Tape feeder

Abstract

The present invention provides a tape feeder that suppresses twisting of the discharged base tape, enabling smooth discharge. [Solution] The tape feeder includes a tape feeding mechanism that feeds an embossed tape in a predetermined feeding direction, comprising a base tape having a thickness dimension at both side ends that is smaller than the thickness dimension at the center of the tape in the width direction having a cavity for housing parts, and a cover tape that is peelably attached to the base tape and covers the cavity, and a tape discharge path that guides the discharge of the used base tape from which parts have been removed to the outside, the tape discharge path comprising a discharge duct having a wide portion that has a width dimension greater than or equal to the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction of the cross section intersecting the discharge direction and through which both side ends pass, and a narrow portion that has a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction and greater than or equal to the outer width dimension of the cavity and through which at least a portion of the cavity passes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to a tape feeder that supplies components using an embossed tape.

Background Art

[0002] Techniques for mass-producing substrate products by performing substrate work on a substrate with a circuit pattern formed thereon have become widespread. Furthermore, it has become common to arrange a plurality of types of substrate work machines side by side to form a production line for substrate products. As a representative example of a substrate work machine, there is a component mounting machine that performs a component mounting operation with a tape feeder that supplies components using an embossed tape. The embossed tape includes a base tape having a plurality of cavities for accommodating components, and a cover tape that is removably attached to the base tape. The tape feeder can peel the cover tape from the base tape to enable removal of the components. The used base tape from which the cover tape has been peeled and the components have been removed from the cavities is discharged to the outside through a discharge duct. One technical example of this type of tape feeder is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a tape feeder including a pair of carrier tape support portions that support both end portions in the width direction of a carrier tape (embossed tape), a concave groove provided between the pair of carrier tape support portions to allow a convex component holding portion formed on the carrier tape to pass through, a guide portion provided at the insertion side end portion of the concave groove to support the surface between both end portions of the carrier tape, and a drawing sprocket for drawing in the carrier tape. According to this, it is said that the carrier tape can be stably loaded.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the tape feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 is preferable because it can stabilize the orientation of the embossed tape on the retraction side. Generally, not limited to Patent Document 1, tape feeders are equipped with a discharge duct on the side that discharges used base tape. The discharge duct is constructed more simply than the retraction side, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. The discharge duct is constructed, for example, in a rectangular tubular shape, and a tape discharge path is formed inside it that has sufficient clearance for the outer dimensions of the base tape. This reduces the sliding resistance when the base tape slides along the inner surface of the duct. However, conventional discharge ducts had the risk of not being able to discharge the base tape smoothly due to twisting.

[0006] Therefore, the problem to be solved in this specification is to provide a tape feeder that suppresses twisting of the discharged base tape and enables smooth discharge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This specification discloses a tape feeder comprising: a tape feeding mechanism for feeding an embossed tape in a predetermined feeding direction, the embossed tape comprising a base tape having a plurality of cavities formed to protrude from the tape surface toward the back surface for accommodating components, the thickness of both side edges being smaller than the thickness of the central part in the width direction of the tape having the cavities, and a cover tape peelably attached to the base tape to cover the plurality of cavities; and a tape discharge path that guides the discharge of the used base tape to the outside after the cover tape has been peeled off and the components have been removed from the cavities, the discharge duct comprising a tape discharge path having a wide portion having a width dimension greater than or equal to the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction of the cross-section intersecting the discharge direction, through which both side edges pass, and a narrow portion having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction and greater than or equal to the outer width dimension of the cavity, through which at least a portion of the cavity passes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the disclosed tape feeder, the discharge duct forms a tape discharge path having a wide section with a width greater than or equal to the width of the base tape, and a narrow section with a width smaller than the width of the base tape and greater than or equal to the outer width of the cavity. The wide section guides both side ends of the base tape, and the narrow section guides the cavity, thereby suppressing twisting of the base tape and enabling smooth discharge. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic plan view showing an example configuration of a component mounting machine equipped with the tape feeder of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the embossed tape in the width direction. [Figure 3] This is an overall perspective view of the tape feeder. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the discharge configuration of the base tape and the winding and recovery configuration of the cover tape in a tape feeder. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a perspective view of the horizontal cross-section along the VV arrow, showing the cross-sectional shape intersecting the discharge direction of the discharge duct. [Figure 6] This is a schematic plan cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the tape discharge path formed by the discharge duct, along with the cross-sectional shape of the base tape. [Figure 7] This is a schematic plan cross-sectional view of a discharge duct, illustrating the state in which the base tape swings to its maximum widthwise direction and is twisted to its maximum extent inside the tape discharge path. [Figure 8] This is a schematic plan cross-sectional view of the discharge duct, illustrating another state where the base tape is swinging to its maximum extent and twisted to its maximum extent, in the opposite direction to that shown in Figure 7. [Figure 9] This is a plan cross-sectional view illustrating that a twist of more than 90° can occur in the base tape of a conventional discharge duct. [Figure 10]This is a schematic plan cross-sectional view showing the cross-sectional shape of the modified discharge duct and tape discharge channel. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] 1. Example configuration of component mounting machine 9 The tape feeder 1 of this embodiment is mounted on the component mounting machine 9. First, an example of the configuration of the component mounting machine 9 will be explained with reference to Figure 1. The component mounting machine 9 performs mounting work to produce circuit board products by mounting components onto a circuit board K. In Figure 1, the horizontal direction from left to right on the page is the X-axis direction for transporting the circuit board K, the horizontal direction from the bottom (front) side of the page to the top (rear) side of the page is the Y-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the Z-axis direction. The component mounting machine 9 is configured by assembling a circuit board transport device 92, a component supply device 93, a component transfer device 94, and a control device (not shown) on a base 91.

