JPH0593665U - Plasma torch - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Purpose] The angle between the torch head and handle is adjustable so that the arc contact part of the material is easy to see, and the torch tip position moves as the angle changes. To reduce. Shorten the distance between the handle and the torch tip. Suppress changes in posture after adjustment. Facilitates the reproduction of specific posture states. In a plasma torch including a torch head and a handle portion supporting the torch head, a universal towable member between the torch head and the handle portion is rotated about two mutually different axes. With a joint,
A mechanism for restraining the movement is provided. The universal joint is made up of members that are rotatably connected about axes that extend in directions perpendicular to the axial direction of the handle portion. The universal positioning mechanism is installed on the universal joint.

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

[Industrial applications]

 The present invention relates to a plasma torch used for gouging of a metal surface, and more particularly to a torch support structure.

[0002]

[Prior Art]

 Generally, a torch used for gouging is composed of a torch head, which is a main body, and a handle portion supporting the torch, so that the user can easily carry the work by holding it, and it is easy to work. As described above, the torch head and the handle portion are fixed at a certain angle (for example, 80 degrees), and both are integrated.

By the way, when gouging (chipping) the metal surface or removing defects on the metal surface, the plasma torch is tilted so that the angle between the plasma torch and the material surface is about 30 degrees. It is necessary to support it with a hand or a stand on a trolley, and carry out the work while moving the torch in the same posture. Since the operator needs to constantly monitor the working state of the material during gouging and defect removal work, the operator must work while looking into the part where the material hits the arc from behind the tilted torch. I have to. However, it is often difficult to see the contact area of the material because the handle area becomes a shield. In particular, in the case of a plasma torch, the shape of the tip of the torch head is larger than that of the arc air gouging torch, so that the portion where the material hits the arc is more difficult to see.

Further, if the tilt angle of the torch is changed in accordance with the change in the working state, the position of the heat insulating plate becomes improper and the torch switch becomes difficult to operate. It is necessary to change the posture of the hand by moving the position of in the peripheral direction of the handle part.

Therefore, as shown in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. S58-125669 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S58-32584, a flexible tube is used to form an angle between the torch head and the handle. It has been proposed to make the structure freely changeable.

[0006]

[Problems to be solved by the device]

 However, connecting the torch head and the handle through a flexible tube has the following disadvantages.

(1) Since the position of the entire torch head moves with respect to the axis of the handle part by bending the tube, the torch head with respect to the handle part is changed as the angle between the torch head and the handle part is changed. The tip position also changes greatly. Therefore, as the angle changes, the posture and position of the hand holding the handle must be changed significantly.

(2) In order to increase the allowable bending angle, the tube length must be increased in proportion to it, and normally, the tube length must be three times or more the tube diameter, It is inevitable that the distance between the handle and the tip of the torch is long. Therefore, the work of positioning the tip of the torch becomes difficult and the weight of the hand is heavy, and the operator is easily tired.

(3) The posture is likely to change due to the deformation of the tube, and it is not possible to accurately set the posture. For this reason, it is not suitable when not only manual work but also automatic gouging work using a traveling carriage is desired. That is, if the attitude of the torch itself is constant, the attitude adjustment only needs to be performed once during the automatic gouging work. Even then, it takes time to readjust the posture.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the angle between the torch head and the handle portion is adjustable so that the arc contact portion of the material can be easily seen, and the position of the torch tip is moved as the angle is changed. The challenges are to reduce motion, shorten the distance between the handle and the torch tip, suppress the posture change after the adjustment, and facilitate the reproduction of a specific posture state.

[0011]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, in a plasma torch including a torch head and a handle portion supporting the torch head, one or substantially one is provided between the torch head and the handle portion. A movable connecting mechanism that rotates about two axes that are oriented at right angles is provided, and the movable connecting mechanism is provided with a restraining means that can restrain its movement.

In the second invention, the position of the movable coupling mechanism is changed according to whether the posture is in a predetermined reference state or not, and the magnitude of force required for the posture changing operation is changed. Providing placement means.

[0013]

[Action]

 According to the present invention, the posture of the torch head with respect to the handle portion is determined by the state of the movable connecting mechanism interposed therebetween. Since this movable connecting mechanism rotates about one axis or about two axes that are oriented in a substantially right angle direction, respectively, there is one mechanism for changing the posture between the handle part and the torch head. Since there are two joints, fine posture adjustment is possible. Further, since the restraint means capable of restraining the movement of the movable connecting mechanism is provided, it is possible to prevent the posture from changing after the adjustment is completed.

Since the movable connecting mechanism changes its posture by rotating about each axis, the distance from the center of rotation to the torch head is far longer than the length of the conventional flexible tube. It can be made short. Therefore, the turning radius is sufficiently small, and the amount of movement of the torch head due to the angle change is sufficiently small. Further, since the length from the handle portion to the torch head is shortened, the force (moment) required for operating the handle portion is also reduced.

