DESCRIPTION

WELDING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a welding device including a welding power source and a welding condition setting device for allowing a welding operator to set welding conditions in the welding power source. More specifically, the invention relates to a welding device that allows an operator to fix welding conditions stored in the welding power source or to release the fixation, thereby enabling or disabling the changing of the welding conditions.

BACKGROUND ART

Arc welding should be performed under welding conditions suitable for workpieces to be welded. When the workpieces are high-mix, low-volume products, welding conditions need to be set every time a different workpiece is loaded for welding. In such a case, a welding operator may perform welding while keeping a welding condition setting device close at hand. If the operator touches the device unintentionally, the welding conditions can be changed against the operator's intention.

Automatic welding devices including welding robots usually perform welding under the same welding conditions for a plurality of workpieces of the same shape. In such cases, the welding conditions are fixed and not changed during the welding process.

To achieve stable weld quality, welding conditions are often fixed to prevent an operator from changing them. According to conventional methods for fixing welding conditions, a welding device is equipped with a key switch or a password input unit so that the changing of the welding conditions can be disabled unless the operator turns on the key switch or enters a password.

Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration view of conventional welding device 100. In Fig. 4, welding device 100 includes welding condition setting device 2 for allowing an operator to set welding conditions; and welding power source 3, which is connected to device 2 and provides a welding output. Welding power source 3 includes key switch 19 for allowing an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation, thereby enabling or disabling the changing of the welding conditions.

The operation of welding device 100 will now be described with reference to Fig. 4. Device 100 includes welding power source 3, which includes power conversion unit 16, welding current detecting unit 17, welding control unit 14, and welding voltage detecting unit 18. Welding power source 3 receives electric power from commercial power supply 15, which is single or three phase. Power conversion unit 16 performs output control such as inverter control, thereby outputting a welding voltage and a welding current suitable for welding. Welding current detecting unit 17 detects the welding current and outputs a welding current detection signal to welding control unit 14. Welding voltage detecting unit 18 detects the welding voltage and outputs a welding voltage detection signal to welding control unit 14. Welding control unit 14 generates a welding control signal required for controlling the welding output based on the welding current detection signal, the welding voltage detection signal, and a welding condition setting signal, which will be described later. Welding control unit 14 then outputs the welding control signal to power conversion unit 16. Upon receiving the welding control signal, power conversion unit 16 provides a welding output suitable for the set welding conditions.

A method of setting welding conditions will now be described as follows. Prior to the setting of welding conditions, the operator releases the fixing of the welding conditions by using key switch 19. Welding condition setting device 2 includes welding current setting unit 6 for allowing an operator to set a welding current setting value, and welding voltage setting unit 7 for allowing an operator to set a welding voltage setting value. Welding current setting unit 6 outputs a welding current setting signal indicating the welding current setting value to welding condition storage unit 13 of welding power source 3. Welding voltage setting unit 7 outputs a welding voltage setting signal indicating the welding voltage setting value to welding condition storage unit 13. Welding power source 3 further includes welding method setting unit 10, integrated/individual setting unit 11, and wire setting unit 12. Welding method setting unit 10 allows an operator to set a welding method such as CO2 welding (CO2 gas arc welding) or MAG welding, and outputs a welding method setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13. Integrated/individual setting unit 11 allows an operator to set welding conditions either integratedly or individually, and outputs a integrated/individual setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13. Wire setting unit 12 allows an operator to set the type of the wire such as solid wire or flux-cored wire, and the diameter of the wire, and outputs a wire setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13. Welding condition storage unit 13
generates welding conditions based on the welding method setting signal, the integrated/individual setting signal, the wire setting signal, the welding current setting signal, the welding voltage setting signal, and other signals. Welding condition storage unit 13 then outputs a welding condition setting signal to welding control unit 14.

Key switch 19 of welding power source 3 is a switch that can be actuated when an operator inserts and turns a key. When turned to a position to fix the conditions, key switch 19 outputs a key switch command signal to welding condition storage unit 13, thereby fixing the welding conditions. When the welding conditions are fixed, the operator pulls out key switch 19, thereby making it impossible to release the fixation of the welding conditions. After the operator fixes the welding conditions by using key switch 19, welding condition storage unit 13 does not receive any user input to change the welding conditions, thereby disabling the changing of the welding conditions. On the other hand, when the operator inserts the key into key switch 19 and turns to the position to release the fixation of the welding conditions, the output of the key switch command signal is stopped, thereby releasing the fixation of the welding conditions.

