Parts supply device

Abstract

To provide a component supply device capable of reducing wear of a pin of a sprocket which transmits rotation to a wheel.SOLUTION: A component supply device comprises: an introduction sprocket 35 which transfers a carrier tape CT by being rotated while engaging an outer peripheral pin 35T to a feed hole KH of a carrier tape CT on a transfer path 21L; and a wheel 40 which includes a plurality of recesses 40B in an outer periphery and is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the introduction sprocket by receiving the outer peripheral pin 35T of the rotating introduction sprocket 35 in the recesses 40B. Both an abutting surface 35H of the outer peripheral pin 35T abutted to an inner surface of the recess 40B and an abutted surface 40H, to which the outer peripheral pin 35T is abutted, in the inner surface of the recess 40B consist of planes and the abutting surface 35H and the abutted surface 40H are brought into line-contact.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a component supplying device that transports a component supplying tape containing components and supplies the components to a component supplying position. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, component mounting devices that mount components on a substrate are known. A tape feeder that uses a carrier tape (component supply tape) configured by attaching a cover tape to a base tape containing components is widely used as a component supply device that supplies components to the component mounting device. The tape feeder includes a frame with a carrier tape transport path, a sprocket that transports the carrier tape on the transport path, and a peeling unit that peels the cover tape from the base tape of the carrier tape transported by the sprocket.

[0003] Among such component supply devices, a configuration is known in which a sprocket for transporting a carrier tape is used instead of a gear to drive the target gear, from the viewpoint of reducing the number of parts, etc. (For example, see Patent Document 1 below.) In this case, a disk-shaped member is provided concentrically with the target gear to be driven, and the rotation of the sprocket is transmitted to the target gear by abutting the pin of the rotating sprocket against a recess provided on the outer periphery of the disk-shaped member. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-125625 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, sprocket pins have traditionally been conical in shape for ease of processing and removal from the carrier tape's feed holes. This has led to the problem that when the sprocket pin abuts against the recess in the disk-shaped member, the pin makes point contact (i.e., localized contact) with the inner surface of the recess, causing wear and potentially reducing the durability of the pin.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a parts supplying device that can reduce wear on the pins of the sprocket that transmits rotation to the wheel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The component supply device of the present invention is a component supply device that supplies components to a component supply position using a component supply tape having a base tape with a storage section in which components are stored and a cover tape that is attached to the base tape and covers the storage section, and is equipped with a frame having a transport path for the component supply tape, a sprocket provided on the frame that transports the component supply tape by rotating with pins engaging with feed holes in the component supply tape on the transport path, and a disk-shaped member that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the sprocket by abutting the pins of the rotating sprocket against recesses provided on the outer periphery. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce wear on the pins of the sprocket that transmit rotation to the wheel. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a component mounting device equipped with a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a carrier tape used in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a reel; [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a carrier tape used in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] 1A is a plan view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B is a side view of the portion of the tape feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] 1A is a side view of a portion where an outer peripheral pin of an introduction sprocket provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention abuts against a recessed portion of a wheel; FIG. 1B is a partially sectional perspective view of the portion where an outer peripheral pin of an introduction sprocket abuts against a recessed portion of a wheel; [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion where an outer peripheral pin of an introduction sprocket provided in a tape feeder and a recessed portion of a wheel come into contact with each other; [Figure 12] (a) (b) (c) Side views of the vicinity of the portion where the outer peripheral pin of the lead-in sprocket provided in the tape feeder and the recessed portion of the wheel come into contact with each other in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a second guide member provided in a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a peeling gear; [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a portion of a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a procedure for feeding a carrier tape by a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a carrier tape feeding procedure by a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18]1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a carrier tape feeding procedure by a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating a carrier tape feeding procedure by a tape feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a component mounting device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting device 1 is a device that repeatedly performs component mounting operations, transporting a board KB sent from an upstream process side in a horizontal direction, positioning it at a work position, mounting components BH on the board KB, and transporting it to the downstream process side.

[0011] 1, component mounting device 1 includes a base 11, a substrate transport unit 12, a tape feeder 13, a mounting head 14, and a head moving mechanism 15. For ease of explanation in this embodiment, the direction in which substrate KB is transported is defined as the X direction (the left-right direction as seen from the operator OP), and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction (the front-rear direction as seen from the operator OP). The up-down direction is defined as the Z direction.

[0012] 1, the substrate transport unit 12 is equipped with a pair of belt conveyors 12a extending in the X direction on a base 11. The substrate transport unit 12 simultaneously operates the pair of belt conveyors 12a to transport the substrate KB in the X direction and position it at a work position. A feeder carriage FD is connected to the base 11, and the tape feeder 13 is detachably attached to a feeder base FB provided on the top of the feeder carriage FD. A plurality of tape feeders 13 can be attached to the feeder base FB and lined up in the X direction.

[0013] Tape feeder 13 is a component supply unit (component supply device) in component mounting device 1, and transports carrier tape CT as a component supply tape containing components BH, and supplies the components BH to component supply position 13P (FIG. 1). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (FIG. 3 shows area AE1 in FIG. 2), carrier tape CT is configured with base tape BT and cover tape TT attached to the upper surface of base tape BT. Carrier tape CT is supplied wound around reel RL (FIG. 2).

[0014] The base tape BT has multiple pockets PK lined up in a row along its length. Each pocket PK contains a component BH. The cover tape TT is attached to the base tape BT and prevents the components BH from falling out of the pockets PK. The base tape BT has multiple feed holes KH lined up in a row along the length of the carrier tape CT, parallel to the row of pockets PK (Figure 3).

[0015] In this embodiment, the carrier tape CT is configured to include a base tape BT having a pocket PK as a storage section in which the component BH is stored, and a cover tape TT that is attached to the base tape BT and covers the pocket PK.

[0016] 1, the mounting head 14 has a plurality of nozzles 14N extending downward. The head moving mechanism 15 is, for example, an XY robot, and moves the mounting head 14 in a horizontal plane. The mounting head 14 picks up components BH supplied to the component supply position 13P by the tape feeder 13 by suction to the lower ends of the nozzles 14N. Thus, in this embodiment, the tape feeder 13 is configured to supply components BH to the component mounting device 1 using the carrier tape CT as the component supply tape.

[0017] 1, the component mounting device 1 is equipped with a control device 16. The control device 16 controls the operations of the substrate transport unit 12, each tape feeder 13, the mounting head 14, and the head moving mechanism 15. An operation panel PN is connected to the control device 16. An operator OP can perform input operations to the control device 16 through the operation panel PN.

[0018] When the component mounting device 1 performs a component mounting operation, the control device 16 first operates the board transport unit 12 to receive the board KB sent from the upstream process side, transports it to the work position, and positions it. After the board KB is positioned, the control device 16 operates the tape feeder 13 to supply components BH to the component supply position 13P, while operating the head movement mechanism 15 to cause the mounting head 14 to repeatedly transfer components. The component transfer operation consists of an operation of suctioning the components BH supplied by the tape feeder 13 onto the nozzle 14N, and an operation of mounting the components BH picked up by the nozzle 14N onto the board KB.

