JP2016068094A - Electric welding device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric welding device capable of achieving joining at a position where joining strength is not decreased or hardly decreased when the joining is carried out through an auxiliary member.SOLUTION: An electric welding device is configured to join a first member which contains a first material and has a through hole and a second member which contains a second material different from the first material together through an auxiliary member having an insert part containing a third material weldable to the second material and inserted into the through hole and a flange formed to a large diameter at one end part of the insert part, and comprises an electrode which can move to and away from the auxiliary member and can supply electricity to between the second member and auxiliary member, and a guide which can abut on the auxiliary member before the electrode abuts to restrict a forward/backward moving direction of the electrode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric welding apparatus.

  Conventionally, for example, when forming a joined body of an aluminum alloy extruded shape and a steel member, a steel pierce metal composed of a head and a shaft is driven into the extruded shape, and further, the head side of the pierce metal and A forming method in which electrodes are brought into contact with each other from the steel member side and spot welding is known (see claims 1, 8, [0062] to [0065] of FIGS. 7 and 8). .)

JP2013-022622A

  However, there is a possibility that the electrode contacts, pressurizes and energizes at a position shifted from the center of the auxiliary member such as the piercing metal. If the joining operation is performed at a position shifted from the center of the auxiliary member, the joining strength may be lowered.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an electric welding apparatus that can be joined at a position where the joining strength is not lowered or hardly lowered when joining is performed via an auxiliary member.

  As means for solving the problems, an electric welding apparatus according to the present invention includes a first member containing a first material and having a through hole, and a second member containing a second material different from the first material. Are joined via an auxiliary member having a third material that can be welded to the second material and inserted into the through-hole, and a flange having a large diameter at one end of the insertion portion. An electric welding device that can move forward and backward toward the auxiliary member and can be energized between the second member and the auxiliary member, and the electrode advancing and retreating by contacting the auxiliary member before contacting the electrode And a guide capable of regulating.

  In the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the electrode whose forward / backward direction is regulated by the guide is in contact with the second member and the auxiliary member to energize.

  In the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the electrode is switched from the fixed state to the movable state when the guide contacts the auxiliary member.

  In the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that at least two guides are provided around the electrodes, and that the guides restrict the forward and backward directions of the electrodes by sandwiching the flanges of the auxiliary members.

  In the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention, at least two guides are provided around the electrode, and are bending members that bend when receiving a force along the moving direction at each one end, and the direction in which the guide approaches the first member It is preferable that each end portion of the guide slides on the first member and the distance between the one end portions is reduced to sandwich the flange of the auxiliary member, thereby restricting the advancing / retreating direction of the electrode.

  In the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention, the guide is provided so as to surround the electrode, or at least two guides are provided around the electrode, and the end on the first member side faces the electrode and is away from the first member. This is a taper member having a protruding portion that extends, and when the guide moves in a direction approaching the first member, the protruding portion of the guide slides on the peripheral edge of the flange of the auxiliary member, thereby restricting the advancing and retreating direction of the electrode. It is preferable.

  According to the present invention, the electrode can be regulated in the advancing / retreating direction by the guide coming into contact with the auxiliary member. Therefore, in the joining via the auxiliary member, it is possible to provide an electric welding apparatus capable of joining at a position where the joining strength is not lowered or hardly lowered by the electrode whose forward / backward direction is regulated.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle in which an electric welding apparatus according to the present invention can be used. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a vehicle manufacturing process. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electric welding apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is driven. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the electric welding apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is further driven. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the front end portion of the clamping member and the flange of the auxiliary member as viewed in plan. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing the tip of the clamping member before driving, FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing the tip of the clamping member being driven, and FIG. 7C is after driving. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front-end | tip part of this clamping member. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the first electrode and the distal end of the sliding member, and the first member, the second member, and the auxiliary member viewed from the side. FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a sliding member before being driven and a member to be joined, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a member to be joined to the sliding member being driven. FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the driven sliding member and the member to be joined. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the first electrode, the tip of the taper member, the first member, the second member, and the auxiliary member as viewed from the side. FIG. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a taper member and a member to be joined before driving, and FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a member to be joined to the taper member being driven, FIG. 9C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the taper member after driving and the member to be joined.

  An embodiment of an electric welding apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) Usable part of the present invention in a vehicle The electric welding apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to welding between different types of metals when manufacturing, for example, a vehicle body part and a roof part. As an example of a part to which an embodiment of the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention can be applied, a structure serving as an upper part and a side part of a vehicle body is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a side sill 901 of a skin member extending in the front-rear direction, a hinge pillar 902 that extends upward from the front end of the side sill 901 and supports the side of the windshield, and a center part of the side sill 901 A center pillar 903 extending upward is integrally formed. The side sill 901, the hinge pillar 902, and the center pillar 903 are upper and side frames of the vehicle body, and a metal plate, glass, and the like that form a body portion and a roof portion are welded or fitted between the frames. It is. For example, the hinge pillar 902 and the roof panel 904 forming the roof portion are fixed by welding.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2 which is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion A in FIG. 1, the outer skin portion of the hinge pillar 902 and the roof panel 904 are joined.
Although not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge pillar 902 includes an outer panel that is a skin member on the outside of the vehicle, a reinforcement that is a reinforcing intermediate member, and an inner that is a skin member on the inside of the vehicle. Panels are provided.

