A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera

Abstract

This utility model discloses a welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera, including a drive assembly mounted on a welding torch flange, a slide rail assembly mounted on the torch shaft, a mounting bracket connected to the drive assembly mounted on the slide rail assembly, and a machine vision camera mounted on the mounting bracket, allowing the machine vision camera to move closer to or away from the torch neck along the slide rail assembly. This utility model provides a welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera, enabling the machine vision camera to perform close-range scanning along the slide rail assembly near the torch neck before welding, and then move away from the torch neck, avoiding interference between the machine vision camera and the welding operation, while also improving the service life of the machine vision camera.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of automatic welding operation technology, and in particular relates to a welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera. Background Technology

[0002] In current welding operations, welding torches equipped with machine vision cameras are often used. This involves integrating vision sensors (such as cameras and lasers) with the welding torch body to perform pre-welding scanning and real-time welding tracking, which greatly improves the accuracy and efficiency of automated welding.

[0003] However, when the machine vision camera is installed on the flange end of the automatic welding torch, the camera is far from the workpiece, resulting in reduced scanning accuracy. When the machine vision camera is installed on the neck end of the automatic welding torch, although the camera is close to the workpiece and the scanning accuracy is high, the camera is prone to interference with the workpiece, which will affect the reach of the automatic welding torch and thus affect the welding operation. Moreover, the sparks and dust generated during welding will shorten the camera's lifespan. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art and provide a welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera. Before welding, the machine vision camera can perform close-range scanning along the slide rail assembly near the neck of the welding torch and then move away from the neck of the welding torch, thus avoiding interference between the machine vision camera and the work during welding and improving the service life of the machine vision camera.

[0005] The objective of this utility model is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera includes a drive assembly mounted on a welding torch flange, a slide rail assembly mounted on the torch shaft, a mounting bracket connected to the drive assembly mounted on the slide rail assembly, and a machine vision camera mounted on the mounting bracket so that the machine vision camera can move closer to or further away from the neck end of the welding torch along the slide rail assembly.

[0007] In this embodiment, the mounting bracket, under the action of the drive assembly, moves closer to or further away from the neck of the welding torch to perform close-range scanning before welding, ensuring scanning accuracy. At the same time, it moves away from the neck of the welding torch during welding to avoid interference with the workpiece and affect the reach of the welding torch. This also improves the service life of the machine vision camera. Furthermore, the machine vision camera can still perform long-distance scanning or real-time tracking of the welding torch even when it is far from the neck of the welding torch, ensuring the accuracy of the welding operation.

[0008] In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a drive motor and a drive screw. The drive motor is mounted on the welding torch flange, the drive screw is connected to the output end of the drive motor, and the mounting bracket is disposed on the drive screw and moves linearly along the drive screw.

[0009] In one embodiment, the slide rail assembly includes a guide slide rail and a slide rail bracket, the slide rail bracket being mounted on the rod of the welding torch, the guide slide rail being mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the mounting bracket being disposed on the guide slide rail for movement of the machine vision camera.

[0010] In one embodiment, the drive motor is an AC servo motor.

[0011] In one embodiment, the slide rail assembly further includes a limit switch and a photoelectric switch trigger piece, the photoelectric switch trigger piece being mounted on the slide rail assembly, and the limit switch being disposed on one side of the mounting bracket and close to the photoelectric switch trigger piece.

[0012] In one embodiment, one end of the photoelectric switch trigger piece is mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the photoelectric switch trigger piece extends toward the mounting bracket.

[0013] In one embodiment, the limit switches are provided at both ends of the mounting bracket;

[0014] This implementation method limits the lowest and highest positions of the mounting bracket, eliminating the need for manual adjustment.

[0015] In one embodiment, the neck end of the welding torch extends obliquely along the rod of the welding torch, and the slide rail assembly is located on one side of the rod and on both sides of the rod, respectively, with the neck end located on the other side.

[0016] In one embodiment, a plurality of limit switches are sequentially arranged on one side of the mounting bracket.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:

[0018] A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera is provided. The machine vision camera is mounted on a mounting bracket, allowing it to be close to or away from the neck of the welding torch. This enables close-range scanning before welding to ensure scanning accuracy, while keeping it away from the neck of the torch during welding to avoid interference with the workpiece and affect the reach of the welding torch. This also extends the service life of the machine vision camera. Furthermore, even when the machine vision camera is away from the neck of the welding torch, it can still perform long-range scanning or real-time tracking of the welding torch, ensuring the accuracy of the welding operation. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0020] in:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 This diagram shows the structure of the present invention in one direction;

[0023] Figure 3 This shows a structural schematic diagram of the present invention from another direction;

[0024] In the accompanying drawings, the same parts use the same reference numerals. The drawings are not to scale.

[0025] Figure label:

[0026] 1-Drive motor, 2-Drive screw, 3-Guide rail, 4-Limit switch, 5-Linear rail bracket, 6-Photoelectric switch trigger piece, 7-Mounting bracket. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] This invention provides a welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, it includes a drive assembly mounted on the welding torch flange, a slide rail assembly mounted on the welding torch rod, a mounting bracket 7 connected to the drive assembly mounted on the slide rail assembly, and a machine vision camera mounted on the mounting bracket 7 so that the machine vision camera can move closer to or away from the neck end of the welding torch along the slide rail assembly.

