Work equipment

Abstract

The objective is to provide a work device that reduces the load on the actuator connecting the movable conveyor to the base-side member, thereby preventing a decrease in the actuator's lifespan. [Solution] The work device includes a spacing changing mechanism that moves the movable conveyor 12Q of a pair of conveyors in the Y direction to change the distance between the pair of conveyors, a base side member 31 that extends in the Y direction on the base 11, an intervening member 43 fixed to the movable conveyor 12Q and positioned opposite the base side member 31 in the X direction, and a cylinder 42 fixed to the movable conveyor 12Q that connects the movable conveyor 12Q to the base side member 31 by pressing the intervening member 43 against the base side member 31 with a piston rod 42R.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a working device that performs work on a workpiece conveyed by a pair of conveyors installed on a base.

Background Art

[0002] A component mounting device known as a type of working device includes a conveying unit composed of a pair of conveyors provided on a base, and a mounting head as a working device that mounts components on a substrate (workpiece) conveyed and positioned by the conveying unit. The distance between the pair of conveyors can be changed by a distance changing mechanism, and it is possible to convey a substrate according to the size of the substrate (for example, Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] In the component mounting device described in Patent Document 1, the pair of conveyors consists of a fixed conveyor fixed to the base and a movable conveyor movable with respect to the base, and on the base side, an L-shaped base side member extending in the moving direction of the movable conveyor is provided. The movable conveyor is provided with a cylinder that moves integrally with the movable conveyor, and the cylinder is configured to connect the movable conveyor to the base side member by extending a shaft member (piston rod) and pressing the base side member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In component mounting devices like the one described in Patent Document 1, when vibration occurs in the base, the excitation force generated by that vibration acts on the piston rod through the base-side member. However, of the three components of the excitation force acting on the piston rod (the X direction along the direction in which the conveyor extends, the Z direction along the vertical direction, and the Y direction perpendicular to both the X and Z directions), even if the piston rod can sufficiently resist the X-direction component acting in the axial direction of the piston rod with its own axial force, the components in the directions perpendicular to the X direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) act as lateral loads on the piston rod. As a result, the load on the parts of the cylinder that support the piston rod (e.g., bearings and packing) is large, which leads to the problem of reduced cylinder lifespan.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a work device that can reduce the load received from the base side by the actuator connecting the movable conveyor to the base side member, thereby preventing a decrease in the lifespan of the actuator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The work apparatus of the present disclosure comprises a transport section consisting of a pair of conveyors extending horizontally in a first direction on a base, and a work section for performing work on a workpiece that has been transported and positioned by the transport section, the work apparatus comprising: a spacing changing mechanism for changing the distance between the pair of conveyors by moving a movable conveyor among the pair of conveyors in a second direction that intersects the first direction in the horizontal plane; a base side member provided extending on the base in the second direction; an intervening member fixed to the movable conveyor and positioned opposite the base side member in the first direction; and an actuator fixed to the movable conveyor and connecting the movable conveyor to the base side member by pressing the intervening member against the base side member with a shaft member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, the load received by the actuator connecting the movable conveyor to the base-side member from the base side can be reduced, thereby preventing a decrease in the lifespan of the actuator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the main part of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the transport section of the work device in Embodiment 1 of this disclosure together with the base side member. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing the control system of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing a portion of the movable conveyor provided in the work device of Embodiment 1 of this disclosure, together with the base side member. [Figure 5] This is a side view showing a part of the movable conveyor of the work apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, together with the base side member. [Figure 6] (a) and (b) are side views showing the operation of the connecting portion of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] (a) is a downward perspective view of a part of the connecting section of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, and (b) is an exploded perspective view thereof. [Figure 8] This is a downward perspective view of a part of the connecting portion of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] (a), (b), and (c) are perspective views of an example in which the conveyor spacing of the transport section of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure has been changed. [Figure 10] (a), (b), and (c) are perspective views of an example in which the conveyor spacing is changed when the base-side members of the work device in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure are provided intermittently. [Figure 11] This is a side view showing the connecting portion of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, together with the base side member. [Figure 12]This is a side view showing the connecting portion of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, together with the base side member. [Figure 13] This is a side view showing the connecting portion of the movable conveyor of the work device in Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure, together with the base side member. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Embodiment 1) First, Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 shows the work apparatus 10 in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. The work apparatus 10 is a device (parts mounting device) that transports and positions a substrate KB as a workpiece and mounts components BH onto the positioned substrate KB. The work apparatus 10 is equipped with a base 11, a transport unit 12, a plurality of parts feeders 13, a head moving mechanism 14, a mounting head 15, and a control unit 16 that controls the operation of each of these parts. For the sake of explanation, the left-right direction of the work apparatus 10 as seen from the operator OP will be the X direction, the front-back direction of the work apparatus 10 as seen from the operator OP will be the Y direction, and the up-down direction will be the Z direction. The left side as seen from the operator OP, which corresponds to the upstream side of the flow of substrate KB, will be referred to as the "upstream side," and the right side as seen from the operator OP, which corresponds to the downstream side of the flow of substrate KB, will be referred to as the "downstream side."

