Centering device of head part of welding torch

Abstract

To provide a centering device capable of easily centering the tip of the head part of a welding torch on which the tip is mounted on a base end in a state where the tip is inclined.SOLUTION: A centering device K of a head part of a welding torch for centering a tip 2 of a head part T of a welding torch including a base end 1, a tip 2, a chip part 3 and energization means 6 for energizing the tip 2 in a predetermined direction, and making the tip 2 inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the base end 1 from the axial direction includes: sandwiching means 7 for sandwiching and fixing the base end 1; and pressing means 8 for pressing the tip 2 in a state where the base end 1 is fixed by the sandwiching means 7, and oscillating the tip 2 against the energization force of the energization means 6, and thereby centering the tip 2 in the axial direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an alignment device for the tip of the head portion of a welding torch for aligning the tip of the head portion of the welding torch.

Background Art

[0002] A welding torch generally includes a base end portion through which a welding wire can be inserted and fed from the base end portion to the tip end portion, a tip end portion through which the welding wire can be fed in the axial direction, a chip portion disposed within the tip end portion and through which electricity is supplied via the base end portion to pass an electric current through the welding wire for welding, and a nozzle portion connected to the tip end side of the base end portion while covering the chip portion, and is configured to be capable of welding by feeding out the welding wire from the tip of the chip portion while ejecting a shielding gas from the nozzle portion.

[0003] However, since the welding wire fed out during welding can be welded by supplying electricity from the chip portion and passing an electric current between the base material (workpiece), it is necessary to always maintain a state in which the welding wire is in contact with the chip portion and electricity is supplied during the welding process. Therefore, conventionally, there has been proposed a welding torch and a chip portion mounting device capable of reliably maintaining a state in which the welding wire is in contact with the chip portion by making the tip end portion inclined at a predetermined angle from the axial direction with respect to the base end portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the conventional mounting device for the tip portion of the head portion of the welding torch, it is solely for mounting the tip portion to the welding torch, and does not align the tip portion while holding the state where the tip portion is attached to the base end portion. Therefore, the applicant of the present application has intensively studied an aligning device for aligning the tip portion with respect to a welding torch in a state where the tip portion is attached to the base end portion in an inclined manner.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an aligning device capable of easily aligning the tip portion of the head portion of a welding torch in which the tip portion is attached to the base end portion in an inclined state.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 is an aligning device for the tip portion of the head portion of a welding torch, comprising a base end portion through which a welding wire can be inserted and fed out, a tip portion that can feed out the welding wire in the axial direction and is swingably connected to the base end portion, a tip portion disposed within the tip portion, and electricity is supplied through the base end portion to pass an electric current through the welding wire for welding. An urging means for urging the tip portion in a predetermined direction to make the tip portion inclined at a predetermined angle from the axial direction with respect to the base end portion, and a clamping means for clamping and fixing the base end portion, and pressing the tip portion in a state where the base end portion is fixed by the clamping means, and against the urging force of the urging means. By swinging the tip portion, a pressing means for aligning the tip portion in the axial direction is provided.

[0008] The invention according to claim 2 is the aligning device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 1, wherein the clamping means includes a movable clamping portion that can contact and separate from one outer peripheral surface of the base end portion, and a fixed clamping portion that can contact the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion, and the movable clamping portion and the fixed clamping portion are arranged opposite to each other, and the base end portion can be clamped by bringing the movable clamping portion into contact with the one surface in a state where the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion is brought into contact with the fixed clamping portion.

[0009] The invention according to claim 3 is the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 2, wherein the movable clamping portion is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of the one outer peripheral surface of the base end portion, and the fixed clamping portion is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion.

[0010] The invention according to claim 4 is the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 3, wherein the clamping surface of the fixed clamping portion is formed with a positioning portion for positioning the base end portion.

[0011] The invention according to claim 5 is the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 4, wherein the biasing means includes a spring for biasing the tip portion in a predetermined direction and a holding member for holding the spring, and the positioning portion is formed of a fitting shape that can be positioned by fitting while matching with the holding member.

[0012] The invention according to claim 6 is the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 1, wherein the pressing means includes a movable pressing portion capable of pressing one outer peripheral surface of the tip portion and a receiving portion capable of contacting the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion, the movable pressing portion and the receiving portion are arranged opposite to each other, the one outer peripheral surface is pressed by the movable pressing portion so that the tip portion can be centered in the axial direction, and the receiving portion contacts the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion centered by being pressed by the movable pressing portion to restrict further swinging.

