JP4209537B2

JP4209537B2 - Friction stir welding equipment

Info

Publication number: JP4209537B2
Application number: JP11087499A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 光男服部
Original assignee: Showa Denko KK
Current assignee: Showa Denko KK
Priority date: 1999-04-19
Filing date: 1999-04-19
Publication date: 2009-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 2019-04-19
Also published as: JP2000301358A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、被接合材の組を搬送台に載せて搬送しつつ、定位置に配備された摩擦攪拌接合用の加工ヘッドの回転する先端部を被接合材同士の接合線に沿って埋入させて接合一体化する摩擦攪拌接合装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
近年、金属材の溶接やロウ付けに代わる新しい接合手段として、摩擦攪拌接合（ＦｒｉｃｔｉｏｎＳｔｉｒＷｅｌｄｉｎｇ）法が登場している。この接合法は、例えば特表平７−５０５０９０号公報に開示されているように、被加工物よりも硬い材質のプローブ（棒状物）を回転させながら被加工物に摺接させた際に、この摺接部分で発生する摩擦熱と圧力によって被加工物素材が塑性流動化するため、該プローブが被加工物中に埋入して且つこの埋入状態のまま被加工物中を移動可能になることを利用したものである。
【０００３】
例えば、金属板同士の突き合わせ接合線に沿って前記プローブを埋入状態で相対移動させると、プローブの前方側で塑性流動した両金属板の素材が攪拌混練されながら該プローブの後方側へ漸次移行し、後方側で摩擦熱を失って急速に冷却固化するから、両金属板は素材同士が混じり合って完全に一体化した状態で接合される。この場合、金属素材が塑性流動する温度は融点よりもかなり低く、接合は固相接合の範疇に入り、接合過程を通して金属材への入熱量は溶接やロウ付けに比較して極めて少なく、且つ凝固収縮に伴う応力の発生もないから、接合部近傍の熱歪みによる変形や割れを生じにくいという利点がある。
【０００４】
このような摩擦攪拌接合には、被接合材を加工テーブル等に固定して前記プローブを備えた加工ヘッド側を移動させて接合する方式と、逆に被接合材を送りローラを介して送りつつ定位置に配置した同加工ヘッドにて接合する方式とがある。そして、前者の方式では一回の接合長さが加工ヘッドの移動ストロークの範囲内となるために被接合材の長さに制約を受けるのに対し、後者の方式は上記制約がないので押出形材等の長尺品の接合に有利である。
【０００５】
従来、被接合材を送る方式の摩擦攪拌接合では、ローラーコンベヤ方式の搬送路において被接合材の組を下側ローラーと上側ローラーとで挟んで搬送し、接合位置での加工ヘッドの押圧力を直下に配置した下側ロールによって受ける構成が一般的である。しかるに、この構成では、接合位置で塑性流動化した被接合材の素材が下側ローラーの円周面に接触するため、接合部の裏面側が通常約０．２ｍｍ程度の膨出状態になる上、ローラー表面の傷が転写されることもあり、接合品の裏面側の平坦度が悪くなるという問題があった。
【０００６】
そこで、本出願人は先に、裏面側の平坦度の良い接合品を得るために、上面が平坦な接合受け部を有する搬送台を用い、この搬送台に被接合材の組を接合部位が前記接合受け部上に位置するように載せ、該搬送台をローラーコンベヤ方式の搬送路上で搬送しつつ、被接合材同士を定位置に配備された摩擦攪拌接合用の加工ヘッドによって接合一体化する方法を提案している。
【０００７】
図６（イ）（ロ）は上記方法を適用した摩擦攪拌接合装置の構成例を示す。図中の（11）は搬送台であり、中央に配置した前後方向に沿う角棒状の接合受け部（12）と、同じく前後方向に沿う略角棒状で外縁に突縁部（13ａ）を有する左右一対の側枠部（13）（13）とが、左右方向に沿う複数本のスクリュー軸（14）…を介して連結した枠体からなり、接合受け部（12）の下面にラック（15）が形成されている。一方、搬送路の各送りローラー（21）の中央部には、前記搬送台（11) のラック（15）に噛合させるピニオン（22）が設けてある。
【０００８】
摩擦攪拌接合に際しては、搬送台（11）の接合受け部（12）と両側枠部（13）（13）の間にわたって、例えば２枚一組の板状の被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を接合部位が接合受け部（12）上に位置するように載置して、各スクリュー軸（14）の両側に螺合したナット（16）（16）の締め付けによって両側から挟み付け固定し、この搬送台（11）を搬送路の送りローラー（21）…上に載せ、これら送りローラー（21）…を回転駆動することにより、該搬送台（11）をラック（15）とピニオン（22）との噛合によって強制的に移送する。この場合、加工ヘッド（31）による接合位置において、被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の塑性流動化した素材は裏面側で搬送台（11）の接合受け部（12）の平坦な上面と面接触するから、接合部の裏面側が膨出状態となったり、ローラー表面の傷が転写されることはない。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、上記提案の摩擦攪拌接合装置では、該搬送台（11) は接合受け部（12）の下面のラック（15）と送りローラー（21）のピニオン（22）との噛合によって移送されるが、そのギヤ歯の噛み合い変位に伴い、接合位置において該接合受け部（12）ががた付いて上下に振れるため、加工ヘッド（31）のプローブ（31ａ）の先端と接合受け部（12）の上面との間隙が変動して安定した接合を行えず、接合品質の低下を招く場合があることが判明した。しかして、高品質の接合品を得るには加工ヘッド（31）のプローブ（31ａ）の先端と被接合材の受け面つまり接合受け部（12）の上面との間隙に０．０１ｍｍ以上の精度が要求されるが、ラック（15）とピニオン（22）との噛合精度を高めても機構的には接合受け部（12）の０．１ｍｍ程度の上下動を伴うがた付きが避けられないことから、現状では上記要求に対応できない。
【００１０】
この発明は、上述の事情に鑑みて、被接合材を搬送台を介して搬送しつつ定位置の加工ヘッドによって接合する摩擦攪拌接合装置として、該搬送台における被接合材同士の接合部位を支承する接合受け部が接合位置でがた付かず、もって高品質の接合品が確実に得られるものを提供することを目的としている。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記目的を達成するために、請求項１の発明は、ローラーコンベヤ方式の搬送路と、この搬送路上の定位置に配備された摩擦攪拌接合用の加工ヘッドと、前記搬送路上を移動する搬送台とを備え、該搬送台に接合姿勢とした被接合材の組を載せて搬送しつつ、その被接合材同士の接合線に沿って前記加工ヘッドの回転する先端部を埋入させて接合一体化する摩擦攪拌接合装置であって、前記搬送台は、左右一対の搬送方向に沿うラックと、これら両側のラックの間に配置して被接合材同士の接合部位を支承する接合受け部とを具備し、搬送路側には、加工ヘッドによる接合位置において前記搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接するローラーが配置すると共に、該搬送台の両ラックに噛合して回転駆動するピニオンを有することを特徴としている。
【００１２】
