Welding system, welding torch, and wire feeding device

Abstract

This welding system comprises: a welding torch (TC1) attached to the tip of a robot; wire feeding devices (RR1, RR2) that feed a welding wire to the welding torch (TC1); and a conduit cable (CC1) that accommodates a liner (LN) constituting a passage for the welding wire and connects to the welding torch (TC1). The welding torch (TC1) has: a connection part (CMF1) to which the conduit cable (CC1) and the welding torch (TC1) are connected; a wire guide (WGD) accommodated in the connection part and provided with a through hole (HL3) for guiding the fed welding wire; and a relay wire guide (RWGD) provided so as to abut the wire guide (WGD) and the liner (LN) accommodated in the conduit cable (CC1).

Description

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a welding system, a welding torch, and a wire feeder.

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a wire hose that supplies a welding wire to a wire feeder from the rear end surface of the wire feeder attached to the rear part of an arm having a welding torch at its tip, and a connector that attaches the wire hose to the rear end surface are provided. A welding wire processing structure of an arc welding robot is disclosed. In this welding wire processing structure of the arc welding robot, the connector connects the wire hose in a direction intersecting the feeding direction of the welding wire by the wire feeder.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-103192

[0004] The present disclosure provides a welding system, a welding torch, and a wire feeder that make it easier to connect a conduit cable to the welding torch.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a welding system including a welding torch attached to the tip of a robot, a wire feeder that supplies a welding wire to the welding torch, a liner that forms a passage for the welding wire by a spirally wound winding, and a conduit cable connected to the welding torch. The welding torch has a connection portion to which the conduit cable is connected, a wire guide provided in the connection portion and having a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable, and a relay wire guide provided so as to abut on the wire guide and the liner accommodated in the conduit cable connected to the connection portion.

[0006] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a welding torch to which a conduit cable is attached to the tip of a robot and which houses a liner that constitutes a passage for a welding wire by a spirally wound winding, the welding torch comprising: a connection portion to which the conduit cable is connected; a wire guide housed in the connection portion and provided with a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable; and a relay wire guide provided so as to abut against the wire guide and the liner housed in the conduit cable connected to the connection portion.

[0007] Furthermore, the present disclosure provides a wire feeding device to which a conduit cable is attached to the tip of a robot and which houses a liner that constitutes a passage for a welding wire by a spirally wound winding, the wire feeding device comprising: a connection part to which the conduit cable is connected; a wire guide housed in the connection part and provided with a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable; and a relay wire guide provided so as to abut against the wire guide and the liner housed in the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to make it easier to connect the conduit cable to the welding torch.

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a welding system according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the area around the connection between the conduit cable and the welding torch according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view comparing the relationship between the inner diameters of the liner, the intermediate wire guide, and the wire guide. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a welding system according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the area around the connection between the conduit cable and the welding torch according to Embodiment 2.

[0010] (Background to this disclosure) Conventionally, welding robots use a conduit cable to supply welding wire to the welding torch. The conduit cable contains a liner that guides and supplies the welding wire to the wire guide inside the welding torch. However, depending on the specifications of the welding torch, the length of welding wire required to pass through the connecting fitting (connection part) that connects the conduit cable to the welding torch differs. For this reason, the operator had to measure the length of the liner protruding from the tip of the conduit cable and cut it to the appropriate length according to the specifications of the welding torch, which was time-consuming.

[0011] If the liner extension is too short, a gap will form between the conduit cable liner and the wire guide of the welding torch in a welding robot. This could cause the welding wire to get caught in this gap and bend during insertion. Conversely, if the liner extension is too long, the force applied when connecting the conduit cable to the welding torch in a welding robot could cause the liner to bend or the screws used to secure the conduit cable to break. For these reasons, there has been a demand for technology that simplifies the process of connecting the conduit cable to the welding torch in welding robots.

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, each embodiment specifically disclosing the welding system, welding torch, and wire feeder according to this disclosure will be described in detail. However, unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] (Embodiment 1) First, the welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1.

[0014] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure.

