Feeding Assembly Tilted Track and Rotating Pickup Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing feeding assemblies face challenges in ensuring components move in single-file along the track and are picked securely, as overlapping components can lead to stacking and damage during pickup.
Innovation Solution
A feeding assembly with a track featuring a sloped surface and a ledge maintains components in a tilted orientation, and a pickup platform that rotates from a tilted to a horizontal position, ensuring single-file movement and secure picking through the use of a vacuum mechanism and a pickup head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If components are moved along a horizontal track, then it is easy to pick components from the track, but components may overlay or partially overlay one another making secure picking difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The track introduces a vertical dimension by incorporating a sloped surface that tilts components perpendicular to the direction of movement. This dimensional change from purely horizontal to inclined positioning prevents overlay while maintaining pickability through the rotating pickup platform that transitions between tilted and horizontal orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The pickup platform is designed to rotate dynamically between a first position (aligned with the track at an angle) for receiving components and a second position (horizontal) for secure picking. This dynamic repositioning allows the system to adapt its orientation based on the operational phase, resolving the contradiction between maintaining tilted orientation for single-file movement and horizontal orientation for secure picking.
2Reliability
If components are maintained in a tilted orientation on the track, then components move in single-file, but secure picking of components becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pickup platform rotates between a first position where the pocket is aligned with the track (parallel to the sloped surface) to receive tilted components, and a second position where the pocket is horizontal to facilitate secure picking. This dynamic repositioning resolves the contradiction by providing the correct orientation for each operational phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating pickup platform acts as an intermediary between the tilted track and the picking operation. It receives components in their tilted orientation from the track, then rotates to present them horizontally to the pickup head, mediating between the conflicting requirements of single-file maintenance and secure picking.
3Reliability
If components are delivered consecutively to the pickup station, then secure picking is ensured, but components must move in single-file which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing the vertical dimension through the sloped surface, the system maintains single-file movement (improving reliability) while the rotating pickup platform efficiently transfers components in a streamlined manner (maintaining productivity). The tilted orientation prevents overlay that would cause stacking or cracking, ensuring consecutive delivery without compromising throughput.
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 ensures reliable single-file movement of components along the track without damaging them during picking, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of the component handling process.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the pocket is configured with a vacuum mechanism which can be selectively activated to hold the component in the pocket as the pickup platform is rotated from its first position to its second position
Implementation Method 2
a track along which components can be moved, said track comprising a sloped surface and a ledge, wherein said sloped surface slopes in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction which the components move along the track so that the components are maintained in a tilted orientation as they move along the track
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided a feeding assembly comprising, a track along which components can be moved, said track comprising a sloped surface and a ledge, wherein said sloped surface slopes in a direction which is perpendicular to the direction which the components move along the track so that the components are maintained in a tilted orientation as they move along the track; a pickup platform which comprises a pocket which can receive components from said track; wherein the feeding assembly further comprise a pivot on which the pickup platform can be selectively rotated between a first position and second position, wherein in its first position the pocket is aligned with the track and the pocket is parallel with the sloped surface of the track, so that a component can move from the track into the pocket of the pickup platform, and in its second position the pocket is in a horizontal orientation. There is further provided a corresponding method of feeding components and a component handing assembly which uses the feeding assembly.