Electronic Component Supply Apparatus Optical Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic component supply apparatuses face inefficiencies in detecting empty tapes and positioning leading components during reel replacement, leading to wasted time and reduced productivity due to unreliable component detection methods.

Innovation Solution

An electronic component supply apparatus featuring a transport path, a component supply tape transport unit, a cover-tape processing unit, an electronic component detecting unit, and a control unit that accurately determines the presence or absence of components, allowing for efficient positioning and discharge of empty tapes without unnecessary operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If component detection is performed by the suction nozzle repeatedly performing suction operations, then the mounting head can identify empty accommodation sections, but time is wasted due to unnecessary lifting and lowering of the suction nozzle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent detection accuracyVSAvoidtime wasted in reel replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical suction-based detection method with an optical detection system. The optical sensor detects the presence or absence of components by measuring light transmission through the transparent tape, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical suction operations by the mounting head.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical detection unit that acts as a mediator between the component supply tape and the control system. This intermediary device performs component presence detection without requiring the mounting head to physically interact with each accommodation section.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the suction nozzle performs repeated suction operations to detect components, then empty tapes can be identified, but productivity is reduced due to unnecessary operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveempty tape detection accuracyVSAvoidreel replacement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs component detection in advance using the optical detection unit before the mounting head reaches the accommodation sections. This preliminary detection allows the system to identify empty tapes and position leading components ahead of time, enabling proactive reel replacement decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The optical detection system replaces the mechanical suction-based detection, allowing for faster, non-contact detection of component presence that does not require repeated operational cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If component detection is performed by repeated suction operations, then the presence or absence of components can be determined, but the detection accuracy is insufficient due to incomplete detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent presence determinationVSAvoidcomponent detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical suction method with an optical detection system that provides more reliable and complete detection of component presence by measuring light transmission characteristics through the transparent tape and accommodation sections.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical detection unit provides continuous feedback on component presence to the control unit, which uses this information to accurately determine when tapes are empty and when leading components need to be positioned, improving overall detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9743569B2Electronic component supply apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.08.22 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic component supply apparatus transports a component supply tape which has accommodation sections and sprocket holes formed at regular intervals and which accommodates electronic components in the accommodation sections and is covered with a cover tape, to a component picking-up position and supplies each of the electronic components accommodated in each of the accommodation sections to a component mounting apparatus. The electronic component supply apparatus includes an electronic component detecting unit that detects the electronic component accommodated in the accommodation section of the component supply tape which has yet to pass the cover tape processing unit on a transport path; a determination unit that determines presence or absence of an electronic component in the accommodation section based on information from the electronic component detecting unit; and a control unit that controls a component supply tape transport unit based on a determination result of the determination unit.