Label Attaching Apparatus Mode Switching for Small Commodity Errors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional label attaching apparatuses experience efficiency deterioration and errors when attaching labels to small commodities due to label attaching mechanisms approaching each other, leading to apparatus shutdowns.
Innovation Solution
A label attaching apparatus with a control system that switches between automatic and manual modes based on commodity information, preventing mechanisms from approaching each other by either attaching all labels automatically or carrying some labels to a reachable position for manual attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple label attaching mechanisms are used to attach labels to commodities at the same timing, then productivity is improved, but when commodities are small and label attachment positions are close, the mechanisms come within a given distance of each other causing errors and apparatus shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between first mode (all mechanisms operate simultaneously) and second mode (some mechanisms operate, others eject labels for manual attachment) based on real-time detection of commodity size and label attachment position distances. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high productivity when conditions permit while avoiding errors when commodities are small and positions are close.
Solution Approach 2:
The control part changes the operational parameters of the label attaching mechanisms based on detected commodity characteristics. When the distance between label attachment positions is less than a threshold, the system changes from full automatic operation to a hybrid mode where some mechanisms eject labels for manual attachment, thereby preventing mechanism collision while maintaining continuous operation.
2Reliability
If the apparatus stops to prevent errors when mechanisms approach each other, then reliability is improved by avoiding errors, but work efficiency deteriorates due to shutdowns and restart time
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the label attachment process into automatic attachment (by active mechanisms) and manual attachment (by operator for labels ejected by inactive mechanisms). This segmentation allows the apparatus to continue operating without shutdowns by redirecting some label attachment tasks to manual handling, thereby maintaining both reliability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control part acts as an intermediary that detects commodity characteristics and mediates between automatic and manual attachment modes. When mechanisms would come too close, the control part switches modes and directs some labels to be ejected and manually attached, preventing errors while maintaining continuous operation and high work efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If label attachment positions are close on small commodities, then adaptability is improved by handling various commodity sizes, but the mechanisms come within dangerous distance requiring mode switching
Solution Approach 1:
The acquisition part continuously detects commodity size and label attachment position information, providing feedback to the control part. Based on this feedback, the control part automatically determines whether to operate in first mode or second mode, adjusting the system configuration in real-time to handle various commodity sizes safely while maintaining simple and intuitive operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A packaging pricing apparatus includes a plurality of label issuing mechanisms (10a, 11a), a plurality of label attaching mechanisms (10b, 11b) for attaching a plurality of labels to a commodity (T, G), an acquisition part for acquiring (S01) commodity information about the commodity, and a control part (9) for controlling operations of the plurality of label attaching mechanisms. On the basis of the commodity information, the control part switches to a first mode (S05) in which all of the labels to be attached to the commodity are attached to the commodity by the plurality of label attaching mechanisms or a second mode (S03) in which some of the labels to be attached to the commodity are attached to the commodity by one of the label attaching mechanisms and the remaining labels are carried to a given position by the other label attaching mechanism.