Conveyor Pusher Mechanism for Decompression Chamber Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor systems for reflow soldering apparatuses face challenges in maintaining mechanical components under decompressed atmospheres, leading to increased maintenance frequency and costs, especially when a degassing process is integrated, as existing solutions require expensive materials and frequent maintenance due to the need for hermetic enclosures and complex mechanical components.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor apparatus with a first and second conveyance mechanism, each equipped with a conveying rod and a switching mechanism, allows for the safe and efficient transport of workpieces into and out of a decompression chamber, using guided rods and pusher members that can be easily maintained, reducing the need for expensive materials and frequent maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conveyor is installed in the decompression chamber to enable degassing process, then the workpiece can be degassed during conveyance, but the mechanical components become expensive to withstand decompressed atmosphere and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decompression chamber from the conveyor system, allowing the chamber to be hermetically sealed and decompressed independently while the conveyor operates in the normal atmosphere outside. The workpiece is transferred to and from the chamber separately, enabling the degassing function without exposing conveyor mechanical components to the decompressed atmosphere, thus reducing maintenance frequency and costs.
2Ease of operation
If air cylinders are used to move pushers up and down for board conveyance, then the pushers can be positioned accurately, but maintenance frequency increases due to the air cylinders themselves needing to be moved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the air cylinder-based mechanical positioning system with a rail-guided linear movement system. The pushers move along guided rails in the conveyance direction, eliminating the need for air cylinders and their associated moving components. This substitution maintains positioning accuracy through mechanical guidance while significantly reducing maintenance frequency by removing pneumatic components.
3Reliability
If separate conveyors are installed in the decompression chamber and in conveyance paths before and after the chamber, then the hermetic enclosure can be maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conveyor system into two distinct parts: a main conveyor operating in the normal atmosphere outside the decompression chamber, and a separate transfer mechanism that interfaces with the hermetically sealed chamber. This segmentation allows the main conveyor to remain simple and maintenance-free while the chamber maintains its hermetic integrity, avoiding the complexity of installing multiple conveyors within the chamber itself.
4Device complexity
If a single conveyor (main endless conveyor belt) is installed over the entire board conveyance path including the decompression chamber, then the system is simpler, but the conveyor cannot withstand the decompressed atmosphere and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the decompression chamber from the path of the main conveyor belt, allowing the conveyor to operate exclusively in the normal atmosphere outside the chamber. The chamber is positioned such that boards are transferred to and from it by separate pusher mechanisms rather than by the main conveyor, thereby protecting the conveyor from the harsh decompressed environment and eliminating the need for expensive, maintenance-intensive decompression-resistant components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(D)
Figure 3
AI summary
A conveyor apparatus which allows a workpiece to be carried in and out of a desired process and lends itself to easy maintenance as well is provided. A conveyor apparatus 13 includes a first conveyance mechanism 13A capable of carrying a board 7 into a desired process and a second conveyance mechanism 13B capable of carrying the board 7 out of the desired process. The first conveyance mechanism 13A includes a first conveying rod 18 adapted to reciprocate, a first pusher piece 19 fixed to the first conveying rod 18 and configured to protrude from the rod, and a switching mechanism adapted to switch the first pusher piece 19, by turning the first conveying rod 18 a predetermined angle, between an engaged position where the first pusher piece 19 engages with the board 7 and a retracted position where the pusher piece 19 is separated from the board 7, and the second conveyance mechanism 13B includes a second conveying rod 32 adapted to reciprocate, a pusher piece 19 fixed to the second conveying rod 32 and configured to protrude from the rod, and a switching mechanism adapted to switch the second pusher piece 19, by turning the second conveying rod 32 a predetermined angle, between an engaged position where the pusher piece 19 engages with the board 7 and a retracted position where the pusher piece 19 is separated from the board.