Component mounting apparatus and tray rack conveying apparatus

Abstract

A component mounting apparatus which extracts a component stored in a tray at a component pickup position by a head unit and mounts the component on a substrate, the tray being placed on a tray rack. The component mounting apparatus includes a tray-held component which holds the tray rack, a first tray rack moving component which moves the tray rack between two positions of an extraction position at which the tray rack can be extracted from a front surface of the tray-held component in a first direction and a component extraction position at which the component can be extracted by the head unit, a reservoir which holds the tray rack so that the tray rack can be extracted in a second direction different from the first direction, and a second tray rack moving component which moves the tray rack between the tray-held component and the reservoir.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to component mounting devices and pallet rack conveying devices. Background Technology

[0002] A tray component supply device that reduces downtime due to component depletion in an electronic component assembly machine and improves the operational efficiency is well known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The tray component supply device includes: a tray fixed to a plate-shaped tray clamp; a tray component library comprising a plurality of shelves, in which trays are accommodated via the tray clamp and for supplying electronic components from the trays to the electronic component assembly machine; a unit that moves the tray component library vertically to position trays on desired shelves in a pull position for component supply; a replenishment library having the same configuration as the tray component library, accommodating a large number of trays, and positioned close to the tray component library; and a robot that replaces trays in the tray component library that have run out of components with new trays in the replenishment library. According to the tray component supply device, the robot can responsively replace trays with run-out components with new trays in the replenishment library, thereby reducing downtime due to component depletion in the electronic component assembly machine.

[0003] Comparison File List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: JPH05-57533A Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] However, in recent years, in surface mount technology (SMT) processes, with the increase in equipment productivity, the frequency of replenishing electronic components during production has been continuously increasing, and the demand for labor-saving and automated component replenishment is growing. This is also due to factors such as the increasing size of components like automotive connectors, the enlargement of tray components due to the SMT of large components in post-processing, and the decreasing number of components that can be supplied in a single tray, thus increasing the frequency of tray component replenishment. In this regard, to save labor for component replenishment, it is necessary to increase the number of components installed; however, from the perspective of area productivity, simply expanding the space of component mounting equipment is not sufficient. Furthermore, if increasing storage capacity leads to severe blockage of aisles between equipment lines, operability and transportability will be adversely affected.

[0008] In view of the above-mentioned situation in the related art, this disclosure is made, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a component mounting device and a pallet rack conveying device that can prevent protrusion into the passage between lines, while saving labor for pallet rack supplementation and expanding the storage capacity of the pallet rack.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] This disclosure provides a component mounting apparatus for picking up a component contained in a tray at a component pickup position by a head unit and mounting the component on a plate, the tray being placed on a tray holder. The component mounting apparatus includes: a tray holder holding unit configured to hold the tray holder; a first tray holder moving unit configured to move the tray holder between two positions, namely a pickup position and a component pickup position, wherein at the pickup position the tray holder is allowed to be picked up from the front surface of the tray holder holding unit along a first direction, and at the component pickup position the component is allowed to be picked up by the head unit; a reservoir configured to hold the tray holder such that the tray holder is allowed to be picked up along a second direction different from the first direction; and a second tray holder moving unit configured to move the tray holder between the tray holder holding unit and the reservoir.

[0011] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a pallet rack conveying device for moving a pallet rack containing a component between a reservoir and a holding unit, the reservoir being configured to hold the pallet rack and the holding unit being configured to hold the pallet rack to supply the pallet rack to a position allowing a component mounting unit to pick up a component, the component mounting unit being configured to mount the component on a plate. The pallet rack conveying device includes: a pallet rack moving unit configured to insert and remove the pallet rack from the holding unit in a direction different from the direction of insertion and removal of the pallet rack from the reservoir, wherein the pallet rack moving unit includes: a lifting unit configured to move vertically; a pallet rack guiding unit configured to guide the pallet rack while supporting the pallet rack from below; and a rotating unit configured to rotate in both the direction of insertion and removal of the pallet rack from the reservoir and the direction of insertion and removal of the pallet rack from the holding unit.

[0012] Advantages of the invention

[0013] According to this disclosure, protrusion into the passage between pipelines can be prevented, while saving pallet racks to supplement labor and expanding the storage capacity of pallet racks. Attached Figure Description

[0014] [ Figure 1 ] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the component mounting apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0015] [ Figure 2 ] Figure 2 This is viewed from the arrow side of arrow X. Figure 1 Side view of the component mounting device shown.

[0016] [ Figure 3 ] Figure 3 It is viewed along the Y direction. Figure 1 Rear view of the component mounting device shown.

[0017] [ Figure 4 ] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a three-dimensional view of the tray rack.

[0018] [ Figure 5 ] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A plan view of the main components of the component mounting device shown.

[0019] [Figure 6] Figure 6A This is an enlarged view of the main components of the second pallet holder moving unit, viewed in the Y direction. Figure 6B yes Figure 6A An enlarged view of the main components after the rotating unit has rotated 90°.

[0020] [Figure 7] Figure 7A This is an enlarged view of the main components viewed in the Y direction from the second pallet carrier moving unit of the guide pallet carrier. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the main components after the rotating unit 119 has rotated 90°.

[0021] [ Figure 8 ] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating an example configuration of the control system for the component mounting device shown.

[0022] [ Figure 9 ] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the pallet rack conveying process.

[0023] [ Figure 10 ] Figure 10 This is an instruction diagram illustrating the operation of the second pallet rack moving unit before it is pulled out of the storage container.

[0024] [ Figure 11 ] Figure 11 This is an operational diagram illustrating the second pallet rack moving unit after the pallet rack has been pulled from the storage container.

[0025] [ Figure 12 ] Figure 12 This is an instruction diagram for the operation of the second pallet frame moving unit, which rotates clockwise.

[0026] [ Figure 13 ] Figure 13 A diagram illustrating the operation of inserting the pallet holder into the second pallet holder moving unit of the pallet feeder.

[0027] [ Figure 14 ] Figure 14 This is an operational illustration showing the movement of the pallet rack from the storage unit to the pallet rack holding unit.

[0028] [ Figure 15 ] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the tray rack used in the second embodiment.

[0029] [ Figure 16 ] Figure 16 This is a plan view of the main components of the component mounting device according to the second embodiment.

[0030] [Figure 17] Figure 17A This is an enlarged view of the main components of the second pallet rack moving unit 181 viewed from the Y direction. Figure 17B yes Figure 17A An enlarged view of the main components after the rotating unit in the middle has rotated 90° clockwise.

[0031] [ Figure 18 ] Figure 18 This is an instruction diagram illustrating the operation of the second pallet rack moving unit before it is pulled out of the storage container.

[0032] [ Figure 19 ] Figure 19 This is an instruction diagram illustrating the operation of the second pallet rack moving unit after the pallet rack has been pulled out of the storage container.

[0033] [ Figure 20 ] Figure 20 This is an instruction diagram for the operation of the second pallet frame moving unit, which rotates clockwise.

[0034] [ Figure 21 ] Figure 21 This is an instruction diagram illustrating the operation of the second pallet frame moving unit, which is initiated by the first pusher.

[0035] [ Figure 22 ] Figure 22 This is an operational diagram illustrating the second pallet carrier moving unit, in which the second pusher inserts the pallet carrier into the pallet carrier holding unit.

[0036] [ Figure 23 ] Figure 23 This is an operational diagram illustrating the pallet holder pushing process performed by the first and second pushers.

[0037] [ Figure 24 ] Figure 24 This is an operational illustration showing the movement of the pallet rack from the storage unit to the pallet rack holding unit. Detailed Implementation

[0038] In the following, embodiments of the component mounting device and pallet rack conveying device according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, where applicable. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to aid understanding by those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure, and not to limit the scope of the claims.

[0039] (First Embodiment)

[0040] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the component mounting device 11 according to the first embodiment. In the drawing with arrows indicating directions, the X-axis indicates the left-right direction of the component mounting device 11, the Y-axis indicates the front-back direction of the component mounting device 11, and the Z-axis indicates the up-down direction of the component mounting device 11. The X-axis and Y-axis are orthogonal and contained in a horizontal plane. The Z-axis is contained in a vertical plane orthogonal to the horizontal plane.

