Document Positioning Linkage for Precise Laser Inscription Angles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for positioning and producing document bodies, particularly value and security documents, face challenges in achieving precise and cost-effective positioning with flexible orientation and working distance settings, often requiring complex and costly motor systems for adjusting inscription angles and focal lengths.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a holding device with a linear drive system and rotary bearing elements allows for precise positioning of document bodies by enabling linear and rotational movements, allowing for flexible orientation and working distance adjustments, thereby simplifying the setup of desired inscription angles and focal positions using a minimal component count.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex motor systems are used for adjusting inscription angles and focal lengths, then positioning precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex motor systems with a purely mechanical linkage system consisting of a movable platform, parallel mechanisms, and mechanical transmission components. This mechanical substitution achieves precise positioning through geometric constraints and mechanical advantage rather than electronic control, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system is divided into independent functional modules: a movable platform for holding the document body, parallel mechanisms for angular adjustment, and mechanical transmission components for focal length control. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall system architecture, reducing complexity while preserving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple motors are used for rotation about multiple axes, then orientation flexibility is improved, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple rotational functions into a single integrated movable platform that can rotate about multiple axes simultaneously. Instead of using separate motors for each axis, the platform combines pitch and roll adjustments in one compact structure, reducing installation space while maintaining orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning system employs nested rotational mechanisms where one rotation axis is positioned within another. The movable platform contains nested rotational joints that allow multi-axis orientation adjustment within a compact footprint, minimizing installation space while preserving full orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex holding devices are used to secure documents in multiple positions, then positioning versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic, adjustable holding elements that can adapt their position and orientation to secure the document body in multiple configurations. The holding device includes adjustable clamps and positioning fixtures that can be moved and locked into different positions, providing versatility without requiring multiple dedicated holding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holding device is designed as a universal fixture that can accommodate and secure various document formats and orientations using the same basic structure. The movable platform and adjustable clamps serve multiple functions: holding, positioning, and orienting the document body, thereby achieving positioning versatility without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables precise, cost-effective, and space-efficient positioning of document bodies, allowing for high-quality laser inscription and image generation with reduced susceptibility to faults and complexity, while supporting a wide range of orientations and working distances.

Implementation Method 1

a linear drive device (10, 20, 30) which comprises a linear actuator (11, 21, 31) and a linear axis (12, 22, 32), the linearly movable output element of which is connected to the support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear drive: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

the linearly movable output element of which is connected to the support element (3) via a rotary bearing device (5, 7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotary bearing: Ball Bearing

Data Source

PatentEP3424731B1Device and method for positioning a document body and device and method for producing a document body
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 BUNDESDRUCKEREI GMBH
  • EP3424731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3424731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3424731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method and a device for positioning a document body (2), wherein the device (1) comprises a holding device, at least one linear drive device (10) and at least one support element (4) for the document body (2), wherein the at least one linear drive device (10) is mounted on a holding device, wherein a linearly movable output element (12) of the linear drive device (10) is connected to the support element via a rotary bearing device (7), wherein the support element (3) is mounted on the holding device via a further rotary bearing device (5, 8, 9) or is connected via the further rotary bearing device to a linearly movable output element (22, 32) of a further linear drive device (20, 30), as well as a method and a device for manufacturing a document body (2).