AT11800U1 - COUPLING FOR A WELDING DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

A coupling (101... 104) for a welding device is disclosed, which comprises a first coupling part (2) with a plurality of switches (3). Furthermore, the clutch (101..104) comprises a second coupling part (4) which interacts with the first coupling part (2) such that in the connected state a predeterminable combination of the switches (3) is actuated. According to the invention, the second coupling part (4) comprises a recess (5) in the region of at least one switch (3) such that this at least one switch (3) is not actuated in the connected state of the coupling (101... 104).

Description

Austrian Patent Office AT 11 800 U1 2011-05-15

Description: The invention relates to a coupling for a welding device, comprising a first coupling part with a plurality of switches and a second coupling part, which cooperates with the first coupling part such that in the connected state a predeterminable combination of the switches is actuated.

In order to ensure the modularity of a welding machine couplings have always been used to connect the various devices together. For example, usually located at the welding power source, a clutch to connect a hose package. Likewise, a welding torch can be connected to a further coupling of the hose package, etc.

For some time, provision has also been made to prevent parts that are not matched to one another being connected to one another. For example, it is sometimes dangerous to connect a welding torch designed for, for example, 300 ampere ampacity, to a welding power source capable of delivering 1000 amperes of current. Likewise, malfunctions can occur if a water-cooled welding torch is connected to a welding power source that does not provide such a cooling circuit.

One way to ensure a smooth functioning of the parts among each other, or to avoid dangerous situations, is to provide several switches on a clutch, of which when mating the clutch selectively some of them are operated in the form of a code. In this way, for example, a hose package can be encoded for a current carrying capacity of 300 amperes. If this is now connected to a welding power source, the actuation of the switches leads to a transmission of the relevant code to the welding power source, which can limit the maximum supplied current to 300 amps in consequence.

Unfortunately, the known couplings have several disadvantages, which is why it is the object of the invention to provide an improved coupling.

The invention is achieved with a coupling of the type mentioned, in which the second coupling part in the region of at least one switch comprises a recess, such that it is not actuated at least one switch in the connected state of the coupling.

The invention is also achieved with a coupling part of a coupling for a welding machine with a plurality of switches, which is provided for the connection and interaction with another coupling part, such that in the connected state a predetermined combination of the switch is actuated, this at least a switch in the connected state of the clutch is not actuated when the further coupling part in the region of at least one switch comprises a recess.

Finally, the invention is also achieved with a coupling part for a welding device, which is provided for connection to a further coupling part with a plurality of switches, and cooperates with this further coupling part such that in the connected state a predeterminable combination of the switch is actuated, wherein the coupling part in the region of at least one switch comprises a recess, such that this at least one switch is not actuated in the connected state of the coupling.

In this way, the second coupling part can be encoded with little effort, for example, if targeted holes are attached to the body of the second coupling part. This is a significant advantage over known solutions in which protruding parts are provided for coding on the coupling, which can be produced only with great effort. Likewise, due to the coding according to the invention, it is advantageous that the area of an end face of the clutches is substantially not reduced, and thus the current transmission is substantially not reduced. Advantageously, the switches of the first coupling part are located in the vicinity of the interface of the coupling, so they are hardly exposed to the risk of contamination and therefore the function of the coupling via a long period of time is guaranteed. Once the switches are nevertheless dirty, they can be cleaned comparatively easily. This is a significant advantage over known solutions where switches are located in recesses.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the description in conjunction with the figures of the drawing.

It is advantageous if the switches and the recesses are each arranged on the front side on the first and second coupling part. In this way, the switches can be safely operated. Advantageously, there are no sliding relative movements, which could affect the function of the coupling with currently.

It when the switch protrude beyond an end face of the first coupling part is particularly advantageous. In this way, the switches, if they are dirty, are particularly easy to clean. Furthermore, a simple function test of the switches can be carried out, for example, by simply pressing them with the finger.

It is also particularly advantageous if the recess is provided for receiving a coding stopper, such that the switch is not actuated in the unoccupied state of the recess and, if the recess is occupied by a coding stubble, is actuated. In this variant of the invention recesses are provided at least partially prophylactic, which can be closed again with Codier-stubble if necessary. Advantageously, these recesses are provided for all switches. In this way, the Auslangen can be found with a single design of a second component, yet any coding is possible.

It is advantageous if a recess is completed plan by a coding stubble. In this way, the second coupling part can be cleaned very easily. Furthermore, the risk is reduced, which one hangs when handling the clutch on protruding parts of the same.

