JP2006000901A - Method and device for joining metal sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means and a device capable of connecting metal sheets with more sufficient connection strength without depending on the kinds thereof. <P>SOLUTION: The proximal end part 28 of a first metal sheet 20a discharged from a coil 22 and the termination end part 26 of a second metal sheet 20b continuously made to run prior thereto are superimposed each other. A plurality of parts separated by a prescribed distance to a longitudinal direction of each metal sheet 20a, 20b in the superimposed parts are subjected to spot welding operation by friction stir welding, thus the toe part 28 of the first metal sheet 20a and the termination part 26 of the second metal sheet 20b are mutually connected in the plurality of parts in the longitudinal direction of each metal sheet 20a, 20b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a plate joining method and apparatus for a metal plate, and more particularly to a starting end portion of a metal plate taken out from a coil formed by winding, which is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to the metal plate. The present invention relates to a method for splicing a metal plate comprising connecting to a terminal portion of the metal plate, and a splicing device for a metal plate that is advantageously used in carrying out such a method.

  As is well known, in mass production lines such as rolling, painting, heat treatment, and surface treatment, in many cases, a coil on which a metal plate is wound is used as a material to be processed or processed. . And a desired product can be obtained now by performing various processes, processes, etc. with respect to the metal plate gradually taken out from this coil.

  By the way, in such a mass production line, when various kinds of processing and processing as described above are continuously performed on a large amount of metal plates, when different types of metal plates are newly introduced into the line, or maintenance is performed. For example, when a plurality of coils are continuously introduced into the line, such as when a non-product is temporarily introduced, the traveling direction of the metal plate that is allowed to travel on the line in the plate length direction first. Connecting the end on the rear side, that is, the end portion, and the end on the front side in the running direction on the line of the metal plate taken out from the coil newly introduced into the line, that is, the start end portion, There is a need to do.

  Therefore, in the past, when performing the splicing of the metal plate that is first run on the line in the plate length direction and the metal plate that is removed from the coil and newly introduced into the line, the end of the former metal plate is used. In a state in which the portion and the starting end portion of the latter metal plate are overlapped with each other, the overlapping portions thereof have a U-shape that opens to one side in the length direction of each metal plate at a plurality of positions. Punching with a predetermined punching die, and then moving each metal plate relative to each other in the length direction so that the respective U-shaped punching portions are engaged with each other, thereby terminating and starting end portions of the respective metal plates. Many methods are used to connect the two.

  However, when such a plate joining method is adopted, when the respective metal plates are moved relative to each other and the U-shaped punched portions are connected to each other, a part of the punched portions are cut and chips are generated. Due to the generated chips, the punching die may be damaged, or the punched parts may be insufficiently engaged due to partial cutting of the punched parts, and as a result, the connection strength between the metal plates may be reduced. was there.

  In addition, as a method that can eliminate the decrease in the connection strength between the metal plates due to such partial cutting of the punched portion, a resistance welding technique such as spot welding or seam welding, which is a kind of fusion welding technique, It is also easy to perform plate joining. However, for example, in the resistance welding, when mash seam welding using an electrode disk is performed, the electrode part of the electrode disk may adhere to the welded portion of the metal plate or be crushed. The connection strength between the plates will inevitably decrease. In particular, when an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate and a steel plate are connected, a brittle intermetallic compound is generated between molten aluminum and iron, so that it is difficult to obtain a high connection strength. .

  Therefore, even in the case of joining the end portion and the start end portion of each metal plate as described above by such resistance welding method, the connection strength between the metal plates is the kind of welding method employed. It was greatly influenced by the type of metal plate to be connected and the like, and it was not easy to stably obtain a high connection strength.

  Here, the present invention has been made in the background of the circumstances as described above, and the problem to be solved is that the end portion of the metal plate that is allowed to run in the plate length direction and the winding are formed. A method for joining metal plates that can be stably connected with more sufficient connection strength, regardless of the type of each metal plate, etc., when connecting and joining the starting end portion of the metal plate taken out from the coil Another object of the present invention is to provide a metal plate splicing device that can be advantageously used in carrying out such a method.

  And, in order to solve such problems, the present inventors use a friction stir welding method, which is a kind of solid phase bonding method, in the process of repeating various researches, for the joining of metal plates as described above. Inspired. And based on this idea, as a result of further earnest research, the end part of the metal plate continuously run in the plate length direction and the start end part of the metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding are obtained. By connecting by a special method using the friction stir welding method, when connecting such metal plates, extremely excellent characteristics that cannot be obtained simply by using the friction stir welding method can be exhibited. I found out.

  That is, the present invention has been completed based on such knowledge, and the first aspect thereof is that the starting end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding, A plate splicing method comprising connecting to a terminal portion of a second metal plate that is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate, and comprising a starting end portion of the first metal plate, After the end portions of the second metal plate are overlapped with each other, the overlapping portions of the overlapping portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are opposite to each other. From the surface side, a pin provided concentrically at the tip of the rotating jig is inserted while rotating together with the rotating jig, and an operation of spot joining the overlapped portion by friction stir welding is performed. This is performed at a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate at the mating portion. The metal plate is characterized in that the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the length direction of each metal plate. It is in the splicing method.

  Further, in the method of joining the metal plates according to the present invention, in order to solve the problems as described above, the second aspect is to start the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding. A plate joining method comprising connecting a portion to a terminal portion of a second metal plate that is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate, After overlapping the start end portion and the end portion of the second metal plate with each other, the overlapping surfaces of the overlapping portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate, From the opposite surface side, a pin provided concentrically at the tip of the rotating jig is inserted while rotating integrally with the rotating jig, and moved relatively in the length direction of each metal plate, By performing an operation of wire joining the superposed portion by friction stir welding. A metal plate characterized in that the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are continuously connected to each other and in the length direction of each metal plate. It is in the splicing method.

  Furthermore, in the third aspect of the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, the overlapping portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are mutually connected. The operation of performing friction stir welding is further performed at a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion, whereby the start end portion of the first metal plate and the second metal plate Are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the width direction of each metal plate.

  Furthermore, in the fourth aspect of the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, both the first metal plate and the second metal plate are made of an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate.

  Further, in the fifth aspect of the method of joining the metal plates according to the present invention, any one of the first metal plate and the second metal plate is composed of an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate, And any one of them will be comprised with a steel plate.

  Furthermore, in the sixth aspect of the method of joining the metal plates according to the present invention, any one of the first metal plate and the second metal plate is composed of an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate, and Either one of them is made of a stainless steel plate.

  In the present invention, in order to solve the problem relating to the metal plate splicing device, the seventh aspect is the starting end of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding. A plate splicing device comprising connecting a portion to a terminal portion of a second metal plate that is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate, and (a) overlapped with each other At the front end of the overlapped portion side of the overlapped portion of the overlapped portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate opposite to the overlapped surface side of each other A rotating jig having concentric pins is provided, and the pin is inserted into the overlapping portion while rotating together with the rotating jig, and a friction stir welding operation is performed on the overlapping portion. By the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate Connecting means for connecting to each other; and (b) at least one of the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate and the rotating jig of the connecting means. (C) the relative movement of at least one of the overlapped portion and the rotating jig by the moving means is performed. And an operation means for performing the friction stir welding by the connecting means in any one state selected arbitrarily from the state in which the relative movement by the moving means is not performed. It is in the splicing device of the metal plate characterized by the above.

  And in this invention, in order to solve the technical subject which concerns on the plate joining apparatus of a metal plate, the place made into the 8th aspect is the 1st metal taken out from the coil formed by winding. A plate splicing device comprising connecting a start end portion of a plate to a terminal end portion of a second metal plate that is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate, and is superposed on each other A predetermined distance is provided in the length direction of each metal plate on the side opposite to the overlapping surface side of the overlapping portion of the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate. There are a plurality of rotating jigs arranged concentrically at the tip of the overlapped portion side, which are arranged apart from each other, and each pin of the plurality of rotating jigs is integrated with each rotating jig. While rotating, insert each into the superposed part. By performing a friction stir welding operation on a plurality of portions separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate, the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each metal plate. A metal plate splicing device comprising connecting means for connecting to each other at a plurality of positions in the length direction of the plate.

  Further, in the ninth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, only an arbitrarily selected one of the plurality of rotating jigs in the connecting means is rotated, and the selection is performed. Only the pin that is rotated together with the rotating jig is inserted into the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other, thereby A first control means for controlling the operation of the connecting means so that a friction stir welding operation is performed on an arbitrary part of a plurality of parts separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate in the mating portion; Furthermore, it will be provided.

  Furthermore, in a tenth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate and the connection means There is further provided a second moving means for relatively moving at least one of the rotating jigs in the width direction of each metal plate.

  Furthermore, in the eleventh aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, the overlapping portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate which are superposed on each other are mutually connected. A plurality of rotational treatments, each having a pin concentrically provided at the tip of the overlapped portion side disposed at a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate on the surface opposite to the overlapped surface side. The connecting means is configured, and the respective pins of the plurality of rotating jigs are respectively inserted into the overlapping portions while being rotated together with the rotating jigs, and the overlapping is performed. By performing a friction stir welding operation for a plurality of parts spaced apart by a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate in the part, the start end part of the first metal plate and the end part of the second metal plate, Connected to each other at multiple points in the width direction of each metal plate Sea urchin made.

  Moreover, in a twelfth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, among the plurality of rotating jigs arranged at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the metal plates, the connecting means has. Only the arbitrarily selected one of the first metal plate is rotated together with the selected rotation jig, and the first metal plate and the second metal plate are overlapped with each other. So that the friction stir welding operation is performed on an arbitrary portion of the plurality of portions separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion. Second control means for controlling the operation of the connecting means is further provided.

  Furthermore, in a thirteenth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, the overlapped portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other is sandwiched therebetween. The connecting means is configured by having a plurality of rotating jigs arranged at least one each on both sides and having pins concentrically provided at the tip of the overlapping portion side. Among the rotating jigs, the pins of the rotating jigs arranged on at least one of the two sides sandwiching the overlapped portion are selectively rotated together with the rotating jigs. However, it is configured to be inserted into the superposed portion.

  Furthermore, in a fourteenth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, the overlapping portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other is interposed. The rotation jig arranged on one side of both sides sandwiched between and the rotation jig arranged on the other side of the both sides, in the width direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion Are located corresponding to the different parts.

