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WO2020110158A1 - Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique - Google Patents

Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020110158A1
WO2020110158A1 PCT/IT2018/000153 IT2018000153W WO2020110158A1 WO 2020110158 A1 WO2020110158 A1 WO 2020110158A1 IT 2018000153 W IT2018000153 W IT 2018000153W WO 2020110158 A1 WO2020110158 A1 WO 2020110158A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rod
welding apparatus
arm
configuration
respect
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/IT2018/000153
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Damiano Bergami
Fabio GUBELLINI
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tecna SpA
Original Assignee
Tecna SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tecna SpA filed Critical Tecna SpA
Priority to PCT/IT2018/000153 priority Critical patent/WO2020110158A1/fr
Publication of WO2020110158A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020110158A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

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
    • B23K11/00—Resistance welding; Severing by resistance heating
    • B23K11/30—Features relating to electrodes
    • B23K11/31—Electrode holders and actuating devices therefor
    • B23K11/314—Spot welding guns, e.g. mounted on robots
    • B23K11/315—Spot welding guns, e.g. mounted on robots with one electrode moving on a linear path

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a welding apparatus.
  • the term "electric resistance welding” identifies a vast category of methods, in which the material to be welded is heated by electric resistance.
  • Apparatuses are widespread which implement this method and which are equipped with a form of clamp in which the arms have respective electrodes at the free ends (or are constituted by electrodes). From opposite sides the electrodes are kept pressed against the pieces to be welded to each other, and in turn these pieces are in contact: by making a current pass through the electrodes and the pieces, it is thus possible to dissipate sufficient heat to cause the melting of the pieces, and the desired welding.
  • Solutions of the type described above are adopted in many and varied fields of application, using both permanent installations and solutions that are at least partially portable.
  • the latter are for example used for welding sheet metal and other parts of automobile bodywork, in repair shops or directly in factories for production and assembly.
  • conventional apparatuses have a main body, which is composed of a shell that contains the components necessary to the operation and is equipped with grips.
  • the space occupation and the geometry of the arms and/or of the electrodes, which extend from the shell, are designed to be compatible with the shape structure of the bodywork and of the typical areas to be welded, taking account of the fact that the parts to be welded must necessarily be located in the space measuring a few centimeters (or millimeters) comprised between the two electrodes.
  • Release devices must obviously be designed to guard against their accidental activation and therefore, according to modes that are by now widespread, they require the use of an Allen key, which is engaged in a seat directly or indirectly associated with the lock element. Turning the key in fact makes the lock element rotate, and so it is brought from the condition of interference to the condition in which it does not oppose the rotation of the arm.
  • the Allen key is a tool that is not part of the apparatus, but which the user must be able to obtain at the desired time.
  • the aim of the present invention is to solve the above mentioned problems, by providing a welding apparatus that offers practical methods of temporarily releasing an arm thereof.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that is provided with a device for temporarily releasing an arm thereof which can be easily actuated, without using external tools.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that is provided with a release device that has a low bulk, such as to not be a hindrance during welding operations.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that allows to temporarily release an arm thereof rapidly, while still guarding against the danger of accidental actuation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that ensures a high reliability of operation.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that adopts an alternative technical and structural architecture to those of conventional apparatuses.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that can be easily implemented using elements and materials that are readily available on the market.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a welding apparatus that is low cost and safely applied. This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a welding apparatus according to claim
  • Figure 1 is a front elevation view of the welding apparatus according to the invention, with the supporting arm locked;
  • Figure 2 is a view from above of the welding apparatus in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 2, taken along the line III- III, and shows the body in the first angular position;
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of the device for temporarily releasing, with the rods in the first configuration
  • Figure 5 is a side view of the device in Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5, taken along the line VI- VI;
  • Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 5, taken along the line VII- VII;
  • Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the device in Figure 4, with an external component removed;
  • FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the welding apparatus according to the invention, with the supporting arm temporarily released;
  • Figure 10 is a view from above of the welding apparatus in Figure 9;
  • Figure 1 1 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 10, taken along the line XI-XI, and shows the body in the second angular position;
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of the device for temporarily releasing, with the rods in the second configuration and the first rod rotated with respect to the second rod;
  • Figure 13 is a front elevation view of the device in Figure 12;
  • Figure 14 is a side view of the device in Figure 12;
  • Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 14, taken along the line XV-XV.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a welding apparatus, which comprises a main unit 2 which directly or indirectly supports a first electrode 3 a and a second electrode 3b.
  • the electrodes 3a, 3b can be passed through by an electric current for carrying out welding processes (typically but not exclusively using electric resistance), to which pieces placed in advance between the electrodes 3a, 3b are thus subjected.
  • the apparatus 1 is (at least partially) portable, with the unit 2 capable of being gripped by a user, for example by virtue of handles for gripping 4 which extend from the outer shell 5 of the unit 2, and moved freely in a workstation.
  • the unit 2 is connected by way of wiring to a trolley or to fixed installation, for powering and managing the operation of the unit 2 and of the components inside it (contained in the shell 5).
  • the apparatus 1 is intended for welding parts (metal sheets, for example) of the bodywork of automobiles and vehicles in general, both in production/assembly and in repair.
  • the user can progressively move the unit 2 along the areas of the bodywork to be welded, keeping the areas between the electrodes 3a, 3b, and so carry out the desired welding.
  • the unit 2 is associated with a device 6 for temporarily releasing a supporting arm 7 supporting a first electrode 3 a (the arm 7 is part of the unit 2 or extends from it), and the device 6 can be selectively activated in order to temporarily allow the movement of the supporting arm 7 .
  • the electrodes 3a, 3b are kept immobile at a mutual fixed distance, in order to allow the correct execution of the welding (as in the situation in Figure 1).
  • the very arrangement and the space occupation of the electrodes 3 a, 3 b and of the respective supporting elements (the arm 7 in particular), and also the arrangement and space occupation of the pieces/parts to be welded do not allow to correctly position the pieces/parts between the electrodes 3a, 3b.
  • the device 6 makes it possible to temporarily release the supporting arm 7 and therefore makes it possible to separate, even by just a few centimeters, the first electrode 3 a from the other (for example producing the situation shown in Figure 9), thus making it possible to place the pieces to be welded more easily between the electrodes.
  • the methods with which the second electrode 3b is supported by the unit 2 can be any, as can be the methods with which each electrode 3 a, 3b is kept pressed on the pieces.
  • first electrode 3a and “second electrode” 3b are made solely for convenience of identification in this discussion, the term “first” electrode 3a meaning simply the one supported by the arm 7 that is directly affected by the action of the device 6.
  • the device 6 comprises an axially symmetric hollow body 8, which is supported by the unit 2 with the possibility to axially rotate between at least one first angular position (in which it is arranged in Figures 1-3) and a second angular position ( Figures 9-1 1).
  • the axial portion 8a is identified by the section of the body 8 that is longitudinally aligned with the arm 7.
  • the first angular position is clearly shown in Figure 3, where it can be seen that the body 8, with its portion 8a, opposes the rotation of the arm 7, which otherwise could occur about a pin 9.
  • a window 10 provided along the lateral surface of the portion 8a is arranged along the rotation path of the arm 7 (about the pin 9), in order to allow the movement of the arm.
  • Figure 11 which shows the body 8 in the second angular position, in such situation the arm 7 does not immediately encounter the opposition of the lateral surface of the body 8 (of the portion 8a), but rather the window 10, which allows a rotation at least of a few degrees, sufficient in any case to separate the electrodes 3a, 3b from each other, thus obtaining the desired object.
  • the device 6 comprises a lever 1 1 for actuating the body 8, which can rotate with respect to the body 8 and which comprises a first rod 12a and a second rod 12b, which are mutually articulated at a common end 12c.
  • the rods 12a, 12b can slide between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration they are aligned and accommodated in the body 8 ( Figure 6 for example clearly shows such first configuration). Then, in the second configuration, the first rod 12a is extracted from the body 8 ( Figures 12-13-14), while the second rod 12b is kept at least partially inside ( Figure 15).
  • the body 8 has a seat 13 which is configured for coupling by interlocking with the first rod 12a, when the latter is arranged in the second, axial configuration and rotated with respect to the second rod 12b about the common end 12c, with respect to the condition of mutual alignment.
  • the seat 13 is defined at a protruding end of the body 8, directed outward, and is constituted by a radial notch of width substantially corresponding to the diameter of the first rod 12a.
