Sorting machine for testing electronic components

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sorting machine for testing electronic components. The sorting machine for testing electronic components according to the present invention has the following structure: If the moving hand moves the electronic component to the holder through the holder capable of holding the electronic component, then after the testing hand moves the electronic component from the holder to the tester side, an electrical connection is established between the electronic component and the tester. To this end, the stacker section for supplying and recycling the electronic components has features. According to the present invention, large electronic components such as solid-state drives can be automatically electrically connected to the tester, and in particular, various specifications of electronic components can be processed, thus having the effect of minimizing the construction cost for testing electronic components.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting machine for testing electronic components that supports supplying electronic components to a tester for testing. Background Art

[0002] Produced electronic components (such as SSDs, circuit boards, semiconductor elements, etc.) are tested by a tester and then classified into good products and defective products, and only the good products are shipped out.

[0003] An electronic component can be tested only when it is electrically connected to a tester. At this time, a device that supports testing an electronic component by electrically connecting the electronic component to the tester is a sorting machine for testing electronic components (hereinafter simply referred to as "sorting machine").

[0004] In the past, relatively large electronic components such as solid state drives (SSDs) were supported for testing by directly connecting them to a tester or disconnecting them by an operator. However, with the surge in demand for solid state drives, the present applicant has developed a sorting machine for automatically handling solid state drives to electrically connect or disconnect them from a tester, and the present invention relates to such a sorting machine.

[0005]

Prior Art Documents

[0006]

Patent Documents

[0007] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0050483

[0008] (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0061291 Summary of the Invention

[0009] The present invention is proposed to complete a sorting machine that can automatically supply large and particularly variously sized electronic components such as solid state drives carried in to a tester, or can recover and carry out the electronic components from the tester.

[0010] The sorting machine for testing electronic components according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: a stacker section that houses and places a customer tray with electronic components to be tested or a customer tray with electronic components that have completed testing; a connection section that takes out the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray transferred from the stacker section and electrically connects the electronic components to a tester, or places the electronic components that have completed testing by the tester on the customer tray; and a transfer section that transfers the customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the stacker section to the connection section, and transfers the customer tray with electronic components that have completed testing from the connection section to the stacker section. Among them, the stacker section includes: at least one access stacker for receiving a customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or transferring a customer tray with electronic components that have completed testing to the outside; at least one storage stacker for storing the customer tray received from the outside through the access stacker, or storing the customer tray that needs to be transferred to the outside through the access stacker before transferring it to the access stacker; and a conveyor that supplies the customer tray loaded with electronic components to be tested placed on the access stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer section, and recovers the customer tray loaded with electronic components that have completed testing from the transfer section and loads it on the access stacker or the storage stacker. Among them, the connection section includes: a rest that can rest the electronic components; a moving hand that moves the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray transferred from the stacker section by the transfer section and places the electronic components on the rest, or moves the electronic components that have completed testing placed on the rest to the customer tray; and a testing hand that moves the electronic components to be tested placed on the rest and electrically connects the electronic components to the tester, or moves the electronic components that have completed testing and places the electronic components on the rest.

[0011] By installing an adapter for placing the electronic components on the rest, the rest can rest the electronic components through the adapter. The moving hand places the electronic components to be tested on the adapter or takes out the electronic components that have completed testing from the adapter. The testing hand moves the electronic components placed on the rest so that the electronic components are electrically connected to the tester.

[0012] The adapter can be detachably installed on the rest, and the testing hand moves the electronic components placed on the adapter by moving the adapter.

[0013] The connecting portion further includes: a reciprocating mover that moves the holder between a first working area which is the area where the moving hand performs operations and a second working area which is the area where the testing hand performs operations; wherein the first working area and the second working area are separated from each other.

[0014] The connecting portion further includes: a converter that rotates the holder to convert the posture of the electronic component placed on the holder from a lying state to a standing state, or from a standing state to a lying state, wherein the moving hand can grip the electronic component in a lying state, and the testing hand can grip the electronic component in a standing state.

[0015] The converter converts the posture of the electronic component so that the terminal side portion of the electronic component can be inserted into the test slot.

[0016] The stacker portion further includes: at least one buffer stacker provided separately from the access stacker and the storage stacker, and the conveyor can temporarily load and place the lid tray or the customer tray located on the access stacker or the storage stacker on the buffer stacker. The lid tray is a tray that covers the upper customer tray of the customer tray in bundles. Wherein the buffer stacker includes: a support member that forms a storage space capable of accommodating the lid tray or the customer tray while supporting the side surface of the lid tray or the customer tray accommodated in the storage space; and a support plate that supports the lid tray or the customer tray accommodated in the storage space.

[0017] The buffer stacker may further include: a lifter for lifting and lowering the support plate.

[0018] The electronic component testing and sorting machine according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: a holder capable of holding a solid-state drive; a moving hand that grips the solid-state drive placed in a lying state on the customer tray by vacuum adsorption and moves the solid-state drive to the holder; a converter that rotates the solid-state drive placed on the holder by rotating the holder, thereby converting the posture of the solid-state drive; and a testing hand that grips the solid-state drive or the adapter on which the solid-state drive is placed whose posture has been converted by the converter and electrically connects the solid-state drive or the adapter to the tester. Wherein the converter rotates the holder so that the solid-state drive rotates with a virtual line that is a long straight line in the moving direction of the solid-state drive and divides the terminal side portion of the solid-state drive into two halves as the rotation axis, so as to insert the terminal side portion of the solid-state drive into the test slot of the tester.

[0019] According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved: large electronic components (such as solid state drives) can be automatically electrically connected to a tester, and in particular, electronic components of various specifications can be processed, thereby minimizing the construction cost for testing electronic components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 FIG. is a reference diagram for explaining the electrical connection structure between an electronic component and a tester.

[0021] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic plan view of a sorter for testing an electronic component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 FIG. is for Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of the sorter.

[0023] Figure 4 FIG. is an extraction view of the stacker part of the sorter applied to Figure 2 FIG.

[0024] Figure 5 FIG. is an extraction view of the loading / unloading stacker of the stacker part applied to Figure 4 FIG.

[0025] Figure 6 FIG. is for Figure 5 a disassembled perspective view of the loading / unloading stacker.

[0026] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic reference diagram for explaining the function of the first opening / closing device of the loading / unloading stacker applied to Figure 5 FIG.

[0027] Figure 8 FIG. shows the forward / backward state of the receiver of the loading / unloading stacker applied to Figure 5 FIG.

[0028] Figure 9 FIG. is an extraction view of the first forward / backward mover of the loading / unloading stacker applied to Figure 5 FIG.

[0029] Figure 10 FIG. shows the rotation of the receiver of the loading / unloading stacker applied to Figure 5 FIG.

[0030] Figure 11 FIG. is an extraction view of the first mover of the loading / unloading stacker applied to Figure 5 FIG.

[0031] Figure 12 FIG. is for explaining the application to Figure 11Conceptual diagram of the rotation axis of the first mover.

[0032] Figure 13 It is for the Figure 2 Extraction diagram of the storage stacker for the sorter.

[0033] Figure 14 It is for the Figure 4 Extraction diagram of the conveyor for the stacker part.

[0034] Figure 15 It is for the Figure 14 Extraction diagram of the first gripper of the conveyor.

[0035] Figure 16 It is for the Figure 14 Extraction diagram of the second gripper of the conveyor.

[0036] Figure 17 It is for Figure 16 Exploded view of the second gripper.

[0037] Figure 18 It is the extraction of Figure 16 Extraction diagram of a part of the second gripper.

[0038] Figure 19 It is applied to Figure 4 Extraction diagram of the buffer stacker for the stacker part.

[0039] Figure 20 It is for the Figure 19 Extraction diagram of the lifter of the buffer stacker.

[0040] Figure 21 It is for the Figure 2 Extraction diagram of the connection part of the sorter.

[0041] Figure 22 It is for the Figure 21 Extraction diagram of the main part of the connection part.

