Movable Transfer Devices for Multi-Lane Circuit Board Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printed condition inspection apparatuses are inefficient in handling dualized lanes in circuit board production lines, leading to low space efficiency and operability due to the need for multiple inspection systems and manual visual inspection by operators.
Innovation Solution
A circuit board inspection apparatus with multiple lane divided sections and movable transfer devices that allow for direct or indirect visual recognition by operators, featuring height adjustment to prevent interference and enable efficient transfer between sections, thereby eliminating the need for separate inspection systems on each lane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single printed condition inspection apparatus is used for dualized lanes, then space efficiency is improved, but the apparatus cannot simultaneously inspect both lanes
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer device is designed to be movable between different lanes, allowing a single inspection apparatus to dynamically serve multiple lanes. The transfer device can be positioned over the first lane divided section to transfer circuit boards from the first lane, then moved to the second lane divided section to transfer circuit boards from the second lane, enabling one apparatus to handle dualized lanes sequentially
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection apparatus operates in the time dimension by sequentially inspecting circuit boards from different lanes at different times. The movable transfer device enables the apparatus to switch between lanes in the spatial dimension, transforming a static single-lane inspection system into a dynamic multi-lane system that achieves both space efficiency and inspection capability
2Length of moving object
If the movable transfer device is positioned high to transfer circuit boards, then it can reach distant lanes, but it interferes with other lane divided sections
Solution Approach 1:
The height of the transfer device is made adjustable rather than fixed. The height adjustment portion allows the transfer device to be positioned at different heights depending on which lane is being served. When transferring from the first lane, the device is positioned at a first height; when transferring from the second lane, it is positioned at a second height, thereby avoiding interference with other lane divided sections while maintaining adequate transfer reach
3Measurement precision
If the operator visually inspects circuit boards on distant lanes, then inspection accuracy is improved, but operator workload and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The movable transfer device acts as an intermediary that brings circuit boards from distant lanes to the operator's immediate workspace. Instead of the operator stretching or moving to distant lanes to inspect circuit boards, the transfer device delivers the circuit boards to a centralized visual recognition position near the operator, reducing operator movement and time consumption while maintaining inspection accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A circuit board inspection apparatus is equipped with a plurality of lane divided sections for transferring circuit boards, a plurality of movable transfer devices disposed on the plurality of the lane divided sections and having transfer portions for transferring the circuit boards, and visual recognition positions disposed adjacent to the plurality of the lane divided sections in a Y direction. The plurality of the movable transfer devices transfer the circuit boards from the lane divided sections to the visual recognition positions. One of the movable transfer devices has a height adjustment portion that moves a corresponding one of the transfer portions in a Z direction to prevent the movable transfer device from interfering with a corresponding one of the lane divided sections, in transferring one of the circuit boards from one of the lane divided sections to one of the visual recognition positions.