Workpiece transfer device and workpiece handling system

Abstract

To provide a work-piece delivery device and a work-piece conveyance system that can restrain the attitude of a work-piece from being disturbed when delivering the work-piece to a belt conveyor.SOLUTION: A work-piece delivery device of the invention is equipped with a work-piece holding section and a drive mechanism. The work holding section has a first holding section on which one end of a work-piece is placed and a second holding section on which the other end of the work-piece is placed, and holds and moves the work-piece bridged between the first holding section and the second holding section. The drive mechanism section drives the work holding section to bring the work holding section closer to the belt conveyor provided between the first holding section and the second holding section and to pass the work-piece held in the work holding section to the belt conveyor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The disclosed embodiments relate to a workpiece delivery device and a workpiece transfer system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for delivering a workpiece to a belt conveyor is known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique for delivering a workpiece from a robot to a belt conveyor by scraping off the workpiece adsorbed on the hand of the robot with a workpiece release member having claw portions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, since the workpiece is scraped off by the workpiece release member, the posture of the workpiece may be disturbed during the fall.

[0005] One aspect of the embodiment has been made in view of the above, and an object is to provide a workpiece delivery device and a workpiece transfer system capable of suppressing disturbance of the posture of the workpiece when delivering the workpiece to the belt conveyor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A workpiece transfer device according to one embodiment comprises a workpiece holding unit and a drive mechanism unit. The workpiece holding unit has a first holding unit on which one end of the workpiece is placed and a second holding unit on which the other end of the workpiece is placed, and holds and moves the workpiece that is strung between the first and second holding units. The drive mechanism unit drives the workpiece holding unit to bring it closer to a belt conveyor provided between the first and second holding units, and to transfer the workpiece held by the workpiece holding unit to the belt conveyor. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, it is possible to suppress disturbances in the posture of the workpiece when transferring it to a belt conveyor. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a plan view of a resin encapsulation apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of a workpiece handling device, a workpiece transfer device, and a belt conveyor according to an embodiment of this invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the workpiece transfer device and belt conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows a portion of the cross-section along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of region X shown in Figure 2. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the transfer of molded products from the workpiece transfer device to the workpiece delivery device and the transfer of molded products from the workpiece transfer device to the belt conveyor according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows how a portion of a molded product, which has been transferred from the upstream workpiece holding section to the belt conveyor in the workpiece transfer device according to the embodiment, passes through the groove of the downstream workpiece holding section. [Figure 8]Figure 8 is a diagram (part 1) showing how molded products are transferred to the belt conveyor sequentially, starting from the workpiece holding unit located downstream in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, among the multiple workpiece holding units in the workpiece transfer device according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a diagram (part 2) showing how molded products are transferred to the belt conveyor sequentially, starting from the workpiece holding unit located downstream in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, among the multiple workpiece holding units in the workpiece transfer device according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a diagram (part 1) showing how molded products are transferred from multiple workpiece holding units to a belt conveyor in an order different from that shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the workpiece transfer device according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a diagram (part 2) showing how molded products are transferred from multiple workpiece holding units to a belt conveyor in an order different from that shown in Figures 8 and 9, in the workpiece transfer device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the workpiece transfer device and workpiece transport system disclosed in this application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. While the following description focuses on a workpiece transfer device and workpiece transport system included in a resin sealing device, the invention is not limited to this example, and the workpiece transfer device and workpiece transport system may be provided in devices other than resin sealing devices.

[0010] <1. Configuration of the resin encapsulation device> As shown in Figure 1, the resin encapsulation apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a molded product supply unit 30, a resin encapsulation unit 40, an output unit 50, an inloader 60, and an outloader 70. In Figure 1, the direction perpendicular to the paper plane and approaching the paper plane is the downward direction, and the direction perpendicular to the paper plane and away from the paper plane is the upward direction.

[0011] Furthermore, the resin encapsulation apparatus 100 is equipped with a control device 80, and each of the molded product supply unit 30, resin encapsulation unit 40, output unit 50, inloader 60, and outloader 70 is controlled by the control device 80.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the product to be molded supply unit 30 comprises a belt conveyor 31, a transport device 32, a product to be molded supply device 33, and a resin tablet supply device 34. The belt conveyor 31 transports a plurality of products to be molded 3, which are components to be resin-sealed by the resin sealing device 100, into the resin sealing device 100. The products to be molded 3 are, for example, a lead frame with one or more semiconductor elements mounted on it, or a substrate with one or more semiconductor elements mounted on it, but are not limited to these examples.