  In the fifteenth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, the pin provided at the tip of the rotating jig in the connecting means is movable relative to the rotating jig in the axial direction. And a relative movement blocking mechanism for blocking relative movement of the pin with respect to the rotating jig at an arbitrary relative movement position, and further, between the rotating jig and the pin, the rotating jig of the pin Is provided with a relative rotation prevention mechanism that allows relative movement but prevents relative rotation.

  That is, in the first aspect of the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, the starting end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil and the plate length direction continuously prior to the first metal plate. In the state where the end portions of the second metal plate that are run on each other are overlapped with each other, the overlapping portions of these metal plates are connected to each other by friction stir welding, which is a kind of solid phase bonding. It has become.

  Therefore, in the method of the present invention, unlike the case where fusion welding is performed by resistance welding using an electrode disk, the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate, for example, Even if the electrode part does not adhere to the welded portion of the metal plate or is crushed, and the first and second metal plates to be connected are an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate and a steel plate, aluminum is used. A brittle intermetallic compound is not formed between iron and iron. Therefore, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate can be reliably connected with sufficient connection strength regardless of the type of each metal plate. In addition, when connecting the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the terminal end portion of the second metal plate, since no portion is punched, the connection strength between the metal plates is reduced by partial cutting of the punched portion. Is never evoked.

  Moreover, the method of joining the metal plates according to the present invention is the friction stir welding operation as described above, wherein each metal plate in the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is used. By performing point joining to a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each length of the metal plate. For example, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate may be connected to each other at a plurality of points in the direction. Compared to the case of spot joining, the number of connection points can be advantageously increased, and the connection strength between the first metal plate and the second metal plate can be effectively increased by that amount.

  In particular, in the method of the present invention, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the length direction of each metal plate. Therefore, in the overlapping portion of the starting end portion and the terminal end portion of each metal plate, at least two points on the leading edge side of the starting end portion in the first metal plate and the leading edge side of the terminal portion in the second metal plate, respectively. If connected to each other, the starting end portion and the terminal end of the first and second metal plates are compared with the case where the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the terminal end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other in one place. The length of the portion from each leading edge of the part to the nearest connection point can be made as small as possible.

  Therefore, when the first and second metal plates are run on, for example, a mass production line, the weights of the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other. Rollers installed on the mass production line for various purposes, such as for the mating part to be part of a running device for running each metal plate or to change the running direction of each metal plate on the mass production line When passing through the installation portion of the roller while being bent by, for example, from the connecting portion of the metal plate located on the opposite side to the roller side of the first and second metal plates, the tip of the start end portion The part up to the edge and the part up to the tip edge of the end part are not bent, but are lifted (bounced up) from the metal plate located on the roller side. Before and after passing Te, may like to sag by its own weight can advantageously be eliminated or is suppressed.

  And by the partial lift of the first metal plate or the second metal plate at the time of passing through such a roller installation location, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate The connection is canceled, or the floating part of the metal plate or the hanging part comes into contact with or is caught by the peripheral parts of the roller. Such a situation can be effectively prevented.

  Therefore, according to the plate joining method of the metal plate according to the present invention as described above, the end portion of the metal plate that is allowed to travel in the plate length direction, and the start end portion of the metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding, Regardless of the type of each metal plate, etc., it can be stably connected with a sufficient connection strength. In addition, for example, it is extremely advantageous also for the joining of metal plates that can be run on a mass production line. It can be applied to.

  Further, even in the second aspect of the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is a kind of solid phase bonding. Since they are connected to each other by the friction stir welding, the superposed part is melt welded by resistance welding using an electrode disk or the superposed part is partially punched out. Unlike the case where the punched portions are engaged with each other and the end portion and the start end portion of each metal plate are connected to each other, regardless of the type of the metal plate, the engagement force due to the cutting of the punched portion It is possible to reliably connect with a sufficient connection strength without causing a decrease in the amount of.

  Moreover, in the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, in the friction stir welding operation as described above, the pin provided on the rotating jig is integrally rotated together with the rotating jig, and the start end portion of the first metal plate And the end portion of the second metal plate are inserted into the overlapping portion, moved in the length direction of each metal plate, and the overlapping portion is line-joined, so that the first end portion of the first metal plate and the second end portion of the first metal plate Since the end portions of the two metal plates are continuously connected to each other and in the length direction of the respective metal plates, for example, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the second metal Compared with the case where the overlapped portion with the end portion of the plate is spot-joined only at a predetermined point, the connecting region in the overlapped portion can be advantageously increased, and the first metal is correspondingly increased. The connection strength between the plate and the second metal plate can be effectively increased.

  In particular, in the method of the present invention, a joint extending in the length direction of each metal plate is formed on the superposed portion by line joining by friction stir welding on the superposed portion as described above. Therefore, for example, the overlapping portion is formed so that a continuous extending portion is formed between the leading edge side portion of the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the leading edge side portion of the end portion of the second metal plate. If the friction stir welding operation is performed, the portions that are not joined (coupled) to each other at the leading edge and the trailing edge of the first and second metal plates can be made extremely small or omitted completely. I can do it.

  Therefore, when the first and second metal plates are run on, for example, a mass production line, the weights of the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other. When the mating part is curved by a roller installed on the mass production line for various purposes and passes through the roller installation part, the first and second metal plates are opposite to the roller side. The leading edge and the trailing edge of the metal plate located on the side of the metal plate are not curved and are lifted (bounced up) from the metal plate located on the roller side. However, it can be advantageously eliminated or suppressed that the roller hangs down due to its own weight before and after the passage of the roller.

  And by the partial lift of the first metal plate or the second metal plate when passing through such a roller installation location, the connection between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate Or the floating part of the metal plate or the hanging part is in contact with or caught by the peripheral parts of the roller, or the metal plates are damaged or the connection of the metal plates is eliminated. Can be effectively prevented.

  Therefore, even with the metal plate joining method according to the present invention as described above, the end portion of the metal plate allowed to travel in the plate length direction and the start end portion of the metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding are respectively provided. Regardless of the type of metal plate, etc., it can be stably connected with a sufficient connection strength.In addition, for example, it is extremely advantageous for the joining of metal plates that can be run on a mass production line. Can be applied.

  Further, according to the third aspect of the method of joining the metal plates according to the present invention, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are more reliably connected with sufficient strength. Can be linked.

  Furthermore, in the fourth to sixth aspects of the metal plate joining method according to the present invention, aluminum plates or aluminum alloy plates, aluminum plates or aluminum alloy plates and steel plates, or aluminum plates or aluminum alloy plates and stainless steel plates are used. However, it can be reliably connected with excellent connection strength.

  In the seventh aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, the metal plate is continuously run in the plate length direction with the start end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding. In a state where the second terminal portions are overlapped with each other, the overlapping portions of the respective metal plates are connected to each other by friction stir welding, which is a kind of solid phase bonding, by the connecting means. .

  Moreover, in the apparatus of the present invention, at the moving means, at least one of the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate and the rotating jig of the connecting means However, when the metal plates are moved relative to each other in the length direction, the superposing portions of the metal plates are subjected to friction stir welding by the connecting means by the operation of the operating means. The parts are line-joined.

  In addition, when the relative movement between the overlapping portion of each metal plate and the rotating jig is not performed by the moving means, the friction stir welding to the overlapping portion of each metal plate is performed on the connecting means by the operation of the operating means. As a result, the superposed portion is spot-joined. And, for example, while the relative movement of the overlapping portion of each metal plate and the rotating jig by the moving means is intermittently performed, each time such relative movement is stopped, the operating means is operated, If the friction stir welding operation is performed by the connecting means, the overlapped portions are spot-bonded to each other at a plurality of positions at a predetermined distance from each other in the length direction of each metal plate.

  Therefore, in such a splicing device for a metal plate according to the present invention, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is subjected to friction stir welding. Any of the characteristic metal plate joining methods as described above, comprising the operations of wire joining and point joining at a plurality of points in the length direction, can be carried out very advantageously.

  Therefore, if the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention as described above is used, the starting end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil and the first metal plate are continuously run in the plate length direction. Regardless of the type of each metal plate, the terminal portion of the second metal plate to be fastened can be reliably connected with a sufficient connection strength. The metal plate joining device according to the present invention can be used extremely advantageously as, for example, a device for joining metal plates that can be run on a mass production line.

  Furthermore, even in the eighth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end end portion of the second metal plate are overlapped with each other. The overlapping portions of the metal plates are connected to each other by friction stir welding, which is a kind of solid phase bonding, by a connecting means.

  Moreover, in such an apparatus of the present invention, the connecting means has a plurality of rotating jigs, and the plurality of rotating jigs are formed by superposition of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate. The metal plates are arranged corresponding to a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate, and the pins of the respective rotation jigs are rotated together with the rotation jigs while being superposed. By being inserted into a plurality of portions of the part, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other at a plurality of portions in the length direction of each metal plate. Yes.

  Therefore, even in such a metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, the characteristic metal plate splicing method as described above can be carried out very advantageously, whereby the first metal plate Regardless of the type of each metal plate, the starting end portion of the second metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate can be reliably connected with more sufficient connection strength.For example, the metal plates that can be run on a mass production line It can be used very advantageously as a device for joining plates.

  In the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, in particular, the plurality of rotating jigs cause the first metal plate start end portion and the second metal plate end portion to be the length of each metal plate. Since the friction stir welding is mutually performed at a plurality of locations in the direction, the connection at the plurality of locations at the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is performed simultaneously. In addition, the time required for such a connecting operation can be shortened extremely advantageously.

  Further, according to the ninth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, for example, as a first step, several of the plurality of rotating jigs are integrally rotated together with the pins, and the rotation control is performed. By inserting the pin of the tool into the overlapping part of the start end part of the first metal plate and the end part of the second metal plate and performing the friction stir welding operation, the pin is inserted into the overlapped part. Then, as a second stage, the overlapping part and each rotating jig are moved relative to each other in the length direction of each metal plate by the moving means, and the same as in the first stage. Then, if the friction stir welding operation is performed, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is the arrangement interval of the plurality of rotating jigs in the length direction. Connecting at different intervals It can become. Also, three or more rotating jigs are arranged at a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate with respect to the overlapping portion of the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate. In such a case, the number of rotating jigs inserted while the pins are rotated integrally with the overlapping portion can be increased or decreased according to the length of the overlapping portion. It is possible to efficiently and economically connect the overlapping portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate.

