Component Mounting Machine FPGA Clock Gating for Nozzle Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting machines require power shutdown during nozzle exchange, leading to prolonged downtime due to rebooting, and may risk damage from induced voltage when the mounting head is not properly removed.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of an FPGA with clock gating function in attachable and detachable devices to manage power consumption, reducing current flow and preventing induced voltage during nozzle exchange by stopping unused functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If power supply to the mounting head is turned off before nozzle exchange, then electronic components are protected from damage, but production downtime increases due to rebooting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of electronic componentsVSAvoidproduction downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the power supply state changeable based on operational context. The mounting head can dynamically switch between powered-on and powered-off states depending on whether a nozzle exchange is required, allowing the system to adapt its power consumption and protection level to current operational needs rather than maintaining a fixed power state

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the power supply parameter (on/off state) based on the operational context. By detecting whether a nozzle exchange is required, the system adjusts the power supply parameter accordingly - turning off power only when necessary for protection while maintaining power when unnecessary shutdowns would cause downtime

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If power supply to the mounting head remains on during nozzle exchange, then production can be resumed immediately, but electronic components may be damaged by induced voltage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction resumption speedVSAvoidinduced voltage damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the power supply state based on operational context. When a nozzle exchange is detected as required, the power is turned off to prevent induced voltage damage. When no exchange is required, the power remains on to maintain productivity. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between protection and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback by detecting whether a nozzle exchange is required and using this information to control the power supply state. The system continuously monitors operational conditions and adjusts power supply accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that prevents damage while maintaining productivity when safe

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If operator always turns off power supply during nozzle exchange, then component damage is prevented, but unnecessary rebooting occurs when mounting head is not removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of electronic componentsVSAvoidoperational procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting whether a nozzle exchange is required and autonomously controlling the power supply state. This eliminates the need for the operator to manually turn off power in all cases, allowing the system to intelligently determine when protection is necessary and when it can maintain normal operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback control where the system detects operational context (whether nozzle exchange is required) and uses this feedback to automatically adjust power supply. This closed-loop approach prevents component damage while avoiding unnecessary shutdowns and reboots, simplifying the operational procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4050982B1Component mounting machine
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 FUJI CORP
  • EP4050982B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4050982B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A control device (11) configured to control a component pickup and mounting operation of a component mounting machine; and multiple devices (12, 13) configured to execute the component pickup and mounting operation are provided, and at least one device (13) out of the multiple devices is attachably and detachably attached to the component mounting machine and the attachable and detachable device is provided with an FPGA (26) that operates each function of the attachable and detachable device by communicating with the control device. The FPGA has a clock gating function (27) of reducing an electric current flowing into the attachable and detachable device by stopping processing on a function that is not used, out of individual functions of the attachable and detachable device, when the attachable and detachable device is in a state capable of being removed by an operator.