Segmented Positioning Pin for Tape Feeder Wear Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The positioning accuracy of a tape feeder with respect to an electronic component supply section deteriorates over time due to wear of the positioning pin from friction with the positioning hole, leading to reduced accuracy in positioning.

Innovation Solution

A positioning structure featuring a positioning pin with a separate root and tip portion, allowing for the tip portion to be exchanged when worn, ensuring continued accuracy by using a resin tip portion that can be easily replaced.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the positioning pin is used repeatedly for a middle or long period, then the productivity is improved, but the positioning accuracy deteriorates due to wear and friction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated attachment and detachment of tape feederVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning pin is divided into two separate parts: a root portion that remains in the tape feeder and a tip portion that is inserted into the positioning hole. This segmentation allows the tip portion to be replaced independently when worn, maintaining positioning accuracy while enabling repeated use of the tape feeder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tip portion of the positioning pin is designed to be disposable and replaceable, while the root portion is recovered and retained in the tape feeder. This allows the worn tip to be discarded and replaced with a fresh one, maintaining positioning accuracy over extended periods without replacing the entire positioning pin assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Device complexity

If the positioning pin is made as a single integrated part, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of repair deteriorates when wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure of positioning pinVSAvoidreplacement of worn portion

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning pin is segmented into a root portion and a tip portion that can be separated. This segmentation increases the ease of repair by allowing only the worn tip portion to be replaced rather than the entire positioning pin, while the overall structure remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tip portion is designed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced when worn. This approach prioritizes ease of repair and cost-effectiveness over long-term durability of the entire positioning pin, allowing the expensive root portion to be retained while replacing only the inexpensive, wear-prone tip.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS20250107056A1Positioning structure, component mounting machine, and method for manufacturing substrate

Publication Date: 2025.03.27 FUJI CORP

AI summary

A positioning structure of the present disclosure is a positioning structure for relatively positioning a first member having a positioning pin and a second member having a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is fitted, in which the positioning pin has a root portion and a tip portion provided separately from the root portion, and the positioning pin is inserted into the positioning hole from the tip portion to relatively position the first member with respect to the second member.