JP5308041B2 - Friction stir welding equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a friction stir welding apparatus.

  A friction stir welding (FSW = Friction Stir Welding) device is known as a device for joining metal members as metal elements. Friction stir welding is a process of rotating a rotating tool along the abutting portion between metal members, and plastically flowing the metal at the abutting portion by frictional heat between the rotating tool and the metal member, so that the metal members are solid-phased. It is what is joined. In general, the rotating tool is formed by protruding a stirring pin (probe) on the lower end surface of a cylindrical shoulder portion.

  By the way, the friction stir welding is a joining method in which the rotating tool is rotated and moved along the abutting portion between the metal members as described above. Therefore, it is necessary to firmly fix the metal members in a state of abutting each other.

Therefore, conventionally, using a jig such as a clamp, the metal members are brought into contact with each other and fastened to the support base.
Moreover, what is provided with the pressure roller comprised so that the abutting part of metal members may be pressed down from the upper surface ahead of the advancing direction of a rotary tool is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

According to the friction stir welding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the abutting surfaces of the metal members can be directly pressed from above by the pressure roller, and the lifting at the abutting portion can be prevented.
Japanese Patent No. 3327327

By the way, in the friction stir welding that joins metal members by moving the rotating tool along the joining projection formed at the joining portion between the metal elements, the joining portion is a projecting portion. Due to the movement of the rotating tool at the time, there is a possibility that the joint protrusions may be displaced, and the quality of the friction stir welding may be deteriorated. For this reason, at the time of friction stir welding, a large number of jigs such as an arm extending from the side of the metal member and a fixing jig for directly fixing the metal member at a position near the joint projection are used. The metal members are firmly fixed so as to abut each other by restraint caused by.
For this reason, much time was required for installation and removal of the jig, and there was a problem that the production efficiency was lowered and the cost was increased.

  From such a viewpoint, the present invention can perform friction stir welding between high-quality metal members while reducing the number of jigs to be used in friction stir welding between metal members having joint protrusions, It is an object of the present invention to provide a friction stir welding apparatus capable of improving production efficiency and reducing costs.

The friction stir welding apparatus according to the present invention that solves such a problem is a friction stirrer that joins the metal elements by moving a rotating tool along a joint protrusion formed at a joint between the metal elements. A joining device, comprising: a spindle unit that supports the rotating tool; and a pressing means that can press the joining protrusion from above in the moving direction of the rotating tool. The pressing means includes the joining protrusion. A roller portion that can press the upper surface by abutting on the upper surface of the roller, and provided at both ends in the width direction of the roller portion, and contacting the joint protrusion from both sides by contacting from both sides of the joint protrusion. has one roller member made comprises a depressible flange portion, while pressing and holding the joint projection from above in the direction of movement in front of the rotary tool in the roller member, said press The means is configured to be changeable between a pressing posture in which the roller member presses and holds the joining protrusion, and at least a retracting posture in which the roller member is separated from the rotary tool. The rotary tool is detachably supported and is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the metal element, and the pressing means includes the roller member at a lower end portion of an arm suspended from the spindle unit. In the process in which the spindle unit is lowered from the predetermined raised position to the predetermined lowered position, the roller member moves toward the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element, so that the retracted position is changed to the pressing position. In the process of changing the posture and the spindle unit ascending from the lowered position to the raised position, the roller member is in contact with the metal element while rotating the rotating tool. The posture is changed from the pressing posture to the retracted posture by moving away from the upper arm, and the arm includes an upper arm and a lower arm that is rotatably supported by a lower portion of the upper arm. When the lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm, the pressing posture or the retracting posture is obtained, and in the retracting posture, the lower arm moves from the vertical axis in a direction in which the roller member approaches the rotating tool. The arm is inclined, and the arm is rotated from the pressing posture to the retracted posture by its own weight to change the posture .

