Automatic peeling of a cover film from a carrier tape of an element strip

Abstract

A peeling device for automatically peeling a cover film from a carrier tape of a component tape, wherein the film has a protruding overhang which protrudes beyond the front end of the carrier tape in the longitudinal direction of the component tape. The device comprises (a) a linear guide member extending in the Z direction, (b) a base formed on the member and displaceable relative thereto in the Z direction, (c) a clamping member attached to the base and movable relative thereto in the Z direction. The base and the member are designed such that a region of the clamping member is formed between them, wherein (i) in a first position of the member, the region is open such that the overhang can be inserted therein, (ii) in a second position, the region is closed such that the overhang is fixed. Furthermore, a cover film feeding device and a method for feeding a cover film of a component tape to a filling mechanism of a cover film handling device are described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the technical field of electronic component manufacturing, wherein an electronic component carrier is equipped with electronic components, which are fed into an assembly process using a component tape, wherein an electronic component is included in a recess of the carrier tape of the component tape. Specifically, this invention relates to a peeling device for automatically peeling a cover film from the carrier tape of a component tape. The invention also relates to a cover film feeding device and a method for feeding a cover film from the carrier tape of a component tape to a filling mechanism of a cover film disposal device. Background Technology

[0002] To ensure high-performance assembly (i.e., processing a large number of electronic components within a specified time period), components are preferably assembled in so-called component strips and sequentially fed to the assembly head of the assembly process or corresponding assembly machine at the component pick-up location by means of a suitable component feeding device (or "feeder") for such component strips. For pre-assembled component strips, a component resides in one of a plurality of recesses formed in a fixed one-dimensional grid within the carrier tape of the respective component strip. These recesses may also be referred to as strip cavities or simply cavities. To prevent these components from falling out of the recesses before being picked up by the assembly head, a cover film is provided on the carrier tape enclosing the recesses. This cover film is removed from the carrier tape shortly before the component is picked up from the relevant recess. With such pre-assembled component strips, components can be supplied to the assembly machine for a relatively long period of time, and the assembly machine can operate uninterruptedly.

[0003] In addition to the recesses for components, typical component strips also have through holes formed on the sides of the recesses, extending longitudinally along the component strip. Pins on the feeder's pinwheel engage with these through holes, ensuring that the corresponding component strip is conveyed to the component pick-up position during rotation. Therefore, these through holes are also referred to as "carrying holes."

[0004] Obviously, component feeding stops once the last component is removed from the end of the component strip. To continue the loading process and minimize interruptions, the starting end of the subsequent second component strip is connected in a known manner to the end of the preceding first component strip, which has been at least partially used or emptied. This combination of two component strips, typically accomplished using suitable connecting elements (such as clamping elements and / or adhesive strips), is also known as "joining".

[0005] In addition to "splicing", it is also possible to insert new component strips into another "new" feeder, and then replace the previously used "old" feeder with the "new" feeder on-site (i.e., on the relevant assembly machine).

[0006] The process of inserting the component tape into the feeder is also known as “feeder setup” and is typically done manually. Manual insertion involves the following steps: (i) inserting the component tape into the feeder; (ii) clamping the front end of the cover film from the carrier tape; (iii) pulling out the front end of the cover film; (iv) guiding or pulling the front end back around the detachment edge of the cover film to or behind the so-called collection window of the feeder, from which the component is picked up by the assembly head; and (v) inserting the front end into the “filling mechanism” of the cover film disposal facility.

[0007] WO 2013 136 423 A1 discloses a peeling device for automatically peeling a cover film from a carrier belt of an element tape. The peeling device has a peeling roller that peels the cover film from the carrier belt by means of friction, and then engages the peeled end of the cover film with another roller. However, friction removal of the cover film is prone to process errors.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to enable the automatic peeling of the cover film from the carrier tape of the component tape in a robust process. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This objective is achieved through the subject matter of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, a peeling device is provided for automatically peeling a cover film from a carrier belt of an element strip, wherein the cover film has a hanging portion extending beyond the front end of the carrier belt along the longitudinal extension direction of the element strip, the peeling device comprising: A linear guide component extending along the Z direction; A substrate, which is attached to or formed on the linear guide member and is capable of displacement relative to the linear guide member along the Z direction; A clamping member, which is mounted on the base and is movable relative to the base along the Z direction; The substrate and the clamping member are configured such that a clamping region is formed between the substrate and the clamping member, wherein... (i) At the first position of the clamping member, the clamping area is opened, allowing the overhanging portion to be inserted into the clamping area, and (ii) In the second position of the clamping member, the clamping area is closed, such that the overhanging portion is fixed in the clamping area.

[0011] The peeling device described above is based on the understanding that, using the described overhanging portion, the end of a component strip specifically assembled for the operation of the peeling device can be clamped in a simple and reliable manner. By moving the substrate (together with the overhanging portion clamped to the held component) along the z-direction, the actual peeling process can be automatically performed, provided the actuation is appropriate.

[0012] The linear guide component can be any structure along which the substrate can move. A known linear bearing can be provided between the substrate and the linear guide component, allowing the substrate to move relative to the linear guide component with low friction and spatial stability.

[0013] The substrate can be any spatial physical structure, serving as the connection structure between the linear guide component and the clamping component. The substrate can be a single piece or multiple pieces.

