Welding Power Supply Cable Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable management systems for welding and cutting machines are inefficient, as they fail to securely maintain cables in place during transportation, leading to jostling and increased time and energy for attachment, and often require separate pouches that are not fully secured.

Innovation Solution

An integrated cable management system for welding and cutting machines, featuring a power supply with built-in supports and a sloped housing that allows cables to be wrapped around it, securing the clamp and torch in place, ensuring they remain stationary during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If straps are used to secure cables together, then cables are bundled, but cables are not maintained in a stationary position relative to the machine during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable position stabilityVSAvoidcable management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is merged with the machine housing itself. The housing includes integrated cable retention features such as channels, grooves, or recesses that directly hold the cables in stationary positions, eliminating the need for separate straps or external cable management devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine housing provides its own cable management functionality through built-in structural features. The housing design inherently includes cable retention capabilities, allowing the machine to manage its own cables without requiring additional external components or systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If sheet metal brackets or hangers are used on the front panel, then cables can be wrapped around them, but cables may slip off if not wound tightly and there is no way to secure the clamp or torch

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable wrapping easeVSAvoidcable security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management features are merged into the machine housing structure. The housing includes integrated cable retention features such as channels, grooves, or recesses that directly hold the cables in stationary positions, eliminating the need for separate straps or external cable management devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine housing provides its own cable management functionality through built-in structural features. The housing design inherently includes cable retention capabilities, allowing the machine to manage its own cables without requiring additional external components or systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate pouches or accessory bags are used, then cables and accessories can be stored, but they require additional time and energy to attach and may not be fully secured during transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidattachment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is merged with the machine housing itself. The housing includes integrated cable retention features such as channels, grooves, or recesses that directly hold the cables in stationary positions, eliminating the need for separate straps or external cable management devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine housing provides its own cable management functionality through built-in structural features. The housing design inherently includes cable retention capabilities, allowing the machine to manage its own cables without requiring additional external components or systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If cables are not securely managed, then the machine can be easily transported, but cables jostle and may cause damage or safety issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine portabilityVSAvoidcable jostling and damage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system is merged with the machine housing itself. The housing includes integrated cable retention features such as channels, grooves, or recesses that directly hold the cables in stationary positions, eliminating the need for separate straps or external cable management devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The machine housing provides its own cable management functionality through built-in structural features. The housing design inherently includes cable retention capabilities, allowing the machine to manage its own cables without requiring additional external components or systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9527154B2Integrated cable management for welding and cutting systems
Publication Date: 2016.12.27 HOBART BROTHERS CO
  • US9527154B2 patent drawing
  • US9527154B2 patent drawing
  • US9527154B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system includes a power supply, a first cable assembly, and a second cable assembly. The power supply includes a housing and supports extending from an upper portion of the housing. The first cable assembly has a clamp disposed at a distal end of a first cable extending from the power supply. The clamp is configured to be removably coupled with a workpiece. The second cable assembly has a torch disposed at a distal end of a second cable extending from the power supply. The housing includes one or more sloped panels configured to hold the first and second cables in a position wrapped about the upper portion of the housing when the clamp and the torch are coupled to the supports.