Tape feeder

Abstract

A tape feeder of the present disclosure feeds a component supply tape, which comprises a cover tape affixed over a carrier tape housing a plurality of components, to a predetermined supply position, and peels the cover tape from the carrier tape ahead of the supply position to thereby expose the components on the carrier tape. The tape feeder of the present disclosure comprises: a pair of feed gears in mesh with each other to sandwich the cover tape; a drive motor that rotationally drives the pair of feed gears so as to pull-in the carrier tape; a rotary gear directly or indirectly in mesh with one of the feed gears; a one-way clutch with which the rotary gear is provided to allow the rotary gear to spin with respect to the rotations of the pair of feed gears in the direction in which the carrier tape is pulled in; and a torque limiter with which the rotary gear or another rotary gear in mesh with the rotary gear is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification discloses a method for feeding a tape feeder and a cover tape.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a tape feeder that conveys a carrier tape to a supply position while peeling off a cover tape from a component supply tape in which a cover tape is attached to a carrier tape storing components to be mounted on a substrate, and supplies the components. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a tape feeder that peels off a cover tape by sandwiching the cover tape with a pair of meshing draw-in gears and drawing it in. In this tape feeder, in order to prevent the cover tape from rewinding, a one-way clutch is fitted between one of the pair of draw-in gears and its rotation shaft. Further, in this tape feeder, when an operator accidentally pulls out the cover tape excessively, etc., when a large force acts in the direction opposite to the peeling direction of the cover tape on one of the draw-in gears, the draw-in gear slips and rotates in the reverse direction with respect to the one-way clutch, and the frictional force at the fitting portion between the draw-in gear and the one-way clutch is adjusted.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the tape feeder described in Patent Document 1, a one-way clutch is placed between the retraction gear and the rotating shaft, which increases the size of the retraction gear. Since other components such as a motor are placed around the retraction gear, the increased size of the retraction gear locally reduces the available space for other components such as the motor, resulting in an overall increase in the size of the tape feeder.

[0005] The primary purpose of this disclosure is to make effective use of limited space and to suppress an increase in the overall size of the feeder, even when a one-way clutch or torque limiter is installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The tape feeder of this disclosure is A tape feeder that feeds a component supply tape, which consists of a carrier tape containing multiple components with a cover tape attached to it, to a predetermined supply position, and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape just before reaching the supply position to expose the components on the carrier tape, A pair of feed gears that mesh with each other and sandwich the cover tape, A drive motor rotates the pair of feed gears so that the carrier tape is pulled in, A rotating gear that is directly or indirectly meshed with one of the feed gears, A one-way clutch is provided on the rotating gear, such that the rotating gear rotates freely in relation to the rotation of the pair of feed gears in the direction in which the carrier tape is pulled in. A torque limiter provided on the aforementioned rotating gear or another rotating gear that meshes with the aforementioned rotating gear, The gist of it is that it is equipped with the following features.

[0007] This tape feeder helps to suppress the overall increase in size of the feeder.

[0008] The method for feeding the cover tape in this disclosure is: A method for feeding a cover tape, comprising a component supply tape in which a cover tape is attached to a carrier tape containing multiple components, wherein the cover tape is fed using a pair of feed gears that can rotate in opposite directions while sandwiching the carrier tape, A rotating gear is directly or indirectly meshed with one of the pair of feed gears. The rotation gear is made to rotate freely relative to the rotation of one of the feed gears in the direction of pulling in the cover tape so as to peel off the cover tape. The rotation gear is made to slip relative to the rotation of one of the feed gears in the direction of feeding the cover tape in the opposite direction to the direction in which the cover tape is peeled off. This is the gist of it.

[0009] This method of feeding the cover tape also produces the same effect as the tape feeder of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of component mounting system 1. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of the feeder stand 20 and the tape feeder 30. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the Tape Reel 60. [Figure 4] This is a side view of the main body 50. [Figure 5] This is a side view of the cover tape retraction mechanism 80. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of the rotating gear 86 when it is cut by a plane perpendicular to the fixed shaft 87. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view of the rotating gear 86 when it is cut by a plane passing through the fixed shaft 87. [Figure 8A] This is an explanatory diagram showing how various gears rotate. [Figure 8B] This is an explanatory diagram showing how various gears rotate. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the modified rotating gear 86 when it is cut through a plane passing through the fixed shaft 87 and the rotating shaft 187.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a component mounting system 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a feeder base 20 and a tape feeder 30. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tape reel 60. FIG. 4 is a side view of a main body 50. FIG. 5 is a side view of a cover tape pulling-in mechanism 80. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view when the rotating gear 86 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the fixed shaft 87. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view when the rotating gear 86 is cut in a plane passing through the fixed shaft 87. The left-right direction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is the X-axis direction (in FIGS. 4, 5, 8A, and 8B, it is the direction perpendicular to the paper surface), the front-rear direction shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 is the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5 is the Z-axis direction. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 4, the carrier tape feeding mechanism 70, a pair of pulling-in gears 82 and 83, a motor gear 84, a driving gear 85, and a rotating gear 86 are shown by broken lines, and in FIG. 5, the driving motor 81 is shown by a broken line.

