Mobile Roll Curtain Mounting for Flexible Arc Flash Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing large welding curtains in arc welding environments occupy significant floor space, restrict airflow, and act as obstacles, failing to provide flexible shielding against arc flash.
Innovation Solution
A mobile and modular roll curtain system with a roller assembly, handle assembly, and arc shading curtain that can be strategically positioned on a welding table, allowing for compact, retractable, and portable protection against arc flash, with interchangeable peg elements for compatibility with different table configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If large welding curtains are used to shield arc flash, then protection coverage is improved, but floor space occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The welding curtain is divided into multiple modular panels that can be independently positioned and configured. Each panel can be separately adjusted to provide targeted protection where needed, rather than deploying a single large curtain that occupies extensive floor space. The modular nature allows the system to be segmented into manageable units that can be strategically placed.
Solution Approach 2:
The welding curtain system transitions from a floor-based deployment to a table-top mounting system. By mounting the curtains on the welding table surface rather than the floor, the solution utilizes the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the table top, effectively removing the floor space occupancy issue while maintaining arc flash protection capabilities.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If large welding curtains are deployed for arc flash shielding, then protection effectiveness is improved, but mobility and setup flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The welding curtain system incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable mounting mechanisms that allow the curtains to be dynamically positioned at various locations on the welding table. The system can be rapidly reconfigured to adapt to different welding configurations and protection needs, providing both effective shielding and high setup flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular curtain panels are designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow them to be used in various configurations and positions on different welding tables. The same basic components can serve multiple protection scenarios, enhancing both the effectiveness of arc flash shielding and the versatility of setup options.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large welding curtains are used to block arc flash, then safety protection is improved, but air flow and fume extraction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The welding curtain system provides localized arc flash protection only in the specific areas where welders are positioned, rather than deploying large curtains that blanket entire work areas. This localized approach maintains open air flow paths in unaffected zones, allowing fume extraction systems to operate efficiently while still providing necessary safety protection.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for blocking arc flash in an arc welding environment is provided. A roller assembly has a housing and a bottom portion with a first protruding peg element. The roller assembly is configured to be mounted at any of multiple discrete positions on a top portion of a welding table via the first protruding peg element. A handle assembly has a bottom end with a second protruding peg element. The handle assembly is configured to be mounted at any of the multiple discrete positions on the top portion of the welding table via the second protruding peg element. An arc shading curtain is mounted between an internal portion of the housing and the handle assembly. The roller assembly is configured to apply a rolling action to automatically retract the arc shading curtain into the housing. The apparatus is configured to be portable by a human user.