[0015] The welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1 includes a wire supply source M0 that houses welding wire WW (see Figure 3) and a manipulator MN1 equipped with a welding torch TC1 that has the function of feeding the wire. In the welding system MC1, the welding wire WW is drawn from the wire supply source M0 by the welding torch TC1 equipped with the manipulator MN1 and supplied toward the tip of the welding torch TC1.

[0016] The manipulator MN1 is a six-axis articulated robot comprising a base 11, an upper arm 12, a forearm 13, and a wrist 14. A welding torch TC1 is attached to the tip of the wrist 14 of the manipulator MN1. By rotating each joint axis of the manipulator MN1, the upper arm 12, forearm 13, wrist 14, and welding torch TC1 can be moved. Note that the number of axes (joints) of the manipulator MN1 is not limited to this example.

[0017] The manipulator MN1 is equipped with a relay section RS1 on the back of its forearm 13 to support the welding wire WW being fed from the wire supply source M0 toward the tip of the welding torch TC1. The wire cable WC is connected at one end to the wire supply source M0 and at the other end to the relay section RS1, forming a feeding path for the welding wire WW between the wire supply source M0 and the relay section RS1. The conduit cable CC1 is connected at one end to the relay section RS1 and at the other end to the welding torch TC1, forming a feeding path for the welding wire WW between the relay section RS1 and the welding torch TC1.

[0018] Next, we will describe the configuration around the connection point between the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1.

[0019] Figure 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the area around the connection between the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1 in Embodiment 1. The area around the connection shown in Figure 2 corresponds to the area enclosed by the dashed line in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the connection corresponds to the connecting fitting CMF1, which will be described later.

[0020] The conduit cable CC1 includes a liner LN, a flexible conduit FC, cable glands CGD11 and CGD12, and an insert ring ISR.

[0021] The liner LN is a spirally wound wire with an internal passage HL2 through which the welding wire WW can be inserted. The liner LN is inserted inside the flexible conduit FC of the conduit cable CC1, with one end connected to the relay section RS1 and the other end connected to the relay wire guide RWGD inside the welding torch TC1. The liner LN forms the feeding path for the welding wire WW between the relay section RS1 and the welding torch TC1. The liner LN protects the welding wire WW inserted inside from bending due to the movement of the wrist portion 14 of the manipulator MN1.

[0022] The flexible conduit FC is a so-called air tube with a space inside through which a liner LN can be inserted. One end of the flexible conduit FC is connected to the relay section RS1, and the other end is connected to the welding torch TC1. Cable glands CGD11, CGD12, and an insert ring ISR are attached to the other end of the flexible conduit FC.

[0023] The cable gland CGD11 is a so-called seal nut that covers and seals the connection point of the conduit cable CC1 connected to the welding torch TC1. The cable gland CGD11 is installed so as to cover the perimeter of the flexible conduit FC. The cable gland CGD11 protects the other end of the flexible conduit FC, near the connection point with the welding torch TC1, from stress generated by the welding operation of the wrist portion 14 of the manipulator MN1.

[0024] The cable gland CGD12 has a cylindrical shape and is installed on the other end of the conduit cable CC1 (i.e., the side connected to the welding torch TC1) so as to be interposed between the flexible conduit FC and the connecting fitting CMF1, thereby preventing separation of the flexible conduit FC and the connecting fitting CMF1. After the cable gland CGD12 is screwed onto the connecting fitting CMF1 of the welding torch TC1, it is sealed by the cable gland CGD11.

[0025] The insert ring ISR is attached to the other end of the flexible conduit FC. The insert ring ISR protects the liner LN inside the other end of the flexible conduit FC from being crushed by the pressure applied when the connecting fitting CMF1 and cable glands CGD11 and CGD12 are connected, and also functions as a retainer to prevent the conduit cable CC1 from coming out of the welding torch TC1 due to the movement of the wrist portion 14.

[0026] The welding torch TC1 includes a connecting fitting CMF1, a relay wire guide RWGD, and a wire guide WGD.

