Component feed device

Abstract

Component feed device (80) for advancing components to a component feed position using a component feed belt (70), comprising a carrier belt (71) that holds the components at equal intervals and a cover belt (75) that is attached to an upper surface of the carrier belt (71), wherein the component feed device (80) comprises: a drive gear ring (95) configured to advance the component feed belt (70) to the component feed position; and a band guide (120), comprising: a guide body (121) comprising a pressing surface for pressing an upper surface of the component feed belt (70) to the component feed position; a component exposure section configured to expose the components in the component feed belt (70) which is advanced to the component feed position, wherein the component exposure section comprises an insertion section to be inserted between the carrier belt (71) and the cover belt (75); and an adaptation subsection which is designed to adapt a protrusion of the insertion subsection from the pressing surface.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The technology disclosed in this document relates to a component feed device for advancing components for a surface mounting device. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A component feeder, also known as a feeder, is a device mounted in a surface mount device for advancing electronic components for assembly. The feeder comprises a component feeder belt that holds components at equal intervals. The feeder belt is pulled from a drum to advance the components to a component feeder position. At the component feeder position, the components are removed by assembly heads in the surface mount device.

[0003] The component feed belt comprises a carrier belt and a cover belt. The carrier belt includes component holding sections at equal intervals. The cover belt adheres to the carrier belt. To remove the components at the component feed position, the components must be exposed from the component holding sections. JP 2014-93334 A discloses an embodiment in which sections of a cover belt are cut by a cutting edge, with a blade of the cutting edge being inserted between the belts to expose the components. JP 2015-103664 A discloses an embodiment in which sections of a cover belt are removed from a carrier belt, with a blade of a cutting edge being inserted between the belts to expose components.

[0004] JP H02-205398A describes a tape feeder divided into a tape feeder unit with a pitch feeder for pitch-feeding an electronic component sealing tape and a supply unit connected to the rear of the tape feeder unit. The feeder unit consists of a holder for a feed spool onto which the tape is wound, a peel-off unit for removing the tape's backing film from a base tape, and a return unit with a return chamber for returning the film removed by the peel-off unit.

[0005] JP 2014-86504A describes a peeling device for an upper strip that peels an upper strip from a base strip of a carrier strip. The carrier strip has multiple receiving sections for storing components, and the upper strip is bonded to the receiving sections to cover them. The peeling device for the upper strip comprises a guide unit with a reference plane that rests against the surface on the side of the upper strip of the carrier strip; a blade with a cutting tip that moves along the length of the strip relative to the carrier strip, with the surface of the upper strip resting against the reference plane of the guide unit and approaching between the upper strip and the base strip; and a stop that makes contact with the end of the base strip along the length of the strip to limit the approach of the blade between the upper strip and the base strip to a predetermined amount.

[0006] US 2010 / 0 239 401 A1 describes a carrier tape feeder for a chip placement machine that sequentially and automatically feeds a carrier tape, which holds small electronic components at regular intervals and is sealed with a vinyl cover, to the chip placement machine for mounting the components onto a printed circuit board. To sequentially and automatically feed the components held in a carrier tape to a chip placement machine, the carrier tape feeder for the chip placement machine includes: a picking section for separating a portion of a vinyl cover from a base tape of the carrier tape so that the components held in the base tape can be picked up.The receiving section, connected to one end of a tape feeder body, includes a tape guide to ensure a longitudinal path for the carrier tape from which the portion of the vinyl cover is separated, and to simultaneously output the base tape and the vinyl cover in the same direction. The tape guide includes a blade to separate the vinyl cover longitudinally from the base tape of the fed carrier tape, and a vinyl cover guide to guide the separated vinyl cover.

[0007] US 2015 / 0189801A1 describes a belt processing unit comprising a cutter that successively cuts a cover strip of a storage belt along a direction of movement corresponding to the movement of that storage belt. The cutting device includes a knife section with an angled knife section inclined forward and downward such that the knife is angled, and an upper C-beveled surface, which is a flat section whose width gradually narrows horizontally from a lower end upward to meet the angled knife section at an upper end formed at a front end portion of that knife section. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem to be solved by the invention

[0008] When the component feed belt is advanced, its top surface is pressed against a belt guide. To insert the blade between the belts, the blade must protrude from the pressed surface of the component feed belt. However, the protruding blade can touch the components in the component holding sections. Inserting any other element between the belts can cause the same type of problem.

[0009] The technology described in this document was developed in light of the preceding circumstances. One objective is to reduce the contact between components and an insertion element, such as a blade, that is inserted between bands. Means of solving the task

[0010] A component feeder described in this document is used to advance components to a component feed position using a component feeder belt comprising a carrier belt that holds the components at equal intervals and a cover belt attached to an upper surface of the carrier belt. The component feeder includes a drive gear ring and a belt guide. The drive gear ring is configured to advance the component feeder belt to the component feed position. The belt guide comprises a guide body, a component exposure section, and an adaptation section. The guide body includes a pressing surface for pressing an upper surface of the component feeder belt as it is advanced to the component feed position. The component exposure section is configured to expose the components in the component feeder belt as they are advanced to the component feed position.The component exposure section comprises an insert section that is to be inserted between the carrier strip and the cover strip. The adaptation section is designed to adjust the protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface.

[0011] In this design, the amount of protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface can be adjusted. Therefore, it is less likely that the insert section will contact the components, even though the insert section can simply be placed between the bands.

[0012] Preferred embodiments of the surface mounting device described herein may include the following configurations.

