Electronic component receiving device and electronic component receiving method

Abstract

An electronic component receiving device and an electronic component receiving method are provided that can reduce the time required to receive electronic components in a plurality of containers. [Solution] The electronic component accommodating device includes a discharge section, a container exchange device, an opening / closing mechanism, an opening / closing sensor, and a control section. The discharge section includes two discharge sections. The accommodation positions include two accommodation positions corresponding to the two discharge sections. The control section moves one container from the container storage section to one accommodation position using a moving mechanism, and discharges electronic components from one discharge section to the one container. While the electronic components are being discharged into the one container, the control section moves the other container from the container storage section to the other accommodation position using the moving mechanism, and opens an inlet of the other container at the other accommodation position using the opening / closing mechanism.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic component accommodating device and an electronic component accommodating method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic component accommodating device (component accommodating device) that accommodates multiple electronic components in a container (case). The electronic component accommodating device described in Patent Document 1 has a supply transfer section that transfers the containers one by one from a supply standby section to a setting section, and a recovery transfer section that transfers the containers one by one from the setting section to a recovery storage section. In this electronic component accommodating device, after multiple electronic components are accommodated in a container, the container is automatically replaced by the supply transfer section and the recovery transfer section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-147615 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the electronic component receiving apparatus described above, the operation of the apparatus must be stopped when replacing the containers, which means that it takes a lot of time to receive electronic components into a plurality of containers.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic component accommodating device and an electronic component accommodating method that can reduce the time required to accommodate electronic components in a plurality of containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the following [1] to [9].

[0007] [1] An electronic component accommodation device that accommodates a plurality of electronic components inspected by an inspection device in a container, a discharge section to which the electronic components are discharged; a container exchange device including: a container storage section for storing the containers not housing the electronic components; a container recovery section for recovering the containers housing the electronic components; and a moving mechanism for moving the containers not housing the electronic components from the container storage section to a housing position where the electronic components discharged from the discharge section are housed in the container, and for moving the containers housing the electronic components from the housing position to the container recovery section; an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing an inlet of the container at the storage position; an opening / closing sensor that detects opening / closing of the inlet of the container at the storage position; A control unit, The discharge section includes two of the discharge sections, The storage positions include two storage positions corresponding to the two discharge sections, The control unit is The moving mechanism moves one of the containers from the container storage section to one of the storage positions, and the opening / closing mechanism opens the inlet of the one of the containers at one of the storage positions; When the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of one of the containers is open at one of the housing positions, the electronic components are discharged from one of the discharge portions to the one of the containers; while the electronic components are being discharged into one of the containers, the moving mechanism moves another container from the container storage section to the other housing position; opening the inlet of the other container at the other storage position by the opening / closing mechanism; when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge sections reaches a preset number and the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of the other of the containers is open at the other of the housing positions, a discharge destination of the electronic components is switched from one of the discharge sections to the other of the discharge sections, and the electronic components are discharged from the other of the discharge sections to the other of the containers; An electronic component storage device, wherein the opening / closing mechanism closes the inlet of one of the containers from which the electronic component has been discharged at one of the storage positions, and the moving mechanism moves the one of the containers with the closed inlet from one of the storage positions to the container recovery section.

[0008] [2] The electronic component storage device described in [1], wherein the control unit causes the moving mechanism to move a new container from the container storage unit to one of the storage positions while the electronic components are being ejected into the other container.

[0009] [3] The electronic component accommodating device described in [2], wherein the control unit terminates operation of the electronic component accommodating device when the number of the containers moved to the accommodating position reaches a predetermined number.

[0010] [4] The electronic component storage device described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the control unit opens the inlet of the other container at the other storage position using the opening and closing mechanism when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge units reaches a second set number that is less than the set number.

[0011] [5] Further comprising a reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode provided on the container at the storage position; The electronic component storage device described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the control unit reads the two-dimensional barcode using the reading device before starting an ejection operation to eject the electronic component into the container, and reads the two-dimensional barcode after the ejection operation is completed, and confirms whether the two-dimensional barcode read before starting the ejection operation matches the two-dimensional barcode read after the ejection operation is completed.

[0012] [6] The electronic component accommodating device described in [5], wherein the control unit stops operation of the electronic component accommodating device if the two-dimensional barcode read before the start of the ejection operation does not match the two-dimensional barcode read after the ejection operation is completed.

[0013] [7] The electronic component accommodating device according to any one of [1] to [6], further comprising a vibration part that vibrates the ejection part.

[0014] [8] The electronic component accommodating device according to [7], wherein the control unit causes the vibration unit to vibrate the discharge unit after the electronic components are discharged from the discharge unit into the container.

[0015] [9] An electronic component accommodation method for accommodating a plurality of electronic components inspected by an inspection device in a container using an electronic component accommodation device, comprising: The electronic component accommodating device is a discharge section to which the electronic components are discharged; a container exchange device including: a container storage section for storing the containers not housing the electronic components; a container recovery section for recovering the containers housing the electronic components; and a moving mechanism for moving the containers not housing the electronic components from the container storage section to a housing position where the electronic components discharged from the discharge section are housed in the container, and for moving the containers housing the electronic components from the housing position to the container recovery section; an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing an inlet of the container at the storage position; an opening / closing sensor that detects opening and closing of the inlet of the container at the storage position; The discharge section includes two of the discharge sections, The storage positions include two storage positions corresponding to the two discharge sections, The electronic component accommodating method includes: a step of moving one of the containers from the container storage section to one of the housing positions by the moving mechanism, and opening the inlet of the one of the containers at one of the housing positions by the opening / closing mechanism; when the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of one of the containers is open at one of the housing positions, discharging the electronic components from one of the discharging portions into one of the containers; a step of discharging the electronic components into one of the containers, while the moving mechanism is moving another container from the container storage section to the other housing position; opening the inlet of the other container at the other storage position by the opening / closing mechanism; a step of switching a discharge destination of the electronic components from one of the discharge sections to the other of the discharge sections and discharging the electronic components from the other of the discharge sections to the other of the containers when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge sections reaches a preset number and the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of the other of the containers is open at the other of the housing positions; using the opening / closing mechanism to close the inlet of one of the containers from which the electronic components have been discharged at one of the storage positions, and using the moving mechanism to move the one of the containers with the closed inlet from one of the storage positions to the container recovery section. Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the present disclosure, the time required to place electronic components in multiple containers can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic component receiving device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the non-defective product ejection section. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing a container installed in a container installation section. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the container exchange device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the electronic component accommodating method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] In the drawings attached to this specification, the scale and the aspect ratios have been appropriately changed and exaggerated from those of the actual objects for the convenience of illustration and ease of understanding. Configurations shown in some drawings may be omitted in other drawings.

[0019] In this specification, terms specifying shapes and geometric conditions and the degree thereof, such as "parallel" and "orthogonal", are not limited to their strict meanings, but are interpreted to include a range of degrees within which similar functions can be expected.

[0020] In order to clarify the relationship between directions between the drawings, the X, Y, and Z directions are shown as common directions in some drawings by arrows with common symbols. In the following examples, the X and Y directions are parallel to the horizontal direction, and the Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction. The X, Y, and Z directions are perpendicular to each other. An arrow pointing from the paper surface toward the viewer along a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of the drawing is indicated by a symbol of a dot in a circle, as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of an electronic component accommodating apparatus 10. The electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 is an apparatus for accommodating a plurality of electronic components W inspected by an inspection apparatus 13 in a container 30.