According to this friction stir welding apparatus, at the time of friction stir welding, the joining protrusion in the moving direction of the rotary tool is clamped from the upper surface and both sides by one roller member provided in the pressing means that can be pressed from above. As a result, the joint protrusion is less likely to be displaced when the rotary tool moves. As a result, the number of fixing jigs for restraining the metal elements can be reduced, and in particular, the fixing jigs for directly fixing the metal elements at positions near the joint protrusions can be eliminated. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform friction stir welding between high-quality metal members while reducing the number of jigs to be used, and the time required for restraining metal elements can be greatly shortened. Improvement and cost reduction can be achieved.
In addition, since the posture can be changed between the pressing posture and the retracting posture, the friction stir welding can be performed while the bonding protrusion is pressed and held by the roller member by setting the pressing means to the pressing posture. .
In addition, by setting the pressing means in the retracted position so that the roller member is separated from the rotating tool, a space for replacing the rotating tool can be formed around the rotating tool. The attachment / detachment of the rotary tool can be suitably performed without interfering with the roller member or the like. Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the rotating tool.
Further, in the process in which the main shaft unit is lowered from the predetermined ascent position to the predetermined lower position, the posture of the main shaft unit is changed from the retracted posture to the pressing posture by moving the roller member toward the rotating tool while contacting the metal element. As the roller member moves from the lowering position to the rising position, the roller member moves away from the rotary tool while contacting the metal element, so that the posture is changed from the pressing posture to the retracting posture. The posture of the pressing means can be changed in conjunction with the lifting and lowering operation of the unit, and a friction stir welding apparatus in which the posture is automatically changed by the lifting and lowering operation of the spindle unit is obtained.
In addition, since the lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm, the pressing posture or the retracted posture is obtained. Therefore, the posture of the pressing means can be easily changed with a simple configuration in which the lower arm is rotatably provided with respect to the upper arm. Can be realized. Furthermore, in the retracted posture, the lower arm is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member approaches the rotary tool, so that the posture can be smoothly changed from the retracted posture to the pressed posture.
That is, as described above, when the roller member comes into contact with the metal element in the process of lowering the spindle unit, the lower arm is further tilted from the tilted state and rotated in a direction approaching the rotary tool. It is possible to smoothly and easily change the posture of the pressing means accompanying the lowering.
In addition, the arm is rotated from its pressing posture to its retracted posture by its own weight, so that the posture is changed, so that a simple configuration using the arm's own weight is used without providing a special mechanism for changing the posture. The posture can be changed from the retracted posture to the retracted posture.
In addition, as described above, when the roller member comes into contact with the metal element due to its own weight in the process of lowering the spindle unit, the arm rotates toward the rotary tool, and in conjunction with this, the roller member moves to the rotary tool. Move towards. This makes it possible to smoothly change the posture from the retracted posture to the pressed posture.
Further, in the process of raising the spindle unit, the roller rotates against the rotating tool so that the arm is separated from the rotating tool while the roller member is in contact with the metal element, and the roller member is separated from the rotating tool in conjunction with this. Moving. Thereby, the posture change from the pressed posture to the retracted posture can be performed smoothly.

  In addition, by forming the flange portion in a tapered shape that gradually increases in diameter toward both ends in the width direction of the roller member, it is possible to favorably hold the joining protrusion by the roller member. In other words, during friction stir welding, when the roller member is pressed against the joint protrusion, the joint protrusion is favorably tightened from both sides toward the joint as guided by the tapered surface of the flange. Thus, it is possible to satisfactorily press and hold the joint protrusion by the roller member. Therefore, friction stir welding between high-quality metal members can be performed while reducing the number of jigs to be used.

  In addition, by forming the flange portion including a vertical surface that can come into contact with the joint protrusion from both sides, the joint protrusion is firmly tightened on the vertical surface from the both sides toward the abutment portion. Thus, the pressing and holding of the joint protrusion by the roller member can be performed satisfactorily.

  According to the present invention, in friction stir welding between metal members having joint protrusions, high-quality metal stir welding can be performed while reducing the number of jigs to be used, thereby improving production efficiency. In addition, a friction stir welding apparatus capable of reducing costs can be obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted. Further, in the following embodiments, three metal members W (metal member W1, metal member W2, metal member W3) in which the joining protrusion TW is formed at the abutting portion as the metal elements to be joined are friction according to the present invention. A case where friction stir welding is performed by a stir welding apparatus will be described. The shape of the metal member W is not limited to this. In the following description, “front / rear / left / right” is based on the direction shown in FIG.
In the drawings to be referred to, FIG. 1 is a view showing a main part of a friction stir welding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a front view, and (b) is a side view.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the friction stir welding apparatus of this embodiment moves the rotary tool 20 along the joining protrusion TW between the metal members W (see FIG. 1 (b)). Thus, the metal members W are friction-stir-joined, and include the spindle unit 10 that detachably supports the rotary tool 20 and that can be moved up and down with respect to the metal member W. The friction stir welding apparatus includes a pressing means 30 capable of pressing and holding the joint protrusion TW during friction stir welding or the like. Here, the rotating tool 20 shown in FIG. 1B is a rotating tool for joining used at the time of friction stir welding.

The spindle unit 10 is provided in a support facility of a friction stir welding apparatus installed on a factory floor or the like (not shown), and is attached to a joint protrusion TW of a metal member W fixedly supported on a support base 40 (see FIG. 6). It can be slid along the metal member W and can be moved up and down with respect to the metal member W. Further, the spindle unit 10 is provided with a holder portion 11 for holding the rotary tool 20 at a lower portion thereof, and a rotation driving portion (not shown) for rotating the rotary tool 20 is provided therein.
The holder part 11 is fixed to a drive shaft of a rotation drive part (not shown) and is rotatably provided. The holder part 11 has an inner peripheral surface 12 having a truncated cone shape so that the rotary tool 20 can be attached and detached. A chuck mechanism (not shown in detail) that is fitted and held is provided. The rotary tool 20 is arranged so that its axis O2 coincides with a predetermined axis set in advance while being held by the chuck mechanism.

  The rotary tool 20 includes a frustoconical fitting portion 21 having a shape corresponding to the inner peripheral surface 12 of the holder portion 11, a gripping portion 22 provided below the fitting portion 21, and the gripping portion 22. The large diameter part 23 formed in the lower part of this, and the friction stirring part 24 as a tool formed in the lower end part of this large diameter part 23 are provided.