[0014] The overhang portion may be a component of the cover film, formed such that the cover film is slightly longer than the carrier tape material at least at the front end of the carrier tape, and thus protrudes beyond the front end of the carrier tape material. Alternatively or in combination, the overhang portion may also be formed at least partially by a special overhang element adhered to the cover film such that when the overhang element is removed, the cover film also peels off from the carrier tape. For example, the overhang element may be a (elongated) adhesive strip, preferably having the same width as the implementing cover film. If the overhang element is not only adhered to the cover film but also partially adhered to the implementing carrier tape (i.e., the implementing overhang element is located between the implementing carrier tape and the cover film), then the adhesion of the overhang element to the cover film should be (significantly) stronger than its adhesion to the carrier tape. The stiffness of the overhang element may be less than or preferably greater than the stiffness of the cover film.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the invention, the peeling device further includes a driver for moving the substrate on the linear guide member. This allows for the automation of the cover film removal process.

[0016] The described actuator can be any type of actuator. Examples include electric motors and pneumatic actuators. For example, a pneumatic actuator can be supplied with negative and / or overpressure by a compressed air generating device, whereby the compressed air generating device can be a pneumatic device, which is also known to be used in assembly machines to temporarily hold components by means of negative pressure on the nozzle of an assembly head.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the peeling device further includes a linear guide that extends along the Z direction and is located between the substrate and the clamping member.

[0018] The linear guide described above ensures that the movement of the clamping member relative to the substrate is low-friction and / or spatially precise. This ensures high process reliability when clamping the protruding section. Since clamping the overhanging portion precedes the upstream operation of actually removing the cover film by displacing the substrate (when the clamping member is in the second position), this also ensures high process reliability for removing the cover film.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, the peeling device further includes a further actuator for moving the clamping member on the substrate. This allows for automation of the cover film clamping process.

[0020] Another type of actuator described above can also be any type of actuator, such as an electric motor or a pneumatic actuator.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the invention, the peeling device further includes a pneumatic component for generating an airflow or at least partially delivering the airflow to the cover film along the Z direction when the suspended portion is fixed in the clamping area.

[0022] This airflow allows the cover film, and especially the overhanging portion, to be blown in a direction determined by the direction of the airflow. As explained in more detail below, this allows the overhanging portion to be fed into the filling mechanism of a cover film disposal device located outside the peeling device. In this cover film disposal facility (typically a component of a feeder), the cover film can be collected in a known manner and disposed of no later than when the filling space of the cover film disposal device is full.

[0023] It should be noted that in the intended operation of the peeling device with the described pneumatic components, particularly if the overhanging portion has been peeled off by moving the clamping member after previous fixing, the covering film will be blown by the airflow. In this case, the overhanging portion can move in the desired direction as unaffected by the airflow as possible.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the invention, the pneumatic component is attached (directly or indirectly) to the substrate. This has the advantage that the described peeling device can be implemented in a simple and particularly compact manner. Furthermore, the airflow can be directed in a particularly targeted manner to a position on the cover film near the clamping area. This allows for a small distance between the pneumatic outlet of the pneumatic component and the cover film, minimizing the weakening of the "blowing force" of the airflow through mixing with the surrounding air. Therefore, the airflow can be particularly targeted and, consequently, effectively influenced by the desired movement of the overhang portion.

[0025] It should be noted that the pneumatic component can also be formed in or on the substrate. In this context, the pneumatic component can simply be an air duct formed in the substrate, for example, by means of suitable holes. The pneumatic output of the aforementioned pneumatic component can simply be the end of the air duct located on the side of the covering membrane. The pneumatic input of the pneumatic component can be pneumatically connected to a compressed air generator, which is also used in an assembly machine or as part of a functional unit of the assembly machine, to temporarily hold components by means of negative pressure, which is generated from compressed air, for example, by means of a venturi nozzle, thereby providing negative pressure at the nozzle of the assembly head.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the stripping device further includes a controllable pneumatic valve for controlling the airflow.

[0027] Using the described pneumatic valve, airflow can be precisely released when airflow is needed or when movement of the suspended portion is required, provided the pneumatic valve is properly controlled. Once the suspended portion reaches its intended position and, in particular, has been engaged by the aforementioned plugging mechanism, the airflow can be “closed.” The same applies to operations that “open” the airflow immediately before the required movement of the suspended portion begins.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the invention, the base has a protrusion that, together with the bottom of the clamping member, defines the clamping area. The protrusion described above enables a simple and robust design of the clamping area in an advantageous manner.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the peeling device further includes a cutting device for cutting the cover film, wherein the cutting device is attached to or formed on the substrate.

[0030] After a certain number of components have been removed from the component strip or carrier tape, if other components need to be fed into the assembly process, the cutting device described above can be used. In this case, unused parts still in the component strip can be stored for later assembly tasks. Of course, not only the cover film but also the carrier tape must be separated or cut at appropriate points so that the portion of the component strip (with carrier tape and cover film) that has not yet been emptied can be removed from the corresponding feeder. The cut ends of the peeled cover film can be completely disposed of in the cover film disposal facility described above, and the cut ends of the emptied component portions of the carrier tape can be separated in a known manner by the relevant component feeding device or the carrier tape cutting device of the relevant assembly machine and disposed of (as environmentally friendly as possible).

