JPH1128569A - Welding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption of a whole welding machine and a suction quantity of dust/iron powder into the inside of a welding machine, further to reduce a probability of degrading in insulation due to dust/iron powder deposited in the inside of a welding machine without lowering cooling efficiency with cooling fans. SOLUTION: Corresponding to a procedure or condition set beforehand, by indepently controlling operation of two cooling fans 3, 4, the case, in which two of the cooling fans 3, 4 are not operated, the case, in which one or two fans are operated and the case, in which two of the cooling fans are operated, are selected. By this method, when cooling is not required, the fans of a number only required to a minimum for the condition is operated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a welding machine provided with a plurality of cooling fans for suppressing a rise in temperature due to internal heat generation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a welding machine receives an AC power as an input,
A power conversion circuit for supplying power suitable for welding as an output is provided, and a loss in the power conversion circuit is released as heat. In order to suppress a rise in the temperature of the entire welding machine due to such internal heat generation, the welding machine is usually provided with a cooling fan for cooling the power conversion circuit.
Particularly, in order to enhance the cooling efficiency, a welding machine having two cooling fans has been put to practical use and has been widely used.

Hereinafter, a conventional welding machine will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where two cooling fans are provided. In FIG. 4, 1 is an input switch for opening and closing a three-phase or single-phase input, 2 is a power conversion circuit for converting the input into an output suitable for welding, and 3 is a welding machine for cooling the inside of the welding machine. Like the first cooling fan 3, the first cooling fan 4 is provided with a second cooling fan 4 for cooling the inside of the welding machine.
Cooling fan.

[0004] With regard to the welding machine configured as described above,
The operation will be described below. When the input switch 1 is closed, the input voltage is supplied to the power conversion circuit 2 and at the same time,
The input voltage is also supplied to the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan 4, and the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan 4 rotate. Generally, power conversion circuit 2 does not operate until a welding start signal is input to a welding machine, and such a state is called a standby state.

In this standby state, when a welding start signal is input to the welding machine, the power conversion circuit 2 operates, and the welding machine outputs electric power suitable for welding. The power conversion circuit 2 mainly includes a semiconductor for power control, a transformer for power conversion, and a reactor for current smoothing, and these components generate heat when energized. Heat generation in the circuit 2 increases. Such a heat generating portion is divided into a first cooling fan 3 and a second cooling fan 4.
To prevent the internal parts from burning due to the temperature rise due to the heat generation.

[0006]

However, in the conventional welding machine as described above, not only the cooling air is simply increased, but also in the case where the heat-generating portion is separated into two places, two cooling units are required. Cooling air can be separated by a fan and supplied to each heat generating part, so efficient cooling is possible.On the other hand, when main power is supplied to the welding machine, regardless of the operation state of the welding machine Since the cooling fan always rotates, power consumption of the cooling fan is not only wasted in the standby state where cooling of the power conversion circuit of the welding machine is unnecessary, but also the time when the cooling fan sucks dust and iron powder from outside is required. However, there is a problem that the probability of causing insulation deterioration due to dust or iron powder accumulated inside the welding machine increases.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and does not reduce the cooling efficiency of the cooling fan.
A welding machine that can reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the amount of dust and iron powder sucked into the welding machine, and reduce the probability of insulation deterioration due to dust and iron powder accumulated inside the welding machine. provide.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a welding machine according to the present invention controls a plurality of cooling fans independently according to a preset procedure or condition, thereby providing a plurality of cooling fans. Choose between not operating all of the cooling fans, operating an appropriate number corresponding to the procedure or conditions, and operating all of the cooling fans. By operating only the minimum required number of cooling fans and stopping all other cooling fans that do not need to operate, the cooling fans reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust etc. into the welding machine. The operation is controlled.

In addition, by independently controlling the operation of the plurality of cooling fans according to the condition of the temperature of the parts inside the welding machine or the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detector, all of the plurality of cooling fans are not operated. Case, a case where an appropriate number corresponding to the above-mentioned condition is operated, and a case where all the devices are operated. Thereby, when cooling is unnecessary, the minimum number of cooling fans required for the condition is selected. By operating only the cooling fan and stopping all other unnecessary cooling fans, the operation of the cooling fan is controlled to reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust etc. into the welding machine. It is characterized in that cooling is efficiently performed according to the degree of necessity.

