Workpiece Sensing Device with Turning Element for Dual-Side Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting workpieces, particularly contact-sensitive items like printed circuit boards, are costly, space-intensive, and time-consuming due to the need for multiple detection devices and complex arrangements to ensure comprehensive detection, which can result in shadowing or covering of sections and increased maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A method where a workpiece is fed to a turning element to orient its upper side towards the ground, allowing for detection by a single detection device, which then turns the workpiece to detect its underside, utilizing a conveyor system to efficiently manage the detection process and reduce the need for multiple detection heads and complex setups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple detection devices or detection heads are provided to perform comprehensive detection of workpiece top and bottom sides, then detection completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection completenessVSAvoidnumber of detection devices
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple detection functions into a single detection device by integrating a first detection unit for the top side and a second detection unit for the bottom side of the workpiece. This merging approach maintains detection completeness while reducing the total number of detection devices required, thereby lowering system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a movable detection device that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation to detect both the top and bottom sides of the workpiece. The detection device is configured to move from a first position for top-side detection to a second position for bottom-side detection, enabling comprehensive detection with a single device rather than requiring multiple static detection heads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple detection heads are arranged to detect different sections of the workpiece, then detection coverage is improved, but space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection coverageVSAvoidspace requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a single detection device with dynamic positioning capabilities that can move to different locations to detect various sections of the workpiece. Instead of arranging multiple detection heads simultaneously across a large area, the device sequentially positions itself at different detection locations, thereby achieving comprehensive coverage with minimal space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the workpiece is fed to multiple turning devices for multi-sided detection, then detection completeness is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection completenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple turning devices into a single integrated system. The detection device is configured to detect the top side of the workpiece, then the workpiece is turned by a turning device, and the same detection device detects the bottom side. This eliminates the need for separate turning and detection systems for each side, reducing overall processing time while maintaining detection completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single detection device detects both top and bottom sides of the workpiece after turning, then device complexity is reduced, but detection precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of detection devicesVSAvoiddetection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring the detection device with specialized detection units optimized for specific detection tasks. The first detection unit is optimized for detecting the top side of the workpiece, while the second detection unit is optimized for detecting the bottom side. Each detection unit has detection characteristics tailored to its specific detection location, thereby maintaining high detection precision despite using a single integrated device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3354121B1Method for sensing workpieces, and sensing device
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 VISCOM
  • EP3354121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3354121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3354121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sensing device for carrying out a method for sensing workpieces, and also to the method itself, in which, by means of conveying means (6), a first workpiece (8, 8') is fed to a sensing device, by way of which a top side (10) of the workpiece (8, 8') is at least partially sensed. Here, in a first method step for the further sensing of the first workpiece (8, 8'), after at least partial sensing of its top side (10), the first workpiece (8, 8') is fed by means of the conveying means (6) to a first turning member (16) with which the first workpiece fed thereto in order to be turned is then turned such that the first workpiece (8, 8') is fed again in the turned state by means of the conveying means (6) for the at least partial sensing of its underside (10'), and so, after at least partial sensing of its underside (10'), it is conveyed by means of the conveying means (6) in a conveying direction (30, 32) away from the sensing device (12), wherein, during the first method step, in a second method step for sensing a second workpiece (22), the second workpiece (22) following the first workpiece (8) is fed to the sensing device (12) and, after at least partial sensing of its top side (24), is fed by means of the conveying means (6) to a second turning member (20) with which the second workpiece (22) fed thereto in order to be turned is turned such that the latter is fed again, in the turned state, to the sensing device (12) by means of the conveying device (6) for the at least partial sensing of its underside (24').