Bulk feeder

Abstract

A bulk supply device is provided with a supply device main body, a track member, a vibration device, and a guide member. The track member is provided so as to be able to vibrate with respect to the supply device main body, and has a groove-shaped transport path that transports a plurality of supply articles that are discharged from a cartridge. The vibration device vibrates the track member to transport the plurality of supply articles to a pickup portion that is provided in a bottom portion of the groove-shaped transport path, in a supply region where the plurality of supply articles can be picked up by a substrate work machine. When at least one of the plurality of supply articles that is transported to a pair of empty spaces provided between a pair of side wall surfaces that extend along an extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path and the pickup portion is further transported in a direction along the extension direction, the guide member guides the at least one supply article, which is an object, toward the pickup portion side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses technology related to bulk feeders. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a bulk segmented feeder that includes component feeding accessories and a platform. The platform includes a vibration mechanism with a top plate and a device fixing unit. Furthermore, the component conveying device vibrates the component conveying track via the vibration mechanism, conveying components from the arrangement slots and feed slots.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-105363 Summary of the Invention

[0005] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0006] Consider the following bulk feeder: a vibration device vibrates a track component with a trough-shaped conveying path, thereby conveying multiple supplies along the conveying path to a pickup unit. In this configuration, the pickup unit is located in a supply area at the bottom of the trough-shaped conveying path, capable of picking up multiple supplies by a substrate handling machine. However, when the vibration device conveys multiple supplies along the extension direction of the trough-shaped conveying path, it becomes difficult to convey supplies that are to be conveyed between a pair of sidewalls extending along the extension direction of the trough-shaped conveying path and the pickup unit to the pickup unit.

[0007] In view of this situation, this specification discloses a bulk feeder capable of conveying a supply between a pair of sidewalls extending along the extension direction of a trough-shaped conveying path and a pickup section to the pickup section.

[0008] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0009] This specification discloses a bulk feeder comprising a feeder body, a track component, a vibration device, and a guide component. The track component is configured to vibrate relative to the feeder body and has a trough-shaped transport path for conveying multiple supplies discharged from a cartridge. The vibration device vibrates the track component to transport the multiple supplies to a pickup unit, which is located at the bottom of the trough-shaped transport path and is a supply area capable of being picked up by a substrate processing machine. When at least one supply, i.e., an object, is further conveyed into a pair of empty spaces between a pair of sidewalls extending along the extending direction of the trough-shaped transport path and the pickup unit, the guide component guides the object towards the pickup unit.

[0010] Invention Effects

[0011] According to the above-mentioned bulk feeder, since it has a guiding component, it can transport the feed that is conveyed between a pair of side walls extending along the extension direction of the trough-shaped conveying path and the pick-up section to the pick-up section. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Figure 1 This is a top view showing an example of the structure of a component mounting machine.

[0013] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing an example of a bulk feeder.

[0014] Figure 3 It is a schematic representation Figure 2 A side view of a portion of the bulk feeder.

[0015] Figure 4 From Figure 2 The top view viewed in the direction of arrow IV.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing an example of a transport path.

[0017] Figure 6 This is a top view of the track component (the surrounding area of ​​the pickup unit) that represents the comparison method.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a top view showing an example of the track component (peripheral area of ​​the pickup section) in this embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a top view showing an example of a track component (the surrounding area of ​​the pickup section) in the first deformation mode.

[0020] Figure 9 This is a top view showing an example of a track component (the surrounding area of ​​the pickup section) in the second deformation mode.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a top view showing an example of a track component (the surrounding area of ​​the pickup section) in the third deformation mode.

[0022] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 End face view of the cut section of the track component. Detailed Implementation

[0023] 1. Implementation Method

[0024] 1-1. Structural Example of Component Mounting Machine 10

[0025] Bulk feeder 30 supplies multiple feeders 90s to a substrate mounting machine WM0 that performs predetermined substrate mounting operations on a substrate 90. For example, a component mounting machine 10, a printer, etc., are included in the substrate mounting machine WM0. The component mounting machine 10 mounts multiple components 91 onto the substrate 90. The component mounting machine 10 can also supply multiple solder balls 92 to the substrate 90. The components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to the substrate 90 are included in the multiple feeders 90s.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the component mounting machine 10 of this embodiment includes: a substrate transport device 11, a supply device 12, a transfer device 13, a first camera 14, a second camera 15, and a control device 20. The substrate transport device 11 is configured, for example, a belt conveyor, and transports a substrate 90 along a transport direction (X-axis direction). The substrate 90 is a circuit board, and electronic circuits, electrical circuits, magnetic circuits, etc. are formed thereon. The substrate transport device 11 moves the substrate 90 into the component mounting machine 10 and positions the substrate 90 at a predetermined position within the machine. After the predetermined processing performed by the component mounting machine 10 is completed, the substrate transport device 11 moves the substrate 90 out of the component mounting machine 10.

[0027] The supply device 12 supplies the component 91. The supply device 12 can also supply solder balls 92. The supply device 12 has a plurality of feeders 12b arranged along the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 90. The plurality of feeders 12b are detachably mounted in the slot 12a. The feeders 12b can be belt feeders, bulk feeders 30, etc.

[0028] A belt feeder provides interval feeding to a carrier tape containing multiple components 91, supplying the components 91 in a pick-up manner at the supply position. A bulk feeder 30 supplies components 91 that have been discharged from a cassette 70 containing multiple components 91 in a bulk state (with multiple components 91 in an irregular orientation) in a pick-up manner. Additionally, the bulk feeder 30 can also supply solder balls 92 that have been discharged from a cassette 70 containing multiple solder balls 92 in a bulk state (with multiple solder balls 92 in an irregular orientation).

