Belt feeder

Abstract

The tape feeder includes a cover member that covers at least a portion of the frame's upper surface area, that is, an area of ​​the tape path exposed on the frame's upper surface. A tape pressing portion is provided on the upper wall of the cover member. The tape pressing portion presses the base tape, from which the top tape has been removed, near a recessed portion located at the component supply position, using a pressing surface located below the lower surface of the cover member's upper wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tape feeder used as a component supply unit of a component assembly device that assembles components on a substrate. Background Art

[0002] The component assembly device assembles the component picked up by the assembly head on the substrate. A tape feeder is known as a component supply unit of such a component assembly device. The tape feeder transports the tape component, peels off the top tape of the tape component at a predetermined peeling position, and supplies the component to the component supply position. The tape component has: a base tape provided with a recess for storing the component; and a top tape covering the base tape. The tape feeder includes a frame and a tape transport unit. The frame has a tape path, which is a passage for the tape component to be transported. The tape transport unit has a sprocket and a drive motor. The sprocket has outer peripheral teeth that engage with the feed hole of the tape component in the tape path, and the sprocket is rotated by the drive motor to transport the tape component.

[0003] A cover member is installed in front of the tape feeder (downstream in the conveying direction of the tape member). The cover member has an upper wall portion and a pair of side wall portions. The upper wall portion is horizontal, and the side wall portions extend downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall portion. The cover member has a groove-shaped (trough-shaped) shape that opens downward and extends along the front and back of the frame. The tape passage of the tape feeder has an area exposed at the upper part of the frame in the front part of the frame (frame upper surface area), and the cover member covers at least a part of the frame upper surface area. In a state where the cover member covers a part of the frame upper surface area, the upper wall portion of the cover member is located above the frame upper surface area (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Gazette No. 2010-114178).

[0004] Furthermore, the size of components supplied by the tape member used in the tape feeder has been miniaturized in recent years. As component size miniaturization progresses, the posture of the components housed in the recesses of the tape member, which are transported in the upper surface area of ​​the frame, becomes susceptible to fluctuations due to the machining accuracy of the lower surface of the upper wall portion of the cover member. As a result, it is easy to mispick the components housed in the recesses configured at the component supply position. Such fluctuations in the posture of the components housed in the recesses of the tape member can be suppressed by applying high-level machining during the manufacture of the cover member to increase the parallelism of the lower surface of the upper wall portion of the cover member relative to the upper surface area of ​​the frame. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The tape feeder disclosed herein transports tape components. The tape component includes a base tape having multiple recesses for accommodating components, and a top tape covering and adhering to the base tape, with the tape component having feed holes. The tape feeder peels the top tape from the base tape at a predetermined peeling position and supplies the components to a component supply position. The tape feeder includes a tape transport unit, a frame, and a cover member. The tape transport unit includes a sprocket having peripheral teeth that engage with the feed holes of the tape component, and a drive motor that rotates the sprocket. The tape transport unit transports the tape component by rotating the sprocket. The frame includes a tape passage through which the tape component passes. The cover member covers at least a portion of the frame's upper surface area, i.e., the area of ​​the tape passage exposed on the frame's upper surface. The cover member includes an upper wall portion opposing the frame's upper surface area. The upper wall portion is provided with a component removal opening for removing the component from the recess, one of the multiple recesses, that is, the recess positioned at the component supply position after the top tape has been peeled from the base tape. The cover member has an upper wall portion provided with a tape pressing portion. The tape pressing portion includes a pressing surface located below the lower surface of the upper wall portion and configured to press the base tape from which the top tape has been peeled off, near a recessed portion disposed at the component supply position, from above.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of pickup errors due to irregular vibrations (so-called chattering) of the belt member while suppressing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 It is a main part side view showing the structure of the component assembling device including the tape feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the tape feeder is shown.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A partially enlarged stereogram of .

[0010] Figure 4 is Figure 2 A perspective view of a carrier tape being handled by a tape feeder is shown.

[0011] Figure 5A is Figure 2 A partially enlarged perspective view of a carrier tape being transported by a tape feeder is shown.

