Work inserting apparatus

Abstract

To provide a workpiece insertion device advantageous for storing a workpiece in a cavity in a stable attitude.SOLUTION: A workpiece insertion device 1 for inserting a workpiece 100 into a cavity side 20a of a carrier tape 20 includes a base 11 having an inclined surface side 11s, an index table 10 having a plurality of accommodating portion side walls and extending along the inclined surface side 10a, a guide portion 15 having a guide surface 51, a workpiece moving device 70 for applying a propulsive force to the workpiece 100 so as to move the workpiece 100 in the accommodating portion side 11s positioned at a discharge position side P1 toward the cavity side 10a positioned at a feed position side 11s via a workpiece path R defined by the inclined surface side P2 and the guide surface 51, and an attitude correcting magnet 55 for applying a magnetic force acting in a pulling direction D including upward components to a leading-side end side 20a of the workpiece 100 at the feed position side. 102a P2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a workpiece insertion device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a device that can suck a workpiece from a storage portion of an index table and stably insert it into a cavity of a carrier tape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-41106 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a workpiece is inserted into a cavity of a carrier tape using vacuum suction or magnetic force, a relatively large force acts on the workpiece, causing the workpiece to assume an unintended position within the cavity. For example, the workpiece may assume an inclined position in which the end of the workpiece on the direction of travel toward the cavity contacts the cavity bottom while the end of the workpiece on the opposite side protrudes outside the cavity.

[0005] If the workpiece is not placed in the cavity in the correct position, there is a risk that the top tape may not be properly attached to the carrier tape, or that the workpiece may fly out of the cavity when the carrier tape moves.

[0006] The present disclosure provides an advantageous technique for accommodating a workpiece in a cavity in a stable position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a work insertion device that inserts a work into a cavity of a carrier tape at a supply position, the work insertion device comprising: a base having an inclined surface that is inclined so that the supply position side is the lowest side in the vertical direction; an index table that has a plurality of storage sections for storing the work and extends along the inclined surface; a guide section having a guide surface that is arranged to cover the storage section positioned at the release position and the cavity positioned at the supply position; a work moving device that applies a propulsive force to the work so as to move the work in the storage section positioned at the release position toward the cavity positioned at the supply position via a work path defined by the inclined surface and the guide surface; and an attitude correction magnet that applies a magnetic force that acts in an attracting direction that includes an upward component at the supply position to the leading end of the work that is positioned on the cavity side of the inclined surface.

[0008] The workpiece insertion device may be equipped with a workpiece insertion magnet that forms a magnetic field at the supply position, and the workpiece insertion magnet may include a first moving magnet arranged on the side of the supply position closer to the discharge position, and a second moving magnet arranged on the opposite side of the supply position from the discharge position, and the magnetic pole of the first moving magnet on the side facing the second moving magnet may be different from the magnetic pole of the second moving magnet on the side facing the first moving magnet.

[0009] The guide surface may support the upper surface of the workpiece so that the workpiece, on which the magnetic force acts, assumes a horizontal position at the supply position.

[0010] The workpiece insertion device may include a magnetizing device that magnetizes the leading end of each workpiece stored in the multiple storage sections to a specific polarity before the workpiece reaches the release position.

[0011] The workpiece moving device and posture correction magnet may apply propulsive force and magnetic force to the workpiece so that the workpiece is suspended from the carrier tape at the supply position with at least a portion of the workpiece positioned within the cavity, and the workpiece may be sent downstream from the supply position with at least a portion of the workpiece positioned within the cavity as the carrier tape moves, and may land in the cavity downstream of the supply position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is advantageous to accommodate the workpiece in the cavity in a stable position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a taping device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an example of a taping device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view showing an example of the index table. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing an example of a carrier tape. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged top view of an example of a taping device. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the taping device taken along line VI-VI in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of a taping device 1. Fig. 2 is a front view schematically showing an example of the taping device 1. Fig. 3 is a top view showing an example of an index table 10. Fig. 4 is a top view showing an example of a carrier tape 20.

[0015] The taping device 1 accommodates workpieces 100 such as electronic components in each of a plurality of cavities 20a of the carrier tape 20. The taping device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an index table 10, a carrier tape 20 that is fed through a location adjacent to the index table 10, a guide unit 15 that is provided so as to overlap a portion of the index table 10 and a portion of the carrier tape 20 in the height direction, and a pulley 30 that is disposed opposite the guide unit 15. The taping device 1 also includes a first drive unit 12 (see FIG. 3) that drives the index table 10, a second drive unit 23 (see FIG. 2) that feeds the carrier tape 20 in the longitudinal direction d1, an imaging device 40 that images a portion of the carrier tape 20, and a control unit 50 that controls at least the first drive unit (table drive unit) 12, the second drive unit (tape drive unit) 23, and the imaging device 40. The taping device 1 further includes a parts feeder 3 and a linear feeder 5 that supply the workpieces 100 to the index table 10, a supply reel 21 that feeds out the carrier tape 20, and a take-up reel 22 that collects the carrier tape 20.

