Capacitor-circuit board interface for welding system components

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to welding system components, and in particular to the connection between the capacitor and the printed circuit board for the welding system component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Welding is an important process in the manufacture and construction of various products and structures. Welding applications are widespread and used around the world, including, for example, building and repairing ships, buildings, bridges, vehicles and pipelines, to name a few. Welding is carried out in many places, such as a factory with permanent welding work, or locally using a portable welding machine.

[0003] In the case of automated or mechanized welding, the user / operator (i.e. welder) programs or gives instructions for welding equipment to make a weld. For example, in submerged arc welding (SAW), a solid or core melting electrode (with a flux core) can be continuously fed into the area of ​​the molten weld or arc, which is protected from atmospheric pollution by "immersion" under the flux, such as a jacket of granular, easily fusible material consisting of lime, silica, manganese oxide, calcium fluoride or other suitable compounds. Basically, in the melted state, the flux begins to conduct and provides a current path between the electrode and the workpiece. A thick flux layer completely covering the molten metal can therefore prevent splashing and sparks, and also dampens intense ultraviolet radiation

And fumes that may be part of the arc welding process. Currents between 300 and 2000 A can be used in this process. Additionally, currents up to 5000 A can be used for many arcs. There are variations of the process with single or multiple electrode wires. In addition, DC or AC power and / or DC and AC combinations can be used in multi-electrode systems. In general, the constant voltage welding power supply is most commonly used; however, systems with constant current are also available in combination with a wire feeder with voltage detection.

[0004] In manual or semi-automatic welding, the user / operator (i.e. welder) manages the welding equipment to make the weld. For example, in electric arc welding, the welder can manually position the welding rod or welding wire and produce a heat-generating arc at the weld spot. In this type of welding, the distance of the electrode from the weld spot is related to the arc produced and the optimal melting / melting of the substrate and welding rod or metal wire. The quality of such a weld is usually directly dependent on the skill of the welder.

[0005] Submerged arc welding and electric arc welding, among other types of welding, can occur in many different environments. In general, it is desirable to protect welding system components intended for use in various conditions.

[0006] In the past, various methods and devices have been used to protect welding system components. For example, it has become desirable to coat printed circuit boards for welding components to protect them from the environment, for example by epoxy coating by dipping and curing. However, coating these plates for environmental protection is difficult because of the need to directly mount capacitors on the plate. Any area to

Mounting a capacitor requires forming a barrier before coating to prevent coating these areas.

[0007] In addition, capacitor connections to printed circuit boards are usually high temperature connections due to the material properties of the capacitors. This heat usually travels to the circuit board and thereby raises the temperature of the circuit board and other components mounted on the circuit board. It is desirable to minimize this heat transfer from the capacitor connections to the plate.

[0008] Document EP-A1 6666 152 describes a welding system component comprising a printed circuit board, a capacitor and a connector for mounting a capacitor on a printed circuit board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] The present invention provides a welding system component according to claim 1 and a method for assembling a welding system component according to claim 11. Further embodiments of the invention are included in the dependent claims.

[0010] The welding system component comprises a circuit board for the welding system component. The connector has a main riser with a connector channel formed therein. The connector has an elongated part with a terminal channel formed in it. The elongated part is electrically connected to the circuit board by means of a clamp located in the terminal channel. The elongated part is separated from the surface of the circuit board. The capacitor is electrically connected to the main riser using a connector located in the connector channel.

[0011] Various aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following detailed description and attached drawings.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] Fig. Welding;

[0013]

Fig. 1;

[0014]

FIG.

shows a schematic view of the environment shows a perspective view of the welding machine with

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a part of the welder of Fig. 2 illustrated with a partial cutout of the access panel;

[0015]

Fig. 4a is a top view of a portion of the circuit board assembly shown in Fig. 3;

[0016] Fig. 4b is a front view of part of the circuit board assembly shown in Fig. 4a;

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<td>team</td><td>shallow</td><td>printed with</td>

<td> [0018]</td><td>FIG.</td><td>6 will present</td>

<td>Fig. 5;</td><td></td><td></td>

<td> [0019]</td><td>FIG.</td><td>7 presents</td>

<td> [0020]</td><td>FIG.</td><td>8 presents</td>

<td> [0021]</td><td>FIG.</td><td>9 presents</td>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] The best mode of implementing the invention will be described for the best embodiments known to the applicant at any given time. The examples and figures are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the invention, which is defined by the scope and the nature of the claims.

[0023] Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates the welding environment 10. The welding environment 10 includes welding system 12 and workpiece 14. Welding system 12 includes a welding gun 16 with a wire feed channel connected to the wire feeder (not shown) and an electrode connected to the welding power supply 18. Examples

The welding environment 10 also includes a wire feed controller 20 and a power controller 22 with a user interface 24 for programming and monitoring the system 12. The welding environment may also, for example, include a holding electrode holder, TIG torch or other devices for use in arc welding electric or other equipment suitable for other types of welding.