[0012] Figure 5B is Figure 2 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of another carrier tape being carried by a tape feeder is shown.

[0013] Figure 6A yes Figure 2A partially exploded perspective view of the tape feeder is shown.

[0014] Figure 6B It shows Figure 6A A partial cross-sectional view of the shaft member and its surroundings is shown.

[0015] Figure 7 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of a cover member provided with the tape feeder is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 yes Figure 3 A partial top view of the tape feeder is shown.

[0017] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view is shown in the direction V1-V1.

[0018] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view is shown in the direction V2-V2.

[0019] Figure 11 yes Figure 3 A partial cross-sectional view of the tape feeder is shown.

[0020] Figure 12A yes Figure 8 A partial enlarged top view of the .

[0021] Figure 12B yes Figure 12A A cross-sectional view of the portion shown.

[0022] Figure 13 yes Figure 10 An enlarged view of region RY is shown.

[0023] Figure 14A yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view shown is taken along the V3-V3 line.

[0024] Figure 14B yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view shown is taken along the V4-V4 line.

[0025] Figure 15A yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of other structures shown at line V3-V3.

[0026] Figure 15B yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of other structures shown at line V4-V4.

[0027] Figure 16A It is a plan view showing a first modified example of the tape pressing portion included in the tape feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 16B yes Figure 16A A cross-sectional view of the portion shown.

[0029] Figure 17A It is a plan view showing a second modified example of the tape pressing portion included in the tape feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 17B yes Figure 17A A cross-sectional view of the portion shown.

[0031] Figure 18A It is a plan view showing a third modified example of the tape pressing portion included in the tape feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 18B yes Figure 18A A cross-sectional view of the portion shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, the process of arriving at the concept of the present disclosure will be briefly described.

[0034] As described above, if advanced processing is performed when manufacturing the cover member, the cost will increase significantly.

[0035] The present disclosure provides a tape feeder capable of reducing the occurrence of pickup errors due to the shaking of a tape member while suppressing costs.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 The component assembly device 1 of the present embodiment is shown. The component assembly device 1 repeatedly performs the component assembly operation of assembling the component BH onto the substrate KB brought in from the upstream process and unloaded to the downstream process. Here, for the convenience of explanation, the axis along the conveying direction of the substrate KB in the component assembly device 1 (the direction from the deep side to the near front side of the paper, the left to right direction as observed by the operator OP) is set as the X-axis, and the axis perpendicular to the X-axis in the horizontal plane is set as the Y-axis. That is, the Y-axis extends from the back to the front when observed by the operator OP. In addition, the axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane and extending from the bottom to the top is set as the Z-axis.

[0037] The component assembly apparatus 1 includes a base 11, a conveyor 12, a tape feeder 13, an assembly head 14, a head moving mechanism 15, a substrate camera 16, a component camera 17, and a control device 18. The base 11 is installed on the floor FL, and the conveyor 12 extends along the X-axis on the base 11. The conveyor 12 carries the substrate KB sent from the upstream process into the component assembly apparatus 1 and positions the substrate KB at a predetermined working position.

[0038] A feeder trolley DS is connected to the end near the front side of the base 11 (the position opposite the operator OP). A feeder base FB is provided on the upper part of the feeder trolley DS, and the tape feeder 13 is mounted on the feeder base FB in a manner that can be loaded and unloaded. A plurality of tape feeders 13 can be mounted on the feeder base FB along the X-axis. When the feeder trolley DS is connected to the base 11, the plurality of tape feeders 13 mounted on the feeder base FB are connected to the base 11.

[0039] The feeder cart DS holds a plurality of reels RL, each of which is wound with a carrier tape 20 serving as a tape member. A reel RL is prepared for each tape feeder 13, and the carrier tape 20 drawn from the reel RL is attached to the corresponding tape feeder 13. The tape feeder 13 conveys the attached carrier tape 20 forward toward the conveyor 12 and supplies the component BH to a predetermined component supply position 13K.

