Imaging-Based Component Supply for Mixed Leaded Parts Picking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component supply devices are limited in their ability to efficiently supply multiple types of components, requiring operators to manually ensure component separation and increasing operational burden, as they can only handle components of a single type scattered on the support section.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an imaging device to capture and identify multiple types of components on a support section, allowing a holding tool to accurately pick up specific components based on identification and position information, enabling the supply of various component types without manual operator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of components are scattered on a component support section, then component supply versatility is improved, but operator burden increases due to the need to ensure component separation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent supply versatilityVSAvoidoperator burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging device automatically identifies component types and positions on the support section, eliminating the need for operator verification. The system self-manages component type recognition and positioning, allowing multiple component types to be supplied without increasing operator burden.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual operator checking and sorting of components is replaced by an automated imaging and recognition system. The imaging device captures images of components on the support section, and the control unit processes these images to identify component types and positions, substituting human mechanical inspection with automated optical and computational systems.

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

2Ease of operation

If only a single type of component is scattered on a component support section, then operator burden is reduced, but component supply versatility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator burdenVSAvoidcomponent supply versatility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The component supply device is designed to handle multiple types of components through a single unified system. The imaging device and control unit can identify and manage various component types (different shapes, sizes, and configurations) on the same support section, making the device universal rather than specialized for a single component type.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically adapts to different component types through self-recognition via imaging. When components of different types are placed on the support section, the imaging device captures their characteristics, and the control unit autonomously determines identification information and positions, enabling the system to self-adjust to supply multiple component types without operator intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If manual checking of components is required, then component accuracy is ensured, but productivity decreases due to increased operational time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent accuracyVSAvoidsupply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Manual visual inspection and verification of components is replaced by an automated imaging and image processing system. The imaging device captures high-resolution images of components on the support section, and the control unit automatically analyzes these images to verify component types and positions, ensuring accuracy while eliminating the time required for manual checking.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging and identification process operates continuously and automatically as part of the component supply workflow. Rather than requiring intermittent manual intervention to verify components, the system maintains continuous automated monitoring and identification, ensuring component accuracy is maintained throughout the entire supply process without interrupting productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP3216571B1Component supplying device
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 FUJI CORP
  • EP3216571B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3216571B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3216571B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Multiple types of leaded components 410a, 410b, and 410c are scattered on component support member 285, and those multiple types of components are imaged by an imaging device. Identification information for identifying each type of the multiple types of components, and position information representing the position of the components on the component support section, is acquired from image data captured by the imaging device 84. Then, based on the identification information and the position information, any of the multiple types of components on the component support member 285 are held by a holding tool. By this, it is possible to pick up any of the multiple types of components scattered on the component support section 285 and it is possible to supply many types of components using the component supply device 32. Also, there is no need for an operator to check components on the component support section 285, so the operator workload is reduced.