Parts feeder

Abstract

To provide a part feeder capable of efficiently carrying out a replacement work on a feeder base.SOLUTION: A part feeder (13) includes: a main body portion (41) equipped with a part supply mechanism that supplies parts to a part removal position (13K); a slot insertion portion (42) that slides in one direction along a slot provided in a feeder base (22); a fixed member (51) that protrudes in one direction from the main body portion and is fixed to a fixing mechanism (31) provided on the feeder base (22); a fixing release member (52) that performs a fixing release operation to operate the fixing mechanism (31) for releasing the fixation of the fixed member (51) by the fixing mechanism (31); an operating member (53) that is displaced when receiving an external force; and a transmission mechanism (60) that transmits the displacement of the operating member to the fixing release member to perform the fixing release operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a parts feeder that is attached to a slot groove in a feeder base of a component mounting device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a parts feeder that functions as a component supply unit in a component mounting device that mounts components on a circuit board has a slot insertion unit at the bottom of a main body that has a component supply mechanism that supplies components to a component supply port. The slot insertion unit is attached to the feeder base by being inserted horizontally into a slot groove formed in the feeder base. The main body is provided with a lever-shaped operating member. When the operating member is operated vertically with the slot insertion unit inserted into the slot groove, a clamping member connected to the operating member by a link mechanism is activated, clamping a clamped portion provided on the feeder base and thereby fixing the parts feeder to the feeder base (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-3160 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In component placement devices, replacement work is required to change the arrangement or number of part feeders in the feeder base when the type of board on which components are mounted changes. Because board types (model changes) change frequently in manufacturing plants that use component placement devices, there is a growing demand for more efficient part feeder replacement work. Automating the part feeder replacement work is also being considered, and it is desirable to be able to perform the replacement work using operations suitable for automation.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a parts feeder that allows efficient replacement work on the feeder base. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The parts feeder of the present disclosure is a parts feeder that is attached to a slot in a feeder base of a component mounting device and used, and includes: a main body having a component supply mechanism that supplies components to a component removal position from which a mounting head of the component mounting device removes components; a slot insertion section that is provided on the main body and slides in one direction to be inserted into the slot; a fixed member that protrudes from the main body in the one direction and is fixed to a fixing mechanism provided on the feeder base by the slide; and a release mechanism that releases the fixed member from the fixing mechanism. The fixing mechanism is provided with a fixing release member that operates the operated part of the fixing mechanism that fixes the fixing member, an operating member that is displaced in response to an external force, and a transmission mechanism that transmits the displacement of the operating member to the fixing release member to perform the fixing release operation, wherein the fixed member has a shape that protrudes in the one direction, and the upper surface of the fixed member is provided with a recess that opens upward and is pressed downward by the stator of the fixing mechanism, a cam surface that has a slope that increases as it moves away from the recess in a removal direction opposite to the one direction, and a relief portion that is behind the cam surface and has a shape that opens upward.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, the replacement work of the parts feeder in the feeder base can be carried out efficiently. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a main portion of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a side view of a part feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a feeder base provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a part feeder attached thereto. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a feeder base included in the component mounting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a fixing mechanism included in the component mounting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B is a plan view of a fixing mechanism included in the component mounting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before and after a part feeder is mounted on a feeder base included in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before and after a part feeder is mounted on a feeder base included in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part feeder is mounted in a slot groove of a feeder base provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a part feeder is mounted in a slot groove of a feeder base provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission mechanism of a part feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a transmission mechanism of a part feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fixed member and a clamp release member provided in a part feeder according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11A] FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the fixing mechanism when the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the feeder base. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the fixing mechanism when the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the feeder base. [Figure 11C] FIG. 11C is an explanatory view of the operation of the fixing mechanism when the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the feeder base. [Figure 11D] FIG. 11D is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the fixing mechanism when the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the feeder base. [Figure 12A] FIG. 12A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before and after a part feeder is removed from a feeder base included in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is an explanatory diagram illustrating the state before and after the part feeder is removed from the feeder base included in the component mounting device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is an explanatory diagram of a release operation by a release member when removing a part feeder from a feeder base according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13B] FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram of a release operation by the release member when removing the part feeder from the feeder base according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13C] FIG. 13C is an explanatory diagram of a release operation by the release member when removing the part feeder from the feeder base according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13D] FIG. 13D is an explanatory diagram of a release operation by the release member when removing the part feeder from the feeder base according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a component mounting apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The component mounting apparatus 1 is an apparatus that repeatedly performs a component mounting operation of mounting components BH onto a board KB carried in from an upstream process side and carrying the board out to a downstream process side. For ease of explanation, the horizontal axis along the transport direction of the board KB in the component mounting apparatus 1 is defined as the X-axis, the horizontal axis perpendicular to the X-axis is defined as the Y-axis, and the vertical axis perpendicular to the X-axis and Y-axis is defined as the Z-axis. Furthermore, the direction along the X-axis as viewed from the operator OP is defined as the left-right direction, and the direction along the Y-axis is defined as the front-rear direction. The side of each component farther from the operator OP is referred to as the "front," and the side closer to the operator OP is referred to as the "rear."

