Tape cassette supply device, component mounting system, and tape cassette supply method

Abstract

To provide a tape cassette supply unit capable of automatically transferring a tape cassette to a component mounting unit, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supply method.SOLUTION: A tape cassette supply unit 1H that supplies a storage cassette 22B storing a carrier tape CT to a component supply unit 1B of a component mounting unit 1T includes: a chuck unit 121 that holds the storage cassette 22B; and a chuck unit moving mechanism 122 that transfers the storage cassette 22B to the component supply unit 1B by moving the chuck unit 121 holding the storage cassette 22B. The chuck unit 121 holds a gripped block 45 provided to the storage cassette 22B by shortening the distance between a pair of gripping pins 133.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 45

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tape cassette supply device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supply method for supplying a tape cassette storing a roll body of a carrier tape to a component mounting device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a component mounting device for mounting components on a substrate is known, and a tape feeder using a carrier tape is frequently used as a component supply unit for supplying components to the component mounting device. The carrier tape is a tape member storing components, and is transported and stored in a state of being wound around a core of a reel as a tape holder, and is pulled out from the reel and supplied to the tape feeder during use.

[0003] Also, it has been proposed to eliminate a tape holder such as the above reel and transport, store, and use the carrier tape in the form of a roll body wound in a disk shape without a core (for example, Patent Document 1 below). Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which a roll body is stored in a case-shaped storage device with a part thereof opened, and the storage device storing the roll body can be set in a tape feeder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In component mounting equipment that uses carrier tape stored in a roll-type storage device (hereinafter referred to as a tape cassette) as described above, it is preferable that the tape cassette be automatically supplied to the component mounting equipment. However, there is no device that automatically transfers tape cassettes to the component mounting equipment in this manner, and operators are forced to transfer the tape cassettes manually.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a tape cassette supply device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supply method that can automatically transfer tape cassettes to a component mounting device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The tape cassette supply device of the present invention is a tape cassette supply device that supplies tape cassettes containing carrier tapes to a component mounting device, and comprises: a cassette stock section for stocking a plurality of tape cassettes arranged in the width direction of the tape cassette; a cassette moving means for moving tape cassettes from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device; and a tape feeding section for holding the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeding its leading edge to a tape feeder provided by the component mounting device.

[0008] The component mounting system of the present invention comprises a component mounting device and a tape cassette supply device that supplies tape cassettes containing carrier tapes to the component mounting device, the component mounting system comprising: a cassette stock section for stocking a plurality of tape cassettes arranged in the width direction of the tape cassettes; a cassette moving means for moving tape cassettes from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device; and a tape feeding section for holding the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeding its leading edge to a tape feeder provided by the component mounting device.

[0009] The tape cassette supply method of the present invention is a tape cassette supply method using the component mounting system of the present invention described above, comprising the steps of: moving the tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device using the cassette moving means; and feeding the carrier tape of the tape cassette to the tape feeder using the tape feeding section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, tape cassettes can be automatically transferred to a component mounting device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 2] Side view of a component mounting device included in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Side view of the component supply section of a component mounting device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] A perspective view showing a tape cassette, along with a roll of carrier tape, that is part of a component mounting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Enlarged perspective view of a portion of the carrier tape pulled out from a roll body used in a component mounting device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Side view showing the components of the component supply section of a component mounting device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Perspective view of a tape cassette in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 8] Side view of a tape cassette in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 9] Front view of a tape cassette in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 10] Exploded perspective view of a tape cassette in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 11] Side view of the frame of a tape cassette in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Partial side sectional view of a component mounting device in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 13] Partial side sectional view of a component mounting device in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 14] Side sectional view of a tape cassette in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 15] Side sectional view of a tape cassette in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 16] Side view of a shutter included in a tape cassette in an embodiment of the present invention [[ID=1,6]] [Figure 17] (a) - (g) Cross - sectional views of a tape cassette in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 18] (a)(b)(c) Side view of a tape cassette showing the state of inserting and removing a roll body of a carrier tape into and from a storage cassette in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 19] (a)(b)(c) Front views of a plurality of types of tape cassettes having different width - direction dimensions in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 20] Perspective view of an example of a tape cassette having the largest width - direction dimension in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 21] Side view of a tape cassette supply device included in a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 22] Plan view of a tape cassette supply device included in a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 23] Front view of a tape cassette supply device included in a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 24] Perspective side view of a tape cassette supply device included in a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 25] (a)(b) Side view showing a floating mechanism included in a tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 26] Side view of a component mounting system in an embodiment of the present invention [Figure 27]Plan view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] Side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 29] (a)(b)(c) Side view showing how a tape cassette supply device, which is part of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention, is connected to a component mounting device. [Figure 30] Side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 31] Plan view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 32] A downward perspective view of the chuck device included in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] (a)(b) Plan view showing the gripping pin of the chuck device in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] A cross-sectional plan view showing the gripping pin of a chuck device included in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 35] (a)(b) Perspective view showing a gripping block and a gripping pin that grips a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 36] (a)(b)(c)(d) Perspective view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] (a)(b) Plan view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] (a)(b) Plan view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 39] (a)(b) Plan view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 40] (a)(b) Plan view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 41](a)(b) Plan view of a part of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 42] Perspective view of the tape feeding section of a tape cassette supply device in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 43] (a)(b) Front view of the tape feeding section of the tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 44] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 45] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 46] (a)(b)(c)(d) Perspective view showing the procedure for supporting the leading edge of a carrier tape pulled out from a tape cassette by a tape feed unit in a component mounting system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 47] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 48] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 49] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 50] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 51] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 52] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 53] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 54] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 55] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 56] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 57] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 58] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 59] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 60] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 61] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 62] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 63] Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Figure 64] (a)(b) Partial side view of a component mounting system in one embodiment of the present invention [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a component mounting system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting system 1 repeatedly performs a series of component mounting operations, which involve mounting components BH onto a substrate KB brought in from other equipment in the upstream process and then transporting it to other equipment in the downstream process. It comprises a component mounting device 1T and a tape cassette supply device 1H.

[0013] In Figure 2, the component mounting device 1T is configured to include a mounting device main body 1A and a component supply unit 1B. The mounting device main body 1A includes a base 11, a substrate transport unit 12, a mounting head 13, and a head movement mechanism 14. The substrate transport unit 12 consists of a conveyor mechanism and transports the substrate KB received from the upstream process device horizontally to position it at a predetermined work position. In this embodiment, the transport direction of the substrate KB in the component mounting device 1T is defined as the X direction (lateral direction), the vertical direction as the Z direction, and the direction orthogonal to both the X and Z directions as the Y direction (front-back direction).

[0014] In Figure 2, the mounting head 13 is equipped with multiple nozzles 13N extending downward, and a vacuum suction force can be generated at the lower end of each nozzle 13N to attract the component BH. The head movement mechanism 14 consists of, for example, an XY table and moves the mounting head 13 in the XY plane.

[0015] In Figures 2 and 3, the parts supply unit 1B includes a trolley 21, a tape cassette 22, and a tape feeder 23. The tape cassette 22 is capable of storing a roll of carrier tape CT (hereinafter simply referred to as "roll RT") in which the carrier tape CT is wound into a disc shape without a core (see also Figure 4). In other words, the tape cassette 22 handles roll RT that is not wound on a reel.

[0016] As shown in Figure 5 (Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area AR in Figure 4), the carrier tape CT is composed of a base tape BT and a top tape TT. The base tape BT has numerous pockets PK that open upwards, arranged in a row at equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base tape BT, and each pocket PK houses a component BH. The top tape TT is attached to the upper surface of the base tape BT and encloses the component BH in the pockets PK. Multiple feed holes SH are arranged in a row at equal intervals parallel to the row of pockets PK on the base tape BT.

[0017] In Figures 2 and 3, the base 11 is provided with a pair of trolley guide sections 11G extending to the rear and positioned opposite each other in the X direction, and a pair of trolley holding sections 11H also extending to the rear and positioned opposite each other in the X direction. The pair of trolley guide sections 11G are members that guide the left and right sides of the lower part of the trolley 21 when holding the trolley 21, and the pair of trolley holding sections 11H are members that lift and hold the left and right sides of the trolley 21 that has been guided by the trolley guide sections 11G and is close to the base 11.

[0018] In Figure 6, a feeder base 31 is provided on the upper part of the trolley 21. A feeder mounting slot 31S for mounting a tape feeder 23 is provided on the upper surface of the feeder base 31, extending in the Y direction.

[0019] The tape feeder 23 functions as a parts supply unit that supplies parts BH to the main body 1A of the mounting device. The tape feeder 23 can be mounted on the feeder base 31 by sliding the sliding projection 23T (Figure 6) provided on its lower surface into the feeder mounting slot 31S of the feeder base 31.

[0020] Multiple feeder mounting slots 31S are provided in the feeder base 31, arranged in the X direction. Therefore, multiple tape feeders 23 can be mounted in the feeder base 31 in the X direction.

[0021] In Figures 2, 3, and 6, the trolley 21 has a cassette mounting section 33, which is formed as a flat plate overall, at the rear of the trolley base 32 (on the left side in each of these figures), which is movable on the floor FL. As shown in Figure 6, a pair of lower brackets 34 that protrude upward are provided on the middle of the trolley base 32 in the front-rear direction, facing each other in the X direction. The ends of a lower support bar 35 that extends in the X direction are supported by this pair of lower brackets 34.

[0022] In Figure 6, below the feeder base 31, a pair of upper brackets 36 are provided, projecting downwards and facing each other in the X direction. The ends of an upper support bar 37, which extends in the X direction, are supported by this pair of upper brackets 36. The upper support bar 37 extends above the lower support bar 35, parallel to the lower support bar 35 (Figure 6).