The skin portion of the hinge pillar 902 and the roof panel 904 are joined by welding, but each is often formed of a different metal, and it is difficult to ensure high welding strength even if direct welding is attempted. .
Therefore, the electric welding apparatus according to the present embodiment can be applied to welding via the auxiliary member 4 between the hinge pillar 902 and the roof panel 904, for example.
The auxiliary member 4 disposed at the joint portion between the hinge pillar 902 and the roof panel 904 in FIG. 2 will be described later.

(2) Application time of the present invention at the time of vehicle manufacture The electric welding apparatus according to the present invention can be used, for example, when welding parts such as a press-molded vehicle body part and roof part. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the vehicle manufacturing process.

  As shown in FIG. 3, examples of the vehicle manufacturing process include a component press molding process S1, a vehicle body welding process S2, a vehicle body painting process S3, and an assembly process S4. The part press molding step S1 is a step of press molding the parts to be the body part and the roof part into respective shapes. The vehicle body welding step S2 is a step of collecting and welding a plurality of parts press-formed in the part press-forming step S1. The vehicle body painting step S3 is a step of painting outer surfaces such as a body part and a roof part, which have been welded to complete the outer shape to some extent. Assembly process S4 is a process of attaching an engine, tires, auxiliary equipment, interior materials, and the like to the painted body.

The electric welding apparatus according to this embodiment can be applied during welding in the vehicle body welding process S2.
The auxiliary member 4 needs to be driven into one of the joining members in advance. The auxiliary member 4 can be driven in before the press molding in the component press molding step S1 and before the welding in the vehicle body welding step S2. If the portion into which the auxiliary member 4 is driven is a portion that does not deform even after the component press molding step S1, the auxiliary member 4 can be driven in from before the component press molding step S1. On the contrary, when the site | part which drives in the auxiliary member 4 is a site | part which deform | transforms by component press molding process S1, the auxiliary member 4 is driven between after the part press molding process S1 until vehicle body welding process S2.

(3) Electric Welding Device FIGS. 4 to 6 show perspective views of an embodiment of the electric welding device according to the present invention. 4 shows the electric welding apparatus 1 in an initial state, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show the electric welding apparatus 1 in a driving state.

  First, as shown in FIG. 4, the electric welding apparatus 1 is used when the first member 2 and the second member 3 are joined via the auxiliary member 4.

  The first member 2 is a plate-like member that contains the first material and has the through holes 5. In the present embodiment, the through hole 5 has a circular shape, but is not particularly limited, and may be an ellipse, a rectangle, a polygon, or the like. Moreover, there is no restriction | limiting in particular also about the diameter of the through-hole 5, What is necessary is just to be determined according to the intensity | strength, toughness, elasticity, etc. which are requested | required of the member joined.

  The second member 3 is a plate-like member containing a second material different from the first material. In the present embodiment, the second member 3 does not have a portion for engaging with the auxiliary member 4 such as the through-hole 5, but a recess or the like is formed to facilitate positioning of each member before joining. You can keep it.

The auxiliary member 4 is a member that includes a third material that can be welded to the second material, and includes an insertion portion 41 and a flange 42.
The insertion part 41 is a part that is inserted into the through hole 5. The insertion portion 41 is preferably formed so that the size, the diameter, and the cross-sectional shape along the central axis match the through hole 5. In the present embodiment, the insertion portion 41 has a size along the central axis that is substantially the same as the thickness of the first member 2, and an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the through hole 5. Is formed.
Further, the flange 42 is a part having a disk shape formed with a large diameter at one end of the insertion part 41. The flange 42 is a part that presses the second member 3 against the first member 2 after the first member 2 and the second member 3 are joined, so that the second member 3 can be held as long as the second member 3 can be held after the joining. The diameter and shape of the flange 42 are not limited.

(3-1) Material of each member Here, each material of the 1st member 2, the 2nd member 3, and the auxiliary member 4 is demonstrated.
The combination of the first material that is the material of the first member 2 and the second material that is the material of the second member 3 is a combination of materials that are difficult to weld, or is used as, for example, a vehicle component even after welding. And a combination of materials in which it is difficult to obtain a welding strength that can withstand. Specifically, as a combination of the first material and the second material, for example, a combination in which one is aluminum, an aluminum-based material, magnesium, a magnesium-based material, fiber-reinforced plastic, or the like, and the other is iron or an iron-based material. Can be adopted.
The third material as the material of the auxiliary member 4 is a material that can be welded to the second material, preferably a material that can be welded to the second material with a welding strength that can withstand use as a vehicle component. As the third material, when the second material is determined, an appropriate material is determined according to the second material.
When the dissimilar material joined body joined using the electric welding apparatus 1 is used as a vehicle part, the first material is preferably aluminum, aluminum-based material, magnesium, as a combination of the first material, the second material, and the third material. , A magnesium-based material or a fiber-reinforced plastic, and the second material and the third material are iron or an iron-based material.

  Note that the above-described welding is difficult and that welding is possible is, for example, welding with energization, specifically spot welding often used for manufacturing vehicle parts, by the electric welding apparatus 1. It means whether or not welding is possible when welding. That is, the first material and the second material are difficult to weld with energization, and the second material and the third material can be welded with energization.

