JP7251731B2 - welding torch - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a welding torch in which a tip unit can be attached to and detached from the tip of a torch body, and in which welding can be performed by supplying power to the tip unit from the connected torch body.

Conventionally, as a welding torch in which a member that needs to be replaced is unitized and attached to a torch body, the replacement work can be performed simply and easily, for example, one disclosed in Patent Document 1. In such a conventional welding torch, the tip unit is detachable from the tip of the torch body, and the tip unit can be connected and integrated with the tip of the torch body by a connector member. .

In addition, the conventional welding torch has a power supply contact member that can supply power to the tip unit from the torch body integrated by the connector member. The power supply contact member is formed by bending a plate-like metal member into an annular shape. Welding work was made possible by energizing and electrically connecting between.

JP-A-2007-7675

However, in the conventional welding torch described above, the power supply contact member is formed by bending a plate-like metal member into an annular shape. If the member is worn and loose, it is impossible to maintain good electrical contact with the tip body, and there is a risk that stable welding will become difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the electrical connection state between the torch body and the tip unit can be maintained even when the tip connector is repeatedly attached to and detached from the torch body or when the torch body is used for a long period of time. To provide a welding torch that can be maintained well.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a torch body through which a welding wire can be inserted and sent from a base end to a tip end, and a torch body which is detachable from the tip end of the torch body and has a welding wire. a tip unit that can be supplied to a desired welded portion by inserting the welding wire sent from the main body, and that can rotate around an axis while being connected to and integrated with the torch body; a connector member formed at the tip of a torch body and capable of connecting and integrating the torch body and the tip unit; and a power supply contact capable of supplying power from the torch body integrated by the connector member to the tip unit. In the welding torch comprising a member, the power supply contact member is a coil spring contact formed in a ring shape by connecting both ends of a coil spring formed by spirally winding a wire , and the tip of the torch body It is characterized in that, in a state in which the tip unit is connected to the portion, the inner peripheral surface comes into contact with the tip unit and can be electrically connected.

The invention according to claim 2 is the welding torch according to claim 1 , wherein a fitting member formed on the tip end side of the torch body and a fitting member formed on the base end side of the tip unit a fitting groove for fitting with a member to connect and integrate the tip unit with the torch body; The fitting groove and the contact surface are formed along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion, and when the tip unit rotates around the axis with respect to the torch body, the fitting groove and the contact surface are fitted into the fitting groove. The fitting state of the members and the contact state of the power supply contact member with respect to the contact surface are maintained.

The invention according to claim 3 is the welding torch according to claim 2 , wherein the connecting portion is formed with a positioning groove extending in the circumferential direction, and the torch body is integrated by connecting the tip unit. It has a positioning member that can be positioned by fitting into the positioning groove, and the positioning member comprises a ring-shaped coil spring.

The invention according to claim 4 is the welding torch according to claim 3 , wherein the power supply contact member and the positioning member are respectively mounted in mounting grooves formed in the torch body, and the torch body is mounted on the tip unit. and the positioning member is fitted into the positioning groove while the power supply contact member is in contact with the contact surface.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is the welding torch according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein the positioning member is made of a coil spring made of a material having higher rigidity than the power supply contact member.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the power supply contact member is a coil spring contact made of a ring-shaped coil spring. However, the electrical connection between the torch body and the tip unit can be maintained in good condition.

In addition , since the tip unit is connected to and integrated with the torch body, it is rotatable around the axis. By rotating the unit with respect to the torch body, the direction of the bending tendency of the welding wire can be set to a point where no wear occurs, and the life of the tip unit can be extended.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the fitting groove and the contact surface are formed along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion, and when the tip unit rotates about the axis with respect to the torch body, the fitting groove and the contact surface are fitted into the fitting groove. Since the fitting state of the members and the contact state of the power supply contact member with the contact surface are maintained, even if the tip unit is connected to and integrated with the torch body and rotated around the axis, the torch body and the tip unit are kept in contact with each other. It is possible to maintain a good electrical connection between the

According to the invention of claim 3 , the connecting portion is formed with a positioning groove extending in the circumferential direction, and the torch body is fitted into the positioning groove to position when the tip unit is connected and integrated. Since the positioning member is formed of a ring-shaped coil spring, the positioning member functions as a latch when the tip unit is connected and integrated with the torch body. In addition to functioning, it is possible to improve the positioning accuracy of the power supply contact member with respect to the contact surface.

