Cooling mechanism and welding system for welding torches

Abstract

To improve the cooling efficiency of the welding torch. [Solution] The welding torch cooling mechanism 1 comprises a welding torch 10 and a cooling mechanism 30. The cooling mechanism 30 cools the welding torch 10. The cooling mechanism 30 includes a flow channel 31 and a microbubble generation unit 40. Cooling water for cooling the welding torch 10 flows through the flow channel 31. The microbubble generation unit 40 is connected to the flow channel 31 and generates microbubbles in the cooling water within the flow channel 31.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling mechanism for a welding torch and a welding system.

Background Art

[0002] As a prior art document that discloses the configuration of a build-up welding apparatus, there is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-65894 (Patent Document 1). The build-up welding apparatus described in Patent Document 1 performs build-up welding on a circular pipe. The build-up welding apparatus includes a cooling device and a fine bubble generating device. The cooling device circulates a cooling medium inside the circular pipe. The fine bubble generating device mixes fine bubbles into the cooling medium.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In some cases, a cooling device that cools a workpiece may be used to efficiently weld the workpiece, as in the build-up welding apparatus described in Patent Document 1. On the other hand, in a welding torch for welding a workpiece, it is also required to improve the cooling efficiency of the welding torch in order to extend the welding time.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cooling mechanism for a welding torch and a welding system that can improve the cooling efficiency of the welding torch.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The welding torch cooling mechanism according to the present invention comprises a welding torch and a cooling mechanism. The cooling mechanism cools the welding torch. The cooling mechanism includes a flow channel and a microbubble generation section. Cooling water for cooling the welding torch flows through the flow channel. The microbubble generation section is connected to the flow channel and generates microbubbles in the cooling water within the flow channel.

[0007] In this case, by including microbubbles in the cooling water used to cool the welding torch, the microbubbles promote efficient cooling, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the welding torch.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the welding torch includes a pipe and a torch body. The pipe is provided along an axis extending in a first direction. The torch body is housed in the pipe and extends along the axis. The flow path includes a first flow path. The first flow path is located inside the welding torch. The space between the inner circumferential surface of the pipe and the outer circumferential surface of the torch body constitutes part of the first flow path. The outer circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of first projections projecting toward the inner circumferential surface.

[0009] In this case, by causing microbubbles to collide with multiple first protrusions and generating finer microbubbles, it becomes easier to circulate the microbubbles that improve cooling performance within the welding torch, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the welding torch.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the inner circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of second protrusions that project toward the outer circumferential surface.

[0011] In this case, microbubbles can be made to collide with multiple second protrusions to generate finer microbubbles, thereby further promoting the generation of microbubbles inside the welding torch.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the welding torch includes an insulating member. The insulating member constitutes another part of the first flow channel and is provided with a through-hole through which cooling water flows in a direction intersecting the first direction. The inner circumferential wall of the through-hole is smooth.

[0013] This allows microbubbles to flow stably in through-holes where they are less likely to adhere to the inner circumferential wall and are likely to disappear due to pressure changes, enabling them to act efficiently within the welding torch.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the microbubble generation unit is adjacent to the welding torch.

[0015] This allows microbubbles to flow stably to the welding torch without passing through other components of the cooling mechanism, thus enabling the microbubbles to act efficiently within the welding torch.

[0016] A cooling mechanism in one embodiment of the present invention further includes a tank. The tank is connected to a flow path and stores cooling water. A microbubble generating unit generates microbubbles using air from the top of the tank.

[0017] In this case, microbubbles can be generated using the air at the top of the tank, allowing for efficient microbubble generation without the need for dedicated air for generating microbubbles.

[0018] The welding system according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned cooling mechanism for the welding torch and a wire supply device. The wire supply device supplies welding wire to the welding torch. The microbubble generation unit is provided in the wire supply device.

