Power supply cable and power supply cable manufacturing method

Abstract

To provide a power feeding cable and a method for manufacturing a power feeding cable which can improve the operability of a horizontal gun and realize a smooth flow of cooling water in a power feeding cable, and further can cut down the manufacturing cost of a resistance-welding device.SOLUTION: A conductive member 240 is constituted of a plurality of copper fluxes 240a, and circumferential grooves 204, 224 the axial direction of which is depth direction on the opening side of a body part are formed at a first connection terminal 200 and a second connection terminal 220, respectively, in which one end of each of the plurality of copper fluxes 240a is placed in the circumferential groove 204 of the first connection terminal, and the other end of each of them in the circumferential groove 224 of the second connection terminal. A first tubular member 260 is placed in an almost cylindrical space formed according to the placement of the copper fluxes 240a between the first connection terminal and the second terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply cable used in a resistance welding device equipped with a welding gun, and a method for manufacturing the power supply cable. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a resistance welding device that overlaps at least two metal workpieces to be welded, clamps the welding point between electrodes, applies pressure and passes an electric current, and connects the workpieces to each other using Joule heat generated at the welding point.

[0003] Some resistance welding devices include a table electrode formed in the shape of a flat, approximately square plate and arranged perpendicular to the height direction of the device body, and a welding gun that is movable in the planar direction of the table electrode and also movable up and down perpendicular to the planar direction of the table electrode (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The resistance welding device described in this document has a welding gun called a "horizontal gun." The resistance welding device described in this document was proposed by the present applicant.

[0004] Fig. 9 is a side view showing the appearance of a conventional resistance welding apparatus 500. Fig. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of a horizontal gun 600 of the resistance welding apparatus 500 of Fig. 9 and a view showing a power supply cable set 700 connected to the horizontal gun 600. As shown in Fig. 9 or 10, the horizontal gun 600 includes a gun body 601, a shank holder 602 attached to the tip of the gun body 601, a shank 603 attached to the tip of the shank holder 602, and an electrode tip 604 attached to the tip of the shank 603. The horizontal gun 600 is supported by a gun bracket 800 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the height direction of the apparatus body.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 10 , two flow paths 605, 606 are formed inside the gun body 601 along the length of the gun body 601. One flow path 605 is a flow path on the inflow side of the cooling water, and the other flow path 606 is a flow path on the outflow side of the cooling water. One end of a long tube (pipe) 710 is connected to one opening 607 of the flow path 605 on the inflow side of the cooling water, and one end of a short tube 720 is connected to one opening 608 of the flow path 606 on the outflow side of the cooling water. The other end of the long tube 710 is connected to the device main body. A cooling water circulator (not shown) is disposed on the device main body, and cooling water discharged from this cooling water circulator is sent to the horizontal gun 600 through the long tube 710. The other end of the short tube 720 is connected to one end of a power supply cable 730. Both the long tube 710 and the short tube 720 are made of a flexible resin material. The cooling water circulator described above is also called a "chiller."

[0006] 11 is a diagram showing a portion of power supply cable 730. As shown in the figure, power supply cable 730 includes conductor member 731 made of multiple copper wires for conducting electricity, connection members 732 attached to both ends of conductor member 731, and tube 733 made of a cylindrical rubber member that covers conductor member 731 and connection member 732.

[0007] The conductor member 731 is made up of multiple bundles of twisted copper wires. Cooling water that has circulated around the horizontal gun 600 flows into the tube 733. The cooling water that has flowed into the tube 733 flows toward the device body described above. The connecting member 732 includes a connecting portion 7321, a threaded portion 7322, a pipe portion 7323, a fixing portion 7324, and an L-shaped portion 7325. The threaded portion 7322 has a cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the connecting portion 7321. The pipe portion 7323 has a cylindrical shape with approximately the same diameter as the threaded portion 7322.

[0008] Fixed portion 7324 and L-shaped portion 7325 are both formed integrally with pipe portion 7323. A through hole is formed along the axis in each of connecting portion 7321, threaded portion 7322, pipe portion 7323, and L-shaped portion 7325. That is, through hole 7326 is formed in connecting portion 7321, through hole 7327 in threaded portion 7322, through hole 7328 in pipe portion 7323, and through hole 7329 in L-shaped portion 7325. Through holes 7326, 7327, 7328, and 7329 all have the same diameter.

[0009] The fixing portion 7324 is a portion for fixing the power supply cable 730 to the gun body 601. The L-shaped portion 7325 is a portion for connecting the other end of the short tube 720 to the power supply cable 730. One end of the conductor member 731 is connected to one end of the connection portion 7321 by brazing. This brazing is performed around the periphery of the opening 7326a of the connection portion 7321 so as not to block the opening 7326a. Note that, for example, Patent Document 2 describes an example of a conventional power supply cable.

