Sorting machine for testing electronic components

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting machine for testing electronic components. According to the sorting machine for testing the electronic components, if a moving hand moves the electronic components to a shelving device by taking the shelving device capable of shelving the electronic components as a medium, a testing hand moves the electronic components from the shelving device to a tester side, and then the electronic components and the tester are electrically connected. To this end, the present invention is characterized in a stacker section for supplying and recovering electronic components. According to the present invention, large electronic components such as a solid state drive can be automatically and electrically connected to a tester, and particularly, electronic components of various specifications can be processed, thereby having an effect of minimizing construction costs for testing electronic components.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of March 2, 2022, application number 202210198748.1, and invention name “Sorting machine for electronic component testing”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a sorting machine for testing electronic components, which supports supplying electronic components to a tester so as to enable testing. Background Art

[0003] The produced electronic components (such as SSDs, circuit boards, semiconductor components, etc.) are tested by testers and classified into good and defective products, and only good products are shipped out.

[0004] Electronic components can only be tested if they are electrically connected to a tester. In this case, a device that supports testing of electronic components by electrically connecting the electronic components to the tester is an electronic component test sorter (hereinafter referred to as a "sorter").

[0005] Conventionally, relatively large electronic components such as solid state drives (SSDs) have been tested by operators directly connecting or disconnecting them to a tester. However, as the demand for SSDs has increased dramatically, the present applicant has developed a sorting machine for automatically processing SSDs so that they can be electrically connected or disconnected to a tester, and the present invention relates to such a sorting machine.

[0006] [Prior art literature] [Patent Literature] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0050483 (Patent Document 2) Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0061291 Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention is proposed to achieve a sorting machine that can automatically supply large electronic components such as solid-state drives, especially those having various specifications, to a tester, or can collect and carry out the electronic components from the tester.

[0008] According to the first form of the present invention, a sorting machine for testing electronic components includes: a stacker part for storing customer trays with electronic components to be tested or customer trays with electronic components that have been tested; a connecting part for taking out the electronic components to be tested from the customer trays transmitted by the stacker part and electrically connecting the electronic components to the tester, or placing the electronic components that have been tested by the tester on the customer trays; and a transferring part for transferring the customer trays with electronic components to be tested from the stacker part to the connecting part, and transferring the customer trays with electronic components that have been tested from the connecting part to the stacker part, wherein the stacker part includes: at least one entry and exit stacker for receiving customer trays with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or transferring customer trays with electronic components that have been tested to the outside; and at least one storage stacker for storing customer trays received from the outside by the entry and exit stacker The tray, or the customer tray that needs to be transported to the outside through the entry and exit stacker is stored before being transported to the entry and exit stacker; and the conveyor supplies the customer tray loaded with electronic components that need to be tested placed on the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer part, and recovers the customer tray loaded with electronic components that have completed the test from the transfer part and loads it on the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker, wherein the connecting part includes: a shelf that can hold electronic components; a moving hand that moves the electronic components that need to be tested by the customer tray transferred from the stacker part by the transfer part and places the electronic components on the shelf, or moves the electronic components that have completed the test and are placed on the shelf to the customer tray; and a testing hand that moves the electronic components that need to be tested and are placed on the shelf and electrically connects the electronic components to the tester, or moves the electronic components that have completed the test and places the electronic components on the shelf.

[0009] By installing an adapter for placing electronic components on the holder, the holder can place electronic components via the adapter, the moving hand places the electronic components to be tested on the adapter or takes out the electronic components that have completed the test from the adapter, and the testing hand moves the electronic components placed on the holder to electrically connect the electronic components to the tester.

[0010] The adapter can be detachably mounted on the holder, and the test hand moves the electronic component placed on the adapter by moving the adapter.

[0011] The connecting part also includes: a reciprocating mover that moves the shelf between a first working area as an area where the moving hand works and a second working area as an area where the testing hand works; wherein the first working area and the second working area are separated from each other.

[0012] The connecting part also includes: a converter, which converts the posture of the electronic component placed on the shelf from a lying state to a standing state, or from a standing state to a lying state by rotating the shelf, wherein the moving hand can clamp the lying electronic component and the testing hand can clamp the standing electronic component.

[0013] The converter converts the posture of the electronic component so that the terminal side portion of the electronic component can be inserted into the test slot.

[0014] The stacker part also includes: at least one buffer stacker, which is equipped separately from the entry and exit stacker and the storage stacker, and the conveyor can temporarily load and place the cover pallet or customer pallet located at the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker on the buffer stacker, and the cover pallet is a pallet covering the upper customer pallet of a bundle of customer pallets, wherein the buffer stacker includes: a support member, which supports the side of the cover pallet or customer pallet accommodated in the storage space while forming a storage space capable of accommodating the cover pallet or customer pallet; and a support plate, which supports the cover pallet or customer pallet accommodated in the storage space.

[0015] The buffer stacker may further include: a lifter for lifting and lowering the support plate.

[0016] According to the second form of the present invention, a sorting machine for testing electronic components includes: a holder capable of holding a solid-state drive; a moving hand that clamps the solid-state drive placed in a horizontal position on a customer tray by vacuum adsorption and moves the solid-state drive to the holder; a converter that rotates the solid-state drive placed on the holder by rotating the holder, thereby changing the posture of the solid-state drive; and a testing hand that clamps the solid-state drive whose posture is changed by the converter or an adapter on which the solid-state drive is placed and electrically connects the solid-state drive or the adapter to a tester, wherein the converter rotates the holder so that the solid-state drive rotates with a virtual line that is a long straight line in the direction of movement of the solid-state drive and divides the terminal side of the solid-state drive into two halves as the rotation axis, so as to insert the terminal side of the solid-state drive into the test slot of the tester.

[0017] According to the present invention, a large electronic component such as a solid state drive can be automatically electrically connected to a tester, and in particular, electronic components of various specifications can be processed, thereby minimizing the construction cost for testing the electronic components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a reference diagram for explaining the electrical connection structure between electronic components and a tester.

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of a handler for testing electronic components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is for Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a sorting machine.

[0021] Figure 4 It is for application Figure 2 Extraction diagram of the stacker section of the sorter.

[0022] Figure 5 It is for application Figure 4 Extraction diagram of the stacker for entering and exiting the stacker part.

[0023] Figure 6 It is for Figure 5 Exploded perspective view of the stacker for loading and unloading.

[0024] Figure 7 It is used to describe the application Figure 5 A schematic reference diagram showing the function of the first shutter of the access stacker.

[0025] Figure 8 It is shown that the application Figure 5 A schematic reference diagram of the forward and backward movement states of the storage container of the input and output stacker.

[0026] Fig. 9 It is for application Figure 5 Extraction diagram of the first forward and reverse mover of the stacker for entry and exit.

[0027] Fig.10 It is shown that the application Figure 5 A schematic reference diagram of the rotation of a storage container of an in-and-out stacker.

[0028] Fig.11 It is for application Figure 5 Extraction diagram of the first mover of the access stacker.

[0029] Fig.12 It is used to describe the application Fig.11Conceptual diagram of the rotation axis of the first mover.

[0030] Fig.13 It is for application Figure 2 Extraction diagram of the stacker for storage of the sorting machine.

[0031] Fig.14 It is for application Figure 4 Extraction diagram of the conveyor of the stacker crane section.

[0032] Fig.15 It is for application Fig.14 Extraction diagram of the first gripper of the conveyor.

[0033] Fig.16 It is for application Fig.14 Extraction diagram of the second gripper of the conveyor.

[0034] Fig.17 It is for Fig.16 Exploded view of the second holder.

[0035] Fig.18 It is extracted Fig.16 Extraction diagram of a portion of the second gripper.

[0036] Fig.19 Is applied to Figure 4 Extraction diagram of the buffer stacker for the stacker part.

[0037] Fig. 20 It is for application Fig.19 Extraction diagram of the lifter of the buffer stacker.

[0038] Fig.21 It is for application Figure 2 Extraction diagram of the connection part of the sorting machine.

[0039] Fig. 22 It is for Fig.21 Extraction diagram of the main parts of the connected part.

[0040] Fig.23 It is for Fig.21 Extraction diagram of the main parts of the shelf.

