Welding Force Control for Oscillation-Resistant Welding Tongs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial welding systems face complexity in controlling force for various types of welding tongs with different mechanical properties, leading to potential damage and inconsistent weld quality due to power fluctuations, which increases plant downtimes and waste.

Innovation Solution

A welding controller with a force control module and evaluation module that detects and adjusts force oscillations, allowing for optimized force control during welding processes or service procedures, preventing damage and ensuring consistent weld quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If individual parameterization of the force controller is performed for each welding gun, then the force control precision is improved, but the device complexity and setup time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce control precisionVSAvoidcontroller parameterization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The force controller automatically detects force oscillations and adjusts its own control parameters without external intervention. The evaluation module continuously monitors the force signal and triggers automatic parameter adaptation when oscillations are detected, enabling the system to self-optimize for different welding guns without manual parameterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the force sensor to detect oscillations and automatically adjusts control parameters based on the detected oscillation characteristics. The evaluation module analyzes the force signal in real-time and feeds back parameter adjustment decisions to the force controller, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to different welding tools automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If high force is applied to ensure weld quality, then the welding quality is improved, but the risk of damaging the welding tool increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld qualityVSAvoidtool durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The force control system dynamically adjusts the applied force based on real-time oscillation detection. When oscillations are detected, the system automatically reduces the force to prevent tool damage. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high force when needed for quality welding while automatically protecting the tool when oscillations indicate potential damage risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system takes preliminary action by detecting force oscillations before they cause tool damage. The evaluation module continuously monitors the force signal and triggers force reduction in advance, preventing the harmful effects of excessive force on the welding tool while maintaining weld quality when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If force oscillations are not detected and corrected, then the system operates continuously, but tool damage and plant downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem continuityVSAvoidtool integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation module provides continuous feedback on force signal quality, detecting oscillations that indicate potential tool damage. This feedback mechanism enables the system to identify problematic conditions before they lead to tool failure or plant downtime, maintaining both productivity and reliability through real-time monitoring and automatic parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and correction of force oscillations before they cause tool damage or downtime. By continuously monitoring the force signal and automatically adjusting parameters when oscillations are detected, the system prevents tool damage and maintains continuous operation, thereby preserving both tool integrity and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3760360B1Welding control for a welding device and method for reducing vibrations of a welding tool
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3760360B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3760360B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3760360B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A welding control system (10; 100) for a welding tool (21) and a method for preventing force oscillations of a welding tool (21) are provided to prevent damage to the welding tool (21). The welding control system (10; 100) has a force control module (12) for controlling the force profile (FS(t); FS_ACT) exerted by at least one electrode (22, 23) of a welding tool (21) on at least one component (5, 6) during the production of a weld joint (7), and an evaluation module (11; 110) for evaluating the control of the force control module (12), wherein the evaluation module (11; 110) is configured to change at least one controller parameter (120) of the force control module (12) if the evaluation of the control of the force control module (12) shows that the force profile (Fs(t); FS_ACT) exhibits oscillations.