining, roller strips, or a wear-resistant layer.

[0079] As an optional implementation, the end of the guide 24 may also be provided with a limiting shoulder so that the welding rod will not continue to move forward due to inertia when it stops at the position to be picked up.

[0080] As another optional implementation, an elastic buffer can be provided at the position of the electrode to be picked up in the guide 24 to absorb the impact when the electrode slides into place and prevent the electrode from rebounding or deviating in posture.

[0081] As another optional implementation, the length of the guide 24 is adjustable or the end position of the guide 24 is adjustable to adapt to the position requirements of welding rods of different lengths.

[0082] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The supply mechanism 200 also includes a detection unit electrically connected to the drive assembly 23. The detection unit sends a stop signal to the geared motor when it detects that the welding rod is at the outlet, and a start signal to the geared motor when it detects that the desired electrode position is short of welding rod. The detection unit can be a proximity switch, photoelectric switch, infrared sensor, reflective sensor, or other position detection device. Only one detection unit can be used, or multiple detection units can be installed. When using a single detection unit, the status of the welding rod at the outlet and the desired electrode position can be comprehensively determined by the installation position and control logic. When using multiple detection units, different detection components can be installed near the outlet and the desired electrode position respectively to determine whether the welding rod has been dispensed and whether the desired electrode position is short of material.

[0083] In one optional implementation, the first detection component detects whether the welding rod has reached the outlet and sends a stop signal to the drive assembly 23 upon arrival. The second detection component detects whether a welding rod is present at the desired electrode position and sends a start signal to the drive assembly 23 when no welding rod is present. To make the control more stable, the detection unit can also cooperate with the controller, which can set logic such as delay, debouncing, and secondary confirmation based on the detection results. For example, after the welding rod at the desired electrode position is removed, the controller can delay for a predetermined time before starting the reduction motor to avoid material replenishment before the welding clamp has completely left the desired electrode position. Furthermore, if the detection unit continuously detects that the welding rod remains at the outlet without entering the guide 24, the controller can determine that there is a jam and perform micro-motion compensation, reverse retraction, or issue an alarm.

[0084] As an optional implementation, the detection unit can also detect the exposed length of the electrode tail at the position to be picked up, thereby prohibiting the welding clamp from picking up the electrode and prompting for compensation adjustment when the exposed length is insufficient.

[0085] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 The supply mechanism 200 also includes a heating and insulation module, which includes a heating element 25 disposed in the bar storage bin 21 and a temperature control element electrically connected to the heating element 25, for heating and insulation of the welding rods in the bar storage bin 21. The heating element 25 may be in the form of a rod, wire, film, or ring.

[0086] In one optional embodiment, the present invention employs a dual power supply. The heating element 25 in the heating and insulation module, due to its high power, is powered by a 220V AC power supply to meet the power requirements for heating and insulation of the welding rods within the bar storage compartment 21. Simultaneously, the geared motor in the drive assembly 23 and the aforementioned control valves are powered by a 12V battery, facilitating the movement and arrangement of the entire machine during on-site operation.

[0087] As an optional implementation, the heating element 25 is a rod-shaped heating element, disposed in the middle of the bar storage chamber 21, and can penetrate into the interior of the bar storage chamber 21 through the mounting lug on the upper side of the bar storage chamber 21, and then extend axially along the bar storage chamber 21 so that the circumferentially distributed welding rods are arranged around the heating element 25. In this form, the welding rod holder 22 rotates around the heating element 25, and a predetermined gap is maintained between the heating element 25 and the welding rod, thereby balancing heating and mechanical rotation. As another optional implementation, the heating element 25 is a wire-shaped heating element or a sheet-shaped heating element, arranged circumferentially along the inner wall of the bar storage chamber 21, thereby heating the welding rod from the outside in.

[0088] As another optional implementation, the heating element 25 can be a multi-segment structure, with different heating sections controlled by a temperature control component to form different temperature zones. The temperature control component may include a thermostat, a relay, a power regulation module, and a control circuit, used to switch the heating element 25 on / off or adjust its power according to the set temperature.