Further, since the adjustment direction of the posture is a direction in which each of them is rotated about an axis directed in one direction or in two directions substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the handle portion, the direction is easy to understand and the posture is easy to understand. It is easy to adjust and restore the original position.

Further, in the second aspect of the invention, since the magnitude of the force required for the posture changing operation of the movable connecting mechanism changes depending on whether or not the posture is in a predetermined reference state, the worker is able to take a posture. When adjustment is performed, it is possible to know whether or not the posture at that time is the reference state, that is, the posture in the original position (initial position), by the click feeling. Therefore, it is possible to return the posture to the original position by a simple operation and in a short time, regardless of the posture adjusted up to that point. In the case of automatic gouging work, if the torch and dolly are aligned in the original position in advance, the torch itself can be returned to its original position without any special alignment. You can start working right away.

[0017]

【Example】

 The appearance of the plasma gouging torch of the example is shown in FIGS. 1 is a front view and FIG. 2 is a plan view. This torch is used for gouging (chipping) on the metal surface and removing defects on the metal surface. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the torch moves about 30 degrees with respect to the material. While the work is carried out. FIG. 7 shows a situation in which the torch is supported by a traveling carriage for automatic gouging work. The torch of this embodiment has a structure that can be used for both automatic work and manual work. Is becoming.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the plasma gouging torch is roughly divided into a torch body, that is, a torch head 10, a handle portion 20 for supporting the torch head, and the torch head 20. It is composed of a movable connecting mechanism 30 for connecting. The basic structure of the torch head 10 is the same as that of a conventionally known plasma torch. A plasma arc comes out from the tip of the torch head 10 as shown in FIG. can do. During operation, the torch head 10 is supplied with power, plasma gas (Ar and H ₂ ) and cooling water from a power supply unit (not shown). A cable and a hose 50 for supplying them are connected to the torch head 10 through the inside of the torch hose 40, the inside of the handle part 20 and the central part of the connecting mechanism 30. ..

The handle portion 20 is formed in a shape (cylindrical shape) that can be easily held by hand, and a torch switch 21 is arranged at a position where it can be easily operated. Reference numeral 23 is a switch cable. When the torch is manually operated, a heat insulating plate 22 is attached below the handle portion 20 in order to protect the operator's hand from heat.

In this embodiment, the movable connecting mechanism 30 is interposed between the torch head 10 and the handle portion 20, so that the torch head 10 is connected to the handle portion 20 as shown in FIG. It is possible to adjust the posture by rotating within a range of ± 25 degrees from the reference position around P1 and within a range of ± 30 degrees from the reference position around the connecting shaft P2 as shown in FIG. It is possible to adjust the posture to rotate inside. Further, the handle portion 20 can be moved with respect to the movable connecting mechanism 30 in a direction of rotating about its axis. As will be described later, a restraint mechanism for stopping these movements after adjustment is provided, and a mechanism for facilitating the operation for returning the posture to the reference position (original position) is provided.

In short, the movable connecting mechanism 30 includes a holder member 31 for holding the torch head 10, intermediate members 32 and 33, connecting portions 34 a and 34 b for connecting the members 31 and 32, and a member 32. The intermediate member 33 is rotatably connected with the shaft of the handle 20 as a center. The intermediate members 32 and 33 are roughly U-shaped plate-like members, and an opening (not shown) for passing a cable and a hose is provided at the center thereof.

The four connecting portions 34a, 34b, 36a and 36b have substantially the same configuration. The connection part 34a is enlarged and shown in detail in FIG. Referring to FIG. 5, the large diameter portion 61 a of the connecting screw 61 is fitted into the hole portion 33 a of the intermediate member 33, and the small diameter portion 61 b is screwed into the hole portion 32 a provided in the intermediate member 32. A spring washer 62 is provided between the head of the connecting screw 61 and the intermediate member 33. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the connecting screw 61 is firmly tightened in the hole 32a, the large diameter part 61a and the intermediate member 33 are pressed against each other, and at the same time, the spring washer 62 and the head of the connecting screw 61 and the intermediate part 33 are pressed. Since the member 33 and the intermediate member 33 are pressed in the directions away from each other and the intermediate member 33 is pressed against the intermediate member 32, the frictional force between the intermediate member 33 and the intermediate member 32 is increased, and the intermediate member 33 and the intermediate member 32 are separated from each other. During this period, it can only rotate with a force greater than this frictional force, and is normally held in a semi-fixed state. The same applies to the other connecting portions 34b, 36a and 36b. As a method of fixing the intermediate members 31 and 32 or 32 and 33, the spring washers 62 may not be used, and the intermediate members may be fixed to each other with a fixing screw. The rotation between the intermediate member 33 and the handle portion 20 around the axis of the handle portion 20 can be stopped by the plunger 37 shown in FIG.