[0012] The component mounting system 1 is for producing a substrate S on which components P are mounted, and includes a plurality of component mounting machines 10 arranged along the conveyance direction of the substrate S. In addition to this, the component mounting system 1 includes a printing machine for printing solder on the substrate S, a printing inspection machine for inspecting the state of the solder printed by the printing machine, an appearance inspection device for inspecting whether the component P is mounted at the correct position on the substrate S, a reflow device for heating the substrate S to melt the solder and then cooling it to electrically connect the component P to the substrate S and fix the component P to the substrate S, a management device for managing the entire component mounting system 1, and the like.

[0013] The component mounting machine 10 picks up the component P supplied from the tape feeder 30 with a picking member and mounts it on the substrate S. The component mounting machine 10 includes a head capable of holding a plurality of picking members, a head moving device for horizontally moving the head, a lifting device for moving the picking member up and down with respect to the head, a control device for controlling the entire component mounting machine 10, and the like.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, the tape feeder 30 is set on the feeder base 20 provided on the component mounter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the tape feeder 30 includes a holding part 40, a main body part 50, a rail 51 provided at the lower part of the main body part 50, and a connector 52 provided at the tip of the main body part 50. In addition, the tape feeder 30 includes a control device for controlling the entire tape feeder 30. The feeder base 20 has a plurality of slots 21 for removably holding the tape feeder 30. Rails 51 provided at the lower part of the main body part 50 of the tape feeder 30 are inserted into the respective slots 21. Connectors 22 corresponding to the respective slots 21 are provided on the vertical wall provided at the rear end of the feeder base 20. The connector 52 of the tape feeder 30 is electrically connected to the connector 22 of the feeder base 20.

[0015] The holding part 40 holds the tape reel 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the tape reel 60 is formed by winding a component supply tape 61. The component supply tape 61 is formed by attaching a cover tape 65 onto a carrier tape 62 in which components P are accommodated in respective ones of a plurality of recesses 63. Sprocket holes 64 are formed in the carrier tape 62 at equal intervals.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 4, the main body part 50 includes a carrier tape feeding mechanism 70 and a cover tape retracting mechanism 80. The carrier tape feeding mechanism 70 pulls out the carrier tape 62 (component supply tape 61) from the tape reel 60 and feeds it to the component supply position. The carrier tape feeding mechanism 70 has a sprocket 72 provided with engaging claws engaging with the sprocket holes 64 on its outer periphery, and a drive motor 71 for rotationally driving the sprocket 72. This drive motor 71 is configured as, for example, a stepping motor.

[0017] The tape feeder 30 drives the sprocket 72 by a drive motor 71 in predetermined rotational increments, feeding out a predetermined amount of the carrier tape 62 engaged with the sprocket 72, thereby sequentially supplying the parts P contained in the carrier tape 62 to the parts supply position. The parts P contained in the carrier tape 62 are exposed at the parts supply position when the cover tape 65 is peeled off just before reaching the parts supply position, and are then collected by a sampling member. The cover tape 65 attached to the carrier tape 62 is folded back in the opposite direction to the feeding direction of the carrier tape 62 just before reaching the parts supply position, and is peeled off the carrier tape 62 by being fed in the opposite direction by the cover tape retraction mechanism 80.

[0018] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cover tape retraction mechanism 80 includes a drive motor 81, a pair of retraction gears 82 and 83, a motor gear 84, a drive gear 85, and a rotary gear 86. The drive motor 81 is configured, for example, as a stepping motor.

[0019] The pair of retractable gears 82 and 83 mesh with each other. One of the pair of retractable gears 82, 83, is a drive gear that rotates when torque is transmitted from the drive motor 81. The other retractable gear 83 is a driven gear that rotates in the opposite direction to the rotation of the other retractable gear 82. For example, in Figure 5, the other retractable gear 83 is located in front of the other retractable gear 82.