[0042] Figure 23 It is for the Figure 21 Extraction diagram of the restrainer of the main part.

[0043] Figure 24 It is for the Figure 21 Extraction diagram of the restrainer of the main part.

[0044] Figure 25 It is for the Figure 21 Extraction diagram of the test hand of the connection part.

[0045] Figure 26 It is for theFigure 25 Extracted drawing of the clamping member of the test hand

[0046] Figure 27 It is for applying to Figure 25 Extracted drawing of the opening member of the test hand

[0047] Figure 28 It is for applying to Figure 25 Extracted drawing of the connecting member of the test hand

[0048] Figure 29 It is for applying to Figure 2 Schematic perspective view of the transfer part of the sorter

[0049] Figure 30 It is for applying to Figure 29 Schematic extracted drawing of the feeder of the transfer part

[0050] Figure 31 It is for applying to Figure 29 Schematic extracted drawing of the supply lifter of the transfer part

[0051] Figure 32 It is for applying to Figure 29 Schematic extracted drawing of the transfer device of the transfer part

[0052] Figure 33 Illustrates various forms of a solid - state drive as a type of electronic component

[0053] Figure 34 Reference drawing for explaining the rotation of the solid - state drive

[0054] Symbol Explanation

[0055] HR: Sorter for electronic component testing SP: Stacker part

[0056] 100: In - out stacker 200: Storage stacker

[0057] 400: Conveyor 500: Buffer stacker

[0058] 511: Support 512: Support disk

[0059] 513: Lifter CP: Connection part

[0060] 610: Holder 620: Moving hand

[0061] 640: Converter 650: Reciprocating mover

[0062] 660: Test hand TP: Transfer part Detailed Description of the Invention

[0063] Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brevity of description, descriptions of repeated or substantially identical components will be omitted or reduced as much as possible.

[0064] <Description of the electrical connection between the electronic component and the tester>

[0065] The sorter according to the present invention is more suitable for applications where a part on the contact terminal side of an electronic component such as a solid state drive (SSD) is inserted into a test slot of a tester.

[0066] For example, as Figure 1 shown, the tester TESTER is equipped with a test slot S, and the electronic component ED is electrically connected to the tester TESTER by inserting a part on the terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S.

[0067] <Schematic description of the overall structure of the sorter>

[0068] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a sorter HR according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is for Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of the sorter HR.

[0069] The sorter HR according to the present embodiment includes a stacker part SP, a connection part CP, and a transfer part TP.

[0070] The stacker part SP houses a customer tray CT on which an electronic component ED is placed. Such a stacker part SP is used to receive from the outside a customer tray CT on which an electronic component ED to be tested is placed, or to convey a customer tray CT on which an electronic component ED that has completed the test is placed to the outside. Also, the stacker part SP is used as a storage for customer trays CT carried in from the outside or to be carried out to the outside.

[0071] The connection part CP takes out the electronic component ED from the customer tray CT conveyed from the stacker part SP and electrically connects it to the tester TESTER located behind, or classifies the electronic component ED that has completed the test by the tester TESTER according to the test grade and places it on the customer tray CT.

[0072] The transfer section TP transfers the customer tray CT between the stacker section SP and the connection section CP. That is, the customer tray CT on which the electronic component ED to be tested is placed is supplied from the stacker section SP to the connection section CP through the transfer section TP, and the customer tray CT on which the tested electronic component ED is placed is recovered from the connection section CP to the stacker section SP through the transfer section TP.

[0073] The following will classify each part (SP, CP, TP) according to the table of contents and provide a more detailed description.

[0074] <Description of the stacker section>

[0075] As Figure 4 shown in the schematic extraction diagram, the stacker section SP has 5 loading / unloading stackers 100, 5 storage stackers 200, 5 stackers 300, a conveyor 400, and 2 buffer stackers 500. In the following description of this stacker section SP, "outer side" and "inner side" are defined based on the layout relationship between the stackers of symbols 100, 200, and 300 and the conveyor 400. That is, the side facing the stackers of symbols 100, 200, and 300 from the conveyor 400 (the left side in the Figure 2 plan view) is defined as the "outer side", and the side facing the conveyor 400 from the stackers of symbols 100, 200, and 300 is defined as the "inner side" (the right side in the Figure 2 plan view).

[0076] 1. Description of the loading / unloading stacker

[0077] The loading / unloading stackers 100 all have the same structure and are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction (the front-back direction based on the Figure 2 picture). There are 5 of them.

[0078] The loading / unloading stacker 100 is used to receive the customer tray CT in bundles on which the electronic component ED to be tested is placed from the outside, or to transfer the customer tray CT in bundles on which the tested electronic component ED is placed to the outside. That is, the 5 loading / unloading stackers 100 can all be used to carry the customer tray CT into the sorter HR or to carry the customer tray CT out of the sorter HR according to the control. For this purpose, as Figure 5 shown in the extraction diagram and Figure 6 the exploded perspective view, the loading / unloading stacker 100 includes a receiver 110, a first opener / closer 120, a moving plate 130, a substrate 140, a first forward / backward mover 150, a rotator 160, and a first mover 170.

[0079] The storage unit 110 can store customer trays CT in bundles. That is, the customer trays CT carried into or out of the sorter HR by an operator or an automated system are in a state where multiple of them are bundled together. And, depending on the situation, the uppermost customer tray CT may also be covered by a separate lid tray. Therefore, the storage unit 110 needs to ensure a first storage space S1 capable of storing customer trays CT in bundles received from the outside or conveyed to the outside. For this purpose, the storage unit 110 includes first supports 111o, 111i and a rotating plate 112.

[0080] The first supports 111o, 111i support the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer tray CT, thereby preventing the customer tray CT stored in the first storage space S1 from detaching. Therefore, the first supports 111o, 111i form a first storage space S1 capable of storing the customer tray CT inside the edges connecting them.

[0081] The rotating plate 112 is rotatably arranged, and a conveyor belt 171 of a first opening / closing device 120 and a first mover 170 described later is provided on the rotating plate 112. Obviously, the customer tray CT is placed on the conveyor belt 171. In addition, the first supports 111o, 111i are fixedly provided on the rotating plate 112.

[0082] The first opening / closing device 120 rotates the first support 111i in the inner direction of the sorter HR forward or backward, so that the first support 111i can support the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer tray CT in the inner direction, or as Figure 7 shown in the reference diagram, release the support for this side surface. At this time, if the first support 111i is in a state of releasing the support for the four corners of the customer tray CT in the inner direction, the first storage space S1 opens in the inner direction, so that the customer tray CT can move in the inner direction.

[0083] The moving plate 130 is provided to be movable in the inner and outer directions and is provided with a rotator 160 described later.

[0084] The substrate 140 is fixed, and the moving plate 130 is movably rail-coupled to the rail R on the substrate in the inner and outer directions. And a second cylinder 153 of a first forward / backward mover 150 and an operation motor 172 of the first mover 170 are provided on the substrate 140.

[0085] As shown in the conceptual diagrams of (a) and (b) of the reference Figure 8 After the first forward / backward mover 150 moves the storage unit 110 forward to the outside of the sorter HR to become the state of (a) of Figure 8 and then moves the storage unit 110 backward again to restore it to asFigure 8 The original position shown in (b). According to this embodiment, the storage stacker 200 is located above the access stacker 100. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator or the automated system to store the customer tray CT in the storage device 110 or retrieve the customer tray CT retrieved from the storage device 110. To solve this problem, in this embodiment, the storage device 110 is moved forward and outward of the sorter HR by the first forward and backward mover 150, so that the operator or the automated system can store the customer tray CT in the first storage space S1 or retrieve the customer tray CT from the first storage space S1. And if the customer tray CT is stored in the first storage space S1 or retrieved from the first storage space S1, the first forward and backward mover 150 moves the storage device 110 backward to the inside of the sorter HR, so that the storage device 110 returns to its original position. For this purpose, as Figure 9 As shown in the extraction drawing, the first forward and backward mover 150 is composed of a first cylinder 151, a support plate 152, and a second cylinder 153.

