Shared Driving Section for Tape Feeder Exchange Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exchange devices for component mounting systems require multiple driving sections for holding and releasing tape feeders, leading to increased costs and space constraints, particularly as components are miniaturized and the number of types increases.

Innovation Solution

The exchange device employs a shared driving section for both the holding and release mechanisms, reducing the number of components and simplifying the configuration, allowing for a more compact and cost-effective design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple driving sections are used for holding and releasing tape feeders, then the holding and release functions are reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding and release function reliabilityVSAvoiddriving section complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the driving functions for the holding mechanism and release mechanism into a single shared driving section. The driving section includes a motor that can rotate in both directions, with one rotation direction driving the holding mechanism to grip the tape feeder, and the opposite rotation direction driving the release mechanism to release the tape feeder. This merging eliminates the need for separate driving sections, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining reliable holding and release functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If multiple driving sections are used for exchanging tape feeders, then the exchange operation is reliable, but the arrangement space increases and the device size becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape feeder exchange reliabilityVSAvoidarrangement space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple driving sections into a single shared driving section that serves both the holding mechanism and release mechanism. By using a bidirectional motor that can drive both mechanisms through opposite rotation directions, the arrangement space is significantly reduced, allowing for a more compact exchange device while maintaining reliable tape feeder exchange operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate driving sections are provided for holding and release mechanisms, then each mechanism can be optimized independently, but the cost and device size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanism optimization flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of driving sections
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal driving section that performs multiple functions - it can drive both the holding mechanism and the release mechanism by rotating in different directions. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of driving sections from two to one, simplifying the overall device structure and reducing cost, while the mechanisms themselves remain independently optimized for their specific functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3809809B1Exchange device
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 FUJI CORP
  • EP3809809B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3809809B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3809809B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An exchange device configured to exchange an exchangeable element detachably installed in a component supply section of a component mounting device having a component supply section in which exchangeable elements, each of which include at least a component container accommodating multiple components, are arranged in an arrangement direction, the exchange device comprising: an arrangement directional moving section configured to move with respect to the component mounting device in the arrangement direction; an attachment/detachment directional moving section, being provided in the arrangement directional moving section, which is configured to move in an attachment/detachment direction of the exchangeable element; a holding mechanism provided in the attachment/detachment directional moving section and configured to hold the exchangeable element; a release mechanism provided in the attachment/detachment directional moving section and configured to release a lock section that prevents detachment of the exchangeable element installed in the component supply section; and a shared driving section provided in the attachment/detachment directional moving section and configured to operate the holding mechanism and the release mechanism.