Laser welding jig
The laser welding jig facilitates efficient welding of large metal plates by using a rotating body and separation mechanism with coil springs or air cylinders, addressing the challenges of heavy jigs and prolonged processing times in existing methods.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-03-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-07
AI Technical Summary
Laser welding of multiple metal plates with large opposing areas is challenging due to the need for heavy fixing jigs that require frequent replacement, leading to increased operator load and prolonged processing times.
A laser welding jig comprising a first unit holding a laser head, a second unit supporting a rotating body that rolls along the plate surface, an applying unit to separate the units, and a support unit to facilitate movement, utilizing a coil spring or air cylinder to maintain separation and reduce gaps, and optionally incorporating shock absorbers to dampen vibrations.
Enables easy and efficient laser welding of multiple metal plates with large opposing surfaces by reducing the need for manual jig replacement and stabilizing the welding process, thereby decreasing operator workload and shortening processing time.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a jig for laser welding.
Background Art
[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an evaporator that cools a battery pack by evaporating a heat medium through heat exchange between the battery pack configured by arranging a plurality of battery cells and the heat medium. The evaporator described in Patent Document 1 is integrally configured by joining a peripheral portion and a plurality of partition walls that separate adjacent evaporation channels to each other in a pair of metal plates subjected to cutting. Further, it is described that the joining of the pair of metal plates may be laser welding.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] When laser welding a plurality of metal plates (the first plate member and the second plate member in Patent Document 1) by overlapping them, in order to prevent a gap from occurring between the plurality of metal plates, it is necessary to fix the plurality of metal plates with a jig. And, when welding a plurality of metal plates with a large opposing area and dividing the welding locations into a plurality and performing the welding process separately for each welding location, even when manufacturing one product with a plurality of metal plates, an operation of replacing the fixing jig is required. Further, in the case of a plurality of metal plates with a large opposing area, the weight of the fixing jig is also heavy, so the load on the operator is high and the replacement operation takes time. An object of the present invention is to provide a jig for laser welding or the like that can easily perform laser welding even on a plurality of metal plates with a large opposing area.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The present invention, completed with this objective in mind, is a laser welding jig comprising: a first unit for holding a laser head that irradiates laser light; a second unit that supports a rotating body that contacts a plate-shaped irradiated member to which the laser light irradiated from the laser head is directed and rolls along the plate surface of the irradiated member, and through which the laser light is transmitted; an applying unit disposed between the first unit and the second unit and applying a force to the first unit and the second unit in a direction that separates the first unit and the second unit; and a support unit that supports the movement of the second unit relative to the first unit in the direction described above in response to the force applied by the applying unit. Here, the attachment part may be a coil spring in which the wire is spirally wound around the laser beam emitted from the laser head. Furthermore, the support portion may include a shock absorber that dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring. Furthermore, the support portion may include a shock absorber that dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring, and a spring wound spirally around the shock absorber. Furthermore, the aforementioned application portion and the aforementioned support portion may be composed of air cylinders. Furthermore, the support portion may restrict the first unit from moving relative to the second unit in the direction in which the rotating body rolls. [Effects of the Invention]
[0006] According to the present invention, laser welding can be easily performed even on multiple metal plates with large opposing surfaces. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the appearance of a cooling device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an example of a diagram showing the components of the cooling device according to the first embodiment disassembled. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of section III-III in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is an example of a diagram showing a cooling system viewed from above. [Figure 5] This is an example of a view of a channel forming member from below. [Figure 6] This is an example of a view of the second member and the flow path forming member from above. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a laser welding method. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a schematic configuration of a laser welding jig. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of a laser welding jig. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of a laser welding jig according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of a cross-section of a laser welding jig according to the third embodiment. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a schematic configuration of a laser welding jig according to the fourth embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0008] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. <First Embodiment> Figure 1 shows an example of the external appearance of the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is an example of a diagram showing the components of the cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment in an exploded view. Figure 3 shows an example of a cross-section of section III-III in Figure 1.
