Feed rate and feed rate management system

Abstract

A feeder comprises a feeder main body which includes a conveying path configured to convey and hold a carrier belt, a spool housing section provided in the feeder main body and configured to rotatably receive a belt spool around which the carrier belt is wound, a housing width change mechanism configured to change a spool housing width according to the spool width of the belt spool to receive the belt spool in the spool housing section, and an information update section configured to update feeder information in association with the feeder identification information to include the spool width changed by the housing width change mechanism or the spool housing width.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present description concerns a feed system and a feed management system. State of the art

[0002] A feed mechanism is known in the prior art, comprising a displacement mechanism that causes a tape spool, around which a carrier tape is wound, to move in the spool width direction (see, for example, patent reference 1). The feed mechanism comprises a feed body with a conveying path for feeding and holding the carrier tape, and a spool housing section provided in the feed body and configured to rotatably receive the tape spool. The displacement mechanism causes the spool housing section to move in the spool width direction relative to the feed body, thus causing the tape spool to move along with the spool housing section in the spool width direction. Therefore, the displacement mechanism makes it possible to change the spool width direction position of the spool housing section relative to the feed body and the tape spool received in the spool housing section.

[0003] If the spool housing width of the spool section is narrow in the feeder, then the same number of feeders as the number of slots on the feed table of a component assembly device can be placed. If, however, the spool housing width of the spool section is wide, the spool width orientation position of the spool section or the tape spool in each feeder is selected accordingly to allow a slot into which the feeder is inserted on the feed table of the component assembly device to be set at a suitable distance. This makes it possible to provide as many feeders as possible on the feed table. List of oppositions patent literature

[0004] Patent literature 1: Japanese patent no. 6437010 Summary of the invention: Technical problem

[0005] For example, there is an automated conveying system that automatically inserts and removes a feeder from a component assembly device, a transport device that automatically moves the feeder between a storage device and a component assembly device, and so on. In order to properly insert and remove the feeder in such an automated system according to the spool housing width of the feeder's spool housing section described above, the spool housing width of the spool housing section, a spool width direction position of the tape spool held in the spool housing section, a spool width, etc., must be linked to the feeder identification information for each feeder.However, in the feed described in patent literature 1, the feed information linked to the feed identification information is not updated to include information such as the coil housing width of the coil housing section, etc. For this reason, the handling of the feed is impaired, and the feed may no longer be compatible with the automatic system.

[0006] One objective of the present description is to provide a feeder capable of improving handling by linking a spool housing width of a spool housing section in which a tape spool is received and a spool width of the tape spool in the feeder with feeder identification information, and a feeder management system capable of appropriately controlling the insertion of the feeder into various slots. Problem solving

[0007] The present description discloses a feeder with a feeder main body comprising a conveying path that conveys and holds a carrier belt, a spool housing section provided in the feeder main body and configured to rotatably receive a belt spool around which the carrier belt is wound, a housing width change mechanism configured to change a spool housing width according to the spool width of the belt spool to receive the belt spool in the spool housing section, and an information update section configured to update feeder information in conjunction with the feeder identification information to information containing the spool width changed by the housing width change mechanism or the spool housing width.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to link the spool housing width of the spool housing section in which the tape spool is received and the spool width of the tape spool in the feed with the feed identification information, thereby improving the handling of the feed. Brief description of the drawings Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a feed table of a component assembly device in which a feed unit according to an embodiment is used. Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tape reel around which a carrier tape is wound. Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of the feed according to the embodiment. Fig. 4A and Fig. Figure 4B shows an example of a housing width change mechanism that changes a coil housing width in the feed according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 5 is a rear view of a narrow width state in which the coil housing width in the feed according to the embodiment is narrow. Fig. Figure 6 is a rear view of a wide-width state in which the coil housing width in the feed according to the embodiment is wide. Fig. Figure 7 is a configuration diagram of a feed management system that manages the feed according to the embodiment. Fig. 8A and Fig. Figure 8B shows an example of a method for measuring the coil housing width in the feed according to the embodiment. Fig. Figure 9 is a view that provides an example of the case width change mechanism which changes the coil case width in the feed according to a modified embodiment. Fig. 10 is a configuration diagram of the feed management system, which controls the feed rate of the components in the Fig. 9 modified embodiment shown. Fig. Figure 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the narrow-coil housing-width feeder is inserted into a slot to achieve the effect of the [unclear text]. Fig. to describe the feed rate of the modified embodiment shown in Figure 9. Fig. Figure 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the wide-coil housing feeder is inserted into a slot to achieve the effect of the Fig. to describe the feed rate of the modified embodiment shown in Figure 9. Description of embodiments

