Component assembly machine and control method

Abstract

A component assembly setup comprises a reference section, a component feeder, and an operation control section. The reference section is configured to obtain component identification information from an identification element for a component being fed to a pick-up position of the component feeder, which is configured to feed the component to be mounted on a plate. This information is contained within the component identification element, enabling the component to be identified. The component feeder is configured to send either a first completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pick-up position for a component identification information retrieval operation by the reference section, or a second completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pick-up position for a pick-up and hold operation.The process control section is configured to control the retrieval of component identification information by the reference section based on the first completion message and the process of retrieving the component based on the second completion message.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present description discloses a technique relating to a component assembly device and a control method. State of the art

[0002] A component assembly device described in patent literature 1 comprises a component feeder, a first determination section, a second determination section, and a time setting section. The component feeder sequentially feeds the components to be mounted on a plate. The first determination section determines the feed state by scanning the component before it is picked up at a collection position and ascertaining whether the component's feed state in the component feeder is suitable. The first determination section performs this determination for a first group of components, which is a predetermined quantity of components that is less than the number of components fed to the plate by the component feeder.The second determination section, based on the result of the determination by the first determination section, determines whether it is necessary to determine the feed state for a second component, which is the component fed by the component feeder after the first component has been fed. The time setting section defines an operation start time at which a holding element, which picks up and holds the component to mount it on the plate, starts a lowering operation to pick up the component for both the first and the second component. List of opposition patent literature

[0003] Patent literature 1:WO: 2020 / 039569 Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0004] However, the invention disclosed in patent literature 1 does not incorporate component identification information capable of identifying the component. For example, an operator or a production management system can track and identify the component fed by the component feeder using the component identification information. If the component assembly system obtains the component identification information of the component fed by the component feeder, it is necessary to control a process for obtaining the component identification information and a retrieval process for picking up and holding the component.

[0005] Against this background, the present description discloses a component assembly device and a control procedure capable of controlling a process of obtaining component identification information and a process of picking up a component. Problem solving

[0006] The present description discloses a component assembly device comprising a reference section, a component feeder, and a process control section. The reference section is configured to obtain component identification information from an identification element for a component being fed to a pick-up position of the component feeder, which is configured to feed the component to be mounted on a plate. This identification element contains the component identification information capable of identifying the component.The component feeder is configured to send either a first completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pickup position for a component identification information retrieval operation by the reference section, or a second completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pickup position for a pick-up and hold operation. The operation control section is configured to control the component identification information retrieval operation by the reference section based on the first completion message and the component pick-up operation based on the second completion message.

[0007] The present description further discloses a control method comprising a reference step, a reporting step, and an operation control step. The reference step includes obtaining component identification information from an identification element for a component being fed to a pick-up position of a component feeder configured to feed the component to be mounted on a plate. This identification element contains the component identification information capable of identifying the component. The reporting step includes transmitting either a first completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pick-up position for an operation of obtaining the component identification information by the reference step, or a second completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pick-up position for a pick-up and holding operation of the component.The process control section includes controlling the process of obtaining the component identification information through the reference step based on the first completion message and the process of picking up the component based on the second completion message.

[0008] The present description discloses a technical idea in which "The component assembly device according to claim 1" is amended in claim 5, which was described in the claims originally appended to the application (hereinafter referred to as the original claims), to "The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 4". Furthermore, the present description discloses a technical idea in which "The component assembly device according to claim 1" is amended in claim 6, which was described in the original claims, to "The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 5".

[0009] Furthermore, the present description discloses a technical idea in which "The component assembly device according to claim 1" is amended in claim 7, which was described in the original claims, to "The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 5". Furthermore, the present description discloses a technical idea in which "The component assembly device according to claim 1" is amended in claim 8, which was described in the original claims, to "The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 7". Furthermore, the present description discloses a technical idea in which "The component assembly device according to claim 1" is amended in claim 9, which was described in the original claims, to "The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 8". Advantageous effects of the invention

[0010] The component assembly device described above enables optimal control of the process of retrieving component identification information and the process of picking up the component. The preceding description of the component assembly device applies equally to the control procedure. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a top view showing a configuration example of a component assembly facility. Fig. Figure 2 is a side view showing a configuration example for a mounting head. Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram that shows an example of control blocks for a component assembly facility. Fig. Figure 4 is a flowchart that illustrates an example of a control operation performed by the component management device. Fig. Figure 5 is a top view showing an example of a carrier belt. Fig. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support band of the Fig. 5. Description of embodiments 1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration example for the component assembly device 10

[0011] The component assembly device 10 mounts the component 91 onto the plate 90. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the component assembly device 10 comprises a plate conveyor device 11, a component feed device 12, a component transfer device 13, a component camera 14, a plate camera 15 and a control device 16.