[0029] In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 30 is equipped in a predetermined slot 12a among the plurality of slots 12a of the supply device 12 of the component mounting machine 10. The slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is equipped is determined in the production plan of the substrate products. For example, the slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is equipped is determined together with the slots 12a in which other feeders 12b such as tape feeders are equipped, in order to make the productivity of the component mounting machine 10 (the number of substrate products produced per unit time) reach or exceed a predetermined value.

[0030] The transfer device 13 includes a head drive device 13a, a moving stage 13b, a mounting head 13c, and a holding member 13d. The head drive device 13a is configured to move the moving stage 13b in the X-axis and Y-axis directions (directions orthogonal to the X-axis in the horizontal plane) via a linear motion mechanism. The mounting head 13c is detachably (replaceably) mounted on the moving stage 13b via a clamping member. The mounting head 13c uses at least one holding member 13d to pick up and hold the supply item 90s supplied by the supply device 12, and mounts the supply item 90s onto the substrate 90 positioned by the substrate transport device 11. The holding member 13d can be, for example, a nozzle, a chuck, etc.

[0031] The first camera 14 and the second camera 15 can be captured using known imaging devices. The first camera 14 is fixed to the base of the component mounting machine 10 with its optical axis pointing upwards in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction, which is orthogonal to the X-axis and Y-axis directions). The first camera 14 can capture images of the supply 90s held in the holding member 13d from below.

[0032] The second camera 15 is mounted on the moving stage 13b of the transfer device 13 with its optical axis pointing downwards in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second camera 15 is capable of capturing images of the substrate 90, the pickup unit Pu0 (described later, which is the chamber unit 50 in this embodiment), etc., from above. The first camera 14 and the second camera 15 capture images based on control signals sent from the control device 20. Image data of the images captured by the first camera 14 and the second camera 15 are sent to the control device 20.

[0033] The control device 20 includes a known arithmetic unit and a storage unit, forming a control circuit. Information and image data output from various sensors installed on the component mounting machine 10 are input to the control device 20. Based on a control program and pre-set predetermined mounting conditions, the control device 20 sends control signals to each device.

[0034] For example, the control device 20 causes the second camera 15 to capture an image of the substrate 90 after it has been positioned by the substrate transport device 11. The control device 20 performs image processing on the image captured by the second camera 15 to identify the positioning state of the substrate 90. Additionally, the control device 20 causes the holding member 13d to pick up and hold the element 91 supplied by the supply device 12, and causes the first camera 14 to capture an image of the element 91 held on the holding member 13d. The control device 20 performs image processing on the image captured by the first camera 14 to identify the holding posture of the element 91.

[0035] The control device 20 moves the holding member 13d upwards towards a predetermined mounting position via a control program. Furthermore, the control device 20 corrects the predetermined mounting position based on the positioning state of the substrate 90 and the holding posture of the component 91, and sets the actual mounting position of the mounted component 91. The predetermined mounting position and the actual mounting position include not only position (X-axis and Y-axis coordinates) but also rotation angle.

[0036] The control device 20 corrects the target position (X-axis and Y-axis coordinates) and rotation angle of the holding member 13d according to the mounting position. The control device 20 lowers the holding member 13d by the corrected rotation angle at the corrected target position, mounting the component 91 onto the substrate 90. The control device 20 performs the mounting process of mounting multiple components 91 onto the substrate 90 by repeatedly performing the above pick-and-place cycle. The control device 20 can also perform the supply process of supplying solder balls 92 to a predetermined area of ​​the substrate 90, similar to that of the components 91.

[0037] 1-2. Structural Example of Bulk Feeder 30

[0038] The bulk feeder 30 only needs to be able to supply multiple feed items 90s, and various methods can be adopted. In this embodiment, the multiple feed items 90s are components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to the substrate 90. Figures 2-5 and Figure 7 As shown, the bulk feeder 30 of this embodiment includes: a feeder main body 31, a receiving component 32, a bracket 33, a track component 34, a locking unit 35, a cover 36, a gate 37, a connecting component 38, an air supply device 39, a vibration device 40, a chamber unit 50 (pick-up unit Pu0), a feeder control device 60, a box 70, and a guide component 80.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeder body 31 is formed in a flat, box-like shape. The feeder body 31 is detachably mounted in the slot 12a of the supply device 12. A connector 31a and multiple (two in this figure) pins 31b are formed on the front end side of the feeder body 31 in the conveying direction of the plurality of supplies 90s. Furthermore, the conveying direction of the plurality of supplies 90s is the extension direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction), which corresponds to the Y-axis direction in the component mounting machine 10 when the feeder body 31 is mounted in the slot 12a.

[0040] Connector 31a is configured to communicate with control device 20 when feeder body 31 is mounted in slot 12a. Bulk feeder 30 is powered via connector 31a. Multiple pins 31b are inserted into guide holes in slot 12a for positioning feeder body 31 when mounted in slot 12a.

[0041] A box 70, which holds multiple supplies 90s in a bulk state, is detachably mounted to the feeder body 31 via a housing component 32. For example... Figure 3 As shown, a discharge port 71 for discharging multiple supplies 90s is formed in the box 70. In this embodiment, the box 70 is an external device of the bulk feeder 30. For example, the operator selects a box 70 from the multiple boxes 70 to hold the multiple supplies 90s to be supplied to the substrate 90, and installs the selected box 70 on the feeder body 31.

