Feeder magazine and component mounter

Abstract

The feeder cartridge includes a top, a bottom, a back, opening portions on opposite sides of the back, a plurality of support grooves formed in the top so as to extend parallel to each other from the opening portions toward the back, and allowing the upper end portions of the feeders to be freely inserted and withdrawn, a flat surface formed in the bottom so as to face the plurality of support grooves of the top, and a plurality of positioning portions provided in the bottom so as to correspond to the plurality of support grooves on the opening portion side of the flat surface, and engaged with engaging portions formed in the lower end portions of the feeders as the feeders are pressed into the opening portions toward the back.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a feeder compartment that houses multiple feeders each holding multiple components, and a component mounting machine that picks up components from the feeders and mounts them onto an object. Background Technology

[0002] Conventionally, belt feeders are known as feeders for supplying components to component mounting machines. These feeders include: a thin, box-shaped feeder body; and a reel containing a component supply belt holding multiple components, which is detachably housed within the feeder body (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The upper end of the feeder body of this belt feeder is provided with a guide rail held by a slot formed in the upper part of the feeder mounting section of the component mounting machine, and a clamping device for holding the feeder body relative to the feeder mounting section in an mounted state. Furthermore, the lower end of the feeder body is provided with a guide rail that is embedded in a guide rail groove formed in the lower part of the feeder mounting section. In addition, two positioning pins are provided on the portion of the feeder body's end face in the mounting direction that is higher than the center in the height direction, positioning the belt feeder relative to the feeder housing space.

[0003] Existing technical documents

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2020 / 065754 Summary of the Invention

[0006] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] However, to transport or store multiple feeders together, it is possible to use a feeder bin to house these feeders, or to assemble a structure equivalent to such a feeder bin into an installation machine. Furthermore, by providing slots on both the top and bottom of such a feeder bin, it may be possible to stably support multiple feeders. However, in this case, it may not be easy to correctly install the feeders relative to the top slot and the corresponding bottom slot, leading to a deterioration in workability when storing the feeders in the feeder bin. Moreover, if the lower end of the feeder is inserted into a bottom slot that does not correspond to the top slot, there is a risk that the feeder may bend significantly or interfere with other feeders, resulting in damage.

[0008] Therefore, the main objective of this disclosure is to provide a feeder bin and component assembly machine that can reliably ensure workability when housing feeders and stably house multiple feeders.

[0009] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0010] The feeder compartment of this disclosure includes a top, a bottom, a back portion, and an opening located on the opposite side of the back portion, and houses a plurality of feeders each holding a plurality of elements. The feeder compartment includes: a plurality of support grooves formed on the top, each opening on the bottom side and extending parallel to each other from the opening toward the back portion, for the upper ends of the feeders to be freely inserted; a flat surface formed on the bottom facing the plurality of support grooves on the top; and a plurality of positioning portions disposed on the bottom corresponding to the plurality of support grooves on the opening side of the flat surface, and which, when the upper ends are inserted into the support grooves, are pressed in from the opening toward the back portion and engage with engaging portions formed on the lower ends of the feeders.

[0011] When the feeder is housed in the feeder compartment of this disclosure, the upper end of the feeder is inserted into the support slot that becomes the top, and the feeder is pressed in from the opening toward the back. Furthermore, as the feeder is pressed in from the opening toward the back, the engaging portion of the feeder engages with the positioning portion on the opening side, and the feeding of the feeder into the feeder compartment is completed. Thus, essentially, by supporting the feeder on the top support slot and pressing it toward the back, the feeder can be housed in the feeder compartment. Moreover, even if the engaging portion of the feeder engages with at least one of the positioning portions that does not correspond to the support slot at the upper end, the engaging portion of the feeder can be re-engaged with the positioning portion corresponding to the support slot at the upper end without removing the entire feeder from the feeder compartment. Therefore, multiple feeders can be housed in the feeder compartment in a straight, vertically extending manner without tilting. Furthermore, foreign objects are unlikely to remain on the bottom plane, thus preventing foreign objects from getting stuck between the lower end of the feeder and the plane. This effectively suppresses feeder tilting and interference with other feeders caused by foreign object obstruction. As a result, the feeder compartment according to this disclosure can effectively ensure workability when housing feeders and stably house multiple feeders.

