Conical Arc Welding Torch Wear Part for Better Heat and Current Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional arc welding torch components, such as contact nozzles and gas nozzles, experience high temperatures due to inefficient heat and power transfer, leading to increased wear, reduced service life, and potential malfunctions, which can result in poor-quality welds and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates conical sections with threads and thread-free surfaces for improved heat and current transfer, featuring a trapezoidal thread for enhanced contact area and self-locking properties, reducing thermal stress and preventing unintentional loosening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional cylindrical contact nozzles with small contact areas are used, then the device complexity is low, but the heat and current transfer efficiency is insufficient leading to high temperatures and increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of contact nozzleVSAvoidservice life of contact nozzle
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the contact nozzle from cylindrical to conical shape, and from small contact area to large contact area. The conical shape with larger base diameter increases the contact surface area with the nozzle holder, improving heat and current transfer efficiency and reducing the temperature of the contact nozzle, thereby extending its service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a conical shape instead of a cylindrical one. The conical geometry provides a gradually increasing surface area from the apex to the base, maximizing the contact area with the nozzle holder while maintaining structural integrity. This curved geometric form improves thermal and electrical conduction compared to flat or cylindrical surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Area of stationary object

If conventional cylindrical threads are used for mounting, then the ease of manufacture is high, but the heat and current transfer area is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact area of threadVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of conical thread
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thread geometry from cylindrical to conical, increasing the contact area between mating threads. The conical thread profile provides a larger surface area for heat and current transfer while maintaining self-locking properties. Although manufacturing is slightly more complex, modern CNC machining can easily produce conical threads with standard tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If conventional small contact area designs are used, then the device complexity is low, but the heat dissipation efficiency is insufficient leading to high wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidservice life of welding torch component
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent increases the contact area parameter between the contact nozzle and nozzle holder by adopting a conical shape. This geometric change significantly improves heat dissipation efficiency by providing a larger surface area for thermal conduction to the nozzle holder, which acts as a heat sink. The improved heat dissipation reduces thermal wear and extends the service life of the contact nozzle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle holder serves as an intermediary heat sink between the contact nozzle and the cooling system. The conical contact nozzle transfers heat efficiently to the nozzle holder through its enlarged conical contact surface, and the nozzle holder then dissipates this heat to the surrounding environment or cooling medium, protecting the contact nozzle from excessive temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design enhances the service life of arc welding torch components by improving heat and current transfer efficiency, reducing thermal stress, and ensuring reliable operation through effective power transmission and heat dissipation.

Implementation Method 1

The thermal coupling of the components aims to dissipate the energy introduced into the contact nozzle or gas nozzle as heat as efficiently as possible via the outer or inner tube

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The high electric current flows from the inner tube of the welding torch through a nozzle holder, then through the contact nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The conical section with a thread... The conical shape provides self-centering and secure mounting

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 4

an outer covering surface or a boundary wall of the recess of the wear part is provided with a conical section which has a thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 5

This process is based on the generation of heat by an electric arc between a welding electrode and the workpiece to be welded

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectric arc: Electric Arc

Implementation Method 6

The heat generated causes the material(s) to be locally melted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3658325B1Exchangeable wearing part for an arc welding torch, holder for an exchangeable wearing part, and an arc welding torch having such a corresponding wearing part and holder
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 SKS WELDING SYST
  • EP3658325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3658325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3658325B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an exchangeable wearing part of an arc welding torch, said wearing part being intended to be arranged in the region of an end, provided for carrying out a welding process, of the arc welding torch, wherein the wearing part is provided with a thread on an outer lateral surface and/or on a boundary wall of a recess, an improvement in heat transfer properties and, when such components are conducting, also improved power transmission properties are intended to be achievable. To this end, the invention proposes that, in the direction of a longitudinal axis of the wearing part, a first conical portion, having the thread provided for fastening the wearing part, of the lateral surface or of the boundary wall is followed, on the same lateral surface or boundary wall, by a thread-free second conical portion of the lateral surface or of the boundary wall.