[0022] 1, electronic component accommodating device 10 includes conveying table 11, parts feeder 12, inspection device 13, non-defective product discharge section 14 (discharge section), and defective product discharge section 15. Parts feeder 12, inspection device 13, non-defective product discharge section 14, and defective product discharge section 15 are arranged along the outer periphery of conveying table 11.

[0023] The conveying table 11 conveys a plurality of electronic components W. The conveying table 11 is formed in a disk shape. The conveying table 11 is configured to be rotatable. The conveying table 11 is rotationally driven by a conveying motor (not shown) controlled by the control unit 80. The conveying table 11 may be configured, for example, by a transparent glass table. The conveying table 11 may have any other configuration. The conveying table 11 rotates continuously. The conveying table 11 may rotate intermittently.

[0024] The conveying table 11 has an upper surface located upward in the vertical direction (Z direction). The upper surface of the conveying table 11 is configured as a flat surface. Electronic components W supplied from the parts feeder 12 in the supply area R1 are placed on the upper surface of the conveying table 11. The electronic components W on the conveying table 11 are conveyed along an arc-shaped movement path T in accordance with the rotation of the conveying table 11 (clockwise rotation in the example shown in FIG. 1). The electronic components W supplied in the supply area R1 are sequentially positioned by the conveying table 11 in an inspection area R2, a non-defective product discharge area R3, and a defective product discharge area R4. The supply area R1, the inspection area R2, the non-defective product discharge area R3, and the defective product discharge area R4 are positioned in this order from upstream to downstream along the movement path T.

[0025] The part feeder 12 supplies a plurality of electronic components W to the upper surface of the conveyor table 11 in a supply area R1. As shown in Fig. 1, the part feeder 12 includes a feeder supply section 12a and a feeder output section 12b. The feeder supply section 12a receives a large number of electronic components W supplied and supplies them to the feeder output section 12b. The feeder output section 12b aligns the plurality of electronic components W supplied from the feeder supply section 12a in a line and outputs them to the supply area R1 on the upper surface of the conveyor table 11.

[0026] The feeder output unit 12b successively places the electronic components W one by one on the rotating conveyor table 11. Therefore, on the upper surface of the conveyor table 11, the electronic components W are lined up in a circular arc along a moving path T along the circumferential direction of the conveyor table 11. On the upper surface of the conveyor table 11, two or more electronic components W are arranged so as not to overlap with each other in the radial direction of the conveyor table 11.

[0027] The inspection device 13 performs an inspection on the electronic component W positioned in the inspection area R2 by the conveying table 11. The inspection may be an appearance inspection. The inspection device 13 may perform the inspection by capturing images of the electronic component W positioned in the inspection area R2 to obtain images of the electronic component W and processing these images. In this case, the inspection device 13 may include an imaging device and a determination unit. The imaging device may capture an image of the electronic component W in accordance with the timing at which the electronic component W passes through the inspection area R2. Then, the determination unit 2 may perform an appearance inspection based on the captured image of the electronic component W. For example, the determination unit 2 may determine the presence or absence of an appearance abnormality, such as a scratch or chip, in the electronic component W by processing the captured image.

[0028] The inspection device 13 may perform an inspection other than the appearance inspection on the electronic components W. In the example shown in Fig. 1, one inspection area R2 and one inspection device 13 are provided, but this is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of inspection areas R2 and a plurality of inspection devices 13 that perform respective inspections on the electronic components W positioned in these inspection areas R2 may be provided on the movement path T between the supply area R1 and the non-defective product discharge area R3.

[0029] The good product ejection section 14 and the defective product ejection section 15 eject electronic components W from the conveyor table 11. The good product ejection section 14 and the defective product ejection section 15 respectively eject electronic components W positioned in the good product ejection area R3 and the defective product ejection area R4 which are located downstream of the inspection area R2. The good product ejection section 14 ejects electronic components W which have been determined to be good products as a result of inspection by the inspection device 13. The defective product ejection section 15 ejects electronic components W which have not been determined to be good products (determined to be defective products) as a result of inspection by the inspection device 13.

[0030] The non-defective product ejection section 14 includes two non-defective product ejection sections 14a and 14b. One of the two non-defective product ejection sections 14a and 14b, the non-defective product ejection section 14a, is also referred to as the first non-defective product ejection section 14a. The other of the two non-defective product ejection sections 14a and 14b, the non-defective product ejection section 14b, which is located downstream of the first non-defective product ejection section 14a, is also referred to as the second non-defective product ejection section 14b. The non-defective product ejection area R3 also includes two non-defective product ejection areas R3a and R3b. One of the two non-defective product ejection areas R3a and R3b, the non-defective product ejection area R3a, is also referred to as the first non-defective product ejection area R3a. The other of the two non-defective product ejection areas R3a and R3b, which is located downstream of the first non-defective product ejection area R3a, is also referred to as the second non-defective product ejection area R3b. The first non-defective product ejection section 14a ejects the electronic components W positioned in the first non-defective product ejection area R3a, and the second non-defective product ejection section 14b ejects the electronic components W positioned in the second non-defective product ejection area R3b.

[0031] An electronic component W that is determined to be a non-defective product as a result of the inspection by the inspection device 13 is discharged by the first non-defective product discharge section 14a or the second non-defective product discharge section 14b when it reaches the first non-defective product discharge area R3a or the second non-defective product discharge area R3b. On the other hand, an electronic component W that is not determined to be a non-defective product (determined to be a defective product) as a result of the inspection by the inspection device 13 passes through the non-defective product discharge areas R3a and R3b without being discharged by the non-defective product discharge sections 14a and 14b, and is discharged by the defective product discharge section 15 when it reaches the defective product discharge area R4.

[0032] The configuration of the non-defective product ejection section 14 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The first non-defective product ejection section 14a and the second non-defective product ejection section 14b may have the same configuration, or may have different configurations. The defective product ejection section 15 may also have the same configuration as the non-defective product ejection section 14, or may have a different configuration from the non-defective product ejection section 14. Here, the configuration of one of the non-defective product ejection sections 14 will be described as a representative. The configuration of the defective product ejection section 15 will not be described.

[0033] 2 is a cross-sectional side view showing the non-defective product ejection section 14. As shown in FIG.

[0034] The gas ejection unit 20 is configured to eject compressed air (gas) toward the electronic components W on the transport table 11 positioned in the non-defective product ejection area R3 so as to blow away the electronic components W. The electronic components W blown away from the transport table 11 are discharged from the discharge port 25 through the guide path 24 in the guide unit 21 and accommodated in the container 30 positioned at the accommodation position P. The gas ejection unit 20 is supported by a support (not shown). This support may be fixed or may be movably provided. When the support is movably provided, the gas ejection unit 20 may be movably provided integrally with the support. The non-defective product ejection unit 14 may move the electronic components W from the transport table 11 by any means other than gas.

[0035] The guide unit 21 includes an upper guide portion 22 and a lower guide portion 23. The upper guide portion 22 is located above in the Z direction. The lower guide portion 23 is located below in the Z direction. A guide path 24 is defined between the upper guide portion 22 and the lower guide portion 23. The guide path 24 is a passage that guides the electronic components W blown off the conveyor table 11 in the non-defective product discharge area R3 to the entrance 33 of the container 30 located at the storage position P. The electronic components W guided to the entrance 33 of the container 30 are stored in the storage space 32 provided inside the container 30. As shown in FIG. 2, the guide path 24 may have a shape that tapers toward the discharge port 25.

[0036] The electronic component accommodating device 10 also includes a vibration unit 26 , a container installation unit 40 , an opening / closing mechanism 45 , an opening / closing sensor 50 , a container detection device 52 , and a reading device 55 .

