WO2023193575A1

WO2023193575A1 - Water-proof auto-darkening filter and welding helmet equipped with the same

Info

Publication number: WO2023193575A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/081278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wei Sun; Mengjiao CAI
Original assignee: Tecmen Electronics Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-06
Filing date: 2023-03-14
Publication date: 2023-10-12
Also published as: CN217467412U

Abstract

A water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) and a welding helmet (10) which equipped with the water-proof auto-darkening filter (200).The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) comprising: a frame configured to include a first frame part (241) and a second frame part (242) which can be assembled together; and a liquid panel (210), a solar cell panel (220), and a photoelectric sensor (230) which are received by the frame, wherein a first sealing interface is provided between the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) such that when the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) are assembled together, the first sealing interface is invisible outside the frame, the first sealing interface is defined by a seal strip (250) provided in one of a peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and a peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242) and a stepped face (2413a,2423a) provided in the other of the peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and the peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242), the seal strip (250) is configured to be compressed when it is in contact with the stepped face (2413a,2423a), each of the peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and the peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242) is formed with a notch (2414,2424), such that when the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) are assembled together, the notches (2414,2424) of the peripheral walls (2413,2423) define a lateral port of the frame, a plug (290), about which an annular seal (400) is sleeved, is insertable in the lateral port such that the annular seal (400) is compressible to contact the frame to define a second sealing interface, and the first sealing interface at least partially overlaps the second sealing interface to prevent water or moisture from entering an interior of the frame.

Description

Water-Proof Auto-Darkening Filter and Welding Helmet Equipped with the Same

Technical field

The present application generally relates to a water-proof auto-darkening filter and a welding helmet equipped with the water-proof auto-darkening filter.

Background

An auto-darkening filter (or sometimes called as ADF) is a device configured to prevent eyes of a welding person from hurts caused by welding arcs on a welding site. The auto-darkening filter is installed on a welding helmet such that after the welding helmet is worn by the welding person, the auto-darkening filter is substantially in front of and adjacent to the eyes of the welding person. The auto-darkening filter generally comprises an installation frame, and a liquid panel, a solar cell panel, a photoelectric sensor and a control circuit or the like which are installed in the installation frame. When a welding arc is detected by the photoelectric sensor, the liquid panel can operate so as to switch rapidly from a transparent state to a dark state, so as to prevent bright light caused by the welding arc from directly hitting the welding person's eyes.

The control circuit of the auto-darkening filter is for example powered by a button battery releasably installed in the frame such that the auto-darkening filter can achieve various functions. Due to relatively poor working conditions of the welding site, for example due to the fact that the welding site may be relatively hot and humid, when the welding person has worn the welding helmet on his or her head to carry out welding operations, sweat on his or her head or ambient moisture may be collected on an inner wall of the welding helmet and then may move or flow along eyebrows or hair of the welding person to contact or perhaps wet the installation frame of the auto-darkening filter. As electronic devices such as the liquid panel, the solar cell panel, the photoelectric sensor, the control circuit or the like are installed in the installation frame of the auto-darkening filter, the sweat or ambient moisture if entering an interior of the installation frame will affect normal functions of the electronic devices such that the eyes of the welding person may be hurt by the welding arc.

Additionally, as the button battery is releasably installed in the frame by a bracket, water-proof performance between the bracket and the frame will also affect the operational reliability of the auto-darkening filter.

In conventional auto-darkening filters, water-proof or sweat-proof design is usually rarely considered. Even the releasable bracket for installing the button battery is rarely designed to be water-proof or sweat-proof in case of meeting the requirements of releasable installation.

Summary

In order to solve the issues mentioned above, the present application is aimed at proposing a novel auto-darkening filter which is water-proof or sweat-proof and can be reliably operated under a humid or wetted condition and can be easily manufactured.

