Tape cassette supply unit, component mounting system, and tape cassette supply method

Abstract

To provide a tape cassette supply unit capable of automatically transferring a tape cassette to a component mounting unit, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supply method.SOLUTION: A tape cassette supply unit 1H that supplies a storage cassette 22B storing a carrier tape CT to a component supply unit 1B of a component mounting unit 1T includes: a chuck unit 121 that holds the storage cassette 22B; and a chuck unit moving mechanism 122 that transfers the storage cassette 22B to the component supply unit 1B by moving the chuck unit 121 holding the storage cassette 22B. The chuck unit 121 holds a gripped block 45 provided to the storage cassette 22B by shortening the distance between a pair of gripping pins 133.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 45

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape cassette supplying device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supplying method that supply a tape cassette storing a roll of carrier tape to a component mounting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, component mounting devices that mount components on a substrate have been known, and tape feeders using carrier tapes are widely used as component supply units that supply components to the component mounting devices. The carrier tape is a tape material that contains components, and is transported and stored in a state where it is wound around a core of a reel that serves as a tape holder, and when used, it is pulled out from the reel and supplied to the tape feeder.

[0003] It has also been proposed to eliminate the tape holder such as the reel and transport, store and use the carrier tape in the form of a roll wound into a disk shape without a core (for example, Patent Document 1 below). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a roll is stored in a case-like storage device with a partial opening, and the storage device containing the roll can be set in a tape feeder. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2020 / 202737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a component mounting device that uses a carrier tape stored in a roll in a storage device (hereinafter referred to as a tape cassette) as described above, it is preferable that the tape cassette be automatically supplied to the component mounting device. However, there is no device that automatically transfers the tape cassette to the component mounting device in this way, and an operator is forced to transfer the tape cassette manually.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a tape cassette supplying device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supplying method that are capable of automatically transferring a tape cassette to a component mounting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tape cassette supplying device of the present invention is a tape cassette supplying device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to a component mounting device, and has a cassette stock section that stocks a plurality of tape cassettes lined up in the width direction of the tape cassette, a cassette moving means that moves the tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device, and a tape feeding section that holds the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds the leading end of the carrier tape to a tape feeder provided in the component mounting device.

[0008] The component mounting system of the present invention is a component mounting system comprising a component mounting device and a tape cassette supplying device which supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to the component mounting device, and further comprises a cassette stock section which stocks a plurality of tape cassettes arranged in the width direction of the tape cassette, a cassette moving means which moves the tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device, and a tape feeding section which holds the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds the leading end of the carrier tape to a tape feeder provided in the component mounting device.

[0009] The tape cassette supplying method of the present invention is a tape cassette supplying method using the component mounting system of the present invention described above, and includes a step of moving a tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device by the cassette moving means, and a step of feeding the carrier tape of the tape cassette to the tape feeder by the tape feeding section. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the tape cassette can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component supply unit of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape cassette provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a roll of carrier tape stored therein; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a carrier tape unrolled from a roll used in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view showing components of a component supply unit of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a front view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view of a frame included in the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a side view of a shutter provided in the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 17] 1A to 1G are cross-sectional views of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1A, 1B, and 1C are side views of a tape cassette showing how a roll of carrier tape is inserted into and removed from a storage cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 19] (a), (b), and (c) are front views of multiple types of tape cassettes with different width dimensions according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a tape cassette with the largest width dimension according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 21] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 23] FIG. 1 is a front view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 25] 1A and 1B are side views showing a floating mechanism provided in a tape cassette supplying device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 28] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 29] 1A, 1B, and 1C are side views showing a state in which a tape cassette supplying device included in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a component mounting device. [Diagram 30] FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 31] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 32] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 33] 1A and 1B are plan views showing a gripping pin of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 34] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a gripping pin of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 35] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a gripped block and a gripping pin that grips the gripped block provided on a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 36] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are perspective views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 39] 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 40] 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 41]1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 42] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape feed unit provided in a tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 43] 1A and 1B are front views of a tape feed section provided in a tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 44] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 45] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 46] 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are perspective views showing a procedure for supporting the leading end of a carrier tape pulled out from a tape cassette by a tape feed unit included in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 47] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 48] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 49] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 50] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 51] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 52] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 53] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 54] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 55] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 56] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 57] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 58] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 59] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 60] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 61] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 62] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 63] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 64] 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a component mounting system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting system 1 repeatedly performs a series of component mounting operations in which components BH are mounted on a board KB carried in from another device in an upstream process and the board is then carried out to another device in a downstream process, and includes a component mounting device 1T and a tape cassette supplying device 1H.

[0013] 2, component mounting device 1T is configured to include mounting device main body 1A and component supply unit 1B. Mounting device main body 1A includes base 11, board transport unit 12, mounting head 13, and head movement mechanism 14. Board transport unit 12 is made up of a conveyor mechanism, and transports board KB received from an upstream process device in a horizontal direction and positions it at a predetermined work position. In this embodiment, the transport direction of board KB in component mounting device 1T is defined as the X direction (horizontal direction), the up-down direction is defined as the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction is defined as the Y direction (front-back direction).

[0014] 2, the mounting head 13 is equipped with multiple nozzles 13N extending downward, and the lower end of each nozzle 13N can generate a vacuum suction force for adsorbing a component BH. The head moving mechanism 14 is formed of, for example, an XY table, and moves the mounting head 13 within the XY plane.

[0015] 2 and 3, the component supply unit 1B includes a cart 21, a tape cassette 22, and a tape feeder 23. The tape cassette 22 is capable of storing a roll RT of the carrier tape CT (hereinafter simply referred to as the roll RT) in which the carrier tape CT is wound into a disk shape without a core (see also FIG. 4). In other words, the tape cassette 22 handles the roll RT that is not wound on a reel.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 5 (Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of area AR in Fig. 4), the carrier tape CT is composed of a base tape BT and a top tape TT. A number of pockets PK that open upward are arranged in a row at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base tape BT on the base tape BT, and each pocket PK stores a component BH. The top tape TT is attached to the upper surface of the base tape BT, and seals the component BH in the pocket PK. A number of feed holes SH are arranged in a row at equal intervals in a position parallel to the row of pockets PK on the base tape BT.

[0017] 2 and 3, the base 11 is provided with a pair of carriage guide portions 11G extending rearward and disposed opposite each other in the X direction, and a pair of carriage holding portions 11H also extending rearward and disposed opposite each other in the X direction. The pair of carriage guide portions 11G are members that guide both left and right sides of the lower part of the carriage 21 when holding the carriage 21, and the pair of carriage holding portions 11H are members that lift up and hold both left and right sides of the carriage 21 that is close to the base 11 while being guided by the carriage guide portions 11G.

[0018] 6, a feeder base 31 is provided on the upper part of the dolly 21. A feeder mounting slot 31S for mounting the tape feeder 23 is provided on the upper surface of the feeder base 31 and extends in the Y direction.

[0019] Tape feeder 23 functions as a component supply unit that supplies components BH to mounting device main body 1A. Tape feeder 23 can be attached to feeder base 31 by sliding slide protrusion 23T (FIG. 6) provided on the underside into feeder attachment slot 31S of feeder base 31.

[0020] A plurality of feeder mounting slots 31S are provided in the feeder base 31 aligned in the X direction. Therefore, a plurality of tape feeders 23 can be mounted in the feeder base 31 aligned in the X direction.

[0021] 2, 3 and 6, the cart 21 is provided with a cassette mounting section 33 formed as a flat plate as a whole at the rear (left side in each of these figures) of a cart base 32 that is movable on a floor FL. As shown in Fig. 6, a pair of lower brackets 34 extending upward are provided facing each other in the X direction at the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction on the cart base 32. Both ends of a lower support bar 35 extending in the X direction are supported by the pair of lower brackets 34.

[0022] In Fig. 6, a pair of upper brackets 36 extending downward are provided facing each other in the X direction below the feeder base 31. Both ends of an upper support bar 37 extending in the X direction are supported by the pair of upper brackets 36. The upper support bar 37 extends above the lower support bar 35 and parallel to the lower support bar 35 (Fig. 6).

[0023] 4 and 7, the tape cassette 22 has a case-shaped storage section 41 and a shutter 42 serving as a regulating section provided within the storage section 41. The roll RT is stored in a vertical position within the storage section 41 of the tape cassette 22. Here, the "vertical position" refers to a position in which the central axis CJ of the disc-shaped roll RT is substantially horizontal.

[0024] In this embodiment, tape cassette 22 is used in two different usage patterns. In the first usage pattern, tape cassette 22 is used as a receiver for roll RT of carrier tape CT (current tape) currently being transported by tape feeder 23, and is mounted across carriage base 32 and cassette mounting section 33. Such a tape cassette 22 used as a receiver for roll RT of the current tape is hereinafter referred to as "receiving cassette 22A" (FIGS. 3 and 6).

[0025] The second mode of use of tape cassette 22 is as a storage device for storing a roll RT of carrier tape CT (refill tape) to be used when the current tape runs out, and is attached to cart base 32. Such a tape cassette 22 used as a storage device for a roll RT of refill tape will be referred to as "storage cassette 22B" hereinafter (FIGS. 3 and 6). In this way, receiving cassette 22A and storage cassette 22B are tape cassettes 22 having the same structure.