[0013] The conveying device 32 receives multiple molded products 3 from the belt conveyor 31 and transports the multiple molded products 3 to the molded product supply device 33. In the example shown in Figure 1, the conveying device 32 transports two molded products 3 as a pair to the molded product supply device 33. The molded product supply device 33 supplies multiple molded products 3 to the in-loader 60. The resin tablet supply device 34 supplies resin tablets 9, which are resin material for resin encapsulation, to the in-loader 60.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the resin encapsulation unit 40 comprises a plurality of preheating units 41 that preheat each of the molded products 3, and a plurality of resin encapsulation molds 42 that resin encapsulate each of the molded products 3. Each preheating unit 41 simultaneously heats the plurality of molded products 3 transported by the inloader 60, thereby preheating the plurality of molded products 3 simultaneously. Each resin encapsulation mold 42 comprises a lower mold and an upper mold. The structure of the lower mold and upper mold is the same as that of a general resin encapsulation mold having a chess block or cavity block, so a description is omitted here. The resin encapsulation mold 42 receives the plurality of molded products 3 and the plurality of resin tablets 9, which have been preheated by the preheating units 41, from the inloader 60.

[0015] The resin-sealing mold 42 arranges a plurality of molded products 3 and a plurality of resin tablets 9 in a space surrounded by an upper mold and a lower mold, and heats the upper mold and the lower mold while applying pressure to this space to melt the plurality of resin tablets 9, thereby generating a plurality of molded products 4 (an example of a workpiece).

[0016] The outloader 70 receives a plurality of molded products 4 from the resin-sealing mold 42 and conveys the received plurality of molded products 4 to the output unit 50. The output unit 50 includes a turntable 51, a workpiece conveyance device 52, a workpiece transfer device 1, and a belt conveyor 2. The turntable 51 is configured to be rotatable about a vertical axis. After a plurality of molded products 4 are supplied from the outloader 70, it rotates 90 degrees to reach the state shown in FIG. 1. The workpiece conveyance device 52 receives the plurality of molded products 4 placed on the turntable 51 and supplies the received molded products 4 to the workpiece transfer device 1. After the plurality of molded products 4 are received by the workpiece conveyance device 52, the turntable 51 rotates 90 degrees and waits for the supply of the next plurality of molded products 4 from the outloader 70.

[0017] The workpiece transfer device 1 transfers the molded product 4 supplied from the workpiece conveyance device 52 to the belt conveyor 2. The belt conveyor 2 conveys the molded product 4 received from the workpiece transfer device 1 from the resin-sealing device 100 to the outside. The workpiece transfer device 1 moves the molded product 4 in a direction approaching the belt conveyor 2 while holding the molded product 4 and transfers the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2. Thereby, the workpiece transfer device 1 can suppress the posture of the molded product 4 from being disturbed when transferring the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2. Hereinafter, the configuration of the workpiece transfer device 1 will be specifically described.

[0018] <2. Configuration of Workpiece Transfer Device 1> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the workpiece transfer device 1 according to the embodiment includes a plurality of workpiece holding portions 101, 102, 103, 104, a drive mechanism portion 11, and sensors 121, 122, 123, 124, 13. The drive mechanism portion 11 includes a plurality of drive portions 1111, 1112, 1113, 1114.

[0019] Multiple workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104 are arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2. Different molded products 4 from among multiple molded products 4 are supplied from the workpiece conveying device 52 and placed on each of the multiple workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104. The workpiece conveying device 52 simultaneously grips the four molded products 4 and supplies the molded products 4 to each of the multiple workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104. In the following, when the workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104 are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as workpiece holding unit 10.

[0020] The workpiece transfer device 52 comprises four gripping sections 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214, and a drive mechanism section 522. Each of the four gripping sections 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214 grips a different molded product 4 from among four molded products 4. Each of the four gripping sections 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214 has a pair of gripping pieces, and the distance between these pairs of gripping pieces is changed by the drive mechanism section 522 to grip and release the molded product 4. In the following, when the gripping sections 5211, 5212, 5213, and 5214 are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as gripping section 521.

