Movable Registration Pins for Flexible Substrate Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet printing apparatuses are limited in their ability to register substrates of varying sizes and shapes due to fixed registration pin arrangements, which restrict flexibility and efficiency when processing multiple substrates simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a registration actuator that can selectively position and arrange registration elements into registering or standby states on a support body, allowing for flexible positioning of substrates based on preselected positions and shapes, and a control unit to manage the registration elements for optimal substrate alignment and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed assembly of registration pins is used to register substrates, then the registration position is stable and precise, but the apparatus cannot accommodate substrates of varying sizes and shapes or register multiple substrates at different positions simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to register substrates of various sizes and shapes at different positionsVSAvoidcomplexity of movable registration element arrangement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The registration pins are made movable relative to the support body, allowing their positions to be dynamically adjusted based on substrate size, shape, and desired registration locations. This dynamic arrangement enables a single fixed assembly to serve multiple registration configurations that would otherwise require multiple fixed assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single assembly of registration pins is designed to perform multiple registration functions by changing its configuration. The same registration pins can register different substrates of various sizes and shapes at different positions on the support body, making the system universal rather than requiring dedicated registration assemblies for each substrate type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple fixed registration assemblies are provided for different substrate positions, then multiple substrates can be registered simultaneously, but the device complexity and space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process multiple substrates simultaneouslyVSAvoidnumber of registration assemblies required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing multiple fixed registration assemblies for different substrate positions, the invention uses a single movable registration assembly that can be dynamically positioned to register multiple substrates simultaneously. The registration pins can be arranged at different locations on the support body to accommodate various substrate layouts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The registration assembly is divided into multiple independent registration pins that can be independently positioned and arranged. This segmentation allows the pins to be distributed across different locations on the support body to register multiple substrates simultaneously, rather than requiring complete separate assemblies for each substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If registration pins are made movable to increase flexibility, then substrates of various sizes and shapes can be registered, but the reliability and precision of registration may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in substrate registrationVSAvoidconsistency of registration accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The registration pins are designed to be movable during the registration setup phase but become fixed once positioned to ensure stable and reliable registration. This dynamic-to-fixed transition allows the system to adapt to different substrate configurations while maintaining registration precision through controlled movement followed by secure positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The registration pins are preliminarily positioned and arranged according to the specific substrate configuration requirements before the actual registration process. This preliminary arrangement allows for precise positioning to be established in advance, ensuring that when the pins are fixed in place, they provide reliable and accurate registration for the subsequent printing or processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9889682B2Apparatus and method for positioning a substrate on a support body

Publication Date: 2018.02.13 CANON PRODUCTION PRINTING NETHERLANDS BV

AI summary

An apparatus is provided for positioning a substrate on a support body. The apparatus comprises the support body for supporting the substrate, at least one registration element, wherein said at least one registration element is positioned and arranged for registering the substrate in a preselected position on the support body when brought into a registering state. The apparatus further comprises a registration actuator movably arranged with respect to the support body for selectively arranging a registration element into the registering state.