An Auto-Dimming Filter (ADF) and Its Control Method

Abstract

An automatic dimming filter (ADF) and its control method. The ADF includes a control device 106, which is configured to output a working mode 1 signal and an original liquid crystal control signal when the ADF is in a welding state and at any shading number within the shading number range of a predetermined usage mode 1, or output a working mode 2 signal and an original liquid crystal control signal when at any shading number within the shading number range of a predetermined usage mode 2; a liquid crystal signal control circuit 112, which is configured to generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage according to the working mode 1 signal, or generate a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage according to the working mode 2 signal; and a liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114, which is configured to receive the liquid crystal control signal, the control voltage, and a modifiable driving voltage output by the control device, generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 2, and output the signal to two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority of a Chinese patent application with the application number 202310487625.4, the application date of April 28, 2023, and the invention title of "An Automatic Dimming Filter ADF and Its Control Method". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of optoelectronic technology, and particularly to an automatic dimming filter ADF with low cost and high shade number and its control method, especially an automatic dimming filter ADF and its control method that can not only cover the shade number range of DIN4 - 13, but also provide shade numbers of DIN14 - 15 at low cost. Background Art

[0003] In production operations such as arc welding or gas cutting, for arc light or intense flames, an automatic dimming filter ADF using a liquid crystal light valve is required to protect the operator's eyes from the harm of strong visible light. Before the arc is struck, the ADF can provide a bright and clear field of view for the welder, and the welding spot can be accurately positioned through the ADF. Once the arc is struck, the ADF can automatically and rapidly darken without the welder manually covering it, which not only reduces the intensity of visible light but also effectively blocks ultraviolet and infrared rays in the arc light to prevent the eyes from being burned.

[0004] The main optical performance index of the ADF is the shade number, which represents the transmission ratio level of the filter. According to the size of the shade number, welders select different ADFs. Therefore, the accuracy of the shade number greatly affects the quality of welded products and the protection of welders' eyes. Generally, the corresponding shade number of the ADF needs to be selected according to the welding current. For example, in TIG welding, when the current range is 40A - 350A, the required shade number range is DIN9 - 13; in some extreme scenarios such as heavy metal MIG welding or MAG welding, the current may reach 400 - 600A, and then the required shade number should be at least DIN14.

[0005] The commonly used ADFs with shade numbers of DIN4 - 13 use two positive liquid crystal cells on the inner and outer sides (i.e., the two - sheet solution). Some ADFs with shade numbers of DIN14 and above usually use a liquid crystal cell with an additional middle - sheet liquid crystal on the basis of the above - mentioned two inner and outer liquid crystals (i.e., the three - sheet solution).

[0006] According to different schemes, the middle - piece liquid crystal can be positive liquid crystal or negative liquid crystal. For the scheme of the negative - liquid - crystal middle - piece (i.e., the three - piece scheme of two positives and one negative), generally when the shading number DIN is 11 - 13, power needs to be supplied to the negative - liquid - crystal middle - piece to keep it in a high - light - transmittance state, and power is only not supplied to the negative - liquid - crystal middle - piece when the shading number is above DIN14. However, the working time at high shading numbers is small. Therefore, adopting the three - piece scheme of two positives and one negative will increase the power consumption of the ADF. For the scheme of the positive - liquid - crystal middle - piece (i.e., the three - piece scheme of three positives), for high shading numbers above DIN14, none of the three pieces is powered on in the standby state; when the shading number is DIN4 - 8, the two outer - side pieces are powered on; starting from the shading number DIN9, the middle - piece needs to be enabled. Although the three - piece scheme of three positives can achieve high - shading - degree coverage, the middle - piece needs to be enabled starting from the shading number DIN9. Therefore, although the two existing three - piece schemes can provide high shading numbers above DIN14, due to the use of three liquid crystals, the cost, volume, and weight of the ADF are relatively high, and the power consumption of the ADF is increased.