[0013] The component feed device may also include a loading gear ring configured to advance a leading edge of the component feed belt towards the drive gear ring. The adaptation section may be configured to increase the protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface during loading of the component feed belt to the component feed position to which the component feed belt is not loaded, and to decrease the protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface after loading.

[0014] In this design, the insert section can simply be placed between the belts during loading and is less likely to touch the components after loading.

[0015] The belt guide can comprise the component exposure section, which is fixed to the guide body, and a movable element that is movable relative to the guide body. The movable element can include a pressing surface to press an upper surface of the component feed belt on an upstream side relative to the insertion section of the component exposure section, and can be configured to adjust a protrusion of the insertion section from the pressing surface of the movable element by moving the movable element relative to the guide body. In this embodiment, the component exposure section is fixed to the guide body. Therefore, the insertion section of the component exposure section is precisely positioned relative to the component feed belt. Because the movable element is movable, the position of the pressing surface varies.Therefore, the amount of material protruding from the insert section can be adjusted.

[0016] The movable element can move in one direction to reduce the amount of protrusion when pushed by the leading edge of the component feed belt, which is moving towards the component feed position. In this embodiment, the movable element is moved using the movement of the component feed belt. Therefore, an actuator (a power source) is not required to move the movable element.

[0017] The movable element can be a rotary element that is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the guide body. In this embodiment, the movable element is the rotary element. Compared to a sliding element, malfunction is less likely, and the movable element can be designed in a compact size.

[0018] The component exposure section can include a cutting blade comprising a blade tip that is to be inserted between the carrier belt and the cover belt. The cutting blade can be configured to cut the cover belt to expose the components at the component feed position. The rotating element can include a cover and two arms. The cover can be located on the upstream side with respect to the axis of rotation, covering a portion of the cutting blade on the upstream side and comprising a lower surface configured as a pressing surface to press the upper surface of the component feed belt. The arms can be located on a downstream side with respect to the axis of rotation and cover sides of the cutting blade.The lower surface of the cover can lower when the leading edge of the component feed belt contacts the arms, and the rotary element rotates to reduce the protrusion of the cutting edge. In this embodiment, the protrusion of the cutting edge can be reduced by lowering the lower surface of the cover using the rotation of the rotary element.

[0019] The axis of rotation of the rotating element can be located on the downstream side with respect to the cutting edge or above the cutting edge. In this embodiment, the axis of rotation of the rotating element is arranged in a space above the cutting edge. Advantageous effect of the invention

[0020] According to the technology described in this document, it is less likely that the insertion section of the component exposure section will touch the components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1 is a top view of a surface mounting device according to a first embodiment. Fig. Figure 2 is a view showing a support structure of a head unit. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a component feed belt. Fig. Figure 4 is a side view of a feed device. Fig. Figure 5 is a side view of the feed device with a section cut out. Fig. Figure 6 is a top view of the feed mechanism. Fig. Figure 7 is a top view of a belt guide. Fig. Figure 8 is an enlarged view of section A of Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 9 is an enlarged view of section B of Fig. 4. Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along line CC of Fig. 7. Fig. Figure 11 is a top view of a component feed belt that has been cut open. Fig. Figure 12 is a top view of a component exposure section. Fig. Figure 13 is a view of the component exposure section, seen from the rear of the component feed belt. Fig. Figure 14 is a side view of an upper section of the feed device. Fig. Figure 15 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device, with a partial cross-sectional view. Fig. Figure 16 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device, with a partial cross-sectional view. Fig. Figure 17 is an enlarged view of a section of Fig. 16. Fig. Figure 18 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device, with a partial cross-sectional view. Fig. Figure 19 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device, with a partial cross-sectional view. Fig. Figure 20 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device, with a partial cross-sectional view. Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view of section D of Fig. 14. Fig. Figure 22 is a side view of a feed device in a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 23 is a side view showing the structure of an adaptation subsection. Fig. Figure 24 is a side view of an adaptation subsection in a third embodiment. Fig. Figure 25 is a side view of an adaptation subsection in a fourth embodiment. MODE FOR EXECUTING THE INVENTION<Erste Ausführungsform> 1. Overall design of a surface mounting device

[0021] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, a surface mount device 1 comprises a frame 11, a conveyor 20, a head unit 60, and a drive unit 30. The conveyor 20 transports a printed circuit board P. The drive unit 30 moves the head unit 60 two-dimensionally in a plane direction above the frame 11 (in the XY direction). In the following paragraphs, a longitudinal direction of the frame 11 (the horizontal direction in Fig. 1), a depth direction of the frame 11 (the vertical direction in Fig. 1) and the vertical direction in Fig. 2 are referred to as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

[0022] The conveyor 20 is arranged at the center of the frame 11. The conveyor 20 comprises a pair of conveyor belts 21 designed to rotate in the X-axis direction. The circuit board P, shown by double-dashed lines, is held on the conveyor belts 21 by friction and transmitted in the X-direction.

[0023] The circuit board P enters from the left side. Fig. 1 into the surface mount device 1. The circuit board P is inserted from the left side into Fig. The printed circuit board P is carried by conveyor 20 into the interior of the surface mounting device 1. The printed circuit board P is then carried by conveyor 20 to a work surface in the center of the frame and stopped there.

[0024] Four component feed sections 13 are arranged to surround the work surface on the frame 11. The component feed sections 13 comprise feed devices 80 that advance electronic components B. The feed devices 80 are mounted horizontally in each component feed section 13.

