Tape guide

Abstract

To secure a specified assembly dimension by ensuring reproducibility of a position of each component without increasing the number of weld locations.SOLUTION: A tape guide comprises: a guide main body part including a ceiling wall part in which an opening is provided and guiding a carrier tape including a base tape where a component storage part is provided and a cover tape which closes a storage port of the component storage part during tape conveyance; a peeling section which is disposed under the ceiling wall part so as to be partially exposed in the opening, supported by the guide main body part in one end, elastically deformable in a vertical direction in the other end, and peeling the cover tape from the base part in the middle of conveyance of the carrier tape; and a positioning structure which positions the guide main body part and the peeling section. The positioning structure includes a positioning pin extending in the vertical direction and a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present specification relates to a tape guide. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a tape guide provided in a component supplying device is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The component supplying device supplies components, such as electronic components, stored in component storage portions of the carrier tape by feeding the carrier tape in a transport direction to supply the components to a component supply position. The carrier tape has a base tape provided with the component storage portions, and a cover tape provided on the surface of the base tape to close the component storage portions of the base tape.

[0003] The tape guide has a guide main body that guides the carrier tape when the carrier tape is fed in the feed direction, and a peeling portion that is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape. The guide main body is a member that has an inverted U-shaped cross section and extends in the carrier tape feed direction. The peeling portion is a member that extends like a plate in the carrier tape feed direction. One end of the peeling portion is fixed to the guide main body, and the peeling portion is cantilevered and extends from the fixed position in the counter-feed direction opposite the feed direction. The other end, i.e., the tip, of the peeling portion is positioned so that it can move to a height position where it can be inserted between the base tape and cover tape of the carrier tape guided by the guide main body. When the peeling portion is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape, the cover tape peels off from the base tape, exposing the components in the component storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-26415 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, if the height position of the tip of the peeling part is offset in the vertical direction from the height position of the boundary between the base tape and the cover tape of the carrier tape guided by the guide main body, the tip of the peeling part cannot be properly inserted between the base tape and the cover tape, and the cover tape cannot be properly peeled from the base tape. Therefore, in a tape guide, the accuracy of the position of the peeling part relative to the guide main body (especially the height position of its tip) is important in peeling the cover tape of the carrier tape from the base tape.

[0006] Furthermore, there is a semi-peeling tape guide that, after peeling the cover tape from the base tape at a peeling portion, raises and folds one widthwise end of the cover tape toward the other widthwise end. This semi-peeling tape guide uses a member that guides the cover tape to fold back one widthwise end of the cover tape peeled from the base tape toward the other widthwise end. This member is a cover portion that is provided separately from the guide main body portion and the peeling portion and is positioned above the peeling portion. Therefore, when using the cover portion to semi-peele the cover tape as described above, the positional accuracy of the cover portion relative to the guide main body portion and the peeling portion is also important.

[0007] Furthermore, when folding back one widthwise end of the cover tape to the other widthwise end in the tape guide, it is necessary to form a gap with precise dimensions between the peeling portion and the guide main body portion to allow the cover tape peeled off from the base tape at the peeling portion to pass through.

[0008] In this way, when assembling the tape guide by assembling the guide main body and peeling portion and then assembling the cover portion, the positional accuracy of the guide main body and peeling portion, as well as the positional accuracy including the cover portion, is important.

[0009] Generally, the tape guide is assembled by integrating the guide body, the peeling part, and the cover by welding or adhesive. To prevent the components of the tape guide from shifting position while the component supply device is in use, it is necessary to position and fix each component by a strong method such as welding. For example, welding at multiple locations is effective.

[0010] However, increasing the number of welding points increases the manufacturing time and manufacturing costs. Furthermore, even when using an assembly jig, it is difficult to ensure the reproducibility of the positions of each part, making it difficult to achieve the specified assembly dimensions of the tape guide. Furthermore, the guide main body is generally made of a metal such as stainless steel, but as described above, it is an elongated part formed with an inverted U-shaped cross section. Therefore, the closer the welding points in the guide main body are to the bent portion where the ceiling wall and the side wall connect, the more likely the bent portion will deform in the direction of the bend due to expansion and contraction caused by welding heat, making it difficult to ensure the assembly dimensions of the tape guide.

[0011] An object of the present specification is to provide a tape guide that can ensure the repeatability of the positions of each component and ensure the specified assembly dimensions without increasing the number of welding points. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This specification discloses a tape guide comprising: a guide main body portion having a ceiling wall portion with an opening, and guiding a carrier tape having a base tape with a component storage portion and a cover tape that covers the storage opening of the component storage portion during tape transport; a peeling portion arranged below the ceiling wall portion so that a portion is exposed to the opening, supported by the guide main body portion at one end and elastically deformable in the vertical direction at the other end, and peeling the cover tape from the base tape during transport of the carrier tape; and a positioning structure having a positioning pin extending in the vertical direction and a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is inserted, and positioning the guide main body portion and the peeling portion.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to ensure the repeatability of the position of each component and to ensure the specified assembly dimensions without increasing the number of welding points.

