Component Feeder Vertical Lift Pick Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible feeders for bulk storage have a large footprint and cause wear to components due to the need for frequent return of components to storage, limiting their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
A component feeder system with a vertical lift and a retractable pick surface, combined with a spreader and vibration means, allows for efficient spreading and retrieval of components without returning them to bulk storage, minimizing wear and optimizing footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If components are returned to bulk storage after being spread on the pick surface, then the pick surface area can be small, but this causes wear to the components and increases the footprint of the feeder
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the bulk storage directly below the pick surface in the vertical dimension, allowing the pick surface to be large relative to the feeder footprint without increasing horizontal space. This vertical arrangement eliminates the need to return components to bulk storage, thereby preventing component wear while maintaining a compact overall footprint.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pick surface area is made large, then fewer components need to be returned to bulk storage, but this increases the footprint of the feeder
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging the bulk storage vertically below the pick surface, the patent allows the pick surface to be large without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint. The vertical stacking of storage and pick areas enables a large pick surface while maintaining a compact overall feeder footprint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a vision system is used to recognize components, then flexible feeding of various components is enabled, but this increases the complexity and cost of the system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a vision system that automatically recognizes and identifies components, enabling the feeder to adapt to different component types without manual intervention. This automated recognition system reduces the need for complex mechanical reconfiguration mechanisms, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high versatility.
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
The system enables a larger pick surface area relative to the feeder's footprint, reduces component wear, and allows for efficient feeding and retrieval of components with adjustable platform sizes and reduced vision system requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A feeder using a rotating disc for advancing components to pass an orientation filter is disclosed in WO89/02865. The feeder according to WO89/02865 further discloses a lift for selecting a number of components from a bulk storage.
Implementation Method 2
a spreader configured to give the selection of components a push for spreading the selection of components from the lift on the pick surface
Implementation Method 3
the component feeder further comprises vibration means for causing the pick surface to vibrate and reorient the selection of components
Data Source
AI summary
A component feeder including a lift for elevating a selection of components from a bulk storage, and a pick surface adjacent to the lift for receiving the selection of components. A spreader gives the selection of components a push for spreading the selection of components from the lift on the pick surface. The combination of a vertical lift and a separate pick surface adjacent to the lift enables the bulk storage being positioned right below the pick surface. The area of the pick surface is large in relation to the total footprint of the component feeder.