Parts sorting device

Abstract

To provide a part sorting device that improves the accuracy of part sorting.SOLUTION: A part sorting device 1 is a part sorting device that inspects a part while conveying the part, and sorts a good part. The part sorting device 1 comprises: a turntable 30 that rotates and conveys the part; a plurality of imaging devices 40 that image a plurality of respective outer surfaces of the part on the turntable 30; an inspection sorting controller 70 that performs appearance inspection of the part based on an imaging result from the plurality of imaging devices 40 and sorts the good part based on a result of the appearance inspection; an ejection mechanism 50 that ejects the good part sorted by the inspection sorting controller 70 from the turntable 30; and a cover arranged on the turntable 30 and covering the part rotated and conveyed on the turntable 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a parts selection device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a device that separates non-defective and defective surface-mount electronic components (also called chip components) such as multilayer ceramic capacitors. Patent Document 1 discloses an appearance inspection device as such a component separation device. The appearance inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a linear feeder that transports electronic components, a turntable that rotates and transports the electronic components transported by the linear feeder, and multiple imaging devices that capture images of six sides of the electronic components on the turntable, and performs an appearance inspection of the six sides of the electronic components while transporting them. This allows for separation and removal of non-defective and defective products.

[0003] The visual inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 charges electronic components by transporting them with vibration in a linear feeder, and then electrostatically attracts the electronic components on a turntable, which then rotates and transports them. The transport speed of the turntable is faster than that of the linear feeder. This allows the electronic components to be spaced apart on the turntable, making it possible to inspect the visual appearance of the end faces of the electronic components in the transport direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-44579 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In such a component sorting device, different types of electronic components may be inspected and sorted for each production lot. For example, surface mount electronic components may have different characteristics even if they are the same size. More specifically, multilayer ceramic capacitors may have different capacitances even if they are the same size.

[0006] In addition, in such component inspection equipment, the turntable is generally open because the image of the electronic components on the turntable is captured by an imaging device, and there is a possibility that different types of electronic components may be mixed on the turntable. If electronic components of the same size but different characteristics are mixed in this way, the sorting accuracy will decrease even if the accuracy of the appearance inspection is high.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a parts selection device that improves the accuracy of parts selection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A part selection device according to the present invention is a part selection device that inspects parts as they are transported and selects good parts, and includes a turntable that rotates and transports the parts, a plurality of imaging devices that respectively image a plurality of outer surfaces of the parts on the turntable, an inspection and selection controller that performs a visual inspection of the parts based on the imaging results from the plurality of imaging devices and selects the good parts based on the results of the visual inspection, a discharge mechanism that discharges the good parts selected by the inspection and selection controller from the turntable, and a cover that is positioned on the turntable and covers the parts that are rotated and transported on the turntable.

[0009] (2) In the part sorting device described in (1), the cover may be light-transmitting.

[0010] (3) In the part sorting device described in (1) or (2), the cover and the turntable may be spaced apart, and the distance between the cover and the turntable may be smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the part.

[0011] (4) In the part sorting device described in any one of (1) to (3), the cover may be arranged to cover a rotational transport path of the parts on the turntable, and each of the multiple imaging devices may image the parts through the cover.

[0012] (5) In the part selecting device described in (4), the cover may have an arc shape that follows the rotational conveying path on the turntable.

[0013] (6) In the part selection device described in (4) or (5), the cover may have a surface that is perpendicular to the line of sight of each of the multiple imaging devices.

[0014] (7) In the part selecting device described in (6), the cross-sectional shape of the cover intersecting the rotational conveying path on the turntable may be an arc shape.

[0015] (8) In the part selecting device described in (6), the cover may have a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotational conveying path on the turntable.

[0016] (9) In the part selection device described in any one of (6) to (8), a surface of the cover that is perpendicular to a line of sight of each of the multiple imaging devices may be thinner than other surfaces of the cover.

[0017] (10) In the part selection device described in any one of (1) to (9), the cover may have polarizing properties.