[0089] In one optional embodiment, the temperature control component can maintain the temperature inside the bar storage bin 21 within the range of 50°C to 400°C. As another optional embodiment, for welding electrodes requiring higher insulation temperatures, the temperature control component can maintain the temperature inside the bar storage bin 21 at approximately 350°C. Providing an insulation layer on the inner wall of the bar storage bin 21 can reduce heat loss and improve insulation performance. When the bar storage bin 21 is equipped with an openable cover, it can be opened during replenishment and closed during insulation, thus balancing the convenience of replenishment with heat retention.

[0090] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The negative pressure adsorption component in the strip changing drive mechanism includes a negative pressure source, a negative pressure control valve, and a negative pressure channel. The positive pressure blowing component includes a positive pressure air source, a positive pressure control valve, and a positive pressure channel. The negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel are connected to the clamping cavity.

[0091] Furthermore, the clamping member 11 is integrally formed as a column, with a clamping cavity in its middle. The clamping opening is located on the lower side of the clamping member 11, and an air pipe 3 communicating with the clamping cavity is provided on the upper side of the clamping member 11. Both the negative pressure source and the positive pressure air source are connected to the clamping cavity through the air pipe 3. The negative pressure source can be an independent vacuum pump, a vacuum generator, or a factory negative pressure air source, and the positive pressure air source can be a compressed air source, an air storage device, or a factory compressed gas interface. The negative pressure control valve and the positive pressure control valve can be solenoid valves, pneumatic valves, or electromechanical linkage valves. The air pipe 3 can be a metal pipe, a pressure-resistant flexible hose, or a combination of a metal rigid pipe and a flexible joint. Its upper end communicates with the negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel, and its lower end communicates with the clamping cavity. Through this structure, the same clamping cavity can form a negative pressure adsorption space and a positive pressure blowing space under the action of different control valves.

[0092] As an alternative implementation, the negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel can first converge above the clamp 11 and then connect to the air tube 3.

[0093] As another alternative implementation, the negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel can also be connected to the air pipe 3 through branches, and a one-way valve can be installed on each branch to reduce airflow crosstalk.

[0094] Furthermore, to prevent positive and negative pressure from acting on the clamping cavity simultaneously, an electrical or mechanical interlock can be installed between the negative pressure control valve and the positive pressure control valve to ensure that only one airflow state acts on the clamping cavity at any given time.

[0095] As an optional implementation, a sealing sleeve, threaded connector, or clamp connector can also be provided at the connection between the air tube 3 and the clamp 11 to ensure sealing reliability and ease of assembly and disassembly.

[0096] In one specific embodiment, the positive pressure blowing assembly includes multiple positive pressure passages arranged in parallel. These positive pressure passages include a cooling passage, a blowing passage, and a clamping drive passage. A cooling valve is installed on the cooling passage, which is connected to the welding clamp 100 to supply compressed air for cooling when the welding clamp 100 is too hot. A blowing valve is installed on the blowing passage, which is connected to the clamping cavity via an air pipe 3 to provide positive pressure airflow to the clamping cavity during the electrode retraction process, thereby blowing the welded electrode tip out of the clamping member 11. A clamping control valve is installed on the clamping drive passage, which is connected to a cylinder 42 to drive the cylinder 42 to extend its output end into the clamping cavity and clamp the electrode tail.

[0097] Correspondingly, the negative pressure adsorption assembly may also include multiple cooperating negative pressure passages. These multiple negative pressure passages include a suction passage and a release control passage. A negative pressure control valve is installed on the suction passage, which is connected to the clamping cavity via an air pipe 3 to create negative pressure within the clamping cavity, thereby drawing the electrode tail end located at the electrode-to-be-picked position into the clamping cavity. A release control valve is installed on the release control passage, which is connected to the control end of the cylinder 42. This release control passage is used to control the retraction of the cylinder 42 during electrode retraction or replacement, thereby releasing the clamping state on the electrode tail end or electrode head.

