Welding Torch Cooling Shutoff for Leak-Free Body Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In water-cooled welding torches, maintenance issues arise when replacing the torch body, as cooling water can leak and adhere to the welding wire, causing welding failures due to improper shutdown of the cooling water circulator and separation of the torch components.
Innovation Solution
A welding torch design with a movable part that closes the cooling water inlets/outlets when the torch head and body are separated, along with a cooling system that includes a bypass flow path and pressure measurers to control the circulator and valve, preventing water leakage and allowing for efficient maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the cooling water circulator is stopped and the torch body is separated from the torch head for maintenance, then the torch body can be replaced, but cooling water may leak from the connection and adhere to the welding wire causing welding failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by closing the inlet/outlet of the cooling water flow path in the torch head before the torch body is separated. The closing member is positioned to close the inlet/outlet when the torch body is removed, preventing water leakage in advance. This allows maintenance work to proceed without stopping the cooling water circulator, eliminating the risk of water adhesion to the welding wire.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by providing a closing member that actively prevents cooling water from leaking out of the torch head when the torch body is separated. The closing member counteracts the potential harmful effect of water leakage by blocking the flow path inlet/outlet, thus preventing water from adhering to the welding wire during maintenance operations.
2Productivity
If the cooling water circulator is not stopped during torch body separation, then maintenance efficiency is improved, but water may spout from the torch head tip and adhere to the welding wire
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning the closing member to close the cooling water inlet/outlet in the torch head before torch body separation. This preliminary closing action allows the cooling water circulator to remain operational during maintenance, improving efficiency while preventing water from spouting out and adhering to the welding wire.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the taking out principle by extracting the potential harmful effect of water leakage through the closing member. The closing member isolates the cooling water flow path from the external environment during torch body separation, removing the hazard of water spouting from the torch head tip while allowing continuous circulation.
3Reliability
If a closing member is added to close the cooling water inlet/outlet, then water leakage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the closing member to serve multiple purposes: it closes the cooling water inlet/outlet to prevent leakage, and its positioning mechanism integrates with the existing torch head structure. The closing member can be actuated by the insertion/removal of the torch body itself, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by designing the closing mechanism to be automatically actuated by the torch body insertion or removal action. The torch body itself serves as the actuating force that opens or closes the inlet/outlet, eliminating the need for external control systems, motors, or complex valve mechanisms, thus minimizing additional complexity.
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
Prevents cooling water leakage during torch body replacement, enhancing maintenance efficiency and preventing welding failures by ensuring the cooling water is effectively managed and contained.
Implementation Method 1
a movable part that is movable in an axial direction of the torch head... The first inlet/outlet and the second inlet/outlet are closed with the movable part when the torch head and the torch body are separated
Implementation Method 2
cooling water supplied from a cooling water circulator circulates through the welding torch... the power cable extending to the welding torch is cooled
Implementation Method 3
The pressure measurer is provided in the water feeding flow path at a position downstream of the branching point. The controller controls operation of at least one of the cooling water circulator and the valve based on a measured value at the pressure measurer
Data Source
AI summary
An aspect of the present disclosure provides a welding torch that includes a torch head and a torch body removably connected to the torch head. The torch head includes first and second torch-head flow paths for flowing cooling water, first and second inlets/outlets communicating with the first and second torch-head flow paths, respectively, and a movable part movable in an axial direction of the torch head. The torch body includes a torch-body flow path for flowing cooling water, and first and second connection ports communicating with opposite ends of the torch-body flow path, respectively. The first and second inlets/outlets communicate with the first and second connection ports, respectively, when the torch head and the torch body are connected to each other. The first and second inlets/outlets are closed with the movable part when the torch head and the torch body are separated.