Welding torch device and welding method

Abstract

To provide a welding torch device which can facilitate maintenance of a wire guide for supplying a consumable electrode, and to provide a welding method using the welding torch device.SOLUTION: In a welding torch device 1 including a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 10 and a welding method using the welding torch device, the wire supply device 10 includes: a wire guide body 21 fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body 2; a wire guide 31 which is disposed at the outer side of the welding torch body 2 in a first radial direction R1 and supported by the wire guide body 21 in an inclined attitude at which a tip part is located close to a tip of a torch nozzle 4; and a wire guide fixture 15 having a first fixture part 16 fixed to the welding torch body 2, a second fixture part 17 fixed to the wire guide 31, and a rotary shaft 18 connecting the first fixture part with the second fixture part. The second fixture part 17 is rotated around the rotary shaft 18 relative to the first fixture part 16 to move the wire guide 31 close to or apart from the welding torch body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding torch device used in arc welding and a welding method. [Background technology]

[0002] Arc welding is widely used in various industrial fields as a welding method for structures (workpieces) that use metals or non-ferrous metals as base materials. For example, in TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding, a type of arc welding, a TIG welding torch equipped with a discharge electrode (non-consumable electrode) and a torch nozzle is used to generate an arc between the non-consumable electrode (-) and the workpiece (+). The heat from this arc melts the workpiece to form a molten pool. In TIG welding, a wire-shaped consumable electrode is fed from a wire guide with its tip close to the molten pool, and welding is performed by feeding this consumable electrode into the molten pool and melting it. During welding, a shielding gas is released from the torch nozzle surrounding the electrode, and this shielding gas insulates the weld from the atmosphere (air).

