Component Feeder Exchange for Error-Free Mounting Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

In the mounting system, operators face inefficiencies due to the need to manually search for and correctly combine component feeding units, leading to potential mistakes and delays in the mounting process.

Innovation Solution

A system with a component mounter, storage, and unit exchange device that automatically selects and exchanges component feeding units based on stored combination information, reducing operator effort and preventing mistakes by conveying the correct units to the mounter.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an operator manually prepares and arranges component feeding units, then the mounting system can operate, but the operator's workload increases and mounting efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator workloadVSAvoidmounting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service operation through automatic feeder assignment. The control device automatically determines which feeders to assign to which mounting positions based on component information, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the feeder arrangement process. The system serves itself by automatically managing the complex matching between components and feeders.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical operation of operators with an automated control system. The control device uses information processing and automated decision-making to substitute the operator's manual work in selecting and arranging feeders, thereby reducing operational complexity and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If an operator manually searches for component feeding units, then the mounting system can be configured, but time is lost and mounting start is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeder arrangement processVSAvoidmounting start time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-storing component information and feeder characteristics in the control device. Before the mounting process begins, the control device has already processed and organized all necessary information about components and feeders, enabling immediate automatic assignment when mounting is initiated, thus eliminating time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device replaces the operator's manual search process with an automated information retrieval and matching system. The control device quickly queries stored component information and determines optimal feeder assignments through automated processing, significantly reducing the time required compared to manual searching and arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an operator manually combines component feeding units, then flexibility in arrangement is maintained, but combination errors occur and rework is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeder combination flexibilityVSAvoidcombination accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by having the control device continuously reference stored component information and feeder characteristics during the assignment process. The control device verifies that each feeder assignment matches the required component specifications, providing automatic verification that prevents combination errors while maintaining flexibility in arrangement options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The automated control system replaces the operator's manual judgment and decision-making with algorithm-based automated assignment. The control device systematically evaluates component requirements against feeder capabilities using stored information, eliminating human error while preserving flexible arrangement options through automated optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11696428B2Mounting system

Publication Date: 2023.07.04 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A mounting system including a component mounter, a storage, and a unit exchange device includes a selection section that selects a combination of the specific component feeding unit and the related component feeding unit from the component feeding unit stored in the storage based on combination information indicating a combination of the characteristic rank of the specific component and a component type of the related component corresponding to the characteristic rank, and storage information including the component type, a position, and the characteristic rank of the specific component of the component feeding unit stored in the storage; and a control section that controls the unit exchange device to take out the combination of the specific component feeding unit and the related component feeding unit from the storage and to convey the combination to the component mounter.