An apparatus and method for automatic electrode change

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of automatic welding equipment, in particular to a device and method for automatically replacing welding electrodes, which comprises a machine base, electrode joint assemblies, a dividing steering engine, a telescopic driving cylinder and a rotary table arranged on the machine base, and a plurality of electrode joint assemblies are uniformly arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotary table. The electrode joint assembly comprises a cylinder sleeve, a tray, a clamping jaw, a locking piece and a locking rod, the tray is slidably arranged on the inner side of the cylinder sleeve, the clamping jaw is rotatably installed on the outer periphery of the tray, the abutting roller on the surface of the clamping jaw is guided and matched with the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve, so that the clamping jaw can automatically complete the clamping and releasing of the welding electrode, the locking piece is used for jointing or separating with the locking rod, and the locking and releasing of the tray are realized. The rotary table is driven to rotate by the dividing steering engine, so that the dismounting station and the mounting station are sequentially corresponding to the welding gun, the telescopic driving cylinder is matched to complete the axial butt joint, the automatic dismounting of the old welding electrode, the automatic mounting of the new welding electrode and the cyclic storage and replacement of the welding electrode are realized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of automated welding equipment technology, specifically to a device and method for automatically changing welding electrodes. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, welding electrode caps are primarily replaced manually or with simple auxiliary tooling. When the welding equipment reaches a set number of cycles or electrode wear is detected, the equipment typically needs to be stopped, and operators must remove the old electrode cap and install a new one onto the welding torch. This method not only requires manual labor, which is physically demanding, but also results in significant equipment downtime, making it unsuitable for continuous operation in automated production lines. Furthermore, manual replacement can easily lead to issues such as mixing old and new electrode caps, misaligned installation, or insecure clamping, affecting welding consistency and equipment stability.

[0003] While some existing automatic electrode replacement mechanisms can automatically disassemble and assemble welding electrode caps, they generally suffer from problems such as the need to set up different workstations for new and old electrode caps, complex overall structure, low replacement efficiency, and the need for multiple drive mechanisms to work together to complete the clamping and releasing actions. These problems result in high equipment costs and difficult maintenance. Furthermore, they are difficult to balance stable clamping, reliable release, and continuous cyclic replacement of welding electrode caps. Therefore, it is necessary to propose an automatic welding electrode replacement device and method to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve the technical problems of existing welding electrode replacement processes, which mainly rely on manual operation, resulting in long equipment downtime, low automation, low welding electrode disassembly and assembly efficiency, and insufficient replacement positioning stability.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: An automatic welding electrode replacement device includes a base, electrode engagement assemblies, and an indexing servo, a telescopic drive cylinder, and a turntable mounted on the base. The telescopic drive cylinder is fixed to the output end of the indexing servo, which drives the turntable to rotate in an indexing manner. The telescopic drive cylinder drives the turntable to move axially. Several electrode engagement assemblies are evenly arranged along the circumference of the turntable. Each electrode engagement assembly includes a cylinder sleeve, a tray, grippers, a locking element, and a locking rod. The tray is slidably disposed inside the cylinder sleeve, the grippers are rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the tray, the locking element is disposed inside the cylinder sleeve, and the locking rod is fixed to the bottom of the tray. The grippers are used to clamp or release the welding electrode, and the locking element is used to engage or disengage with the locking rod to lock or release the tray. By driving multiple electrode engagement assemblies sequentially to the corresponding positions on the welding torch via the indexing servo and cooperating with the telescopic drive cylinder to complete axial docking, a continuous cycle of old welding electrode disassembly, new welding electrode installation, and electrode storage is achieved, improving the efficiency of automatic welding electrode replacement.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of guide rods are fixedly installed on the inner side of the cylinder liner, and the bottom of the tray is provided with sliding feet that slide in cooperation with the guide rods. Each sliding foot slides axially along the corresponding guide rod to guide and limit the movement of the tray. The cooperation between the guide rods and the sliding feet improves the stability of the axial movement of the tray, prevents the tray from tilting, and improves the consistency of the clamping position of the welding electrodes.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment, the tray is further configured such that a groove adapted to the welding electrode is formed on its top, and several grippers are evenly distributed along the outer periphery of the tray to form a circumferential clamping and positioning of the welding electrode. Through the combined action of the groove and the grippers, the welding electrode is stably supported and positioned, improving the storage and installation accuracy of the welding electrode.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the gripper surface is further configured such that an abutment roller is rotatably mounted thereon, and the abutment roller rolls against the inner wall of the cylinder liner. When the pallet moves inward toward the cylinder liner, the abutment roller moves along the inner wall of the cylinder liner and pushes the gripper to deflect toward the center, clamping the welding electrode. When the pallet returns to its original position, the abutment roller disengages from the constraint of the inner wall of the cylinder liner, and the gripper returns to its open state, thus releasing the welding electrode. Automatic clamping and release of the gripper are achieved by guiding the gripper through the inner wall of the cylinder liner, eliminating the need for a separate clamping drive mechanism and reducing the overall structural complexity.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, a spring is further provided between the cylinder liner and the tray, the spring being used to automatically reset the tray away from the inner side of the cylinder liner. The spring provides the reset force, enabling the tray to quickly return to its initial position, preparing it for the next welding electrode replacement and improving continuous replacement efficiency.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the locking element is further configured such that it includes a lock box, a latch, and a magnetostrictive rod. The lock box is fixed to the bottom of the cylinder liner, the latch is movably disposed inside the lock box, and the magnetostrictive rod drives the latch to move toward or away from the locking rod. The surface of the locking rod is provided with a locking groove that mates with the latch. By controlling the locking and unlocking of the latch and the locking rod through the magnetostrictive rod, reliable maintenance and release of the tray position are achieved, improving the stability during the disassembly and installation of the welding electrode.