[0012] The plate conveyor 11 comprises, for example, a conveyor belt or the like and conveys the plate 90 in one conveying direction (X-axis direction). The plate 90 is a printed circuit board on which an electronic circuit, an electrical circuit, a magnetic circuit, and the like are formed. The plate conveyor 11 conveys the plate 90 into the component assembly device 10 and positions the plate 90 at a predetermined position in the component assembly device 10. After completion of an assembly process of the several components 91 by the component assembly device 10, the plate conveyor 11 conveys the plate 90 out of the component assembly device 10.

[0013] The component feeder 12 feeds the components 90 to be mounted on the plate 91. The component feeder 12 comprises several feed units 12a arranged along the conveying direction (X-axis direction) of the plate 90. Each of the multiple feed units 12a is equipped with a roller. The carrier belt 80, in which the components 91 are held, is wound around the roller. The feeder 12a advances the carrier belt 80 incrementally to feed the components 91 so that the component 91 can be picked up at the pickup position PP1 located at the distal end of the feeder 12a. The component feeder 12 can also feed an electronic component (e.g., a lead-containing component or the like) that is relatively larger than chip components or the like when placed on a tray.

[0014] The component transfer device 13 comprises the head drive device 13a and the traversing table 13b. The head drive device 13a is configured to move the traversing table 13b by means of a linear motion mechanism in the X-axis direction and in the Y-axis direction (a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction on a horizontal plane). The mounting head 20 is removable (interchangeable) on the traversing table 13b by means of a clamping element. The mounting head 20 picks up the component 91 fed by the component feed device 12 using at least one holding element 30 and mounts the component 91 onto the plate 90 positioned by the plate conveyor device 11. A suction nozzle, a chuck, or similar device can be used as a holding element 30, for example.

[0015] Known imaging devices can be used as the component camera 14 and the plate camera 15. The component camera 14 is fixed to the base of the component assembly device 10 such that one optical axis is oriented upwards in the vertical direction (in a Z-axis direction orthogonal to the X- and Y-axis directions). The component camera 14 can image the component 91, held by the holding element 30, from below. The plate camera 15 is positioned on the traversing table 13b of the component transfer device 13 such that one optical axis is oriented downwards in the vertical direction (in the Z-axis direction). The plate camera 15 can capture an image of the plate 90 from above.

[0016] The plate camera 15 can also capture an image of component 91 from above at the pick-up position 91 of component PP1. The component camera 14 and the plate camera 15 capture images based on a control signal transmitted by the control device 16. The image data from the images captured by the component camera 14 and the plate camera 15 are transmitted to the control device 16.

[0017] The control device 16 comprises a computing device and a storage device, which are known, and is configured as a control circuit. Information, image data, and the like, output by various sensors provided in the component assembly device 10, are input into the control device 16. Based on a control program, a predefined assembly condition, and the like, the control device 16 transmits control signals to each device.

[0018] For example, the control device 16 instructs the plate camera 15 to capture an image of the plate 11 positioned by the plate conveyor device 90. The control device 16 performs image processing on the image captured by the plate camera 15 to determine the positioning status of the plate 90. Furthermore, the control device 16 instructs the holding element 30 to pick up and hold the component 91 fed by the component feeder device 12 and instructs the component camera 14 to capture an image of the component 91 held by the holding element 30. The control device 16 processes the image captured by the component camera 14 to determine the holding position of the component 91.

[0019] The control device 16 moves the holding element 30 to a position above a planned assembly position predefined by the control program or the like. Furthermore, the control device 16 corrects the planned assembly position based on the positioning state of the plate 90, the holding position of the component 91, etc., and determines the assembly position at which the component 91 is actually mounted. In addition to the position (an X-axis coordinate and a Y-axis coordinate), the planned assembly position and the assembly position also include a rotation angle.