[0021] The workpiece transfer device 52 moves to a position opposite the workpiece transfer device 1 in the vertical direction by being driven by a moving mechanism (not shown), and then moves downward, thereby supplying the four molded products 4 held by the four gripping parts 521 to the workpiece transfer device 1 at once. Note that the number of workpiece holding parts 10 and gripping parts 521 is not limited to four, but may be three or fewer, or five or more.

[0022] The drive units 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114 are supported by the frame of the belt conveyor 2. Drive unit 1111 supports the lower end of the workpiece holder 101 and moves the workpiece holder 101 vertically based on control by the control device 80. Similarly, drive unit 1112 supports the lower end of the workpiece holder 102 and moves the workpiece holder 102 vertically based on control by the control device 80.

[0023] Furthermore, the drive unit 1113 supports the lower end of the workpiece holding unit 103 and moves the workpiece holding unit 103 vertically based on control by the control device 80. Also, the drive unit 1114 supports the lower end of the workpiece holding unit 104 and moves the workpiece holding unit 104 vertically based on control by the control device 80.

[0024] The drive units 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114 operate independently of each other based on control by the control device 80, and can individually move each of the workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104 downwards. Downward is the direction in which the molded product 4 approaches the belt conveyor 2. As a result, the drive mechanism 11 can transfer each of the molded products 4 to the belt conveyor 2 individually in different order combinations.

[0025] In the following, when the drive units 1111, 1112, 1113, and 1114 are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as drive unit 111. Similarly, when the sensors 121, 122, 123, and 124 are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as sensor 12.

[0026] Here, we will describe the configuration of each workpiece holding unit 10. Since the configurations of workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104 are similar to each other, we will describe the configuration of workpiece holding unit 101 below, and omit the descriptions of the configurations of workpiece holding units 102, 103, and 104.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the workpiece holding unit 101 has a first holding unit 101 on which one end of the molded product 4 is placed and a second holding unit 102 on which the other end of the molded product 4 is placed. The workpiece holding unit 101 holds the molded product 4 which is stretched between the first holding unit 101 and the second holding unit 102, and moves by the drive unit 1111. The first holding unit 101 has a mounting unit 101a on which one end of the molded product 4 is placed, and the second holding unit 102 has a mounting unit 102a on which the other end of the molded product 4 is placed. The mounting units 101a and 102a form a mounting unit 10a on which the molded product 4 can be placed in a stretched state. A belt conveyor 2 is provided between the first holding unit 101 and the second holding unit 102.

[0028] In the example shown in Figure 4, the molded product 4 has a resin molded portion 4a in which one or more semiconductors (not shown) and a part of a lead frame are resin-encapsulated, and terminals 4b and 4c, which are parts of the lead frame, respectively. Terminal 4b protrudes from the resin molded portion 4a to the right in Figure 4 and is placed on the mounting portion 101a. Terminal 4c protrudes from the resin molded portion 4a to the left in Figure 4 and is placed on the mounting portion 102a.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the workpiece holding section 101 includes a guide section 10b that restricts the movement of the molded product 4 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the molded product 4 by the belt conveyor 2 (the direction from left to right in Figure 3) (the vertical direction in Figure 3). The guide section 10b includes a guide section 101b provided on the first holding section 101 and a guide section 102b provided on the second holding section 102.

[0030] Guide portion 101b extends in a direction perpendicular to or intersecting the extension direction of terminal 4b (up and down in the example shown in Figure 4), restricting the movement of the molded product 4 to the right in Figure 4. Guide portion 102b extends in a direction perpendicular to or intersecting the extension direction of terminal 4c (up and down in the example shown in Figure 4), restricting the movement of the molded product 4 to the left in Figure 4.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the workpiece holding section 101 has a groove 10c formed therein that allows molded products 4, which are transferred to the belt conveyor 2 and transported by the belt conveyor 2 from other workpiece holding sections 102, 103, and 104 located upstream in the transport direction of the belt conveyor 2, to pass through when it is not being moved downward by the drive mechanism section 11. Note that the workpiece holding section 104, which is located at the very upstream end in the transport direction of the belt conveyor 2, does not need to have a groove 10c, so it does not need to have a groove 10c.