[0009] The cooling device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a first member 10 in the form of a thin plate and a second member 20 in the form of a thin plate arranged to face the first member 10. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a flow path forming member 30 disposed in the gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and forming a flow path for the coolant sucked into the gap S together with the first member 10 and the second member 20. Further, the cooling device 1 includes a suction joint 40 that is held by being sandwiched between the first member 10 and the second member 20 and sucks the coolant into the gap S between the first member 10 and the second member 20, and a discharge joint 50 that discharges the coolant from the gap S.
[0010] The cooling device 1 has a flat and rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. Hereinafter, the direction in which the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are stacked may be referred to as the "vertical direction". Also, in the rectangular parallelepiped cooling device 1, the rectangular longitudinal direction orthogonal to the vertical direction may be referred to as the "first direction", and the rectangular short side direction may be referred to as the "second direction". Also, in the flow path from the suction joint 40 toward the discharge joint 50, the side of the suction joint 40 may be referred to as the "upstream side", and the side of the discharge joint 50 may be referred to as the "downstream side".
[0011] In the cooling device 1, as shown in FIG. 1, an object to be cooled cooled by this cooling device 1 is placed above the first member 10. The object to be cooled can be exemplified as a battery pack 100 composed of a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped single cells 101.
[0012] (First member 10) The first member 10 has a first protrusion 11 protruding upward in a columnar shape from the plate surface at the central portion in the second direction at one end in the first direction (in FIG. 3, the left side (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "first side")). A columnar first through hole 111 is formed at the central portion of the first protrusion 11. Further, the first member 10 has a second protrusion 12 protruding upward in a columnar shape from the plate surface at the central portion in the second direction at the other end in the first direction (in FIG. 3, the right side (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "second side")). A columnar second through hole 121 is formed at the central portion of the second protrusion 12.
[0013] (Second member 20) The second member 20 has a first protrusion 21 that protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from the plate surface at the central portion in the second direction at the end on the first side in the first direction. Further, the second member 20 has a second protrusion 22 that protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from the plate surface at the central portion in the second direction at the end on the second side in the first direction. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are members of the same shape except that the first through-hole 111 and the second through-hole 121 are formed, and are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Therefore, the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21, and the second protrusion 12 and the second protrusion 22 face each other.
[0014] (Flow path forming member 30) The flow path forming member 30 is a thin plate-like member, and a notch 31 that forms a flow path for the coolant is formed by penetrating it. The notch 31 has a U-shaped path 33 that is a U-shaped notch having a portion that runs parallel to the second direction from the end on one side (in FIG. 4, the upper side (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "third side")) in the second direction to the end on the other side (in FIG. 4, the lower side (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "fourth side")) in the second direction below each row of the three-row assembled battery 100, a portion that turns back 180 degrees at the end on the fourth side in the second direction, and a portion that runs parallel to the second direction from the end on the fourth side to the end on the third side.
[0015] Further, the notch 31 includes an arcuate first connecting path 34a that connects the downstream end of the U-shaped path 33a formed at the end on the first side in the first direction and the upstream end of the U-shaped path 33b formed at the center in the first direction. Further, the notch 31 includes an arcuate second connecting path 34b that connects the downstream end of the U-shaped path 33b formed at the center in the first direction and the upstream end of the U-shaped path 33c formed at the end on the second side in the first direction.
[0016] Furthermore, the notch 31 includes an introduction passage 35 that connects the portion where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other at the first end in the first direction to the upstream end of the U-shaped passage 33a formed at the first end in the first direction. The introduction passage 35 extends from the portion where the first protrusion 11 and the first protrusion 21 face each other at the first end in the first direction in directions inclined in the first and second directions.
[0017] Furthermore, the notch 31 includes an outlet passage 36 that connects the downstream end of the U-shaped passage 33c formed at the second end in the first direction to the portion where the second projection 12 and the second projection 22 face each other at the second end in the first direction. The outlet passage 36 has an arc-shaped portion 36a that is folded back 180 degrees from the downstream end of the U-shaped passage 33c formed at the second end in the first direction, and a parallel portion 36b that is parallel to the second direction and extends from the third end to the fourth end, and an inclined portion 36c that connects the fourth end of the parallel portion 36b to the portion where the second projection 12 and the second projection 22 face each other at the second end in the first direction.
