Feeder, component mounting device, and component mounting system

Abstract

This feeder (41) is provided with: a feeder main body (41a); a cassette (50) that holds a component supply tape (T) and is inserted into and removed from the feeder main body; a first path section (414a) for conveying the component supply tape before loading and a second path section (414b) for conveying the component supply tape after loading, the path sections being provided to the feeder main body; and a path switching mechanism (60) that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section, in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the cassette from the feeder main body.

Description

Feeder, component mounting device, and component mounting system

[0001] The present invention relates to a feeder, a component mounting device, and a component mounting system, and more particularly to a feeder that transports a component supply tape, a component mounting device, and a component mounting system.

[0002] A feeder for feeding a component supply tape is known in the art, and is disclosed in, for example, International Publication No. WO 2018 / 087857.

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 087857 discloses a feeder for feeding a supply tape (component supply tape). The feeder is provided with a tape feed path for feeding the supply tape from the upstream side to the downstream side. The tape feed path includes a first feed path for feeding the supply tape before loading and a second feed path for feeding the supply tape after loading. The feeder is also provided with a path switching device. The path switching device uses a solenoid motor to switch the feed path of the supply tape from the first feed path to the second feed path.

[0004] International Publication No. 2018 / 087857

[0005] However, in the feeder described in WO 2018 / 087857, a solenoid motor (actuator) is used to switch the feed path of the supply tape from the first feed path (first path portion) to the second feed path (second path portion), which complicates the configuration and increases the number of parts. Therefore, it is desired to switch the feed path of the supply tape (component supply tape) from the first feed path (first path portion) to the second feed path (second path portion) while suppressing the complexity of the configuration and the increase in the number of parts.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a feeder, a component mounting device, and a component mounting system that are capable of switching the path of the component supply tape from a first path section to a second path section while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of components.

[0007] A feeder according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a feeder body, a cassette that holds a component supply tape and is inserted into or removed from the feeder body, all of which are provided in the feeder body, a first path section for transporting the component supply tape before loading, and a second path section for transporting the component supply tape after loading, and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette into or from the feeder body.

[0008] In the feeder according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, a path switching mechanism is provided that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion in response to insertion or removal of a cassette into or from the feeder body. This eliminates the need for an actuator to switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion. As a result, the path of the component supply tape can be switched from the first path portion to the second path portion while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0009] In the feeder according to the first aspect, the path switching mechanism preferably switches the state of the first path section in conjunction with inserting or removing a cassette into or from the feeder body so that the component supply tape can move from the first path section to the second path section. With this configuration, the first path section does not obstruct the movement of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section, making it easy to move the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section.

[0010] In this case, the path switching mechanism preferably includes a link mechanism that operates in conjunction with inserting or removing a cassette into or from the feeder body to switch the state of the first path section so that the component supply tape can move from the first path section to the second path section. With this configuration, the state of the first path section can be switched with a simple configuration using the link mechanism.

[0011] In the feeder according to the first aspect, preferably, the path switching mechanism switches the open / closed state of the floor of the first path section in response to insertion or removal of a cassette from the feeder body. With this configuration, by switching the floor of the first path section to the closed state, the component supply tape can be transported using the first path section. Furthermore, by switching the floor of the first path section to the open state, the first path section does not obstruct the movement of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section, thereby facilitating the movement of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section.

[0012] In this case, preferably, the path switching mechanism includes a link mechanism that opens and closes the floor of the first path section, such that inserting a cassette into the feeder body activates the link mechanism to close the floor of the first path section, and removing the cassette from the feeder body activates the link mechanism in the opposite manner to when the link mechanism was activated by inserting the cassette into the feeder body, to open the floor of the first path section. This configuration allows the open / closed state of the floor of the first path section to be switched with a simple configuration. Inserting a cassette into the feeder body activates the link mechanism to close the floor of the first path section, enabling the first path section to transport the component supply tape before loading it. Removing a cassette from the feeder body activates the link mechanism to open the floor of the first path section, enabling the first path section to not obstruct the movement of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section after loading it. As a result, the open / closed state of the floor surface of the first path section can be appropriately switched.

[0013] In a configuration in which the path switching mechanism includes a link mechanism, preferably, a pair of link mechanisms are provided spaced apart in the width direction of the feeder body, and a movement path section along which the component supply tape moves from the first path section to the second path section is provided between the pair of link mechanisms in the width direction. With this configuration, the component supply tape can be moved along the movement path section between the pair of link mechanisms, thereby preventing the component supply tape from being affected by external factors while moving along the movement path section.

[0014] In this case, preferably, the floor surface of the first path section is formed by a pair of rails, and the pair of link mechanisms open and close by rotating the pair of rails. With this configuration, the pair of rails (the floor surface of the first path section) can be switched between open and closed states with a simple configuration using the pair of link mechanisms.

[0015] The feeder according to the first aspect preferably further comprises a cassette detector that detects the attachment of a cassette to the feeder body in cooperation with the path switching mechanism. With this configuration, there is no need to provide an actuator for driving a detector or the like detected by the cassette detector in order to detect the attachment of a cassette to the feeder body. As a result, it is possible to detect the attachment of a cassette to the feeder body while minimizing the complexity of the configuration and the increase in the number of parts.

[0016] In this case, it is preferable to further include a first detection member interlocked with the path switching mechanism, and the cassette detection unit detects that a cassette has been attached to the feeder main body by detecting the first detection member. With this configuration, it is possible to easily detect that a cassette has been attached to the feeder main body by interlocking the path switching mechanism, the first detection member, and the cassette detection unit.

[0017] In the configuration further including the cassette detector, the path switching mechanism preferably switches the open / closed state of the floor of the first path section in response to insertion or removal of a cassette from the feeder body, and closes the floor of the first path section before the cassette detector detects the first detection member. This configuration makes it possible to avoid erroneously loading the component supply tape before closing the floor of the first path section. In other words, it is possible to properly load the component supply tape after closing the floor of the first path section.

[0018] In the feeder according to the first aspect, the cassette preferably includes a locking mechanism for locking the cassette to the feeder body, and the locking mechanism moves to an unlocked position where it unlocks the cassette from the feeder body when a hand unit of an exchange device for exchanging a cassette holds the cassette, and moves to a locked position where it locks the cassette to the feeder body when the hand unit releases its hold on the cassette. With this configuration, the locking mechanism can lock the cassette to the feeder body, thereby preventing the cassette from falling off the feeder body. Furthermore, since the locking mechanism can lock the cassette to the feeder body by utilizing the holding and release of the hand unit, there is no need to provide an actuator for locking the cassette to the feeder body with the locking mechanism. As a result, the cassette can be locked to the feeder body by the locking mechanism while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0019] The feeder according to the first aspect preferably further comprises a tape detector that detects the presence of a component supply tape in the cassette in response to insertion of the cassette into the feeder body. This configuration eliminates the need for an actuator to drive a detector or the like detected by the tape detector in order to detect the presence of a component supply tape in the cassette. As a result, the presence of a component supply tape in the cassette can be detected without increasing the complexity of the configuration or the number of parts.

[0020] In this case, preferably, the feeder further includes a second detection member that is linked to the insertion of a cassette into the feeder body, and the tape detection unit detects the presence of the component supply tape in the cassette by detecting the second detection member when the component supply tape is present in the cassette as a result of the second detection member being activated by the component supply tape as the cassette is inserted into the feeder body, and detects the absence of the component supply tape in the cassette by not detecting the second detection member when the cassette does not have the component supply tape as a result of the second detection member not being activated by the component supply tape as the cassette is inserted into the feeder body. With this configuration, the presence of the component supply tape in the cassette can be easily detected by linking the insertion of the cassette into the feeder body with the second detection member and the tape detection unit.

[0021] A component mounting device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a feeder that supplies components using a component supply tape, and a mounting head that mounts the components supplied from the feeder onto a board, and the feeder includes a feeder main body, a cassette that holds the component supply tape and is inserted into or removed from the feeder main body, all of which are provided in the feeder main body, and includes a first path section for transporting the component supply tape before loading, and a second path section for transporting the component supply tape after loading, and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette into or from the feeder main body.

[0022] In a component mounting device according to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, a path switching mechanism is provided that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion in response to insertion or removal of a cassette into or from the feeder body. This eliminates the need for an actuator to switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion. As a result, it is possible to provide a component mounting device that can switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of components.

[0023] A component mounting system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a feeder that supplies components using a component supply tape, and a component mounting device that is provided with the feeder and that mounts the components supplied from the feeder onto a board, the feeder including a feeder main body, a cassette that holds the component supply tape and is inserted into or removed from the feeder main body, all of which are provided in the feeder main body, and includes a first path section for transporting the component supply tape before loading, and a second path section for transporting the component supply tape after loading, and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette into or from the feeder main body.

[0024] In a component mounting system according to a third aspect of the present invention, as described above, a path switching mechanism is provided that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion in response to insertion or removal of a cassette into or from the feeder body. This eliminates the need for an actuator to switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion. As a result, it is possible to provide a component mounting system that can switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of components.

[0025] The component mounting system according to the third aspect preferably further includes a cassette changing device for changing the cassette, and the path switching mechanism is linked to the insertion and removal of the cassette from the feeder body by the cassette changing device. This configuration allows the cassette to be changed by the cassette changing device, eliminating the need for an operator to change the cassette. Furthermore, when changing a cassette using the cassette changing device, the insertion and removal of the cassette from the feeder body by the cassette changing device can be utilized to switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion.

