Moisture-Sensitive Component Exposure Tracking in Electronic Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic component mounting systems face challenges in managing moisture-sensitive devices (MSDs) effectively, leading to increased productivity costs and reduced quality due to inadequate moisture control, as these devices are often left to manual memory and record-keeping, resulting in frequent drying treatments and potential rejection.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component mounting system that includes a whereabouts information storage part, exposure time management, and a line control system to track and compare the exposure time of moisture management target components, stopping the mounting process when exposure limits are exceeded, ensuring proper management and use of MSDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual memory and record-keeping are used for MSD management, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision and reliability deteriorate due to inadequate moisture control tracking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanagement system complexityVSAvoidmoisture control precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual memory and record-keeping (mechanical/human system) with an automated computer-based management system that tracks exposure times and moisture conditions electronically, thereby improving manufacturing precision without significantly increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The management system automatically tracks and monitors MSD exposure times and moisture conditions without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to self-manage moisture control precision while maintaining simple operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If frequent drying treatment is performed to ensure moisture control, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to production interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting quality reliabilityVSAvoidproduction throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary tracking and monitoring of exposure times before moisture problems occur, allowing proactive management of MSD conditions and preventing the need for frequent interruptive drying treatments, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The management system provides continuous feedback on exposure times and moisture conditions, enabling real-time adjustments and decisions about when drying is actually necessary, reducing unnecessary interruptions and maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If exposure time is not strictly monitored, then productivity is maintained, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to moisture absorption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction speedVSAvoidcomponent quality precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses automated computer-based tracking to monitor exposure times continuously without requiring manual intervention or slowing down production, thereby maintaining productivity while ensuring manufacturing precision through accurate time monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Device complexity

If manual tracking of exposure time is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information occurs due to inaccurate record-keeping

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking system complexityVSAvoidexposure time information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual tracking with automated computer-based recording that continuously monitors and stores exposure time data electronically, eliminating information loss from inaccurate manual record-keeping while keeping the system interface simple and easy to use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11770901B2Electronic component mounting method

Publication Date: 2023.09.26 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

Provided is a method for operating an electronic component mounting system including component storages including a dry box. The method includes maintaining a material management table including a whereabouts information field for indicating whether an electronic component is stored in the dry box, a target indicator field for indicating whether an electronic component is a moisture management target component, and an exposure time field for indicating an exposure time during the moisture management target component has been in an atmospheric exposure state. The method also includes pausing counting the exposure time when the moisture management target component is stored in the dry box, identifying a moisture management target component of which the exposure time has met or exceeded an exposure limit time based on the whereabouts information table, and notifying the identified moisture management target component to an apparatus.