Belt feeder

Abstract

A tape feeder comprises: a tape guide configured to guide a carrier tape in a predetermined feed direction, the carrier tape comprising a base tape with a cavity configured to receive a component, and a cover tape bonded to the base tape by two adhesive sections extending longitudinally along the tape and covering the cavity; a tape feed mechanism configured to feed the carrier tape along the tape guide in the feed direction and return the carrier tape in the reverse direction; a tape release mechanism configured to release a first side edge of the cover tape, together with one of the adhesive sections, from the base tape to open the cavity when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction;and a first passage arranged in the belt guide through which the detached first side edge of the cover strip is fed in the feed direction, and a second passage located below the first passage and having a passage width equal to or greater than the passage width of the first passage, through which the detached first side edge of the cover strip is returned in the reverse direction.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present description refers to a belt feeder that feeds a component using a carrier belt. State of the art

[0002] A technique for the mass production of printed circuit board products by processing boards on which a circuit pattern is formed is widely used. A typical example of a board processing machine for performing board processing is a component assembler, which mounts a component onto a board. Generally, the component assembler includes a tape feeder that feeds a component using a carrier tape. There are several models of tape feeders, and, for example, there is a model that includes a tape peel-off mechanism that peels off a first side edge of a cover tape from a base tape forming a carrier tape and feeds a component in a partially peeled-off state, with a second side edge of the cover tape remaining attached. A technical example of this type of tape feeder is disclosed in patent literature 1.

[0003] Patent literature 1 discloses an automatic feeder with a retrieval function section that detects whether the peeling process has started before a suction nozzle initiates a pickup operation after the front end of a carrier belt has been fed to a peeling blade, and which, if it is determined that the peeling process has not started, performs a retrieval operation in which the front end of the carrier belt is temporarily returned to a position in front of the peeling blade and the carrier belt is fed again. In this way, it can be quickly determined whether the peeling process has started. Citation list for patent literature

[0004] Patent literature 1: WO 2016 / 147339 Summary of the invention; Technical task

[0005] However, in the technical example in patent literature 1, the concern is that repeated feeding and retraction of the carrier tape during the retrieval process could cause damage such as creases, tears, and irregular sagging in the cover tape, hindering subsequent component feeding. This concern is not limited to the retrieval process, in which the front end of the carrier tape is detached, but can also occur during the use of the carrier tape. Furthermore, this concern is not only prevalent in models with automatic feeders, but also in models that feed components with the cover tape partially detached.

[0006] Therefore, one objective of the present description is to provide a belt feeder that is capable of reducing the load acting on the cover belt being returned in the reverse direction and reducing damage to the cover belt. Solution to the problem

[0007] The present description discloses a tape feeder comprising: a tape guide configured to guide a carrier tape in a predetermined feed direction, the carrier tape comprising a base tape with a cavity configured to receive a component, and a cover tape bonded to the base tape by two adhesive sections extending longitudinally along the tape and covering the cavity; a tape feed mechanism configured to feed the carrier tape along the tape guide in the feed direction and to return the carrier tape in the reverse direction; a tape release mechanism configured to release the first side edge of the cover tape, together with one of the adhesive sections, from the base tape to open the cavity when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction;and a first passage arranged in the belt guide through which the detached first side edge of the cover strip is fed in the feed direction, and a second passage located below the first passage and having a passage width equal to or greater than the passage width of the first passage, through which the detached first side edge of the cover strip is returned in the reverse direction.

[0008] Furthermore, the present description discloses a tape feeder comprising: a tape guide configured to guide a carrier tape in a predetermined feed direction, the carrier tape having a base tape provided with a cavity configured to receive a component, and a cover tape connected to the base tape by two adhesive sections extending in the longitudinal direction of the tape and covering the cavity; a tape feed mechanism configured to feed the carrier tape along the tape guide in the feed direction and return the carrier tape in the reverse direction; a tape release mechanism configured to peel the first side edge of the cover tape, together with one of the adhesive sections, from the base tape to open the cavity when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction;and a chamfered section arranged at an end section on a downstream side of the underside of a ceiling plate located on a forward side of the belt release mechanism in the feed direction and forming the belt guide, and extending in a width direction that intersects the feed direction.