[0014] The present specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 1" to "the tape guide according to claim 1 or 2" in claim 4 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 5" to "the tape guide according to any one of claims 5 to 8" in claim 9 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 9" to "the tape guide according to any one of claims 5 to 9" in claim 10 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 10" to "the tape guide according to any one of claims 5 to 10" in claim 11 as originally filed, the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 5" to "the tape guide according to any one of claims 5 to 11" in claim 12 as originally filed, and the technical idea of ​​changing "the tape guide according to claim 12" to "the tape guide according to any one of claims 5 to 12" in claim 13 as originally filed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a component supply device including a tape guide according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a carrier tape. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tape guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view of the tape guide of the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the tape guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view of a main part of a tape guide (without a cover portion) according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing welding points in the tape guide of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a top view of a main part of the tape guide according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view of the tape guide of the embodiment taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] 8 is a cross-sectional view of a tape guide according to a modified embodiment cut at the same location as that shown in FIG. 7. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] 1. Configuration of component supply device including tape guide The configuration of a component supply device 1 according to one embodiment will be described. The component supplying device 1 is a tape feeder that supplies components to a component supply position by transporting a carrier tape that has components stored in a component storage section in a transport direction. The component supplying device 1 is detachably incorporated into a component mounting machine that is installed on a circuit board production line and mounts electronic components on a circuit board. Hereinafter, the component supplying device 1 is assumed to be a cassette-type tape feeder that detachably and replaceably houses a reel that winds the carrier tape within a housing, as shown in FIG.

[0017] The carrier tape T is a long tape member for supplying components P to the component supply position S. The carrier tape T has a predetermined width (i.e., tape width). Generally, the tape width of the carrier tape T varies depending on the type of carrier tape T or the size of the components P to be accommodated. This tape width is determined as a standard in advance, and is, for example, 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, or 24 mm. The components P are parts such as transistors, diodes, and resistors that make up electronic circuits. Note that the components P may include microcomponents, such as 0201 size (0.2 mm x 0.1 mm).

[0018] 2, the carrier tape T has a base tape TB and a cover tape TC. The base tape TB is a tape provided with a component receiving portion CV for receiving a component P. The cover tape TC is a tape provided on the surface (top surface) of the base tape TB so as to close the receiving opening of the component receiving portion CV.

[0019] The base tape TB is made of a flexible material such as paper or resin. The base tape TB has component receiving portions CV. The component receiving portions CV are receiving spaces such as holes or grooves that receive components P. The carrier tape T may be an embossed tape in which the component receiving portions CV of the base tape TB protrude downward, or may be a paper tape with groove-shaped component receiving portions CV provided on the surface.

[0020] The component receiving portion CV is located approximately in the center of the base tape TB in the tape width direction. Multiple component receiving portions CV are provided along the tape length direction, and are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. When the component receiving portion CV is a hole that penetrates the base tape TB, a bottom tape made of a transparent or translucent paper material or polymer film may be adhered to the underside of the base tape TB while covering the bottom of the component receiving portion CV to prevent the components P from falling out.

[0021] The base tape TB also has feed holes SH. The feed holes SH are engagement holes that engage with engagement protrusions of a sprocket (described later) of the component supply device 1. The feed holes SH are provided to feed the carrier tape T in the tape longitudinal direction, i.e., the feeding direction X. The feed holes SH are formed in a substantially circular or elliptical shape. The feed holes SH are provided at one end of the base tape TB in the tape width direction. A plurality of feed holes SH are provided along the tape longitudinal direction, and are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. The component storage sections CV and the feed holes SH are arranged in two rows in the tape width direction, each aligned along the tape longitudinal direction.

[0022] The cover tape TC is removably adhered to the surface of the base tape TB. The cover tape TC is adhered to both ends of the surface of the base tape TB in the width direction of the tape, excluding the central portion in the width direction of the tape where the component receiving portion CV is provided. The cover tape TC covers and closes the opening of the component receiving portion CV by being adhered and fixed to the base tape TB. The cover tape TC has the function of preventing the component P received in the component receiving portion CV from jumping out. The cover tape TC is made of a transparent polymer film or the like.

[0023] The cover tape TC may have approximately the same width as the base tape TB, or may have a width smaller than that of the base tape TB, for example, by covering the base tape TB except for the portions where the feed holes SH are provided. The width of the cover tape TC may also vary depending on the type of carrier tape T, i.e., the width of the base tape TB.

[0024] The carrier tape T is wound around a reel R. The reel R is a disk-shaped member around which the carrier tape T is wound. The reel R has a pair of disk-shaped flanges and a boss connecting the disk centers of the pair of flanges. A shaft hole is provided through the boss. The reel R is detachably housed in the component supply device 1 and rotatably supported.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the component supplying device 1 includes a feeder main body 10, a reel storage section 20, a transport device 30, a component exposing device 40, and a tape discharging section 60.

[0026] The feeder main body 10 is a case member having a space formed therein capable of accommodating the reel R. The feeder main body 10 is formed in a thin rectangular shape from a transparent or opaque plastic plate or metal plate. The feeder main body 10 has a cover 11 that opens and closes to expose the accommodating space for the reel R. The cover 11 is disposed, for example, on the side of the feeder main body 10.

[0027] The reel accommodating section 20 is a section that detachably accommodates the reel R. The reel accommodating section 20 is provided inside the feeder main body 10. The reel accommodating section 20 has a support shaft that is inserted into an axial hole of the reel R inside the feeder main body 10 and rotatably supports the reel R. The reel R is detachable from the reel accommodating section 20 when the cover 11 of the feeder main body 10 is open, and is rotatable while supported by the support shaft so that the carrier tape T is pulled out and transported in the transport direction X.