[0037] The vibration unit 26 is configured to vibrate the non-defective product ejection unit 14. The vibration unit 26 is located in the vicinity of the non-defective product ejection unit 14. The vibration unit 26 may be located in the vicinity of the first non-defective product ejection unit 14a and the second non-defective product ejection unit 14b. The vibration unit 26 may be located in the vicinity of the lower guide unit 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the vibration unit 26 includes a vibration piston 27 and a reciprocating body 28. The vibration piston 27 is controlled by the control unit 80 to perform a reciprocating motion so as to vibrate. The reciprocating body 28 is attached to the tip of the vibration piston 27. The reciprocating body 28 moves between a separated position away from a vibration receiving unit 29 integrally provided on the lower guide unit 23 and a contact position where it comes into contact (collides) with the vibration receiving unit 29 in response to the reciprocating motion of the vibration piston 27. When the vibration piston 27 is driven, the reciprocating body 28 repeatedly collides with and moves away from the vibration receiving portion 29, causing the vibration receiving portion 29 and the lower guide portion 23 to vibrate, and thus vibrating the non-defective product discharge portion 14. The vibration portion 26 vibrates the non-defective product discharge portion 14 at a timing after the non-defective product discharge portion 14 discharges the electronic component W.

[0038] The container installation section 40 is configured to install the container 30 located at the accommodation position P. The container installation section 40 is located lower than the non-defective product ejection section 14 in the Z direction. The container 30 is installed on the container installation section 40 in a state where it is positioned at the accommodation position P so that the electronic components W ejected from the non-defective product ejection section 14 fall into the inlet 33 of the container 30. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the container 30 installed on the container installation section 40. As shown in FIG. 3, the container 30 is installed on the container installation section 40 in a vertically placed state at the accommodation position P. The container installation section 40 includes a wall section 41 and a holding section (not shown). The wall section 41 includes a wall surface 42 and a recessed section 43. The wall surface 42 is configured as a flat surface along the Z direction. The recessed section 43 is formed in a concave shape on the wall surface 42. The holding section holds the container 30 on the wall section 41 in a vertically placed state.

[0039] The container 30 is configured to be capable of housing the electronic component W. The container 30 can be configured by a known container (for example, the case disclosed in JP 2022-147615 A). For this reason, a detailed description of the container 30 will be omitted here, and an outline thereof will be briefly described.

[0040] 3, the container 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The container 30 has a thickness direction along the X direction, a short side direction along the Y direction, and a long side direction along the Z direction. The dimension of the container 30 in the thickness direction is smaller than the dimension of the container 30 in the short side direction and the dimension of the container 30 in the long side direction. The dimension of the container 30 in the short side direction is smaller than the dimension of the container 30 in the long side direction.

[0041] As shown in Fig. 3, the container 30 includes a container body 31, an accommodation space 32, an entrance 33, and a shutter member 34. The accommodation space 32 is a space provided inside the container body 31. A plurality of electronic components W are accommodated in this accommodation space 32. The entrance 33 penetrates the container body 31. The entrance 33 communicates between the inside (accommodation space 32) and the outside of the container body 31. The electronic components W are accommodated in the accommodation space 32 through the entrance 33. The shutter member 34 is configured to be able to open and close the entrance 33.

[0042] The shutter member 34 is attached to the container body 31. The shutter member 34 is configured to be slidable along the container body 31. The shutter member 34 opens and closes the entrance 33 by sliding. The shutter member 34 is slidable between a closed position where the entrance 33 is closed by covering it, and a closed position where the entrance 33 is opened by not covering it. A slider 35 is attached to the rear end (lower end in the Z direction) of the shutter member 34. The slider 35 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped member. The slider 35 is provided with an opening 36. The slider 35 is configured to be movable in the vertical direction (upward and downward in the Z direction). The slider 35 is integral with the shutter member 34 and moves together with the shutter member 34. When the slider 35 is located upward in the Z direction, the shutter member 34 is located in a closed position where the entrance 33 is closed. When the slider 35 is located downward in the Z direction, the shutter member 34 is located in an open position where the entrance 33 is opened.

[0043] The opening / closing mechanism 45 is configured to open and close the entrance 33 of the container 30 at the storage position P. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing mechanism 45 is located in the recess 43 of the wall 41. The opening / closing mechanism 45 includes a drive pin 46. The drive pin 46 is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the bottom surface of the recess 43. For example, the drive pin 46 is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction along a guide groove provided in the bottom surface of the recess 43, and is driven to reciprocate in the vertical direction by an actuator (not shown). The tip of the drive pin 46 protrudes in the Y direction beyond the wall surface 42.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 3, when the container 30 with the entrance 33 closed by the shutter member 34 is located at the storage position P, the drive pin 46 located above in the Z direction is inserted into the opening 36 of the slider 35 located above in the Z direction. When the drive pin 46 moves downward in the Z direction in this state, the drive pin 46 pushes the slider 35 downward in the Z direction. As a result, the slider 35 moves downward in the Z direction, and the shutter member 34 moves from the closed position to the open position, and the entrance 33 of the container 30 is opened. On the other hand, when the drive pin 46 moves upward in the Z direction with the entrance 33 of the container 30 open and the drive pin 46 inserted into the opening 36 of the slider 35 located below in the Z direction, the drive pin 46 pushes the slider 35 upward in the Z direction. As a result, the slider 35 moves upward in the Z direction, and the shutter member 34 moves from the open position to the closed position, and the entrance 33 of the container 30 is closed.

[0045] The opening / closing sensor 50 is configured to detect the opening / closing of the inlet 33 of the container 30 at the storage position P. The opening / closing sensor 50 may be provided at any position. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing sensor 50 may be located above the container 30 in the Z direction at the storage position P. The opening / closing sensor 50 may be, for example, a laser sensor or a fiber sensor. The opening / closing sensor 50 may detect the opening / closing of the inlet 33 of the container 30 by irradiating the shutter member 34 with light such as laser light or LED light from above in the Z direction and determining the presence or absence of the shutter member 34 at the inlet 33 of the container 30 or in the vicinity of the inlet 33. The opening / closing sensor 50 may include a plurality of opening / closing sensors 50. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing sensor 50 includes two opening / closing sensors 50a and 50b. The opening / closing sensor 50a is disposed so as to face the inlet 33, and the opening / closing sensor 50b is disposed so as to face the container body 31 in the vicinity of the inlet 33. By arranging a plurality of opening and closing sensors 50, the accuracy of detecting whether the inlet 33 of the container 30 is open or closed can be improved.

[0046] The container detection device 52 is configured to detect the container 30 at the storage position P. That is, the container detection device 52 detects that the container 30 is located at the storage position P. In other words, the container detection device 52 detects that the container 30 is installed (set) in the container installation section 40. The container detection device 52 may be provided at any position. As shown in FIG. 3, the container detection device 52 may be located below the container 30 in the Z direction at the storage position P. The container detection device 52 may be, for example, a laser sensor or a fiber sensor. The container detection device 52 may detect the presence or absence of the container 30 by irradiating light such as laser light or LED light onto the container body 31 from below in the Z direction. In addition, the container detection device 52 may detect the presence or absence of the container 30 by switching a mechanical switch arranged below the container 30 in the Z direction at the storage position P. The container detection device 52 may include a plurality of container detection devices 52. Note that the container detection device 52 may not be provided. In other words, the electronic component accommodating device 10 does not necessarily need to include the container detection device 52 .