[0041] Fig.24 It is for Fig.21 Extraction diagram of the main parts of the shelf.

[0042] Fig.25 It is for Fig.21 Extracted image of the connected part of the test hand.

[0043] Fig.26 It is for application Fig.25 Extraction diagram of the gripping member of the test hand.

[0044] Fig. 27 It is for application Fig.25 Extraction diagram of the open components of the test hand.

[0045] Fig.28 It is for application Fig.25 Extracted image of the connected components of the test hand.

[0046] Fig.29 It is for application Figure 2 A schematic three-dimensional view of the transfer part of the sorting machine.

[0047] Fig.30 It is for application Fig.29 Schematic extraction diagram of a feeder of the transfer portion.

[0048] Fig.31 It is for application Fig.29 Schematic extracted view of the supply lifter for the transfer part.

[0049] Fig.32 It is for application Fig.29 Schematic extraction diagram of the conveyor of the transfer part.

[0050] Fig.33 Various forms of solid-state drives as one type of electronic components are exemplified.

[0051] Fig.34 is a reference diagram for explaining the rotation of a solid state drive.

[0052] Explanation of symbols DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brevity, descriptions of repeated or substantially identical structures will be omitted or shortened as much as possible.

[0054] <Instructions for electrical connection between electronic components and tester> The sorting machine according to the present invention is more suitable for use in a case where a contact terminal side portion of an electronic component such as a solid state drive (SSD) is inserted into a test slot of a tester.

[0055] For example, Figure 1As shown, the tester TESTER is equipped with a test slot S. By inserting the terminal T side portion of the electronic component ED into the test slot S, the electronic component ED is electrically connected to the tester TESTER.

[0056] <Schematic Description of the Overall Structure of the Sorting Machine> Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of a sorting machine HR according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 It is for Figure 2 Schematic perspective view of a sorting machine HR.

[0057] The sorting machine HR according to the present embodiment includes a stacker portion SP, a connecting portion CP, and a transfer portion TP.

[0058] The stacker part SP receives customer trays CT on which electronic components ED are placed. The stacker part SP is used to receive customer trays CT on which electronic components ED to be tested are placed from the outside, or to transfer customer trays CT on which electronic components ED that have been tested are placed to the outside. The stacker part SP is also used to store customer trays CT that are brought in from the outside or are to be brought out to the outside.

[0059] The connection part CP takes out the electronic components ED from the customer tray CT transferred from the stacker part SP and electrically connects them to the tester TESTER located behind, or sorts the electronic components ED tested by the tester TESTER according to the test level and places them on the customer tray CT.

[0060] The transfer part TP transfers the customer tray CT between the stacker part SP and the connection part CP. That is, the customer tray CT on which the electronic components ED to be tested are placed is supplied from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP through the transfer part TP, and the customer tray CT on which the electronic components ED that have been tested are placed is recovered from the connection part CP to the stacker part SP through the transfer part TP.

[0061] The following will classify each part (SP, CP, TP) according to the catalog and explain it in more detail.

[0062] <Explanation for stacker> like Figure 4As shown in the schematic extraction diagram of FIG. 1 , the stacker section SP includes five stackers 100 for loading and unloading, five stackers 200 for storage, five stackers 300, a conveyor 400, and two stackers 500 for buffering. In the following description of the stacker section SP, “outside” and “inside” are defined based on the arrangement relationship between the stackers 100, 200, and 300 and the conveyor 400. That is, the side from the conveyor 400 toward the stackers 100, 200, and 300 (at Figure 2 The left side in the plan view of the stacker 100, 200 and 300 is defined as the “outer side”, and the side from the stacker 100, 200 and 300 toward the conveyor 400 is defined as the “inner side” (in the Figure 2 on the right side of the plan view).

[0063] 1. Description of the in-and-out stacker The stacker cranes 100 for loading and unloading all have the same structure and are arranged in a horizontal direction (with Figure 2 There are 5 arranged side by side in the front-to-back direction (based on the picture).

[0064] The in-and-out stacker 100 is used to receive customer trays CT in bundles containing electronic components ED to be tested from the outside, or to transfer customer trays CT in bundles containing electronic components ED that have been tested to the outside. That is, the five in-and-out stackers 100 can be used to move customer trays CT into the sorting machine HR or to move customer trays CT out of the sorting machine HR according to control. Figure 5 Extraction diagram and Figure 6 As shown in the exploded perspective view of , the loading and unloading stacker 100 includes a storage container 110 , a first shutter 120 , a moving plate 130 , a base plate 140 , a first forward and backward moving device 150 , a rotator 160 , and a first moving device 170 .

[0065] The storage device 110 can store customer pallets CT in bundles. That is, the customer pallets CT carried into or carried out from the sorting machine HR by the operator or the automation system are in a state of being formed into a bundle. In addition, the uppermost customer pallet CT may be covered by a separate cover pallet depending on the situation. Therefore, the storage device 110 needs to ensure a first storage space S1 so as to be able to store customer pallets CT in bundles received from or transmitted to the outside. To this end, the storage device 110 includes first support members 111o, 111i and a rotating plate 112.

[0066] The first support members 111o and 111i support the sides of the four corners of the customer tray CT to prevent the customer tray CT stored in the first storage space S1 from escaping. Therefore, the first support members 111o and 111i form the first storage space S1 capable of storing the customer tray CT inside the edges connecting them.

[0067] The rotating plate 112 is rotatably disposed, and a conveyor 171 for a first shutter 120 and a first mover 170 described later is provided on the rotating plate 112. Obviously, the customer tray CT is placed on the conveyor 171. In addition, the first support members 111o and 111i are fixedly provided on the rotating plate 112.

[0068] The first shutter 120 rotates the first support member 111i located on the inner side of the sorting machine HR forward or reversely, so that the first support member 111i can support the side of the four sides of the customer tray CT located on the inner side, or Figure 7 At this time, if the first support member 111i is in a state of releasing the support for the four inner corners of the customer tray CT, the first storage space S1 is opened inwardly, so that the customer tray CT can move inwardly.

[0069] The moving plate 130 is configured to be movable in the inner and outer directions, and is provided with a rotator 160 which will be described later.

[0070] The base plate 140 is fixed, and the moving plate 130 is track-coupled to the track R on the base plate so that it can move inward and outward directions. Also, the base plate 140 is provided with a second cylinder 153 of the first forward and backward moving device 150 and a driving motor 172 of the first moving device 170 described later.

[0071] As reference Figure 8 As shown in the conceptual diagrams (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , the first forward-reverse moving device 150 moves the storage container 110 forward toward the outside of the sorting machine HR to form a Figure 8 After the state (a) of the storage device 110 is restored to the state as shown in FIG. Figure 8of the original position shown in (b). According to the present embodiment, the storage stacker 200 is located on the upper side of the entry and exit stacker 100. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator or the automation system to store the customer pallet CT in the storage unit 110 or to recover the customer pallet CT stored in the storage unit 110. In order to solve this problem, in the present embodiment, the storage unit 110 is moved forward to the outside of the sorting machine HR by the first forward-reverse mover 150, so that the operator or the automation system can store the customer pallet CT in the first storage space S1 or to recover the customer pallet CT from the first storage space S1. Furthermore, if the customer pallet CT is stored in the first storage space S1 or the customer pallet CT is recovered from the first storage space S1, the first forward-reverse mover 150 moves the storage unit 110 backward to the inside of the sorting machine HR, thereby restoring the storage unit 110 to its original position. For this reason, Fig. 9 As shown in the extraction diagram, the first forward and backward moving device 150 is composed of a first cylinder 151, a support plate 152, and a second cylinder 153.

[0072] Since the piston rod of the first cylinder 151 is coupled to the moving plate 130 , when the first cylinder 151 is operated, the moving plate 130 moves once inward and outward directions.

[0073] The support plate 152 is track-coupled to the base plate 140 so as to be movable inward and outward directions. The first cylinder 151 is fixedly installed on the support plate 152 .

[0074] The second cylinder 153 is fixedly disposed on the base plate 140, and its piston rod is coupled to the support plate 152. Therefore, if the second cylinder 153 is operated, the support plate 152 moves inward and outward directions, so that the moving plate 130 performs a secondary movement.

