Component feeding device with variable spacing between support member and hold-down member for component tape

Abstract

A component feeding device for feeding electronic components enclosed in a component tape, the component feeding device comprising a chassis, a tape transport path extending between an infeed opening and an outfeed opening, a drive for transporting the component tape towards a supply position, a guide structure comprising a support member and a pressure member, wherein the component tape can be engaged between the two members, and an adjustment member mechanically coupled to the guide structure and configured to adjust a spacing between the support member and the pressure member, such that in a first spacing state the component tape is frictionally guided between the support member and the pressure member, and in a second spacing state the spacing is larger than a thickness of the component tape.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention generally relates to the technical field of automating the assembly of electronic components onto a component carrier. Specifically, the invention relates to a component feeding device for sequentially feeding electronic components packaged in component strips into an assembly process. The component strip includes: (i) a carrier strip in which a bag for accommodating each component is formed, and (ii) a removable cover film for sealing the bag filled with the component. Furthermore, the invention relates to an assembly system having such a component feeding device and a method for inserting the component strip into the component feeding device. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of automatically assembling electronic components, especially so-called surface mount devices (SMD) components, on component carriers, particularly printed circuit boards (PCBs), the components to be processed are sequentially placed at component supply positions by a component feeding device (often simply referred to as a "feeder"). From the component supply positions, the assembly head of the assembly machine picks up the supplied components, transports these components to the assembly area of ​​the assembly machine where the component carrier to be assembled is located, and places these components at predetermined positions on the component carrier.

[0003] Component conveyors are typically used to transport components to the component supply location. The component conveyor has a carrier belt with a plurality of sequentially arranged recesses or pouches, each capable of holding one component. The component conveyor also has a removable cover film that is releasably attached to the top side of the carrier belt by means of an adhesive and seals the pouch filled with the component to prevent, for example, accidental drop of the component.

[0004] The component conveyor belt is typically fed progressively toward the component supply position using rotatable pin wheels. These pin wheels have radially projecting pins that engage in lateral perforations in the carrier belt during operation. Shortly before reaching the component supply position, a cover film is peeled off, allowing the corresponding component to be picked up by the assembly head. The peeled cover film is then discarded.

[0005] To ensure a reliable component pickup process via the assembly head, the carrier belt needs to be kept spatially stable during pickup. To accommodate component belts of varying thicknesses, the carrier belt is guided between two guide elements in the component supply area. These guide elements engage the component belt from above and below, and are referred to herein as the support member and the clamping member, respectively. The clamping member has an access opening to allow access to the corresponding component at the component supply location from above.

[0006] Applying a spring load between the two guide elements achieves stable vertical positioning of the component strip, especially during the pick-up process. However, this spring load can cause friction during component strip transport.

[0007] When pins are arranged in front of two guide elements along the conveying direction of the component strip for design and / or functional reasons related to the automation capabilities of the corresponding component feeding device, the spring load makes it very difficult to initially insert the component strip (the front end) between the two guide elements. This difficulty arises because the pins must push the component strip towards the component supply position, and the component strip must overcome the spring force to pass through the gap between the two guide elements. This requires varying degrees of strict separation between the two guide elements depending on the thickness of the component strip. All of this can lead to undesirable bulging of the component strip, which is difficult to control in practice. As a result, process reliability, especially the reliability of the automatic insertion process of the component strip, is compromised, and bottlenecks in the supply of electronic components frequently occur in actual assembly operations.

[0008] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to ensure a reliable supply of electronic components, particularly when using a component feeding device that can automatically pull the component tape into the tape channel and insert it between two spring-loaded guide elements. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The stated 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 present invention, a component feeding device is provided for sequentially feeding electronic components packaged in component tapes into an assembly process, the component feeding device comprising: Base frame; A conveyor path extends through the base frame between the inlet and outlet of the belt, and the component belt can be inserted into the inlet of the belt. A driver for conveying the component belt inserted into the belt conveyor path toward the component supply position; A guide structure, arranged along the belt conveying path, includes a support member and a clamping member, wherein the element belt is engageable between the support member and the clamping member; and An adjusting component, mechanically coupled to the support member and / or the clamping member, and configured to adjust the distance between the support member and the clamping member such that: (i) In the first spacing state of the guide structure, the element belt is frictionally guided between the support member and the clamping member; and (ii) In the second spacing state of the guide structure, the spacing is greater than the thickness of the element strip.