[0010] In the horizontal gun 600, cooling water delivered from a cooling water circulation device (not shown) passes through a tube 710 and flows into a flow path 605 inside the gun body 601. The cooling water that has flowed into the flow path 605 passes sequentially through a flow path inside the shank holder 602 and a flow path inside the shank 603, and reaches the electrode tip 604. The cooling water that has reached the electrode tip 604 passes sequentially through a flow path outside the shank 603 and a flow path outside the shank holder 602, and flows into a flow path 606 outside the gun body 601. The cooling water that has flowed into the flow path 606 outside the gun body 601 passes through a tube 720 and flows into the power supply cable 730. The cooling water that has flowed into the power supply cable 730 flows toward the cooling water circulation device (not shown). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0011] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6966060 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-250885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] Incidentally, the operability of the horizontal gun 600 improves as the number of tubes and cables connected to it decreases. However, since the current configuration consists of three components, namely, tubes 710 and 720 and power supply cable 730, it cannot be said that good operability is necessarily achieved.

[0013] Furthermore, the need for the tubes 710 and 720 and the power supply cable 730 increases the manufacturing costs of the resistance welding device 500 .

[0014] Furthermore, in the manufacture of power supply cable 730, connecting member 732 is joined to one end and the other end of conductor member 731 by brazing. Although careful attention is paid to not block opening 7326a of connecting member 732 during brazing, the connection may be somewhat randomly attached, which may prevent the cooling water from flowing smoothly within tube 733. In such cases, stable cooling cannot be achieved. If opening 7326a is blocked during brazing, it must be reopened.

[0015] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a power feeder cable and a method for manufacturing the power feeder cable that can improve the operability of a horizontal gun, achieve a smooth flow of cooling water within the power feeder cable, and reduce the manufacturing costs of a resistance welding device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] The power supply cable of the present invention has a first flow path on the cooling water inlet side and a second flow path on the cooling water outlet side. Second flow patha power supply cable for use in a resistance welding device equipped with a horizontal gun having a conductive metal material, the power supply cable comprising a flange portion and a main body portion made of a conductive metal material, the flange portion being cylindrical and having a larger diameter than the main body portion, the main body portion being cylindrical and extending in a central axis direction from the flange portion, the main body portion and the flange portion having a first connection terminal formed with a through hole penetrating from the main body portion to the flange portion along the central axis of the main body portion and the flange portion, and a second connection terminal having the same shape and made of the same metal material as the first connection terminal. a second connection terminal; a conductive member made of a metal material having conductivity and flexibility, one end of which is connected to the body portion of the first connection terminal and the other end of which is connected to the body portion of the second connection terminal; a first tubular member made of a resin material having flexibility, one end of which passes through the through hole from the body portion of the first connection terminal and protrudes beyond the flange portion of the first connection terminal, and the other end of which passes through the through hole from the body portion of the second connection terminal and protrudes beyond the flange portion of the second connection terminal; portion is located on the flange portion side of the first connection terminal, and the other end portion and a second tubular member that is located on the flange side of the second connection terminal and that accommodates the conductive member, the first tubular member, and cooling water, wherein the conductive member consists of a plurality of copper wire bundles, and each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal has a circumferential groove whose depth direction is in the axial direction formed on the opening side of the main body, one end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles that are the conductive member is arranged in the circumferential groove of the first connection terminal, and the other end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles that are the conductive member is arranged in the circumferential groove of the second connection terminal, the first tubular member is arranged in a substantially cylindrical space between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal that is formed by the arrangement of the plurality of copper wire bundles, the flange side of the through hole of the first connection terminal communicates with the first flow path on the cooling water inflow side of the horizontal gun, and the side of the portion of the first tubular member that protrudes from the flange portion of the first connection terminal communicates with the second flow path on the cooling water outflow side of the horizontal gun.

[0017] According to the above configuration, the conductive member is made up of multiple copper wire bundles arranged circumferentially within the second tubular portion so as to form an approximately cylindrical shape between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, and the first tubular member is arranged within this approximately cylindrical conductive member, thereby achieving a stable flow of cooling water within the second tubular member and improving cooling efficiency.

[0018] Furthermore, compared to conventional devices that require two tubes and one power supply cable, only one power supply cable is required, which improves the operability of the horizontal gun and reduces the cost of manufacturing resistance welding equipment.