[0010] 1, component mounting apparatus 1 includes a base 11, a board transport path 12, a parts feeder 13, a mounting head 14, a head movement mechanism 15, a component recognition camera 16, and a control device 17. Board transport path 12 is made up of a pair of belt conveyors 12a, and is provided extending along the X-axis on base 11. Board transport path 12 carries in boards KB sent from the upstream process side and positions them at a predetermined working position.

[0011] In FIG. 1, a feeder cart 21 is coupled to the front side of base 11 as seen from the operator OP, i.e., the rear end of base 11. A feeder base 22 is provided on the upper part of feeder cart 21. Part feeders 13 are detachably attached to feeder base 22 and supply parts BH to part supply ports 13K provided on the rear side as seen from the operator OP, i.e., the front. Multiple part feeders 13 can be attached to feeder base 22 and lined up along the X-axis. When feeder cart 21 is coupled to base 11, the multiple part feeders 13 attached to feeder base 22 are collectively connected to base 11.

[0012] 1, the mounting head 14 is equipped with multiple nozzles 14N extending downward. Each nozzle 14N can move up and down and rotate around the Z axis, and when supplied with vacuum pressure from a vacuum source (not shown), it can generate a suction force at its lower end. The head movement mechanism 15 is, for example, an XY table mechanism, and moves the mounting head 14 along a horizontal plane (XY plane) in the area above the base 11.

[0013] 1, the component recognition camera 16 is provided in the area between the board transport path 12 and the feeder cart 21 on the base 11. The component recognition camera 16 has an imaging optical axis facing upward. The component recognition camera 16 captures an image of each component BH as the mounting head 14, which has picked up the component BH with the nozzle 14N, passes above it.

[0014] The control device 17 controls the operation of each part constituting the component mounting device 1. Specifically, the control device 17 controls the transport operation of the board KB by the board transport path 12 and the positioning operation to the work position, and controls the supply operation of the components BH by each part feeder 13.

[0015] The control device 17 also controls the lifting and rotation of each of the multiple nozzles 14N provided on the mounting head 14, and controls the generation of suction force for the components BH at the bottom end of each nozzle 14N. The control device 17 also controls the operation of the head movement mechanism 15 to move the mounting head 14. The control device 17 also controls the imaging operation of the component recognition camera 16.

[0016] When component placement device 1 performs component mounting work, first, board KB sent from the upstream process side is received by board transport path 12 and positioned at the work position. Once board KB is positioned, head movement mechanism 15 is activated to move placement head 14 above part feeder 13, and placement head 14 picks up components BH onto each of multiple nozzles 14N. After nozzles 14N pick up components BH, placement head 14 is moved to pass above component recognition camera 16, which recognizes each component BH.

[0017] Once the component recognition camera 16 recognizes the component BH, the head movement mechanism 15 moves the mounting head 14 above the board KB, and the mounting head 14 places the component BH at the target placement coordinates set on the board KB. This series of operations consisting of component BH pickup, recognition, and placement is repeated until all the components BH to be placed on the board KB have been placed, at which point the board transport path 12 operates to transport the board KB to the downstream process side. This completes the placement operation for one board KB.

[0018] In the component mounting device 1 having such a configuration, the present embodiment is characterized by the configuration of the parts feeder 13, which will be explained below.

[0019] First, the configuration of the feeder base 22 to which the part feeder 13 is attached will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the feeder base 22 provided in the component mounting apparatus 1 and the part feeder 13 attached thereto. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the feeder base 22. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the feeder base 22 is composed of a plate-like member formed into an overall rectangular shape. On the upper surface of the feeder base 22, multiple slot-forming members 23 are arranged at intervals along the X-axis. These slot-forming members 23 form slots for attaching the part feeders 13 to the feeder base 22. Each slot-forming member 23 is composed of a first slot-forming member 23A arranged in the front region (the upper surface region farther from the operator OP) of the upper surface of the feeder base 22, and a second slot-forming member 23B arranged in the rear region (the upper surface region closer to the operator OP). The first slot-forming member 23A is a rod-like member elongated along the Y-axis with a T-shaped cross section, and the second slot-forming member 23B is a block-like member with side surfaces parallel to the YZ plane. The first slot forming member 23A and the second slot forming member 23B form one slot (slot groove 23S) with another first slot forming member 23A and second slot forming member 23B adjacent to each other with a gap in the X direction.

