Abrasive Marking Nozzle with Digital Mask Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional surface marking systems for vehicles, particularly glass panes, suffer from issues such as poor quality markings due to worn-out perforated tiles, inconsistent air pressure, difficulty in positioning, and lack of control over the marking process, leading to errors and maintenance challenges.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a movable marking nozzle on orthogonal axes, automatic abrasive dispensing, and electronic control for precise marking, using atoxic corundum abrasive and suction to prevent environmental contamination, along with suckers for secure surface attachment and remote authorization for controlled operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional marking masks with perforated tiles are used, then marking can be performed on glass surfaces, but the tiles wear out at the perimeter and edges causing blurred edges and vertical stripes in the marking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking sharpnessVSAvoidtile service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the marking function from the physical perforated tiles and transfers it to a digital mask system. The mask comprises a frame with a code holder that can hold multiple codes, and a jet orifice array that is selectively activated based on the desired marking. This eliminates the wear problem of physical tiles while maintaining the marking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates digital copies of marking codes that can be stored and reused indefinitely without degradation. Instead of physical tiles that wear out, the system uses digital representations of codes that are activated through selective opening of jet orifices, providing unlimited service life without loss of marking quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Illumination intensity

If air pressure is increased to improve marking visibility, then marking appears brighter, but the perforated tiles and nozzle degrade more rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking visibilityVSAvoidnozzle service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the operational parameters of the abrasive delivery system by using a可控 (controllable) air pressure system with a regulator. This allows optimization of air pressure to achieve bright marking while minimizing wear on the nozzle and other components. The system can adjust pressure parameters to balance marking quality with component longevity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If manual positioning of marking equipment is used, then equipment can be placed on glass panes, but poor positioning occurs especially on curved surfaces leaving spaces between the marking head and surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning simplicityVSAvoidmarking completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a movable marking head that can be dynamically positioned and adjusted during the marking process. The head can move to adapt to curved surfaces and maintain optimal contact with the glass pane, ensuring complete marking coverage while remaining easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If conventional marking systems are used without electronic control, then marking can be performed, but it is impossible to check that the correct code is placed and errors or fraud cannot be prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemarking speedVSAvoidmarking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates an electronic control system with a microprocessor that provides feedback control of the marking process. The system can verify that the correct code is being applied, track marking operations, and prevent errors or fraudulent markings. This ensures both high productivity and reliable accuracy through automated monitoring and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system provides reliable, repeatable, and precise markings without damaging the glass, reducing abrasive consumption, and enabling efficient maintenance scheduling while ensuring operator safety and improved marking quality.

Implementation Method 1

surface abrasion of the plate glass panes... there is projected against it the abrasive material which makes the glass opaque

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbrasion: Abrasion

Implementation Method 2

reducing abrasive consumption, and enabling efficient maintenance scheduling while ensuring operator safety

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP4153379B1Apparatus and process for marking surfaces by abrasion
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 I CAR SRL
  • EP4153379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4153379B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4153379B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus for marking surfaces by abrasion comprises a dispensing group (13) for a flow of air and abrasive which is conveyed to a marking nozzle (134) which is mounted in a movable manner on a marking head (8) with a selective shut- off valve (148) for the flow of air and abrasive. A control group (11) controls the selective opening and closing of the shut-off valve (148) and the movement of the marking nozzle (134) in a marking plane (X, Y) which is substantially transverse to an emission direction of the mixture of air and abrasive from the marking nozzle (134) on a surface (R) to be marked. The marking head (8) can be connected to the surface to be marked by means of suckers (32). The process for marking provides for a step of authorizing the marking, wherein there are conveyed to the control group (11) marking data which define one or more marking paths for the marking nozzle and opening and closing the shut-off valve (148).