Thus, according to conventional welding device 100, the welding operator can temporarily disable the changing of welding conditions by turning key switch 19 to a predetermined position, or can disable the changing of welding conditions by pulling out key switch 19 (see, for example, Patent Literature 1).
Conventional welding device 100 in which an operator fixes welding conditions by using key switch 19 has problems, however, that key switch 19 itself is expensive, and that it is troublesome for the
operator having a plurality of welding devices 100 to manage a plurality of keys.

On the other hand, in the case of fixing welding conditions by using a password, welding power source 3 is required to include a password setting unit, a password display unit, and other units, making the user interface complicated.

Citation List
Patent Literature
PTL 1: Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2007-210007

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to provide a welding device that allows an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation by a simple and inexpensive structure.

In order to solve the aforementioned problems, the welding device of the present invention includes a welding power source, and a welding condition setting device to allow an operator to set welding conditions in the welding power source. The welding condition setting device is detachable from the welding power source. The welding condition setting device includes a first welding condition setting device to allow an operator to set welding conditions in the welding power source. The welding power source includes a connection detection unit to detect whether the welding condition setting device is connected with the welding power source; a second welding condition setting device to allow an operator to set welding conditions; and a welding condition storage unit to store the welding conditions set in at least one of the first and second welding-condition setting units. At least one of the welding condition setting device and the welding power source includes a welding condition enable/disable setting unit to allow an operator to enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit. The welding power source determines whether the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first and second welding-condition setting units is enabled or disabled, based on the output of the connection detection unit and the output of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit.

With this structure, it can be determined whether the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first and second welding-condition setting units is enabled or disabled based on the output of the connection detection unit and the output of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit. To disable the changing of welding conditions can prevent the welding conditions from being changed when the welding operator does not want to allow changing them. This achieves a welding device that allows an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation by a simple and inexpensive structure.

BRIEF DESDRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration view of a welding device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration view of another welding device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration view of further another welding device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a schematic configuration view of a conventional welding device.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described as follow with reference to drawings. In the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may not be repeated.

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration view of welding device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration view of welding device 21 of the first embodiment. Welding device 21 of Fig. 2 where welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is included in welding power source 3 differs from welding device 1 of Fig. 1 where welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is included in welding condition setting device 2. Fig. 3 is a schematic configuration view of welding device 31 according to the first embodiment. In welding device 31 of Fig. 3, welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is contained both in welding condition setting device 2 and in welding power source 3 unlike welding devices 1 and 21 of Figs. 1 and 2, respectively.

Welding device 1 of Fig. 1 includes welding power source 3 to provide a welding output, and welding condition setting device 2 to allow an operator to set welding conditions in welding power source 3.

Welding condition setting device 2 is detachably connected to welding power source 3 by a connector or other devices.

Welding condition setting device 2 includes first welding-condition setting unit 4, and welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. First welding-condition setting unit 4 allows an operator to set welding conditions. Welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 allows an operator to enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions, and outputs a welding condition enable/disable setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13 of welding power source 3, which will be described later. First welding-condition setting unit 4 includes welding current setting unit 6 and welding voltage setting unit 7. Welding current setting unit 6 allows an operator to set a welding current, and outputs a welding current setting signal to wolding condition storage unit 13. Welding voltage setting unit 7 allows an operator to set a welding voltage, and outputs a welding voltage setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13.
Welding power source 3 includes connection detection unit 8, second welding-condition setting unit 9, and welding condition storage unit 13.

Connection detection unit 8 detects whether welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3, and outputs a connection detection signal to welding condition storage unit 13. The connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 is detected, for example, by detecting the electric connection therebetween.

Second welding-condition setting unit 9 includes welding method setting unit 10, integrated/individual setting unit 11, and wire setting unit 12. Welding method setting unit 10 allows an operator to set a welding method. Integrated/individual setting unit 11 allows an operator to set welding conditions either integratedly or individually, and outputs a integrated/individual selection signal to welding condition storage unit 13 when welding method setting unit 10 outputs a welding method setting signal indicating C02 welding, MAG welding, or other welding method to welding condition storage unit 13. Wire setting unit 12 allows an operator to set the type of the wire such as solicLwire or flux-cored wire, and the diameter of .the wire, and outputs a wire setting signal to welding condition storage unit 13.

Welding condition storage unit 13 generates welding conditions based on the welding method setting signal, the integrated/individual selection signal, the wire setting signal, the welding current setting signal, the welding voltage setting signal, and other signals. Welding condition storage unit 13 then outputs a welding condition setting signal to welding control unit 14.