[0020] FIG. 7A is an XZ cross-sectional view of the first slot-forming member 23A and the feeder base 22. As shown in the figure, two first slot-forming members 23A are spaced apart by a distance MH1 in the X direction, forming a first slot groove 23SA with an inverted T-shaped cross section. FIG. 7B is an XZ cross-sectional view of the second slot-forming member 23B and the feeder base 22. As shown in the figure, two second slot-forming members 23B are spaced apart by a distance MH2 in the X direction, forming a second slot groove 23SB with a width MH2. The first slot groove 23SA and the second slot groove 23SB are arranged in series along the Y axis to form one slot groove 23S. In this embodiment, one slot groove 23S constitutes one slot. In other words, the slot is an upwardly open groove formed by the side surfaces of the two slot-forming members 23 and the upper surface of the feeder base 22 exposed between the two slot-forming members 23.

[0021] In Figure 3, each part feeder 13 is selectively inserted into one of these multiple slots 23S. When inserting, the part feeder 13 slides from the front to the back of the slot 23S as viewed by the operator OP. Hereinafter, this sliding direction will be referred to as the installation direction (dashed arrow At in Figure 4). To remove the part feeder 13 from the slot 23S, the part feeder 13 is slid in the removal direction (dashed arrow Re in Figure 4), which is the opposite direction to the installation direction At.

[0022] 3 and 4, a feeder stopper 24 is provided at the rear end of the feeder base 22 to position the part feeder 13 inserted into the slot groove 23S. The top and bottom of the feeder stopper 24 are provided with upper and lower pin insertion holes 24A and 24B, respectively, in positions corresponding to the slot grooves 23S. As will be described later, the part feeder 13 has upper and lower pins 43 and 44 at its tip. When the part feeder 13 is inserted into the slot groove 23S and moves in the loading direction At, the upper pin 43 is inserted into the upper pin insertion hole 24A, and the lower pin 44 is inserted into the lower pin insertion hole 24B. This determines the position (height position) of the tip of the part feeder 13 at least along the Z axis and along the X axis.

[0023] 3 and 4, a bracket 25 having a shape that protrudes downward and rearward from the feeder base 22 is provided on the underside of the rear portion (the front side as viewed from the operator OP) of the feeder base 22. In this embodiment, the bracket 25 is composed of a first member 25A attached to the underside of the feeder base 22 and a second member 25B attached to the underside of the first member 25A. The first member 25A extends rearward along the Y axis, and a socket 26 is provided on its rear end surface in a position corresponding to each of the slot grooves 23S. The socket 26 is one of the members that constitutes a connector for electrical wiring. The second member 25B also extends rearward along the Y axis, and its rear end is bent downward to form an L-shaped cross section. The bent portion is provided with an engagement pin 27 in a position corresponding to each of the slot grooves 23S. Both the socket 26 and the engagement pin 27 are provided so as to protrude rearward along the Y axis direction.

[0024] 3 and 4, a plurality of support members 22B are provided at the rear end of the feeder base 22 at intervals along the X-axis. The support members 22B are arranged so that the space between adjacent support members 22B is located on an extension of the slot groove 23S. Fixing mechanisms 31 are provided in the spaces between adjacent support members 22B, with the fixation mechanisms 31 positioned corresponding to the slot grooves 23S. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the fixation mechanism 31. FIG. 5B is a plan view of the fixation mechanism 31. As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the fixation mechanism 31 includes an arm 32 extending in the Y-axis direction as a whole and a biasing spring 36. A support shaft 22J extending along the X-axis penetrates the middle of the arm 32. Both ends of the support shaft 22J are supported by the support members 22B, and the arm 32 is supported in the space between the support members 22B. Therefore, the arm 32 is supported by the support members 22B in a manner that allows it to swing around the support shaft 22J.

[0025] The arm 32 has a pair of frames 32a, an operated part 35 connecting the rear ends of the pair of frames 32a, a stator 34 connecting the middle parts of the pair of frames 32a, and a receiving part 33 connecting the front parts of the pair of frames 32a. The arm 32 has the stator 34 located rearward and away from the support shaft 22J, and the operated part 35 located further rearward from the stator 34. In other words, the operated part 35 is located farther from the support shaft 22J than the stator 34. The stator 34 and the operated part 35 are composed of pins with smooth surfaces or rollers (bearings) that can rotate around an axis along the X-axis.

[0026] 5A and 5B, the biasing spring 36 of the fixing mechanism 31 is attached to the first member 25A of the bracket 25 and biases the receiving portion 33 of the arm 32 upward. When the part feeder 13 is not inserted in the slot groove 23S, the arm 32 swings due to the biasing spring 36 and remains stationary at a position where the receiving portion 33 abuts against the underside of the feeder base 22. Thus, in this embodiment, the fixing mechanism 31 swings about an axis (support axis 22J) that horizontally intersects with one direction (attachment direction At) and has an arm 32 that extends from the axis in a removal direction Re that is opposite to the one direction. The arm 32 is configured to include a stator 34 located away from the axis in the removal direction and an operated portion 35 serving as a cam follower located away from the stator 34 in the removal direction Re. The operated portion 35 is attached at a greater distance from the support axis 22J, which is the pivot point of the fixing mechanism 31, than the stator 34.