この摩擦攪拌接合装置では、被接合材の組を載せた搬送台は両側のラックが搬送路の回転駆動するピニオンと噛合することによって該搬送路上を移動するが、この移動過程で接合受け部の下面側は搬送路のローラー周面と平坦面同士で接するから、加工ヘッドによる接合位置で接合受け部のがた付きを生じることはなく、接合受け部上に位置する被接合材同士の接合部位に埋入した加工ヘッドの先端部（プローブ）と受け面つまり当該接合受け部の上面との設定間隙が高精度で維持される。なお、搬送台の左右両側ではラックとピニオンとの噛合に伴うがた付きを生じるが、接合位置での接合受け部は加工ヘッドの押圧力によって搬送路のローラーの平坦周面に押し付けられるために上下動を生じない。
【００１３】
請求項２の発明は、上記請求項１の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、前記搬送路に、搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接する平坦周面部と前記ピニオンとを一体化した駆動ローラーが配設されてなるものとしている。この場合、搬送路のローラーが搬送台の接合受け部の支承機能とラックに噛合するピニオン機能を併せ持つから、ローラーコンベヤの装置構成が簡素になる。
【００１４】
請求項３の発明は、上記請求項２の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、前記駆動ローラーに一体化された平坦周面部とピニオンの有効径が等しく設定されてなるものとしている。この場合、ローラーにおける搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接する平坦周面部と同ラックに噛合するピニオン部分の周速が一致するから、搬送台の移動過程で接合受け部の下面がローラー周面に対して滑ることがない。
【００１５】
請求項４の発明は、上記請求項１の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、前記搬送路に、搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接して遊転する従動ローラーが配設されてなるものとしている。この場合、従動ローラーにおける搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接する平坦周面部の径がピニオンの有効径と一致しなくとも、この平坦周面部と搬送台の接合受け部の下面との間で滑りを生じることがない。
【００１６】
請求項５の発明は、上記請求項１〜４のいずれかの摩擦攪拌接合装置において、前記搬送台は、下面にラックを形成した左右一対のラックバーと、棒状材よりなる接合受け部とが左右方向に沿う複数本の連結杆を介して連結一体化されてなるものとしている。この構成では、接合受け部は、加工ヘッドの押圧と被接合材の重量の負荷が加わった状態で搬送路のローラーに接するために消耗し易いが、独立した棒状材であるから、例えば鋼材等の安価な材料を用い、消耗時に容易に新品と取り替えることができる。
【００１７】
請求項６の発明は、上記請求項５の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、前記の各ラックバーの側面に補助バーがねじ止め接合され、これら補助バーを介して搬送台の左右両側部が搬送路側のローラーに支承されるように構成している。この構成では、搬送台の左右両側部において、補助バーが被接合材の重量負荷を受けて搬送路側のローラーに接するから、該補助バーとして例えば鋼材等の安価な材料を用いて消耗時に新品と取り替えるようにできると共に、製作コストの高いラックバーはピニオンと噛合するだけでよいために消耗しにくく長寿命となる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、この発明に係る摩擦攪拌接合装置の実施例について、図面を参照して具体的に説明する。図１及び図２は第一実施例、図３は第二実施例、図４は第三実施例、図５は第四実施例、をそれぞれを示す。
【００１９】
図１（イ）（ロ）及び図２に示すように、第一実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置における搬送台（１Ａ）は、前後方向に沿う角棒状で左右方向の中央に位置する接合受け部（２）と、前後方向に沿う角棒状で下面にラック（30）を有する左右一対のラックバー（３）（３）と、両ラックバー（３）（３）の外側に配置した左右一対の縦帯板状の幅寄せ部材（４）（４）とが、左右方向に沿う複数本の連結杆（５）…を介して連結した枠体からなる。しかして、各連結杆（５）は、両端側がねじ軸部（５ａ）（５ａ）をなし、接合受け部（２）及び両ラックバー（３）（３）に対して貫通部分に押接するセットねじ（51）にて固定されると共に、各幅寄せ部材（４）に貫通したねじ軸部（５ａ）の外側にナット（52）を螺着することにより、該幅寄せ部材（４）を左右方向移動可能で且つナット（52）にて外側位置を規制するように保持している。また、接合受け部（２）の上下面（２ａ）（２ｂ）は共に平滑であり、その上面（２ａ）は両ラックバー（３）（３）の上面（３ａ）と同一高さに設定されている。
【００２０】
一方、搬送路は、水平回転軸の駆動ローラー（６Ａ）…が水平方向一定間隔置きに配置したローラーコンベヤ方式であり、その行程途中の定位置上方に摩擦攪拌接合用の昇降可能な加工ヘッド（７）が配備しており、該加工ヘッド（７）の直下に駆動ローラー（６Ａ）…の一本が位置するように設定されている。しかして、各駆動ローラー（６Ａ）は、左右両側に底部がピニオン（８）となった環状凹部（61）を有しており、この上に載せた搬送台（１Ａ）の接合受け部（２）の下面（２ｂ）が平坦周面部（６ａ）に接した状態で、両側のピニオン（８）（８）が該搬送台（１Ａ）の左右のラック（30）（30）と各々噛合し、この噛合状態での回転駆動によって該搬送台（１Ａ）を強制的に前方へ移送するように設定されている。
【００２１】
上記構成の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、例えばアルミニウム合金等よりなる２枚一組の板状の被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を接合一体化する場合、図１（イ）（ロ）に示すように、搬送台（１Ａ）の接合受け部（２）と両ラックバー（３）（３）を支承部として、両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を接合すべき側縁同士が接合受け部（２）の中央上で突き合わされるように載置し、ナット（５ｂ）…を締め付けることにより、両幅寄せ部材（４）（4 ）にて両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を左右から挟み付けて拘束状態とする。そして、この搬送台（１Ａ）を搬送路の駆動ローラ（６Ａ）…上に載せて搬送するが、搬送台（１Ａ）の左右のラックバー（３）（３）が駆動ローラ（６Ａ）…の両側の環状凹部（61）（61）に嵌合した形で、各ラック（30）とピニオン（８）と噛合するから、搬送中に左右方向の位置ずれを生じず、両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の突き合わせ接合線が確実に加工ヘッド（７）による接合位置を通ることになる。
【００２２】
しかして、搬送台（１Ａ）に載せた両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の突き合わせ接合線の前端部を接合位置に合わせ、上方で待機していた加工ヘッド（７）を高速回転させつつ降下させ、その先端のプローブ（９ａ）を両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の突き合わせ部に埋入させ、この埋入状態で駆動ローラ（６Ａ）…を回転駆動させて搬送台（１Ａ）を前方へ一定速度で搬送する。これにより、プローブ（９ａ）の埋入部分では、被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の素材が既述のように摩擦熱と圧力によって塑性流動化し、攪拌混合されてプローブ（９ａ）の進行後方側で冷却固化し、もって両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)が完全に接合一体化してゆく。