[0018] (Inlet joint 40) The suction joint 40 has a cylindrical first cylindrical portion 41 and a cylindrical second cylindrical portion 42 provided below the first cylindrical portion 41. The first cylindrical portion 41 and the second cylindrical portion 42 are cylindrical and have the same inner diameter. The outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 42 is larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 41. The first cylindrical portion 41 has a recess 411 formed around its entire circumference, which is recessed from the outer surface. An O-ring 45 is fitted into the recess 411. In the central part of the second cylindrical portion 42 in the vertical direction, a communication hole 421 is formed that penetrates in a direction intersecting the vertical direction to connect the inside and outside. For example, the communication hole 421 can be formed over half of the circumferential region.
[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the intake joint 40 has a second cylindrical portion 42 housed in a space formed by the first projection 11 of the first member 10, the first projection 21 of the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, with the first cylindrical portion 41 protruding to the outside from the first through hole 111 of the first member 10. In other words, the intake joint 40 is held by the first member 10 and the second member 20 so that the second cylindrical portion 42 does not move in the vertical direction. It can be exemplified that the communication hole 421 formed in the second cylindrical portion 42 is positioned to face the direction toward the notch 31.
[0020] (Discharge joint 50) The discharge joint 50 has the same shape as the intake joint 40, so a detailed explanation will be omitted, but the discharge joint 50 has a first cylindrical part 51 and a second cylindrical part 52, which correspond to the first cylindrical part 41 and the second cylindrical part 42, respectively. The first cylindrical portion 51 has a recess 511 formed around its entire circumference, which is recessed from the outer surface. An O-ring 45 is fitted into the recess 511. The second cylindrical portion 52 has a communication hole 521 that corresponds to the communication hole 421.
[0021] The discharge joint 50 is held by the first member 10 and the second member 20, similar to the intake joint 40. In other words, as shown in Figure 3, the discharge joint 50 is arranged such that the second cylindrical portion 52 is housed in the space formed by the second protrusion 12 of the first member 10, the second protrusion 22 of the second member 20, and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, and the first cylindrical portion 51 protrudes to the outside from the second through hole 121 of the first member 10.
[0022] Furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 do not have to be the same shape, as long as the second cylindrical portion 42 of the intake joint 40 and the second cylindrical portion 52 of the discharge joint 50 can be accommodated in the space formed by the first protrusion 11 and second protrusion 12 of the first member 10, the first protrusion 21 and second protrusion 22 of the second member 20 and the notch 31 of the flow path forming member 30, and coolant can flow through the notch 31.
[0023] Furthermore, in the cooling device 1, the intake joint 40 and the discharge joint 50 protrude upward from the first member 10 to draw in coolant from above the cooling device 1 and discharge coolant from above the cooling device 1, but the device is not limited to this configuration. For example, a through hole may be formed in the second member 20 so that the intake joint 40 and the discharge joint 50 protrude downward from the second member 20, so that coolant is drawn in from below the cooling device 1 and discharged from below the cooling device 1. Also, the direction in which the coolant is drawn in and the direction in which the coolant is discharged may be in opposite directions. For example, the intake joint 40 may protrude upward from the first member 10 and the discharge joint 50 may protrude downward from the second member 20, so that coolant is drawn in from above the cooling device 1 and discharged from below the cooling device 1.
[0024] Figure 4 is an example of a view of the cooling device 1 from above. The first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30, configured as described above, are joined by laser welding. The areas where laser welding is performed are the outer periphery of the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30, with the thick line L1 indicating the area where the laser beam L is irradiated. In addition, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined by laser welding around the first region R1, which is the area where the notch 31 is formed in the flow path forming member 30 (the area shaded in Figure 4). The thick line L2 around the first region R1 indicates the area where the laser beam L is irradiated.
