Welding protector, health care system for a worker and operating procedures for the system

Abstract

Welding protector which features the following: - a sensor (120) that generates a detection signal obtained by detecting the wearing state of the welding protector worn by a worker, and comprising an optical transmitter arranged on a first inner side surface of the welding protector and a light receiver arranged opposite the transmitter on a second inner side surface of the welding protector, which receives light emitted by the optical transmitter, - a memory (115) that stores at least one instruction, and - a processor (116) configured to execute at least one instruction to generate a feedback signal, - wherein at least one instruction contains information to determine, based on the detection signal, whether the worker should perform a welding operation, and - wherein the processor (116) is further configured to receive the detection signal, which comprises a first signal sent by the light receiver when the worker is wearing the welding protector, and a second signal sent by the light receiver when the worker has removed the welding protector, to calculate a wearing time by cumulatively recording a time during which the first signal is received, interrupting the cumulative recording when the second signal is received, and resuming the cumulative recording when the first signal is received again, and to generate a feedback signal that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed if the wearing time exceeds a reference time, and causes the welding process to continue if the wearing time does not exceed the reference time.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a welding protector, a health care system for a worker, and an operating method for the system.

[0002] Welding is generally an indispensable tool for metalworking. However, the process generates fumes, toxic gases, harmful radiation, and high temperatures, which can be physically harmful to workers in enclosed spaces. Therefore, it is necessary to wear a welding protector to safeguard the welder. The welding protector is used to prevent hazardous exposures caused by the work environment and must be carefully selected beforehand to ensure it meets all requirements and is a certified product that has passed rigorous testing. The primary sources of harmful substances generated during the welding process are welding materials, such as base metals, electrodes, and electrode coatings.During welding, base metals and electrodes are heated, and metal vapor is released into the air. New description pages 2, 2a and 10

[0003] The metal fumes condense in the air, forming vapors. The main factors influencing the rate, quantity, and composition of these vapors include the welding process, welding conditions, the composition of the base metals and welding electrodes, the electrode diameter, the welding speed, and the coating condition of the base metal surface due to coating or cladding. Welders must wear welding protective equipment because they are at risk of various health hazards, such as metal fume fever, siderosis, pulmonary edema, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

[0004] The prior art described above is a technique or technical information available to the inventor and is not necessarily a technique that was known to the public before the priority date of the present application.

[0005] A related prior art is disclosed in patent application KR 2000-0065634 A.

[0006] The patent application WO 2017 / 223438 A1 discloses a computer-based personal protection equipment system comprising a personal protection device, which may be, among other things, a welding protector, as well as a memory and one or more computing units, wherein the personal protection device is equipped with protection-related sensors that are configured to generate user data indicative of the operation of the device, wherein the user data are used in a safety-related learning model to predict the probability of a safety-critical event occurring.

[0007] The technical problem underlying the invention is to provide a welding protector, a health care system for a worker, and an operating procedure for the system that show improvements over the prior art described above, particularly with regard to welding efficiency and health care measures.

[0008] The invention solves this problem by providing a welding protector with the features of claim 1, a healthcare system for a worker with the features of claim 5, and an operating method for the healthcare system for a worker with the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The invention includes a protector for welders, a health care system for workers, and an operating method for the system in which the duration of a welding process is calculated based on a period of time during which a welder wears a welding protector in order to provide feedback as to whether a welding process should be continued or interrupted.

[0010] The feedback signal can include at least one piece of visual information, one piece of tactile information, and one piece of acoustically perceptible information.

[0011] The welding protector may also include a communication device that communicates with an external device, whereby the memory is updated via the communication device using the external device.

[0012] The external device may include an end device of a worker that is worn by the worker.

[0013] The central control unit of the healthcare system for a worker can send the feedback signal, which includes at least one of a visual, a tactile and an audibly perceptible information, to the welding protector.

[0014] The central control unit can include an end device worn by the worker.

[0015] A worker's terminal device can include a health care management application for that worker, and it outputs a connection status regarding the welding protector when the health care management application for that worker is running.