[0011] The described component feeding device is based on the following implementation: by temporarily increasing the gap between the support member and the clamping member, the front end of the component strip can be easily and reliably inserted between these two members, and preferably can also pass through these two members. After successful insertion (which can be done manually or preferably automatically), the gap can be reduced again, so that during actual assembly operations, the component strip is precisely and reliably guided between the support member and the clamping member.

[0012] The geometry or shape of the belt conveyor path can be determined by suitable guide components, which are fixedly arranged inside or on the base frame. Preferably, the belt conveyor path can be determined at least partially by the shape of a guide channel (located within the component feeding device) extending at least partially between the belt inlet and the belt outlet.

[0013] The described adjusting component can be any mechanism that engages with the support member and / or the clamping member, and, when actuated, causes a change in the pitch. The adjusting component may have an operating element, or may be mechanically coupled to an operator-operable operating element, allowing manual adjustment of the mentioned pitch, and particularly increasing the mentioned pitch when inserting a new element strip into the guide structure.

[0014] Preferably, as described in detail below, the adjustment component is an actuator element. By means of the actuator, the change in the mentioned spacing can be performed automatically. If this change is synchronized with the movement of the component belt along the belt conveyor path, the process of inserting the aforementioned component belt into the described component feeding device (including insertion into the guide structure) can be performed fully or at least partially automatically.

[0015] The aforementioned drive may include, for example, a (electric) drive motor and a pin wheel, as described in the introduction, the pin wheel having a radially projecting pin that engages in a lateral through-hole in the component strip during operation. To implement the described component feeding device, known component feeding device drive structures can be advantageously used.

[0016] The guide structure can be arranged in the area of ​​the component supply position of the component feeding device. Furthermore, the clamping member can have a recess that allows access (via the assembly head) to the electronic component encapsulated in the component strip at the component supply position (i.e., from above).

[0017] The spatial arrangement of the guide structure and the spatial physical design of the clamping members described in this embodiment have the following advantages: the component belt is precisely spatially guided at accurate locations where precise guidance is particularly important. Specifically, the spatial guidance described herein ensures that the corresponding components can be reliably picked up at the component supply location by means of the assembly head, or more precisely by means of the component clamping device of the assembly head (especially suction cup clamps), and component loss can be avoided in a simple and efficient manner.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the component feeding device further includes a biasing mechanism and an optional spring mechanism, the biasing mechanism biasing the support member and / or the clamping member to minimize the distance between the support member and the clamping member.

[0019] In short, the two components (the support component and the clamping component) are pressed together by the biasing mechanism, thereby causing the component strip to frictionally engage with these two components during the intended operation of the described component feeding device. Therefore, the mentioned spacing depends on the thickness of the corresponding component strip. In summary, the described spring mechanism advantageously ensures stable guidance of the component strip regardless of its thickness. This reduces the possibility of errors occurring during component pickup via the assembly head.

[0020] The clamping member can be fixed relative to the base frame. This means that the adjusting member engages (directly) only with the support member and moves the support member downward to increase the spacing. The advantage of this is that no (additional) moving member is needed on the (upper) surface of the described component feeding device, the function of which could be impaired during rough operation of the component feeding device, for example, due to accidental entry of dust particles.

[0021] The component feeding device may also include an actuator coupled to the adjustment component.

[0022] The described actuator can be any type of drive suitable for temporarily increasing the distance between the support member and the clamping member to overcome the bias described above. For example, the actuator can be a suitable electric motor, particularly a stepper motor.

[0023] The actuator may include a shape memory alloy component that can be switched between a first spatial physical state and a second spatial physical state (different from the first spatial physical state) by temperature changes, wherein the first spatial physical state corresponds to the first spacing state and the second spatial physical state corresponds to the second spacing state.