[0040] Figure 4 The carrier tape 20 wound by the reel RL is shown. Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B yes Figure 4 An enlarged view of the area AR in FIG. The carrier tape 20 includes a base tape 21 and a top tape 22. The base tape 21 is provided with a plurality of upwardly open recesses 23 for storing components. The recesses 23 are arranged in a row at equal intervals along the length of the base tape 21. Each recess 23 houses a component BH. The top tape 22 is adhered to the upper surface of the base tape 21 to prevent the component BH from falling out of the recesses 23. The base tape 21 is provided with a plurality of feed holes 24 arranged in a row at equal intervals, parallel to the row of recesses 23.

[0041] Figure 5A The carrier tape 20 of the flat type is shown in which the entire base tape 21 is flat. Figure 5B The illustrated carrier tape 20 is an embossed type in which the base tape 21 has an embossed portion 21E protruding downward. Although any type of carrier tape 20 may be used, a flat type carrier tape 20 is used in this embodiment.

[0042] like Figure 1 As shown, the assembly head 14 has a plurality of nozzles 14N extending downward. Nozzles 14N can be raised and lowered relative to the assembly head 14 and can rotate about the Z axis. The assembly head 14 uses the lower ends of the nozzles 14N to suction and pick up components BH supplied by the tape feeder 13 to the component supply position 13K. The head moving mechanism 15, for example, includes an XY moving mechanism, and moves the assembly head 14 within a horizontal plane.

[0043] The board camera 16 is attached to the mounting head 14. The imaging optical axis of the board camera 16 faces downward. The board camera 16 moves together with the mounting head 14 to capture an image of the board KB positioned at the working position by the conveyor 12.

[0044] The component camera 17 is installed between the conveyor 12 and the tape feeder 13 on the base 11. The optical axis of the component camera 17 is oriented upward. When the assembly head 14 moves along the X-axis through the area above the component camera 17 while the plurality of nozzles 14N each adsorb components BH, the component camera 17 captures images of each component BH from below.

[0045] The control device 18 stores various data in addition to the component mounting program. The control device 18 operates each part of the component assembly device 1 according to the component mounting program to perform the component mounting work of mounting the component BH on the substrate KB.

[0046] During component assembly, the conveyor 12 is first operated to receive a substrate KB delivered from an upstream process and position it in the work position. Once the substrate KB is positioned in the work position, the head movement mechanism 15 moves the assembly head 14 above the substrate KB. This allows the substrate camera 16 to capture an image of the substrate KB, and the control device 18 recognizes the substrate KB based on the image captured by the substrate camera 16.

[0047] When the control device 18 recognizes the substrate KB, the assembly head 14 repeatedly executes an assembly cycle. During each assembly cycle, the assembly head 14 performs the following actions in this order: First, it picks up the component BH supplied by the tape feeder 13. Second, it moves the component BH along the X-axis so that it passes above the component camera 17, and the component camera 17 captures the component BH. Third, it mounts the component BH at the component mounting position set on the substrate KB.

[0048] The control device 18 recognizes the component BH based on the image captured by the component camera 17. When mounting the component BH on the substrate KB, the mounting head 14 corrects the position of the component BH relative to the substrate KB based on the result of the component recognition performed by the control device 18.

[0049] When all components BH to be mounted on the substrate KB are mounted by repeatedly executing the above-mentioned mounting pattern, the substrate KB is conveyed to the downstream process by the conveyor 12. Thus, the component mounting operation for each substrate KB is completed.

[0050] In the component assembly device 1 having such a structure, the present embodiment is characterized by the structure of the tape feeder 13. Hereinafter, the tape feeder 13 will be described in detail.

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the tape feeder 13 includes a frame 31, a cover member 32, a tape conveying portion 33, and a top tape collecting portion 34. The frame 31 as a whole has a box shape with a main surface extending in the YZ plane. A protrusion (not shown) protruding downward is provided on the lower surface of the frame 31. This protrusion engages with a slot SL provided in the feeder base FB, thereby mounting the tape feeder 13 on the feeder base FB.

