Welding apparatus

Abstract

To prevent an inappropriate type of welding wire from being used for welding.SOLUTION: The welding device includes a plurality of supply ports, an insertion port, a feeder, a positioner, and an inhibitor. The supply port supplies a welding wire. The welding wire extending from any of the plurality of supply ports is inserted into the insertion port. The feeder feeds the welding wire inserted into the insertion port to the welding torch. The positioning portion arranges any of the plurality of supply ports at the supply position. The inhibition part is provided between the adjacent supply ports, and when the supply port adjacent to the inhibition part is at a position different from the supply position, the inhibition part extends from the supply port and abuts on the welding wire inserted into the insertion port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a welding device that performs welding using a welding wire. [Background technology]

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, a welding device capable of supplying multiple types of welding wire corresponding to different welding methods to a welding torch is known. The welding device in Patent Document 1 includes two tubes that supply welding wire corresponding to different welding methods (specifically, MIG welding and braze welding), and the ends of these tubes are connected to a swinging member. An operator then rotates the swinging member to switch the end of the tube that faces the welding wire feeder, and inserts the welding wire extending from the end of the tube that faces the welding wire feeder into the welding wire feeder. As a result, during welding, the welding wire feeder feeds the welding wire from the tube that faces the welding torch.

[0003] Furthermore, in the welding device of Patent Document 1, a limit switch detects which end of the tube is in the opposing position, and in accordance with the detection result of the limit switch, a shielding gas suitable for a welding method corresponding to the welding wire supplied from the end of the tube in the opposing position is supplied to the welding point. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-151342 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the welding device of Patent Document 1, there is a risk that a welding wire extending from an end of the tube at a position different from the opposing position may be mistakenly inserted into the welding wire feeder, resulting in a risk of welding being performed using an inappropriate welding wire.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to prevent the use of an inappropriate type of welding wire for welding. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a welding device including a plurality of supply ports, an insertion port, a feeder, a positioning portion, and an inhibiting portion. The supply port supplies a welding wire. The insertion port receives the welding wire extending from one of the supply ports. The feeder feeds the welding wire inserted into the insertion port toward a welding torch. The positioning portion is configured to displace at least one of the supply ports and the insertion port to position one of the supply ports at a feed position where the distance to the insertion port is relatively shortest. The inhibiting portion is provided between adjacent supply ports. Furthermore, when a supply port adjacent to the inhibiting portion is located at a position different from the feed position, the inhibiting portion extends from the supply port and abuts against the welding wire inserted into the insertion port, thereby inhibiting the welding wire from being fed by the feeder.

[0008] According to the above configuration, even if an inappropriate type of welding wire extending from a supply port located at a position different from the supply position is inserted into the insertion port, the feeding unit can be prevented from feeding the welding wire, thereby preventing the inappropriate type of welding wire from being used for welding.

[0009] An aspect of the present disclosure may further include a notification unit configured to notify an error when feeding of the welding wire by the feeding unit is interrupted. According to the above configuration, it is possible to preferably notify the worker that an inappropriate type of welding wire has been inserted into the insertion port.

[0010] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the inhibition portion may be a plate-shaped portion and have an end surface located near the insertion port in the direction in which the insertion port and the plurality of supply ports face each other. According to the above configuration, the inhibiting portion can preferably prevent the welding wire extending from the supply port from being fed by the feed portion when the supply port adjacent to the inhibiting portion is located at a position different from the supply position.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the boundaries between the end faces and each of the two main faces that overlap in the thickness direction of the inhibition portion may be chamfered. According to the above configuration, damage to the welding wire when it comes into contact with the inhibiting portion can be suppressed.

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the inhibition portion may be made of metal. According to the above configuration, it is possible to suppress wear of the inhibiting portion due to contact with the welding wire. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] Fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of the welding device 1. Fig. 1B is a front view of the feeder, the feeding mechanism, and the error suppression unit when the displacement unit is in the extended position. [Figure 2] Fig. 2A is a front view of the feeding unit, the supply mechanism, and the error suppression unit when the displacement unit is in the storage position, and Fig. 2B is an explanatory diagram of the error suppression unit when viewed vertically. [Figure 3] 3A is a side view of the error suppression unit, and FIG. 3B is a front view of the feeder, the supply mechanism, and the error suppression unit when the first welding wire extending from the first supply port in the standby position is inserted into the insertion port. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. [1. Overall configuration of welding equipment] The welding device 1 of this embodiment has a configuration as an articulated welding robot, and automatically performs welding using a welding wire W as a filler material (see FIG. 1A). The welding device 1 performs MIG welding as an example, but is not limited thereto, and may also perform arc welding other than MIG welding or welding other than arc welding using the welding wire W as a filler material.

