Method and system for an accelerated reaction of darkening of the optical device in personal protective equipment

Abstract

System has an optical sensor (1), an aperture with the optical element (2) with the changeable permeability and an activation light (3) emitting radiation, which is detected by the optical sensor (1). The activation light is connected with the switch (4) and it is placed within the reach of the optical sensor (1). Within a device which realizes the technological process with the luminous manifestation the instruction for the beginning of a given technological process is detected and on the basis of this instruction the activation light (3) lights up. This activates the optical sensor (1) by means of the activation light (3) before the optical sensor (1) detects the luminous manifestation of the technological process itself. The activation light (3) can be a simple infrared LED diode. The advantage lies in the fact that the protective device itself does not have to be modified in any way and its reaction time can be shortened to zero, or negative reaction time can be achieved since we use time passing during the initiation of the technological process before the appearance of the luminous manifestation for the darkening.

Claims

1-27. (canceled)

28. A system for an accelerated reaction of a darkening of an optical element (2) for protection from a luminous manifestation of a technological device configured to perform arc or laser welding or cutting or plasma cutting, the system comprising: a protective device, the protective device being a welding helmet or a welding mask or a welding shield or welding goggles, and a technological device configured to perform arc or laser welding or cutting or plasma cutting; wherein the protective device comprises an optical sensor (1) for a detection of the luminous manifestation, wherein the protective device comprises an optical element (2) with an adjustable permeability for a limitation of a permeation of a radiation from the luminous manifestation to a sight, wherein the optical sensor (1) is connected with a control of the optical element (2), and wherein the technological device comprises an activation light (3) configured to emit radiation which is detected by the optical sensor (1), whereby the activation light (3) is placed within a field of a vision of the optical sensor (1), the technological device comprises a trigger which can be pressed to start the arc or laser welding or cutting or plasma cutting; wherein the technological device comprises a switch (4) connected with the trigger such that during the pressing of the trigger the switch (4) is pressed too, and in that the activation light (3) is connected to the switch (4).

29. The system according to claim 28 wherein the activation light (3) has at least one infrared LED diode.

30. The system according to claim 28 wherein the system includes multiple LED diodes with different emitting characteristics.

31. The system according to claim 28 wherein the activation light (3) is a part of a body which is adjusted for a connection to a welding gun (5), wherein the body carries an adjusting element, a power supply and the switch (4).

32. The system according to claim 31 wherein the body is ring-shaped.

33. The system according to claim 28 wherein the activation light (3) has an optical diffuser (8).

34. The system according to claim 28 wherein the technological device includes a generator (6) of a frequency of a power supply of the activation light (3), wherein the generator (6) is adjustable.

35. The system according to claim 28 wherein the technological device includes an adjustable element (7) for adjusting a delay of the activation light (3) relative to the switching of the switch (4).

36. The system according to claim 28 wherein the technological device includes an adjustment element for adjusting a period of shining of the activation light (3).

37. The system according to claim 28 wherein the technological device includes a second optical sensor (9) for the detection of the luminous manifestation, which is connected with a control of the activation light (3).

38. The system according to claim 28 wherein the switch (4) is a switch of a welding gun (5).

39. The system according to claim 28 wherein the activation light (3) is a part of a body of a welding gun (5).

40. The system according to claim 28 wherein controlling electronics (10) of the activation light (3) are part of a body of a welding gun (5) or it is a part of a connecting end of a tube and electric cables which connect the welding gun (5) with a welding source, whereby the controlling electronics (10) are connected with the activation light (3) by means of electric conductors which are at least in part of their length connected to a bunch of the tube and the electric cables.

41. The system according to claim 28 wherein the system has at least one external activation light (32) which is connected with the controlling electronics (10) by a flexible cable.

42. The system according to claim 28 wherein in the system includes a signal repeating element (11) which has a receiver of an optical signal of the activation light (3) and it has a transmitter in form of an activation light (33) to repeat the optical signal, whereby the signal repeating element (11) is adjusted for an independent placement in a vicinity of the optical sensor (1).

43. The system according to claim 40 wherein a power supply of the controlling electronics (10) and the activation light (3) has a battery or a rechargeable battery and/or a solar cell and/or an induction charger positioned adjacent to welding cables and/or an AC/DC adapter.