[0019] In this case, the overall configuration of the welding system can be simplified by integrating the microbubble generation unit with the other components of the welding system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the cooling efficiency of the welding torch can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a microbubble generation unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a side view showing the configuration of a welding torch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the welding torch in FIG. 3 as viewed from the direction of the arrow along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] It is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the welding torch in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] It is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of the welding torch in FIG. 5 as viewed from the direction of the arrow along line VI-VI. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pipe and the torch body in the welding torch. [Figure 8] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch and a welding system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a cooling mechanism for a welding torch and a welding system according to each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the following embodiments, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0023] In the drawings, one direction orthogonal to the direction in which the axis of the welding torch extends is defined as the X direction. Also, the direction orthogonal to the above-mentioned one direction is defined as the Y direction. Further, the direction along the axis of the welding torch is defined as the Z direction.

[0024] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a welding torch 10 and a cooling mechanism 30. The welding torch cooling mechanism, together with a welding power supply and wire supply device (not shown in Figure 1), constitutes a welding system. Details of the welding torch 10 will be described later.

[0026] The cooling mechanism 30 cools the welding torch 10. The cooling mechanism 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a flow path section 31, a radiator 32, a tank 33, a valve 34, a filter 35, a pump 36, a flow rate indicator 37, and a microbubble generation section 40.

[0027] The welding torch 10, radiator 32, tank 33, valve 34, filter 35, pump 36, flow indicator 37, and microbubble generation unit 40 are each connected to the flow path 31. Cooling water for cooling the welding torch 10 flows through the flow path 31.

[0028] The flow path section 31 has a first flow path section 15 and a second flow path section 38. The first flow path section 15 is a flow path located inside the welding torch 10 within the flow path section 31. The second flow path section 38 is a flow path located outside the welding torch 10 within the flow path section 31.

[0029] The coolant flowing through the flow path section 31 is cooled in the radiator 32. The coolant cooled in the radiator 32 is stored in the tank 33. The tank 33 stores the coolant. The coolant discharged from the tank 33 flows through the valve 34 into the filter 35. Impurities are removed from the coolant in the filter 35. The coolant that has flowed through the filter 35 is pressurized by the pump 36.

[0030] Subsequently, the cooling water flows through the microbubble generation unit 40. Air is introduced into the microbubble generation unit 40 from the air inlet 41, and microbubbles are generated. Details of the microbubble generation unit 40 will be described later. The cooling water containing microbubbles flows through the welding torch 10. After the appropriate flow rate of the cooling water is confirmed by the flow rate meter 37, the cooling water is returned to the radiator 32.

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a microbubble generation unit according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the microbubble generation unit 40 generates microbubbles 44 in the cooling water within the flow channel 31. The microbubbles 44 are generated, for example, by a Venturi tube method using an aspirator. Alternatively, the microbubbles 44 may be generated by a swirling flow method.

[0033] The microbubble generation unit 40 includes an air inlet 41, an expanding section 42, and a contracting section 43. The air inlet 41 is in communication with the contracting section 43. The air inlet 41 is provided so that air can be supplied to the contracting section 43 from outside the microbubble generation unit 40.

[0034] The enlarged diameter section 42 and the reduced diameter section 43 constitute a part of the second flow path section 38. The reduced diameter section 43 is a portion with a smaller inner diameter than the enlarged diameter section 42. The reduced diameter section 43 is located on the path of the enlarged diameter section 42.

[0035] The cooling water flowing inside the enlarged diameter section 42 is introduced into the reduced diameter section 43. Because the cross-sectional area of ​​the reduced diameter section 43 is smaller than that of the enlarged diameter section 42, the flow velocity of the cooling water flowing through the reduced diameter section 43 is faster than that of the cooling water flowing through the enlarged diameter section 42, according to the relationship between the fluid velocity and the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path.

[0036] In the narrowed diameter section 43, air is introduced into the cooling water from the air inlet 41. In the fast-flowing cooling water, the air is mixed and dispersed in the cooling water, generating microbubbles 44. The cooling water containing the microbubbles 44 that has passed through the narrowed diameter section 43 flows through the widened diameter section 42 and into the second flow channel section 38.

[0037] In this embodiment, the microbubbles 44 are bubbles with a volume-equivalent diameter of less than 100 μm. In this embodiment, the microbubbles 44 are fine bubbles as defined in the JIS standard (JIS B 8741-1:2019). Fine bubbles include microbubbles with a volume-equivalent diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm, and ultrafine bubbles with a volume-equivalent diameter of less than 1 μm.

