Conveyor-Fed Component Supply for Spill-Free Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component supply devices face issues where components can fall out of the discharge section when the housing apparatus is mounted or removed, due to an open discharge section.
Innovation Solution
A component supply device with a conveyor belt that demarcates the housing and discharge sections, extending diagonally upwards, prevents components from falling by only discharging them when the conveyor belt is operated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the discharge section is kept open to allow component discharge, then component supply functionality is improved, but components may fall out when the housing apparatus is mounted or removed
Solution Approach 1:
A gate section is introduced as an intermediary component between the housing section and the discharge section. This gate acts as a mediator that controls component flow - remaining closed during mounting/removal operations to prevent components from falling out, and opening only when the conveyor belt is operating to allow controlled component discharge. The gate thus resolves the contradiction by enabling both component supply functionality and component containment reliability.
2Reliability
If the discharge section is closed to prevent components from falling out, then component containment is improved, but component discharge functionality is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The gate section is designed as a dynamic component that changes its state based on operational requirements. It transitions between closed and open positions according to whether the conveyor belt is operating or whether mounting/removal operations are being performed. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain component containment reliability during critical operations while preserving full component discharge functionality during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A gate opening/closing mechanism is provided that can be actuated to control the gate section's position. This mechanism uses controlled forces (pneumatic, hydraulic, or motorized actuation) to reliably open the gate for component discharge when needed and close it during mounting/removal operations, thus resolving the contradiction between containment and discharge functionality.
3Reliability
If a gate section is added to control component discharge, then component containment is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge section is segmented into a gate section and a discharge opening, with the gate section acting as a controllable barrier. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in the overall structure while adding only the minimal necessary components (gate and actuation mechanism) to achieve reliable component containment and controlled discharge.
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 configuration effectively prevents components from being discharged unintentionally during mounting or removal of the housing apparatus, ensuring they are conveyed and scattered onto a support surface in a controlled manner.
Implementation Method 1
a conveyor belt configured to demarcate the housing section and the discharge section and arranged extending from the housing section diagonally upwards to a side on which the discharge section is provided, and the components housed in the housing section are discharged from the discharge section towards the support surface of the component support section by being conveyed by the conveyor belt
Data Source
AI summary
A loose component supply device including component support member 150 configured to support components in a scattered state; and component supply apparatus 88 configured to store components and discharge components towards the component support member from discharge opening 98, wherein, in the component supply apparatus, conveyor belt 112 is arranged between storage section 100 that stores components and a discharge opening so as to extend diagonally upwards from the storage section on the side on which the discharge section is provided. Components housed in the housing section are discharged from the discharge opening towards the component support member by being conveyed by the conveyor belt. The component supply apparatus is removably mounted on the mounting section. Thus, because components are not discharged from the discharge opening unless the conveyor is operated, components do not fall from the discharge opening when the component supply apparatus is mounted on or removed from the mounting section.