[0011] This invention also provides a method for automatically replacing welding electrodes, comprising the following steps: First, driving a turntable to rotate in an indexing manner, moving the electrode bonding assembly used for disassembling the old welding electrode to the corresponding position of the welding torch; then driving the turntable to move axially, causing the end of the welding torch to enter the corresponding electrode bonding assembly, the welding torch pushing the tray towards the inside of the cylinder liner, the grippers automatically clamping the old welding electrode, and the tray position being locked by a locking element; then controlling the welding torch to disengage, leaving the old welding electrode inside the electrode bonding assembly; then driving the turntable to continue rotating in an indexing manner, moving the electrode bonding assembly pre-placed with the new welding electrode to the corresponding position of the welding torch, the welding torch inserting the new welding electrode and releasing the locking element, the grippers automatically releasing the new welding electrode during the tray reset process, and the welding torch driving the new welding electrode to disengage from the electrode bonding assembly, completing the automatic replacement of the welding electrode. By cyclically switching multiple electrode bonding assemblies, continuous automated operation of welding electrode disassembly, recycling, storage, and installation is achieved, reducing equipment downtime and improving welding production efficiency.

[0012] The beneficial effects achieved by this invention are as follows: 1. In this invention, the indexing servo motor drives the turntable to rotate in an indexing manner, enabling multiple electrode bonding components to switch cyclically. This achieves integrated storage, replacement, and recycling of new and old welding electrodes, eliminating the need for frequent manual loading and unloading and improving the efficiency of welding electrode replacement.

[0013] 2. In this invention, through the coordinated operation of the telescopic drive cylinder, gripper, locking component and locking rod, the continuous actions of clamping and disassembling the old welding electrode and releasing and installing the new welding electrode can be completed automatically, realizing fully automatic replacement of welding electrodes, reducing manual intervention and improving the automation level of the production line.

[0014] 3. In this invention, the guide roller and the inner wall of the cylinder liner are coordinated to enable the gripper to automatically complete the clamping and opening actions during the axial movement of the tray. With the spring reset and the locking and releasing of the locking component, the welding electrode is kept in a stable position during the replacement process, which improves the accuracy and reliability of welding electrode replacement and reduces the downtime of welding equipment maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the surface structure of the base and turntable according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode locking state structure of an electrode bonding assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the electrode release state of an electrode bonding assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 This is an exploded structural diagram of an electrode bonding assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the tray surface structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the locking component mounting structure according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is an exploded structural diagram of the locking member and locking rod according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure label: 100. Base; 110. Indexing servo motor; 120. Telescopic drive cylinder; 130. Turntable; 200. Electrode bonding assembly; 210. Cylinder liner; 220. Tray; 230. Gripper; 240. Locking element; 250. Locking rod; 211. Guide rod; 221. Sliding foot; 231. Abutting roller; 241. Lock box; 242. Abutting tongue; 243. Magnetostrictive rod. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments and accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described herein can be combined with each other.