[0032] The groove 10c includes a groove 101c provided in the first holding section 101 and a groove 102c provided in the second holding section 102. The groove 101c allows terminal 4b of the molded product 4, which is transferred from other workpiece holding sections 102, 103, and 104 located upstream to the belt conveyor 2 and transported by the belt conveyor 2, to pass through. The groove 102c allows terminal 4c of the molded product 4, which is transferred from other workpiece holding sections 102, 103, and 104 located upstream to the belt conveyor 2 and transported by the belt conveyor 2, to pass through.

[0033] Furthermore, each of the sensors 121, 122, 123, and 124 (see Figure 3) includes a light-emitting unit 121 that emits directional infrared light or laser light, and a light-receiving unit 122 that detects the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 121. In the following, when sensors 121, 122, 123, and 124 are not individually distinguished, they may be referred to as sensor 12.

[0034] As shown in Figure 4, the workpiece holding portion 101 has an optical path forming portion 10d through which light emitted from the light-emitting portion 121 of the sensor 121 passes. The optical path forming portion 10d includes a through hole 101d provided in the first holding portion 101 and a through hole 102d provided in the second holding portion 102. As shown in Figure 5, the through hole 101d is formed by cutting out a U-shape, and the through hole 102d is also formed by cutting out a U-shape similar to the through hole 101d, but the shapes of the through holes 101d and 102d are not limited to this example.

[0035] Sensor 121 detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece holding unit 101 by checking whether the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 121 passes through the through holes 101d and 102d and is detected by the light-receiving unit 122. Furthermore, after the workpiece holding unit 101 is moved downward by the drive mechanism unit 11, sensor 121 detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred to the belt conveyor 2 by checking whether the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 121 is detected by the light-receiving unit 122.

[0036] Similarly, sensor 122 (see Figure 3) detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece holding unit 102, and further detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 102 to the belt conveyor 2. Sensor 123 (see Figure 3) detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece holding unit 103, and further detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 103 to the belt conveyor 2. Sensor 124 (see Figure 3) detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece holding unit 104, and further detects whether the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 104 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0037] Here, the transfer of the molded product 4 from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece transfer device 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 6(a), the workpiece transfer device 52, with the molded product 4 gripped by the gripping part 521, moves downward under the control of the control device 80. As the workpiece transfer device 52 moves downward, the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4, which are gripped by the gripping part 521 of the workpiece transfer device 52, come into contact with the mounting parts 101a and 102a of the workpiece holding part 10. The gripping of the molded product 4 by the gripping part 521 is performed by supporting the lower surface 4a1 of the resin molded part 4a of the molded product 4. Therefore, if the workpiece transfer device 52 moves further downward under the control of the control device 80, the state in which the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4 come into contact with the mounting parts 101a and 102a is maintained, and the molded product 4 is placed on the mounting part 10a of the workpiece holding part 10. The gripping portion 521 may also be used to grip the molded product 4 by supporting the terminals 4b and 4c.

[0038] Subsequently, the control device 80 controls the spacing between the pair of gripping pieces in the gripping section 521 of the workpiece transfer device 52, causing the workpiece transfer device 52 to move upward. Because the spacing between the pair of gripping pieces in the gripping section 521 is widened, the workpiece transfer device 52 moves upward without interfering with the molded product 4 which is placed on the workpiece holding section 10. As a result, the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece transfer device 1, as shown in Figure 6(b).

[0039] When the molded product 4 is transferred to the workpiece transfer device 1, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 121 of the sensor 12 passes through the through-hole 101d but is blocked by the resin molded portion 4a of the molded product 4 and does not enter the through-hole 102d, and therefore is not detected by the light-receiving unit 122. As a result, the sensor 12 can detect that the molded product 4 has been transferred from the workpiece transport device 52 to the workpiece transfer device 1.

[0040] Furthermore, if the molded product 4 has not been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece transfer device 1, the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 121 of the sensor 12 is not blocked by the molded product 4, but enters the through-hole 102d and is detected by the light-receiving unit 122. As a result, the sensor 12 can detect that the molded product 4 has not been transferred from the workpiece transfer device 52 to the workpiece transfer device 1.

[0041] Here, the configuration of the belt conveyor 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As shown in Figure 3, the belt conveyor 2 comprises a pair of belts 20 and a pair of restricting parts 21, and further comprises a first locking part 22, a second locking part 23, and a motor 24, as shown in Figure 2.

