Rotating Component Supply Station for PCB Placement Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing component supply stations for automatic placement machines are limited in providing components in any desired orientation relative to the placement head, which restricts the flexibility and efficiency of component placement on printed circuit boards.

Innovation Solution

A component supply station with a rotatably mounted conveyor unit and a component printing module, allowing components to be oriented and positioned adaptively relative to the placement machine, enabling components to be placed in any desired orientation on the printed circuit board.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyor unit is fixed in a single predetermined orientation, then the structure is simple and stable, but the adaptability to different component orientations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different component orientationsVSAvoidstructural complexity of conveyor unit
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor unit is made rotatable about a first axis perpendicular to the base plate, allowing dynamic adjustment of component orientation. This enables the system to adapt to different component orientations by rotating the conveyor unit to the appropriate angle, while maintaining a relatively simple fixed structure when a specific orientation is selected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the component printing module is fixed in a single orientation, then the device structure is simpler, but the ability to position components in any desired orientation is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning capability in any desired orientationVSAvoidstructural complexity of printing module
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The component printing module is mounted rotatably about a second axis perpendicular to its base plate, enabling dynamic repositioning to match any desired component orientation. This rotational capability allows the printing module to adapt to different placement requirements while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the conveyor unit and printing module are fixed relative to each other, then the device structure is simpler, but the flexibility to adapt to different placement processes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility to different placement processesVSAvoidstructural complexity of integrated system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conveyor unit and component printing module are designed with independent rotational capabilities about respective perpendicular axes, allowing each module to be dynamically adjusted to different orientations. This independence enables flexible adaptation to various placement processes while maintaining relatively simple individual module structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3035784B1Component supplying station for an automatic filling machine
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 ENDRESS & HAUSER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3035784B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3035784B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a component supply station, in particular a feeder for a pick-and-place machine (2) for providing electrical components for a printed circuit board, comprising a first base plate (3) for plugging onto the pick-and-place machine (2), such that the first base plate (3) assumes a predetermined orientation relative to the pick-and-place machine (2), a conveying unit (4) for conveying a blister belt on which the components are arranged, wherein the conveying unit (4) is rotatably mounted relative to a first axis (15) perpendicular to the first base plate (3), so that the components can be provided in the plane of the first base plate (3) in a predetermined orientation relative to the perpendicular first axis (15).