JP6126424B2 - Welding equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a welding apparatus, and more particularly to a welding apparatus having a communication function.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional welding apparatus. Referring to FIG. 14, welding apparatus 500 includes a welding power source 510, a wire feeding device 600, a remote controller 620, and a welding torch 640.

  The welding power source 510 is supplied with electric power from the external power source via the connector 520. Welding power supply 510 and wire feeder 600 are connected by power cable 540 and control cable 548. The base material 650 to be welded and the welding power source 510 are connected by a welding ground cable 542.

  Shielding gas such as carbon dioxide is sent from the gas cylinder 530 to the wire feeder 600 via the gas hose 544. The wire feeding device 600 feeds the welding wire from the wire reel 610 to the welding torch 640.

  The cable connecting the wire feeding device 600 and the welding torch 640 feeds the welding wire and the shielding gas into the cable, and also supplies the voltage and current supplied from the welding power source 510 by the power cable 540 to the welding torch. To 640.

  The remote controller 620 is connected to the welding power source 510 by a control cable 546. The remote controller 620 transmits welding parameters such as a welding voltage V and a welding current I to the welding power source 510 through the control cable 546. The welding power source 510 outputs voltage and current to the power cable 540 so that the set welding voltage V and welding current I are realized in the welding torch 640.

  When welding a large structure such as a ship, it is more convenient for the operator to move the wire feeding device 600 and the welding torch 640 without moving the welding power source 510. However, in order to enable such work, the lengths of the power cables 540 and 542, the control cables 546 and 548, and the gas hose 544 must be increased. In some cases, the length can be as long as 100 m.

  It is a burden for an operator to route a large number of such long cables. Even if the control cable is thinner than the power cable, the longer the length, the heavier the weight and the more difficult it is to carry.

  In general, the welding power source and the wire feeder are usually connected by a power cable and a communication cable. When using an analog remote control, a dedicated communication cable is required. If the communication cable can be eliminated, the installation work of the welding apparatus is reduced. In particular, since the weight of the communication cable for connecting such a long distance is heavy, an operator's burden is large.

  In order to eliminate the communication cable, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-305366 (Patent Document 1), it is conceivable to perform wireless communication. In this document, a radio transmission / reception unit (first radio station) is provided in a welding device, a remote controller is disposed at a position distant from the welding device, and a radio transmission / reception unit (second radio station) is provided in the remote control. The first wireless station and the second wireless station are connected by wireless communication.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-305366 JP-A-4-11396

  When communicating at the welding site, the effects of noise during welding (switching noise of the welding power source, noise when driving the motor of the feeding device, noise when the fan rotates, noise from arc welding, etc.) Receive strongly.

  When transmission is performed with a constant communication power, communication is not established if the noise is large, so it has been necessary to arrange a repeater as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-113396 (Patent Document 2). .

  In order to establish communication without a repeater, it is necessary to increase wireless communication power. Considering the case where the communication distance is long and the case where there is an obstacle, it is desirable to increase the communication power as much as possible so that communication can be performed even under the influence of noise during welding and the influence of external wireless devices and electronic devices.

  However, if the wireless communication power is too strong, external wireless devices and electronic devices may malfunction or interfere with other wireless devices.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a welding apparatus with reduced overall communication power while maintaining the establishment of communications required.

In summary, the present invention is a welding apparatus including a welding power source apparatus. The welding power supply device includes a power supply unit that supplies voltage and current to the welding torch, a communication unit that performs wired or wireless communication, and a control unit that controls communication power of the communication unit. The control unit switches the strength of the communication power of the communication unit in response to the start of welding and the end of welding .

More preferably, the control unit increases the communication power of the communication unit before starting the supply of the welding current to the welding torch according to the welding start instruction, and supplies the welding current to the welding torch according to the welding end instruction. After stopping, the communication power of the communication unit is reduced.

Preferably, the control unit increases or decreases the communication power of the communication unit according to the communication success rate of the communication unit.
More preferably, the control unit changes the amount of change in the communication power of the communication unit according to the communication success rate.

  Preferably, the communication unit includes a power line carrier communication unit for performing communication by superimposing a communication signal on a power cable that supplies voltage and current from the welding power supply device to the welding torch.

  Preferably, the communication unit includes a wireless communication unit for wirelessly transmitting / receiving information to / from a remote controller carried by the wire feeder or the welding worker.

