Modular Mounting Head With Identical Interfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing placement heads for automatic assembly machines are complex, difficult to maintain, and require costly replacement when defective, leading to economic losses due to downtime and high replacement costs.

Innovation Solution

A modular placement head design with standardized, identically designed interfaces for easy configuration and replacement of modules, allowing for flexible adaptation to different applications and customer requirements, reducing maintenance complexity and enabling quick module exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complete placement head is replaced when defective, then the machine can resume operation, but the replacement cost is very high and downtime is extensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine operation continuityVSAvoidreplacement cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The placement head is divided into multiple independent modules (first module, second module, third module) that can be individually replaced. When one module becomes defective, only that specific module needs to be replaced rather than the entire placement head, reducing replacement cost and downtime while maintaining machine operation continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If placement head modules are designed with identical interfaces, then adaptability to different applications is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidinterface standardization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame element is designed with multiple identical interfaces that can accommodate different types of placement head modules (first type, second type, third type). This universal interface design allows the same frame to support various module configurations for different applications, improving adaptability while the modular architecture actually reduces overall system complexity by standardizing connections.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2389059B1Mounting head for a mounting machine, mounting machine and mounting method
Publication Date: 2016.06.22 ASM ASSEMBLY SYST GMBH & CO
  • EP2389059B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2389059B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The head has a frame element (1) for attachment of mounting head modules (10-12). The frame element includes multiple interfaces (2) that are identically formed for transmission of energy, data and/or air to the respective mounting head modules. Each interface is formed as a part of a retaining device (3) of the frame element, where each retaining device positively retains the respective modules. The retaining devices include identically formed retaining spaces (4), and adjust the respective modules at the frame element. The modules are formed as an actuator element or a sensor element. An independent claim is also included for a method for mounting substrates with structural elements.