[0018] It should be understood that these descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0019] The following describes, with reference to the accompanying drawings, some embodiments of an apparatus and method for automatically changing welding electrodes provided by the present invention.

[0020] Combination Figures 1-8 As shown, the present invention provides an automatic electrode replacement device and method, including a base 100, an electrode bonding assembly 200, and an indexing servo motor 110, a telescopic drive cylinder 120, and a turntable 130 mounted on the surface of the base 100. The indexing servo motor 110 is fixedly mounted on the top of the base 100, the telescopic drive cylinder 120 is fixedly mounted on the output end of the indexing servo motor 110, and the turntable 130 is fixedly connected to the output end of the telescopic drive cylinder 120. Under the drive of the indexing servo motor 110, the turntable 130 can perform indexing deflection, and under the drive of the telescopic drive cylinder 120, the turntable 130 can move up and down axially, thereby realizing the position switching and axial docking between different electrode bonding assemblies 200 and the welding torch.

[0021] In this embodiment, there are several electrode bonding assemblies 200, which are evenly arranged along the circumference of the turntable 130. Some of the electrode bonding assemblies 200 are used to collect old welding electrode caps after disassembly, while the remaining electrode bonding assemblies 200 are used to pre-place new welding electrode caps to be installed, thereby enabling the automatic replacement of multiple welding electrode caps continuously.

[0022] The electrode bonding assembly 200 includes a cylinder liner 210, a tray 220, a gripper 230, a locking element 240, and a locking rod 250.

[0023] The cylinder liner 210 has a cylindrical structure, and several guide rods 211 are fixedly installed on the inner side of the cylinder liner 210 along the axial direction of the cylinder liner 210. The guide rods 211 are arranged parallel to each other. The tray 220 is located inside the cylinder liner 210, and several sliding feet 221 are fixedly installed on the bottom of the tray 220. Each sliding foot 221 is slidably sleeved on the surface of the corresponding guide rod 211, so that the tray 220 can slide stably along the guide rod 211, avoiding the tray 220 from wobbling and improving the motion stability.

[0024] The top of the tray 220 has a groove that fits the welding electrode cap, making it easy to position the welding electrode cap. Several grippers 230 are evenly rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the tray 220. Each gripper 230 can deflect around its corresponding axis. Each gripper 230 is connected to the tray 220 by a hinge spring, so that the grippers 230 have an automatic tendency to open outward.

[0025] In this embodiment, each gripper 230 is rotatably mounted with a stop roller 231 on its outer side. The stop roller 231 adopts a rubber roller structure and rolls against the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve 210. When the tray 220 moves into the cylinder sleeve 210, the stop roller 231 rolls along the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve 210. Under the guidance of the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve 210, the gripper 230 gradually deflects towards the center, forming a radial clamping on the outer periphery of the welding electrode cap. When the tray 220 returns to the outside of the cylinder sleeve 210, the stop roller 231 gradually disengages from the restriction of the inner wall of the cylinder sleeve 210. Under the action of the hinge spring, the gripper 230 automatically opens outward, releasing the clamping on the welding electrode cap.

[0026] In this embodiment, a spring 212 is fixedly installed on the top of the cylinder liner 210. The top of the spring 212 abuts against the bottom surface of the tray 220. When the tray 220 is pressed by the welding torch, the spring 212 is compressed and stores energy. When the lock is released, the spring 212 releases its elastic potential energy and pushes the tray 220 to reset upward along the guide rod 211.

[0027] In this embodiment, the locking member 240 is fixedly installed on the bottom of the cylinder liner 210. The locking member 240 includes a locking box 241, a stop tongue 242 and a magnetostrictive rod 243. The locking box 241 is fixedly installed on the bottom surface of the cylinder liner 210, the stop tongue 242 is movably installed inside the locking box 241, and the magnetostrictive rod 243 is fixedly installed on the outside of the locking box 241. Its output end is fixedly connected to the stop tongue 242 and is used to drive the stop tongue 242 to perform radial reciprocating motion.

