welding torch

Abstract

To adjust suction amounts of fumes during welding or just after welding, while suppressing a temperature of a torch body from rising due to heat of the fumes.SOLUTION: A welding torch comprises a torch main body 100 and a suction mechanism 110. The torch main body 100 includes a discharge nozzle 101 that discharges shield gas, and a gas supply path 102 through which shield gas is supplied to the discharge nozzle 101. The suction mechanism 110 includes a suction nozzle 120 attachably and detachably connected to the discharge nozzle 101, and a suction path 130 through which fumes are suctioned from the suction nozzle 120. The suction path 130 is provided with an adjustment part 150 that can adjust suction amounts of fumes suctioned from the suction nozzle 120.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding torch. [Background technology]

[0002] A prior art document disclosing a welding torch is U.S. Pat. No. 7,544,914 (Patent Document 1). The welding torch described in Patent Document 1 includes a nozzle, a handle, a conduit, and a fume extraction duct. The nozzle and the handle are connected by the conduit. Shielding gas and welding wire are supplied to the conduit. The fume extraction duct extends from the nozzle through the handle. The conduit and the fume extraction duct are enclosed in an outer casing. The handle is provided with a switch. The switch is connected to an adjustment system that adjusts fume suction, making it possible to adjust the amount of suction.

[0003] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 50-147451 (Patent Document 2) is a prior art document disclosing a welding apparatus equipped with a smoke collection device. The welding apparatus equipped with a smoke collection device described in Patent Document 2 includes a nozzle and a suction cover tube. The nozzle supplies shielding gas to the welding point. A flange is provided on the outer periphery of the nozzle. The suction cover tube is arranged to form a suction chamber on the outer periphery of the nozzle. A suction port is formed between the flange and the tip of the suction cover tube, with the distance between them being adjustable, to collect smoke generated during welding. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 7,544,914 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 50-147451 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the torch body, including the nozzle and handle, is integrally equipped with a conduit that serves as the gas supply path for the shielding gas and a fume extraction duct that serves as the fume suction path, so the heat from the fumes that is sucked in can cause the torch body to become very hot.

[0006] In Patent Document 2, the suction port for adjusting the amount of fumes suctioned is close to the nozzle, so the suction port becomes hot due to the heat generated during welding. In this case, it is difficult to touch the hot suction port, making it impossible to adjust the amount of fumes suctioned during or immediately after welding.

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a welding torch that can adjust the amount of fume suction during welding or immediately after welding, while preventing the torch body from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A welding torch according to the present invention includes a torch body and a suction mechanism. The torch body includes a discharge nozzle that discharges shielding gas and a gas supply path that supplies shielding gas to the discharge nozzle. The suction mechanism includes a suction nozzle detachably connected to the discharge nozzle and a suction path that sucks fumes from the suction nozzle. The suction path is provided with an adjustment unit that can adjust the amount of fumes sucked from the suction nozzle.

[0009] In this case, the torch body can be prevented from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes, and the amount of fumes absorbed can be adjusted during welding or immediately after welding.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment unit includes a pipe member and a movable member. The pipe member forms a part of the suction path and has an opening on a circumferential surface. The movable member slides along the circumferential surface of the pipe member and is capable of changing the opening area of ​​the opening.

[0011] This makes it possible to easily adjust the amount of fumes sucked.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pipe member has a groove formed therein that extends along the sliding direction of the movable member. A protrusion formed on the inner surface of the movable member is movable in the sliding direction while engaging with the groove. The pipe member has a plurality of recesses formed on the bottom surface of the groove at intervals in the sliding direction. The protrusions are detachably fitted into each of the plurality of recesses. The movable member is positioned in the sliding direction by fitting the protrusions into one of the plurality of recesses.

[0013] In this case, the movable member can be positioned relative to the pipe member with a simple structure while changing the opening area.

[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention, the torch body includes a handle, and the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle along the suction mechanism to the adjustment part is longer than the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle along the torch body to the handle.

[0015] In this case, it is possible to prevent the adjusting section from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes.

[0016] In one form of the invention, the suction path is arranged along the torch body, so that the adjustment portion is located around the handle.

