Rotatable Handheld Welding Tool Supply Line Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Handheld welding tools with external air supply face issues such as limited maneuverability due to non-rotatable supply lines, increased fatigue, and risk of kinking, which restrict their use in inaccessible areas and lead to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A wand-shaped housing with rotatably connected supply lines, featuring a non-rotatable connection piece and a rotatable connection flange with a cup-shaped gasket for secure attachment, allowing the air supply hose to rotate freely while preventing twisting and kinking, and enabling ergonomic attachment for easier handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the supply lines are rigidly connected to the housing, then the structural stability is improved, but the maneuverability deteriorates due to inability to rotate in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The supply line connection is changed from rigid to dynamic by introducing a rotatable connection flange that allows the supply lines to rotate relative to the housing. This enables the welding tool to be maneuvered in tight spaces while the supply lines remain connected but can change orientation freely.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into a non-rotatable connection piece fixed to the housing and a rotatable connection flange that can rotate independently. This segmentation allows different parts of the connection system to have different rotational characteristics, resolving the contradiction between stability and maneuverability.
2Ease of operation
If the supply lines are made flexible to improve maneuverability, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to kinking and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable connection flange allows the supply lines to dynamically adjust their orientation and rotate freely without fixed constraints. This dynamic connection prevents kinking by allowing the lines to move naturally with the tool's motion while maintaining secure connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable connection flange acts as an intermediary between the rigid housing and the flexible supply lines. It mediates the mechanical stresses and movements, allowing the supply lines to rotate and maneuver freely while the connection piece remains stable on the housing.
3Reliability
If braided metal is added to stiffen the hose to prevent kinking, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased stiffness and counterforce
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of stiffening the supply lines with braided metal, the solution makes the connection dynamic by allowing rotation at the connection flange. This maintains the flexibility and ease of operation of the supply lines while preventing kinking through controlled rotational movement rather than rigid support.
Solution Approach 2:
The braided metal reinforcement is extracted from the supply line design. Instead of adding stiffness to the hoses themselves, the patent removes the need for such reinforcement by providing a rotatable connection that naturally prevents kinking through its mechanical design.
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
The solution enhances maneuverability, reduces fatigue, and minimizes the risk of supply line damage, allowing for efficient and ergonomic use in tight spaces without compromising the sealing function.
Implementation Method 1
a cup-shaped gasket for secure attachment, allowing the air supply hose to rotate freely while preventing twisting and kinking, and enabling ergonomic attachment for easier handling
Implementation Method 2
the supply lines are combined in a supply line package that is connected rotatably relative to the housing, to a rear non-rotatable connection piece of the housing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a handheld welding tool with external air supply for welding thermoplastic synthetic material, with a preferably wand-shaped housing containing at least one hot air generating device, and with flexible supply lines for air and power supply that are combined in a supply line package. The supply lines of the supply line package are connected with rear connection elements on the housing, to the supply line for the air supply encasing the power supply line as a sheath. The invention proposes to connect the supply line package rotatably to a common rear non-rotatable connection piece of the housing. This makes it possible to rotate the handheld welding tool with little force in relation to the supply line package in order to facilitate the handling of the handheld welding tool.