  Preferably, the welding apparatus further includes a wire feeding device that supplies a welding wire to the welding torch. The wire feeder is a power line carrier communication unit for performing communication by superimposing a communication signal on a power cable for supplying voltage and current from the welding power source device to the welding torch with the communication unit, or wirelessly transmitting information. A wireless communication unit that performs transmission and reception is included.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the possibility that an external wireless device or an electronic device, such as when not welding, malfunctions or interferes with other wireless communication.

  In addition, by reducing the communication power, the power consumption of the wireless device can be suppressed, and energy saving can be expected.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a welding apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for illustrating control related to communication executed by control unit 14 of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. It is a wave form diagram for demonstrating the mode of switching of communication power. It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of the power line communication in non-welding. It is a figure for demonstrating the waveform of the power line communication during welding. 7 is a flowchart for explaining control related to communication executed by the control unit 14 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a process of step S13 of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the modification of the process of FIG. It is a figure of the 1st example which showed the relationship between the communication success rate applied in step S42 of FIG. 8, and the communication power to increase / decrease. It is a figure of the 2nd example which showed the relationship between the communication success rate applied in step S42 of FIG. 8, and the communication power to increase / decrease. It is a figure for demonstrating determining communication electric power according to another welding condition and welding environment. It is a figure for demonstrating changing communication electric power by the welding method. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 1 A of welding apparatuses which are the other structural examples of a welding apparatus. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional welding apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a welding apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, welding apparatus 1 includes a welding power supply device 10, a wire feeding device 100, a remote controller 120, and a welding torch 140.

  The welding power supply device 10 includes a power supply unit 12, a control unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The communication unit 15 includes a wireless communication unit 16 and a power line carrier communication unit 18. In this specification, the power line carrier communication unit is also referred to as a PLC (Power Line Communication) communication unit and is illustrated. The power supply unit 12 receives supply of power from the external power supply 20. The control unit 14 controls the power supply unit 12, the wireless communication unit 16, and the power line carrier communication unit 18.

  The power supply unit 12 and the wire feeding device 100 are connected by a power cable 160. The base material 150 to be welded and the power supply unit 12 are connected by a welding ground cable 162. A shield gas such as carbon dioxide gas is sent from the gas cylinder 30 to the wire feeder 100 via the gas hose 164.

  The power line carrier communication unit 18 superimposes a communication signal indicating transmission data given from the control unit 14 on the welding voltage or welding current of the power cable 160 and transmits it to the wire feeder 100. The power line carrier communication unit 18 separates the communication signal superimposed on the power cable 160 and transmits the received data to the control unit 14.

  The wireless communication part 16 transmits the communication signal which shows the transmission data given from the control part 14 to the wire feeder 100 wirelessly. In addition, the wireless communication unit 16 receives a wireless signal from the wire feeder 100 and transmits received data to the control unit 14.

  The wire feeding device 100 includes a feeding mechanism 102, a control unit 104, a communication unit 105, and a display device 110. Communication unit 105 includes a wireless communication unit 106 and a power line carrier communication unit 108. The feeding mechanism 102 feeds the welding wire 166 from the wire reel 111 to the welding torch 140.

  The cable connecting the wire feeding device 100 and the welding torch 140 is provided with a passage for feeding the welding wire 166 and the shielding gas inside the cable, and is supplied from the welding power source device 10 by the power cable 160. Voltage and current are sent to the welding torch 140.

  When the welding wire 166 protruding from the tip of the welding torch 140 contacts the base material, an electric current flows and an arc is generated. The welding wire 166 is fed by the feeding mechanism 102 at a speed corresponding to the welding speed. A shield gas is supplied around the arc to prevent oxidation of the weld.

  The remote controller 120 includes an operation unit 122, a microphone 124, a speaker 126, and a display 128. The remote controller 120 is connected to the control unit 104 of the wire feeder 100 by a control cable 168. The remote controller 120 transmits welding parameters such as welding voltage and welding current input by the operator to the operation unit 122 to the control unit 104 via the control cable 168. The power line carrier communication unit 108 superimposes a communication signal indicating transmission data given from the control unit 104 on the welding voltage or welding current of the power cable 160 and transmits it to the welding power source apparatus 10. Further, the power line carrier communication unit 108 separates the communication signal superimposed on the power cable 160 and transmits the received data to the control unit 104.

