Tape feeder and component mounting device

Abstract

To provide a tape feeder and a component mounting device that can prevent a component supply tape from unintentionally falling off a support rail that supports the tape.SOLUTION: A tape feeder 21 is mounted on a feeder carriage that holds a reel RL around which a component supply tape BT is wound, and supplies components to a component pick-up position by taking in and transporting the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL into a transport path 42. The tape feeder 21 includes a pair of support rails 62 that support both widthwise ends of the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL and inserted into the transport path 42. Each of the pair of support rails 62 includes a curved portion 62a that curves and extends from an introduction portion 62d in a direction away from the component supply tape BT when the component supply tape BT is unwound from the reel RL, and an end 62P of the curved portion 62a is positioned so as not to come into contact with the component supply tape BT that is introduced from the introduction portion 62d onto the pair of support rails 62.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tape feeder that supplies components by conveying a component supply tape, and a component mounting device that includes this tape feeder. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, tape feeders using a component supply tape have been known as a component supply means for a component mounting device that picks up and mounts components on a board. The tape feeder is attached to a feeder cart and is configured to take in the component supply tape, which is unwound from a reel held by the feeder cart, into a conveyance path and convey it, thereby continuously supplying components to a component removal position. The tape feeder has a pair of support rails that support from below both widthwise ends of the component supply tape inserted into the conveyance path (for example, the first support portion and the second support portion in Patent Document 1 listed below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2022 / 085768 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the tape feeder of Patent Document 1, the ends of each of the pair of support rails (i.e., the ends closest to the reel, i.e., the lower ends) are positioned to contact the component supply tape that has been pulled out from the reel and is supported by the pair of support rails. Therefore, depending on the remaining amount of component supply tape on the reel and the tension of the component supply tape, the component supply tape may bend around the ends of the support rails as a fulcrum, causing the central portion of the component supply tape in the width direction to be pulled downward from between the pair of support rails and fall off, potentially resulting in the component supply tape unintentionally falling off the support rails. Furthermore, because the corners of the support rail ends are typically rounded to prevent workers from injuring their fingers when they touch them, the component supply tape that is bent around the ends of the support rails as a fulcrum is even more likely to fall off the support rails.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a tape feeder and a component mounting device that can prevent a component supply tape from unintentionally falling off the support rail that supports it. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tape feeder of the present disclosure is a tape feeder that is attached to a feeder cart that holds a reel wound with component supply tape, and supplies components to a component removal position by taking in the component supply tape unwound from the reel and transporting it into a transport path, and is provided with a pair of support rails that support both widthwise ends of the component supply tape that is unwound from the reel and inserted into the transport path, and each of the pair of support rails has a curved portion that extends in a curved direction away from the component supply tape from an introduction portion where the component supply tape unwound from the reel is introduced, and the ends of the curved portions are positioned so as not to come into contact with the component supply tape that is introduced from the introduction portion into the pair of support rails.

[0007] A component mounting device according to the present disclosure includes the tape feeder according to the present disclosure and a mounting head that picks up components supplied by the tape feeder and mounts them on a substrate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent the component supply tape from unintentionally falling off the support rail that supports it. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a side view of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a side view of a tape feeder included in the component mounting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a state in which a component supply tape unwound from a reel is inserted into a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1A is a side view of a next tape insertion portion provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1B is a rear view of the next tape insertion portion provided in the tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are perspective views of a next tape insertion section provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between a component supply tape supported by a support rail of a tape feeder and an end of a curved portion of the support rail in the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a next tape insertion portion provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating a state in which the component supply tape inserted in the tape feeder has fallen from the support rail in the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings as appropriate, detailed descriptions of each embodiment that specifically disclose the configuration and operation of a printing device according to the present disclosure will be provided. However, unnecessary detailed descriptions may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of well-known matters or redundant descriptions of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 shows a component mounting device 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The component mounting device 1 has the function of mounting components BH on a board KB carried in from the outside and carrying it out, and includes a mounting device main body 2 and a component supply unit 3 (component supply device). In this embodiment, the left-right direction as seen from the operator OP is defined as the X direction, the front-rear direction as seen from the operator OP (the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction) is defined as the Y direction, and the up-down direction is defined as the Z direction.