[0026] The tape feeder 23 pulls out the carrier tape CT from the roll RT of the receiving cassette 22A and supplies the components BH to the mounting head 13. Following the carrier tape CT, the tape feeder 23 pulls out the carrier tape CT from the roll RT of the storage cassette 22B and supplies the components BH to the mounting head 13.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tape feeder 23 is a so-called autoload feeder that detects when the leading end of the carrier tape CT is inserted from a tape inlet 23G (FIG. 3) provided at the rear end, transports the carrier tape CT forward, and supplies components BH to a predetermined component supply port 23K. At this time, the tape feeder 23 transports the carrier tape CT while drawing it out as a current tape from the roll RT in the receiving cassette 22A.

[0028] The leading end of a carrier tape CT (replenishment tape) pulled out from a roll RT in storage cassette 22B can be inserted into tape entrance 23G of tape feeder 23 even before the current tape runs out of components. Tape feeder 23 starts transporting the refill tape when it detects that the tail end of the current tape has passed a predetermined position in tape feeder 23. This allows multiple carrier tapes CT to be transported continuously without interruption, and components BH are supplied to component mounting device 1T without running out of components.

[0029] When component mounting device 1T performs a component mounting operation, first, board conveying unit 12 operates to carry in board KB from outside and position it at a predetermined work position. After board KB is positioned at the work position by board conveying unit 12, tape feeder 23 supplies components BH to component supply port 23K, and head moving mechanism 14 moves mounting head 13, and the two operations are linked to repeatedly perform a mounting turn.

[0030] In one mounting turn, the mounting head 13 performs a series of operations: it moves to a position above the tape feeder 23 and picks up a component BH with the nozzle 13N, then moves to a position above the board KB and mounts the component BH onto the board KB. Once all the components BH to be mounted on the board KB have been mounted by repeatedly executing the mounting turn, the board transport unit 12 operates and transports the board KB to a downstream process device. This completes the component mounting operation for one board KB.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the tape cassette 22 used as the receiving cassette 22A or the storage cassette 22B for the roll RT of the carrier tape CT and the procedure for mounting the tape cassette 22 on the dolly 21 will be described.

[0032] 7, 8 and 9, the tape cassette 22 has a storage section 41 and a shutter 42 as a regulating section provided within the storage section 41. The storage section 41 includes a U-shaped frame 43 and a pair of plate members (side plates 44) attached to both sides of the frame 43 in the width direction. The space surrounded by the U-shaped frame 43 and the pair of side plates 44 forms a storage space 41S for storing the roll RT. The opening of the U-shaped frame 43 faces forward, so that a front opening 41K as an opening is formed in front of the storage section 41.

[0033] Thus, in this embodiment, the storage section 41 has a U-shaped frame 43 surrounding the storage space 41S and a pair of side plates 44 (plate members) fixed to the frame 43 which cover the sides of the storage space 41S, and the storage section 41 is configured to have a front opening 41K in front opposite the outer peripheral surface of the roll body RT.

[0034] 7, 9, and 10, frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z arranged side by side in the width direction. As shown in Fig. 10 and 11, the upper side of frame 43 with the opening facing horizontally is frame upper part 43a, and the lower side is frame lower part 43b. Between frame upper part 43a and frame lower part 43b is an arc-shaped guide part 43c.

[0035] 7, 9 and 11, when the frame 43 is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 44, the upper frame portion 43a of the frame 43 is positioned facing the upper edge of the side plate 44, and the lower frame portion 43b of the frame 43 is positioned facing the lower edge of the side plate 44. As shown in Fig. 11, a shutter guide portion 43g that protrudes toward the center of the arc of the frame 43 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion 43c. A guide surface 43F that slopes upward toward the front is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the upper frame portion 43a.

[0036] 7 and 11, frame upper portion 43a is provided with, in this order from the front end, engagement groove 43M, gripped block 45 as a gripped portion, and lower support bar engagement portion 43P. Engagement groove 43M is provided facing the upper surface of frame upper portion 43a and opens forward. Gripped block 45 is made of a block-shaped member and is provided extending in the Y direction (a direction perpendicular to the width direction of tape cassette 22 and in the in-plane direction of roll RT stored in tape cassette 22).

[0037] 7 and 11, the frame lower portion 43b is provided with three pin insertion portions 43S aligned in the Y direction. An upper support bar engagement portion 43Q is provided in a region between the two front pin insertion portions 43S and the one rear pin insertion portion 43S among the three pin insertion portions 43S.

[0038] 6, three storage cassette holding pins 33P are arranged in a row in the Y direction on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33. These three storage cassette holding pins 33P constitute one cassette holding pin row 33L, and a plurality of cassette holding pin rows 33L are arranged in the X direction on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33.

[0039] 6, one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q is provided in front of each cassette holding pin row 33L and coaxially with that cassette holding pin row 33L. That is, on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33, multiple pin rows are provided aligned in the X direction, each pin row including three storing cassette holding pins 33P (cassette holding pin row 33L) and one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q aligned in a row.

[0040] The receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the dolly 21 with the storage cassette 22B upside down, i.e., upside down, as shown in Figures 3 and 12. When the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the dolly 21, as shown in Figure 12, the lower support bar engagement portion 43P is engaged with the lower support bar 35, the upper support bar engagement portion 43Q is engaged with the upper support bar 37, and the engagement groove 43M is engaged with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q. Thus, in this embodiment, one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q, the lower support bar 35, and the upper support bar 37 form a receiving cassette mounting portion 38 (receiving portion mounting portion) on which the receiving cassette 22A is mounted.

[0041] 11 and 12, the tape cassette 22 has a sub-mounting portion 43R constituted by an upper support bar engaging portion 43Q of a frame upper portion 43a and a frame lower portion 43b, and the tape cassette 22 is mounted on the component mounting device 1T as a receiving cassette 22A by mounting the sub-mounting portion 43R to the receiving cassette mounting portion 38. In this manner, the tape cassette 22 is mounted in the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 in a position in which it is upside down.

[0042] 13, the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the cart 21 (the cassette mounting section 33 of the component supply section 1B) in such a manner that three storage cassette holding pins 33P constituting one cassette holding pin row 33L are inserted into three pin insertion sections 43S provided on the frame lower section 43b. The storage cassette 22B mounted on the cart 21 is held in a vertical position with the front opening 41K facing forward.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B has a pin insertion section 43S that is an engaged section that can engage with the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P) provided in the component supply section 1B, and the storage cassette 22B is positioned and held by the storage cassette mounting section 39 consisting of the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P). That is, in this embodiment, the three storage cassette holding pins 33P (cassette holding pin row 33L) aligned in a row in the Y direction form the storage cassette mounting section 39 (storage device mounting section) on which the storage cassette 22B is mounted.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the tape cassette 22 has a main attachment portion 43U (attachment portion) constituted by the frame lower portion 43b (FIGS. 11 and 13), and the tape cassette 22 is mounted to the component mounting device 1T as the storage cassette 22B by mounting the main attachment portion 43U to the storage cassette mounting portion 39. As a result, the storage cassette 22B held in the storage cassette mounting portion 39 is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it, thereby preventing it from moving in the X direction (the direction in which it falls sideways).

[0045] 12 and 13, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A with the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A facing the storage cassette mounting section 39. The storage cassette mounting section 39 mounts the storage cassette 22B with the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B facing the receiving cassette 22A mounted in the receiving cassette mounting section 38. In this manner, the receiving cassette 22A and the storage cassette 22B are mounted on the carriage 21 with the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A facing the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B, so that it becomes possible to move the roll body RT stored in the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A.

[0046] Furthermore, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A at a lower position than the storage cassette 22B mounted in the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows the roll body RT to move smoothly from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, and prevents the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

[0047] Furthermore, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A in an inclined position that becomes lower the further it is from the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows the roll body RT to move smoothly from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, and prevents the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

[0048] 7, 14 and 15, the shutter 42 is provided in the storage space 41S of the storage section 41. As also shown in Fig. 16, the shutter 42 has a J-shape as a whole, and includes an arc-shaped slider section 51 and a shutter tip section 52 extending linearly from one end side of the slider section 51. An operating lever 53 is connected to the slider section 51, and extends toward the outside of the arc-shaped slider section 51 (the side away from the center), and is positioned so as to protrude toward the rear of the storage section 41.

[0049] 7, 8 and 9, a tape holding portion 54 is provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (the end of the shutter tip 52). The tape holding portion 54 is a plate-like portion extending in the extension direction of the shutter tip 52, and two tape locking projections 55 extend protrudingly from its tip as feed hole engagement portions. These two tape locking projections 55 are provided side by side in parallel in a plane perpendicular to the width direction of the storage section 41.

[0050] The outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped slider portion 51 of the shutter 42 is guided by the above-mentioned arc-shaped shutter guide portion 43g provided on the frame 43. When the operating lever 53 is operated, the shutter 42 is guided by the shutter guide portion 43g and slides within the inner region of the frame 43 in a rotational direction about an axis parallel to the X direction.

[0051] The shutter 42 takes a closed position (first position) where the shutter tip 52 extends in the up-down direction (Z direction) at the front of the storage space 41S to close the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 (FIG. 14). Also, the shutter tip 52 takes an open position (second position) where the shutter tip 52 opens the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 at the lower part of the storage space 41S to extend in the front-rear direction (Y direction) (FIG. 15). When the shutter 42 is in the closed position, the roll body RT in the storage space 41S cannot pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41, but when the shutter 42 is in the open position, the roll body RT in the storage space 41S can pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41.