[0025] The first region R1 is the region enclosed by the area where the notch 31 is formed, a third lateral line T3 parallel to the first direction which is a tangent to the first connecting path 34a and the second connecting path 34b and connects the third end in the second direction of the introduction path 35 to the third end in the second direction of the output path 36, and a fourth lateral line T4 parallel to the first direction which extends the tangent to the fourth end in the second direction of the inclined portion 36c of the output path 36, connecting the fourth ends of the three U-shaped paths 33.
[0026] Furthermore, the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 are bonded together with an adhesive. The areas to be bonded are between adjacent notches 31 within the first region R1. Furthermore, instead of bonding both the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30, only one of them may be bonded. For example, the second member 20, which is positioned at the very bottom, may be bonded to the flow path forming member 30, while the first member 10, on which the battery pack 100 is positioned above, may not be bonded to the flow path forming member 30. Alternatively, instead of using adhesive, you can use a tack sealant.
[0027] (Method of manufacturing the cooling device 1) Next, we will describe the manufacturing method of the cooling device 1. First, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are manufactured, for example, by press working. The intake joint 40 and the discharge joint 50 are manufactured, for example, by die casting and machining.
[0028] After manufacturing the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are joined together. First, the second member 20 is placed on a welding table 155 (see Figure 9) having an upper surface that conforms to the shape of the lower surface of the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 is placed on top of the second member 20, bringing the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 into contact. When placing the flow path forming member 30, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 within the first region R1, which includes the region where the notches 31 are formed.
[0029] Figure 5 is an example of a view of the flow channel forming member 30 from below. The notch 31 formed in the flow path forming member 30 has three U-shaped passages 33, a first connecting passage 34a, a second connecting passage 34b, an arc-shaped portion 36a, and a parallel portion 36b, and has a portion that folds back so that a portion that extends parallel to the second direction from the third end on the second direction to the fourth end on the second direction and a portion that extends parallel to the second direction from the fourth end on the second direction to the third end on the second direction are alternately repeated. In other words, the notch 31 is making repeated U-turns. In this embodiment, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1 on the lower surface (the surface facing the second member 20) of the flow path forming member 30. For example, as shown in Figure 5, adhesive is applied between the sides of the U-shape in the U-turning notch 31.
[0030] Then, the channel forming member 30, to which the adhesive has been applied, is placed on top of the second member 20 with the adhesive-coated surface facing downwards towards the second member 20. Then, it is left to wait until the adhesive hardens. Once the adhesive hardens, the second member 20 and the channel forming member 30 are bonded together.
[0031] Figure 6 is an example of a view of the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 from above. Next, the second cylindrical portion 42 of the intake joint 40 is placed on the first protrusion 21 of the second member 20 (see Figure 2), and the second cylindrical portion 52 of the discharge joint 50 is placed on the second protrusion 22 of the second member 20 (see Figure 2). Also, adhesive is applied between adjacent notches 31 in the first region R1 on the upper surface (the surface facing the first member 10) of the flow path forming member 30. For example, as shown in Figure 6, adhesive is applied between the U-shaped sides of the U-turned notch 31.
[0032] After applying adhesive to the upper surface of the flow path forming member 30, the first member 10 is placed on top of the flow path forming member 30. At this time, the first cylindrical portion 41 of the intake joint 40 is passed through the first through hole 111 of the first member 10, and the first cylindrical portion 51 of the discharge joint 50 is passed through the second through hole 121 of the first member 10. Then, wait until the adhesive hardens. Once the adhesive hardens, the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 are bonded together.
[0033] After that, laser welding is performed. Figure 7 shows an example of a laser welding method. Note that the laser welding jig 200, which will be described later, is omitted in Figure 7. Laser light L is irradiated onto the first member 10 at the overlapping portion of the first member 10, the flow channel forming member 30, and the second member 20. By moving the laser head 151 along the shape of the outer circumference of the first member 10 and continuously irradiating it with laser light L, the first member 10, the flow channel forming member 30, and the second member 20 are joined together. The thick line L1 in Figure 4 indicates the area where laser welding has been performed.
[0034] Furthermore, by irradiating the first member 10 with laser light L around the first region R1 of the flow channel forming member 30, and moving the laser head 151 along the periphery of the first region R1 to continuously irradiate with laser light L, the first member 10, the flow channel forming member 30, and the second member 20 are joined together. The thick line L2 in Figure 4 indicates the area where laser welding has been performed.
