Reel Transfer Mechanism for Tilt-Free Feeder Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reel exchange systems tilt feeders to attach/detach reels, leading to components falling off and reduced production efficiency due to incorrect orientation.

Innovation Solution

A reel attaching/detaching device with a feeder set unit, reel set unit, and transfer robot that maintains reel orientation during attachment/detachment, preventing component misalignment and fall-off.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the feeder is tilted to attach/detach reels using a robot, then automated reel exchange is enabled, but components may fall off and orientation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated reel exchangeVSAvoidcomponent orientation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of tilting the feeder to enable robot access, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the feeder in its normal horizontal orientation and providing a separate reel storage unit positioned above the feeder. The robot transfers reels vertically from the storage unit to the feeder, eliminating the need to tilt the feeder and thus preventing component fall-off while maintaining automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the feeder is tilted for reel attachment, then robot access is improved, but component supply reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobot access for reel attachmentVSAvoidcomponent supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the reel handling function from the feeder by introducing a separate reel storage unit positioned above the feeder. The robot operates on the storage unit to load/detach reels, while the feeder remains in its proper orientation for reliable component supply. This segmentation allows robot access without compromising feeder stability or component orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If reels are attached/detached in tilted orientation, then automated exchange is achieved, but production efficiency is reduced due to component fall-off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated reel attachment/detachmentVSAvoidproduction efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by positioning the reel storage unit above the feeder in vertical orientation, allowing the robot to transfer reels without tilting the feeder. This prevents component fall-off and maintains correct component orientation, thereby avoiding production interruptions and maintaining high productivity while achieving full automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12479683B2Reel attaching/detaching device and feeder preparation system

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A reel attaching/detaching device that attaches/detaches a reel on which a tape accommodating a component is wound to and from a feeder which feeds out the tape by a drive of a feed-out section and supplies the component, the device includes a feeder set unit configured to be set in a predetermined orientation when the feeder supplies the component, a reel set unit configured to be set in a predetermined orientation when the reel supplies the component, a transfer robot configured to transfer the reel between the feeder set unit and the reel set unit while holding a orientation of the reel, and a control device configured to control the transfer robot so that the reel is detached from the reel set unit and the reel is attached to the feeder set in the feeder set unit, when the reel is set in the reel set unit.