Wire Feeder

Abstract

To provide a wire feeder which achieves improvement in downsizing and convenience.SOLUTION: A wire feeder comprises: a wire feeding mechanism 3 including a driving part 31 and a motor 32 for driving the driving part 31, in order to feed a welding wire; a case 1 for accommodating the wire feeding mechanism 3; and a connector 51 with a passage port 511 of the welding wire. In addition, the wire feeder comprises: a joint part 53 as a protrusion which is positioned on a first direction other part Z2 side and protrudes from the case 1 to a feeding direction front part X1 side, relative to the connector 51 positioned on a first direction one part Z1 side orthogonal to a feeding direction X of the welding wire; and a cover 6 which is attached to the case 1 on the first direction other part Z2 side. The cover 6 covers the joint part 53 from the first direction other part Z2 side, and exposes the connector 51 and the joint part 53 when viewed from the feeding direction front part X1 side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wire feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] Consumable electrode gas-shielded arc welding employs automatic welding using a welding robot or a traveling carriage, as well as semi-automatic welding operated by a worker. During welding operations such as these automatic welding operations, a wire feeder feeds welding wire toward a welding torch, and power and shielding gas are supplied to the welding torch. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional wire feeder. The wire feeder disclosed in this document includes a case and a cover that house a wire feeding mechanism. A torch cable is connected to the case from the feeding direction. A pipe for supplying cooling water or the like is also connected to the case. As shown in FIG. 3 of this document, the connection portions of the torch cable and the pipe are almost completely covered by a cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-188400 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A cover that almost completely covers the connection portion of the torch cable or pipe leads to an increase in size of the wire feeder, and also requires the cover to be removed from the case when removing the torch cable or pipe.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in light of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wire feeder that can be made smaller and more convenient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The wire feeding device provided by the present invention includes a wire feeding mechanism for feeding welding wire, including a drive unit and a motor for driving the drive unit, a case for accommodating the wire feeding mechanism, and a connector including a passage port for welding wire, and further includes a protrusion located on one side of a first direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the welding wire and protruding from the case to one side of the feeding direction, and a cover attached to the other side of the case in the first direction, wherein the cover covers the protrusion from the other side of the first direction and exposes the connector and the protrusion when viewed from one side of the feeding direction.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover includes a first cover located on one side in the feeding direction and a second cover located on the other side in the feeding direction.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover covers the protrusion in a second direction perpendicular to both the feeding direction and the first direction.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover has an inclined surface that is located on the other side of the first direction relative to the protrusion and is inclined so as to be positioned on one side of the first direction as it approaches one side of the feed direction.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusion includes a passage for a fluid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the wire feeding device and improve its convenience.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a front view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B show a cover 6 of an example of a wire feeding device according to the present invention, in which (a) is a plan view, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a), (c) is a bottom view, and (d) is a front view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. in this disclosure are used for identification purposes only and are not intended to impose any ranking on their objects.

[0016] In this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the phrase "an object A overlaps an object B when viewed in a certain direction" includes "an object A overlaps the entire object B" and "an object A overlaps a part of an object B." Furthermore, in this disclosure, "a surface A faces in direction B (on one side or the other side of direction B)" is not limited to the case where the angle of surface A with respect to direction B is 90°, but also includes the case where surface A is tilted with respect to direction B.

[0017] 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an example of a wire feeder according to the present invention. The wire feeder A1 feeds a welding wire to a welding torch (not shown) and is a so-called pull-side feeder. The welding wire passes through an intermediate cable 8 connected to the wire feeder A1, a torch cable 7, and a liner provided inside the welding torch (not shown) before being guided to the tip of the welding torch. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the left side is the front in the welding wire feed direction X (hereinafter referred to as the "forward feed direction X1" as appropriate), and the right side is the rear in the welding wire feed direction X (hereinafter referred to as the "rear feed direction X2" as appropriate). To the rear feed direction X2 of the wire feeder A1, for example, in addition to the intermediate cable 8, a wire feeder (push-side feeder, not shown) and a welding power supply (not shown) are connected. FIG. 1 shows an example of a usage mode of wire feeder A1, with torch cable 7, hose 71, and intermediate cable 8 connected, while FIG. 2 shows a state in which torch cable 7, hose 71, and intermediate cable 8 are detached. A first direction Z is a direction perpendicular to the feed direction X, and a distinction is made between one first direction Z1 and the other first direction Z2, as appropriate. A second direction Y is a direction perpendicular to both the feed direction X and the first direction Z, and a distinction is made between one second direction Y1 and the other second direction Y2, as appropriate. The wire feeder A1 of this embodiment is used, for example, in so-called semi-automatic welding, in which a welding torch is operated by a worker.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the wire feeding device A1 includes a case 1, a structure 2, a wire feeding mechanism 3, a handle 4, a connector 51, a connector 52, a joint portion 53, and a cover 6. The case 1 is generally cylindrical and extends in the feeding direction X, and houses the structure 2 and the wire feeding mechanism 3. The case 1 is composed of, for example, a pair of separable divided pieces (a lower case 1A and an upper case 1B). As shown in FIG. 6, the lower case 1A and the upper case 1B constituting the case 1 can be separated in the first direction Z. The case 1 (the lower case 1A and the upper case 1B) is composed of an electrically insulating material. The case 1 can be made of, for example, a synthetic resin material such as polyamide resin (containing glass fiber). However, the material constituting the case 1 (the lower case 1A and the upper case 1B) is not limited to synthetic resin.