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cutting device has a cutting blade that cuts the cover film when pressed against the cutting mating member. This has the advantage that the cutting process can be easily achieved by appropriately moving the substrate along the z-direction described above. This means that, advantageously, no additional upgrades to the cutting device are required.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the invention, the peeling device further includes a guiding member attached directly or indirectly to the substrate and designed in such a way that undesirable displacement of the cover film along a direction parallel to and / or perpendicular to its longitudinal extension is prevented during operation of the peeling device. This ensures that the cover film does not move axially or perpendicular to its longitudinal extension throughout the removal process, which could lead to uncertain conditions and thus reduce process reliability.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the guide member can also be designed in such a way that it prevents the cover film from moving in a direction parallel to its longitudinal extension. This allows for a particularly advantageous situation where the cover film is temporarily secured by the guide member, especially along its longitudinal direction, before the clamping in the clamping area described above is released. In this case, even after the fixation in the clamping area is released, the cover film remains in its position until the airflow described above is activated. Without this temporary fixation of the cover film by means of the guide member described herein, the cover film cannot be held in place, for example, by internal mechanical tension and / or its own weight, and therefore moves uncontrollably. This uncontrolled movement can severely compromise process reliability.

[0034] According to another embodiment of the invention, the guide member has rollers, particularly rollers equipped with flywheels, which press against roller mating members and engage the cover film with the roller mating members.

[0035] Preferably, the flywheel can be constructed in such a way that the guide member, designed as a roller, is locked in one rotational direction and free to move in the opposite rotational direction. In this case, even if the cover film has been fed into the filling mechanism described below, the filling mechanism has been activated, and the cover film has been pulled into the cover film disposal device, a clamping action can still be maintained between the roller and the roller mating member described above.

[0036] The roller pairing (typically not part of the described stripping device) can be another roller. This additional roller can be attached to a rotating, spring-loaded swing arm, by means of which the mechanical tensile stress in the cover film pulled from the carrier tape and supplied to the filling mechanism is measured in a known manner. Based on the angle of the swing arm detected by a sensor or encoder, the filling mechanism can be enabled or disabled in a known manner.

[0037] However, the rollers and / or the roller mating members can also be locked in their angular positions. Then, using suitable locking devices, the cover film can be fixed along its length relative to the substrate. This is particularly advantageous if the clamping area is opened to deliver the overhanging portion to the filling mechanism (especially via the aforementioned airflow method) after the overhanging portion has been previously fixed in the clamping area. In this case, only the section of the cover film extending from the junction between the rollers and the roller mating members to the overhanging portion remains movable due to the airflow.

[0038] According to another embodiment of the invention, the linear guide component may be directly or indirectly attached to the assembly head of an automatic assembly machine.

[0039] This embodiment is particularly advantageous if the assembly head is one that can be positioned in one direction by means of a suitable linear positioning system or preferably by means of an in-plane surface positioning system. In this case, the described stripping device can be placed at various points within the assembly machine or placed at the assembly machine itself, wherein the stripping device is used to remove the cover film when supplementing components from the component belt.

[0040] It should be noted that the linear guide component can also be attached to, for example, a mounting plate for the assembly head (and thus indirectly to the assembly head). The described peeling device is then positioned on a component of the positioning system. Depending on the size of this mounting plate and / or the size of the assembly head, at least one additional peeling device may also be attached to the mounting plate.

[0041] More specifically, this embodiment describes an assembly head (with extended functionality) having the peeling device described above. This means that the assembly head can not only perform the normal assembly process, but also peel the cover film from the carrier tape of the component tape during automatic (or at least semi-automatic) component tape replacement, so that the cover film can be subsequently delivered to the filling mechanism of the cover film disposal device.

[0042] For safety reasons, it should be noted that the described stripping device can also be attached to a positioning system for the assembly head adjacent to the assembly head. However, from a technical point of view, this naturally corresponds to the aforementioned method of indirectly attaching the stripping device to the assembly head.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cover film feeding device is provided, the cover film feeding device being used to feed cover film from a carrier belt of an element tape to a filling mechanism of a cover film disposal device, the cover film feeding device comprising: A positioning system comprising a fixed component and a movable component, the movable component being positionable relative to the fixed component along the Y direction; and The peeling device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the linear guide member of the peeling device is directly or indirectly attached to the movable member.

[0044] The above-described cover film feeding device is based on the understanding that by attaching the peeling device described above to the positioning system, which can move within the feeder's area, the overhanging portion and therefore the cover film can not only be peeled off but also fed into the packing mechanism of the cover film disposal device. In particular, the packing mechanism may have two cooperating packing wheels, such as gears, that engage with the cover film to be processed and transport it into the packing space of the cover film waste container.

[0045] The Y direction mentioned has an angle and is preferably perpendicular to the Z direction described above. In the operation of the cover film feeding device, the Y direction preferably corresponds to the longitudinal extension direction of the cover film and also to the longitudinal extension direction of the component strip, which is conveyed in the component feeding direction along the direction of the component pick-up position in the component feeding direction.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the invention, the positioning system includes another movable component that can be positioned relative to the movable component along the X direction, wherein the linear guide component of the stripping device is directly or indirectly attached to the other movable component.

[0047] By leveraging the interaction between the three system components described above (a fixed component, a movable component, and yet another movable component) (characterized by a so-called surface positioning system or two-dimensional (2D) positioning system), the stripping device can be positioned not only along the Y-direction, corresponding to movement within the feeder parallel to or coaxial with the longitudinal extension of the component strip, thus crucial for the removal of the cover film required for a single feeder. In such embodiments, the stripping device can also be used together to operate in several feeders arranged adjacent to each other along the X-direction of the entire component feeding system, which is typically located next to and / or attached to the assembly machine, ensuring the supply of several typically different types of components to the assembly process.