[0013] The invention according to claim 7 is in the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 1, wherein the welding torch is attached to a robot arm portion controlled by a control device and can be arbitrarily moved and welded, and the control device controls the robot arm portion to move the welding torch to the centering device in a loading process, a clamping process of operating the clamping means to clamp and fix the base end portion, and in a state where the base end portion is clamped in the clamping process, operating the pressing means to swing the tip portion to perform centering in a centering process, and a welding wire feeding process of feeding out the welding wire while maintaining the centered state of the tip portion.

[0014] The invention according to claim 8 is in the centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 7, further comprising a detecting means for detecting that the welding wire fed out in the welding wire feeding process is fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip portion, and ending the welding wire feeding process on the condition that the feeding of the predetermined dimension of the welding wire is detected by the detecting means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] According to the invention of claim 1, since it is provided with a clamping means for clamping and fixing the base end portion, and a pressing means for pressing the tip portion in a state where the base end portion is fixed by the clamping means and swinging the tip portion against the biasing force of the biasing means to center the tip portion in the axial direction, the tip portion of the head portion of the welding torch with the tip portion attached to the base end portion in an inclined state can be easily centered.

[0016] According to the invention of claim 2, since the movable clamping portion and the fixed clamping portion are arranged to face each other, and the base end portion can be clamped by bringing the movable clamping portion into contact with one surface in a state where the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion is brought into contact with the fixed clamping portion, the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion can be reliably clamped and fixed surely.

[0017] According to the invention of claim 3, since the movable clamping part is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of one outer peripheral surface of the base end part, and the fixed clamping part is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part, the clamping surface of the movable clamping part and the clamping surface of the fixed clamping part can be brought into surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base end part, and the base end part can be fixed more firmly.

[0018] According to the invention of claim 4, since the positioning part for positioning the base end part is formed on the clamping surface of the fixed clamping part, the base end part can be positioned and fixed so that the pressing direction of the tip part by the pressing means becomes the centering direction, and the centering of the tip part can be performed smoothly and accurately.

[0019] According to the invention of claim 5, the biasing means has a spring for biasing the tip part in a predetermined direction and a holding member for holding the spring, and the positioning part is formed of a fitting shape that can be positioned by fitting while matching with the holding member. Therefore, the base end part can be positioned using the holding member of the biasing means. Further, in the process of clamping the base end part by the clamping means, when the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part is brought into contact with the clamping surface of the fixed clamping part, it can be positioned by fitting while matching the holding member with the fitting shape, so that smoother positioning can be performed.

[0020] According to the invention of claim 6, the movable pressing part and the receiving part are arranged opposite to each other. One outer peripheral surface is pressed by the movable pressing part so that the tip part can be centered in the axial direction, and the receiving part abuts against the other outer peripheral surface of the tip part that has been centered by being pressed by the movable pressing part to restrict further swinging. Therefore, the centering of the tip part can be performed accurately.

[0021] According to the invention of claim 7, the welding torch is attached to a robot arm part controlled by a control device and can be arbitrarily moved and welded. The control device controls the robot arm part to move the welding torch to the centering device in a loading process, operates the clamping means to clamp and fix the base end part in a clamping process, and in a state where the base end part is clamped in the clamping process, operates the pressing means to swing the tip end part to perform centering in a centering process, and executes a welding wire feeding process of feeding out the welding wire while maintaining the centered state of the tip end part. Therefore, by the control of the control device, the centering operation of the head part of the welding torch can be automatically performed.

[0022] According to the invention of claim 8, it comprises a detecting means for detecting that the welding wire fed out in the welding wire feeding process is fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip end part, and terminates the welding wire feeding process on the condition that the detecting means detects the feeding out of the predetermined dimension of the welding wire. Therefore, it can be automatically shifted to the next process.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. The centering device K for the head part T of the welding torch according to this embodiment is for centering the tip part 2 of the head part T of the welding torch. The head part T of the welding torch to which it is applied is attached to the robot arm part R connected to the welding machine Y as shown in Fig. 15 for welding the welded member J (work) (for example, arc welding). As shown in Figs. 2 to 4, it is configured to include a base end part 1, a tip end part 2, a chip part 3, a nozzle part 4, a gas ejection means 5, and a biasing means 6.