[0042] The receiving member 32 supports the cassette 70 mounted on the feeder body 31 and is configured to vibrate relative to the feeder body 31. The receiving member 32 is provided in a receiving area Ar0 that receives a plurality of supplies 90s discharged from the cassette 70. In this embodiment, the receiving member 32 includes an inclined portion 32a and a delivery portion 32b. The inclined portion 32a is a portion that slopes downward from the discharge port 71 of the cassette 70. The plurality of supplies 90s discharged from the discharge port 71 are guided downward. The delivery portion 32b is a portion that extends upward from the front end side of the inclined portion 32a. The front end side of the delivery portion 32b is open and communicates with the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34. The plurality of supplies 90s guided downward by the inclined portion 32a are delivered upward through the delivery portion 32b by the air supply device 39 (described later) and then delivered into the transport path Rd0.

[0043] The bracket 33 is configured to vibrate relative to the feeder body 31. The bracket 33 is formed as a block extending in the conveying direction (the extension direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)) of the plurality of feeds 90s. A track member 34 is mounted on the upper surface of the bracket 33. The bracket 33 is supported by a support member 41 of the vibration device 40, described later. A locking unit 35 secures the track member 34 to the bracket 33 while it is mounted. When secured by the locking unit 35, the track member 34 can vibrate integrally with the bracket 33 relative to the feeder body 31. The track member 34 can be removed from the bracket 33 by releasing the locking unit 35.

[0044] The track component 34 has a trough-shaped conveying path Rd0 for transporting multiple supplies 90s discharged from the box 70. The conveying path Rd0 only needs to be capable of transporting multiple supplies 90s and can be implemented in various ways. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the conveying path Rd0 of this embodiment includes: a pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a, a front sidewall 34b, a pair of corner portions 34c, 34c, a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, and an inlet portion 34e.

[0045] A pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a are walls extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0. A front sidewall 34b is a wall located at the front end of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0. A pair of corners 34c, 34c are corners formed by the front sidewall 34b and the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a. The pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d and the inlet 34e will be described later.

[0046] When the feeder body 31 is mounted on the slot 12a, at least a portion of the track member 34 is disposed in the supply region As0. The supply region As0 is a region where a plurality of feed items 90s can be picked up by the substrate mounting machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10). Specifically, the supply region As0 is a region where the feed items 90s can be picked up by the holding member 13d supported on the mounting head 13c, and is included in the movable range of the mounting head 13c.

[0047] Multiple supplies 90s are conveyed to a pickup unit Pu0 located in the supply area As0 at the bottom of a trough-shaped conveying path Rd0. The pickup unit Pu0 may also have multiple supplies 90s distributed throughout it. Alternatively, the pickup unit Pu0 may include a chamber unit 50. The chamber unit 50 includes multiple (in...) Figure 4 The example shown is a chamber 51 containing one of 120 supplies 90s to be accommodated, and is installed on the track component 34 in a replaceable manner.

[0048] Each of the multiple (120) chambers 51 is designed to contain one supply 90s. Specifically, as Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of (120) chambers 51 are arranged in a matrix in the supply area As0. For example, the chamber unit 50 has a total of 120 chambers 51, with 10 arranged in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the conveying path Rd0 and 12 arranged in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the conveying path Rd0.

[0049] Each of the multiple (120) chambers 51 opens upwards into the transport path Rd0, capable of accommodating the supply item 90s. For example, when the supply item 90s is a cuboid component 91, the opening of the chamber 51 is rectangular, set to a size slightly larger than the external dimensions of the component 91. Conversely, when the supply item 90s is a solder ball 92, the opening of the chamber 51 is circular, set to a size slightly larger than the diameter of the solder ball 92. The depth of the chamber 51 is appropriately set according to the size of the supply item 90s to accommodate it. Furthermore, the number of chambers 51 is appropriately set considering the required number of chambers 51 and the density that may affect transportability.

[0050] Specifically, the number of chambers 51 in chamber unit 50 can be set to be greater than the maximum number of supplies picked up in one pick-up and place cycle 90s. Furthermore, the aforementioned maximum number corresponds to the number of holding members 13d supported by mounting head 13c. For example, if mounting head 13c supports 24 nozzles, the number of chambers 51 is preferably set to be at least more than 24.

[0051] Additionally, at least one reference portion 34f is provided on the track component 34. This reference portion 34f is located in the supply region As0 and is used to identify the positions of the plurality of chambers 51 of the chamber unit 50. In this embodiment, a plurality (e.g., two) reference portions 34f, 34f are provided in a region closer to the front end than the front end sidewall 34b. These plurality (two) reference portions 34f, 34f are circular markers and are arranged at predetermined distances in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the track component 34.

[0052] The cover 36 is fixed to the track component 34 and covers the top of the conveying path Rd0. Multiple vents 36a are formed on the upper surface of the cover 36. A mesh with seams smaller than the external dimensions of the feed item 90s is stretched on the vents 36a. The cover 36 prevents the feed item 90s from flying out of the conveying path Rd0 and discharges air to the outside through the vents 36a.