[0041] The component mounting apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment includes a holding unit (e.g., a pallet feeder 13) as a main component, a first pallet frame moving unit 15, a storage unit 17, and a second pallet frame moving unit 19. The second pallet frame moving unit 19 constitutes a pallet frame conveying device. The storage unit 17 can be integrally provided with the component mounting apparatus 11 as an element of the component mounting apparatus 11. The storage unit 17, which is separate from the component mounting apparatus 11, can also be used by integrally connecting it to the component mounting apparatus 11. When the separate storage unit 17 and the component mounting apparatus 11 are connected to each other, the component mounting apparatus 11 and the storage unit 17 can be collectively referred to as a component mounting system.

[0042] In the component mounting device 11, the storage container 17 and the second pallet holder moving unit 19 are arranged along a channel 21 parallel to the X-axis. In the component mounting device 11, the second pallet holder moving unit 19 and the pallet feeder 13 are arranged along the Y-axis. The component mounting device 11 is connected via a head unit 31 (see...). Figure 2 At component pickup location 23 (see Figure 2 Pick up the component 29 contained in tray 27 (see Figure 4 ), and the component 29 is mounted on the plate 33, and the tray 27 is placed on the tray rack 25.

[0043] Figure 2 This is viewed from the arrow side of arrow X. Figure 1The diagram shows a side view of the component mounting device 11. A plate conveying mechanism 39 is disposed on the upper surface of the base 37 in the device body 35 of the component mounting device 11 along the X direction (plate conveying direction). The plate conveying mechanism 39 conveys the plate 33 on which the component is to be mounted, and positions and holds the plate 33 in the working position of the device body 35. A pallet feeder 13, supplying the component 29 to be mounted on the plate 33, is disposed along the Y direction of the second pallet frame moving unit 19. The pallet feeder 13 (as an example of a pallet frame holding unit) supplies the component 29 to the head unit 31 by moving the pallet frame 25 to the component pick-up position. The pallet frame 25 holds a pallet 27, which contains the components 29 arranged in a grid pattern.

[0044] A Y-axis moving stage 41, driven by a linear motor, is positioned along the Y direction at one end of the base 37 in the X direction. The Y-axis moving stage 41 is coupled to an X-axis moving stage 43 for movement in the Y direction. A head unit 31 is attached to the X-axis moving stage 43 for movement in the X direction via a linear drive mechanism. The head unit 31 is a multi-type head with multiple unit conveying heads, and a suction nozzle 45 is replaceably attached to the lower end of each unit conveying head. The X-axis moving stage 43, the Y-axis moving stage 41, and the head unit 31 constitute the component mounting mechanism 47.

[0045] In the component mounting device 11, the Y-axis moving stage 41 and the X-axis moving stage 43 are driven so that the head unit 31 moves horizontally between the pallet feeder 13 and the plate 33 held by the plate conveying mechanism 39, and the component 29 contained in the pallet 27 is sucked and held by the suction nozzle 45 and mounted on the plate 33.

[0046] The pallet feeder 13 is equipped with a rack 51, which can accommodate multiple warehouses 49 in multiple stages. Each warehouse 49 housed in the rack 51 can accommodate multiple pallet racks 25, which hold pallets 27 in a vertical, multi-stage manner via pallet rack support rails 53 (see...). Figure 14 From the front and rear in the Y direction, the pallet rack 25 can be placed into and removed from the storage compartment 49 housed in the storage rack 51. That is, the storage compartment 49 in the storage rack 51 allows the pallet rack 25 to be placed into and removed from the first pallet rack moving unit 15 and the second pallet rack moving unit 19.

[0047] In the pallet feeder 13, a first pallet frame moving unit 15 is located on the front side (Y-direction side) of the rack 51. The first pallet frame moving unit 15 is equipped with a feeder lifting platform 55 and a feeder lifting unit 57. The feeder lifting platform 55 pulls the pallet frame 25 out of and holds it in the rack 49 of the rack 51, and the feeder lifting unit 57 moves the feeder lifting platform 55 up and down. The feeder lifting unit 57 moves the pallet frame 25 between a pick-up position 61 and a component pick-up position 23. At the pick-up position 61, the pallet frame 25 can be picked up from the front surface 59 of the pallet feeder 13 along the first direction (i.e., the Y-direction), and at the component pick-up position 23, the component 29 can be picked up by the head unit 31.

[0048] The feeder lifting unit 57 includes a feeder feed screw 63, a feeder lifting motor 65, and a feeder nut portion 67. The feeder feed screw 63 is rotatably erected on a base 37. The feeder lifting motor 65 is fixed to the base 37 such that the drive shaft is oriented in the same direction as the feeder feed screw 63. The feed belt 69 is stretched between a pulley fixed to the drive shaft and a pulley fixed to the lower end of the feeder feed screw 63, thereby causing the feeder lifting motor 65 to rotate the feeder feed screw 63.

[0049] Screw the feeder nut 67 onto the feeder feed screw 63. The feeder lifting platform 55 is fixed to the feeder nut 67. A pair of sliding parts 71 (see...) Figure 5 The feeder lift 55 is fixed to the base 37. Each sliding part 71 is supported by a guide rail 73 fixed to the base 37, so that it can slide in the vertical direction. The sliding part 71 and the guide rail 73 restrict the feeder lift 55 from rotating in the direction of rotation of the feeder feed screw 63.

[0050] Therefore, for example, when the device control unit 147 (see...) Figure 8 When the feeder lifting motor 65 is driven, the feeder lifting platform 55 moves up and down on the front side of the pallet feeder 13. In this case, the pallet feeder 13 can specify the receiving address assigned to each pallet rack receiving part so that the feeder lifting platform 55 is arranged at the height position of the pallet rack 25 corresponding to the receiving address.

[0051] Figure 3 It is viewed along the Y direction. Figure 1 The component mounting device 11 is shown in a rear view. The reservoir 17 holds the tray holder 25 such that the tray holder 25 can be picked up in a second direction (X direction) different from the first direction. In the component mounting device 11, the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (X direction) are orthogonal in the plan view.

[0052] The storage unit 17 includes a storage compartment 75 and a second pallet rack moving unit 19. The storage compartment 75 has multiple shelf-shaped holding units 77 arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. A compartment 49 is placed on each holding unit 77. The holding unit 77 allows the compartment 49 to be placed into and removed from the storage compartment 75 in the X direction. Each compartment 49 accommodates multiple pallet racks 25 in a multi-level manner, with pallets 27 placed on the pallet racks 25. Therefore, the storage compartment 75 holds multiple pallet racks 25, allowing the pallet racks 25 to be placed and removed. The second pallet rack moving unit 19 is located in the X direction of the storage compartment 75.

[0053] The second pallet rack moving unit 19 acts as a pallet rack conveying device, moving the pallet rack 25 between the pallet feeder 13 and the storage container 17. Specifically, the second pallet rack moving unit 19 moves the pallet rack 25, which contains components, between the storage container 17 holding the pallet rack 25 and the holding unit (e.g., the pallet feeder 13) holding the pallet rack 25, to supply the pallet rack 25 to a position allowing the components to be picked up by a component mounting unit (e.g., the head unit 31), which mounts the components onto a plate. The second pallet rack moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (e.g., a storage container lifting unit 79) for vertical movement. The storage container lifting unit 79 includes a support column 83 erected on a storage container base 81. The support column 83 is erected at approximately the same height as the storage section 75. A storage container feed screw 85 is provided along the support column 83 on the storage container base 81. The storage container feed screw 85 is rotated by a storage container lifting motor 87 fixed to the upper part of the support column 83. The reservoir nut 89 is screwed onto the reservoir feed screw 85.

[0054] The storage container lifting platform 91 is fixed to the storage container nut portion 89. A pair of sliding portions 71 (see...) Figure 5 The sliding part 71 is fixed to the storage lifting platform 91. Each sliding part 71 is supported by a guide rail 73 fixed to the support column 83, so that it can slide in the vertical direction. The sliding part 71 and the guide rail 73 restrict the storage lifting platform 91 from rotating in the rotation direction of the storage feed screw 85.

[0055] Therefore, the storage unit lifting motor 87 is driven by the storage unit control unit 93, so that, for example, the storage unit lifting platform 91 is on the side of the second pallet frame moving unit (see...). Figure 8 The storage unit 91 moves up and down on the surface of the storage section 75. In this case, the second pallet rack moving unit 19 can specify the receiving address of the pallet rack receiving section assigned to the storage section 75, so as to arrange the storage unit lifting platform 91 at the height position of the pallet rack 25 corresponding to the receiving address. The storage unit control unit 93 for performing control is provided below the storage section 75.

