Electrode cap box replacing device

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electrode cap box replacing device. The electrode cap box replacing device comprises a frame body, a fixing plate detachably installed on the frame body and a cap box rotationally arranged on the fixing plate. The cap box is provided with a plurality of accommodating cavities for storing electrode caps, the accommodating cavities are uniformly distributed in a circular array by taking a rotating shaft of the cap box as a circle center, and an elastic reset piece for providing rotating force for the cap box is arranged between the cap box and the fixed plate; limiting pieces are fixed to the fixing plate and located on the circular distribution track of the containing cavity, and when the electrode caps are installed in the containing cavity, the limiting pieces abut against the electrode caps in the circumferential direction to limit rotation of the cap box. After the electrode caps in the cap boxes are consumed, the whole fixing plate is directly disassembled and replaced with the fixing plate which is additionally fixed with the cap boxes filled with the electrode caps, and compared with the mode that the electrode caps are installed on equipment one by one, time is saved, and the supplementing efficiency of the electrode cap boxes is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the technical field of electrode cap replacement devices, and in particular to an electrode cap holder replacement device. Background Technology

[0002] Electrode caps are a type of welding electrode used in resistance welding equipment, such as stationary spot welding machines, suspended spot welding machines, and robotic spot welding machines. They are called electrode caps because they are fitted onto the electrode connecting rod. The material is mostly chromium-zirconium copper, but some are made of dispersed copper. After a certain number of welding cycles (generally 1000-1200 points), they need to be ground or replaced due to wear, making them consumable welding parts.

[0003] In related technologies, electrode cap replacement in welding equipment is often automated by a welding robot. This requires the electrode caps to be pre-positioned so the robot can replace them automatically. A cap holder is a device that stores and holds electrode caps upright. Traditionally, these are linear guide cap holders, with multiple caps arranged in a straight line. An electric or spring mechanism applies a forward force to automatically replenish the caps; each time a cap is used, the next one automatically replaces it. When all caps are used, manual replenishment is required.

[0004] The aforementioned technologies require manual monitoring of the electrode caps' usage within the cap holder, which is cumbersome and prone to omissions. Furthermore, replenishing the cap holder is time-consuming and can interfere with the welding robot's automatic cap-loading action. To improve the efficiency of electrode cap replenishment, this application proposes an electrode cap replacement device. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application provides an electrode cap replacement device.

[0006] This application provides an electrode cap replacement device, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] An electrode cap replacement device includes a frame, a fixed plate detachably mounted on the frame, and a cap case rotatably mounted on the fixed plate. The cap case has accommodating cavities for storing electrode caps. Multiple accommodating cavities are evenly distributed in a circular array centered on the cap case's axis of rotation. An elastic reset member is provided between the cap case and the fixed plate to provide rotational force to the cap case. A limiting member is fixed on the fixed plate, located on the circular distribution trajectory of the accommodating cavities. When an electrode cap is installed in one of the accommodating cavities, the limiting member abuts against the electrode cap circumferentially, restricting the rotation of the cap case.

[0008] By adopting the above technical solution, the electrode caps are installed in the receiving cavity to be stored in the cap box. The elastic reset component provides a reset force to the cap box, causing it to rotate. This allows multiple receiving cavities to rotate around the center of a circular trajectory. The electrode caps on the receiving cavities are blocked by the limiting component, thus restricting the rotation of the cap box. When one electrode cap is consumed, the cap box rotates, and the electrode cap in the next receiving cavity abuts against the limiting component, restricting the rotation of the cap box. This ensures that the robot arm always places the caps in the same position, enabling a streamlined operation. When the electrode caps in the cap box are all consumed, the entire fixing plate can be removed and replaced with another fixing plate that holds a cap box full of electrode caps. Compared to installing electrode caps one by one on the equipment, this saves time and improves the replenishment efficiency of electrode caps and cap boxes.

[0009] Preferably, a limiting post is fixed on the cap box, and the limiting post is located on the circular motion trajectory of the receiving cavity.

[0010] By adopting the above technical solution, when the electrode caps in the cap box are consumed, the limiting post abuts against the limiting component, preventing the cap box from continuously rotating due to the action of the elastic reset component, which would cause damage to the cap box.