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a TIG torch that uses a torch dedicated to robot welding, has a notch at the bottom of the torch nozzle, and holds a wire guide that is passed diagonally through this notch to supply filler wire to the welding point. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5095910 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the conventional method described above, there are issues such as the inability to use inexpensive general-purpose TIG torches, concerns that the wire may come into contact with the tungsten electrode during welding due to the wire's tendency to bend, and the fact that the wire guide is fixed to the torch nozzle makes it difficult to perform maintenance such as replacing the wire guide.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a welding torch device that can easily maintain a wire guide that supplies a consumable electrode, and a welding method using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a means for solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, the wire supply device comprising a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, a wire guide arranged outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip end close to the tip end of the torch nozzle, and a torch nozzle in the welding torch body. and a wire guide fixing device having a first fixing portion fixed to the base end side of the welding torch body and a second fixing portion fixed to the base end side of the wire guide, wherein the wire guide fixing device has a rotation axis between the welding torch body and the wire guide in a first radial direction, which allows the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion to rotate relative to each other, the rotation axis being perpendicular to the first radial direction and perpendicular to the axial direction and, when viewed from the first radial direction, perpendicular to the axial direction of the torch nozzle, and wherein the wire guide can be moved toward or away from the welding torch body by rotating the second fixing portion relative to the first fixing portion around the rotation axis. According to this configuration, the wire guide fixture fixed to the base end of the welding torch body rotates about the rotation axis, rotating the second fixing part on the wire guide side relative to the first fixing part on the welding torch body, allowing the wire guide to approach or move away from the welding torch body. This makes it possible to easily move the wire guide away from the welding torch body during maintenance such as wire guide replacement, and also makes it easy to remove the wire guide from the wire guide body and, ultimately, the welding torch body, improving maintainability.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned first aspect, the rotating shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, and by tightening the bolt, the relative rotation of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion is fixed, and by loosening the tightening of the bolt, the relative rotation of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion is allowed. With this configuration, by tightening and loosening the bolt on the rotating shaft to switch whether the wire guide can rotate or not, the wire guide can be easily switched between a fixed state in an inclined position (use position) and a state in which it can rotate to move the wire guide away from the torch nozzle.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the first or second aspect, the wire guide body has a guide groove into which the wire guide in an inclined position is fitted and supported. According to this configuration, the wire guide is fitted into the guide groove of the wire guide support portion and supported, so that the wire guide in the inclined position (use position) can be stably supported.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, and a wire guide arranged outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip end close to the tip end of the torch nozzle, and the wire guide body has a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, and a wire guide fixture for fixing the base end side of the wire guide is provided in the extension direction of the wire guide in the guide holding hole toward the base end side. According to this configuration, the wire guide is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole of the wire guide body, and the base end side of the wire guide is fixed to the wire guide fixing device in the extension direction of the guide holding hole. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and ultimately the welding torch body by simply releasing the fixation of the wire guide in the wire guide fixing device, thereby improving maintainability.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned fourth aspect, the wire guide fixing device comprises a first fixing portion fixed to the welding torch body closer to the base end than the torch nozzle, a second fixing portion fixed to the base end of the wire guide, and a rotating shaft that allows the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion to rotate relative to each other, and the rotating shaft has a bolt that is parallel to a second radial direction that is perpendicular to the first radial direction, and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be separated by removing the bolt. With this configuration, the wire fastener rotates the first fastener on the welding torch body side and the second fastener on the wire guide side relative to each other around the rotation axis, easily aligning the guide holding hole and the second fastener. By removing the bolt that serves as the rotation axis, the second fastener can be removed along with the wire guide, making it easy to insert and remove the wire guide from the guide holding hole.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, and a wire guide arranged outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip end of the torch nozzle, and the wire guide body comprises a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, and a fixing structure for fixing the wire guide to the guide holding hole. According to this configuration, the wire guide is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole of the wire guide body, and a fixing structure is provided that fixes the wire guide to the guide holding hole and prevents it from coming out of the guide holding hole. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, simply releasing the fixation of the wire guide by the fixing structure allows the wire guide to be easily removed from the wire guide body and, ultimately, the welding torch body, improving maintainability. By holding and fixing the wire guide in the wire guide body, the number of parts can be reduced.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, a wire guide arranged outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip end close to the tip end of the torch nozzle, and a wire guide fixture that fixes the base end side of the wire guide to the welding torch body. With this configuration, the base end of the wire guide is fixed to the welding torch body via the wire guide fixture, which simplifies or eliminates the need for grooves, holes, or other structures in the wire guide body that support the tip end of the wire guide. The wire guide fixture also eliminates a rotation axis, allowing the inclination angle of the wire guide to be fixed. This simplifies the structure of the welding torch device and reduces costs while facilitating wire guide maintenance.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in any one of the first, fourth, sixth, and seventh aspects, the angle of the wire guide relative to the torch nozzle when in an inclined position is set between 15 degrees and 45 degrees. According to this configuration, the angle of the wire guide relative to the torch nozzle is set to between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, so that the filler wire can be supplied at an angle suitable for arc welding.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first, fourth, sixth, and seventh aspects, the wire guide further comprises a wire straightening mechanism that reduces bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide. According to this configuration, bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide is reduced, so that the filler wire can be stably supplied from the wire guide to the welding portion.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a welding method using the welding torch device according to any one of the first, fourth, sixth and seventh aspects. According to this configuration, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and ultimately from the welding torch body, thereby improving maintainability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a welding torch device that can easily perform maintenance on a wire guide that supplies a consumable electrode, and a welding method using the same. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a welding torch device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the welding torch device in a state where the wire guide is separated from the wire guide body. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a side view including a partial cross section of a main part of the welding torch device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the welding torch device in a state where the wire guide is separated from the wire guide body. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a wire guide of a welding torch device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is extracted from a wire guide body. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a side view including a partial cross section of a main part of a welding torch device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a wire guide of a welding torch device according to a third embodiment of the present invention is extracted from a wire guide body. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view including a partial cross section of a main part of a welding torch device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view including a partial cross section of the periphery of a wire guide of a welding torch device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The welding torch device and welding method of each embodiment are preferably used for gas-shielded arc welding, particularly TIG welding, for example, but the present invention may also be applied to other types of welding.

[0020] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a side view of a welding torch device 1 of a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the welding torch device 1 with wire guide 31 separated from wire guide body 21. Fig. 3 is a side view including a partial cross section of a main part of the welding torch device 1. Fig. 4 is a side view of the welding torch device 1 with wire guide 31 separated from wire guide body 21.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the welding torch device 1 includes a welding torch body 2 having a discharge electrode (non-consumable electrode) 5 and a torch nozzle 4 at the tip side of the torch body 3, and a wire supply device 10 attached to the welding torch body 2 and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode (filler wire W) to the welding point.

[0022] In the welding torch device 1, a wire guide 31 is disposed obliquely on one radial side of a non-consumable electrode 5 located at the center of the torch nozzle 4, and a filler wire (filler metal) W is supplied from the tip of this wire guide 31 toward the weld zone below the torch nozzle 4. The welding torch device 1 generates an arc between the non-consumable electrode 5 and the workpiece to melt the workpiece, and performs welding by melting the filler wire W into the resulting molten pool. A shielding gas (inert gas) is supplied toward the weld zone from an opening at the tip of the welding torch device 1 facing the weld zone, and welding is performed in this shielding gas atmosphere. The area around the weld zone is isolated from the atmosphere (air) by the shielding gas.

[0023] The arc welding method may be either a consumable electrode type such as shielded metal arc welding or carbon dioxide gas arc welding, or a non-consumable electrode type such as TIG welding or plasma arc welding. For example, argon, helium, or a mixture of these is used as a shielding gas in MIG welding, carbon dioxide or a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide is used in MAG welding, argon gas is used in TIG welding, and nitrogen, argon, or helium is used as a shielding gas in laser welding.

