Rotation type torch
The rotary torch design addresses the complexity of maintenance in Patent Document 1 by incorporating a simplified structure with a power supply brush and integrally rotating electrode, ensuring easy assembly and enhanced operational control.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024095232
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-24
AI Technical Summary
The rotary torch in Patent Document 1 has a complex mechanical structure, making maintenance of the power supply unit difficult.
A rotary torch design featuring a hollow cylindrical case, a rotatably supported hollow cylindrical body, a non-rotatable wire guide, an integrally rotating electrode, a power supply brush, and a simplified power supply mechanism, allowing for easy assembly and maintenance.
The design provides a rotary torch with a simple structure that is easy to maintain, reduces the need for additional power sources, and enhances control over the torch's trajectory, while maintaining efficient operation.
Smart Images
Figure 2025186838000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary torch. [Background technology]
[0002] Conventionally, a rotary torch has been known that has a torch body, a wire guide that feeds a filler wire, a rotating cylinder that surrounds the wire guide and is rotatably supported by the torch body, and a non-consumable electrode that is placed at the tip of the rotating cylinder (Patent No. 6963699, hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0003] The rotary torch of Patent Document 1 has a complex mechanical structure, and maintenance of the power supply unit is difficult. An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary torch that has a simple structure and is easy to maintain. [Means for solving the problem]
[0004] A first aspect of the present invention is A hollow cylindrical case; a hollow cylindrical body rotatably supported on a radially inner side of the case; a hollow cylindrical wire guide disposed radially inside the body and non-rotatably, through which a filler wire is passed; an electrode disposed at a tip end of the body, rotating integrally with the body, and extending toward the filler wire; a power supply brush disposed in the case; It is a rotary torch having
[0005] The rotary torch may have a power supply that applies a voltage to the electrode through a power brush and the body. The moving body is, for example, a vertical articulated robot, a horizontal articulated robot, a parallel link robot, or a vertical axis robot. The mounting surface (first mounting surface) may be located at the tip of the moving body. The output shaft (first output shaft) is located on the mounting surface (first mounting surface). The moving body can move the rotary torch in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions. The moving body may also change the inclination of the rotary torch in the left-right, up-down, and front-back directions.
[0006] Preferably, the guide hole guides the power supply brush so that it cannot rotate. The power supply may be connected to the powered brush. The elastic body may be guided by a guide hole. The body may be coaxially connected to the output shaft (first output shaft) of the moving body. The gearbox may have idler gears that mesh with the driven gear and the driving gear, respectively. The gearbox may have an output shaft (second output shaft). The output shaft (second output shaft) is fastened to the driven gear. The output shaft (second output shaft) and the driven gear may be rotatably supported on a fixed shaft. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to the present invention, a rotary torch having a simple structure and easy maintenance can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a rotary torch according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] Cross section of line II-II in Figure 1 [Figure 3] Cross section of line III-III in Figure 2 [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a rotary torch according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] <Embodiment 1> As shown in Fig. 1, the rotary torch 10 of this embodiment has a gearbox 13 and a torch head 28. The rotary torch 10 may have a power source 61, a gas source 63, a cooling device 65, and a power supply wire 57. The rotary torch 10 is placed on a robot (mobile body) 11. Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 2. A filler wire 4 and a coolant 6 are supplied to the rotary torch 10.
[0010] The robot 11 is a six-axis vertical articulated robot. The robot 11 has a first mounting surface 11a, an output shaft (first output shaft) 11b, and a second mounting surface 11c (see Figure 4). The side closer to the arm (not shown) of the robot 11 is the base end direction (upward in Figure 1). The direction opposite to the base end direction is the tip end direction (downward in Figure 1). The output shaft 11b is the sixth axis of the robot 11. The output shaft 11b is a hollow shaft and has an output shaft center 1. The first mounting surface 11a is located on the tip end surface of the sixth axis. The second mounting surface 11c is located on the base end side of the sixth axis.
