Sorting machine for testing electronic components

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting machine for testing electronic components. The sorting machine for testing electronic components according to the present invention comprises: a stacker section for accommodating a customer tray on which electronic components are placed; a connection part for taking out the electronic component from the customer tray conveyed by the stacker part and electrically connecting the electronic component to a tester, or placing the electronic component tested by the tester on the customer tray; and a transfer device for transferring the customer tray on which the electronic component to be tested is placed from the stacker part to the connection part, and transferring the customer tray on which the electronic component that has been tested is placed from the connection part to the stacker part.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of invention patent application No. 202111587210.1, which was submitted to the State Intellectual Property Office on December 23, 2021, with the invention name of “Sorting Machine for Electronic Component Testing”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a sorting machine for electronic component testing which supports supplying electronic components to a tester for 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 bad products, and only good products are shipped out.

[0004] Electronic components can only be tested when they are electrically connected to a tester. In this case, the device that supports the testing of electronic components by electrically connecting the electronic components to the tester is an electronic component testing sorter (hereinafter referred to as a "sorter"). Therefore, the sorter has a stacker for supplying the electronic components to be tested to the tester side and then collecting the tested electronic components.

[0005] The stacking mechanism is a structure for storing customer trays with electronic components to be tested or customer trays with electronic components after testing. In addition, customer trays carried into the sorting machine from outside or customer trays carried out from the sorting machine are stored in the stacker.

[0006] In the past, workers directly carried out the work of moving customer pallets into or out of the sorting machine. Until the introduction of automated systems (OHT or AGV, etc.), customer pallets can be automatically moved into or out of the sorting machine.

[0007] In addition, most electronic components have a direction for electrical connection with the tester. Therefore, the electronic components need to be supplied to the tester in a specific direction. Therefore, the customer trays containing electronic components also need to be carried into the sorting machine in a specific direction.

[0008] However, the directionality of the customer trays supplied to the sorting machine by the automation system may vary depending on the type of electronic components, and thus there may be a problem that the customer trays cannot be supplied to the sorting machine by the automation system installed in the past.

[0009] In addition, multiple customer pallets are transported into the sorting machine in bundles by an automated system. If the stacker on the transport path is filled with customer pallets, no more customer pallets can be transported into the sorting machine, which acts as a factor limiting the improvement of processing speed and processing capacity.

[0010] [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

[0011] The present invention is proposed based on the following needs.

[0012] First, the loading location needs to be cleared as quickly as possible so that batches of customer pallets can be loaded smoothly.

[0013] Second, customer pallets need to be stored in a separate location to maximize the free space for loading.

[0014] Third, it is necessary to prevent mechanical interference from occurring between the movement of the customer tray for storing the customer tray and the movement of the customer tray for transferring the customer tray to the tester side.

[0015] Fourth, in order to supply and recycle customer pallets, it is necessary to be able to directly use the previously set up automation system.

[0016] Fifth, it is necessary to enable a customer tray supplied in a manner not corresponding to the electrical connection direction between the tester and the electronic components to be smoothly carried into the sorting machine.

[0017] Sixth, it needs to be able to appropriately correspond to the directionality of the customer's pallet.

[0018] The electronic component testing sorting machine according to the present invention comprises: a stacker part for accommodating customer trays with electronic components placed thereon; a connecting part for taking out electronic components from the customer trays conveyed by the stacker part and electrically connecting them to the tester, or placing electronic components tested by the tester on the customer trays; and a transferring device 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 tested electronic components from the connecting part to the stacker part, wherein the stacker part comprises: a plurality of in-and-out stackers for receiving customer trays in bundles with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or transferring customer trays in bundles with tested electronic components to the outside; and a plurality of storage stackers for storing customer trays in bundles received from the outside by the in-and-out stackers, or transferring customer trays to be tested by the connecting part. The customer pallets in bundles that are conveyed to the outside by the input and output stacker are stored before being conveyed to the input and output stacker; and a conveyor that moves the customer pallets between the input and output stacker and the storage stacker, or supplies the customer pallets located at the input and output stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer device, wherein each of the plurality of input and output stackers comprises: a storage device that can store customer pallets in bundles; a forward and backward mover that can move the storage device forward to the outside of a sorting machine including the stacker part, the connecting part and the transfer device, or can move the storage device backward so that the storage device is restored from the outside to the inside of the sorting machine again; and a rotator that can correct the direction of the customer pallet by rotating the storage device that has been moved to the outside of the sorting machine by the forward and backward mover forward or reversely by 90 degrees.

