Component mounting device and pallet conveying device

Abstract

To increase capacity of a pallet stock while saving manpower for pallet replenishment.SOLUTION: A component mounting device picks up a component to be stored in a tray placed on a pallet at a component pickup position by a head unit and mounts it on a substrate. The component mounting device includes: a pallet holding unit that holds the pallet; a first pallet moving unit that moves the pallet between two positions of a take-out position where the pallet can be taken out from a front surface of the pallet holding unit and a component take-out position where the component can be taken out by a head unit; a stocker in which a plurality of magazines that store the pallet are held at intervals in a vertical direction; and a second pallet moving unit that moves the pallet between the pallet holding unit and the stocker.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a component mounting device and a pallet transfer device.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a tray component supply device that reduces the downtime due to component shortage in an electronic component mounter and improves the operation rate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This tray component supply device includes a tray fixed to a plate-shaped tray jig, a tray component magazine composed of multiple shelves that houses the trays in each shelf via the tray jig and supplies the electronic components in this tray to the electronic component mounter, means for vertically moving this tray component magazine to position the tray in the required shelf at the drawing position for component supply, a replenishment magazine that has the same configuration as the tray component magazine and houses a large number of trays and is installed close to the tray component magazine, and a robot that replaces the tray with a component shortage in the tray component magazine with a new tray in the replenishment magazine. According to this tray component supply device, the robot can sensitively replace the tray with a component shortage with a new tray in the replenishment magazine, thereby reducing the downtime due to component shortage in the electronic component mounter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in recent years, in the SMT (Surface Mounting Technology) process, which is a surface mounting technology, with the improvement of equipment productivity, the frequency of replenishing electronic components during production has increased, and further labor reduction and automation of component replenishment are required. This is also due to, for example, the increase in the size of in-vehicle connector components and the like, the SMT conversion of large components in the subsequent process, which has led to an increase in the size of tray components, and the reduction in the number of components that can be supplied in one tray. As a result, the frequency of replenishing components in the tray has increased. On the other hand, in order to achieve labor reduction in component replenishment, it is necessary to increase the number of components mounted, but from the perspective of area productivity, simply expanding the space of the component mounting equipment is not possible. Also, if the passage between the lines of the equipment is greatly blocked in order to increase the stock capacity, it will have an adverse impact on workability and transportability.

[0005] In view of the above-described conventional situation, the present disclosure is devised, and an object thereof is to provide a component mounting device and a pallet transfer device that enable labor reduction in pallet replenishment, suppress protrusion into the passage between lines, and achieve an increase in the stock capacity of pallets.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present disclosure provides a component mounting device that takes out components stored in a tray placed on a pallet at a component take-out position and mounts them on a substrate by a head unit, comprising: a pallet holding part that holds the pallet; a take-out position where the pallet can be taken out from the front surface of the pallet holding part; a first pallet moving part that moves the pallet between two positions, namely the take-out position and the component take-out position where the component can be taken out by the head unit; a stocker that holds a plurality of magazines for storing the pallets at intervals in the vertical direction; and a second pallet moving part that moves the pallet between the pallet holding part and the stocker.

[0007] In addition, the present disclosure provides a pallet transfer device that moves a pallet between a stocker that holds a plurality of magazines for removably storing pallets for storing parts at intervals in the vertical direction, and a holding unit that holds the pallet to supply the pallet to a position where the parts can be removed by a component mounting unit that mounts the parts on a substrate. The pallet transfer device includes pallet moving means for inserting and removing the pallet into and from the holding unit in a direction different from the direction of inserting and removing the pallet into and from the stocker. The pallet moving means includes a lifting unit for moving up and down, a pallet guide unit for guiding the pallet while supporting the pallet from below, and a turning unit for turning in the direction of inserting and removing the pallet into and from the stocker and the direction of inserting and removing the pallet into and from the holding unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the man-hours for pallet replenishment, suppress the protrusion into the passage between lines, and expand the stock capacity of the pallet.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

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Figure 24

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments specifically disclosing the component mounting device and the pallet transfer device according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, detailed descriptions that are more detailed than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters and duplicate descriptions of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following description are provided for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and it is not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims by these.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a component mounting device 11 according to Embodiment 1. In the figure with arrows indicating directions, the X-axis indicates the left-right direction of the component mounting device 11, the Y-axis indicates the front-rear direction of the component mounting device 11, and the Z-axis indicates the up-down direction of the component mounting device 11. The X-axis and the Y-axis are orthogonal and included in a horizontal plane. The Z-axis is included in a vertical plane orthogonal to the horizontal plane.

[0012] The component mounting device 11 according to Embodiment 1 mainly includes a holding unit (for example, a tray feeder 13), a first pallet moving unit 15, a stocker 17, and a second pallet moving unit 19. The second pallet moving unit 19 constitutes a pallet transfer device. Note that the stocker 17 can be provided integrally with the component mounting device 11 as a component of the component mounting device 11. Also, the stocker 17 that is separate from the component mounting device 11 can be integrally connected to the component mounting device 11 and used. When the separate stocker 17 and the component mounting device 11 are connected and configured, the component mounting device 11 and the stocker 17 can be collectively referred to as a component mounting system.

[0013] In the component mounting device 11, the stocker 17 and the second pallet moving unit 19 are arranged along a passage 21 parallel to the X-axis. Also, in the component mounting device 11, the second pallet moving unit 19 and the tray feeder 13 are arranged along the Y-axis. The component mounting device 11 takes out a component 29 (see FIG. 4) stored in a tray 27 placed on a pallet 25 at a component taking-out position 23 (see FIG. 2) by a head unit 31 (see FIG. 2) and mounts (mounts) it on a substrate 33.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the component mounting device 11 shown in FIG. 1 as seen from the arrow X tip side. On the upper surface of a base 37 in the device main body 35 of the component mounting device 11, a substrate transfer mechanism 39 is provided in the X direction (substrate transfer direction). The substrate transfer mechanism 39 transfers a substrate 33 to be component-mounted and positions and holds it at the working position of the device main body 35. In the Y direction of the second pallet moving unit 19, a tray feeder 13 that supplies a component 29 to be mounted on the substrate 33 is arranged. The tray feeder 13, which is an example of a pallet holding unit, supplies the component 29 to the head unit 31 by moving a pallet 25 on which a tray 27 storing the components 29 in a lattice arrangement is placed to the component taking-out position.

[0015] At one end of the base 37 in the X direction, a Y-axis moving table 41 driven by a linear motor is arranged in the Y direction. The Y-axis moving table 41 is movably coupled to an X-axis moving table 43 in the Y direction. A head unit 31 is attached to the X-axis moving table 43 so as to be movable in the X direction by a linear drive mechanism. The head unit 31 is a multi-type head having a plurality of single-displacement transfer heads, and suction nozzles 45 are detachably attached to the lower ends of the respective single-displacement transfer heads. The X-axis moving table 43, the Y-axis moving table 41, and the head unit 31 constitute a component mounting mechanism 47.

[0016] The component mounting device 11 drives the Y-axis moving table 41 and the X-axis moving table 43, so that the head unit 31 horizontally moves between the tray feeder 13 and the substrate 33 held by the substrate transfer mechanism 39, sucks and holds the component 29 stored in the tray 27 by the suction nozzle 45, and mounts it on the substrate 33.