[0015] The welding device 1 includes a welding torch 10, a holder 11, first and second arms 12 and 13, a base 14, and a control unit 15. The welding torch 10 is configured to perform welding by discharging an arc toward a welding point on an object, and also to discharge a shielding gas toward the welding point on the object.

[0016] The holding unit 11 is provided with a welding torch 10 and constitutes an articulated robot together with the first and second arms 12 and 13. The holding unit 11 is rotatably provided on a first end of the first arm 12 via a joint, and the second end of the first arm 12 and the first end of the second arm 13 are also rotatably connected. The second end of the second arm 13 is also rotatably connected to an end of the base 14.

[0017] The base 14 is provided on the floor of a factory or the like, and supports the welding torch 10 and the first and second arms 12 and 13. Control unit 15 includes a computer, an operation unit, a display unit, a speaker, etc. (not shown). Control unit 15 is configured to comprehensively control welding device 1, and receives various operations from the operator via the operation unit, and notifies the operator of various information via notification units such as the display unit and speaker.

[0018] In addition, the welding device 1 includes a feeder 2, a supply mechanism 3, an error suppression unit 4, first and second tubes 33A and 33B, and a positioning unit 35 (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). [2. Feeding section] Feed unit 2 is provided on the side surface of first arm 12 near the joint of the second end of first arm 12, and includes an insertion port 20 (see FIGS. 1A to 2A). A welding wire W extending from first or second supply port 32A, 32B of supply mechanism 3 (described later) is inserted into insertion port 20.

[0019] The feeder 2 operates in response to a signal from the controller 15, and feeds the welding wire W inserted into the insertion port 20 toward the welding torch 10 by a motor or the like (not shown) during welding by the welding device 1.

[0020] [3. Supply mechanism] The supply mechanism 3 is a part for supplying welding wire to the feeder unit 2, and is provided adjacent to the feeder unit 2 on the outer peripheral surface of the first arm 12 (see FIG. 1A). For example, the supply mechanism 3 and the feeder unit 2 are arranged side by side in the length direction of the first arm 12, and the feeder unit 2 is located closer to the welding torch 10 than the supply mechanism 3. Hereinafter, the direction in which the first arm 12 and the feeder unit 2 are aligned will be referred to as the vertical direction L, and the direction perpendicular to the vertical direction L will be referred to as the horizontal direction S. For example, the horizontal direction S is a direction along the outer peripheral surface of the first arm 12.

[0021] The supply mechanism 3 includes a main body 30, a base 31, first and second supply ports 32A, 32B, first and second tubes 33A, 33B, a connection 34, a positioning unit 35, and an error prevention unit 4 (see Figures 1B and 2A).

[0022] <Main body> The main body 30 is a block-shaped portion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 30 is integrally formed with a base 31 and a connection portion .

[0023] <Base part> The base portion 31 is a generally rectangular, flat plate-like portion that protrudes from the main body portion 30 (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). The longitudinal direction of the base portion 31 generally coincides with the horizontal direction S. The base portion 31 also has first and second surfaces 31A and 31B that overlap in the thickness direction. The first and second surfaces 31A and 31B are generally perpendicular to the vertical direction L, and the first surface 31A faces the insertion port 20 of the feeder portion 2 along the vertical direction L.

[0024] <First and second supply ports> The first and second supply ports 32A and 32B respectively supply the first and second welding wires W1 and W2 to the feeder 2 (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). The first and second supply ports 32A and 32B are provided on the first surface 31A of the base 31 so as to be aligned in the lateral direction S. The first and second supply ports 32A and 32B each have a hole penetrating the base 31 in the thickness direction.

