Tape Feeder Expandable Cover Tape Collection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tape feeders face challenges in collecting cover tape from a reel while maintaining a small and thin design, leading to potential component suction errors and machine stoppages due to insufficient cover tape collection capacity.

Innovation Solution

An expandable cover tape collection section that utilizes vacant space within the reel, expanding as the tape feeder operates to accommodate increasing tape collection, using a biasing mechanism to manage the expandable part and prevent interference with reel exchange and excessive friction during operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the cover tape collection section is made small and thin to satisfy size requirements, then the tape feeder size is reduced, but the cover tape collection capacity becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetape feeder sizeVSAvoidcover tape collection capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cover tape collection section is designed with an expandable part that can dynamically change its volume. Initially, the collection section has a reduced size to satisfy the small and thin requirements. As cover tape accumulates during operation, the expandable part expands to provide additional collection capacity, allowing the section to adapt its volume based on the collection amount while maintaining the compact initial design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If the cover tape collection section is expanded to collect entire reel cover tape, then the collection capacity is sufficient, but the tape feeder cannot meet the small size and thin thickness requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover tape collection capacityVSAvoidtape feeder size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cover tape collection section is divided into a fixed part and an expandable part. The fixed part maintains the compact initial size required for the small and thin tape feeder design, while the expandable part can be extended when additional collection capacity is needed. This segmentation allows the collection section to meet size requirements in its initial state while providing the option to expand capacity when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Quantity of substance

If the expandable part is pressed against the reel to maximize collection space, then the collection capacity increases, but the friction force increases excessively and interferes with reel exchange

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecover tape collection capacityVSAvoidreel exchangeability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable part is designed to be movable rather than fixed in a pressed position. During operation, it can expand to increase collection capacity. When reel exchange is needed, the expandable part can be retracted or moved away from the reel, preventing excessive friction and allowing smooth reel removal and installation. This dynamic positioning resolves the conflict between maximizing collection capacity and maintaining ease of reel exchange.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient collection of cover tape for the entire reel while maintaining a small and thin tape feeder design, allowing for seamless reel exchange and reducing operational resistance, thus ensuring continuous component supply and feeding operations.

Implementation Method 1

it is possible to exchange the reel while that state is maintained. In addition, while the tape feeder is operating, it is possible to prevent the expandable part of the cover tape collection section from being pressed to the component supply tape wound around the reel by the biasing means, or to mitigate the pressing force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3334265B1Tape feeder
Publication Date: 2022.05.25 FUJI CORP
  • EP3334265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3334265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3334265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cassette type tape feeder (10) including: a tape feeding device (21) that feeds a component supply tape (12) to a component pickup position from a reel (13); a cover tape drawing-in device (23) that peels off a cover tape (22) from the component supply tape forward of the component suction position in accordance with a feeding operation of the component supply tape, and draws in the cover tape in a direction opposite to a feeding direction of the component supply tape; and a cover tape collection case (24) that collects the cover tape drawn in by the cover tape drawing-in device. The cover tape collection case is configured of a fixing case section (24a) fixed to a cassette case (11), and a movable case section (24b) which expands capacity of the cover tape collection case by being displaced in a direction of the vacant space in the reel corresponding to an increase in collection amount of the cover tape. The movable case section is biased in a reducing direction by a torsion coil spring 29.