[0007] Therefore, an implementation scheme of an automatic - dimming filter (ADF) with low cost, low power consumption, and high shading number is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve the above problems in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an automatic - dimming filter (ADF) using two positive liquid crystals and its control method, which not only enables the ADF to achieve shading - degree coverage of DIN14 - 15 shading numbers, but also reduces the cost, volume, and weight of the ADF, and reduces the power consumption of the ADF when enabling high - shading - degree.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic - dimming filter (ADF), which includes two positive liquid crystals, a control device for outputting an original liquid - crystal control signal, and a liquid - crystal control circuit for controlling the two positive liquid crystals according to the received original liquid - crystal control signal, characterized in that:

[0010] The control device is configured to enable the liquid - crystal signal control mode 1 and output the working - mode 1 signal and the original liquid - crystal control signal when any shading number in the predetermined use - mode 1 shading - number range is reached while the ADF is in the soldering state, or enable the liquid - crystal signal control mode 2 and output the working - mode 2 signal and the original liquid - crystal control signal when any shading number in the predetermined use - mode 2 shading - number range is reached;

[0011] The liquid - crystal control circuit includes:

[0012] A liquid crystal signal control circuit is configured to generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage according to the working mode 1 signal output by the control device, or generate a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage according to the working mode 2 signal output by the control device; and

[0013] A liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit is configured to receive the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage or the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the second control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit, and the modifiable drive voltage output by the control device, and generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and output the signal to the two positive liquid crystals.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control method for an automatic dimming filter (ADF) is provided. The ADF includes two positive liquid crystals, a control device for outputting an original liquid crystal control signal, and a liquid crystal control circuit for controlling the two positive liquid crystals according to the received original liquid crystal control signal. The liquid crystal control circuit includes a liquid crystal signal control circuit and a liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit. The control method includes the following steps:

[0015] A working mode generation step: Through the control device, when the ADF is in a soldering state and any shading number within a predetermined shading number range of the usage mode 1 is preset, the liquid crystal signal control mode 1 is enabled and the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal are output, or when any shading number within a predetermined shading number range of the usage mode 2 is preset, the liquid crystal signal control mode 2 is enabled and the working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal are output;

[0016] A liquid crystal control signal generation step: Through the liquid crystal control circuit, a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage are generated according to the working mode 1 signal output by the control device, or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage are generated according to the working mode 2 signal output by the control device;

[0017] A liquid crystal drive signal generation step: Through the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage or the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the second control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit, and the modifiable drive voltage output by the control device are received, and a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 2 is generated and output to the two positive liquid crystals; and

[0018] Liquid crystal driving steps: Through the two pieces of positive liquid crystal, receive the liquid crystal driving signal output by the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit, and generate the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding number range of the mode 1 corresponding to the working mode 1 signal, or generate the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding number range of the mode 2 corresponding to the working mode 2 signal.

[0019] Preferably, the light-shielding degree ability range provided by the light-shielding number range of the mode 1 is DIN4-13, and the light-shielding degree ability range provided by the light-shielding number range of the mode 2 is DIN13-15, and is not limited to the following two combination cases:

[0020] In the first case, the low light-shielding number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4-12, and the high light-shielding number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN13-14;

[0021] In the second case, the low light-shielding number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4-13, and the high light-shielding number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN14-15.

[0022] Among them, the specific ranges of the light-shielding numbers corresponding to the working modes 1 and 2 respectively are pre-determined by the liquid crystal signal control circuit by adjusting circuit parameters.

[0023] Preferably, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave with a signal range working voltage of 4.5-5.5v and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz, and the first control voltage is 4.5-5.5v; the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a signal range working voltage of 6-20v and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz, and the second control voltage is 6-20v. The low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave with a signal range working voltage of 1.2-5v and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz; the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a signal range working voltage of 6-20v and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz

[0024] According to the automatic dimming filter ADF and its control method provided by the present invention, the ADF uses a liquid crystal cell containing only two pieces of positive liquid crystal to achieve a light-shielding number of DIN4-15. Therefore, not only can the ADF achieve the light-shielding degree coverage of the light-shielding number of DIN14-15, but also the cost, volume and weight of the ADF are reduced, and the power consumption of the ADF when enabling the high light-shielding degree of DIN14-15 is reduced. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] Figure 1 It is a structural block diagram of an automatic dimming filter ADF according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a structural block diagram of an automatic darkening filter ADF according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an automatic darkening filter ADF according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for controlling an automatic darkening filter ADF according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the solution of the present invention, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiment is only a part of the embodiment of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiment of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work should fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] It should be noted that the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification, claims and drawings of the present invention are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, system, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, systems, products or devices.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, an automatic dimming filter ADF100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided, comprising two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104, a control device 106 for outputting an original liquid crystal control signal, and a liquid crystal control circuit 108 for controlling the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 according to the received original liquid crystal control signal.

