Welding Power Supply Bezel With External Coolant Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supplies for welding require separate connections for coolant hose discharge, intake, shielding gas, and welding power, leading to complexity and increased connection points, which complicates customer experience and manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
The power supply system integrates an exterior coolant route where coolant lines from a cooler are routed into a bezel of the welding power supply, creating a hidden coolant path that is sealed to prevent accidental coolant ingress and allows for external drainage of any leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate connections are used for coolant hose discharge, coolant hose intake, shielding gas, and welding power, then each connection can be independently connected and maintained, but the number of connection points increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate connections (coolant discharge, coolant intake, shielding gas, and welding power) into a single integrated connector assembly. This single connector provides all necessary connections simultaneously, reducing the number of connection points from four separate locations to one unified connection point on both the power supply and cooler, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining all necessary functional connections
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection points are required on power supply and cooler, then all connections can be established, but the space occupied and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple connection functions into a single connector assembly that provides coolant discharge, coolant intake, shielding gas, and welding power connections simultaneously. This reduces the number of separate connection points from four to one on each device, simplifying manufacturing assembly and reducing the space required on both the power supply and cooler while maintaining full connection capability
3Object-affected harmful factors
If coolant path is entirely independent of power supply, then coolant can be supplied separately, but separate connections create significant complexity from customer experience and manufacturing perspective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the coolant path connections with the power supply connector, combining coolant discharge, coolant intake, and shielding gas connections into a single connector assembly that is electrically isolated from the power supply interior. This integration simplifies operation by reducing connection points from four to one while maintaining protective separation through the sealed connector design that prevents coolant ingress into the power supply
Data Source
AI summary
An example welding-type system includes a cooler configured to recirculate coolant from a welding-type tool and comprising a cooler connection, a power supply comprising power conversion circuitry configured to convert input power to welding-type power, and a bezel comprising a power supply connector and configured to provide a coolant path between the power supply connector and the cooler connection. An example welding welding-type power supply connector includes a gas connection configured to receive shielding gas, an outlet connection configured to provide coolant to a welding-type tool, and an inlet connection configured to receive the coolant from the welding-type tool, wherein the power supply connector provides welding-type power.