[0052] The frame 31 is provided with a tape path 31L as a path for the conveyed carrier tape 20. The tape path 31L has a groove shape that opens on one side surface of the frame 31 (here, the right side surface as viewed from the operator OP).

[0053] The belt path 31L extends approximately horizontally forward from the rear end of the frame 31 (the end facing the operator OP), and then extends obliquely upward forward near the center of the frame 31 on the Y axis. Furthermore, the front end of the belt path 31L is exposed on the upper surface of the frame 31. The upper surface of the front portion of the frame 31 becomes the area where a portion of the belt path 31L is exposed on the upper portion of the frame 31. Figure 6A As shown, this region is referred to as the frame upper surface region 31R.

[0054] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the cover member 32 is provided at the front upper portion of the frame 31 and covers at least a portion of the frame upper surface area 31R. Figure 3 、 Figure 6A and Figure 7 As shown, the cover member 32 has a horizontal upper wall portion 32a and a pair of side walls 32b extending downward from the left and right ends of the upper wall portion 32a. In other words, the cover member 32 has a groove-like shape extending along the Y axis in front and behind the frame 31 and opening downward.

[0055] like Figure 6A 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the cover member 32 is provided with a component take-out port 32G for taking out the component BH from the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K. Figure 3 and Figure 6A As shown, the front end of the cover member 32 is rotatably coupled to the front upper portion of the frame 31 via a pin 32P. The cover member 32 can slightly rotate with the pin 32P as a fulcrum. As a result, the rear end of the cover member 32 can slightly rise relative to the frame upper surface area 31R.

[0056] like Figure 6A 、 Figure 6BAs shown, an axial hole 32L is provided at the front end of the frame 3, which passes through the frame 3 along the X axis. Figure 6A As shown, a shaft member 32F extending along the X-axis is attached to the front end of the cover member 32. After the shaft member 32F passes through the shaft hole 32L, the pin 32P is attached to the shaft member 32F through the hole provided in the cover member 32, thereby being attached to the cover member 32. Figure 6A 、 Figure 6B As shown, the frame 31 is provided with a spring hole 32N along the Z axis for inserting the spring member 32S. Figure 6B As shown, spring hole 32N extends from the upper surface of frame 31 to shaft hole 32L. After shaft member 32F is attached to cover member 32 and spring member 32S is inserted into spring hole 32N, the upper side of spring hole 32N is closed by cover member 32T while spring member 32S is compressed. For example, cover member 32T is secured to the upper surface of frame 31 by pins 32p. Shaft hole 32L has an oblong cross-section at the top and bottom. Therefore, spring member 32S exerts a downward force on shaft member 32F. As a result, a downward force is also exerted on cover member 32, which is secured to shaft member 32F, toward frame 31. Therefore, as carrier tape 20 travels forward on frame upper surface region 31R, the upper surface of carrier tape 20 slides relative to the lower surface of cover member 32.

[0057] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view at V1-V1. Figure 3 and Figure 9 As shown, when cover member 32 partially covers frame upper surface region 31R, lower surface 32K of upper wall portion 32a of cover member 32 is located above frame upper surface region 31R. Side wall portions 32b are located outside left and right side surfaces of frame 31.

[0058] Figure 10 yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view at V2-V2. Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, a gap CL substantially equal to the thickness of carrier tape 20 is provided between lower surface 32K of upper wall portion 32a and frame upper surface region 31R. The space provided with gap CL constitutes a portion of tape passage 31L. Cover member 32 prevents carrier tape 20 from floating from frame upper surface region 31R when passing through this space.

[0059] When attaching carrier tape 20 to frame 31, operator OP first inserts the front end of carrier tape 20 into the space between frame upper surface area 31R and cover member 32 from behind cover member 32. Then, the portion of carrier tape 20 further rearward of the inserted portion is inserted into tape passage 31L from the side opening of frame 31 (right side of frame 31).

[0060] When inserting the leading end of carrier tape 20 into the space between frame upper surface area 31R and cover member 32, operator OP lifts the rear end of cover member 32 and rotates it. This temporarily increases gap CL between the rear end of cover member 32 and frame upper surface area 31R. This makes it easier for operator OP to insert the leading end of carrier tape 20 into the space between frame upper surface area 31R and cover member 32.