[0053] The opener / closer 37 is located on the upper part of the track component 34 and can block the opening of the supply area As0. The bulk feeder 30, by opening and closing the opener / closer 37, can suppress the ejection of the supplied material 90s and the introduction of foreign matter into the supply area As0. In this embodiment, the opener / closer 37 switches between an open state, a closed state, or an intermediate state through opening and closing operations. The closed state of the opener / closer 37 is when the opener / closer 37 is in contact with the track component 34, and the opening of the supply area As0 is completely blocked. At this time, as... Figure 4 As shown by the dotted line, the opening / closing device 37 is located on the base end side of the track component 34, which is closer to the multiple (two) reference parts 34f, 34f than the multiple supplies 90s in the conveying direction (the extension direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)). When viewed from above, the multiple (two) reference parts 34f, 34f can be visually confirmed and photographed.

[0054] The open state of the switch 37 is when the opening of the supply area As0 is not blocked and the chamber unit 50 is exposed. At this time, the retaining member 13d supported by the mounting head 13c can attempt to pick up the supply item 90s from any one of the multiple chambers 51 of the chamber unit 50. The intermediate state of the switch 37 is a state between the closed and open states, where the switch 37 is a distance further from the track member 34 than the amplitude of the track member 34 vibrating due to the vibration of the vibration device 40, and the supply item 90s is restricted from flying out of the opening of the supply area As0. The switch 37 is opened and closed by a drive device, and is in the closed, open, or intermediate state depending on the drive state of the drive device.

[0055] The guide portion 34e of the track component 34 communicates with the delivery portion 32b of the receiving component 32, and delivers a plurality of supplies 90s from the delivery portion 32b to the transport path Rd0. Specifically, the front end of the guide portion 34e is open and connected to the front end of the delivery portion 32b via a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 is formed in a tubular shape and connects the delivery portion 32b of the receiving component 32 and the guide portion 34e of the track component 34. In this embodiment, the connecting member 38 is a flexible coil spring.

[0056] The connecting member 38 connects the feed section 32b of the housing member 32 and the inlet section 34e of the track member 34 in such a way that multiple feeds 90s can flow between the housing area Ar0 and the transport path Rd0. Furthermore, the connecting member 38 deforms according to the vibration of the housing member 32 relative to the feeder body 31 and the vibration of the track member 34, thereby absorbing these vibrations. The connecting member 38 reduces or interrupts the vibration transmitted between the independently vibrating housing element 32 and track member 34.

[0057] Air supply device 39 supplies air (positive pressure air) from below the receiving area Ar0, allowing multiple supplies 90s to flow from the receiving member 32 to the track member 34 via the connecting member 38. In this embodiment, air supply device 39 supplies externally supplied positive pressure air from below the receiving area Ar0 based on commands from the feeder control device 60 (described later). Air supply device 39 can also cut off the supply of positive pressure air based on commands from the feeder control device 60.

[0058] When the air supply device 39 supplies positive pressure air, the multiple supplies 90s retained in the containment area Ar0 are blown upwards by the positive pressure air. The positive pressure air and the multiple supplies 90s flow in the order of the delivery part 32b, the connecting part 38, and the inlet part 34e of the containment member 32, and reach the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34. The positive pressure air that has reached the transport path Rd0 is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 36a of the cover 36. The multiple supplies 90s that have reached the transport path Rd0 fall back down onto the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34 due to their own weight.

[0059] The vibration device 40 vibrates the track component 34, conveying multiple feed items 90s to a pickup unit Pu0 (in this embodiment, a chamber unit 50) located at the bottom of a trough-shaped conveying path Rd0. This pickup area As0 is where multiple feed items 90s can be picked up by a substrate mounting machine WM0 (in this embodiment, a component mounting machine 10). The vibration device 40 can be used in various ways as long as it can convey multiple feed items 90s to the pickup unit Pu0. The vibration device 40 of this embodiment includes: multiple (e.g., four) support components 41, multiple (e.g., four) vibrators 42, multiple (e.g., two) vibration sensors 43, and a power supply device 44. The multiple (four) support components 41 connect the feeder body 31 and the bracket 33, supporting the bracket 33 and the track component 34.

[0060] The multiple (four) support members 41 include two types of support members 41: a forward support member 41a and a backward support member 41b. The forward support member 41a is used for forward conveying of multiple supplies 90s from the box 70 side toward the pickup unit Pu0 side along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) in the conveying path Rd0. The backward support member 41b is used for backward conveying of multiple supplies 90s from the pickup unit Pu0 side toward the box 70 side along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) in the conveying path Rd0. The forward support member 41a and the backward support member 41b have different inclination directions relative to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0061] Specifically, one end of the forward support member 41a is connected to the feeder main body 31, and the other end is connected to the bracket 33. The forward support member 41a is inclined in the backward direction (the direction in which the multiple supplies are conveyed backward 90s) relative to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Similarly, one end of the backward support member 41b is connected to the feeder main body 31, and the other end is connected to the bracket 33. The backward support member 41b is inclined in the forward direction (the direction in which the multiple supplies are conveyed forward 90s) relative to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

[0062] Multiple (four) oscillators 42 are powered by a power supply device 44 and vibrate at a predetermined amplitude and frequency. The multiple (four) oscillators 42 can be, for example, piezoelectric elements, attached to the support member 41. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the multiple (four) support members 41 include both a forward support member 41a and a backward support member 41b; therefore, the multiple (four) oscillators 42 include both a forward oscillator 42a provided on the forward support member 41a and a backward oscillator 42b provided on the backward support member 41b.