[0018] (11) In the part selection device described in any one of (1) to (9), the cover may be colored. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the accuracy of part selection in a part selection device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above; [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a portion II in the part selection device shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic side view of the part selection device shown in FIG. 1, seen from the side, and is a schematic side view in which a portion II is enlarged. FIG. [Figure 4A] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 along line IV-IV. [Figure 4B] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part selecting device according to a modified example, taken along line IV-IV of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4C] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part selecting device according to a modified example, taken along line IV-IV of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the part selection device shown in FIG. 1 along line VV. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line VI-VI. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part selection device according to a modified example of the present embodiment, as viewed from above. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the exterior of the component. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part sorting device according to this embodiment, seen from above, Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view enlarging part II in the part sorting device shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the part sorting device shown in Fig. 1, seen from the side, and is a schematic side view enlarging part II. Note that an XY orthogonal coordinate system is shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0023] 1 to 3 is a device that inspects and selects non-defective electronic components 3 while sequentially conveying them. The component selection device 1 includes a bowl feeder 10, a linear feeder 20, a turntable 30, a cover 36, a plurality of imaging devices 40, a discharge mechanism 50, and an inspection and selection controller 70.

[0024] The electronic component 3 is a surface-mount electronic component (also called a chip component) such as a multilayer ceramic capacitor. As shown in Fig. 8, the electronic component 3 includes a laminate 3a in which a plurality of dielectric layers and one or a plurality of conductor layers made of a ceramic material are laminated, and two external electrodes 3b arranged on each of two end faces of the laminate 3a. The laminate 3a, i.e., the electronic component 3, is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and has two main faces TS1 and TS2 facing each other in the lamination direction, two side faces WS1 and WS2 facing each other in a width direction intersecting with the lamination direction, and two end faces LS1 and LS2 facing each other in a length direction intersecting with the lamination direction and the width direction.

[0025] The dimensions of the electronic component 3 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a lengthwise dimension of 3.2 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less, a widthwise dimension of 1.6 mm or more and 0.05 mm or less, and a stacking direction dimension of 1.6 mm or more and 0.05 mm or less. Note that these dimensions may vary depending on the tolerance.

[0026] The electronic component 3 is not limited to the multilayer ceramic capacitor using the above-mentioned dielectric ceramic, but may be various other electronic components such as a piezoelectric component using a piezoelectric ceramic, a thermistor using a semiconductor ceramic, or an inductor using a magnetic ceramic.

[0027] 1 to 3, ball feeder 10 aligns and conveys a plurality of electronic components 3 supplied by, for example, a hopper. The hopper is a device that detects a shortage of electronic components 3 in ball feeder 10 and automatically replenishes ball feeder 10 with electronic components 3, thereby maintaining the number of electronic components 3 in ball feeder 10 at a constant level.

[0028] Ball feeder 10 is provided with a vibration mechanism 12 that supplies vibration to ball feeder 10. An example of vibration mechanism 12 is a piezoelectric element that generates vibrations at a frequency corresponding to a voltage. Ball feeder 10 has a circular outer shape. Ball feeder 10 conveys electronic components 3 in a spiral arrangement while causing them to move in a circular motion from the center of the circle to the outside by vibration.

[0029] The linear feeder 20 sequentially and linearly conveys the electronic components 3 aligned and conveyed by the ball feeder 10. The linear feeder 20 is provided with a vibration mechanism 22 that supplies vibration to the linear feeder 20. An example of the vibration mechanism 22 is a piezoelectric element that generates vibrations at a frequency corresponding to a voltage. It is preferable that the linear feeder 20 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The linear feeder 20 conveys the electronic components 3 by vibration.

[0030] The linear feeder 20 is preferably made of a material such as SUS, etc. This allows the electronic components 3 to be charged when the linear feeder 20 conveys the electronic components 3 by vibration.

[0031] The turntable 30 sequentially rotates and conveys the plurality of electronic components 3 conveyed by the linear feeder 20. As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the turntable 30 has a guide mechanism 32 on the upstream side, which guides the electronic components 3 from the linear feeder 20 to a rotational conveyance path (rotational conveyance trajectory) 31. The turntable 30 conveys the electronic components 3 along the rotational conveyance path 31.

