Insertion device and insertion method

Abstract

To insert a press-fit connector into a substrate without using an alignment member.SOLUTION: An insertion device according to an embodiment is an insertion device that inserts a boss provided in a press-fit connector into a boss hole provided in a substrate and inserts a terminal of the press-fit connector into the substrate, and includes a conveyance unit and a base unit. The conveyance part conveys the substrate to the press-fit connector. The base part has a floating air nozzle to which the press-fit connector is fixed and which jets air to the substrate conveyed by the conveyance part. Further, in the press-fit connector, the coupling portion is provided on the tip side of the boss, and the conveying portion has the coupling shaft coupled to the coupling portion via the boss hole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insertion device and an insertion method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a device for press-fitting a board into a press-fit connector. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for press-fitting a board into a press-fit connector after aligning the terminals of the press-fit connector with an alignment member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-100860 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, since the alignment member is press-fitted together with the connector, the alignment member cannot be reused and costs increase due to the alignment member. Therefore, in the conventional technology, it is desired to insert the press-fit connector into the board without using the alignment member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide an insertion device and an insertion method that can insert a press-fit connector into a board without using an alignment member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, an insertion device according to the present invention is an insertion device that inserts a boss provided on a press-fit connector into a boss hole provided on a board and inserts a terminal of the press-fit connector into the board, and includes a transport unit and a base unit. The transport unit transports the board to the press-fit connector. The base unit has a floating air nozzle to which the press-fit connector is fixed and that sprays air onto the board transported by the transport unit. The press-fit connector also has a connecting unit provided on the tip side of the boss, and the transport unit has a connecting shaft that connects to the connecting unit via the boss hole. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the positions of the connector and the board can be adjusted by the connecting portion and the connecting shaft, so that the press-fit connector can be inserted into the board without using an alignment member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the insertion device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a press-fit connector and a substrate. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the connecting portion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the connecting portion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the insertion device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the control device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of the insertion device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the insertion device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The insertion device and the insertion method disclosed in the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0010] First, an example of the configuration of an insertion device according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the insertion device. The insertion device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a device that inserts a press-fit connector 40 into a substrate 50. More specifically, when press-fitting the press-fit connector 40 into the substrate 50, the insertion device 1 performs a process of inserting the press-fit connector 40 into the substrate 50, that is, a process of temporarily attaching the substrate 50 and the press-fit connector 40.

[0011] As shown in Fig. 1, the insertion device 1 has a transport unit 2 and a base unit 3. The transport unit 2 has a drive mechanism (not shown) and transports the substrate 50 vertically above the press-fit connector 40 fixed to the base unit 3. Also as shown in Fig. 1, the transport unit 2 has a substrate chuck 21 and a pressing air nozzle 23.

[0012] The substrate chuck 21 sucks and holds the substrate 50 during transportation. The pressing air nozzle 23 is a nozzle connected to a compressor (not shown) and ejects air pressurized by the compressor. More specifically, the pressing air nozzle 23 has an air ejection port facing vertically downward, and ejects air to press the substrate 50 against the press-fit connector 40.

[0013] In the present disclosure, the transport unit 2 has two connecting shafts 22. The connecting shafts 22 are jigs used when aligning the substrate 50 with the press-fit connector 40. For example, the connecting shafts 22 are made of metal. The specific configuration of the connecting shafts 22 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0014] The base part 3 has a press-fit connector 40 fixed thereto and has a floating air nozzle 31 that sprays air onto the substrate 50 transported by the transport part 2. The floating air nozzle 31 sprays air vertically upward from the bottom surface of the base part 3 toward the substrate 50, causing the substrate 50 to float.

[0015] In the present disclosure, the base 3 has multiple floating air nozzles 31. More specifically, in the example shown in Fig. 1, the base 3 has four floating air nozzles 31. In this way, the base 3 can control the falling speed and attitude of the substrate 50 by spraying air toward the substrate 50 from multiple positions.

[0016] Next, a method for inserting the press-fit connector 40 and the board 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the press-fit connector 40 and the board 50. As shown in Fig. 2, the press-fit connector 40 has a boss 41 and a terminal portion 42. The board 50 also has a boss hole 51 and a through-hole portion 52.

[0017] In the present disclosure, by inserting the boss hole 51 of the board 50 into the boss 41 of the press-fit connector 40, the terminal portion 42 of the press-fit connector 40 and the through-hole portion 52 of the board 50 can be positioned.