[0011] In Figures 1 and 2, the transport section 12 comprises a pair of conveyors extending in the X direction and arranged parallel to the Y direction: a fixed conveyor 12P and a movable conveyor 12Q. The fixed conveyor 12P is a conveyor fixed to the base 11, and the movable conveyor 12Q is a conveyor that can move in the Y direction relative to the base 11.

[0012] The pair of conveyors (fixed conveyor 12P and movable conveyor 12Q) that constitute the transport section 12 support both ends of the substrate KB in the Y direction from below and transport it in the X direction, positioning it at a predetermined work position. The distance between the fixed conveyor 12P and the movable conveyor 12Q, that is, the distance between the pair of conveyors (conveyor spacing), can be changed according to the size of the substrate KB to be transported (dimension in the Y direction).

[0013] In FIG. 1, a feeder base 11F is provided at the Y-direction end of the base 11. A plurality of part feeders 13 are each detachably attached to the feeder base 11F. The part feeder 13 supplies the part BH to a part take-out position 13T set at the end on the back side (conveying unit 12 side) as viewed from the operator OP.

[0014] In FIG. 1, the head moving mechanism 14 includes a fixed beam 14a and a moving beam 14b. The fixed beam 14a extends in the Y direction, and both ends are fixed to the base 11. One end side of the moving beam 14b is attached to the fixed beam 14a and is moved in the Y direction by a driving mechanism (not shown) provided in the fixed beam 14a.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the mounting head 15 is attached to the moving beam 14b and is moved in the X direction by a driving mechanism (not shown) provided in the moving beam 14b. The mounting head 15 can move in the horizontal plane (XY plane) direction in the upper region of the base 11 by the movement of the moving beam 14b in the Y direction with respect to the fixed beam 14a and its own movement in the X direction with respect to the moving beam 14b.

[0016] In FIG. 1, the mounting head 15 includes a plurality of nozzles 15N extending downward. The mounting head 15 includes a nozzle driving mechanism 15a for operating (lifting and rotating) each nozzle 15N and a suction mechanism 15b for generating a vacuum suction force at the lower end of each nozzle 15N (FIG. 1).

[0017] In Figure 3, the control unit 16 controls the transport unit 12, the multiple parts feeders 13, the head movement mechanism 14, and the mounting head 15. Specifically, the control unit 16 controls the transport unit 12 to change the conveyor spacing and transport the substrate KB (loading, positioning, and unloading), and controls each parts feeder 13 to supply parts BH to the parts removal position 13T. The control unit 16 also controls the head movement mechanism 14 to move the mounting head 15, controls the nozzle drive mechanism 15a to operate each nozzle 15N, and controls the suction mechanism 15b to generate suction force at the lower end of each nozzle 15N.

[0018] When the work device 10 performs component loading work, first the transport unit 12, controlled by the control unit 16, operates to transport the substrate KB sent from the upstream process device of the work device 10 and position it at the work location. Before the transport unit 12 transports the substrate KB, the control unit 16 adjusts the conveyor spacing according to the size (Y-direction dimension) of the substrate KB to be transported by moving the movable conveyor 12Q closer to or further away from the fixed conveyor 12P.

