All-Position Welding Torch With Shared Gas Path for Stable Bead Finish

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing all-position welding devices lack an outer gas nozzle, which hinders the achievement of a beautifully finished weld bead and results in a larger torch size due to independent shielding and outer gas flow paths.

Innovation Solution

A welding torch with a shared shielding and outer gas flow path, utilizing a first and second gas lens to straighten and blow gases, and an outer gas nozzle to guide the inert gas, allowing for miniaturization by omitting the joint portion connected to the outer gas hose.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If independent shielding gas flow path and outer gas flow path are provided, then gas flow stability is improved, but torch size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas flow stabilityVSAvoidtorch size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the shielding gas flow path and outer gas flow path into a single integrated flow path. The inert gas flows sequentially through both functions within the same passage, eliminating the need for separate independent flow paths while maintaining stable gas flow for both shielding and outer gas purposes, thereby reducing torch size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single inert gas flow path serves dual functions: first as shielding gas flow path and then as outer gas flow path. This multi-functional design allows the same flow path to fulfill both protective roles, reducing the number of components and overall torch size while maintaining functional reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If outer gas nozzle is added, then weld bead finish is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweld bead finishVSAvoidtorch structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outer gas nozzle is integrated into the existing torch structure along the single inert gas flow path. The flow path naturally transitions from shielding gas function to outer gas function without requiring separate independent nozzle systems, thereby improving weld bead finish while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The inert gas flow path performs multiple functions sequentially - first providing shielding gas flow, then providing outer gas flow through the same passage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate nozzle structures, maintaining simplicity while achieving improved weld bead finish.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of moving object

If joint portion for outer gas hose is omitted, then torch size is reduced, but gas supply reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetorch sizeVSAvoidgas supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the shielding gas flow path and outer gas flow path into one continuous integrated path. This eliminates the need for separate joint portions for outer gas hose connection, reducing torch size while maintaining reliable gas supply through the unified flow path that ensures stable inert gas delivery for both functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables a further size reduction of the welding torch while maintaining stable gas flow, ensuring a beautifully finished weld bead and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

a first gas lens configured to straighten a shielding gas in the shielding gas flow path and blow the shielding gas out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas lens effect: Lens

Implementation Method 2

a second gas lens configured to straighten an outer gas in the outer gas flow path and blow the outer gas out

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas lens effect: Lens

Data Source

PatentEP3556505B1Welding torch and all-position welding device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3556505B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3556505B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3556505B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A welding torch (3, 3A) includes a torch body (4) including a flow path forming portion (41) that forms a shielding gas flow path (51, 52) into which an inert gas flows and an outer gas flow path (61) communicating with the shielding gas flow path (51, 52), a first gas lens (9) that straightens the inert gas in the shielding gas flow path (51, 52) and blows the inert gas out as a shielding gas, and a second gas lens (64) that straightens the inert gas in the outer gas flow path (61) and blows the inert gas out as an outer gas. Provided is an all-position welding device (1) that performs butt welding of tubes (10, 10), and includes the welding torch (3, 3A) and a rotation mechanism (2) for rotating the welding torch (3, 3A) around the tube (10).