[0026] In this case, preferably, the feeder further includes a cassette detection unit that detects that a cassette has been attached to the feeder body, the exchange device includes a hand unit that holds the cassette, and the cassette includes a locking mechanism that locks the cassette to the feeder body, the locking mechanism moving to an unlock position that unlocks the cassette from the feeder body when the hand unit holds the cassette, and moving to a lock position that locks the cassette to the feeder body when the hand unit releases its hold on the cassette, and the exchange device releases the hold of the cassette by the hand unit based on the detection by the cassette detection unit that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body. With this configuration, the locking mechanism can lock the cassette to the feeder body, preventing the cassette from falling off the feeder body. Furthermore, since the locking mechanism can lock the cassette to the feeder body by utilizing the holding and release of the hand unit, there is no need to provide an actuator to lock the cassette to the feeder body with the locking mechanism. As a result, the cassette can be locked to the feeder body by the locking mechanism while preventing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts. Furthermore, by releasing the cassette from the hand unit when the cassette detection unit detects that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body, it is possible to prevent the locking mechanism from accidentally moving to the locked position before the cassette is attached to the feeder body, which would otherwise prevent the cassette from being locked properly. In other words, the cassette can be locked properly after it has been attached to the feeder body.

[0027] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to switch the path of the component supply tape from the first path portion to the second path portion while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a component mounting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a component mounting apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view showing a component mounting apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing an autoloading cassette feeder according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cassette according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a cassette replacement operation according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a path switching mechanism, a cassette detection unit, and a tape detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a pair of rails by a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a pair of rails by a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a pair of rails by a path switching mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining movement of a cassette from a first position to a second position according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating movement of a cassette from a first position to a second position according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating movement of a cassette from a first position to a second position according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating detection of a detection member by a cassette detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating detection of a detection member by a cassette detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating detection of a detection member by a tape detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating detection of a detection member by a tape detection unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating operation of a detection member by a component supply tape according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating operation of a detection member by a component supply tape according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating operation of a locking mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating operation of a locking mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating locking by a locking mechanism according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating locking by a locking mechanism according to an embodiment.FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape holding mechanism and a draw-out section according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a tape holding section according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a base section according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a draw-out section according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a holding state, a biased state, and a held-release state of a tape holding mechanism according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view for explaining an operation of attaching a component supply tape to a tape holding mechanism according to an embodiment; FIG. 7 is a view for explaining the relationship between the pressed position of a tape holding section and the position of a biasing section according to an embodiment; and FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the operation of a groove, a pin, and a biasing section when pressing down a tape holding section according to an embodiment.

[0029] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] The configuration of a component mounting system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0031] (Configuration of Component Mounting System) The component mounting system 100 is configured to mount components on a substrate P to manufacture a substrate P on which the components are mounted. The substrate P is a printed circuit board on which conductor wiring is formed. The components are electronic components such as LSIs, ICs, transistors, capacitors, and resistors.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the component mounting system 100 includes a component mounting line 10 for producing a substrate P, a management device 20 for managing the production of the substrate P, and an exchange device 30 for performing work related to the production of the substrate P.

[0033] The component mounting line 10 includes a component mounting device 11. The component mounting device 11 has a function of mounting components on a substrate P. As shown in Fig. 2, the component mounting device 11 has a mounting head 111 that mounts components on the substrate P, a feeder 40 that supplies components to the mounting head 111, and a feeder bank 112 in which the feeder 40 is arranged. The feeder bank 112 is provided with a plurality of mounting positions (lanes) to which the feeders 40 are attached. A feeder 40 is removably attached to each of the plurality of mounting positions.

[0034] A plurality of component mounting devices 11 are provided in the component mounting line 10. A plurality of component mounting lines 10 are also provided in the component mounting system 100. Although not shown, the component mounting line 10 also includes devices other than the component mounting devices 11, such as a printing device, a print inspection device, a visual inspection device, and a reflow device.

[0035] 1, the management device 20 is a computer that manages the component mounting system 100. The management device 20 includes a memory that stores programs and a processor that executes the programs. The management device 20 is configured to manage production plan information for the boards P. The management device 20 manages the component mounting line 10 and the replacement device 30 so as to produce the boards P in accordance with the production plan information for the boards P.

[0036] The exchange device 30 exchanges a cassette 50 (described later) attached to the component mounting device 11 in accordance with instructions from the management device 20. One or more exchange devices 30 are provided. The detailed configuration of the exchange device 30 will be described later.

[0037] (Feeder Configuration) As shown in Fig. 3, an autoloading cassette feeder 41 (hereinafter referred to as "ALCF 41") is attached to the component mounting apparatus 11 as the feeder 40. The ALCF 41 holds two component supply tapes T, and when the previously supplied component supply tape T1 runs out of components, the subsequent component supply tape T2 is automatically supplied. A plurality of ALCFs 41 are attached to the feeder bank 112, lined up horizontally. The ALCF 41 is an example of the "feeder" defined in the claims.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4 , the ALCF 41 is a cassette-type feeder that supplies components using a component supply tape T that holds a plurality of components. The ALCF 41 includes a feeder body 41a and a cassette 50. The feeder body 41a holds two reels R on which the component supply tape T is wound. Specifically, two cassettes 50, each holding a reel R, are removably attached to the feeder body 41a. The cassettes 50 are inserted into and removed from the feeder body 41a attached to the component mounting device 11 by the replacement device 30. For ease of understanding, in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the reel R holding the leading component supply tape T1 and the reel R holding the trailing component supply tape T2 are denoted as reel R1 and reel R2, respectively.

[0039] The feeder main body 41a includes feeding mechanisms 411 and 412. The feeding mechanism 411 is located near a position where components are supplied to the mounting head 111, and feeds the component supply tape T1 that is currently being used and has been previously supplied. The feeding mechanism 411 includes sprockets 411a and 411b that feed the component supply tape T, a motor 411c that rotates and drives the sprockets 411a and 411b, and a power transmission mechanism 411d, such as a gear, that transmits the driving force of the motor 411c to the sprockets 411a and 411b. The feeding mechanism 412 is located upstream of the feeding mechanism 411 in the feeding direction of the component supply tape T, and feeds the next component supply tape T2 to be used to the position of the feeding mechanism 411 when the component supply tape T1 that is currently being supplied runs out of components. The feed mechanism 412 includes a sprocket 412a that feeds the component supply tape T, a motor 412b that drives and rotates the sprocket 412a, and a power transmission mechanism 412c such as a gear that transmits the driving force of the motor 412b to the sprocket 412a.

[0040] The feeder main body 41a also includes a cassette mounting portion 413. The cassette mounting portion 413 is configured to accommodate two cassettes 50. The cassette mounting portion 413 has a recessed shape extending from the end of the ALCF 41 in the removal direction (Y1 direction) toward the insertion direction (Y2 direction), allowing two cassettes 50 to be mounted side by side in the vertical direction (Z direction). The cassette mounting portion 413 has a position P1 for mounting the cassette 50 that supplies the trailing component supply tape T2 and a position P2 for mounting the cassette 50 that supplies the preceding component supply tape T1. Position P1 is located above (in the Z1 direction) position P2. Position P2 is located below (in the Z2 direction) position P1.

[0041] Guide rails 413a and 413b are provided at the upper and lower ends of the cassette mounting portion 413, respectively. The guide rail 413a guides movement of the cassette 50 to position P1. When the cassette 50 is inserted or removed from position P1, the guide rail 413a engages with a guide rail 53a of the cassette 50, which will be described later, thereby guiding movement of the cassette 50 along the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The guide rail 413a extends along the insertion / removal direction. The guide rail 413b guides movement of the cassette 50 to position P2. When the cassette 50 is inserted or removed from position P2, the guide rail 413b engages with a guide rail 53b of the cassette 50, which will be described later, thereby guiding movement of the cassette 50 along the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The guide rail 413b extends along the insertion / removal direction.

[0042] The feeder main body 41a is also provided with path sections 414a, 414b, and 414c. Path section 414a is a transport path for transporting the component supply tape T before loading (i.e., the subsequent component supply tape T2). Path section 414a extends from position P1 to path section 414c. Path section 414b is a transport path for transporting the component supply tape T after loading (i.e., the preceding component supply tape T1). Path section 414b extends from position P2 to path section 414c. Path section 414c is a transport path formed after path sections 414a and 414b join. Path section 414c extends from the position where path sections 414a and 414b join to the tip end (the end on the Y2 direction side) of the feeder main body 41a. A position for supplying components to the mounting head 111 is provided midway along the path 414c. Note that "loading" refers to inserting the component supply tape T into the feeder body 41a and transporting it to the position for supplying components. Also, the path 414a and 414b are examples of the "first path" and "second path" in the claims.

[0043] The ALCF 41 also includes a positioning mechanism 415, a mechanical connection mechanism 416, an electrical connection mechanism 417, a guide rail 418, and a control unit 419. The positioning mechanism 415 positions the ALCF 41 relative to the component mounting device 11. When the ALCF 41 is inserted into the feeder bank 112 of the component mounting device 11, the positioning mechanism 415 engages with the positioning mechanism 113 (see FIG. 3 ), thereby positioning the ALCF 41. Both positioning mechanisms 415 are provided at the ends of the ALCF 41 in the insertion direction (Y2 direction), and have a positioning pin 415a extending upward (Z1 direction) and a positioning pin 415b extending in the insertion direction. The positioning pin 415a engages with the positioning groove 113a (see FIG. 3 ). The positioning pin 415b engages with the positioning hole 113b (see FIG. 3 ).

[0044] The mechanical connection mechanism 416 mechanically connects and fixes the ALCF 41 to the component mounting device 11. When the ALCF 41 is inserted into the feeder bank 112 of the component mounting device 11, the mechanical connection mechanism 416 connects and fixes the ALCF 41 by engaging with the mechanical connection mechanism 114 (see FIG. 3 ). The mechanical connection mechanism 416 has a clamp portion 416a provided below the ALCF 41. The clamp portion 416a engages with the mechanical connection mechanism 114 by the clamp.

