Galvano Mirror Soldering Alignment for 3D Circuit Boards

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing soldering technologies face challenges in accurately and efficiently soldering elements onto three-dimensional circuit boards, particularly in maintaining precise positioning and attitude control for the soldering process.

Innovation Solution

A soldering system comprising a Galvano mirror-based light irradiation apparatus, detection apparatuses for generating image and shape data, and a robot arm with a control apparatus that adjusts the light irradiation to ensure precise application of processing light for melting solder on circuit boards, utilizing a combination of image and shape data for accurate positioning and attitude control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robot arm is used to move the light irradiation apparatus for soldering three-dimensional circuit boards, then the apparatus can handle complex substrate shapes, but maintaining precise positioning and attitude control becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle three-dimensional circuit boardsVSAvoidpositioning and attitude control accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a detection apparatus (camera) that captures images of the circuit board and provides feedback to the control apparatus. The control apparatus calculates the position and attitude of the light irradiation apparatus based on this feedback, enabling precise positioning and attitude control even when handling three-dimensional circuit boards with complex shapes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a vision-based feedback system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical precision of the robot arm, the system uses image processing and computational methods to determine and adjust the light irradiation position and attitude, substituting mechanical complexity with optical and computational approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the light irradiation apparatus is displaced along with the detection apparatus, then the system can adapt to different positions on the circuit board, but maintaining alignment between the light beam and detection point becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition adaptability on circuit boardVSAvoidalignment accuracy between light and detection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control apparatus continuously receives detection results from the camera and recalculates the light irradiation position and attitude based on the detected circuit board features. This feedback loop ensures that even when both the light irradiation apparatus and detection apparatus are displaced, their alignment is maintained through real-time computational adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the light irradiation apparatus and detection apparatus into an integrated system that moves together as a unit. By merging these functions and controlling them as a coordinated pair, the system maintains their relative alignment while adapting to different positions on the circuit board

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The system improves the accuracy and efficiency of soldering on three-dimensional circuit boards by ensuring precise alignment and melting of solder, enhancing throughput and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a light irradiation apparatus that includes a Galvano mirror and that applies the processing light through the Galvano mirror

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

applies a processing light for melting a solder disposed on a circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight heating: Heating

Implementation Method 3

a detection apparatus that detects a light from the circuit board and that generates at least one of image data and shape data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20230381877A1Soldering apparatus and soldering system, and processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 NIKON CORP

AI summary

A soldering apparatus that applies a processing light for melting a solder disposed on a circuit board, includes: a light irradiation apparatus that includes a Galvano mirror and that applies the processing light through the Galvano mirror; a detection apparatus that detects a light from the circuit board and that generates at least one of image data and shape data; a robot arm that is provided with the light irradiation apparatus and the detection apparatus and that includes a driver that moves the light irradiation apparatus and the detection apparatus; and a control apparatus that controls a direction of the Galvano mirror such that the processing light from the light irradiation apparatus that is displaced with the detection apparatus is applied to a same position, on the basis of at least one of the data that are changed in accordance with a displacement of the detection apparatus.