[0023] In Figures 4 and 7, the tape cassette 22 includes a case-shaped storage section 41 and a shutter 42 provided within the storage section 41 as a restricting mechanism. The roll body RT is stored in a vertical position within the storage section 41 of the tape cassette 22. Here, "vertical position" refers to a position in which the central axis CJ of the disc-shaped roll body RT is approximately horizontal.

[0024] In this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 is used in two ways. The first way of using it is as a receiving section for the roll body RT of the carrier tape CT (current tape) that the tape feeder 23 is currently transporting, and it is mounted spanning the trolley base 32 and the cassette mounting section 33. A tape cassette 22 used as a receiving section for the roll body RT of the current tape in this way will be hereinafter referred to as "receiving cassette 22A" (Figures 3 and 6).

[0025] A second use of the tape cassette 22 is as a storage device for storing a roll of carrier tape CT (replenishment tape) used when the current tape runs out of parts, and it is mounted on the trolley base 32. The tape cassette 22 used as a storage device for such a roll of replacement tape RT will be referred to below as "storage cassette 22B" (Figures 3 and 6). Thus, the receiving cassette 22A and the storage cassette 22B are tape cassettes 22 having the same structure.

[0026] The tape feeder 23 pulls out a carrier tape CT from the roll RT of the receiving cassette 22A and supplies component BH to the mounting head 13. Following this, it pulls out a carrier tape CT from the roll RT of the storage cassette 22B and supplies component BH to the mounting head 13.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tape feeder 23 is a so-called auto-load feeder. When the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is inserted through the tape inlet 23G (Figure 3) located at the rear end, the feeder detects this and transports the carrier tape CT forward, supplying parts BH to a predetermined parts supply port 23K. At this time, the tape feeder 23 transports the carrier tape CT as the current tape while pulling it out from the roll RT in the receiving cassette 22A.

[0028] The tape feeder 23's tape inlet 23G allows the leading edge of a carrier tape CT (refill tape) pulled from the roll RT in the storage cassette 22B to be inserted before the current tape runs out of parts. The tape feeder 23 starts transporting the refill tape when it detects that the trailing edge of the current tape has passed a predetermined position within the tape feeder 23. As a result, multiple carrier tapes CT are transported continuously without interruption, and parts BH are supplied to the parts loading device 1T without any parts running out.

[0029] When the component mounting device 1T performs component mounting work, first the substrate transport unit 12 operates to bring in the substrate KB from the outside and position it at a predetermined work position. Once the substrate KB is positioned at the work position by the substrate transport unit 12, the tape feeder 23 repeatedly performs a mounting turn by coordinating the operation of supplying component BH to the component supply port 23K with the operation of the head moving mechanism 14 moving the mounting head 13.

[0030] In one mounting turn, the mounting head 13 moves to a position above the tape feeder 23, picks up the component BH with the nozzle 13N, then moves to a position above the substrate KB, and performs a series of operations to mount the component BH onto the substrate KB. The mounting turns are repeated until all the component BH to be mounted on the substrate KB is mounted, at which point the substrate transport unit 12 operates to transport the substrate KB to the downstream process equipment. This completes the component mounting work for one substrate KB.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the tape cassette 22 used as the receiving cassette 22A or storage cassette 22B for the roll body RT of the carrier tape CT, and the procedure for mounting it to the trolley 21 will be described.

[0032] In Figures 7, 8, and 9, the tape cassette 22 has a storage section 41 and a shutter 42 as a restricting section provided within the storage section 41. The storage section 41 comprises a U-shaped frame 43 and a pair of plate members (side plates 44) attached to both sides of the frame 43 in the width direction. The space enclosed by the U-shaped frame 43 and the pair of side plates 44 is a storage space 41S for storing the roll body RT. The U-shaped frame 43 has its opening facing forward, and therefore a front opening 41K is formed in front of the storage section 41.

[0033] In this embodiment, the storage unit 41 has a U-shaped frame 43 surrounding the storage space 41S and a pair of side plates 44 (plate members) fixed to the frame 43 that cover the sides of the storage space 41S, and the storage unit 41 has a front opening 41K facing the outer circumferential surface of the roll body RT.

[0034] In Figures 7, 9, and 10, the frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z aligned in the width direction. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper part of the frame 43 with the opening oriented laterally is the upper frame section 43a, and the lower part is the lower frame section 43b. An arc-shaped guide section 43c is located between the upper frame section 43a and the lower frame section 43b.

[0035] In Figures 7, 9, and 11, when the frame 43 is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 44, the upper part 43a of the frame 43 faces the upper edge of the side plate 44, and the lower part 43b of the frame 43 faces the lower edge of the side plate 44. As shown in Figure 11, a shutter guide portion 43g is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the guide portion 43c, projecting toward the center of the arc of the frame 43. A guide surface 43F with an upward slope toward the front is provided on the lower front end of the upper part 43a of the frame.

[0036] In Figures 7 and 11, the upper part 43a of the frame is provided with an engagement groove 43M, a gripping block 45 as the gripping part, and a lower support bar engagement part 43P in that order from the front end. The engagement groove 43M is provided facing the upper surface of the upper part 43a of the frame and opens forward. The gripping block 45 consists of a block-shaped member and extends in the Y direction (a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the tape cassette 22 and in the in-plane direction of the roll body RT housed in the tape cassette 22).

[0037] In Figures 7 and 11, three pin insertion sections 43S are provided in the lower part 43b of the frame, aligned in the Y direction. Furthermore, an upper support bar engagement section 43Q is provided in the region between the two front pin insertion sections 43S and the rear pin insertion section 43S.

[0038] In Figure 6, three cassette retention pins 33P are arranged in a single row in the Y direction on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33. These three cassette retention pins 33P constitute one cassette retention pin row 33L, and multiple cassette retention pin rows 33L are arranged in the X direction on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33.

[0039] In Figure 6, one receiving cassette retaining pin 33Q is provided coaxially with each cassette retaining pin row 33L in front of it. That is, on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33, multiple rows of pins are arranged in the X direction, each row consisting of three stored cassette retaining pins 33P (cassette retaining pin row 33L) and one receiving cassette retaining pin 33Q.

[0040] As shown in Figures 3 and 12, the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the trolley 21 with the top and bottom reversed compared to the storage cassette 22B. When the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the trolley 21, as shown in Figure 12, the lower support bar engaging portion 43P engages with the lower support bar 35, the upper support bar engaging portion 43Q engages with the upper support bar 37, and the engaging groove 43M engages with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q. In this embodiment, one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q, the lower support bar 35, and the upper support bar 37 form a receiving cassette mounting portion 38 (receiving portion mounting portion) on which the receiving cassette 22A is mounted.

[0041] In Figures 11 and 12, the tape cassette 22 is equipped with a sub-mounting portion 43R consisting of an upper frame 43a and an upper support bar engaging portion 43Q of the lower frame 43b. By attaching the sub-mounting portion 43R to the receiving cassette mounting portion 38, the tape cassette 22 is mounted on the component mounting device 1T as a receiving cassette 22A. In this way, the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 is equipped with the tape cassette 22 in an inverted position.

[0042] As shown in Figure 13, the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the trolley 21 (cassette mounting section 33 of the parts supply section 1B) by inserting three storage cassette retaining pins 33P, which constitute one cassette retaining pin row 33L, into three pin insertion sections 43S provided on the lower part 43b of the frame. The storage cassette 22B mounted on the trolley 21 is held in a vertical position with its front opening 41K facing forward.

[0043] In this embodiment, the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B is equipped with a pin insertion section 43S, which is an engaged section that can engage with the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P) provided by the parts supply section 1B. The storage cassette 22B is positioned and held by the storage cassette mounting section 39, which consists of the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P). In other words, in this embodiment, the three storage cassette holding pins 33P (cassette holding pin row 33L) arranged in a line in the Y direction constitute the storage cassette mounting section 39 (storage device mounting section) on which the storage cassette 22B is mounted.

[0044] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 is equipped with a main mounting portion 43U (mounting portion) formed by the lower part 43b of the frame (Figures 11 and 13), and by attaching the main mounting portion 43U to the storage cassette mounting portion 39, the tape cassette 22 is mounted on the component mounting device 1T as a storage cassette 22B. As a result, the storage cassette 22B, while held in the storage cassette mounting portion 39, is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it, thereby suppressing movement in the X direction (direction of tilting to the side).

[0045] In Figures 12 and 13, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A with its front opening 41K facing the storage cassette mounting section 39. Similarly, the storage cassette mounting section 39 mounts the storage cassette 22B with its front opening 41K facing the receiving cassette 22A mounted on the receiving cassette mounting section 38. In this way, the receiving cassette 22A and the storage cassette 22B are mounted on the trolley 21 with their front openings 41K facing each other, making it possible to move the roll body RT stored in the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A.

[0046] Furthermore, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A at a lower position than the storage cassette 22B mounted in the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows for smooth movement of the roll body RT from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, while preventing the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

[0047] Furthermore, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A in an inclined position that becomes lower as it moves away from the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows for smooth movement of the roll body RT from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, while preventing the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

[0048] In Figures 7, 14, and 15, the shutter 42 is located within the storage space 41S of the storage unit 41. As shown in Figure 16, the shutter 42 has an overall J-shape and includes an arc-shaped slider portion 51 and a shutter tip portion 52 that extends linearly from one end of the slider portion 51. An operating lever 53 is connected to the slider portion 51, protruding outwards (away from the center) from the arc-shaped slider portion 51 and positioned to protrude to the rear of the storage unit 41.

[0049] In Figures 7, 8, and 9, a tape holding portion 54 is provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (the end of the shutter tip portion 52). The tape holding portion 54 is a plate-like portion that extends in the direction in which the shutter tip portion 52 extends, and two tape locking protrusions 55, which serve as feed hole engagement portions, protrude from its tip. These two tape locking protrusions 55 are arranged parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction of the storage portion 41.

