Gravity-Powered Automatic Turnover Device for Circuit Boards

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional automatic turnover devices for workpieces, such as circuit boards, have complex structures, high manufacturing costs, and large sizes, making them inefficient and costly for processing both sides of the workpiece during manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

An automatic turnover device utilizing a support frame, motor, pulley, holding assembly with suction cups, and a belt mechanism that pivots the workpiece over 90 degrees using gravity, simplifying the structure and reducing costs by leveraging the weight of the holding assembly to turn the workpiece.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional turnover track is used to turn over the workpiece, then the workpiece can be turned over, but the structure becomes complex, manufacturing costs increase, and device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece turnover capabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of turning over the workpiece from the complex turnover track system, isolating only the necessary components: a holding assembly with suction cups, a pivot shaft, and a motor. This extraction eliminates unnecessary structural elements while preserving the core turnover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding assembly is designed to automatically turn over the workpiece by pivoting about the pivot shaft when the motor drives the suction cups. The system serves itself by using the workpiece's own weight and the gravitational force to assist in the turnover process, reducing the need for complex mechanical assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a conventional turnover track is used to turn over the workpiece, then the workpiece can be turned over, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece turnover capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of turning over the workpiece from the complex turnover track system, isolating only the necessary components: a holding assembly with suction cups, a pivot shaft, and a motor. This extraction eliminates unnecessary structural elements while preserving the core turnover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive, complex turnover track infrastructure with simpler, more economical components. The holding assembly using suction cups on a pivot mechanism is significantly cheaper to manufacture and install than conventional turnover tracks, while achieving the same functional result.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a conventional turnover track is used to turn over the workpiece, then the workpiece can be turned over, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkpiece turnover capabilityVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential function of turning over the workpiece from the complex turnover track system, isolating only the necessary components: a holding assembly with suction cups, a pivot shaft, and a motor. This extraction eliminates unnecessary structural elements while preserving the core turnover capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding assembly is designed with nested components where the suction cups are mounted on the bracket, which is attached to the pivot shaft. This nesting arrangement minimizes the overall device footprint while maintaining full turnover functionality, making the device more compact than conventional turnover tracks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution results in a device with a simple structure, low manufacturing costs, and compact size, enabling efficient processing of both sides of the workpiece while maintaining stability and cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

at least one suction cup 44 is mounted on the bracket 41. The holding assembly 4 is configured to hold an object 7

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

An automatic turnover device utilizing a support frame, motor, pulley, holding assembly with suction cups, and a belt mechanism that pivots the workpiece over 90 degrees using gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20190300292A1Automatic turnover device using gravity

Publication Date: 2019.10.03 FU TAI HUA IND SHENZHEN

AI summary

An automatic turnover device for use in manufacturing includes a support frame, a motor, a pulley, a holding assembly, and a belt. The motor is secured to the support frame. The motor has an output shaft. The pulley is mounted on the output shaft of the motor. The holding assembly is pivotally connected to the support frame. The holding assembly is configured to hold an object. The belt has one end attached to the pulley and another end attached to the holding assembly. The motor is operated to rotate the output shaft in a first direction to tighten the belt and then to rotate in reverse to release the belt, such that a center of gravity of the holding assembly is moved. The holding assembly pivots relative to the support frame from a first horizontal position to a second horizontal position due to its own weight.