Stereoscopic Camera System for Welding Torch Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding systems lack a reliable and integrated solution for providing the welder with a clear, real-time view of the workpiece, especially in environments with intense light or heat.
Innovation Solution
A stereoscopic camera system integrated into a welding helmet, which includes a camera assembly that couples to metalworking equipment via a clamp assembly and an adjustable boom, providing a monoscopic or stereoscopic view of the workpiece on a display system within the helmet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a welding helmet with display system is used to protect the user's face, then safety against flash burns is improved, but the user's visibility of the workpiece deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cameras as an intermediary device to capture the workpiece view and transmits it to a display system within the helmet. This mediator allows the user to see through the protective helmet, resolving the contradiction between protection and visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If a camera assembly is added to provide workpiece visibility, then visibility is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the camera assembly, boom, clamp, and display system into an integrated unit that attaches to the welding equipment. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to separate components while maintaining enhanced visibility functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a clamp assembly and adjustable boom are used to position cameras, then adaptability to different equipment is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is designed with universal compatibility to attach to various metalworking equipment types (welders, grinders, cutting torches). This multi-functional design achieves adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same clamp structure serves multiple equipment types.
Data Source
AI summary
The stereoscopic camera system for a welding torch includes a welding helmet and a camera assembly. The welding helmet May be adapted to be worn by a user to protect the user's face while the user operates metalworking equipment. The camera assembly may couple to the metalworking equipment such that a workpiece may be located within a field of view of one or more cameras located on the camera assembly. A display system coupled to the welding helmet may be adapted to show the user the workpiece as seen by the one or more cameras. As non-limiting examples, the metalworking equipment may be a welder, a grinder, or a cutting torch. As a non-limiting example, the camera assembly may be coupled to a MIG gun.