US 6,568,578 B1 · Welding wire feed mechanism

Abstract

A wire feeding apparatus for providing filler wire to a welding gun or torch that includes a motor, a driver roll, an idler roll and a bias controller. The bias controller is configured to bias the wire contacting portion of the idler roll towards the wire contacting portion of the driver roller. The bias controller is preferably moveable between at least a first preset condition and a second preset condition. In the first preset condition, the bias controller produces a first engagement force on the portion of the filler wire that is located between the wire contacting portions of the idler roll and the driver roll. In the second preset condition, the bias controller produces a second engagement force on the portion of the filler wire that is located between the wire contacting portions of the idler roll and the driver roll. Preferably, the first engagement force is greater than the second engagement force. More preferably, the bias controller is also moveable to a third preset condition, wherein the idler roll is distanced from the driver roll. In a modified arrangement, the bias controller can move only between the first preset condition and the third preset condition.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A welding filler wire feed apparatus for feeding filler wire to a welding gun, comprising:

A main frame;
A secondary frame configured to move relative to said main frame;
A first wheel that defines a first contact surface for contacting a first side of a filler wire, said first wheel being supported by said main frame;
A second wheel that defines a second contact surface for contacting a second side of said filler wire, said second surface generally opposing said first contact surface, said second wheel being supported by said secondary frame;
A motor connected to at least one of said first wheel and said second wheel so as to selectably drive said at least one of said first wheel and said second wheel;
A bias controller including a first bias member that biases the secondary frame such that the second contact surface is biased towards said first contact surface, said bias controller having a first preset feed position and a second preset feed position, wherein in said first feed preset position the first bias member exerts a first force on said secondary frame corresponding to a force desired to feed a first type of filler wire and in said second preset feed position, said first bias member exerts a second force on said secondary frame corresponding to a force desired to feed a second type of filler wire, wherein said first force is greater than said second force, further comprising indicia on said bias controller that indicates when said bias controller is in said first preset feed position and when said bias controller is in said second preset feed position.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Welding wire feed mechanism

Life of this patent

Welding wire feed mechanism

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28