[0086] Since the piston rod of the first cylinder 151 is coupled to the moving plate 130, when the first cylinder 151 operates, the moving plate 130 moves once in the inner and outer directions.

[0087] The support plate 152 is coupled to the base plate 140 in a trackable manner so as to be movable in the inner and outer directions. The first cylinder 151 is fixedly provided on the support plate 152.

[0088] The second cylinder 153 is fixedly provided on the base plate 140, and its piston rod is coupled to the support plate 152. Therefore, when the second cylinder 153 operates, the support plate 152 moves in the inner and outer directions, so that the moving plate 130 makes a secondary movement.

[0089] As described above, by applying the two cylinders 151 and 153, the moving plate 130 can be repeatedly moved, so that the moving distance of the storage device 110 can be sufficiently ensured.

[0090] The rotator 160 rotates the rotating plate 112 forward or backward at an angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, considering the electrical connection direction between the electronic component ED and the tester TESTER, even if the direction of the customer tray CT supplied by the conventional automated system is supplied with a difference equivalent to 90 degrees, the direction of the customer tray CT can be corrected by the operation of the rotator 160. For example, when the conventionally provided automated system supplies the customer tray CT in the correct direction, there is no need to operate the rotator 160. However, if the conventionally provided automated system supplies the customer tray CT in a direction with a difference equivalent to 90 degrees from the normal direction, then as shown in the reference Figure 10As shown in the conceptual diagram, after rotating the rotator 160 to rotate the receiver 110 forward by 90 degrees, if the customer tray CT is received in the first receiving space S1, it is rotated backward by 90 degrees again, so that the direction of the customer tray CT can be corrected. Therefore, for any type of electronic component ED, the previously set automated system can be directly used to smoothly move the customer tray CT into the sorter HR or smoothly move the customer tray CT out of the sorter HR. Of course, for minimizing the installation space, it is preferably implemented and controlled in such a way that the rotator 160 rotates only when the receiver 110 moves forward to the outside of the sorter HR.

[0091] As a reference, in this embodiment, the rotator 160 is composed of a cylinder 161, a rack 162, a pinion 163, etc. However, according to the implementation manner, as long as it is a structure capable of rotating the rotating plate 112, it can be appropriately applied in any form.

[0092] The first mover 170 is configured to move the customer tray CT in bundles received in the receiver 110 in the inner direction to withdraw the customer tray CT from the first receiving space S1, or move the customer tray CT transmitted from the inside in the outer direction to make the customer tray CT enter the first receiving space S1. In this embodiment, as Figure 11 shown in the extraction diagram, although the first mover 170 is implemented as having a conveyor belt 171, as long as it is a structure capable of moving the customer tray CT in bundles in the inner and outer directions, it is not limited to the conveyor belt structure. Such a first mover 170 has a running motor 172 for running the conveyor belt 171, a rotating shaft 173, and a power transmission device 174.

[0093] The running motor 172 provides power for the cyclic movement of the conveyor belt 171.

[0094] The rotating shaft 173 rotates by the power of the running motor 172.

[0095] The power transmission device 174 transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft 173 to the conveyor belt 171.

[0096] As a reference, as Figure 12 shown in the conceptual diagram, the rotating shaft 173 is divided into an upper shaft 173T, a lower shaft 173B, and a moving shaft 173M. The moving shaft 173M coupled to the lower shaft 173B is lifted and lowered by a lifting member 175, so that the upper shaft 173T and the moving shaft 173M can be coupled or decoupled from each other and separated. Therefore, when the moving plate 130 is in the forward and backward or outward forward state, as Figure 12As shown in (a) thereof, the moving shaft 173M descends by means of the lifting member 175 so that the upper shaft 173T and the moving shaft 173M are in a separated state, thereby preventing interference between the rotating shaft 173 and the moving plate 130. Of course, in the state where the moving plate 130 returns to its original position, especially when the first mover 170 operates to withdraw the customer pallet CT in bundles from the first storage space S1, as Figure 12 shown in (b) thereof, the moving shaft 173M needs to rise by means of the lifting member 175 so that the moving shaft 173M is coupled to the upper shaft 173T, thereby enabling the power of the operating motor 172 to be transmitted to the conveyor belt 171 through the rotating shaft 173 and the power transmitter 174. For reference, the lower shaft 173B is connected to the operating motor 172, and the upper shaft 173T is gear-engaged with the power transmitter 174 side.

[0097] Next, the operation of the in-out stacker 100 will be described.

[0098] First, when the customer pallet CT is supplied in bundles by an operator or an automated system, the first forward-backward mover 150 operates to move the receiver 110 forward in the outer direction of the sorter HR. In this state, the customer pallet CT in bundles descends from above and is loaded into the first storage space S1. At this time, if the direction of the customer pallet CT needs to be corrected, before the customer pallet CT descends, the rotator 160 is operated in advance to rotate the receiver 110 forward by 90 degrees. If the customer pallet CT in bundles is stored in the first storage space S1, the rotator 160 operates in the reverse direction to rotate the receiver 110 backward by -90 degrees.

[0099] If the customer pallet CT in bundles is stored in the first storage space S1, the first forward-backward mover 150 operates to move the receiver 110 backward in the inner direction of the sorter HR, thereby returning the receiver 110 to its original position.

[0100] In addition, when the customer pallet CT in bundles located in the first storage space S1 needs to be moved in the inner direction, the first opener 120 operates to rotate the first support member 111i located inside forward, thereby opening the first storage space S1 in the inner direction. And in this state, the first mover 170 operates to move the customer pallet CT in bundles in the inner direction, thereby withdrawing the customer pallet CT in bundles from the first storage space S1 in the inner direction.

[0101] 2. Description of the storage stacker

[0102] Each of the five storage stackers 200 has the same structure and is located below the access stacker 100 respectively. It is used to store the customer pallets CT in bundles received from the outside through the access stacker 100, or to store the customer pallets CT in bundles that need to be transferred to the outside through the access stacker 100 before transferring them to the access stacker 100, etc. For this purpose, as Figure 13 shown in the extraction diagram of

[0103] The four support members 211o, 211i support the corners of the four sides of the customer pallet CT and form a second storage space S2 capable of accommodating the customer pallet CT.

[0104] The second opening / closing device 220 and the second moving device 270 are substantially the same as the first opening / closing device 120 and the first moving device 170 respectively, so their descriptions are omitted.

[0105] 3. Description of the stacker 300

[0106] Each of the five stackers 300 has the same structure and is located below the access stacker 100. This stacker 300 substantially has almost the same structure as the access stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200, so its detailed description is omitted.

[0107] The stacker 300 can be applied to various uses as exemplified below.

[0108] For example, when the lid pallet covers the uppermost customer pallet CT among the customer pallets CT in bundles, any one of the stackers 300 can be used for the purpose of storing the lid pallet.

[0109] For example, the stacker 300 can be used for the purpose of storing the customer pallet CT on which electronic components ED with a small number of defective products are determined to be placed.

[0110] For example, the stacker 300 can be used for the purpose of classifying and temporarily storing good electronic components ED according to the test level.

[0111] For example, when it is difficult to move the customer pallet CT using the current access stacker 100 or storage stacker 200, the stacker 300 can be used for the purpose of temporarily standby.

[0112] That is, the stacker 300 can function as a multi-purpose stacker that can be applied to various uses according to control.

[0113] Also, for such a stacker crane 300, it can be preferably considered that the storage capacity of its customer pallet CT is smaller than that of the incoming / outgoing stacker crane 100 or the storage stacker crane 200 to prevent the enlargement of the sorter HR.

[0114] 4. Description of the conveyor

[0115] The conveyor 400 is provided to be responsible for the movement of the following customer pallets CT carried out in the stacker crane section SP: moving the customer pallets CT in bundles at one time between the incoming / outgoing stacker crane 100 and the storage stacker crane 200, or supplying the customer pallets CT in single sheets (referring to one sheet) located in the incoming / outgoing stacker crane 100 or the storage stacker crane 200 to the transfer device TA, etc. Of course, the conveyor 400 also moves the customer pallets CT in single sheets transferred by the transfer device TA to the stacker cranes 100, 200, and 300. For this purpose, as Figure 14 shown in the extracted figure, the conveyor 400 includes a first gripper 410, a second gripper 420, a lifter 430, and a horizontal mover 440.