[0052] 11, 14 and 15, an opening-side stopper surface 43T is formed at the front end of the frame lower portion 43b, and an abutment surface 52T, which is the end face of the shutter tip portion 52, is formed at the boundary between the slider portion 51 and the shutter tip portion 52 of the shutter 42 (FIG. 14). When the operating lever 53 is moved from the lower position to the upper position, the shutter 42 rotates clockwise in FIG. 14 (FIG. 14→FIG. 15), and is located at the closed position when the abutment surface 52T abuts against the opening-side stopper surface 43T (FIG. 15).

[0053] Figures 17(a) to 17(f) are cross sections (AA, BB, CC, DD, EE and FF cross sections) of various parts of the tape cassette 22 when the shutter 42 is in the closed position, and Figure 17(g) is a cross section (GG cross section) of part of the tape cassette 22 when the shutter 42 is in the open position.

[0054] 11 and 15, a closing side stopper surface 43K is formed at the upper end (rear end) of the frame lower portion 43b. When the operating lever 53 is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the shutter 42 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 15 (FIG. 15 → FIG. 14), and is located at the closing position when the operating lever 53 abuts against the closing side stopper surface 43K (FIG. 14). Thus, in this embodiment, the operating lever 53 is an operating part that performs an operation to displace the shutter 42 between the closing position (first position) and the opening position (second position).

[0055] When storing the roll RT in the tape cassette 22, with the shutter 42 in the open position, the roll RT is inserted through the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 (arrow M1 shown in FIG. 18(a)), and the operation lever 53 is moved downward (arrow N1 shown in FIG. 18(b)). This moves the shutter 42 from the open position to the closed position, the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 is closed by the shutter 42, and the roll RT is stored in the tape cassette 22 (FIG. 18(b)).

[0056] On the other hand, when removing the roll RT stored in the tape cassette 22, the operating lever 53 is moved upward (arrow N2 shown in FIG. 18(c)). This moves the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position, opening the front opening 41K of the storage section 41, making it possible to remove the roll RT from the storage section 41 (arrow M2 shown in FIG. 18(c)).

[0057] Thus, in this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 as a storage device is configured to include a storage section 41 having a storage space 41S for storing a roll RT and a front opening 41K at the front through which the roll RT can be inserted and removed, and a shutter 42 as a regulating section that displaces between a first position (closed position) that blocks at least a part of the front opening 41K to regulate the roll RT stored in the storage space 41S from moving through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41, and a second position (open position) that allows the roll RT stored in the storage space to move through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41. The shutter 42 is configured to include a shutter tip portion 52 that is located at the front opening 41K when the shutter 42 is displaced to the closed position, and a slider portion 51 that slides while being guided by a shutter guide portion 43g provided on the frame 43.

[0058] Incidentally, multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different width dimensions are required to accommodate different width dimensions of the roll body RT. As described above, the frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z (FIGS. 7 and 9). For this reason, by making one of the frame members 43Z have a thickness dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the roll body RT and making the other one commonly used regardless of differences in the width dimension of the roll body RT, it is possible to standardize the members and reduce the manufacturing costs of multiple types of tape cassettes 22. Figures 19(a), (b), and (c) show examples of multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different width dimensions.

[0059] Fig. 19(a) shows a configuration in which one of the two frame members 43Z is removed and a single frame member 43Z is used in common, and can accommodate a case in which the width dimension of the roll body RT (i.e., the carrier tape CT) is smaller than the case described above. Fig. 19(b) shows a configuration in which the width dimension of one of the two frame members 43Z is made larger, so that it can accommodate a case in which the width dimension of the roll body RT is larger than the case described above.

[0060] In Fig. 19(c), two frame members 43Z are connected by a rod-shaped spacer SP, and are adapted to accommodate a roll body RT having a larger width dimension than that of Fig. 19(b) (see also Fig. 20). The two frame members 43Z connected by the spacer SP are used in common. In Fig. 19(b) and Fig. 19(c), a gripped block 45 is provided on each of the two frame members 43Z.

[0061] This is because, when gripped blocks 45 are gripped to lift tape cassette 22, if gripped blocks 45 are provided on only one of two frame members 43Z, tape cassette 22 will tilt from the vertical position due to the position of its overall center of gravity, making it difficult to mount it on dolly 21. Also, if one tries to grip one gripped block 45 and forcibly bring tape cassette 22 into the vertical position, an excessive bending moment will act on gripped block 45, which may damage it.

[0062] As described above, the tape cassette 22 in this embodiment supplies the roll RT of the carrier tape CT storing the components BH to the component mounting device 1T, and is configured to include a storage section 41 and a shutter 42. The storage section 41 has a storage space 41S for storing the roll RT, and a front opening 41K at the front through which the roll RT can be inserted and removed, and the shutter 42 is displaceable between a closed position (first position) that restricts the roll RT from passing through the front opening 41K and moving to the outside of the storage section 41 by blocking at least a part of the front opening 41K, and an open position (second position) that allows the roll RT to pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41. The storage section 41 is mounted with the front opening 41K facing the component mounting device 1T, and the shutter 42 is positioned at the open position to supply the roll RT to the component mounting device 1T.

[0063] Next, a procedure for mounting the tape cassette 22 to the component supply unit 1B of the component mounting device 1T will be described. When mounting the tape cassette 22 to the component supply unit 1B, first, the receiving cassette 22A is mounted to the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 of the cart 21, which is the receiving portion mounting portion.

[0064] When mounting the receiving cassette 22A in the receiving cassette mounting portion 38, first, the shutter 42 is positioned in the open position (second position) with the operating lever 53, and then the tape cassette 22 is turned upside down. Then, the lower support bar engaging portion 43P provided on the frame upper portion 43a is engaged with the lower support bar 35, the upper support bar engaging portion 43Q provided on the frame lower portion 43b is engaged with the upper support bar 37, and the engaging groove 43M provided on the frame upper portion 43a is engaged with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q (FIG. 12 → FIG. 13).

[0065] When the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the dolly 21, the tape cassette 22 is tilted slightly forward and downward, and the guide surface 43F provided on the frame upper portion 43a is substantially horizontal (FIG. 13). In addition, the shutter 42 of the receiving cassette 22A mounted on the dolly 21 is in the open position (second position).

[0066] After the receiving cassette 22A is mounted in the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 of the cart 21 as described above, the storage cassette 22B in which the roll RT is stored is mounted in the storage cassette mounting portion 39 of the cart 21. The shutter 42 of the storage cassette 22B is positioned in the closed position until immediately before the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the storage cassette mounting portion 39, and the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT is held by the tape holding portion 54 of the shutter 42 positioned in the closed position ( FIG. 13 ).

[0067] Here, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is held by the tape holding part 54 as two tape locking projections 55 provided on the tape holding part 54 are locked from below into two of a plurality of feed holes SH provided in the leading end of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT (FIGS. 7 and 13). In this state, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is in a substantially horizontal position.

[0068] Thus, in this embodiment, the tape holding portion 54 provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (shutter tip 52) has two tape locking projections 55 as sprocket hole engagement portions that can engage with the sprocket holes SH of the carrier tape CT, and these tape locking projections 55 are adapted to hold the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT. At this time, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is in a horizontal position. In other words, when the shutter 42 is positioned (displaced) to the closed position (first position), the tape holding portion 54 is adapted to hold the carrier tape CT horizontally.

[0069] The tape cassette supplying device 1H automatically performs the operation of mounting the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting portion 33. Here, the tape cassette supplying device 1H will be described.

[0070] 21, 22, and 23 show a tape cassette supplying device 1H. The tape cassette supplying device 1H is a device that supplies a tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) in which a roll RT of carrier tape CT is stored to a component supplying section 1B of a component mounting device 1T, and includes a cassette supplying section 61, an alignment section 62, a cassette transfer section 63, and a tape feeding section 64.

[0071] First, the cassette supply unit 61 will be described. In Fig. 21, Fig. 23 and Fig. 24, the cassette supply unit 61 includes a reference base 71, a supply device main body 72, a floating mechanism 73, a cassette stock unit 74, a shutter operation unit 75 and a control unit 76. The reference base 71 has a plurality of wheels 71S on its lower surface and can run on a floor FL. The supply device main body 72 is disposed above the reference base 71. The supply device main body 72 includes a lift base 72a (bottom plate) and a top plate 72b, and has a housing shape that is open forward.

[0072] 21, 23, and 24, the floating mechanism 73 is provided between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body 72 (specifically, the lifting base 72a). The floating mechanism 73 is a mechanism that holds the supply device main body 72 relative to the reference base 71 so as to be movable in the up and down direction.

[0073] 25(a) and (b), the floating mechanism 73 includes four lift guides 81, spring members 82, and a plurality of link mechanisms 83. The four lift guides 81 are disposed in the front, rear, left and right directions between the reference base 71 and the lift base 72a, and the four spring members 82 are disposed corresponding to the four lift guides 81, respectively (passing through the lift guides 81).

