Resistance welding device

Abstract: The invention relates to a resistance welding device having a welding current source, a control and/or regulating device for regulating the welding current, and at least one set of interchangeable welding tongs on which welding electrodes are mounted in such fashion that they can be pressed toward one another to hold sheets to be welded between them. The interchangeable welding tongs contain a local data storage memory located on the welding tongs for storing data specific to the operation of the welding tongs, and a data interface which can interact with a second data interface located on the control and/or regulating device. When the set of welding tongs in attached to the welding device, the two data interfaces are connected thereby permitting the specific operating data for the welding tongs to be transmitted to the program memory of control and/or regulating device. The invention also includes self-programming welding tongs capable of automatically programming a control and/or regulating device with the operating parameters necessary to optimally operate the set of welding tongs.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to welding tongs, as known from DE-A-3400527 and to a resistance welding device with a welding current source. a control and/or regulating device for the welding current, and at least one pair of replaceable welding tongs attached to the welding elements in such fashion that the welding electrodes can be pressed toward one another to hold sheets to be welded between them. The invention also relates to a method for operating a regulating device of a resistance welding system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Resistance welding devices are used for welding various components, and in particular, for spot welding in body construction. Typically, two or more sheets to be welded together are brought into contact with each other and the welding electrodes are pressed against the surfaces of these sheets by the welding tongs (which also may be referred to as "welding guns"). The welding current melts the contact zone between these sheets to create a spot weld. The curve of the welding current must be controlled and/or regulated within narrow limits so that the spot weld has the necessary quality and the sheets to be welded are joined properly and without the occurrence of spatter. Various methods can be used for optimum regulation of the welding current curve. In a static control method, the welding time, strength of the welding current, and the force of the electrode pressure are fixed. More complex and expensive dynamic regulating methods utilise reference curves of the dynamic welding current and of the dynamic electrode voltage drop. In these methods, during welding, measuring devices continuously measure the dynamic welding current and the electrode voltage. If any deviations from the reference curve occur, the control and/or regulating devices adjust the welding current source so that the measured current and voltage curves match the specified reference curve as closely as possible. Alternatively, other physical parameters may be used for welding regulation, for example ultrasonic signals conducted into the weld or noise signals produced by the welding process, electrode force, electrode movement, thermovoltages, power, resistance, and energy. In most of the known control and/or regulating methods, the control or regulating parameters and data are only directed to the different features of the different spot welds, e.g. number or thickness of the metal sheets. Only recently some sophisticated control devices provided by the applicant take into account control and/or regulating parameters (also referred to herein as the reference data sets) that depend upon the welding tongs used for different welds. Depending on the size of the tongs, the pressure generated by the tongs, and the various shapes of the welding electrodes in the tongs, these control and/or regulating parameters may change markedly. In an industrial manufacturing device, a large number of welding tongs may be used. Frequently, 250 or more welding tongs will be connected via quick-change couplings to the various welding current sources. In order for the welding performed with a given set of welding tongs to proceed optimally, the data set with the specific control and regulating parameters associated with those welding tongs must be loaded into the program memory of the control and/or regulating device of the welding device every time the tongs are changed. The control and regulating parameters are then stored in a central memory integrated either into the control and/or regulating device, or in the case of several welding stations, within a manufacturing system, connected by a data network with the various control and/or regulating devices. The persons operating the welding devices must be careful to be sure that the control and regulating data sets corresponding to the welding tongs being used are properly loaded before welding. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention is to simplify the data management operation and to increase the reliability of a resistance welding device. This goal may be achieved according to the invention by incorporating into a welding device, such as a set of welding tongs (sometimes also referred to as "welding guns"), a local memory for storing the data sets specific to the welding tongs, and a data interface capable of being connected with a data interface of the control and/or regulating device. When the welding tongs are connected to the welding device, the data sets unique to the set of welding tongs can be transmitted through its data interface to the program memory of the control and/or regulating device. In one aspect, the present invention comprises a resistance welding device comprising a welding current source, a control or regulating device for regulating the welding current, and at least one set of replaceable welding tongs, wherein said set of welding tongs comprises a local data storage memory for storing data specific for the welding tongs and a first data interface for transmitting said data to the control or regulating device. In another aspect, the invention comprises a set of self-programming welding tongs comprising a local data storage memory for storing data specific for the welding tongs and a first data interface for transmitting said data to a control or regulating device which controls operation of the welding tongs. The self-programming welding tongs are thus capable of automatically programming a control and/or regulating device with the operating parameters necessary to optimally operate the set of welding tongs. Local data