[0019] Once the transport unit 12 positions the circuit board KB at the work position, each parts feeder 13 operates to supply parts BH to the parts pick-up position 13T. In conjunction with this, the head movement mechanism 14 moves the mounting head 15 back and forth between the parts feeder 13 and the circuit board KB. As the mounting head 15 moves back and forth between the parts feeder 13 and the circuit board KB, it performs the operation of picking up the parts BH supplied by the parts feeder 13 with the nozzle 15N and mounting the picked-up parts BH onto the circuit board KB.

[0020] In this embodiment 1, the mounting head 15 is a work unit that performs operations on the substrate KB, which is a workpiece positioned by the transport unit 12.

[0021] Once the mounting head 15 has moved back and forth between the parts feeder 13 and the circuit board KB and all the components BH to be mounted on the circuit board KB have been mounted, the transport unit 12 operates to transport the circuit board KB to the downstream process equipment. This completes the component mounting process for one circuit board KB.

[0022] In the work apparatus 10 with this configuration, the configuration of the transport unit 12 in Embodiment 1 is particularly distinctive, and will be described below.

[0023] In Figure 2, the fixed conveyor 12P and the movable conveyor 12Q that constitute the conveying section 12 each consist of a base member 12a, a pair of pulleys 12b, a conveyor belt 12c, and a belt drive motor 12d. The base member 12a is made up of a long member extending in the X direction. The pair of pulleys 12b are positioned at both ends of the base member 12a in the X direction, and the conveyor belt 12c is stretched over the pair of pulleys 12b. The belt drive motor 12d is attached to the base member 12a and rotates one of the pulleys 12b to move the conveyor belt 12c in the X direction.

[0024] Two guide rails 21 are provided on the base 11, extending in the Y direction and positioned parallel to the X direction. The movable conveyor 12Q is freely movable in the Y direction along these two guide rails 21.

[0025] In Figure 2, the fixed conveyor 12P is provided with a guide rod 22 and a ball screw 23 that extend in the Y direction and are arranged parallel to the X direction. The guide rod 22 and the ball screw 23 each pass through the base member 12a of the movable conveyor 12Q in the Y direction, and the ball screw 23 is screwed into a female threaded portion (not shown) provided on the base member 12a of the movable conveyor 12Q.

[0026] In Figure 2, a spacing change motor 24 is provided on the base member 12a of the fixed conveyor 12P. The spacing change motor 24 rotates a ball screw 23 around an axis (Y-axis) along the Y direction. When the spacing change motor 24 rotates the ball screw 23, the movable conveyor 12Q moves in the Y direction along the two guide rails 21 and the guide rod 22.

[0027] The direction of movement of the movable conveyor 12Q can be switched by changing the rotation direction of the ball screw 23 by the spacing change motor 24. When the movable conveyor 12Q moves closer to the fixed conveyor 12P, the conveyor spacing becomes narrower, and when the movable conveyor 12Q moves further away from the fixed conveyor 12P, the conveyor spacing becomes wider.

[0028] In this embodiment 1, the spacing change motor 24 and the ball screw 23 driven by it constitute a spacing change mechanism 25 that changes the conveyor spacing by moving the movable conveyor 12Q, one of the pair of conveyors (fixed conveyor 12P and movable conveyor 12Q) that make up the transport section 12, in the direction in which the conveyor extends (X direction) and the direction in which it intersects in the horizontal plane (Y direction) (Figure 2).

[0029] In Figures 1 and 2, a base-side member 31 is provided on the base 11. The base-side member 31 extends continuously on the base 11 in a direction (Y direction) that intersects the direction (X direction) in which the conveyors (fixed conveyor 12P and movable conveyor 12Q) extend. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the base-side member 31 has a flange portion 31f that is bent horizontally at its lower end, and this flange portion 31f is attached to the upper surface of the base 11, thereby fixing it on the base 11.

[0030] In Figures 1 and 2, the movable conveyor 12Q is provided with a connecting portion 32 that moves in the Y direction together with the movable conveyor 12Q. The connecting portion 32 comprises a bracket 41 provided at the upstream end of the movable conveyor 12Q, a cylinder 42 acting as an actuator, and an intervening member 43.

