Conveyor-Belt Ink Magazine for Automated Container Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing printing systems require complex cabling and wiring for multiple containers to access different printing compounds, and existing storage solutions are space-intensive and lack efficient handling of various printing compounds.
Innovation Solution
A storage system with a conveyor belt-based storage magazine that allows for the systematic displacement of containers using a drive motor, ensuring easy access and minimal space requirements, while maintaining temperature and climate control, and incorporating sensors and identification means for automated management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple containers are permanently connected to the print head to access different printing compounds, then access to different printing compounds is improved, but device complexity and installation space increase due to complex cabling and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the printing compound storage into separate, exchangeable containers (cartridges) that can be independently handled. Each container is a self-contained unit that can be individually replaced without affecting others, eliminating the need for complex cabling and wiring between multiple permanent connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables easy replacement of printing compound containers by discarding depleted cartridges and recovering/reusing empty carrier positions. The magazine system allows rapid exchange of containers without complex disconnection procedures, simplifying the overall system architecture.
2Device complexity
If exchangeable containers are used with a simple carrier, then device complexity is reduced, but storage safety and protection against external influences deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the container (holding printing compound) with the carrier (providing mechanical support and interface) into a unified cartridge assembly. This integrated design ensures that the container is securely held during storage and transport while maintaining simple exchangeability through the magazine system.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the container, interfaces with the magazine system for automated handling, and ensures proper positioning during storage and exchange. This multi-functional design maintains simplicity while ensuring reliability.
3Reliability
If a closed housing with climate control is used to protect containers, then protection against external influences is improved, but installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the climate control function from a fully enclosed housing and applies it only to the specific region where containers are stored and exchanged. The magazine and carriers provide localized protection, eliminating the need for a large, fully enclosed climate-controlled chamber while maintaining necessary environmental control.
4Device complexity
If manual container exchange is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate due to manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The magazine system is designed to enable automated or semi-automated container exchange without requiring manual intervention for each swap. The standardized carriers and magazine interface allow the system to self-service by automatically positioning, gripping, and exchanging containers, significantly improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The application relates to a storage system for storing and providing printing compound for a printing device, more particularly for printing on planar substrates, including: —at least one container designed to store a liquid printing compound; and —at least one carrier, on which the container can be detachably disposed. According to the application, the storage system includes a storage magazine having a plurality of carriers and having a plurality of containers, and the carriers are fastened to a circulating conveyor belt, the conveyor belt being assigned at least one controllable drive motor for driving the conveyor belt.