[0024] The heat source for melting the filler wire W is not limited to the arc described above. For example, other heat sources may be used, such as a heating method that combines an arc and a laser, a heating method that uses plasma, or a heating method that uses an electron beam or a laser. When heating with an electron beam or a laser, the amount of heat can be controlled more precisely, and the state of the weld bead can be maintained more appropriately.

[0025] The filler wire W used is, for example, a filler wire W made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy for welding titanium and titanium alloys (see, for example, JIS Z 3331). If the filler wire W is pure titanium or a titanium alloy, appropriate welding can be performed even when the welding base metal is a titanium-based material.

[0026] The welding torch device 1 holds a filler wire W and generates an arc from the tip of the filler wire W in a shielding gas atmosphere. The filler wire W is fed to the welding torch device 1 by a payout mechanism (not shown). As the welding torch device 1 moves, the continuously fed filler wire W is melted and solidified to form a weld bead, which is a molten solid of the filler wire W. Shielding gas supplied from a shielding gas supply unit is sprayed from the welding torch device 1 onto the weld zone, shielding the periphery of the weld zone.

[0027] <Welding torch body 2> The welding torch body 2 is cylindrical and has a linear central axis (torch axis) C1. In each embodiment, the direction along the torch axis C1 is referred to as the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the torch axis C1 is referred to as the radial direction, and the direction around the center of the torch axis is referred to as the circumferential direction. In each embodiment, a mode in which the torch axis C1 is arranged along the vertical direction (the direction of arrow V1 in the figure) is described, but this arrangement is not limited to this. In each embodiment, the tip side of the torch in the axial direction is referred to as the bottom, and the side opposite the torch tip (the base end side) is referred to as the top.

[0028] The welding torch body 2 may be, for example, a general-purpose TIG torch. The welding torch body 2 includes a torch nozzle 4 and a tungsten electrode (non-consumable electrode) 5 at the tip (lower end) of a cylindrical torch body 3, and a pipe connector (not shown) at the base (upper end) of the torch body 3. A hose (not shown) or the like for introducing shielding gas is connected to the pipe connector. The shielding gas introduced into the torch body 3 passes through a flow path formed inside the torch body 3 and the torch nozzle 4 and is ejected from the tip opening 21a of the torch nozzle 4 toward the weld.

[0029] <Wire feeding device 10> The wire supply device 10 is capable of continuously supplying a filler wire W, which is continuously supplied from a wire supply unit (not shown), to a welding zone. The wire supply device 10 includes, in order from the upstream side of the wire supply path, a wire straightening mechanism 11, an upstream holder 13, a downstream holder 14, a wire guide fixture 15, and a wire guide body 21.

[0030] The wire supply device 10 has an axis (wire supply axis C2) that is offset radially to one side with respect to the torch axis C1. The wire supply device 10 transports the filler wire W along the wire supply axis C2, which is aligned vertically, from the wire straightening mechanism 11 to the downstream holder 14. Hereinafter, the radial direction in which the wire supply device 10 is offset is referred to as a first radial direction R1 (the direction of the arrow R1 in the drawing).

[0031] The wire supply device 10 has a wire supply path that curves toward the welding torch body 2 between the downstream holder 14 and the wire guide fixture 15. The wire supply device 10 has an axis (downstream wire supply axis C3) that is inclined with respect to the torch axis C1 between the wire guide fixture 15 and the tip of the wire guide body 21. The wire supply device 10 transports the filler wire W from the wire guide fixture 15 to the downstream holder 14 of the wire guide body 21 along the downstream wire supply axis C3 that is inclined with respect to the torch axis C1. The linear cylindrical wire guide 31 is disposed with its center axis C31 aligned with the downstream wire supply axis C3.

[0032] <Wire correction mechanism 11> The wire straightening mechanism 11 has, for example, a pair of upper and lower guide roller rows 11a and 11b that radially sandwich the filler wire W. In the wire straightening mechanism 11, the pair of guide roller rows 11a and 11b are rotated 90 degrees relative to each other about the wire supply axis C2, so that the roller axes are perpendicular to each other. This allows the bend of the filler wire W to be straightened in two directions perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and the filler wire W can be guided downstream with its bending tendency removed. After passing through the wire straightening mechanism 11, the filler wire W passes through a relay pipe 12 that extends vertically from the wire straightening mechanism 11 to the upstream holder 13 and the downstream holder 14, and then is guided into the wire guide 31 via a curved path covered with a flexible tube. The frame of the wire straightening mechanism 11 is fixed to the upper part of the relay pipe 12.