The fitting portion 21 has a truncated cone shape as described above, and comes into contact with the inner peripheral surface 12 of the holder portion 11 and is detachably held by a chuck mechanism (not shown).
The gripping part 22 is formed to bulge outward in the radial direction between the fitting part 21 and the large-diameter part 23, and a concave circumferential groove 22a extending in the entire circumferential direction is formed at the central part in the axial direction. ing. A support member (not shown) such as an automatic changer that automatically changes the rotary tool 20 can be engaged with the circumferential groove 22a.
The large-diameter portion 23 is configured to have an outer diameter that is substantially the same size as the proximal end side (side closer to the gripping portion 22) of the fitting portion 21, and, as described above, a small-diameter friction at the lower end portion. A stirring unit 24 is formed. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), the friction stirrer 24 having a small diameter is formed at the lower end of the large diameter part 23. A roller member 32, which will be described later, can enter and be arranged close to 24.

  In such a rotary tool 20, the grip portion 22 has a maximum outer diameter, and when the rotary tool 20 is attached to or detached from the holder portion 11, the rotary tool 20 can be pulled out under the holder portion 11 without difficulty. In a state where the pressing means 30 to be described later is in the retracted posture S2, a space K having a size corresponding to at least the outer diameter of the grip 22 is formed below the holder 11. .

  The friction stirrer 24 is made of a metal member harder than the metal member W, such as tool steel, and has a columnar shoulder portion 24a, and a stirring pin (probe) 24b protruding from the lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a. It is configured with. The lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a is a part that plays a role of pressing the plastic fluidized metal to prevent scattering to the surroundings, and in this embodiment, it is formed in a concave shape or the like. The stirring pin 24b is suspended from the center of the lower end surface of the shoulder portion 24a. In the present embodiment, the stirring pin 24b is formed in a tapered truncated cone shape, for example. Further, on the peripheral surface of the stirring pin 24b, a stirring blade 24c (see FIG. 5B) engraved in a spiral shape is formed.

  The moving speed (feeding speed) of the rotary tool 20 is set according to the size and shape of the stirring pin 24b, the material of the metal member W or the like that is frictionally stirred, the thickness, and the like. When the rotary tool 20 is moved, the metal around the stirring pin 24b is sequentially plastically fluidized, and at the position away from the stirring pin 24b, the plastic fluidized metal is hardened again.

Next, the pressing means 30 that is a characteristic configuration of the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the pressing means 30 is provided on the front surface 10 a of the spindle unit 10.
The pressing means 30 includes an arm 31 suspended from the spindle unit 10 and a roller member 32 rotatably supported at the lower end portion of the arm 31, and is joined in front of the rotating tool 20 in the moving direction. The protrusion TW is configured to be pressed by the roller member 32.
Then, the pressing means 30 enters the space portion K (region) that interferes with the attachment and detachment of the rotary tool 20 at a position in the vicinity of the friction stirrer 24 described above, so that the joint protrusion TW is moved upward and laterally. The roller member 32 is retracted to a pressing posture S1 (the posture shown in FIG. 1 (b), the same applies hereinafter) that is pressed and held away from the friction stirrer 24 (rotary tool 20) (an outer position that is disengaged from the space K). Thus, the posture can be changed between a retracted posture S2 (a posture indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) that enables the rotary tool 20 to be attached to and detached from the spindle unit 10.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the arm 31 includes an upper arm 31A and a lower arm 31B, and the lower arm 31B can be rotated with respect to the upper arm 31A (a position closer to the rotary tool 20 and a rotary tool). And a position spaced from the position 20 can be rotated along the joint protrusion TW). That is, the state in which the lower arm 31B is positioned at the upper limit R1 of the rotation range (the state illustrated by the solid line in FIG. 2) is the pressing posture S1, and the lower arm 31B is moved to the lower limit R2 of the rotation range. The state (the state shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2) positioned at is the retracted posture S2.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the upper arm 31A is disposed on the front surface 10a of the spindle unit 10 so as to be positioned in the left-right direction by being surrounded by a mounting base 33 fixed by four bolts 33a. Further, the upper arm 31A is arranged in a state of being positioned in the vertical direction by bolts 33b respectively inserted into the two long holes 31a formed in the vertical direction.
In this embodiment, with the upper arm 31A fixed to the front surface 10a of the main spindle unit 10 in this way, the axis O1 passing through the center in the width direction of the roller member 32 and the rotation axis O2 of the rotary tool 20 are viewed from the front. (See FIG. 1 (a)).
A positioning bolt 33c for adjusting the height position of the upper arm 31A is provided above the upper arm 31A so as to be attached to the attachment base 33.

  The lower arm 31B is rotatably provided to the upper arm 31A via a support shaft 36E that is a horizontal axis, and a roller member 32 is provided at a lower end portion thereof. The connecting portion 36 between the upper arm 31A and the lower arm 31B is provided with a first stopper 36a and a second stopper 36c for the arm 31 to hold the pressing posture S1 or the retracting posture S2. .