[0045] The electrical connection mechanism 417 electrically connects the ALCF 41 to the component mounting device 11. This enables communication between the component mounting device 11 and the ALCF 41, and power to be supplied from the component mounting device 11 to the ALCF 41. The electrical connection mechanism 417 is provided below the ALCF 41 and in the vicinity of the mechanical connection mechanism 416. When the ALCF 41 is inserted into the feeder bank 112 of the component mounting device 11, the electrical connection mechanism 417 engages with the electrical connection mechanism 115 (see FIG. 3 ), thereby electrically connecting the ALCF 41. The electrical connection mechanism 417 is a connector.

[0046] The guide rail 418 guides the movement of the ALCF 41. When the ALCF 41 is inserted into or removed from the feeder bank 112, the guide rail 418 engages with the guide rail 116 (see FIG. 3 ) to guide the movement of the ALCF 41 in the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The guide rail 418 extends in the insertion / removal direction. The guide rail 418 is provided at the lower end of the ALCF 41.

[0047] The control unit 419 controls the overall operation of the ALCF 41. The control unit 419 includes a memory for storing programs and a processor for executing the programs. The control unit 419 controls the operation of the feed mechanisms 411 and 412 to feed the component supply tape T. For example, when supplying components to the mounting head 111, the control unit 419 controls the feed mechanism 411 to feed the leading component supply tape T1 via the paths 414b and 414c. Furthermore, for example, when the leading component supply tape T1 runs out of components, the control unit 419 controls the feed mechanism 411 to discharge the leading component supply tape T1 to the outside of the feeder body 41a via the paths 414b and 414c. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 419 controls the feeding mechanism 412 to insert the following component supply tape T2 into the feeder body 41a after the preceding component supply tape T1 has been discharged to the outside of the feeder body 41a, and to transport the following component supply tape T2 to a position where the component is to be supplied via the paths 414a and 414c, thereby loading the following component supply tape T2.

[0048] Specifically, the feeder main body 41a is provided with a tape detection unit 420 that detects the presence or absence of the component supply tape T on the path portion 414c. The tape detection unit 420 is a photoelectric sensor including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The control unit 419 controls the start of loading of the subsequent component supply tape T2 when the tape detection unit 420 has not detected the component supply tape T (the preceding component supply tape T1), the cassette detection unit 70 (described later) has detected that a cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41a, and the tape detection unit 80 (described later) has detected that the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) is present in the cassette 50.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5 , the cassette 50 holds the reel R in an area inside the outer shape of the cassette 50. The cassette 50 also includes a support portion 51, an exchanger engagement portion 52, guide rails 53a and 53b, and a tape holding mechanism 54. The support portion 51 is a protrusion that is inserted into a through-hole Ra in the center of the reel R and rotatably supports the reel R. The exchanger engagement portion 52 engages with an engagement portion 331a of a hand portion 331 (described later) of the exchanger 30. When the engagement portion 331a is engaged with the exchanger engagement portion 52, the hand portion 331 moves in the insertion / extraction direction (Y direction), thereby moving the cassette 50 in the insertion / extraction direction. Two exchanger engagement portions 52 are provided at the end of the cassette 50 in the removal direction (Y1 direction), spaced apart in the vertical direction (Z direction). The exchanger engagement portion 52 is configured as a recess recessed upward (Z1 direction).

[0050] The guide rails 53a and 53b guide the movement of the cassette 50. The guide rails 53a and 53b are provided at the upper and lower ends of the cassette 50, respectively. The guide rails 53a and 53b each extend along the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The guide rail 53a engages with either the guide rail 413a or the guide rail 53b of another cassette 50. The guide rail 53a has a tapered recess that tapers downward (Z2 direction). The recess of the guide rail 53a engages with a tapered protrusion that tapers downward (Z2 direction) on either the guide rail 413a or the guide rail 53b of another cassette 50. The guide rail 53b engages with either the guide rail 413b or the guide rail 53a of another cassette 50. The guide rail 53b has a tapered protrusion that tapers downward (in the Z2 direction). The protrusion of the guide rail 53b engages with a tapered recess that tapers downward (in the Z2 direction) of either the guide rail 413b or the guide rail 53a of another cassette 50.

[0051] The tape holding mechanism 54 holds the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder body 41a. The portion Ta is the leading end of the component supply tape T. Details of the tape holding mechanism 54 will be described later.

[0052] (Configuration of the Cassette Exchange Device) As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the exchange device 30 is an autonomously traveling robot. The exchange device 30 includes, for example, an AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicle). The exchange device 30 transports and exchanges the cassettes 50. The exchange device 30 exchanges the cassettes 50 with the reels R integrally attached by inserting and removing them.

[0053] The exchange device 30 includes a travel unit 31 for autonomous travel, a storage unit 32 for storing the cassettes 50, an insertion / removal unit 33 for inserting and removing the cassettes 50 between the storage unit 32 and the component mounting device 11 (the ALCF 41 attached to the component mounting device 11), and a control unit 34 for controlling the overall operation of the exchange device 30. The travel unit 31 has a plurality of wheels 311 including drive wheels that are driven to rotate by a motor. The storage unit 32 is provided with a plurality of attachment positions (lanes) at which the cassettes 50 are attached. A cassette 50 is removably attached to each of the plurality of attachment positions.

[0054] The insertion / removal unit 33 includes a hand unit 331 that holds the cassette 50 and a drive mechanism 332 that moves the hand unit 331 in the vertical direction (Z direction), the insertion / removal direction (Y direction), and the left-right direction (X direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction and the insertion / removal direction. The hand unit 331 includes an engagement unit 331a that engages with the exchange device engagement unit 52. Two engagement units 331a are provided at the tip of the hand unit 331, spaced apart in the vertical direction (Z direction). The engagement units 331a protrude upward (Z1 direction) and are configured as protrusions that are inserted into the exchange device engagement units 52. The control unit 34 includes a memory that stores programs and a processor that executes the programs. The control unit 34 controls the operation of the travel unit 31 and the insertion / removal unit 33, for example, to control the exchange of the cassette 50.

[0055] 6 , when the replacement device 30 inserts or removes the cassette 50 into or from the component mounting device 11 (the ALCF 52 attached to the component mounting device 11), the replacement device 30 moves to the location of the feeder bank 112 of the component mounting device 11 by the travel unit 31. Then, the replacement device 30 replaces the cassette 50 by collecting the cassette 50 that is out of components and replenishing it with a new cassette 50.

[0056] Specifically, the control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331 to the location of the cassette 50 at position P2 where the component has run out. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby engaging the engagement unit 331a with the exchange device engagement unit 52 of the cassette 50 at position P2. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby moving the cassette 50 from position P2 of the ALCF 41 to the storage unit 32. Because the component supply tape T (previous component supply tape T1) of the cassette 50 at position P2 has been previously ejected to the outside of the feeder body 41a, the cassette 50 that does not hold the component supply tape T is collected.

[0057] The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331 to the location of the cassette 50 at position P1 where components are being supplied. The component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) of the cassette 50 at position P1 has been loaded in advance and transported to the leading end of the feeder body 41a. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby engaging the engagement portion 331a with the exchange device engagement portion 52 of the cassette 50 at position P1. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby moving the cassette 50 from position P1 to position P2. At this time, the path of the component supply tape T is switched from path portion 414a to path portion 414b. The subsequent component supply tape T2 becomes the preceding component supply tape T1.

[0058] The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331 to the location of a new replenishment cassette 50 placed in the storage unit 32. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby engaging the engagement unit 331a with the exchange device engagement unit 52 of the cassette 50 placed in the storage unit 32. The control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 then controls the drive mechanism 332 to move the hand unit 331, thereby moving the cassette 50 from the storage unit 32 to position P1 on the ALCF 41. This allows a new, subsequent component supply tape T2 to be replenished. In this manner, the exchanging device 30 replaces the cassette 50.

[0059] 4 and 7 to 16, the ALCF 41 includes a path switching mechanism 60. The path switching mechanism 60 switches the path of the component supply tape T from path portion 414a to path portion 414b in response to insertion or removal of a cassette 50 into or from the feeder body 41a. The path switching mechanism 60 is provided corresponding to position P1.

[0060] The path switching mechanism 60 switches the state of the path portion 414a in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette 50 into or from the feeder main body 41a so that the component supply tape T can move from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b. The path switching mechanism 60 also includes a link mechanism 61, which operates in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette 50 into or from the feeder main body 41a to switch the state of the path portion 414a so that the component supply tape T can move from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b.

[0061] Specifically, the path switching mechanism 60 switches the open / closed state of the floor of the path section 414a in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the cassette 50 into and from the feeder main body 41a. The path switching mechanism 60 includes a link mechanism 61 that opens and closes the floor of the path section 414a, and when the cassette 50 is inserted into the feeder main body 41a, the link mechanism 61 is actuated to switch the floor of the path section 414a to a closed state, and when the cassette 50 is removed from the feeder main body 41a, the link mechanism 61 is actuated in the opposite manner to when it was actuated by the insertion of the cassette 50 into and from the feeder main body 41a, to switch the floor of the path section 414a to an open state.

[0062] A pair of link mechanisms 61 are provided spaced apart in the width direction (X direction) of the feeder main body 41a. A movement path 414d, along which the component supply tape T moves from the path 414a to the path 414b, is provided between the pair of link mechanisms 61 in the width direction (between a pair of side walls of the feeder main body 41a). When the floor of the path 414a is in the open state, the component supply tape T can move from the path 414a to the path 414b via the movement path 414d.

[0063] The floor surface of the path section 414a is formed by a pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. The pair of rails 414aa and 414ab extend in the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The pair of rails 414aa and 414ab are supported by the feeder body 41a so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the insertion / removal direction. The pair of link mechanisms 61 open and close by rotating the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab.