[0047] The reading device 55 is configured to read the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the container 30 at the storage position P. The reading device 55 includes a two-dimensional barcode reader. As shown in FIG. 3, the two-dimensional barcode 39 is provided on the outer surface of the container body 31. The two-dimensional barcode 39 may be provided on the side of the container body 31. The reading device 55 may be provided at any position as long as it can read the two-dimensional barcode 39. As shown in FIG. 3, the reading device 55 may be disposed at a position facing the side of the container body 31. The two-dimensional barcode 39 is used to identify the individual container 30. That is, the identity of the container 30 can be confirmed by reading the two-dimensional barcode 39 with the reading device 55.

[0048] The electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 further includes a container exchanging device 60. The container exchanging device 60 is located outside the conveying table 11 and near the non-defective product ejection section 14. Fig. 4 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of the container exchanging device 60. As shown in Fig. 4, the container exchanging device 60 has a container storage section 61, a container recovery section 63, and a moving mechanism 70.

[0049] The container storage section 61 stores the container 30 in which the electronic component W is not stored. The container 30 in which the electronic component W is not stored is also referred to as an empty container 30. The container storage section 61 can store a plurality of containers 30. The container storage section 61 includes a storage case 62. The storage case 62 may be formed in a box shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the storage case 62 may have a rectangular shape extending along the X direction in a plan view. In this specification, "plan view" means observing an object along the Z direction. The storage case 62 may have an opening on the upper side in the Z direction and on both sides in the X direction. That is, the storage case 62 may be composed of a bottom surface portion 62a located on the lower side in the Z direction and side wall portions 62b located on both sides in the Y direction.

[0050] The storage case 62 holds the containers 30 so as to be lined up in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the containers 30 are lined up on one side (the right side in FIG. 4) and the other side (the left side in FIG. 4) in the X direction in the storage case 62. Two partition plates 62c and 62d are provided in the storage case 62. The partition plate 62c located on one side in the X direction among the two partition plates 62c and 62d is also referred to as the first storage partition plate 62c. The partition plate 62d located on the other side in the X direction among the two partition plates 62c and 62d is also referred to as the second storage partition plate 62d. The first storage partition plate 62c is located adjacent to the container 30 located on the other side in the X direction among the containers 30 lined up on one side in the X direction in the storage case 62, on the other side in the X direction. The second storage partition plate 62d is positioned adjacent to the container 30 on one side in the X direction of the container 30 that is located furthest to the other side in the X direction among the multiple containers 30 lined up on the other side in the X direction inside the storage case 62.

[0051] The partition plates 62c and 62d are configured to be movable in the X direction. The partition plates 62c and 62d may be moved in the X direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). The first storage partition plate 62c moves to one side in the X direction, thereby pushing the multiple containers 30 arranged on one side in the X direction in the storage case 62 to one side in the X direction. As a result, one container 30 located on the most one side in the X direction is pushed out of the storage case 62 from the opening on one side in the X direction of the storage case 62. The second storage partition plate 62d moves to the other side in the X direction, thereby pushing the multiple containers 30 arranged on the other side in the X direction in the storage case 62 to the other side in the X direction. As a result, one container 30 located on the most other side in the X direction is pushed out of the storage case 62 from the opening on the other side in the X direction of the storage case 62.

[0052] The container recovery section 63 recovers the container 30 in which the electronic components W are stored. The container 30 in which the electronic components W are stored is also referred to as a filled container 30. The container recovery section 63 can recover a plurality of containers 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the container recovery section 63 may be arranged to be aligned with the container storage section 61 in the Y direction. The container recovery section 63 may be located on one side in the Y direction (upper side in FIG. 4) of the container storage section 61. The container recovery section 63 includes a recovery case 64. The recovery case 64 may be formed in a box shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the recovery case 64 may have a rectangular shape extending along the X direction in a plan view. The recovery case 64 may be open upward in the Z direction and on both sides in the X direction. That is, the recovery case 64 may be composed of a bottom surface portion 64a located downward in the Z direction and side wall portions 64b located on both sides in the Y direction.

[0053] The collection case 64 may hold a plurality of containers 30 arranged in the X direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the plurality of containers 30 are arranged on one side (the right side in FIG. 4) and the other side (the left side in FIG. 4) in the X direction in the collection case 64. Two partition plates 64c, 64d are provided in the collection case 64. The partition plate 64c located on one side in the X direction among the two partition plates 64c, 64d is also referred to as the first collection partition plate 64c. The partition plate 64d located on the other side in the X direction among the two partition plates 64c, 64d is also referred to as the second collection partition plate 64d. The first collection partition plate 64c is located adjacent to the container 30 on the other side in the X direction of the container 30 located on the furthest other side in the X direction among the plurality of containers 30 arranged on one side in the X direction in the collection case 64. The second recovery partition plate 64d is positioned adjacent to the container 30 on one side in the X direction of the container 30 that is located furthest to the other side in the X direction among the multiple containers 30 lined up on the other side in the X direction in the recovery case 64.

[0054] The partition plates 64c and 64d are configured to be movable in the X direction. The partition plates 64c and 64d may be moved in the X direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). The first recovery partition plate 64c moves to the other side in the X direction to receive a container 30 when a container 30 is recovered into the recovery case 64 from an opening on one side in the X direction of the recovery case 64. The second recovery partition plate 64d moves to one side in the X direction to receive a container 30 when a container 30 is recovered into the recovery case 64 from an opening on the other side in the X direction of the recovery case 64.

[0055] The moving mechanism 70 moves the empty container 30 from the container storage section 61 to the storage position P, and moves the filled container 30 from the storage position P to the container recovery section 63. Here, as described above, the storage position P is a position where the electronic components W discharged from the non-defective product discharge section 14 are stored in the container 30, and is located below the non-defective product discharge section 14 in the Z direction. The storage position P includes a first storage position P1 and a second storage position P2. The first storage position P1 is a position where the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a are stored in the container 30, and is located below the first non-defective product discharge section 14a in the Z direction. The second storage position P2 is a position where the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b are stored in the container 30, and is located below the second non-defective product discharge section 14b in the Z direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the moving mechanism 70 includes a first moving mechanism 71a and a second moving mechanism 71b.

[0056] The first moving mechanism 71a is located on one side in the X direction (the right side in FIG. 4) of the container storage section 61 and the container recovery section 63. The first moving mechanism 71a moves an empty container 30 from the container storage section 61 to the first storage position P1, and moves a filled container 30 from the first storage position P1 to the container recovery section 63. As shown in FIG. 4, the first moving mechanism 71a has a first rail member 72a, a first moving table 73a, and a first pushing device 75a.

[0057] The first rail material 72a extends from a position adjacent to one side in the X direction of the container storage section 61 and the container recovery section 63 to the first storage position P1. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the first rail material 72a extends in the Y direction. The first rail material 72a supports the first movable carriage 73a so as to be movable in the Y direction.

[0058] The first moving carriage 73a is located on the first rail member 72a. The first moving carriage 73a is configured to be movable in the Y direction along the first rail member 72a on the first rail member 72a. The first moving carriage 73a may be moved in the Y direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). A container 30 is mounted on the first moving carriage 73a. The first moving carriage 73a moves in the Y direction with the container 30 mounted on it. The first moving carriage 73a is mounted with an empty container 30 pushed out from an opening on one side in the X direction of the storage case 62 at a position adjacent to the container storage section 61 on one side in the X direction. The first moving carriage 73a moves the mounted empty container 30 from the position adjacent to the container storage section 61 on one side in the X direction to the first storage position P1. Further, the first moving platform 73a moves the filled container 30, which contains the electronic components W at the first housing position P1, from the first housing position P1 to a position adjacent to one side of the container recovery section 63 in the X direction.