[0050] The shutter 42 is guided by the aforementioned arc-shaped shutter guide portion 43g, which is provided on the frame 43, and whose outer circumferential surface is that of the arc-shaped slider portion 51. When the operating lever 53 is operated, the shutter 42 is guided by the shutter guide portion 43g and slides within the inner region of the frame 43 in a rotational direction with an axis parallel to the X direction as the axis of rotation.

[0051] The shutter 42 takes a closed position (first position) where the shutter tip 52 extends vertically (Z direction) at the front of the storage space 41S, closing the front opening 41K of the storage unit 41 (Figure 14). It also takes an open position (second position) where the shutter tip 52 extends vertically (Y direction) at the bottom of the storage space 41S, opening the front opening 41K of the storage unit 41 (Figure 15). When the shutter 42 is in the closed position, the roll body RT inside the storage space 41S cannot pass through the front opening 41K and move out of the storage unit 41. However, when the shutter 42 is in the open position, the roll body RT inside the storage space 41S can pass through the front opening 41K and move out of the storage unit 41.

[0052] In Figures 11, 14, and 15, an open-side stopper surface 43T is formed at the front end of the lower part 43b of the frame, and a contact surface 52T, which is the end face of the shutter tip 52, is formed at the boundary between the slider portion 51 and the shutter tip portion 52 of the shutter 42 (Figure 14). When the operating lever 53 is moved from the lower position to the upper position, the shutter 42 rotates clockwise in Figure 14 (Figure 14 → Figure 15), and when the contact surface 52T contacts the open-side stopper surface 43T, it is positioned in the closed position (Figure 15).

[0053] Figures 17(a) to 17(f) show cross-sections of various parts of the tape cassette 22 (AA section, BB section, CC section, DD section, EE section, and FF section) when the shutter 42 is in the closed position. Figure 17(g) shows a cross-section of a part of the tape cassette 22 (GG section) when the shutter 42 is in the open position.

[0054] In Figures 11 and 15, a closing-side stopper surface 43K is formed at the upper end (rear end) of the lower part 43b of the frame. When the operating lever 53 is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the shutter 42 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 15 (Figure 15 → Figure 14), and when the operating lever 53 contacts the closing-side stopper surface 43K, it is positioned in the closed position (Figure 14). Thus, in this embodiment, the operating lever 53 is an operating part that displaces the shutter 42 between the closed position (first position) and the open position (second position).

[0055] To store the roll of tape RT in the tape cassette 22, the shutter 42 is positioned in the open position, the roll of tape RT is inserted through the front opening 41K of the storage unit 41 (arrow M1 shown in Figure 18(a)), and the operating lever 53 is moved downward (arrow N1 shown in Figure 18(b)). This moves the shutter 42 from the open position to the closed position, the front opening 41K of the storage unit 41 is closed by the shutter 42, and the roll of tape RT is stored in the tape cassette 22 (Figure 18(b)).

[0056] On the other hand, to remove the roll of tape RT stored in the tape cassette 22, the operating lever 53 is moved upward (arrow N2 shown in Figure 18(c)). This moves the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position, opening the front opening 41K of the storage section 41, and making it possible to remove the roll of tape RT from the storage section 41 (arrow M2 shown in Figure 18(c)).

[0057] In this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 as a storage device has a storage section 41 having a storage space 41S for storing a roll of tape RT and a front opening 41K from which the roll of tape RT can be inserted and removed from the front, and a shutter 42 as a restricting part that displaces between a first position (closed position) that restricts the roll of tape RT stored in the storage space 41S from passing through the front opening 41K and moving to the outside of the storage section 41 by closing at least a part of the front opening 41K, and a second position (open position) that allows the roll of tape RT stored in the storage space to pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41. The shutter 42 has a shutter tip 52 that is located in the front opening 41K when displaced to the closed position, and a slider part 51 that slides guided by a shutter guide part 43g provided on the frame 43.

[0058] Incidentally, to accommodate differences in the widthwise dimensions of the roll body RT, multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different widthwise dimensions are required. As mentioned above, the frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z (Figures 7 and 9). Therefore, by making one of the frame members 43Z have a thickness dimension corresponding to the widthwise dimension of the roll body RT, and using the other one in common regardless of the differences in the widthwise dimension of the roll body RT, it is possible to standardize the components and reduce the manufacturing cost of multiple types of tape cassettes 22. Figures 19(a), (b), and (c) show examples of multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different widthwise dimensions.

[0059] Figure 19(a) shows a configuration in which one of the two frame members 43Z is removed and replaced with a single frame member 43Z used in common, which can accommodate cases where the width dimension of the roll body RT (i.e., the carrier tape CT) is smaller than that of the previously described case. Figure 19(b) shows a configuration in which the width dimension of one of the two frame members 43Z is increased, which can accommodate cases where the width dimension of the roll body RT is larger than that of the previously described case.

[0060] Figure 19(c) shows two frame members 43Z connected by a rod-shaped spacer SP, allowing for the use of a roll body RT with a larger width dimension than in Figure 19(b) (see also Figure 20). The two frame members 43Z connected by the spacer SP are used in common. In both Figure 19(b) and Figure 19(c), the gripping block 45 is provided on each of the two frame members 43Z.

[0061] This is because, when the gripping block 45 is grasped and the tape cassette 22 is lifted, if the gripping block 45 is only provided on one of the two frame members 43Z, the tape cassette 22 will tilt from a vertical position due to the position of its overall center of gravity, making it difficult to attach to the trolley 21. Also, if one gripping block 45 is used to forcibly straighten the tape cassette 22, an excessive bending moment may be applied to the gripping block 45, potentially damaging it.

[0062] As described above, the tape cassette 22 in this embodiment supplies a roll of carrier tape CT containing component BH to a component mounting device 1T, and is configured to include a storage section 41 and a shutter 42. The storage section 41 has a storage space 41S for storing the roll of RT and a front opening 41K that allows the roll of RT to be inserted and removed from the front. The shutter 42 is displaceable between a closed position (first position) that restricts the roll of RT from passing through the front opening 41K and moving outside the storage section 41 by blocking at least a part of the front opening 41K, and an open position (second position) that allows the roll of RT to pass through the front opening 41K and move outside the storage section 41. The storage section 41 is mounted with the front opening 41K facing the component mounting device 1T, and the roll of RT is supplied to the component mounting device 1T with the shutter 42 in the open position.

[0063] Next, the procedure for attaching the tape cassette 22 to the parts supply unit 1B of the parts mounting device 1T will be explained. In attaching the tape cassette 22 to the parts supply unit 1B, first, the receiving cassette 22A is attached to the receiving cassette mounting unit 38 of the trolley 21, which is the receiving unit mounting unit.

[0064] When loading the receiving cassette 22A into the receiving cassette mounting section 38, first, the shutter 42 is positioned in the open position (second position) using the operating lever 53, and then the tape cassette 22 is turned upside down. Then, the lower support bar engaging section 43P provided on the upper part 43a of the frame is engaged with the lower support bar 35, the upper support bar engaging section 43Q provided on the lower part 43b of the frame is engaged with the upper support bar 37, and the engaging groove 43M provided on the upper part 43a of the frame is engaged with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q (Figure 12 → Figure 13).

[0065] When the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the trolley 21, the tape cassette 22 is tilted slightly forward and downward, and the guide surface 43F provided on the upper part 43a of the frame is in an almost horizontal position (Figure 13). Also, the shutter 42 of the receiving cassette 22A mounted on the trolley 21 is in the open position (second position).

[0066] Once the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the receiving cassette mounting section 38 of the trolley 21 as described above, the storage cassette 22B containing the roll body RT is mounted on the storage cassette mounting section 39 of the trolley 21. The shutter 42 of the storage cassette 22B is in the closed position until just before the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the storage cassette mounting section 39, and the leading edge of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll body RT is held in place by the tape holding section 54 of the shutter 42 in the closed position (Figure 13).

[0067] Here, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is held by the tape holding section 54 when two tape locking protrusions 55 provided on the tape holding section 54 lock from below into two of the multiple feed holes SH provided on the leading edge of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT (Figures 7 and 13). In this state, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is in a nearly horizontal position.

[0068] In this embodiment, the tape holding portion 54 provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (shutter tip portion 52) has two tape locking protrusions 55 that can engage with the feed holes SH of the carrier tape CT, and these tape locking protrusions 55 hold the carrier tape CT as it is pulled out from the roll RT. At this time, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is in a horizontal position. That is, when the shutter 42 is in the closed position (first position), the tape holding portion 54 holds the carrier tape CT horizontally.

[0069] The tape cassette supply device 1H automatically loads the storage cassette 22B into the cassette mounting section 33. The tape cassette supply device 1H will now be described.

[0070] Figures 21, 22, and 23 show the tape cassette supply device 1H. The tape cassette supply device 1H is a device that supplies a tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) containing a roll of carrier tape CT to the parts supply unit 1B of the parts mounting device 1T, and includes a cassette supply unit 61, an alignment unit 62, a cassette transfer unit 63, and a tape feeding unit 64.

[0071] First, the cassette supply unit 61 will be described. In FIGS. 21, 23, and 24, the cassette supply unit 61 includes a reference base 71, a supply device main body unit 72, a floating mechanism 73, a cassette stock unit 74, a shutter operation unit 75, and a control unit 76. The reference base 71 has a plurality of wheels 71S on its lower surface and is capable of traveling on the floor FL. The supply device main body unit 72 is disposed above the reference base 71. The supply device main body unit 72 includes a lifting base 72a (bottom plate) and a top plate 72b and has a housing shape that is open in the front.

