Welding torch device and welding method

Abstract

To provide a welding torch device which can facilitate maintenance of a wire guide for supplying a consumable electrode, and to provide a welding method using the welding torch device.SOLUTION: In a welding torch device 1 including a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 10 and a welding method using the welding torch device, the wire supply device 10 includes: a wire guide body 21 fixed to a tip side of the welding torch body 2; a wire guide 31 which is disposed at the outer side of the welding torch body 2 in a first radial direction R1 and supported by the wire guide body 21 in an inclined attitude at which a tip part is located close to a tip of a torch nozzle 4; and a wire guide fixture 15 having a first fixture part 16 fixed to the welding torch body 2, a second fixture part 17 fixed to the wire guide 31, and a rotary shaft 18 connecting the first fixture part with the second fixture part. The second fixture part 17 is rotated around the rotary shaft 18 relative to the first fixture part 16 to move the wire guide 31 close to or apart from the welding torch body 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a welding torch device and a welding method used for arc welding.

Background Art

[0002] As a welding method for structures (welded objects) using metals, non-ferrous metals, etc. as base materials, arc welding is widely used in various industrial fields. For example, in TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding as arc welding, a TIG welding torch equipped with a discharge electrode (non-consumable electrode) and a torch nozzle is used. An arc is generated between the non-consumable electrode (-) and the welded object (+), and the welded object is melted by the heat of this arc to form a molten pool. In TIG welding, a wire-shaped consumable electrode is fed out from a wire guide whose tip is close to the molten pool, and this consumable electrode is supplied to the molten pool and melted while performing welding. During welding, shielding gas is discharged from the torch nozzle surrounding the electrode, and the welded part is shielded from the atmosphere (air) by this shielding gas.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a TIG torch is proposed that uses a dedicated torch for robot welding, has a notch provided at the lower part of the torch nozzle, holds a wire guide obliquely through this notch, and supplies a filler wire to the welding location.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, the conventional method described above has several drawbacks, including the inability to use inexpensive, general-purpose TIG torches, concerns about the wire coming into contact with the tungsten electrode during welding due to wire curvature, and the difficulty of maintenance such as replacing the wire guide because it is fixed to the torch nozzle.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides a welding torch device and a welding method using the same that can facilitate the maintenance of the wire guide that supplies the consumable electrode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As a means of solving the above problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising: a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body; and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to the welding location, wherein the wire supply device comprises: a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body; a wire guide positioned outside the welding torch body in the first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle; and a torch nozzle on the welding torch body. The wire guide fixing device comprises a first fixing part fixed to the base end side of the wire guide and a second fixing part fixed to the base end side of the wire guide, wherein the wire guide fixing device has a rotation axis between the welding torch body and the wire guide in the first radial direction that allows the first fixing part and the second fixing part to rotate relative to each other, the rotation axis is an axis that is perpendicular to the first radial direction and the axial direction and perpendicular to the torch nozzle when viewed from the first radial direction, and the wire guide can be moved closer to and further away from the welding torch body by rotating the second fixing part relative to the first fixing part around the rotation axis. In this configuration, the wire guide fixing device, which is fixed to the base end of the welding torch body, rotates around a pivot axis, causing the second fixing part on the wire guide side to rotate relative to the first fixing part on the welding torch body side, thereby allowing the wire guide to move closer to and further away from the welding torch body. As a result, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily separated from the welding torch body, and the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and, consequently, from the welding torch body, thereby improving maintainability.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect described above, the rotating shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to a first radial direction, and by tightening the bolt, the relative rotation of the first fixed part and the second fixed part is fixed, and by loosening the tightening of the bolt, the relative rotation of the first fixed part and the second fixed part is permitted. With this configuration, by tightening and loosening the bolt on the rotating shaft, it is possible to easily switch between a fixed state where the wire guide is tilted (usage position) and a state where the wire guide can rotate to move away from the torch nozzle.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first or second aspect described above, the wire guide body has a guide groove for fitting and supporting a wire guide in an inclined position. With this configuration, the wire guide can be stably supported in an inclined position (operating position) by fitting and supporting the wire guide in the guide groove of the wire guide support section.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding location, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, and a wire guide positioned outside the welding torch body in the first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, wherein the wire guide body is provided with a guide holding hole for inserting and holding the wire guide, and a wire guide fixing device is provided in the direction of extension of the wire guide toward the base end side in the guide holding hole for fixing the base end side of the wire guide. With this configuration, the wire guide is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole of the wire guide body, and the base end of the wire guide is fixed to the wire guide fixing device in the direction extending from the guide holding hole. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and, consequently, from the welding torch body by releasing the fixing of the wire guide in the wire guide fixing device, thereby improving maintainability.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is, in the fourth aspect described above, the wire guide fixing device comprises a first fixing part fixed to the base end of the torch nozzle on the welding torch body, a second fixing part fixed to the base end of the wire guide, and a rotating shaft that allows the first fixing part and the second fixing part to rotate relative to each other, wherein the rotating shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, and the first fixing part and the second fixing part can be separated by removing the bolt. With this configuration, the wire fixing device allows the guide holding hole and the second fixing part to be easily positioned coaxially by rotating the first fixing part on the welding torch body side and the second fixing part on the wire guide side relative to each other around a rotation axis. By removing the bolt that acts as the rotation axis, the second fixing part can be removed together with the wire guide, making it easy to insert and remove the wire guide from the guide holding hole.