[0048] The described X direction has an angle and is preferably perpendicular to both the Z and Y directions simultaneously. When the cover film feeding device described above is used in a pick-and-place assembly machine, the X direction may specifically correspond to the transport direction of a component carrier or printed circuit board, which is returned to the assembly area of ​​the relevant assembly machine by means of a known PCB transport device before assembly, and is removed from the assembly area for further processing after being at least partially assembled in the assembly machine.

[0049] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the fixing component can be attached to a functional component of the assembly system to automatically load electronic components onto a component carrier.

[0050] The spatial design of the described fixing component can be achieved in such a way that, depending on the application, the fixing component is attached to a suitable functional component among several possible functional components of the assembly system during operation. This functional attachment, and therefore the functional component itself, should be so stable that precise and reliable spatial movement of the stripping device within the aforementioned area of ​​the feeder can be guaranteed.

[0051] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the functional component is a frame structure of a configuration station, by means of which multiple feeders are separately assembled from the assembly machine, thereby introducing component strips intended (or suitable) for subsequent assembly processes into each feeder.

[0052] This type of configuration station (also known as a "feeder setup station") is typically used when several feeders need to be changed simultaneously on an assembly machine, and / or when, relative to the assembly process, the replacement of at least one component band is performed in a manner that is at least approximately "time-neutral" by performing as many activities related to component replacement as possible at locations far from the relevant assembly machine.

[0053] In other words, this embodiment describes a configuration station (with extended functionality) having at least one peeling device of the type described above. This means that the configuration station can also be used as part of a feeder setup to peel the cover film from the carrier belt of the corresponding element belt, so that the cover film can then be fed to the filling mechanism of the cover film disposal device of the corresponding feeder.

[0054] According to another embodiment of the invention, the functional component is the frame structure of an automated assembly machine through which components fed by at least one feeder are assembled at predetermined positions on a component carrier. Therefore, this embodiment describes an assembly machine (with extended functionality) having at least one stripping device of the type described above. This means that when a new component strip is fitted directly onto the assembly machine (rather than in the configuration station of the multiple feeders described above), the assembly machine can also be used to remove the cover film from the carrier of the corresponding component strip so that it can be subsequently attached to the filling mechanism of the cover film disposal device of the corresponding feeder.

[0055] According to another embodiment of the invention, the cover film feeding device further comprises at least one additional peeling device of the type described above, wherein the linear guide component of the additional peeling device is directly or indirectly attached to a movable component or another movable component described above. This means that, as part of replacing the element strip using at least approximately several feeders (each with extended functionality in the configuration station described above or in the assembly machine described above) simultaneously, several cover films can be removed simultaneously, and each cover film is subsequently fed into the filling mechanism. Besides reducing the manpower required to set up a large number of feeders, this also advantageously reduces setup time.

[0056] According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for feeding a cover film from a carrier tape of an element tape to a filling mechanism of a cover film disposal device (particularly using a peeling device of the type described above and / or a cover film feeding device of the type described above). The described process involves: (a) providing an element tape having (i) a carrier tape and (ii) a cover film, wherein recesses are formed in the carrier tape for holding an electronic component, the cover film being attached to the carrier tape to close the recesses, wherein the cover film has a drooping portion extending longitudinally along the element tape and protruding beyond the front end of the carrier tape; (b) clamping the drooping portion by means of a clamp between a substrate and a clamping member movable relative to the substrate in the Z direction; (c) moving the substrate toward the filling mechanism of the cover film disposal device; (d) releasing the clamp; and (e) feeding the drooping portion to the filling mechanism.

[0057] The described method is based on the finding that if the component strip is prepared in such a way that the cover film with a dangling portion extends longitudinally along the component strip beyond the front end of the carrier strip, the process of feeding the cover film to the filling mechanism of the feeder can be facilitated, and at least approximately automated. The dangling portion can be automatically and reliably clamped between a single-piece or multi-piece substrate and a clamping component, and transferred to the effective area of ​​the filling mechanism through proper positioning of the clamping system with the substrate and the clamping component. This effective area can also be described as the capture area of ​​the filling mechanism.

[0058] According to one embodiment of the invention, the delivery of the overhang portion to the filling mechanism is supported by using an airflow generated or transmitted by a pneumatic component.

[0059] The pneumatic support described above ensures a particularly reliable supply of the overhang portion to the filling mechanism. This plays a crucial role in improving the process reliability of automatically delivering the cover film to the cover film disposal device.

[0060] It should be noted that some embodiments of the present invention are described using device claims, while other embodiments are described using method claims. However, it will become immediately apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this document that, unless otherwise expressly stated, any combination of features belonging to different inventive subjects is possible, in addition to combinations of features belonging to the same type of subject matter.

[0061] Further advantages and features of the present invention arise from the following exemplary description of the presently preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0062] Figure 1 An assembly system with a cover film feeding device is shown, which is arranged and configured to feed the cover film to a filling mechanism in a plurality of feeders; Figure 2 An element tape with a carrier tape and a cover film is shown, the cover film protruding beyond the front end of the carrier tape; Figure 3a and Figure 3b A peeling device according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 The stripping device is shown directly above the device feeding device in the pick-up window at the component storage location; Figure 5 The cover film is shown being clamped by a peeling device immediately before being fed to the filling mechanism of the feeder; Figure 6 The diagram illustrates the delivery of the cover film to the filling mechanism supported by an airflow. Figure 7The diagram shows the cutting of the cover film before disassembling the corresponding feeder; and Figure 8 A cover film feeding device is shown, which has multiple peeling devices and a gantry system for positioning the peeling devices within feeders (not shown), wherein several feeders are arranged adjacent to each other.

