Magnetic Position Measuring System for Labeler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing price labeling systems in the food industry face challenges with mechanical sliding potentiometers that are prone to wear and tear, and magnetic position measuring systems require pre-programmed sensor order, which is not feasible with randomly assembled sensor bar components.
Innovation Solution
A method using a sensor bar with unique identifiers and a control and evaluation unit to automatically determine the order and position of magnetic field-sensitive sensors, allowing for assembly of sensor bar components into a magnetic position measuring system without pre-programmed order, using a magnet that can be adjusted along the sensor bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical sliding potentiometers are used to determine labeler position, then the system is simple to implement, but the components are prone to wear and tear, limiting their lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical sliding potentiometers with a magnetic position measuring system that uses magnetic fields instead of mechanical contact. The labeler position is determined by a magnet attached to the labeler interacting with magnetic sensors, eliminating mechanical wear and significantly extending system lifespan while maintaining simplicity.
2Reliability
If a sensor strip with pre-programmed sensor order is used, then the position measuring system has long service life, but the system cannot accommodate randomly assembled sensor strip components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having each sensor determine its own position relative to the magnet before the magnet moves to its final position. The control unit stores these preliminary position determinations and uses them to calculate the correct labeler position, enabling the system to work with randomly assembled sensors without requiring pre-programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having sensors continuously detect the magnet's position and transmit this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback to determine sensor positions and calculate the labeler's correct position, allowing dynamic adaptation to any sensor arrangement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sensor strip components are assembled to achieve desired length, then the system is adaptable to different applications, but the sequence of components must be pre-programmed, reducing assembly flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling sensors to automatically determine their own positions relative to the magnet without requiring external programming or configuration. Each sensor independently measures its distance to the magnet, and the control unit automatically processes these measurements to establish the correct sensor sequence and positions, making the system self-configuring.
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
Enables a long-lasting, easy-to-set-up magnetic position measuring system with increased accuracy and flexibility in assembling sensor bars of desired length, allowing for precise determination of sensor positions during normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
each having a unique identifier, in particular Hall sensors
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for the automatic setup of a magnetic position measuring system used in setting the position of a labeler in a price marking system, comprising a sensor strip with several magnetic field-sensitive sensors arranged in a series, each having a unique identifier, in particular Hall sensors, a magnet adjustable along the sensor strip, and a control and evaluation unit connected to the sensors. In the method, from the perspective of the sensor strip, the magnet is moved past the sensors of the sensor strip according to the sequence of their arrangement. As it passes each sensor, its respective unique identifier is transmitted to the control and evaluation unit. Based on the sequence of the input of the unique identifiers, the sequence of the arrangement of the sensors on the sensor strip is recognized.and from the known mutual distance of the sensors to each other and the recognized order of the arrangement of the sensors on the sensor strip, the position of the respective sensor on the sensor strip is calculated and stored for normal operation of the magnetic position measuring system.