Rotary switching device

Abstract

To provide a rotary replacement device that performs replacement of a torch component part of a weld torch, is compact and inexpensive, and is difficult to fail in repeated use.SOLUTION: A rotary gripping body 9 grips a nozzle 11 such that the nozzle 11 can be normally and reversely rotated about a central axis thereof in a component replacement area V2. A rotary housing body 4 is configured such that a plurality of nozzles 11 can be housed in a circumferential direction about a rotation axis C1, and moves the respective nozzles 11 to a part supply area V1 by a rotating motion around the rotation axis C1. A component transport mechanism 7 transports the nozzle 11 from the component supply area V1 to the component replacement area V2 . A driving motor 5 drives the rotary gripping body 9 to normally and reversely rotate. A clutch mechanism 8 is provided which transmits and cuts off rotation between the rotary housing body 4 and the driving motor 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rotary exchange device for exchanging torch components such as nozzles and contact tips that are screwed and connected to the tip of a torch body of a welding torch used for arc welding, for example.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a rotary exchange device that attaches or removes torch components such as nozzles and contact tips by rotating them forward and backward with respect to the tip of a torch body of a welding torch used for arc welding is generally known. For example, the rotary exchange device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of rotators that can rotatably hold torch components. Each of these rotators is arranged linearly in the horizontal direction with its rotation axis facing vertically upward within a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped storage holder, and a spur gear whose rotation axis coincides with the rotation axis of each rotator is attached to the lower end of each rotator. Below the storage holder, one forward and reverse rotatable first drive motor having a first pinion gear with a rotation axis facing vertically upward is arranged, and the first pinion gear faces inward at the lower part of the storage holder. On the lower side of the storage holder, a rack is attached along the extension direction of the storage holder, while on the lower side of the storage holder, one forward and reverse rotatable second drive motor having a second pinion gear meshing with the rack is arranged. That is, the storage holder can be moved horizontally by a rack and pinion mechanism composed of the second pinion gear and the rack, and by the horizontal movement operation of the storage holder, each rotator is sequentially moved to a component exchange area where the replacement operation of the torch component is performed on the welding torch, and the first pinion gear is meshed with the spur gear of the rotator that has moved to the component exchange area. As a result, the rotators in the component exchange area for performing the component replacement operation of the torch component can be sequentially switched, and the rotator located in the component exchange area and the first drive motor are connected so that the rotator in the component exchange area can be rotated forward or backward.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in Patent Document 1, the spur gear of each rotating body is meshed with the first pinion gear of the first drive motor while moving in a direction orthogonal to its rotation axis. Therefore, when the switching operation of each rotating body is repeatedly performed in the component replacement area, every time the spur gear and the first pinion gear mesh with each other, a large load is applied to each tooth part of the spur gear and the first pinion gear in the tooth thickness direction, and as a result, there is a risk that the spur gear and the first pinion gear will be deformed or damaged.

[0005] Also, in Patent Document 1, since the rotation operation of each rotating body and the movement operation of the storage holder are performed by the rotation operations of different drive motors, there are problems that the number of components increases and the cost rises, and the equipment becomes large-sized because the two drive motors occupy space.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a rotary exchange device for performing an exchange operation of torch constituent parts of a welding torch, which is compact and low-cost, and further, is less likely to fail even when repeatedly used.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that the rotation operation for attaching or detaching a torch constituent part to or from a torch body of a welding torch and the rotation operation of a rotary container for supplying an exchange torch constituent part are performed by one drive motor using a clutch mechanism.

[0008] Specifically, in a rotary exchange device configured to attach a torch component to a torch body of a welding torch by rotating it forward or to remove it by rotating it backward, the following solution means have been taken.

[0009] That is, in the first invention, a rotary gripper that can grip the torch component so as to be rotatable forward and backward about its central axis in a component replacement area, a housing configured to accommodate a plurality of the torch components, and each of the torch components to be accommodated is sequentially moved to a component supply area located below the component replacement area, and a component transport mechanism that takes out the torch component upward from the housing and transports it from the component supply area to the component replacement area , front a drive motor that drives the rotary gripper to rotate forward and backward, and a clutch mechanism that transmits and cuts off rotation between the housing and the drive motor, the housing accommodates each of the torch components at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and is configured to sequentially move each of the torch components to the component supply area by a rotational operation around the rotation axis.

[0010] In the 2 invention, in the 1 invention, the housing has an annular shape centered on the rotation axis, and the drive motor and the clutch mechanism are disposed in its inner region.