[0064] Each of the pair of link mechanisms 61 includes a plurality of link members 611, 612, 613, and 614, and biasing portions 615 and 616. The link members 611, 612, 613, and 614 are arranged in this order from the cassette 50 side toward the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. The link members 611, 612, 613, and 614 operate in conjunction with one another. The biasing portion 615 is provided between the link members 613 and 614. The biasing portion 615 is a compression spring and biases the link member 614 toward the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. The biasing portion 616 is provided between the feeder main body 41a and the link member 613. The biasing portion 616 is a compression spring and biases the link member 613 toward the link member 612.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , when cassette 50 is inserted into position P1 of feeder body 41a, the end of cassette 50 on the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side) abuts link member 611. Link member 611 then slides in the insertion direction. Link member 612 then rotates due to the movement of link member 611. At this time, link member 612 rotates so as to convert the movement of link member 611 in the insertion direction into movement in the upward direction (Z1 direction). Link member 613 then moves upward (Z1 direction) due to the movement of link member 612. Link member 614 then slides upward (Z1 direction) due to the movement of link member 613. Link mechanism 61 converts movement in the insertion / removal direction (Y direction) into movement in the up-down direction (Z direction) to operate pair of rails 414aa and 414ab.

[0066] As shown in FIGS. 12 to 14 , when the link members 614 slide upward (in the Z1 direction), the upper ends of the pair of link members 614 abut against the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab in the open state. When the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab are open, the portions of the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab that form the floor surfaces of the component supply tape T are parallel in the vertical direction (Z direction). While the pair of link members 614 move upward at the same time, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab have different widths, so the pair of link members 614 abut against the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab at different times. The rail 414ab, which supports the portion of the component supply tape T where the engagement holes Tb that engage with the sprockets 411a, 411b, and 412a are formed, is wider than the rail 414aa. The timing can be shifted or synchronized by, for example, changing the shape of the pair of link members 614.

[0067] The upward movement of the link member 614 (in the Z1 direction) rotates the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. The pair of rails 414aa and 414ab then contact the mechanical limiter 41aa provided on the feeder body 41a. This causes the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (the floor surfaces of the path portion 414a) to be in a closed state. In the closed state, the portions of the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab that form the floor surfaces of the component supply tape T are parallel to each other in the horizontal direction (X and Y directions). The closed state is a state in which the path portion 414a is formed, and the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) can be transported via the path portion 414a. In the closed state, a space is provided between the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab to allow the pockets Tc that store components on the component supply tape T to pass through.

[0068] Furthermore, after the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab come into contact with the mechanical limiter 41aa, the pair of link members 614 are urged toward the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab by the urging force of the urging portion 615. This urges the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab toward the mechanical limiter 41aa, and the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab are pressed against the mechanical limiter 41aa. As a result, it is possible to stabilize the positions of the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab, and to absorb variations due to dimensional errors and assembly errors.

[0069] 15 to 17, when cassette 50 is moved from position P1 to position P2 on feeder body 41a, cassette 50 is removed from position P1 on feeder body 41a. In this case, link mechanism 61 operates in the opposite manner to when cassette 50 is inserted into feeder body 41a, and pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (floor surfaces of path portion 414a) are opened.

[0070] Specifically, the end of the cassette 50 on the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side) moves away from the link member 611. This allows the link members 611 to 614 to move. Then, the link member 613 is urged toward the link member 612 by the urging force of the urging portion 616. This causes the link member 613 to move downward (Z2 direction). The movement of the link member 613 then causes the link member 614 to slide downward (Z2 direction). The movement of the link member 613 also causes the link member 612 to rotate. At this time, the link member 612 rotates so as to convert the downward movement of the link member 613 into movement in the removal direction (Y1 direction). The movement of the link member 612 then causes the link member 611 to slide in the removal direction (Y1 direction).

[0071] Furthermore, when the link members 614 slide downward (in the Z2 direction), the upper ends of the pair of link members 614 move away from the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. At this time, for the same reason as above, the timing at which the pair of link members 614 move away from the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab differs. It is also possible to shift or synchronize the timing by, for example, changing the shape of the pair of link members 614. Then, since the support provided by the link members 614 is no longer available, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab rotate and return due to their own weight. It is also possible for the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab to rotate and return by being biased by a biasing member (such as a spring). Then, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab abut against the pair of side walls of the feeder body 41a. As a result, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (the floor surfaces of the path portion 414a) are in an open state. In the open state, the path portion 414a is not formed, and the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) can be moved via the movement path portion 414d.

[0072] When the floor of path portion 414a is in the open state, the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) moves from path portion 414a to path portion 414b via movement path portion 414d. In this case, if the floor of path portion 414a were in the closed state, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (the floor of path portion 414a) would prevent the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) from moving from path portion 414a to path portion 414b, preventing the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) from moving. However, because the floor of path portion 414a is in the open state, the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (the floor of path portion 414a) does not prevent the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) from moving from path portion 414a to path portion 414b, allowing the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) to move. At this time, because the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) is loaded, the cassette 50 is moved while the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) is unwound from the cassette 50. After moving from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b, the component supply tape T is transported via the path portion 414b, which can transport the component supply tape T without interfering with the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab in the open state.

[0073] (Detection of Cassette Installation) As shown in Figures 7 to 11, 18, and 19, the ALCF 41 is equipped with a cassette detector 70. The cassette detector 70 works in conjunction with the path switching mechanism 60 to detect that a cassette 50 has been installed in the feeder main body 41a. The ALCF 41 also has a detector 71 that works in conjunction with the path switching mechanism 60. The cassette detector 70 detects that a cassette 50 has been installed in the feeder main body 41a by detecting the detector 71. The cassette detector 70 is a photoelectric sensor including a light-emitting section and a light-receiving section. The detector 71 is a dog. The detector 71 is an example of a "first detector" in the claims.

[0074] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 , when cassette 50 is inserted into position P1 of feeder body 41a, as link member 612 is rotated, link member 612 comes into contact with detection member 71. Then, the movement of link member 612 causes detection member 71 to rotate. As a result, detection member 71 is detected by cassette detection unit 70. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 , detection member 71 is moved between the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit of cassette detection unit 70. As a result, detection member 71 blocks light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit, so the light-receiving state of cassette detection unit 70 changes, and detection member 71 is detected by cassette detection unit 70.

[0075] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the path switching mechanism 60 closes the floor of the path portion 414a before the cassette detector 70 detects the detector 71. Specifically, the floor of the path portion 414a is closed in the state shown in FIG. 10 , and the detector 71 is detected by the cassette detector 70 in the state shown in FIG. 11 . The floor of the path portion 414a is closed before the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41a is complete, and the detector 71 is detected by the cassette detector 70 when the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41a is complete. The link members 611, 612, 613, and 614 are positioned and shaped so that the floor of the path portion 414a is closed before the cassette detector 70 detects the detector 71. The position and shape of the detector 71 are determined so that the detector 71 is detected by the cassette detector 70 after the floor of the path portion 414a is closed.

[0076] (Detection of Component Supply Tape Installation) As shown in FIGS. 7 and 20 to 23, the ALCF 41 includes a tape detection unit 80. The tape detection unit 80 detects the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 in response to the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41a. The ALCF 41 also includes a detection member 81 that is linked to the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41a. The tape detection unit 80 detects the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 by detecting the detection member 81. The tape detection unit 80 is a photoelectric sensor including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The detection member 81 is a dog. The detection member 81 is an example of a "second detection member" in the claims.

[0077] Specifically, when the component supply tape T is present in the cassette 50, the tape detection unit 80 detects the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 by detecting the detection member 81 as the component supply tape T is activated when the cassette 50 is inserted into the feeder main body 41a. When the component supply tape T is not present in the cassette 50, the tape detection unit 80 does not detect the detection member 81 as the component supply tape T is not activated when the cassette 50 is inserted into the feeder main body 41a, and therefore detects the absence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50.

[0078] If cassette 50 is detected by cassette detector 70, and tape detector 80 detects that component supply tape T is absent, an error is reported by a notifying means (not shown). Furthermore, based on the detection of an out-of-component condition on component supply tape T1, which is being supplied first, and other necessary conditions are met, the sprocket 412a rotates to start the loading operation of the subsequent component supply tape T2 from cassette 50 at position P1. However, if cassette 50 is detected but component supply tape T is not detected, the sprocket 412a does not rotate and the loading operation does not start.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 20 to 23 , when inserting cassette 50 into position P1 of feeder main body 41a, if there is component supply tape T in cassette 50 (if the portion Ta of component supply tape T to be inserted into feeder main body 41a is held by tape holding mechanism 54), the following occurs. That is, the portion Ta of component supply tape T to be inserted into feeder main body 41a, held by tape holding mechanism 54, comes into contact with detection member 81. Then, detection member 81 is pushed by portion Ta and rotates, causing detection member 81 to be detected by tape detection unit 80. Specifically, detection member 81 moves between the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit of tape detection unit 80. As a result, detection member 81 blocks light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit, changing the light-receiving state of tape detection unit 80, causing detection member 81 to be detected by tape detection unit 80. In this way, the presence of component supply tape T in cassette 50 is detected.

[0080] 20 to 23 , when there is no component supply tape T in the cassette 50 (when the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41 a is not held by the tape holding mechanism 54), the detection member 81 is not pushed by the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41 a held by the tape holding mechanism 54, and therefore the detection member 81 is not moved. In this case, the detection member 81 is not moved between the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit of the tape detection unit 80, so the light-receiving state of the tape detection unit 80 does not change, and the detection member 81 is not detected by the tape detection unit 80. In this way, it is detected that there is no component supply tape T in the cassette 50.