[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding location, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, and a wire guide positioned outside the welding torch body in the first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, wherein the wire guide body comprises a guide holding hole for inserting and holding the wire guide, and a fixing structure for fixing the wire guide to the guide holding hole. With this configuration, the wire guide is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole of the wire guide body, and a fixing structure is provided to fix the wire guide in the guide holding hole and prevent it from coming out of the guide holding hole. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and, consequently, from the welding torch body by releasing the fixing structure, thereby improving maintainability. The number of parts can be reduced by holding and fixing the wire guide in the wire guide body.

[0013] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode to a welding location, wherein the wire supply device comprises a wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, a wire guide positioned outside the welding torch body in the first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, and a wire guide fixing device for fixing the base end side of the wire guide to the welding torch body. With this configuration, the base end of the wire guide is fixed to the welding torch body via a wire guide fixing device, which simplifies or reduces the structure of grooves, holes, and other features that support the tip end of the wire guide in the wire guide body. The wire guide fixing device can also be designed to eliminate the axis of rotation and fix the inclination angle of the wire guide. This makes wire guide maintenance easier while simplifying the structure of the welding torch device and reducing costs.

[0014] An eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first, fourth, sixth, or seventh aspects described above, the angle of the wire guide with respect to the torch nozzle in the inclined position is set between 15 degrees and 45 degrees. With this configuration, the angle of the wire guide relative to the torch nozzle can be set from 15 to 45 degrees, allowing the filler wire to be supplied at an angle suitable for arc welding.

[0015] A ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first, fourth, sixth, or seventh aspects described above, a wire straightening mechanism is provided to reduce the bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide. This configuration reduces the bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide, thereby enabling a stable supply of filler wire from the wire guide to the welding area.

[0016] A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a welding method using a welding torch device described in any one of the first, fourth, sixth, or seventh aspects described above. With this configuration, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide, the wire guide can be easily removed from the wire guide body and, consequently, from the welding torch body, thereby improving maintainability. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a welding torch device and a welding method using the same that can facilitate the maintenance of the wire guide that supplies the consumable electrode.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a side view of the welding torch device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of the wire guide of the welding torch device in a state of being separated from the wire guide body. [Figure 3] It is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device. [Figure 4] It is a side view of the wire guide of the welding torch device in a state of being separated from the wire guide body. [Figure 5] It is a perspective view of the wire guide of the welding torch device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in a state of being extracted from the wire guide body. [Figure 6] It is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] It is a perspective view of the wire guide of the welding torch device according to the third embodiment of the present invention in a state of being extracted from the wire guide body. [Figure 8] It is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9] It is a perspective view including a partial cross-section around the wire guide of the welding torch device according to the fourth embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The welding torch device and the welding method of each embodiment are suitably used for, for example, gas shielded arc welding, particularly TIG welding, but the present invention may also be applied to other welding.

[0020] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a side view of the welding torch device 1 according to the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the welding torch device 1 with the wire guide 31 separated from the wire guide body 21. Figure 3 is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device 1. Figure 4 is a side view of the welding torch device 1 with the wire guide 31 separated from the wire guide body 21.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the welding torch device 1 comprises a welding torch body 2 equipped with a discharge electrode (non-consumable electrode) 5 and a torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of the torch body 3, and a wire supply device 10 attached to the welding torch body 2 that supplies a wire-shaped consumable electrode (filler wire W) to the welding location.

[0022] The welding torch device 1 has a wire guide 31 positioned diagonally on one radial side of a non-consumable electrode 5 located in the center of the torch nozzle 4, and supplies filler wire W from the tip of the wire guide 31 toward the welding area below the torch nozzle 4. The welding torch device 1 generates an arc between the non-consumable electrode 5 and the workpiece to melt the workpiece, and performs welding while melting the filler wire W into the molten pool. Shielding gas (inert gas) is supplied toward the welding area from an opening at the tip of the welding torch device 1 facing the welding area, and welding is performed in this shielding gas atmosphere. The area around the welding area is shielded from the atmosphere (air) by the shielding gas.

[0023] The arc welding method may be either a consumable electrode type such as shielded metal arc welding or carbon dioxide arc welding, or a non-consumable electrode type such as TIG welding or plasma arc welding. Shielding gases vary depending on the welding method. For example, argon, helium, or mixtures thereof are used in MIG welding; carbon dioxide or a mixture of argon and carbon dioxide is used in MAG welding; and argon is used in TIG welding. In laser welding, nitrogen, argon, or helium are used as shielding gases.