  Furthermore, according to the tenth aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, a predetermined distance is provided in the width direction at the overlapping portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate. A plurality of locations can be spot-joined by friction stir welding, or such superposed portions can be line-joined in the width direction. As a result, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate can be connected with a further sufficient connection strength.

  Furthermore, according to the eleventh aspect of the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, a plurality of locations are connected in the width direction of each metal plate, and the first end portion of the first metal plate and the second metal plate In addition to being able to be connected with an even more sufficient connection strength, the metal plates are friction stir welded to each other at a plurality of locations in the width direction by a plurality of rotating jigs in the connecting means. Therefore, the connection at a plurality of positions in the width direction of each metal plate can be carried out simultaneously and at once, thereby shortening the time required for the connection operation is extremely advantageous. Can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the twelfth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, in accordance with the action that can be achieved by the ninth aspect of the present invention, the first end portion of the first metal plate and the second The overlapping portions with the terminal portion of the metal plate can be connected at positions having intervals different from the arrangement intervals of the rotary jigs in the width direction. Further, the number of rotating jigs used for the friction stir welding operation can be increased or decreased according to the width of the overlapping portion between the starting end portion of the first metal plate and the terminal end portion of the second metal plate. The polymerized portions can be connected efficiently and economically advantageously.

  Furthermore, according to the thirteenth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, the pin of the rotating jig among the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlaid on each other. The site into which is inserted can be arbitrarily selected. Therefore, for example, when joining the first and second metal plates of different materials to each other, it is preferential to the metal plate suitable for being heated and softened by inserting the pin and being agitated. It is possible to insert a pin into the pin, whereby the friction stir welding operation can be performed more efficiently and reliably. Therefore, in such a device according to the present invention, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are superposed on each other can be more reliably and efficiently connected at the overlapping portion. It will be.

  Furthermore, according to the fourteenth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, for example, one side of both sides sandwiching the overlapping portions of the metal plates between the plurality of rotating jigs, for example. The distance between the rotating jigs adjacent to each other in the width direction of each metal plate is narrower than a certain distance due to interference between the accessory parts of the connecting means connected to each rotating jig. Even if it is impossible to do so, on the other side of the both sides sandwiching the overlapped portions of each metal plate, an intermediate part between the rotating jigs arranged on one side thereof A rotating jig can be arranged at a position corresponding to. As a result, the interval between the rotating jigs adjacent to each other in the width direction of each metal plate can be substantially narrowed, and therefore the first end portion and the second end portion of the first metal plate that are overlapped with each other can be obtained. The end portions of the metal plates can be connected at a plurality of locations at narrower intervals in the width direction of each metal plate. As a result, an even better connection strength can be obtained.

  Further, in the fifteenth aspect of the metal plate splicing device according to the present invention, a state in which the pin can rotate integrally with the rotation jig of the pin is obtained by the cooperative action of the relative movement prevention mechanism and the relative rotation prevention mechanism. While securing, the relative movement position of the pin in the axial direction with respect to the rotating jig, in other words, the protruding height of the pin from the tip of the rotating jig can be changed to a desired height.

  Therefore, in such an apparatus of the present invention, for example, the thickness of the overlapped portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate is a portion in the length direction of each metal plate. If the thickness of the overlapped portions of the metal plates to be spliced is different when the plate joining operation of the respective metal plates is repeated, etc. It is possible to change the protruding height of the pin from the tip of the rotating jig in accordance with the thickness change or difference.

  Therefore, according to the splicing device for metal plates according to the present invention, the metal plates having various thicknesses can be connected to each other more reliably and with sufficient connection strength to be spliced. is there.

  Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, the configuration of a metal plate joining method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an example of a sheet metal joining device for a metal plate according to the present invention, in a state in which a plate joining device for connecting aluminum alloy plate materials is incorporated in a continuous cold rolling line. Is shown in As is clear from FIG. 1, the continuous cold rolling line 12 in which the plate splicing device is incorporated has a first roller conveyor 14 and a second roller conveyor 16 arranged in a line in the length direction. is doing.

  And the unwinding machine 18 is installed in the opposite side to the 2nd roller conveyor 16 side of the 1st roller conveyor 14, With respect to this unwinding machine 18, it consists of an aluminum alloy and should be rolled. A rolled coil 22 formed by winding a long and thin aluminum plate 20 is supported. Further, between the unwinding machine 18 and the first roller conveyor 14, a pair of take-out rollers 23, 23 takes out the aluminum plate 20 to be rolled, which is taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled, in an inverted S shape. It is installed in a curved manner and sandwiched with tension. On the other hand, a plurality of pairs of traveling rollers (only one pair is shown in FIG. 1) having the same structure as the take-out rollers 23 and 23 disposed on the first roller conveyor 14 are disposed in the middle of the second roller conveyor 16. 24 and 24 are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other in the longitudinal direction of the second roller conveyor 16, and although not shown, a plurality of cold rolling mills are also provided in the longitudinal direction of the second roller conveyor 16. Are arranged in order.

  Thus, in such a continuous cold rolling line 12, for example, the take-out rollers 23 and 23 installed in front of the first roller conveyor 14 are rotationally driven by a driving device (not shown), as in the past. The aluminum plate 20 of the coil 22 to be rolled supported by the unwinding machine 18 is pulled and gradually taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled, toward the second roller conveyor 16 on the first roller conveyor 14, It is conveyed while being run in the plate length direction. Further, the aluminum plate 20 conveyed on the second roller conveyor 16 is pulled by a rotational drive by a driving device (not shown) of the traveling rollers 24, 24 installed in the middle of the second roller conveyor 16, etc. After being further traveled in the plate length direction on the two-roller conveyor 16, and after being passed through a plurality of cold rolling mills in the course of traveling on the second roller conveyor 16 and rolled, finally, It is wound by a winder (not shown) and is made into a coil again.

  As is clear from FIG. 1, in this continuous rolling line 12, the height of the conveying surface of the second roller conveyor 16 is slightly lower than the height of the conveying surface of the first roller conveyor 14. In addition, a controller 25 is provided for controlling the rotational driving of the take-out rollers 23 and 23 and the running rollers 24 and 24 for running the aluminum plate 20 on the line 12. And when the cold-rolling process with respect to the some to-be-rolled coil 22 is implemented continuously, the aluminum plate taken out from the to-be-rolled coil 22 supported by the unwinding machine 18 and made to run on the line 12 is used. 20a and prior to that, the traveling speed on each line 12 of the aluminum plate 20b continuously running on the line 12 in the plate length direction is taken out by the controller 25 and the rotational drive control of the traveling rollers 23 and 24 is performed. Can be controlled at an arbitrary speed.

  That is, when the rear end in the running direction of the aluminum plate 20b that is run on the line 12 first, that is, the end portion 26 is positioned between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16. The take-out rollers 23 and 23 are driven to rotate at a high speed, and the aluminum 20a is taken out from the rolled coil 22 supported by the unwinder 18 at a high speed. As a result, the aluminum 20a is moved onto the first roller conveyor 14 at a speed higher than the traveling speed of the aluminum plate 20b that is allowed to travel at a constant speed on the second roller conveyor 16 by the constant speed rotation of the traveling rollers 24, 24. Of the aluminum plate 20a, the front end in the running direction on the first roller conveyor 14, that is, the start end portion 28, is taken out of the aluminum plate 20a. It is designed to be positioned between the two.

  Then, when the tip of the starting end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a reaches a predetermined position between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16, the rotation of the take-out rollers 23, 23 is decelerated, and the first The traveling speed of the aluminum plate 20a that travels on the one roller conveyor 14 is the same as the traveling speed of the aluminum plate 20b that travels on the second roller conveyor 16. Thereafter, the take-out and travel rollers 23 and 24 are driven to rotate at the same speed so that the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can continuously travel on the line 12 at the same speed. Further, the take-out rollers 23 and 23 and the running rollers 24 and 24 are controlled by the controller 25 while the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are running between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16 at the same time. Thus, it can be paused at a desired timing simultaneously and for the same time.

  Thus, here, when the plurality of coils to be rolled 22 are continuously cold-rolled, the starting end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil to be rolled 22 supported by the unwinding machine 18, and thereby The state in which the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b that is first run on the line 12 is located between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16 and the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a is positioned on the upper side. Thus, they are overlapped with each other by a predetermined length. Then, under the overlapping state of the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a and the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b, the respective aluminum plates 20a and 20b have a constant overlapping position (the length of the overlapping portion). The vehicle can be run on the line 12 while being held at the same position. Moreover, it is comprised so that driving | running | working on the line 12 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b in such a state can be temporarily stopped at arbitrary timing or every progress of predetermined time. It is.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, on the continuous cold rolling line 12, the first roller conveyor on which the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b are positioned so as to overlap each other. Between 14 and the 2nd roller conveyor 16, the connection apparatus 10 as a connection means which comprises a plate joining apparatus with the moving means mentioned later is arrange | positioned.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting device 10 includes a surface plate 30 that is fixedly positioned between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16, and the fixed plate 30. The gantry 32 is disposed so as to be fixed in position so as to straddle the board 30, and includes a plurality (four in this case) of rotating jigs 34 that are rotatably supported by the gantry 32. Yes.

  The upper surface of the surface plate 30 is a backing surface 36 made of a rectangular plane having a predetermined length and a width that is a predetermined dimension wider than the plate width of the aluminum plate 20 that runs on the line 12. . Further, the surface plate 30 has legs that integrally extend from the lower surface, so that the height of the backing surface 36 is the same as the height of the conveying surface of the second roller conveyor 16. Yes. As a result, the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b allowed to travel on the line 12 is compared with the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller with respect to the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the rolled coil 22 as described above. When they are overlapped with each other and positioned with respect to the conveyor 16, they are placed on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30, and downward displacement is prevented at the backing surface 36. In the state, it comes to be supported.

  On the other hand, the gantry 32 has two leg portions 38 and 38 erected in fixed positions on both sides in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 2) of the end portion of the surface plate 30 on the second roller conveyor 16 side. In a state of being opposed to the backing surface 36 of the board 30 with a predetermined distance, it extends horizontally in the width direction of the surface plate 30, and the upper end portions of the two leg portions 38, 38 are connected to each other. It has a thick-walled long flat plate-like beam portion 40 to be connected, and is configured as a gate shape or a U-shaped frame body opening downward.