[0009] The present description discloses a technical idea wherein “the tape feeder according to claim 2” in claim 4 of the originally filed version is amended to “the tape feeder according to claim 2 or 3”, a technical idea wherein “the tape feeder according to claim 5” in claim 8 of the original application is amended to “the tape feeder according to any one of claims 5 to 7”, and a technical idea wherein “the tape release device according to claim 5” in claim 10 of the original application is amended to “the tape release device according to any one of claims 5 to 8”. Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] In the disclosed belt feeder, which comprises the first and second passes, the second pass has a passage width that is equal to or greater than the passage width of the first pass. Therefore, the second pass can reduce the stress that occurs when the detached first side edge of the cover strip is retracted in the reverse direction, thereby reducing damage to the cover strip. Furthermore, in the disclosed belt feeder, which includes the chamfered section, the chamfered section causes the retracted cover strip to pass smoothly through it. Therefore, the chamfered section can reduce the stress acting on the cover strip, thereby reducing damage to the cover strip. Brief description of the characters Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a component assembler and a component assembly system to which a belt feeder of a first embodiment is applied. Fig. Figure 2 is a side view of the belt feeder of the first embodiment. Fig. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view in the bandwidth direction, showing a configuration of a carrier belt used by the belt feeder. Fig. Figure 4 is a top view that schematically represents a configuration of a belt guide and belt release mechanism and illustrates a release process. Fig. 5 is a top view showing only the carrier tape in Fig. 4 shows. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view that schematically shows a detailed configuration of a belt guide and a cover belt fed in a feed direction. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an XZ cross-section, which is defined by the in Fig. The notch area shown in Figure 6 runs in the Y-axis direction when viewed from a downstream side. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view that schematically shows a detailed configuration of the tape guide and the cover tape returned in the reverse direction. Fig. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the XZ cross-section, which is defined by the line shown in Fig. The notch section shown in Figure 8 runs in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the downstream side. Fig. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of a configuration of a comparison example in which no notch section is arranged and the carrier strip is returned in the reverse direction, seen from the downstream side in the Y-axis direction. Fig. Figure 11 is a perspective view that schematically shows a beveled section in the belt guide and a release blade in a second embodiment. Fig. Figure 12 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the cross-sectional shape of the chamfered section and its effect. Fig. Figure 13 is a side view in cross-section, which schematically shows a configuration of a comparative example without a chamfered section and with the support band returned in the reverse direction. Fig. Figure 14 is a side view in cross-section showing an effect when the cover tape is made from a Fig. The state shown in 13 is fed again in the feed direction. Fig. Figure 15 is a side view that schematically shows an overall configuration of a belt feeder of a third embodiment. Description of the embodiments 1. Configuration example for a component assembler 93 and a component assembly system 9

[0011] First, with reference to Fig. Figure 1 describes the component assembler 93, in which the belt feeder 1 of a first embodiment is used, and a configuration example of the component assembly system 9 including the component assembler 93. As shown in the upper left part of Fig. In Figure 1, the front, rear, left, and right sides of the component assembly system 9 are defined for simplicity. The component assembly system 9 comprises several board processing machines arranged in a left-right direction. That is, a solder paste printer 91, a print inspector 92, three component assemblers 93, a board visual inspector (not shown), and a reflow machine (not shown) are arranged side by side in a left-right direction. Each of the board processing machines performs predetermined operations on a board.

[0012] The three component assemblers 93 have the same design. The component assembler 93 comprises a component feed section 94, a spare storage section 95, a Fig. 1. A plate conveyor (not shown) and a component transfer device. The component feed section 94 is arranged at a substantially mid-height on the rear of a machine base 99, and several belt feeders 1 are removably arranged and equipped therein. The spare parts storage section 95 is arranged below the component feed section 94 on the rear of the machine base 99, and several belt feeders 1 for replacement are removably arranged and held therein. The plate conveyor transports the plate in, positions it, and transports it out. The component transfer device picks up the component from the belt feeder 1 of the component feed section 94 with a component assembly tool, for example, a suction nozzle, and mounts the component onto the plate.

[0013] The component assembly system 9 is equipped with a feed storage device 96, a management device 97, and a feeder exchange device 98. The feed storage device 96 is located next to the left side of the soldering printer 91 and at the same height as the component feed section 94 of the component assembler 93. Ready-to-use and used belt feeders 1 are also arranged and stored in the feed storage device 96. The management device 97 is located next to the left side of the feed storage device 96. The management device 97 controls the operating states of the several interconnected plate processing machines.

[0014] The feeder exchange device 98 transports and exchanges the belt feeder 1 at three locations from the component feed section 94, the spare storage section 95, and the feed supply device 96 of the component assembler 93. The feeder exchange device 98 comprises an exchange section 9C, which performs an exchange operation and receives the belt feeder 1, and a lifting and lowering drive section 9D, which raises and lowers the exchange section 9C. The feeder exchange device 98 moves along a central rail 9A and a lower rail 9B, which are arranged at the rear of each of the multiple panel processing machines and the feed supply device 96. 2. Overall configuration of the belt feeder 1 of the first embodiment

[0015] Next, with reference to Fig. 2. A complete configuration of the belt feeder 1 of the first embodiment is described. The direction is from a left side to a right side. Fig. 2 is a feed direction of the carrier belt 8, with the left side being a leading side and the right side a trailing side. The belt feeder 1 is designed to be thin in the width direction by attaching various elements, including a side plate, to the feeder main body 2. The belt feeder 1 comprises a feeder main body 2, a belt feed mechanism 3, a belt release mechanism 4, a belt guide 5, a feed control section 6, and the like.

[0016] The feeder 2 comprises a removable rail 21, a spool mounting frame 231, a mounting plate 232, an opening / closing plate 233, a belt conveyor path 24, and a locking mechanism 25. The removable rail 21 is located on the underside of the feeder 2 and serves for attachment to a component assembler 93. An upper positioning pin 221, a connector 222, and a lower positioning pin 223 are arranged in that order from the top to the bottom of a downstream end face of the feeder main body 2. The upper positioning pin 221 and the lower positioning pin 223 are inserted into positioning holes located on a main body side of the component assembler 93 to position the belt feeder 1. When the belt feeder 1 is positioned, the connector 222 is automatically adjusted to a receiving connector located in the component assembler 93.Accordingly, the belt feeder 1 is supplied with power, and the feeder control section 6 is connected to the main body side of the component assembler 93.