[0027] The connecting fitting CMF1 is installed inside the welding torch TC1 and houses the intermediate wire guide RWGD. The cable gland CGD12 of the conduit cable CC1 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF1, connecting the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1. When the cable gland CGD12 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF1, the passage HL2 of the liner LN inside the connected conduit cable CC1 and the wire path HL1 inside the intermediate wire guide RWGD are connected so that the welding wire WW can be inserted through them. Furthermore, when the cable gland CGD12 of the conduit cable CC1 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF1, the center position of the passage HL2 of the liner LN (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3) is aligned to be approximately the same as the center position of the wire path HL1 of the intermediate wire guide RWGD (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3) when viewed in the wire feeding direction.

[0028] The intermediate wire guide RWGD is formed from, for example, resin. The intermediate wire guide RWGD guides the welding wire WW supplied from the conduit cable CC1 (liner LN) toward the wire guide WGD. When the intermediate wire guide RWGD is housed in the connecting fitting CMF1, the center position of the wire path HL1 (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3), when viewed in the wire feeding direction, is aligned to be approximately the same as the center position of the through hole HL3 of the wire guide WGD housed at the wire feeding end of the connecting fitting CMF1 (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3). This connects the intermediate wire guide RWGD and the wire guide WGD in a way that allows the welding wire WW to be inserted through the wire path HL1 and the through hole HL3.

[0029] The intermediate wire guide RWGD comprises one end RW1 that abuts against the liner LN, an intermediate section RW2, and another end RW3 that abuts against the wire guide WGD. The intermediate section RW2 connects the one end RW1 and the other end RW3 and guides the welding wire WW supplied from the liner LN toward the wire guide WGD.

[0030] In this disclosure, the intermediate wire guide RWGD is shown as an example of being configured as a separate component from the wire guide WGD, but it may also be configured as an integral component with the wire guide WGD.

[0031] The wire guide WGD guides the welding wire WW supplied from the intermediate wire guide RWGD toward the space between two rollers RR1 and RR2 that feed the welding wire WW. The welding wire WW guided by the wire guide WGD is fed between the two rollers RR1 and RR2 and is fed in the wire feeding direction by the two rollers RR1 and RR2. The two rollers RR1 and RR2 are an example of a wire feeding device that is rotated by a motor (not shown), which is the power source for feeding the welding wire WW in the welding system MC1. Thus, in this embodiment, the welding torch TC1 also functions as a wire feeding device. When the welding wire WW is fed in the wire feeding direction by the two rollers RR1 and RR2, it is powered and melted at the tip of the welding torch TC1, thereby welding the welding location (not shown).

[0032] Next, with reference to Figure 3, an example of the structure of the relay wire guide RWGD will be described.

[0033] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view comparing the relationship between the inner diameters of the liner LN, the intermediate wire guide RWGD, and the wire guide WGD in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure.

[0034] Note that the shape of the intermediate wire guide RWGD shown in Figure 3 is an example, and this disclosure is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in this specification, "inner diameter" refers to the diameter of the wire path HL1, passage HL2, and through hole HL3 through which the welding wire WW can be inserted.

[0035] The intermediate wire guide RWGD has an opening with an inner diameter R11 at the surface where one end RW1 abuts against the liner LN. The liner LN has an inner diameter R2 (diameter). The intermediate wire guide RWGD also has an opening with an inner diameter R13 at the surface where the other end RW3 abuts against the wire guide WGD. The wire guide WGD has an inner diameter R3 at the surface where it abuts against the intermediate wire guide RWGD.

[0036] In this embodiment, the inner diameter R11 of one end RW1 of the intermediate wire guide RWGD is set to be greater than or equal to the inner diameter R2 of the liner LN (i.e., R2 ≤ R11). Also, the inner diameter R13 of the other end RW3 of the intermediate wire guide RWGD is set to be greater than or equal to the inner diameter R3 of the wire guide WGD (i.e., R3 ≤ R13).

