Tape feeder and component mounting device

Abstract

To provide a tape feeder capable of accurately performing lot management of components while reliably comprehending the position of a connection tape, and a component mounting device.SOLUTION: A tape feeder 13 supplies components BH by transporting a carrier tape 31 containing components BH on a transport path 41L. The tape feeder includes: an LED light source 61 that projects an inspection light KL onto an inspection position KP on the transport path 41L; and a color sensor 62 that detects RGB values of the reflectance HL of the inspection light KL projected from the LED light source 61 at the inspection position KP. Based on the RGB values of the reflection light HL detected by the color sensor 62, the type of item that reflects light of the inspection light KL is determined at the inspection position KP. With this, a connection tape RT as a connecting part for connecting the carrier tape 31 is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape feeder that conveys a carrier tape to supply components and a component mounting apparatus including the tape feeder.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a component mounting apparatus is known that picks up components supplied from a parts feeder by a mounting head and mounts them on a substrate. As the parts feeder, a tape feeder that conveys a carrier tape in which components are stored and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position is frequently used. The tape feeder includes a frame in which a conveyance path for the carrier tape is formed, and a tape conveyance unit that conveys the carrier tape by a sprocket attached to the frame. The sprocket rotates with the outer peripheral teeth located at the uppermost part engaged with the feed holes provided in the carrier tape, thereby conveying the carrier tape on the conveyance path.

[0003] In such a tape feeder, before the end portion of the carrier tape to be conveyed is drawn into the frame, the start end portion of a replenishment carrier tape is connected to the end portion of the carrier tape by a connecting tape, thereby replenishing the components. When the carrier tapes are connected by the connecting tape, the position of the connecting tape indicates the position where the component lot is switched, so the detection of the position of the connecting tape is extremely important from the aspect of component management. For this reason, the tape feeder includes a connecting tape detection unit that detects the position of the connecting tape on the conveyance path.

[0004] The connecting tape detection unit includes a light projector that projects inspection light at a location where the feed holes of the carrier tape pass at the inspection position, and a light receiver that receives the inspection light projected by the light projector through the feed holes of the carrier tape. When the connecting tape is attached to the carrier tape so as to block the feed holes, the light receiver intermittently receives the inspection light that crosses the feed holes at locations where the connecting tape is not attached, but does not receive the inspection light at locations where the connecting tape is attached. Therefore, by detecting the timing when the light receiver switches from intermittently receiving the inspection light to continuously not receiving the inspection light for a certain period of time, the position of the connecting tape can be grasped (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, since the conveyance path formed in the frame has a width dimension in the width direction that is slightly larger than the width of the carrier tape, the carrier tape may meander on the conveyance path. When the carrier tape meanders on the conveyance path and the feed holes no longer cross the inspection light, the state where the light receiver does not receive the inspection light continues, and there is a risk that the connecting tape detection unit may misidentify a portion that is not a connecting tape as a connecting tape.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a tape feeder and a component mounting apparatus that can surely grasp the position of the connecting tape and accurately perform lot management of components.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] The tape feeder of the present invention is a tape feeder that conveys a carrier tape in which components are stored on a conveyance path and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position, and includes a frame in which the conveyance path is formed, a tape conveyance unit provided on the frame for conveying the carrier tape on the conveyance path, a light projector that projects inspection light at an inspection position on the conveyance path, a color sensor that repeatedly detects the RGB values of the reflected light of the inspection light projected from the light projector at the inspection position, and a determination unit that determines the type of light reflector that reflects the inspection light at the inspection position based on the RGB values detected by the color sensor. An RGB value correspondence table in which the correspondence between the plurality of types of the light reflectors and their RGB values is recorded, It is provided with If there is a change in the RGB value, based on the RGB value recorded in the RGB value correspondence table and the changed RGB value, the and the determination unit determines the type of light reflector.

