Flexible Flat Cable Gripper for Width Adaptation and Warp Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic device assembly apparatuses struggle to reliably connect multiple types of cables with different widths to circuit boards, and they often fail to correct cable warpage effectively, leading to inefficiencies and potential interference with the circuit board.
Innovation Solution
The proposed electronic device assembly apparatus incorporates a gripping device with a suction device and gripping claws that can adjust to different cable widths. The gripping claws feature inclined surfaces that allow for deformation and correction of cable warpage, ensuring secure gripping and alignment with connectors on the circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed width sandwiching device is used, then a specific cable width can be held accurately, but multiple types of cables with different widths cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device employs movable gripping claws with adjustable positions instead of fixed guides. The gripping claws can be moved independently along the cable width direction, allowing the device to adapt to different cable widths dynamically. This resolves the contradiction by making the device structure flexible rather than rigid, enabling versatility without requiring multiple fixed-width devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device is divided into independent gripping claws that can be positioned separately. Each gripping claw operates independently to clamp onto the cable, allowing the system to accommodate various cable widths by adjusting the position of individual claws rather than requiring the entire device structure to change.
2Reliability
If the bottoms of guides protrude below grooves for holding cable leading ends, then cable holding is achieved, but interference with the circuit board occurs during connection
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping claws are designed to be movable rather than fixed protruding structures. After clamping the cable, the gripping claws can be retracted or positioned to avoid interfering with the circuit board during the connection process, eliminating the harmful interference while maintaining reliable cable holding through the clamping action.
Solution Approach 2:
The function of holding the cable is extracted from fixed protruding guide bottoms and transferred to movable gripping claws. The gripping claws perform the holding function through controlled clamping action, allowing them to be positioned or retracted to avoid circuit board interference, unlike fixed protruding structures that permanently occupy space.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual aligning is performed for accurate connection, then connection precision is improved, but work efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping device with adjustable gripping claws automatically adapts to different cable widths and positions through mechanical adjustment mechanisms. The device performs self-alignment by conforming to the cable geometry, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining accurate positioning for connection, thus improving both precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping device allows for rapid adjustment of gripping parameters (claw position, clamping force) to match different cable specifications. This parametric adaptability enables the system to maintain high precision across various cable types without manual realignment, improving productivity while preserving manufacturing precision.
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
This configuration enables reliable connection of multiple types of cables with different widths while effectively correcting warpage, thereby improving work efficiency and preventing interference with the circuit board.
Implementation Method 1
a suction device that is provided in a lower surface of the gripping device and holds the cable by sucking a surface of the cable
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an electronic device assembly apparatus and an electronic device assembly method for enabling to provide a reliable connection work for multiple types of cables having different widths while straightening a cable warp. An electronic device assembly apparatus includes a robot control device that controls a gripping device that grips a flexible flat cable and a robot arm that moves the gripping device relative to a circuit board. The gripping device includes: a suction device for sucking and holding a surface of the cable; and gripping claws for sandwiching and hold the cable. The gripping claws has first inclined surfaces formed on inner sides of the gripping claws in the width direction and second inclined surfaces formed at the bottoms of the gripping claws.