[0075] As described above, by using the two air cylinders 151 and 153 to enable the moving plate 130 to move repeatedly, a sufficient moving distance of the storage container 110 can be ensured.

[0076] The rotator 160 rotates the rotating plate 112 forward or reversely at an angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, considering the electrical connection direction between the electronic component ED and the tester TESTER, even if the direction of the customer tray CT supplied by the conventional automation system is supplied in a manner having a difference equivalent to 90 degrees, the direction of the customer tray CT can be corrected by the operation of the rotator 160. For example, in the case where the conventional automation system supplies the customer tray CT in the correct direction, it is not necessary to operate the rotator 160. However, in the case where the conventional automation system supplies the customer tray CT in a direction having a difference equivalent to 90 degrees from the normal direction, as shown in reference Fig.10As shown in the conceptual diagram, after the rotator 160 is operated to rotate the storage container 110 forward 90 degrees, if the customer tray CT is stored in the first storage space S1, it is rotated 90 degrees in the opposite direction again, so that the direction of the customer tray CT can be corrected. Therefore, regardless of any type of electronic components ED, the previously installed automation system can be directly used to smoothly move the customer tray CT into the sorting machine HR or smoothly move the customer tray CT out of the sorting machine HR. Of course, in order to minimize the installation space, it is preferred to implement and control the rotator 160 in a manner that the rotator is rotated only when the storage container 110 moves toward the outside of the sorting machine HR.

[0077] For reference, in this embodiment, the rotator 160 is formed by the cylinder 161, the rack 162, the pinion 163, etc., but according to the embodiment, as long as it is a structure that can rotate the rotating plate 112, it can be appropriately applied in any form.

[0078] The first mover 170 is configured to move the bundled customer pallets CT stored in the storage container 110 inwardly so that the customer pallets CT exit from the first storage space S1, or to move the customer pallets CT transferred from the inside inwardly so that the customer pallets CT enter the first storage space S1. Fig.11 As shown in the extracted diagram of , although the first mover 170 is implemented as a conveyor belt 171, it is not limited to a conveyor belt structure as long as it can move the customer pallets CT in bundles in the inner and outer directions. The first mover 170 has a running motor 172 for running the conveyor belt 171, a rotating shaft 173, and a power transmission device 174.

[0079] The running motor 172 provides power for the circulating movement of the conveyor belt 171 .

[0080] The rotating shaft 173 is rotated by the power of the operating motor 172 .

[0081] The power transmitter 174 transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft 173 to the conveyor belt 171 .

[0082] For reference, Fig.12 As shown in the conceptual diagram, the rotating shaft 173 is divided into an upper shaft 173T, a lower shaft 173B, and a movable shaft 173M. The movable shaft 173M coupled to the lower shaft 173B is lifted and lowered by the lifting member 175, so that the upper shaft 173T and the movable shaft 173M can be coupled to each other or released and separated. Therefore, when the movable plate 130 is in a state of moving forward or backward or moving outward, as shown in FIG. Fig.12As shown in (a) of FIG. 1 , the moving shaft 173M is lowered by the lifting member 175 so that the upper shaft 173T and the moving shaft 173M are in a spaced state, thereby preventing interference between the rotating shaft 173 and the moving plate 130. Of course, when the moving plate 130 is restored to its original position, especially when the first mover 170 is operated to withdraw the customer trays CT in bundles from the first storage space S1, as shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown in (b), the movable shaft 173M needs to be raised by the lifting member 175 so that the movable shaft 173M is coupled to the upper shaft 173T, so that the power of the operating motor 172 is transmitted to the conveyor belt 171 through the rotating shaft 173 and the power transmitter 174. For reference, the lower shaft 173B is connected to the operating motor 172, and the upper shaft 173T is gear-engaged on the power transmitter 174 side.

[0083] Next, the operation of the loading and unloading stacker 100 will be described.

[0084] First, when the customer tray CT is supplied in bundles by an operator or an automated system, the first forward and backward mover 150 is operated to move the storage container 110 forward toward the outside of the sorting machine HR. In this state, the customer tray CT in bundles is lowered from the top to the bottom and loaded into the first storage space S1. At this time, if the direction of the customer tray CT needs to be corrected, the rotator 160 is operated in advance before the customer tray CT is lowered, so that the storage container 110 is rotated forward at an angle of 90 degrees. If the customer tray CT in bundles is stored in the first storage space S1, the rotator 160 is operated in reverse to rotate the storage container 110 in the reverse direction at an angle of -90 degrees.

[0085] When the customer trays CT in bundles are stored in the first storage space S1, the first forward and backward movement device 150 is operated to move the storage device 110 backward toward the inside of the sorter HR, thereby returning the storage device 110 to its original position.

[0086] In addition, when the bundle-based customer trays CT located in the first storage space S1 are to be moved inward, the first shutter 120 is operated to rotate the first support member 111i located inwardly, thereby opening the first storage space S1 inwardly. In this state, the first mover 170 is operated to move the bundle-based customer trays CT inwardly, thereby allowing the bundle-based customer trays CT to be withdrawn inwardly from the first storage space S1.

[0087] 2. Description of the storage stacker The five storage stackers 200 all have the same structure and are located below the in-and-out stacker 100. They are used to store the customer pallets CT in bundles received from the outside by the in-and-out stacker 100, or to store the customer pallets CT in bundles that need to be delivered to the outside by the in-and-out stacker 100 before being delivered to the in-and-out stacker 100. For this purpose, Fig.13 As shown in the extracted diagram of , the storage stacker 200 includes four second support members 211o and 211i, a second shutter 220 and a second mover 270.

[0088] The four support members 211 o and 211 i support the four corners of the customer tray CT and form a second storage space S2 capable of storing the customer tray CT.

[0089] The second shutter 220 and the second mover 270 are substantially the same as the first shutter 120 and the first mover 170 , respectively, and thus description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] 3. Description of Stacker 300 The five stackers 300 all have the same structure and are located below the loading and unloading stacker 100. The stackers 300 have substantially the same structure as the loading and unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0091] The stacker 300 can be applied to various uses as exemplified below.

[0092] For example, when the cover pallet covers the uppermost customer pallet CT among the customer pallets CT in bundle units, any of the stackers 300 can be used for storing the cover pallet.

[0093] For example, the stacker 300 can be used for storing a customer tray CT on which a small number of electronic components ED determined to be defective are placed.

[0094] For example, the stacker 300 can be used to sort the non-defective electronic components ED according to the test level and temporarily store them.

[0095] For example, when it is difficult to move the customer pallet CT using the current loading / unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200, the stacker 300 may be used for a temporary standby purpose.

[0096] That is, the stacker 300 can function as a multi-purpose stacker that can be applied to a variety of purposes according to control.

[0097] Furthermore, it is preferable that the stacker 300 has a smaller storage capacity of customer trays CT than the loading / unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200 to prevent the sorting machine HR from becoming larger.

[0098] 4. Description of the conveyor The conveyor 400 is provided to be responsible for the movement of the customer pallets CT in the stacker part SP as follows: the customer pallets CT in bundles are moved at once between the loading and unloading stacker 100 and the storage stacker 200, or the customer pallets CT in single sheets (referring to one sheet) located in the loading and unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200 are supplied to the transfer device TA. Of course, the conveyor 400 also moves the customer pallets CT in single sheets transferred by the transfer device TA to the stackers 100, 200, and 300. For this purpose, Fig.14 As shown in the extraction diagram of , the conveyor 400 includes a first clamper 410, a second clamper 420, a lifter 430 and a horizontal mover 440.

[0099] The first clamper 410 is provided on the upper side of the second clamper 420, and can clamp or release the customer tray CT in bundles at one time. Fig.15 As shown in the extraction diagram, the first clamper 410 includes third support members 411o, 411i, a third shutter 412, and a third mover 413.

[0100] The third support members 411o and 411i support the side surfaces of the four corners of the bundled customer trays CT and form a storage space S3 therein for storing the bundled customer trays CT. The third support members 411o and 411i are connected to the upper surface of the connection plate JP.