[0025] The first and second supply ports 32A and 32B are configured to supply different types of first and second welding wires W1 and W2. Specifically, the first and second welding wires W1 and W2 may be different in diameter or material, for example. The first and second welding wires W1 and W2 are selected depending on the object to be welded by the welding device 1, as will be described in detail later.

[0026] <First and second tubes> The first and second tubes 33A and 33B are components for supplying the first and second welding wires W1 and W2 to the first and second supply ports 32A and 32B, respectively (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). First ends of the first and second tubes 33A and 33B are connected to the second surface 31B of the base 31 in front of the first and second supply ports 32A and 32B, respectively, and are connected to holes in the first and second supply ports 32A and 32B.

[0027] The first and second tubes 33A and 33B are configured so that the welding wire can pass through them. That is, the first and second welding wires W1 and W2 stored, for example, on spools or the like, are inserted into the first and second tubes 33A and 33B from their second ends, respectively. The first and second welding wires W1 and W2 pass through the first and second tubes 33A and 33B, respectively, and can reach the first and second supply ports 32A and 32B.

[0028] <Connection> The connecting portion 34 is an L-shaped plate-like member provided on the main body 30, and includes first and second portions 34A and 34B (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). The first and second portions 34A and 34B are each a rectangular, flat-plate-like portion.

[0029] The first portion 34A is provided on the main body 30 so as to be substantially parallel to the base 31, and the longitudinal direction of the first portion 34A substantially coincides with the horizontal direction S. The first portion 34A is located between the base 31 and the socket 20 in the vertical direction L. However, the first portion 34A is disposed so as to be closer to the first arm 12 than the base 31, and when viewed along the vertical direction L, the first portion 34A does not overlap with the base 31 or the socket 20.

[0030] The second portion 34B protrudes from one end of the first portion 34A in the longitudinal direction (in other words, the lateral direction S) toward the insertion port 20, and is approximately perpendicular to the lateral direction S. As an example, the second portion 34B protrudes from the end of the first portion 34A on the second supply port 32B side, but is not limited thereto, and the second portion 34B may protrude from the end on the first supply port 32A side.

[0031] <Positioning part> The positioning unit 35 is a part that displaces the main body 30, the base 31, and the error suppression unit 4 (described in detail later) in the lateral direction S, and is disposed adjacent to the second portion 34B on the opposite side of the first portion 34A of the connection unit 34. The positioning unit 35 includes a cylinder portion 35A and a displacement portion 35B (see FIGS. 1B and 2A).

[0032] The cylinder portion 35A is an actuator that displaces the displacement portion 35B along the lateral direction S, and is operated by a signal from the control portion 15. The cylinder portion 35A displaces the displacement portion 35B between a housed position housed inside the cylinder portion 35A (see FIG. 2A) and a protruding position protruding from the cylinder portion 35A (see FIG. 1B). Meanwhile, the control portion 15 controls the cylinder portion 35A in accordance with an operation received from an operator, and displaces the displacement portion 35B to the housed position or the protruding position.

[0033] Further, the displacement portion 35B is connected to the second portion 34B of the connection portion 34. As described above, the connection portion 34 is integrally formed with the main body portion 30 and the base portion 31, and as the displacement portion 35B is displaced, the main body portion 30 and the base portion 31 are also displaced. Naturally, this also causes the positions of the first and second supply ports 32A, 32B provided on the base portion 31, the positions of the ends of the first and second tubes 33A, 33B, and the position of the error suppression portion 4 to change.

[0034] When the displacement portion 35B is in the protruding position, the second supply port 32B is disposed at a position (hereinafter referred to as the supply position) facing the insertion port 20 of the feeder 2 along the vertical direction L (see FIG. 1B). On the other hand, when the displacement portion 35B is in the retracted position, the first supply port 32A is disposed at the supply position (see FIG. 2A).

[0035] In other words, the supply position is a position where the distance between the supply port at that supply position and insertion port 20 is relatively shortest compared to other supply ports. Therefore, the supply position is not limited to a position where the supply port at that supply position faces insertion port 20 along the vertical direction L, but can be determined appropriately within a range that satisfies the condition that the distance between the supply port and insertion port 20 is relatively shortest.

