Suction Nozzle Holding Device for Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holding devices for substrates with varying rigidity and numerous or large openings face challenges in maintaining a reliable holding force, leading to inefficient and costly processing due to the need for complex masking and potential damage during processing.
Innovation Solution
A holding device with a suction surface featuring multiple suction nozzles that maintain a high differential pressure ratio, allowing for reliable substrate fixation without additional holding elements, and a distribution system to control and optimize vacuum flow, ensuring consistent and efficient substrate retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If masking or covering areas of the suction surface not covered by the substrate is used to prevent holding force collapse, then the holding reliability is improved, but the processing time increases and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by creating a significant pressure difference between the suction nozzles (higher negative pressure) and the supply lines (lower negative pressure). This parameter change allows the system to maintain holding force without masking, as the pressure differential prevents air leakage from affecting the overall vacuum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the vacuum system into multiple independent suction nozzles, each connected to the vacuum source through separate supply lines. This segmentation allows individual nozzle performance to be optimized without affecting the entire system, and eliminates the need for masking since each nozzle operates independently with controlled pressure differential.
2Reliability
If masking or covering areas of the suction surface not covered by the substrate is used to prevent holding force collapse, then the holding reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by creating a significant pressure difference between the suction nozzles (higher negative pressure) and the supply lines (lower negative pressure). This parameter change allows the system to maintain holding force without masking, as the pressure differential prevents air leakage from affecting the overall vacuum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the masking component from the system entirely. By designing the suction nozzles with significantly higher negative pressure than the supply lines, the system inherently prevents air leakage without requiring any masking materials or covering mechanisms, thereby removing the associated complexity.
3Reliability
If adhesive tapes or covers are used to mask areas, then holding force stability is improved, but adhesive residues remain and require laborious removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter by creating a significant pressure difference between the suction nozzles (higher negative pressure) and the supply lines (lower negative pressure). This parameter change allows the system to maintain holding force without masking, as the pressure differential prevents air leakage from affecting the overall vacuum stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the masking component from the system entirely. By designing the suction nozzles with significantly higher negative pressure than the supply lines, the system inherently prevents air leakage without requiring any masking materials or covering mechanisms, thereby removing the associated complexity.
4Reliability
If clamping holding elements are used to pull substrates onto the processing table, then holding reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases and substrate damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pneumatic pressure differential between suction nozzles and supply lines to achieve substrate fixation. By creating significantly higher negative pressure at the suction nozzles compared to the supply lines, the system generates sufficient holding force through air pressure differential alone, eliminating the need for mechanical clamping elements and their associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical clamping system with a pneumatic system based on pressure differential. Instead of using physical holding elements like mushroom heads or clamps that require mechanical actuation and positioning, the system uses controlled air pressure differences to achieve the same fixation function with simpler components.
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
This solution enhances processing efficiency and accuracy by eliminating the need for additional holding elements, reducing manufacturing costs, and preventing substrate damage, while ensuring reliable fixation and edge processing in ink-jet printing and other applications.
Implementation Method 1
the suction nozzles being supplied with a negative pressure compared to the ambient pressure by means of a negative pressure supply device for providing a holding force
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a holding device for holding substrates such as printed circuit boards, metal sheets, films or the like, comprising a suction surface, wherein the suction surface has a plurality of suction nozzles and wherein the suction nozzles can be subjected to a vacuum relative to the ambient pressure by means of a vacuum supply device to provide a holding force for one or more substrates, wherein the vacuum supply device provides a vacuum such that the ratio of cumulative pressure drop of all suction nozzles and cumulative pressure drop of all suction nozzles and supply lines of the suction nozzles up to the vacuum supply device is greater than 0.25%, in particular greater than 1%, preferably greater than 25%, in particular greater than 35%, preferably greater than 40%.