Here, the first stopper 36a is provided to hold the pressing posture S1, and the second stopper 36c is provided to hold the retracting posture S2.
The first stopper 36a is provided with a lower surface of a bulging portion 36A that bulges from the lower portion of the upper arm 31A toward the rear side. In this example, the first stopper 36a is parallel to a horizontal plane passing through the support shaft 36E of the connecting portion 36. It has become. The lower arm 31B is provided with an abutting portion 36b that abuts against the first stopper 36a. The abutting portion 36b protrudes downward from the upper portion of the lower arm 31B toward the rear side. It is provided with an inclined surface of the bulging portion 36A. When the abutting portion 36b comes into contact with the first stopper 36a, the lower arm 31B is held in the pressing posture S1, and the lower arm 31B may rotate more than necessary from the retracting posture S2 beyond the pressing posture S1. It is regulated (see FIG. 3 (a)).

Here, the roller member 32 is preferably set so as to be positioned in the space portion K when the pressing posture S1 is set, and further, as shown in FIG. More preferably, it is set so as to be located around the friction stirrer 24 in the region.
Specifically, the pressing position of the roller member 32 (the distance from the center axis of the friction stirrer 24 (the axis O2 of the rotary tool 20) when the pressing posture S1 is set) is the radius of the roller member 32 and the friction stirrer 24. And a predetermined gap set in consideration of the inclination of the metal member W, etc., can be set as a total value. For example, the pressing position of the roller member 32 is preferably set to a distance that is in the range of 30 mm to 40 mm from the central axis of the friction stirrer 24.

  The second stopper 36c is provided with a lower surface of a notch portion 36C formed by notching an upwardly inclined shape at the lower portion of the upper arm 31A. In the lower arm 31B, a contact portion 36d that contacts the second stopper 36c is provided on the upper surface (step surface) of a step portion 36D formed on the upper portion of the lower arm 31B. When the abutting portion 36d comes into contact with such a second stopper 36c, the lower arm 31B is held in the retracted position S2, and the lower arm 31B rotates beyond the retracted position S2 from the pressing position S1 more than necessary. Is regulated (see FIG. 3B).

In the present embodiment, when the contact portion 36d contacts the second stopper 36c, the lower arm 31B is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member 32 approaches the rotary tool 20 in the retracted posture S2. (See FIG. 6A).
Here, the upper arm 31A and the lower arm 31B are made of a hard metal member, and at least the lower arm 31B is formed to have a considerable weight due to the metal member, and by its own weight, a pressing posture with the connecting portion 36 as a center. It is rotated from S1 to a retracted posture S2 so that the posture can be changed. That is, when the spindle unit 10 is raised and the roller member 32 is separated from the metal member W, the arm 31 is positioned at the lower limit R2 by the weight of the lower arm 31B (see FIG. 6A), and the second The state of being in contact with the stopper 36c (retracting posture S2) is held.

On the contrary, when the roller member 32 comes into contact with the metal member W in the process in which the main spindle unit 10 is lowered from the raised position to the lowered position, the lower arm 31B rotates (turns) toward the upper limit R1. In conjunction with this, the roller member 32 moves toward the rotary tool 20. That is, the posture of the arm 31 is changed from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 (see FIGS. 6B and 6C).
As described above, in this embodiment, as the spindle unit 10 moves up and down, the posture of the arm 31 is automatically changed between the pressing posture S1 and the retracting posture S2.
In the process in which the spindle unit 10 rises from the lowered position to the raised position, the lower arm 31B rotates (turns) toward the lower limit R2 while the roller member 32 is in contact with the metal member W, and in conjunction with this, The roller member 32 is separated from the rotary tool 20. That is, the posture of the arm 31 is changed from the pressing posture S1 to the retracting posture S2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the roller member 32 is rotatably supported at the lower end portion of the lower arm 31B by a horizontal support shaft 31b. As shown in FIG. 4A, the roller member 32 includes a roller portion 32A and flange portions 32B provided at both ends in the width direction of the roller portion 32A. The roller portions 32A and the flange portions are provided. 32B is configured to press and hold the joint protrusion TW (see FIG. 3C).
As shown in FIG. 5A, the roller portion 32A has a width L1 corresponding to the width L2 of the joint protrusion TW, and can be pressed against the upper surface Wa of the joint protrusion TW. .
Moreover, the collar part 32B is formed in the taper shape which becomes a large diameter sequentially toward the width direction both ends of the roller member 32, as shown to Fig.4 (a). When the roller member 32 presses the joining projection TW, the flange portion 32B abuts from both sides of the joining projection TW, and as shown in FIG. 5A, these are brought into contact with the abutting surface TW1. Acts to tighten toward. That is, when the pressing member 30 (arm 31) is in the pressing posture S1 as described above and the roller member 32 abuts against and presses the joining protrusion TW, the flange 32B is moved from both sides of the joining protrusion TW. The roller part 32A comes into contact with the upper surface of the joint protrusion TW while the joint protrusion TW is tightened toward the abutment surface TW1 by abutting so as to be sandwiched (abuts on the shoulder Wb of the joint protrusion TW). Press this. As a result, the joining protrusion TW is pressed and held so as to be tightened from the upper surface Wa and both sides, and the position deviation in the joining protrusion TW is suitably held by the pressing of the roller member 32. It will be. Since the width L1 of the roller portion 32A corresponds to the width L2 of the joint protrusion TW, the base end portion of the flange portion 32B is in a state where the roller portion 32A is in contact with and pressed against the upper surface Wa of the joint protrusion TW. Is in a state of pressing so as to abut against the shoulder Wb of the joint protrusion TW and clamp them, so that the tightening toward the abutment surface TW1 is suitably maintained. Accordingly, the pressing and holding of the joint protrusion TW is favorably performed.
The pressing force of the roller member 32 can be adjusted by the positioning bolt 33c of the mounting base 33 (see FIG. 1A).