[0024] The heat source for melting the filler wire W is not limited to the arc described above. For example, other heat sources such as a heating method using both an arc and a laser, a heating method using plasma, or a heating method using an electron beam or laser may be used. When heating with an electron beam or laser, the amount of heat can be controlled more precisely, and the condition of the weld bead can be maintained more appropriately.

[0025] The filler wire W used is, for example, a filler wire W made of pure titanium or a titanium alloy, specifically designed for welding titanium and titanium alloys (see, for example, JIS Z 3331). If the filler wire W is pure titanium or a titanium alloy, proper welding can be performed even when the base material is a titanium-based material.

[0026] The welding torch device 1 holds the filler wire W and generates an arc from the tip of the filler wire W in a shielding gas atmosphere. The filler wire W is fed to the welding torch device 1 by a feeding mechanism (not shown). As the welding torch device 1 moves, the continuously fed filler wire W is melted and solidified, forming a weld bead, which is a molten and solidified body of the filler wire W. Shielding gas supplied from the shielding gas supply unit is sprayed from the welding torch device 1 onto the weld area, shielding the area around the weld.

[0027] <Welding torch body 2> The welding torch body 2 is cylindrical in shape and has a straight central axis (torch axis) C1. In each embodiment, the direction along the torch axis C1 is called the axial direction, the direction perpendicular to the torch axis C1 is called the radial direction, and the direction around the center of the torch axis is called the circumferential direction. In each embodiment, an arrangement in which the torch axis C1 is aligned with the vertical direction (direction of arrow V1 in the figure) is described, but the arrangement is not limited to this. In each embodiment, the torch tip side is referred to as "down" in the axial direction, and the side opposite the torch tip (base side) is referred to as "up".

[0028] The welding torch body 2 can be, for example, a general-purpose TIG torch. The welding torch body 2 is equipped with a torch nozzle 4 and a tungsten electrode (non-consumable electrode) 5 at the tip (lower end) of a cylindrical torch body 3, and a pipe connection part (not shown) at the base end (upper end) of the torch body 3. A hose (not shown) for introducing shielding gas is connected to the pipe connection part. The shielding gas introduced into the torch body 3 is ejected from the tip opening 21a of the torch nozzle 4 toward the weld through a flow path formed inside the torch body 3 and the torch nozzle 4.

[0029] <Wire supply device 10> The wire supply device 10 is capable of continuously supplying filler wire W, which is continuously supplied from a wire supply unit (not shown), to the welding area. The wire supply device 10 comprises, in order from the upstream side of the wire supply path, a wire straightening mechanism 11, an upstream holder 13, a downstream holder 14, a wire guide fixing device 15, and a wire guide body 21.

[0030] The wire supply device 10 has an axis (wire supply axis C2) that is offset radially to one side with respect to the torch axis C1. The wire supply device 10 transports the filler wire W along the wire supply axis C2, which is aligned vertically, from the wire straightening mechanism 11 to the downstream holder 14. Hereinafter, the radial direction in which the wire supply device 10 is offset will be referred to as the first radial direction R1 (direction of arrow R1 in the figure).

[0031] The wire supply device 10 curves the wire supply path toward the welding torch body 2 between the downstream holder 14 and the wire guide fixing device 15. The wire supply device 10 has an axis (downstream wire supply axis C3) that is inclined with respect to the torch axis C1 between the wire guide fixing device 15 and the tip of the wire guide body 21. The wire supply device 10 transports the filler wire W along the downstream wire supply axis C3, which is inclined with respect to the torch axis C1, from the wire guide fixing device 15 to the downstream holder 14 of the wire guide body 21. The straight cylindrical wire guide 31 is positioned so that its central axis C31 coincides with the downstream wire supply axis C3.

[0032] <Wire orthodontic mechanism 11> The wire straightening mechanism 11 has, for example, a pair of upper and lower guide roller rows 11a and 11b that clamp the filler wire W radially. In the wire straightening mechanism 11, these pairs of guide roller rows 11a and 11b are rotated 90 degrees relative to each other around the wire supply axis C2, so that the roller axes are perpendicular to each other. This straightens the bend of the filler wire W in two directions perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and allows the filler wire W to be guided downstream with the bend removed. After passing through the wire straightening mechanism 11, the filler wire W passes through the intermediate pipe 12 that extends vertically across the wire straightening mechanism 11, the upstream holder 13 and the downstream holder 14, and is then guided into the wire guide 31 via a curved path covered by a flexible tube. The frame of the wire straightening mechanism 11 is fixed to the upper part of the intermediate pipe 12.