[0027] Next, the configuration of the parts feeder 13 will be described. FIG. 2A is a side view of the parts feeder 13. FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the parts feeder 13. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the parts feeder 13 has a main body 41 that is L-shaped overall along the YZ plane. The main body 41 has the above-mentioned component supply port 13K at its upper end, and is equipped internally with a component supply mechanism (not shown) that supplies components BH to the component supply port 13K. The downward-protruding portion at the rear of the main body 41 forms a connecting portion 46. Examples of the parts feeder 13 include a tape feeder equipped with a component supply mechanism that feeds a carrier tape containing components, and a bulk feeder equipped with a component supply mechanism that feeds components stored in a cassette in a single row.

[0028] 2A and 2B, an upper pin 43 and a lower pin 44 are provided as first engagement portions and protrude forward from the tip of main body 41. Upper pin 43 is provided at the top of the front end of main body 41, and lower pin 44 is provided at the bottom of the front end of main body 41.

[0029] The lower front surface of the main body 41 is provided with a slot insertion portion 42 and an engagement protrusion 45. The slot insertion portion 42 has a shape (an inverted T-shaped cross section) that allows it to be inserted into the first slot groove 23SA provided in the feeder base 22. The slot insertion portion 42 is inserted from the rear of the first slot groove 23SA, and the main body 41 is pushed in until its front end abuts against the feeder stopper 24 provided in the feeder base 22. FIG. 7A shows a cross section of the slot insertion portion 42 inserted into the first slot groove 23SA together with the feeder base 22. The width direction dimension W1 of the upper end of the slot insertion portion 42 is narrower than the groove width MH1 of the first slot groove 23SA, but the width W2 of the lower end is wider than the groove width MH1, and the cross section is shaped to fit within the inverted T-shaped cross section of the first slot groove 23SA.

[0030] 2A and 2B, the engagement protrusion 45 has a shape that allows it to be inserted into the second slot groove 23SB provided in the feeder base 22. In this embodiment, the outer diameter shape of the engagement protrusion 45 when viewed from below is a cylindrical pin, and the engagement protrusion 45 is provided to protrude downward from the main body 41. The engagement protrusion 45 is located on an extension line of the slot insertion portion 42, that is, on the center line of the slot insertion portion 42 along the Y axis. When the slot insertion portion 42 is inserted into the first slot groove 23SA, the engagement protrusion 45 is guided by the slot insertion portion 42 and inserted into the second slot groove 23SB.

[0031] FIG. 7B is an XZ cross-sectional view showing the state in which the engaging protrusion 45 is inserted into the second slot groove 23SB. The groove width dimension D (diameter D) of the engaging protrusion 45 is smaller than the groove width MH2 of the second slot groove 23SB by a tolerance that ensures a loose fit. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 45 is slidable along the Y axis within the second slot groove 23SB but is restricted in the direction along the X axis. The engaging protrusion 45 also abuts against the upper surface of the feeder base 22 (the upper surface of the slot) between the second slot-forming members 23B. When the part feeder 13 is fixed to the feeder base 22 by the fixing mechanism 31, a downward force is applied to the part feeder 13 by the fixing mechanism 31, but most of this force is concentrated on the narrow contact surface where the engaging protrusion 45 and the feeder base 22 come into contact. As a result, the engaging protrusion 45 is pressed strongly against the feeder base 22, firmly fixing the part feeder 13 to the feeder base 22.

[0032] 2A, a plug 47 that forms a connector for electrical wiring with the fixed member 51 is provided to protrude forward from the connecting portion 46. When the main body 41 is attached to the feeder base 22, the plug 47 is connected to a socket 26 (see FIG. 4) provided on the feeder base 22 side.

[0033] 2A, a bottom plate 48 having a shape extending in the front-rear direction is attached to the lower end of the connecting portion 46, i.e., at a position below the fixed member 51. The tip of the bottom plate 48 forms a bent portion 48K that is bent upward, and an engagement hole 48H consisting of an opening is provided in the center of the bent portion 48K, as shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams of the state before and after the part feeder 13 is mounted on the feeder base 22 of the component mounting device 1. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the slot insertion portion 42 is inserted all the way into the first slot groove 23SA, the engagement pin 27 is inserted into and engages with the engagement hole 48H.

[0034] 8 and 9 are explanatory diagrams of the transmission mechanism of parts feeder 13. In Figs. 2A, 2B, 8, and 9, a fixed member 51 is provided at connecting portion 46 of main body 41. Fixed member 51 has a shape that extends along the Y axis as a whole. The rear end of fixed member 51 is fixed to main body 41, and the front end protrudes forward from connecting portion 46.

[0035] An upwardly opening recessed portion 51K is provided at the tip end 51F of the fixed member 51. As shown in Fig. 8, the recessed portion 51K has an inclined surface 51T that slopes upward toward the tip. An upwardly opening relief portion 51H is provided at a position rearward away from the recessed portion 51K of the fixed member 51. Furthermore, the upper edge from the recessed portion 51K to the relief portion 51H forms a cam surface 51C that has a slope that slopes upward from the recessed portion 51K toward the relief portion 51H.

