Inclined Contacting Section for Component Supply Device Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component supply devices face challenges in effectively dropping components through a dropping opening, leading to component clogging and inefficient collection due to the perpendicular orientation of the contacting section during the sliding process.

Innovation Solution

The component supply device incorporates an inclined contacting section that imparts a force perpendicular to the sliding direction, allowing components to drop into the dropping opening efficiently, preventing clogging by shifting them in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the contacting section is oriented perpendicular to the sliding direction, then the structure is simple, but components cannot drop efficiently through the dropping opening causing clogging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent dropping efficiencyVSAvoidcontacting section structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contacting section is designed with an inclined surface that is asymmetric relative to the sliding direction. The inclination angle is set between 0° and 90° (preferably 10°-45°) to create a component pushing force with both sliding and dropping components, enabling efficient component ejection while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The orientation parameter of the contacting section is changed from perpendicular (90°) to inclined (0°<α<90°). This parameter modification allows the contacting section to generate both sliding force and dropping force simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and dropping efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If components are lined up in the sliding direction, then they are easy to collect, but they clog the dropping opening and cannot drop efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent collection efficiencyVSAvoiddropping operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inclined contacting section creates asymmetric force distribution on lined-up components. The inclination angle causes the pushing force to have a component perpendicular to the sliding direction, which pushes components sideways into the dropping opening rather than allowing them to stack and clog.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The inclined contacting section introduces a force component in the width direction (perpendicular to sliding direction) in addition to the sliding direction force. This dimensional change in force application prevents one-dimensional stacking of components and enables three-dimensional dispersion into the dropping opening.

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

3Ease of operation

If the contacting section slides perpendicular to components, then collection is straightforward, but components do not drop favorably through the opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent sliding collectionVSAvoidcomponent dropping rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The orientation parameter of the contacting section is modified from perpendicular to inclined, creating a compound force vector that maintains ease of sliding operation while adding the capability to push components into the dropping opening. The inclination angle balances operational simplicity with dropping effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution ensures components are effectively collected and stored, reducing clogging and enhancing the processing efficiency of the component supply device by aligning the components with the dropping opening, even when they are lined up in the sliding direction.

Implementation Method 1

at least a portion of the contacting section is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction. Accordingly, it is possible to push components in a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction, such that the components on the stage favorably drop into the dropping opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInclined plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3687267B1Component supply device
Publication Date: 2024.05.15 FUJI CORP
  • EP3687267B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3687267B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3687267B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A component supply device including: a stage configured such that electronic components are scattered on the stage; a contacting section provided at a height so as to contact the electronic components on the stage; a slide device configured to relatively slide the stage and the contacting section; a dropping opening configured to allow the electronic components scattered on the stage that have been caught by the contacting section to drop in accordance with the relative movement of the stage and the contacting section by the slide device; and a wall provided at a side opposite to a side of the dropping opening at which the electronic components scattered on the stage drop, wherein the contacting section is provided to extend in a direction perpendicular to a sliding direction by the slide device, and at least a portion of the contacting section is inclined with respect to a straight direction along the sliding direction and an upper surface of the stage.