[0056] Figure 4 yes Figure 1The diagram shows a perspective view of the pallet rack 25. The pallet rack 25 is rectangular in plan view. One of a pair of parallel long sides of the pallet rack 25 is designated as a first long side 95, and the other as a second long side 97. The pallet rack 25 transports goods with either the first long side 95 or the second long side 97 as the leading edge in the transport direction.

[0057] At least the upper surface of the pallet frame 25 is made of a magnetic material. A pallet 27, made of a non-magnetic material (such as resin), is placed on the upper surface of the pallet frame 25. Multiple components 29 are arranged in an aligned state on the pallet 27. The pallet 27 is held and positioned at a predetermined position on the pallet frame 25 by a positioning device 99.

[0058] Two pallet positioning members 101, parallel to the first long side 95 and an adjacent short side respectively, are fixed to the upper surface of the pallet frame 25, orthogonal to each other. Each of the two pallet positioning members 101 has an interior angle 103 by being arranged in an orthogonal direction. The pallet 27 is positioned relative to the pallet frame 25 by aligning one corner 105 with the interior angle 103 of the pallet frame 25 and by abutting its two side surfaces against the pallet positioning members 101.

[0059] Therefore, by pressing the positioning device 99 against the surface opposite to the surface of the pressing tray positioning member 101, the tray 27 on the tray frame is positioned and fixed to the tray frame 25. For example, the positioning device 99 includes a magnet. The positioning device 99 is firmly fixed to the upper surface of the tray frame 25 made of magnetic material by magnetic force. Thus, the tray 27 is fixed, and its movement on the tray frame is restricted. In this case, the two rods 107 of the positioning device 99 are located above the upper surface of the tray frame 25. By pressing the rods 107 against the upper surface of the tray frame 25, the positioning device 99 can be easily removed from the tray frame 25 according to the lever principle.

[0060] The pallet frame 25 has a first engaging portion 109 on its first long side 95 and a second engaging portion 111 on its second long side 97. The first engaging portion 109 and the second engaging portion 111 are arranged such that the open sides of each U-shaped engaging claw 113 face each other in plan view. The spacing between the engaging claws 113 of the first engaging portion 109 is greater than the spacing between the engaging claws 113 of the second engaging portion 111. In a first embodiment, the second engaging portion 111 and the second pallet frame moving unit 19... Figure 5 The traction part (reservoir engagement rod 115) shown engages, and the first engagement part 109 engages with the feeder engagement rod 117 of the first pallet frame moving unit 15 (see...). Figure 5 ) join.

[0061] Figure 5 yes Figure 1The diagram shows a plan view of the main components of the component mounting device 11. The second pallet frame moving unit 19 includes a rotating unit 119 that rotates in at least a first direction and a second direction. A rotating shaft 121 along the Z direction is rotatably supported on a storage container lifting platform 91. The rotating shaft 121 is rotated via a rotating belt 125 by a rotary motor 123 fixed to the storage container lifting platform 91. A turntable 127 is fixed to the upper end of the rotating shaft 121. The turntable 127 is rectangular in plan view. A rectangular traction device 129 extending in a direction orthogonal to the turntable 127 is fixed to the turntable 127. That is, the turntable 127 and the traction device 129 intersect each other in a cross shape. The cross-shaped turntable 127 and the traction device 129 rotate integrally about the rotating shaft 121 by the rotary motor 123.

[0062] Figure 6A This is an enlarged view of the main components of the second pallet holder moving unit 19 viewed in the Y direction. Figure 6B yes Figure 6A An enlarged view of the main component after the rotating unit 119 has rotated 90°. This is achieved by rotating the main component from... Figure 6A If the state is rotated 90° (i.e., 90° clockwise), the state will then transition to... Figure 6B The state within. In other words, by moving the main components from... Figure 6B Rotating the state shown by -90° (i.e., 90° counterclockwise) will change the state to Figure 6A The state shown. The second pallet carrier moving unit 19 includes a pallet carrier guide unit 131 along a pair of parallel short sides of the turntable 127, which guides the pallet carrier 25 and supports the pallet carrier 25 from below when the pallet carrier 25 is exchanged between the pallet feeder 13 and the storage container 17.

[0063] The traction device 129 includes a storage engagement rod 115 that can move forward and backward. The storage engagement rod 115 engages with a second engagement portion 111 located at the end (second long side 97) of the pallet frame 25. When the storage lifting platform 91 moves up and down, the storage engagement rod 115 is inserted from the vertical direction between the engagement claws 113 of the second engagement portion 111 and engages with the second engagement portion 111. The second pallet frame moving unit 19 can rotate the turntable 127 and pull the pallet frame 25 using the storage engagement rod 115 engaged with the second engagement portion 111 in a first or second direction.

[0064] The traction device 129 includes a main body base 133 extending in a direction orthogonal to the turntable 127. A pair of rotatable tension shafts 135 are disposed along their respective short sides of the main body base 133. An annular traction belt 137 is stretched around the tension shafts 135. A reservoir engagement rod 115 is fixed to the upper loop portion of the traction belt 137. A traction motor 141 is connected to one of the pair of tension shafts 135 via a drive belt 139. Thus, in the traction device 129, for example, when the traction motor 141 is driven by the reservoir control unit 93, the traction belt 137 travels in a cyclic manner, and the reservoir engagement rod 115 can travel along a guide groove 143 formed in the longitudinal direction of the main body base 133 (see...). Figure 5 Reciprocating motion. In the second pallet frame moving unit 19, the storage engaging rod 115 reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the main body base 133, and the main body base 133 rotates together with the turntable 127, so that the storage engaging rod 115 moves along the first direction or the second direction.

[0065] Figure 7A This is an enlarged view of the main components in the Y direction of the second pallet carrier moving unit 19 of the guide pallet carrier 25. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A An enlarged view of the main components after the rotating unit 119 has rotated 90°. Figure 7A In the center, the pallet frame 25 is supported from below by the pallet frame guide unit 131 of the turntable 127. The second long side 97 of the second joint 111 of the pallet frame 25 is located at... Figure 7A The front side. The first joint 109 is located at the front side. Figure 7A It is not visible from the back. Figure 7A yes Figure 12 The state in the middle is shown in the side view in the Y direction.

[0066] exist Figure 7B In the middle, the pallet rack 25 is located Figure 7A The state before the rotating unit 119 rotates 90° clockwise (in other words, in the state of...) Figure 7A (The rotating unit 119 in the middle is rotated 90° counterclockwise). The storage engagement rod 115 of the traction device 129 engages with the second engagement portion 111 of the pallet frame 25. Figure 7B yes Figure 11 The state in the middle is shown in the side view in the Y direction.

[0067] Next, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0068] Figure 8 It is shown Figure 1The block diagram illustrates an example of the structure of the control system for the component mounting device 11. The component mounting device 11 and the storage unit 17 are connected via wired or wireless means to exchange data with each other. The component mounting device 11 controls the supply of pallet racks 25 from the storage unit 17 and the collection of pallet racks 25 into the storage unit 17, while simultaneously sending and receiving instructions related to component supply and storage information of the pallet racks 25 between the pallet feeder 13 and the storage unit 17.

[0069] The component mounting device 11 includes a component mounting mechanism 47, a tray feeder 13, a device display and operation panel 145, and a device control unit 147.

[0070] The device control unit 147 includes a component installation control unit 149, a component supply control unit 151, and a device storage unit 153.

[0071] The device storage unit 153 is implemented using a data recording device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and includes a component installation information storage unit 155 and a component supply information storage unit 157. The component installation information storage unit 155 stores installation information indicating the number of components to be installed on the board carried to the component installation device 11 and whether components are installed. The component supply information storage unit 157 stores component supply information indicating the number of components to be installed on the board carried to the component installation device 11, the receiving address (e.g., a combination of the number of shelves, tray racks, trays, etc. on which components are placed), and whether components are supplied to the component installation device 11.