[0116] The first gripper 410 is provided above the second gripper 420 and can grip or release the customer pallets CT in bundles at one time. For this purpose, as Figure 15 shown in the extracted figure, the first gripper 410 includes third supports 411o, 411i, a third opener / closer 412, and a third mover 413.

[0117] The third supports 411o, 411i support the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer pallets CT in bundles, and a storage space S3 capable of storing the customer pallets CT in bundles is formed inside them. Such third supports 411o, 411i are integrally provided on the upper surface of the coupling plate JP.

[0118] The third opener / closer 412 rotates the third support 411o located in the outer direction so that the customer pallets CT in bundles moving horizontally inward or outward can enter or exit the storage space S3. That is, the storage space S3 is opened or closed to the outside according to the rotation state of the third support 411o by the operation of the third opener / closer 412.

[0119] The third mover 413 is provided to horizontally move the customer pallets CT in bundles that enter or exit the storage space S3, and in this embodiment, it is implemented in the same manner as the first mover 170 and includes a conveyor belt 413a.

[0120] The second gripper 420 is provided on the lower side of the first gripper 410. That is, the first gripper 410 and the second gripper 420 are arranged in alignment in the vertical direction and are joined with a bonding plate JP interposed therebetween. That is, the first gripper 410 is also provided on the bonding plate JP, and the second gripper 420 is also provided on the bonding plate JP.

[0121] The second gripper 420 can grip or release a customer tray CT in units of single sheets. For this purpose, as Figure 16 the extracted drawing of, Figure 17 the exploded perspective view of, and Figure 18 the partial extracted drawing of shown, the second gripper 420 includes a first forward and backward moving plate 421, a second forward and backward moving plate 422, a pair of gripping rods 423, a pair of spacing adjustment sources 424, and a second forward and backward mover 425.

[0122] The first forward and backward moving plate 421 is orbitally joined to the bonding plate JP so as to be able to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0123] The second forward and backward moving plate 422 is orbitally joined to the first forward and backward moving plate 421 so as to be able to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0124] A pair of gripping rods 423 are provided on the second forward and backward moving plate 422 so as to face each other in the front and rear directions in the drawing, and have gripping hooks GH for gripping a customer tray CT in units of single sheets.

[0125] A pair of spacing adjustment sources 424 provide power for narrowing or widening the spacing between the pair of gripping rods 423. Therefore, according to the operating state of the pair of spacing adjustment sources 424, the pair of gripping rods 423 are in a state of gripping the customer tray CT or in a state of releasing the gripping.

[0126] The second forward and backward mover 425 provides a forward and backward moving force that enables the first forward and backward moving plate 421 and the second forward and backward moving plate 422 to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions. Such a second forward and backward mover 425 has a double conveyor belt structure and includes a drive motor 425a, a first conveyor belt 425b, and a second conveyor belt 425c.

[0127] The drive motor 425a provides power for circulating and rotating the first conveyor belt 425b and the second conveyor belt 425c.

[0128] The first conveyor belt 425b is provided on the bonding plate JP. And, the first forward and backward moving plate 421 is joined to the first conveyor belt 425b, so that the first forward and backward moving plate 421 linearly moves in the inner and outer directions by the circulating rotation of the first conveyor belt 425b.

[0129] The second conveyor belt 425c is provided on the first forward and backward moving plate 421. And, a second forward and backward moving plate 422 is coupled at a location P1 on one side of the second conveyor belt 425c, and a coupling member JE is interposed at a location P2 on the other side and is coupled to a coupling plate JP. Here, in order to eliminate interference between the coupling member JE and the first forward and backward moving plate 421, a through hole TH through which the coupling member JE can pass is formed along the inner and outer directions on the first forward and backward moving plate 421 and is formed to be long.

[0130] As a reference, it can be preferably considered that: in the second gripper 420, a pressing plate PP elastically supported by an elastic member E such as a spring is provided to elastically press the upper surface of the gripped customer tray CT for stably gripping the customer tray CT. Of course, the elastic member E is provided between the pressing plate PP and the second forward and backward moving plate 422. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first forward and backward moving plate 421 and the second forward and backward moving plate 422 are provided to sufficiently ensure the moving distance of the gripping rod 423, and the double conveyor belts 425b and 425c are applied, but it can also be fully considered to be implemented with only one forward and backward moving plate provided with the gripping rod 423, and the second forward and backward mover 425 only moves the one forward and backward moving plate forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0131] The lifter 430 moves the mutually coupled first gripper 410 and second gripper 420 together in the vertical direction.

[0132] The horizontal mover 440 finally moves the first gripper 410 and the second gripper 420 coupled to the lifter 430 together in the horizontal direction by moving the lifter 430 in the horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction refers to the horizontal line direction perpendicular to the direction in which the customer tray CT moves inward or outward in units of bundles (in the Figure 2 figure is the front-rear direction).

[0133] Next, taking the example of gripping a single customer tray CT from the storage stacker 200, the operation of the second gripper 420 will be described.

[0134] Operate the lifter 430 and the horizontal mover 440 to position the second gripper 420 at a position corresponding to the storage stacker 200 where the operation is required. Then, operate the second forward and backward mover 425 to move the second forward and backward moving plate 422 into the second storage space S2 of the storage stacker 200. Thereby, the pair of gripping rods 423 are positioned on the front and rear sides of the uppermost customer tray CT. Subsequently, operate the spacing adjuster 424 to narrow the spacing between the pair of gripping rods 423, thereby gripping the customer tray CT. At this time, the gripping hook GH enters the gap between the upper customer tray CT and the lower customer tray CT. And, the lifter 430 slightly lifts the second gripper 420 to completely separate the upper customer tray CT gripped by the second gripper 420 from the lower customer tray CT so that there is no interference between them. Then, operate the second forward and backward mover 425 in the reverse direction to withdraw the second forward and backward moving plate 420 from the second storage space S2. Through the above operations, the conveyor 400 can take out the customer trays CT one by one from the storage stacker 200. Of course, by the reverse operation, the conveyor 400 can also move the customer trays CT one by one toward the storage stacker 200.

[0135] That is, the conveyor 400 of the present embodiment as described above can move the customer trays CT in bundles at one time using the first gripper 410, or can move only one customer tray CT one by one using the second gripper 420. Therefore, the operation of moving the customer trays CT in bundles or the operation of moving the customer trays CT one by one can be made non-interfering, thereby preventing the sorter HR from being overly large.

[0136] 5. Description of the buffer stacker

[0137] Two buffer stackers 500 are provided inside the access stacker 100, the storage stacker 200, and the stacker 300 so as to be spaced apart from each other in order to make the logistics process of the customer trays CT rapid and smooth. In the present embodiment, they are provided below the second gripper 420.

[0138] As Figure 19 shown in the extraction drawing, the buffer stacker 500 is equipped with four fourth support members 511, a support disk 512, a lifter 513, a setting plate 514, and four guide members 515.

[0139] The fourth support members 511 form a fourth storage space S4 capable of accommodating the lid tray and support the four corner side surfaces of the lid tray accommodated in the fourth storage space S4.

[0140] The support disk 512 supports the lid tray accommodated in the fourth storage space S4.

[0141] The lifter 513 raises and lowers the support plate 512, as shown in the extraction drawing of Figure 20 and includes a lifting motor 513a, a conveyor belt 513b, a lifting shaft 513c, and a rotating member 513d.

[0142] The lifting motor 513a generates power for raising and lowering the lifting shaft 513c.

[0143] The conveyor belt 513b transmits the lifting rotational force generated by the lifting motor 513a to the rotating member 513d.