[0017] The coil holding frame 231 consists of several frame elements that form a large circular interior space essentially in the center of the feeder main body 2. The coil holding frame 231 rotatably holds the coil RL within this interior space. The mounting plate 232 is attached to a lower section of the coil holding frame 231. The distance between the mounting plate 232 and a side plate of the feeder main body 2 is slightly greater than the thickness of the coil RL. The mounting plate 232 prevents the held coil RL from becoming dislodged. An opening / closing plate 233 is mounted above the midpoint of the coil holding frame 231. The distance between the opening / closing plate 233 and the side plate of the feeder main body 2 is slightly greater than the thickness of the coil RL.Furthermore, the opening / closing plate 233 is opened and closed, while the support sections 234 are pivotally held at two positions on the front and rear of an upper section by the feeder main body 2. The spool RL can be replaced by the opening / closing plate 233. The carrier belt 8, which holds several components, is wound around the spool RL.

[0018] The conveyor belt 24 forms a movement passage for feeding the carrier belt 8 in a predetermined feeding direction. The conveyor belt 24 can, for example, be configured in a rectangular tubular shape using a base plate, two side plates, and a top plate, although a portion of the tubular shape may be omitted. The conveyor belt 24 extends obliquely upwards in a downstream direction, starting from a position near the spool RL, and extends substantially horizontally from the center in the downstream direction, with an upper section of the feeder main body 2 at a downstream end as its endpoint. A position near the endpoint of the conveyor belt 24 is a predetermined component feeding position 242.

[0019] The belt release mechanism 4 is located on an upstream side of the belt conveyor path 24 with respect to the component feed position 242. The belt conveyor path 24 guides the carrier belt 8, released from the spool RL, to the belt release mechanism 4 and guides at least the base belt 82 (described later) from the belt release mechanism 4 to the component feed position 242. The belt guide 5 is located near the belt release mechanism 4. The belt release mechanism 4 and the belt guide 5 will be described in detail later.

[0020] The locking mechanism 25 is arranged on an upper section of the feeder main body 2 on the upstream side. The locking mechanism 25 comprises a locking pin 251, a locking actuator 252, and a locking sensor 253. The locking pin 251 is a tubular element and is held by the feeder main body 2 so that it is vertically movable. In its normal state, the locking pin 251 is pushed upwards by a preload spring (the reference number of which is omitted), thus locking the belt feeder 251 and preventing it from disengaging from the component feed section 94. The locking actuator 252 is a Y-shaped element with a pivot point in the center.When the locking actuator 252 is driven to pivot, either automatically or manually, the locking pin 251 is driven downwards to release the locked state, thus enabling the belt feeder 1 to be removed from the component feed section 94. The locking sensor 253 detects the position of the locking pin 251, i.e., whether the locking pin 251 is in the locked state, and outputs the result to the feed control section 6.

[0021] The belt feeder 3 feeds the carrier belt 8 at a constant interval and delivers the components sequentially to the component supply position 242. The belt feeder 3 comprises a sprocket, a servo motor, a gear mechanism, and the like (none of which are shown). The sprocket is located below the belt conveyor 24 and is rotatably mounted on the feeder main body 2. The teeth of the sprocket protrude from a groove formed in the base plate of the belt conveyor 24 and engage in feed holes 84 (described later) in the carrier belt 8. The sprocket is driven by the servo motor and the gear mechanism and can be switched between forward and reverse rotation.

[0022] The feed control section 6 is arranged on a lower section of the feeder main body 2 on the upstream side, and its position is not restricted. The feed control section 6 is connected via a connector 222 to a control device on the main body side of the component assembler 93. The feed control section 6 controls the belt feed mechanism 3 and monitors the state of the locking mechanism 25. 3. Structure of the carrier tape 8

[0023] Next, with reference to Fig. Figure 3 describes a configuration of the carrier belt 8 used in the belt feeder 1 of the first embodiment. The carrier belt 8 comprises a cover belt 81 and a base belt 82. The base belt 82 is produced by forming several cavities 83 in a paper belt of substantially constant thickness and applying a thin film strip to one underside. Additionally, a large number of rectangular, perforated cavities 83 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the belt at a position closer to a first side edge in the belt direction with respect to the center of the base belt 82. A component 89 is housed in each of the cavities 83. A large number of feed holes 84 are arranged at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the belt at positions closer to a second side edge of the base belt 82.

[0024] A thin film masking tape 81 is detachably bonded to the top surface of the base tape 82. The masking tape 81 is made of a transparent film, allowing the component 89 within the cavity 83 to be inspected visually or with an optical camera. A first adhesive section 85, extending longitudinally along the tape, is positioned between the cavity 83 of the base tape 82 and the first side edge. A second adhesive section 86, also extending longitudinally along the tape, is positioned between the cavity 83 and the feed hole 84 of the base tape 82.

[0025] This means that the two adhesive sections (85 and 86) are arranged such that several cavities 83 lie between them. The two adhesive sections (85 and 86) removably bond two side edges of the masking tape 81 to the base tape 82. It should be noted that the two adhesive sections (85 and 86) are not limited to a linear shape, but can also be arranged intermittently, for example, as indicated by a dashed line. The masking tape 81 has a narrower width than the base tape 82 and covers the cavity 83, but not the feed hole 84. There are several types of carrier tapes 8 with different widths and thicknesses, and the carrier tapes 8 correspond to different sizes of the component 89.