[0036] 8 and 9, a clamp release member 52 is provided on the connecting portion 46. The clamp release member 52 is supported by a pin 52P that is attached at both ends to the connecting portion 46 and extends along the X-axis, and is able to swing freely around the pin 52P. The tip of the clamp release member 52 is provided with a clamp release claw 52T that protrudes forward beyond the pin 52P. The clamp release member 52 is adjacent to the fixed member 51 in the direction along the X-axis, and the clamp release claw 52T is located almost directly to the side of the relief portion 51H. The rear end of the clamp release member 52 is located rearward of the pin 52P, and a third pulley 63, described below, is attached to it.

[0037] 8 and 9, an operating member 53 is provided at the rear end of the main body 41. The operating member 53 is provided so as to be movable in the front-to-rear direction relative to the main body 41. The rear portion of the operating member 53 protrudes rearward from the rear end of the main body 41. The operating member 53 is movable between a front position within the main body 41 (FIG. 8) and a rear position (FIG. 9) obtained by moving rearward within the main body 41 from the front position. The operating member 53 is located at the front position by abutting from the rear against a front abutment portion (not shown) provided within the main body 41, and is located at the rear position by abutting from the front against a rear abutment portion (not shown) provided on the main body 41.

[0038] 8 and 9, a wire 60 that connects the operating member 53 and the fixed member 51 is provided inside the main body 41. One end of the wire 60 is attached to the operating member 53 via an upper wire fixing part 60A, and the other end of the wire 60 is attached to a wire fixing part 46K that is fixed to the connecting part 46 via a lower wire fixing part 60B.

[0039] 8 and 9, the middle portion of the wire 60 is supported by multiple pulleys (a first pulley 61, a second pulley 62, and a third pulley 63). The first pulley 61 is attached to the upper portion of the main body 41, and the second pulley 62 is attached to the connecting portion 46. The third pulley 63 is attached to the rear end of the clamp release member 52. The first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62 are attached to the connecting portion 46 in a fixed position, whereas the third pulley 63 changes position up and down as the clamp release member 52 swings. The wire 60 extends forward between the upper wire fixing portion 60A and the first pulley 61 and is bent downward by the first pulley 61. The wire 60 bent downward by the first pulley 61 is bent upward by the second pulley 62 and then bent downward by the third pulley 63 to reach the lower wire fixing portion 60B.

[0040] 8 and 9, a spring member 64 is provided on the wire fixing portion 46K. The spring member 64 constantly biases the rear end of the clamp release member 52 upward. As a result, the clamp release member 52 is swung by the third pulley 63 to a position where the wire 60 is fully extended and then stops. When the operating member 53 is in the forward position as shown in FIG. 8, the clamp release member 52 is substantially horizontal, and the clamp release claw 52T at the tip end is located at a position (standby position) that is substantially the same as or lower than the bottom surface of the recess 51H of the fixed member 51. When the operating member 53 is in the rear position as shown in FIG. 9, the clamp release member 52 is pulled by the wire 60 and swung in the direction indicated by arrow R. As a result, the upper surface of the clamp release claw 52T of the clamp release member 52 moves to a position (unclamped position) higher than the cam surface 51C. The operating member 53 is always positioned in the forward position because it is pulled by the wire 60 due to the action of the spring member 64 and retracted into the main body 41, and when pulled backward by the operator OP, it moves to the rear position.

[0041] When the operator OP pulls the operating member 53 rearward (arrow P in FIG. 9 ) from the state in which the operating member 53 is positioned forward as described above, the upper wire fixing portion 60A moves rearward. This pulls up the wire 60 between the first pulley 61 and the second pulley 62, and the rear end of the clamp release member 52 is pulled downward by the wire 60 via the third pulley 63. As a result, the clamp release member 52 oscillates around the pin 52P as a fulcrum while compressing the spring member 64 (arrow R in FIG. 9 ), and the clamp release claw 52T at the tip moves from the standby position to the clamp release position. In this embodiment, the wire 60 serves as a transmission mechanism that transmits the displacement of the operating member 53, which is displaced by an external force in the opposite direction to the one direction described above, to the clamp release member 52, which is the clamp release member. Note that other mechanical elements, such as a link, may be used as the transmission mechanism in place of the wire 60.

