GLOVE FOR A WELDING AND/OR CUTTING SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns the field of welding and/or cutting systems.

More specifically, the present invention concerns the field of control signal generation for welding and/or cutting systems.

Even more specifically, the present invention concerns a glove for the generation of control signals for welding and/or cutting systems.

STATE OF THE ART

Several control systems for welding and/or cutting systems are known in the art. The welding and/or cutting systems of known type substantially comprise a generator and a welding and/or cutting torch suited to be connected to the generator. The torch represents the part of the system that can be handled by the operator and allows the welding and/or cutting operation to be performed on the workpiece.

The system is also preferably provided with a cooling circuit and/or a protective gas conveying circuit, depending on the technology actually used for the welding and/or cutting operation, for example MMA, TIG, MIG/MAG welding, plasma welding and/or electrode welding with or without protective gas.

To perform welding and/or cutting operations, the operator acts on suitable switch units that allow respective control signals for the generator to be generated, wherein the generator provides for supplying power to the torch so as to carry out the desired welding/cutting operation on the workpiece.

In a first system of known type, the switch unit is constituted by one or more actuator buttons arranged at the level of the torch body that is held by the operator. The operator uses one or more fingers to activate one or more of said buttons and generate the corresponding control signals.

For example, the switch unit may comprise only one ON-OFF button for starting/stopping the welding operation, or one ON button for starting the welding operation and a second, OFF button for stopping the welding operation, or one button for switching on/off the cooling circuit, or several buttons associated with different operating powers, or one button for switching on the eye protection system associated with a welding mask etc.

In another system of known type, one or more buttons with the same characteristics just described above can be arranged on a control pedal unit and the respective commands can be generated by the operator using his/her foot.

In some applications, for example in TIG welding, the torch body has no switches, in such a way as to allow the operator to hold it in a tight, comfortable and sensitive manner while the controls are activated by means of the control pedal unit.

The present invention intends to provide an alternative and/or supplementary system with respect to the known systems, which makes it possible to facilitate the operator’s tasks when performing the welding and/or cutting operations.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a welding and/or cutting system that makes it possible to reduce its construction complexity compared to the systems of known type.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a welding and/or cutting system that makes it possible to reduce production and/or maintenance costs compared to the systems of known type.

SUMMARY

The present invention is based on the idea of providing a glove for a welding and/or cutting system, wherein the glove comprises at least one switch.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the same concerns a glove for a welding and/or cutting system, wherein said glove comprises at least one switch suited to be activated by the hand of an operator for the generation of a control signal for said welding and/or cutting system.

Preferably, said at least one switch is positioned at the level of an area designed to accommodate a finger of the hand wearing the glove, preferably at the level of the area designed to accommodate the tip of the forefinger of the hand wearing the glove.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said at least one switch comprises a first electrically conductive area, a second electrically conductive area and an intermediate layer arranged between the first electrically conductive area and the second electrically conductive area, the intermediate layer being configured to allow the generation of a short circuit between the first area and the second area when said areas are mutually moved near each other, and to ensure electrical insulation between the first area and the second area when said areas are mutually moved away from each other.

In a preferred embodiment, said short circuit between the first area and the second area takes place when said areas are mutually moved near each other with a force exceeding a minimum threshold.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate layer comprises a layer of electrically insulating material comprising one or more through openings designed to allow electrical contact to take place between said areas when said areas are mutually moved near each other.

Preferably, the intermediate layer comprises a fabric, more preferably a polyester fabric.

In a preferred embodiment, the first electrically conductive area comprises a conductor wire and/or the second electrically conductive area comprises a conductor wire.

Preferably, the conductor wire is constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material.

The yam preferably comprises textile fibres, more preferably cotton textile fibres. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first electrically conductive area and/or the second electrically conductive area comprise/comprises a seam made with said yam coated with an electrically conductive material on a fabric layer, preferably on a cotton fabric layer.

In a preferred embodiment, the glove comprises a micro controller unit suited to be connected to said at least one switch, a wireless communication unit and a power supply unit.

Preferably, the micro controller unit, the wireless communication unit and the power supply unit are integral parts of the glove.

In an alternative embodiment, the micro controller unit, the wireless communication unit and the power supply unit are made in a module which is separate from the glove.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the micro controller unit is suited to be connected to said at least one switch through a removable connection.

