Dynamic connectors for welding cables and welding torches
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorRyan Lizotte
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An example dynamic connector for a welding torch is provided. An example dynamic connector for a welding torch includes a conductive adapter configured to connect to a wire feeder on a first end and comprising a bore on a second end, a pin positioned within the bore and configured to couple the conductive adapter to a welding cable, wherein the pin is configured to travel with respect to the bore in response to force on the welding cable, one or more electrical contact rings configured to maintain an electrical connection between the conductive adapter and the pin while the pin is within the bore, and one or more bearings configured to support the pin while the pin is within the bore.
Claims12
A dynamic connector for a welding system comprising:
- a conductive adapter configured to connect to a wire feeder on a first end and comprising a bore on a second end;
- a pin positioned within the bore and configured to couple the conductive adapter to a welding cable, wherein the pin is configured to travel with respect to the bore in response to force on the welding cable;
- one or more electrical contact rings configured to maintain an electrical connection between the conductive adapter and the pin while the pin is within the bore;
- and
- one or more bearings configured to support the pin while the pin is within the bore.
A robotic welding system comprising:
- a robotic arm;
- a welding cable;
- a wire feeder;
- a welding torch attached to the robotic arm;
- and
- a dynamic connector, the dynamic connector comprising:
- a conductive adapter configured to connect to the wire feeder on a first end and comprising a bore on a second end;
- a pin positioned within the bore and configured to couple the conductive adapter to the welding cable, wherein the pin is configured to travel within the bore in response to force on the welding cable;
- one or more electrical contact rings configured to maintain an electrical connection between the conductive adapter and the pin while the pin is within the bore;
- and
- one or more bearings configured to support the pin while the pin is within the bore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.