[0017] The tray feeder 13 is provided with a magazine rack 51 capable of storing a plurality of magazines 49 in multiple upper and lower stages. Each magazine 49 stored in the magazine rack 51 can accommodate a plurality of pallets 25 holding the tray 27 in multiple upper and lower stages by the pallet support rails 53 (see FIG. 14). The pallet 25 can be taken in and out from the front and rear in the Y direction of the magazine 49 stored in the magazine rack 51. That is, the magazine 49 of the magazine rack 51 can take in and out the pallet 25 from both the first pallet moving part 15 and the second pallet moving part 19.

[0018] In the tray feeder 13, the first pallet moving part 15 is provided on the front side (Y-direction side) of the magazine rack 51. The first pallet moving part 15 is provided with a feeder lifting table 55 for pulling out and holding the pallet 25 from the magazine 49 of the magazine rack 51, and a feeder lifting part 57 for lifting and lowering the feeder lifting table 55. The feeder lifting part 57 moves the pallet 25 between the take-out position 61 where the pallet 25 can be taken out from the front surface 59 of the tray feeder 13 in the first direction (that is, the Y direction) and the component take-out position 23 where the component 29 can be taken out by the head unit 31.

[0019] The feeder lifting part 57 includes a feeder feed screw 63, a feeder lifting motor 65, and a feeder nut part 67. The feeder feed screw 63 is erected on the base 37 so as to be rotatable. The feeder lifting motor 65 is fixed to the base 37 with the drive shaft in the same direction as the feeder feed screw 63. The feeder lifting motor 65 rotates the feeder feed screw 63 by stretching a feeder belt 69 between a pulley fixed to the drive shaft and a pulley fixed to the lower end of the feeder feed screw 63.

[0020] The feeder nut portion 67 is screwed onto the feeder feed screw 63. The feeder lift table 55 is fixed to the feeder nut portion 67. Further, a pair of slide portions 71 (see FIG. 5) are fixed to the feeder lift table 55. The slide portions 71 are supported by a guide rail 73 fixed to the base 37 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The feeder lift table 55 is restricted from rotating in the rotational direction of the feeder feed screw 63 by the slide portions 71 and the guide rail 73.

[0021] Thereby, when the feeder lift motor 65 is driven by, for example, the device control unit 147 (see FIG. 8), the feeder lift table 55 moves up and down on the front side of the tray feeder 13. At this time, the tray feeder 13 can arrange the feeder lift table 55 at the height position of the pallet 25 corresponding to the storage address by designating the storage address attached to each pallet storage unit.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the component mounting apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed in the Y direction. The stocker 17 holds the pallet 25 so that the pallet 25 can be taken out in a second direction (X direction) different from the first direction. In the component mounting apparatus 11, the first direction (Y direction) and the second direction (X direction) are orthogonal directions in plan view.

[0023] The stocker 17 has a magazine stock portion 75 and a second pallet moving portion 19. A plurality of magazine holding portions 77 are provided in a shelf plate shape at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction in the magazine stock portion 75. A magazine 49 is placed on each magazine holding portion 77. The magazine holding portion 77 enables the magazine 49 to be taken in and out from the magazine stock portion 75 in the X direction. A plurality of pallets 25 on which trays 27 are placed are stored in each magazine 49 in multiple upper and lower stages. Thereby, the magazine stock portion 75 holds a plurality of pallets 25 so that they can be taken in and out. The second pallet moving portion 19 is provided in the X direction of the magazine stock portion 75.

[0024] The second pallet moving unit 19 as a pallet transfer device moves the pallet 25 between the tray feeder 13 and the stocker 17. That is, the second pallet moving unit 19 moves the pallet 25 between the stocker 17 that holds the pallet 25 storing components and the holding unit (such as the tray feeder 13) that holds the pallet 25 to supply the pallet 25 to a position where components can be taken out by a component mounting unit (such as the head unit 31) that mounts components on the substrate. The second pallet moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (such as the stocker lifting unit 79) for lifting up and down. The stocker lifting unit 79 has a column 83 erected on a stocker base 81. The column 83 stands up having substantially the same height as the magazine stock unit 75. A stocker feed screw 85 is provided on the stocker base 81 along this column 83. The stocker feed screw 85 is rotated by a stocker lifting motor 87 fixed to the upper part of the column 83. A stocker nut portion 89 is screwed onto the stocker feed screw 85.

[0025] The stocker nut portion 89 has a stocker lifting table 91 fixed thereto. Also, a pair of slide portions 71 (see FIG. 5) are fixed to the stocker lifting table 91. The slide portions 71 are supported by a guide rail 73 fixed to the column 83 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction. The stocker lifting table 91 is restricted from rotating in the rotational direction of the stocker feed screw 85 by the slide portions 71 and the guide rail 73.

[0026] Thereby, the stocker lifting table 91 is lifted and lowered on the surface of the magazine stock unit 75 on the side of the second pallet moving unit by driving the stocker lifting motor 87 by, for example, a stocker control unit 93 (see FIG. 8). At this time, the second pallet moving unit 19 can arrange the stocker lifting table 91 at the height position of the pallet 25 corresponding to this storage address by designating the storage address assigned to the pallet storage portion of the magazine stock unit 75. A stocker control unit 93 for performing these controls is provided at the lower part of the magazine stock unit 75.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the pallet 25 shown in FIG. 1. The pallet 25 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. One of a pair of parallel long side portions of the pallet 25 is the first long side portion 95 and the other is the second long side portion 97. The pallet 25 is conveyed with either the first long side portion 95 or the second long side portion 97 on the leading end side in the conveying direction.

[0028] At least a portion including the upper surface of the pallet 25 is made of a magnetic material. A tray 27 made of a non-magnetic material such as resin is placed on the upper surface of the pallet 25. A plurality of components 29 are arranged in an aligned state on the tray 27. The tray 27 is held in a state of being positioned at a predetermined position on the pallet 25 by a positioning device 99.

[0029] On the upper surface of the pallet 25, two tray positioning pieces 101 parallel to each of one short side portion adjacent to the first long side portion 95 are fixedly provided orthogonally. The two tray positioning pieces 101 have a corner portion 103 by being arranged in the orthogonal direction. The tray 27 positions its relative position with respect to the pallet 25 by pressing two side surfaces against the tray positioning pieces 101 so that one corner portion 105 coincides with the corner portion 103 of the pallet 25.

[0030] The tray 27 on the pallet positioned in this way is fixed to the pallet 25 by the positioning device 99 being pressed against the surface opposite to the surface pressed against the tray positioning pieces 101. The positioning device 99 has, for example, a magnet. The positioning device 99 is firmly fixed to the upper surface of the pallet 25 made of a magnetic material by magnetic force. Thereby, the movement of the tray 27 on the pallet is restricted and fixed. At this time, the two lever portions 107 of the positioning device 99 are located above the upper surface of the pallet 25. The positioning device 99 can be easily removed from the pallet 25 by pressing these lever portions 107 toward the upper surface of the pallet 25 based on the lever principle.