[0038] When microbubbles 44 are included in the cooling water, heat transfer is promoted by the mutual interaction between the microbubbles 44 and the cooling water. As the microbubbles 44 disperse in the cooling water, the microbubbles 44 and the cooling water enter a turbulent state, making it easier for heat exchange to occur. As a result, when the welding torch 10 becomes hot due to welding, circulating cooling water containing microbubbles 44 through the welding torch 10 allows for more efficient cooling of the welding torch 10 compared to circulating cooling water without microbubbles 44 through the welding torch 10.

[0039] Generally, welding torches are cooled to a predetermined temperature or below during or before / after welding to prevent them from overheating, and welding is performed while the torch is at or below this temperature. If the cooling efficiency is poor, the time spent stopping welding increases, which reduces the utilization rate of the welding torch (the ratio of the time the welding torch can be used for welding to the total time the welding torch is handled). In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, the welding torch 10 can be efficiently cooled by microbubbles 44, thereby improving the utilization rate of the welding torch 10. As a result, the time the welding torch 10 can be used for welding increases, and welding can be performed efficiently.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the microbubble generation unit 40 is adjacent to the welding torch 10. In this embodiment, the welding torch 10 is located next to the microbubble generation unit 40 via the flow channel 31. Cooling water containing microbubbles 44 is introduced to the welding torch 10 from the microbubble generation unit 40 through the flow channel 31 without flowing through any other components of the cooling mechanism 30. Therefore, the amount of microbubbles 44 in the cooling water can be sufficiently ensured when introducing cooling water containing microbubbles 44 to the welding torch 10. Alternatively, the microbubble generation unit 40 may be directly connected to the water supply nozzle 71 of the welding torch 10, as described later, so that the microbubble generation unit 40 is adjacent to the welding torch 10.

[0041] The structure of the welding torch 10 will be described below. Figure 3 is a side view showing the configuration of a welding torch according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the welding torch configuration of Figure 3, viewed from the direction of the arrow IV-IV. In Figure 4, hatching has been omitted for convenience, from the viewpoint of visibility of each component of the welding torch.

[0042] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the welding torch 10 is, for example, a welding torch for MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding. The welding torch 10 in this embodiment includes a nozzle 11, a tip 12, a front body 13, an insulating member 20, a sleeve 25, a pipe 50, a torch body 60, and a block 70.

[0043] The nozzle 11 and tip 12 extend along the axis C of the welding torch 10. The nozzle 11 surrounds the tip 12. A welding wire (not shown) is inserted through the inside of the tip 12. The front body 13 is connected to the rear end of the nozzle 11. The front body 13 is made of, for example, brass.

[0044] The insulating member 20 is located inside the front body 13. The insulating member 20 insulates the sleeve 25 and the torch body 60, etc., from the front body 13. The insulating member 20 is made of, for example, resin or ceramics.

[0045] The pipe 50 is provided along an axis C extending in a first direction. In this embodiment, the first direction is the direction that intersects the X and Y directions. The pipe 50 is made of, for example, brass.

[0046] The torch body 60 is housed in the pipe 50. The torch body 60 extends along the axis C. A coil member is arranged inside the torch body 60. A welding wire is inserted through the inside of the coil member. Inert gas also flows inside the torch body 60 and is supplied to the nozzle 11. The torch body 60 is made of, for example, brass.

[0047] Block 70 is connected to pipe 50 and torch body 60 at the rear end of welding torch 10. Block 70 is provided with a water supply nozzle 71 and a condensate nozzle 72. The first flow path 15 is provided to reciprocate from the rear end of welding torch 10 to near the tip of torch body 60. Cooling water introduced into the welding torch 10 from the water supply nozzle 71 passes through the first flow path 15 and is discharged to the outside of the welding torch 10 from the condensate nozzle 72.

[0048] Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the welding torch shown in Figure 4. Note that, for convenience, the coil member shown in Figure 4 has been omitted in Figure 5.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the pipe 50 has an inner circumferential surface 51. The torch body 60 has an outer circumferential surface 61. The space between the inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50 and the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 constitutes part of the first flow path 15.