[0016] The part feeder 3 has an opening through which multiple workpieces 100 are supplied and aligned while maintaining the same orientation. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the part feeder 3 has a generally cylindrical shape with a circular opening, but the part feeder 3 can have an opening of any shape. The part feeder 3 of this example has a vibration device (not shown) and a groove 3a. In particular, the groove 3a of the generally cylindrical part feeder 3 of this example extends in a spiral shape. The vibration of the vibration device causes the multiple workpieces 100 to gradually move along the groove 3a. As a result, the multiple workpieces 100 supplied to the part feeder 3 are aligned along the groove 3a while maintaining the same orientation. The multiple workpieces 100 aligned in this manner are sent from the part feeder 3 to the linear feeder 5.

[0017] The linear feeder 5 receives the aligned workpieces 100 from the parts feeder 3 and transports the workpieces 100 in a line. The linear feeder 5 has a groove (not shown) that is connected to the groove 3a of the parts feeder 3 and extends linearly, and transports the workpieces 100 along the groove. The workpieces 100 that have passed through the linear feeder 5 in sequence are supplied individually to the storage section 10a of the index table 10 with the same orientation as each other, as shown in FIG.

[0018] The index table 10 has a plurality of storage sections 10a in which the workpieces 100 are stored. The plurality of workpieces 100 are transported by the index table 10 while being stored in their respective storage sections 10a. The index table 10 in this example is mounted on a base 11 and has a disk shape (for example, a disk shape having a circular plane with a diameter of 60 mm to 80 mm), with a plurality of storage sections 10a provided at equal intervals along its periphery, and each workpiece 100 supplied from the linear feeder 5 is stored in each storage section 10a. The base 11 is provided with a workpiece holding magnet (see reference numeral "37" in FIG. 6 described later), and the workpieces 100 (especially magnetic bodies) in each storage section 10a are attracted by the magnetic force of the workpiece holding magnet, thereby preventing the workpieces 100 from falling out of each storage section 10a.

[0019] Each storage section 10a can store one workpiece 100. The dimensions of the storage section 10a are set appropriately according to the dimensions of the workpiece 100. As an example, each storage section 10a is provided as a substantially rectangular recess having a length of 0.6 mm to 2.0 mm in the diameter direction of the index table 10 and a length of 0.38 mm to 1.5 mm in the circumferential direction of the index table 10. In this case, the spacing between the storage sections 10a along the circumferential direction of the index table 10 can be set to, for example, 2.2 mm to 4.4 mm.

[0020] The index table 10 includes a suction device (not shown) for sucking the workpiece 100. The suction device has, for example, a vacuum pump that evacuates each storage section 10a. The vacuum pump evacuates each storage section 10a via a suction connection path (see reference numeral 33 in FIG. 6 described later) and the nozzle 10b, thereby sucking the workpiece 100 from the linear feeder 5 toward the storage section 10a.

[0021] The workpieces 100 in each storage section 10a are transported as the index table 10 rotates, and are released from the index table 10 at a predetermined release position P1. Specifically, at the release position P1 where the storage section 10a storing the workpieces 100 is closest to the carrier tape 20, the workpieces 100 are released from the storage section 10a toward the cavities 20a of the carrier tape 20.

[0022] The base 11 is equipped with a discharge device (not shown) for discharging the workpiece 100 from the storage section 10a. The discharge device may be, for example, an air blower that sprays air toward the storage section 10a located at the discharge position P1, and the air flow discharges the workpiece 100 from the storage section 10a at the discharge position P1. Note that the vacuum pump may continue to evacuate each storage section 10a regardless of whether air is being sprayed from the discharge device. In this case, air is sprayed from the discharge device so as to apply a force to the workpiece 100 that overcomes the suction of the workpiece 100 in each storage section 10a by the vacuum pump.

[0023] The base 11 rotatably supports the index table 10. The base 11 has an inclined surface 11s (see FIGS. 5 and 6) that is inclined so that the side of the supply position P2 is at the lowest point in the vertical direction. The index table 10 extends along the inclined surface 11s. The inclined surface 11s is preferably flat. The inclination angle of the inclined surface 11s is preferably constant, and the inclined surface 11s is inclined, for example, at an angle of 20° to 40°, and preferably 25° to 35°, with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0024] 3, under the control of the control unit 50, rotates the index table 10 so as to position the plurality of storage units 10a at the release position P1 in sequence. In this example, the first drive unit 12 intermittently rotates the index table 10 clockwise in FIG. 3, but the index table 10 may be rotated counterclockwise instead of or in addition to the clockwise rotation.