[0059] The first pushing device 75a is located on the first moving stage 73a. The first pushing device 75a moves in the Y direction together with the first moving stage 73a. The first pushing device 75a pushes the filled container 30, which has been moved by the first moving stage 73a to a position adjacent to the container recovery section 63 on one side in the X direction, to the other side in the X direction, and pushes it into the recovery case 64 of the container recovery section 63. As a result, the filled container 30 moves to the container recovery section 63 and is recovered.

[0060] The first pushing device 75a includes a first rod 76a and a first pushing plate 77a. The first rod 76a is configured to be movable in the X direction. The first rod 76a may be moved in the X direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). The first pushing plate 77a is attached to the tip of the first rod 76a. The first pushing plate 77a moves in the X direction together with the first rod 76a. The first pushing plate 77a moves between a retreat position retreated from the position where the container 30 on the first moving stage 73a is mounted and a pushing position overlapping with the position where the container 30 on the first moving stage 73a is mounted, in accordance with the movement of the first rod 76a. When the container 30 is mounted on the first moving stage 73a, the first pushing plate 77a is located at the retreat position. The first pushing plate 77a moves from the retracted position to the pushing position when the first moving table 73a moves the filled container 30 to a position adjacent to the container recovery section 63 on one side in the X direction. When the first pushing plate 77a moves from the retracted position to the pushing position, the container 30 is pushed to the other side in the X direction and pushed out from above the first moving table 73a. The pushed out container 30 moves to the container recovery section 63 and is recovered. After pushing out the filled container 30 from above the first moving table 73a, the first pushing plate 77a returns to the retracted position from the pushing position.

[0061] The second moving mechanism 71b is located on the other side in the X direction (the left side in FIG. 4) of the container storage section 61 and the container recovery section 63. The second moving mechanism 71b moves empty containers 30 from the container storage section 61 to the second storage position P2, and moves filled containers 30 from the second storage position P2 to the container recovery section 63. As shown in FIG. 4, the second moving mechanism 71b has a second rail member 72b, a second moving stage 73b, and a second pushing device 75b.

[0062] The second rail material 72b extends from a position adjacent to the container storage section 61 and the container recovery section 63 on the other side in the X direction to the second storage position P2. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the second rail material 72b extends in the Y direction. The second rail material 72b supports the second movable platform 73b so as to be movable in the Y direction.

[0063] The second moving platform 73b is located on the second rail member 72b. The second moving platform 73b is configured to be movable in the Y direction along the second rail member 72b on the second rail member 72b. The second moving platform 73b may be moved in the Y direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). A container 30 is mounted on the second moving platform 73b. The second moving platform 73b moves in the Y direction with the container 30 mounted on it. The second moving platform 73b is mounted with an empty container 30 pushed out from the opening on the other side in the X direction of the storage case 62 at a position adjacent to the container storage section 61 on the other side in the X direction. The second moving platform 73b moves the mounted empty container 30 from the position adjacent to the container storage section 61 on the other side in the X direction to the second storage position P2. Further, the second moving platform 73b moves the filled container 30 in which the electronic components W are accommodated at the second accommodating position P2 from the second accommodating position P2 to a position adjacent to the container recovery section 63 on the other side in the X direction.

[0064] The second pushing device 75b is located on the second moving stage 73b. The second pushing device 75b moves in the Y direction together with the second moving stage 73b. The second pushing device 75b pushes the filled container 30, which has been moved by the second moving stage 73b to a position adjacent to the container recovery section 63 on the other side in the X direction, to one side in the X direction, and pushes it into the recovery case 64 of the container recovery section 63. As a result, the filled container 30 moves to the container recovery section 63 and is recovered.

[0065] The second pushing device 75b includes a second rod 76b and a second pushing plate 77b. The second rod 76b is configured to be movable in the X direction. The second rod 76b may be moved in the X direction by being driven by an actuator (not shown). The second pushing plate 77b is attached to the tip of the second rod 76b. The second pushing plate 77b moves in the X direction together with the second rod 76b. The second pushing plate 77b moves between a retreated position retreated from the position where the container 30 on the second moving stage 73b is mounted and a pushing position overlapping with the position where the container 30 on the second moving stage 73b is mounted, in accordance with the movement of the second rod 76b. When the container 30 is mounted on the second moving stage 73b, the second pushing plate 77b is located at the retreated position. The second pushing plate 77b moves from the retracted position to the pushing position when the second moving table 73b moves the filled container 30 to a position adjacent to the container recovery section 63 on the other side in the X direction. When the second pushing plate 77b moves from the retracted position to the pushing position, the container 30 is pushed to the other side in the X direction and pushed out from above the second moving table 73b. The pushed out container 30 moves to the container recovery section 63 and is recovered. After pushing out the filled container 30 from above the second moving table 73b, the second pushing plate 77b returns to the retracted position from the pushing position.

[0066] The electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 further includes a control unit 80. The control unit 80 controls the electronic component accommodating apparatus 10. The control unit 80 is responsible for controlling the entire electronic component accommodating apparatus 10. More specifically, the electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 controls the conveying table 11, the part feeder 12, the inspection device 13, the non-defective product discharge unit 14, the defective product discharge unit 15, the vibration unit 26, the opening / closing mechanism 45, the opening / closing sensor 50, the container detection device 52, the reading device 55, and the container replacement device 60. That is, the operations of the conveying table 11, the part feeder 12, the inspection device 13, the non-defective product discharge unit 14, the defective product discharge unit 15, the vibration unit 26, the opening / closing mechanism 45, the opening / closing sensor 50, the container detection device 52, the reading device 55, and the container replacement device 60 are controlled by the control unit 80.

[0067] The control unit 80 controls the parts feeder 12 to supply a plurality of electronic components W to the upper surface of the conveying table 11 in the supply area R1. The control unit 80 controls a conveying motor (not shown) to rotate the conveying table 11 and convey the plurality of electronic components W by the conveying table 11. The control unit 80 controls the inspection device 13 to inspect the electronic components W positioned in the inspection area R2 by the conveying table 11. The control unit 80 controls the non-defective product ejection unit 14 to eject the electronic components W that have been determined to be non-defective as a result of the inspection by the inspection device 13 and that are positioned in the non-defective product ejection area R3 from the non-defective product ejection unit 14. The control unit 80 controls the defective product ejection unit 15 to eject the electronic components W that have not been determined to be non-defective (determined to be defective) as a result of the inspection by the inspection device 13 and that are positioned in the defective product ejection area R4 from the defective product ejection unit 15.

[0068] The control unit 80 also controls the moving mechanism 70 to move one container 30 (empty container 30) from the container storage unit 61 to one of the storage positions P (first storage position P1 or second storage position P2). The control unit 80 controls the container detection device 52 to detect the one container 30 at the one of the storage positions P. The control unit 80 controls the reading device 55 to read the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the one container 30 at the one of the storage positions P. The control unit 80 controls the opening / closing mechanism 45 to open the entrance 33 of the one container 30 at the one of the storage positions P by the opening / closing mechanism 45. The control unit 80 controls the opening / closing sensor 50 to detect whether the entrance 33 of the one container 30 is open at the one of the storage positions P by the opening / closing sensor 50.

[0069] When the control unit 80 detects by the open / close sensor 50 that the entrance 33 of one container 30 is open at one of the accommodation positions P, it controls the non-defective product discharge unit 14 to discharge the electronic components W from one of the non-defective product discharge units 14 (the first non-defective product discharge unit 14a or the second non-defective product discharge unit 14b) into one container 30. At this time, the control unit 80 counts the number N of electronic components W discharged from one of the non-defective product discharge units 14.