The operation of welding device 1 thus structured will now be described as follows.

The following is a case where welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3 and where welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is set so as to enable the changing of the welding conditions.

When welding condition setting device 2 is attached or connected to welding power source 3, connection detection unit 8 outputs a connection detection signal to welding condition storage unit 13. As a result, welding condition storage unit 13 recognizes the connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3. In other words, welding power source 3 recognizes the connection. It is assumed that welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 of welding condition setting device 2 is set so as to enable the changing of the welding conditions. In this case, this enables the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 of welding condition setting device 2 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3. As a result, the changes in the welding conditions made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 become effective. Welding condition storage unit 13 then sequentially stores the changes made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 to welding condition storage unit 13.

Thus, when welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3, and welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is set so as to enable the changing of the welding conditions, the welding operator can change the welding conditions.

These changes in the welding conditions are stored in welding condition storage unit 13, and welding device 1 shown in Fig. 1 performs welding under the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13. Thus, welding control unit 14 acquires a welding output including the welding current and the welding voltage from welding current detecting unit 17 and welding voltage detecting unit 18. Welding control unit 14 then controls power conversion unit 16 to output a predetermined welding output based on the above-described welding conditions. Then, welding output unit 20 outputs a predetermined welding output.

Welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is composed of an inexpensive member such as a push button switch or a toggle switch. The welding conditions can be changed or unchanged either by repeatedly pushing a push button switch or by changing the direction in which the lever of the toggle switch is tilted.

The following is a description of a case where welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3 and where welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 of welding condition setting device 2 is set so as to disable the changing of the welding conditions.

When welding condition setting device 2 is attached or electrically connected to welding power source 3, connection detection unit 8 outputs a connection detection signal to welding condition storage unit 13. As a result, welding power source 3 recognizes the connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3. It is assumed that welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is set so as to disable the changing of the welding conditions. In this case, this disables the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9. As a result, the changes in the welding conditions made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 become ineffective. Welding condition storage unit 13 maintains a welding condition storing signal. Even if the welding operator tries to change the welding conditions by using at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9, the changing of the welding conditions is disabled, so that the welding conditions are not changed.

This case corresponds to the state where the welding conditions are temporarily fixed so as to disable the changing. When welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3, and welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 of welding condition setting device 2 is set so as to disable the changing of the welding conditions, the welding operator cannot change the welding conditions.

The fixation of welding conditions can be released when welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 switches the setting of changing the welding conditions from disable to enable. In the case that welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is a push button switch, the setting of changing the welding conditions can be switched from disable to enable by pushing the push button switch.

The following is a description of a case where welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3.

When welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, connection detection unit 8 does not output a connection detection signal to welding condition storage unit 13. The connection detection signal indicates the connection of welding condition setting device 2 with welding power source 3. As a result, welding condition storage unit 13 recognizes the separation between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3. In other words, welding power source 3 including welding condition storage unit 13 recognizes the separation. In this case, welding condition storage unit 13 disables the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3. As a result, the changes in the welding conditions made by second welding-condition setting unit 9 become ineffective. Welding condition storage unit 13 maintains the welding condition storing signal, so that the welding conditions are not changed.

In welding device 1 of the first embodiment, first welding-condition setting unit 4 of welding condition setting device 2 can be physically excluded from welding power source 3 by detaching welding condition setting device 2 from welding power source 3. In this case, the welding operator cannot change the welding conditions by using first welding-condition setting unit 4.

Welding power source 3 includes second welding-condition setting unit 9 to allow an operator to set or changing welding conditions. However, if connection detection unit 8 outputs to welding condition storage unit 13 a signal indicating that welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, welding condition storage unit 13 does not allow changing the welding conditions in spite of receipt of a signal from second welding-condition setting unit 9 that requests to change the welding conditions.

Thus, when welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, the operator cannot change the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 by using second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3. In this case, the operator cannot also change the welding conditions by using first welding-condition setting unit 4 of welding condition setting
device 2 because it is not connected with welding power source 3. Thus, when welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 is disabled regardless of the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5.

As described hereinbefore, simply detecting a signal indicating the absence of electric connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 can prevent the welding conditions from being changed when the welding operator does not intend to do so.

Even when welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, welding can be performed without raising errors. This allows welding device 1 to perform welding under the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13.

Conventional welding device 100 is configured to perform welding only when welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 are in connection with each other. In other words, welding device 100 cannot perform welding if the connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 is released.

