Adjustable Object Holder for Direct-to-Object Printer Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-to-object print systems face challenges in securely retaining objects during printing, as they lack effective mechanisms to stabilize objects of varying sizes and shapes, leading to potential misalignment and instability.
Innovation Solution
The object holder design includes a back support with slideable top and bottom arms, support braces, and a restraining bar that can be adjusted to accommodate different sizes and shapes, along with a motor for rotational movement, ensuring secure retention and precise alignment with the printhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple object holder is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to securely retain objects of varying sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The object holder employs dynamic components including slideable top and bottom arms that can adjust their position, and a restraining bar that can be raised or lowered. These dynamic elements allow the holder to adapt to objects of varying sizes and shapes while maintaining secure retention during printing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The object holder is divided into separate functional components: back support, top arm, bottom arm, support braces, and restraining bar. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while working together to provide stable object retention
2Adaptability or versatility
If the object holder is designed to accommodate all object sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slideable arms and adjustable restraining bar provide a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the object holder to accommodate various object sizes without requiring multiple fixed configurations. The components can be continuously adjusted within their ranges
Solution Approach 2:
The object holder design serves multiple functions through its adjustable components: it can hold objects of different sizes, shapes, and orientations while maintaining secure retention. The same basic structure provides both support and restraint functions
3Device complexity
If the restraining bar is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to retain objects of different sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The restraining bar is designed to be slideable along the support braces, allowing it to be positioned at different heights. This dynamic positioning capability enables the bar to effectively restrain objects of varying sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a back support configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject marking material on to a surface of an object A top and bottom arm are attached to the back support. At least two support braces are attached to the top and bottom arms. At least one restraining bar is slideably attached to the support braces such that the bar can be raised or lowered on to the object seated between the top and bottom arms. The bar physically retains the object while the object is being printed.