[0033] The filler wire W curves toward the welding torch body 2 along a curved path and is inserted into a wire guide 31 which is positioned at an angle to the welding torch body 2. The wire guide 31 guides the filler wire W along the downstream wire supply axis C3 and feeds out the tip of the filler wire W so that it is close to the tip of the non-consumable electrode 5 just below the lower end of the wire guide body 21. The central axis (downstream wire supply axis) C3 of the wire guide 31 is inclined to move further away from the torch axis C1 towards the upper side. The inclination angle θ1 of the downstream wire supply axis C3 with respect to the torch axis C1 is set to 20 degrees in each embodiment. This inclination angle θ1 is preferably set between 15 and 45 degrees as an angle that makes it easy to guide the filler wire W to the weld.

[0034] <Upstream holder 13> The upstream holder 13 is a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and is positioned below the wire straightening mechanism 11 at a distance from it. The upstream holder 13 includes a first clamp portion 13a provided on one side in the horizontal direction and fixed to the upper and lower middle part of the relay pipe 12, and a second clamp portion 13b provided on the other side in the horizontal direction (opposite side from the welding torch body 2) and fixed to the lower part of the grip pipe 13c. The grip pipe 13c is attached, for example, to the position control robot of the welding torch device 1.

[0035] <Downstream holder 14> The downstream holder 14 is a block-shaped member having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and is positioned below and spaced apart from the upstream holder 13. The downstream holder 14 includes a first clamp portion 14a provided on one horizontal side and fixed to the lower part of the relay pipe 12, and a second clamp portion 14b provided on the other horizontal side (welding torch body 2 side) and fixed to the upper and lower intermediate part of the torch body 3. The clamp member of the second clamp portion 14b of the downstream holder 14 is integrally formed with, for example, the clamp member of the first clamp portion 16a of the first fixing device 16 of the wire guide fixing device 15, and a relay portion 14c that extends in the vertical direction.

[0036] <Wire guide fixing device 15> The wire guide fixing device 15 is positioned below the downstream holder 14, spaced apart from it. The wire guide fixing device 15 comprises a block-shaped first fixing part 16 having upper and lower surfaces perpendicular to the wire supply axis C2, and a second fixing part 17 connected to the first fixing part 16 via a rotating shaft 18. The rotation axis 18 is an axis parallel to the second radial direction R2 (direction of arrow R2 in the figure), which is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1. Line C4 in the figure indicates the central axis of the rotation axis 18.

[0037] The first fixing portion 16 includes a first clamp portion 16a provided on one side in the horizontal direction and fixed to the upper and lower intermediate portion of the torch body 3, and a first connecting portion 16b provided on the other side in the horizontal direction through which the rotating shaft 18 passes. The second fixing portion 17 includes a second clamp portion 17a fixed to the base end of the wire guide 31, and a second connecting portion 17b provided on the welding torch body 2 side of the second clamp portion 17a through which the rotating shaft 18 passes. It is preferable to interpose an insulating material such as resin between the wire guide 31 and the second clamp portion 17a.

[0038] The first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b are connected via the rotating shaft 18 so as to be able to rotate relative to each other, with each overlapping in the axial direction (second radial direction R2) of the rotating shaft 18. The rotating shaft 18 is an axis that is perpendicular to the axial direction of the first radial direction R1, and is also perpendicular to the axial direction of the torch body 3 when viewed from the first radial direction R1. By rotating the second fixing portion 17 relative to the first fixing portion 16 around this rotating shaft 18, the wire guide 31 held by the second fixing portion 17 can move closer to and further away from the wire guide body 21 in the first radial direction R1.

[0039] The rotating shaft 18 is composed of a bolt 18a parallel to the second radial direction R2. The bolt 18a passes through the first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b from one side to the other of the second radial direction R2, and a nut is screwed onto the threaded shaft protruding from the other side of the second radial direction R2 (neither is shown in the diagram). By tightening the bolt 18a and the nut, the first connecting portion 16b and the second connecting portion 17b are fastened together, restricting (fixing) the relative rotation of the first fixing portion 16 and the second fixing portion 17 around the rotating shaft 18. By loosening the bolt 18a and the nut, relative rotation of the first fixing portion 16 and the second fixing portion 17 is permitted.

[0040] <Wire guide body 21> A wire guide body 21 is attached to the tip of the welding torch body 2, surrounding the outer circumference of the torch nozzle 4. The wire guide body 21 has a nozzle insertion hole 22a with an inner shape that matches the shape of the tip of the torch nozzle 4. The wire guide body 21 inserts the torch nozzle 4 into the nozzle insertion hole 22a from above, pushing the torch nozzle 4 in until it bottoms out and makes a tight seal within the nozzle insertion hole 22a. In this state, the wire guide body 21 is fixed to the welding torch body 2. A gas leak prevention member such as an O-ring may be provided between the nozzle insertion hole 22a and the welding torch body 2.