Welding device 1 of the first embodiment, on the other hand, can perform welding even after the connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 is released. The releasing of the connection between welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 can disable the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13. As a result, welding can be performed under the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13.

As a result, welding device 1 can cope with cases where welding is performed under the same welding conditions or where the welding operator is not allowed to change welding conditions.

Thus, welding device 1 of the first embodiment includes welding power source 3, and welding condition setting device 2 to allow an operator to set welding conditions in welding power source 3. Welding condition setting device 2 is detachable from welding power source 3. Welding condition setting device 2 includes first welding-condition setting unit 4 to allow an operator to set welding conditions in welding power source 3. Welding power source 3 includes connection detection unit 8, second welding-condition setting unit 9, and welding condition storage unit 13. Connection detection unit 8 detects whether welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3. Second welding-condition setting unit 9 allows an operator to set welding conditions. Welding condition storage unit 13 stores the welding conditions that are set in at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9. At least one of welding condition setting device 2 and welding power source 3 includes welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 to allow an operator to enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13. Welding power source 3 determines whether the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 is enabled or disabled, based on the output of connection detection unit 8 and the output of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5.

With this structure, whether the changing of the welding conditions is enabled or disabled can be determined easily and inexpensively by a combination of the connection detection signal from connection detection unit 8 and the welding conditions enable/disable setting signal from welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. This achieves welding device 1 that allows an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation by a simple and inexpensive structure.

When welding device 1 is used while welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3, the operator can enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions only by operating welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. In the case of performing welding while keeping welding condition setting device 2 close at hand, the welding operator can easily select whether to enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions, thereby fixing the welding conditions temporarily and easily. To disable the changing of the welding conditions prevents the welding conditions from being unintondedly changed even if the welding operator accidentally touches welding condition setting device 2.

In welding device 1 of the first embodiment, even when welding condition setting device 2 is not
connected with welding power source 3, welding can be performed based on the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13. Thus, welding can be performed based on the welding conditions even if welding condition setting device 2 is accidentally pulled out of welding power source 3 or the connection wire is broken. This prevents interruption of a welding operation or poor weld, thereby reducing parts loss.

As described above, welding can be performed based on the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 even when welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3. This allows the number of welding condition setting device 2 to be smaller than the number of welding power source 3, thereby reducing the cost.

When welding condition setting device 2 is brought into connection with welding power source 3, the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 can be disabled based on the output signal of connection detection unit 8, regardless of the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. This prevents accidental change of the welding conditions when welding condition setting device 2 is brought into connection with welding power source 3, thereby preventing misoperation. The disabling of the changing of the welding conditions can be released by switching the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 from disable to enable, or from enable to disable and back again to enable.

Welding power source 3 of welding device 1 includes an unillustrated start-up switch such as a circuit breaker. At the time of starting welding power source 3, the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 may be disabled, based on the output signal of the start-up switch, regardless of the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. These welding conditions have been stored by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9.

This prevents misoperation such as the unintended change of the welding conditions when the welding operator accidentally touches welding condition setting device 2 to start welding device 1. The disabling of the changing of the welding conditions can be released by switching the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 from disable to enable, or from enable to disable and back again to enable.
Welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 may be disposed only in welding condition sotting device 2 as shown in Fig. 1, only in welding power source 3 as shown in Fig. 2, or in both of them as shown in Fig. 3. Welding devices 1, 21, and 31 shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, respectively, have the same functions and fundamental operations and differ only in the location and number of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5.

The setting units included in first welding-condition setting unit 4 of welding condition setting device 2 and in second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3 may be disposed either in first welding-condition setting unit 4 or in second welding-condition setting unit 9. However, at least one of the setting units may be disposed in second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3.
For example, first welding-condition setting unit 4 of welding condition setting device 2 may have the function of setting a welding current and a welding voltage as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, whereas second welding-condition setting unit 9 of welding power source 3 may have the function of setting the welding conditions except welding current and welding voltage. Making welding condition setting device 2 have
a small number of functions can miniaturize its size, so that the welding operator can carry it more easily.
In welding devices 1, 21, and 31 of the present invention, welding power source 3 includes welding output unit 20 to output a welding output, and welding control unit 14 to control welding output unit 20 based on the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13. When welding condition setting device 2 is detached from welding power source 3, welding power source 3 maintains the changes in the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 as disabled changes, regardless of the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. Welding power source 3 may be configured to perform welding based on the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 even when welding condition setting device 2 is detached from welding power source 3.