[0072] The component installation control unit 149 continuously monitors the component installation status of the component installation mechanism 47, and manages and updates the component consumption (installation) status based on the monitored status as component installation information, and writes and stores the component installation information in the component installation information storage unit 155. Based on the component installation information stored in the component installation information storage unit 155, the component installation control unit 149 controls the installation of component 29 performed by the head unit 31 on the plate 33 through the control board conveying mechanism 39 and the component installation mechanism 47.

[0073] The component supply control unit 151 monitors the remaining quantity of components on the tray consumed (i.e., installed) by the component mounting mechanism 47 and sends a request for component 29 to the tray feeder 13 based on the monitoring status. When the tray feeder 13 receives a request for component 29 from the component supply control unit 151, the tray feeder 13 refers to the component supply information stored in the component supply information storage unit 157, pulls out the tray rack 25 holding the tray 27 of the requested component 29 from the corresponding library 49, and moves the tray rack 25 to the component pick-up position 23. As a result of referring to the component supply information stored in the component supply information storage unit 157, when the requested component 29 is unavailable or the remaining quantity is small, the component supply control unit 151 sends a request for component 29 to the storage unit 17. For example, the instruction to request component 29 from the storage unit 17 is also displayed on the device display and operation panel 145.

[0074] The storage unit 17 includes a storage unit lifting unit 79, a second pallet frame moving unit 19, a storage display and operation panel 159, and a storage control unit 93.

[0075] The storage control unit 93 includes a storage delivery control unit 161 and a storage unit 163.

[0076] Storage unit 163 is implemented by a data recording device such as an HDD or SSD and includes storage information storage unit 165. Storage information storage unit 165 stores component storage information, which indicates the number of components to be added to component mounting device 11, the receiving address (e.g., a combination of the number of libraries, tray racks, trays, etc. on which components are placed), and whether there is a need to add components to component mounting device 11.

[0077] When the storage container transport control unit 161 receives a command requesting component 29 from the component supply control unit 151 of the component mounting device 11, the storage container transport control unit 161 refers to the component storage information stored in the storage information storage unit 165 and pulls out the pallet rack 25 holding the pallet 27 of component 29 from the storage section 75 via the second pallet rack moving unit 19. The second pallet rack moving unit 19 will pull out the pallet rack 25 holding the pallet 27 of component 29 from the rear surface 167 of the storage section 49 (see...). Figure 2 The extended pallet holder 25 is inserted into the pallet feeder 13 to complete the supply of the pallet holder 25 to the pallet feeder 13. As a result of the component storage information stored in the storage information storage unit 165, when the requested component 29 is not available or the remaining quantity is small (e.g., when the remaining quantity is less than a specified quantity), the storage container delivery control unit 161 displays an instruction to request the component 29 from the storage container 17 on the device display and operation panel 145, and notifies that the component has been used up or is about to be used up.

[0078] Next, we will refer to Figure 9 An example of the operation procedure for supplying (delivering) a pallet rack 25 from a storage container 17 to a pallet feeder 13 of a component mounting device 11, wherein the pallet rack 25 holds a pallet on which components are placed.

[0079] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the conveying process of the pallet rack 25.

[0080] exist Figure 9 In the process, when a new pallet rack 25 holding a pallet containing parts is manually inserted (replenished) into the storage unit 17 by a replenishment worker, the storage control unit 93 of the storage unit 17 detects the insertion of the pallet rack 25 into the storage unit 17 via, for example, a sensor (not shown) (St1). In response to the detection in step St1, the storage control unit 93 writes the quantity and location of the parts 29 stored in the storage unit 17 into the part storage information and updates the storage information storage unit 165 of the storage unit 163 (St2). Therefore, the storage unit 17 can accurately identify the latest inventory information of the parts held by the storage unit 17 itself and the location of each part.

[0081] The storage unit 17 sends the component storage information updated in step St2 to the component mounting device 11. The component mounting device 11 stores the component storage information sent from the storage unit 17 in the component supply information storage unit 157 of the device storage unit 153 (St3). Therefore, the component mounting device 11 can share the component inventory information held in the storage unit 17 with the storage unit 17, and as will be described later, when a shortage of components required for production is determined, it can request the storage unit 17 to replenish (supply) the components.

[0082] In the component mounting device 11, the device control unit 147 determines whether the pallet feeder 13 is adequately supplied with the component 29 required for current production (St4). If the component 29 is present in the pallet feeder 13 (St4, yes), the determination in step St4 is repeated until a component shortage is determined.

[0083] If it is determined that the part 29 required for current production is not present in the pallet feeder 13 or a part shortage has occurred (St4, No), the device control unit 147 determines whether the storage 17 has been replenished with part 29 (St5).

[0084] If the storage unit 17 is not replenished with component 29 (St5, No), the device control unit 147 of the component mounting device 11 sends an instruction to the storage unit 17 to replenish the component 29 that has been determined to be in short supply. When the storage unit 17 receives the replenishment instruction from the device control unit 147 of the component mounting device 11, the storage unit 17 outputs the supply information of the required component 29 to the storage unit display and operation panel 159 based on the replenishment material (e.g., a message prompting the replenishment worker to replenish component 29 or a predetermined alarm voice), and prompts for replenishment of component 29 (St6).

[0085] For example, a replenishment worker will identify the supply information output in step St6 and manually replenish the storage unit 17 with a new pallet rack 25 (see above). Therefore, the storage unit control unit 93 of the storage unit 17 can use sensors (not shown) to detect that a new pallet rack 25 (see above) has been replenished (inserted), update the component storage information, generate a replenishment completion notification including the updated component storage information, and send the replenishment completion notification to the component mounting device 11.

[0086] After step St6, the component mounting device 11 determines whether the required component 29 has been supplied to the storage 17 based on the replenishment completion notification received from the storage 17 (St7). If it is determined that the required component 29 is still in short supply (St7, No), the component mounting device 11 repeats the process of steps St6 and St7 using the storage 17 until it is determined that the required component 29 has been supplied. On the other hand, if it is determined that the required component 29 is sufficient (St7, Yes), the process proceeds to step St8.

[0087] In the component mounting device 11, if it is determined that the required component 29 exists in the storage 17 (St5, yes), or the required component 29 is supplied to the storage 17 (St7, yes), the device control unit 147 determines whether there is an empty pallet rack 25 in the pallet feeder 13 due to the consumption (installation) of the component 29. If it is determined that there is an empty pallet rack 25 in the pallet feeder 13, the device control unit 147 performs control to collect the empty pallet rack 25 from the pallet feeder 13 into the storage 17 (St8). The empty pallet rack 25 is collected in a compartment 49 dedicated to empty pallet racks and provided in the compartment storage section 75 of the storage 17.

[0088] Empty pallet racks 25 can be collected independently by the pallet feeder 13. In this case, the pallet feeder 13 may be equipped with a dedicated storage compartment 49 for accommodating empty pallet racks 25.

[0089] Next, the storage control unit 93 instructs the second pallet rack moving unit 19 to supply the required pallet rack 25 from the storage unit 17 to the pallet feeder 13, thereby completing the supply of the pallet rack 25 (St9).

[0090] Next, examples of specific operations during pallet rack transport will be described.

[0091] Figure 10 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet rack moving unit 19 before the pallet rack 25 is pulled out of the storage unit 17. The storage section 75 accommodates the pallet rack 25 such that the second engagement portion 111 is provided on the surface of the second pallet rack moving unit side (see...). Figure 10 In order to supply pallet rack 25 to pallet feeder 13, the storage lifting unit 79 of the second pallet rack moving unit 19 moves in the vertical direction, and the storage engaging rod 115 of the traction device 129 engages with the second engaging portion 111 provided on the desired pallet rack 25.

[0092] Figure 11 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet holder moving unit 19 after the pallet holder 25 has been pulled out of the reservoir 17. When the traction motor 141 is driven, the traction device 129, which has a reservoir engagement rod 115 that engages with the second engagement portion 111, pulls the pallet holder 25 and the reservoir engagement rod 115 together in the X direction onto the turntable 127. A pair of pallet holder guide units 131 are pulled out from below onto the short side of the pallet holder 25 on the turntable 127.

[0093] Figure 12 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet frame moving unit 19, in which the rotating unit 119 rotates clockwise. Next, the turntable 127 supporting the pallet frame 25 rotates 90 degrees clockwise together with the traction device 129. With the pallet frame 25 rotated 90 degrees clockwise, the first engagement portion 109, which is not engaged with the storage container engagement rod 115, is located on the shelf 51 side. Therefore, the traction device 129 is configured such that the storage container engagement rod 115, which engages with the second engagement portion 111, is located on the rear side of the pallet frame 25 in the Y direction.

