Mounting Head Air Passage Layout for Accurate Nozzle Push-In Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component mounters face challenges in accurately determining the push-in amount of the nozzle section due to changes in the nozzle section's state, such as whether it holds a component or the type of component, affecting the air flow rate or pressure used for determining the push-in amount.

Innovation Solution

A component mounter with a mounting head featuring a base section having separate first and second gas passages, a lifting and lowering mechanism, a suction nozzle, a biasing section, and a detecting device that uses a valve to switch communication between the second gas passage and the outside, allowing for accurate detection of the push-in amount by monitoring the flow rate or pressure of gas through the second gas passage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the air passage used for picking up a component is used to detect the push-in amount, then the detection mechanism is simple, but the detection accuracy deteriorates because the flow rate or pressure changes due to nozzle section state variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection mechanism complexityVSAvoidpush-in amount detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gas passage system is divided into two independent passages: a first gas passage for component pickup and a second gas passage for push-in amount detection. This segmentation allows the detection function to operate independently without being affected by the pickup operation state, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple detection mechanism and accurate measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The detection function is extracted from the pickup air passage and implemented through a separate second gas passage. This extraction eliminates the interference between pickup operations and detection measurements, enabling accurate push-in amount detection regardless of nozzle section state changes during component handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a single gas passage is used for both component pickup and push-in detection, then the device structure is simple, but the detection reliability deteriorates due to state changes affecting flow rate and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas passage structureVSAvoidpush-in amount detection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The gas passage system is segmented into two independent passages: the first gas passage handles component pickup while the second gas passage is dedicated to push-in amount detection. This segmentation ensures that detection reliability is maintained independently of the pickup operation state, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the nozzle section state changes (holding component or component type), then the adaptability of the system increases, but the detection accuracy of push-in amount deteriorates due to varying flow rate and pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle section state adaptabilityVSAvoidpush-in amount measurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The detection function is extracted from the pickup air passage and implemented through a separate second gas passage that is not affected by nozzle section state changes. This extraction allows the system to adapt to different component handling states while maintaining consistent and accurate push-in amount detection, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 enables precise determination of the push-in amount, unaffected by changes in the nozzle section's state, ensuring accurate component mounting with consistent pressing force.

Implementation Method 1

a suction nozzle (60) having a nozzle section (61) disposed below the base section (65) and configured to be lifted up and lowered, as the base section is lifted up and lowered, to pick up the component through a negative pressure supplied to the first gas passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure suction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a detecting device for detecting at least one of a flow rate or a pressure of gas flowing through the second gas passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas flow rate detection:

Implementation Method 3

a detecting device for detecting at least one of a flow rate or a pressure of gas flowing through the second gas passage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure detection:

Implementation Method 4

a valve for switching between absence of communication between the second gas passage and the outside when a push-in amount of the nozzle section has not yet reached a predetermined value and presence of communication between the second gas passage and the outside when a push-in amount of the nozzle section has reached the predetermined value

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve switching: Valve

Implementation Method 5

a biasing section for biasing the nozzle section downwards while permitting the nozzle section to be pushed in towards the base section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring biasing: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3606318B1Component mounter and mounting head
Publication Date: 2022.08.31 FUJI CORP
  • EP3606318B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3606318B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3606318B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is provided a component mounter for mounting a component on a mounting target object, including: a mounting head comprising a base section having, in the interior thereof, a first gas passage and a second gas passage that does not communicate with the first gas passage; a lifting and lowering mechanism for lifting and lowering the base section; a suction nozzle having a nozzle section disposed below the base section and configured to be lifted up and lowered, as the base section is lifted up and lowered, to pick up the component through a negative pressure supplied to the first gas passage; a biasing section for biasing the nozzle section downwards while permitting the nozzle section to be pushed in towards the base section; and a valve for switching between presence and absence of communication between the second gas passage and the outside depending on whether a push-in amount of the nozzle section has not yet reached or reached a predetermined value; and a detecting device for detecting at least one of a flow rate or a pressure of gas flowing through the second gas passage.