[0025] A characteristic measurement unit 17 (see FIG. 1; not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) is provided around the index table 10. The characteristic measurement unit 17 measures the characteristics of the workpieces 100 accommodated in each accommodation unit 10a and transmits the measurement results to the control unit 50. In this embodiment, the characteristic measurement unit 17 brings a measurement probe into contact with both end electrodes of the workpiece 100 (the leading end on the outer periphery of the base and the trailing end on the center of the base) when measuring the characteristics of the workpiece 100. The measurement probe is a magnetization probe, and the both end electrodes of the workpiece 100 are magnetized to specific poles as the measurement probe makes contact with the electrodes. In other words, the characteristic measurement unit 17 also functions as a magnetization device that magnetizes both end electrodes (the leading end and the trailing end) of the workpiece 100 to specific poles before the workpieces 100 accommodated in the multiple accommodation units 10a of the index table 10 reach the release position P1.

[0026] When the control unit 50 determines that the characteristics of the workpiece 100 are poor based on the measurement results of the characteristic measuring unit 17, the control unit 50 may cause the defective workpiece 100 to be discharged to a discharge device (not shown) before the defective workpiece 100 reaches the discharge position P1. In this case, it is possible to prevent the defective workpiece 100 from being supplied to the carrier tape 20 and to supply only workpieces 100 having good characteristics to the carrier tape 20.

[0027] The carrier tape 20 has a plurality of cavities 20a arranged in a row at equal intervals in its extending direction (longitudinal direction d1), and is a strip-shaped member extending adjacent to the index table 10. In this example, the carrier tape 20 is disposed vertically below the index table 10, and gravity is used to supply the workpieces 100 from the storage sections 10a of the index table 10 (particularly the storage sections 10a disposed at the release position P1) to the cavities 20a of the carrier tape 20 (particularly the cavities 20a disposed at the supply position P2).

[0028] The dimensions of the carrier tape 20 (including the cavities 20a) can be set appropriately. For example, the carrier tape 20 may have a tape length (i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction d1) of 3,200 m to 4,800 m, a width (i.e., the length perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1) of 8 mm to 12 mm, and a thickness of 0.42 mm to 1.8 mm. For example, each cavity 20a may be formed as a rectangular recess having a length in the longitudinal direction d1 of 0.37 mm to 1.5 mm, a length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 of 0.67 mm to 2.22 mm, and a depth of 0.37 mm to 1.54 mm. The distance between adjacent cavities 20a in the longitudinal direction d1 can be set to, for example, 2 mm to 4 mm.

[0029] The portion of the carrier tape 20 before the workpiece 100 is accommodated is held in a wound state on the supply reel 21, upstream of the guide unit 15 in the longitudinal direction d1. The carrier tape 20 is supplied to the guide unit 15 while being unwound from the supply reel 21.

[0030] After a top tape that seals the cavity 20a is applied to the portion of the carrier tape 20 that houses the workpiece 100, the portion is taken up and collected by the take-up reel 22 together with the top tape downstream of the guide unit 15 in the longitudinal direction d1. The carrier tape 20 is driven by a second drive unit 23 and fed in the longitudinal direction d1. Note that while the top tape and a top tape application device that applies the top tape to the carrier tape 20 are not shown in the drawings, a person skilled in the art would be able to easily recognize and realize examples of the arrangement and configuration of such a top tape and top tape application device.

[0031] The second drive unit (tape drive unit) 23, under the control of the control unit 50, intermittently transports the carrier tape 20 in the longitudinal direction (tape transport direction) d1 so as to sequentially position the multiple cavities 20a of the carrier tape 20 at the supply position P2. The second drive unit 23 in this example has a pulley 30, and the rotation of the pulley 30 moves the carrier tape 20 in the longitudinal direction d1.

[0032] The pulley 30 aligns the carrier tape 20 at an appropriate position. The pulley 30 is disposed opposite the guide portion 15. Preferably, the pulley 30 is disposed vertically below the supply position P2. The pulley 30 is substantially disk-shaped and can rotate around its center as an axis. The pulley 30 is connected to a drive source (not shown) and is rotated by the power output from the drive source.