[0025] The base end portion 1 is capable of feeding out by inserting the welding wire W (see FIGS. 13 and 14). At its base end, a connection portion 1a is formed which can be connected to the torch body B gripped by the gripping portion Ra of the robot arm portion R. Inside such base end portion 1, a main body side guide tube Ga for guiding the feeding out by inserting the welding wire W is disposed, and a tip body 3b constituting the tip portion 3 is attached to the outer peripheral side of the main body side guide tube Ga.

[0026] The tip body 3b according to the present embodiment has a contact tip 3a connected to the tip side to constitute the tip portion 3. Electricity can be supplied from the welding machine Y via the base end portion 1, and it is capable of swinging about a swing shaft portion L formed at the base end portion 1. The base end portion of the tip portion 2 is connected to such tip body 3b, and the tip portion 2 is capable of swinging with respect to the base end portion 1 along with the swing of the tip body 3b.

[0027] The tip portion 2 is attached below the base end portion 1 by being connected to the tip body 3b as described above, and is capable of feeding out the welding wire W in the axial direction (downward direction in FIGS. 3 and 4), and is capable of swinging with respect to the base end portion 1 together with the tip body 3b. Such tip portion 2 has a tip side guide tube Gb formed continuously with the main body side guide tube Ga, and is capable of guiding the feeding out by inserting the welding wire W guided by the main body side guide tube Ga.

[0028] The tip portion 3 is constituted by assembling the contact tip 3a and the tip body 3b. The contact tip 3a side (tip side) is disposed inside the tip portion 2, and electricity is supplied from the welding machine Y via the base end portion 1 to allow current to flow through the welding wire W for welding. That is, after the welding wire W is fed out while being guided by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb, when it is fed out to the outside from the opening 3aa formed at the tip of the contact tip 3a, current can flow through the welded portion of the welded member J for welding by contacting the contact tip 3a and being supplied with electricity.

[0029] The nozzle portion 4 is attached to the tip side of the tip portion 2 and is configured to eject the shielding gas supplied from a gas supply source (not shown) from the discharge port 4a toward the welded portion of the member to be welded J. Specifically, the shielding gas supplied from the gas supply source passes through the base end portion 1 and flows to the gas ejection means 5, and by ejecting from the ejection port 5a of the gas ejection means 5, it can be discharged from the discharge port 4a of the nozzle portion 4.

[0030] The biasing means 6 biases the tip portion 2 in a predetermined direction to make the tip portion 2 inclined by a predetermined angle from the axial direction (in this embodiment, the feeding direction of the welding wire W by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb) with respect to the base end portion 1. As shown in FIG. 5, it includes a spring 6a interposed in the opening 1b formed on the side surface of the base end portion 1, and a holding member 6b for attaching the spring 6a.

[0031] That is, the chip body 3b is biased in a predetermined direction (the direction of swinging about the swing shaft portion L) by the spring 6a attached in a compressed state by the holding member 6b, and the contact chip 3a and the tip portion 2 connected to the chip body 3b are inclined by a predetermined angle from the axial direction and the inclined state is maintained. In this way, since the inclined state of the tip portion 2 is maintained, the feeding direction of the welding wire W by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb and the direction fed out from the opening 3aa of the contact chip 3a are displaced (see FIG. 3), the fed welding wire W can be surely brought into contact with the contact chip 3a to supply electricity.

[0032] As shown in Fig. 15, the head part T of the welding torch applied to this embodiment is connected to the torch body B held at the tip of the robot arm part R at the connecting part 1a, and sequentially feeds out the welding wire W continuously fed by the wire feeding device M. By passing an electric current between the welding part of the member J to be welded, welding (arc welding) is made possible. The welding machine Y supplies electricity to the head part T of the welding torch and can control the feeding of the wire by the wire feeding device M and the gas supply by a gas supply source (not shown).

[0033] Further, the welding machine Y is electrically connected to the control device D via wiring. Such a control device D is composed of a control panel that controls the welding machine Y and the robot arm R to be able to arbitrarily move and weld the robot arm R and the head part T of the welding torch, and can be controlled to automatically perform centering of the head part T of the welding torch by the centering device K. In Fig. 15, reference numeral S indicates a wire reel stand that holds the welding wire W supplied to the wire feeding device M.

