WELDING OR PLASMA TORCH AND DEVICE EMPLOYING THIS TORCH

Abstract

The present invention concerns a welding or plasma torch (1) comprising a main body (4) suited to be held by a user and an interface area (8) suited to receive a cable (10) for connection to a power supply unit (101). Guide means (20) are provided, which are suited to guide the cable (10) inside the main body (4) and comprise a first sleeve (22) connected to the main body (4) through a spherical constraint and a second sleeve (24) connected to the first sleeve (22) through a spherical constraint element.

Claims

1)-6) (canceled)

7) Welding or plasma torch (1) suited to be held by a user, said torch (1) comprising a main body (4) suited to be held by said user, a first area (6) suited to carry out the welding operation and an interface area (8) suited to receive at least one cable (10) for connecting said torch (1) to at least one power supply unit (101), wherein said interface area (8) comprises guide means (20) suited to guide said cable (10) inside said main body (4), said guide means (20) comprising at least one first sleeve (22) externally associated with said cable (10), wherein said first sleeve (22) comprises an external spherical surface portion (26) suited to be inserted in a corresponding spherical seat (28) provided in said main body (4), and wherein said guide means (20) comprise at least one second sleeve (24) externally associated with said cable (10), wherein said second sleeve (24) comprises an external spherical surface portion (36) suited to be inserted in a corresponding spherical seat (38) provided in said first sleeve (22) and in that said first sleeve (22) is made up of two portions (22a, 22b) suited to be connected to each other through connection means (23).

8) Torch (1) according to claim 7, wherein said first sleeve (22) has a substantially cylindrical shape suited to enclose said cable (10).

9) Torch (1) according to claim 7, wherein said second sleeve (24) has a substantially cylindrical shape suited to enclose said cable (10).

10) Torch (1) according to claim 7, wherein said second sleeve (24) is made up of two portions suited to be connected to each other through connection means.

11) Torch or plasma welding device (100) comprising a torch (1) according to claim 7, a power supply unit for said torch (1) and a cable (10) for connecting said torch (1) to said power supply unit (101).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as further embodiments of the present invention are defined in the claims and are illustrated below by means of the following description, with reference to the attached drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. More specifically, in the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows an axonometric view of a torch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, as it can be possibly used in a welding device;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows the torch of FIG. 1 isolated from the rest;

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a partially exploded view of the torch shown in FIG. 2;

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a partially exploded view of the torch shown in FIG. 2 from a different point of view;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows some elements of the torch shown in FIG. 2;

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a first partially exploded view of FIG. 5;

[0038] FIG. 7 shows a second partially exploded view of FIG. 5;

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the torch shown in FIG. 2 without the cable;

[0040] FIG. 9 shows the sectional view according to line IX-IX of FIG. 8;

[0041] FIG. 9A shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 9;

[0042] FIG. 10 shows a side plan view of FIG. 2 with the torch in a first operating position;

[0043] FIG. 11 shows a side plan view of FIG. 2 with the torch in a second operating position;

[0044] FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of FIG. 2 with the torch in a first operating position;

[0045] FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of FIG. 2 with the torch in a second operating position;

[0046] Figures from 14 to 16 show side plan views of FIG. 2 with the torch in corresponding different operating positions;

[0047] FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of FIG. 2 with the torch in a further operating position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0048] Although the present invention is described below with reference to one of its embodiments which is illustrated in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below and illustrated in the drawings. On the contrary, the embodiment described below and illustrated in the drawings clarifies some aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims.

[0049] The present invention has proved to be particularly advantageous in relation to the production of welding torches that employ the MIG technology. It should however be noted that the present invention is not limited to the production of welding torches of that kind. On the contrary, the present invention can be conveniently applied in all those cases requiring the use of devices that exploit the effect of the electric arc and the use of a torch by an operator.

[0050] By way of example, the present invention can be extended to the TIG welding technology or the plasma technology.

[0051] FIG. 1 schematically shows a welding device 100 that employs MIG technology, in which a torch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is used, said torch being indicated as a whole by 1 and illustrated in the Figures from 1 to 17.

[0052] The welding device 100 preferably comprises said welding torch 1 applied to a power supply unit 101. The power supply unit 101 is not described in detail, being of the known type, and preferably comprises a generator assembly suited to generate arc current (or power supply unit), a shielding gas feeding unit, a welding wire feeding and advancing unit and a cooling fluid feeding unit.