  Further, in the beam portion 40 of the gantry 32, the rotation jigs 34 are inserted into a plurality of locations (here, 4 locations) that are equally spaced in the longitudinal direction (direction corresponding to the width direction of the surface plate 30). A circular rotary jig insertion hole 42 having an inner diameter of a possible size is formed so as to extend through in the plate thickness direction. Furthermore, on the surface (upper surface) opposite to the side facing the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30 in the beam portion 40, the actuating device 44 corresponds to each rotation jig insertion hole 42, respectively. is set up. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, this operating device 44 includes one drive motor having a known structure and two first and second hydraulic cylinders that are operated independently of each other. Has been.

  In the connecting device 10, the rotating jig 34 is inserted into each rotating jig insertion hole 42 of the beam portion 40 of the gantry 32, and the inner peripheral surface of each rotating jig insertion hole 42. With a predetermined clearance, the insertion position is set so as to extend in the vertical direction.

  This rotating jig 34 has a thick cylindrical rod shape as a whole (see FIG. 4), and its lower end surface is a flat shoulder surface 46. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the rotating jig 34 has an upper end portion in an operating device 44 installed corresponding to each of the plurality of rotating jig insertion holes 42 in the beam portion 40. It is made to rush and is connected to a first hydraulic cylinder and a drive motor built in each of the operating devices 44.

  As a result, each of the plurality of rotating jigs 34 has the shoulder surface 46 opposed to the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30 with respect to the beam portion 40 of the gantry 32 via each operating device 44. It is supported. Under such a support state, each rotation jig 34 is rotated around the axis by the rotation drive of the drive motor in the actuator 44, and with the protrusion / retraction operation of the first hydraulic cylinder. Thus, it can be moved downward and upward so that it can be moved toward and away from the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30.

  In addition, in the inner hole of the rotating jig 34, an elongated pin 48 extends in the vertical direction (axial direction) with its tip projecting downward from the shoulder surface 46 of the rotating jig 34. It is movably inserted. Further, although not shown, this pin 48 is also projected from the upper end surface of the rotating jig 34. The upward projecting portion is inserted into each operating device 44 corresponding to each rotating jig 44 and is operated independently of the first hydraulic cylinder to which the rotating jig 34 is connected. The second hydraulic cylinder built in the actuator 44 is connected to the second hydraulic cylinder.

  This allows only the second hydraulic cylinder in the actuator 44 to be projected / retracted, or when the second hydraulic cylinder is projected / retracted in a different amount than the first hydraulic cylinder. 2, the pin 48 is moved relative to the rotating jig 34 in the vertical direction as indicated by a solid line and a two-dot chain line, and the relative movement is stopped at an arbitrary position. It has become. That is, the projection height of the pin 48 from the shoulder surface 46 of the rotating jig 34 can be changed to a desired height according to the operation amount of the second hydraulic cylinder. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, the relative movement prevention mechanism is configured by the operating device 44 incorporating the first and second hydraulic cylinders.

  Of course, when the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder in the actuating device 44 are operated to protrude / retract by the same amount in synchronism, the rotating jig 34 and the pin 48 However, it is moved downward / upward integrally to be approached / separated from the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30.

  Further, as apparent from FIG. 4, a plurality of V grooves 50 having a V-shaped cross section are located adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction on the inner circumferential surface of the rotating jig 34 and are continuous in the axial direction. It is formed to extend. On the other hand, a plurality of protrusions 52 having a V-shaped cross section corresponding to the V groove 50 of the rotating jig 34 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the portion of the pin 48 inserted into the inner hole of the rotating jig 34 in the circumferential direction. Are adjacent to each other and extend continuously in the axial direction. Then, under the state where the pin 48 provided with such a plurality of protrusions 52 is inserted into the inner hole of the rotating jig 34 having the plurality of V grooves 50, each protrusion 52 has each V groove. 50 is slidably inserted in the axial direction.

  Thus, in such a coupling device 10, the vertical movement of the pin 48 relative to the rotating jig 34 by the operating device 44 as described above is caused in the axial direction in each V groove 50 of each protrusion 52. Although it is allowed by sliding, the relative rotation between the pin 48 and the rotating jig 34 is prevented by the engagement of the side surfaces of each protrusion 52 and each V groove 50. Yes. That is, as the rotating jig 34 is rotated by the actuating device 44, the pin 48 is rotated integrally with the rotating jig 34. As is clear from this, in the present embodiment, a plurality of protrusions 62 and a plurality of V grooves 60 constitute a relative rotation blocking mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation of a plurality of actuators 44 that integrally rotate or move the plurality of rotating jigs 34 and the pins 48 provided on each of the rotating jigs 34 is performed by the above-described aluminum. The controller 25 that controls the travel of the plates 20a and 20b on the line 12 is controlled based on the travel state of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b.

  That is, here, first, the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil to be rolled 22 and the aluminum plate 20b allowed to run on the line 12 earlier than that are on the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16. Are each made to run separately, and each of the plurality of actuating devices 44 is put into an operation standby state by the controller 25.

  Further, under such an operation standby state of each operating device 44, the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b are moved to the start end portion 28 by the take-out installed on the line 12 and drive control by the controller 25 of the traveling rollers 23 and 24. And the end portion 26 are overlapped with each other, and when traveling on the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is stopped while traveling on the line 12, each operation is performed based on an operation signal from the controller 25. The drive motor built in the device 44 is driven to rotate, and the rotating jigs 34 and the pins 48 provided on the rotating jigs 34 are integrally rotated.

  Then, under such an integrated rotation state of each rotating jig 34 and the pin 48, the first hydraulic cylinder and the second hydraulic cylinder built in each operating device 44, according to the operation signal from the controller 25, At the same time, the same amount of protrusion is activated. Thereby, each rotating jig 34 and the pin 48 are moved close to the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30, and the pin 48 of each rotating jig 34 is placed on the backing surface 36. The aluminum plate 20a, 20b is inserted into the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 from the start end portion 28 side of the aluminum plate 20a under integral rotation with the rotating jig 34. When the protruding amounts of the first and second hydraulic cylinders are set in advance, in other words, the insertion depth of the pin 48 into the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b is a predetermined depth. At this point, the first and second hydraulic cylinders are retracted to their pre-projection positions.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, each operation for performing the running control of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b on the line 12 by the controller 25 as described above, and the integral rotation and integral movement of the rotating jig 34 and the pin 48. Based on the operation control for the device 44, for a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b in the overlapped portion of the start end portion 28 and the end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, Spot welding by friction stir welding is performed.

  Here, in particular, by the control by the controller 25, the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20 a, 20 b is caused to travel on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30. While each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is temporarily stopped, the travel of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is temporarily stopped. It is supposed to be. As a result, the operation of spot joining the overlapped portions of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b by friction stir welding is performed in the length direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b at the overlap portion. It is also performed at a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance, so that the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b are connected to the plurality of locations in the width direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b and the length direction. It can be connected to each other at a plurality of locations.

  In the present embodiment, when the plurality of operating devices 44 are in the operation standby state by the controller 25, for example, if there is an external command or the like, the controller 25 causes the operating devices 44 to be described above. Such operation control is performed in preference to the traveling control by the controller 25 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b.

  In other words, here, the rotation portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are overlapped with the start portion 28 and the end portion 26 while they are continuously running on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30. By performing integral rotation and integral movement of the tool 34 and the pin 48, the pin 48 that can be rotated integrally with each rotating jig 34 can be inserted into the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. ing.

  As a result, an operation of linearly joining a plurality of portions in the width direction in the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b by friction stir welding in the length direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. Thus, the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b are continuously connected to each other and in the length direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b at a plurality of positions in the width direction. It can be connected. As apparent from this, here, the controller 25 constitutes an operating means, and a pair of take-out rollers 23 and 23 and a plurality of pairs of running rollers 24 and 24 installed on the line 12 The moving means is configured.

  Further, the operation control of the plurality of operating devices 44 by the controller 25 as described above is performed independently for each operating device 44. That is, for example, based on an external command to the controller 25, only an arbitrarily selected one of the plurality of operating devices 44 can be operated. As a result, only an arbitrarily selected one of the plurality of rotating jigs 34 is rotated, and only the pins 48 that are rotated together with the selected rotating jig 34 are provided on the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. It can be inserted into the superposed part. As is clear from this, here, the controller 25 constitutes the second control means.

  Further, the operation of each operating device 44 for moving each rotating jig 34 and the pin 48 relative to each other is also controlled by the controller 25. That is, here, for example, according to an external command or the like, the controller 25 causes each operating device 44 to project only the second hydraulic cylinder built therein, or the first hydraulic cylinder. As a result, the pin 48 is moved relative to the rotating jig 34, so that the protruding height of the pin 48 from the shoulder surface 46 of the rotating jig 34 is increased. It can be changed.

  Thus, on the continuous cold rolling line 12 incorporating the splicing device including the connecting device 10 having such a structure, the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled, When connecting the aluminum plate 20b run on the cold rolling line 12 with a plate joining device, the operation proceeds as follows. Here, the case where the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are joined by point bonding will be described.

  That is, first, when the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are supported on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30 and are overlapped with each other, they are run on the line 12. When the leading edge of the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a passes through the gantry 32, in other words, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the overlap between the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. When the front end portion (hereinafter referred to as the front end portion) in the running direction (longitudinal direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b) on the line 12 in the mating portion is positioned directly below each rotating jig 34, All the rotational drives of the take-out rollers 23 and 23 and the traveling rollers 24 and 24 installed on the line 12 are temporarily stopped, and the aluminum plates 20a and 20 Traveling on line 12 is made to pause.

  Next, a plurality of actuators 44 fixed on the beam portion 40 of the gantry 32 are operated under the control of the controller 25. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the plurality of rotating jigs 34 and the pins 48 respectively connected to the plurality of actuating devices 44 are integrally moved and moved downward while being integrally rotated about the axis. Thus, the pins 48 of the rotating jigs 34 are simultaneously inserted into the front end portions of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b.

  At this time, each rotating jig is moved to a position where the shoulder surface 46 of each rotating jig 34 comes into contact with the upper surface of the starting end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a positioned above the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. 34 pins 48 are inserted into the overlapped portion. Therefore, in the present embodiment, prior to the step of inserting the pin 48 into the overlapped portion as described above, the protruding height of the pin 48 from the shoulder surface 46 in each rotating jig 34 is such that the aluminum plate 20a, 20b has a protruding height. Depending on the overall thickness of the overlapped portion, the thickness of the aluminum plate 20a positioned on the overlapped portion, and the like, the controller 25 appropriately adjusts the operation of the controller 25 with respect to each operation device 44.