[0063] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100 assembly machines 102 Frame Structure Assembly Area 104 106 transport device 108 Data Processing Unit 110 fixed camera 112 movable camera 115 Assembly Head 120 Assembly Head Positioning System 122, 123 Fixed assembly head carrier track 124 Assembly Head Mounting Components 130 movable support arm 140 feeder 140a Component Collection Location 142 tamping mechanism 150 stripping device 170 and 870 film feeding devices 172 Positioning System 174 Fixed Components 176 movable parts 178 Another movable part 190 component carrier 192 electronic components BS Assembly System T shipping direction 295 component strip 296 carrier tapes 297 concavity 298 Covering Film 298a Overhang section 352 Linear Guide Component 354 matrix 354a protrusion 354m drive 355 Linear Guide 356 clamping components 356m Another driver 358 clamping area 360 pneumatic components 361 controllable pneumatic valve 362 Cutting Blade 364 Guide Roller 441 feeder chassis 544 swing arm 545 roller mating parts 546 position sensor 548 bearing 660a airflow 749 Cutting of mating parts. Detailed Implementation

[0064] It should be noted that in the following detailed description, features or components that are identical or at least functionally identical to corresponding features or components in other embodiments have the same reference numerals, or use reference numerals that are identical to the last two digits of the reference numerals of the corresponding identical or at least functionally identical features or components. To avoid unnecessary repetition, features or components that have been explained with reference to the previously described embodiments will not be explained in detail thereafter.

[0065] Furthermore, it should be noted that the embodiments described below represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. In particular, features of the various embodiments can be combined in a suitable manner, such that a large number of different embodiments should be considered as readily disclosed to those skilled in the art through the embodiments explicitly presented herein.

[0066] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an assembly system BS for equipping electronic components 192 onto a printed circuit board or other component carrier 190 is shown. The assembly system BS includes an assembly machine 100 and a component feeding system, which in turn has multiple component feeding devices, commonly referred to simply as "feeders" 140. Component feeding by means of the feeders 140 is performed in a familiar manner using so-called component strips, thereby assigning a single currently used component to each feeder 140. The number of component strips or feeders 140 used or required in the assembly operation depends on the specific assembly task, i.e., on the assembly product to be manufactured.

[0067] Feeders 140 are used to sequentially feed electronic components 192, packaged in relevant component strips, into the assembly process. Specifically, each feeder 140 sequentially provides electronic components 192 to either a component supply position or a component collection position 140a in a known manner, where the electronic components are individually picked up by the assembly head 115 and assembled onto the component carrier 190. After collection by the assembly head 115, the next electronic component 192 is provided to the component collection position 140a, where it can also be picked up by the assembly head 115.

[0068] Assembly machine 100 has a frame structure 102. Two fixed assembly head support rails 122 and 123 are attached to the frame structure 102, each extending in the y-direction. The two fixed assembly head support rails 122 and 123 are part of the assembly head positioning system 120 for the assembly head 115.

[0069] The movable support arm 130 is attached to two fixed assembly head support rails 122 and 123, and extends in a direction parallel to the X-direction in the coordinate system used here. The movable support arm 130 can move in the Y-direction, driven by a drive motor (not shown) designated as a linear motor. The corresponding direction of travel is marked with a double arrow "Y".

[0070] The assembly head mounting component 124 is attached to a support arm 130, which may be, for example, a carrier held on a linear guide (not shown) and may be moved in the X direction by means of another linear motor (also not shown). The corresponding direction of travel is marked with a double arrow "X". As is well known, the assembly head 115 is attached to the assembly head mounting component 124.

[0071] Two fixed assembly head bearing rails 122 and 123, a movable support arm 130, and an assembly head mounting component 124 are connected to... Figure 1 The linear motor and linear guide, not shown, together represent the assembly head positioning system 120, by which the assembly head 115 can be moved or positioned in the XY plane.

[0072] Assembly of the component carrier 190 takes place in the assembly area 104. Before assembly, the component carrier 190 to be assembled is transported to the assembly area 104 by means of a transport device 106, such as a conveyor belt. After the electronic components 192 are at least partially assembled, the component carrier 190 is transported away by means of the transport device 106. The corresponding transport direction is... Figure 1 The middle part is marked with an arrow T.

[0073] As mentioned above, the assembly head 115 is attached to the assembly head mounting component 124. With proper control of a linear motor (not shown), the assembly head 115 can move between the component collection positions 140a of each feeder 140 and the assembly area 104. A data processing device 108 controlling the assembly process is communicatively connected to each linear motor and the assembly head 115 via data cables (not shown).

[0074] During the pick-and-place assembly operation, the assembly head 115 moves to the corresponding component collection position 140a, where it picks up at least one electronic component 192. Subsequently, the assembly head 115 moves to the assembly area 104, where it assembles the electronic component 192 onto the component carrier 190. Then, the assembly head 115 is "empty" moved back to the feeding system, where it picks up the electronic component 192 again.