[0081] 5 and 24 to 27, the cassette 50 includes a locking mechanism 55 that locks the cassette 50 to the feeder main body 41 a. When the hand unit 331 of the exchange device 30 that exchanges the cassette 50 holds the cassette 50, the locking mechanism 55 moves to an unlock position where the lock of the cassette 50 to the feeder main body 41 a is released, and when the hand unit 331 releases the hold of the cassette 50, the locking mechanism 55 moves to a lock position where the cassette 50 is locked to the feeder main body 41 a.

[0082] 24 and 25 , the locking mechanism 55 has an actuating arm 551, connecting members 552 and 553, a holding arm 554, and a biasing portion 555. The actuating arm 551, connecting members 552 and 553, and holding arm 554 are arranged in this order from the removal direction side (Y1 direction side) to the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side). The actuating arm 551, connecting members 552 and 553, and holding arm 554 operate in conjunction with one another.

[0083] The actuating arm 551 is connected to a connecting member 552. The actuating arm 551 has a rotatable roller 551a against which the hand unit 331 comes into contact, and an engaging portion 551b that engages with the connecting member 552. The engaging portion 551b is formed of a groove. One end of the connecting member 552 is connected to the actuating arm 551, and the other end is connected to the connecting member 553. The connecting member 552 has an engaging portion 552a that engages with the engaging portion 551b. The engaging portion 552a is formed of a pin.

[0084] One end of the connecting member 553 is connected to the connecting member 552, and the other end is connected to the holding arm 554. The holding arm 554 is connected to the connecting member 553. The holding arm 554 has an engaging portion 554a that engages with the engaging portions 41ab provided at positions P1 and P2 of the feeder main body 41a. The engaging portions 41ab and 554a are each formed of a groove and a pin. The biasing portion 555 is provided between the main body of the cassette 50 and the connecting member 553. The biasing portion 555 is a compression spring that biases the connecting member 553 toward the holding arm 554.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 25 , when the hand unit 331 holds the cassette 50, the end of the hand unit 331 on the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side) abuts against the roller 551a of the actuating arm 551. The roller 551a is then pushed in the insertion direction by the end of the hand unit 331 on the insertion direction side. At this time, the roller 551a rotates, allowing the roller 551a to be pushed smoothly. The roller 551a being pushed in the insertion direction also rotates the actuating arm 551. Because the engaging portions 551b and 552a are engaged, the movement of the actuating arm 551 causes the connecting member 552 to slide in the removal direction (Y1 direction). The movement of the connecting member 552 causes the connecting member 553 to slide in the removal direction in a direction inclined with respect to the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). At this time, the biasing portion 555 is compressed. The movement of the connecting member 553 also causes the holding arm 554 to rotate. This moves the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 to the unlocked position. That is, when the hand unit 331 holds the cassette 50, the actuation arm 551 is actuated, which actuates the connecting members 552 and 553 and the holding arm 554, and the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 moves to the unlocked position.

[0086] As shown in Figure 24, when the hand unit 331 releases its hold on the cassette 50, the locking mechanism 55 operates in the opposite manner to when it operates due to the hand unit 331 holding the cassette 50, and moves to the locked position.

[0087] Specifically, the end of the hand unit 331 on the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side) moves away from the roller 551a of the actuating arm 551. This allows the actuating arm 551, the connecting member 552, the connecting member 553, and the holding arm 554 to move. The connecting member 553 is urged toward the holding arm 554 by the urging force of the urging unit 555. This causes the connecting member 553 to slide toward the insertion direction in a direction inclined with respect to the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). The movement of the connecting member 553 causes the connecting member 552 to slide in the insertion direction. The movement of the connecting member 552 causes the actuating arm 551 to rotate. The movement of the connecting member 553 also causes the holding arm 554 to rotate. This causes the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 to move to the lock position. That is, when the hand portion 331 releases its hold on the cassette 50, the connecting member 553 is actuated by the force of the actuating portion 555, and the actuating arm 551, the connecting member 552, and the holding arm 554 are actuated, and the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 moves to the locked position.

[0088] 26 and 27 , when the cassette 50 is inserted into either position P1 or position P2 of the feeder body 41a, the hand unit 331 holds the cassette 50. Therefore, the cassette 50 is inserted into either position P1 or position P2 of the feeder body 41a with the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 moved to the unlocked position. Then, when the cassette 50 moves to the installation completion position, the hand unit 331 releases its hold on the cassette 50 and moves away from the cassette 50. This moves the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 to the locked position and engages with the engaging portion 41ab. As a result, the cassette 50 is locked to the feeder body 41a so as not to be removed in the removal direction (Y1 direction).

[0089] Furthermore, when the cassette 50 is removed from either position P1 or position P2 of the feeder main body 41a, the hand unit 331 holds the cassette 50, and the engaging portion 554a of the holding arm 554 moves to the unlock position. This disengages the engaging portion 41ab from the engaging portion 554a, and the cassette 50 is unlocked from the feeder main body 41a. As a result, the cassette 50 can be moved in the removal direction (Y1 direction) from the feeder main body 41a.

[0090] Furthermore, the exchanging device 30 releases the hand unit 331 from holding the cassette 50 based on the cassette detector 70 detecting that the cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder body 41a. That is, the control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 controls the hand unit 331 to release the hand unit 331 from holding the cassette 50 when it is determined that the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder body 41a has been completed based on the detection result of the cassette detector 70. The control unit 419 of the ALCF 41 controls the exchanging device 30 to send information notifying that the cassette detector 70 has detected that the cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder body 41a. When the control unit 34 of the exchanging device 30 receives the information, it controls the hand unit 331 to release the hand unit 331 from holding the cassette 50.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 5, the cassette 50 includes holes 57 into which pins 41ad (see FIG. 17) provided on the feeder body 41 are inserted. The holes 57 and the pins 41ad extend along the insertion / removal direction (Y). When the cassette 50 is inserted into position P1 of the feeder body 41a, the pins 41ad are inserted into the holes 57. This locks the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a so that it does not shift downward (Z1 direction) or left-right (X direction).

[0092] 28 to 30, the tape holding mechanism 54 has a tape holding portion 541 that presses down and holds the component supply tape T, and a base portion 542 to which the tape holding portion 541 is attached. The tape holding portion 541 is made up of two sheet metal members that are spaced apart in the left-right direction (X direction). The tape holding portion 541 has a pressing portion 541a, a guide pin 541b, a guide groove 541c, an attachment hole 541d, and a spacer 541e.

[0093] The pressing portion 541a presses down from above (the Z1 direction side) the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder main body 41a and that is supported by a support portion 542a (described later) of the base portion 542. The pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a form a clamp that vertically (in the Z direction) holds the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder main body 41a. The pressing portion 541a is formed by bending the upper ends of two sheet metal members. The pressing portion 541a also has a mark 541aa that indicates the center position of the sprocket 412a of the feeding mechanism 412 when the cassette 50 is attached to the feeder main body 41a.

[0094] When the tape holding portion 541 is moved relative to the base portion 542, the guide pin 541b is guided by a guide groove 542d (described later) of the base portion 542. The guide pin 541b extends in the left-right direction (X direction) and is inserted into the guide groove 542d. When the tape holding portion 541 is moved relative to the base portion 542, the guide groove 541c is guided by a guide pin 542e (described later) of the base portion 542. The guide groove 541c is recessed in the left-right direction, and the guide pin 542e is inserted into the guide groove 541c. The guide groove 541c has a portion that extends in the up-down direction and a portion that extends from the upper end of the portion that extends in the up-down direction toward the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side). One guide groove 541c is provided on the inner surface of each of the two sheet metal members.

[0095] The mounting hole 541d is provided for mounting the biasing portion 543. The biasing portion 543 is a wire spring. One end of the biasing portion 543 is attached to the mounting hole 541d, and the other end is attached to a mounting hole 542f (described later) of the base portion 542. The biasing portion 543 biases the tape holding portion 541 (pressing portion 541a) in a direction away from the base portion 542 (support portion 542a). One mounting hole 541d is provided on the inner surface of each of the two sheet metal members. Two biasing portions 543 are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side. The spacer 541e connects the two sheet metal members while keeping them spaced apart in the left-right direction (X direction). The spacer 541e is pressed by a lever portion 542g (described later) of the base portion 542 when unlocking the tape holding portion 541, as described later.

[0096] The base portion 542 includes a support portion 542a, a biasing portion 542b, a limiting plate 542c, a guide groove 542d, a guide pin 542e, a mounting hole 542f, and a lever portion 542g. The base portion 542 also includes a plunger 542h, a guide pin 542i, and an engagement pin 542j.

[0097] The support portion 542a supports the portion Ta of the component supply tape T (the subsequent component supply tape T2) that is inserted into the feeder body 41a from below (the Z2 direction side). The support portion 542a extends along the insertion / removal direction (the Y direction). The biasing portion 542b biases the support portion 542a toward the pressing portion 541a. The biasing portion 542b is a compression spring. Two biasing portions 542b are provided, one on the Y1 direction side and one on the Y2 direction side. The limiting plate 542c limits the movement range of the support portion 542a in the up-down direction (the Z direction).

[0098] The guide groove 542d guides the guide pin 541b of the tape holding portion 541 when the tape holding portion 541 is moved relative to the base portion 542. The guide groove 542d is recessed in the left-right direction (X direction), and the guide pin 541b is inserted into the guide groove 542d. The guide groove 542d has a shape that is 180 degrees inverted from the guide groove 541c. That is, the guide groove 542d has a portion that extends in the up-down direction (Z direction) and a portion that extends from the lower end of the portion that extends in the up-down direction toward the removal direction (Y1 direction). The guide pin 542e guides the guide groove 541c of the tape holding portion 541 when the tape holding portion 541 is moved relative to the base portion 542. The guide pin 542e extends in the left-right direction and is inserted into the guide groove 541c. Furthermore, two guide pins 542e are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side, to correspond to the two guide grooves 541c. Guide pins 541b, guide grooves 541c, guide grooves 542d, and guide pins 542e constitute locking mechanism 544 that locks tape holding portion 541 (pressing portion 541a) at a position close to base portion 542 (support portion 542a) against the biasing force of biasing portion 543.