[0020] The control device 16 corrects the target position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate) and the rotation angle of the holding element 30 according to the mounting position. The control device 16 lowers the holding element 30 at the corrected rotation angle at the corrected target position to mount the component 91 onto the board 90. The control device 16 performs the mounting process for multiple components 91 onto the board 90 by repeating the placement cycle described above. The total time, consisting of the time required for a predetermined number of placement cycles for the component 91 and the time required for loading and unloading the board 90, corresponds to one cycle time per board 90. 1-2. Configuration example for the mounting head 20

[0021] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the assembly head 20 comprises the main head body 21, which is clamped by the movable body 13b. The main head body 21 is equipped with a rotary head 23, so that the angle of rotation can be moved in predetermined angular increments by the R-axis motor 22. The rotary head 23 holds several (e.g., 24) tool shanks 24 at equal circumferential distances on a circle concentric with the R-axis, so that the tool shanks 24 are parallel to the Z-axis and the R-axis in the θ-axis direction (an up and down direction in the plane in the Fig. 2) are movable and rotatable about the θ-axis.

[0022] Each of the tool shanks 24 is biased upwards by the elastic force of a spring relative to the rotary head 23. This ensures that each tool shank 24 is in its normal state at one end, without any external force acting upon it. The holding element 30 is detachably attached to the lower end section of each tool shank 24. Positive or negative pressure air is supplied to the holding element 30 to pick up the component 91. The holding element 30 comprises a suction nozzle that picks up the component 91 using negative pressure air, a chuck that operates with positive or negative pressure air, and the like. When the holding element 30 is attached to each tool shank 24, it is additionally biased downwards by the elastic force of a spring located within the shank.

[0023] Each of the multiple holding elements 30 holds the component 91 by supplying air to an air channel of the holding element 30. The multiple holding elements 30 are then moved into predetermined angular positions around the R-axis (e.g., raising and lowering position of the tool shank 24) by rotating the rotary head 23 with the R-axis motor 22 driven. As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the assembly head 20 is equipped with a θ-axis motor 25 attached to the main head body 21. All tool shanks 24 are connected to an output shaft of the θ-axis motor 25, so that the rotational force can be transmitted via several gears. The tool shank 24 and the holding element 30 rotate together around the θ-axis by the operation of the θ-axis motor 25, whereby the angle of rotation and the speed are controlled.

[0024] Furthermore, the main body 21 is provided with an actuating element 26 that is movable in the Z-axis direction. The actuating element 26 is raised and lowered in the Z-axis direction by the ball screw mechanism 28, which is actuated by the drive of the Z-axis motor 27. The actuating element 26 is provided with a lever 29 that rests against the upper end section of the tool shank 24 and indicates the lifting and lowering position of several tool shanks 24. The lever 29 is lowered when the actuating element 26 moves downwards in the Z-axis direction. The lever 29 pushes the tool shank 24 downwards in the Z-axis direction against the elastic force of the spring of the tool shank 24 resting against the lever 29 in order to lower it.The tool shank 24, which rests against the lever 29, and the holding element 30, which is attached to the lower end of the tool shank 24, are raised and lowered together in the Z-axis direction by the drive of the Z-axis motor 27, and the position in the Z-axis direction, the speed of movement, etc. are controlled. 1-3. Example of a control system in connection with the acquisition of component identification information

[0025] For example, an operator or a production management device can track and identify component 91, fed by component feeder 12, using the component identification information. When component assembly device 10 retrieves the component identification information of component 10, fed by component feeder 12, it is necessary to control a process for retrieving the component identification information and a retrieval process for picking up and holding component 91. Therefore, component assembly device 10 includes the retrieval section 41, component feeder 12, and process control section 42. Component assembly device 10 may also include storage section 43.

[0026] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the component assembly device 10, according to the embodiment, comprises the reference section 41, the component feed device 12, the process control section 42, and the storage section 43. Furthermore, the component assembly device 10 performs the control as shown in the Fig. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 illustrates the process of obtaining the component identification information and the process of retrieving component 91. The reference section 41 performs the processing shown in step S13. The component feed device 12 performs the processing shown in step S11.

