Pick and Place Head with Integrated Air Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pick and place machines face challenges with energy consumption due to the need for significant compressed air usage, over-engineering of vacuum pumps to handle multiple spindles, and the complexity of connecting flexible hoses to fast-moving placement heads, which increases maintenance and costs.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a dispensing head with a motor-powered air pump that creates airflow in a spindle, allowing for a continuous circuitous track with dispensing heads that rotate, reducing the need for extensive hose connections and minimizing air usage by integrating air distribution systems directly into the track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized vacuum pump is used to create vacuum for multiple placement heads, then the vacuum can be maintained across multiple spindles, but the pump must be significantly over-engineered to handle leakage when components are not properly picked up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the vacuum system into individual vacuum pumps for each placement head rather than using a single centralized pump for multiple heads. Each pump serves only its corresponding head, eliminating the need to over-engineer a central pump to handle potential leaks from multiple spindles simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local vacuum generation at each placement head location. Each head has its own vacuum pump that creates and maintains vacuum only where needed, allowing the system to handle leaks locally without affecting other heads and eliminating the need for excessive pump capacity.
2Device complexity
If venturis are used to create vacuum on the placement head, then only one flexible hose needs to be connected to the placement head, but a significant amount of air is used creating demand for a large compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes each placement head self-sufficient by integrating a vacuum pump directly into each head. The head generates its own vacuum without relying on external venturis or centralized vacuum systems, eliminating the need for large compressors and excessive air consumption while maintaining simple hose connections.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible hoses are connected to fast moving placement heads to supply vacuum and compressed air, then the heads can be mobile and positionable, but the hose connections increase maintenance and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vacuum pump and compressed air system into the placement head assembly itself. By integrating these functions directly into the mobile head, the system eliminates the need for flexible hoses to supply utilities, reducing hose management complexity while preserving head mobility and adaptability.
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
This configuration enhances energy efficiency, reduces maintenance, and allows for customizable and scalable assembly machines that can maintain high speeds without significant increases in energy consumption or hose management complexity.
Implementation Method 1
an air pump operably connected to and powered by the motor; and a first spindle connected to the air pump, wherein the air pump is configured to create airflow in the first spindle
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a dispensing head that includes a motor, an air pump operably connected to and powered by the motor, and a first spindle connected to the air pump. The air pump is configured to create airflow in the first spindle. Further disclosed is a method of creating airflow in a dispensing head, and an assembly machine system having a dispensing head.