[0019] The control device 16 causes the mounting head 14 to repeatedly perform component transfer operations until all of the components BH to be mounted on the board KB are mounted, and then operates the board transport unit 12 to transport the board KB to the downstream process side, thereby completing the component mounting operation for one board KB.

[0020] Next, we will explain the configuration and operation of tape feeder 13. As shown in Figure 4, tape feeder 13 includes a frame 21, a tape retraction mechanism 22, a transport mechanism 23, a cover member 24, a cover tape peeling mechanism 25, an operation / display unit 26, and a control unit 27.

[0021] The frame 21 of the tape feeder 13 is attached to the feeder base FB of the feeder carriage FD. When the tape feeder 13 (frame 21) is attached to the feeder base FB, the width direction of the frame 21 coincides with the X direction, and the front-rear direction coincides with the Y direction. Of the ends of the frame 21 in the Y direction, the side closer to the substrate transport unit 12 is referred to as the front end side, and the side farther from the substrate transport unit 12 is referred to as the rear end side.

[0022] 4, a transport path 21L for the carrier tape CT is provided within the frame 21, extending from the rear end side to the front end side of the frame 21. The transport path 21L has a tape inlet 21K (an introduction position for the carrier tape CT) that opens at the rear end of the frame 21, and a tape outlet 21T that opens at the front end side of the frame 21.

[0023] The carrier tape CT is inserted from the tape entrance 21K and transported to be discharged from the tape exit 21T. Hereinafter, the side of the frame 21 where the tape entrance 21K is provided will be referred to as the "upstream side," and the side where the tape exit 21T is provided will be referred to as the "downstream side."

[0024] 4, the transport path 21L as a whole is formed as a path that extends from the lower upstream side to the upper downstream side within the frame 21. In detail, the transport path 21L extends from the tape inlet 21K toward the downstream side substantially along the Y direction, extends diagonally upward toward the downstream side from the middle part of the frame 21, and then extends further downstream while being exposed at the upper part of the frame 21, to reach the tape outlet 21T.

[0025] 4, a hollow area is formed on the upstream side of the frame 21. This hollow area serves as a storage section 21S for storing the cover tape TT peeled from the base tape BT, as will be described later.

[0026] 4, a connecting portion 21R having a shape extending in the Y direction is provided at the downstream lower portion of frame 21. Tape feeder 13 is connected to feeder base FB (i.e., feeder carriage FD) by inserting connecting portion 21R into a slot (not shown) provided in feeder base FB.

[0027] 4, the tape retraction mechanism 22 includes an insertion detection unit 22a, a retraction sprocket 22b, and a retraction motor 22c. The insertion detection unit 22a is provided at the bottom on the upstream side of the frame 21, and detects the leading end of the carrier tape CT inserted into the transport path 21L from the tape inlet 21K.

[0028] The lead-in sprocket 22b is also located at the bottom on the upstream side of the frame 21 and is rotatable about an axis along the X direction (i.e., in a direction along the YZ plane). The lead-in sprocket 22b has multiple pins (not shown) on its outer periphery, and the lowest one of these multiple pins is located within the conveying path 21L.

[0029] When the insertion detector 22a detects that the leading end of the carrier tape CT has been inserted into the tape inlet 21K, the retraction motor 22c rotates the retraction sprocket 22b. At this time, the retraction sprocket 22b rotates in a direction in which the pin on the lower end side moves downstream (indicated by the arrow Ra in FIG. 4).

[0030] When the retraction sprocket 22b rotates in a direction in which the pin at the lower end moves downstream, the lowest pin of the retraction sprocket 22b engages with the feed hole KH of the carrier tape CT in the conveying path 21L, and the carrier tape CT is conveyed in the downstream direction (the direction toward the downstream side; the direction from the left side to the right side of the paper in FIG. 4). As a result, the carrier tape CT is retracted into the frame 21, and the leading end of the carrier tape CT advances toward the downstream side on the conveying path 21L.

[0031] 4, the transport mechanism 23 is provided downstream of the frame 21. The transport mechanism 23 is a mechanism that receives the carrier tape CT drawn into the transport path 21L by the tape retraction mechanism 22 and transports it toward the component supply position 13P. As described above, in this embodiment, the tape feeder 13 is configured to include the transport path 21L that leads from the tape entrance 21K, which is the introduction position of the carrier tape CT, to the component supply position 13P, and the transport mechanism 23 that transports the carrier tape CT on the transport path 21L to the component supply position 13P.

[0032] In Figure 5 (Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area AE2 in Figure 4), the transport mechanism 23 includes a drive motor 31, a drive gear 32, a reduction gear 33, a first intermediate gear 34, an introduction sprocket 35, a positioning sprocket 36, a second intermediate gear 37, and a discharge sprocket 38. The drive motor 31 is installed at the bottom on the downstream side of the frame 21, and rotates the drive gear 32 around an axis along the X direction. The drive motor 31 can rotate the drive gear 32 in either the forward or reverse direction.

[0033] The reduction gear 33 and the first intermediate gear 34 are each provided to be rotatable around an axis along the X direction. The reduction gear 33 meshes with the drive gear 32 (FIG. 5). The reduction gear 33 is configured integrally with a small diameter gear 33T provided concentrically with the reduction gear 33, and the small diameter gear 33T meshes with the first intermediate gear 34 (FIG. 5). The reduction gear 33 reduces the rotation speed of the drive motor 31 and increases the torque generated by the drive motor 31 before transmitting it to the first intermediate gear 34.

[0034] 5, the lead-in sprocket 35 is located above the upstream side of the first intermediate gear 34 and below a portion of the conveying path 21L that extends diagonally upward from the middle portion. The lead-in sprocket 35 is rotatable about an axis along the X direction, and among the multiple pins provided on the outer periphery (referred to as "outer periphery pins 35T"), those located slightly upstream of the uppermost end are positioned within the conveying path 21L (FIG. 5).

[0035] The lead-in sprocket 35 is integrally formed with a lead-in sprocket drive gear 35G that is provided concentrically therewith. The lead-in sprocket drive gear 35G is in mesh with the first intermediate gear 34 (FIG. 5). Therefore, when the first intermediate gear 34 rotates, the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates via the lead-in sprocket drive gear 35G.

[0036] 5, the positioning sprocket 36 is located slightly downstream of and above the first intermediate gear 34 (above the downstream side of the introduction sprocket 35) and below the conveying path 21L. The positioning sprocket 36 is rotatable about an axis along the X direction, and the uppermost of multiple pins located on the outer periphery is located within the conveying path 21L (FIG. 5).

[0037] The positioning sprocket 36 is integral with a positioning sprocket drive gear 36G that is provided concentrically with the positioning sprocket 36. The positioning sprocket 36 is in mesh with the first intermediate gear 34 (FIG. 5), and when the first intermediate gear 34 rotates, the positioning sprocket 36 rotates in the same direction as the lead sprocket 35 via the positioning sprocket drive gear 36G.