[0031] In Figure 4, the bracket 41 comprises a base portion 41a having a shape extending in the X direction, a backing plate portion 41b extending downward from the upstream end of the base portion 41a, and an actuator mounting portion 41c extending downward from the downstream end of the base portion 41a. The upper surface of the base portion 41a is attached to the base member 12a of the movable conveyor 12Q. The backing plate portion 41b is located on the upstream side of the base side member 31, and the actuator mounting portion 41c is located on the downstream side of the base side member 31.

[0032] In Figures 4 and 5, the cylinder 42 is mounted on the actuator mounting section 41c. The piston rod 42R, which is the shaft member actuated by the cylinder 42, extends in the X direction, and the tip of the piston rod 42R faces upstream. A pressing body 42P, which acts as a pressing part, is attached to the tip of the piston rod 42R.

[0033] When the cylinder 42 operates so that the tip of the piston rod 42R moves upstream (extending the piston rod 42R), the pressing body 42P moves toward the base side member 31 (Figure 6(a) → Figure 6(b)). On the other hand, when the cylinder 42 operates so that the tip of the piston rod 42R moves downstream (retracting the piston rod 42R), the pressing body 42P moves toward the base side member 31 (Figure 6(b) → Figure 6(a)). The control unit 16 controls the operation of the cylinder 42 in this manner (Figure 3).

[0034] In Figures 5 and 7(a) and 7(b), the intervening member 43 consists of a plate-shaped member made of a metal material. The intervening member 43 has a base portion 43a that is bent at the top and extends along the XY plane, and this base portion 43a is fixed to the base portion 41a of the bracket 41 (i.e., fixed relative to the movable conveyor 12Q), so that it extends along the YZ plane at a position opposite to the base-side member 31 (more specifically, the position between the base-side member 31 and the pressing body 42P) (see also Figure 8). The connecting portion 43b connected to the base portion 43a of the intervening member 43 has a gently curved surface, and the connecting portion 43b serves as a fulcrum when the intervening member 43 elastically deforms in the X direction.

[0035] In this embodiment 1, the intervening member 43 is made of a plate-shaped member and is elastically deformable in the X direction with the connecting portion 43b to the base portion 43a, which is fixed relative to the movable conveyor 12Q, as a fulcrum.

[0036] In Figures 5 and 7(a) and 7(b), the base 43a of the intervening member 43 is provided with a plurality (two in this case) of elongated holes 43N extending in the X direction. The base 43a (i.e., the intervening member 43) is fixed relative to the movable conveyor 12Q by screwing a plurality (two) of screws 43S, which are inserted through these plurality of elongated holes 43N, into the base portion 41a of the bracket 41. As shown in Figure 5, the elongated holes 43N extend in the X direction, and by adjusting the position of the intervening member 43 in the X direction relative to the base portion 41a of the bracket 41, the distance in the X direction between the intervening member 43 and the base-side member 31 can be set to any value.

[0037] When the control unit 16 changes the distance between the pair of conveyors (conveyor spacing), it operates the spacing change motor 24 to move the movable conveyor 12Q in the Y direction relative to the fixed conveyor 12P. When the movable conveyor 12Q is in the target position, it operates the cylinder 42 to move the piston rod 42R in the extension direction, moving the pressing body 42P upstream (towards the intervening member 43). As a result, the pressing body 42P presses against the intervening member 43, causing the intervening member 43 to elastically deform and press against the base side member 31 (Figure 6(a) → Figure 6(b)). As a result, the movable conveyor 12Q is connected to the base side member 31 (i.e., to the base 11) by the connecting part 32 and fixed in the position moved by the spacing change mechanism 25.

[0038] As described above, the work device 10 in Embodiment 1 includes a spacing changing mechanism 25 that moves the movable conveyor 12Q of the pair of conveyors in the Y direction to change the distance between the pair of conveyors, and a base side member 31 that extends in the Y direction on the base 11, as well as an intervening member 43 fixed to the movable conveyor 12Q and positioned opposite the base side member 31 in the X direction, and a cylinder 42 fixed to the movable conveyor 12Q and acting as an actuator that connects the movable conveyor 12Q to the base side member 31 by pressing the intervening member 43 against the base side member 31 with a piston rod 42R which is a shaft member.