An original positioning mechanism 35, which is an original positioning means, is provided at a portion where the surface of the holder member 31 and the surface of the intermediate member 32 are in contact with each other. FIG. 6 shows a sectional structure of the original positioning mechanism 35 when the posture is in the original position. Referring to FIG. 6, a plunger 68 is fixed to the holder member 31. The plunger 68 is composed of a holder 66 having a cylindrical shape with its head closed, a compression coil spring 67 arranged in its inner space 66a, and a sphere 65 provided at the tip of the spring. A dish-shaped recess 32b is formed at a position facing the sphere 65 of the intermediate member 32. In the state of FIG. 6, the sphere 65 is inside the recess 32b. Therefore, when the holder member 31 and the intermediate member 32 are relatively moved (rotated) about the connecting portions 34a and 34b, the sphere 65 is pushed up and the spring 67 is compressed, so that the inclined portion of the concave portion 32b is located. When the sphere 65 exists, a force to push back the sphere 65, that is, a force to return the postures of the holder member 31 and the intermediate member 32 to the state (original position) of FIG. 6 works. If the ball 65 completely escapes from the recess 32b, the force to return it disappears, and the ball 65 stops at the position where the force to move has disappeared. That is, when the operator adjusts the orientation of the torch head 10, the magnitude of the force required for the adjustment changes in the vicinity of the original position, so that the operator can know whether the posture is the original position or not. When the adjustment is stopped near the position, the postures of the holder member 31 and the intermediate member 32 are automatically positioned at the original position by the force of the spring 67.

Although not shown in the drawing, in this embodiment, the contact between the surface of the intermediate member 32 and the surface of the intermediate member 33 and the contact between the surface of the intermediate member 33 and the handle portion 20 are performed. An original positioning mechanism having the same configuration as the above is provided. Therefore, by using these original positioning mechanisms, it is possible to easily return the plasma torch that has been adjusted to an arbitrary posture to its original position in a short time. That is, in the case of manual work, it is preferable to use the torch after adjusting the posture to the optimum posture according to the operator's preference and environment. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, automatic gouging work is performed. In this case, it is necessary to set the torch posture to a preset original position posture. In other words, if the posture of the torch is constant, it is not necessary to readjust the positioning mechanism of the device for performing the automatic work many times each time.

[0025]

[Effect of the device]

 As described above, according to the present invention, the attitude of the torch head with respect to the handle portion is determined by the state of the movable connecting mechanism interposed therebetween. Since the movable connecting mechanism rotates about one axis or about two axes that are oriented substantially at right angles, one or two for changing the posture between the handle portion and the torch head. There are two functions, and fine posture adjustment is possible. Further, since the restraint means (61, 62) for restraining the movement of the movable coupling mechanism is provided, it is possible to prevent the posture from changing after the adjustment is completed. In addition, since the movable connecting mechanism changes its posture by rotating about each axis, the distance from the center of rotation to the torch head is far longer than that of the conventional flexible tube. Can be made short. Therefore, the turning radius is sufficiently small, and the amount of movement of the torch head due to the angle change is sufficiently small. Further, since the length from the handle portion to the torch head is shortened, the force (moment) required for operating the handle portion is small and workability is greatly improved. In addition, since the torch head shaft is rotatable and is displaced with respect to the handle axis, it is possible to see the arc contact portion of the material from the rear side.

Since the adjustment directions of the postures are the respective directions of rotation about axes extending in one direction or in two directions substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the handle portion, the directions are easy to understand and the posture is easy to understand. It is easy to adjust and restore the original position.

Further, in the second invention, since the magnitude of the force required for the posture changing operation of the movable connecting mechanism changes depending on whether or not the posture is in a predetermined reference state, the worker can take the posture. When adjustment is performed, it is possible to know whether or not the posture at that time is the reference state, that is, the original position (initial position). Therefore, the posture can be returned to the original position by a simple operation and in a short time regardless of the posture adjusted to that point. In the case of automatic gouging work, if the torch and carriage are aligned in the original position in advance, no special alignment is required by simply returning the torch itself to its original position. You can start working immediately. That is, it is suitable for both manual and automatic torches.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a gouging plasma torch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a gouging plasma torch according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a posture adjustment range of the torch according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a posture adjustment range of the torch according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a movable connecting mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an original positioning mechanism.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a usage state of the torch during automatic gouging.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: Torch head 20: Handle part 21:
Torch switch 22: Insulation plate 30: Movable connection mechanism 31:
Holder member 32, 33: Intermediate member 32b: Recessed portion 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b: Connection portion 35:
Original positioning mechanism 37: Plunger 40: Torch hose 50: Cable and hose 61:
Connection screw 62: Spring washer 65: Ball 66:
Holder 67: Compression coil spring 68:
Plunger P1, P2: Connection shaft

Claims (2)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A plasma torch comprising a torch head and a handle portion supporting the torch head, and one or a substantially perpendicular direction 2 between the torch head and the handle portion. A plasma torch characterized in that a movable connecting mechanism that rotates about two axes is provided, and that the movable connecting mechanism is provided with a restraining means capable of restraining its movement. 2. The original positioning means for changing the magnitude of force required for the posture changing operation according to whether or not the posture is in a predetermined reference state. The described plasma torch.