Component supply device

Abstract

To provide a component supply device, etc., capable of suppressing reduction of productivity.SOLUTION: A component supply device 100 comprises a tray storage section 110, a tray holding section 150, a first movement mechanism 155, and a detection section 120. The tray storage section 110 stores stacked trays 350. The tray holding section 150 is provided vertically movable and takes a bottom tray 300 out of the stacked trays 350. The first movement mechanism 155 moves the tray holding section 150 vertically with respect to the stacked trays 350. The detection section 120 detects the presence / absence of separate paper 310. The stacked trays 350 include a bottom first tray 300A and a second tray 300B one stage above the first tray 300A. The detection section 120 includes a first detection section 121 which is provided so as to detect the presence / absence of the separate paper 310 on a bottom surface pf the second tray 300B after the tray holding section 150 takes the first tray 300A out of the tray storage section 110.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device that mounts components on a board. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a component supply device that supplies a plurality of components stored in a tray to a component mounting unit. The component supply device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a tray storage unit that stores trays, and a tray transfer unit that transfers the tray stored in the tray storage unit to a component supply position where the components are supplied to the component mounting unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-119390 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the tray storage unit disclosed in Patent Document 1, multiple trays are stacked and arranged. When multiple trays are stacked and arranged like this, separation paper is arranged on each tray to cover the components so that the components placed on that tray do not come into contact with other trays, etc. The separation paper arranged on each tray is removed and collected manually by an operator or by a dedicated device, etc.

[0005] Specifically, when separator paper is placed between stacked trays, for example, by separating the lower tray from the upper tray, the separator paper placed on the upper surface of the lower tray can be removed. However, when stacked trays are separated, an exceptional event may occur in which the separator paper placed on the lower tray remains on the underside of the upper tray without being attached to the lower tray. Because the separator paper remaining on the underside of the upper tray may fall at an unexpected location and timing, if such an exceptional event cannot be detected early, it may result in a problem of reduced component supply efficiency. As a result, the productivity of the component mounting system that produces boards on which components are mounted may decrease.

[0006] The present invention was made by the inventors of the present application by focusing on the above-mentioned problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a component supply device that can suppress a decrease in productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A component supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a component supply device for supplying components to a component mounting device, and comprises: a tray storage section for storing stacked trays each consisting of a plurality of trays on which components and separation paper covering the components are placed; a tray holding section that is arranged to be able to rise and fall below the stacked trays stored in the tray storage section and that removes the bottommost tray from the stacked trays; a first moving mechanism that raises and lowers the tray holding section relative to the stacked trays; and a detection section that detects the presence or absence of the separation paper, wherein the stacked trays include a first tray at the bottom and a second tray one level above the first tray, and the detection section includes a first detection section that is arranged to be able to detect the presence or absence of the separation paper on the underside of the second tray after the tray holding section removes the first tray from the tray storage section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a component supply device that can suppress a decrease in productivity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the general configuration of a component mounting system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a first perspective view showing the outline of the configuration of the component supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a second perspective view showing the outline of the configuration of the component supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main functional configuration of the component supply device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state before the tray holder according to the embodiment takes out the tray from the tray storage unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray holder according to the embodiment pushes up the stacked trays. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray storage unit according to the embodiment has separated the first tray from the stacked trays. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the detection unit according to the embodiment detects separate sheets on the first tray. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation paper removal device according to the embodiment sucks separation paper on the first tray. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the separated paper removal device according to the embodiment releases separated paper on the collection unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the detection unit according to the embodiment detects the separation paper remaining on the lower surface of the second tray. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation paper removal device according to the embodiment sucks separation paper from the lower surface of the second tray. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a state in which the head that adsorbs and holds the separation paper is placed at a predetermined position above the collection unit. [Figure 13]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state in which the separated paper removal device according to the embodiment has reversed the head and released the separated paper onto the collection unit. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the detection unit according to the embodiment detects a separation sheet that is placed at a position displaced from the first tray. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation paper removal device according to the embodiment sucks the separation paper located at the position shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the separated paper removal device according to the embodiment has released the separated paper held in the state shown in FIG. 15 onto the collection unit. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which separation paper has fallen onto the head according to the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the separated paper removal device according to the embodiment has released the separated paper held in the state shown in FIG. 17 onto the collection unit. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a head according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of control of a plurality of suction nozzles provided in a head according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a first example of a case where a third exceptional event occurs in a head according to a modification of the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a second example of a case where a third exceptional event occurs in a head according to a modification of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (including modified examples) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present invention. Therefore, the numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component arrangements and connection forms, steps, and step sequences shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not recited in the independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0011] In addition, each drawing is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. In addition, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals in each drawing.

[0012] Furthermore, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" do not refer to the number or order of components unless otherwise specified, but are used to avoid confusion and distinguish between components of the same type.

[0013] In addition, in this specification, the vertical direction is referred to as the Z-axis direction or up-down direction, a direction in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction (i.e., a horizontal plane) is referred to as the Y-axis direction, and a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis direction in the horizontal plane is referred to as the X-axis direction. In this specification, for example, the positive X-axis direction indicates the direction of the X-axis arrow, and the negative X-axis direction indicates the direction opposite to the positive X-axis direction. The same applies to the Y-axis and Z-axis. When simply referring to the "X-axis direction," it means both or either one of the directions parallel to the X-axis. The same applies to terms related to the Y-axis and Z-axis.

[0014] (Embodiment) 1. General Description of Component Mounting System 10 First, the overall configuration of a component mounting system 10 including a component supply device 100 according to an embodiment will be described.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a top view showing the general configuration of a component mounting system 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is a first perspective view showing the general configuration of a component supplying device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B is a second perspective view showing the general configuration of the component supplying device 100 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the component supplying device 100 according to an embodiment. Note that computers for controlling each device provided in the component mounting system 10, such as the control unit 170, are not shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B. Furthermore, each device is simply and schematically shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and components for installing each device (legs, base, etc.), as well as wiring for communication and power supply, etc. are not shown.

[0016] The component mounting system 10 is a system that produces a mounted substrate on which components are mounted by mounting components on a substrate 600. An example of the substrate 600 is a film-like flexible substrate formed from resin or the like. The substrate 600 may also be a rigid substrate such as a glass substrate. Examples of components that can be mounted on the substrate 600 include electronic components such as an IC (Integrated Circuit), a TCP (Tape Carrier Package), and an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits).

[0017] 1, the component mounting system 10 includes a component mounting apparatus 500 and a component supply apparatus 100. The component mounting system 10 further includes, for example, an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) bonding apparatus (not shown) located upstream of the component mounting apparatus 500, and a main pressure bonding apparatus (not shown) located downstream of the component mounting apparatus 500.

[0018] The ACF attachment device is a device that receives the substrate 600 carried in from the loader and attaches ACF, which is an adhesive material, to the electrode portion of the substrate 600. The ACF attachment device is realized by, for example, a transport mechanism that transports the substrate 600 and an attachment mechanism that attaches the ACF to the substrate 600.

[0019] The component mounting apparatus 500 is a mounting apparatus that mounts components on the substrate 600. Specifically, the component mounting apparatus 500 pre-pressure bonds the components to the substrate 600. More specifically, the component mounting apparatus 500 pre-pressure bonds the components supplied from the component supply apparatus 100 to the portions of the substrate 600 that have been carried in from the ACF attachment apparatus and to which the ACF has been attached.

[0020] The component mounting apparatus 500 includes a component placement stage 520 , a component mounting section 530 , a substrate stage 540 , and a substrate transport section 550 .

[0021] The component placement stage 520 is a stage on which the components picked up by the component pickup unit 190 and supplied from the component supply device 100 are placed. Specifically, the components that were placed on the tray 300 and that are picked up by the component pickup unit 190 are placed on the component placement stage 520.

[0022] The component mounting section 530 is a device that picks up a component placed on the component placement stage 520 and mounts (more specifically, temporarily press-bonds) the picked-up component onto the substrate 600 placed on the substrate stage 540.

[0023] The component mounting unit 530 is realized by, for example, a pickup head for picking up components and mounting them on the substrate 600, a camera for determining the placement position of the component on the substrate 600, and a backup stage for supporting the edge of the substrate 600 from below. Note that the method by which the pickup head holds the components is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a method is adopted in which the pickup head holds the components by vacuum suction as the method for picking up the components. Also, for example, the pickup head is disposed on a head transport mechanism constituted by a combination of a linear guide and a linear motor, and is movable.

[0024] The substrate stage 540 is a stage on which the substrate 600 carried in by the substrate transport unit 550 is placed. The substrate transport unit 550 is a device that carries the substrate 600 from the ACF attachment device to the substrate stage 540 and carries the substrate 600 with components mounted thereon out to the main pressure bonding device. The substrate transport unit 550 is realized, for example, by a suction nozzle that suctions and holds the substrate 600, and a suction nozzle transfer mechanism that moves the suction nozzle. Note that the method for holding the substrate 600 by the suction nozzle is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, a method in which the suction nozzle holds the substrate 600 by vacuum suction is adopted as the method for holding the substrate 600. Furthermore, for example, the suction nozzle transfer mechanism is configured by a combination of a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0025] The final bonding apparatus is an apparatus that performs final bonding (i.e., thermocompression bonding) of components that have been pre-bonded to a substrate by component mounting apparatus 500. This final bonding operation electrically connects the electrode portions formed on the substrate to the components via the ACF. In other words, this final bonding mounts components on a substrate, producing a mounted substrate.

[0026] The component supplying device 100 is a device for supplying components to the component mounting device 500. Specifically, the component supplying device 100 supplies components to the component mounting device 500 by placing the components on a component placement stage 520 using a component pickup unit 190. One or more components are placed on a tray 300, and the one or more components are picked up sequentially by the component pickup unit 190. Note that the type and number of components placed on the tray 300 are not particularly limited.