[0070] While the electronic components W are being discharged into one container 30, the control unit 80 controls the moving mechanism 70 to move the other container 30 from the container storage unit 61 to the other storage position P by the moving mechanism 70. The control unit 80 controls the container detection device 52 to detect the container 30 at the other storage position P. The control unit 80 controls the reading device 55 to read the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the container 30 at the other storage position P. When the number N of the electronic components W discharged from one of the non-defective product discharge units 14 reaches a preset number N2 (a second set number), the control unit 80 controls the opening / closing mechanism 45 to open the entrance 33 of the other container 30 at the other storage position P by the opening / closing mechanism 45. Here, the set number N2 is a number smaller than a set number N1 described later. The set number N2 may be, for example, 80% to 99% of the set number N1. The control unit 80 controls the open / close sensor 50 to detect whether the inlet 33 of the other container 30 at the other accommodation position P is open or not.

[0071] Furthermore, when the number N of electronic components W discharged from one of the non-defective product discharge sections 14 reaches a preset number N1 and the opening / closing sensor 50 detects that the entrance 33 of the other container 30 is open at the other accommodation position P, the control section 80 switches the discharge destination of the electronic components W from one of the non-defective product discharge sections 14 to the other non-defective product discharge section 14, and discharges the electronic components W from the other non-defective product discharge section 14 to the other container 30. Here, the set number N1 is the number of electronic components W that, when contained in the container 30, the container 30 is considered to be filled. At this time, the control section 80 counts the number N of electronic components W discharged from the other non-defective product discharge section 14.

[0072] After discharging the electronic components W from one of the non-defective product discharge units 14 into the container 30, the control unit 80 controls the vibration unit 26 to vibrate the one of the non-defective product discharge units 14. The control unit 80 also controls the reading device 55 to read the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the one of the containers 30 at one of the accommodation positions P. The control unit 80 checks whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read before the start of the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W into the one of the containers 30 matches the two-dimensional barcode 39 read after the end of the discharging operation. If the two-dimensional barcode 39 read before the start of the discharging operation does not match the two-dimensional barcode 39 read after the end of the discharging operation, the control unit 80 determines that a malfunction has occurred, such as the container 30 being replaced during the discharging operation, and stops the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10.

[0073] The control unit 80 also controls the opening / closing mechanism 45 to close the inlet 33 of the one container 30 at one of the storage positions P by the opening / closing mechanism 45. The control unit 80 controls the moving mechanism 70 to move the one container 30 (the filled container 30) whose inlet 33 has been closed by the moving mechanism 70 from one of the storage positions P to the container recovery unit 63.

[0074] While the control unit 80 is discharging the electronic components W into the other container 30, the control unit 80 controls the moving mechanism 70 to move the new container 30 from the container storage unit 61 to one of the storage positions P. Thereafter, the control unit 80 performs the same control on the new container 30 as that performed on the above-mentioned one container 30. The control unit 80 also performs the same control on the other container 30 from which the electronic components W have been discharged as that performed on the above-mentioned one container 30.

[0075] By repeatedly performing such control, the control unit 80 can sequentially accommodate electronic components W in the multiple containers 30 without stopping the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 midway. When the number of containers 30 moved to the accommodating positions P reaches a predetermined number, the control unit 80 determines that there are no containers 30 left in the container storage section 61, and ends the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10. Here, the predetermined number is, for example, the number of containers 30 that the operator has stored in the container storage section 61 before the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 begins.

[0076] The above-mentioned control by the control section 80 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 to 11. Figures 5 to 11 are diagrams showing flowcharts of an electronic component accommodating method.

[0077] In the electronic component accommodating method according to the present embodiment, the above-described electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 is used to accommodate a plurality of electronic components W inspected by the inspection apparatus 13 in a container 30. The respective components of the electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 operate under the control of the above-described control unit 80. When a start button of the electronic component accommodating apparatus 10 is pressed, the electronic component accommodating method according to the present embodiment is started.

[0078] First, in step S10, one container 30 (empty container 30) is moved from the container storage section 61 to the first storage position P1 by the moving mechanism 70. When the one container 30 is positioned at the first storage position P1, the container detection device 52 detects the one container 30 at the first storage position P1.

[0079] Next, in step S11, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on one container 30 at the first housing position P1. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 before the start of the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the one container 30.

[0080] Next, in step S12, the opening / closing mechanism 45 opens the inlet 33 of one of the containers 30 at the first housing position P1.

[0081] Next, in step S13, the opening / closing sensor 50 detects whether the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open at the first accommodating position P1. If it is not detected in step S13 that the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open (the entrance 33 of the container 30 is not open) (No in step S13), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the electronic component accommodating device 10, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if it is detected in step S13 that the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open (Yes in step S13), the process proceeds to step S14.

[0082] In step S14, a discharging operation is started to discharge the electronic components W from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a into one container 30. During the discharging operation, the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a is counted.

[0083] Next, in step S15, it is determined whether or not there is a container 30 in the container storage section 61. For example, the number of containers 30 that have been moved to the storage position P detected by the container detection device 52 is counted, and when the number of containers 30 that have been moved to the storage position P reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that there are no containers 30 in the container storage section 61. In step S15, when it is determined that there is no container 30 in the container storage section 61 (No in step S15), the process proceeds to step S20.

[0084] In step S20, the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a into one container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S21 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N1. In step S21, if the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N1 (Yes in step S21), the process proceeds to step S22.

[0085] In step S22, the ejection operation of ejecting the electronic components W from the first non-defective product ejection section 14a into one of the containers 30 is completed.

[0086] Next, in step S23, the vibration unit 26 vibrates the first non-defective product discharging unit 14a.

[0087] Next, in step S24, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on one container 30 at the first housing position P1. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 after the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the one container 30 is completed.

[0088] Next, in step S25, it is determined whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S11 before the start of the discharging operation matches the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S24 after the end of the discharging operation. If the two-dimensional barcodes 39 do not match in step S25 (No in step S25), it is determined that a malfunction has occurred, such as the container 30 being replaced during the discharging operation, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if the two-dimensional barcodes 39 match in step S25 (Yes in step S25), the process proceeds to step S26.

[0089] In step S26, the opening / closing mechanism 45 closes the inlet 33 of one of the containers 30 at the first housing position P1.

[0090] Thereafter, in step S27, the moving mechanism 70 moves one container 30 with the entrance 33 closed (the filled container 30) from the first receiving position P1 to the container recovery section 63, and the operation of the electronic component receiving apparatus 10 is terminated.

[0091] On the other hand, in step S15, if it is determined that the container 30 is present in the container storage section 61 (Yes in step S15), the process proceeds to step S30.

[0092] In step S30, the moving mechanism 70 moves the other container 30 (empty container 30) from the container storage section 61 to the second storage position P2. When the other container 30 is positioned at the second storage position P2, the container detection device 52 detects the other container 30 at the second storage position P2.

[0093] Next, in step S31, the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a into one container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S32 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N2 (second set number). In step S32, when the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N2 (Yes in step S32), the process proceeds to step S33.

[0094] In step S33, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the other container 30 at the second housing position P2. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to the reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 before the start of the discharging operation for discharging the electronic components W into the other container 30.

[0095] Subsequently, in step S34, the opening / closing mechanism 45 opens the inlet 33 of the other container 30 at the second housing position P2.

[0096] Next, in step S35, the opening / closing sensor 50 detects whether the inlet 33 of the other container 30 is open at the second accommodating position P2. If it is not detected in step S35 that the inlet 33 of the other container 30 is open (the inlet 33 of the container 30 is not open) (No in step S35), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the electronic component accommodating device 10, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if it is detected in step S35 that the inlet 33 of the other container 30 is open (Yes in step S35), the process proceeds to step S40.