[0009] The component mounting apparatus of the present invention includes the tape feeder of the present invention and a mounting head that picks up the components supplied by the tape feeder and mounts them on a substrate.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the position of the connecting tape can be surely grasped, and lot management of components can be accurately performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a component mounting apparatus 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting apparatus 1 is an apparatus that repeatedly executes a component mounting operation of mounting a component BH on a substrate KB carried in from the upstream process side and discharging it to the downstream process side. Here, for convenience of explanation, the conveyance direction of the substrate KB in the component mounting apparatus 1 (the left-right direction as viewed from the operator OP) is defined as the X-axis direction, and the horizontal direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction (the front-rear direction as viewed from the operator OP) is defined as the Y-axis direction. Also, the up-down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0013] In FIG. 1, the component mounting apparatus 1 includes a base 11, a substrate conveyance conveyor 12, a tape feeder 13, a mounting head 14, a head movement mechanism 15, a substrate recognition camera 16, a component recognition camera 17, and a control device 18. The base 11 is installed on the floor surface FL, and the substrate conveyance conveyor 12 is provided extending in the X-axis direction on the base 11. The substrate conveyance conveyor 12 receives the substrate KB sent from the upstream process side and positions the substrate KB at a predetermined working position.

[0014] In FIG. 1, a feeder cart 21 is connected to the front side of the base 11 (the side of the operator OP). The feeder cart 21 is provided with a flat feeder base 22 at its upper part, and the tape feeder 13 is detachably attached to the feeder base 22 (see also FIG. 2). A plurality of tape feeders 13 can be attached side by side in the X-axis direction to the feeder base 22. When the feeder cart 21 is connected to the base 11, the plurality of tape feeders 13 attached to the feeder base 22 are collectively connected to the base 11.

[0015] In FIG. 1, a reel 32 around which a carrier tape 31 is wound is rotatably held by the feeder cart 21. The reel 32 is prepared for each tape feeder 13, and the carrier tape 31 drawn out from the reel 32 is attached to the corresponding tape feeder 13. Each tape feeder 13 conveys the carrier tape 31 forward (toward the substrate transfer conveyor 12) and supplies the component BH to a predetermined component supply position 13K (see also FIG. 2).

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier tape 31 is composed of a base tape 33 and a cover tape 34. A number of component storage pockets 35 opening upward are provided in a row and at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base tape 33 on the base tape 33. Each pocket 35 stores one component BH. A plurality of feed holes 36 are provided in a row and at equal intervals at a position parallel to the row of the pockets 35 of the base tape 33. The cover tape 34 is attached at a position that does not block the feed holes 36 on the upper surface of the base tape 33 (FIG. 4), preventing the component BH from falling out of the pocket 35. This cover tape 34 is peeled off from the base tape 33 before the pocket 35 provided in the base tape 33 reaches the component supply position 13K.

[0017] In FIG. 1, the mounting head 14 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 14N extending downward. Each nozzle 14N is capable of moving up and down with respect to the mounting head 14 and rotating about the Z axis. The mounting head 14 picks up the component BH supplied by the tape feeder 13 at the component supply position 13K by sucking it at the lower end of each nozzle 14N. The head movement mechanism 15 is composed of, for example, an XY movement mechanism, and moves the mounting head 14 in the horizontal plane direction and the vertical direction.

[0018] In FIG. 1, the substrate recognition camera 16 is attached to the mounting head 14. The substrate recognition camera 16 has its imaging optical axis directed downward, and by moving together with the mounting head 14, images the substrate KB positioned at the working position by the substrate transfer conveyor 12.

[0019] In FIG. 1, the component recognition camera 17 is provided in the area between the substrate transfer conveyor 12 and the tape feeder 13 on the base 11. The component recognition camera 17 has its imaging optical axis directed upward, and images each component BH from below when the mounting head 14 with the component BH sucked on each of the plurality of nozzles 14N moves so as to pass through the upper area of the component recognition camera 17 in the X-axis direction.

[0020] The control device 18 stores various data in addition to the component mounting program. The control device 18 executes a component mounting operation of mounting the component BH on the substrate KB by operating each part of the component mounting apparatus 1 according to the component mounting program.

[0021] In the component mounting operation, first, the substrate transfer conveyor 12 operates to receive the substrate KB sent from the upstream process side and position it at the working position. When the substrate KB is positioned at the working position, the head movement mechanism 15 moves the mounting head 14 above the substrate KB. Thereby, the substrate recognition camera 16 images the substrate KB, and the control device 18 recognizes the substrate KB based on the image captured by the substrate recognition camera 16.