[0032] The control device 106 includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) 110, which is used to enable liquid crystal signal control mode 1 and output working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when the ADF is in a welding state and any shading number in DIN4-12 (mode 1 shading number range) is predetermined to be used, or to enable liquid crystal signal control mode 2 and output working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when any shading number in DIN13-14 (mode 2 shading number range) is predetermined to be used.

[0033] The liquid crystal control circuit 108 includes a liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and a liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 .

[0034] The liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 is used to generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage according to the working mode 1 signal output by the microcontroller unit 110, or generate a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage according to the working mode 2 signal output by the microcontroller unit 110.

[0035] Among them, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave with a working voltage in the signal range of 4.5 - 5.5V (selected as 5V in this embodiment) and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz, and the first control voltage is 4.5 - 5.5V (selected as 5V in this embodiment). The high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a working voltage in the signal range of 6 - 20V (selected as 12V in this embodiment) and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz, and the second control voltage is 6 - 20V (selected as 12V in this embodiment).

[0036] The liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 is used to receive the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage or the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the second control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112, as well as the modifiable driving voltage 1.2 - 5V output by the microcontroller unit 110, and generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and output them to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104.

[0037] Among them, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave with a working voltage in the signal range of 1.2 - 5V and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz. The high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a working voltage in the signal range of 6 - 20V (selected as 12V in this embodiment) and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz.

[0038] Among them, when the ADF is in the standby state and not working, both of the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the unpowered state, and the liquid crystal presents a bright state. When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working state, in the working mode 1, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined used light-shielding numbers within the light-shielding number range of 4 - 12 in mode 1, or in the working mode 2, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined used light-shielding numbers within the light-shielding number range of 13 - 14 in mode 2.

[0039] There is also provided an automatic dimming filter ADF100 according to a variant (not shown) of the first embodiment of the present invention. The difference between this variant according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the first embodiment is only that:

[0040] The control device 106 in the automatic darkening filter ADF100 includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) 110, which is used to enable liquid crystal signal control mode 1 and output the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when the ADF is in a welding state and any shading number in the shading number DIN4-13 (mode 1 shading number range) is predetermined to be used, or to enable liquid crystal signal control mode 2 and output the working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when any shading number in the shading number DIN14-15 (mode 2 shading number range) is predetermined to be used.

[0041] When the ADF is in welding or cutting working state, in working mode 1, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number used in the mode 1 shading number range DIN4-13; or in working mode 2, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number used in the mode 2 shading number range DIN14-15.

[0042] In the first embodiment and its variant, the specific range of the shading number provided by the working mode 1 (DIN4-12 or DIN4-13) and the specific range of the shading number provided by the working mode 2 (DIN13-14 or DIN14-15) are predetermined by adjusting the circuit parameters of the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112. In the first embodiment, the shading number range covered by the automatic darkening filter ADF100 is DIN4-14 (DIN4-12 and DIN13-14); in the variant of the first embodiment, the shading number range covered by the automatic darkening filter ADF100 is DIN4-15 (DIN4-13 and DIN14-15).

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, an automatic darkening filter ADF200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is provided. The ADF200 is substantially similar to the automatic darkening filter ADF100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and its variants, and the difference between the two is that the ADF200 further includes a photoelectric sensor 116 for detecting whether the ADF200 is in a working state and outputting a corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110 (i.e., the control device 106).

[0044] When the ADF 200 is in a standby state and is not working, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are both in an unpowered state, and the liquid crystals are in a bright state.

[0045] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-12 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-13 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), when the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 1 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs a modulated driving voltage 1.5-5v to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 only outputs the first control voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 but does not output the liquid crystal control signal, and the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 does not output the liquid crystal drive signal, so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in a bright state.

[0046] When the ADF 200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shading numbers DIN4-12 (corresponding to the first embodiment) is used, or when any of the shading numbers DIN4-13 (corresponding to the variant of the first embodiment) is used, when the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that the ADF 200 is in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs the modulated driving voltage 1.2-5v voltage to the liquid crystal driver. The multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 outputs the first control voltage and the low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 generates the low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-12 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-13 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment).

