Nozzle Transparent End Face for Workpiece Pattern Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece transfer and mounting technologies face challenges in detecting positioning patterns on small electronic devices due to the limitations of suction hole size, which interferes with the pattern detection process, especially as devices miniaturize, making it difficult to recognize patterns optically through the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece transfer apparatus with a nozzle unit featuring a transparent end face member that allows imaging of the suctioned surface through the suction hole, combined with an imaging unit and image processor to identify positioning patterns on both the workpiece and substrate, enabling precise alignment and mounting without reducing the suction hole diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the suction hole diameter is reduced to accommodate smaller workpieces, then the workpiece size compatibility is improved, but the ability to optically detect positioning patterns through the nozzle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent plate is introduced as an intermediary component covering the suction hole. This transparent plate serves as a mediator that allows optical patterns to pass through while maintaining the suction function, thereby enabling positioning pattern detection without requiring a smaller suction hole diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent plate creates an optical copy or projection of the positioning pattern from the workpiece surface. By projecting the pattern through the transparent plate to the imaging device, the system can detect positioning information without the imaging device directly viewing through the suction hole.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the suction hole diameter is reduced to avoid interfering with positioning patterns, then the positioning pattern visibility is improved, but the suction capability and handling reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the suction hole for workpiece handling and the transparent plate for optical detection. This segmentation allows the suction hole to maintain its original diameter for reliable suction while the transparent plate provides the optical transmission function for positioning pattern visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent plate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains the suction hole's original size for reliable workpiece suction, transmits optical patterns for positioning detection, and serves as a structural component of the nozzle assembly. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between suction capability and pattern visibility.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a transparent nozzle is used to enable optical detection through the suction hole, then the positioning pattern detection is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate components: a standard opaque nozzle for suction and a separate transparent plate for optical detection. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be manufactured using conventional methods while the transparent plate can be produced independently and attached, reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to making an entirely transparent nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent plate acts as an intermediary component that can be easily attached to the existing nozzle structure. This approach avoids the need to manufacture a completely transparent nozzle, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while still achieving the optical detection function.
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
Enables the detection and alignment of positioning patterns on small workpieces, improving mounting accuracy by allowing image capture through the suction hole, thus overcoming the limitations of previous technologies in handling miniaturized devices.
Implementation Method 1
a suction hole 52 which opens at one end of the cylindrical body 51 and makes an imaging unit 70 capable of taking an image of a first surface 103 of the workpiece 100 through the suction hole 52 when the workpiece 100 is held by negative pressure applied from the suction hole 52
Implementation Method 2
a transparent body 53 achieving both maintaining negative pressure of inside of the cylindrical body 51 and allowing the imaging unit 70 to take images of workpiece 100 optically through the transparent body 53 and suction hole 52
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece mounting apparatus includes a transfer apparatus having a nozzle, a first imaging unit, and an image processor. The nozzle has opposed first and second ends, a suction hole at the first end, and a transparent end face member sealing the second end. The first imaging unit captures a first pattern for positioning a workpiece. The image processor identifies a reference position of the workpiece based on the first pattern captured. The workpiece mounting apparatus also includes a substrate support supporting a substrate with a second pattern for positioning, a second imaging unit for capturing the second pattern, and a positioning unit for controlling position of the nozzle. The image processor identifies a mounting target position on the substrate, based on the second pattern capture, and the positioning unit controls the nozzle to mount the workpiece on the substrate, when the reference position coincides with the mounting target position.