Inert gas soldering torch with splash guard

Abstract

The invention relates to a shielding gas soldering torch (100) comprising a contact socket (120) for a solder wire (D) and a shielding gas nozzle (130) for applying shielding gas (G) to the soldering point (S). According to the invention, an elastic splash guard (140) is attached to the shielding gas nozzle (130), which protrudes beyond the shielding gas nozzle (130) in the direction of the soldering point (S) and is intended to shield the soldering point (S) during a soldering process. The invention further relates to a splash guard sleeve (140) for use on a shielding gas soldering torch (100).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shielding gas soldering torch according to patent claim 1. The invention further relates to a splash guard sleeve according to the independent patent claim.

[0002] For gas soldering, a so-called shielding gas soldering torch is used, which is either manually operated or attached to a robot arm. Such a shielding gas soldering torch has a so-called contact sleeve (also called a contact tube or contact tip) and a shielding gas nozzle, as described, for example, in WO 02 / 064300 A1.

[0003] When brazing in an inert gas atmosphere, especially on a galvanized workpiece, spatter may occur that contaminates the area around the brazing point, which may require rework.

[0004] One object of the invention is to show a possibility how such splashes can be avoided during inert gas soldering using the above-mentioned inert gas soldering torch.

[0005] This object is achieved by the inventive shielding gas soldering torch with the features of patent claim 1. With the independent patent claims, the invention also extends to a preferred use of the inventive shielding gas soldering torch for creating soldering points, as well as to a splash guard sleeve that is particularly suitable for use with a shielding gas soldering torch according to the invention. Preferred developments and refinements of the invention are evident analogously for all subject matter of the invention from the dependent patent claims, the following description of the invention (including exemplary and optionally described features), and the figures.

[0006] The inventive shielding gas soldering torch comprises a contact socket for a solder wire and a shielding gas nozzle for applying shielding gas to the soldering point. Preferably, the solder wire, which also functions as a wire electrode, passes through the contact socket and is electrically contacted in the process, with the solder wire melting at the soldering point by means of an arc (see FIG. Fig. 3 of WO 02 / 064300 A1). Preferably, the contact socket is located within the shielding gas nozzle, or the shielding gas nozzle surrounds the contact socket. The contact socket and the shielding gas nozzle preferably form a so-called soldering head and are held in particular on a holding device or holder or the like, which in turn can be attached to a robot arm or can also be guided manually.

[0007] According to the invention, an elastic splash guard sleeve is attached to the shielding gas nozzle, which protrudes beyond the shielding gas nozzle in the direction of the soldering point and is intended to shield the soldering point during a soldering process.

[0008] A splash guard collar is a sleeve- or tube-like element that protects the area surrounding the solder joint from splashes. This can also reduce shielding gas consumption. The splash guard collar is preferably single-walled and solid, with a substantially closed peripheral wall that surrounds the solder joint all the way around or completely encloses it during a soldering process.

[0009] The splash guard sleeve has elastic properties, in particular rubber-elastic properties, and can therefore be flexibly and elastically deformed, in particular also in the axial direction. The splash guard sleeve is preferably made of an elastic, in particular rubber-elastic material. In particular, it is provided that the splash guard sleeve is made of a UV-resistant material, e.g. NBR (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber), chloroprene rubber or silicone, so that no damage occurs due to the UV light emitted by an arc. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the splash guard sleeve is provided on the inside or on its inner surface with a UV protection coating, in particular with a reflective UV protection coating. The splash guard sleeve can be made of a light-tight material (e.g.made of black NBR or chloroprene rubber) or have a light-tight coating to shield light emissions. The splash guard sleeve can also be made of a transparent material, in particular a transparent material (e.g., clear or transparent silicone), so that the soldering point is visible during the soldering process. The splash guard sleeve is preferably manufactured as a one-piece injection-molded part, which may also be provided with a coating. The wall thickness of the splash guard sleeve is preferably 0.6 mm to 1.0 mm.

[0010] At least one degassing or venting opening can be arranged in the peripheral wall of the splash guard sleeve, with which gas build-up on the one hand and unfavourable pressure conditions, in particular pressure peaks, can be avoided on the other.

[0011] The splash guard sleeve is preferably designed with a collar-like fastening section for attachment to the shielding gas nozzle. The fastening is particularly effected such that the collar-like fastening section rests against the outer peripheral surface of the shielding gas nozzle like a rubber ring, enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly. The collar-like fastening section can be thickened or designed with a greater wall thickness to increase the elastic clamping force. The outer peripheral surface of the shielding gas nozzle can have a roughened surface, knurling, or the like to increase static friction and make it more difficult for the splash guard sleeve to slip. A hose clamp, cable tie, or similar device can also be used to attach the splash guard sleeve to the shielding gas nozzle.The collar-like fastening section can be formed with a circumferential groove in which the hose clamp or cable tie is arranged.

[0012] At its protruding (free) end, the splash guard sleeve is preferably formed with a circumferential edge that rests on the workpiece around the solder pads during the soldering process and thus acts as a contact lip. Preferably, the edge or contact lip also has elastic properties and can therefore adapt to the workpiece contour. The circumferential edge or contact lip can also be formed with a bead-like thickening, which in particular improves wear resistance.

[0013] On the splash guard, the peripheral wall between the collar-like fastening section and the edge or contact lip is preferably cylindrical, conical, or wave-like or bellows-like. During the contact movement, this peripheral wall can elastically shorten or collapse in the axial direction as soon as the peripheral edge or contact lip comes into contact with the workpiece.