[0026] There is an embossed carrier tape (not shown) that has a different structure than the paper carrier tape 8 described above. Similar to carrier tape 8, the embossed carrier tape comprises a cover tape and a base tape. However, the base tape of the embossed carrier tape undergoes an expansion process at regular intervals along the length of a plastic tape to create cavities. The embossed carrier tape is compatible with paper carrier tape 8. 4. Configurations of the belt guide 5 and the belt release mechanism 4 as well as release process

[0027] Next, the configurations of the belt guide 5 and the belt release mechanism 4, as well as a release process, will be described with reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 described. In the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is the masking tape 81, which forms the carrier tape 8, shown with diagonal hatching for simplicity. The two adhesive sections (85 and 86) and the component 89 are shown in black for simplicity.

[0028] The belt guide 5 is detachably attached to the main body 2 of the belt feeder. The belt guide 5 is part of the belt conveying path 24, which guides the carrier belt 8 in the specified feeding direction. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the belt guide 5 comprises a first ceiling plate 51, a second ceiling plate 54, a side plate 56, and a side plate 57. The side plate 56 and the side plate 57 are separate from each other and run parallel to the feed direction of the carrier belt 8. The side plate 56 and the side plate 57 can be located at least on the downstream side of the first ceiling plate 51 and extend further in the feed direction.

[0029] The first ceiling panel 51 and the second ceiling panel 54 are flat, plate-shaped elements and are arranged parallel to each other, while they are separated from the floor panel 455 (see Fig. 8) of the conveyor belt path 24 are separated. The distance between the base plate 455 and the first ceiling plate 51 or the second ceiling plate 54 is slightly greater than the thickness of the carrier belt 8. The carrier belt 8 moves within a movement passage defined by this distance. An upstream section of the first ceiling plate 51 occupies essentially the entire width of the feeder main body 2. A downstream section of the first ceiling plate 51 has a reduced width and is located closer to the first side plate 56. The first ceiling plate 51 is provided with cutout windows (52 and 53) that reveal the feed holes 84 of the carrier belt 8.

[0030] The first ceiling plate 51 is pre-tensioned downwards by a pre-tensioning spring (not shown) and presses the carrier belt 8 against the base plate 455. Accordingly, the teeth of the second sprocket 32 ​​are reliably engaged in the feed holes 84 of the carrier belt 8, and the relative height of the carrier belt 8 with respect to the belt release mechanism 4 is stabilized. The second ceiling plate 54 is positioned closer to the second side plate 57 on the downstream side with respect to the first ceiling plate 51. The second ceiling plate 54 is opened by notching a section corresponding to the component feed position 242. An opening section 55 extending in the feed direction is formed between the first ceiling plate 51 and the second ceiling plate 54.

[0031] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the tape release mechanism 4 comprises a release blade 41 and a tape refolding element 45. The release blade 41 is located closer to the second side plate 57 in the opening section 55, upstream of the second cover plate 54. The release blade 41 has a distal end section 42 and a blade edge 43. The distal end section 42 is located at an upstream end of the release blade 41 and is oriented towards the upstream side. Since the distal end section 42 is thin in the top-bottom direction, it can easily penetrate between the base adhesive tape 82 and the cover adhesive tape 81.

[0032] The blade edge 43 is positioned on one side of the distal end section 42 in the direction of the tape width and overlaps the first adhesive section 85 of the fed carrier tape 8, but does not overlap the second adhesive section 86. The blade edge 43 is designed to extend obliquely with respect to the feeding direction and is thin in the top-bottom direction so that the first adhesive section 85 can be easily removed. The height of the removal blade 41 is adjustable, and the heights of the distal end section 42 and the blade edge 43 with respect to the carrier tape 8 are optimized.

[0033] The tape folding element 45 is designed to engage with a downstream side of the release blade 41. The tape folding element 45 is positioned above and parallel to the second cover plate 54. The tape folding element 45 gradually widens in the downstream direction away from the release blade 41. The tape folding element 45 includes a side edge 46 for folding back the cover tape 81 to open the cavity 83 at a widened section. A downstream section of the tape folding element 45 occupies substantially the entire width of the feeder main body 2. The tape folding element 45 is opened by notching the section corresponding to the component feed position 242.

[0034] Next, the release process of the tape release mechanism 4 is described. When the carrier tape 8 is fed in, the tape release mechanism 4 releases the first lateral edge 87 of the cover tape 81, together with the first adhesive section 85, from the base tape 82 to open the cavity 83. Specifically, when the tape feed mechanism 3 is operating and the carrier tape 8 is fed in the feed direction, the leading end of the carrier tape 8 and the release blade 41 are facing each other. As the carrier tape 8 continues to be fed and its leading end reaches the release blade 41, the distal end section 42 initially penetrates between the base tape 82 and the cover tape 81. As the carrier tape 8 continues to be fed, the distal end section 42 moves forward relative to the base tape 82 and the cover tape 81.Furthermore, the blade edge 43 comes into oblique contact with the forward-moving adhesive section 85 in order to cut and open the adhesive section 85 and detach the masking tape 81 from the base tape 82. Accordingly, the masking tape 81 is fed in a downstream direction in a partially detached state, in which the first adhesive section 85 and the first side edge 87 are detached and the second adhesive sections 86 and a second side edge are bonded.

[0035] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the partially detached masking tape 81 passes the release blade 41. As the masking tape 81 is fed in a downstream direction, it rises along a side surface of the release blade 41 over the second adhesive section 86. Furthermore, the masking tape 81 is folded back along the side edge 46 of the tape refolding element 45 towards the first side plate 56. Afterwards, the masking tape 81 is located, as shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows the component 89 in a folded-back state, rotated 180° relative to the component feed position 242. Accordingly, the cavity 83 is opened, and the component 89 can be fed in. After the component 89 has been removed, the carrier tape 8 is fed in a downstream direction in a state in which the cover tape 81 adheres to the base tape 82 by means of the second adhesive section 86.