[0031] Further, the pallet 25 is provided with a first engaging portion 109 on the first long side portion 95 and a second engaging portion 111 on the second long side portion 97. The first engaging portion 109 and the second engaging portion 111 are arranged such that the opening sides of the engaging claws 113 formed in a U shape in plan view face each other. The interval between the engaging claws 113 of the first engaging portion 109 is larger than that of the second engaging portion 111. In Embodiment 1, the second engaging portion 111 engages with the traction portion (stocka engaging rod 115) shown in FIG. 5 of the second pallet moving portion 19, and the first engaging portion 109 engages with the feeder engaging rod 117 (see FIG. 5) of the first pallet moving portion 15.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the main part of the component mounting apparatus 11 shown in FIG. 1. The second pallet moving portion 19 has a turning portion 119 that turns at least in the first direction and the second direction. A turning shaft 121 in the Z direction is rotatably supported by the stocka elevating table 91. The turning shaft 121 is rotated via a turning belt 125 by a turning motor 123 fixed to the stocka elevating table 91. A turning table 127 is fixed to the upper end of the turning shaft 121. The turning table 127 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. On this turning table 127, a rectangular traction device 129 that is long in a direction orthogonal to the turning table 127 is fixed. That is, the turning table 127 and the traction device 129 intersect in a cross shape. The cross-shaped turning table 127 and traction device 129 rotate integrally about the turning shaft 121 by the turning motor 123.

[0033] FIG. 6(A) is an enlarged view of the main part seen in the Y direction of the second pallet moving portion 19. FIG. 6(B) is an enlarged view of the main part in which the turning portion 119 of FIG. 6(A) is rotated by 90°. By rotating 90° (that is, rotating 90° clockwise) from the state of FIG. 6(A), the state of FIG. 6(B) is transitioned. In other words, by rotating -90° (that is, rotating 90° counterclockwise) from the state of FIG. 6(B), the state of FIG. 6(A) is transitioned. The second pallet moving portion 19 has a pallet guide portion 131 that guides the pallet 25 while supporting the pallet 25 from below when replacing the pallet 25 between the tray feeder 13 and the stocka 17, along a pair of parallel short side portions of the turning table 127.

[0034] The towing device 129 is provided with a stock engaging rod 115 that can move forward and backward. The stock engaging rod 115 engages with a second engaging portion 111 provided at the end (second long side portion 97) of the pallet 25. The stock engaging rod 115 is inserted vertically between the engaging claws 113 of the second engaging portion 111 and engages with the second engaging portion 111 when the stock lifting table 91 moves up and down. The second pallet moving portion 19 can tow the pallet 25 with the stock engaging rod 115 engaged with the second engaging portion 111 in the first direction or the second direction by rotating the swivel table 127.

[0035] The towing device 129 has a main body base 133 that is long in a direction orthogonal to the swivel table 127. A pair of belt stretching shafts 135 along the respective short side portions are rotatably provided on the main body base 133. An endless towing belt 137 is stretched over the belt stretching shafts 135. The stock engaging rod 115 is fixed to the upper circumferential portion of the towing belt 137. A towing motor 141 is connected to one of the pair of belt stretching shafts 135 via a driving belt 139. Therefore, when the towing motor 141 is driven by, for example, a stock control unit 93, the towing belt 137 circulates and the stock engaging rod 115 can reciprocate along a guide slit 143 (see FIG. 5) formed in the longitudinal direction of the main body base 133. In the second pallet moving portion 19, although the stock engaging rod 115 reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the main body base 133, when the main body base 133 rotates together with the swivel table 127, the stock engaging rod 115 moves in the first direction or the second direction.

[0036] FIG. 7(A) is an enlarged view of the main part seen in the Y direction of the second pallet moving unit 19 that guides the pallet 25. FIG. 7(B) is an enlarged view of the main part in which the turning part 119 of FIG. 7(A) is rotated by 90°. In FIG. 7(A), the pallet 25 is supported from below by the pallet guide part 131 of the turning table 127. The pallet 25 has the second long side part 97 provided with the second engaging part 111 located on the front side of the drawing surface of the figure. The first engaging part 109 is located on the back side of the drawing surface of the figure and is not visible. FIG. 7(A) shows the state of FIG. 12 in a side view in the Y direction.

[0037] In FIG. 7(B), the pallet 25 is in the state before the turning part 119 of FIG. 7(A) rotates 90° clockwise (in other words, the state in which the turning part 119 of FIG. 7(A) rotates 90° counterclockwise). The stocker engaging rod 115 of the traction device 129 is engaged with the second engaging part 111 of the pallet 25. FIG. 7(B) shows the state of FIG. 11 in a side view in the Y direction.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the control system of the component mounting device 11 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the component mounting device 11 shown in FIG. 1. The component mounting device 11 and the stocker 17 are connected by wire or wirelessly so that data can be transmitted and received between them. The component mounting device 11 controls the supply of the pallet 25 from the stocker 17 and the recovery of the pallet 25 to the stocker 17 while transmitting and receiving instructions regarding component supply and stock information of the pallet 25 between the tray feeder 13 and the stocker 17.

[0040] The component mounting device 11 includes a component mounting mechanism 47, a tray feeder 13, a device display / operation panel 145, and a device control unit 147.

[0041] The device control unit 147 includes a component mounting control unit 149, a component supply control unit 151, and a device storage unit 153.

[0042] The device memory unit 153 is configured using a data recording device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and has a component mounting information storage unit 155 and a component supply information storage unit 157. The component mounting information storage unit 155 stores, as mounting information, the mounting status indicating the number of components to be mounted (attached) to the substrate carried into the component mounting device 11 and whether or not mounting is required. The component supply information storage unit 157 stores component supply information indicating the quantity of components to be mounted (attached) to the substrate carried into the component mounting device 11, the storage address (for example, a combination of numbers of magazines, pallets, trays on which each component is placed, etc.), and whether or not supply to the component mounting device 11 is required.

[0043] The component mounting control unit 149 constantly monitors the mounting status of components by the component mounting mechanism 47, manages and updates the consumption (mounting) status of components based on the monitoring status as component mounting information, and writes and stores it in the component mounting information storage unit 155. The component mounting control unit 149 controls the substrate transfer mechanism 39 and the component mounting mechanism 47 based on the component mounting information stored in the component mounting information storage unit 155 to control the mounting of the component 29 to the substrate 33 by the head unit 31.

[0044] The component supply control unit 151 monitors the remaining quantity of components on the tray consumed (i.e., mounted) by the component mounting mechanism 47, and based on the monitoring status, sends a request instruction for the component 29 to the tray feeder 13. When the tray feeder 13 receives the request for the component 29 from the component supply control unit 151, it pulls out the pallet 25 of the tray 27 holding the component 29 targeted by the request from the corresponding magazine 49 with reference to the component supply information stored in the component supply information storage unit 157, and moves it to the component extraction position 23. If, as a result of referring to the component supply information stored in the component supply information storage unit 157, there is no requested component 29 or the remaining quantity is small, the component supply control unit 151 sends a request instruction for the component 29 to the stocker 17. This request instruction for the component 29 to the stocker 17 is also displayed on, for example, the device display and operation panel 145.

[0045] The stocker 17 includes a stocker lifting section 79, a second pallet moving section 19, a stocker display and operation panel 159, and a stocker control section 93.

[0046] The stocker control section 93 includes a stocker conveyance control section 161 and a stocker storage section 163.

[0047] The stocker storage section 163 is configured using a data recording device such as an HDD or an SSD, and has a stock information storage section 165. The stock information storage section 165 stores part stock information indicating the quantity of parts to be replenished to the component mounting device 11, the storage address (for example, a combination of the numbers of the magazine, pallet, tray, etc. on which each part is placed), and the presence or absence of replenishment to the component mounting device 11.