[0009] In the following, an embodiment of a feeder and a feeder management system according to the present disclosure is described with reference to the Fig. 1 to 12 described. 1. Configuration of the component assembly device for inserting the feeder

[0010] The feeder 20 according to the embodiment is a device that feeds a component to be mounted on a plate to the component feed position S. The feeder 60 is detachably integrated into a component assembly device 1. The component assembly device 1 is provided in a plate production line and picks up a component by suction force or grips it at the component feed position S in order to transfer the component to the plate.

[0011] The component assembly device 1 includes a feed table 10. The feed table 10 is a table on which several feed units 20 are placed. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the feed table 10 has slots 11. Slot 11 is a slotted section into which the feed unit 20 is detachably inserted. Slot 11 is shaped to support the feed unit 20 vertically. Several slots 11 are located side by side in the feed table 10. For example, the number of slots 11 in the feed table 10 is 20.

[0012] As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the feed table 10 has a clamping groove 12 into which the feed unit 20 is fitted, and a connector 13 to which the power and signal lines of the feed unit 20 are connected according to each slot 11. The feed table 10 also has a tape ejection port 14 for ejecting a residual strip of the carrier tape 2 (see Figure 1). Fig. 2), which contains components.

[0013] The feeder 20 can convey the carrier belt 2. The components that serve as feed targets for the feeder 20 are electronic components, such as transistors, diodes, and resistors, which form an electronic circuit. Examples of components are tiny components, for example, in size 0201 (0.2 mm × 0.1 mm), and large components, for example, capacitors. 2. Configuration of carrier tape and tape reel

[0014] The carrier belt 2 has an elongated shape. The width of the carrier belt 2 is typically, for example, 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, or 24 mm and is predetermined as a standard. The carrier belt 2 comprises a base belt with component-receiving sections arranged at predetermined intervals along its length for holding the components, and a cover belt that closes the dispensing opening of the base belt.

[0015] The component is held in the component-holding section when the cover tape is joined to the base tape, and when the cover tape is removed from the base tape, it is exposed and can be removed. The carrier tape 2 can be an embossed tape with the component-holding section of the base tape protruding downwards, or it can be a paper tape with a grooved component-holding section on its surface. The carrier tape 2 is wound around the tape spool 3.

[0016] The tape reel 3 has the shape of a disc. The tape reel 3 is made, for example, of resin or cardboard. The tape reel 3 has a retaining opening 3a and a flange section 3b. The retaining opening 3a is a through-hole that extends in the direction of the axis of rotation and is required to hold the tape reel 3 in the feed mechanism 20. The flange section 3b is a section that extends in a disc shape around the retaining opening 3a. The retaining opening 3a is located axially in the center of the flange section 3b and extends in a reel width direction (hereinafter referred to as reel width direction Y) that corresponds to the width direction Y of the carrier tape 2 wound around the tape reel 3.

[0017] The flange section pair 3b is spaced apart from each other in the coil width direction Y. The flange section pair 3b is arranged and shaped such that it sandwiches around the wound carrier strip 2. The flange section pair 3b is spaced apart in the coil width direction Y such that a gap is created which is equal to or greater than the width of the carrier strip 2 serving as the winding target. Typically, a reel 3 is used where the spacing of the flange section pair 3b in the coil width direction Y (i.e., the reel width) is specified as a standard (e.g., JIS standard); however, other reel spools can also be used. 3. Feed configuration

[0018] The feed 20, for example, is a cassette tape feed capable of accommodating the tape reel 3. As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the feed unit 20 comprises the feed unit main body 21, the spool housing section 30, the housing width changing mechanism 40, the belt guide 22, the belt conveying mechanism 23 and the cover belt ejection mechanism 24.

[0019] The feed main body 21 is a main body element comprising a frame section to which the spool housing section 30, the housing width changing mechanism 40, the belt guide 22, the belt conveying mechanism 23, and the cover belt ejection mechanism 24 are attached, as well as a mounting section that is attached to the slot 11 of the component assembly device 1. The feed main body 21 is designed in a flat shape that can be attached to and detached from the slot 11 of the component assembly device 1.