In a preferred embodiment, the glove comprises a first conductor element extending from the first electrically conductive area and/or a second conductor element extending from the second electrically conductive area.

Preferably, the first conductor element ends with a connector, preferably a button connector, and/or the second conductor element ends with a connector, preferably a button connector. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first conductor element is constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material and/or the second conductor element is constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material.

Preferably, the yam comprises textile fibres, more preferably cotton textile fibres. In a preferred embodiment, the first conductor element and/or the second conductor element constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material extend/extends along the glove through a seam.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the micro controller unit, the wireless communication unit and the power supply unit are made in an electronic circuit of the PCB type, rigid or flexible.

Preferably, the glove is a protective glove, preferably a leather glove.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the same concerns a welding and/or cutting system comprising a generator, a welding and/or cutting torch, a control unit and a switch unit designed to be activated by an operator to carry out a welding and/or cutting operation through the activation of said generator, said switch unit being obtained by means of a glove according to the description provided above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages, objects and characteristics, as well as further embodiments of the present invention, are defined in the claims and will be illustrated in the following description, with reference to the enclosed drawings; in the drawings, corresponding or equivalent characteristics and/or component parts of the present invention are identified by the same reference numbers. In particular, in the drawings:

- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a welding and/or cutting system and a glove according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 2 shows the plan view of the glove used in the system of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a schematic view of the glove of Figure 2 and of its component parts according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

- Figure 4 shows a sectional view of a detail of the glove of Figure 3 when worn by an operator;

- Figure 5 shows an exploded axonometric view of a detail of Figure 4;

- Figure 6 shows a first preferred variant embodiment of the glove of Figure 3;

- Figure 7 shows a second preferred variant embodiment of the glove of Figure 3; - Figure 8 shows a detail of the glove according to a variant embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 9 shows a side view of the detail of Figure 8;

- Figure 10 shows an exploded view of the detail of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

The present invention is described below with reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated in the following detailed description and represented in the drawings; on the contrary, the described embodiments simply exemplify the various aspects of the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims. Further modifications and variant embodiments of the present invention will be clear for the expert in the art.

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a welding and/or cutting system 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The welding and/or cutting system according to the present invention may comprise MMA, TIG, MIG/MAG welding machines, plasma welding machines or electrode welding machines with or without protective gas. For the sake of simplicity, the description below refers to a welding system but applies also to a cutting system.

The welding system 1 shown in the figure preferably comprises a generator 4, a welding torch 10 (or cutting torch in cutting systems) and a control unit 6.

The operator O holds the welding torch 10 to carry out the welding operation on the element to be welded M.

The generator 4 is preferably connected to a cylinder containing a protective gas for welding and/or to a cooling circuit (not illustrated).

A ground cable 5 connects the generator 4 to the element to be welded M while a connection element 40 connects the generator 4 to the torch 10.

The connection element 40 preferably comprises a connector 30, a bundle of cables 11 and/or pipes for the passage of water, in the case where a cooling circuit for the torch 10 is provided, and/or pipes for the passage of pressurized air, in the case of a plasma cutting torch, or for the passage of a protective gas or protective gas mixture, in the case where the welding system is configured to use said gas or gas mixture.

The cable bundle 11 connects the torch 10 to the connector 30 and the connector 30 connects the cable bundle 11, and thus the torch 10, to the generator 4. The cable bundle 11 comprises one or more power supply cables for the torch 10, not illustrated in the figure.

The ground cable 5 closes the circuit constituted by the generator 4, the torch 10 and the element to be welded M and thus allows the welding operations to be started, more specifically allows the welding arc 12 to be struck.

In the embodiment shown in the figure, the control unit 6 is arranged inside the generator 4. The control unit can also be arranged outside the generator and connected to it through a connector. In this case, the control unit can be powered by batteries or by an external power supply network (not shown).

Alternatively, the control unit 6 can be installed in any other position deemed suitable, for example on/in the grip of the torch 10. In this last case, the power supply system of the control unit may be constituted, for example, by one or more batteries, rechargeable or not, or by equivalent power supply means (not shown).

The control unit 6 preferably comprises first means 7 suited to transmit/receive wireless signals.

The first transmission/reception means 7 preferably comprise a radio frequency unit. Preferably, said radio frequency unit is of the Bluetooth® or ZigBee or Enocean type.