[0012] The component mounting machine disclosed herein has a feeder assembly section that houses multiple feeders each holding multiple components. The component mounting machine picks up the components from the feeders and mounts them onto an object. In the component mounting machine, the feeder assembly section includes: a top; a bottom; a back side; an opening located on the opposite side of the back side; multiple support grooves formed on the top, each opening on the bottom side and extending parallel to each other from the opening towards the back side, for the upper end of each feeder to be freely inserted; a flat surface formed on the bottom facing the multiple support grooves on the top; and multiple positioning portions disposed on the bottom corresponding to the multiple support grooves on the opening side of the flat surface, and as the upper end is inserted into the support groove, the feeder is pressed in from the opening towards the back side and engages with engaging portions formed on the lower end of the feeder. With such a component mounting machine, the operability of the feeder in the feeder assembly section can be well ensured, and multiple feeders can be stably accommodated. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a production line utilizing the feeder bin of this disclosure.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram showing the feeder housed in the feeder compartment of this disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the feeder compartment of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 4 This is an enlarged view of the feeder compartment of this disclosure from the opening side.

[0017] Figure 5 This is an enlarged sectional view showing the feeder bin and feeder of this disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the process of the feeder hopper housing the feeder in this disclosure.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the process of the feeder hopper housing the feeder in this disclosure.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the process of the feeder hopper housing the feeder in this disclosure.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a partial cross-sectional view showing the state in which the feeder compartment of this disclosure contains the feeder. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Next, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the form of the invention used to implement this disclosure will be described.

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a production line 1 utilizing the feeder bin 100 of this disclosure. The production line 1 shown in the diagram produces substrates S with components P mounted on them, and includes a printing apparatus 2, a printing inspection apparatus 3, a storage unit (buffer station) 4, multiple (in this embodiment, for example, four) component mounting machines 5, a mounting inspection device 6, a reflow soldering apparatus 7, a reflow soldering inspection device 8, a line control device 10, etc. The printing apparatus 2, printing inspection device 3, storage unit 4, multiple component mounting machines 5, mounting inspection device 6, reflow soldering apparatus 7, and reflow soldering inspection device 8 are arranged sequentially along a predetermined transport direction of the substrates S.

[0024] The printing apparatus 2 prints solder on the wiring pattern of the substrate S, and includes: a substrate transport device for transporting the substrate S, a printing head, a head moving device for moving the printing head, a fixing frame for fixing the screen mask, and a computer (i.e., a control device) including a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile memory, input / output interfaces, etc. (all figures omitted). The printing inspection apparatus 3 inspects the state of the solder printed on the substrate S by the printing apparatus 2, and includes an inspection mechanism and a control device (computer) for controlling the inspection mechanism. The control devices of the printing apparatus 2 and the printing inspection apparatus 3 exchange information with the line control device 10 via wireless or wired communication.

[0025] In this embodiment, the storage unit 4 is located between the printing inspection device 3 of the production line 1 and the component mounting machine 5 at the upstream end, and includes multiple (two in this embodiment) storage spaces 41 and multiple (two in this embodiment) electric conveyors 42 installed in the corresponding storage spaces 41 to transfer items between the electric conveyors 91 of each automated guided vehicle (AGV) 90. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the line control device 10 of the production line 1 is installed in the storage unit 4 to control objects such as the electric conveyors 42 of the storage unit 4. This storage unit 4 temporarily stores multiple items used in the production of the substrate S on which the component P is mounted in order to improve production efficiency in the production line 1.

[0026] In this embodiment, the storage unit 4 stores the feeders 50 that are assembled to the component mounting machines 5. Multiple feeders 50 pre-installed (before use) are stored in one storage space 41, while multiple used feeders 50 removed from the component mounting machines 5 are stored in another storage space 41. Furthermore, in this embodiment, to facilitate the simultaneous transfer of multiple feeders 50 between the storage unit 4 and the automated guided vehicle 90, a box-shaped feeder compartment 100 capable of accommodating multiple feeders 50 is used. Additionally, the multiple feeders 50 housed in one feeder compartment 100 can accommodate different components or the same component.

[0027] Furthermore, production line 1 includes a loader 9. The loader 9 is controlled by a line control device 10 to move along the transport direction of the substrate S and transfer feeders 50 between the storage section 4 and the multiple component mounting machines 5. That is, the loader 9 retrieves the multiple feeders 50 that have been used from the corresponding component mounting machines 5 and stores them in the feeder bin 100 stored in the storage space 41 of the other side of the storage section 4. In addition, the loader 9 takes out the multiple feeders 50 before use from the storage space 41 (feeder bin 100) of the storage section 4 and assembles them into the corresponding component mounting machines 5.