[0048] When the stocker conveyance control section 161 receives a request instruction for the part 29 from the part supply control section 151 of the component mounting device 11, it refers to the part stock information stored in the stock information storage section 165, and the pallet 25 of the tray 27 holding the part 29 is pulled out from the magazine stock section 75 by the second pallet moving section 19. The second pallet moving section 19 inserts the pulled-out pallet 25 from the rear surface 167 (see FIG. 2) of the magazine 49 in the tray feeder 13 to complete the supply of the pallet 25 to the tray feeder 13. As a result of referring to the part stock information stored in the stock information storage section 165, if the requested part 29 is not available or the remaining quantity is small (for example, less than the specified quantity), the stocker conveyance control section 161 displays a request instruction for the part 29 to the stocker 17 on the device display and operation panel 145, and notifies that there is a shortage of parts or that a shortage of parts will occur soon.

[0049] Next, an example of the operation procedure for supplying (conveying) the pallet 25 holding the tray on which the parts are placed from the stocker 17 to the tray feeder 13 of the component mounting device 11 will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0050] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the conveyance procedure of the pallet 25.

[0051] In FIG. 9, when a new pallet 25 holding a tray on which parts are placed by a replenishment worker is inserted (replenished) into the stocker 17, a stocker control unit 93 of the stocker 17 detects the insertion (replenishment) of the pallet 25 into the stocker 17 using, for example, a sensor (not shown) (St1). In response to the detection in step St1, the stocker control unit 93 writes information such as the quantity and storage address of the parts 29 stocked in the stocker 17 into the part stock information, and updates the stock information storage unit 165 of the stocker storage unit 163 (St2). Thereby, the stocker 17 can accurately recognize the latest quantity of parts held by itself and the storage address of each part.

[0052] The stocker 17 sends the part stock information updated in step St2 to the component mounting device 11. The component mounting device 11 stores the part stock information sent from the stocker 17 in the part supply information storage unit 157 of the device storage unit 153 (St3). Thereby, the component mounting device 11 can share the quantity of parts held in the stocker 17 with the stocker 17, and can request the stocker 17 to replenish (supply) the parts when it is determined that there are not enough parts required for production as described later.

[0053] In the component mounting device 11, the device control unit 147 determines whether the tray feeder 13 is sufficiently supplied with the parts 29 required for the current production (St4). If there are parts 29 in the tray feeder 13 (St4, Yes), the determination in step St4 is repeated until it is determined that there are not enough parts.

[0054] If it is determined that there are no or not enough parts 29 required for the current production in the tray feeder 13 (St4, No), the device control unit 147 determines whether the stocker 17 has been replenished with the parts 29 (St5).

[0055] When the parts stocker 17 is not replenished with the parts 29 (St5, NO), the equipment control unit 147 of the parts mounting equipment 11 sends a replenishment instruction for the parts 29 determined to be insufficient to the parts stocker 17. When the parts stocker 17 receives the replenishment instruction sent from the equipment control unit 147 of the parts mounting equipment 11, based on the replenishment data, it outputs supply information for the necessary parts 29 to the stocker display / operation panel 159 (for example, a message prompting the replenishment worker to replenish the parts 29 or a preset alert sound), and prompts the replenishment of the parts 29 (St6).

[0056] The replenishment worker, for example, recognizes the supply information output in step St6 and manually replenishes the new pallet 25 (refer to the above) to the parts stocker 17. As a result, the stocker control unit 93 of the parts stocker 17 can detect that the new pallet 25 (refer to the above) has been replenished (inserted) by a sensor (not shown), etc., updates the parts stock information, generates a replenishment completion notice including the updated parts stock information, and sends it to the parts mounting equipment 11.

[0057] After this step St6, the parts mounting equipment 11 determines whether the necessary parts 29 have been supplied to the parts stocker 17 based on the receipt of the replenishment completion notice sent from the parts stocker 17 (St7). If it is determined that the necessary parts 29 are still insufficient (St7, No), the parts mounting equipment 11 repeats the processing of steps St6 and St7 with the parts stocker 17 until it is determined that the supply of the necessary parts 29 is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that the necessary parts 29 are sufficient (St7, Yes), the processing of step St8 is proceeded to.

[0058] In the component mounting device 11, when the device control unit 147 determines that the necessary component 29 is in the stocker 17 (St5, Yes) or when it determines that the necessary component 29 has been supplied to the stocker 17 (St7, Yes), it determines whether there is an empty pallet 25 in the tray feeder 13 due to the consumption (mounting) of the component 29. When it is determined that there is an empty pallet 25 in the tray feeder 13, the device control unit 147 controls to recover the empty pallet 25 from the tray feeder 13 to the stocker 17 (St8). The empty pallet 25 is recovered into a dedicated magazine 49 for empty pallets provided in the magazine stock section 75 of the stocker 17.

[0059] Note that this recovery operation of the empty pallet 25 may be independently performed by the tray feeder 13. In this case, the tray feeder 13 may be provided with a dedicated magazine 49 for accommodating the empty pallet 25.

[0060] Next, the stocker control unit 93 issues an instruction to the second pallet transfer unit 19 to supply the necessary pallet 25 from the stocker 17 to the tray feeder 13, and the supply of the pallet 25 is completed (St9).

[0061] Next, an example of the specific operation during pallet transfer will be described.

[0062] FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet transfer unit 19 immediately before pulling out the pallet 25 from the stocker 17. In the magazine stock section 75, the pallet 25 is accommodated such that the second engaging portion 111 is arranged on the surface on the side of the second pallet transfer unit (see FIG. 10). To supply the pallet 25 to the tray feeder 13, the stocker lifting / lowering section 79 of the second pallet transfer unit 19 moves in the vertical direction, and the stocker engaging rod 115 of the traction device 129 engages with the second engaging portion 111 provided on the desired pallet 25.

[0063] FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 19 after pulling out the pallet 25 from the stocker 17. The traction device 129 with the stocker engagement rod 115 engaged with the second engagement portion 111 pulls out the pallet 25 onto the swivel table 127 in the X direction by driving the traction motor 141 together with the stocker engagement rod 115. The pallet 25 pulled out onto the swivel table 127 is supported from below at both short sides by a pair of pallet guide portions 131.

[0064] FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 19 when the swivel portion 119 rotates clockwise. Next, the swivel table 127 supporting the pallet 25 rotates 90 degrees clockwise together with the traction device 129. The pallet 25 rotated 90 degrees clockwise has the first engagement portion 109 with which the stocker engagement rod 115 is not engaged disposed on the side of the magazine rack 51. Accordingly, in the traction device 129, the stocker engagement rod 115 engaged with the second engagement portion 111 is disposed on the rear side in the Y direction of the pallet 25.

[0065] FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 19 with the pallet 25 inserted into the tray feeder 13. The traction device 129 moves the stocker engagement rod 115 in the Y direction. The pallet 25 is inserted into the magazine 49 of the magazine rack 51 in the tray feeder 13 from the rear surface 167 while sliding on the pallet guide portion 131 as the stocker engagement rod 115 is moved in the Y direction. At this time, when inserting the pallet 25 at different heights, the stocker elevating table 91 is elevated or lowered to a desired height. The traction device 129 with the pallet 25 inserted into the tray feeder 13 retreats in a direction away from the tray feeder 13 after the stocker elevating table 91 is moved up or down to release the engagement with the second engagement portion 111. The second pallet moving unit 19 returns the stocker engagement rod 115 to the retracted position to complete the supply of the pallet 25 to the tray feeder 13.

[0066] In the tray feeder 13, to collect the empty pallet 25 without the component 29 into the stocker 17, the empty pallet 25 is moved to the stocker 17 by the reverse operation procedure to the above.

