Wearable Welding Imaging With Adaptive Focus Under Arc Glare
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Welding operators face difficulties in accurately viewing the welding surroundings and receiving real-time information due to high luminance/light intensity, which obstructs their view and disrupts auto-focus functions in cameras, leading to inaccurate image capture and delayed responses to welding conditions.
Innovation Solution
A wearable welding information providing apparatus with a camera unit, display unit, and processor that adjusts auto-focus based on environmental conditions, provides high-definition composite images, and includes sensors to detect light intensity, enabling real-time accurate image capture and guidance during welding operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If auto-focus function is enabled in camera unit, then image clarity is improved under normal conditions, but image stability and real-time responsiveness deteriorate during welding operations due to focusing delays and shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between auto-focus and manual focus modes based on operational context. During welding operations (detected via sensor unit), the system transitions from auto-focus to manual focus mode to eliminate focusing delays and shaking, while maintaining image clarity through pre-set focus parameters optimized for welding scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the focus mode parameter from auto-focus to manual focus when welding conditions are detected. This parameter change eliminates the auto-focus function's detrimental effects (shaking and delays) while maintaining adequate image clarity for welding operations
2Object-affected harmful factors
If darkening filter is used to protect eyes from welding light, then eye protection and welding effectiveness are improved, but visibility of surrounding environment deteriorates making welding operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the visual information by using a camera unit to capture the welding environment and display it separately through an augmented reality display. This allows the darkening filter to remain in place for eye protection while the segmented visual feed provides clear visibility of the welding area and surroundings
Solution Approach 2:
The camera unit and augmented reality display act as intermediaries between the welding operator and the actual welding environment. The camera captures images through the darkening filter, and the augmented reality display presents these images to the operator, thereby mediating the visibility issue while maintaining eye protection
3Measurement precision
If camera size and weight are increased to improve image quality, then image definition is improved, but wearing convenience and portability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a liquid lens that adjusts focal length through hydraulic or electro-hydraulic mechanisms. This allows a small, lightweight lens to achieve variable focus and high image definition that would traditionally require a large, heavy optical system, thereby improving image quality without increasing apparatus weight
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the optical parameter approach by using a liquid lens with electrically controllable focal length instead of a large fixed-focus lens. This parameter change in the optical system allows high image definition to be achieved with a compact, lightweight design suitable for wearable applications
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
Enhances welding accuracy by providing clear, real-time images of the surroundings and welding conditions, reducing the need for removing protective gear, and allowing quick responses to operational changes.
Implementation Method 1
The camera lens unit may include a liquid lens that adjusts a focal length using an electrical signal
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a welding information providing apparatus including a main body provided to be worn by a user, a camera unit including at least one camera attached to an outer side of the main body and obtaining welding image frames with respect to a welding operation, a display unit disposed inside the main body and providing a welding image to the user, and a processor configured to control the display unit to display the welding image generated based on the welding image frames, wherein the camera unit obtains the welding image frame by setting or disabling an auto-focus (AF) function according to an input of the user or pre-set conditions.