[0028] Multiple component mounting machines 5 are surface mount machines capable of picking up components P from feeders 50 and mounting them onto the substrate S, which is the target object. Figure 1 As shown, the components are arranged downstream of the printing inspection device 3 along the transport direction of the substrate S. Each component mounting machine 5 includes a housing, a feeder mounting table equipped with multiple feeders 50, a substrate transport device, an XY moving device, a mounting head including at least one nozzle, a component camera, a marking camera, a nozzle station (all omitted from the diagram), and a control device 5c. The control device 5c of each component mounting machine 5 is a computer including a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile storage devices, input / output interfaces, etc., and exchanges information with the line control device 10 via wireless or wired communication.

[0029] Furthermore, the control device 5c acquires image data from the part camera and marking camera, as well as detection values ​​from various sensors (not shown) installed in the substrate transport device, XY moving device, mounting head, etc. Moreover, based on information from the line control device 10, the image data from the part camera and marking camera, and the detection values ​​from various sensors, the control device 5c executes a production program, controlling multiple feeders 50 (component supply units), the substrate transport device, the XY moving device, the mounting head, etc. The production program specifies the mounting order of components P relative to substrates S in the multiple component mounting machines 5 of the production line 1, the production quantity of substrates S, etc., and stores this information in the ROM of the control device 5c.

[0030] The mounting inspection device 6 inspects the mounting status of components P installed by the component mounting machines 5, and includes an inspection mechanism and a control device (computer) that controls the inspection mechanism. The control device of the mounting inspection device 6 also exchanges information with the line control device 10 via wireless or wired communication. The reflow soldering device 7 is located downstream of the mounting inspection device 6 and includes a substrate transport device for transporting substrate S from the mounting inspection device 6, a heating unit for heating the substrate S transported by the substrate transport device, and a control device for controlling the substrate transport device and the heating unit. The reflow soldering device 7 heats the substrate S to a predetermined reflow soldering temperature (e.g., 220°C-250°C) using the heating unit, melting the solder on the substrate S. The molten solder then cools and solidifies, electrically connecting and fixing each component to the wiring pattern of the substrate S. The reflow soldering inspection device 8 inspects the status of components P on the substrate S that has undergone reflow soldering, and includes an inspection mechanism and a control device that controls the inspection mechanism. The control devices of the reflow soldering apparatus 7 and the reflow soldering inspection apparatus 8 are both computers containing CPU, ROM, RAM, storage devices, etc., and they exchange information with the line control device 10 via wireless or wired communication.

[0031] The line control device 10 is a computer that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, non-volatile storage devices such as hard disk drives or solid-state drives, and input / output interfaces, and is connected to input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and a display device (not shown). The storage device of the line control device 10 stores various production information related to the production of the substrate S. This production information includes the inventory status and supply status of components P to be mounted on the substrate S, the production plan for the substrate S (including the usage plan for components P), the production status of the substrate S, and the operating status of the multiple component mounting machines 5 constituting the production line 1. Furthermore, the line control device 10 provides various command signals to the printing control unit of the printing apparatus 2, the control devices 5c of each component mounting machine 5, and the reflow soldering control unit of the reflow soldering apparatus 7, based on requests from the machine side. Alternatively, the line control device 10 may also consist of a server and a terminal connected to that server via a network.

[0032] The feeders 50 of the component mounting machines 5 assembled on the above-mentioned production line 1 are box-type belt feeders, such as... Figure 2As shown, the device includes: a reel 51 wound with a tape containing multiple components P, and a thin, box-shaped feeder body 52 that detachably houses the reel 51. Within the reel 51, each component P is protected by a film covering the surface of the tape, which is peeled off before the component P reaches the component supply position in the component mounting machine 5. Furthermore, the feeder body 52 houses a tape feeding mechanism that pulls the tape from the reel 51 and delivers it to the component supply position, and a feeder control device (both omitted from the illustration) that controls the tape feeding mechanism. The feeder control device includes a microcomputer with a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. In this embodiment, the tape feeding mechanism, feeder control device, and other electrical components are housed within the feeder body 52. Figure 2 The electrical component receiving section 52e is divided between the front end face 52f on the right side and the receiving section of the tray 51.

[0033] Furthermore, the front end face 52f of the feeder body 52 is perpendicular to the upper end face of the feeder body 52 and extends vertically above the center of the feeder body 52 in the height direction, and approaches the upper end face of the feeder body 52 from near the center downwards. Figure 2 The rear end face 52r of the left-side feeder body 52 is inclined. Furthermore, first and second positioning pins 53a and 53b are provided on the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f of the feeder body 52, which is located above the center in the height direction. The first positioning pin 53a extends from the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f towards the upper end face of the feeder body 52. Figure 2 The right side of the middle protrudes, and the second locating pin 53b extends from the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f below the first locating pin 53a. Figure 2 The right side protrudes. In this embodiment, the end of the lower second positioning pin 53b is located on the rear end face 52r side, which is closer to the end of the upper first positioning pin 53a than the end of the second second positioning pin 53b. Figure 2 (on the left side of the middle).