[0017] This allows the adjustment portion to be easily operated during welding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the torch body from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes, and to adjust the amount of fumes absorbed during or immediately after welding. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration around a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the welding torch of FIG. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrows along line III-III. [Figure 4] 1 is a top view showing the configuration of an adjustment unit provided in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a top view showing a state in which a part of the opening of an adjustment portion provided in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention is being blocked by a movable member. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing a state before a movable member is attached to a pipe member of an adjustment section included in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the configuration of an adjustment unit included in a welding torch according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] A welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0021] In the following description, the side of the discharge nozzle from which the shielding gas is discharged may be referred to as the front end side, and the supply source side from which the shielding gas is supplied may be referred to as the rear end side.

[0022] First, the structure of a welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a welding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, a welding apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a welding torch 10, a wire supply unit 20, a power supply unit 30, a gas cylinder 4, a torch cable 11, a power transmission line 21, a signal line 22, and a gas pipe 23.

[0024] The welding torch 10 is a part that generates an arc to weld the workpiece 2. The welding torch 10 is disposed at one end of the welding device 1. The welding torch 10 generates an arc between the tip of a wire (not shown) that protrudes from the tip of the welding torch 10 and the workpiece 2. The welding torch 10 welds the wire and the workpiece 2 by melting them with the heat of the arc while ejecting shielding gas. High-temperature fumes are generated from the welding point.

[0025] The shielding gas is supplied from gas cylinder 4. Specifically, the shielding gas in gas cylinder 4 is supplied to the tip of welding torch 10 through gas piping 23 provided between gas cylinder 4, power supply unit 30, and wire supply unit 20, and through torch cable 11.

[0026] Wire supply unit 20 supplies wire (not shown) to welding torch 10. When wire is supplied from wire supply unit 20 to welding torch 10, the wire protrudes from a tip portion (not shown) disposed at the tip of welding torch 10.

[0027] Torch cable 11 is a cable that connects welding torch 10 and wire supply unit 20. Torch cable 11 includes piping for supplying wire, piping for supplying shielding gas, power supply wiring to welding torch 10, and signal wiring for transmitting and receiving signals to and from power supply unit 30. The electrical system of torch cable 11 in this embodiment includes the power supply wiring and signal wiring.

[0028] Power supply unit 30 controls the output of welding device 1 during welding, the flow rate of shielding gas, the wire feed speed, etc. Power supply unit 30 supplies power for welding to welding torch 10 via wire supply unit 20. Power supply unit 30 is connected to primary power supply 3 by a power cable and can supply power to welding torch 10.

[0029] An output terminal of the power supply unit 30, which supplies power, is connected to the wire supply unit 20 and the workpiece 2 by a power transmission line 21. Specifically, one output terminal of the power supply unit 30 is connected to the wire supply unit 20 via a power transmission line 21a. The other output terminal of the power supply unit 30 is connected to the workpiece 2 via a power transmission line 21b. A signal line 22 is provided to connect the wire supply unit 20 and the power supply unit 30 to send and receive electrical signals.

[0030] Next, a detailed configuration of a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention and its surroundings.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, welding torch 10 according to this embodiment includes torch body 100 and suction mechanism 110. As shown in FIG.

[0032] The torch main body 100 includes a discharge nozzle 101 , a gas supply path 102 , a torch body 103 , and a handle 104 .

[0033] The discharge nozzle 101 has a wire protruding from its tip, and discharges a shielding gas around the wire. The shielding gas is, for example, argon gas. Note that the shielding gas is not limited to argon gas, and may be other inert gases such as carbon dioxide gas or helium gas.

[0034] The gas supply path 102 supplies the shielding gas to the discharge nozzle 101. The gas supply path 102 passes through the inside of the torch body 103, the handle 104, and the torch cable 11.

[0035] The torch body 103 is connected to the discharge nozzle 101. The torch body 103 forms a path for supplying the wire and shielding gas to the discharge nozzle 101.

[0036] Handle 104 is a part for operating welding torch 10 during welding work. Handle 104 is disposed on the rear end side of discharge nozzle 101 via torch body 103. Handle 104 has a grip portion 105 and a button 106.

[0037] Grip 105 is a portion that is gripped to operate welding torch 10. Button 106 is located on the tip side of grip 105. When button 106 is pressed, shielding gas is sprayed from discharge nozzle 101, and wire supply unit 20 supplies wire to discharge nozzle 101 while supplying power thereto.