[0019] The method for manufacturing a power supply cable of the present invention includes the steps of: a horizontal gun having a first flow path on the inflow side of the cooling water and a second flow path on the outflow side of the cooling water; a flange portion and a main body portion made of a conductive metal material, the flange portion being cylindrical and having a diameter larger than the main body portion, the main body portion being cylindrical and extending in the direction of the central axis from the flange portion, a through hole formed in the flange portion and the main body portion on the central axis of the main body portion and the flange portion from the main body portion to the flange portion, and a first connection terminal formed at an end of the main body portion with a circumferential groove whose depth direction is in the axial direction; a second connection terminal made of a metal material; a conductive member made of a conductive and flexible metal material and used to connect the main body of the first connection terminal and the main body of the second connection terminal; a first tubular member made of a flexible resin material and disposed through a through hole of the first connection terminal and a through hole of the second connection terminal for flowing cooling water toward the horizontal gun; and a second tubular member made of a rubber material and disposed between the flange portion of the first connection terminal and the flange portion of the second connection terminal, and the flange portion of the through hole of the first connection terminal is connected to the horizontal gun. a third tubular member made of metal, the third tubular member having an overall length longer than the second tubular member, an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the through hole of the first connection terminal, and a larger outer diameter than the first tubular member, between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal; and a third tubular member made of metal, the third tubular member having an overall length longer than the second tubular member, an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the through hole of the first connection terminal, and a larger outer diameter than the first tubular member, the third tubular member being connected to the first flow path on the cooling water inlet side of a flat gun and a portion of the first tubular member protruding from the flange portion of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal; a second step of arranging the copper wire bundles in the circumferential grooves of the first connection terminal and the other ends of the copper wire bundles in the circumferential grooves of the second connection terminal; a third step of inserting the first tubular member into the third tubular member; a fourth step of brazing one end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles arranged in the circumferential grooves of the first connection terminal to the first connection terminal and brazing the other ends of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles arranged in the circumferential grooves of the second connection terminal to the second connection terminal; and a fifth step of arranging the second tubular member between the flange portion of the first connection terminal and the flange portion of the second connection terminal.and a sixth step of removing the third tubular member after the fifth step is completed.

[0020] According to the above method, the conductive member is made up of multiple copper wire bundles arranged circumferentially within the second tubular portion between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal to form an approximately cylindrical shape, and the first tubular member is arranged within this approximately cylindrical conductive member, thereby achieving a stable flow of cooling water within the second tubular member and improving cooling efficiency.

[0021] Furthermore, compared to conventional devices that require two tubes and one power supply cable, only one power supply cable is required, which improves the operability of the horizontal gun and reduces the cost of manufacturing resistance welding equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0022] According to the present invention, the operability of the horizontal gun can be improved, the cooling water can flow smoothly in the power supply cable, and the manufacturing cost of the resistance welding device can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of the exterior of a resistance welding device according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 shows the structure of a portion of the horizontal gun of the resistance welding device shown in FIG. 1 and the structure of the power supply cable. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view showing the structure of the tip of the horizontal gun of the resistance welding device in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view showing the structure of the power supply cable in Figure 2 [Figure 5] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of one end of the power supply cable of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the other end of the power supply cable shown in FIG. [Figure 7] Cross-sectional view of the electrode cable taken along line AA in Figure 5 [Figure 8] 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a method for manufacturing the power supply cable of FIG. 2. [Figure 9] Side view of conventional resistance welding equipment [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a portion of the horizontal gun of the resistance welding device of FIG. 9 and the structure of the power supply cable. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a portion of a power supply cable of the resistance welding apparatus of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] 1 is a side view of the exterior of a resistance welding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In the figure, the resistance welding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a support post 4, an articulated arm 5, a gun bracket 6, a horizontal gun 7, a pressure cylinder 8, a power supply cable 9, a table electrode 10, a welding transformer 11, and a stand 12.

[0026] The arm 5 comprises two arm portions 5A, 5B and a rotation shaft 5C that connects the arm portions 5A, 5B so that they can rotate in a direction perpendicular to the erection direction of the support post 4 (horizontal direction). The arm 5 is supported on the support post 4 by a rotation shaft 5D at its base end. The arm 5 supports a gun bracket 6 at the tip of the arm portion 5B in the same direction as the erection direction of the support post 4. The gun bracket 6 supports a horizontal gun 7 at its lower end. The upper end of the gun bracket 6 is connected to the tip of the arm portion 5B in the same direction as the erection direction of the support post 4. The gun bracket 6 is rotatable in the same direction as the direction of the arm portion 5B (horizontal direction).