According to an aspect of the present application, a water-proof auto-darkening filter is proposed, comprising:

a frame configured to include a first frame part and a second frame part which can be assembled together; and

a liquid panel, a solar cell panel, and a photoelectric sensor which are received by the frame, wherein

a first sealing interface is provided between the first frame part and the second frame part such that when the first frame part and the second frame part are assembled together, the first sealing interface is invisible outside the frame,

the first sealing interface is defined by a seal strip provided in one of a peripheral wall of the first frame part and a peripheral wall of the second frame part and a stepped face provided in the other of the peripheral wall of the first frame part and the peripheral wall of the second frame part, the seal strip is configured to be compressed when it is in contact with the stepped face,

each of the peripheral wall of the first frame part and the peripheral wall of the second frame part is formed with a notch, such that when the first frame part and the second frame part are assembled together, the notches of the peripheral walls define a lateral port of the frame,

a plug, about which an annular seal is sleeved, is insertable in the lateral port such that the annular seal is compressible to contact the frame to define a second sealing interface, and

the first sealing interface at least partially overlaps the second sealing interface to prevent water or moisture from entering an interior of the frame.

Since the seal strip is provided in one frame part, the first sealing interface can be generated by directly snap-fitting the two frame parts together. This can avoid additionally arranging a separate seal strip or applying a liquid sealant on an assembling site. Therefore, assembly time can be saved and the water-proof tightness and reliability of the interior of the assembled frame can be improved. The design of the second sealing interface can guarantee both the accessibility and the water-proof tightness of the interior of the frame of the auto-darkening filter.

In an embodiment, a tongue-and-groove joint structure is formed between the seal strip and the respective peripheral wall, and the seal strip is formed on the respective peripheral wall via an over-molding process.

The tongue-and-groove structure can facilitate securing the seal strip in the respective frame part such that the water-proof tightness and reliability of the interior of the frame can be guaranteed after the two frame parts are assembled together.

In an embodiment, each of a side wall of the first frame part and a side wall of the second frame part is formed with two bulges spaced from each other, when the first frame part and the second frame part are assembled together, the side walls faces each other and the bulges of one of the side walls contact the bulges of the other of the side walls respectively to define a channel between the side walls and the bulges, and when the plug is inserted through the lateral port, the annular seal is compressed by and contacts an inner wall of the channel.

In an embodiment, an annular groove is formed in the plug and is configured to receive the annular seal.

In an embodiment, the plug comprises a first segment of a greater cross-section and a second segment of a less cross-section, and the annular groove is formed in the second segment.

In an embodiment, the annular seal comprises an annular base held in the annular groove and an annular flank extending radially outwards from the annular base, and the annular seal is configured to contact the frame via the annular flank only.

In an embodiment, the annular flank comprises two annular flanks spaced from each other, and each of the annular flanks is configured such that at least a portion of the annular flanks is gradually thinned as it is gradually radially remote from the annular base.

The existence of the annular flanks can guarantee the water-proof tightness of the interior of the channel. Moreover, the annular flanks are configured such that it is easy for the plug to be inserted into or withdrawn from the lateral port or channel. This can facilitate accessibility of the interior of the frame or the channel.

In an embodiment, in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip, the seal strip is provided on at least a portion of the bulges such that the respective bulges are able to contact each other via the seal strip to define a portion of the first sealing interface.

In an embodiment, a bracket is configured to be releasably insertable in the channel of the frame through the lateral port before the plug is inserted through the lateral port.

In an embodiment, the bracket is configured to carry a button battery of the water-proof auto-darkening filter.

In an embodiment, in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip, the seal strip is configured to have a contact side for contacting the stepped face, the contact side is substantially parallel to the side wall of the respective frame part, and in the respective frame part formed with the stepped face, the stepped face is substantially parallel to the respective frame part.

In an embodiment, in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip, the seal strip is configured to have a contact side for contacting the stepped face, the contact side is at a non-zero angle relative to the side wall of the respective frame part, and in the respective frame part formed with the stepped face, the stepped face is at the same non-zero angle relative to the respective frame part.

The non-zero angle of the contact side and the stepped face is advantageous in that the area of the second sealing interface between them can be further increased so as to improve the water-proof tightness of the interior of the frame.

In an embodiment, each of the side wall of the first frame part and the side wall of the second frame part is formed with several projections, and the projections of the first frame part and the projections of the second frame part are configured such that when the first and second frame parts are assembled together, the projections cooperate with each other to generate a force by which the first and second frame parts can be assembled together.