[0042] To attach a part feeder 13 configured as described above to the feeder base 22, the operator OP inserts the tip of the slot insertion portion 42 into the slot groove 23S with the operating member 53 positioned in the forward position (without operating the operating member 53). The operator then slides the part feeder 13 along the slot groove 23S in the installation direction At (arrow At in FIG. 6A) and pushes the main body 41 into the back of the feeder base 22 until the tip of the main body 41 abuts against the feeder stopper 24 (FIGS. 6A → 6B). This secures the fixed member 51 of the part feeder 13 by the fixing mechanism 31 (see FIGS. 11A to 11D) provided on the feeder base 22. The upper pins 43 of the part feeder 13 secured to the feeder base 22 fit into the upper pin insertion holes 24A of the feeder stopper 24, and the lower pins 44 fit into the lower pin insertion holes 24B. Furthermore, the engaging protrusion 45 is inserted into the second slot groove 23SB (see FIG. 7B), and the engaging pin 27 on the feeder base 22 side is inserted into and engaged with the engaging hole 48H on the parts feeder 13 side.

[0043] Engagement hole 48H serves as a second engagement portion in this embodiment. Here, the "second engagement portion" refers to a portion that is provided at a position rearward of slot insertion portion 42 of main body 41 and that engages with a member (engagement pin 27 in this embodiment) located below the upper surface of feeder base 22 when slot insertion portion 42 is inserted into slot groove 23S.

[0044] Furthermore, by sliding the parts feeder 13 in the mounting direction At, the plug 47 of the parts feeder 13 fits into the socket 26 provided on the feeder base 22 side, and the parts feeder 13 and the control device 17 of the component mounting device 1 are electrically connected. This makes it possible for the control device 17 to control the operation of the parts feeder 13.

[0045] Next, the operation of fixing the fixed member 51 by the fixing mechanism 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11D. FIGS. 11A to 11D are explanatory diagrams of the operation of the fixing mechanism when the part feeder according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is attached to the feeder base. When the slot insertion portion 42 of the part feeder 13 is inserted into the deep side of the slot groove 23S of the feeder base 22, the cam surface 51C of the fixed member 51 provided on the part feeder 13 abuts against the operated portion 35 of the fixing mechanism 31 (FIGS. 11A to 11B). The highest point 51G of the tip 51F of the fixed member 51 passes through a position lower than the operated portion 35, so the cam surface 51C first abuts against the operated portion 35 of the fixing mechanism 31. When the part feeder 13 further slides in the attachment direction At from this state, the cam surface 51C moves while pushing up the operated portion 35 due to its sloped surface. As a result, arm 32 swings around support shaft 22J against the biasing force of biasing spring 36 (arrow M in FIG. 11C). When arm 32 is pushed up by cam surface 51C and swings, stator 34 also moves upward. When highest point 51CG at the rear end of cam surface 51C reaches directly below operated portion 35, highest point 51G at tip end 51F reaches a position directly below stator 34 or slightly past the center of stator 34 in the installation direction At (FIG. 11C).

[0046] When the part feeder 13 inserted into the slot groove 23S moves further in the mounting direction At and its tip abuts against the feeder stopper 24, the recess 51H of the fixed member 51 reaches directly below the operated portion 35, and the recess 51K also reaches directly below the stator 34. At this time, the operated portion 35, no longer supported by the cam surface 51C, falls into the recess 51H, causing the arm 32 to swing in the opposite direction around the support shaft 22J (arrow N in FIG. 11D). The stator 34 then descends as the arm 32 swings, and is pressed against the recess 51K that has moved directly below it (FIG. 11D). This causes the fixing mechanism 31 to engage (clamp) the stator 34 with the fixed member 51, thereby fixing the part feeder 13 to the feeder base 22 (FIG. 6B).

[0047] In this way, the component mounting device of this embodiment can secure part feeder 13 to feeder base 22 simply by inserting slot insertion portion 42 of part feeder 13 into slot groove 23S of feeder base 22 and moving it in mounting direction At. Fixing mechanism 31 is equipped with powerful biasing spring 36 that exerts sufficient clamping force to secure part feeder 13, and when fixing part feeder 13 to feeder base 22, it is necessary to operate fixing mechanism 31 with a member of part feeder 13 against biasing spring 36. To achieve this, in this embodiment, fixed member 51 provided on part feeder 13 is provided with cam surface 51C for operating fixing mechanism 31.

[0048] Here, the fixing mechanism 31 includes a stator 34 and an operated part 35, which are attached to an arm 32 that swings around an axis (pin 52P) that intersects horizontally with one direction (attaching direction At). The arm 32 extends in a removal direction Re, which is the opposite direction to the one direction, with the stator 34 positioned further away from the pin 52P in the removal direction Re, and the operated part 35 positioned further away from the stator 34 in the removal direction. The fixed member 51 pushes up the operated part 35 with a cam surface 51C. The cam surface 51C is an inclined surface that rises in the removal direction Re, and displaces the operated part 35 upward when the fixed member 51 moves in the one direction (attaching direction At). In other words, the stator 34 is not directly pushed up by the cam surface 51C, but is indirectly pushed up by operating the operated part 35. As described above, the attachment position of operated portion 35 is farther from support shaft 22J than the attachment position of stator 34, so that fixed member 51 can push stator 34 up to a height where it does not interfere with highest point 51G of tip end 51F of fixed member 51 with less force than when directly pushing up stator 34. In addition, this, combined with the boosting effect of cam surface 51C, can reduce the reaction force from fixing mechanism 31 when part feeder 13 is pushed into feeder base 22. In other words, the pushing force when part feeder 13 is pushed into feeder base 22 can be reduced.