【００２３】
このとき、搬送台（１Ａ）の左右両側ではラック（30）とピニオン（８）との噛合に伴うがた付きを生じるが、接合受け部（２）は加工ヘッド（７）の押圧力によって平滑な下面（２ｂ）が駆動ローラー（６）の平坦周面部（６ａ）に押し付けられるために上下動を生じない。従って、加工ヘッド（７）のプローブ（７ａ）の先端と接合受け部（２）の上面（２ａ）との間の設定間隙が高精度で維持され、安定した接合状態が持続すると共に、接合部の下面側は接合受け部（２）の平坦な上面（２ａ）に接しているから、塑性流動化した素材が被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の下面から膨出することはなく、接合品位が高く裏面の平坦度のよい接合品が得られる。
【００２４】
なお、接合受け部（２）は、加工ヘッド（７）の押圧と被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)の重量の負荷が加わった状態で搬送路の駆動ローラー（６Ａ）…に接するために消耗し易いが、独立した棒状材であるから、例えば鋼材等の安価な材料を用い、消耗時に容易に新品と取り替えることができる。
【００２５】
図３に示す第二実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置では、搬送台（１Ｂ）は、第一実施例の搬送台（１Ａ）と同様に中央の接合受け部（２）と左右一対のラックバー（３）（３）及び幅寄せ部材（４）（４）が連結杆（４）…を介して連結した枠体からなるが、接合受け部（２）の下面（２ｂ）がラック（30）の基準ピッチ位置と同じレベルになるように設定されている。そして、搬送路の各駆動ローラー（６Ｂ）は、中央部に環状凹部（62）を有し、この環状凹部（62）の径を両側の環状凹部（61）（61）のピニオン（８）のピッチ円直径と同一に設定してあり、この上に載せた搬送台（１Ｂ）の接合受け部（２）の下面（２ｂ）が中央の環状凹部（62）の底面をなす平坦周面部（６ｂ）に接した状態で、両側のピニオン（８）（８）が該搬送台（１Ｂ）の左右のラック（30）（30）と噛合するように構成されている。
【００２６】
この第二実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置においては、前記第一実施例と同様に、２枚一組の被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を拘束状態で載置した搬送台（１Ｂ）を搬送路の駆動ローラー（６Ｂ）…上に載せて搬送しつつ、加工ヘッド（７）によって両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を摩擦攪拌接合するが、駆動ローラー（６Ｂ）の平坦周面部（６ｂ）とピニオン（８）（８）の有効径が等しく、回転に伴う周速の差を生じないため、搬送台（１Ｂ）の搬送過程で接合受け部（２）と駆動ローラー（６Ｂ）の平坦周面部（６ｂ）と間で滑りが発生しない。従って、搬送台（１Ｂ）の送りが安定し、接合品位がより向上する。
【００２７】
図４（イ）（ロ）に示す第三実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置では、前記第一実施例と同様の搬送台（１Ａ）を用いるが、搬送路側には、軸受（63）（63）を介して遊転自在に保持された従動ローラー（６Ｃ）…と、左右一対のギヤ（８ａ）（８ａ）を固着したピニオン軸（80）…とが交互に所定間隔置きに配置しており、ピニオン軸（80）…の一本は加工ヘッド（７）の直下に位置している。そして、搬送台（１Ａ）の搬送に際し、接合受け部（２）を従動ローラー（６Ｃ）…にて支承すると共に、ピニオン軸（80）…の各ギヤ（８ａ）がピニオン（８）として該搬送台（１Ａ）のラック（30）に噛合するように設定されている。なお、ピニオン軸（80）の各ピニオン（８）部分は、搬送台（１Ａ）のラックバー（３）を嵌合させるために、ギヤ（８ａ）に円盤（８ｂ）を固着して凹陥状としてある。
【００２８】
この第三実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置においては、搬送台（１Ａ）に前記第一実施例と同様に２枚一組の被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を拘束状態で載置し、この搬送台（１Ａ）を搬送路上でピニオン軸（80）…の回転駆動によって前方へ送りつつ前記同様に加工ヘッド（７）による摩擦攪拌接合を行うが、従動ローラー（６Ｃ）…は該搬送台（１Ａ）の搬送過程で接合受け部（２）の下面（２ｂ）と接触して従動回転するから、前記第二実施例の場合と同じく搬送台（１Ａ）の送りが安定し、接合品位がより向上する。なお、この場合、従動ローラー（６Ｃ）…の径はピニオン（８）の有効径とは無関係に設定できる。
【００２９】
図５に示す第四実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置では、搬送台（１Ｃ）は、前記第二実施例の搬送台（１Ｂ）における各ラックバー（３）の両側に縦帯板状の補助バー（９）（９）がねじ止め接合された構造を有している。そして、各補助バー（９）は、上面（９ａ）がラックバー（３）の上面（３ａ）と同じ高さで、且つ下面（９ｂ）がラック（30）の基準ピッチ位置と同じレベルに設定されている。一方、搬送路に配置された駆動ローラー（６Ｄ）…は、中央部に前記第二実施例の駆動ローラー（６Ｂ）と同様の環状凹部（62）を有すると共に、各ピニオン（８）の両側にも環状凹面部（64）（64）を有しており、これら環状凹面部（64）…と中央の環状凹部（62）とがピニオン（８）のピッチ円直径と同一になるように設定されている。
【００３０】
この第四実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置においては、搬送台（１Ｃ）に２枚一組の被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を拘束状態で載置し、この搬送台（１Ｃ）を搬送路の駆動ローラー（６Ｄ）…上に載せて搬送しつつ、加工ヘッド（７）によって両被接合材（Ｗ1)（Ｗ2)を摩擦攪拌接合するが、この搬送過程で搬送台（１Ｃ）の左右両側部が補助バー（９）…を介して駆動ローラー（６Ｄ）に支承され、ラック（30）（30）には重量負荷が加わらない。従って、製作コストの高いラックバー（３）は消耗しににく長寿命となる一方、補助バー（９）として鋼材等の安価な材料を用いて消耗時に新品と交換するようにして、保全コストを低減できる。また、この第四実施例の構成でも、駆動ローラー（６Ｄ）の中央の環状凹部（62）及び両側の環状凹面部（64）…とピニオン（８）の有効径が等しく、回転に伴う周速の差を生じないことから、前記第二及び第三実施例と同様に搬送台（１Ｃ）の送りが安定し、接合品位がより向上する。しかして、この場合、補助バー（９）を各ラックバー（３）の片側のみに設ける構成としてもよい。
【００３１】
なお、前記第一〜第四実施例で用いた搬送台（１Ａ）〜（１Ｃ）では左右のラックバー（３）（３）を被接合材の支承部としているが、両側の幅寄せ部材（４）（４）に被接合材の非接合側の側縁部を支持するための段部を設けて、ラックバーで被接合材を支承しない構造としてもよい。また、搬送路側で搬送台の接合受け部を従動ローラーにて支承する構成では、前記第三実施例のように従動ローラー（６Ｃ）とピニオン軸（80）を別体とせず、従動ローラーをピニオン軸（80）自体に軸受を介して相対回転自在に嵌装させることも可能である。更に、前記実施例では搬送台の左右方向の位置決めのために搬送路のローラーの環状凹部（61）（62）に搬送台のラックバー（３）や接合受け部（２）を嵌合させているが、同様の目的でこれら嵌合の凹凸関係を逆にすることもできる。