[0032] 3, an electrostatic adsorption mechanism 34 is preferably provided below the turntable 30. This makes it possible to electrostatically adsorb and transport the charged electronic components 3 in the linear feeder 20.

[0033] The conveying speed of the turntable 30 is faster than the conveying speed of the linear feeder 20. This allows the electronic components 3 to be spaced apart, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, making it possible to perform visual inspection of the end face sides of the electronic components 3.

[0034] The turntable 30 is made of a material such as glass or resin and has transparency, which allows visual inspection of the back surface of the electronic component 3.

[0035] 1, a cover 36 for covering the electronic components 3 is disposed on the turntable 30. The details of the cover 36 will be described later.

[0036] As shown in Fig. 1, the imaging device 40 is, for example, a camera or an image sensor. Although not shown, a light source is provided near the camera. Six imaging devices 40 are provided along the rotational transport path 31 of the turntable 30. The six imaging devices 40 capture images of six outer surfaces of the electronic component 3 on the turntable 30, namely, two main surfaces TS1 and TS2, two side surfaces WS1 and WS2, and two end surfaces LS1 and LS2. Each of the imaging devices 40 may be provided with an illumination device, such as a ring illumination or a dome illumination, that illuminates the imaging surface of the electronic component 3.

[0037] 1, the discharge mechanism 50 discharges non-defective products selected by the inspection and sorting controller 70 (described later) based on the results of the appearance inspection from the turntable 30 and stores them in a case or the like. The method of discharging non-defective products by the discharge mechanism 50 is not particularly limited, but examples include air blowing, air suction, physical contact extrusion, and the like. For example, when a non-defective product is transported, the discharge mechanism 50 discharges the non-defective product from the turntable 30 and stores it in a case or the like by blowing air onto the non-defective product on the turntable 30 in accordance with a command from the inspection and sorting controller 70.

[0038] The inspection and selection controller 70 controls the entire component selection apparatus 1. Specifically, the inspection and selection controller 70 performs an appearance inspection of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 based on the imaging results from the imaging device 40, and selects non-defective and defective components based on the results of the appearance inspection.

[0039] Furthermore, the inspection and sorting controller 70 controls the discharge of non-defective products by the discharge mechanism 50. For example, the inspection and sorting controller 70 calculates the timing to discharge non-defective products from the discharge mechanism 50 based on information such as the conveying speed (or the rotation speed, and the length or radius of the rotary conveying path) of the turntable 30 and the position of the imaging device 40 on the turntable 30, and issues a command to the discharge mechanism 50.

[0040] The inspection and sorting controller 70 is composed of an arithmetic processor such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The various functions of the inspection and sorting controller 70 are realized, for example, by executing predetermined software (programs) stored in a storage unit. The various functions of the inspection and sorting controller 70 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software, or may be realized only by hardware (electronic circuits).

[0041] The storage unit in the inspection and sorting controller 70 is a rewritable memory such as an EEPROM. The storage unit stores predetermined software (programs) for executing various functions of the sorting controller. The storage unit also stores various set values ​​inputted from the outside, for example. The various set values ​​include information on the conveying speed of the linear feeder 20, the conveying speed of the turntable 30 (or the rotation speed, and the length or radius of the rotary conveying path), the position of the imaging device 40, and the position of the discharge mechanism 50, as well as criteria for determining whether a product is good or bad, and the like.

[0042] The cover 36 will be described in detail below. As shown in Fig. 1, the cover 36 is disposed on the turntable 30 and covers the electronic components 3 that are rotated and transported on the turntable 30. More specifically, the cover 36 is disposed so as to cover the rotational transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. The cover 36 has an arc shape that follows the rotational transport path 31 on the turntable 30.