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the roller member 32 has a hollow portion 32d through which a horizontal support shaft 31b (see FIG. 2, the same applies hereinafter) is inserted. A step portion 32c is formed to engage with a stepped support portion formed on the horizontal support shaft 31b.

As a modification of the roller member 32, a roller member 32 ′ as shown in FIG. 4B may be used. In this roller member 32 ′, the flange portion 32B ′ is formed to have a tapered surface 32b ′ and a vertical surface 32e continuous to the tapered surface 32b ′, and when pressed, the tapered surface 32b ′ is formed on the joint protrusion TW. It is configured to abut from both sides and finally be pressed and held by the vertical surface 32e.
According to such a roller member 32 ′, the abutting surface TW1 is favorably tightened by the tapered surface 32b ′ in the process of pressing the joining protrusion TW, and the vertical surface 32e is directed to the abutting surface TW1. Strong tightening is maintained, and the pressing and holding of the joint protrusion TW is favorably performed. In addition, you may provide only the vertical surface 32e in collar part 32B '.

  The arm 31 is provided with an air nozzle 37 in the vicinity of the roller member 32 of the lower arm 31 </ b> B. The air nozzle 37 is directed toward the joint protrusion TW in the forward direction of the roller member 32. It is comprised so that may be discharged. The air nozzle 37 is supplied with air from a supply source (not shown) through the air tube 37 a, and the air tube 37 a is routed along the side of the arm 31. The air tube 37a may be routed along the inside of the arm 31.

Next, the effect | action at the time of the friction stir welding which concerns on the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.
Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the metal member W to be friction stir welded includes a metal member W1 made of a hollow extruded shape having a rectangular cross section, a metal member W2 made of a hollow extruded shape having a substantially T-shaped outer cross section, and The metal member W3 is used. Below, the case where the metal member W2 and the metal member W3 are joined to the right and left of the metal member W1 is demonstrated.
In addition, the material which comprises the metal member W is not limited, What is necessary is just to select and use from a well-known material suitably, In this embodiment, the metal member W made from an aluminum alloy is used.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, joint protrusions TW that protrude vertically are formed at locations corresponding to the abutting surfaces TW <b> 1 between the metal members W, respectively. Although the cross-sectional shape of the joint protrusion TW is not limited, the joint protrusion TW has a height and a thickness capable of expressing the strength required as a completed member by being joined by friction stir welding. In addition, each joint protrusion TW is set so that the width dimension when these are butt | matched becomes larger than the outer diameter of the shoulder part 24a of the friction stirring part 24 of the rotary tool 20 (FIG. 5 (a)). (See (b)).
And the abutting surfaces W1a and W1a of the metal member W1 are vertical surfaces as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the abutting surfaces W2a and W3a of the metal member W2 and the metal member W3 are recessed in advance in the intermediate portion so that a gap is formed when they abut against the abutting surface W1a of the metal member W1. As described above, the recesses are formed in the intermediate portions of the abutting surfaces W2a and W3a of the metal member W2 and the metal member W3, so that the upper and lower sides (including the joining protrusion TW) of the abutting surfaces W2a and W3a It closely adheres to the abutting surfaces W1a and W1a. If the abutting surfaces consisting of flat surfaces are abutted with each other, there is a case where high-quality friction stir welding cannot be performed without contact due to unevenness of the abutting surfaces, but this metal member W has a gap between the abutting portions TW1. As a result, the gap absorbs the unevenness of the abutting surfaces, and the metal parts W adhere closely to each other with respect to the joining portion where the friction stir welding is performed above the gap, and the friction stir welding is performed with high quality. It is possible to do. In addition, the depth of a dent should just be a grade in which a slight clearance gap is formed.

  By the way, the metal member W is fixed as follows. These metal members W (W1 to W3) are placed on the support base 40 including the bases 41 to 43 in a state where the abutting surfaces TW1 of the metal members W are abutted. The height of the metal member W1 is adjusted by the support plate 44. Then, support members 45 are provided at both ends of the upper surface of the support plate 44, and the abutting surface TW1 is supported from the lower surface. Further, the support member 46 supports the center of the metal member W1. The metal members W2 and W3 are gripped by the vise 50 fixed to the left pedestal 42 and the receiving member 51 fixed to the right pedestal 43 and pressed from both the left and right sides. Auxiliary plates 52 and 52 are interposed between the vise 50 and the metal member W2 and between the receiving member 51 and the metal member W3, respectively, and the pressing force generated by the vise 50 is dispersed so that the entire surface of the abutting surface TW1. However, it is comprised so that it may closely_contact | adhere.