[0039] On the other hand, when the control unit 16 wants to release the connection between the movable conveyor 12Q and the base side member 31 via the connecting part 32, it operates the cylinder 42 to move the piston rod 42R in the storage direction and moves the pressing body 42P downstream (away from the intervening member 43). As a result, the intervening member 43 separates from the base side member 31 due to its own elasticity (returning to its original position), and then the pressing body 42P separates from the intervening member 43 (Figure 6(b) → Figure 6(a)). As a result, the movable conveyor 12Q is released from its connection to the base side member 31.

[0040] In Embodiment 1, the intervening member 43 is manufactured to have low out-of-plane rigidity and high in-plane rigidity. Therefore, when vibration occurs in the base 11 while the movable conveyor 12Q is connected to the base-side member 31 by the connecting part 32, the X-direction component of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 acts directly on the piston rod 42R, but the components in directions perpendicular to the X-direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) mainly act on the intervening member 43.

[0041] In other words, in Embodiment 1, an intervening member 43, which is fixed relative to the movable conveyor 12Q, is interposed between the axial member (piston rod 42R) of the cylinder 42 that presses against the base-side member 31 and the base-side member 31. As a result, the component of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 that is perpendicular to the X direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) acts as a lateral load on the piston rod 42R. Therefore, the load on the part of the cylinder 42 that supports the piston rod 42R (bearings, packing, etc.) can be reduced, and the damage (wear, damage, etc.) to the support part can be kept to a minimum, thus preventing a decrease in the lifespan of the cylinder 42.

[0042] As described above, the intervening member 43 is manufactured as a member with high in-plane rigidity. Specifically, the widthwise (Y-direction) dimension L1 of the base 43a shown in Figure 7(b) is made relatively large. In addition, to prevent the intervening member 43 from coming off the bracket 41 due to the lateral (Y-direction) excitation force acting on the intervening member 43, the distance between the two screws 43S, i.e., the distance L2 between the two elongated holes 43N, is made large.

[0043] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, in order to reduce the out-of-plane rigidity of the intervening member 43 and to provide springiness in the out-of-plane direction (X direction), a hollow hole 43H is provided in the connecting portion 43b, as shown in Figures 7(a) and (b). However, the size and dimensions of the hollow hole 43H are such that buckling does not occur in the connecting portion 43b when a compressive force due to the Z-direction component of the excitation force acts on the connecting portion 43b.

[0044] Furthermore, in Embodiment 1, as shown in Figure 8, the region extending from the pressed portion RY, which is the part subjected to the pressing force from the cylinder 42 (pressed by the pressing body 42P), to the connecting portion 43b has a shape in which the width in the Y direction gradually increases (a trapezoidal shape overall). This makes it possible to remove from the intervening member 43 the portion that does not contribute to ensuring the in-plane rigidity of the intervening member 43, thereby reducing the weight of the intervening member 43.

[0045] In Embodiment 1, the base-side member 31 is provided extending continuously in the Y direction on the base 11. Therefore, the connecting portion 32, which moves in the Y direction together with the movable conveyor 12Q, can connect the movable conveyor 12Q to the base-side member 31 regardless of the position of the movable conveyor 12Q in the Y direction. For this reason, the conveyor spacing can be arbitrarily set according to the size of the substrate KB. Figures 9(a), (b), and (c) show examples in which the conveyor spacing is set according to the size of the substrate KB to be transported, with the conveyor spacing increasing in the order of Figure 9(a), Figure 9(b), and Figure 9(c).

[0046] As described above, the intervening member 43 is elastically deformable in the X direction, so the X-direction component of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 acts on the piston rod 42R of the cylinder 42. Also, when not pressed in the X direction (towards the base-side member 31) by the piston rod 42R of the cylinder 42, it is separated from the base-side member 31 (Figures 5 and 6(a)). Therefore, when the movable conveyor 12Q moves in the Y direction, the intervening member 43 is separated from the base-side member 31, and the base-side member 31 and the intervening member 43 do not rub against each other each time the movable conveyor 12Q moves in the Y direction.

[0047] In the configuration described above, the base-side member 31 is provided extending continuously in the Y direction on the base 11, and the movable conveyor 12Q can be fixed at any position in the Y direction. However, in reality, the Y-direction positions to which the movable conveyor 12Q can be fixed are limited to a few discrete positions corresponding to the width (Y-direction) dimension of the substrate KB. Therefore, as shown in Figures 10(a), (b), and (c), the base-side member 31 only needs to be provided at discrete positions where the movable conveyor 12Q can be stopped. In this case, the base-side member 31 is provided extending intermittently in the Y direction on the base 11. Thus, in Embodiment 1, the base-side member 31 is provided extending continuously or intermittently in the Y direction on the base 11.