[0099] The mounting hole 542f is provided for mounting the biasing portion 543. Two mounting holes 542f are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side, corresponding to the two mounting holes 541d and the biasing portion 543. The lever portion 542g unlocks the tape holding portion 541 (pressing portion 541a) locked by the locking mechanism 544. The plunger 542h locks the tape holding mechanism 54 to the drawer portion 56, which will be described later. The plunger 542h engages with a plunger hole 561, which will be described later, in the drawer portion 56. Two plungers 542h are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side. The guide pin 542i is guided by a guide groove 562, which will be described later, in the drawer portion 56 when the tape holding mechanism 54 is moved relative to the drawer portion 56. A total of four guide pins 542i are provided, two on the X1 direction side and two on the X2 direction side. The engagement pin 542j engages with an engagement groove 563 (described later) of the drawer section 56 when the tape holding mechanism 54 is not drawn out from the drawer section 56. A total of two engagement pins 542j are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side.

[0100] 32, the tape holding mechanism 54 can be switched between a holding state in which it holds the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41a, and a holding release state in which it releases the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41a. Specifically, the tape holding mechanism 54 is in the holding state before the cassette 50 is attached to position P1 (see FIG. 8), and switches to the holding release state when the cassette 50 is moved from position P1 to position P2 (see FIG. 16). The tape holding mechanism 54 can be switched between the holding state and the holding release state in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the cassette 50 into and from the feeder main body 41a by the exchange device.

[0101] More specifically, the tape holding mechanism 54 can be switched among a holding state, a released state, and an urging state in which the tape holding mechanism 54 urges the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41 a toward the sprocket 412 a of the feeding mechanism 412 that feeds the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder main body 41 a. The tape holding mechanism 54 is in the holding state before the cassette 50 is attached to position P1 (see FIG. 8 ), switches to the urging state when the cassette 50 is attached to position P1 (see FIG. 11 ), and switches to the released state when the cassette 50 is moved from position P1 to position P2 (see FIG. 16 ).

[0102] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 32 , before the cassette 50 is attached to position P1, the tape holding mechanism 54 is in a holding state by locking the tape holding portion 541 (pressing portion 541a) with the locking mechanism 544. In the holding state, the guide pin 541b is located at the lock position of the guide groove 542d (the portion extending in the left-right direction), and the guide pin 542e is located at the lock position of the guide groove 541c (the portion extending in the left-right direction). In this case, the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 presses the guide pin 541b against the guide groove 542d, and presses the guide groove 541c against the guide pin 542e. As a result, the pressing portion 541a is locked in a position close to the support portion 542a, and the portion Ta of the component supply tape T to be inserted into the feeder body 41a is maintained held between the pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a.

[0103] As shown in Figures 9 to 11 and 32, when cassette 50 is attached to position P1, tape holding mechanism 54 operates lever portion 542g by inserting cassette 50 into feeder body 41a, unlocking pressing portion 541a by locking mechanism 544, and pressing portions 542b and 543, respectively, pressing pressing portion 541a and support portion 542a toward feeder body 41a, thereby switching to a biased state.

[0104] Specifically, when cassette 50 is attached to position P1, lever operating portion 41ac provided on feeder body 41a abuts against lever 542g. Lever operating portion 41ac is configured as a protrusion. As cassette 50 is inserted into feeder body 41a, lever operating portion 41ac gradually pushes lever 542g, causing lever 542g to rotate. Lever 542g then abuts against spacer 541e. As lever 542g rotates, lever 542g gradually pushes spacer 541e. This moves the entire tape holding portion 541, causing guide pin 541b to move out of the locked position in guide groove 542d, and guide pin 542e to move out of the locked position in guide groove 541c.

[0105] When the locking mechanism 544 is released, the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 causes the pressing portion 541a to rotate and move away from the support portion 542a. At this time, the portion where the feed mechanism 412 of the feeder body 41a is disposed is located in the direction in which the pressing portion 541a rotates. Therefore, the pressing portion 541a abuts against the portion where the feed mechanism 412 of the feeder body 41a is disposed, and the rotational movement of the pressing portion 541a is stopped. Furthermore, when the pressing portion 541a rotates and moves away from the support portion 542a, the biasing force of the biasing portion 542b causes the support portion 542a to slide upward (in the Z1 direction) toward the pressing portion 541a. At this time, because the pressing portion 541a is stopped, the movement of the support portion 542a is stopped by the pressing portion 541a. Furthermore, when the support portion 542a slides upward, the portion Ta of the component supply tape T supported by the support portion 542a that is inserted into the feeder body 41a also slides upward. As a result, the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder body 41a is urged toward the sprocket 412a of the feed mechanism 412.

[0106] At this time, the pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a are moved upward (toward the Z1 direction), so that the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder main body 41a moves toward the detection member 81 (see FIGS. 20 to 23). As a result, as described above, when the component supply tape T is present in the cassette 50, the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder main body 41a comes into contact with the detection member 81, which rotates and moves, and is detected by the tape detection unit 80. When the component supply tape T is not present in the cassette 50, the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder main body 41a does not come into contact with the detection member 81, which does not rotate and moves, and is not detected by the tape detection unit 80.

[0107] As shown in Figures 15 to 17 and 32, when moving cassette 50 from position P1 to position P2, tape holding mechanism 54 switches to a holding release state by removing cassette 50 from feeder main body 41a, thereby releasing the state in which pressing portion 541a and support portion 542a are pressed toward feeder main body 41a by spring portion 542b and spring portion 543, respectively, and moving pressing portion 541a away from support portion 542a by spring portion 542b.

[0108] Specifically, when moving cassette 50 from position P1 to position P2, cassette 50 is removed from position P1 of feeder body 41a. In this case, pressing portion 541a no longer contacts the portion of feeder body 41a where feed mechanism 412 is located. This releases pressing portion 541a and support portion 542a toward the portion of feeder body 41a where feed mechanism 412 is located, respectively, by biasing portion 542b and biasing portion 543. Then, the biasing force of biasing portion 543 causes pressing portion 541a to rotate away from support portion 542a. At this time, guide pin 541b moves to the upper end of guide groove 542d, and pressing portion 541a is rotated until guide pin 542e moves to the lower end of guide groove 541c. Furthermore, support portion 542a slides upward (in the Z1 direction) within the range limited by limiting plate 542c. Because the pressing portion 541a moves by a larger amount than the support portion 542a, the pressing portion 541a moves away from the support portion 542a, and as a result, the portion Ta of the component supply tape T that is inserted into the feeder body 41a is no longer held between the pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a.

[0109] 28, 31, and 33, the cassette 50 includes a drawer section 56 for drawing out the tape holding mechanism 54. The tape holding mechanism 54 is attached so as to be slidable relative to the drawer section 56. The drawer section 56 has a plunger hole 561, a guide groove 562, and an engagement groove 563.

[0110] The plunger holes 561 engage with the plungers 542h of the base portion 542. When the plungers 542h engage with the plunger holes 561, a sound and a clicking sensation are generated. Two plunger holes 561 are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side, to correspond to the two plungers 542h. Instead of the plungers 542h engaging with the plunger holes 561, a spring-operated pin may be inserted into the hole and engaged. The guide groove 562 guides the guide pin 542i of the tape holding mechanism 54 when the tape holding mechanism 54 is moved relative to the drawer portion 56. The guide groove 562 extends along the sliding movement direction (Y direction). The guide groove 562 also has a recess 562a recessed downward (toward the Z2 direction) at the end on the insertion direction side (Y2 direction side). Furthermore, the guide pins 542i are slidably attached to the guide grooves 562. Two guide grooves 562 are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side, to correspond to the guide pins 542i on the X1 direction side and the guide pins 542i on the X2 direction side. The engagement grooves 563 engage with the engagement pins 542j of the tape holding mechanism 54 when the tape holding mechanism 54 is not pulled out from the pull-out section 56. Two engagement grooves 563 are provided, one on the X1 direction side and one on the X2 direction side, to correspond to the two engagement pins 542j.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 33 , the tape holding mechanism 54 can be pulled out and switched to the release state, and then the tape holding mechanism 54 can be made to hold the component supply tape T. To make the tape holding mechanism 54 hold the component supply tape T, the operator pulls the tape holding mechanism 54 out of the pull-out section 56. The guide pin 542i slides along the guide groove 562 in the insertion direction (Y2 direction), and the tape holding mechanism 54 is pulled out of the pull-out section 56. At this time, the guide pin 542i on the insertion direction side engages with the recess 562a of the guide groove 562. This makes it possible to prevent the tape holding mechanism 54 from unintentionally moving in the removal direction (Y1 direction) while the tape holding mechanism 54 is being made to hold the component supply tape T.

[0112] For example, with the cassette 50 standing upright in the vertical direction (Z direction), an operator pinches both left-right (X direction) side surfaces of the tape holding portion 541 with his / her fingers and pulls them toward the insertion direction (Y2 direction) to pull the tape holding mechanism 54 out of the drawer section 56. At this time, if the tape holding mechanism 54 is pulled parallel to the insertion direction, a force in the rotation direction about the guide pin 542i may be generated, causing the guide pin 542i to become caught in the guide groove 562, making it difficult to properly pull the tape holding mechanism 54 out of the drawer section 56. Pulling the tape holding mechanism 54 in a slightly upward diagonal direction can prevent the guide pin 542i from becoming caught in the guide groove 562. Alternatively, with the cassette 50 lying down, an operator can hook his / her fingers around the lever portion 542g and pull it toward the insertion direction to pull the tape holding mechanism 54 out of the drawer section 56.