[0067] Next, the operation of the component mounting apparatus 11 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0068] The component mounting apparatus 11 takes out the component 29 stored in the tray 27 placed on the pallet 25 at the component take-out position 23 by the head unit 31 and mounts it on the substrate 33. The component mounting apparatus 11 includes a holding unit (for example, the tray feeder 13) that holds the pallet 25, a take-out position 61 where the pallet 25 can be taken out from the front surface 59 of the holding unit in the first direction (for example, the Y direction), a first pallet moving unit 15 that moves the pallet 25 between two positions at the component take-out position 23 where the component 29 can be taken out by the head unit 31, a stocker 17 that holds the pallet 25 so that the pallet 25 can be taken out in a second direction (for example, the X direction) different from the first direction, and a second pallet moving unit 19 that moves the pallet 25 between the holding unit and the stocker 17. Therefore, according to the component mounting apparatus 11, while enabling the labor saving of pallet supply, the structure that suppresses the protrusion into the passage 21 between the lines can expand the stock capacity of the pallet 169.

[0069] The pallet transfer device (e.g., the second pallet moving unit 19) moves the pallet 25 between the stocker 17 that holds the pallet 25 storing the parts 29 and the holding unit (e.g., the tray feeder 13) that holds the pallet 25 to supply the pallet 25 to a position where the parts 29 can be taken out by the parts mounting unit (e.g., the head unit 31) that mounts the parts 29 on the substrate 33. The pallet transfer device (e.g., the second pallet moving unit 19) includes pallet moving means for inserting and removing the pallet 25 into and from the holding unit (e.g., the tray feeder 13) in a direction different from the direction of inserting and removing the pallet 25 with respect to the stocker 17. Here, the pallet moving means includes a lifting unit (e.g., the stocker lifting unit 79) for lifting up and down, a pallet guide unit 131 for guiding the pallet 25 while supporting it from below, and a turning unit 119 that turns in the direction of inserting and removing the pallet 25 with respect to the stocker 17 and the direction of inserting and removing the pallet 25 with respect to the holding unit (e.g., the tray feeder 13).

[0070] In the component mounting device 11, the pallet 25 is arranged at the component taking-out position 23. A tray 27 capable of storing a plurality of components 29 is placed on this pallet 25. The component mounting device 11 takes out the component 29 from the tray 27 on this pallet arranged at the component taking-out position 23 by the head unit 31 and mounts it on the substrate 33 positioned at the working position on the substrate transfer mechanism.

[0071] A plurality of pallets 25 arranged at the component taking-out position 23 are held by the tray feeder 13 of the component mounting device 11. Each pallet 25 held by the tray feeder 13 is moved one by one to the component taking-out position 23 by the first pallet moving unit 15. That is, the pallet 25 is moved between two positions, the taking-out position 61 where it can be taken out from the front surface 59 of the tray feeder 13 in the first direction by the first pallet moving unit 15 and the above-mentioned component taking-out position 23.

[0072] In addition to the tray feeder 13, the component mounting device 11 includes a stocker 17 that holds a large number of pallets 25. In this stocker 17, the pallets 25 are taken out in a second direction different from the first direction. The stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 are not arranged in series on a straight line along the first direction.

[0073] FIG. 14 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a situation where the pallet 25 is moved from the stocker 17 to the tray feeder 13. The pallet 25 held in the stocker 17 is moved between the tray feeder 13 by the second pallet moving unit 19. After the pallet 25 is taken out from the stocker 17 in the second direction (X direction) by the second pallet moving unit 19, it is redirected in a first direction (Y direction) different from the second direction and inserted from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13. The pallet 25 inserted from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 is taken out in the first direction from the front surface 59 on the side opposite to the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 by the first pallet moving unit 15 and moved to the component removal position 23.

[0074] Note that when all the components 29 have been supplied from the tray 27 on which the pallet 25 is placed at the component removal position 23, the pallet 25 is returned to the stocker 17 by the reverse operation of the above.

[0075] In this way, in the component mounting device 11, a large-capacity stocker 17 capable of holding a large number of pallets 25 is newly provided, and the pallet 25 that is taken in and out in the second direction with respect to this stocker 17 is redirected by the second pallet moving unit 19 as a pallet transfer device and taken in and out in the first direction with respect to the tray feeder 13. That is, the second pallet moving unit 19 enables the automatic taking in and out of the pallet 25 with respect to both the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 at a position where the second direction and the first direction intersect.

[0076] In the component mounting device 11, when the components 29 on the tray 27 on the pallet held by the tray feeder 13 are exhausted, a new pallet 25 is supplied from the stocker 17 by replacement. When the components 29 on the tray 27 on the pallet held by the stocker 17 are exhausted, this empty pallet 25 is replaced with a new pallet 25 in which the components 29 are stored manually. Therefore, until the components 29 held by the large-capacity stocker 17 run out, it is not necessary to replenish the components 29 manually. As a result, the component replenishment frequency can be reduced, and the labor-saving and automation of component replenishment can be achieved.

[0077] Also, in the component mounting device 11, as described above, the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 are not arranged on a straight line along the first direction. The stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 are arranged in a direction bent at the intersection of the second direction and the first direction in a plan view. Thereby, the stocker 17 can set the loading and unloading direction of the pallet 25 as the second direction (X direction) along the passage 21. As a result, compared with the case where the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 are arranged in series on a straight line intersecting the passage 21 between the lines of the facility, the protrusion into the passage 21 can be suppressed.

[0078] And since the stocker 17 has no restriction on protruding into the passage 21 and can be arranged along the passage 21 in the second direction, and a large number of pallets 25 can be held in the stacking direction, a significant expansion of the stock capacity can be realized.

[0079] In addition, the second pallet moving unit 19 further includes a pallet guide unit 131 that guides the pallet 25 in a state of supporting the pallet 25 from below when replacing the pallet 25 between the holding unit (for example, the tray feeder 13) and the stocker 17.

[0080] In this component mounting device 11, the second pallet moving unit 19 has a pallet guide unit 131 that guides the pallet 25 while supporting it from below. The pallet guide unit 131 guides the pallet 25 so as to be movable in the second direction and the first direction while supporting the pallet 25 that is moved between the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 from below. The pallet guide unit 131 can suppress the displacement of the position of the pallet 25 when changing the direction from the second direction to the first direction or vice versa between the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13. As a result, the component mounting device 11 can achieve high-speed pallet conveyance even in a bent conveyance path where the loading and unloading direction of the pallet 25 has to be switched between the second direction and the first direction.

[0081] Further, the second pallet moving unit 19 has a turning unit 119 that turns at least in the first direction and the second direction.

[0082] In this component mounting device 11, the second pallet moving unit 19 has a turning unit 119 that turns at least in the first direction and the second direction. Here, the pallet 25 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view. One of a pair of parallel long side portions of the pallet 25 is the first long side portion 95 and the other is the second long side portion 97. The pallet 25 is moved with either the first long side portion 95 or the second long side portion 97 being the leading end side in the conveyance direction.

[0083] The conveyance direction can be divided into two: a supply direction for moving the pallet 25 of the stocker 17 to the tray feeder 13 and a recovery direction for moving the pallet 25 of the tray feeder 13 to the stocker 17.

