Rotating Reel Holder for Fast Tape Reel Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In component mounting machines, replacing reels with wound carrier tapes is challenging due to the need to avoid contact with multiple tapes, leading to difficulties in removing used reels and inserting new ones, which prolongs the replacement process.
Innovation Solution
A reel holding device with rotatable support members and a tape feeder system that allows for linear alignment of reel positions, enabling easy discharge and insertion of reels without interfering with other tapes, facilitated by a robot system for automated operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reels are arranged side-by-side with carrier tapes extending to the tape feeder, then multiple component types can be supplied, but the space between reels and carrier tapes becomes congested making reel replacement difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The first reel support member is made rotatable, allowing the first reel to be discharged in a direction perpendicular to the arrangement of carrier tapes. This dimensional change enables reel replacement without moving through the congested space between carrier tapes, resolving the contradiction between multi-component supply capability and reel replacement ease
2Extent of automation
If a robot is used to automate reel replacement, then manual labor is reduced, but the complex space arrangement makes automated reel handling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
By making the reel support member rotatable rather than translating it linearly through the congested space, the patent simplifies the robot's task to a simple rotation operation. This reduces the complexity of automated reel handling while maintaining high extent of automation
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable reel support member introduces dynamic motion (rotation) to the reel handling mechanism, allowing the robot to easily discharge and replace reels by simply rotating the support member to different positions, thereby reducing operational complexity
3Device complexity
If the reel support member is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the reel cannot be discharged without moving through the space occupied by carrier tapes
Solution Approach 1:
The reel support member is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing the reel to be discharged by rotation to a position where it can be removed without interfering with carrier tapes. This dynamic design maintains structural simplicity while dramatically improving reel discharge ease
Data Source
AI summary
A reel holding device includes a first reel support member that includes a first placement member that rotatably supports a first reel and a second reel support member that supports a second reel. The first reel support member is rotatable between a reference position at which a carrier tape of the first reel is supplied to the mounter, and a discharge position for discharging the first reel. By rotating the first reel support member from the reference position toward the discharge position, the first reel drops through an opening of the first placement member and is discharged. When the first reel support member returns from the discharge position to the reference position, the second reel moves through the opening and into the interior of the first placement member.