Suction Nozzle Mounting Head Shared Driving Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic circuit component mounting technologies face challenges in controlling contact impact during component placement due to the weight of the nozzle holding axis and the sensitivity of contact detection, which affects control accuracy and increases machine costs when multiple sets of nozzle holding axes and suction nozzles are used.

Innovation Solution

The configuration includes a rotating/raising/lowering axis with a first raising/lowering driving device and a second raising/lowering driving device that engages the component holding tool without an elastic member, allowing for precise control of contact impact and rotation of the component holding tool, while sharing the second raising/lowering driving device across multiple sets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a second raising/lowering driving device is provided for each nozzle holding axis to enable precise control of contact impact, then control accuracy is improved, but device complexity and machine cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact impact control accuracyVSAvoidnumber of driving devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second raising/lowering driving device is designed as a shared resource that can serve multiple nozzle holding axes sequentially. The device includes a movable platform that can position different nozzle holding axes under it, allowing one driving device to control contact impact for multiple nozzles through time-multiplexed operation, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision control capability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reconfigures which nozzle holding axis is positioned under the second raising/lowering driving device based on operational needs. The movable platform enables dynamic positioning of different nozzles, allowing the single driving device to adaptively serve multiple axes throughout the mounting process, resolving the contradiction between precision control and system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an elastic member is interposed between the load cell and suction nozzle for cushioning, then contact impact is reduced, but sensitivity of contact detection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact impact on componentVSAvoidcontact detection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system implements beforehand cushioning by predicting the timing of contact between the suction nozzle and component, and preemptively adjusting the raising/lowering speed and position of the nozzle through the second driving device. This active control approach cushions the impact before it occurs, eliminating the need for elastic members that would compromise detection sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical cushioning approach (using elastic members) with a control-based approach. The second raising/lowering driving device, controlled by the control unit, dynamically adjusts the nozzle's motion to minimize impact forces, substituting mechanical compliance with intelligent motion control that preserves load cell sensitivity

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

3Productivity

If multiple sets of nozzle holding axes and suction nozzles are provided to increase productivity, then mounting efficiency is improved, but machine cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting speedVSAvoidnumber of driving devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second raising/lowering driving device is designed as a universal device that can serve multiple nozzle holding axes sequentially through the movable platform mechanism. This allows the system to maintain multiple nozzles for parallel mounting operations while using a single shared driving device, thereby achieving high productivity without proportionally increasing the number of driving devices

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

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting process is segmented into discrete phases where different nozzles operate at different times under the shared second driving device. The movable platform enables sequential positioning of different nozzle holding axes, allowing time-multiplexed operation that maintains high throughput while reducing hardware complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration reduces the load and distance of the second raising/lowering driving device, enhancing control accuracy and sensitivity of contact detection, and allows for efficient mounting of fragile components while minimizing electrical noise and machine costs.

Implementation Method 1

a shaft is held on a raising/lowering body which is raised/lowered by a rotating motor and feed screw such that the shaft can be relatively raised/lowered a limited distance, and a suction nozzle is attached to the lower section of this shaft via a pressure detection section. The shaft is raised/lowered by a voice coil motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoice coil motor: Linear Motor

Implementation Method 2

the pressure detection section is an item for detecting the force that the suction nozzle applies to the component, or the force that a component held by the suction nozzle applies to a circuit substrate, by a load cell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLoad cell detection:

Implementation Method 3

a compression spring is provided between the load cell and shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Implementation Method 4

a shaft is held on a raising/lowering body which is raised/lowered by a rotating motor and feed screw

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRotating motor and feed screw: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP2925109B1Electronic-circuit-component-mounting head
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 FUJI CORP
  • EP2925109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2925109B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP2925109B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

While maintaining high efficiency mounting electronic circuit components to a circuit substrate, makes it possible to avoid damage due to contact impact with a suction nozzle or circuit substrate. As well as rotating/raising/lowering axis 14 being held on head main body 12 as to be capable of rotation and of being raised/lowered, suction nozzle 22 is held on that that rotating/raising/lowering axis 14 as to be capable of being raised/lowered and not capable of being rotated relatively, and those rotating/raising/lowering axis 14 and suction nozzle 22 can be rotated as necessary by electric motor 82. Also, raising/lowering driving member 62 is held on head main body 12 as to be capable of being raised/lowered, and is raised/lowered by first linear motor 18. As well as first engaging section 64 of that raising/lowering driving member 62 being engaged with rotating/raising/lowering axis 14, second engaging section 66 of second linear motor 60 held on raising/lowering driving member 62 is engaged with suction nozzle 22, suction nozzle 22 is lowered at the same time as rotating/raising/lowering axis 14 is lowered, and suction nozzle 22 is lowered with respect to rotating/raising/lowering axis 14; and in that state component 100 is mounted on a circuit substrate.