[0022] When the control device 18 recognizes the substrate KB, the mounting head 14 repeatedly executes a mounting cycle. In one mounting cycle, the mounting head 14 performs, in this order, an operation of picking up the component BH supplied by the tape feeder 13, an operation of moving above the component recognition camera 17 in the X-axis direction so that the component recognition camera 17 images the component BH, and an operation of mounting the component BH at a component mounting position defined on the substrate KB.

[0023] The control device 18 performs component recognition based on an imaging image obtained by the component recognition camera 17 imaging the component BH. When the mounting head 14 mounts the component BH on the substrate KB, based on the result of the component recognition performed by the control device 18, position correction of the component BH with respect to the substrate KB and the like are performed.

[0024] By repeatedly executing the above mounting pattern, when all the components BH to be mounted on the substrate KB are mounted, the substrate transfer conveyor 12 carries out the substrate KB to the downstream process side. Thereby, the component mounting operation for each substrate KB is completed.

[0025] During the above component mounting operation, when the conveyance of the carrier tape 31 advances and its end portion detaches from the reel 32, the component BH can be replenished by connecting (splicing) the start end portion of the replenishment carrier tape 31 pulled out from a newly prepared reel 32 to the end portion of the carrier tape 31 with a connecting tape RT (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 3, the connecting tape RT is attached across the cover tapes 34 of the two carrier tapes 31 so as not to block the feed holes 36 of each of the two carrier tapes 31. In this case, the connecting tape RT functions as a connecting portion for connecting the carrier tapes 31.

[0026] In the component mounting apparatus 1 having such a configuration, in the present embodiment, the configuration of the tape feeder 13 is characteristic, and the description thereof will be given below.

[0027] In FIG. 2, the tape feeder 13 includes a frame 41, a tape presser 42, a tape conveyance unit 43, a cover tape recovery unit 44, a color sensor unit 45, and a feeder control unit 46. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 41 has a box shape that extends in the YZ plane as a whole, and a coupling portion (not shown) formed on the lower surface is coupled to the feeder base 22.

[0028] In FIG. 2, a conveyance path 41L for the carrier tape 31 is formed in the frame 41. The conveyance path 41L extends substantially horizontally forward from the rear end portion 41G (the end portion on the operator OP side) of the frame 41, and then rises and extends in a forward diagonal direction near the center in the front-rear direction of the frame 41. And the front end portion thereof is exposed on the upper surface of the frame 41.

[0029] In FIG. 2, the tape presser 42 covers the upper surface region of the front end portion of the frame 41 from above, and a gap through which the carrier tape 31 can pass is formed between the upper surface region of the frame 41 and the tape presser 42. A component extraction port 42G is provided at the intermediate portion in the front-rear direction of the tape presser 42.

[0030] In FIG. 2, the tape conveyance unit 43 includes a sprocket 51 provided on the frame 41 and a sprocket drive unit 52 including a drive motor. The sprocket 51 is rotatably attached around the X axis at the upper part on the front end side of the frame 41. Among the outer peripheral teeth 51G of the sprocket 51, the one located directly above the rotation center of the sprocket 51 (the uppermost outer peripheral tooth 51G) protrudes upward from the upper surface region of the frame 41.

[0031] When the sprocket 51 is rotated by the sprocket drive unit 52, the outer peripheral teeth 51G at the uppermost part of the sprocket 51 move forward. Since the outer peripheral teeth 51G at the uppermost part of the sprocket 51 engage with the feed holes 36 of the carrier tape 31 located in the region between the upper surface region of the frame 41 and the tape presser 42, when the outer peripheral teeth 51G at the uppermost part of the sprocket 51 move forward, the carrier tape 31 is pulled by the sprocket 51 and advances on the conveyance path 41L toward the front of the frame 41 (arrow A shown in FIG. 2).

[0032] In FIG. 2, the cover tape recovery unit 44 is provided at a position near the rear of the upper part of the frame 41. The cover tape recovery unit 44 is configured to pull the cover tape 34 peeled off from the base tape 33 and drawn rearward from the component outlet 42G of the tape presser 42, rearward (arrow B shown in FIG. 2). The cover tape 34 pulled rearward by the cover tape recovery unit 44 is sent to the cover tape accommodation space 41K formed at the rear part of the frame 41 and then recovered by the operator OP.

