Closed-Loop Tray Assembly for Mixed-Shape Electronic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic apparatus production systems face inefficiencies in automating the assembly of diverse components with different shapes and functions, requiring manual or robotic selection and assembly, which can be labor-intensive and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus production system featuring a closed-loop transmission rail with circulating storage trays, automatic distributing equipment that recognizes and picks up components using a camera and grippers, and an automatic assembling equipment that assembles components into a cohesive unit, enhancing automation and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual or robotic selection and assembly of components is used, then the system can handle diverse components with different shapes, but the process becomes labor-intensive and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of component selection and assemblyVSAvoiderror rate in component selection and assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical selection and assembly with an automated vision-guided robotic system. The recognition device (camera) captures component images, the control unit processes these images to identify component types and positions, and the robotic arm executes precise picking and placement operations, eliminating human error and labor intensity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where the recognition device continuously monitors component positions and types, the control unit compares actual positions with target positions, and real-time adjustments are made to the robotic arm's movements to ensure accurate component placement and reduce errors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If separate supplies for different components are used, then component organization is simplified, but the system complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent organization and supplyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal robotic arm that can handle multiple component types with different shapes and sizes through adaptive gripper mechanisms. The single robotic system performs both selection from the support tray and assembly onto the worktable, eliminating the need for multiple specialized handling systems and reducing overall system complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support tray serves as an intermediary device between component storage and the assembly area. It organizes diverse components in a standardized format that the robotic system can easily access and manipulate, simplifying both component supply and system structure by providing a single intermediate handling platform

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If scattered different components with different shapes are assembled manually, then flexibility in handling diverse components is maintained, but manufacturing efficiency and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidhandling of diverse component shapes
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by using the recognition device to identify and locate all components before assembly begins. The control unit pre-calculates the optimal picking sequence and placement positions, allowing the robotic arm to execute assembly operations efficiently without real-time decision delays, thus improving productivity while maintaining ease of handling diverse shapes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3142829B1Electronic apparatus production system
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 TYCO ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO LTD
  • EP3142829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3142829B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3142829B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention discloses an electronic apparatus production system(1000), comprising: a transmission rail (9) in the form of a substantially closed loop; a plurality of storage trays (5) circulating on the transmission rail (9), each of the storage trays comprising a plurality of holding portions to hold components with different shapes; at least one automatic distributing equipment (100) configured to mount the components with different shapes on the respective holding portions; and at least one automatic assembling equipment (300) configured to grip the components from the storage tray (5). In the present invention, the electronic apparatus production system may assemble scattered components into an electronic apparatus and achieve a circulating movement of a storage tray (5).