[0034] Furthermore, a feeder connector 54 is provided on the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f. The feeder connector 54 extends from between the first and second locating pins 53a and 53b, which are arranged at intervals in the vertical direction. Figure 2 The right side of the feeder 50 protrudes. When the feeder connector 54 is assembled to the component mounting machine 5, and if it is coupled to a connector (not shown) provided on the component mounting machine 5, power is supplied from the side of the component mounting machine 5 to electrical components such as the feed mechanism and feeder control device, and power is supplied to the control device 5c of the component mounting machine 5 (see reference). Figure 1 It exchanges various information with the feeder control device. In addition, the feeder body 52 includes an upper portion 52u extending from the front end face 52f to a lower inclined portion. Figure 2 The right-side protruding anti-collision part 52a.

[0035] Furthermore, a relatively long guide rail 55 with a T-shaped cross-section is fixed to the upper end face of the feeder body 52. ​​The guide rail 55 extends from near the rear end of the electrical component receiving portion 52e of the feeder body 52 to near the front of the rear end face 52r, forming the upper end of the feeder 50. Moreover, the feeder body 52 includes a clamping member 56a for fixing the feeder 50 relative to the component mounting machine 5 and the feeder magazine 100. The clamping member 56a is force-applied by a force-applying member such as a spring (not shown) in such a way that it protrudes obliquely upward from the upper end face of the feeder body 52 toward the rear end face 52r side of the guide rail 55, and engages with the engaging portion formed in the component mounting machine 5 and the feeder magazine 100. Furthermore, by operating the release rod 56b protruding from the rear end face 52r of the feeder body 52, the clamping member 56a can be moved against the force of the force-applying member, thereby releasing the clamping member 56a from the engaged portion.

[0036] In addition, a relatively long guide rail component 57 forming the lower end face of the feeder 50 is fixed to the lower end of the feeder body 52. ​​The front end 57t of the guide rail component 57 is located on the rear end face 52r side, above the upper part 52u of the first and second positioning pins 53a, 53b and the front end face 52f. The guide rail component 57 extends from near the rear end of the electrical component receiving part 52e of the feeder body 52 to near the front of the rear end face 52r. Moreover, a protrusion 57p protruding downward from the lower end face of the guide rail component 57 (feeder 50) is formed at the lower end of the feeder body 52 and on the rear end face 52r side of the guide rail component 57.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing the feeder compartment 100 of this disclosure. As shown in the figure, the feeder compartment 100 includes a top 110, a bottom 120, a pair (two) side portions 130 connecting the corresponding side edges of the top 110 and the bottom 120 to each other, and a back portion 140 connecting the side edges of the pair of side portions 130 to each other. Furthermore, the top 110, the bottom 120, and the pair of side portions 130 define an opening 150 located on the opposite side of the back portion 140.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the top 110 of the feeder compartment 100 is formed to cover a predetermined area of ​​the opening 150 side of the bottom 120, and an opening is formed between the top 110 and the back portion 140. Furthermore, a plurality of slots 111 (support slots) 111 (in this embodiment, for example, 65) are formed on the top 110 for the feeder 50's guide rails 55 (upper end) to be freely inserted and removed. Figure 4 As shown, the plurality of slots 111 each have a T-shaped cross-sectional shape, open on the bottom 120 side (lower side) and extend parallel to each other from the opening 150 toward the back 140 (see reference). Figure 3Thus, if the guide rail 55 of the feeder 50 is inserted into the slot 111, the feeder 50 is supported by the top 110 while suspended by the guide rail 55 inserted into the slot 111.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the bottom 120 of the feeder compartment 100 includes: a flat surface 12s without any protrusions or grooves; a plurality of (in this embodiment, for example, 65) first positioning portions 121 that can engage with protrusions 57p (engaging portions) formed at the lower end of the feeder 50; and a plurality of (in this embodiment, for example, 65) second positioning portions 122 that can engage with the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail member 57 provided at the lower end of the feeder 50. The flat surface 12s is a smooth, flat surface formed on the surface (upper surface) of the bottom 120 in a manner that extends parallel to the top 110 and faces the plurality of slots 111.

