Welding torch

Abstract

To provide a welding torch having a configuration capable of suppressing the increase in size and complexity of the device structure of the welding torch.SOLUTION: A welding torch 1 includes: a first gas lens 209 which is fixed to the inner periphery that constitutes a first inert gas flow path GF1 at the tip side of a collet 215, and laminarizes the flow of a first inert gas G1 flowing through the first inert gas flow path GF1; and a second gas lens 213 which is disposed in a second inert gas flow path GF2 formed between the outer periphery of the collet 215 and the inner periphery of a gas lens collet 217, and laminarizes the flow of a second inert gas G2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the configuration of a welding torch.

Background Art

[0002] In welding performed using a welding torch equipped with a non-consumable electrode (TIG welding method or plasma welding method), an arc is usually generated between an electrode (non-consumable electrode) formed of tungsten and a workpiece, and the workpiece is melted by the heat of the arc. In the TIG welding method, a shielding gas is flowed between a gas nozzle and the electrode. In the plasma welding method, in addition to the shielding gas, a plasma gas is flowed inside an insert chip disposed around the electrode, thereby confining the arc (plasma arc). Further, a gas lens is disposed to laminarize the flow of the shielding gas flowing between an outer nozzle and an inner nozzle. As a result, a highly concentrated high-temperature plasma is generated, and welding is performed using the energy held by the plasma. As a prior art document disclosing such a welding torch, Japanese Patent No. 5917376 (Patent Document 1) can be cited.

[0003] In the welding torch disclosed in Patent Document 1, not only is a gas lens provided between the outer nozzle and the inner nozzle, but also a gas lens is provided to laminarize the shielding gas flowing between the tungsten electrode and the inner nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In addition to providing a gas lens for laminarizing the flow of the shielding gas flowing between the outer nozzle and the inner nozzle, if a separate gas lens is provided to laminarize the shielding gas flowing between the tungsten electrode and the inner nozzle, a configuration for providing each gas lens is required, and there is a concern about an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus configuration.

[0006] This disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and even when gas lenses are provided to laminarize the shielding gas flowing between the outer nozzle and the inner nozzle and between the non-consumable electrode and the inner nozzle, respectively, it is an object to provide a welding torch having a configuration capable of suppressing an increase in size and complexity of the apparatus configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] [1] In the welding torch of the present disclosure, a non-consumable electrode disposed along an axial direction extending from one end to the other end, a cylindrical first member disposed outside the non-consumable electrode in a radial direction and configured to form a first inert gas flow path through which a first inert gas passes between the non-consumable electrode, a cylindrical inner nozzle disposed outside the non-consumable electrode in the radial direction, fixed to one end side of the first member in the axial direction, and configured to form the first inert gas flow path between the non-consumable electrode, a cylindrical second member fixed outside the first member in the radial direction and configured to form a second inert gas flow path through which a second inert gas passes between the first member, an outer nozzle disposed outside the inner nozzle and the second member in the radial direction, having one end side of the inner nozzle exposed, covering the other end side of the second member, and fixed to the second member so as to form the second inert gas flow path, a first filter fixed to an inner circumference constituting the first inert gas flow path at the one end side of the first member and laminarizing the flow of the first inert gas flowing through the first inert gas flow path, and a second filter disposed in the second inert gas flow path formed between the outer circumference of the first member and the inner circumference of the second member and laminarizing the flow of the second inert gas.

[0008] [2] In the configuration where the first filter is fixed to one end side of the first member and the second filter is fixed to the first member using the second member, the first filter and the second filter are fixed to the first member in advance, and the first member, the first filter, and the second filter have an integral structure. The welding torch according to [1].

[0009] [3] The first filter includes an annular first filter member and an annular base member. The outer peripheral surface of the first filter member abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the first member, the inner peripheral surface of the first filter member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the annular base member, and the inner peripheral surface of the annular base member has a centering function in the axial direction of the non-consumable electrode when the non-consumable electrode is fitted therein. The welding torch according to [1] or [2].

[0010] [4] The second filter is provided upstream with respect to the flow of the first inert gas when viewed from the first filter. The welding torch according to any one of [1] to [3].

Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the welding torch of the present disclosure, even when gas lenses are provided respectively to laminarize the shielding gas flowing between the outer nozzle and the inner nozzle and between the non-consumable electrode and the inner nozzle, it is possible to provide a welding torch having a configuration capable of suppressing an increase in size and complexity of the device configuration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, the welding torch of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, when referring to the number, amount, etc., unless otherwise specified, the scope of the present invention is not necessarily limited to the number, amount, etc. The same parts and corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations may not be repeated. It is initially planned to use the configurations in the embodiments in appropriate combinations.