[0048] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described. In Embodiment 2, as shown in Figure 11, an anti-slip member 51 is provided between the base-side member 31 and the intervening member 43. More specifically, an anti-slip member 51, made of, for example, a sheet-like rubber material, is attached to the surface of the base-side member 31 facing the intervening member 43 (intervening member facing surface 31M; Figure 11).

[0049] In Embodiment 2, when the cylinder 42 is operated to extend the piston rod 42R, the piston rod 42R presses against the intervening member 43 while elastically deforming it, and the intervening member 43 is pressed against the base-side member 31 via the anti-slip member 51. As a result, the movable conveyor 12Q is connected to the base-side member 31 in the same way as in Embodiment 1, and the X-direction component of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 acts on the piston rod 42R, while the components in directions perpendicular to the X direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) mainly act on the intervening member 43, which is the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0050] However, in Embodiment 2, the anti-slip member 51 suppresses relative movement (slipping) at the contact surface (YZ plane) between the intervening member 43 and the base-side member 31. As a result, the Y-direction and Z-direction components of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 act on the intervening member 43 more reliably than in Embodiment 1. Therefore, in Embodiment 2, the lateral load acting on the piston rod 42R can be suppressed even more effectively than in Embodiment 1, thereby increasing the effect of preventing a reduction in the lifespan of the cylinder 42.

[0051] In this example, the anti-slip member 51 is provided on the surface of the base-side member 31 facing the intervening member 43 (intervening member facing surface 31M). However, the anti-slip member 51 may also be provided on the surface of the intervening member 43 facing the base-side member 31 (base-side member facing surface 43M; Figure 11).

[0052] (Embodiment 3) Next, Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described. In Embodiment 3, as shown in Figure 12, the pressing part that presses the intervening member 43 by the operation of the cylinder 42 is pivotably mounted around a pin member 62 provided on a support column 61 fixed to the bracket 41, and consists of a lever mechanism 65 equipped with a pressing lever 64 having a pressing roller 63 at its end. In other words, in Embodiment 3, the cylinder 42 operates the lever mechanism 65 by moving the piston rod 42R in the X direction, and the pressing roller 63, which is part of the lever mechanism, presses the intervening member 43 against the base side member 31 (and further against the backing plate portion 41b of the bracket 41).

[0053] Even with this configuration, of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31, the X-direction component acts on the piston rod 42R, but the components perpendicular to the X-direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) mainly act on the intervening member 43, thus suppressing the lateral load acting on the piston rod 42R. As a result, the load on the part of the cylinder 42 that supports the piston rod 42R can be reduced, and the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained. In this way, the intervening member 43 exhibits the effect of suppressing the lateral load acting on the piston rod 42R, regardless of the configuration of the pressing part.

[0054] (Embodiment 4) Next, Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described. In Embodiment 4, as shown in Figure 13, a motor 71 is mounted as an actuator on the actuator mounting portion 41c of the bracket 41. The motor shaft 71a, which is the drive shaft of the motor 71, extends in the X direction, and a screw shaft 72 is provided parallel to the motor shaft 71a so as to be rotatable around an axis (X-axis) along the X direction.

[0055] In Figure 13, a motor shaft pulley 73 is attached to the end of the motor shaft 71a, and a ball screw pulley 74 is attached to the end of the screw shaft 72. A belt 75 is stretched between the motor shaft pulley 73 and the ball screw pulley 74. A nut 76 is screwed onto the screw shaft 72, and a pressure rod 77, which is an axial member extending in the X direction, is attached to the nut 76. The pressure rod 77 extends parallel to the screw shaft 72 (i.e., in the X direction).

[0056] In Embodiment 4, when the motor 71 rotates the motor shaft 71a, the rotational force is transmitted to the screw shaft 72 via the motor shaft pulley 73, belt 75, and ball screw pulley 74. As a result, the nut 76 moves in the X direction together with the pressing rod 77, pressing the intervening member 43 against the base side member 31.