[0113] Then, the tape holding mechanism 54 is pulled out from the pull-out portion 56, and the tape holding mechanism 54 is switched to the release state. In some cases, the tape holding mechanism 54 is pulled out in the release state, and in other cases, the tape holding mechanism 54 is pulled out and then switched to the release state by operating the lever portion 542g. In the release state, the pressing portion 541a of the tape holding portion 541 is separated from the support portion 542a of the base portion 542, so the operator inserts the component supply tape T between the pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a. Then, the operator presses the pressing portion 541a from above (the Z1 direction side). This moves the entire tape holding portion 541, moving the guide pin 541b to the lock position in the guide groove 542d and the guide pin 542e to the lock position in the guide groove 541c. As a result, the tape holding portion 541 is locked by the lock mechanism 544. That is, the tape holding mechanism 54 is in the hold state. In the holding state, the component supply tape T is sandwiched between the pressing portion 541a and the supporting portion 542a.

[0114] Then, the operator returns the tape holding mechanism 54 to the drawer section 56. Because the guide pin 542i on the insertion direction side is engaged with the recess 562a of the guide groove 562, the operator slightly lifts the tape holding mechanism 54 and slides it in the removal direction (Y1 direction). At this time, the guide pin 542i slides along the guide groove 562 in the removal direction (Y1 direction), and the tape holding mechanism 54 is returned to the drawer section 56. Furthermore, when the return of the tape holding mechanism 54 to the drawer section 56 is complete, the engagement between the plunger 542h and the plunger hole 561 produces a sound and a clicking sensation. Therefore, the operator slides the tape holding mechanism 54 in the removal direction (Y1 direction) until a sound is heard and a clicking sensation is produced. Furthermore, when the return of the tape holding mechanism 54 to the drawer section 56 is complete, the engagement pin 542j engages with the engagement groove 563. Not only does guide pin 542i engage with guide groove 562, but engagement pin 542j also engages with engagement groove 563 outside guide groove 562, thereby preventing rattle of tape holding mechanism 54. In this manner, the tape holding mechanism 54 is caused to hold the component supply tape T. Note that the tape holding mechanism 54 can also be caused to hold the component supply tape T without pulling out the tape holding mechanism 54 from drawer section 56.

[0115] 34, when pressing down the pressing portion 541a from above (Z1 direction side), the operator presses down the mark portion 541aa. The mark portion 541aa also serves as a guide when pressing down the pressing portion 541a from above. The mark portion 541aa is positioned so that the pressing portion 543 and the pressing portion 542b can be pressed down in a balanced manner.

[0116] Specifically, when the pressing portion 541a is separated from the support portion 542a and the urging portion 543 is pressed down via the pressing portion 541a, the marking portion 541aa is disposed in the insertion / removal direction (Y direction) near the position (position of the mounting holes 541d and 542f) where the urging force of the urging portion 543 is applied. This makes it possible to efficiently press down the urging portion 543 by pressing down the marking portion 541aa.

[0117] Furthermore, when the pressing portion 541a is close to the support portion 542a and the urging portion 542b is pressed down via the pressing portion 541a and the support portion 542a, the mark portion 541aa is located near the center position between the positions where the urging forces of the two urging portions 542b are applied in the insertion / removal direction (Y direction). This makes it possible to efficiently press down the two urging portions 542b by pressing down the mark portion 541aa.

[0118] 35 , when the retaining portion 541a is pressed down from above (in the Z1 direction), the locking mechanism 544 (guide pin 541b, guide groove 541c, guide groove 542d, guide pin 542e) and the biasing portion 543 move as follows: When the retaining portion 541a is pressed down from above, the guide pin 541b abuts against the sloped portion 542da at the lower end of the guide groove 542d, and the guide pin 542e abuts against the sloped portion 541ca at the upper end of the guide groove 541c. At this time, the direction of the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 (the direction from the mounting hole 542f toward the mounting hole 541d) is diagonally upward and forward. In this case, the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 acts to assist the guide pin 541b in moving along the inclined portion 542da of the guide groove 542d, and to assist the guide groove 541c in moving along the inclined portion 541ca of the guide groove 541c.

[0119] Further pressing down on the retaining portion 541a from above causes the guide pin 541b to move along the inclined surface 542da, and the guide groove 541c to move along the inclined surface 541ca, thereby shifting the guide pin 541b and the guide groove 541c rearward (toward the Y1 direction). At this time, the direction of the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 (the direction from the mounting hole 542f toward the mounting hole 541d) is obliquely upward and rearward. In this case, the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 acts so that the guide pin 541b moves to the locked position in the guide groove 542d and the guide pin 542e moves to the locked position in the guide groove 541c. Therefore, when the pressing down on the retaining portion 541a is released, the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 causes the guide pin 541b to move to the locked position in the guide groove 542d and the guide pin 542e to move to the locked position in the guide groove 541c. In this way, the direction of the biasing force of the biasing portion 543 changes appropriately depending on the degree to which the pressing portion 541a is pressed, so that the tape holding portion 541 can be easily locked by the locking mechanism 544 simply by pressing the pressing portion 541a.

[0120] (Effects of this embodiment) In this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0121] As described above, in this embodiment, a path switching mechanism 60 is provided that switches the path of the component supply tape T from path portion 414a to path portion 414b in conjunction with the insertion or removal of a cassette 50 into or from the feeder body 41a. This eliminates the need for an actuator to switch the path of the component supply tape T from path portion 414a to path portion 414b. As a result, the path of the component supply tape T can be switched from path portion 414a to path portion 414b while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0122] In this embodiment, as described above, the path switching mechanism 60 switches the state of the path portion 414a in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette 50 into or from the feeder body 41a so that the component supply tape T can move from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b. This prevents the path portion 414a from obstructing the movement of the component supply tape T from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b, making it possible to easily move the component supply tape T from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b.

[0123] In this embodiment, as described above, the path switching mechanism 60 includes the link mechanism 61, and the link mechanism 61 operates in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette 50 into or from the feeder body 41a to switch the state of the path portion 414a so that the component supply tape T can move from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b. This allows the state of the path portion 414a to be switched with a simple configuration using the link mechanism 61.

[0124] In this embodiment, as described above, the path switching mechanism 60 switches the open / closed state of the floor of the path portion 414a in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette 50 into or from the feeder body 41a. This allows the path portion 414a to be used to transport the component supply tape T by switching the floor of the path portion 414a to the closed state. Furthermore, switching the floor of the path portion 414a to the open state prevents the path portion 414a from obstructing the movement of the component supply tape T from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b, thereby facilitating the movement of the component supply tape T from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b.

[0125] In this embodiment, as described above, the path switching mechanism 60 includes a link mechanism 61 that opens and closes the floor of the path portion 414a. Inserting a cassette 50 into the feeder body 41a activates the link mechanism 61, closing the floor of the path portion 414a. Removing the cassette 50 from the feeder body 41a activates the link mechanism 61 in the opposite manner to when the link mechanism 61 was activated by inserting the cassette 50 into the feeder body 41a, opening the floor of the path portion 414a. This allows the open / closed state of the floor of the path portion 414a to be switched with a simple configuration. Inserting a cassette 50 into the feeder body 41a activates the link mechanism 61, closing the floor of the path portion 414a, thereby enabling the path portion 414a to be used to transport the component supply tape T before loading the component supply tape T. Furthermore, by removing the cassette 50 from the feeder body 41a, the link mechanism 61 is activated and the floor of the path portion 414a is switched to an open state. This allows the path portion 414a to be in a state where it does not obstruct the movement of the component supply tape T from the path portion 414a to the path portion 414b after loading the component supply tape T. As a result, the open / closed state of the floor of the path portion 414a can be appropriately switched.

[0126] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, a pair of link mechanisms 61 are provided spaced apart in the width direction of the feeder body 41a, and a movement path section along which the component supply tape T moves from path section 414a to path section 414b is provided between the pair of link mechanisms 61 in the width direction. This allows the component supply tape T to move along the movement path section between the pair of link mechanisms 61, thereby preventing the component supply tape T from being affected by external factors while moving along the movement path section.

[0127] In this embodiment, as described above, the floor surface of the path portion 414a is formed by the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab, and the pair of link mechanisms 61 open and close by rotating the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab. This makes it possible to switch between the open and closed states of the pair of rails 414aa and 414ab (the floor surface of the path portion 414a) with a simple configuration using the pair of link mechanisms 61.

[0128] Furthermore, as described above, this embodiment further includes a cassette detector 70 that detects that a cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41a in conjunction with the path switching mechanism 60. This eliminates the need to provide an actuator that drives a detector or the like detected by the cassette detector 70 in order to detect that a cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41a. As a result, it is possible to detect that a cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41a while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0129] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the detection member 71 that operates in conjunction with the path switching mechanism 60 is further provided, and the cassette detection unit 70 detects that the cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41 a by detecting the detection member 71. In this way, the path switching mechanism 60, the detection member 71, and the cassette detection unit 70 can be operated in conjunction with each other to easily detect that the cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder main body 41 a.

[0130] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the path switching mechanism 60 switches the open / closed state of the floor of the path section 414a in conjunction with the insertion / removal of the cassette 50 into / from the feeder body 41a, and closes the floor of the path section 414a before the cassette detector 70 detects the detector 71. This makes it possible to avoid accidentally loading the component supply tape T before the floor of the path section 414a is closed. In other words, the component supply tape T can be properly loaded after the floor of the path section 414a is closed.

