Welding Tool Cooler Connectors That Prevent Coolant Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coolant connections for welding systems are prone to user error, accidental discharge, and require tools for assembly, leading to inefficiencies and potential coolant leakage.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cooler with a male-female connector system that ensures both inlet and outlet connections are secured before coolant flow, allowing toolless connections and preventing accidental discharge, with features like quick-connect fittings and higher pressure at the outlet to retain fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional coolant connections are used, then the welding tool can be cooled, but user error and accidental discharge occur due to improper connection direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by making the inlet connection male and the outlet connection female, creating an asymmetric connector design that prevents incorrect connection direction. This asymmetric configuration ensures that the welding torch can only be connected in the correct orientation, eliminating user error from swapping coolant flow path direction while maintaining ease of operation through toolless quick-connect fittings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary valve mechanism within the female connector that automatically controls coolant flow. This intermediary component prevents accidental discharge by retaining coolant when the welding torch is connected to the outlet while the inlet is disconnected, and only allows flow when both connections are properly secured, thus improving reliability without complicating the operation.
2Reliability
If conventional coolant connections are used, then coolant can flow to the welding tool, but accidental discharge occurs when torch is connected to outlet while inlet is disconnected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve mechanism directly into the female connector structure, combining the flow control function with the connection interface. This integration allows the connector to automatically retain coolant when only one connection is made and only allow flow when both inlet and outlet are properly connected, improving reliability while avoiding additional separate components that would increase device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design enables self-service operation where the valve automatically responds to the connection state without external control. The female connector self-regulates coolant flow based on whether both male connectors are properly connected, preventing accidental discharge through its own structural design rather than requiring external monitoring or control systems.
3Productivity
If conventional coolant connections are used, then coolant can be supplied, but tools are required for assembly and disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tool requirement from the connection process by designing toolless quick-connect fittings. The male and female connectors are designed to be assembled and disassembled by hand without requiring any external tools, significantly improving productivity by enabling rapid connection and disconnection while maintaining ease of operation through the intuitive push-to-connect mechanism.
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
This design minimizes user errors, eliminates accidental coolant discharge, and enables tool-free assembly, enhancing operational efficiency and safety during welding operations.
Implementation Method 1
the inlet connection comprises a first pressure and is a male connector, and the outlet connection comprises a second pressure, and the second pressure is greater than the first pressure
Implementation Method 2
the cooler is configured to cool the welding-type tool by recirculating the fluid to the welding-type tool
Data Source
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AI summary
the present application relates to a welding-type system (100) includes a welding-type tool (140) and a cooler (120). The cooler /(120) comprising a cooler outlet connection (130) configured to provide fluid to the welding-type tool (140), wherein the welding-type tool (140) receives the fluid through one or more conduits running through a portion of the welding-type tool (140), and wherein the cooler outlet connection (230) is a valve configured to retain the fluid within the cooler outlet connection (230).. Further a cooler (120) is defined, which is configured to cool a welding-type tool (140), the cooler (120) including an outlet connection (230) configured to provide fluid to the welding-type tool (140), wherein the outlet connection (230) is a valve configured to retain the fluid within the outlet connection (230), and an inlet connection (240) configured to receive the fluid from the welding-type tool (140), wherein the cooler (120) is configured to cool the welding-type tool (140) by recirculating the fluid to the welding-type tool (140).