Sheet Conveyance Accuracy via Optical State Recognition

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet conveying methods using jigs may not accurately recognize whether a sheet is properly held, leading to reduced conveyance accuracy and potential issues in subsequent processes like circuit formation on flexible substrates, resulting in deteriorated substrate quality.

Innovation Solution

A sheet conveying device equipped with a holder and a sheet state recognizer that brings the sheet into a stretched state and recognizes its position, allowing for accurate conveyance to a predetermined target position, utilizing existing patterns or identifiers on the sheet to enhance recognition and conveyance reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a jig with pins and springs is used to hold the sheet in a stretched state, then the sheet can be conveyed to a predetermined position, but it cannot recognize whether the sheet is normally held, leading to reduced conveyance accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet holding reliabilityVSAvoidsheet position recognition accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical pin-spring holding system with an optical recognition system using a camera and image processing. The sheet state recognizer captures images of the sheet position and processes them to determine whether the sheet is properly held, substituting mechanical sensing with optical measurement to achieve accurate position recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a sheet state recognizer as an intermediary component between the sheet holding mechanism and the conveyance control system. This recognizer acts as a mediator that detects sheet position and provides feedback information, enabling the system to verify proper sheet holding and adjust conveyance accordingly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the sheet is conveyed without position recognition, then the conveying process is simple, but the conveyance accuracy is reduced and subsequent processes are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveying device complexityVSAvoidconveyance accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a simpler optical recognition system. Instead of using精密 mechanical guides and positioning devices, the system uses a camera to capture sheet position and image processing to determine conveyance accuracy, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an optical copy (image) of the sheet position using a camera, and then processes this copy to determine the actual sheet location and conveyance status. This allows the system to measure position without physical contact or complex mechanical measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If displaced sheets are held and conveyed, then the conveying process continues, but the conveyance accuracy is lowered and substrate quality is deteriorated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconveyance throughputVSAvoidsubstrate quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the sheet state recognizer continuously monitors sheet position during holding and conveyance. When displacement is detected, the system receives feedback information and can take corrective actions such as adjusting the holding position or stopping the conveyance process, ensuring that only properly positioned sheets are conveyed to maintain substrate quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary position verification using the sheet state recognizer before the sheet is conveyed. By checking the sheet position in advance while it is being held, the system can identify and correct positioning issues before conveyance begins, preventing quality deterioration in subsequent processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3616859B1Sheet conveying device and sheet conveying method
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KK
  • EP3616859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3616859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3616859B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided are a sheet conveying device and a sheet conveying method whereby it is possible to convey a sheet more accurately. This sheet conveying device includes a holder capable of holding a sheet, bringing the sheet into a stretched state while holding the sheet, and conveying the held sheet. This sheet conveying device also includes a sheet state recognizer that recognizes the state of the sheet when the sheet is held in a stretched state by the holder.