[0027] The horizontal gun 7 has a shank holder 71 to which a shank 15 is attached. An electrode tip 16 is attached to the tip of the shank 15. The shank 15 has a curved shape called an "offset shank." Note that there are also shanks with a straight shape called a "straight shank." The shank 15 of the present disclosure is a curved offset shank. Offset shanks are primarily used for welding in narrow spaces.

[0028] 2 is a diagram showing the structure of a portion of the horizontal gun 7 and the structure of the power supply cable 9 of the resistance welding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In the figure, the horizontal gun 7 includes a gun front end 7A to which a shank holder 71 is attached and to which the power supply cable 9 is connected, a gun rear end 7B for attaching the horizontal gun 7 to the gun bracket 6, a handle 73 attached to the rear end portion of the gun rear end 7B, and the above-mentioned shank holder 71. The horizontal gun 7 is supported by a shaft 61 of the gun bracket 6, and the front end of the horizontal gun 7 moves up and down in an arc around this shaft 61.

[0029] Two flow paths 80, 81 for circulating cooling water are formed inside the gun tip 7A of the horizontal gun 7. Of these two flow paths 80, 81, one flow path (first flow path) 80 carries cooling water sent through the power supply cable 9, and the other flow path (second flow path) 81 carries cooling water that has circulated inside the horizontal gun 7. In this way, the first flow path 80 is a flow path for supplying cooling water to the horizontal gun 7, and the other second flow path 81 is a flow path for draining the cooling water that has flowed into the horizontal gun 7.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the tip portion of the horizontal gun 7 of the resistance welding apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. In the figure, the shank holder 71 has a bent L-shape at the tip portion and has a single flow path 74 formed therein. A resin tube 75 is inserted into the flow path 74 of the shank holder 71. The length of the tube 75 is longer than the shank holder 71, and when the shank 15 is attached to the shank holder 71, a portion of the tube reaches into the flow path 76 of the shank 15. The tube 75 is used to flow cooling water delivered from a cooling water circulation device (not shown) toward the shank 15. A resin tube 77 is inserted into the flow path 76 of the shank 15. The length of the tube 77 is longer than the shank 15, and when the electrode tip 16 is attached to the shank 15, a portion of the tube reaches into the internal space 78 of the electrode tip 16.

[0031] The tube 77 inserted into the flow path 76 of the shank 15 has a smaller diameter than the tube 75 inserted into the flow path 74 of the shank holder 71, and can be inserted into the tube 75 on the shank holder 71 side. The tube 77 is used to direct the cooling water that has flowed through the tube 75 inserted into the shank holder 71 toward the electrode tip 16 side.

[0032] The electrode tip 16 is an electrode that forms a pair with the table electrode 10. One of the electrode tip 16 and the table electrode 10 is connected to one electrode of the welding transformer 11 (see FIG. 1), and the other is connected to the other electrode of the welding transformer 11.

[0033] Returning to Figure 1, the pressure cylinder 8 is disposed on the upper surface side of the tip of the arm portion 5B. When compressed air is supplied to the pressure cylinder 8 during welding, it pulls up a chain (not shown) connected to the rear end of the horizontal gun 7, causing the horizontal gun 7 to rotate so that the tip side of the horizontal gun 7 faces downward (towards the table electrode 10). At this time, the chain is pulled up so that a predetermined pressure is applied to the material to be welded (not shown).

[0034] The table electrode 10 is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat plate made of a conductive metal material (mainly "copper") and is disposed below the horizontal gun 7. The stand 12 is a table used for welding work, on which the table electrode 10 is placed. The welding transformer 11 supplies power to the horizontal gun 7, with one electrode connected to the table electrode 10 and the other electrode connected to the power supply cable 9. The welding transformer 11 is disposed within the stand 12.

[0035] Next, the power supply cable 9 will be described. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall structure of the power feed cable 9 of the resistance welding device 1 according to this embodiment. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of one end of the power feed cable 9. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the other end of the power feed cable 9. In Fig. 4, the power feed cable 9 includes a first connection terminal 200, a second connection terminal 220, a conductive member 240, a first tubular member 260, a second tubular member 280, a first connection block 300, and a second connection block 320.

[0036] In FIG. 5 , the first connection terminal 200 is made of a conductive metal material (mainly "copper") and includes a flange portion 202 for connecting to the first connection block 300, and a main body portion 203 that is integrated with the flange portion 202 and has a sawtooth surface on the outer periphery. The flange portion 202 is cylindrical and has a larger diameter than the main body portion 203. The main body portion 203 is cylindrical and extends from the flange portion 202 in the direction of the central axis. The flange portion 202 and the main body portion 203 each have a through hole 201 that penetrates in the direction of their common central axis. The diameter of this through hole 201 is slightly larger on the flange portion 202 side. Since the through hole 201 is formed in both the flange portion 202 and the main body portion 203, both the flange portion 202 and the main body portion 203 are cylindrical.

