Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
  • B23K9/00—Arc welding or cutting
  • B23K9/24—Features related to electrodes
  • B23K9/28—Supporting devices for electrodes
  • B23K9/287—Supporting devices for electrode holders

Definitions

• the invention relates to a switch-off box for a robot system, with a coupling means which is resiliently mounted in a housing and is designed for connection to a hose package and a welding torch formed by a torch body and possibly a torch handle.
• Collision protection detectors or switch-off boxes are known from the prior art, but are installed directly in the robot, that is to say in a robot arm.
• the components are attached to these switch-off boxes integrated in the robot.
• the disadvantage here is that these integrated switch-off boxes have to take up the entire weight of the attached components and therefore have to be designed to be very rigid, as a result of which the switch-off behavior is impaired.
• a welding torch for use in a welding robot with a collision protection which has a spring-mounted coupling means, which is designed for connection to a hose package and a welding torch.
• the disadvantage here is the relatively complicated construction, which also serves to allow radial movements of the welding torch.
• JP 7-178546 A also shows a welding torch with collision protection, the connection of the hose package not being shown. If the hose package is attached to the coupling means, the switch-off box has to absorb a very high weight of the components attached to it, which affects the switch-off behavior.
• GB 1 224 180 A shows a device for controlling the movement of a tool, for example a welding torch, in which a finder can be mounted to record the path of movement of the tool.
• a finder can be mounted to record the path of movement of the tool.
• elements are arranged which detect a collision of the viewfinder with the workpiece and thereby control the motors of the robot control accordingly.
• the object of the present invention is therefore to create an independent switch-off box which can be used flexibly at any point or position in the robot system. Furthermore, the switch-off box should be constructed as simply as possible and be characterized by a quick and easy response.
• the housing consists of two parts and the coupling means is designed for selective contact with the housing.
• the switch-off box can be arranged directly in the welding torch, that is to say between the individual components of the welding torch. This ensures that the switch-off box is positioned as close as possible to the endangered area and thus slight collisions can be detected.
• the hose package or the burner handle can be connected to the switch-off box, whereby this takes up the weight of the components, so that the spring-loaded coupling means of the switch-off box only has to be designed for the weight of the burner body.
• the punctual installation of the coupling means on the housing ensures a quick response of the switch-off box, because if a collision occurs due to the opening of a punctiform bearing, the collision is recognized immediately and the robot system can be appropriately controlled by arranging contact elements or switching elements accordingly. A very good response behavior is thus achieved.
• Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a welding machine or a welding device.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of an arrangement of the switch-off box on the welding torch between the torch body and the hose package;
• FIG. 3 shows a further illustration of an arrangement of the switch-off box on the welding torch between the torch body and the torch handle;
• Fig. 5 is a sectional view through the switch-off box according to lines V-V in Fig. 4;
• Fig. 6 is a sectional view through the switch-off box according to lines VI-VI in Fig. 4;
• FIG. 7 is a sectional view through the switch-off box according to lines VII-VII in FIG. 4.
• Fig. 1 is a welding device 1 or a welding system for various processes or procedures, such as MIG / MAG welding or TIG / TIG welding or electrode welding processes, double wire / tandem welding processes, plasma or soldering processes etc. are shown.
• MIG / MAG welding or TIG / TIG welding or electrode welding processes double wire / tandem welding processes, plasma or soldering processes etc. are shown.
• the solution according to the invention can be used with a current source or a welding current source.
• the welding device 1 comprises a current source 2 with a power unit 3, a control device 4 and a changeover element 5 assigned to the power unit 3 or the control device 4.
• the changeover element 5 or the control device 4 is connected to a control valve 6, which is connected in a supply line 7 for a gas 8, in particular a protective gas, such as C0 2 , helium or argon and the like.
• a control valve 6 which is connected in a supply line 7 for a gas 8, in particular a protective gas, such as C0 2 , helium or argon and the like.
• a wire feed device 11 which is common for MIG / MAG welding, can also be controlled via the control device 4, an additional material or a welding wire 13 being fed from a supply drum 14 into the area of the torch 10 via a supply line 12.