[0020] The feeder main body 21 has a conveying path that transports and holds the carrier belt 2. The conveying path is in contact with the lower surface of the carrier belt 2 and holds the carrier belt 2 from below. The conveying path runs along the belt conveying direction X and supports the carrier belt 2 at the upper ends of an upwardly pointing horizontal wall as well as at the walls on both sides that stand upright in the belt direction Y.

[0021] The spool housing section 30 is a section that rotatably receives the tape spool 3. The spool housing section 30 is provided in the feed main body 21. The spool housing section 30 forms a receiving space for the tape spool 3. The spool housing section 30 is configured to allow the tape spool 3 to be loaded detachably. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the coil housing section 30 has a coil bearing shaft 31 and a cover 32.

[0022] The spool bearing shaft 31 is a shaft section that rotatably supports the tape spool 3 on one side of the feed main body 21. The spool bearing shaft 31 is located on an inner surface of a side wall of the feed main body 21 on a side facing the spool width direction Y (e.g., the side wall on the left when the feed 20 moves in the tape conveying direction X from a leading to a trailing side). The spool bearing shaft 31 projects cylindrically from the inner surface of the side wall of the feed main body 21 on one side of the housing.

[0023] The cover 32 is a section that externally covers the tape reel 3, which is received in the reel housing section 30 and supported by the reel bearing shaft 31. The cover 32 is plate-shaped. The cover 32 is located on any side of the feed main body 21 in the reel width direction Y (e.g., the right side if the feed 20 points in the belt conveying direction X from the upstream side to the downstream side). That is, the cover 32 is located on a side of the side wall facing the side wall of the feed main body 21, which is provided with the reel bearing shaft 31, in the reel width direction Y across the housing space. The cover 32 covers at least a portion of a flange surface of the flange section 3b of the tape reel 3 (e.g., its lower part, as shown in the Fig. (3 shown) from the outer side in the coil width direction Y. The coil bearing shaft 31 can be provided on the rear surface of the cover 32.

[0024] The cover 32 can be opened and closed relative to the feed main body 21. The cover 32 can be switched between a closed state, in which the housing compartment is integrally sealed with the side wall of the feed main body 21, and an open state, in which the housing compartment opens away from the side wall of the feed main body 21. The cover 32 is opened and closed, for example, by rotating a hinge or by sliding along a rail relative to the feed main body 21. With the cover 32 open, the tape reel 3 is attached to and detached from the reel housing section 30.

[0025] The housing width-changing mechanism 40 changes the reel housing width to accommodate the tape reel 3 in the reel housing section 30. The reel housing width is the length of the housing space in the reel housing section 30 in the reel width direction Y, that is, a distance between the inner surface of the side wall of the feed main body 21 and the rear surface of the cover 32. The housing width-changing mechanism 40 moves the cover 32 of the reel housing section 30 in the reel width direction Y, which corresponds to the tape width direction Y, relative to the feed main body 21, in order to change the reel housing width.

[0026] The case width adjustment mechanism 40 can change the coil case width between a narrow width state, in which the coil case width is relatively narrow (see the Fig. 4A and the Fig. 5), and a wide-width state in which the coil housing width is relatively wide (see the Fig. 4B and the Fig. 6) change. The reel housing width in the narrow width state can correspond to the tape reel 3 of a general standard. In addition, the reel housing width in the wide width state can correspond to a tape reel 3 other than the standard, for example, the carton, or can be a width greater than the spacing of the slots 11 of the component mounting device 1 (but less than twice the spacing of the slots 11). The housing width changing mechanism 40 can change the reel housing width between the narrow width state and the wide width state in two stages, or it can change the reel housing width in several stages or linearly.

[0027] The housing width-changing mechanism 40 can be any mechanism that can move the cover 32 in the coil width direction Y with respect to the feed main body 21, for example, a connecting mechanism that joins the feed main body 21 and the cover 32. Furthermore, the housing width-changing mechanism 40 can be operated manually by a worker in the coil width direction Y with respect to the feed main body 21, or it can be driven by a motor to move the cover 32 in the coil width direction Y with respect to the feed main body 21.