[0057] In this configuration as well, similar to the first embodiment, the X-direction component of the excitation force transmitted from the base 11 to the base-side member 31 acts on the motor shaft 71a, but the components perpendicular to the X-direction (Y-direction component and Z-direction component) mainly act on the intervening member 43. This suppresses the lateral load acting on the pressing rod 77, which is the shaft member, preventing the nut 76 from breaking, and also reduces the load on the part of the motor 71 that supports the motor shaft 71a (bearings, packing, etc.) from the base 11 side. For this reason, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in the fourth embodiment as well.

[0058] The embodiments of this disclosure are described above, and include the following technologies.

[0059] (Item 1) A work device (work device 10) comprising a transport section (transport section 12) consisting of a pair of conveyors (fixed conveyor 12P and movable conveyor 12Q) extending horizontally in a first direction (X direction) on a base (base 11), and a work section (mounting head 15) for performing work on a workpiece (substrate KB) transported and positioned by the transport section, wherein the distance between the pair of conveyors is changed by moving the movable conveyor (movable conveyor 12Q) of the pair of conveyors in a second direction (Y direction) that intersects the first direction in the horizontal plane. A component mounting device comprising: a shifting mechanism (interval changing mechanism 25); a base-side member (base-side member 31) provided on the base extending in the second direction; an intervening member (intervening member 43) fixed to the movable conveyor and positioned opposite the base-side member in the first direction; and an actuator (cylinder 42, motor 71) fixed to the movable conveyor that connects the movable conveyor to the base-side member by pressing the intervening member against the base-side member with a shaft member (piston rod 42R, pressing rod 77).

[0060] According to the technology of item 1, an intervening member fixed relative to the movable conveyor is interposed between the base-side member pressed by the shaft member and the shaft member. As a result, the component of the excitation force transmitted from the base to the base-side member that is perpendicular to the first direction (lateral load) is suppressed from acting as a lateral load on the actuator's shaft member. Therefore, the load received by the actuator from the base side can be reduced, and a decrease in the actuator's lifespan can be prevented.

[0061] (Item 2) The work device according to item 1, wherein the intervening member is made of a plate-shaped member and is elastically deformable in the first direction with respect to the movable conveyor, with a connecting portion (connecting portion 43b) to a base fixed relative to the movable conveyor as a fulcrum.

[0062] In the technology of item 2, the intervening member is elastically deformable in a first direction, so that the component of the excitation force transmitted from the base to the base-side member in the first direction acts on the actuator's shaft member. Furthermore, when the pressing part is not pressed against the intervening member, its elastic force causes it to separate from the base-side member. Therefore, when the movable conveyor moves in a second direction, the intervening member does not remain in contact with the base-side member, preventing wear and tear on both the base-side member and the intervening member, thus reducing their lifespan.

[0063] (Item 3) The work device according to item 2, wherein the intervening member has a width that gradually increases in the second direction from the pressed portion (pressed portion RY) on which the pressing force from the actuator acts toward the connecting portion.

[0064] According to the technology described in item 3, the portion of the intervening member that does not contribute to ensuring the in-plane rigidity of the intervening member can be removed, thereby reducing the weight of the intervening member.

[0065] (Item 4) The work apparatus according to item 2, wherein a hollow hole (hollow hole 43H) is provided in the connecting portion of the intervening member.

[0066] According to the technology described in item 4, the out-of-plane rigidity of the connecting portion of the intervening member is weakened, making it easy to give the intervening member spring properties.

[0067] (Item 5) The work apparatus according to item 1, wherein a slip prevention member (slip prevention member 51) is provided between the base side member and the intervening member to prevent slippage at the contact surface between the base side member and the intervening member.

[0068] According to the technology described in item 5, the intervening member and the base-side member are prevented from moving relative to each other (slipping) by the anti-slip member. As a result, the component of the excitation force transmitted from the base to the base-side member that is perpendicular to the first direction is reliably transmitted to the intervening member. Therefore, the lateral load acting on the shaft member can be suppressed, and the load on the actuator from the base side can be further reduced.

[0069] (Item 6) The work apparatus as described in item 1, wherein the workpiece is a substrate (substrate KB), and the work unit is a mounting head (mounting head 15) for mounting a component (component BH) onto the substrate.