[0033] The pulley 30 has a plurality of feed dogs (see reference numeral "30a" in FIG. 6 described later) arranged at equal intervals on its outer periphery. The feed dogs engage with a plurality of feed holes 20b formed in the carrier tape 20. Engagement of the feed dogs with the feed holes 20b allows the position of the carrier tape 20 to be moved minutely relative to the pulley 30. In this way, the position of the carrier tape 20 relative to the pulley 30 can be appropriately adjusted. In particular, the position of the carrier tape 20 relative to the pulley 30 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 can be appropriately adjusted. The spacing between the feed dogs along the outer periphery of the pulley 30 corresponds to the spacing between the feed holes 20b in the carrier tape 20, so that even if one feed dog disengages from a feed hole 20b in the carrier tape 20, another feed dog will engage with another feed hole 20b. In other words, at least one feed dog remains engaged with a feed hole 20b in the carrier tape 20. The feed dogs and the feed holes 20b are sequentially engaged with each other, whereby the rotational power of the pulley 30 is transmitted to the carrier tape 20, and the carrier tape 20 is fed.

[0034] Each feed dog (particularly its tip) of the pulley 30 has an involute curve shape in a cross section taken along the longitudinal direction d1. Each feed dog has a tapered shape in a cross section taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1. That is, in a cross section taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the width of the feed dog decreases with increasing distance from the center of the pulley 30. Preferably, in a cross section taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the width of the feed dog decreases at a constant rate with increasing distance from the center of the pulley 30. In other words, in a cross section taken along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the side of the feed dog has a linear shape. The gradient angle θ of this tapered shape is preferably 10° to 40°, and more preferably 20° to 30°. The taper degree refers to the direction in which the feed dog extends, i.e., the angle of the tip of the tapered shape relative to the taper of the pulley 30.

[0035] When each feed dog engages with or disengages from the feed hole 20b, the portion that is tapered in cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 pushes open the peripheral wall of the feed hole 20b, and the portion that is involute curve shaped in cross section along the longitudinal direction d1 pushes open the peripheral wall of the feed hole 20b.

[0036] Furthermore, each feed dog has a rectangular shape when observed from the outer periphery of the pulley 30. The length of the diagonal of this rectangle, in other words, the longest length of the feed dog when observed from the outer periphery of the pulley 30, is greater than the diameter of the feed hole 20b. Therefore, the feed dog engages with the feed hole 20b while pushing it apart.

[0037] The guide portion 15 guides the workpiece 100 released from the index table 10 to be supplied to the carrier tape 20 and accommodated in the cavity 20a. As shown in FIG. 1, the guide portion 15 in this example is provided so as to overlap a part of the index table 10 and a part of the carrier tape 20 in the height direction, and covers a part of the index table 10 and a part of the carrier tape 20.

[0038] Fig. 5 shows an enlarged top view of an example of the taping device 1. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the taping device 1 taken along line VI-VI in Fig. 5.

[0039] The guide section 15 supplies the workpiece 100 released from the index table 10 to the carrier tape 20 positioned in the tape path 25, and guides it so that it is inserted into the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the guide section 15 has a guide surface (reference surface) 51 that defines at least a portion of the work path (guiding path) R. The work 100 released from the index table 10 (release position P1) is guided to the cavity 20a by the guide surface 51. In this example, the guide surface 51 includes a side guide surface 51a (see FIG. 5) and an upper guide surface 51b (see FIG. 6). The normal direction of the side guide surface 51a is the horizontal direction. The upper guide surface 51b extends generally parallel to the inclined surface 11s of the base 11. The upper guide surface 51b shown in FIG. 6 includes an upper portion that extends parallel to the inclined surface 11s of the base 11 and a lower portion that is connected to the lower part of the upper portion and extends horizontally at the supply position P2.

[0041] 5 is a surface that serves as a reference for arranging the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20 at the supply position P2. In this embodiment, the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 is aligned with the side guide surface 51a when the workpiece 100 is inserted. The guide surface 51 including the side guide surface 51a and the upper guide surface 51b is provided so as to cover the storage section 10a positioned at the release position P1 and the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2.

[0042] The inclined surface 11s of the base 11 and the guide surfaces 51 (side guide surface 51a and upper guide surface 51b) of the guide portion 15 define a work path R between the discharge position P1 and the supply position P2. The work 100 is discharged from the storage portion 10a positioned at the discharge position P1 by the action of air ejected from a discharge device (not shown) via the moving portion 35 and the nozzle 10b, and moves linearly along the work path R to the supply position P2.

[0043] At least a portion of the guide portion 15 is transparent so that imaging can be performed by the imaging device 40 through the guide portion 15. Specifically, the guide portion 15 is made of a member that can transmit imaging light received by the imaging device 40 for imaging in the portion overlapping the supply position P2 (including the portion that defines the work path (guide path) R). This allows the imaging device 40 to acquire an image of the supply position P2 through the guide portion 15, and can image the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20 placed at the supply position P2. At least a portion of the transparent guide portion 15 is made of a material that is transparent to visible light, such as glass.