[0037] The teeth formed on the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200 have their tips facing in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the second tubular member 280 into the first connection terminal 200, so that the second tubular member 280 does not easily come off the first connection terminal 200. In addition, a groove (hereinafter referred to as a "circumferential groove") 204 is formed in the circumferential direction on the opening side (opposite the flange portion 202) of the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200, with the depth direction being in the axial direction. The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 204 is tapered so that it narrows as it approaches the flange portion 202. It has become. The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 204 may be, for example, U-shaped instead of tapered.

[0038] On the other hand, the second connection terminal 220 has the same shape and is made of the same metal material as the first connection terminal 200. That is, in FIG. 6, the second connection terminal 220 is made of a conductive metal material (mainly "copper") and includes a flange portion 222 for connection to the second connection block 320, and a main body portion 223 that is integrated with the flange portion 222 and has a sawtooth surface portion on the outer periphery. The flange portion 222 is cylindrical and has a larger diameter than the main body portion 223, and the main body portion 223 is cylindrical and extends from the flange portion 222 in the direction of the central axis. The flange portion 222 and the main body portion 223 each have a through hole 221 that penetrates in the direction of their common central axis. This through hole 221 extends from the flange portion 222 side to the but Since through-holes 221 are formed in both flange portion 222 and main body portion 223, both flange portion 222 and main body portion 223 have a cylindrical shape.

[0039] The teeth formed on the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220 have their tips facing in the opposite direction to the insertion direction of the second tubular member 280 into the second connection terminal 220, so that the second tubular member 280 does not easily come off the second connection terminal 220. In addition, a groove (hereinafter referred to as a "circumferential groove") 224 is formed in the circumferential direction on the opening side of the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220, with the axial direction as the depth direction. The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 224 is tapered, narrowing as it approaches the flange portion 222. It has become. The cross-sectional shape of the circumferential groove 224 may be, for example, U-shaped instead of tapered.

[0040] 4 to 6, the conductive member 240 is made of a conductive and flexible metal material (mainly "copper"), and one end is connected to the main body 203 side of the first connection terminal 200, and the other end is connected to the main body 223 side of the second connection terminal 220. The conductive member 240 is made of a plurality of copper wire bundles 240a (see FIG. 7). do. Each copper wire bundle 240a is 、 The conductive member 240 is made of multiple copper wires twisted together and has a circular cross-sectional shape. One end of each of the multiple copper wire bundles 240a constituting the conductive member 240 is arranged along the circumferential groove 204 of the first connection terminal 200, and the other end of each of the multiple copper wire bundles is arranged along the circumferential groove 224 of the second connection terminal 220. In this case, the multiple copper wire bundles are arranged in the circumferential direction.

[0041] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5. This figure illustrates the arrangement of the conductive member 240 in the power supply cable 9 relative to the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220. As shown in FIG. 7, one end of each copper wire bundle 240a is arranged circumferentially relative to the circumferential groove 204 of the first connection terminal 200. The other end of each copper wire bundle 240a is similarly arranged circumferentially relative to the circumferential groove 224 of the second connection terminal 220. In particular, the one end and the other end of each copper wire bundle 240a are arranged at the same position relative to the circumferential grooves 204, 224. That is, when one end of the copper wire bundle 240a is arranged at the 12 o'clock position relative to the circumferential groove 204, the other end of the copper wire bundle 240a is arranged at the 12 o'clock position relative to the circumferential groove 224. Similarly, when one end of copper wire bundle 240a is positioned at, for example, the 3 o'clock position relative to circumferential groove 204, the other end of copper wire bundle 240a is positioned at the 3 o'clock position relative to circumferential groove 224. By positioning one end and the other end of copper wire bundle 240a at the same positions relative to circumferential grooves 204, 224, conductive member 240 has a substantially cylindrical shape.

[0042] Returning to Figures 4 to 6, the first tubular member 260 is made of a flexible resin material, and one end portion extends from the main body 203 side of the first connection terminal 200 through the through hole 201 to the inside of the first connection block 300, and the other end portion extends from the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220 through the through hole 221 to the inside of the second connection block 320.

[0043] The second tubular member 280 is made of a rubber material, and one end is located on the flange portion 202 side of the first connection terminal 200, and the other end is located on the flange portion 222 side of the second connection terminal 220. The second tubular member 280 accommodates the conductive member 240, the first tubular member 260, and cooling water. The conductive member 240 has a substantially cylindrical shape, allowing the cooling water to flow stably. In other words, the cooling water can flow smoothly within the second tubular member 280. The smooth flow of cooling water improves cooling efficiency.

