DEVICE FOR THERMALLY JOINING AT LEAST ONE WORKPIECE, COMPRISING A TORCH AND AN EXTRACTION UNIT

Abstract

A device (10) for thermally joining workpieces has a torch (1) and an extraction unit (2) for extracting fumes that are produced during welding, cutting or soldering processes. At least one sensor (3) determines the position and/or position changes of the torch (1) and/or a reference point in the area relative to a reference position of the torch (1) and/or of the workpiece that is to be processed. Volume flow of extracted fumes at the extraction unit (2) acting at the torch (1) is adjusted as a function of the determined position and/or position change of the torch (1).

Claims

1. A device (10) for thermally joining workpieces, comprising: a torch (1); an extraction unit (2) for extracting fumes that are produced during welding, cutting or soldering processes; and at least one sensor (3) for determining position and/or changes in the position of the torch (1) and/or of a reference point in space relative to a reference position of the torch (1) and/or of the workpiece that is to be processed, wherein the volume flow of extracted fumes by the extraction unit (2) acting at the torch (1) is controlled as a function of the determined position and/or of the change in the position of the torch (1).

2. The device (10) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit or regulation means (4, 5) that is connected to the at least one sensor (3) in order to automatically control or regulate the volume flow of extracted fumes by the extraction unit (2) on the torch (1) as a function of the position and/or of the change in the position of the torch (1) that has been determined by the at least one sensor (3).

3. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (3) comprises an array of sensors that includes at least one sensor (17) for determining a rotation position and/or for determining the rotatory changes in the position and/or for determining the translatory change in the position of the torch (1).

4. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (3) detects the speed and/or the acceleration of a translatory and/or rotatory movement of the torch (1).

5. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein, during the work procedure, the torch (1) is configured to be guided by hand or by a handling means, or by a welding robot.

6. The device (10) according to claim 2, wherein the device is configured to permit the reference position of the torch (1) and/or the reference point in space to be selected by an operator, and/or by the control and/or regulation means (4, 5).

7. The device (10) according to claim 2, wherein, as a function of the selected reference point and/or on the position determined by the sensor (3) and/or on the change in position of the torch (1), the device (10) is configured to permit the control unit and/or regulation means (4, 5) to determine extraction capacity of the extraction unit (2) as a function of a characteristic map that comprises emission-relevant process characteristic variables that are present as process parameters in the welding current source (23) selected from the group consisting of current strength, effective current strength, peak current strength, welding output, welding speed, wire diameter, electrode diameter, filler material and type of shielding gas, and combinations of such process parameters.

8. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the volume flow of the extraction unit (2) increases as the angle of incidence or the angle of inclination (6) of the torch increases.

9. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the extraction unit (2) has an extraction nozzle (13), and the volume flow takes place at the extraction nozzle (13) by varying at least one bypass opening (7) for the gas flow at the torch (1) or at an extraction hose (8) on the torch side or at an extraction hose (12) on the extraction device side or at the connection housing (15) or at the extraction unit (2) or by varying one or more apertures (11) at the torch (1) or at the extraction hose (8) on the torch side or at the extraction hose (8) on the extraction device side or at the connection housing (15) or at the extraction unit (2).

10. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (3) is arranged in or integrated into the torch (1) or in the connection leading to the extraction hose (8) on the torch side.

11. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (3) is configured as at least an electronically, inductively, capacitively, optically and/or mechanically functioning sensor, or as an inclination sensor or as a gyrosensor.

12. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor (3) is secured to a welder's hand, to a mechanical torch guide (19) or to an ON-OFF switch (20) or to the arm (22) of the robot (21).

13. The device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the control signal for inclining the angle of the torch (1) is derived from robot orientation information of the torch head.

14. The device (10) according to claim 2, wherein signal transmission between the sensor (3) and the control unit (4) indicative of the extraction capacity of the extraction unit (2) takes place via cables or wirelessly by means of radio or optical signals.

