Feeder Management Apparatus for Collective Storage Buffering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounting systems lack efficient methods for determining the timing and quantity of feeder preparation and feeding to storage sections, leading to inefficiencies in feeder management.

Innovation Solution

A component feeding method that determines the number of feeders to be prepared and fed to storage sections at periodic intervals based on the number of empty slots available, allowing for collective feeding and efficient preparation and storage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If feeders are fed to the storage section separately depending on component use time, then the storage section can be filled, but the preparation work of feeders becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of feeders in storage sectionVSAvoidpreparation time of feeders

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate feeder preparation operations into a single collective feeding operation. Instead of feeding feeders individually based on component use time, the system determines the total number of empty portions in the storage section and feeds multiple feeders collectively in one operation, thereby reducing preparation time and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by determining the number of empty portions in the storage section in advance and preparing the corresponding number of feeders before the actual mounting process begins. This allows the storage section to be pre-filled with the required number of feeders, avoiding time-consuming individual preparation operations during production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple feeders are fed collectively to the storage section at periodic feeding times, then feeder preparation efficiency improves, but the system requires coordination of multiple feeders simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeder preparation efficiencyVSAvoidcoordination complexity of multiple feeders

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback by the exchanging robot to detect the actual number of empty portions in the storage section. Based on this feedback information, the management apparatus determines the precise number of feeders to be fed collectively, ensuring that the storage section is filled to the correct capacity without overfilling or underfilling, thereby managing complexity through information-based control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a management apparatus as an intermediary between the operator and the storage section. This management apparatus coordinates the collective feeding of multiple feeders by determining the number of empty portions and managing the feeding process, thereby reducing the coordination complexity for the operator and enabling efficient bulk feeder preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the storage section functions as a buffer for feeder variations, then production continuity is maintained, but the system requires monitoring of storage section capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidstorage section capacity monitoring

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the exchanging robot to autonomously detect the number of empty portions in the storage section and report this information to the management apparatus. This self-detection capability eliminates the need for complex manual monitoring systems while maintaining production continuity through automated buffer management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the exchanging robot detects and reports the storage section capacity status. This feedback information allows the management apparatus to make informed decisions about feeder feeding operations, maintaining production continuity while simplifying capacity monitoring through automated information flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20230422460A1Component feeding method and management apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.28 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A component feeding method is for use in a component mounting system including a component mounting machine configured to pick up a component from a feeder and mount the component, a storage section configured to temporarily store a feeder accommodating a component for use in the component mounting machine, and a transfer device configured to transfer the feeder between the storage section and the component mounting machine. The method includes acquiring the number of empty portions of the storage section capable of accommodating the feeder, determining multiple feeders to be prepared for every predetermined periodic feeding time based on the number of empty portions of the storage section, and feeding the multiple feeders collectively to the storage section at every periodic feeding time.