[0044] In FIG. 5 , the first connection block 300 is made of a conductive metal material (mainly "copper") and has a first hole 301, a second hole 302, a first opening 303, and a second opening 304. The first connection block 300 is connected to the flange 202 of the first connection terminal 200. In this case, a screw, for example, is used for connection to the flange 202. The first hole 301 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 201 of the first connection terminal 200. The first hole 301 communicates with the through hole 201 of the first connection terminal 200. The second hole 302 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first hole 301. The second hole 302 communicates with the first hole 301.

[0045] The first opening 303 communicates with the first hole 301, and the second opening 304 communicates with the second hole 302. The second hole 302 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first tubular member 260 (i.e., an inner diameter small enough that the first tubular member 260 can be press-fitted into the second hole 302). A rubber O-ring 305 for preventing water leakage is disposed at the open end of each of the first opening 303 and the second opening 304. An O-ring 307 is also disposed between the first connection block 300 and the flange 202 of the first connection terminal 200.

[0046] The first opening 303 is an opening on the inflow side of the cooling water, through which the cooling water flows in after passing through the flow path inside the horizontal gun 7. Arrow Y2 indicates the direction of the flow. On the other hand, the second opening 304 is an opening on the outflow side of the cooling water, through which the cooling water discharged from a cooling water circulation device (not shown) flows out. Arrow Y1 indicates the direction of the flow.

[0047] In FIG. 6, the second connection block 320 is made of a conductive metal material, similar to the first connection block 300. The second connection block 320 has the same size and shape. The second connection block 320 has a third hole 321, a fourth hole 322, a third opening 323, and a fourth opening 324. The third hole 321 has an inner diameter that is approximately the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 221 of the second connection terminal 220. The third hole 321 communicates with the through hole 221 of the second connection terminal 220. The fourth hole 322 has an inner diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the third hole 321. The fourth hole 322 communicates with the third hole 321.

[0048] The third opening 323 communicates with the third hole 321, and the fourth opening 324 communicates with the fourth hole 322. The fourth hole 322 has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the first tubular member 260 (i.e., an inner diameter small enough that the first tubular member 260 can be press-fitted into the fourth hole 322). An O-ring 305 for preventing water leakage is disposed at the open end of each of the third opening 323 and the fourth opening 324. An O-ring 307 is also disposed between the second connection block 320 and the flange 222 of the second connection terminal 220.

[0049] The third opening 323 is an opening on the cooling water outlet side, through which the cooling water that flows into the first opening 303 of the first connection block 300 flows out. Arrow Y4 indicates the direction of the flow. On the other hand, the fourth opening 324 is an opening on the cooling water inlet side, through which the cooling water sent out from a cooling water circulation device (not shown) flows in. Arrow Y3 indicates the direction of the flow.

[0050] In this way, the power supply cable 9 has an annular circumferential groove 204 formed in the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200, and an annular circumferential groove 224 formed in the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220, while the conductive member 240 connecting the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200 and the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220 is composed of a plurality of copper wire bundles 240a, and one end of each copper wire bundle 240a is arranged in the circumferential groove 204 of the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200 and brazed to the circumferential groove 204, and the other end of each copper wire bundle 240a is arranged in the circumferential groove 204 of the main body 203 of the first connection terminal 200, similar to the case where one end of each copper wire bundle 240a is arranged in the circumferential groove 204 of the one end of each copper wire bundle 240a. The second connection terminal 220 is circumferentially arranged and brazed to the circumferential groove 224 of the main body 223 of the second connection terminal 220 so as to be in the same position as the circumferential groove 224, and further a first tubular member 260, through which cooling water discharged from the cooling water circulation device flows, is disposed through the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220. Therefore, the first tubular member 260, through which cooling water discharged from the cooling water circulation device flows to the horizontal gun 7, is housed within the power supply cable 9, thereby reducing the total number of tubes and cables, improving the operability of the horizontal gun 7 and reducing the cost of manufacturing the resistance welding device 1. Furthermore, because the copper wire bundles 240a are aligned between the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220, a smooth flow of cooling water can be achieved within the second tubular member 280, improving cooling efficiency.

[0051] Next, a method for manufacturing the power supply cable 9 of the resistance welding device 1 of this embodiment will be described. 8 is a diagram illustrating a method for manufacturing a power supply cable 9. This method is used to manufacture a resistance welding device 1 equipped with a horizontal gun 7 having a first flow path 80 on the cooling water inlet side and a second flow path 81 on the cooling water outlet side.

