Operating device, welding machine, image display method, and welding system

Abstract

The operation device is caused to execute: a preparation process of receiving and storing, from the welding machine, a display list indicating a plurality of image data identifiers, and image data corresponding to a part of the identifiers indicated by the display list; and a display process of displaying an image based on the image data corresponding to the identifiers indicated by the display list.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an operating device with image display function, a welding machine operated by the operating device, an image display method for displaying images by the operating device, and a welding system having the operating device and the welding machine. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a welding system comprising: a welding machine that sends display data representing selected welding conditions to an operating device; and an operating device that displays character symbols based on the display data sent from the welding machine.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2009 / 122657 Summary of the Invention

[0006] -The problem the invention aims to solve-

[0007] However, there is a desire to be able to operate multiple welding machines on a single operating device, where the operating devices request each other to display different images.

[0008] In addition, there is a desire to be able to operate a welding machine without modifying the operating equipment in the future, in the event that a welding machine is developed that requests the display of new images on the operating device.

[0009] This disclosure is made in view of this, and its purpose is to enable the operation of multiple welding machines that request the operating device to display different images from each other on a single operating device, and to enable the operation of the welding machine without modification should a welding machine that requests the operating device to display new images be developed in the future.

[0010] -Methods for solving the problem-

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, this disclosure relates to an operating device comprising: an image display unit; an operating device-side memory; and an operating device-side control unit that performs the following processes: a preparation process, receiving from a welding machine a display list of identifiers representing at least one image data, and image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented by the display list, and storing them in the operating device-side memory; and a display process, reading the image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list from the operating device-side memory, and causing the image display unit to display an image based on the read image data.

[0012] Therefore, since the operating device receives a display list from the welding machine and displays an image based on image data corresponding to the identifiers represented in the display list, it is possible for one operating device to display different images depending on the type of welding machine. Thus, it is possible to operate multiple welding machines, requesting each other to display different images, using only one operating device.

[0013] Furthermore, since the operating device receives and stores image data from the welding machine, and refers to the stored image data when displaying the image, it can be used to operate the welding machine without modifying the operating device if a welding machine that requests the operating device to display a new image is developed in the future.

[0014] -Invention Effects-

[0015] According to this disclosure, multiple welding machines can be operated by a single operating device, requesting the operating device to display different images from each other. Furthermore, if a welding machine that requests the operating device to display a new image is developed in the future, the operating device can be used to operate the welding machine without modification. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the welding system according to the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 It is a communication sequence diagram representing the actions of the welding system.

[0018] Figure 3 This is an illustration of an image based on image data pre-stored in the memory on the operating device side.

[0019] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the display list stored in the welding machine-side memory of the first MAG (Metal Active Gas Welding) welding machine.

[0020] Figure 5 This is an explanatory diagram showing an image displayed on the operating equipment when the first MAG welding machine is connected to the operating equipment.

[0021] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing the display list stored in the welding machine-side memory of a TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding) welding machine.

[0022] Figure 7 This refers to the situation where the operating equipment is connected to a TIG welding machine. Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram.

[0023] Figure 8This is an explanatory diagram showing the display list stored in the welding machine-side memory of the second MAG welding machine.

[0024] Figure 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing the image data stored in the operating device's side memory based on the initial settings when the operating device is connected to a second MAG welding machine.

[0025] Figure 10 This is under the condition that the operating equipment is connected to a second MAG welding machine. Figure 5 A fairly accurate diagram. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The following description of embodiments of the present disclosure is based on the accompanying drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses.

[0027] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the structure of a welding system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The welding system 1 includes an operating device 10 and a welding machine 20.

[0028] In order to operate the welding machine 20, the operating device 10 accepts user input and sends information to the welding machine 20. The operating device 10 is, for example, a digital remote control (remote controller). Specifically, the operating device 10 includes: an image display unit 11, an operating device-side memory 12, and an operating device-side control unit 13.

[0029] The image display unit 11 displays an image. The image display unit 11 is, for example, composed of a liquid crystal panel or the like.

[0030] The operating device-side memory 12 can store identifiers representing multiple image data, as well as a display list and image data of the display positions (X coordinates, Y coordinates) of each image data.

