Work Insertion Device

Abstract

To provide a workpiece insertion device which is advantageous for storing a workpiece in a cavity in a stable posture. [Solution] A work insertion device 1 that inserts a work 100 into a cavity 20a of a carrier tape 20 comprises a base 11 having an inclined surface 11s, an index table 10 having a plurality of storage sections 10a and extending along the inclined surface 11s, a guide section 15 having a guide surface 51, a work moving device 70 that applies a propulsive force to the work 100 so as to move the work 100 in the storage section 10a positioned at the release position P1 through a work path R partitioned by the inclined surface 11s and the guide surface 51 toward the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2, and a posture correction magnet 55 that applies a magnetic force acting in an attracting direction D including an upward component to the leading end 102a of the work 100 at the supply position P2.

Description

[Technical field]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0016] The part feeder 3 has an opening, and aligns the multiple workpieces 100 supplied through the opening while aligning their orientation. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the part feeder 3 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a circular opening, but it can have an opening of any shape. The part feeder 3 of this example has a vibration device (not shown) and a groove portion 3a, and in particular, the groove portion 3a of the substantially cylindrical part feeder 3 of this example extends in a spiral shape. The vibration device vibrates, so that the multiple workpieces 100 gradually move along the groove portion 3a, and as a result, the multiple workpieces 100 supplied to the part feeder 3 are aligned while aligning their orientation along the groove portion 3a. The multiple workpieces 100 aligned in this manner are sent from the part feeder 3 to the linear feeder 5.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0024] A first driving unit (table driving unit) 12 shown in Fig. 3 rotates the index table 10 under the control of the control unit 50 so as to sequentially position the multiple storage units 10a at the discharge position P1. In this example, the first driving unit 12 intermittently rotates the index table 10 clockwise in Fig. 3, but the index table 10 may be rotated counterclockwise instead of or in addition to the clockwise rotation.

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

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

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

[0028] The dimensions of the carrier tape 20 (including the cavities 20a) can be set appropriately. For example, the carrier tape 20 may have a tape length (i.e., the length in the longitudinal direction d1) of 3200 m or more and 4800 m or less, a width (i.e., the length in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1) of 8 mm or more and 12 mm or less, and a thickness of 0.42 mm or more and 1.8 mm or less. Also, for example, each cavity 20a may be provided as a recess having a rectangular planar shape having a length of 0.37 mm or more and 1.5 mm or less in the longitudinal direction d1, a length of 0.67 mm or more and 2.22 mm or less in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, and a depth of 0.37 mm or more and 1.54 mm or less. Also, the interval in the longitudinal direction d1 between adjacent cavities 20a can be set to, for example, 2 mm or more and 4 mm or less.

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

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

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

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

[0033] The pulley 30 has a plurality of feed teeth (see reference numeral "30a" in FIG. 6 described later) that are provided at equal intervals on its outer circumference. The plurality of feed teeth engage with a plurality of feed holes 20b provided in the carrier tape 20. The position of the carrier tape 20 can be moved minutely relative to the pulley 30 by the feed teeth engaging with the feed holes 20b. In this way, the position of the carrier tape 20 relative to the pulley 30 can be appropriately set. In particular, the position of the carrier tape 20 relative to the pulley 30 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 can be appropriately set. The intervals between the feed teeth along the outer circumference of the pulley 30 correspond to the intervals between the feed holes 20b of the carrier tape 20, so that even if one feed tooth is disengaged from the feed hole 20b of the carrier tape 20, another feed tooth engages with another feed hole 20b. That is, at least one feed tooth is kept engaged with the feed hole 20b of the carrier tape 20. As the feed dogs and the feed holes 20b sequentially engage with each other, the rotational power of the pulley 30 is transmitted to the carrier tape 20, and the carrier tape 20 is fed.

[0034] Each feed tooth (particularly the tip portion) of the pulley 30 includes an involute curve shape in a cross section along the longitudinal direction d1. Each feed tooth has a tapered shape in a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1. That is, in a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the width of the feed tooth changes so as to become smaller as it moves away from the center of the pulley 30. Preferably, in a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the width of the feed tooth changes so as to become smaller at a constant rate as it moves away from the center of the pulley 30. In other words, in a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1, the side of the feed tooth has a linear shape. The gradient angle θ of this tapered shape is preferably 10° or more and 40° or less, and more preferably 20° or more and 30° or less. The taper degree is the angle of the direction in which the feed tooth extends, that is, the direction in which the tip of the tapered shape extends with respect to the taper of the pulley 30.