[0075] As is customary, as described above, the feeding system has several feeders 140. Then, if needed, two (or more) electronic components 192 can be picked up simultaneously using a so-called multi-assembly head and transported together to the assembly area 104.

[0076] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the assembly machine 100 also has two cameras. A first fixed camera 110 (sometimes referred to as a "component camera") is used to inspect the electronic component 192 recorded by the assembly head 115. For this purpose, the assembly head 115 is positioned above the fixed camera 110 so that the captured electronic component 192 enters the detection area of ​​the fixed camera 110. In this inspection, for example, the precise angular position of the recorded or held electronic component 192 can be measured. When assembling the relevant electronic component 192, the deviation of the angular position from the expected angular position can be compensated in a suitable and known manner by appropriately rotating the holding device of the assembly head 115, thereby assembling the relevant electronic component 192 onto the component carrier 190 at the correct angular position.

[0077] A second movable camera 112 (sometimes referred to as a "PCB camera") is used to precisely measure the markings attached to the top of the component carrier 190 to be assembled. This allows for the identification and consideration of the precise spatial position of the component carrier 190 within the assembly area 104 when the assembly head 115 is positioned in such a manner that the electronic component 192 is actually precisely assembled onto the component carrier 190 at a specific target location. According to the embodiment shown herein, the movable camera 112 is attached to the assembly head 115 and is used, together with the assembly head 115, to measure the markings on the component carrier 190.

[0078] As follows Figure 2 The component strip used for packaging and feeding electronic component 192 (as described) Figure 1(Not shown), and conventionally includes a carrier belt and a cover film. The cover film closes openings formed in the carrier belt (each opening containing an electronic component 192) to prevent the electronic components 192 from falling off before being removed by the assembly head 115. The cover film is removed as soon as possible before the electronic components 192 are removed by pulling it off the carrier belt and then sending it to waste disposal. For this purpose, each feeder 140 has a stuffing mechanism 142, which typically includes two stuffing wheels designed as counting wheels that engage the cover film and stuff it into the waste container.

[0079] When a new component strip is inserted into the relevant feeder 140, an initial section of the cover film must first be peeled off from the carrier tape and fed to the filling mechanism 142. This operation is performed automatically using the cover film feeding device 170, as described herein, in the assembly system BS. According to the embodiment shown herein, the cover film feeding device 170 is located above most of the feeders 140 and has at least one peeling device 150 and a positioning system 172, by which the peeling device 150 can be moved within the area of ​​the feeder 140 in two spatial directions, X and Y. The following uses... Figures 2 to 7 The structure and operation of the stripping device 150 are explained in detail.

[0080] from Figure 1 As can be seen, the positioning system 172 has two fixed components 174 designed to support tracks, each permanently attached to the frame structure 102 of the assembly machine 100. A stripping device 150 is attached to a movable component 176, which is movable in the X direction along another movable component 178, designed as an elongated support arm. This other movable component 178 is also movable in the Y direction from the two aforementioned fixed components 174.

[0081] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of component tape 295 is shown, in which electronic component 192 is included in a cavity or recess 297. Component tape 295 is known to have a carrier tape 296 and a cover foil or cover film 298. Recesses 207 are formed in the carrier tape 296, and these recesses can be formed, for example, by spatial recesses in the material of the carrier tape 296. Above the carrier tape 296 is the cover film 298, which is adhered to the upper side of the carrier tape 296 by means of adhesive force and prevents the electronic component 192 from accidentally falling out of the recesses 297.

[0082] As mentioned above, in order to remove the electronic component 192 from the component tape 295, the cover film 298 must be peeled off from the carrier tape 296 at the corresponding component collection position 140a at the latest. For the cover film feeding device 170 described herein, which has at least one peeling device 150, this is done automatically, as detailed below.

[0083] However, automatically peeling the cover film 298 using the peeling device 150 requires certain preparation of the component strip 295. This preparation includes ensuring that the cover film 298 protrudes beyond the front end of the carrier strip 296, thus forming a protruding section or overhang 298a. For example, when cutting the component strip 295, the overhang 298a is created by cutting the carrier strip 296 located below the cover film 298 to a length greater than the length of the cover film 298.

[0084] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Two different perspective views illustrate a schematic illustration of the peeling device 150 according to an embodiment of the invention. As described above, the peeling device 150 is first used to clamp the overhanging portion 298a of the cover film 298 from the carrier belt 296 of the element belt 295. After clamping, the peeling device 150 is then moved in such a way that the cover film 298 is peeled off from the carrier belt 296 and the overhanging portion 298a is fed to the filling mechanism 142 of the feeder 140 so as to continuously peel off and dispose of the cover film 298 during the intended operation of the feeder 140.

[0085] The peeling device 150 shown here has a linear guide member 352. This can be attached to a gantry system of the cover film feeder (also not shown) so that the peeling device 150 can be spatially positioned within the area of ​​the feeder 140.

[0086] The peeling device 150 also has a substrate 354, which is attached to or formed on the linear guide member 352 and is movable relative to the linear guide member 352 in the Z direction. To enable automatic displacement of the substrate 354, a [missing information - likely a feature or design] is provided. Figure 3a and Figure 3b The electric drive 354m is schematically shown in the figure.

[0087] Additionally, the peeling device 150 also has a clamping member 356, which is attached to the substrate 354 and can move relative to the substrate 354 in the Z direction. To ensure precise displacement, a linear guide 355 is provided between the substrate 354 and the clamping member 356. A further electric actuator 356m enables automated displacement of the clamping member 356.