[0094] Figure 13 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet holder moving unit 19, which inserts the pallet holder 25 into the pallet feeder 13. The traction device 129 moves the storage engagement rod 115 along the Y direction. The storage engagement rod 115 moves in the Y direction such that the pallet holder 25 slides on the pallet holder guide unit 131 while being inserted from the rear surface 167 into the storage compartment 49 of the storage rack 51 in the pallet feeder 13. In this case, as the pallet holder 25 is inserted at different heights, the storage lifting platform 91 moves up and down to the desired height. After the storage lifting platform 91 moves up or down to disengage from the second engagement 111, the traction device 129, which inserted the pallet holder 25 into the pallet feeder 13, retracts in a direction away from the pallet feeder 13. The second pallet holder moving unit 19 returns the storage engagement rod 115 to the retracted position, thus completing the supply of the pallet holder 25 to the pallet feeder 13.

[0095] In the pallet feeder 13, in order to collect the empty pallet rack 25 without the component 29 into the storage 17, the reverse operation process is performed to move the empty pallet rack 25 to the storage 17.

[0096] Next, the effects of the component mounting device 11 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0097] The component mounting device 11 picks up a component 29 contained in a tray 27 placed on a tray frame 25 at a component pickup position 23 via a head unit 31 and mounts the component 29 onto a plate 33. The component mounting device 11 includes: a holding unit (e.g., a tray feeder 13) that holds the tray frame 25; a first tray frame moving unit 15 that moves the tray frame 25 between two positions, namely a pickup position 61 and a component pickup position 23, wherein at the pickup position 61, the tray frame 25 is allowed to be picked up from the front surface 59 of the holding unit along a first direction (e.g., the Y direction), and at the component pickup position 23, the component 29 is allowed to be picked up by the head unit 31; a reservoir 17 that holds the tray frame 25 such that the tray frame 25 is allowed to be picked up in a second direction (e.g., the X direction) different from the first direction; and a second tray frame moving unit 19 that moves the tray frame 25 between the holding unit and the reservoir 17. Therefore, according to the component mounting device 11, the storage capacity of the pallet rack 25 can be expanded by a structure that prevents protrusion into the channel 21 between the lines, while saving labor for pallet rack replenishment.

[0098] A pallet rack conveying device (e.g., a second pallet rack moving unit 19) moves a pallet rack 25 containing a component 29 between a reservoir 17 holding the pallet rack 25 and a holding unit (e.g., a pallet feeder 13). The holding unit holds the pallet rack 25 to supply it to a position allowing the component 29 to be picked up by a component mounting unit (e.g., a head unit 31) that mounts the component 29 onto a plate 33. The pallet rack conveying device (e.g., the second pallet rack moving unit 19) includes a pallet rack moving unit that inserts and removes the pallet rack 25 into and out of the holding unit (e.g., the pallet feeder 13) in a direction different from the direction in which the pallet rack 25 is inserted into and removed from the reservoir 17. Here, the pallet carrier moving unit includes: a lifting unit that moves up and down (e.g., a storage lifting unit 79); a pallet carrier guiding unit 131 that guides the pallet carrier 25 while supporting the pallet carrier 25 from below; and a rotating unit 119 that rotates in the direction of inserting and removing the pallet carrier 25 into and out of the storage unit 17 and in the direction of inserting and removing the pallet carrier 25 into and out of the holding unit (e.g., the pallet feeder 13).

[0099] In the component mounting device 11, a pallet rack 25 is provided at the component pick-up position 23. A pallet 27 capable of holding multiple components 29 is placed on the pallet rack 25. The component mounting device 11 picks up the component 29 from the pallet 27 on the pallet rack provided at the component pick-up position 23 via the head unit 31, and mounts the component 29 onto the plate 33 located at the working position on the plate conveyor mechanism.

[0100] Multiple pallet holders 25 positioned at component pick-up position 23 are held by a pallet feeder 13 of the component mounting device 11. The pallet holders 25 held by the pallet feeder 13 are moved one by one to the component pick-up position 23 via a first pallet holder moving unit 15. That is, the pallet holders 25 move between pick-up position 61 and the component pick-up position 23 as described above via the first pallet holder moving unit 15, wherein the pallet holders 25 are allowed to be picked up from the front surface 59 of the pallet feeder 13 in a first direction at pick-up position 61.

[0101] The component mounting device 11 includes a pallet feeder 13 and a storage container 17, which holds a large number of pallet racks 25. In the storage container 17, the pallet racks 25 are picked up in a second direction different from the first direction. The storage container 17 and the pallet feeder 13 are not arranged continuously in a straight line along the first direction.

[0102] Figure 14 This is an operational illustration showing the movement of the pallet holder 25 from the reservoir 17 to the pallet feeder 13. The pallet holder 25, held by the reservoir 17, moves toward and away from the pallet feeder 13 via the second pallet holder moving unit 19. After the pallet holder 25 is picked up from the reservoir 17 in a second direction (X direction), the pallet holder 25 is rotated in a first direction (Y direction) different from the second direction, and then inserted from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 via the second pallet holder moving unit 19. The pallet holder 25 inserted from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 is picked up from the front surface 59 opposite the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 along the first direction, and then the pallet holder 25 is moved to the component pick-up position 23 via the first pallet holder moving unit 15.

[0103] When the supply of all parts 29 from the placed tray 27 is finished, the tray rack 25 set at the part pick-up position 23 returns to the storage unit 17 by performing the reverse operation described above.

[0104] Therefore, the component mounting device 11 is newly equipped with a large-capacity storage unit 17, which can hold a large number of pallet racks 25. The pallet racks 25, which are placed and taken out from the storage unit 17 in the second direction, are redirected by the second pallet rack moving unit 19, which serves as a pallet rack conveying device, and are placed and taken out from the pallet feeder 13 in the first direction. That is, the second pallet rack moving unit 19 automatically enables the pallet racks 25 to be placed and taken out from the storage unit 17 and the pallet feeder 13 at the intersection of the second and first directions.

[0105] In the component mounting device 11, when the pallets 27 on the pallet rack held by the pallet feeder 13 consume all the components 29, a new pallet rack 25 is supplied from the storage unit 17 as a replacement. When the pallets 27 on the pallet rack held by the storage unit 17 consume all the components 29, the empty pallet rack 25 is manually replaced with a new pallet rack 25 that holds the components 29. Therefore, it is not necessary to manually replenish the components 29 until the components 29 held in the large-capacity storage unit 17 are used up. Thus, the frequency of component supply can be reduced, and labor savings and automation of component supply can be achieved.

[0106] In the component mounting device 11, as described above, the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 are not arranged in a straight line along the first direction. Instead, the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 are arranged in a direction that bends at the intersection of the second and first directions in the plan view. Therefore, the direction in which the pallet holder 25 is inserted and removed from the reservoir 17 can be set along the second direction (X direction) of the channel 21. This prevents protrusion into the channel 21 compared to the case where the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 are continuously arranged in a straight line intersecting the channel 21 between the equipment pipelines.

[0107] Furthermore, the storage unit 17 can be positioned along the channel 21 in the second direction without being restricted by protrusion into the channel 21, and a large number of tray racks 25 can be maintained in the stacking direction, thus significantly increasing the storage capacity.

[0108] The second pallet carrier moving unit 19 also includes a pallet carrier guiding unit 131, which guides the pallet carrier 25 and supports it from below when the pallet carrier 25 is exchanged between a holding unit (e.g., a pallet feeder 13) and a reservoir 17.

[0109] In the component mounting device 11, the second pallet carrier moving unit 19 includes a pallet carrier guiding unit 131, which guides the pallet carrier 25 and supports it from below. The pallet carrier guiding unit 131 supports the pallet carrier 25 moving between the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 from below, while movably guiding the pallet carrier 25 in both a second and a first direction. The pallet carrier guiding unit 131 can prevent the pallet carrier 25 from shifting when changing direction from the second direction to the first direction or its opposite direction between the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13. Therefore, the component mounting device 11 can also transport the pallet carrier at high speed in a curved transport path, which requires switching the insertion and removal directions of the pallet carrier 25 between the second and first directions.