[0016] The sending of the feedback signal in the operating procedure may include generating the feedback signal, which contains at least one piece of visual information, one piece of tactile information and one piece of acoustically perceptible information, as well as sending the feedback signal to the welding protector.

[0017] If the central control unit includes a worker terminal device that contains a worker health care application and is worn by the worker, the operating procedure may further include executing the worker health care application and outputting a connection status with respect to the welding protector.

[0018] Furthermore, additional methods or systems for realizing the present invention, as well as a computer program for executing the methods, can be provided.

[0019] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in more detail below. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of a welding protector according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a schematic block diagram representing an area of ​​a welding protector according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 a schematic view to describe a health care system for a worker according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4. A schematic view describing the structure of a central control unit of the healthcare system for a worker of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 a flowchart of an operating procedure for a healthcare system for a worker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Reference is now made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, whereby identical reference numerals consistently refer to the same elements. In this context, the present embodiments may have different forms and are not to be interpreted as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.

[0021] In describing the present disclosure, certain detailed explanations of the prior art have been omitted where it is found that they might unnecessarily distract from the essence of the present disclosure.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a welding protector 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram representing an area of ​​the welding protector 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The welding protector 100 can include a replaceable insert 110 and a sensor 120. Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, the replaceable insert 110 can include a main body 111, a liquid crystal display 112, a display unit 113, an input keypad unit 114, a memory 115, a processor 116, and a communication device 117.

[0023] The welding protector 100 can be in a form that covers the face of a worker and can be made of a material with a certain strength, for example, a reinforced plastic; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any material that is resistant to elements that occur during a welding process, such as sparks, can be used.

[0024] The interchangeable insert 110 can be mounted on a front surface of the welding protector 100. The main body 111 of the interchangeable insert 110 forms its outer shape and can contain the processor 116, the memory 115, and the communication device 117, which is capable of communicating with an external device (e.g., a worker's handheld device or a central control unit). The density of the liquid crystal display 112 can be changed according to user operation or according to the control of the processor 116. The worker can wear the welding protector 100 so that their face is covered and can then select a suitable brightness for performing a welding or cutting operation via the liquid crystal display 112.The display unit 113 can show a user's input status or an operating status of the welding protector 100. The input keypad unit 114 can receive a user command and send the command to the processor 116. The memory 115 can store one or more instructions that can be executed by the processor 116. The memory 115, the processor 116, and the communication device 117 are described in detail later.

[0025] The welding protector 100 can include the sensor 120, which generates a detection signal by sensing the wearing status of a worker. A detection signal generated using the sensor 120 can be sent to the processor 116. According to one embodiment, the sensor 120 can include an optical transmitter (not shown) and a light receiver (not shown) integrated as a set, or it can include a light intensity sensor (not shown), a pressure sensor (not shown), or a touch sensor (not shown), and the present disclosure is not limited to these, and a worker can use various types of devices capable of detecting the wearing status of the welding protector 100.

[0026] When a worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the sensor 120 in the present embodiment can send a detection signal, which includes a first signal, to the processor 116, and when the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the sensor 120 can send a detection signal, which includes a second signal, to the processor 116.

[0027] If the sensor 120 includes an optical transmitter and a light receiver, the optical transmitter can be provided on a first inner side surface of the welding protector 100 to send light towards a second inner side surface of the same. The optical transmitter can be selected from a variety of light-emitting devices (lamps). For example, an infrared LED can be used, but this disclosure is not limited to this, and any device capable of emitting light can be used. The light receiver can be provided on the second inner side surface of the welding protector 100, opposite the optical transmitter, and can receive light emitted by the optical transmitter.For example, a photodiode can be used as a light receiver; however, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any device capable of receiving light can be used. When a worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the light receiver can send a detection signal, which includes a first signal, to the processor 116. When the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the light receiver can send a detection signal, which includes a second signal, to the processor 116.