[0011] The substrate transport device 92 consists of a pair of guide rails 921, a pair of transport conveyors (not shown), and a clamping mechanism 922. The pair of guide rails 921 extend in the X-axis direction across the center of the upper surface of the base 91 and are assembled to the base 91 parallel to each other. The pair of transport conveyors rotate along the guide rails 921 with two parallel sides of the substrate K placed on them, transporting the substrate K to a stopping position near the center of the base 91. The clamping mechanism 922 is located below the stopping position and pushes up the substrate K and clamps it between itself and the guide rails 921 to position it. After the component mounting work by the component transfer device 94 is completed, the clamping mechanism 922 releases the substrate K, and the transport conveyors carry the substrate K out of the machine.

[0012] The parts supply device 93 is positioned at the front of the upper surface of the base 91 in the Y-axis direction. The parts supply device 93 consists of a pallet stand 931 and a plurality of tape feeders 1, etc. The pallet stand 931 is formed in a roughly rectangular shape in plan view. The pallet stand 931 may be formed in a trolley shape with casters for movement and be detachable from the base 91. The pallet stand 931 has a plurality of slots 932 that are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of tape feeders 1 are each detachably inserted into the slots 932 and mounted. Each of the tape feeders 1 supplies parts using a carrier tape containing a plurality of parts.

[0013] Carrier tapes are available in multiple widths according to standards to accommodate parts of various sizes. To accommodate these multiple widths, multiple types of tape feeders 1 with different widths are used. The standard type tape feeder 1 has a standard width in the X-axis direction and is installed in one slot 932. The standard type tape feeder 1 often uses paper carrier tapes.

[0014] The wide-type tape feeder 1 has a wider width in the X-axis direction than the standard type and is installed across multiple slots 932. The wide-type tape feeder 1 often uses a resin carrier tape. The resin carrier tape is generally referred to as embossed tape 8 (see Figure 2). In other words, many types of large parts are contained in the embossed tape 8 and supplied using the wide-type tape feeder 1.

[0015] The component transfer device 94 is composed of a Y-axis moving body 941, an X-axis moving body 942, a mounting head 943, a nozzle tool 944, a plurality of suction nozzles 945, a substrate camera 946, a component camera 947, etc. The Y-axis moving body 941 and the X-axis moving body 942 constitute an X-Y drive mechanism for moving the mounting head 943 in two horizontal directions. A rotationally symmetric nozzle tool 944 is provided below the mounting head 943. The nozzle tool 944 is provided with a plurality (20 in the example of FIG. 1) of suction nozzles 945 that can be automatically exchanged. The suction nozzle 945 performs a mounting operation of sucking the component supplied from the tape feeder 1 and mounting it on the substrate K at the stop position. Note that the mounting head 943 may be provided with a plurality of suction nozzles 945 arranged in a row or arranged in a grid pattern. Also, a component mounting tool other than the suction nozzle 945, for example, a chuck for gripping the component, may be provided on the mounting head 943 so as to be automatically exchangeable.