[0110] The second pallet frame moving unit 19 includes a rotating unit 119 that rotates in at least a first direction and a second direction.

[0111] In the component mounting device 11, the second pallet frame moving unit 19 includes a rotating unit 119 that rotates in at least a first direction and a second direction. Here, the pallet frame 25 is formed as a rectangle in plan view. One of the pair of parallel long sides of the pallet frame 25 is a first long side 95, and the other is a second long side 97. The pallet frame 25 moves at its front end with the first long side 95 or the second long side 97 as the conveying direction.

[0112] The conveying direction can be divided into two directions: moving the pallet rack 25 of the storage 17 to the supply direction of the pallet feeder 13, and moving the pallet rack 25 of the pallet feeder 13 to the collection direction of the storage 17.

[0113] The component mounting device 11 differs in that, for example, in the supply direction, the pallet holder 25 pulled out from the reservoir 17 in the second direction moves parallel to the first direction and is inserted into the pallet feeder 13. That is, in the component mounting device 11, once the pallet holder 25 pulled out from the reservoir 17 in the second direction is rotated by the second pallet holder moving unit 19, it changes from the second direction to the first direction and is then inserted into the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13. Therefore, the component mounting device 11 can select, based on the rotation direction of the rotating unit 119, whether the orientation of the pallet holder 25 to be finally inserted into the pallet feeder 13 is the direction in which the first long side 95 is inserted into the pallet feeder 13 or the direction in which the second long side 97 is inserted into the pallet feeder 13.

[0114] The second pallet rack moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (e.g., a storage container lifting unit 79) for vertical movement.

[0115] In the component mounting device 11, the second pallet carrier moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (e.g., a storage container lifting unit 79) for vertical movement. The lifting range of the lifting unit is determined based on the higher of the storage container 17 and the pallet feeder 13. Since the component mounting device 11 is newly provided with a large-capacity storage container 17 capable of holding a large number of pallet carriers 25, it is assumed that the storage container 17 is higher than the pallet feeder 13. The lifting unit can stop at any position in the vertical direction along the surface of the storage container 17 on the side of the second pallet carrier moving unit, so that the pallet carriers 25 can be inserted and removed from the storage container 17 at any position in the vertical direction. Similarly, the lifting unit can stop at any position in the vertical direction along the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 to allow the pallet carriers 25 to be inserted into and removed from the pallet feeder 13 at any position in the vertical direction.

[0116] The second pallet frame moving unit 19 includes a retractable storage engagement rod 115, and pulls the pallet frame 25 in a first or second direction by engaging an engagement portion (e.g., a second engagement portion 111) provided at the end of the pallet frame 25 with a traction portion (e.g., the storage engagement rod 115).

[0117] In the component mounting device 11, the second pallet holder moving unit 19 includes a reservoir engaging rod 115. The pallet holder 25 has a second engaging portion 111 on a first long side 95 and a second long side 97, which are ends. The reservoir engaging rod 115 can engage with the second engaging portion 111 of the pallet holder 25 to pull the pallet holder 25 in a first direction or a second direction.

[0118] In the supply direction, the second pallet carrier moving unit 19 pulls the pallet carrier 25 out of the storage unit 17 in a second direction by engaging the storage unit engaging rod 115 with the second engagement portion 111 of the pallet carrier 25 housed in the storage unit 17. Simultaneously with engaging the second engagement portion 111, the storage unit engaging rod 115 is inserted into the pallet carrier 25 from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 in a first direction. The storage unit engaging rod 115, having inserted the pallet carrier 25 into the pallet feeder 13, disengages from the second engagement portion 111 and moves from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 to a standby position, while leaving the pallet carrier 25 in the pallet feeder 13.

[0119] In the collection direction, the second pallet holder moving unit 19 pulls the pallet holder 25 out from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 in a first direction by engaging the storage engaging rod 115 with the second engaging portion 111 of the pallet holder 25 housed in the pallet feeder 13. Simultaneously, while engaging with the second engaging portion 111, the storage engaging rod 115 is inserted into the pallet holder 25 from the surface of the storage unit 17 in a second direction on the side of the second pallet holder moving unit. The storage engaging rod 115, having inserted the pallet holder 25 into the storage unit 17, disengages from the second engaging portion 111 and moves from the surface of the storage unit 17 to a standby position on the side of the second pallet holder moving unit, while leaving the pallet holder 25 inside the storage unit 17.

[0120] In the component mounting device 11, for example in the supply direction, the reservoir engaging rod 115 engages with the second engaging portion 111 located at the front end of the reservoir 17 in the pulling direction to pull out the pallet holder 25. When the second pallet holder moving unit 19 pulls out the pallet holder 25, the conveying direction of the pallet holder 25 is changed from the second direction to the first direction by the rotating unit 119, thereby changing the reservoir engaging rod 115 to a state in which it engages with the rear end of the pallet holder 25 in the conveying direction. In this state, the reservoir engaging rod 115 pushes the rear end of the pallet holder 25 in the conveying direction and conveys the pallet holder 25 in the first direction. That is, the reservoir engaging rod 115 moves the pallet holder 25 by pulling the pallet holder in the second direction and pushing the pallet holder in the first direction.

[0121] In this configuration, the orientation of the first long side 95 and the second long side 97 of the pallet rack 25 housed in the storage 17 is opposite to that of the pallet rack 25 inserted into the pallet feeder 13. That is, the pallet rack 25 housed in the storage 17 with its second long side 97 facing the second pallet rack moving unit side is positioned in the pallet feeder 13 with its first long side 95 located on the front surface 59. Therefore, the orientation of the pallet rack 25 to be housed in the storage 17 can be determined based on the orientation of the pallet rack 25 to be housed in the pallet feeder 13.

[0122] In the component mounting device 11, the position of the reservoir engaging rod 115 when the pallet holder 25 is pulled out from the reservoir 17 can be used as the starting position when the pallet holder 25 is pushed into the pallet feeder 13. Therefore, the reservoir engaging rod 115 can achieve a large pushing stroke. Thus, in the component mounting device 11, the reservoir engaging rod 115 can be used to insert and remove the pallet holder, and the structure of the second pallet holder moving unit 19 can be simplified.

[0123] The first and second directions of the component mounting device 11 are orthogonal to each other in the plan view. The fact that the first and second directions are orthogonal to each other in the plan view also applies to the second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0124] In the component mounting device 11, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal in the plan view. The reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 can be arranged in an L-shape at the intersection of the second direction and the first direction in the plan view, in a direction that bends at a right angle in the plan view. Therefore, when the pallet rack insertion and removal direction of the pallet feeder 13 is orthogonal to the channel 21, the pallet rack insertion and removal direction of the reservoir 17 can be parallel to the channel 21. Therefore, compared with the case where the reservoir 17 and the pallet feeder 13 are continuously arranged on a straight line intersecting the channel 21 between the equipment pipelines, the position of the reservoir 17 can be bent at a right angle, and protrusion into the channel 21 can be prevented.

[0125] (Second Embodiment)

[0126] Figure 15 This is a perspective view of the tray holder 169 used in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, regarding... Figures 1 to 14 The same components and parts shown are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0127] According to the second embodiment, the component mounting device 171 (see...) Figure 16 The difference from the configuration in the first embodiment is that the first joint 109 is disposed on the second long side 97 of the pallet frame 169, and the traction part is... Figure 16 The storage container connecting rod 173 is shown, and the traction device 175 is provided with... Figure 17A and 17B The pushers shown are (first pusher 177 and second pusher 179). Other configurations are basically the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0128] The pallet holder 169 has the same first joint 109 on each of the first long side 95 and the second long side 97. The other configurations of the pallet holder 169 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0129] Figure 16 This is a plan view of the main components of the component mounting device 171 according to the second embodiment. The second pallet frame moving unit 19 includes a reservoir engaging rod 173 in the traction device 175. The reservoir engaging rod 173 engages with the first engaging portion 109. Therefore, the reservoir engaging rod 173 and the feeder engaging rod 117 are formed to have the same width and engage with the first engaging portion 109.

[0130] The second pallet holder moving unit 19 engages the first engagement portion 109 located at the end of the pallet holder 169 (e.g., the first long side 95) with the storage engagement rod 173, pulls the pallet holder 169 in the second direction (X direction), and then moves the pallet holder 169 in the first direction (Y direction) by means of pushers (e.g., the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179).