[0027] 1 to 4, the component supplying device 100 mainly includes a tray storage unit 110, a tray holding unit 150, a first moving mechanism 155, and a detection unit 120. In this embodiment, the tray holding unit 150 and the first moving mechanism 155 form part of a tray transport unit 180 that the component supplying device 100 includes.

[0028] The component supply device 100 according to this embodiment further includes a separation paper removal device 200, a component pickup unit 190, a recovery unit 160, an empty tray storage unit 119, and a control unit 170. The various operations performed by the component supply device 100, which will be described below, are performed under the control of the control unit 170.

[0029] The tray storage unit 110 is a device that stores and supplies trays 300 on which components and separation paper 310 covering the components are placed. In this embodiment, the tray storage unit 110 supplies the trays 300 to the tray holding unit 150 included in the tray conveying unit 180. Specifically, the tray storage unit 110 stores stacked trays 350 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B ) in which multiple trays 300 are stacked. The tray storage unit 110 includes a stopper, a drive device that drives the stopper, and the like, for supplying the trays 300 one by one from the stacked trays 350 to the tray holding unit 150.

[0030] The tray holding unit 150 is a stage on which the tray 300 is placed and which holds the tray. The tray holding unit 150 is provided below the stacked trays 350 stored in the tray storage unit 110 so that it can be raised and lowered. The first movement mechanism 155 raises and lowers the tray holding unit 150 relative to the stacked trays 350. This allows the tray holding unit 150 to remove the bottom tray 300 from the stacked trays 350.

[0031] The first moving mechanism 155 is a device that raises and lowers the tray holding unit 150. The first moving mechanism 155 is realized by a support that contacts the tray holding unit 150 from below, an air cylinder for moving the support up and down, and an air supply source and a valve for driving the air cylinder. The configuration for raising and lowering the tray holding unit 150 is not particularly limited, and may be realized by a motor, a gear box, or the like.

[0032] The details of the operations of the tray storage unit 110 and the tray holding unit 150 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and the like.

[0033] The empty tray storage section 119 is a device that stores trays 300 that have been emptied by picking up parts. The empty trays 300 are transported by the tray transport section 180 and handed over from the tray transport section 180 to the empty tray storage section 119 at a predetermined position below the empty tray storage section 119. The empty tray storage section 119 sequentially stores the empty trays 300 handed over from the tray transport section 180.

[0034] The detection unit 120 is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the top or bottom surface of the tray 300. In this embodiment, the detection unit 120 is a camera that captures an image of a predetermined range. There are no particular limitations on the type of sensor used as the detection unit 120. The detection unit 120 only needs to be able to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the top or bottom surface of the tray 300, and may be realized by a sensor that emits waves such as light and detects the waves reflected by an object.

[0035] More specifically, the detection unit 120 according to this embodiment includes a first detection unit 121 and a second detection unit 122. The first detection unit 121 is provided so as to be able to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the underside of the lowest tray 300 of the stacked trays 350 after the tray holding unit 150 removes the tray 300 from the tray storage unit 110. The second detection unit 122 is provided so as to be able to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the upper surface of the tray 300 after the tray holding unit 150 removes the tray 300 from the tray storage unit 110. The detection results by the first detection unit 121 and the second detection unit 122 are acquired by the control unit 170, and the control unit 170 controls the operation of the separation paper removal device 200 based on the detection results.

[0036] The separation paper removal device 200 is a device that removes separation paper 310 that is or was placed on the top surface of the tray 300 after the tray holder 150 removes the tray 300 from the tray storage unit 110. Specifically, when separation paper 310 is detected by the first detection unit 121, the separation paper removal device 200 removes separation paper 310 from the bottom surface of the tray 300 in the stacking tray 350. In other words, separation paper 310 that is not attached to the tray 300 removed by the tray holder 150 and remains on the bottom surface of the tray 300 one level above the tray 300 is removed by the separation paper removal device 200. When separation paper 310 is detected by the second detection unit 122, the separation paper removal device 200 removes separation paper 310 from the top surface of the tray 300 held by the tray holder 150.

[0037] In this embodiment, the separation paper removing device 200 includes a head 210, a second movement mechanism 250 that moves the head 210, and a rotation mechanism 260 that rotates the head 210. In this embodiment, the second movement mechanism 250 moves the head 210 by extending and retracting an arm 255 that supports the head 210 and moving it up and down.

[0038] The head 210 has a removal unit 220 for removing the separation paper 310. In this embodiment, the removal unit 220 has multiple suction nozzles 230. The multiple suction nozzles 230 include a first nozzle 231 provided on the upper surface of the head 210 and a second nozzle 232 provided on the lower surface of the head 210. The separation paper removal device 200 uses one or more suction nozzles 230 to suction and hold the separation paper 310 from the upper or lower surface of the tray 300. The separation paper 310 held by the one or more suction nozzles 230 moves as the second movement mechanism 250 moves the head 210 within the movable range R (see FIG. 1 ), and is released above the collection unit 160. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160.

[0039] In this embodiment, the collection unit 160 is a box with an upward opening. The collection unit 160 may also be realized by a slope for receiving the separation paper 310 from the separation paper removal device 200 and a box connected to the slope for receiving the separation paper 310 that has flowed down the slope. This allows, for example, multiple separation paper 310 to be received more reliably over a relatively large area and the multiple separation paper 310 to be efficiently stored inside the box. Furthermore, by locating the box for receiving the separation paper 310 away from the drive unit of the component supply device, an operator can safely collect the separation paper 310 without stopping the equipment. The detailed configuration of the separation paper removal device 200 and an example of the operation of the separation paper removal device 200 to remove the separation paper 310 will be described later using FIG. 4 and other figures.

[0040] The tray transport unit 180 includes a third movement mechanism 140 in addition to the tray holder 150 and first movement mechanism 155 described above. The third movement mechanism 140 is a transport mechanism for transporting the tray 300 placed on the tray holder 150 by moving the tray holder 150. In this embodiment, the third movement mechanism 140 moves the tray holder 150 in the horizontal direction (a direction parallel to the XY plane). More specifically, the third movement mechanism 140 includes a first transport unit 141 that moves the tray holder 150 in the X-axis direction, and a second transport unit 145 that moves the tray holder 150 in the Y-axis direction. Each of the first transport unit 141 and the second transport unit 145 is realized by, for example, a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0041] More specifically, tray holder 150 and first moving mechanism 155 are installed on, for example, movable stage 156 arranged to be movable on second transporter 145, and second transporter 145 is arranged to be movable on first transporter 141. That is, tray holder 150 and first moving mechanism 155 installed on movable stage 156 are moved in the Y-axis direction by second transporter 145. Furthermore, as second transporter 145 is moved in the X-axis direction by first transporter 141, tray holder 150 and first moving mechanism 155 installed on movable stage 156 are moved in the X-axis direction. That is, tray holder 150 and first moving mechanism 155 installed on movable stage 156 can be moved within a predetermined range in the horizontal direction as a result of operation of first transporter 141 and second transporter 145.

[0042] The tray transport section 180 configured in this manner, for example, receives a tray 300 from the tray storage section 110, and after the separation paper removal device 200 removes the separation paper 310 on the tray 300, transports the tray 300 to the component pickup section 190.

[0043] More specifically, in this embodiment, the tray conveying unit 180 moves the tray holding unit 150 to a position below the tray storage unit 110 using the third moving mechanism 140, and the tray holding unit 150 receives the tray 300 on which one or more components are placed from the tray storage unit 110 using the tray holding unit 150 (see FIG. 2A). The third moving mechanism 140 further transports the tray 300, from which the separation paper 310 has been removed, to a position where the component pickup unit 190 picks up the components placed on the tray 300 (see FIG. 2B). As a result, the component pickup unit 190 picks up one or more components from the tray 300 and transports them to the component mounting device 500. The component pickup unit 190 is realized, for example, by a pickup head 191 that picks up components and a moving mechanism that moves the pickup head 191. The moving mechanism is realized, for example, by a linear guide and a linear motor.

[0044] The component supplying device 100 according to this embodiment supplies components to the component mounting device 500 through the above-described exemplary operation. Furthermore, when the components are picked up and the tray 300 becomes empty, the tray transport unit 180 moves the tray holding unit 150 below the empty tray accommodation unit 119 and returns the tray 300 to the empty tray accommodation unit 119.

[0045] The control unit 170 is a computer that controls each device included in the component supply device 100. Specifically, the control unit 170 controls the tray storage unit 110, empty tray accommodation unit 119, detection unit 120, separation paper removal device 200, tray transport unit 180, and component pickup unit 190, causing these devices to perform various operations. The control unit 170 is realized by, for example, a communication interface for communicating with these devices, a nonvolatile memory in which programs are stored, a volatile memory that is a temporary storage area for executing the programs, an input / output port for transmitting and receiving signals, and a processor for executing the programs. The communication interface may be a connector to which a communication line is connected for wired communication, or a wireless communication circuit for wireless communication.

[0046] The control unit 170 can detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310, for example, by analyzing an image that is the detection result of the detection unit 120 (first detection unit 121 and second detection unit 122). The control unit 170 can further use this detection result to control the operation of the separation paper removal device 200. This allows the separation paper removal device 200 to properly remove the separation paper 310, whether the separation paper 310 is on the top surface of the tray 300 held by the tray holder 150 or on the bottom surface of the bottommost tray 300 of the stacked trays 350.

[0047] 2. Operational Example of Component Supply Device 100 A specific example of the operation of the component supply device 100 configured as above will be described below, along with a detailed description of the configuration of the separation paper removing device 200.