According to another aspect of the present application, a welding helmet is proposed, comprising:

a casing; and

the water-proof auto-darkening filter as mentioned above, wherein the water-proof auto-darkening filter is releasably installed in an opening of the casing via a holder.

Using the technical measures of the present application, the frame of the auto-darkening filter can be easily manufactured and be reliably water-proof or sweat-proof. Furthermore, the releasable plug cooperating with the frame is also designed to be water-proof or sweat-proof, to improve the operational reliability of the auto-darkening filter.

Brief description of the drawings

The principle and other aspects of the present application be well understood in combination with the following drawings. It should be noted that the drawings may be given in different ratios, which however cannot be regarded to affect understanding to the present application. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a welding helmet equipped with an auto-darkening filter according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the auto-darkening filter according to the embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3 is an exploded and perspective view schematically illustrating the auto-darkening filter according to the embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a part of a frame of the auto-darkening filter;

Fig. 5 is an exploded and perspective view schematically illustrating how the auto-darkening filter is installed;

Fig. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a releasable bracket which is installed in the frame of the auto-darkening filter;

Fig. 7. is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the releasable bracket which is outside the auto-darkening filter; and

Fig. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a part of the frame of the auto-darkening filter.

Embodiments

In the drawings of the present application, those features of the same configuration or having the same or similar functions are represented by the same reference numerals respectively.

As shown by Fig. 1, a welding helmet 10 generally comprises a casing 20, an auto-darkening filter 200 installed in an opening of the casing 20, and a transparent protective sheet (not shown here) installed in the casing 20 in front of the auto-darkening filter 200. For instance, the auto-darkening filter 200 can be releasably in the opening of the casing 20 from inside the casing 20 via a holder. Furthermore, the casing 20 of the welding helmet 20 can be secured on a welding person's head via a headgear (not shown here) such that the auto-darkening filter 200, especially its liquid panel 210 is just in front of the welding person's eyes.

In addition to the liquid panel 210, the auto-darkening filter 200 also comprises a solar cell panel 220, a photoelectric sensor 230 (for instance, a pair of photoelectric sensors 230 being shown to be spaced from each other) , and a control circuit (not shown here) . These constituent parts of the auto-darkening filter 200 can be installed in a frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 as shown by Figs. 2 and 3. The frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 for example comprises two frame parts 241 and 242 which are jointed together. As shown by Figs. 3 and 5, each of the frame parts 241 and 242 is substantially rectangular. For instance, the frame part 241 can be a first frame part which is configured to face an interior of the welding helmet 10 surrounded by the casing 20 (or faces the headgear) after the auto-darkening filter 200 is installed in the casing 20 of the welding helmet 10 in place. The frame part 242 can be a second frame part which is configured to depart from the interior of the welding helmet 10 surrounded by the casing 20 (or depart from the headgear) after the auto-darkening filter 200 is installed in the casing 20 of the welding helmet 10 in place.

A first aperture 2421 and a second aperture 2422 are formed in the second frame part 242, and a first aperture 2411 is formed in the first frame part 241. After the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together in place, the first aperture 2411 aligns with the first aperture 2421 such that the liquid panel 210 installed in the frame can be exposed through the first apertures 2411 and 2421. The second aperture 2422 of the second frame part 242 is configured such that after the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together in place, the solar cell panel 220 in the frame can be exposed through the second aperture 2422. Furthermore, an operation panel 2412 is provided in the first frame part 241, for example aside from the first aperture 2411. For instance, the operation panel 2412 can be configured as a touchable or push-button operation panel by which operating parameters of the auto-darkening filter 200 such as SHADING, DELAY TIME or the like can be readily adjusted.

