Adjustable Welding Boom for Precise Tank Welding Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing welding booms have limited applicability and suitability for welding tanks and other pieces of different sizes, requiring multiple booms and manual or alternative methods for certain tasks, and are often slow and laborious to maneuver, especially in tight spaces.

Innovation Solution

A welding boom with a vertical column and a horizontal arm that is movable in both longitudinal directions, allowing for quick manual adjustments and actuator-driven movements at adjustable speeds, enabling the welding gun to be easily positioned and moved with precision in three-dimensional space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If welding booms are designed for specific uses with fixed configurations, then welding precision and stability are improved, but adaptability to different tank sizes and shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding precisionVSAvoidadaptability to different tank sizes
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The welding boom incorporates movable and adjustable components including the horizontal arm that can be repositioned along the vertical column, and the welding gun holder that can be adjusted to different positions and angles. This dynamic configuration allows the same welding boom to adapt to various tank sizes and shapes while maintaining welding precision through controlled movement and positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The welding boom allows changing of key parameters such as the position of the horizontal arm, the angle of the welding gun holder, and the height of the vertical column. These parameter changes enable the welding boom to accommodate different workpiece dimensions and geometries while preserving welding quality through systematic adjustment of configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If welding booms include actuators for precise movement, then welding speed control is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding speed controlVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The welding boom system is divided into separate functional modules: the vertical column, the horizontal arm, the welding gun holder, and the actuator. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining precise speed control through the actuator's controlled movement of the horizontal arm.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator is extracted as a separate component that provides precise speed control without requiring complex integration into the welding boom structure. The actuator's independent mounting and controlled connection to the horizontal arm allows for precise speed regulation while keeping the welding boom head relatively simple and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Stability of the object's composition

If welding booms have fixed configurations for specific tasks, then operational stability is improved, but ease of repositioning and setup deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidease of repositioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The welding boom features dynamic positioning capabilities where the horizontal arm can be moved along the vertical column and the welding gun holder can be repositioned. These dynamic features enable easy reconfiguration for different welding tasks while maintaining operational stability during the actual welding process through secure positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The welding boom allows preliminary positioning and configuration adjustments to be made before welding begins. The horizontal arm and welding gun holder can be pre-positioned for the specific task, and once configured, the system provides stable operation during welding, combining ease of setup with operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If welding booms are designed with compact heads for tight spaces, then ease of fitting in tight areas is improved, but the range of motion and positioning flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of fitting in tight areasVSAvoidrange of motion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The welding boom utilizes vertical space through the telescopic or adjustable vertical column to provide range of motion without increasing the horizontal footprint. The compact welding gun holder at the end of the horizontal arm maintains ease of fitting in tight areas, while the vertical adjustment capability extends the overall range of motion and positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4347177B1Welding boom
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 MV-WELDING OY
  • EP4347177B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4347177B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a welding boom (10) comprising a base (11), a vertical column (12) mounted on it, and a horizontal arm (13) fastened to the vertical column (12), wherein a welding gun fastener (14) is provided at the end of the horizontal arm (13) for fastening a welding gun of a welding device to the end of the welding boom (10), and wherein the horizontal arm (13) of the welding boom (10) is fastened to the vertical column (12) to be movable by a distance in the longitudinal direction of the vertical column (12) and/or in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal arm (13). The welding boom (10) according to the invention comprises manual adjustment of an initial position, for moving the horizontal arm (13) and the welding gun fastener (14) at the end thereof in the longitudinal direction of the vertical column (12) and/or in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal arm (13) to the desired initial position for welding, a locking device (15) for locking the manual adjustment of the initial position, at least one actuator drive for moving the horizontal arm (13) a distance in at least the longitudinal direction of the vertical column (12) and/or the longitudinal direction of the vertical arm (13) at an adjustable speed by means of the actuator drive, irrespective of the adjustment of the initial position, during welding by using the welding boom (10).