【００３２】
しかして、請求項１〜４の発明では、搬送台における接合受け部と両側のラックとが板状等の基体に一体形成された構成や、両側のラックを外向きに設けて側方からピニオンが噛合する構成も包含する。
【００３３】
一方、この発明の摩擦攪拌接合装置は、実施例で例示したような平板状の被接合材に限らず、中空部を有するものや枠状のもの等、様々な形態の被接合材同士の接合に適用できると共に、突き合わせ部の接合に限らず、重ね合わせ部や嵌合部等の他の組み合わせ構造部の接合にも適用可能である。また、これら被接合材の形状や接合形態によっては、搬送路に搬送台上の被接合材の上面に接して転動する押さえローラを設けてもよいし、搬送台における被接合材の固定手段としても、例示した幅寄せ部材（４）による両側からの挟み付け以外の様々な機構を採用できる。
【００３４】
【発明の効果】
請求項１の発明によれば、被接合材を搬送台を介してローラーコンベヤ方式の搬送路で移送しつつ定位置の加工ヘッドによって摩擦攪拌接合する装置として、搬送台の送りをその左右両側に設けたラックと搬送路側のピニオンの噛合によって行い、該搬送台における被接合材同士の接合部位を支承する接合受け部の下面が搬送路側のローラー周面と平坦面同士で接する構成としていることから、加工ヘッドによる接合位置で接合受け部のがた付きを生じず、加工ヘッドの先端部と接合受け部の上面との設定間隙を高精度で維持でき、もって安定した接合状態によって高い接合品位で裏面の平坦度のよい接合品を確実に得られるものが提供される。
【００３５】
請求項２の発明によれば、上記の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、搬送路のローラーが搬送台の接合受け部の支承機能とラックに噛合するピニオン機能を併せ持つことから、ローラーコンベヤの装置構成が簡素になり、それだけ設備コストを低減できるという利点がある。
【００３６】
請求項３の発明によれば、上記の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、搬送路のローラーにおける搬送台の接合受け部に接する平坦周面部と同ラックに噛合するピニオン部分の周速が一致し、搬送台の移動過程で接合受け部の下面がローラー周面に対して滑りを生じないことから、該搬送台の送りが安定し、接合品位がより向上するという利点がある。
【００３７】
請求項４の発明によれば、上記の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、搬送路のローラーが搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接して遊転する従動ローラーからなり、このローラーにおける搬送台の接合受け部の下面に接する平坦周面部の径がピニオンの有効径と一致しなくとも、この平坦周面部と搬送台の接合受け部の下面との間で滑りを生じず、もって該搬送台の送りが安定し、接合品位がより向上するという利点がある。
【００３８】
請求項５の発明によれば、上記の摩擦攪拌接合装置として、搬送台が左右一対のラックバーと棒状材よりなる接合受け部とを複数本の連結杆を介して連結一体化したものであるから、該搬送台の構成が極めて簡素であると共に、消耗し易い接合受け部に例えば鋼材等の安価な材料を用い、その消耗時に容易に新品と取り替えることが可能であり、もって搬送台の製作コスト及び保全コストを低減できるものが提供される。
【００３９】
請求項６の発明によれば、上記の摩擦攪拌接合装置において、搬送台の左右両側部がラックバーにねじ止めした補助バーを介して搬送路側のローラーに接し、ラックバーはピニオンと噛合するだけでよいから、製作コストの高いラックバーが消耗しにくく長寿命になると共に、補助バーとして例えば鋼材等の安価な材料を用いて消耗時に新品と交換するようにして、保全コストを低減できるという利点がある。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】この発明の第一実施例に係る摩擦攪拌接合装置を示し、（イ）図は接合位置おける縦断正面図、（ロ）図は（イ）図中のローロ線の断面矢視図である。
【図２】同第一実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置に用いる搬送台の平面図である。
【図３】同第二実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置の接合位置における縦断正面図である。
【図４】同第三実施例に係る摩擦攪拌接合装置を示し、（イ）図は非接合位置おける縦断正面図、（ロ）図は接合位置おける縦断正面図である。
【図５】同第四実施例の摩擦攪拌接合装置の接合位置における縦断正面図である。
【図６】先行技術における摩擦攪拌接合装置の構成例を示し、（イ）図は接合位置での縦断正面図、（ロ）図は（イ）図中のローロ線の断面矢視図である。
【符号の説明】
１Ａ〜１Ｃ・・・・・搬送台
２・・・・・・・・・接合受け部
２ａ・・・・・・・・上面
２ｂ・・・・・・・・下面
３・・・・・・・・・ラックバー
３０・・・・・・・・ラック
４・・・・・・・・・幅寄せ部材
５・・・・・・・・・連結杆
５ａ・・・・・・・・ねじ軸部
６Ａ，６Ｂ，６Ｄ・・駆動ローラー
６Ｃ・・・・・・・・従動ローラー
６ａ，６ｂ・・・・・平坦周面部
７・・・・・・・・・加工ヘッド
７ａ・・・・・・・・プローブ（先端部）
８・・・・・・・・・ピニオン
９・・・・・・・・・補助バー
Ｗ1 ，Ｗ2 ・・・・・被接合材[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention embeds the rotating tip of a processing head for friction stir welding arranged at a fixed position along the joining line between the materials to be joined, while carrying the set of materials to be joined on the transportation table. The present invention relates to a friction stir welding apparatus for joining and integrating.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, a friction stir welding method has appeared as a new joining means that replaces welding and brazing of metal materials. This joining method is, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-505090, when a probe made of a material harder than the workpiece (rod-like object) is slidably contacted with the workpiece, Because the workpiece material is plastically fluidized by the frictional heat and pressure generated at the sliding contact part, the probe is embedded in the workpiece and can be moved through the workpiece in this embedded state. It is a thing that makes use of.
