Shielded gas soldering torch with splash guard

Abstract

Shielding gas soldering torch (100), with a contact socket (120) for a solder wire (D) and a shielding gas nozzle (130) for supplying the soldering point (S) with shielding gas (G), characterized in that an elastic splash guard sleeve (140) is attached to the shielding gas nozzle (130), which projects 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.

Description

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

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

[0003] When soldering with a protective gas, especially of a galvanized workpiece, spatter can occur which contaminates the area around the solder joint, potentially requiring rework.

[0004] One object of the invention is to demonstrate a way in which such splashes can be avoided when soldering with protective gas using the above-mentioned protective gas soldering torch.

[0005] The problem is solved by the inert gas soldering torch according to the invention, comprising the features of claim 1. With the dependent claims, the invention also extends to a preferred use of the inert gas soldering torch for producing solder points, as well as to a splash guard sleeve, which is particularly suitable for use on an inert gas soldering torch according to the invention. Preferred embodiments and configurations of the invention are described analogously for all subject matter of the invention in the dependent claims, the following description of the invention (including exemplary and optional features), and the figures.

[0006] The inert gas soldering torch according to the invention has a contact socket for a solder wire and a shielding gas nozzle for supplying the solder joint with shielding gas. Preferably, the solder wire, which also functions as a wire electrode, runs through the contact socket and is thereby electrically contacted, with the solder wire being melted at the solder joint by means of an electric arc (cf. Fig. 3 of WO 02 / 064300 A1). Preferably, the contact socket is located inside 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, in particular, held on a holding device or bracket or similar, 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 projects beyond the shielding gas nozzle in the direction of the soldering point and is designed to shield the soldering point during a soldering process.

[0008] A splash guard is a sleeve- or tube-like element that protects the area surrounding the solder joint from splashes. This can also reduce the consumption of shielding gas. The splash guard is preferably single-walled or solid-walled, with a substantially closed circumferential wall that completely surrounds the solder joint during the soldering process, so that it is essentially fully enclosed.

[0009] The splash guard sleeve exhibits elastic properties, particularly rubber-elastic properties, and can therefore deform flexibly, especially in the axial direction. The splash guard sleeve is preferably made of an elastic, particularly a rubber-elastic, material. Specifically, the splash guard sleeve is made of a UV-resistant material, such as NBR (nitrile butadiene rubber), chloroprene rubber, or silicone, so that no damage occurs from the UV light emitted by an electric arc. Alternatively or additionally, the splash guard sleeve can be provided on its inner surface with a UV-protective coating, particularly a reflective UV-protective coating. The splash guard sleeve can be made of a light-tight material (e.g., opaque).The splash guard sleeve may be made of black NBR or chloroprene rubber, or have a light-tight coating to block light emissions. It may also be made of a transparent material (e.g., clear or transparent silicone) so that the solder joint is visible during the soldering process. The splash guard sleeve is preferably manufactured as a one-piece injection-molded part, which may optionally be coated. 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 circumferential wall of the splash guard sleeve, which can prevent gas build-up on the one hand and unfavorable pressure conditions, in particular pressure peaks, on the other.

[0011] The splash guard sleeve is preferably designed with a collar-like mounting section for attachment to the shielding gas nozzle. The attachment is achieved in such a way that the collar-like mounting section rests against the outer circumferential surface of the shielding gas nozzle like a rubber ring, thus enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly. The collar-like mounting section can be thickened or have a greater wall thickness to increase the elastic clamping force. The outer circumferential surface of the shielding gas nozzle can have a roughened, knurled, or similar texture to increase static friction and prevent the splash guard sleeve from slipping. A hose clamp, cable tie, or similar fastener can also be used to attach the splash guard sleeve to the shielding gas nozzle.The collar-like fastening section can be designed with a circumferential groove in which the hose clamp or cable tie is arranged.

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

[0013] On the splash guard sleeve, the circumferential wall between the collar-like mounting section and the edge or contact lip is preferably cylindrical, conical, or corrugated / bellows-like. During the placement movement, this circumferential wall can elastically shorten or fold in the axial direction as soon as the circumferential 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 solder points, which is achieved in particular by means of short electrical pulses (short-pulse soldering). During the soldering process, there is no relative movement between the inert gas soldering torch and the workpiece (with the exception of a placement and removal 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 solder points along a folded joint to secure the inner sheet metal. It is preferred that the soldering process for creating a solder point is comparatively short and in particular does not exceed 0.4 seconds (su).