[0028] If sensor 120 includes a light intensity sensor, the light intensity sensor located inside the welding protector 100 can detect the light intensity inside the welding protector 100. This is due to a difference in light intensity inside the welding protector 100 between when a worker is wearing the welding protector 100 and when the worker has removed it. When a worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the light intensity sensor can send a detection signal, containing a first signal, to processor 116. When the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the light intensity sensor can send a detection signal, containing a second signal, to processor 116.

[0029] If sensor 120 includes a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor located inside the welding protector 100 can detect the pressure inside the welding protector 100. This is due to the difference in pressure inside the welding protector 100 between the state when the worker is wearing the welding protector 100 and the state when the worker has removed it. When the worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the pressure sensor can send a detection signal, containing a first signal, to processor 116. When the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the pressure sensor can send a detection signal, containing a second signal, to processor 116.

[0030] If sensor 120 includes a touch sensor, the touch sensor located inside the welding protector 100 can detect contact with the welding protector 100. This is due to a difference in the contact state of the welding protector 100 between when the worker is wearing it and when it has been removed. When the worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the touch sensor can send a detection signal, containing a first signal, to processor 116. When the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the touch sensor can send a detection signal, containing a second signal, to processor 116.

[0031] Memory 115 can store various types of data and programs for operating and controlling the welding protector 100. A program stored in memory 115 can contain one or more instructions. Processor 116 can access and execute the program (one or more instructions) stored in memory 115. After receiving an input signal instructing the input keypad unit 114 to start an operation, or after receiving a detection signal containing an initial signal from sensor 120, processor 116 can access memory 115 and execute a program (one or more instructions) stored in memory 115.The memory 115 according to one embodiment can include one or more instructions that contain reference information as information to determine, based on a detection signal, whether to continue or interrupt a welding process.

[0032] The Memory 115 can include built-in memory and / or external memory, which can be: volatile memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM); non-volatile memory, such as one-time programmable read-only memory (OTPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, NAND flash memory, or NOR flash memory; a flash drive, such as a solid-state drive (SSD), compact flash (CF) card, SD card (Secure Digital card), microSD card, miniSD card, xd card, or memory stick;or a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD).;

[0033] The processor 116 can control the overall operating state of the welding protector 100. At least one processor 116 can be integrated, and it can be implemented as an arrangement of a plurality of logic gates or as a combination of a general-purpose microprocessor and a memory 115 in which a program is stored that can be executed in the aforementioned microprocessor. Furthermore, it is clearly apparent to a person skilled in the art that the processor 116 can be implemented in other hardware forms.

[0034] In detail, the processor 116 can receive a detection signal, which includes a first signal and a second signal, to calculate a wearing time based on the wearing status of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker, and can generate a feedback signal that, based on a wearing time that exceeds a reference information, for example a reference time, causes the welding protector 100 to be removed, and can generate a feedback signal that causes the welding protector to be used again if the reference time is not exceeded.

[0035] The processor 116 can calculate the wearing time of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker by cumulatively recording the time at which a first signal is received, starting from the point in time when an input signal from the input keypad unit 114 appears, which is entered immediately before the worker puts on the welding protector 100. If a second signal is received during the cumulative recording, the cumulative recording of the first signal can be interrupted, and if the first signal is received again, the cumulative recording of the first signal can be resumed.

[0036] A feedback signal can include a signal, perceptible to a worker wearing the Welding Protector 100, to initiate the removal of the Welding Protector 100. The feedback signal can also include a signal, perceptible to a worker, to instruct the worker wearing the Welding Protector 100 to continue using the welding protector.

[0037] The feedback signal can be displayed as visual information on the liquid crystal display 112, visible to the worker. A vibration-generating element (e.g., a motor, etc.) (not shown) can be provided, and a motor that has received a feedback signal can generate vibrations (tangible information) that the worker can perceive. Additionally, a voice-generating device (e.g., a loudspeaker) (not shown) can be integrated, and a loudspeaker that has received a feedback signal can produce a voiced sound that the worker can perceive acoustically.An output format of a feedback signal, as described above, can be stored in memory 115, for example, in text form indicating that the welding protector 100 is to be removed or that the welding protector use can be continued, and / or a vibration cycle or intensity and number of vibrations indicating that the welding protector 100 is to be removed or that the welding protector use can be continued, and / or a voice format indicating that the welding protector 100 is to be removed or that the welding protector use can be continued, and the output format of a feedback signal can be implemented by means of processor 116.