[0041] The wire guide body 21 is fixed, for example, by screwing the lower end of a long bolt 19, which passes vertically through the wire guide fixing device 15, into a nut hole 23c at the upper end of the wire guide body 21. The vertical height of the wire guide body 21 can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical position of the long bolt 19 relative to the wire guide fixing device 15. The vertical position of the long bolt 19 is adjusted by changing the fixing positions of multiple nuts 19a. It is preferable to interpose an insulating material such as resin between the long bolt 19 and the wire guide fixing device 15.

[0042] The wire guide body 21 has a cylindrical tubular portion 22 that follows the outer circumference shape of the tip side of the welding torch body 2, as well as an overhanging portion 23 that protrudes to one side (outside) of the first radial direction R1 to which the wire supply device 10 is offset. The overhanging portion 23 is formed so that it protrudes more towards one side of the first radial direction R1 towards the upper side (towards the torch base end). On one side of the first radial direction R1 of the wire guide body 21, an inclined portion 23a is formed that follows the downstream wire supply axis C3.

[0043] A guide groove 23b is formed in the inclined portion 23a, which forms an inner circumferential surface that aligns with the outer circumferential surface of the wire guide 31. The guide groove 23b can be fitted into and supported by the wire guide 31 in an inclined position. The wire guide 31 is positioned outside the first radial direction R1 of the welding torch body 2, and by being supported by the wire guide body 21 in the inclined position, its tip is brought close to the tip of the wire guide body 21 (and consequently the tip of the welding torch device 1).

[0044] The protruding portion 23 has a roughly right-angled triangular shape when viewed from the second radial direction R2, which is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1 (see Figures 3 and 4). A nut hole 23c is formed at the approximately horizontal upper end of the protruding portion 23 for tightening the lower end of the long bolt 19 that secures the wire guide body 21.

[0045] The wire guide body 21 also serves as a water cooling jig for cooling the torch nozzle 4. A water channel (not shown) is formed inside the wire guide body 21 so as to surround the outer circumference of the torch nozzle 4. A water supply and drainage pipe 29 connected to the water channel (not shown) is installed on the upper surface of the wire guide body 21. By cooling the tip of the welding torch device 1 with water and stabilizing its temperature, the welding torch device 1 is protected and stable welding becomes possible.

[0046] <Wire guide 31> The wire guide 31 is a cylindrical member that feeds the filler wire W toward the tip (lower end). The wire guide 31 is a substantially cylindrical, elongated member having a central hole along the downstream wire supply axis C3. The material of the wire guide 31 can be, for example, metals such as brass, copper, copper alloys, carbon steel, stainless steel, and titanium, or ceramics.

[0047] The wire guide 31 comprises a guide body 32 that constitutes the base end and a contact tip 33 that constitutes the tip end. The contact tip 33 is cylindrical and slimmer than the guide body 32, and is detachably attached to the tip end of the guide body 32 by screwing it in. This makes it possible to remove, clean, or replace the contact tip 33 if spatter or other debris adheres to it, or if deformation or wear occurs in the central hole.

[0048] In the first embodiment, the wire guide fixing device 15 that holds the wire guide 31 allows the wire guide 31 to rotate by releasing the fastening of the bolt 18a, which is the rotation axis 18, and allows the wire guide 31 to move closer to and further away from the wire guide body 21. This makes maintenance of the wire guide 31 even easier.

[0049] In the first embodiment, a cut surface 33a is formed at the tip of the contact tip 33, which is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. This brings the tip of the contact tip 33 closer to the torch axis C1, while preventing the tip of the contact tip 33 from protruding into the gas discharge hole 22b directly below the torch nozzle 4 within the wire guide body 21, compared to the case where the tip of the contact tip 33 is left cut with a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. A notch 23b1 is formed at the lower end of the guide groove 23b, which faces the cut surface 33a of the contact tip 33 into the gas discharge hole 22b.

[0050] As described above, the welding torch device 1 in the first embodiment comprises a welding torch body 2 equipped with a discharge electrode 5 and a torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of the torch body 3, and a wire supply device 10 attached to the welding torch body 2 and supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode W to the welding location, wherein the wire supply device 10 comprises a wire guide body 21 fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body 2, a wire guide 31 positioned outside the first radial direction R1 of the welding torch body 2 and supported by the wire guide body 21 in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle 4, and the torch nozzle 4 on the welding torch body 2 The wire guide fixing device 15 includes a first fixing part 16 fixed to the base end side of the wire guide 31, and a second fixing part 17 fixed to the base end side of the wire guide 31. The wire guide fixing device 15 includes a rotation axis 18 between the welding torch body 2 and the wire guide 31 in the first radial direction R1, which allows the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 to rotate relative to each other. The rotation axis 18 is an axis whose axial direction is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1 and whose axial direction is perpendicular to the torch nozzle 4 when viewed from the first radial direction R1. By rotating the second fixing part 17 relative to the first fixing part 16 around the rotation axis 18, the wire guide 31 can be moved closer to and further away from the welding torch body 2.