[0035] Furthermore, when joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20, the laser beam L may be irradiated toward the second member 20. Alternatively, instead of joining the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 simultaneously, the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 may be joined by irradiating the first member 10 with the laser beam L, and the second member 20 and the flow path forming member 30 may be joined by irradiating the second member 20 with the laser beam L.
[0036] Furthermore, laser light L is irradiated from the laser head 151 of the laser device 150 toward the first member 10 at the overlapping portion between the second cylindrical portion 42 of the suction joint 40 and the first member 10, and the laser head 151 is moved around the first through hole 111 to continuously irradiate the area around the first through hole 111 with laser light L. As a result, the first member 10 and the suction joint 40 are joined by laser welding.
[0037] Similarly, laser light L is irradiated toward the first member 10 at the overlapping portion between the second cylindrical portion 52 of the discharge joint 50 and the first member 10, and the laser head 151 is moved around the second through hole 121 to continuously irradiate the area around the second through hole 121 with laser light L. As a result, the first member 10 and the discharge joint 50 are joined by laser welding.
[0038] (Laser welding jig) Next, we will describe the laser welding jig 200 used when performing laser welding. Figure 8 shows an example of the schematic configuration of the laser welding jig 200. Figure 9 shows an example of a cross-section of the laser welding jig 200. The laser welding jig 200 comprises a first unit 210 that holds a laser head 151 that irradiates laser light L, and a second unit 220 that holds a rotating body 230 that contacts a first member 10, which is an example of a member to be irradiated by the laser light L, and rolls along the plate surface of the first member 10, and also transmits the laser light L. The laser welding jig 200 also comprises a coil spring 240, which is positioned between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 and is an example of a force-applying part that applies a force to the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 in a direction that causes them to move away from each other. The laser welding jig 200 also comprises a support unit 250 that supports the movement of the second unit 220 away from the first unit 210 in response to the force applied by the coil spring 240.
[0039] The first unit 210 is a rectangular plate-shaped member, with a laser head 151 fixed to its upper surface. A cylindrical central hole 211 is formed in the center of the first unit 210 to allow the laser light L emitted from the laser head 151 to pass through. Furthermore, the first unit 210 has cylindrical peripheral holes 212 formed around the central hole 211, at each of the four corners, into which the bearings 252 of the support unit 250 (described later) are mounted.
[0040] The second unit 220 is a rectangular plate-shaped member. A cylindrical central hole 221 is formed in the center of the second unit 220 for transmitting the laser light L emitted from the laser head 151. Furthermore, cylindrical peripheral holes 222 are formed around the central hole 221 at each of the four corners of the second unit 220, to which the support shafts 251 of the support unit 250 (described later) are fixed. In addition, a rotating body 230 is fixed to the lower surface of each of the four corners of the second unit 220.
[0041] The rotating body 230 can be exemplified as a caster comprising a wheel 231 capable of rolling, a swivel section 232 capable of rotating the wheel 231, and a restricting section (not shown) that restricts the driving of the wheel 231 and the swivel section 232. The manner in which the rotating body 230 is attached to the second base 220 is not particularly limited. For example, the rotating body 230 can be fixed to the second base 220 with fastening members such as bolts and screws. The rotating body 230 may also be fixed to a support shaft 251, which will be described later.
[0042] The support section 250 includes a cylindrical or cylindrical support shaft 251 fixed to the second base 220, and a bearing 252 fixed to the first base 210 that supports the support shaft 251 so that it can slide vertically. The manner in which the support shaft 251 is fixed to the second base 220 is not particularly limited. For example, the support shaft 251 may be press-fitted into a peripheral hole 222 formed in the second base 220. Alternatively, the support shaft 251 may be fixed to the second base 220 with fastening members such as bolts or screws.
