Interchangeable Marker Housing for Variable Size Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marker systems are complex, costly, and not suitable for low-volume applications, as they are designed for high-volume runs and cannot accommodate marker elements of varying sizes effectively.
Innovation Solution
A modular supply assembly with interchangeable housing sections and adjustable guide members to accommodate different marker sizes, combined with a clamping mechanism to stabilize markers during picking, allowing for efficient storage and transfer of markers of varying lengths and widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a marker system is designed for high-volume runs with fixed storage elements, then productivity is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as it cannot accommodate marker elements of varying sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The storage element is divided into a base section and a removable housing section. The housing can be detached and replaced with different sized housings to accommodate various marker element sizes, while the base section remains fixed to maintain the high-volume processing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is made changeable rather than fixed, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different marker sizes by swapping housings. This maintains productivity through the fixed base section while providing adaptability through the interchangeable housing sections.
2Device complexity
If storage elements are permanently fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates as different sized markers cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The storage element is segmented into a fixed base section and a removable housing section. This segmentation allows the simple base to remain while adding the adaptive housing that can be changed to suit different marker sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The base section serves as a universal platform that can support multiple different housing configurations. This multi-functionality allows a single base to accommodate various marker sizes through housing interchangeability without increasing overall system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If guide members are fixed in position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as they cannot accommodate marker elements of varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The guide members are made adjustable within the housing rather than being fixed. This allows the guide members to be positioned precisely for each specific marker width being used, maintaining manufacturing precision while enabling adaptability to different sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide members can be locally adjusted to match the specific dimensions of the marker elements being processed. This local adaptability allows precise positioning for each marker size without requiring the entire structure to be fixed or complex.
Data Source
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AI summary
A supply assembly for a marker system comprises a first housing section (16) and a second housing section (22) each comprising a plurality of upstanding walls defining an enclosure for receiving and storing in a stacked arrangement marker elements to which an indicia is to be applied by the marker system. A support surface (34) receives marker elements from one of the first (16) and second (22) housing sections and supporting them in a picking position in which they may be grasped by a picking device of the marker system. A transfer means moves the marker elements from one of the first (16) and second (22) the housing sections to the picking position on the support surface (34), and at least one support member is fixed relative to the support surface (34) and the transfer means and configured to be independently connected to by the first (16) and second (22) housing sections to locate the housing sections in a predetermined position relative to the support surface and transfer means. The first (16) and second (22) housing sections are configured differently to respectively receive marker elements of different sizes, and each housing section is configured to removabley connect to the at least one support member to enable the housing sections to be removed and selectively interchanged with each other depending on the size of marker to be housed.