External Actuation Component Dispenser
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing component dispensers in automated industrial systems are often complex and expensive, with many moving parts, making them unsuitable for efficient and cost-effective dispensing of components.
Innovation Solution
A component dispenser actuated by external means, such as an industrial robot, which uses sequences of movements to transfer components from a reservoir to a dosing volume and then to a pick surface without internal moving parts, and returns remaining components to the reservoir, utilizing a simple and exchangeable pick surface with geometrical features for alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If component dispensers use internal moving parts to achieve component displacement, then dispensing function is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes all internal moving parts from the dispenser mechanism, extracting the actuation function to an external robot system. The dispenser becomes a passive container with only static components (reservoir, dosing volume, pick surface), while the robot performs all movement and actuation operations externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser design allows components to automatically move from the reservoir to the pick surface through gravitational force and the robot's external manipulation, without requiring internal mechanical actuators. The system serves itself by using the robot's movement to achieve component displacement that would traditionally require complex internal mechanisms.
2Ease of manufacture
If component dispensers are designed with multiple moving parts, then component displacement is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the actuation capability from the dispenser itself and places it in the external robot system. This allows the dispenser to be manufactured as a simple, static component structure without expensive actuators, sensors, or mechanical assemblies, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining full dispensing functionality through robot control.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system serves multiple functions: it positions the dispenser, actuates component release, and retrieves components. This multi-functionality allows the simple dispenser structure to achieve complex dispensing tasks without internal complexity, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining productivity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the pick surface is made exchangeable with geometrical features, then component alignment precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pick surface is designed as a separate, exchangeable component rather than an integrated part of the dispenser body. This segmentation allows the pick surface to be optimized with precise geometrical features for component alignment while keeping the main dispenser structure simple. Different pick surfaces can be swapped depending on the component type, maintaining precision without permanently increasing overall device complexity.
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 cost-effective and efficient method for dispensing components in automated systems, reducing complexity and operational costs by eliminating internal moving parts and leveraging external actuation for precise component alignment and retrieval.
Implementation Method 1
The component dispenser is configured to displace a selection of components from the reservoir into the dosing volume as a result of being exposed to first sequence of movements. The component dispenser is further configured to displace the selection of components from the dosing volume onto the pick surface as a result of being exposed to a second sequence of movements.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(h)
Figure 4~5b
AI summary
A component dispenser (10) comprises a reservoir (30), a dosing volume (40) and a pick surface (80). The component dispenser (10) is configured to displace a selection of components (60) from the reservoir (30) into the dosing volume (40) as a result of a first sequence of movements of the component dispenser (10), and to displace the selection of components (60) from the dosing volume (40) onto the pick surface (80) as a result of a second sequence of movements of the component dispenser (10). The component dispenser (10) is further configured to return any components (60) remaining on the pick surface (80) back into the reservoir (30) as a result of a third sequence of movements of the component dispenser (10). The component dispenser (10) very simple as it is configured to be actuated by external means yet it is well adapted for the task of dispensing components (60) in automated industrial systems.