[0098] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The welding clamp 100 also includes a clamping assembly and a control assembly. The clamping assembly includes a cylinder 42 and a support member 41. The support member 41 is located on the outside of the clamping member 11, and the cylinder 42 is mounted on the support member 41. The output end of the cylinder 42 slides through the side wall of the clamping member 11 and is sealed to the clamping member 11 to extend into the clamping cavity and abut against the tail end of the welding rod. The support member 41 is used to install and support the cylinder 42, and at the same time can seal the mating gap between the output end of the cylinder 42 and the clamping member 11 to reduce gas leakage.

[0099] As an alternative implementation, the support member 41 can be made of bakelite block or other insulating and heat-resistant material, which can serve both as support and as insulation.

[0100] As another optional implementation, a guide groove or guide surface can be formed on the support member 41 to make it easier to align the clamping member 11 with the tail end of the welding electrode when the welding clamp 100 approaches the electrode position. The cylinder 42 can be a single-acting cylinder or a double-acting cylinder. The output end of the cylinder 42 can be a straight rod, a conical head, an arc head, or a pressing member with an elastic end face. After the welding electrode enters the clamping cavity, the output end of the cylinder 42 extends into the clamping cavity and abuts against the tail end of the welding electrode, thereby pressing the welding electrode against the inner wall of the clamping cavity or the support part in the clamping cavity to form a clamping state. To improve sealing, a sealing ring, a sealing sleeve, or a sliding seal can be provided between the output end of the cylinder 42 and the side wall of the clamping member 11.

[0101] As an alternative implementation, a guide hole can be formed on the side wall of the clamping member 11, and the output end of the cylinder 42 enters the clamping cavity after passing through the guide hole.

[0102] As another optional implementation, a support surface or limiting step that mates with the tail end of the welding electrode can also be formed in the clamping cavity, so that the welding electrode is clamped between the output end and the support surface after the output end of the cylinder 42 is pushed forward.

[0103] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The control components include a first operating element 51 and a second operating element 52 mounted on the welding clamp body 1. The first operating element 51 controls the positive pressure control valve and the clamping assembly, while the second operating element 52 controls the negative pressure control valve and the clamping assembly. The second operating element 52 is primarily used for the electrode suction process. When the operator operates the second operating element 52, the system can control the negative pressure control valve to open and control the clamping assembly to be in a released or pre-clamped state, allowing the electrode tip to enter the clamping cavity through the clamping port under negative pressure. After the electrode reaches a predetermined depth, the cylinder 42 actuates to clamp the electrode within the clamping cavity. The first operating element 51 is primarily used for the electrode retraction process. When the operator operates the first operating element 51, the system can control the clamping assembly to first release the electrode head, and then control the positive pressure control valve to open, allowing positive pressure airflow to enter the clamping cavity, thereby blowing the electrode head out through the clamping port.

[0104] As a specific control method, when the second operating element 52 is triggered, the system opens the negative pressure control valve, connecting the electrode suction passage to the air pipe 3, and controls the cylinder 42 to be in the release state, so that the electrode tail at the electrode pick-up position enters the clamping cavity under negative pressure; when the electrode enters the predetermined depth, the system controls the clamping control valve corresponding to the clamping drive passage to act, causing the cylinder 42 to push forward and clamp the electrode. When the first operating element 51 is triggered, the system first controls the release control valve to act, causing the cylinder 42 to retract and release the electrode head, and then opens the blow valve, connecting the blow passage to the air pipe 3, thereby using positive pressure airflow to blow the electrode head out of the clamping member 11. If the temperature sensor 6 detects that the temperature of the welding clamp 100 exceeds the preset threshold, the system can also simultaneously or separately open the cooling valve to deliver compressed air to the welding clamp 100 for cooling.

[0105] As an alternative implementation, the first operating element 51 and the second operating element 52 can be two independent buttons, respectively arranged at different positions on the welding clamp body 1, so as to be operated by different fingers.

[0106] As another alternative implementation, the first operating element 51 and the second operating element 52 may also be in the form of a lever, trigger, or rocker switch.

[0107] As another optional implementation, the first operating element 51 and the second operating element 52 can be linked with the control circuit to achieve different action sequences such as valve first then cylinder, cylinder first then valve, or synchronous control. Using a release-then-blow sequence helps reduce electrode tip retention. Using an adsorption-then-clamp sequence helps ensure the electrode tip enters the clamping cavity first and is then fixed.