[0020] The motor gear 84 is mounted on the rotating shaft of the drive motor 81. The motor gear 84 is located on the opposite side of the other retractable gear 83 from one retractable gear 82 (for example, behind one retractable gear 82 in Figure 5).

[0021] The drive gear 85 is coaxially connected to the retraction gear 82 so as to rotate together with the retraction gear 82. The drive gear 85 meshes with the motor gear 84 and the rotary gear 86. The drive gear 85 has a diameter larger than that of one of the retraction gears 82 and has an outer diameter that encompasses the other retraction gear 83 when viewed from the axial direction. The drive gear 85 is rotated in the opposite direction to the motor gear 84 as the motor gear 84 rotates.

[0022] In Figure 5, when the motor gear 84 rotates clockwise due to the torque from the drive motor 81, the drive gear 85 that meshes with the motor gear 84 and the retraction gear 82 connected coaxially with the drive gear 85 rotate counterclockwise, and the retraction gear 83 that meshes with the retraction gear 82 rotates clockwise. The pair of retraction gears 82 and 83 rotate in this manner while gripping the cover tape 65, thereby pulling the cover tape 65 in and peeling it away from the carrier tape 62. On the other hand, in Figure 5, when the motor gear 84 rotates counterclockwise due to the torque from the drive motor 81, the drive gear 85 and the retraction gear 82 connected coaxially with the drive gear 85 rotate clockwise, and the retraction gear 83 that meshes with the retraction gear 82 rotates counterclockwise. The pair of retraction gears 82 and 83 rotate in such a manner while gripping the cover tape 65, thereby transporting the cover tape 65 in the opposite direction to the direction in which it is retracted (hereinafter referred to as reverse transport).

[0023] The rotary gear 86 is positioned differently from the motor gear 84 relative to one of the retractable gears 82. Specifically, the rotary gear 86 is located on the opposite side of the drive motor 81 from the retractable gear 82 (for example, diagonally in front of and below the drive gear 85 in Figure 5). The rotary gear 86 meshes with one of the retractable gears 82 via the drive gear 85. The rotary gear 86 is equipped with a one-way clutch 88 and a torque limiter 89.

[0024] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the one-way clutch 88 comprises an inner ring member 88a and an outer ring member 88b. The inner ring member 88a is fixed so as not to rotate with respect to a fixed shaft 87 which is fixed to the case of the main body 50. The outer ring member 88b is provided to rotate freely in one direction (clockwise in Figure 5) relative to the inner ring member 88a. The one-way clutch 88 is installed such that, in response to the rotation of one of the retraction gears 82 (drive gear 85) when the cover tape 65 is retracted (for example, counterclockwise rotation in Figure 5), the outer ring member 88b rotates freely relative to the inner ring member 88a (for example, rotates clockwise in Figure 5). The one-way clutch 88 is configured, for example, as a roller-type one-way clutch.

[0025] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the torque limiter 89 is mounted coaxially with the one-way clutch 88. The torque limiter 89 is positioned between the inner circumferential surface of the annular rotating gear 86 and the outer circumferential surface of the outer ring member 88b of the one-way clutch 88. When a torque exceeding a specified torque is applied to the rotating gear 86, the torque limiter 89 slips and rotates relative to the outer ring member 88b of the one-way clutch 88. The torque limiter 89 is configured, for example, as a spring-type torque limiter.

[0026] The rotating gear 86 is a gear that allows or restricts rotation of the drive gear 85 (retraction gear 82). That is, in Figure 5, when a clockwise torque is applied to the rotating gear 86, the outer ring member 88b rotates freely clockwise relative to the inner ring member 88a, regardless of the magnitude of the torque value. Therefore, the free rotation of the one-way clutch 88 allows the drive gear 85 and one of the retraction gears 82, which is mounted coaxially with the drive gear 85, to rotate counterclockwise. Thus, the cover tape 65 is retracted by the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83. In this way, when a clockwise torque is applied to the rotating gear 86, the cover tape 65 can be retracted regardless of the magnitude of the torque value. Also, in Figure 5, when a counterclockwise torque is applied to the rotating gear 86, the one-way clutch 88 locks, restricting the clockwise rotation of the drive gear 85 due to the clockwise torque applied to the drive gear 85. In this case, if a torque exceeding the specified torque of the torque limiter 89 acts on the rotating gear 86, the torque limiter 89 will slip counterclockwise relative to the one-way clutch 88, causing the rotating gear 86 to rotate counterclockwise. Therefore, clockwise rotation of the drive gear 85 and one of the retraction gears 82, which is mounted coaxially with the drive gear 85, is permitted. Consequently, the cover tape 65 is reversed by the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83.