[0028] The housing width adjustment mechanism 40 changes the reel housing width according to the reel width of the tape reel 3. The housing width adjustment mechanism 40 can automatically change the reel housing width according to the reel width of the tape reel 3 when the tape reel 3 is received in reel housing section 30, or manually change it according to the reel width of the tape reel 3 that is to be received in reel housing section 30.

[0029] The housing width-changing mechanism 40 can also include a guide section that guides the cover 32 during movement to ensure smooth movement of the cover 32. The housing width-changing mechanism 40 can also include a preload element, such as a spring, that biases the cover 32 towards the side of the feed body 21 to maintain the narrow width state in its normal state. Furthermore, the housing width-changing mechanism 40 can include a locking mechanism that locks the cover 32 in any position (e.g., in the narrow width or wide width state) relative to the feed body 21 in the coil width direction Y.

[0030] In a setup where the housing width adjustment mechanism 40 is, for example, a connecting mechanism, as in the Fig. 4A and Fig. As shown in Figure 4B, the housing width-changing mechanism 40 comprises a connecting piece 41, a slider 42, and a sliding joint 43. The connecting piece 41 is an elongated element with a first end section pivotally held by the feed main body 21 and a second end section pivotally held by the cover 32. The slider 42 is an element integrated into the cover 32. The sliding joint 43 is an element that slides along the rear surface of the cover 32, which is perpendicular to the coil width direction Y with respect to the slider 42. When the connecting piece 41 pivots in the housing width-changing mechanism 40, the cover 32 moves in the coil width direction Y, while the sliding joint 43 slides along the rear surface of the cover 32.

[0031] The belt guide 22 is a guiding element that guides the carrier belt 2 along the conveying path. The belt guide 22 is located above the conveying path of the carrier belt 2. The belt guide 22 is detachably mounted on the downstream side in the belt conveying direction X and on an upper side of the feeder main body 21. The belt guide 22 is designed to have a U-shaped cross-section in order to be able to bear against the upper surface and a side surface of the carrier belt 2. During conveying in the belt conveying direction X, the carrier belt 2 is guided in contact with the upper wall and a side wall of the belt guide 22. The belt guide 22 has a folding section that folds the cover strip removed from the carrier belt 2 to a side opposite the carrier belt 2.

[0032] The belt conveyor mechanism 23 is a mechanism that conveys the carrier belt 2. The belt conveyor mechanism 23 comprises a disc-shaped gear that rotates and conveys the carrier belt 2, and a drive motor, for example an electric motor, that generates the driving force for the rotation of the gear. The gear and the drive motor are located below the conveying path. When the drive motor is driven in a state where the engagement projection of the gear is inserted into a feed hole of the carrier belt 2, the carrier belt 2 is conveyed according to the drive motor's direction of rotation.

[0033] It is preferable that the gear of the belt conveyor mechanism 23 be arranged near a removal position of the cover belt or the component feed position S in the feed 20 to prevent positional deviation in the belt direction Y in the carrier belt 2. Furthermore, it is preferable that the drive motor rotates the gear not only in the direction in which the carrier belt 2 is advanced in the belt conveying direction X, but also in the opposite direction to the feed direction, for example, to adjust the position of the carrier belt 2 in the belt conveying direction X or to improve positioning accuracy.

[0034] The cover tape ejection mechanism 24 is a mechanism that ejects the cover tape, which has been pulled off the base tape of the carrier tape 2, outwards from the feed main housing 21. The cover tape ejection mechanism 24 lowers the cover tape, which has been pulled off the base tape in the belt conveying direction X upstream of the component feed position S of the feed 20 and folded back to pass above the conveying path, along a lateral surface of the feed main housing 21 in order to eject the cover tape. The cover tape ejection mechanism 24 includes a winding gear, a winding motor, or the like, which rotates synchronously with the conveying of the carrier tape 2 in the belt conveying direction X to eject the cover tape.

[0035] In the feed section 20, the carrier belt 2 is inserted into a belt inlet of the feed main housing 21 and carried by the conveyor path. It is adjusted so that the feed hole of the carrier belt 2 engages with the gear of the belt conveyor mechanism 23 on the belt outlet side. Subsequently, starting from the folding section on the upstream side of the component feed position S, the cover belt of the carrier belt 2 is completely pulled off the base belt in the belt conveying direction X and engaged with the winding drive along a predetermined ejection path.