[0053] The power supply unit 101 and the torch 1 are preferably connected to a power supply line 10, or torch cable. The torch cable 10 preferably conveys the arc current, the shielding gas, the welding wire and a cooling fluid towards the torch 1.

[0054] The torch cable 10 preferably comprises an external protection casing or sheath. This type of embodiment is preferably used, for example, in water torches. In variant embodiments, the torch cable 10 can be generally defined by several cables, separate from and/or coaxial with one another, which enter the torch separately.

[0055] The possible embodiments of the torch cable are described here below by way of example, in relation to the technology used:

[0056] MIG WATER, according to which the torch cable is preferably obtained with a cable bundle, meaning pipes for the passage of water, a pipe for the passage of gas, a power cable with coaxial wire guide tube, the whole enclosed in a casing or sheath;

[0057] MIG AIR, according to which the torch cable comprises a coaxial cable with a gas and wire guide tube inside it and copper wires outside it, the whole enclosed in a rubber casing;

[0058] TIG AIR/WATER, according to which the torch cable preferably comprises a cable bundle of the type used in the MIG WATER technology described above;

[0059] AIR PLASMA, according to which the torch cable may preferably comprise both a cable bundle and coaxial cables;

[0060] WATER PLASMA, according to which the torch cable preferably comprises a cable bundle.

[0061] Preferably, the torch cable 10 is removably connected to the power supply unit 101, preferably by means of a connector 102.

[0062] The torch 1 advantageously has an elongated and ergonomic shape suited to make it easier to hold it. Preferably, the torch 1 comprises a main body 4 suited to be held by the user, a first area 6 for welding and an interface area 8, typically opposite the first welding area 6, suited to receive the cable 10.

[0063] The main body 4 substantially develops along a main axis X.

[0064] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the interface area 8 comprises guide means 20 suited to guide the cable 10 inside the main body 4.

[0065] According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 17, the guide means 20 comprise a first sleeve 22 and a second sleeve 24, which are suited to receive and guide the cable 10 inside the torch 1.

[0066] The first sleeve 22 is connected to the main body 4 and the second sleeve 24 is connected to the first sleeve 22.

[0067] The first sleeve 22 preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape suited to enclose the cable 10 externally.

[0068] The first sleeve 22 is preferably made in two portions 22a, 22b (FIGS. 3 and 7) suited to be coupled with each other through connection means 23, preferably screws 23a, 23b.

[0069] In variant embodiments, said connection means can be different, for example they may comprise a connection through mechanical interference, or a snap-on connection (bayonet), or the use of an adhesive substance.

[0070] Also the second sleeve 24 has a substantially cylindrical shape suited to enclose the cable 10 externally.

[0071] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first sleeve 22 preferably comprises an external spherical surface portion 26 suited to be inserted in a corresponding seat 28, preferably spherical, too, made in the main body 4 of the torch 1 (see, for example, FIG. 4).

[0072] Advantageously, the first sleeve 22 is free to rotate with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 and to assume different positions, inclined with respect to the main body 4 itself.

[0073] By way of example, in FIG. 10 the first sleeve 22 is represented in a first operating position inclined downwards with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially vertical plane; in FIG. 11 the first sleeve 22 is represented in an operating position even more inclined downwards with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially vertical plane; in FIG. 12 the first sleeve 22 is represented in an operating position inclined to the right with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially horizontal plane; in FIG. 13 the first sleeve 22 is represented in an operating position inclined to the left with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially horizontal plane.

[0074] It is evident that the first sleeve 22 and the main body 4 of the torch 1 can assume any mutual operating position in which they are inclined in space, thanks to the spherical shape of the mutual connection between the first sleeve 22 and the main body 4 of the torch 1 (spherical constraint element).

[0075] Advantageously, the cable 10 housed inside the first sleeve 22 exits from the main body 4 of the torch 1 with a smooth curvature. Furthermore, the fact that the first sleeve 22 can rotate around a spherical constraint element with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 leaves the maximum freedom of movement to the grip held by the user during welding operations which may include, for example, pendulum movements.

[0076] Advantageously, this system makes it possible to minimize the creation of bottlenecks and/or damages to the cable and to increase the reliability of the torch.