[0144] The lifting shaft 513c is in the form of a long rod in the vertical direction and is finally liftably coupled to the side of the setting plate 514.

[0145] The rotating member 513d is rotatably coupled to the setting plate 514. Also, the lifting shaft 513c and the rotating member 513d are coupled by a bolt and nut coupling method. If the rotating member 513d rotates by the operation of the lifting motor 513a, it is realized that the lifting shaft 513c whose rotation is prohibited is lifted and lowered.

[0146] The setting plate 514 is provided for setting the support member 511, the lifting motor 513a, the lifting shaft 513c, and the rotating member 513d.

[0147] The guide member 515 guides the lifting movement of the support plate 512 and the lifting shaft 513c coupled to the support plate 512, and prohibits the rotation of the support plate 512 and the lifting shaft 513c.

[0148] As a reference, in this embodiment, it is expected to load the lid tray on the buffer stacker 500, but according to the embodiment, it is also entirely possible to be dedicated to the use of temporarily loading the customer tray CT.

[0149] In addition, in this embodiment, a lifting motor 513a is provided for the lifting of the support plate 512, but according to the implementation, a lifting cylinder can also be used instead. However, if the lid trays are stacked on the support plate 512, the lifting height of the support plate 512 needs to be adjusted. Therefore, compared with the lifting cylinder, the lifting motor 513a that can adjust the lifting height can be more appropriately considered.

[0150] Next, the use of the buffer stacker 500 will be described.

[0151] If it is desired to move the customer pallets CT in bundles located in the in-out stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200 to the connection part CP in single sheets, it is necessary to first remove the topmost lid pallet. However, if the time for the removal process is long, the logistics of the movement of the customer pallets CT will be correspondingly delayed. Therefore, a method is adopted in which the lid pallet is first moved to the buffer stacker 500 using the conveyor 400, and then the customer pallets CT are moved to the transfer part TP. Of course, the lid pallets located in the buffer stacker 500 can be transferred to the storage stacker 300 during the rest period of the conveyor 400.

[0152] Furthermore, it can be realized that the customer pallets CT transferred from the connection part CP through the transfer part TP can also pass through the buffer stacker 500 in the logistics process.

[0153] Preferably, the buffer stacker 500 as described above is equipped at the leftmost part in a part of the right side (inside) area of the storage stacker 200, the in-out stacker 100, and the stacker 300 arranged in the vertical direction from the first floor to the third floor, and is also equipped in the lower area on the movement path of the second gripper 420. The reason is to place the buffer stacker 500 in the closest position when quickly temporarily storing the lid pallets and the incoming customer pallets CT.

[0154] <Description of the connection part>

[0155] As Figure 21 shown in the conceptual plan view of Figure 22 and the extraction view of the main part I of

[0156] shown, the connection part CP includes a rest 610, a moving hand 620, an opener 630, a converter 640, a reciprocating mover 650, and a test hand 660. Figure 23 The rest 610 is used to rest the electronic component ED. Referring to the (a) part and (b) part of the extraction view as

[0157] shown, the rest 610 includes a pair of fixed members 611, a drive source 612, and a pair of transmission members 613.

[0158] The drive source 612 supplies a driving force for adjusting the distance between a pair of fixed members 611, and is configured as a cylinder in this embodiment.

[0159] The transmission member 613 transmits the driving force applied by the drive source 612 to the pair of fixed members 611. In this embodiment, although a structure is adopted in which the forward and backward force of the drive source 612 as a cylinder is converted into the left and right moving force of the fixed member 611 while the transmission member 613 rotates, various deformations can be made according to the implementation.

[0160] The moving hand 620 moves the electronic component ED to be tested by the customer tray CT transferred from the stacker part SP by the transfer part TP and places the electronic component ED on the holder 610, or moves the tested electronic component ED placed on the holder 610 to the customer tray CT. Such a moving hand 620 holds the lying electronic component ED by vacuum adsorption, and at this time, by providing a plurality of adsorption members, it is realized that one or more adsorption members selectively adsorb, so that it can be realized to adsorb and hold all electronic components ED of various sizes (refer to Korean Application No. 10-2020-0019380).

[0161] The opener 630 is used when applying the adapter AD as shown in Figure 24 order to place the electronic component ED on the holder 610. Here, the adapter AD is a transporter for handling relatively small electronic components ED having a size that is difficult to directly place on the holder 610 (refer to Korean Application No. 10-2021-0017446). That is, the opener 630 pushes the operating member OE of the adapter AD located in the first operation area W1 to open the adapter AD, so that the moving hand 620 can load or unload the electronic component ED on the adapter AD. Such an opener 630 can be composed of a pusher 631 and a forward and backward source 632, where the pusher 631 is used to push the operating member OE, the operating member OE is operated to open the adapter AD, and the forward and backward source 632 is used to move the pusher 631 forward and backward.

[0162] The converter 640 finally converts the posture of the electronic component ED placed on the holder 610 by rotating the holder 610. That is, the posture of the electronic component ED can be converted from a lying state to a standing state or from a standing state to a lying state by the converter 640. The electronic component ED whose posture is converted from a lying state to a standing state by this converter 640 is in a state where the portion on its contact terminal T side can be appropriately inserted into the test slot S, and the electronic component ED whose posture is converted from a standing state to a lying state is in a state where it can be appropriately adsorbed and held by the moving hand 620. Of course, when the electronic component ED is in a lying state and is electrically connected to the tester TESTER (for example, when the test slot is formed horizontally and long), the converter 640 may not perform its function, or the structure of the converter 640 may also be omitted.

[0163] The reciprocating mover 650 moves the holder 610 between the first working area W1 where the moving hand 620 works and the second working area W2 where the test hand 660 works. Since the holder 610 reciprocates between the first working area W1 and the second working area W2 by this reciprocating mover 650, the first working area W1 and the second working area W2 can be separated to eliminate interference between the moving hand 620 and the test hand 660.

[0164] The test hand 660 holds the electronic component ED placed on the holder 610 in the second working area W2 and then moves the electronic component ED, inserts the portion on the contact terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S, and after the test of the electronic component ED is completed, takes out the electronic component ED from the test slot S and then places the tested electronic component ED back on the holder 610. Of course, when the adapter AD is applied, the test hand 660 moves to hold the adapter AD that holds the electronic component ED. For this purpose, as shown in the extraction diagram in Figure 25 the test hand 660 includes a clamping member 661, horizontal moving members 662a, 662b, a vertical moving member 663, an opening member 664, and a connecting member 665.

[0165] The clamping member 661 is provided to clamp or release the clamping of the electronic component ED or the adapter AD. For this purpose, as shown in the extraction diagram in reference to Figure 26 the clamping member 661 has a pair of clamping parts 661a-1, 661a-2, and the distance between the clamping parts 661a-1, 661a-2 is enlarged or reduced by the driving force of the driving source 661b, so as to be able to clamp or release the clamping of the electronic component ED or the adapter AD.

[0166] The horizontal moving members 662a and 662b move the clamping member 661 in the left - right direction and the front - back direction along the horizontal direction, so that the electronic component ED can be moved toward the side of the currently empty test slot S among the plurality of test slots S.

[0167] The vertical moving member 663 moves the clamping member 661 in the vertical direction, so that the clamping member 661 can clamp the electronic component ED or the adapter AD in the clamping position, or can lift the clamped electronic component ED or adapter AD to the height required for testing, and can also perform the reverse operation.

[0168] In the case of applying the adapter AD, the opening member 664 slightly opens the adapter AD to the extent that the electronic component ED can be held in the adapter AD. For this purpose, as Figure 27 shown in the extracted figure, the opening member 664 has a pusher 664a that can move forward and backward by a drive source 664b. Here, the pusher 664a slightly pushes the operating member OE to open the adapter AD in the state where the clamping member 661 clamps the adapter AD, so that the electronic component ED is in a state where it can move backward while being held in the adapter AD. That is, the opening member 664 provided on the test hand 660 opens the adapter AD only to the extent that the electronic component ED can move backward without detaching from the adapter AD. Therefore, the electronic component ED can move backward while still being loaded on the adapter AD.