[0101] The third shutter 412 rotates the third support member 411o located in the outer direction so that the customer tray CT in bundle units horizontally moved inward or outward can enter or exit the storage space S3. That is, the storage space S3 is opened or closed to the outside according to the rotation state of the third support member 411o by the operation of the third shutter 412.

[0102] The third mover 413 is equipped to horizontally move the customer trays CT in bundle units entering or exiting the storage space S3 , and is implemented in the same manner as the first mover 170 to include a conveyor belt 413 a in this embodiment.

[0103] The second clamper 420 is provided at the lower side of the first clamper 410. That is, the first clamper 410 and the second clamper 420 are aligned and arranged in the vertical direction, and are combined with each other by sandwiching a joint plate JP. That is, the first clamper 410 is also set on the joint plate JP, and the second clamper 420 is also set on the joint plate JP.

[0104] The second clamper 420 can clamp or release the customer tray CT in units of single sheets. Fig.16 Extraction diagram of Fig.17 Exploded perspective diagram and Fig.18 As shown in the partially extracted figure, the second clamper 420 includes a first forward and backward moving plate 421, a second forward and backward moving plate 422, a pair of clamping rods 423, a pair of spacing adjustment sources 424, and a second forward and backward moving device 425.

[0105] The first forward and backward moving plate 421 is rail-connected to the connecting plate JP so as to be movable forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0106] The second forward / reverse movable plate 422 is track-coupled with the first forward / reverse movable plate 421 so as to be movable forward / reverse in the inner and outer directions.

[0107] A pair of clamping rods 423 are provided on the second forward and backward moving plate 422 so as to face each other in the front-rear direction in the figure, and have clamping hooks GH for clamping the customer trays CT in units of single sheets.

[0108] The pair of gap adjustment sources 424 provide power for reducing or expanding the gap between the pair of clamping bars 423. Therefore, according to the operation state of the pair of gap adjustment sources 424, the pair of clamping bars 423 are in a state of clamping the customer tray CT or in a state of releasing the clamping.

[0109] The second forward and backward moving device 425 provides a forward and backward moving force that enables the first forward and backward moving plate 421 and the second forward and backward moving plate 422 to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions. The second forward and backward moving device 425 has a double conveyor belt structure and includes a driving motor 425a, a first conveyor belt 425b, and a second conveyor belt 425c.

[0110] The driving motor 425a provides power to cause the first conveyor belt 425b and the second conveyor belt 425c to circulate and rotate.

[0111] The first conveyor belt 425b is provided on the coupling plate JP, and the first forward and backward moving plate 421 is coupled to the first conveyor belt 425b, so that the first forward and backward moving plate 421 moves linearly inward and outward directions by the circulation rotation of the first conveyor belt 425b.

[0112] The second conveyor belt 425c is provided on the first forward and backward movable plate 421. The second forward and backward movable plate 422 is coupled to a point P1 on one side of the second conveyor belt 425c, and a coupling component JE is sandwiched and coupled to the coupling plate JP at a point P2 on the other side. Here, in order to eliminate interference between the coupling component JE and the first forward and backward movable plate 421, a through hole TH is formed in the first forward and backward movable plate 421 along the inner and outer sides to allow the coupling component JE to pass through.

[0113] For reference, it can be preferably considered that: the second clamper 420 is equipped with a pressure plate PP elastically supported by an elastic component E such as a spring to realize elastic pressure on the upper surface of the clamped customer pallet CT, so as to stably clamp the customer pallet CT. Of course, the elastic component E is provided between the pressure plate PP and the second forward and backward moving plate 422. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first forward and backward moving plate 421 and the second forward and backward moving plate 422 are provided to fully ensure the moving distance of the clamping rod 423, and the double conveyor belts 425b and 425c are applied, but it can also be fully considered that only one forward and backward moving plate is provided with the clamping rod 423, and the second forward and backward moving device 425 only moves one forward and backward moving plate forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0114] The lifter 430 moves the first clamper 410 and the second clamper 420 combined with each other together in a vertical direction.

[0115] The horizontal mover 440 moves the lifter 430 in the horizontal direction, thereby moving the first clamper 410 and the second clamper 420 connected to the lifter 430 together in the horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction refers to the horizontal line direction perpendicular to the direction in which the customer tray CT in bundle units moves toward the inside or outside (in Figure 2 in the figure, the front-to-back direction).

[0116] Next, the operation of the second gripper 420 will be described by taking an example of gripping customer trays CT in units of single sheets from the storage stacker 200 .

[0117] The lifting device 430 and the horizontal moving device 440 are operated to place the second clamper 420 at a position corresponding to the storage stacker 200 to be operated. Then, the second forward and backward moving device 425 is operated to make the second forward and backward moving plate 422 enter the second storage space S2 of the storage stacker 200. As a result, the pair of clamping rods 423 clamp the front and rear sides of the customer pallet CT located at the uppermost side, and then the spacing adjustment source 424 is operated to reduce the spacing between the pair of clamping rods 423, thereby clamping the customer pallet CT. At this time, the clamping hook GH enters the gap between the upper customer pallet CT and the lower customer pallet CT. In addition, the lifting device 430 slightly lifts the second clamper 420 to completely separate the upper customer pallet CT clamped by the second clamper 420 from the lower customer pallet CT so that they do not interfere with each other, and then the second forward and backward moving device 425 is reversely operated to make the second forward and backward moving plate 422 withdraw from the second storage space S2. By the above operation, the conveyor 400 can take out the customer tray CT in units of one sheet from the storage stacker 200. Of course, by the reverse operation, the conveyor 400 can also move the customer tray CT in units of one sheet to the storage stacker 200.

[0118] That is, the conveyor 400 of the present embodiment as described above can move the customer trays CT in bundles at once using the first gripper 410, and can also move only one customer tray CT in single sheet units using the second gripper 420. Therefore, the operation of moving the customer trays CT in bundles or the operation of moving the customer trays CT in single sheet units can be prevented from interfering with each other, thereby preventing the sorting machine HR from becoming excessively large.

[0119] 5. Description of buffer stacker In order to facilitate the logistics process of the customer pallets CT quickly and smoothly, the two buffer stackers 500 are arranged to be spaced toward the inside of the loading and unloading stacker 100 , the storage stacker 200 , and the stacker 300 . In this embodiment, they are arranged below the second gripper 420 .

[0120] like Fig.19 As shown in the extracted diagram of , the buffer stacker 500 is equipped with four fourth support members 511 , a support plate 512 , a lifter 513 , a setting plate 514 and four guide members 515 .

[0121] The fourth support member 511 forms a fourth storage space S4 capable of storing the cover tray and supports the corner side surfaces of four sides of the cover tray stored in the fourth storage space S4 .

[0122] The support plate 512 supports the cover tray accommodated in the fourth accommodation space S4.

[0123] The lifter 513 enables the support plate 512 to be raised or lowered. Fig. 20 As shown in the extracted diagram, it includes a lifting motor 513a, a transmission belt 513b, a lifting shaft 513c and a rotating component 513d.

[0124] The lifting motor 513a generates power for lifting and lowering the lifting shaft 513c.

[0125] The transmission belt 513 b transmits the lifting rotation force generated by the lifting motor 513 a to the rotating member 513 d .

[0126] The lifting shaft 513 c is in the form of a long rod along the up-down direction, and is finally connected to the side of the setting plate 514 so as to be able to rise and fall.

[0127] The rotating member 513d is rotatably coupled to the setting plate 514. The lifting shaft 513c and the rotating member 513d are coupled by bolts and nuts, and when the rotating member 513d rotates by the operation of the lifting motor 513a, the lifting shaft 513c, the rotation of which is prohibited, is lifted or lowered.

[0128] The installation plate 514 is provided for installing the support member 511, the lifting motor 513a, the lifting shaft 513c and the rotating member 513d.

[0129] The guide member 515 guides the lifting and lowering movement of the support plate 512 and the lifting shaft 513 c coupled to the support plate 512 , and prohibits the support plate 512 and the lifting shaft 513 c from rotating.