[0037] In this embodiment, the intermediate section RW2 of the intermediate wire guide RWGD has a constant inner diameter R12. The inner diameter of the intermediate wire guide RWGD decreases from one end RW1 towards the intermediate section RW2, from inner diameter R11 to inner diameter R12. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the intermediate wire guide RWGD decreases further from the intermediate section RW2 towards the other end RW3, from inner diameter R12 to inner diameter R13. In other words, in the example shown in Figure 3, the inner diameters of the intermediate wire guide RWGD have the relationship R11 > R12 > R13.

[0038] Furthermore, if the intermediate wire guide RWGD is formed in a cylindrical shape, the inner diameter may be constant from one end RW1 to the other end RW3. Also, if the intermediate wire guide RWGD is formed in a substantially conical shape, the inner diameter may decrease from one end RW1 to the other end RW3. Therefore, the inner diameter of the intermediate wire guide RWGD should satisfy the relationship R11 ≥ R12 ≥ R13.

[0039] With the above configuration, the welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1 can realize a manipulator MN1 in which, when replacing the welding wire WW, the liner LN only needs to be cut to match the tip position of the conduit cable CC1 (flexible conduit FC), regardless of the specifications of the welding torch TC1.Therefore, the operation of connecting the conduit cable CC1 to the welding torch TC1 by the operator can be made easier.In this way, the operator does not need to adjust and cut the liner LN to the length based on the specifications of the welding torch TC1, thus reducing the effort required when replacing the welding wire WW.In addition, by eliminating the need to adjust the liner LN length in the welding system MC1, bending of the welding wire WW and damage to the cable glands CGD11 and CGD12 due to deviations in the length of the liner LN length adjusted to correspond to the welding torch TC1 can be more effectively prevented.

[0040] Furthermore, the MC1 welding system eliminates the need for the removal of the conduit cable and the reconnection of the conduit cable to the welding torch after readjusting the liner length, which were previously required when the liner length did not match the welding torch specifications in conventional systems. Therefore, in the MC1 welding system, when attaching a cover (not shown) to the connection point between the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1 after connecting the conduit cable CC1 to the welding torch TC1, it is not necessary to consider the possibility of reconnecting the conduit cable CC1 to the welding torch TC1. As a result, a cover (not shown) can be attached to the connection point between the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1 when connecting the conduit cable CC1 to the welding torch TC1, thereby improving the efficiency of the connection work between the conduit cable CC1 and the welding torch TC1.

[0041] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will now be described.

[0042] In the welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1, an example in which the welding torch TC1 supplies the welding wire WW has been shown. In the welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2, an example in which the wire feeding device RS2 attached to the manipulator MN2 supplies the welding wire WW will be described.

[0043] In the description of the welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2 below, for the sake of easy understanding, components having the same configurations and functions as those of the welding system MC1 according to Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0044] The welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0045] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure.

[0046] The welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2 includes a wire supply source M0 that stores the welding wire WW (see FIG. 3) and a manipulator MN2 including a wire feeding device RS2 having a function of feeding the wire. In the welding system MC2, the wire feeding device RS2 provided in the manipulator MN2 draws out the welding wire WW from the wire supply source M0 and feeds the welding wire WW toward the tip side of the welding torch TC2.

[0047] The manipulator MN2 is a six-axis articulated robot including a base portion 11, an upper arm portion 12, a forearm portion 13, and a wrist portion 14. In the manipulator MN2, the welding torch TC2 is attached to the tip of the wrist portion 14. In the manipulator MN2, each of the upper arm portion 12, the forearm portion 13, the wrist portion 14, and the welding torch TC2 can be moved by rotating each joint axis. Note that the number of axes (number of joints) of the manipulator MN2 is not limited to this example.

[0048] The manipulator MN2 includes a wire feeding device RS2 as a relay part of the welding wire WW fed from the wire supply source M0 toward the tip of the welding torch TC2 on the back of the forearm 13. The wire cable WC has one end connected to the wire supply source M0 and the other end connected to the wire feeding device RS2, respectively, to form a feeding path of the welding wire WW between the wire supply source M0 and the wire feeding device RS2. Further, the conduit cable CC2 has one end connected to the wire feeding device RS2 and the other end connected to the welding torch TC2, respectively, to form a feeding path of the welding wire WW between the wire feeding device RS2 and the welding torch TC2.