[0036] The operator operates control unit 15 according to the object to be welded, and sets the supply port to the supply position to supply welding wire W according to the object to be welded. Then, the operator inserts welding wire W extending from the supply port at the supply position into insertion port 20, and then operates control unit 15 to start welding. During welding, feeding unit 2 feeds welding wire W supplied from the supply port at the supply position to welding torch 10.

[0037] [4. Error Suppression Section] The error suppression unit 4 includes a baffle plate 40, which is a substantially rectangular flat plate-like portion, and a support portion 41 (see FIGS. 1B to 3A). The baffle plate 40 and the support portion 41 are made of metal, for example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the baffle plate 40 and the support portion 41 may be made of a material other than metal.

[0038] <Support part> The support portion 41 is disposed so as to overlap the surface of the first portion 34A of the connection portion 34 on the insertion port 20 side (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). As one example, the support portion 41 is fastened to the first portion 34A by a bolt 42. The support portion 41 is disposed with its longitudinal direction substantially aligned with the lateral direction S, and a baffle plate 40 is joined to approximately the center of the support portion 41 in the longitudinal direction (see FIGS. 2B and 3A).

[0039] <Baffle Plate> The baffle plate 40 (in other words, the inhibiting portion) has first and second main surfaces 40A, 40B overlapping in the thickness direction, first and second end surfaces located at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and third and fourth end surfaces located at both ends in the lateral direction (see FIGS. 2B and 3A). The first and second main surfaces 40A, 40B are substantially perpendicular to the support portion 41, and a portion of the third end surface located substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction is welded to the support portion 41.

[0040] The baffle plate 40 is located between the first and second supply ports 32A, 32B and is arranged to extend along the vertical direction L. As an example, the baffle plate 40 is located approximately in the center between the first and second supply ports 32A, 32B, and the first and second main surfaces 40A, 40B are approximately perpendicular to the horizontal direction S.

[0041] Furthermore, the longitudinal direction of baffle plate 40 substantially coincides with vertical direction L, and first end surface 40C located on the insertion port 20 side is located near insertion port 20 in vertical direction L. Of course, when the position of the supply port is displaced by positioning unit 35, first end surface 40C does not come into contact with other parts of welding device 1, such as feeder unit 2.

[0042] Also, as an example, the second end surface of the baffle plate 40 abuts against the first surface 31A of the base portion 31. However, this is not limiting, and the second end surface may be spaced apart from the first surface 31A. Also, the baffle plate 40 extends from the periphery of the first end to the periphery of the second end in the short side direction of the base portion 31.

[0043] When an operator inserts welding wire W extending from a supply port at a position different from the supply position (hereinafter referred to as the standby position) into insertion port 20, welding wire W enters a contact state. The contact state refers to a state in which welding wire W abuts against first end surface 40C of baffle plate 40 or against fourth end surface 40D located on the opposite side of main body 30, as shown in FIG. 3B . In addition to this, the abutment state can also occur when, for example, positioning unit 35 is activated while welding wire W extending from a supply port at the supply position is being inserted into insertion port 20, and the supply port at the supply position is switched.

[0044] When feeding unit 2 attempts to feed welding wire W inserted into insertion port 20 in the abutting state, welding wire W gets caught on baffle plate 40, preventing the feeding. For this reason, even if welding is performed with welding device 1 in the abutting state, welding wire W is not sufficiently fed to welding torch 10. At this time, control unit 15 detects the error using a sensor (not shown), and notifies the operator of the error by, for example, displaying an error message on the display unit or emitting a warning sound from a speaker, and interrupts welding.

[0045] <Chamfering> The boundaries between each of the first and second main surfaces 40A, 40B and the first end surface 40C of the baffle 40 are chamfered (see FIGS. 1B and 2A). In addition, the boundaries between each of the first and second main surfaces 40A, 40B and the fourth end surface 40D of the baffle 40 are also chamfered (see FIG. 2B). In addition, the boundaries between the fourth end surface 40D and each of the first end surface 40C and the second end surface are also chamfered (see FIG. 3A).

[0046] In this embodiment, as an example, these boundaries are chamfered with a C-shape, but this is not limiting and, for example, R-shape chamfering may be used. Of course, all or part of these boundaries may not be chamfered.

[0047] [5. Effects] (1) According to the above embodiment, even if an inappropriate type of welding wire W extending from the supply port in the standby position is inserted into the insertion port 20, the feeding unit 2 can be prevented from feeding the welding wire W. This can prevent the inappropriate type of welding wire W from being used for welding.