It is particularly advantageous if the coding stubble are made of plastic. If an elastic plastic is selected as the material and the coding stub is made with a little bit of oversize, then the coding stubble can simply be pressed into the recesses and then remain stuck in the recess because of the elasticity of the material. Furthermore, plastic has insulating properties, which can result in accidental contact with bare live parts no short circuit.

It is advantageous if a separate recess is provided for each switch. In this way - if all the recesses have the same shape - only one type of coding stopper needs to be provided, and nevertheless all arbitrary bit combinations can be realized in a simple manner. Furthermore, the production of recesses of the same shape (for example of blind holes) is also possible in a rational manner.

It is also favorable if a common recess is provided for a plurality of switches. In this variant, several bits can be set with only one coding stubble. This may be simpler for the manufacture of the coupling according to the invention. The coding stubble may have a depression or a hole at a location where no switch is to be actuated. To cover all possible combinations of two bits, several types of coding stubble are now required here. The number can be reduced, however, if different codes are provided on the front and the back, so that by simply turning the coding stub another switch combination is operated.

Finally, it is favorable if a common recess is provided for all switches 2). Austrian Patent Office AT 11 800 U1 2011-05-15. In this variant, all bits can be set with only one coding stubble. Although a large number of different coding stubble is required, coding can be done quickly and easily. Advantageously, the concrete meaning of the coded stopper is printed or embossed, so that the manufacturing staff can assign this easier.

It is advantageous if the coupling comprises means for connecting a welding wire guide and / or means for connecting a gas line and / or means for connecting a water pipe. These are cables that are often needed during welding. But because not all devices have all lines, the advantage of coding is particularly apparent here.

Finally, it is also advantageous if a welding power source, a hose package, or a welding torch comprises a first coupling part or a second coupling part of a coupling according to the invention. A welding power source, a hose package, or a welding torch are particularly often part of a modular system of a welding machine. For this reason, it is advantageous to equip them with a coupling according to the invention.

The above embodiments and further developments of the invention can be combined in any manner.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In each case in a highly schematically simplified representation: Figure 1 shows a first variant of a coupling according to the invention, in which a separate recess is provided for each scarf ter; Fig. 2 shows a second variant of a coupling according to the invention, in which for several

Switch a common recess is provided; Figure 6 shows a third variant of a coupling according to the invention, in which a common recess is provided for all switches; a third variant of a coupling according to the invention, are not provided for all switches recesses; a first variant of a coding stopper and a second variant of a coding stopper.

Introductoryly it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or identical component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names. Also, the location information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and are to be transferred to the new situation mutatis mutandis when a change in position. Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can also represent independent, inventive or inventive solutions.

The embodiments show possible embodiments of the coupling according to the invention, which should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but also various combinations of the individual embodiments are mutually possible and this variation possibility due to the teaching technical action by objective invention in the skill of working in this technical field expert.

Fig. 1 shows a first variant of a coupling 101 according to the invention for a welding machine (not shown), which comprises a first coupling part 2 with a plurality of switches 3 3/10 Austrian Patent Office AT11 800 U1 2011-05-15 and a second coupling part. 4 which comprises a recess 5 in the region of a switch 3. Thus, the coupling part 2 and the coupling part 4 are formed substantially opposite. In this example, a separate recess 5 is provided for each switch 3. In the example shown, the switches 3 are moreover provided on an end face of the first coupling part 2 and are therefore easy to clean, or can very easily be carried out (for example by operation with a finger) a functional test. Furthermore, the coupling 101 comprises means 6, 7 for connecting a welding wire guide in the manner of plug / socket (via the welding wire is subsequently conducted from a contact tube in a conventional manner, a welding current) and means 8, 9 for connecting a gas line , also according to the type plug / socket. The first coupling part 2 further comprises a socket 10 for connecting a water pipe. However, in the example shown, the second coupling part 4 does not comprise a suitable plug for a water pipe, so that the water pipe is not connected by the coupling 101. Of course, the plugs and sockets can also be positioned differently and be interchanged between the first and second coupling part 2, 4.

The function of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: By plugging together the coupling parts 2 and 4, a power and a gas line is connected. Furthermore, the switches 3 are actuated when the recess 5 is occupied by a coding stubble. If a recess 5 remains unoccupied, then the relevant switch 3 is not actuated. By targeted occupation of recesses 5 so a predetermined combination of the switch 3 can be operated. For this purpose cylindrical Cod Stub are provided, which are pressed as needed in the various recesses 5. For better grip they can be glued or simply stuck by friction in the recess 5.