[0025] In the work area, an assembly process is carried out to mount the electronic component, which is advanced by the feed device 80, onto the printed circuit board P using an assembly head 63, which is enclosed in the head unit 60. After the assembly process is completed, the printed circuit board P is turned to the right side. Fig. 1 carried and carried by the conveyor 20 to the exterior of the surface mounting device 1.

[0026] The drive unit 30 comprises at least one pair of support legs 41, a headrest 51, a Y-axis ball screw drive 45, a Y-axis motor 47, an X-axis ball screw drive 55, and an X-axis motor 57. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the support legs 41 are arranged on the frame 11. The support legs 41 are located at the edges of the work surface and extend linearly in the Y direction.

[0027] Guide rails 42, extending in the Y-direction, are each arranged on the upper surfaces of the support legs 41. The headrest 51 is fixed to the guide rails, with the ends of the headrest 51 engaging with the guide rails 42.

[0028] The Y-axis ball screw drive 45, which extends in the Y direction, is attached to the support leg 41 on the right side, and a ball nut (not shown) is screwed onto the Y-axis ball screw drive 45. The Y-axis motor 47 is attached to the Y-axis ball screw drive 45.

[0029] When the Y-axis motor 47 is switched on, the ball nut moves backward along the Y-axis ball screw drive 45. Consequently, the headrest 51, which is fixed to the ball nut, and the head unit 60, which will be described later, move in the Y direction along the guide rail 42 (Y-axis servomechanism).

[0030] The headrest 51 has an elongated shape and extends in the X direction. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, a guide element 53, extending in the X direction, is arranged on the headrest 51. The head unit 60 is attached to the guide element 53 to be movable along the axis of the guide element 53. The X-axis ball screw drive 55, extending in the X direction, is attached to the headrest 51. A ball nut is screwed onto the X-axis ball screw drive 55.

[0031] The X-axis motor 57 is attached to the X-axis ball screw drive 55. When the X-axis motor 57 is switched on, the ball nut moves backward along the X-axis ball screw drive 55. Consequently, the head unit 60, which is fixed to the ball nut, moves in the X direction along the guide element 53 (X-axis servomechanism).

[0032] By mutually controlling or regulating the X-axis motor 57 and the Y-axis motor 47, a two-dimensional movement of the head unit 60 on the frame 11 (in the XY direction) is possible.

[0033] The head unit 60 comprises mounting heads 63, with which the electronic components are mounted. The mounting heads 63 are arranged in series. Each mounting head 63 is rotatable about an axis by means of an R-axis motor and movable up and down relative to the head unit 60 by means of the Z-axis motor. Each mounting head 63 is subjected to a vacuum by means of a vacuum impingement element, which is not shown. The vacuum creates suction power at a tip of the head.

[0034] By operating the X-axis motor 57, the Y-axis motor 47 and the Z-axis motor at a predefined time, each electronic component that is advanced by the feed device 80 is removed from the assembly head 63 and mounted on the circuit board P.

[0035] The reference sign “17” in Fig. 1 designates component recognition cameras. The reference numeral "65" in Fig. 2 denotes plate recognition cameras. The component recognition cameras 17 are fixed to the frame 11 such that the imaging surfaces face upwards.

[0036] The component recognition cameras 17 capture images of the electronic components held in vacuum by the assembly heads 63 and determine the angles of the electronic components. The plate recognition cameras 65 are fixed to the head unit 60 such that the imaging surfaces face downwards. The plate recognition cameras 65 move together with the head unit 60.

[0037] By driving the X-axis servomechanism and the Y-axis servomechanism, images of the circuit board at any position on the circuit board P can be captured by the board recognition camera 65. 2. Designs of a component feed belt 70 and the feed device 80

[0038] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the component feeder 70 comprises a carrier strip 71 and a cover strip 75, which adheres to the carrier strip 71. The carrier strip 71 can be made of a synthetic resin. The cover strip 75 can also be made of a synthetic resin. The carrier strip 71 includes component holding sections 72, which are recesses with openings in the uppermost surface of the carrier strip 71. The component holding sections 72 are arranged at equal intervals. Small electronic components W, such as chip resistors, are each held in the component holding sections 72.

[0039] The cover strip 75 is a flexible, thin film. Side edge sections of the strip adhere to the top surface of the carrier strip 71. The cover strip 75 covers the component holding sections 72 to restrict the electronic components W from jumping out of the component holding sections 72. The carrier strip 71 includes locking holes in one of the side sections at equal intervals along one edge. The component feed strip 70 is wound onto a drum located behind the feed device 80, but not shown.

[0040] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the feed device 80 (an example of “a belt feed device” of the claimed invention) comprises a drive unit 90, an automatic charger 100, a belt guide 120 and a frame 81 to which the drive unit 90, the automatic charger 100, and the belt guide 120 are attached.

[0041] The feed device 80 is described. Regarding the description of the feed device 80, one side, on which the component feed position G is located (the right side in the diagram), can be used. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), referred to as "the front", and a side opposite the component feed position G (the left side in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) can be referred to as "the back". The component feed belt 70 is advanced from the back to the front of the feed device 80 (from the left side to the right side). Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) The rear side of the belt feeder 80 is a "pre-feed side" in a feed direction of the component feeder belt 70, and the front side of the feeder 80 is a "down-feed side" in the feed direction of the component feeder belt 70. The feeder 80 is perpendicular to the X-direction, which corresponds to the feed direction of the printed circuit board P. Therefore, the front-back direction of the feeder 80 corresponds to the Y-direction, as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 shown.