  In the friction stir welding using the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, the metal members W1 to W3 can be fixed to the support base 40 only by fixing using such a vise 50. That is, in the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment, as will be described later, since the joining protrusion TW can be pressed and held by the roller member 32 of the pressing means 30, it extends from the side of the conventional metal member W. There is an advantage that a jig such as an arm provided, or a fixing jig such as a bolt for directly fixing the metal member W at a position near the joint protrusion TW can be eliminated.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8A, in the state where the spindle unit 10 is in the raised position, the roller member 32 is positioned above the metal member W and is not in contact with the metal member W. The lower arm 31B of the arm 31 is positioned at the other lower limit R2 (see FIG. 2) by its own weight, and the pressing unit 30 assumes the retracted posture S2.

  When the spindle unit 10 is lowered toward the lowered position in order to perform friction stir welding from such an elevated position, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the roller member 32 is positioned on the upper surface of the metal member W, that is, The lower arm 31B abuts on the upper surface of the joint protrusion TW and rotates (turns) toward the upper limit R1 while abutting on the metal member W. In conjunction with this, the roller member 32 moves toward the rotary tool 20 (see FIG. 7).

  When the spindle unit 10 further descends from this state toward the lowered position (position where friction stir welding is performed), the lower arm 31B further rotates (turns) toward the upper limit R1 while contacting the metal member W, and rotates. The roller member 32 is brought close to the friction stirrer 24 of the tool 20.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8C, the stirring pin 24b of the friction stirrer 24 of the rotary tool 20 is brought to the joining start position of the joining projection TW with the main spindle unit 10 lowered to the lowered position and stopped. Insertion (press-fit) is performed, and friction stir welding is started. At this time, in a state where the spindle unit 10 is lowered to the lowered position and stopped, the pressing means 30 is held in the pressing posture S1, and the roller member 32 is closest to the friction stirrer 24 (the vicinity). And is pressed toward the joint protrusion TW, and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the joint protrusion TW is suitably pressed and held from the upper surface and both sides ( In FIG. 5A, in order to mainly show the pressing state of the roller member 32, the stirring pin 24b represents a state immediately before coming into contact with the upper surface Wa of the joint protrusion TW.
Therefore, at the time of friction stir welding, as shown in FIG. 9, the joining protrusion TW is suitably pressed and held by the roller member 32 of the pressing means 30 in the moving direction of the rotary tool 20 as described above. Without using other jigs or the like, displacement at the joint protrusion TW when the rotary tool 20 moves is suitably prevented. Therefore, friction stir welding between the high-quality metal members W can be performed.

  In addition, although the metal member W showed the example arrange | positioned in the downward inclination shape toward the moving direction (front direction) of the rotary tool 20, it is not restricted to this, Even if it arrange | positions in a substantially horizontal state Good.

Next, a procedure for manually exchanging the rotary tool 20 will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 10A, the spindle unit 10 is raised to the raised position, and the pressing means 30 is held in the retracted posture S2. In a state where the pressing means 30 is held in the retracted posture S2, the roller member 32 is retracted to a position away from the position near the friction stirrer 24 (the space K described above), and outside the lower region of the rotary tool 20. Since the lower arm 31B and the roller member 32 are moved, an empty space is formed below the spindle unit 10, and the rotary tool 20 is replaced as shown in FIG. In this case, the rotary tool 20 can be detached from the main spindle unit 10 and pulled down as it is.

Thereafter, using the empty space below the spindle unit 10, as shown in FIG. 10C, the deburring rotary tool 20 ′ is inserted and attached to the spindle unit 10 from below. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (d), the joining rotary tool 20 can be replaced with a deburring rotary tool 20 ′.
Since the replacement by the series of procedures as described above can be performed with the pressing means 30 held in the retracted posture S2, the lower arm 31B of the arm 31 and the roller member 32 interfere with each other when the rotary tool 20 or the like is attached or detached. There will be no obstacles. Accordingly, the replacement work can be performed smoothly and smoothly.

  According to the friction stir welding apparatus of the present embodiment described above, at the time of friction stir welding, the joining protrusion TW at the front in the moving direction of the rotary tool 20 is clamped and pressed from the upper surface Wa and both sides by the roller member 32. Therefore, when the rotary tool 20 moves, the joining projection TW is less likely to be displaced, and a fixing jig or the like in the vicinity of the joining projection TW used conventionally can be eliminated. . Therefore, high-quality metal members can be subjected to friction stir welding while reducing the number of jigs to be used, and the time required for restraining the metal member W can be greatly shortened. Thereby, improvement of production efficiency and reduction of cost can be aimed at.

  Further, since the arm 31 of the pressing means 30 is suspended from the spindle unit 10, it is possible to move the roller member 32 along the joint protrusion TW as the rotary tool 20 moves. It becomes possible to perform friction stir welding of quality metal members W.