[0072] In FIGS. 21, 23, and 24, the floating mechanism 73 is provided between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body unit 72 (specifically, the lifting base 72a). The floating mechanism 73 is a mechanism that holds the supply device main body unit 72 so as to be movable in the vertical direction with respect to the reference base 71.

[0073] In FIGS. 25(a) and (b), the floating mechanism 73 includes four lifting guides 81, spring members 82, and a plurality of link mechanisms 83. The four lifting guides 81 are arranged at the front, rear, left, and right between the reference base 71 and the lifting base 72a, and the four spring members 82 are arranged corresponding to (penetrating through) each of these four lifting guides 81.

[0074] Thus, in the present embodiment, the supply device main body unit 72 is movable in the vertical direction with respect to the reference base 71 and is in a state of being elastically supported by the spring members 82 provided in the floating mechanism 73. Note that FIG. 25(b) shows a case where the height HT of the lifting base 72a with respect to the reference base 71 is higher than that in FIG. 25(a) (the height HT = H1 in FIG. 25(a) and the height HT = H2 in FIG. 25(b), where H1 < H2).

[0075] The link mechanism 83 of the floating mechanism 73 comprises a pair of link sections 101 arranged at a distance from each other in the Y direction (as described later, the direction of travel of the supply device body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T), and a connecting section 102 that connects these pair of link sections 101, thereby forming a parallel link. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 23, two link mechanisms 83 are provided side by side in the X direction.

[0076] In Figures 25(a) and (b), the link section 101 connects the reference base 71 and the supply device main body 72 (the lower surface of the lifting base 72a), and consists of two link elements 101E of the same length, with one end of each being pin-connected and positioned vertically. The lower end of the lower link element 101E is pin-connected to the upper surface of the reference base 71, and the upper end of the upper link element 101E is pin-connected to the lower surface of the lifting base 72a. The upper end of the lower link element 101E and the lower end of the upper link element 101E are pin-connected. The connecting section 102 consists of a rod-shaped member extending in the Y direction, and both front and rear ends are pivotally connected to the intermediate parts (pin-connected portions) of the two link sections 101.

[0077] Each of the two link sections 101 operates in accordance with the change in distance between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a), and the connecting section 102 connects the pair of link sections 101 together, causing their movements to be synchronized. Since the link mechanism 83 is a parallel link, as long as the reference base 71 is in a horizontal position, even if an upward or downward force acts on a part of the lifting base 72a, the lifting base 72a will also maintain a horizontal position.

[0078] In Figures 21, 23, and 24, the cassette stock section 74 consists of a member having a horizontal top surface and is provided within the main body of the supply device 72. Multiple storage cassettes 22B are placed and stocked on the top surface of the cassette stock section 74 in a vertical position with the front opening 41K facing forward. Multiple storage cassettes 22B can be placed in the cassette stock section 74 in an arrangement in the X direction (width direction of the storage cassettes 22B).

[0079] In Figures 22, 23, and 24, the shutter operating unit 75 is located within the main body 72 of the supply device. The shutter operating unit 75 comprises a pair of left and right operating unit bases 91, an operating bar 92, and an operating bar drive unit 93.

[0080] The left and right operating section bases 91 are provided in the front area of ​​the cassette stock section 74, positioned outside the left and right ends of the cassette stock section 74. Each of the left and right operating section bases 91 consists of a plate-shaped member extending outwards in the YZ plane, and each of the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces) is provided with an operating bar guide 91G extending in the Z direction. The left and right operating bar guides 91G are provided with bar holding parts 91B that are movable in the Z direction.

[0081] The operating bar 92 consists of a rod-shaped member extending in the X direction, with both ends held by the left and right bar holders 91B. The operating bar drive unit 93 consists of, for example, a rodless cylinder and is attached to the left and right operating bases 91, respectively. When the left and right operating bar drive units 93 raise and lower their respective bar holders 91B in sync, the operating bar 92 moves in the Z direction while maintaining a horizontal position.

[0082] In Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, the control unit 76 is located within the main body 72 of the tape cassette supply device. The control unit 76 controls the operation of the operating bar drive unit 93 as well as other drive units of the tape cassette supply device 1H (the chuck device moving mechanism 122, opening / closing operation unit 131K, sprocket drive motor 141, and arm drive cylinder 143, which will be described later).

[0083] Next, the alignment section 62 will be described. In Figures 21, 22, and 24, the alignment section 62 is provided with left and right supply device side connection sections 111. The left and right supply device side connection sections 111 each consist of an alignment arm 112, a horizontal alignment roller 113, and a height alignment roller 114.

[0084] The alignment arm 112 extends forward from the main body 72 of the cassette supply unit 61. Two horizontal alignment rollers 113 are provided at the front end of the alignment arm 112 in the front-rear direction. The horizontal alignment rollers 113 are rotatable around an axis parallel to the Z direction (Z-axis).

[0085] A height alignment roller 114 is provided at the front end of the alignment arm 112. The height alignment roller 114 is located above the two horizontal alignment rollers 113 (Figures 21 and 24) and is rotatable about an axis parallel to the X direction (X-axis).

[0086] In Figures 26 and 27, the base 11 of the mounting device body 1A is provided with a pair of left and right height alignment guides 11V extending rearward from the rear of the base 11, and a pair of left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W also extending rearward from the rear of the base 11. The height alignment guides 11V are located above the horizontal alignment guides 11W.

[0087] In Figure 26, the upper surface of the height alignment guide 11V is provided with a sloped portion 11S that slopes upward from rear to front. A recessed portion 11K that is recessed downward is formed at the front end of the sloped portion 11S.

[0088] The tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T from the rear. When connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H to the component mounting device 1T, the tape cassette supply device 1H is moved on the floor FL by a mobile robot RB, and is brought closer (in the Y direction) to the mounting device main body 1A with the trolley 21 attached (Figure 28). At this time, the Y-axis of the tape cassette supply device 1H is made parallel to the Y-axis of the base 11. For this reason, the tape cassette supply device 1H approaches the mounting device main body 1A in a position that accommodates the trolley 21 connected to the base 11 between the left and right alignment arms 112.

[0089] Here, the mobile robot RB functions as a mobile unit that moves the tape cassette supply device 1H to the front of the parts supply unit 1B where the carrier tape CT needs to be replenished. For example, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) that operates autonomously with wireless control may be used as this mobile robot RB.

[0090] As the tape cassette supply device 1H is brought closer to the mounting device body 1A, the left and right horizontal alignment rollers 113 of the tape cassette supply device 1H come into contact with the inner surfaces of the left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W of the base 11 and roll. As a result, the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned horizontally (in the X direction) relative to the mounting device body 1A as it moves towards the rear of the mounting device body 1A.

[0091] Furthermore, as the tape cassette supply device 1H is brought closer to the base 11 of the mounting device body 1A, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 come into contact with the upper surfaces (inclined surfaces 11S) of the left and right height alignment guides 11V of the base 11 and roll, climbing up the inclined surfaces 11S (Figure 29)(a) → Figure 29(b)). During this time, the supply device body 72 is lifted relative to the floor FL (i.e., relative to the reference base 71) (Figure 29(b)).

[0092] The left and right height alignment rollers 114 climb the inclined surfaces 11S of the left and right height alignment guides 11V, and then drop into the left and right recesses 11K when they reach the front end of the inclined surfaces 11S (Figure 29(b) → Figure 29(c)). As a result, the main body 72 (lifting base 72a) of the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned in the height direction relative to the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T (Figures 30 and 31), and the mobile robot RB stops moving.

[0093] In this embodiment, the supply device side connection part 111 of the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the height alignment guide 11V and the horizontal alignment guide 11W of the component mounting device 1T, and in this connected state, the supply device main body 72 is positioned in the height direction. Therefore, the height and horizontal position of the tape cassette supply device 1H can be easily aligned with the component mounting device 1T, which is installed with horizontal leveling and whose height from the floor FL is not constant.

[0094] Furthermore, in positioning the supply device body 72 in the height direction, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 provided on the supply device side connection part 111 are interposed between the height direction alignment guide 11V and the supply device body 72 (i.e., between the supply device body 72 and the component mounting device 1T) while connected to the height direction alignment guide 11V, and act as a height adjustment part that adjusts the height of the supply device body 72 relative to the component mounting device body 1A by receiving an upward force from the height direction alignment guide 11V. The height of the supply device body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T can be changed by the outer diameter dimensions of the left and right height alignment rollers 114.

[0095] On the other hand, the height alignment guide 11V and the horizontal alignment guide 11W of the component mounting device 1T are mounting device side connection parts to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected. The height alignment guide 11V is a mounting device side height connection part to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned in the height direction relative to the mounting device body 1A. The horizontal alignment guide 11W is a mounting device side horizontal connection part to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the mounting device body 1A.

[0096] Here, a pair of height alignment guides 11V are arranged in the width direction (X direction) of the mounting device body 1A, and a pair of height alignment rollers 114 are arranged in the width direction (X direction) of the tape cassette supply device 1H, corresponding to the pair of height alignment guides 11V. The pair of height alignment guides 11V are positioned to sandwich the parts supply unit 1B, which is held by the trolley holding unit 11H, from its width direction (X direction). Therefore, when the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device body 1A, it assumes a posture in which the trolley 21 connected to the mounting device body 1A is embraced from the side by the pair of supply device side connection units 111 (Figure 31).

[0097] As described above, when the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device body 1A, the supply device side connection part 111 receives an upward force from the height alignment guide 11V while the height alignment roller 114 is climbing the inclined surface 11S of the height alignment guide 11V and after the height alignment roller 114 is fitted into the recess 11K. As a result, the front of the supply device body 72 is pushed upward relative to the rear, but a floating mechanism 73 is interposed between the supply device body 72 (lifting base 72a) and the reference base 71, and as mentioned above, the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supply device body 72, maintains a horizontal position, thus preventing the entire tape cassette supply device from tilting and becoming unstable.