[0038] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the welding torch of Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrows along line III-III. In Fig. 3, to facilitate understanding of the invention, only the suction nozzle of welding torch 10 is shown in cross section.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the suction mechanism 110 includes a suction nozzle 120, a suction path 130, a suction pipe 140, a first hose 141, a second hose 142, an adjustment unit 150, and a suction unit 160.

[0040] The suction mechanism 110 sucks fumes generated during welding. The suction nozzle 120 covers the outer circumferential surface of the discharge nozzle 101 and is connected to the outer circumferential surface of the discharge nozzle 101. As shown in Fig. 3, the suction nozzle 120 has a tip portion 121, a main body portion 122, and a cap portion 123.

[0041] The tip 121 forms a suction port for sucking in fumes. The fumes are sucked from the tip 121 into the inside of the suction nozzle 120.

[0042] The main body 122 forms a suction chamber communicating with the suction port between itself and the outer peripheral surface of the discharge nozzle 101. The main body 122 is detachably connected to the tip portion 121 by screwing it to the tip portion 121 at the tip side connecting portion 124. A tapered portion 126 whose outer diameter decreases toward the end is provided at the end of the main body 122 on the cap portion 123 side. A plurality of tapered portions 126 are provided discontinuously at intervals in the circumferential direction of the main body 122.

[0043] The cap portion 123 is a fixture that fixes the suction nozzle 120 to the discharge nozzle 101. The cap portion 123 is detachably connected to the main body portion 122 by screwing onto the main body portion 122 at the rear end side connection portion 125. The cap portion 123 has an inner circumferential portion 127 whose inner diameter decreases toward the end, into which the tapered portion 126 is inserted in a wedge shape.

[0044] After inserting the discharge nozzle 101 into the inside of the suction nozzle 120, the cap portion 123 and the main body portion 122 are screwed together at the rear end connecting portion 125, thereby fixing the suction nozzle 120 to the discharge nozzle 101.

[0045] Specifically, when cap portion 123 and main body portion 122 are screwed together at rear end connecting portion 125, tapered portion 126 is inserted into inner peripheral portion 127 in a wedge shape. As a result, tapered portion 126 of main body portion 122 tightens against the outer peripheral surface of discharge nozzle 101, thereby fixing suction nozzle 120 to discharge nozzle 101. In this embodiment, tapered portions 126 are provided discontinuously at intervals around the circumference of main body portion 122, compared to when they are provided continuously around the circumference of main body portion 122. This makes it easier for main body portion 122 to elastically deform in the radial direction, thereby more firmly fixing suction nozzle 120 to discharge nozzle 101.

[0046] As described above, suction nozzle 120 is detachably connected to discharge nozzle 101. In this embodiment, there is no need to provide a separate structure for attaching suction nozzle 120 to discharge nozzle 101, and therefore suction mechanism 110 can be easily detachably connected to torch body 100. Suction mechanism 110 is configured so that it can be attached to an existing welding torch that does not have suction mechanism 110.

[0047] The fumes sucked through the suction nozzle 120 flow through the suction path 130. As shown in Figure 2, the suction path 130 passes through the inside of the suction pipe 140, the first hose 141, the adjustment part 150 and the second hose 142.

[0048] The suction pipe 140 is connected to the outer periphery of the main body 122. The suction pipe 140 can be fixed to the discharge nozzle 101 at any angle in the circumferential direction by changing the circumferential angle of the main body 122 relative to the discharge nozzle 101. As a result, whether the handle 104 is held with the right hand or the left hand, by adjusting the circumferential position of the suction pipe 140, it is possible to prevent the suction mechanism 110 from interfering with the hand holding the handle 104.

[0049] First hose 141 is connected to suction pipe 140. First hose 141 is made of, for example, resin. Second hose 142 is connected to first hose 141 via adjustment unit 150. Second hose 142 is made of, for example, resin. Suctioned fumes flow inside each of first hose 141 and second hose 142.

[0050] The adjustment unit 150 is provided in the suction path 130 so as to be able to adjust the amount of fumes suctioned from the suction nozzle 120. In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 150 is located around the handle 104 because the suction path 130 is arranged along the torch body 100.