[0034] Here, the centering device K according to this embodiment is for centering the tip part 2 of the head part T of the welding torch having the above configuration. As shown in Figs. 1, 6 to 8, it includes a base part composed of frames F1 to F5, a clamping means 7 for clamping the base end part 1, a pressing means 8 for pressing the tip part 2, and a detecting means 9 for detecting that the welding wire W has been fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip part 2.

[0035] The clamping means 7 clamps and fixes the base end part 1, and includes a movable clamping part 7a that can contact and separate from one outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1, and a fixed clamping part 7b that can contact the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1. The movable clamping part 7a and the fixed clamping part 7b are arranged opposite to each other, and the base end part 1 of the head part T of the welding torch is positioned between the movable clamping part 7a and the fixed clamping part 7b.

[0036] The movable clamping part 7a is supported on the frame F5 and is movable by an air cylinder. When air is supplied from the valve V1 to the air cylinder, the rod N1 extends and moves in a direction approaching the fixed clamping part 7b. When air is supplied from the valve V2 to the air cylinder, the rod N1 contracts and moves in a direction away from the fixed clamping part 7b. As shown in FIG. 7, the movable clamping part 7a is formed with an arcuate clamping surface 7aa that follows the shape of one outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1.

[0037] The fixed clamping part 7b is fixed to the frame F2 and is arranged opposite to the movable clamping part 7a. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed clamping part 7b is formed with an arcuate clamping surface 7ba that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping part 7b is formed with a positioning part 7bb for positioning the base end part 1, and it can be positioned by the positioning part 7bb while being in contact with the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1.

[0038] Such a positioning part 7bb has a fitting shape that can be positioned by fitting while being aligned with the holding member 6b that constitutes the biasing means 6. In the present embodiment, it has a concave shape into which the holding member 6b protruding from the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1 can be fitted. That is, when the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping part 7b abuts against the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1, the holding member 6b is aligned with and fitted into the positioning part 7bb, so that the base end part 1 can be positioned in the circumferential direction and the vertical direction.

[0039] According to the clamping means 7 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the movable clamping part 7a is moved with the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1 abutted against the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping part 7b, and as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, by abutting against one surface of the base end part 1, the outer peripheral surface (one outer peripheral surface and the other outer peripheral surface) of the base end part 1 can be clamped. At the same time, the holding member 6b is aligned with and fitted into the positioning part 7bb, so that positioning (particularly, positioning of the phase with respect to the circumferential direction of the base end part 1) can be performed during the clamping process of the base end part 1.

[0040] The pressing means 8 presses the tip portion 2 while the base end portion 1 is fixed by the clamping means 7, and swings the tip portion 2 around the swing shaft portion L against the biasing force of the biasing means 6, thereby centering the tip portion 2 in the axial direction. The pressing means 8 includes a movable pressing portion 8a that can press one outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2, and a receiving portion 8b that can contact the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2. The movable pressing portion 8a and the receiving portion 8b are arranged to face each other, and the tip portion 2 of the head portion T of the welding torch is positioned between the movable pressing portion 8a and the receiving portion 8b.

[0041] The movable pressing portion 8a is movable by an air cylinder supported on the frame F4. When air is supplied from the valve V3 to the air cylinder, the rod N2 extends and moves in a direction approaching the receiving portion 8b. When air is supplied from the valve V4 to the air cylinder, the rod N2 contracts and moves in a direction away from the receiving portion 8b. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the movable pressing portion 8a is formed with an arc-shaped pressing surface 8aa that follows the shape of one outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2.

[0042] The receiving portion 8b is fixed below the fixed clamping portion 7b in the frame F2, is arranged to face the movable pressing portion 8a, and as shown in FIG. 8, is formed with an arc-shaped receiving surface 8ba that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2. When the one outer peripheral surface is pressed by the pressing surface 8aa of the movable pressing portion 8a, the tip portion 2 can be centered in the axial direction. The receiving surface 8ba of the receiving portion 8b contacts the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2 that has been centered by being pressed by the movable pressing portion 8a to restrict further swinging.

[0043] That is, the movable pressing portion 8a presses the tip portion 2 (see FIGS. 3 and 11) that is biased by the biasing means 6 to be in an inclined state in a direction opposite to the inclination, so that the feeding direction of the welding wire W by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb coincides with the direction fed out from the opening 3aa of the contact tip 3a, and the tip portion 2 can be centered.