[0019] The case 1 has a bottom wall 11, a first side wall 12, a second side wall 13, and a ceiling wall 14, each of which extends generally in the feeding direction X. The bottom wall 11 is a portion of the case 1 located on the other side of the first direction Z2. In this embodiment, a portion of the bottom wall 11 closer to the rear side of the feeding direction X2 is inclined so as to displace upward as it moves toward the rear side of the feeding direction X2. The first side wall 12 is located on the one side of the second direction Y1 relative to the bottom wall 11. The second side wall 13 is located on the other side of the second direction Y2 relative to the bottom wall 11. The ceiling wall 14 is located on the one side of the first direction Z1 relative to the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13. The lower case 1A includes the bottom wall 11 and portions of the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13. The upper case 1B includes the ceiling wall 14 and portions of the first side wall 12 and the second side wall 13.

[0020] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the ceiling wall 14 has a first surface 14a. The first surface 14a faces in one side of the first direction Z1 and is a flat surface in the illustrated example. The ceiling wall 14 also has a recess 14b. The recess 14b is recessed from the first surface 14a toward the other side of the first direction Z2. In this embodiment, the first surface 14a is a groove extending in the second direction Y.

[0021] In this embodiment, the case 1 further has an opening / closing door 15. The opening / closing door 15 is provided across the first side wall 12, the ceiling wall 14, and the second side wall 13, and is opened, for example, when performing maintenance on the wire feeding mechanism 3 arranged inside the case 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 , the opening / closing door 15 has a second protrusion 151. The second protrusion 151 protrudes further toward one side of the first direction Z1 than the first surface 14a in the first direction Z. The specific shape of the second protrusion 151 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, it has a shape that extends elongatedly in the x direction. The number of second protrusions 151 is also not limited in any way, and may be one, three, or more, other than the two shown.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation unit 141 is provided on the case 1 (upper case 1B) toward the rear in the feed direction X2. The operation unit 141 is used to set welding conditions such as the welding current, welding voltage, and welding wire feed speed. The operation unit 141 includes, for example, a plurality of operation buttons. Various welding conditions are controlled based on the operation of the operation unit 141. A display unit 142 is provided near the operation unit 141. The display unit 142 displays the welding conditions and the like, and includes, for example, an organic electroluminescence (EL) display, liquid crystal display, or the like.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6 , the structure 2 includes, for example, a first wall portion 21, a second wall portion 22, a third wall portion 23, an opening 24, a first extending portion 25, and a second extending portion 26. The first wall portion 21 and the second wall portion 22 are spaced apart in the forward feeding direction X1 and the rearward feeding direction X2. The third wall portion 23 is connected to both the first wall portion 21 and the second wall portion 22 and extends in the feeding direction X. The third wall portion 23 is connected to each of the first wall portion 21 and the second wall portion 22 at a position biased toward one side in the second direction Y1. The opening 24 is a portion that opens toward the other side in the second direction Y2 of the third wall portion 23 and overlaps the third wall portion 23 when viewed in the second direction Y. The first extending portion 25 is connected to an upper portion of the second wall portion 22 and extends rearward in the feeding direction X2. The second extending portion 26 is connected to the lower portion of the first wall portion 21 and extends in the feeding direction X.

