Tape Feeder Supply Layout for Wide Electronic Components

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic component supply devices struggle to accommodate and supply electronic components of various sizes due to differences in width, leading to inefficiencies and space constraints.

Innovation Solution

The device incorporates a holding mechanism that can hold multiple containers wider than the tape feeder, aligning them to supply electronic components to multiple tape feeders, allowing for the supply of components of varying widths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the holding mechanism holds containers wider than the tape feeder, then electronic components of various sizes can be supplied, but the device width increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to supply electronic components of various sizesVSAvoiddevice width
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging multiple containers in the width direction (horizontal dimension) rather than only in the depth direction. The holding mechanism is configured to hold multiple containers side-by-side, allowing wide containers to be accommodated without excessively increasing the overall device width in the vertical dimension. This resolves the contradiction by distributing the space requirement across the horizontal dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding mechanism is segmented into multiple container holding positions arranged in the width direction. Instead of using a single large holding space, the mechanism is divided into discrete positions that can accommodate multiple containers of various widths. This segmentation allows flexible configuration to match different container sizes while controlling the overall device footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If multiple containers are aligned in the direction parallel to the conveyance path, then space requirements are reduced, but the complexity of the holding mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidholding mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple container holding functions into a single holding mechanism structure. The mechanism integrates support, alignment, and supply functions for multiple containers into one unified structure, reducing the need for separate mechanisms for each container. This merging approach reduces overall space requirements while managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding mechanism is designed with universal functionality to accommodate and supply from multiple containers of different sizes. The same mechanism structure performs multiple functions: holding containers, aligning them in the conveyance direction, and supplying components to the tape feeder. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized mechanisms for each container type, thereby reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3873186B1Electric component supply device, and electric component supply method
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 FUJI CORP
  • EP3873186B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3873186B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3873186B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic component supply device, comprising: a tape feeder configured to feed out a taped electronic component and supply an electronic component; and a holding mechanism arranged to handle the tape feeder and configured to hold a container for accommodating the taped electronic component supplied to the tape feeder, in which the holding mechanism is configured to hold the container having a width larger than the width of the tape feeder.