[0014] The inert gas soldering torch according to the invention is preferably used for creating soldering points, which is achieved in particular by means of short electrical pulses (short-pulse soldering). During the soldering process, no relative movement occurs between the inert gas soldering torch and the workpiece (with the exception of a touch-down and lift-off movement), so that the splash guard is not subject to frictional wear. The inert gas soldering torch according to the invention is used in particular for creating soldering points along a seam connection for securing the inner sheet metal. It is preferably provided that the soldering process for creating a soldering point is comparatively short and in particular does not exceed 0.4 seconds (see below).

[0015] Within the scope of the invention, both the features described above and those explained below are applicable not only in the respective combination of features specified, but also in other combinations of features or in isolation. This also applies to the features shown in the figures.

[0016] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example and in a non-limiting manner with reference to the schematic figures. The features shown in the figures and / or explained below may, even independently of specific combinations of features, be general features of the invention and may further develop the invention accordingly. Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of the soldering head of a shielding gas soldering torch according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows the soldering head or the inert gas soldering torch of the Fig. 1 during a soldering process.

[0017] The Fig. The soldering head 110 of a shielding gas soldering torch 100 shown in Figure 1 comprises a contact socket 120 for the solder wire D and a shielding gas nozzle 130 for applying shielding gas G to the soldering point S (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, an elastic splash guard 140 is provided, which is attached to the shielding gas nozzle 130 and projects beyond the shielding gas nozzle 130 in the direction of the soldering point S. The splash guard 140 is intended to shield the soldering point S during a soldering process, as shown in Fig. 2. The shielding gas nozzle 130 preferably has a round cross-section, as does the splash guard sleeve 140.

[0018] The splash guard sleeve 140 is made of an elastic, in particular rubber-elastic, material and has a collar-like fastening section 141 which surrounds the outer circumference of the shielding gas nozzle 130 like a rubber ring, thereby ensuring its fastening. In addition, a hose clamp, a cable tie, or the like can be used, as described above. At its (lower) axial end protruding towards the shielding gas nozzle 130 or towards the outlet cross-section, the splash guard sleeve 140 is formed with a circumferential edge 142 which functions as a contact lip. The edge or contact lip 142 is optionally formed with a bead-shaped thickening. The lip diameter is, for example, 8 mm to 12 mm. Between the collar-like fastening section 141 and the circumferential edge orthe contact lip 142, the single-walled peripheral wall 143 of the splash guard sleeve 140 is designed like a bellows (other possible designs are described above).

[0019] The inert gas soldering torch 100 is preferably used to produce soldering points P, as shown in Fig. 2. During the contact movement, the circumferential edge or contact lip 142 of the splash guard sleeve 140 comes into contact with the workpiece W and adapts flexibly to the workpiece contour. The circumferential wall 143 is elastically folded in the axial direction (of the splash guard sleeve 140). The solder wire D is melted by means of an arc L, as is known per se. During the soldering process, the soldering point S is completely shielded by the splash guard sleeve 140, or more precisely by the circumferential wall 143, thereby preventing splashes that could otherwise contaminate the area around the soldering point S. During the lifting movement (after the soldering process), the splash guard sleeve 140 returns to its original shape due to elastic restoring forces (cf. Fig. 1).

[0020] Since the soldering process for creating a soldering point P is comparatively short (e.g., ≤ 0.4 sec), the thermal load on the splash guard sleeve 140 is also comparatively low. Thus, no special measures are required to improve the thermal resilience of the splash guard sleeve 140. Nevertheless, an internal or internal surface coating can be provided to improve the thermal resilience. No special measures are required with regard to the protective gas G either. Nevertheless, it can be provided that at least one degassing or venting opening is located in the peripheral wall 143 of the splash guard sleeve 140, as described above. List of reference symbols 100 shielding gas soldering torches 110 soldering head 120 contact socket 130 shielding gas nozzle 140 splash guard sleeve 141 fastening section 142 edge, contact lip 143 peripheral wall D solder wire G Shielding gas L Arc P soldering point S solder joint W workpiece QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 02 / 064300 A1 [0002, 0006]

Claims

[1] Shielding gas soldering torch (100), with a contact socket (120) for a solder wire (D) and a shielding gas nozzle (130) for applying shielding gas (G) to the soldering point (S), characterized by that an elastic splash guard sleeve (140) is attached to the protective gas nozzle (130), which projects beyond the protective gas nozzle (130) in the direction of the soldering point (S) and is intended to shield the soldering point (S) during a soldering process. [2] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the splash guard sleeve (140) is made of a UV-resistant material. [3] Inert gas soldering torch (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the splash guard sleeve (140) is made of a light-tight material or a transparent material. [4] Inert gas soldering torch (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat at least one degassing opening is arranged in the peripheral wall (143) of the splash guard sleeve (140). [5] Inert gas soldering torch (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the splash guard sleeve (140) is formed with a collar-like fastening section (141) for fastening to the protective gas nozzle (130). [6] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to claim 5, characterized by that the collar-like fastening section (141) is formed with a circumferential groove in which a hose clamp or a cable tie is arranged. [7] Inert gas soldering torch (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the splash guard sleeve (140) is formed at its projecting end with a circumferential edge (142) which functions as a contact lip. [8] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to claim 7 and according to claim 5 or 6, characterized bythat the peripheral wall (143) of the splash guard sleeve (140) between the collar-like fastening section (141) and the edge or the contact lip (142) is cylindrical, conical or bellows-like. [9] Use of a protective gas soldering torch (100) according to one of the preceding claims for producing soldering points (P). [10] Splash guard (140) for use on a shielding gas soldering torch (100), characterized by that this splash guard sleeve (140) is designed according to the features mentioned in at least one of claims 2 to 8.

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