[0036] As the gear rotates, the carrier belt 2 is advanced in the belt conveying direction X from the upstream side to the downstream side, and the cover belt is ejected to the outer side of the feed 20 while simultaneously being pulled off the base belt as the carrier belt 2 is conveyed. In this case, the component is exposed for removal in the component receiving section of the carrier belt 2. After exposure, the component reaches the component feed position S and is then held by a suction nozzle or similar device of the component assembly unit 1 to be transferred onto a plate.

[0037] The feed mechanism 20 also includes the control device 50 (see the Fig. 7, Fig. 8A and Fig. 8B). The control device 50 controls the operation of the feeder 20 and manages feed information for the feeder 20. The control device 50 is primarily configured by a microcomputer. The control device 50 is integrated into the feeder 20. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the control device 50 comprises an information update section 51 for updating the feed information and a width detection section 52 for detecting the spool width of the tape spool 3 or the spool housing width of the spool housing section 30.

[0038] The sensor 55 is connected to the control device 50. The sensor 55 is a section that outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the spool width of the tape spool 3 or the spool housing width of the spool housing section 30. More precisely, the sensor 55 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the spool width directional position of the cover 32 relative to the feed housing 21. As shown in the Fig. 8A and Fig. As shown in Figure 8B, the sensor 55 is attached and fixed to the feed main body 21 and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the separation or contact of the driver 59 integrated into the cover 32.

[0039] For example, sensor 55 outputs an ON signal when the coil housing width is in the narrow width state, as in the Fig. 8A is shown, and outputs an OFF signal when the coil housing width is in the wide width state, as shown in the Fig. Figure 8B shows the output signal of sensor 55, which is fed to the control device 50.

[0040] The sensor 55 can be a contact sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the coil width direction position of the cover 32 through contact with the driver 59, or it can be a non-contact sensor, such as a proximity sensor or a photoelectric sensor, that outputs a signal corresponding to the coil width direction position of the cover 32 through non-contact with the driver 59.

[0041] The width detection section 52 of the control device 50 detects the coil width direction position of the cover 32 in relation to the feed main body 21 using the output signal of the sensor 55 in order to detect the coil housing width of the coil housing section 30 and the coil width of the tape reel 3.

[0042] Once the width detection section 52 detects the reel housing width of the reel housing section 30 and the reel width of the tape reel 3, the control device 50 updates the feed information in the information update section 51. The feed information is associated with the unique identification information for each feed (hereinafter referred to as "feed identification information"), which is determined for each feed 20, and includes at least the reel housing width of the reel housing section 30 in the feed main body 21. The feed information may, for example, include a type and identification information of the tape reel 3 accommodated in the reel housing section 30, the reel width of the tape reel 3, a type and width of the carrier tape 2, and a type and identification information of the tape guide 22.

[0043] For example, if, in a case where the tape reel 3 held in the reel housing section 30 of the feed main body 21 is changed from a narrow-width to a wide-width tape reel, the information update section 51 links the reel housing width or the reel width detected by the width detection section 52 with the feed identification information to update the feed information. Detection by the width detection section 52 or the update by the information update section 51 can occur when the tape reel 3 is held in the reel housing section 30, can occur sequentially at regular intervals after being held, or can occur at the time of a sorting operation in an offline setup device. 4. Configuration of the feed management system for managing the feed

[0044] The control device 50 of the feeder 20 is connected to the feed management system 60. The feed management system 60 is a higher-level system positioned above the feeder 20. The feed management system 60 is a management device, such as the component assembly unit 1 with the feed table 10, on which several feeders 20 can be placed, or a host computer that manages the component assembly unit 1 and the feeder 20.

[0045] The control device 50 transmits the feed information updated by the information update section 51 to the feed management system 60. The transmission of the feed information from the control device 50 to the feed management system 60 can occur after the feed information has been updated, for example, at the time of the sorting process in the offline setup device.

[0046] The feed management system 60 comprises the memory section 61 and the control section 62. The feed management system 60 can receive the feed information transmitted by the control device 50 of the feed 20. In the event that the feed management system 60 receives the feed information, the memory section 61 stores the feed information after it has been updated by the information update section 51 of the feed 20.

