Component Re-Scattering Container to Shorten Supply Cycle Time

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component supply devices face inefficiencies due to increased cycle time and errors caused by components falling outside the housing apparatus when returning components from a collection container, leading to impracticality in component supply processes.

Innovation Solution

A component supply device with a collection container that changes orientation to scatter components directly onto the support surface, eliminating the need to return components to the housing apparatus and reducing cycle time by allowing direct scattering from the collection container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If components are returned to the component housing apparatus from the collection container, then components can be scattered again on the component support section, but the cycle time increases and components may fall outside the housing apparatus causing errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent supply reliabilityVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the scattering function from the component housing apparatus and relocates it to the collection container. The collection container is equipped with an opening that faces the component support section, allowing it to directly scatter collected components onto the support section without returning them to the housing apparatus. This extraction eliminates the unnecessary return step, reducing cycle time and preventing component loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of the conventional flow where components move from housing apparatus → support section → collection container → housing apparatus → support section, the invention inverts the final step by having the collection container directly scatter components onto the support section. This reverse flow eliminates the return journey to the housing apparatus, solving both the time loss and reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If components are returned to the component housing apparatus from the collection container, then components can be scattered again on the component support section, but the device complexity increases due to additional movement steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent supply reliabilityVSAvoidcomponent supply process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the scattering capability from the housing apparatus and integrates it into the collection container. By equipping the collection container with an opening facing the support section, the system eliminates the need for complex return mechanisms and multiple transfer steps, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If components are scattered from the component housing apparatus onto the component support section, then components can be supplied, but components may become scattered in a state where pickup is not possible requiring collection and re-scattering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent supply efficiencyVSAvoidcycle time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The collection container serves as an intermediary between the support section and the scattering source. When components cannot be picked up from the support section, the collection device collects them into the container. The container then acts as a mediator by directly scattering these components back onto the support section, eliminating the need for the housing apparatus to intervene and reducing the cycle time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This solution improves practicality by reducing cycle time and preventing component loss, enabling more efficient component supply by scattering components from the collection container onto the support surface, thus enhancing the component supply process.

Implementation Method 1

a container orientation changing device configured to scatter the components collected inside the collection container onto the support surface by changing the orientation of the collection container such that the opening of the collection container faces the support surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11032957B2Component supply device

Publication Date: 2021.06.08 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A loose component supply device including: component support member 150 configured to support multiple components in a scattered state; component collection container 180 configured to collect the components supported on the component support member via an opening in the component collection container; and a container oscillating device configured to scatter the components collected inside the component collection container onto the component support surface by swinging the component collection container such that the opening of the collection container faces the component support member. By this, because components are scattered on the component support member directly form the component collection container, the cycle time is shortened, thereby improving practicality of a component supply device.