[0048] [2-1. Example 1] First, an example of the operation of the component supply device 100 when the tray holding unit 150 removes the tray 300 from the tray storage unit 110 and the separation paper removal device 200 removes the separation paper 310 placed on the top surface of the tray 300 will be explained using Figures 4 to 9.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the state before the tray holder 150 according to the embodiment removes the tray 300 from the tray storage unit 110. In FIG. 4, the tray 300 (including components), separation paper 310, and recovery unit 160 are shown in a cross-sectional view (schematic diagram) parallel to the XZ plane, and other devices (such as the separation paper removal device 200) are shown in a side view (schematic diagram) as seen from the positive direction of the Y axis. In FIG. 4, a dot is added to the first nozzle 231 to make it easier to distinguish between the first nozzle 231 and the second nozzle 232 provided in the separation paper removal device 200. These supplementary notes regarding FIG. 4 also apply to each of FIGS. 5 to 22, which will be described later, as appropriate. Furthermore, in the figures from FIG. 4 onwards and in the following description, the tray 300 at the bottom of the stacked trays 350 will be referred to as the "first tray 300A," and the tray 300 one level above the first tray 300A will be referred to as the "second tray 300B."

[0050] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray holder 150 according to the embodiment pushes up the stacking tray 350. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which the tray storage unit 110 according to the embodiment separates the first tray 300A from the stacking tray 350. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which the detection unit 120 according to the embodiment detects the separation paper 310 on the first tray 300A. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment adsorbs the separation paper 310 on the first tray 300A. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment releases the separation paper 310 on the collection unit 160.

[0051] The operation of each device and each member, such as the tray storage unit 110 and the separated paper removal device 200, which will be described below, is executed under the control of the control unit 170.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 5, the tray storage unit 110 includes a pair of side walls 111 spaced apart in the X-axis direction and a pair of stoppers 112 spaced apart in the X-axis direction. A stacked tray 350, in which multiple trays 300 are stacked, is disposed between the pair of side walls 111 and supported from below by the pair of stoppers 112. The pair of stoppers 112 are disposed in the tray storage unit 110 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. The pair of stoppers 112 open and close by moving synchronously in opposite directions to each other in the X-axis direction. In FIG. 4, the pair of stoppers 112 are in a closed state, and support the stacked tray 350 by supporting the first tray 300A, the lowest tray of the stacked tray 350, from below.

[0053] When the tray holding unit 150 removes the first tray 300A from the stacking tray 350, the tray holding unit 150 is moved upward by the first moving mechanism 155, thereby contacting and pushing up the underside of the first tray 300A. This causes the first tray 300A to move away from the pair of stoppers 112, and as a result, the stacking tray 350 becomes supported by the tray holding unit 150 from below. In this state, the tray storage unit 110 moves the pair of stoppers 112 in directions away from each other, thereby opening the pair of stoppers 112, as shown in FIG. 5 .

[0054] Next, the tray holding unit 150 is moved downward by the first moving mechanism 155 and temporarily stops. At this stop position, a pair of stoppers 112 are present at positions facing the gap between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B on both sides in the X-axis direction. In this state, the pair of stoppers 112 are inserted into the gap between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B, as shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the tray holding unit 150 is moved further downward by the first moving mechanism 155. As a result, the first tray 300A, which was located at the bottom of the stacked trays 350, is separated from the stacked trays 350 and removed from the tray storage unit 110 by the tray holding unit 150, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, when the first tray 300A is positioned directly below the stacking tray 350, the detection unit 120 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the first detection unit 121 captures an image of an area including the bottom surface of the lowest tray 300 (i.e., the second tray 300B) of the stacking tray 350. The second detection unit 122 captures an image of an area including the top surface of the tray 300 (i.e., the first tray 300A) held by the tray holder 150. The control unit 170 acquires detection results (image data) from the first detection unit 121 and the second detection unit 122 and analyzes the image data to determine that separation paper 310 is present on the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150. Based on this determination result, the control unit 170 controls the separation paper removal device 200 to remove the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A.

[0056] 8, in the separation paper removal device 200, the second movement mechanism 250 extends the arm 255, thereby causing the head 210 to enter the space between the second tray 300B of the stacking tray 350 and the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150. The second movement mechanism 250 then moves the arm 255 downward, and the removal unit 220 provided in the head 210 removes the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A. More specifically, the separation paper removal device 200 causes two of the four suction nozzles 230 provided in the removal unit 220 (second nozzles 232) on the underside of the head 210 to suction and hold the separation paper 310.

[0057] The suction nozzle 230 is a nozzle that suctions and holds the separation paper 310. In this embodiment, the suction nozzle 230 suctions and holds the separation paper 310 by vacuum suction. In the following description, the suction nozzle 230's ability to suction is also expressed as "on" or "off." For example, "turning on the suction nozzle 230" means causing the suction nozzle 230 to perform a suction operation (vacuum suction), and "turning off the suction nozzle 230" means causing the suction nozzle 230 not to perform a suction operation (vacuum suction). Furthermore, "turning off the suction nozzle 230" includes not only switching the suction nozzle 230 from on to off, but also maintaining the suction nozzle 230 in an off state. "Turning on the suction nozzle 230" includes not only switching the suction nozzle 230 from off to on, but also maintaining the suction nozzle 230 in an on state.

[0058] The separation paper removal device 200 can independently switch on and off each of the four suction nozzles 230 (two first nozzles 231 and two second nozzles 232) under the control of the control unit 170. For example, each of the suction nozzles 230 is provided with a valve, and the valve is configured to enable or disable suction. The control unit 170 can, for example, individually control these valves to enable or disable suction (i.e., enable or disable) for each of the suction nozzles 230.

[0059] The separation paper removal device 200 sucks and holds the separation paper 310 on the tray 300, for example, by sucking air from the suction nozzle 230 while the suction nozzle 230 is spaced away from the separation paper 310. There are no particular limitations on the method for sucking the separation paper 310 with the suction nozzle 230. Suction by the suction nozzle 230 may be started while the suction nozzle 230 is in contact with the separation paper 310.

[0060] 8, the separation paper removal device 200 turns on the two second nozzles 232 provided on the underside of the head 210 and turns off the two first nozzles 231 provided on the upper side of the head 210. This allows the separation paper 310 to be removed to be stably sucked and held by the two second nozzles 232, and by turning off the suction of the two first nozzles 231, for example, unnecessary energy consumption and a decrease in the suction force of the second nozzles 232 can be suppressed.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8 , the separation paper removal device 200 first suctions and holds the separation paper 310 with the two second nozzles 232 of the removal unit 220, and then uses the second movement mechanism 250 to raise the arm 255 supporting the head 210 and then retract the arm 255. As a result, the head 210 reaches a predetermined position above the collection unit 160. After the head 210 reaches the predetermined position, the separation paper removal device 200 switches the suction of the two second nozzles 232 from on to off. As a result, the separation paper 310 is released from the two second nozzles 232 and falls. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160. In other words, the separation paper 310 that is no longer needed is collected in the collection unit 160.

[0062] Meanwhile, after the separation paper 310 is removed from the first tray 300A by the separation paper removal device 200, the tray holding unit 150, which is holding the first tray 300A, is moved horizontally by the third moving mechanism 140. Thereafter, as described above, one or more components placed on the first tray 300A held by the tray holding unit 150 are supplied to the component mounting device 500 via the component pickup unit 190.

[0063] As described above, when the first tray 300A, which is the lowest tray 300, is removed from the stacking tray 350, the separation paper 310 placed on the first tray 300A is usually also removed along with the first tray 300A, as shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the separation paper 310 on the first tray 300A is detected by the second detection unit 122. As a result, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the separation paper removal device 200 removes the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A and releases it into the recovery unit 160.

[0064] However, there may occur an event (hereinafter also referred to as a "first exceptional event") in which the separation paper 310 remains stuck to the underside of the tray 300 immediately above it (second tray 300B in FIG. 7), causing only the first tray 300A to be removed. In this case, although the components placed on the first tray 300A can be supplied to the component mounting device 500, the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B may subsequently fall, and the fallen separation paper 310 may interfere with the operation of the component supply device 100. For example, this may require a time-consuming task, such as stopping the operation of the component supply device 100 and having an operator locate and retrieve the fallen separation paper 310. Furthermore, even if the separation paper 310 were to fall immediately after the first tray 300A was removed and end up on the top surface of the first tray 300A, the separation paper 310 would be positioned out of alignment with the first tray 300A, which could result in the separation paper removal device 200 being unable to properly remove the separation paper 310. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 170 controls the operation of the separation paper removal device 200, etc., so that the separation paper 310 can be properly removed even when the first exceptional event described above occurs. Below, a specific example of the operation of the component supply device 100 when the first exceptional event occurs will be described.

[0065] [2-2. Example 2] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the state in which the detection unit 120 according to the embodiment detects separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment adsorbs separation paper 310 on the underside of the second tray 300B. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the state in which the head 210, which adsorbs and holds separation paper 310, is positioned at a predetermined position above the collection unit 160. Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment reverses the head 210 to release the separation paper 310 on the collection unit 160.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10 , when the first tray 300A is removed from the stacking tray 350 and positioned directly below the second tray 300B, the detection unit 120 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310. In this specific example, a first exceptional event occurs, and therefore the first detection unit 121 captures an image including at least a portion of the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B. The control unit 170 obtains the detection result (image data) from the first detection unit 121 and analyzes the image data to determine that separation paper 310 is present on the underside of the second tray 300B, which is the lowest tray of the stacking trays 350 in the tray storage unit 110. Based on this determination result, the control unit 170 controls the separation paper removal device 200 to remove the separation paper 310 from the second tray 300B.