  The welding power supply device 10 outputs a voltage and a current to the power cable 160 so that the set welding voltage and welding current are realized in the welding torch 140.

  Comparing the configuration shown in FIG. 1 with the configuration shown in FIG. 14, the power line carrier communication units 18 and 108 are provided in the welding power supply device 10 and the wire feeding device 100, respectively, thereby reducing the number of control cables and welding. Equipment can be easily installed and moved.

  Further, the wireless communication units 16 and 106 are provided in the welding power supply device 10 and the wire feeding device 100, respectively, and the microphone 124 and the speaker 126 are provided in the remote controller 120, so that the operator can keep an eye on the welded part during the work. Even when it is not possible to communicate, it is easy to transmit information to the worker by voice information. It is also possible for the operator to give a command to the welding power source device 10 by voice input.

  In the configuration of FIG. 1, the example in which the communication between the welding power supply device 10 and the wire feeding device 100 is performed by both the wireless communication and the power line carrier communication has been described. However, only one of the communication is performed. It is also good.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart for illustrating control related to communication executed by control unit 14 of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment. The process of this flowchart is called and executed every predetermined time from a predetermined main routine or whenever a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when the processing of this flowchart is started, in step S1, control unit 14 determines whether or not welding apparatus 1 is welding. The welding is started / stopped in response to a trigger signal that is changed by operating a trigger switch of the welding torch 140. This trigger signal is input to the control unit 14 via the power line carrier communication unit 108 and the power line carrier communication unit 18. The control unit 14 determines whether welding is being performed based on the trigger signal.

  If it is determined in step S1 that welding is in progress, the process proceeds to step S2, and the control unit 14 sets the communication power of the wireless communication unit 16 to a high output (for example, 10 mW). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that welding is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S3, and the control unit 14 sets the communication power of the wireless communication unit 16 to a low output (for example, 1 mW).

  After the communication power is set in step S2 or S3, the process proceeds to step S4, and control is transferred to the main routine.

  FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram for explaining the state of switching of communication power. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, when the trigger switch of welding torch 140 changes from the OFF state to the ON state at time t <b> 1, control unit 14 sends a trigger signal via power line carrier communication unit 108 and power line carrier communication unit 18. Receive. At time t2, the control unit 14 changes the communication power of the communication unit 15 from weak to strong according to the change of the trigger signal. In this case, the control unit 14 increases the wireless power of the wireless communication unit 16 and / or the power of the carrier wave of the power line carrier communication unit 18 that is used.

  Then, a command for increasing the communication power by communication is also transmitted to the communication unit 105 which is the communication destination, and the communication power also changes from weak to strong at the communication unit 105 at time t3.

  After the communication power of both the communication unit 15 and the communication unit 105 becomes strong, a welding current starts flowing at time t4, and welding is started.

  Next, the order in which the communication power is switched from strong to weak will be described. When the trigger switch of welding torch 140 changes from the OFF state to the ON state at time t <b> 5, control unit 14 receives the trigger signal via power line carrier communication unit 108 and power line carrier communication unit 18.

  Then, at time t6, the welding current is stopped and the welding is finished. Then, at time t7, the control unit 14 changes the communication power of the communication unit 15 from strong to weak according to the change of the trigger signal. In this case, the control unit 14 reduces either the wireless power of the wireless communication unit 16 or the power of the carrier wave of the power line carrier communication unit 18 or both of them.

  Then, a command to reduce the communication power by communication is also transmitted to the communication unit 105 that is the communication destination, and the communication power also changes from strong to weak at the communication unit 105 at time t8.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a waveform of power line communication during non-welding. As shown in FIG. 4, during non-welding, the welding current is 0 A, and a communication carrier wave is superimposed on this. This communication carrier wave has a weak power (for example, 1 mW).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a waveform of power line communication during welding. As shown in FIG. 5, during welding, the welding current varies between 0A and 800A. In this case, since noise is also generated, the carrier power is made stronger than that shown in FIG. This communication carrier wave has a strong power (for example, 10 mW).