[0061] like Figure 2 As shown, the belt conveying unit 33 includes a sprocket 33A, a drive motor 33B, and a transmission gear unit 33C mounted on the frame 31. The sprocket 33A is mounted on the upper front end of the frame 31 in a manner that allows it to rotate around the X axis. Figure 3 As shown, the sprocket 33A has a plurality of outer peripheral teeth 33G. Figure 6A and Figure 9 As shown, the uppermost outer peripheral teeth 33G, which are located immediately above the rotation center of the sprocket 33A, among the outer peripheral teeth 33G, protrude from the frame upper surface region 31R.

[0062] When the drive motor 33B is in operation and the rotation of the drive motor 33B is transmitted to the sprocket 33A via the transmission gear portion 33C, the sprocket 33A is rotated as shown in FIG. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Then, the outer peripheral teeth 33G at the uppermost portion of the sprocket 33A move forward. Figure 9 As shown in FIG. 1 , the outer peripheral teeth 33G at the top of the sprocket 33A engage with the feed hole 24 of the carrier tape 20 at a position between the frame upper surface area 31R and the cover member 32. Therefore, when the sprocket 33A rotates and the outer peripheral teeth 33G at the top move forward, the entire carrier tape 20 is pulled forward. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As indicated by the middle arrow B, the tape is conveyed forward in the tape path 31L.

[0063] The tape conveying unit 33 then engages the uppermost outer peripheral teeth 33G of the sprocket 33A with the feed holes 24 located in the area of ​​the tape path 31L covered by the cover member 32 , thereby rotating the sprocket 33A.

[0064] like Figure 3 、 Figure 6A 、 Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, a slit 32M is provided in the portion of the cover member 32 located just above the rotation center of the sprocket 33A. The slit 32M extends forward and backward along the Y axis. Figure 9As shown in FIG. 1 , the uppermost outer peripheral teeth 33G of the sprocket 33A pass through the slit 32M. Therefore, the sprocket 33A can rotate without interfering with the outer peripheral teeth 33G and the cover member 32.

[0065] like Figure 2 As shown, the top belt recovery unit 34 is provided at a rear position on the upper portion of the frame 31 and includes a pair of feed rollers 34a and a tension imparting unit 34b. Figure 11 As shown, the top tape 22 of the carrier tape 20 is peeled off from the base tape 21 with the rear edge (the edge closer to the operator OP) of the component removal port 32G of the cover member 32 as the peeling position 32H, folded back rearward, and sandwiched between a pair of feed rollers 34a. The tension applying portion 34b applies appropriate tension to the top tape 22 at a position between the peeling position 32H and the feed rollers 34a.

[0066] When the sprocket 33A rotates and carries the carrier tape 20 forward, the feed roller 34a rotates synchronously with the sprocket 33A. Figure 2 As shown by the arrow C in the middle, the tape is pulled rearward by the feed roller 34a and fed into the top tape storage space 31K for collection. The top tape storage space 31K is provided at the rear portion of the frame 31.

[0067] When the carrier tape 20 in the tape path 31L is transported forward by the rotation of the sprocket 33A, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the plurality of recesses 23 provided in the base tape 21 sequentially reach the component removal port 32G (component supply position 13K). The component removal port 32G is located immediately before the peeling position 32H. Since the top tape 22 has been peeled off when the recesses 23 reach the component supply position 13K, the top tape 22 is peeled off. Figure 11 As shown, the assembly head 14 can pick up the component BH from the component removal port 32G at the component supply position 13K. Figure 3 As shown, the carrier tape 20 (base tape 21 ) having passed through the cover member 32 is discharged to the outside from the front end of the frame 31 .