[0024] There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the structure 2. The structure 2 of this embodiment is provided with a through-hole (not shown) for passing the welding wire in the feed direction X. If the structure 2 is made of a metal conductor, the structure 2 may pass a welding current. The structure 2 may also have a passage for passing a fluid such as gas or cooling water.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , in this embodiment, the connector 51, the connector 52, and the joint portion 53 are fixed to the structure 2. The connector 51 is disposed on the front X1 side in the feed direction, and the connector 52 is disposed on the rear X2 side in the feed direction. The connector 51 includes a passage opening 511 and is an example of a connector defined in the present invention. The passage opening 511 is an opening through which a welding wire passes. As shown in FIG. 1 , a torch cable 7 connected to a welding torch (not shown), for example, is connected to the connector 51. The connector 52 is connected to an intermediate cable 8, for example. As shown in FIG. 2 , the joint portion 53 protrudes from the case 1 in the front X1 direction in the feed direction and includes a passage opening 531 through which a fluid such as gas or cooling water passes. The joint portion 53 is an example of a protruding portion defined in the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , a hose (not shown), for example, is connected to the joint portion 53. In this embodiment, two joint portions 53 are provided. The connector 51 is located on the Z1 side in the first direction, and the joint portion 53 is located on the Z2 side relative to the connector 51 in the other first direction.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 6 , the wire feeding mechanism 3 includes a drive unit 31, a motor 32, and a motor cover 33. The drive unit 31 has a feed roller and a pressure roller that sandwich and feed the welding wire. The motor 32 is a drive source that drives the drive unit 31, and most of the motor 32 is covered by the motor cover 33. The motor cover 33 is formed, for example, from a pair of separable pieces. The motor cover 33 is formed of an electrically insulating material, such as a synthetic resin material. However, the material forming the motor cover 33 is not limited to synthetic resin. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the wire feeding mechanism 3 is disposed in an area surrounded by the first wall 21, the second wall 22, and the third wall 23. When disassembling the wire feeding device A1, the wire feeding mechanism 3 can be removed from the opening 24 in the other second direction Y2.

[0027] The handle 4 is used by an operator to carry the wire feeder A1. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, the handle 4 is attached to a portion of the case 1 (upper case 1B) on one side Z1 in the first direction. The handle 4 is attached so as to be rotatable about a rotation center O extending in the second direction Y.

[0028] The handle 4 of this embodiment has a grip portion 41 and a pair of rod-shaped portions 42. The illustrated handle 4 is formed, for example, by cutting and bending a metal plate, but the material of the handle 4 is not limited in any way. The grip portion 41 is a portion that an operator grips. The grip portion 41 is provided at a position spaced apart from the rotation center O. The pair of rod-shaped portions 42 are connected to both ends of the handle portion 41 in the second direction Y. The rod-shaped portions 42 have through holes 421. The pair of rod-shaped portions 42 are rotatably attached to the case 1 (upper case 1B) by bolts 49 inserted through the through holes 421. In this embodiment, the two bolts 49 define the rotation center O, but the specific structure for defining the rotation center O is not limited in any way. The handle 4 is in a first state (FIG. 3) in which the grip portion 41 is close to the case 1, and in a second state (not shown) in which the handle 4 is rotated from the first state so that the grip portion 41 is separated from the case 1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, two bolts 49 protrude from the case 1 on both sides in the second direction Y.

[0029] The handle 41 has a base 411 and a first protrusion 412. The base 411 is a portion that extends in the second direction Y. In the first state shown in Fig. 3, at least a portion of the base 411 is housed in the recess 14b. In the first state, the base 411 may be entirely housed in the recess 14b, or only a portion of the base 411 may be housed in the recess 14b.

[0030] 3, the first protrusion 412 protrudes from the case 1 in the first state toward the first direction Z1. In this embodiment, the first protrusion 412 protrudes from the first surface 14a of the case 1 toward the first direction Z1. The specific shape of the first protrusion 412 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, it has a shape that extends elongatedly in the second direction Y.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the cover 6 is provided on the other side Z2 of the first direction of the case 1 (lower case 1A), and covers at least a portion of the bottom wall 11. The specific configuration of the cover 6 is not limited in any way, and it may consist of a single integrally formed part, or may consist of multiple parts. In this embodiment, the cover 6 includes a first cover 61 and a second cover 62. The cover 6 is made of, for example, rubber, resin, or the like.