[0024] Actuators based on the well-known functional principle of shape memory alloys (SMA) offer the advantage that, at a predetermined threshold temperature, they can rapidly transition between two spatial physical states. This allows for controlled switching between two spacing states with relatively small temperature variations.

[0025] The shape memory alloy can be, for example, a nickel-titanium alloy (also known as Nitinol), which changes its crystal structure between a so-called martensitic phase (cold state) and a so-called austenitic phase due to temperature changes.

[0026] The shape memory alloy component can be a conductive wire, which heats up and changes length when current flows through it.

[0027] The aforementioned conductive wire can be attached to one of the two components of the guide structure, allowing that component to move along its length. Preferably, the conductive wire is attached to the support component and, when energized, can pull the support component downward over the bias described above. The described length variation allows for a compact design of the actuator while still inducing relatively large movement.

[0028] The conductive wire can preferably be guided or tensioned within the actuator housing in the form of a loop (e.g., U-shape). The middle portion of the loop is attached to the support member or the clamping member, and the two ends of the loop are fixed relative to the base and make electrical contact. The advantage of this is that the actuator can be implemented with a minimal number of moving parts. Specifically, the entire circuit for supplying and outputting current to the conductive wire can be fixedly arranged. This ensures high robustness of the described actuator.

[0029] The circuits mentioned above may include, for example, controlled switches in the form of transistors. Furthermore, the circuits may include termination switches that interrupt the current flowing through the conductive wires when they reach a specific spatial position on the support member or the clamping member. This prevents the conductive wires from overheating and potentially being damaged.

[0030] The component feeding device may include: At least one sensor, configured to monitor the insertion progress of the element tape along the tape transport path; and A control device (directly or indirectly) coupled to the sensor and the actuator, and configured to control the actuator according to the insertion progress of the element band.

[0031] In this configuration, the automatic change in the spacing between the support member and the clamping member can be synchronized with the movement of the element strip during insertion. Specifically, when the front end of the element strip is about to or immediately in front of the guide structure, the actuator can be precisely controlled or activated to ensure that the element strip is easily and safely inserted into the guide structure by appropriately increasing the spacing.

[0032] At least one of the sensors mentioned above can be, for example, a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, and / or an optical sensor. Preferably, the at least one sensor is a light barrier or includes a light barrier.

[0033] The driver can be arranged along the belt conveyor path between the belt inlet and the guide structure (e.g., ahead of the guide structure relative to the movement of the component belt). This advantageously facilitates the automatic insertion of the component belt into the guide structure. In particular, if the driver is spatially arranged ahead of the guide structure, compression of the component belt along a longer portion of the belt conveyor path can be prevented, and undesirable bulges that may form can be prevented.

[0034] The component feeding device may include an additional driver arranged along the belt conveyor path in the input side portion of the belt conveyor path, and the additional driver is configured to feed the component belt (at least) to the driver during insertion of the component belt.

[0035] The aforementioned additional actuator can advantageously facilitate the automatic insertion of the component strip. Specifically, the additional actuator, like the previously mentioned actuator, can have pin wheels with radially projecting pins that engage in the lateral perforations of the carrier strip.

[0036] When loading a component tape into the component feeding device, the operator can first engage the front portion of the component tape with the auxiliary drive. Later, when the operator can focus on other tasks, the appropriately controlled auxiliary drive can automatically feed the front end of the component tape to the main drive to transport the component tape toward the component supply position. This occurs, for example, when the components on the previously used auxiliary component tape run out and new components need to be supplied from the component tape at the component supply position. This auxiliary component tape can be introduced into the component feeding device in a known manner through another tape inlet, in which another tape transport path begins and merges with the previously mentioned tape transport path before the drive.

[0037] Additionally, an additional driver for conveying the additional component tape can be provided along the additional tape conveyor path, preferably near the additional tape inlet. These two tape inlets (i.e., the previously described tape inlet and the additional tape inlet) can be used to alternately insert the component tape into the described component feeding device or the guide structure. After initially being inserted only into the additional driver, these component tapes can then automatically engage with the main driver to convey the corresponding component tape at an appropriate later time. The main driver ensures that the corresponding component tape is smoothly inserted into the (unfolded) guide structure.

