Wireless Welding Power Supply Control With Paired Remote Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding operators face inefficiencies when controlling welding power supply units from distant locations, requiring a solution for remote control to streamline operations and enhance convenience.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless remote control devices, such as portable OEM devices, cellular phones, and tablets, to control and monitor welding power supply units, enabling remote operation, parameter adjustment, and status display, with a pairing procedure and prioritization method to ensure secure and exclusive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If welding operators use the control panel disposed on the welding power supply unit, then they can directly control the welding parameters, but they must physically walk back to the power supply unit when working at distant locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a wireless remote control device as an intermediary between the operator and the welding power supply unit. This remote device communicates wirelessly with the power supply unit, allowing operators to control welding parameters from distant locations without physically returning to the power supply unit, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and time loss.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless remote control is implemented, then operators can control welding power supply from remote locations, but control conflicts may occur between multiple control devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pairing procedure that establishes predetermined relationships between wireless remote control devices and the welding power supply unit before actual control operations. This preliminary pairing action creates a trusted control hierarchy, allowing the system to reliably resolve control conflicts by prioritizing paired devices, thus maintaining both remote control accessibility and system reliability.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is added to enable remote control, then remote operation is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the wireless remote control device to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a control interface for adjusting welding parameters and a display device for showing system status and diagnostics. By combining these functions into a single wireless device, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate wireless control and display systems, while still enabling comprehensive remote operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments described herein include wireless control of a welding power supply via portable electronic devices. In particular, operating parameters and statuses of the welding power supply may be modified by the portable electronic device, as well as be displayed on the portable electronic device. For example, in certain embodiments, the welding power supply may be an engine-driven welding power supply, and the portable electronic device may be configured to start and/or stop an engine of the engine-driven welding power supply. A pairing procedure may be used to pair the welding power supply and the portable electronic device in a wireless communication network. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a method of prioritization of control between a control panel of the welding power supply and the portable electronic device may be implemented.