Feeder Pen Tracking Attachment for Filler Rod Position Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional welding technique monitoring systems face difficulties in accurately tracking and monitoring the position and orientation of filler rod feeder pens and TIG torches due to their curved surfaces and continuous consumption, requiring costly modifications.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of feeder pen tracking attachments with trackable markers and sensors that can be easily attached to standard filler rod feeder pens, allowing for precise tracking and monitoring of welding techniques by detecting the position and orientation of the filler rod feeder pen and TIG torch.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional welding technique monitoring systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the tracking precision of filler rod feeder pen position and orientation deteriorates due to curved surfaces and continuous consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tracking attachment that couples to the filler rod feeder pen. This attachment includes a tracking body with a trackable marker and a roller mechanism that contacts the filler rod. The intermediary device bridges the gap between the difficult-to-track curved filler rod feeder pen and the optical tracking system, enabling precise position and orientation measurement without requiring direct tracking of the complex curved surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the tracking parameters by introducing a trackable marker with specific visual characteristics (such as a circular pattern with distinctive features) that can be easily detected by optical cameras. The marker's parameters (size, shape, pattern) are optimized for tracking accuracy, transforming the tracking problem from detecting curved surfaces to detecting well-defined visual markers.
2Measurement precision
If trackable markers are added to filler rod feeder pens, then the tracking accuracy improves, but the manufacturing cost increases due to customization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into a separate, detachable attachment that can be universally applied to different filler rod feeder pens. Rather than customizing each feeder pen with integrated tracking markers, the tracking functionality is segmented into a standalone component that couples to the existing feeder pen, reducing manufacturing costs and enabling standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking attachment is designed with universal applicability, featuring a coupling mechanism that can attach to various filler rod feeder pen types. The attachment body includes a roller that can contact filler rods of different sizes, and the trackable marker provides consistent tracking performance across multiple applications, eliminating the need for custom-designed feeder pens for each tracking scenario.
3Reliability
If standard filler rod feeder pens are used, then the ease of operation is high, but the ability to track position and orientation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking attachment is pre-configured with the trackable marker and roller mechanism before being coupled to the filler rod feeder pen. This preliminary preparation ensures that the tracking capability is already optimized and calibrated, so that when attached to the standard feeder pen, it immediately provides reliable tracking without requiring the operator to perform complex setup or calibration procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking attachment serves as an intermediary that adds tracking capability to standard filler rod feeder pens without requiring modification of the original device. The attachment couples to the existing feeder pen through a simple interface, preserving the ease of operation of the standard feeder pen while introducing reliable tracking functionality through the intermediary device.
Data Source
AI summary
Some examples of the present disclosure relate to feeder pen tracking attachments that allow trackable markers to be easily attached to filler rod feeder pens, thereby removing the need for costly customized/modified filler rod feeder pens (and/or filler rods). In some examples, each feeder pen tracking attachment includes one or more trackable markers that can be detected and/or tracked by a monitoring system. In some examples, the trackable marker(s) of the feeder pen tracking attachment facilitate tracking and/or monitoring of welding technique by aiding in the tracking/monitoring of the position(s) and/or orientation(s) of the filler rod feeder pen (and/or filler rod) during welding-type operations.