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EP0090942A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Welding torch

Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1983-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-02-24
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Abstract

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 (2K) adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm (3), a torch nozzle (2a) axially movably and rotatably supported at an end of the housing, a shaft means (2f, 2g) axially movably and preferably rotatably mounted in the housing (2K) and movable in response to rotation and/or axial movement of the torch nozzle (2a). and at least one switch (2i, 2A) mounted in the housing (2K) 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.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hirotoshi C/O Mitsubishi Denki K.K. Yasuoka

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 23:04
CPC Classifications
B; B23; B23K; B23K9/00; B23K9/12; B23K9/24; B23K9/28; B23K9/287

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim 105 words
A welding torch for use in a welding robot having' a movable robot arm (3), characterised by: (a) a housing (2K) adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm (3); (b) a torch nozzle (2a) movably supported at an end of said housing (2K); (c) shaft means (2f, 2g) movably supported in said housing (2K) and movable in response to the movement of said torch nozzle (2a); and (d) switch means (2i; 2A) mounted in said housing and actuatable in response to the movement of said shaft means (2f, 2g) for generating a signal for stopping movement of the robot arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 105 words
A welding torch for use in a welding robot having' a movable robot arm (3), characterised by: (a) a housing (2K) adapted to be supported at a distal end of the robot arm (3); (b) a torch nozzle (2a) movably supported at an end of said housing (2K); (c) shaft means (2f, 2g) movably supported in said housing (2K) and movable in response to the movement of said torch nozzle (2a); and (d) switch means (2i; 2A) mounted in said housing and actuatable in response to the movement of said shaft means (2f, 2g) for generating a signal for stopping movement of the robot arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
A welding torch according to claim 1, characterised by means (2n) for supporting said shaft means (2f, 2g) so as to be axially movable within said housing (2K).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 33 words
A welding torch according to claim 2 characterised by means (2n) for supporting said torch nozzle so as to be axially movable and rotatable about its own axis with respect to said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 42 words
A welding torch according to claim 3 characterised in that said switch means includes a first switch (2i) actuatable in response to axial movement of said torch nozzle and a second switch (2A) actuatable in response to rotation of said torch nozzle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that said shaft means (2f, 2g) is connected to said torch nozzle (2a).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 29 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterised in that said housing is rotatably supported at the distal end of said robot arm (3).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that said torch nozzle (2a) is curved.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that said shaft means (2f, 2g) includes therein a passage for supplying a welding material to said torch nozzle (2a).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised by resilient means (2m) disposed in said housing and normally resiliently urging said shaft means (2f, 2g) in a direction toward said torch nozzle (2a).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 47 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that said shaft means comprises a first shaft member (2f) coupled to said torch nozzle and a second shaft member (2g) movable in response to the movement of said first said shaft member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 40 words
A welding torch according to claim 10 characterised in that said switch means (2i; 2A) is actuatable in response to the movement of said second shaft member (2g) for generating the signal for stopping the movement of the robot arm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 51 words
A welding torch according to claim 10 or 11 characterised in that said first (2f) and second (2g) shaft members comprise hollow cylinders including central spaces for the passage of a welding material and bearings (2n, 2p) for axially movably mounting said first and second shaft members in said housing (2K).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 34 words
A welding torch according to any one of claims 10 to 12 characterised in that said second shaft member (2g) is resiliently fitted over an outer peripheral surface of said first shaft member (2f).

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