[0051] The shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle 101 along the suction mechanism 110 to the adjustment unit 150 is longer than the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle 101 along the torch body 100 to the handle 104. The adjustment unit 150 is disposed, for example, at a position 20 cm or more away from the tip of the discharge nozzle 101 along the suction mechanism 110.

[0052] Suction unit 160 shown in FIG. 1 generates negative pressure for sucking fumes. Suction unit 160 is connected to second hose 142. Suction unit 160 is, for example, a rotary vacuum pump. Suction unit 160 is not limited to a rotary vacuum pump. It is desirable that suction unit 160 be provided with a filter that adsorbs fumes. Suction unit 160 may or may not have a mechanism built therein for adjusting the amount of suction.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a top view showing the configuration of an adjustment unit included in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a top view showing a state in which a part of an opening of an adjustment unit included in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention is being blocked by a movable member. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing a state before the movable member is attached to a pipe member of an adjustment unit included in a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the adjustment unit 150 has a pipe member 151 and a movable member 155.

[0055] Pipe member 151 forms part of suction path 130 and has opening 152 on its circumferential surface. Opening 152 penetrates pipe member 151 so as to connect the inside and outside of pipe member 151. As shown in FIG. 6 , pipe member 151 has groove 153 formed therein. Groove 153 extends along the sliding direction of movable member 155. In this embodiment, the sliding direction of movable member 155 coincides with the axial direction of pipe member 151.

[0056] The pipe member 151 has a plurality of recesses 154 formed in the bottom surface of the groove 153 at intervals in the sliding direction of the movable member 155 .

[0057] Movable member 155 has a semi-cylindrical shape that covers part of the circumferential surface of pipe member 151. Movable member 155 slides along the circumferential surface of pipe member 151. A convex portion 156 is formed on the inner surface of movable member 155. Convex portion 156 is formed to be movable in the sliding direction of movable member 155 while engaging with groove portion 153. Convex portion 156 is detachably fitted into each of the multiple concave portions 154.

[0058] Movable member 155 is positioned in the sliding direction of movable member 155 by fitting convex portion 156 into any one of the plurality of concave portions 154 of pipe member 151. As movable member 155 moves in the sliding direction, convex portion 156 fits into any one of the plurality of concave portions 154, making it possible to change the opening area of ​​opening 152.

[0059] The amount of fumes suctioned by suction mechanism 110 can be adjusted by changing the opening area of ​​opening 152. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 5, in order to increase the amount of fumes suctioned, the area of ​​opening 152 that is blocked by movable member 155 is increased, thereby reducing the opening area of ​​opening 152. This reduces the amount of outside air suctioned through opening 152, and increases the amount of fumes suctioned by suction nozzle 120.

[0060] 4, in order to reduce the amount of fumes being sucked in, the area of ​​opening 152 that is blocked by movable member 155 is reduced, thereby increasing the opening area of ​​opening 152. This increases the amount of outside air sucked in through opening 152, thereby reducing the amount of fumes being sucked in from suction nozzle 120. In this way, the opening area of ​​opening 152 can be continuously changed by movable member 155, thereby finely adjusting the amount of fumes being sucked in.

[0061] In the suction mechanism 110, by sucking in outside air from the opening 152 while sucking in fumes, the adjustment unit 150 is cooled by the outside air, and therefore it is possible to prevent the adjustment unit 150 from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes.

[0062] While the movable member 155 in this embodiment has a semi-cylindrical shape, it is not limited to this shape. The movable member may have an annular shape and slide along the pipe member. In this case, the pipe member does not need to have a groove. If the pipe member does not have a groove, for example, flanges or other stoppers can be placed on both ends of the movable range of the movable member, allowing the movable member to slide in the axial direction of the pipe member to open and close the opening.

[0063] In a welding torch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a fume suction path 130 is provided separately from the torch body 100, and an adjustment unit 150 is provided in the suction path 130. This makes it possible to prevent the torch body 100 from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes, and to adjust the amount of fume suction during or immediately after welding, compared to when the torch body 100 and the suction path 130 are integrally configured.

[0064] In the welding torch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustment unit 150 for adjusting the suction of fumes is composed of a pipe member 151 and a movable member 155, and the opening area of ​​the opening 152 provided in the pipe member 151 can be changed by the movable member 155, so that the amount of fumes suction can be easily adjusted.