In a preferred variant embodiment, the first transmission/reception means 7 preferably comprise an infrared unit.

The first transmission/reception means 7 allow data and/or information to be transmitted to the other components of the welding system 1 and/or to any external device with Bluetooth® or ZigBee or Enocean technology, for example a tablet or similar devices.

According to the embodiment illustrated herein, the welding system 1 comprises a protection unit 20 comprising a protective helmet 22 that the operator O can wear during the welding operation. The protection unit 20 preferably comprises a protective screen, preferably an LCD filter, and second means 26 for transmitting/receiving wireless signals.

The second transmission/reception means 26 preferably comprise a radio frequency unit. Preferably, said radio frequency unit is of the Bluetooth® or ZigBee or Enocean type. More specifically, the second transmission/reception means 26 allow data and/or information to be transmitted from or to the first transmission/reception means 7.

Furthermore, the welding system 1 comprises a switch unit 50 suited to be activated by the operator O to carry out one or more operations during the welding process (or the cutting process in cutting systems).

According to an aspect of the present invention, the switch unit 50 is obtained by means of a glove 60 suited to be worn by the operator O.

The operator O wearing the glove 60 and holding the welding torch 10 uses his/her hand to act on the switch unit 50 and carry out the welding operations on the element to be welded M, as described in greater detail below.

The glove 60 made according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is described with reference to Figures from 2 to 5.

The glove 60 according to the invention preferably constitutes the glove used to protect the hand of the operator O during the welding steps and is typically made of a protective material such as leather. In the figures, the glove 60 is a right hand glove and is provided with the typical 5 openings, one for each finger of the right hand of the operator O. Obviously, what has been described above can apply also to a left hand glove, in particular for left handed operators, as well as to gloves shaped in a different way, for example mittens.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the glove 60 includes a switch 62 suited to be activated for the generation of a control signal for the welding system 1.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures from 2 to 5, the switch 62 is suited to be pressed by the tip of the forefinger F of the hand of the operator O wearing the glove 60. For this purpose, the switch 62 is positioned on the glove 60 at the level of the area suited to accommodate the tip of the forefinger I.

The switch 62 according to the preferred embodiment illustrated herein comprises a first electrically conductive area 64, a second electrically conductive area 66 and an intermediate layer 68 arranged between the first electrically conductive area 64 and the second electrically conductive area 66, as better illustrated in the detail of Figure 4.

The intermediate layer 68 is preferably configured to allow a short circuit to take place between the first area 64 and the second area 66 when the areas are mutually moved near each other and to ensure electrical insulation between the first area 64 and the second area 66 when said areas 64, 66 are released. Preferably, the short circuit between the first area 64 and the second area 66 takes place when said areas 64, 66 are mutually moved near each other with a force exceeding a minimum threshold.

The operating condition of short circuit between the areas 64, 66 of the switch 62 defines the closing position for the switch 62 itself

Advantageously, the electrically conductive areas 64, 66 are mutually moved near each other to close the switch 62 owing to the pressing action of the forefinger F of the operator O, especially when the operator’s hand holds the torch 10. The closing of the switch 62 is preferably associated with a control for the generator 4, for example the welding start control.

Preferably, if the forefinger F keeps pressing and the switch 62 is correspondingly closed, the welding operation continues until the finger F stops pressing and the switch 62 is correspondingly opened.

The intermediate layer 68 preferably comprises a layer of electrically insulating material 70, for example polyester and/or polyester fibres and/or rubber, provided with one or more through openings 72. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the layer of electrically insulating material 70 has suitable characteristics in terms of being soft to press, which allow it to be pushed down following the pressing action of the forefinger F.

The through openings 72 allow the electrical contact, or short circuit, to take place between the first area 64 and the second area 66, which are therefore placed in direct contact when moved near each other to a sufficient extent.

In a preferred embodiment, the first area 64 is made from a sheet of conductive material, for example an aluminium sheet, and analogously the second area 66 is made from a sheet of conductive material, for example an aluminium sheet. Furthermore, the glove 60 is preferably equipped with a micro controller unit 80 suited to be connected to the switch 62, a wireless communication unit 82 and a power supply unit 84.