[0130] For reference, in the present embodiment, it is envisaged that the cover pallet is loaded in the buffer stacker 500 , but depending on the embodiment, a use dedicated to temporarily loading the customer pallet CT is also entirely possible.

[0131] In addition, in this embodiment, the lifting motor 513a is provided for lifting the support plate 512, but it can also be replaced by a lifting cylinder according to the implementation. However, if the cover tray is stacked on the support plate 512, it is necessary to adjust the lifting height of the support plate 512, so compared with the lifting cylinder, it is more appropriate to consider the lifting motor 513a that can adjust the lifting height.

[0132] Next, the purpose of the buffer stacker 500 will be described.

[0133] If the bundled customer pallets CT located in the loading and unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200 are to be moved to the connection part CP in single-sheet units, the cover pallet located at the uppermost side must be removed first. However, if the removal process takes a long time, the moving logistics of the customer pallets CT will be delayed accordingly. Therefore, the cover pallet is first moved to the buffer stacker 500 using the conveyor 400, and then the customer pallet CT is moved to the transfer part TP. Of course, the cover pallet located in the buffer stacker 500 can be transferred to the stacker 300 during the rest period of the conveyor 400.

[0134] Furthermore, it can be realized that the customer pallet CT transferred from the connecting part CP by the transferring part TP can also pass through the buffer stacker 500 in the logistics process.

[0135] Preferably, the buffer stacker 500 as described above is arranged at the leftmost part in a part of the right side (inside) of the storage stacker 200, the loading and unloading stacker 100, and the stacker 300 arranged on the first to third floors in the vertical direction, and is arranged in a lower area on the moving path of the second gripper 420. The reason for this is to arrange the buffer stacker 500 at the nearest position when quickly temporarily storing the cover tray and the customer tray CT that is pushed in.

[0136] <Instructions for connection> like Fig.21 Conceptual floor plan and Fig. 22 As shown in the extraction diagram of the main part I, the connection part CP includes a shelf 610, a moving hand 620, an opener 630, a converter 640, a reciprocating mover 650 and a testing hand 660.

[0137] The shelf 610 is used to store electronic components ED. Fig.23 As shown in the extracted diagrams (a) and (b), the shelf 610 includes a pair of fixing parts 611 , a driving source 612 , and a pair of transmission members 613 .

[0138] The pair of fixing members 611 can fix or release the electronic component ED by expanding or reducing the spacing in the left-right direction. That is, the fixing members 611 move linearly in the left-right direction under the guidance of the guide rail GR. If the spacing between the fixing members 611 is expanded, the electronic component ED or the adapter AD on which the electronic component ED is placed is in a state where it can be placed on the shelf 610 or can be detached from the shelf 610. If the spacing between the fixing members 611 is reduced, the electronic component ED is in a state where it is fixedly placed on the shelf 610.

[0139] The driving source 612 supplies a driving force for adjusting the interval between the pair of fixing members 611 and is configured as an air cylinder in this embodiment.

[0140] The transmission member 613 transmits the driving force applied by the driving source 612 to the pair of fixed members 611. In this embodiment, although a structure is adopted in which the forward and backward force of the driving source 612 as a cylinder is converted into the left and right moving force of the fixed member 611 for transmission while the transmission member 613 rotates, various modifications can be made according to the implementation.

[0141] The mobile hand 620 moves the electronic component ED to be tested from the customer tray CT transferred from the stacker part SP by the transfer part TP and places the electronic component ED on the shelf 610, or moves the electronic component ED on the shelf 610 that has been tested to the customer tray CT. This mobile hand 620 clamps the lying electronic component ED by vacuum adsorption. At this time, by equipping a plurality of adsorption members, it is realized that more than one adsorption member is selectively adsorbed, so that all electronic components ED of various sizes can be adsorbed and clamped (refer to Korean application No. 10-2020-0019380).

[0142] The opener 630 is used to place the electronic component ED on the holder 610. Fig.24 The adapter AD shown is used when handling relatively small electronic components ED having a size that is difficult to be directly placed on the shelf 610 (refer to Korean application number 10-2021-0017446). That is, the opener 630 pushes the operating part OE of the adapter AD located in the first working area W1 to open the adapter AD, thereby enabling the moving hand 620 to load or unload the electronic component ED on the adapter AD. Such an opener 630 can be composed of a pushing member 631 and an advance and retreat source 632, wherein the pushing member 631 is used to push the operating part OE, the operating part OE is used to be operated to open the adapter AD, and the advance and retreat source 632 is used to advance and retreat the pushing member 631.

[0143] The converter 640 eventually converts the posture of the electronic component ED placed on the shelf 610 by rotating the shelf 610. That is, the posture of the electronic component ED can be converted from a lying state to a standing state, or from a standing state to a lying state by the converter 640. The electronic component ED whose posture is converted from a lying state to a standing state by such a converter 640 is in a state where the part on the side of its contact terminal T can be properly inserted into the test slot S, and the electronic component ED whose posture is converted from a standing state to a lying state is in a state where it can be properly adsorbed and clamped by moving the hand 620. Of course, when the electronic component ED is in a lying state and is electrically connected to the tester TESTER (for example, when the test slot is formed to be long in the horizontal direction), the converter 640 may not perform its function, or the structure of the converter 640 may be omitted.

[0144] The reciprocating mover 650 moves the shelf 610 between the first working area W1 where the moving hand 620 works and the second working area W2 where the testing hand 660 works. Since the shelf 610 moves back and forth between the first working area W1 and the second working area W2 by means of the reciprocating mover 650, the first working area W1 and the second working area W2 can be separated to eliminate interference between the moving hand 620 and the testing hand 660.

[0145] The test hand 660 clamps the electronic component ED placed on the holder 610 in the second operation area W2, moves the electronic component ED, and inserts the contact terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S. If the test of the electronic component ED is completed, the electronic component ED is taken out from the test slot S and the electronic component ED that has been tested is placed back on the holder 610. Of course, in the case of using the adapter AD, the test hand 660 moves the adapter AD clamping the electronic component ED. For this purpose, Fig.25 As shown in the extracted diagram, the test hand 660 includes a clamping member 661, horizontal moving members 662a, 662b, a vertical moving member 663, an opening member 664 and a connecting member 665.

[0146] The clamping member 661 is provided for clamping the electronic component ED or the adapter AD or releasing the clamping. Fig.26 As shown in the extraction diagram, the clamping member 661 has a pair of clamping parts 661a-1 and 661a-2, and the distance between the clamping parts 661a-1 and 661a-2 is expanded or reduced by the driving force of the driving source 661b, so that the electronic component ED or the adapter AD can be clamped or the clamping can be released.

[0147] The horizontal moving members 662 a and 662 b can move the electronic component ED to a currently empty test slot S among the plurality of test slots S by moving the clamping member 661 in the horizontal left-right direction and the front-back direction.

[0148] The vertical moving member 663 moves the clamping member 661 in the vertical direction so that the clamping member 661 can clamp the electronic component ED or the adapter AD in the clamping position, or can raise the clamped electronic component ED or the adapter AD to the height required for testing, and can also perform the opposite operation.

[0149] In the case of applying the adapter AD, the opening member 664 slightly opens the adapter AD within the limit of the degree to which the electronic component ED can be held in the adapter AD. Fig. 27 As shown in the extraction diagram, the opening member 664 has a pusher 664a that can move forward and backward by a driving source 664b. Here, the pusher 664a slightly pushes the operating member OE to open the adapter AD when the clamping member 661 clamps the adapter AD, so that the electronic component ED is in a state where it can move backward while being held on the adapter AD. That is, the opening member 664 equipped on the test hand 660 only opens the adapter AD to the extent that the electronic component ED can move backward without being separated from the adapter AD. Therefore, the electronic component ED can move backward while still being loaded on the adapter AD.

[0150] like Fig.28 As shown in the extraction diagram, the pusher 665a of the connecting member 665 that moves forward and backward through the operating source 665b pushes the electronic component ED backward so that the part of the electronic component ED on the contact terminal T side can be inserted into the test slot S.

[0151] For reference, in this embodiment, the test hand 660 is configured to clamp the electronic component ED or adapter AD in a horizontal position and convert it into a vertical position by means of the converter 640. However, according to the shape of the test slot S, the test hand 660 can also be implemented to clamp the horizontal electronic component ED or adapter AD.