  In the first embodiment, information on whether welding is performed or not is transmitted to the control unit 14 of the welding power source apparatus 10 that controls communication power using a power line carrier communication signal. The control unit 14 determines whether or not welding is being performed by an ON / OFF signal, and increases communication power during welding, and decreases communication power when welding is not performed. Information on whether welding is performed or not may be transmitted to the control unit 14 of the welding power source apparatus 10 by a wireless signal or a conventional signal from the control cable 548 of FIG.

  By controlling the communication power in this way, it is possible to reduce noise given to the surroundings during non-welding and to reduce power consumption related to communication.

  In the first embodiment, the control unit 14 of the welding power source apparatus 10 determines and controls increase / decrease in communication power. However, the control unit 104 of the wire feeding apparatus 100 determines and controls increase / decrease in communication power. May be performed.

[Embodiment 2]
In the first embodiment, the strength of communication power is switched depending on whether welding is being performed. However, in a field where a plurality of welding apparatuses are used, there are cases where the influence of other welding apparatuses is exerted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the communication power is increased or decreased according to the communication success rate even during non-welding.

  Since the configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment is also used in the second embodiment for the configuration of the entire welding apparatus, the description will not be repeated here, and the control performed by the control unit will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining control related to communication executed by the control unit 14 of FIG. 1 in the second embodiment. The process of this flowchart is called and executed every predetermined time from a predetermined main routine or whenever a predetermined condition is satisfied.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, when the processing of this flowchart is started, in step S <b> 11, control unit 14 determines whether or not welding apparatus 1 is performing welding. The welding is started / stopped in response to a trigger signal that is changed by operating a trigger switch of the welding torch 140. This trigger signal is input to the control unit 14 via the power line carrier communication unit 108 and the power line carrier communication unit 18. The control unit 14 determines whether welding is being performed based on the trigger signal.

  If it is determined in step S11 that welding is being performed, the process proceeds to step S12, and the control unit 14 sets the communication power of the wireless communication unit 16 to a high output (for example, 10 mW). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that welding is not being performed, the process proceeds to step S13.

  In step S13, the control unit 14 determines the communication power of the wireless communication unit 16 according to the communication success rate. Details of step S13 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After the communication power is set in step S12 or S13, the process proceeds to step S14, and control is transferred to the main routine.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of the process in step S13 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, in step S <b> 21, control unit 14 calculates a communication success rate in communication unit 15.

  For example, if an error detection code such as a parity bit is added to the transmission data and transmitted, it is possible to detect whether or not the communication is successful by detecting an error in the reception data on the receiving side. If no error is detected, the receiving side returns a message indicating that the reception has been correctly performed to the transmitting side. If an error is detected, the receiving side requests retransmission to the transmitting side. If there is no reply that the transmission has been correctly received, the transmission side retransmits the transmission data.

  Note that there may be a case where an error detection and correction code with higher redundancy than that of the error detection code is added and transmitted, and error correction is performed on the receiving side and retransmission is not requested. If an error is detected in the received data in this case, the communication success may be counted if the error can be corrected, or the communication success rate may be counted even if the error can be corrected. It may be calculated.

  The communication success rate (%) can be obtained by dividing the number of successful reception data by the number of transmission data and converting it to a percentage. In step S21, the communication success rate is 1 second, but a predetermined time different from 1 second may be adopted as a unit time even if it is not 1 second.

  Subsequently, in step S22, the control unit 14 classifies the process according to the communication success rate. In step S22, when the communication success rate is 100%, the process proceeds to step S23, and the control unit 14 sets a value obtained by reducing the communication power by 0.1 mW from the current setting value to the communication power setting value. Calculate as The reduction width of 0.1 mW is an example, and other values may be used.

  In step S24, the control unit 14 determines whether the communication power is equal to or lower than a lower limit value (for example, 0.1 mW). In step S24, if the communication power is larger than the lower limit value, the value calculated in step S23 is set for the communication unit 15, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S24, if the calculated communication power is equal to or lower than the lower limit value, a lower limit value (for example, 0.1 mW) is set for communication unit 15 in step S25, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  On the other hand, if the communication success rate is 60% or more and less than 100% in step S22, the current communication power setting is maintained, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  In step S22, if the communication success rate is less than 60%, the process proceeds to step S26, and the control unit 14 sets a value obtained by increasing the communication power by 0.1 mW from the current setting value. Calculated as the set value. The increase width of 0.1 mW is merely an example, and other values may be used.