[0108] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The mechanical relationships between the above components are as follows: The welding clamp body 1 is connected to the clamping member 11. The clamping member 11 forms a clamping cavity inside and is connected to the external air passage through the air pipe 3. The support member 41 is installed on the outside of the clamping member 11, and the cylinder 42 is fixed on the support member 41. The output end of the cylinder 42 passes through the side wall of the clamping member 11 into the clamping cavity. The negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel act on the clamping cavity through the air pipe 3. The electrode holder 22 is installed inside the electrode storage bin 21. The electrode holder 22 is driven to rotate by the drive assembly 23. The outside of the electrode storage bin 21 is connected to the guide member 24 through the electrode outlet. The end of the guide member 24 forms the electrode to be picked up position. The detection unit is connected to the drive assembly 23 and detects the electrode status at the electrode outlet or the electrode to be picked up position. The heating element 25 is set inside the electrode storage bin 21 or on the inner wall and its working state is controlled by the temperature control element. In summary, the supply mechanism 200 is responsible for delivering the welding rod from the storage position to the position to be picked up, the rod changing drive mechanism is responsible for introducing the welding rod from the position to the clamping cavity and discharging the welding rod head after welding, and the clamping assembly is responsible for fixing the welding rod after it enters the clamping cavity. All components cooperate with each other to complete the welding rod replacement action.

[0109] Reference Figures 1 to 7 The following is a detailed description of the operation process of the welding equipment. First, the operator loads multiple welding rods into the electrode storage bin 21. Specifically, the welding rods can be inserted sequentially into the limiting holes of the first and second limiting members, so that the welding rods are distributed circumferentially along the electrode holder 22. If the electrode storage bin 21 with an upper opening is used, the welding rods can be loaded one by one from the top. If the electrode storage bin 21 is equipped with a cover plate, the cover plate is opened before replenishment and closed after replenishment. When heating and heat preservation are required, the heating and heat preservation module can be activated after replenishment to maintain the preset temperature inside the electrode storage bin 21. Subsequently, the detection unit detects the status of the electrode position to be retrieved. When the electrode position to be retrieved is missing welding rods, the detection unit sends a start signal to the drive assembly 23, and the reduction motor drives the electrode holder 22 to rotate. As the electrode holder 22 rotates, one of the welding rods moves to the outlet position and loses support, and then the welding rod falls into the guide member 24 through the outlet. The welding rod slides towards the electrode position to be retrieved under the action of the bottom wall inclination angle and gravity of the guide member 24. When the detection unit detects that the welding rod has reached the outlet or that there is a welding rod at the position to be picked up, it sends a stop signal to the drive assembly 23, and the reduction motor stops working, so that there is always one welding rod at the position to be picked up.

[0110] Subsequently, the worker holds the welding clamp 100 close to the electrode position, ensuring the clamping opening of the clamping member 11 faces the electrode tail. At this time, the worker operates the second operating component 52, opening the negative pressure control valve. The negative pressure source forms negative pressure within the clamping cavity via the negative pressure channel and air pipe 3. Since the electrode tail is exposed outside the guide component 24, the negative pressure is directly applied to the electrode tail, causing it to move towards the clamping opening and enter the clamping cavity. After the electrode enters the clamping cavity, the cylinder 42 actuates, extending its output end into the clamping cavity and abutting against the electrode tail, thus fixing the electrode in the clamping member 11. The negative pressure control valve can then be closed, and the electrode enters a weldable state. During welding, the welding clamp 100 is electrically connected to the welding machine, and the clamping member 11 transmits current to the electrode. The worker performs the welding operation as usual.

[0111] During the welding process, the operator can adjust the output current of the welding machine using the adjusting component 7 according to the welding status, so that the welding current is adapted to the current electrode specification and welding conditions. At the same time, the temperature sensor 6 continuously monitors the temperature of the welding clamp 100; when the detected temperature exceeds the preset threshold, the system controls the cooling valve to open, so that compressed air is delivered to the welding clamp 100 through the cooling passage, thereby automatically cooling the welding clamp 100.