[0028] The conveying device 30 is a device that pulls out the carrier tape T from the reel R housed in the reel housing section 20 and conveys the carrier tape T in the conveying direction X. As shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying device 30 has a tape conveying path 31, a sprocket 32, and a motor 33.

[0029] The tape transport path 31 is a transport path that transports the carrier tape T pulled out from the reel R toward the component supply position S. The tape transport path 31 is provided inside the feeder main body 10. The tape transport path 31 extends linearly from the pull-out location of the carrier tape T on the reel R toward the component supply position S. The tape transport path 31 abuts against the underside of the carrier tape T to support the underside.

[0030] The sprocket 32 ​​is a rotating body that transports the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31 in the transport direction X. The sprocket 32 ​​is formed in a substantially circular plate shape and is supported rotatably about a horizontal support axis relative to the feeder main body 10. The sprocket 32 ​​is located upstream of the component supply position S in the transport direction X. The sprocket 32 ​​is located below the bottom surface of the carrier tape T, which is guided by a tape guide described below.

[0031] The sprocket 32 ​​has external teeth that protrude radially outward. The external teeth of the sprocket 32 ​​are provided around the entire circumference of the sprocket 32 ​​at angular intervals that correspond to the spacing between the feed holes SH of the carrier tape T. When the sprocket 32 ​​is positioned near the top end of the sprocket 32, these external teeth protrude above the tape feed path 31 and engage with the feed holes SH of the carrier tape T. The sprocket 32 ​​is also engaged with a motor 33 via a gear.

[0032] The motor 33 is a drive source that rotates the sprocket 32. The motor 33 is driven to rotate in accordance with commands from a control unit (not shown) mounted on the feeder. The motor 33 is connected to the sprocket 32 ​​via a gear. The motor 33 is driven intermittently so that the sprocket 32 ​​rotates a predetermined angle per rotation. When the sprocket 32 ​​rotates with the external teeth of the sprocket 32 ​​engaged with the feed holes SH of the carrier tape T, the carrier tape T is fed pitch-feed in the feed direction X along the tape feed path 31 and fed.

[0033] The motor 33 may be not only a forward rotation drive that feeds the carrier tape T from the upstream side in the feeding direction X to the downstream side in the feeding direction X, but also a reverse rotation drive that feeds the carrier tape T from the downstream side in the feeding direction X back to the upstream side in the feeding direction X.

[0034] 1, the transport device 30 may further include a manual sprocket 35 that allows an operator to manually transport the carrier tape T inserted into the entrance of the tape transport path 31 in the transport direction X. The manual sprocket 35 may be integrated with a manual handle 36 and may be rotated by the operator's rotation of the handle 36 to transport the carrier tape T.

[0035] The component exposing device 40 is a device that peels off the cover tape TC from the base tape TB of the carrier tape T being transported in the transport direction X along the tape transport path 31, thereby exposing the components P in the component accommodating portions CV of the base tape TB. The component exposing device 40 includes a tape guide 50.

[0036] The tape guide 50 is a member that guides the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31 when supplying the components P to the component supply position S. The tape guide 50 is disposed downstream in the transport direction X of the tape transport path 31. The tape guide 50 is supported at the upper front end of the feeder main body 10 so as to be able to swing up and down. The tape guide 50 can press down on the top surface of the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31. In particular, the tape guide 50 is biased downward and pressed against the feeder main body 10, and by pressing down on the top surface of the carrier tape T even if the tape thickness of the carrier tape T changes, it has the function of preventing the carrier tape T from lifting up and assisting the engagement of the feed holes SH of the carrier tape T with the sprocket 32.

[0037] The tape guide 50 can insert a peeling portion between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC of the carrier tape T while pressing down on the upper surface of the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31, and peel the cover tape TC from the base tape TB just before the component supply position S to expose the component P in the component storage portion CV. As shown in Figures 3 to 9, the tape guide 50 includes a guide main body portion 51, a peeling portion 52, a cover portion 53, and a positioning structure 54.

[0038] The guide main body 51 is a portion that guides the top surface and side surfaces of the carrier tape T when the carrier tape T is transported in the transport direction X. The guide main body 51 extends along the transport direction X and has an inverted U-shaped cross section. The guide main body 51 has a ceiling wall 51a and a pair of side wall portions 51b. The guide main body 51 is made of a metal such as stainless steel, and may be formed by bending and shaping a single metal plate to form the ceiling wall portion 51a and the side wall portions 51b.

[0039] The ceiling wall portion 51a is a portion that faces the upper surface of the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31. The ceiling wall portion 51a has the function of restricting the upward movement of the carrier tape T to prevent the carrier tape T from floating up. The pair of side wall portions 51b are portions that face the side surfaces of the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31. The pair of side wall portions 51b each extend downward from the width direction end portions of the ceiling wall portion 51a. The pair of side wall portions 51b have the function of restricting the movement of the carrier tape T on the tape transport path 31 in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction X.