[0033] The filler wire W curves along a curved path toward the welding torch body 2 and is inserted into the wire guide 31, which is disposed at an angle relative to the welding torch body 2. The wire guide 31 guides the filler wire W along the downstream wire feed axis C3 and pays out the filler wire W so that the tip of the filler wire W approaches the tip of the non-consumable electrode 5 directly below the lower end of the wire guide body 21. The central axis (downstream wire feed axis) C3 of the wire guide 31 is inclined so that it moves away from the torch axis C1 as it approaches the upper side. In each embodiment, the inclination angle θ1 of the downstream wire feed axis C3 with respect to the torch axis C1 is set to 20 degrees. This inclination angle θ1 is preferably set between 15 degrees and 45 degrees, which is an angle that makes it easy to guide the filler wire W to the weld.

[0034] <Upstream holder 13> The upstream holder 13 is a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and is disposed below the wire straightening mechanism 11 at a distance. The upstream holder 13 includes a first clamp portion 13a provided on one horizontal side and fixed to the middle portion of the intermediate pipe 12 in the vertical direction, and a second clamp portion 13b provided on the other horizontal side (the side opposite the welding torch body 2) and fixed to the lower portion of a grip pipe 13c. The grip pipe 13c is attached to, for example, a position control robot of the welding torch device 1.

[0035] <Downstream holder 14> The downstream holder 14 is a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire feed axis C2, and is disposed below the upstream holder 13 at a distance. The downstream holder 14 includes a first clamp portion 14a provided on one horizontal side and fixed to the lower part of the relay pipe 12, and a second clamp portion 14b provided on the other horizontal side (the welding torch main body 2 side) and fixed to a middle portion in the vertical direction of the torch body 3. The clamp member of the second clamp portion 14b of the downstream holder 14 is integrally formed, for example, with the clamp member of the first clamp portion 16a of the first fixture 16 of the wire guide fixture 15 and including a relay portion 14c extending in the vertical direction.

[0036] <Wire guide fixture 15> The wire guide fixture 15 is disposed below and spaced from the downstream holder 14. The wire guide fixture 15 includes a block-shaped first fixed part 16 having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire feed axis C2, and a second fixed part 17 connected to the first fixed part 16 via a rotation shaft 18. The rotation axis 18 is an axis parallel to a second radial direction R2 (the direction of the arrow R2 in the drawing) that is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1.

[0037] The first fixing portion 16 has a first clamp portion 16a provided on one horizontal side and fixed to the middle portion of the torch body 3 in the vertical direction, and a first connecting portion 16b provided on the other horizontal side and through which the rotation shaft 18 passes. Second fixing portion 17 includes second clamp portion 17a fixed to the base end side of wire guide 31, and second connecting portion 17b provided on the welding torch body 2 side of second clamp portion 17a and through which rotation shaft 18 passes. An insulating member such as resin may be interposed between wire guide 31 and second clamp portion 17a.

[0038] First connecting portion 16b and second connecting portion 17b are connected via rotation shaft 18 so as to be relatively rotatable, with the first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b overlapping each other in the axial direction (second radial direction R2) of rotation shaft 18. Rotation shaft 18 is an axis whose axial direction is perpendicular to first radial direction R1 and whose axial direction is perpendicular to torch body 3 when viewed from first radial direction R1. By rotating second fixing portion 17 relative to first fixing portion 16 about rotation axis 18, wire guide 31 held by second fixing portion 17 can move toward and away from wire guide body 21 in first radial direction R1.

[0039] The rotation shaft 18 is formed by a bolt 18a parallel to the second radial direction R2. The bolt 18a penetrates the first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b from one side to the other in the second radial direction R2, and a nut is screwed onto the threaded shaft protruding to the other side in the second radial direction R2 (neither is shown). By tightening the bolt 18a and the nut, the first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b are fastened together, and relative rotation of the first fixed portion 16 and the second fixed portion 17 about the rotation shaft 18 is restricted (fixed). By loosening the bolt 18a and the nut, relative rotation of the first fixed portion 16 and the second fixed portion 17 is permitted.

[0040] <Wire guide body 21> A wire guide body 21 that surrounds the outer periphery of the torch nozzle 4 is attached to the tip side of the welding torch body 2. The wire guide body 21 has a nozzle insertion hole 22a with an inner surface shape that matches the shape of the tip of the torch nozzle 4. The torch nozzle 4 is inserted into the nozzle insertion hole 22a of the wire guide body 21 from above until it bottoms out and fits tightly inside the nozzle insertion hole 22a. In this state, the wire guide body 21 is fixed to the welding torch body 2. An O-ring or other member to prevent gas leakage may be provided between the nozzle insertion hole 22a and the welding torch body 2.

