Viscous Fluid Transfer Confirmation Using Height Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic component mounting machines face challenges in accurately confirming the transfer of viscous fluid to electrodes due to fluid movement to distal ends, which can result in unchanged electrode diameters, making it difficult to distinguish the fluid using imaging methods.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a height sensor, such as a line sensor, to detect the pre- and post-transfer electrode heights, allowing for precise confirmation of viscous fluid transfer by comparing these heights, even when the fluid moves to the electrode ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If imaging camera method is used to confirm viscous fluid transfer, then transfer confirmation can be performed, but measurement precision deteriorates when fluid moves to distal end portions causing minimal diameter change

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer confirmation accuracyVSAvoiddetection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional imaging measurement to three-dimensional height measurement. By detecting the height of the viscous fluid on the electrode surface using a height sensor, the system can accurately confirm fluid transfer even when the fluid moves to distal end portions and causes minimal diameter change in top-down views. This dimensional shift from planar imaging to vertical height detection resolves the measurement precision issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If imaging camera with grayscaling is used, then transfer confirmation can be attempted, but difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to high transparency of viscous fluids

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid detection capabilityVSAvoidimaging difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical imaging system (camera with grayscaling processing) with a height sensor system. Since many viscous fluids have high transparency making them difficult to distinguish from electrodes in optical images, the height sensor directly measures the vertical height of the fluid on the electrode surface, bypassing the transparency issue entirely and simplifying the detection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If additional sensors are added for precise transfer confirmation, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer confirmation precisionVSAvoidsensor system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the height sensor serve multiple functions: it performs both the coplanarity check (flatness verification) of the electrode surface and the viscous fluid transfer confirmation. By detecting the height of the electrode surface before fluid application and comparing it with the height after fluid application, the system achieves precise transfer confirmation without adding dedicated sensors, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This method enables accurate and simple transfer confirmation of viscous fluid, achieving high precision in determining the fluid's presence on electrodes, even when the diameter change is minimal, and reduces the need for additional sensors, thereby lowering costs.

Implementation Method 1

a light receiving section which receives the light which irradiates the measurement target from the irradiation section and is reflected by the measurement target

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3032933B8Electronic component mounting machine and transfer confirmation method
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 FUJI CORP

AI summary

In an electronic component mounting machine which mounts an electronic component, to an electrode of which a viscous fluid is transferred, on a circuit board, a height of the electrode before transferring the viscous fluid (dotted line) and the height of the electrode after transferring the viscous fluid (solid line) are detected by a height sensor. The transferring of the viscous fluid to the electrode is confirmed by comparing the height of the electrode before the transferring of the viscous fluid and the height of the electrode after the transferring of the viscous fluid. In other words, if the difference between the height of the electrode before the transferring of the viscous fluid and the height of the electrode after the transferring of the viscous fluid is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that the transferring of the viscous fluid to the electrode is appropriately performed. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately perform the transfer confirmation of the viscous fluid to the electrode.