[0074] In this embodiment, the supply device main body 72 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the reference base 71, and is elastically supported by the spring member 82 of the floating mechanism 73. Note that FIG. 25(b) shows a case where the height HT of the lift base 72a relative to the reference base 71 is higher than that in FIG. 25(a) (height HT=H1 in FIG. 25(a) and height HT=H2 in FIG. 25(b)). <H2)。

[0075] The link mechanism 83 of the floating mechanism 73 has a pair of link parts 101 spaced apart in the Y direction (the moving direction of the supply device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T, as described later) and a connecting part 102 connecting the pair of link parts 101 to configure a parallel link. In this embodiment, two link mechanisms 83 are provided side by side in the X direction, as shown in FIG.

[0076] 25(a) and (b), the link portion 101 connects the reference base 71 and the supply device main body portion 72 (the lower surface of the lifting base 72a), and is composed of two link elements 101E of the same length arranged above and below with one end portion connected to each other by a pin. The lower end of the lower link element 101E is connected to the upper surface of the reference base 71 by a pin, and the upper end of the upper link element 101E is connected to the lower surface of the lifting base 72a by a pin. The upper end of the lower link element 101E and the lower end of the upper link element 101E are connected by a pin. The connecting portion 102 is composed of a rod-shaped member extending in the Y direction, and both front and rear ends are pivotally connected to the middle portions of the two link portions 101 (portions connected by pins).

[0077] The two link parts 101 each operate in response to a change in the distance between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a), and the connecting part 102 connects the pair of link parts 101 together to link the movements of the link parts 101. Since the link mechanism 83 is a parallel link, as long as the reference base 71 is in a horizontal position, the lifting base 72a will also maintain its horizontal position even if an upward or downward force is applied to a part of the lifting base 72a.

[0078] 21, 23, and 24, the cassette stock unit 74 is made of a member having a horizontal upper surface, and is provided inside the supply device main body 72. A plurality of storage cassettes 22B are placed and stocked on the upper surface of the cassette stock unit 74 in a vertical position with the front opening 41K facing forward. A plurality of storage cassettes 22B can be placed on the cassette stock unit 74 in a state where they are lined up in the X direction (the width direction of the storage cassettes 22B).

[0079] 22, 23 and 24, the shutter operation unit 75 is provided inside the supply device main body 72. The shutter operation unit 75 includes a pair of left and right operation unit bases 91, an operation bar 92, and an operation bar drive unit 93.

[0080] The left and right operation unit bases 91 are provided in a front region of the cassette stock unit 74, outboard of the left and right ends of the cassette stock unit 74. The left and right operation unit bases 91 are each made of a plate-like member extending in the YZ plane, and an operation bar guide 91G extending in the Z direction is provided on each of the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces). The left and right operation bar guides 91G are provided with bar holding portions 91B that are movable in the Z direction.

[0081] The operation bar 92 is made up of a rod-shaped member extending in the X direction, and both ends are held by the left and right bar holding parts 91B. The operation bar drive parts 93 are made up of, for example, rodless cylinders, and are attached to the left and right operation unit bases 91, respectively. When the left and right operation bar drive parts 93 synchronously raise and lower the respective bar holding parts 91B, the operation bar 92 moves in the Z direction while maintaining a horizontal posture.

[0082] 21, 22, 23, and 24, the control unit 76 is provided in the supply device main body 72. The control unit 76 controls the operation of the operation bar drive unit 93 as well as other drive units (a chuck device moving mechanism 122, an opening / closing operation unit 131K, a sprocket drive motor 141, and an arm drive cylinder 143, which will be described later) provided in the tape cassette supply device 1H.

[0083] Next, the alignment unit 62 will be described. In Figures 21, 22 and 24, the alignment unit 62 has left and right supply device side connection parts 111. Each of the left and right supply device side connection parts 111 is composed of an alignment arm 112, a horizontal alignment roller 113, and a height alignment roller 114.

[0084] The alignment arm 112 is provided to extend forward from the supply device main body 72 of the cassette supply unit 61. Two horizontal alignment rollers 113 are provided in the front-rear direction at the front end of the alignment arm 112. The horizontal alignment rollers 113 are rotatable around an axis (Z axis) parallel to the Z direction.

[0085] One height alignment roller 114 is provided at the front end of the alignment arm 112. The height alignment roller 114 is located above the two horizontal alignment rollers 113 (FIGS. 21 and 24), and is rotatable around an axis parallel to the X direction (X axis).

[0086] 26 and 27, the base 11 of the mounting device main body 1A is provided with a pair of left and right height alignment guides 11V extending rearward from the rear of the base 11, and a pair of left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W similarly extending rearward from the rear of the base 11. The height alignment guides 11V are located above the horizontal alignment guides 11W.

[0087] 26, a slope 11S that slopes upward from the rear to the front is provided on the upper surface of the height direction alignment guide 11V. A recess 11K that is recessed downward is formed on the front end of the slope 11S.

[0088] The tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T from the rear of the component mounting device 1T. When connecting the tape cassette supplying device 1H to the component mounting device 1T, the tape cassette supplying device 1H is made to travel on the floor FL by a traveling robot RB as a moving body, and is brought closer (in the Y direction) to the mounting device main body 1A with the dolly 21 connected thereto (FIG. 28). At this time, the Y direction axis of the tape cassette supplying device 1H is made parallel to the Y direction axis of the base 11. Therefore, the tape cassette supplying device 1H approaches the mounting device main body 1A in a position in which the dolly 21 connected to the base 11 is accommodated between the left and right alignment arms 112.

[0089] Here, the traveling robot RB functions as a moving body that moves the tape cassette supply device 1H to the front of the component supply unit 1B that needs to replenish the carrier tape CT. For example, an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) that runs by itself under wireless control is used as the traveling robot RB.

[0090] As the tape cassette supplying device 1H approaches the mounting device main body 1A, the left and right horizontal alignment rollers 113 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H come into contact with and roll on the inner surfaces of the left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W of the base 11. As a result, the tape cassette supplying device 1H advances toward the rear of the mounting device main body 1A while being positioned in the horizontal direction (X direction) relative to the mounting device main body 1A.

[0091] Furthermore, as the tape cassette supplying device 1H approaches the base 11 of the loading device main body 1A, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 come into contact with the upper surfaces (slope portions 11S) of the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V of the base 11 and roll, climbing up the slope portions 11S (FIG. 29(a)→FIG. 29(b)). During this time, the supplying device main body 72 is raised relative to the floor FL (i.e., relative to the reference base 71) (FIG. 29(b)).

[0092] The left and right height alignment rollers 114 climb the inclined surfaces 11S of the left and right height alignment guides 11V, and then drop into the left and right recesses 11K when they reach the front ends of the inclined surfaces 11S (FIG. 29(b)→FIG. 29(c)). As a result, the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) of the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned in the height direction relative to the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T (FIGS. 30 and 31), and the traveling robot RB stops traveling.

[0093] In this manner, in this embodiment, the supply device side connection portion 111 provided on the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the height direction alignment guide 11V and the horizontal direction alignment guide 11W provided on the component mounting device 1T, and in this connected state, the supply device main body 72 is positioned in the height direction. Therefore, the height direction and lateral position of the tape cassette supply device 1H can be easily adjusted for the component mounting device 1T that is installed after being leveled horizontally and whose height from the floor FL is not constant.

[0094] In addition, in positioning the supply device main body 72 in the height direction, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 provided on the supply device side connection part 111 are interposed between the height alignment guide 11V (i.e., between the supply device main body 72 and the component mounting device 1T) while connected to the height alignment guide 11V, and serve as a height adjustment part that adjusts the height of the supply device main body 72 relative to the mounting device main body 1A by receiving an upward force from the height alignment guide 11V. The height of the supply device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T can be changed by the outer diameter dimension of the left and right height alignment rollers 114.

[0095] Meanwhile, the height alignment guide 11V and horizontal alignment guide 11W of the component mounting device 1T are mounting device side connectors to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected. The height alignment guide 11V is a mounting device side height connector to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected so as to be positioned in the height direction relative to the mounting device main body 1A. The horizontal alignment guide 11W is a mounting device side horizontal connector to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected so as to be positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the mounting device main body 1A.

[0096] Here, a pair of height direction alignment guides 11V are arranged in the width direction (X direction) of the mounting device main body 1A, and a pair of height direction alignment rollers 114 are arranged in the width direction (X direction) of the tape cassette supplying device 1H corresponding to the pair of height direction alignment guides 11V. The pair of height direction alignment guides 11V are provided at positions sandwiching the component supplying unit 1B held by the cart holding unit 11H in the width direction (X direction). Therefore, when the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the mounting device main body 1A, it assumes a posture in which the pair of supplying device side connecting units 111 embraces the cart 21 connected to the mounting device main body 1A from the sides (FIG. 31).

[0097] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the mounting device main body 1A in the above manner, the supplying device side connection part 111 receives an upward force from the height direction alignment guide 11V while the height alignment roller 114 is climbing the slope part 11S of the height direction alignment guide 11V and after the height alignment roller 114 fits into the recess 11K. This causes the front part of the supplying device main body 72 to be pushed up relative to the rear part, but the floating mechanism 73 is interposed between the supplying device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) and the reference base 71, and as described above, the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supplying device main body 72, maintains a horizontal position, preventing the entire tape cassette supplying device from tilting and becoming unstable.