[0011] In the 3 invention, in the 2 invention, the collection housing has a posture in which the rotation axis extends vertically, includes a support plate capable of supporting each of the torch components, and a plurality of annular plates disposed above the support plate and arranged in parallel along the rotation axis. A plurality of through holes corresponding to the outer shape of the torch component are formed at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis in each of the annular plates, and each through hole of the annular plate is vertically aligned with each through hole of the adjacent annular plate.

[0012] In the invention of 4 in the invention of 3 a notch recess is formed in the annular plate, which opens outward and allows the torch component to pass through. The notch recess is located at a position vertically corresponding to the notch recesses of the adjacent annular plates, and is configured to be movable to the component supply area by the rotational movement of the container.

[0013] In the invention of 5 in the invention of 1 to 4 in any one of the inventions of

[0014] In the invention of 6 in any one of the inventions from 5 to

Advantages of the Invention

[0015] In the invention of of 1 In the invention, when a torch component screwed and connected to a torch body in a component replacement area of a rotary gripper is gripped by the rotary gripper and a drive motor is driven to reverse the rotary gripper, the torch component can be removed from the torch body. On the other hand, when the drive motor is driven with the rotation transmission between the rotary housing and the drive motor being in a state by a clutch mechanism, the rotary housing rotates and the torch component for replacement moves to the component supply area. In that state, when the torch component is transported from the component supply area to the component replacement area by a component transport mechanism and the torch component is gripped by the rotary gripper in a state where the torch body is approached to the component replacement area and the drive motor is driven to rotate the rotary gripper forward, the torch component is attached to the torch body. Thus, since only one drive motor is used for the replacement work of the torch component, the space occupied by the drive motor is reduced and the entire equipment can be made compact. Further, since the number of components can be reduced as compared with the structure such as in Patent Document 1, the component cost can be kept low. Furthermore, since a clutch mechanism is used for the linkage between the drive motor and the rotary gripper, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied during the linkage between the drive motor and the rotary gripper, and it is possible to prevent deformation and damage around the rotary gripper and the drive motor that perform the replacement work of the torch component.

[0016] In the 2 invention, since the clutch mechanism and the drive motor are arranged in the dead space, the entire device can be made more compact.

[0017] In the 3 invention, when the torch components are inserted into the corresponding through holes in each adjacent annular plate in order from above, the torch components are supported by the support plate and are positioned in the circumferential direction of the rotary housing by the inserted through holes. Thus, the rotary housing can accommodate each torch component in a predetermined position with a simple structure, and a lower-cost device can be achieved.

[0018] In the invention of 4 , when the gripping state of the torch component removed from the torch body by the rotary gripper is released in the state where each notch recess is moved to the component supply area, the torch component that drops from the rotary gripper passes through each notch recess and is discharged to the outside of the apparatus. In this way, the used torch components removed from the torch body can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the apparatus without staying in the rotary container.

[0019] In the invention of 5 , when the second rod portion of the second cylinder is contracted, the state where the slide shaft slides to one side by the biasing force of the biasing member is maintained and the engaging claw is separated from the engaged claw, and the drive motor rotates only the rotary gripper in the forward and reverse directions. Therefore, the operation of attaching the torch component to the torch body can be performed in the state where the torch component accommodated in the rotary container is positioned in the component supply area. On the other hand, when the second rod portion of the second cylinder is extended against the biasing force of the biasing member, the engaging claw engages with the engaged claw and the drive motor can rotate not only the rotary gripper but also the rotary container in the forward and reverse directions, so that each torch component accommodated in the rotary container can be moved to the component supply area. In this way, the rotary container can be switched between a rotatable state and a non-rotatable state by a clutch mechanism having a simple structure.

[0020] In the invention of 6 , when the first rod portion of the first cylinder is extended in the state where the replacement torch component is moved to the component supply area by the rotational movement of the rotary container, the first rod portion presses the torch component toward the component replacement area side, so that the torch component reaches the component replacement area from the component supply area. In this way, each torch component accommodated in the rotary container can be sequentially transported to the component replacement area by a simple mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description of the preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a rotary exchange device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The rotary exchange device 1 is configured to replace a used cylindrical nozzle 11 (torch component part) attached to a welding torch 10 for arc welding with a new one.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 2, the welding torch 10 includes a torch body 10a having a substantially cylindrical shape. A nozzle 11 is screwed and connected to the tip of the torch body 10a so as to be detachable. Although a contact tip (not shown) is also screwed and connected to the tip of the torch body 10a, it is not described for the sake of simplicity.

[0025] The rotary exchange device 1 includes a main body case 2 having a substantially convex shape in side view and having an accommodation space S1 inside, a nozzle gripping unit 3 having a substantially rectangular plate shape extending horizontally from one side at the upper end of the main body case 2, and a rotary container 4 having an annular shape in plan view disposed outside the upper half of the main body case 2.