[0040] The peeling portion 52 is a tongue member that is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC while the carrier tape T is being fed, and peels the cover tape TC from the base tape TB. By being inserted into a part of the adhesive portion between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC, the peeling portion 52 partially peels the cover tape TC from the base tape TB, exposing the component P in the component storage portion CV. The peeling portion 52 is formed separately from the guide main body portion 51, and is integrated with the guide main body portion 51 by welding after alignment, as described below.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8 , the ceiling wall 51a of the guide main body 51 has an opening 55. The opening 55 is formed by cutting out a portion of the ceiling wall 51a. The peeling portion 52 is disposed below the ceiling wall 51a so as to cover a portion of the opening 55 and be exposed to the outside. The peeling portion 52 is formed in a plate shape extending along the conveying direction X. The peeling portion 52 is cantilevered by the guide main body 51. One end of the peeling portion 52 (specifically, the end on the downstream side in the conveying direction X) is fixed to the guide main body 51 by welding. The peeling portion 52 is disposed such that a tip portion 52a, which is located from the one end to the other end (specifically, the end on the upstream side in the conveying direction X), faces upstream in the conveying direction X. The tip portion 52a is exposed to the outside through the opening 55.

[0042] With one end of the peeling portion 52 supported by the guide main body 51, the tip 52a can be elastically deformed in the vertical direction by an external force applied from above. The peeling portion 52 is held so that its plate surface is generally horizontal from the support point on the guide main body 51 in its normal state. When an external force is applied downward by an operator pressing the exposed portion of the peeling portion 52 through the opening 55, the tip 52a bends downward, and when the external force is subsequently released by releasing the pressure, the tip 52a elastically deforms to return to its original state.

[0043] The tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 can move up and down in accordance with the range in which the height of the boundary between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC varies depending on the type of carrier tape T and the state of the tip in the transport direction X. Specifically, the tip height of the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 is normally at a reference height, and becomes lower than the reference position as the external force applied to the upper surface of the peeling portion 52 increases.

[0044] The peeling portion 52 has a predetermined length from one end supported by the guide main body 51 in a cantilevered manner to the tip 52a. This predetermined length is set so that the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 can move downward from the reference height to the minimum tip height. The external force F applied to the peeling portion 52 may be set to a force that allows the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 to be positioned at the minimum tip height with the force of the operator's fingers.

[0045] The peeling portion 52 has a predetermined width in the tape width direction of the carrier tape T. This predetermined width is set to be smaller than the tape width of the carrier tape T. The peeling portion 52 is arranged so as to be biased toward one of the tape width direction end portions (specifically, the side opposite to the side where the feed holes SH are provided) of both end portions in the tape width direction where the cover tape TC is adhered to the base tape TB of the carrier tape T.

[0046] The tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 is formed in a mountain shape such that its widthwise center portion protrudes more upstream in the conveying direction X than the widthwise ends, and is also formed in a state where it is biased toward one widthwise end (specifically, the widthwise end where the feed holes SH are formed). The peeling portion 52 is arranged so that the tip 52a is located directly above the component accommodating portion CV of the base tape TB. Note that, in order to improve the insertability of the tip 52a between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC, the lower surface of the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 may be horizontal when the peeling portion 52 is pressed downward and elastically deformed, and the tip 52a is positioned at the above-mentioned minimum tip height.

[0047] The peeling section 52 is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC, which are adhered to each other at one end of the carrier tape T in the tape width direction (specifically, the side opposite to the side where the feed hole SH is provided), upstream of the component supply position S in the conveying direction X, and partially peels the cover tape TC from the base tape TB.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the guide main body 51 has a lower end stopper 56. The lower end stopper 56 is a portion against which the lower surface of the peeling portion 52 abuts to determine the lower end position when the peeling portion 52 elastically deforms downward by a predetermined amount or more. The lower end stopper 56 restricts the peeling portion 52 from moving downward after abutting. The lower end stopper 56 is provided on the side wall 51b of the guide main body 51.

[0049] That is, the side wall 51b of the guide main body 51 has a lower end stopper 56. The lower end stopper 56 is provided on one of the pair of side walls 51b (specifically, on the right side wall 51b when viewed in the conveying direction X). The lower end stopper 56 is provided on the upper surface (i.e., the thickness portion of the side wall 51b in the tape width direction) of the side wall 51b at a location where the opening 55 of the ceiling wall 51a is formed (i.e., a location not connected to the ceiling wall 51a itself).

[0050] As described above, the peeling portion 52 of the tape guide 50 (specifically, a portion thereof) is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside through the opening 55. The peeling portion 52 has a facing portion 52b that faces the lower end stopper portion 56 at an upper portion. The facing portion 52b is integrally formed with the main body portion of the peeling portion 52 so as to protrude from the main body portion in the tape width direction (to the right). When the peeling portion 52 is elastically deformed by the application of an external force, the facing portion 52b comes into contact with the lower end stopper portion 56, thereby restricting the peeling portion 52 from moving beyond it.

[0051] The cover portion 53 is a portion that covers one end of the peeling portion 52 (i.e., the portion supported by the guide main body portion 51). The cover portion 53 has a function of lifting up one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction on the peeled side and assisting in folding back toward the other end in the tape width direction after the peeling portion 52 peels off one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction from the base tape TB. The cover portion 53 is arranged downstream in the conveying direction X from the tip of the peeling portion 52 and upstream in the conveying direction X from the component supply position S. The cover portion 53 is formed in a plate shape and arranged so as to close a part of the opening 55.

