Printing Device Frame Decoupling for Mask Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional screen printing machines experience height position accuracy issues with the mask raising/lowering mechanical part due to the movement of the heavy squeegee unit, which affects the precision of the mask positioning.

Innovation Solution

The printing device incorporates a frame structure that is independent from the mask raising/lowering mechanical part, with a print head unit that is movably supported on this frame, allowing the squeegee to operate without directly loading the mask holding table, thus maintaining the height position accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the heavy squeegee unit is directly mounted on the mask raising/lowering mechanical part, then the squeegee unit can perform squeegeeing operations, but the mask raising/lowering mechanical part tilts during squeegee movement, affecting height position accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesqueegeeing operation capabilityVSAvoidheight position accuracy of mask
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into two independent mechanical systems: the mask raising/lowering mechanical part and the print head unit with squeegee. The print head unit is made movable relative to the mask raising/lowering mechanical part via a movable support, separating the squeegeeing function from the mask positioning function. This segmentation prevents the heavy squeegee unit from directly loading the mask raising/lowering mechanism, eliminating tilting while maintaining both operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the print head unit is made movable to perform squeegeeing, then printing operation is enabled, but the movement of the print head unit affects the stability of the mask raising/lowering mechanical part

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operation capabilityVSAvoidstability of mask raising/lowering mechanical part
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

A movable support acts as an intermediary between the mask raising/lowering mechanical part and the print head unit. This movable support allows the print head unit to move independently for squeegeeing operations while being mechanically decoupled from the mask raising/lowering mechanism. The intermediary structure absorbs the movement of the print head unit, preventing it from affecting the stability of the mask positioning system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2711184B1Printing device
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP2711184B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2711184B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2711184B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A printing device includes a mask raising/lowering mechanical part for raising/lowering, in a state of holding a screen mask, the screen mask in a vertical direction and positioning the screen mask relative to a substrate, a frame part disposed in a state of being independent from a raising/lowering operation of the screen mask, and a print head unit provided movably to the frame part and performing squeegeeing of the screen mask to which a solder has been supplied.