[0050] The insulating member 20 is provided with through holes. In this embodiment, the insulating member 20 is provided with a first through hole 21 and a second through hole 22. The first through hole 21 and the second through hole 22 are aligned in the X direction in the circumferential direction of the axis C. The first through hole 21 and the second through hole 22 are provided so that cooling water flows in a direction intersecting the first direction (X direction).

[0051] The front body 13 has an inner circumferential surface 14. The inner circumferential surface 14 is aligned in the circumferential direction of the axis C. Each of the through holes in the insulating member 20 and the inner circumferential surface 14 of the front body 13 constitutes another part of the first flow path section 15.

[0052] The cooling water flowing inside the welding torch 10 flows through the first flow channel 15 as indicated by the arrows in Figures 4 and 5.

[0053] Specifically, the cooling water flows between the inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50 and the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 towards the tip of the welding torch 10. After that, it flows through the first through-hole 21 of the insulating member 20. At this time, the cooling water bends from the direction along the axis C and flows in a direction perpendicular to the axis C (X direction).

[0054] Next, the cooling water flows along the inner circumferential surface 14 around the axis C. After that, the cooling water flows into the second through hole 22. At this time, the cooling water bends from the direction perpendicular to the axis C (X direction) and flows in a direction along the axis C. Next, the cooling water flows between the inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50 and the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 toward the rear end of the welding torch 10.

[0055] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the welding torch configuration shown in Figure 5, viewed from the direction of the arrow VI-VI. As shown in Figure 6, the first flow channel 15 is formed by cutting out a portion of the circumferential portion of the torch body 60 in the circumferential direction of the axis C. The inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50 and the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 are fitted together in the portion other than the first flow channel 15. This allows the pipe 50 to be supported by the torch body 60, maintaining the rigidity of the welding torch 10, while forming the first flow channel 15 between the pipe 50 and the torch body 60.

[0056] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pipe and torch body in a welding torch.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 is provided with a plurality of first protrusions 62. Each of the plurality of first protrusions 62 projects toward the inner circumferential surface 51.

[0058] Multiple second protrusions 52 are provided on the inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50. Each of the multiple second protrusions 52 projects toward the outer circumferential surface 61.

[0059] The multiple first protrusions 62 and the multiple second protrusions 52 are formed to a depth of, for example, 1 μm to 300 μm. The multiple first protrusions 62 and the multiple second protrusions 52 are formed by machining, laser processing, or plating.

[0060] Microbubbles 44 flowing through the first channel 15 collide with multiple first protrusions 62 or multiple second protrusions 52 due to high-speed convection of the cooling water. This generates finely sized microbubbles 44A. As a result, it becomes possible to generate microbubbles 44, 44A that improve cooling performance inside the welding torch 10.

[0061] Furthermore, the inner circumferential surface 14 of the front body 13 is also provided with a plurality of third protrusions, which are not shown. In this way, the pipe 50, torch body 60, and front body 13, which are made of metal, are provided with protrusions to promote the generation of microbubbles and to increase the contact area with the microbubbles to improve the heat exchange rate.

[0062] On the other hand, the insulating member 20, which is made of resin or the like, is used to stabilize the microbubbles. Microbubbles 44 tend to disappear when there is a change in pressure or when heat is applied. The pressure of the microbubbles 44 tends to change in the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22, where the direction of flow of the cooling water changes. The insulating member 20 has a lower thermal conductivity compared to metal. By providing the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22, where pressure changes of the microbubbles 44 are likely to occur, in the insulating member 20, excessive heating of the microbubbles 44 can be suppressed, making it less likely for the microbubbles 44 to disappear.

[0063] Furthermore, the inner circumferential walls of the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22 provided in the insulating member 20 are smooth. This suppresses the adhesion of microbubbles 44 to the inner circumferential walls of the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22. As a result, the microbubbles 44 flow stably, and thus the microbubbles 44 act efficiently inside the welding torch 10.

[0064] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, a microbubble generating unit 40 that generates microbubbles 44 is provided in the cooling mechanism 30, thereby containing microbubbles 44 in the cooling water that cools the welding torch 10. As a result, the microbubbles 44 promote efficient cooling, improving the cooling efficiency of the welding torch 10.

