Flexible Flat Cable Pickup for Fast PCB Connector Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic device assembly technologies face challenges in efficiently and quickly connecting flexible cables to circuit boards due to unpredictable deformation, requiring manual intervention and increased costs with multiple robots, and necessitate additional steps to make lying cables stand up.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device assembly apparatus and method using a gripping device with a guide member and holding member to make a lying cable stand up by contacting the cable's leading end and advancing it toward the circuit board, allowing quick connection by folding and inserting the cable into a connector.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment is used to connect the cable leading end to the connector, then positioning accuracy is improved, but work efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment operations with an automated system comprising a visual device for detection, a robot arm for positioning, and a controller for coordination. The visual device captures images of the cable leading end and connector, the controller processes these images to determine precise positions, and the robot arm executes automated gripping and alignment, thereby maintaining high positioning accuracy while significantly improving work efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the cable leading end to be automatically positioned and aligned through the coordinated operation of the visual device, robot arm, and controller. The robot arm autonomously grips the cable leading end based on visual feedback, automatically adjusts its position to achieve accurate alignment with the connector, and completes the connection without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in the alignment task
2Productivity
If the cable leading end is directly gripped, then connection speed is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to cable deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the visual device capture images of the cable leading end and connector before the robot arm performs gripping and alignment. The controller processes these pre-captured images to determine the precise positions and orientations, allowing the robot arm to execute accurate movements in one go, thus achieving both high connection speed and positioning accuracy without iterative adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through the visual device that continuously monitors and provides image data about the cable leading end and connector positions. The controller uses this visual feedback to calculate precise positioning information and guide the robot arm's movements, ensuring accurate alignment while maintaining fast connection speed through automated real-time adjustment
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple robots are used to grip and move the cable, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single robot arm that performs multiple functions: gripping the cable leading end, positioning it accurately, aligning it with the connector, and completing the connection. This multi-functional robot arm replaces the need for multiple specialized robots, maintaining high positioning accuracy while significantly reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the functions of multiple robots into a single integrated robot arm system. The robot arm combines gripping mechanisms, positioning capabilities, and alignment functions that would traditionally require separate robots. The visual device and controller are also integrated to work in unison with the robot arm, creating a unified system that achieves high precision with reduced complexity
4Productivity
If a cable holding tool is slid relative to the cable to make it stand up, then connection speed is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the robot arm's own gripping and positioning capabilities to make the cable stand up, rather than requiring a separate cable holding tool. The robot arm grips the cable leading end and uses its controlled movements to position the cable in the required orientation, thereby achieving fast connection speed while avoiding the added complexity of additional specialized tools
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an electronic device assembly apparatus and an electronic device assembly method enabling a quick connection work by making a lying cable stand up with a simple configuration. An electronic device assembly apparatus includes: a gripping device gripping a flexible flat cable; a robot arm; and a robot control device controlling operations of the gripping device and the robot arm, wherein the gripping device includes: a guide member having a scooping surface; and a holding member holding the cable guided by the guide member, the robot control device moves the gripping device to a position at which the gripping device faces the cable leading end in a longitudinal direction of the lying cable, brings the scooping surface into contact with the cable leading end, and advances the gripping device toward the circuit board making the cable stand up.