15. The device (10) according to the torch (1) and the extraction hose (8) on the torch side are operatively connected via an articulation or a ball-and-socket joint (9), wherein the sensor (3) is arranged in the vicinity of the ball-and-socket joint (9).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] In this context, the following is shown, at times schematically:

[0067] FIG. 1 a device for thermally joining workpieces, comprising a torch with a bypass opening and an extraction unit,

[0068] FIG. 2 the torch according to FIG. 1 in a torch position with an angle of incidence or an angle of inclination of the torch a) in a side view and b) in a perspective view,

[0069] FIG. 3 a torch with an external fume extraction device,

[0070] FIG. 4 a) a connection housing for an extraction hose and b) the connection housing with a bypass opening,

[0071] FIG. 5 a sensor means arranged on the handle of the torch,

[0072] FIG. 6 a sensor means arranged in a ball-and-socket joint a) in a perspective side view and b) as a cross sectional depiction,

[0073] FIG. 7 the connection housing with an aperture,

[0074] FIG. 8 a) the bypass opening and b) apertures on an extraction unit, and

[0075] FIG. 9 a welding robot with a torch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0076] For the sake of clarity, identical components or those having the same effect are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures of the drawing shown below, making reference to an embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for thermally joining workpieces, comprising a torch 1 and an extraction unit 2 for extracting fumes that are produced during welding, cutting or soldering processes.

[0078] During the work procedure, the torch 1 can be guided by hand or by a handling means, especially by a welding robot 21. Such a welding robot 21 is depicted in FIG. 9. FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 5 show handheld torches.

[0079] The device 10 is well-suited for carrying out different welding processes, for example, beam welding processes, autogenous welding processes or arc welding processes, especially a shielding gas-arc welding process. The device 10 can also be configured as a cutting device for carrying out, for example, a plasma process or a laser cutting process.

[0080] FIG. 1 likewise shows an extraction unit 2 that is connected to the torch 1 and it has an extraction hose 8 on the torch side, a connection housing 15 with a connection 14, and an extraction hose 12 on the extraction device side that is guided in an extraction device.

[0081] The extraction unit 2 also has an extraction pipe 18 and an extraction nozzle 13.

[0082] FIG. 3 shows a torch 1 with an extraction unit 2 that is integrated into the torch 1. The extraction hose 8, having the extraction pipe 18 and the extraction nozzle 13, runs separately from the torch 1.

[0083] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 9, the extraction unit 2 is integrated into the torch 1.

[0084] A sensor means 3 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 for determining the position and/or the changes in the position of the torch 1 and/or a reference point in space relative to a reference position of the torch 1 and/or of the workpiece that is to be processed is provided in such a way that the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 acting at the torch 1, especially at an extraction nozzle 13, is influenced as a function of the determined position and/or the change in the position of the torch 1.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the sensor means 3 have at least one sensor 17 for determining a rotation position and/or for determining the rotatory changes in position and/or for determining the translatory change in the position of the torch 1. The sensor means 3 determines the speed and/or the acceleration of a translatory and/or rotatory movement of the torch 1.

[0086] For example, in the case of a welding device, the amplitude of the welding current can be influenced as a function of the speed at which, during the creation of a welded connection, the torch moves over the workpieces that are to be welded together.

[0087] Here, the sensor means 3 or the sensors 17 can be arranged in, preferably integrated into, the torch 1 or in the connection leading to the extraction hose 8 on the torch side.

[0088] The sensor means 3 can be configured as at least an electronically, inductively, capacitively, optically and/or mechanically functioning sensor, especially as an inclination sensor and/or as an acceleration sensor and/or as a gyrosensor.

[0089] According to FIG. 5, the sensor means 3 are arranged on the handle of the torch 1. They can be fed via electric connections for the power supply of the torch 1. It is also conceivable for the sensor means 3 to be supplied with electric power by a battery, by an accumulator or by solar cells.

[0090] However, the sensor means 3 or the sensors 17 can also be attached to a mechanical torch guide 19 or to an ON-OFF switch 20 or to the arm 22 of the robot 21. The ON-OFF switch 20 is situated between the torch 1 and the robot 21, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0091] The control signal for the inclination of the torch 1 can be derived from robot orientation information or from orientation information from welding devices, especially from orbital welding devices of the torch head, so as to thus automatically adjust the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 or the extraction capacity at the extraction nozzle 13.

[0092] In the embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 6 a) and 6 b), the sensor means 3 can be provided with at least one sensor 17, also in the vicinity of an articulation, here a ball-and-socket joint 9. In this context, the ball-and-socket joint 9 is arranged between the torch 1 and the extraction hose 8 on the torch side.

[0093] In the present case, the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 is advantageously influenced automatically in terms of its values. For this purpose, a control and/or regulation means 5, 6 is provided that, on the basis of output signals of the sensors 3, 17, detects the position of the torch 1 or the changes in the position of the torch 1, preferably also in three-dimensional space, and it influences the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 in terms of its values as a function of the detected position or the change in position.

[0094] FIG. 1 shows such control and/or regulation means 4, 5 that are connected to the at least one sensor means 3 and that serve to control or regulate the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 at the torch 1 as a function of the position and/or the change in the position of the torch 1 determined by the at least one sensor means 3. The reference position of the torch 1 and/or a reference point in space can be selected by the operator and/or by the control and/or regulation means 4, 5.