[0019] Each of the multiple in-and-out stackers also includes: a movable plate, which can be moved to the outside and inside of the sorting machine by the front and rear movers, and is provided with the rotator, wherein the storage device includes: a rotating plate, which is equipped on the upper side of the movable plate and is rotated forward or reversely by 90 degrees by the rotator; and a support member, which is provided on the rotating plate, supports the sides of the four corners of the customer pallets in bundles, and forms a storage space that can store customer pallets in bundles.

[0020] Each of the plurality of in-and-out stackers further includes: an opener and closer, which opens the storage space in the inner direction toward the conveyor by rotating the support member located in the inner direction toward the conveyor, so that the customer pallets in bundles can be moved; and a mover, which is equipped to withdraw the customer pallets in bundles stored in the storage device in the direction from the storage space toward the conveyor, or is equipped to move the customer pallets in bundles from the conveyor so that they can enter the storage space again.

[0021] The mover includes: a conveyor belt, which is arranged on the rotating plate, so that customer pallets in bundles can exit or re-enter the storage space in the direction from the storage space toward the conveyor; a running motor, which provides power for the circular movement of the conveyor belt; a rotating shaft, which is connected to the running motor and rotates; and a power transmitter, which transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft to the conveyor belt.

[0022] The first form of the electronic component testing sorting machine according to the present invention comprises: a stacker part for accommodating customer trays with electronic components; a connecting part for taking out electronic components from the customer trays conveyed by the stacker part and electrically connecting them to the tester, or placing electronic components tested by the tester on the customer trays; and a transfer device 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 tested electronic components from the connecting part to the stacker part, wherein the stacker part comprises: at least one in-and-out stacker for receiving electronic components to be tested from the outside A customer pallet in bundles of subcomponents, or a customer pallet in bundles on which tested electronic components are placed is transferred to the outside; at least one storage stacker, which stores the customer pallets in bundles received from the outside by the entry and exit stacker, or stores the customer pallets in bundles to be transferred to the outside by the entry and exit stacker before they are transferred to the entry and exit stacker; and a conveyor, which moves the customer pallets in bundles between the entry and exit stacker and the storage stacker at one time, or supplies the customer pallets in single sheets located at the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer device.

[0023] The conveyor includes: a first clamper for clamping or releasing the customer pallets in bundles at one time; a second clamper for clamping or releasing the customer pallets in single sheets; and an elevator for moving the first clamper and the second clamper together in a vertical direction.

[0024] The first clamper and the second clamper are arranged in parallel and combined along a vertical direction.

[0025] The first clamper is arranged on an upper side of the second clamper.

[0026] The first clamp includes: a support member, which supports the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer pallets in bundles, and has a storage space formed therein for storing the customer pallets in bundles; an opener and closer, which opens and closes the storage space so that the customer pallets in bundles moving in the horizontal direction can enter the storage space or exit from the storage space; and a mover, which moves the customer pallets in bundles moved into or out of the storage space in the horizontal direction.

[0027] The second clamper includes: a forward and backward movable plate, which can move forward in an outward direction or backward in an inward direction relative to the first clamper; a pair of clamping rods, which are arranged on the forward and backward movable plate and can clamp customer pallets in single units; and a forward and backward mover, which makes the forward and backward movable plate move forward and backward in the inward and outward directions.

[0028] The electronic component testing sorting machine according to the second form of the present invention comprises: a stacker part for accommodating customer trays with electronic components; a connecting part for taking out electronic components from the customer trays conveyed by the stacker part and electrically connecting them to the tester, or placing electronic components tested by the tester on the customer trays; and a transfer device 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 tested electronic components from the connecting part to the stacker part, wherein the stacker part comprises: a plurality of in-and-out stackers for receiving customer trays in bundles with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or transferring customer trays with tested electronic components Customer pallets of electronic components in bundles are delivered to the outside; at least one storage stacker is used to store customer pallets in bundles received from the outside by the entry and exit stacker, or to store customer pallets in bundles to be delivered to the outside by the entry and exit stacker before being delivered to the entry and exit stacker; and a conveyor is used to move customer pallets between the entry and exit stacker and the storage stacker, or to supply customer pallets located at the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer device, wherein each of the multiple entry and exit stackers includes: a storage device that can store customer pallets in bundles; and a mover that moves the storage device to the outside and then returns it to the inside.