[0070] According to the technology described in item 6, the above-mentioned effects can be obtained when the work device is a component mounting device that mounts components onto a substrate.

[0071] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, in embodiments 1 to 4 described above, only one of the pair of conveyors constituting the transport section 12 was a movable conveyor 12Q, but the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied even if both of the pair of conveyors are movable conveyors 12Q.

[0072] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 4 described above, the connecting portion 32 is equipped with a backing plate portion 41b, which functions as a backup for the base-side member 31 when the intervening member 43, pressed via the pressing body 42P, etc., is pressed against the base-side member 31. However, if the base-side member 31 can withstand the pressing force from the pressing body 42P, etc. on its own, the backing plate portion 41b does not need to be provided.

[0073] Furthermore, the intervening member 43 is attached to the bracket 41 on which the movable conveyor 12Q is mounted, and is fixed relative to the movable conveyor 12Q via the bracket 41. However, the intervening member 43 may also be configured such that its base 43a is directly attached to the movable conveyor 12Q. Also, in the case where the actuator is a cylinder as in Embodiments 1 to 3, the intervening member 43 may be fixed to the cylinder (the tube portion, not the piston rod 42R).

[0074] Furthermore, the work apparatus of this disclosure may be any apparatus comprising a transport unit that transports a substrate as a workpiece by a pair of conveyors extending horizontally in a first direction on a base, and a work unit that performs work on the substrate transported by the transport unit. Therefore, the work apparatus is not limited to the work apparatus (component mounting apparatus) described in Embodiments 1 to 4 above, but may also be a substrate manufacturing-related apparatus such as a printing apparatus that prints paste onto a substrate, or an inspection apparatus that inspects a substrate (such as inspecting the printing condition of the paste printed on the substrate or inspecting the mounting condition of components mounted on the substrate). Moreover, the workpiece does not have to be a substrate, and in this case, the work apparatus is not limited to a substrate manufacturing-related apparatus, but may be any other work apparatus. [Industrial applicability]

[0075] The present invention provides a work device that reduces the load on the actuator connecting the movable conveyor to the base-side member, thereby preventing a decrease in the lifespan of the actuator. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 10 Working equipment 11 Base 12 Conveying section 12P Fixed Conveyor (Conveyor) 12Q Movable conveyor (conveyor) 13 Parts Feeder 15. Mounted head (working section) 24 Spacing-Adjustable Motors 25 Interval change mechanism 31 Base side member 32 Connecting part 41 Bracket 42 Cylinders (Actuators) 42R Piston rod (shaft member) 43 Intervening member 43a base 43b Connection part 43H Hollowed hole 43N long hole 43S Screw 51 Anti-slip member 65 Lever mechanism 71 Motor (Actuator) 77. Pressing rod (shaft member) RY Pressed area BH parts KB circuit board (workpiece)

Claims

1. A work apparatus comprising a transport section consisting of a pair of conveyors extending horizontally in a first direction on a base, and a work section for performing work on a workpiece that has been transported and positioned by the transport section, A spacing changing mechanism that moves the movable conveyor among the pair of conveyors in a second direction that intersects the first direction in the horizontal plane to change the distance between the pair of conveyors, A base-side member is provided extending in the second direction on the base, An intervening member is fixedly provided on the movable conveyor and positioned opposite the base side member in the first direction, An actuator is fixedly mounted on the movable conveyor and connects the movable conveyor to the base side member by pressing the intervening member against the base side member with a shaft member, A work device equipped with a work device.

2. The work apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the intervening member is made of a plate-shaped member and is elastically deformable in the first direction with respect to the movable conveyor, with a connection point to a base fixed relative to the movable conveyor as a fulcrum.

3. The work apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the width of the intervening member gradually increases in the second direction from the pressed portion on which the pressing force from the actuator acts toward the connecting portion.

4. The work apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a hollow hole is provided in the connecting portion of the intervening member.

5. The work apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a slip prevention member is provided between the base side member and the intervening member to prevent slippage of the contact surface between the base side member and the intervening member.

6. The work apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the workpiece is a substrate and the work unit is a mounting head for mounting components onto the substrate.

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