[0042] The frame 81 has an elongated shape extending in the Y-direction, which corresponds to the front-to-back direction. The frame 81 can be made of die-cast aluminum. The frame 81 includes a belt section 83 for the component feed belt 70 to pass through. The belt section 83 extends forward from the lower rear end of the frame 81. The belt section 83 also extends diagonally upwards and further to the uppermost surface of the frame 81.

[0043] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the drive unit 90 is located at the front of the frame 81. The drive unit 90 comprises a motor 91, a series of gears 93, a first ring gear 95, and a second ring gear 97. The ring gears 95 and 97 are separated in the Y-direction, which corresponds to the front-back direction on the upper section of the frame 81. The series of gears 93 transmits power from the motor 91 to rotate the ring gears 95 and 97 in the same direction and with the same pitch.

[0044] The gear rings 95 and 97 comprise teeth 95A and 97A, respectively. Teeth 95A and 97A are formed at equal intervals on the peripheries of the respective gear rings 95 and 97. Teeth 95A and 97A of gear rings 95 and 97 engage in the locking holes 73 of the component feed belt 70. Rotation of the gear rings 95 and 97 advances the component feed belt 70 to a component feed position G at the front of the feed device.

[0045] The first gear 95 is a main drive gear to advance the component feed belt 70 to the component feed position G. In this embodiment, the component feed position G is located essentially on the top side of the first gear 95. The second gear 97 is a push gear to push the component feed belt 70, which is advanced by a third gear 101 in the automatic loader 100, described next, toward the first gear 95. The first gear 95 is an example of a drive gear.

[0046] The automatic charger 100 has a function for attaching the component feed belt 70 to an unattached feed device to which the component feed belt 70 is not attached (a loading function). The automatic charger 100 is located at the rear of the frame 81. Loading means "a series of operations for inserting the component feed belt 70 into the feed device 80 and automatically loading the component feed belt 70 to the component feed position G".

[0047] The automatic loader 100 comprises the third gear ring 101 and a motor 103 for driving the third gear ring 101. The third gear ring 101 is located above the conveyor belt 83 at the rear of the frame 81. The third gear ring 101 has teeth on its periphery, similar to the first gear ring 95 and the second gear ring 97. The teeth engage in the locking holes 73 of the component feed belt 70. By driving the motor 103 and rotating the third gear ring 101, the component feed belt 70 passes along the conveyor belt 83 toward the front of the feed device and is automatically loaded to the component feed position G.

[0048] During loading, the gear rings 95, 97, and 101 rotate synchronously with each other. The component feed belt 70, which is advanced by the third gear ring 101, is engaged with the teeth 97A of the second gear ring 97 and the teeth 95A of the first gear ring 95 when the leading edge 70A of the belt passes the second gear ring 97 and the first gear ring 95.

[0049] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the belt guide 120 comprises a guide body 121 and an exposure unit 150 attached to the guide body 121. The guide body 121 can be made of metal. The guide body 121 has an elongated shape extending in the Y-direction, which corresponds to the front-back direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the guide body 121 has a length that essentially corresponds to an area of ​​the feed device 80 in which the drive unit 90 is arranged. The guide body 121 is arranged on a front section of the uppermost surface of the frame 81.

[0050] The frame 81 comprises a front locking section 85 and a rear locking section 87 at positions corresponding to the front and rear ends of the guide body 121. The front and rear ends of the belt guide 120 are locked by the locking sections 85 and 87 respectively and attached to the frame 81.

[0051] In particular, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 8, the front locking section 85 is held at the front end of the frame 81 to be movable in the vertical direction. The front locking section 85 includes a locking pin 85A which engages with a locking tab 131 of the front end part of the guide body 121. The front locking section 85 is biased downwards by a spring 86. The locking pin 85A, which pushes the locking tab 831, locks the front part of the guide body 121.

[0052] The rear locking section 87 is held to the upper section of the frame 81 behind the guide body 121 by a hinge H2 to allow it to rotate. The rear locking section 87 comprises a locking element 87A, corresponding to an axial pin 133, which is located at the rear end of the guide body 121. The rear locking section 87 is biased in a locking direction by a spring 88. The locking element 87A, which pushes the axial pin downwards, locks the rear section of the guide body 121.

[0053] As previously described, the front locking section 85 and the rear locking section 87 are designed to lock the belt guide 120 using elastic forces from the springs 86 and 88. When opposing forces are applied to the preload forces of the springs 86, the guide body 121 moves in the vertical direction. Fig. Reference numeral 9 designates reference numeral 133 as an axial pin that locks the rear locking section 87. In Fig. Reference numeral 8 identifies a locking tab that locks the front locking part 85.

[0054] The guide body 121 has a function for maintaining the engagement between the teeth 95A and 97A of the gear rings 95 and 97 and the locking holes 73 of the component feed belt 70 by limiting the lift of the component feed belt 70, which is guided on the upper surface of the frame towards the component feed position G.

[0055] The guide body 121 comprises a pair of guide walls 125 for guiding the sides of the component feed belt 70. The guide walls 125 restrict the tilting of the component feed belt 70 on the upper surface 82 of the frame 81.

[0056] The exposure unit 150 is designed for exposing components at the component feed position G. The exposure unit 150 comprises a support element 151, which has a plate shape, a cutting blade 161, and a rotating element 171. The support element 151 supports the cutting blade 161 and the rotating element 171. The cutting blade 161 is fixed to a lower section of the support element 151, with one blade surface facing upwards. The rotating element is an example of an "adjustment part section, a movable element" of the claimed invention. The cutting blade 161 is an example of a "component exposure part section" of the claimed invention. A blade tip 163 is an example of an "insertion part section" of the claimed invention.