[0051] In this configuration, the wire guide fixing device 15, which is fixed to the base end of the welding torch body 2, rotates around the rotation axis 18, causing the second fixing part 17 on the wire guide 31 side to rotate relative to the first fixing part 16 on the welding torch body 2 side, thereby allowing the wire guide 31 to move closer to and further away from the welding torch body 2. As a result, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide 31, the wire guide 31 can be easily separated from the welding torch body 2, and the wire guide 31 can be easily removed from the wire guide body 21 and, consequently, from the welding torch body 2, thereby improving maintainability.

[0052] In the welding torch device 1 described above, the rotating shaft 18 has a bolt 18a parallel to the second radial direction R2 which is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1. By tightening the bolt 18a, the relative rotation of the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 is fixed, and by loosening the tightening of the bolt 18a, the relative rotation of the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 is permitted. With this configuration, by tightening and releasing the bolt 18a of the rotating shaft 18, the rotation of the wire guide 31 can be easily switched between a fixed state in an inclined position (usage position) and a state in which the wire guide 31 can rotate to move away from the torch nozzle 4.

[0053] In the welding torch device 1 described above, the wire guide body 21 has a guide groove 23b that fits and supports the wire guide 31 in an inclined position. With this configuration, the wire guide 31 can be stably supported in an inclined position (operating position) by fitting and supporting it in the guide groove 23b of the wire guide body 21.

[0054] In the welding torch device 1 described above, the angle θ1 of the wire guide 31 with respect to the torch nozzle 4 in the inclined position is set between 15 and 45 degrees. With this configuration, the angle θ1 of the wire guide 31 relative to the torch nozzle 4 can be set from 15 degrees to 45 degrees, allowing the filler wire W to be supplied at an angle suitable for arc welding.

[0055] The welding torch device 1 described above is equipped with a wire straightening mechanism 11 that reduces bending of the filler wire W supplied to the wire guide 31. This configuration reduces the bending of the filler wire W supplied to the wire guide 31, thereby enabling a stable supply of filler wire W from the wire guide 31 to the welding area.

[0056] Furthermore, with the welding method using the welding torch device 1 described above, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide 31, the wire guide 31 can be easily removed from the wire guide body 21 and, consequently, from the welding torch body 2, thereby improving maintainability.

[0057] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The welding torch device 101 of the second embodiment differs from the welding torch device 1 of the first embodiment in that it includes a wire guide body 121 having a guide holding hole 123b. Other components identical to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0058] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the welding torch device 101 of the second embodiment with the wire guide 131 removed from the wire guide body 121. Figure 6 is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device 101. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the welding torch device 101 of the second embodiment comprises a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 110.

[0059] The wire guide body 121 of the wire supply device 110 in the second embodiment has a guide holding hole 123b for inserting and holding the wire guide 131, instead of the guide groove 23b of the wire guide body 121 of the first embodiment.

[0060] In the direction of extension of the wire guide 131 toward the base end in the guide holding hole 123b, a wire guide fixing device 15 is provided to fix the base end of the wire guide 131. The wire guide fixing device 15 has the same configuration as, for example, the first embodiment. That is, the wire guide fixing device 15 comprises a first fixing part 16 fixed toward the base end of the torch nozzle 4 on the welding torch body 2, a second fixing part 17 fixed toward the base end of the wire guide 131, and a rotating shaft 18 that allows the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 to rotate relative to each other.

[0061] The rotating shaft 18 is composed of a bolt 18a parallel to the second radial direction R2, which is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1. A nut is screwed onto the threaded shaft of the bolt 18a (neither shown in the diagram). By tightening the bolt 18a and nut, the relative rotation of the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 is fixed, and by loosening the bolt 18a and nut, relative rotation of the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 is permitted. Furthermore, the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 can be separated by removing the bolt 18a.

[0062] This allows the wire guide 131 to be inserted into and removed from the guide holding hole 123b not only by disassembling the clamp of the second fixing part 17, but also by removing the entire second fixing part 17 from the first fixing part 16. Therefore, the presence of the second fixing part 17 can be prevented from interfering with the insertion and removal of the wire guide 131.

[0063] As described above, the welding torch device 101 in the second embodiment comprises a welding torch body 2 equipped with a discharge electrode 5 and a torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of the torch body 3, and a wire supply device 110 attached to the welding torch body 2 for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode W to the welding location. The wire supply device 110 comprises a wire guide body 121 fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body 2, and a wire guide 131 positioned outside the first radial direction R1 of the welding torch body 2 and supported by the wire guide body 121 in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle 4. The wire guide body 121 is provided with a guide holding hole 123b through which the wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and a wire guide fixing device 15 is provided in the direction of extension of the wire guide 131 toward the base end in the guide holding hole 123b for fixing the base end of the wire guide 131.