[0011] The gearbox 13 has a gear case 14, an input shaft 15, a driving gear 17, a fixed shaft 18, bearings 21 and 24, an idler shaft 20, an idler gear 19, a driven gear 25, and an output shaft (second output shaft) 22. The gear case 14 is disposed on the first mounting surface 11a. The gear case 14 is box-shaped. The gear case 14 has a gear chamber 14a inside. The input shaft 15 is a solid shaft. The input shaft 15 is fastened to the output shaft 11b and protrudes into the gear chamber 14a. The driving gear 17 is fastened to the input shaft 15.
[0012] The idler gear 19 is fastened to an idler shaft 20. The idler gear 19 is supported in the gear chamber 14a via a bearing 21. The idler gear 19 meshes with the driving gear 17. The fixed shaft 18 is a hollow shaft. The fixed shaft 18 is arranged along the torch rotation axis 2. The torch rotation axis 2 is parallel to the output shaft center 1. The output shaft 22 is fastened to a driven gear 25. The output shaft 22 and the driven gear 25 may be integral. The output shaft 22 and the driven gear 25 are supported on the outer circumferential surface of the fixed shaft 18 via a bearing 24. The driven gear 25 meshes with the idler gear 19.
[0013] The torch head 28 has a wire guide 29, a roller bracket 31, a roller 32, a body insulator 39, a body 41, an electrode bracket 44, an electrode 43, a first case insulator 45, a case 47, a second case insulator 51, a nozzle 53, a brush (power supply brush) 55, a brush cover 56, and a spring (elastic body) 58.
[0014] The wire guide 29 is hollow and cylindrical, and is disposed around the torch rotation axis 2. The wire guide 29 is disposed radially inside the fixed shaft 18. The wire guide 29 passes through the gear box 13 and extends to the tip of the rotary torch 10. Preferably, the tip of the wire guide 29 is thinner than the central portion. The wire guide 29 supplies the filler wire 4 to the tip of the rotary torch 10.
[0015] The roller bracket 31 is disposed at the base end of the wire guide 29. The roller bracket 31 rotatably supports the rollers 32. The rollers 32 are disposed side by side on both sides of the torch rotation axis 2. The rollers 32 stretch the filler wire 4 and guide it into the wire guide 29.
[0016] Both the body 41 and the body insulator 39 are hollow cylindrical. The body 41 and the body insulator 39 are arranged radially outward of the wire guide 29, centered on the torch rotation axis 2. The body 41 and the body insulator 39 rotate integrally with the output shaft 22.
[0017] The body insulator 39 is disposed at the tip of the output shaft 22. A gap is formed between the inner surface of the body insulator 39 and the outer surface of the wire guide 29. The body insulator 39 is non-conductive and is made of, for example, plastic. The body insulator 39 provides insulation between the body 41 and the gear case 14.
[0018] The body 41 is disposed at the tip of the body insulator 39. The body 41 has an inner surface 41a, an outer surface 41b, and a current distribution ring 54. The inner surface 41a is disposed with a gap between it and the outer surface of the wire guide 29. The body 41 preferably has high electrical conductivity and high thermal conductivity. The body 41 is formed of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy.
[0019] The power distribution ring 54 is a hollow cylinder. The power distribution ring 54 has an inner surface 54a (see Figure 2) and an outer surface 54b (see Figure 2). The power distribution ring 54 is removably arranged radially outside the body 41. The power distribution ring 54 is arranged radially inside the case 47. The inner surface 54a abuts against the outer surface 41b. The power distribution ring 54 has high electrical conductivity. The power distribution ring 54 is made of, for example, copper. The power distribution ring 54 and the body 41 rotate together around the torch rotation axis 2. The power distribution ring 54 may be omitted.
