Laser Marking Device for Electrical Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for marking electrical components, particularly terminal blocks, are time-consuming and prone to errors due to the manual handling and alignment of pre-printed identification plates, which can lead to incorrect placement and loss during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A marking device with a laser head and a linear pivoting system that inscribes unwritten marking materials directly onto electrical components, allowing for partial or fully automatic marking without pre-printing, and includes a pivoting mechanism to handle components with angled surfaces and multiple markings on different surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If pre-printed identification plates are used and manually assembled, then marking information can be provided to electrical components, but the assembly time increases and errors occur due to manual handling and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking accuracyVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The marking material is prepared in advance as unwritten blanks and attached to the electrical components before the marking process. This preliminary attachment eliminates the need for subsequent alignment and assignment operations, as the material is already in its final position on the component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical handling and alignment operations with an automated laser marking system. The laser head automatically inscribes the marking material without requiring manual positioning or alignment by operators, thereby eliminating assembly time and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If pre-printed identification plates are manually assembled, then marking information can be transferred to components, but the complexity of assignment increases especially for symmetric components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorrect assignment accuracyVSAvoidassignment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking material is pre-attached to the electrical components in the correct positions before the marking process. This preliminary positioning eliminates the complex assignment task that would otherwise be required, especially for symmetric components where correct orientation is critical.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical components themselves serve as the reference for correct positioning, as the marking material is attached directly to them in the proper locations. The components essentially mark themselves by providing the reference framework for the laser inscription, eliminating the need for separate assignment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If individual identification plates are manually handled during assembly, then marking can be performed, but the risk of loss increases due to small dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking completenessVSAvoidrisk of loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The marking material is attached to the electrical components in advance, securing it in its final position before the marking process. This preliminary attachment ensures that the small identification plates remain securely in place during handling and assembly, eliminating the risk of loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual handling of small identification plates with an automated laser marking system that operates without requiring physical manipulation of the individual plates. The laser head can accurately inscribe the material without requiring operators to handle the small components, thereby eliminating the risk of loss during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Significantly reduces the time required for marking multiple components by eliminating the need for pre-printed material alignment and allows for efficient inscription of markings on various surfaces, enhancing accuracy and reducing the risk of errors.

Implementation Method 1

a laser head (4) for inscribing marking material (2, 2', 2'') attached to the electrical components (1) to be marked

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

inscribing at least one marking material (2, 2', 2'') using the laser head (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser ablation: Laser Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3405351B1Marking device for marking electrical components

Publication Date: 2023.06.28 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for marking electrical components, particularly a plurality of adjacently arranged series terminals (1), said method comprising the following steps: fixing at least one blank marking material (2, 2', 2") in a pre-determined position on at least one component; positioning the at least one component in a marking position in a marking device (3) comprising a laser head (4); and inscribing a marking material (2, 2', 2") by means of the laser head (4).