[0038] 5, the second intermediate gear 37 is located below the downstream side of the positioning sprocket 36. The second intermediate gear 37 is rotatable about an axis along the X direction, and is in mesh with the positioning sprocket drive gear 36G.

[0039] 5, the discharge sprocket 38 is located downstream of the positioning sprocket 36 and below the conveying path 21L (above the second intermediate gear 37). The discharge sprocket 38 is rotatable about an axis along the X direction, and the uppermost pin of the multiple pins located on the outer periphery is located within the conveying path 21L.

[0040] The discharge sprocket 38 is integral with a discharge sprocket drive gear 38G that is provided concentrically with the discharge sprocket 38. The discharge sprocket 38 meshes with the second intermediate gear 37 (FIG. 5), and when the second intermediate gear 37 rotates, the discharge sprocket 38 rotates in the same direction as the positioning sprocket 36 (and the lead-in sprocket 35) via the discharge sprocket drive gear 38G.

[0041] As described above, in tape feeder 13 in this embodiment, lead-in sprocket 35, positioning sprocket 36, and discharge sprocket 38 are configured to receive the driving force of drive motor 31 and rotate in the same direction.

[0042] As described above, some of the pins on the outer periphery of each of the three sprockets (introduction sprocket 35, positioning sprocket 36, and discharge sprocket 38) that make up the transport mechanism 23 are positioned within the transport path 21L. The introduction sprocket 35, positioning sprocket 36, and discharge sprocket 38 transport the carrier tape CT by rotating with their pins engaging with the feed holes KH of the carrier tape CT on the transport path 21L.

[0043] The lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in a direction (indicated by arrow R1 in FIG. 5) that moves the outer peripheral pins 35T at its upper end downstream, thereby transporting the carrier tape CT downstream on the transport path 21L. This rotation direction of the lead-in sprocket 35 is hereinafter referred to as the "tape advance direction." The positioning sprocket 36 and the discharge sprocket 38 also rotate in a direction that moves the pins at their upper ends downstream in this manner, thereby transporting the carrier tape CT downstream.

[0044] The lead-in sprocket 35 receives the carrier tape CT sent from the lead-in sprocket 22b and transports the carrier tape CT downstream. The positioning sprocket 36 transports the carrier tape CT received from the lead-in sprocket 35 downstream, and the discharge sprocket 38 transports the carrier tape CT received from the positioning sprocket 36 downstream and discharges it from the tape outlet 21T of the frame 21.

[0045] The introduction sprocket 35 also rotates in a direction that moves the outer peripheral pin 35T at its upper end toward the upstream side (the opposite direction of the arrow R1 shown in FIG. 5), thereby transporting the carrier tape CT on the transport path 21L in the upstream direction (the direction toward the upstream side, from the right side to the left side of the paper in FIG. 4). The rotation direction of the introduction sprocket 35 that transports the carrier tape CT upstream in this way is hereinafter referred to as the "tape retreat direction." However, the introduction sprocket 35 rotates in the tape retreat direction by an extremely small amount when the leading end of the carrier tape CT has not yet been transferred from the introduction sprocket 35 to the positioning sprocket 36 (described below).

[0046] 5, the cover member 24 is provided extending in the Y direction above the transport mechanism 23. The cover member 24 covers the upper downstream side of the frame 21 from above, and has the function of pressing down from above the carrier tape CT transported on the transport path 21L by the three sprockets (inlet sprocket 35, positioning sprocket 36, and discharge sprocket 38) that make up the transport mechanism 23.

[0047] 5 and 6 (FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of area AE3 in FIG. 5), an opening 24K that opens upward is provided in the middle part in the Y direction of the cover member 24. The component supply position 13P is set within the opening 24K.

[0048] 6, 7, 8, and 9(a) and (b), the cover tape peeling mechanism 25 includes a wheel 40, three transmission gears, and three peeling gears. The three transmission gears are a first transmission gear 41a, a second transmission gear 41b, and a third transmission gear 41c, each of which is rotatable about an axis along the X direction. The three peeling gears are a first peeling gear 51, a second peeling gear 52, and a third peeling gear 53, each of which is rotatable about an axis along the X direction.

[0049] 7, 8 and 9(b), the wheel 40 is provided at a position facing the lead-in sprocket 35 across the conveying path 21L (above the conveying path 21L). The wheel 40 is made of a disk-shaped member (disk-shaped member) that extends along the YZ plane, and is provided so as to be rotatable around an axis that extends along the X direction.

[0050] A plurality of recesses 40B are provided on the outer periphery of the wheel 40 (FIG. 8 and FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b)). These recesses 40B are arranged at a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the outer periphery pins 35T of the lead-in sprocket 35. When the lead-in sprocket 35 is rotating, the outer periphery pins 35T enter the recesses 40B of the wheel 40 from below, and the outer periphery pins 35T abut against the inner surfaces of the recesses 40B (FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) and 11. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrow VV in FIG. 10(a)), thereby rotating the wheel 40. At this time, the wheel 40 rotates in the opposite direction to the lead-in sprocket 35 (arrow R2 shown in FIG. 7).

[0051] As described above, in this embodiment, wheel 40, which is a disk-shaped member, is rotatably mounted, and is configured to rotate in accordance with the rotation of introduction sprocket 35 by abutting outer peripheral pins 35T (FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), and 11) of rotating introduction sprocket 35 against recesses 40B provided on the outer periphery. The introduction sprocket 35 and wheel 40, which generates the rotational force that activates cover tape peeling mechanism 25, are mounted on either side of conveyance path 21L, so that outer peripheral pins 35T of introduction sprocket 35 pass through feed holes KH of the carrier tape CT being conveyed and abut against recesses 40B of wheel 40, thereby transmitting the rotational force. This arrangement eliminates the need for a motor to operate cover tape peeling mechanism 25, enabling downsizing and cost reduction of tape feeder 13.

[0052] 10(a), the outer peripheral pins 35T of the introduction sprocket 35, which are engaged with the feed holes KH of the carrier tape CT on the conveying path 21L, penetrate the feed holes KH from below. Therefore, even when the outer peripheral pins 35T are engaged with the feed holes KH of the carrier tape CT, they can enter the recesses 40B of the wheel 40, and the introduction sprocket 35 can rotate the wheel 40 while conveying the carrier tape CT on the conveying path 21L (FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b)).

[0053] As shown in Figure 10(b), the sloped surface of the outer peripheral pin 35T of the lead-in sprocket 35, which abuts against the inner surface of the recess 40B of the wheel 40 (referred to as the "abutment surface 35H"), is flat. Also, the portion of the inner surface of the recess 40B of the wheel 40 that abuts against the abutment surface 35H of the lead-in sprocket 35 (referred to as the "contacted surface 40H") is also flat. Because the abutment surface 35H that abuts against the recess 40B of the outer peripheral pin 35T and the contacted surface 40H of the inner surface of the recess 40B that the outer peripheral pin 35T abuts against are both flat, the abutment surface 35H and the contacted surface 40H are in line contact (Figure 10(b)).

