Flexible Fume Extraction Attachment for Robotic Welding Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fume extraction devices for robotic welding systems interfere with the movement and rotation of welding torches and arms, limiting fume collection capability and requiring specialized or modified components.
Innovation Solution
A fume extractor attachment and system that uses flexible tubes retained by retainers, allowing for fume extraction near the welding torch without restricting the movement or rotation of the welding arm, compatible with a wide variety of existing welding torches and arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fume extraction devices are positioned close to the welding torch, then fume collection capability is improved, but movement and rotation of the welding arm are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The fume extraction system is divided into separate functional components: a vacuum source, flexible tubes, and retainers. This segmentation allows the vacuum source to be positioned away from the welding torch while maintaining effective fume collection through flexible connections, thus resolving the conflict between fume collection capability and movement freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible tubes instead of rigid structures to connect the vacuum source to the welding area. These flexible tubes can accommodate the movement and rotation of the welding arm while maintaining the vacuum connection, thereby allowing both effective fume collection and unrestricted welding arm operation.
2Ease of operation
If fume extraction devices are made compact, then interference with welding arm movement is reduced, but fume collection effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a spatially constrained compact design to a distributed architecture where the vacuum source can be positioned in a different location (another dimension) relative to the welding torch. The flexible tubes bridge this spatial separation, maintaining fume collection effectiveness without interfering with welding arm movement.
3Reliability
If specialized or modified welding arm components are used, then fume extraction capability is improved, but device complexity and compatibility issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fume extraction system is designed with universal compatibility, using standard flexible tubes and retainers that can be attached to various welding arm configurations without requiring specialized or modified components. This universal design maintains fume extraction capability while reducing device complexity and improving compatibility across different welding systems.
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
Enables effective fume collection at the source of generation while allowing unrestricted movement and rotation of the welding torch and arm, reducing downtime and compatibility issues.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source extracts weld fumes from a welding torch
Implementation Method 2
the vacuum source extracts weld fumes from a welding torch through a plurality of flexible tubes
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A fume extractor for a robotic welding arm may comprise: a vacuum manifold, comprising: a plurality of intake ports, an arm attachment mount configured to attach to a first arm section of the robotic welding arm, and an outlet port configured to connect to a vacuum source; a plurality of flexible tubes, each comprising a first end and a second end opposite the first end, wherein the first end of each of the flexible tubes is coupled to at least one of the intake ports; and one or more retainers configured to retain each of the flexible tubes in proximity to a welding torch coupled to the robotic welding arm as the welding torch rotates and moves.