Vibrating Plate for Small Component Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for supplying small components (<3 mm2) are inefficient due to parasitic forces like capillarity and electrostatics, which cause adhesion issues, and are not suitable for linear conveyor transport, as they rely solely on gravity and lack homogeneous vibrational effects.
Innovation Solution
A vibrating device with a plate that can vibrate in three directions (x, y, z) using actuators with five degrees of freedom, allowing for controlled component distribution and orientation, combined with a linear conveyor and a viewing system to optimize component placement and recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional vibrating bowls or centrifuges are used for component supply, then large components (>3 mm2) can be transported effectively, but small components (<3 mm2) cannot be supplied due to parasitic forces like capillarity and electrostatics causing adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration to the plate to generate vibrational forces that counteract parasitic forces (capillarity and electrostatics) causing adhesion of small components. The vibration is configured with specific characteristics (amplitude, frequency, direction) to effectively separate small components while maintaining control over their movement, thereby enabling efficient supply of small components without relying on gravity alone.
2Productivity
If a vertically mobile recirculation element is inserted between storage reservoir and vibrating plate, then components can be recovered and returned to circulation, but the device requires larger bulk due to slanted storage reservoir walls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the recirculation function directly into the vibrating plate system, allowing the plate itself to serve multiple functions: component separation, orientation, and recirculation. The vibrational movements enable components to be returned to circulation without requiring separate slanted storage reservoir walls, thereby reducing the overall bulk while maintaining recirculation capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If six-degree-of-freedom vibration is applied to the plate, then homogeneous vibrational effects can be achieved across the entire surface, but the system becomes complex and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies localized vibrational characteristics to different regions of the plate, configuring the vibration to have specific properties at different locations. This allows the entire plate surface to be effectively covered with appropriate vibrational effects without requiring complex six-degree-of-freedom vibration throughout the entire system, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining homogeneity where needed.
4Device complexity
If gravity alone is used for component movement between storage reservoir and recirculation element, then the system is simple, but it cannot be used with linear conveyor systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mechanical vibration to enable component movement between the linear conveyor and recirculation element, replacing gravity-based movement. The vibrational forces allow components to be effectively transferred in linear conveyor configurations where gravity alone would not suffice, thereby maintaining system simplicity while achieving versatility with different conveyor types.
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 system effectively separates and orients small components for robotic grasping, improving the percentage of correctly oriented components and enabling efficient recirculation, even with linear conveyor systems.
Implementation Method 1
vibrating means arranged to be capable of vibrating said plate in one of the three directions x, y, z, and to be capable of vibrating said plate in directions corresponding to any combination of these three directions x, y and z
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) for supplying components, particularly for transporting small components includes a vibrating device (2) provided with a plate (3) forming a surface for enabling the components to be grasped by a robot and a vibrating element (12) arranged to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in one of the three directions in space and to be capable of vibrating the plate (3) in directions corresponding to any combination whatsoever of the three directions x, y and z. For this purpose, the vibrating element includes vibrating actuators (12) respectively including a vibrating element arranged to move with at least five degrees of freedom.