[0015] Within the scope of the invention, both the features described above and those explained below are applicable not only in the specified combination of features, but also in other combinations or individually. 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 can, even independently of specific combinations of features, be general features of the invention and further develop the invention accordingly. Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of the soldering head of a protective gas soldering torch according to the invention. Fig. Figure 2 shows the soldering head or the inert gas soldering torch of the Fig. 1 during a soldering process.

[0017] The in Fig. 1. Soldering head 110 of a shielding gas soldering torch 100 (not shown below) comprises a contact socket 120 for the solder wire D and a shielding gas nozzle 130 for supplying the solder joint S with shielding gas G (see Figure 1). Fig. 2) Furthermore, an elastic splash guard sleeve 140 is provided, which is attached to the shielding gas nozzle 130 and projects beyond the shielding gas nozzle 130 towards the soldering joint S. The splash guard sleeve 140 is designed to shield the soldering joint S during a soldering process, as shown in Fig. 2 shown. The shielding gas nozzle 130 preferably has a round cross-section, the same applies to 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 that grips the outer circumference of the shielding gas nozzle 130 like a rubber ring, thus securing it. Additionally, a hose clamp, cable tie, or the like can be used, as described above. At its (lower) axial end, which projects towards the shielding gas nozzle 130 or extends beyond the outlet cross-section, the splash guard sleeve 140 is formed with a circumferential rim 142 that acts as a contact lip. The rim or contact lip 142 is optionally formed with a bead-like thickening. The lip circle diameter is, for example, 8 mm to 12 mm. Between the collar-like fastening section 141 and the circumferential rim or contact lip 142, there is a contact lip 142.The contact lip 142 has a single-walled circumferential wall 143 of the splash guard sleeve 140 formed in a bellows-like manner (other design options are described above).

[0019] The 100 gas-shielded soldering torch is preferably used for creating solder points P, as in Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this. During the placement 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 electric arc L, as is known per se. During the soldering process, the solder joint S is completely shielded by the splash guard sleeve 140, more precisely by the circumferential wall 143, thus preventing splashes that could otherwise contaminate the area around the solder joint S. During the removal movement (after the soldering process), the splash guard sleeve 140 returns to its original shape due to elastic restoring forces (see Figure 2). Fig. 1) on.

[0020] Since the soldering process for creating a solder point P is relatively short (e.g., ≤ 0.4 sec), the thermal stress on the splash guard sleeve 140 is also relatively low. Therefore, no special measures are required to improve the thermal resistance of the splash guard sleeve 140. However, an internal or inner surface coating may be provided to improve thermal resistance. No special measures are required with regard to the shielding gas G either. However, it may be provided that at least one degassing or venting opening is located in the circumferential wall 143 of the splash guard sleeve 140, as described above. Reference symbol list 100 shielding gas soldering torches 110 soldering head 120 contact socket 130 shielding gas nozzle 140 Splash guard cuff 141 Fastening section 142 Edge, contact lip 143 Perimeter wall D solder wire G Shielding gas L arc P solder point S solder joint W workpiece

Claims

[1] Shielding gas soldering torch (100), with a contact socket (120) for a solder wire (D) and a shielding gas nozzle (130) for supplying the solder joint (S) with shielding gas (G), characterized by , that an elastic splash guard sleeve (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. [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] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the splash guard sleeve (140) is made of a light-tight material or of a transparent material. [4] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one degassing opening is arranged in the circumferential wall (143) of the splash guard sleeve (140). [5] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the splash guard sleeve (140) is designed with a collar-like fastening section (141) for attachment to the shielding 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 cable tie is arranged. [7] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the splash guard sleeve (140) is formed at its projecting end with a circumferential rim (142) which acts as a contact lip. [8] Shielding gas soldering torch (100) according to claim 7 and according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by, that the circumferential wall (143) of the splash guard sleeve (140) between the collar-like fastening section (141) and the edge or contact lip (142) is cylindrical, conical or bellows-like. [9] Use of a protective gas soldering torch (100) according to any of the preceding claims for producing solder points (P). [10] Splash guard sleeve (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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