[0014] (Welding torch 1) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the welding torch of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the welding torch 1, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the exploded structure of the welding torch body 200, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the welding torch body 200. The dashed-dotted line shown in each figure is the axis L1 passing through the central axis of the tungsten electrode 223 which is a non-consumable electrode. Also, the tip side of the tungsten electrode 223 may be described as one end side, and the rear end side of the tungsten electrode 223 may be described as the other side.

[0015] With reference to FIG. 1, the welding torch 1 has a handle 100 and a welding torch body 200. The handle 100 is composed of a cylindrical part. In the middle part of the handle 100, a gas introduction pipe for supplying a predetermined welding gas to the welding torch body 200, a conductor wire (power cable) for applying an arc voltage, and a water cooling hose in the case of water cooling are arranged. The gas introduction pipe is connected to a gas supply source (not shown). The type of inert gas stored in the gas supply source is not particularly limited, and for example, it is at least one gas selected from argon (Ar) gas and helium (He) gas.

[0016] Referring to FIG. 2, when the welding torch body 200 is disassembled, a tungsten electrode 223 as a non-consumable electrode, and along an axis L1 along which the central axis of the tungsten electrode 223 extends, a cylindrical shield nozzle 201 (outer nozzle), a cylindrical center nozzle fixing member 203, a cylindrical center nozzle 205 (inner nozzle), an annular first gas lens fixing member 207, an annular first gas lens 209 (first filter), an annular second gas lens fixing member 211, an annular second gas lens 213 (second filter), a cylindrical collet 215 (first member), a cylindrical gas lens collet 217 (second member), a cylindrical electrode collet 219, and a cylindrical gasket 221 are arranged. The first gas lens 209 includes an annular first gas lens member 209a and an annular base member 209b.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 3, the tungsten electrode 223 is connected to a power supply unit (not shown) via, for example, a power cable (not shown), and when an arc voltage is applied between the tungsten electrode 223 and the workpiece to be welded, an arc is generated between the tungsten electrode 223 and the workpiece to be welded. The tungsten electrode 223 is arranged along the direction of the axis L1 extending from the tip side (one end) to the rear end side (the other end). On the outer side in the radial direction of the tungsten electrode 223, the collet 215 is arranged so as to form a first inert gas flow path GF1 for allowing a first inert gas G1 (plasma gas) to pass between the outer periphery of the tungsten electrode 223. At the rear end side of the tungsten electrode 223, the electrode collet 219 is fitted into the first inert gas flow path GF1. A plurality of axially extending slits 219a (see FIG. 2) are provided on the tip side of the electrode collet 219 to allow the first inert gas G1 to pass through. The gasket 221 is located at the rear end side of the electrode collet 219.

[0018] The center nozzle 205 is disposed radially outside the tungsten electrode 223, fixed to the tip side of the collet 215 in the direction of the axis L1, and arranged to form a first inert gas flow path GF1 between the center nozzle 205 and the outer peripheral surface of the tungsten electrode 223. To fix the center nozzle 205 to the tip side of the collet 215, a center nozzle fixing member 203 is used. The center nozzle fixing member 203 is fixed to the center nozzle 205 by geometric tolerances and fitting in the region M1.

[0019] At the tip side of the collet 215, a first gas lens 209 is fixed to the inner periphery that constitutes the first inert gas flow path GF1, and laminarizes the flow of the first inert gas G1 flowing through the first inert gas flow path GF1. An annular diameter-expanded portion 215c that expands in the radial direction is provided at the tip of the collet 215. Laminarizing the flow of the first inert gas G1 means preventing the first inert gas G1 from swirling in the first inert gas flow path GF1.

[0020] The first gas lens 209 is disposed in this diameter-expanded portion 215c, and an annular first gas lens fixing member 207 is disposed on the center nozzle 205 side when viewed from the first gas lens 209. The rear end of the center nozzle 205 abuts against the first gas lens 209. Further, the center nozzle 205 is in contact with the first gas lens fixing member 207 and the collet 215.

[0021] The first gas lens 209 includes a first gas lens member 209a and an annular base member 209b. The first gas lens member 209a includes a metal mesh layer laminated in the direction of the axis L1. The inner peripheral surface 209b1 (described later) of the annular base member 209b has a centering function in the direction of the axis L1 of the tungsten electrode 223 when the tungsten electrode 223 is fitted therein.