[0044] The guide part 15 is also provided with an air intake hole 53 that allows ventilation between the workpiece path R and the outside of the guide part 15. When air is sucked from the workpiece path R by the suction device 70, the air flows into the workpiece path R through the air intake hole 53. This creates an air flow on the workpiece path R that flows from the discharge position P1 toward the supply position P2. The workpiece 100 rides on this air flow, and is encouraged to move on the workpiece path R toward the supply position P2.

[0045] Near the supply position P2, a first movement magnet 61 and a second movement magnet 62 are provided as workpiece insertion magnets 60, which are arranged below the tape passage 25 through which the carrier tape 20 passes (see FIG. 6). The workpiece insertion magnets 60 (first movement magnet 61 and second movement magnet 62) are made of, for example, neodymium magnets, and use magnetic force to position the workpiece 100 including the magnetic body 101 in the cavity 20a at the supply position P2. In particular, to insert the workpiece 100 into the cavity 20a in the carrier tape 20 in the appropriate orientation, the workpiece insertion magnet 60 is arranged to form a magnetic field along the direction in which the workpiece 100 in the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20 should be inserted, for example, the longitudinal direction of the cavity 20a, in other words, a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 of the carrier tape 20. 6, the workpiece insertion magnet 60 includes a first movement magnet 61 that is positioned closer to the discharge position P1 than the supply position P2, and a second movement magnet 62 that is positioned on the opposite side of the discharge position P1 than the supply position P2. In other words, the first movement magnet 61 and the second movement magnet 62 are positioned so that the supply position P2 is located between them in a top view. By appropriately spacing the first movement magnet 61 and the second movement magnet 62 apart, an appropriate magnetic field can be formed in the cavity 20a, and for example, the distance between the first movement magnet 61 and the second movement magnet 62 is 2 mm or more and 3 mm or less.

[0046] The magnetic pole of the first movement magnet 61 on the side facing the second movement magnet 62 is different from the magnetic pole of the second movement magnet 62 on the side facing the first movement magnet 61. In other words, the first movement magnet 61 and the second movement magnet 62 are arranged so that their opposite magnetic poles face each other. The workpiece 100 positioned at the release position P1 is magnetized in a specific direction in advance, and the workpiece 100 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is positioned at the release position P1 so that its right end is a north pole and its left end is a south pole. The method of magnetizing the workpiece 100 is not limited to this. As described above, in this embodiment, when each workpiece 100 is transported by the index table 10 and is located upstream of the release position P1, the characteristic measuring unit 17 (see FIG. 1) inspects each index table 10 and magnetizes the electrodes 102a and 102b of each workpiece 100 to a specific pole.

[0047] The magnet 65 for holding the workpiece during transport is disposed vertically below the tape passage 25 at a position spaced from the supply position P2 (particularly at a position downstream of the supply position P2 in the longitudinal direction d1 of the carrier tape 20). The magnet 65 for holding the workpiece during transport applies a magnetic force to the workpiece 100 in the cavity 20a adjacent to and downstream of the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2. The magnet 65 for holding the workpiece during transport applies a magnetic force to the workpiece 100 in the cavity 20a so as to prevent the workpiece 100 from jumping out of the cavity 20a or tilting within the cavity 20a.

[0048] The suction device 70 is provided on the opposite side of the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20 from the workpiece path R, and includes, for example, a vacuum pump. The suction device 70 sucks air in the workpiece path R, creating an air flow from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2 in the workpiece path R. In particular, air from a discharge device (not shown) is ejected to the nozzle 10b via the moving unit 35 while the suction device 70 sucks in air, thereby creating a strong air flow from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2 in the workpiece path R. The stronger this air flow, the more strongly the workpiece 100 is urged to move from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2, and the workpiece 100 discharged from the storage unit 10a at the discharge position P1 is more reliably supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 via the workpiece path R.

[0049] In this way, the discharge device and suction device 70 of this embodiment function as a workpiece moving device that applies a propulsive force to the workpiece 100 so as to move the workpiece 100 in the storage unit 10a positioned at the discharge position P1 to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 via the workpiece path (guide path) R. In other words, the discharge device, which creates a positive pressure by blowing gas (air) into the storage unit 10a positioned at the discharge position P1, and the suction device 70, which creates a negative pressure by suction, act as a workpiece moving device that applies a propulsive force to the workpiece 100 by adjusting the air pressure in at least one of the storage unit 10a, the workpiece path (guide path) R, and the cavity 20a.