[0052] (1st step) A third tubular member 400 made of metal is disposed between the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220. The third tubular member 400 has an overall length longer than the second tubular member 280 and an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the through-hole 201 of the first connection terminal 200 and larger than the outer diameter of the first tubular member 260. Note that the first tubular member 260 is not used in the first step. The third tubular member 400 is used to pass the first tubular member 260 between the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220 and for heat insulation when the conductive member 240 is brazed to the first and second connection terminals 200, 220.

[0053] (2nd process) One end of each of the copper wire bundles 240a made of multiple copper wires formed as the conductive member 240 is arranged in the circumferential groove 204 of the first connection terminal 200, and the other end of each of the copper wire bundles 240a is arranged in the circumferential groove 224 of the second connection terminal 220.

[0054] (3rd step) The first tubular member 260 is inserted into the third tubular member 400 .

[0055] (4th step) One end of each of the multiple copper wire bundles 240a arranged in the circumferential groove 204 of the first connection terminal 200 is brazed to the first connection terminal 200, and the other end of each of the multiple copper wire bundles 240a arranged in the circumferential groove 224 of the second connection terminal 220 is brazed to the second connection terminal 220.

[0056] During brazing, the area becomes very hot, and if the third tubular member 400 made of metal were not present, the first tubular member 260 made of resin would melt, but by providing the third tubular member 400, the first tubular member 260 can be prevented from being affected by the heat during brazing.

[0057] (5th step) The second tubular member 280 is disposed between the flange portion 202 of the first connection terminal 200 and the flange portion 222 of the second connection terminal 220 .

[0058] The conductive member 240 is made up of a plurality of copper wire bundles 240a, which are arranged in a circumferential direction between the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220 to form an approximately cylindrical shape, and the first tubular member 260 is arranged inside the approximately cylindrical conductive member 240, thereby achieving a stable flow of cooling water inside the second tubular member 280 and improving cooling efficiency.

[0059] (6th step) After the fifth step is completed, the third tubular member 400 is removed. Since the conductive member 240 has been brazed to the first and second connection terminals 200, 220 and the first tubular member 260 has been inserted, the third tubular member 400 is no longer needed. Therefore, the third tubular member 400 is removed.

[0060] In this method, only one power supply cable 9 is required compared to the method requiring two tubes and one power supply cable, which improves the operability of the horizontal gun 7 and also reduces the cost of manufacturing the resistance welding device 1.

[0061] Next, an example of use of the resistance welding device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. When welding, for example, two steel plates are placed one on top of the other on the table electrode 10. Then, the tip of the horizontal gun 7 (the part where the electrode tip 16 is attached) is placed against the upper steel plate. When an operation to start welding is performed in this state, the pressure cylinder 8 begins to operate and the rear end of the horizontal gun 7 is raised. When the rear end of the horizontal gun 7 is raised, the tip side of the horizontal gun 7 rotates downward, and the electrode tip 16 comes into contact with the upper steel plate. In this case, the contact is at a level corresponding to the applied pressure. When an operation to start welding is performed, pressure is applied and current is passed at the same time, and the two steel plates are welded together.

[0062] As described above, according to the horizontal gun 7 of the resistance welding apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the conductive member 240 is made up of a plurality of copper wire bundles 240a arranged circumferentially in the second tubular member 280 between the first connection terminal 200 and the second connection terminal 220 to form an approximately cylindrical shape, and the first tubular member 260 is arranged inside the approximately cylindrical conductive member 240, thereby realizing a stable flow of cooling water inside the second tubular member 280 and improving cooling efficiency.

[0063] Furthermore, compared to the conventional system requiring two tubes 710, 720 and one power supply cable 730, only one power supply cable 9 is required, which improves the operability of the horizontal gun 7 and enables cost reduction in manufacturing the resistance welding device 1.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0065] The present invention is suitable for a resistance welding device that includes a welding gun that can move horizontally relative to the device body and a table electrode that is formed in the shape of a substantially square flat plate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 Resistance welding equipment 4 support posts 5 Arm 6 Gun bracket 7 Horizontal Gun 7A Gun tip 7B Gun rear end 8 Pressure Cylinder 9 Power Cable 10 Table Electrodes 11 Welding transformer 12 Mounting stand 15 Shank 16 electrode tips 61 axes 71 Shank holder 73 Handle 74,76 Flow path 75,77 tubes 78 Interior Space 80 First Channel 81 Second Channel 200 First connection terminal 201 Through hole 202 flange 203 Main body 204,224 Circumferential groove 220 Second connection terminal 221 Through hole 222 flange 223 Main body 240 Conductive materials 240a copper wire bundle 260 First tubular member 280 second tubular member 300 First Connection Block 301 1st hole 302 2nd hole 303 First Opening 304 Second Opening 305,307 O-rings 320 Second Connection Block 321 3rd hole 322 4th hole 323 Third Opening 324 4th Opening 400 third tubular member