[0043] The bearing 252 has a cylindrical portion 253 and a flange 254 provided on the upper part of the cylindrical portion 253 and protruding outward from the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 253. The outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 253 is smaller than the inner diameter of the perimeter hole 212 of the first base 210, and the outer diameter of the flange 254 is larger than the inner diameter of the perimeter hole 212 of the first base 210. The bearing 252 is fitted into the perimeter hole 212 of the first base 210 such that the cylindrical portion 253 is located inside the perimeter hole 212 of the first base 210 and the flange 254 rests on the upper surface of the perimeter of the perimeter hole 212 of the first base 210.
[0044] The inner diameter of the bearing 252 is set to be larger than the outer diameter of the support shaft 251, and the support shaft 251 is fitted inside the bearing 252. The support shaft 251 then slides inside the bearing 252.
[0045] The support portion 250 configured in this way is provided at each of the four corners of the first unit 210 and the second unit 220, allowing the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 to move relative to each other in the vertical direction, while restricting movement in a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction.
[0046] The coil spring 240 is a spring in which strands are spirally wound around the laser beam L emitted from the laser head 151. The coil spring 240 can be exemplified as a compression coil spring, with its upper end supported by the first unit 210 and its lower end supported by the second unit 220, applying a force in the direction that increases the vertical distance between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220. The inner diameter of the coil spring 240 is larger than the diameter of the central hole 211 of the first unit 210 and the central hole 221 of the second unit 220, and the outer diameter of the coil spring 240 is set so that the coil spring 240 is positioned inside the four support shafts 251.
[0047] In the laser welding jig 200 configured as described above, the laser beam L emitted from the laser head 151 fixed to the upper surface of the first unit 210 is directed onto the first member 10 through the central hole 211 of the first unit 210 and the central hole 221 of the second unit 220. As the laser head 151 moves on a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (a plane parallel to the first and second directions), the wheels 231 of the rotating body 230 move along the upper surface of the first member 10, thus moving together with the laser head 151. Furthermore, even if the first member 10 warps due to the irradiation of the laser beam L onto the first member 10, creating a gap between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, the force of the coil spring 240 causes the first member 10 to receive force from the rotating body 230 and deform toward the flow path forming member 30. As a result, gaps are less likely to form between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, and the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 are easier to join together.
[0048] Alternatively, even if, for example, warping occurs in the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30 due to the irradiation of the first member 10 with laser light L, and gaps are created between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, or between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20, the force of the coil spring 240 causes the first member 10 to receive force from the rotating body 230, deforming it toward the flow path forming member 30, and the flow path forming member 30 to deform toward the second member 20. As a result, gaps are less likely to occur between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, or between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20, making it easier to join the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20.
[0049] Thus, with the laser welding jig 200, even if warping occurs in the first member 10 or the flow path forming member 30, gaps are less likely to form between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, or between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20. Therefore, when laser welding the overlapping first member 10, flow path forming member 30, and second member 20, it is not necessary to fix the vicinity of the laser irradiation area of the first member 10, flow path forming member 30, and second member 20 with the jig in order to prevent gaps from forming between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, or between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20. As a result, since there is no need to attach or detach the jig, the burden on the worker can be reduced and the welding process time can be shortened. Consequently, even if the first member 10, second member 20, and flow path forming member 30 are metal plates with large opposing areas, laser welding can be easily performed.
[0050] Furthermore, when welding the area indicated by the thick line L1 in Figure 4, the size and position of the components of the laser welding jig 200, such as the wheel 231 of the rotating body 230, are set so that the wheel 231 of the rotating body 230 passes over the first member 10. Also, when welding the area indicated by the thick line L2 in Figure 4, the size and position of the components of the laser welding jig 200, such as the wheel 231 of the rotating body 230, are set so that the wheel 231 of the rotating body 230 does not pass over the notch 31 of the flow channel forming member 30. In other words, when joining the perimeter of the first region R1 by laser welding, the irradiation area of the laser beam L is set so that the wheel 231 of the rotating body 230 does not pass over the notch 31 of the flow channel forming member 30 (the position indicated by the thick line L2 is set).