[0042] As shown in Figure 3, the pair of belts 20 are arranged opposite each other with a gap d between them in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the molded product 4 on the belt conveyor 2 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the workpiece conveying direction) (the vertical direction in Figure 3). The direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction is the width direction of the belt conveyor 2. Each of the pair of belts 20 is an annular endless belt, and the driving force from the motor 24 (see Figure 2) moves the molded product 4 in the direction from left to right in Figure 3.

[0043] The pair of restricting sections 21 extend along the workpiece transport direction and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction, restricting the movement of the molded product 4, which is placed on and transported by the pair of belts 20, in a direction intersecting the workpiece transport direction. The pair of restricting sections 21 comprises a pair of first restricting sections 210, a pair of second restricting sections 211, and a pair of constricting sections 212.

[0044] The pair of first restricting units 210 are arranged facing each other with a gap d1 between them in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction. The pair of second restricting units 211 are arranged facing each other with a gap d2 between them in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction.

[0045] The interval d1 is wider than the interval d2. That is, the distance between the molded product 4 at the position where it is transferred from the workpiece transfer device 1 to the belt 20 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the transfer position) is wider than the distance between the molded product 4 located downstream of the transfer position in the workpiece transport direction. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of events such as the molded product 4 riding up onto the restricting section 21 when it is transferred from the workpiece transfer device 1 to the belt 20.

[0046] Furthermore, the pair of constricting sections 212 are arranged opposite each other with a gap between them in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece transport direction, and the gap between them gradually narrows from gap d1 to gap d2 along the workpiece transport direction. As a result, the pair of constricting sections 212 can reduce variations in the position of the molded product 4 in the width direction of the belt conveyor 2, for example, without the molded product 4 getting caught in the restricting section 21.

[0047] Next, the transfer of the molded product 4 from the workpiece transfer device 1 to the belt conveyor 2 will be described. Starting from the state shown in Figure 6(b), when the workpiece holding unit 111 moves the workpiece holding unit 10 downward, the molded product 4 also moves downward as the workpiece holding unit 10 moves downward, and the resin molded portion 4a of the molded product 4 comes into contact with the pair of belts 20.

[0048] As described above, the molded product 4 is held by the workpiece transfer device 1 by placing the terminal 4b of the molded product 4 on the mounting section 101a and the terminal 4c of the molded product 4 on the mounting section 102a. That is, the molded product 4 is held by the workpiece holding section 10 while being stretched between the mounting sections 101a and 102a. Therefore, when the workpiece holding section 10 moves further downward, the resin molded portion 4a of the molded product 4 remains in contact with the pair of belts 20, and as shown in Figure 6(c), the molded product 4 is placed on the pair of belts 20. This transfers the molded product 4 from the workpiece holding section 10 to the pair of belts 20 on the belt conveyor 2.

[0049] Since the pair of belts 20 are moved by the driving force of the motor 24, the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 10 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported in the belt transport direction. After the molded product 4 has moved from the transfer position, the drive unit 111 moves the workpiece holding unit 10 upward, so that the workpiece holding unit 10 returns to the position shown in Figure 6(a).

[0050] The groove 10c of the workpiece holding section 10 allows the molded product 4, which is transferred from other workpiece holding sections 10 located upstream in the belt conveying direction and transported by the belt conveyor 2, to pass through the belt conveyor 2 when the workpiece holding section 10 is in the state shown in Figure 6(a), as shown in Figure 7. Specifically, the terminals 4b of the molded product 4 pass through the groove 101c formed in the first holding section 101, and the terminals 4c of the molded product 4 pass through the groove 102c formed in the second holding section 102. As a result, even if other workpiece holding sections located downstream of the workpiece holding section 101, 102, 103, and 104 that has moved downwards have not moved downwards, the other workpiece holding sections located downstream do not obstruct the transport of the molded product 4. Therefore, the workpiece transfer device 1 can transfer each of the multiple molded products 4 placed on the workpiece holding sections 101, 102, 103, and 104 individually and arbitrarily to the belt conveyor 2.

[0051] The first locking part 22 (see Figure 2) described above locks the molded product 4, which is transferred from the transfer position onto the belt 20 and conveyed in the belt conveying direction, based on control by the control device 80. The second locking part 23 (see Figure 2) locks the conveyed molded product 4 downstream in the belt conveying direction from the position where the molded product 4 is locked by the first locking part 22 (see Figure 2), based on control by the control device 80.