  • the body 8 is coupled by interlocking with the first rod 12a when the latter is arranged in the second, axial configuration (i.e. it is extracted from the body 8) and rotated until it assumes an orientation perpendicular to the second rod 12b (as can be seen in Figures 12-14 for example, and also in Figures 9- 10).
  • the body 8 is substantially shaped like a straight circular cylinder (along which the portion 8a is therefore defined).
  • the body 8 has an enlarged head 8b protruding at an end thereof (the end affected by the seat 13).
  • the window 10 is ideally defined between two generatrices of the cylinder and two axially aligned (and at right angles to the axis of the cylinder) arcs, which are chosen to have a measure preferably less than 180°.
  • the angle of the arcs (and therefore the width or transverse dimension of the window 10) can be freely chosen, as a function of the mechanical strength that it is desired to give to the portion 8a and/or as a function of the space that it is desired to leave for the arm 7 to rotate.
  • the rods 12a, 12b can slide within a longitudinal duct which is provided coaxially inside the body 8.
  • the rods 12a, 12b can slide within a longitudinal channel 14 that is provided eccentrically inside the body 8 (i.e., the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the channel 14 does not coincide with that of the body 8, even though it is parallel thereto).
  • a longitudinal channel 14 that is provided eccentrically inside the body 8 (i.e., the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the channel 14 does not coincide with that of the body 8, even though it is parallel thereto).
  • the apparatus 1 comprises detachable means for locking the rods 12a, 12b, which can be selectively activated in the first configuration to obstruct (prevent) the accidental transition to the second configuration and therefore the involuntary actuation of the device 6.
  • the means increase the safety of use of the invention, in that by virtue thereof it is possible to guard against or in any case further reduce the risk that, during the execution of welding for example, the rods 12a, 12b could accidentally be brought to the second configuration from which, as has been seen, with an additional rotation of the first rod 12a, it is possible to release the arm 7.
  • the means for locking comprise a latch 15 which is mounted transversely on the first rod 12a ( Figures 12-14 for example).
  • the latch 15 is configured for bayonet coupling in a respective contoured recess 16, provided inside the body 8 (preferably but not exclusively proximate to the protruding end).
  • Such coupling can occur only following a rotation of the lever 1 1 (about its own longitudinal axis) with respect to the body 8, imparted with the rods 12a, 12b in the first configuration (in that only in the first configuration is the first rod 12a arranged at such a longitudinal height that the latch 15 is located at the recess 16).
  • the bayonet coupling occurs by virtue of the mutual engagement of inclined planes provided along the latch 15 with chutes and ramps defined along the recess 16.
  • the latch 15 is in turn contoured so as to not obstruct the extraction of the first rod 12a, during the transition from the first configuration to the second configuration (for example, by making it align with the radial notch).
  • the means for locking can be provided differently to what is described above, while remaining within the scope of protection claimed herein.
  • there could be an external threading of an adapted component (substituting the latch 15), which can engage a female thread provided on the body 8 (in place of the recess 16).
  • the apparatus 1 comprises an indication mechanism 17, which is automatically activated during the rotation of the body 8 (about its own longitudinal axis) with respect to the main unit 2 upon reaching the second angular position.
  • the mechanism 17 emits a signal (optical, acoustic, or of any other kind), thereby overcoming the possible drawback explained above.
  • the mechanism 17 comprises a sensor anchored to the body 8, which is configured to detect its alignment with a nick 18 (of any shape and size) arranged along the lateral surface of the body 8 (and preferably along the head 8b).
  • a nick 18 of any shape and size
  • the condition of alignment between the nick 18 and the sensor is chosen to correspond to the point where the body 8 (which is thus indirectly detected by the sensor ) reaches the second angular position.
  • the information thus obtained can be transmitted to the user with a signal of any kind, according to the specific requirements.
  • the senor comprises a sprung tip element 19 ( Figures 2 and 9), which is usually kept pressed elastically against the lateral surface of the body 8 (and preferably of the head 8b).
  • the tip element 19 (by virtue in fact of the elastic reaction of the spring) moves automatically upon the alignment of the sensor with the nick 18 (by being inserted, even only partially, into the nick). The user can thus recognize when the second angular position is reached by seeing a small click of the tip element 19 (and/or by hearing the associated noise).
  • the lever 1 1 is provided with a knob 20 for gripping, which is fitted on the first rod 12a at the opposite end from the common end 12c.
  • the knob 20 (which is typically but not exclusively spherical) thus defines a facilitated handle at least for moving the rods 12a, 12b between the first configuration and the second configuration and for rotating the first rod 12a with respect to the second rod 12b, in the second configuration.
  • the apparatus 1 can be used according to methods that are traditional per se, by positioning the parts (metal sheets for example) to be welded between the electrodes 3a, 3b and keeping them pressed against the first electrode, while an electric current passes through them.