In this example, the coding stubble made of (elastic) plastic and can be easily pressed despite oversize in a recess 5. Because of the insulating properties of plastic, there is still no risk of short-circuiting if the coding stubble should mistakenly come into contact with live parts. Preferably, the coding stub close off a recess 5 so that a flat surface is formed in this area with the end face of the second coupling part 4. In this way, the end face of the second coupling part 4 can be easily cleaned.

If the clutch 101 is now provided for connecting a hose package to a welding power source, the first coupling part 2 and the hose package of the second coupling part 4 can be provided at the welding power source. By targeted occupation of the recesses 5, the hose package can be coded so that the resulting binary pattern allows a statement about the type of construction of the hose package. For example, the lower two bits may indicate for which current range the hose package is allowed. For example, the least significant bit (LSB) may mean 250 amperes of current, and the second bit may mean 500 amperes of current. For example, the third bit may say whether the hose package includes a water line or not. Similarly, the fourth bit may say whether or not the hose package includes a gas line. In the example shown (FIG. 4), it is assumed that the hose pack has a current carrying capacity of 750 amperes. As a result, the hose package is labeled " 1011 " coded. Analogously, of course, a welding torch can be coded.

Of course, a negative logic is possible, so that the hose package is coded with 0100. It is also conceivable that the switches 3 are designed either as an opener or closer. Of course, the provision of more or less bits - so switch 3 - for the coding conceivable. Accordingly, more or fewer combinations are available for encoding.

In a further advantageous variant of the invention it is provided that the welding power source issues an alarm and / or the welding voltage of the clutch 101 switches away when either none of the switches 3 and / or all switches 3 are actuated. 4/10 Austrian Patent Office AT 11 800 U1 2011-05-15

In this way it can be prevented that, for example, a hose package of a different type, which has no recesses 5 and thus can not be coded, is connected to the welding power source or whose function is not provided. Likewise, it can be prevented that a hose package with all unoccupied recesses 5 is put into operation. This could mean that the hose package was erroneously not coded during production or that the coding stubble has fallen out. In the same way, this can also be used in a welding torch.

FIG. 2 shows a further variant of a coupling 102, which is very similar to the coupling 101 shown in FIG. 1. However, water connector 11 in addition to the gas connector 9 are present on the second coupling part 4. Furthermore, common recesses 5 are provided for several switches 3 here. Specifically, two recesses 5 are provided for each two switches 3. The coding stubble are accordingly kidney-shaped and can have a depression or a hole at a location where no switch is to be actuated. In order to cover all possible combinations of two bits, four different coding stubs are now required here. However, if a coding stub has front and rear different coding, so that by turning the coding stopper another switch combination is actuated, so can be found with two different coding stubble Auslangen.

Advantageously, the concrete meaning of the coded stubble is imprinted or embossed, so that the manufacturing staff can assign this easier. For example, an encoding stubble may be " 10 " with "gas yes / water no " and another cod stub with "10". with "500 amps" be labeled.

FIG. 3 shows a further variant of a coupling 103, which is very similar to the coupling 102 shown in FIG. 2. However, here a common recess 5 is provided for all switches 3. Furthermore, water connectors 11 instead of the gas connector 9 are provided on the second coupling part 4. Similar to the clutch 102, different encoding stubs may be provided for different switch combinations. Advantageously, in turn, the concrete meaning of the coded stubble is imprinted or embossed, so that the manufacturing staff can assign this easier. For example, a coding stubble "0111" may be used. with "S 1734 " (Type or part number of the hose package).

FIG. 4 shows a further variant of a coupling 104, which is very similar to the coupling 101 shown in FIG. However, no recesses 5 are provided here in the area of a switch 3. The clutch 104 is thus fixed with "1011". coded, in principle no coding stubble is necessary. In this variant, 4 recesses 5 are thus selectively provided only at certain positions of the second coupling part, for example in the form of blind holes, which are drilled in the body of the second coupling part 4. Since couplings 101..104 for welding machines are usually manufactured with CNC machines, this customization is easy to implement. Of course, other codes can be provided.