[0016] The substrate camera 946 is provided downward on the X-axis moving body 942 alongside the mounting head 943. The substrate camera 946 images the position marks attached to the substrate K from above to accurately determine the stop position of the substrate K. The component camera 947 is provided upward between the substrate transfer device 92 and the component supply device 93. The component camera 947 images and recognizes the component held by the suction nozzle 945 from below while the mounting head 943 is moving from the component supply device 93 to the substrate K. Thereby, the correctness of the component type is determined, and the position and orientation of the component with respect to the suction nozzle 945 are detected and reflected in the mounting operation. As the substrate camera 946 and the component camera 947, a digital imaging device having an imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be exemplified.

[0017] The control device of the omitted figure is assembled to the base 91, and its position is not particularly limited. The control device is configured using a computer device. Incidentally, the control device may be configured such that a plurality of CPUs are distributed and communicatively connected within the machine. The control device controls the substrate transfer device 92, the component supply device 93, and the component transfer device 94 based on the mounting work data created for each type of substrate product (substrate K), and advances the component mounting work. The mounting work data includes member information regarding the types and shapes of the substrate K and components, coordinate information indicating the suction position and mounting position of the components, and association information associating the type of the component with the type of the tape feeder 1 to be used.

[0018] 2. Configuration of the embossed tape 8 Next, the configuration of the embossed tape 8 mainly used by the wide-type tape feeder 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The embossed tape 8 includes a base tape 81 and a cover tape 86.

[0019] The base tape 81 is subjected to inflation processing (embossing) at equal pitches in the tape length direction of the resin tape, and a plurality of cavities 82 are formed. Each of the plurality of cavities 82 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped space shape and houses a component 83. Incidentally, the plurality of cavities 82 near the tip of the embossed tape 8 are empty cavities that do not house the component 83 from the beginning. Both sides of the plurality of cavities 82 in the tape width direction become side end portions 84 without being subjected to inflation processing. A plurality of feed holes 85 arranged in a row at equal pitches in the tape length direction are provided in at least one of the side end portions 84. The feed holes 85 are engaged with the teeth of a sprocket 31 (see FIG. 4) provided for feeding the embossed tape 8.

[0020] The cover tape 86 is made of a thin film tape. The cover tape 86 has two adhesive sections 87 extending in the length direction of the tape near the side edge in the width direction of the tape on the back side. The two adhesive sections 87 are peelably attached to both sides of the cavity 82 of the base tape 81. As a result, the cover tape 86 covers multiple cavities 82 and prevents the scattering of parts 83. The width dimension of the cover tape 86 is smaller than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81 and does not cover both side edges of the base tape 81 or the feed holes 85. The adhesive sections 87 may be in a form that is not continuous in the length direction of the tape, for example, in a dashed line form.

[0021] The base tape 81 has a thickness dimension T1 in the central part with a cavity 82, while the thickness dimensions T2 of both side edges 84 are smaller. The width dimension WT of the base tape 81 is the sum of the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82, the width dimension WS1 of one side edge 84, and the width dimension WS2 of the other side edge 84, and is equal to the width dimension WT of the embossed tape 8. In many base tapes 81, the width dimension WS1 of one side edge 84 with a feed hole 85 is greater than the width dimension WS2 of the other side edge 84 without a feed hole 85. However, the width dimensions WS1 and WS2 may be equal to each other.

[0022] The embossed tape 8 has its thickness dimension T1 and outer width dimension WC adjusted as appropriate to fit the size of the component 83 to be contained, without changing the width dimension WT. The width dimensions (WS1, WS2) of the side edges 84 are adjusted accordingly to accommodate the change in outer width dimension WC. For embossed tapes 8 with particularly large width dimensions WT, a row of feed holes 85 is provided on each of the side edges 84 of the base tape 81. In this configuration, the embossed tape 8 is symmetrically configured on both sides in the width direction, with the width dimensions (WS1, WS2) of both side edges 84 being equal to each other.