[0029] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the machine vision camera is mounted on the mounting bracket 7. Under the action of the drive component, the mounting bracket 7 moves along the slide rail assembly closer to or further away from the neck end of the welding torch. This allows the machine vision camera to perform close-range scanning along the slide rail assembly to the neck end of the welding torch before welding, and then move away from the neck end of the welding torch. This avoids interference between the machine vision camera and the work during welding, and also improves the service life of the machine vision camera. At the same time, the machine vision camera can still perform long-range scanning or real-time tracking of the welding torch when it is far away from the neck end of the welding torch, ensuring the accuracy of the welding operation. The drive motor 1 is an AC servo motor.

[0030] In one embodiment, the drive assembly includes a drive motor 1 and a drive screw 2. The drive motor 1 is mounted on the welding torch flange, the drive screw 2 is connected to the output end of the drive motor 1, and the mounting bracket 7 is disposed on the drive screw 2 and moves linearly along the drive screw 2. That is, the drive motor 1, the drive screw 2 and the mounting bracket 7 form a linear screw module to ensure the movement accuracy of the machine vision camera.

[0031] In one embodiment, the slide rail assembly includes a guide slide rail 3 and a slide rail bracket. The slide rail bracket is mounted on the rod of the welding torch, the guide slide rail 3 is mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the mounting bracket 7 is disposed on the guide slide rail 3 for the machine vision camera to move. The slide rail assembly also includes a limit switch 4 and a photoelectric switch trigger piece 6. The photoelectric switch trigger piece 6 is mounted on the slide rail assembly, the limit switch 4 is disposed on one side of the mounting bracket 7 and close to the photoelectric switch trigger piece 6, one end of the photoelectric switch trigger piece 6 is mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the photoelectric switch trigger piece 6 extends toward the mounting bracket 7.

[0032] It should be noted that a limit switch 4 and a photoelectric switch trigger piece 6 are set in the slide rail assembly to cooperate with each other. When the limit switch 4 reaches the position of the photoelectric switch trigger piece 6, the photoelectric switch trigger piece 6 triggers the limit switch 4, drives the lead screw 2 to stop rotating, and fixes the position of the mounting bracket 7.

[0033] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 As shown, limit switches 4 are provided at both ends of the mounting bracket 7, which limit the lowest and highest positions of the machine vision camera, so that it automatically stops when it reaches the lowest or highest position without manual operation.

[0034] In one embodiment, a plurality of limit switches 4 are sequentially arranged on one side of the mounting bracket 7, that is, a plurality of stop points are set so that when facing different irregular workpieces, such as when the workpiece is too protruding and interferes with the lowest position of the machine vision camera, causing the machine vision camera to be unable to reach the lowest position, when the limit switch 4 between the lowest position and the highest position is triggered, the workpiece can be scanned at close range to improve its applicability.

[0035] In one embodiment, the neck end of the welding torch extends obliquely along the rod of the welding torch, and the slide rail assembly is located on one side of the rod and on both sides of the rod respectively with the neck end, so that the machine vision camera can get as close as possible to the work for close-range scanning, while also being as far away as possible from the tip of the welding torch, avoiding the shortening of camera lifespan caused by welding sparks and dust.

[0036] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "bottom", "top", "front", "rear", "inner", "outer", "left", "right", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0037] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been described herein with reference to them, it should be understood that these embodiments are merely examples of the principles and applications of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that many modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments, and other arrangements can be designed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. It should be understood that different dependent claims and features described herein can be combined in ways different from those described in the original claims. It is also understood that features described in conjunction with individual embodiments can be used in other described embodiments.

Claims

1. A welding torch carrying a movable machine vision camera, characterized by, The device includes a drive assembly mounted on a welding torch flange, a slide rail assembly mounted on the torch shaft, a mounting bracket connected to the drive assembly mounted on the slide rail assembly, and a machine vision camera mounted on the mounting bracket so that the machine vision camera can move closer to or further away from the neck end of the welding torch along the slide rail assembly.

2. The welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive assembly includes a drive motor and a drive screw. The drive motor is mounted on the welding torch flange, and the drive screw is connected to the output end of the drive motor. The mounting bracket is disposed on the drive screw and moves linearly along the drive screw.

3. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The slide rail assembly includes a guide slide rail and a slide rail bracket. The slide rail bracket is mounted on the rod of the welding torch, the guide slide rail is mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the mounting bracket is disposed on the guide slide rail for the machine vision camera to move.

4. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 2, characterized in that, The drive motor is an AC servo motor.

5. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 3, characterized in that, The slide rail assembly also includes a limit switch and a photoelectric switch trigger piece. The photoelectric switch trigger piece is mounted on the slide rail assembly, and the limit switch is located on one side of the mounting bracket and close to the photoelectric switch trigger piece.

6. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, One end of the photoelectric switch trigger piece is mounted on the slide rail bracket, and the photoelectric switch trigger piece extends toward the mounting bracket.

7. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, The limit switches are provided at both ends of the mounting bracket.

8. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 1, characterized in that, The neck of the welding torch extends obliquely along the rod of the welding torch, and the slide rail assembly is located on one side of the rod and on both sides of the rod, respectively, with the neck of the torch located on the other side.

9. A welding torch equipped with a movable machine vision camera according to claim 5, characterized in that, A plurality of limit switches are also sequentially arranged on one side of the mounting bracket.

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