[0031] The operating device side control unit 13 performs the following processes: an operating device side transmission process, which sends the identifiers of the image data stored in the operating device side memory 12 to the welding machine 20; a preparation process, which receives the display list and image data corresponding to identifiers not included in the identifiers sent in the operating device side transmission process from the welding machine 20, and stores them in the operating device side memory 12; and a display process, which reads the image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list from the operating device side memory 12, and causes the image display unit 11 to display an image based on the read image data. Furthermore, if all identifiers represented by the display list are included in the identifiers sent through the operating device side transmission process, i.e., all image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list are pre-stored in the operating device side memory 12, the preparation process becomes a process of receiving only the display list from the welding machine 20 and storing it in the operating device side memory 12. In other words, in the preparation process, the operating device side control unit 13 does not receive image data from the welding machine 20 corresponding to identifiers already sent in the operating device side transmission process among the identifiers represented by the display list.

[0032] The welding machine 20 performs welding based on information sent by the operating device 10. Specifically, the welding machine 20 includes a welding machine-side memory 21 and a welding machine-side control unit 22.

[0033] The welding machine-side memory 21 stores identifiers representing multiple image data and a display list of the display positions (X coordinates, Y coordinates) of each image data. Depending on the situation, in addition to storing the display list, the welding machine-side memory 21 may also store image data corresponding to a portion of the identifiers represented by the display list.

[0034] The welding machine-side control unit 22 performs the following processes: a receiving process, receiving an identifier sent from the operating device 10 via the operating device-side sending process; and a welding machine-side sending process, reading a display list stored in the welding machine-side memory 21, and image data corresponding to identifiers not included in the identifiers received via the receiving process from the identifiers represented by the display list, and sending them to the operating device 10. Furthermore, if all identifiers represented by the display list are included in the identifiers received via the receiving process, i.e., if the receiving process receives identifiers corresponding to all image data of the identifiers represented by the display list, the welding machine-side sending process becomes a process that only sends the display list to the operating device 10. In other words, in the welding machine-side sending process, the welding machine-side control unit 22 does not send image data corresponding to identifiers received via the receiving process from the identifiers represented by the display list to the operating device 10.

[0035] The transmission and reception of information between the operating device 10 and the welding machine 20 is carried out through wireless or wired communication.

[0036] Next, refer to Figure 2 The operation of the welding system 1 configured as described above, where the welding machine 20 employs a first MAG welding machine, a second MAG welding machine, and a TIG welding machine, will be explained. Furthermore, in the following example, image data 1 to 6 are pre-stored in the operating device side memory 12 of the operating device 10. Figure 3 This refers to a first image IMG1 based on first image data, a second image IMG2 based on second image data, a third image IMG3 based on third image data, a fourth image IMG4 based on fourth image data, a fifth image IMG5 based on fifth image data, and a sixth image IMG6 based on sixth image data. First, the operation will be described when a first MAG welding machine, which is a welding machine 20, is connected to the operating device 10. The welding machine-side memory 21 of the first MAG welding machine stores... Figure 4 The list shown is displayed. Figure 4 In the displayed list, the identifiers (part numbers) for image data 1 through 5 are sequentially represented by 1 to 5. Additionally, this display list indicates the display position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of image data 1 through 5.

[0037] First, in step S11, the operating device 10 and the welding machine 20 are started by turning on the power.

[0038] Therefore, in step S12, the operating device side control unit 13 of the operating device 10 requests the welding machine 20 to display the list and sends the identifier of the image data stored in the operating device side memory 12. The identifier sent here is the identifier of the 1st to 6th image data, specifically 1 to 6.

[0039] Correspondingly, in step S13, the welding machine side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 receives the identifier sent by the operating device 10 in step S12.

[0040] Next, in step S14, the welding machine-side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 compares the identifiers represented by the display list stored in the welding machine-side memory 21 with the identifiers received in step S13, and extracts the identifiers from the display list that are not included in the identifiers received in step S13. In this example, since the identifiers 1 to 5 represented by the display list are all included in the identifiers 1 to 6 received in step S13, no identifiers are extracted.

[0041] Subsequently, if any identifier is extracted in step S14, in step S15, the welding machine-side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 reads the display list and the image data corresponding to the identifier extracted in step S14 from the welding machine-side memory 21 and sends them to the operating device 10. On the other hand, if no identifier is extracted in step S14, in step S15, the welding machine-side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 only reads the display list from the welding machine-side memory 21 and sends it to the operating device 10. In this example, since no identifier is extracted in step 14, in the subsequent step S15, the welding machine-side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 only reads the display list from the welding machine-side memory 21 and sends it to the operating device 10.