[0052] Sensor 13 (see Figures 2 and 3) detects whether the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2 is restricted from moving at a specific position. The specific position is the locking position of the molded product 4 by the second locking part 23. Similar to sensor 12, as shown in Figure 3, sensor 13 includes a light-emitting unit 131 that emits directional infrared light or laser light, and a light-receiving unit 132 that detects the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 131.

[0053] Next, the process by which the workpiece transfer device 1 transfers the molded product 4 from the downstream workpiece holding unit 101 to the belt conveyor 2 will be explained using Figures 8 and 9. As shown in Figure 8(a), the workpiece holding unit 101 moves downward, which is the direction towards the belt conveyor 2, and the molded product 4 placed on the workpiece holding unit 101 is transferred from the workpiece holding unit 101 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0054] In the state shown in Figure 8(a), the position of the first locking part 22 is such that it does not lock the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2, while the position of the second locking part 23 is such that it locks the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding part 101 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported toward the second locking part 23, and then its movement in the belt transport direction is restricted by the second locking part 23. Whether or not the molded product 4 is restricted from moving by the second locking part 23 is detected by the sensor 13.

[0055] When the sensor 13 detects that the movement of the molded product 4 is restricted by the second locking part 23, the control device 80 moves the first locking part 22 upward, as shown in Figure 8(c). This changes the position of the first locking part 22 to a position that locks the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2.

[0056] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8(d), the second locking portion 23 is moved downward by the control of the control device 80. This releases the restriction on the movement of the molded product 4 in the belt conveying direction by the second locking portion 23, and the movement of the molded product 4 in the belt conveying direction resumes, as shown in Figure 8(e).

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(d), the workpiece holder 102 moves downward, which is the direction in which the molded product 4 placed on the workpiece holder 102 approaches the belt conveyor 2, and the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece holder 102 to the belt conveyor 2. The molded product 4 transferred from the workpiece holder 102 to the belt conveyor 2 is transported toward the first locking part 22, and its movement toward the belt transport direction is restricted by the first locking part 22. Note that in the state shown in Figure 8(d) and (e), as shown in Figure 6(c), the workpiece holder 101 has its mounting parts 101a and 102a positioned below the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4. Therefore, the workpiece holder 101 does not obstruct the transport of the molded product 4 transferred from the workpiece holder 102 toward the first locking part 22.

[0058] Subsequently, when the sensor 13 detects that the molded product 4, whose movement was restricted by the second locking part 23, has been transported, the control device 80 moves the second locking part 23 upward, as shown in Figure 9(a). This changes the position of the second locking part 23 to a position that locks the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2.

[0059] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 9(b), the first locking portion 22 is moved downward by the control of the control device 80, the transport of the molded product 4, which had been restricted from moving by the first locking portion 22, is resumed, and the transport of the molded product 4 is restricted by the second locking portion 23. When the sensor 13 detects that the molded product 4 is restricted from moving by the second locking portion 23, the position of the first locking portion 22 is changed to a position that locks the molded product 4, as shown in Figure 9(c), based on the control of the control device 80.

[0060] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(c), the second locking portion 23 is moved downward by the control of the control device 80. This releases the restriction on the movement of the molded product 4 in the belt conveying direction by the second locking portion 23. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9(d), the movement of the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding portion 102 to the belt conveyor 2, in the belt conveying direction resumes.

[0061] Furthermore, the molded products 4 placed on the workpiece holding sections 103 and 104 are also transported by the belt conveyor 2 by the drive mechanism 11, which moves them downward in the order of workpiece holding section 103 and then workpiece holding section 104.

[0062] Next, we will explain the process of transferring the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2 in a different order from the workpiece holding units 101, 102, 103, and 104, using Figures 10 and 11. As shown in Figure 10(a), the workpiece holding unit 102 moves so that the molded product 4 placed on the workpiece holding unit 102 moves downward, which is the direction towards the belt conveyor 2, and the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece holding unit 102 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0063] The molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 102 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported by the belt conveyor 2 in the belt transport direction. In the state shown in Figure 10(a), the workpiece holding unit 101 is positioned so that the grooves 101c and 102c of the molded product 4 pass through the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4, as shown in Figure 7. Therefore, the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4 transferred from the workpiece holding unit 102 to the belt conveyor 2 pass through the groove 10c of the workpiece holding unit 101. As a result, the workpiece holding unit 101 does not obstruct the transport of the molded product 4 toward the first locking unit 22 after it has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 102 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0064] In the state shown in Figure 10(a), the position of the first locking part 22 is such that it does not lock the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2, while the position of the second locking part 23 is such that it locks the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(b), the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding part 102 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported toward the second locking part 23, and then its movement in the belt transport direction is restricted by the second locking part 23. Whether or not the molded product 4 is restricted from moving by the second locking part 23 is detected by the sensor 13.