[0023] 3. Overall configuration of tape feeder 1 Next, the overall configuration of the tape feeder 1 will be explained with reference to Figures 3 and 4. In Figure 4, the base tape 81 is shown by a thick dashed line, and the cover tape 86 is shown by a thick solid line. The front, back, left, and right directions of the tape feeder 1 are determined as shown by the arrow in the upper right of Figure 3. The tape feeder 1 pulls out the embossed tape 8 from the reel 29 it holds and feeds it in a predetermined feeding direction, supplying parts 83 at the upper front part supply position 53. The direction from the rear to the front of the tape feeder 1 is the feeding direction of the embossed tape 8. The tape feeder 1 consists of the feeder body 2, carrier tape feeding mechanism 3, cover tape feeding mechanism 4, tape guide 5, and discharge duct 6, etc.

[0024] The feeder body 2 is long in the front-to-back direction and thin in the left-to-right direction, forming the external shape of the tape feeder 1. An upper rail 21 with a T-shaped cross-section is provided on the upper surface of the feeder body 2, projecting upward and extending in the front-to-back direction. A lower rail 22 with an inverted T-shaped cross-section is provided on the lower surface of the feeder body 2, projecting downward and extending in the front-to-back direction. The upper rail 21 and the lower rail 22 are used to mount the parts loading machine 9 onto the pallet tray 931. Specifically, the upper rail 21 is inserted into the upper slot (not shown) of the pallet tray 931, and the lower rail 22 is inserted into the slot 932 of the pallet tray 931. A tape guide 5 is attached to the front upper part of the feeder body 2.

[0025] An upper positioning pin 24, a connector 25, and a lower positioning pin 26 are provided in order from the top to the bottom of the front surface of the feeder body 2. The upper positioning pin 24 and the lower positioning pin 26 are fitted into positioning holes provided in the pallet base 931 to position the tape feeder 1. When the tape feeder 1 is positioned, the connector 25 automatically mates with the receiving connector provided in the pallet base 931. As a result, the tape feeder 1 is supplied with power and communicated with the control device of the component mounting machine 9. A locking mechanism 27 is provided at the upper rear of the feeder body 2. The locking mechanism 27 restricts the removal operation of the tape feeder 1 mounted on the pallet base 931.

[0026] A reel holding section 28 is provided approximately in the center of the feeder body 2. The reel holding section 28 holds a reel 29 on which the embossed tape 8 is wound. In Figures 3 and 4, the reel 29 is held on the back side of the reel holding section 28, which is made of a thin plate material. The reel holding section 28 can be opened, allowing the reel 29 to be replaced. However, the tape feeder 1 may not have a reel holding section 28, and the embossed tape 8 may be inserted into the feeder body 2 from a reel 29 that is separately placed behind the feeder body 2.

[0027] Furthermore, the feeder body 2 is provided with two tape passage members 2A (see Figure 4) that are spaced apart to the left and right, parallel to each other, and extending in the front-to-back direction. The tape passage members 2A extend from the front upper part of the reel holding section 28 to the lower side of the tape guide 5, and guide the embossed tape 8 in the feeding direction. The upper surfaces of the two tape passage members 2A serve as tape passages through which each of the two side ends 84 of the embossed tape 8 passes.

[0028] The carrier tape feeding mechanism 3 is located below the tape guide 5 of the feeder body 2, as shown in Figure 4. The carrier tape feeding mechanism 3 pulls the embossed tape 8 from the reel 29 and feeds it in the feeding direction along the tape passage member 2A and the tape guide 5. The carrier tape feeding mechanism 3 consists of a sprocket 31 with teeth that penetrate grooves formed in the tape passage member 2A and engage with the feeding hole 85, and a motor that rotates the sprocket 31 via a gear mechanism.

[0029] As described above, the tape guide 5 is attached to the upper front part of the feeder body 2. The tape guide 5 is formed to be long in the feeding direction (front-to-back direction). Furthermore, the tape guide 5 has a top plate and two side plates and is formed in a crank shape with a cross section perpendicular to the feeding direction opening downwards. The top plate of the tape guide 5 is provided with an opening that is long in the feeding direction. The width dimension of the opening in the left-to-right direction is smaller than the width dimension of the cover tape 86 and larger than the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82. The area near the center of the opening is the component supply position 53. The tape guide 5 has a tape fold-over portion at the upstream (rear) edge of the opening.

[0030] The tape guide 5 is supported by the feeder body 2 so as to be vertically movable and is biased downward by a biasing member (not shown). Therefore, the tape guide 5 presses the base tape 81, from which the cover tape 86 has been peeled off, toward the tape passage member 2A. As a result, the tape guide 5 stabilizes the height position of the cavity 82 and the part 83 at the part supply position 53, thereby ensuring the reliability of the part 83 suction operation by the suction nozzle 945. In addition, the fitting state of the sprocket 31 that fits into the feed hole 85 is stabilized.

