Press frame and welding mask

By designing a pressure frame structure in the welding mask, and utilizing insertion slots and stoppers, the protective sheet can be easily disassembled and fixed, solving the problems of easy damage to the protective sheet and poor sealing, thus improving the service life and safety of the welding mask.

WO2026020642A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-01-29WUHAN WELHEL PHOTOELECTRIC
View PDF 8 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/CN2024/130851
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-07-26
Filing Date
2024-11-08
Publication Date
2026-01-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing welding mask's protective plate mounting structure is easily damaged by welding slag and fumes, and the seal is not tight, resulting in frequent replacements and fume infiltration problems.

Method used

A pressure frame structure was designed, including a frame, a stop part, and a receiving part. The protective sheet can be easily disassembled and fixed through the insertion groove and interference fit. The stop part restricts displacement, and the sealing effect is improved by combining the sealing surface and the abutment platform.

Benefits of technology

It enables convenient replacement of the protective sheet and ensures a good seal, reduces damage to the protective sheet, and improves the service life and safety of the welding mask.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN2024130851_29012026_PF_FP_ABST
    Figure CN2024130851_29012026_PF_FP_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

A press frame (1) and a welding mask. The press frame (1) comprises: a frame body (11), wherein a frame-shaped window is defined by side strips of the frame body (11); and a stop portion (12), formed on a first surface of the frame body (11) substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window. An insertion slot (a) is formed between the stop portion (12) and the frame body (11) and arranged to allow a protective sheet (2) to be detachably inserted into the insertion slot (a) in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window, so that the protective sheet (2) can be easily removed, enhancing the sealing between the protective sheet (2) and a mask body (3).
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

A press frame and welding mask TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of welding tools. More particularly, the present application relates to a press frame and welding mask. BACKGROUND

[0002] The welding mask is a tool for protecting the safety of the operator in the welding operation. The welding mask is mainly composed of an observation window, a filter, a protective sheet and a mask. The filter can be separately arranged or integrated into a lens group to adjust the light and effectively filter harmful light, thereby protecting the eyes and face of the welder from the harm of arc radiation. The protective sheet is used to prevent welding slag, smoke and the like from entering the mask through the observation window.

[0003] The installation of the protective sheet mainly includes two ways: one is clamped on the mask outside the observation window, and the other is pressed tightly on the mask inside the observation window. These two ways usually have the following defects: first, the protective sheet is easily damaged by welding slag and smoke, and the replacement frequency is high. The existing installation structure makes it difficult to disassemble and install the protective sheet. Second, in the existing installation structure, the protective sheet and the mask are not tightly sealed, which can easily lead to the penetration of smoke and welding slag.

[0004] Therefore, it is urgent to provide an installation structure of the protective sheet, so as to facilitate the replacement of the protective sheet and have good sealing performance. SUMMARY