[0098] In this embodiment, as described above, the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the base 11 of the mounting device main body 1A, rather than to the trolley 21. If the tape cassette supply device 1H were supported by the trolley 21, a heavy object would be placed on the trolley 21, causing the front side (operator side) of the trolley 21 to sag. This would change the posture of the trolley 21, altering the position (vertical position) of the tape feeder 23, which could lead to a suction error when the mounting head 13 picks up the component BH from the tape feeder 23. However, in this embodiment, the tape cassette supply device 1H is not connected to the trolley 21, so there is no such risk, and the suction accuracy of the component BH by the mounting head 13 does not decrease.

[0099] Furthermore, if the trolley 21 is redesigned to support the tape cassette supply device 1H (specifically, by adding a height alignment guide 11V and a horizontal alignment guide 11W to support the horizontal alignment roller 113 and height alignment roller 114 on the tape cassette supply device 1H side), the weight of the trolley 21 increases, making it difficult to handle. However, in this embodiment, such inconvenience does not occur.

[0100] Next, the cassette transfer unit 63 will be described. In Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, the cassette transfer unit 63 is a mechanism that takes the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) out of the cassette stock unit 74 and transfers it to the parts supply unit 1B.

[0101] The cassette transfer unit 63 includes a chuck device 121 as a gripping unit and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a gripping unit moving means for moving the chuck device 121. The chuck device moving mechanism 122 consists of an X-axis table 123, two X-guides 124, a Y-axis table 125, and a chuck lifting cylinder 126 as a means for lifting and lowering the chuck.

[0102] The X-axis table 123 is provided extending in the X direction from the rear of the upper surface of the top plate 72b of the feeder body 72. Two X-guides 124 are provided extending in the X direction from the front and rear of the upper surface of the top plate 72b, respectively. The Y-axis table 125 is provided extending in the Y direction from the upper surface of the top plate 72b. The Y-axis table 125 is driven by the X-axis table 123 and moves in the X direction guided by the two X-guides 124.

[0103] The chuck lifting cylinder 126 has its lower end, the lifting rod 126R which is a piston rod, pointing downwards. The chuck lifting cylinder 126 moves in the Y direction driven by the Y-axis table 125, and moves in the Y direction by the X-axis table 123 which drives the Y-axis table 125 in the Y direction.

[0104] In Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, the chuck device 121 is located at the lower end of the lifting rod 126R. Therefore, the chuck device 121 moves in the X and Y directions together with the chuck lifting cylinder 126, and as the chuck lifting cylinder 126 moves the lifting rod 126R forward and backward, it moves up and down relative to the main body of the supply device 72. The operation of the X-axis table 123, the Y-axis table 125, and the chuck lifting cylinder 126 is controlled by the control unit 76 mentioned above.

[0105] In Figure 32, the chuck device 121 comprises a chuck base 131, two front and rear block support shafts 132J arranged in the Y direction, two front and rear opening / closing blocks 132 attached to each block support shaft 132J and arranged in the Y direction, and a plurality of gripping pins 133 (pin members) attached to each opening / closing block 132.

[0106] In Figure 32, the chuck base 131 is attached to the lower end of the lifting rod 126R. Two block support shafts 132J extend downward from the chuck base 131, and two opening / closing blocks 132 are attached to the lower ends of the two block support shafts 132J.

[0107] In Figure 32, an opening / closing mechanism 131K is provided inside the chuck base 131. The opening / closing mechanism 131K is operated under the control of the control unit 76, moving the two block support shafts 132J in a direction away from each other in the Y direction and in a direction approaching each other in the Y direction. As the two block support shafts 132J are moved by the opening / closing mechanism 131K, the two opening / closing blocks 132 move (open and close) between an open position (Figure 33(a)) where the distance between them is greatest and a closed position (Figure 33(b)) where the distance between them is smallest.

[0108] The gripping pins 133 extend downward from each of the two opening / closing blocks 132. A flange 133D having a larger outer diameter than the gripping pin 133 is formed at the lower end of each gripping pin 133 (Figures 32 and 33(a),(b)).

[0109] In this embodiment, multiple pairs (four pairs) of gripping pins 133 are provided on the two opening / closing blocks 132. The two gripping pins 133 of each pair are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction, and the four sets of gripping pins 133 are arranged in the X direction.

[0110] When the two opening / closing blocks 132 are opened and closed by the opening / closing mechanism 131K, the two gripping pins 133 in each of the four pairs move apart (Figure 33(b) → Figure 33(a)) or closer together (Figure 33(a) → Figure 33(b)). As will be described later, the chuck device 121 grips the block to be gripped 45 attached to the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) by bringing the two gripping pins 133 closer together as the two opening / closing blocks 132 close.

[0111] In this embodiment, the chuck device 121, which is the gripping part, is configured to include a pair (two) of opening / closing blocks 132 that move apart and approaching each other as opening / closing members, and gripping pins 133 that extend from each of these pair of opening / closing blocks 132. By moving the pair of opening / closing blocks 132 in the approaching direction and reducing the distance between the pair of gripping pins 133, the device is configured to grip the block to be gripped 45 provided on the tape cassette 22.

[0112] As shown in Figure 34, the four pairs of gripping pins 133 consist of two gripping pins (first gripping pins 133a) with a distance of L1 when the opening / closing block 132 is in the closed position, two gripping pins 133 (second gripping pins 133b) with a distance of L2 (>L1) greater than L1, two gripping pins 133 (third gripping pins 133c) with a distance of L3 (>L2) greater than L2, and two gripping pins 133 (fourth gripping pins 133d) with a distance of L4 (>L3) greater than L3. Thus, in this embodiment, a pair of opening / closing blocks 132 are equipped with multiple pairs of gripping pins 133, and the distances between each pair of gripping pins 133 are different from each other.

[0113] Each gripping block 45 provided on the tape cassette 22 has two parts, a block base 45K and a block body 45H, as shown in Figures 35(a) and (b). The block base 45K is the part that is directly attached to the upper part 43a of the frame, and the block body 45H is the part that is connected to the upper part of the block base 45K and has a shape that protrudes outward from both ends of the block base 45K in the Y direction.

[0114] A pair of recesses 45M (front and rear recesses 45M) are provided at each of the front and rear ends of the block body 45H. These front and rear recesses 45M have a shape that is recessed in a direction (Y direction) opposite to each other. The inner diameter of each of the two recesses 45M is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the gripping pin 133 provided in the chuck device 121.

[0115] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 36(a), (b), (c), and (d), four types of gripping blocks 45 are used (first gripping block 45a, second gripping block 45b, third gripping block 45c, and fourth gripping block 45d). These four types of gripping blocks 45 have different lengths in the Y direction of the block body portion 45H (i.e., the distance between the two recessed portions 45M), and can be used interchangeably depending on the width dimension of the tape cassette 22.

[0116] The four types of gripping blocks 45 provided by the two opening / closing blocks 132 correspond to the four sets of two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a, second gripping pin 133b, third gripping pin 133c, and fourth gripping pin 133d) mentioned above. Specifically, the distance between the two recesses 45M of the first gripping block 45a is L1 (Figure 36(a)), the distance between the two recesses 45M of the second gripping block 45b is L2 (Figure 36(b)), the distance between the two recesses 45M of the third gripping block 45c is L3 (Figure 36(c)), and the distance between the two recesses 45M of the fourth gripping block 45d is L4 (Figure 36(d)).

[0117] When the tape cassette supply device 1H grips the gripping block 45 of the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) with the chuck device 121, it first operates the opening / closing mechanism 131K to position the opening / closing block 132 in the open position. Then, it positions the two gripping pins 133 corresponding to the gripping block 45 to be gripped to the outside of the gripping block 45 in the Y direction (Figure 35(a)). At this time, the opening / closing block 132 is positioned at a height where the flanges 133D of each of the two gripping pins 133 are below the lower surface of the block body 45H.

[0118] The tape cassette supply device 1H positions the two gripping pins 133 on the outside of the gripped block 45 in the Y direction, then operates the opening / closing mechanism 131K to position the opening / closing block 132 in the closed position (Figure 35(a) → Figure 35(b)). As a result, the two gripping pins 133 are fitted into the two recesses 45M of the gripped block 45, and the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 (Figure 35(b)). When the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45, the flanges 133D of each of the two gripping pins 133 are located below the block body 45H.

[0119] In this way, the chuck device 121 grips the block to be gripped 45 by moving the two gripping pins 133 in the Y direction (the in-plane direction of the roll body RT stored in the tape cassette 22), so that it can grip the block to be gripped 45 of the target tape cassette 22 without interfering with other adjacent tape cassettes 22.

[0120] As described above, the distance between the two gripping pins 133 in each pair (the distance when the two opening / closing blocks 132 are in the closed position) matches the distance between the two recesses 45M provided on the corresponding gripped block 45. For this reason, the first gripped block 45a can be gripped only by the first gripping pin 133a (Figure 37(a) → Figure 37(b)), the second gripped block 45b (Figure 36(b)) can be gripped only by the second gripping pin 133b (Figure 38(a) → Figure 38(b)), the third gripped block 45c (Figure 36(c)) can be gripped only by the third gripping pin 133c (Figure 39(a) → Figure 39(b)), and the fourth gripped block 45d (Figure 36(d)) can be gripped only by the fourth gripping pin 133d (Figure 40(a) → Figure 40(b)).