[0020] The electrode bracket 44 is detachably disposed at the tip of the body 41. The electrode bracket 44 has an electrode guide 44a. The electrode guide 44a is, for example, a hole or a groove. The electrode guide 44a is inclined with respect to the torch rotation axis 2 so as to move away from the torch rotation axis 2 as it advances toward the base end.
[0021] The electrode 43 is fastened to the electrode guide 44a. The electrode 43 is made of a metal with a high melting point, such as tungsten. The electrode 43 is movable along the electrode guide 44a. Preferably, the tip of the electrode 43 is sharpened like a needle. The electrode 43 is disposed near the filler wire 4.
[0022] The first case insulator 45, the case 47, the second case insulator 51, and the nozzle 53 are arranged in this order from the base end. The first case insulator 45, the case 47, the second case insulator 51, and the nozzle 53 are all hollow cylindrical and are arranged around the torch rotation axis 2.
[0023] The first case insulator 45 is disposed at the tip end of the gear case 14. The first case insulator 45 is disposed radially outward of the body insulator 39 with a gap between it and the outer surface of the body insulator 39. The first case insulator 45 is non-conductive and is made of, for example, plastic. The first case insulator 45 provides insulation between the case 47 and the gear case 14.
[0024] The case 47 has an inner surface 47 a, a guide hole 47 b, and a cooling path 48 . The case 47 is hollow and cylindrical, and extends around the torch rotation axis 2. A gap is provided between the inner surface 47a and the body 41. The case 47 has high thermal conductivity. The case 47 is made of, for example, aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy. 1 and 2, guide holes 47b extend radially from torch rotation axis 2 as the center. As shown in Fig. 3, guide holes 47b have a rectangular cross section. Desirably, case 47 has multiple guide holes 47b (six in this embodiment). The multiple guide holes 47b are arranged rotationally symmetrically with respect to torch rotation axis 2 as the center.
[0025] The cooling path 48 has a first cooling path 48a, a second cooling path 48b, and a third cooling path 48c (see FIG. 2). The third cooling path 48c may be omitted. The first cooling path 48a has an annular shape centered on the torch rotation axis 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the cross section of the first cooling path 48a is, for example, rectangular. The corners of the cross section of the first cooling path 48a may be rounded. The first cooling path 48a is disposed on the base end side of the guide hole 47b. Preferably, the first cooling path 48a and the guide hole 47b are disposed close to each other. The second cooling path 48b is disposed on the tip side of the guide hole 47b. The other configurations of the second cooling path 48b are substantially the same as those of the first cooling path 48a.
[0026] The third cooling passage 48c connects the first cooling passage 48a and the second cooling passage 48b. Preferably, the cooling passage 48 has a plurality of (six in this embodiment) third cooling passages 48c. As shown in FIG. 2, the third cooling passages 48c are arranged between the guide holes 47b in the circumferential direction centered on the torch rotation axis 2. Preferably, the guide holes 47b and the third cooling passages 48c are arranged alternately on the circumference. Desirably, the third cooling passages 48c and the guide holes 47b are arranged close to each other. As shown in FIG. 2, the cross section of the third cooling passage 48c is, for example, fan-shaped.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the brush 55 has a rectangular column shape. The brush 55 is disposed inside the guide hole 47b. The brush 55 slides on the inner surface of the guide hole 47b. The brush 55 is non-rotatable. The brush 55 has a sliding surface 55a and a spring guide 55b. The sliding surface 55a is the radially inner end surface (tip surface) of the brush 55. The sliding surface 55a is a right cylindrical surface centered on the torch rotation axis 2. When the body 41 rotates, the sliding surface 55a slides on the outer surface 54b. The spring guide 55b is disposed at the radially outer end (base end) of the brush 55. The spring guide 55b is a cylindrical hole. The spring guide 55b may be an annular groove or a cylindrical shaft. The spring guide 55b guides the spring 58. The power supply wire 57 is connected to the base end of each brush 55.
