Carrier Tape Discharge Duct Neutralization in Component Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The component tape in electronic component mounting devices becomes charged with static electricity during operation, causing the used carrier tape to stick to the discharge duct walls, leading to clogging and interruptions in the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a static charge elimination member, such as a brush or cord, within the discharge duct or tape feeder to neutralize static charges on the used carrier tape as it is collected, preventing attraction to the duct walls and ensuring smooth operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a static charge elimination brush is disposed at the tape introduction opening to eliminate static charge on the fed component tape, then static charge on the introduced tape is reduced, but static charge is generated again at the component supply position due to cover tape peeling, and the used carrier tape still sticks to the discharge duct wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestatic charge elimination effectivenessVSAvoidstatic charge generation at component supply position
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the static charge elimination function from a single location (introduction opening) and applies it at multiple locations: both the introduction opening and the discharge duct. This ensures that static charge is eliminated at the source (introduction) and also addressed where it causes problems (discharge duct wall sticking).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a second static charge elimination brush as an intermediary device in the discharge duct to neutralize static charge on the used carrier tape before it contacts the duct wall. This intermediary brush prevents the harmful effect of sticking without interfering with the component feeding process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the used carrier tape is collected in a collection box through a discharge duct, then the used tape is disposed of, but the used carrier tape sticks to the discharge duct wall due to static electricity and adhesive, causing clogging and requiring machine stoppage for removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent collection efficiencyVSAvoiddischarge duct clogging and maintenance
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary anti-action by placing a static charge elimination brush in the discharge duct upstream of the collection box. This brush preemptively neutralizes static charge on the used carrier tape before it can stick to the duct wall, preventing the clogging problem before it occurs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The static charge elimination brush performs preliminary action by eliminating static charge on the used carrier tape as it passes through the discharge duct, before the tape reaches the collection box. This preliminary charge elimination prevents subsequent sticking and clogging issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the used carrier tape sticks to the discharge duct wall, then the tape cannot be properly collected, but removing the stuck tape requires stopping the component mounting machine, delaying manufacturing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape collection reliabilityVSAvoidmachine stoppage time for tape removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The static charge elimination brush in the discharge duct performs preliminary anti-action by neutralizing static charge on the used carrier tape before it can stick to the duct wall. This prevents the situation where tape removal would require machine stoppage, thereby eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the harmful static charge that causes sticking into a beneficial neutralization process. By placing the static charge elimination brush in the discharge duct, the system actively neutralizes the static charge that would otherwise cause clogging and production delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

Prevents the used carrier tape from sticking to the discharge duct walls, maintaining the flow of components and preventing clogging, thus ensuring continuous operation of the component mounting machine.

Implementation Method 1

a static charge elimination member is provided attached to the tape slot or inside the discharge duct and is configured to neutralize static charges of the used carrier tape passing through the discharge duct

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStatic charge elimination: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP3713383B1Electronic component mounting device
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 FUJI CORP
  • EP3713383B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3713383B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3713383B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic component mounting device for performing a static charge elimination process on a used portion of a component tape, the electronic component mounting device comprising: a component tape in which a cover tape is adhered to a carrier tape accommodating multiple electronic components at a predetermined pitch; a tape feeder for feeding the component tape from a tape reel, with having a peeling mechanism for peeling the cover tape from the carrier tape at a component supply position; a mounting head configured to take out electronic components from the carrier tape at the component supply position and mount the electronic components on a board; and a tape collection portion in which a static charge elimination member is provided along a discharge path of the carrier tape from which the electronic components have been taken out, the discharge path being through a discharge duct from the tape feeder to a collection box.