[0005] In order to at least solve one or more technical problems mentioned above, the present application provides a press frame, comprising: a frame body, the frame body is surrounded by a frame-shaped window; a stop portion is formed on the first surface of the frame body which is substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; a plug-in slot is formed between the stop portion and the frame body, and is arranged to allow the protective sheet to be detachably plugged into the plug-in slot in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present application, the plug-in slot is arranged to have an interference fit or a gap of 0.5~0.2mm between the protective sheet plugged into the plug-in slot.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present application, the plug-in slot is arranged to make the protective sheet plugged into the plug-in slot protrude in a direction away from the frame-shaped window.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present application, the stop portion includes at least one of a first stop piece, a second stop piece and a third stop piece; the first stop piece and the second stop piece are respectively arranged on both sides of the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, and are arranged to limit the displacement of the protective sheet in the direction of both sides of the plug-in direction of the protective sheet; the third stop piece is arranged in the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, and is arranged to limit the displacement of the protective sheet in the plug-in direction.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present application, at least one of the first stopper, the second stopper and the third stopper forms a plug-in slot between the edge strip of the frame body.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first stopper and the second stopper are respectively formed on the first surface of the edge strip of the frame body on both sides of the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, and extend towards the direction away from the frame window; the third stopper is formed on the first surface of the edge strip of the frame body on the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, and extends towards the direction away from the frame window.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present application, at least one of the first stopper, the second stopper and the third stopper forms a stopper flange substantially parallel to the frame window at the end away from the frame window; the stopper flange forms a plug-in slot between the first surface of the edge strip of the frame body.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present application, the stopper part at least includes the first stopper and the second stopper; the first stopper and the second stopper are respectively arranged on both sides of the plug-in direction of the protective sheet; the distance between the first stopper and the second stopper is arranged such that the first stopper and the second stopper clamp the protective sheet to deform the protective sheet when the protective sheet is plugged into the plug-in slot.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present application, the end of the first stopper and the second stopper away from the plug-in direction of the protective sheet is provided with a guide surface for guiding the protective sheet into the plug-in slot.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present application, the pressing frame further comprises a receiving part formed on the second surface of the frame body substantially parallel to the frame window; a receiving cavity is formed between the receiving part and the frame body, and the lens group is arranged in the receiving cavity in a direction substantially parallel to the frame window.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present application, the receiving cavity is arranged such that the lens group is plugged into the receiving cavity in a direction substantially parallel to the frame window.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present application, the receiving part includes at least one of the first limiting part, the second limiting part and the third limiting part; the first limiting part and the second limiting part are respectively arranged on both sides of the plug-in direction of the lens group, and are arranged to limit the displacement of the lens group in the direction of both sides of the plug-in direction of the lens group; the third limiting part is arranged in the plug-in direction of the lens group, and is arranged to limit the displacement of the lens group in the plug-in direction.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present application, the first limiting member and the second limiting member are formed on the second surface of the side bar of the frame body on both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group, and extend towards the direction away from the frame-shaped window; the third limiting member is formed on the second surface of the side bar of the frame body in the insertion direction of the mirror group, and extends towards the direction away from the frame-shaped window.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present application, the distal end of at least one of the first limiting member, the second limiting member and the third limiting member away from the frame-shaped window forms a limiting flange substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; the limiting flange and the second surface of the side bar of the frame body form a receiving cavity.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present application, the distal end of at least one of the first limiting member and the second limiting member away from the insertion direction of the mirror group is provided with an elastic buckle, which is arranged to fix the surface of the mirror group away from the insertion direction of the mirror group when the mirror group is inserted into the receiving cavity.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present application, the elastic buckle is provided with a transition surface inclined towards both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group, which is arranged to guide the mirror group into the receiving cavity.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present application, an accessory support is arranged outside at least one of the first limiting member and the second limiting member; the accessory support is used to support an accessory matched with the mirror group; the accessory support comprises at least one fixing position.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present application, the receiving cavity is arranged to detachably embed the mirror group in the receiving cavity along a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame-shaped window.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present application, the pressing frame further comprises a connecting portion arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body in the insertion direction of the protective sheet; the connecting portion is arranged to connect the frame body to the mounting position.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present application, the connecting mode of the connecting portion is pivot connection or insertion connection.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the present application, the second surface of the frame body is provided with the mirror group, and preferably the frame body and the mirror group are integrally formed.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present application, the pressing frame further comprises a locking portion arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body in the dismounting direction of the protective sheet; the locking portion is arranged to lock the frame body to the mounting position or release the frame body from the mounting position.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present application, the locking part comprises a positioning pin mounted on the pressing frame and a lock catch cooperating with the positioning pin; the lock catch is mounted inside the face shield body and corresponds to the position of the positioning pin; the lock catch comprises a housing, a lock core and an elastic component; the housing is formed with a sliding cavity with a bottom and an operation hole; the lock core comprises a sliding block with a bottom and an operation lever; the sliding block is built in the sliding cavity; the operation lever extends downward through the operation hole; the operation lever is arranged to limit the sliding distance of the sliding block in the sliding cavity when the sliding block slides in the sliding cavity; the two ends of the elastic component are connected to the housing and the lock core respectively; the elastic component is arranged to make the sliding block be at a first position when the elastic component is at a first length and make the sliding block be at a second position when the elastic component is at a second length; the housing is provided with a first avoiding slot arranged to make the positioning pin be freely embedded in the first avoiding slot or released from the first avoiding slot; the lock core is provided with a second avoiding slot arranged to make the second avoiding slot be disengaged from the first avoiding slot when the sliding block is at the first position and make the second avoiding slot overlap the first avoiding slot when the sliding block is at the second position; the wall of the second avoiding slot closes the first avoiding slot.

[0028] According to one embodiment of the present application, the frame body is in any one of rectangular, circular, elliptical, square and polygonal shapes.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present application, the frame body is in a closed shape or an open shape.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present application, the edge of the pressing frame is formed with an abutting surface surrounding the frame-shaped window.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present application, the insertion slot is in an arc shape.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present application, a welding face shield is provided, comprising a face shield body, a protective sheet and the aforementioned pressing frame; the protective sheet is inserted into the insertion slot of the pressing frame; the pressing frame is arranged in the mounting position of the face shield body through the connecting part.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present application, the face shield body is provided with an observation port; the edge of the observation port extends towards the inside of the face shield body to form a sealing surface substantially parallel to the observation port; the protective sheet abuts on the sealing surface to cover the observation port.

[0034] According to one embodiment of the present application, the inner wall of the face shield body is formed with an abutting platform surrounding the observation port and extending towards the inside of the face shield body; the edge of the pressing frame is formed with an abutting surface surrounding the frame-shaped window; the abutting platform and the abutting surface are arranged to make the protective sheet press the sealing surface when the abutting surface and the abutting platform abut.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present application, the welding face shield further comprises a lens group inserted into the accommodating cavity of the pressing frame.

[0036] According to one embodiment of the present application, the welding mask further comprises a magnifying glass, which is arranged on the accessory support of the pressing frame.

[0037] According to one embodiment of the present application, a limiting block is arranged on the inner wall of the mask body at the position corresponding to the elastic buckle of the pressing frame, and the limiting block is arranged to abut against the outer side of the elastic buckle when the pressing frame is installed at the installation position, so as to limit the deformation of the elastic buckle.

[0038] By using the pressing frame provided above, the embodiment of the present application can conveniently detach the protective sheet by arranging the plug-in slot for detachably installing the protective sheet on the frame body, and can also fix the protective sheet well. By the interference fit between the plug-in slot and the protective sheet, the protective sheet can be fixed well. By extruding the protective sheet through the plug-in slot, the protective sheet can be slightly protruded, so that the protective sheet can slightly deform when abutting against the observation port of the welding mask, thereby forming a good sealing effect. By arranging the plurality of stoppers with the stoppers, the displacement of the protective sheet can be limited except for the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, so that the position of the protective sheet is stable. By arranging the stoppers with the stop flanges, the displacement of the protective sheet can be limited by a simple structure. By arranging the guide surfaces at the ends of the first stopper and the second stopper, the protective sheet can be conveniently plugged in. By arranging the stoppers on the first surface of the pressing frame and the accommodating portions on the second surface, the pressing frame can fix the protective sheet and the lens group at the same time, thereby simplifying the structure of the internal equipment of the welding mask. By arranging the accessory supports on both sides of the pressing frame, the internal equipment of the welding mask can be expanded. By arranging the connecting portions in the plug-in direction of the protective sheet of the pressing frame, the action of plugging in the protective sheet can be avoided from being disturbed by the connecting portions. By arranging the connecting portions in the form of pivoting, one end of the pressing frame can be relatively fixed, so that the weight of the pressing frame does not need to be borne when plugging in and detaching the protective sheet, thereby being more convenient to operate. By arranging the locking portions and their positions, the pressing frame can be fixed, thereby facilitating the plugging in and detaching of the protective sheet.

