Tape Feeder Power Control Under Output Current Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power supply devices for component mounters face challenges in managing output current capacity during operations involving multiple tape feeders, leading to potential excess current issues during changeover work and board production, especially when auto-loading feeders are used, which can result in inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A power supply control device and method that acquires consumption current data from multiple tape feeders, calculates the total consumption current, and controls operations to ensure the total current does not exceed the output capacity of the power supply, using a consumption current acquiring section, total consumption current calculating section, operation controlling section, and output current limiting section to manage and optimize power usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the output current capacity of the power supply device is increased to handle operation of several tape feeders simultaneously, then the power supply can support more feeders operating at the same time, but the cost of the power supply device and its components (cables, connectors) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power supply capacity adjustment by enabling the power supply device to operate at different current capacity levels based on actual demand. The controller monitors the operational state of tape feeders and dynamically adjusts the power supply output, allowing the system to scale between minimum and maximum current capacities rather than being fixed at a high capacity level, thus reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter of the power supply device by introducing controllable current capacity levels (minimum and maximum). The controller adjusts the power supply output parameters based on the number and state of operating tape feeders, enabling the system to optimize between cost and capability by operating at appropriate current levels rather than always at maximum capacity.
2Productivity
If auto loading feeders are used to perform unloading operation for many feeders at the same time, then changeover work efficiency is improved, but excess current may occur exceeding the power supply device output current capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the controller continuously monitors the operational state of tape feeders and the corresponding current consumption. When auto loading feeders perform unloading operations on multiple feeders simultaneously, the controller receives feedback about the current demand and adjusts the power supply output accordingly, preventing excess current by dynamically matching supply to actual demand based on real-time system state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the controller predict and prepare for current demand before it occurs. The controller monitors the state of tape feeders and anticipates power requirements for upcoming operations, adjusting the power supply capacity in advance to ensure it can handle the load without exceeding limits, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling efficient parallel operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A power supply control device (2) for controlling a consumption current supplied from a power supply device (41, 42) to a tape feeder (10) loaded on a component supply device (1), the component supply device (1) being exchangeably loaded with multiple of the tape feeders (10), the power supply control device (2) including: a consumption current acquiring section (21) configured to acquire the consumption current corresponding to a state of the multiple tape feeders; a total consumption current calculating section (22) configured to calculate a total consumption current (Itot) that is a total of each of the consumption currents of the multiple tape feeders; and an operation controlling section (25) configured to control the specified operation of the multiple tape feeders within a range in which the total consumption current does not exceed an output current capacity (Icap) of the power supply device. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently perform changeover work of tape feeders while taking sufficient advantage of the output current capacity within a range that does not result in an excess current.