In order to ensure that the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 can be securely assembled together, several projections are formed in a side wall of the first frame part 241. These projections are distributed in the first frame part 241 in such a way that they will not affect installation of those electronic devices of the auto-darkening filter 200 in the frame. For instance, some of the projections of the first frame part 241 can be formed as hollow cylinders 241b extending vertically from the side wall and the other of the projections of the first frame part 241 can be formed as circular pillars 241a extending vertically from the same side wall. Opposite to the projections of the first frame part 241, several projections are also formed in a side wall of the second frame part 242. When the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are securely assembled together in place, the side wall of the first frame part 241 faces the side wall of the second frame part 242. The projections in the side wall of the second frame part 242 are formed such that they are complementary to the projections in the side wall of the first frame part 241. In this way, when the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are securely assembled together in place, the respective projections 242a of the second frame part 242 are insertable in the respective projections 241b of the first frame part 241 or the respective projections 242b of the second frame part 242 can receive the respective projections 241a of the first frame part 241 therein. It should be understood that the projections of the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 can form a tight fit therebetween. Therefore, the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 can be aligned with each other and assembled together to form the frame as shown by Fig. 2.

Each of the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 is integrally made of a plastic material. Besides the fitting manner as shown by the illustrated embodiment, other suitable manners by which the two plastic frame parts can be connected together can be adopted in the technical solutions of the present application. For instance, in an alternative embodiment, several claws are provided on a periphery of the first frame part 241 and several slots are provided in a periphery of the second frame part 242, which slots are configured to receive the claws so as to secure the first and second frame parts together. Furthermore, in an optional embodiment, ultrasonic welding can be additionally applied to secure the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 together.

The first frame part 241 is integrally formed with a peripheral wall 2413 (or called as a peripheral edge) along its periphery. The second frame part 242 is integrally formed with a peripheral wall 2423 (or called as a peripheral edge) along its periphery. The peripheral wall 2413 of the first frame part 241 and the peripheral wall 2423 of the second frame part 242 are configured such that when the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are securely assembled together in place, at least a portion of the peripheral wall 2423 can be hidden by the peripheral wall 2413. Figs. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views obtained along the line A-A of Fig. 2 which illustrates a part of the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200. As shown, the peripheral wall 2413 of the first frame part 241 extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the first frame part in which the projections are formed. The peripheral wall 2413 is undercut to have a stepped face 2413a. The stepped face 2413a is substantially planar. Opposite to the stepped face 2413a, the peripheral wall 2413 is formed with an exposed face 2413b. The peripheral wall 2423 of the second frame part 242 extends substantially perpendicular to the side wall of the second frame part 242 in which the projections are formed. The peripheral wall 2423 is also formed with an exposed face 2423b which however has a length of extension shorter than the exposed face 2413b. When the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together, the exposed faces 2413b and 2423b flush with each other and constitute an exposed surface of a peripheral wall of the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200. Moreover, the peripheral wall part of the first frame part 241, in which the exposed face 2413b is formed, is configured to at least partially cover or hide a respective part of the peripheral wall 2423 of the second frame part 242. Therefore, opposite to the exposed face 2423b, the second frame part 242 is also formed with a stepped face 2423a. This stepped face 2423a is more internal to the exposed face 2423b. Therefore, when the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together, the stepped face 2423a can be hidden by the first frame part 241 and thus its wear probably caused by foreign matters can be prevented. According to an embodiment of the present application, the peripheral wall of the first frame part 241 and the peripheral wall of the second frame part 242 can be designed such that when the first and second frame parts are assembled together, these peripheral walls are in at least partially contact with each other to provide a force by which the two frame parts can cooperate with each other.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the stepped face 2423a of the second frame part 242 is provided with a seal strip 250. For example, the seal strip 250 can be formed on the stepped face 2423a via an over-molding process. The seal strip 250 can be made of a rubber material which is softer than the plastic material. In order to increase bonding strength between the seal strip 250 and the second frame part 242, a tongue-and-groove joint structure can be formed between the seal strip 250 and the second frame part 242. For instance, as shown, a tongue line (or a tongue bar) of the seal strip 250 is embedded in a groove of the stepped face 2423a of the second frame part 242. The seal strip 250 is formed with a contact side which is configured to contact the stepped face 2413a of the first frame part 241 after the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together. For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be planar and be substantially perpendicular to the exposed face 2423b of the second frame part 242. In other words, the contact side is substantially parallel to the side wall of the second frame part 242. The first frame part 241, the second frame part 242, and the seal strip 250 can be sized such that when the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together, the seal strip 250 is slightly compressed and thus the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be pressed against the stepped face 2413a of the first frame part 241. In this way, a sealing interface can be formed between the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 to prevent water or sweat from entering the frame's interior.