[0024] Workpiece 14 and the nearest space essentially define the welding work area 26, where a welding gun can be used to form the weld. Various types of sample welding, including submerged arc welding (SAW), coated electrode welding (SMAW), arc welding fusible shielded electrode (GMAW), e.g. MIG welding and fusible welding<a href="http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektroda_wolframowa">electrode</a><a href="http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektroda_wolframowa">tungsten</a> inert gas (GTAW), e.g. TIG welding, can be performed in the welding environment.

[0025] The welding system 12 includes welding equipment, such as a welding power supply 18, for generating welding current and voltage, a welding control system for controlling welding current and voltage, and a monitoring system for monitoring welding current and voltage. The monitoring system can also monitor the variability of other operating parameters such as, but not limited to, welding wire feed speed, remaining amount of welding wire, any type of welding feedback desired by the operator, and any other desired operating parameters.

[0026] In one embodiment, as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the welding power supply 18 is shown for mains-operated welding, e.g. welding powered by electricity from the power grid. It should be understood, however, that the welding power supply 18 may be intended for other types of welding such as welding with a motor, e.g. with a motor generator. The welding power supply 18 includes

53, 59, which is a suitable equipment that provides welding power for welding.

for storage for cables [0027]

The cabinet 28 includes a base 30, access panel 32, control panel 34, side panels 36 and cover 38.

[0028] Access panel 32 may include optional air vents. Access panel 32 may provide access to an optional fan (s), such as impeller or blower, located in cabinet 28.

[0029] The welding power supply 18 or user interface may optionally include a specific number of input devices, such as a knob, sliders, switches, buttons or other digital or analog control elements, for example to control the output of the welder or perform other control operations, e.g. mode welding, arc control, etc. and they can be mounted on the control panel 34. In addition, display devices can also be attached to the welding power supply 18 or user interface for displaying the operating parameters of the welding system 12, as well as optional measuring instruments. Input devices can be associated with the control board with or without an optional contact interrupter.

[0030] As best shown in Fig. 3, the welding power supply 18 also includes various electronic components 40 as required, such as switches, resistors, rectifiers, diodes, power control boards and capacitors 42. Depending on the requirements, many of these components can be mounted in a chamber in cabinet 28 adjacent to control panel 34. As such, in the example illustrated, they are accessible through the front opening associated with the control panel 34.

[0031] An exemplary circuit board assembly 44 for association with capacitors 42 is shown in Fig. 4a and

4b. The circuit board assembly 44 includes a circuit board 46,

53 / 59P33406EN00 which has the soldering side "S" and the component C side. The circuit board assembly 44 may optionally include a plurality of related electrical components 40 electrically connected to the circuit board 46. In addition, an optional heat sink assembly (not shown) may be thermally connected to the circuit board 46.

[0032] As best shown in Fig. 5, capacitor 42 is connected to the circuit board 46 via at least one connector 70. The circuit board assembly 44 includes a pair of mounting terminals (one shown); positive mounting clamp 72 and negative mounting clamp (not shown), each of which is connected to a respective connector 70. Figs. 5-9 are described with reference to positive mounting clamp 72. However, it should be understood that the connection to the negative mounting clamp system (not shown) and the corresponding connector 70 are similar to those for positive mounting clamp 72 as described below, unless otherwise indicated.

[0033] As best shown in Figs. 5-9, the connector 70 includes a main riser 74 and an elongated portion 76 that generally extends over a section in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main riser 74, although this is not required . Example 70 is made of a single piece of copper. However, it should be understood that the connector 70 may be formed of any other suitable material such as copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum alloy or any other material suitable to support the capacitor 42 and create an electrically conductive path between the circuit board 46 and the capacitor 42.

[0034] The connector 70 can act as a heat sink and reduce heat from the circuit board 46 and / or the capacitor 42. This leads to the protection of the circuit board 46 and allows the components 40 connected to it to operate at a lower temperature compared to when the capacitor 42

53 / 59P33406EN00 is directly connected to the circuit board 46. As a result, many capacitors 42 can be bus-connected as illustrated in Figs. 4a and 4b, and / or can be placed closer together on the circuit board 46 than would be possible otherwise. In addition, this configuration minimizes the inductance when positioning the circuit board assembly 44. It should be noted that at least one circuit board configuration 46 may comprise a thick copper substrate on which other layers and components are placed.

[0035] The main riser 74 includes a connector channel 78 formed therein. The elongate portion 76 projects from one end of the main riser 74 and includes a clamp channel 80 formed therein.