[0067] 11, in the separation paper removal device 200, the second movement mechanism 250 extends the arm 255, thereby causing the head 210 to enter the space between the second tray 300B of the stacking tray 350 and the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150. The second movement mechanism 250 then moves the arm 255 upward, and the removal unit 220 provided on the head 210 removes the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A. More specifically, of the four suction nozzles 230 of the removal unit 220, two suction nozzles 230 (first nozzles 231) provided on the top surface of the head 210 are caused to suction and hold the separation paper 310. 11, the separation paper removal device 200 turns on the two first nozzles 231 provided on the upper surface of the head 210, and turns off the two second nozzles 232 provided on the lower surface of the head 210. This allows the separation paper 310 to be removed to be stably adsorbed and held by the two first nozzles 231, and by turning off the adsorption of the two second nozzles 232, for example, unnecessary energy consumption and a decrease in the adsorption force of the first nozzles 231 can be suppressed.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 11 , the separation paper removal device 200 first adsorbs and holds the separation paper 310 with the two first nozzles 231 of the removal unit 220, and then uses the second movement mechanism 250 to lower the arm 255 supporting the head 210 and retract the arm 255. As a result, the head 210 reaches a predetermined position above the collection unit 160, as shown in FIG. 12 . The separation paper removal device 200 then uses the rotation mechanism 260 to rotate the head 210 180°, as shown in FIG. 13 . This causes the head 210 to turn over, changing the orientation of the two first nozzles 231. Specifically, the orientation of the two first nozzles 231 changes from upward to downward. The separation paper removal device 200 then switches the two first nozzles 231 from on to off. As a result, the separation paper 310 is released from the two first nozzles 231 and falls. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the recovery unit 160. That is, the separation paper 310 that is no longer needed is recovered in the recovery unit 160.

[0069] Meanwhile, tray holding unit 150, which is holding first tray 300A, is moved horizontally by third moving mechanism 140. Thereafter, as described above, one or more components placed on first tray 300A held by tray holding unit 150 are supplied to component mounting apparatus 500 via component pickup unit 190.

[0070] The control unit 170 may start the horizontal movement of the tray holder 150 by the third movement mechanism 140, for example, when the first detection unit 121 detects the separation sheet 310 and / or the second detection unit 122 does not detect the separation sheet 310. That is, the control unit 170 may start the horizontal movement of the tray holder 150 by the third movement mechanism 140, for example, before the operation of moving the head 210 into the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A (see FIG. 11). However, for example, there is a possibility that the separation sheet 310 on the underside of the second tray 300B may fall onto the first tray 300A before the head 210 enters the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A. In this case, the component supply device 100 can remove the separation sheet 310 by the operation shown in Example 3, which will be described later. Therefore, it is preferable that the control unit 170 moves the tray holding unit 150 in the horizontal direction after causing the separation paper remover 200 to remove the separation paper 310 (see, for example, FIG. 12).

[0071] As described above, even if the first exceptional event occurs in which the separation paper 310 remains on the underside of the tray 300 directly above it (the second tray 300B in FIG. 10 ), the component supply device 100 according to the embodiment can remove the separation paper 310 using the first nozzle 231 provided on the upper surface of the head 210 and store the separation paper 310 inside the recovery section 160 by inverting the head 210. However, as described above, before the separation paper 310 remaining on the second tray 300B is removed, there is a possibility that the separation paper 310 will fall onto the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150. In this case, there is a possibility that the separation paper 310 will be positioned off-center relative to the first tray 300A (see, for example, FIG. 7 ) due to the influence of air currents, air resistance, etc. (hereinafter also referred to as the “second exceptional event”). Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the second exceptional event described above occurs, the control unit 170 controls the operation of the separation paper removal device 200, etc., so that the separation paper 310 can be properly removed. Below, a specific example of the operation of the component supply device 100 when the second exceptional event occurs will be described.

[0072] [2-3. Example 3] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the state in which the detection unit 120 according to the embodiment detects separation paper 310 that is positioned at a misaligned position relative to the first tray 300A. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing the state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment adsorbs separation paper 310 that is in the position shown in Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the state in which the separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment releases separation paper 310 that was held in the position shown in Fig. 15 onto the collection unit 160.

[0073] 14, when the first tray 300A is removed from the stacking tray 350 and positioned directly below the second tray 300B, the detection unit 120 detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310. In this specific example, a second exceptional event occurs after the first exceptional event, and therefore the second detection unit 122 captures an image including at least a portion of the separation paper 310 that has fallen onto the upper surface of the first tray 300A. The control unit 170 obtains the detection result (image data) from the second detection unit 122 and analyzes the image data to determine that separation paper 310 is present on the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150.

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 170 determines, based on the arrangement range of the separation paper 310 shown in the image data, that the separation paper 310 is present within the range that can be attracted by the second nozzle 232 (hereinafter referred to as "second nozzle 232A") in the positive X-axis direction of the two second nozzles 232 aligned in the X-axis direction. The control unit 170 further determines that the separation paper 310 is not present within the range that can be attracted by the second nozzle 232 (hereinafter referred to as "second nozzle 232B") in the negative X-axis direction of the two second nozzles 232. Based on this determination result, the control unit 170 controls the separation paper removal device 200 to remove the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A.

[0075] 15, in the separation paper removal device 200, the second movement mechanism 250 (see FIG. 4) extends the arm 255, thereby causing the head 210 to enter the space between the second tray 300B of the stacking tray 350 and the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150. The second movement mechanism 250 then moves the arm 255 downward, and the remover 220 provided on the head 210 removes the separation paper 310 from the first tray 300A. More specifically, of the two suction nozzles 230 (second nozzles 232A and 232B) provided on the underside of the head 210, the second nozzle 232A is caused to suction and hold the separation paper 310. In other words, in the state shown in Figure 15, the separation paper removal device 200 turns off the two first nozzles 231 provided on the upper surface side of the head 210, and also turns off the second nozzle 232B on the lower surface side of the head 210.

[0076] As described above, the component supply device 100 according to this embodiment can confirm the state (position, posture, etc.) of the separation paper 310 from the detection results of the detection unit 120. As a result, when the second exceptional event described above occurs, the on / off control of each of the multiple suction nozzles 230 facing the direction of the separation paper 310, which is the object to be picked up, can be switched on and off depending on the state of the separation paper 310. That is, as shown in FIG. 15 , the control unit 170 turns on the second nozzle 232A, of the two second nozzles 232 (232A and 232B), which is located in a position where it can pick up the separation paper 310, and turns off the second nozzle 232B, which is located in a position where it cannot actually pick up the separation paper 310. This allows the second nozzle 232A to pick up and hold the separation paper 310 to be removed, and also prevents the second nozzle 232B from mistakenly picking up a component placed on the first tray 300A.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 15 , the separation paper removal device 200 first suctions and holds the separation paper 310 with the second nozzle 232A of the removal unit 220, and then uses the second movement mechanism 250 to raise the arm 255 supporting the head 210 and then retract the arm 255. As a result, the head 210 reaches a predetermined position above the collection unit 160. After the head 210 reaches this predetermined position, the separation paper removal device 200 switches the suction of the second nozzle 232A from on to off. As a result, the separation paper 310 is released from the second nozzle 232A and falls. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160. In other words, the unnecessary separation paper 310 is collected in the collection unit 160.

[0078] Meanwhile, after the separation paper 310 is removed from the first tray 300A by the separation paper removal device 200, the tray holding unit 150, which is holding the first tray 300A, is moved horizontally by the third moving mechanism 140. Thereafter, as described above, one or more components placed on the first tray 300A held by the tray holding unit 150 are supplied to the component mounting device 500 via the component pickup unit 190.

[0079] As described above, even if the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B falls to a position offset from the first tray 300A, the component supply device 100 according to the embodiment can appropriately switch on and off the two second nozzles 232 provided on the underside of the head 210 depending on the state of the separation paper 310 indicated by the detection result of the first detection unit 121. This allows the separation paper 310 to be properly removed. Note that FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrate an example of the operation of the component supply device 100 when the separation paper 310 falls to a position offset in the positive direction of the X axis with respect to the first tray 300A. However, even if the separation paper 310 falls to a position offset in the negative direction of the X axis with respect to the first tray 300A, the component supply device 100 can properly remove the separation paper 310. That is, in this case, for example, of the two second nozzles 232 (232A and 232B), the second nozzle 232A is turned off and the second nozzle 232B is turned on.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two second nozzles 232 are aligned in the X-axis direction, but the separation paper removal device 200 may also be provided with two second nozzles 232 aligned in the Y-axis direction, in addition to, or instead of, the two second nozzles 232. This allows the control unit 170 to control the on / off of the two second nozzles 232 depending on the state of the separation paper 310 when the separation paper 310 is shifted in the Y-axis direction relative to the first tray 300A.

[0081] Furthermore, if the separation paper 310 (see FIG. 10) remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B is misaligned with respect to the second tray 300B, the control unit 170 may control the on / off of the two first nozzles 231 depending on the state of the separation paper 310 obtained from the detection results of the first detection unit 121.

[0082] Here, when the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B falls as described above, the timing of the fall is arbitrary (unknown). Therefore, for example, after the head 210 enters the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A to remove the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B, an event (hereinafter referred to as the third exceptional event) may occur in which the separation paper 310 falls onto the head 210. Therefore, in this embodiment, even when the third exceptional event described above occurs, the control unit 170 controls the operation of the separation paper removal device 200, etc., so that the separation paper 310 can be properly removed. Below, a specific example of the operation of the component supply device 100 when the third exceptional event occurs will be described.

[0083] [2-4. Example 4] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which separation paper 310 has fallen onto head 210 according to the embodiment. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which separation paper 310 held by separation paper removal device 200 according to the embodiment in the state shown in Fig. 17 has been released onto collection section 160.

[0084] If the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B falls while the head 210 has entered the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A, the separation paper 310 may be positioned out of alignment with the head 210 due to the influence of air currents and air resistance, as shown in Fig. 17. In other words, the separation paper 310 may be positioned above only one of the two first nozzles 231 on the upper surface of the head 210, and may not be positioned above the other of the two first nozzles 231.

[0085] 17, the separation paper 310 is present within the suction range of the first nozzle 231 (hereinafter referred to as "first nozzle 231A") in the positive X-axis direction of two first nozzles 231 aligned in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, the separation paper 310 is not present within the suction range of the first nozzle 231 (hereinafter referred to as "first nozzle 231B") in the negative X-axis direction of the two first nozzles 231. In this case, the control unit 170 turns on the first nozzle 231A and turns off the first nozzle 231B.