According to a technical solution of the present application, provision of the seal strip 250 in the second frame part 242 is advantageous in that when the second frame part 242 being manufactured, the seal strip 250 together with the second frame part 242 can be manufactured as a semi-finished product. Therefore, by later assembling the second frame part 242 directly with the first frame part 241, the water-proof or sweat-proof frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 can be formed. After the second frame part 242 provided with the seal strip 250 is manufactured, the seal strip 250 can be directly observed to determine whether it is defective. Otherwise, if an independent seal strip (for example a rubber annular seal) is separately arranged between two frame parts (not like the present application) prior to assembling the two frame parts, the independent seal strip has to be made smaller because of the smaller size of the respective stepped face of the frame part. In this case, due to the smaller size of the independent seal strip, it is usually difficult to secure the independent seal strip in place, resulting in a poor sealing effect. Moreover, when the two frame parts are assembled, if the seal strip 250 according to the present application is not adopted and the two frame parts are applied with a liquid sealant therebetween, it is difficult to ensure that the liquid sealant can be evenly applied at an interface between the two frame parts, resulting in a poor sealing effect.

In the illustrated embodiment, the stepped face 2413a extends substantially perpendicular to the exposed face 2413b. In an alternative embodiment, in order to increase the sealing interface's sealing area, the stepped face 2413a can be designed to extend non-perpendicular to the exposed face 2413b such that the surface area of the stepped face 2413a can be increased. Correspondingly, the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be configured to extend in a way mating with the stepped face 2413a such that the surface area of the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be increased. For instance, the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be designed to be non-parallel to or at an acute angle or other non-zero angle relative to the side wall of the second frame part 242; and the stepped face 2413a of the first frame part 241 can be designed to be at the same acute angle or non-zero angle relative to the side wall of the first frame part 241. In an alternative embodiment, the seal strip 250 can be provided in the first frame part 241; and the stepped face for contacting the seal strip 250 can be provided in the second frame part 242. In an alternative embodiment, the contact side of the seal strip 250 can be curved; and correspondingly the stepped face for contacting the contact side can be oppositely curved.

Further as shown by Figs. 3 and 4, a notch 2414 is formed in the peripheral wall 2413 of the first frame part 241, and a notch 2424 is formed in the peripheral wall 2423 of the second frame part 242. The two notches 2414 and 2424 are positioned such that when the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together, the notches 2414 and 2424 are opposite to each other to form a lateral port of the frame. A bracket 260 is configured to be insertable into the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 through the lateral port 260. The bracket 260 is configured to carry a constituent part of the auto-darkening filter 200 therein. For instance, according to an embodiment of the present application, the bracket 260 can be configured to carry a button battery 300 of the auto-darkening filter 200. Therefore, after the bracket 260 carrying the button battery 300 therein is inserted in the lateral port of the frame in place, the control circuit of the auto-darkening filter 200 can be powered by the button battery 300 to operate.

Two bulges 271 and 272 are formed in the side wall of the second frame part 242 adjacent to the notch 2424. The two bulges 271 and 272 are configured to extend from two opposing edges of the notch 2424 respectively such that the bulges 271 and 272 are in continuity with the peripheral wall 2423. Two bulges 281 and 282 (visible in Fig. 4 only) are formed in the side wall of the first frame part 241 adjacent to the notch 2414. After the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 are assembled together, the bulges 271 and 281 and the bulges 272 and 282 contact each other at their respective free edges such that a channel is defined in the frame to receive the bracket 260. The bracket 260 is slidable in the channel. It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that the channel is surrounded by the side walls of the first and second frame parts 241 and 242 and the bulges 271, 272, 281, and 282. In a preferred embodiment, the respective free edges of the bulges 271 and 281 and/or 272 and 282 are provided with seal strips respectively, similar to the seal strip 250, to guarantee the water-proof tightness of the channel.