[0040] like Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of first positioning portions 121 are respectively disposed on the bottom 120 such that they correspond to a plurality of slots 111 on the top 110 on the opening 150 side of the plane 12s. More specifically, the plurality of first positioning portions 121 are recesses in the plane 12s that open from the opening 150 side, such as... Figure 4 As shown, when viewed from the opening 150 side, it faces the corresponding slot 111 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, a plurality of first positioning portions 121 are formed at intervals (equally spaced) along the long side direction at the edges of the thin walls of a plate element 123 having a generally wedge-shaped cross-sectional shape that thins from one edge extending along the long side towards the other edge. Such a plate element 123 is fixed to the bottom 120 in such a manner that the surface of the thick-walled back portion 140 side is coplanar and continuous with the plane 12s.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the plurality of second positioning portions 122 are constituted by a plurality of tabs 125 formed on the narrow plate element 124. In this embodiment, the plurality of tabs 125 are formed at intervals (equally spaced) along the long side direction of the plate element 124, corresponding to the slot width of the slot 111 and the width of the guide rail member 57 (front end 57t), and protrude upward from the surface of the plate element 124 respectively. For the plate element 124, each tab 125 extends parallel to the slot 111 of the top 110, and is fixed to the bottom 120 in such a manner that the surfaces of adjacent tabs 125 are coplanar and continuous with the back side portion 140 side of the plane 12s. If the plate element 124 is fixed to the bottom 120, then as Figure 3 As shown, a plurality of tabs 125 are disposed on the bottom 120 in such a manner that they correspond to a plurality of slots 111 on the back side 140 of the plane 12s, respectively. That is, as Figure 4 As shown, when viewed from the opening 150 side, the space between two adjacent protrusions 125 faces the corresponding slot 111 in the vertical direction, forming a second positioning part 122 that can engage with the front end 57t of the guide rail component 57.

[0042] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the back surface portion 140 of the feeder compartment 100 includes a plurality of (in this embodiment, for example, 65) first positioning holes 143a for inserting first positioning pins 53a of the feeder 50, and a plurality of (in this embodiment, for example, 65) second positioning holes 143b for inserting second positioning pins 53b of the feeder 50. The plurality of first positioning holes 143a are formed at equal intervals along the upper edge of the back surface portion 140, corresponding to the plurality of slots 111 of the top 110. The plurality of second positioning holes 143b are formed at equal intervals below each first positioning hole 143a in the back surface portion 140, corresponding to the plurality of slots 111 of the top 110.

[0043] Furthermore, the back portion 140 includes a plurality of connectors 144 (in this embodiment, for example, 65) capable of engaging with the feeder connectors 54 of the feeder 50. Figure 4 As shown, multiple connectors 144 are fixed to the back portion 140 with respect to the opening 150 between corresponding first and second positioning holes 143a and 143b in the vertical direction. Each connector 144 is connected to an external connector (not shown) fixed to the back portion 140, which can engage with a connector (not shown) provided in the storage space 41 of the storage section 4. Thus, by connecting each feeder 50 to the power supply of the line control device 10 and the storage section 4 (not shown) via the feeder connector 54, connectors 144, and external connectors, the line control device 10 can acquire feeder information for each feeder 50.

[0044] In addition, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a recess 145 is formed on the back side 140 for receiving the anti-collision portion 52a of the feeder 50. Additionally, in this embodiment, the feeder assembly portion 5f of each component mounting machine 5 (see reference...) Figure 1 It can accommodate multiple feeders 50. The feeder assembly 5f includes the top 110, bottom 120, a pair of sides 130, slot 111, first and second positioning parts 121 and 122, first and second positioning holes 143a and 143b, connector 144, slots, first and second positioning parts, first and first positioning holes, connector, and recess, etc., corresponding to the recess 145.

[0045] When the feeder 50 is manually placed into the feeder compartment 100 configured as described above, firstly, the front part of the feeder 50 is inserted into the feeder compartment 100 through the opening 150, and then... Figure 5 As shown, the guide rail 55 (upper end) of the feeder 50 is inserted into the slot 111 that forms the top 110. With the guide rail 55 inserted into the slot 111, the feeder 50 is pressed in from the opening 150 toward the back end 140. At this time, the anti-collision portion 52a of the feeder 50 appropriately pushes back the other feeders 50 already housed in the feeder compartment 100. Figure 6 As shown, if the feeder 50 is pressed towards the back side 140, the first positioning pin 53a of the feeder 50 reaches the entrance of the first positioning hole 143a of the back side 140. Furthermore, if the first positioning pin 53a is inserted into the first positioning hole 143a as the feeder 50 moves further towards the back side 140, the second positioning pin 53b of the feeder 50 reaches the entrance of the second positioning hole 143b of the back side 140.

