Tape Feeder Lower Support with Displaceable Magnet

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tape feeders require multiple lower support members for different carrier tape widths and thicknesses, leading to increased equipment and management costs, as well as labor-intensive replacement operations due to instability of electronic parts caused by impacts and static electricity during tape feeding.

Innovation Solution

A tape feeder with a lower support member that includes a magnet member displaceable in the vertical direction to accommodate various tape carrier thicknesses, stabilizing electronic parts through magnetic force and allowing for common use across different tape types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple lower support members are provided for different carrier tape types, then the stability of electronic parts is improved, but the device complexity and management cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of electronic partsVSAvoidnumber of lower support members

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower support member is designed with a magnet member that can be displaced vertically to accommodate different carrier tape thicknesses. This single lower support member can therefore serve multiple tape types (different widths and thicknesses) while maintaining the stability function, eliminating the need for multiple specialized support members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnet member is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction according to the thickness of the tape carrier. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same lower support member to adapt to varying tape thicknesses, maintaining optimal magnetic force application for different tape types without requiring multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lower support members are provided for different carrier tape types, then the adaptability is improved, but the equipment cost and management cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different carrier tape typesVSAvoidnumber of lower support members

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower support member is designed with a magnet member that can be displaced vertically to accommodate different carrier tape thicknesses. This single lower support member can therefore serve multiple tape types (different widths and thicknesses) while maintaining the stability function, eliminating the need for multiple specialized support members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lower support members are provided for different carrier tape types, then the versatility is improved, but the time and labor for equipment replacement increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different carrier tape typesVSAvoidtime for equipment replacement operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The lower support member is designed with a magnet member that can be displaced vertically to accommodate different carrier tape thicknesses. This single lower support member can therefore serve multiple tape types (different widths and thicknesses) while maintaining the stability function, eliminating the need for multiple specialized support members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the magnet member is made displaceable in vertical direction, then the versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different tape carrier thicknessesVSAvoidmechanism for magnet displacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnet member is configured to be displaceable in the vertical direction according to the thickness of the tape carrier. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the same lower support member to adapt to varying tape thicknesses, maintaining optimal magnetic force application for different tape types without requiring multiple fixed configurations.

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

The solution enables the use of a single lower support member for multiple tape types, simplifying equipment replacement, reducing costs, and maintaining position stability of electronic parts during feeding, while minimizing operational troubles and static electricity issues.

Implementation Method 1

a lower support member disposed below the upper guide part to support a lower side of the carrier tape and to stabilize positions of the electronic parts contained in recesses of the tape carrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Data Source

PatentUS7784660B2Tape feeder

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

In a tape feeder to feed electronic parts with a carrier tape, a lower support member 23 with magnet supporting the carrier tape from its lower side and stabilizing positions of the electronic parts contained in part pockets on the carrier tape by a magnetic force is constituted by a horizontal base 24 mounted on the frame member, an elongated leaf spring member 25 having an upward convex shape in a middle part thereof so as to be supported by the base 24 at opposite ends thereof, and a magnet member 26 attached on an upper face of the middle part of the leaf spring member 25. A fitting hole 24b to which the magnet member 26 can be fitted is formed in the base 24.