Marking Assembly Counterweight Collision Avoidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marking assemblies for moving containers struggle to reliably adjust to varying container heights, leading to potential collisions between the print head and objects, especially when height detection fails or in unforeseen circumstances like power failures.
Innovation Solution
A marking assembly with a vertically movable print head, actuator, and release mechanism, equipped with sensors and a control unit that activates the actuator for rapid vertical movement or disengages it using a counterweight to avoid collisions, ensuring safe operation even in case of sensor or actuator failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a motor is used to adjust the height position of the print head, then the marking device can process containers of different heights, but the response speed may be insufficient to avoid collisions with unexpectedly tall containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a counterweight mechanism where a weight is suspended by a cable or chain connected to the print head assembly. This counterweight system enables rapid vertical movement of the print head to avoid collisions with tall containers, while a motor provides controlled positioning during normal operation. The counterweight acts as a mechanical safety device that overrides motor control when collision risk is detected.
2Measurement precision
If a scanning member is used to detect container height, then the print head position can be adjusted, but the system may fail to detect objects correctly leading to collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a two-stage detection system: a first sensor (scanning member) performs preliminary height measurement to position the print head, and a second sensor positioned closer to the print head performs final verification. This preliminary action followed by verification ensures that even if the first sensor fails, the second sensor provides a safety check before the print head operates, preventing collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple sensors providing continuous feedback about container presence and height. The control unit processes feedback from both the scanning member and the additional sensor, comparing readings and making real-time adjustments. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable collision avoidance by cross-validating sensor data and triggering the counterweight safety mechanism if discrepancies are detected.
3Reliability
If the actuator is activated to move the marking device rapidly, then collision can be avoided, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight mechanism serves dual purposes: it acts as both the rapid response mechanism for collision avoidance and as part of the normal positioning system during non-critical operations. By integrating the counterweight into the existing positioning architecture rather than adding a completely separate emergency mechanism, the patent reduces overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
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 solution reliably prevents collisions with containers of varying heights by rapidly adjusting the print head's position, ensuring safe operation even under unforeseen circumstances such as power failures or actuator malfunctions.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor may be for example an optical sensor
Implementation Method 2
The sensor may be for example an optical sensor, an ultrasound sensor
Implementation Method 3
The sensor may be for example an optical sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a radar sensor
Implementation Method 4
Additionally or separately, the positioning mechanism comprises a counterweight
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention refers to a marking assembly suitable for providing markings, for example a text, an image, a barcode, or the like, on objects like containers, packages or products. The marking assembly comprises a control unit configured to receive a signal from a sensor and configured to either activate an actuator to move a marking device to an elevated position with an increased speed, or to activate a release device to disengage the actuator, thereby moving the marking device by a counterweight.