[0027] The process control section 42 performs the determination and processing described in steps S12, S14, and S15. The process control section 42 instructs the reference section 41 to perform the processing described in step S13. The storage section 43 performs the processing described in step S16. The items described in this description can be selected and applied accordingly. Furthermore, the items described in this description can be combined as appropriate. 1-3-1. Reference section 41

[0028] Reference section 41 obtains the component identification information from the identification element 70 for the component 91 supplied to the pickup position PP1 of the component feeder 12, which supplies the component 91 to be mounted on the plate 90 (step S13, shown in the Fig. 4) Reference section 41 can take various forms, as long as the component identification information can be obtained from the identification element 70.

[0029] The identification element 70 contains various types of information about component 91. For example, the identification element 70 can contain information about at least one of the component identification details, a type, a supplier, and a batch of component 91. The reference section 41 can identify the component 91 fed by the component feeding device 12 by obtaining the component identification information of component 91 from the identification element 70. Likewise, the reference section 41 can obtain the information described above about the component 91 fed by the component feeding device 12.

[0030] Any known identification element can be used as identification element 70. For example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code can be used as identification element 70. If identification element 70 is a one-dimensional or two-dimensional code, reference section 41 can obtain various types of information, such as component identification information, using a known code reader (a barcode reader capable of reading a barcode, an imaging device capable of reading a two-dimensional code, or similar). A wireless tag can also be used as identification element 70.If the identification element 70 is a wireless tag, the reference section 41 can obtain various types of information, such as component identification information, using a known wireless device capable of wirelessly communicating with the wireless tag.

[0031] The component feed device 12 according to the embodiment is the feeder 12a. The feeder 12a incrementally feeds the carrier belt 80, in which the components 91 are held, and positions the component 91 so that it can be picked up at a pick-up position PP1. As shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the carrier belt 80 according to the embodiment comprises, for example, a base belt 81, a cover belt 82 and a lower belt 83. The base belt 81 is a base section of the carrier belt 80 and is provided with several cavities 81a and several feed holes 81b.

[0032] Component 91 is received in each of the multiple cavities 81a. Several cavities 81a are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the carrier belt 80 on the central section of the base belt 81 in the lateral direction. When the carrier belt 80 is conveyed in the conveying direction (Y-axis direction in the Fig. In the component assembly device 10 shown in section 1), several feed holes 81b are used. Several feed holes 81b are provided at a predetermined spacing interval in the longitudinal direction of the carrier strip 80 on one end side of the base strip 81 in the lateral direction.

[0033] The cover strip 82 seals the cavity 81a of the base strip 81. The cover strip 82 is attached to the upper surfaces of both end sections of the base strip 81 in the width direction, for example by adhesive. The lower strip 83 is attached to the lower surface of the base strip 81, for example by adhesive, and prevents the component 91 received in the cavity 81a from falling out. The carrier strip 80 can be an embossed strip, a paper strip, or the like, in which the base strip 81 and the lower strip 83 are formed in one piece.

[0034] The identification element 70 can be attached at any point on the base belt 81. For example, the identification element 70 can be located between the feed holes 81b, which are capable of incrementally advancing the carrier belt 80, or between the cavities 81a in which the components 91 are received. In the case described in the Fig. In the carrier strip 80 shown in Figure 5, the identification element 70 is provided between the feed holes 81b. In this case, the reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from the identification element 70, from which the component identification information can be obtained during the stepwise feed of the carrier strip.

[0035] Specifically, in the case of the Fig. In the carrier belt 80 shown in Figure 5, the cavities 81a facing the feed holes 81b in the width direction and the cavities 81a facing the identification element 4 in the width direction are alternately provided in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, during the stepwise feed of the carrier belt 80, the two types of cavities 81a are alternately positioned at the pick-up position PP1. When the cavity 81a facing the identification element 70 is positioned at the pick-up position PP1, the reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from the identification element 70. When the cavity 81a facing the feed hole 81b is positioned at the pick-up position PP1, the reference section 41 cannot obtain the component identification information.In this way, the reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from the identification element 70, from which the component identification information can be obtained during the stepwise advancement of the carrier belt 80.