[0095] The control unit 4 determines the extraction capacity as a function of the selected reference position and/or the position and/or the change in position determined by the sensor means 3, and this is done as a function of a characteristic map that can take into account emission-relevant process characteristic variables, especially the current strength, preferably the effective and/or the peak current strength, the welding output and/or the welding speed as well as the wire diameter or the electrode diameter, the filler material and the shielding gas. These process characteristic variables are present as process parameters in the welding current source 23.

[0096] As a rule, the quantity of welding fumes being generated rises as the mean current strength or the consumable quantity rises. The same applies to the admixture of active gas components that likewise increase the emissions. In the case of pulsed welding processes, however, the pulse frequency as well as with the pulse current strength result in local emission minima.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the extraction capacity is supposed to be increased as the angle of incidence or the angle of inclination 6 of the torch 1 increases, wherein the rise of the characteristic line can be shifted manually, by means of programs, or as a function of the welding process and/or of the type of torch. The angle of incidence or the angle of inclination 6 results here from the forward or backward angle of inclination of the torch in or counter to the advancing direction and from the lateral angle of inclination orthogonally to the advancing direction, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 a) and 2 b).

[0098] Here, the volume flow of the extraction unit 2 increases as the angle of incidence or the angle of inclination 6 of the torch increases, preferably continuously.

[0099] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the volume flow at the extraction nozzle 13 is regulated by varying at least one bypass opening 7 for the gas flow at the torch 1.

[0100] The embodiment according to FIG. 4 a) shows a connection housing 15 for an extraction hose 8 on the torch side and an extraction hose 12 on the extraction device side that has the bypass opening 7 according to FIG. 4 b).

[0101] According to FIG. 8 a), the bypass opening 7 is arranged on the extraction unit 2. In an embodiment that is not shown here, the bypass opening 7 can be provided on the extraction hose 12 on the extraction device side.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows the connection housing 15 for an extraction hose 8 on the torch side with the extraction hose 12 on the extraction device side and with one or more apertures 11 for varying the volume flow at the extraction nozzle 13. According to FIG. 8 b), the apertures are provided on the extraction unit 2. In embodiments that are not shown here, the apertures 11 can also be provided on the torch 1 or on the extraction hose 8 on the torch side or on the extraction hose 12 on the extraction device side.

[0103] The control signal for the inclination of the torch 1 can be derived from robot orientation information or from orientation information of the torch head.

[0104] The device according to the invention can detect changes in the position of the torch 1 during the procedure on one and the same workpiece. It is also possible to detect changes in position in which a different workpiece is being processed after a change in position. For example, if a welding device is carrying out a welding task that relates to a first workpiece, then for example, a changeover to another workpiece can be detected by the sensor means 3 according to the invention and the value of the volume flow can then be adapted to the welding task that is to be carried out on this workpiece.

[0105] However, an automatic adjustment of the volume flow of the extraction unit can also be provided on the basis of the output signals of the sensor means 3 after a change in the position of a new workpiece. This is conceivable, for instance, when different workpieces that are physically separated from each other are to be processed in a predetermined sequence.

[0106] FIGS. 1, 2, 4 b) and 7 a) show that the volume flow takes place at the extraction unit 2 by varying at least one bypass opening 7 for the gas flow at the extraction hose 8 of the extraction unit 2 or at a connection 14 on the extraction side or by varying one or more apertures 11 in the extraction flow channel or at the extraction nozzle 13 of the extraction unit 2, preferably at the transition piece of the connection housing 15 of the extraction pipe. The apertures 11 can be configured in the form of throttle valves.

[0107] The signal transmission between the sensor means 3 and the control unit 4 of the extraction capacity can take place via cables or wirelessly by means of radio or optical signals.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0108] 1 torch [0109] 2 extraction unit [0110] 3 sensor means [0111] 4 control unit [0112] 5 regulation means [0113] 6 angle of incidence or angle of inclination of the torch [0114] 7 bypass opening [0115] 8 extraction hose on the torch side [0116] 9 articulation [0117] 10 device [0118] 11 apertures [0119] 12 extraction hose on the extraction device side [0120] 13 extraction nozzle [0121] 14 connection on the extraction device side [0122] 15 connection housing [0123] 16 extraction device [0124] 17 sensor [0125] 18 extraction pipe [0126] 19 mechanical torch guide [0127] 20 ON-OFF switch [0128] 21 welding robot [0129] 22 arm of the robot [0130] 23 welding current source