[0077] Furthermore, to advantage, this system makes it possible to improve the handling of the torch during its use by the user and thus to maintain an optimal welding quality.

[0078] In the embodiment described herein, the first sleeve comprises the external spherical surface portion and the main body is provided with a corresponding spherical seat.

[0079] In a preferred variant embodiment, the main body of the torch may comprise an external spherical surface portion and the first sleeve may be provided with a corresponding spherical seat suited to receive the external spherical surface portion of the main body.

[0080] According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, the second sleeve 24 preferably comprises an external spherical surface portion 36 suited to be inserted in a corresponding seat 38, preferably spherical, too, made in the first sleeve 22.

[0081] Advantageously, the second sleeve 24 is free to rotate with respect to the first sleeve 22 and to assume different positions, inclined with respect to the same.

[0082] In the embodiment described herein, the second sleeve comprises the external spherical surface portion and the first sleeve is provided with a corresponding spherical seat.

[0083] In a preferred variant embodiment, the first sleeve may comprise an external spherical surface portion and the second sleeve may be provided with a corresponding spherical seat suited to receive the external spherical surface portion of the first sleeve.

[0084] In a preferred variant embodiment, the second sleeve may preferably be made in two portions suited to be coupled with each other through suitable connection means, analogously to what has been described above with reference to the first sleeve.

[0085] By way of example, in FIG. 10 the second sleeve 24 is represented in an operating position which is substantially aligned with respect to the first sleeve 22; in FIG. 14 the second sleeve 24 is represented in an operating position oriented downwards with respect to the first sleeve 22 with reference to a substantially vertical plane; in FIG. 15 the second sleeve 24 is represented in an operating position which is oriented upwards with respect to the first sleeve 22 with reference to a substantially vertical plane.

[0086] FIG. 16 highlights the combined effect of the first and the second sleeve 22, 24, with the first sleeve 22 represented in an operating position inclined downwards with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially vertical plane and the second sleeve 24 is represented in an operating position oriented downwards with respect to the first sleeve 22 with reference to a substantially vertical plane.

[0087] Analogously, FIG. 17 highlights the combined effect of the first and the second sleeve 22, 24, with the first sleeve 22 represented in an operating position inclined to the right with respect to the main body 4 of the torch 1 with reference to a substantially horizontal plane and the second sleeve 24 is represented in an operating position oriented to the right with respect to the first sleeve 22 with reference to a substantially horizontal plane.

[0088] It is evident that the second sleeve 24 and the first sleeve 22 can assume any mutual operating position in which they are inclined in space, thanks to the spherical shape of the mutual connection between the first sleeve 22 and the second sleeve 24 (spherical constraint element), analogously to what has been described above concerning the mutual connection between the first sleeve 22 and the main body 4 of the torch 1.

[0089] Advantageously, the cable 10 which is housed inside the first sleeve 22 and the second sleeve 24 exits from the torch with an even smoother curvature, avoiding the creation of bottlenecks as it happens in the systems of the known type. Furthermore, the fact that the second sleeve 24 can rotate around a spherical constraint element with respect to the first sleeve 22 further improves the freedom of movement of the grip held by the user during welding operations which may include, for example, pendulum movements.

[0090] Advantageously, the second sleeve 24 makes it possible to further minimize the creation of bottlenecks and/or damages to the cable during the use of the torch with respect to the torches of known type.

[0091] The result is increased reliability compared to the systems of known type.

[0092] Furthermore, to advantage, the handling of the torch is further improved during use by the user. The quality of the weld is therefore guaranteed to a greater extent.

[0093] While two sleeves are used in the embodiment described above, in variant embodiments there may be further sleeves connected in series to one another and suited to receive the torch cable.

[0094] Preferably, the connection of the further sleeves in series takes place through respective spherical constraint elements of the type described above.

[0095] The sleeves can advantageously assume multiple inclined positions with respect to one another.

[0096] It has thus been shown, by means of the description provided, that the torch according to the present invention allows the set objects to be achieved. More specifically, the torch according to the present invention makes it possible to minimize the creation of bottlenecks and/or damages to the torch cable and to improve the handling of the torch during its use compared to the torches of known type.

[0097] Even if the present invention has been illustrated above by means of the detailed description of one of its embodiments which is represented in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and represented in the drawings; on the contrary, further variants of the embodiment described above fall within the scope of the present invention, which is defined in the claims.