[0029] Each of the in-and-out stackers further includes a rotator capable of correcting the direction of the customer pallet by rotating the storage container moved to the outside by the mover forward or reversely by 90 degrees.

[0030] The electronic component testing sorting machine according to the third form of the present invention comprises: a stacker part for accommodating customer trays with electronic components; a connecting part for taking out electronic components from the customer trays conveyed from the stacker part and electrically connecting them to the tester, or placing electronic components tested by the tester on the customer trays; and a transfer device 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 tested electronic components from the connecting part to the stacker part, wherein the stacker part comprises: at least one in-and-out stacker for receiving customer trays in bundles with electronic components to be tested from the outside, or transferring customer trays in bundles with tested electronic components to the outside ; at least one storage stacker, which stores customer pallets in bundles received from the outside by the entry and exit stacker, or stores customer pallets in bundles that need to be transmitted to the outside by the entry and exit stacker before being transmitted to the entry and exit stacker; and a conveyor, which moves customer pallets between the entry and exit stacker and the storage stacker, or supplies customer pallets located at the entry and exit stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer device, wherein the conveyor is capable of moving the customer pallet located at the entry and exit stacker to the storage stacker, then transferring the customer pallet located at the storage stacker to the transfer device, and receiving the customer pallet from the transfer device and moving it to the storage stacker, then moving it to the entry and exit stacker.

[0031] The plurality of the in-and-out stackers are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction, and the plurality of the storage stackers are arranged in parallel in the horizontal direction above the in-and-out stackers.

[0032] According to the present invention, there are the following effects.

[0033] First, since it is equipped with a storage stacker and can transfer customer pallets in bundles at one time, the input and output stacker provided to the customer pallet carrying path can be quickly emptied, thereby improving the storage capacity of the customer pallets and the movement of the customer pallets, and thus ultimately increasing the processing capacity of the sorting machine.

[0034] Second, since there is no mechanical interference between the movement of the customer tray for storing the customer tray and the movement of the customer tray for transferring the customer tray to the tester side, the reliability of the equipment can be improved.

[0035] Third, one transfer machine can transfer both customer pallets in bundles and customer pallets in single sheets, thereby minimizing the size of the sorting machine.

[0036] Fourth, since the previously installed automated system for supplying and collecting customer pallets can be directly applied, the convenience of the customer is improved and the cost of building the system is reduced.

[0037] Fifth, even a customer tray that is not supplied in a manner corresponding to the electrical connection direction between the tester and the electronic components can be smoothly carried into the sorting machine, thereby improving usability.

[0038] Sixth, it can be handled regardless of the orientation of the customer's pallet, thereby improving versatility. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is a reference diagram for explaining the electrical connection structure between electronic components and a tester.

[0040] Figure 2 It is a schematic plan view of a handler for testing electronic components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 3 It is for Figure 2 A schematic perspective view of a sorting machine.

[0042] Figure 4 It is for application Figure 2 A screenshot of the stacker section of the sorter.

[0043] Figure 5 It is for application Figure 4 A screenshot of the stacker part for entry and exit.

[0044] Figure 6 It is for Figure 5 Exploded perspective view of the stacker for loading and unloading.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Fig. 9 It is for application Figure 5 A screenshot of the first front and rear mover of the access stacker.

[0048] 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.

[0049] Fig.11 It is for application Figure 5 A screenshot of the first mover of the access stacker.

[0050] Fig.12 It is used to describe the application Fig.11 Conceptual diagram of the rotation axis of the first mover.

[0051] Fig.13 It is for application Figure 2 A screenshot of the stacker used to store the sorter.

[0052] Fig.14 It is for application Figure 4 A screenshot of the conveyor section of the stacker.

[0053] Fig.15 It is for application Fig.14 A screenshot of the first gripper of the conveyor.

[0054] Fig.16 It is for application Fig.14 A screenshot of the second gripper of the conveyor.

[0055] Fig.17 It is for Fig.16 Exploded view of the second clamp.

[0056] Fig.18 It is intercepted Fig.16 A cutaway view of a portion of the second clamp.

[0057] Explanation of symbols DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] 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.

