Arc Welding Control with Cooling Cycles for Stable Scaly Beads

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods of arc welding with consumable electrodes, such as alternating short-circuit and pulse welding periods, suffer from spattering and unstable heat input, leading to irregular bead geometry and appearance in scaly beads.

Innovation Solution

A method that sequences short-circuit welding, pulse welding, and cooling periods to control heat input, with the welding wire fed alternately forward and backward during short-circuit welding and at a constant speed during pulse welding, and includes a cooling period with zero heat input to achieve precise control of bead geometry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If short-circuit welding is used to reduce heat input and prevent burn-through, then burn-through is reduced, but spattering increases due to irregular short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburn-throughVSAvoidspattering
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by alternating between short-circuit welding periods and pulse welding periods in a cyclic manner. During short-circuit periods, the wire is fed forward and backward periodically to control short-circuit release and reduce spattering. During pulse periods, high current is applied periodically to ensure proper melting and bead formation. This periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by providing low heat input during short-circuit phases while preventing spattering through controlled periodic wire movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamics by continuously adjusting wire feed speed and welding current based on the welding state. During short-circuit welding, the wire feed speed is dynamically changed to feed backward when short-circuit is detected and forward when released. The welding current is dynamically adjusted between short-circuit current and arc current. This dynamic control prevents irregular short circuits and reduces spattering while maintaining low heat input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If pulse welding is used to provide stable arc and sufficient melting, then melting is improved, but burn-through occurs in thin-plate welding due to excessive heat input

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemelting uniformityVSAvoidburn-through
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic action by alternating between pulse welding periods with high current and short-circuit welding periods with low current. During pulse periods, high current is applied periodically to ensure sufficient melting and stable arc. During short-circuit periods, the current is reduced and wire is fed backward to cool the molten pool and prevent burn-through. This periodic alternation resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient melting during pulse phases while preventing burn-through during short-circuit phases.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Stability of the object's composition

If wire feed speed is increased to maintain stable arc during pulse welding, then arc stability is improved, but discontinuous control causes unstable welding when switching between modes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearc stabilityVSAvoidwelding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamics by continuously and smoothly adjusting wire feed speed and welding current based on real-time welding state detection. When switching between short-circuit and pulse welding modes, the wire feed speed is dynamically adjusted to maintain appropriate values for each mode without discontinuous changes. The welding current is dynamically changed from short-circuit current to arc current with smooth transitions. This dynamic control ensures arc stability during pulse welding while maintaining overall welding stability during mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies feedback by detecting the welding state (short-circuit or arc) and adjusting wire feed speed and welding current accordingly. The control system continuously monitors welding current and voltage to determine the welding state, then provides feedback control to adjust parameters. When short-circuit is detected, wire feed is adjusted; when arc is detected, welding current is adjusted. This feedback mechanism ensures stable arc during pulse welding and stable transitions between modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method enables a wide range of heat input control, reducing spattering and achieving scaly beads with a beautiful wave pattern by stabilizing the arc and precisely controlling bead geometry.

Implementation Method 1

an arc is generated between a welding wire, which is a consumable electrode and a base material, which is a welding workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectArc: Electric Arc

Data Source

PatentEP3508297B1Arc welding control method
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3508297B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(e)
  • EP3508297B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3508297B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(e)

AI summary

A method of controlling arc welding with a consumable electrode includes repeating the following periods in sequence: a short-circuit welding period to perform short-circuit arc welding; a pulse welding period to perform pulse welding; and a cooling period in which the welding current output is zero.