Welding torch
AssigneeMitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorHirotoshi Yasuoka
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A welding torch for use in a welding robot is prevented from being deformed or otherwise damaged on collision with the work while the welding robot is being taught. The welding torch comprises a housing adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm, a torch nozzle axially movably and rotatably supported at a distal end of the housing, a shaft axially movably and rotatably mounted in the housing and movable in response to rotation and/or axial movement of the torch nozzle, and a switch or switches mounted in the housing and actuatable in response to rotation and/or axial movement of the shaft for generating a signal to stop the movement of the robot arm. When the torch nozzle collides with the work, the switch means is actuated to stop the movement of the robot arm.
Claims21
A welding torch for use in a welding robot having a robot arm, comprising:
- (a) a housing adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm;
- (b) a torch nozzle movably supported at a distal end of said housing;
- (c) switch shaft means movably supported in said housing and axially movable in response to the movement of said torch nozzle;
- and
- (d) collision indicating means comprising limit switch means mounted in said housing and actuatable in response to the retraction of said switch shaft means further into said housing for generating a collision signal indicative of a collision between said torch nozzle and a workpiece and means for stopping the movement of the robot arm in response to said collision signal.
A welding torch for use in a welding robot having a robot arm, comprising;
- (a) a housing adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm;
- (b) a torch nozzle movably supported at a distal end of said housing;
- (c) switch shaft means movably supported in said housing and axially movable in response to the movement of said torch nozzle;
- and
- (d) limit switch means mounted in said housing and actuatable in response to retraction of said switch shaft means further into said housing to generate a signal indicative of a collision between said torch nozzle and a workpiece for stopping the movement of the robot arm;
- said limit switch means including a first switch actuatable in response to an axial retraction of said torch nozzle and a second switch actuatable in response to rotation of said torch nozzle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.