Power Supply Control for Tape Feeders During Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing power supply control systems for electronic component mounting machines face challenges during setup changing work, where the consumption current exceeds the output capacity, leading to a high risk of overcurrent, especially when multiple tape feeders operate simultaneously, potentially causing damage to the internal or external power supply devices.

Innovation Solution

A power supply control device and method that monitor and manage the consumption current of each tape feeder, transitioning specific feeders from an operation state to a stop or standby state when the total consumption current exceeds the output capacity, thereby reducing the overall current demand and preventing overcurrent situations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple tape feeders operate simultaneously during setup changing work, then the productivity and ease of operation are improved, but the consumption current exceeds the output current capacity of the power supply device, causing overcurrent risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesetup changing efficiencyVSAvoidpower supply safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply control device dynamically adjusts the power supply state of each tape feeder based on real-time current consumption monitoring. When overcurrent is detected, the system transitions feeders from operation state to standby or stop state adaptively, allowing multiple feeders to operate simultaneously when possible while preventing overcurrent conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of tape feeders by switching between operation state, standby state, and stop state based on current consumption levels. This parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between productivity and power supply safety by controlling which feeders remain active during setup changing work

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the output current capacity of the power supply device is increased to support multiple simultaneous operations, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply capacityVSAvoidpower supply system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is segmented into multiple independent control channels, each managing individual tape feeders. The control device monitors and manages current consumption for each feeder separately, allowing selective activation based on available current capacity rather than requiring uniform high capacity for all feeders

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply control device automatically monitors current consumption and manages the operational states of tape feeders without external intervention. The system self-regulates by transitioning feeders between operation, standby, and stop states based on real-time current capacity availability, eliminating the need for manual power management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the consumption current is strictly controlled to prevent overcurrent, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation and productivity during setup changing work are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supply protectionVSAvoidsetup changing convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply control device implements continuous feedback monitoring of current consumption from each tape feeder. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts the operational state of feeders to maintain current within safe limits while maximizing the number of simultaneously operating feeders, thus preserving ease of operation during setup changing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3383156B1Power supply control device and power supply control method for component feeder
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 FUJI CORP
  • EP3383156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3383156B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3383156B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to the present invention, there is provided a power supply control device (2) that controls consumption currents that are supplied from power supply devices (41, 42) in a component supply device (1) in which multiple tape feeders (10) are replaceably installed, the device including: a total consumption current measuring section (21) that obtains, based on measurement, a total consumption current (Itot) by adding actual consumption currents which are supplied to a plurality of tape feeders; and an overcurrent protection section (24) that causes a specific tape feeder, which is in an operation state, to transition to a stop state or a standby state, in a case of an overcurrent state where the total consumption current exceeds an output current capacity (Icap) of the power supply device. Accordingly, even though the overcurrent state occurs during setup changing work in which the multiple tape feeders can operate, the overcurrent state is rapidly canceled, and thus a protecting function is improved.