[0057] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the front part of the guide body 121 includes a bore 122. The exposure unit 150 is attached to the belt guide 120 by the cutting blade 161 and the rotating element 171 in the bore 122 and by the support element 151, which is screwed into a peripheral edge of the bore 122. The support element 151 includes a component ejection bore 153 for ejecting the electronic components W and an exit bore 154 for disengaging the first gear ring 95.

[0058] As in Fig. 10 and Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the cutting blade 161 is located on a forward side in the feed direction of the component feed belt 70 (the Y-direction). The cutting blade 161 has a function for cutting the center of the cover belt 75, which is advanced towards the component feed position G.

[0059] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 11, the masking tape 75, the center of which is cut, is open towards its sides in the width direction as it passes the sides of the cutting blade 161. Consequently, the electronic components W in the component holding sections 72 are exposed.

[0060] In the support element 151 of the exposure unit 150, the component ejection bore 153 is provided at a position corresponding to the component feed position G. The mounting head 63 is moved to the component feed position G at the same time as the electronic component W is moved to the component feed position G and the electronic component W is held under vacuum. The electronic component W is picked up by the component holding section 72 through the component ejection bore 153.

[0061] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 17, the lower surface 155 of the support element 151 of the exposure unit 150 comprises an uneven section on the cutting edge 161 on the upstream side. The lower surface 155 comprises a first horizontal section 155A, an inclined section 155B, and a second horizontal section 155C. The first horizontal section 155A, the inclined section 155B, and the second horizontal section 155C form a pressing surface for pressing the upper surface of the component feed belt 70. 3. Adjustment function for adjusting the amount of cutting edge protrusion 161

[0062] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the cutting blade 161 points upwards, with the blade tip 163 facing the upstream side. With the blade tip 163 inserted between the carrier belt 71 and the cover belt 75, the component feed belt 70 is advanced to pass the cutting blade 161, and the cutting blade 161 cuts the cover belt 75.

[0063] The insertion of the blade tip 163 between the belts is carried out when the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70 passes the cutting blade 171, that is, during loading.

[0064] When the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70 passes the cutting blade 171, it is preferable that the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 protrudes downwards from the pressing surface of the component feed belt 70 during loading, so that the blade tip 163 simply enters between the belts.

[0065] However, if the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 protrudes normally from the pressing surface, the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 can touch the electronic component W during normal operation, in which the component feed belt 70 is advanced with a predetermined pitch after loading.

[0066] Therefore, in this embodiment, the protrusion of the cutting blade 161 from the pressing surface of the component feed belt 70 is adjusted so that it is less likely that the cutting blade 161 will touch the electronic component W during normal operation by advancing the component feed belt 70 with the predetermined pitch.

[0067] In particular, the exposure unit 150 comprises the rotating element 171, in addition to the support element 151 and the cutting blade 161. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the rotating element 171 comprises a cover 173 and a pair of arms 175. The cover 173 is located on the upstream side with respect to the cutting blade 161 (the upstream side in the strip feed direction, the left side in Fig. 15). The cover 173 covers the front of the cutting blade 161 (on the forward side).

[0068] As in Fig. 12 and Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the arms 175 branch off from the cover 173. The arms 175 extend towards the downstream side in the feed direction of the component feed belt 70. The arms 175 are located on sides of the cutting edge 161 in order to cover the sides of the cutting edge 161.

[0069] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, the rotating element 171 essentially has a V-shape. Viewed from the upper surface, the cutting blade 161 is located inside the rotating element 171.

[0070] The rotating element 171 is coupled to the support element 151 via a hinge H1 and can be rotated about the hinge H1.

[0071] The hinge H1 is located essentially midway between the cover 173 and the arms 175. The cover 173 is located on the upstream side with respect to the hinge H1 (the upstream side in the belt feed direction, the left side in Fig. 15). The arms 175 are located on the downstream side with respect to the hinge H1 (the downstream side in the belt feed direction, the right side in Fig. 15).

[0072] When the rotary element 171 rotates clockwise, the cover 173 is raised. When the rotary element 171 rotates counterclockwise, the arms 175 are raised.

[0073] The hinge H1 is located on the downstream side with respect to the blade tip 163 (the downstream side in the belt feed direction, the right side in Fig. 15) and above the blade tip 163.

[0074] In this embodiment, the rotating element 171 rotates when it is pressed by the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70. The protrusion of the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is reduced to limit the contact of the cutting blade 161 with the electronic component W.

[0075] The operation of the adaptation is described. (A) When the tape is not in place.

[0076] Fig. Figure 14 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device 80. Fig. Figure 15 is a side view of the upper section of the feed device 80, comprising a cross-sectional view of a section. Fig. Figure 15 shows a state before the component feed belt 70 is inserted into the feed device 80.

[0077] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, before the component feed belt 70 is inserted into the feed device 80, a predefined space F is provided between the upper surface 82 of the frame 81, which is a feed surface for advancing the component feed belt 70, and the lower surface 155 of the support element 151 of the removal unit 150, which is enclosed in the belt guide 120. The space F is slightly smaller than the thickness of the component feed belt 70.

[0078] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the arms 175 of the rotating element 171 lower due to the weight balance, and the lower surfaces of the arms 175 are in contact with the upper surface 82 of the frame 81.

[0079] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 15, the lower edge of the lower surface 175 of the cover 173 is at the same height as the blade tip of the cutting blade 161. The cover 173 completely covers the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161. The rotating element 171 is essentially in the horizontal position. (B) During charging

[0080] To attach the component feed belt 70 to the unattached feed device 80, to which the component feed belt 70 is not attached, the component feed belt 70 is inserted from the rear side of the belt feed device 80 into the belt section 83, and the automatic loader 100 is switched on. Together with the rotation of the third gear ring 101, the component feed belt 70 is conveyed to the downstream side in the belt section 83.