  In step S27, the control unit 14 determines whether or not the communication power is equal to or lower than an upper limit value (for example, 10 mW). In step S27, if the communication power is smaller than the upper limit value, the value calculated in step S26 is set for the communication unit 15, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  If the calculated communication power is greater than or equal to the upper limit value in step S27, an upper limit value (for example, 10 mW) is set for communication unit 15 in step S28, and the process proceeds to step S29.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the communication success rate is counted at the time of non-welding, the communication power is increased when the communication success rate is lowered, and the communication power is lowered when the communication success rate is raised. For example, when the communication success rate for 1 second is 100%, the communication power is reduced by 0.1 mW. When the communication success rate for 1 second is less than 60%, the communication power is increased by 0.1 mW.

  Thus, by increasing or decreasing the communication power according to the communication success rate, communication can be maintained with appropriate communication power even when the communication environment changes due to the influence of other welding equipment.

[Modification of Embodiment 2]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a process of a modification of the process of FIG. In this modification, the process of step S13A shown in FIG. 8 is executed as step S13 of the flowchart of FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, in step S41, control unit 14 calculates a communication success rate. Since the calculation of the communication success rate is the same processing as step S21 in FIG. 7, the description will not be repeated here.

  Subsequently, in step S42, the control unit 14 increases or decreases the communication power by an increase or decrease corresponding to the communication success rate calculated in step S41. The correspondence between the communication success rate and the increase or decrease will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  In step S42, similarly to steps S24, S25, S27, and S28 in FIG. 7, a process of limiting the upper limit value and the lower limit value set in advance after the communication power is calculated is executed. .

  When the increase / decrease in communication power is executed in step S42, the process proceeds to step S43, and the process of FIG. 6 is executed again.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram of a first example showing the relationship between the communication success rate applied in step S42 of FIG. 8 and the communication power to be increased or decreased. As shown in FIG. 9, when the communication success rate is 0 or more and less than 60%, the increase amount of the communication power is set to 0.1 mW. When the communication success rate is 60% or more and less than 100%, the increase / decrease amount is set to zero, and the current communication power is maintained. When the communication success rate is 100%, the increase / decrease amount of the communication power is set to −0.1 mW, and the current communication power is reduced.

  If the correspondence as described above is stored in a map or the like in advance and the increase / decrease amount is determined according to the communication success rate with reference to the map, the same control as in FIG. 7 can be performed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram of a second example illustrating the relationship between the communication success rate applied in step S42 of FIG. 8 and the communication power to be increased or decreased. As shown in FIG. 10, in the range where the communication success rate is 0% or more and less than 60%, the increase amount of communication power is determined such that the increase amount increases as the communication success rate decreases. When the communication success rate is between 60% and 80%, the increase / decrease amount of the communication power is set to zero, and the current communication power is maintained. Further, when the communication success rate is between 80% and 100%, the reduction amount of the communication power is determined so that the reduction amount increases as the communication success rate increases.

  By setting the increase / decrease amount ΔP (mW) in this way, it is possible to converge to appropriate communication power more quickly than in the case shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the determination of communication power according to other welding conditions and welding environments. As shown in FIG. 11, the communication power may be changed according to welding parameters such as a welding current and a welding voltage, and a welding environment such as a cable length, a wireless communication distance, and a large number of shielding objects. For example, when welding parameters such as welding current and welding voltage are set in the operation unit 122 of the remote controller 120 in FIG. 1, the communication power determined in step S2 in FIG. 2 or step S12 in FIG. Based on the set value, it may be determined as shown in FIG. For example, when the welding current is set to X, the communication power can be determined to be Y by applying the map shown in the graph of FIG.

  In general, as current and voltage increase, noise generated in a wireless antenna and a power line for power line communication also increases. Therefore, it is preferable to increase communication power.

  Further, it is preferable to increase the communication power because the longer the cable length and the wireless communication distance, the easier it is to pick up noise. Furthermore, in the case of wireless, it is preferable to increase the communication power because the radio wave is weakened as the number of shielding objects increases.