[0054] When the outer circumferential pins 35T of the introduction sprocket 35 abut against the inner surfaces of the recesses 40B, first, the tip ends of the abutting surfaces 35H of the outer circumferential pins 35T abut against the abutted surfaces 40H (see abutment portion TB in FIG. 12(a)). Then, as the introduction sprocket 35 continues to rotate, the outer circumferential pins 35T and the recesses 40B move relatively closer to each other, so that the abutment portion TB between the outer circumferential pins 35T and the inner surfaces of the recesses 40B moves from the tip end of the outer circumferential pins 35T toward the base end (the entrance side of the recesses 40B) (FIG. 12(a) → FIG. 12(b)). Then, as the introduction sprocket 35 continues to rotate, the outer circumferential pins 35T and the recesses 40B move relatively farther apart, so that the abutment portion TB moves again toward the tip end of the outer circumferential pins 35T (FIG. 12(b) → FIG. 12(c)).

[0055] In this embodiment, the portion of the outer peripheral pin 35T that abuts against the recess 40B (abutment surface 35H) and the portion of the inner surface of the recess 40B that the outer peripheral pin 35T abuts against (abutted surface 40H) are both flat, so even if the abutment portion TB moves (Figure 12(a) → Figure 12(b) → Figure 12(c)), the abutment surface 35H of the outer peripheral pin 35T and the abutted surface 40H of the recess 40B maintain a state of abutment by line contact.

[0056] Here, if the outer circumferential pin 35T of the lead-in sprocket 35 had a conical shape as in the past and the sloped portion that abuts against the inner surface of the recess 40B were curved, the outer circumferential pin 35T would make point contact with the inner surface of the recess 40B, even if the inner surface of the recess 40B was flat. In this embodiment, as described above, the outer circumferential pin 35T and the inner surface of the recess 40B make line contact rather than point contact, and the outer circumferential pin 35T does not make localized contact with the inner surface of the recess 40B. This reduces wear on the outer circumferential pin 35T and improves the durability of not only the lead-in sprocket 35 but also the wheel 40.

[0057] 7, 8, and 9(a) and (b), the first transmission gear 41a is provided concentrically with the wheel 40. A slip clutch (not shown) is interposed between the first transmission gear 41a and the wheel 40. The slip clutch transmits torque from the wheel 40 side to the first transmission gear 41a, but does not transmit torque from the first transmission gear 41a side to the wheel 40. For this reason, when the wheel 40 is driven by the lead-in sprocket 35, the first transmission gear 41a rotates, but even if the first transmission gear 41a is driven by an external force (driven by manual operation of the third peeling gear 53, which will be described later), the wheel 40 does not rotate.

[0058] 7, 8, and 9(a) and (b), the second transmission gear 41b meshes with the first transmission gear 41a on the downstream side of the first transmission gear 41a, and the third transmission gear 41c meshes with the second transmission gear 41b on the downstream side of the second transmission gear 41b. Therefore, when the first transmission gear 41a rotates, the second transmission gear 41b rotates in the opposite direction to the first transmission gear 41a, and the third transmission gear 41c rotates in the opposite direction to the second transmission gear 41b (the same direction as the first transmission gear 41a).

[0059] 8, 9(a), 9(b), and 13, the first peeling gear 51 is attached to the third transmission gear shaft 42, which is the rotation shaft of the third transmission gear 41c. Therefore, the first peeling gear 51 rotates integrally with the third transmission gear 41c around the axis of the third transmission gear shaft 42.

[0060] 9(a), (b) and 13, two first peeling gears 51 are provided side by side in the direction of the third transmission gear shaft 42 (X direction). These two first peeling gears 51 are integrally configured. The second peeling gears 52 are located downstream of the first peeling gears 51, and the two second peeling gears 52 are provided side by side in the X direction. The two third peeling gears 53 are provided side by side in the X direction on a third peeling gear shaft 53J located above the first peeling gears 51 (FIGS. 9(a) and 9(b)).

[0061] 7, 8, and 9(a) and 9(b), one of the two second peeling gears 52 meshes with one of the two first peeling gears 51, and the other of the two second peeling gears 52 meshes with the other of the two first peeling gears 51. One of the two third peeling gears 53 meshes with one of the two first peeling gears 51, and the other of the two third peeling gears 53 meshes with the other of the two first peeling gears 51. When the third transmission gear 41c rotates, the first peeling gear 51 rotates in the same direction as the third transmission gear 41c, and the second peeling gear 52 and the third peeling gear 53 rotate in the opposite direction to the first peeling gear 51.

[0062] 7, 8, 9(a) and 9(b), the cover tape peeling mechanism 25 further includes a first guide member 61 and a second guide member 62. As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), the first guide member 61 is made of a plate-like member along the YZ plane, and is provided between two second peeling gears 52 aligned in the X direction. The upstream end face of the first guide member 61 forms a guide portion 61M consisting of a curved guide surface. The guide portion 61M is located downstream of the outer peripheral surface of the first peeling gear 51, and has a shape that is recessed downstream to follow the outer peripheral shape of the first peeling gear 51 (FIG. 9(b)).

[0063] In Figures 7, 8, 9(a), (b), and 14(a), (b), the second guide member 62 has an overall shape similar to that of a three-pronged table fork, and is equipped with a base 62P corresponding to the three tines and a main body 62Q corresponding to the handle. The second guide member 62 is installed in the storage section 21S with the base 62P facing downstream and the main body 62Q extending upstream.

[0064] The base 62P has a first locking portion 62a corresponding to the central tooth of the three tines of the table fork, and two second locking portions 62b corresponding to the two teeth on either side of the three tines. The first locking portion 62a is located between the two first peeling gears 51. The two second locking portions 62b are located on either side of the two first peeling gears 51, respectively, and engage with the third transmission gear shaft 42 from above (FIGS. 9(a) and (b) and FIG. 14(a)).

[0065] When the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in the tape advancement direction (arrow R1 shown in FIGS. 5 and 7), the wheel 40 rotated by the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in a direction that moves the lower recess 40B downstream, and accordingly the first transmission gear 41a also rotates in a direction that moves the lower tooth downstream (arrow R2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9(b)). Then, due to this rotation of the first transmission gear 41a, the second transmission gear 41b rotates in a direction that moves the upper tooth downstream, and the third transmission gear 41c rotates in a direction that moves the lower tooth downstream (the same direction as the first transmission gear 41a).

[0066] When the third transmission gear 41c rotates in a direction that moves the lower teeth downstream, the first peeling gear 51 rotates integrally with the third transmission gear 41c in a direction that moves the lower teeth downstream (arrow Rn shown in FIG. 9(b)). When the first peeling gear 51 rotates in a direction that moves the lower teeth downstream, the second peeling gear 52 and the third peeling gear 53 that mesh with the first peeling gear 51 each rotate in a direction that moves the upper teeth downstream. The rotation direction of the three transmission gears (first transmission gear 41a, second transmission gear 41b, and third transmission gear 41c) and the three peeling gears (first peeling gear 51, second peeling gear 52, and third peeling gear 53) when the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in the tape advancement direction in this way will be referred to as the "feed direction" hereinafter.