[0063] Vibration is imparted to the track component 34 via the bracket 33 by the vibration of at least one of the multiple (four) oscillators 42. Furthermore, the amplitude and frequency of the vibration of the track component 34 vary depending on the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the oscillators 42. Multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 detect the vibration state of the track component 34 vibrated by the vibration device 40. For example, the multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 can detect the amplitude, frequency, decay time, and vibration trajectory (the movement trajectory of a specific part accompanying the vibration) of the track component 34. In this embodiment, the multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 are respectively provided on a pair of forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b.

[0064] Furthermore, when the vibration device 40 vibrates the track component 34, the track component 34 undergoes elliptical motion in a side view. Consequently, depending on the rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track component 34, an external force in the forward or backward direction is applied to the plurality of supplies 90s on the conveying path Rd0. As a result, the plurality of supplies 90s on the conveying path Rd0 are conveyed in either the forward or backward direction.

[0065] Based on the instructions of the feeder control device 60, the power supply device 44 changes the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42. This adjusts the amplitude and frequency of the vibration imparted to the track component 34, defining the rotational direction of the elliptical motion of the track component 34. When the amplitude, frequency, and rotational direction of the elliptical motion caused by the vibration of the track component 34 change, the conveying speed, dispersion, and conveying direction of the supplied material 90s also change.

[0066] The feeder control device 60 includes a known arithmetic and storage device, forming a control circuit. With the feeder body 31 mounted in slot 12a, the feeder control device 60 is powered via connector 31a, enabling communication with the control device 20 of the component mounting machine 10. The feeder control device 60 drives the vibration device 40 to vibrate the track component 34, thereby conveying multiple feed items 90s along the conveying path Rd0.

[0067] 1-3. Structural Example of Guide Component 80

[0068] In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 30 vibrates the track component 34, which has a trough-shaped conveying path Rd0, using a vibration device 40 to convey multiple feed items 90s on the conveying path Rd0 to the pickup unit Pu0. The pickup unit Pu0 is located in the supply area As0 at the bottom of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0, which is capable of being picked up by a substrate mounting machine WM0 (in this embodiment, a component mounting machine 10).

[0069] Figure 6 The comparison method is indicated by the track component 34 (the surrounding area of ​​the pickup unit Pu0). At least one supply 90s is conveyed to a pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0 and a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d provided between them and the pickup unit Pu0, as the object Tg0. Furthermore, as described above, the case where multiple supplies 90s are conveyed along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) in the conveying path Rd0 from the box 70 side toward the pickup unit Pu0 side is defined as forward conveying. Furthermore, the case where multiple supplies 90s are conveyed along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) in the conveying path Rd0 from the pickup unit Pu0 side toward the box 70 side is defined as backward conveying.

[0070] For example, the vibration device 40 forward-conveys an object Tg0 to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is conveyed to a region on the front end side of the empty space 34d in the extending direction (arrow SD direction), reaching the front side wall 34b and remaining there (see arrow L11). When the vibration device 40 reverses its conveyance of the object Tg0 remaining on the front side wall 34b, the object Tg0 is conveyed from that region to the empty space 34d (see arrow L12). The same applies to the object Tg0 conveyed to the other empty space 34d in the pair of empty spaces 34d.

[0071] Thus, when the vibration device 40 conveys multiple supplies 90s along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0, it is difficult to convey the supplies 90s conveyed between the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0 and the pickup unit Pu0 to the pickup unit Pu0. For this reason, the bulk feeder 30 of this embodiment is provided with a guide member 80.

[0072] As the object Tg0 is further conveyed in the extending direction (arrow SD direction), the guide member 80 guides the object Tg0 towards the pickup unit Pu0. The guide member 80 can be configured to guide the object Tg0 towards the pickup unit Pu0 as long as it is conveyed as described above, and various methods can be employed. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the guide member 80 of this embodiment has a pair of chamfered corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 formed by a front end side wall 34b provided on the front end side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped conveying path Rd0 and a pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a.

[0073] A pair of inclined surfaces 81, 81 at the corners guide the object Tg0, which arrives via forward conveying, towards a predetermined area Ap0 on the pickup unit Pu0 side. The predetermined area Ap0 is the area where the object Tg0, guided by the inclined surfaces 81, 81 at the corners, can be conveyed to the pickup unit Pu0 via backward conveying. For example... Figure 7 As shown, the predetermined area Ap0 is disposed on the pickup unit Pu0 side relative to a pair of diagonal inclined surfaces 81, 81 in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0, which is orthogonal to the extension direction (arrow SD direction).

[0074] For example, the vibration device 40 forward-conveys an object Tg0 that has been conveyed to one of a pair of empty spaces 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is conveyed to a region on the front end side in the extending direction (arrow SD direction) of the empty space 34d, reaching one of the two corner inclined surfaces 81 (refer to arrow L21). When the vibration device 40 further forward-conveys the object Tg0 that has reached the corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is conveyed along the corner inclined surface 81 to a predetermined area Ap0 (refer to arrow L22). When the vibration device 40 backward-conveys the object Tg0 that has been conveyed to the predetermined area Ap0, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the pickup unit Pu0 (refer to arrow L23). The same applies to the object Tg0 that is transported to the other empty space 34d in a pair of empty spaces 34d, and to the other corner inclined surface 81 in a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81.