[0065] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of first protrusions 62 are provided on the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60 inside the welding torch 10. Microbubbles 44 can be made to collide with the plurality of first protrusions 62 to generate finely divided microbubbles 44A. This makes it easier for microbubbles 44, 44A, which improve cooling performance, to circulate inside the welding torch 10, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the welding torch 10. Furthermore, by providing a plurality of first protrusions 62 on the outer circumferential surface 61 of the torch body 60, which is closer to the axis C of the welding torch 10 where the temperature tends to rise more easily, compared to the plurality of second protrusions 52 provided on the pipe 50, microbubbles 44A can be generated on the side closer to the axis C, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the welding torch 10.

[0066] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of second protrusions 52 are provided on the inner circumferential surface 51 of the pipe 50 inside the welding torch 10. Microbubbles 44 can be made to collide with the plurality of second protrusions 52 to generate finely milled microbubbles 44A. This further promotes the generation of microbubbles 44A inside the welding torch 10.

[0067] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, the inner circumferential walls of the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22 in the first flow channel section 15, where the direction of cooling water flow changes, are smoothed. As a result, microbubbles 44 are less likely to adhere to the inner circumferential walls of the first through-hole 21 and the second through-hole 22, and the microbubbles 44 are likely to disappear due to pressure changes. This allows the microbubbles 44 to flow stably in the through-holes and act efficiently within the welding torch 10.

[0068] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1 of this embodiment, the microbubble generation unit 40 is adjacent to the welding torch 10, allowing the microbubbles 44 to flow stably to the welding torch 10 without passing through other components of the cooling mechanism 30. This enables the microbubbles 44 to act efficiently within the welding torch 10.

[0069] The welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures. Since the configuration of the microbubble generation section of the welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention differs from that of the welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the same configuration as that of the welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will not be repeated in the description.

[0070] (Embodiment 2) Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0071] As shown in Figure 8, the welding torch cooling mechanism 1A in this embodiment includes a cooling mechanism 30A that includes a microbubble generation unit 40A. The air inlet 41A in the microbubble generation unit 40A is configured to receive air from the tank 33. The microbubble generation unit 40A generates microbubbles using the air in the upper part of the tank 33.

[0072] In the welding torch cooling mechanism 1A of this embodiment, the microbubble generation unit 40A can generate microbubbles using the air at the top of the tank 33, so that microbubbles can be efficiently generated without using dedicated air for generating microbubbles.

[0073] Hereinafter, a welding torch cooling mechanism and welding system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to the figures. Since the arrangement of the microbubble generation unit differs between the welding torch cooling mechanism and welding system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention and the welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the same configuration as the welding torch cooling mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will not be repeated in the description.

[0074] (Embodiment 3) Figure 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cooling mechanism for a welding torch and a welding system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0075] As shown in Figure 9, the welding system 100 in this embodiment includes a welding torch cooling mechanism 1B, a wire supply device 2, and a power supply device 3. The welding torch cooling mechanism 1B includes a cooling mechanism 30B that includes a microbubble generation unit 40B.

[0076] The wire supply device 2 supplies welding wire to the welding torch 10. The power supply device 3 supplies power to the welding torch 10. The microbubble generation unit 40B is provided in the wire supply device 2. Alternatively, the microbubble generation unit 40B may be provided in the power supply device 3 instead of the wire supply device 2.

[0077] In the welding system 100 of this embodiment, the microbubble generation unit 40B is provided on the wire supply device 2. By integrating the microbubble generation unit 40B with the other components of the welding system 100, the overall configuration of the welding system 100 can be simplified.

[0078] [Note] As described above, this embodiment includes the following disclosures.

[0079] [Configuration 1] Welding torch (10), The welding torch (10) is equipped with a cooling mechanism (30) for cooling the welding torch (10), The cooling mechanism (30) is A flow path section (31) through which cooling water for cooling the welding torch (10) flows, A cooling mechanism (1) for a welding torch, including a microbubble generating unit (40) connected to the flow channel (31) and generating microbubbles (44) in the cooling water within the flow channel (31).

[0080] [Configuration 2] The flow channel section (31) includes a first flow channel section (15) located inside the welding torch (10), The space between the inner circumferential surface (51) of the pipe (50) and the outer circumferential surface (61) of the torch body (60) constitutes a part of the first flow path section (15). The welding torch cooling mechanism (1) according to configuration 1, wherein the outer peripheral surface (61) is provided with a plurality of first protrusions (62) that project toward the inner peripheral surface (51).