(3-2) Outline of Electric Welding Device As a preparatory work using the electric welding device 1 shown in FIG. 4, the first member 2, the second member 3 and the auxiliary member 4 are arranged. Specifically, the insertion portion 41 of the auxiliary member 4 is inserted into the through-hole 5 of the first member 2, and the first member 2 is further away from the surface opposite to the surface engaged with the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4. The two members 3 are arranged so as to be in surface contact. At this time, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are positioned, and the distal end surface of the insertion portion 41 is in contact with the portion to be welded in the second member 3. The arranged first member 2 and second member 3 are preferably fixed by a holding member such as a clamp so as not to be displaced from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electric welding apparatus 1 includes a first electrode E <b> 1, a second electrode E <b> 2, and a clamping member 6.

The first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are members that can be energized between the second member 3 and the auxiliary member 4. The first electrode E1 is disposed above the first member 2 and the like in FIG. 4, and the second electrode E2 is disposed below. Between the first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2, the second member 3 and the auxiliary member 4 are sandwiched and energized, thereby generating resistance heat in the second member 3 and the auxiliary member 4 to contact portions of both members. Can be welded.
In the present embodiment, the second electrode E2 is disposed in contact with the second member 3 in the initial state before energization shown in FIG.
The first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are examples of electrodes in the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention.

The clamping member 6 is a member that can regulate the advancing / retreating direction of the first electrode E <b> 1 by contacting the auxiliary member 4. Specifically, the clamping member 6 includes a first clamping member 61 and a second clamping member 62. The clamping member 6 is attached to the guide base 7 via a first rotating member 81 and a second rotating member 82. The first clamping member 61 extends downward from the first rotating member 81, and the second clamping member 62 extends downward from the second rotating member 82.
The pinching member 6 is an example of a guide in the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention.

In the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62, the portions extending from the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 each have a substantially rectangular column shape, and the X axis and the X axis shown in FIG. Each tip is bent so as to be substantially parallel to the plane formed by the Z axis. In the present embodiment, the first member 2 and the second member 3 are also disposed so as to be substantially parallel to a plane including the X axis and the Z axis.
Moreover, the site | part which the each front-end | tip part in the 1st clamping member 61 and the 2nd clamping member 62 opposes has the contact part 91 formed by notching.

  The guide base 7 is a member that can reciprocate along the Y-axis direction by a drive member (not shown) such as an appropriate cylinder, piston, and motor. As the guide base 7 reciprocates along the Y-axis direction, the first clamping member 61, the second clamping member 62, the first rotating member 81, and the second rotating member 82 attached to the guide base 7 are Y Reciprocates along the axial direction.

The first rotation member 81 and the second rotation member 82 are cylindrical members that incorporate appropriate motors and the like, and can be independently rotated around the central axis along the Y axis. As the first rotating member 81 rotates, the first clamping member 61 can rotate around the central axis along the Y axis. Moreover, the 2nd clamping member 62 can be rotated centering | focusing on the axis line along a Y-axis by the 2nd rotation member 82 rotating.
As the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 rotate in the opposite directions, the distance between the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 increases or decreases. When the distance between the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 is reduced, the abutting portions 91 formed at the respective leading end portions abut against the peripheral edge portion of the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4. Therefore, the clamping member 6 can clamp the auxiliary member 4 when the contact portion 91 contacts the flange 42.

In the present embodiment, the first electrode E1 and the guide base portion 7 can independently reciprocate along the Y axis.
Further, the first electrode E1 and the guide base 7 are connected in the upper direction (not shown in FIG. 4). As a result, when the guide base 7 is moved by receiving stress in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, for example, via the clamping member 6, the first electrode E <b> 1 connected to the guide base 7 also has the moving direction of the guide base 7. It moves by the same distance as the moving distance in the same direction. For example, when the clamping member 6 clamps the auxiliary member 4, the first electrode E <b> 1 and the guide base 7 are on the plane including the X axis and the Z axis by the torque of the first rotating member 81 or the second rotating member 82. It can move in various directions.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the method of using the electric welding apparatus 1, the operation of each member, and the operation thereof will be described.

  First, in the initial state shown in FIG. 4, as described above, the first member 2, the second member 3, and the auxiliary member 4 are arranged at predetermined positions, and the first member 2 and the second member 3 are fixed by a clamp or the like. Keep it. In addition, the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 are rotated so that the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4 fits between the first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62. It is preferable to adjust the degree of opening.

  Next, the guide base 7 is moved downward in FIG. 5 along the Y axis. The guide base portion 7 may be lowered to a position where the holding member 6 can hold the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4, and the stopping form of the lowering is not particularly limited. As a lowering form of the guide base portion 7, for example, a form in which the lowering distance is set in advance after measuring the distance between the distal end portion of the holding member 6 and the first member 2, and the lowering is automatically stopped. A form in which the guide base 7 is detected by a sensor or the like when the tip end of the member 6 abuts against the first member 2 and the descent is stopped by the sensor or the like, or the operator visually recognizes the guide base 7. For example, the guide base 7 can be lowered by directly inputting an operation signal.

  In the present embodiment, the regulation of the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E1 is not completed simply by moving the guide base 7 and bringing the clamping member 6 into contact with the first member 2. Here, the contact portion 91 of the clamping member 6 is brought into contact with the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, by rotating the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 in opposite directions, the first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62 The interval of. Thereby, the contact part 91 formed in the opposing part in each front-end | tip part of the 1st clamping member 61 and the 2nd clamping member 62 can contact | abut so that the peripheral part of the flange 42 may be inserted | pinched.

