Rotatable Laser Marker Emission Interlock Using Position Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laser markers risk emitting laser light in unintended directions when the scanning unit is rotated, posing safety hazards due to the lack of a mechanism to ensure the laser is only emitted when the scanning unit is in predetermined positions.

Innovation Solution

A laser marker design that includes a sensor system to detect the rotation position of a second housing, allowing laser emission only when the housing is in specific predetermined positions, preventing emission in unsafe directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the second housing is made rotatable with respect to the first housing, then the adaptability of the laser marker is improved, but the safety is worsened due to unintended laser emission directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverotatability of second housingVSAvoidunintended laser emission

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a sensor to detect the rotation position of the second housing and provides feedback to the control unit. The control unit uses this feedback information to determine whether to permit laser emission, thereby preventing unintended emission while maintaining rotational adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary between the rotatable second housing and the laser light source. This control unit mediates the laser emission process by checking rotation position conditions before allowing emission, thus resolving the safety issue while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sensor system is added to detect rotation position, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaser emission safetyVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical safety locking mechanisms with a sensor-based detection system and electronic control logic. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while achieving the same safety objective through optical/electronic means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3888837B1Laser marker

Publication Date: 2023.07.19 BROTHER KOGYO KK

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AI summary

Provided is a laser marker that ensures safety by making it impossible for laser light to be emitted outward in a case a second housing in which a scanning unit configured to scan the laser light outward is rotated and is not in the predetermined position. In a laser marker 1, a second housing 30 can be rotated with respect to a front first housing 20B, in a case detection signals, which indicate that a rotation position of the second housing 30 is a first rotation position or a second rotation position, are output from both sensors S1 and S2, it becomes possible for the laser light to be emitted to an outside of the second housing 30, and in a case the detection signals, which indicate that the rotation position of the second housing 30 is the first rotation position or the second rotation position, are not output from both sensors S1 and S2, it becomes impossible for the laser light to be emitted to an outside of the second housing 30.