Height-Adjustable Retaining Frame for PCB Transport

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retaining devices for thin sheet-like substrates, such as printed circuit boards and solar cells, face challenges in securely holding and transporting these substrates through treatment installations due to clamping issues and the rigidity of retaining clips, which complicates processes like cleaning and electrochemical coating.

Innovation Solution

A frame-like retaining device with height-adjustable transporting carriages and a retaining frame that can be lowered for immersion in treatment media, featuring articulated levers and scissor joints for precise movement and inclination, allowing for efficient substrate handling and reduced mechanical stress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If substrates are clamped together in a continuous chain on rigid retaining clips, then transportation through treatment installations is enabled, but mechanical stress and potential damage to thin substrates occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous substrate transportationVSAvoidmechanical stress on substrates

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining clips are designed with elastic elements that allow them to flex and adapt to the thin substrates being held. This dynamic flexibility reduces mechanical stress while maintaining the continuous chain structure for efficient transportation through treatment installations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the entire retaining device with transporting carriages is lowered for immersion in treatment media, then complete substrate treatment is achieved, but considerable mechanical effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplete substrate immersionVSAvoidmechanical effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining device is divided into separate components: the transporting carriages remain in their original position while the retaining frame with substrates can be independently lowered into the treatment medium. This segmentation allows complete immersion for reliable treatment without the need to lower the entire transporting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If fixed-height retaining frames are used on transporting carriages, then structural simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different treatment installation heights is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretaining frame structureVSAvoidheight adjustment capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining frame is mounted on the transporting carriages with height-adjustable mechanisms that allow it to be positioned at different vertical levels. This dynamic adjustability enables adaptation to various treatment installation heights while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through standardized adjustment components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8534449B2Retaining device for thin, planar substrates

Publication Date: 2013.09.17 GEBR SCHMID GMBH & CO

AI summary

A retaining device for printed circuit boards is of a frame-like form, with transporting carriages arranged on the outer longitudinal sides and intended for transporting the retaining device, a retaining frame of the retaining device for the substrates being arranged between the transporting carriages. The retaining frame is mounted height-adjustably on the transporting carriages and so a substrate restrained in it can be lowered or raised during the treatment.