3D Terminal Shape Evaluation for Electronic Component Flatness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic component inspection methods fail to accurately evaluate flatness and terminal shape, leading to improper mounting that is only detected after circuit assembly, resulting in entire circuit failure.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component evaluation method and device that uses 3D imaging to set reference points on terminals, determining their shape and position, and compares these against preset specifications to classify components as good or defective.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional inspection methods are used, then inspection speed is maintained, but measurement precision of flatness and terminal shape is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflatness detection accuracyVSAvoidinspection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from conventional 2D imaging to 3D imaging to measure terminal height and flatness. By capturing images from multiple angles (front and side views) and processing them to extract three-dimensional information, the system achieves precise measurement of terminal dimensions and component flatness without requiring complex mechanical measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual copies of the electronic component through 3D imaging and processing. By generating virtual three-dimensional models from captured images and calculating virtual height information, the system eliminates the need for physical contact measurement while achieving high precision in terminal shape and flatness evaluation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If comprehensive terminal evaluation is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal shape accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary 3D modeling and virtual measurement calculations during the inspection process. By pre-processing images to create virtual three-dimensional models and calculating terminal height and flatness data before final evaluation, the system enables comprehensive measurement without requiring multiple separate inspection steps, thus reducing total inspection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions (terminal height, terminal shape, component flatness) into a single integrated inspection process. By simultaneously extracting multiple parameters from the same set of captured images through 3D processing, the system achieves comprehensive evaluation without proportionally increasing inspection time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If flatness is detected with higher accuracy, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting reliabilityVSAvoidimaging and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with optical imaging and computational processing. Instead of using mechanical sensors or contact-based measurement devices to detect flatness, the system uses 3D camera imaging and virtual model processing to calculate flatness data, achieving high reliability while avoiding mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 precise evaluation of individual terminals' flatness and shape, preventing improper mounting and ensuring reliable assembly by identifying defects early in the inspection stage.

Implementation Method 1

laser light is radiated on the electronic component from a side of the glass substrate. The height measurement device measures a terminal height by concentrating the reflected light reflected by a terminal of the electronic component

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3901569B1Electronic component evaluation method, electronic component evaluation device, and electronic component evaluation program
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 SUMIDA CORP
  • EP3901569B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3901569B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3901569B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic component evaluation method of evaluating a state of an electronic component 5 includes acquiring reference point information (step S501), with respect to at least one of terminals 511 to 518, reference point information including at least one of position information and first height information of a plurality of corresponding reference points Pm1 to Pm32 on the terminal from imaging data obtained by image-capturing the electronic component 5 including a component body 51 and a plurality of terminals 511 to 518 attached to the component body 51, and determining a state according to a shape of the electronic component 5 based on a plurality of pieces of the reference point information (step S502).