Nozzle Storage Inspection Using Air Ejection to Clear Water Droplets
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection methods for suction nozzles in nozzle storage sections are prone to erroneous determinations due to foreign matter like water droplets or dust, which can cause reflected light to be misdirected, leading to incorrect identification of nozzle presence.
Innovation Solution
An inspection method that includes a determination step to image the nozzle storage section, followed by an air ejecting step to clear foreign matter, and a redetermination step to confirm the presence of the suction nozzle based on captured image data, using a reflection member or identification marks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If reflected light is used to inspect whether a suction nozzle is stored in a nozzle storage section, then the inspection process is simple and quick, but foreign matter such as water droplets or dust can cause erroneous determination that a suction nozzle is stored when it is not
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ejecting air toward the nozzle storage section before performing the inspection. This preliminary air ejection removes foreign matter (water droplets, dust) that could interfere with the reflected light inspection, ensuring that the subsequent determination is not erroneous while maintaining the simplicity and speed of the reflected light method
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of foreign matter causing erroneous determination into a beneficial process by using the air ejection to actively remove these interferents. The reflected light inspection method that was vulnerable to foreign matter interference is now protected by pre-cleaning the inspection area, turning a weakness into a robust inspection system
2Reliability
If foreign matter is present on the nozzle storage section, then the inspection system may provide false positive results, but adding cleaning mechanisms increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic principles by ejecting air toward the nozzle storage section to remove foreign matter. This pneumatic cleaning approach is simple and effective, avoiding complex mechanical cleaning mechanisms while reliably removing water droplets and dust that could cause erroneous determination
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system performs its own cleaning function by ejecting air to remove foreign matter from the nozzle storage section before inspection. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate, complex cleaning systems while ensuring reliable determination accuracy
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
Effectively determines the presence of suction nozzles by clearing foreign matter and ensuring accurate imaging, thereby reducing erroneous determinations and improving the reliability of nozzle storage inspections.
Implementation Method 1
an air ejecting step of ejecting air toward the nozzle storage section
Implementation Method 2
a reflection member is provided under the through-hole, and each of the determination step and the redetermination step determines that a suction nozzle is stored in the nozzle storage section in a case in which reflected light reflected by the reflection member is not included in captured image data
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
In a case in which nozzle palette 110 is imaged from above and reflected light of emitted light 222 reflected by reflection plate 148 is not included in captured image data of a loading hole 112 of the nozzle palette, it is determined that a suction nozzle 60 is loaded in the loading hole. Meanwhile, in a case in which reflected light of emitted light 220 reflected by the reflection plate is included in the captured image data of the loading hole, it is determined that a suction nozzle is not loaded in the loading hole. However, since there is a concern that emitted light 228 is not reflected in a specular manner by the reflection plate due to a water droplet 226, in a case in which it is determined that a suction nozzle is loaded in the loading hole, air is ejected toward the loading hole. It is redetermined whether reflected light reflected by the reflection plate is included in the captured image data of the loading hole. Accordingly, after the water droplet which was a cause of erroneous determination is blown away by the air, it becomes possible to appropriately determine a suction nozzle is stored in the nozzle storage section.