[0048] (2) Furthermore, the control unit 15 notifies an error when the baffle plate 40 prevents the welding wire W from being fed. This makes it possible to conveniently notify the operator that an inappropriate type of welding wire W has been inserted into the insertion port 20.

[0049] (3) Furthermore, first end surface 40C of baffle plate 40 is located near insertion port 20 in vertical direction L. This effectively prevents welding wire W extending from the supply port in the standby position from being fed by feeder 2.

[0050] (4) Furthermore, the boundaries between the first and fourth end faces 40C, 40D and the first and second main faces 40A, 40B of the baffle plate 40 are chamfered. This makes it possible to prevent damage to the welding wire W when the welding wire W comes into contact with the baffle plate 40.

[0051] (5) Furthermore, the baffle plate 40 is made of metal. Therefore, wear of the baffle plate 40 due to contact with the welding wire W can be suppressed. 6. Other Embodiments (1) In the above embodiment, the supply port in the supply position is switched by displacing the base portion 31 (in other words, the first and second supply ports 32A, 32B) etc. using the positioning unit 35. However, this is not limiting, and the positioning unit 35 may switch the supply port in the supply position by displacing the insertion port 20, or may switch the supply port in the supply position by displacing both the insertion port 20 and the base portion 31 etc.

[0052] (2) In the above embodiment, the base unit 31 is provided with two supply ports, but the base unit 31 may be provided with three or more feed units aligned in the horizontal direction S. Similarly, the positioning unit 35 may switch the supply port at the supply position by displacing the base unit 31 in the horizontal direction S. The error prevention unit 4 may also be provided with similar baffles between adjacent supply ports.

[0053] (3) In the above embodiment, the baffle plate 40 provided in the error prevention unit 4 prevents the supply of welding wire W from a supply port located at a position different from the supply position. However, this is not limited to this. Instead of the baffle plate 40, an obstructing portion having a shape other than a plate may be provided in the support portion 41 to prevent the supply of welding wire W from a supply port located at a position different from the supply position.

[0054] (4) Multiple functions of one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function of one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions of multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1...welding device, 10...welding torch, 15...control unit, 2...feed unit, 20...insertion port, 3...feed mechanism, 30...main body, 31...base, 31A...first surface, 31B...second surface, 32A...first supply port, 32B...second supply port, 33A...first tube, 33B...second tube, 34...connection unit, 34A...first part, 34B...second part, 35...positioning unit, 35A...cylinder unit, 35B...displacement unit, 4...error suppression unit, 40...baffle plate, 40A...first main surface, 40B...second main surface, 40C...first end surface, 40D...fourth end surface, 41...support unit, 42...bolt, C...chamfer, W1...first welding wire, W2...second welding wire, L...vertical direction, S...horizontal direction.

Claims

1. 1. A welding device comprising: a plurality of supply ports for supplying welding wire; an insertion port into which the welding wire extending from any one of the plurality of supply ports is inserted; a feeding unit that feeds the welding wire inserted into the insertion port toward a welding torch; a positioning unit configured to displace at least one of the plurality of supply ports and the insertion port, thereby disposing any of the plurality of supply ports at a supply position where a distance to the insertion port is relatively shortest; an inhibiting portion provided between adjacent supply ports, The obstructing portion is configured to extend from the supply port and abut against the welding wire inserted into the insertion port when the supply port adjacent to the obstructing portion is at a position different from the supply position, thereby preventing the welding wire from being fed by the feeder. Welding equipment.

2. 2. The welding device of claim 1, The welding machine further includes a notification unit configured to notify an error when the feeding of the welding wire by the feeding unit is interrupted. Welding equipment.

3. The welding device according to claim 1 or 2, The inhibiting portion is a plate-shaped portion and has an end surface located near the insertion port in a direction in which the insertion port and the plurality of supply ports face each other. Welding equipment.

4. 4. The welding device according to claim 3, The boundaries between the end faces and each of the two main faces overlapping in the thickness direction of the inhibition portion are chamfered. Welding equipment.

5. The welding device according to claim 1 or 2, The inhibiting portion is made of metal. Welding equipment.

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