[0131] Figure 17A This is an enlarged view of the main components of the second pallet frame moving unit 181 viewed from the Y direction. Figure 17B yes Figure 17A An enlarged view of the main components after the rotating unit 119 has been rotated 90° clockwise. The traction device 175 includes a pusher housing 183, which is fixed to the upper part of the main body base 133 and is longer in the same direction as the main body base 133. A first pusher drive unit 185 and a second pusher drive unit 187 are arranged side by side in the pusher housing 183 in the width direction of the reservoir engagement rod 173 (e.g., along the first long side 95 of the tray frame 169).

[0132] The first pusher drive unit 185 includes a first pusher lifting unit 189, which includes a cylinder. A first pusher 177 is fixed to the forward / reverse shaft of the first pusher lifting unit 189. Figure 17B As shown, when the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183 is set along the X direction, the first pusher 177 is positioned closer to the reservoir 17 via the short arm 191. The first pusher 177 can move vertically by moving the forward and backward axis of the first pusher lifting unit 189. When the pallet rack 169 is being conveyed, the first pusher lifting unit 189 moves the first pusher 177 upward; otherwise, it retracts the first pusher 177 to a position that does not interfere with the conveying of the pallet rack.

[0133] The first pusher drive unit 185 has a pair of rotatable tension shafts 135 arranged along the respective short sides of the pusher housing 183. An annular traction belt 137 is stretched around the tension shafts 135. A first pusher lifting unit 189 is fixed to the lower loop portion of the traction belt 137. A pusher motor 193 is connected to one of the pair of tension shafts 135 via the drive belt 139. Therefore, in the first pusher drive unit 185, for example when the pusher motor 193 is driven by the device control unit 147, the traction belt 137 travels in a cyclic manner, and the first pusher lifting unit 189 can reciprocate along the guide groove 143 formed in the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183.

[0134] The second pusher drive unit 187 includes a second pusher lifting unit 195 and a second pusher 179, and has a configuration substantially the same as that of the first pusher drive unit 185. For example... Figure 17BAs shown, when the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183 is set along the X direction, the second pusher 179, located at the second pusher drive unit 187, is positioned on the side away from the reservoir 17 via a long arm 197. This differs from the first pusher drive unit 185. Other configurations are the same as the first pusher drive unit 185.

[0135] Figure 18 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet rack moving unit 181 before the pallet rack 169 is pulled out from the storage unit 17. The storage section 75 accommodates the pallet rack 169 such that a first engagement portion 109 on the first long side 95 is provided on the surface of the second pallet rack moving unit. In order to supply the pallet rack 169 to the pallet feeder 13, the storage unit lifting unit 79 of the second pallet rack moving unit 181 moves in the vertical direction, and the storage engagement rod 173 of the traction device 175 engages with the first engagement portion 109 provided on the desired pallet rack 169.

[0136] Figure 19 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet holder moving unit 181 after the pallet holder 169 has been pulled out of the storage container 17. When the traction motor 141 is driven, the traction device 175, which has a storage container engaging rod 173 that engages with the first engaging part 109, pulls the pallet holder 169 and the storage container engaging rod 173 together in the X direction onto the turntable 127. A pair of pallet holder guiding units 131 are pulled out from below onto the short side of the pallet holder 169 on the turntable 127.

[0137] Figure 20 This is an instruction diagram for operating the second pallet frame moving unit 181, which rotates clockwise using the rotating unit 119.

[0138] Next, the turntable 127 supporting the pallet rack 169 rotates 90 degrees counterclockwise together with the traction device 175. With the pallet rack 169 rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise, the first engagement portion 109, which engages with the storage container engagement rod 173, is located on the shelf 51 side. Therefore, the traction device 175 is configured such that the storage container engagement rod 173, which engages with the first engagement portion 109, is located in the Y direction at the front of the pallet rack 169.

[0139] Figure 21 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet rack moving unit 181, which is initiated by the first pusher 177. The traction device 175 moves the reservoir engagement rod 173 along the Y direction. The movement of the reservoir engagement rod 173 in the Y direction causes a portion of the pallet rack 169 to slide on the pallet rack guide unit 131 and be inserted from its rear surface 167 into the compartment 49 of the compartment rack 51 in the pallet feeder 13. In this configuration, as the pallet rack 169 is inserted at different heights, the reservoir lifting platform 91 moves up or down to the desired height.

[0140] When the reservoir engagement rod 173 reaches the end of the travel direction and the pallet holder 169 is inserted into the pallet feeder 13 midway, the traction device 175 stops. The stopped reservoir engagement rod 173 moves up or down to disengage from the first engagement portion 109 and then retracts away from the pallet feeder 13. Next, in the traction device 175, the first pusher 177 pushes the second long side 97 of the pallet holder 169 in the Y direction. The first pusher 177 reaches the end of its stroke and stops when the pallet holder 169 is inserted into the pallet feeder 13 midway. The stopped first pusher 177 retracts away from the pallet feeder 13.

[0141] Figure 22 This is an operational illustration of the second pallet holder moving unit 181, which inserts the pallet holder 169 into the pallet feeder 13 using the second pusher 179. Next, in the traction device 175, the second pusher 179 pushes the second long side 97 of the pallet holder 169 along the Y direction. Therefore, the pallet holder 169 is fully inserted into the magazine 49 of the pallet feeder 13, which is the application destination. With the second pusher 179 moved to the retracted position, the traction device 175 completes the supply of the pallet holder 169.

[0142] Here, the pallet rack conveying operation performed by the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 will be further described.

[0143] Figure 23 This is an operational illustration of the pushing process of the pallet holder 169 performed by the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179.

[0144] When the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 are operated, the traction device 175 first pulls the pallet holder 169 from the compartment 49 of the storage container 17 to the pallet holder guide unit 131. Next, the traction device 175 moves downward and retracts the storage container engaging rod 115. The device control unit 147 drives the first pusher lifting unit 189 to move the first pusher 177 downward. The first pusher 177 moves to a position where it can push the second long side 97 of the pallet holder 169.

[0145] Next, the device control unit 147 moves the first pusher 177 along the Y direction. Therefore, the first long side 95 of the pallet holder 169 is inserted into the magazine 49 of the pallet feeder 13, which is the destination of the movement, and the second long side 97 stops at a position protruding from the magazine 49. The device control unit 147 drives the first pusher lifting unit 189 to move the first pusher 177 upward and retract the first pusher 177 from the pallet holder's transportable position.

[0146] Next, the device control unit 147 drives the second pusher lifting unit 195 to move the second pusher 179 downward. The second pusher 179 moves to a position where it can push the second long side 97 of the tray frame 169.

[0147] Finally, the device control unit 147 moves the second pusher 179 along the Y direction. As a result, the tray holder 169 is fully inserted into the magazine 49, which is the destination of the movement.

[0148] Next, the effects of the component mounting device 171 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0149] In the component mounting device 171 according to the second embodiment, the second pallet rack moving unit 19 includes a retractable traction portion (e.g., a storage engaging rod 173) and a pushing member (e.g., a first pushing member 177 and a second pushing member 179). The pallet rack 169 is pulled in a second direction (X direction) by engaging the traction portion with an engaging portion located at the end of the pallet rack 169, and then the pushing member moves the pallet rack 169 in a first direction (Y direction). Therefore, according to the component mounting device 171, the storage capacity of the pallet rack 169 can be expanded due to a structure that prevents protrusion into the channel 21 between pipelines, while saving labor for pallet rack replenishment.

[0150] In the component mounting device 171, the second pallet holder moving unit 19 includes a reservoir engaging rod 173, a first pusher 177, and a second pusher 179. The pallet holder 169 has a first engaging portion 109 on its first long side 95 and second long side 97. The reservoir engaging rod 173 can engage with the first engaging portion 109 of the pallet holder 169 to pull the pallet holder 169 in the X direction. The first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 can move the pallet holder 169 pulled by the reservoir engaging rod 173 in the Y direction.