[0065] In welding torch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of recesses 154 are formed in a row along the sliding direction of movable member 155 on the bottom surface of groove portion 153 of pipe member 151, and a protrusion 156 is formed on the inner surface of movable member 155, which engages with groove portion 153 along the sliding direction and detachably fits into any one of the plurality of recesses 154. This makes it possible to change the opening area and position movable member 155 relative to pipe member 151 with a simple configuration.

[0066] In the welding torch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle 101 along the suction mechanism 110 to the adjustment unit 150 is longer than the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle 101 along the torch body 100 to the handle 104, and therefore, the adjustment unit 150 can be prevented from becoming too hot due to the heat of the fumes.

[0067] In the welding torch 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the suction path 130 is arranged along the torch body 100, and the adjustment unit 150 is located around the handle 104, making it easy to operate the adjustment unit 150 during welding.

[0068] A welding torch according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The welding torch according to the modification of the embodiment of the present invention differs from welding torch 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention in the configuration of the adjustment unit in the suction mechanism, and therefore the description of the configuration that is the same as that of welding torch 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will not be repeated.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a top view showing the configuration of an adjustment unit provided in a welding torch according to a modified example of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] 7, an adjustment section 150A of a suction mechanism 110A of this modification has a pipe member 151A and a movable member 155A. A male thread portion 157 is formed on the circumferential surface of the pipe member 151A.

[0071] Movable member 155A slides on the circumferential surface of pipe member 151A. Movable member 155A is, for example, a nut. An internal thread 158 that screws into external thread 157 is formed on the internal surface of movable member 155A. In this modified example, movable member 155A can change the opening area of ​​opening 152 by moving movable member 155A along the axial direction of pipe member 151A while screwing internal thread 158 into external thread 157 of pipe member 151A.

[0072] In the welding torch according to this modification, a male thread portion 157 is formed on the peripheral surface of the pipe member 151A, and a female thread portion 158 that screws into the male thread portion 157 is formed on the inner surface of the movable member 155A, so that the opening area of ​​the opening 152 can be continuously changed and the amount of fumes absorbed can be finely adjusted.

[0073] Although the welding torch and welding device according to one embodiment of the present invention are described with reference to MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding, the application of the present invention is not limited to welding devices for MIG welding. The present invention can also be applied to other arc welding methods such as MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding or TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding.

[0074] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be limiting. Therefore, the technical scope of the present disclosure should not be interpreted solely by the above-described embodiments. Furthermore, all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims are included. In the description of the above-described embodiments, combinable configurations may be combined with each other. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 welding torch, 100 torch body, 101 discharge nozzle, 102 gas supply path, 104 handle, 110, 110A suction mechanism, 120 suction nozzle, 130 suction path, 150, 150A adjustment part, 151, 151A pipe member, 152 opening, 153 groove part, 154 recess, 155, 155A movable member, 156 convex part.

Claims

1. a torch body including a discharge nozzle that discharges a shielding gas and a gas supply path that supplies the shielding gas to the discharge nozzle; a suction mechanism including a suction nozzle detachably connected to the discharge nozzle and a suction path for suctioning fumes from the suction nozzle; an adjusting unit capable of adjusting the amount of fumes suctioned from the suction nozzle is provided in the suction path, The adjustment unit a pipe member that forms a part of the suction path and has an opening on a circumferential surface; a movable member that slides on the circumferential surface of the pipe member and is capable of changing the opening area of ​​the opening, the movable member has a semi-cylindrical shape; The torch body includes a handle; The movable member faces the handle and slides along the axial direction of the pipe member relative to the peripheral surface of the pipe member.

2. the pipe member has a groove formed therein that extends along the sliding direction of the movable member, a protrusion that is movable in the sliding direction while engaging with the groove is formed on the inner surface of the movable member, The pipe member has a plurality of recesses formed on a bottom surface of the groove portion at intervals in the sliding direction, the protrusions are detachably fitted into the plurality of recesses, The welding torch according to claim 1 , wherein the movable member is positioned in the sliding direction by fitting the protrusion into one of the plurality of recesses.

3. A welding torch as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle along the suction mechanism to the adjustment section is longer than the shortest distance from the tip of the discharge nozzle along the torch body to the handle.

4. The welding torch of claim 3 , wherein the suction path is arranged along the torch body, and the adjustment portion is located around the handle.

Images