[0038] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an assembly system for automatically assembling electronic components for a component carrier is provided, the assembly system comprising: An assembly machine, the assembly machine having: Framework structure; A positioning system, wherein the positioning system is mounted on the frame structure; and An assembly head, movably mounted on the positioning system, for picking up, transporting, and placing electronic components onto the component carrier; and According to the component feeding device of the first aspect, the component located at the component supply position can be picked up by the assembly head.

[0039] The assembly system described is based on the following implementation: utilizing the component feeding device with two different spacing states of the two components described above (i.e., the support member and the clamping member), and the associated advantages of high process reliability (especially during the automatic insertion of component tapes into the component feeding device), the reliability of providing electronic components to the assembly process performed by the assembly machine is improved.

[0040] The assembly machine can be any conventional assembly machine that supplies components to be placed on the component carrier. For example, the assembly machine may not only have a single assembly head, but also at least one additional assembly head, which is preferably moved by another positioning system. The assembly head and the additional assembly head can operate alternately to achieve high assembly performance (number of components processed per cycle), such that while one assembly head picks up at least one component from the component feeder and / or clamps the picked-up component in the inspection area of ​​the inspection camera, another assembly head places at least one previously picked-up and potentially inspected component onto the component carrier to be assembled.

[0041] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method for inserting a component strip into a component feeding device of the first aspect is provided, the method comprising the following steps: a) Insert the component belt into the component feeding device along the belt conveyor path until the front end of the component belt reaches the driver; b) While the guide structure is in the second spacing state, the front end of the element strip passes through the guide structure; and c) Change the guide structure from the second spacing state to the first spacing state.

[0042] Step b) may include actuating the adjusting member (if necessary) such that the guide structure changes from the first spacing state to the second spacing state before the front end of the element strip passes through the guide structure.

[0043] The method described above is based on the following implementation: in the second spacing state, the guide structure can be deployed such that, in this spacing state, the actuator can guide the element strip between the support member and the clamping member in a manner with almost no friction.

[0044] It should be noted that the described actuation of the adjusting member can also be performed before the front end of the element strip reaches the driver. The key is to actuate the adjusting member in time before the front end reaches the guide structure, so that the gap between the support member and the clamping member is large enough so that the front end of the element strip passes through the guide structure without any problems.

[0045] As previously indicated, in subsequent assembly operations, the gap between the support member and the clamping member is reduced so that the element strip engages with both members. Then, a preferred biased or spring-loaded "engagement" of the element strip between the support member and the clamping member ensures spatially stable guidance of the element strip.

[0046] It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to different inventive subjects. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention have been described by means of apparatus claims, while other embodiments of the present invention have been described by means of method claims. However, those skilled in the art will immediately recognize upon reading this document that, unless otherwise expressly stated, features belonging to different types of inventive subjects can be arbitrarily combined, in addition to combinations of features belonging to the same type of inventive subject.

[0047] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following exemplary description of the present preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0048] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings (not drawn to scale), in which: Figure 1 An assembly system according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated schematically; Figure 2 A component feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The component feeding device has a guide structure comprising a vertically movable support member and a fixedly arranged clamping member. The guide structure and the clamping member guide the component strip in the region of the component supply position. Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are shown schematically respectively. Figure 2 The guide structure shown is an enlarged view in the first and second spacing states.