[0032] The first cover 61 is disposed near the end of the case 1 in the forward feed direction X1. The specific shape of the first cover 61 is not limited in any way. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first cover 61 has a bottom plate 611, a pair of side plate portions 612, an end plate portion 613, and an inclined surface 61a. The bottom plate portion 611 is located on the other side of the first direction Z2 and is a plate-shaped portion extending along the feed direction X and the second direction Y. The pair of side plate portions 612 are connected to both ends of the bottom plate portion 611 in the second direction Y and extend from the bottom plate portion 611 toward the one side of the first direction Z1. In the illustrated example, the side plate portion 612 has an extending portion 6121. The extending portion 6121 is located on the forward feed direction X1 side of the side plate portion 612 and extends toward the one side of the first direction Z1. The end plate portion 613 is connected to the bottom plate portion 611 and the pair of side plate portions 612 on the forward feed direction X1 side. In the illustrated example, the end plate portion 613 includes a portion along the first direction Z and a portion inclined with respect to the first direction Z. A recess 6131 is formed in the end plate portion 613. The recess 6131 is recessed from an end of the end plate portion 613 in one side of the first direction Z1 toward the other side of the first direction Z2. The inclined surface 61a is inclined so as to be positioned closer to the one side of the first direction Z1 as it moves toward the forward feeding direction X1.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 , the first cover 61 covers the end of the bottom wall 11 in the forward feed direction X1. The bottom plate portion 611 is located on the other side of the bottom wall 11 in the first direction Z2. The bottom plate portion 611 and the end plate portion 613 of the first cover 61 cover the joint portion 53 from the other side of the first direction Z2 and overlap the entire joint portion 53 as viewed in the first direction Z. Furthermore, the extension portions 6121 of the pair of side plate portions 612 of the first cover 61 cover the joint portion 53 from both sides in the second direction Y and overlap the entire joint portion 53 as viewed in the second direction Y. Meanwhile, the first cover 61 exposes the connector 51 and the joint portion 53 as viewed from the forward feed direction X1 side. The joint portion 53 is exposed from a recess 6131 of the first cover 61 as viewed from the forward feed direction X1 side. The inclined surface 61a is located on the other side of the first direction Z2 with respect to the joint portion 53. As shown in FIG. 3, the first cover 61 of this embodiment does not protrude from the front X1 end of the case 1 in the feed direction. The front X1 end of the first cover 61 in the feed direction and the front X1 end of the case 1 in the feed direction are located at approximately the same position. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the size of the first cover 61 and the second cover 62 in the second direction Y is larger than the size of the case 1 in the second direction Y. The first cover 61 and the second cover 62 protrude from the case 1 on both sides in the second direction Y. The size of the first cover 61 in the second direction Y is approximately the same as the distance between the ends of the two bolts 49 in the second direction Y.

[0034] The second cover 62 is disposed near the rear end (X2) of the case 1 in the feed direction. The second cover 62 covers the bottom wall 11 near the front end (X1) in the feed direction. The second cover 62 has an inclined surface 62a. The inclined surface 62a is located on the other side (Z2) of the first direction with respect to the connector 52 and is inclined so as to be positioned closer to the one side (Z1) of the first direction as it moves toward the rear (X2) in the feed direction.

[0035] Next, the operation of the wire feeder A1 will be described.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, when the case 1 is placed on a floor surface FL1 with one side of the first direction Z1 vertically upward and the other side of the first direction Z2 downward, the cover 6 can protect the case 1. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first cover 61 of the cover 6 can protect the joint portion 53 from the other side of the first direction Z2. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 4, the first cover 61 of the cover 6 exposes the connector 51 and the joint portion 53 when viewed from the front side in the feeding direction X1. Therefore, when removing the torch cable 7 and the hose 71 shown in FIG. 1 from the wire feeder A1, the removal work can be performed without removing the first cover 61 of the cover 6 from the case 1. Furthermore, the cover 6, which exposes the connector 51 and the joint portion 53 when viewed from the front side in the feeding direction X1, can be prevented from becoming large and bulky. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the wire feeder A1 can be made more compact and more convenient.

[0037] The cover 6 includes a first cover 61 and a second cover 62 that are separate from each other. The first cover 61 and the second cover 62 protect the front end (X1) and rear end (X2) of the bottom wall 11 of the case 1 in the feeding direction, respectively. On the other hand, the cover 6 does not cover the central portion of the bottom wall 11 of the case 1 in the feeding direction X. This allows the bottom wall 11 of the case 1 to be efficiently protected while reducing the weight of the cover 6 and, ultimately, the weight of the wire feeding device A1.

[0038] The side plate portions 612 of the first cover 61 cover the joint portion 53 from both sides in the second direction Y. This makes it possible to prevent the joint portion 53 from being damaged by an object approaching the joint portion 53 from the second direction Y.

[0039] The first cover 61 has the inclined surface 61a, and the second cover 62 has the inclined surface 62a, so that it is possible to prevent the wire feeder A1 from being caught unintentionally on another object.