[0011] Preferably, the cap case is cylindrical in shape; a sensor is fixed on the side wall of the cap case, and multiple sensors are arranged to correspond to the positions of the receiving cavity; a sensor capable of detecting the sensors is fixed on the frame; when the limiting post abuts against the limiting component, no sensor corresponds to the position of the sensor.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, the cylindrical cap box is designed with a circular trajectory corresponding to the receiving cavity, which facilitates the installation of the sensing element on the cap box corresponding to the receiving cavity. The sensor detects whether there are still electrode caps in the receiving cavity by detecting the sensing element. When there are no electrode caps in all receiving cavities, the limiting post abuts against the limiting element. Since the position of the limiting element is between two receiving cavities, the sensing element is not in the sensor detection position. If the sensor does not detect the sensing element for a long time, it transmits information to the system, and the system issues an alarm to prompt the staff to replace the cap box.

[0013] Preferably, the hat box is made entirely of plastic, the sensing element is a metal nail fixed to the side wall of the hat box, and the sensor is a sensor for detecting metal materials.

[0014] By adopting the above technical solution, the metal sensor detects whether there are still electrode caps in the receiving cavity by detecting the metal sensing element. When there are no electrode caps in all receiving cavities, the limiting post abuts against the limiting element. Since the limiting element is located between the two receiving cavities, the metal nail is not at the detection position of the metal sensor. If the metal sensor does not detect the metal nail for a long time, it transmits information to the system, and the system issues an alarm to prompt the staff to replace the cap box.

[0015] Preferably, the receiving cavity is located on the side of the cap box near the fixing plate, the limiting member is located between the cap box and the fixing plate, and a plane bearing is clamped between the limiting member and the cap box; the fixing plate is provided with a cap-removing groove, which is provided in the receiving cavity where the electrode cap abuts against the limiting member.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting component is installed on the cap box and forms an integral part with the cap box, and the planar bearing clamped between them ensures that the cap box does not contact the limiting component when it rotates, thus avoiding wear; the cap groove is set to correspond to the receiving cavity where the electrode cap is located, which facilitates the installation of the electrode cap by the robot arm.

[0017] Preferably, there are two cap cases, which are respectively installed on both sides of the fixing plate, and the two cap cases are respectively located at both ends of the fixing plate; there are two sensors, which are respectively installed in the two cap cases.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the two cap boxes are respectively set to correspond to the rod head orientation of the upper electrode rod and the lower electrode rod, which facilitates the simultaneous installation of caps on the two electrode rods; the two sensors detect the two cap boxes respectively.

[0019] Preferably, the cap box has a vent groove on its peripheral sidewall that connects to the receiving cavity.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, the vent groove allows the receiving cavity to be connected with the external air pressure, avoiding the problem of the electrode cap getting stuck in the receiving cavity due to the imbalance between the internal and external air pressure after the electrode cap is installed.

[0021] Preferably, a quick clamp is fixed on the frame, and the quick clamp cooperates with the frame to clamp the fixing plate; the frame is provided with positioning posts, and the fixing plate is provided with positioning holes corresponding to the positioning posts.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the positioning column further fixes the fixing plate to the frame, ensuring the installation stability between the fixing plate and the frame; the quick clamp cooperates with the frame to clamp the fixing plate, further preventing the fixing plate from shaking and enhancing the installation stability between the fixing plate and the frame.

[0023] Preferably, it further includes a connecting shaft coaxially arranged with the hat box, the connecting shaft passing through the hat box, and the hat box being rotatably connected to the connecting shaft; the elastic reset member is a coil spring, one inner end of the elastic reset member is fixed to the connecting shaft, and one outer end of the elastic reset member is fixed to the hat box; the hat box is provided with a coil spring groove in the middle to accommodate the coil spring, and a sealing plate is fixed on the hat box to close the coil spring groove.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, the elastic reset component is selected as a coil spring, which has a simple structure and is easy to purchase; the coil spring groove can install the coil spring inside the cap box, eliminating the need for external installation and reducing the size of the equipment; through the rotatable connection between the connecting shaft and the cap box, the coil spring drives the cap box to rotate around the connecting shaft, and the electrode cap on the receiving cavity rotates accordingly, achieving the effect of automatic electrode cap replacement; the sealing plate seals the coil spring groove to prevent foreign objects from entering the coil spring groove and interfering with the operation of the coil spring.

[0025] Preferably, the limiting member is a plate, and an annular clearance hole is provided on the limiting member corresponding to the receiving cavity. A limiting strip that abuts against the electrode cap is provided on the annular trajectory of the clearance hole; a clearance circular hole for a clearance limiting post is provided on one side of the limiting strip.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, the limiting component, through this design, increases the contact area between itself and the fixing plate and the cap box, thereby improving the stability of installation; on the other hand, it enables the limiting component to fit the receiving cavity and limiting post on the cap box, achieving the limiting effect while saving materials.