[0036] The connector channel 78 is formed so that the connector 82, such as a pin or other connecting device, can be disposed therein to connect the connector 70 to the capacitor 42, either directly or by means of the optional component mounting 84, which, on the example could be made of a different material than the connector 70. The connector 70 can optionally be attached to the capacitor 42 by means of clamps, screws, mandrels or any other mechanism suitable for the electrical connection of the connector 70 to the capacitor 42. In addition, as illustrated, the connector 82 provides an optional first positive connection 86 so that one or more the number of leads may be mounted on top of the connector 70 for electrical connection to the plate 46 and / or capacitor 42. Additionally or alternatively, an optional washer may be placed between the end of the connector 82 and the surface of the connector 70.

[0037] The terminal channel 80 is formed so that the terminal 72 can be placed therein printed circuit board 46 to the connector 70 to mount the board and the electrical connection of the capacitor 42 to the circuit board 46. The terminal 72 can be

53 / 59P33406EN00 attached to connector 70 by means of a pin, clamp, screw, mandrel or any other mechanism suitable for electrically connecting the printed circuit board 46 to connector 70. In addition, as illustrated, the connection with terminal 72 can provide an optional second positive connection 88 so that one or more leads may be mounted on top of the connector 70 for electrical connection to the circuit board 46 and / or capacitor 42. It should be understood that the connector 70 associated with the negative mounting terminal (not shown) may also have a similar first and second negative connection connection such that one or more leads may be mounted on top of the connector 70 associated with the negative mounting terminal (not shown) for electrical connection to the plate 46 and / or capacitor 42. Additionally or alternatively an optional washer may be placed between the end of terminal 72 and the surface of the connector 70. [0038] As illustrated in Fig. 5, for the positive mounting terminal 72, the current "I" flows in a direction from the capacitor 42 along the main riser 74 and / or the connector 82, through the elongated portion 76 and to the positive mounting terminal 72. In the case of a negative mounting clamp (not shown), the current will flow in the exact opposite direction of the positive mounting clamp 72. In the illustrated embodiment, the "I" current flow in the positive mounting terminal 72 occurs between the elongated portion 76 and to the surface of the circuit board 46.

[0039] During assembly, the terminal 72 can be connected to the "C" side of the circuit board component 46, together with the desired components 40. When the terminal 72 is connected to the circuit board 46, the main riser 74 protrudes beyond the surface of the circuit board 46, the portion elongated 76 is raised above the surface of the circuit board 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the main riser 74 extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the circuit board 46, wherein

The elongated portion 76 extends substantially parallel to the surface of the circuit board 46.

[0040] The circuit board 46 can optionally be covered with a coating material 90. Next, the capacitor 42 and the connector 70 can then be connected to the circuit board 46.

[0041] Alternatively, parts of the circuit board 46 can be separated by partitions as required, the circuit board 46 can be covered with coating material 90, and the terminal 72 and other components 66 can then be connected to the capacitor 42 and the connector 70. In addition, as an alternative, terminal 72, and therefore connector 70, can be mounted on the "S" side of the soldering board 46, so that the capacitor 42 can be located on the S side of the soldering, and thus allow connection to the "C" side of the component from minimum distance.

[0042] When the connector 70 is connected to the circuit board 46, the main riser 74 protrudes beyond the surface of the circuit board 46, the elongated portion 76 being raised above the surface of the circuit board 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the main riser 74 extends substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the circuit board 46, the elongated portion 76 projecting substantially parallel to the surface of the circuit board 46.

[0043] It should be noted that in one set the connections with the terminal 72 can be made with more force than the connections with the connector 82. For example, the connector 82 can be tightened with a tightening torque of 10 to 15 inch-pounds, while the terminal can be tightened with a tightening torque of 50 inch-pounds or more.

[0044] As with normal operation, the connector 70 may limit the absorption of unwanted heat by the circuit board 46 during assembly. The main riser 74 and elongated portion 76 interrupt the absorption of heat from

53/59 P33406EN00 capacitor 42, through the circuit board 46. In addition, since many capacitors 42 can be connected to each other by bus, and they can be placed relatively close together on the circuit board 46, it is believed that many connectors 70 can be mounted together relatively close yourself during assembly.

[0045] Although the principles and modes of operation have been explained and illustrated with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the invention may be implemented in a different way than that explained and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the attached reservations.

Referrals:

[0046] welding environment welding system workpiece welding gun power supply welding wire feed controller 22 power controller user interface 26 welding work area 28 cabinet base access panel control panel side panels electronic components capacitors printed circuit board assembly

53 / 59P33406EN00 other components positive connector mounting clamp main ascending part elongated part connector channel clamp channel connector optional component fastening first positive connection 88 second positive connection 90 coating material

C component side

S side of soldering

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