Actuator with Integrated Air Passage for Reduced Tact Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
In pick-and-place actuators, the lengthened suction and detection periods due to larger air paths result in increased tact time, as the air pipe and sensors are typically located outside the actuator, leading to longer times for generating negative pressure and detecting workpiece suction.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design integrates a linear motion motor, air passage, sucking valve, and suction detecting sensor within the housing, with the air passage positioned opposite to the linear motion motor, reducing the distance and volume of air paths, thus shortening suction and detection periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the air pipe and sucking valve are placed outside the actuator, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but the air path volume increases, lengthening the suction period and detection period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the air passage, sucking valve, and suction detecting sensor into the actuator housing, merging previously separate external components with the actuator body. This consolidation reduces the air path volume from the shaft tip to these components, thereby shortening the suction period and detection period while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through integrated design
2Ease of operation
If the air pipe and suction detecting sensor are placed outside the actuator, then component installation is easier, but the detection period lengthens as the air path volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction detecting sensor is integrated into the air passage within the actuator housing, combining the detection function with the existing air flow path structure. This integration minimizes the air path volume that air must traverse for detection, significantly reducing the detection period while maintaining ease of operation through unified component placement
3Productivity
If components are integrated within the housing, then the air path volume is reduced shortening suction and detection periods, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (air passage, sucking valve, and suction detection) into a single integrated air passage structure within the housing. This merging approach reduces the overall air path volume and shortens both suction and detection periods, improving productivity while managing device complexity through functional integration rather than adding separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The air passage serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the flow path for suction, houses the sucking valve, and contains the suction detecting sensor. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, thereby shortening the effective air path volumes for both suction and detection operations while improving overall productivity
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 configuration reduces the tact time for pick-and-place operations by minimizing air path lengths and integrating essential components, allowing for faster workpiece handling and improved heat dissipation in stacked installations.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure is generated at the tip of the shaft to suction a workpiece onto the tip
Implementation Method 2
suck air from the hollow part of the shaft through the air passage
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention reduces tact time for a pick-and-place operation by an actuator. In a housing of the actuator, an air passage being a passage of air when sucking air from a hollow part of a shaft is provided. Furthermore, a sucking valve that sucks air from the hollow part of the shaft through the air passage and a suction detecting sensor to detect that a workpiece is suctioned onto a tip of the shaft are provided in the air passage. Then, in the housing, the air passage is disposed at a position on a side opposite to a linear motion motor that moves the shaft in an axial direction of the shaft, via the shaft.