  That is, when the downward movement position of the rotating jig 44 reaches the bottom dead center, the tip of the pin 48 of each rotating jig 34 moves to the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a located above the overlapped portion. Each of the actuators 44 is under the control of each actuator 44 of the controller 25 so that it penetrates and is inserted to a predetermined depth position of the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b located below it. The protrusion operation amount of the second hydraulic cylinder is made larger than the protrusion operation amount of the first hydraulic cylinder, and the protrusion height of the pin 48 is adjusted. The depth of insertion of the pin 48 into the terminal portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b is appropriately determined in consideration of the connection strength required after the connection of the aluminum 20a and 20b. The connection between the aluminum members 20a and 20b only needs to be maintained as long as the aluminum members 20a and 20b are run on the line 12, and therefore, the depth is generally extremely shallow.

  And if the pin 48 of each rotation jig 34 is inserted to the predetermined depth position with respect to the overlap part of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, it will be simultaneously extracted from this overlap part. As a result, the front end portions of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are spot-bonded by friction stir welding at a plurality of locations (here, four locations) that are equally spaced in the width direction. A plurality of dot-like connecting portions 54 are formed at equal intervals in the width direction with respect to the front end portion (see FIG. 6).

  Next, after the end of the point joining operation by the friction stir welding as described above with respect to the front end portion of the overlapped portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, the first and second roller conveyors 14, 16 are completed. The take-up installed on the top and the rotational drive of the running rollers 23, 24 are restarted, and the aluminum plate 20a, 20b travels again on the line 12 with the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 overlapped with each other. To be sedated

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, when the rear end portion of the overlapped portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b is positioned directly below each rotation jig 34. Again, the traveling of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b on the line 12 is stopped. Thereafter, each operating device 44 is actuated again, and the pin 48 provided at the tip of each rotating jig 34 is rotated integrally with the rotating jig 34, while the overlapping portions of the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b are arranged. At the same time inserted into the end. When the pins 48 of the rotating jigs 34 inserted into the rear end portion of the overlapped portion reach a predetermined depth, they are pulled out from the rear end portion of the overlapped portion.

  As a result, the rear end portions of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are spot-bonded by friction stir welding at a plurality of locations (here, four locations) that are equally spaced in the width direction. Similarly to the front end portion, a plurality of dot-like connecting portions 54 are formed at equal intervals in the width direction with respect to the rear end portion of the portion.

  Thus, the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled and the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b allowed to run on the continuous cold rolling line 12 are overlapped with each other. Then, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the width direction at two portions (the front end portion and the rear end portion of the overlapped portion) that are separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction. Will be.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the pin 48 that is rotated together with the rotating jig 34 is inserted into the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. A friction stir welding operation, which is a kind of solid phase bonding for joining the superposed portions in a non-molten state, is performed and the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are connected to each other. This is because the electrode portion of the electrode disk is attached to the welded portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b or is crushed, unlike when resistance welding is performed using the electrode disk, for example. Thus, the connection strength at the point-like connecting portion 54 formed at the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b is low. Things like caused to, can crimped if advantageously eliminated.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment as described above, the starting end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled and the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b allowed to run on the line 12 prior to that are more sufficiently provided. It can be stably connected with a good connection strength.

  In addition, here, the overlapping portions of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are formed at the front end portion and the rear end portion thereof by the point-like connecting portions 54, respectively. , 20b are connected at two locations in the longitudinal direction, so that the connection strength can be advantageously increased as compared with the case where only one portion of such superposed portions is connected. The length of the part from the dotted connection part 54 formed in the front-end part of the superimposition part of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b to the front-end edge of the start part 28 of the aluminum 20a, and the rear end part of the superposition part are formed. The length of the part from the dotted | punctate connection part 54 to the front-end edge of the termination | terminus part 26 of the aluminum 20b can be made as small as possible.

  Therefore, for example, the traveling rollers 24 and 24 disposed on the second roller conveyor 16, the rollers disposed on the second roller conveyor 16 in order to change the traveling direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b, etc. On the other hand, when the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b connected to each other are bent while being bent and pass through the roller installation portions, the front end at the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a The non-connected portion from the point-like connecting portion 54 to the front end edge on the part side and the non-connected portion from the point-like connecting portion 54 on the rear end side to the front end edge in the terminal portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b are sufficiently curved. Before the end of the aluminum plate 20b, before or after passing through the roller installation location. Unbound sites rear end and a non-connecting portion of the front end side of the starting end position 28 of the aluminum plate 20a is, things like sag by its own weight can advantageously be eliminated or is suppressed.

  In addition, it is possible to advantageously prevent the point-like connecting portions 54 of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b from being peeled off due to partial levitation of the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a and the end portion of the aluminum plate 20b. The floating portion and the hanging portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b come into contact with or get caught by peripheral parts of the roller, and the start ends of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. It is possible to effectively prevent the part 28 and the terminal part 26 from being damaged and the point-like connecting portions 54 of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b from being peeled off.

  Therefore, according to this embodiment, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b connected to each other can run extremely smoothly on the line 12 without any problems.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the overlapping part of the start part 28 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b and the termination | terminus part 26 is the dotted | punctate connection part 54 formed in the multiple places (here four places) of the width direction. Since it is connected by, more excellent connection strength can be obtained.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the overlapped portion is inserted into the overlapped portion between the start end portion 28 and the end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b by the pin 48 of each rotating jig 34, and the overlapped portion is Prior to friction stir welding at a plurality of locations in the length direction, the protrusion height of the pin 48 from the shoulder surface 46 of each rotating jig 34 is the thickness of the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. Accordingly, the depth of insertion of the pin 48 into the terminal portion of the aluminum 20b positioned on the lower side in the overlapped portion is maintained at a predetermined depth. Therefore, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can be more reliably connected with stable connection strength regardless of the thickness change of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum 20a and 20b to be connected. It will be.

  In the present embodiment, the plurality of rotating jigs 34 are arranged so as to be aligned in the width direction with respect to the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b, and the plurality of rotating jigs 34 are arranged. Since the operation of the actuating device 44 for integrally rotating or moving the tool 34 and the pin 48 provided thereon is controlled independently by the controller 25, It is possible to arbitrarily select some of the plurality of portions in the width direction in the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b and connect the overlapped portions only at the selected portions. Therefore, for example, when the width of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is short or when it is necessary to connect the overlapped portions at desired positions in the width direction, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b The overlapping portions can be connected more efficiently and economically.

  By the way, in said description, the dotted | punctate connection part 54 which connects the superimposition part of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b is the front-end part and rear-end part of this superposition part of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. Although formed at a plurality of locations at equal intervals in the width direction, for example, by using a plate splicing device having the structure as described above, a connecting portion having a linear form is superposed on each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. It can also be formed to extend continuously in the length direction of the superposed portion at a plurality of locations at a predetermined distance in the width direction of the portion.

  That is, first, as in the case of forming the point-like connecting portion 54, the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20 a, 20 b was supported on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30. In this state, when it is run on the line 12 and the front end of the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b is positioned directly below each rotating jig 34, it is supported by the beam portion 40 of the gantry 32. The pins 48 provided at the tips of the plurality of rotating jigs 34 are inserted into the front end portions of the overlapping portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b simultaneously and to a predetermined depth while being rotated integrally with the rotating jig 34. It is.

  At this time, the running of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b on the line 12 is maintained without being stopped at all. Thereby, under the state where the pin 48 of each rotating jig 34 is inserted into the overlapping portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, each rotating jig 34 and the overlapping portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, The aluminum plates 20a and 20b are relatively moved in the length direction.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the rear ends of the overlapped portions are positioned directly below the beam portion 40 of the gantry by running the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b, that is, the aluminum plates 20 a and 20 b When the insertion position of the pin 48 of each rotating jig 34 into the overlapping portion 20b reaches the rear end of the overlapping portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b, at that time, the pin of each rotating jig 34 48 is simultaneously withdrawn from the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b.

  As a result, the overlapping portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are linearly joined in the length direction by friction stir welding at a plurality of locations (four locations in this case) that are equally spaced in the width direction. A plurality of linear connecting portions 56 extending continuously from the front end portion to the rear end portion of the portion are formed at equal intervals in the width direction. As a result, the starting end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled, and the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b that runs on the continuous cold rolling line 12 prior to the starting portion 28 are respectively aluminum. At a plurality of positions in the width direction of the plates 20a and 20b, the plates 20a and 20b are continuously connected in the length direction to be joined together.

  In addition, when the thickness of the overlapping portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b to be connected is partially different in the longitudinal direction, or when it is changed continuously or discontinuously in the longitudinal direction, While the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are run on the first and second roller conveyors 14 and 16 with the pins 48 of the rotating jigs 34 inserted into the overlapped portions, The second hydraulic cylinder in each actuating device 44 is caused to project / retract based on the operation control of the controller 25 according to the thickness difference or change in the longitudinal direction of the mating portion, and each rotating jig 34 is operated. The pins 48 are moved relative to each of the rotating jigs 34 downward / upward. Thereby, the protrusion height of the pin 48 from the shoulder surface 46 of each rotating jig 34 is changed, and the end portion 26 of the aluminum 20b positioned on the lower side in the overlapped portion of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. The insertion depth of the pin 48 is maintained at a preset depth.

  Thus, also in the present embodiment, the overlapping portions of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b are joined by a friction stir welding method which is a kind of solid phase joining, and each aluminum plate 20a. , 20b start end portion 28 and end end portion 26 are connected to each other. For example, using an electrode disk, each of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b is resistance welded to each of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b. The connection strength between the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can be sufficiently increased.

  In addition, here, the linear connecting portion 56 is formed so that the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b continuously extends from the front end portion to the rear end portion. As a result, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are continuously connected in the longitudinal direction, so that the connection strength is advantageously increased compared to the case where only one overlapped portion is connected. Of course, the length of the unconnected portion at the front end portion and the rear end portion in the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b can be made as small as possible.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the case of adopting the point joining method by friction stir welding as described above, the aluminum is passed through the installation portion of the traveling roller disposed on the second roller conveyor 16. The unconnected portion on the front end side in the starting end portion 28 of the plate 20a and the unconnected portion on the rear end portion side in the terminal end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b come into contact with or get caught by peripheral parts of the traveling roller. Thus, the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can be effectively prevented from being damaged, and the linear connecting portions 56 of the respective aluminum plates 20a and 20b from being peeled off.

