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AssigneeAlexander Binzel Schweisstechnik GmbH & Co. KG
InventorsHeinz-Martin Munch, Jorg Schwarz
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The invention relates to a toolholder (10) for coupling a welding torch to an industrial robot (14), comprising a first fixing device (16) for fixing the welding torch (12) to the toolholder (10) and comprising a second fixing device (18) for fixing the toolholder (10) to the industrial robot (14). The first and second fixing devices (16, 18) can be displaced or repositioned with regard to one another counter to the action of spring elements (22, 24). The toolholder also comprises a protective circuit (26) for deactivating the welding torch (12) when predetermined displacements or repositionings are exceeded. A component (28) connected to the first fixing device (16) can be repositioned in the Z-direction (30) (toolholder longitudinal axis) and can be displaced in the X-direction and/or Y-direction (32, 34) with regard to the second fixing device (18). When displacing in the X-direction and/or Y-direction (32, 34), at least one spring element (22) having a first spring hardness is loaded, and at least one second spring element (24) having a second, different spring hardness is loaded during a repositioning in the Z-direction (30). The invention provides that the first spring element(s) (22) and the at least one second spring element (24) are arranged in series or are arranged in succession in two stages.
A toolholder (10) for coupling a tool (12), in particular a welding torch or cutting torch, to a handling device (14), in particular an industrial robot, having a first mount (16) for fixing the tool (12) to the toolholder (10) and having a second mount (18), such as a housing, for fixing the toolholder (10) to the handling device (14), wherein the first and second mounts (16, 18) can be displaced or repositioned relative to one another counter to a spring prestressing of spring elements (22, 24), and having a protective circuit (26) for deactivating the handling device (14) and/or the tool (12) if predetermined displacements or repositionings are exceeded, wherein a component (28) connected to the first mount (16) can be repositioned or driven in the Z-direction (30) (the toolholder longitudinal axis) and can be displaced in the X- and/or Y-direction (32, 34), for instance being pivotable or tiltable, relative to the second mount (18), and upon displacement in the X- and/or Y-direction (32, 34), only a single one or some of a plurality of first spring elements (22), each with a first spring hardness, and upon repositioning in the Z-direction (30) at least a second spring element (24), with a second, different spring hardness, are stressed, characterized in that the first spring element or first spring elements (22) and the at least one second spring element (24) are arranged in series, or in two stages one after the other.
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the component (28) is embodied as a release flange (36) that in particular is flat, platelike or annular , and the second mount (18) is embodied as a preferably cup-shaped housing (20) that receives the release flange (36) and the spring elements (22, 24), and the housing (20) is preferably closable with a screw-on cap (38).
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the release flange (36) is acted upon with spring prestressing by a plurality of first spring elements (22), in particular from four to twelve of them and preferably nine of them, that form a spring assembly.
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first spring elements (22) are fastened between the component (28) and a spring piston (48), which is displaceable or movable in the Z-direction (30) and in particular is platelike, and which in turn is acted upon on its underside by the spring prestressing of the at least one second spring element (24).
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a perforated plate (54) is arranged between the component (28) and the spring piston (48), and the first spring elements (22) are received with slight play in the perforations (56) of the perforated plate.
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a lug (62), switch element, or the like, with which a switch (64) is associated, is arranged on the component (28) or on the spring piston (48), and preferably on the perforated plate (54).
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the spring hardness of the second spring element (24) is equivalent to approximately three to four times the spring hardness of a single first spring element (22) of the preferably nine first spring elements (22).
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the first spring elements (22) each have essentially the same spring hardness.
The toolholder of one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the spring elements (22, 24) are embodied as compression springs or helical springs.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.