[0112] When the welding rod is worn out and needs to be replaced, the operator operates the first operating component 51. After the first operating component 51 is activated, the clamping assembly first releases the welding rod head, that is, the output end of the cylinder 42 retracts or releases the pressure on the welding rod head, and at the same time, the positive pressure control valve opens. The positive pressure air source inputs positive pressure airflow into the clamping chamber through the positive pressure channel and air pipe 3. The airflow pushes the welding rod head along the clamping opening, causing the welding rod head to detach from the clamping component 11 and be discharged. After the welding rod head is discharged, there is a shortage of welding rod at the waiting position. The detection unit triggers the drive component 23 to start again, and the next welding rod falls into the guide component 24 through the outlet and slides to the waiting position, thus starting the next round of welding rod suction. In this way, the supply, suction, clamping, welding and retraction can be continuously cycled. The operator does not need to directly touch the new welding rod and the old welding rod head during the entire welding rod replacement process, thereby reducing manual intervention.

[0113] In one alternative implementation, when the second operating element 52 triggers the electrode suction action, the control logic can be configured to first retract the cylinder 42 to reserve space for the electrode to enter the clamping cavity, and then open the negative pressure control valve. After the electrode enters the predetermined position, the cylinder 42 is then pushed forward to clamp it. This reduces the obstruction of the electrode entry path by the output end of the cylinder 42.

[0114] In another alternative embodiment, after the second operating member 52 is pressed, the cylinder 42 and the negative pressure control valve can operate simultaneously, as long as the welding electrode can enter the clamping cavity under negative pressure and be clamped. When the first operating member 51 triggers the electrode retraction action, it can also retract the cylinder 42 first and then open the positive pressure control valve, or it can open the positive pressure control valve simultaneously during the retraction of the cylinder 42, as long as the welding electrode head can be smoothly released from the clamping member 11.

[0115] In one alternative embodiment, the supply mechanism 200 can be separately installed from the welding clamp 100. The bar storage bin 21 and the guide component 24 are fixed on an independent support or platform, and the operator moves the welding clamp 100 to the bar collection position to pick up the bar. With this configuration, the volume of the bar storage bin 21 can be appropriately increased to improve the loading capacity.

[0116] In one optional embodiment, the electrode storage bin 21 and the guide component 24 in the supply mechanism 200 can be used not only with the welding clamp 100 described in this application, but also with common welding clamps available on the market. That is, the supply mechanism 200 can independently complete the storage, supply, and positioning of welding electrodes, while the welding clamp part can use the welding clamp 100 described in this application or other conventional welding clamps as needed.

[0117] In another alternative embodiment, the supply mechanism 200 can be fixed to a support structure near the welding clamp 100, so that the welding clamp 100 and the supply mechanism 200 are kept at a small distance, thereby shortening the suction rod stroke.

[0118] In another optional embodiment, the bar storage bin 21 and the guide 24 are relatively adjustable so that the position of the bar to be picked can be adjusted according to different welding clamp 100 structures.

[0119] In an alternative embodiment, in addition to adopting the form of upper and lower two-layer limiting members, the electrode holder 22 can also be provided with more intermediate limiting members between the first and second limiting members to provide more support points for longer electrode.

[0120] In another alternative embodiment, the support rod of the electrode holder 22 can also serve as a separator between electrodes, so that adjacent electrodes maintain a more defined interval in the circumferential direction.

[0121] In another alternative embodiment, the electrode holder 22 may be provided with a detachable limiting member to allow for replacement of the limiting hole structure to accommodate electrodes of different diameters.

[0122] In one optional implementation, the detection unit, in addition to controlling the start and stop of the geared motor, can also be connected to an alarm component. When the welding rods in the bar storage bin 21 are exhausted and there are no welding rods available at the bar-to-be-retrieved position, the detection unit can trigger an alarm to prompt the staff to replenish the material.

[0123] In another optional implementation, the detection unit may set two or more detection points in the guide member 24 to determine whether the welding rod is stuck in the middle of the guide member 24. If the sticking occurs, the drive component 23 is controlled to stop and prompt for inspection.