[0036] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the carrier belt 8, which has passed the component feed position 242, is bent downwards by essentially 90° at a downstream end of the belt conveyor path 24, discharged outwards, and conveyed into the interior of the component assembler 93. The component assembler 93 is equipped with a belt cutter and a collection container (not shown). The belt cutter operates at a predetermined time to cut the carrier belt 8. The cut carrier belt 8 falls towards the collection container. When the carrier belt 8 is bent, the folded cover belt 81 is strongly pressed towards the base belt 82 and acquires a bending tendency.

[0037] Here, it is assumed that the belt feeder 1 is removed from the component assembler 93 by the exchange process performed by the feeder exchange device 98. In this case, the outwardly conveyed carrier belt 8 is in an exposed state when the belt feeder 1 is removed while in operation. The exposed carrier belt 8 can obstruct the exchange process of the feeder exchange device 98. Therefore, when the belt feeder 1 is removed, the feeder control section 6 causes the belt feeder mechanism 3 to retract the carrier belt 8 in the opposite direction and store the carrier belt 8 in the belt feeder 1.

[0038] Another instance in which the carrier belt 8 is retracted in the reverse direction is when the detachment of the front end of the carrier belt 8 fails and a retraction operation is performed. Furthermore, it can happen that the belt feeder 1 temporarily stops due to a power failure or similar event, and the position of the carrier belt 8 in the feed direction, for example, the position of the front cavity 83 that accommodates the component 89, becomes unknown. In this case, the feed control section 6 retracts and feeds the carrier belt 8 and checks its position. 5. Detailed configuration and function of the belt guide 5

[0039] Next, the detailed configuration and function of the belt guide 5 will be described with reference to the Fig. Sections 6 to 9 describe the following. As shown, the belt guide 5 is provided with a first passage 71 and a second passage 72. More precisely, inwardly bent sections 58 are arranged on the side plates (56 and 57) of the belt guide 5. The inwardly bent section 58 is formed by bending the upper sections of the side plates (56 and 57) inwards in the direction of the passage width. The inwardly bent section 58 serves to increase the stiffness (mechanical strength) of the belt guide 5 or to stabilize the mounting position or fixing of the belt guide 5. The inwardly bent section 58 is located below the belt folding element 45 and runs parallel to it.

[0040] A notched section 59 is arranged at an intermediate position of the inwardly bent section 58 of the first side plate 56 in the feed direction. The notched section 59 is preferably notched over the entire length and width of the inwardly bent section 58. The first passage 71 is located above the inwardly bent section 58 and between the inwardly bent section 58 and the band-folding element 45. The first passage 71 serves as a movement passage when the detached first side edge 87 of the cover band 81 is fed in the feed direction.

[0041] The second passage 72 is located below the first passage 71 and below the inwardly bent section 58. The second passage 72 serves as a movement passage when the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 is retracted in the reverse direction. The notched section 59 allows the retracted cover strip 81 to move back from the underside to the top side and is incorporated into part of the second passage 72. Omitting the inwardly bent section 58 to enlarge the movement passage of the cover strip 81 is not permissible, as this would reduce the stiffness or fastening stability of the strip guide 5.

[0042] As in the Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, when the carrier belt 8 is fed in the feed direction, the first side edge 87 of the cover belt 81 is fed in the downstream direction from the upstream side through the first passage 71. In this case, the first side edge 87 is fed while being pressed against the underside of the belt's folding element 45 by the initial elasticity of the cover belt 81.

[0043] As described above, the cover strip 81 is bent at the downstream end of the conveyor belt 24 such that it acquires a bending tendency in which the first side edge 87 comes into contact with, or is close to, the base belt 82. Due to this bending tendency, the path of movement of the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 changes from the first pass 71 to the second pass 72 when the carrier belt 8 is retracted in the reverse direction. However, on the upstream side of the belt release mechanism 4, the detached cover strip 81 is returned in a state where it is in contact with the two adhesive sections (85 and 86) as it was before detachment.

[0044] As in the Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, when the carrier strip 8 is retracted in the reverse direction, the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 is released downwards by the effect of the bending tendency and slides down through the interior of the inwardly bent section 58 from the first passage 71 to the second passage 72. The first side edge 87 is then guided back through the second passage 72 from the downstream side to the notched section 59. Furthermore, the first side edge 87 is guided back through the notched section 59 from the underside to the top side in the upstream direction.

[0045] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the essential passage width of the first passage 71, through which the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 passes, corresponds to W1, which is the width of a folded section including the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81. Fig. In contrast, the essential passage width W2 of the second passage 72, through which the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 passes, corresponds to the width of the folded section including the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81. By providing the notched section 59, which is part of the second passage 72, the passage width W2 of the second passage 72 can enter the notched section 59. Therefore, the passage width W2 of the second passage 72 can be equal to or greater than the passage width W1 of the first passage 71.