When the contact portion 91 is in contact with the flange 42 interposed therebetween, the regulation of the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E1 is completed. That is, when the clamping member 6 clamps the flange 42, the position of the clamping member 6 with respect to the flange 42 is fixed. Based on the position where the clamping member 6 is fixed, the guide base 7 and the first electrode E1 are also fixed at a position preferable for welding. Thus, the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is regulated.
The central axis along the Y axis of the first electrode E1 in which the advance / retreat direction is restricted, the central axis of the auxiliary member 4, and the central axis of the second electrode E2 are coincident or substantially coincide.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the first electrode E <b> 1 whose forward / backward direction is restricted is moved downward in FIG. 4 along the Y axis. The first electrode E <b> 1 descends until the tip thereof contacts the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4. Further, in spot welding using the electric welding apparatus 1, the first electrode E1 is pressed against the surface of the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4, the second electrode E2 is pressed against the surface of the second member 3, and the second member 3 is pressed. This is achieved by energizing between the auxiliary member 4 and the auxiliary member 4. Thereby, the contact site | part of the 2nd member 3 and the front end surface of the auxiliary member 4 welds. Therefore, since the auxiliary member 4 is fixed to the second member 3 and the first member 2 is further held by the flange 42, the first member 2 and the second member 3 as a whole use the auxiliary member 4. It will be joined via.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, since the clamping member 6 continues to clamp the flange 42 during welding, the position of the first electrode E1 in which the advancing / retreating direction is regulated does not shift. Since the holding member 6 is in contact with the auxiliary member 4 to be energized, for example, the entire holding member 6 is formed of an insulating and heat-resistant material, or at least the contact portion 91 and the second member 3 in the holding member 6. Any form may be used as long as an insulating portion is provided at the contact portion.

  As described above, when the electric welding apparatus 1 is used, the regulation and welding of the first electrode E1 in the forward / backward direction are achieved.

(4) Restriction of Electrode Advance / Retreat Direction Next, referring to FIG. 7, the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 of the electric welding apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. In the case where it is not done, the regulation process in the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E1 will be described in detail. The center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are virtual lines along the Y axis, respectively. In FIG. 7, the position of the axis EY is indicated by a white circle, and the position of the axis 4Y is indicated by a black circle.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the front end portion of the clamping member 6 and the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4 in plan view. FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram showing the tip of the clamping member 6 before driving, FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram showing the tip of the clamping member 6 during driving, and FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the front-end | tip part of the clamping member 6 after a drive.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in the contact portion 91 in the present embodiment, opposing portions at the front end portions of the first holding member 61 and the second holding member 62 that are rectangular in plan view are cut out in a triangular shape. It is the edge part formed by this. The contact portion 91 is formed at an inclination of about 45 ° with respect to the X axis and the Z axis, and is a portion facing in four directions. Thereby, the clamping of the first electrode E1 with respect to the X axis and the Z axis is completed only by the clamping member 6 clamping the auxiliary member 4.
In the state shown in FIG. 7A, the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 do not match. If spot welding is performed in a state where the first electrode E1 and the auxiliary member 4 are deviated from each other, sufficient energization cannot be realized between the second member 3 and the auxiliary member 4, resulting in a small welding area. There are things you can't get. Thereby, it becomes difficult to obtain a desired welding strength. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E1 shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C, and this is an important operation.

Next, as shown in FIG. 7B, the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 move in directions toward each other. In this embodiment, the moving speed of the 1st clamping member 61 and the 2nd clamping member 62 shall be the same.
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the shortest distance to the peripheral edge of the flange 42 is compared in a state before the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is restricted, the first clamping member is more than the second clamping member 62. 61 is arranged at a position close to the flange 42. Therefore, when the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 move, the first clamping member 61 comes into contact with the flange 42 before the second clamping member 62 as shown in FIG. 7B. become.
At the point of time shown in FIG. 7B, the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 have not coincided with each other, and thus the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is not completed.

  As shown in FIG. 7C, even after the contact portion 91 of the first clamping member 61 contacts the peripheral edge of the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4, the rotation of the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 is performed. The movement continues. At this time, the movement of the first clamping member 61 is blocked by the auxiliary member 4 that engages with the second member 3 that is fixed. Therefore, only the second clamping member 62 moves until the contact portion 91 of the second clamping member 62 contacts the flange 42.

  The first member 2 and the second member 3 are fixed as described above. Therefore, the auxiliary member 4 in which the insertion portion 41 is inserted into the through hole 5 of the first member 2 does not or does not easily fall off from the first member 2 unless stress in the Y-axis direction acts. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the clamping member 6 contacts the auxiliary member 4, only the stress in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction acts on the auxiliary member 4, so that the auxiliary member 4 does not fall off. Or hard to do.