[0050] In this embodiment, a return blow device 71 is provided near the suction device 70. Under the control of the control unit 50, the return blow device 71 can eject gas (e.g., air) so as to move the workpiece 100 supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 toward the workpiece path (guide path) R. The suction device 70 and the return blow device 71 are connected to the workpiece path R via a common gas flow path. The suction device 70 can create an airflow from the workpiece path R toward the cavity 20a positioned at the discharge position P1. On the other hand, the return blow device 71 can create an airflow from the cavity 20a positioned at the discharge position P1 toward the workpiece path R. The suction device 70 operates to constantly suck in gas to create negative pressure, while the return blow device 71 operates, under the control of the control unit 50, to temporarily (e.g., momentarily) eject gas to create positive pressure as needed.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an insertion sensor 45 (see FIG. 6) is provided that detects whether or not the workpiece 100 has been supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2, and the detection result of the insertion sensor 45 is transmitted to the control unit 50. The insertion sensor 45 in the example shown in FIG. 6 is provided on the opposite side in the height direction from the supply position P2 via the guide unit 15, and detects whether or not the workpiece 100 has been supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 via the guide unit 15. For example, at least a portion of the guide unit 15 that is positioned between the insertion sensor 45 and the supply position P2 may be made of a material that is transmissive to light used for detection (for example, a transparent material).

[0052] The specific detection method used by the insertion sensor 45 is not limited. As an example, the insertion sensor 45 may include an imaging device capable of capturing an image of the portion of the carrier tape 20 located at the supply position P2 (and consequently the cavity 20a and workpiece 100 located at the supply position P2). In this case, the insertion sensor 45 or the control unit 50 may detect whether the workpiece 100 has been supplied to the cavity 20a located at the supply position P2 by analyzing image data captured by the imaging device. As another example, the insertion sensor 45 may include a light-emitting unit that emits detection light toward the supply position P2 and a light-receiving unit that can receive the detection light from the supply position P2. The insertion sensor 45 may be a transmitted light detection type in which only one of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit is provided, for example, at the position shown in FIG. 6, or may be a reflected light detection type in which both are provided.

[0053] In the case of a transmitted light detection type insertion sensor 45, one of the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit is provided at the position shown in FIG. 6, and the other is provided on the opposite side of the position indicated by the reference symbol "45" in FIG. 6 via the supply position P2. In this case, the control unit 50 determines that the workpiece 100 has not been supplied to the cavity 20a at the supply position P2 while the light-receiving unit receives the detection light. On the other hand, while the light-receiving unit does not receive the detection light, it is assumed that the detection light is obstructed by the workpiece 100 placed in the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2, and the control unit 50 may determine that the workpiece 100 has been supplied to the cavity 20a at the supply position P2. On the other hand, in the case of a reflected light detection type insertion sensor 45, the control unit 50 determines that the workpiece 100 has been supplied to the cavity 20a at the supply position P2 while the light-receiving unit receives the detection light. On the other hand, while the light receiving unit does not receive the detection light, the control unit 50 may determine that the workpiece 100 is not being supplied to the cavity 20a at the supply position P2.

[0054] The imaging device 40 is capable of capturing an image of the cavity 20a before, during, and / or after the workpiece 100 is supplied via the guide part 15. The imaging device 40 of this embodiment acquires an image of at least a part of the workpiece 100 supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2.

[0055] The control unit 50 receives the captured image from the imaging device 40, analyzes the captured image, and determines the state of the workpiece 100 supplied to the cavity 20a and the state of the carrier tape 20 based on the analysis results of the captured image.

[0056] The taping device 1 (workpiece insertion device) of this embodiment, which inserts the workpiece 100 into the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20 at the supply position P2 as described above, further includes an attitude correction magnet 55 in addition to the base 11, index table 10, guide section 15 and workpiece moving device (release device and suction device 70) described above.

[0057] The posture correction magnet 55 applies a magnetic force acting in an attracting direction D including an upward component at the supply position P2 to the leading end (first electrode 102a shown in FIGS. 5 and 6) of the end of the workpiece 100, which is positioned on the cavity 20a side of the inclined surface 11s. The posture correction magnet 55 of this example is mounted on a support base 57 so as to be positioned diagonally above the supply position P2 (e.g., the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2) on the same side as the suction device 70 with respect to the supply position P2 as shown in FIG. 6. The posture correction magnet 55 shown in FIG. 6 is positioned on the opposite side of the support base 57 from the pulley 30 (particularly the feed dog 30a inserted in the feed hole 20b).

[0058] As described above, each workpiece 100 is magnetized by the characteristic measuring unit 17 before reaching the release position P1, and in this embodiment, the workpiece is positioned at the release position P1 with its leading end (first electrode 102a) having an N pole and its trailing end (second electrode 102b) having an S pole. Therefore, the posture correction magnet 55 is arranged so that the S pole of the posture correction magnet 55 faces the first electrode 102a of the workpiece 100 when the workpiece 100 is positioned at the supply position P2, in order to attract the leading end (first electrode 102a) magnetized to the N pole of the workpiece 100 in the attraction direction D with magnetic force.