However, the presented in Fig. 4 variant does not exclude that the remaining recesses 5 are occupied as already mentioned with Codier-stubble. For example, the coupling 104 presented in FIG. 4 can be used for all equipment that does not have a water pipe connection. In the production therefore no longer needs to be taken to occupy this recess 5 with a Codier stubble. Therefore, it may be necessary to occupy only the recesses 5 for the current range and the gas line. For example, if the device in question is designed for 500 ampere current-carrying capacity, the second bit is occupied by a coding stubble.

5 now shows a simple variant of a coding stopper 121, which has the shape of a cylinder. This coding stub 121 can be used, for example, for the couplings 101 and 104 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

Finally, FIG. 6 shows a further variant of a coding stopper 122, which kidney 5/10

Claims (15)

Austrian Patent Office AT 11 800 U1 2011-05-15 is shaped and has a number of indentations denoting the code "1011". form. This coding stub 122 is suitable for the coupling 103 shown in FIG. 3, in a slightly reduced form also for the coupling 102 shown in FIG. 2. Of course, the coding stub 121 of FIG. 5 can also be incorporated into the recesses of the coder Stops 122 are inserted from Fig. 6 to form further code variants. For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the assignment of bits on which the examples are based is purely illustrative. Of course, completely different assignments are possible without leaving the inventive idea. For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that, for a better understanding of the structure of the coupling according to the invention, these or their components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size. The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description. Above all, the individual embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention. The relevant objects and solutions according to the invention can be found in the detailed descriptions of these figures. REFERENCE MARKET 101..104 Coupling 2 first coupling part 3 switch 4 second coupling part 5 recess 6 power socket 7 power plug 8 gas socket 9 gas plug 10 water socket 11 water plug 121..122 Coding stubble 1. Coupling (101..104) for a welding machine comprising : - a first coupling part (2) with a plurality of switches (3) and - a second coupling part (4) which interacts with the first coupling part (2) such that in the connected state a predeterminable combination of the switches (3) is actuated characterized in that the second coupling part (4) in the region of at least one switch (3) comprises a recess (5), such that this at least one switch (3) in the connected state of the coupling (101..104) is not actuated. 2. clutch (101..104) according to claim 1, characterized in that the switches (3) and the recesses (5) are each arranged on the front side on the first and second coupling part (2, 4). 3. clutch (101..104) according to claim 2, characterized in that the switches (3) protrude beyond an end face of the first coupling part (2). 6/10 Austrian Patent Office AT 11 800 U1 2011-05-15 4. clutch (101.104) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the recess (5) for receiving a coding stopper (121, 122) is provided, such that the switch (3) in the unoccupied state of the recess (5) is not actuated and, when the recess (5) by a coding Stoppel (121, 122) is occupied, is actuated. 5. clutch (101.104) according to claim 4, characterized in that a recess (5) by a Codier stubble (121,122) is completed plan. 6. clutch (101.104) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, characterized in that the coding Stoppel (121.122) are made of plastic. 7. clutch (101.104) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that for each switch (3) has a separate recess (5) is provided. 8. clutch (101.104) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a common recess (5) for a plurality of switches (3) is provided. 9. clutch (101.104) according to claim 8, characterized in that a common recess (5) for all switches (3) is provided. 10. clutch (101 ..104) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that these means (6, 7) for connecting a welding wire guide and / or means (8, 9) for connecting a gas line and / or means (10, 11) for connecting a water pipe. 11. Welding power source, characterized in that it comprises a first coupling part (2) or a second coupling part (4) of a coupling (101.104) according to one of claims 1 to 10. 12. hose package, characterized in that it comprises a first coupling part (2) or a second coupling part (4) of a coupling (101.104) according to one of claims 1 to 10. 13. Welding torch, characterized in that it comprises a first coupling part (2) or a second coupling part (4) of a coupling (101. 104) according to one of claims 1 to 10. 14. coupling part (2) of a coupling (101.104) for a welding device with a plurality of switches (3), which is provided for the connection and cooperation with a further coupling part (4), such that in the connected state, a predeterminable combination of the switch (3 ) is actuated, characterized in that this at least one switch (3) in the connected state of the clutch (101.104) is not actuated when the further coupling part (4) in the region of at least one switch (3) comprises a recess (5). 15. Coupling part (4) for a welding device, which is provided for connection to a further coupling part (2) with a plurality of switches (3), and with this further coupling part (2) cooperates such that in the connected state, a predeterminable combination of the switch (3) is actuated, characterized in that the coupling part (4) in the region of at least one switch (3) comprises a recess (5) such that it does not actuate at least one switch (3) in the connected state of the coupling (101.104) is. 3 sheets of drawings 7/10