Multi-Focus Optical Marking for Curved Surface Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing marking devices struggle to achieve high-quality marking on non-planar portions of objects, such as curved surfaces, due to issues with light concentration and focal point alignment, leading to deteriorated marking quality and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
A marking device with multiple markers and a controller system that adjusts light concentration and focal points for each area on a non-planar surface, using distinct optical systems to ensure precise marking on different areas, including a first marker for one area and a second marker for another area with a different focal point alignment, allowing for high-quality marking on both areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single optical system with a single focal point is used for marking, then the device complexity is low, but the marking quality on non-planar surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple independent optical systems (first optical system, second optical system, etc.), each with its own focal point optimized for a specific area of the non-planar surface. This allows each optical system to concentrate light precisely on its designated area while accommodating surface curvature variations, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining low device complexity and achieving high marking quality on non-planar surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Each optical system is configured with specific optical parameters (focal length, aperture, etc.) tailored to the characteristics of its designated marking area. The first optical system is optimized for the first area, the second optical system for the second area, and so on. This local optimization ensures that each area receives appropriately concentrated light for high-quality marking, while the overall device complexity is managed through modular design of these localized optical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple markers with different focal points are used to mark different areas, then the marking quality on non-planar surfaces is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The marker system is divided into multiple independent markers (first marker, second marker, etc.), where each marker comprises a light source and its dedicated optical system. Each marker is responsible for a specific area on the non-planar surface, with its focal point precisely positioned for that area. This segmentation improves marking quality by ensuring each area receives optimized light concentration, while the modular structure helps manage system complexity through independent, standardized marker units.
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple markers are designed with similar structural components and control mechanisms, allowing them to perform the same marking function but on different areas with different focal requirements. This universality in design reduces the overall complexity compared to completely different systems, while still achieving the multi-functional capability of marking various areas of non-planar surfaces with high quality.
3Productivity
If marking is performed on multiple areas simultaneously with different focal points, then the productivity is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the positions of multiple markers and adjust their operation accordingly. Each marker's focal point and activation are controlled based on real-time information about the non-planar surface geometry and the current marking progress. This feedback control enables coordinated simultaneous marking across multiple areas with different focal requirements, improving productivity while managing control complexity through automated adjustment rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically manages the operation of multiple markers, enabling them to operate simultaneously or sequentially based on real-time conditions. The focal points of different optical systems are dynamically adjusted to match the specific geometry of each marking area, and markers are activated in optimal sequences or concurrently to maximize productivity. This dynamic control approach handles the complexity of multi-area marking with varying focal requirements while maintaining high marking efficiency.
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 enables high-quality marking on non-planar surfaces by ensuring proper light concentration and focal alignment for each area, improving marking quality and productivity by allowing parallel marking on non-overlapping areas and correcting for surface curvature, thus enhancing the overall marking process.
Implementation Method 1
a first marker that performs marking by concentrating the first light onto the first area through a first optical system
Implementation Method 2
a second marker that performs marking by concentrating the second light onto the second area through a second optical system
Implementation Method 3
irradiate a recording target moving relatively to the laser irradiation device in a relative movement direction different from the certain direction, with laser light to heat the recording target, and record a visible image on the recording target
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A marking device (1), a medium (100), a container, and a marking method. The marking device (1) includes a first marker (10) including a first optical system (12) having a first focal point (111), the first marker (10) being configured to concentrate a first light (L1) onto a first area (101) of a non-planar portion (110) of a medium (100) to perform marking on the first area (101), the non-planar portion (110) including a plurality of areas (101, 102) including the first area (101) and a second area (102), and a second marker (20) including a second optical system (22) having a second focal point (112). The second marker (20) is configured to concentrate a second light (L2) onto the second area (102) to perform the marking on the second area (102). The second focal point (112) of the second optical system (22) is different from the first focal point (111) of the first optical system (12) in a direction parallel to a central axis (51) of the first optical system (12).