[0003]
For example, when the probe is relatively moved along the butt joint line between the metal plates, the materials of the two metal plates plastically flowed on the front side of the probe are gradually transferred to the rear side of the probe while being agitated and kneaded. However, since the frictional heat is lost at the rear side and the metal plate rapidly cools and solidifies, the two metal plates are joined together in a state where the raw materials are mixed and completely integrated. In this case, the temperature at which the metal material plastically flows is considerably lower than the melting point, joining is in the category of solid-phase joining, the heat input to the metal material through the joining process is extremely small compared to welding and brazing, and solidification. Since there is no generation of stress due to shrinkage, there is an advantage that deformation or cracking due to thermal strain in the vicinity of the joint is unlikely to occur.
[0004]
In such friction stir welding, the material to be joined is fixed to a work table or the like and the work head side provided with the probe is moved and joined, while conversely, the material to be joined is fed through a feed roller. There is a method of joining with the same processing head arranged at a fixed position. The former method is restricted by the length of the material to be joined because the single joining length is within the range of the moving stroke of the machining head, whereas the latter method is not subject to the above-mentioned restrictions. It is advantageous for joining long products such as materials.
[0005]
Conventionally, in friction stir welding with a method of feeding a material to be joined, a set of materials to be joined is conveyed between a lower roller and an upper roller in a roller conveyor type conveying path, and the pressing force of the processing head at the joining position is reduced. The structure received by the lower roll arrange | positioned directly under is common. However, in this configuration, since the material of the material to be joined that is plastically fluidized at the joining position comes into contact with the circumferential surface of the lower roller, the back side of the joined portion is normally in a bulging state of about 0.2 mm. In some cases, scratches on the roller surface may be transferred, resulting in poor flatness on the back side of the bonded product.
[0006]
Therefore, in order to obtain a bonded product with good flatness on the back surface side, the present applicant first uses a conveyance table having a bonding receiving portion having a flat upper surface, and a bonding site includes a set of materials to be bonded to the conveyance table. The workpieces are placed so as to be positioned on the joint receiving portion, and the materials to be joined are joined and integrated by a friction stir welding processing head arranged at a fixed position while the carrier is conveyed on a roller conveyor type conveyance path. Proposed method.
[0007]
6 (a) and 6 (b) show a configuration example of a friction stir welding apparatus to which the above method is applied. In the figure, (11) is a carriage, which has a rectangular bar-shaped joint receiving portion (12) arranged in the center in the front-rear direction and a substantially rectangular bar shape in the front-rear direction, and has a protruding edge (13a) on the outer edge. A pair of left and right side frame portions (13) and (13) is formed of a frame body connected via a plurality of screw shafts (14) along the left and right direction, and a rack (15 ) Is formed. On the other hand, a pinion (22) to be engaged with the rack (15) of the transport table (11) is provided at the center of each feed roller (21) in the transport path.
[0008]
In the friction stir welding, for example, a pair of plate-like materials to be joined (W1) (W2) between the joint receiving part (12) and the both side frame parts (13), (13) of the transport table (11). Is placed so that the joint part is positioned on the joint receiving part (12), and is fixed by being clamped from both sides by tightening the nuts (16) (16) screwed to both sides of each screw shaft (14), The transport table (11) is placed on the feed rollers (21) of the transport path, and the transport rollers (21) are rotated to drive the transport table (11) to the rack (15) and the pinion (22). It is forcibly transferred by meshing with. In this case, at the joining position by the machining head (31), the plastic fluidized material of the materials to be joined (W1) (W2) is the flat upper surface and surface of the joint receiving part (12) of the transport table (11) on the back side. Since they come into contact, the back side of the joint is not swollen, and scratches on the roller surface are not transferred.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the proposed friction stir welding apparatus, the transport table (11) is transferred by meshing the rack (15) on the lower surface of the joint receiving portion (12) with the pinion (22) of the feed roller (21). As the gear teeth mesh with each other, the joint receiving portion (12) rattles and swings up and down at the joining position, so that the tip of the probe (31a) of the machining head (31) and the joint receiving portion (12) It was found that the gap with the upper surface fluctuated and stable bonding could not be performed, resulting in a decrease in bonding quality. Therefore, in order to obtain a high quality bonded product, an accuracy of 0.01 mm or more is provided in the gap between the tip of the probe (31a) of the processing head (31) and the receiving surface of the material to be bonded, that is, the upper surface of the bonding receiving portion (12). However, even if the engagement accuracy between the rack (15) and the pinion (22) is increased, rattling with the vertical movement of about 0.1 mm of the joint receiving portion (12) is unavoidable mechanically. Therefore, at present, the above request cannot be met.
[0010]
In view of the above-described circumstances, the present invention is a friction stir welding device that joins a material to be joined by a processing head in a fixed position while conveying the material to be joined via a transportation table, and supports a joining portion of the materials to be joined on the transportation table. It is an object of the present invention to provide a product that can reliably obtain a high-quality bonded product because the bonded receiving portion does not rattle at the bonded position.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to a roller conveyor type conveyance path, a friction stir welding processing head disposed at a fixed position on the conveyance path, and a conveyance table that moves on the conveyance path. And mounting a set of materials to be bonded in a bonding posture on the conveyance table, and transferring the rotating head of the processing head along the bonding line between the materials to be bonded together. A friction stir welding apparatus, wherein the transport table includes a rack along a pair of left and right transport directions, and a joint receiving portion that is disposed between the racks on both sides and supports a joint portion between the materials to be joined. And a roller that contacts the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table at the joining position by the processing head, and has a pinion that meshes with both racks of the transport table and rotates. It is said.