[0036] Reference section 41 can also obtain component identification information for each of a predefined number of identification elements 70. In the example above, reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from identification element 70 each time the cavity 81a facing identification element 70 is positioned at pick-up point PP1 a predefined number of times. If identification element 70 is located between cavities 81a, reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from identification element 70 each time during the stepwise advance of the carrier belt 80, when cavity 81a is positioned at pick-up point PP1. In this case as well, reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information for each of the predefined identification elements 70.

[0037] In the example above, the reference section 41 can obtain the component identification information from the identification element 70 each time the cavity 81a is positioned at the pickup point PP1 a predetermined number of times. In each of the embodiments described above, the reference section 41 can obtain different types of information, such as the component identification information, using the reading device described above. For example, the information in the Fig. The identification element 70 shown in Figure 5 is a two-dimensional code. The reference section 41 can, for example, obtain various types of information, such as component identification information, by reading the two-dimensional code using the plate camera 15. 1-3-2. Component feeding device 12

[0038] Once the cavity 81a is positioned at the pick-up position PP1 according to the stepwise advance of the carrier belt 80, the component assembly device 10 performs the pick-up operation of picking up and holding the component 91. As described above, the cases in which the component assembly device 10 performs the pick-up operation include both a case in which the reference unit 41 performs the operation of retrieving the component identification information and a case in which the reference unit 41 does not perform the operation of retrieving the component identification information. When performing the operation of retrieving the component identification information, the reference unit 41 must, for example, read the two-dimensional code using the plate camera 15. Therefore, the operation of retrieving the component identification information by the reference unit 41 takes place after the component 91 has reached the pick-up position PP1.

[0039] Even if the process of retrieving component identification information does not occur, the cycle time can increase if the pickup process only starts after component 91 has reached pickup position PP1. In this case, the component assembly device 10 can minimize the increase in cycle time by starting the pickup process when component 91 is expected to reach pickup position PP1. Therefore, the component feeding device 12 sends a first completion message or a second completion message (step S11, shown in the Fig. 4) The first completion message informs that component 91 has been supplied to pickup position PP1 via reference section 41 for the process of obtaining component identification information. The second completion message informs that component 91 has been supplied to pickup position PP1 for the pickup and holding process.

[0040] The first completion message is a notification that component 91 has reached pickup position PP1, and the second completion message is an expectation message that is transmitted when component 91 is expected to reach pickup position PP1. The expectation message is a notification sent after a predetermined time has elapsed since the feeder 12a began incrementally feeding the conveyor belt 80, which contains the components 91. The predetermined time is calculated, for example, by subtracting the time required for the notification from the time between the start and completion of the incremental feeding of the conveyor belt 80.The component assembly device 10 can be configured to specify in advance whether the completion message (first completion message) is to notify the feeder 12a that component 91 has reached the pickup position PP1, or the expectation message (second completion message) is to be transmitted when component 91 is expected to have reached the pickup position PP1.

[0041] For example, the feeder 12a comprises a gear, a drive that rotates the gear, and a position detector that detects the gear's rotational position. The gear feeds the carrier belt 80 incrementally. A positionable electric motor, such as a stepper motor or a servo motor, can be used as the drive. A encoder or similar device can be used as the position detector. For example, the component feeder 12 can use a reading from the position detector to recognize that component 91 has reached pick-up position PP1 and can transmit the completion message (first completion message) after component 91 has actually reached pick-up position PP1.

[0042] Furthermore, the component feeder 12 can detect the time at which component 91 has reached the pick-up position PP1, for example, based on a command to the drive device (number of pulses of the pulse signals transmitted to the stepper motor or a position command transmitted to the servo motor) and the detection value of the position detector (current position). Therefore, the component feeder 12 can transmit the expectation message (second completion message) before component 91 has reached the pick-up position PP1.