[0124] In another optional implementation, the detection unit can work with the controller to set up secondary sampling logic, that is, after the first determination that the strip to be picked is short of material, it will be detected again after a predetermined time delay, and the geared motor will be started only after the material shortage is confirmed, so as to reduce false operation.

[0125] In one alternative implementation, in addition to keeping the inside of the bar storage bin 21 warm, the heating and insulation module can also provide auxiliary heating to the section of the guide 24 near the bar outlet, thereby reducing the temperature drop of the welding rod as it moves from the bar storage bin 21 into the bar-taking position.

[0126] In another optional implementation, the temperature control component can select different temperature levels according to the preset electrode type, so that different electrodes can be stored under different temperature conditions.

[0127] In another optional embodiment, the insulation layer of the inner wall of the bar storage bin 21 can be segmented, so that the positions near the upper and lower parts of the bar storage bin 21 have different insulation thicknesses, in order to adapt to the different thermal management requirements of the upper feeding area and the lower discharging area.

[0128] In one alternative embodiment, in addition to serving as a common passage, the air tube 3 may also be provided with a throttling component or a buffer chamber near the clamping member 11 to regulate the airflow fluctuations during negative pressure adsorption and the airflow impact during positive pressure blowing.

[0129] In another alternative implementation, the positive pressure channel may be equipped with a flow regulator to adjust the intensity of the blown airflow according to the length of the electrode head, the state of the electrode residue, or the work habits.

[0130] In another optional embodiment, the negative pressure channel can be equipped with a vacuum holding component to keep the tail end of the welding rod in an adsorbed state for a short time, so that the welding rod can be moved from the position to be picked up to the depth of the clamping cavity.

[0131] In an alternative embodiment, the support 41 is a bakelite block located outside the clamping member 11 and surrounding part of the outer periphery of the clamping member 11. It serves both to support the cylinder 42 and to provide heat and insulation. A guide notch or guide surface may also be formed on one side of the bakelite block to facilitate alignment of the clamping member 11 with the end of the guide member 24 when it approaches the end of the welding rod.

[0132] In another alternative embodiment, the support member 41 can adopt a split structure, that is, it is composed of two half-pieces spliced ​​together to hold the outside of the member 11, and the cylinder 42 is installed on the mounting position formed by one or both of the pieces.

[0133] This embodiment also provides a welding method. This welding method uses the above-described welding equipment and includes the following steps:

[0134] First, place the welding rods in the bar storage compartment 21.

[0135] When heat preservation is required, the heating and heat preservation module is turned on to keep the welding rod at the preset temperature in the bar storage chamber 21.

[0136] Subsequently, the control supply mechanism 200 delivers the welding rod to the position to be picked up. Specifically, this may include the detection unit detecting that the position to be picked up is short of material, the drive assembly 23 starting, the welding rod holder 22 rotating, the welding rod falling from the outlet into the guide component 24, the welding rod sliding along the guide component 24 to the position to be picked up, the detection unit detecting that the welding rod is in place and stopping the drive assembly 23.

[0137] Next, the negative pressure adsorption component is controlled to adsorb the welding rod located at the position to be picked up, and the welding rod is introduced into the clamping component 11. Specifically, this may include the operator operating the second operating component 52, the negative pressure control valve opening, the clamping cavity forming a negative pressure, the tail end of the welding rod entering the clamping port, the tail end of the welding rod entering the clamping cavity, and the cylinder 42 actuating to clamp the welding rod.

[0138] Then the welding operation is performed.

[0139] After welding, the positive pressure blowing assembly blows the welded electrode head out of the clamping member 11. Specifically, this may include the operator operating the first operating member 51, the cylinder 42 retracting, the positive pressure control valve opening, and the positive pressure airflow entering the clamping chamber and pushing the electrode head out through the clamping port. Finally, the detection unit checks the status of the electrode to be picked up again and triggers the next round of feeding.

[0140] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.