[0068] like Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 12A 、 Figure 12B As shown, a plurality of tape pressing portions 41 are provided on the upper wall portion 32 a of the cover member 32 . Figure 13 yes Figure 10 An enlarged view of the area RY in FIG. Figure 13As shown, each tape pressing portion 41 includes a pressing surface 41K located below the lower surface 32K of the upper wall portion 32a of the cover member 32. The tape pressing portion 41 uses the pressing surface 41K to press from above the base tape 21, from which the top tape 22 has been peeled off at the peeling position 32H, near the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K. In other words, the tape pressing portion 41 presses a portion of the base tape 21 toward the frame upper surface area 31R.

[0069] like Figure 7 、 Figure 8 and Figure 12A 、 Figure 12B As shown, the tape pressing portions 41 are respectively provided in two areas of the cover member 32 that are opposite to each other in the width direction of the carrier tape 20. That is, the two areas are opposite to each other along the X-axis. Specifically, a first tape pressing portion 41a is provided in one area (on the left side as viewed from the operator OP) of the recess 23 arranged at the component supply position 13K in the area along the edge of the component removal port 32G of the cover member 32. In addition, two second tape pressing portions 41b are provided in the other area (on the right side as viewed from the operator OP) of the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K. That is, the second tape pressing portion 41b is provided in an area that is opposite to the area where the first tape pressing portion 41a is provided on the X-axis along the width of the carrier tape 20.

[0070] like Figure 12A 、 Figure 12B As shown, the first tape pressing portion 41a is provided to the left of the recess 23 provided at the component supply position 13K, extending along the conveyance direction of the carrier tape 20. Meanwhile, the second tape pressing portion 41b is provided so as to sandwich the recess 23 provided at the component supply position 13K from the front and rear in the conveyance direction of the carrier tape 20. Thus, the first tape pressing portion 41a extends along the Y-axis, and the second tape pressing portion 41b is aligned along the Y-axis.

[0071] Figure 14A yes Figure 8 The cross-sectional view at V3-V3, Figure 14B yes Figure 8 A cross-sectional view taken along the direction V4-V4 of the carrier tape 20 is shown. Guide surfaces 41Y are provided at both ends of the carrier tape 20 in the flow direction below the first tape pressing portion 41a and the two second tape pressing portions 41b. The guide surfaces 41Y have a shape that does not hinder the movement of the carrier tape 20 (base tape 21) along the Y axis passing under the cover member 32. The guide surface 41Y is a conical surface 41T, but may also be a tapered surface 41T. Figure 15A 、 Figure 15BBy providing guide surface 41Y on the lower surface of tape pressing portion 41 so as not to hinder the movement of carrier tape 20, carrier tape 20 passing under cover member 32 can smoothly move along frame upper surface area 31R.

[0072] When the top tape 22 of the carrier tape 20 passes through the space between the frame upper surface area 31R and the cover member 32 and then passes through the component supply position 13K (component removal port 32G), it is peeled off at the peeling position 32H. Then, when the recess 23 of the carrier tape 20 (base tape 21) from which the top tape 22 has been peeled off passes through the component supply position 13K, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 and Figure 12A 、 Figure 12B As shown, the tape pressing portion 41 presses the upper surface of the base tape 21 toward the frame upper surface region 31R from above.

[0073] As described above, shaft member 32F provided at the front end of cover member 32 is pulled toward frame 31 by spring member 32S. Therefore, as carrier tape 20 on frame upper surface region 31R advances forward, the upper surface of carrier tape 20 slides against the lower surface of cover member 32. Consequently, if component BH within recess 23 is small, the machining accuracy of the lower surface of cover member 32 may affect the orientation and position of component BH within recess 23. However, the upper surface of carrier tape 20 passing through component supply position 13K is pressed from above by multiple tape pressing portions 41. Therefore, even if carrier tape 20 vibrates irregularly due to the machining accuracy of the lower surface of cover member 32, recess 23 is not affected by the vibration of carrier tape 20 near component supply position 13K, thereby suppressing the orientation and position of component BH within recess 23. Consequently, vertical movement of recess 23, which opens upward after top tape 22 is removed, is suppressed. Therefore, the component BH in the recess 23 is supplied to the component supply position 13K in a stable state, and the occurrence of pickup errors of the component BH by the mounting head 14 is suppressed.