[0012] In FIG. 1, the mounting device main body 2 is provided with a substrate transport unit 12 consisting of a pair of conveyor mechanisms mounted on a base 11. The substrate transport unit 12 transports the substrate KB in the X direction and positions it at a predetermined working position. A mounting head 13 is provided above the base 11. The mounting head 13 is moved horizontally by a head movement mechanism 14 consisting of, for example, an XY movement mechanism. The mounting head 13 is provided with multiple nozzles 13N extending downward. The mounting head 13 can generate a vacuum suction force at the bottom end of each nozzle 13N.

[0013] 1, the component supply unit 3 includes a plurality of tape feeders 21 that supply components BH to the mounting head 13, and a feeder carriage 22 that holds the plurality of tape feeders 21. A block-shaped feeder base 31 is provided on the top of the feeder carriage 22, and the tape feeders 21 are detachably mounted on the top surface of the feeder base 31.

[0014] A plurality of tape feeders 21 can be attached to the feeder base 31 in a line in the X direction. When the feeder cart 22 is moved on the floor surface FL and connected to the base 11 of the mounting device main body 2, the plurality of tape feeders 21 are each connected to the mounting device main body 2 electrically and for signal transmission.

[0015] In Fig. 1, reel holders 32 are provided in two tiers, upper and lower, below feeder base 31. Each reel holder 32 holds multiple reels RL lined up in the X direction. A component supply tape BT is wound around each reel RL. The component supply tape BT holds multiple components BH lined up in a row at regular intervals.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of a tape feeder provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 2, tape feeder 21 includes, inside main body 41, which is detachably attached to feeder base 31, a conveyance path 42 serving as a passage for conveying component supply tape BT, and a tape conveyance unit 43 that conveys component supply tape BT in conveyance path 42 from the upstream side, which is the front side as viewed from operator OP, to the downstream side, which is the rear side (from left to right on the paper surface of FIG. 2). In this embodiment, tape conveyance unit 43 is configured with three sprockets (from the upstream side: feed sprocket 43A, upstream sprocket 43B, and downstream sprocket 43C) whose operation is controlled by feeder control unit 44. Tape conveyance unit 43 conveys component supply tape BT in conveyance path 42 to continuously supply components BH to component pick-up position 21T, which is set at the downstream end of main body 41.

[0017] 2, the end face of the main body 41 on the front side as seen from the operator OP is formed with a tape inlet 42A into which the component supply tape BT is inserted, and is also provided with a next tape insertion section 45. The end face of the main body 41 on the back side as seen from the operator OP is formed with a tape outlet 42B.

[0018] The tape entrance 42A is an opening provided in the main body 41, and is connected to the transport path 42 inside the main body 41. The next tape insertion section 45 is attached to the front end of the main body 41, is located above the tape entrance 42A, and is connected to the transport path 42.

[0019] 3 is a side view showing a state in which a component supply tape unwound from a reel is inserted into a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL (upper reel RL) held by the upper reel holder 32 is inserted into tape inlet 42A. Meanwhile, the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL (lower reel RL) held by the lower reel holder 32 is inserted into next tape insertion portion 45.

[0020] The component supply tape BT inserted into the transport path 42 from the tape inlet 42A is the component supply tape BT that is drawn into the transport path 42 by the tape transport unit 43 and used for component supply, and is hereinafter referred to as the "current tape BT1." On the other hand, the component supply tape BT inserted into the transport path 42 from the next tape insertion unit 45 is a replenishment component supply tape BT that is transported by the tape transport unit 43 as the next current tape BT1 after the current tape BT1 has been transported to its terminal end, and is hereinafter referred to as the "next tape BT2" (FIG. 3).