[0039] By using the welding mask provided above, the embodiment of the present application can seal the observation port by arranging the sealing surface of the observation port position of the welding mask to abut against the protective sheet. By arranging the abutment platform on the frame body to abut against the abutment surface formed in the mask body, the stress of the protective sheet is limited to the deformation sealing effect, thereby avoiding the protective sheet from being stressed too much. By arranging the lens group on the pressing frame, the protective sheet and the lens group are integrated on the same frame body, thereby simplifying the structure of the equipment. By arranging the magnifying glass on the accessory support of the pressing frame, the protective sheet, the lens group and the magnifying glass can be integrated by using the pressing frame, thereby ensuring the matching degree of the equipment in the welding mask.

[0040] By using the pressing frame and the welding mask in the embodiment of the present application, the protective sheet can be conveniently detached, and the sealing effect between the protective sheet and the mask body is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present application will become more apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the present application are shown. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals, and:

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic view of a first surface of a press frame;

[0043] FIG. 2 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of the first surface of the press frame;

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a second surface of the press frame;

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of the second surface of the press frame;

[0046] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the press frame with an accessory holder;

[0047] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the press frame including another connection portion;

[0048] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a welding mask;

[0049] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of an internal structure of a mask body;

[0050] FIG. 9 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of an abutting surface of the press frame;

[0051] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged schematic view of an elastic buckle of the press frame and a limiting block of the mask body;

[0052] FIG. 11 shows a structural schematic view of a lock buckle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described clearly and completely below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are some but not all of the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0054] It should be understood that the terms "include" and "contain" used in the specification and claims of the present application indicate the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or sets thereof.

[0055] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present application. As used in this specification and the claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further to be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and that the term "at least one of" followed by a list of two or more items means any single one of the items in the list individually, as well as any combination of two or more of the items in the list.

[0056] As used in this specification and claims, the terms "if' and "when" can each be interpreted to mean "upon a determination" or "in response to a determination" or "in response to a detection" depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase "if it is determined" or "if [a described condition or event] is detected" can each be interpreted to mean "upon a determination that" or "in response to a determination that" or "upon [the described condition or event] being detected" or "in response to [the described condition or event] being detected."

[0057] The specific embodiments of the present application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Fig. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a first surface of a pressing frame.

[0059] As shown in Fig. 1, the pressing frame 1 is a mechanism inside a welding mask or a driving helmet for carrying a protective sheet, a filter sheet or other lens. When applied to a welding mask, the carried protective sheet can be fixed at a viewing port c of the welding mask through a connection between the pressing frame 1 and the welding mask. The pressing frame 1 comprises a frame body 11, the frame body 11 is surrounded by a frame-shaped window; a stop portion 12 is formed on a first surface of the frame body 11 substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; a plug-in slot a is formed between the stop portion 12 and the frame body 11, and is arranged to allow the protective sheet 2 to be detachably plugged into the plug-in slot a in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

[0060] The frame body 11 is composed of a frame, which surrounds a frame-shaped window, and can be selected from any one of a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a square, and a polygon. The frame body 11 can be in a closed form or an open form, as long as it meets the function of carrying the protective sheet 2, for example, the frame body 11 is in a rectangular or an elliptical form with one side open. The shape and size of the frame-shaped window can be determined according to the size of the viewing port of the welding mask, and the frame-shaped window can be slightly larger than the viewing port of the mask body 3, so as to make the protective sheet 2 carried by the frame body 11 fully cover the viewing port. For example, the frame-shaped window can be selected from any one of a rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, a square, and a polygon.

[0061] The frame-shaped window forms a reference plane, and the user can observe the welding site through the frame-shaped window and the observation hole in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame-shaped window. The frame body 11 is formed by a frame strip with a certain thickness, thereby having a first surface and a second surface, both of which are substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window. The frame body 11 is mounted on the welding mask, and when the user wears the welding mask, the first surface is relatively far away from the face of the user, and the second surface is relatively close to the face of the user, and the frame-shaped window is located between the first surface and the second surface.

[0062] The stop portion 12 is formed on the first surface of the frame body 11 and can be formed by a material in the form of a sheet, a column, etc. and forms a plug-in slot a of the plug-in protective sheet 2 with the frame body 11. The inner profile of the plug-in slot a is substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window, so that when the protective sheet 2 is plugged into the plug-in slot a, the protective sheet 2 is substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

[0063] In the present application, “substantially parallel” means that there can be a suitable included angle between the two, which does not affect the user’s line of sight passing through the frame-shaped window. Preferably, the substantially parallel includes an included angle of 0-5°, 0-10°, 0-15°, 0-20°, 0-25°, 0-30°, 0-35°, 0-80°, or 5°-10°, 10°-15°, 15°-20°, 20°-25°, 25°-30°, 30°-35°, etc. “Substantially parallel” also includes the local non-parallelism of the protective sheet 2 to the frame-shaped window caused by the deformation of the protective sheet 2, but the overall trend is substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

[0064] By providing the plug-in slot a on the frame body 11 for detachably mounting the protective sheet 2, the protective sheet 2 can be conveniently detached, and at the same time, the protective sheet 2 can be well fixed.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, the plug-in slot a is provided with a gap of 0.5~-0.2mm or an interference fit between the protective sheet 2 plugged into the plug-in slot a. The interference fit means that the plug-in slot a is slightly smaller than the thickness of the protective sheet 2 in the thickness direction of the protective sheet 2, so that the protective sheet 2 can be more tightly clamped in the thickness direction and can form a good fixing effect on the protective sheet 2. The range of values in the present application includes individual values and value ranges within the range, for example, the gap of 0.5~-0.2mm includes the gap of 0.4~-0.2mm, the gap of 0.3mm, the gap of-0.1mm, etc.

