Bulk Feeder Flexible Section Alignment Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bulk feeders with fixedly connected suction nozzles face challenges in aligning the supply position and holding position of electronic components due to movement, leading to misalignment issues during component pickup.

Innovation Solution

A bulk feeder with a flexible connecting section and an actuator that allows the supply passage to adjust its position, enabling correction of the supply position using a control device and piezoelectric elements to align the holding and supply positions, even when the feeder is moved with a mounting head.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the bulk feeder is fixedly connected to a mounting head with suction nozzles and moved together by a moving device, then the mounting head can be positioned at any location, but the supply position and holding position of electronic components cannot be aligned due to movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting head positioning capabilityVSAvoidalignment between supply position and holding position
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The supply passage is divided into multiple block sections (first block section, second block section, etc.) connected by flexible connecting sections. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each block section's position while maintaining overall supply passage functionality, enabling alignment correction without affecting the entire feeder system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bulk feeder transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The first block section is made movable relative to the second block section through flexible connecting sections, allowing real-time position adjustment to maintain alignment between supply and holding positions during mounting head movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the supply passage is made rigid and fixed, then the structure is simple and stable, but the supply position cannot be adjusted to align with the holding position when the feeder moves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupply passage structural stabilityVSAvoidsupply position adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The supply passage incorporates movable block sections connected by flexible joints, transforming the rigid structure into a dynamically adjustable one. This allows the supply position to be corrected while maintaining overall structural stability through the connected block sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position parameters of block sections within the supply passage are made changeable. By adjusting the position of the first block section relative to the second block section, the supply position can be modified to align with the holding position while the overall supply passage maintains its structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the bulk feeder is moved together with the mounting head, then the system integrates well, but various alignment methods must be investigated to maintain proper positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integrationVSAvoidalignment correction mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The supply passage is segmented into adjustable block sections that can independently correct position deviations. This localized adjustment mechanism is simpler than correcting the entire feeder system, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining system integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bulk feeder incorporates self-correction capability through movable block sections that can automatically adjust the supply position to align with the holding position. This self-service alignment mechanism reduces the need for external complex alignment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution allows for precise alignment of the electronic component holding and supply positions, reducing pickup time and ensuring accurate placement of components by the suction nozzles, even when deviations occur, and supports multiple suction nozzles with image-based correction.

Implementation Method 1

the bulk feeder is equipped with an actuator for moving the number one block section using the curvature of the connecting section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2862821B1Bulk feeder
Publication Date: 2018.07.18 FUJI CORP
  • EP2862821B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2862821B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2862821B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

For a bulk feeder for supplying electronic components to a supply position which is provided with a storage section for storing multiple electronic components in a loose state and a supply passage for guiding the electronic components stored in that storage section to an electronic component supply position while arranged in a single line, a section of the supply passage is a section which has flexibility and groove block member 172 which includes an electronic component supply position is moved using the flexibility of that section with flexibility. By this, it is possible to perform correction of the supply position and it is possible to suitably align the electronic component holding position and supply position.