[0021] 3, next tape BT2 is inserted through next tape insertion section 45 and inserted into transport path 42 in a state where it is in contact with the upper surface of current tape BT1. After passing slightly past feed sprocket 43A, next tape BT2 abuts against tape stopper 46, which is located slightly downstream of feed sprocket 43A. With its leading edge abutting tape stopper 46, next tape BT2 cannot be pushed any further inward and enters a standby state.

[0022] The configuration of the next tape insertion section 45 will be described. Figure 4 shows (a) a side view and (b) a rear view of the next tape insertion section provided in a tape feeder according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 4(a), the next tape insertion section 45 includes a pair of side plate members 51 and a tape drop mechanism 52. The next tape insertion section 45 is located above the upper and lower reel holders 32 when the tape feeder 21 is attached to the feeder base 31 of the feeder cart 22.

[0023] 5(a) and 5(b) are perspective views of a next tape insertion portion provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4(b) and 5(a) and 5(b), a pair of side plate members 51 are provided at the front end of the main body 41, facing each other in the width direction (X direction). At the front end of each of the pair of side plate members 51 as seen from the operator OP, an extension portion 61 is provided that extends downward and then curves toward the rear.

[0024] 5(a) and 5(b), support rails 62 each made up of a flange portion that projects in the direction of facing each other are formed on the inner surfaces (facing surfaces) of each of the pair of side plate members 51 (see also FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b)). The surface of each of the pair of support rails 62 serves as a support surface 62M that supports, from below, both ends in the width direction (X direction) of the component supply tape BT (next tape BT2) that is pulled out from the lower reel RL and inserted into the transport path 42.

[0025] 4(a) and 5(a) and 5(b), each of the pair of support rails 62 extends obliquely downward from the back side of the operator OP toward the operator OP along the lower edge 51E of the side plate member 51, and at its lower end (the introduction portion 62d where the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL is introduced) is formed a curved portion 62a that curves and extends in a direction away from the component supply tape BT. End portion 62P of curved portion 62a is positioned so as not to come into contact with the component supply tape BT introduced from introduction portion 62d onto the pair of support rails 62 (FIG. 6). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the component supply tape supported by the support rails of the tape feeder and the end of the curved portion of the support rail in one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] As described above, each of the pair of support rails 62 provided in the tape feeder 21 of this embodiment has a curved portion 62a that extends in a curved shape from the side where the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL is introduced in a direction away from the component supply tape BT, and the end of the curved portion 62a is positioned so as not to come into contact with the component supply tape BT introduced from the introduction portion 62d onto the pair of support rails 62.

[0027] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a next tape insertion portion provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VV in Figure 4(b). As shown in this figure, an end 62P of the curved portion 62a of each of the pair of support rails 62 has an arc-shaped portion 62R with rounded corners (see also Figures 5(a) and (b)). This prevents the worker OP from injuring his or her fingers even if the worker OP accidentally touches the end 62P of the curved portion 62a.

[0028] 2 and 4(a), the tape drop mechanism 52 is provided between a pair of side plate members 51. The tape drop mechanism 52 is a mechanism that drops the next tape BT2, both ends of which are supported by a pair of support rails 62, from between the pair of support rails 62. The operation of the tape drop mechanism 52 is controlled by the feeder control unit 44.

[0029] The operation of the tape drop mechanism 52 when dropping the component supply tape BT is the same as that described in the aforementioned Patent Document 1. First, one of the pair of support rails supporting both ends of the component supply tape BT is raised, and one of the ends of the component supply tape BT is lifted, thereby tilting the component supply tape BT. As a result, when the width dimension of the component supply tape BT in a plan view becomes smaller than the dimension between the pair of support rails 62, both ends of the component supply tape BT fall off both support rails 62. The component supply tape BT then passes between the pair of support rails 62 and reaches the tape inlet 42A, where it is positioned where the current tape BT1 should be (FIG. 8). FIG. 8 is a side view showing a state in which a component supply tape inserted in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has fallen from the support rail.