[0098] In this embodiment, as described above, the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the base 11 of the mounting device main body 1A, not to the dolly 21. If the tape cassette supplying device 1H were supported by the dolly 21, a heavy object would be placed on the dolly 21, and the front side (the side facing the operator) of the dolly 21 would be lowered. This would cause the attitude of the dolly 21 to change, changing the position (vertical position) of the tape feeder 23, which could cause a pickup error when the mounting head 13 takes out the component BH from the tape feeder 23. However, in this embodiment, since the tape cassette supplying device 1H is not connected to the dolly 21, there is no such risk, and the pickup accuracy of the component BH by the mounting head 13 does not decrease.

[0099] Furthermore, if the design of the trolley 21 were modified so that it could support the tape cassette supplying device 1H (more specifically, the design would be modified to provide height alignment guides 11V and horizontal alignment guides 11W for supporting the horizontal alignment roller 113 and height alignment roller 114 on the tape cassette supplying device 1H side), the weight of the trolley 21 would increase, making it difficult to handle, but this embodiment does not cause such inconvenience.

[0100] Next, a description will be given of the cassette transfer unit 63. In Figures 21, 22, 23 and 24, the cassette transfer unit 63 is a mechanism that removes the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) from the cassette stock unit 74 and transfers it to the component supply unit 1B.

[0101] The cassette transfer unit 63 includes a chuck device 121 as a gripping unit, and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a gripping unit moving means for moving the chuck device 121. The chuck device moving mechanism 122 is composed of an X-axis table 123, two X-guides 124, a Y-axis table 125, and a chuck lifting cylinder 126 as a chuck lifting means.

[0102] X-axis table 123 is provided extending in the X direction on the rear part of the upper surface of top plate 72b of supply device main body 72. Two X guides 124 are provided extending in the X direction on the front and rear parts of the upper surface of top plate 72b. Y-axis table 125 is provided extending in the Y direction on the upper surface of top plate 72b. Y-axis table 125 is driven by X-axis table 123 and moves in the X direction by being guided by the two X guides 124.

[0103] The lower end of the lift rod 126R, which is a piston rod, faces downward in the chuck lift cylinder 126. The chuck lift cylinder 126 is driven by the Y-axis table 125 to move in the Y direction, and the X-axis table 123 drives the Y-axis table 125 in the Y direction to move in the Y direction.

[0104] 21, 22, 23 and 24, the chuck device 121 is provided at the lower end of the lift rod 126R. Therefore, the chuck device 121 moves in the X and Y directions together with the chuck lift cylinder 126, and when the chuck lift cylinder 126 advances or retreats the lift rod 126R, the chuck device 121 rises or falls relative to the supply device main body 72. The operations of the X-axis table 123, the Y-axis table 125 and the chuck lift cylinder 126 are controlled by the control unit 76 described above.

[0105] In Figure 32, the chuck device 121 includes a chuck base 131, two block support shafts 132J arranged in the Y direction, two opening / closing blocks 132 arranged in the Y direction and attached to each block support shaft 132J, and a plurality of gripping pins 133 (pin members) attached to each opening / closing block 132.

[0106] 32, the chuck base 131 is attached to the lower end of the lift rod 126R. Two block support shafts 132J extend downward from the chuck base 131, and two opening / closing blocks 132 are attached to the lower ends of the two block support shafts 132J, respectively.

[0107] 32, an opening / closing operation unit 131K is provided in the chuck base 131. The opening / closing operation unit 131K is operated under the control of the control unit 76, and moves the two block support shafts 132J in a separating direction in which they move apart from each other in the Y direction, and in a approaching direction in which they move closer to each other in the Y direction. By moving the two block support shafts 132J by the opening / closing operation unit 131K, the two opening / closing blocks 132 move (open and close) between an open position (FIG. 33(a)) where the distance between them is greatest, and a closed position (FIG. 33(b)) where the distance between them is smallest.

[0108] The gripping pins 133 extend downward from each of the two opening / closing blocks 132. A flange 133D having a larger outer diameter than the gripping pin 133 is formed at the lower end of each gripping pin 133 (FIGS. 32 and 33(a) and (b)).

[0109] In this embodiment, two opening / closing blocks 132 are provided with multiple pairs (four pairs) of gripping pins 133. The two gripping pins 133 of each pair are disposed facing each other in the Y direction, and the four sets of gripping pins 133 are arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0110] When the two opening / closing blocks 132 are opened and closed by the opening / closing operation unit 131K, the two gripping pins 133 of each of the four sets move apart (FIG. 33(b) → FIG. 33(a)) or move closer to each other (FIG. 33(a) → FIG. 33(b)). As described below, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 attached to the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) by bringing the two gripping pins 133 closer to each other through the closing operation of the two opening / closing blocks 132.

[0111] As described above, in this embodiment, the chuck device 121 serving as the gripping section is configured to include a pair (two) of opening / closing blocks 132 as opening / closing members that are moved in a separating direction in which they move away from each other and in a approaching direction in which they move toward each other, and gripping pins 133 extending from each of the pair of opening / closing blocks 132. The pair of opening / closing blocks 132 are moved in the approaching direction to reduce the distance between the pair of gripping pins 133, thereby gripping the gripped block 45 provided on the tape cassette 22.

[0112] 34, the four pairs of gripping pins 133 are composed of two gripping pins (first gripping pins 133a) having a distance L1 when the opening / closing block 132 is in the closed position, two gripping pins 133 (second gripping pins 133b) having a distance L2 (>L1) larger than L1, two gripping pins 133 (third gripping pins 133c) having a distance L3 (>L2) larger than L2, and two gripping pins 133 (fourth gripping pins 133d) having a distance L4 (>L3) larger than L3. Thus, in this embodiment, a pair of opening / closing blocks 132 includes multiple pairs of gripping pins 133, and the distances between the gripping pins 133 in each pair are different from each other.

[0113] 35(a) and (b), the gripped block 45 provided on each tape cassette 22 has two portions, a block base 45K and a block main body 45H. The block base 45K is a portion that is directly attached to the frame upper portion 43a, and the block main body 45H is a portion that is connected to the upper portion of the block base 45K and has a shape that protrudes outward beyond both ends of the block base 45K in the Y direction.

[0114] A pair of recesses 45M (front and rear recesses 45M) are provided at both ends of the block main body 45H in the front-rear direction. The front and rear recesses 45M are recessed toward each other (Y direction). The inner diameter of each of the two recesses 45M is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the gripping pin 133 of the chuck device 121.

[0115] 36(a), (b), (c), and (d), four types of graspable blocks 45 (first graspable block 45a, second graspable block 45b, third graspable block 45c, and fourth graspable block 45d) are used as the graspable blocks 45. These four types of graspable blocks 45 differ from one another in the Y-direction length of the block main body portion 45H (i.e., the distance between the two recessed portions 45M) and can be used according to the width dimension of the tape cassette 22.

[0116] The four types of gripped blocks 45 provided in the two opening / closing blocks 132 correspond to the four pairs of two gripping pins 133 (the first gripping pin 133a, the second gripping pin 133b, the third gripping pin 133c, and the fourth gripping pin 133d). Specifically, the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the first gripped block 45a is L1 (FIG. 36(a)), and the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the second gripped block 45b is L2 (FIG. 36(b)). The distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the third gripped block 45c is L3 (FIG. 36(c)), and the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the fourth gripped block 45d is L4 (FIG. 36(d)).

[0117] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grips the gripped block 45 of the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) with the chuck device 121, first, the opening / closing operation unit 131K is actuated to position the opening / closing block 132 in the open position. Then, the two gripping pins 133 corresponding to the gripped block 45 to be gripped are positioned outside the gripped block 45 to be gripped in the Y direction (FIG. 35(a)). At this time, the opening / closing block 132 is positioned at a height where the flanges 133D of the two gripping pins 133 are positioned below the bottom surface of the block main body 45H.

[0118] After positioning the two gripping pins 133 outside the gripped block 45 in the Y direction, the tape cassette supplying device 1H operates the opening / closing operation unit 131K to position the opening / closing block 132 in the closed position (FIG. 35(a)->FIG. 35(b)). As a result, the two gripping pins 133 fit into the two recesses 45M of the gripped block 45, respectively, and the chuck device 121 is in a state of gripping the gripped block 45 (FIG. 35(b)). When the chuck device 121 is gripping the gripped block 45, the flanges 133D of the two gripping pins 133 are positioned below the block main body portion 45H.

[0119] In this way, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 by moving the two gripping pins 133 in the Y direction (the in-plane direction of the roll body RT stored in the tape cassette 22), so that it can grip the gripped block 45 of the target tape cassette 22 without interfering with other adjacent tape cassettes 22.

[0120] As described above, the distance between the two gripping pins 133 of each pair (the distance when the two opening / closing blocks 132 are in the closed position) is equal to the distance between the two recesses 45M of the corresponding gripped block 45. Therefore, the first gripped block 45a can be gripped only by the first gripping pin 133a (FIG. 37(a)→FIG. 37(b)), the second gripped block 45b (FIG. 36(b)) can be gripped only by the second gripping pin 133b (FIG. 38(a)→FIG. 38(b)). The third gripped block 45c (FIG. 36(c)) can be gripped only by the third gripping pin 133c (FIG. 39(a)→FIG. 39(b)), and the fourth gripped block 45d (FIG. 36(d)) can be gripped only by the fourth gripping pin 133d (FIG. 40(a)→FIG. 40(b)).