[0047] After the feed information has been stored in memory section 61, control section 62 performs management and various controls with respect to the feed 20 based on the feed information. For example, control section 62 controls the insertion of the feed 20 into a slot of a device, such as a transport device that carries the feed 20 or a storage device in which the feed 20 is stored, including the insertion of the feed 20 into slot 11 of the component assembly device 1. In particular, the slot into which the feed 20 is inserted is changed according to the coil housing width contained in the feed information within a range that avoids interference with the feed 20 inserted in another slot. 5. Updating the feed information and the effects of the update

[0048] For example, if the component in the carrier belt 2, which is loaded into the feeder 20, is empty or the component is not used in the feeder 20, the tape spool 3 held in the spool housing section 30 is replaced with a new tape spool 3. The loading and unloading of the tape spool 3 in the feeder 20, as well as the placement of the tape spool 3 in the new feeder 20, are carried out by the operator, for example, in an offline setup area.

[0049] In a case where the spool width of the tape reel 3 received in the spool housing section 30 is relatively narrow, the spool housing width of the spool housing section 30 is in the narrow width state due to the movement of the cover 32 by the housing width change mechanism 40, either after or before the tape reel 3 is received in the spool housing section 30. In this case, the sensor 55 outputs the ON signal, the width detection section 52 detects the spool housing width in the narrow width state, and the information update section 51 links the spool housing width in the narrow width state with the feed identification information to update the feed information. The feed information is transmitted to the feed management system 60 and stored in the memory section 61.

[0050] If the reel width of the tape reel 3 held in reel housing section 30 is relatively wide, the reel housing width of reel housing section 30 is in the wide width state due to the movement of the cover 32 by the housing width change mechanism 40, either after or before the tape reel 3 is held in reel housing section 30. In this case, the sensor 55 outputs the OFF signal, the width detection section 52 detects the reel housing width in the wide width state, and the information update section 51 links the reel housing width in the wide width state with the feed identification information to update the feed information. The feed information is transmitted to the feed management system 60 and stored in the memory section 61.

[0051] After the feed information has been stored in memory section 61 as described above, the control area 62 of the feed management system 60 uses the feed information to control the insertion of the feed 20 into the slot (including slot 11 of component assembly device 1) of at least one component assembly device 1, transport device and storage device.

[0052] The spacing between the slots of the component assembly device 1, the transport device, and the storage device is preferably minimal, allowing a large number of feeders 20 to be efficiently arranged. If the slot spacing is minimal, it is possible to arrange a large number of feeders in a limited space, thus saving space when mounting the feeder 20 on the device.

[0053] When the feeder 20 receives the tape reel 3 with a narrow reel width in the reel housing section 30, the reel housing width of the reel housing section 30 is in the narrow width state. In this case, it is possible to insert feeders 20 with the reel housing width in the narrow width state one after the other into several adjacent slots in the feed table 10 or the like. Conversely, when the feeder 20 receives the tape reel 3 with a wide reel width in the reel housing section 30, the reel housing width of the reel housing section 30 is in the wide width state. In this case, it is not possible to insert feeders 20 with the reel housing width in the wide width state one after the other into several adjacent slots in the feed table 10 or the like, and the feeders 20 can only be inserted into every second slot of these multiple slots.

[0054] For example, control section 62 controls the insertion of the feeder 20 from the offline setup device into the slot of the transport device and the insertion of the feeder 20 from the transport device into slot 11 of the component assembly device 1, based on the feeder information stored in memory section 61. In particular, the slot into which the feeder 20 is inserted is changed according to the coil housing width contained in the feeder information within a range in which interference with the feeder 20 inserted in another slot is avoided.

[0055] For example, if the feed information stored in memory section 61 for the target feed 20 contains information about the coil housing width in the narrow width state, the insertion control of the feed 20 is such that insertion into any slot (but limited to an empty slot) among the multiple slots is permitted. Conversely, if, for example, the feed information stored in memory section 61 for the target feed 20 contains information about the coil housing width in the wide width state, the insertion control of the feed 20 is such that two of the multiple empty slots are consecutive, and insertion into one of the two consecutive empty slots is permitted.

[0056] The empty slot of the two consecutive empty slots into which the feeder 20 may be inserted is a slot located on the opposite side in the coil width direction Y from where the cover 32 is present in the feeder 20 of the two empty slots. In this case, the remaining empty slot is also a slot into which the feeder 20 may not be inserted. This prevents interference between the feeders 20 to be inserted into adjacent slots.