[0041] The wire guide body 21 is fixed, for example, by threading the lower end of a long bolt 19 that passes through the wire guide fixture 15 in the vertical direction into a nut hole 23c at the upper end of the wire guide body 21. The vertical height of the wire guide body 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the long bolt 19 relative to the wire guide fixture 15. The vertical position of the long bolt 19 is adjusted by changing the fixing positions of multiple nuts 19a. It is preferable to interpose an insulating member such as resin between the long bolt 19 and the wire guide fixture 15.

[0042] Wire guide body 21 integrally forms a cylindrical portion 22 that conforms to the outer circumferential shape of the tip end of welding torch body 2, as well as a protruding portion 23 that protrudes to one side (outside) in a first radial direction R1 to which wire supply device 10 is offset. Protruding portion 23 is formed so as to protrude more to one side in first radial direction R1 as it moves upward (toward the base end of the torch). An inclined portion 23a that follows downstream wire supply axis C3 is formed on one side of wire guide body 21 in the first radial direction R1.

[0043] Sloped portion 23a is formed with guide groove 23b, which forms an inner peripheral surface that matches the outer peripheral surface of wire guide 31. Wire guide 31 in an inclined position can be fitted into guide groove 23b to support it. Wire guide 31 is disposed on the outside of welding torch body 2 in first radial direction R1, and is supported by wire guide body 21 in the inclined position, so that the tip of wire guide 31 is brought close to the tip of wire guide body 21 (and therefore the tip of welding torch device 1).

[0044] The protruding portion 23 has a generally right-angled triangular shape when viewed in a second radial direction R2 that is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). A nut hole 23c is formed in the generally horizontal upper end of the protruding portion 23, into which the lower end of the long bolt 19 that fixes the wire guide body 21 is fastened.

[0045] Wire guide body 21 also serves as a water-cooling jig for cooling torch nozzle 4. A water channel (not shown) is formed inside wire guide body 21 so as to surround the outer periphery of torch nozzle 4. A water supply and drainage pipe 29 connected to the water channel (not shown) is installed on the top surface of wire guide body 21. By cooling the tip side of welding torch device 1 with water and stabilizing the temperature, welding torch device 1 is protected and stable welding can be performed.

[0046] <Wire Guide 31> The wire guide 31 is a cylindrical member that feeds the filler wire W toward the distal end (lower end). The wire guide 31 is a substantially cylindrical, long member with a center hole that runs along the downstream wire supply axis C3. Examples of materials for the wire guide 31 include metals such as brass, copper, copper alloy, carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium, as well as ceramics.

[0047] The wire guide 31 includes a guide body 32 that forms the base end side, and a contact tip 33 that forms the tip end side. The contact tip 33 is cylindrical and thinner than the guide body 32, and is detachably attached to the tip end side of the guide body 32 by screwing. This makes it possible to remove the contact tip 33 for cleaning or replacement when spatter or the like adheres to the contact tip 33 or when deformation or wear occurs in the central hole.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the wire guide fixture 15 that holds the wire guide 31 allows the wire guide 31 to rotate by releasing the fastening of the bolt 18a that is the rotation shaft 18, and allows the wire guide 31 to move toward and away from the wire guide body 21. This makes maintenance of the wire guide 31 even easier.

[0049] In the first embodiment, a cut surface 33a that is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction is formed at the tip of the contact tip 33. This brings the tip of the contact tip 33 closer to the torch axis C1, compared to when the tip of the contact tip 33 is left cut on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, while preventing the tip of the contact tip 33 from protruding into the gas release hole 22b immediately below the torch nozzle 4 within the wire guide body 21. A notch 23b1 is formed at the lower end of the guide groove 23b, allowing the cut surface 33a of the contact tip 33 to face the inside of the gas release hole 22b.

[0050] As described above, the welding torch device 1 in the first embodiment includes the welding torch body 2 having the discharge electrode 5 and the torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of the torch body 3, and the wire supply device 10 attached to the welding torch body 2 and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode W to a welding point. The wire supply device 10 includes the wire guide body 21 fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body 2, the wire guide 31 arranged on the outside of the welding torch body 2 in the first radial direction R1 and supported by the wire guide body 21 in an inclined position with its tip end close to the tip end of the torch nozzle 4, and the torch nozzle 4 in the welding torch body 2. and a wire guide fixture (15) having a first fixing portion (16) fixed to the base end side of the welding torch body (2) and a second fixing portion (17) fixed to the base end side of the wire guide (31). The wire guide fixture (15) has a rotation axis (18) between the welding torch body (2) and the wire guide (31) in the first radial direction (R1) that allows the first fixing portion (16) and the second fixing portion (17) to rotate relative to each other. The rotation axis (18) is an axis whose axial direction is perpendicular to the first radial direction (R1) and whose axial direction is perpendicular to the torch nozzle (4) when viewed from the first radial direction (R1). By rotating the second fixing portion (17) relative to the first fixing portion (16) around the rotation axis (18), the wire guide (31) can be moved toward or away from the welding torch body (2).

