Rotary Table Adsorption Detection Without Rotary Joints

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Solution Overview

Problem

The use of rotary joints in circuit board inspecting apparatuses decreases the rotating accuracy of rotary tables due to friction and resistance, which is a challenge with the increasing complexity of circuit patterns and the need for improved rotating accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A circuit board inspecting apparatus that includes a rotary table with a mount surface for adsorbing the circuit board, a suction device for adsorption, a flow rate detection section, a contactless detection section using light and laser sensors to determine the adsorption state and placement, and an inspection section for accurate circuit board inspection without the need for pressure sensors embedded in the rotary table, thereby eliminating the use of rotary joints and reducing sliding resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pressure gauges are embedded in the rotary table to detect adsorption state, then detection accuracy is improved, but the rotary table requires rotary joints which decrease rotating accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadsorption state detection accuracyVSAvoidrotary table rotating accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure gauge is extracted from the rotary table and relocated to the stationary housing. The suction path is extended through the rotary table without embedding the detection device, thereby eliminating the need for rotary joints while maintaining detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction path acts as an intermediary conduit, allowing the pressure gauge in the stationary housing to detect adsorption state through the rotary table without requiring direct connection or rotary joints. The gas flow through the suction path transmits the adsorption information to the stationary detection point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wires for pressure gauges are disposed in the rotary table using a rotary joint, then the pressure gauge can function, but friction and resistance at the rotary joint decrease rotating accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure gauge functionalityVSAvoidrotary table rotating accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure gauge and its wiring are extracted from the rotary table assembly and relocated to the stationary housing. This eliminates the need for rotary joints to transmit electrical signals, removing the source of friction and resistance that degraded rotating accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical connection through rotary joints is replaced by a pneumatic conduit system. The suction path allows gas flow through the rotary table while the pressure detection occurs in the stationary housing, substituting mechanical electrical connections with a pneumatic-mechanical hybrid system that eliminates friction at the rotation interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 configuration allows for accurate detection and inspection of circuit boards without embedding pressure sensors in the rotary table, improving the rotating accuracy of the rotary table by eliminating the need for rotary joints and ensuring reliable contact between the probe unit and the circuit board.

Implementation Method 1

a suction device (51); a suction path (54) having a first end connected to the suction device (51) and a second end located at the mount surface (2a); an adsorption mechanism (5) configured to adsorb the circuit board (M) mounted on the mount surface (2a) onto the mount surface (2a) in such a manner that the suction device (51) sucks in gas in the suction path (54)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a flow rate detection section (52) configured to detect a flow rate of gas flowing through a portion of the suction path (54), the portion located inside the rotary table support section (3)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlow rate detection:

Data Source

PatentUS12055580B2Circuit board inspecting apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 NIDEC-READ CORPORATION

AI summary

A circuit board inspecting apparatus includes a rotary table having a mount surface, a rotary table support section, a suction device, a suction path having a first end connected to the suction device and a second end located at the mount surface, an adsorption mechanism that adsorbs the board onto the mount surface so that the suction device sucks in gas in the suction path, a flow rate detection section that detects a flow rate of gas flowing through a portion of the suction path, the portion located inside the rotary table support section, a flow rate determination section that determines whether the flow rate of the gas detected by the flow rate detection section is equal to or more than a predetermined value, a contactless detection section that detects a placement state of the board on the mount surface in a contactless manner, and an inspection section.