[0074] Figure 16A 、 Figure 16BA first modified example of the tape pressing portion 41 is shown. In the first modified example, the tape pressing portion 41 is provided with two tape pressing portions 41 in two areas opposite to each other along the width of the carrier tape 20. That is, the tape pressing portion includes two first tape pressing portions and two second tape pressing portions, and the second tape pressing portions are provided in areas opposite to the area where the first tape pressing portions are provided on the X-axis along the width of the carrier tape 20. Specifically, within the area along the edge of the component removal port 32G of the cover member 32, two tape pressing portions 41 are provided in one area (on the left side as viewed from the operator OP) of the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K and in the other area (on the right side as viewed from the operator OP) of the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K. The two tape pressing portions 41 provided in the above-mentioned left and right areas are respectively arranged at positions sandwiching the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K from the front and back in the conveying direction of the carrier tape 20. Even with such a structure, the portion of the base tape 21 around the recess 23 arranged at the component supply position 13K is pressed toward the frame upper surface area 31R by the tape pressing portion 41 , thereby reducing the occurrence of pickup errors caused by irregular vibration of the carrier tape 20 .

[0075] Figure 17A 、 Figure 17B A second modification of the belt pressing portion 41 is shown. Figure 18A 、 Figure 18B A third modified example of the tape pressing portion 41 is shown. The tape pressing portion 41 in the second modified example has an annular shape with a circular component removal opening 32G in the center. This tape pressing portion 41 uses an annular pressing surface 41K to press the entire area of ​​the base tape 21, after the top tape 22 has been removed, surrounding the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K, toward the frame upper surface area 31R. Furthermore, the tape pressing portion 41 in the third modified example has a rectangular frame shape with a rectangular component removal opening 32G in the center. This tape pressing portion 41 uses a rectangular frame-shaped pressing surface 41K to press the entire area of ​​the base tape 21, after the top tape 22 has been removed, surrounding the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K, toward the frame upper surface area 31R. With these structures, the entire area of ​​the base tape 21 surrounding the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K is pressed toward the frame upper surface area 31R. Therefore, the occurrence of picking errors due to irregular vibrations of carrier tape 20 can be further reduced.

[0076] As described above, the tape feeder 13 of this embodiment includes a cover member 32 that covers, from above, the frame upper surface area 31R, the area of ​​the tape path 31L exposed on the upper surface of the frame 31. A tape pressing portion 41 is provided on the upper wall 32a of the cover member 32. The tape pressing portion 41 has a pressing surface 41K located below the lower surface 32K of the upper wall 32a of the cover member 32. The pressing surface 41K presses from above the recess 23 located at the component supply position 13K in the base tape 21 from which the top tape 22 has been peeled off at the peeling position 32H. Therefore, even if the carrier tape 20 vibrates irregularly, the vertical movement of the recess 23, which has been peeled off and opened upward, is suppressed. Consequently, the components BH within the recess 23 are stably supplied to the component supply position 13K, thereby preventing misplacing.

[0077] Furthermore, the tape pressing portion 41 can be formed inexpensively on the upper wall portion 32a of the cover member 32, compared to performing high-level processing to improve the parallelism of the lower surface 32K of the upper wall portion 32a of the cover member 32 with respect to the frame upper surface area 31R during the manufacture of the cover member 32. Therefore, according to the tape feeder 13 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of picking errors caused by the vibration of the carrier tape while suppressing cost increases.

[0078] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described contents and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the peeling position 32H is the rear edge (the edge closer to the operator OP) of the component removal port 32G of the cover member 32, and the peeling position 32H constitutes a portion of the component removal port 32G. However, the peeling position 32H does not necessarily need to constitute a portion of the component removal port 32G. Therefore, an opening may be provided after the component removal port 32G (upstream of the flow of the carrier tape 20), and the rear edge of the opening may constitute the peeling position 32H.