[0043] If it is estimated that the time required for component 91 to reach pick-up position PP1 is equal to or shorter than a predefined time, the component feeder 12 can determine that component 91 is expected to have reached pick-up position PP1. The predefined time can be set optionally, as long as the cycle time extension described above is suppressed. For example, the predefined time can be set to be equal to or shorter than the time required from the start of the lowering of the holding element 30 until the holding element 30 reaches component 91 and is ready to pick it up. 1-3-3. Process Control Section 42

[0044] The process control section 42 controls the process of obtaining the component identification information by the reference section 41 based on the first completion message and the process of picking up the component based on the second completion message. Specifically, in a case where the process of obtaining the component identification information is taking place, the process control section 42, when the first completion message (the completion message indicating that component 91 has reached pickup position PP1) is received by the component feeder 12 (if "Yes" is selected in step S12 in the Fig. (as shown), reference section 41, to carry out the process of retrieving the component identification information (step S13). Accordingly, reference section 41 can begin the process of retrieving the component identification information as soon as component 91 has reached pickup position PP1.

[0045] After the process of obtaining the component identification information has been completed, the operation control section 42 lowers the holding element 30, which is capable of picking up and holding component 91, and causes the holding element 30 to pick up component 91 (step S14). Specifically, the operation control section 42 controls the [unclear text] in the Fig. The Z-axis motor 27, as shown in Figure 2, moves the tool shank 24, which rests against the lever 29, and the holding element 30, which is attached to the lower end section of the tool shank 24, downwards in a vertical direction (Z-axis direction). When the holding element 30 reaches the component 91, the process control section 42 causes the holding element 30 to pick up the component 91.

[0046] In a case where the process of retrieving the component identification information does not occur when the second completion message (the expectation message transmitted when component 91 is expected to reach pickup position PP1) is received from component feeder 12 (No in step S12), operation control section 42 lowers the holding element 30 and causes it to pick up component 91 (step S15). Once the second completion message (expectation message) is received from component feeder 12, operation control section 42 can lower the holding element 30 and cause it to pick up component 91 as described above.Accordingly, the component assembly device 10 can begin lowering the holding element 30 when the component 91 is expected to reach the pick-up position PP1, and can suppress the increase in cycle time compared to a case where the lowering of the holding element 30 is only started after the component 91 has reached the pick-up position PP1.

[0047] As described above, the process of retrieving component identification information can occur at any given time, for example, at any predetermined number of identification elements 70. The time at which the process of retrieving component identification information takes place can be predetermined between the component feeder 12 and the control device 16. For example, the time at which the process of retrieving component identification information takes place can be included in the component feeder command transmitted from the control device 16 to the component feeder 12. 1-3-4. Memory section 43

[0048] The memory section 43 stores in the memory device 60, in relation to each other, the component identification information for component 91 obtained by the reference section 41 and the plate identification information, which is able to identify the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted (step S13, shown in the Fig. 3) The storage device 60 only needs to store the component identification information and the plate identification information in relation to each other, and a known storage device (database) can be used. The storage device 60 can also be formed in a data cloud. For example, according to the embodiment, the storage device 60 is provided in a storage device (database) of a management device that manages the component assembly device 10. Accordingly, the operator or a production management device can track and identify the component 12 fed by the component feeder 91.

[0049] Memory section 43 also stores the component identification information for component 91 obtained from reference section 41, the plate identification information capable of identifying the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted, and the mounting position information capable of specifying the mounting position on the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted, in memory device 60 in association with each other. If component 12, fed by component feeder device 91, is discarded without being mounted on plate 91, memory section 43 can store the component identification information for component 91 obtained from reference section 41 and the disposal information indicating that component 91 has been discarded in memory device 60 in association with each other.

[0050] The memory section 43 can also store component feeder device information in the memory device 60, which is capable of specifying the component assembly device 12 that fed the component 91, as well as component assembly device information, which specifies the component assembly device 10 that is equipped with the component feeder device 12 that fed the component 91, and the like. Furthermore, the memory section 43 can also store date and time information, which is capable of specifying the date and time of the feeding of the component 91, worker information, which is capable of specifying a worker who prepared the component feeder device 12, environmental information, which is capable of specifying the ambient temperature and humidity of a production plant when the component 91 is fed, and the like in the memory device 60.

[0051] As described above, the components 91 supplied by the component feeder 12 include component 91, whose component identification information was not obtained from reference section 41. Therefore, storage section 43 can supplement the component identification information of component 91, for which the component identification information was not obtained from reference section 41, based on the relative sequence of component 91 for which the component identification information was obtained from reference section 41, and store the supplemented component identification information in storage device 60.