[0046] Here, as Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the feeder 50 and feeder chamber 100 are configured such that, at the moment the second positioning pin 53b reaches the entrance of the second positioning hole 143b, the distance L1 between the protrusion 57p (engaging portion) and the starting position of engagement of the first positioning portion 121 is shorter than the distance L2 from the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail member 57 to the two protrusions 125 that serve as the first positioning portion 121. Therefore, if the second positioning pin 53b is inserted into the second positioning hole 143b as the feeder 50 moves, then as... Figure 8 As shown, the protrusion 57p of the feeder 50 enters the first positioning part 121 (recess) corresponding to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55 and engages with the first positioning part 121.

[0047] Furthermore, if the feeder 50 is pressed further into the back side 140, then as from Figure 9 As can be seen, the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail component 57 engages with the second positioning portion 122 corresponding to the slot 111 supporting the guide rail 55. That is, the front end 57t of the guide rail component 57 is held from both sides by two protrusions 125 constituting the second positioning portion 122. Furthermore, as Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the feeder connector 54 of the feeder 50 engages with the connector 144 corresponding to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55, corresponding to the movement of the feeder 50 toward the rear face 140. Furthermore, the clamping member 56a of the feeder 50 engages with a (not shown) engaging portion formed in the feeder compartment 100. Thus, the movement of the feeder 50 toward the rear face 140 is restricted, and the reception of one feeder 50 into the feeder compartment 100 is completed.

[0048] As explained above, when the feeder 50 is housed in the feeder compartment 100, the guide rail 55 forming the upper end of the feeder 50 is inserted into the slot 111, which is the object of the top 110, and the feeder 50 is pressed in from the opening 150 toward the back side 140. Furthermore, as the feeder 50 is pressed in from the opening 150 toward the back side 140, the protrusion 57p (engaging portion) of the feeder 50 and the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail member 57 engage with the first positioning portion 121 on the opening 150 side or the second positioning portion 122 on the back side 140 side, thus completing the housing of the feeder 50 in the feeder compartment 100. Therefore, basically, if the feeder 50 is supported by the slot 111 of the top 110 and pressed toward the back side 140, the feeder 50 can be housed in the feeder compartment 100.

[0049] Furthermore, in the feeder compartment 100, a plurality of first positioning portions 121 are disposed on the opening 150 side of the plane 12s, and a plurality of second positioning portions 122 are disposed on the back side 140 side of the plane 12s. Therefore, even if at least one of the protrusion 57p and the front end 57t of the feeder 50 engages with at least one of the first and second positioning portions 121, 122 that does not correspond to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55, the protrusion 57p and the front end 57t of the feeder 50 can be re-engaged with the first and second positioning portions 121, 122 corresponding to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55 without removing the entire feeder 50 from the feeder compartment 100. Therefore, a plurality of feeders 50 can be housed within the feeder compartment 100 in a straight, non-tilting manner extending in the vertical direction. Furthermore, foreign objects are less likely to accumulate on the plane 12s of the bottom 120 in the feeder bin 100. Therefore, no foreign objects are stuck between the lower end of the feeder 50 and the plane 12s, effectively suppressing tilting of the feeder 50 and interference with other feeders 50 caused by the insertion of foreign objects. As a result, the feeder bin 100 ensures good workability when housing the feeders 50 and stably houses multiple feeders 50.

[0050] Furthermore, the feeder 50 has a first positioning pin 53a protruding from the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f (i.e., the end face 52f) on the back side 140 toward the back side 140, and a second positioning pin 53b protruding from the upper part 52u of the front end face 52f toward the back side 140 below the first positioning pin 53a. In the above embodiment, the end of the second positioning pin 53b is located closer to the opening 150 than the end of the first positioning pin 53a. In addition, a plurality of first positioning holes 143a into which the first positioning pin 53a of the feeder 50 is inserted and a plurality of second positioning holes 143b into which the second positioning pin 53b of the feeder 50 is inserted are formed on the back side 140 in such a way that they correspond to a plurality of slots 111 respectively.