[0038] The communication device 117 can be connected to a communication network 300 ( Fig. 3) be connected and can provide a communication interface to provide a transmit / receive signal in the form of data packets between the welding protector 100 and an external device (a worker's terminal device equipped with a worker healthcare application, or a central control unit 200 of Fig. 3) Furthermore, the communication device 117 can perform a function by which a specific information request signal is received from an external device and information processed by the welding protector 100 is sent to an external device. A communication network refers to a medium that connects the welding protector 100 to an external device and can include a path that provides a connection path through which the welding protector 100 accesses an external device to send or receive information. In addition, the communication device 117 can be a device The communication device includes the hardware and software necessary to send or receive a signal, such as a control signal or a data signal, over a wired or wireless connection with another network device. In the present embodiment, the communication device 117 can receive a signal to update the memory 115 from an external device and can update data or programs stored in the memory 115 using the processor 116.

[0039] According to another embodiment, a camera (not shown) can be mounted outside the welding protector 100 to capture an image of the work environment, and the processor 116 can compare the image of the work environment with a reference image stored in the memory 115 and generate a feedback signal that prompts the worker to leave the work environment if it is hazardous (for example, due to fire, damage, or injury). Furthermore, the feedback signal, along with the image of the work environment, can be sent to a facility capable of eliminating the hazardous environment, such as a fire station or hospital, so that the facility can receive the feedback signal and take appropriate action.In the present embodiment, a feedback signal that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed or the welding protector use to be continued while the welding protector 100 has been removed or while the welding protector 100 is being worn can differ in design from a feedback signal that causes the work environment to be left.

[0040] Fig. Figure 3 is a schematic view describing a health care system 1 for a worker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Descriptions referred to above are Fig. 1 and Fig. The two items that were provided are omitted here. Referring to Fig. 3. The health care system 1 for a worker can include a welding protector 100, a central control unit 200, and a communication network 300.

[0041] The welding protector 100 is worn by a worker to protect the worker from a hazardous working environment and can be in a form that covers the worker's face and can include a replaceable insert 110 and a sensor 120.

[0042] The sensor 120, which detects the wearing status of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker and generates a detection signal, can be integrated into the welding protector 100. When the worker is wearing the welding protector 100, the sensor 120 can generate a detection signal containing a first signal, and when the worker has removed the welding protector 100, the sensor 120 can generate a detection signal containing a second signal.

[0043] The welding protector 100 can send a detection signal, comprising a first signal and a second signal, to the central control unit 200 via the communication network 300 upon request. The welding protector 100 can also periodically send a detection signal, comprising a first signal and a second signal, to the central control unit 200 via the communication network 300, even without a request from the central control unit 200.

[0044] According to another embodiment, a camera (not shown) can be mounted outside the welding protector 100 to capture an image of the work environment, and this image can be transmitted to the central control unit 200 via the communication network 300. This can be done to protect the worker from potential hazards that may occur during operation (for example, fire, damage, or injury).

[0045] The central control unit 200 can receive a detection signal, which includes a first signal and a second signal, from the welding protector 100 in order to calculate a wearing time based on the wearing status of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker, can generate a feedback signal that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed based on a wearing time that exceeds a reference information, for example a reference time, and can generate a feedback signal that causes the worker to continue using the welding protector if the reference time has not been exceeded, and send the feedback signal to the welding protector 100.

[0046] The feedback signal, generated using the central control unit 200 and transmitted to the welding protector 100 via the communication network 300, can be displayed as visual information on the liquid crystal display 112 of the welding protector 100, visible to the operator. A vibration-generating element (e.g., a motor, etc.) (not shown) can be provided, and a motor that has received a feedback signal can generate vibrations (tangible information) that can be perceived by the operator. In addition, a voice-emitting device (e.g., a loudspeaker) (not shown) can be integrated, and a loudspeaker that has received a feedback signal can produce a voiced sound that can be perceived acoustically by the operator.