[0169] As Figure 28 shown in the extracted figure, the pusher 665a of the connecting member 665 that moves forward and backward by an operating source 665b pushes the electronic component ED backward, so that the part on the contact terminal T side of the electronic component ED can be inserted into the test slot S.

[0170] As a reference, in this embodiment, the test hand 660 is configured to clamp the electronic component ED or the adapter AD whose clamping posture is converted from the lying state to the standing state by the converter 640. However, according to the shape of the test slot S, the test hand 660 can also be realized to be able to clamp the lying - state electronic component ED or adapter AD.

[0171] <Description of the transfer part>

[0172] Figure 29 is a schematic perspective view of the transfer part TP.

[0173] The transfer part TP is generally located below the front side of the connection part CP and is arranged to straddle the stacker part SP and the connection part CP. The transfer part TP receives the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested from the conveyor 400 of the stacker part SP and moves the customer tray CT to the supply position FP where the moving hand 620 can clamp the electronic component ED (refer toFigure 21 ), and returns the customer tray CT loaded with the tested electronic component ED from the recycling position RP (refer to Figure 21 ) to the stacker part SP. For this purpose, the transfer part TP is equipped with a feeder 710, a recycler 720, five lifting devices 731 for feeding, three lifting devices 732 for recycling, and a transfer device 740. Among these structures, the feeder 710 and the recycler 720 are located on the stacker part SP side, and the lifting devices 731, 732 and the transfer device 740 are located on the connection part CP side.

[0174] The feeder 710 is provided to supply the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested received from the conveyor 400 to the transfer device 740. Referring to the extraction diagram as shown in Figure 30 , such a feeder 710 is equipped with a moving plate 711 capable of loading the customer tray CT. Since the moving plate 711 is arranged to be able to move back and forth between the area where the conveyor 400 operates (stacker part side) and the area where the transfer device 740 operates (connection part side), the customer tray CT received from the conveyor 400 can be supplied to the transfer device 740.

[0175] The recycler 720 is provided to recycle the customer tray CT loaded with the tested electronic component ED received from the transfer device 740 and transfer the customer tray CT to the conveyor 400. Similarly, the recycler 720 also has the same structure as the feeder 710, so that the customer tray CT received from the transfer device 740 can be transferred to the conveyor 400.

[0176] Each of the five lifting devices 731 on the supply line side has a lifting plate 731a for feeding on which the customer tray CT can be placed, as shown in the extraction diagram as shown in Figure 31 . And, the lifting plate 731a for feeding is lifted by a lifting source 731b. Therefore, by the transfer device 740, the customer tray CT placed on the lifting plate 731a for feeding can be lifted to a height at which the moving hand 620 can grip the electronic component ED located in the customer tray CT. And, if the lifted customer tray CT is fixed by a holder (not shown) provided in the connection part CP, the lifting plate 731a for feeding descends again, so that the lifting plate 731a for feeding can be in a state that does not interfere with the operation of the transfer device 740.

[0177] If all the electronic components ED that have completed the test through the operation of the moving hand 620 are loaded onto the customer tray CT, the lifting device 732 for recycling lowers the customer tray CT, so that the transfer device 740 can move the customer tray CT to the recycler 720. Such a lifting device 732 for recycling also has a lifting plate 732a for recycling, and its structure is the same as that of the lifting device 731 for feeding.

[0178] The transfer device 740 moves the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic component ED to be tested from the supplier 710 to the supply elevator 731, and moves the customer tray CT loaded with the tested electronic component ED from the recovery elevator 732 to the recycler 720. In addition, the transfer device 740 functions as follows: if the customer tray CT placed on the supply lift plate 731a is emptied, the transfer device 740 moves the emptied customer tray CT to the recovery lift plate 732a, so that the tested electronic component ED can be loaded onto the customer tray CT. Such a transfer device 740 is as shown in the extraction diagram of Figure 32 and has a pair of clamping rods 741a, 741b for clamping or releasing the customer tray CT. Of course, the clamping rods 741a, 741b can move in the left-right direction, front-back direction, and vertical direction.

[0179] Hereinafter, the transfer process of the lid tray, the customer tray CT, and the electronic component ED formed at the connection part CP will be described.

[0180] <Explanation of the transfer process for the lid tray>

[0181] Through the in-out stacker 100, the lid tray and the customer trays CT in bundles are carried into the sorter HR. Depending on the load level of the sorter HR, the customer trays CT may or may not pass through the storage stacker 200, so the lid tray may also pass through the storage stacker 200 or not pass through the storage stacker 200.

[0182] 1. Case of not passing through the storage stacker

[0183] The conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to grip the lid tray from the customer trays CT in bundles located in the in-out stacker 100, and then transfers the lid tray to the buffer stacker 500. After that, during the rest period of the conveyor 400, the conveyor 400 transfers the lid tray located in the buffer stacker 500 to the stacker 300. The lid tray located in the stacker 300 remains in the stacker 300 or is carried out from the sorter HR. Of course, considering the current capacity of the buffer stacker 500, the lid tray can continue to remain in the buffer stacker 500.

[0184] 2. Case of passing through the storage stacker

[0185] The conveyor 400 uses the first gripper 410 to transfer the customer pallets CT in bundles covered by the lid pallets of the in-out stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200. At this time, the lid pallets are also transferred from the in-out stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200. Then, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to grip the lid pallets from the customer pallets CT in bundles located in the storage stacker 200 and then transfers the lid pallets to the buffer stacker 500. After that, during the rest period of the conveyor 400, the lid pallets located in the buffer stacker 500 are moved to the stacker 300. In addition, the lid pallets located in the stacker 300 remain in the stacker 300 or are carried out from the sorter HR. Similarly, the lid pallets can also continue to remain in the buffer stacker 500.

[0186] For reference, when the customer pallets CT that have completed the test subsequently pass through the storage stacker 200 and the in-out stacker 100 in sequence and are carried out from the sorter HR in bundles, the conveyor 400 performs the operation of covering the upper side of the customer pallets CT loaded in bundles with the lid pallets located in the stacker 300 or the buffer stacker 500. And the customer pallets CT in bundles covered by the lid pallets in this way are carried out from the sorter HR.

[0187] <Description of the basic transfer process for customer pallets>

[0188] 1. Case of not passing through the storage stacker

[0189] The customer pallet CT in bundles is carried into the sorter HR by the in-out stacker 100. In the case where there is a lid pallet, the conveyor 400 first moves the lid pallet to the buffer stacker 500 using the second gripper 420. Then, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to take out the customer pallets CT one by one from the customer pallets CT located at the uppermost side in the customer pallets CT in the in-out stacker 100 and supplies them to the feeder 710 of the transfer section TP. And the customer pallets CT of the feeder 710 are moved to the supply position FP by the operation of the feeder 710 and the transfer device 740, and are lifted by the supply lifter 731. After that, in the state where the customer pallet CT is fixed by the fixture located at the connection section CP, the loaded electronic components ED are emptied by the moving hand 620. Accordingly, the customer pallet CT from which all the electronic components ED have been emptied is lowered by the supply lifter 731, then moved to the recovery position RP by the transfer device 740, and then fixed by the fixture in the state of being lifted by the recovery lifter 732. Then, the moving hand 620 performs the operation of loading the tested electronic components ED into the empty customer pallet CT located at the recovery position RP, and the customer pallet CT loaded with the tested electronic components ED is lowered by the recovery lifter 732, and then moved to the stacker section SP by the transfer device 740 and the recovery device 720. Then, the conveyor 400 moves the customer pallet CT from the recovery device 720 to the in-out stacker 100. If the customer pallet CT is loaded into the in-out stacker 100 in bundles, it is covered with the lid pallet and carried out of the sorter HR in bundles.

[0190] 2. Case of passing through the storage stacker

[0191] If the customer pallet CT in bundles is carried into the sorter HR through the in-out stacker 100, the conveyor 400 uses the first gripper 410 to move the customer pallet CT in bundles from the in-out stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200 to empty the in-out stacker 100. Therefore, the in-out stacker 100 can accommodate the incoming cargo volume supplied successively.