[0066] The insertion groove a is arranged such that the protective sheet 2 inserted in the insertion groove a protrudes in a direction away from the frame-shaped window. In the width direction of the protective sheet 2, the distance between the two parts of the insertion groove a is slightly smaller than the width of the protective sheet 2, and the shape of the insertion groove a is raised in a direction away from the frame-shaped window, so that the protective sheet 2 is pressed and also protrudes in a direction away from the frame-shaped window. As shown in FIG. 1, preferably, the insertion groove a is arched. When the pressing frame 1 is installed in the welding mask, the protruding protective sheet 2 can slightly deform when abutting against the viewing port of the welding mask, thereby forming a good sealing effect.

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a partial enlarged schematic view of the first surface of the pressing frame.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 2, the stop portion 12 includes at least one of a first stop piece 121, a second stop piece 122, and a third stop piece 123; the first stop piece 121 and the second stop piece 122 are respectively arranged on both sides of the insertion direction of the protective sheet 2, and are arranged to limit the displacement of the protective sheet 2 in the direction of both sides of the insertion direction; the third stop piece 123 is arranged in the insertion direction of the protective sheet 2, and is arranged to limit the displacement of the protective sheet 2 in the insertion direction. At least one of the first stop piece 121, the second stop piece 122, and the third stop piece 123 forms the insertion groove a with the edge strip of the frame body 11. For example, in FIG. 2, the insertion direction refers to the upward direction.

[0069] The first stop piece 121, the second stop piece 122, and the third stop piece 123 can respectively limit the displacement of the protective sheet 2 from three different directions. For example, in FIG. 2, the first stop piece 121 and the second stop piece 122 are respectively formed on the first surface of the edge strip on both sides of the frame body 11, and extend in a direction away from the frame-shaped window; the third stop piece 123 is formed on the first surface of the edge strip of the frame body 11 in the insertion direction of the protective sheet 2, and extends in a direction away from the frame-shaped window.

[0070] When only the first stop piece 121 exists, the insertion groove a is formed between the first stop piece 121 and the edge strip of the frame body 11, and the protective sheet 2 can be fixed by the friction between the insertion groove a and the protective sheet 2, and the first stop piece 121 also limits the displacement of the protective sheet 2 in the side direction of the insertion direction of the protective sheet 2. The second stop piece 122 and the third stop piece 123 have similar effects as the first stop piece 121, and are not described herein.

[0071] When the first stop piece 121, the second stop piece 122, and the third stop piece 123 exist simultaneously, the insertion groove a can be formed only between the first stop piece 121 and the frame body 11, and between the second stop piece 122 and the frame body 11.

[0072] At least one of the first stopper 121, the second stopper 122 and the third stopper 123 is formed with a stop flange substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window, and a plug-in slot a is formed between the stop flange and the first surface of the frame 11.

[0073] The first stopper 121, the second stopper 122 and the third stopper 123 can be connected as a whole or can be separately arranged. In the present application, the shape of the first stopper 121, the second stopper 122 and the third stopper 123 is not limited, which can be a sheet-shaped, columnar or other shape of the protrusion formed on the surface of the frame 11.

[0074] When the stopper 12 only includes the first stopper 121 and the second stopper 122, the first stopper 121 and the second stopper 122 are arranged on both sides of the plug-in direction of the protective sheet 2 respectively; the distance between the first stopper 121 and the second stopper 122 is arranged such that when the protective sheet 2 is plugged into the plug-in slot, the first stopper 121 and the second stopper 122 clamp the protective sheet 2 to deform the protective sheet 2.

[0075] The deformed protective sheet 2 can protrude from the plane formed by the plug-in slot a, and when the protective sheet 2 abuts against the viewing port of the welding mask, it can be extruded by the edge of the viewing port to form secondary deformation, forming a shape closer to a plane, which improves the sealing effect, and the planar protective sheet 2 reduces the refraction of light, which can form a better visual effect.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 2, the end of the first stopper 121 and the second stopper 122 away from the plug-in direction of the protective sheet 2 is provided with a guide surface 1211 for guiding the protective sheet 2 into the plug-in slot. The guide surface 1211 can be arranged as an inclined surface with a rounded corner or a chamfer when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the protective sheet 2.

[0077] When the protective sheet 2 is plugged into the plug-in slot, the guide surface 1211 forms a tightening path from wide to narrow, which can make the plugging process of the protective sheet 2 more convenient.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of the second surface of the pressing frame.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing frame 1 further includes a receiving portion 13 formed on the second surface of the frame 11 substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; a receiving cavity b is formed between the receiving portion 13 and the frame 11, and is arranged such that the lens group can be arranged in the receiving cavity b in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

[0080] The accommodating portion 13 is a tabular, columnar or other protrusion extending upward from the edge surface of the frame body 11 to form an accommodating cavity b with the frame body 11. The accommodating cavity b is configured to accommodate the lens group in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame-shaped window. Alternatively, the accommodating cavity b is configured to accommodate the lens group in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window. In order to facilitate the disassembly of the lens group, the present application preferably adopts the structure of inserting the lens group into the accommodating cavity b.

