JP2020179414A - Control cable-less arc welder - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a control cable-less arc welder that performs communication using a power line communication technique which opens/closes a main circuit for a power source for welding with a power source switch provided on a wire feeding device, and transmits operation information of the wire feeding device connected to the power source for welding to the Internet.SOLUTION: A transmission circuit and a power source switch are provided on a wire feeding device, a switch that opens/closes a receiving circuit and a main circuit and a Wi-Fi module are provided on the power source for welding, when the power source switch of the wire feeding device is operated, an opening/closing signal is transmitted to the power source for welding using a power line communication technique and the main circuit of the power source for welding is opened/closed, and information transmitted from the wire feeding device by the Wi-Fi module on the power source side is published on the Internet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a control cableless arc welder that uses power line communication technology to eliminate a control cable that connects a welding power source and a wire feeder. In particular, the present invention proposes a new method of connecting to the Internet while improving operability by using communication technology.

The arc welding apparatus of the patent document eliminates the control cable as a signal line connecting the welding power supply and the wire feeding apparatus by using the power line communication technology.

Since the control cableless arc welder described in the patent document supplies power to the control circuit in the wire feeder from the output terminal of the welding power supply, the wire feeder is provided with a power switch to provide a power source. Even if the switch was turned on, the power switch of the welding power supply could not be operated from the wire feeder because the power was not supplied to the wire feeder when the output was off.

Therefore, in order to open and close the power switch of the welding power supply, it was necessary to go to the welding power supply.

The arc welding device in the patent document does not have a function of connecting to the Internet. The Internet was not yet widespread when the patented arc welding equipment was released.

In recent years, arc welders that can be connected to the Internet are commercially available. The configuration of the control cableless arc welder that can be connected to the Internet of the conventional example of FIG. 2 is shown.

In the conventional arc welder of FIG. 2, since all the information sources to be posted on the Internet are in the welding power supply, the information indicating which wire feeder is connected to the welding power supply is posted on the Internet. Not done.

In addition, the arc welder that can be connected to the Internet in the conventional example shown in Fig. 2 can know the welding current and welding voltage at the welding power source, but in the actual measurement at the wire feeder near the welding arc. Therefore, it is not possible to convey accurate welding current and welding voltage information.

Publication of patent No. 59-193765

In the conventional control cableless arc welder, the main circuit of the welding power supply cannot be opened and closed by the power switch provided in the wire feeder. In the wire feeder, opening and closing the power switch of the welding power supply is the first problem to be solved.

Let's solve the problem of grasping exactly which wire feeder is connected to which welding power supply, how much welding current and welding voltage, and how long it has been welded, not at the welding power supply but at the wire feeder. This is the second issue.

The welding power supply is equipped with a signal receiving circuit and a switch that opens and closes the main circuit and a Wi-Fi module, and the wire feeder is equipped with a power switch that operates the signal transmitting circuit and the switch that opens and closes the main circuit of the welding power supply. ..

A battery is used as the power source for sending the power switch signal, and the open / close signal of the power switch is sent to the welding power source by using the power line transfer technology.

The wire feeder is equipped with a current sensor that measures the welding current and a voltage measurement terminal that measures the welding voltage, and the welding current information and welding voltage information measured by the welding electric sensor are transmitted to the wire using power line transfer technology in the signal transmission circuit. It is transmitted from the feeding device to the power supply for welding.

Each wire feeder is given a separate code so that the welding power supply can identify which wire feeder the information comes from, and the individual information that indicates the identification of the wire feeder is also a welding electric sensor. And the welding voltage information is transmitted from the wire feeder to the welding power supply.

The welding power supply receives these accurate welding operating conditions with the receiving circuit provided in the welding power supply, and the information sent from the wire feeder by the Wi-Fi module provided on the power supply side is posted on the Internet. By mounting and connecting the personal computer to the Internet, the welding manager can grasp the operating status of each wire feeding device.

Since the main circuit of the welding power supply can be opened and closed by the power switch provided in the wire feeder, the welding operator does not have to go to the welding power supply and turn off the power switch at the start and end of welding. Therefore, the burden on the worker for this moving work can be reduced.

When welding is performed in a large workplace such as a shipyard, the welder is given a specific wire feeder so that it can be connected to any welding power source. In the configuration of the conventional control cableless arc welder, it was difficult to grasp the actual operating status of the welding operator, but in the present invention, individual identification numbers are assigned to the wire feeder and the welding power supply. It is possible to know which wire feeding device the information is connected to which welding power source to be used, and to manage the work of the welding operator.

In the conventional example, a current sensor that measures the welding current and a voltage measurement terminal that measures the welding voltage are provided at the welding power supply, so the welding current is measured including the motor current, and the welding voltage is the voltage of the welding current cable. Since the measurement includes the drop amount, an accurate value cannot be measured.

In the present invention, a current sensor for measuring the welding current is attached to the wire feeder, and a voltage measuring terminal for measuring the welding voltage is directly connected to the wire feeder and the base metal, so that the true welding current and welding voltage Can be measured accurately.

