Direct-to-Object Printer Retainer Mechanism for Stable Cup Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing direct-to-object print systems face challenges in securely retaining objects during printing, as they lack effective mechanisms to stabilize objects with non-negligible depth, such as coffee cups or bottles, which hinders widespread adoption in manufacturing environments.
Innovation Solution
A direct-to-object print system incorporating an object holder with a shuttle mount and removable retainers that slideably traverse a support member parallel to the printhead, allowing for secure retention of objects through a combination of geometrically shaped receptacles and retainer mechanisms, including spring-loaded retainers, to maintain object stability during printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a label is printed and applied to the surface of the object, then printing capability is achieved, but the object must be manually handled and positioned which increases operation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The object holder system automatically secures the object during printing without requiring manual handling or positioning adjustments. The retainers engage with the object's geometric features to self-position and secure the object on the shuttle mount, eliminating the need for operator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The object holder acts as an intermediary between the printing system and the object. It provides a standardized interface with receptacles and retainers that accommodate various objects, translating the printing requirement into a secured position on the shuttle mount without direct manual handling.
2Reliability
If the object holder structure is made more complex to secure objects with non-negligible depth, then object retention reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The object holder is segmented into modular components: a shuttle mount with multiple receptacles, removable retainers with heads and bases, and geometric engagement features. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve reliable retention through combination of simple elements rather than a single complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainers are designed to be removable and reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adjustment for different objects. The bases can be pressed into receptacles to secure retainers in specific orientations, and retainers can be removed when not needed, providing flexibility without permanent complex structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If retainers are made removable and reconfigurable to accommodate various objects, then adaptability improves, but the time to secure and reconfigure objects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are pre-positioned on the shuttle mount at predetermined locations and orientations. The retainers are pre-designed with complementary geometric features that match the receptacles. When an object needs to be secured, the retainer is simply pressed into the pre-positioned receptacle, eliminating the need for time-consuming measurement, marking, or adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The same receptacle and retainer design accommodates multiple object types and orientations through geometric engagement. A single retainer configuration can secure objects in different orientations by rotating or repositioning the retainer head, providing multi-functionality without requiring separate securing mechanisms for each object type.
Data Source
AI summary
What is disclosed is an object holder for securely retaining an object while it is being printed in a direct-to-object print system and a direct-to-object print system configured to use various embodiments of the object holder of the present invention. In one embodiment, the object holder comprises a shuttle mount configured to slideably traverse a support member positioned parallel to a plane formed by at least one printhead configured to eject in onto a surface of an object. The mount has a plurality of receptacles, each has a shape for receiving a retainer in one of a plurality of orientations. A head of each retainer is shaped to retain an edge of the object on the mount. A base of each retainer is shaped such that, when the base is pressed into a receptacle, the head assumes a desired orientation. The removable retainers retain the object on the shuttle mount.