[0081] Fig. 4 shows a partial enlarged view of the second surface of the pressing frame.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 4, the accommodating portion 13 includes at least one of a first limiting member 131, a second limiting member 132 and a third limiting member 133; the first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132 are respectively arranged on both sides of the insertion direction of the lens group, and are configured to limit the displacement of the lens group in the direction of both sides of the insertion direction; the third limiting member 133 is arranged in the insertion direction of the lens group, and is configured to limit the displacement of the lens group in the insertion direction. For example, in Fig. 4, the insertion direction of the lens group is the upward direction.

[0083] The first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132 are respectively formed on the second surface of the edge of the frame body 11, and extend toward the direction away from the frame-shaped window; the third limiting member 133 is formed on the second surface of the edge of the frame body 11 in the insertion direction of the lens group 4, and extends toward the direction away from the frame-shaped window. The distal end of at least one of the first limiting member 131, the second limiting member 132 and the third limiting member 133 away from the frame-shaped window forms a limiting flange substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; the limiting flange and the second surface of the edge of the frame body 11 form the accommodating cavity b.

[0084] The first limiting member 131, the second limiting member 132 and the third limiting member 133 can limit the lens group 4 in different directions. When the accommodating cavity b adopts the insertion structure, there can be only one, two or three of the first limiting member 131, the second limiting member 132 and the third limiting member 133. In the present application, the structure of the three existing simultaneously is preferred.

[0085] The first limiting member 131, the second limiting member 132 and the third limiting member 133 can be integrally formed, or can exist separately. In order to reduce the weight of the device, the first limiting member 131, the second limiting member 132 and the third limiting member 133 can be respectively configured as a hollow structure.

[0086] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132 clamp the lens group from both sides of the insertion direction of the lens group. The third limiting member 133 limits the displacement of the lens group at the end of the insertion direction.

[0087] In FIG. 4, the end of at least one of the first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132, which faces away from the insertion direction of the lens group, is provided with an elastic buckle 1321, which is configured to fix the surface of the lens group, which faces away from the insertion direction of the lens group, when the lens group is inserted into the accommodation cavity b.

[0088] The distance between the elastic buckles of the first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132 is slightly smaller than the width of the lens group, so that the elastic buckles 1321 can be deformed by the lens group when the lens group is inserted into the accommodation cavity b, and the elastic buckles 1321 can be deformed to the two sides to avoid the lens group, and the elastic buckles 1321 can be deformed to limit the lens group when the lens group is inserted into the accommodation cavity b.

[0089] The elastic buckle 1321 is provided with a transition surface inclined to the two sides in the insertion direction of the lens group, which is configured to guide the lens group into the accommodation cavity b, and the transition surface is a bevel or a bevel with a certain curvature, a spherical surface, an ellipsoidal surface, etc.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the pressing frame with an accessory support.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the first limiting member 131 and the second limiting member 132 is provided with an accessory support 14; the accessory support 14 is used to support the accessory matched with the lens group; the accessory support 14 includes at least one fixing position.

[0092] The accessory support 14 can be selectively provided according to the configuration of different welding masks. For example, the accessory matched with the lens group includes a magnifying glass, an additional filter sheet, etc. When the accessory needs to correspond to different positions of the lens group, the accessory can be installed on different fixing positions of the accessory support 14.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing frame 1 further includes a connecting portion 15, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body 11 and located in the insertion direction of the protective sheet 2; the connecting portion 15 is configured to connect the frame body 11 to the mounting position. The connecting mode of the connecting portion 15 is pivotally connected. The mounting position refers to the position where the welding mask or the cycling helmet installs the frame body 11.

[0094] The connection mode between the pressing frame 1 and the inside of the welding mask is preferably rotatable connection. That is, the pressing frame 1 is connected at the position of the observation port of the welding mask, and the connecting portion 15 is provided with a rotating shaft, so that the pressing frame 1 rotates freely relative to the observation port of the welding mask with the rotating shaft as the axis, so that the inlet end of the insertion slot a can be separated from the observation port, and the protective sheet 2 is convenient to disassemble and install. The connecting mode of the connecting portion 15 is pivotally connected or hingedly connected.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 5, the pressing frame 1 further includes a locking portion 16, which is arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body 11 and located in the disassembly direction of the protective sheet 2; the locking portion 16 is configured to lock the frame body 11 to the mounting position or release the frame body 11 from the mounting position.

[0096] The position of the locking portion 16 can or can not correspond to the connecting portion 15. In the present application, the locking portion 16 is preferably arranged to correspond to the connecting portion 15 and is substantially located on the same line. When the protective sheet 2 needs to be installed or removed, the locking portion 16 is opened so that the pressing frame 1 can be rotated about the connecting portion 15, and the position of the locking portion 16 is away from the viewing port, thereby enabling the insertion or removal of the protective sheet 2.

[0097] The locking portion 16 can include a positioning pin 161 and a lock 162. The positioning pin 161 is arranged on the frame body 11, and the lock 162 is arranged on the side of the viewing port of the welding mask. The positioning pin 161 and the lock 162 correspond in position so that when the pressing frame 1 is attached to the viewing port, the positioning pin 161 is inserted into the lock 162, thereby fixing the pressing frame 1. Preferably, the entrance of the lock 162 is arranged as an inclined surface so that the insertion of the positioning pin 161 is guided by the inclined surface.

[0098] According to an embodiment of the present application, an abutting surface 111 is formed on the edge of the pressing frame 1 and surrounds the frame-shaped window. The abutting surface 111 is used to abut against the welding mask.