Welding operation status is received by the signal receiving circuit provided in the welding power supply, and the information sent from the wire feeder from the Wi-Fi module provided on the power supply side is posted on the Internet, so it is connected to the Internet. If a personal computer that can be used is used, it is possible to centrally manage the operating status of the entire welding work in one place.

Configuration and operation of the control cableless arc welder of the present invention Configuration and operation of a conventional control cableless arc welder Configuration and operation of the adapter type control cableless arc welder of the present invention

FIG. 1 shows the configuration and operation of the control cableless arc welder of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows the configuration and operation of the conventional control cableless arc welder, and FIG. 3 shows the configuration and operation of the adapter type control cableless arc welder of the present invention. It represents the operation. In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, 1 is a wire feeder, 3 is a welding torch, 4 is a power switch, 5 is a current sensor, 6 is a positive output cable, 7 is a negative output cable, and 8 is a positive. Side output terminal, 9 is a negative side output terminal, 10 is a welding power supply, 11 is a signal receiving circuit unit, 12 is a variable power supply for welding output, 13 is a base material, 14 is a power switch, and 15 is a power supply BOX.

In the configuration of the control cableless arc welder of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, 2 is a signal transmission circuit section, 2 is a battery, and 2 is a coupling transformer 2-. Reference numeral 3 is a signal modulation circuit, 2-4 is a power switch signal amplification circuit, and 2-5 is a coupling capacitor. 11-1 coupling capacitor, 11-2 coupling transformer, 11-3 signal demodulator circuit, 11-4 main circuit open / close control circuit, 11-5 in the signal receiving circuit section of 11 in FIG. Wi-Fi module, 11-6 main circuit switch is included.

In the configuration of the control cableless arc welder of the conventional example of FIG. 2, 11-4 main circuit open / close control circuits, 11-5 Wi-Fi modules, and 11-6 are included in the 11 signal receiving circuits. Includes main circuit switch. Reference numeral 14 denotes an output voltage regulator.

The major difference between the configuration of the control cableless arc welder of the present invention in FIG. 1 and the configuration of the conventional control cableless arc welder in FIG. 2 is the position where the power switch of 4 and the current sensor of 5 are attached. Is. In the control cableless arc welder of the present invention of FIG. 1, the power switch of 4 and the current sensor of 5 are attached to the wire feeder, but in the conventional control cableless arc welder of FIG. It is attached to the power supply for welding.

The operation of the control cableless arc welder of the present invention of FIG. 1 will be described. The power switch signal of 4 provided near the wire feeding device of 1 is sent to the signal transmission circuit unit of 2. In this signal transmission circuit section, the power switch signal of 4 is converted into a serial digital signal mounted on the carrier wave by the signal modulation circuit of 2-3.

When welding is started, the wire feeder has no power supply, so power is supplied to the signal transmission circuit section of 2 from the battery of 2-1 to the signal modulation circuit of 2-3 and the signal amplification circuit of 2-4. There is. During welding, power is supplied to the signal transmission circuit section of 2 from between the minus side output cable of 7 and the plus side output cable of 6, and during welding, the output voltage supplied from 10 welding power supplies is 2-1. The battery is charging.

Since serial communication is used for transmission, not only power switch signals but also multiple information such as individual identification numbers, welding voltage signals indicating the operating status of arc welders, and welding current signals can be transmitted to the wire feeder. Is.

The signal from the signal modulation circuit of 2-3 is amplified by the signal amplification circuit of 2-4, and the minus side output cable of 7 and the plus of 6 are passed through the coupling transformer of 2-6 and the coupling capacitor of 2-5. It is coupled to the side output cable and transmits a high frequency signal to 10 welding power supplies.

As for the signal transmitted between the minus side output cable of 7 and the plus side output cable of 6, only the high frequency signal is taken out by the coupling capacitor of 11-1 and the transformer for coupling of 11-2.

The signal taken out by the coupling capacitor of 11-1 and the transformer for coupling of 11-2 is demodulated by the signal demodulation circuit of 11-3, and the power switch signal and wire feed made by the wire feeder of 1. Individual identification numbers, welding voltage signals, and welding current signals are extracted from the feeder.

The demodulated power switch signal is sent to the output switch control circuit of 11-4 to set the output of the variable power supply for the welding output of 12, and is sent to the main circuit switch of 11-6 to 15 power supply boxes. The input voltage supplied from is opened and closed.

Information such as the power switch signal demodulated by the signal demodulation circuit of 11-3, the individual identification number for the wire feeder, the welding voltage signal, and the welding current signal is sent to the Wi-Fi module of 11-5 and is sent to the Internet. Published above.

The 11-5 Wi-Fi module mentioned here incorporates functions for connecting to the Internet, such as a wireless LAN chip and antenna, into a single microcomputer, and is also called an IoT module, and has rapidly become widespread in recent years. Is what you are doing. Information can be easily posted on the cloud using the 11-5 Wi-Fi module, and if there is a personal computer that can connect to the Internet, this information can be retrieved anytime and anywhere.

