Tag Mounter Pipe Unit Gripper Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tag mounters restrict the thickness and type of threads that can be used due to the size of the needle eye and friction issues, preventing the use of thicker or more robust threads like gold or silver threads.
Innovation Solution
A tag mounter design that eliminates the need for inserting threads through a needle eye by using a pipe unit with a gripper mechanism to grip and retract the thread, allowing for thicker and more varied thread types, including gold and silver threads, by moving the pipe unit and gripper unit in a coordinated manner to form and tie loops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a needle eye is used to insert the thread, then the thread can be passed through the object, but the thread thickness and type are restricted due to needle eye size and friction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the needle eye component from the system and replaces it with a pipe unit. This extraction eliminates the friction problem caused by the needle eye's small opening while maintaining the thread passing function. The pipe unit has a larger opening that can accommodate various thread types including thick threads like gold and silver threads without causing excessive friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe unit serves as an intermediary component between the thread insertion point and the object. Instead of forcing the thread through a small needle eye, the pipe unit guides the thread with a larger opening, reducing friction and enabling the use of thicker, more versatile thread types.
2Strength
If a thicker thread is used to increase strength, then the thread can handle larger forces, but it cannot be inserted through the needle eye
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the needle eye constraint, the patent allows insertion of thicker threads that have higher strength. The pipe unit replacement enables threads with larger diameters to be passed through the object without the size limitation imposed by the needle eye.
3Ease of operation
If a thinner thread is used to ease insertion, then the thread can pass through the needle eye, but it may break due to friction
Solution Approach 1:
Removing the needle eye eliminates the high-friction interface that causes thin thread breakage. The pipe unit provides a larger, lower-friction passage that maintains thread integrity during insertion.
4Device complexity
If a needle eye structure is used, then the device has a simple structure, but it restricts thread thickness and type
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple needle eye structure with a pipe unit that maintains structural simplicity while significantly improving thread adaptability. The pipe unit's larger opening accommodates various thread types including thick gold and silver threads.
Data Source
AI summary
A tag mounter (21) is provided for mounting a tag to an object by passing and tying a thread (23) through the object. A pipe unit (25) is configured to insert the thread (23) through it. A movement mechanism (29) is configured to move the pipe unit (25) toward a front direction and a rear direction. A gripper unit (27) is configured to grip the thread (23) inserted through the pipe unit (25) and exposed from a tip of the pipe unit (25). A driver unit (6) is configured to move the gripper unit (27) along a predetermined course. A thread tying mechanism (16) is configured to tie the thread (23) gripped by the gripper unit (27).