This prevents welding conditions from being changed, thereby allowing welding to be performed under the stored welding conditions without interruption.

It is assumed that welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3 and that welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is set so as to enable the changing the welding conditions.

In this case, this enables the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9. Next, it is assumed that welding condition setting device 2 is connected with welding power source 3 and that welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5 is set so as to disable the changing of the welding conditions. In this case, this disables the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9. When welding condition setting device 2 is not connected with welding power source 3, it is possible to disable the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9.
With this structure, it can be determined whether the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 is enabled or disabled based on the output of connection detection unit 8 and the output of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5. To disable the changing of welding conditions can prevent the welding conditions from being changed when the welding operator does not want to change them. This achieves a welding device that allows an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation by a simple and inexpensive structure.

When welding condition setting device 2 is brought into connection with welding power source 3, it is possible to disable the changing of the welding conditions stored in welding condition storage unit 13 made by at least one of first welding-condition setting unit 4 and second welding-condition setting unit 9 regardless of the setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit 5.

This structure prevents welding conditions from being changed when the welding operator does not want to allow them to be changed.

This achieves a welding device that allows an operator to fix welding conditions or to release the fixation by a simple and inexpensive structure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The welding device of the present invention can fix welding conditions or release the fixation so as to enable or disable the changing of the welding conditions by combining the connection status between the welding condition setting device and the welding power source and the setting of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit. This welding device is industrially useful because it can perform safe and efficient welding even if it happens during welding that the welding operator does not want to allow the changing of the welding conditions.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

1, 21, 31 welding device
2 welding condition setting device
3 welding power source
4 first welding-condition setting unit
5 welding condition enable/disable setting unit
6 welding current setting unit
7 welding voltage setting unit
8 connection detection unit
9 second welding-condition setting unit
10 welding method setting unit
11 integrated/individual setting unit
12 wire setting unit
13 welding condition storage unit
14 welding control unit
15 commercial power supply
16 power conversion unit
17 welding current detecting unit
18 welding voltage detecting unit
19 key switch
20 welding output unit

CLAIMS

1. A welding device comprising a welding power source, and a welding condition setting device to allow an operator to set welding conditions in the welding power source, wherein the welding condition setting device is detachable from the welding power source;

the welding condition setting device includes:

a first welding-condition setting unit to allow an operator to set welding conditions in the welding power source; the welding power source includes:

a connection detection unit to detect whether the welding condition setting device is connected with the welding power source;

a second welding-condition setting unit to allow an operator to set welding conditions; and

a welding condition storage unit to store the welding conditions set in at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit;

at least one of the welding condition setting device and the welding power source includes a welding condition enable/disable setting unit to allow an operator to enable or disable changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit;

the welding power source determines whether the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the
second welding-condition setting unit is enabled or disabled, based on an output of the connection detection unit and an output of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit.

2. The welding device of claim 1, wherein

when the welding condition setting device is not connected with the welding power source, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by the second welding-condition setting unit of the welding power source is disabled regardless of a setting of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit.

3. The welding device of one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the welding power source includes:
a welding output unit to output a welding output; a welding control unit to control the welding output unit based on the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit;

when the welding condition setting device is detached from the welding power source, the welding power source maintains changes in the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit as disabled changes, regardless of a setting of welding condition enable/disable setting unit; and

the welding power source performs welding based on the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit even when the welding condition setting device is detached from the welding power source.

4. The welding device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

when the welding condition setting device is connected with the welding power source, and the welding condition enable/disable setting unit is set so as to enable the changing of the welding conditions, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit is enabled;

when the welding condition setting device is connected with the welding power source, and the welding condition enable/disable setting unit is set so as to disable the changing of the welding conditions, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit is disabled; and

when the welding condition setting device is not connected with the welding power source, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit is disabled.

5. The welding device of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein

when the welding condition setting device is brought into connection with the welding power source, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit is disabled regardless of the setting of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit.

6. The welding device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein

the welding power source includes a start-up switch to start the welding power source, and

at a time of starting the welding power source, the changing of the welding conditions stored in the welding condition storage unit made by at least one of the first welding-condition setting unit and the second welding-condition setting unit is disabled regardless of the setting of the welding condition enable/disable setting unit.

7. The welding device of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein

the first welding-condition setting unit of the welding condition setting device has a function of setting a welding current and a welding voltage; and

the second welding-condition setting unit of the welding power source has a function of setting welding conditions except the welding current and the welding voltage.