In addition, by independently controlling the operation of the plurality of cooling fans in accordance with the condition of the circuit current value of the welding machine detected by the current detector, all of the plurality of cooling fans are not operated, Select the case of operating an appropriate number corresponding to the above conditions and the case of operating all of them.When cooling is not required, only the minimum number of cooling fans required for the conditions are operated. By stopping all other cooling fans that do not need to be operated, the operation of the cooling fan is controlled to reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust etc. into the welding machine, and the circuit current value is used. The method is characterized in that heat generation is predicted in advance, and the number of operating cooling fans is changed to perform efficient cooling.

As described above, the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the amount of dust and iron powder sucked into the welding machine can be reduced without lowering the cooling efficiency of the cooling fan, and the dust accumulated inside the welding machine can be reduced. And the probability of insulation deterioration due to iron powder can be reduced.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A welding machine according to a first aspect of the present invention is a welding machine provided with a plurality of cooling fans for suppressing a temperature rise due to internal heat generation, wherein each of the plurality of cooling fans is individually provided. A plurality of cooling fan driving units that are connected to each other to supply and drive power to each cooling fan, and that a required number of the plurality of cooling fans operate according to a preset procedure or operating conditions. The cooling fan drive unit for driving the cooling fan is provided with a selection circuit for selecting from the plurality of cooling fan drive units.

According to this configuration, by independently controlling the operation of the plurality of cooling fans in accordance with a preset procedure or condition, the case where all of the plurality of cooling fans are not operated, the case where the procedure or the condition is not satisfied, Select the appropriate number of cases to operate and all cases to operate, so that when cooling is not required, only the minimum number of cooling fans required for the condition are operated and the other By stopping all unnecessary cooling fans,
The operation of the cooling fan is controlled so as to reduce power consumption of the entire welding machine and suction of dust and the like into the welding machine.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a welding machine according to the first aspect, wherein a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component or an ambient temperature is used as an operating condition, and a temperature signal detected by the temperature detector. And a control circuit for outputting a selection signal for selecting a cooling fan drive unit for driving a cooling fan to be operated to a selection circuit.

According to this configuration, the operation of the plurality of cooling fans is independently controlled in accordance with the condition of the component temperature inside the welding machine or the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detector, so that all of the plurality of cooling fans are controlled. Are not operated, a case in which an appropriate number corresponding to the above conditions is operated, and a case in which all are operated. Thereby, when cooling is not required, the minimum required number for the condition is selected. By operating only the cooling fan and stopping all other cooling fans that do not need to operate, the operation of the cooling fan is controlled so as to reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust and the like into the welding machine. At the same time, cooling is performed efficiently according to the necessity of cooling.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a welding machine including a current detector for detecting a current value to a constituent circuit as the operating condition according to the first or second aspect, wherein a control circuit is controlled by the current detector. According to the detected current signal, a selection signal for selecting a cooling fan drive unit that drives a cooling fan to be operated is output to a selection circuit.

According to this configuration, the operations of the plurality of cooling fans are independently controlled in accordance with the condition of the circuit current value of the welding machine detected by the current detector, so that all of the plurality of cooling fans are not operated. Case, a case where an appropriate number corresponding to the above-mentioned condition is operated, and a case where all the devices are operated. Thereby, when cooling is unnecessary, the minimum number of cooling fans required for the condition is selected. By only operating the cooling fan and stopping all other unnecessary cooling fans, the operation of the cooling fan is controlled so that the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust etc. into the welding machine are reduced, and the circuit is controlled. Heat generation is predicted in advance by the current value, and the number of operating cooling fans is changed to efficiently cool.

Hereinafter, a welding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) A welding machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the welding machine according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 is an input switch for opening and closing a three-phase or single-phase input, 2 is a power conversion circuit for converting the input to an output suitable for welding, and 3 is a first cooling fan for cooling the inside of the welding machine. Reference numeral 4 denotes a second cooling fan that cools the inside of the welding machine, 5 denotes a first cooling fan drive unit that supplies electric power to and drives the first cooling fan 3, 6
Denotes a second cooling fan drive unit that supplies power to and drives the second cooling fan 4, and 7 selects the first cooling fan drive unit 5 and the second cooling fan drive unit 6 simultaneously or only one of them. This is a selection circuit to be operated. The first cooling fan drive unit 5 and the second cooling fan drive unit 6 may be open / close contacts or voltage conversion circuits that variably control the supply voltage for the cooling fan.

