Welding Booth with Integrated Wall-Mounted Air Filtration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing welding chamber air cleaning systems occupy valuable floor space and are not cost-effective for smaller welding jobs due to their size and weight, and workers are exposed to contaminants during filter cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A compact welding booth design allowing for side-to-side or back-to-back configuration with shared panels, adjustable slots for air circulation, and a roof-mounted exhaust port, which reduces space requirements and enables efficient air handling without the need for extensive ducting or additional support structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If traditional side-mounted air cleaning systems are used, then air filtration function is provided, but valuable floor space is wasted and maintenance complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor spaceVSAvoidmaintenance complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air cleaning system is merged with the welding chamber structure by integrating the air filter assembly directly into the chamber wall. The filter housing becomes part of the chamber structure, eliminating separate floor-mounted units and their associated ducting, thereby saving floor space and reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air cleaning system transitions from a floor-mounted horizontal arrangement to a wall-integrated vertical arrangement. The filter assembly is positioned in the side wall of the chamber, utilizing vertical space rather than horizontal floor space, which resolves the space-wasting problem while simplifying the overall system layout.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Strength

If overhead air cleaning systems with heavy metal beams are used, then air filtration is achieved, but the system becomes too heavy and requires additional support structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The heavy metal beam support structure is extracted and removed from the design. Instead of using overhead mounting with substantial structural support, the air filter assembly is integrated directly into the side wall of the welding chamber, eliminating the need for heavy beams and additional support structures while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The side wall of the welding chamber serves multiple functions: it provides structural enclosure and simultaneously houses the air filter assembly. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate support structures, reducing overall system weight while maintaining necessary structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If workers manually clean collection trays, then filter maintenance is performed, but workers are exposed to high levels of contaminants

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter maintenanceVSAvoidcontaminant exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air filter assembly incorporates a self-cleaning mechanism where spent filter media is automatically shaken into a collection container below the filter. This automated process eliminates the need for workers to manually handle contaminated filter materials, significantly reducing contaminant exposure while maintaining ease of maintenance through periodic container emptying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If multiple welding booths are placed in confined areas, then productivity increases, but air handling problems arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of boothsVSAvoidair handling complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple welding chambers are merged by sharing common walls, with each chamber having its own integrated air filter assembly in its respective wall. This configuration allows multiple booths to be placed in confined areas without extensive ducting, as each unit handles its own air filtration independently, simplifying air handling while maximizing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The design minimizes floor space usage, reduces maintenance exposure to contaminants, and allows for efficient air handling in multiple booth configurations, making it suitable for smaller welding jobs while maintaining effective filtration and ventilation.

Implementation Method 1

These filters comprise a paper or cloth filter, which air moves through trapping particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

At desired intervals, a pulse of reverse flow air is blown through the filter, releasing the trapped particles for collection below the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse flow pulse:

Data Source

PatentUS8247738B2Welding booth

Publication Date: 2012.08.21 AVANI ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a welding booth that has a small foot print and can be joined to other booths for maximization of floor space use.