In particular, at sites where multiple arc welders are used, the operating status of multiple arc welders can be grasped via the Internet at one location in the factory, which can contribute to the management of welding work in the factory.

Although the description of the embodiment in the present invention has been performed by using the control cableless arc welder in which the portion of the signal receiving circuit portion of 11 is built in the power supply for welding of 10, it is included in the signal receiving circuit portion of 11. 11-1 coupling capacitor, 11-2 coupling transformer, 11-3 signal demodulation circuit, 11-4 main circuit open / close control circuit, 11-5 Wi-Fi module, 11-6 main circuit open / close It is also possible to house the part of the vessel in a housing and make it into a unit, separate it from the 10 welding power sources, and attach it to a general-purpose arc welder that does not have the function of a control cableless welder.

Further, by connecting the part of the signal receiving circuit portion of 11 to an arc welder having no function of connecting to the Internet by an adapter method, it is possible to have a function of connecting to the Internet.

FIG. 3 shows an example in which the portion of the signal receiving circuit portion of 11 is housed in another case and separated from the welding power supply of 10 to be an adapter system. In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3, a general-purpose arc welder, which is not a control caveless welder, is simply connected to the output end of a general-purpose arc welder with the signal receiving circuit portion of 11 contained in another case. The arc welder can be used as a control cableless arc welder.

In the control cableless arc welder of the present invention, the operator does not have to go to the place where the welding power supply is placed in order to turn on / off the power switch of the welding power supply, and the power switch can be opened and closed by the operator. it can. Therefore, it can contribute to the efficiency of welding work. It is expected that the arc welder of the method proposed in the present invention will be adopted.

Since the arc welder of the present invention can accurately grasp the work contents of individual welders in real time via the Internet, it is possible to centrally manage a plurality of arc welders in one place. .. In the era when arc welders are connected to the Internet, in the future there is a possibility that they will be adopted not only for arc welders used in large workplaces such as shipyards, but also for arc welders used at various work sites.

1 Wire feeder 2 Signal transmission circuit 2-1 Battery 2-2 Coupling transformer
2-3 Signal modulation circuit 2-4 Power switch Signal amplification circuit 2-5 Coupling capacitor 3 Welding torch 4 Power switch 5 Base material 6 Plus side output cable 7 Negative side output cable 8 Plus side output terminal 9 Negative side output terminal 10 Welding power supply 11 Signal reception circuit 11-1 Coupling capacitor 11-2 Coupling transformer 11-3 Signal demodulation circuit 11-4 Main circuit open / close control circuit 11-5 Wi-Fi module 11-6 Main circuit switch 12 Variable power supply for welding output 13 Base material 14 Output voltage regulator 15 Power supply BOX

Claims (5)

In a control cableless arc welder using power line communication technology, a power switch, a current sensor, and a signal transmission circuit are provided near the wire feeder, and the signal transmission circuit is added to the negative output cable of the welding power supply. A signal from the battery, the power switch signal, a signal modulation circuit for transmitting the signal of the current sensor by a power line carrier method, and a signal from the signal modulation circuit as a power source in the signal transmission circuit unit connected to the side output cable. A signal amplification circuit that amplifies the signal, a coupling transformer that couples a high-frequency signal from the signal amplification circuit to a power line, and a coupling capacitor are provided, and a signal reception circuit unit that receives a signal is provided in the welding power supply. Is connected to the positive side output terminal and the negative side output terminal of the welding power supply, and a coupling capacitor for extracting only a high frequency signal into the signal receiving circuit unit, a transformer for coupling, the power supply switch signal, and the current sensor. A signal demodulator that takes out a signal, a main circuit switch that sends a demodulated signal from the signal demodulator to the main circuit open / close control circuit, and opens / closes the power input of the welding power supply with the signal from the main circuit open / close control. A control cableless arc that is configured to open and close the input of the main circuit power supply and is configured to connect to the Internet in addition to the Wi-Fi module that connects the signal from the signal demodulation circuit to the Internet. Welder. The coupling capacitor, the coupling transformer, the signal demodulator circuit, the main circuit open / close control circuit, the Wi-Fi module, and the main circuit switch included in the signal receiving circuit section are separated from each other. The control cableless according to claim 1, wherein the control cableless is housed in a housing, separated from the welding power source, and attached to a general-purpose arc welder having no function of the control cableless welder. Arc welder. The control cable according to claim 1, wherein the power switch and the current sensor signal are transmitted from the wire feeding device to the welding power source only at regular intervals or when the signal changes. Less arc welder. A code for identifying an individual is given to the wire feeding device, and individual information of the wire feeding device is transmitted from the wire feeding device to the welding power source together with information from the welding electric sensor. The control cableless arc welder according to claim 1. The control cableless arc welder according to claim 1, wherein the battery is charged during welding.

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