Nozzle Imaging During Continuous Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nozzle imaging techniques are inefficient when changing the nozzle positioned at the working position, often requiring temporary stops for imaging, which can hinder the imaging process regardless of the method used to change the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A component mounter and nozzle imaging method that integrates the rotation of nozzles arranged at intervals along a circumferential orbit, allowing the nozzle positioned at the working position to be changed by rotating the nozzles, and imaging the nozzle within a predetermined range having a width smaller than twice the minimum center-to-center distance, eliminating the need for temporary stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the nozzle positioned at the working position is changed by intermittently rotating a plurality of nozzles in a constant direction by one pitch, then the imaging of the nozzle before and after component mounting can be performed by imaging the nozzle at precedent and subsequent positions, but temporary stops are required for imaging which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous rotation of the nozzle holder without temporary stops by imaging the nozzle during its movement within a predetermined range. The imaging part captures the nozzle image while it passes through the imaging range between the precedent position and working position, or between working position and subsequent position, eliminating the need to interrupt rotation for imaging purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic imaging action within the continuous rotation cycle. The imaging part performs imaging at specific periodic intervals when the nozzle passes through the predetermined imaging range during its rotation, allowing imaging to be integrated into the continuous rotational motion rather than requiring separate stop-and-image operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a nozzle away from one nozzle positioned at the working position by two pitches or more is positioned next to the working position, then nozzle change flexibility is improved, but wasteful temporary stops are caused for imaging which increases loss of time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous rotational motion of the nozzle holder regardless of which nozzle is positioned next to the working position. The imaging part captures images during the nozzle's movement through the predetermined imaging range, eliminating temporary stops and associated time losses while preserving the flexibility to position any nozzle at the working position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs imaging action preliminarily during the nozzle's movement through the predetermined imaging range before the nozzle reaches the working position or after it leaves. This preliminary imaging during motion allows the system to prepare and record nozzle images without interrupting the continuous rotation and nozzle change sequence.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the imaging range width is set to accommodate nozzles at two pitches or more intervals, then nozzle change adaptability is improved, but the imaging view becomes too wide which reduces measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by defining a specific predetermined imaging range with controlled width that is optimized for capturing clear nozzle images. This localized imaging range ensures sufficient precision for nozzle inspection while the system's continuous rotation capability provides the adaptability to image any nozzle position that passes through this optimized range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic imaging where the imaging part captures images of nozzles as they move through the predetermined imaging range during continuous rotation. The system adapts to different nozzle positions dynamically by capturing images during motion, providing both precision within the imaging range and versatility across multiple nozzle positions.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of nozzles are arranged at intervals of a center-to-center distance along a circumferential orbit around the predetermined rotation axis integrally. The nozzle that is positioned at the working position is changed by rotating the plurality of nozzles around the predetermined rotation axis. At that time, regardless of the manner in which the nozzle positioned at the working position is changed, the nozzle approaching the working position, and the nozzle moving away from the working position, move within an imaging target range having a width smaller than twice the center-to-center distance with the working position as the center along the circumferential orbit. Then, a camera images the nozzle which is moving within the imaging target range. Thus, it is not necessary to temporarily stop the nozzle for imaging, and as a result, imaging of the nozzles is performed efficiently.