[0026] The main body case 2 includes an upper case 2a having a cylindrical shape with a cylinder center line extending vertically, and a lower case 2b provided continuously below the upper case 2a and having a substantially disc shape with a thickness in the vertical direction. The outer surface of the lower case 2b protrudes outward beyond the outer surface of the upper case 2a.

[0027] A communication hole 2c communicating with the inside of the lower case 2b is formed in a portion corresponding to one horizontal side region of the nozzle gripping unit 3 on the upper surface of the lower case 2b. Above the communication hole 2c, a component supply region V1 and a component exchange region V2 are set in order from the bottom.

[0028] An inclined slope 2g that gradually descends outward is formed at a position corresponding to the communication hole 2c on the outer peripheral edge portion of the upper surface of the lower case 2b.

[0029] A plate-shaped mounting bracket 2d extending annularly around the upper case 2a is disposed at a position closer to the lower case 2b on the outer side of the upper case 2a.

[0030] At a position corresponding to the communication hole 2c of the mounting bracket 2d, an opening 2f penetrating vertically is formed, while a position detecting sensor 2e is attached at a position on the mounting bracket 2d opposite to the opening 2f.

[0031] Inside the upper case 2a, a drive motor 5 capable of rotating forward and backward by servo control is disposed. The drive motor 5 has a posture in which the rotation axis C1 extends vertically, and the drive shaft 5a protrudes upward from the upper end opening portion of the upper case 2a.

[0032] On the other hand, inside the lower case 2b, a control unit 6 having a control board 6a and a component transfer mechanism 7 capable of transporting the nozzle 11 are disposed, and the component transfer mechanism 7 is disposed at a position corresponding to the communication hole 2c.

[0033] The component transfer mechanism 7 includes an elongated air-type first cylinder 7a whose cylinder center line extends vertically, and the first cylinder 7a has a first rod portion 7b that expands and contracts between a component supply region V1 and a component exchange region V2.

[0034] A cylindrical pressing member 7c is attached to the upper end of the first rod portion 7b, and the pressing member 7c is located in the opening 2f.

[0035] The rotary housing 4 has an annular shape centered on a rotary axis C2 extending vertically, and is rotatably supported by the upper case 2a.

[0036] The rotary housing 4 has a first annular plate 41, a second annular plate 42, and a support plate 43 that are annular in plan view and whose outer peripheral edge portions extend in a wave shape in plan view. They are arranged in parallel along the rotary axis C2 at predetermined intervals in order from above.

[0037] One first notch recess 41a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view that opens outward and a plurality of first through holes 41b corresponding to the outer shape of the nozzle 11 are formed in the first annular plate 41, and the nozzle 11 can pass through the first notch recess 41a and each of the first through holes 41b.

[0038] The first notch recess 41a and each of the first through holes 41b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis C2.

[0039] Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a large number of internal teeth 41c are arranged side by side on the inner peripheral edge of the first annular plate 41.

[0040] In the second annular plate 42, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one second notch recess 42a having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view that opens outward and a plurality of second through holes 42b corresponding to the outer shape of the nozzle 11 are formed. The second notch recess 42a and each of the second through holes 42b are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis C2, and are located vertically corresponding to the first notch recess 41a and each of the first through holes 41b of the adjacent first annular plate 41, respectively.

[0041] At a position corresponding to the second notch recess 42a on the upper surface of the support plate 43, a guide member 43a that is inclined such that the upper surface gradually descends outward is attached.

[0042] Further, at positions corresponding to the respective second through holes 42b of the second annular plate 42 in the support plate 43, a plurality of support holes 43b that penetrate vertically and through which the pressing member 7c of the component transfer mechanism 7 can pass are formed.

[0043] The peripheral edge portion of the opening of each support hole 43b has a shape corresponding to the peripheral edge of the tip opening of the nozzle 11. When the nozzle 11 is inserted into the corresponding first through hole 41b and second through hole 42b in the first annular plate 41 and the second annular plate 42 in order from above, the peripheral edge portion of the tip of the nozzle 11 contacts the peripheral edge portion of the opening of the support hole 43b, and the nozzle 11 is supported from below by the support plate 43, and the nozzle 11 is positioned in the circumferential direction by the inserted first through hole 41b and second through hole 42b.

[0044] That is, the rotary housing 4 is configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of nozzles 11 at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis C2, and each nozzle 11 can be sequentially moved to the component supply area V1 by the forward and reverse rotation operations around the rotation axis C2. Further, the rotary housing 4 can move the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a to the component supply area V1 by the forward and reverse rotation operations around the rotation axis C2.

