Synergic Welding Power Control for Variable Thickness Workpieces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional welding power supplies lack the ability to synergically adjust output power during welding, particularly when dealing with workpieces of varying thickness and geometry, leading to issues such as lack of fusion or burn-through.

Innovation Solution

The development of a welding-type power supply system that allows operators to synergically control output power by simultaneously adjusting voltage and wire feed speed using a manually accessible control on the torch, enabling real-time adjustments to match changing work conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional welding power supplies use fixed output power settings, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the adaptability to varying workpiece thickness and geometry deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to varying workpiece thicknessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes welding parameters (voltage and wire feed speed) in a coordinated manner based on workpiece thickness. The controller automatically adjusts these parameters according to pre-stored synergistic data, enabling adaptation to different workpiece conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If conventional welding power supplies allow independent adjustment of voltage and wire feed speed, then the adaptability to different welding conditions is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the need for multiple separate controls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability to welding conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the control of voltage and wire feed speed into a single unified interface. When the operator adjusts one parameter, the controller automatically coordinates the other parameter based on pre-stored synergistic relationships, maintaining adaptability while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the controller continuously monitors the welding parameters and automatically adjusts them based on pre-stored synergistic data. This feedback loop ensures that voltage and wire feed speed remain coordinated, maintaining optimal welding conditions without requiring complex manual adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional welding power supplies use preselected voltage and wire feed speed, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision of weld quality deteriorates when dealing with varying workpiece geometry

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld quality consistencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing synergistic voltage and wire feed speed data for different workpiece thicknesses and welding conditions. This pre-programmed data allows the controller to automatically select optimal parameter combinations during welding, ensuring consistent weld quality without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes welding parameters (voltage and wire feed speed) based on the specific workpiece conditions. By coordinating these parameter changes according to pre-stored synergistic relationships, the system maintains high manufacturing precision for weld quality while avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations or multiple independent controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3678807B1Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3678807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3678807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3678807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus to synergically control a welding-type output during a welding-type operation are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes a power conversion circuit configured to convert input power to welding-type power and to output the welding-type power to a welding-type torch; a communication circuit configured to receive a control signal from a remote control device during a welding-type operation; and a control circuit configured to synergically control a voltage of the welding-type power and a wire feed speed based on the control signal.