[0042] Therefore, in step S16, the operation device side control unit 13 of the operation device 10 receives the information sent by the welding machine side control unit 22 in step S15 and stores it in the operation device side memory 12. In this example, the operation device side control unit 13 only receives the display list from the welding machine 20 and stores it in the operation device side memory 12.

[0043] Next, in step S17, the operation device side control unit 13 of the operation device 10 reads image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list stored in the operation device side memory 12 from the operation device side memory 12, and causes the image display unit 11 to display an image based on the read image data. In this example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the image display unit 11 displays the first to fifth images IMG1 to IMG5 based on the first to fifth image data.

[0044] Next, the operation of the welding system 1 configured as described above, in the case where a TIG welding machine 20 is connected to the operating device 10, will be explained. The welding machine-side memory 21 of the TIG welding machine stores... Figure 6 The list shown is displayed. Figure 6 In the displayed list, the identifiers (part numbers) for the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th image data are respectively represented as 1, 3, 4, and 6. Additionally, the display list indicates the display position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 6th image data.

[0045] In this example, it is performed in the same way as when the first MAG welding machine is used as welding machine 20. Figure 2 The actions shown in steps S11 to S17. Since the identifiers 1, 3, 4, and 6 represented by the display list are all included in the identifiers 1 to 6 received through step S13, the welding machine side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 does not extract any identifiers in step S14.

[0046] Additionally, in step S17, image data corresponding to the identifiers represented in the display list, such as... Figure 7 As shown, the image display unit 11 displays the first, third, fourth, and sixth images IMG1, IMG3, IMG4, and IMG6 based on the first, third, fourth, and sixth image data.

[0047] Next, the operation of the welding system 1 configured as described above will be explained when a second MAG welding machine, serving as a welding machine 20, is connected to the operating device 10. The welding machine-side memory 21 of the second MAG welding machine stores... Figure 8 The list shown is displayed. Figure 8 In the display list shown, the identifiers (part numbers) for image data 1 through 4 and 7 are respectively represented as 1 through 4 and 7. Additionally, the display list indicates the display position (X coordinate, Y coordinate) of image data 1 through 4 and 7. Furthermore, the welding machine-side memory 21 of the second MAG welding machine stores not only the display list but also the image data corresponding to the identifier 7 among the identifiers represented in the display list.

[0048] This is also executed in this example. Figure 2 The actions of steps S11 to S17 are shown. Since the identifier 7 among the identifiers 1 to 4 and 7 represented by the display list is not included among the identifiers 1 to 6 received through step S13, in step S14, the welding machine side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 extracts 7 as an identifier among the identifiers represented by the display list that is not included among the identifiers received through step S13.

[0049] Then, in step S15, the welding machine side control unit 22 of the welding machine 20 reads only the display list and the seventh image data corresponding to the identifier of 7 from the welding machine side memory 21, and sends it to the operation device 10.

[0050] In step S16, the display list and the seventh image data corresponding to the identifier 7 are received from the welding machine 20 and stored in the operating device side memory 12. Thus, the seventh image data for displaying the seventh image IMG7 is added to the image data stored in the operating device side memory 12 of the operating device 10. Figure 9 This refers to the image data stored in the operating device-side memory after the initial settings, i.e., after step S16.

[0051] In step S17, as Figure 10As shown, the image display unit 11 displays the first to fourth and seventh images IMG1 to IMG4 and IMG7 based on the first to fourth and seventh image data corresponding to the identifiers represented in the display list.

[0052] Thus, in this embodiment, since the operating device 10 receives a display list from the welding machine 20 and displays an image based on image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list, it is possible for one operating device 10 to display different images depending on the type of welding machine 20. Therefore, it is possible to operate multiple welding machines 20 that request the operating device 10 to display different images from each other using only one operating device 10.

[0053] Furthermore, since the operating device 10 can receive and store image data from the welding machine 20, and can refer to the stored image data when displaying the image, if a welding machine 20 that requests the operating device 10 to display a new image is developed in the future, the operating device 10 can be used to operate the welding machine 20 without modification.

[0054] Furthermore, if the operating device 10 has pre-stored image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list, since only the image data corresponding to the remaining identifiers represented in the display list needs to be sent and received between the operating device 10 and the welding machine 20, the amount of data sent and received can be reduced, and the time spent on initial setup can be shortened.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the display list is set as an identifier representing multiple image data, but it can also be set as an identifier representing one image data.