[0121] As described above, the tape cassette 22 has one or two grippable blocks 45, one of which is always the first grippable block 45a. Therefore, when the width direction dimension of the tape cassette 22 is large, the two grippable blocks 45 of the tape cassette 22 are a combination of the first grippable block 45a and the second grippable block 45b (FIG. 36(b)), a combination of the first grippable block 45a and the third grippable block 45c (FIG. 36(c)), or a combination of the first grippable block 45a and the fourth grippable block 45d (FIG. 36(d)). In detail, the larger the width direction dimension of the tape cassette 22, the larger the grippable block 45 having a length in the Y direction (the distance between the front and rear recesses 45M) is added.

[0122] Here, when the second gripped block 45b is added in addition to the first gripped block 45a (FIG. 36(b)), as shown in FIG. 38(a) and (b), the interval between the first gripped block 45a and the second gripped block 45b in the X direction (width direction of the tape cassette 22) is set to be equal to the interval between the row of the first gripping pins 133a and the row of the second gripping pins 133b in the chuck device 121 in the X direction. Also, when the third gripped block 45c is added in addition to the first gripped block 45a (FIG. 36(c)), as shown in FIG. 39(a) and (b), the interval between the first gripped block 45a and the third gripped block 45c is set to be equal to the interval between the row of the first gripping pins 133a and the row of the third gripping pins 133c. In addition, when a fourth graspable block 45d is added in addition to the first graspable block 45a (Figure 36 (d)), the distance between the first graspable block 45a and the fourth graspable block 45d is set to be equal to the distance between the row of first graspable pins 133a and the row of fourth graspable pins 133d, as shown in Figures 40 (a) and (b).

[0123] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grips a tape cassette 22 having only a first gripped block 45a, the first gripped block 45a is gripped by the first gripping pin 133a (FIG. 37(a)→FIG. 37(b)). When the tape cassette 22 having a second gripped block 45b in addition to the first gripped block 45a is gripped, the first gripping pin 133a grips the first gripped block 45a and at the same time the second gripping pin 133b grips the second gripped block 45b (FIG. 38(a)→FIG. 38(b)).

[0124] Furthermore, when the tape cassette 22 having the third gripped block 45c in addition to the first gripped block 45a is gripped by the first gripping pin 133a, the third gripped block 45c is gripped by the third gripping pin 133c at the same time (FIG. 39(a)→FIG. 39(b)). When the tape cassette 22 having the fourth gripped block 45d in addition to the first gripped block 45a is gripped by the first gripping pin 133a, the fourth gripped block 45d is gripped by the fourth gripping pin 133d at the same time (FIG. 40(a)→FIG. 40(b)).

[0125] Thus, in this embodiment, the chuck device 121 is configured to grip two or more gripped blocks 45 provided at each of both ends in the width direction of the storage cassette 22B using two or more sets of two gripping pins 133.

[0126] In this embodiment, the four sets of gripping pins 133 provided on the chuck device 121 each have a different spacing in the Y direction, so that when an attempt is made to use the chuck device 121 to chuck one of a plurality of tape cassettes 22 stored in the cassette stock section 74, it is possible to prevent the chuck device 121 from accidentally gripping an adjacent tape cassette 22 as well.

[0127] Figure 41(a) shows a situation where a tape cassette 22 having only the first gripped block 45a and a tape cassette 22 having the first gripped block 45a and the fourth gripped block 45d are lined up. In this case, by gripping the first gripped block 45a with the two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a) having the smallest spacing L1 (Figure 41(a) → Figure 41(b)), it is possible to grip only the desired tape cassette 22.

[0128] Next, the tape feed unit 64 will be described. In Figures 21, 23, and 24, the tape feed unit 64 is attached to the lower end of a feed unit base 125B that extends downward from the front end of the Y-axis table 125. When the X-axis table 123 drives the Y-axis table 125 in the X direction, the tape feed unit 64 moves in the X direction integrally with the feed unit base 125B.

[0129] 42 and 43(a) and (b), the tape feed section 64 includes a feed mechanism section 64A and a tape support mechanism section 64B. The feed mechanism section 64A includes a sprocket drive motor 141 and a sprocket 142.

[0130] 42 and 43(a) and (b), sprocket drive motor 141 is provided on feed unit base 125B with drive shaft 141J facing in the X direction, and sprocket 142 is attached to drive shaft 141J. Sprocket 142 has a plurality of engagement pins 142P on its outer periphery. The operation of sprocket drive motor 141 is controlled by control unit 76. When sprocket drive motor 141 drives and rotates drive shaft 141J, sprocket 142 rotates within the YZ plane.

[0131] 42 and 43(a) and (b), the tape support mechanism 64B includes an arm drive cylinder 143 (arm drive unit) and a support arm 144. The arm drive cylinder 143 is arranged so that an arm drive rod 143R, which is a piston rod, moves forward and backward within the XZ plane. The upper end of the arm drive rod 143R faces diagonally upward. The forward and backward movement of the arm drive rod 143R by the arm drive cylinder 143 is controlled by the control unit 76.

[0132] 43(a) and (b), the support arm 144 is attached to the arm drive rod 143R. The tip of the support arm 144 faces diagonally upward, and its axis extends parallel to the axis of the arm drive rod 143R. Therefore, when the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R forward or backward, the support arm 144 moves forward or backward together with the arm drive rod 143R.

[0133] When the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R backward at its full stroke (FIG. 43(a)), the tip (upper end) of the support arm 144 is located in a position that is off to the lower side (below the sprocket drive motor 141) from directly below the sprocket 142. On the other hand, when the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R forward at its full stroke (FIG. 43(b)), the tip of the support arm 144 is located in a position directly below the sprocket 142.

[0134] Next, a procedure (tape cassette supplying method) for supplying (transferring) the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) to the component supply unit 1B provided in the component mounting device 1T by the tape cassette supplying device 1H configured as above will be described.

[0135] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H transfers the storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33 of the component supplying section 1B, first the traveling robot RB travels on the floor FL and couples with the rear part of the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H (FIG. 28). After being coupled with the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H, the traveling robot RB travels on the floor FL while pressing the tape cassette supplying device 1H from behind. Then, the tape cassette supplying device 1H is brought closer to the mounting device main body 1A to which the dolly 21 is connected (FIG. 28 → FIG. 29(a) → FIG. 29(b)).

[0136] The traveling robot RB connects the tape cassette supply device 1H to the mounting device main body 1A in the manner described above. This connects the supply device side connection part 111 provided on the tape cassette supply device 1H to the height direction alignment guide 11V and the horizontal direction alignment guide 11W provided on the mounting device main body 1A.

[0137] In this manner, the method of connecting the tape cassette supplying device 1H to the mounting device main body 1A (the inter-device connection method; part of the tape cassette supplying method) includes a step (connection step) of connecting the tape cassette supplying device 1H to the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V by moving the tape cassette supplying device 1H and bringing it closer to the mounting device main body 1A.

[0138] In the inter-connection connection method in this embodiment, the tape cassette supplying device 1H, which is a heavy object, is not connected to the component supplying section 1B (carriage 21) of the component mounting device 1T, but is connected to the mounting device main body section 1A. Therefore, as described above, the weight of the tape cassette supplying device 1H does not act on the cart 21 to change the attitude of the cart 21 (i.e., the attitude of the tape feeder 23), and it is possible to prevent the mounting head 13 from failing to pick up the components BH.

[0139] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the loader body 1A as described above, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H are fitted into the left and right recesses 11K provided in the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V of the loader body 1A. This allows the supplying device body 72 to be positioned in the height direction relative to the loader body 1A (FIG. 29(c)).

[0140] As such, the tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment includes a step (positioning step) of positioning the supplying device main body 72 in the height direction (Z direction) relative to the component mounting device 1T by connecting the supplying device side connection portion 111 to the component mounting device 1T.

[0141] In the above positioning step, the supply device main body 72 receives an upward pressing force from the mounting device main body 1A in a direction that pushes up the front part, but since the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) is provided with a floating mechanism 73 between it and the reference base 71, the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supply device main body 72, is prevented from tilting from the horizontal position (relative to the reference base 71 in the horizontal position), so that a stable position can be maintained.

[0142] 27, a power supply connector 11C is provided as a power supply means on the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T, and a power receiving connector 151 is provided as a power receiving means on the tape cassette supply device 1H. When the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, the power receiving connector 151 and the power supply connector 11C are fitted together, and the tape cassette supply device 1H and the component mounting device 1T are electrically connected (FIG. 27 to FIG. 31). This enables the tape cassette supply device 1H to receive power supplied from the component mounting device 1T.

[0143] When the supplying device main body 72 is connected to and positioned relative to the loading device main body 1A as described above, the tape cassette supplying device 1H operates the chuck device moving mechanism 122 to position the chuck device 121 above the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. Then, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 provided on the upper part (frame upper part 43a) of the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. In detail, as described above, the opening / closing block 132 is operated to close from the open position toward the closed position, thereby gripping the gripped block 45 with the two gripping pins 133 (FIG. 35(a)→FIG. 35(b)).

[0144] As described above, the tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment includes a step (gripping step) of gripping the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) with the chuck device 121 which is a gripping portion.

[0145] In this gripping step, as described above, for a tape cassette 22 having only the first gripped block 45a, the tape cassette 22 is gripped by only the two gripping pins 133 (the first gripping pin 133a). For a tape cassette 22 having another gripped block 45 (the second gripped block 45b, the third gripped block 45c, or the fourth gripped block 45d) in addition to the first gripping pin 133a, the two gripped blocks 45 are gripped by any one of the gripping pins 133, the second gripping pin 133b, the third gripping pin 133c, and the fourth gripping pin 133d, in addition to the first gripping pin 133a (FIG. 44).