Regarding the welding machine configured as described above,
The operation will be described below. When the input switch 1 is closed, the input voltage is supplied to the power conversion circuit 2 and the welding machine enters a standby state. When a welding start signal is input to the welding machine, the power conversion circuit 2 operates, and the welding machine outputs power suitable for welding. However, if the output increases, the internal circuit of the welding machine, in particular, the power conversion circuit 2 Since the heat generation is increased, it is necessary to forcibly cool the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan 4.

The rotation of the first cooling fan 3 is controlled by the first cooling fan drive unit 5, and the rotation of the second cooling fan 4 is controlled by the second cooling fan drive unit 6, Since the selection of the cooling fan driving unit 5 and the second cooling fan driving unit 6 is performed by the selection circuit 7, the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan driving unit 6 are selected in accordance with a preset procedure or condition or an operating state of the welding machine. Can be operated independently of each other.

For example, in a standby state in which heat generation in the internal circuit of the welding machine is small, a drive signal is output from the selection circuit 7 only to the first cooling fan driving section 5 to rotate only the first cooling fan 3 and A drive signal is output from the selection circuit 7 to the first cooling fan drive unit 5 and the second cooling fan drive unit 6 by a welding start signal to rotate the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan 4. Is possible. Alternatively, in the standby state, all of the first and second cooling fans 3 and 4 may be stopped, and all of the first and second cooling fans 3 and 4 may be rotated by the welding start signal. That is, with this configuration, a cooling fan can be selected and operated according to the necessity of cooling. (Embodiment 2) A welding machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the welding machine according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 2, 1 to 7 are the same as those of the welding machine of FIG. FIG. 2 is different from FIG. 1 in that a control circuit for controlling the operation of the cooling fan is provided according to the temperature of the components inside the welding machine or the ambient temperature. That is, reference numeral 8 denotes a temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component or an atmosphere inside the welding machine, and 9 denotes a control circuit for the cooling fan for changing the operation state of the cooling fan according to the temperature detected by the temperature detector 8. The configuration other than the circuit 8 and the control circuit 9 is the same as that of FIG.

In the welding machine shown in FIG. 2, the control circuit 9 for the cooling fan outputs a selection signal for selecting the cooling fan to be operated by the selection circuit 7 in accordance with the temperature signal from the temperature detector 8. The selection circuit 7 outputs a drive signal to the first cooling fan driving unit 5 or the second cooling fan driving unit 6 in order to operate the cooling fan selected in accordance with the selection signal, and the first driving signal is output to the first cooling fan driving unit 5 or the second cooling fan driving unit 6. The cooling fan 3 or the second cooling fan 4 rotates.

For example, the control circuit 9 for the cooling fan does not output the selection signal to the selection circuit 7 when the temperature signal output from the temperature detector 8 is included in the predetermined first temperature range. When the temperature signal is included in the second temperature range higher than the first temperature range, a signal for selecting only the first cooling fan 3 is output to the selection circuit 7, and the temperature signal is changed to the second temperature range. If the temperature is included in the third temperature range higher than the temperature range, the selection circuit 7 is set to output a signal for selecting the first cooling fan 3 and the second cooling fan 4. Can be changed. (Embodiment 3) A welding machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the welding machine according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 3, reference numerals 1 to 7 are the same as those of the welding machine of FIG. FIG. 3 is different from FIG. 1 in that a current detector for detecting a circuit current value flowing through an internal circuit of the welding machine is provided. That is, 10 is a current detector for detecting a circuit current flowing in the internal circuit of the welding machine, 9 is a control circuit for the cooling fan for changing the operation state of the cooling fan according to the detected current value of the current detector 10, and Configurations other than the detector 10 and the control circuit 9 are the same as those in FIG.

In the welding machine shown in FIG. 3, the control circuit 9 for the cooling fan outputs a selection signal for selecting the cooling fan to be operated by the selection circuit 7 in accordance with the detected current value from the current detector 10. . The selection circuit 7 outputs a drive signal to the first cooling fan driving unit 5 or the second cooling fan driving unit 6 in order to operate the cooling fan selected in accordance with the selection signal, and the first driving signal is output to the first cooling fan driving unit 5 or the second cooling fan driving unit 6. Cooling fan 3
Alternatively, the second cooling fan 4 rotates.