[0075] The pair of inclined surfaces 81, 81 at the corners can be used in various ways as long as they can guide the object Tg0, which arrives by forward conveying, towards the predetermined area Ap0. The pair of inclined surfaces 81, 81 at the corners can be convex curved surfaces protruding towards the corners 34c, 34c, or... Figure 7The diagram shows a plane. Furthermore, the inclination angles of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 relative to the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a and relative to the front sidewall 34b can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, the inclination angles of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 relative to the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a and the inclination angles of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 relative to the front sidewall 34b can be different, or they can be as follows: Figure 7 As shown (tilt angle is 45 degrees).

[0076] Furthermore, the inclination angles of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 can also be determined based on the positions of the first connecting portion 81a connected to the side wall surface 34a and the second connecting portion 81b connected to the front end side wall surface 34b. For example, as Figure 7 As shown, a pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 can be provided with a first connecting portion 81a connected to the side wall surface 34a in the region closer to the front end of the first range Rg1 where the pickup part Pu0 is provided, in the extending direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction). Therefore, compared with the case where the first connecting portion 81a is provided in the first range Rg1, the distance between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the pickup part Pu0 can be easily ensured in the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d.

[0077] In addition, such as Figure 7 As shown, a pair of inclined surfaces 81, 81 at the corners can be provided with a second connecting portion 81b connected to the front end sidewall surface 34b in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the conveying path Rd0, which is orthogonal to the extending direction (arrow SD direction). Therefore, compared to the case where the second connecting portion 81b is located outside the second range Rg2, the object Tg0 arriving by forward conveying is more easily guided to the predetermined area Ap0.

[0078] Furthermore, a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are provided for various reasons. For example, the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are configured such that when the holding member 13d of the substrate mounting machine WM0 (component mounting machine 10 in this embodiment) picks up the supplies 90s transported to the pickup unit Pu0, the holding member 13d does not interfere with the side wall surface 34a. In addition, the substrate mounting machine WM0 (component mounting machine 10) takes pictures of multiple supplies 90s in order to identify which supplies 90s the holding member 13d can pick up from the multiple supplies 90s transported to the pickup unit Pu0, and performs image processing on the captured images. The pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are configured such that when the status recognition of multiple supplies 90s based on image processing is performed, the side wall surface 34a of the captured images will not become an obstacle.

[0079] In this embodiment, a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are provided to ensure that the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a do not become obstacles during the picking up of multiple supplies 90s and the status recognition of multiple supplies 90s performed by the substrate mounting machine WM0 (component mounting machine 10). The distance between the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a and the picking up unit Pu0 is predetermined through simulation, actual machine verification, etc. Furthermore, the provision of a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d is not limited to the above-described case. For example, in a configuration that includes a chamber unit 50 that can be detached from the picking up unit Pu0, the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d can also be provided to facilitate the detachment and assembly of the chamber unit 50.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pickup unit Pu0 includes a chamber unit 50, which has a plurality of chambers 51 for receiving one of the plurality of supplies 90s. Even in either the arrangement where the plurality of supplies 90s are distributed in the pickup unit Pu0 or the arrangement where the chamber unit 50 is included, the guide member 80 can guide the object Tg0 to the pickup unit Pu0 side. Moreover, the plurality of supplies 90s can be supplied to the substrate mounting machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10), and is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the plurality of supplies 90s are components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to the substrate 90. The same applies to the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, the pickup unit Pu0, and the plurality of supplies 90s in the following variations.

[0081] 2. Deformation method

[0082] As described above, the guide component 80 can take various forms. Several forms are described in this specification based on the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the drawings use common reference numerals for common locations in each form, and repeated descriptions are omitted in this specification.

[0083] 2-1. First Deformation Mode

[0084] In the described embodiments, the guide member 80 may have a protrusion 82. For example... Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 82 protrudes further toward the pickup part Pu0 in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the conveying path Rd0, which is orthogonal to the extension direction (arrow SD direction). The closer the protrusion 82 is to the center part 34b from both ends 34b 1, 34b of the front end sidewall 34b, the more it protrudes.

[0085] The protrusion 82 is restricted by one of the corner inclined surfaces 81, 81, which is guided to the side of that corner inclined surface 81 (e.g. Figure 8The object Tg0 in the predetermined area Ap0 (left side of the paper) is inclined to the other corner side 81 (e.g.) Figure 8 The protrusion 82 is restricted from moving to the predetermined area Ap0 on the right side of the paper. Similarly, the protrusion 82 is guided by the other corner inclined surface 81 of a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81 to the side of the other corner inclined surface 81. Figure 8 The object Tg0 in the predetermined area Ap0 on the right side of the paper is tilted towards a corner of the surface 81. Figure 8 The predetermined area Ap0 on the left side of the paper is moved.

[0086] For example, vibration devices 40 are transported to one of a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d ( Figure 8 The object Tg0 (on the left side of the paper) is conveyed forward. Thus, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the region further forward in the extending direction (arrow SD direction) than the empty space 34d, reaching one of the corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 (refer to arrow L31a). When the vibration device 40 further conveys the object Tg0 that has reached the corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is conveyed along the corner inclined surface 81 and guided to the side of the corner inclined surface 81 (…). Figure 8 The predetermined area Ap0 is on the left side of the paper. At this time, the object Tg0 is restricted by the protrusion 82 to the other corner inclined surface 81 side ( Figure 8 The movement of the predetermined area Ap0 (see arrow L32a) on the right side of the paper. When the vibration device 40 retracts the object Tg0, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the pickup unit Pu0 (see arrow L33a).