[0022] The fixing of the first gas lens 209 to the collet 215 of the first gas lens is achieved by fitting the first gas lens 209 into the collet 215 with a clearance slightly looser than a sliding fit and then press-fitting the first gas lens fixing member 207 into the collet 215. The outer peripheral surface of the first gas lens member 209a abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the enlarged diameter portion 215c of the collet 215, and its inner peripheral surface abuts against the outer peripheral surface 209b2 (described later) of the annular base member 209b.

[0023] The gas lens collet 217 is fixed to the outside in the radial direction of the collet 215 and is arranged to form a second inert gas flow path GF2 for passing the second inert gas G2 (shielding gas) between the gas lens collet 217 and the collet 215. The fixing of the gas lens collet 217 to the collet 215 is carried out in the region M2 by press-fitting, brazing, screwing, or the like of the gas lens collet 217 to the collet 215. A plurality of annular through holes 217h for passing the second inert gas G2 are arranged in the gas lens collet 217 (see FIG. 2).

[0024] An annular enlarged diameter portion 217x that expands in the radial direction is provided on the tip side of the gas lens collet 217. A second gas lens 213 for laminarizing the flow of the second inert gas G2 is arranged between the inner periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 217x and the outer periphery of the collet 215. The second gas lens 213 has an annular shape and partitions the second inert gas flow path GF2. The second gas lens 213 includes a metal mesh layer laminated in the direction of the axis L1. Laminarizing the flow of the second inert gas G2 means preventing the second inert gas G2 from swirling in the second inert gas flow path GF2.

[0025] The second gas lens 213 is fitted into an annular groove 217a provided on the inner periphery of the enlarged diameter portion 217x and is fixed from the tip side of the gas lens collet 217 by the second gas lens fixing member 211. The second gas lens fixing member 211 is a so-called C-shaped retaining ring.

[0026] The shield nozzle 201 is disposed radially outside the center nozzle 205 and the gas lens collet 217. One end side of the center nozzle 205 is exposed, and the shield nozzle 201 covers the other end side of the gas lens collet 217 and is fixed to the gas lens collet 217 so as to form a second inert gas flow path GF2. Thread grooves M3 are provided between the inner surface of the shield nozzle 201 and the outer surface of the gas lens collet 217. By screwing the shield nozzle 201, the shield nozzle 201 is fixed to the outer surface of the gas lens collet 217. Instead of the fixing structure of the shield nozzle 201 using the thread groove M3, for example, a fixing structure by fitting (slip-on) may be adopted.

[0027] In the above configuration, the second gas lens 213 disposed in the second inert gas flow path GF2 is provided upstream with respect to the flow of the first inert gas G1 when viewed from the first gas lens 209 disposed in the first inert gas flow path GF1.

[0028] Here, the first inert gas G1 flowing through the first inert gas flow path GF1 and the second inert gas G2 flowing through the second inert gas flow path GF2 are preferably at least one gas selected from argon gas and helium gas. Thus, according to the configuration in which only the inert gas with a limited gas type is supplied to the welding torch 1, the handling and management of the welding gas are facilitated. On the other hand, when the same gas type (argon gas) is used for the first inert gas G1 and the second inert gas G2, a single gas supply source may be provided as the supply source of the first inert gas G1 and the second inert gas G2.

[0029] (Annular base member 209b) With reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the annular base member 209b constituting the first gas lens 209 will be described. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the annular base member 209b.

[0030] The annular base member 209b has an overall annular shape and includes an inner peripheral surface 209b1 and an outer peripheral surface 209b2. The inner peripheral surface 209b1 is provided with a centering function for fitting the tungsten electrode 223 and centering it in the axial direction L1 of the tungsten electrode 223. Therefore, the dimensional accuracy of the inner diameter of the inner peripheral surface 209b1 is finished to a predetermined dimensional accuracy.

[0031] The inner peripheral surface of the first gas lens member 209a abuts against the outer peripheral surface 209b2. Flanges 209b3 that project radially outward are provided at both ends of the first gas lens member 209a in the axial direction L1. The movement of the first gas lens member 209a in the axial direction L1 is restricted by these flanges 209b3.

[0032] (Function and effect) According to the welding torch 1 having the above structure, the first gas lens 209 is fixed to the tip side of the collet 215, and the second gas lens 213 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the same collet 215. As a result, when laminarizing the inert gas flowing through the first inert gas flow path GF1 and the second inert gas flow path GF2, since the first gas lens 209 and the second gas lens 213 are fixed to one member (collet 215), it is possible to avoid an increase in the size of the welding torch 1.

[0033] Specifically, in the configuration where the above-described first gas lens 209 is fixed to one end side of the collet 215 and the second gas lens 213 is fixed to the collet 215 using the gas lens collet 217, the first gas lens 209 and the second gas lens 213 are fixed to the collet 215 in advance, and the collet 215, the first gas lens 209, and the second gas lens 213 have an integral structure.