[0081] The component feed belt 70, which is conveyed through the belt section 83, reaches the upper surface 82 of the frame 81. Afterwards, the component feed belt 70 is conveyed between the belt guide 120 and the frame 81.

[0082] While the component feed belt 70 is conveyed between the belt guide 120 and the upper surface 82 of the frame 81, the belt guide 120 and the exposure unit 150 are raised due to the thickness of the component feed belt 70. The space is provided between the rotary element 171 and the upper surface 82 of the frame 81.

[0083] The rotating element 171 rotates clockwise to lower the arms 175 around the room. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the cover 173, which covers the blade tip 163, is lifted, and the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is exposed by the cover 173.

[0084] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 17, the cover 173 is located above the second horizontal section 155C of the support element 151. The lower edge of the lower surface 174 is at the same height as the second horizontal section 155C.

[0085] When the leading edge 70A of the belt 70 is advanced to the exposure unit 150, the upper surface of the cover belt 75 of the component feed belt 70 is pressed against the lower surface 155 of the support element 151.

[0086] The upper surface of the cover strip 75 is pressed by the first horizontal section 155A, while the leading edge 70A of the strip 70 runs through the first horizontal section 155A. Then the upper surface of the cover strip 75 is pressed by the inclined section 155B, while the leading edge 70A of the strip 70 runs through the inclined section 155B.

[0087] The upper surface of the cover strip 75 is pressed by the second horizontal section 155C, while the leading edge 70A of the strip 70 passes through the second horizontal section 155C.

[0088] As in Fig. 17 and Fig. As shown in Figure 18, the upper surface of the component feed belt 70 is pressed by the second horizontal section 155C immediately before the leading edge 70A of the belt 70 reaches the blade tip 163, and conveyed to the downstream side.

[0089] As in Fig. 17 and Fig. As shown in Figure 18, when the cover 173 is lifted, the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is exposed by the cover 173. The blade tip 163 is located below the third horizontal section 155C in order to protrude downwards. When the leading edge 70A of the band 70 reaches the cutting blade 161, the blade tip 163 enters easily between the carrier band 71 and the cover band 75, as shown in Figure 18. Fig. 19 shown.

[0090] The cover tape 75 is cut open when the component feed tape 70 passes the cutting blade 161 and the electronic components W are removed.

[0091] When the leading edge 70A of the belt 70 is advanced further towards the downstream side after passing the blade tip 163, the leading edge 70A of the belt contacts the arms 175 of the rotating element 171. The rotating element 171 is pushed by the component feed belt 70 and rotates counterclockwise. Therefore, the cover 173 of the rotating element 171 lowers.

[0092] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 20, after the leading edge 70A of the belt has passed the arms 175, the lower surface 174 of the cover 173 descends to the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161, and the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is covered by the cover 173.

[0093] When the first of the electronic components W has been advanced to the component feed position G, the loading of the component feed belt 70 ends. At the end of the loading, the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is covered with the cover 173, as described above.

[0094] In normal operation after loading, that is, during the advancement of the components to the component feed position G by means of indexing of the component feed belt 70, it is less likely that the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 will touch the electronic components W that are held in the component holding sections of the carrier belt 71.

[0095] In particular, as in Fig. 20 and Fig. Figure 21 shows that, after loading is complete, the lower surface 174 of the cover 173 is located below the second horizontal section 155C of the support element 151. Therefore, during normal operation after loading, the lower surface 174 of the cover 173 acts as a pressing surface to press the upper surface of the component feed belt 70. The component feed belt 70 is conveyed, with the upper surface of the carrier belt being pressed by the lower surface 174 of the cover 173.

[0096] The lower surface 174 of the cover 173 covers the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 and presses the electronic components W, which are held in the component holding sections 72 of the carrier band 71, below the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161.

[0097] In normal operation after loading, that is, during the advancement of the electronic components W to the component feed position G by means of indexing of the component feed belt 70, it is less likely that the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 will touch the electronic components W that are held in the component holding sections 72 of the carrier belt 71.

[0098] After loading, the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is covered by the cover 173, as previously described. After the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is inserted between the bands, a section of the cover band 75, corresponding to the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161, becomes loose. After the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 is inserted between the bands, the blade tip of the cutting blade 161 remains between the bands even after the blade tip 163 is covered by the cover 173.

[0099] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 13, a groove 176 is provided between the arms 175 of the rotating element 171 to reduce contact with the cutting blade 161. The width of the electronic components W is defined as smaller than the width H of the groove 176, so that the upper surfaces of the components are pressed against the lower surfaces of the arms 175. After the tape is cut, it is less likely that the exposed electronic components W will rise towards the cutting blade 161. Therefore, it is also less likely that the exposed electronic components W will contact the cutting blade 161.

[0100] If the electronic components W are smaller than the groove 176, the positions of the cutting blade 161 and the rotating element 171 can be displaced in the X-direction, which is perpendicular to the Y-direction, corresponding to the strip feed direction. The upper surfaces of the components can be pressed by one of the arms 175, and thus it is less likely that the electronic components W will contact the cutting blade 161. 4. Effects of the embodiment

[0101] In the surface mount device 1 according to this embodiment, the blade tip 163 protrudes from the pressing surface 155C during loading, thus allowing the blade tip to be easily inserted between the belts. During normal operation, the blade tip 163 does not protrude from the pressing surface 174, and thus it is less likely that the blade tip 163 of the cutting blade 161 will touch the electronic components W held in the component holding sections 72 of the carrier belt 71.

