Motorized Light Spot Marker for Template-Free Surface Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The conventional method for marking mounting and electrical points on surfaces for installing signs and equipment is inefficient, requiring templates that are difficult to store, prone to wear, and affected by temperature changes, necessitating a more reliable and quick system without the need for templates or point-to-point measurements.
Innovation Solution
A marker apparatus with movable point light sources driven by electrical motors, controlled by an electronic power and control system, including a computerized appliance for inputting commands and positioning light spots in a pattern, eliminating the need for templates by using interactive interfaces and graphics programs to create and save dimensional data for precise marking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If templates are used for marking mounting and electrical points, then the marking process can be performed with simple equipment, but the templates are difficult to store, prone to wear, and affected by temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical templates and manual measurement systems with a motorized marker apparatus that uses electronic control and software to position marking points. The system substitutes mechanical template handling with automated motor-driven positioning mechanisms, eliminating wear, storage issues, and temperature-induced distortion while maintaining marking simplicity through computerized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the template functionality through software programs that store dimensional data and positioning information. Instead of relying on physical templates that degrade over time, the system uses digital representations that can be stored, reused, and adjusted without wear or dimensional changes, while still providing the same marking guidance function.
2Ease of manufacture
If templates are used for marking points, then the process can be performed without specialized equipment, but the process is time-consuming and requires point-to-point measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual template application and point-to-point measurement processes with automated motor-driven positioning systems controlled by software. The marker apparatus automatically calculates and positions marking points based on stored dimensional data, eliminating the time-consuming manual measurement and template alignment steps while maintaining ease of use through computerized control interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary positioning calculations and marker placement planning through software before the actual marking process. The system pre-determines all marker positions based on stored dimensional data and object geometry, allowing the physical marking process to proceed rapidly without intermediate measurement steps, thereby increasing productivity while keeping the system accessible.
3Device complexity
If templates are used for marking, then the equipment required is simple, but precision is affected by template stretching, shrinking, and temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical templates with motorized positioning mechanisms controlled by electronic systems. The marker apparatus uses motors and control circuits to precisely position marking points according to stored dimensional data, eliminating the dimensional instability inherent in physical templates while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through modular electronic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of template dimensions and specifications in software, storing precise dimensional data that is not subject to physical degradation. The system uses these digital copies to calculate and position markers with high precision, eliminating errors from template stretching, shrinking, or temperature-induced distortion while keeping the overall system complexity manageable through software-based solutions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for marking points on a surface at a distance has a marker apparatus with a plurality of point light sources mounted individually in apparatus movable by electrical drives to position light spots on a surface at a distance in a pattern, and an electronic power and control system coupled to the marker apparatus, providing signals for manipulating individual ones of the electrical drives of the point light sources to position the light spots in the pattern.