[0043] FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the component selection device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line IV-IV, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the component selection device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line VV. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, the cross-sectional shape of the cover 36 intersecting the rotary conveying path 31 on the turntable 30 is an arc shape. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4A, the cover 36 can have a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the main surface of the electronic component 3, for example. Also, as shown in FIG. 5, the cover 36 can have a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the side surface of the electronic component 3, for example. In this way, when the surface of the cover 36 is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40, refraction by the cover 36 can be reduced, and the main surface and the side surface of the electronic component 3 can be accurately imaged. Note that the shape is not limited to an arc shape, and includes a shape having a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40. Also, a part of the cover may be shaped like a lens to have a magnifying function.

[0044] 4A and 5, the surface of the cover 36 perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 may be thinner than the other surfaces of the cover 36. This can further reduce refraction caused by the cover 36, and can capture images of the main surface and the side surface of the electronic component 3 more accurately.

[0045] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the component selection device shown in Fig. 1 taken along line VI-VI. As shown in Fig. 6, the cover 36 has a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotary conveying path 31 on the turntable 30. This allows the cover 36 to have a surface that is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the end faces of the electronic components 3, for example. When the surface of the cover 36 is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 in this way, refraction by the cover 36 can be reduced, and the end faces of the electronic components 3 can be accurately imaged.

[0046] 6, the surface of the cover 36 perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 may be thinner than the other surfaces of the cover 36. This can further reduce refraction caused by the cover 36, allowing the end face of the electronic component 3 to be imaged more accurately.

[0047] Also, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, the cover 36 and the turntable 30 are spaced apart. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the cover 36 may be supported by being suspended by a plurality of cover support members 47 including a support column or the like fixed to a fixed member (not shown), and the plurality of cover support members 47 are arranged at equal intervals. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cover 36 may be supported by being suspended by a plurality of cover support members 47 including a support column or the like fixed to each of the imaging devices 40. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4C, the cover 36 may be supported by a plurality of cover support members 47 including a wheel or the like provided between the cover 36 and the turntable 30, and the plurality of cover support members 47 are arranged at equal intervals. This allows the turntable 30 to rotate without interfering with the cover 36. The distance between the cover 36 and the turntable 30 is smaller than the smallest dimension of the length, width, and thickness of the electronic component 3. This makes it possible to prevent different types of electronic components from being mixed in the cover 36, i.e., on the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30. Also, it makes it possible to prevent the electronic components 3 being transported from falling out of the cover 36, i.e., out of the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30.

[0048] The cover is made of a material such as glass or resin, and has optical transparency (for example, transparency). This allows the imaging device 40 to capture an image of the electronic component 3 through the cover .

[0049] The cover 36 may be colored (for example, a color that undergoes long wavelength modulation (red) or short wavelength modulation (blue)). This allows the light to be modulated, making it possible to detect the surface condition of the component that cannot be detected with transparent light. Alternatively, the cover 36 may be polarized. This allows the surface condition of the component that cannot be detected with transparent light to be detected. The modulation of light is not limited to the cover, and the light from the light source may also be modulated.

[0050] As described above, the component selection device 1 of this embodiment includes the transparent turntable 30 that rotates and transports the electronic components 3, six imaging devices 40 that respectively capture images of six outer surfaces of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30, an inspection and selection controller 70 that performs a visual inspection of the electronic components 3 based on the imaging results from the imaging devices 40 and selects non-defective products based on the results of the visual inspection, and a discharge mechanism 50 that discharges the non-defective products selected by the inspection and selection controller 70 from the turntable 30. This makes it possible to perform a visual inspection of a plurality of electronic components 3 while transporting them, and to select non-defective products.

[0051] In such a component sorting device, different types of electronic components may be inspected and sorted for each production lot. For example, surface-mount electronic components may have different characteristics even if they are the same size. More specifically, multilayer ceramic capacitors may have different capacitances even if they are the same size.

[0052] In addition, in the conventional parts sorting device, the turntable is open so that the electronic parts on the turntable are imaged by an imaging device. Therefore, there is a possibility that different types of electronic parts may be mixed in the rotary conveying path 31 on the turntable. If electronic parts of the same size but different characteristics are mixed in this way and are discharged as non-defective products, the mixing of parts occurs.