[0046] In contrast, in a Fig. In the comparative example shown in Figure 10, where no notch section 59 is arranged, the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 is not guided back through the notch section 59 in the upstream direction. Therefore, the first side edge 87 is guided back through the interior of the inwardly bent section 58 by the second passage 72 on the downstream side. In the comparative example configuration, the essential passage width W3 of the movement passage through which the first side edge 87 of the cover strip 81 passes is restricted by an inner end of the inwardly bent section 58 and is therefore narrower than the passage width W2. Consequently, the cover strip 81 is subjected to excessive stress, which is compressed in the direction of the strip width, and creases X, irregular sagging, and the like may occur.According to the first embodiment, however, it is possible to reduce the tension exerted on the cover tape 81 by the tape guide 5 if the first side edge 87 is returned in the reverse direction, since the second passage 72 is not narrowed.

[0047] In the belt feeder 1 of the first embodiment, the second passage 72, which includes the notch section 59, has a passage width W2 that is equal to or greater than that of the first passage 71. Therefore, the second passage 72 can reduce the load emanating from the belt guide 5 when the detached first side edge 87 of the cover belt 81 is retracted. This suppresses damage to the cover belt 81, such as creases X and irregular sagging. Accordingly, it is possible to improve the reliability of the component feeding of the belt feeder 1 and contribute to high production efficiency of the component assembler 93. For example, belt feeding errors in the belt feeder 1 and component picking errors in the component assembler 93 are reduced, and the frequency of temporary production stoppages of the component assembler 93 is decreased. 6. Belt feeder 1 of the second embodiment

[0048] Next, the belt feeder 1 of a second embodiment is described with reference to the Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 described. As shown, in the second embodiment a chamfered section 5A is arranged on the first cover plate 51 of the belt guide 5. The chamfered section 5A is arranged on a downstream end section of the underside 5B of the first cover plate 51 and is located slightly upstream of the belt release mechanism 4 in the feed direction. Therefore, the chamfered section 5A faces the release blade 41 from the upstream side in the feed direction. The chamfered section 5A extends transversely in the feed direction.

[0049] The in Fig. The chamfered section 5A shown in Figure 12 is formed by an inclined plane surface that is inclined at approximately 45° with respect to the bottom surface 5B and the downstream end surface 5C of the first ceiling slab 51. The chamfered section 5A is not limited to this and can be formed by several inclined plane surfaces having different angles of inclination and being continuous. The chamfered section 5A can be formed by a smooth curved surface that includes part of a cylindrical surface.

[0050] Here, a gap 5D, through which the cover strip 81 can be passed, is formed between the first cover plate 51 and the release blade 41. The chamfered section 5A widens the gap 5D compared to the configuration of the comparison example, which does not have a chamfered section 5A, where the configuration in Fig. Figure 13 shows that the chamfered section 5A also relieves the edge of the first cover plate 51 on the downstream side to prevent the returned cover strip 81 from getting caught. That is, the chamfered section 5A is configured to facilitate the passage of the returned cover strip 81. Accordingly, the returned cover strip 81, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the material is smoothly returned from the top of the release blade 41 to the underside of the first cover plate 51. When the carrier belt 8 is subsequently fed again in the feed direction, the cover belt 81 is fed smoothly.

[0051] In contrast, in the Fig. In the configuration of the comparative example shown in Figure 13, in contrast to the second embodiment, the spatial area of ​​the first cover plate 51 on the downstream side is narrow, and there is a substantially right-angled edge on the downstream side of the first cover plate 51. Therefore, the returned cover strip 81 tends to remain close to the downstream end face 5C of the first cover plate 51. As a result, irregular loosening Y can occur in the cover strip 81. If subsequently, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 14, when the carrier belt 8 is fed back in the feed direction, there is an increased risk that the release blade 41 will penetrate the loosening Y of the cover belt 81. Therefore, the cover belt 81 is subjected to excessive stress by the release blade 41, and damage such as tearing can occur. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, the chamfered section 5A relaxes the edge while widening the gap 5D, and the cover belt 81, being fed back in the reverse direction, can pass through smoothly. Therefore, the chamfered section 5A can reduce the stress exerted on the cover belt 81 by the belt guide 5. As a result, damage such as loosening Y and tearing of the cover belt 81 is suppressed. 7. Overall configuration of the belt feeder 1A of the third embodiment

[0052] Next, the overall configuration of the belt feeder 1A of a third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15 described. As indicated by an arrow in the lower right corner. Fig. Figure 15 shows, for simplification, an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction in a horizontal plane and a Z-axis direction corresponding to a vertical direction are defined. The X-axis direction corresponds to the direction in which the plate is transported in a component assembler equipped with the belt feeder 1A. The Y-axis direction corresponds to the specified feeding direction in which the carrier belt 8 is fed. The direction from left to right in Fig.15 is the feed direction, the left side is the upstream side, and the right side is the downstream side. The overall configuration of the belt feeder 1A of the third embodiment differs from that of the first and second embodiments. The belt feeder 1A comprises a feeder main body 2A, a belt feed mechanism 3A (partially not shown), a belt release mechanism 4, a belt guide 5, a feed control section 6, and the like.

