Inclination-Switched Welding Torch Interface for Remote Setting Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In thermal processing systems, such as welding and arc cutting, workers face difficulties in adjusting settings when moving away from the power supply device due to short remote controller cables, requiring them to move back to adjust conditions, especially with the increasing number of settings available.

Innovation Solution

A thermal processing torch equipped with an operation portion, display portion, sensor portion, and communications portion that allows for the detection of inclination and display of a menu screen, enabling workers to easily select and adjust settings without needing to move to the power supply device, using a combination of buttons and sensors to facilitate setting changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple welding settings are provided for detailed control, then welding precision can be improved, but the complexity of operation increases and requires more time to adjust

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding quality controlVSAvoidnumber of control parameters
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display portion dynamically switches between different display screens based on the detected inclination of the welding torch. When the torch is held in a predetermined attitude (e.g., vertically downward), the menu screen is displayed, allowing workers to access multiple settings without navigating through complex menus in difficult positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The display portion changes its content based on the detected inclination, showing different screens (normal operation screen vs. menu screen) depending on the torch attitude, making the interface adaptive to the worker's physical position and needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

2Device complexity

If the worker needs to move to the power supply device to adjust settings, then all control functions remain centralized, but workflow efficiency decreases due to unnecessary movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized control architectureVSAvoidworkflow efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control functions are extracted from the centralized power supply device and distributed to the welding torch itself, eliminating the need for workers to move between locations for adjustment purposes while maintaining the ability to control all welding parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables workers to easily set desired conditions at any location by displaying a menu screen based on inclination, allowing for quick and efficient adjustments of multiple settings without the need to physically move to the power supply device, improving workflow and reducing operational constraints.

Implementation Method 1

The sensor portion detects inclination information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3495085B1Thermal processing torch and thermal processing system
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 DAIHEN CORP
  • EP3495085B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3495085B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3495085B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a thermal processing torch. The thermal processing torch includes an operation portion, a display portion, a sensor portion, a communications portion, and a control portion. The operation portion has an operation button. The display portion has a display screen. The sensor portion detects inclination information. The communications portion transmits a signal. The control portion causes the communications portion to transmit a signal based on an input from the operation portion. The control portion causes the display screen to display a menu screen for selecting a desired screen among a plurality of screens based on the inclination information detected by the sensor portion.