Tape Feeder Suction Holding for LED Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tape feeders struggle to maintain mounting precision for components like LEDs, which lack magnetic properties, leading to positional deviations and errors due to vibration and suction nozzle pickup, especially when the components have variations in reference positions and differing upper and lower surface shapes, making it difficult to secure accurate mounting without lower surface recognition.
Innovation Solution
A tape feeder design that includes a guide section for the carrier tape and a lower receiving section with a suction section and leaf spring member to hold components from below, allowing for precise positioning and suction holding of components without requiring recognition from the lower surface, ensuring accurate mounting even with variations in the reference position of the upper surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a magnet member is used to hold the component in the carrier tape, then the component position can be stabilized, but this method cannot be applied to light emitting components such as LEDs that do not have magnetic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic field-based holding mechanism with a suction-based mechanical system. A suction nozzle applies negative pressure to hold the light emitting component on the carrier tape, eliminating the need for magnetic properties while achieving stable positioning during transport and mounting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a suction nozzle that uses pneumatic pressure (negative pressure/suction force) to hold the light emitting component in the carrier tape. This pneumatic mechanism provides reliable positioning for non-magnetic components like LEDs without requiring any magnetic properties
2Measurement precision
If optical recognition from above is used to position the light emitting component, then the reference position can be identified, but positional deviation occurs due to vibration and suction nozzle pickup
Solution Approach 1:
The suction nozzle is designed to hold the light emitting component firmly on the carrier tape before the optical recognition process. This preliminary securing action prevents any positional deviation during subsequent recognition and mounting operations, ensuring that the component position remains stable throughout the entire process
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier tape structure includes a recess portion that cradles the light emitting component, providing mechanical support and cushioning before optical recognition. This pre-positioning in the recess prevents vibration-induced deviations and ensures accurate reference position identification
3Ease of manufacture
If the carrier tape structure is simple, then manufacturing is easier, but it cannot provide adequate support for components with variations in reference positions
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier tape is segmented into individual recess portions, each tailored to hold a specific light emitting component. These recesses are distributed at predetermined intervals along the tape, providing customized support for each component while maintaining a relatively simple overall tape structure that is easy to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier tape features localized recess portions with specific geometries matched to individual component types. Each recess provides precise mechanical support and positioning for its corresponding component, accommodating variations in reference positions without requiring a completely complex tape structure
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
This design enables secure mounting precision for components with positional variations by using a suction mechanism to hold components from below, eliminating the need for lower surface recognition and improving accuracy in mounting components like LEDs, even when the upper and lower surfaces have different shapes or are difficult to recognize optically.
Implementation Method 1
a suction section that sucks the light emitting component from below
Data Source
AI summary
A tape feeder is provided for pitch-feeding a carrier tape that holds a component in a pocket of the carrier tape and supplying the component to a pickup position for a mount head. The tape feeder includes a guide section that guides the carrier tape with an upper portion of the carrier tape covered, in a vicinity of the pickup position, and a lower receiving section that is positioned below the guide section and receives the pocket of the carrier tape from a lower surface side of the pocket. The lower receiving section includes a suction section that sucks the component from below and a leaf spring member that allows the suction section to contact a bottom of pocket from the lower surface side of the pocket. The component is sucked and held from below by the suction section through a hole section formed in the bottom of the pocket.