[0049] When the fixed member 51 is clamped by the stator 34 as described above, not only do the first engaging portions (upper pin 43 and lower pin 44) provided at the tip of the main body 41 engage with the first engaged portion (feeder stopper 24) on the feeder base 22 side, but also the engaging hole 48H as the second engaging portion engages with the second engaged portion (engaging pin 27) (FIG. 6). The first engaged portion and the second engaged portion are positioned so as to sandwich the upper surface of the feeder base 22 from above and below, and by engaging the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion of the parts feeder 13 with these, lateral shaking of the parts supply port 13K (parts removal position) is effectively suppressed.

[0050] Furthermore, when the fixed member 51 is clamped by the stator 34, the engaging protrusion 45 engages with the slot groove 23S. As mentioned above, the diameter D of the engaging protrusion 45 is smaller than the groove width MH2 of the second slot groove 23SB by a predetermined tolerance, so that lateral wobble is at a level that does not pose a problem. Therefore, the engaging protrusion 45 also effectively suppresses lateral shaking of the parts feeder 13. Furthermore, the force of the stator 34 pressing the fixed member 51 downward presses the engaging protrusion 45 firmly against the upper surface of the slot (the upper surface of the feeder base 22 in this embodiment), so a stable mounting state can be maintained.

[0051] In this manner, in this embodiment, the rigidity of part feeder 13 against lateral vibration is extremely high when attached to feeder base 22. Therefore, even if mounting head 14 moves and stops frequently while component mounting device 1 is in operation, causing part feeder 13 to vibrate with a large excitation force, the lateral vibration of part feeder 13 is suppressed, and the amplitude of the lateral vibration of component supply port 13K can be reduced.

[0052] 12A and 12B are explanatory diagrams illustrating the state before and after the part feeder 13 is removed from the feeder base 22. FIGS. 13A to 13D are explanatory diagrams illustrating the release operation by the clamp release member 52, which is the release member, when removing the part feeder 13 from the feeder base 22. To remove the part feeder 13 attached to the feeder base 22, the operator OP pulls the operating member 53 rearward (removal direction Re) (arrow P shown in FIGS. 9 and 12A). This moves the operating member 53 from the forward position to the rearward position, and the clamp release member 52 swings in a direction lowering the rear end side via the wire 60 (FIGS. 13A to 13B). As a result, the operated portion 35 in the recess 51H is pushed up by the clamp release claw 52T and is raised to a height equal to or higher than the highest point 51CG of the cam surface 51C adjacent to the recess 51H (FIG. 13B). Accordingly, the stator 34 is released from the recessed portion 51K, and the clamped state by the stator 34 is released. The clamp release member 52 functions as a release member that performs a release operation to operate the fixing mechanism 31. The clamp release member 52 then performs the release operation, that is, the operation of releasing the stator 34 from the recessed portion 51K to release the fixation, by linking the displacement of the operating member 53 (arrow P shown in FIGS. 9 and 12) that is caused by an external force in a release direction Re opposite to the one direction, with the wire 60 (transmission mechanism).

[0053] As described above, the clamp release member 52 of the parts feeder 13 in this embodiment is actuated by pulling the operating member 53, and causes the stator 34, which has fixed the fixed member 51, to be released from the fixed member 51. More specifically, the operating member 53 and the clamp release member 52 are connected by a wire 60, and when the operating member 53 is pulled toward the rear of the main body 41, the clamp release member 52 swings and releases the stator 34 from the fixed member 51. In this configuration, the use of the wire 60 makes it easy to change the direction of force, and the mechanism for actuating the clamp release member 52 with the operating member 53 can be configured to be lightweight and compact.

[0054] The operator OP pulls the operating member 53 rearward, and continues to pull the operating member 53 rearward on the main body 41 even after the fixed member 51 releases the clamp on the stator 34. This causes the slot insertion portion 42 to move rearward and come out of the feeder base 22, allowing the parts feeder 13 to be removed from the feeder base 22. During this time, the recessed portion 51K of the fixed member 51 moves away from below the stator 34 in the removal direction Re. Meanwhile, the operated portion 35 moves along the cam surface 51C of the fixed member 51 (FIG. 13B → FIG. 13C) and removes from the cam surface 51C (FIG. 13D).

