Frame Members With Printed Position Identification Marks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing assembly methods for structures composed of frame members are time-consuming and prone to errors due to the need for measurements and reference to drawings, especially when distinguishing between similar frame members with slight length differences.

Innovation Solution

Frame members with position identification marks and member identification marks printed on their surfaces, allowing workers to assemble without referencing drawings, reducing measurement errors and streamlining the assembly process by clearly indicating the correct positions and types of frame and fixing members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If frame members are assembled using conventional methods with drawings and measurements, then assembly precision can be maintained, but assembly time and labor requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Position identification marks and member identification marks are pre-formed on the frame members during manufacturing. This preliminary action transfers the measurement and marking work from the assembly stage to the manufacturing stage, allowing workers to simply follow the pre-marked positions during assembly, thereby reducing assembly time while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The position identification marks serve as an intermediary between the design drawings and the physical assembly process. Instead of workers directly interpreting drawings and performing measurements, the marks act as a visual mediator that directly indicates where components should be positioned, simplifying the assembly process while ensuring accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If workers rely on drawings and measurements for assembly, then correct positioning can be achieved, but the complexity of the assembly process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame members are designed to be self-identifying through the position identification marks and member identification marks. Each frame member carries its own assembly information directly on it, eliminating the need for external drawings and measurement tools. Workers simply need to match the marks on different components, making the assembly process self-guiding and significantly reducing process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If standard aluminum extrudates are used for frame members, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the ability to distinguish between different frame members deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidframe member distinguishability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

While the frame members use standardized aluminum extrudates for the bulk of their structure, local quality differentiation is achieved through the position identification marks and member identification marks formed on specific surfaces. These localized markings provide unique visual characteristics to each frame member type without requiring different extrusion profiles, thus maintaining manufacturing efficiency while improving distinguishability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The position identification marks and member identification marks can be formed using different colors or visual contrasts on the frame member surfaces. This allows workers to quickly distinguish between different frame members and identify their correct positions through visual cues, eliminating the difficulty of distinguishing between similar-looking standardized extrudates

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Manufacturing precision

If workers manually check part numbers and measure positions during assembly, then assembly accuracy can be maintained, but labor requirements and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly accuracyVSAvoidassembly efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical processes of measuring positions with tools and checking part numbers against drawings are replaced by visual recognition of pre-formed marks on the frame members. The position identification marks provide direct visual indication of mounting positions, eliminating the need for measurement tools and calculation, thereby maintaining accuracy while dramatically improving assembly efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8590218B2Frame members and structure

Publication Date: 2013.11.26 ENU AI SHI OOTOTETSUKU

AI summary

Provided are frame members from which a structure can be efficiently assembled, and a structure using the frame members. On a surface of a vertical frame member 28, there are printed a position identification mark (sectional shape mark) showing the position where a horizontal frame member 34 is to be butted, a nut position identification mark N showing the mounting position of a nut 46 which is to be inserted into a guide groove 22, and a position identification mark showing the mounting position of a bracket 42. The frame members can be efficiently assembled to manufacture a structure, without referring to a drawing for assembly.