[0033] Each pocket 35 provided in the carrier tape 31 sequentially reaches the component supply position 13K (component outlet 42G) as the carrier tape 31 is conveyed forward on the conveyance path 41L. Since the cover tape 34 has already been peeled off when the pocket 35 reaches the component supply position 13K, the mounting head 14 can pick up the component BH through the component outlet 42G of the tape presser 42. The carrier tape 31 (base tape 33) that has passed through the tape presser 42 is discharged to the outside from the front end of the frame 41 (FIG. 2).

[0034] In FIG. 2, the color sensor unit 45 is provided near the center in the front-rear direction of the frame 41, at a portion where the conveyance path 41L extends while rising in the frontward diagonal direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the color sensor unit 45 includes an LED light source 61, a color sensor 62, a timer 63, and a sensor unit control unit 64.

[0035] In FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c), the LED light source 61 serves as a projector and projects inspection light KL onto the inspection position KP on the conveyance path 41L. The color sensor 62 detects the RGB values of the reflected light HL of the inspection light KL projected from the LED light source 61 at the inspection position KP. Here, the "RGB value" is a value for representing color, and it consists of a combination of those numbers when each color of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) is represented by numbers corresponding to multiple levels of light intensity (voltage) levels. In the present embodiment, the light intensity levels of each color of red, green, and blue are represented by a combination of four numbers "0", "1", "2", and "3" representing four ranks.

[0036] In the present embodiment, as an object that reflects the inspection light KL at the inspection position KP (referred to as a "light reflector"), the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41 at the inspection position KP, the carrier tape 31 (cover tape 34), the connection tape RT attached to the carrier tape 31, and the component BH in the pocket 35 of the carrier tape 31 are defined, and the correspondence between these light reflectors and their RGB values is defined in the RGB value correspondence table shown in FIG. The timer 63 measures the set time.

[0037] The sensor unit control unit 64 controls the operations of the LED light source 61, the color sensor 62, and the timer 63. As shown in FIG. 5, the sensor unit control unit 64 includes an RGB value acquisition unit 64a and a determination unit 64b. The RGB value acquisition unit 64a repeatedly acquires and stores the RGB values detected by the color sensor 62 at a predetermined time interval measured by the timer 63. The determination unit 64b determines whether or not the RGB value newly acquired by the RGB value acquisition unit 64a has changed from the previously acquired RGB value. The time measured by the timer 63 can be arbitrarily set by the RGB value acquisition unit 64a.

[0038] When at least one of the intensity levels of the red, green, and blue light that make up the RGB values acquired by the RGB value acquisition unit 64a changes, the determination unit 64b determines that the RGB value of the reflected light HL has changed. In this case, it may be determined that the RGB value has changed when the ranks of the intensity levels of the red, green, and blue light of the RGB value (for example, the ranks of "0", "1", "2", "3" shown in FIG. 7) change to different ranks, or when the magnitude of the difference between the intensity level of the light acquired last time and the intensity level of the light acquired this time changes by a predetermined ratio or more with respect to the intensity level of the light acquired last time, it may be determined that the RGB value has changed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the feeder control unit 46 includes a sprocket drive control unit 71, a detection unit 72, and an RGB value correspondence table 73. The sprocket drive control unit 71 controls the operation of the sprocket drive unit 52 provided in the tape feeder 13.

[0040] Based on the RGB value detected by the color sensor 62, the detection unit 72 of the feeder control unit 46 determines the type of the light reflector (the object that reflects the inspection light KL at the inspection position KP), thereby detecting the connection tape RT as a connection part for connecting the carrier tape 31 and the presence or absence of the carrier tape 31. More specifically, when it is determined by the determination unit 64b that the RGB value has changed, based on the RGB value acquired this time by the RGB value acquisition unit 64a, the type of the light reflector is determined, so that the state where the carrier tape 31 has not passed through the inspection position KP (FIG. 6(a)), the state where the carrier tape 31 has passed through the inspection position KP (FIG. 6(b)), and the state where the connection tape RT has reached the inspection position KP (FIG. 6(c)) are detected.

[0041] In this way, the feeder control unit 46 can accurately grasp the position of the connecting tape RT by detecting the state in which the connecting tape RT has reached the inspection position KP. Information on the position of the connecting tape RT in each tape feeder 13 is sent from the feeder control unit 46 provided in that tape feeder 13 to the control device 18 of the component mounting apparatus 1 and is used for lot management of the components BH for each tape feeder 13 performed by the control device 18.