[0040] In this embodiment, the joint portion 53 corresponds to the protrusion of the present invention. The joint portion 53 is a portion to which the hose 71 is connected and includes a passage port 511 through which a fluid such as gas or cooling water passes. For this reason, if an external object abuts the joint portion 53, there is a concern that it may become difficult to connect the hose 71 or that the supply of fluid may become impossible. According to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately protect such a joint portion 53. The recess 6131 is provided in the end plate portion 613 of the first cover 61, so that the joint portion 53 is exposed from the first cover 61 when viewed from the front in the feed direction X1, and the first cover 61 can protect the joint portion 53 in a wider range of directions.

[0041] In normal use, the wire feeder A1 is generally placed on a floor surface FL1 with one side of the first direction Z1 pointing vertically upward and the other side of the first direction Z2 pointing downward. However, depending on the use state of the wire feeder A1, it is assumed that the wire feeder A1 will be placed on a floor surface FL2 with the other side of the first direction Z2 pointing vertically upward and the one side of the first direction Z1 pointing downward. According to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3 , when the handle 4 is in the first state, the first protrusion 412 of the grip portion 41 protrudes from the case 1 toward the one side of the first direction Z1. This makes it possible to prevent the case 1 from colliding with the floor surface FL2. Therefore, the wire feeder A1 can be appropriately protected in a wider variety of use states.

[0042] 4, it is assumed that wire feeder A1 is placed on floor FL3 with Y1 pointing vertically upward and the other side of the second direction Y2 pointing downward, or that wire feeder A1 is placed on floor FL4 with Y2 pointing vertically upward and Y1 pointing downward. In this case, bolt 49 and first cover 61 can prevent case 1 from colliding with floors FL3 and FL4, and can also appropriately protect wire feeder A1 in a variety of usage states.

[0043] 3, the wire feeder A1 has a first protrusion 412 and a second protrusion 151. The first protrusion 412 and the second protrusion 151 are spaced apart from each other in the feed direction X and protrude from the first surface 14a in one side of the first direction Z1. This makes it possible for the second protrusion 151 and the first protrusion 412 to prevent damage to the case 1 when the wire feeder A1 is placed on the floor surface FL2. This is particularly advantageous for protecting the operation unit 141 and the display unit 142 when the operation unit 141 and the display unit 142 are provided on the ceiling wall 14.

[0044] The wire feeder according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the wire feeder according to the present invention can be freely modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] A1: wire feeding device, 1: case, 2: structure, 3: wire feeding mechanism, 4: handle, 6: cover, 51: connector, 53: joint part (protrusion), 61: first cover, 61a: inclined surface, 62: second cover, 62a: inclined surface, 511, 531: passage port, O: rotation center, X: feeding direction, X1: forward feeding direction (one side of the feeding direction), X2: rearward feeding direction (the other side of the feeding direction), Y: second direction, Y1: one side of the second direction, Y2: the other side of the second direction, Z: first direction, Z1: one side of the first direction, Z2: the other side of the first direction

Claims

1. a wire feeding mechanism for feeding a welding wire, the wire feeding mechanism including a drive unit and a motor for driving the drive unit; a case that houses the wire feeding mechanism; a connector including a passage opening for a welding wire; a protrusion located on the other side of a first direction perpendicular to a welding wire feed direction with respect to the connector located on one side of the first direction and protruding from the case to one side of the welding wire feed direction; a first cover attached to the other side of the case in the first direction and to one side of the case in the feeding direction, the first cover covers the protrusion from the other side in the first direction and exposes the connector and the protrusion when viewed from the one side in the feeding direction, The first cover is located on the other side of the protrusion in the first direction and has an inclined surface that is inclined so as to be positioned closer to one side of the first direction as it approaches one side of the feeding direction.

2. A wire feeding mechanism for feeding a welding wire, the wire feeding mechanism including a drive unit and a motor for driving the drive unit; a case that houses the wire feeding mechanism; a connector including a passage opening for a welding wire; a protrusion located on the other side of a first direction perpendicular to a welding wire feed direction with respect to the connector located on one side of the first direction and protruding from the case to one side of the welding wire feed direction; a first cover attached to the other side of the case in the first direction and to one side of the case in the feeding direction, the first cover covers the protrusion from the other side in the first direction and exposes the connector and the protrusion when viewed from the one side in the feeding direction, The protrusion includes a fluid passage opening.

3. A wire feeding device as described in claim 1 or 2, provided with a second cover located on the other side of the feeding direction.

4. The wire feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the first cover covers the protrusion in a second direction perpendicular to both the feed direction and the first direction.

Images