Component Feeder Cover Tape Cutting and Extraction Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component feeders face challenges in maintaining conveyance precision and productivity due to the complexity and expense of removing and replacing cover tapes, which can damage electronic components and disrupt the conveyance process.

Innovation Solution

A component feeder design incorporating a first and second feeding device with an electronic component exposing device that includes a cover tape cutting device, a cover tape opening device, and a tongue part to guide and arrest the cover tape, allowing for precise conveyance and extraction of electronic components without completely removing the cover tape from the carrier tape, thus eliminating the need for a cover tape feeding device and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cover tape feeding device is used to remove and replace cover tapes, then electronic components can be exposed for extraction, but the device complexity increases and conveyance precision deteriorates due to the additional conveying force requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover tape removal and replacementVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cover tape removal function from the conveying system by using a cutting device that divides the cover tape at the extraction position. This allows the cover tape to be separated and removed without requiring a complex cover tape feeding device, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a cover tape feeding device to actively remove and replace cover tapes (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a cutting device to divide the cover tape and allowing the main conveying system to naturally handle the separated portions. This inversion simplifies the device structure while achieving the same functional outcome.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If a cover tape feeding device is used to remove and replace cover tapes, then electronic components can be exposed for extraction, but the conveyance precision deteriorates due to increased conveying force requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover tape removal and replacementVSAvoidconveyance precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If the cover tape is completely removed from the carrier tape, then electronic components can be extracted, but the device complexity increases and operability decreases due to separate handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent extractionVSAvoidtape handling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by cutting and dividing the cover tape only at the specific extraction position rather than completely removing the entire cover tape from the carrier tape. This allows electronic components to be extracted while the remaining cover tape stays attached to the carrier tape, enabling collective handling and recovery of both tapes together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of manufacture

If the blade of the cutter presses against the top surface of the cover tape, then the cover tape can be cut, but electronic components may be damaged by the blade

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover tape cuttingVSAvoidcomponent damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional cutting approach by having the blade press against the bottom surface of the cover tape instead of the top surface. This allows the cover tape to be cut effectively while the electronic components on the top surface are protected from direct contact with the blade, eliminating the harmful effect of potential component damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP2211600B1Component feeder

Publication Date: 2017.05.10 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD

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AI summary

A component feeder capable of enhancing productivity is provided by that the component feeder includes a tape feeding device intermittently feeding a component housing tape constituted of a carrier tape having component housing parts formed with predetermined interval to contain respective electronic components, and a cover tape covering the component housing parts to prevent the components from jumping out from the component housing parts while the component housing tape wound on a housing tape reel is sequentially fed to a component extracting position, and an electronic component exposing device exposing the electronic components in the component housing parts to be allowed to be extracted, wherein the tape feeding device is constituted of a first feeding device and a second feeding device, and the electronic component exposing device is provided between the first feeding device and the second feeding device.