Reel Support Device for Feeder Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reel holding devices face issues with reels becoming meshed between rollers and case walls, leading to obstructed rotation and interrupted component supply.

Innovation Solution

A reel holding device with integrated rod-like members that support and prevent deviation of reels, featuring freely rotatable rollers with diameter-reducing sections to ensure smooth contact and prevent meshing, allowing stable rotation and reliable tape sending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If one pair of rollers support the outer circumference of the reel, then the reel can be held to be rotatable, but the reel flange may become meshed between the roller and case side wall or between rollers, causing free rotation to become impossible and component supply to be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereel rotatabilityVSAvoidcomponent supply continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support structure is divided into multiple individual support members (multiple pairs of rollers) instead of a single continuous support. Each support member independently supports a portion of the reel outer circumference, allowing the reel to rotate freely while preventing flange meshing through distributed support points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are positioned at specific locations around the reel circumference rather than providing continuous support. This localized support approach allows the reel flange to clear between support points, preventing meshing while still providing adequate support for stable rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If multiple partition sections protrude in the width direction to support multiple reels, then multiple reels can be held simultaneously, but the structure becomes more complex and the risk of flange meshing between partition sections increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of reels supportedVSAvoidpartition section structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple support functions are combined into integrated support members that simultaneously support multiple reels. The support structure uses shared rollers and common mounting mechanisms, reducing the number of separate partition sections needed while maintaining the ability to hold multiple reels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support members are designed to serve multiple functions: supporting individual reels, preventing reel deviation, and maintaining spacing between adjacent reels. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3267778B1Reel supporting device
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 FUJI CORP
  • EP3267778B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3267778B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3267778B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, there is provided a reel holding device (1) which is used being combined with a feeder device (9), and holds multiple component supply reels (81, 82) to be rotatable and exchangeable, the device including: a case (2) which accommodates the plurality of component supply reels to be aligned in a direction of a reel axial line (AX); outer circumferential support members (41, 42, 51, 52) which are built between two sides walls (31, 32) of the case, and support outer circumferences of the multiple component supply reels to be rotatable; and a deviation preventing member (43, 53) which prevents the component supply reels from deviating from the outer circumferential support members, in which at least one of the outer circumferential support members and the deviation preventing member is an integrated rod-like member which is built between the two side walls. According to this, unlike the related art, there is no concern that a reel flange (84) is meshed between rollers, the reel flange holds the component supply reel to be stably rotatable, and reliably sends out the component storage tape.