[0192] In addition, in the case where it is necessary to supply the customer pallet CT located at the storage stacker 200 to the connection section CP, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to supply the customer pallets CT one by one to the transfer section TP. Of course, if there is also a lid pallet in this case, the conveyor 400 first moves the lid pallet to the buffer stacker 500 using the second gripper 420.

[0193] And after the customer tray CT moves to the supply position FP in the same process as the above-described process, it is recycled to the recycler 720 again through the recycling position RP. Similarly, the customer tray CT recycled by the recycler 720 is moved to the storage stacker 200 by the conveyor 400. If the customer tray CT is loaded into the storage stacker 200 in bundles, it is covered with a lid tray and then moved to the access stacker 100, and then carried out from the sorter HR.

[0194] <Transfer process of electronic components at the connection part>

[0195] The movement of the electronic component ED in the stacker part SP and the transfer part TP is carried out together with the movement of the customer tray CT described above.

[0196] In addition, the electronic component ED to be tested located at the supply position FP is moved by the moving hand 620 and placed on the rest 610 located in the first working area W1. Then, the reciprocating mover 650 moves the rest 610 to the rear second working area W2, so that the electronic component ED also moves to the second working area W2. Then, the rest 610 is rotated by the converter 640, so that the posture of the electronic component ED placed on the rest 610 is converted from a lying state to a standing state.

[0197] And the electronic component ED with the posture converted to the standing state is clamped by the test hand 660 and electrically connected to the tester TESTER. The tested electronic component ED is recovered from the tester TESTER by the test hand 660 and then placed on the rest 610. Then, the converter 640 rotates the rest 610 reversely, so that the standing electronic component ED becomes lying, and the moving hand 620 moves the tested lying electronic component ED from the rest 610 to the customer tray CT located at the recycling position RP.

[0198] <Reference items>

[0199] 1. Number of stackers

[0200] In this embodiment, five access stackers 100, storage stackers 200, and stackers 300 are all equipped, but according to the processing capacity of the sorter HR, they can be equipped with one or more respectively. Also, the storage stacker 200 can be equipped in multiple layers above the access stacker 100 to improve the processing capacity.

[0201] 2. Supplementary description of the process for the customer tray

[0202] The above process of the customer tray CT only describes the most basic process.

[0203] Therefore, even if the storage stacker 200 is not used on the path where the customer tray CT moved into the sorter HR is supplied to the connection part CP, the storage stacker 200 can be used on the path where the customer tray CT is moved out.

[0204] Similarly, even if the storage stacker 200 is used on the path where the customer tray CT moved into the sorter HR is supplied to the connection part CP, the storage stacker 200 can be not used on the path where the customer tray CT is moved out.

[0205] That is, according to the present invention, by independently arranging the storage stacker 200 and the stacker 300 from the loading / unloading stacker 100, the flow of the customer tray CT can be realized in a very diverse combination, and the efficiency can be improved to a corresponding degree.

[0206] 3. Supplementary description of the stacker

[0207] According to the existing general sorter technology, it is divided into a stacker for moving in the customer tray CT and a stacker for moving out the customer tray CT (for example, divided into a loading stacker and an unloading stacker), and their layout positions are fixed.

[0208] However, according to the present invention, it is only divided into the loading / unloading stacker 100 and the storage stacker 200. And, according to the situation at that time, the loading / unloading stacker 100 can be used as a loading stacker for moving the customer tray CT into the sorter HR or as an unloading stacker for moving the customer tray CT out of the sorter HR. That is, the loading / unloading stacker 100 can be selectively used for loading or unloading according to the current situation. Therefore, the efficiency of the transfer operation of the customer tray CT will be greatly improved.

[0209] Of course, for the storage stacker 200, it can also be selectively used according to the current situation.

[0210] 4. Identification of customer trays in bundles

[0211] When the conveyor 400 transfers the customer tray CT in bundles from the loading / unloading stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200, it can be realized to identify the identification code (for example, barcode) of the customer tray CT in bundles. In this way, since the customer tray CT can be managed in bundles by identifying the customer tray CT in bundles, it can be preferably considered.

[0212] 5. Identification of customer trays in single sheets and confirmation of the placement state of electronic components

[0213] When the customer tray CT in units of single sheets moves from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer part TP, it is possible to manage the electronic components ED for each customer tray CT by identifying the identification code (for example, bar code) possessed by each customer tray CT.

[0214] In addition, it is preferably implemented such that when the customer tray CT in units of single sheets moves from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer part TP, the placement state of the electronic components ED is confirmed using a camera.

[0215] In this way, it is implemented such that when the customer tray CT in units of single sheets moves by the transfer part TP, it is possible to identify the customer tray CT and confirm the placement state of the electronic components ED, so that the identification operation of the customer tray CT and the operation of confirming the placement state of the electronic components ED can be performed with only the minimum number of identification devices and confirmation devices, thereby reducing the production cost.

[0216] 6. Expansion of processing capacity

[0217] The sorter HR according to the present invention can expand the processing capacity by combining another connection part CP and transfer part TP on the right side of the connection part CP and transfer part TP, and the expansion of the processing capacity can be made as much as the storage capacity of the stacker part SP.

[0218] 7. Matters regarding the electronic components to be processed

[0219] In the present invention, a solid state drive is cited as an example of a large electronic component ED, but the sorter according to the present invention is not limited to processing solid state drives.

[0220] 8. Types of solid state drives

[0221] Figure 33 Various forms of a solid state drive as a kind of electronic component are shown.

[0222] That is, the size of the solid state drive can be diverse according to the function or specifications of the finished product to be applied, etc. Therefore, a large-sized solid state drive can be directly placed on the holder 610, but a smaller-sized solid state drive cannot be directly placed on the holder 610. Therefore, an adapter AD is required to place the smaller-sized solid state drive on the holder 610.

[0223] 9. Rotation direction of electronic components

[0224] Since the test slot S of the tester TESTER is formed to be relatively long in the vertical direction, when the solid state drive as the electronic component ED is in a lying state, the part on the terminal T side of the solid state drive cannot be inserted into the test slot S. That is, as Figure 34As shown in (a) of this figure, this is because the terminals T on the part of the terminal T side of the horizontal solid-state drive are arranged longitudinally in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, by rotating the horizontal solid-state drive to convert it into a vertical state, the terminals T can be arranged longitudinally in the up-down direction. Through this posture conversion, the part on the terminal T side of the solid-state drive can be inserted into the test slot S.

[0225] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the moving hand 620 holds the horizontal solid-state drive from the customer tray CT in a vacuum adsorption manner and moves it to the rest 610, and the rest 610 is rotated 90 degrees by the converter 640, so as to convert the solid-state drive placed horizontally on the rest 610 into a vertical state. Then, the test hand 660 holds both ends of the vertical solid-state drive (or the adapter with the solid-state drive installed) and then electrically connects it to the tester.

[0226] Here, the rotation of the solid-state drive by the converter 640 should be in the direction in which the part on the terminal T side can be inserted into the test slot S. For this, refer to Figure 34 (a) and (b) of this figure for a more detailed description.

[0227] In Figure 34 (a) of this figure, the solid-state drive as the electronic component ED is in a horizontal state. That is, the wide surface faces upward or downward, and long terminals T are formed in the left-right direction at the rear.

[0228] In Figure 34 (a) of this figure, by rotating the solid-state drive 90 degrees with a virtual line that is a long straight line in the front-rear direction (the direction in which the fixed drive that inserts the terminal side part of the solid-state drive into the test slot moves) and divides the part on the terminal T side into two halves as the rotation axis RS, it is converted into a vertical state where the wide surface of the solid-state drive faces the left-right direction as shown in Figure 34 (b) of this figure.

[0229] 10. Supplementary description for the adapter

[0230] According to the type of the electronic component ED, the adapter AD can have various mounting structures.