[0049] Next, the configuration around the connection part between the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2 will be described.

[0050] FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the periphery of the connection part between the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2 in the second embodiment. The periphery of the connection part shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the part surrounded by the broken line shown in FIG. 4. In the present embodiment, the connection part corresponds to a connecting fitting CMF2 described later.

[0051] The conduit cable CC2 includes a liner LN, a flexible conduit FC, cable grounds CGD21 and CGD22, and an insert ring ISR.

[0052] The liner LN is inserted into the flexible conduit FC of the conduit cable CC2, and one end is connected to the wire feeding device RS2 and the other end is connected to the relay wire guide RWGD in the welding torch TC2, respectively. The liner LN forms a feeding path of the welding wire WW between the wire feeding device RS2 and the welding torch TC2. The liner LN protects the welding wire WW inserted therein from being bent by the operation of the wrist part14 of the manipulator MN2.

[0053] The flexible conduit FC has one end connected to the wire feeding device RS2 and the other end connected to the welding torch TC2, respectively. The cable grounds CGD21 and CGD22 and the insert ring ISR are attached to the other end side of the flexible conduit FC.

[0054] The cable gland CGD21 is a so-called seal nut that covers and seals the connection point of the conduit cable CC2 connected to the welding torch TC2. The cable gland CGD21 is partially formed in a frustoconical shape and is installed to cover the periphery of the flexible conduit FC. The cable gland CGD21 protects the other end of the flexible conduit FC, near the connection point of the welding torch TC2, from stress generated by the welding operation of the wrist portion 14 of the manipulator MN2.

[0055] The cable gland CGD22 has a cylindrical shape and is installed on the other end of the conduit cable CC2 (i.e., the side connected to the welding torch TC2) so as to be interposed between the flexible conduit FC and the connecting fitting CMF2, thereby preventing separation of the flexible conduit FC and the connecting fitting CMF2. After the cable gland CGD22 is screwed onto the connecting fitting CMF2 of the welding torch TC2, it is sealed by the cable gland CGD21.

[0056] The welding torch TC2 includes a connecting fitting CMF2, a relay wire guide RWGD, and a wire guide WGD.

[0057] The connecting fitting CMF2 is installed inside the welding torch TC2 and houses the intermediate wire guide RWGD. The cable gland CGD22 of the conduit cable CC2 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF2, connecting the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2. When the cable gland CGD22 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF2, the passage HL2 of the liner LN inside the connected conduit cable CC2 and the wire path HL1 inside the intermediate wire guide RWGD are connected so that the welding wire WW can be inserted. Furthermore, when the cable gland CGD22 of the conduit cable CC2 is screwed into the connecting fitting CMF2, the center position of the passage HL2 of the liner LN (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3) is aligned to be approximately the same as the center position of the through hole HL3 of the wire guide WGD (the position of the welding wire WW shown in Figure 3) when viewed in the wire feeding direction.

[0058] The wire guide WGD feeds the welding wire WW supplied from the intermediate wire guide RWGD toward the tip of the welding torch TC2. The welding wire WW is powered and melted at the tip of the welding torch TC2, and the welding area (not shown) is welded.

[0059] With the above configuration, the welding system MC2 according to Embodiment 2 can realize a manipulator MN2 in which, when replacing the welding wire WW, the liner LN only needs to be cut to match the tip position of the conduit cable CC2 (flexible conduit FC), regardless of the specifications of the welding torch TC2.Therefore, the operation of connecting the conduit cable CC2 to the welding torch TC2 by the operator can be made easier.In this way, the operator does not need to adjust and cut the liner LN to the length based on the specifications of the welding torch TC2, thus reducing the effort required when replacing the welding wire WW.In addition, by eliminating the need to adjust the liner LN length in the welding system MC2, bending of the welding wire WW and damage to the cable glands CGD21 and CGD22 due to deviations in the length of the liner LN length adjusted to correspond to the welding torch TC2 can be more effectively prevented.