[0027] In the tape feeder 30, the one-way clutch 88 and torque limiter 89 are mounted on a separate rotating gear 86 from the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83. Therefore, compared to the case where the one-way clutch 88 and torque limiter 89 are mounted on the retraction gears 82 and 83, the retraction gears 82 and 83 are made smaller. Thus, free space can be secured around the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83. In the tape feeder 30, the drive motor 81 and motor gear 84 can be placed in that space. The tape feeder 30 also has a drive gear 85 mounted coaxially with the retraction gear 82, which rotates integrally with one of the retraction gears 82 and meshes with the motor gear 84 and the rotating gear 86. Even if the rotary gear 86 is placed on the same side as the motor gear 84, with one retractable gear 82 in between, and is intended to directly mesh with the retractable gear 82, the space may be occupied by the drive motor 81 and motor gear 84, making placement impossible. Even if the rotary gear 86 is placed on the opposite side of the motor gear 84, with one retractable gear 82 in between, and is intended to directly mesh with the retractable gear 82, it may interfere with the other retractable gear 83. In contrast, on the drive gear 85, with one retractable gear 82 in between, there is often space on the opposite side of the motor gear 84 where the rotary gear 86 can be placed without interfering with other components (for example, the other retractable gear 83). Therefore, providing a drive gear 85 in the tape feeder 30 is highly significant. The drive gear 85 has an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the retractable gear 82 and has an outer diameter that encompasses the other retractable gear 83 when viewed from the axial direction. Therefore, the rotating gear 86 and the other retraction gear 83 no longer interfere with each other. Consequently, there is particular merit in adopting such a configuration in the tape feeder 30.

[0028] Next, we will describe the operation of the tape feeder 30 configured in this way. First, we will describe the operation of the tape feeder 30 when it is mounted on the feeder stand 20 by an operator.

[0029] First, the operator sets the tape feeder 30 in one of the slots 21 on the feeder stand 20 that does not already have a tape feeder 30 installed. Next, the operator pulls out the parts supply tape 61 from the tape reel 60 to the parts supply position and inserts the sprocket 72 of the carrier tape feeding mechanism 70 into the sprocket hole 64 provided in the carrier tape 62. Then, the operator peels the cover tape 65 from the carrier tape 62 and folds it back in the opposite direction to the feed direction of the carrier tape 62 just before the parts supply position, while inserting the end of the cover tape 65 between the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83. Finally, the operator outputs a retraction instruction to the control device of the tape feeder 30.

[0030] After inputting a retraction instruction, the control device of the tape feeder 30 controls the drive motor 81 to drive the drive gear 85 and the retraction gear 82 so that they rotate counterclockwise, as shown in Figure 8A. At this time, the drive gear 85 is allowed to rotate counterclockwise due to the free rotation of the one-way clutch 88 provided on the rotary gear 86. Therefore, the retraction gear 82 rotates counterclockwise together with the drive gear 85, and the retraction gear 83 rotates clockwise as the retraction gear 82 rotates counterclockwise. Consequently, the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83 are rotated by the relatively small torque of the drive motor 81, and the cover tape 65 is retracted by the rotation of the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83.

[0031] After confirming that the cover tape 65 is in place through the process described above, the operator outputs a stop retraction command to the control device of the tape feeder 30.

[0032] When performing the above-described tasks, the worker may accidentally peel off and pull out too much of the cover tape 65, or tighten the cover tape 65 too much. In such cases, the worker will output a reverse instruction to the control device of the tape feeder 30.

[0033] When a reverse instruction is input, the control device of the tape feeder 30 controls the drive motor 81 to drive such that, as shown in Figure 8B, a torque exceeding the specified torque of the torque limiter 89 acts on the rotating gear 86 via the motor gear 84 and drive gear 85, and the drive gear 85 rotates clockwise. At this time, the drive gear 85 is rotated clockwise with slippage of the torque limiter 89 provided on the rotating gear 86. As a result, the retraction gear 82 rotates clockwise together with the drive gear 85, and the retraction gear 83 rotates counterclockwise as the retraction gear 82 rotates clockwise. Consequently, the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83 are rotated by a torque exceeding the specified torque of the drive motor 81, and the cover tape 65 is reversed by the pair of retraction gears 82 and 83. In this case, the drive motor 81 needs to output a relatively large torque, but since the reverse operation is performed infrequently and the execution time is short, problems such as heat generation do not occur.

