Tape Guide Open Surface for Cover Tape Setting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tape feeders for surface mounters require time-consuming and labor-intensive manual operations to set the cover tape, especially when replacing the reel, due to fixed cover members that hinder easy turning of the cover tape.
Innovation Solution
A component supply unit with a guide device featuring a downstream guide section having an open surface allows for easy in and out movement of the cover tape, enabling simple and efficient setting operations by maintaining the cover tape's normal posture and utilizing a turnaround portion for peeling and taking in the cover tape during component supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed cover members are provided frontward and rearward of the component supply position, then the component supply tape can be restrained in position, but the cover tape cannot be easily turned for setting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is designed to be movable between a guide position and an open position. During normal operation, the guide device is at the guide position to restrain the tape. During cover tape setting, the guide device moves to the open position, allowing the cover tape to be turned and inserted without obstruction. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the structure adaptable to different operational states.
2Ease of manufacture
If the two covers are opened by swingingly moving them upwardly, then the carrier tape can be set, but it takes a lot of time and effort
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is pre-configured in a movable manner, allowing it to be quickly shifted between guide position and open position. This preliminary design of movability eliminates the need for time-consuming manual opening and closing operations, as the guide device can be rapidly repositioned to facilitate cover tape setting without requiring operators to manually swing covers open and closed.
3Reliability
If the guide device is fixed, then the component supply tape can be guided stably, but the cover tape cannot be taken in and out easily
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is designed with movable capability, allowing it to switch between a stable guide position during normal operation and an open position during cover tape setting. This dynamic design enables the system to maintain stable tape guidance when needed while also allowing easy cover tape insertion and removal when required, resolving the contradiction between stability and ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is intended to allow for readily performing a cover tape setting operation. In the present invention, a tape guide 110 for guiding a component supply tape 35 includes a front guide section 120 provided with an open surface 128 opened on one side thereof in a continuous manner in a tape feed direction, so as to allow a cover tape 37 to be taken in and out relative to the front guide section 120 through the open surface 128. This configuration makes it possible to perform the setting operation for the cover tape 37 through given operational steps, under a condition that the tape guide 110 remains fixed to a component supply unit 40.