Selective Vacuum Pickup Nozzles for Component Handling Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing processes using general pickup tools for varying components introduce inefficiencies and unintended interactions due to the tools' lack of adaptation to specific components, leading to inefficiencies and tool exchange costs.
Innovation Solution
A pickup tool with individually activated nozzles that can be mechanically positioned in active or inactive positions relative to vacuum and positive pressure manifolds, allowing for precise control of pressure application through linear movement of nozzles and manifolds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a general pickup tool is used for various components, then flexibility in manufacturing setting is improved, but inefficiencies and unintended interactions occur due to lack of component-specific adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup tool is divided into multiple independently controllable nozzles, each capable of being selectively activated or deactivated based on the specific component being handled. This segmentation allows the tool to adapt its effective configuration for different component sizes and shapes, resolving the contradiction between general versatility and component-specific efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pickup tool employs dynamic control of nozzle activation states, where nozzles can be individually switched between active and inactive positions. This dynamic adaptability enables the same tool to optimize its configuration for each component type, maintaining flexibility while eliminating inefficiencies associated with static general-purpose design.
2Device complexity
If a general pickup tool is used for various components, then tooling costs are reduced, but unintended interactions occur due to lack of component-specific adaptation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the pickup tool into independently controllable nozzles, the system maintains a single versatile tool (reducing tooling costs) while enabling precise control over which nozzles are active. This prevents unintended interactions with components by ensuring only the necessary nozzles are engaged, eliminating reliability issues without requiring multiple discrete tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The pickup tool applies local quality control by enabling selective activation of specific nozzles based on component characteristics. This allows different regions of the tool to be activated or deactivated locally, preventing unintended interactions with specific components while maintaining overall tool versatility and reducing the need for multiple specialized tools.
3Measurement precision
If individually activated nozzles are implemented, then precision control of pressure application is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic control mechanisms that allow individual nozzles to be selectively activated or deactivated. This dynamic capability enables precise control over which nozzles receive vacuum or positive pressure, achieving measurement precision in pressure application while the modular nature of the control system manages the inherent complexity through standardized interfaces.
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
Enhances manufacturing efficiency by allowing selective pressure application, reducing unintended adhesion and improving component handling, thus optimizing the use of vacuum and positive pressure for efficient component manipulation.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum manifold and an inactive position relative to the vacuum manifold. For example, a linear actuator using pneumatic or electronic drive may linearly move the nozzle in a longitudinal direction such that the nozzle slides through the vacuum manifold from an active position that allows for vacuum pressure to pass through the nozzle
Implementation Method 2
Another aspect further contemplates the vacuum manifold and another manifold, such as a positive pressure manifold, moving in the longitudinal direction such that when a nozzle is in an active position, the manifold providing positive or negative pressure may be changed
Data Source
AI summary
A vacuum powered pickup tool with mechanically moveable discrete nozzles allows for selective activation of the nozzles through the mechanical movement of the nozzles relative to a vacuum manifold. The movement of a nozzle from an inactive position where an inlet port of the nozzle is fluidly decoupled with the vacuum manifold to an active position where the inlet port is fluidly coupled with the vacuum manifold allows for independent activation of discrete nozzles of the pickup tool. Aspects also contemplate varying an associate manifold through movement of the manifolds accessible to the inlet port of the nozzle when in the active position.