[0051] According to this configuration, wire guide fixture 15 fixed to the base end side of welding torch body 2 rotates about rotation axis 18, rotating second fixing portion 17 on the wire guide 31 side relative to first fixing portion 16 on the welding torch body 2 side, and enabling wire guide 31 to approach or move away from welding torch body 2. As a result, during maintenance such as wire guide 31 replacement, wire guide 31 can be easily moved away from welding torch body 2, and wire guide 31 can be easily removed from wire guide body 21 and ultimately from welding torch body 2, improving maintainability.

[0052] In the above welding torch device 1, the rotation axis 18 has a bolt 18a parallel to a second radial direction R2 perpendicular to the first radial direction R1, and by tightening the bolt 18a, the relative rotation of the first fixed portion 16 and the second fixed portion 17 is fixed, and by loosening the tightening of the bolt 18a, the relative rotation of the first fixed portion 16 and the second fixed portion 17 is allowed. According to this configuration, by tightening and loosening the bolt 18a of the rotating shaft 18, the wire guide 31 can be switched between being able to rotate and not being able to rotate, and the wire guide 31 can be easily switched between being fixed in an inclined position (use position) and being able to rotate to move the wire guide 31 away from the torch nozzle 4.

[0053] In the welding torch device 1, the wire guide body 21 has a guide groove 23b into which the wire guide 31 in an inclined position is fitted and supported. According to this configuration, by fitting and supporting the wire guide 31 in the guide groove 23b of the wire guide body 21, the wire guide 31 in the inclined position (use position) can be stably supported.

[0054] In the welding torch device 1, the angle θ1 of the wire guide 31 relative to the torch nozzle 4 in the inclined position is set between 15 degrees and 45 degrees. According to this configuration, the angle θ1 of the wire guide 31 relative to the torch nozzle 4 is set to 15 degrees to 45 degrees, so that the filler wire W can be supplied at an angle suitable for arc welding.

[0055] The welding torch device 1 is provided with a wire straightening mechanism 11 that reduces bending of the filler wire W supplied to the wire guide 31. According to this configuration, bending of the filler wire W supplied to the wire guide 31 is reduced, and the filler wire W can be stably supplied from the wire guide 31 to the welding portion.

[0056] Furthermore, according to the welding method using the above-mentioned welding torch device 1, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide 31, the wire guide 31 can be easily removed from the wire guide body 21 and ultimately from the welding torch main body 2, thereby improving maintainability.

[0057] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The welding torch device 101 of the second embodiment is particularly different from the welding torch device 1 of the first embodiment in that it includes a wire guide body 121 having a guide holding hole 123b. Other components that are the same as those of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of welding torch device 101 of the second embodiment, showing wire guide 131 extracted from wire guide body 121. Fig. 6 is a side view including a partial cross section of the main part of welding torch device 101. 5 and 6, a welding torch device 101 according to the second embodiment includes a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 110. The welding torch body 2 and the wire supply device 110 are similar to those shown in FIG.

[0059] The wire guide body 121 of the wire feeder 110 of the second embodiment is provided with a guide holding hole 123b for inserting and holding a wire guide 131 instead of the guide groove 23b of the wire guide body 121 of the first embodiment.

[0060] A wire guide fixture 15 for fixing the base end of wire guide 131 is provided in guide holding hole 123b in the extension direction of wire guide 131 toward the base end. Wire guide fixture 15 has the same configuration as, for example, that of the first embodiment. That is, wire guide fixture 15 includes first fixing portion 16 fixed to welding torch body 2 closer to the base end than torch nozzle 4, second fixing portion 17 fixed to the base end of wire guide 131, and rotation shaft 18 that allows first fixing portion 16 and second fixing portion 17 to rotate relative to each other.

[0061] Rotation shaft 18 is formed by bolt 18a that is parallel to second radial direction R2 that is perpendicular to first radial direction R1. A nut is threaded onto the threaded shaft of bolt 18a (neither is shown), and by tightening bolt 18a and the nut, relative rotation between first fixed portion 16 and second fixed portion 17 is fixed, and by loosening bolt 18a and the nut, relative rotation between first fixed portion 16 and second fixed portion 17 is permitted. Furthermore, by removing bolt 18a, first fixed portion 16 and second fixed portion 17 can be separated.

[0062] As a result, when inserting or removing wire guide 131 into or from guide holding hole 123b, not only can the clamp of second fixing part 17 be disassembled to perform the work, but second fixing part 17 as a whole can be removed from first fixing part 16 to perform the work. Therefore, the presence of second fixing part 17 can be prevented from interfering with the insertion or removal of wire guide 131.

