Protective Cover Interlock for Welding Training Display Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Welding training systems are often expensive and may not adequately train operators to perform high-quality welds, limiting their effectiveness in preparing operators for industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A welding system with a protective cover that can be moved between blocking and non-blocking positions, featuring control circuitry to detect the cover's position and provide feedback, ensuring safe operation and effective training through visual and audio cues, while integrating advanced training modes like virtual reality and augmented reality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the protective cover is made removable to allow display access, then ease of operation is improved, but safety is worsened due to risk of electrical shock when cover is removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay accessibilityVSAvoidelectrical shock risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuitry continuously monitors the position of the protective cover through switches or sensors and provides real-time feedback by enabling or disabling the outlet based on cover position. When the cover is removed, the system detects this state and automatically blocks power delivery, preventing electrical shock while maintaining ease of display access when cover is properly installed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control circuitry acts as an intermediary between the protective cover position and the power delivery system. It mediates the interaction by inserting a control layer that checks cover position status before allowing power flow, thus resolving the contradiction between accessible display and electrical safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If welding operations are allowed during training, then training realism is improved, but safety is worsened due to potential hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining realismVSAvoidwelding hazards
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational state based on cover position. When the protective cover is installed, welding operations are enabled providing realistic training. When the cover is removed, the system automatically transitions to a blocked state, preventing hazardous operations. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to be versatile when safe and restrictive when unsafe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the outlet is blocked when cover is removed, then safety is improved, but ease of operation is worsened due to loss of power access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical shock preventionVSAvoidpower outlet accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control circuitry takes preliminary anti-action by proactively blocking the outlet before any harmful electrical shock can occur. It anticipates the danger of exposed electrical components when the cover is removed and preemptively disables power delivery, sacrificing temporary power access to prevent potential injury

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentEP3092104B1Welding system
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3092104B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3092104B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3092104B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~3

AI summary

A welding system includes a protective cover (102) selectively movable between a first position and a second position. While in the first position the protective cover is configured to block environmental elements from contacting a display (32), and while in the second position the protective cover is not configured to block environmental elements from contacting the display. The welding system also includes control circuitry (52, 573) configured to detect whether the protective cover is in the first position or the second position.