[0064] With this configuration, the wire guide 131 is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole 123b of the wire guide body 121, and the base end of the wire guide 131 is fixed to the wire guide fixing device 15 in the direction extending from the guide holding hole 123b. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide 131, the wire guide 131 can be easily removed from the wire guide body 121 and, consequently, from the welding torch body 2 by releasing the fixing of the wire guide 131 to the wire guide fixing device 15, thereby improving maintainability.

[0065] In the welding torch device 101 described above, the wire guide fixing device 15 includes a first fixing part 16 fixed to the base end side of the torch nozzle 4 on the welding torch body 2, a second fixing part 17 fixed to the base end side of the wire guide 131, and a rotating shaft 18 that allows the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 to rotate relative to each other. The rotating shaft 18 has a bolt 18a parallel to the second radial direction R2 which is perpendicular to the first radial direction R1, and the first fixing part 16 and the second fixing part 17 can be separated by removing the bolt 18a.

[0066] With this configuration, the wire guide fixing device 15 rotates relative to the first fixing part 16 on the welding torch body 2 side and the second fixing part 17 on the wire guide 131 side around the rotation axis 18, making it easy to coaxially position the guide holding hole 123b and the second fixing part 17. By removing the bolt 18a, which is the rotation axis 18, the second fixing part 17 can be removed together with the wire guide 131, making it easy to insert and remove the wire guide 131 from the guide holding hole 123b.

[0067] <Third Embodiment> Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The welding torch device 201 of the third embodiment differs from the welding torch devices 1,101 of the above embodiments in that it includes a wire guide body 221 having a fixing structure 224 for fixing the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b, and eliminates the wire guide fixing device 15. Other components identical to those of the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and their detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0068] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the welding torch device 201 of the third embodiment with the wire guide 131 removed from the wire guide body 221. Figure 8 is a side view including a partial cross-section of the main part of the welding torch device 201. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the welding torch device 201 of the third embodiment comprises a welding torch body 2 and a wire supply device 210.

[0069] The wire guide body 221 of the wire supply device 210 of the third embodiment includes a guide holding hole 123b through which the wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and a fixing structure 224 for fixing the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b.

[0070] The fixing structure 224 includes a nut hole 225 drilled in the wire guide body 221 along a central axis C5 perpendicular to the central axis C3 (downstream supply axis C3) of the guide holding hole 123b, and a fixing bolt 226 that is screwed into the nut hole 225. The nut hole 225 opens on the outer surface of the wire guide 131 and on the inner surface of the guide holding hole 123b, respectively.

[0071] By tightening the fixing bolt 226 into the nut hole 225 and pressing the tip of the fixing bolt 226 against the outer surface of the wire guide 131 inside the guide holding hole 123b, the wire guide 131 is prevented from detaching from the guide holding hole 123b. This fixes the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b and, consequently, to the wire guide body 221. Therefore, the wire guide body 221 can complete the holding and fixing of the wire guide 131, eliminating the guide fixing device 15 in the first and second embodiments and reducing the number of parts.

[0072] As described above, the welding torch device 201 in the third embodiment comprises a welding torch body 2 equipped with a discharge electrode 5 and a torch nozzle 4 on the tip side of the torch body 3, and a wire supply device 210 attached to the welding torch body 2 for supplying a wire-shaped consumable electrode W to the welding location, The wire supply device 210 includes a wire guide body 221 fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body 2, and a wire guide 131 positioned outside the first radial direction R1 of the welding torch body 2 and supported by the wire guide body 221 in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle 4. The wire guide body 221 includes a guide holding hole 123b through which the wire guide 131 is inserted and held, and a fixing structure 224 that fixes the wire guide 131 to the guide holding hole 123b.

[0073] With this configuration, the wire guide 131 is inserted into and held in the guide holding hole 123b of the wire guide body 221, and a fixing structure 224 is provided to fix the wire guide 131 in the guide holding hole 123b and restrict its detachment from the guide holding hole 123b. Therefore, when performing maintenance such as replacing the wire guide 131, the wire guide 131 can be easily removed from the wire guide body 221 and, consequently, from the welding torch body 2 by releasing the fixing of the wire guide 131 by the fixing structure 224, thereby improving maintainability. The wire guide body 221 holds and fixes the wire guide 131, which reduces the number of parts.

[0074] <Fourth Embodiment> Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 9 is a perspective view including a partial cross-section around the wire guide 131 of the welding torch device 301 of the fourth embodiment. The welding torch device 301 of the fourth embodiment differs from the welding torch devices 1,101 and 201 of the aforementioned embodiments in that it includes a wire guide body 321 without an overhang and a wire guide fixing device 315 that has no rotating shaft and a fixed angle. Other components identical to those of the aforementioned embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. Reference numeral 310 in the figure indicates the wire supply device of the fourth embodiment.