[0012]
In this friction stir welding apparatus, the carriage on which the set of materials to be joined is moved on the conveyance path by the racks on both sides meshing with the pinions that are rotationally driven on the conveyance path. Since the lower surface side is in contact with the roller circumferential surface and the flat surface of the conveyance path, the joint receiving part does not rattle at the joining position by the processing head, and the joined parts located on the joint receiving part are joined together. The set gap between the tip (probe) of the processing head embedded in the surface and the receiving surface, that is, the upper surface of the joint receiving portion is maintained with high accuracy. Note that rattling occurs due to the rack and pinion meshing on both the left and right sides of the transport table, but the joint receiving part at the joining position is pressed against the flat peripheral surface of the rollers in the transport path by the pressing force of the processing head. Does not cause vertical movement.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the first aspect, a driving roller in which a flat peripheral surface portion that is in contact with a lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table and the pinion are integrated in the transport path. It is supposed to be. In this case, since the roller of the conveyance path has both the support function of the joint receiving portion of the conveyance table and the pinion function to mesh with the rack, the apparatus configuration of the roller conveyor is simplified.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the second aspect, the flat peripheral surface portion integrated with the drive roller and the effective diameter of the pinion are set equal. In this case, since the peripheral speed of the pinion part meshing with the same rack matches the flat peripheral surface part that contacts the lower surface of the joint receiving part of the transport table in the roller, the lower surface of the joint receiving part is in contact with the roller peripheral surface in the process of moving the transport table. There is no slip.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the first aspect, a driven roller that freely rotates in contact with the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table is disposed in the transport path. In this case, even if the diameter of the flat peripheral surface portion in contact with the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table in the driven roller does not coincide with the effective diameter of the pinion, the slip between the flat peripheral surface portion and the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table is caused. Will not occur.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the transport table includes a pair of left and right rack bars having a rack formed on a lower surface, and a joint receiving portion made of a rod-shaped material. It is assumed that they are connected and integrated through a plurality of connecting rods along the left-right direction. In this configuration, the joint receiving portion is easily consumed because it is in contact with the roller of the conveyance path in a state where the processing head is pressed and the weight of the material to be joined is applied. It can be easily replaced with a new one when consumed.
[0017]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the fifth aspect, auxiliary bars are screwed and joined to the side surfaces of the rack bars, and the left and right sides of the conveyance table are located on the conveyance path side via the auxiliary bars. It is configured to be supported by a roller. In this configuration, since the auxiliary bar is in contact with the roller on the conveyance path side under the weight load of the material to be joined on both the left and right sides of the conveyance table, a new material is used when the auxiliary bar is consumed using an inexpensive material such as steel. The rack bar, which can be replaced, and has a high manufacturing cost, only needs to be engaged with the pinion, so it is difficult to wear and has a long life.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 show the first embodiment, FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment, FIG. 4 shows the third embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows the fourth embodiment.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 2 (b) and FIG. 2, the conveyance base (1A) in the friction stir welding apparatus of the first embodiment is a rectangular bar shape along the front-rear direction and a joint receiving portion located at the center in the left-right direction. (2), a pair of left and right rack bars (3) and (3) having a square bar shape in the front-rear direction and having a rack (30) on the lower surface, and a pair of left and right rack bars (3) and (3) The vertical band plate-shaped width-shifting members (4) and (4) are formed of a frame body connected via a plurality of connecting rods (5) along the left-right direction. Thus, each connecting rod (5) has a screw shaft portion (5a) (5a) at both ends, and is set in such a manner that the joint receiving portion (2) and both rack bars (3) (3) are pressed against the penetrating portion. The width adjusting member (4) is fixed to the left and right by screwing a nut (52) outside the screw shaft (5a) that is fixed by the screw (51) and penetrates each width adjusting member (4). It can be moved in the direction and is held by the nut (52) so as to regulate the outer position. The upper and lower surfaces (2a) and (2b) of the joint receiving portion (2) are both smooth, and the upper surface (2a) is set to the same height as the upper surfaces (3a) of both rack bars (3) and (3). ing.
[0020]
On the other hand, the conveying path is a roller conveyor system in which driving rollers (6A) of horizontal rotation shafts are arranged at regular intervals in the horizontal direction, and a processing head capable of moving up and down for friction stir welding above a fixed position in the process ( 7), and one of the drive rollers (6A)... Is positioned directly below the processing head (7). Thus, each drive roller (6A) has an annular recess (61) whose bottoms are pinions (8) on both the left and right sides, and a joint receiving portion (2) of the carrier (1A) placed thereon. ) With the lower surface (2b) in contact with the flat peripheral surface portion (6a), the pinions (8) and (8) on both sides mesh with the left and right racks (30) and (30) of the carrier (1A), respectively. The conveyance table (1A) is forcibly transferred forward by the rotational drive in the meshing state.
[0021]
In the friction stir welding apparatus having the above-described configuration, for example, when a pair of plate-like materials (W1) and (W2) made of, for example, an aluminum alloy are joined and integrated, as shown in FIGS. In addition, the joint receiving part (2) of the carrier (1A) and the rack bars (3) (3) are used as support parts, and the side edges to which the materials to be joined (W1) (W2) should be joined are joint receiving parts. (2) Place them so that they are abutted on the center, and tighten the nuts (5b) ... to move both the workpieces (W1) (W2) to the left and right with both width-shifting members (4) and (4). To be in a restrained state. Then, the transport table (1A) is placed on the drive rollers (6A) in the transport path and transported, and the left and right rack bars (3) and (3) of the transport table (1A) are driven by the drive rollers (6A). Since each rack (30) and pinion (8) are engaged with the annular recesses (61) and (61) on both sides, there is no positional displacement in the left-right direction during transportation, and both the materials to be joined (W1 ) (W2) butt joining line surely passes the joining position by the machining head (7).
[0022]
Accordingly, the front end portions of the butt joint lines of the two materials to be joined (W1) and (W2) placed on the transport table (1A) are aligned with the joining position, and the processing head (7) waiting on the upper side is rotated at high speed. The probe (9a) at the tip thereof is lowered and embedded in the abutting portions of the materials to be joined (W1) (W2), and in this embedded state, the drive roller (6A). Is transported forward at a constant speed. As a result, the material of the material to be joined (W1) (W2) is plastically fluidized by frictional heat and pressure as described above, and is stirred and mixed in the portion where the probe (9a) is embedded, and the probe (9a) is moved backward. The material is cooled and solidified on the side, so that both the joined materials (W1) and (W2) are completely joined and integrated.
