Automated Tape Setting Apparatus Using Movable Arm Gripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic tape setting apparatuses require dedicated tape feeders and pull-out sections for carrier and top tapes, leading to increased costs and complexity, especially when handling various components.

Innovation Solution

An automatic tape setting apparatus with a pitch feed mechanism, top tape peeling and delivery mechanisms, and a tape transport system that allows for the automatic setting of carrier and top tapes using a general-purpose tape feeder, eliminating the need for dedicated pull-out sections and reducing setup time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If pull-out sections are provided in carrier tape and top tape for automatic gripping, then automatic tape setting is enabled, but dedicated tape feeders and increased cost are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic tape settingVSAvoiddedicated tape feeder
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the pull-out section requirement from the tape structure itself and relocates the gripping function to a movable arm mechanism. The tape feeder remains general-purpose without dedicated pull-out sections, while the movable arm provides the necessary gripping capability during tape setting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The movable arm acts as an intermediary between the general-purpose tape feeder and the component mounting apparatus. It temporarily grips the carrier tape and top tape during setting operations, enabling automatic tape setting without requiring modifications to the tape feeder or tape structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If pull-out sections are provided for each component type, then various components can be handled, but effort and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling various componentsVSAvoidcost and effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arm is designed as a universal gripping mechanism that can handle different tape types (carrier tape and top tape) and various component configurations without requiring dedicated pull-out sections for each component type. This single multi-functional mechanism replaces multiple specialized structures.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The movable arm provides dynamic adaptability through its ability to move and position itself for gripping operations. This dynamic mechanism can accommodate various component types and tape configurations without requiring static structural modifications or dedicated pull-out sections for each component variant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If manual tape setting is performed, then simplicity is maintained, but effort and time are expended

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesimplicityVSAvoidsetting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The movable arm is pre-positioned and ready to grip the tapes before the setting operation begins. The control unit automatically coordinates the gripping, peeling, and positioning actions in sequence, eliminating manual intervention and significantly reducing setting time while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automated control. The control unit manages the entire tape setting process automatically - the movable arm grips the tapes, the peeling mechanism separates carrier tape from top tape, and the tapes are positioned in the feeders without manual intervention, reducing both effort and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2825013B1Automated tape setting apparatus
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 FUJI CORP
  • EP2825013B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2825013B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2825013B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A component package tape 2 is transported to a pitch feed mechanism section 93 by a tape transport device 30 and is held in a first tape holding section 95 by a tape holding releasing device 70. Furthermore, a top tape 22 adhered to a carrier tape 21 that is transported to the pitch feed mechanism section 93 is peeled from the carrier tape 21 by a top tape peeling section 95d while being clamped at a leading end section 22a, is transferred to a top tape delivery mechanism section 97, and is held in a second tape holding section 98 by the tape holding releasing device 70. Therefore, it is possible to automatically and reliably set the tapes 21 and 22 in the mechanism sections 93 and 97 respectively with a simple and low cost configuration. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce the setting time, in comparison with a case of manual setting.