[0131] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the cassette 50 includes a locking mechanism 55 that locks the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a. When the hand unit 331 of the exchange device 30 that exchanges the cassette 50 holds the cassette 50, the locking mechanism 55 moves to an unlock position where it unlocks the cassette 50 from the feeder body 41a, and when the hand unit 331 releases its hold on the cassette 50, the locking mechanism 55 moves to a lock position where it locks the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a. This allows the locking mechanism 55 to lock the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a, thereby preventing the cassette 50 from falling off the feeder body 41a. Furthermore, because the locking mechanism 55 can lock the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a by utilizing the holding and release of the hand unit 331, there is no need to provide an actuator to lock the cassette 50 to the feeder body 41a with the locking mechanism 55. As a result, the cassette 50 can be locked to the feeder body 41a by the locking mechanism 55 while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0132] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the exchanging device 30 releases the hold of the cassette 50 by the hand unit 331 based on the detection by the cassette detector 70 that the cassette 50 has been attached to the feeder body 41a. This prevents the locking mechanism 55 from accidentally moving to the locked position and failing to lock properly before the cassette 50 is attached to the feeder body 41a. In other words, the cassette 50 can be locked properly after it has been attached to the feeder body 41a.

[0133] Furthermore, as described above, this embodiment further includes a tape detection unit 80 that detects the presence of component supply tape T in cassette 50 in conjunction with the insertion of cassette 50 into feeder body 41a. This eliminates the need to provide an actuator that drives a detection member or the like detected by tape detection unit 80 in order to detect the presence of component supply tape T in cassette 50. As a result, it is possible to detect the presence of component supply tape T in cassette 50 while suppressing an increase in the complexity of the configuration and the number of parts.

[0134] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as described above, the feeder further includes a detection member 81 that operates in conjunction with the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41 a, and the tape detection unit 80 detects the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 by detecting the detection member 81 when the component supply tape T is present in the cassette 50 as the cassette 50 is inserted into the feeder main body 41 a, and detects the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 when the cassette 50 is not inserted into the feeder main body 41 a, and detects the absence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50 by not detecting the detection member 81 when the cassette 50 is not inserted into the feeder main body 41 a. In this way, the insertion of the cassette 50 into the feeder main body 41 a, the detection member 81, and the tape detection unit 80 can be linked to easily detect the presence of the component supply tape T in the cassette 50.

[0135] [Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the description of the above-mentioned embodiments, and further includes all modifications (modifications) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0136] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the exchange device inserts and removes the cassette, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a worker may insert and remove the cassette.

[0137] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the path switching mechanism included a link mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the path switching mechanism may include a mechanism other than a link mechanism.

[0138] In the above embodiment, an example in which a pair of link mechanisms is provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, one or three or more link mechanisms may be provided as long as it is possible to switch the path of the component supply tape.

[0139] In the above embodiment, an example in which a cassette detector is provided is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a cassette detector does not have to be provided. Furthermore, if a cassette detector is provided, the cassette detector may detect that a cassette has been attached to the feeder body without interlocking with the path switching mechanism.

[0140] In the above embodiment, the cassette detector detects a detector (first detector) that is linked to the path switching mechanism, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the cassette detector may directly detect the cassette or may detect a link member of the path switching mechanism.

[0141] In the above embodiment, the floor of the path section (first path section) is closed before the cassette detector detects the detection member (first detection member), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the floor of the first path section may be closed simultaneously with or after the cassette detector detects the first detection member.

[0142] In addition, while the above embodiment shows an example in which a tape detection unit is provided, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention does not necessarily require a tape detection unit. Furthermore, if a tape detection unit is provided, the tape detection unit may detect the presence of a component supply tape in a cassette without being linked to the insertion of the cassette into the feeder body.

[0143] In the above embodiment, the tape detector detects the detection member (second detection member) that is linked to the insertion of the cassette into the feeder body, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the tape detector may directly detect the component supply tape.

[0144] In the above embodiment, the exchanging device releases the hold of the cassette by the hand unit based on the cassette detection unit detecting that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the exchanging device may determine that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body based on the operation of the hand unit, and release the hold of the cassette by the hand unit.

[0145] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was shown in which the feeders were attached to the feeder bank in a removable (replaceable) manner, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the feeders may be built into the feeder bank. In other words, the feeders may be configured so that they cannot be replaced manually or by a feeder replacement robot. Even in this case, the present invention can be applied as long as the cassettes are inserted and removed from the feeder body.

[0146] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 Component mounting device 30 Exchange device 41 ALCF (feeder) 41a Feeder body 50 Cassette 55 Locking mechanism 60 Path switching mechanism 61 Link mechanism 70 Cassette detection unit 71 Detection member (first detection member) 80 Tape detection unit 81 Detection member (second detection member) 100 Component mounting system 111 Mounting head 331 Hand unit 414a Path unit (first path unit) 414aa, 414ab Rail 414b Path unit (second path unit) 414d Movement path unit P Board T Component supply tape

Claims

1. A feeder comprising: a feeder body; a cassette that holds a component supply tape and is inserted into or removed from the feeder body; a first path section that is provided in the feeder body and that transports the component supply tape before loading, and a second path section that transports the component supply tape after loading; and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette into or from the feeder body.

2. A feeder as described in claim 1, wherein the path switching mechanism switches the state of the first path section so that the component supply tape can move from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with inserting or removing the cassette into or from the feeder body.

3. A feeder as described in claim 2, wherein the path switching mechanism includes a link mechanism, and the link mechanism operates in conjunction with inserting or removing the cassette into or from the feeder body to switch the state of the first path section so that the component supply tape can move from the first path section to the second path section.

4. A feeder as described in claim 1, wherein the path switching mechanism switches the open / closed state of the floor surface of the first path section in conjunction with inserting or removing the cassette into or from the feeder body.

5. A feeder as described in claim 4, wherein the path switching mechanism includes a link mechanism that opens and closes the floor of the first path section, and when the cassette is inserted into the feeder body, the link mechanism is activated to switch the floor of the first path section to a closed state, and when the cassette is removed from the feeder body, the link mechanism is activated in the opposite manner to when it is activated by inserting the cassette into the feeder body, to switch the floor of the first path section to an open state.

6. A feeder as described in claim 5, wherein a pair of said link mechanisms are provided spaced apart in the width direction of said feeder body, and a movement path section is provided between said pair of link mechanisms in said width direction when said component supply tape moves from said first path section to said second path section.

7. A feeder as set forth in claim 6, wherein the floor surface of said first path section is formed by a pair of rails, and said pair of link mechanisms opens and closes by rotating said pair of rails.

8. The feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a cassette detector that detects that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body in conjunction with the path switching mechanism.

9. A feeder as described in claim 8, further comprising a first detection member that is linked to the path switching mechanism, wherein the cassette detection unit detects that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body by detecting the first detection member.

10. A feeder as described in claim 9, wherein the path switching mechanism switches the open / closed state of the floor of the first path section in conjunction with inserting or removing the cassette into or from the feeder body, and closes the floor of the first path section before the cassette detection section detects the first detection member.

11. A feeder as described in claim 1, wherein the cassette includes a locking mechanism that locks the cassette to the feeder body, and the locking mechanism moves to an unlocked position that releases the lock of the cassette to the feeder body when a hand unit of an exchange device that exchanges the cassette holds the cassette, and moves to a locked position that locks the cassette to the feeder body when the hand unit releases its hold on the cassette.

12. The feeder according to claim 1, further comprising a tape detection unit that detects the presence of the component supply tape in the cassette in conjunction with the insertion of the cassette into the feeder body.

13. A feeder as described in claim 12, further comprising a second detection member that operates in conjunction with the insertion of the cassette into the feeder body, wherein the tape detection unit detects the presence of the component supply tape in the cassette by detecting the second detection member when the component supply tape is present in the cassette as the second detection member is activated by the component supply tape as the cassette is inserted into the feeder body, and detects the absence of the component supply tape in the cassette by not detecting the second detection member when the cassette does not have the component supply tape as the second detection member is not activated by the component supply tape as the cassette is inserted into the feeder body.

14. A component mounting device comprising: a feeder that supplies components using a component supply tape; and a mounting head that mounts the components supplied from the feeder onto a board, wherein the feeder comprises: a feeder body; a cassette that holds the component supply tape and is inserted into and removed from the feeder body; all of which are provided in the feeder body, a first path section for transporting the component supply tape before loading, and a second path section for transporting the component supply tape after loading; and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion and removal of the cassette into and from the feeder body.

15. A component mounting system comprising: a feeder that supplies components using a component supply tape; and a component mounting device that is provided with the feeder and that mounts the components supplied from the feeder onto a board, wherein the feeder includes: a feeder body; a cassette that holds the component supply tape and is inserted into or removed from the feeder body; all of which are provided in the feeder body, and which include a first path section for transporting the component supply tape before loading and a second path section for transporting the component supply tape after loading; and a path switching mechanism that switches the path of the component supply tape from the first path section to the second path section in conjunction with the insertion or removal of the cassette into or from the feeder body.

16. A component mounting system as described in claim 15, further comprising an exchange device for exchanging the cassette, wherein the path switching mechanism is linked to the exchange device inserting and removing the cassette into and from the feeder body.

17. The component mounting system described in claim 16, wherein the feeder further includes a cassette detection unit that detects that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body, the replacement device includes a hand unit that holds the cassette, the cassette includes a locking mechanism that locks the cassette to the feeder body, the locking mechanism moving to an unlock position that releases the lock of the cassette to the feeder body when the hand unit holds the cassette, and moving to a lock position that locks the cassette to the feeder body when the hand unit releases its hold on the cassette, and the replacement device releases the hold of the cassette by the hand unit based on the detection by the cassette detection unit that the cassette has been attached to the feeder body.

Images