[0053] In this regard, according to the component selection device 1 of this embodiment, a cover 36 is arranged on the turntable 30 to cover the electronic components 3 that are rotated and transported on the turntable 30. This makes it possible to prevent different types of electronic components from being mixed inside the cover 36, i.e., on the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable, thereby improving the accuracy of component selection.

[0054] Furthermore, in conventional component sorting devices where the turntable is open, electronic components being transported may fall outside the rotary transport path, leaving electronic components from the previous lot on the turntable. In such a case, if the type of electronic components in the current lot is different from that of the previous lot, there is a possibility that electronic components of a different type from the previous lot may be mixed in with the electronic components in the current lot. If electronic components of the same size but different characteristics are mixed in this way, the accuracy of the sorting will decrease, even if the accuracy of the appearance inspection is high.

[0055] In this regard, according to the component selection device of this embodiment, the cover 36 is arranged so as to cover the rotary transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. This makes it possible to prevent the electronic components 3 being transported from falling out of the cover 36, i.e., out of the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of component selection.

[0056] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes and modifications are possible. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the component selection device 1 having one cover 36 continuous along the rotary conveyance path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 is exemplified (FIG. 1). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the component selection device 1 may have a form having a plurality of covers 36 divided along the rotary conveyance path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 (FIG. 7, in which the above-mentioned cover support member 37 is omitted). In this case, it is preferable that the separation distance between adjacent covers 36 is smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the electronic components 3. For example, it is preferable that the separation distance is 0.02 mm or less.

[0057] In the above-described embodiment, the component selection device 1 is provided with a cover 36 having an arc shape along the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30 so as to cover the rotary transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the component selection device 1 may be provided with a cover 36 that covers the entire turntable 30.

[0058] In the above-described embodiment, the component selection device 1 in which the cover 36 is interposed between the turntable 30 and the imaging device 40 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the component selection device 1 may have a configuration in which the cover 36 also covers the imaging device 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Parts sorting device 3. Electronic Components 10. Bowl Feeder 12 Vibration mechanism 20 Linear feeder 22 Vibration mechanism 30 Turntable 31 Rotational transport path (rotational transport trajectory) 32 Guide mechanism 34 Electrostatic Adsorption Mechanism 36 Cover 37 Cover support member 40 Imaging Device 50 Ejection mechanism 70 Inspection and sorting controller

Claims

1. A parts sorting device that inspects parts while transporting them and selects non-defective parts, A turntable for rotating and conveying the part; a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture images of a plurality of outer surfaces of the component on the turntable; an inspection and selection controller that performs an appearance inspection of the component based on the imaging results from the plurality of imaging devices and selects the non-defective component based on the result of the appearance inspection; a discharge mechanism that discharges the non-defective product selected by the inspection and selection controller from the turntable; a cover that is placed on the turntable and covers the part that is rotated and transported on the turntable; Equipped with The cover is transparent and covers the turntable in the same direction as the in-plane direction. Parts sorting device.

2. The component sorting device according to claim 1 , wherein the cover is light-transmitting.

3. The cover and the turntable are spaced apart from each other, a distance between the cover and the turntable is smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the part; The parts selection device according to claim 1.

4. the cover is disposed so as to cover a rotational transport path of the component on the turntable, each of the plurality of imaging devices captures an image of the component through the cover; The parts selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The part selecting device according to claim 4 , wherein the cover has an arc shape that follows the rotational transport path on the turntable.

6. The plurality of imaging devices include imaging devices that respectively image a main surface and a side surface of the component, The component sorting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the cover has a surface perpendicular to a line of sight of each of the plurality of imaging devices.

7. 7. The part selecting device according to claim 6, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the cover intersecting the rotational transport path on the turntable is an arc shape.

8. The part selecting device according to claim 6 , wherein the cover has a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotational transport path on the turntable.

9. The component selection device according to claim 6 , wherein a surface of the cover perpendicular to a line of sight of each of the imaging devices is thinner than other surfaces of the cover.

10. 4. The component selection device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has polarizing properties.

11. The part selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover is colored.

Images