[0121] As mentioned above, the tape cassette 22 is equipped with one or two gripping blocks 45, one of which is always the first gripping block 45a. Therefore, when the width dimension of the tape cassette 22 is large, the two gripping blocks 45 equipped in that tape cassette 22 are either a combination of the first gripping block 45a and the second gripping block 45b (Figure 36(b)), a combination of the first gripping block 45a and the third gripping block 45c (Figure 36(c)), or a combination of the first gripping block 45a and the fourth gripping block 45d (Figure 36(d)). In detail, as the width dimension of the tape cassette 22 increases, additional gripping blocks 45 with a larger length in the Y direction (distance between the front and rear recessed portions 45M) are added.

[0122] Here, if a second gripping block 45b is added in addition to the first gripping block 45a (Figure 36(b)), as shown in Figures 38(a) and (b), the distance between the first gripping block 45a and the second gripping block 45b in the X direction (width direction of the tape cassette 22) is set to be equal to the distance between the row of first gripping pins 133a and the row of second gripping pins 133b in the X direction in the chuck device 121. Also, if a third gripping block 45c is added in addition to the first gripping block 45a (Figure 36(c)), as shown in Figures 39(a) and (b), the distance between the first gripping block 45a and the third gripping block 45c is set to be equal to the distance between the row of first gripping pins 133a and the row of third gripping pins 133c. Furthermore, when a fourth gripping block 45d is added in addition to the first gripping block 45a (Figure 36(d)), as shown in Figures 40(a) and (b), the distance between the first gripping block 45a and the fourth gripping block 45d is set to be equal to the distance between the row of first gripping pins 133a and the row of fourth gripping pins 133d.

[0123] When gripping a tape cassette 22 that has only the first gripping block 45a, the tape cassette supply device 1H grips the first gripping block 45a with the first gripping pin 133a (Figure 37(a) → Figure 37(b)). When gripping a tape cassette 22 that has both the first gripping block 45a and the second gripping block 45b, the first gripping pin 133a grips the first gripping block 45a and at the same time grips the second gripping block 45b with the second gripping pin 133b (Figure 38(a) → Figure 38(b)).

[0124] Furthermore, when the tape cassette supply device 1H grips a tape cassette 22 that includes a third gripping block 45c in addition to the first gripping block 45a, it grips the first gripping block 45a with the first gripping pin 133a and simultaneously grips the third gripping block 45c with the third gripping pin 133c (Figure 39(a) → Figure 39(b)). When gripping a tape cassette 22 that includes a fourth gripping block 45d in addition to the first gripping block 45a, it grips the first gripping block 45a with the first gripping pin 133a and simultaneously grips the fourth gripping block 45d with the fourth gripping pin 133d (Figure 40(a) → Figure 40(b)).

[0125] Thus, in this embodiment, the chuck device 121 grips two or more gripping blocks 45 provided at each end of the width direction of the storage cassette 22B using two or more sets of two gripping pins 133.

[0126] In this embodiment, the four sets of gripping pins 133 provided in the chuck device 121 are spaced differently in the Y direction. This prevents the chuck device 121 from accidentally gripping one of the multiple tape cassettes 22 stored in the cassette stock section 74, as well as any adjacent tape cassettes 22.

[0127] Figure 41(a) shows a situation where a tape cassette 22 equipped only with the first gripping block 45a and a tape cassette 22 equipped with both the first gripping block 45a and the fourth gripping block 45d are placed side by side. In this case, by gripping the first gripping block 45a with the two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pins 133a) which have the smallest spacing L1 (Figure 41(a) → Figure 41(b)), only the desired tape cassette 22 can be gripped.

[0128] Next, the tape feed unit 64 will be described. In Figures 21, 23, and 23, the tape feed unit 64 is attached to the lower end of the feed unit base 125B, which extends downward from the front end of the Y-axis table 125. When the X-axis table 123 drives the Y-axis table 125 in the X direction, the tape feed unit 64 moves in the X direction together with the feed unit base 125B.

[0129] In Figures 42 and 43(a) and (b), the tape feeding unit 64 comprises a feeding mechanism 64A and a tape support mechanism 64B. The feeding mechanism 64A includes a sprocket drive motor 141 and a sprocket 142.

[0130] In Figures 42 and 43(a) and (b), the sprocket drive motor 141 is mounted on the feed base 125B with the drive shaft 141J facing the X direction, and the sprocket 142 is attached to the drive shaft 141J. The sprocket 142 has a plurality of engagement pins 142P on its outer circumference. The operation of the sprocket drive motor 141 is controlled by the control unit 76. When the sprocket drive motor 141 rotates the drive shaft 141J, the sprocket 142 rotates in the YZ plane.

[0131] In Figures 42 and 43(a) and (b), the tape support mechanism 64B includes an arm drive cylinder 143 (arm drive unit) and a support arm 144. The arm drive cylinder 143 is arranged so that the arm drive rod 143R, which is a piston rod, moves back and forth in the XZ plane. The upper end of the arm drive rod 143R is directed diagonally upward. The movement of the arm drive rod 143R by the arm drive cylinder 143 is controlled by the control unit 76.

[0132] In Figures 43(a) and (b), the support arm 144 is attached to the arm drive rod 143R. The tip of the support arm 144 is pointed diagonally upward, and its axis extends parallel to the direction in which the axis of the arm drive rod 143R extends. Therefore, when the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R forward and backward, the support arm 144 moves forward and backward together with the arm drive rod 143R.

[0133] When the arm drive cylinder 143 has retracted the arm drive rod 143R to its full stroke (Figure 43(a)), the tip (upper end) of the support arm 144 is located off-center to the lower side (below the sprocket drive motor 141) from directly below the sprocket 142. On the other hand, when the arm drive cylinder 143 has advanced the arm drive rod 143R to its full stroke (Figure 43(b)), the tip of the support arm 144 is located directly below the sprocket 142.

[0134] Next, we will explain the procedure (tape cassette supply method) for supplying (transferring) the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) to the parts supply unit 1B of the parts mounting device 1T using the tape cassette supply device 1H configured in this way.

[0135] When the tape cassette supply device 1H transfers the stored cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33 of the parts supply section 1B, first, the traveling robot RB travels on the floor FL and connects to the rear of the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supply device 1H (Figure 28). Once connected to the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supply device 1H, the traveling robot RB travels on the floor FL while pressing the tape cassette supply device 1H from behind. Then, it moves the tape cassette supply device 1H closer to the mounting device main body 1A, to which the trolley 21 is connected (Figure 28 → Figure 29(a) → Figure 29(b)).

[0136] The mobile robot RB connects the tape cassette supply device 1H to the mounting device body 1A in the manner described above. This connects the supply device side connection part 111 of the tape cassette supply device 1H to the height alignment guide 11V and the horizontal alignment guide 11W of the mounting device body 1A.

[0137] In this method of connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H to the mounting device main unit 1A (inter-device connection method; part of the tape cassette supply method), the method includes a step (connection step) of moving the tape cassette supply device 1H closer to the mounting device main unit 1A, thereby connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H to the left and right height alignment guides 11V.

[0138] In the connection method of this embodiment, the heavy tape cassette supply device 1H is not connected to the parts supply section 1B (cart 21) of the parts mounting device 1T, but rather to the main body of the mounting device 1A. Therefore, as described above, the weight of the tape cassette supply device 1H does not act on the cart 21 and cause the posture of the cart 21 (i.e., the posture of the tape feeder 23) to change, and the occurrence of errors in the picking of parts BH by the mounting head 13 can be prevented.

[0139] When the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device body 1A as described above, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 of the tape cassette supply device 1H are fitted into the left and right recesses 11K provided in the left and right height alignment guides 11V of the mounting device body 1A. As a result, the supply device body 72 is positioned in the height direction relative to the mounting device body 1A (Figure 29(c)).

[0140] Thus, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (positioning step) of positioning the supply device body 72 in the height direction (Z direction) relative to the component mounting device 1T by connecting the supply device side connection part 111 to the component mounting device 1T.

[0141] In the positioning step described above, the supply device body 72 receives an upward pressing force from the mounting device body 1A, pushing its front end upward. However, the supply device body 72 (lifting base 72a) is equipped with a floating mechanism 73 between it and the reference base 71, which prevents the lifting base 72a, the bottom plate of the supply device body 72, from tilting from a horizontal position (relative to the horizontally positioned reference base 71), thus maintaining a stable position.

[0142] In Figure 27, the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T is provided with a power supply connector 11C as a power supply means, and the tape cassette supply device 1H is provided with a power receiving connector 151 as a power receiving means. When the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, the power receiving connector 151 and the power supply connector 11C are mated, and the tape cassette supply device 1H and the component mounting device 1T are electrically connected (Figure 27 → Figure 31). This enables the tape cassette supply device 1H to receive power supplied from the component mounting device 1T.

[0143] Once the supply device body 72 is connected to and positioned relative to the mounting device body 1A as described above, the tape cassette supply device 1H operates the chuck device movement mechanism 122 to position the chuck device 121 above the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. The chuck device 121 then grips the gripped block 45, which is located on the upper part (upper part of the frame 43a) of the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. More specifically, as described above, the gripped block 45 is gripped by the two gripping pins 133 by operating the opening / closing block 132 to close from the open position to the closed position (Figure 35(a) → Figure 35(b)).

[0144] Thus, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (gripping step) of gripping the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) with a chuck device 121 which is a gripping part.

[0145] In this gripping step, as described above, for tape cassettes 22 that have only the first gripped block 45a, the tape cassette 22 is gripped using only two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a). For tape cassettes 22 that have other gripped blocks 45 (second gripped block 45b, third gripped block 45c, or fourth gripped block 45d) in addition to the first gripped block 45a, the two gripped blocks 45 are gripped using one of the gripping pins 133, in addition to the first gripping pin 133a, the second gripping pin 133b, the third gripping pin 133c, and the fourth gripping pin 133d (Figure 44).