[0059] <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 the contact terminal side of an electronic component such as a solid state drive (SSD) is inserted into a test slot of a tester.

[0060] For example, Figure 1 As shown, the tester (TESTER) is equipped with a test slot S, and by inserting the terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S, the electronic component ED is electrically connected to the tester (TESTER).

[0061] <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.

[0062] The sorting machine HR according to the present embodiment includes a stacker part SP, a connecting part CP, and a transfer device TA.

[0063] The stacker part SP receives the customer trays CT on which the electronic components ED are placed. The stacker part SP is used to receive the customer trays CT on which the electronic components ED to be tested are placed from the outside, or to transfer the customer trays CT on which the electronic components ED that have been tested are placed to the outside. In addition, the stacker part SP is also used to store the customer trays CT brought in or taken out from the outside. For this purpose, Figure 4 As shown in the schematic cutout diagram, the stacker part SP includes five loading and unloading stackers 100, five storage stackers 200, five sorting stackers 300 and a conveyor 400, which will be described in detail in the following directory.

[0064] The connection part CP takes out the electronic components ED from the customer tray CT conveyed by the stacker part SP and electrically connects them to the tester (TESTER), or sorts the electronic components ED tested by the tester (TESTER) according to the test level and places them on the customer tray CT.

[0065] The transfer device TA 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 by the transfer device TA, and the customer tray CT on which the electronic components ED after the test are placed is recovered from the connection part CP to the stacker part SP by the transfer device TA.

[0066] The above-mentioned connecting portion CP and the transfer device TA are described in detail in Korean Application No. 10-2020-0073725, which is a prior application of the present applicant, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] For reference, the "outside" and "inside" described in the following description are defined based on the layout relationship between the stacker and the conveyor described later. That is, the side from the conveyor to the stacker (in the Figure 2 The left side in the plan view of the stacker is defined as the “outer side”, and the side from the stacker toward the conveyor is defined as the “inner side” (the Figure 2 on the right side of the plan view).

[0068] <Explanation for loading and unloading stackers> The stackers 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 (based on the front-to-back direction).

[0069] 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 Screenshots and Figure 6 As shown in the exploded perspective view of , the in-and-out stacker 100 includes a storage container 110 , a first shutter 120 , a moving plate 130 , a base plate 140 , a first front-rear mover 150 , a rotator 160 , and a first mover 170 .

[0070] 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 bundled together. In addition, depending on the situation, the uppermost customer pallet CT may be covered by a separate pallet cover. 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 the outside or transmitted to the outside. To this end, the storage device 110 includes first support members 111o, 111i and a rotating plate 112.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 corners located on the inner side of the customer tray CT, or Figure 7At this time, if the first support member 111i is in a state of releasing the support for the four corners located in the inner direction of the customer tray CT, the first storage space S1 is opened inwardly, so that the customer tray CT is in a state of being able to move inwardly.

[0074] 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.

[0075] The base plate 140 is fixed, and the moving plate 130 is track-coupled to the base plate 140 so as to be movable inward and outward directions. The base plate 140 is provided with a second cylinder 153 of the first front and rear moving device 150 and a driving motor 172 of the first moving device 170 described later.

[0076] As reference Figure 8 As shown in the conceptual diagrams (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 , the first front-rear 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) is reached, the storage device 110 is moved backward again to return to the state as shown in FIG. Figure 8 of 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 such a problem, in the present embodiment, the first front-to-back mover 150 moves the storage unit 110 forward to the outside of the sorting machine HR, so that the operator or the automation system is able to 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 front-to-back mover 150 moves the storage unit 110 backward to the inside of the sorting machine HR, so that the storage unit 110 returns to its original position. For this reason, Fig. 9 As shown in the cutaway diagram, the first front-rear mover 150 is composed of a first cylinder 151, a support plate 152, and a second cylinder 153.

[0077] 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.

[0078] 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 .

[0079] The second cylinder 153 is fixedly disposed on the base plate 140, and a piston rod of the second cylinder 153 is coupled to the support plate 152. Therefore, when 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] The rotator 160 rotates the rotating plate 112 forward or reversely at an angle of 90 degrees. Therefore, in consideration of 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 event that 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 FIG. Fig.10 As 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 realize and control the rotator 160 in a manner that the rotator 160 is rotated only when the storage container 110 moves toward the outside of the sorting machine HR.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.11As shown in the cutout of , the first mover 170 is implemented as a conveyor belt 171, but 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.