[0030] When the component mounting device 1 having this configuration performs a component mounting operation to mount components BH on a board KB, the board transport unit 12 first operates to carry in the board KB supplied from outside the mounting device main body unit 2 and position it at a predetermined work position. Once the board KB is positioned, each tape feeder 21 operates to supply components BH to each component removal position 21T. The mounting head 13 is moved back and forth between the tape feeders 21 and the board KB by the head movement mechanism 14, repeatedly performing the component mounting operation.

[0031] In one component mounting operation, the mounting head 13 uses the nozzle 13N to pick up and suck up a component BH supplied by the tape feeder 21, and then mounts the component BH at a predetermined target component mounting position on the board KB. When the mounting head 13 repeats the component mounting operation and all of the components BH to be mounted on the board KB have been mounted, the board transport unit 12 operates to transport the board KB out of the mounting device main body unit 2.

[0032] In the component mounting operation described above, each tape feeder 21 controls the tape transport unit 43 via the feeder control unit 44 to transport the current tape BT1 in the transport path 42 from the upstream side to the downstream side. This allows components BH to be continuously supplied to the component take-out position 21T. As described above, the tape feeder 21 of this embodiment is mounted on the feeder cart 22 that holds the reel RL around which the component supply tape BT is wound, and supplies components BH to the component take-out position 21T by taking in the component supply tape BT unwound from the reel RL into the transport path 42 and transporting it.

[0033] While the current tape BT1 is being transported, the upper reel RL is pulled upward by the tension acting on the current tape BT1, causing it to rotate (rotate in place) within the upper reel holder 32. Then, when the trailing end of the current tape BT1 separates from the upper reel RL, the trailing end of the current tape BT1 is taken into the transport path 42 from the tape inlet 42A, leaving the upper reel RL in the upper reel holder 32, and is then discharged from the tape outlet 42B.

[0034] When the trailing end of the current tape BT1 separates from the upper reel RL, is taken into the transport path 42, and passes upstream past the tape stopper 46, the next tape BT2, which has been waiting with its leading end abutting the tape stopper 46, moves downward by the thickness of the current tape BT1. This causes the next tape BT2 to be released from contact with the tape stopper 46, allowing it to be transported by the tape transport unit 43.

[0035] When the next tape BT2 becomes available for feeding, it is fed by the tape feeder 43 as the new current tape BT1 and is used to supply components. This allows the tape feeder 21 to continue supplying components even if the current tape BT1 runs out of components. In this way, the tape feeder 21 in this embodiment is configured to automatically continue supplying components without having to perform work such as splicing the starting end of the next tape BT2 to the ending end of the current tape BT1.

[0036] Once the next tape BT2 becomes the new current tape BT1 and is used for component supply as described above, the feeder control unit 44 activates the tape drop mechanism 52 to drop the component supply tape BT, whose both widthwise ends have been supported by the pair of support rails 62, from between the pair of support rails 62. As a result, the component supply tape BT, which has become the new current tape BT1, moves into the tape inlet 42A, and the pair of support rails 62 enters a state in which they are waiting for the insertion of the next tape BT2 (FIG. 8).

[0037] When the pair of support rails 62 are ready for insertion of the next tape BT2, the operator OP performs the reel RL replacement work. In the reel RL replacement work, the operator OP removes the empty upper reel RL from the upper reel holder 32, and then moves the lower reel RL, which has become the new current tape BT1, to the upper reel holder 32. Then, the operator OP places the new replenishment reel RL in the lower reel holder 32, pulls out the component supply tape BT from that reel RL, and inserts the leading portion of this as the new next tape BT2 from the next tape insertion portion 45 into the transport path 42. This completes the reel RL replacement work.

