Movable Suction Nozzle for Display Panel Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding nozzles for transporting display panel assemblies, such as liquid crystal or organic EL displays, apply downward forces that cause distortion and risk scratching due to suction, leading to quality issues and increased size and weight of the transportation apparatus.
Innovation Solution
A holding nozzle design featuring a suction member with a cylindrical shaft and accommodation portion, allowing the suction member to move independently, reducing the applied load on the panel and preventing distortion, with a communication member forming a flow path for controlled negative pressure application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the holding nozzle is moved downward to press the suction pad onto the display panel, then the panel can be held with suction, but a downward load is applied to the panel causing distortion and quality degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pad is designed to be movable relative to the holding nozzle body, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. When the holding nozzle approaches the panel, the suction pad automatically moves downward under its own weight to contact the panel surface, eliminating the need to apply downward load through the entire nozzle structure. This dynamic configuration maintains holding capability while preventing panel distortion.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding nozzle is divided into separate functional parts: a fixed body portion and a movable suction pad portion. The suction pad can move independently relative to the nozzle body, allowing the holding function to be separated from the loading function. This segmentation enables the suction pad to contact the panel without transmitting the full downward force of the nozzle assembly.
2Reliability
If negative pressure is applied to hold the panel, then the panel can be secured, but liquid crystals may be brought close to the holding portion causing scratches
Solution Approach 1:
The suction pad is made of elastic material that can deform to conform to the panel surface. This flexibility allows the pad to maintain gentle contact while applying suction, distributing the negative pressure evenly across the contact area rather than concentrating it at specific points, thereby preventing scratches on the display panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction force and contact pressure are carefully controlled by adjusting the negative pressure parameters. By optimizing the pressure differential and contact area, the system achieves secure holding while maintaining contact forces below the threshold that would cause damage to the panel or bring liquid crystals into contact with the holding portion.
3Productivity
If independent control systems are used for weight reduction and panel holding, then each function can be optimized, but the size and weight of the suction head increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable suction pad structure combines the weight compensation function and the panel holding function into a single integrated mechanism. The elastic suction pad's ability to move and deform simultaneously achieves both weight reduction (by minimizing contact force) and secure holding (through negative pressure), eliminating the need for separate control systems and reducing overall system complexity and weight.
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
The solution effectively reduces stress on the panel during transport, prevents scratching, and maintains panel quality while minimizing the size and weight of the transportation apparatus, enhancing operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a holding nozzle for holding a workpiece with suction of air
Data Source
AI summary
A holding nozzle is provided with a suction member including a suction portion which comes into contact with a panel and a shaft portion communicated with the suction portion, an accommodation portion in which the shaft portion is accommodated, a suction member support portion supporting the shaft portion such that the suction member is movable with respect to the accommodation portion, a negative pressure connection portion to which a negative pressure generator is connected, and a communication member accommodated in the accommodation portion between the negative pressure connection portion and the suction member support portion and has a hollow portion which is a portion of a flow path through which a fluid is flowed. The communication member includes a first connection portion connected to the negative pressure connection portion, a second connection portion connected to the shaft portion, and a contractible portion installed between the first and second connection portions.