According to the invention of claim 4 , the power supply contact member and the positioning member are respectively attached to the mounting grooves formed in the torch body, and in a state in which the torch body is connected and integrated with the tip unit, the power supply contact member and the positioning member are Since the positioning member fits into the positioning groove while the power contact member is in contact with the contact surface, it is possible to maintain good contact with the contact surface by the power supply contact member while positioning is achieved by the positioning member.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the positioning member is made of a coil spring made of a material having higher rigidity than the power supply contact member. Positioning of the member with respect to the contact surface can be held more firmly.

1 is an overall cross-sectional view showing a welding torch according to an embodiment of the present invention (a state in which a tip unit is connected to a torch body); FIG. Sectional view showing the torch body in the same welding torch Sectional view showing the tip of the torch body IV-IV line sectional view in FIG. Schematic diagram showing the connection member of the torch main body (the upper half is a cross-sectional view and the lower half is a side view) VI-VI line sectional view in FIG. VII-VII line sectional view in FIG. VIII-VIII line sectional view in FIG. Schematic diagram showing the tip unit of the same welding torch A side view and a plan view showing a power feeding contact member in the same welding torch. Side view and plan view showing a positioning member in the same welding torch Sectional view showing the mounting state of the positioning member in the same welding torch

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
In the welding torch according to this embodiment, the tip unit can be attached to and detached from the tip of the torch main body, and power is supplied to the tip unit from the connected torch main body to enable welding operation. 1 to 9, it has a torch body 2, a tip unit 3, and a connector member 4 that is attached to the torch body 2 and can be integrated by connecting the tip unit 3 to the tip of the torch body 2. configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the torch body 2 can pass the welding wire W through from the base end (the right end in FIG. 2) to the tip end (the left end in the same figure). It is composed of a conducting pipe 5 and a connection member 6 . The conductive pipe 5 is made of a tubular conductive member extending with a predetermined curvature, and a power supply means (not shown) is connected to the base end thereof to supply current. ing. The outer peripheral surface of the torch body 2 is covered with an insulating coating H.

An inner tube T<b>1 is housed inside the conduction pipe 5 along the extending direction, and the tip of the inner tube T is connected to the connecting portion 9 a of the relay member 9 . The relay member 9 is made of a metal fitting fixed to the distal end of the conductive pipe 5, and includes a connecting portion 9a to which the distal end of the inner tube T is connected, and the distal end unit 3 to which the distal end of the torch body 2 is connected. A connecting portion 9b to which the base end of the guide tube T2 attached to the distal end unit 3 can be connected (see FIG. 1) is integrally formed.

The inner tube T1 and the guide tube T2 are each made of a flexible tube through which the welding wire W can be inserted. Thus, the welding wire W can be passed through from the proximal end of the torch body 2 to the distal end of the distal end unit 3 . As shown in FIG. 3, an O-ring r1 is attached around the connection portion 9b. When the guide tube T2 is connected to the connection portion 9b, the outer peripheral surface of the guide tube T2 is covered by the O-ring r1. It can be sealed.

The connection member 6 consists of a cylindrical member fixed to the tip of the conductive pipe 5, and as shown in FIGS. are to be supplied. Furthermore, the connecting member 6 is formed with a tapered surface α that can come into contact with and match the tapered surface β formed on the connecting portion 10 of the distal end unit 10 . As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the connecting member 6 is formed with a fitting hole 6a (see FIG. 6) on the distal end side, and the inner peripheral surface of the proximal end side from the fitting hole 6a has a A mounting groove 6b (see FIG. 8) and a mounting groove 6c (see FIG. 7) are respectively formed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the fitting hole 6a is a hole through which a fitting member 7 made of, for example, a spherical metal part can be inserted, and is formed so as to extend through the connecting member 6 from the outside to the inside. there is The mounting groove 6b is formed on the base end side of the mounting groove 6c in the connection member 6, and has a groove shape formed along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the connection member 6. can be fitted (see FIG. 3). The mounting groove 6c is formed adjacent to the mounting groove 6b in the connection member 6 on the distal end side, and has a groove shape formed along the inner peripheral surface of the connection member 6 in the circumferential direction. A member 16 can be fitted (see FIG. 3).

The connector member 4 is formed at the tip of the torch main body 2 and can connect and integrate the torch main body 2 and the tip unit 3, and comprises a slider 8 and a fitting member 7. there is Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the slider 8 is made of a cylindrical member covering the tip of the torch body 2, and has a concave groove 8a into which the fitting member 7 can be fitted. is formed. The concave groove 8a is formed along the entire circumference of the inner peripheral surface of the connector member 4, and when the slider 8 is in the retracted position (see FIG. 2) with respect to the torch body 2, the fitting member 7 is set to fit. Between the slider 8 and the connecting member 6, a metal retaining ring r2 such as a C-shaped ring is attached. The retaining ring r2 is fitted into the groove 6d formed in the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member 6 when the slider 8 is in the retracted position (see FIG. 2), and the slider 8 is in the advanced position (see FIG. 1). When the connecting member 6 is closed, it is fitted into a groove 6e formed in the inner peripheral surface of the connecting member 6. As shown in FIG.