[0028] The brush cover 56 is a rectangular plate. As shown in FIG. 2, the brush cover 56 covers the outer opening of the guide hole 47b. The brush cover 56 has a power supply hole 56a and a spring guide 56b. The power supply hole 56a extends radially and passes through the brush cover 56. The power supply wire 57 passes through the power supply hole 56a. The spring guide 56b is disposed radially inward of the brush cover 56 with respect to the torch rotation axis 2. The spring guide 56b is a cylindrical, bottomed hole that extends along the torch rotation axis 2. The spring guide 56b guides the spring 58.
[0029] The spring 58 is a compression coil spring. The spring 58 is disposed between the brush 55 and the brush cover 56. The spring 58 is guided by the spring guide 56b and the inner surface of the guide hole 47b. The spring 58 biases the brush 55 toward the body 41.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 , the second case insulator 51 is disposed at the tip of the case 47. The second case insulator 51 has an L-shaped cross section. The second case insulator 51 is disposed radially outward of the body 41 with a gap between it and the outer surface 41b. The second case insulator 51 is non-conductive and is made of, for example, plastic. The second case insulator 51 provides insulation between the nozzle 53 and the case 47.
[0031] The nozzle 53 is disposed at the tip of the second case insulator 51. The nozzle 53 has an outlet 53a. The nozzle 53 covers the outer periphery of the wire guide 29, the body 41, and the electrode 43.
[0032] The power supply 61 is connected to the power supply wire 57. The power supply 61 applies a voltage between the workpiece 3 and the brush 55. The cooling device 65 delivers the cooling liquid 6 to a first end of the cooling path 48. The cooling device 65 collects the cooling liquid 6 from a second end of the cooling path 48. The cooling device 65 cools the collected cooling liquid 6. The gas source 63 supplies the shielding gas 5 to the rotary torch 10. For example, the gas source 63 supplies the shielding gas 5 to the wire guide 29, the gap between the body 41 and the wire guide 29, and the gap between the body 41 and the case 47. The shielding gas 5 is ejected from the inner tip of the body 41 and from the nozzle 53a. This protects the molten metal from oxygen and nitrogen in the air.
[0033] According to the rotary torch 10 of this embodiment, the brush 55 is biased against the body 41 by the spring 58. As a result, even if the brush 55 wears, the brush 55 and the power distribution ring 54 will abut against each other. Furthermore, when an operator removes the brush cover 56, the brush 55 is taken out of the guide hole 47b and is then assembled via the guide hole 47b. This allows an operator to easily replace the brush 55.
[0034] According to this embodiment, the cooling path 48 is incorporated inside the case 47. This simplifies the structure of the rotary torch 10. The cooling path 48 also surrounds the brush 55. The cooling device 65 circulates the coolant 6 inside the cooling path 48. This allows the electrode 43 to be cooled via the case 47, the brush 55, and the body 41. The first cooling path 48a is disposed on the base end side of the brush 55. This prevents the heat of the molten metal from being transferred to the robot 11.
[0035] The body 41 can be rotated by the sixth axis, which is the tip axis of the robot 11. In this embodiment, no other power source (for example, a motor) is required to rotate the body 41. This simplifies the structure of the rotary torch 10. Also, the rotary torch 10 as an end effector can be made lighter. This allows the payload capacity of the robot 11 to be reduced. Furthermore, the number of drive axes of the robot 11 can be used effectively.
[0036] <Embodiment 2> As shown in Fig. 4, the rotary torch 100 of this embodiment has a gear box 113 and a torch head 28. The torch rotation axis 2 of the torch head 28 and the output shaft center 1 are coaxial.
[0037] The gearbox 113 has a gear case 114 , an input shaft 115 , a driving gear 117 , an idler shaft 120 , bearings 116 , 121 , 24 , an idler gear 119 , a fixed shaft 118 , a driven gear 25 , and an output shaft 22 .