storage has been known in different fields of tool control systems, e.g. in the field of cutting tools (see German patent application DE 33 26 615 A1) and in the field of moulding or die-pressing (see German patent application DE 38 33 072 A1). These technical fields, however, have no link to the field of resistance welding control systems. Moreover, it is presently very uncommon to use different sets of control and regulating data for different welding tongs in resistance welding control systems. Local storage of the specific control and regulating parameters for the welding tongs, and possibly of other relevant data as well, offers significant advantages in operating a resistance welding device and in managing the data required for controlling and regulating the welding current. When the set of welding tongs containing its own operating parameters is connected to the welding current source, and the data sets stored in the local memory of the set of welding tongs is transmitted to the control and/or regulating device, it is ensured that the correct data sets will be used for regulating the welding current. The control and/or regulating device does not require any separate permanent data memories for the data sets associated with the welding tongs. Therefore, it can readily be replaced by another control and/or regulating device of the same or similar design. In manufacturing equipment that uses several welding stations, each with its own control and/or regulating devices and welding current sources, the welding tongs can be replaced and exchanged at will without having to network the digital computers of the different control and/or regulating devices with each other. Any data sets can be stored in the local memory in the welding tongs. In particular, the static control parameters (e.g., welding time, welding current strength, and electrode force), and the dynamic reference curves (e.g., welding current curve, electrode voltage drop curve, etc.) can be stored. In addition, more than one data set may be stored in the local storage memory. These data may be stored alternatively or jointly so that the welding tongs can be connected to various different control and/or regulating devices and can supply the correct control and/or regulating data sets for each of these various control and/or regulating devices. In addition, calibration data specific to the set of welding tongs may be stored that contain the mechanical and/or electrical properties of the respective welding tongs used (e.g., force calibration). Also, the "stepper", which is the number of welds performed with the electrodes mounted on the welding tongs, together with the stepper function (the dimension of the welding current increase that depends on the number of welds) can be stored in a local memory. The stepper must be reset to zero when the welding electrodes are changed. The present invention provides a significant advantage for the maintenance of the welding tongs. At regular intervals (e.g., after a specific number of hours in use), the welding tongs have to be checked in order to ensure proper mechanical function of the welding tongs and to ensure that the condition of electrically conducting components is acceptable. Whereas the stepper described herein counts the number of welds performed with one set of electrodes, the local data storage memory may additionally record the number of welds and/or the time of service of the welding tongs after the last check-up, and emit a signal (e.g., via the control computer) when maintenance service of the tongs is necessary. Another advantage of the present invention is that a manufacturer of welding tongs can load the specific data sets for the welding tongs into the local memory at the factory. This eliminates the need to perform reference welds or other adjustments on the part of the user, and a new pair of welding tongs can be integrated into an existing welding system without losing any time. Thus, the welding tongs of the invention comprising a local memory containing data relevant to their operation is advantageous both in systems with many exchangeable welding tongs and also in systems utilising one specific kind of replaceable welding tongs. The squeeze time. i.e., the time for moving the welding tongs from the open to the closed position when applied to two metal sheets to be welded together, also may be memorialised in the local data storage memory. This is of major importance for programming the welding tongs of welding robots. These robots should perform as many welds as possible within a certain period of time (e.g., a short cycle of work) in order to reduce the number of robots necessary for a given number of welds to be performed. Typically, the software program of a welding robot does not initiate the welding process before the end of the preprogrammed squeeze time to ensure that the welding tongs are firmly shut and are squeezing the metal sheets before the electrodes are activated. Typically, the squeeze time is entered into the software program of the welding robot as a rough estimate, which is longer than the actual squeeze time of the welding tongs. If the correct value of the squeeze time is known to the producer of the welding tongs, and is memorialised within the local data storage memory, it can be communicated to the software program of the welding robot. The welding robot may then use the exact squeeze time rather than an estimate, thereby reducing the length of the work cycle, and increasing its efficiency. The local memory used for data storage in the welding tongs of the present invention may comprise any appropriate type of memory storage. For example, if fixed data sets are to be stored, a ROM (read only memory) can be used. Preferably, an erasable permanent memory module (EEPROM or the like) is used as the local memory. However, a current-buffered RAM can also be used, buffered by a long-lived lithium battery. Data storage memories (RAM or ROM modules) are normally made in the form of chips with a plurality of contact pins and operated accordingly. In the present case, it is preferred to use data storage memories provided with only two terminals through which data are exchanged and, optionally, power can be supplied. Such data storage memories are known in the industry as "I-buttons" and are available from Dallas Semiconductor Corp., for example. Basically, any data storage memory can be used that is programmable and which stores the data put into it for a sufficiently long period of time. In one embodiment, the local memory is connected with the control and/or regulating device of the welding device by means of data interfaces designed as parts of a plug connection, e.g., a male-type plug section and a