[0047] According to the present embodiment, the central control unit 200 can include a worker terminal worn by a worker. The worker terminal can access the central control unit 200 to run and / or display a worker healthcare application provided by the central control unit 200. The central control unit 200, which has received a worker connection identification information (an ID) and password via the worker terminal, can authenticate the worker with respect to the worker healthcare application. If unique information about the welder's protective device 100 worn by the worker is entered, a connection status with respect to the welder's protective device 100 can be displayed on the worker's terminal.Then the worker's terminal device can output a feedback signal, generated by executing a function of the central control unit 200, not only to the welding protector 100, but also to the worker's terminal device.

[0048] The communication network 300 fulfills a function by which the welding protector 100 is connected to the central control unit 200. That is, the communication network 300 can refer to a communication network that provides a connection path through which the welding protector 100 is connected to the central control unit 200 and that sends or receives information. The communication network 300 can be a wired network, such as Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), Metropolitan Area Networks (MAN), Integrated Service Digital Networks (ISDN), wireless LANs, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Bluetooth; however, the present disclosure is not limited to these.

[0049] Fig. Figure 4 is a schematic view describing the structure of a central control unit of the healthcare system 1 for a worker of Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. 4. The central control unit 200 can include a communication device 210, a storage medium 220, a program storage unit 230, a control unit 240, a database 250, and a monitoring unit 260. The central control unit 200 according to the present embodiment can include an end device for an employee in which a healthcare application for that employee is loaded.

[0050] The communication device 210 can be connected to the communication network 300 and can provide a communication interface to transmit / receive a signal in the form of data packets between the central control unit 200 and the welding protector 100. Furthermore, the communication device 210 can perform a function by which a specific information signal is received by the welding protector 100 and the information signal processed by the monitoring unit 260 (for example, a feedback signal) is sent to the welding protector 100. A communication network refers to a medium that connects the central control unit 200 to the welding protector 100 and can include a path that provides a connection through which the welding protector 100 accesses the central control unit 200 to send or receive information.Furthermore, the communication device 210 may be a device that includes hardware and software necessary to send or receive a signal, such as a control signal or a data signal, over a wired or wireless connection with another network.

[0051] The storage medium 220 performs a function by temporarily or permanently storing data processed by the control unit 240. The storage medium 220 may include magnetic storage media or flash memory media, but this disclosure is not limited to these. The storage medium 220 may include internal and / or external memory, and may be: volatile memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, or SDRAM; flash memory, such as OTPROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, mask ROM, flash ROM, NAND flash memory, or NOR flash memory; a flash drive, such as an SSD, CF card, SD card, microSD card, miniSD card, XD card, or USB flash drive; or a storage device, such as an HDD.

[0052] The program storage unit 230 includes control software to perform an operation in which a detection signal is requested from and received by the welding protector 100, to perform an operation in which a wearing time of the welding protector 100 worn by a worker is calculated from the detection signal, to perform an operation in which a feedback signal is generated which displays a result based on the wearing time, which determines whether a welding operation is to be carried out, to perform an operation in which a feedback signal is sent to the welding protector 100, to perform an operation in which an image of a work environment is received by the welding protector 100, to perform an operation in which it is determined whether the image of the work environment shows a hazardous environment or the like.

[0053] The database 250 can include a feedback management database that stores feedback signals provided by the central control unit 200. The feedback management database can include: a reference deployment time, which indicates the duration of a welding protector deployment while the welding protector 100 is worn, whereby the reference deployment time is used to initiate the removal of the welding protector 100 or the continuation of the welding protector deployment; a reference image, from which a hazardous work environment can be determined; a feedback signal that can be output as visual information visible to the worker; a feedback signal that can be output as tactile information felt by the worker (for example, vibration intensity, vibration frequency, number of vibrations, etc.).), as well as a feedback signal that can be output as an acoustically perceptible piece of information that can be heard by the worker.