  The information such as the cable length, the wireless communication distance, and the presence / absence of the shielding is also transmitted from the operation unit 122 of the remote controller in FIG. 1 to the control unit 14 by wired or wireless communication, and the control unit 14 is based on the information. It is good to increase or decrease the communication power.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining changing communication power by a welding method.
Generally, a welding apparatus is often configured to be usable by a plurality of welding methods. However, since the amount of electromagnetic noise generated varies depending on the welding method, it is desirable that the communication power is automatically selected in accordance with the welding method executed by the welding apparatus. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12, communication powers P1, P2, P3, and P4 corresponding to the welding methods A, B, C, and D are set in advance, and welding is performed with the operation unit 122 of the remote controller 120 in FIG. When the law is set, this information may be transmitted to the control unit 14, and the control unit 14 may determine the communication power of the communication unit 15 based on the relationship shown in FIG. The determined communication power may be applied only during welding, or may be applied during both welding and non-welding.

  For example, a welding method in which large noise is generated during welding includes a DC or AC carbon dioxide arc welding method to which low spatter control is applied, and a MAG (Metal Active Gas) welding method to which low sputter control is applied. , A DC or AC MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding method to which low sputtering control is applied.

  Further, a welding method in which noise is smaller than the above but generates moderate noise includes direct current or alternating current pulse arc welding.

  Furthermore, as the welding with less noise generated, direct current arc welding (no pulse) can be mentioned.

  TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding generates the least noise, but large noise is generated at the start of welding. Therefore, when TIG welding is selected, communication power is increased at the start of welding and welding starts. Thereafter, the communication power may be controlled so as to reduce the communication power.

  Such a communication power setting value that is considered appropriate for each welding method is determined in advance as shown in FIG. 12, and the control unit 14 may determine the communication power based on the set value.

[Other configuration examples]
FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a welding apparatus 1 </ b> A that is another configuration example of the welding apparatus. Referring to FIG. 13, welding apparatus 1A includes a welding power supply apparatus 10A, a wire feeding apparatus 100A, a remote controller 120A, and a welding torch 140A.

  Since welding power supply apparatus 10A, wire feeding apparatus 100A, and welding torch 140A have the same configurations as welding power supply apparatus 10, wire feeding apparatus 100, and welding torch 140 described with reference to FIG. 1, description thereof will be repeated here. Absent.

  The remote controller 120A further includes a control unit 130, a battery 132, and a wireless communication unit 134 in addition to the operation unit 122, the microphone 124, the speaker 126, and the display 128, as shown in FIG. And different.

  The remote controller 120A wirelessly transmits and receives data to and from the wireless communication unit 106 of the wire feeding device 100A or the wireless communication unit 16 of the welding power supply device 10A by the wireless communication unit 134. Since the remote controller 120A has a built-in battery 132, it is not necessary to be connected to the wire feeder 100A by a constant control cable.

  Note that while the wire feeding device 100A and the remote controller 120A are connected to charge the battery 132, the remote controller 120A and the wire feeding device 100A may be configured to perform wired communication. .

The remote controller 120A transmits welding parameters such as welding voltage and welding current input by the operator to the operation unit 122 to the control unit 104 of the wire feeder 100A by wireless communication. The control unit 104 causes the power line conveyance communication unit 108 to superimpose a communication signal indicating a welding parameter set by the operator on the power cable 160 and transmit the communication signal to the welding power supply device 10.

  Further, data such as voice is relayed from the wireless communication unit 134 of the remote controller 120A to the wireless communication unit 16 of the welding power supply apparatus 10A via the wireless communication unit 106 of the wire feeding device 100A. When the radio wave condition is better when the wireless communication unit 16 communicates directly, the wireless communication unit 16 may directly transmit and receive.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, transmission / reception between the radio communication unit 134 and the radio communication unit 16 or 106 of the remote controller 120A is also as described in the first and second embodiments. Control of increase / decrease of communication power can be applied.

Finally, Embodiments 1 and 2 will be summarized with reference to the drawings again. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 13, welding apparatuses 1 and 1 </ b> A include welding power supply apparatuses 10 and 10 </ b> A. Welding power supply devices 10 and 10 </ b> A include power supply unit 12 that supplies voltage and current to welding torch 140, communication unit 15 that performs wired or wireless communication, and control unit 14 that controls communication power of communication unit 15. . The control unit 14 changes the communication power of the communication unit according to the welding conditions or the welding environment.

Preferably, the control unit 14 switches the strength of the communication power of the communication unit 15 in correspondence with the start of welding and the end of welding.