[0056] In addition, in the above embodiment, the welding machine-side memory 21 stores image data corresponding to a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list, but it may also store image data corresponding to all the identifiers represented in the display list.

[0057] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in step S15, the welding machine-side control unit 22 can read image data corresponding to a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list from the welding machine-side memory 21 and send it to the operation device 10, depending on the situation. However, it can also be configured to read image data corresponding to all the identifiers represented in the display list from the welding machine-side memory 21 and send it to the operation device 10. Additionally, the image data read from the welding machine-side memory 21 and sent to the operation device 10 by the welding machine-side control unit 22 in step S15 can be all the images stored in the welding machine-side memory 21, or it can be a portion of the images.

[0058] Similarly, in the above embodiment, in step S16, the operating device side control unit 13 can receive image data corresponding to a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list from the welding machine 20 as needed, but it can also be configured to receive image data corresponding to all the identifiers represented in the display list from the welding machine 20 and store it in the operating device side memory 12.

[0059] Industrial availability

[0060] The operating device, welding machine, image display method, and welding system disclosed herein are useful as follows: an operating device with image display function that can operate multiple welding machines by requesting the operating device to display different images from each other through a single operating device, and can be used to operate the welding machine without modification if a welding machine that requests the operating device to display a new image is developed in the future; a welding machine operated by the operating device; an image display method that causes the operating device to display an image; and a welding system equipped with the operating device and the welding machine.

[0061] -Symbol Explanation-

[0062] 1 Welding System

[0063] 10 Operating equipment

[0064] 11 Image Display Unit

[0065] 12. Operating device-side memory

[0066] 13. Control unit on the operating equipment side

[0067] 20 welding machines

[0068] 21 Welding machine side memory

[0069] 22 Welding machine side control unit.

Claims

1. An operating device, comprising: Image display unit; Operating device-side memory; and The operating device-side control unit performs the following processes: a preparation process, receiving from the welding machine a display list of identifiers representing at least one image data, and image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list, and storing them in the operating device-side memory; and a display process, reading the image data corresponding to the identifiers represented in the display list from the operating device-side memory, and displaying an image based on the read image data on the image display unit. The operating device-side control unit also performs: operating device-side transmission processing, sending the identifier of the image data stored in the operating device-side memory to the welding machine. During the preparation process, image data corresponding to the identifiers already sent in the operation equipment side transmission process among the identifiers represented by the display list is not received from the welding machine.

2. A welding machine, comprising: A welding machine-side memory stores a display list of identifiers representing at least one image data, and image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented by the display list; and The welding machine-side control unit performs welding machine-side transmission processing, in which it reads at least a portion of the image data from the display list and the image data stored in the welding machine-side memory and sends it to the operating device. The welding machine-side control unit also performs: receiving processing, receiving from the operating device an identifier of the image data stored in the operating device. During the welding machine-side transmission process, image data corresponding to the identifier received in the receiving process from the identifiers represented in the display list is not transmitted to the operating device.

3. An image display method for displaying images on the operating equipment of a welding machine, the image display method comprising: In the welding machine-side sending step, the welding machine sends a display list of identifiers representing at least one image data, and image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented by the display list, to the operating device. In the preparation step, the operating device receives and stores the display list and image data sent in the welding machine-side transmission step; and In the display step, the operating device displays an image based on image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list. The image display method also includes: In the operation device side sending step, the operation device sends the identifier of the stored image data to the welding machine; and In the receiving step, the welding machine receives the identifier sent in the sending step on the operating equipment side. During the welding machine-side sending step, the welding machine does not send image data corresponding to the identifier received in the receiving step from the identifiers represented in the display list to the operating device.

4. A welding system comprising a welding machine and operating equipment, The welding machine performs the following: welding machine-side transmission processing, sending a display list of identifiers representing at least one image data, and image data corresponding to at least a portion of the identifiers represented in the display list, to the operating device. The operating device performs: Prepare for processing, receive and store the display list and image data sent via the welding machine side; and Display processing, displaying images based on image data corresponding to the identifiers represented by the display list. The operating device also performs: operating device-side transmission processing, sending the identifier of the image data stored in the operating device-side memory to the welding machine. During the preparation process, image data corresponding to the identifiers already sent in the operation equipment side transmission process among the identifiers represented by the display list is not received from the welding machine.

Images