[0053] The feeder main body 2A is formed using a side plate long in the Y-direction as its main material. The width dimension of the feeder main body 2A in the X-direction is defined according to the width dimensions of several types of carrier belts 8. That is, there are several types of belt feeders 1A with different width dimensions. The feeder main body 2A comprises a removable rail 21, a spool holding section 236, and a belt conveying path 24. The removable rail 21 is located on a downstream side of a bottom surface of the feeder main body 2A and extends in the Y-axis direction. The removable rail 21 serves for attachment to the component assembler. The upper positioning pin 221, the connector 222, and the lower positioning pin 223 are arranged in that order from a top to a bottom surface of a downstream end surface of the feeder main body 2A.The upper positioning pin 221 and the lower positioning pin 223 are inserted into positioning holes located on a main body side of the component assembler to position the tape feeder 1A. When the tape feeder 1A is positioned, the connector 222 is automatically connected to a receiving connector located in the component assembler. Accordingly, the tape feeder 1A is energized, and the feeder control section 6 is connected to the main body side of the component assembler. The spool holder section 236 is located on an upstream lower section of the feeder main body 2. The spool holder section 236 holds the spool RL, around which the carrier tape 8 is wound, in a replaceable manner. The spool holder section 236 is formed by at least one retaining shaft 237 and an outer circumferential support section 238.The retaining shaft 237 is arranged such that it extends in the X-axis direction and rotatably holds a central hole of the coil RL. The outer circumferential mounting section 238 rotatably holds an outer circumferential edge of the coil RL.

[0054] The conveyor belt 24 forms a movement passage for feeding the carrier belt 8 in a predetermined feeding direction. The conveyor belt 24 can, for example, be configured in a rectangular tubular shape using a base plate, two side plates, and a top plate, and a portion of the tubular shape may be omitted. The conveyor belt 24 extends obliquely upwards in a downstream direction, with the inlet opening 241 near the spool holding section 23 serving as the starting point, extending substantially horizontally from the center in a downstream direction, and terminating at an upper section of the feeder main body 2 at a downstream end. A position near the endpoint of the conveyor belt 24 is a predetermined component feeding position 242.

[0055] The belt release mechanism 4 is arranged on an upstream side of the belt conveyor path 24 with respect to the component feed position 242. The belt conveyor path 24 guides the carrier belt 8, released from the spool RL, to the belt release mechanism 4 and guides at least the base belt 82 from the belt release mechanism 4 to the component feed position 242. The belt guide 5 is arranged close to the belt release mechanism 4. The belt release mechanism 4 and the belt guide 5 have the same configurations as in the first and second embodiments.

[0056] The belt feed mechanism 3A feeds the carrier belt 8 at a constant distance and successively delivers components 89 to the component feed position 242. The belt feed mechanism 3A comprises four sprockets, two groups of a servo motor, a gear mechanism (not shown), and the like. The first sprocket 31 is located slightly downstream of the component feed position 242 of the belt conveyor path 24 and is rotatably supported by the feeder main body 2. The second sprocket 32 ​​is located slightly upstream of the belt release mechanism 4 of the belt conveyor path 24 and is rotatably supported by the feeder main body 2. The teeth of the first sprocket 31 and the second sprocket 32 ​​protrude from a groove formed in the base plate of the belt conveyor path 24 and engage in feed holes 84 of the carrier belt 8.The first sprocket 31 and the second sprocket 32 ​​are driven synchronously by the front servo motor and the front gearbox mechanism and can be switched between forward and reverse rotation.

[0057] The third sprocket 33 and the fourth sprocket 34 are arranged below the conveyor belt 24, slightly downstream of the feed opening 241, and are rotatably mounted on the feeder main body 2. The teeth of the third sprocket 33 and the fourth sprocket 34 protrude from a groove formed in the base plate of the conveyor belt 24 and are fitted into feed holes 84 of the carrier belt 8. The third sprocket 33 and the fourth sprocket 34 are driven synchronously by the rear servo motor and the rear gear mechanism and can be switched between forward and reverse rotation.

[0058] During normal operation, the four sprockets rotate synchronously forward to transport the carrier belt 8 at a constant distance in the conveying direction. During the loading process at the start of use of the carrier belt 8, first the third sprocket 33 and the fourth sprocket 34 rotate forward, then the first sprocket 31 and the second sprocket 32 ​​rotate forward. The loading process means that the front end of the carrier belt 8 to be used is loaded into the component feed position 242 and the device is brought into an operational state. When the carrier belt 8 used in an operating stage is removed, the four sprockets rotate synchronously backward to feed the carrier belt 8 in the opposite direction to the feed direction. The number of sprockets can be three or fewer.

[0059] The feed control section 6 is located in the feeder main body 2A, and its position is not restricted. The feed control section 6 is a software-operated computer device. The feed control section 6 controls the front servo motor and the rear servo motor. The feed control section 6 is connected to a control section of the component assembler via connector 222 and receives a command. The feed control section 6 is connected to the belt detection sensor 61. The belt detection sensor 61 is located in an inclined section between the third sprocket 33 and the fourth sprocket 34 of the belt conveyor path 24 and detects the presence or absence of the carrier belt 8 to be fed. The feed control section 6 receives a detection signal from the belt detection sensor 61 and reflects the detection signal in the control of the feeding and return of the carrier belt 8.The number and positions of the tape detection sensors 61 may differ from those described above. In the tape feeder 1A, the carrier tape 8 can be fed from a spool RL, which is held in a separate spool holder, without the spool RL being held in the feeder main body 2.