[0052] For example, reference section 41 can be found in the Fig.The carrier strip 80 shown in Figure 5 can obtain the component identification information from the identification element 70 if the cavity 81a facing the identification element 70 is positioned at the pickup position PP1. However, if the cavity 81a facing the feed hole 81b is also positioned at the pickup position PP1, the reference section 41 cannot obtain the component identification information. In this case, the storage section 43 can supplement the component identification information for the component 91, which is held in the cavity 81a facing the feed hole 81b, based on the relative sequence of the component 91 held in the cavity 81a facing the identification unit 70.

[0053] For example, it is assumed that the component identification information for component 91, which is received in cavity 81a facing identification element 70 and referenced by reference section 41, is represented by the information AAA0001. The information AAA0001 comprises the symbolic part AAA and the numeric part 0001. The component identification information for component 91, which is received in cavity 81a at pick-up position PP1 adjacent to cavity 81a and whose component identification information was not referenced by reference section 41, can be represented, for example, by the information AAA00011.

[0054] The information AAA00011 comprises the symbolic part AAA, the numeric part 0001, and part 1 for the relative sequence. Part 1 for the relative sequence specifies a relative sequence (in this case, the first) for component 91, for which the component identification information is obtained from reference section 41 (in this case, component 91, for which the component identification information is represented by the information AAA0001). As described above, if the component feed device 12 is the feeder 12a, the relative sequence specifies a receiving sequence of component 91 in the carrier belt 80, starting with component 91, for which the component identification information is obtained from reference section 41.

[0055] The component identification information for component 91, which is positioned in cavity 81a at pick-up position PP1 next to cavity 81a and for which the component identification information is obtained by reference section 41, is represented by the information AAA00022. The information AAA0002 comprises the symbolic part AAA and the numeric part 0002. In the numeric part 0002, a 1 is added to the numeric part 0001 of the component identification information for component 91, which was previously obtained from reference section 41. As described above, if the component feed device 12 is the feeder 12a, the numeric part of the component identification information specifies the pick-up sequence of the components 91 in the carrier belt 80, whose component identification information was obtained from reference section 41.

[0056] Next, the component identification information for component 91, which is located in cavity 81a positioned at collective position PP1 and whose component identification information was not obtained from reference section 41, is represented by the information AAA00021. The information AAA00021 comprises the symbolic part AAA, the numeric part 0002, and part 1 for relative order. Part 1 for relative order specifies a relative order (in this case, the first) for component 91, for which the component identification information is obtained from reference section 91 (in this case, component 41, for which component identification information is represented by the information AAA0002). Memory section 43 can obtain the component identification information and supplement the component identification information for subsequent components 91 in the same manner.The AAA symbol section provides various types of information about component 91.

[0057] In this way, memory section 43 can store the component identification information for component 91 obtained from reference section 41, or the supplementary component identification information for component 91, and the plate identification information capable of identifying the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted, in memory device 60 in a corresponding arrangement. Memory section 43 can also store the component identification information for component 91 obtained from reference section 41, or the supplementary component identification information for component 91, the plate identification information capable of identifying the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted, and the mounting position information capable of specifying the mounting position on the plate 90 on which component 91 is mounted, in memory device 60 in a corresponding arrangement.

[0058] If the component 91 supplied by the component feed device 12 is disposed of without being mounted on the plate 90, the storage section 43 can store the component identification information for component 91 obtained by the reference section 41 or the supplementary component identification information for component 91 as well as the disposal information indicating the disposal of component 91 in the storage device 60 in relation to each other. 2. Other

[0059] The component assembly unit 10 can determine, based on the component identification information obtained from the reference section 41, whether the component 91 fed by the component feeder 12 is suitable. The component assembly unit 10 can also determine whether the feeding condition of the component 91 fed by the component feeder 12 is correct. For example, the component assembly unit 10 records the component 91 fed by the component feeder 12 with the plate camera 15. By performing image processing of the image data of the component 91 fed by the component feeder 12, the component assembly unit 10 can determine whether the feeding condition of the component 91 is correct. In these cases, the memory section 43 can store the feeding information, which indicates whether the component 91 is suitable and whether the feeding condition of the component 91 is correct, together with the component identification information, etc.Store in storage device 60. 3. Tax procedures