[0067] On the other hand, when the tape feeder 13 starts transporting a new carrier tape CT, the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 may capture the cover tape TT from the new carrier tape CT, causing the introduction sprocket 35 to rotate in the tape retraction direction. The wheel 40 rotated by the introduction sprocket 35 rotates in a direction that moves the recessed portion 40B on the lower end side upstream, and accordingly, the first transmission gear 41a also rotates in a direction that moves the teeth on the lower end side upstream (the direction opposite to the arrow R2 shown in FIGS. 7 and 9(b)). Then, due to this rotation of the first transmission gear 41a, the second transmission gear 41b rotates in a direction that moves the teeth on the lower end side downstream, and the third transmission gear 41c rotates in a direction that moves the teeth on the upper end side downstream (the same direction as the first transmission gear 41a).

[0068] When the third transmission gear 41c rotates in a direction that moves the upper teeth downstream, the first peeling gear 51 rotates integrally with the third transmission gear 41c in a direction that moves the upper teeth downstream (the opposite direction of the arrow Rn shown in FIG. 9(b)). When the first peeling gear 51 rotates in a direction that moves the upper teeth downstream, the second peeling gear 52 and the third peeling gear 53 that mesh with the first peeling gear 51 each rotate in a direction that moves the lower teeth downstream. The rotational direction of the three transmission gears (the first transmission gear 41a, the second transmission gear 41b, and the third transmission gear 41c) and the three peeling gears (the first peeling gear 51, the second peeling gear 52, and the third peeling gear 53) when the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in the tape retreat direction in this way is hereinafter referred to as the "reverse direction."

[0069] 6, 7, and 9(b), the upper end of the third peeling gear 53 protrudes upward from the cover member 24. The operator OP can operate the part of the third peeling gear 53 that protrudes upward from the cover member 24 toward the downstream side (i.e., in the feed direction), thereby rotating the third peeling gear 53 and the first peeling gear 51 meshed with the third peeling gear 53 in the feed direction.

[0070] 6, 7, 9(b), and 15, a tape pressing member 64 extending in the Y direction is provided below the cover member 24 within the frame 21. The tape pressing member 64 is disposed above the conveying path 21L, maintaining a predetermined distance from the conveying path 21L. The upstream end of the tape pressing member 64 is located upstream of the first peeling gear 51 (FIG. 15).

[0071] 9(b) and 15, a through-hole 64H penetrating the tape pressing member 64 in the thickness direction is provided near the upstream end of the tape pressing member 64. The through-hole 64H is located substantially below the contact portion (meshing portion) of the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52. The carrier tape CT, which is transported downstream on the transport path 21L by the introduction sprocket 35, passes from the upstream end of the tape pressing member 64 below the tape pressing member 64 and reaches the positioning sprocket 36.

[0072] 15, an air outlet 71 that opens upward toward the transport path 21L is provided below a through-hole 64H provided in the tape pressing member 64. An air blowing unit 73 is connected to the air outlet 71 via an air passage 72 formed in the frame 21. The air blowing unit 73 has the function of blowing air from below through the air passage 72 from the air outlet 71 into the transport path 21L.

[0073] 15, an operation piece passage 81 that opens from below into the transport path 21L is provided at a position downstream of the air outlet 71 within the frame 21. The operation piece passage 81 is located below the through-hole 64H of the tape presser member 64. An operation piece 82 is housed within the operation piece passage 81 and is movable up and down within the operation piece passage 81. The operation piece 82 can move between a "protruding position" in which its upper end protrudes into the transport path 21L, and a "non-protruding position" in which its upper end does not protrude into the transport path 21L (retained within the operation piece passage 81). The operation piece 82 is biased toward the protruding position by a biasing spring 83.

[0074] The operating piece 82 is located in the protruding position when the carrier tape CT is not located directly above the operating piece passage 81 (FIG. 15), but is pushed into the operating piece passage 81 by the carrier tape CT when the carrier tape CT is located directly above the operating piece passage 81, and is located in the non-protruding position. In FIG. 15, information about the position of the operating piece 82 in the operating piece passage 81 is detected by an operating piece position detection unit 84.

[0075] 4, the operation and display unit 26 is provided in an exposed upward state on the upper surface of the gripping portion 21G provided at the upper upstream portion of the frame 21. The operation and display unit 26 is provided with buttons that the operator OP uses to instruct the control unit 27 to perform required operations, lamps for issuing various notifications to the operator OP, and the like.

[0076] 4, the control unit 27 is provided within the frame 21. The control unit 27 receives input information from the operator OP via the operation / display unit 26, information that the leading end of the carrier tape CT has been inserted into the tape inlet 21K detected by the insertion detection unit 22a, and the like. Based on this input information, the control unit 27 controls the retraction motor 22c, the drive motor 31, the air blowing unit 73, and the like.

[0077] Next, the operation of the tape feeder 13 will be described. The tape feeder 13 in this embodiment is provided with a "manual mode" in which the operator OP manually performs the initial peeling of the cover tape TT from the base tape BT, and an "automatic mode" in which the initial peeling is performed automatically without manual operation by the operator OP. The operator OP can select the desired mode from the manual mode or the automatic mode by performing a predetermined operation on the operation / display unit 26.

[0078] First, the operation of the tape feeder 13 when the operator OP selects the manual mode will be described. Regardless of whether the operator OP selects the manual mode or the automatic mode, when loading the carrier tape CT into the tape feeder 13, the operator OP first processes the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the reel RL so that the leading portion of the cover tape TT is longer than the leading portion of the base tape BT by a predetermined length (for example, about several centimeters). The portion of the cover tape TT protruding from the leading portion of the base tape BT formed in this way will be referred to as the "cover tape protruding portion TS" hereinafter (FIG. 2).

[0079] After processing to form the cover tape protrusion TS at the leading end of the carrier tape CT, the operator OP selects manual mode from the operation / display unit 26. Then, the leading end of the carrier tape CT on which the cover tape protrusion TS has been formed is inserted through the tape inlet 21K (FIG. 4) of the frame 21. At this time, the operator OP inserts the carrier tape CT into the tape inlet 21K with the cover tape protrusion TS extending straight from the tip of the base tape BT.

[0080] When the insertion detection unit 22a detects that the leading end of the carrier tape CT (base tape BT) has been inserted into the tape inlet 21K, the control unit 27 activates the retraction motor 22c, which rotates the retraction sprocket 22b (arrow Ra shown in FIG. 4), and the carrier tape CT is retracted into the transport path 21L.

[0081] When the carrier tape CT drawn into the transport path 21L does not have a preceding carrier tape CT in the transport path 21L, the carrier tape CT is directly handed over to the lead-in sprocket 35. When a preceding carrier tape CT is present in the transport path 21L, the carrier tape CT waits until the preceding carrier tape CT is discharged from the tape outlet 21T before being handed over to the lead-in sprocket 35. Once the carrier tape CT has been handed over from the lead-in sprocket 22b to the lead-in sprocket 35, the control unit 27 stops the lead-in motor 22c. This puts the lead-in sprocket 22b into a free rotation state that does not interfere with the transport of the carrier tape CT by the lead-in sprocket 35.

