Retractable UV Screen Assembly for Flexible Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible manufacturing systems for printing on articles lack effective UV protection mechanisms to prevent ink curing outside designated printing regions, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage to non-target areas.
Innovation Solution
A retractable UV protective screen assembly integrated with the printing device, which includes a housing member and a screen member that can extend and retract, automatically fastening to support members to block UV light and prevent curing outside the printing region.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed UV protective screen is used, then UV protection is provided, but the device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly is designed to be retractable rather than fixed, allowing it to extend when needed for UV protection and retract when not needed. This dynamic configuration reduces device complexity and improves flexibility while maintaining effective UV protection when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen assembly is divided into separable components including a screen member that can be extended from and retracted into a housing member. This segmentation allows the protective function to be activated only when needed, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a retractable screen assembly is implemented, then device flexibility is improved, but reliability of UV protection may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly automatically extends and retracts based on the printing device's position relative to support members, eliminating the need for manual operation. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent UV protection reliability while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the spatial relationship between the printing device and support members as feedback to control screen extension and retraction. This feedback mechanism ensures the screen is extended only when needed for UV protection, maintaining both reliability and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual screen operation is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen assembly operates automatically based on the printing device's position, eliminating manual intervention during printing operations. This self-service operation maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving productivity by preventing ink curing issues that would require manual correction.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic screen extension and retraction ensures continuous UV protection during the entire printing process, preventing interruptions and rework. This continuity of protective action maintains manufacturing simplicity while maximizing printing productivity.
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 retractable UV screen assembly effectively prevents UV light from curing ink outside the intended printing area, ensuring precise and efficient printing on articles while maintaining flexibility and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The screen member can extend from the housing member while the printing device is in use... effectively prevents UV light from curing ink outside the intended printing area
Data Source
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AI summary
A flexible manufacturing system is provided. The system comprises: a printing assembly (100) with a printing device (101) and a retractable screen assembly (120); the retractable screen assembly further comprising: a housing member (130) fastened to the printing device and a screen member (140) that can extend from and retract into the housing member; and characterized in that it further comprises: a support member (320, 322) disposed adjacent to the printing assembly, wherein the printing assembly is configured to move relative to the support member; wherein a portion (142) of the screen member can automatically fasten to the support member when the printing device is moved directly adjacent to the support member and while the screen member is retracted within the housing member; and wherein the screen member extends from the housing member as the printing device is moved away from the support member and while the portion remains fastened to the support member.