[0045] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, when the first rod portion 7b of the first cylinder 7a in the component transfer mechanism 7 is extended with the replacement nozzle 11 moved to the component supply area V1, the pressing member 7c presses the nozzle 11 toward the component replacement area V2 while sequentially passing through the support hole 43b and the second through hole 42b, so that the nozzle 11 reaches from the component supply area V1 to the component replacement area V2. In this way, the component transfer mechanism 7 can sequentially transfer each nozzle 11 accommodated in the rotary housing 4 to the component replacement area V2 with a simple mechanism.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2, at a position closer to the other end of the center of the nozzle gripping unit 3, a first gear 31, which is a spur gear pivotally supported via a bearing B1 on the frame portion of the nozzle gripping unit 3, is rotatably and integrally attached to the drive shaft 5a of the drive motor 5.

[0047] On the other end side of the nozzle gripping unit 3, a clutch mechanism 8 that transmits and interrupts rotation between the rotary housing 4 and the drive motor 5 is disposed so as to face the inside of the upper case 2a. That is, the drive motor 5 and the clutch mechanism 8 are located in the inner region of the rotary housing 4.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the clutch mechanism 8 includes a second gear 81, which is a spur gear whose center line extends vertically and meshes with each internal tooth 41c of the first annular plate 41, and a center hole 81a is formed in the center of the second gear 81.

[0049] On the upper surface of the second gear 81, a guide cylinder 82 whose cylinder center line extends vertically is attached so as to surround the central hole 81a.

[0050] Inside the guide cylinder 82, a slide shaft 83 that is rotatably attached to the second gear 81 is arranged so as to be slidable vertically.

[0051] On the outer peripheral edge of the upper end of the slide shaft 83, three engaging claws 83a protruding upward are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the slide shaft 83.

[0052] On the frame portion on the other end side of the nozzle gripping unit 3, a third gear 84 which is a spur gear is pivotally supported via a bearing B2, and at the center of the third gear 84, a cylindrical shaft portion 84a extending vertically along the rotation axis of the third gear 84 is provided.

[0053] The slide shaft 83 is slidably and rotatably fitted to the cylindrical shaft portion 84a.

[0054] Also, on the upper edge portion of the cylindrical shaft portion 84a, three engaged claws 84b protruding inward are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical shaft portion 84a. When the slide shaft 83 slides upward (to the other side), each engaging claw 83a enters between each engaged claw 84b and engages therewith, so that the third gear 84 and the slide shaft 83 are integrally rotated.

[0055] Above the slide shaft 83, as shown in FIG. 2, a coil spring 85 (biasing member) for biasing the slide shaft 83 to slide downward (to one side) is provided.

[0056] Below the second gear 81, a second cylinder 86 having a second rod portion 86a that expands and contracts vertically is arranged.

[0057] The second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is located inside the central hole 81a and the guide cylinder 82, and by the extension operation, the slide shaft 83 is slid upward against the biasing force of the coil spring 85.

[0058] And when the slide shaft 83 is positioned downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 85, each engaging claw 83a and each engaged claw 84b are not engaged. Therefore, when the drive motor 5 is driven to rotate forward and backward, the third gear 84 rotates relative to the slide shaft 83, and the second gear 81 does not rotate, and the rotary housing 4 is maintained in a state of being rotationally stopped.

[0059]

[0058] On the other hand, when the slide shaft 83 is slid upward, each engaging claw 83a and each engaged claw 84b are engaged. Therefore, when the drive motor 5 is driven to rotate forward and backward, the first gear 31, the third gear 84, and the second gear 81 rotate in order, and the rotary housing 4 rotates forward and backward by the first annular plate 41 meshing with the second gear 81.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, a rotary gripper 9 is provided in one end region of the nozzle gripping unit 3, and the rotary gripper 9 is located in the component replacement region V2.

[0061] The rotary gripper 9 includes a driven gear 91 and a rotary disk 92 with a rotary axis C3 extending in the vertical direction set at the center of the component replacement region V2. The driven gear 91 is pivotally supported via a bearing B3 on the frame portion of the nozzle gripping unit 3.

[0062]

[0059] The driven gear 91 and the rotary disk 92 are configured to be relatively rotatable about the rotary axis C3 via a bearing B4.