[0049] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 100: Assembly machine 102: Frame Structure 104: Assembly Area 106: Conveying device 108: Control device 110: Fixed camera 112: Mobile camera 115: Assembly Head 120: Positioning System 122, 123: Fixed load-bearing rails 124: Mounting Carriage 130: Mobile Load-Bearing Arm 130a: Vertical axis 140: Component feeding device 140a: Component supply location 190: Component carrier 192: Electronic Components BS: Assembly System T: Conveying direction 242: Base frame 244: With conveyor path 244a: Belt Inlet 244b: Tape outlet 246: First Sensor 246a: Light source 246b: Optical receiver 248: Second sensor 248a: Light source 248b: Optical receiver 249: Control device 250: Driver 252: Pinwheel 254: Drive motor 255: Additional driver 257: Additional pins 259: Additional drive motor 260: Guide Structure 262: Supporting components 264: Clamping component 264a: concave part 266: Bias Mechanism 270: Adjustment component 280: Actuator 295: Component Strip TP: Conveyor Direction 382: Conductive wire 384: Deflection roller 386: Contact Block d1: First spacing d2: Second spacing. Detailed Implementation

[0050] It should be noted that in the following detailed embodiments, features or components that are the same or at least functionally the same as corresponding features or components in different embodiments will be provided with the same reference numerals, or reference numerals that are the same in the last two digits as the corresponding features or components that are the same or at least functionally the same. To avoid unnecessary repetition, features or components that have been described based on the previously described embodiments will not be repeated hereafter.

[0051] Furthermore, it should be noted that the structures described below represent only a limited selection of possible variations of the invention. In particular, features of the various structures can be combined in a suitable manner, and thus, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, through the explicitly presented variations, that a variety of different embodiments have been disclosed.

[0052] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an assembly system BS for assembling electronic components 192 onto a component carrier 190 (such as a printed circuit board (PCB)) is shown. The assembly system BS includes an assembly machine 100 and a feeding system, which in turn includes multiple component feeding devices 140, commonly referred to simply as "feeders". Component feeding by means of the component feeding devices 140 is carried out in a known manner using so-called component strips, each currently used component strip being precisely assigned to one component feeding device 140. The number of component feeding devices 140 used or required in the assembly operation depends on the specific assembly task, i.e., the assembly product currently being manufactured.

[0053] The component feeding device 140 sequentially feeds electronic components 192 packaged on corresponding component strips into the assembly process. Specifically, for each component feeding device 140, the electronic component 192 is provided at the component pick-up position or component supply position 140a in a known manner, and then picked up by the assembly head 115 at the component pick-up position or component supply position and placed on the component carrier 190. After being picked up by the assembly head 115, the next electronic component 192 is provided at the component supply position 140a, and then this electronic component can also be picked up by the assembly head 115.

[0054] The assembly machine 100 has a frame structure 102. Two fixed support rails 122 and 123 are mounted on the frame structure 102, each extending in the y-direction. The two support rails (122, 123) are part of a positioning system 120 for the assembly head 115.

[0055] A movable support arm 130 is mounted on two fixed support rails (122, 123). The movable support arm extends along a longitudinal axis 130a, which extends parallel to the x-direction in the coordinate system used herein. The movable support arm 130 is driven by drive motors (not shown), which are designed as linear motors and are capable of movement in the y-direction. The corresponding direction of movement is indicated by a double arrow "Y".

[0056] The mounting carriage 124 is attached to a movable support arm 130. This mounting carriage can be, for example, clamped onto a linear track (not shown) and can be moved in the x-direction by another linear motor (not shown). The corresponding direction of movement is indicated by a double arrow "X". The assembly head 115 is mounted on the mounting carriage 124 in a known manner.

[0057] Two fixed support rails (122, 123), a movable support arm 130, and a mounting carriage 124, together with a linear motor (not shown) and the linear rails, constitute a positioning system 120, which allows the assembly head 115 to move or be positioned in the xy plane.

[0058] Assembly of the component carrier 190 takes place in the assembly area 104. Before assembly, the component carrier 190 to be assembled is transported into the assembly area 104 via a conveyor 106, such as a conveyor belt. After the electronic component 192 is at least partially assembled, the component carrier 190 is transported away via the conveyor 106. The corresponding transport direction is... Figure 1 The arrow "T" indicates this.

[0059] As mentioned above, the assembly head 115 is mounted on the mounting carriage 124. By appropriately controlling a linear motor (not shown), the assembly head 115 can move between the supply position 140a of the various component feeding devices 140 and the assembly area 104. A control device 108, which processes the operating data and controls the assembly process, is communicatively coupled to the various linear motors and the assembly head 115 via a data line (not shown).