[0082] The control unit 27 then stops the drive motor 31 at the timing when the cover tape protrusion TS of the carrier tape CT, which is transported downstream by the introduction sprocket 35, reaches the opening 24K of the cover member 24. Then, it lights up a predetermined lamp on the operation and display unit 26 to prompt the operator OP to perform the operation (setting work) of setting the cover tape TT in the cover tape peeling mechanism 25. When the operator OP sees the lamp on the operation and display unit 26 turn on, he or she performs the setting work.

[0083] In the setting operation, the operator OP first pulls out the cover tape protrusion TS (i.e., the cover tape TT) above the cover member 24 from the cover tape pull-out portion 24H (FIG. 6) provided on the top surface of the cover member 24. The cover tape pull-out portion 24H is located upstream of the opening 24K of the cover member 24. After pulling out the cover tape TT from the cover tape pull-out portion 24H, the operator OP moves the carrier tape CT downstream while pulling the cover tape TT upstream, until a predetermined length of the cover tape TT is peeled off from the base tape BT.

[0084] 7, 13, and 15, an insertion guide 24G extending substantially horizontally toward the downstream side is provided above the first peeling gear 51 on the cover member 24. The space below the insertion guide 24G is the cover tape insertion opening 24E, and the operator OP inserts the leading portion of the cover tape TT through the cover tape insertion opening 24E and abuts the leading portion of the cover tape TT against the contact portion (meshing portion) of the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53. The operator OP then operates the third peeling gear 53 with his or her fingers to rotate it in the feed direction (arrow R3 shown in FIG. 9(b)), so that the leading portion of the cover tape protrusion TS is sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53.

[0085] When the leading end of the cover tape TT (cover tape protrusion TS) is sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53, the operator OP rotates the third peeling gear 53 further in the feed direction to feed part of the cover tape TT into the storage section 21S. This applies an appropriate amount of tension to the cover tape TT, and the setting operation is completed (see FIG. 6).

[0086] During this setting operation, when the operator OP operates the third peeling gear 53 in the feed direction, the first transmission gear 41a also rotates in the feed direction via the first peeling gear 51, the third transmission gear 41c, and the second transmission gear 41b. However, even when the first transmission gear 41a rotates, the wheel 40 does not rotate due to the action of the slip clutch provided between the wheel 40 and the first transmission gear 41a (the first transmission gear 41a rotates freely relative to the wheel 40), and the carrier tape CT remains stationary. Therefore, the operator OP can apply tension to the cover tape TT by operating the third peeling gear 53 without affecting the position of the carrier tape CT on the transport path 21L.

[0087] When the operator OP has completed the setting work, he or she performs a predetermined operation on the operation and display unit 26. When the control unit 27 detects that the predetermined operation has been performed on the operation and display unit, it resumes operation of the drive motor 31 and causes the lead-in sprocket 35 to intermittently rotate in the tape advance direction. As a result, the carrier tape CT advances on the transport path 21L, and after being handed over to the positioning sprocket 36, it continues to advance downstream.

[0088] The pitch feed interval of the carrier tape CT corresponds to the interval between the pockets PK provided on the carrier tape CT. Therefore, when the positioning sprocket 36 pitch feeds the carrier tape CT, each pocket PK stops at a component supply position 13P, and the components BH in the pocket PK are positioned at the component supply position 13P.

[0089] When the introduction sprocket 35 rotates intermittently in the tape advancement direction and the carrier tape CT is pitch-fed downstream, the gears of the cover tape peeling mechanism 25 rotate in response to the intermittent rotation of the introduction sprocket 35, and the three peeling gears (first peeling gear 51, second peeling gear 52, and third peeling gear 53) rotate intermittently in the feed direction. As a result, the leading portion of the cover tape TT is fed upstream (into the storage section 21S), while the carrier tape CT advances downstream, so that it is peeled off little by little from the base tape BT.

[0090] As mentioned above, the component supply position 13P is located downstream of the cover tape pull-out portion 24H, which is the position where the cover tape TT is peeled off from the base tape BT. Therefore, when a pocket PK containing a component BH reaches the component supply position 13P, the cover tape TT covering the pocket PK has already been peeled off from the base tape BT, leaving the component BH exposed at the top. Therefore, the mounting head 14 can use the nozzle 14N to pick up and remove the exposed component BH from the pocket PK at the component supply position 13P.

[0091] After the pocket PK passes the component supply position 13P, the carrier tape CT (base tape BT) is handed over from the positioning sprocket 36 to the discharge sprocket 38. The carrier tape CT handed over to the discharge sprocket 38 is further transported downstream by the discharge sprocket 38 and is discharged from the tape outlet 21T to the outside of the cover member 24 (i.e., the outside of the tape feeder 13) (FIG. 4). Because the discharge sprocket 38 is provided near the tape outlet 21T, even carrier tape CT that is about to run out of components or carrier tape CT whose tail end has released from engagement with the pin of the positioning sprocket 36 can be reliably discharged from the tape outlet 21T.

[0092] The first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 rotate in the feed direction in conjunction with the rotation of the lead-in sprocket 35 in the tape advancement direction. Therefore, the cover tape TT that has been peeled off from the base tape BT and sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 is fed into (discharged from) the storage section 21S as the carrier tape CT is transported downstream. The cover tape TT that has been fed into the storage section 21S is then collected by an operator OP.

[0093] In this way, in the tape feeder 13 of this embodiment, the introduction sprocket 35, the positioning sprocket 36, the discharge sprocket 38, the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 are driven by the rotational power of the drive motor 31, so that a single power source (drive motor 31) can perform the transport operation of the carrier tape CT and the feed operation of the cover tape TT to the storage section 21S.

[0094] Next, we will explain the operation of the tape feeder 13 when the operator OP selects the automatic mode. After selecting the automatic mode from the operation / display unit 26, the operator OP inserts the leading end of the carrier tape CT, on which the cover tape protrusion TS is formed, through the tape inlet 21K of the frame 21.

[0095] When the insertion detector 22a detects that the leading end of the carrier tape CT (base tape BT) has been inserted into the tape entrance 21K, the controller 27 activates the retract motor 22c. This rotates the retract sprocket 22b (arrow Ra shown in FIG. 4), and the carrier tape CT is retracted into the transport path 21L. Then, as in the case where the manual mode is selected, the carrier tape CT retracted into the transport path 21L is directly transferred to the lead-in sprocket 35 if there is no preceding carrier tape CT in the transport path 21L. If there is a preceding carrier tape CT in the transport path 21L, the carrier tape CT waits until the preceding carrier tape CT is discharged from the tape exit 21T before being transferred to the lead-in sprocket 35. Then, as in the case where the manual mode is selected, once the carrier tape CT has been transferred from the lead-in sprocket 22b to the lead-in sprocket 35, the controller 27 stops the retract motor 22c and sets the lead-in sprocket 22b to a free rotation state.