[0063] When the drive motor 5 rotates forward, as shown in FIG. 8, the driven gear 91 rotates reversely (rotates in the X1 direction) via the first gear 31. On the other hand, when the drive motor 5 rotates reversely, as shown in FIG. 13, the driven gear 91 rotates forward (rotates in the X2 direction) via the first gear 31.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the driven gear 91 has a substantially ring shape, and four fitting portions 91a having a concave shape opening to the inner surface of the driven gear 91 are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis C3 on the inner circumferential surface thereof.

[0065] The rotating disk 92 includes an upper disk 92a and a lower disk 92b having a disk shape and located above and inside the driven gear 91, respectively.

[0066] The upper disk 92a has a substantially disk shape, and a circular upper nozzle passage hole 92c corresponding to the component replacement region V2 is formed at the center thereof.

[0067] On the other hand, a circular lower nozzle communication hole 92d corresponding to the component replacement region V2 is formed at the center of the lower disk 92b.

[0068] A leaf spring (not shown) for increasing the resistance value between the upper disk 92a and the driven gear 91 is disposed between the upper disk 92a and the driven gear 91.

[0069] Four gripping bodies 93 having a substantially arrow shape in plan view are disposed inside the driven gear 91 and between the upper disk 92a and the lower disk 92b, and each gripping body 93 is provided at a position corresponding to each fitting portion 91a.

[0070] An insertion hole 93a is formed substantially at the center of each gripping body 93, and a rotation shaft 93b extending in the same direction as the rotation axis C3 is inserted through the insertion hole 93a.

[0071] Each end of the rotation shaft 93b is fixed to the upper disk 92a and the lower disk 92b, respectively, and the gripping body 93 is pivotally supported by the rotating disk 92 so as to be rotatable around the rotation shaft 93b.

[0072] A pair of claw portions 93c project from the tip of the gripping body 93 toward the component replacement region V2 side, and the claw portions 93c are separated from each other in the circumferential direction centered on the rotation axis C3.

[0073] On one hand, at the center of the proximal end side of the gripping body 93, a protruding base portion 93d in a protruding shape on the opposite side of the component replacement region V2 is provided, and the base portion 93d is loosely fitted into each corresponding fitting portion 91a.

[0074] Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the drive motor 5 is rotated forward with the nozzle 11 attached to the torch body 10a disposed in the component replacement region V2, the driven gear 91 rotates relatively in one direction (X1 direction) with respect to the rotating disk 92, and by the pressing operation of each fitting portion 91a linked thereto toward one side of the base portion 93d, the gripping body 93 rotates in one direction (Z1 direction) and one claw portion 93c advances into the component replacement region V2 to grip the nozzle 11.

[0075] That is, the rotary gripping body 9 can grip the nozzle 11 by reversing it about its central axis in the component replacement region V2.

[0076] Further, when the torch body 10a is lifted while further rotating the drive motor 5 forward in a state where the nozzle 11 is gripped by one claw portion 93c of each gripping body 93, the nozzle 11 is screwed out from the torch body 10a and removed.

[0077] Furthermore, after the nozzle 11 is removed from the torch body 10a, when the drive motor 5 is rotated in reverse, the driven gear 91 rotates relatively in the other direction (X2 direction) with respect to the rotating disk 92, and by the pressing operation of each fitting portion 91a linked thereto toward the other side of the base portion 93d, the gripping body 93 rotates in the other direction (Z2 direction) and one claw portion 93c retreats from the component replacement region V2 to release the gripping state of the nozzle 11 by each gripping body 93.

[0078] The nozzle 11 whose gripping state by each gripping body 93 is released falls from the component replacement region V2 and is discharged to the outside of the rotary exchange device 1.

[0079] On the one hand, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when the drive motor 5 is reversed while the nozzle 11 is pushed upward from the component supply area V1 by the component transport mechanism 7 and arranged in the component replacement area V2, the driven gear 91 rotates relatively in the other direction (X2 direction) with respect to the rotating disk 92, and the gripping body 93 rotates in the other direction by the pressing operation of each fitting portion 91a linked thereto toward the base portion 93d on the other side, so that the other claw portion 93c advances into the component replacement area V2 to grip the nozzle 11.

[0080] That is, the rotary gripper 9 can grip the nozzle 11 by rotating forward about its central axis in the component replacement area V2.

[0081] Also, when the torch body 10a is brought close to the nozzle 11 in the component replacement area V2 and applied to the nozzle 11 while gripping the nozzle 11 with the other claw portion 93c of each gripping body 93 and the drive motor 5 is further reversed, the nozzle 11 is screwed and connected to the torch body 10a.