[0060] During the assembly operation, the assembly head 115 moves to the corresponding supply position 140a, where it picks up at least one electronic component 192. The assembly head 115 then moves to the assembly area 104, where it places the electronic component 192 onto the component carrier 190. After placing the component, the assembly head 115 returns "empty" to the feeding system, where the electronic component 192 is picked up again.

[0061] As described above, the feeding system typically includes several component feeding devices 140. Then, with the aid of a so-called multi-assembly head, two (or more) electronic components 192 can be picked up simultaneously if needed and transported together to the assembly area 104.

[0062] As in Figure 1 As seen, the assembly machine 100 also has two cameras. A first fixed camera 110 (sometimes referred to as a "component camera") is used to measure the electronic component 192 picked up by the assembly head 115. For this purpose, the assembly head 115 is positioned above the fixed camera 110 such that the picked-up electronic component 192 enters the detection area of ​​the fixed camera 110. During this measurement, for example, the accurate angular position of the picked-up or held electronic component 192 can be measured. When placing the corresponding electronic component 192, the clamping device of the assembly head 115 can be appropriately rotated, and then the angular position deviation can be compensated in a known manner, so that the corresponding electronic component 192 is placed on the component carrier 190 at the correct angular position.

[0063] A second moving camera 112 (sometimes referred to as a "PCB camera") is used to precisely measure the markings on the top side of the component carrier 190 to be assembled. This allows the accurate spatial position of the component carrier 190 within the assembly area 104 to be identified and taken into account when positioning the assembly head 115, thereby ensuring that the electronic component 192 is accurately placed at its corresponding target position on the component carrier 190. According to the embodiment shown herein, the moving camera 112 is mounted on the assembly head 115 and moves with the assembly head 115 to measure the markings on the component carrier 190.

[0064] Figure 2A component feeding device 140 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, the component feeding device having an inventive guide structure 260 for guiding the component strip 295. This guide structure extends within a region including a component supply position 140a. This guide structure precisely defines the component supply position 140a, particularly the component supply position in the vertical direction, thereby ensuring the supplied components (… Figure 2 The picking process (not shown in the image) is highly reliable.

[0065] According to the embodiment shown here, precise spatial guidance is achieved by sliding the component strip 295 on the spring-mounted support member 262 and by pressing the clamping member 264 upward through the biasing mechanism 266 (in this case, a spring mechanism), such that during assembly operations, the component strip 295 is frictionally engaged between the support member 262 and the clamping member 264. In the immediate vicinity of the component supply position 140a, the clamping member 264 has a recess 264a. This allows the assembly head ( Figure 2 Approach the element from above (not shown).

[0066] As in Figure 2 As seen, the component feeding device 140 has a base frame 242, which serves as a general-purpose frame structure for multiple functional components of the component feeding device 140. Within the component feeding device 140, a guide channel or belt conveyor path 244 extends along a curved belt conveyor path, guiding the component belt 295 from the inlet 244a to the outlet 244b. The conveying direction of the component belt 295 is determined by… Figure 2 The arrow "TP" indicates this.

[0067] The component feeding device 140 also has two drives, namely a (first) drive 250 and a (second) auxiliary drive 255. According to the embodiment shown here, each of the two drives (250, 255) has a pin wheel and a (electric) drive motor, the pin wheel having a plurality of radially projecting pins (not shown). Specifically, drive 250 has a pin wheel 252 and a drive motor 254, and auxiliary drive 255 has an auxiliary pin wheel 257 and an auxiliary drive motor 259. The (not shown) pins of the two pin wheels (252 and 257) engage in a known manner in lateral through-holes (also not shown) in the (carrying belt) of the component belt 295. When the respective pin wheels (252, 257) rotate, if this engagement is present, the component belt 295 is conveyed toward the component supply position 140a and further, up to the exit 244b.

