Component Feeding Device Sliding Stage Clogging Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Clogging of components in component supply devices occurs, which hampers the efficient supply and mounting of electronic components on circuit boards.

Innovation Solution

The component supply device incorporates a stage with a sliding mechanism and a component scattering device that moves components to prevent clogging by redistributing them when necessary, using a conveyor system and imaging to differentiate between pickable and non-pickable components, and a storage container that oscillates to change the orientation of components for easier pickup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If components are scattered on a stationary stage, then components can be easily accessed, but clogging occurs and supply efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent supply efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent supply reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The stage is designed to be movable rather than stationary, allowing it to slide in the component supply direction when clogging is detected. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by maintaining component accessibility while preventing clogging through periodic repositioning, thus ensuring both supply efficiency and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If components remain in the same position, then pickup operation is simple, but clogging occurs and disrupts supply

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent pickup simplicityVSAvoidcomponent supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic sliding of the stage at predetermined intervals or when clogging is detected. This periodic repositioning maintains component accessibility for pickup operations while preventing continuous supply disruption, thus balancing operational simplicity with supply continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If the stage is made movable to prevent clogging, then component supply reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent supply reliabilityVSAvoidstage mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stage mechanism is designed as a separate, modular component that can slide independently. This segmentation allows the movable stage to function as a distinct unit with its own drive mechanism, simplifying the overall system design while maintaining reliability through localized movement capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3627984B1Component feeding device
Publication Date: 2024.07.10 FUJI CORP
  • EP3627984B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3627984B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3627984B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A component supply device including: a stage configured such that components can be scattered on the stage; a slide device configured to slide the stage; a contacting section configured to contact the component scattered on the stage in accordance with sliding of the stage by the slide device; and a control device configured to control operation of the slide device, wherein the control device includes a determining section configured to determine whether the stage has been slid to a set position when the stage is slid towards the contacting section, and an operation control section configured to control operation of the slide device so as to, in a case in which it is determined by the determining section that the stage has not been slid to the set position, after sliding the stage in a direction away from the contacting section, once again slide the stage towards the contacting section.