[0051] <Second Embodiment> Figure 10 shows an example of a cross-section of the laser welding jig 300 according to the second embodiment. The laser welding jig 300 according to the second embodiment differs from the laser welding jig 200 according to the first embodiment in that it has a support portion 350 corresponding to the support portion 250. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the first and second embodiments, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.
[0052] The support portion 350 according to the second embodiment has a shock absorber that dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring 240. More specifically, the support portion 350 has an oil-filled cylinder 351 and a piston 352 inserted into the cylinder 351 and partitioning the space inside the cylinder 351. The support portion 350 also has a piston rod 353 that holds the piston 352 and a valve 354 that can open and close the opening of a through hole formed in the piston 352 that allows the movement of oil.
[0053] The lower end of the cylinder 351 is fixed to the second base 220. The manner in which the cylinder 351 is fixed to the second base 220 is not particularly limited; for example, it may be fixed with fastening members such as bolts or screws, or it may be press-fitted into a peripheral hole 222 formed in the second base 220. Alternatively, the cylinder 351 may be joined to the second base 220 by welding.
[0054] The upper end of the piston rod 353 is fixed to the first unit 210. The manner in which the piston rod 353 is fixed to the first unit 210 is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the piston rod 353 can be fixed to the first unit 210 by forming a thread on the upper end of the piston rod 353, allowing the upper end to protrude from the upper surface of the first unit 210 through the peripheral hole 212 of the first unit 210, and tightening it with a nut. Alternatively, the piston rod may be press-fitted into the peripheral hole 212 of the first unit 210, or it may be welded to the first unit 210.
[0055] The piston 352 is fixed to the lower end of the piston rod 353 with a nut. The valve 354 includes an upper valve 354a that closes the upper end of the first through-hole among the multiple through-holes formed in the piston 352, and a lower valve 354b that closes the lower end of the second through-hole among the multiple through-holes formed in the piston 352.
[0056] In the support section 350 configured as described above, during the extension stroke, when the distance between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 increases, the oil above the piston 352 passes through the through hole formed in the piston 352, deforming the lower valve 354b and moving downwards from the piston 352. This generates a damping force. On the other hand, during the compression stroke, when the distance between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 decreases, the oil below the piston 352 passes through the through hole formed in the piston 352, deforming the upper valve 354a and moving upwards from the piston 352. This generates a damping force.
[0057] Therefore, in the laser welding jig 300 having a support portion 350, the support portion 350 suppresses the rapid change in the distance between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 due to the force of the coil spring 240, and also dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring 240, thereby stabilizing the welding quality. Furthermore, with the laser welding jig 300, similar to the laser welding jig 200, the workload on the operator can be reduced and the welding process time can be shortened. As a result, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 can be easily laser-welded even if they are metal plates with large opposing areas. <Third Embodiment> Figure 11 shows an example of a cross-section of the laser welding jig 400 according to the third embodiment. The laser welding jig 400 according to the third embodiment differs from the laser welding jig 300 according to the second embodiment in that the support portion 450 corresponds to the support portion 350. The differences from the second embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the second and third embodiments, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.
[0058] The support portion 450 according to the third embodiment has the support portion 350 according to the second embodiment, and is equipped with a coil spring 455 around the support portion 350. More specifically, the support portion 450 has a spring seat 456 fixed to the outside of the cylinder 351 that supports the lower end of the coil spring 455. The coil spring 455 is a compression coil spring whose lower end is supported by the spring seat 456 and whose upper end is supported by the lower surface of the first unit 210, thereby applying a force that separates the first unit 210 and the second unit 220.
[0059] In the support section 450 configured as described above, the coil spring 455 applies a force in the direction that separates the first unit 210 and the second unit 220. Therefore, according to the laser welding jig 400 of the third embodiment, the force acting in the direction that separates the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 can be made larger than that of the laser welding jig 200 of the first embodiment. As a result, gaps are less likely to occur between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, and between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20, making it easier to join the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20. In addition, according to the laser welding jig 400, similar to the laser welding jig 300, the support section 350 suppresses abrupt changes in the distance between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 due to the force of the coil springs 240 and 455, and also dampens vibrations caused by the coil springs 240 and 455, thereby stabilizing the welding quality. Furthermore, the laser welding jig 400, like the laser welding jig 200, can reduce the workload on the operator and shorten the welding process time. As a result, the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 can be easily laser-welded even if they are metal plates with large opposing surfaces.