[0052] As shown in Figures 5 and 7 to 9, the cover portion 53 has a folded portion 53a. The folded portion 53a is a portion that raises one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction on the peeling side and folds it back toward the other end in the tape width direction. The folded portion 53a is pointed toward the upstream side in the conveying direction X and is formed so that its width increases from the upstream side in the conveying direction X to the downstream side in the conveying direction X. The folded portion 53a has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the conveying direction X on the other end side in the tape width direction, and as the carrier tape T is conveyed downstream in the conveying direction X, it raises one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction and folds it back toward the other end in the tape width direction.

[0053] As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the cover portion 53 also has an upper end stopper portion 53b. The upper end stopper portion 53b is a portion against which the upper surface of the peeling portion 52 abuts to determine the upper end position of the peeling portion 52 when the peeling portion 52 elastically deforms upward by a predetermined amount or more. The upper end stopper portion 53b restricts the peeling portion 52 from moving upward after abutting against the peeling portion 52. The upper end stopper portion 53b is formed in a long plate shape. The upper end stopper portion 53b is integrated with the folded portion 53a and disposed below the folded portion 53a. The upper end stopper portion 53b may be formed separately from the folded portion 53a and then joined to the folded portion 53a by welding or the like. The upper end stopper portion 53b is formed and disposed so as to protrude upstream in the conveying direction X beyond the upstream end of the folded portion 53a in the conveying direction X.

[0054] The positioning structure 54 is a structure that positions the guide main body 51 and the peeling portion 52, and therefore the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53. The positioning structure 54 has a positioning pin 54a and positioning holes 54b and 54c. The guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 have portions where they overlap one another in the vertical direction. The positioning structure 54 performs positioning at the overlapping portions of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 using the positioning pin 54a and the positioning holes 54b and 54c.

[0055] The positioning pin 54a is a boss that extends in the vertical direction. The positioning pin 54a is formed to extend in a cylindrical or rectangular column shape. The positioning pin 54a is formed integrally with the peeling portion 52. The positioning pin 54a is provided so as to protrude upward on the upper surface of the peeling portion 52, and is disposed at a location in the peeling portion 52 that overlaps with the ceiling wall portion 51a of the guide main body portion 51 and the folded portion 53a of the cover portion 53. The positioning pin 54a has a vertical length that allows it to pass through the ceiling wall portion 51a of the guide main body portion 51 and the folded portion 53a of the cover portion 53 in the vertical direction.

[0056] The positioning holes 54b and 54c are holes into which the positioning pin 54a is inserted. The positioning holes 54b and 54c are formed in a circular or rectangular shape corresponding to the positioning pin 54a. The positioning holes 54b and 54c are provided in two locations, one on the guide main body 51 and one on the cover 53.

[0057] The positioning hole 54b is provided in the guide main body 51. The positioning hole 54b is arranged at a position on the ceiling wall 51a of the guide main body 51 where the positioning pin 54a can be inserted. The positioning hole 54c is provided in the cover 53. The positioning hole 54c is arranged coaxially with the positioning hole 54b of the guide main body 51, and is arranged at a position on the folded-back portion 53a of the cover 53 where the positioning pin 54a can be inserted. The positioning structure 54 positions the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover 53 with each other by inserting the positioning pin 54a into both the positioning holes 54b and 54c.

[0058] The guide main body portion 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are positioned relative to each other by the positioning structure 54, and then the upper or lower end of the positioning pin 54a is crushed by pressure, thereby crimping and fixing them to each other.

[0059] The tape discharge section 60 is a discharge passage that discharges the carrier tape T, from which components P have been removed from the component storage sections CV of the base tape TB, to the outside of the feeder main body 10. The tape discharge section 60 is provided inside the feeder main body 10. The tape discharge section 60 is disposed so as to extend from the top to the bottom at the front side of the feeder main body 10 (specifically, downstream of the component supply position S in the conveying direction X). After the components P have been removed from the component storage sections CV of the base tape TB at the component supply position S, the carrier tape T is guided to the tape discharge section 60 with the base tape TB and the cover tape TC still adhered to each other at the other end in the tape width direction, and is discharged to the outside from the bottom of the feeder main body 10.

[0060] 2. Assembling the tape guide First, when assembling the tape guide 50, the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are prepared. At this time, a positioning pin 54a is provided in the peeling portion 52, a positioning hole 54b is provided in the guide main body 51, and a positioning hole 54c is provided in the cover portion 53. Then, the tape guide 50 is assembled in accordance with the following steps (1) to (4).

[0061] (1) First, the peeling portion 52 is assembled to the guide main body 51 so that the positioning pin 54a is inserted into the positioning hole 54b. (2) Next, the cover portion 53 is assembled to the guide main body 51 so that the tip of the positioning pin 54a protruding from the positioning hole 54b is inserted into the positioning hole 54c. This positions the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 as one unit.

[0062] (3) After the above positioning, the upper end of the positioning pin 54a is pressed from above and crushed while the underside of the peeling portion 52 is supported by a holding jig (not shown), thereby crimping and fixing the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53. This eliminates misalignment between the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53, completing the above positioning. (4) Then, welding is performed between the guide main body 51 and the peeling portion 52, between the peeling portion 52 and the cover portion 53, and between the cover portion 53 and the guide main body 51.

