Non-splicing Feeder Sprocket Geometry for Accurate Component Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-splicing feeders with adjacent drive and pushing sprockets face issues in accurately supplying components from carrier tape due to non-uniform hole pitch, leading to inaccurate component placement when the distance between engagement holes is either too short or too long.
Innovation Solution
The feeder design features first and second engaging protrusions with distinct cross-sectional areas and dimensions, ensuring clearance between the second protrusion and the engagement hole, preventing the carrier tape from being pulled or pushed inaccurately, and includes a peeling mechanism to prevent cover tape interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a drive sprocket and a pushing sprocket are provided adjacent in the conveyance direction, then components can be supplied without splicing work, but the carrier tape may be pulled by the pushing sprocket when the distance between engagement holes is short, causing inaccurate component supply
Solution Approach 1:
The pushing sprocket is designed with a smaller cross-sectional area engaging protrusion compared to the drive sprocket's engaging protrusion. This local differentiation in geometry allows the pushing sprocket to engage only when appropriate clearance exists, preventing it from pulling the carrier tape when engagement holes are at non-uniform intervals, thereby maintaining component supply accuracy while preserving the no-splicing operation benefit
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the engaging protrusion by making the cross-sectional area of the pushing sprocket's protrusion smaller than that of the drive sprocket's protrusion. This parameter modification creates clearance that prevents the pushing sprocket from interfering with carrier tape engagement, resolving the accuracy issue while maintaining operational simplicity
2Manufacturing precision
If the cross-sectional area of the second engaging protrusion is made smaller than the first, then clearance arises preventing carrier tape from being pulled, but may prevent proper engagement with leading end of new carrier tape
Solution Approach 1:
The peeling mechanism performs preliminary action by separating the cover tape from the base tape before the carrier tape reaches the sprockets. This preliminary separation ensures that only the base tape with engagement holes is engaged by the sprockets, preventing interference from the cover tape and ensuring reliable engagement with the leading end of new carrier tape while maintaining the clearance design for accuracy
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-splicing feeder provided with multiple sprockets in the conveyance direction that accurately supplies components stored in carrier tape to a supply position. Provided are main body 21b, first sprocket 61 on which first engaging protrusions 61a are formed which is rotatably provided at supply position 21a of main body, second sprocket 62 on which second engaging protrusions 62a are formed which is rotatably provided on main body 21b at a position on the downstream side in the conveyance direction of carrier tape 900 with respect to first sprocket 61; and a tooth thickness dimension of second engaging protrusion 62a is set to be smaller than a tooth thickness dimension of first engaging protrusion 61a.