Printed Tube Opening Rollers for Conductor Marking Without Bulging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional devices for marking prolate objects, such as conductors, are limited in their ability to automate multiple printing applications and often fail to reliably open printed tubes without bulging, and lack flexibility in handling different tape widths.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a printer, cutting unit, and opening unit with rollers that rotate perpendicular to the tube's longitudinal direction, along with a flattening unit and heating elements, allows for automated tube application around prolate objects, ensuring reliable opening and alignment without bulging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional opening technique is used with jaws pressing on longitudinal edges of flattened tube, then the tube can be opened, but the upper and lower halves of the tube will bulge out in the same direction instead of opening properly
Solution Approach 1:
The opening unit separates the tube opening function into two independent rollers that act on opposite sides of the tube. Each roller independently presses one half of the cut tube open, preventing the bulging that occurs when both sides are pressed simultaneously by jaws. This segmentation of the opening action resolves the contradiction between reliable opening and shape distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of pressing both tube halves in the same direction (conventional approach), the opening unit presses the upper and lower halves in opposite directions - one roller presses upward while the other presses downward. This inverted approach of applying opposite forces prevents bulging and achieves reliable opening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional devices are used for conductor marking, then certain labels can be printed, but no other printing applications are possible with such a device
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions (printing, cutting, flattening, opening, and applying) into a single universal system. The printer can be configured for different printing applications by changing the attached device module, allowing one base system to serve multiple marking purposes without requiring specialized printers for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable components that can adapt to different tube widths and marking requirements. The opening unit rollers and flattening unit can be adjusted to accommodate various tube dimensions, enabling the same device to handle diverse printing applications dynamically.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional technique is used for cutting label cores from flat tubular label tape, then cutting can be performed, but different tape widths cannot be handled
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting unit incorporates adjustable components that can be repositioned to accommodate different tape widths while maintaining precise cutting. The ability to dynamically adjust the cutting position and roller spacing allows the device to handle variable tape dimensions without sacrificing cutting accuracy.
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 quick conversion of a printer system for various marking applications, including conductors, with automated tube application and reliable opening, reducing the need for specialized printers and manual labor.
Implementation Method 1
The device 100 comprises a heating element arranged to heat the printed tube (214) between the flattening unit (160) and the opening unit (122)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for providing a tube that is arranged or can be arranged circumferentially around a prolate object (102), preferably around a conductor, as a marking (101) for the object (102). The device (100) comprises a printer (200) for outputting a printed tube (214) in the longitudinal direction (210) or a material interface (156) for receiving a printed tube (214) output from a printer (200) in the longitudinal direction (210). The device (100) also comprises a cutting unit (120) which is configured to cut through the printed tube (214) at an intersection of the tube (214) in a transverse direction (121) that is transverse, preferably perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction (210) of the tube. At least at the intersection, an upper half of the tube and a lower half of the tube are adjacent to each other or connected to each other on the end side and/or on the inner side. The device (100) also comprises an opening unit (122) for opening the upper and lower tube halves. The opening unit comprises at least two opening rollers (123) that can rotate about a respective axis of rotation (123A). The respective axis of rotation (123A) is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (210) and to the transverse direction (121). The at least two opening rollers (123) lie against the cut printed tube on opposite sides in the transverse direction (121).