[0028] In this embodiment, a locking rod 250 is fixedly connected to the center of the bottom of the tray 220. The locking rod 250 extends downward along the cylinder liner 210. A wedge groove adapted to the abutment 242 is opened on the surface of the locking rod 250. When the tray 220 moves to a predetermined position, the locking rod 250 enters the lock box 241. Driven by the magnetostrictive rod 243, the abutment 242 enters the wedge groove on the surface of the locking rod 250, thereby locking the tray 220. When it is necessary to release, the magnetostrictive rod 243 drives the abutment 242 to exit the wedge groove, so that the tray 220 returns to a free movement state.

[0029] Working principle and usage process of this invention: In use, this invention first pre-loads several electrode bonding assemblies 200 with welding electrode caps of corresponding specifications and evenly arranges them on the surface of the turntable 130. The servo robotic arm of the welding machine controls the welding torch to move above the turntable 130. The indexing servo motor 110 first drives the turntable 130 to deflect, and the electrode bonding assembly 200 used for removing the old electrode cap moves to directly below the welding torch. Then, the telescopic drive cylinder 120 drives the turntable 130 to rise as a whole, so that the cylinder sleeve 210 is fitted onto the outer periphery of the old electrode cap at the end of the welding torch.

[0030] The welding torch then continues to move downwards, and the old electrode cap presses against the tray 220, sliding axially along the guide rod 211 towards the inner side of the cylinder liner 210. During this sliding process, the abutment rollers 231 on the surface of the grippers 230 continuously roll and abut against the inner wall of the cylinder liner 210. Due to the radial guiding effect of the inner wall of the cylinder liner 210 on the abutment rollers 231, each gripper 230 deflects inwards synchronously, clamping the outer periphery of the old electrode cap. When the tray 220 continues to descend to the locking position, the locking rod 250 inserts into the locking box 241, and the magnetostrictive rod 243 drives the abutment tongue 242 to insert into the wedge groove on the surface of the locking rod 250, thereby locking and fixing the tray 220. At this time, the old electrode cap is stably clamped by the grippers 230. Subsequently, the welding torch rises and disengages, leaving the old electrode cap inside the tray 220, thus completing the automatic disassembly of the old electrode cap.

[0031] Then, the indexing servo motor 110 drives the turntable 130 to rotate again, causing the other electrode assembly 200, on which the new electrode cap is pre-placed, to move below the welding torch. The telescopic drive cylinder 120 then drives the turntable 130 to rise again, aligning the new electrode cap coaxially with the end of the welding torch. The welding torch continues to descend and insert into the new electrode cap, completing the press-fit. Subsequently, the magnetostrictive rod 243 actuates, driving the abutment 242 to disengage from the wedge groove on the surface of the locking rod 250, releasing the locking state of the tray 220. Under the elastic return action of the spring 212, the tray 220 returns to its original position along the guide rod 211. As the tray 220 gradually moves out of the inner side of the cylinder liner 210, the abutment roller 231 disengages from the guide constraint of the inner wall of the cylinder liner 210. Under the action of the hinge spring at the connection of the grippers 230, each gripper 230 automatically deflects outward and opens, releasing the grip on the outer periphery of the new electrode cap. The welding torch continues to rise, which can then drive the new electrode cap to detach from the tray 220, completing the automatic installation of the welding electrode cap.

[0032] Throughout the process, the indexing servo motor 110 enables the cyclic switching of multiple electrode bonding components 200, the telescopic drive cylinder 120 completes the axial docking, the gripper 230 automatically clamps the electrode cap, and the locking member 240 and locking rod 250 lock and release the tray 220. This achieves a continuous replacement process of automatic disassembly of old electrode caps and automatic installation of new electrode caps without manual intervention, thus improving the automation level of the welding production line and the efficiency of electrode cap replacement.