The wireless communication unit 82 preferably comprises a radio frequency unit. Preferably, said radio frequency unit is of the Bluetooth® or ZigBee or Enocean type. More specifically, the unit 82 makes it possible to transfer data and/or in form tion from or to the first transmission/reception means 7.

Preferably and advantageously, the micro controller unit 80, the wireless communication unit 82 and the power supply unit 84 are integral parts of the glove 60 and, more preferably, are created in an electronic circuit 85 of the PCB type, rigid or alternatively flexible. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the micro controller unit 80 is suited to be connected to the switch 62 through a removable connection, in particular a button connection.

For this purpose, preferably, a first conductor element 90 extends from the first electrically conductive area 64 and a second conductor element 92 extends from the second electrically conductive area 66. The first conductor element 90 ends with a connector 90A, preferably a button connector, and the second conductor element 92 ends with a connector 92A, preferably a button connector. Corresponding buttons 85A, 86A associated with the PCB circuit 85 permit the removable connection of the PCB circuit 85, and in particular the removable connection to the micro controller unit 80.

Advantageously, the glove 60 that is the subject of the invention is used within the welding system 1 by the operator O who wear it and holds the welding torch 10.

When the finger F presses the switch 62, the micro controller unit 80 detects the closing of the latter and this information is transmitted to the control unit 6 through the communication unit 82.

Said information is used by the control unit 6 to carry out a given action, for example to supply power for the generation of the electric arc 12.

It is evident, therefore, that the glove 60 of the invention makes it possible to facilitate the operations that must be performed by the operator O to transmit the welding or cutting commands, so that it is sufficient to simply act on the switch 62 located inside the glove 60 with the finger F.

In a preferred embodiment, the glove 60 of the invention may constitute the only control point for the operator O, thus making it possible to produce torches without controls and thus torches which are simpler to make and more reliable over time.

This is particularly advantageous in the case of TIG welding, in which a torch body without switches can be held by the operator in a tight, comfortable and sensitive manner. Furthermore, even the use of control pedal units can be eliminated, thus further reducing production costs and increasing the reliability of the system.

In general, however, the glove 60 of the invention may constitute a further, comfortable control point for the operator O, in the case where the welding system is provided with the known controls on the torch and/or on the control pedal unit.

Furthermore, existing systems can be improved by adopting a glove according to the invention, including also the glove among the devices that communicate with the control unit and conveniently updating the logics according to which the commands received from the glove are managed.

In a preferred embodiment, and as described above, the glove 60 with the respective switch 62 is used to define an ON-OFF control for starting/stopping the welding cycle.

In variant embodiments, however, the activation of the switch 62 may result in other actions started by the control unit 6 for the welding (or cutting) process. For example, the activation of the switch 62 may switch on/off the cooling circuit, or modify the welding/cutting power level or in general the operating parameters of the generator 4, or generate a control signal to switch on/off the eye protection system associated with a welding mask, set the delay times for the switching on of the mask etc.

Figure 6 shows a glove 160 according to a preferred variant embodiment of the invention. The component parts equivalent to those of the preferred embodiment previously described are identified by the same reference numbers.

The embodiment shown in the figure differs from the first embodiment previously described in that it comprises three switches 162A, 162B, 162C instead of one switch only.

The three switches 162A, 162B, 162C are preferably positioned at the level of the areas respectively suited to accommodate the tips of the forefinger, the middle finger and the ring finger.

Respective conductor elements 190A, 192A, 190B, 192B, 190C, 192C extend from the electrically conductive areas of the switches towards the PCB circuit 85, in particular for connection to the micro controller unit 80 through suitable connectors.

In this embodiment, the glove 160 can be used to generate three different commands associated with the respective switches 162A, 162B, 162C.

For example, the first switch 162A may be used as an ON/OFF control for starting/stopping the welding process, the second switch 162A may be used to switch on/off the cooling circuit and the third switch 162B may be used to modify the power level.

It is evident that any other combination may be possible and easily implemented based on the type of operation to be carried out.

Figure 7 shows 260 according to another preferred variant embodiment of the invention. The component parts that are equivalent to those of the preferred embodiment described with reference to Figures from 2 to 5 are identified by the same reference numbers.

The embodiment shown in the figure differs from the first embodiment previously described in that the micro controller unit 80, the wireless communication unit 82 and the power supply unit 84 are made in module that is separate from the glove 260 and, more preferably, are created in an external electronic circuit 85 of the PCB type, rigid or alternatively flexible.