[0054] Data set 250 can also contain a worker database that stores information about the worker. Here, the worker database can store information about a worker who is supposed to wear the welding protector 100.The worker information can include the following: basic information relating to the worker, such as the worker's name, affiliation, personal information, gender, age, contact information, email address, and address; authentication information (login information), such as an ID (or email address) and password; information relating to a connection, such as the country where the connection of the Welding Protector 100 is established, the connection location, information relating to a device used for a connection, the network environment over which the connection is established, and the like. Furthermore, the worker database can include the following: unique information for the Welding Protector 100 assigned to a worker (e.g.,a serial number of the welding protector 100 (or information indicating the same), unique information for each of the different welding protectors 100 (if the welding protector 100 is not assigned to a worker, unique information for the welding protector 100 is entered by the worker), and the like. Furthermore. Furthermore, the workforce's database may include the following: information relating to the history of a welding protector deployment carried out by the worker wearing the welding protector 100 (date, cumulative wearing time, removal time, etc.), unique information for the welding protector 100 worn by the worker, or the like.

[0055] The monitoring unit 260 can receive a detection signal, comprising a first signal and a second signal, from the welding protector 100 in order to calculate a wearing time based on the wearing status of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker, and can generate a feedback signal that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed based on a wearing time that exceeds a reference information, for example a reference time, and can generate a feedback signal that causes the worker to continue using the welding protector if the reference time has not been exceeded, and send the feedback signal to the welding protector 100.

[0056] The worker wearing the welding protector 100, having received the feedback signal initiating its removal, can remove the welding protector 100 that the worker has been wearing and can take a break, thus managing the health of the worker and improving the welding efficiency of the worker.

[0057] The monitoring unit 260 can calculate the wearing time of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker by cumulatively recording the time at which a first signal is received, starting from a time when an input signal from the input keypad unit 114 appears, which is entered immediately before the worker puts on the welding protector 100, or a time when the welding protector 100 and a worker terminal are connected, when the worker uses the worker terminal to perform a health care application for the worker.If a second signal is received during the cumulative numerical recording, the cumulative numerical recording of the first signal can be interrupted, and if a first signal is received again, the cumulative numerical recording of the first signal can be resumed, thus calculating a wearing time of the welding protector of 100.

[0058] Furthermore, the monitoring unit 260 can compare an image of the work environment received by the welding protector 100 with a reference image and can generate a feedback signal that triggers evacuation from the work environment if it is hazardous (for example, due to fire, damage, or injury). Additionally, the monitoring unit 260 can send the feedback signal and the image of the work environment to a facility capable of eliminating the hazardous environment, such as a fire station or hospital, so that the facility can receive the feedback signal and take appropriate action.A feedback signal that prompts the removal of the welding protector 100 or the continuation of the welding protector use while the welding protector 100 has been removed or while the welding protector 100 is being worn may differ in design from a feedback signal that prompts leaving the work environment.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a flowchart for an operating procedure of a healthcare system for a worker according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Descriptions given above with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The 4 items that were provided are omitted here.

[0060] Referring to Fig. In process S510, a healthcare application is executed for a worker, which has a function of the central control unit 200 and is loaded into a worker's terminal.

[0061] When the healthcare application is run for a worker, the central control unit 200 outputs information during operation S520 indicating that the central control unit 200 is connected to the welding protector 100 to be worn by the worker. If the central control unit 200 is not connected to the welding protector 100 to be worn by the worker, the worker can enter unique information for the welding protector 100 to be worn, and the central control unit 200, receiving this unique information, can output information indicating that the central control unit 200 is connected to the welding protector 100 to be worn by the worker.

[0062] When the central control unit 200 and the welding protector 100 are connected, during operation S530 a numerical recording of the time is performed in relation to the welding protector 100, starting from a time of the beginning of the connection, and the central control unit 200 generates a recording signal request signal and sends the same to the welding protector 100.