[0088] As from Figure 3a and Figure 3bAs can be seen, according to the embodiment shown here, the base 354 has a protrusion or projection 354a on its lower side, which, together with the lower side of the clamping member 356, defines a clamping area or clamping region 358. In this clamping region 358, the overhanging portion can be secured by allowing the clamping member 356 to move appropriately. In a first (upper) Z position of the clamping member 356, the clamping region 358 is open, and in a second (lower) position of the clamping member 356, the clamping region 358 is closed.

[0089] Additionally, the peeling device 150 also has other functional components exemplified according to the embodiment shown herein. This includes a pneumatic component 360, which, according to the embodiment shown herein, is simply an air tube extending through the substrate 354. The pneumatic component 360 is equipped with a controllable pneumatic valve 361. By means of this controllable pneumatic valve 361, the airflow through the pneumatic component 360 can be controlled, particularly for short-term activation, so as to "blow" the just-"peeled" cover film protrusions in the direction of the cover film filling mechanism by means of airflow.

[0090] The functional components of the peeling device 150 also include a guide member designed to guide the roller 364. This is intended to prevent undesirable displacement of the cover film in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension during operation of the peeling device 150.

[0091] Another functional component of the peeling device 150 is a cutting device. According to the embodiment shown here, this cutting device is designed as a simple cutting blade 362. This is used during feeder removal, i.e., when the associated feeder removes a strip of components that has not yet been fully used. In this case, the cutting blade 362 presses against a cutting mating member (not shown) and cuts and peels off the cover film that is then located between the cutting blade 362 and the cutting mating member.

[0092] Figure 4 A stripping device 150 is shown, located directly above the feeder in the pick-up window of the component collection position 140a. It can be used... Figure 4 The feeder base 441, which belongs to the feeder, can be seen in the image. The component collection position 140a is located directly below the protrusion 354a of the base 354.

[0093] Figure 5 The cover film 298 is shown clamped by the peeling device 150 immediately before being fed to the filling mechanism 142 of the corresponding feeder 140. For clarity, Figure 5 Only part of the feeder 140 is shown in the image.

[0094] As from Figure 5As can be seen, the feeder 140 has a swing arm 544. This swing arm 544 is spring-loaded and hinged in a bearing 548. Additionally, the swing arm 544 is coupled to a position encoder or sensor 546 (such as a magnetic sensor). The position sensor 546 is connected to a driver (not shown) of the filling mechanism 142. The swing arm 544 can be used to measure the mechanical tensile stress in the cover film 298, which is pulled from the carrier tape and fed to the filling mechanism 142. Based on the angular position of the spring-loaded swing arm 544 detected by the position sensor 546, the aforementioned driver for the filling mechanism 142 can be enabled or disabled, thereby regulating the supply or disposal of the cover film 298 according to the progress, use, or consumption of electronic components located in the corresponding element tape.

[0095] As from Figure 5 As can also be seen, the swing arm 544 also has a roller 545, which interacts with the guide roller 364 described above and thus prevents the cover film 298 from undergoing undesirable displacement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cover film 298 (i.e., perpendicular to the drawing plane), as described above. In this document, the roller 545 is referred to below as "roller mating member 545".

[0096] Figure 6 The delivery of the cover film 298 to the filling mechanism 142 is shown, supported by an airflow 660a. According to the embodiment shown here, the airflow 660a simply exits from an opening on the underside of the substrate 354.

[0097] Figure 7 The cutting of the cover film 298 prior to disassembly of the corresponding feeding device is shown. For this purpose, a cutting device 362 (designed herein as a cutting blade) is used. During the actual cutting process, the cutting blade 362 presses against the cutting mating member 749. According to the embodiment shown herein, the cutting mating member 749 is attached to the feeder base 441 of the feeder (see...). Figure 4 ).

[0098] Figure 8 A cover film feeding device 870 is shown, which has a plurality of peeling devices 150 and a gantry system for positioning the peeling devices 150 within a component feeding system (not shown), wherein, preferably, the component feeding devices are arranged adjacent to each other. The gantry system has Figure 1 The following components have been described: (a) a fixed component 174, which is implemented by means of two fixed support rails; (b) another movable component 178, which is implemented as a transverse support arm spanning most of the component feeding device (not shown); and (c) a movable component 176, which is implemented here as a mounting plate, which extends along the support arm 178 in the X direction, and the linear guide components (not shown) of each stripping device 150 are preferably attached to the movable component in a spatially fixed manner.

[0099] The present invention or its embodiments described herein can be summarized as follows: The technology described herein relates to a peeling device for a cover film of a component strip and a cover film feeding device having such a peeling device. These two devices are preferably not part of a component feeder. The cover film feeding device is capable of performing the following operations: 1. Automatically clamp the starting end of the cover film of the component strip that has been (manually) inserted into the feeder.

[0100] 2. Move the starting end of the covering film closer to the covering film filling device.

[0101] 3. Insert the covering film into the filling mechanism of the covering film filling device.

[0102] 4. Optionally, the peeling device (and consequently the cover film feeding device) can cut the cover film to remove the feeder.