[0042] In the RGB value correspondence table 73 shown in FIG. 7, the correspondence between the light reflectors and their RGB values is recorded. In the present embodiment, as the light reflectors, the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41 at the inspection position KP, four types of cover tapes 34 (cover tape (A), cover tape (B), cover tape (C), cover tape (D)) and three types of connecting tapes RT (connecting tape (A), connecting tape (B), connecting tape (C)) are defined, and their respective RGB values are recorded in the RGB value correspondence table 73.

[0043] In FIG. 7, the RGB value of the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41 at the inspection position KP is (0, 0, 0). Therefore, when the intensity levels of the light of each color of the RGB value detected by the color sensor 62 are all "0", in the detection unit 72, it is determined that the light reflector is the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41.

[0044] In FIG. 7, the RGB value of the cover tape (A) is (1, 1, 1), the RGB value of the cover tape (B) is (2, 1, 1), the RGB value of the cover tape (C) is (1, 2, 1), and the RGB value of the cover tape (D) is (1, 1, 2). Therefore, when the intensity levels of the light of each color of the RGB value detected by the color sensor 62 are all "1" or "2", in the detection unit 72, it is determined that the light reflector is the cover tape 34.

[0045] In FIG. 7, the RGB value of the connection tape (A) is (3, 1, 1), the RGB value of the connection tape (B) is (1, 3, 1), and the RGB value of the connection tape (C) is (1, 1, 3). Therefore, when at least one of the light intensity levels of the respective colors of the RGB value detected by the color sensor 62 is "3", in the detection unit 72, it is determined that the light reflector is the connection tape RT.

[0046] In the present embodiment, the RGB value acquisition unit 64a and the determination unit 64b constitute a color sensor unit 45 together with the color sensor 62, and the detection unit 72 constitutes a part of the feeder control unit 46 that controls the operation of the tape feeder 13 including the conveyance operation of the carrier tape 31. Then, the color sensor unit 45 determines whether or not the RGB value of the reflected light HL detected by the color sensor 62 has changed, and the feeder control unit 46 performs the determination of the type of the light reflector only when it is determined in the color sensor unit 45 that the RGB value has changed.

[0047] Thus, in the present embodiment, by having a control unit (sensor unit control unit 46) other than the feeder control unit 46 perform the determination of whether or not the RGB value of the reflected light HL detected by the color sensor 62 has changed, which needs to be constantly performed, the processing load of the feeder control unit 46 that performs overall control of the tape feeder 13 can be reduced. For this reason, the conveyance operation of the carrier tape 31, which is the original operation of the tape feeder 13, is not hindered, and thus the productivity of the component mounting apparatus 1 can be increased.

[0048] Next, using the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the flow of the process of detecting the presence or absence of the carrier tape 31 at the inspection position KP of the conveyance path 41L of the tape feeder 13 and the state in which the connection tape RT has reached the inspection position KP will be described. In FIG. 8, the left flowchart shows the flow of the process of the sensor unit control unit 64, and the right flowchart shows the flow of the process of the feeder control unit 46.

[0049] In FIG. 8, when power is supplied to the tape feeder 13, the sensor unit control section 64 and the feeder control section 46 start processing. When starting the processing, the sensor unit control section 64 first initializes the RGB values (step ST1). In the initialization of the RGB values, the sensor unit control section 64 causes the LED light source 61 to project the inspection light KL toward the inspection position KP, and causes the color sensor 62 to detect the RGB values of the reflected light HL. Here, with the carrier tape 31 not present in the conveyance path 41L, the inspection light KL is projected and the RGB values of the reflected light HL are detected by the color sensor 62, thereby setting the RGB values of the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41 at the inspection position KP as the initial values.

[0050] When the sensor unit control section 64 has initialized the RGB values, the feeder control section 46 requests the sensor unit control section 64 for the RGB values initialized in step ST1 (step ST2). When the sensor unit control section 64 receives the request for the RGB values from the feeder control section 46 (step ST3), it transmits the RGB values initialized in step ST1 to the feeder control section 46 (step ST4).