[0063] As described above, welding torch device 101 in the second embodiment includes welding torch body 2 having discharge electrode 5 and torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of torch body 3, and wire supply device 110 attached to welding torch body 2 and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode W to a welding point. Wire supply device 110 includes wire guide body 121 fixed to the tip side of welding torch body 2, and wire guide 131 arranged outside welding torch body 2 in first radial direction R1 and supported by wire guide body 121 in an inclined position with its tip end close to the tip end of torch nozzle 4. Wire guide body 121 has guide holding hole 123b through which wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and wire guide fixture 15 for fixing the base end of wire guide 131 is provided in guide holding hole 123b in the extension direction of wire guide 131 toward the base end side.

[0064] According to this configuration, wire guide 131 is inserted into and held in guide holding hole 123b of wire guide body 121, and the base end side of wire guide 131 is fixed to wire guide fixture 15 in the extension direction of guide holding hole 123b. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing wire guide 131, by releasing the fixation of wire guide 131 in wire guide fixture 15, wire guide 131 can be easily removed from wire guide body 121 and ultimately welding torch body 2, improving maintainability.

[0065] In the above-mentioned welding torch device 101, the wire guide fixture 15 includes a first fixing portion 16 fixed to the welding torch body 2 closer to the base end than the torch nozzle 4, a second fixing portion 17 fixed to the base end side of the wire guide 131, and a rotating shaft 18 that allows the first fixing portion 16 and the second fixing portion 17 to rotate relative to each other, and the rotating shaft 18 has a bolt 18a that is parallel to a second radial direction R2 that is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1, and the first fixing portion 16 and the second fixing portion 17 can be separated by removing the bolt 18a.

[0066] According to this configuration, wire guide fixture 15 rotates first fixing portion 16 on welding torch body 2 side and second fixing portion 17 on wire guide 131 side relative to each other around rotation axis 18, thereby easily arranging guide holding hole 123b and second fixing portion 17 coaxially. By removing bolt 18a, which is rotation axis 18, second fixing portion 17 can be removed together with wire guide 131, making it easy to insert and remove wire guide 131 into and from guide holding hole 123b.

[0067] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Welding torch device 201 of the third embodiment differs from welding torch devices 1 and 101 of the previously described embodiments in that it includes wire guide body 221 having fixing structure 224 that fixes wire guide 131 to guide holding hole 123b, and does not include wire guide fixture 15. Other components that are the same as those of the previously described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a welding torch device 201 according to the third embodiment, showing a state in which wire guide 131 is extracted from wire guide body 221. Fig. 8 is a side view including a partial cross section of the main part of welding torch device 201. 7 and 8, a welding torch device 201 according to the third embodiment includes a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 210. The welding torch body 2 and the wire supply device 210 are similar to those shown in FIG.

[0069] A wire guide body 221 of a wire feeder 210 of the third embodiment includes a guide holding hole 123b through which a wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and a fixing structure 224 that fixes the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b.

[0070] The fixing structure 224 includes a nut hole 225 drilled in the wire guide body 221 along a central axis C5 perpendicular to the central axis C3 (downstream supply axis C3) of the guide holding hole 123b, and a fixing bolt 226 screwed into the nut hole 225. The nut hole 225 opens to the outer surface of the wire guide 131 and the inner surface of the guide holding hole 123b, respectively.

[0071] A fixing bolt 226 is tightened into the nut hole 225, and the tip of the fixing bolt 226 presses against the outer surface of the wire guide 131 inside the guide holding hole 123b, thereby preventing the wire guide 131 from coming out of the guide holding hole 123b. This fixes the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b and ultimately to the wire guide body 221. Therefore, it is possible to completely hold and fix the wire guide 131 with the wire guide body 221, and the guide fixing device 15 present in the first and second embodiments can be eliminated, thereby reducing the number of parts.

[0072] As described above, the welding torch device 201 in the third embodiment includes the welding torch main body 2 having the discharge electrode 5 and the torch nozzle 4 at the tip side of the torch body 3, and the wire supply device 210 attached to the welding torch main body 2 and supplying the wire-shaped consumable electrode W to the welding point. The wire supply device 210 comprises a wire guide body 221 fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body 2, and a wire guide 131 arranged outside the welding torch body 2 in the first radial direction R1 and supported by the wire guide body 221 in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle 4, and the wire guide body 221 comprises a guide holding hole 123b through which the wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and a fixing structure 224 that fixes the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b.

[0073] According to this configuration, wire guide 131 is inserted into and held in guide holding hole 123b of wire guide body 221, and by providing fixing structure 224 that fixes wire guide 131 to guide holding hole 123b and prevents it from coming off from guide holding hole 123b, during maintenance such as replacing wire guide 131, simply releasing the fixation of wire guide 131 by fixing structure 224 allows wire guide 131 to be easily removed from wire guide body 221 and ultimately welding torch body 2, improving maintainability. Holding and fixing wire guide 131 with wire guide body 221 reduces the number of parts.