[0102] By pushing the rotary element 171 with the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70 to rotate it, the protrusion of the cutting edge 161 from the pressing surface is adjusted. According to the design, a special drive source for rotating the rotary element 171 is not required to adjust the protrusion. <Zweite Ausführungsform>

[0103] The section on the first embodiment describes the configuration for adjusting the amount of projection of the cutting edge 161. A second embodiment has a configuration for adjusting the amount of projection of the cutting edge 161 that differs from the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0104] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 22, a feed device 200 comprises a frame 210, comprising a strip section 213, a first gear ring 95, a second gear ring 97, a third gear ring 101 and a strip guide 250.

[0105] The gear rings 95, 97, and 101 rotate when driven by a motor (not shown) to convey the component feed belt 70. The functions of the gear rings 95, 97, and 101 are similar to those of the first embodiment. Gear ring 95 serves for driving. Gear ring 97 serves for pushing. Gear ring 101 serves for automatic loading.

[0106] The belt guide 250 comprises a guide body 251 and a cutting blade 270. The guide body 251 presses the upper surface of the component feed belt 70, which is conveyed on the upper surface of the frame 210. The belt guide 250 is arranged on the upper surface of the front section of the frame 210. The lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250 is a pressing surface that presses the upper surface of the component feed belt 70 (the upper surface of the cover belt).

[0107] As in Fig. 22 and Fig. As shown in Figure 23, the cutting blade 270 has a triangular shape. The cutting blade 270 is fixed to the lower section of the guide body 251 of the strip guide 250, with the blade tip 271 facing the leading side of the strip feed direction (the left side in the Fig. 22) is facing the guide body. The position of the cutting blade 270 relative to the guide body 251 is not changeable. The cutting blade 270 cuts the cover strip 75 at a position on the upstream side relative to the component feed position G in order to expose the electronic components W that are held in the carrier strip 71.

[0108] The belt guide 250 includes an adjustment section 300. The adjustment section 300 is fixed to the frame 210 with the arms 280.

[0109] The adjustment section 300 comprises a blade cover 320, a linear guide 340, and a driving air cylinder 330. The adjustment section 300 adjusts the protrusion of the cutting blade 310 from the pressing surface L of the component feed belt 70.

[0110] In particular, the blade cover 320 has a rectangular shape. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 23, a front half of the cover completely covers the cutting blade 270 in the belt feed direction (the Y direction).

[0111] The linear guide 340 comprises a rail 341 and a slide 345, which moves along the rail 31. The blade cover 320 is fixed to the slide 345 of the linear guide 340 via a connecting element 347.

[0112] By driving the air cylinder 330, the blade cover 320 can be moved in the vertical direction with guidance from the linear guide 340.

[0113] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 23A, the blade cover 320 is located above the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250 during loading. The blade tip of the cutting blade 310 protrudes downwards from the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250 (the pressing surface of the belt).

[0114] Therefore, when the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70 passes the cutting blade 310, the blade tip of the cutting blade 310 enters slightly between the carrier belt 71 and the cover belt 75.

[0115] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 23B, the blade cover 320 is lowered during normal operation after loading and is located below the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250. Therefore, the lower surface L2 of the blade cover 320 is a pressing surface during normal operation to press the upper surface of the component feed belt 70.

[0116] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 23B, when the blade cover 320 is lowered, the lower surface L2 of the blade cover 320 is at the same height as the lower surface of the cutting blade 310. The blade tip of the cutting blade 310 does not protrude downwards from the lower surface L2 of the blade cover 320.

[0117] Similar to the first embodiment, it is less likely that the blade tip of the cutting blade 310 will touch the electronic component W, which is held in component holding sections 72 of the carrier strip 71, during normal operation after loading. Fig. The belt guide 250 and the guide body 251 are omitted in Figure 23. <Dritte Ausführungsform>

[0118] The second section describes the embodiment in which the protrusion of the cutting blade 310 is adjusted by moving the blade cover 320 in the vertical direction.

[0119] In a third embodiment, the protrusion of a cutting blade 410 from the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250 (the pressing surface of the component feed belt 70) is adjusted by moving the cutting blade 410 in the vertical direction.

[0120] In particular, an adjustment section for adjusting the protrusion of the cutting blade 410 comprises a base 431, a motor 440, a pinion 450, a rack 460 and a linear guide 470.

[0121] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 24, the upper end of the cutting blade 410 is fixed to the rack 460. The rack 460 is engaged with the pinion 450 and is designed to rotate when the motor 440 is switched on.

[0122] When the motor 440 is switched on, the rack 460 moves vertically along with the rotation of the pinion 450. This causes the cutting blade 410 to move vertically. The projection of the cutting blade 410 from the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250 (the pressing surface of the component feed belt 70) can be adjusted.

[0123] During loading, the cutting blade 410 is lowered to increase its protrusion from the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250. During normal operation, after loading, the cutting blade 410 is raised to decrease its protrusion from the lower surface L1 of the guide body 251 of the belt guide 250.

[0124] According to the design, a blade tip 411 of the cutting blade 410 can easily enter between the carrier strip 71 and the cover strip 75. During normal operation after loading, it is less likely that the blade tip 411 of the cutting blade 410 will touch the electronic components W, which are held in component holding sections 72 of the carrier strip 71.