[0097] In step S40, the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a into one container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S41 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N1. In step S41, if the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a has reached the set number N1 (Yes in step S41), the process proceeds to step S42.

[0098] In step S42, the ejection operation of ejecting the electronic components W from the first non-defective product ejection section 14a into one of the containers 30 is completed.

[0099] Next, in step S43, a discharging operation is started to discharge the electronic components W from the second non-defective component discharge section 14b into another container 30. During the discharging operation, the number N of electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective component discharge section 14b is counted.

[0100] Next, in step S44, the vibration unit 26 vibrates the first non-defective product discharging unit 14a.

[0101] Next, in step S45, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on one container 30 at the first housing position P1. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 after the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the one container 30 is completed.

[0102] Next, in step S46, it is determined whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S11 before the start of the discharging operation matches the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S45 after the end of the discharging operation. If the two-dimensional barcodes 39 do not match in step S46 (No in step S46), it is determined that a malfunction has occurred, such as the container 30 being replaced during the discharging operation, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if the two-dimensional barcodes 39 match in step S46 (Yes in step S46), the process proceeds to step S47.

[0103] In step S47, the opening / closing mechanism 45 closes the inlet 33 of one of the containers 30 at the first housing position P1.

[0104] Next, in step S48, the moving mechanism 70 moves one container 30 with the inlet 33 closed (the filled container 30) from the first storage position P1 to the container recovery section 63.

[0105] Next, in step S50, it is determined whether or not there is a container 30 in the container storage section 61. For example, the number of containers 30 that have been moved to the storage position P detected by the container detection device 52 is counted, and when the number of containers 30 that have been moved to this storage position P reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that there are no containers 30 in the container storage section 61. In step S50, if it is determined that there is no container 30 in the container storage section 61 (No in step S50), the process proceeds to step S51.

[0106] In step S51, the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b into another container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S52 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N1. In step S52, if the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N1 (Yes in step S52), the process proceeds to step S53.

[0107] In step S53, the ejection operation of ejecting the electronic components W from the second non-defective product ejection section 14b into another container 30 is completed.

[0108] Next, in step S54, the vibration unit 26 vibrates the second non-defective product ejection unit 14b.

[0109] Next, in step S55, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the other container 30 at the second housing position P2. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 after the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the other container 30 is completed.

[0110] Next, in step S56, it is determined whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read before the start of the discharging operation in step S33 matches the two-dimensional barcode 39 read after the end of the discharging operation in step S55. If the two-dimensional barcodes 39 do not match in step S56 (No in step S56), it is determined that a malfunction has occurred, such as the container 30 being replaced during the discharging operation, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if the two-dimensional barcodes 39 match in step S56 (Yes in step S56), the process proceeds to step S57.

[0111] In step S57, the opening / closing mechanism 45 closes the inlet 33 of the other container 30 at the second housing position P2.

[0112] Thereafter, in step S58, the moving mechanism 70 moves the other container 30 with the entrance 33 closed (the filled container 30) from the second receiving position P2 to the container recovery section 63, and the operation of the electronic component receiving apparatus 10 is terminated.

[0113] On the other hand, in step S50, if it is determined that the container 30 is present in the container storage section 61 (Yes in step S50), the process proceeds to step S60.

[0114] In step S60, the moving mechanism 70 moves a new container 30 (empty container 30) from the container storage section 61 to the first storage position P1. When the container 30 is positioned at the first storage position P1, the container detection device 52 detects the container 30 at the first storage position P1.

[0115] Next, in step S61, the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b into another container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S62 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N2 (second set number). In step S62, if the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N2 (Yes in step S62), the process proceeds to step S63.

[0116] In step S63, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on one container 30 at the first housing position P1. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 before the start of the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the one container 30.

[0117] Subsequently, in step S64, the opening / closing mechanism 45 opens the inlet 33 of one of the containers 30 at the first housing position P1.

[0118] Next, in step S65, the opening / closing sensor 50 detects whether the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open at the first accommodating position P1. If it is not detected in step S65 that the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open (the entrance 33 of the container 30 is not open) (No in step S65), it is determined that there is an abnormality in the electronic component accommodating device 10, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if it is detected in step S65 that the entrance 33 of the first container 30 is open (Yes in step S65), the process proceeds to step S70.

[0119] In step S70, the discharging operation of discharging the electronic components W from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b into another container 30 is continued until it is determined in step S71 that the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N1. In step S71, if the number N of the electronic components W discharged from the second non-defective product discharge section 14b has reached the set number N1 (Yes in step S71), the process proceeds to step S72.

[0120] In step S72, the ejection operation of ejecting the electronic components W from the second non-defective product ejection section 14b into another container 30 is completed.

[0121] Next, in step S73, a discharging operation is started to discharge the electronic components W from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a into one container 30. During the discharging operation, the number N of electronic components W discharged from the first non-defective product discharge section 14a is counted.

[0122] Next, in step S74, the vibration unit 26 vibrates the second non-defective product ejection unit 14b.

[0123] Next, in step S75, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the other container 30 at the second housing position P2. This reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 corresponds to reading of the two-dimensional barcode 39 after the discharge operation of discharging the electronic components W into the other container 30 is completed.

[0124] Next, in step S76, it is determined whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S33 before the start of the discharging operation matches the two-dimensional barcode 39 read in step S75 after the end of the discharging operation. If the two-dimensional barcodes 39 do not match in step S76 (No in step S76), it is determined that a malfunction has occurred, such as the container 30 being replaced during the discharging operation, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is stopped. On the other hand, if the two-dimensional barcodes 39 match in step S76 (Yes in step S76), the process proceeds to step S77.

[0125] In step S77, the opening / closing mechanism 45 closes the inlet 33 of the other container 30 at the second housing position P2.

[0126] Next, in step S78, the moving mechanism 70 moves the other container 30 with the inlet 33 closed (the filled container 30) from the second storage position P2 to the container recovery section 63.

[0127] Next, in step S79, it is determined whether or not there are containers 30 in the container storage section 61. For example, the number of containers 30 that have been moved to the storage position P detected by the container detection device 52 is counted, and when the number of containers 30 that have been moved to the storage position P reaches a predetermined number, it is determined that there are no containers 30 left in the container storage section 61.

[0128] In step S79, if it is determined that the container 30 is present in the container storage section 61 (Yes in step S79), the process returns to step S30. After that, the above-mentioned process is repeated until it is determined again in step S79 that the container 30 is not present in the container storage section 61.

[0129] In step S79, if it is determined that there is no container 30 in the container storage section 61 (No in step S79), the process proceeds to step S20, and the above-mentioned steps S20 to S27 are performed, and the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 is terminated.

[0130] In this manner, the electronic components W that have been determined to be non-defective as a result of the inspection by the inspection device 13 are accommodated in the plurality of containers 30 in sequence.

[0131] According to this embodiment, while the electronic components W are being discharged into one container 30, the moving mechanism 70 moves the other container 30 from the container storage section 61 to the other accommodating position P, and the opening / closing mechanism 45 opens the inlet 33 of the other container 30 at the other accommodating position P. This makes it unnecessary to stop the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 when replacing the container 30. In other words, the device can be operated continuously without stopping the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10 even when replacing the container 30. This allows the time required to accommodate electronic components W into multiple containers 30 to be shortened.