44. A method for an accelerated reaction of a darkening of an optical element (2) for protection from a luminous manifestation of a technological device configured to perform arc or laser welding or cutting or plasma cutting, by using the system of claim 1, the method comprising the steps of pressing of the trigger of said technological device, the pressing of the trigger causing a pressing of the switch (4) causing the turning on of the activation light (3) the activation light (3) causing activation of the optical sensor (1) before the optical sensor (1) detects the luminous manifestation.

45. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) shines at least until a point where the optical sensor (1) detects the luminous manifestation.

46. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) shines for a preset time since it lights up, preferably for at least 1 second.

47. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) goes off after its control receives information about the detection of the luminous manifestation.

48. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) lights up 0.05 to 0.5 second before the creation of the luminous manifestation.

49. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) emits the radiation with a wavelength between 700 and 1850 nm.

50. The method according to claim 44 wherein the activation light (3) shines with the frequency ranging from 5 to 250 Hz.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0042] Embodiments are explained in FIGS. 2 to 18. The used scales and ratios between the individual elements of the system, the shape of the activation light as well as the displayed temporal ratios are not binding, they are informative or they have been directly adjusted in order to increase the clarity.

[0043] FIG. 1 depicts a time graph with the course of the welding and darkening of the welding helmet pursuant to the state of the art. The process G corresponds to the inflow of the protective gas and it begins with the pressing of the trigger on the welding gun. The process E is an ignition and burning of the electric arc. The process D is the darkening of the welding helmet. The time period x denotes a delay of the darkening of the protective equipment in relation to the light emission.

[0044] FIG. 2 is a time graph with the course of the welding and darkening of the welding helmet. The process A depicts the lighting of the activation light. The phase I in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a pre-gas phase, the phase II is a period of the burning electric arc, the phase III in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a post-gas phase. The time a is an intentional delay of the turning on of the activation light with regard to the instruction to start the technological process. The time b is the advance time of the activation light before the light emission. The time c is the advance time of the darkening before the generation of the light emission.

[0045] FIG. 3 is an axonometric view of the welding workplace with a manually controlled welding gun on which a ring-shaped activation light is placed. The interrupted lines stemming from the activation light depict the infrared radiation.

[0046] FIG. 4 depicts the activation light. The arrow denotes the direction in which the ring with the activation light is put on the welding gun. The interrupted lines stemming from the activation light depict the infrared radiation which is propagating the activation light.

[0047] FIG. 5 shows the activation light from FIG. 4 rotated in such a way that it is possible to see its body with the control elements.

[0048] FIG. 6 is a time graph with the course of the welding and darkening of the protective equipment with the turning off of the activation light after detecting the light emission.

[0049] The duration of the activation lighting is shorter than in the case of FIG. 2 where the activation light is on for a set period of time. The time a is an intentional delay of the turning on of the activation light with regard to the instruction to start the technological process. The time b is an advance time of the activation light before the light emission. The time c is an advance time of the darkening before the generation of the light emission.

[0050] FIGS. 7 and 8 show the steps of adaptation of the control of the activation light. In the first step, according to FIG. 7 the activation light turns on right after the instruction to initiate the technological process. In the x-th stepfor example already in the second step of the adaptation according to FIG. 8the control has set the delay a which can be shortened even further in the next step. The activation lighting is depicted with the same duration in FIGS. 7 and 8 in order to increase clarity but this adaptation can be combined with the turning off of the activation light as depicted in FIG. 6.

[0051] FIG. 9 is an algorithm of the procedure followed during the darkening of the welding helmet pursuant to the state of the art.

[0052] Subsequently, FIG. 10 is a procedure followed during the darkening of the protective equipment with the use of the activation light.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the basic elements of the control of the activation light.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the control mechanism with the turning off of the activation light according to the instruction from the second optical sensor.

[0055] FIG. 13 depicts an adaptation of the control of the activation light during the technological process in which a series of cycles takes place after the first pressing of the trigger. The activation light is turned on after the first pressing of the trigger and then for two cycles the protective equipment is darkened only on the basis of the detection of the light emission itself.

[0056] FIG. 14 depicts the placement of the control electronics inside the body of the welding gun.

[0057] FIG. 15 depicts the placement of the control electronics in the euro-connector of the hose and the cable.

[0058] FIG. 16 depicts the independent placement of the control electronics supplied by power from the AC/DC electric adapter.