[0034] After the operator reverses the cover tape 65 by the desired amount, the operator outputs a reverse stop instruction to the control device of the tape feeder 30. After receiving the reverse stop instruction, the control device of the tape feeder 30 stops the drive motor 81.

[0035] Next, the component supply process of the tape feeder 30 when supplying components P to the component mounting machine 10 will be described. This process is executed after a request for the supply of components P is input from the control device of the component mounting machine 10 on which the tape feeder 30 is installed. When this routine is started, the control device of the tape feeder 30 drives the drive motor 71 of the carrier tape feeding mechanism 70 so that the sprocket 72 rotates by a predetermined amount and a predetermined amount of carrier tape 62 is fed out, and drives the drive motor 81 of the cover tape retraction mechanism 80 so that the cover tape 65 is retracted by the same amount as the carrier tape 62 that has been fed out. As a result, the tension applied to the cover tape 65 is kept constant.

[0036] If the drive motors 71 and 81 stop for any reason while this process is being performed, the cover tape 65 will be held in place without loosening as follows: Based on the tension of the cover tape 65, a counterclockwise torque is applied to the rotating gear 86. This locks the one-way clutch 88. Furthermore, the torque applied to the rotating gear 86 does not exceed the specified torque of the torque limiter 89. Therefore, the one-way clutch 88 is locked and the torque limiter 89 does not slip and rotate relative to the outer ring member 88b of the one-way clutch 88. As a result, the drive gear 85 and the retraction gear 82, which is connected coaxially to the drive gear 85, are restricted from rotating by the rotating gear 86 and remain in a stopped state. Thus, the cover tape 65 is held in place without loosening.

[0037] Here, we will explain the correspondence between the main elements of this embodiment and the main elements described in the claims section. Specifically, the tape feeder 30 of this embodiment corresponds to the tape feeder of the present disclosure, the pair of pull-in gears 82 and 83 correspond to the pair of feed gears, the drive motor 81 corresponds to the drive motor, the rotary gear 86 corresponds to the rotary gear, the one-way clutch 88 corresponds to the one-way clutch, and the torque limiter 89 is the torque limiter. Also, the motor gear 84 corresponds to the motor gear, and the drive gear 85 corresponds to the drive gear.

[0038] In the tape feeder 30 described in detail above, the pull-in gears 82 and 83 are not equipped with a one-way clutch 88 and a torque limiter 89. Therefore, the pull-in gears 82 and 83 are smaller compared to the case where a one-way clutch 88 and a torque limiter 89 are equipped on the pull-in gears 82 and 83. Consequently, there is more space around the pull-in gears 82 and 83 for arranging other components such as the drive motor 81, making it easier to arrange other components such as the drive motor 81 around the pair of pull-in gears 82 and 83. Thus, by effectively utilizing the limited space, even when a one-way clutch 88 and a torque limiter 89 are installed, it is possible to suppress an overall increase in the size of the tape feeder 30.

[0039] Furthermore, in the tape feeder 30, the drive motor 81 is positioned differently from the rotary gear 86, and a motor gear 84 attached to the drive motor 81 is arranged to indirectly mesh with one of the feed gears 82. Also, in the tape feeder 30, the motor gear 84 is positioned on the opposite side of the rotary gear 86, with a pair of retraction gears 82 and 83 in between. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the drive motor 81, motor gear 84 and rotary gear 86 from interfering with each other while suppressing an overall increase in the size of the tape feeder 30. In addition, the tape feeder 30 is equipped with a drive gear 85 that meshes with the motor gear 84 and rotary gear 86 and rotates integrally with one of the retraction gears 82. Even if the rotary gear 86 were to be placed on the same side as the motor gear 84, with one of the retraction gears 82 in between, and directly mesh with the retraction gear 82, it may not be possible to place it there because space is occupied by the drive motor 81, motor gear 84, etc. Even if one retraction gear 82 is placed on the opposite side of the motor gear 84 and directly meshed with the retraction gear 82, interference with the other retraction gear 83 may occur. In contrast, on the opposite side of the motor gear 84, with one retraction gear 82 in between, there is often space to position the rotating gear 86 without interfering with other components (for example, the other retraction gear 83). Therefore, providing a driving gear 85 in the tape feeder 30 is highly significant. Furthermore, the driving gear 85 has an outer diameter larger than that of one of the pair of retraction gears 82, 83, and an outer diameter that encompasses the other retraction gear 83 when viewed from the axial direction. As a result, the rotating gear 86 and the other retraction gear 83 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, adopting such a configuration in the tape feeder 30 is particularly significant.