[0044] Further, since the outer peripheral surface (the other outer peripheral surface) on the side opposite to the pressed outer peripheral surface (one outer peripheral surface) of the centered tip portion 2 abuts against the receiving surface 8ba of the receiving portion 8b, even if continuous pressing is performed by the movable pressing portion 8a, further swinging of the tip portion 2 is restricted, and centering can be easily and accurately performed. By performing such centering, the feeding direction of the welding wire W by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb can be made to match the direction fed out from the opening 3aa of the contact tip 3a. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the welding wire W can be supplied from the wire feeding device M and fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip portion 2.

[0045] The detection means 9 detects that the welding wire W fed out from the wire feeding device M has been fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip portion 2, and is disposed on the frame F1 at a position below the head portion T of the welding torch in which the base end portion 1 is clamped by the clamping means 7. That is, the detection means 9 is configured to have a conductive plate 9a that can be conducted. When the tip of the welding wire W reaches and contacts the conductive plate 9a, conduction occurs, and it is possible to detect that the welding wire W has been fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip portion 2.

[0046] Next, the control content by the control device D for centering the tip portion 2 of the head portion T of the welding torch according to the present embodiment will be described. The control device D sequentially executes a loading process of controlling the robot arm portion R to move the head portion T of the welding torch to the centering device K, a clamping process of operating the clamping means 7 to clamp and fix the base end portion 1, and a centering process of operating the pressing means 8 to swing the tip portion 2 to perform centering while the base end portion 1 is clamped in the clamping process, and a welding wire feeding process of feeding out the welding wire W while maintaining the centered state of the tip portion 2.

[0047] The loading process is a process of moving the head part T of the welding torch held by the operation of the robot arm R to the centering device K, and loading it so that the base end part 1 is positioned between the movable clamping part 7a and the fixed clamping part 7b and the tip end part 2 is positioned between the movable pressing part 8a and the receiving part 8b. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9, the other outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1 is in contact with the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping part 7b, and the base end part 1 is positioned by the positioning part 7bb.

[0048] The clamping process is a process of operating the air cylinder of the clamping means 7 to move the movable clamping part 7a and bringing the clamping surface 7aa into contact with one outer peripheral surface of the base end part 1 to clamp the base end part 1, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. At this time, as shown in FIG. 11, the tip end part 2 is maintained in an inclined state inclined by a predetermined angle from the axial direction with respect to the base end part 1 by the biasing force of the biasing means 6.

[0049] The centering process is a process of operating the air cylinder of the pressing means 8 to move the movable pressing part 8a and pressing the pressing surface 8aa against one outer peripheral surface of the tip end part 2, thereby swinging the tip end part 2 against the biasing force of the biasing means 6 to perform centering, as shown in FIG. 12. In the centered state, as shown in FIG. 14, the feeding direction of the welding wire W by the main body side guide tube Ga and the tip side guide tube Gb coincides with the direction fed out from the opening 3aa of the contact tip 3a. However, when the tip end part 2 is pressed until the centered state, the other outer peripheral surface comes into contact with the receiving surface 8ba of the receiving part 8b, and further swinging is restricted and the centered state is maintained.

[0050] The welding wire feeding process is a process of continuously feeding the welding wire W across the base end part 1 fixed by the clamping means 7 and the tip end part 2 in which the centered state is maintained, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, by operating the wire feeding device M, and feeding out the welding wire W by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip end part 2. Then, when the tip of the welding wire W fed out from the tip of the tip end part 2 reaches the detection means 9 and comes into contact with the conductive plate 9a to conduct, the welding wire feeding process ends.

[0051] When a series of centering operations is completed as described above, the control device D returns the movable clamping portion 7a and the movable pressing portion 8a to their initial positions, controls the robot arm portion R, and causes the head portion T of the welding torch to be carried out from the centering device K. Thereafter, the control device D controls the robot arm portion R, the welding machine Y, etc., and causes the welding process (for example, arc welding process) of the member J (work) to be welded by the head portion T of the welding torch to be performed.

[0052] According to the centering device K according to the present embodiment, since it includes a clamping means 7 for clamping and fixing the base end portion 1, and a pressing means 8 for pressing the tip end portion 2 in a state where the base end portion 1 is fixed by the clamping means 7 and swinging the tip end portion 2 against the biasing force of the biasing means 6 to center the tip end portion 2 in the axial direction, the tip end portion 2 of the head portion T of the welding torch in which the tip end portion 2 is attached to the base end portion 1 in an inclined state can be easily centered.