• the wire feed device 11 as is known from the prior art, to be integrated in the welding device 1, in particular in the basic housing, and not as an additional device, as shown in FIG. 1.
• the wire feed device 11 may feed the welding wire 13 or the filler metal outside the welding torch 10 to the process point, with a non-melting electrode preferably being arranged in the welding torch 10, as is customary in TIG / TIG welding.
• the current for establishing an arc 15, in particular a working arc, between the welding wire 13 and a workpiece 16 is fed via a welding line 17 from the power section 3 of the current source 2 to the welding torch 10, the workpiece 16 to be welded, which is formed from several parts,
• a further welding line 18 is also connected to the welding device 1, in particular to the power source 2, and thus a circuit can be set up for a process via the arc 15 or the plasma beam formed.
• the burner 10 can be connected to a liquid container, in particular a water container 21, via a cooling circuit 19, with the interposition of a flow monitor 20, so that when the welding torch 10 is started up, the cooling circuit 19, in particular one for the liquid arranged in the water container 21 used liquid pump is started and thus cooling of the welding torch 10 can be effected.
• the welding device 1 also has an input and / or output device 22, by means of which the most varied welding parameters, operating modes or welding programs of the welding device 1 can be set or called up.
• the over the input and / or output device 22 set welding parameters, operating modes or welding programs are forwarded to the control device 4 and this then controls the individual components of the welding system or of the welding device 1.
• the welding torch 10 is connected to the welding device 1 or the welding system via a hose package 23.
• the individual lines from the welding device 1 to the welding torch 10 are arranged in the hose package 23.
• the hose package 23 is connected to the welding torch 10 via a coupling device 24 or central connection, whereas the individual lines in the hose package 23 are connected to the individual contacts of the welding device 1 via connection sockets or plug connections. So that a corresponding strain relief of the hose package 23 is ensured, the hose package 23 is connected via a strain relief device 25 to a housing 26, in particular to the base housing of the welding device 1.
• the coupling device 24 can also be used for the connection to the welding device 1.
• FIG. 2 and 3 show an application example of a switch-off box 27 for a robot system, in particular a welding system.
• the shutdown box 27 is arranged directly on the welding torch 10, in FIG. 2 this between a torch body 28 and a hose package 23 and in FIG. 3 between the torch body 28 and a torch handle 29, for example with an integrated wire feeder, to which the hose package 23 is connected is arranged.
• Welding torch 10 with the integrated switch-off box 27 is fastened to a robot system (not shown) via a fastening means 30.
• switch-off box 27 directly on the welding torch 10 has the advantage that the switch-off box 27 absorb less weight must and thus better shutdown behavior is achieved in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the independent switch-off box 27 ensures that an optimal adaptation can be made to the arrangement of the switch-off box 27, since this can be used at the most varied of locations on the robot system. It is also possible to use the switch-off box 27 in such a way that no welding components are connected, but instead these are used, for example, between the robot arm and the fastening means 30 for the welding torch 10.
• the shutdown box 27 is shown schematically in detail, a coupling means 34 being resiliently mounted in a housing 33 consisting of two parts 31, 32.
• the coupling means 34 is designed to connect the welding torch 10, in particular its components, and the hose package 23, a commercially available central connection or coupling device from welding technology for connecting the hose package 23 to the welding torch 10 on the coupling means 34 being implemented.
• the function of the switch-off box 27 is that collision detection is carried out, the switch-off box 27 being designed as a compact structural unit and thus as an independent component and can be arranged accordingly depending on the area of use.
• the switch-off box 27 is constructed in such a way that the coupling means 34 is resiliently mounted in the housing 33, which consists of two parts 30, 31, the coupling means 34 protruding from the housing 33 through an opening 35, whereas the further end of the coupling means 34 inside the Housing 33 may end.
• the burner body 28 can be attached to the protruding end of the coupling means 34.
• a cavity 36 is formed in the interior of the housing 33.