[0087] Similarly, the vibration device 40 pairs are transported to another empty space 34d in a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d ( Figure 8 The object Tg0 is conveyed forward on the right side of the paper in the image. Thus, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the region on the front side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the other empty space 34d, reaching the other corner inclined surface 81 of a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 (refer to arrow L31b). When the vibration device 40 further conveys the object Tg0 that has reached the other corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is conveyed along the other corner inclined surface 81 and guided to the side of the other corner inclined surface 81 (…). Figure 8 The predetermined area Ap0 is located on the right side of the paper. At this time, the object Tg0 is restricted by the protrusion 82 to tilt towards a corner surface 81 ( Figure 8The movement of the predetermined area Ap0 (on the left side of the paper) (refer to arrow L32b). When the vibration device 40 retracts the object Tg0, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the pickup unit Pu0 (refer to arrow L33b).

[0088] The protrusion 82 can take various forms. For example, the protrusion 82 has a pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a that restrict the movement of the object Tg0 guided to the predetermined region Ap0. The pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a can be curved surfaces, or they can be... Figure 8 The diagram shows a plane. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the pair of protruding inclined surfaces 82a, 82a relative to the plane corresponding to the front end sidewall surface 34b can be arbitrarily set. Moreover, the inclination angles of the pair of protruding inclined surfaces 82a, 82a relative to the plane corresponding to the front end sidewall surface 34b and the inclination angles of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 relative to the plane corresponding to the front end sidewall surface 34b can be different, or they can be as follows: Figure 8 As shown (e.g., tilt angle of 45 degrees).

[0089] 2-2. Second Deformation Method

[0090] The guide component 80 may have a pair of inclined sidewall portions 83, 83. For example... Figure 9 As shown, a pair of inclined sidewalls 83, 83 are formed such that the distance between a pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a in the region of the first range Rg1 where the pickup part Pu0 is located is shorter towards the front end in the extending direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction).

[0091] For example, the vibration device 40 forward-conveys an object Tg0 that has been conveyed to one of a pair of empty spaces 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is conveyed to a region on the front side of the empty space 34d in the extending direction (arrow SD direction), reaching one of the pair of inclined sidewalls 83 (refer to arrow L41). When the vibration device 40 further forward-conveys the object Tg0 that has reached the inclined sidewall 83, the object Tg0 is conveyed along the inclined sidewall 83 and conveyed to a predetermined area Ap0 (refer to arrow L42). When the vibration device 40 backward-conveys the object Tg0 that has been conveyed to the predetermined area Ap0, the object Tg0 is conveyed to the pickup unit Pu0 (refer to arrow L43). The same applies to the object Tg0 transported to the other empty space 34d in a pair of empty spaces 34d, and the other side wall inclined portion 83 in a pair of side wall inclined portions 83.

[0092] In this way, the pair of inclined sidewalls 83, 83, like the pair of inclined corners 81, 81, can guide the object Tg0, which arrives via forward conveying, towards the predetermined area Ap0 on the pickup unit Pu0 side. The pair of inclined sidewalls 83, 83 can take various forms. The pair of inclined sidewalls 83, 83 can be curved surfaces, or... Figure 9 The diagram shows a planar surface. Furthermore, the inclination angles of the pair of inclined sidewalls 83, 83 relative to the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a and relative to the front end sidewall 34b can be arbitrarily set.

[0093] Furthermore, the inclination angle of the pair of inclined sidewall portions 83, 83 can also be determined based on the positions of the third connecting portion 83a connected to the sidewall 34a and the fourth connecting portion 83b connected to the front sidewall 34b. For example, as Figure 9 As shown, a pair of inclined sidewall portions 83, 83 can be provided with a third connecting portion 83a in the region of the first range Rg1 where the pickup portion Pu0 is located, in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the conveying path Rd0, closer to the front end, and connected to the sidewall 34a. Additionally, a pair of inclined sidewall portions 83, 83 can be provided with a fourth connecting portion 83b in the second range Rg2 where the pickup portion Pu0 is located, in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the conveying path Rd0, which is orthogonal to the extension direction (arrow SD direction), and connected to the front end sidewall 34b.

[0094] Alternatively, the guide member 80 may also include, for example, a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 and a pair of side wall inclined surfaces 83, 83. In this configuration, the pair of side wall inclined surfaces 83, 83 are provided on... Figure 7 The first range Rg1 shown is between the end 34t1 on the front end side and the first connecting portion 81a. In this way, the guide member 80 can have at least one pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83, of a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81, a protrusion 82, and a pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83.

[0095] 2-3. Third transformation method

[0096] The guide component 80 may have a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84. For example... Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 are formed by the bottom of the transport path Rd0 of a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d tilting towards the pickup part Pu0, which is lower than the lower ends 34a, 34a of the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a.

[0097] For example, when the vibration device 40 forward transports an object Tg0 to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, the object Tg0 is easily guided to the pickup unit Pu0 side (refer to arrow L51) relative to the direction of extension along the transport path Rd0 (arrow SD direction). Thus, the object Tg0 is transported to the pickup unit Pu0. The same applies to the object Tg0 transported to the other empty space 34d of the pair of empty spaces 34d.

[0098] Furthermore, if the tilt angle TH0 of the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 relative to the pickup unit Pu0 is constant within the first range Rg1, the object Tg0 is easily guided to the pickup unit Pu0 at the base end of the first range Rg1, but it may be difficult to guide the object Tg0 to the pickup unit Pu0 at the front end of the first range Rg1. Therefore, the closer the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 are to the front end in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0, the larger the tilt angle TH0 relative to the pickup unit Pu0 should be. As a result, the object Tg0 is easily guided evenly towards the pickup unit Pu0 within the first range Rg1.