[0057] If, after the feed information has been updated, tape reel 3 continues to be removed from the reel housing section 30 of the feeder 20, the information update section 51 separates the reel housing width information from the feeder identification information in order to delete and update the feed information. The deletion and update of the feed information can occur either after the tape reel 3 has actually been removed from the reel housing section 30, or after the feed management system 60, or a similar system, has determined that the tape reel 3 held in the reel housing section 30 is not being used in the feeder 20.

[0058] In a case where the information update section 51 of the feeder 20 deletes and updates the feed information as described above, the feed management system 60 deletes the feed information of the feeder 20 stored in the memory section 61. In particular, the information on the coil housing width in conjunction with the feed identification information of the feeder 20 is deleted.

[0059] As described above, in the present embodiment, when the tape reel 3 is received in the reel housing section 30 of the feeder 20, the reel housing width information of the reel housing section 30 can be linked with the feeder identification information of the feeder 20 to update the feeder information. The updated feeder information can be transmitted to the feeder management system 60 and stored in the memory section 61. Once the feeder information relating to the feeder 20 has been stored in the memory section 61, it is possible to control the insertion of the feeders 20 into the slots of various devices based on the reel housing width in conjunction with the feeder identification information in the feeder information.

[0060] With this configuration, it is possible to insert the feeders 20 into these slots within an area where there is no obstruction between the feeders 20 according to the coil housing width, using a slot layout in which a large number of feeders 20 can be arranged in various devices, including the component assembly device 1 with slots 11.

[0061] Even in a case where the carrier tapes 2 of the same type and width are not wound onto a tape spool 3 within the standard, but onto a tape spool 3 made of, for example, cardboard with a wider spool width than the standard, it is possible to accommodate the wider tape spool 3 in the spool housing section 30 of the feeder 20 and to insert the feeder 20 accommodating the wider tape spool 3 into an optimal slot.

[0062] Furthermore, in a case where the carrier tape 2 is wound onto the tape reel 3 in the narrow width state - unlike in a case where the carrier tape 2 is wound onto the tape reel 3 in the wide width state - it is possible to avoid limiting the number of feed units 20 that are able to be mounted on different devices and thus reduce the influence on the number of feed units 20 to be mounted.

[0063] In a case where the tape reel 3 continues to be removed from the reel housing section 30 of the feeder 20, the feeder information is deleted and updated. This makes it possible to link the reel housing width with the feeder identification information only for the necessary period. Since unnecessarily maintaining the link over a longer period can be avoided, it is largely possible to prevent incorrect insertion of feeders 20 into the slots of different devices. 6. Modified embodiment

[0064] In the embodiment described above, the driver 59 is integrally formed on the cover 32 of the spool housing section 30 of the feeder 20. The sensor 55 is caused to output the electrical signal corresponding to the opening or closing of the driver 59, and the width detection section 52 detects the spool width orientation of the cover 32 relative to the feeder main body 21 in order to determine the spool housing width of the spool housing section 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. Using image processing with a camera, the spool width orientation of the cover 32 relative to the feeder main body 21 can be detected to determine the spool housing width of the spool housing 30, or the spool width of the tape spool 3 can be detected when the tape spool 3 is received in the spool housing section 30.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the coil housing section 30 of the feeder 20 comprises the cover 32, which is arranged on a first side of the feeder main body 21 in the coil width direction Y. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. As in the Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the coil housing 30 can comprise a cover 32 and a cover 33 paired with this cover 32, which is arranged in the coil width direction Y on a second side of the feed main body 21.

[0066] In the modified embodiment, as in the Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the housing width-changing mechanism 40 moves the cover 32 and the cover 33 in the coil width direction Y with respect to the feed main body 21 to change the coil housing width of the coil housing 30. In this modified embodiment, the coil housing width of the coil housing 30 can be changed to a narrowest state at narrowest width, to a widest state at greatest width, and to an intermediate state between the narrowest and widest states. The intermediate state has two patterns: a first pattern when a receiving space is located on the right side of the feed main body 21, and a second pattern when the receiving space is located on the left side of the feed main body 21.