Because the bracket 260 is configured to be releasably insertable in the channel through the lateral port, a plug 290 can be provided for the lateral port of the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200. For instance, the plug 290 can be connected to the bracket 260. In an alternative embodiment, the plug 290 can be a separate piece independent from the bracket 260; in this case, after the bracket 260 is inserted in the frame, the plug 290 can be inserted in the channel of the frame through the lateral port to guarantee the water-proof tightness of the channel relative to the environment. For instance, a plug 290 independent from the bracket 260 is shown by Fig. 5. For clarity, the bulges 271, 272, 281 and 282 have been omitted from Fig. 5. Further as shown by Figs. 6 and 7, the plug 290 comprises a first segment 291 of a greater cross-section and a second segment 292 of a less cross-section. Here, the cross-section or its area of the segment is measured perpendicular to the plane where the drawing locates. No matter whether the first segment 291 or the second segment 292, the segment is sized such that its cross-section is less than a cross-section of the channel of the frame in which the plug 290 is insertable. Particularly, when the plug 290 is inserted in the channel of the frame through the lateral port in place, the second segment 292 of the less cross-section of the plug 290 is completely within the channel and the first segment 291 of the greater cross-section of the plug 290 is exposed via an exposed face 291a which flushes with the lateral part's edges of the frame. In this way, the overall appearance integrity of the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 can be guaranteed.

An annular groove 292a is formed in the second segment 292. This annular groove 292a can be formed in an outer surface of the second segment 292, which outer surface faces the side walls of the first and second frame parts and the bulges for defining the channel. The annular groove 292a is configured to receive an annular seal 400 which is sleeved about the segment 292. The annular seal 400 can be made of a rubber material which is softer than the plastic material of the frame or plug 290. For instance, the annular seal 400 is provided with an annular base 420, which is received in the annular groove 292a, and an annular flank 410 extending radially outwards from the annular base 420. Viewed in a direction along which the plug 290 is insertable into the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200, two annular flanks 410 are formed in the annular base 420 such that they are spaced from each other. The annular base 420 is sized such that when the annular seal 400 is being sleeved about the plug 290 from a free end of the second segment 292, slightly pulling the annular base 420 will distort it and thus its internal diameter will become greater, resulting in that the annular base 420 can be sleeved about the second segment 292. Thereafter, the annular base 420 can be moved or slid on the second segment 292 to a position where the annular groove 292a locates. There, the internal diameter of the annular base 420 will return to its original dimension such that the annular base 240 can be seated securely in the annular groove 292a finally and is immovable again. The annular flank or the annular flanks 410 are sized such that when the annular base 420 has been inserted in the plug 290 in place and before the plug 290 is not inserted in the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200, an outer contour of the annular flanks 410 is slightly greater than an internal cross-section of the channel surrounded by the side walls of the first and second frame parts and the bulges. In this way, when the plug 290 is inserted in the channel in place, the annular flanks 410 of the annular seal 400 will be slightly compressed and thus distorted to guarantee better water-proof tightness of the channel relative to the environment.

According to an embodiment of the present application, at least a portion of each annular seal 410 is configured such that the al least a portion is gradually thinned (as shown by Figs. 6 and 7) as it is gradually radially remote from the annular base 420. The thinned configuration is advantageous in that when the plug 290 is inserted in the channel of the frame, the annular flank 410 can be easily compressed and thus distorted to guarantee the water-proof tightness. In the meanwhile, when it is desirable to withdraw the plug 290 from the channel of the frame, the thinned annular flanks 410 will not result in that excessive resistance is applied onto the plug 290 and thus will facilitate withdrawing the plug 290. The annular flanks 410 are configured to be spaced from each other to ensure the water-proof tightness to the greatest extent.

According to an embodiment, a sealing interface between the annular flank or the annular flanks 410 and the channel of the frame (or an inner wall of the channel of the frame) overlaps the sealing interface between the first and second frame parts 241 and 242, such that the interior of the frame of the auto-darkening filter 200 is reliably water-proof or sweat-proof. In the illustrated embodiment, the plug 290 is shown as a separate piece independent from the bracket 260. In an alternative embodiment, after the plug 290 is installed with the annular seal 400, the plug 290 can be connected to the bracket 260 at a free end of the plug (for example the free end of the second segment 290) and then the bracket 260 together with the plug 290 can be inserted in the channel of the frame to guarantee the water-proof tightness of the channel. In an alternative embodiment, the bracket 260 can be formed integrally with the plug 290.

