Dispensing Head Nozzle Heater Inductive Heating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional pick and place systems with heated nozzles face limitations due to cumbersome and expensive flexible cables and slip-ring contacts, which restrict vertical motion and full 360° rotation, leading to non-optimal placement accuracy and calibration issues.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing head with a removably attachable heater device that includes a heat source for heating the nozzle and spindle, allowing for convection, conduction, and radiation heating, while enabling full 360° rotation without the need for cables or wires, thus eliminating the constraints on motion and calibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If flexible cables and slip-ring contacts are used to provide electrical power to the nozzle tip, then heating capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase while motion freedom is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenozzle heating capabilityVSAvoidcable and slip-ring packaging complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heating function from the traditional cable-connected nozzle structure and implements it through an inductive heating coil positioned around the nozzle. This eliminates the need for flexible cables and slip-ring contacts, reducing device complexity while maintaining heating capability. The heating coil is integrated into the dispensing head body, allowing the nozzle to move freely without electrical connection constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable and slip-ring contact system with an inductive heating field. Instead of direct electrical contact that requires physical connection, the heating is achieved through electromagnetic induction, allowing the nozzle to be heated without mechanical constraints on its motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Temperature

If cable connections are used to power the heating element, then heating function is provided, but placement accuracy deteriorates due to varying forces on the nozzle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating functionVSAvoidplacement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection system with an inductive heating coil that generates a magnetic field to heat the nozzle. This eliminates the mechanical forces exerted by cables on the nozzle, thereby improving placement accuracy while maintaining the heating function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Temperature

If cable connections are used for power supply, then heating capability is achieved, but motion freedom is limited due to Z and θ constraints

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoidmotion freedom

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical power supply constraint from the nozzle by using an inductive heating coil positioned in the dispensing head body. The nozzle no longer requires cable connections for heating, enabling full 360° rotation and unrestricted Z-axis motion while maintaining heating capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution provides a more accurate and efficient heating system that allows for optimal placement of components without the limitations of traditional cable-based heating systems, enhancing the precision and speed of electronic assembly processes.

Implementation Method 1

heating the spindle and the nozzle by at least one of convection, conduction, and radiance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

heating the spindle and the nozzle by at least one of convection, conduction, and radiance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

heating the spindle and the nozzle by at least one of convection, conduction, and radiance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS10893638B2Dispensing head having a nozzle heater device, system and method

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 UNIVERSAL INSTR CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a dispensing head that includes a first spindle configured for movement in a vertical direction, a first nozzle operatively attached to the spindle, a heater device removably attachable to the dispensing head. The heater device includes a heat source and an opening configured to receive the first nozzle. The heat source is configured to heat the first nozzle above an ambient temperature. An assembly system is further disclosed, along with a method of heating a nozzle.