[0047] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN13-14 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN14-15 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), when the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 2 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs a modulated driving voltage 1.5-5v voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 only outputs the second control voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 but does not output the liquid crystal control signal, and the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 does not output the liquid crystal drive signal, so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in a bright state.

[0048] Among them, when ADF200 is in welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shading numbers DIN13-14 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any of the shading numbers DIN14-15 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the variation of the first embodiment), when the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is in working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs the modulated driving voltage 1.5-5v voltage to the liquid crystal. The liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 outputs a second control voltage and the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 generates the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are at the predetermined shading number among the shading numbers DIN13-14 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or at the predetermined shading number among the shading numbers DIN14-15 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment).

[0049] In a variation of the second embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the control device 106 in the ADF 200 further includes an ADF operating parameter configuration control circuit (not shown) for completing the operating parameter configuration of the ADF in the standby state, including but not limited to shading, sensitivity, delay, etc. The microcontroller unit 110 is also used to complete the operating mode configuration of the ADF in the standby state, including but not limited to grinding, welding, cutting, etc.

[0050] like Figure 3As shown, a control method 300 of an automatic darkening filter ADF according to a third embodiment of the present invention is provided. The control method 300 is implemented by the automatic darkening filter ADF 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention or its variants, and includes a working mode generating step 302, a liquid crystal control signal generating step 304, a liquid crystal driving signal generating step 306 and a liquid crystal driving step 308.

[0051] In the working mode generating step 302, through the microcontroller unit 110, when the ADF 100 is in the welding state, when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-12 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-13 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the variation of the first embodiment), the liquid crystal signal control mode 1 is enabled and the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal are output, or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN13-14 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN14-15 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the variation of the first embodiment), the liquid crystal signal control mode 2 is enabled and the working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal are output;

[0052] In the liquid crystal control signal generation step 304, a low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage are generated according to the working mode 1 signal output by the microcontroller unit 110 through the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112, or a high-voltage and low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage are generated according to the working mode 2 signal output by the microcontroller unit 110, wherein the low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave with a signal range working voltage of 4.5-5.5v (selected as 5v in this embodiment) and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz, and the first control voltage is 4.5-5.5v (selected as 5v in this embodiment), and the high-voltage and low-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a signal range working voltage of 6-20v (selected as 12v in this embodiment) and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz, and the second control voltage is 6-20v (selected as 12v in this embodiment);

[0053] In the liquid crystal driving signal generation step 306, through the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and the modifiable driving voltage 1.2 - 5V output by the microcontroller unit 110 are received to generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and output to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104. Among them, the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave with a working voltage in the signal range of 1.2 - 5V and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz, and the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a working voltage in the signal range of 6 - 20V (selected as 12V in this embodiment) and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz; and

[0054] In the liquid crystal driving step 308, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 receive the liquid crystal driving signal output by the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 and are in the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding numbers DIN4 - 12 corresponding to the signal of the working mode 1 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding numbers DIN4 - 13 (corresponding to the variant of the first embodiment), or in the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding numbers DIN13 - 14 corresponding to the signal of the working mode 2 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined used light-shielding number in the light-shielding numbers DIN14 - 15 (corresponding to the variant of the first embodiment).

[0055] As Figure 4 shown, a control method 400 for an automatic dimming filter ADF according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is provided. The control method 400 is implemented by the ADF200 of the second embodiment of the present invention, which is basically similar to the control method 300 of the third embodiment of the present invention. The difference between the two is that the control method 400 further includes a working state monitoring step 310 before the working mode generation step 302.

[0056] In the working state monitoring step 310, through the photoelectric sensor 116, it is detected whether the ADF200 is in the working state, and a corresponding sensing signal is output to the microcontroller unit 110.

[0057] Among them, when the ADF200 is in the standby state and not working, both of the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the non-powered state, and the liquid crystal presents a bright state.