  • the device 6 offers the possibility to temporarily separate the electrodes 3a, 3b, or in any case to move the first with respect to the designated placement for the welding, in order to allow the user to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, owing to the encumbrances and geometries of the components in play.
  • the device 6 makes it possible to release the arm 7 that supports the first electrode 3a, in order to turn it even by just a few degrees, but enough to increase/change the distance between the electrodes 3a, 3b and indeed facilitate a repositioning of the apparatus 1.
  • the body 8 is arranged in the first angular position ( Figure 3) and opposes, with its axial portion 8a, the rotation of the arm 7.
  • the lever 11 is arranged in the first angular position (i.e., the rods 12a, 12b are accommodated in the body 8, as for example in Figures 4-8).
  • the rods 12a, 12b are rotated (about their own longitudinal axis) with respect to the body 8 so that the latch 15 performs bayonet coupling with the recess 16, in order to prevent accidental movements.
  • the user wishes to release the arm 7 and move the first electrode 3 a, he or she first of all has to rotate the lever 1 1 about its own longitudinal axis (for example by gripping the knob 20), in order to deactivate the means for locking (in order to disengage the latch 15 from the recess 16). Then the user has to pull out (extract) the lever 1 1, bringing the rods 12a, 12b from the first configuration to the second configuration (fully extracting the first rod 12a from the channel 14).
  • the user has to impose a further rotation on the lever 1 1 (in this case, about the longitudinal axis of the body 8, which is rendered integral with it), for example by acting once again on the knob 20.
  • the body 8 is brought from the first angular position to the second angular position ( Figure 9), in which it is the opening defined by the window 10 that is arranged along the rotation path of the arm 7, and no longer the mass of the axial portion 8a.
  • the user can then grasp the arm 7 and move it as desired.
  • the latter can turn the body 8.
  • the apparatus 1 therefore offers convenient methods of temporarily releasing an arm 7 thereof, by using a device 6 that does not require external tools.
  • the means for locking guard against the danger of accidental actuation while the indication mechanism 17 offers the user the certainty of identifying the exact moment when, during the rotation of the body 8, the second angular position is actually reached.
  • the lever 1 1 with its rods 12a, 12b is completely contained within the body 8 (protruding at most only with the knob 20), with the body 8 in turn being fully insertable (rotatably) into the unit 2, without resulting in any increase in space occupation with respect to the unit.
  • the device 6 does not impede the welding operations in any way, in fact maintaining a very reduced space occupation and being practically hidden from the user (so as not to create any hindrance for the user).
  • the choice to arrange the rods 12a, 12b inside a longitudinal channel 14 that is eccentric (and not coaxial to the body 8) ensures greater rigidity and mechanical strength, in particular in the portion 8a.
  • the materials employed, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Robotics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Resistance Welding (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil de soudage, qui comprend une unité principale (2) qui maintient directement ou indirectement une première électrode (3a) et une seconde électrode (3b) qui peuvent être traversées par un courant électrique afin de mettre en œuvre des processus de soudage. L'unité (2) est associée à un dispositif (6) de libération temporaire d'un bras porteur (7) de la première électrode (3a), qui peut être sélectivement activé pour permettre temporairement le mouvement du bras (7). Le dispositif (6) comprend un corps creux axialement symétrique (8), qui est maintenu par l'unité (2) et ayant la possibilité de tourner axialement entre au moins une première position angulaire, dans laquelle il entrave la rotation du bras (7) avec au moins sa partie axiale (8a), et au moins une seconde position angulaire, dans laquelle une fenêtre (10) présente le long de la surface latérale de la partie (8a) est disposée le long du trajet de rotation du bras (7) afin de permettre son déplacement (7). Le dispositif (6) comprend un levier (11) destiné à actionner le corps (8), qui est rotatif par rapport au corps et comprend une première tige (12a) et une seconde tige (12b), qui sont mutuellement articulées sur une extrémité commune (12c) et peuvent coulisser entre une première configuration, dans laquelle elles sont alignées et logées dans le corps (8), et une seconde configuration, dans laquelle la première tige (12a) est extraite du corps (8). Le corps (8) comporte un siège (13) qui est conçu pour s'accoupler par emboîtement avec la première tige (12a), qui est agencée dans la seconde configuration axiale et tournée par rapport à la seconde tige (12b) sur l'extrémité commune (12c), par rapport à l'état d'alignement mutuel, afin de commander la rotation du corps (8) entre les positions angulaires par le déplacement de la première tige (12a).
PCT/IT2018/000153 2018-11-30 2018-11-30 Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique Ceased WO2020110158A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IT2018/000153 WO2020110158A1 (fr) 2018-11-30 2018-11-30 Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IT2018/000153 WO2020110158A1 (fr) 2018-11-30 2018-11-30 Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020110158A1 true WO2020110158A1 (fr) 2020-06-04

