Component Mounting Storage Control for Feeder Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting systems face issues where a storage becomes occupied by feeders with no components, leading to production line stops due to lack of space or improper storage of feeders required for future production.

Innovation Solution

A component mounting system with a control section that outputs recovery urging and replenishment prohibition warnings to manage the occupancy state of component supply devices, preventing storage from becoming full by prioritizing the recovery of low-probability feeders and prohibiting unnecessary replenishments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the storage is used to store component supply devices without occupancy management, then the storage capacity is maximized, but the storage becomes full leading to production line stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidproduction continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control section continuously monitors the occupancy state of the storage and provides feedback through warnings. When the storage reaches a predetermined occupancy threshold, the system outputs recovery urging warnings to prompt operator action, preventing the storage from becoming full and ensuring production continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by issuing warnings before the storage becomes completely full. The recovery urging warning is output when occupancy reaches a predetermined high state, allowing operators to recover component supply devices in advance before the storage capacity is exhausted, thereby preventing production stops.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If component supply devices are stored without occupancy control, then the storage utilization is maximized, but the storage becomes occupied by devices with no components or for future production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage utilizationVSAvoidstorage management
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control section monitors the occupancy state and provides feedback through differentiated warnings. The replenishment prohibition warning specifically prevents storing component supply devices that are not needed for current or future production, while the recovery urging warning prompts recovery of devices with no components, thereby improving storage management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of storage management by introducing occupancy threshold thresholds and differentiated warning states. When occupancy reaches the predetermined high state, the system transitions from normal operation to warning states, changing the management approach from passive storage to active occupancy control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the storage is allowed to become full, then the maximum number of component supply devices can be stored, but the loader cannot recover devices and production stops

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of stored devicesVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by outputting recovery urging warnings before the storage becomes completely full. This preventive measure prompts operators to recover component supply devices in advance, counteracting the potential harm of storage fullness before it occurs, thereby maintaining production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The control section provides continuous feedback on storage occupancy status and triggers appropriate warnings. This feedback mechanism ensures that operators are informed in advance when storage capacity is approaching limits, allowing timely recovery actions that prevent production stops and maintain productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4037450B1Component mounting system
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 FUJI CORP
  • EP4037450B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4037450B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4037450B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A component mounting system includes a component mounter group, a storage, and a loader. The storage is provided on an upstream side or a downstream side of the component mounter group and has a storage area in which multiple component supply devices are arranged and supported detachably. The loader automatically takes out and/or attach the component supply devices from and/or to the component mounters and the storage. When an occupancy state of the component supply device supported by the storage area reaches a predetermined high occupancy state, the control section of the component mounting system outputs at least one of a recovery urging warning for prompting recovery of the component supply devices supported by the storage area and a replenishment prohibition warning for prohibiting replenishment of the component supply device used in a next production or later onto the storage area.