The fitting member 7 is formed on the tip end side of the torch body 2 and is made of, for example, a spherical metal part. When the base end portion (specifically, the connecting portion 10) of the distal end unit 3 is connected to the connecting portion 10, it is fitted into the fitting groove 10a formed in the connecting portion 10 so that the connected state can be locked. there is When the fitting member 7 is disengaged from the fitting groove 10 a of the connecting portion 10 , the locking of the connected state is released, and the tip unit 3 can be removed from the torch body 2 .

Then, when the slider 8 is moved to the tip side of the torch body 2 to reach the forward position (see FIG. 1), the fitting member 7 is released from the concave groove 8a and pushed inward by the inner peripheral surface of the connector member 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the fitting member 7 is fitted into the fitting groove 10a formed in the distal end unit 3. As shown in FIG. As a result, the tip unit 3 can be connected to and integrated with the tip of the torch body 2 .

As described above, the slider 8 is movable between the retracted position and the advanced position at the tip of the torch body 2 . to connect the torch body 2 and the tip unit 3, and when the fitting member 7 is in the retracted position, the fitting member 7 is unlocked to lock the tip unit 3 with respect to the torch body 2. Removable. Further retraction of the slider 8 from the retracted position is restricted by a restriction ring R1 fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the conduction pipe 5, and further forward movement of the slider 8 is restricted by a restriction ring R2 fixed to the tip unit 3 from the forward position. It is regulated by

The tip unit 3 is detachable from the tip of the torch body 2, and the welding wire W sent from the torch body 2 can be inserted and supplied to a desired welded portion. As shown, it comprises an insulator 11 made of an insulating material, a tip body 12 made of a conductive member, a contact tip 13 made of a conductive member, and a nozzle 14 formed at the tip of the tip unit 3. ing. In addition, reference numeral f in the figure denotes a fixing member for fixing the guide tube T2.

The tip body 12 can be electrically connected to the contact tip 13 by contacting the tip thereof, and the connecting part 10 is integrally formed on the base end side of the tip unit 3 . A guide tube T2 through which the welding wire W can be passed is disposed in the central portion of the tip body 12 along the extending direction thereof. A wire W contacts the inner peripheral surface of the contact tip 13 to conduct electricity.

On the other hand, the connecting portion 10 formed at the base end portion of the tip body 12 includes a fitting groove 10a for fitting with the fitting member 7 to connect and integrate the tip end unit 3 with the torch body 2, and a power supply. A contact surface 10b that can be energized by coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the contact member 15, and a positioning groove 10c into which the positioning member 16 is fitted are formed. That is, a contact surface 10b, a positioning groove 10c, and a fitting groove 10a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the connecting portion 10 in this order from the base end side of the distal end unit 3. As shown in FIG. Further, the connecting portion 10 is formed with a tapered surface β that can come into contact with and match the tapered surface α formed on the connecting member 6 .

Here, the power supply contact member 15 according to this embodiment is capable of supplying power to the tip unit 3 from the torch body 2 integrated by the connector member 4, and is formed in a ring shape as shown in FIG. A coil spring contact made of a coil spring is used. Specifically, the power-supply contact member 15 is formed by spirally winding a wire having a silver-plated outer peripheral surface of beryllium copper to form a coil spring, and connecting both ends of the coil spring to form a ring. It is considered to be obtained by

10, the power supply contact member 15 is formed of a ring-shaped part having an inner peripheral surface 15a and an outer peripheral surface 15b. As shown in FIG. 6b attached. When the power supply contact member 15 is attached to the mounting groove 6b in this manner, the outer peripheral surface 15b of the power supply contact member 15 comes into contact with the fitting surface of the mounting groove 6b to enable electrical connection.

