Portable VR Weld Training Enclosure for Easy Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing welding training systems are large, unwieldy, and difficult to transport, making them inconvenient for training and recruitment purposes in various locations.

Innovation Solution

A portable weld training system that includes a weld training device, sensing device, and processing circuitry, configured to perform virtual welding procedures on a simulated weld joint via a virtual reality interface, with components removably disposed within a self-contained enclosure for easy transport and setup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional welding training systems are used, then comprehensive welding training functionality is provided, but the systems are large and difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining functionalityVSAvoidtransportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The welding training system is divided into separate functional modules including a power source, a control unit, a display device, and a welding electrode. Each module can be independently packaged and transported. The control unit and display device are integrated into a portable handheld device that can be separately transported from the power source and welding equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control and display functions are extracted from the main welding system and placed into a separate portable handheld device. This allows the core training and evaluation functionality to be transported independently from the heavier welding power source and equipment, enabling the system to be set up at various training locations without moving the entire welding system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional welding training systems are used, then complete welding training capabilities are available, but setup and transport to different locations is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraining capabilitiesVSAvoidsystem setup

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into independently transportable modules with standardized connection interfaces. The portable handheld device containing the control unit and display can be set up separately from the power source and welding equipment, simplifying the overall setup process while maintaining complete training capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The portable handheld device serves multiple functions including controlling welding parameters, displaying real-time welding information, providing training feedback, and evaluating student performance. This multi-functional design reduces the number of separate devices needed and simplifies system setup while maintaining comprehensive training capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11475785B2Weld training systems and methods

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC

AI summary

An example weld training system includes: a weld training device configured to perform a simulated welding procedure on a simulated weld joint; a work surface comprising the simulated weld joint; a sensing device configured to track weld training device location information during the simulated welding procedure; a visual interface configured to display results of the simulated welding procedure based on the weld training device location information; and an enclosure comprising an interior volume configured to house within its interior the visual interface, the work surface, and the sensing device.