[0053] And by centering the tip end portion 2 according to the present embodiment, the welding wire W supplied to the base end portion 1 can be smoothly fed out from the tip end portion 2, and the tip portion 3 (either one or both of the contact tip 3a and the tip body 3b) disposed at the tip end portion 2 can be smoothly and easily replaced.

[0054] Also, according to the centering device K according to the present embodiment, since the movable clamping portion 7a and the fixed clamping portion 7b are arranged to face each other, and the base end portion 1 can be clamped by bringing the movable clamping portion 7a into contact with one surface in a state where the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 1 is brought into contact with the fixed clamping portion 7b, the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 1 can be reliably clamped and fixed surely.

[0055] Furthermore, in the movable clamping portion 7a according to the present embodiment, a clamping surface 7aa that follows the shape of one outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 1 is formed, and in the fixed clamping portion 7b, a clamping surface 7ba that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion is formed. Therefore, the clamping surface 7aa of the movable clamping portion 7a and the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping portion 7b can be brought into surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 1, and the base end portion 1 can be fixed more firmly.

[0056] Moreover, in the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping portion 7b according to the present embodiment, a positioning portion 7bb for positioning the base end portion 1 is formed. Therefore, the base end portion 1 can be positioned and fixed so that the pressing direction of the tip portion 2 by the pressing means 8 becomes the centering direction, and the centering of the tip portion 2 can be performed smoothly and accurately.

[0057] In addition, the biasing means 6 includes a spring 6a that biases the tip portion 2 in a predetermined direction and a holding member 6b that holds the spring 6a. The positioning portion 7bb has a fitting shape that can be positioned by fitting while matching with the holding member 6b. Therefore, the base end portion 1 can be positioned using the holding member 6b of the biasing means 6. Also, in the process of clamping the base end portion 1 by the clamping means 7, when the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion 1 is brought into contact with the clamping surface 7ba of the fixed clamping portion 7b, it can be positioned by fitting while matching the holding member 6b to the fitting shape, so that smoother positioning can be achieved.

[0058] Also, according to the centering device K according to the present embodiment, the movable pressing portion 8a and the receiving portion 8b are arranged to face each other. The outer peripheral surface of one side is pressed by the movable pressing portion 8a so that the tip portion 2 can be centered in the axial direction. The receiving portion 8b abuts against the other outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 2 that has been centered by being pressed by the movable pressing portion 8a to restrict further swinging. Therefore, the centering of the tip portion 2 can be performed with high accuracy.

[0059] Furthermore, the head portion T of the welding torch according to the present embodiment is attached to the robot arm portion R controlled by the control device D and can be arbitrarily moved and welded. The control device D controls the robot arm portion R to move the head portion T of the welding torch to the centering device K in a loading process, operates the clamping means 7 to clamp and fix the base end portion 1 in a clamping process, and operates the pressing means 8 to swing the tip portion 2 in a centering process while the base end portion 1 is clamped in the clamping process, and executes a welding wire feeding process of feeding out the welding wire W while maintaining the centered state of the tip portion 2. Therefore, the centering operation of the head portion T of the welding torch can be automatically performed under the control of the control device D.

[0060] Furthermore, it is provided with a detection means 9 for detecting that the welding wire W fed out in the welding wire feeding process has been fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip portion 2. And on the condition that the detection means 9 detects the feeding out of the predetermined dimension of the welding wire W, the welding wire feeding process is terminated. Thus, it can be automatically shifted to the next process.

[0061] As described above, the present embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, for the movable clamping portion 7a of the clamping means 7 and the movable pressing portion 8a of the pressing means 8, other actuators (other forms of cylinders such as oil cylinders and other driving means such as motors) may be used instead of the air cylinder. Also, the positioning portion 7bb according to the present embodiment has a concave shape that fits the convex shape (holding member 6b) formed on the base end portion 1, but it may also have a convex shape that fits the concave shape formed on the base end portion 1.