[0059] With the taping device 1 having the above-described configuration, each work 100 is subjected to the airflow (propulsive force) created by the work moving device (discharge device and suction device 70) at the supply position P2, and comes into contact with the recessed surface (particularly the side surface) of the carrier tape 20 that defines the cavity 20a. Furthermore, each work 100 is subjected to the magnetic force acting in the attracting direction D (including an upward component) of the posture correcting magnet 55 at the supply position P2, and is supported by contacting the guide surface 51 of the guide part 15 from below.

[0060] In this way, the workpiece moving device (release device and suction device 70) and the posture correction magnet 55 apply a propulsive force and a magnetic force to the workpiece 100 so that the workpiece 100 is suspended from the carrier tape 20 at the supply position P2 with at least a portion of the workpiece 100 positioned within the cavity 20a. Also, the guide surface 51 of the guide section 15 (part of the upper guide surface 51b extending horizontally in the example shown in FIG. 6) supports the upper surface of the workpiece 100 so that the workpiece 100, on which the propulsive force and the magnetic force act, assumes a horizontal posture at the supply position P2. Also, the recessed surface of the carrier tape 20 (side surface extending in a substantially vertical direction (height direction) in the example shown in FIG. 6) supports the side surface of the workpiece 100 so that the workpiece 100, on which the propulsive force and the magnetic force act, assumes a horizontal posture at the supply position P2. Furthermore, in the taping device 1 of this example, the workpiece insertion magnet 60 (first movement magnet 61 and second movement magnet 62) applies magnetic force to the electrodes 102a, 102b at both ends of the workpiece 100 so that the workpiece 100 assumes a horizontal position at the supply position P2.

[0061] As a result, the workpiece 100 located at the supply position P2 can stably assume a desired horizontal posture with at least a portion of the workpiece 100 located in the cavity 20a and the entire workpiece 100 floating.

[0062] As the carrier tape 20 moves downstream, the work 100 is sent downstream from the supply position P2 with at least a portion of the work 100 positioned within the cavity 20a, and lands within the cavity 20a downstream of the supply position P2. That is, by moving downstream of the supply position P2, the work 100 is released from the propulsive force and magnetic force provided by the work movement device (the discharge device and the suction device 70), the posture correction magnet 55, and the work insertion magnet 60 (the first movement magnet 61 and the second movement magnet 62), and lands within the cavity 20a under the influence of gravity. In particular, in the taping device 1 of this example, the work holding magnet 65 during transport, which is provided downstream of the supply position P2 and below the tape path 25, applies a magnetic force (attractive force) to the work 100 (particularly the end electrodes 102a, 102b). As a result, the workpiece 100 can land reliably and stably in the cavity 20a downstream of the supply position P2, and is sent further downstream together with the carrier tape 20 while maintaining such a landing state.

[0063] The taping device 1 of this embodiment having the above-mentioned configuration can accommodate a large number of workpieces 100 in multiple cavities 20a of the carrier tape 20 and encapsulate them with the carrier tape 20 and top tape (not shown) by appropriately controlling the various constituent devices of the taping device 1 and cooperating with each other by the control unit 50.

[0064] As described above, according to this embodiment, the posture of the workpiece 100 is effectively corrected in the cavity 20a at the supply position P2 by receiving a magnetic force from the posture correction magnet 55 that acts in the attracting direction D, which includes an upward component.

[0065] The workpiece 100 moves from the release position P1 to the supply position P2 through the workpiece path R that extends diagonally downward (to the lower right in the example shown in FIG. 6), and therefore is likely to enter the cavity 20a in an inclined state (particularly in an inclined position in which the leading end (first electrode 102a) is positioned lower than the trailing end (second electrode 102b)). In particular, the greater the propulsion force that moves the workpiece 100 from the release position P1 to the supply position P2 (for example, the greater the suction force of the suction device 70), the more forcefully the workpiece 100 enters the cavity 20a located at the supply position P2, and the more likely the workpiece 100 will assume an unintended inclined position in the cavity 20a.

[0066] On the other hand, according to the taping device 1 of this embodiment, the posture correction magnet 55 applies a magnetic force acting in the attracting direction D, which includes an upward component, to the leading end (first electrode 102a) of the work 100, thereby correcting such an inclined posture of the work 100 to a horizontal posture.

[0067] In particular, the portion of the guide surface 51 of the guide portion 15 that faces the cavity 20a located at the supply position P2 (particularly the portion of the upper guide surface 51b located at the lowest position) has a support surface that extends in a direction (i.e., the horizontal direction) according to the desired posture of the workpiece 100. The workpiece 100 supported by such a guide surface 51 (upper guide surface 51b) can stably maintain a desired horizontal posture with at least a portion of it located within the cavity 20a at the supply position P2.