[0152] <Explanation on the transfer part> Fig.29 It is a schematic perspective view of the transfer part TP.

[0153] The transfer part TP is located approximately below the front side of the connection part CP and is configured to ride on the stacker part SP and the connection part CP. The transfer part TP receives the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested from the conveyor 400 of the stacker part SP and moves the customer tray CT to the supply position FP (refer to FIG. 1 ) where the mobile hand 620 can hold the electronic components ED. Fig.21), and the customer tray CT loaded with the tested electronic components ED is taken from the recovery position RP (refer to Fig.21 ) is returned to the stacker part SP. For this purpose, the transfer part TP is equipped with a supplier 710, a recycler 720, five supply lifts 731, three recycler lifts 732 and a conveyor 740. In these structures, the supplier 710 and the recycler 720 are located on the stacker part SP side, and the lifts 731, 732 and the conveyor 740 are located on the connection part CP side.

[0154] The supplier 710 is provided to supply the transfer device 740 with the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested received from the conveyor 400. Fig.30 As shown in the extraction diagram, this supply device 710 is equipped with a movable plate 711 capable of loading customer pallets CT. Since the movable plate 711 is configured to be able to move back and forth between the area where the conveyor 400 operates (stacker part side) and the area where the transfer device 740 operates (connection part side), the customer pallets CT received from the conveyor 400 can be supplied to the transfer device 740.

[0155] The recycler 720 is provided to recycle the customer tray CT loaded with the tested electronic components ED received from the conveyor 740 and transfer the customer tray CT to the conveyor 400. Similarly, the recycler 720 also has the same structure as the supplier 710, so that the customer tray CT received from the conveyor 740 can be transferred to the conveyor 400.

[0156] The five supply lifters 731 on the supply line side are respectively as shown in Fig.31 As shown in the extracted diagram of FIG. 7 , there is a supply lift plate 731a on which a customer tray CT can be placed. And the supply lift plate 731a is raised and lowered by the lifting source 731b. Therefore, the customer tray CT placed on the supply lift plate 731a can be raised to a height at which the moving hand 620 can clamp the electronic component ED located on the customer tray CT by the conveyor 740. And, if the raised customer tray CT is fixed by a fixer (not shown) provided in the connecting portion CP, the supply lift plate 731a is lowered again, so that the supply lift plate 731a can be in a state that does not hinder the operation of the conveyor 740.

[0157] If all the electronic components ED tested by the operation of the moving hand 620 are loaded on the customer tray CT, the recovery lift 732 lowers the customer tray CT so that the transfer device 740 can move the customer tray CT to the recovery device 720. The recovery lift 732 also has a recovery lift plate 732a, which has the same structure as the supply lift 731.

[0158] The transfer device 740 moves the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested from the supply device 710 to the supply lift 731, and moves the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic components ED that have been tested from the recovery lift 732 to the recovery device 720. In addition, the transfer device 740 plays the following role: if the customer tray CT placed on the supply lift plate 731a is emptied, the transfer device 740 moves the emptied customer tray CT to the recovery lift plate 732a, so that the electronic components ED that have been tested can be loaded on the customer tray CT. Such a transfer device 740 is as follows: Fig.32 As shown in the extraction diagram of , there is a pair of clamping rods 741a, 741b for clamping the customer tray CT or releasing the clamping. Of course, the clamping rods 741a, 741b can move in the left-right direction, the front-back direction, and the vertical direction.

[0159] Hereinafter, the transfer flow of the cover tray, the customer tray CT, and the electronic components ED formed in the connection portion CP will be described.

[0160] <Description of the cover tray transfer process> The cover pallet is carried into the sorter HR together with the customer pallets CT in bundles by the loading and unloading stacker 100. Depending on the load level of the sorter HR, the customer pallet CT may or may not pass through the storage stacker 200, and therefore the cover pallet may or may not pass through the storage stacker 200.

[0161] 1. Cases where the stacker is not used for storage The conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to grip the cover tray from the bundled customer tray CT located in the in-and-out stacker 100, and then transfers the cover tray to the buffer stacker 500. After that, during the rest period of the conveyor 400, the conveyor 400 transfers the cover tray located in the buffer stacker 500 to the stacker 300, and the cover tray located in the stacker 300 remains in the stacker 300 or is carried out from the sorter HR. Of course, considering the current capacity of the buffer stacker 500, the cover tray may continue to remain in the buffer stacker 500.

[0162] 2. The situation of using a stacker for storage The conveyor 400 transfers the bundled customer trays CT covered by the cover tray located in the loading and unloading stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200 using the first gripper 410. At this time, the cover tray is also transferred from the loading and unloading stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200. Then, the conveyor 400 transfers the cover tray to the buffer stacker 500 after gripping the cover tray from the bundled customer trays CT located in the storage stacker 200 using the second gripper 420, and then moves the cover tray located in the buffer stacker 500 to the stacker 300 during the idle period of the conveyor 400. In addition, the cover tray located in the stacker 300 remains in the stacker 300 or is carried out from the sorting machine HR. Similarly, the cover tray may continue to remain in the buffer stacker 500.

[0163] For reference, when the customer pallets CT that have completed the test are subsequently carried out from the sorting machine HR through the storage stacker 200 and the loading and unloading stacker 100 in bundles, the conveyor 400 performs an operation of covering the upper side of the customer pallets CT loaded in bundles with the cover pallet located in the stacker 300 or the buffer stacker 500. Then, the customer pallets CT in bundles covered with the cover pallet are carried out from the sorting machine HR.

[0164] <Instructions on the basic transfer process of customer pallets> 1. Cases where the stacker is not used for storage The customer trays CT in bundle units are carried into the sorting machine HR by the in-and-out stacker 100. In the case where there is a cover tray, the conveyor 400 first moves the cover tray to the buffer stacker 500 using the second gripper 420. Then, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to take out the customer trays CT one by one from the customer tray CT located at the uppermost side among the customer trays CT located in the in-and-out stacker 100 and supplies them to the supplier 710 of the transfer part TP. And, the customer tray CT of the supplier 710 is moved to the supply position FP by the operation of the supplier 710 and the transfer part 740, and is raised by the supply lifter 731. Thereafter, in a state where the customer tray CT is fixed by the fixer located in the connection part CP, the loaded electronic components ED are emptied by the moving hand 620. According to this, the customer tray CT from which all the electronic components ED are emptied is moved to the collection position RP by the conveyor 740 after being lowered by the supply lifter 731, and then fixed by the fixer in the state of being raised by the collection lifter 732. Then, the moving hand 620 performs the operation of loading the electronic components ED that have been tested onto the empty customer tray CT located at the collection position RP, and the customer tray CT loaded with the electronic components ED that have been tested is lowered by the collection lifter 732, and then moved to the stacker part SP by the conveyor 740 and the recycler 720. Next, the conveyor 400 moves the customer tray CT from the recycler 720 to the in-and-out stacker 100, and if the customer tray CT is loaded into the in-and-out stacker 100 in bundles, it is covered by the cover tray and carried out in bundles from the sorting machine HR.

[0165] 2. The situation of using a stacker for storage If the customer pallets CT in bundles are carried into the sorting machine HR by the loading and unloading stacker 100, the conveyor 400 moves the customer pallets CT in bundles from the loading and unloading stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200 using the first gripper 410 to empty the loading and unloading stacker 100. Therefore, the loading and unloading stacker 100 can store the successively supplied loading quantities.

[0166] In addition, when it is necessary to supply the customer tray CT in the storage stacker 200 to the connection part CP, the conveyor 400 supplies the customer tray CT in units of single sheets to the transfer part TP using the second gripper 420. Of course, if there is also a cover tray in this case, the conveyor 400 first moves the cover tray to the buffer stacker 500 using the second gripper 420.

[0167] Then, the customer pallet CT is moved to the supply position FP in the same process as described above, and then is collected by the collection device 720 through the collection position RP. Similarly, the customer pallet CT collected by the collection device 720 is moved to the storage stacker 200 by the conveyor 400. If the customer pallet CT is loaded into the storage stacker 200 in bundles, it is covered with a cover pallet and moved to the loading and unloading stacker 100, and then unloaded from the sorting machine HR.