[0018] That is, in the present disclosure, when the boss 41 of the press-fit connector 40 is inserted into the boss hole 51 of the substrate 50, each terminal of the terminal portion 42 of the press-fit connector 40 is designed to be inserted into each through hole of the through hole portion 52 of the substrate 50.

[0019] In such a configuration, it is necessary to properly insert the boss 41 into the boss hole 51. Therefore, in the present disclosure, a connecting portion is provided to the boss 41, and the connecting portion is connected to the connecting shaft 22 (see FIG. 1) of the conveying unit 2.

[0020] Here, specific examples of the connecting portion will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figures 3 and 4 are schematic diagrams of the connecting portion. As shown in Figure 3, a connecting portion 411 is provided at the central tip of the boss 41 of the base portion 3. In the example of Figure 3, the connecting portion 411 is a conical hole.

[0021] 3, the connecting shaft 22 of the conveying unit 2 has a tip portion 221. The tip portion 221 is formed to taper toward the tip. That is, the tip portion 221 protrudes from the connecting shaft 22 in a conical shape.

[0022] The connecting part 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are connected by inserting the tip part 221 of the connecting shaft 22 into the connecting part 411. Here, because the connecting part 411 is a conical hole, the connecting shaft 22 can be guided to the center of the connecting part 411 as the connecting shaft 22 goes further in.

[0023] Therefore, when the connecting portion 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are connected, the centers of the connecting portion 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are aligned. In the present disclosure, the substrate 50 is fixed to the substrate chuck 21 with the connecting shaft 22 passing through the boss hole 51 of the substrate 50.

[0024] Therefore, when the board chuck 21 releases the board 50 while the connecting portion 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are connected, the boss hole 51 of the board 50 falls down to the press-fit connector 40 using the connecting shaft 22 as a guide.

[0025] That is, the boss holes 51 of the board 50 drop along the connecting shaft 22, thereby enabling positioning of the board 50. This allows the insertion device 1 to accurately position the terminal portions 42 and the through-hole portions 52 shown in FIG.

[0026] In addition, in the example of Figure 3, when the connecting part 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are connected, the centers of the connecting part 411 and the connecting shaft 22 are aligned, making it possible to tolerate a certain degree of transport error by the transport part 2.

[0027] 3, once the tip portion 221 of the connecting shaft 22 enters the connecting portion 411, it is possible to align the centers of both the tip portion 221 and the connecting portion 411. Therefore, the insertion device 1 can appropriately connect the connecting shaft 22 and the connecting portion 411 while allowing for a transportation error by the transport unit 2.

[0028] It is preferable that the diameter of the connecting shaft 22 connected to the boss 41 is slightly larger than the diameter of the boss 41. If the diameter of the connecting shaft 22 is smaller than the diameter of the boss 41, a step will be created between the connecting shaft 22 and the boss 41, which could cause the connecting shaft 22 to get caught on the boss 41.

[0029] In response to this, by making the diameter of the connecting shaft 22 slightly larger than the diameter of the boss 41, it is possible to eliminate such a step.

[0030] Next, another example of the connecting part 411 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the tip portion of the connecting part 411 is formed in a tapered shape. In the example of Fig. 4, the tip portion 221 of the connecting shaft 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

[0031] 4, the connecting portion 411 formed on the boss 41 is inserted into the connecting shaft 22, thereby connecting the connecting portion 411 and the connecting shaft 22. Even in this case, the terminal portion 42 of the press-fit connector 40 and the through-hole portion 52 of the board 50 can be positioned with high precision.

[0032] Next, a configuration example of the insertion device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the insertion device 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the insertion device 1 has a control device 100 and a sensor 200 in addition to a transport unit 2 and a base unit 3.

[0033] The sensor 200 is a sensor that detects the orientation of the board 50, and is configured by various sensors such as an optical sensor, etc. In the present disclosure, the sensor 200 detects the inclination of the board 50 inserted into the press-fit connector 40.

[0034] 5, the control device 100 includes a controller 101 and a storage unit 102. The storage unit 102 is realized by a storage device such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a flash memory. The storage unit 102 stores various programs.

[0035] The controller 101 controls the entire insertion device 1. The controller 101 corresponds to a so-called processor. The controller 101 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or the like. The controller 101 executes a program according to an embodiment (not shown) stored in the storage unit 102, using RAM as a working area. The controller 101 can also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0036] In the present disclosure, the controller 101 controls the transport unit 2 and the base unit 3 to insert the terminal portion 42 of the press-fit connector 40 into the through-hole portion 52 of the substrate 50.