Claims

1. A power supply cable for use in a resistance welding device equipped with a horizontal gun (71) having a first flow path (80) on the cooling water inlet side and a second flow path (81) on the cooling water outlet side, a first connection terminal (200) comprising a flange portion (202) and a main body portion (203) made of a conductive metal material, the flange portion being cylindrical and having a larger diameter than the main body portion, the main body portion being cylindrical and extending in a central axis direction from the flange portion, and the main body portion and the flange portion having a through hole (201) formed therein, the through hole penetrating from the main body portion to the flange portion along the central axis of the main body portion and the flange portion; a second connection terminal (220) having the same shape and made of the same metal material as the first connection terminal; a conductive member (240) made of a conductive and flexible metal material, one end of which is connected to the body portion of the first connection terminal and the other end of which is connected to the body portion of the second connection terminal; a first tubular member (260) made of a flexible resin material, one end portion of which passes through the through hole from the main body portion of the first connection terminal and projects beyond the flange portion of the first connection terminal, and the other end portion of which passes through the through hole from the main body portion of the second connection terminal and projects beyond the flange portion of the second connection terminal; a second tubular member (280) made of a flexible resin material, one end portion of which is located on the flange portion side of the first connection terminal and the other end portion of which is located on the flange portion side of the second connection terminal, and which accommodates the conductive member, the first tubular member, and cooling water; Equipped with The conductive member is made up of a plurality of copper wire bundles, and a circumferential groove (204) with the axial direction as a depth direction is formed on the opening side of the main body in each of the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, one end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles that are the conductive member is arranged in the circumferential groove of the first connection terminal, and the other end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles that are the conductive member is arranged in the circumferential groove (224) of the second connection terminal, the first tubular member is disposed between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal in a substantially cylindrical space formed by the arrangement of the plurality of copper wire bundles; the flange portion side of the through hole of the first connection terminal communicates with the first flow path on the cooling water inflow side of the horizontal gun, and the portion of the first tubular member protruding from the flange portion of the first connection terminal communicates with the second flow path on the cooling water outflow side of the horizontal gun; Power supply cable.

2. A horizontal gun (71) having a first flow path (80) on the cooling water inlet side and a second flow path (81) on the cooling water outlet side; a first connection terminal (200) comprising a flange portion and a main body portion made of a conductive metal material, the flange portion being cylindrical and having a larger diameter than the main body portion, the main body portion being cylindrical and extending from the flange portion in a central axis direction, the flange portion and the main body portion having a through hole formed therein that penetrates along the central axes of the main body portion and the flange portion from the main body portion to the flange portion, and a circumferential groove having a depth direction in the axial direction formed at an end of the main body portion; a second connection terminal (220) having the same shape and made of the same metal material as the first connection terminal; a conductive member (240) made of a conductive and flexible metal material and used to connect the body portion of the first connection terminal and the body portion of the second connection terminal; a first tubular member (260) made of a flexible resin material, disposed through the through-hole of the first connection terminal and the through-hole of the second connection terminal, for allowing cooling water to flow toward the horizontal gun; a second tubular member (280) made of a rubber material and disposed between the flange portion of the first connection terminal and the flange portion of the second connection terminal; a first tubular member having a flange portion of the through hole of the first connection terminal connected to the first flow path on a cooling water inlet side of the horizontal gun, and a second tubular member having a portion of the first tubular member protruding from the flange portion of the first connection terminal connected to the second flow path on a cooling water outlet side of the horizontal gun, a first step of disposing a third tubular member made of metal between the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal, the third tubular member having an overall length longer than that of the second tubular member, an outer diameter smaller than that of the through hole of the first connection terminal, and a larger outer diameter than that of the first tubular member; a second step of arranging one end of each of the copper wire bundles made of a plurality of copper wires as the conductive member in the circumferential groove of the first connection terminal and the other end of each of the copper wire bundles in the circumferential groove of the second connection terminal; a third step of inserting the first tubular member into the third tubular member; a fourth step of brazing one end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles arranged in the circumferential groove of the first connection terminal to the first connection terminal, and brazing the other end of each of the plurality of copper wire bundles arranged in the circumferential groove of the second connection terminal to the second connection terminal; a fifth step of disposing the second tubular member between the flange portion of the first connection terminal and the flange portion of the second connection terminal; a sixth step of removing the third tubular member after the fifth step is completed; A method for manufacturing a power supply cable comprising:

Images