[0038] The gear case 114 is disposed on the first mounting surface 11a. The gear case 114 extends along the torch rotation axis 2. The gear case 114 is box-shaped. The gear case 114 has a gear chamber 114a. The input shaft 115 is hollow cylindrical. The input shaft 115 is disposed coaxially with the output shaft 11b and is fastened to the output shaft 11b.
[0039] The driving gear 117 is fastened to the tip of the input shaft 115. The driving gear 117 is arranged coaxially with the torch rotation shaft 2. The fixed shaft 118 is hollow cylindrical. The fixed shaft 118 is fixed to the second mounting surface 11c. The fixed shaft 118 extends along the torch rotation shaft 2. The input shaft 115 and driving gear 117 are supported at the base end of the fixed shaft 118 via bearings 116. The driven gear 25 and output shaft 22 are supported at the tip of the fixed shaft 118 via bearings 24. The idler shaft 120 extends parallel to the torch rotation axis 2. The idler shaft 120 is disposed to the side of the torch rotation axis 2. The idler shaft 120 is supported by the gear case 114 via a bearing 121. The idler gear 119 is supported by the idler shaft 120. The base end of the idler gear 119 meshes with the driving gear 117. The tip end of the idler gear 119 meshes with the driven gear 25. Multiple idler gears 119 and multiple idler shafts 120 may be disposed.
[0040] The wire guide 29 is disposed radially inside the fixed shaft 118. The first case insulator 45 is disposed at the tip of the gear case 114. The other structures of the rotary torch 100 are substantially the same as those of the rotary torch 10 of the first embodiment.
[0041] According to the rotary torch 100 of this embodiment, the torch rotation axis 2 and the output shaft center 1 are coaxial, so that the trajectory of the tip of the robot 11 can be easily controlled.
[0042] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims are subject to the present invention. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements from the contents disclosed in this specification, and these are included in the technical scope described in the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0043] 4 filler wire 10, 100 Rotating Torch 41 Body 43 electrode 47 cases 55 Brush (power supply brush)
Claims
1. A hollow cylindrical case; a hollow cylindrical body rotatably supported on a radially inner side of the case; a hollow cylindrical wire guide disposed radially inside the body and non-rotatably, through which a filler wire is passed; an electrode disposed at a tip end of the body, rotating integrally with the body, and extending toward the filler wire; a power supply brush disposed in the case; A rotary torch having
2. the case has a guide hole in which the power supply brush is attached and which extends in a radial direction; the power supply brush is capable of reciprocating within the guide hole; The rotary torch further includes an elastic body disposed in the guide hole and biasing the power supply brush radially inward. The rotary torch of claim 1 .
3. The guide hole has a rectangular cross section, the power supply brush is slidable in the radial direction inside the guide hole, The power supply brush has a sliding surface at its radially inner end that is in sliding contact with the outer cylindrical surface of the body. The rotary torch according to claim 2 .
4. The body has a power distribution ring that is in sliding contact with the power supply brush. The rotary torch according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. a plurality of the power supply brushes arranged evenly around the circumference of the body; The rotary torch according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. the rotary torch is disposed on a movable body having a mounting surface and an output shaft disposed on the mounting surface; A gearbox fastened to the mounting surface, a driving gear connected to the output shaft; a driven gear connected to the driving gear and connected to the body; and a gearbox having The case is disposed in the gearbox. The rotary torch according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. The gearbox has a hollow fixed shaft, The wire guide is disposed inside the fixed shaft, The driven gear is rotatably supported on the fixed shaft. The rotary torch according to claim 6.
8. The body is disposed coaxially with the output shaft. The rotary torch according to claim 6 or 7.
9. the case is disposed on a base end side of the power supply brush and has a first cooling passage extending in a circumferential direction; The rotary torch according to any one of claims 1 to 8.
10. the case is disposed on the tip side of the power supply brush and has a second cooling passage extending in a circumferential direction; The rotary torch according to any one of claims 1 to 9.