[0051] Therefore, if the feeder 50 is pressed in from the opening 150 toward the back portion 140, the first positioning pin 53a is inserted into the first positioning hole 143a of the back portion 140, and then the second positioning pin 53b is inserted into the second positioning hole 143b. As a result, the feeder 50 supported by the slot 111 of the top 110 can be extended straight in the vertical direction by the first and second positioning pins 53b, and the protrusion 57p or the front end 57t of the feeder 50 can be smoothly engaged with the first and second positioning portions 121, 122 corresponding to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, during the process of the feeder 50 being pressed in from the opening 150 toward the back portion 140, after the second positioning pin 53b reaches the second positioning hole 143b, the protrusion 57p (engaging portion) of the feeder 50 engages with the first positioning portion 121, and then the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail member 57 of the feeder 50 engages with the second positioning portion 122. That is, in the above embodiment, if the protrusion 57p of the feeder 50 engages with the first positioning portion 121 which does not correspond to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55, the feeder 50 tilts, and the front end 57t of the guide rail member 57 becomes unable to smoothly engage with the second positioning portion 122, making it difficult to press the feeder 50 toward the back portion 140. Therefore, users who want to house the feeder 50 in the feeder compartment 100 can easily notice that the protrusion 57p (engaging part) of the feeder 50 is not engaged with the first positioning part 121 that should be engaged, and prompt correction.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the plane 12s of the bottom 120 extends parallel to the top 110. Additionally, the protrusion 57p (engaging portion) of the feeder 50 protrudes downwards from the lower end face of the guide rail member 57 (feeder 50), and the first positioning portion 121 is a recessed portion from the plane 12s that opens on the opening side of the opening 150, and engages with the protrusion 57p of the feeder 50. Moreover, two tabs 125 constituting the second positioning portion 122 hold the front end 57t (the end on the back side 140 side) of the guide rail member 57 of the feeder 50 from both sides. Therefore, when the guide rail 55 of the feeder 50 is inserted into the slot 111 of the top 110, the lower end of the feeder 50 (the front end 57t of the guide rail component 57, etc.) does not interfere with the first positioning part 121, and when the protrusion 57p engages with the first positioning part 121 (recess) which does not correspond to the slot 111 of the guide rail 55 supporting the feeder 50, the protrusion 57p can be easily and quickly removed from the first positioning part 121 and engaged with the first positioning part 121 that should engage.

[0054] Furthermore, the feeder 50 includes a T-shaped guide rail 55 fixed to the upper end face of the feeder body 52, which is supported by the top 110 while suspended by the guide rail 55 inserted into the slot 111. Thus, during the period until the protrusion 57p of the feeder 50 and the front end 57t of the guide rail member 57 are engaged with the first or second positioning portions 121, 122 when the feeder 50 is pressed toward the rear portion 140, the feeder 50 can extend vertically in the vertical direction by its own weight.

[0055] Furthermore, up to this point, the feeder compartment 100 of this disclosure has been described using the case where the feeder 50 is housed in the feeder compartment 100 by manual operation as an example. However, it is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the feeder 50 can be housed in the feeder compartment 100 by a handling device such as a loader 9. In addition, the feeder 50 may also be configured such that the end of the first positioning pin 53a is located on the side closer to the opening 150 than the end of the second positioning pin 53b. Moreover, for example, if the feeder 50 has relatively high rigidity, the feeder 50 and the feeder compartment 100 may be configured such that the protrusion 57p (engaging portion) of the feeder 50 and the front end 57t (second engaging portion) of the guide rail member 57 simultaneously engage with the first or second positioning portions 121, 122. Furthermore, the plane 12s of the bottom 120 of the feeder compartment 100 does not necessarily need to be a flat surface extending parallel to the top 110. As long as there are no protrusions (slots), it can be a slope, a gently curved surface, or a plane with minor protrusions that is not substantially free of foreign matter, such as a surface with a seal or wiring attached. It is also possible to form a hole in the plane 12s.

[0056] Furthermore, by providing multiple second positioning portions 122 (multiple tabs 125) in the feeder compartment 100 and providing elements equivalent to the multiple second positioning portions 122 (multiple tabs 125) in the feeder assembly section 5f of the component mounting machine 5, multiple feeders 50 can be supported very stably by the feeder compartment 100, etc., but this is not a limitation. That is, the multiple second positioning portions 122 (multiple tabs 125) can be omitted from the feeder compartment 100, and elements equivalent to the multiple second positioning portions 122 (multiple tabs 125) can also be omitted from the feeder assembly section 5f of the component mounting machine 5. In such a feeder compartment 100, basically, if the feeder 50 is supported on the slot 111 of the top 110 and pressed towards the back portion 140, the feeder 50 can also be housed in the feeder compartment 100. Furthermore, even if the protrusion 57p of the feeder 50 engages with the first positioning part 121 that does not correspond to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55, the protrusion 57p can be re-engaged with the first positioning part 121 that corresponds to the slot 111 of the support guide rail 55 without removing the entire feeder 50 from the feeder compartment 100. Therefore, in this manner, multiple feeders 50 can be housed in the feeder compartment 100 and the feeder assembly part 5f in a straight, non-tilting manner, ensuring good workability when housing the feeders 50 and stably housing multiple feeders 50.

[0057] Furthermore, the invention disclosed herein is not limited by the above embodiments in any way, and it is self-evident that various modifications can be made within the scope of this disclosure. Moreover, the above embodiments are merely a specific form of the invention described in the "Summary of the Invention" section, and are not elements that limit the invention described in this section.

