Feeder Stopper Member for Carrier Tape Insertion Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional component mounters face issues where the inserted carrier tape does not stop at the specified position, leading to incorrect detection and potential misalignment during the component mounting process.
Innovation Solution
A feeder system with a stopper member regulated by a rotatable lever ensures precise insertion of carrier tapes by engaging protrusions with the tape, preventing over-insertion and maintaining the tape at a specified position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the carrier tape is inserted automatically by sensor detection, then the loading process is automated, but the insertion position cannot be reliably controlled to the specified position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stopper member as an intermediary mechanical element between the manual insertion action and the sensor detection system. This stopper member physically limits the insertion depth of the carrier tape, ensuring that the tape stops at the correct position relative to the sensor. The stopper member acts as a mediator that translates arbitrary manual insertion into precise, repeatable positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper member is pre-positioned in the feeder body before the carrier tape is inserted. This preliminary positioning of the stopper establishes a predetermined insertion depth limit. When the operator inserts the carrier tape, the stopper member automatically engages with the tape at the correct position, eliminating the need for complex active control during insertion. This preliminary setup ensures accurate positioning is achieved simply by the act of insertion itself.
2Ease of operation
If the entrance retaining member is raised to allow tape insertion, then the tape can be loaded, but the insertion position becomes uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper member serves as a mechanical intermediary that mediates between the raised entrance retaining member (which allows free insertion) and the requirement for precise insertion positioning. When the entrance retaining member is raised, the stopper member remains in place to automatically engage with the inserted carrier tape and limit its travel distance. This intermediary element ensures that even though the entrance is open and uncontrolled, the insertion position itself is precisely controlled by the stopper's fixed position.
3Device complexity
If no stopper member is provided, then the structure is simpler, but the insertion position cannot be regulated to a specified position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the complex entrance retaining member mechanism and places it in a separate, simple stopper member. This extracted stopper member is a dedicated, simple component whose sole function is to limit insertion depth. By separating the positioning function into this dedicated element, the system achieves precise insertion position control without adding significant overall complexity to the feeder structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper member is designed as a simple, inexpensive mechanical element that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Its simplicity allows for precise positioning functionality to be added to the feeder without requiring complex, expensive mechanisms. The stopper member represents a cost-effective solution that provides reliable insertion position regulation through basic mechanical means rather than complex systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
A feeder for which carrier tape 900 is reliably inserted to a specified position, the feeder including entrance retaining member 32 that pushes carrier tape 900 inserted into tape insertion section 21d towards tape feeding path 38, rotatable lever 51 that raises entrance retaining member 32 when carrier tape 900 is inserted into tape insertion section 21d, and stopper member 31 that regulates the insertion position of the carrier tape 900 inserted into tape insertion section 21d to a specified position when entrance retaining member 32 is raised by the rotation of lever 51.