corresponding female-type receiving section. When the welding tongs are connected to the welding device, connections must be provided for welding energy, cooling water, a power-generating lead, and a control lead. In most cases, the connection preferably includes a current-measuring device (e.g., a Rogowski coil), a voltage-measuring device, and an electrode travel and electrode force measuring device. It is readily possible to create another plug connection for the data interface for transmission of the locally stored control and/or regulating data of the welding tongs. Alternatively, the data may be transmitted from the local storage module on the welding tongs to the control and/or reference device via a remote or wireless connection. For example, a transponder system can be used, in which the data stored in the local data storage memory are transmitted by an integral antenna on the set of welding tongs to a transceiver on the control and/or regulating device. The data exchange can also be performed using infrared signals. Basically, any method for data transmission from one data storage memory to another may be used in the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE The Figure is a schematic diagram of a resistance welding system incorporating a preferred embodiment of the welding tongs of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The advantages that result from the invention will be explained below with reference to the figure. As shown in the Figure, a welding system of the present invention comprises a control and/or regulating device 1 and a source for the welding current comprising a power controller 2 and a welding transformer 3. The welding tongs 4 are connected to welding transformer 3, and the welding electrodes 5, 6 of the tongs are pressed against the sheets to be welded. The welding voltage is then picked up by measuring lead 7 that leads to the control and/or regulating device. The welding current is measured by a Rogowski coil 8 likewise connected by a measuring lead 9 with a control and/or regulating device. Additional measuring leads (electrode force and travel) are not shown for the sake of clarity. An EEPROM 10 is mounted on welding tongs 4 and constitutes the local data storage for the control and/or regulating parameters, especially the reference values and reference curve patterns specific to welding tongs 4. EEPROM 10 is connected with regulating and/or control device 1 by a data lead 11. For this purpose, a plug 12 is located at the end of cable 11, said plug being inserted into a socket 13 on the control and/or regulating device. In operation, the set of welding tongs 4 is attached to the device and the data interfaces of the welding tongs and the control/regulating device are connected in order to effect transfer of the data stored in the local memory located on the set of tongs to the memory of the control/regulating device. The device then can be operated as designed. The welding system shown can be operated with any welding tongs, since the parameters that change as a function of the welding tongs are transmitted from the EEPROM on the welding tongs in question to the control and/or regulating device. Operation of a manufacturing facility in which a plurality of different welding tongs 4 is provided for connection to welding current source 2, 3 is readily possible. Those skilled in the art will be able to ascertain many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein.

Claims: A resistance welding device, comprising: a welding current source; a welding current regulating device coupled to said welding current source; at least one set of replaceable welding tongs that receives current provided by said welding current source, characterized in that said set of welding tongs include a local data storage memory that stores data specific for said welding tongs and a first data interface that transmits said data to said welding current regulating device. The resistance welding device of claim 1, characterized in that said welding current regulating device comprises a second data interface connectable to said first data interface on said set of welding tongs and a program storage memory capable of receiving the data specific for the welding tongs. The resistance welding device of claim 1, characterized in that said local data storage memory includes an erasable permanent storage module. The resistance welding device of claim 3, characterized in that said erasable permanent storage module includes at least one of: an EEPROM and a buffered RAM module. The resistance welding device of claim 1, characterized in that said first data interface includes an electrical plug electrically connectable to a complementary plug connection of said welding current regulating device. The resistance welding device of claim 1, characterized in that said first data interface includes an electrical transceiver that transmits said data to a transceiver unit using electromagnetic signals. wherein said unit forms a portion of said second data interface. Welding tongs, characterized in that they comprise a local data storage memory that stores data specific for the welding tongs and a first data interface for transmitting said data to a regulating device that controls operation of the welding tongs. The welding tongs of claim 7, characterized in that said local data storage memory includes an erasable permanent storage module. The welding tongs of claim 8, characterized in that said erasable permanent storage module includes at least one of: an EEPROM and a buffered RAM module. The welding tongs of claim 7, characterized in that said data interface includes an electrical plug electrically connectable to a complementary plug connection of said regulating device. The welding tongs of claim 7, characterized in that said data interface includes an electrical transceiver that transmits said data to a transceiver unit using electromagnetic signals, wherein said unit forms at least a portion of a data interface of the regulating device. A method for operating a regulating device of a resistance welding system, characterized by: (a) attaching to the welding system a set of self-programming welding tongs having a local data storage memory for storing data specific for the welding tongs and having a first data interface for transmitting the data to a regulating device that controls operation of the welding tongs; and (b) transmitting the specific operating parameters to the control or regulating device.

Inventors: MATUSCHEK ULRICH, METZEN NORBERT, POELL KARL, MATUSCHEK, ULRICH, METZEN, NORBERT, POELL, KARL, Pöll, Karl
Applicants: MATUSCHEK MESSTECHNIK GMBH
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B23K11
IPC codes: B23K11