Wireless Welding Power Supply Control With Approximate Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Welding operators often need to walk back to the welding power supply units to modify settings due to the lack of remote control capabilities, especially when operating at large distances.
Innovation Solution
Implementing wireless control of welding power supply units using portable electronic devices such as OEM devices, cellular phones, and laptops, enabling remote modification of settings and display of operating parameters, with location services using GPS for approximate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If welding operators use conventional control panels on power supply units, then control functionality is reliable and direct, but operators must physically approach the equipment which reduces operational efficiency at remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a portable electronic device as an intermediary between the operator and the welding power supply. The device communicates wirelessly with the power supply, allowing operators to control welding parameters and monitor status from remote locations without physically approaching the equipment, thus resolving the contradiction between operational efficiency and remote control capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If welding power supply units are placed at remote locations to serve welding operations, then operational flexibility is improved, but operators must walk back to modify settings which increases time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of physically moving to the power supply unit with a wireless electronic communication system. The portable device transmits control commands and receives status information electronically, eliminating the need for operators to physically travel to remote equipment locations, thus reducing time loss while maintaining operational flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If wireless remote control is implemented for welding power supply, then ease of remote operation is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional communication components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a portable electronic device that serves multiple functions: it acts as a remote control interface, a display unit for monitoring welding parameters, and a communication bridge between the operator and the power supply. By leveraging the multi-functionality of existing portable devices, the system achieves remote control capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include wireless control of a welding power supply via portable electronic devices, such as dedicated original equipment manufacturer (OEM) welding remote devices, cellular radio telephones, satellite radio telephones, laptops computers, tablet computers, and so forth. In particular, operating parameters and statuses of the welding power supply may be modified by the portable electronic device, as well as be displayed on the portable electronic device. A pairing procedure may be used to pair the welding power supply and the portable electronic device in a wireless communication network. Furthermore, in certain embodiments, a method of providing location services for the welding power supply includes utilizing location data for the portable electronic device controlling the welding power supply as an approximation for the location of the welding power supply.