[0038] As described above, the end 62P of the curved portion 62a of each of the pair of support rails 62 is located at a position that does not contact the component supply tape BT introduced from the introduction portion 62d onto the pair of support rails 62 (FIG. 6). Therefore, the component supply tape BT pulled from the tape feeder 21 does not bend with the end 62P of the curved portion 62a as a fulcrum. Therefore, even if the component supply tape BT is pulled from the tape feeder 21 and becomes taut, the component supply tape BT does not fall out from between the pair of support rails 62. This makes it possible to prevent the component supply tape BT from unintentionally falling out of the support rails 62 that support it.

[0039] The position where the component supply tape BT pulled out from the reel RL comes into contact with the introduction portion 62d of the support rail 62 (contact position Q shown in FIG. 6) varies depending on the remaining amount of component supply tape BT wound on the reel RL. As the remaining amount decreases, contact position Q moves further back as seen by the operator OP (closer to the end 62P of the curved portion 62a). However, in this embodiment, even when the remaining amount of component supply tape BT on the reel RL is minimized and contact position Q is positioned at the farthest back (closest to the end 62P of the curved portion 62a) (see contact position Q shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6, where the component supply tape BT is indicated with the symbol "Q1" next to it), the end 62P of the curved portion 62a does not come into contact with the component supply tape BT. Therefore, in this embodiment, the component supply tape BT is prevented from falling off the support rail 62 regardless of the remaining amount of component supply tape BT on the reel RL.

[0040] As described above, the end 62P of the curved portion 62a of each of the pair of support rails 62 is formed with an arc-shaped portion 62R for the safety of the worker OP (FIG. 7). However, since the end 62P of the curved portion 62a does not come into contact with the component supply tape BT, the arc-shaped portion 62R also does not come into contact with the component supply tape BT. Therefore, in this embodiment, the arc-shaped portion 62R provided on the end 62P of the curved portion 62a contributes only to ensuring the safety of the worker OP, and does not have the effect (negative effect) of making the component supply tape BT more likely to fall off.

[0041] As described above, according to the tape feeder 21 (and the component mounting device 1 in which the tape feeder 21 is provided) in this embodiment, the component supply tape BT does not become bent with the end 62P of the curved portion 62a of the support rail 62 as a fulcrum, so the component supply tape BT does not fall out from between the pair of support rails 62, and it is possible to prevent the component supply tape BT from unintentionally falling off the support rail.

[0042] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the pair of support rails 62 support both ends of the next tape BT2 as part of a mechanism that can automatically continue component supply without splicing the component supply tape BT, but the pair of support rails 62 may be any mechanism that supports both ends of the component supply tape BT. Therefore, the pair of support rails 62 can also be provided and used at the tape inlet of a tape feeder that continues component supply by splicing the leading end of the next tape BT2 to the trailing end of the current tape BT1.

[0043] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0044] To provide a tape feeder and a component mounting device capable of preventing a component supply tape from unintentionally dropping off from a support rail that supports the tape. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1. Parts mounting device 13 Mounting head 21 Tape feeder 21T Parts removal position 22 Feeder cart 42 Transport path 45 Next tape insertion section 51 Side plate member 52 Tape drop mechanism 62 Support Rail 62a Curved section 62d Introduction 62P end BT Parts Supply Tape RL Reel BH parts KB board

Claims

1. A tape feeder that is mounted on a feeder carriage that holds a reel around which a component supply tape is wound, and that takes in the component supply tape that is unwound from the reel into a conveyance path and conveys the tape to supply components to a component pick-up position, a pair of support rails that support both ends in the width direction of the component supply tape that is unwound from the reel and inserted into the transport path; each of the pair of support rails has a curved portion that extends from an introduction portion into which the component supply tape unwound from the reel is introduced, in a direction away from the component supply tape, and an end of the curved portion is positioned so as not to come into contact with the component supply tape introduced from the introduction portion onto the pair of support rails; Tape feeder.

2. a mounting head for picking up components supplied by the tape feeder and mounting the components on a substrate; Parts mounting device.

Images