[0037] The processing procedure executed by the controller 101 will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure executed by the control device 100. Note that Fig. 6 describes the processing procedure for one set of the substrate 50 and the press-fit connector 40.

[0038] 6, first, the controller 101 controls the transfer unit 2 to transfer the substrate 50 (step S101). Specifically, the controller 101 transfers the substrate 50 in the vertical direction of the press-fit connector 40 fixed to the base 3, while holding the substrate 50 with the substrate chuck 21 of the transfer unit 2.

[0039] Next, the controller 101 couples the coupling portion 411 and the coupling shaft 22 (step S102). Specifically, when the transport of the substrate 50 is completed, the controller 101 moves the transport unit 2 vertically downward, thereby coupling the coupling portion 411 formed on the boss 41 of the press-fit connector 40 and the coupling shaft 22 of the transport unit 2.

[0040] Next, the controller 101 drops the substrate 50 from the substrate chuck 21 (step S103). More specifically, by dropping the substrate 50 from the substrate chuck 21, the controller 101 drops the substrate 50 so that the boss hole 51 of the substrate 50 is aligned with the connecting shaft 22.

[0041] At this time, the controller 101 controls the attitude of the substrate 50 by ejecting air from the floating air nozzles 31 (see FIG. 1) of the base 3 (step S104). That is, the controller 101 controls the amount of air ejected from each floating air nozzle 31 to control the attitude and falling speed of the substrate 50.

[0042] In this manner, in the present disclosure, the attitude, tilt, etc. of the substrate 50 can be freely controlled by controlling the attitude and falling speed of the substrate 50 using air. In this case, the controller 101 may control the tilt, etc. of the substrate 50 using a program that imitates the work of a person when inserting each terminal of the terminal unit 42 into each through-hole of the through-hole unit 52 of the substrate 50.

[0043] This allows the controller 101 to perform an insertion operation that imitates an operation performed by a human.

[0044] Next, the controller 101 determines whether the boss 41 of the press-fit connector 40 has been successfully inserted into the boss hole 51 of the substrate 50 (step S105). The controller 101 determines whether the insertion has been successful based on the sensor data output from the sensor 200.

[0045] If the controller 101 determines in step S105 that the insertion has failed (step S105; No), it causes the substrate 50 to refloat (step S107) and performs the process of step S104. More specifically, the controller 101 blows air from the floating air nozzle 31 of the base part 3 to cause the substrate 50 to refloat to a predetermined height.

[0046] Furthermore, if the controller 101 determines in step S105 that the insertion was successful (step S105; Yes), it sprays air from the pressing air nozzle 23 of the base portion 3, presses down the substrate 50 with the air (step S106), and ends the process.

[0047] That is, the controller 101 uses the force of air to press down on the substrate 50 from above, thereby enabling the terminals that are stuck in the through-holes due to misalignment of the terminals of the press-fit connector 40 to be securely inserted into the through-holes.

[0048] Furthermore, since the controller 101 inserts each terminal of the terminal section 42 into each through-hole of the through-hole section 52 of the substrate 50 by air, the terminals can be inserted into the through-holes without damaging the substrate 50.

[0049] Next, each processing stage of the insertion device 1 will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figures 7 and 8 are schematic side views of the insertion device 1. Figure 7 shows the insertion device 1 after transporting the substrate 50, and Figure 8 shows the insertion device 1 after inserting the press-fit connector 40 into the substrate 50.

[0050] 7, the connecting shaft 22 is formed to a length that protrudes from the substrate 50 held by the substrate chuck 21. More specifically, when the substrate chuck 21 holds the substrate 50, the connecting shaft 22 is inserted into the boss hole 51 (see FIG. 2) of the substrate 50, and is formed to a length that protrudes from the substrate 50.

[0051] Here, the boss 41 of the press-fit connector 40 that is paired with the connecting shaft 22 is formed at approximately the same height as each terminal of the terminal portion 42. The longer the boss 41, the easier it is to insert the boss 41 into the boss hole 51 of the board 50. On the other hand, if the boss 41 is made longer, there is a risk that the precision of the connecting portion 411 will deteriorate when molding the boss 41, and there is also a risk that the boss 41 will come into contact with the housing because the amount by which the boss 41 protrudes from the board 50 increases after the press-fit connector 40 and the board 50 are fixed.