[0086] More specifically, when the control unit 170 causes the head 210 to enter the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A, it obtains a determination result from the first detection unit 121 based on the detection result that separation paper 310 is present on the underside of the second tray 300B (see FIG. 10). Therefore, the control unit 170 causes the separation paper removal device 200 to turn on the two first nozzles 231 provided on the upper surface of the head 210 and turn off the two second nozzles 232 provided on the lower surface of the head 210. In this state, as shown in FIG. 17, if separation paper 310 is present on the head 210, the control unit 170 can determine, for example, by comparing the internal pressure (internal pressure) of the two first nozzles 231 with a threshold value, that the first nozzle 231A is adsorbing the separation paper 310 and the first nozzle 231B is not adsorbing the separation paper 310. In other words, the control unit 170 can determine that the separation paper 310 is being sucked by the first nozzle 231A, but is not being sucked by the first nozzle 231B.

[0087] That is, in this embodiment, the control unit 170 can detect the internal pressure of, for example, each of the four suction nozzles 230. In this case, the control unit 170 can determine that the separation paper 310 is being sucked if the internal pressure of the suction nozzle 230 that is turned on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and can determine that the separation paper 310 is not being sucked if the internal pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0088] The method by which the control unit 170 determines whether the separation paper 310 is being sucked by the suction nozzle 230 is not limited to this. For example, assume that the control unit 170 is capable of detecting the flow rate (air flow rate per unit time) of each of the four suction nozzles 230. In this case, the control unit 170 can determine that the separation paper 310 is being sucked if the flow rate of the suction nozzle 230 that is turned on is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and can determine that the separation paper 310 is not being sucked if the flow rate exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0089] Furthermore, when the upper surface of the head 210 is included within the detectable range of the detection unit 120 (first detection unit 121 and second detection unit 122), the control unit 170 may use the detection result of the detection unit 120 to determine whether the first nozzle 231 is suctioning the separation paper 310. The detection unit 120 according to this embodiment may be provided with a function for detecting the internal pressure or outflow of each of the four suction nozzles 230. That is, the detection unit 120 may include, in addition to the first detection unit 121 and the second detection unit 122, each of which is a camera, a sensor for detecting the internal pressure or outflow of each of the four suction nozzles 230. In this case, when the third exceptional event occurs, the control unit 170 can switch between suction enable and disable for each of the two first nozzles 231 depending on the state of the separation paper 310 detected by the detection unit 120 (which of the two first nozzles 231 is suctioned).

[0090] As described above, when the third exceptional event occurs, the control unit 170 turns on only the first nozzles 231A that can be sucked and turns off the first nozzles 231B that cannot actually be sucked, depending on the state of the separation paper 310. This allows the first nozzles 231A to suck and hold the separation paper 310 to be removed, and by turning off the first nozzles 231B, for example, unnecessary energy consumption and a decrease in the suction power of the first nozzles 231A can be suppressed.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 17 , the separation paper removal device 200 first adsorbs and holds the separation paper 310 with the first nozzle 231A of the removal unit 220, and then uses the second movement mechanism 250 to retract the arm 255 supporting the head 210. This causes the head 210 to reach a predetermined position above the collection unit 160. The separation paper removal device 200 then further rotates the head 210 180° with the rotation mechanism 260, as shown in FIG. 18 . This causes the head 210 to turn over, changing the orientation of the two first nozzles 231. Specifically, the orientation of the two first nozzles 231 changes from upward to downward. The separation paper removal device 200 then switches the first nozzle 231A from on to off. This causes the separation paper 310 to be released from the first nozzle 231A and fall. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160. That is, the unnecessary separation paper 310 is collected in the collection section 160.

[0092] Meanwhile, the tray holding unit 150 holding the first tray 300A is moved horizontally by the third moving mechanism 140 after the separation paper removal device 200 removes the separation paper 310, or after the separation paper removal device 200 starts removing the separation paper 310. Thereafter, as described above, one or more components placed on the first tray 300A held by the tray holding unit 150 are supplied to the component mounting device 500 via the component pickup unit 190.

[0093] 17 and 18 have described an example of the operation of the component supplying device 100 when the separation paper 310 falls at a position displaced in the positive direction of the X-axis relative to the head 210. However, even when the separation paper 310 falls at a position displaced in the negative direction of the X-axis relative to the head 210, the component supplying device 100 can properly remove the separation paper 310. In other words, when the separation paper 310 is being sucked only by the first nozzle 231B of the two first nozzles 231 (231A and 231B), the first nozzle 231A is switched from on to off, and the first nozzle 231B remains on.

[0094] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the two first nozzles 231 are aligned in the X-axis direction, but the separation paper removal device 200 may also be provided with two first nozzles 231 aligned in the Y-axis direction, in addition to, or instead of, the two first nozzles 231. This allows the control unit 170 to control the on / off of the two first nozzles 231 depending on the state of the separation paper 310, when the separation paper 310 is shifted in the Y-axis direction relative to the head 210.

[0095] [3. Modifications] In the above embodiment, the detection unit 120 is located outside the space between the tray holder 150 and the tray storage unit 110, which is the space where the separation paper removal device 200 removes separation paper 310 (see FIG. 4). However, the detection unit 120 may also be located, for example, in the head 210 provided in the separation paper removal device 200. Therefore, as a modified example of the embodiment, an aspect in which the head 210 is provided with a detection unit 120a that detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 will be described using FIGS. 19 to 22. The head 210 in which the detection unit 120a of this modified example is located is a component that the separation paper removal device 200 can include in place of the head 210 of the embodiment.

[0096] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an outline of the configuration of a head 210 according to a modified embodiment. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of control of a plurality of suction nozzles 230 provided in a head 210 according to a modified embodiment. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a first example of a case where a third exceptional event occurs in a head 210 according to a modified embodiment. Fig. 22 is a diagram showing a second example of a case where a third exceptional event occurs in a head 210 according to a modified embodiment.

[0097] As shown in Figure 19, the head 210 according to this modification includes a removal unit 220 for removing the separation paper 310. The removal unit 220 includes a first nozzle 231 provided on the upper surface of the head 210 and a second nozzle 232 provided on the lower surface of the head 210. These components are common to the head 210 according to the embodiment (see Figure 4). In this modification, the head 210 is provided with a detection unit 120a that detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310, and in this respect, it differs from the head 210 according to the embodiment.

[0098] 19, the detection unit 120a according to this modification includes a first detection unit 121a, a second detection unit 122a, a third detection unit 123a, and a fourth detection unit 124a. The first detection unit 121a is disposed on the upper surface of the head 210 and detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 above the head 210. The second detection unit 122a is disposed on the lower surface of the head 210 and detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 below the head 210. The third detection unit 123a is disposed on the side surface of the head 210 in the positive direction of the X axis and detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 in the positive direction of the X axis of the head 210. The fourth detection unit 124a is disposed on the side surface of the head 210 in the negative direction of the X axis and detects the presence or absence of separation paper 310 in the negative direction of the X axis of the head 210.

[0099] Note that the detection unit 120a (first detection unit 121a to fourth detection unit 124a) according to this modification is a camera that captures an image of a predetermined range, similar to the detection unit 120 (first detection unit 121 and second detection unit 122) according to the embodiment. There are no particular limitations on the type of sensor employed as the detection unit 120a. The detection unit 120 may be realized by a sensor that emits waves such as light and detects the waves reflected by an object.

[0100] Assume that the head 210 configured in this manner is located in the space between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B. Specifically, assume that the first tray 300A has been removed from the stacking tray 350 and that the separation paper 310 remains on the underside of the second tray 300B. In other words, assume that the first exceptional event described above occurs in the component supply device 100.

[0101] In this case, as shown in FIG. 20, of the first to fourth detectors 121a to 124a arranged in the head 210, only the first detector 121a detects the separation paper 310. The control unit 170 receives the detection result (image data) from the first detector 121a and controls the separation paper removing device 200 based on the received detection result, causing the separation paper removing device 200 to remove the separation paper 310. Specifically, as described using FIGS. 11 to 13, the separation paper removing device 200 raises the head 210 and causes the two first nozzles 231 to adsorb and hold the separation paper 310. At this time, the two second nozzles 232 are turned off. The separation paper removing device 200 further lowers the head 210 and moves it in the negative X-axis direction, and then inverts the head 210 above the recovery unit 160. Thereafter, the separation paper removal device 200 turns off the two first nozzles 231 to release the separation paper 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the recovery unit 160.

[0102] If the first exceptional event has not occurred, that is, if a separation sheet 310 exists on the first tray 300A, only the second detection unit 122a of the first through fourth detection units 121a through 124a detects the separation sheet 310. In this case, as described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, the control unit 170 controls the separation sheet removal device 200 based on the detection result received from the second detection unit 122a, causing the separation sheet removal device 200 to remove the separation sheet 310. That is, the separation sheet removal device 200 lowers the head 210 and causes the two second nozzles 232 to adsorb and hold the separation sheet 310. The separation sheet removal device 200 then raises the head 210 and moves it in the negative X-axis direction, and above the recovery unit 160, turns off the two second nozzles 232, thereby releasing the separation sheet 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160.

[0103] Next, assume that a second exceptional event occurs in the component supply device 100 after the first exceptional event, i.e., for example, as shown in FIG. 14, the separation paper 310 is misaligned in the X-axis direction. In this case, the control unit 170 controls the availability of the two second nozzles 232 based on the arrangement range of the separation paper 310 indicated in the detection result (image data) received from the second detection unit 122a. That is, when the separation paper 310 is located in the position shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 170 determines that the separation paper 310 is present within the pickup range of the second nozzle 232 (second nozzle 232A) of the two second nozzles 232 in the positive direction of the X-axis. The control unit 170 further determines that the separation paper 310 is not present within the pickup range of the second nozzle 232 (second nozzle 232B) of the two second nozzles 232 in the negative direction of the X-axis. Based on these determination results, the control unit 170 controls the separation paper removal device 200 to turn on the second nozzle 232A and turn off the second nozzle 232B. After that, the separation paper removal device 200 moves the head 210 and releases the separation paper 310, for example, as shown in Figures 15 and 16, thereby storing the separation paper 310 inside the recovery unit 160.