• the coupling means 34 is preferably insulated from the housing 33, as a result of which electrical energy, in particular the welding current, can be transmitted via the coupling means 34.
• an insulating ring 37 is arranged in the exemplary embodiment shown.
• the coupling means 34 has a support surface 39 for selective contact with the housing 33, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is formed by an outer ring 40 with an L-shaped cross section, which is fastened to the insulating ring 37.
• This outer ring 40 with an L-shaped cross section can be designed to run all the way round or can only form some sections.
• this ensures that the coupling means 34 is secured against slipping out of the housing 33 and, on the other hand, that a selective support can be formed in the housing 33. It is essential that the coupling means 34 only abuts the housing 33 at certain points, so that a point is lifted off the housing 33 in the event of a collision. Of course, it is possible that the outer ring 40 is also formed by the coupling means 34.
• projections 41 are arranged on the outer ring 40, so that a punctiform support on the housing 33 is created. It is also possible to arrange other spacing elements, such as balls, for example, instead of the projections 41, to form a punctiform support between the support surface 39 and the housing 33. Three or five projections 41 are preferably arranged here.
• the coupling means 34 are fastened with a screw connection 42 through the outer ring 40 or the support surface 39, a spring element 44 being arranged between a screw head 43 and the outer ring 40 or the support surface 39.
• the entire coupling means 34 is thus resiliently mounted, so that in the event of a collision of the connected parts, in particular the burner body 28, with a fixed object, the coupling means 34 is shifted accordingly. So that this is recognized, contact elements or switching elements (not shown) are connected to the projections 41 or the support surface 39, so that the contact element is activated or deactivated by lifting a single projection 41 from the housing 33 and thus a signal from the contact element or Switching element is forwarded to a connected control device 4 or the robot. Furthermore, an opening 45 is also arranged in the housing 33 on the opposite side of the outlet of the coupling means 34, so that the lines supplied via the hose package 23 can be guided into the housing 33 to the coupling means 34.
• an extension or a thread 46 is preferably arranged in order to connect an outer hose of the hose package 23 to the housing 33. It is thereby achieved that the weight of the hose package 23 does not act directly on the coupling means 34, but rather is transmitted to the housing 33 of the shutdown box 27.
• the spring elements 44 for the mounting of the coupling means 34 can be designed weaker, so that the response behavior of the switch-off box 27 is significantly improved.
• the switch-off box 27 serves to detect that a collision of the burner body 28 attached to the switch-off box 27 with an object. This is done by displacing or moving the coupling means 34 inside the housing 33, as a result of which a projection 41 is lifted off and a signal is emitted in the process. It is essential that the coupling means 34 is mounted in the housing 33 in such a way that when a collision occurs, a defined displacement, in particular a lifting of the selective bearings in the housing 33 of the shutdown box 27, occurs. This is because it is possible that the movement of the coupling means 34 can be identified by simply arranging contact elements or switching elements, and the structure is thus considerably simplified.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Arc Welding In General (AREA)
• Manipulator (AREA)
• Closing Of Containers (AREA)
• Auxiliary Devices For And Details Of Packaging Control (AREA)
• Container Filling Or Packaging Operations (AREA)
• Warehouses Or Storage Devices (AREA)
• Supplying Of Containers To The Packaging Station (AREA)

Priority Applications (5)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (9)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 2002
  • 2002-10-08 AT AT0152402A patent/AT411882B/de not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2003
  • 2003-10-06 DE DE50307433T patent/DE50307433D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-10-06 EP EP03747692A patent/EP1549453B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-10-06 CN CNB200380101066XA patent/CN100537109C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-10-06 JP JP2004542078A patent/JP2006502005A/ja active Pending
  • 2003-10-06 US US10/529,293 patent/US7462803B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-10-06 ES ES03747692T patent/ES2287506T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-10-06 WO PCT/AT2003/000300 patent/WO2004033141A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2003-10-06 AT AT03747692T patent/ATE363960T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-10-06 AU AU2003266808A patent/AU2003266808A1/en not_active Abandoned

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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