[0055] In this way, in the part feeder 13 of this embodiment, when the operating member 53 is pulled rearward by the main body 41 and the clamp release member 52 operates to release the clamping of the stator 34 from the fixed member 51, the operating member 53 is further pulled rearward by the main body 41, causing the slot insertion portion 42 to slip out of the slot groove 23S due to the pulling force. To remove the conventional part feeder disclosed in Patent Document 1 from the feeder base, the worker must operate the operating member vertically and pull the part feeder horizontally from the feeder base, resulting in poor work efficiency. Furthermore, in recent years, with the aim of reducing labor, the use of a robot to remove the part feeder from the feeder base has been considered. However, in this case, the robot needs a motion axis to move the part feeder horizontally as well as a motion axis to operate the lever-like operating member vertically. This can complicate the structure and operation of the robot, potentially increasing costs. In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the operator OP can smoothly perform both the operations of releasing the fixation of the parts feeder 13 and removing it by pulling the operating member 53 in the removal direction Re.

[0056] As described above, in part feeder 13 (and component mounting device 1) of this embodiment, when slot insertion portion 42 provided on main body 41 is inserted into slot groove 23S of feeder base 22, this operation clamps fixed member 51 to stator 34 of fixing mechanism 31, which is a clamped unit provided on feeder base 22. Furthermore, when operating member 53 is pulled toward the rear of main body 41, this operation activates clamp release member 52, which releases fixed member 51 clamped to stator 34 from fixed member 51. In this way, the operations for fixing and releasing part feeder 13 to feeder base 22 are extremely simple, and the operation direction is consistent with the direction in which part feeder 13 slides along the slot. Therefore, even if these operations are performed by a robot, the operations are simple, and the increased costs associated with using an expensive robot requiring complex operations can be avoided.

[0057] Furthermore, in parts feeder 13 of this embodiment, fixed member 51 does not directly push up stator 34, which is biased downward, but pushes up operated portion 35 located behind stator 34, so that the pushing up of stator 34 as a preparatory operation for clamping stator 34 can be performed with less force. This allows parts feeder 13 to be pushed into feeder base 22 with less force.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiments, the slot is a groove (slot groove 23S), but the shape of the slot may be a structure other than a groove (for example, a rail). [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] It is possible to provide a parts feeder and a parts mounting device that can efficiently perform the work of replacing a parts feeder with respect to a feeder base. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1. Component placement device 12 Board transport path 13 Parts feeder 13K Parts supply port (parts removal position) 14 Placement head 22 Feeder Base 23S slot groove 23SA 1st slot groove 23SB 2nd slot groove 24 Feeder stopper (first engaged portion) 27 Engagement pin (second engaged portion) 31 Fixing mechanism 34 Stator 35 Operated part 41 Main body 42 Slot insertion part 43 Upper pin (first engagement portion) 44 Lower pin (first engagement portion) 45 Engagement protrusion 48H Engagement hole (2nd engagement part) 51 Fixed member 51K recess 52 Clamp release member 53 Operating member 60 wire BH parts

Claims

1. A parts feeder that is attached to a slot of a feeder base of a component mounting device, a main body including a component supply mechanism that supplies components to a component pick-up position from which the component pick-up head of the component mounting device picks up the components; a slot insertion portion provided on the main body portion and slidable in one direction to be inserted into the slot; a fixed member that protrudes from the main body in the one direction and is fixed to a fixing mechanism provided on the feeder base by the slide; a release member that operates an operated portion of the fixing mechanism that fixes the fixed member in order to release the fixation of the fixed member by the fixing mechanism; an operating member that is displaced by receiving an external force; a transmission mechanism that transmits the displacement of the operating member to the lock-release member to perform a lock-release operation, the fixed member has a shape that protrudes in the one direction, On the upper surface of the fixed member: a recessed portion that opens upward and is pressed downward by a stator of the fixing mechanism; a cam surface having a slope that increases as it moves away from the recess in a removal direction opposite to the one direction; a relief portion that is rearward of the cam surface and has an upwardly opening shape; Parts feeder.

2. The fixing release member lifts the operated part located in the recess from below to release the fixing. The parts feeder according to claim 1.

3. The operating member is provided at the rear end of the main body. The parts feeder according to claim 1.

4. the transmission mechanism transmits the displacement of the operating member in a removal direction opposite to the one direction to the lock-release member, causing the lock-release member to perform the lock-release operation; The parts feeder according to claim 1.

5. The transmission mechanism includes at least a wire. The parts feeder according to claim 1.

6. at least one first engaging portion provided at a tip end of the main body portion, which engages with a first engaged portion provided at a position higher than an upper surface of the feeder base when the slot insertion portion slides in the one direction and is inserted into the slot; and at least one second engaging portion that is provided below the fixed member of the main body portion and engages with a second engaged portion that is provided at a position lower than the upper surface of the feeder base when the slot insertion portion slides in the one direction and is inserted into the slot. The parts feeder according to claim 1.

7. The device further includes an engagement protrusion that protrudes downward from the main body and is inserted into the slot. The parts feeder according to claim 1.

8. the engaging protrusion is disposed rearward of the slot insertion portion, and when the member to be fixed is fixed to the fixing mechanism, the engaging protrusion is pressed against an upper surface of the slot; The parts feeder according to claim 7.

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