Wire Advancing Device

Abstract

The invention relates to a wire advancing device for conveying a wire, particularly a welding rod, from a wire supply to a useful point with the aid of conveying means. The wire advancing device comprises a mechanism for adjusting the contact pressure applied to the welding rod by the conveying means. In order to create a wire advancing device which is provided with little slip and can be used for welding rods that have a different diameter and are made of different material, the adjusting mechanism encompasses at least one elastically or plastically deformable pressing means which acts upon the conveying means and is connected to a supply unit. The pressing means is filled with a gaseous or liquid medium via the supply unit in order to adjust the contact pressure applied to the welding rod by the conveying means.

1 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) for transporting a wire, in particular a welding wire ( 13 ), by the aid of transport means ( 28 ) from a wire supply ( 14 ) to a point of consumption, including an adjustment device ( 35 ) for adapting the contact pressure exerted by the transport means ( 28 ) on the welding wire ( 13 ), wherein the adjustment device ( 35 ) comprises at least one elastically or plastically deformable pressure means ( 36 ) which acts on the transport means ( 28 ) and is connected with a supply unit ( 39 ).  
     
     
         2 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure means ( 36 ) is arranged between a transport means ( 28 ) and a supporting surface or supporting element ( 37 ) provided on the opposite side of the transport means ( 28 ).  
     
     
         3 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure means ( 36 ) is connected with the supply unit ( 39 ) via a line ( 40 ) and/or a bore ( 56 ,  57 ) and/or flow channels.  
     
     
         4 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure means ( 36 ) is, for instance, formed by a pressure hose ( 38 ).  
     
     
         5 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the pressure means ( 36 ) is formed by a pneumatic pad.  
     
     
         6 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 4 , wherein the pressure hose ( 38 ) is closed on one end and comprises a filler neck ( 41 ) for supplying a medium ( 42 ).  
     
     
         7 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the filler neck ( 41 ) is connected via a line ( 40 ) with a container containing said medium ( 42 ) and constituting the supply unit ( 39 ).  
     
     
         8 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 7 , wherein said container is comprised of a gas bottle or a pressure vessel.  
     
     
         9 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the medium ( 42 ) contained in the pressure means ( 38 ) is comprised of a gas.  
     
     
         10 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the medium ( 42 ) contained in the pressure means ( 38 ) is comprised of a fluid.  
     
     
         11 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the transport means ( 28 ) is comprised of rollers, or elements ( 61 ) arranged to circulate, for instance, in a transport element ( 54 ).  
     
     
         12 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein contact force exerted by the transport means ( 28 ) on the respective welding wire ( 13 ) is adjustable via the welding apparatus ( 1 ) and/or a control device ( 4 ) and/or an operating panel and/or a remote control.  
     
     
         13 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according  claim 1 , wherein a device for controlling the contact pressure of the transport means ( 28 ) is provided.  
     
     
         14 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a device for detecting the actual value of the pressure exerted by the transport means ( 28 ) on the welding wire ( 13 ) is provided.  
     
     
         15 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a device for detecting the actual value of the speed of the welding wire ( 13 ) is provided.  
     
     
         16 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein a manual pump is provided for the manual adjustment of the contact pressure of the transport means ( 28 ).  
     
     
         17 . A wire transport device ( 27 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein a valve, in particular a proportional pressure control valve ( 43 ), and a manometer are provided.