[0146] The tape cassette supply device 1H, once it has gripped one or two gripping blocks 45 of the tape cassette 22 with the chuck device 121, moves the chuck lifting cylinder 126 forward by operating the Y-axis table 125 of the cassette transfer unit 63 (chuck device moving mechanism 122) (arrow E1 shown in Figure 45). Then, by operating the chuck lifting cylinder 126, the chuck device 121 is lowered to the tape feeding position. Here, the "tape feeding position" is the position where the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, which has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B and is engaged with the two tape locking protrusions 55, is facing the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 in an almost horizontal direction (here, the Y direction) (Figure 45).

[0147] When the cassette transfer section 63 of the tape cassette supply device 1H positions the stored cassette 22B in the tape feed position, it first positions the leading edge of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the stored cassette 22B directly below the sprocket 142 (Figures 43(a) and 46(a)). Then, by operating the chuck lifting cylinder 126, the chuck device 121 is raised slightly (arrow F1 shown in Figure 46(b)). As the chuck device 121 rises, the lowest engagement pin 142P (lowest engagement pin 142D) of the sprocket 142 engages with one feed hole SH (a feed hole SH located between the two fitted tape locking protrusions 55) at the leading edge of the carrier tape CT.

[0148] In this embodiment, the sprocket 142 functions as a tape engagement part that engages with the feed hole SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT when it has been pulled out from the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B). When the lowest engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142 engages with one of the feed holes SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT (Figures 43(b) and 46(b)), the storage cassette 22B is positioned in the tape feed position.

[0149] When the stored cassette 22B is in the tape feed position, the tape cassette supply device 1H activates the arm drive cylinder 143 to advance the arm drive rod 143R (arrow P shown in Figure 46(c)). As a result, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the tip of the support arm 144, which has entered from between the two tape locking protrusions 55, and is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144 (Figures 43(b) and 46(c)).

[0150] Furthermore, a groove is formed at the tip of the support arm 144, extending in the direction in which the carrier tape CT extends. Therefore, the support arm 144 can support the tip of the carrier tape CT without interfering with the lowest engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142, which penetrates the carrier tape CT from above. Thus, in this embodiment, the support arm 144 serves as a support for the leading edge of the carrier tape CT.

[0151] When the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144, the cassette transfer unit 63 lowers the stored cassette 22B using the chuck lifting cylinder 126 (arrow F2 shown in Figure 46(d)). As a result, the two tape locking projections 55 disengage downward from the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, but the leading edge of the carrier tape CT remains supported by the support arm 144, so the carrier tape CT remains engaged with the lowest engagement pin 142D (Figure 46(d)).

[0152] As described above, once the storage cassette 22B descends and the two tape locking protrusions 55 disengage from the carrier tape CT, the tape cassette supply device 1H rotates the sprocket 142 to feed the carrier tape CT forward (i.e., towards the tape inlet 23G) (arrow R shown in Figure 47(a)). This causes the carrier tape CT to move forward (Figure 47(a) → Figure 47(b)), and its leading edge enters the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 (Figure 47(b)). At this time, since the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the support arm 144, it moves straight forward (towards the tape inlet 23G) without sagging downwards. Here, the tape feeder 23 is connected to the component mounting device 1T via the trolley 21, and the tape cassette supply device 1H is also connected to the component mounting device 1T, so the leading edge of the carrier tape CT can be accurately fed from the tape cassette supply device 1H towards the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23.

[0153] As described above, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (tape feeding step) in which, when the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) is positioned at the tape feeding position, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, which has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B, is held, and then the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is fed toward the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23.

[0154] When the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, which has been fed by the tape feeding unit 64, is inserted into the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 detects this and pulls in the carrier tape CT. Then, once a certain amount of the carrier tape CT has been pulled in by the tape feeder 23 (Figure 48), the tape cassette supply device 1H moves the chuck device 121 backward (arrow E2 shown in Figure 49) and activates the operating bar drive unit 93 of the shutter operating unit 75 to raise the operating bar 92 (arrow J1 shown in Figure 49).

[0155] As the chuck device 121 is moved backward and the operating bar 92 is raised, the operating bar 92 contacts the operating lever 53 of the stored cassette 22B from below (Figure 49). At this point, the tape cassette supply device 1H moves the chuck device 121 (i.e., the storage section 41 of the stored cassette 22B) diagonally forward and downward (arrow E3 shown in Figure 50). This causes the operating lever 53 to rise relative to the storage section 41. When the operating lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "first height") set relative to the storage section 41, the tape cassette supply device 1H stops moving the chuck device 121.

[0156] In this embodiment, the "first height" is set to a height equivalent to approximately 1 / 3 of the total height movement of the operating lever 53 when moving the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the first height, approximately 1 / 3 of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open (Figure 50).

[0157] Once the tape cassette supply device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121, the operating bar drive unit 93 raises the operating bar 92 (arrow J2 shown in Figure 51). When the operating lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "second height") set relative to the storage unit 41, the tape cassette supply device 1H stops the operating lever 53 from rising.

[0158] In this embodiment, the "second height" is set to a height equivalent to approximately two-thirds of the total height movement of the operating lever 53 when moving the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the second height, approximately two-thirds of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open (Figure 51).

[0159] Once the tape cassette supply device 1H stops the operating bar 92 from rising, it moves the chuck device 121 diagonally downward and rearward (arrow E4 shown in Figure 52). This causes the operating lever 53 to rise relative to the storage unit 41. When the operating lever 53 reaches a predetermined height set relative to the storage unit 41 (referred to as the "third height"), the tape cassette supply device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121.

[0160] In this embodiment, the "third height" mentioned above is set to a height equivalent to the total height movement of the operating lever 53 when moving the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the third height, the entire front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open (Figures 52 and 18(c)).

[0161] Once the entire front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open, the tape cassette supply device 1H moves the chuck device 121 diagonally forward and upward (arrow E5 shown in Figure 53) to move the storage cassette 22B above the storage cassette mounting section 39 (three storage cassette holding pins 33P). Then, by lowering the chuck device 121 (arrow E6 shown in Figure 54), the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the cassette mounting section 33 (mounted on the storage cassette mounting section 39) (Figure 55(a) → Figure 55(b)).

[0162] When the tape cassette supply device 1H loads the storage cassette 22B into the cassette mounting section 33 (storage cassette mounting section 39), it ensures that the three storage cassette holding pins 33P provided on the cassette mounting section 33 of the trolley 21 are inserted into the three pin insertion sections 43S provided on the lower part 43b of the frame of the storage cassette 22B (Figure 55(a) → Figure 55(b)). Once the storage cassette 22B is loaded into the cassette mounting section 33, the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the parts supply section 1B is completed.

[0163] As described above, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (transfer step) in which, after the storage cassette 22B is grasped and removed from the supply device body 72 positioned in the positioning step by the chuck device 121, the chuck device 121 is moved so that the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, which has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B, passes through the tape feed position and is transferred to the component mounting device 1T.

[0164] When the tape cassette supply device 1H mounts the stored cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33 in the transfer step described above, it ensures that the front end 43E of the lower part (lower part of the frame 43b) of the stored cassette 22B passes between the pair of protruding parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A mounted in the receiving cassette mounting section 38 (Figure 55(a) → Figure 55(b)). As shown in Figure 9, a tapered surface 43D is formed at the lower end of the lower part of the frame 43b, which has a shape (narrows downwards) that makes it easier for the lower part of the frame 43b to be guided between the pair of protruding parts 44H. Therefore, by simply lowering the stored cassette 22B, the front end 43E of the lower part of the stored cassette 22B can be reliably ensured to pass between the pair of protruding parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A.

[0165] When the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the storage cassette mounting section 39 in the manner described above (with the lower front end 43E passing between the pair of protruding parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A), the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are positioned inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A (Figure 55(b)). As a result, the storage cassette 22B is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it, and movement in the X direction (lateral tilting direction) is suppressed, thus stabilizing its posture on the trolley 21.

[0166] Furthermore, at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. In other words, the storage cassette mounting section 39 mounts the storage cassette 22B with at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. As a result, the side plate 44 of the storage cassette 22B is positioned inward from the side plate 44 of the receiving cassette 22A, which prevents problems such as the roll body RT moving from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A getting caught on the edge of the side plate 44.

[0167] Once the transfer of the stored cassette 22B to the parts supply unit 1B is complete, the tape cassette supply device 1H operates the chuck lifting cylinder 126 to raise the chuck device 121 (arrow E7 shown in Figure 56) and operates the arm drive cylinder 143 to lower the support arm 144 that supports the carrier tape CT. As a result, the support of the support arm 144 is released from the carrier tape CT that was inserted into the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 (the carrier tape CT hangs down. Figure 57).

[0168] During the process of mounting the storage cassette 22B into the storage cassette mounting section 39, the tape feeder 23, upon drawing in the carrier tape CT, continues to transport the carrier tape CT to supply component BH if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is the current tape. On the other hand, if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is a replenishment tape, the tape feeder 23 keeps the replenishment tape in wait until it detects that the trailing end of the current tape has passed a predetermined position within the tape feeder 23. When the tape feeder 23 begins transporting the replenishment tape, the roll body RT stored in the storage cassette 22B is pulled forward by the carrier tape CT drawn in by the tape feeder 23 and moves into the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it (Figure 58(a) → Figure 58(b) → Figure 59(a)).

[0169] As described above, when the roll body RT moves from the storage cassette 22B into the receiving cassette 22A, the roll body RT is guided by the guiding surface 43F of the receiving cassette 22A. Furthermore, since the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are located inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A which is located in front of it, the roll body RT moves smoothly into the receiving cassette 22A and is stored there (Figure 58(b) → Figure 59(a)).