[0023]
At this time, rattling occurs due to the meshing of the rack (30) and the pinion (8) on both the left and right sides of the transport table (1A), but the joint receiving portion (2) is smoothed by the pressing force of the processing head (7). Since the lower surface (2b) is pressed against the flat peripheral surface portion (6a) of the drive roller (6), it does not move up and down. Therefore, the set gap between the tip of the probe (7a) of the processing head (7) and the upper surface (2a) of the joint receiving portion (2) is maintained with high accuracy, and a stable joint state is maintained, and the joint portion is maintained. Since the lower surface side of the material is in contact with the flat upper surface (2a) of the joint receiving portion (2), the plastic fluidized material does not bulge from the lower surface of the material to be joined (W1) (W2), and the quality of the joint A bonded product with a high back surface flatness is obtained.
[0024]
Note that the joint receiving portion (2) is consumed because it contacts the driving roller (6A) of the conveyance path in a state where the processing head (7) is pressed and the weight of the materials to be joined (W1) (W2) is applied. However, since it is an independent rod-like material, it can be easily replaced with a new one at the time of wear by using an inexpensive material such as steel.
[0025]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the transport table (1B) has a center joint receiving portion (2) and a pair of left and right rack bars (like the transport table (1A) of the first embodiment). 3) Although the frame is formed by connecting the width adjusting members (4), (4) via the connecting rods (4), the lower surface (2b) of the joint receiving portion (2) is the rack (30). It is set to be the same level as the reference pitch position. And each drive roller (6B) of a conveyance path has the annular recessed part (62) in the center part, and the diameter of this annular recessed part (62) is the pinion (8) of the annular recessed parts (61) (61) on both sides. The flat circumferential surface portion (6b) is set to be equal to the pitch circle diameter, and the lower surface (2b) of the joint receiving portion (2) of the carrier (1B) placed thereon forms the bottom surface of the central annular recess (62). ) Are in contact with the left and right racks (30) and (30) of the transport table (1B).
[0026]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the conveying table (1B) on which a set of two materials to be joined (W1) (W2) is placed in a restrained state is conveyed. While driving on the driving roller (6B) of the road, the workpieces (W1) and (W2) are friction stir welded by the machining head (7), but the flat peripheral surface portion (6b) of the driving roller (6B) ) And pinion (8) and (8) have the same effective diameter, and no difference in peripheral speed due to rotation occurs, so that the joint receiving part (2) and the drive roller (6B) are flat in the conveying process of the conveying table (1B). No slip occurs between the peripheral surface portion (6b). Therefore, the feed of the transport table (1B) is stabilized and the bonding quality is further improved.
[0027]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the same transport platform (1A) as in the first embodiment is used, but bearings (63) (63) are provided on the transport path side. And a pinion shaft (80) to which a pair of left and right gears (8a) and (8a) are fixed are alternately arranged at predetermined intervals. One of the pinion shafts (80) is positioned directly below the machining head (7). Then, when conveying the conveyance table (1A), the joint receiving portion (2) is supported by the driven roller (6C), and each gear (8a) of the pinion shaft (80) is conveyed as the pinion (8). It is set to mesh with the rack (30) of the base (1A). Each pinion (8) portion of the pinion shaft (80) has a concave shape by fixing the disk (8b) to the gear (8a) in order to fit the rack bar (3) of the transport base (1A). is there.
[0028]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the third embodiment, a set of two materials to be joined (W1) and (W2) are placed in a restrained state on the carrier (1A) in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Friction stir welding is performed by the machining head (7) in the same manner as described above while feeding the conveyance table (1A) forward by rotation of the pinion shaft (80) on the conveyance path, but the driven roller (6C). 1A) is in contact with the lower surface (2b) of the joint receiving portion (2) during the conveyance process, and is driven to rotate. As in the case of the second embodiment, the feed of the conveyance table (1A) is stabilized and the bonding quality is further improved. improves. In this case, the diameter of the driven roller (6C) can be set irrespective of the effective diameter of the pinion (8).
[0029]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the transport table (1C) is a vertical strip-shaped auxiliary bar on both sides of each rack bar (3) in the transport table (1B) of the second embodiment. (9) (9) has a structure that is screwed and joined. Each auxiliary bar (9) has an upper surface (9a) set at the same height as the upper surface (3a) of the rack bar (3) and a lower surface (9b) set at the same level as the reference pitch position of the rack (30). Has been. On the other hand, the drive roller (6D) arranged in the transport path has an annular recess (62) similar to the drive roller (6B) of the second embodiment at the center, and on both sides of each pinion (8). Also have an annular concave surface portion (64) (64), and the annular concave surface portion (64)... And the central annular concave portion (62) are set to be the same as the pitch circle diameter of the pinion (8). ing.
[0030]
In the friction stir welding apparatus according to the fourth embodiment, a set of two materials to be joined (W1) and (W2) is placed in a restrained state on a transport table (1C), and the transport table (1C) is transported through a transport path. The drive heads (6D) ... are placed on and transported, and the workpieces (W1) and (W2) are friction stir welded by the processing head (7). During this transport process, both left and right sides of the transport platform (1C) The part is supported by the driving roller (6D) via the auxiliary bars (9), so that no weight load is applied to the racks (30) and (30). Therefore, the rack bar (3), which has a high production cost, is not easily consumed and has a long life. On the other hand, an inexpensive material such as steel is used as the auxiliary bar (9) so that it is replaced with a new one when consumed. Can be reduced. Also in the configuration of the fourth embodiment, the effective diameters of the annular recess (62) at the center of the drive roller (6D) and the annular recesses (64) on the both sides and the pinion (8) are equal, and the peripheral speed accompanying rotation Since the difference is not generated, similarly to the second and third embodiments, the feed of the transport table (1C) is stabilized and the bonding quality is further improved. In this case, the auxiliary bar (9) may be provided only on one side of each rack bar (3).
[0031]
In addition, in the conveyance bases (1A) to (1C) used in the first to fourth embodiments, the left and right rack bars (3) and (3) are used as support portions for the materials to be joined. 4) It is good also as a structure which provides the step part for supporting the side edge part by the side of the non-joining of a to-be-joined material in (4), and does not support a to-be-joined material with a rack bar. Moreover, in the structure which supports the joint receiving part of a conveyance stand by a driven roller on the conveyance path side, the driven roller (6C) and the pinion shaft (80) are not separated as in the third embodiment, and the driven roller is a pinion. It is also possible to fit the shaft (80) itself so as to be relatively rotatable via a bearing. Further, in the above embodiment, the rack bar (3) and the joint receiving portion (2) of the transport table are fitted into the annular recesses (61) (62) of the rollers of the transport path for positioning the transport table in the left-right direction. However, the concave / convex relationship of these fittings can be reversed for the same purpose.