[0060] In the third embodiment, the notched section 59 is arranged at an intermediate position of the inwardly bent section 58 of one of the side plates 56 of the belt guide 5 in the feed direction. Accordingly, the third embodiment achieves the same measures and effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the third embodiment, a chamfered section 5A is arranged on the first cover plate 51 of the belt guide 5. Accordingly, the third embodiment achieves the same effects as the second embodiment. That is, by providing the notched section 59 and the chamfered section 5A in the belt guide 5 of a belt feeder 1A, the effect of reducing damage to the cover belt 81 is ensured. 8. Application and modification of the embodiment

[0061] The configuration of the first embodiment can be understood as a belt feeder 1 comprising a feeder main body 2 with a belt feeding mechanism 3 and a belt release mechanism 4, as well as a belt guide 5 with a first passage 71, a second passage 72, an inwardly bent section 58, and a notched section 59, and which is detachably arranged in the feeder main body 2. The configuration of the second embodiment can be understood as a belt feeder 1 comprising a feeder main body 2 with a belt feeding mechanism 3 and a belt release mechanism 4, as well as a belt guide 5 with a first cover plate 51 and a chamfered section 5A, and which is detachably arranged in the feeder body 2.

[0062] Furthermore, the tape feeders (1, 1A) of the first to third embodiments act on the embossed carrier tape in the same way as on the paper carrier tape 8, and the same effects are achieved. The tape feeders (1, 1A) can also be an automatic loading feeder. By loading a second carrier tape 8 into a ready position while the first carrier tape 8 is in use, the automatic loading feeder can automatically begin using the second carrier tape 8 after the first carrier tape 8 has finished. Various other applications and modifications are possible for the first to third embodiments. List of reference symbols

[0063] 1, 1A: Belt feeder, 2, 2A: Feeder main body, 24: Belt conveyor path, 242: Component feed position, 3, 3A: Belt feed mechanism, 4: Belt release mechanism, 41: Release blade, 45: Belt refolding element, 455: Base plate, 5: Belt guide, 51: First top plate, 56, 57: Side plate, 58: Inwardly bent section, 59: Notched section, 5A: Beveled section, 5B: Underside, 5D: Gap, 6: Feed control section, 71: First pass, 72: Second pass, 8: Carrier belt, 81: Cover belt, 82: Base belt, 83: Cavity, 85, 86: Adhesive section, 87: First side edge, 89: Component, 93: Component assembler, W1, W2, W3: Passage width, X: fold, Y: irregular loosening QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] WO 2016 / 147339

[0004]

Claims

[1] A belt feeder comprising: a belt guide configured to guide a carrier belt in a predetermined feed direction, wherein the carrier belt comprises a base belt with a cavity configured to receive a component and a cover belt bonded to the base belt by two adhesive sections extending in the belt longitudinal direction and covering the cavity; a belt feed mechanism configured to feed the carrier belt in the feed direction along the belt guide and to return the carrier belt in the reverse direction; a tape release mechanism configured to release a first side edge of the release tape together with one of the adhesive sections from the base tape to open the cavity when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction; and a first passage, which is arranged in the belt guide and through which the detached first side edge of the cover belt is fed in the feed direction, and a second passage, which is located below the first passage and has a passage width that is equal to or greater than the passage width of the first passage, and through which the detached first side edge of the cover belt is returned in the reverse direction. [2] The belt feeder according to claim 1, wherein the first passage is located above an inwardly curved section in which an upper section of a side plate forming the belt guide is bent inwards in the direction of the passage width, and the second passage is located below the inwardly curved section. [3] The belt feeder according to claim 2, wherein the second passage comprises a notched section arranged in the inwardly bent section and enables the detached first side edge of the cover belt to be returned in the reverse direction by passing through the notched section from bottom to top. [4] The belt feeder according to claim 2, wherein the tape release mechanism includes a tape folding element that extends in the direction of the passage width and is configured to fold the released first side edge of the cover tape over a second side edge of the same, and the first passage is arranged between the inwardly bent section and the belt folding element. [5] A belt feeder comprising: a belt guide configured to guide a carrier belt in a predetermined feed direction, wherein the carrier belt comprises a base belt with a cavity configured to receive a component and a cover belt bonded to the base belt by two adhesive sections extending in the belt longitudinal direction and covering the cavity; a belt feed mechanism configured to feed the carrier belt in the feed direction along the belt guide and to return the carrier belt in the reverse direction; a tape release mechanism configured to release a first side edge of the release tape together with one of the adhesive sections from the base tape to open the cavity when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction; and a beveled section that is arranged at an end section on a downstream side of a bottom of a ceiling plate, which is located on a forward side of the belt release mechanism in the feed direction and forms the belt guide, and extends in a width direction that intersects the feed direction. [6] The belt feeder according to claim 5, wherein the belt release mechanism includes a release blade configured to penetrate one of the adhesive sections when the carrier belt is fed in the conveying direction, and the beveled section of the removal blade faces the feed direction from the upstream side. [7] The belt feeder according to claim 6, wherein the beveled section increases a spatial area through which the cover belt passes between the ceiling plate and the release blade, compared to a configuration that does not have a beveled section. [8] The belt feeder according to claim 5, wherein the ceiling plate presses the carrier belt against a base plate arranged below the belt guide. [9] The belt feeder according to claim 3, which further comprises: a feeder main body comprising the belt feed mechanism and the belt release mechanism; and the belt guide, which includes the first pass, the second pass, the inwardly curved section and the notched section and is detachably arranged in the feeder main body. [10] The belt feeder according to claim 5, which further comprises: a feeder main body comprising the belt feed mechanism and the belt release mechanism; and the belt guide, which includes the ceiling plate and the beveled section and is removablely arranged in the feeder main body. [11] The belt feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the belt feeder mechanism is configured to return the carrier belt fed from the belt feeder in the reverse direction in order to receive the carrier belt in the belt feeder when the belt feeder is removed from the component assembler.

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