[0058] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-12 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN4-13 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), in the working state monitoring step 310, the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110; in the working mode generating step 302, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 1 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs a modulated driving voltage 1.2-5v to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal control signal generating step 304, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 only outputs the first control voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 but does not output the liquid crystal control signal; in the liquid crystal driving signal generating step 306, the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 does not output the liquid crystal driving signal; in the liquid crystal driving step 308, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the bright state.

[0059] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shading numbers DIN4-12 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any of the shading numbers DIN4-13 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), in the working state monitoring step 310, the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110; in the working mode generating step 302, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs the modulated driving voltage 1.2-5v to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal control signal generating step 304, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 outputs the first control voltage and the said low A low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal is sent to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal drive signal generation step 306, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 generates a low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-12 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-13 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment); in the liquid crystal drive step 308, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-12 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN4-13 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment).

[0060] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN13-14 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any shading number among the shading numbers DIN14-15 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), in the working state monitoring step 310, the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110; in the working mode generating step 302, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 2 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs a modulated driving voltage 1.2-5v voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal control signal generating step 304, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 only outputs the second control voltage 12v to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 but does not output the liquid crystal control signal; in the liquid crystal driving signal generating step 306, the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114 does not output the liquid crystal driving signal; in the liquid crystal driving step 308, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the bright state.

[0061] Among them, when ADF200 is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shading numbers DIN13-14 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to the first embodiment) or when any of the shading numbers DIN14-15 is predetermined to be used (corresponding to a variation of the first embodiment), in the working state monitoring step 310, the photoelectric sensor 116 detects that ADF200 is in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the microcontroller unit 110; in the working mode generating step 302, the microcontroller unit 110 outputs the working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 and outputs the modulated driving voltage 1.2-5v to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal control signal generating step 304, the liquid crystal signal control circuit 112 outputs the second control voltage and the high voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114; in the liquid crystal drive signal generation step 306, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit 114 generates the high-voltage and low-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 so that the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN13-14 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN14-15 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment); in the liquid crystal drive step 308, the two positive liquid crystals 102 and 104 are in the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN13-14 (corresponding to the first embodiment) or the predetermined shading number in the shading number DIN14-15 (corresponding to a variant of the first embodiment).

[0062] In a variant (not shown) of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the control device 106 in the ADF200 further includes an ADF operating parameter configuration control circuit (not shown). The control method 300 further includes an operating parameter configuration step before the operating state monitoring step 310: through the ADF operating parameter configuration control circuit, the operating parameters of the ADF are configured in the standby state, including but not limited to light shielding degree, sensitivity, time delay, etc. In the operating mode generation step 302, the operating mode of the ADF is also configured in the standby state through the microcontroller unit 110, including but not limited to grinding, welding, cutting, etc.

[0063] According to the automatic dimming filter ADF and its control method provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the ADF uses a liquid crystal cell containing only two positive liquid crystals to achieve a DIN4-15 light shielding number. Therefore, not only can the ADF achieve a high light shielding degree coverage of DIN14-15 high light shielding numbers, but also the cost, volume and weight of the ADF are reduced, and the power consumption of the ADF when enabling the DIN14-15 high light shielding degree is reduced.

[0064] It can be understood that the above specific embodiments are only exemplary embodiments adopted to illustrate the principles of the present invention and do not constitute a limitation on the protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and substitutions can be made according to design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent replacements and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An auto - dimming filter (ADF), which comprises two positive liquid crystals, a control device for outputting an original liquid crystal control signal, and a liquid crystal control circuit for controlling the two positive liquid crystals according to the received original liquid crystal control signal, and is characterized in that: When the ADF is in the welding state, the control device enables the liquid crystal signal control mode 1 and outputs a working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when any shading number within the predetermined shading number range of the usage mode 1 is selected, or enables the liquid crystal signal control mode 2 and outputs a working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal when any shading number within the predetermined shading number range of the usage mode 2 is selected; The liquid crystal control circuit includes: A liquid crystal signal control circuit, which generates a low - voltage high - frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage according to the working mode 1 signal output by the control device, or generates a high - voltage low - frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage according to the working mode 2 signal output by the control device; And A liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, which receives the low - voltage high - frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage or the high - voltage low - frequency liquid crystal control signal and the second control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit, as well as the modifiable drive voltage output by the control device, and generates a low - voltage high - frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 or a high - voltage low - frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and outputs them to the two positive liquid crystals.

2. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shading ability range provided by the shading number range of the mode 1 is DIN4 - 13, and the shading ability range provided by the shading number range of the mode 2 is DIN13 - 15, and is not limited to the following two combination cases: In the first case, the low shading number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4 - 12, and the high shading number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN13 - 14; In the second case, the low shading number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4 - 13, and the high shading number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN14 - 15. Among them, the specific ranges of the shading numbers corresponding to the working modes 1 and 2 are pre - determined by the liquid crystal signal control circuit by adjusting the circuit parameters.

3. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The low - voltage high - frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave with a working voltage range of 4.5 - 5.5V and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz, and the first control voltage is 4.5 - 5.5V; the high - voltage low - frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a working voltage range of 6 - 20V and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz, and the second control voltage is 6 - 20V. The low - voltage high - frequency liquid crystal drive signal is a square wave with a working voltage range of 1.2 - 5V and a frequency between 10Hz and 60Hz; the high - voltage low - frequency liquid crystal drive signal is a square wave or a DC voltage with a working voltage range of 6 - 20V and a frequency between 0.05Hz and 20Hz.

4. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The ADF also includes a photoelectric sensor for detecting whether the ADF is in a working state and outputting a corresponding sensing signal to the control device.

5. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 4, wherein: When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number in the mode 1 shading number range is predetermined to be used, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the ADF is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the control device, the control device outputs the working mode 1 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modulated driving voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, the liquid crystal signal control circuit only outputs the first control voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit but does not output the liquid crystal control signal, and the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit does not output a liquid crystal drive signal, so that the two positive liquid crystals are in a bright state.

6. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number in the mode 1 shading number range is predetermined to be used, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the ADF is in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the control device, the control device outputs the working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modulated driving voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, the liquid crystal signal control circuit outputs the first control voltage and the low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit generates the low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal corresponding to the working mode 1 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals so that the two positive liquid crystals are in the predetermined shading number in the mode 1 shading number range.

7. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any shading number in the mode 2 shading number range is predetermined to be used, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the ADF is not in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the control device, the control device outputs the working mode 2 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modulated driving voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit, the liquid crystal signal control circuit only outputs the second control voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit but does not output the liquid crystal control signal, and the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit does not output a liquid crystal drive signal, so that the two positive liquid crystals are in a bright state.

8. The automatic dimming filter ADF according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any one of the shading numbers within the range of Mode 2 shading numbers is to be used, when the photoelectric sensor detects that the ADF is in the working state and outputs the corresponding sensing signal to the control device, the control device outputs a Mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modifiable driving voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit. The liquid crystal signal control circuit outputs the second control voltage and the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit. The liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit generates the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to Mode 2 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals so that the two positive liquid crystals are at the predetermined shading number to be used within the range of Mode 2 shading numbers.

9. A control method for an automatic dimming filter (ADF), wherein the ADF includes two positive liquid crystals, a control device for outputting an original liquid crystal control signal, and a liquid crystal control circuit for controlling the two positive liquid crystals according to the received original liquid crystal control signal. The liquid crystal control circuit includes a liquid crystal signal control circuit and a liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit. The control method includes the following steps: Working mode generation step: Through the control device, when the ADF is in the welding state and any one of the shading numbers within the range of Mode 1 shading numbers is to be used, enable the liquid crystal signal control Mode 1 and output a Mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal, or when any one of the shading numbers within the range of Mode 2 shading numbers is to be used, enable the liquid crystal signal control Mode 2 and output a Mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal; Liquid crystal control signal generation step: Through the liquid crystal control circuit, according to the Mode 1 signal output by the control device, generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a first control voltage, or according to the Mode 2 signal output by the control device, generate a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and a second control voltage; Liquid crystal driving signal generation step: Through the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit, receive the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the first control voltage or the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal and the second control voltage output by the liquid crystal signal control circuit, and the modifiable driving voltage output by the control device, generate a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to Mode 1 or a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to Mode 2 and output it to the two positive liquid crystals; and Liquid crystal driving step: The two positive liquid crystals receive the liquid crystal driving signal output by the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit, and are at the predetermined shading number to be used within the range of Mode 1 shading numbers corresponding to the Mode 1 signal, or at the predetermined shading number to be used within the range of Mode 2 shading numbers corresponding to the Mode 2 signal.