[0068] To insert component tape 295, the operator pushes the corresponding component tape 295 into the tape conveyor path 244 at the tape inlet 244a until the additional pin 257 engages with the component tape 295. Then, by appropriately controlling the additional drive motor 259, the component tape 295 is automatically conveyed further towards the driver 250. No manual intervention is required, and the timing of this further conveying can be selected independently of the operator's current idle status. When the leading edge of the component tape 295 reaches the driver 250, the component tape 295 also engages via pin 252, and thereafter, the conveying of the component tape 295 is achieved through the synchronized operation of the two drivers (250 and 255).

[0069] The component feeding device 140 also has sensors arranged along the belt conveyor path 244. These sensors monitor the insertion process of the component belt 295.

[0070] As in Figure 2 As seen, two sensors are provided: a first sensor 246 and a second sensor 248. According to the embodiment shown herein, these two sensors (246, 248) are light barriers, each sensor having a light source (246a, 248a) and a light receiver (246b, 248b). It should be noted that the types of sensors (246, 248) described herein are merely exemplary. The number of sensors provided and used is also merely exemplary.

[0071] The entire transport of the element belt 295 from its leading edge to pin 252 and beyond is controlled by a control device 249. This control device is coupled to sensors (246 and 248) and two actuators (250 and 255) in a manner not shown.

[0072] According to the technology described in this document, in order to facilitate the insertion of the front end of the component strip 295 into the guide structure 260, the distance between the spring-loaded vertical moving support member 262 and the fixed clamping member 264 is temporarily increased when the front end of the corresponding component strip 295 is inserted into the guide structure 260.

[0073] According to the embodiment shown here, this temporary increase in the distance between the support member 262 and the fixed clamping member 264 is achieved by pulling the support member 262 downward by the adjusting member 270 (overcoming the spring force of the biasing mechanism 266). This can be done manually by the operator or indirectly using a suitable mechanical structure (not shown). According to the embodiment shown here, the "pull-down" is automatically performed by the actuator 280, which is also controlled by a control device.

[0074] The following describes an embodiment that achieves the associated "pull-down" function of the actuator and support member 262 in a particularly ingenious manner within a compact design.

[0075] Figure 3A An enlarged view of the guide structure 260 in a second-pitch state is schematically shown, wherein the gap d2 between the support member 262 and the clamping member 264 is significantly larger than the thickness of the corresponding element strip 295. Specifically, the gap d2 is large enough that the leading edge of the element strip 295 passes through the guide structure 260 with very little resistance and almost no friction.

[0076] As mentioned above, the second spacing state is achieved by pulling the adjusting member 270, which is fixedly attached to the support member 262, downward to overcome the biasing force or spring force of the biasing mechanism 266.

[0077] Figure 3B An enlarged view of the guide structure 260 is schematically shown in a first spacing state, which is given during normal operation of the component feeding device. In a second spacing state, precise spatial guidance of the component strip 295 is achieved by the component strip 295 contacting the support member 262 and the clamping member 264, and thus engaging in frictional contact during conveying of the component strip 295 along the conveying direction TP. The gap d1 between the lower surface of the clamping member 264 and the upper surface of the support member 262 is perfectly aligned with the thickness of the engaged component strip 295.

[0078] The structure of the actuator 280 used in the embodiment shown here is as follows: Figure 3A and Figure 3B All are clearly visible. Therefore, the actuator 280 has a conductive wire 382 made of shape memory alloy. The conductive wire 382 extends in a U-shape, starting from a first electrical contact clip (not shown) in the contact block 386, passing over the deflection roller 384, and then folding back to the second electrical contact clip in the contact block 386. The contact block 386 is directly or indirectly connected to the base frame 242. The deflection roller 384 is attached to the underside of a spring-loaded support member 262 via a rod-shaped retaining member, which corresponds to the adjustment member 270 described above.

[0079] When current flows through the conductive wire 382 (activated via control device 249 through a circuit not shown), the conductive wire 382 heats up due to its resistance. The thermal properties of the shape memory alloy cause the conductive wire 382 to shorten, thereby pulling the support member 262 downward. When the current flow is interrupted, the conductive wire 382 cools and elongates again. Then, the support member 262 moves upward by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 266 or the spring force, entering... Figure 3B The first spacing state is shown.