[0060] Furthermore, the MC2 welding system eliminates the need for the removal of the conduit cable and the reconnection of the conduit cable to the welding torch after readjusting the liner length, which were previously required when the liner length did not match the welding torch specifications in conventional systems. Therefore, in the MC2 welding system, when attaching a cover (not shown) to the connection point between the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2 after connecting the conduit cable CC2 to the welding torch TC2, it is not necessary to consider the possibility of reconnecting the conduit cable CC2 to the welding torch TC2. As a result, a cover (not shown) can be attached to the connection point between the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2 when connecting the conduit cable CC2 to the welding torch TC2, thereby improving the efficiency of the connection work between the conduit cable CC2 and the welding torch TC2.

[0061] (Note) The following technologies are disclosed based on the descriptions of each embodiment above.

[0062] (Technology 1) A welding system MC1, MC2 comprising: welding torches TC1, TC2 attached to the tip (i.e., wrist portion 14) of a robot (manipulator MN1, MN2); a wire feeding device (RR1, RR2, RS2) that supplies welding wire WW to the welding torches TC1, TC2; and conduit cables CC1, CC2 that house a liner LN which constitutes a passage HL2 for the welding wire WW by a spirally wound winding and are connected to the welding torches TC1, TC2, wherein the welding torches TC1, TC2 are connected to a connecting portion (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2) to which the conduit cables CC1, CC2 and the welding torches TC1, TC2 are connected, Welding systems MC1, MC2, each comprising: a wire guide WGD housed in the connecting parts (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2) and provided with a through hole HL3 for guiding the welding wire WW supplied from the conduit cables CC1, CC2; and a relay wire guide RWGD provided to abut against the wire guide WGD and the liner LN housed in the conduit cables CC1, CC2 connected to the connecting parts (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2).

[0063] As a result, welding systems MC1 and MC2 can implement manipulators MN1 and MN2 that, when replacing welding wire WW, only require cutting the liner LN to match the tip position of the conduit cable CC1 and CC2 (flexible conduit FC), regardless of the specifications of the welding torches TC1 and TC2. This makes it easier for operators to connect the conduit cable CC1 and CC2 to the welding torches TC1 and TC2. Consequently, operators do not need to adjust and cut the liner LN to match the specifications of the welding torches TC1 and TC2, thus reducing the effort required when replacing welding wire WW.

[0064] (Technology 2) In the welding systems MC1 and MC2 described in (Technology 1), the intermediate wire guide RWGD is provided with a wire path HL1 through which the welding wire WW is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path HL1 has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path HL1 increases as it moves from the wire guide WGD toward the conduit cables CC1 and CC2 connected to the connection part (connecting fittings CMF1 and CMF2), the welding systems MC1 and MC2.

[0065] As a result, the welding systems MC1 and MC2 can feed the welding wire WW, supplied from conduit cables CC1 and CC2, toward the wire guide WGD while more effectively suppressing the bending of the welding wire WW in the guidance of the welding wire WW by the relay wire guide RWGD.

[0066] (Technology 3) In the welding systems MC1 and MC2 described in (Technology 1) or (Technology 2), the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD are the same part, welding systems MC1 and MC2.

[0067] As a result, the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD of the welding systems MC1 and MC2 are integrated into a single unit, which more effectively suppresses bending of the welding wire WW during feeding.

[0068] (Technology 4) Welding torches TC1, TC2 attached to the tip (i.e., wrist portion 14) of a robot (manipulator MN1, MN2), to which conduit cables CC1, CC2 that house a liner LN constituting a passage HL2 for a welding wire WW by a spirally wound winding are connected, comprising: connecting parts (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2) to which the conduit cables CC1, CC2 are connected; a wire guide WGD housed in the connecting parts (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2) and provided with a through hole HL3 for guiding the welding wire WW supplied from the conduit cables CC1, CC2; and a relay wire guide RWGD provided so as to abut the wire guide WGD and the liner LN housed in the conduit cables CC1, CC2 connected to the connecting parts (connecting fittings CMF1, CMF2).