  Therefore, even in this embodiment, the start end portion 28 of the aluminum plate 20a taken out from the coil 22 to be rolled and the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b allowed to run on the line 12 before that are provided. In addition, the aluminum plates 20a and 20b connected to each other can be run on the line 12 very smoothly without any troubles, while being able to be stably connected with a sufficient connection strength. .

  Here, in the plate splicing device according to the first embodiment described above, the gantry 32 on which the plurality of rotating jigs 34 are supported is placed between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16. However, for example, two of the gantry 32 are predetermined in the length direction of the surface plate 30 located between the first roller conveyor 14 and the second roller conveyor 16. A plurality of rotating jigs 34 arranged at a distance and supported by each gantry 32 are front end portions of overlapping portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b supported on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30. And the rear end portion may be configured to correspond to each other.

  Thereby, for example, the connection by the point joining by the friction stir welding method to the front end portion and the rear end portion at the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b is performed simultaneously and all at once. Therefore, shortening of the time required for the connecting operation of the superposed portions can be realized extremely advantageously. Of course, the number and arrangement interval of the gantry 32, in other words, the arrangement number and arrangement interval of the rotating jigs 34 in the longitudinal direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are not limited to those illustrated. It is not something.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of rotating jigs 34 are respectively provided at corresponding positions at three or more locations in the length direction in the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. In the case of making them (FIG. 8 shows the case where they are positioned corresponding to three locations), it is advantageously provided corresponding to each of the rotating jigs 34, and each rotating jig 34 and the corresponding rotating jig 34 are provided. The operation of the actuating device 44 that rotates, integrally moves, or even relatively moves the pin 48 is integrally controlled by the controller 25 independently of each other. That is, the controller 25 may be configured as the first control means.

  As a result, two or more arbitrary positions can be connected among the three or more portions in the length direction in the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. Therefore, for example, when the length of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is short, or when it is necessary to connect the overlapped portions at desired positions in the length direction, the aluminum plates 20a, The superposed portions of 20b can be connected more efficiently and economically.

  In the embodiment, four rotation jigs 34 are arranged in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. However, the rotation jigs 34 are arranged in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. The number of installations is not limited to this. For example, the number is appropriately determined according to the size of the rotating jig 34 and the widths of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b.

  Further, as a device for supporting the rotating jig 34, for example, instead of the immovable gantry 32 as illustrated, for example, the entire device or only the supporting portion of the rotating jig 34 is in the length direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. Alternatively, the rotating jig 34 may be moved or displaced in the length direction of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b by using a support device that can be moved or displaced.

  Also in this case, for example, when the length of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is short or when it is necessary to connect the overlapped portions at desired positions in the length direction, the aluminum plates The superposed portions 20a and 20b can be connected more efficiently and economically. In this case, the movement or displacement of the entire support device or the support portion of the rotating jig 34 is automatically controlled according to the length of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. It is desirable that

  Further, for example, as the second moving means, the rotating jig 34 can be moved or displaced in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b, and the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can be moved in the width direction. By using a moving device or the like to be moved separately or simultaneously, at least one of the overlapping portion of the start end portion 28 and the end end portion 26 of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b and the rotating jig 34 is used for each aluminum plate. It is also possible to make relative movement in the width direction of the plates 20a and 20b.

  Also in this case, for example, when the width of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b is short or when it is necessary to connect the overlapped portions at desired positions in the width direction, the aluminum plates 20a, The superposed portions of 20b can be connected more efficiently and economically. Also in this case, it is desirable that the support device and the moving device are automatically controlled based on the widths of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b.

  Furthermore, the surface plate 30 is omitted, and instead, a rotating jig 34 is arranged at a predetermined interval on the opposite side of the end portion 26 of the aluminum plate 20b from the start end portion 28 side of the aluminum plate 20a. May be installed.

  This is realized by, for example, a structure as shown in FIG. That is, here, a thick flat plate-like bottom extending horizontally in the width direction of each of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b between the intermediate portions in the height direction of the respective leg portions 40 of the gantry 32 so as to face the beam portion 40. Side beam portions 58 are disposed so as to connect the respective leg portions 40. A plurality of actuating devices 44 are fixedly provided on the lower surface side of the lower beam portion 58, while a plurality of rotating jigs 34 each having a pin 48 concentrically provided at the tip are provided on the upper surface side thereof. Are supported in a state of being connected to each actuating device 44.

  The plurality of rotating jigs 34, the pins 48 provided thereto and the plurality of actuating devices 44 have the same structure as that provided in the beam portion 40. The plurality of rotating jigs 34 provided on the beam portion 40 and the plurality of rotating jigs 34 provided on the lower beam portion 58 are positioned corresponding to each other in the vertical direction. Then, by controlling the operation of each operating device 44 by the controller 25, the plurality of rotating jigs 34 that are positioned corresponding to each other in the vertical direction are not simultaneously moved in the vertical direction, and are positioned corresponding to each other. Only one of the objects can be selectively moved up and down.

  Thus, on the basis of the operation control of each operating device 44 by the controller 25, the pin 48 that is rotated together with the rotating jig 34 is located at the upper end portion of the aluminum plate 20a, 20b at the overlapping portion of the aluminum plate 20a. It can be inserted into the overlapped portion from either the 28 side or the terminal portion 26 side of the aluminum plate 20b located below the 28 side. In addition, since the surface plate which has a backing surface is abbreviate | omitted here, the several restraining jig | tool 60 is superposed on the up-and-down both sides which sandwiched the superposed part of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b. On the other hand, they are arranged so as to be able to approach / separate. Then, when the portion to be connected to the overlapped portion is positioned corresponding to each rotation jig 34, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Restrained from both the top and bottom sides.

  Accordingly, in this embodiment, for example, when the thicknesses of the start end portion 26 and the end end portion 26 of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b to be connected are different, the pin 48 is inserted from the thinner side. Thus, the friction stir welding operation can be performed, and the friction stir welding operation, and thus the connecting operation of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b, can be performed more efficiently and quickly. Further, even when the metal plates to be connected are made of materials having different hardnesses, the friction stir welding operation can be performed by inserting the pin 48 from the metal plate side of the soft material, for example. However, the efficiency and speed of the connecting operation of the metal plates can be advantageously achieved.

  Further, as described above, when the rotating jigs 34 are respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the overlapped portions of the start end portion 26 and the end end portion 26 of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b to be connected, For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the rotating jig 34 disposed on the upper side and the rotating jig 34 disposed on the lower side with the overlapped portion interposed therebetween are each aluminum plate. It is desirable that they are positioned alternately in the width direction of 20a and 20b. In this case as well, a plurality of restraining jigs 60 for restraining the portions to be connected of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are advantageously provided.

  If such a configuration is adopted, for example, because of the large outer diameter of the rotating jig 34 or the actuator 44, one of the upper side and the lower side of the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b. , The rotation jigs 34 and the actuators 44 that are positioned adjacent to each other in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b interfere with each other, and it is difficult to reduce the arrangement interval of the rotation jigs 34. Even if it exists, the space | interval of the width direction of each aluminum plate 20a, 20b in the rotation jigs 34 each positioned on the upper side and the lower side of this superposition part can be narrowed. As a result, the interval between the rotating jigs 34 adjacent to each other in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b can be substantially reduced. As a result, the distance in the width direction of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b between the connecting portions 54, 56 formed in the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a, 20b can be reduced, It becomes possible to increase the connection strength between the aluminum plates 20a and 20b more effectively.

  Furthermore, even when the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b are placed and supported on the backing surface 36 of the surface plate 30, the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b Then, when inserting the pin 48 of the rotating jig 34, the overlapped portions of the aluminum plates 20a and 20b may be restrained using a known restraining jig or the like, if necessary.

  Moreover, the metal plate connected by the plate joining apparatus of the said embodiment is not limited at all to aluminum plate 20a, 20b illustrated. For example, connection between pure aluminum plates, connection between pure aluminum plate and aluminum alloy plate, connection between pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and steel plate, connection between pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and stainless steel plate, and other than these A plate splicing device can also be advantageously applied when connecting metal plates.

  Among them, in particular, when connecting a pure aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate and a steel plate using a plate joining device, for example, when the pure aluminum plate or the aluminum alloy plate and the steel plate are resistance-welded. Is different, because the connecting part (joint part) between the pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and the steel plate is not melted, so that a brittle intermetallic compound is not generated between aluminum and iron, Therefore, the pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and the steel plate can be reliably connected with better connection strength.

  Further, when connecting a pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and a steel plate, or when connecting a pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate and a stainless steel plate, advantageously, the pin 48 of the rotating jig 34 has a hardness. The pin 48 is inserted from the side of the pure aluminum plate or aluminum alloy plate, but the pin 48 is not inserted into the steel plate or stainless steel plate, but at the position where it abuts on the steel plate or stainless steel plate, or the position immediately before it. The insertion of 48 may be stopped. Also by this, a pure aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate, a steel plate, and a stainless steel plate can be connected reliably.

  Further, even when the superposed portions of such metal plates are spot-joined by friction stir welding or when they are wire-joined, the dot-like connecting portions 54 and the lines formed by joining them are used. The position, size, or length of the connection portion 56 is not particularly limited, and is appropriately determined according to the required connection strength.

  Moreover, as a metal plate provided for connection, in addition to cold and hot rolled materials, cast materials, molten rolled materials, extruded materials, and the like are appropriately used.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, a specific example of the application of the present invention has been shown when joining a metal plate (aluminum plate) that can be run on a continuous cold rolling line. In the mass production line other than the continuous cold rolling line, such as the treatment line, the coating treatment line, the heat treatment line, the surface treatment line, or in the mass production line other than such a mass production line, the starting end portion of the metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding Needless to say, the present invention can also be advantageously applied to the joining of the metal plate to the terminal portion of the metal plate that is continuously run in the plate length direction prior to that.

  In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various forms, and any of various embodiments relating to various changes, modifications, and improvements of the present invention adopted based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the present invention belongs to the category of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  In the following, some examples of the present invention will be shown and the characteristics of the present invention will be further clarified, but the present invention is not limited by the description of such examples. Needless to say.