[0084] The component mounting device 11 is different from, for example, directly inserting the pallet 25 pulled out from the stocker 17 in the second direction in the supply direction into the tray feeder 13 by parallel movement in the first direction. That is, in the component mounting device 11, the pallet 25 pulled out from the stocker 17 in the second direction is once turned by the second pallet moving unit 19, thereby changing the direction from the second direction to the first direction and inserting it into the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13. Thereby, the component mounting device 11 can finally select whether to set the first long side portion 95 or the second long side portion 97 as the insertion direction into the tray feeder 13 according to the rotation direction of the turning unit 119 for the direction of the pallet 25 finally inserted into the tray feeder 13.

[0085] Further, the second pallet moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (stocker lifting unit 79) for moving up and down.

[0086] In this component mounting device 11, the second pallet moving unit 19 includes a lifting unit (for example, stocker lifting unit 79) for moving up and down. The lifting range of the lifting unit is determined according to the higher one of the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13. In the component mounting device 11, since a large-capacity stocker 17 capable of holding a large number of pallets 25 is newly provided, it is assumed that the overall height of the stocker 17 is higher than that of the tray feeder 13. The lifting unit can stop at any position in the vertical direction along the surface of the stocker 17 on the side of the second pallet moving unit, and can take in and out the pallet 25 from the stocker 17 at any position in the vertical direction. Similarly, the lifting unit can stop at any position in the vertical direction along the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13, and can take in and out the pallet 25 from the tray feeder 13 at any position in the vertical direction.

[0087] Further, the second pallet moving unit 19 includes a stocker engagement rod 115 that can move forward and backward, and the pallet 25 is pulled in the first direction or the second direction by the engagement between the engagement portion (for example, the second engagement portion 111) provided at the end of the pallet 25 and the traction portion (for example, the stocker engagement rod 115).

[0088] In this component mounting device 11, the second pallet moving unit 19 is provided with a stocker engagement rod 115. Further, the pallet 25 is provided with a second engagement portion 111 at the first long side portion 95 and the second long side portion 97 which are the end portions. The stocker engagement rod 115 can pull the pallet 25 in the first direction or the second direction by engaging with the second engagement portion 111 of the pallet 25.

[0089] In the supply direction, the second pallet moving unit 19 engages the stocker engagement rod 115 with the second engagement portion 111 of the pallet 25 stored in the stocker 17, pulls out the pallet 25 from the stocker 17 in the second direction, and inserts the pallet 25 from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 in the first direction with the stocker engagement rod 115 engaged with the second engagement portion 111. The stocker engagement rod 115 that has inserted the pallet 25 into the tray feeder 13 releases the engagement with the second engagement portion 111 and moves from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 to the standby position while leaving the pallet 25 in the tray feeder 13.

[0090] In the recovery direction, the second pallet moving unit 19 engages the stocker engagement rod 115 with the second engagement portion 111 of the pallet 25 stored in the tray feeder 13, pulls out the pallet 25 from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 in the first direction, and inserts the pallet 25 from the surface on the second pallet moving unit side of the stocker 17 in the second direction with the stocker engagement rod 115 engaged with the second engagement portion 111. The stocker engagement rod 115 that has inserted the pallet 25 into the stocker 17 releases the engagement with the second engagement portion 111 and moves from the surface on the second pallet moving unit side of the stocker 17 to the standby position while leaving the pallet 25 in the stocker 17.

[0091] In this component mounting device 11, for example, in the supply direction, the stocker engagement rod 115 is engaged with a second engagement portion 111 provided at the end portion on the front side in the pulling-out direction from the stocker 17 to pull out the pallet 25. The second pallet moving portion 19 that has pulled out the pallet 25 has the transport direction of the pallet 25 changed from the second direction to the first direction by the turning portion 119, so that the stocker engagement rod 115 is engaged with the end portion on the rear side in the transport direction of the pallet 25. In this state, the stocker engagement rod 115 transports the pallet 25 in the first direction by pushing the end portion on the rear side in the transport direction. That is, the stocker engagement rod 115 moves the pallet 25 by pulling in the second direction and pushing in the first direction.

[0092] In this case, the orientations of the first long side portion 95 and the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 25 stored in the stocker 17 are reversed from the orientations of the first long side portion 95 and the second long side portion 97 inserted into the tray feeder 13. That is, for the pallet 25 that was stored in the stocker 17 with the second long side portion 97 being the surface on the side of the second pallet moving portion, the first long side portion 95 is arranged on the front surface 59 in the tray feeder 13. Therefore, the orientation of the pallet 25 when storing it in the stocker 17 can be determined based on the orientation of the pallet 25 that is desired to be stored in the tray feeder 13.

[0093] In this component mounting device 11, the position of the stocker engagement rod 115 when pulling out the pallet 25 from the stocker 17 can be set as the start position when pushing the pallet 25 into the tray feeder 13. Thereby, the stocker engagement rod 115 can obtain a large pushing stroke. As a result, in the component mounting device 11, the stocker engagement rod 115 can be used for both taking in and taking out the pallet, and the structure of the second pallet moving portion 19 can be simplified.

[0094] Further, in the component mounting device 11, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal in a plan view. Note that the fact that the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal in a plan view is the same also in Embodiment 2 described later.

[0095] In this component mounting device 11, the first direction and the second direction are orthogonal in a plan view. The stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 can be arranged in an L shape in a plan view in a direction bent at a right angle at the intersection of the second direction and the first direction in a plan view. As a result, when the pallet loading and unloading direction of the tray feeder 13 is a direction orthogonal to the passage 21, the pallet loading and unloading direction of the stocker 17 can be made parallel to the passage 21. As a result, compared with the case where the stocker 17 and the tray feeder 13 are arranged in series on a straight line intersecting the passage 21 between the lines of the facility, the protrusion into the passage 21 can be suppressed by the amount that the position of the stocker 17 can be bent at a right angle and arranged.

[0096] (Embodiment 2) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the pallet 169 used in Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, members and parts equivalent to the members and parts shown in FIGS. 1 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0097] In the component mounting device 171 (see FIG. 16) according to Embodiment 2, the first engaging portion 109 is provided on the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169, the pulling portion is the stocker engaging rod 173 shown in FIG. 16, and the pushing device 175 is provided with the pushers (first pusher 177, second pusher 179) shown in FIG. 17, which are different from the configuration of Embodiment 1. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of Embodiment 1.

[0098] The same first engaging portion 109 is provided on each of the first long side portion 95 and the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169. Other configurations of the pallet 169 are the same as those of Embodiment 1.

[0099] FIG. 16 is a plan view of the main part of the component mounting device 171 according to Embodiment 2. The second pallet moving portion 19 includes a stocker engaging rod 173 in the pulling device 175. The stocker engaging rod 173 engages with the first engaging portion 109. Therefore, the stocker engaging rod 173 and the feeder engaging rod 117 are formed with the same width and engage with the first engaging portion 109.

[0100] The second pallet moving unit 19 pulls the pallet 169 in the second direction (X direction) by engaging the first engaging portion 109 provided at the end of the pallet 169 (for example, the first long side portion 95), with the stocker engaging rod 173, and then the pusher (for example, the first pusher 177, the second pusher 179) moves the pallet 169 in the first direction (Y direction).

[0101] FIG. 17(A) is an enlarged view of the main part seen in the Y direction of the second pallet moving unit 181. FIG. 17(B) is an enlarged view of the main part in which the turning part 119 of FIG. 17(A) is rotated 90° clockwise. The traction device 175 has a pusher housing 183 that is long in the same direction as the main body base 133 fixed to the upper part of the main body base 133. In the pusher housing 183, a first pusher driving unit 185 and a second pusher driving unit 187 are arranged side by side in the width direction of the stocker engaging rod 173 (for example, the direction along the first long side portion 95 of the pallet 169).