[0081] [Configuration 3] The welding torch cooling mechanism (1) according to configuration 2, wherein the inner circumferential surface (51) is provided with a plurality of second protrusions (52) that project toward the outer circumferential surface (61).

[0082] [Structure 4] The welding torch (10) includes an insulating member (20) which constitutes another part of the first flow path (15) and is provided with through holes (21, 22) through which the cooling water flows in a direction intersecting the first direction. The cooling mechanism (1) for a welding torch according to configuration 2 or configuration 3, wherein the inner circumferential walls of the through holes (21, 22) are smooth.

[0083] [Composition 5] The microbubble generating unit (40) is a welding torch cooling mechanism (1) according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, adjacent to the welding torch (10).

[0084] [Composition 6] The cooling mechanism (30A) further includes a tank (33) connected to the flow path section (31) for storing the cooling water, The microbubble generating unit (40A) is a welding torch cooling mechanism (1A) according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, which generates the microbubbles (44) using the air in the upper part of the tank (33).

[0085] [Composition 7] A cooling mechanism for a welding torch (1B) described in any one of configurations 1 to 4, The welding torch (10) is equipped with a wire supply device (2) that supplies welding wire to it. The microbubble generation unit (40B) is a welding system (100) provided in the wire supply device (2).

[0086] While MIG welding has been used as an example for the welding cables and welding torches according to each embodiment of the present invention, the application of the present invention is not limited to welding systems for MIG welding. The present invention can also be applied to other arc welding methods such as MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.

[0087] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limiting interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Furthermore, all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalence to the claims are included. In the description of the embodiments above, combinatorial configurations may be combined with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 1,1A,1B Cooling mechanism for welding torch, 2 Wire supply device, 3 Power supply device, 10 Welding torch, 11 Nozzle, 12 Tip, 13 Front body, 14 Inner surface, 15 First flow path section, 20 Insulating member, 21 First through hole, 22 Second through hole, 25 Sleeve, 30,30A,30B Cooling mechanism, 31 Flow path section, 32 Radiator, 33 Tank, 34 Valve, 35 Filter, 36 Pump, 37 Flow meter, 38 Second flow path section, 40,40A,40B Microbubble generation section, 41,41A Air inlet, 42 Diameter expansion section, 43 Diameter reduction section, 44,44A Microbubble, 50 Pipe, 51 Inner surface, 52 Second projection, 60 Torch body, 61 Outer surface, 62 First projection, 70 Block, 71 Water supply nozzle, 72 condensate nozzles, 100 welding systems, C axis.

Claims

1. Welding torch and The welding torch is equipped with a cooling mechanism for cooling the welding torch. The cooling mechanism is A flow path through which cooling water for cooling the welding torch flows, A cooling mechanism for a welding torch, comprising a microbubble generating unit connected to the flow channel and generating microbubbles in the cooling water within the flow channel.

2. The aforementioned welding torch is A pipe provided along the axis extending in the first direction, It includes a torch body housed in the pipe and extending along the axis, The flow channel section includes a first flow channel section located inside the welding torch. The space between the inner surface of the pipe and the outer surface of the torch body constitutes a part of the first flow path. The cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 1, wherein the outer circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of first protrusions that project toward the inner circumferential surface.

3. The cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 2, wherein the inner circumferential surface is provided with a plurality of second protrusions that project toward the outer circumferential surface.

4. The welding torch includes an insulating member which constitutes another part of the first flow path and is provided with a through hole through which the cooling water flows in a direction intersecting the first direction, The cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the inner circumferential wall of the through hole is smooth.

5. The cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the microbubble generation unit is adjacent to the welding torch.

6. The cooling mechanism further includes a tank connected to the flow path for storing the cooling water, The cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the microbubble generating unit generates the microbubbles using the air in the upper part of the tank.

7. A cooling mechanism for a welding torch according to claim 1 or claim 2, The system includes a wire supply device that supplies welding wire to the welding torch, The microbubble generation unit is provided in the wire supply device, and the welding system is configured accordingly.

Images