<Example 1>
First, a plate splicing device provided with a connecting device having a structure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 was used, and this was installed in the middle of a known coating line for continuously coating an aluminum plate. A rotating jig having a shoulder diameter of 10 mm and a pin diameter of 3 mm was attached to the plate splicing device used here. Moreover, the protrusion height of the pin from the shoulder surface of the rotating jig was set to 0.6 mm.

  Further, as a first metal plate, an aluminum plate made of JIS A5052 alloy having a plate thickness of 0.5 mm and a plate width of 2 m: A was prepared for a predetermined length, and this was wound to form a coil: A. . On the other hand, as a second metal plate, an aluminum plate made of JIS A3004 alloy having a plate thickness of 0.3 mm and a plate width of 2 m: B is prepared for a predetermined length, and this is wound and coiled: B was formed.

  Then, all the aluminum plate B is taken out from the coil B, and is continuously run in the plate length direction on the coating line. Subsequently, the aluminum plate A is taken out from the coil A, and one of them. The part was run on the painting line. Then, in the middle of the painting line, the aluminum plate that can be run first on the painting line: the end portion of B and the aluminum plate: the starting end portion of A are overlapped with each other, and the front ends of the overlapped portions of these aluminum plates When the part was positioned corresponding to the rotating jig of the plate splicing device, the running of the aluminum plate: B and the aluminum plate: A on the coating line was temporarily stopped. At this time, the mutual overlap margin of the aluminum plate: B end portion and the aluminum plate: A start end portion was 300 mm.

  Thereafter, the rotating jig was moved downward while rotating, and the pin provided on the rotating jig was inserted into the front end of the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate while being rotated together with the rotating jig. And this pin penetrates the start end part of the aluminum plate: A located above the superposed part, and further, the aluminum plate: A of the aluminum plate: A is located below the superposed part. When it was inserted to a position that reached a depth of 0.1 mm from the overlapping surface with the starting end portion, the rotating jig was immediately moved upward, and the pin was pulled out from the overlapping portion of each aluminum plate. Thereby, the front-end edge part of the superposed part of each aluminum plate was spot-joined by friction stir welding. At this time, the time required for the point joining by the friction stir welding was 2 seconds.

  Next, when the rotating jig is returned to the position before the downward movement, the traveling of the aluminum plates on the coating line is resumed so that the mutual overlapping allowance of the aluminum plates does not change. When the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the overlapped part of the aluminum plate (the part 100 mm away from the edge of the overlapped part) is positioned corresponding to the rotating jig of the plate splicing device, on the coating line of each aluminum plate Traveling at was again paused. Then, the same operation as when the front end portion of the superposed portion was spot-joined by friction stir welding was performed, and the intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction of the superposed portion was spot-joined by friction stir welding. The working time at this time was also 2 seconds.

  After that, when the point joining of the intermediate portion in the length direction at the overlapped portion is completed, each aluminum plate is again run on the coating line, and the rear end portion of the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate is the rotation jig of the plate joining device. When the vehicle was positioned to correspond to the above, the running of each aluminum plate on the painting line was paused again. And the same operation as when the front end portion and the intermediate portion of the superposed portion were spot-joined by friction stir welding was performed, and the rear end portion of the superposed portion was spot-joined by friction stir welding. The working time at this time was also 2 seconds.

  As a result, the overlapping portion of the aluminum plate: B end portion and the aluminum plate: A start end portion is joined at the front end portion, the intermediate portion, and the rear end portion that are separated from each other by 100 mm in the length direction. They could be connected to each other without causing defects. In addition, the connecting operation could be performed in an extremely short time.

<Example 2>
First, a plate splicing device provided with a connecting device having a structure as shown in FIG. 10 was used, and this was installed in the middle of a known cleaning line for continuously performing a cleaning process on an aluminum plate. A rotating jig having a shoulder diameter of 16 mm and a pin diameter of 4 mm was attached to the plate splicing device used here. Further, in such a splicing device, the rotating jigs respectively provided on the beam portion located on the upper side of the gantry and the lower beam portion located on the lower side are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the beam portion and the lower beam portion, respectively. The interval between adjacent ones was set to 200 mm. Furthermore, while the projecting height of the pin from the shoulder surface of each rotating jig provided on the beam portion of the gantry is 1.7 mm, the rotating jig provided on the lower beam portion of the gantry from the shoulder surface of each rotating jig is provided. The protruding height of the pin was 1.2 mm.

  Further, as a first metal plate, an aluminum plate: C made of JIS A5025 alloy having a plate thickness of 1.5 mm and a plate width of 2 m was prepared for a predetermined length, and this was wound to form a coil: C. . On the other hand, as a second metal plate, an aluminum plate made of JIS A6011 alloy having a plate thickness of 1.0 mm and a plate width of 2 m: D is prepared for a predetermined length, and this is wound and coiled: D was formed.

  Then, all the aluminum plate: D is taken out from the coil: D, and is continuously run in the plate length direction on the washing line. Subsequently, the aluminum plate: C is taken out from the coil: C, and one of them. The part was run on the painting line. Then, in the middle of the cleaning line, the starting end portion of the aluminum plate: C was overlapped with the end portion of the aluminum plate: D that was run on the cleaning line first. At this time, the mutual overlap margin between the aluminum plate: D end portion and the aluminum plate: C start end portion was set to 500 mm.

  The aluminum plates are run on the cleaning line in a state of being overlapped with each other, while the front end portion of the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate and the edge of the overlapped portion are 100 mm, 200 mm, 300 mm, and When the four parts separated by 400 mm and the rear end part of the superposed part were respectively positioned corresponding to the rotating jig of the plate joining device, they were arranged on the upper side and the lower side of the superposed part. While rotating the pins of each rotating jig integrally with each rotating jig, they were simultaneously inserted into the superposed portion, and point bonding by friction stir welding was performed.

  In addition, this point joining, when rotating the pin of the rotating jig located on the upper side together with the rotating jig and inserting it into the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate from the starting end side of the aluminum plate: C, The pin is inserted through the aluminum plate: C starting end portion and inserted into the aluminum plate: D end portion to a position reaching a depth of 0.2 mm from the overlapping surface with the aluminum plate: C starting end portion. In addition, when the pin of the rotating jig located on the lower side is integrally rotated together with the rotating jig, and inserted into the overlapped portion of each aluminum plate from the terminal portion side of the aluminum plate: D The pin penetrates the end portion of the aluminum plate: D, and the depth of 0.2 mm from the overlapping surface of the aluminum plate: D with the end portion of the aluminum plate: C with respect to the start end portion of the aluminum plate: C. It was carried out by plugging up reaches position.

  As a result, the overlapping portions of the aluminum plate: D end portion and the aluminum plate: C start end portion are spaced at a distance of 100 mm from each other in the length direction without causing poor bonding or the like. They could be connected to each other at intervals of 100 mm in the direction.

<Example 3>
First, a plate splicing device including a connecting device having a structure as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 was used, and this was installed in the middle of a known cleaning line for continuously performing a cleaning process on an aluminum plate. A rotating jig having a shoulder diameter of 16 mm and a pin diameter of 4 mm was attached to the plate splicing device used here.

  Further, as a first metal plate, an aluminum plate: E made of a JIS A5052 alloy having a plate thickness of 4.0 mm and a plate width of 2 m was prepared for a predetermined length, and this was wound to form a coil: E. . On the other hand, as a second metal plate, an aluminum plate made of JIS A6011 alloy having a plate thickness of 1.0 mm and a plate width of 2 m: F is prepared for a predetermined length, and this is wound and coiled: F was formed. Separately, an aluminum plate: G made of JIS A5052 alloy having a plate thickness of 3.0 mm and a plate width of 2 m was prepared for a predetermined length, and this was wound to form a coil: G.

  Then, all the aluminum plate: F is taken out from the coil: F, and is continuously run in the plate length direction on the cleaning line. Subsequently, the aluminum plate: E is taken out from the coil: E, and one of them. The part was run on the painting line. Then, in the middle of the cleaning line, the starting end portion of the aluminum plate: E was overlapped with the end portion of the aluminum plate: F that was run on the cleaning line first. At this time, the mutual overlap allowance between the end portion of the aluminum plate: F and the start end portion of the aluminum plate: E was set to 400 mm.

  And after making the protrusion height of the pin from the shoulder surface of each rotation jig into 4.2 mm, in the same manner as in Example 1, the front end portion of the overlap portion of each aluminum plate and the end portion of the overlap portion The operation of spot-joining the three portions separated by 100 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm from the edge and the rear end portion of the overlapped portion by frictional joining was performed. In this point joining operation, the pin of each rotating jig passes through the start end portion of the aluminum plate: E located above the overlapped portion and the end portion of the aluminum plate: F located below the overlapped portion. On the other hand, the aluminum plate was inserted into a position reaching a depth of 0.2 mm from the superposed surface with the starting end portion of E.

  Thereafter, all the aluminum plate: E is taken out from the coil: E, and is continuously run in the plate length direction on the washing line. Subsequently, the aluminum plate: G is taken out from the coil: G. The part was run on the painting line. Then, in the middle of the cleaning line, the starting end portion of the aluminum plate: G was overlapped with the end portion of the aluminum plate: E that was allowed to run on the cleaning line first. At this time, the mutual overlap allowance between the end portion of the aluminum plate: E and the start end portion of the aluminum plate: G was set to 400 mm.

  Then, after changing the protruding height of the pin from the shoulder surface of each rotating jig to 3.2 mm, the overlap portion of the aluminum plate: F end portion and the aluminum plate: E start end portion is first frictionally stirred. In the same manner as in the case of spot joining, 100 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm from the front end portion of the overlapped portion of the aluminum: E end portion and the aluminum plate: G start end portion, and the edge of the overlapped portion An operation of spot joining the three separated parts and the rear end part of the superposed part by frictional joining was performed. Even in this point joining operation, the pin of each rotating jig passes through the start end portion of the aluminum plate G that is located above the overlapped portion and the end portion of the aluminum plate E that is located below the overlapped portion. On the other hand, the aluminum plate was inserted into a position reaching a depth of 0.2 mm from the superposed surface with the starting end portion of G.

  As a result, only by changing the protruding height of the pin from the shoulder surface of each rotating jig, the overlapping portions of the aluminum plate: F and the aluminum plate: E and the aluminum plate: G are arranged in the length direction. At five points separated from each other by 100 mm, they could be connected to each other in succession without causing poor bonding or the like.