[0102] The first pusher driving unit 185 has a first pusher lifting and lowering unit 189 that consists of an air cylinder. A first pusher 177 is fixed to the advancing and retreating shaft of the first pusher lifting and lowering unit 189. As shown in FIG. 17(B), when the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183 is arranged along the X direction, the first pusher 177 is arranged on the side close to the stocker 17 by the short arm 191. The first pusher 177 can move in the vertical direction as the advancing and retreating shaft of the first pusher lifting and lowering unit 189 advances and retreats. The first pusher lifting and lowering unit 189 lowers the first pusher 177 only when transporting the pallet 169, and retreats the first pusher 177 to a position where it does not interfere with pallet transportation at other times.

[0103] The first pusher drive unit 185 is provided with a pair of belt tensioning shafts 135 rotatably along the short side portions of the pusher housing 183. An endless traction belt 137 is tensioned around the belt tensioning shafts 135. A first pusher lifting unit 189 is fixed to the lower circumferential portion of the traction belt 137. A pusher motor 193 is connected to one of the pair of belt tensioning shafts 135 via a drive belt 139. Therefore, when the pusher motor 193 is driven by, for example, the device control unit 147 in the first pusher drive unit 185, the traction belt 137 rotates, and the first pusher lifting unit 189 can reciprocate along a guide slit 143 formed in the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183.

[0104] The second pusher drive unit 187 includes a second pusher lifting unit 195 and a second pusher 179, and has substantially the same configuration as the first pusher drive unit 185. The second pusher 179 provided in the second pusher drive unit 187 is arranged on the side away from the stocker 17 by a long arm 197 when the longitudinal direction of the pusher housing 183 is along the X direction as shown in FIG. 17(B). This is different from the first pusher drive unit 185. Other configurations are the same as those of the first pusher drive unit 185.

[0105] FIG. 18 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 181 immediately before pulling out the pallet 169 from the stocker 17. The pallet 169 is accommodated in the magazine stock unit 75 such that the first engaging portion 109 of the first long side portion 95 is arranged on the surface on the side of the second pallet moving unit. To supply the pallet 169 to the tray feeder 13, the stocker lifting unit 79 of the second pallet moving unit 181 is moved in the vertical direction, and the stocker engaging rod 173 of the traction device 175 is engaged with the first engaging portion 109 provided on the desired pallet 25.

[0106] FIG. 19 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 181 after pulling out the pallet 169 from the stocker 17. The traction device 175 with the stocker engagement rod 173 engaged with the first engagement portion 109 pulls out the pallet 169 to the turntable 127 in the X direction by driving the traction motor 141 together with the stocker engagement rod 173. The pallet 25 pulled out to the turntable 127 is supported by a pair of pallet guide portions 131 such that the short side portions on both sides are supported from below.

[0107] FIG. 20 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 181 when the turning portion 119 rotates clockwise. Next, the turntable 127 supporting the pallet 169 rotates counterclockwise by 90 degrees together with the traction device 175. The pallet 169 rotated counterclockwise by 90 degrees has the first engagement portion 109 with which the stocker engagement rod 173 is engaged disposed on the side of the magazine rack 51. Accordingly, in the traction device 175, the stocker engagement rod 173 engaged with the first engagement portion 109 is disposed on the front side in the Y direction of the pallet 169.

[0108] FIG. 21 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving unit 181 when the first pusher 177 starts pushing in. The traction device 175 moves the stocker engagement rod 173 in the Y direction. The pallet 169 is inserted into the magazine 49 of the magazine rack 51 in the tray feeder 13 from the rear surface 167 by sliding on the pallet guide portion 131 as the stocker engagement rod 173 is moved in the Y direction. At this time, when inserting the pallet 169 at different heights, the stocker elevating table 91 is elevated to a desired height.

[0109] With the pallet 169 inserted halfway into the tray feeder 13, the stocker engagement rod 173 reaches the end in the moving direction and stops. The stopped stocker engagement rod 173 is moved up or down to disengage from the first engagement portion 109 and then retracts in the direction away from the tray feeder 13. Next, the traction device 175 causes the first pusher 177 to push the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169 in the Y direction. The first pusher 177 reaches the stroke end and stops with the pallet 169 inserted halfway into the tray feeder 13. The stopped first pusher 177 retracts in the direction away from the tray feeder 13.

[0110] FIG. 22 is an operation explanatory diagram of the second pallet moving portion 181 in which the second pusher 179 inserts the pallet 169 into the tray feeder 13. Next, the traction device 175 causes the second pusher 179 to push the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169 in the Y direction. As a result, the pallet 169 is completely inserted into the magazine 49 in the supply destination tray feeder 13. The traction device 175 moves the second pusher 179 to the retracted position to complete the supply of the pallet 169.

[0111] Here, the pallet transfer operations by the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 will be further described.

[0112] FIG. 23 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the pushing-in procedure of the pallet 169 by the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179.

[0113] To operate the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179, first, the traction device 175 pulls out the pallet 169 from the magazine 49 of the stocker 17 to the pallet guide portion 131. Next, the traction device 175 lowers and retracts the stocker engagement rod 115. The device control unit 147 drives the first pusher lifting / lowering portion 189 to lower the first pusher 177. The first pusher 177 moves to a position where it can push the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169.

[0114] Next, the apparatus control unit 147 moves the first pusher 177 in the Y direction. As a result, the first long side portion 95 of the pallet 169 is inserted into the magazine 49 in the destination tray feeder 13, while the second long side portion 97 stops at a position protruding from the magazine 49. The apparatus control unit 147 drives the first pusher lifting unit 189 to raise the first pusher 177 and retract the first pusher 177 from a position where the pallet can be transported.

[0115] Next, the apparatus control unit 147 drives the second pusher lifting unit 195 to lower the second pusher 179. The second pusher 179 moves to a position where it can push the second long side portion 97 of the pallet 169.

[0116] Finally, the apparatus control unit 147 moves the second pusher 179 in the Y direction. As a result, the pallet 169 is completely inserted into the destination magazine 49.

[0117] Next, the operation of the component mounting apparatus 171 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0118] In the component mounting apparatus 171 according to the second embodiment, the second pallet moving unit 19 includes a retractable traction unit (for example, the stocker engagement rod 173) and pushers (for example, the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179). After the traction unit engages with the engagement portion provided at the end of the pallet 169 to pull the pallet 169 in the second direction (X direction), the pusher moves the pallet 169 in the first direction (Y direction). Therefore, according to the component mounting apparatus 171, it is possible to reduce the manning for pallet replenishment, and by a structure that suppresses the protrusion into the passage 21 between the lines, it is possible to expand the stock capacity of the pallet 169.

[0119] In this component mounting device 171, the second pallet moving unit 19 includes a stocker engagement rod 173, a first pusher 177, and a second pusher 179. Further, the pallet 169 is provided with a first engagement portion 109 on a first long side portion 95 and a second long side portion 97. The stocker engagement rod 173 can pull the pallet 169 in the X direction by engaging with the first engagement portion 109 of the pallet 169. The first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 can move the pallet 169 pulled by the stocker engagement rod 173 in the Y direction.