[0082] Furthermore, after the nozzle 11 is attached to the torch body 10a, when the drive motor 5 is rotated forward while gripping the nozzle 11 with the other claw portion 93c of each gripping body 93, the driven gear 91 rotates relatively in one direction (X1 direction) with respect to the rotating disk 92, and the gripping body 93 rotates in one direction by the pressing operation of each fitting portion 91a linked thereto toward the base portion 93d on one side, so that the other claw portion 93c retreats from the component replacement area V2 to release the gripping state of the nozzle 11 by each gripping body 93.

[0083] Next, the replacement operation of the nozzle 11 using the rotary replacement device 1 will be described in detail.

[0084] First, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the used nozzle 11 attached to the torch body 10a is moved and placed above the component replacement area V2 of the rotary gripper 9. At this time, the rotary housing 4 is at the reference position P1 where the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a are located in the component replacement area V2. Also, the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is in a contracted state, and each engaging claw 83a of the slide shaft 83 is not engaged with each engaged claw 84b of the third gear 84. Further, the driven gear 91 is relatively rotated in the other direction (X2 direction) with respect to the rotary disk 92.

[0085] When the used nozzle 11 attached to the torch body 10a is placed in the component replacement area V2, the drive motor 5 rotates forward and the driven gear 91 relatively rotates in one direction (X1 direction) with respect to the rotary disk 92. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, in conjunction with the relative rotation of the driven gear 91 in one direction with respect to the rotary disk 92, each fitting portion 91a presses the base portion 93d in one direction, and by this pressing operation, the gripper 93 rotates in one direction (Z1 direction) and one claw portion 93c advances into the component replacement area V2 to grip the nozzle 11.

[0086] When each gripper 93 grips the nozzle 11, the drive motor 5 further rotates forward. Then, the nozzle 11 rotates in one direction and is removed from the torch body 10a.

[0087] After that, by reversing the drive motor 5, the driven gear 91 is relatively rotated in the other direction with respect to the rotary disk 92. Then, in conjunction with the relative rotation of the driven gear 91 in the other direction with respect to the rotary disk 92, each fitting portion 91a presses the base portion 93d in the other direction, and by this pressing operation, the gripper 93 rotates in the other direction and one claw portion 93c retreats from the component replacement area V2. Then, the gripping state of the nozzle 11 by each gripper 93 is released and the nozzle 11 drops from the component replacement area V2.

[0088] As shown in Fig. 9, the dropped used nozzle 11 is guided obliquely downward by the guide member 43a after passing through the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a, and is discharged to the outside of the rotary exchange device 1.

[0089] Next, as shown in Fig. 10, the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is extended. Then, against the biasing force of the coil spring 85, the slide shaft 83 slides upward, and each engaging claw 83a engages with each engaged claw 84b of the third gear 84.

[0090] After that, the drive motor 5 rotates forward. Then, the third gear 84 that meshes with the first gear 31 and rotates reversely and the slide shaft 83 rotate integrally, the second gear 81 rotates reversely, and accordingly, the rotary housing 4 rotates reversely.

[0091] When the nozzle 11 to be exchanged next reaches the component supply region V1 due to the reverse rotation operation of the rotary housing 4, the reverse rotation operation of the rotary housing 4 stops. Then, the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is contracted. Then, due to the biasing force of the coil spring 85, the slide shaft 83 slides downward, and each engaging claw 83a disengages from each engaged claw 84b.

[0092] Then, the first cylinder 7a of the component transfer mechanism 7 is operated to extend the first rod portion 7b. Then, as shown in Fig. 11, the first rod portion 7b pushes up the nozzle 11 located in the component supply region V1 from below while passing through the support hole 43b and the second through hole 42b. Then, the nozzle 11 reaches the component exchange region V2 while being guided by the first through hole 41b and the second through hole 42b. At this time, the driven gear 91 is relatively rotated in one direction (X1 direction) with respect to the rotary disk 92.

[0093] Thereafter, after moving the torch body 10a downward to bring it into contact with the nozzle 11, the drive motor 5 reverses, and the driven gear 91 rotates relative to the rotary disk 92 in the other direction (X2 direction). Then, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in conjunction with the relative rotation of the driven gear 91 in the other direction with respect to the rotary disk 92, each fitting portion 91a presses the base portion 93d in the other direction, and by this pressing operation, the gripping body 93 rotates in the other direction (Z2 direction), and the other claw portion 93c advances into the component replacement region V2 to grip the nozzle 11.

[0094] When the nozzle 11 is gripped by each gripping body 93, the drive motor 5 is further reversed. Then, the nozzle 11 rotates to the other side and is screwed and connected to the torch body 10a.