[0027] In summary, this application includes at least one of the following beneficial technical effects:

[0028] 1. A detachable mounting plate is installed on the frame and a cap box is rotatably mounted on the mounting plate. When the electrode caps in the cap box are used up, the entire mounting plate can be removed and replaced with another mounting plate that is fixed with a cap box full of electrode caps. Compared with installing electrode caps one by one on the equipment, this saves time and improves the replenishment efficiency of electrode caps and cap boxes.

[0029] 2. An elastic reset component is installed inside the cap box, and a receiving cavity is opened to store the electrode caps. A limiting component is set to abut against the electrode caps. The elastic reset component provides a reset force to the cap box, causing the cap box to rotate. This allows multiple receiving cavities to rotate around the center of a circular trajectory. The electrode caps in the receiving cavities are blocked by the limiting component, thus restricting the rotation of the cap box. When an electrode cap is consumed, the cap box rotates, and the electrode cap in the next receiving cavity abuts against the limiting component to restrict the rotation of the cap box. This ensures that the cap loading position of the robotic arm is the same each time, enabling a streamlined operation.

[0030] 3. On the circular motion trajectory of the cap box and the limiting post, when the electrode cap inside the cap box is consumed, the limiting post and the limiting component abut against each other to prevent the cap box from continuously rotating due to the action of the elastic reset component, which would cause damage to the cap box;

[0031] 4. By setting sensing elements and corresponding sensors on the periphery of the cylindrical cap box, the sensors detect whether there are still electrode caps in the receiving cavity. When there are no electrode caps in all receiving cavities, the limiting post abuts against the limiting element. Since the limiting element is located between the two receiving cavities, the sensing element is not in the sensor detection position. If the sensor does not detect the sensing element for a long time, it transmits information to the system, and the system issues an alarm to prompt the staff to replace the cap box. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the cap box in an embodiment of this application.

[0034] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Frame; 101. Positioning post; 2. Fixing plate; 3. Quick clamp; 4. Cap box; 5. Limiting component; 51. Limiting strip; 52. Clearance hole; 53. Clearance round hole; 6. Planar bearing; 7. Elastic reset component; 8. Connecting shaft; 81. Bushing; 9. Sealing plate; 10. Receiving cavity; 11. Limiting post; 12. Ventilation groove; 13. Metal nail; 14. Sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0035] The following is in conjunction with the appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 2 This application will be described in further detail.

[0036] This application discloses an electrode cap replacement device.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 An electrode cap replacement device includes a frame 1, a fixing plate 2 detachably mounted on the frame 1, a quick clamp 3 fixedly mounted on the frame 1, a cap 4 rotatably mounted on the fixing plate 2, a limiting member 5 fixedly mounted on the cap 4, and an elastic reset member 7 installed inside the cap 4.

[0038] The frame 1 is provided with a positioning post 101, and the fixing plate 2 is provided with a positioning hole corresponding to the positioning post 101. The positioning post 101 and the positioning hole are engaged to fix the fixing plate 2 detachably to the frame 1. The quick clamp 3 is fixedly installed on the frame 1 by bolts. The quick clamp 3 cooperates with the frame 1 to clamp the fixing plate 2, which further enhances the installation stability of the fixing plate 2.

[0039] refer to Figure 2The cap box 4 is a cylinder with two through ends. The entire cap box 4 is made of plastic. The cap box 4 is equipped with a connecting shaft 8, a sealing plate 9, a receiving cavity 10, and a limiting post 11. The connecting shaft 8 is located on the central axis of the cap box 4. The bearing is coaxial with the central axis of the cap box 4. Both ends of the connecting shaft 8 pass through the cap box 4 and are fixed to the cap box 4 by the bearing. One end of the connecting shaft 8 passes through the cap box 4 and also passes through the fixing plate 2. The two ends of the connecting shaft 8 are provided with threads, and the cap box 4 is fixedly installed on the fixing plate 2 by nuts. A bushing 81 is sleeved on the connecting shaft 8, and the bushing 81 is welded to the connecting shaft. The fixed and reset elastic element is a coil spring, which is sleeved on the bushing 81. A cylindrical coil spring groove is opened in the cap box 4, and the coil spring is located in the coil spring groove. One end of the coil spring is inserted into the bushing 81 and is locked and fixed to the bushing 81. The other end of the coil spring is inserted into the inner side wall of the cap box 4 and is locked and fixed to the cap box 4. The coil spring provides a reset force to the cap box 4 to make the cap box 4 rotate. The size and shape of the sealing plate 9 are set to correspond to the size and shape of the coil spring groove. The sealing plate 9 is screwed and fixed to the connecting shaft 8, and the center of the sealing plate 9 passes through the connecting shaft 8 to close the coil spring groove and prevent foreign objects from entering the coil spring groove and interfering with the operation of the coil spring.