Although some specific embodiments of the present application have been described here, they are given for illustrative purposes only and cannot be understood to constrain the scope of the present application in any way. Furthermore, it should be conceivable by a person skilled in the art that the embodiments described here can be arbitrarily combined with each other. Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application, various replacements, modification and alternations can be thought out.

Claims

A water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) , comprising:

a frame configured to include a first frame part (241) and a second frame part (242) which can be assembled together; and

a liquid panel (210) , a solar cell panel (220) , and a photoelectric sensor (230) which are received by the frame, wherein

a first sealing interface is provided between the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) such that when the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) are assembled together, the first sealing interface is invisible outside the frame,

the first sealing interface is defined by a seal strip (250) provided in one of a peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and a peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242) and a stepped face provided in the other of the peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and the peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242) , the seal strip (250) is configured to be compressed when it is in contact with the stepped face,

each of the peripheral wall (2413) of the first frame part (241) and the peripheral wall (2423) of the second frame part (242) is formed with a notch, such that when the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) are assembled together, the notches of the peripheral walls define a lateral port of the frame,

a plug (290) , about which an annular seal (400) is sleeved, is insertable in the lateral port such that the annular seal (400) is compressible to contact the frame to define a second sealing interface, and

the first sealing interface at least partially overlaps the second sealing interface to prevent water or moisture from entering an interior of the frame.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 1, wherein a tongue-and-groove joint structure is formed between the seal strip (250) and the respective peripheral wall, and the seal strip (250) is formed on the respective peripheral wall via an over-molding process.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 2, wherein each of a side wall of the first frame part (241) and a side wall of the second frame part (242) is formed with two bulges spaced from each other, when the first frame part (241) and the second frame part (242) are assembled together, the side walls faces each other and the bulges of one of the side walls contact the bulges of the other of the side walls respectively to define a channel between the side walls and the bulges, and when the plug (290) is inserted through the lateral port, the annular seal (400) is compressed by and contacts an inner wall of the channel.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 3, wherein an annular groove (292a) is formed in the plug (290) and is configured to receive the annular seal (400) .
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 4, wherein the plug (290) comprises a first segment (291) of a greater cross-section and a second segment (292) of a less cross-section, and the annular groove (292a) is formed in the second segment (292) .
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the annular seal (400) comprises an annular base (420) held in the annular groove (292a) and an annular flank (410) extending radially outwards from the annular base (420) , and the annular seal (400) is configured to contact the frame via the annular flank (410) only.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 6, wherein the annular flank (410) comprises two annular flanks (410) spaced from each other, and each of the annular flanks (410) is configured such that at least a portion of the annular flanks is gradually thinned as it is gradually radially remote from the annular base.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip (250) , the seal strip (250) is provided on at least a portion of the bulges such that the respective bulges are able to contact each other via the seal strip (250) to define a portion of the first sealing interface.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein a bracket (260) is configured to be releasably insertable in the channel of the frame through the lateral port before the plug (290) is inserted through the lateral port.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 9, wherein the bracket (260) is configured to carry a button battery (300) of the water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) .
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 10, wherein in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip (250) , the seal strip (250) is configured to have a contact side for contacting the stepped face, the contact side is substantially parallel to the side wall of the respective frame part, and in the respective frame part formed with the stepped face, the stepped face is substantially parallel to the respective frame part.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to claim 10, wherein in the respective frame part provided with the seal strip (250) , the seal strip (250) is configured to have a contact side for contacting the stepped face, the contact side is at a non-zero angle relative to the side wall of the respective frame part, and in the respective frame part formed with the stepped face, the stepped face is at the same non-zero angle relative to the respective frame part.
The water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to any one of claims 3 to 12, wherein each of the side wall of the first frame part (241) and the side wall of the second frame part (242) is formed with several projections, and the projections of the first frame part (241) and the projections of the second frame part (242) are configured such that when the first and second frame parts (241 and 242) are assembled together, the projections cooperate with each other to generate a force by which the first and second frame parts (241 and 242) can be assembled together.
A welding helmet (10) , comprising:

a casing (20) ; and

a water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the water-proof auto-darkening filter (200) is releasably installed in an opening of the casing (20) via a holder.