[0063] The welding is performed at multiple dispersed locations. This welding method is, for example, fiber laser welding, which uses light as a heat source. For example, as indicated by x points in Fig. 7 , one location on the downstream side of the peeling portion 52 in the feeding direction X is welded to the ceiling wall 51a of the guide main body 51, two locations in the center of the cover portion 53 in the tape width direction are welded to the peeling portion 52, and two locations on the upstream side of the cover portion 53 in the feeding direction X are welded to the guide main body 51.

[0064] The cover portion 53 is welded directly to the peeling portion 52 without involving the guide main body 51, at a location where the peeling portion 52 is exposed to the opening 55 and covered by the cover portion 53. This welding location is spaced in the tape width direction from the bent portion where the top wall portion 51a and the side wall portion 51b of the guide main body 51 are connected, at the center of the cover portion 53 in the tape width direction and the center of the peeling portion 52 in the tape width direction. The cover portion 53 is also welded to the guide main body 51 on the upper surface of the side wall portion 51b at a location where the opening 55 of the top wall portion 51a is formed (i.e., a location not connected to the top wall portion 51a itself). These welding steps secure the three components of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 to each other, completing the assembly of the tape guide 50. After assembly, the tape guide 50 is supported by the feeder main body 10 of the component supplying device 1 so as to be swingable.

[0065] 3. Operation of component supply device and tape guide In the component supply device 1, when the tape guide 50 is in a normal state in which no external force is applied from above to the peeling portion 52 by the operator, the tip height of the tip portion 52a of the peeling portion 52 is at the reference height.

[0066] Before the leading end of the carrier tape T inserted into the tape inlet of the component supply device 1 in the transport direction X reaches the peeling portion 52 of the tape guide 50, the operator applies an external force from above to below the peeling portion 52 through the opening 55 of the tape guide 50, thereby moving the leading end height of the leading end 52a of the peeling portion 52 to a position lower than the reference height.

[0067] For example, the operator operates the manual handle 36 to rotate the manual sprocket 35, thereby feeding the carrier tape T inserted into the tape inlet of the component supply device 1 in the feeding direction X. Then, while visually checking the leading edge of the carrier tape T in the feeding direction X that has reached the opening 55 to confirm the boundary height position between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC and the state of the cover tape TC relative to the base tape TB, an external force is applied to the upper surface of the peeling portion 52 in accordance with the boundary height position, etc., to lower the leading edge height of the leading edge portion 52a below the reference height.

[0068] This application of external force is continued until the opposing portion 52b of the peeling portion 52 abuts against the lower end stopper portion 56, and the abutting state of the lower end stopper portion 56 is maintained until the timing when the leading end 52a of the peeling portion 52 is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC at the leading end in the feed direction X of the carrier tape T. Then, when the carrier tape T is fed in the feed direction X by rotation of the manual sprocket 35 with the peeling portion 52 abutting against the lower end stopper portion 56, the leading end 52a of the peeling portion 52 is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC at the leading end in the feed direction X of the carrier tape T.

[0069] After the tip portion 52a of the peeling portion 52 of the tape guide 50 is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC at the tip in the feeding direction X of the carrier tape T, the operator releases the application of the downward external force to the peeling portion 52. When the application of the external force is released, the peeling portion 52 deforms so as to return from its downward elastically deformed state to its original substantially horizontal state, and the tip height of the tip portion 52a returns to the reference height.

[0070] As described above, when the tip height of the tip portion 52a of the peeling portion 52 returns to the reference height by removing the external force, and the carrier tape T is transported in the transport direction X by further rotation of the manual sprocket 35 or sprocket 32, the peeling portion 52 remains inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC, and one end of the tape width direction where the base tape TB and the cover tape TC are adhered is peeled off and rises by the fold-back portion 53a and folded back toward the other end of the tape width direction.

[0071] Therefore, after the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 is inserted between the base tape TB and the cover tape TC of the carrier tape T, by transporting the carrier tape T in the transport direction X, one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction is peeled off from the base tape TB and folded back toward the other end in the tape width direction, thereby exposing the component P in the component accommodating portion CV of the base tape TB and supplying it to the component supply position S.

[0072] 4. Effect of tape guide In the tape guide 50 of this embodiment, the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are positioned by a positioning structure 54 having a positioning pin 54a extending in the vertical direction and positioning holes 54b and 54c into which the positioning pin 54a is inserted. With this configuration, it is not necessary to use many welding points to fix the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53, and it is possible to ensure the reproducibility of the component positions of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 without increasing the number of welding points. Therefore, it is possible to accurately ensure the specified assembly dimensions of the tape guide 50.

[0073] The positioning pin 54a is formed integrally with the peeling portion 52. The positioning holes 54b and 54c are provided in two locations on the guide main body 51 and the cover portion 53 corresponding to the positioning pin 54a. Specifically, one positioning hole 54b is provided on the guide main body 51, and one positioning hole 54c is provided on the cover portion 53. The positioning pin 54a of the peeling portion 52 has a vertical length that allows it to pass through the ceiling wall 51a of the guide main body 51 and the cover portion 53, and one positioning hole 54b and one positioning hole 54c are provided on the ceiling wall 51a and the cover portion 53 corresponding to the positioning pin 54a.