[0099] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a pressing frame including another connecting portion.

[0100] As shown in FIG. 6, the connecting portion 15 is a plug-in structure and is arranged in pair with a plug-in hole corresponding to the inside of the welding mask, so that the pressing frame 1 is arranged in the inside of the welding mask through the plug-in structure. Preferably, the plug-in structure includes two plug-in columns substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window. Two plug-in holes corresponding to the plug-in columns are arranged in the inside of the welding mask. When the plug-in columns are inserted into the plug-in holes, the end of the pressing frame provided with the connecting portion is fixed relative to the welding mask. The connecting portion cooperates with the locking portion to connect the pressing frame to the welding mask.

[0101] FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a welding mask.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, a welding mask includes a mask body 3, a protective sheet 2, and the aforementioned pressing frame 1. The protective sheet 2 is inserted into the insertion slot a of the pressing frame 1, and the pressing frame 1 is arranged in the installation position of the mask body 3 through the connecting portion 15. The mask body 3 is provided with a viewing port c. The edge of the viewing port c extends towards the inside of the mask body 3, forming a sealing surface 31 substantially parallel to the viewing port c. The protective sheet 2 abuts against the sealing surface 31 and covers the viewing port c.

[0103] The sealing surface 31 is used to abut against the protective sheet 2, so that the protective sheet 2 is deformed by being pressed and a sealing effect is formed between the protective sheet 2 and the sealing surface 31. The sealing surface 31 can be formed by bending the edge of the viewing port c of the mask body 3 from the outer surface towards the inside of the viewing port c, or formed from the position of the viewing port c on the inner wall of the mask body 3.

[0104] The sealing surface 31 is substantially parallel to the observation hole c, that is, the included angle between the sealing surface 31 and the surface of the observation hole c is less than 45°, preferably less than 10°.

[0105] In the mask body 3, a lock 162 is fixed below the observation window c and is fixed in the mask body 3 by means of bolts, buckles, adhesion, etc.

[0106] FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the internal structure of the mask body.

[0107] FIG. 9 shows a partial enlarged view of the abutting surface of the pressing frame.

[0108] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an abutting platform 32 extending towards the inside of the mask body 3 is formed on the inner wall of the mask body 3 around the observation hole c, and an abutting surface 111 is formed on the edge of the pressing frame 1 around the frame-shaped window; the abutting platform 32 and the abutting surface 111 are arranged such that the protective sheet 2 is pressed against the sealing surface 31 when the abutting surface 111 and the abutting platform 32 abut.

[0109] The abutting platform 32 is arranged outside the sealing surface 31 and around the sealing surface 31.

[0110] When the pressing frame 1 is installed in the mask body 3, the frame-shaped window corresponds to the observation hole c, the protective sheet 2 is arranged in the frame-shaped window and abuts against the sealing surface 31, the protective sheet 2 is slightly deformed under the fixing action of the pressing frame 1 and the extrusion action of the sealing surface 31, and the sealing and covering of the observation hole c are achieved. The abutting surface 111 formed on the pressing frame 1 abuts against the abutting platform 32 formed on the mask body 3, which is used to ensure that the protective sheet 2 is pressed against the sealing surface 31 and limit the degree of deformation of the protective sheet 2.

[0111] In addition, a flexible material such as a rubber pad can be arranged on the sealing surface 31 to enhance the sealing effect. A flexible material can also be arranged on the abutting platform and the abutting surface to reduce the rigid impact. A reinforcing rib can also be arranged between the abutting platform and the sealing surface to reduce the deformation of the sealing surface caused by the extrusion action.

[0112] As shown in FIG. 7, the welding mask also includes a mirror set 4 inserted into the accommodating cavity b of the pressing frame 1. The welding mask can also include a magnifying glass arranged on the accessory bracket 14 of the pressing frame 1.

[0113] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged view of the elastic buckle of the pressing frame and the limiting block of the mask body.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 10, a limit block 33 is arranged on the inner wall of the mask body corresponding to the position of the elastic buckle 1321 of the pressing frame. When the pressing frame is installed in the installation position of the mask body, the limit block 33 abuts against the outer side of the elastic buckle 1321 to limit the deformation of the elastic buckle 1321, so that the elastic buckle limits the stable restriction of the lens group in the accommodating portion.

[0115] FIG. 11 shows a structural schematic diagram of the lock catch.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 11, the lock catch 162 is installed inside the mask body 3 by a bolt and corresponds to the position of the positioning bolt 161 on the frame body 1. The lock catch 162 includes a shell 1621, a lock core 1622, and an elastic component 1623. The shell 1621 is formed with a sliding cavity d, and the bottom of the sliding cavity d is provided with an operation hole g. The lock core 1622 includes a sliding block and an operation rod formed at the bottom of the sliding block. The sliding block is built in the sliding cavity d, and the operation rod extends downward through the operation hole g. The operation rod is arranged to limit the sliding distance of the sliding block in the sliding cavity d when the operation rod moves in the operation hole g. The two ends of the elastic component 1623 are connected to the shell 1621 and the lock core 1622, respectively. When the elastic component 1623 is at a first length, the sliding block is at a first position. When the elastic component 1623 is at a second length, the sliding block is at a second position.

[0117] Preferably, the elastic component 1623 is a spring.