[0125] The linear guide 470 is designed to stabilize the vertical movement of the rack 460 and the cutting blade 410. <Vierte Ausführungsform>

[0126] In the third execution section, the pinion 430 and the rack 440 are used to move the cutting blade 410 in the vertical direction.

[0127] In a fourth embodiment, a connecting link mechanism 500 is used to move a cutting blade 559 in the vertical direction. The connecting link mechanism 500 comprises a first connecting link 510 and a second connecting link 520. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 25, a cutting blade 550 is supported by a support plate 501 via the connecting links 510 and 520 in order to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0128] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 25A, the cutting blade 550 is located below the lower surface L1 of the belt guide 250 (the pressing surface of the component feed belt) due to its weight before the leading edge of the belt reaches the blade tip 551 during loading. The blade tip 551 of the cutting blade 550 can easily enter between the carrier belt 71 and the cover belt 75. At this time, the cutting blade 550 is tilted. The lower surface 553 is not horizontal and is inclined towards the front.

[0129] As in Fig.As shown in Figure 25B, when the leading edge 70A of the component feed belt 70, which is being advanced, touches the lower surface 553 of the cutting blade 550, the cutting blade 550 is raised. Therefore, the protrusion of the cutting blade 550 from the lower surface L1 of the belt guide 250 (the pressing surface of the component feed belt) decreases. During normal operation after loading, it is less likely that the blade tip 551 of the cutting blade 550 will touch the electronic components W that are held in component holding sections 72 of the carrier belt 71. <Andere Ausführungsformen>

[0130] The technology disclosed in this document is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments may be included in the scope of technical protection.

[0131] To expose the electronic components from the carrier tape, a cutting method, comprising inserting the blade tip between the tapes and cutting a section of the cover tape, or a removal method, comprising inserting the blade tip between the tapes and removing a section of the cover tape from the carrier tape, can be used.

[0132] In the first to fourth embodiment sections, the present invention is applied to feeding devices that use the cutting method. However, the present invention can also be applied to feeding devices that use the removal method. In the removal method, the blade tip or a tip of another type of element is inserted between the strips to expose the components. Therefore, by adjusting the protrusion of a blade tip of a removal element using the method described in the embodiment sections, it is less likely that the blade tip of the element will touch the electronic components held in the component-holding sections 72 of the carrier strip 71. EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Surface Mount Device 70 component feed belt 71 Carrier tape 75 masking tape 80 Feed device (an example of “a belt feed device” of the claimed invention) 90 Drive unit 100 Automatic Charger 120 band guide 121 Guide bodies 150 exposure units 151 Support element 161 Cutting blade (an example of “a component exposure section” of the claimed invention) 163 Blade tip (an example of an “insertable section” of the claimed invention). 171 Rotary element 173 Cover 175 Arm

Claims

[1] Component feed device (80) for advancing components to a component feed position using a component feed belt (70), comprising a carrier belt (71) that holds the components at equal intervals and a cover belt (75) that is attached to an upper surface of the carrier belt (71), wherein the component feed device (80) comprises: a drive gear ring (95) configured to advance the component feed belt (70) to the component feed position; and a band guide (120), comprising: a guide body (121) comprising a pressing surface for pressing an upper surface of the component feed belt (70) to the component feed position; a component exposure section configured to expose the components in the component feed belt (70) which is advanced to the component feed position, wherein the component exposure section comprises an insertion section to be inserted between the carrier belt (71) and the cover belt (75); and an adaptation subsection which is designed to adapt a protrusion of the insertion subsection from the pressing surface. [2] Component feed device (80) according to claim 1, further comprising a loading toothed ring (101) configured to advance a leading edge of the component feed belt (70) to the drive toothed ring (95), wherein the adaptation section is configured to: Increasing the protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface during the loading of the component feed belt (70) to the component feed device (80) to which the component feed belt (70) is not loaded, and Reducing the amount of protrusion of the insert section from the pressing surface after loading. [3] Component feed device (80) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The tape guide (120) includes: the component exposure section that is fixed to the guide body (121); and a movable element which is movable with respect to the guide body (121), and the movable element comprises a pressing surface to press an upper surface of the component feed belt (70) on an upstream side with respect to the insertion part section of the component exposure part section, and is configured to adjust a protrusion of the insertion part section from the pressing surface of the movable element by moving the movable element with respect to the guide body (121). [4] Component feed device (80) according to claim 3, wherein the movable element moves in a direction to reduce the amount of protrusion when it is pressed by the leading edge of the component feed belt (70) which is moved towards the component feed position. [5] Component feed device (80) according to claim 4, wherein the movable element is a rotary element (171) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation in relation to the guide body (121). [6] Component feed device (80) according to claim 5, wherein: the component exposure section comprises a cutting blade (161) comprising a blade tip (163) which is to be inserted between the carrier strip (71) and the cover strip (75), the cutting blade (161) is designed to cut the cover strip (75) in order to expose the components at the component feed position, the rotating element (171) comprises: a cover (173) arranged on the upstream side with respect to the axis of rotation, which covers a section of the cutting blade (161) on the upstream side and includes a lower surface designed as a pressing surface to press the upper surface of the component feed belt (70), and two arms (175) which are arranged on a downstream side with respect to the axis of rotation and cover sides of the cutting blade (161), and the lower surface of the cover (173) lowers when the leading edge of the component feed belt (70) touches the arms (175), and the rotating element (171) rotates to reduce the protrusion of the cutting blade (161). [7] Component feed device (80) according to claim 6, wherein the axis of rotation of the rotary element (171) is located on the downstream side with respect to and above the blade tip (163).

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