[0069] As a result, welding torches TC1 and TC2 can be equipped with manipulators MN1 and MN2 that, when replacing welding wire WW, only require cutting the liner LN to match the tip position of the conduit cable CC1 and CC2 (flexible conduit FC), regardless of the specifications of welding torches TC1 and TC2. This makes it easier for operators to connect the conduit cable CC1 and CC2 to welding torches TC1 and TC2. Consequently, operators do not need to adjust and cut the liner LN to match the specifications of welding torches TC1 and TC2, thus reducing the effort required when replacing welding wire WW.

[0070] (Technical 5) In the welding torches TC1 and TC2 described in (Technical 4), the intermediate wire guide RWGD is provided with a wire path HL1 through which the welding wire WW is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path HL1 has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path HL1 increases as it moves from the wire guide WGD toward the conduit cables CC1 and CC2 connected to the connection part (connecting fittings CMF1 and CMF2), the welding torches TC1 and TC2.

[0071] As a result, welding torches TC1 and TC2 can feed the welding wire WW, supplied from conduit cables CC1 and CC2, toward the wire guide WGD while more effectively suppressing the bending of the welding wire WW in the guide of the welding wire WW by the relay wire guide RWGD.

[0072] (Technology 6) In the welding torches TC1 and TC2 described in (Technology 4) or (Technology 5), the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD are the same part.

[0073] As a result, the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD of the welding torches TC1 and TC2 are integrated into a single unit, which more effectively suppresses bending of the welding wire WW during feeding.

[0074] (Technical 7) A wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) attached to the tip (i.e., wrist portion 14) of a robot (manipulator MN1), to which a conduit cable CC1 is connected, which houses a liner LN that constitutes a passage HL2 for a welding wire WW by a spirally wound winding, comprising: a connecting portion (connecting fitting CMF1) to which the conduit cable CC1 is connected; a wire guide WGD housed in the connecting portion (connecting fitting CMF1) and provided with a through hole HL3 for guiding the welding wire WW supplied from the conduit cable CC1; and a relay wire guide RWGD provided so as to abut the wire guide WGD and the liner LN housed in the conduit cable CC1 connected to the connecting portion.

[0075] As a result, the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) can realize a manipulator MN1 that, when replacing the welding wire WW, only requires cutting the liner LN to match the tip position of the conduit cable CC1 (flexible conduit FC), regardless of the specifications of the welding torch TC1. This makes it easier for the operator to connect the conduit cable CC1 to the welding torch TC1. This eliminates the need for the operator to adjust and cut the liner LN to match the specifications of the welding torch TC1, thus reducing the effort required when replacing the welding wire WW.

[0076] (Technical 8) In the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) described in (Technical 7), the intermediate wire guide RWGD is provided with a wire path HL1 through which the welding wire WW is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path HL1 has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path HL1 increases as it moves from the wire guide WGD toward the conduit cable CC1 connected to the connection part (connecting fitting CMF1), the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1).

[0077] As a result, the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) can feed the welding wire WW, which has been fed from the conduit cable CC1, toward the wire guide WGD, while more effectively suppressing the bending of the welding wire WW in the guide of the welding wire WW by the intermediate wire guide RWGD.

[0078] (Technical 9) In the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) described in (Technical 7) or (Technical 8), the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD are the same part, wire feeding device (welding torch TC1).

[0079] As a result, the wire guide WGD and the intermediate wire guide RWGD of the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) are integrated into a single unit, which more effectively suppresses bending of the welding wire WW during feeding.

[0080] (Technology 10) A wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) according to any one of (Technology 7) to (Technology 9), wherein the wire feeding device (welding torch TC1) includes a pair of rollers RR1, RR2 that are rotated by a power source that feeds the welding wire WW.

[0081] This allows the welding torch TC1 to function as a wire feeder.

[0082] (Technology 11) A welding system (MC1) described in any one of (Technology 1) to (Technology 3), wherein the wire feeding device is housed in the welding torch TC1.