Torque or amount of rotation of the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82 generated between the time when the first clamping member 61 contacts the auxiliary member 4 and the time when the second clamping member 62 contacts the auxiliary member 4 Is detected by servo motor control. Based on the detected torque, the deviation of the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction when the position of the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 is set as a reference position is derived. By adjusting a robot arm (not shown) to which the electric welding apparatus 1 is attached, the first electrode E1 can be moved in a direction to eliminate or reduce the derived deviation. As a result, the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4, and therefore, the auxiliary member 4 can be obtained simply by moving the first electrode E1 along the Y axis in FIGS. Can be contacted and welded to the central portion of the plate.
Thus, the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are displaced only in the Z-axis direction is shown. If it is known in advance that the displacement is likely to occur only in a specific direction due to the characteristics of the apparatus in the electric welding apparatus 1, the auxiliary member 4 is viewed from four directions as in the contact portion 91. There is no need to abut, and for example, an abutting portion having a surface orthogonal to a direction in which displacement is likely to occur may be provided. In this embodiment, since the shift | offset | difference to various directions is assumed, the clamping member 6 which has the contact part 91 which can correct the shift | offset | difference to all the directions is provided.

(5) Modification Example of Displacement Correction Form (5-1) Displacement Correction Form Using Holding Member 6 In the above-described embodiment, the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 The magnitude of the deviation is once derived from the torque or the rotation amount of the first rotating member 81 and the second rotating member 82, and the first electrode E1 is moved in order to correct the deviation.

The robot arm to which the electric welding apparatus 1 is attached is basically substantially fixed after the first arm E1 is moved to the vicinity of the member to be joined. However, the first electrode E1, the guide base 7 and the like arranged at the tip portion of the robot arm may be slightly movable when stress is applied in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction shown in FIGS. Many. Therefore, when the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 do not coincide with each other, stress is applied to the first electrode E1 in the direction opposite to the direction in which the deviation occurs. , Displacement can be eliminated or reduced.
At this time, it is preferable that the tip end portion to which the electric welding device 1 of the robot arm is attached is temporarily switched from a substantially fixed state to a movable state. Thereby, when regulating the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 by various guides, it is not necessary to apply a large stress to finely adjust the position or the like of the first electrode E1, and accurate and smooth regulation of the advance / retreat direction is eliminated. Is possible. In addition, it is preferable to return to the substantially fixed state as soon as the regulation is completed, because no deviation or the like occurs in the regulated state.

Specifically, as the structure of the electric welding apparatus 1, a state in which the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 is always located at a substantially central portion in the Z-axis direction between the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 is always present. To be maintained.
Further, from the state shown in FIG. 7B, the second rotating member 82 stops the rotating operation, so that the second holding member 62 is fixed.
Next, by rotating only the first rotation member 81, the first clamping member 61 is moved in a direction approaching the second clamping member 62. However, the auxiliary member 4 is in a substantially fixed state. Therefore, the stress acting on the auxiliary member 4 from the first clamping member 61 based on the torque of the first rotating member 81 is the same in magnitude and acts on the first clamping member 61 as a reaction force in the opposite direction. . If the magnitude of the stress received by the first clamping member 61 as the reaction, that is, the torque of the first rotating member 81 is large enough to move the first electrode E1 and the guide base 7, the first The interval between the holding member 61 and the second holding member 62 can be reduced.
That is, the first clamping member 61 applies a stress corresponding to the torque of the first rotating member 81 to the guide base 7 and the first electrode E1. The stressed guide base 7 and the first electrode E1 move in a direction in which there is no deviation with respect to the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 that is the reference position. Therefore, the interval between the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 is narrowed. As a result, not only the abutting portion 91 of the first clamping member 61 but also the abutting portion 91 of the second clamping member 62 contacts the flange 42. Touch.
Therefore, when the second clamping member 62 stops and the first clamping member 61 tries to move from the state shown in FIG. 7B, the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 are approximately in the center in the Z-axis direction. The central axis EY of the first electrode E1 located in the part moves in a direction approaching the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4. The rotation operation of the first rotation member 81 is continued until the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4.
Thus, the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is completed.

  The regulation of the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E <b> 1 according to the modification is achieved by moving the guide base 7 and the first electrode E <b> 1 by the torque of the first rotating member 81. That is, the deviation can be eliminated or reduced by the rotation of the first rotation member 81 without deriving the magnitude of the deviation between the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4. Further, it is not necessary to use servo motor control or the like, and the device structure and the forward / backward regulating process can be simplified.

(5-2) First Modified Example of Guide The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 uses a sliding member 10 instead of the clamping member 6 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. In other respects, since the same member is used, the same reference numeral is attached and detailed description is omitted. The sliding member 10 is an example of a guide for the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention and an example of a bending member.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 to 7, the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are misaligned only in the Z-axis direction. It has occurred.
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the first electrode E1 and the distal end portion of the sliding member 10, the first member 2, the second member 3, and the auxiliary member 4 viewed from the side. FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the member to be joined to the sliding member 10 before driving, and FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the member to be joined to the sliding member 10 during driving. FIG. 8C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the driven sliding member 10 and the member to be joined.

The sliding member 10 includes a first sliding member 10A and a second sliding member 10B. The first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B only have two identical members arranged in different positions and directions. The first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B are disposed so as to surround the first electrode E1, and each have a non-bent portion 101 and a bent portion 102. Each of the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B is a plate-like member as a whole, and is bent in the vicinity of the second member 3.
As shown in FIG. 8, the distance along the Z-axis from the non-bending portion 101 to the contact portion 92 in the first sliding member 10A is D1, and the non-bending portion 101 to the contact portion in the second sliding member 10B. The distance along the Z-axis up to 92 is D2, the outer diameter of the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4 is D3, and the second sliding member 10B disposed opposite the non-bent portion 101 of the first sliding member 10A. The distance along the Z axis to the non-bent portion 101 is D4.

  Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, as the structure of the electric welding apparatus 1, the central axis EY of the first electrode E <b> 1 is approximately the center in the Z-axis direction between the first sliding member 10 </ b> A and the second sliding member 10 </ b> B. The state located in the section is always maintained.

The non-bent portion 101 is a plate-like portion extending along the Y-axis direction, and is formed so as not to be deformed by a stress acting when the advance / retreat direction is restricted.
The bent portion 102 extends from the tip portion of the non-bent portion 101 toward the first member 2, and is formed to bend toward the first electrode E1 in the initial state shown in FIG. ing. The bent portion 102 is formed so that the angle formed between the non-bent portion 101 and the bent portion 102 is variable when subjected to, for example, stress along the Y-axis direction. That is, the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B can be deformed so that the bending angle of the bent portion 102 formed at the tip portion with respect to the non-bent portion 101 increases or decreases.
The bent portion 102 is formed with a variable bending angle. However, the bent portion 102 itself is a plate-like portion that does not undergo deformation such as bending or bending due to stress acting when regulating the forward / backward direction. preferable.
Further, the tip of each bent portion 102 is formed as a contact portion 92 that can contact the auxiliary member 4.

  As the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B, for example, a leaf spring in which only the bent portion 102 can be bent may be used, and the non-bent portion 101 and the bent portion 102 are used as separate plate-like members. The non-bent portion 101 and the bent portion 102 may be formed and bent and restored by a hinge or the like.

In the state shown in FIG. 8A, the contact portion 92 is not in contact with any member. At this time, since all the contact portions 92 are not in contact with the flange 42, the sum of D1, D2, and D3 is smaller than D4.
The first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B are members that can reciprocate along the Y-axis direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, in order to restrict the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1, the sliding member 10 may be moved toward the first member 2 along the Y-axis direction.

Subsequently, when the sliding member 10 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 8A toward the first member 2, the contact portion 92 first contacts the first member 2. If the sliding member 10 is further moved, the bent portion 102 receives stress in the Y-axis direction from the first member 2, so that the bent portion 102 is reduced so that the bending angle between the non-bent portion 101 and the bent portion 102 decreases. Is displaced. At this time, the contact portion 92 slides on the surface of the first member 2 toward the auxiliary member 4. The contact portion 92 that slides on the surface of the first member 2 contacts the peripheral portion of the flange 42 as shown in FIG. Since the center axis line EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis line 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are misaligned, they are arranged on the opposite side of the direction of misalignment when the center axis line 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 is used as the reference position. The contact portion 92 of the first sliding member 10A contacts the flange 42 before the contact portion 92 of the second sliding member 10B.
At this time, since the contact portion 92 of the second sliding member 10B does not contact the flange 42, the sum of D1, D2, and D3 is smaller than D4.

Next, the sliding member 10 is further moved toward the first member 2 from the state shown in FIG. The bent portion 102 slides on the surface of the first member 2 while the contact portion 92 of the second sliding member 10B does not contact any member.
On the other hand, the force that the first sliding member 10A tries to move toward the first member 2 is applied to the flange 42 via the contact portion 92 of the bent portion 102 in the first sliding member 10A. Acts in the Z-axis direction. However, even if the first sliding member 10A tries to move toward the first member 2, the auxiliary member 4 with which the contact portion 92 of the first sliding member 10A is already in contact is in a substantially fixed state. Thereby, the stress which acts on the auxiliary member 4 from the bent portion 102 of the first sliding member 10A acts on the first sliding member 10A as a reaction force as it is. If the magnitude of the stress received by the first sliding member 10A as the reaction is large enough to move the first electrode E1, the contact portion 92 of the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member are moved. The space | interval with the contact part 92 of the moving member 10B can be narrowed.
That is, by fixing the auxiliary member 4 with which the abutting portion 92 abuts, the first sliding member 10A causes the stress that the first sliding member 10A tries to move toward the first member 2 to the first It acts on one electrode E1. When the first electrode E1 receives stress, the first electrode E1 moves in a direction in which there is no deviation with respect to the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 that is the reference position. Therefore, the distance between the abutting portion 92 of the first sliding member 10A and the abutting portion 92 of the second sliding member 10B is reduced, and as a result, as shown in FIG. Not only the contact portion 92 but also the contact portion 92 of the second sliding member 10 </ b> B contacts the flange 42.

  Therefore, when the sliding member 10 tries to move toward the first member 2 from the state shown in FIG. 8B, the Z-axis direction between the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B is substantially reduced. The central axis EY of the first electrode E1 located at the center moves in a direction approaching the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4. The movement of the sliding member 10 toward the first member 2 is continued until the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4.

When the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4, the contact portions 92 of the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B come into contact with the flange 42. Therefore, the sum of D1, D2, and D3 is equal to D4. That is, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, by moving the sliding member 10 toward the first member 2 until the sum of D1, D2, and D3 is equal to D4, the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is changed. Can be regulated.
Thus, the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is completed.

  As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the plate-like member such as the above-described sliding member 10 as long as the stress that the guide is directed to the first member can be changed for regulating the advance / retreat direction of the electrode. Alternatively, it is sufficient that at least two members having an appropriate form having the same function as the plate-like member are provided.