[0059] FIG. 17 is a schematic connection of the external activation light, and it is also shown that the switch of the control electronics is the trigger of the welding gun.

[0060] FIG. 18 depicts a signal repetition component which carries a signal from the activation light to the proximity of the optical sensor on the welding helmet.

EXAMPLES OF REALIZATION

Example 1

[0061] As depicted in this example in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 10 and 11, the system is used in a common workshop without system integration. The welding apparatus for the MIG/MAG welding by the melting electrode in protective atmosphere has a welding gun 5 with the trigger which starts the technological processthe inflow of the gas, the movement of the wire and the electric arc. The welder has an auto-darkening helmet which is produced by a different producer than the welding device. During the welding, the welding helmet reacts to the detected light emission of the welding. The welding helmet in this example has a reaction time of the darkening at the level of 0.15 ms. During this period, the sight of the welder is exposed to the effects of the dangerous radiation.

[0062] The set in this example is supplied by the activation light 3. It is part of the small ring with an inner diameter larger than the diameter of the torch on the welding gun 5. The ring has removable inner circles the gradual removal or addition of which can set the desired inner diameter of the ring. There are two infrared LED diodes placed on the opposite sides inside the ring. Both are covered by the optical diffuser 8 which distributes the emitted light to the environment.

[0063] Both infrared LED diodes have wavelength 850 nm, approximate angular spread of 140 and they have a power supply from common source which has a frequency excitation on its output. The value of frequency on the frequency generator 6 is adjustable by means of a small rotary potentiometer ranging from 5 to 250 Hz. Similarly, it is also possible to adjust the duration of the delay of the beginning of the activation light from the moment the switch 4 is triggered. This period can be set from 0 to 1 second with help of adjusting element 7 of delay. The third adjusting element serves to set the duration of the activation lighting. In this example, the duration can be set from 1 to 3 seconds. The fourth adjusting element changes the power supply of the infrared LED diodes; in common conditions the activation is possible through the power supply of one 250 mW LED diode. The harmlessness of the activation light 3 for the unprotected eyes of the surrounding personnel is proved by the fact that the used LED diode is used in remote controllers of the home electronics. The use of the infrared remote controller is not considered a risk even in the situation where the invisible radiation is directed straight to the human eyes.

[0064] The switch 4 of the activation light 3 has in this example form of a flat switch circuit which is glued to the controlling edge of the trigger. The pressing of the trigger causes, firstly, the pressing of the switch 4 and then also turning on of the trigger of the welding apparatus.

[0065] After the pressing of the trigger of the welding gun 5, the welding apparatus opens a valve with the protective gas. Approximately 0.5 s after the opening of the valve the electric arc is turned on which starts the technological process. Simultaneously with the pressing of the trigger, the switch 4 of the activation light 3 has been pressed. The control circuit delays the turning on of the activation light 3 by approximately 0.4 s since the pressing of the switch 4. At that moment, the activation light 3 is on and the optical sensor 1 on the welding helmet reacts in such a way that it issues an instruction to darken the optical device 2. This instruction enters the optical device 2 approximately 0.1 s before the ignition of the electric arc itself. After 0.5 s when the light emission of the welding appears, the welding helmet is already darkened. Thus, the negative time of darkening of the welding helmet was basically reached at approximately 0.1 s.

Example 2

[0066] An automatic welding line in the car body workshop have multiple activation lights 3 distributed on fixed spots. The control welding system issues an instruction to initiate the activation light 3 approx. 0.1 s before the instruction to ignite the electric arc in a given section of the line. Workers who supervise the process watch the line through the welding helmet equipped with an auto-darkening optical device 2. This device reacts to the instruction received from the optical sensor 1 which detects the activation light first and then the light emission of the technological process itself.

Example 3

[0067] The system from this example is used in the laser cutting machine. The switch 4 has a software form. Before bringing the laser beam to the place of cutting, the instruction is issued by the central control system to light up the activation lights 3 placed on the working arm as well as at the edges of the table. One activation light 3 can be controlled directly, other activation lights can be integrated into independent signal repetition components 11.

Example 4

[0068] The activation light 3 displayed in FIGS. 6 and 12 has its own control mechanism for turning off the light. This function is based on the cooperation with the second optical sensor 9 which is placed in this example in the ring on the welding gun 5. The control of the activation light 3 receives an information that the second optical sensor 9 recorded a light emission of the technological process. This information means that the activation light is no longer needed and on the basis of this information the activation light 3 is turned off.