[0033] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "specific embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0034] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A device for automatically changing welding electrodes, characterized in that, It includes a base (100), an electrode bonding assembly (200), and an indexing servo (110), a telescopic drive cylinder (120), and a turntable (130) mounted on the base (100). The electrode bonding assembly (200) includes a cylinder liner (210), a tray (220), a gripper (230), a locking element (240), and a locking rod (250). The tray (220) is slidably disposed on the inner side of the cylinder liner (210), the gripper (230) is rotatably mounted on the outer periphery of the tray (220), the locking element (240) is disposed on the inner side of the cylinder liner (210), and the locking rod (250) is fixed to the bottom of the tray (220). The locking element (240) is used to engage or disengage with the locking rod (250). A roller (231) is rotatably mounted on the surface of the gripper (230). The roller (231) abuts against the inner wall of the cylinder liner (210). When the tray (220) moves towards the inside of the cylinder liner (210), the roller (231) is guided by the inner wall of the cylinder liner (210) to drive the gripper (230) to deflect inward. A spring (212) is provided between the cylinder liner (210) and the tray (220). The spring (212) is used to drive the tray (220) to reset away from the inside of the cylinder liner (210). The locking member (240) includes a lock box (241), a latch (242), and a magnetostrictive rod (243). The lock box (241) is fixed to the cylinder liner (210). At the bottom, the abutment (242) is movably disposed inside the lock box (241), and the magnetostrictive rod (243) is connected to the abutment (242) for driving the abutment (242) to move toward or away from the lock rod (250); the telescopic drive cylinder (120) is fixed to the output end of the indexing servo (110), and the turntable (130) is fixedly connected to the output end of the telescopic drive cylinder (120). The indexing servo (110) is used to drive the turntable (130) to rotate in an indexing manner, and the telescopic drive cylinder (120) is used to drive the turntable (130) to move axially. The number of electrode bonding assemblies (200) is several and arranged along the circumference of the turntable (130).

2. The device for automatically changing welding electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cylinder liner (210) has several guide rods (211) on its inner side, and the tray (220) has several sliding feet (221) on its bottom. The sliding feet (221) are slidably sleeved on the surface of the guide rods (211) to guide the tray (220) to move axially relative to the cylinder liner (210).

3. The device for automatically changing welding electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top surface of the tray (220) is provided with a groove for accommodating welding electrodes, and a plurality of the grippers (230) are evenly arranged along the outer periphery of the tray (220).

4. The device for automatically changing welding electrodes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking rod (250) is fixed at the center of the bottom of the tray (220) and extends axially along the cylinder liner (210). The surface of the locking rod (250) is provided with a locking groove that matches the abutment (242). The locking member (240) locks or releases the locking rod (250) by the abutment (242) entering or exiting the locking groove.

5. A method for automatically changing welding electrodes, characterized in that, The method, employing the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprises the following steps: S1. Drive the turntable (130) to rotate so that an electrode bonding assembly (200) corresponds to the old welding electrode at the end of the welding torch; S2. Drive the turntable (130) to move axially, so that the electrode bonding assembly (200) is close to the welding gun. The welding gun pushes the tray (220) to move inside the cylinder liner (210). The gripper (230) deflects inward under the guidance of the inner wall of the cylinder liner (210) and clamps the old welding electrode. After the locking member (240) engages with the locking rod (250), it locks the tray (220). S3. Control the welding torch to detach from the old welding electrode, so that the old welding electrode remains in the electrode bonding assembly (200); drive the turntable (130) to rotate again, so that the other electrode bonding assembly (200) with the new welding electrode is aligned with the end of the welding torch. S4. Control the welding torch to insert a new welding electrode, release the engagement between the locking part (240) and the locking rod (250), so that the tray (220) is reset and the gripper (230) releases the new welding electrode; control the welding torch to drive the new welding electrode to disengage from the electrode engagement assembly (200), and complete the automatic replacement of the welding electrode.

6. The method for automatically changing welding electrodes according to claim 5, characterized in that, At least one of the electrode bonding assemblies (200) is used to hold the old welding electrode after disassembly, and at least one is used to pre-position the new welding electrode to be installed. When the old welding electrode is held, the tray (220) moves downward, causing the abutment roller (231) to move along the inner wall of the cylinder liner (210). The abutment roller (231) pushes the gripper (230) to deflect towards the center of the tray (220).

Images