[0065] When the sensor 13 detects that the molded product 4 is being restricted from moving by the second locking part 23, the control device 80 moves the first locking part 22 upward, as shown in Figure 10(c). Then, as shown in Figure 10(c), the control device 80 moves the second locking part 23 downward. As a result, the position of the first locking part 22 is changed to a position that locks the molded product 4 being transported by the belt conveyor 2, and the restriction on the movement of the molded product 4 in the belt transport direction by the second locking part 23 is released. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10(d), the movement of the molded product 4 in the belt transport direction, which had been restricted by the second locking part 23, resumes.

[0066] Furthermore, the workpiece holder 104 moves downward, which is the direction in which the molded product 4 placed on the workpiece holder 104 moves towards the belt conveyor 2, and as shown in Figure 10(d), the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece holder 104 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0067] The molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 104 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported by the belt conveyor 2 in the belt transport direction. In the state shown in Figure 10(d), the workpiece holding units 103 and 101 are in the state shown in Figure 7, and the workpiece holding unit 102 is in the state shown in Figure 6(c). That is, the grooves 101c and 102c of the workpiece holding units 103 and 101 are positioned so that they pass through the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4, and the mounting parts 101a and 102a of the workpiece holding unit 102 are positioned below the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4. Therefore, the workpiece holding units 103, 102, and 101 do not obstruct the transport of the molded product 4 toward the first locking part 22 after it has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 104 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0068] As shown in Figure 10(e), the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 104 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported toward the first locking unit 22, and then its movement in the belt transport direction is restricted by the first locking unit 22. Furthermore, when the sensor 13 detects that the molded product 4, whose movement was restricted by the second locking unit 23, has been transported, the control device 80 controls the second locking unit 23 to move it upward, as shown in Figure 10(e).

[0069] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 11(a), the first locking part 22 is moved downward by the control of the control device 80. As a result, the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding part 104 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported toward the second locking part 23, as shown in Figure 11(b), and then its movement in the belt transport direction is restricted by the second locking part 23.

[0070] When the sensor 13 detects that the movement of the molded product 4 is restricted by the second locking part 23, the control device 80 controls the first locking part 22 to move upward and the second locking part 23 to move downward, as shown in Figure 11(c). The downward movement of the second locking part 23 resumes the movement of the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding part 104 to the belt conveyor 2, in the direction of belt transport.

[0071] Subsequently, the workpiece holder 103 moves downward, in the direction that the molded product 4 placed on the workpiece holder 103 moves towards the belt conveyor 2, and the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece holder 103 to the belt conveyor 2, as shown in Figure 11(d).

[0072] The molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 103 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported by the belt conveyor 2 in the belt transport direction. In the state shown in Figure 11(d), the workpiece holding unit 102 is in the state shown in Figure 6(c), and the workpiece holding unit 101 is in the state shown in Figure 7. That is, the mounting portions 101a and 102a of the workpiece holding unit 102 are positioned below the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4, and the groove portions 101c and 102c of the workpiece holding unit 101 are positioned to allow the terminals 4b and 4c of the molded product 4 to pass through. Therefore, the workpiece holding units 102 and 101 do not obstruct the transport of the molded product 4 toward the first locking portion 22 after it has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 103 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0073] When the sensor 13 detects that the molded product 4, whose movement was restricted by the second locking part 23, is being transported, the control device 80 moves the second locking part 23 upward, as shown in Figure 11(e). Furthermore, the molded product 4, after being transferred from the workpiece holding part 104 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported toward the first locking part 22, as shown in Figure 11(e), and then its movement in the belt transport direction is restricted by the first locking part 22.