[0040] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The receiving cavity 10 is a chamber opened on the cap box 4 for installing electrode caps. The receiving cavity 10 is located on the side of the cap box 4 near the fixing plate 2, and the opening of the receiving cavity 10 faces the fixing plate 2. There are multiple receiving cavities 10, which are evenly arranged along the circular outline edge of the cap box 4. The side wall of the cap box 4 has a vent groove 12 corresponding to the position of the receiving cavity 10, which connects the receiving cavity 10 with the outside. The inside of the receiving cavity 10 is connected to the external air pressure, which avoids the problem of the electrode cap getting stuck in the receiving cavity 10 due to the imbalance of air pressure inside the receiving cavity 10 and the outside air pressure after the electrode cap is installed. The limiting member 5 is a plate body, which is screwed and fixed on the connecting shaft 8. The limiting member 5 is located on the cap. The cap box 4 is located between the fixed plate 2 and the limiting member 5 is also fixed to the fixed plate 2 by screws. A plane bearing 6 is clamped between the limiting member 5 and the cap box 4 to prevent the cap box 4 from contacting the limiting member 5 when it rotates, thus avoiding wear. The limiting member 5 has an annular clearance hole 52 corresponding to the receiving cavity 10. A limiting strip 51 that abuts against the electrode cap is provided on the annular track of the clearance hole 52. The limiting strip 51 is integrally formed with the limiting plate and abuts against the electrode cap to prevent the cap box 4 from rotating. The fixed plate 2 has a cap-removing groove corresponding to the position where the electrode cap abuts against the limiting member 5. The cap-removing groove is provided in the receiving cavity 10 where the electrode cap is located, which facilitates the installation of the electrode cap by the robot arm.

[0041] The limiting post 11 is a cylindrical protrusion integrally formed with the cap box 4. The limiting post 11 is located on the side of the cap box 4 near the limiting member 5. The height of the limiting post 11 is greater than the height between the cap box 4 and the limiting member 5. When the electrode caps in the cap box 4 are consumed, the limiting post 11 abuts against the limiting strip 51 to prevent the cap box 4 from continuously rotating due to the action of the coil spring, which would damage the cap box 4. A clearance hole 53 is opened on one side of the limiting strip 51 corresponding to the limiting post 11. When the multiple receiving cavities 10 in the cap box 4 are completely filled with electrode caps, the limiting post 11 is located on the clearance hole 53.

[0042] Multiple metal nails 13 are fixed on the side walls of the cap box 4, and the positions of the multiple metal nails 13 correspond to the positions of multiple receiving cavities 10. A sensor 14 is fixed on the frame 1. The sensor 14 is a sensor for detecting metal materials and is located on one side of the cap box 4. When the electrode cap abuts against the limiting strip 51, the sensor 14 can detect the metal nails 13. When there is no electrode cap in the cap box 4, the limiting post 11 abuts against the limiting strip 51. At this time, the sensor 14 cannot detect the metal nails 13 for a long time and transmits information to the system. The system issues an alarm to prompt the staff to replace the cap box 4.

[0043] In this embodiment, there are two cap boxes 4, which are respectively installed on both sides of the fixing plate 2, and the two cap boxes 4 are respectively located at both ends of the fixing plate 2; there are two metal sensors 14, which are respectively installed corresponding to the two cap boxes 4.

