Pick-up Nozzle Bypass Pin for Suction Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

As electronic components become smaller, suction nozzles face challenges in maintaining negative pressure due to increased pin cross-section proportion, leading to leaks and orientation issues during component pickup, especially for curved surfaces like large capacity capacitors.

Innovation Solution

The suction nozzle incorporates a pin that crosses the intake passage with a suction assistance section connecting downstream and upstream, allowing air bypass and maintaining sufficient flow, and is integrated with a nozzle holder using protruding ends for enhanced strength.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the size of suction nozzle is reduced to match smaller electronic components, then the nozzle can handle smaller components, but the proportion of pin cross-section in the intake passage increases causing negative pressure to be insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle sizeVSAvoidnegative pressure in intake passage
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The suction assistance section is divided into multiple segments (first, second, third sections) that are positioned at different locations around the pin. Each segment provides localized suction assistance, collectively maintaining sufficient negative pressure in the intake passage despite the pin occupying a large proportion of the cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction assistance section acts as an intermediary structure that bypasses the pin obstruction. It provides an alternative flow path that allows air to pass around the pin, maintaining the negative pressure gradient necessary for component pickup without being blocked by the pin's large cross-sectional area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If pin is joined to outer surface of wall, then manufacturing is easier, but strength is insufficient and pin may break under large forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepin joining processVSAvoidpin strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is merged with the wall structure by piercing through the wall rather than being surface-mounted. This integration creates a more robust connection where the pin becomes part of the wall structure itself, significantly increasing its strength to withstand large forces during component pickup and integration with the nozzle holder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Volume of moving object

If pin cross-section proportion in intake passage increases, then nozzle can be smaller, but leaks occur easily and component orientation becomes inaccurate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle sizeVSAvoidcomponent pickup accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The suction assistance section is divided into multiple segments (first, second, third sections) that are positioned at different locations around the pin. Each segment provides localized suction assistance, collectively maintaining sufficient negative pressure in the intake passage despite the pin occupying a large proportion of the cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suction assistance section acts as an intermediary structure that bypasses the pin obstruction. It provides an alternative flow path that allows air to pass around the pin, maintaining the negative pressure gradient necessary for component pickup without being blocked by the pin's large cross-sectional area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design ensures reliable negative pressure application and accurate component orientation, even for large capacity capacitors with curved surfaces, by maintaining a sufficient flow rate and reducing the risk of pin breakage.

Implementation Method 1

air is able to bypass the pin by flowing through the suction assistance section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow bypass:

Data Source

PatentEP3099154B1Pick-up nozzle for mounting electronic components
Publication Date: 2019.11.13 FUJI CORP
  • EP3099154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3099154B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3099154B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

With suction nozzle 10, suction assistance section 16b is provided within intake passage 12 and connects a side downstream of pin 26 and a side upstream of pin 26. A cross section (the area of a cross section cut in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which intake passage 12 extends) of intake passage 12 is narrowed by pin 26. However, air is able to bypass pin 26 by flowing through suction assistance section 16b. Accordingly, a sufficient flow amount is maintained even in the portion of intake passage 12 where pin 26 cuts across. As a result, sufficiently large negative pressure is applied in intake passage 12.