Component Supply Device Holder Verification Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

In component supply devices for chip mounters, human errors occur when workers mistakenly set holders in incorrect receiving sections, leading to delays and stoppages in production due to incorrect component supply.

Innovation Solution

The device includes holders with assigned identifiers for receiving sections, which can be read by a worker using a reading unit, ensuring correct placement and preventing mistakes by making the identifier of the correct receiving section readable while hiding others, or using movable members and indicating members to guide the worker to the correct identifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If verification of the holder is performed only when being transferred to a chip mounter, then the device complexity is reduced, but human errors in which a worker sets a holder in a wrong receiving section cannot be detected in time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification timing structureVSAvoiderror detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by verifying the holder-receiving section assignment at the moment of setting, rather than waiting until transfer. The control unit reads the holder identification and receiving section identification simultaneously when the worker sets the holder, detecting errors immediately before they cause production delays. This preliminary verification prevents wrong component supply while maintaining operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If identifiers are assigned to all receiving sections, then error prevention capability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional identification and information mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror prevention capabilityVSAvoididentifier management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by representing receiving section information as readable identifiers (such as display outputs or visual codes) that can be easily read and verified. Instead of complex physical barriers or mechanical guidance systems, the invention uses information copies (identifiers) that match between the receiving section and the control unit, enabling simple yet effective verification through data comparison.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If the worker must manually verify the receiving section identifier, then the ease of operation is reduced, but the productivity is improved by preventing errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidholder setting operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies self-service by automatically performing the verification function. When the worker sets the holder in the receiving section, the control unit automatically reads both the holder identification and receiving section identification, compares them, and detects any mismatches. This eliminates the need for manual verification by the worker, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring error prevention and production continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2903404B1Component supply device
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 FUJI CORP
  • EP2903404B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2903404B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2903404B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A component supply device that supplies electronic components to a chip mounter is disclosed. This component supply device includes holders, each of which holds at least one electronic component, a plurality of receiving sections, each of which can receive the holder, a plurality of first identifiers that are assigned to the plurality of receiving sections, respectively, and an information mechanism that informs a worker of the first identifier assigned to the receiving section in which the holder has been set when the worker sets the holder in the receiving section. The information mechanism includes a plurality of movable members that are provided on the plurality of receiving sections, respectively. Each of the plurality of first identifiers is mounted on the movable member provided on one corresponding receiving section. The movable member is moved while interlocking with the holder set in the receiving section.