Resonant Coil Sensing for Welding Wire Diameter and Composition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional welding devices lack a reliable method to detect the diameter and composition of welding wires or electrodes, leading to potential reductions in welding quality and safety issues due to the use of unsuitable filler metals.

Innovation Solution

A method and device utilizing an oscillating circuit with a coil to determine oscillating circuit parameters such as quality factor, eddy current losses, and signal frequency, allowing for the detection of welding wire diameter and composition by comparing these parameters with reference values stored in a memory.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional welding equipment is used without detection methods, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of welding quality is reduced due to inability to detect wire diameter and composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding qualityVSAvoiddetection device complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection and physical measurement methods with an automated oscillating circuit detection system. The resonant circuit automatically measures wire diameter and composition by detecting changes in resonant frequency and quality factor, eliminating the need for manual intervention and providing consistent, reliable measurements that improve welding quality while maintaining acceptable device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The detection device performs self-calibration and automatic measurement without requiring external reference standards or manual setup. The system uses the wire itself as the measurement object, and the oscillating circuit automatically adjusts and records parameters, enabling the device to serve itself in maintaining measurement accuracy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If manual inspection methods are used to verify welding wire properties, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient leading to quality issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewire diameter and composition detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms physical properties of the welding wire (diameter, composition, magnetic properties) into electrical parameters (resonant frequency, quality factor) that can be precisely measured. By changing the measurement domain from mechanical/chemical to electrical, the system achieves high measurement precision for wire characteristics while keeping the detection system relatively simple and integrated into existing welding equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a strongly damped oscillating circuit that rapidly dissipates energy, creating a sharp, well-defined resonant peak. This accelerated energy dissipation allows for precise determination of resonant frequency and quality factor, thereby improving measurement precision for wire diameter and composition detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Productivity

If welding parameters are manually set without automatic detection, then the ease of operation is high, but the productivity is reduced due to manual setup time and potential errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewelding production efficiencyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where the oscillating circuit continuously monitors wire diameter and composition, and this information automatically feeds back to adjust welding parameters. The system compares measured values with predetermined specifications and automatically modifies welding current, voltage, or speed to maintain optimal welding conditions, thereby improving productivity while keeping operation simple through automatic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The detection system performs preliminary measurement and verification of wire properties before the welding process begins. By detecting wire diameter and composition in advance and pre-adjusting welding parameters accordingly, the system eliminates during-process adjustments and rework, thereby improving overall productivity and welding efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 accurate detection of welding wire characteristics, ensuring suitable filler metals are used, thereby improving welding quality and safety by automatically adjusting welding parameters and providing feedback to users.

Implementation Method 1

at least one first resonant circuit parameter which is characteristic for a damping of a vibration signal occurring in the resonant circuit... the welding wire is demagnetized by the coil of the resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEddy current damping: Eddy Current Damping

Implementation Method 2

Guiding the welding wire through a coil which forms a resonant circuit with a capacitor, determining at least one first resonant circuit parameter characteristic of damping a vibration signal occurring in the resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

Guiding the welding wire through a coil which forms a resonant circuit with a capacitor, determining at least one second resonant circuit parameter which is characteristic for a signal frequency of the oscillation signal occurring in the resonant circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentEP3580006B1Method and device for detecting a welding wire diameter or a welding wire composition in a welder
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 FRONIUS INT GMBH
  • EP3580006B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3580006B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3580006B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A detection apparatus (1) for detecting a diameter and/or a composition of a welding wire (5) and/or a welding electrode (5) for a welding device, the detection apparatus (1) having: an oscillating circuit (2) which has a coil (2A), through which the welding wire (5) and/or the welding electrode (5) is guidable; and an evaluation unit (3), connected to the oscillating circuit (2), for establishing at least one first oscillating circuit parameter (SKP1), which is characteristic for a damping of an oscillation signal occurring in the oscillating circuit (2), and at least one second oscillating circuit parameter (SKP2), which is characteristic for a signal frequency, f, of the oscillation signal occurring in the oscillating circuit (2), wherein the evaluation unit (3) detects the diameter and/or the composition of the welding wire (5) and/or welding electrode (5) guided through the coil (2A) of the oscillating circuit (2) on the basis of the established oscillating circuit parameters (SKP1, SKP2).