[0083] This allows the welding torch TC1 to function as a wire feeder.

[0084] (Technical 12) A welding system according to (Technical 11), wherein the wire feeding device includes a pair of rollers (RR1, RR2) that are rotated by a power source that feeds the welding wire WW.

[0085] This allows the welding torch TC1 to function as a wire feeder.

[0086] (Technology 13) A welding system according to (Technology 1) to (Technology 3), wherein the wire feeding device RS2 is provided between the welding torch TC1 and the wire supply source M0 which houses the welding wire WW, and the wire feeding device RS2 draws the welding wire WW from the wire supply source M0 and feeds the welding wire WW toward the welding torch TC2.

[0087] This allows the wire feeder RS2 to be placed between the wire supply source M0 and the welding torch TC1.

[0088] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these will naturally also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0089] This disclosure is useful as a welding system, welding torch, and wire feeding device, etc., that facilitates the connection of conduit cables to a welding torch.

[0090] 11 Base section 12 Upper arm section 13 Forearm section 14 Wrist section CC1, CC2 Conduit cable CGD11, CGD12, CGD21, CGD22 Cable gland CMF1, CMF2 Connecting fitting FC Flexible conduit HL1 Wire path HL2 Passage HL3 Through hole ISR Insert ring LN Liner M0 Wire supply source MC1, MC2 Welding system MN1, MN2 Manipulator R2, R3, R11, R12, R13 Inner diameter RR1, RR2 Roller RS1 Intermediate section RS2 Wire feeder RW1 One end RW2 Middle section RW3 Other end RWGD Intermediate wire guide TC1, TC2 Welding torch WC Wire cable WGD Wire guide WW welding wire

Claims

1. A welding system comprising: a welding torch attached to the tip of a robot; a wire feeding device that supplies a welding wire to the welding torch; and a conduit cable connected to the welding torch, the welding torch having: a connection portion to which the conduit cable is connected; a wire guide housed in the connection portion and provided with a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable; and a relay wire guide provided to abut against the wire guide and the liner housed in the conduit cable connected to the connection portion.

2. A welding system according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate wire guide is provided with a wire path through which the welding wire is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path increases as it moves from the wire guide toward the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

3. A welding system according to claim 1, wherein the wire guide and the intermediate wire guide are the same component.

4. A welding torch to which a conduit cable is attached to the tip of a robot and which houses a liner that forms a passage for a welding wire by a spirally wound winding, the welding torch comprising: a connection part to which the conduit cable is connected; a wire guide housed in the connection part and provided with a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable; and a relay wire guide provided so as to abut against the wire guide and the liner housed in the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

5. A welding torch according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate wire guide is provided with a wire path through which the welding wire is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path increases as it moves from the wire guide toward the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

6. A welding torch according to claim 4, wherein the wire guide and the intermediate wire guide are the same component.

7. A wire feeding device attached to the tip of a robot, to which a conduit cable is connected that houses a liner which constitutes a passage for welding wire by a spirally wound winding, comprising: a connection part to which the conduit cable is connected; a wire guide housed in the connection part and provided with a through hole for guiding the welding wire supplied from the conduit cable; and a relay wire guide provided so as to abut against the wire guide and the liner housed in the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

8. A wire feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the relay wire guide is provided with a wire path through which the welding wire is inserted, and at least a portion of the wire path has a shape in which the inner diameter of the wire path increases as it moves from the wire guide toward the conduit cable connected to the connection part.

9. A wire feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the wire guide and the intermediate wire guide are the same component.

10. A wire feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the wire feeding device includes a pair of rollers that are rotated by a power source for feeding the welding wire.

11. A welding system according to claim 1, wherein the wire feeding device is housed in the welding torch.

12. A welding system according to claim 11, wherein the wire feeding device includes a pair of rollers that are rotated by a power source for feeding the welding wire.

13. A welding system according to claim 1, wherein the wire feeding device is provided between the welding torch and a wire supply source that houses the welding wire, and the wire feeding device draws the welding wire from the wire supply source and feeds the welding wire toward the welding torch.

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