<Example 4>
First, a plate splicing device provided with a connecting device having a structure as shown in FIG. 9 was used, and this was installed in the middle of a known heat treatment line for continuously performing heat treatment on an aluminum plate. Note that a rotating jig having a shoulder diameter of 16 mm and a pin diameter of 4 mm and having a ceramic coating applied to the tip of the pin was attached to the splicing device used here. Moreover, the protrusion height of the pin from the shoulder surface of the rotating jig was 1.1 mm.

  Further, as a first metal plate, a stainless steel plate: H made of SUS430 stainless steel having a plate thickness of 0.8 mm and a plate width of 2 m was prepared for a predetermined length, and this was wound to form a coil: H. . On the other hand, as a second metal plate, an aluminum plate made of JIS A6011 alloy having a plate thickness of 1.0 mm and a plate width of 2 m: I is prepared for a predetermined length, and this is wound and coiled: I was formed.

  Then, all the aluminum plate: I is taken out from the coil: I, and is continuously run in the plate length direction on the heat treatment line. Subsequently, the stainless steel plate: H is taken out from the coil: H. The part was run on the heat treatment line. Then, in the middle of the heat treatment line, the stainless steel plate: H start end portion was overlapped with the aluminum plate: I end portion that was run on the heat treatment line first. At this time, the mutual overlap margin of the aluminum plate: E end portion and the stainless steel plate: H start end portion was set to 400 mm.

  Then, the aluminum plate: I end portion and the stainless steel plate: H start end portion of the superposed portion, and the three portions separated from the edge of the superposed portion by 100 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm, and superposed When the rear end of the part is positioned corresponding to the rotating jig of the splicing device, the traveling on the heat treatment line of aluminum plate: I and stainless steel plate: H is temporarily stopped, respectively. Only the pin of the rotating jig provided on the lower beam part is rotated together with the rotating jig, and is inserted into the overlapped portion from the terminal end side of the aluminum plate: I, and is joined by friction stir welding. The operation was performed. In this point joining operation, the pin of each rotating jig passes through the terminal portion of the aluminum plate I located below the overlapped portion, and the stainless steel plate positioned above the overlapped portion: the start end portion of H. On the other hand, the aluminum plate was inserted to a position reaching a depth of 0.1 mm from the superposed surface with the terminal portion of I.

  As a result, the superposed portions of the aluminum plate: I end portion and the stainless steel plate: H start portion are separated at a distance of 100 mm from each other in the length direction without causing poor bonding or the like. We were able to connect with each other. In addition, the thus-connected aluminum plate: I and stainless steel plate: H were heated to 600 ° C. in the course of the heat treatment line, but the connection was not canceled due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient. Furthermore, the connected aluminum plate: I and stainless steel plate: H were allowed to pass through the installation location of the roller while being curved by the roller (diameter: 400 mm) installed in the middle of the heat treatment line. The connection was not broken either before or after passing.

  From this result, it can be recognized very easily that the aluminum plate: I and the stainless steel plate: H can be connected with excellent connection strength by carrying out plate joining according to the method of the present invention.

It is explanatory drawing shown in the state integrated in the continuous cold rolling line by an example of the board joining apparatus according to this invention. It is principal part expansion explanatory drawing in the II-II cross section of FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory top view in FIG. 2. It is the elements on larger scale in the IV-IV cross section of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the process connected by carrying out the point joining of aluminum plates by friction stir welding using the board joining apparatus shown by FIG. 1, Comprising: On the line in the superimposition part of each aluminum plate The state which has connected the front-end part of the running direction in is shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process implemented following the connection process of the aluminum plates shown by FIG. 5, Comprising: The rear-end part of the running direction on the line in the overlapping part of each aluminum plate is connected. Indicates the state. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the process of connecting by joining the aluminum plates by a friction stir welding using the board splicing apparatus shown by FIG. It is upper surface explanatory drawing which shows another example of the board splicing apparatus according to this invention. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows another example of the board splicing apparatus according to this invention. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 2 which shows the other example of the board splicing apparatus according to this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Connection apparatus 12 Continuous cold rolling line 14 1st roller conveyor 16 2nd roller conveyor 20 Aluminum plate 22 Rolled coil 23 Extraction roller 24 Traveling roller 25 Controller 26 Terminal part 28 Starting part 30 Surface plate 32 Gantry 34 Rotating jig 44 Actuator 48 Pin 54 Point Connection 56 Line Connection

Claims (15)

Connecting the start end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding to the end portion of the second metal plate continuously running in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate. A board splicing method comprising:
After overlapping the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate with each other, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate Pins concentrically provided at the tip of the rotating jig are inserted while rotating together with the rotating jig from the side opposite to the overlapping surface of the rotating jig, and the overlapped portion is friction stir welded The point joining operation is performed at a plurality of locations separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion, whereby the start end portion of the first metal plate and the second metal A method for joining metal plates, characterized in that the end portions of the plates are connected to each other at a plurality of locations in the length direction of each metal plate. Connecting the start end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding to the end portion of the second metal plate continuously running in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate. A board splicing method comprising:
After overlapping the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate with each other, the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate Pins concentrically provided at the tip of the rotating jig are inserted while rotating together with the rotating jig from the side opposite to the overlapping surface of each, and relative to the length direction of each metal plate The starting portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are mutually connected by performing an operation of linearly joining the superposed portions by friction stir welding. And the metal plate joining method characterized by connecting continuously in the length direction of each metal plate.   The operation of friction stir welding the overlapped portions of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate to each other, a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion. By further performing processing at a plurality of locations separated from each other, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other at a plurality of locations in the width direction of each metal plate. The plate joining method for a metal plate according to claim 1 or claim 2.   The plate joining method for a metal plate according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein both the first metal plate and the second metal plate are aluminum plates or aluminum alloy plates.   Either one of said first metal plate and said second metal plate is an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate, and any one of them is a steel plate. The method of joining a metal plate according to any one of the above.   The one of the first metal plate and the second metal plate is an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate, and one of them is a stainless steel plate. The metal plate joining method according to any one of the above. Connecting the start end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding to the end portion of the second metal plate continuously running in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate. A splicing device comprising:
The superposed portion disposed on the opposite side of the superposed surface side of the superposed portion of the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other A rotating jig having a pin concentrically provided at the tip on the side, and rotating the pin together with the rotating jig and inserting the pin into the overlapped portion, and friction stir welding to the overlapped portion A connecting means for connecting the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate to each other by performing an operation;
At least one of the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate and the rotating jig of the connecting means are arranged in the length direction of each metal plate. Moving means for relative movement,
Arbitrarily selected from the state in which the relative movement of at least one of the overlapped portion and the rotating jig by the moving means is performed and the state in which the relative movement by the moving means is not performed In any one state, the operating means for performing the friction stir welding by the connecting means,
A metal plate splicing device characterized by comprising a metal plate. Connecting the start end portion of the first metal plate taken out from the coil formed by winding to the end portion of the second metal plate continuously running in the plate length direction prior to the first metal plate. A splicing device comprising:
The length direction of each metal plate on the surface side opposite to the overlapping surface side of the overlapping portion of the first end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other Are arranged at a predetermined distance from each other, and have a plurality of rotating jigs that are concentrically provided at the tip of the overlapping portion side, and each pin of the plurality of rotating jigs is rotated each time. The friction stir welding operation is performed with respect to a plurality of portions separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion while being integrally rotated together with the jig. A metal plate comprising connecting means for connecting the start end portion of one metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate to each other at a plurality of positions in the length direction of each metal plate. Board joint device.   Only the arbitrarily selected one of the plurality of rotating jigs in the connecting means is rotated, and only the pins that are rotated together with the selected rotating jig are overlapped with each other. Of the plurality of portions separated by a predetermined distance in the length direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion by being inserted into the overlapped portion of the start end portion of the metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate The metal plate splicing device according to claim 8, further comprising first control means for controlling the operation of the connecting means so that a friction stir welding operation is performed on an arbitrary part.   At least one of the overlapping portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate and the rotating jig of the connecting means are arranged in the width direction of each metal plate. The splicing device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a second moving means for relatively moving the first moving means and the second moving means.   Predetermined in the width direction of each metal plate on the opposite surface side of the overlapping portion of the overlapping portion of the start portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other A plurality of rotating jigs arranged concentrically at the tip of the overlapped portion side, which are arranged at a distance, further comprising the connecting means, wherein the plurality of rotating jigs While each pin is rotated integrally with each rotating jig, it is inserted into the overlapped portion, and friction stir welding is performed to a plurality of portions separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate in the overlapped portion. By performing the operation, the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate are connected to each other at a plurality of positions in the width direction of each metal plate. The board joint according to any one of claims 7 to 9. Apparatus.   Only the arbitrarily selected one of the plurality of rotating jigs arranged at a predetermined distance in the width direction of each metal plate possessed by the connecting means is rotated so that the selected rotation control is performed. Only the pin that is rotated together with the tool is inserted into the overlapped portion of the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other, whereby each pin in the overlap portion Second control means for controlling the operation of the connecting means is further provided so that the friction stir welding operation is performed on an arbitrary part of the plurality of parts separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the metal plate. The metal plate splicing device according to claim 11.   At least one on each side of the overlapped portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other, A plurality of rotating jigs each having a pin concentrically provided at the tip thereof, wherein the connecting means is configured, and of the plurality of rotating jigs, both sides sandwiching the overlapping portion therebetween A pin of a rotating jig arranged on at least one side of the rotating jig is inserted into the overlapping portion while being selectively rotated integrally with the rotating jig. Item 13. The splicing device for metal plates according to any one of items 12 to 13.   The rotating jig disposed on one side of the both sides sandwiching the overlapped portion between the start end portion of the first metal plate and the end portion of the second metal plate that are overlapped with each other; and 14. The metal according to claim 13, wherein the rotating jig disposed on the other side of the both sides is positioned so as to correspond to different portions in the width direction of the respective metal plates in the overlapped portion. Board splicing device. The pin provided at the tip of the rotating jig in the connecting means can be moved relative to the rotating jig in the axial direction, and the relative movement of the pin relative to the rotating jig can be arbitrarily moved. A relative movement blocking mechanism is provided for blocking the position, and a relative rotation blocking mechanism for blocking relative rotation is provided between the rotating jig and the pin, while allowing relative movement of the pin to the rotating jig. The plate joining apparatus for a metal plate according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein:

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