Flexible Rod Disc Pick-and-Place Device for Multi-Disc Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional disc pick-and-place devices can only access one disc at a time, and existing methods for determining the quantity of clamped discs often damage the discs by direct contact with a probe.
Innovation Solution
A disc pick-and-place device with flexible picking members that abut the edges of discs, allowing for simultaneous clamping and unloading, and a quantity sensing unit using an optical distance measuring device to detect disc quantity without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a probe structure is disposed on one side of the disc pick-and-place device to measure total height of clamped discs, then the quantity of discs can be determined, but the probe directly contacts the disc surface and may easily scratch or damage the disc
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a movable piece as an intermediary between the optical distance measuring device and the discs. This movable piece leans on the clamped discs and translates their total height into positional changes, allowing indirect measurement without direct contact between the probe and disc surfaces, thus preventing scratches while maintaining measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical contact measurement system (probe touching discs) with an optical measurement system (optical distance measuring device). This substitution eliminates the harmful mechanical contact that causes disc surface damage while preserving the ability to accurately determine disc quantity through optical sensing of the movable piece's position
2Productivity
If one drive can only access one single disc at a time, then the drive structure remains simple, but the disc handling efficiency is reduced when multiple discs need to be unloaded to different drives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the disc unloading process into multiple sequential steps. When multiple discs are clamped, the system unloads them one by one to different drives in a coordinated sequence, allowing efficient handling of multiple discs while maintaining simple drive structures that access only one disc at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordination of drive assignments before unloading begins. When multiple discs are detected on the pick-and-place device, the system pre-determines which drive each disc should be unloaded to, enabling efficient sequential unloading without complex real-time coordination during the actual unloading process
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
Enables efficient and damage-free handling of multiple discs by avoiding direct contact with the disc surface and accurately determining the quantity of clamped discs for precise operation.
Implementation Method 1
The optical distance measuring device is for emitting a beam and receiving the beam reflected from the movable piece to detect the quantity of the at least one disc
Data Source
AI summary
An operating method of a disc pick-and-place device is provided. Discs can be picked up when each flexible rod is driven to rotate and make the disc pick-and-place device enter a first operating state and then a second operating state in which the first carrying portion is located at the disc releasing position and then at the disc holding position, and the second carrying portion is located at the disc releasing position in the first and second operating states. Discs can be unloaded when each flexible rod is driven to rotate and make the disc pick-and-place device enter a third operating state and then a fourth operating state in which the first carrying portion is located at the disc holding position and then at the disc releasing position, and the second carrying portion is located at the disc holding position in the third and fourth operating states.