[0104] 21, the separation paper 310 remaining in the second tray 300B falls and is positioned in a position that is misaligned with respect to the head 210. Specifically, the separation paper 310 is positioned above only one of the two first nozzles 231 on the upper surface of the head 210, and is not positioned above the other of the two first nozzles 231.

[0105] In this case, of the first to fourth detection units 121a to 124a, only the first detection unit 121a and the third detection unit 123a detect the separation paper 310. In this case, the control unit 170 keeps the first nozzle 231A, which is located between the first detection unit 121a and the third detection unit 123a, on and switches the first nozzle 231B off. The control unit 170 then controls the separation paper removal device 200 to move the head 210 and invert the head 210 above the collection unit 160. The separation paper removal device 200 then turns off the first nozzle 231A to release the separation paper 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160.

[0106] Furthermore, when a third exceptional event occurs after the first exceptional event, it is assumed that the separation paper 310 is placed above the first nozzle 231B of the two first nozzles 231, but is not placed above the first nozzle 231A, as shown in FIG.

[0107] In this case, of the first to fourth detection units 121a to 124a, only the first detection unit 121a and the fourth detection unit 124a detect the separation paper 310. In this case, the control unit 170 keeps the first nozzle 231B, which is located between the first detection unit 121a and the fourth detection unit 124a, on and switches the first nozzle 231A off. The control unit 170 then controls the separation paper removal device 200 to move the head 210 and invert the head 210 above the collection unit 160. The separation paper removal device 200 then turns off the first nozzle 231B to release the separation paper 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 is stored inside the collection unit 160.

[0108] As described above, in the component supply device 100 according to this modified example, the detection unit 120a, which detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310, is disposed on the head 210 and moves together with the head 210. Even in this case, the detection unit 120a can detect the state (position, posture, etc.) of the separation paper 310. This allows the control unit 170 to appropriately control the on / off (suction / non-suction) of the multiple suction nozzles 230 according to the state of the separation paper 310. In other words, even if an event occurs in which the position, posture, etc. of the separation paper 310 becomes abnormal (such as the first to third exceptional events), the control unit 170 controls the separation paper removal device 200 based on the detection result of the detection unit 120a. As a result, the separation paper 310 is appropriately removed.

[0109] The component supply device 100 may include a detection unit 120a according to this modification in addition to the detection unit 120 according to the embodiment. In this case, for example, the state (position, posture, etc.) of the separation paper 310 is detected by both the detection unit 120 and the detection unit 120a, thereby improving the accuracy of the information on the state of the separation paper 310 obtained by the control unit 170.

[0110] Furthermore, for example, the detection unit 120 and the detection unit 120a may share the task of detecting the state of the separation paper 310. For example, the detection unit 120 outputs a detection result that indicates only whether the separation paper 310 is located on the upper surface of the first tray 300A or the lower surface of the second tray 300B. In this case, the control unit 170 uses the detection result to cause one of the first detection unit 121a and the second detection unit 122a of the detection unit 120a that faces the separation paper 310 to capture an image of a predetermined range including the separation paper 310. The control unit 170 acquires and analyzes image data from that one of the detection units. Based on the analysis result thus obtained, the control unit 170 can determine which of the multiple suction nozzles 230 can (or cannot) suction the separation paper 310. That is, the control unit 170 can control the on / off (suction / non-suction) of the plurality of suction nozzles 230 based on the state of the separation paper 310 detected by the detection units 120 and 120a.

[0111] [4. Other Modifications] The second movement mechanism 250 not only moves the head 210 by extending and retracting (moving in the X-axis direction) and moving up and down (moving in the Z-axis direction) the arm 255 that supports the head 210, but may also be configured to be able to move the head 210 in the Y-axis direction and to be able to rotate the orientation of the head 210 within the XY plane. This makes it possible to move the head 210 to a more appropriate position and / or to orient the head 210 in a more appropriate direction when the head 210 adsorbs and holds the separation paper 310 that is in a position that is deviated from the normal position.

[0112] The collection unit 160 may be configured to be movable by a collection unit moving mechanism. That is, the component supplying device 100 may further include a collection unit moving mechanism that moves the collection unit 160. The collection unit moving mechanism may be capable of moving the collection unit 160 in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and may be capable of rotating within the XY plane. The collection unit moving mechanism may include, for example, an arm that supports the collection unit 160, and a drive device (motor, etc.) that drives the extension and contraction of the arm, the movement or rotation within the XY plane, and the movement in the Z-axis direction. The collection unit moving mechanism may include, for example, a rail that guides the movement of a holding member that holds the collection unit 160, and a drive device (motor, etc.) that drives the movement of the holding member.

[0113] When the component supply device 100 is equipped with the above-described collection unit moving mechanism, the control unit 170 may cause the second moving mechanism 250 to move the head 210 holding the separation paper 310 to above the collection unit 160, and based on the position information, cause the collection unit moving mechanism to move the collection unit 160 so that the collection unit 160 is positioned below the separation paper 310 held by the head 210, and cause the head 210 to release the separation paper 310 and store the separation paper 310 in the collection unit 160. In other words, the control unit 170 may control not only the position of the head 210 that adsorbs and holds the separation paper 310, but also the position of the collection unit 160.

[0114] When a second exceptional event occurs, the control unit 170 may control the position of the head 210 by controlling the second movement mechanism 250, instead of switching on and off control of each of the multiple suction nozzles 230 depending on the state of the separation paper 310, as described above. For example, the detection unit 120 may be configured to be able to detect positional information of the separation paper 310 on the top surface of the first tray 300A after the tray holder 150 removes the first tray 300A from the tray storage unit 110. Based on the positional information, the control unit 170 may cause the second movement mechanism 250 to move the head 210, which has entered the space between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B, so that the removal unit 220 faces the separation paper 310, and then cause the removal unit 220 to remove the separation paper 310.

[0115] The detection unit 120 may be configured to be able to detect position information of the separation paper 310 removed by the head 210 and held by the head 210. In this case, the control unit 170 may, based on the position information, cause the second movement mechanism 250 to move the head 210 holding the separation paper 310 so that the separation paper 310 is positioned above the collection unit 160, and then cause the head 210 to release the separation paper 310 and store the separation paper 310 in the collection unit 160.

[0116] [5. Effects etc.] Below, examples of techniques that can be obtained from the disclosure of this specification will be given, and the effects and the like that can be obtained from the exemplified techniques will be described.

[0117] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 1 is a component supply device 100 for supplying components to a component mounting device 500, and includes a tray storage unit 110, a tray holding unit 150, a first moving mechanism 155, and a detection unit 120. The tray storage unit 110 stores stacked trays 350, which are stacked trays 300 on which components and separation sheets 310 covering the components are placed. The tray holding unit 150 is provided below the stacked trays 350 stored in the tray storage unit 110 so as to be able to rise and fall, and removes the lowest tray 300 from the stacked trays 350. The first moving mechanism 155 raises and lowers the tray holding unit 150 relative to the stacked trays 350. The detection unit 120 detects the presence or absence of separation sheets 310. The stacked trays 350 include a first tray 300A at the lowest level and a second tray 300B one level above the first tray 300A. The detection unit 120 includes a first detection unit 121 that is provided to be able to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the underside of the second tray 300B after the tray holding unit 150 removes the first tray 300A from the tray storage unit 110.

[0118] In the component supply device 100 according to the first technology, the tray holder 150 can remove the first tray 300A, which is the lowest tray in the stack of trays 350. In this case, an exceptional event may occur in which the separation paper 310 placed on the top surface of the first tray 300A does not attach to the first tray 300A but remains on the bottom surface of the second tray 300B, which is one tray above the first tray 300A. The separation paper 310 remaining on the bottom surface of the second tray 300B may fall at an unexpected location and timing. Therefore, if such an exceptional event cannot be detected early, the efficiency of component supply may decrease. In this regard, according to the component supply device 100 according to the first technology, the separation paper 310 remaining on the bottom surface of the second tray 300B is detected by the first detector 121 of the detector 120. Therefore, for example, work to remove the separation paper 310 can be performed early. This reduces the occurrence of events that cause a decrease in productivity, such as work stoppages due to separation sheets 310 falling from the underside of the second tray 300B and / or the need to collect the separation sheets 310.

[0119] In this way, the component supply device 100 according to the first technique can efficiently perform work related to component supply. As a result, a decrease in productivity in the component mounting system 10 including the component supply device 100 can be suppressed.

[0120] The component supply device 100 according to technology 2 is the component supply device 100 according to technology 1, and the detection unit 120 includes a second detection unit 122 that is configured to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the upper surface of the first tray 300A after the tray holding unit 150 removes the first tray 300A from the tray storage unit 110.

[0121] With this configuration, when the tray holder 150 removes the first tray 300A, which is the lowest tray in the stacking trays 350, it is directly confirmed whether the separation paper 310 placed on the top surface of the first tray 300A is still attached to the first tray 300A. Therefore, the separation paper 310 can be efficiently removed from the first tray 300A held by the tray holder 150.

[0122] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 3 is the component supply device 100 according to Technology 1 or 2, and further includes a control unit 170. The control unit 170 causes the first moving mechanism 155 to lower the tray holding unit 150 that holds the first tray 300A removed from the tray storage unit 110, and causes the detection unit 120 to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 in a state where the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B are separated from each other.

[0123] According to this configuration, the control unit 170 controls the separation of the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B, and the detection unit 120 detects the presence or absence of the separation paper 310. Therefore, the detection unit 120 can more efficiently and / or more accurately detect the presence or absence of the separation paper 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 can be removed more efficiently.