[0103] It should be noted that the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements and "a" does not exclude multiple elements. Elements described in conjunction with different embodiments may also be combined. It should also be noted that the reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A peeling device (150) for automatically peeling a cover film (298) from a carrier tape (296) of an element tape (295), wherein, The cover film (298) has a hanging portion (298a) that extends beyond the front end of the carrier tape (296) along the longitudinal extension direction of the element tape (295), and the peeling device (150) includes: A linear guide component (352) extends along the Z direction; A substrate (354), said substrate being attached to or formed on the linear guide member (352) and capable of displacement relative to the linear guide member (352) along the Z direction; and A clamping member (356) is mounted on the base (354) and is movable relative to the base (354) in the Z direction; The substrate (354) and the clamping member (356) are configured such that a clamping region (358) is formed between the substrate (354) and the clamping member (356), wherein, (i) At a first position of the clamping member (356), the clamping area (358) opens, allowing the overhanging portion (298a) to be inserted into the clamping area (358), and (ii) In the second position of the clamping member (356), the clamping area (358) is closed, such that the overhanging portion (298a) is fixed in the clamping area (358).

2. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The stripping device also includes a driver (354m) for moving the substrate (354) on the linear guide member (352).

3. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The stripping device further includes a linear guide (355) that extends along the Z direction and is located between the substrate (354) and the clamping member (356).

4. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The stripping device also includes another actuator (356m) for moving the clamping member (356) on the substrate (354).

5. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The peeling device further includes a pneumatic component (360) for generating an airflow (660a) or at least partially transmitting the airflow to the cover film (298) along the Z direction when the overhang portion (298a) is fixed in the clamping area (358).

6. The stripping device (150) according to claim 5, wherein, The pneumatic component (360) is attached to the base (354).

7. The stripping device (150) according to claim 5, wherein, The stripping device also includes a controllable pneumatic valve (361) for controlling the airflow (660a).

8. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The base (354) has a protrusion (354a) that, together with the clamping member (356), defines the clamping area (358).

9. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The peeling device further includes a cutting device (362) for cutting the cover film (298), wherein the cutting device (362) is attached to or formed on the substrate (354).

10. The stripping device (150) according to claim 9, wherein, The cutting device has a cutting blade (362) that cuts the covering film (298) when it presses against the cutting pair (749).

11. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The peeling device further includes a guide member (364) which is directly or indirectly attached to the substrate (354) and is designed in such a way that undesirable displacement of the cover film (298) is prevented during operation of the peeling device (150) in a direction parallel to and / or perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the cover film (298).

12. The stripping device (150) according to claim 11, wherein, The guide member (364) includes a roller that presses against a roller mating member (545) and engages the cover film (298) with the roller mating member (545); optionally, the roller includes a flywheel.

13. The stripping device (150) according to claim 1, wherein, The linear guide component (352) can be directly or indirectly attached to the assembly head of the automatic assembly machine (100).

14. A cover film feeding device (170, 870) for feeding cover film (298) from a carrier belt (296) of an element tape (295) to a filling mechanism (142) of a cover film disposal device, the cover film feeding device (170, 870) comprising: Positioning system (172), the positioning system including a fixed component (174) and a movable component (176), the movable component being capable of positioning relative to the fixed component (174) in the Y direction; and According to claim 1, the stripping device (150) wherein the linear guide member (352) of the stripping device (150) is directly or indirectly attached to the movable member (176).

15. The covering film feeding device (170, 870) according to claim 14, wherein, The positioning system (172) includes another movable component (178) that is positioned relative to the movable component (176) in the X direction, wherein the linear guide component (352) of the stripping device (150) is directly or indirectly attached to the other movable component (178).

16. The covering film feeding device (170, 870) according to claim 14, wherein, The fixing component (174) is adapted to be attached to the assembly system as a functional component to automatically load electronic components (192) onto the component carrier (190).

17. The covering film feeding device (170, 870) according to claim 16, wherein, The functional component is the frame structure of the configuration station, by means of which multiple feeders (140) are separately assembled with the assembly machine (100), thereby inserting the component strip (295) intended for subsequent assembly process into each feeder (140).

18. The covering film feeding device (170, 870) according to claim 16, wherein, The functional component is the frame structure (102) of the assembly machine (100), which assembles electronic components (192) fed by at least one feeder (140) at predetermined positions on the component carrier (190).

19. The covering film feeding device (870) according to claim 13, wherein, The covering film feeding device further includes at least one additional peeling device (150) according to claim 1, wherein the linear guide member (352) of the additional peeling device (150) is directly or indirectly attached to the movable member (176, 178).

20. A method for conveying a cover film (298) from a carrier tape (296) of a component tape (295) to a filling mechanism (142) of a cover film disposal apparatus, the component tape (295) including a carrier tape (296) having recesses (297) formed therein for holding an electronic component (192) respectively, and the cover film (298) being attached to the carrier tape (296) to close the recesses (297), the method comprising the steps of: i) Provide the element strip (295) such that the cover film (298) has a droop portion (298a) that extends beyond the front end of the carrier tape (296) along the longitudinal extension of the element strip (295). ii) The overhanging portion (298a) is clamped by means of a clamp between the base (354) and the clamping member (356), the clamping member being movable relative to the base (354) in the Z direction; iii) Move the substrate (354) to the filling mechanism (142) of the covering film treatment device; iv) Release the clamp; and v) The overhanging portion (298a) is delivered to the filling mechanism (142).

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, Step v) includes using an airflow (660a) generated or delivered by a pneumatic component (360).

22. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The method is performed using the stripping device (150) according to claim 1.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method is performed using the covering film feeding device (170, 870) according to claim 14.

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