  In addition, since the flange portion 32B is formed in a tapered shape that gradually increases in diameter toward both end sides in the width direction of the roller member 32, the roller member 32 can favorably hold the joining protrusion TW. . That is, when the roller member 32 is pressed against the joint protrusion TW during the friction stir welding, the joint protrusion TW is good toward the abutment surface TW1 from both sides so as to be guided by the tapered surface 32b of the flange 32B. Thus, the pressing and holding of the joint protrusion TW by the roller member 32 can be performed satisfactorily. Therefore, friction stir welding between high-quality metal members can be performed while reducing the number of jigs to be used.

  In addition, by forming the flange portion 32B including the vertical surface 32e that can contact the joint protrusion TW from both sides, the joint protrusion TW is firmly formed by the vertical surface 32e from both sides toward the abutment surface TW1. It can be tightened, and the pressing and holding of the joint protrusion TW by the roller member 32 can be favorably performed.

  Further, since the pressing means 30 is configured so that the posture can be changed between the pressing posture S1 and the retracting posture S2, the roller member 32 is moved away from the rotary tool 20 in the retracting posture S2. A space K for exchanging the rotary tool can be formed at least around the tool 20, so that when the rotary tool 20 is exchanged, the rotary tool 20 is preferably attached and detached without interfering with the roller member 32 and the like. Can do. Therefore, it becomes easy to replace the rotary tool 20.

  Further, the pressing means 30 changes its posture from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 by moving the roller member 32 toward the rotary tool 20 while being in contact with the metal member W while the spindle unit 10 is lowered to the lowered position. On the contrary, in the process of rising to the raised position, the roller member 32 moves away from the rotary tool 20 while being in contact with the metal member W, so that the posture is changed from the pressing posture S1 to the retracting posture S2. Since the change is made, the posture of the pressing means 30 can be changed in conjunction with the raising / lowering operation of the spindle unit 10, and the posture is automatically changed by the raising / lowering operation of the spindle unit 10. Is obtained.

  Further, in the retracted posture S2, the lower arm 31B is inclined from the vertical axis in the direction in which the roller member 32 approaches the rotary tool 20, so that the posture change from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 can be performed smoothly. . That is, when the roller member 32 comes into contact with the metal member W in the process of lowering the spindle unit 10, the lower arm 31 </ b> B further tilts from the tilted state and rotates in a direction approaching the rotary tool 20. The posture of the pressing means 30 can be changed smoothly and easily along with the lowering of the pressure 10.

Further, since the arm 31 is rotated from the pressing posture S1 to the retracted posture S2 by its own weight and changes its posture, a simple configuration using the own weight of the arm 31 without providing a special mechanism for changing the posture. Thus, the posture can be changed from the pressing posture S1 to the retracted posture S2.
As described above, when the roller member 32 comes into contact with the metal member W due to its own weight in the process of lowering the spindle unit 10, the lower arm 31 </ b> B rotates toward the rotary tool 20 and interlocks with this. The roller member 32 moves toward the rotary tool 20. As a result, the posture change from the retracted posture S2 to the pressing posture S1 can be performed smoothly.
Further, in the process of raising the spindle unit 10, due to its own weight, the roller member 32 contacts the metal member W and rotates so that the lower arm 31 </ b> B is separated from the rotary tool 20. Move away. Thereby, the posture change from the pressing posture S1 to the retracting posture S2 can be performed smoothly.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 11, you may extend the lower end part 31d of lower arm 31B 'to the front-back direction. With this configuration, the support rigidity of the roller member 32 at the lower end portion 31d of the lower arm 31B 'can be improved, and friction stir welding between the metal members W of higher quality can be performed. Further, the roller member 32 can be suitably protected.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12, by forming the concave grooves M, M on the upper surface of the metal member W ′, the metal is formed such that the joint protrusion TW ′ is formed between the concave grooves M, M. Also in the member W ′, the joining protrusion TW ′ can be suitably pressed and held by the roller member 32 of the pressing means 30 described above. In this case, the joining protrusion TW ′ is pressed and held by the flanges 32B and 32B so that the flanges 32B and 32B enter the concave grooves M and M, and this pressing and holding is performed during the friction stir welding. It is suitably maintained and the displacement of the joint protrusion TW ′ is suitably prevented. Therefore, high-quality friction stir welding can be performed also in the joining of the metal members W ′.