[0074] <Fourth embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 9 is a perspective view including a partial cross section of the periphery of wire guide 131 of welding torch device 301 of the fourth embodiment. The welding torch device 301 of the fourth embodiment differs from the welding torch devices 1, 101, and 201 of the previously described embodiments in that it includes a wire guide body 321 that does not have a protruding portion, and a wire guide fixture 315 that has no rotation axis and is fixed in angle. Other components that are the same as those of the previously described embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted. Reference numeral 310 in the drawing indicates the wire feeder of the fourth embodiment.

[0075] According to the fourth embodiment, the base end side of wire guide 131 (or 31) is fixed to welding torch body 2 via wire guide fixture 315, thereby simplifying or eliminating the structure of grooves, holes, and the like that support the tip end side of wire guide 131 in wire guide body 321. Wire guide fixture 315 can also be structured without a rotation axis, fixing the inclination angle of wire guide 315. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of welding torch device 301 and reduce costs while facilitating maintenance of wire guide 131. For example, a notch 321a into which the lower end of wire guide 131 is fitted and supported may be formed in the lower end of wire guide body 321.

[0076] The configurations in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention, such as replacing the components of each embodiment with well-known components. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1,101,201,301 Welding torch device 2 Welding torch body 3 Torch body 4 torch nozzles 5 Electrode for discharge 10,110,210,310 Wire feeder 11 Wire straightening mechanism 15,315 Wire guide fixture 16 First fixed part 17 Second fixed part 18 Rotation axis 18a bolt 21,121,221,321 Wire guide body 21 Wire guide support part 23b Guide groove 31,131 Wire guide 123b Guide holding hole 224 Fixed structure R1 First radial direction R2 Second radial direction W Filler wire (consumable electrode) θ1 angle

Claims

1. A welding torch device comprising: a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip end of the torch body; and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, The wire feeding device a wire guide body fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body; a wire guide disposed on the outer side of the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with a tip end portion thereof brought close to a tip end portion of the torch nozzle; a wire guide fixture having a first fixing portion fixed to the welding torch body on the base end side of the torch nozzle, and a second fixing portion fixed to the base end side of the wire guide, the wire guide fixture includes a rotation shaft between the welding torch body and the wire guide in the first radial direction, the rotation shaft allowing the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion to rotate relatively to each other; The rotation axis is an axis that is perpendicular to the first radial direction and the axial direction, and is perpendicular to the torch nozzle and the axial direction when viewed from the first radial direction, and by rotating the second fixing part relative to the first fixing part around the rotation axis, the wire guide can be moved toward and away from the welding torch body.

2. the rotation shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, 2. The welding torch device of claim 1, wherein the relative rotation of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion is fixed by tightening the bolt, and the relative rotation of the first fixed portion and the second fixed portion is allowed by loosening the bolt.

3. 3. The welding torch device according to claim 1, wherein the wire guide body has a guide groove into which the wire guide in the inclined position is fitted and supported.

4. A welding torch device comprising: a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip end of the torch body; and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, The wire feeding device a wire guide body fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body; a wire guide disposed outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with a tip end portion thereof close to a tip end portion of the torch nozzle, The wire guide body includes a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, A welding torch device, wherein a wire guide fixture for fixing the base end side of the wire guide is provided in the guide holding hole in the extension direction of the wire guide toward the base end side.

5. the wire guide fixture includes a first fixing portion fixed to a portion of the welding torch body closer to a base end than the torch nozzle, a second fixing portion fixed to a base end of the wire guide, and a rotation shaft that allows the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion to rotate relatively to each other, 5. The welding torch device according to claim 4, wherein the rotation shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, and the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion can be separated by removing the bolt.

6. A welding torch device comprising: a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip side of the torch body; and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, The wire feeding device a wire guide body fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body; a wire guide disposed outside the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with a tip end portion thereof close to a tip end portion of the torch nozzle, The wire guide body of the welding torch device includes a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, and a fixing structure that fixes the wire guide to the guide holding hole.

7. A welding torch device comprising: a welding torch body having a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle at the tip side of the torch body; and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding point, The wire feeding device a wire guide body fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body; a wire guide disposed on the outer side of the welding torch body in a first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with a tip end portion thereof brought close to a tip end portion of the torch nozzle; a wire guide fixture that fixes the base end side of the wire guide to the welding torch body.

8. 8. The welding torch device according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the wire guide relative to the torch nozzle in the inclined position is set between 15 degrees and 45 degrees.

9. 8. The welding torch device according to claim 1, further comprising a wire straightening mechanism for reducing bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide.

10. A welding method using the welding torch device according to any one of claims 1, 4, 6 and 7.

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