Robotic Inkjet Livery Printing With Overlapping 360° Vehicle Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for applying livery on transportation equipment, such as aircraft, are inefficient due to high infrastructure costs, time requirements, and limitations in maneuverability and color resolution, and do not effectively accommodate large vehicles with obstructions.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a reversibly moveable crossbeam with serial robotic manipulators and interchangeable inkjet print heads, allowing for 360° printing on vehicles by overlapping the range of motion of multiple end effectors to cover large surfaces and accommodate obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If spray painting is used to apply livery, then the livery can be applied to large surfaces, but the infrastructure costs and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical spray painting system with an inkjet printing system. The inkjet print head deposits material precisely through controlled droplet ejection, eliminating the need for complex spray painting infrastructure including air flow systems, explosion-proof equipment, and extensive preparation time. This substitution maintains the ability to cover large surfaces while dramatically reducing time and infrastructure requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the application process by transitioning from spray painting to inkjet printing. This involves changing the material delivery mechanism from aerosol spray to controlled droplet ejection, the drying method from conventional spray drying to controlled evaporation, and the infrastructure requirements from explosion-proof systems to standard printing equipment. These parameter changes enable large surface coverage without the time and infrastructure penalties of traditional spray painting.
2Area of stationary object
If spray painting equipment is repositioned to cover entire vehicle surfaces, then complete coverage is achieved, but equipment movement time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamically reconfigurable robotic manipulator system with multiple degrees of freedom. The manipulator can adapt its pose and position dynamically to access different surfaces of the vehicle, including areas obscured by lights, antennas, and other obstructions. This dynamic capability eliminates the need for physical repositioning of heavy equipment while maintaining complete surface coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces multi-dimensional movement capability through the robotic manipulator system. Instead of moving equipment along the vehicle surface in a linear fashion, the system uses rotational and translational degrees of freedom to position the print head in three-dimensional space, allowing access to all surfaces including top, bottom, and obscured areas without physical relocation of the printing system.
3Extent of automation
If existing robotic manipulators are used for large vehicles, then automation is achieved, but maneuverability around obstructions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a dynamically reconfigurable robotic manipulator with multiple degrees of freedom that can adapt its pose and position in real-time. The manipulator system includes rotational joints and translational movements that enable it to navigate around obstructions such as lights, antennas, and other vehicle features. This dynamic capability maintains full automation while providing the maneuverability needed to access all vehicle surfaces.
4Reliability
If spray painting is used for livery application, then durable coating is achieved, but color resolution and minimum feature size are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the spray painting mechanism with an inkjet printing system that deposits material through controlled droplet ejection. This substitution enables precise control over material placement at the droplet level, achieving color resolution and minimum feature size far superior to spray painting. The inkjet system can selectively deposit material only where needed, creating sharp edges and fine details while maintaining coating durability through controlled material application and evaporation.
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
Enables efficient, time-saving, and cost-effective application of durable livery on large vehicles with improved color resolution and maneuverability, reducing the need for repositioning equipment and infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
A method of ink jet printing an exterior surface of a vehicle includes providing a reversibly moveable crossbeam mounted above an open pit
Implementation Method 2
The first end effector comprises a first interchangeable ink jet print head and the second end effector comprises a second interchangeable ink jet print head
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure includes a method and apparatus for ink jet printing an exterior surface of a vehicle including a reversibly moveable crossbeam mounted above an open pit; a first track located above the reversibly moveable crossbeam, a first reversibly moveable monument including a first serial robotic manipulator including a first end effector defining a first end effector range of motion based on fully extended reversible movement of the first serial robotic manipulator; a second track located in the open pit beneath the reversibly moveable crossbeam; a second reversibly moveable monument coupled to the second pair of rails, the second reversibly moveable monument including a second end effector defining a second end effector range of motion based on fully extended reversible movement of the second serial robotic manipulator. The first end effector range of motion overlaps the second end effector range of motion.