PCB Assembly Pallet with Movable Tooling Pins
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing a printed circuit board (PCB) during assembly introduce gaps between the PCB and solder printing stencils due to the use of adhesive tapes, leading to solder paste misprint and alignment issues with fiducial marks.
Innovation Solution
A pallet with a panel and depression area equipped with fixed and movable tooling pins that secure the PCB without adhesive tapes, ensuring alignment and secure positioning through translational motion of the movable pins between release and secure positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tapes are used to secure the PCB during assembly, then the PCB can be held in place, but gaps are introduced between the PCB and solder printing stencils causing misprint and alignment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes adhesive tapes from the PCB assembly process and replaces them with tooling pins integrated into the pallet. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of adhesive tapes creating gaps between the PCB and stencils, while still achieving secure PCB positioning through the pin mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tooling pins as an intermediary mechanism between the PCB and the pallet. These pins fit into tooling holes in the PCB and provide precise positioning without introducing gaps, serving as a mediator that achieves both stability and precision
2Stability of the object's composition
If adhesive tapes are used to secure the PCB, then the PCB can be held firmly, but fiducial marks are covered or damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts adhesive tapes from the securing process and replaces them with tooling pins that attach to tooling holes away from the fiducial marks area. This eliminates the harmful effect of adhesive tapes covering or damaging fiducial marks while maintaining secure PCB holding
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed tooling pins are used alone for PCB positioning, then alignment is simplified, but the PCB cannot be securely held during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tooling pin system into fixed pins for alignment and movable pins for securing. The fixed pins provide precise positioning and alignment, while the movable pins provide additional securing force, dividing the functions to achieve both precision and stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces movable pins that can transition between retracted and extended positions. When retracted, they allow easy PCB insertion; when extended, they provide secure holding. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to achieve both alignment precision and securing strength
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure provide a pallet and a method for supporting a printed circuit board (PCB) during a circuit board assembly process. The pallet includes a panel having a frame area surrounding a depression area for receiving a PCB. The pallet includes at least one fixed tooling pin attached to the panel at a first location in the depression area. The pallet further includes at least one movable tooling pin positioned at a second location in the depression area, and the movable tooling pin is movable between a release position for installing the PCB in the depression area and a secure position for securing the PCB in the depression area.