Marking Machine Carriage Assembly with Sensor Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marking machines struggle to maintain consistent marking depth and quality on irregular surfaces with varying altitudes, often resulting in scratches or irregular markings due to pressure variations and limited stroke values.

Innovation Solution

A marking machine with a carriage assembly that includes two sensors and a connecting member, allowing the carriage to move along a screw to adjust its position relative to the frame, maintaining a neutral position and minimizing pressure variations, enabling marking on surfaces with up to 70 mm altitude differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tension of the opposing springs is varied to accommodate irregular surfaces, then the marking machine can adapt to different surface heights, but the pressure on the cutter nose or diamond varies causing scratches or irregular marking depth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to irregular surfacesVSAvoidmarking depth consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs sensors that detect the position of the connecting member and provide feedback to the control system. When the detection zone is detected by one sensor, the control system automatically moves the connecting member to maintain it between the two sensors, ensuring consistent spring tension and marking quality across irregular surfaces

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical spring tension adjustment system with an automated control system that uses sensors and motorized movement. This substitution eliminates the need for manual spring tension variation while maintaining adaptability to surface irregularities through automatic position correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Length of moving object

If the spring tension is increased to reach greater altitude variations, then the stroke value exceeds 10 mm, but the pressure on the marking tool becomes too high causing surface damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestroke valueVSAvoidsurface scratching
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the connecting member position dynamic and adjustable through motorized movement controlled by the detection system. This allows the system to adapt to varying surface heights (increasing effective stroke) while automatically maintaining optimal spring tension to prevent excessive pressure and surface damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the position parameter of the connecting member based on sensor detection. When the detection zone is detected by one sensor, the system moves the connecting member to change its position, thereby adjusting the effective stroke while maintaining consistent spring tension and avoiding surface scratching

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 consistent and high-quality marking on irregular surfaces with reduced pressure variations, preventing damage and ensuring continuous operation on surfaces with significant altitude variations, unlike previous technologies which were limited to 10 mm and suffered from irregular markings.

Implementation Method 1

two opposing springs allowing movement between the moving carriage and the connecting member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a first pressurizing spring, the stiffness of which is adjusted by a button, as well as a compensation spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

the fixed carriage is fitted with a screw, along which a threaded connecting member can progress

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2448713B1Marking machine, and method for implementing same
Publication Date: 2014.02.26 GRAVOTECH MARKING
  • EP2448713B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2448713B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2448713B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a marking machine, including a frame, a carriage assembly (10) including a stationary carriage (20) and a movable carriage (30), a linking member (24) for linking the stationary carriage to the movable carriage, a means (M) for moving the linking member relative to the stationary carriage, and two antagonistic springs (50, 60) enabling a range of movement between the movable carriage and the linking member. The movable carriage (30) is provided with two sensors (70, 80) that are placed on either side of the linking member (24) in a neutral position, and the machine also includes a control means (90) that is capable of moving the linking member (24) relative to the stationary carriage when one of the sensors detects the presence of the linking member.