Nail Printing Apparatus Height Adjustment via Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nail printing apparatuses face challenges in accurately adjusting the height of the printing target nail due to variations in nail position on the holder, which can lead to improper detection and printing.
Innovation Solution
A nail printing apparatus equipped with a movable sensor and finger rest, where the sensor is adjusted to detect the nail based on a captured image, allowing for precise height adjustment of the finger rest to ensure proper alignment of the nail under the print head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a sensor is used to adjust the height of the holder, then the height adjustment can be automated, but the sensor may not be able to properly detect the nail if the nail position is not known beforehand
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first capturing an image of the finger to determine nail position, then uses this information to position the sensor appropriately before height adjustment. This preliminary image capture and analysis ensures the sensor can reliably detect the nail during automated adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an image capture device as an intermediary to detect the nail's position on the holder. This intermediary provides positional information that enables the sensor to be properly positioned for reliable detection, bridging the gap between unknown nail position and automated sensor-based height adjustment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the nail position on the holder varies depending on the person, then the system must accommodate different positions, but using a fixed sensor position cannot detect nails at varying positions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the sensor's position based on the detected nail location. Rather than using a fixed sensor position, the sensor can be moved to different locations to match the varying nail positions of different users, maintaining both adaptability and detection precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture device serves as an intermediary that measures and communicates the nail's position on the holder. This intermediary enables the system to adapt to varying nail positions while maintaining precise detection by providing accurate positional data for sensor positioning.
3Reliability
If multiple sensors are used to detect nails at different positions, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an image capture device as an intermediary to determine nail position, which then guides a single sensor's positioning. This intermediary approach provides comprehensive detection coverage information without requiring multiple physical sensors, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable detection.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using multiple physical sensors to detect different positions simultaneously, the system creates a positional map through image capture and uses this information to position a single sensor appropriately. This copying of positional information from the image to sensor positioning achieves comprehensive coverage with simpler hardware.
Data Source
AI summary
A nail printing apparatus includes a print head that prints an image on a nail, a finger rest that is a rest on which a finger is placed and that is movable in a height direction, and a sensor that is arranged at a position above the finger rest as well as below the print head in the height direction and that is movable in a movement direction and capable of detecting a nail within a detection range. A control unit controls height adjustment in which the sensor is moved in the movement direction so that a first position of a nail area is included in the detection range of the sensor and then the finger rest is moved upward until the sensor detects the nail.