Removable Welding Wire Spool Carrier for Ergonomic Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing welding tractors require manual handling of heavy welding wire spools, leading to ergonomic issues and potential injuries due to the need for users to lift and carry these spools directly, which is strenuous and can cause back strain.
Innovation Solution
A transportable spool carrier with a handle positioned above the spool hub to align with the center of gravity, equipped with wheels and a locking mechanism for secure attachment to the welding tractor, allowing for easier and safer handling and mounting of the spool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual handling of heavy welding wire spools is used, then the spool can be transported to the welding tractor, but user back strain and ergonomic issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
A transportable spool carrier with handle acts as an intermediary device between the user and the heavy spool. The carrier includes a spool hub that receives the spool and a handle positioned to align with the spool's center of gravity, allowing the user to lift and transport the spool ergonomically alongside their body rather than directly handling the heavy spool.
2Ease of operation
If the spool is manually carried to the welding tractor, then transportation is possible, but substantial strain on the user's back results
Solution Approach 1:
The spool carrier serves as a mediator that transfers the lifting load from the user's back to their hands and arms. The handle is specifically positioned above the spool hub at a distance greater than the spool's radial distance, ensuring the handle aligns with the center of gravity and enables ergonomic lifting posture.
3Ease of operation
If a transportable spool carrier with handle is used, then ergonomic lifting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spool carrier is segmented into distinct functional components: a spool hub for receiving and securing the welding spool, a frame structure for support, and a handle for lifting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design relatively simple.
4Productivity
If quick connection feature is added to the carrier, then spool attachment to tractor is facilitated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection mechanism between the spool carrier and welding tractor is designed to be dynamic and reversible. The carrier can be quickly attached to and detached from the tractor frame, allowing for rapid spool changes and minimizing downtime between welding operations using different spools.
Data Source
AI summary
A transportable spool carrier includes a spool hub configured to receive a welding wire spool thereon. A handle is disposed a distance above the spool hub greater than the radial size of the spool hub such that the welding wire spool is transportable via the transportable spool carrier. The handle is vertically aligned with the longitudinal center portion of the spool hub axis to align the handle with a center of gravity of the welding wire spool when the welding wire spool is coupled to the transportable spool carrier. The transportable spool carrier may include two spaced feet configured to support the welding wire spool on a surface when the transportable spool carrier is decoupled from the frame. The spool hub may include an expandable cylinder that, when radially expanded the welding wire spool is locked to the spool hub.