[0035] When each feed tooth engages with and disengages from the feed hole 20b, the portion that has a tapered shape in a cross section along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction d1 pushes apart the peripheral wall of the feed hole 20b, and the portion that has an involute curve shape in a cross section along the longitudinal direction d1 pushes apart the peripheral wall of the feed hole 20b.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0048] The suction device 70 is provided on the opposite side of the work path R across the cavity 20a of the carrier tape 20, and has, for example, a vacuum pump. The suction device 70 sucks air in the work path R, and creates an air flow from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2 in the work path R. In particular, air from the discharge device (not shown) is ejected to the nozzle 10b via the moving part 35 while the suction device 70 sucks air, so that a strong air flow from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2 can be created in the work path R. The stronger this air flow, the stronger the movement of the work 100 from the discharge position P1 to the supply position P2 is promoted, and the work 100 discharged from the storage part 10a at the discharge position P1 is more reliably supplied to the cavity 20a positioned at the supply position P2 via the work path R.

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

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

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

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

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

[0054] The imaging device 40 is capable of capturing an image of the cavity 20a before, during, and / or after the workpiece 100 is supplied through the guide portion 15. The imaging device 40 of the present embodiment captures an image of at least a portion of the workpiece 100 supplied to the cavity 20a located at the supply position P2.

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

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

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

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

[0059] By the taping device 1 having the above-mentioned configuration, each work 100 contacts the concave surface (particularly the side surface) of the carrier tape 20 that defines the cavity 20a at the supply position P2 while receiving the airflow (propulsive force) created by the work moving device (discharge device and suction device 70). Furthermore, each work 100 is supported at the supply position P2 by contacting the guide surface 51 of the guide part 15 from below while receiving the magnetic force acting in the attracting direction D (including the upward component) by the posture correction magnet 55.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0072] 1 taping device, 3 parts feeder, 3a groove portion, 5 linear feeder, 10 index table, 10a storage portion, 10b nozzle, 11 base, 11s inclined surface, 12 first drive portion, 15 guide portion, 17 characteristic measurement portion, 20 carrier tape, 20a cavity, 20b feed hole, 21 supply reel, 22 take-up reel, 23 second drive portion, 25 tape path, 30 pulley, 30a feed dog, 33 suction connection path, 35 moving portion, 37 workpiece holding magnet, 40 imaging device, 45 insertion sensor, 50 control portion, 51 guide surface, 51a side guide surface, 51b upper guide surface, 53 air intake hole, 55 posture correction magnet, 57 support base, 60 workpiece insertion magnet, 61 first moving magnet, 62 Second moving magnet, 65 magnet for holding workpiece during transport, 70 suction device, 71 return blow device, 100 workpiece, 101 magnetic body, 102a first electrode, 102b second electrode, 103, d1 longitudinal direction, d2 width direction, D pulling direction, P1 discharge position, P2 supply position, R workpiece path

Claims

1. A workpiece insertion device that inserts a workpiece into a cavity of a carrier tape at a supply position, a base having an inclined surface that is inclined so that the supply position side is the lowest side in the vertical direction; an index table having a plurality of accommodation sections for accommodating the workpiece and extending along the inclined surface; a guide portion having a guide surface, the guide surface being provided to cover the storage portion positioned at the discharge position and the cavity positioned at the supply position; a workpiece moving device that applies a driving force to the workpiece in the storage portion positioned at the release position, so as to move the workpiece through a workpiece path defined by the inclined surface and the guide surface toward the cavity positioned at the supply position; a posture correction magnet that applies a magnetic force acting in an attracting direction including an upward component to a leading end of the end of the workpiece that is positioned on the cavity side on the inclined surface at the supply position; Equipped with the workpiece moving device and the posture correction magnet apply the propulsive force and the magnetic force to the workpiece so that the workpiece is levitated from the carrier tape while at least a portion of the workpiece is positioned within the cavity at the supply position; The workpiece is fed downstream from the supply position while at least a portion of the workpiece is positioned within the cavity as the carrier tape moves, and lands in the cavity downstream of the supply position. Workpiece insertion device.

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

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

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

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