[0079] In addition, Figure 8 In the embodiment, the first tape pressing portion 41a extends along the conveying direction of the carrier tape 20, and the two second tape pressing portions 41b are provided along the conveying direction. However, the second tape pressing portion 41b may also be single and extend along the conveying direction of the carrier tape 20. Alternatively, the single second tape pressing portion 41b may extend along the conveying direction of the carrier tape 20, and the two first tape pressing portions 41a may be provided along the conveying direction.

[0080] The spring member 32S functions as a force-applying portion that applies a downward force to the cover member 32 toward the frame 31. Thus, the tape pressing portion 41 can reliably press from above the base tape 21 from which the top tape 22 has been peeled, near the recess 23 arranged at the component supply position 13K. However, the force-applying portion is not limited to the spring member 32S. For example, a thick-walled portion may be provided at the rear end of the cover member 32 where the tape pressing portion 41 is provided, so that the rear end becomes heavier than the front end, or a material with a high specific gravity may be added to the rear end of the cover member 32. Such a structure may also constitute a force-applying portion that applies a downward force to the cover member 32 toward the frame 31 by utilizing its own weight. Alternatively, a force-applying portion implemented by a spring member may be provided so as to apply a downward force to the rear end of the cover member 32 toward the frame 31.

[0081] According to the present disclosure, a tape feeder can be provided that can reduce the occurrence of pickup errors due to the vibration of the tape member while suppressing costs. Therefore, the present invention is useful for a component assembly device.

Claims

1. A tape feeder for conveying a tape member, the tape member comprising: A base belt having a plurality of recesses for receiving components; and a top tape covering and adhering to the base tape, wherein the tape member is provided with a feed hole, the tape feeder peels the top tape from the base tape at a prescribed peeling position and supplies the component to the component supply position, wherein The tape feeder comprises: a belt conveying unit including a sprocket and a drive motor, wherein the sprocket has outer peripheral teeth that engage with the feed hole of the belt member, the drive motor rotates the sprocket, and the belt conveying unit conveys the belt member by rotating the sprocket; a frame having a belt passage for passage of the belt member; and a cover member covering at least a portion of an area of ​​the tape path exposed on the upper surface of the frame, i.e., an upper surface area of ​​the frame, and including an upper wall portion opposed to the upper surface area of ​​the frame, wherein a component removal port is provided on the upper wall portion, the component removal port being used to remove the component from a recess, among the plurality of recesses, that is arranged at the component supply position in a state where the top tape is peeled off from the base tape. A tape pressing portion is provided on the upper wall portion of the cover member, the tape pressing portion including a pressing surface located below the lower surface of the upper wall portion, for pressing the base tape from which the top tape has been peeled off, near the recessed portion arranged at the component supply position, from above by means of the pressing surface. The belt pressing portion protrudes toward the component removal port.

2. A tape feeder for conveying a tape member, the tape member comprising: A base belt having a plurality of recesses for receiving components; and a top tape covering and adhering to the base tape, wherein the tape member is provided with a feed hole, the tape feeder peels the top tape from the base tape at a prescribed peeling position and supplies the component to the component supply position, wherein The tape feeder comprises: a belt conveying unit including a sprocket and a drive motor, wherein the sprocket has outer peripheral teeth that engage with the feed hole of the belt member, the drive motor rotates the sprocket, and the belt conveying unit conveys the belt member by rotating the sprocket; a frame having a belt passage for passage of the belt member; and a cover member covering at least a portion of an area of ​​the tape path exposed on the upper surface of the frame, i.e., an upper surface area of ​​the frame, and including an upper wall portion opposed to the upper surface area of ​​the frame, wherein a component removal port is provided on the upper wall portion, the component removal port being used to remove the component from a recess, among the plurality of recesses, that is arranged at the component supply position in a state where the top tape is peeled off from the base tape. A tape pressing portion is provided on the upper wall portion of the cover member, the tape pressing portion including a pressing surface located below the lower surface of the upper wall portion, for pressing the base tape from which the top tape has been peeled off, near the recessed portion arranged at the component supply position, from above by means of the pressing surface. The tape pressing portion has a shape that presses, from above, a region of the base tape from which the top tape has been peeled, the region surrounding the recessed portion disposed at the component supply position.

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