Document Carrier Loop for Personalization Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for personalizing documents face limitations in throughput and efficiency, particularly in terms of document handling and processing, leading to potential misalignment and damage to sensitive components like print heads.
Innovation Solution
A device with movable document carrier devices that follow closed-loop path curves, allowing for staggered and synchronized movement to prevent collisions and optimize document handling, combined with a stationary personalization device to reduce the risk of misalignment and damage, and incorporating features like UV curing and multiple personalization methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple document carrier devices are used to increase throughput, then productivity increases, but the risk of collision between carrier devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by arranging document carrier devices on different levels (upper and lower carriers) that move in opposite directions. This spatial separation in the vertical dimension allows multiple carriers to operate simultaneously without colliding, enabling increased throughput while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic, movable document carrier devices that can change position and direction of movement. The carriers move in opposite directions (one clockwise, one counter-clockwise) along closed-loop paths, allowing flexible coordination that prevents collisions while maintaining high productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the personalization device is made movable to follow documents, then processing flexibility improves, but the risk of misalignment and damage to components increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the personalization device movable to follow the documents, the patent inverts the approach by making the documents movable while keeping the personalization device stationary. This eliminates misalignment risks and component damage while maintaining processing flexibility through the movable carrier system.
3Manufacturing precision
If documents are processed in sequence through a single carrier, then alignment precision is maintained, but productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the document processing system into multiple independent carrier devices (upper and lower carriers) that can operate simultaneously. Each carrier maintains precise alignment for its documents while the overall system achieves higher throughput through parallel processing of multiple documents.
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
This configuration significantly increases document throughput, reduces the risk of misalignment and damage, and enhances the overall efficiency and reliability of the personalization process.
Implementation Method 1
a UV curing unit (2c) arranged to cure UV-sensitive ink applied by the printing device (2b)
Data Source
AI summary
A device is provided for personalizing documents, which includes a personalization device for applying personalization information to a document to be personalized. In addition, the device has a conveying device which includes at least two movable document carrier devices, each of which is configured: to receive a document to be personalized at a transfer position of the device that is the same for all document carrier devices; to move the document received, into the operating region of the personalization device, for the purpose of being personalized; and to move the document received, after its personalization, back to the transfer position and to discharge it there. The conveying device is configured, during its operation, to convey each of the document carrier devices along a respective associated path curve in the shape of a closed loop between the transfer position, the operating region and, in turn, the transfer position.