[0063] In process S540, the central control unit 200 can receive a detection signal, comprising a first and a second signal, from the welding protector 100 to cumulatively record the wearing time of the welding protector 100. The first signal can be received when the worker is wearing the welding protector 100, and the second signal can be received when the worker has removed the welding protector 100. From the point in time when the welding process begins, the central control unit 200 can cumulatively record the time from when the first signal is received to calculate the wearing time of the welding protector 100 worn by the worker.If a second signal is received during the cumulative numerical acquisition, the cumulative numerical acquisition of the first signal can be interrupted, and the cumulative numerical acquisition of the first signal can be resumed when the first signal is received again, thus calculating a wear time of the welding protector of 100.

[0064] During process S550, the central control unit 200 determines whether the wearing time of the welding protector 100 exceeds a reference time.

[0065] If the wearing time of the welding protector 100 exceeds the reference time, the central control unit 200 generates a feedback signal during operation S560, which causes the welding protector 100 to be removed, and sends the feedback signal to the welding protector 100.

[0066] If the wearing time of the welding protector 100 does not exceed the reference time, the central control unit 200 generates a feedback signal during operation S570, which causes the worker to continue using the welding protector, and sends the feedback signal to the welding protector 100.

[0067] The worker wearing the welding protector 100, having received the feedback signal indicating removal, can remove the welding protector 100 and take a break, thus managing the worker's health and improving the worker's welding efficiency.

[0068] The operating procedure of the healthcare system for a worker can be executed independently within the welding protector 100 by using the processor 115 to run a program stored in the memory 115. When the operating procedure is executed independently within the welding protector 100, the time is cumulatively recorded from the point in time when the worker begins wearing the welding protector 100 (the start is initiated by receiving a key input from the input keypad unit 114) in order to calculate the wearing time of the welding protector 100.If the wearing time of the welding protector 100 exceeds a reference time, a feedback signal is generated that prompts the removal of the welding protector 100, and if the wearing time of the welding protector 100 does not exceed the reference time, a feedback signal can be generated that prompts the worker to continue using the welding protector.

[0069] The embodiments of the present disclosure described above can be implemented in the form of a computer program that can be executed by various components of a computer, and such a computer program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium can be: a magnetic medium, such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape; an optical recording medium, such as a CD-ROM and a DVD; a magneto-optical medium, such as a floppy disk; or a ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like, specifically configured to store and execute program instructions.

[0070] The computer program may be specifically designed and configured for the embodiments of the present disclosure, or it may be generally known and available to a person skilled in the art. Examples of the computer program include sophisticated language codes that can be executed by a computer using a translation program or the like, as well as machine language code executed by a compiler program.

[0071] If a sequence of operations of a method according to the present invention is clearly described, or if there is no contrary description of the sequence, the operations can be carried out in the described sequence or in another suitable sequence. The present invention is not necessarily limited to the operational sequence described herein.

[0072] According to the embodiments, a welding time period can be calculated based on the wearing time of a welding protector worn by a worker, in order to provide feedback as to whether the welding process should be continued or interrupted. If the welding process should be interrupted, the worker can accordingly pause the welding process and take a break, thus managing the worker's health.

[0073] By calculating the wearing time of the welding protector worn by the worker, feedback is provided as to whether a welding process should be continued or interrupted, the worker can also interrupt the welding process and take a break in a case where the worker should interrupt the welding process, thus increasing the welding efficiency of the worker.

[0074] The effects according to the present invention are not limited to those described above, and further effects not mentioned herein are apparent to a person skilled in the art from the description of the disclosure.