[0168] <Flow of electronic components transferred in the connection section> The movement of the electronic components ED by the stacker section SP and the transfer section TP is performed together with the movement of the customer tray CT described above.

[0169] In addition, the electronic component ED to be tested located at the supply position FP is moved by the moving hand 620 and placed on the shelf 610 located in the first work area W1. Then, the reciprocating mover 650 moves the shelf 610 to the second work area W2 at the rear, so that the electronic component ED is also moved to the second work area W2. Then, the shelf 610 is rotated by the converter 640, so that the posture of the electronic component ED placed on the shelf 610 is changed from lying to standing.

[0170] Furthermore, the electronic component ED whose posture is changed to a vertical position is clamped by the test hand 660 and electrically connected to the tester TESTER, and the electronic component ED that has completed the test is collected from the tester TESTER by the test hand 660 and placed on the shelf 610. Next, the converter 640 rotates the shelf 610 in the reverse direction so that the vertical electronic component ED changes to a horizontal position, and the moving hand 620 moves the horizontal electronic component ED that has completed the test from the shelf 610 to the customer tray CT located at the collection position RP.

[0171] <References> 1. Number of stackers In this embodiment, the number of each of the in-and-out stacker 100, the storage stacker 200, and the stacker 300 is five, but each may be provided with one or more according to the processing capacity of the sorting machine HR. In addition, the storage stacker 200 may be provided in multiple layers on the upper side of the in-and-out stacker 100 to increase the processing capacity.

[0172] 2. Additional instructions for the process of customer pallets The above process of customer pallet CT only illustrates the most basic process.

[0173] Therefore, even if the storage stacker 200 is not used on the path where the customer tray CT carried into the sorter HR is supplied to the connection portion CP, the storage stacker 200 can be used on the path where the customer tray CT is carried out.

[0174] Similarly, even if the storage stacker 200 is used on the path where the customer tray CT carried into the sorter HR is supplied to the connection portion CP, the storage stacker 200 may not be used on the path where the customer tray CT is carried out.

[0175] That is, according to the present invention, by providing the storage stacker 200 and the stacker 300 independently of the loading and unloading stacker 100, the flow of the customer pallets CT can be realized in a very diverse combination and the efficiency can be improved accordingly.

[0176] 3. Additional instructions for stackers According to the conventional general sorting machine technology, there are two types of stackers, one for carrying in customer pallets CT and one for carrying out customer pallets CT (for example, one for loading and one for unloading), and their arrangement positions are fixed.

[0177] However, according to the present invention, only the loading and unloading stacker 100 and the storage stacker 200 are divided. In addition, the loading and unloading stacker 100 can be used for loading the customer pallet CT into the sorting machine HR or for unloading the customer pallet CT from the sorting machine HR according to the current situation. That is, the loading and unloading stacker 100 can be selectively used for loading or unloading according to the current situation. Therefore, the efficiency of the transfer operation of the customer pallet CT will be greatly improved.

[0178] Of course, the storage stacker 200 can be selectively used according to the current situation.

[0179] 4. Identification of customer pallets in bundles When the conveyor 400 transfers the customer pallets CT in bundles from the loading and unloading stacker 100 to the storage stacker 200, an identification code (e.g., a barcode) for identifying the customer pallets CT in bundles can be implemented. In this way, since the customer pallets CT in bundles can be managed in bundles by identifying the customer pallets CT in bundles, it is preferably considered.

[0180] 5. Identify customer pallets in units of single sheets and confirm the placement status of electronic components When the customer trays CT are moved from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer part TP, the electronic components ED can be managed for each customer tray CT by recognizing an identification code (for example, a barcode) of each customer tray CT.

[0181] Furthermore, it is preferable to realize that when the customer trays CT in units of individual sheets are moved from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer part TP, the placement state of the electronic components ED is confirmed by using a camera.

[0182] In this way, when the customer tray CT in single units is moved by the transfer part TP, the customer tray CT can be identified and the placement status of the electronic component ED can be confirmed, so that the identification operation of the customer tray CT and the confirmation operation of the placement status of the electronic component ED can be performed only by a minimum number of identification devices and confirmation devices, thereby reducing production costs.

[0183] 6. Expansion of processing capacity The sorting machine HR according to the present invention can expand the processing capacity by combining another connecting part CP and transfer part TP on the right side of the connecting part CP and transfer part TP, and the expansion of the processing capacity can be achieved as much as the storage capacity of the stacker part SP.

[0184] 7. Matters concerning the electronic components being handled In the present invention, a solid-state drive is given as an example of a large electronic component ED, but the handler according to the present invention is not limited to processing a solid-state drive.

[0185] 8. Types of solid-state drives Fig.33 Various forms of solid-state drives as a type of electronic component are shown.

[0186] That is, the size of the solid state drive may vary depending on the function or specification of the finished product to be applied, etc. Therefore, a large-sized solid state drive can be directly placed on the shelf 610, but a smaller-sized solid state drive cannot be directly placed on the shelf 610. Therefore, an adapter AD is required to place the small-sized solid state drive on the shelf 610.

[0187] 9. Rotation direction of electronic components Since the test slot S in the tester TESTER is formed long in the vertical direction, when the solid-state drive as the electronic component ED is in a lying state, the terminal T side of the solid-state drive cannot be inserted into the test slot S. Fig.34 As shown in (a), this is because the terminal T of the horizontal solid-state drive is arranged long in the left-right direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, the horizontal solid-state drive is rotated to be transformed into a vertical state, so that the terminal T can be arranged long in the vertical direction. Through this posture conversion, the side of the terminal T of the solid-state drive can be inserted into the test slot S.

[0188] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the moving hand 620 clamps the horizontal solid-state drive from the customer tray CT by vacuum adsorption, and moves it to the shelf 610, and rotates the shelf 610 by 90 degrees through the converter 640, so as to convert the horizontal solid-state drive placed on the shelf 610 into a vertical state. In addition, the test hand 660 clamps both ends of the vertical solid-state drive (or the adapter with the solid-state drive installed), and then electrically connects it to the tester.

[0189] Here, the solid state drive is rotated by the converter 640 in a direction in which the portion on the terminal T side can be inserted into the test slot S. Fig.34 (a) and (b) are described in more detail.

[0190] exist Fig.34 In (a), the solid state drive as the electronic component ED is in a lying state. That is, the wide surface faces upward or downward, and a long terminal T is formed in the left-right direction at the rear.

[0191] exist Fig.34 In the state (a) of FIG. 1 , the solid-state drive is converted into the state as follows by rotating the solid-state drive 90 degrees using a virtual line that is a long straight line in the front-to-back direction (the direction in which the fixed drive moves when the terminal side portion of the solid-state drive is inserted into the test slot) and divides the terminal T side portion into two halves as the rotation axis RS. Fig.34 The solid state drive shown in (b) is in a vertical shape with its wide surface facing the left-right direction.

[0192] 10. Supplementary instructions for the adapter The adapter AD may have various placement structures according to the kind of the electronic component ED.

[0193] For example, Fig.23 The adapter AD is used to hold large solid-state drives such as U.2 in the solid-state drive category. And, Fig.24 The adapter AD is used to hold a relatively small-sized solid-state drive such as M.2 among the types of solid-state drives. At this time, in the case of U.2, it is directly moved by the test hand 660, and in the case of M.2, it is moved by the test hand 660 in a state of being placed in the adapter AD.

[0194] As described above, the present invention is specifically described by referring to the embodiments of the accompanying drawings, but the above embodiments only illustrate preferred examples of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as being limited to the embodiments, and the scope of rights of the present invention should be understood as the scope in the claims and their equivalent concepts.