[0099] Furthermore, in any case, the tilt angle TH0 can be obtained in advance through simulation, actual machine verification, etc. Additionally, the pair of bottom tilt surfaces 84, 84 can guide all objects Tg0 transported to the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d towards the pickup unit Pu0. Moreover, the pair of bottom tilt surfaces 84, 84 can also guide a portion of the objects Tg0 transported to the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d towards the pickup unit Pu0.

[0100] When a portion of the object Tg0 is guided towards the pickup unit Pu0, the guide member 80 may, for example, have a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 and a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84. In this manner, the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 guide the object Tg0, which is not guided towards the pickup unit Pu0 by the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84, towards the predetermined area Ap0. The same applies to other guide members 80. That is, the guide member 80 may have at least one of the following: a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81, a protrusion 82, a pair of sidewall inclined surfaces 83, 83, and a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84.

[0101] 3. An example of the effect of the implementation method and its variations

[0102] According to the bulk feeder 30, since it has a guide member 80, it is possible to transport the supply 90s, which is conveyed between the pair of sidewalls 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the trough-shaped conveying path Rd0 and the pickup unit Pu0, to the pickup unit Pu0.

[0103] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0104] 30: Bulk feeder; 31: Feeder body; 34: Track assembly.

[0105] 34a, 34a: a pair of sidewalls; 34a1, 34a1: lower end.

[0106] 34b: Front sidewall; 34b1, 34b2: Both ends; 34b2: Central section.

[0107] 34c, 34c: a pair of corners; 34d, 34d: a pair of empty spaces; 40: vibration device; 50: chamber unit; 51: chamber; 70: box; 80: guide component; 81, 81: a pair of corner inclined surfaces; 81a: first connecting part; 81b: second connecting part; 82: protrusion; 83, 83: a pair of side wall inclined parts; 84, 84: a pair of bottom inclined surfaces; 90: substrate; 90s: supply; 91: component; 92: solder ball; Tg0: object; WM0: substrate handling machine; Rd0: transport path; As0: supply area; Pu0: pickup part; Ap0: predetermined area; Rg1: first range; Rg2: second range; TH0: tilt angle; arrow SD direction: extension direction; arrow WD direction: width direction.

Claims

1. A bulk feeder, comprising: The main body of the feeder; The track component is arranged in a manner that allows it to vibrate relative to the main body of the feeder, and has a trough-shaped conveying path for conveying multiple supplies discharged from the box. A vibration device vibrates the track component to transport the plurality of supplies to a pickup unit, which is located in a supply area at the bottom of the trough-shaped transport path, where the plurality of supplies can be picked up by a substrate processing machine. and The guiding member guides the object, which is being conveyed as a supply item into a pair of empty spaces between a pair of sidewalls extending along the extending direction of the trough-shaped conveying path and the pickup unit, towards the pickup unit as the item is further conveyed in the direction of the extending direction. The guiding component has a pair of corner inclined surfaces, which are formed by chamfering a pair of corners formed by the front end sidewall surface provided on the front end side of the extending direction of the trough-shaped conveying path and the pair of sidewall surfaces. When the case of conveying the plurality of supplies from the box side to the pickup side along the extension direction in the conveying path is defined as forward conveying, and the case of conveying the plurality of supplies from the pickup side to the box side along the extension direction in the conveying path is defined as backward conveying, The diagonally inclined surfaces guide the object, which arrives via the forward conveyor, towards a predetermined area on one side of the pickup unit. The predetermined area is the area in which the object, guided by the two inclined surfaces at opposite corners, can be conveyed to the pickup unit via the backward conveying.

2. The bulk feeder according to claim 1, wherein, The inclined surface of the pair of corners is provided with a first connecting part connected to the side wall in the region of the first range where the pickup part is provided on the front end side in the extension direction of the conveying path, and a second connecting part connected to the front end side wall is provided in the second range where the pickup part is provided in the width direction of the conveying path orthogonal to the extension direction.

3. The bulk feeder according to claim 1, wherein, The guide member has a protrusion that protrudes further toward the pickup part as it gets closer to the center from both ends of the front end sidewall in the width direction of the conveying path, which is orthogonal to the extending direction.

4. The bulk feeder according to claim 2, wherein, The guide member has a protrusion that protrudes further toward the pickup part as it gets closer to the center from both ends of the front end sidewall in the width direction of the conveying path, which is orthogonal to the extending direction.

5. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The guide member has a pair of inclined sidewalls, which are formed such that the distance between the pair of sidewalls in the region closer to the front end than the first range where the pickup part is located is shorter as the direction of extension of the conveying path extends.

6. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The guide member has a pair of bottom inclined surfaces, which are formed by the bottom of the conveying path in the pair of empty spaces tilting towards the pickup portion which is lower than the lower end of the pair of sidewalls.

7. The bulk feeder according to claim 6, wherein, The pair of bottom inclined surfaces are configured such that the closer they are to the front end side in the extension direction of the conveying path, the greater the inclination angle relative to the pickup part.

8. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The pair of empty spaces are configured such that the pair of sidewalls do not become obstacles when the multiple supplies are picked up and the status of the multiple supplies is identified by the substrate processing machine.

9. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The pickup unit has a chamber unit, which has multiple chambers, and the chambers are to contain one of the multiple supplies.

10. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The plurality of supplies are components or solder balls supplied to the substrate.

Images