Mounting Head With Moving Imaging Element for Precise Component Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounters face challenges in achieving high mounting accuracy of components on boards due to positional deviations, which affect manufacturing quality.

Innovation Solution

A mounting head with a freely movable nozzle shaft and an imaging element holder that moves upward and downward with the nozzle, allowing the imaging element to continuously image the nozzle's lower end, enabling precise visualization and positioning of components during the mounting process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a component camera images the component from below to recognize its position, then the component position can be detected, but the mounting accuracy is limited due to positional deviation between the component camera and the nozzle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent position detection accuracyVSAvoidmounting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging element is integrated into the nozzle assembly, merging the imaging function with the component holding function. This eliminates the separate component camera and its associated positional deviation, allowing direct visual recognition of the component's position relative to the nozzle tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging element acts as an intermediary between the nozzle and the control system, providing direct visual feedback of the component's position and state. This intermediary enables precise positioning by allowing the control system to adjust the nozzle position based on real-time imaging data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the nozzle shaft is lowered to mount the component on the board, then the mounting operation can be performed, but the component can no longer be visually recognized, making it difficult to maintain positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting operation efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging element captures images of the component at various stages before the nozzle is fully lowered, including during the approach and positioning phases. This preliminary imaging allows the control system to establish and maintain accurate positioning information throughout the mounting operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging element remains positioned to continuously image the component throughout the entire mounting process, from component pickup through nozzle descent to board placement. This continuous visual monitoring ensures positioning accuracy is maintained even as the nozzle moves through its range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11019761B2Mounting head and component mounter

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A mounting head that is included in a component mounter for mounting a component on a board and sucks the component by a nozzle is provided. The mounting head includes: a nozzle shaft that is disposed to be freely upward and downward movable and has the nozzle installed at a lower end of the nozzle shaft; an imaging element holder that moves upward and downward according to upward and downward movement of the nozzle shaft; and an imaging element that is held by the imaging element holder and images an area including a lower end of the nozzle.