[0120] FIG. 24 is an operation explanatory diagram showing the situation where the pallet 169 is moved from the stocker 17 to the tray feeder 13. In the supply direction, the second pallet moving unit 181 has the stocker engagement rod 173 engage with the first engagement portion 109 of the first long side portion 95 of the pallet 169 stored in the stocker 17, pulls out the pallet 169 from the stocker 17 in the X direction, and changes the direction of the pallet 169 in the Y direction while the stocker engagement rod 173 is engaged with the first engagement portion 109. The stocker engagement rod 173 releases the engagement with the first engagement portion 109. Next, the second pallet moving unit 19 pushes the pallet 169 to the storage completion position of the tray feeder 13 in the order of the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179. After the completion of the pallet insertion, the second pusher 179 returns from the rear surface 167 of the tray feeder 13 to the standby position while leaving the pallet 169 in the tray feeder 13.

[0121] Also, in the recovery direction, the pallet 169 stored in the tray feeder 13 is pushed back from the rear surface 167 of the magazine rack 51 by the second pallet moving unit 19. The pushing back of this pallet 169 is performed, for example, by inserting the feeder engagement rod 117 from the front surface 59 of the magazine rack 51. Next, the stocker engagement rod 173 engages with the first engagement portion 109 of the second long side portion 97 and pulls it out to the position of the turntable 127.

[0122] Next, the pallet 169 is rotated 90 degrees clockwise and inserted by the stocker engagement rod 173 from the surface on the second pallet moving part side of the stocker 17 in the X direction. The stocker engagement rod 173 that has inserted the pallet 169 into the stocker 17 releases the engagement with the first engagement part 109 and returns from the surface on the second pallet moving part side of the stocker 17 to the standby position while leaving the pallet 169 in the stocker 17.

[0123] In this component mounting device 171, for example, in the supply direction, the stocker engagement rod 173 is engaged with the first engagement part 109 provided on the first long side part 95 on the front side of the pulling-out direction from the stocker 17 to pull out the pallet 169. The second pallet moving part 181 that has pulled out the pallet 169 has the transport direction of the pallet 169 changed from the X direction to the Y direction by the turning part 119. From this state, the second pallet moving part 181 transports the pallet 169 in the Y direction by the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179 pushing the second long side part 97 on the rear side of the transport direction of the pallet 169. That is, the second pallet moving part 181 pulls the pallet 169 in the X direction with the stocker engagement rod 173 and pushes the pallet 169 in the Y direction with the first pusher 177 and the second pusher 179.

[0124] In this case, the orientations of the first long side part 95 and the second long side part 97 of the pallet 169 stored in the stocker 17 are the same as the orientations of the first long side part 95 and the second long side part 97 inserted into the tray feeder 13. That is, for the pallet 169 stored in the stocker 17 with the first long side part 95 being the surface on the second pallet moving part side, the first long side part 95 is also arranged on the front surface 59 in the tray feeder 13.

[0125] According to this component mounting device 171, the orientation of the pallet 169 when storing it in the stocker 17 can be made the same as the orientation of the pallet 169 that is desired to be stored in the tray feeder 13. The pallet 169 is always transported with the front end side in the transport direction being the first long side part 95.

[0126] Although the various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modification examples, correction examples, substitution examples, addition examples, deletion examples, and equivalent examples within the scope described in the claims, and it is naturally understood that they also belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure. Further, within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention, the respective components in the above-described various embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

[0127] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the first pallet moving unit 15 moves the pallet 25 between the take-out position 61 where the pallet 25 can be taken out in the Y direction from the front surface of the holding unit (for example, the tray feeder 13) and the component take-out position 23 where the component 29 can be taken out by the component mounting unit (for example, the head unit 31). However, the holding unit (for example, the tray feeder 13) may be able to move the magazine 49 up and down. In this case, the first pallet moving unit 15 may pull out the pallet 25 that is the target for taking out the component 29 from the holding unit (for example, the tray feeder 13) that can move the magazine 49 up and down.

[0128] In the above-described embodiment, the head unit 31 has been cited as an example of the component mounting unit, and an example has been described in which the head unit 31 adsorbs and holds the component 29 stored in the tray 27 by the suction nozzle 45 and mounts it on the substrate 33. However, the configuration example of the component mounting unit is not limited to the head unit 31, and it may be a component mounting unit that grips and transfers the component 29 by gripping means other than the suction nozzle 45. For example, such a component mounting unit may grip the component 29 (for example, a lead component) so as to sandwich it from both side surfaces and mount it on the substrate 33.

[0129] This application is based on a Japanese patent application filed on July 20, 2020 (Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-123899), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Industrial Applicability

[0130] The present disclosure is useful as a component mounting device and a pallet transfer device that enables labor saving in pallet replenishment, suppresses overshooting into the passage between lines, and realizes an increase in the stock capacity of pallets.

Explanation of Signs

[0131] 11 Component mounting device 13 Tray feeder (pallet holding part) 15 First pallet moving part 17 Stocker 19 Second pallet moving part 23 Component extraction position 25 Pallet 27 Tray 29 Component 31 Head unit 33 Substrate 59 Front 61 Extraction position 79 Stocking lifting part (lifting part) 95 First long side part (end part) 97 Second long side part (end part) 109 First engaging part (engaging part) 111 Second engaging part (engaging part) 115 Stocking engaging rod (traction part) 119 Swivel part 131 Pallet guide part 169 Pallet 171 Component mounting device 173 Stocking engaging rod (traction part) 177 First pusher (pusher) 179 Second pusher (pusher) 181 Second pallet moving part

Claims

1. A component mounting device that uses a component mounting unit to pick up components stored in a tray placed on a pallet at a component pick-up position and mount the components on a board, A holding section for holding the pallet; a first pallet moving unit that moves the pallet between a removal position where the pallet can be removed from a front surface of the holding unit and a component removal position where the component can be removed by the component mounting unit; a stocker in which a plurality of magazines for storing the pallets are held at intervals in the vertical direction; a second pallet moving unit that moves the pallet between the holding unit and the stocker, Parts mounting device.

2. the second pallet moving unit further includes a pallet guide unit that supports and guides the pallet from below when the pallet is exchanged between the holding unit and the stocker. The component mounting device according to claim 1.

3. the first pallet moving unit moves the pallet between a removal position where the pallet can be removed in a first direction from a front surface of the holding unit and a component removal position where the component can be removed by the component mounting unit; the pallet is removable from the stocker in a second direction different from the first direction; The second pallet moving unit includes a rotating unit that rotates at least in the first direction and the second direction.

3. The component mounting device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second pallet moving unit includes a lifting unit for lifting up and down. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The second pallet moving unit includes a towing unit that can advance and retreat, and tows the pallet in the first direction or the second direction by engaging an engagement unit provided at an end of the pallet with the towing unit. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The second pallet moving unit includes a towing unit and a pusher that can advance and retreat, and an engagement unit provided at an end of the pallet engages with the towing unit to pull the pallet in the second direction, and then the pusher moves the pallet in the first direction. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other in a plan view. The component mounting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A pallet conveying device that moves a pallet between a stocker that holds a plurality of magazines spaced apart in the vertical direction, each magazine removably housing a pallet for storing components, and a holding section that holds the pallet in order to supply the pallet to a position from which the components can be removed by a component mounting section that mounts the components on a board, a pallet moving means for inserting and removing the pallet into and from the holding section in a direction different from a direction in which the pallet is inserted and removed from the stocker, The pallet moving means is A lifting section for lifting and lowering the device; a pallet guide portion that guides the pallet while supporting it from below; a rotating unit that rotates in a direction in which the pallet is inserted or removed from the stocker and in a direction in which the pallet is inserted or removed from the holding unit, Pallet transport device.

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