Component Supply Container Oscillation for Faster Part Scattering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component supply devices face inefficiencies due to increased cycle time and errors caused by components falling outside the housing apparatus when returning from collection containers, leading to impracticality in component supply processes.

Innovation Solution

The component supply device addresses this by scattering components directly from the collection container onto the support surface, eliminating the need to return them to the housing apparatus, thus reducing cycle time and preventing component loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If components are returned to the component housing apparatus from the collection container and then scattered again, then the orientation of components changes allowing pickup, but the cycle time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent pickup capabilityVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the returning process from the component supply cycle by enabling direct scattering from the collection container to the component support section, eliminating the intermediate step of returning components to the housing apparatus. This extraction of the unnecessary returning step directly reduces cycle time while maintaining component pickup capability through proper orientation change during direct scattering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If components are returned from the collection container to the component housing apparatus, then components can be re-scattered, but components may fall outside the housing apparatus causing errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent supply processVSAvoidcomponent handling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the problematic returning step from the component supply process by enabling direct scattering from the collection container to the component support section. This eliminates the risk of components falling outside the housing apparatus during the returning operation, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the component supply function through direct scattering with orientation control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If components are scattered directly from the collection container to the component support section, then cycle time is reduced, but component orientation control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent supply speedVSAvoidorientation control mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs dynamic orientation control by enabling the collection container to rotate or change orientation during the direct scattering process. This dynamic adjustment of the container's orientation allows components to be scattered with proper orientation control directly to the component support section, achieving both high productivity and reliable orientation control without requiring complex external mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3468328B1Component supply device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 FUJI CORP
  • EP3468328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3468328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3468328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A loose component supply device including: component support member 150 configured to support multiple components in a scattered state; component collection container 180 configured to collect the components supported on the component support member via an opening in the component collection container; and a container oscillating device configured to scatter the components collected inside the component collection container onto the component support surface by swinging the component collection container such that the opening of the collection container faces the component support member. By this, because components are scattered on the component support member directly form the component collection container, the cycle time is shortened, thereby improving practicality of a component supply device.