[0062] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the head portion T of the welding torch is moved by the robot arm portion R and carried into the centering device K to perform centering. However, other means (carrying-in and carrying-out means) may be used to carry the head portion T of the welding torch into and out of the centering device K to perform centering. Also, in the present embodiment, the head portion T is assumed to be connected to the torch body B at the connecting portion 1a, but the head portion T and the torch body B may be integrated. Furthermore, the head portion T of the welding torch to be applied is not limited to that of the present embodiment, and may be of other forms that require centering.

Industrial Applicability

[0063] As long as it is a centering device for the head portion of a welding torch having the same gist as the present invention, it can be applied to those having different external shapes or those with other functions added, etc.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0064] 1 Base end portion 1a Connecting portion 1b Opening portion 2 Tip end portion 3 Chip portion 3a Contact chip 3aa Opening 3b Chip body 4 Nozzle portion 4a Discharge port 5 Gas ejection means 5a Ejection port 6 Biasing means 6a Spring 6b Holding member 7 Clamping means 7a Movable clamping portion 7aa Clamping surface 7b Fixed clamping portion 7ba Clamping surface 7bb Positioning portion 8 Pressing means 8a Movable pressing portion 8b Receiving portion 9 Detection means T Head portion of the welding torch Ga body side guide tube Gb tip side guide tube L swing shaft part K centering device R robot arm part M wire feeding device Y welding machine S wire reel stand D control device

Claims

1. a base end portion through which a welding wire can be inserted and fed out; a tip end portion that can feed out the welding wire in the axial direction and is swingably connected to the base end portion; a chip portion disposed within the tip end portion, through which electricity is supplied via the base end portion to pass an electric current through the welding wire for welding; biasing means for biasing the tip end portion in a predetermined direction to bring the tip end portion into an inclined state in which the tip end portion is inclined by a predetermined angle from the axial direction with respect to the base end portion; a centering device for the head portion of a welding torch for centering the tip end portion of the head portion of the welding torch provided with the above, clamping means for clamping and fixing the base end portion; pressing means for pressing the tip end portion in a state where the base end portion is fixed by the clamping means, and swinging the tip end portion against the biasing force of the biasing means to center the tip end portion in the axial direction; A centering device for the head portion of a welding torch, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The clamping means includes a movable clamping portion that can contact and separate from one outer peripheral surface of the base end portion; a fixed clamping portion that can contact the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion; The centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable clamping portion and the fixed clamping portion are arranged opposite to each other, and the base end portion can be clamped by bringing the movable clamping portion into contact with the one surface in a state where the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion is brought into contact with the fixed clamping portion.

3. The centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 2, characterized in that the movable clamping portion is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of one outer peripheral surface of the base end portion, and the fixed clamping portion is formed with a clamping surface that follows the shape of the other outer peripheral surface of the base end portion.

4. The centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 3, characterized in that a positioning portion for positioning the base end portion is formed on the clamping surface of the fixed clamping portion.

5. The biasing means includes a spring for biasing the tip end portion in a predetermined direction and a holding member for holding the spring, and the positioning portion is formed of a fitting shape that can be positioned by fitting while matching with the holding member. The centering device for the head portion of the welding torch according to claim 4, characterized by this.

6. The pressing means includes a movable pressing portion that can press one outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion; a receiving portion that can contact the other outer peripheral surface of the tip end portion; It is provided with, the movable pressing part and the receiving part are arranged to face each other, the outer peripheral surface of one side is pressed by the movable pressing part so that the tip part can be centered in the axial direction, and the receiving part is pressed by the movable pressing part and centered. The centering device for the head part of the welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that it abuts against the outer peripheral surface of the other side of the tip part and restricts further swinging.

7. The welding torch is attached to a robot arm part controlled by a control device and can be moved and welded arbitrarily, and the control device A loading process of controlling the robot arm part to move the welding torch to the centering device, A clamping process of operating the clamping means to clamp and fix the base end part, A centering process of centering by operating the pressing means to swing the tip part in a state where the base end part is clamped in the clamping process, A welding wire feeding process of feeding out the welding wire while maintaining the centered state of the tip part, The centering device for the head part of the welding torch according to claim 1, characterized in that it executes.

8. It is provided with a detection means for detecting that the welding wire fed out in the welding wire feeding process is fed out by a predetermined dimension from the tip of the tip part, and on the condition that the detection means detects the feeding out of the predetermined dimension of the welding wire, The centering device for the head part of the welding torch according to claim 7, characterized in that the welding wire feeding process is terminated.

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