[0051] When the feeder control section 46 has received the RGB values from the sensor unit control section 64 (step ST5), in the detection section 72, it determines the type of the light reflector that reflected the inspection light KL in step ST1 based on the received RGB values (step ST6). Here, the detection section 72 of the feeder control section 46 determines that the type of the light reflector is the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41 at the inspection position KP based on the RGB values set as the initial values in step ST1.

[0052] When the sensor unit control section 64 has transmitted the RGB values to the feeder control section 46 in step ST4, it causes the LED light source 61 to project the inspection light KL toward the inspection position KP, and starts the detection of the RGB values by the color sensor 62 (step ST7). Then, thereafter, it determines whether or not a predetermined time measured by the timer 63 has elapsed (step ST8), and each time the predetermined time elapses, the RGB value acquisition section 64a acquires the RGB values detected by the color sensor 62 (step ST9).

[0053] In step ST9, when the sensor unit control unit 64 acquires the RGB values detected by the color sensor 62, the determination unit 64b compares the currently acquired RGB values with the previously acquired RGB values, and determines whether the current RGB values have changed from the previous RGB values in the manner described above (step ST10).

[0054] In step ST10, if the sensor unit control unit 64 determines that the RGB values have not changed from the previous values, it returns to step ST8. However, if it determines that the RGB values have changed from the previous values, it sends an I / O request to the feeder control unit 46 (step ST11). When the feeder control unit 46 receives the I / O request from the sensor unit control unit 64 (step ST12), it requests the RGB values from the sensor unit control unit 64 (step ST13). Then, when the sensor unit control unit 64 receives the request for the RGB values from the feeder control unit 46 (step ST14), it sends the current RGB values to the feeder control unit 46 (step ST15). After the sensor unit control unit 64 sends the RGB values to the feeder control unit 46 in step ST15, it returns to step ST8 to acquire the RGB values (step ST9).

[0055] When the feeder control unit 46 receives the RGB values sent by the sensor unit control unit 64 in step ST15 (step ST16), in the detection unit 72, based on the received RGB values, it determines the type of the light reflector that reflected the inspection light KL (step ST17). If the determined type of the light reflector is the surface (sheet metal) of the frame 41, the feeder control unit 46 determines that there is no carrier tape 31 at the inspection position KP (the carrier tape 31 is not in a state of passing through the inspection position KP). Also, if the determined type of the light reflector is the cover tape 34 (any one of cover tape (A), cover tape (B), cover tape (C), cover tape (D)), the feeder control unit 46 determines that there is a carrier tape 31 at the inspection position KP (the carrier tape 31 is passing through the inspection position KP).

[0056] Furthermore, if the type of light-reflecting object determined to be the concatenated tape RT (either the concatenated tape (A), the concatenated tape (B), or the concatenated tape (C)) is found, the feeder control unit 46 determines that the inspection position KP has reached the concatenated tape RT (the concatenated tape RT has passed the inspection position KP), and recognizes the position of the concatenated tape RT at that time as the lot change position for the components BH. Furthermore, if the type of light-reflecting object changes from the carrier tape 31 to the concatenated tape RT, the feeder control unit 46 notifies the control device 18 of the component mounting apparatus 1 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the component mounting apparatus 1 begins preparations to switch the information on the components BH supplied from the tape feeder 13 that issued the notification.

[0057] Furthermore, when feeder control unit 46 determines that carrier tape 31 is present at inspection position KP (carrier tape 31 is passing inspection position KP), and the RGB values that subsequently change do not correspond to the surface of frame 41 or to the connecting tape RT, feeder control unit 46 determines that component BH stored on carrier tape 31 is passing inspection position KP. That is, in this embodiment, detection unit 72 of feeder control unit 46 determines the type of light-reflecting object based on the RGB values detected by color sensor 62, thereby detecting component BH stored on carrier tape 31 passing inspection position KP.

[0058] To make such a determination, it is necessary to determine the colors (RGB values) of the cover tape 34 and the connecting tape RT so that none of the RGB values of the surface of the frame 41, the carrier tape 31, and the connecting tape RT recorded in the RGB value correspondence table 73 matches the RGB values corresponding to the component BH. After determining the type of light-reflecting object in step ST17, the feeder control unit 46 continues to wait for an I / O request to be sent from the sensor unit control unit 64 (step S11).