[0080] 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 can 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 component feeding device (140) for sequentially feeding electronic components (192) packaged in a component strip (295) to an assembly process, the component feeding device (140) comprising: Base frame (242); A belt conveyor path (244) extends through the base frame (242) between a belt inlet (244a) and a belt outlet (244b), into which the component belt (295) can be inserted; A driver (250) for conveying the component tape (295) inserted into the tape conveying path (244) toward the component supply position (140a); A guide structure (260) is arranged along the belt conveying path (244) and includes a support member (262) and a clamping member (264), wherein the element belt (295) can be engaged between the support member (262) and the clamping member (264); and An adjusting member (270), mechanically coupled to the support member (262) and / or the clamping member (264), and configured to adjust the distance between the support member (262) and the clamping member (264) such that: (i) In the first spacing state (d1) of the guide structure (260), the element strip (295) is frictionally guided between the support member (262) and the clamping member (264); and (ii) In the second spacing state (d2) of the guide structure (260), the spacing is greater than the thickness of the element strip (295).

2. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, wherein, The guide structure (260) is arranged in the region of the component supply position (140a) of the component feeding device (140), and the clamping member (264) has a recess (264a) that allows access to the electronic component (192) encapsulated in the component strip (295) at the component supply position (140a).

3. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, the component feeding device includes a biasing mechanism (266) and an optional spring mechanism, the biasing mechanism biasing the support member (262) and / or the clamping member (264) to minimize the distance between the support member (262) and the clamping member (264).

4. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, wherein, The clamping member (264) is fixed relative to the base frame (242).

5. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, comprising an actuator (280) coupled to the adjusting component (270).

6. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 5, wherein, The actuator (280) includes a shape memory alloy component (382) that can transition between a first spatial physical state and a second spatial physical state by temperature change, wherein the first spatial physical state corresponds to the first spacing state (d1) and the second spatial physical state corresponds to the second spacing state (d2).

7. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 6, wherein, The shape memory alloy component is a conductive wire (382), which heats up and changes its length when current flows through it.

8. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 7, wherein, The conductive wire (382) is guided or tensioned in the form of a loop, wherein: The middle portion of the ring is attached to the support member (262) or the clamping member; and The two ends of the ring are fixed relative to the base frame (242) and make electrical contact.

9. The component feeding device according to claim 5, the component feeding device comprising at least one sensor (246) and a control device (249), the at least one sensor being configured to monitor the insertion progress of the component strip (295) along the strip transport path (244), the control device being coupled to the at least one sensor (246) and the actuator (280), and being configured to control the actuator (280) based on the insertion progress of the component strip (295).

10. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, wherein, The driver (250) is arranged along the belt conveying path between the belt inlet (244a) and the guide structure (260).

11. The component feeding device (140) according to claim 1, the component feeding device additionally includes an additional driver (255) arranged along the belt conveying path (244) at the input side portion of the belt conveying path (244), and the additional driver is configured to feed the component belt (295) to the driver (250) during insertion of the component belt (295).

12. An assembly system (BS) for automatically assembling electronic components (192) onto a component carrier (190), the assembly system (S) comprising: Assembly machine (100), the assembly machine having: Frame structure (102); A positioning system (120) is mounted on the frame structure (102); and An assembly head (115) is movably mounted on the positioning system (120) to pick up, transport electronic components (192) and place the electronic components onto the component carrier (190); as well as The component feeding device (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electronic component (192) disposed at the component supply position (140a) can be picked up by the assembly head (115).

13. A method for inserting a component strip (295) into a component feeding device (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method comprising the steps of: a) Insert the component belt (295) into the component feeder (140) along the belt conveyor path (244) until the front end of the component belt (295) reaches the driver (250); b) While the guide structure (260) is in the second spacing state (d2), the front end of the element strip (295) passes through the guide structure (260); and c) Transform the guide structure (260) from the second spacing state (d2) to the first spacing state (d1).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, Step b) includes actuating the adjusting member (270) such that the guide structure changes from the first pitch state (d1) to the second pitch state (d2) before the front end of the element strip (295) passes through the guide structure (260).

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