For example, the control circuit 9 for the cooling fan outputs a selection signal to the selection circuit 7 when the detected current value output from the current detector 10 falls within a predetermined first current range. If the detected current value is included in the second current range higher than the first current range, a signal for selecting only the first cooling fan 3 is output to the selection circuit 7, and the detected current value is In the case where the current is included in the third current range higher than the second current range, the first cooling fan 3 and the second
If the setting is made such that a signal for selecting the cooling fan 4 is output, the number of operating cooling fans can be changed according to the value of the circuit current.

As described above, the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the amount of dust and iron powder sucked into the welding machine can be reduced without lowering the cooling efficiency of the cooling fan, and the dust accumulated inside the welding machine can be reduced. And the probability of insulation deterioration due to iron powder can be reduced.

It should be noted that a welding machine may be provided with both the above-mentioned temperature detector 8 and current detector 10, whereby the operation of selecting a cooling fan can be performed more finely in accordance with the operating state of the welding machine. be able to.

Also in a welding machine having three or more cooling fans, similarly to the welding machines of the above embodiments,
It goes without saying that the number of operating cooling fans can be selected.

[0032]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
Independently controlling the operation of a plurality of cooling fans according to a preset procedure or condition, when not operating all of the plurality of cooling fans, and operating an appropriate number corresponding to the procedure or condition And when all are to be operated, so that when cooling is not required, only the minimum number of cooling fans required for the condition are operated and all other cooling fans that do not need to operate are selected. By stopping the operation, the operation of the cooling fan can be controlled so as to reduce the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the suction of dust and the like into the welding machine.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation of the plurality of cooling fans is independently controlled in accordance with the condition of the component temperature inside the welding machine or the ambient temperature detected by the temperature detector. When not operating all of the plurality of cooling fans, when operating an appropriate number corresponding to the above-mentioned conditions, and when operating all of the cooling fans, thereby, when cooling is not required, By operating only the minimum required number of cooling fans and stopping all other cooling fans that do not need to operate, cooling is performed to reduce power consumption of the entire welding machine and suction of dust etc. into the welding machine. The operation of the fan can be controlled, and the cooling can be efficiently performed according to the necessity of cooling.

According to the invention of claim 3, according to the condition of the circuit current value of the welding machine detected by the current detector,
By independently controlling the operation of the plurality of cooling fans, a case where all of the plurality of cooling fans are not operated, a case where an appropriate number corresponding to the above conditions are operated, and a case where all are operated are selected. Therefore, when cooling is not required, only the minimum number of cooling fans required for the condition are operated and all other cooling fans that do not need to operate are stopped, thereby reducing the power consumption of the entire welding machine. In addition to controlling the operation of the cooling fan so as to reduce the suction of dust and the like into the welding machine, heat can be predicted in advance based on the circuit current value, and the number of operating cooling fans can be changed for efficient cooling.

As a result, the power consumption of the entire welding machine and the amount of dust and iron powder sucked into the welding machine can be reduced without lowering the cooling efficiency of the cooling fan, and the amount of dust accumulated in the welding machine can be reduced. The probability of insulation deterioration due to dust or iron powder can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a welding machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a welding machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a welding machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a conventional welding machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 2 power conversion circuit 3 first cooling fan 4 second cooling fan 5 first cooling fan drive unit 6 second cooling fan drive unit 7 selection circuit 8 temperature detector 9 cooling fan control circuit 10 current detector

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A welding machine comprising a plurality of cooling fans for suppressing a rise in temperature due to internal heat generation, wherein the welding machine is individually connected to each of the plurality of cooling fans and is driven by supplying power to each of the cooling fans. A plurality of cooling fan driving units, and a cooling fan driving unit that drives the cooling fans such that a required number of the plurality of cooling fans operate according to a preset procedure or operating condition. A selection circuit for selecting from a fan drive unit. 2. A temperature detector for detecting a temperature of a component or an ambient temperature as an operating condition, and a cooling fan drive unit for driving a cooling fan to be operated according to a temperature signal detected by the temperature detector. Select signal to select,
The welding machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control circuit that outputs to the selection circuit. 3. A cooling device comprising: a current detector for detecting a current value to a constituent circuit as an operation condition; and a control circuit for driving a cooling fan to be operated in accordance with a current signal detected by the current detector. The welding machine according to claim 1, wherein a selection signal for selecting a fan driving unit is output to a selection circuit.