[0074] In this configuration, one positioning pin 54a of the peeling portion 52 is inserted into the positioning hole 54b of the guide main body 51 and also into the positioning hole 54c of the cover portion 53. Therefore, the one positioning pin 54a of the peeling portion 52 can be used to position the peeling portion 52 and the guide main body 51, and can also be used to position the peeling portion 52 and the cover portion 53, thereby enabling the positioning of the guide main body 51, peeling portion 52, and cover portion 53 that constitute the tape guide 50 to be achieved with a simple structure.

[0075] As described above, the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are crimped and fixed in a state in which they are positioned by the positioning structure 54. Therefore, after the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are positioned by the positioning structure 54, it is possible to prevent misalignment between the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53.

[0076] The guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are positioned by the positioning structure 54 as described above and are then fixed by welding while being crimped. Therefore, it is possible to manufacture the tape guide 50 in which the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are firmly fixed without causing misalignment.

[0077] Furthermore, among the above-mentioned welding locations, the welding between the peel-off portion 52 and the cover portion 53 is performed directly without the involvement of the guide main body portion 51, at a location where the peel-off portion 52 is exposed to the opening 55 and covered by the cover portion 53. This welding location prevents the welding heat from reaching the guide main body portion 51, and further, since the welding is performed far away from the bending portion between the top wall portion 51a and the side wall portion 51b of the guide main body portion 51, the bending portion is prevented from easily deforming in the direction in which the bend widens. Therefore, welding at this location makes it possible to fix the peel-off portion 52 and the cover portion 53 while suppressing deformation of the parts.

[0078] Furthermore, among the above-described welding locations, the welding between the cover portion 53 and the guide main body portion 51 is performed on the upper surface of the side wall portion 51b of the guide main body portion 51 at a location where the opening 55 of the ceiling wall portion 51a is formed (i.e., a location not connected to the ceiling wall portion 51a itself). At this welding location, the welding heat reaches the side wall portion 51b of the guide main body portion 51 itself, but because the welding is performed at a location where the ceiling wall portion 51a is not present, the bending location between the ceiling wall portion 51a and the side wall portion 51b is prevented from easily deforming in the direction in which the bend widens. Therefore, welding at this location makes it possible to fix the cover portion 53 and the guide main body portion 51 while suppressing deformation of the parts.

[0079] Among the above-mentioned welding locations, the welding between the guide main body 51 and the peeling portion 52 is performed on the downstream side of the peeling portion 52 in the conveying direction X. Welding at this location allows the guide main body 51 and the peeling portion 52 to be fixed together. Even if this welding location is close to the bending portion between the ceiling wall 51a and the side wall 51b of the guide main body 51, it is far away in the conveying direction X from the tip 52a at which the base tape TB and the cover tape TC are peeled off in the peeling portion 52. Therefore, welding is performed at the other welding locations described above that are closer to the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 than this welding location, making it possible to eliminate misalignment at or near the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52.

[0080] In this way, in the tape guide 50, it is possible to suppress deformation of the components or eliminate misalignment of the tip 52a of the peeling portion 52 when welding the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 together. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the repeatability of the component positions of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53, and to accurately ensure the specified assembly dimensions of the tape guide 50.

[0081] Furthermore, in the tape guide 50, the cover portion 53 has a folded portion 53a that raises one end of the cover tape TC in the tape width direction after peeling it off the base tape TB and folds it back toward the end in the tape width direction, and also has an upper end stopper portion 53b integrated with the folded portion 53a. This upper end stopper portion 53b is a portion that abuts against the upper surface of the peeling portion 52 when the peeling portion 52 elastically deforms upward by a predetermined amount or more to determine its upper end position. This prevents the peeling portion 52 from moving excessively upward due to elastic deformation. Furthermore, restricting the upward movement of the peeling portion 52 does not require extending the top wall portion 51a of the guide main body 51. This reduces the number of bending points between the top wall portion 51a and the side wall portion 51b, thereby avoiding a narrowing of the effective welding points between the cover portion 53 and the guide main body 51, which would otherwise be difficult to cause deformation, due to an increase in the number of bending points between the top wall portion 51a and the side wall portion 51b.

[0082] 5. Transformation In the above embodiment, the positioning pin 54a of the positioning structure 54 is integrally formed with the peeling portion 52. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the positioning pin 54a of the positioning structure 54 may be integrally formed with the guide main body 51 or the cover 53. Furthermore, the positioning pin 54a of the positioning structure 54 may be formed in two or more of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover 53.

[0083] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the positioning holes 54b and 54c of the positioning structure 54 are provided in two locations on the guide main body 51 and the cover 53, corresponding to the positioning pin 54a described above, and specifically, the positioning hole 54b is provided in the guide main body 51 and the positioning hole 54c is provided in the cover 53. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the positioning holes 54b and 54c of the positioning structure 54 are provided in two or more locations on the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover 53, corresponding to the positioning pin 54a of the modified embodiment described above.

[0084] For example, when the positioning pin 54a is formed integrally with the cover portion 53, it is sufficient to provide one positioning hole 54b, 54c each in the guide main body portion 51 and the peeling portion 52. Furthermore, when the positioning pin 54a is formed integrally with the guide main body portion 51, the positioning pin 54a is formed on both the upper and lower surfaces of the guide main body portion 51, so it is sufficient to provide one positioning hole 54b, 54c each in the peeling portion 52 and the cover portion 53.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the tape guide 50 includes the positioning structure 54 having the positioning pin 54a formed integrally with the peeling portion 52. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and as shown in Fig. 10, the tape guide 100 may include the positioning structure 104 having the positioning pin 104a provided separately from the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53.