[0141] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0142] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present invention without departing from the principles of the present invention, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A welding device, characterized in that, include: A welding clamp includes a welding clamp body and a clamping member disposed on the welding clamp body. The clamping member has a clamping cavity and one end of the clamping member has a clamping opening communicating with the clamping cavity. A supply mechanism, including a storage bin for holding welding electrodes, for supplying welding electrodes to be clamped to the clamping member; The changing drive mechanism includes a negative pressure adsorption component and a positive pressure blowing component, wherein the adsorption end of the negative pressure adsorption component and the air outlet end of the positive pressure blowing component are both connected to the clamping cavity.

2. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supply mechanism also includes a welding electrode holder, a drive assembly, and a material guide; The welding electrode holder is rotatably mounted inside the electrode storage bin; The drive assembly is connected to the electrode holder in a transmission manner to drive the electrode holder to rotate; The bar storage bin has a bar outlet at a preset position. The guide member is connected to the bar outlet, and the side of the guide member away from the bar outlet forms a bar-taking position. When the welding rod is in the bar-taking position, the tail end of the welding rod is exposed outside the guide member.

3. The welding equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The welding rod holder includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member spaced apart along a first direction, and a support rod connecting the first limiting member and the second limiting member; Both the first limiting member and the second limiting member are provided with multiple limiting holes. The two ends of the welding rod are respectively inserted into the limiting holes of the first limiting member and the second limiting member, so that the multiple welding rods are distributed circumferentially along the welding rod holder.

4. The welding equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a geared motor, and an electrical compartment is provided on the lower side of the bar storage compartment. The geared motor is fixed in the electrical compartment and is connected to the welding rod frame for transmission, so as to drive the welding rod frame to rotate, so that the welding rods move sequentially to the bar outlet and reach the bar to be picked up through the guide.

5. The welding equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The material guide is formed in the shape of a box; The bottom wall of the guide is inclined so that the welding electrode slides along the guide to the position to be picked up after falling from the outlet. The upper side of the guide is open, and the height of the guide is less than the length of the welding rod, so that when the welding rod is in the position to be picked up, its tail end is exposed outside the guide. The feed guide has an opening on the side near the storage bin that communicates with the outlet.

6. The welding equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, The supply mechanism further includes a detection unit electrically connected to the drive assembly, which sends a stop signal to the geared motor when it detects that the welding rod is at the outlet, and sends a start signal to the geared motor when it detects that the welding rod position is missing welding rod.

7. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The supply mechanism further includes a heating and insulation module, which includes a heating element disposed in the bar storage bin and a temperature control element electrically connected to the heating element, so as to heat and insulate the welding rods in the bar storage bin.

8. The welding equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The negative pressure adsorption assembly includes a negative pressure source, a negative pressure control valve, and a negative pressure channel; the positive pressure blowing assembly includes a positive pressure air source, a positive pressure control valve, and a positive pressure channel; the negative pressure channel and the positive pressure channel are connected to the clamping cavity. The clamping member is integrally formed in a columnar shape, with the clamping cavity formed in the middle. The clamping opening is located on the lower side of the clamping member, and an air pipe communicating with the clamping cavity is provided on the upper side of the clamping member. Both the negative pressure source and the positive pressure air source are connected to the clamping cavity through the air pipe.

9. The welding equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that, The welding clamp also includes a clamping assembly and a control assembly; The clamping assembly includes a cylinder and a support component; The support member is located on the outside of the clamping member, the cylinder is located on the support member, and the output end of the cylinder slides through the side wall of the clamping member and is sealed to the clamping member so as to extend into the clamping cavity and abut against the tail end of the welding rod. The control assembly includes a first operating element and a second operating element disposed on the welding clamp body. The first operating element is used to control the positive pressure control valve and the clamping assembly, and the second operating element is used to control the negative pressure control valve and the clamping assembly.

10. A welding method, characterized in that, Using the welding equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprises the following steps: Place the welding rods in the rod storage compartment; The control supply mechanism delivers the welding rod to the position where it is to be picked up; The negative pressure adsorption component is controlled to adsorb the welding rod located at the position to be picked up and to introduce the welding rod into the clamping component; Perform welding operations; The positive pressure blowing assembly blows the welded electrode head out of the clamping component.

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