Rotary Nozzle Vacuum Isolation for Accurate Component Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional component mounters with multiple suction nozzles are prone to interference, where the state of one suction nozzle performing pickup or mounting operations is easily influenced by the state of other suction nozzles, such as leaks or missing components, leading to inaccurate operation and maintenance detection.

Innovation Solution

A component mounter design featuring a first and second negative pressure unit, where the second unit supplies negative pressure only to the nozzle at the specified revolving position, and includes a negative pressure supply state detecting sensor to accurately determine the pickup or suction nozzle state, independent of other nozzles, and a maintenance determining means to assess maintenance needs based on detected states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single negative pressure dividing path is used to supply negative pressure to multiple suction nozzles, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision of the suction nozzle state is deteriorated due to interference from other nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure supply system complexityVSAvoidsuction nozzle state detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single negative pressure supply system into two separate negative pressure dividing paths: a first path that supplies negative pressure to all nozzle holders, and a second path that supplies negative pressure only to the nozzle holder at the specified revolving position. This segmentation allows independent detection of the active nozzle's state without interference from other nozzles, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate negative pressure units are provided for each nozzle holder, then the reliability of suction nozzle operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuction nozzle operation reliabilityVSAvoidnegative pressure supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by providing enhanced isolated negative pressure supply (via the second negative pressure dividing path) specifically to the nozzle holder at the specified revolving position, while other nozzle holders receive standard negative pressure supply through the first path. This localized enhancement improves reliability for the active nozzle without unnecessarily increasing complexity for all nozzles, achieving a balanced solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 that the state of each suction nozzle is not affected by other nozzles, allowing for accurate component pickup and mounting operations and maintenance determination, thereby improving operational reliability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a first negative pressure unit configured to supply negative pressure to nozzle passages of, from among the multiple nozzle holders, all the nozzle holders via a first port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 2

a second negative pressure unit configured to supply negative pressure to the nozzle passage of, from among the multiple nozzle holders, the nozzle holder positioned at the specified revolving position via a second port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Vacuum

Implementation Method 3

a positive pressure source is connected to the multiple suction nozzles via a positive pressure dividing path

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositive pressure: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3407695B1Component mounting machine
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 FUJI CORP
  • EP3407695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3407695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3407695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A rotary head, on which are arranged in a circumferential direction multiple nozzle holders 62 each holding a suction nozzle 60, is provided with, separately to first negative pressure supply unit 71 that supplies negative pressure to the suction openings of all the suction nozzles 60, second negative pressure supply unit 75 that supplies negative pressure to the suction nozzle 60 (target nozzle) held by the nozzle holder 62 that is lowerable when that nozzle holder 62 is lowered. Accordingly, when performing pickup operation and mounting operation using the suction nozzle 60, the state of the suction nozzle 60 is not affected by the state of the other suction nozzles 60.