[0069] Since the second optical sensor 9 in the protective equipment can be faster than the optical sensor 1 of an unknown producer, the instruction to turn off the activation light 3 can be intentionally delayed by, say, 3 ms, which is a duration during which even a common or inferior protective equipment reacts to a light emission.

Example 5

[0070] The control of the activation light 3 involves an adaptation algorithm that measures a time lapse between the instruction to initiate a technological process and the appearance of a light emission. According to the measured time period displayed in FIGS. 7 and 8, the delay of lighting up the activation light 3 is in various iterative steps gradually increased until the moment where the advance time of lighting up the activation light 3 with regard to the light emission reaches 0.1 s. This delay is then respected in the following strokes whereby it is continually measured whether there is sufficient advance time of lighting up the activation light 3 with regard to the light emission.

Example 6

[0071] The activation light 3 is turned on after the first pressing of the trigger, then during two cycles the protective equipment is darkened only on the basis of the detection of the light emission itself because the cycles were not accompanied by the pressing of the switch 4. During three cycles the control of the activation light 3 adapts to the detected course of the light emission and before the expected fourth and each following light emission, the control mechanism lights up the activation light 3. Consequently, the second and the third darkening of the protective equipment is delayed according to the reaction time of the given protective equipment; the next darkening is realized with the advance time.

Example 7

[0072] The activation light 3 displayed in FIG. 14 is cased in the plastic body of the welding gun 5. On the surface of the welding gun 5 there is an opening with a protruding removable cover of the LED diode of the activation light 3. The cover is produced from the transparent plastic and in case of damage it can be removed by rotation and changed.

[0073] The control electronics 10 is placed in the handle of the welding gun 5, which also contains an opening shaft where a battery or a rechargeable accumulator can be inserted.

Example 8

[0074] As shown in FIG. 15, the activation light 3 with three sources in form of the LED diodes is placed in the plastic body of the welding gun 5 in the similar way as in the previous example. The control electronics 10 is placed in the connector of the hose and the electric cablein this example it is a standardized euro-connector. The activation light 3 receives a power supply through a thin cable connected to the hose with protective gas.

Example 9

[0075] The control electronics 10 is in an independent box which is close to the welding machine. The connecting cable connecting the control electronics 10 with the activation light 3 is attached to the hose with protective gas. The power supply of the control electronics 10 and the activation light 3 is provided by an AC/DC adapter, in this example with a micro USB terminal, i.e. a corresponding connector on the body of the control electronics 10. The use of the 5V USB power supply adapter simplifies the construction of the system.

Example 10

[0076] As shown in this example in FIG. 17, the trigger of the welding gun 5 itself is used as a switch 4. On the surface of the welding gun 5 there is a jack connector allowing the connection of the external activation light 32. This has a form of the LED diode in the casing with a mechanical clip that can be attached to a glove or a sleeve of the protective clothing of the welder. In this example, the external activation light 32 is turned on together with the activation light 3 on the welding gun 5.

Example 11

[0077] As depicted in the example in FIG. 18, the system has an independent signal repetition component 11. It has an outer form of a small box with its own source of the electric energy. The signal repetition component 11 has a receiver of the optical signal and a transmitter in form of the activation light 33 for signal repetition. After receiving the light from the activation light 3, the activation light 33 for signal repetition, which can be attached closer to the optical sensor 1 of the welding helmet, is turned on. Signal repetition component 11 can have an adhesive layer, so that the activation light 33 for signal repetition could be directly glued within the field of view of the optical sensor 1 of the welding helmet.

LIST OF RELATED SYMBOLS

[0078] 1optical sensor [0079] 2optical device with changeable permeability [0080] 3activation light [0081] 32external activation light [0082] 33activation light for signal repetition [0083] 4switch [0084] 5welding gun [0085] 6frequency generator [0086] 7adjusting element of delay [0087] 8optical diffuser [0088] 9second optical sensor [0089] 10control electronics [0090] 11signal repetition component [0091] MIGMetal Inert Gas [0092] MAGMetal Active Gas [0093] TIG, WIGtungsten (wolfram) inert gas welding [0094] PCBprinted circuit board [0095] 240 Velectricity network with alternating voltage [0096] ADFautomatic darkening filters