Suction Nozzle Load Measurement with Relative Movement Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing load measurement methods for suction nozzles are prone to damage due to the use of highly sensitive load sensors, and abnormal suction nozzles are often damaged during collection due to disorderly placement, leading to inefficiencies in measurement and collection processes.

Innovation Solution

A load measurement method involving a moving step to ensure relative movement between the suction tube and pipe, using a load sensor with a rigid body to apply a predetermined load, and a collection method utilizing an inclined surface in the collection box to prevent nozzle collisions, allowing for safe and accurate measurement and collection of suction nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a highly sensitive load sensor is used to measure nozzle load, then measurement precision is improved, but the load sensor is easily damaged by foreign matter or lack of relative movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle load measurement precisionVSAvoidload sensor durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first confirming relative movement between the suction tube and pipe before performing load measurement. The control unit checks whether the suction tube has moved relative to the pipe based on sensor signals, and only when movement is confirmed does it proceed to measure the load. This preliminary verification prevents the load sensor from being damaged by foreign matter or stuck components, while still enabling precise measurement when conditions are appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If suction nozzles are placed disorderly in the collection box, then collection operation is simplified, but suction nozzles are damaged beyond repair due to collisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollection operation simplicityVSAvoidsuction nozzle integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by designing the collection box bottom with an inclined surface instead of a flat surface. The inclined surface causes suction nozzles to roll rather than collide directly when placed in the collection box. This curved surface design maintains operational simplicity while preventing damage to the suction nozzles during the collection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP3136832B1Load measurement method and recovery method
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 FUJI CORP
  • EP3136832B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3136832B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3136832B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Before using load cell 240 to measure a load (nozzle load) arising during relative movement between a suction tube and a pipe of suction nozzle 62, the suction nozzle and metal contact tool 242 are moved towards each other by a set load with the metal contact tool contacting the tip section of the suction tube. When the suction tube and the pipe has moved relatively by set amount due to the suction nozzle and metal contact tool being moved towards each other, the nozzle load of the suction nozzle is measured using the load cell. Thus, it is possible to perform measurement of nozzle load only for a suction nozzle for which relative movement of the suction tube and the pipe has been confirmed, thereby allowing nozzle load to be measured appropriately without damaging the load sensor. Also, nozzles for which there is virtually no relative movement between the pipe and the suction tube may be fixed by relative movement becoming possible due to the burden of the load.