[0096] When the leading end of the carrier tape CT (base tape BT) transported downstream by the introduction sprocket 35 reaches above the operating piece 82, the operating piece 82, which has been biased by the biasing spring 83 to be in the protruding position, is pushed down by the carrier tape CT and displaced to the non-protruding position (FIG. 16(a); arrow Y1 shown in the figure). When the automatic mode is set, the control unit 27 switches the operating direction of the drive motor 31 when the operating piece position detection unit 84 detects that the operating piece 82 has displaced from the protruding position to the non-protruding position.

[0097] As a result of the drive motor 31 switching its operating direction, the lead-in sprocket 35, which had been rotating in the tape advance direction, stops once and then rotates in the tape retreat direction (arrow RR shown in FIG. 16(b)). As a result, the carrier tape CT is transported upstream, and the three peeling gears (first peeling gear 51, second peeling gear 52, and third peeling gear 53) rotate in the opposite directions (arrow Rr shown in FIG. 16(b)).

[0098] When the carrier tape CT is transported upstream and the leading edge of the carrier tape CT (base tape BT) is positioned upstream of the operation piece 82, the operation piece 82 is no longer pressed downward by the carrier tape CT, and is returned to the protruding position by the biasing force of the biasing spring 83 (arrow Y2 shown in FIG. 16(b)). When the operation piece position detection unit 84 detects that the operation piece 82 has returned to the protruding position, the control unit 27 switches the operating direction of the drive motor 31 again at the timing when the leading edge of the cover tape protrusion TS is positioned upstream of the air outlet 71 (FIG. 16(b)).

[0099] When the operating direction of the drive motor 31 is switched, the lead-in sprocket 35, which had been rotating in the tape reverse direction, stops once and then starts rotating in the tape advance direction (arrow R1 shown in FIG. 17(a)), and the carrier tape CT is again transported downstream. Furthermore, as the lead-in sprocket 35 rotates in the tape advance direction, the first peeling gear 51, the second peeling gear 52, and the third peeling gear 53 each rotate in the feed direction (arrow Rn shown in FIG. 17(a)).

[0100] After switching the operating direction of the drive motor 31, the control unit 27 activates the air blowing unit 73 to blow air from the air outlet 71 into the conveying path 21L for a certain period of time (FIG. 17(a)). As a result, when the cover tape protrusion TS of the carrier tape CT being conveyed downstream passes above the air outlet 71, it is blown upward by the air blown out from the air outlet 71. Then, it passes through the through hole 64H of the tape pressing member 64 and moves to the upper side of the tape pressing member 64 (FIG. 17(a)).

[0101] When the carrier tape CT is transported downstream with the cover tape protrusion TS moved above the tape pressing member 64, the tip of the cover tape protrusion TS approaches from below the contact portion (meshing portion) of the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52, which are rotating in the feed direction. Then, when the tip of the cover tape protrusion TS reaches the contact portion (meshing portion) of the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52, it is sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 (FIG. 17(b)).

[0102] As described above, when the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 rotate in the feed direction (the carrier tape CT is transported downstream) with the cover tape protrusion TS sandwiched between them, the cover tape TT is peeled off from the base tape BT. Then, as the introduction sprocket 35 rotates in the tape advancement direction, the cover tape TT continues to be peeled off from the base tape BT.

[0103] In addition, considering the case where the cover tape protrusion TS does not move to the upper side of the tape pressing member 64 through the through hole 64H when air is blown out from the air outlet 71 once, the forward and backward movements of the carrier tape CT may be repeated several times as shown in Figure 18(a) → Figure 17(b) → Figure 18(a) before moving from Figure 18(a) to Figure 18(b).

[0104] The cover tape TT peeled from the base tape BT is fed upward while being sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52, which rotate in the feed direction. At this time, the cover tape TT is guided by the guide portion 61M of the first guide member 61, and proceeds along a curved path along the outer periphery of the first peeling gear 51 toward the contact portion between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53.

[0105] That is, in this embodiment, the guide portion 61M of the first guide member 61 is configured to guide the cover tape TT, which has been peeled off from the base tape BT by the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52, along a curved path that moves along the outer periphery of the first peeling gear 51 toward the contact point between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53.

[0106] As described above, in this embodiment, the first peeling gear 51, which is a first rotating body, and the second peeling gear 52, which is a second rotating body, which rotate in contact with each other, sandwich and feed the cover tape TT, thereby forming a peeling section that peels the cover tape TT from the base tape BT. Also, in this embodiment, the first guide member 61 guides the cover tape TT so that the cover tape TT peeled from the base tape BT by the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 moves along the outer periphery of the first peeling gear 51 and heads toward the gap between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 (the contact portion between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53).

[0107] When the tape feeder 13 starts feeding a new carrier tape CT, the carrier tape CT is fed upstream so that the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 can capture the cover tape TT from the new carrier tape CT, and the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 rotate in opposite directions. This causes the rear end of the cover tape TT to return in the direction opposite to the discharge direction, but at this time the rear end of the cover tape TT moves along a path different from the curved path guided by the first guide member 61. Specifically, the rear end of the cover tape TT is fed by the first guide member 61 along the upper surface of the first guide member 61 and is discharged from the cover tape insertion port 24E of the cover member 24.

[0108] The cover tape TT (cover tape protrusion TS) peeled off from the base tape BT by the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 is guided by the first guide member 61 to move along the outer periphery of the first peeling gear 51, and reaches the contact point between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53. Then, the leading portion of the cover tape TT that has reached the contact point between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 is sandwiched between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53, which rotate in the feed direction in conjunction with the rotation of the introduction sprocket 35 (FIG. 18(a)), and is then fed into and discharged into the storage section 21S (FIG. 18(b)).

[0109] In this embodiment, the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53, which rotate in contact with each other, function as a discharge section that discharges the cover tape TT by sandwiching and feeding the cover tape TT that has been peeled off from the base tape BT by the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52.

[0110] As described above, the first locking portion 62a of the second guide member 62 is located between the two first peeling gears 51, and the first guide member 61 is located between the two second peeling gears 52. Also, as shown in Fig. 15, the plate-like portion 24R attached to the third peeling gear shaft 53J, which is the rotation shaft of the third peeling gear 53 (or provided as part of the cover member 24), is located in the lower region between the two third peeling gears 53. This prevents the cover tape TT (including the cover tape protrusion portion TS), which is easily deformed due to its thin thickness, from wrapping around the two gears lined up in the X direction or from getting caught or tangled between the two gears, causing operational problems in the tape feeder 13.

[0111] As described above, in the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 62a of the second guide member 62 is located between the two first peeling gears 51 and serves as a first winding prevention portion that prevents the cover tape TT from winding around the two first peeling gears 51. The first guide member 61 is also located between the two second peeling gears 52 and serves as a second winding prevention portion that prevents the cover tape TT from winding around the two second peeling gears 52. The plate-shaped portion 24R is also located between the two third peeling gears 53 and serves as a third winding prevention portion that prevents the cover tape TT from winding around the two third peeling gears 53.