[0031] The embossed tape 8, fed by the carrier tape feeding mechanism 3, has its cover tape 86 peeled off at an upstream position within the tape guide 5. The peeled cover tape 86 is folded back in the opposite direction of the feeding direction by the tape folding portion and heads towards the cover tape feeding mechanism 4. Meanwhile, the base tape 81 is fed along the tape guide 5 to the component supply position 53. When the tape feeder 1 is equipped on the component mounting machine 9 and starts operating, the suction nozzle 945 moves to the component supply position 53 and picks up the component 83 from the cavity 82.

[0032] The used base tape 81, from which the component 83 has been removed, is sent further forward and enters the discharge duct 6. The discharge duct 6 is located at the front of the feeder body 2 and guides the discharge of the base tape 81 to the outside. The discharge duct 6 is positioned to extend from near the front end of the tape passage member 2A to the lower front of the feeder body 2, and is formed to gradually bend downwards from the horizontal front. As a result, the used base tape 81 is discharged downwards from the tape feeder 1 as shown by arrow M1 in Figure 4 and is recovered on the side of the component mounting machine 9.

[0033] The cover tape feeding mechanism 4 operates in synchronization with the carrier tape feeding mechanism 3 to feed the peeled cover tape 86. The cover tape feeding mechanism 4 consists of three guide sections and a winding drum 44 provided on the feeder body 2, as shown in Figure 4. The first guide section 41 is located between the upper rail 21 and the locking mechanism 27 of the feeder body 2. The first guide section 41 is equipped with a tension adjustment mechanism that adjusts the tension of the cover tape 86 to suppress slack and stretching. The second guide section 42 is located behind the reel holding section 28. The third guide section 43 is located below the second guide section 42. The winding drum 44 is located at the lower rear of the feeder body 2, corresponding to the position below the third guide section 43.

[0034] The cover tape 86, folded back at the tape folding section of the tape guide 5, is guided to the take-up drum 44 by being placed over the first guide section 41, the second guide section 42, and the third guide section 43, as shown by arrow M2 in Figure 4. The leading edge of the cover tape 86 is locked to the take-up shaft 45 of the take-up drum 44. The take-up shaft 45 is driven by a motor via a different transmission path than the gear mechanism of the carrier tape feeding mechanism 3. Therefore, the take-up shaft 45 operates in synchronization with the carrier tape feeding mechanism 3 and winds the cover tape 86 into the take-up drum 44. In other words, the cover tape feeding mechanism 4 feeds the cover tape 86 in a winding manner and recovers it into the take-up drum 44. However, the cover tape feeding mechanism 4 may also feed the cover tape 86 into a recovery box provided in the feeder body 2 for recovery, or it may discharge the cover tape 86 to the outside.

[0035] 4. Details of the exhaust duct 6 Next, the details of the discharge duct 6 will be explained in comparison with the conventional technology, referring to Figures 5-9. The conventional discharge duct 6X that guides the discharge of the base tape 81 is configured in a rectangular tubular shape, forming a tape discharge passage 7X with a rectangular cross-section as illustrated in Figure 9. The internal dimensions of the tape discharge passage 7X are sufficiently larger than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81. As a result, the discharged base tape 81 passes through the tape discharge passage 7X with sufficient clearance, and the sliding resistance when sliding along the inner surface of the duct is reduced.

[0036] However, due to the presence of sufficient clearance, the base tape 81 often twists as shown by the dashed line, and even more so than 90° as shown by the dashed line. In addition, the base tape 81 develops a curl due to being wound on the reel 29. Due to these effects, the base tape 81 tends to jam (tangle, stagnation) and backflow, resulting in problems with smooth discharge. This problem may lead to poor feeding of the embossed tape 8 and poor suction operation of the suction nozzle 945 due to increased positional error of the cavity 82 at the component supply position 53. As a solution to this problem, this embodiment employs a discharge duct 6 with the cross-sectional shape shown in Figures 5-8.