Claims

1. A sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: The stacker part receives customer trays containing electronic components to be tested or customer trays containing electronic components that have been tested; A connecting part, which takes out the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray delivered by the stacker part and electrically connects the electronic components to the tester, or places the electronic components tested by the tester on the customer tray; as well as The transfer part transfers the customer tray with the electronic components to be tested from the stacker part to the connection part, and transfers the customer tray with the electronic components that have been tested from the connection part to the stacker part, Wherein, the stacker part comprises: At least one in-and-out stacker, used to receive a customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or to transfer a customer tray with electronic components that have been tested to the outside; at least one storage stacker for storing customer pallets received from the outside by the access stacker, or storing customer pallets that need to be transferred to the outside by the access stacker before being transferred to the access stacker; a conveyor for moving customer pallets in bundles at a time between the in-and-out stacker and the storage stacker, or for supplying customer pallets in single units loaded with electronic components to be tested placed on the in-and-out stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer section, and for collecting customer pallets in single units loaded with electronic components that have been tested from the transfer section and loading them on the in-and-out stacker or the storage stacker, Wherein, the connecting part comprises: A shelf capable of storing electronic components; A moving hand moves the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray transferred from the stacker part by the transfer part and places the electronic components on the shelf, or moves the electronic components on the shelf that have been tested to the customer tray; and The tester moves the electronic components to be tested placed on the shelf and electrically connects the electronic components to the tester, or moves the electronic components that have been tested and places them on the shelf. The in-and-out stacker comprises: The storage device includes a first support member for supporting the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer pallet and is provided with a first storage space for storing the customer pallets in bundles; A first forward and backward moving device, which moves the storage device forward toward the outside of the sorting machine including the stacker part, the connecting part and the transfer part, or moves backward from the outside of the sorting machine toward the inside; a first shutter for opening the first storage space toward the inner side of the conveyor by rotating a first support member located in the first support member toward the inner side of the conveyor, so as to move the customer pallet; a first mover configured to move the customer pallets in bundles stored in the storage device out of the first storage space toward the conveyor, or to move the customer pallets in bundles conveyed from the conveyor into the first storage space, The conveyor includes a first clamp, a second clamp coupled to the lower side of the first clamp, and a lifter, a coupling plate is sandwiched between the first clamp and the second clamp, and the first clamp and the second clamp are arranged in a vertically aligned manner. The first clamp is used to clamp the customer pallet in bundles at one time or release the clamp. The second clamp is used to clamp or release the customer tray in units of single sheets. The second holder comprises: A first forward and backward movable plate is coupled to the coupling plate track in a manner of moving forward and backward in a first direction toward the in-and-out stacker and in a direction opposite to the first direction; A second forward and backward movable plate is coupled to the first forward and backward movable plate track in a manner of moving forward and backward in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction; a pair of clamping rods, arranged on the second forward and backward movable plate in a manner of facing each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction, and having clamping hooks for clamping the customer tray in the unit of single sheet; The second forward and backward moving device provides forward and backward power to move the first forward and backward moving plate and the second forward and backward moving plate forward and backward in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction. The lifter moves the first clamper and the second clamper which are combined with each other together in a vertical direction. The second clamper allows the clamping hook to enter the gap between the upper customer pallet and the lower customer pallet in the bundled customer pallet and completely separates the upper customer pallet from the lower customer pallet by the rise of the lifter.

2. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein: By installing an adapter for placing electronic components on the shelf, the shelf can store electronic components via the adapter. The mobile hand places the electronic component to be tested on the adapter or takes out the electronic component that has been tested from the adapter. The testing hand moves the electronic component placed on the holder so that the electronic component is electrically connected to the tester.

3. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 2, wherein: The adapter can be detachably mounted on the holder, and the test hand moves the electronic component placed on the adapter by moving the adapter.

4. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting part also includes: A reciprocating device moves the shelf between a first working area as an area where the moving hand works and a second working area as an area where the testing hand works, Wherein, the first working area and the second working area are separated from each other.

5. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein: The connecting part also includes: A converter converts the posture of the electronic component placed on the shelf from a horizontal position to a vertical position, or from a vertical position to a horizontal position, by rotating the shelf. The mobile hand can hold a lying electronic component. The test hand can clamp a vertical electronic component.

6. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 5, wherein: The converter converts the posture of the electronic component so that a terminal-side portion of the electronic component can be inserted into the test slot.

7. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein: The stacker part also includes: at least one buffer stacker is provided separately from the loading and unloading stacker and the storage stacker, The conveyor can temporarily load and place the cover pallet or the customer pallet located in the loading and unloading stacker or the storage stacker on the buffer stacker, wherein the cover pallet is a pallet covering the upper customer pallet of a bundle of customer pallets. Wherein, the buffer stacker comprises: a support member that supports a side surface of the cover tray or the customer tray received in the receiving space while forming a receiving space capable of receiving the cover tray or the customer tray; and The support plate supports the cover tray or the customer tray accommodated in the storage space.

8. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 7, wherein: The buffer stacker also includes: A lifter is used to lift the support plate.

9. A sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: a shelf capable of housing a solid-state drive; The moving hand clamps the solid state drive placed in a horizontal position on the customer tray by vacuum adsorption and moves the solid state drive to the shelf; A converter, which rotates the solid-state drive placed on the shelf by rotating the shelf, thereby converting the posture of the solid-state drive; as well as A test hand, holding the solid-state drive or the adapter in which the solid-state drive is installed, the posture of which is changed by the converter, and electrically connecting the solid-state drive or the adapter to the tester; and The stacker section receives customer pallets containing electronic components that need to be tested or customer pallets containing electronic components that have been tested. The converter rotates the shelf so that the solid-state drive rotates with a virtual line that is a long straight line in the direction of movement of the solid-state drive and divides the terminal side portion of the solid-state drive into two halves as a rotation axis, so as to insert the terminal side portion of the solid-state drive into the test slot of the tester. Wherein, the stacker part comprises: At least one in-and-out stacker, used to receive a customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or to transfer a customer tray with electronic components that have been tested to the outside; at least one storage stacker for storing customer pallets received from the outside by the access stacker, or storing customer pallets that need to be transferred to the outside by the access stacker before being transferred to the access stacker; a conveyor for moving customer pallets in bundles at a time between the in-and-out stacker and the storage stacker, or for supplying customer pallets in single units loaded with electronic components to be tested placed on the in-and-out stacker or the storage stacker to a transfer section, and for collecting customer pallets in single units loaded with electronic components that have been tested from the transfer section and loading them on the in-and-out stacker or the storage stacker, The in-and-out stacker comprises: The storage device includes a first support member for supporting the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer pallet and is provided with a first storage space for storing the customer pallets in bundles; A first forward and backward moving device, which moves the storage device forward toward the outside of the sorting machine including the stacker part, the connecting part and the transfer part, or moves backward from the outside of the sorting machine toward the inside; a first shutter for opening the first storage space toward the inner side of the conveyor by rotating a first support member located in the first support member and facing the inner side of the conveyor, so as to move the customer pallet; a first mover configured to move the customer pallets in bundles stored in the storage device out of the first storage space toward the conveyor, or to move the customer pallets in bundles conveyed from the conveyor into the first storage space, The conveyor includes a first clamp, a second clamp coupled to the lower side of the first clamp, and a lifter, a coupling plate is sandwiched between the first clamp and the second clamp, and the first clamp and the second clamp are arranged in a vertically aligned manner. The first clamp is used to clamp the customer pallet in bundles at one time or release the clamp. The second clamp is used to clamp or release the customer tray in units of single sheets. The second holder comprises: A first forward and backward movable plate is coupled to the coupling plate track in a manner of moving forward and backward in a first direction toward the in-and-out stacker and in a direction opposite to the first direction; A second forward and backward movable plate is coupled to the first forward and backward movable plate track in a manner of moving forward and backward in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction; a pair of clamping rods, arranged on the second forward and backward movable plate in a manner of facing each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first direction, and having clamping hooks for clamping the customer tray in the unit of single sheet; The second forward and backward moving device provides forward and backward power to move the first forward and backward moving plate and the second forward and backward moving plate forward and backward in the first direction and in a direction opposite to the first direction. The lifter moves the first clamper and the second clamper which are combined with each other together in a vertical direction. The second clamper allows the clamping hook to enter the gap between the upper customer pallet and the lower customer pallet in the bundled customer pallet and completely separates the upper customer pallet from the lower customer pallet by the rise of the lifter.

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