[0112] Here, assume that the leading end of the following carrier tape CT is inserted into the tape inlet 21K immediately after the trailing end of the carrier tape CT that is nearly out of components passes through the through hole 64H. In this case, a situation may occur in which the operating piece 82 is pushed down by the leading end of the following carrier tape CT proceeding downstream, while the trailing end of the cover tape TT that has been peeled off from the preceding carrier tape CT and completely separated from its base tape BT has not yet passed the contact point between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 (FIG. 19(a)).

[0113] In this situation, the lead-in sprocket 35 immediately rotates in the tape retraction direction (arrow RR shown in FIG. 19(b)), causing the three peeling gears (first peeling gear 51, second peeling gear 52, and third peeling gear 53) to rotate in the opposite direction (arrow Rr shown in FIG. 19(b)). As a result, the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 return the clamped cover tape TT in the direction opposite the discharge direction (the direction toward the storage section 21S), with its tail end at the front.

[0114] However, when the cover tape TT is returned by the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53, unlike when the cover tape TT is peeled, it is not guided by a curved guide surface such as the guide portion 61M, and therefore proceeds in an approximately straight line along the tangential direction of the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53. For this reason, the rear portion of the cover tape TT returned from the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 does not return along the path it was sent along by the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52, but instead proceeds in a direction different from the direction from between the third peeling gear 53 and the guide portion 61M toward the guide portion 61M (specifically, as shown in FIG. 19(b) , it passes above the first guide member 61 and proceeds toward the cover tape insertion opening 24E).

[0115] That is, in this embodiment, the guide portion 61M is provided to guide the cover tape TT, which the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 have separated from the base tape BT, along a path toward the contact portion between the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53. When the tail portion of the cover tape TT received by the first peeling gear 51 and the third peeling gear 53 from the first peeling gear 51 and the second peeling gear 52 passes through the guide portion 61M and the cover tape TT is then sent back, the tail portion of the cover tape TT advances in a direction different from the direction from the direction toward the guide portion 61M from between the third peeling gear 53 and the guide portion 61M. Therefore, even when the peeled cover tape TT is returned in the opposite direction from when it was peeled because a subsequent carrier tape CT is loaded following the preceding carrier tape CT, the cover tape TT does not return through the guide portion 61M and therefore does not flow back into the transport path 21L of the carrier tape CT. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cover tape TT of the preceding carrier tape CT from interfering with the peeling of the cover tape TT of the succeeding carrier tape CT.

[0116] As described above, tape feeder 13 in this embodiment rotates in accordance with the rotation of introduction sprocket 35 by having outer peripheral pins 35T of introduction sprocket 35, which transports carrier tape CT, abut against recesses 40B provided on the outer periphery of wheel 40. Abutment surfaces 35H of outer peripheral pins 35T that abut against the inner surfaces of recesses 40B and abutted surfaces 40H of the inner surfaces of recesses 40B against which outer peripheral pins 35T abut are both flat, and abutment surfaces 35H and abutted surfaces 40H are in line contact, so outer peripheral pins 35T do not come into point contact (localized contact) with the inner surfaces of recesses 40B, as would be the case if outer peripheral pins 35T were conical. This reduces wear on outer peripheral pins 35T and improves the durability of not only introduction sprocket 35 but also wheel 40.

[0117] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above and various modifications are possible. For example, the configuration of the transport mechanism 23 shown in the above embodiment is an example, and other configurations may be provided as long as the transport mechanism 23 is capable of transporting the carrier tape CT on the transport path 21L.

[0118] Furthermore, each of the three peeling gears (first peeling gear 51, second peeling gear 52, and third peeling gear 53) constituting the peeling unit and discharge unit of cover tape peeling mechanism 25 may be replaced with other rotating bodies such as roller members. That is, the peeling unit may be made up of a first rotating body and a second rotating body that rotate in contact with each other, and the discharge unit may be made up of a first rotating body and a third rotating body that rotate in contact with each other. [Industrial Applicability]

[0119] The present invention can be applied to a component supplying device that transports a component supplying tape containing components and supplies the components to a component supplying position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 13 Tape feeder (component supply device) 13P Parts supply position 21 frames 21L transport path 21K Tape inlet (introduction position) 21S storage section 25 Cover tape peeling mechanism 34 1st intermediate gear 35 Introduced sprocket (sprocket) 35T outer pin (pin) 35H Contact surface 36 Locating sprocket 37 Second intermediate gear 40 Wheel (disk-shaped member) 40B Recess 40H Abutted surface 41a First transmission gear (transmission gear) 41b Second transmission gear (transmission gear) 41c 3rd transmission gear (transmission gear) 51 First peeling gear (first rotating body) (peeling section) (discharge section) 52 Second peeling gear (second rotating body) (peeling portion) 53 Third peeling gear (third rotating body) (discharge section) 61 First guide member 61M Information Department 62 Second guide member 62a First locking portion CT carrier tape (component supply tape) BT Base Tape PK pocket (storage area) TT Cover Tape KH feed hole BH parts

Claims

1. 1. A component supply device that supplies components to a component supply position using a component supply tape having a base tape with a storage section in which components are stored and a cover tape that is attached to the base tape and covers the storage section, a frame including a transport path for the component supply tape; a sprocket provided on the frame, the sprocket rotating to feed the component supply tape by engaging pins with feed holes in the component supply tape on the feed path; a disk-shaped member that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the sprocket when the pin of the rotating sprocket abuts against a recess provided on the outer periphery; A parts supply device comprising:

2. 2. The component supply device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surface of the pin that contacts the inner surface of the recess and the contacted surface of the inner surface of the recess against which the pin contacts are both flat, and the contact surface and the contacted surface are in line contact.

3. 3. The component supply device according to claim 1, further comprising: a transmission gear driven by the disk-shaped member; and a cover tape peeling mechanism driven through the transmission gear to peel the cover tape from the base tape.

4. The component supply device described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover tape peeling mechanism comprises: a peeling unit having a first rotating body and a second rotating body that rotate in contact with each other and that peels the cover tape from the base tape by sandwiching and feeding the cover tape; a discharge unit having the first rotating body and a third rotating body that rotate in contact with each other and that discharges the cover tape fed from the peeling unit by sandwiching and feeding the cover tape; and a guide unit that guides the cover tape so that the cover tape peeled from the base tape by the peeling unit proceeds along a path toward the contact portion between the first rotating body and the third rotating body.

5. 5. The component supply device according to claim 4, wherein when the tail of the cover tape received by the discharge unit from the peeling unit passes through the guide unit and the discharge unit sends the cover tape back, the guide unit guides the tail of the cover tape in a direction different from the path.

6. 6. The component supplying device according to claim 4, wherein the first rotating body, the second rotating body, and the third rotating body each comprise a gear.

7. 7. The component supply device according to claim 2, further comprising a storage section for storing the cover tape discharged by the cover tape peeling mechanism.

Images