[0032]
Thus, in the inventions of claims 1 to 4, a structure in which the joint receiving portion and the racks on both sides of the transport table are integrally formed on a plate-like base body, or the both side racks are provided outward and the pinion from the side. The structure which meshes is also included.
[0033]
On the other hand, the friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a flat plate-like material as exemplified in the embodiment, but can join various types of materials to be joined such as a hollow portion or a frame-like material. In addition to the joining of the butted portions, the present invention can also be applied to joining of other combination structure portions such as an overlapping portion and a fitting portion. In addition, depending on the shape and joining form of these materials to be joined, a pressure roller that rolls in contact with the upper surface of the material to be joined on the transportation table may be provided on the transportation path, or a fixing means for the material to be joined on the transportation table. However, various mechanisms other than clamping from both sides by the illustrated width adjusting member (4) can be adopted.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, as a device for carrying out friction stir welding by a processing head at a fixed position while transferring a material to be joined on a roller conveyor type conveying path via a conveying table, the conveying table is fed to both the left and right sides. Because the lower surface of the joint receiving portion that supports the joint portion of the materials to be joined on the transport base is in contact with the roller circumferential surface on the transport path side and the flat surface by engaging the provided rack and the pinion on the transport path side. The joint receiving part does not rattle at the joining position by the machining head, the set gap between the tip of the machining head and the upper surface of the joint receiving part can be maintained with high accuracy, and with a stable joining state, the joint quality is high. What can surely obtain a bonded product with good flatness on the back surface is provided.
[0035]
According to the invention of claim 2, in the friction stir welding apparatus described above, since the rollers of the transport path have both the support function of the joint receiving portion of the transport base and the pinion function to mesh with the rack, the apparatus configuration of the roller conveyor is simple There is an advantage that the equipment cost can be reduced accordingly.
[0036]
According to the invention of claim 3, in the friction stir welding apparatus described above, the peripheral speed of the pinion portion meshing with the same rack and the flat peripheral surface portion contacting the joint receiving portion of the transport table in the rollers of the transport path coincide, and the transport table Since the lower surface of the joint receiving portion does not slip with respect to the roller peripheral surface during the movement process, there is an advantage that the feed of the transport table is stabilized and the joint quality is further improved.
[0037]
According to the invention of claim 4, in the friction stir welding apparatus described above, the roller of the transport path is composed of a driven roller that freely rotates in contact with the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table, and the joint receiving portion of the transport table in this roller Even if the diameter of the flat peripheral surface portion in contact with the lower surface of the plate does not match the effective diameter of the pinion, no slip occurs between the flat peripheral surface portion and the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transfer table, and the feed of the transfer table is stable. In addition, there is an advantage that the bonding quality is further improved.
[0038]
According to invention of Claim 5, as said friction stir welding apparatus, a conveyance stand connects and integrates a pair of right and left rack bars and the joint receiving part which consists of a rod-shaped material via several connecting rods. Therefore, the structure of the transport table is extremely simple, and an inexpensive material such as a steel material is used for the joint receiving portion that is easy to wear, and can be easily replaced with a new one when the wear is consumed. What can reduce costs and maintenance costs is provided.
[0039]
According to the invention of claim 6, in the friction stir welding apparatus, the left and right sides of the transport table are in contact with the rollers on the transport path side via the auxiliary bars screwed to the rack bar, and the rack bar only meshes with the pinion. As a result, it is possible to reduce the maintenance cost by using a low-priced material such as steel as an auxiliary bar and replacing it with a new one when it is consumed. There is.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a friction stir welding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) is a longitudinal front view at a welding position, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along a roll line in FIG. It is.
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a transport table used in the friction stir welding apparatus according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal front view at a joining position of the friction stir welding apparatus of the second embodiment.
4A and 4B show a friction stir welding apparatus according to the third embodiment, in which FIG. 4A is a longitudinal front view at a non-joining position, and FIG. 4B is a longitudinal front view at a joining position.
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal front view at the joining position of the friction stir welding apparatus of the fourth embodiment.
6A and 6B show a configuration example of a friction stir welding apparatus according to the prior art, in which FIG. 6A is a longitudinal front view at a joining position, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the roll line in FIG. .
[Explanation of symbols]
1A ~ 1C ... Transport table
2 ..... Joint receiving part
2a ..... upper surface
2b ......... bottom surface
3 ......... Rack bar
30 ... Rack
4 ・・・・・・・・・ Width adjustment member
5 ..... Link
5a ... Screw shaft
6A, 6B, 6D ... Drive roller
6C ... Follower roller
6a, 6b ... Flat peripheral surface
7 .... Processing head
7a ... Probe (tip)
8 ... Pinion
9 .... Auxiliary bar
W1, W2 ・・・ Material to be joined

Claims

A material to be joined having a roller conveyor type conveying path, a friction stir welding processing head arranged at a fixed position on the conveying path, and a conveying table moving on the conveying path, and having a bonding posture on the conveying table. Is a friction stir welding apparatus that embeds and integrates the rotating tip of the processing head along the joining line between the materials to be joined, A rack along a pair of left and right transport directions, and a joint receiving portion that is disposed between the racks on both sides and supports a joint portion between the materials to be joined, and on the transport path side at the joint position by the processing head A friction stir welding apparatus comprising: a roller that is in contact with a lower surface of a joint receiving portion of a transport table; and a pinion that meshes with both racks of the transport table and rotates.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a driving roller in which a flat peripheral surface portion in contact with a lower surface of a joint receiving portion of a transport table and the pinion are integrated is disposed in the transport path.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the flat peripheral surface portion integrated with the drive roller and the effective diameter of the pinion are set equal.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a driven roller that freely rotates in contact with the lower surface of the joint receiving portion of the transport table is disposed in the transport path.

The pair of left and right rack bars having a rack formed on the lower surface thereof and a joint receiving portion made of a rod-shaped member are connected and integrated via a plurality of connecting rods along the left and right direction. The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of the above.

6. The friction stirrer according to claim 5, wherein an auxiliary bar is screwed and joined to the side surface of each rack bar, and the left and right sides of the transport table are supported by rollers on the transport path side via these auxiliary bars. Joining device.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a pressing roller that rolls in contact with an upper surface of a material to be bonded on the conveyance table in the conveyance path.

The joining method characterized by joining a flat-shaped to-be-joined object with the friction stirrer in any one of Claims 1-7.