[0034] In this way, by integrating the collet 215, the first gas lens 209, and the second gas lens 213, a center nozzle 205 can be provided at the tip of the collet 215, and further, a configuration can be adopted in which a shield nozzle 201 is attached so as to cover the center nozzle 205 and the gas lens collet 217. As a result, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the welding torch 1 in the radial direction.

[0035] For example, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 above, in a configuration where an inner nozzle is disposed outside a collet body that fixes a gas lens at the tip, and then a gas lens is disposed outside the inner nozzle and the gas lens is fixed by an outer nozzle, the size of the welding torch increases in the radial direction.

[0036] Furthermore, by fitting the tungsten electrode 223 into the inner peripheral surface 209b1 of the annular base member 209b that constitutes the first gas lens 209, the centering of the tungsten electrode 223 in the direction of the axis L1 can be achieved, thus avoiding the complication of the configuration of the welding torch 1.

[0037] Furthermore, since the first gas lens 209 is fixed to the tip side of the collet 215, the first inert gas flow path GF1 between the center nozzle 205 and the tungsten electrode 223 is a straight space where no member exists. Therefore, when the first inert gas G1 is passed through, it is possible to secure a sufficient running distance (the distance indicated by R1 in FIG. 3) of the first inert gas. As a result, welding can be stabilized.

[0038] In particular, in the plasma welding method, in addition to the shielding gas, by flowing the plasma gas inside the center nozzle 205 disposed around the electrode, the arc (plasma arc) is constrained. As a result, a high-temperature plasma with good concentration is generated, and it becomes possible to perform good welding using the energy it holds.

[0039] The welding torch has been described above in the embodiments. However, all the embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative and not restrictive in any way. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0040] 1 Welding torch, 100 Handle, 200 Welding torch body, 201 Shield nozzle (outer nozzle), 203 Center nozzle fixing member, 205 Center nozzle (inner nozzle), 207 First gas lens fixing member, 209 First gas lens (first filter), 209a First gas lens member, 209b Annular base member, 209b1 Inner peripheral surface, 209b2 Outer peripheral surface, 209b3 Flange, 211 Second gas lens fixing member, 213 Second gas lens (second filter), 215 Collet (first member), 215c Diameter-expanded portion, 217 Gas lens collet (second member), 217a Annular groove, 217h Through hole, 217x Diameter-expanded portion, 219 Electrode collet, 219a Slit, 221 Gasket, 223 Tungsten electrode (non-consumable electrode), G1 First inert gas, G2 Second inert gas, GF1 First inert gas flow path, GF2 Second inert gas flow path, L1 Axis.

Claims

1. A non-consumable electrode arranged along an axial direction extending from one end to the other end, a cylindrical first member arranged outside the non-consumable electrode in the radial direction and configured to form a first inert gas flow path through which a first inert gas passes between the non-consumable electrode and the first member, a cylindrical inner nozzle arranged outside the non-consumable electrode in the radial direction, fixed to one end side of the first member in the axial direction, and configured to form the first inert gas flow path between the non-consumable electrode and the inner nozzle, a cylindrical second member fixed outside the first member in the radial direction and configured to form a second inert gas flow path through which a second inert gas passes between the second member and the first member, an outer nozzle arranged outside the inner nozzle and the second member in the radial direction, with one end side of the inner nozzle exposed, covering the other end side of the second member, and fixed to the second member to form the second inert gas flow path, a first filter fixed to the inner circumference constituting the first inert gas flow path at one end side of the first member, for laminarizing the flow of the first inert gas flowing through the first inert gas flow path, a second filter arranged in the second inert gas flow path formed between the outer circumference of the first member and the inner circumference of the second member, for laminarizing the flow of the second inert gas, A welding torch comprising the above components.

2. In the configuration where the first filter is fixed to one end side of the first member and the second filter is fixed to the first member using the second member, the first filter and the second filter are fixed to the first member in advance, and the first member, the first filter, and the second filter have an integral structure. The welding torch according to Claim 1.

3. The first filter comprises an annular first filter member and an annular base member, the outer peripheral surface of the first filter member abuts against the inner peripheral surface of the first member, the inner peripheral surface of the first filter member abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the annular base member, and the inner peripheral surface of the annular base member has a centering function in the axial direction of the non-consumable electrode when the non-consumable electrode is inserted therein. The welding torch according to Claim 1.

4. As seen from the first filter, the second filter is provided on the upstream side with respect to the flow of the first inert gas. The welding torch according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

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