Claims

[1] Welding protector which features the following: - a sensor (120) that generates a detection signal obtained by detecting the wearing state of the welding protector worn by a worker, and comprising an optical transmitter arranged on a first inner side surface of the welding protector and a light receiver arranged opposite the transmitter on a second inner side surface of the welding protector, which receives light emitted by the optical transmitter, - a memory (115) that stores at least one instruction, and - a processor (116) configured to execute at least one instruction to generate a feedback signal, - wherein at least one instruction contains information to determine, based on the detection signal, whether the worker should perform a welding operation, and - wherein the processor (116) is further configured to receive the detection signal, which comprises a first signal sent by the light receiver when the worker is wearing the welding protector, and a second signal sent by the light receiver when the worker has removed the welding protector, to calculate a wearing time by cumulatively recording a time during which the first signal is received, interrupting the cumulative recording when the second signal is received, and resuming the cumulative recording when the first signal is received again, and to generate a feedback signal that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed if the wearing time exceeds a reference time, and causes the welding process to continue if the wearing time does not exceed the reference time. [2] Welding protector according to claim 1, wherein the feedback signal comprises at least one visual information, one tactile information and one acoustically perceptible information. [3] Welding protector according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a communication device (117) which communicates with an external device, wherein the memory (115) is updated via the communication device by means of the external device. [4] Welding protector according to claim 3, wherein the external device comprises an end device of a worker which is worn by the worker. [5] A health care system for a worker that includes: - a welding protector (100) comprising an optical transmitter arranged on a first inner side surface of the welding protector and a light receiver arranged opposite the transmitter on a second inner side surface of the welding protector, which receives light emitted by the optical transmitter, and - a central control unit (200) that sends a signal to or receives a signal from the welding protector (100) via a communication network (300), - wherein the welding protector (100) sends a detection signal to the central control unit (200) upon request from the central control unit (200), which includes a first signal sent by the light receiver when the worker is wearing the welding protector (100), and a second signal sent by the light receiver when the worker has removed the welding protector (100), and - wherein the central control unit is configured to calculate a wear time by cumulatively recording a time in which the first signal is received, interrupting the cumulative recording when the second signal is received, and resuming the cumulative recording when the first signal is received again, and generating a feedback signal that causes the welding protector (100) to be removed if the wear time exceeds a reference time, and causes the welding process to continue if the wear time does not exceed the reference time. [6] Health care system for a worker according to claim 5, wherein the central control unit (200) sends the feedback signal, which has at least one of a visual information, a tactile information and an acoustically perceptible information, to the welding protector (100). [7] Health care system for a worker according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the central control unit (200) comprises a worker terminal worn by the worker. [8] Worker health care system according to claim 7, wherein the worker terminal includes a worker health care management application and outputs a connection state with respect to the welding protector (100) when the worker health care management application is executed. [9] Operating procedure for a health care system for a worker comprising a welding protector (100) and a central control unit (200) which sends a signal to or receives a signal from the welding protector (100), wherein the operating procedure comprises: - Receiving a detection signal by the central control unit (200), which is obtained by detecting the wearing status of the welding protector (100) worn by a worker, by sending light, upon request from the central control unit (200), through an optical transmitter arranged on a first inner side surface of the welding protector (100) and receiving it from a light receiver arranged opposite the transmitter on a second inner side surface of the welding protector (100), and by generating the detection signal from the welding protector (100) and sending it to the central control unit (200), which comprises a first signal sent by the light receiver and received by the central control unit (200) when the worker is wearing the welding protector (100), and a second signal sent by the light receiver and received by the central control unit (200) when the worker has removed the welding protector (100), - Calculating by a processor (116) a carrying time by cumulatively numerically recording a time in which the first signal is received, interrupting the cumulative numerical recording when the second signal is received, and resuming the cumulative numerical recording when the first signal is received again, - Generating a feedback signal by the processor (116) that causes the welding protector 100 to be removed if the wearing time exceeds a reference time, and causes the welding process to continue if the wearing time does not exceed the reference time, and - Sending the feedback signal to the welding protector (100). [10] Operating method according to claim 9, wherein the sending of the feedback signal comprises generating the feedback signal which includes at least one of a visual information, a tactile information and an acoustically perceptible information, and sending the feedback signal to the welding protector (100). [11] Operating method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the operating method, if the central control unit (200) includes an end device of a worker which includes a health care application for a worker and is worn by the worker, further includes: Executing the healthcare application for a worker; and Output of a connection status with respect to the weld protector (100).

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