[0059] As described above, the tape feeder 13 included in the component mounting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment projects inspection light KL at the inspection position KP on the conveyance path 41L of the carrier tape 31, and the color sensor 62 detects the RGB values of the inspection light KL (reflected light HL) reflected at the inspection position KP. Then, based on the detected RGB values of the reflected light HL, the type of the object (light-reflecting object) that reflects the inspection light KL at the inspection position KP is determined, so as to detect the connecting portion (connecting tape RT) that connects the carrier tapes 31 and the presence or absence of the carrier tape 31.

[0060] In the present embodiment, by detecting the color of the connecting tape RT having a certain width, the presence or absence of the carrier tape 31 at the inspection position KP and the state in which the connecting tape RT has reached the inspection position KP are detected. Therefore, even when the carrier tape 31 meanders and advances in the conveyance path 41L, the state in which the connecting tape RT has reached the inspection position KP can be surely detected. For this reason, according to the tape feeder 13 in the present embodiment, the position of the connecting tape RT can be surely grasped and the lot management of the components BH can be accurately performed.

[0061] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention is not limited to those described above, and various modifications and the like are possible. For example, the RGB value correspondence table shown in FIG. 7 of the above-described embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to this including the types of light-reflecting objects. Further, unlike the above-described embodiment, the connecting tape RT may be attached at a position that closes the feed hole 36. However, the outer peripheral teeth 51G of the sprocket 51 do not sufficiently engage with the feed hole 36 blocked by the connecting tape RT, and there is a possibility that the carrier tape 31 vibrates and the supply accuracy of the component BH at the component supply position 13K decreases. For this reason, it is preferable that the connecting tape RT is attached at a position that does not block the feed hole 36. Further, for connecting the carrier tapes 31 to each other, a clip made of metal or resin may be used instead of the connecting tape RT. Regarding this clip as well, it is possible to acquire the RGB values and perform detection in the same manner as described above.

Industrial Applicability

[0062] To provide a tape feeder and a component mounting device that can surely grasp the position of a connecting tape and accurately perform lot management of components.

Explanation of Signs

[0063] 1 Component mounting device 13 Tape feeder 13K Component supply position 14 Mounting head 31 Carrier tape 36 Feeding hole 41 Frame 41L Conveyor path 43 Tape conveyor section 45 Color sensor unit 46 Feeder control section 51G Outer peripheral teeth 61 LED light source (projector) 62 Color sensor 64a RGB value acquisition section 64b Judgment section 72 Detection section RT Connecting tape (connection section) KP Inspection position KL Inspection light HL Reflected light BH Component KB Substrate

Claims

1. A tape feeder that conveys a carrier tape containing components on a conveyance path and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position, comprising: a frame in which the conveyance path is formed; a tape conveyance unit provided on the frame for conveying the carrier tape on the conveyance path; a light projector that projects inspection light at an inspection position on the conveyance path; a color sensor that repeatedly detects the RGB values of the reflected light of the inspection light projected from the light projector at the inspection position; a determination unit that determines the type of the light reflector that reflects the inspection light at the inspection position based on the RGB values detected by the color sensor; an RGB value correspondence table in which the correspondence between a plurality of types of the light reflectors and their RGB values is recorded; and the determination unit determines the type of the light reflector based on the RGB values recorded in the RGB value correspondence table and the changed RGB values if there is a change in the RGB values. A tape feeder.

2. The tape feeder according to claim 1, further comprising an RGB value acquisition unit that repeatedly acquires the RGB values detected by the color sensor at predetermined time intervals, and the determination unit makes the determination based on the acquired RGB values.

3. The RGB value acquisition unit and the determination unit constitute a color sensor unit together with the color sensor, The tape feeder according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit constitutes a part of a feeder control unit that controls the operation of the tape feeder including the conveyance operation of the carrier tape.

4. The RGB value correspondence table records the RGB values of each of the frame as the light reflector, the cover tape constituting the carrier tape, and the connecting portion connecting the carrier tapes. The tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a sensor unit control unit that sets, as an initial value, the RGB value acquired in a state where the carrier tape is not on the conveyance path. The determination unit determines the type of the light reflector based on the RGB values recorded in the RGB value correspondence table and the changed RGB values if there is a change in the RGB value as the initial value. A tape feeder.

6. A component mounting apparatus, comprising: the tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a mounting head that picks up the components supplied by the tape feeder and mounts them on a substrate.

Images