Family

ID=65441024

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IT2018/000153 Ceased WO2020110158A1 (fr) 2018-11-30 2018-11-30 Appareil de soudage par résistance électrique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020110158A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021048032A1 (fr) * 2019-09-10 2021-03-18 Tecna S.P.A. Appareil de soudage

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0447879U (fr) * 1990-08-21 1992-04-23
US5239155A (en) * 1992-11-19 1993-08-24 Goran Olsson Multipurpose spot welding gun with replaceable electrode holders
EP1782909A1 (fr) * 2005-11-02 2007-05-09 TECNA S.p.A. Soudeuse par point avec une configuration variable
EP3231546A1 (fr) * 2016-04-13 2017-10-18 Tecna S.p.A. Dispositif de soudage par résistance avec un capteur d'effort

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0447879U (fr) * 1990-08-21 1992-04-23
US5239155A (en) * 1992-11-19 1993-08-24 Goran Olsson Multipurpose spot welding gun with replaceable electrode holders
EP1782909A1 (fr) * 2005-11-02 2007-05-09 TECNA S.p.A. Soudeuse par point avec une configuration variable
EP3231546A1 (fr) * 2016-04-13 2017-10-18 Tecna S.p.A. Dispositif de soudage par résistance avec un capteur d'effort

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2021048032A1 (fr) * 2019-09-10 2021-03-18 Tecna S.P.A. Appareil de soudage
AU2020345760B2 (en) * 2019-09-10 2025-09-18 Tecna S.P.A. Welding apparatus

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