Double-sided adhesive attaching robot arm for PCB assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual attachment of double-sided adhesive to printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) results in low accuracy and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A double-sided adhesive attaching device comprising a driver, platform, and robot arm that places, strips protective films from, and secures double-sided adhesive onto PCBAs with high alignment accuracy, eliminating the need for manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual attachment method is used, then device complexity is low, but manufacturing precision and productivity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning structure enables self-alignment through cooperative positioning between the positioning holes on the adhesive tape and the positioning pins on the platform. The robot arm performs multiple operations (placement, protective film stripping, attachment) automatically without manual intervention, achieving high precision through automated control rather than complex mechanical positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot arm system controlled by a control unit. The robot arm uses vision guidance or preset coordinates to achieve precise positioning and attachment, substituting human skill-based manual operations with automated programmable systems that provide consistent high precision

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

2Productivity

If manual attachment method is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate operations (adhesive tape placement, protective film stripping, and attachment) into a single integrated robot arm system. The robot arm performs all these operations sequentially without requiring manual intervention between steps, significantly improving productivity by eliminating transfer times and manual operation bottlenecks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated robot arm system enables continuous operation without the interruptions inherent in manual processes. The robot arm can continuously place adhesive tapes, strip protective films, and attach them to PCBAs in a seamless workflow, maximizing productivity through uninterrupted automated production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Manufacturing precision

If automated robot arm is used, then productivity and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robot arm is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform placement, protective film stripping, and attachment operations with a single tool. This universality reduces the need for multiple specialized devices, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maintaining high precision through automated control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning structure acts as an intermediary mechanism that simplifies the complexity of achieving high precision. By using standardized positioning holes and pins that enable automatic alignment, the system achieves accurate positioning without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms or sophisticated control algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If positioning structure is used to secure adhesive layer, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning structure enables self-alignment through the cooperative interaction between positioning holes on the adhesive tape and positioning pins on the platform. This self-positioning mechanism achieves high precision without requiring complex active control systems or sophisticated sensing mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3351496B1Double-sided adhesive tape attaching apparatus and method for attaching double-sided adhesive tape
Publication Date: 2022.04.20 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • EP3351496B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP3351496B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP3351496B1 patent drawingFigure 4a

AI summary

A device for attachment of double-sided adhesive includes a driver (10), a platform (20) and a robot arm (301, 302) provided above the platform (20). The robot arm (301, 302) is connected with the driver (10), and configured to place the double-sided adhesive (40) onto a preset position of the platform (20), strip off the first protective film (401) of the double-sided adhesive (40) at the preset position, press the printed circuit board assembly at the preset position against the double-sided adhesive (40) without the first protective film (401), and unload the printed circuit board assembly attached with the double-sided adhesive (40) from the preset position. A positioning structure (201) is provided at the preset position and configured to secure the adhesive layer and the second protective film (402) when the robot arm (301, 302) strips off the first protective film (401), and release the securing of the adhesive layer and the second protective film (402) when the double-sided adhesive (40) is attached to the printed circuit board assembly. The device improves the attaching efficiency and the attaching accuracy. A method for attachment of the double-sided adhesive is further provided.