[0052] In contrast to this, in the present disclosure, by making the connecting shaft 22 long enough to protrude from the board 50, it is possible to virtually extend the boss 41 by the length of the connecting shaft 22. In other words, the connecting shaft 22 makes it possible to position the press-fit connector 40 and the board 50 using the boss 41 as a starting point, while keeping the length of the boss 41 in check.

[0053] In addition, in the present disclosure, when the connection between the connecting portion 411 of the boss 41 and the connecting shaft 22 is completed, the controller 101 releases the substrate 50 from the substrate chuck 21 and causes the substrate 50 to fall to the press-fit connector 40 by its own weight.

[0054] At this time, as described above, the controller 101 controls the falling speed and posture of the substrate 50 by ejecting air from the floating air nozzle 31 onto the substrate 50. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the substrate 50 is inserted into the press-fit connector 40.

[0055] Thereafter, the controller 101 causes the pressing air nozzle 23 to spray air from vertically above the substrate 50, more specifically, onto the through-hole portion 52 of the substrate 50. This allows the controller 101 to reliably insert terminals that have not been inserted into the through-holes due to misalignment or the like, as described above.

[0056] As described above, the insertion device 1 according to the embodiment is an insertion device 1 that inserts the boss 41 provided on the press-fit connector 40 into the boss hole 51 provided on the substrate 50, and inserts the terminal of the press-fit connector 40 into the substrate 50. The insertion device 1 has a transport unit 2 and a base unit 3.

[0057] The transport unit 2 transports the substrate 50 to the press-fit connector 40. The base unit 3 has the press-fit connector 40 fixed thereto and has a floating air nozzle 31 that sprays air onto the substrate 50 transported by the transport unit 2. The press-fit connector 40 also has a connecting portion 411 provided on the tip side of the boss 41, and the transport unit 2 has a connecting shaft 22 that connects to the connecting portion 411 via the boss hole 51.

[0058] Thus, according to the insertion device 1 of the embodiment, the position of the press-fit connector 40 and the board 50 can be adjusted using the connecting portion 411 and the connecting shaft 22, so that the press-fit connector 40 can be inserted into the board 50 without using an alignment member.

[0059] Further advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shown and described above. Accordingly, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Insertion device 2. Conveyor section 3 Base 21 Substrate chuck 22 Connecting shaft 23 Pressing air nozzle 31 Floating air nozzle 40 Press-fit connector 41 Boss 42 Terminal section 50 boards 51 Boss hole 52 Through-hole section 100 control device 101 Controller 102 Storage section 200 sensors 221 Tip 411 Connection section

Claims

1. An insertion device that inserts a boss provided on a press-fit connector into a boss hole provided on a board and inserts a terminal of the press-fit connector into the board, a conveying unit that conveys the substrate to the press-fit connector; a base part to which the press-fit connector is fixed and which has a floating air nozzle that sprays air onto the board transported by the transport part; Equipped with The press-fit connector comprises: a connecting portion is provided on the tip side of the boss, The conveying unit is A connecting shaft is provided to connect to the connecting portion via the boss hole. Insertion device.

2. The connecting portion is A conical hole, The connecting shaft Becomes thinner towards the tip The insertion device of claim 1 .

3. The base portion is The floating air nozzles each eject air from a different position. The insertion device of claim 1 .

4. The conveying unit is a pressing air nozzle for spraying air onto the substrate after the connecting portion and the connecting shaft are connected; The insertion device of claim 1 .

5. The conveying unit is a substrate chuck for holding the substrate in a state in which the connecting shaft penetrates the boss hole of the substrate; The insertion device of claim 1 .

6. The connecting shaft The substrate chuck is formed to a length that protrudes from the substrate that it holds, The press-fit connector comprises: The boss and the terminal are formed to have the same height. The insertion device of claim 5 .

7. a controller for controlling the floating air nozzle, The controller adjusting the amount of air ejected from the floating air nozzle to control the attitude of the substrate; The insertion device of claim 1 .

8. The controller If the terminal of the press-fit connector cannot be inserted into the board, the board is raised and the insertion of the board is retried. The insertion device of claim 7.

9. The connecting shaft The diameter is formed larger than the diameter of the boss. The insertion device of claim 1 .

10. An insertion method for inserting a boss provided on a press-fit connector into a boss hole provided on a board, and inserting a terminal of the press-fit connector into the board, comprising: The press-fit connector is a connecting portion is provided on the tip side of the boss, The transport unit that transports the substrate includes: a connecting shaft that is connected to the connecting portion via the boss hole, conveying the substrate to the press-fit connector; a step of blowing air onto the transported substrate; 2. An insertion method, comprising:

Images