[0132] According to the present embodiment, when the number N of electronic components W discharged from one of the non-defective product discharge sections 14 reaches a set number N2 (a second set number), the opening / closing mechanism 45 opens the entrance 33 of the other container 30 at the other accommodation position P. Here, the set number N1 is the number of electronic components W that are stored in the container 30 when the container 30 is considered to be filled, and the set number N2 is a number smaller than the set number N1. This allows the entrance 33 of the other container 30 to be opened immediately before the number N of electronic components W discharged into the one container 30 reaches the number at which the one container 30 is considered to be filled. That is, the entrance 33 of the other container 30 can be opened immediately before the discharge destination of the electronic components W is switched from one of the non-defective product discharge sections 14 to the other non-defective product discharge section 14 and the electronic components W are discharged from the other non-defective product discharge section 14 to the other container 30. Therefore, while the electronic components W are being discharged into one container 30, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the other containers 30.

[0133] According to the present embodiment, the reading device 55 reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the container 30 before the start of the discharging operation, and reads the two-dimensional barcode 39 provided on the container 30 after the end of the discharging operation. Then, it is confirmed whether the two-dimensional barcode 39 read before the start of the discharging operation and the two-dimensional barcode 39 read after the end of the discharging operation match. This makes it possible to determine whether a malfunction such as replacement of the container 30 has occurred during the discharging operation. Then, if the two-dimensional barcode 39 read before the start of the discharging operation and the two-dimensional barcode 39 read after the end of the discharging operation do not match, it is possible to deal with the malfunction by stopping the operation of the electronic component accommodating device 10.

[0134] Moreover, according to this embodiment, a vibration unit 26 is provided to vibrate the non-defective product discharge unit 14. As a result, electronic components W that are stuck in the guide path 24, for example, due to being attached to the guide unit 21 of the non-defective product discharge unit 14, can be dropped by the vibration caused by the vibration unit 26 and discharged from the discharge port 25. As a result, a desired number of electronic components W can be stably accommodated in the container 30.

[0135] In particular, according to this embodiment, after the electronic components W are discharged from the non-defective product discharge section 14 into the container 30, the non-defective product discharge section 14 is vibrated by the vibration section 26. By vibrating the non-defective product discharge section 14 immediately after discharging the electronic components W, the electronic components W can be more effectively discharged from the discharge opening 25. Therefore, a desired number of electronic components W can be accommodated in the container 30 more stably.

[0136] According to the present embodiment described above, the time required to accommodate electronic components W in a plurality of containers 30 can be shortened.

[0137] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to specific examples, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above specific examples. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in various other specific examples, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and additions are possible without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 10 Electronic component storage device 13 Inspection equipment 14 Good product discharge section 14a 1st good product discharge section 14b 2nd good product discharge section 26 Vibration section 30 containers 33 Entrance 39 2D Barcode 45 Opening and closing mechanism 50 Open / Close Sensor 55 Reading device 60 Container exchange device 61 Container containment section 63 Container Collection Department 70 Moving mechanism 80 Control section P Storage position P1 First storage position P2 Second storage position W Electronic Components

Claims

1. An electronic component accommodation device that accommodates a plurality of electronic components inspected by an inspection device in a container, a discharge section to which the electronic components are discharged; a container exchange device including: a container storage section for storing the containers not housing the electronic components; a container recovery section for recovering the containers housing the electronic components; and a moving mechanism for moving the containers not housing the electronic components from the container storage section to a housing position where the electronic components discharged from the discharge section are housed in the container, and for moving the containers housing the electronic components from the housing position to the container recovery section; an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing an inlet of the container at the storage position; an opening / closing sensor that detects opening / closing of the inlet of the container at the storage position; A control unit, The discharge section includes two discharge sections, The storage positions include two storage positions corresponding to the two discharge sections, The control unit is The moving mechanism moves one of the containers from the container storage section to one of the storage positions, and the opening / closing mechanism opens the inlet of the one of the containers at one of the storage positions; When the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of one of the containers is open at one of the housing positions, the electronic components are discharged from one of the discharge portions to the one of the containers; while the electronic components are being discharged into one of the containers, the moving mechanism moves the other of the containers from the container storage section to the other of the housing positions; the opening / closing mechanism opens the inlet of the other container at the other storage position; when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge sections reaches a preset number and the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of the other of the containers is open at the other of the housing positions, a discharge destination of the electronic components is switched from one of the discharge sections to the other of the discharge sections, and the electronic components are discharged from the other of the discharge sections to the other of the containers; An electronic component storage device, wherein the opening / closing mechanism closes the inlet of one of the containers from which the electronic component has been discharged at one of the storage positions, and the moving mechanism moves the one of the containers with the closed inlet from one of the storage positions to the container recovery section.

2. 2. The electronic component accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the moving mechanism to move a new one of the containers from the container storage unit to one of the accommodating positions while the electronic components are being discharged into the other one of the containers.

3. 3. The electronic component accommodating device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit terminates the operation of the electronic component accommodating device when the number of the containers moved to the accommodating position reaches a predetermined number.

4. 2. The electronic component accommodating device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit opens the inlet of the other container at the other accommodating position by the opening / closing mechanism when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge units reaches a second set number that is less than the set number.

5. The apparatus further includes a reading device for reading a two-dimensional barcode provided on the container at the storage position, The electronic component storage device of claim 1, wherein the control unit uses the reading device to read the two-dimensional barcode before starting an ejection operation to eject the electronic component into the container, and reads the two-dimensional barcode after the ejection operation is completed, and confirms whether the two-dimensional barcode read before starting the ejection operation matches the two-dimensional barcode read after the ejection operation is completed.

6. 6. The electronic component accommodating device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit stops operation of the electronic component accommodating device when the two-dimensional barcode read before the start of the ejection operation does not match the two-dimensional barcode read after the ejection operation is completed.

7. The electronic component accommodating device according to claim 1 , further comprising a vibration section that vibrates the ejection section.

8. The electronic component accommodating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the control unit causes the vibration unit to vibrate the discharge unit after the electronic components are discharged from the discharge unit into the container.

9. An electronic component accommodation method for accommodating a plurality of electronic components inspected by an inspection device in a container using an electronic component accommodation device, comprising: The electronic component accommodating device is a discharge section to which the electronic components are discharged; a container exchange device including: a container storage section for storing the containers not housing the electronic components; a container recovery section for recovering the containers housing the electronic components; and a moving mechanism for moving the containers not housing the electronic components from the container storage section to a housing position where the electronic components discharged from the discharge section are housed in the container, and for moving the containers housing the electronic components from the housing position to the container recovery section; an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing an inlet of the container at the storage position; an opening / closing sensor that detects opening and closing of the inlet of the container at the storage position; The discharge section includes two discharge sections, The storage positions include two storage positions corresponding to the two discharge sections, The electronic component accommodating method includes: a step of moving one of the containers from the container storage section to one of the housing positions by the moving mechanism, and opening the inlet of the one of the containers at one of the housing positions by the opening / closing mechanism; when the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of one of the containers is open at one of the housing positions, discharging the electronic components from one of the discharging portions into one of the containers; a step of discharging the electronic components into one of the containers and moving the other of the containers from the container storage section to the other of the housing positions by the moving mechanism; opening the inlet of the other container at the other storage position by the opening / closing mechanism; a step of switching a discharge destination of the electronic components from one of the discharge sections to the other of the discharge sections and discharging the electronic components from the other of the discharge sections to the other of the containers when the number of the electronic components discharged from one of the discharge sections reaches a preset number and the opening / closing sensor detects that the inlet of the other of the containers is open at the other of the housing positions; using the opening / closing mechanism to close the inlet of one of the containers from which the electronic components have been discharged at one of the storage positions, and using the moving mechanism to move the one of the containers with the closed inlet from one of the storage positions to the container recovery section.

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