[0060] The preceding description regarding the component assembly device 10 applies equally to the control procedure. The control procedure comprises a reference step, a signaling step, and a process control step. The reference step corresponds to the control performed by the reference section 41. The signaling step corresponds to the control performed by the component feed device 12. The process control step corresponds to the control performed by the process control section 42. The control procedure may also include a storage step. The storage step corresponds to the control performed by the storage section 43. 4. Example of the effect

[0061] The component assembly device 10 enables optimal control of the process of obtaining the component identification information and the process of retrieving component 91. The above description regarding the component assembly device 10 applies equally to the control procedure. Reference symbol list

[0062] 10: Component assembly device, 12: Component feeding device, 12a: Feeder, 30: Holding element, 41: Reference section, 42: Process control section, 43: Storage section, 60: Storage device, 70: Identification element, 80: Carrier strip, 81a: Cavity, 81b: Feed hole, 90: Plate, 91: Component, PP1: Pickup position. 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 2020 / 039569

[0003]

Claims

[1] A component assembly facility comprising: a reference section configured to obtain component identification information from an identification element containing component identification information capable of identifying the component for a component being fed to a pick-up position of the component feeder configured to feed the component to be mounted on a plate; wherein the component feeding device is configured to transmit an initial completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pickup position for a component identification information retrieval operation by the reference section, or to transmit a second completion message indicating that the component has been fed to the pickup position for a component retrieval and holding operation; and a process control section configured to control the process of obtaining the component identification information by the reference section based on the first completion message and the process of picking up the component based on the second completion message. [2] The component assembly device according to claim 1, where the first completion notification is a completion notification stating that the component has reached the pickup position, and The second completion notification is an expectation notification that is transmitted when the component is expected to have reached the pickup position. [3] The component assembly device according to claim 2, wherein the component feed device is configured to determine that the component is likely to reach the pick-up position when it is estimated that the time required for the component to reach the pick-up position is equal to or less than a predetermined time. [4] The component assembly device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operation control section is configured, in a case where the part identification information retrieval operation occurs when the first completion message is received from the part feeder, to cause the reference section to perform the part identification information retrieval operation and to lower a holding element capable of picking up and holding the part, and to cause the holding element to pick up the part after the reference operation has occurred, and, in a case where the part identification information retrieval operation has not occurred when the second completion message is received from the part feeder, to lower the holding element and cause the holding element to pick up the part. [5] The component assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the identification element contains information about at least one of the component identification information, a type, a supplier and a batch of the component. [6] The component assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the identification element is a one-dimensional or a two-dimensional code. [7] The component assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the identification element is a wireless tag. [8] The component assembly device according to claim 1, further comprising: a memory section configured to store the component identification information for the component referenced by the reference section and the plate identification information, which are able to identify the plate on which the component is mounted and store it in a storage device in relation to each other. [9] The component assembly device according to claim 1, wherein the component feed device is a feeder configured to incrementally advance a carrier belt in which the components are held and to provide the component so that the component can be picked up at the pick-up position, and the identification element is provided between the feed holes that are capable of stepwise feeding the carrier belt, or between the cavities in which the components are received. [10] The component assembly device according to claim 9, wherein the identification element is provided between the feed holes and the reference section is configured to obtain the component identification information from the identification element, from which the component identification information can be obtained during the stepwise advancement of the carrier belt. [11] The component assembly device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the reference section is configured to obtain the component identification information for each of a predetermined number of identification elements. [12] A tax procedure, comprehensive: a reference step of obtaining for a component that is fed to a pick-up position of a component feeder configured to feed the component to be mounted on a plate, obtaining component identification information from an identification element that contains the component identification information capable of identifying the component; a notification step of transmitting a first completion message, indicating that the component has been supplied to the pickup position for an operation of retrieving the component identification information by the reference step, or a second completion message, indicating that the component has been supplied to the pickup position for a pickup operation of picking up and holding the component; and a process control step of controlling the process, the retrieval of the component identification information by the reference step based on the first completion message, and the process of retrieving the component based on the second completion message.

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