10. The control method according to claim 9, wherein, The shading capability range provided by the mode 1 shading number range is DIN4-13, and the shading capability range provided by the mode 2 shading number range is DIN13-15, and is not limited to the following two combinations: In the first case, the low shading number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4-12, and the high shading number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN13-14; In the second case, the low shading number range corresponding to the working mode 1 is DIN4-13, and the high shading number range corresponding to the working mode 2 is DIN14-15. The specific ranges of the shading numbers corresponding to the working modes 1 and 2 are predetermined by the liquid crystal signal control circuit by adjusting circuit parameters.

11. The control method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, The low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave with a signal range of 4.5-5.5v working voltage and a frequency of 10Hz to 60Hz, and the first control voltage is 4.5-5.5v; the high-voltage and low-frequency liquid crystal control signal is a square wave or DC voltage with a signal range of 6-20v working voltage and a frequency of 0.05Hz to 20Hz, and the second control voltage is 6-20v. The low-voltage and high-frequency liquid crystal drive signal is a square wave with a signal range of an operating voltage of 1.2-5V and a frequency of 10Hz to 60Hz; the high-voltage and low-frequency liquid crystal drive signal is a square wave or DC voltage with a signal range of an operating voltage of 6-20V and a frequency of 0.05Hz to 20Hz.

12. The control method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a working state monitoring step before the working mode generating step, in which whether the ADF is in a working state is detected and a corresponding sensing signal is output to the control device.

13. The control method according to claim 12, wherein, When the ADF is in welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shade numbers in the mode 1 shade number range is predetermined to be used, In the working state monitoring step, detecting that the ADF is not in a working state and outputting the corresponding sensing signal to the control device; In the working mode generating step, the control device outputs a working mode 1 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modulated driving voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal control signal generating step, the liquid crystal signal control circuit only outputs the first control voltage to the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit but does not output the liquid crystal control signal; In the liquid crystal drive signal generating step, the liquid crystal drive multiplexing circuit does not output a liquid crystal drive signal; and In the liquid crystal driving step, the two positive liquid crystals are in a bright state.

14. The control method according to claim 12, wherein, When the ADF is in welding or cutting working mode and when any of the shade numbers in the mode 1 shade number range is predetermined to be used, In the working state monitoring step, detecting that the ADF is in a working state and outputting the corresponding sensing signal to the control device; In the working mode generating step, the control device outputs a working mode 1 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modifiable driving voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal control signal generating step, the liquid crystal signal control circuit outputs the first control voltage and a low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal driving signal generating step, the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit selects the low-voltage high-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 1 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals so that the two positive liquid crystals are at the predetermined light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 1; In the liquid crystal driving step, the two positive liquid crystals are at the predetermined light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 1.

15. The control method according to claim 12, wherein, When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 2 is to be used, In the working state monitoring step, it is detected that the ADF is not in the working state and the corresponding sensing signal is output to the control device; In the working mode generating step, the control device outputs a working mode 2 signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modifiable driving voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal control signal generating step, the liquid crystal signal control circuit only outputs the second control voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit but does not output the liquid crystal control signal; In the liquid crystal driving signal generating step, the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit does not output a liquid crystal driving signal; In the liquid crystal driving step, the two positive liquid crystals are in the bright state.

16. The control method according to claim 12, wherein, When the ADF is in the welding or cutting working mode and when any light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 2 is to be used, In the working state monitoring step, it is detected that the ADF is in the working state and the corresponding sensing signal is output to the control device; In the working mode generating step, the control device outputs a working mode 2 signal and the original liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal signal control circuit and outputs a modifiable driving voltage to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal control signal generating step, the liquid crystal signal control circuit outputs the second control voltage and a high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal control signal to the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit; In the liquid crystal driving signal generating step, the liquid crystal driving multiplexing circuit generates the high-voltage low-frequency liquid crystal driving signal corresponding to the working mode 2 and outputs it to the two positive liquid crystals so that the two positive liquid crystals are at the predetermined light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 2; In the liquid crystal driving step, the two positive liquid crystals are at the predetermined light-shielding number within the light-shielding number range of the mode 2.

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