[0075] According to the fourth embodiment, the base end of the wire guide 131 (or 31) is fixed to the welding torch body 2 via the wire guide fixing device 315, thereby simplifying or reducing structures such as grooves and holes in the wire guide body 321 that support the tip end of the wire guide 131. The wire guide fixing device 315 can also be made into a structure in which the tilt angle of the wire guide 315 is fixed by eliminating the axis of rotation. This makes it possible to simplify the structure of the welding torch device 301 and reduce costs while making maintenance of the wire guide 131 easier. For example, a notch 321a may be formed at the lower end of the wire guide body 321 to fit and support the lower end of the wire guide 131.

[0076] The configurations in the above embodiments are examples of the present invention, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, such as replacing the components of each embodiment with well-known components. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0077] 1,101,201,301 Welding Torch Equipment 2. Welding torch body 3 Torch Body 4 Torch nozzles 5 Electrode for discharge 10,110,210,310 Wire feeding device 11 Wire orthodontic mechanism 15,315 Wire guide fixing device 16 First fixed part 17 Second fixed part 18 rotation axes 18a bolt 21,121,221,321 Wire guide body 21 Wire guide support section 23b Guide groove 31,131 Wire Guides 123b Guide retaining hole 224 Fixed structure R1 First radial direction R2 Second radial direction W Filler wire (consumable electrode) θ1 angle

Claims

1. A welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body that supplies a wire-shaped consumable electrode to the welding location, The wire supply device is A wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, A wire guide is positioned on the outside of the welding torch body in the first radial direction and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, The wire guide fixing device comprises a first fixing part fixed to the base end side of the torch nozzle on the welding torch body, and a second fixing part fixed to the base end side of the wire guide, The wire guide fixing device is provided with a rotating shaft between the welding torch body and the wire guide in the first radial direction, which allows the first fixing part and the second fixing part to rotate relative to each other. The rotation axis is perpendicular to the first radial direction and the axial direction, and perpendicular to the torch nozzle and the axial direction when viewed from the first radial direction, and by rotating the second fixing part relative to the first fixing part around the rotation axis, the wire guide can be moved closer to and further away from the welding torch body. The wire guide body has a cylindrical portion that conforms to the outer circumference shape of the tip side of the welding torch body, and a protruding portion that extends outward in the first radial direction. The welding torch device wherein the protruding portion is roughly triangular in shape when viewed from a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction.

2. The rotating shaft has a bolt parallel to the second radial direction which is perpendicular to the first radial direction, The welding torch device according to claim 1, wherein tightening the bolt fixes the relative rotation of the first fixing part and the second fixing part, and loosening the bolt allows the relative rotation of the first fixing part and the second fixing part.

3. The welding torch device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wire guide body has a guide groove for fitting and supporting the wire guide in the inclined position.

4. A welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body that supplies a wire-shaped consumable electrode to the welding location, The wire supply device is A wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, The welding torch body is equipped with a wire guide positioned on the outside in the first radial direction, and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, The wire guide body is provided with a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, In the guide holding hole, a wire guide fixing device is provided in the direction of extension of the wire guide toward the base end, for fixing the base end of the wire guide. The wire guide body has a cylindrical portion that conforms to the outer circumference shape of the tip side of the welding torch body, and a protruding portion that extends outward in the first radial direction. The welding torch device wherein the protruding portion is roughly triangular in shape when viewed from a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction.

5. The wire guide fixing device comprises a first fixing part fixed to the base end of the welding torch body beyond the torch nozzle, a second fixing part fixed to the base end of the wire guide, and a rotating shaft that allows the first fixing part and the second fixing part to rotate relative to each other. The welding torch device according to claim 4, wherein the rotating shaft has a bolt parallel to a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction, and the first fixed part and the second fixed part can be separated by removing the bolt.

6. A welding torch device comprising a welding torch body equipped with a discharge electrode and a torch nozzle on the tip side of the torch body, and a wire supply device attached to the welding torch body that supplies a wire-shaped consumable electrode to the welding location, The wire supply device is A wire guide body fixed to the tip side of the welding torch body, The welding torch body is equipped with a wire guide positioned on the outside in the first radial direction, and supported by the wire guide body in an inclined position with its tip close to the tip of the torch nozzle, The wire guide body comprises a guide holding hole through which the wire guide is inserted and held, and a fixing structure for fixing the wire guide to the guide holding hole. The wire guide body has a cylindrical portion that conforms to the outer circumference shape of the tip side of the welding torch body, and a protruding portion that extends outward in the first radial direction. The welding torch device wherein the protruding portion is roughly triangular in shape when viewed from a second radial direction perpendicular to the first radial direction.

7. The welding torch device according to any one of claims 1, 4, or 6, wherein the angle of the wire guide with respect to the torch nozzle in the inclined position is set between 15 and 45 degrees.

8. A welding torch device according to any one of claims 1, 4, or 6, further comprising a wire straightening mechanism for reducing the bending of the filler wire supplied to the wire guide.

9. A welding method using a welding torch device according to any one of claims 1, 4, or 6.

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