[0037] In Figures 5-8, the width direction in the horizontal cross-section of the discharge duct 6 corresponds to the left-right direction of the tape feeder 1, and the length direction perpendicular to the width direction in the horizontal cross-section of the discharge duct 6 corresponds to the front-rear direction of the tape feeder 1. As shown in Figure 5, the discharge duct 6 is composed of a combination of three members indicated by different hatching. However, it is not limited to this, and the discharge duct 6 may be composed of a single cylindrical member. The discharge duct 6 forms a tape discharge passage 7 with a T-shaped cross-section inside it. The tape discharge passage 7 guides the used base tape 81 downwards and ultimately guides it to be discharged to the outside. The tape discharge passage 7 has a wide section 71 and a narrow section 72.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6, the discharge duct 6 has two wide inner surfaces 61, two narrow inner surfaces 62, and two connecting inner surfaces 63. The two wide inner surfaces 61 are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the width direction of the cross-section intersecting the discharge direction by a wide dimension W1. The wide dimension W1 is set to be greater than or equal to the width dimension WT of the base tape 81. The space between the two wide inner surfaces 61 becomes the wide section 71. Both side ends 84 of the base tape 81 pass through the wide section 71. In practice, it is preferable to set the wide dimension W1 to be greater than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81 to secure enough clearance in the wide section 71 for the base tape 81 to move in the width direction. This makes it possible to suppress sliding resistance that may occur on the side surface of the base tape 81.

[0039] On the other hand, the two narrow inner surfaces 62 are spaced apart in the width direction by a narrow dimension W2 and arranged in parallel. The narrow dimension W2 is set to be smaller than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81 and greater than or equal to the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82. The outer width dimension WC is considered to be the maximum value which can be changed depending on the size of the part 83 to be housed in the cavity 82. The space between the two narrow inner surfaces 62 becomes the narrow section 72. At least a portion of the cavity 82 of the base tape 81 passes through the narrow section 72. In practice, it is preferable to set the narrow dimension W2 to be larger than the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82 to secure a margin in the narrow section 72 that allows the cavity 82 to move in the width direction. This makes it possible to suppress sliding resistance that may occur on the outer surface of the cavity 82.

[0040] The two connecting inner surfaces 63 extend in the width direction and are positioned perpendicular to the wide inner surface 61 and the narrow inner surface 62, connecting the wide inner surface 61 and the narrow inner surface 62. The cross-sectional shape shown in Figure 6 is applied not only to the portion of the discharge duct 6 that extends in the vertical direction, but also to the bent portion at the top of the discharge duct 6. As can be seen from the described configuration, the wide portion 71 guides both side ends 84 of the base tape 81, and the narrow portion 72 guides the cavity 82, thereby suppressing twisting of the base tape 81.

[0041] The length dimension LG of the wide section 71 is set to be smaller than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81. This restricts twisting of the base tape 81 by more than 90° in the width direction (details below). On the other hand, the length dimension LH of the narrow section 72 is set to be larger than the maximum possible thickness dimension T1 of the base tape 81. This ensures that even with the base tape 81 where the thickness dimension T1, shown by the dashed line in Figure 6, is at its maximum value, the outer bottom surface of the cavity 82 does not slide against the inner surface of the duct.

[0042] The tape discharge path 7 may cause the base tape 81 to swing and twist within it. Nevertheless, the tape discharge path 7 has a cross-sectional shape that prevents the side ends 84 of the base tape 81 from entering the narrow section 72. For example, Figures 7 and 8 show the state in which the base tape 81 swings to its maximum extent in the width direction and twists to its maximum extent within the tape discharge path 7. In this state, one side end 84 contacts the point furthest from one connecting inner surface 63 of one wide inner surface 61, and the other side end 84 contacts the other connecting inner surface 63.

[0043] The specific cross-sectional shape of the tape discharge path 7 is determined within a range that satisfies the aforementioned constraints of the wide dimension W1 and narrow dimension W2, as well as the following three relationships (1)-(3). As can be seen from Figures 7 and 8, when the base tape 81 is twisted to its maximum extent, the maximum twist angle from the width direction is defined as AM, and the distance in the width direction between one wide inner surface 61 and the other narrow inner surface 62 is defined as DS. In this embodiment, the following three relationships are satisfied.

[0044] (1) 0° <AM<90° (2) DS <WT·cosAM (3) LG = WT·sinAM

[0045] Inequality (1) indicates that it is impossible to completely eliminate the twisting of the base tape 81, but it is possible to restrict the twisting of the base tape 81 to less than 90°. Inequality (2) indicates the widthwise condition in which the side edge of the other side end 84 contacts the other connecting inner surface 63 without facing the narrow portion 72. Equation (3) shows a calculation formula for specifically determining the length dimension LG of the wide portion 71.

