Welding Torch Temperature Sensor Shielding During Multilayer Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
During multilayer welding, spatter, fume, and radiant heat generated can interfere with temperature measurement units, potentially causing malfunctions or failures, necessitating a simple and compact protection configuration for these units.
Innovation Solution
A welding device with a movable portion that includes a measurement unit for temperature measurement, a cover portion to protect the unit, and a driving unit using compressed air to move the cover portion between protective and exposed states, ensuring the measurement unit is shielded during weld bead formation and exposed for measurement periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measurement unit is provided to measure temperature during multilayer welding, then temperature measurement capability is improved, but the measurement unit is affected by spatter, fume, and radiant heat generated during welding
Solution Approach 1:
A cover portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the measurement unit and the harmful welding environment. The cover portion protects the measurement unit from spatter, fume, and radiant heat while allowing the measurement unit to function. The cover can be moved between covering and exposed states, serving as a mediator that enables both protection during welding and measurement capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is designed to be movable rather than fixed, transitioning between covering and exposed states based on operational requirements. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt: the cover protects the measurement unit during welding operations and exposes it during temperature measurement periods, resolving the contradiction between protection and measurement functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a cover portion is added to protect the measurement unit, then protection from harmful factors is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driving unit utilizes compressed air that is already available in the welding system for other purposes (such as driving other tools). By repurposing this existing resource to operate the cover portion, the system avoids adding dedicated protection mechanisms, thereby minimizing additional complexity while achieving effective protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover portion is driven using compressed air instead of complex mechanical drive systems. This pneumatic approach simplifies the protection mechanism by using a readily available utility (compressed air supply) to actuate the cover, reducing the need for additional motors, gears, or complex control systems while maintaining effective protection functionality.
3Measurement precision
If the measurement unit is continuously exposed for temperature measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but the measurement unit is exposed to spatter, fume, and radiant heat
Solution Approach 1:
The cover portion operates periodically, transitioning between covering and exposed states based on the welding cycle. During welding passes, the cover is in the covering state to protect the measurement unit. In the intervals between passes when temperature measurement is required, the cover transitions to the exposed state. This periodic action ensures the measurement unit remains reliable by limiting exposure to harmful factors while maintaining measurement capability when conditions are safe.
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 configuration effectively protects the measurement unit from spatter, fume, and radiant heat while allowing for accurate temperature measurements in a simple and compact setup, reducing the risk of device malfunction or interference.
Implementation Method 1
the driving unit may drive the support member using compressed air
Data Source
AI summary
A welding device including a welding torch; a movable portion; a measurement unit that is provided in the movable portion and is capable of measuring a temperature of the one weld bead and/or the object to be welded in the vicinity of the one weld bead at a predetermined period; a cover portion capable of covering the measurement unit at least; and a driving unit configured to drive a support member supporting the cover portion to move the support member in a predetermined direction to bring the cover portion into a state of covering the measurement unit when the weld bead is formed, and drive the support member to move the support member in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction to bring the cover portion into a state of exposing the measurement unit in the predetermined period.