  The regulation of the advancing / retreating direction of the first electrode E1 according to the modification is achieved by moving the guide base 7 and the first electrode E1 by the force by which the sliding member 10 moves toward the first member 2. In other words, the deviation of the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 can be eliminated or reduced by moving the sliding member 10 without deriving the magnitude of the deviation. There is no need to use control or the like, and the device structure and the forward / backward regulating process can be simplified.

(5-3) Second Modification of Guide The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 uses a taper member 11 instead of the clamping member 6 in the embodiment shown in FIGS. In other respects, since the same member is used, the same reference numeral is attached and detailed description is omitted. The taper member 11 is an example of a guide for the electric welding apparatus according to the present invention and an example of a taper member.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 as well, the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are misaligned only in the Z-axis direction, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. It has occurred.
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional schematic view of the first electrode E1 and the distal end portion of the taper member 11, and the first member 2, the second member 3, and the auxiliary member 4 viewed from the side. 9A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the taper member 11 and the member to be joined before driving, and FIG. 9B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the member to be joined to the taper member 11 being driven. FIG. 9C is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the tapered member 11 after driving and the member to be joined.

The taper member 11 is a cylindrical body that is disposed so as to surround the first electrode E <b> 1, and includes a cylindrical portion 111 and a protruding portion 112.
Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, as a structure of the electric welding apparatus 1, the central axis EY of the first electrode E <b> 1 is located at a substantially central portion in the Z-axis direction of the taper member 11, that is, the taper member 11. A state of being coincident or substantially coincident with the central axis line is always maintained.

The cylinder part 111 is a cylindrical body extending along the Y-axis direction, and is formed so as not to be deformed by a stress acting when the advance / retreat direction is restricted.
The protruding portion 112 is a portion that extends from the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 111 toward the first electrode E1 and away from the first member 2. As shown in FIG. 9A, the protruding portion 112 is formed so as to protrude inward from the distal end portion of the cylindrical portion 111 so as to have a tapered surface inclined with respect to the Y axis orthogonal to the first member 2. Has been. Further, the protruding portion 112 is formed so as not to be deformed by a stress acting when the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 is restricted. Since the protruding portion 112 is an end portion of the tapered member 11 that is a cylindrical member, the protruding portion 112 is formed to be opened. The first electrode E1 can be inserted into the opening portion, and, for example, the first electrode E1 after completion of regulation in the forward / backward direction protrudes through the opening portion of the protruding portion 112 when moving toward the auxiliary member 4. Can do.
Further, the surface of the protruding portion 112 of the taper member 11 on the first member 2 side is formed as a contact portion 93 that can contact the auxiliary member 4.

  The taper member 11 may be formed, for example, as a tubular body formed entirely of a material having high strength, and a plate-like member having substantially the same shape as the cross section of the taper member 11 shown in FIG. 9 is used as the first electrode E1. You may arrange | position at least 2 around.

  In the state shown in FIG. 9A, the contact portion 93 is not in contact with the auxiliary member 4. The taper member 11 is a member that can reciprocate along the Y-axis direction. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, in order to restrict the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1, the taper member 11 is moved toward the first member 2 along the Y-axis direction.

  When the taper member 11 is moved toward the first member 2 from the state shown in FIG. 9A, first, a part of the contact portion 93 becomes the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4 as shown in FIG. 9B. Abut. Since the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 are misaligned, the protrusion located on the opposite side to the direction of misalignment when the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 is used as the reference position. A contact portion 93 which is a tapered surface of the portion 112 contacts the flange 42. At this time, the contact portion 93 and the flange 42 are in contact with each other at one point.

Next, the taper member 11 is further moved toward the first member 2 from the state shown in FIG. A force that the taper member 11 tries to move toward the first member 2 acts on the flange 42 in the Z-axis direction via the contact portion 93. However, the auxiliary member 4 with which the protrusion 112 of the taper member 11 is already in contact is in a substantially fixed state. Thereby, the stress which acts on the auxiliary member 4 from the protrusion 112 of the taper member 11 acts on the taper member 11 as a reaction force as it is. When the magnitude of the stress received by the taper member 11 as the reaction is large enough to move the first electrode E1, the taper member 11 and the entire first electrode E1 move.
That is, since the auxiliary member 4 with which the contact portion 93 contacts is fixed, the taper member 11 causes the stress that the taper member 11 tends to move toward the first member 2 to the first electrode E1. Will act. By receiving the stress, the first electrode E1 moves in a direction in which there is no deviation with respect to the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 that is the reference position. The taper member 11 also moves together with the first electrode E1, and the contact portion 93 in the protruding portion 112 of the taper member 11 slides on the peripheral portion of the flange 42. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9C, the contact portion 93 of the taper member 11 and the peripheral portion of the flange 42 are in contact uniformly.
Therefore, when the taper member 11 tries to move toward the first member 2 from the state shown in FIG. 9B, the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 disposed on the concentric axis of the taper member 11 is supplemented. It moves in a direction approaching the central axis 4Y of the member 4. The movement of the taper member 11 toward the first member 2 is continued until the central axis EY of the first electrode E1 coincides with or substantially coincides with the central axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4.
As described above, the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is completed.
At this time, the contact portion 93 and the flange 42 are in contact with each other over the entire periphery of the peripheral edge of the flange 42. That is, the contact between the contact portion 93 and the flange 42 changes from one point to a continuous contact or a plurality of points due to the restriction of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1.