When the tip unit 3 is connected to the tip of the torch body 2, the inner peripheral surface 15a of the power supply contact member 15 comes into contact with the contact surface 10b of the connecting portion 10 of the tip unit 3, as shown in FIG. Electrically connectable. That is, by connecting and integrating the tip unit 3 with the tip of the torch main body 2, the inner peripheral surface 15a of the power supply contact member 15 comes into contact with the contact surface 10b of the connecting part 10 of the tip unit 3. A current supplied to the conductive pipe 5 and the connection member 6 of the main body 2 flows through the tip body 12 via the power supply contact member 15 and can be supplied to the contact tip 13 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning member 16 according to this embodiment is made of a ring-shaped coil spring. Specifically, the positioning member 16 is obtained by spirally winding a stainless steel wire to form a coil spring, and connecting both ends of the coil spring to form a ring. That is, the positioning member 16 is formed by forming a coil spring into a ring like the power supply contact member 15, and as shown in FIG. It is

When the tip unit 3 is connected to the tip of the torch body 2, the inner peripheral surface 16a of the positioning member 16 is fitted into the positioning groove 10c of the connecting portion 10 of the tip unit 3 as shown in FIG. By functioning as a latch and pressing the tapered surface β formed on the connecting portion 10 against the tapered surface α formed on the connecting member 6, relative positioning and centering of the tip unit 3 with respect to the torch body 2 can be performed. The contact member 15 for power supply can be kept in good contact with the contact surface 10b.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the positioning groove 10c into which the positioning member 16 is fitted has an inner peripheral side surface 10ca formed in a tapered shape, and the tip end unit 3 is connected to the torch body 2. In this state, the positioning member 16 is elastically deformed in contact with the inner peripheral side surface 10ca, and an elastic force acts in the direction of pressing the tapered surface β of the connecting portion 10 against the tapered surface α of the connecting member 6. ing. As a result, relative positioning and centering of the tip unit 3 with respect to the torch body 2 can be performed with high accuracy. A good contact state of the contact member 15 can always be maintained, and uneven wear or overloading of the power supply contact member 15 can be prevented.

As described above, the power supply contact member 15 and the positioning member 16 according to the present embodiment are attached to the attachment grooves (6b, 6c) formed in the torch body 2, respectively, and the tip unit 3 is connected to the torch body 2. In the integrated state, the power supply contact member 15 linearly contacts the contact surface 10b and the positioning member 16 linearly contacts and fits into the positioning groove 10c. .

Further, the positioning member 16 according to this embodiment is made of a coil spring made of a material (stainless steel) having higher rigidity than the power supply contact member 15 . Accordingly, when the positioning member 16 functions as a latch, the positioning member 16 can be firmly locked to the connecting member 6 and the connecting portion 10 to improve the positioning accuracy. On the other hand, since the power supply contact member 15 is made of a coil spring made of a material (beryllium copper material) having a lower rigidity than the positioning member 16, it is highly elastic, and the tip unit 3 can be repeatedly attached to and detached from the torch body 2. Wear can be suppressed even when used.

On the other hand, the fitting groove 10a and the contact surface 10b according to the present embodiment are formed along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 10, and when the tip unit 3 rotates around the axis with respect to the torch body 2, the fitting groove 10a and the contact surface 10b are formed. The fitting state of the fitting member 7 with respect to 10a and the contact state of the power supply contact member 15 with respect to the contact surface 10b are maintained. Thus, even if the tip unit 3 rotates about the axis with respect to the torch body 2, the latch function of the positioning member 15 and the power supply function of the power supply contact member 15 are maintained.

According to this embodiment, since the power supply contact member 15 is a coil spring contact made of a ring-shaped coil spring, the tip connector 3 may be repeatedly attached to and detached from the torch body 2 or used for a long period of time. Even so, the electrical connection between the torch body 2 and the tip unit 3 can be maintained in good condition. The number of turns of the coil spring, the diameter of the wire, and the like are preferably set in consideration of the contact area, power supply efficiency, and the like.

In addition, since the tip unit 3 according to the present embodiment is rotatable around the axis in a state where it is connected and integrated with the torch body 2, for example, the tip opening of the contact tip 13 may be affected by the bending habit of the welding wire W. Even if wear occurs in the tip unit 3, by rotating the tip unit 3 with respect to the torch body 2, the direction of the bending tendency of the welding wire W can be set to a place where wear does not occur, and the life of the tip unit 3 can be extended. be able to.

Further, the fitting groove 10a and the contact surface 10b according to the present embodiment are formed along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion 10, and when the tip unit 3 rotates around the axis with respect to the torch body 2, the fitting groove 10a and the contact surface 10b are formed. Since the fitting state of the fitting member 7 with respect to 10a and the contact state of the power supply contact member 15 with respect to the contact surface 10b are maintained, the tip unit 3 is connected and integrated with the torch body 2 and rotates around the axis. Even so, the electrical connection between the torch body 2 and the tip unit 3 can be maintained in good condition.