[0067] As in the Fig. Figure 10 shows that the sensor 55, which outputs a signal according to the coil width direction position of the cover 32, and the sensor 56, which outputs a signal according to the coil width direction position of the cover 33, are also provided as sensors. The control device 50 comprises an information update section 51 and a cover position detection section 53, which detects the coil width direction position of each of the covers 32 and 33 with respect to the feed main body 21. When the cover position detection section 53 detects the coil width direction position of each of the covers 32 and 33 with respect to the feed main body 21, the distance between the coil width direction positions of both covers 32 and 33 can be calculated as the coil housing width of the coil housing section 30.

[0068] The information update section 51 links the feed identification information with the coil width direction position of cover 32, the coil width direction position of cover 33, and the coil housing width of coil housing section 30, which are detected by the cover position detection section 53. The feed information is transmitted to the feed management system 60 and stored in the memory section 61. The control section 62 of the feed management system 60 controls the insertion of feeds 20 into the slots of various fixtures, including the component assembly device 1, based on the feed information, including the coil width direction position of cover 32, the coil width direction position of cover 33, and the coil housing width of coil housing section 30.

[0069] For example, in a setup where the spacing of the slots 11 of the component mounting device 1 in the coil width direction Y corresponds to the distance P, the feeds 20 with the coil housing width in the narrowest width state can be inserted one after the other into two adjacent slots 11 (see the Fig. 11), and feed units 20 with the coil housing width in the widest width state cannot be inserted one after the other, there is a case in which feed units 20 with the coil housing width in the medium width state can be inserted into two adjacent slots 11 (see Fig. 12) In the following, the feed 20 with a coil housing width in the middle state and with the housing space positioned on the left side is referred to as the left-side feed 20L, and a feed 20 with a coil housing width in the middle state and the housing space positioned on the right side is referred to as the right-side feed 20R.

[0070] For example, as in the Fig.As shown in Figure 12, the right-hand feeder 20R can be inserted into slot 11 (second slot 11-2) on the right side next to slot 11 (first slot 11-1) in which the left-hand feeder 20L is inserted; slot 11 (third slot 11-3) on the right side next to second slot 11-2 is designated as an empty slot; the left-hand feeder 20L can be inserted into slot 11 (fourth slot 11-4) on the right side next to the empty third slot 11-3; and the insertion designation is then repeated.

[0071] In this modified embodiment, the left-hand feeder 20L and the right-hand feeder 20L can be inserted successively into two adjacent slots 11 located in the coil width direction Y, while the slot 11 opposite these two slots 11 in the coil width direction Y is designated as an empty slot. That is, the feeder 20 with the coil housing width in the state of medium width can be inserted not only into every second slot of the slots 11 arranged in the coil width direction Y, but also into two adjacent slots 11 that follow one another below three slots 11 in the coil width direction Y.

[0072] Therefore, with the slot configuration in which a large number of feeders 20 can be arranged in various devices, including the component assembly device 1 with slots 11, it is possible to insert as many feeders 20 as possible into these slots 11 within an area in which there are no obstructions between the feeders 20 according to the coil housing width.

[0073] In the modified embodiment described above, the coil housing section 30 of the feeder 20 comprises two covers 32 and 33 arranged on both sides in the coil width direction Y, and the feeder 20 can be either the left-hand feeder 20L or the right-hand feeder 20R. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The feeder 20 in which the coil housing section 30 has a cover on a first side in the coil width direction Y, and the feeder 20 in which the coil housing section 30 has a cover on a second side in the coil width direction Y, can be used in combination as a feeder 20.

[0074] In the embodiment described above, the feed mechanism 20 is also a cassette-type tape feed mechanism. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this and can be applied to a tape feed mechanism other than the cassette-type tape feed mechanism, as long as the feed mechanism 20 can accommodate the tape reel 3.

[0075] It should be noted that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and modified embodiments mentioned above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the core of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the present disclosure not only discloses the technical idea specified by the citation relationship described in each claim as originally filed, but also discloses the technical idea in which the elements described in each claim are suitably combined. Reference symbol list

[0076] 1: Component assembly device, 2: Carrier belt, 3: Tape spool, 10: Feed table, 11: Slot, 20: Feed, 21: Feed main body, 30: Spool housing section, 31: Spool bearing shaft, 32, 33: Cover, 40: Housing width change mechanism, 50: Control device, 51: Information update section, 52: Width sensing section, 53: Cover position sensing section, 55, 56: Sensor, 59: Driver, 60: Feed management system, 61: Storage section, 62: Control section, S: Component feed 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] JP 6437010

[0004]

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