[0095] Thereafter, by rotating the drive motor 5 forward, the driven gear 91 is rotated relative to the rotary disk 92 in one direction. Then, in conjunction with the relative rotation of the driven gear 91 in one direction with respect to the rotary disk 92, each fitting portion 91a presses the base portion 93d in one direction, and by this pressing operation, the gripping body 93 rotates in one direction, and the other claw portion 93c retreats from the component replacement region V2, and the nozzle 11 is released from each gripping body 93.

[0096] Then, as shown in FIG. 14, the torch body 10a moves upward, and the nozzle 11 screwed and connected to the torch body 10a retreats from the component replacement region V2.

[0097] Thereafter, the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is extended. Then, against the biasing force of the coil spring 85, the slide shaft 83 slides upward, and each engaging claw 83a engages with each engaged claw 84b of the third gear 84.

[0098] Thereafter, the drive motor 5 reverses. Then, the third gear 84 that meshes with the first gear 31 and rotates forward and the slide shaft 83 rotate integrally, the second gear 81 rotates forward, and accordingly, the rotary housing 4 rotates forward.

[0099] When the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a reach the component replacement area V2 due to the forward rotation operation of the rotary housing 4, the forward rotation operation of the rotary housing 4 stops and the replacement operation of the nozzle 11 ends.

[0100] As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the nozzle 11 screwed and connected to the torch body 10a in the component replacement area V2 of the rotary gripper 9 is gripped by the rotary gripper 9 and the drive motor 5 is driven to reverse the rotary gripper 9, the nozzle 11 can be removed from the torch body 10a. On the other hand, when the drive motor 5 is driven with the rotation transmission being performed between the rotary housing 4 and the drive motor 5 by the clutch mechanism 8, the rotary housing 4 rotates and the replacement nozzle 11 moves to the component supply area V1. In that state, the component transfer mechanism 7 transports the nozzle 11 from the component supply area V1 to the component replacement area V2, and when the nozzle 11 is gripped by the rotary gripper 9 with the torch body 10a approaching the component replacement area V2 and the drive motor 5 is driven to forwardly rotate the rotary gripper 9, the nozzle 11 is attached to the torch body 10a. In this way, since only one drive motor 5 is used for the replacement operation of the nozzle 11, the space occupied by the drive motor 5 is reduced and the entire facility can be made compact. Also, since the number of components can be reduced compared to the structure of Patent Document 1, the component cost can be kept low. Furthermore, since the clutch mechanism 8 is used for the linkage between the drive motor 5 and the rotary gripper 9, it is possible to prevent a large load from being applied during the linkage between the drive motor 5 and the rotary gripper 9, and it is possible to prevent deformation and damage around the rotary gripper 9 and the drive motor 5 that perform the replacement operation of the nozzle 11.

[0101] Also, since the drive motor 5 and the clutch mechanism 8 are arranged in the inner area of the rotary housing 4 which is a dead space, the entire rotary replacement device 1 can be made even more compact.

[0102] Further, when the nozzle 11 is inserted into the first through-hole 41b and the second through-hole 42b corresponding to the upper and lower parts of the rotary housing 4 in order from above, the nozzle 11 is supported by the support plate 43 and is positioned in the circumferential direction of the rotary housing 4 by the inserted first through-hole 41b and second through-hole 42b. In this way, the rotary housing 4 can accommodate each nozzle 11 in a predetermined position with a simple structure, and the rotary exchange device 1 can be made more cost-effective.

[0103] Also, when the holding state of the nozzle 11 by the rotary gripper 9 removed from the torch body 10a is released in a state where the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a are moved to the component supply area V1, the nozzle 11 that falls from the rotary gripper 9 passes through the first notch recess 41a and the second notch recess 42a and is discharged to the outside of the rotary exchange device 1. In this way, the used nozzle 11 removed from the torch body 10a can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the rotary exchange device 1 without staying in the rotary housing 4.

[0104] Also, in the clutch mechanism 8, when the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is contracted, the slide shaft 83 is maintained in a state of sliding downward by the biasing force of the coil spring 85, and each engaging claw 83a is separated from each engaged claw 84b, and the drive motor 5 rotates only the rotary gripper 9 forward and backward. Therefore, the operation of attaching the nozzle 11 to the torch body 10a can be performed in a state where the nozzle 11 accommodated in the rotary housing 4 is positioned in the component supply area V1. On the other hand, when the second rod portion 86a of the second cylinder 86 is extended against the biasing force of the coil spring 85, each engaging claw 83a engages with each engaged claw 84b, and the drive motor 5 can rotate not only the rotary gripper 9 but also the rotary housing 4 forward and backward, so that each nozzle 11 accommodated in the rotary housing 4 can be moved to the component supply area V1. In this way, the rotary housing 4 can be switched between a rotatable state and a non-rotatable state by the clutch mechanism 8 having a simple structure.