[0046] However, these relationships assume that the cross-sectional shape of the base tape 81 does not deform and that the thickness dimension T2 of the side end 84 is extremely small. It is not appropriate and is not recommended to bring the maximum twist angle AM ​​in (1) close to 0° or 90°. If the maximum twist angle AM ​​is brought close to 0°, the length dimension LG of the wide section 71 will approach zero, as can be seen from (3). In this case, the sliding resistance of the base tape 81 passing through the bent portion at the top of the discharge duct 6 will be excessive. In addition, even in the portion of the discharge duct 6 that extends in the vertical direction, the sliding resistance will be excessive if the base tape 81 has a curl or waviness in the tape length direction.

[0047] On the other hand, if the maximum twist angle AM ​​is brought close to 90°, as can be seen from (3), the length dimension LG of the wide section 71 approaches the width dimension WT of the base tape 81. In this case, the base tape 81 bends in the width direction, reducing its apparent width, and there is a risk that its side end 84 may enter the narrow section 72. Once the side end 84 enters the narrow section 72, it is difficult for it to get out, making it difficult to smoothly discharge the base tape 81.

[0048] Thus, it is necessary to set the maximum twist angle AM ​​appropriately. The appropriate range for the maximum twist angle AM ​​depends on the range of change in the cross-sectional shape of the base tape 81 actually used, making it difficult to set it uniformly regardless of the type of tape feeder 1. However, even if slight rounding or chamfering is provided on both sides of the corners of the wide section 71 and the narrow section 72 or the connecting inner surface 63 due to manufacturing constraints, the cross-sectional shape of the tape discharge path 7 can be optimized by applying the above explanation.

[0049] The discharge duct 6, which forms the tape discharge path 7 with an appropriate maximum twist angle AM ​​and an appropriate cross-sectional shape, can restrict the entry of the side end 84 of the base tape 81 into the narrow section 72. Furthermore, this discharge duct 6 can restrict the twist of the base tape 81 to 90° or more in the width direction. These effects are reliably achieved even if the entire cavity 82 moves out of the narrow section 72 and enters the wide section 71.

[0050] In the tape feeder 1 of this embodiment, the discharge duct 6 forms a tape discharge path 7 having a wide section 71 with a wide dimension W1 that is greater than or equal to the width dimension WT of the base tape 81, and a narrow section 72 with a narrow dimension W2 that is smaller than the width dimension WT of the base tape 81 and greater than or equal to the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82. The wide section 71 guides both side ends 84 of the base tape 81, and the narrow section 72 guides the cavity 82. Furthermore, the tape discharge path 7, which satisfies the relationship (1)-(3), restricts the entry of the side ends 84 of the base tape 81 into the narrow section 72, thereby restricting the twisting of the base tape 81 by 90° or more with respect to the width direction. Therefore, the discharge duct 6 can suppress the twisting of the base tape 81 and enable smooth discharge.

[0051] 5. Exhaust duct 6A in a modified form Next, the modified form of the discharge duct 6A will be described with reference to Figure 10. The modified form of the discharge duct 6A has two wide inner surfaces 64, two narrow inner surfaces 65, and two connecting inner surfaces 63, forming a tape discharge path 7A having a wide section 74 and a narrow section 75.

[0052] Unlike the embodiment, the two wide inner surfaces 64 are not arranged in parallel. That is, the two wide inner surfaces 64 are spaced apart by a width W1 that is larger than the width WT of the base tape 81 at the position where they are in contact with the connecting inner surface 63, and gradually move closer together as they move away from the connecting inner surface 63 in the longitudinal direction. Then, at the position furthest from the connecting inner surface 63, the two wide inner surfaces 64 are spaced apart by the width WT of the base tape 81. As a result, the volume of the wide portion 74 is narrower than that of the wide portion 71 in the embodiment.

[0053] Furthermore, unlike the embodiment, the two narrow inner surfaces 65 are not arranged in parallel. That is, the two narrow inner surfaces 65 are spaced apart by a narrow dimension W2 that is larger than the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82 at the position where they are in contact with the connecting inner surface 63, and gradually move closer together as they move away from the connecting inner surface 63 in the longitudinal direction. Finally, at the position furthest from the connecting inner surface 63, the two narrow inner surfaces 65 are spaced apart by the outer width dimension WC of the cavity 82. As a result, the volume of the narrow section 75 is narrower than that of the narrow section 72 in the embodiment.