[0084] The running motor 172 provides power for the circulating movement of the conveyor belt 171 .

[0085] The rotating shaft 173 is rotated by the power of the operating motor 172 .

[0086] The power transmitter 174 transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft 173 to the conveyor belt 171 .

[0087] 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.12 As 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.

[0088] Next, the operation of the loading and unloading stacker 100 will be described.

[0089] 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 reverse at an angle of -90 degrees.

[0090] When the customer trays CT in bundles are stored in the first storage space S1, the first front-rear mover 150 is operated to move the storage container 110 backward toward the inside of the sorter HR, thereby returning the storage container 110 to its original position.

[0091] 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.

[0092] <Explanation on Storage Stackers> The storage stackers 200 all have the same structure, and are used to store the customer pallets CT in bundles received from the outside by the in-out stacker 100, or to store the customer pallets CT in bundles that need to be delivered to the outside by the in-out stacker 100 before being delivered to the in-out stacker 100. Fig.13 As shown in the cutaway view of , the storage stacker 200 includes four second support members 211o and 211i, a second shutter 220 and a second mover 270.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] <Explanation on Sorting Stackers> The sorting stacker 300 has the same structure as the storage stacker 200, and is located below the loading and unloading stacker 100. The sorting stacker 300 has substantially the same structure as the storage stacker 200, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0096] The sorting stacker 300 can be applied to various uses as exemplified below.

[0097] For example, when the uppermost customer pallet CT among the customer pallets CT in bundle units is covered with a pallet cover, any of the sorting stackers 300 can be used for storing the pallet cover.

[0098] For example, the sorting 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.

[0099] For example, the sorting stacker 300 can be used to sort the non-defective electronic components ED according to the test level and temporarily store them.

[0100] 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 sorting stacker 300 can be used for a temporary waiting purpose.

[0101] That is, the sorting stacker 300 can function as a multi-purpose stacker that can be applied to various purposes according to control.

[0102] Furthermore, it is preferable that the storage capacity of the customer trays CT of the sorting stacker 300 is smaller than that of the loading / unloading stacker 100 or the storage stacker 200 to prevent the sorting machine HR from becoming larger.

[0103] <Explanation for 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 (i.e., 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 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 cutaway view of , the conveyor 400 includes a first clamper 410, a second clamper 420, an elevator 430 and a horizontal mover 440.

[0104] 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 cutaway diagram of , the first clamper 410 includes third support members 411o, 411i, a third shutter 412, and a third mover 413.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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 arranged in parallel in the vertical direction and are mounted on the joint plate JP to be combined with each other. 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.

[0109] The second clamper 420 can clamp or release the customer tray CT in units of single sheets. Fig.16 Screenshots of Fig.17 Exploded perspective diagram and Fig.18 As shown in the partial cutout diagram, the second clamper 420 includes a first front-to-rear moving plate 421, a second front-to-rear moving plate 422, a pair of clamping rods 423, a pair of spacing adjustment sources 424, and a second front-to-rear moving device 425.

[0110] The first front-rear moving plate 421 is rail-connected to the connecting plate JP so as to be movable front-rear in the inner and outer directions.

[0111] The second front-to-back movable plate 422 is track-coupled with the first front-to-back movable plate 421 in a manner that allows it to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0112] A pair of clamping rods 423 are provided on the second front-rear movable 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.

[0113] The pair of spacing adjustment sources 424 provide power for reducing or expanding the spacing between the pair of clamping bars 423. Therefore, according to the operation state of the pair of spacing 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.

[0114] The second front-to-back moving device 425 provides a front-to-back moving force that enables the first front-to-back moving plate 421 and the second front-to-back moving plate 422 to move forward and backward in the inner and outer directions. The second front-to-back 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.

[0115] The driving motor 425a provides power to cause the first conveyor belt 425b and the second conveyor belt 425c to circulate and rotate.

[0116] The first conveyor belt 425b is provided on the coupling plate JP, and the first front-rear moving plate 421 is coupled to the first conveyor belt 425b, so that the first front-rear moving plate 421 moves linearly inwardly and outwardly by the circulation rotation of the first conveyor belt 425b.