[0124] The component supply device 100 according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the component supply device 100 according to the third aspect of the present invention, and further includes a separation paper removal device 200. The separation paper removal device 200 includes a head 210 having a removal unit 220 that removes separation paper 310 detected by the detection unit 120, and a second movement mechanism 250 that moves the head 210. When the first tray 300A held by the tray holding unit 150 is separated from the second tray 300B, the control unit 170 controls the second movement mechanism 250 to move the head 210 into the space between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B, and controls the removal unit 220 to remove the separation paper 310 (see FIGS. 7 to 9, 10 to 13, 14 to 16, 17, 18, and 20 to 22).

[0125] According to this configuration, the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B are separated from each other by the control of the control unit 170, and the separation paper removal device 200 removes the separation paper 310 based on the detection result of the detection unit 120. In other words, the process from removing the first tray 300A from the stacking tray 350 in the component supply device 100 to removing the separation paper 310 is automated, and as a result, the component supply work by the component supply device 100 can be performed more accurately and / or more efficiently.

[0126] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 5 is the component supply device 100 according to Technology 4, wherein the removal unit 220 includes a suction nozzle 230. The separation paper removal device 200 further includes a rotation mechanism 260 that changes the orientation of the suction nozzle 230 by rotating the head 210.

[0127] With this configuration, for example, when separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of second tray 300B is sucked and held by an upward-facing suction nozzle 230 (for example, first nozzle 231 in FIG. 11), the rotation mechanism 260 can change the suction nozzle 230 to face downward (see FIGS. 13 and 18). This allows the separation paper 310 to be released from the suction nozzle 230 at a predetermined location, and as a result, the separation paper 310 can be dropped to the predetermined location by using gravity. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13 and other figures, the separation paper 310 can be dropped above the collection unit 160, and as a result, the separation paper 310 can be collected by the collection unit 160.

[0128] The component supply device 100 according to the sixth aspect is the component supply device 100 according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the removal unit 220 includes a plurality of suction nozzles 230. The control unit 170 switches between enabling and disabling suction of each of the plurality of suction nozzles 230 depending on the state of the separation paper 310 detected by the detection unit 120 (see FIGS. 8, 11, 15, 17, 21, and 22).

[0129] With this configuration, it is possible to turn on (i.e., enable suction) only those suction nozzles among the multiple suction nozzles 230 that are substantially capable of suctioning the separation paper 310. This allows, for example, suction nozzles 230 that are substantially incapable of suctioning the separation paper 310 to be turned off (i.e., unable to suction), thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption. It also prevents problems such as a suction nozzle 230 that is incapable of suctioning the separation paper 310 accidentally suctioning a component.

[0130] The component supplying device 100 according to Technology 7 is the component supplying device 100 according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 6, wherein the removal unit 220 includes a plurality of suction nozzles 230. The plurality of suction nozzles 230 include a first nozzle 231 provided on the upper surface side of the head 210 and a second nozzle 232 provided on the lower surface side of the head 210.

[0131] With this configuration, whether the separation paper 310 is placed on the top surface of the first tray 300A or remains on the bottom surface of the second tray 300B, the removal unit 220 can quickly absorb the separation paper 310. As a result, the separation paper 310 can be removed more efficiently.

[0132] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 8 is the component supply device 100 according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 7, and the detection unit 120a is provided in the head 210 (see FIG. 19). When the first tray 300A held by the tray holding unit 150 is separated from the second tray 300B, the control unit 170 causes the second moving mechanism 250 to move the head 210 into the space between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B, and causes the detection unit 120a to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 (see FIGS. 20 to 22). When separation paper 310 is detected, the control unit 170 causes the separation paper removal device 200 to remove the separation paper 310.

[0133] With this configuration, the detection unit 120a moves together with the head 210. Therefore, unlike when the detection unit 120 is disposed outside the space between the tray holder 150 and the tray storage unit 110 (see FIG. 4), for example, there is no problem of interference between the head 210 and the detection unit 120a when the head 210 moves. Furthermore, the detection unit 120a can be disposed in a position facing the separation paper 310 located on the upper surface of the first tray 300A or the lower surface of the second tray 300B, and relatively close to the separation paper 310. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a more accurate detection result for removing the separation paper 310.

[0134] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 9 is the component supply device 100 according to any one of Technology 4 to Technology 8, and includes a third movement mechanism 140 (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) that horizontally moves the tray holding part 150. After the separation paper 310 is removed by the separation paper removal device 200 from the first tray 300A held by the tray holding part 150, the control part 170 causes the third movement mechanism 140 to move the tray holding part 150 horizontally.

[0135] According to this configuration, not only when the separation paper 310 placed on the first tray 300A is removed along with the first tray 300A, but also when the first to third exceptional events described above occur, the first tray 300A is moved horizontally after the separation paper 310 is removed. As a result, for example, a malfunction such as the first tray 300A being supplied to the component pickup unit 190 with the separation paper 310 still on its upper surface is more reliably prevented. In addition, for example, interference between the separation paper removal device 200 operating to remove the separation paper 310 and the tray holder 150 or first tray 300A moving horizontally is less likely to occur.

[0136] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 10 is the component supply device 100 according to any one of Technology 4 to 9, wherein the detection unit 120 is provided to be able to detect positional information of the separation paper 210 on the top surface of the first tray 300A after the tray holding unit 150 removes the first tray 300A from the tray storage unit 110. Based on the positional information, the control unit 170 causes the second movement mechanism 250 to move the head 210 that has entered the space between the first tray 300A and the second tray 300B so that the removal unit 220 faces the separation paper 310, and then causes the removal unit 220 to remove the separation paper 310.

[0137] With this configuration, if the separation paper 310 to be removed is positioned in a position different from the normal position on the first tray 300A, the control unit 170 can control the position of the head 210 to match the position of the separation paper 310 at that time. As a result, even if the separation paper 310 is misaligned, the removal unit 220 can more reliably remove the separation paper.

[0138] The component supply device 100 according to Technology 11 is the component supply device 100 according to any one of Technology 8 to Technology 10, further comprising a collection unit 160 that stores the separation paper 310. The detection unit 120 is provided so as to be able to detect position information of the separation paper 310 removed by the head 210 and held in the head 210. Based on the position information, the control unit 170 causes the second movement mechanism 250 to move the head 210 holding the separation paper 310 so that the separation paper 310 is positioned above the collection unit 160, and then causes the head 210 to release the separation paper 310 and store the separation paper 310 in the collection unit.

[0139] With this configuration, if the separation paper 310 to be removed is held by the head 210 in a position that is shifted from the correct position relative to the head 210, the control unit 170 can control the position of the head 210 relative to the collection unit 160 to match the position of the separation paper 310 at that time. As a result, even if the separation paper 310 held by the head 210 is shifted in position, the separation paper 310 can be more reliably collected in the collection unit 160.

[0140] The component supply device 100 according to a 12th aspect of the present invention is the component supply device 100 according to any one of the above-described 8 to 11 aspects, further comprising a collection unit 160 that stores the separation paper 310, and a collection unit moving mechanism that moves the collection unit 160. The detection unit 120 is provided to be able to detect position information of the separation paper 310 removed by the head 210 and held in the head 210. The control unit 170 controls the second moving mechanism 250 to move the head 210 holding the separation paper 310 to above the collection unit 160. Based on the position information, the control unit 170 controls the collection unit moving mechanism to move the collection unit 160 so that the collection unit 160 is positioned below the separation paper 310 held in the head 210. The control unit 170 controls the head 210 to release the separation paper 310 and store the separation paper 310 in the collection unit 160.

[0141] With this configuration, the control unit 170 can control not only the position of the head 210 that adsorbs and holds the separation paper 310, but also the position of the collection unit 160. As a result, even if the separation paper 310 held by the head 210 is misaligned, the separation paper 310 can be more reliably stored in the collection unit 160.

[0142] (Other embodiments) The component supply device according to the present embodiment has been described above based on the above-described embodiments and their modifications, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and their modifications.

[0143] The removal unit 220 included in the head 210 of the separation paper removal device 200 does not need to include multiple suction nozzles 230. The removal unit 220 may include one or more suction nozzles 230. For example, even if the removal unit 220 initially includes only a downward-facing suction nozzle 230, the suction nozzle 230 can be changed to face upward by rotating (flipping) the head 210 180 degrees using the rotation mechanism 260. This allows the upward-facing suction nozzle 230 to suck and hold the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B.

[0144] In cases where the removal unit 220 only has a downward-facing suction nozzle 230 in the initial state, a detection unit 120a (see FIG. 19) may be disposed in the head 210 that includes the removal unit 220. In this case, for example, the head 210 is caused to enter the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A, and the detection unit 120a is used to detect the state of the separation paper 310. If the detection result indicates that separation paper 310 remains on the underside of the second tray 300B, the control unit 170 temporarily moves the head 210 out of the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A, turns the head 210 over, and then causes the head 210 to enter the space again. This allows the upward-facing suction nozzle 230 to suck and hold the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B. If the space between the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A is large enough to allow the head 210 to be turned over, the control unit 170 may turn the head 210 over within that space.

[0145] The separation paper removal device 200 does not necessarily have to include the rotation mechanism 260. For example, if the removal unit 220 of the head 210 has suction nozzles 230 on both the upper and lower sides of the head 210, the separation paper removal device 200 does not need to include the rotation mechanism 260. In this case, the removal unit 220 can adsorb and hold the separation paper 310 whether it is removed along with the first tray 300A or remains on the lower surface of the second tray 300B.

[0146] In the case where the separation paper removal device 200 does not include the rotation mechanism 260, the removal unit 220 included in the head 210 may include the suction nozzle 230 only on the upper surface side of the head 210. In other words, the removal unit 220 only needs to have a function for removing separation paper 310 that remains on the lower surface of the second tray 300B or that has fallen from the lower surface of the second tray 300B when the above-mentioned first to third exceptional events occur. In this case, the separation paper 310 removed along with the first tray 300A may be removed by a dedicated device or manually by an operator. In other words, the separation paper 310 placed on the upper surface of the first tray 300A may be removed by a device other than the separation paper removal device 200 before reaching the component pickup unit 190.