[0060] Furthermore, since the support portion 450 has a coil spring 455 that applies a force in the direction that separates the first unit 210 and the second unit 220, the laser welding jig 400 does not need to have a coil spring 240 that is spirally wound around the laser beam L emitted from the laser head 151.
[0061] <Fourth Embodiment> Figure 12 shows an example of a schematic configuration of the laser welding jig 500 according to the fourth embodiment. The laser welding jig 500 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the laser welding jig 200 according to the first embodiment in that it does not have a support portion 550 corresponding to the support portion 250, and a coil spring 240. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below. The same reference numerals are used for the same parts in the fourth embodiment and the first embodiment, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted.
[0062] The support unit 550 is an air cylinder that converts the energy of compressed air into vertical linear motion. The upper end of the support unit 550 is fixed to the first unit 210, and the lower end of the support unit 550 is fixed to the second unit 220. The manner in which the support unit 550 is fixed to the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 is not particularly limited. It may be fixed with fastening members such as bolts and screws, or it may be fixed by welding.
[0063] The support portion 550 according to the fourth embodiment is positioned between the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 and has the function of applying a force to the first unit 210 and the second unit 220 in a direction that causes them to move apart, and the function of supporting the movement of the second unit 220 away from the first unit 210.
[0064] With the laser welding jig 500 configured in this way, even if warping occurs in the first member 10 or the flow path forming member 30, the support portion 550 applies a force in the direction that separates the first base 210 and the second base 220, making it difficult for gaps to form between the first member 10 and the flow path forming member 30, or between the flow path forming member 30 and the second member 20. As a result, the first member 10, the flow path forming member 30, and the second member 20 become easier to join. Furthermore, with the laser welding jig 500, similar to the laser welding jig 200, the workload on the operator can be reduced and the welding process time can be shortened. As a result, even if the first member 10, the second member 20, and the flow path forming member 30 are metal plates with large opposing surfaces, laser welding can be easily performed.
[0065] While the cooling device 1 welded using the laser welding jig 200 according to the first embodiment to the laser welding jig 500 according to the fourth embodiment is exemplified as a device in which three thin plate-shaped members, a first member 10, a second member 20, and a flow path forming member 30, are stacked, the device is not particularly limited to a device in which three thin plate-shaped members are stacked. For example, it may be a device in which two thin plate-shaped members are stacked, and a recess formed in one of the two thin plate-shaped members functions as a flow path. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0066] 1...Cooling device, 10...First component, 20...Second component, 30...Flow path forming component, 31...Notch, 40...Intake joint, 50...Discharge joint, 100...Battery pack, 150...Laser device, 151...Laser head, 200, 300, 400, 500...Laser welding jig, 210...First unit, 220...Second unit, 230...Rotating body, 240...Coil spring, 250, 350, 450, 550...Support part, 455...Coil spring
Claims
1. The first unit holds the laser head that emits laser light, A second unit that transmits the laser light is supported by a rotating body that contacts a plate-shaped irradiated member to which the laser light emitted from the laser head is irradiated and rolls along the plate surface of the irradiated member, A force-applying unit is positioned between the first unit and the second unit and applies a force to the first unit and the second unit in a direction that causes them to move apart. A support unit that supports the movement of the second unit relative to the first unit in the direction described above, in response to the force applied by the force-applying unit, Equipped with, The aforementioned attachment part is a coil spring in which the strands are spirally wound around the laser beam emitted from the laser head. Laser welding jig.
2. The support portion has a shock absorber that dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring. The laser welding jig according to claim 1.
3. The support portion includes a shock absorber that dampens vibrations caused by the coil spring, and a spring wound spirally around the shock absorber. The laser welding jig according to claim 1.
4. The support portion restricts the first unit from moving relative to the second unit in the direction in which the rotating body rolls. A laser welding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Laser beam welding equipment
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Cooling unit
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