[0146] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H has gripped one or two gripped blocks 45 of the tape cassette 22 with the chuck device 121, it operates the Y-axis table 125 of the cassette transfer section 63 (chuck device moving mechanism 122) to move the chuck lift cylinder 126 forward (arrow E1 shown in FIG. 45). Then, it operates the chuck lift cylinder 126 to lower the chuck device 121 and position it at the tape feed position. Here, the "tape feed position" refers to a position (FIG. 45) where the leading end of the carrier tape CT, which has been pulled out of the storage cassette 22B and is engaged with the two tape engaging projections 55, faces the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 in a substantially horizontal direction (here, the Y direction).

[0147] When the cassette transfer unit 63 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H positions the storage cassette 22B at the tape feed position, first, the cassette transfer unit 63 positions the leading end of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B directly below the sprocket 142 (FIGS. 43(a) and 46(a)). Then, the chuck lift cylinder 126 is operated to slightly lift the chuck device 121 (arrow F1 shown in FIG. 46(b)). As the chuck device 121 is lifted, the lowest engagement pin 142P (lowest engagement pin 142D) of the sprocket 142 engages with one feed hole SH (feed hole SH located between the two fitted tape engaging projections 55) at the leading end of the carrier tape CT.

[0148] Thus, in this embodiment, the sprocket 142 functions as a tape engagement portion that engages with a feed hole SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT when it is pulled out from the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B). When the lowest end engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142 engages with one feed hole SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT (FIGS. 43(b) and 46(b)), the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feed position.

[0149] When the storage cassette 22B is located at the tape feed position, the tape cassette supplying device 1H actuates the arm drive cylinder 143 to move the arm drive rod 143R forward (arrow P shown in FIG. 46(c)). As a result, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the leading end of the support arm 144 which has advanced between the two tape engaging projections 55, and is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144 (FIGS. 43(b) and 46(c)).

[0150] A groove is formed at the tip of the support arm 144, extending in the direction in which the carrier tape CT extends. Therefore, the support arm 144 can support the tip of the carrier tape CT without interfering with the lowest end engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142, which penetrates the carrier tape CT from above. Thus, in this embodiment, the support arm 144 serves as a support part that supports the leading end of the carrier tape CT.

[0151] When the leading end of the carrier tape CT is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144, the cassette transfer unit 63 lowers the storage cassette 22B by the chuck lift cylinder 126 (arrow F2 shown in FIG. 46(d)). As a result, the two tape locking projections 55 come out downward from the leading end of the carrier tape CT, but since the leading end of the carrier tape CT continues to be supported by the support arm 144, the carrier tape CT maintains its engagement with the lowest end engagement pin 142D (FIG. 46(d)).

[0152] When the storage cassette 22B is lowered as described above and the two tape engagement projections 55 are released from the carrier tape CT, the tape cassette supplying device 1H rotates the sprocket 142 to feed the carrier tape CT forward (i.e., toward the tape inlet 23G) (arrow R shown in FIG. 47(a)). This causes the carrier tape CT to advance forward (FIG. 47(a) → FIG. 47(b)), and its leading end enters the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 (FIG. 47(b)). At this time, since the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the support arm 144, it advances straight forward (to the tape inlet 23G) without sagging downward. Here, the tape feeder 23 is connected to the component mounting device 1T through the dolly 21, and the tape cassette supplying device 1H is also connected to the component mounting device 1T, so that the leading end of the carrier tape CT can be sent from the tape cassette supplying device 1H toward the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 with high accuracy.

[0153] As described above, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (tape feeding step) of holding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) is positioned at the tape feeding position, and then feeding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape entrance 23G of the tape feeder 23.

[0154] When the leading end of the carrier tape CT fed by the tape feed unit 64 is inserted into the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 detects this and draws in the carrier tape CT. Then, when a certain amount of the carrier tape CT has been drawn in by the tape feeder 23 (FIG. 48), the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 backward (arrow E2 shown in FIG. 49) and activates the operation bar driving unit 93 of the shutter operation unit 75 to raise the operation bar 92 (arrow J1 shown in FIG. 49).

[0155] When the chuck device 121 is moved rearward and the operation bar 92 is raised so that the operation bar 92 abuts against the operation lever 53 of the storage cassette 22B from below (FIG. 49), the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 (i.e., the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B) diagonally forward and downward (arrow E3 shown in FIG. 50). This causes the operation lever 53 to rise relative to the storage section 41. The tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121 when the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "first height") set with respect to the storage section 41.

[0156] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "first height" is set to a height equivalent to about 1 / 3 of the total movement amount in the height direction of the operating lever 53 when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the first height, about 1 / 3 of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is opened (FIG. 50).

[0157] After stopping the movement of the chuck device 121, the tape cassette supplying device 1H causes the operation bar 92 to rise (arrow J2 shown in FIG. 51) by the operation bar driving unit 93. When the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "second height") set with respect to the storage unit 41, the tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the rise of the operation lever 53.

[0158] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "second height" is set to a height equivalent to about 2 / 3 of the total movement amount in the height direction of the operating lever 53 when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the second height, about 2 / 3 of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is opened (FIG. 51).

[0159] After stopping the lifting of the operation bar 92, the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 diagonally rearward and downward (arrow E4 shown in FIG. 52). This causes the operation lever 53 to rise relative to the storage section 41. The tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121 when the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "third height") set with respect to the storage section 41.

[0160] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "third height" is set to a height equivalent to the total movement amount in the height direction of the operating lever 53 when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the third height, the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is in a fully open state (FIGS. 52 and 18(c)).

[0161] When the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is fully opened, the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 obliquely forward and upward (arrow E5 shown in FIG. 53) to move the storage cassette 22B above the storage cassette mounting portion 39 (the three storage cassette holding pins 33P).Then, the chuck device 121 is lowered (arrow E6 shown in FIG. 54) to mount the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting portion 33 (mount it in the storage cassette mounting portion 39) (FIG. 55(a)→FIG. 55(b)).

[0162] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H mounts the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting portion 33 (storage cassette mounting portion 39), the three storage cassette holding pins 33P provided on the cassette mounting portion 33 of the dolly 21 are inserted into the three pin insertion portions 43S provided on the frame lower portion 43b of the storage cassette 22B (FIG. 55(a)→FIG. 55(b)). When the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the cassette mounting portion 33, the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component supplying portion 1B is completed.

[0163] As described above, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (transfer step) of gripping and removing the storage cassette 22B with the chuck device 121 from the supply device main body 72 positioned in the positioning step, and then moving the chuck device 121 to move the storage cassette 22B along a path that passes through the tape feed position so that the leading end of the carrier tape CT pulled out of the storage cassette 22B passes through the tape feed position, thereby transferring it to the component mounting device 1T.

[0164] When the tape cassette supplying device 1H mounts the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting portion 33 in the above-mentioned transfer step, the front end 43E of the lower part (frame lower part 43b) of the storage cassette 22B passes between the pair of overhanging parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A mounted in the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 (FIG. 55(a)→FIG. 55(b)). As shown in FIG. 9, a tapered surface 43D having a shape (a shape narrowing downward) that makes it easy for the frame lower part 43b to be guided between the pair of overhanging parts 44H is formed at the lower end of the frame lower part 43b. Therefore, simply by lowering the storage cassette 22B, the front end 43E of the lower part of the storage cassette 22B can be reliably passed between the pair of overhanging parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A.

[0165] When the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the storage cassette mounting portion 39 as described above (with the front end 43E of the lower portion passing between the pair of overhanging portions 44H of the receiving cassette 22A), the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are positioned inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A (FIG. 55(b)). Therefore, the storage cassette 22B is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A positioned in front of it, and movement in the X direction (the direction in which the storage cassette 22B falls to the side) is suppressed, so that the posture of the storage cassette 22B on the cart 21 is stabilized.

[0166] Also, at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. In other words, the storage cassette mounting unit 39 mounts the storage cassette 22B in a state in which at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. This positions the side plate 44 of the storage cassette 22B on the inner side than the side plate 44 of the receiving cassette 22A, thereby preventing a problem in which the roll RT moving from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A gets caught on the edge of the side plate 44.

[0167] When the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component supply unit 1B is completed, the tape cassette supply device 1H actuates the chuck lift cylinder 126 to raise the chuck device 121 (arrow E7 shown in FIG. 56), and actuates the arm drive cylinder 143 to lower the support arm 144 supporting the carrier tape CT. As a result, the carrier tape CT inserted in the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 is released from support by the support arm 144 (the carrier tape CT is in a hanging state; FIG. 57).

[0168] The tape feeder 23, which has drawn in the carrier tape CT in the process of mounting the storage cassette 22B in the storage cassette mounting section 39, transports the carrier tape CT as is to supply components BH if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is the current tape. On the other hand, if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is a refill tape, the refill tape is kept on standby until it is detected that the tail of the current tape has passed a predetermined position in the tape feeder 23. When the tape feeder 23 starts transporting the refill tape, the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B is pulled by the carrier tape CT drawn in by the tape feeder 23 and rolls forward, and moves into the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it (FIG. 58(a) → FIG. 58(b) → FIG. 59(a)).