[0040] Furthermore, in the tape feeder 30, the one-way clutch 88 and the torque limiter 89 are mounted coaxially. Therefore, compared to the case where the one-way clutch 88 and the torque limiter 89 are mounted on separate axes, the tape feeder itself can be made smaller.

[0041] It goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited in any way to the embodiments described above, and can be implemented in various forms as long as they fall within the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0042] For example, in the embodiment described above, the rotating gear 86 meshed with one of the retractable gears 82 via the drive gear 85. However, the rotating gear 86 may mesh directly with the retractable gear 82, or it may mesh directly with the other retractable gear 83.

[0043] In the embodiment described above, the one-way clutch 88 and the torque limiter 89 were provided coaxially on the rotating gear 86. However, as shown in Figure 9, the one-way clutch 88 and the torque limiter 89 may be provided on separate shafts. That is, the one-way clutch 88 is provided so as to be interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the rotating gear 86 and the rotating shaft 187 which is rotatably mounted to the case of the main body 50. The torque limiter 89 is provided on the gear 191 which meshes with the rotating gear 86 via the gear 190. The gear 190 is provided coaxially with the rotating gear 86. The torque limiter 89 is provided so as to be interposed between the inner circumferential surface of the gear 191 and the fixed shaft 87 which is fixed to the case of the main body 50. Note that in Figure 9, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Figures 6 and 7, and their descriptions are omitted. However, considering the miniaturization of the entire tape feeder 30, it is preferable that the one-way clutch 88 and the torque limiter 89 are mounted coaxially.

[0044] In the embodiment described above, it was explained as a tape feeder, but it may also be used as a method for feeding cover tape. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] This disclosure can be used in industries such as the manufacturing of tape feeders and component mounting machines. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1 Component mounting system, 10 Component mounting machine, 20 Feeder stand, 21 Slot, 22 Connector, 30 Tape feeder, 40 Holding unit, 50 Main body, 51 Rail, 52 Connector, 60 Tape reel, 61 Component supply tape, 62 Carrier tape, 63 Recess, 64 Sprocket hole, 65 Cover tape, 70 Carrier tape feeding mechanism, 71 Drive motor, 72 Sprocket, 80 Cover tape retraction mechanism, 81 Drive motor, 82 Retraction gear, 83 Retraction gear, 84 Motor gear, 85 Drive gear, 86 Rotary gear, 87 Fixed shaft, 88 One-way clutch, 88a Inner ring member, 88b Outer ring member, 89 Torque limiter, 190, 191 Gear, P Component, S Circuit board.

Claims

1. A tape feeder that feeds a component supply tape, which consists of a carrier tape containing multiple components with a cover tape attached to it, to a predetermined supply position, and peels off the cover tape from the carrier tape just before reaching the supply position to expose the components on the carrier tape, A pair of feed gears that mesh with each other and sandwich the cover tape, A drive motor rotates the pair of feed gears so that the cover tape is pulled in, A rotating gear that is directly or indirectly meshed with one of the pair of feed gears, A one-way clutch is provided on the rotating gear, such that the rotating gear rotates freely in relation to the rotation of the pair of feed gears in the direction in which the cover tape is pulled in. A torque limiter provided on the aforementioned rotating gear or another rotating gear that meshes with the aforementioned rotating gear, A motor gear attached to the drive motor and meshed directly or indirectly with one of the feed gears, A drive gear that meshes with the motor gear and the rotation gear and rotates integrally with one of the feed gears, A tape feeder equipped with a tape feeder.

2. A tape feeder according to claim 1, The drive motor is positioned such that a motor gear attached to the drive motor meshes directly or indirectly with one of the feed gears, at a position different from the rotation gear. Tape feeder.

3. A tape feeder according to claim 2, The drive motor is positioned on the opposite side of the rotating gear, with the feed gear in between. Tape feeder.

4. A tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The drive gear has an outer diameter larger than that of one of the pair of feed gears, and an outer diameter that encompasses the other of the pair of feed gears when viewed from the axial direction. Tape feeder.

5. A tape feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The one-way clutch and the torque limiter are mounted coaxially. Tape feeder.

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