[0151] Figure 24This is an operational illustration showing the movement of the pallet holder 169 from the reservoir 17 to the pallet feeder 13. In the supply direction, the second pallet holder moving unit 181 pulls the pallet holder 169 out of the reservoir 17 in the X direction by engaging the reservoir engaging rod 173 with the first engaging portion 109 on the first long side 95 of the pallet holder 169 housed in the reservoir 17, and simultaneously changes the orientation of the pallet holder 169 to the Y direction while the reservoir engaging rod 173 engages with the first engaging portion 109. The reservoir engaging rod 173 disengages from the first engaging portion 109. Next, the second pallet holder moving unit 181 pushes the pallet holder 169 to the receiving completion position of the pallet feeder 13 in sequence with the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179. After the pallet holder insertion is completed, the second pusher 179 returns from the rear surface 167 of the pallet feeder 13 to the standby position, leaving the pallet holder 169 in the pallet feeder 13.

[0152] Furthermore, the second pallet holder moving unit 19 pushes back the pallet holder 169 housed in the pallet feeder 13 from the rear surface 167 of the rack 51 along the collection direction. For example, the pushing back of the pallet holder 169 is performed by inserting the feeder engaging rod 117 from the front surface 59 of the rack 51. Next, the storage engaging rod 173 engages with the first engaging portion 109 on the second long side 97 and pulls the pallet holder out to the position of the turntable 127.

[0153] Next, the tray holder 169 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and inserted into the second tray holder moving unit side of the storage unit 17 along the X direction by the storage unit engaging rod 173. The storage unit engaging rod 173, which has inserted the tray holder 169 into the storage unit 17, disengages from the first engaging portion 109 and returns to the standby position from the surface of the storage unit 17 on the second tray holder moving unit side, while leaving the tray holder 169 inside the storage unit 17.

[0154] In the component mounting device 171, for example in the supply direction, the reservoir engaging rod 173 engages with the first engaging portion 109, which is located on the first long side 95 on the front side of the reservoir 17 in the pulling direction, to pull out the pallet holder 169. In the second pallet holder moving unit 181 that pulls out the pallet holder 169, the conveying direction of the pallet holder 169 is changed from the X direction to the Y direction by the rotating unit 119. From this state, the second pallet holder moving unit 181 conveys the pallet holder 169 in the Y direction using the first pushing member 177 and the second pushing member 179, which push the second long side 97 on the rear side in the conveying direction. That is, the second pallet holder moving unit 181 pulls the pallet holder 169 in the X direction using the reservoir engaging rod 173 and pushes the pallet holder 169 in the Y direction using the first pushing member 177 and the second pushing member 179.

[0155] In this configuration, the orientation of the first long side 95 and the second long side 97 of the pallet holder 169 housed in the storage unit 17 is the same as that of the first long side 95 and the second long side 97 inserted into the pallet feeder 13. That is, the pallet holder 169 housed in the storage unit 17 with its first long side 95 facing the second pallet holder moving unit side is positioned in the pallet feeder 13 with its first long side 95 located on the front surface 59.

[0156] According to the component mounting device 171, the orientation of the pallet rack 169 to be accommodated in the storage container 17 can be the same as the orientation of the pallet rack 169 to be accommodated in the pallet feeder 13. The pallet rack 169 is transported in such a way that the front end side is always the first long side 95 in the transport direction.

[0157] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is apparent that this disclosure is not limited to these examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents are contemplated within the scope of the claims, and it should be understood that such changes also fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Components in the various embodiments described above can be combined as needed within this scope without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0158] The above embodiment describes an example in which a first pallet carrier moving unit 15 moves a pallet carrier 25 between a pickup position 61 and a component pickup position 23. At pickup position 61, the pallet carrier 25 is allowed to be picked up in the Y direction from the front surface of a holding unit (e.g., pallet feeder 13), and at component pickup position 23, a component mounting unit (e.g., head unit 31) is allowed to pick up a component 29. However, the holding unit (e.g., pallet feeder 13) may be able to move the storage compartment 49 vertically. In this case, the first pallet carrier moving unit 15 can pull the pallet carrier 25 from which the component 29 is picked up from the holding unit (e.g., pallet feeder 13), which is capable of moving the storage compartment 49 vertically.

[0159] The above embodiments describe an example in which head unit 31 is given as an example of a component mounting unit, and head unit 31 sucks and holds component 29 contained in tray 27 through nozzle 45, mounting component 29 contained in tray 27 onto plate 33. However, the configuration examples of the component mounting unit are not limited to head unit 31, and can also be component mounting units that clamp and transfer component 29 by clamping units other than nozzle 45. For example, such a component mounting unit can mount component 29 (e.g., lead component) onto plate 33 by clamping component 29 (e.g., lead component) from both sides.

[0160] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-123899, filed on July 20, 2020, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0161] Industrial applicability

[0162] This disclosure can be used as a component mounting device and a pallet rack conveying device, which can save labor for pallet rack replenishment, prevent protrusion into the passage between lines, and increase the storage capacity of pallet racks.

[0163] List of reference numerals

[0164] 11: Component mounting device

[0165] 13: Pallet feeder (pallet holder unit)

[0166] 15: First pallet rack moving unit

[0167] 17: Storage

[0168] 19: Second pallet rack moving unit

[0169] 23: Part Pickup Location

[0170] 25: Pallet rack

[0171] 27: Pallet

[0172] 29: Components

[0173] 31: Head Unit

[0174] 33: Board

[0175] 59: Front surface

[0176] 61: Pickup Location

[0177] 79: Storage lifting unit (lifting unit)

[0178] 95: First long side (end)

[0179] 97: Second longest side (end)

[0180] 109: First joint (joint)

[0181] 111: Second joint (joint)

[0182] 115: Storage unit connecting rod (traction part)

[0183] 119: Rotating Unit

[0184] 131: Pallet rack guiding unit

[0185] 169: Pallet rack

[0186] 171: Component mounting device

[0187] 173: Storage Connector Rod (Traction Part)

[0188] 177: First Actuating Component (Actuating Component)

[0189] 179: Second Actuator (Actuator)

[0190] 181: Second pallet rack moving unit

Claims

1. A component mounting apparatus for picking up a component contained in a tray at a component pickup position by a component mounting unit and mounting the component on a plate, the tray being placed on a tray rack, the component mounting apparatus comprising: A holding unit is configured to hold the tray holder; A first pallet carrier moving unit is configured to move the pallet carrier between a pickup position and a component pickup position, at the pickup position allowing the pallet carrier to be picked up from the front surface of the holding unit along a first direction, and at the component pickup position allowing the component to be picked up by the component mounting unit; A storage device is configured to hold the tray rack such that the tray rack can be picked up in a second direction different from the first direction; and A second pallet rack moving unit is configured to move the pallet rack between the holding unit and the reservoir, wherein... The second pallet carrier moving unit also includes a pallet carrier guiding unit configured to guide the pallet carrier while supporting a pair of opposite sides of the pallet carrier from below when the pallet carrier is exchanged between the holding unit and the reservoir.

2. The component mounting device according to claim 1, wherein... The second pallet carrier moving unit further includes a pallet carrier guiding unit configured to guide the pallet carrier while supporting it from below when the pallet carrier is exchanged between the holding unit and the reservoir.

3. The component mounting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein... The second pallet carrier moving unit includes a rotating unit configured to rotate at least in the first direction and the second direction.

4. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The second pallet frame moving unit includes a lifting unit configured to move up and down.

5. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The second pallet frame moving unit includes a retractable traction portion, and pulls the pallet frame in the first or second direction by engaging the traction portion with a joint provided at the end of the pallet frame.

6. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The second pallet frame moving unit includes a retractable traction part and a pusher. The pallet frame is pulled in the second direction by engaging the traction part with a joint provided at the end of the pallet frame, and then the pusher moves the pallet frame in the first direction.

7. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein The first direction and the second direction are orthogonal to each other in the plan view.

8. A pallet rack conveying device for moving a pallet rack containing components between a reservoir and a holding unit, the reservoir being configured to hold the pallet rack and the holding unit being configured to hold the pallet rack to supply the pallet rack to a position allowing a component to be picked up by a component mounting unit, the component mounting unit being configured to mount the component on a plate, the pallet rack conveying device comprising: A tray holder moving unit is configured to insert and remove the tray holder from the holding unit in a direction different from the direction of insertion and removal of the tray holder from the reservoir, wherein... The pallet rack moving unit includes: The lifting unit is configured to move up and down; A pallet rack guiding unit is configured to guide the pallet rack while supporting it from below; and The rotating unit is configured to rotate in the direction of insertion into and removal from the storage unit of the tray frame and in the direction of insertion into and removal from the holding unit of the tray frame.

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