[0147] The detector 120 does not necessarily have to include the second detector 122. That is, the detector 120 may include only the first detector 121 that is capable of detecting the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the underside of the second tray 300B. In this case, the controller 170 may determine that separation paper 310 is present on the upper surface of the first tray 300A, for example, when the detection result by the first detector 121 indicates that separation paper 310 is not present on the lower surface of the second tray 300B. The same applies to the detector 120a (see FIG. 9) according to a modified example, and the detector 120a does not necessarily have to include the second detector 122a. When the detector 120a includes only the first detector 121a, for example, the rotation mechanism 260 may invert the head 210 to allow the first detector 121a to detect the presence or absence of separation paper 310 on the upper surface of the first tray 300A.

[0148] The separation paper removal device 200 does not have to be provided in the component supply device 100. The separation paper removal device 200 may operate in cooperation with the component supply device 100, for example, as an external device of the component supply device 100. In other words, the separation paper removal device 200 may receive a control signal based on the detection result of the detection unit 120 from the component supply device 100 and operate in accordance with the control signal. Even in this case, the separation paper removal device 200 can remove separation paper 310 placed on the lower surface of the second tray 300B and the upper surface of the first tray 300A.

[0149] The component supplying device 100 may output the detection result of the detection unit 120 or information indicating the state of the separation paper 310 based on the detection result by using images, characters, symbols, or sound. In this case, for example, an operator who has confirmed the information indicating that separation paper 310 remains on the underside of the second tray 300B may remove the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B while the operation of the component supplying device 100 is temporarily stopped. Even in this case, at least, the occurrence of problems caused by the separation paper 310 remaining on the underside of the second tray 300B falling at an unexpected position and timing is suppressed.

[0150] The removal unit 220 included in the head 210 may remove the separation paper 310 from the second tray 300B and the first tray 300A using a method other than vacuum suction with the suction nozzle 230. The removal unit 220 may also use magnetic force or static electricity to attract and hold the separation paper 310. The removal unit 220 may also obtain and hold the separation paper 310 using a mechanical method, such as gripping the separation paper 310.

[0151] There are no particular limitations on the method by which the tray holding unit 150 removes the trays 300 one by one from the stacked trays 350. For example, the tray storage unit 110 may move vertically relative to the tray holding unit 150, which does not move vertically, thereby allowing the tray holding unit 150 to remove the trays 300 one by one from the stacked trays 350. Furthermore, for example, the tray storage unit 110 may hand over the trays 300 to the tray holding unit 150, which does not move vertically, by pushing the trays 300 one by one out of the stacked trays 350 in the horizontal direction.

[0152] The collection unit 160 may have a function to actively acquire the separation paper 310 held by the separation paper removal device 200. For example, the separation paper 310 held by the separation paper removal device 200 may be acquired by a nozzle that vacuum-sucks the separation paper 310, or by an arm that grips and takes in the separation paper 310.

[0153] The tray 300 that has been removed from the tray storage unit 110 and from which the separation paper 310 has been removed by the separation paper removal device 200 does not need to be transported to the component pickup unit 190. For example, the tray 300 that has been removed from the tray storage unit 110 and from which the separation paper 310 has been removed by the separation paper removal device 200 may be transported to the empty tray storage unit 119 by the tray transport unit 180. In this way, before production begins with the component mounting device 500, it is possible to prepare a stacked tray 350 in which multiple separation papers 310 have been removed from a stacked tray 350 that contains separation paper 310.

[0154] All or some of the components of the processing units, such as the control unit 170, of the component supply device 100 may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit, such as a CPU or processor, reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium, such as a HDD or semiconductor memory.

[0155] Furthermore, the components of the processing unit, such as the control unit 170, included in the component supply device 100 may be configured with one or more electronic circuits. Each of the one or more electronic circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0156] The one or more electronic circuits may include, for example, a semiconductor device, an IC, or an LSI (Large Scale Integration). The IC or LSI may be integrated on a single chip or on multiple chips. Although we refer to them as ICs or LSIs here, they may be called system LSIs, VLSIs (Very Large Scale Integration), or ULSIs (Ultra Large Scale Integration) depending on the degree of integration. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed after the LSI is manufactured, can be used for the same purpose.

[0157] The present invention can be realized not only as a component supply device, but also as a program including, as steps, the processes performed by each component of the component supply device, and as a computer-readable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) on which the program is recorded. In other words, the comprehensive or specific aspects described above may be realized as a system, a device, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, or as any combination of a system, a device, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0158] In addition, the present invention also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to each embodiment that a person skilled in the art would think of, and forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0159] The present invention can be used in a component supplying device for supplying components to a component mounting device that mounts components on a board. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 10 Component Mounting System 100 Parts supply device 110 Tray storage section 111 Side wall 112 Stopper 119 Empty tray storage area 120, 120a Detector 121, 121a First detection unit 122, 122a Second detection unit 123a Third detection unit 124a Fourth detection unit 140 Third movement mechanism 141 First conveying section 145 Second conveying section 150 Tray holder 155 1st movement mechanism 156 Mobile stand 160 Recovery Department 170 Control Unit 180 Tray transport section 190 Parts Pickup Section 191 Pickup head 200 Separate paper removal device 210 head 220 Removal section 230 Suction nozzle 231, 231A, 231B First nozzle 232, 232A, 232B Second nozzle 250 2nd movement mechanism 255 Arm 260 Rotation Mechanism 300 trays 300A 1st tray 300B Second Tray 310 Separate Paper 350 stacked trays 500 Component Mounting Equipment 520 Parts placement stage 530 Component Mounting Section 540 Substrate Stage 550 Board transport section 600 boards

Claims

1. A component supply device for supplying components to a component mounting device, a tray storage unit that stores a stack of trays, each tray having the components and separation sheets covering the components placed thereon; a tray holding unit that is provided below the stacked trays stored in the tray storage unit and can be raised and lowered, and that removes the bottom tray from the stacked trays; a first moving mechanism that raises and lowers the tray holding unit relative to the stacking tray; a detection unit that detects the presence or absence of the separation paper, The stacked trays include a first tray at the bottom and a second tray one tray above the first tray, the detection unit includes a first detection unit that is provided to be able to detect the presence or absence of the separation paper on the underside of the second tray after the tray holding unit removes the first tray from the tray storage unit. Parts supply device.

2. the detection unit includes a second detection unit that is provided to be able to detect the presence or absence of the separation paper on the top surface of the first tray after the tray holding unit removes the first tray from the tray storage unit. The component supply device according to claim 1 .

3. Further, a control unit is provided, The control unit causing the first moving mechanism to lower the tray holding unit that holds the first tray removed from the tray storage unit; causing the detection unit to detect the presence or absence of the separation paper while the first tray and the second tray are spaced apart; 3. The component supply device according to claim 1.

4. Furthermore, it is equipped with a separate paper removal device, The separated paper removing device a head including a removal unit that removes the separation paper detected by the detection unit; a second movement mechanism that moves the head; Equipped with The control unit When the first tray held by the tray holding portion is spaced apart from the second tray, causing the second moving mechanism to move the head into a space between the first tray and the second tray; causing the removal unit to remove the separation paper; 4. The component supply device according to claim 3.

5. the removal unit includes a suction nozzle, The separation paper removal device further includes a rotation mechanism that changes the orientation of the suction nozzle by rotating the head.

5. The component supply device according to claim 4.

6. the removal unit includes a plurality of the suction nozzles, the control unit switches between enabling and disabling suction of each of the plurality of suction nozzles depending on the state of the separation paper detected by the detection unit.

6. The component supply device according to claim 5.

7. the removal unit includes a plurality of suction nozzles, the plurality of suction nozzles include a first nozzle provided on an upper surface side of the head and a second nozzle provided on a lower surface side of the head; 5. The component supply device according to claim 4.

8. the detection unit is provided on the head, The control unit When the first tray held by the tray holding portion is spaced apart from the second tray, causing the second moving mechanism to move the head into a space between the first tray and the second tray; causing the detection unit to detect the presence or absence of the separation paper; When the separation paper is detected, the separation paper removal device is caused to remove the separation paper.

5. The component supply device according to claim 4.

9. a third moving mechanism that moves the tray holding unit in a horizontal direction; The control unit After the separation paper is removed from the first tray held by the tray holding unit by the separation paper removal device, the third moving mechanism moves the tray holding unit in a horizontal direction.

5. The component supply device according to claim 4.

10. the detection unit is provided to be able to detect position information of the separation paper on the top surface of the first tray after the tray holding unit removes the first tray from the tray storage unit, The control unit Based on the position information, the second moving mechanism moves the head that has entered the space between the first tray and the second tray so that the removal unit faces the separation paper, and then causing the removal unit to remove the separation paper; 5. The component supply device according to claim 4.

11. Further, a collection section for storing the separation paper is provided, the detection unit is provided to be able to detect position information of the separation paper removed by the head and held by the head, The control unit Based on the position information, the second moving mechanism moves the head holding the separation paper so that the separation paper is positioned above the recovery unit, and then causing the head to release the separation paper and store the separation paper in the recovery section; 9. The component supply device according to claim 8.

12. a collection section that stores the separation paper; a collection unit moving mechanism that moves the collection unit; Furthermore, the detection unit is provided to be able to detect position information of the separation paper removed by the head and held by the head, The control unit the second moving mechanism moves the head holding the separation paper to above the collection unit; Based on the position information, the recovery unit moving mechanism moves the recovery unit so that the recovery unit is positioned below the separation paper held by the head; causing the head to release the separation paper and store the separation paper in the recovery section; 9. The component supply device according to claim 8.

Images