[0169] As described above, when the roll RT moves from the storage cassette 22B into the receiving cassette 22A, the roll RT is guided by the guide surface 43F of the receiving cassette 22A. In addition, since the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are located inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of them, the roll RT moves smoothly into the receiving cassette 22A and is stored therein (FIG. 58(b) → FIG. 59(a)).

[0170] When the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B is moved into the receiving cassette 22A, the storage cassette 22B becomes empty. The empty storage cassette 22B is removed from the cassette mounting unit 33 (FIG. 59(b)) and returned to the cassette stock unit 74 (FIG. 60) so that the next refill tape roll RT (storage cassette 22B) can be mounted in the component supply unit 1B. The empty storage cassette 22B is moved by the chuck device 121 gripping the gripped block 45 and the cassette transfer unit 63 moving the chuck device 121.

[0171] After returning the emptied storage cassette 22B to the cassette stock unit 74, the tape cassette supplying device 1H uses the cassette transfer unit 63 to remove the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) from the cassette stock unit 74 in order to supply a replenishment storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Then, a new storage cassette 22B is transferred to the cassette mounting unit 33 following the path that passes through the above-mentioned tape feed position (FIG. 61(a)→FIG. 61(b)).

[0172] After transferring a new storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33, the tape cassette supply device 1H raises the chuck device 121 (arrow E8 shown in Figure 62) and lowers the support arm 144 to release support for the carrier tape CT (Figure 63).

[0173] As the tape feeder 23 continues to transport the carrier tape CT, when it detects that the tail of the roll RT carrier tape CT in the receiving cassette 22A has passed a predetermined position in the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 transports the refill tape (carrier tape CT in the storage cassette 22B) that was in standby until then as the new current tape (Fig. 64(a)). Then, the supply of parts BH is continued. When the tape feeder 23 starts to transport the carrier tape CT from the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B, the roll RT of the carrier tape CT is pulled and rolls forward, entering the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A that is attached in front of it (Fig. 64(a) → Fig. 64(b)).

[0174] As a result, storage cassette 22B becomes empty and returns to the same state as in Fig. 59(a) described above, and thereafter, the process of Fig. 59(a) → Fig. 59(b) → Fig. 61(a) → Fig. 61(b) → Fig. 64(a) → Fig. 64(b) → Fig. 59(a) is repeated. Therefore, component mounting device 1T can continue to supply components BH by tape feeder 23 while receiving replenishment of roll body RT (i.e., carrier tape CT).

[0175] In Figure 59 (b), the receiving cassette 22A removed from the receiving cassette mounting section 38 can be used as a new storage cassette 22B. In addition, since the receiving cassette 22A is used by turning the tape cassette 22 upside down, the winding direction of the roll RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A is the same as the winding direction when it is used as the storage cassette 22B. Therefore, when using the receiving cassette 22A as the storage cassette 22B, it is possible to eliminate the work of removing the roll RT, turning it over, and storing it again.

[0176] As described above, the tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment is provided with a floating mechanism 73 between the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72, and this floating mechanism 73 is provided with a link mechanism (parallel link) having a pair of link parts 101 that connect the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72 and operate in accordance with a change in the distance between the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72, and a connecting part 102 that connects the pair of link parts 101 to each other and links the operation of the link parts to each other. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and the tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, when the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, even if the supplying device main body 72 receives a pushing-up force from the component mounting device 1T, the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supplying device main body 72, can maintain a horizontal position, and the supplying device main body 72 can maintain a stable position.

[0177] Furthermore, the tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment is equipped with a cassette transfer section 63 including a chuck device 121 as a gripping section that grips the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a gripping section moving means that moves the chuck device 121 gripping the storage cassette 22B to transfer the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device 1T without relying on the manual force of an operator.

[0178] The tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment is configured to include a cassette transfer unit 63 that transfers the storage cassette 22B taken out from the cassette stock unit 74 to the component mounting device 1T by moving the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where the leading portion is pulled out from the storage cassette 22B through a path passing through a tape feed position facing the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 provided in the component mounting device 1T, and a tape feed unit 64 that holds the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where the carrier tape CT is pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feed position by the cassette transfer unit 63, and then feeds the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and the tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T and the insertion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B into the tape feeder 23 can be performed automatically without the manual effort of an operator.

[0179] Furthermore, in the component mounting system 1 of this embodiment, the mounting device main body 1A of the component mounting device 1T includes a mounting device side connection section (left and right height direction alignment guides 11V and left and right horizontal direction alignment guides 11W) to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected, in addition to the dolly holding section 11H that holds the dolly 21 on which the tape feeder 23 is mounted, so that the tape cassette supply device 1H is supported by the mounting device main body 1A, not the dolly 21. Therefore, according to the component mounting system 1 (and the inter-device connection method in the component mounting system 1) of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of suction errors of the components BH that may occur due to connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H, which is a heavy object, to the dolly 21.

[0180] As described above, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment (and the tape cassette supplying method using the tape cassette supplying device 1H), the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device 1T without the manual effort of an operator.

[0181] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the transfer step of transferring the storage cassette 22B to the mounting device main body 1A shown in the above embodiment, the tape feed unit 64 feeds the carrier tape CT to the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 before the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the cassette mounting unit 33 of the mounting device main body 1A, but the tape feed unit 64 may feed the carrier tape CT to the tape feeder 23 after the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the cassette mounting unit 33.

[0182] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, the height alignment roller 114, which is the height adjustment unit, adjusts the height of the supplying device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving an upward force (pushing force) from the height alignment guide 11V of the component mounting device 1T; however, the height alignment roller 114 may also be configured to adjust the height of the supplying device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving a downward force (pushing force) from the height alignment guide 11V.

[0183] Also, in the above embodiment, the two opening / closing blocks 132 are provided with four sets of gripping pins 133, but this may be two, three, five or more sets in accordance with the number of types of gripped blocks 45. If only one type of gripped block 45 can be attached to the tape cassette 22, the set of gripping pins 133 may be only one set spaced apart according to that one type of gripped block 45.

[0184] Moreover, the tape feed unit 64 only needs to have a function of holding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feed position by the cassette transfer unit 63, and then feeding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. Therefore, the tape feed unit 64 does not necessarily have to be configured as shown in the above embodiment, including the sprocket 142 as a tape engaging portion that engages with a feed hole SH of the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B, and the support arm 144 as a support portion that supports, from below, the carrier tape CT in a state where the feed hole SH is engaged with the sprocket 142. [Industrial Applicability]

[0185] A tape cassette supplying device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supplying method capable of automatically transferring a tape cassette to a component mounting device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1. Parts mounting system 1T parts mounting equipment 1A Main unit of the equipment 1B Parts Supply Department 1H Tape cassette supply device 11H Cart holder 11V Height Alignment Guide 11W Horizontal Alignment Guide 11C Power Supply Connector 21 Trolley 22 Tape Cassette 23 Tape Feeder 23G tape inlet 45 Gripped block (gripped part) 45M recess 45a First gripped block 45b Second gripped block 45c 3rd Gripped Block 45d Fourth Gripped Block 63 Cassette transfer section 64 Tape feed section 71 Standards-based 71S Wheel 72 Supply device main body 73 Floating Mechanism 74 Cassette Stock Section 82 Spring material 101 Link section 102 Connection part 111 Supply device side connection part 114 Height Alignment Roller 121 Chuck device (gripping part) 122 Chuck device moving mechanism (gripping part moving means) 132 Opening and closing block (opening and closing member) 133 Grip pin (pin member) 133a 1st gripping pin 133b 2nd gripping pin 133c 3rd grip pin 133d 4th gripping pin 142 Sprocket 144 Support Arm 151 Power Receptor Connector RB Running Robot (Mobile) CT Carrier Tape BH Parts SH Feed hole RT Roll Body FL Floor

Claims

1. A tape cassette supplying device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to a component mounting device, a cassette stock section for stocking a plurality of tape cassettes in a width direction of the tape cassettes; a cassette moving means for moving a tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device; a tape feed unit that holds a carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds a leading end of the carrier tape to a tape feeder provided in the component mounting device; A tape cassette supplying device having a

2. the cassette moving means includes a gripping portion that grips the tape cassette, and a gripping portion moving means that moves the gripping portion that grips the tape cassette to transfer the tape cassette to the component mounting device.

2. The tape cassette supplying device according to claim 1.

3. the gripping portion grips a gripped portion provided on an upper portion of the tape cassette; 3. The tape cassette supplying device according to claim 2.

4. A component mounting system including a component mounting device and a tape cassette supplying device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to the component mounting device, a cassette stock section for stocking a plurality of tape cassettes in a width direction of the tape cassettes; a cassette moving means for moving a tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device; a tape feed unit that holds a carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds a leading end of the carrier tape to a tape feeder provided in the component mounting device; A component mounting system having the above structure.

5. the cassette moving means includes a gripping portion that grips the tape cassette, and a gripping portion moving means that moves the gripping portion that grips the tape cassette to transfer the tape cassette to the component mounting device. The component mounting system according to claim 4 .

6. the gripping portion grips a gripped portion provided on an upper portion of the tape cassette; The component mounting system according to claim 5 .

7. A tape cassette supply method using the component mounting system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising the steps of: a step of moving the tape cassette from the cassette stock unit to the component mounting device by the cassette moving means; feeding the carrier tape of the tape cassette to the tape feeder by the tape feeding unit; A tape cassette supply method comprising:

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