FEEDER CART MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Abstract

A system for communicating with and monitoring feeder carts in an SMT production facility includes a module with a built-in touchscreen display for providing real-time information on the line, machine, table, product setup, and part numbers associated with each cart. The module further incorporates multiple LED assemblies for enhanced visibility, a built-in scanner enabling hands-free SMT reel scanning, and an external rechargeable battery to ensure prolonged power supply. A Wi-Fi enabled microprocessor facilitates communication with a computer running system software via wired or wireless protocols.

Claims

1. A feeder cart management system comprising: a module for attachment to a feeder cart, and the module including a built-in touchscreen display for providing real-time information on the line, machine, table, product setup, and part numbers associated with a particular feeder cart; the module further including a plurality of LED assemblies for enhancing visibility of the module and the feeder cart on which the module is attached; the module further including a built-in optical scanner for enabling handsfree scanning of coded labels on surface mount technology reels; a microprocessor in the module providing wireless communication with a remote computer; and a rechargeable battery source for providing electric power to the module, including the built-in touchscreen display, the plurality of LED assemblies, the built-in optical scanner and microprocessor.

2. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 1 wherein the module includes a housing for holding and containing the built-in touchscreen display, the plurality of LED assemblies, the built-in optical scanner and the microprocessor.

3. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 2 further comprising: at least one light transmitting device on the module for transmitting light emitted from the LED assemblies to an exterior of the module housing.

4. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 3 wherein the at least one light transmitting device is a light pipe.

5. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 4 wherein the light pipe is contained within the housing of the module adjacent at least a portion of the LED assemblies, and the light pipe including a portion protruding exteriorly of the housing of the module.

6. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 5 wherein the housing further includes at least one window exposing at least a portion of the light pipe for allowing transmission of light emitted by the LED assemblies exteriorly of the housing.

7. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 6 further comprising a plurality of light pipes, wherein each of the light pipes includes at least a portion protruding exteriorly of the housing of the module.

8. The feeder cart management system as recited in claim 7 wherein the housing includes a plurality of windows, each positioned adjacent to at least one of the plurality of light pipes for transmitting light emitted from the LED assemblies exteriorly of the housing of the module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0038] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a hardware module of the system for managing feeder carts according to the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of a display shown removed from the hardware module of FIG. 1;

[0040] FIG. 3 is an isolated top perspective view of a printed circuit board assembly with LED banks used in the hardware module of FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 4 is an isolated perspective view of acrylic light pipes used in the hardware module of FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a barcode scanner of the present invention;

[0043] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a battery for powering the hardware module of FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the printed circuit board of FIG. 3 and including a microcontroller thereon;

[0045] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the hardware module of FIG. 1 mounted within a feeder cart; and

[0046] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the display screen of the hardware module.

[0047] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0048] Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1 and 8, the feeder cart management system of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The feeder cart management system 10 includes a hardware module 20 that contains a number of electronic components within the module housing 22. In particular, the components of the module 20 include a built-in touchscreen display that is positioned on the top side of the housing as seen in FIGS. 1 and 8. Referring to FIG. 2, the touchscreen display 30 includes a frame surrounding a display screen 32. The module 20 further includes a printed circuit board 40 within the interior of the module 20. The printed circuit board 40 includes a plurality of LEDs 42. As seen in FIG. 3, there is a linear arrangement of LEDs 42 at each end of the printed circuit board, at the top side at each end of the printed circuit board 40. The module 20 further includes two light pipes 50 at both the top end and bottom end of the module housing. As seen in FIG. 4, each light pipe 50 includes a rounded end 52 that has a generally bullnose shape, a top side 54 and an inner facing flat side 56. The light pipes 50 are supported on top of the printed circuit board, at each end, so that the linear arrangement of LEDs shines through the flat end 56 to essentially illuminate the entire light pipe 50 at each end of the module. As seen in FIG. 1, the light pipe is exposed at both the bottom end and the top end, as well as through windows 24 on a top side of the module. More particularly, the bulbous or rounded end 52 of the light pipe protrudes at the bottom end of the housing 22, as well as at the top end of the housing 22. The windows 24 are aligned with the top sides 54 of the light pipes for transmitting light therefrom. The LEDs and light pipe assemblies on the module provide for enhanced visibility so that a feeder cart 12 (see FIG. 8) can be located from a distance. Illumination of the LED and light pipe assemblies assists with locating the feeder cart 12 in the facility.

[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, the module 20 further includes a built-in barcode scanner 60 that includes an optical scanner 62 for reading barcode labels on SMT reels.

[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates an external battery power source 70 that allows for a prolonged power supply to the module 20 and its components when not connected to an external power source. The external rechargeable battery 70 includes a connection port 72 for connecting a power supply cord between the battery 70 and the module and/or feeder cart. FIG. 8 illustrates connection of a power cord to the feeder cart and module 20. The external rechargeable battery 70 may further include a power switch 74 to activate and deactivate the battery power source.

[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates the printed circuit board further including a Wi-Fi enabled microprocessor 46 on the printed circuit board 40 to facilitate communication with a computer that runs software via wired or wireless protocols.

[0052] Since many modifications, variations and changes in detail can be made to the described embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.