[0086] In this modified embodiment, the positioning structure 104 has a positioning pin 104a and positioning holes 104b, 104c, and 104d. The positioning pin 104a is a boss extending in the vertical direction and is formed in a cylindrical or rectangular column shape. The positioning pin 104a is not provided in any of the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 102, and the cover portion 53. The positioning holes 104b, 104c, and 104d are provided in the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53, respectively. The positioning hole 104b is provided in the ceiling wall portion 51a of the guide main body 51, the positioning hole 104c is provided in the folded portion 53a of the cover portion 53, and the positioning hole 104d is provided in the peeling portion 102.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 are fixed by crimping and welded together after being positioned by the positioning structure 54. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover portion 53 may be directly welded together without being fixed by crimping.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the tape guide 50 is assumed to include a positioning structure 54 that positions the three components, the guide main body 51, the peeling portion 52, and the cover 53. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and may be applied to a tape guide 50 in which the positioning structure positions at least two components, the guide main body 51 and the peeling portion 52.

[0089] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the component supplying device 1 is a cassette-type tape feeder that houses a reel inside the feeder main body 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the component supplying device 1 may be applied to a tape feeder other than a cassette-type tape feeder.

[0090] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1: component supply device, 10: feeder main body, 20: reel storage section, 30: conveying device, 40: component exposure device, 50, 100: tape guide, 51: guide main body, 51a: ceiling wall section, 51b: side wall section, 52, 102: peeling section, 52a, 102a: tip section, 52b: opposing section, 53: cover section, 53a: folded section, 53b: upper end stopper section, 54, 104: positioning structure, 54a, 104a: positioning pin, 54b, 54c, 104b, 104c, 104d: positioning hole, 55: opening, 56: lower end stopper section, P: component, T: carrier tape, TB: base tape, TC: cover tape, CV: component storage section, SH: feed hole, R: reel.

Claims

1. a guide body portion having a ceiling wall portion with an opening provided therein, the guide body portion guiding a carrier tape having a base tape with a component accommodating portion provided therein and a cover tape that closes an accommodating opening of the component accommodating portion during tape feeding; a peeling portion disposed below the ceiling wall portion so as to be partially exposed to the opening, supported at one end by the guide body portion and elastically deformable at the other end in the vertical direction, which peels the cover tape from the base tape while the carrier tape is being fed; and a positioning structure including a positioning pin extending in the vertical direction and a positioning hole into which the positioning pin is inserted, the positioning structure positioning the guide body and the peeling portion; A tape guide comprising:

2. the positioning pin is a boss formed on one or more of the guide body portion and the peeling portion, The tape guide according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning hole is provided in one or more of the guide body and the peeling portion in correspondence with the positioning pin.

3. the positioning pin is a pin provided separately from the guide main body and the peeling portion, 2. The tape guide according to claim 1, wherein the positioning holes are provided in the guide body and the peeling portion, respectively, corresponding to the positioning pins.

4. 2. The tape guide according to claim 1, wherein the guide body and the peeling portion are fixed by crimping while being positioned by the positioning structure.

5. the tape guide further includes a cover portion disposed above the ceiling wall portion and covering the one end side of the peeling portion, The tape guide according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning structure positions the guide body, the peeling portion, and the cover portion.

6. the positioning pin is a boss formed on one or more of the guide body portion, the peeling portion, and the cover portion, 6. The tape guide according to claim 5, wherein the positioning holes are provided at two or more locations in the guide body, the peeling portion, and the cover portion, corresponding to the positioning pins.

7. the positioning pin is integrally provided with the peeling portion and has a vertical length that allows it to penetrate through the ceiling wall portion and the cover portion of the guide main body portion, 7. The tape guide according to claim 6, wherein the positioning holes are provided in the ceiling wall and the cover, one each corresponding to the positioning pin.

8. the positioning pin is a pin provided separately from the guide main body portion, the peeling portion, and the cover portion, The tape guide according to claim 5 , wherein the positioning holes are provided in the guide body, the peeling portion, and the cover portion, respectively, in correspondence with the positioning pins.

9. The tape guide according to claim 5 , wherein the guide body, the peeling portion, and the cover are fixed by crimping while being positioned by the positioning structure.

10. The tape guide according to claim 9 , wherein the peel-off portion is welded to the cover portion at a location where the peel-off portion is exposed to the opening.

11. The guide body has a side wall portion extending downward from a width direction end of the ceiling wall portion, The tape guide according to claim 10 , wherein the cover portion is welded to an upper surface of the side wall portion at a location where the opening portion of the top wall portion is formed.

12. 6. The tape guide according to claim 5, wherein said cover portion has an upper end stopper portion that determines the upper end position of said peeling portion when said peeling portion is elastically deformed upward.

13. The guide body has a side wall portion extending downward from a width direction end of the ceiling wall portion, The tape guide of claim 12, wherein the side wall portion has a lower end stopper portion provided on the upper surface of the side wall portion at a location where the opening is formed in the ceiling wall portion, and which determines the lower end position when the peeling portion elastically deforms downward.

14. A tape guide described in any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the cover portion has a function of assisting in folding back one widthwise end of the cover tape peeled off from the base tape by the peeling portion toward the other widthwise end.

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