[0118] The shell 1621 is provided with a first avoiding slot e corresponding to the position of the positioning bolt 161 and facing the direction of the positioning bolt 161. The first avoiding slot e corresponds to the position of the positioning bolt 161 and is arranged to enable the positioning bolt 161 to be freely embedded in the first avoiding slot e or released from the first avoiding slot e. The lock core 1622 is provided with a second avoiding slot f facing the sliding direction. The second avoiding slot f is arranged to be disengaged from the first avoiding slot e when the sliding block is at the first position and to overlap the first avoiding slot e when the sliding block is at the second position. The wall of the second avoiding slot f closes the first avoiding slot e. The outer wall of the second avoiding slot f at the opening of the first avoiding slot e is arranged as an inclined surface, so that the embedding process of the positioning bolt 161 is guided by the inclined surface.

[0119] Through the pressing frame provided above, the embodiment of the present application can make the protective sheet be conveniently detached and fixed by setting the plug-in slot of the protective sheet on the frame body. Through the interference fit between the plug-in slot and the protective sheet, the protective sheet can be fixed well. Through the extrusion of the plug-in slot on the protective sheet, the protective sheet can be slightly raised, so that the protective sheet can be slightly deformed when it abuts against the observation port c of the welding mask, thereby forming a good sealing effect. Through the plurality of stoppers provided with the stoppers, the displacement of the protective sheet can be additionally limited except for the plug-in direction of the protective sheet, so that the position of the protective sheet is stable. Through the stopper provided with the stopper flange, the displacement of the protective sheet can be limited with a simple structure. Through the guide surface provided at the end of the first stopper and the second stopper, the protective sheet can be conveniently plugged in. Through the stopper provided on the first surface of the pressing frame and the accommodating part provided on the second surface, the pressing frame can fix the protective sheet and the lens group at the same time, thereby simplifying the structure of the internal equipment of the welding mask. Through the accessory bracket provided on both sides of the pressing frame, the internal equipment of the welding mask can be expanded. Through the connecting part provided in the plug-in direction of the protective sheet of the pressing frame, the action of plugging in the protective sheet can be avoided by the interference of the connecting part. Through the connecting mode of the connecting part being a pivot connection, one end of the pressing frame can be relatively fixed, so that the weight of the pressing frame does not need to be borne when the protective sheet is plugged in and detached, and the operation is more convenient. Through the locking part, the pressing frame can be fixed, and the plugging and detaching of the protective sheet are facilitated.

[0120] Through the welding mask provided above, the embodiment of the present application can realize the effect of sealing the observation port by setting the sealing surface of the observation port position of the welding mask abutting against the protective sheet. Through the abutment between the abutment table provided on the frame body and the abutment surface formed in the mask body, the stress of the protective sheet is limited to the deformation sealing effect, so that the protective sheet is not subjected to excessive stress. Through the lens group provided on the pressing frame, the protective sheet and the lens group are integrated on the same frame body, thereby simplifying the structure of the equipment. Through the magnifying glass provided on the accessory bracket of the pressing frame, the protective sheet, the lens group and the magnifying glass can be integrated by using the pressing frame, thereby ensuring the matching degree of the equipment in the welding mask.

[0121] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided only in an exemplary manner. Those skilled in the art can think of many changes, changes and alternative ways without departing from the idea and spirit of the present application. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present application described herein can be employed in practicing the present application. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of protection of the present application and thus cover the equivalents or alternatives within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A press frame characterized by, Comprising: a frame body, the frame body having a frame-shaped window formed by the frame strips; a stop portion formed on a first surface of the frame body substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; a plug-in slot formed between the stop portion and the frame body, configured to allow a protection sheet to be inserted into the plug-in slot in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

2. The press frame according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in slot is configured to have a gap of 0.5~0.2mm between the protection sheet inserted into the plug-in slot and the plug-in slot.

3. The press frame according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in slot is configured to allow the protection sheet inserted into the plug-in slot to protrude in a direction away from the frame-shaped window.

4. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stop portion comprises at least one of a first stop piece, a second stop piece and a third stop piece; the first stop piece and the second stop piece are respectively arranged on both sides of the insertion direction of the protection sheet, and are configured to limit the displacement of the protection sheet in the direction of both sides of the insertion direction of the protection sheet; the third stop piece is arranged in the insertion direction of the protection sheet, and is configured to limit the displacement of the protection sheet in the insertion direction.

5. The press frame according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first stop piece, the second stop piece and the third stop piece forms the plug-in slot with the frame strip of the frame body.

6. The press frame according to claim 4, wherein the first stop piece and the second stop piece are respectively formed on the first surface of the frame strip of the frame body on both sides of the insertion direction of the protection sheet, and extend in a direction away from the frame-shaped window; the third stop piece is formed on the first surface of the frame strip of the frame body in the insertion direction of the protection sheet, and extends in a direction away from the frame-shaped window.

7. The press frame according to claim 6, wherein the distal end of at least one of the first stop piece, the second stop piece and the third stop piece away from the frame-shaped window forms a stop flange substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; the stop flange forms the plug-in slot with the first surface of the frame strip of the frame body.

8. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the stop portion comprises at least a first stop piece and a second stop piece; the first stop piece and the second stop piece are respectively arranged on both sides of the insertion direction of the protection sheet; the distance between the first stop piece and the second stop piece is configured such that when the protection sheet is inserted into the plug-in slot, the first stop piece and the second stop piece clamp the protection sheet to deform the protection sheet.

9. The press frame according to claim 8, wherein the distal end of the first stop piece and the second stop piece away from the insertion direction of the protection sheet is provided with a guide surface for guiding the protection sheet into the plug-in slot.

10. The press frame of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Further comprising: a receiving portion formed on a second surface of the frame body substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; The accommodating part and the frame body form an accommodating cavity therebetween, and the mirror group is arranged in the accommodating cavity in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

11. The press frame of claim 10, wherein, The accommodating cavity is configured to allow the mirror group to be inserted in the accommodating cavity in a direction substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window.