[0068] At the supply position P2, the workpiece 100 is at least partially accommodated in the cavity 20a in a floating state, and is then landed in the cavity 20a downstream of the supply position P2. This allows the posture of the workpiece 100 to be smoothly corrected at the supply position P2, while the workpiece 100 can be stably accommodated in the cavity 20a in the correct posture downstream of the supply position P2.

[0069] [Variations] The workpiece insertion magnets 60 (first movement magnets 61 and second movement magnets 62; see FIG. 6) do not have to be installed. Even in such a case, the posture of the workpiece 100 accommodated in the cavity 20a can be appropriately corrected by the other workpiece posture correction devices described above (for example, the workpiece movement device (discharge device and suction device 70), posture correction magnet 55, and guide unit 15, etc.), and thus the workpiece 100 can be accommodated in the cavity 20a in a stable posture.

[0070] It should be noted that the embodiments and modifications disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The above-described embodiments and modifications may be omitted, substituted, and modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be combined in whole or in part, and embodiments other than those described above may be combined with the above-described embodiments or modifications. Furthermore, the effects of the present disclosure described in this specification are merely illustrative, and other effects may be obtained.

[0071] The technical category that embodies the above technical idea is not limited. For example, the above technical idea may be embodied by a computer program that causes a computer to execute one or more procedures (steps) included in a method of manufacturing or using the above device. The above technical idea may also be embodied by a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium on which such a computer program is recorded. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1 Taping device, 3 Parts feeder, 3a Groove portion, 5 Linear feeder, 10 Index table, 10a Storage portion, 10b Nozzle, 11 Base, 11s Inclined surface, 12 First drive portion, 15 Guide portion, 17 Characteristics measurement portion, 20 Carrier tape, 20a Cavity, 20b Feed hole, 21 Supply reel, 22 Take-up reel, 23 Second drive portion, 25 Tape path, 30 Pulley, 30a Feed dog, 33 Suction connection path, 35 Moving portion, 37 Workpiece holding magnet, 40 Imaging device, 45 Insertion sensor, 50 Control portion, 51 Guide surface, 51a Side guide surface, 51b Upper guide surface, 53 Air intake hole, 55 Posture correction magnet, 57 Support base, 60 Workpiece insertion magnet, 61 First moving magnet, 62 Second moving magnet, 65 magnet for holding workpiece during transport, 70 suction device, 71 return blow device, 100 workpiece, 101 magnetic material, 102a first electrode, 102b second electrode, 103, d1 longitudinal direction, d2 width direction, D pulling direction, P1 discharge position, P2 supply position, R workpiece path

Claims

1. A workpiece insertion device that inserts a workpiece into a cavity of a carrier tape at a supply position, a base having an inclined surface that is inclined so that the supply position side is at the lowest side in the vertical direction; an index table having a plurality of accommodation sections for accommodating the workpieces and extending along the inclined surface; a guide portion having a guide surface, the guide surface being provided to cover the storage portion positioned at the discharge position and the cavity positioned at the supply position; a workpiece moving device that applies a driving force to the workpiece in the accommodation portion positioned at the release position so as to move the workpiece along a workpiece path defined by the inclined surface and the guide surface toward the cavity positioned at the supply position; an attitude correction magnet that applies a magnetic force acting in an attracting direction including an upward component to a leading end of the end of the workpiece that is positioned on the cavity side on the inclined surface at the supply position; A workpiece insertion device comprising:

2. a workpiece insertion magnet that forms a magnetic field at the supply position; The workpiece insertion magnet includes a first movement magnet arranged on the side of the discharge position from the supply position, and a second movement magnet arranged on the opposite side of the discharge position from the supply position, the magnetic pole of the first movement magnet on the side facing the second movement magnet is different from the magnetic pole of the second movement magnet on the side facing the first movement magnet; The workpiece insertion device according to claim 1 .

3. the guide surface supports an upper surface of the workpiece on which the magnetic force acts so that the workpiece assumes a horizontal position at the supply position. The workpiece insertion device according to claim 1 .

4. a magnetizing device that magnetizes the leading end of the work contained in the plurality of containers to a specific pole before the work reaches the release position; The workpiece insertion device according to claim 1 .

5. the workpiece moving device and the posture correction magnet apply the propulsive force and the magnetic force to the workpiece so that the workpiece is levitated from the carrier tape while at least a portion of the workpiece is positioned within the cavity at the supply position; the workpiece is fed downstream from the supply position while at least a portion of the workpiece is positioned within the cavity as the carrier tape moves, and lands in the cavity downstream of the supply position. The workpiece insertion device according to claim 1 .

Images