More preferably, as described with reference to the waveform diagram of FIG. 3, the control unit 14 communicates before the time point (time t4) at which the welding current is started to be supplied to the welding torch 140 in response to the welding start instruction (time t1). increasing the communication power parts 15 (time t2), reduce the communication power of the communication unit 15 after the time of stopping the supply of welding current to the welding torch 140 in accordance with the welding end instruction (time t5) (time t6) (Time t7).

Preferably, as described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, the control unit 14 increases or decreases the communication power of the communication unit according to the communication success rate of the communication unit 15.

More preferably, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the control unit 14 changes the amount of change in the communication power of the communication unit 15 according to the communication success rate.

  Preferably, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 13, the communication unit 15 performs communication by superimposing a communication signal on a power cable 160 that supplies voltage and current to the welding torch 140 from the welding power supply devices 10 and 10A. A power line carrier communication unit 18 is included.

  Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 13, the communication unit 15 includes a wireless communication unit 16 for wirelessly transmitting / receiving information to / from the wire feeding device 100, 100A or the remote controller 120A carried by the welding operator. .

  Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 13, the welding apparatus 1, 1 </ b> A further includes wire feeding apparatuses 100, 100 </ b> A that supply a welding wire to the welding torch 140. The wire feeders 100 and 100A communicate with the communication unit 15 by superimposing communication signals on a power cable 160 that supplies voltage and current to the welding torch 140 from the welding power source devices 10 and 10A. It includes a carrier communication unit 108 or a wireless communication unit 106 that transmits and receives information wirelessly.

  By configuring as described above, the welding apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments can reduce the possibility that an external wireless device or electronic device malfunctions or interferes with other wireless when not welded.

  Further, by reducing the communication power, the power consumption of the wireless device can be suppressed, and there is an energy saving effect.

  In addition, since the communication success rate decreases when there is a long distance or an obstacle, the communication success rate can be increased and communication quality can be improved by increasing the communication power when the communication success rate decreases.

  2 and 6, the communication power is increased / decreased based on whether or not the welding device is welding. However, when there are multiple welding devices at the same site or factory, other devices such as wireless communication may be used. The information indicating whether or not the welding apparatus is being welded may be received from another welding apparatus and the wireless power may be similarly increased or decreased.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  1,1A welding device, 10,10A welding power supply device, 12 power supply unit, 14,104,130 control unit, 15, 18, 105,108 communication unit, 16,106,134 wireless communication unit, 18,108 power line carrier communication Part, 20 external power supply, 30 gas cylinder, 100, 100A wire feeding device, 102 wire feeding mechanism, 110, 128 display, 111 wire reel, 120, 120A remote controller, 122 operation part, 124 microphone, 126 speaker, 132 Battery, 140, 140A welding torch, 150 base metal, 160 power cable, 162 welding ground cable, 164 gas hose, 166 welding wire, 168 control cable.

Claims (7)

Equipped with welding power supply,
The welding power source is
A power supply for supplying voltage and current to the welding torch;
A communication unit that performs wired or wireless communication;
A control unit for controlling communication power of the communication unit,
The said control part is a welding apparatus which switches the strength of the communication power of the said communication part corresponding to the welding start and the completion | finish of welding. The control unit increases communication power of the communication unit before starting supply of welding current to the welding torch in response to a welding start instruction, and supplies welding current to the welding torch in response to a welding end instruction. reduce the communication power of the communication unit after stopping, the welding device according to claim 1. The welding apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit increases or decreases communication power of the communication unit according to a communication success rate of the communication unit. The welding apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit changes a change amount of increase / decrease in communication power of the communication unit according to the communication success rate. The communication unit is
The welding according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising a power line carrier communication unit for performing communication by superimposing a communication signal on a power cable that supplies voltage and current to the welding torch from the welding power source device. apparatus. The communication unit is
The welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , comprising a wireless communication unit for wirelessly transmitting and receiving information to and from a wire feeder or a remote controller carried by a welding worker. A wire feeder for supplying a welding wire to the welding torch;
The wire feeder is
A power line carrier communication unit for performing communication by superimposing a communication signal on a power cable that supplies voltage and current to the welding torch from the welding power source device or wirelessly transmitting / receiving information to / from the communication unit. The welding apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 containing a wireless communication part.

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