The micro controller unit 80, the wireless communication unit 82 and the power supply unit 84 are preferably connected to the first conductor element 90 and to the second conductor element 92 in a removable manner. Suitable conductor elements 280, 282 and respective connectors 280A, 282A, preferably buttons, allow said removable connection to be obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, the micro controller unit 80, the wireless communication unit 82 and the power supply unit 84 are preferably integrated in a bracelet which can be worn by the operator O near the glove 260.

Figure 8 shows a construction detail of a preferred variant embodiment of the invention. The alternative solution described can be applied to any of the embodiments previously described.

More specifically, the shown solution concerns a switch 362 that is used inside the glove according to the invention.

Figure 8 shows the switch 362 according to said preferred embodiment. The switch 362 comprises a first electrically conductive area 364, a second electrically conductive area 366 and an intermediate layer 368 arranged between the first electrically conductive area 364 and the second electrically conductive area 366.

The intermediate layer 368 is preferably configured to allow a short circuit to take place between the first area 364 and the second area 366 when the areas are mutually moved near each other and to ensure electrical insulation between the first area 364 and the second area 366 when said areas 364, 366 are released, according to what has already been described above.

Preferably, the short circuit between the first area 364 and the second area 366 takes place when said areas 364, 366 are moved near each other with a force exceeding a minimum threshold.

According to said embodiment, the intermediate layer 368 comprises a fabric, preferably a polyester fabric.

In variant embodiments, the fabric may be made with other materials, for example a polymeric material like a rubber.

Preferably, the fabric is made with twisted warp and weft yams. Said twisted structure defines through openings 372 for the fabric 368. Said through openings 372 permit the electrical contact, or short circuit, between the first area 364 and the second area 366, which therefore come in direct contact when they are moved near each other to a sufficient extent.

The first area 364 is obtained through a conductor wire 380. According to a preferred embodiment, the conductor wire 380 is constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material. The yam preferably comprises textile fibres, preferably cotton textile fibres.

In the embodiment illustrated, the first electrically conductive area 364 comprises a seam made with said conductor wire 380 on a layer of fabric 384, preferably a polyester fabric.

A first conductor element 390 extends from the first electrically conductive area 364. The first conductor element 390 ends with a connector 390 A, preferably a button connector.

The first conductor element 390 is preferably constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material. The yam preferably comprises textile fibres, preferably cotton textile fibres. The first conductor element 390 extends as a seam made on a projection 384A of the fabric layer 384.

Analogously, the second area 366 is made with a conductor wire 382. According to a preferred embodiment, the conductor wire 382 is constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material. The yam preferably comprises textile fibres, preferably cotton textile fibres.

In the embodiment illustrated, the second electrically conductive area 366 comprises a seam made with said conductor wire 382 on a layer of fabric 394, preferably a polyester fabric.

A second conductor element 392 extends from the second electrically conductive area 366. The second conductor element 392 ends with a connector 392 A, preferably a button connector.

The second conductor element 392 is preferably constituted by a yam coated with an electrically conductive material. The yam preferably comprises textile fibres, preferably cotton textile fibres. The second conductor element 392 extends as a seam made on a projection 394A of the fabric layer 394.

The switch 362 is conveniently inserted and locked inside the glove, for example by sewing it on the inner surface of the glove.

The switch 362 can advantageously be applied to a glove according to the invention through standard fabric sewing processes, for example leather sewing processes.

This makes the production of the glove extremely simple and economical. Further, this solution for the switch does not alter the flexibility/usability/wearability of the known protective gloves. More specifically, said glove allows the operator to hold even welding torches that are not provided with switches/buttons, with no need to use auxiliary devices such as, for example, pedal-operated devices. Through the preceding detailed description of embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, it has thus been shown that the present invention makes it possible to achieve the desired objects while minimizing the drawbacks observed in the known technique.

It should be noted that, even though the present invention has been illustrated through the preceding detailed description of its embodiments shown in the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described and illustrated in the drawings. On the contrary, all the variants and modifications of the embodiments described and represented herein that are clear and obvious for the experts in the art fall within the scope of the present invention.

Consequently, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but is only limited by the scope of protection provided by the attached claims.