[0054] In the modified configuration, the wide portion 74 and the narrow portion 75 narrow as they move away from the connecting inner surface 63. As a result, the wide portion 74 can significantly restrict the swinging of both side ends 84 of the base tape 81 in the width direction. The narrow portion 75 can also significantly restrict the swinging of the cavity 82 in the width direction. Consequently, the exhaust duct 6A in the modified configuration can restrict the maximum twist angle AM ​​of the base tape 81 to be smaller than in the embodiment.

[0055] 6. Applications and Modifications of Embodiments, etc. Although the cross-sectional shape of the discharge ducts (6, 6A) has been described in detail, the shape in the length direction of the duct, such as the discharge direction of the base tape 81 and the presence or absence and manner of bending of the bending portion, can be changed from the embodiment. Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the tape discharge path (7, 7A) can be modified in ways other than those described in the embodiment and modified form. In addition, the discharge ducts (6, 6A) may guide the discharge of the used embossed tape 8, in which the base tape 81 and cover tape 86 are still integrated, after only one adhesive portion 87 has been peeled off and the part 83 has been removed. Moreover, the embodiment and modified form can be applied and modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1: Tape feeder 2: Feeder body 3: Carrier tape feeding mechanism 31: Sprocket 4: Cover tape feeding mechanism 5: Tape guide 53: Part supply position 6, 6A: Discharge duct 61, 64: Wide inner surface 62, 65: Narrow inner surface 63: Connecting inner surface 6X: Conventional discharge duct 7, 7A, 7X: Tape discharge path 71, 74: Wide section 72, 75: Narrow section 8: Embossed tape 81: Base tape 82: Cavity 83: Parts 84: Side end 85: Feed hole 86: Cover tape 87: Adhesive section 9: Part mounting machine W1: Wide dimension W2: Narrow dimension WT: Width dimension of base tape WC: Outer width dimension of cavity AM: Maximum twist angle LG: Length dimension of wide section DS: Distance in the width direction between one wide inner surface and the other narrow inner surface

Claims

1. A tape feeding mechanism for feeding an embossed tape in a predetermined feeding direction, comprising a base tape having a plurality of cavities formed to protrude from the tape surface toward the back surface for accommodating components, the thickness of both side edges being smaller than the thickness of the central part in the tape width direction having the cavities, and a cover tape that is peelably attached to the base tape and covers the plurality of cavities, A tape discharge path is formed to guide the discharge of the used base tape to the outside, from which the cover tape has been peeled off and the component has been removed from the cavity, and the tape discharge path has a wide portion having a width dimension greater than or equal to the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction of the cross section intersecting the discharge direction, through which both side ends pass, and a narrow portion having a width dimension smaller than the width dimension of the base tape in the width direction and greater than or equal to the outer width dimension of the cavity, through which at least a portion of the cavity passes, A tape feeder equipped with a tape feeder.

2. The tape feeder according to claim 1, wherein the discharge duct has two wide inner surfaces spaced apart in the wide dimension in the cross-section, two narrow inner surfaces spaced apart in the narrow dimension, and two connecting inner surfaces extending in the width direction and connecting the wide inner surfaces and the narrow inner surfaces, forming a tape discharge path with a T-shaped cross-section.

3. The tape feeder according to claim 2, wherein the tape discharge path has the cross-sectional shape such that even if the base tape swings and twists inside it, the side end does not enter the narrow portion.

4. The tape feeder according to claim 3, wherein the tape discharge path has a cross-sectional shape such that when the base tape swings to the maximum extent in the width direction and is twisted to the maximum extent within it, one side end contacts the position furthest from one of the connecting inner surfaces of one of the wide inner surfaces, and the other side end contacts the other connecting inner surface.

5. When the width dimension of the base tape is WT, the maximum twist angle from the width direction when the base tape is twisted to its maximum extent is AM, the distance in the width direction between one wide inner surface and the other narrow inner surface is DS, and the length dimension of the wide portion in the length direction perpendicular to the width direction is LG, the following three relationships hold true: 0° < AM < 90°, DS<WT・cosAM, LG=WT・sinAM, The tape feeder according to claim 4.

Images