Welding Torch Wireless-to-Wired Identification Symbol Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current welding systems are cumbersome and prone to errors, especially when performing multiple welding operations over large areas, as welders need to frequently move between workpieces and welding power sources, making it difficult to efficiently retrieve and apply the correct welding parameters.
Innovation Solution
A welding torch equipped with communication means for establishing both wireless and wired connections, allowing identification symbols from barcodes to be scanned on a handheld device and transmitted to the welding system, eliminating the need for the welder to physically access the welding power source or wire feeder, and enabling reliable communication through short-range technologies like Bluetooth or NFC.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a long hose package is used to allow the welder to work at greater distances from the welding power source, then the welder's mobility and working range are improved, but the reliability of communication and parameter retrieval deteriorates due to signal loss or connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable device (smartphone, tablet, or portable computer) as an intermediary between the welding torch and the welding power source. This intermediary device receives identification symbols via wireless communication and transmits them to the power source through the hose package, enabling reliable parameter retrieval without requiring the welder to physically access the power source.
2Ease of operation
If the welder frequently moves between workpieces and the welding power source to retrieve parameters, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity deteriorates due to time loss and increased physical effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic parameter retrieval through the portable device that the welder already carries. The identification symbol is automatically read and transmitted without requiring the welder to manually access the power source or wire feeder, making the system self-serving and eliminating unnecessary movements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication protocols are supported in the welding torch, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The portable device serves as a communication intermediary that handles the complexity of multiple protocols. The welding torch only needs to support simple wired communication through the hose package, while the portable device manages wireless communication protocols, thereby distributing complexity away from the torch.
4Ease of operation
If the identification symbol transmission is performed wirelessly directly between the handheld device and welding system, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates in environments with poor wireless reception
Solution Approach 1:
The welding torch with communication means acts as a reliable intermediary that receives the identification symbol wirelessly from the handheld device and then transmits it through the wired connection in the hose package to the welding power source. This hybrid approach combines the convenience of wireless scanning with the reliability of wired transmission.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a welding torch (4) configured to be utilized in a welding operation, in particular to establish an electric welding arc between the welding torch (4) and a workpiece (50), the welding torch (4) comprising communication means (42), wherein the communication means (42) are configured to establish a first wireless communication connection (36) with a first device (38) and wherein the communication means (42) are configured to establish a second wired communication connection (34) with a second device (6; 14), wherein the communication means (42) are configured to receive an identification symbol over the first communication connection (36), and wherein the communication means (42) are configured to transmit said identification symbol over the second communication connection (34). The invention further relates to a system (2) comprising said welding torch (4) and to a method for controlling such a system (2).