  As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, as long as the stress that the guide is directed to the first member can be changed to restrict the advance / retreat direction of the electrode, the cylindrical member such as the tapered member 11 described above is used. Instead, it is possible to use a plate-like member or the like that is divided into a plurality of parts along the axial direction and arranged around the electrodes.

The restriction of the forward / backward direction of the first electrode E1 according to the modification is achieved by moving the first electrode E1 using a force by which the taper member 11 moves toward the first member 2. That is, the deviation of the center axis EY of the first electrode E1 and the center axis 4Y of the auxiliary member 4 can be eliminated or reduced by moving the taper member 11 without deriving the size of the servo motor control. Etc., and it is possible to simplify the device structure and the forward / backward regulating process.
(6) Other variations

  In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, in the electric welding apparatus 1, welding is performed in a state where the auxiliary member 4 is sandwiched by the sandwiching member 6, but after the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E <b> 1 is completed and before welding, The clamping of the clamping member 6 may be released and further separated from the first member 2 and the auxiliary member 4. This form is suitable when it is difficult to provide an insulating part in the clamping member 6.

  In the above-described embodiment, the guide base 7 and the first electrode E1 are movable when the first electrode E1 is subjected to relatively large stress before the regulation of the advance / retreat direction of the first electrode E1. It is preferable to make it immovable with respect to the Z-axis direction and to move only in the Y-axis direction. At this time, an appropriate lock mechanism for fixing the regulated first electrode E1 in the post-regulation position is provided so that the regulated first electrode E1 is not shifted again in the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction, and the clamping of the clamping member 6 is released. It is preferred to activate the locking mechanism before.

The interval between the first clamping member 61 and the second clamping member 62 in the clamping member 6, the interval between the first sliding member 10A and the second sliding member 10B in the sliding member 10, and the taper member 11 When the inner diameter or the like of the projecting portion 112 is small, there is a possibility that each guide will get on the upper surface of the flange 42 of the auxiliary member 4 when each guide is moved toward the first member 2.
Basically, when a part of each abutting portion of each guide abuts on the peripheral edge of the flange 42, the regulating operation in the forward / backward direction can be started, but each guide abuts on the upper surface of the flange 42. If this happens, there is a possibility that precise control of the forward / backward direction will be impossible.
Therefore, it is preferable to set the interval and the inner diameter of each guide large according to the outer diameter of the flange 42.
More preferably, for example, when a guide gets on the upper surface of the flange 42, it is detected as an error, and the movement of each guide toward the first member 2 is controlled again.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment which applied the invention made | formed by this inventor was described, this invention is not limited by the description and drawing which make a part of indication of this invention by this embodiment. For example, although the auxiliary member has a disk shape or a cylindrical shape in the embodiment, it may have other shapes. That is, it should be added that other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are all included in the scope of the present invention.

1: electric welding device, 2: first member, 3: second member, 4: auxiliary member, 41: insertion portion, 42: flange, 4Y: central axis of auxiliary member, 5: through hole, 6: clamping member, 61: 1st clamping member, 62: 2nd clamping member, 7: Guide base, 81: 1st rotation member, 82: 2nd rotation member, 91, 92, and 93: Contact part, 10: Sliding member DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A: 1st sliding member, 10B: 2nd sliding member, 101: Non-bending part, 102: Bending part, 11: Tapered member, 111: Tube part, 112: Protruding part, E1: 1st electrode, E2 : Second electrode, EY: central axis of first electrode, 901: side sill, 902: hinge pillar, 903: center pillar, 904: roof panel, E1: first electrode, E2: second electrode, S1: part press molding process , S2: Body welding process, S3: Body painting process, S4: Assembly process

Claims (6)

A first member containing a first material and having a through hole, and a second member containing a second material different from the first material and containing a third material that can be welded to the second material, the through hole An electric welding apparatus that joins via an auxiliary member having an insertion portion inserted into the flange and a flange having a large diameter formed at one end of the insertion portion,
An electrode capable of moving forward and backward toward the auxiliary member and energized between the second member and the auxiliary member;
A guide that abuts on the auxiliary member before the electrode abuts and can regulate the advancing and retreating direction of the electrode,
Electric welding equipment. An electrode whose forward / backward direction is regulated by the guide is in contact with the second member and the auxiliary member and energized.
The electric welding apparatus according to claim 1. When the guide contacts the auxiliary member, the electrode is switched from the fixed state to the movable state.
The electric welding apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The guide is a clamping member provided at least two around the electrode,
When the guide sandwiches the flange of the auxiliary member, the advancing / retreating direction of the electrode is regulated,
The electric welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The guide is a bending member that is provided at least two around the electrode and bends when receiving force along the moving direction at each one end.
When the guide moves in the direction approaching the first member, each end portion of the guide slides on the first member, and the distance between the one end portions is reduced to sandwich the flange of the auxiliary member. Regulated,
The electric welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The guide is provided so as to surround the electrode, or at least two of the guides are provided around the electrode, and a taper member having a protruding portion whose end on the first member side extends toward the electrode and away from the first member And
When the guide moves in the direction approaching the first member, the protruding portion of the guide slides on the peripheral edge portion of the flange of the auxiliary member, thereby restricting the advancing and retreating direction of the electrode.
The electric welding apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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