[0231] For example, Figure 23 the adapter AD in this figure is applied to large solid-state drives such as U.2 in the types of solid-state drives placed. And, Figure 24 the adapter AD in this figure is used for relatively small-sized solid-state drives such as M.2 in the types of solid-state drives placed. At this time, in the case of U.2, it is directly moved by the test hand 660, and in the case of M.2, it is moved by the test hand 660 in the state of being mounted on the adapter AD.

[0232] As described above, the present invention has been specifically described by way of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the above embodiments only illustrate the preferred examples of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the described embodiments, and the scope of the rights of the present invention should be construed as the scope in the claims and their equivalent concepts.

Claims

1. A sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: A stacker section that houses a customer tray with electronic components to be tested or a customer tray with tested electronic components; A connection section that takes out the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray conveyed from the stacker section and electrically connects the electronic components to a tester, or places the electronic components that have been tested by the tester into the customer tray; And A transfer section that transfers the customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the stacker section to the connection section, and transfers the customer tray with tested electronic components from the connection section to the stacker section. Among them, the stacker section includes: At least one loading / unloading stacker for receiving from the outside a customer tray with electronic components to be tested, or conveying a customer tray with tested electronic components to the outside; At least one storage stacker for storing the customer tray received from the outside by the loading / unloading stacker, or storing the customer tray that needs to be conveyed to the outside by the loading / unloading stacker before conveying it to the loading / unloading stacker; A conveyor that moves in one go between the loading / unloading stacker and the storage stacker in units of bundles of customer trays, or supplies single-unit customer trays loaded with electronic components to be tested placed in the loading / unloading stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer section, and recovers single-unit customer trays loaded with tested electronic components from the transfer section and loads them into the loading / unloading stacker or the storage stacker. Among them, the connection section includes: A restrainer that can restrain the electronic components; A moving hand that moves the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray conveyed from the stacker section by the transfer section and places the electronic components on the restrainer, or moves the tested electronic components placed on the restrainer to the customer tray; A testing hand that moves the electronic components to be tested placed on the restrainer and electrically connects the electronic components to the tester, or moves the tested electronic components and places the electronic components on the restrainer; A converter that converts the posture of the electronic components placed on the restrainer from a lying state to a standing state or from a standing state to a lying state by rotating the restrainer; and A reciprocating mover that moves the restrainer between a first working area that is the area where the moving hand operates and a second working area that is the area where the testing hand operates. The loading / unloading stacker includes: A receiver that includes a first support member that supports the sides of the corners of the four sides of the customer tray and is equipped with a first storage space for storing the customer tray; A first forward / backward mover that moves the receiver forward towards the outside of the sorting machine including the stacker section, the connection section, and the transfer section or moves it backward from the outside of the sorting machine towards the inside. The first switch opens the first storage space toward the inner side of the conveyor by rotating the first support member located in the first support member toward the inner side of the conveyor, so as to move the customer tray. The first mover is configured to move the customer tray stored in the storage device out of the first storage space toward the conveyor, or move the customer tray conveyed from the conveyor and into the first storage space. The conveyor includes: A first gripper for gripping or releasing a bundle of customer trays at one time. A second gripper is provided below the first gripper for gripping or releasing a single customer tray. A lifter that moves the first gripper and the second gripper together in the vertical direction; and A horizontal mover that moves the lifter in the horizontal direction, causing the first gripper and the second gripper coupled to the lifter to move together in the horizontal direction. The first gripper of the conveyor receives and grips a bundle of customer trays conveyed from the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker at a position corresponding to the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker in the horizontal direction. The second gripper of the conveyor grips a single customer tray located at the uppermost side of the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker from above the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker.

2. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 1, wherein By installing an adapter for placing electronic components on the rest, the rest can place electronic components by means of the adapter. The moving hand places the electronic components to be tested on the adapter or takes out the electronic components that have completed the test from the adapter. The testing hand moves the electronic components placed on the rest so that the electronic components are electrically connected to the tester.

3. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 2, wherein The adapter can be detachably installed on the rest, and the testing hand moves the electronic components placed on the adapter by moving the adapter.

4. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 1, wherein The first working area and the second working area are separated from each other.

5. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 1, wherein The moving hand can grip the electronic components in a lying state. The testing hand can grip the electronic components in a standing state.

6. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 5, wherein The converter converts the posture of the electronic component so that the part on the terminal side of the electronic component can be inserted into the test slot.

7. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 1, wherein The stacker part further includes: At least one buffer stacker, which is provided separately from the incoming / outgoing stacker and the storage stacker. The conveyor can temporarily load and place the lid tray or customer tray located in the in / out stacker or the storage stacker on the buffer stacker. The lid tray is a tray that covers the upper side of the customer tray in bundles of customer trays. Among them, the buffer stacker includes: A support member that forms a storage space capable of accommodating a lid tray or a customer tray and supports the sides of the lid tray or customer tray accommodated in the storage space; and A support plate that supports the lid tray or customer tray accommodated in the storage space.

8. The electronic component testing sorter according to claim 7, wherein The buffer stacker further includes: A lifter for lifting the support plate.

9. An electronic component testing sorter, including: A restrainer capable of restraining a solid-state drive; A moving hand that holds the solid-state drive placed in a lying state on a customer tray by vacuum adsorption and moves the solid-state drive to the restrainer; A converter that rotates the solid-state drive placed on the restrainer by rotating the restrainer, thereby converting the posture of the solid-state drive; A testing hand that holds the solid-state drive whose posture has been converted by the converter or an adapter on which the solid-state drive is placed and electrically connects the solid-state drive or the adapter to a tester; A reciprocating mover that moves the restrainer between a first working area that is the area where the moving hand performs operations and a second working area that is the area where the testing hand performs operations; And A stacker part that houses a customer tray on which electronic components to be tested are placed or a customer tray on which the tested electronic components are placed; Among them, the converter rotates the restrainer so that the solid-state drive rotates with a virtual line that is a long straight line in the moving direction of the solid-state drive and divides the terminal side part of the solid-state drive into two halves as the rotation axis, so as to insert the terminal side part of the solid-state drive into the test slot of the tester. Among them, the stacker part includes: At least one in / out stacker for receiving a customer tray on which electronic components to be tested are placed from the outside, or conveying a customer tray on which the tested electronic components are placed to the outside; At least one storage stacker for storing the customer trays received from the outside through the in / out stacker, or storing the customer trays that need to be conveyed to the outside through the in / out stacker before conveying them to the in / out stacker; A conveyor that moves the customer trays in bundles between the in / out stacker and the storage stacker at one time, or supplies the single customer trays loaded with electronic components to be tested placed in the in / out stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer part, and recovers the single customer trays loaded with the tested electronic components from the transfer part and loads them on the in / out stacker or the storage stacker. The in / out stacker includes: A receiver, including a first support member that supports the sides of the four corners of the customer tray and is equipped with a first storage space for storing the customer tray. The first forward and backward mover moves the storage device forward toward the outside of the sorter including the stacker section, the connection section, and the transfer section or backward from the outside of the sorter toward the inside; The first opener / closer opens the first storage space toward the inside of the conveyor by rotating the first support member in the first support member that faces the inside of the conveyor, so that the customer tray can move; The first mover is configured to move the customer tray stored in the storage device out of the first storage space toward the conveyor or move the customer tray conveyed from the conveyor and into the first storage space; The conveyor includes: The first gripper for gripping or releasing a bundle of customer trays at one time; The second gripper is provided below the first gripper for gripping or releasing a single customer tray; The elevator moves the first gripper and the second gripper together in the vertical direction; and The horizontal mover moves the elevator in the horizontal direction, so that the first gripper and the second gripper coupled to the elevator move together in the horizontal direction; The first gripper of the conveyor receives and grips a bundle of customer trays conveyed from the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker at a position corresponding to the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker in the horizontal direction; The second gripper of the conveyor grips a single customer tray located at the uppermost side of the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker from above the incoming / outgoing stacker or the storage stacker.

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