[0058] Industrial applicability

[0059] The invention disclosed herein can be used in the manufacturing industry of articles with mounted components.

[0060] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0061] 1...Production line 5...Component mounting machine 5f...Feeder assembly section 50...Feeder 51...Tape reel 52...Feeder body 52a...Anti-collision part 52e...Electrical component receiving section 52f...Front end face 52r...Rear end face 52u...Upper part 53a...First positioning pin 53b...Second positioning pin 54...Feeder connector 55...Guide rail 56a...Clamping component 56b...Release lever 57...Guide rail component 57p...Protrusion (engaging part) 57t...Front end (second engaging part) 100...Feeder compartment 110...Top 111...Slot 12s...Flat surface 120...Bottom 121...First positioning part 122...Second positioning part 123... 124...board element 125...tab 130...side 140...back side 143a...first positioning hole 143b...second positioning hole 144...connector 145...recess 150...opening P...element S...substrate

Claims

1. A feeder compartment comprising a top, a bottom, a back portion, and an opening located on the opposite side of the back portion, and housing a plurality of feeders each holding a plurality of elements, wherein, The feeder compartment is equipped with: Multiple support slots are formed on the top, each opening on the bottom side and extending parallel to each other from the opening toward the back side, for the upper end of the feeder to be freely inserted; A flat surface is formed at the bottom in a manner that faces the plurality of support grooves at the top; and Multiple positioning portions are disposed on the bottom in such a way that they correspond to the multiple support grooves on the opening side of the plane, and the feeder is pressed from the opening toward the back side while the upper end is inserted into the support groove, and engages with the engaging portions formed on the lower end of the feeder.

2. The feeder bin according to claim 1, wherein, The feeder compartment also includes a plurality of second positioning portions, which are disposed on the bottom in such a way that they correspond to the plurality of support grooves on the back side of the plane, and the feeder is pressed in from the opening toward the back side when the upper end is inserted into the support groove, and engages with the second engaging portions formed on the lower end of the feeder.

3. The feeder bin according to claim 2, wherein, The feeder has a first positioning pin protruding from the upper part of the end face of the back side toward the back side and a second positioning pin protruding from the end face toward the back side below the first positioning pin. The end of one of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin is located closer to the opening side than the end of the other. A plurality of first positioning holes for the first positioning pin of the feeder to be inserted and a plurality of second positioning holes for the second positioning pin of the feeder to be inserted are formed on the back side in such a way that they correspond to the plurality of support grooves respectively.

4. The feeder bin according to claim 3, wherein, During the period when the feeder is pressed in from the opening toward the back portion, after the other of the first positioning pin and the second positioning pin reaches the first positioning hole or the second positioning hole, the engaging portion of the feeder engages with the positioning portion, and then the second engaging portion of the feeder engages with the second positioning portion.

5. The feeder bin according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, The plane extends parallel to the top. The engaging portion is a protrusion that extends downwards from the lower end of the feeder. The second engaging portion is the end of the feeder on the back side of the portion forming the lower end face. The positioning part is a recessed portion in the plane that opens from the opening side, and engages with the protrusion of the feeder. The second positioning part holds the second engaging part of the feeder from both sides.

6. The feeder bin according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The feeder includes a guide rail with a T-shaped cross-section fixed to the upper end face and is supported by the top in a state where it is suspended via the guide rail inserted into the support groove.

7. The feeder bin according to claim 5, wherein, The feeder includes a guide rail with a T-shaped cross-section fixed to the upper end face and is supported by the top in a state where it is suspended via the guide rail inserted into the support groove.

8. The feeder bin according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The feeder includes: a reel wound with a belt holding the plurality of elements; and a feeder body housing the reel.

9. The feeder bin according to claim 5, wherein, The feeder includes: a reel wound with a belt holding the plurality of elements; and a feeder body housing the reel.

10. A component mounting machine comprising a feeder assembly section housing a plurality of feeders respectively holding a plurality of components, wherein the feeder picks up the components from the feeders and mounts the components onto an object, wherein, The feeder assembly includes: top; bottom; Back side; An opening located on the opposite side of the rear portion; Multiple support slots are formed on the top, each opening on the bottom side and extending parallel to each other from the opening toward the back side, for the upper end of the feeder to be freely inserted; A flat surface is formed at the bottom, facing the plurality of support grooves at the top; and Multiple positioning portions are disposed on the bottom in such a way that they correspond to the multiple support grooves on the opening side of the plane, and the feeder is pressed from the opening toward the back side while the upper end is inserted into the support groove, and engages with the engaging portions formed on the lower end of the feeder.

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