[0117] The second conveyor belt 425c is provided on the first front-to-back movable plate 421. The second front-to-back movable plate 422 is coupled to a location P1 on one side of the second conveyor belt 425c, and a coupling component JE is installed at a location P2 on the other side to be coupled to the coupling plate JP. Here, in order to eliminate interference between the coupling component JE and the first front-to-back movable plate 421, a through hole TH is formed in the first front-to-back movable plate 421 along the inner and outer directions so that the coupling component JE can pass through.

[0118] For reference, it is 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 front-to-back moving plate 422. In addition, in the present embodiment, the first front-to-back moving plate 421 and the second front-to-back 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 front-to-back moving plate with the clamping rod 423 is provided, and the second front-to-back moving device 425 only moves one front-to-back moving plate forward and backward in the inner and outer directions.

[0119] The lift 430 moves the first clamper 410 and the second clamper 420 that are coupled to each other together in a vertical direction.

[0120] The horizontal mover 440 moves the lift 430 in the horizontal direction, thereby causing the first gripper 410 and the second gripper 420 coupled to the lift 430 to move together in the horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction refers to a 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).

[0121] 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 .

[0122] The lift 430 and the horizontal mover 440 are operated to position the second gripper 420 at a position corresponding to the storage stacker 200 to be operated. Then, the second front-to-back mover 425 is operated to move the second front-to-back moving plate 422 into the second storage space S2 of the storage stacker 200. As a result, the pair of gripping 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 gripping rods 423, thereby gripping the customer pallet CT. At this time, the gripping hook GH enters the gap between the upper customer pallet CT and the lower customer pallet CT. Furthermore, the lift 430 slightly lifts the second gripper 420 to completely separate the upper customer pallet CT and the lower customer pallet CT gripped by the second gripper 420 so that they do not interfere with each other, and then the second front-to-back mover 425 is reversely operated to make the second front-to-back moving plate 420 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.

[0123] 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 transition of the sorting machine HR from being too large.

[0124] <Instructions on the basic transfer of customer pallets CT> 1. Without the storage stacker The customer trays CT in bundles are carried into the sorting machine HR by the loading and unloading stacker 100. If a tray cover exists, the conveyor 400 first moves the tray cover to any one of the sorting stackers 300 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 C located at the uppermost side among the customer trays CT located in the loading and unloading stacker 100 and supplies them to the transfer device TA. Then, the customer trays CT are transferred to the connecting portion CP by the transfer device TA.

[0125] If the customer tray CT is transferred to the connection part CP and is located at the desired position, the electronic components ED placed on the customer tray CT are finally taken out in sequence through the operation of the connection part CP, and then supplied to the tester (TESTER), thereby emptying the customer tray CT. The electronic components ED that have been tested are sorted according to the level and placed on the empty customer tray CT, and the customer tray CT filled with the electronic components ED that have been tested is transferred to the stacker part SP by the transfer device TA. Then, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to move the corresponding customer tray CT to the in-and-out stacker 100.

[0126] 2. When 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.

[0127] In addition, when it is necessary to supply the customer pallet CT in the storage stacker 200 to the connection part CP, the conveyor 400 supplies the customer pallet CT in units of single sheets to the transfer device TA using the second gripper 420. Of course, if there is a pallet cover in this case, the conveyor 400 first moves the pallet cover to any one of the sorting stackers 300 using the second gripper 420.

[0128] Furthermore, after the customer tray CT on which the electronic components ED to be tested are placed is supplied to the connection part CP by the transfer device TA, if the customer tray CT on which the electronic components ED that have been tested are placed is transferred from the connection part CP to the stacker part SP by the transfer device TA, the conveyor 400 uses the second gripper 420 to move the customer tray CT to the storage stacker 200. Thereafter, if the customer tray CT in bundle units is stored in the storage stacker 200, the conveyor 400 uses the first gripper 410 to transfer the customer tray CT in bundle units from the storage stacker 200 to the loading and unloading stacker 100, and the customer tray CT in bundle units stored in the loading and unloading stacker 100 is carried out from the sorting machine HR by an operator or an automated system.

[0129] <References> 1. Number of stackers In this embodiment, five stackers 100 for loading and unloading, five stackers 200 for storage, and five stackers 300 for sorting are provided, but more than one stacker may be provided for each according to the processing capacity of the sorting machine HR. In addition, stackers 200 for storage may be provided in multiple layers on the upper side of the stackers 100 for loading and unloading to increase the processing capacity.