12. The press frame of claim 11, wherein, The accommodating part comprises at least one of a first limiting member, a second limiting member and a third limiting member; The first limiting member and the second limiting member are respectively arranged on both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group, and are configured to limit the displacement of the mirror group in the direction of both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group; The third limiting member is arranged in the insertion direction of the mirror group, and is configured to limit the displacement of the mirror group in the insertion direction.

13. The press frame of claim 12, wherein, The first limiting member and the second limiting member are respectively formed on the second surface of the edge strip of the frame body on both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group, and extend in a direction away from the frame-shaped window; The third limiting member is formed on the second surface of the edge strip of the frame body in the insertion direction of the mirror group, and extends in a direction away from the frame-shaped window.

14. The press frame of claim 13, wherein, The distal end of at least one of the first limiting member, the second limiting member and the third limiting member away from the frame-shaped window forms a limiting flange substantially parallel to the frame-shaped window; The limiting flange and the second surface of the edge strip of the frame body form the accommodating cavity.

15. The press frame of claim 12, wherein, The distal end of at least one of the first limiting member and the second limiting member away from the insertion direction of the mirror group is provided with an elastic buckle, which is configured to fix the surface of the mirror group away from the insertion direction of the mirror group when the mirror group is inserted in the accommodating cavity.

16. The press frame of claim 15, wherein, The elastic buckle is provided with a transition surface inclined towards both sides of the insertion direction of the mirror group, which is configured to guide the mirror group into the accommodating cavity.

17. The press frame of claim 12, wherein, An accessory support is arranged outside at least one of the first limiting member and the second limiting member; The accessory support is used to support an accessory matched with the mirror group; The accessory support comprises at least one fixing position.

18. The press frame of claim 10, wherein, The accommodating cavity is configured to allow the mirror group to be detachably embedded in the accommodating cavity in a direction substantially perpendicular to the frame-shaped window.

19. The press frame of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The press frame further comprises a connecting part, The connecting part is arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body in the insertion direction of the protective sheet; The connecting part is configured to connect the frame body to a mounting position.

20. The press frame of claim 19, wherein, The connecting mode of the connecting part is pivotal connection or insertion.

21. The press frame of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Further comprising: The second surface of the frame body is provided with a mirror group.

22. The press frame according to claim 21, wherein the frame body is integrally formed with the lens group.

23. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the press frame further comprises a locking portion, the locking portion is arranged on the outer periphery of the frame body in the direction of removal of the protective sheet, the locking portion is arranged to lock or release the frame body to or from the mounting position.

24. The press frame according to claim 23, wherein the locking portion comprises a positioning pin mounted on the press frame and a lock catch cooperating with the positioning pin, the lock catch is mounted inside the face shield body in position corresponding to the positioning pin, the lock catch comprises a housing, a lock core and an elastic member, the housing is formed with a sliding cavity having a bottom provided with an operation hole, the lock core comprises a sliding block having a bottom provided with an operation lever, the sliding block is built in the sliding cavity, the operation lever extends downward through the operation hole, and the sliding distance of the operation lever in the operation hole limits the sliding distance of the sliding block in the sliding cavity when the sliding block slides in the sliding cavity, the elastic member has two ends connected to the housing and the lock core respectively, and is arranged to locate the sliding block at a first position when the elastic member is at a first length and to locate the sliding block at a second position when the elastic member is at a second length, the housing is provided with a first avoiding slot arranged to allow the positioning pin to be freely inserted into or released from the first avoiding slot, the lock core is provided with a second avoiding slot arranged to be out of engagement with the first avoiding slot when the sliding block is at the first position and to overlap the first avoiding slot when the sliding block is at the second position, and the wall of the second avoiding slot encloses the first avoiding slot.

25. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame body is in any one of a rectangular shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a square shape and a polygonal shape.

26. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame body is in a closed shape or an open shape.

27. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the frame body is provided with an abutting surface surrounding the frame-shaped window on the edge strip.

28. The press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion slot is in an arc shape. The face shield body, the protective sheet and the press frame according to any one of claims 1 to 28, the protective sheet is inserted into the insertion slot of the press frame, the press frame is arranged in the mounting position in the face shield body through the connecting portion.

30. The welding face shield according to claim 29, wherein the face shield body is provided with an observation opening, the edge of the observation opening extends toward the inside of the face shield body to form a sealing surface substantially parallel to the observation opening, 29. A welding helmet characterized by, the protective sheet abuts on the sealing surface to cover the observation opening.

31. The welding face shield according to claim 30, wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ An abutting platform is formed on the inner wall of the mask body and extends towards the inside of the mask body around the observation port, An abutting surface is formed on the edge of the pressing frame around the frame-shaped window; The abutting platform and the abutting surface are arranged such that the protective sheet is pressed against the sealing surface when the abutting surface and the abutting platform abut.

32. The welding mask of claim 29, wherein The welding mask further comprises a lens group which is inserted into the accommodating cavity of the pressing frame.

33. The welding mask of claim 29, wherein The welding mask further comprises a magnifying lens which is arranged on the accessory support of the pressing frame.

34. The welding mask of claim 29, wherein A limiting block is arranged on the inner wall of the mask body at the position of the elastic buckle of the pressing frame, The limiting block is arranged to abut the outer side of the elastic buckle and limit the deformation of the elastic buckle when the pressing frame is installed at the installation position.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Filter holding system for welding mask

    CN103826580A

  • Pressing frame and welding mask

    CN118697551A

  • Welding mask

    CN208838321U

  • Lens group fixing structure and welding mask applying same

    CN208926792U

  • Lens group fixing structure and welding mask applying same

    CN209751369U