Magnetic Piston Labeling Device for Uneven Surfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing labelling devices struggle with attaching labels to objects with uneven surfaces and varying heights, often resulting in labels being blown away or the piston damaging the objects and requiring manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A labelling device with a linearly displaceable piston and a force-switching-state system using magnetic forces to maintain and switch between attracting and repelling states, allowing the piston to automatically adjust to different heights and surfaces, and a flexible label carrying mechanism for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a linearly displaceable piston is used to apply labels to objects, then the labelling process can be automated, but objects with uneven surfaces or varying heights cause the piston to either fail to attach labels properly or damage the objects
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed with dynamic characteristics including a return spring that allows it to move freely between extended and retracted positions. This dynamic design enables the piston to adapt to objects of varying heights and uneven surfaces, maintaining reliable label attachment while preventing damage to irregularly shaped objects
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the piston by introducing a return spring that modifies its motion characteristics. The spring constant and pre-load are optimized to provide sufficient force for label attachment while limiting maximum extension force to prevent damage to sensitive or irregular objects
2Productivity
If the piston extends to a pre-set height to label objects, then labelling can be performed efficiently, but objects taller than this height cause blocking and require manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The piston transitions from a fixed-position mechanism to a dynamic system with a return spring, allowing continuous adjustment of extension distance based on object height. This enables the system to maintain high productivity while automatically adapting to a wide range of object heights without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The return spring provides automatic reset functionality, allowing the piston to self-correct and return to its starting position after each labelling action. This eliminates the need for manual intervention when encountering tall objects and maintains continuous operational flow
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the piston moves slowly back to the starting position after labelling, then damage to objects is reduced, but the labelling process is delayed and requires extra monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The return spring creates a periodic oscillating motion where the piston rapidly returns to its starting position after labelling. This periodic action minimizes the time the piston occupies the return path, reducing both impact damage and time loss while maintaining automated operation without continuous monitoring
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
The device effectively prevents labels from being blown away and automatically returns the piston to its resting position, ensuring consistent labelling across uneven surfaces and varying heights with reduced impact on objects, enhancing efficiency and reducing manual labor.
Implementation Method 1
a force-switching-state system operable to maintain said piston in relation to said moving mechanism in an attracting force state such that the piston moves with the moving mechanism from said resting position to said labelling position
Implementation Method 2
wherein said physical contact with the object creates an opposite repelling force from the object onto the label carrying mechanism causes separation of said displaceable piston from said moving mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A labelling device includes a linearly displaceable piston operably connectable to a moving mechanism for moving the piston from a resting position to a labelling position. A label carrying mechanism is arranged at the distal end of the piston for carrying an adhesive label and affixing the adhesive label to an object via physical contact at the labelling position of the piston. A force-switching-state system is provided to maintain the piston in relation to the moving mechanism in an attracting force state and the piston moves with the moving mechanism. The physical contact creates an opposite repelling force from the object onto the label carrying mechanism causing separation of the displaceable piston from the moving mechanism. This separation causes a change of the force state of the displaceable piston from an attracting to a repelling force state, causing the linearly displaceable piston to move back to the resting position.