[0130] 2. Additional instructions for moving customer pallets The above-described movement of the customer pallet CT only illustrates the most basic movement.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] That is, according to the present invention, by providing the storage stacker 200 and the sorting stacker 300 separately from the loading and unloading stacker 100, the customer pallets CT can be moved in various combinations and the efficiency can be improved accordingly.

[0134] 3. Additional instructions for stackers According to the conventional general sorting machine technology, the arrangement positions of the stacker for carrying in the customer pallet CT and the stacker for carrying out the customer pallet CT (for example, divided into a loading stacker and an unloading stacker) are fixed.

[0135] 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 can be used for unloading the customer pallet CT from the sorting machine HR, depending on 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.

[0136] Of course, the storage stacker 200 can be selectively used according to the current situation.

[0137] 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, the above-mentioned method can be preferably considered.

[0138] 5. Identify customer trays in units of single sheets and confirm the placement status of electronic components When the customer trays CT in units of sheets are moved from the stacker part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer device TA, the electronic components ED can be managed for each customer tray CT by recognizing an identification code (for example, a barcode) on each customer tray CT.

[0139] 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 device TA, the placement state of the electronic components ED is confirmed by using a camera.

[0140] In this way, by realizing that when the customer pallet CT in single units is moved by the transfer device TA, the customer pallet CT is identified and the placement status of the electronic component ED is confirmed, the identification operation of the customer pallet 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.

[0141] 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 the transfer device TA on the right side of the connecting part CP and the transfer device TA, and the expansion of the processing capacity can be achieved as much as the storage capacity of the stacker part SP.

[0142] 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 section receives customer pallets containing electronic components; A connecting part, which takes out electronic components from the customer tray delivered by the stacker part and electrically connects them to the tester, or places the electronic components tested by the tester on the customer tray; as well as a transfer device for transferring a customer tray with electronic components to be tested from the stacker part to the connection part, and for transferring a customer tray with electronic components after testing from the connection part to the stacker part, Wherein, the stacker part comprises: A plurality of in-and-out stackers for receiving customer trays in bundles containing electronic components to be tested from the outside, or for delivering customer trays in bundles containing electronic components that have been tested to the outside; a plurality of storage stackers for storing customer pallets in bundles received from the outside by the in-and-out stackers or storing customer pallets in bundles to be transported to the outside by the in-and-out stackers before being transported to the in-and-out stackers; and a conveyor for moving a customer pallet between the loading and unloading stacker and the storage stacker, or for supplying a customer pallet located at the loading and unloading stacker or the storage stacker to the transfer device, Wherein, each of the plurality of in-and-out stackers comprises: A storage container that can store customer pallets in bundles; a forward and backward mover capable of moving the accumulator forward toward the outside of the sorting machine including the stacker part, the connecting part and the transfer device, or capable of moving the accumulator backward to restore the accumulator from the outside to the inside of the sorting machine again; and The rotator can correct the direction of the customer tray by rotating the storage container moved to the outside of the sorter by the forward and backward moving device 90 degrees in the forward or reverse direction.

2. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the plurality of access stackers further comprises: A movable plate can be moved to the outside and inside of the sorting machine by the front-rear moving device, and is provided with the rotator. Wherein, the storage container comprises: a rotating plate, which is disposed on the upper side of the moving plate and is rotated forward or reversely by 90 degrees by the rotator; and The support member is provided on the rotating plate, supports the side surfaces of the four corners of the customer trays in bundles, and forms a storage space capable of storing the customer trays in bundles.

3. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 2, wherein: Each of the plurality of access stackers further comprises: An opener and shutter that opens the storage space in the inner direction toward the conveyor by rotating the support member located in the inner direction toward the conveyor, so that the customer pallets in bundles can be moved; A mover is provided to withdraw the customer pallets in bundles stored in the storage unit in a direction from the storage space toward the conveyor, or to move the customer pallets in bundles from the conveyor to re-enter the storage space.

4. The electronic component testing sorting machine according to claim 3, wherein: The mover comprises: A conveyor belt, provided on the rotating plate, allows the customer pallets in bundles to exit or re-enter the storage space in a direction from the storage space toward the conveyor; A running motor provides power for the circulating movement of the conveyor belt; a rotating shaft connected to the running motor to rotate; and A power transmitter transmits the rotational force of the rotating shaft to the conveyor belt.

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