[0044] The implementation principle of this application embodiment is as follows: the electrode caps are installed in the receiving cavity 10 to be stored in the cap box 4. The elastic reset member 7 provides a reset force to the cap box 4 to make the cap box 4 rotate, so that multiple receiving cavities 10 can rotate around the center of a circular trajectory. The electrode caps on the receiving cavity 10 are blocked by the limiting member 5, thereby limiting the rotation of the cap box 4. When one electrode cap is consumed, the cap box 4 rotates, and the electrode cap in the next receiving cavity 10 abuts against the limiting member 5 to limit the rotation of the cap box 4, ensuring that the position of the robot arm for attaching the caps is the same each time, and performing a streamlined operation. When the electrode caps in the cap box 4 are all consumed, the limiting post 11 abuts against the limiting member 5 to prevent the cap box 4 from rotating. The sensor 14 cannot detect the metal nail 13 and transmits information to the system. The system alarms to prompt the staff to replace the cap box 4. The entire fixing plate 2 is removed and replaced with another fixing plate 2 that is fixed with a cap box 4 full of electrode caps. Compared with installing electrode caps one by one on the equipment, time is saved and the replenishment efficiency of electrode caps and cap boxes is improved.

[0045] The above are all preferred embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, all equivalent changes made in accordance with the structure, shape and principle of this application should be covered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An electrode cap replacement device, characterized in that, The device includes a frame (1), a fixing plate (2) detachably mounted on the frame (1), and a cap box (4) rotatably mounted on the fixing plate (2). The cap box (4) has a receiving cavity (10) for storing electrode caps. The receiving cavity (10) has multiple cavities arranged in a circular array with the rotation axis of the cap box (4) as the center. An elastic reset member (7) is provided between the cap box (4) and the fixing plate (2) to provide rotational force to the cap box (4). A limiting member (5) is fixed on the fixing plate (2). The limiting member (5) is located on the circular distribution trajectory of the receiving cavity (10). When an electrode cap is installed in the receiving cavity (10), the limiting member (5) abuts against the electrode cap in the circumferential direction to restrict the rotation of the cap box (4).

2. The electrode cap replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cap box (4) is fixed with a limiting post (11), which is located on the circular motion trajectory of the receiving cavity (10).

3. The electrode cap replacement device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cap box (4) is cylindrical in shape. A sensor is fixed on the side wall of the cap box (4). The sensor is positioned in a position corresponding to the position of the receiving cavity (10) and multiple sensors are provided. A sensor (14) capable of detecting the sensor is fixed on the frame (1). When the limiting post (11) abuts against the limiting member (5), no sensor corresponds to the position of the sensor (14).

4. The electrode cap and cap holder replacement device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The hat box (4) is made of plastic. The sensing element is a metal nail (13) fixed on the side wall of the hat box (4). The sensor (14) is a sensor (14) for detecting metal materials.

5. The electrode cap replacement device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The receiving cavity (10) is located on the side of the cap box (4) near the fixing plate (2). The limiting member (5) is located between the cap box (4) and the fixing plate (2). A plane bearing (6) is clamped between the limiting member (5) and the cap box (4). The fixing plate (2) is provided with a cap-removing groove, which is provided in the receiving cavity (10) where the electrode cap abuts against the limiting member (5).

6. The electrode cap replacement device according to claim 5, characterized in that, Two cap boxes (4) are provided and installed on both sides of the fixing plate (2), with the two cap boxes (4) located at both ends of the fixing plate (2); two sensors (14) are provided and are respectively installed in relation to the two cap boxes (4).

7. The electrode cap and cap holder replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cap box (4) has a ventilation groove (12) that connects to the receiving cavity (10) on its peripheral side wall.

8. The electrode cap and cap holder replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A quick clamp (3) is fixed on the frame (1), and the quick clamp (3) cooperates with the frame (1) to clamp the fixing plate (2); a positioning post (101) is provided on the frame (1), and a positioning hole is provided on the fixing plate (2) corresponding to the positioning post (101).

9. The electrode cap and cap holder replacement device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a connecting shaft (8) coaxially arranged with the cap box (4), the connecting shaft (8) passing through the cap box (4), and the cap box (4) being rotatably connected to the connecting shaft (8); the elastic reset member (7) is a coil spring, one end of the elastic reset member (7) is fixed on the connecting shaft (8), and one end of the elastic reset member (7) is fixed on the cap box (4); the cap box (4) is provided with a coil spring groove in the middle to accommodate the coil spring, and a sealing plate (9) is fixed on the cap box (4) to close the coil spring groove.

10. An electrode cap replacement device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The limiting member (5) is a plate. The limiting member (5) has an annular clearance hole (52) corresponding to the receiving cavity (10). A limiting strip (51) that abuts against the electrode cap is provided on the annular trajectory of the clearance hole (52). A clearance hole (53) for the clearance limiting post (11) is provided on one side of the limiting strip (51).

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