[0170] Once the roll of tape RT stored in the storage cassette 22B has moved into the receiving cassette 22A, the storage cassette 22B becomes empty. The empty storage cassette 22B is removed from the cassette mounting section 33 (Figure 59(b)) and returned to the cassette stock section 74 (Figure 60) in order to mount the next roll of tape RT (storage cassette 22B) into the parts supply section 1B. This movement of the empty storage cassette 22B is accomplished by the gripping of the gripped block 45 by the chuck device 121 and the movement of the chuck device 121 by the cassette transfer section 63.

[0171] After the tape cassette supply device 1H returns the empty storage cassette 22B to the cassette stock section 74, it uses the cassette transfer section 63 to remove the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) from the cassette stock section 74 in order to supply a replacement storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Then, following the path that passes through the aforementioned tape feeding position, it transfers the new storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33 (Figure 61(a) → Figure 61(b)).

[0172] Once the tape cassette supply device 1H has transferred a new storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33, it raises the chuck device 121 (arrow E8 shown in Figure 62) and lowers the support arm 144 to release the support of the carrier tape CT (Figure 63).

[0173] As the transport of the carrier tape CT by the tape feeder 23 progresses, and it is detected that the trailing end of the roll body RT carrier tape CT in the receiving cassette 22A has passed a predetermined position within the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 transports the replenishment tape (carrier tape CT in the storage cassette 22B) that was previously in standby mode as the new current tape (Figure 64(a)). Then, it continues to supply the component BH. When the transport of the carrier tape CT from the roll body RT stored in the storage cassette 22B by the tape feeder 23 begins, the roll body RT of the carrier tape CT is pulled forward and rolls into the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A mounted in front of it (Figure 64(a) → Figure 64(b)).

[0174] As a result, the storage cassette 22B becomes empty, returning to the same state as in Figure 59(a) above, and the process of Figure 59(a) → Figure 59(b) → Figure 61(a) → Figure 61(b) → Figure 64(a) → Figure 64(b) → Figure 59(a) is repeated. Therefore, the component loading device 1T can continue to supply component BH by the tape feeder 23 while receiving replenishment of the roll body RT (i.e., the carrier tape CT).

[0175] In Figure 59(b), the receiving cassette 22A removed from the receiving cassette mounting section 38 can be used as a new storage cassette 22B. Furthermore, since the receiving cassette 22A is used by inverting the tape cassette 22, the winding direction of the roll RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A is the same as the winding direction when used as a storage cassette 22B. Therefore, when using the receiving cassette 22A as a storage cassette 22B, the process of removing the roll RT, reversing its orientation, and storing it again can be avoided.

[0176] As described above, the tape cassette supply device 1H in this embodiment is equipped with a floating mechanism 73 between the reference base 71 and the supply device body 72. This floating mechanism 73 is equipped with a link mechanism (parallel link) having a pair of link parts 101 that connect the reference base 71 and the supply device body 72 and operate in accordance with changes in the distance between the reference base 71 and the supply device body 72, and a connecting part 102 that connects these pair of link parts 101 together and interlocks the operation of the link parts. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supply device 1H and tape cassette supply method in this embodiment, when the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, even if the supply device body 72 receives an upward force from the component mounting device 1T, the horizontal position of the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supply device body 72, can be maintained, and the supply device body 72 can maintain a stable position.

[0177] Furthermore, the tape cassette supply device 1H in this embodiment includes a cassette transfer unit 63 consisting of a chuck device 121 as a gripping unit for gripping the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B), and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a means for moving the chuck device 121 that is gripping the storage cassette 22B to transfer the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supply device 1H and tape cassette supply method in this embodiment, the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device 1T without the need for manual labor by an operator.

[0178] Furthermore, the tape cassette supply device 1H in this embodiment includes a cassette transfer unit 63 that moves the stored cassette 22B, taken from the cassette stock unit 74, through a path that passes through a tape feeding position where the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, pulled out from the stored cassette 22B, faces the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 provided on the component mounting device 1T, and transfers it to the component mounting device 1T. The cassette transfer unit 63 then holds the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, pulled out from the stored cassette 22B, when the stored cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feeding position, and then feeds the leading edge of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. As a result, the tape cassette supply device 1H and tape cassette supply method in this embodiment allow the transfer of the stored cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T and the insertion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the stored cassette 22B into the tape feeder 23 to be performed automatically without the need for manual labor by an operator.

[0179] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the component mounting system 1 includes a mounting device body 1A of the component mounting device 1T, which has a trolley holding section 11H for holding the trolley 21 to which the tape feeder 23 is mounted, as well as mounting device side connection sections (left and right height alignment guides 11V and left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W) to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected. Thus, the tape cassette supply device 1H is supported by the mounting device body 1A rather than the trolley 21. For this reason, the component mounting system 1 (and the inter-device connection method in the component mounting system 1) in this embodiment can prevent the occurrence of component BH suction errors that may occur when the heavy tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the trolley 21.

[0180] As described above, according to the tape cassette supply device 1H (and the tape cassette supply method using the tape cassette supply device 1H) in this embodiment, the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device 1T without the need for manual labor by an operator.

[0181] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those described above, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the transfer step of transferring the storage cassette 22B to the mounting device main body 1A as shown in the above embodiment, the tape feeding unit 64 was set to send the carrier tape CT to the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 before the storage cassette 22B was mounted in the cassette mounting unit 33 of the mounting device main body 1A. However, the tape feeding unit 64 may be set to send the carrier tape CT to the tape feeder 23 after the storage cassette 22B has been mounted in the cassette mounting unit 33.

[0182] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the height adjustment section, the height alignment roller 114, adjusts the height of the supply device body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving an upward force (upward force) from the height alignment guide 11V of the component mounting device 1T when the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T. However, the height alignment roller 114 may also adjust the height of the supply device body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving a downward force (downward force) from the height alignment guide 11V.

[0183] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, there were four sets of gripping pins 133 provided on the two opening / closing blocks 132, but this can be adjusted to two, three, or five or more sets, depending on the number of types of gripped blocks 45. If only one type of gripped block 45 can be attached to the tape cassette 22, then there may be only one set of gripping pins 133 with spacings corresponding to that one type of gripped block 45.

[0184] Furthermore, the tape feeding unit 64 only needs to have the function of holding the leading edge of the carrier tape CT in the state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feeding position by the cassette transfer unit 63, and then feeding the leading edge of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. Therefore, the tape feeding unit 64 does not necessarily have to be configured as shown in the above embodiment, which includes a sprocket 142 as a tape engaging part that engages with the feed hole SH of the leading edge of the carrier tape CT in the state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B, and a support arm 144 as a support part that supports the carrier tape CT from below in the state where the feed hole SH is engaged with the sprocket 142. [Industrial applicability]

[0185] The present invention provides a tape cassette supply device, a component mounting system, and a tape cassette supply method that can automatically transfer tape cassettes to a component mounting device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0186] 1. Component mounting system 1T component mounting device 1A Main unit of the mounted device 1B Parts Supply Department 1H Tape Cassette Feeding Device 11H Trolley holding section 11V Height Alignment Guide 11W Horizontal Alignment Guide 11C Power Supply Connector 21 bogies 22 Tape Cassettes 23 Tape feeder 23G Tape Inlet 45. The block to be gripped (the part to be gripped) 45M depression 45a First gripped block 45b Second gripping block 45c Third gripping block 45d Fourth gripping block 63 Cassette Transfer Section 64 Tape feed section 71 Standard basis 71S Wheel 72 Supply device main body 73 Floating Mechanism 74 Cassette Stock Section 82 Spring component 101 Link section 102 Connection part 111 Supply device side connection part 114 Height Alignment Roller 121 Chuck device (gripping part) 122 Chuck device moving mechanism (gripping part moving means) 132 Opening / closing block (opening / closing member) 133 Gripping pin (pin component) 133a 1st gripping pin 133b 2nd gripping pin 133c 3rd grip pin 133d 4th gripping pin 142 sprocket 144 Support Arm 151 Power receiving connector RB Mobile Robot CT Carrier Tape BH parts SH feed hole RT Roll FL Floor

Claims

1. A tape cassette supply device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to a component mounting device, A cassette stock section for storing multiple tape cassettes arranged in the width direction of the tape cassette, A cassette moving means for moving a tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device, A tape feeding unit that holds the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds its leading edge to a tape feeder provided by the component mounting device, A tape cassette feeding device having the following features.

2. The cassette moving means includes a gripping portion for gripping a tape cassette, and a gripping portion moving means for moving the gripping portion that is gripping the tape cassette to transfer the tape cassette to the component mounting device. The tape cassette supply device according to claim 1.

3. The gripping portion grips the portion to be gripped, which is provided on the upper part of the tape cassette. The tape cassette supply device according to claim 2.

4. A component mounting system comprising a component mounting device and a tape cassette supply device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to the component mounting device, A cassette stock section for storing multiple tape cassettes arranged in the width direction of the tape cassette, A cassette moving means for moving a tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device, A tape feeding unit that holds the carrier tape stored in the tape cassette at a position closer to the component mounting device than the cassette moving means and feeds its leading edge to a tape feeder provided by the component mounting device, A component mounting system having the following features.

5. The cassette moving means includes a gripping portion for gripping a tape cassette, and a gripping portion moving means for moving the gripping portion that is gripping the tape cassette to transfer the tape cassette to the component mounting device. The component mounting system according to claim 4.

6. The gripping portion grips the portion to be gripped, which is located on the upper part of the tape cassette. The component mounting system according to claim 5.

7. A tape cassette supply method using a component mounting system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, The steps include moving the tape cassette from the cassette stock section to the component mounting device using the cassette moving means, The steps include: feeding the carrier tape of the tape cassette to the tape feeder using the tape feeding unit; A tape cassette supply method comprising the following:

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