Further, the connecting portion 10 according to the present embodiment is formed with a positioning groove 10c extending in the circumferential direction, and the torch body 2 is fitted into the positioning groove 10c when the tip unit 3 is connected and integrated. and the positioning member 16 is formed of a ring-shaped coil spring. , the positioning member 16 functions as a latch, and the positioning accuracy of the power supply contact member 15 with respect to the contact surface 10b can be improved.

Furthermore, the power supply contact member 15 and the positioning member 16 according to the present embodiment are attached to the attachment grooves 6b and 6c formed in the torch body 2 (specifically, the connection member 6 constituting the torch body 2), respectively. In addition, in a state in which the torch body 2 is connected and integrated with the tip unit 3, the positioning member 16 is fitted into the positioning groove 10c while the power supply contact member 15 is in contact with the contact surface 10b. It is possible to maintain good contact with the contact surface 10b by the contact member 15 for power supply while positioning by the member 16 is achieved.

In addition, since the positioning member 16 according to the present embodiment is made of a coil spring made of a material having a higher rigidity than the power supply contact member 15, power can be supplied when the tip unit 3 is connected and integrated with the torch body 2. Positioning of the contact member 15 with respect to the contact surface 10b can be held more firmly. The coil springs forming the positioning member 16 and the power supply contact member 15 may be made of any material as long as it can maintain a certain positioning function and current-carrying function.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this. A positioning member 16 may be attached. Further, in this embodiment, both the power supply contact member 15 and the positioning member 16 are provided, but the power supply contact member 15 may be provided without the positioning member 16 . .

The power supply contact member is a coil spring contact formed in a ring shape by connecting both ends of a coil spring formed by spirally winding a wire . As long as the welding torch can be electrically connected to the tip unit by contacting the inner peripheral surface , it can be applied to a welding torch having a different external shape or having other functions added.

1 Welding torch 2 Torch body 3 Tip unit 4 Connector member 5 Conductive pipe 6 Connecting member 6a Fitting hole 6b Mounting groove 6c Mounting groove 7 Fitting member 8 Slider 8a Groove 9 Relay member 9a, 9b Connecting part 10 Connecting part 10a Fitting Mating groove 10b Contact surface 10c Positioning groove 11 Insulator 12 Chip body 13 Contact tip 14 Nozzle 15 Power supply contact member 16 Positioning member T1 Inner tube T2 Guide tube H Insulation coating r1 O-ring r2 Retaining ring W Welding wire

Claims (5)

a torch body through which a welding wire can be passed through from the proximal end to the distal end;
The welding wire is detachable from the tip of the torch body, the welding wire sent from the torch body can be inserted and supplied to a desired welded part , and the welding wire is connected to the torch body and integrated. a tip unit that is rotatable around an axis in a combined state ;
a connector member formed at the tip of the torch body and capable of connecting and integrating the torch body and the tip unit;
a power supply contact member capable of supplying power to the tip unit from the torch body integrated by the connector member;
In a welding torch equipped with
The power supply contact member is a coil spring contact formed in a ring shape by connecting both ends of a coil spring formed by spirally winding a wire, and the tip unit is connected to the tip of the torch body. A welding torch , wherein an inner peripheral surface of the welding torch is in contact with the tip unit in a state in which electrical connection is possible . a fitting member formed on the tip side of the torch body;
A fitting groove that is formed on the base end side of the tip unit and is fitted with the fitting member to connect and integrate the tip unit with the torch body, and an inner circumference of the power supply contact member. a connecting portion having a contact surface capable of conducting electricity by contacting the surface;
wherein the fitting groove and the contact surface are formed along the circumferential direction of the connecting portion, and when the tip unit rotates around the axis with respect to the torch body, the fitting groove and the contact surface are fitted into the fitting groove. 2. The welding torch according to claim 1 , wherein the mated state of the joining member and the contact state of the power supply contact member with respect to the contact surface are maintained. A positioning groove is formed in the connecting portion in the circumferential direction, and the torch body is a positioning member that can be positioned by fitting into the positioning groove when the tip unit is connected and integrated. 3. The welding torch according to claim 2 , wherein said positioning member comprises a ring-shaped coil spring. The power supply contact member and the positioning member are attached to mounting grooves formed in the torch body, respectively. 4. The welding torch according to claim 3 , wherein said positioning member is fitted into said positioning groove while contacting said contact surface. 5. A welding torch according to claim 3 , wherein said positioning member comprises a coil spring made of a material having higher rigidity than said power supply contact member.

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