[0105] The rotation replacement device 1 in the embodiment of the present invention is for replacing the nozzle 11 with respect to the torch body 10a. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, it can also be a device for replacing a contact tip, which is a torch component attached to the torch body 10a, by a rotational operation around its central axis.

[0106] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, a coil spring 85 is used as a biasing member that generates a biasing force with respect to the slide shaft 83 in the clutch mechanism 8. However, other biasing members may also be used, for example, a rubber member or a cylinder, etc.

[0107] In the rotation replacement device 1 in the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis C1 of the drive motor 5, the rotation axis C2 of the rotation housing 4, and the rotation axis C3 of the rotation gripper 9 are in a posture extending vertically. However, it is not limited thereto, and the rotation axes C1 to C3 may be in a tilted posture.

[0108] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the rotation housing 4 positions each nozzle 11 by two first annular plates 41 and a second annular plate 42. However, it is not limited thereto, and three or more annular plates may be used to position each nozzle 11.

Industrial Applicability

[0109] The present invention is suitable for a rotation replacement device that replaces torch components such as a nozzle or a contact tip that is screwed and connected to the tip of a torch body of a welding torch used for arc welding, for example.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0110] 1 Rotation replacement device 4 Rotation housing 5 Drive motor 7 Component transport mechanism 7a First cylinder 7b First rod portion 8 Clutch mechanism 9 Rotation gripper 10 Welding torch 10a Torch body 11 Nozzle (torch component) 31 First gear 41 First annular plate 41a First notch recess 41b First through hole 42 Second annular plate 42a Second notch recess 42b Second through hole 43 Support plate 81 Second gear 83 Slide shaft 83a Engagement claw 84 Third gear 84b Engaged claw 85 Coil spring (biasing member) 86 Second cylinder 86a Second rod portion C1~C3 Rotation axis V1 Component supply area V2 Component replacement area

Claims

1. A rotary exchange device configured to attach a torch component to a torch body of a welding torch by rotating it forward or to remove it by rotating it backward, comprising: a rotary gripper capable of gripping the torch component so as to be rotatable forward and backward about its central axis in a component exchange area; a container configured to accommodate a plurality of the torch components and sequentially move each of the accommodated torch components to a component supply area located below the component exchange area; a component transfer mechanism for taking out the torch component upward from the container and transporting it from the component supply area to the component exchange area; a drive motor for driving the rotary gripper to rotate forward and backward; a clutch mechanism for transmitting and blocking rotation between the container and the drive motor, and the container accommodates the torch components at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis, and is configured to sequentially move the torch components to the component supply area by a rotational operation around the rotation axis. A rotary exchange device characterized by this.

2. In the rotary exchange device according to Claim 1, the container has an annular shape centered on the rotation axis, and a drive motor and the clutch mechanism are disposed in an inner region thereof. A rotary exchange device characterized by this.

3. In the rotary exchange device according to Claim 2, the container has a posture in which the rotation axis extends vertically, and includes a support plate capable of supporting each of the torch components, and a plurality of annular plates disposed above the support plate and arranged in parallel along the rotation axis, a plurality of through holes corresponding to the outer shape of the torch component are formed in the circumferential direction around the rotation axis at predetermined intervals in each of the annular plates, and each through hole of the annular plate is vertically aligned with each through hole of an adjacent annular plate. A rotary exchange device characterized by this.

4. In the rotary exchange device according to Claim 3, a notch recess is formed in the annular plate that opens outward and through which the torch component can pass, the notch recess is vertically aligned with the notch recess of an adjacent annular plate, and is configured to be movable to the component supply area by a rotational operation of the container. A rotary exchange device characterized by this.

5. In the rotary exchange device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, A first gear is rotatably attached to the drive motor. The clutch mechanism includes a second gear that rotationally drives the housing, a slide shaft that is rotatably attached to the second gear and is configured to be slidable along the center line of the second gear, a third gear that meshes with the first gear, a biasing member that biases the slide shaft to slide to one side, and a second cylinder that slides the slide shaft to the other side against the biasing force of the biasing member by the extension operation of the second rod portion. An engaging claw is provided on the slide shaft. The rotary exchange device is characterized in that the third gear is provided with an engaged claw that engages with the engaging claw when the slide shaft slides to the other side.

6. In the rotary exchange device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the component transfer mechanism includes a first cylinder having a first rod portion that expands and contracts between the component supply area and the component exchange area, and the first rod portion is configured to press and move the torch component from the component supply area to the component exchange area by the extension operation of the first rod portion.

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