  Note that, at the opening end of the metal member W shown in FIG. 6, the abutting portion between the metal members W may be clamped by a clamping device or the like (not shown). By using such a clamping device or the like, the joint protrusion TW can be pressed and held more firmly, and higher quality friction stir welding can be realized.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the abutting surface TW1 of the joining protrusion part TW demonstrated as a state mutually contact | abutted in the state hold | maintained with the roller member 32, it is not restricted to this, It presses with the roller member 32 In the held state, a gap may be formed on the abutting surface TW1. That is, even in a state where there is a gap on the abutting surface TW1, the joining protrusion TW is suitably pressed and held by the roller member 32.
Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the width L1 of the roller part 32A and the width L2 of the joining protrusion TW were set to the same dimension, it is not restricted to this, and even if the width L1 is set larger than the width L2 On the contrary, the width L2 may be set larger than the width L1.
When the width L1 is set larger than the width L2, the following friction stir welding can be performed. That is, the roller portion 32A can be reliably brought into contact with and pressed by the upper surface Wa (see FIG. 5A) of the joint protrusion TW. In addition, when there is a location where the abutment surface TW1 of the joint projection TW is opened more than a predetermined amount, when the roller member 32 reaches the location, the flange portion 32B is abutted from both sides. Friction stir welding can be performed while pressing the contact protrusions TW and suppressing the joint protrusions TW from opening in the left-right direction with the flange 32B.
Further, when the width L2 is set larger than the width L1, the tapered surface 32b of the flange portion 32B is positioned on the shoulder portion Wb (see FIG. 5A) of the joint protrusion TW, and the flange portion 32B The shoulder Wb can be constantly pressed and held. In this case, the roller portion 32A does not come into contact with the upper surface Wa of the joining projection TW, and a gap is formed between the roller surface of the roller portion 32A and the upper surface Wa of the joining projection TW. As described above, the collar portion 32B abuts against and holds the shoulder portion Wb. As a result, a downward pressing force acts on the joint protrusion TW, and the joint protrusion TW moves downward. Is also preferably pressed and held.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the shoulder portion Wb of the joint protrusion TW is formed to bulge to the left and right, and the tapered surface 32b of the flange portion 32B of the roller member 32 positively contacts the shoulder portion Wb of the joint protrusion TW. You may make it contact. Although not shown, the shoulder portion Wb may be formed in a round shape so that the tapered surface 32b of the flange portion 32B of the roller member 32 abuts on the shoulder portion Wb of the joint protrusion TW.

It is a figure which shows the principal part of the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing of the press means used for the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A) is an enlarged side view showing the state of the connecting portion of the arm when the pressing means is in the pressing posture, (b) is an enlarged side view showing the state of the connecting portion of the arm when the pressing means is in the retracted posture, (C) is a front view which shows the roller member of a press means. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a roller member, (b) is explanatory drawing which shows another roller member. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the press holding | maintenance by a roller member. It is a front view which shows the fixing condition of a metal member. It is a perspective view which shows the fixation condition of a metal member. (A)-(c) is an effect | action explanatory drawing of a press means. It is a perspective view which shows the mode of friction stir welding. (A)-(d) is explanatory drawing which shows the procedure at the time of replacing | exchanging a rotary tool. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the friction stir welding apparatus which concerns on a modification, (a) is a front view, (b) is a side view. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the press holding | maintenance in the metal member in which the ditch | groove was formed. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the press holding | maintenance in the shape from which a joining protrusion part differs.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Main shaft unit 10a Front 11 Holder part 20 Rotating tool 20 'Rotating tool 23 Large diameter part 24 Friction stirring part 24a Shoulder part 24b Stirring pin 30 Pressing means 31 Arm 31A Upper arm 31B Lower arm 32 Roller member 32' Roller member 32A Roller part 32B collar part 32B 'collar part 32b taper surface 32b' taper surface 32e vertical surface 37 air nozzle K space part R1 upper limit R2 lower limit S1 pressing attitude S2 retracting attitude TW joining projection TW1 butting section W metal members W1 to W3 Metal members

Claims (3)

A friction stir welding apparatus that joins the metal elements by moving a rotating tool along a joining protrusion formed at a joining part between metal elements,
A spindle unit that supports the rotating tool;
Pressing means capable of pressing the joint projection from above in the forward direction of movement of the rotary tool,
The pressing means is
A roller portion capable of pressing the upper surface by contacting the upper surface of the joint protrusion,
There is one roller member provided at each of both ends in the width direction of the roller portion, and provided with flanges capable of pressing the joint protrusion from both sides by abutting from both sides of the joint protrusion. And
While pressing and holding the joint projection from above in the moving direction of the rotary tool with the roller member ,
The pressing means is
A pressing posture in which the roller member presses and holds the joint protrusion; and
At least the roller member is configured to be able to change its posture between a retracted posture away from the rotary tool ,
The spindle unit is detachably supported with respect to the rotary tool and is provided so as to be movable up and down with respect to the metal element.
The pressing means is
The roller member is provided at the lower end of the arm suspended from the spindle unit,
In the process in which the spindle unit descends from a predetermined raised position to a predetermined lowered position, the roller member moves toward the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element, thereby changing the posture from the retracted posture to the pressing posture. Then, in the process in which the spindle unit is raised from the lowered position to the raised position, the roller member moves away from the rotating tool while being in contact with the metal element, thereby changing the pressing posture to the retracted posture. Change posture ,
The arm includes an upper arm and a lower arm rotatably supported by a lower portion of the upper arm. The lower arm rotates with respect to the upper arm, so that the pressing posture or The retracted posture,
In the retracted posture, the lower arm is inclined from a vertical axis in a direction in which the roller member approaches the rotating tool ,
The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arm is rotated from the pressing posture to the retracted posture by its own weight to change the posture.   2. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is formed in a tapered shape having a diameter that gradually increases toward both ends in the width direction of the roller member.   3. The friction stir welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flange portion is formed to include a vertical surface that can come into contact with the joint protrusion from both sides.

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