[0074] Subsequently, the molded product 4, which has been transferred from the workpiece holding unit 103 to the belt conveyor 2, is transported by the control device 80, which controls the first locking unit 22 and the second locking unit 23. The control device 80 also controls the downward movement to the workpiece holding unit 101 and the first locking unit 22 and the second locking unit 23. This allows the molded product 4 to be transferred from the workpiece holding unit 101 to the belt conveyor 2, and the molded product 4 transferred from the workpiece holding unit 101 to the belt conveyor 2 to be transported by the belt conveyor 2.

[0075] In this way, the workpiece transfer device 1 can move the multiple workpiece holding units 10 individually and transfer each of the multiple molded products 4 individually to the belt conveyor 2. Note that the workpieces transferred to the belt conveyor 2 by the workpiece transfer device 1 are not limited to molded products 4, but may be other workpieces.

[0076] As described above, the workpiece transfer device 1 according to the embodiment comprises a workpiece holding unit 10 and a drive mechanism unit 11. The workpiece holding unit 10 has a first holding unit 101 on which one end of a molded product 4 (an example of a workpiece) is placed and a second holding unit 102 on which the other end of the molded product 4 is placed, and holds and moves the molded product 4 that is stretched between the first holding unit 101 and the second holding unit 102. The drive mechanism unit 11 drives the workpiece holding unit 10 to bring it closer to the belt conveyor 2 provided between the first holding unit 101 and the second holding unit 102, and to transfer the molded product 4 held by the workpiece holding unit 10 to the belt conveyor 2. As a result, the workpiece transfer device 1 can suppress disturbance of the workpiece's posture when transferring the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0077] Furthermore, the workpiece transfer device 1 comprises a plurality of workpiece holding units 10 and a drive mechanism unit 11. The plurality of workpiece holding units 10 are arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2 and each holds different molded products 4 from a plurality of molded products 4 (an example of workpieces). The drive mechanism unit 11 individually drives each of the plurality of workpiece holding units 10 to bring them closer to the belt conveyor 2 and to transfer the plurality of molded products 4 individually to the belt conveyor 2. As a result, the workpiece transfer device 1 can suppress disturbance of the workpiece's posture when transferring the molded products 4 to the belt conveyor 2, and furthermore, can transfer each of the plurality of molded products 4 individually to the belt conveyor 2.

[0078] Furthermore, the drive mechanism 11 drives each of the multiple workpiece holding units 10 in different sequences, thereby enabling it to individually transfer each of the multiple molded products 4 held by the multiple workpiece holding units 10 to the belt conveyor 2. As a result, the workpiece transfer device 1 can transfer each of the multiple molded products 4 to the belt conveyor 2 in a desired order.

[0079] Furthermore, each of the multiple workpiece holding units 10 has a groove 10c formed therein that allows molded products 4, which are received from the workpiece holding unit 10 located upstream in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor 2 and conveyed by the belt conveyor 2, to pass through when the workpiece holding unit 10 is not being moved by the drive mechanism unit 11. As a result, the workpiece transfer device 1 can appropriately transfer each of the multiple molded products 4 to the belt conveyor 2 in the desired order.

[0080] Furthermore, the workpiece holding section 10 has a guide section 10b that restricts the movement of the molded product 4 in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the molded product 4 by the belt conveyor 2. This allows the workpiece transfer device 1 to suppress disturbances in the posture of the workpiece when transferring the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0081] Furthermore, the workpiece transfer device 1 is equipped with a sensor 12 that detects whether or not the molded product 4 is being held in the workpiece holding section 10. The sensor 12 is positioned to detect whether or not the molded product 4 has been transferred to the belt conveyor 2 after the workpiece holding section 10 has been moved by the drive mechanism 11. This allows the workpiece transfer device 1 to determine whether or not it has been able to transfer the molded product 4 to the belt conveyor 2.

[0082] Furthermore, the workpiece transfer system according to the embodiment comprises a workpiece transfer device 1 and a belt conveyor 2. The belt conveyor 2 comprises a belt 20 for transporting molded products 4 and a pair of restricting sections 21 that extend along the belt transport direction and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the belt transport direction, restricting the movement of molded products 4 placed on the belt 20. The pair of restricting sections 21 have a distance d1 between them at the transfer position, which is the position where the molded product 4 is transferred from the workpiece transfer device 1 to the belt 20, which is wider than the distance d2 between them located downstream of the transfer position in the belt transport direction. As a result, the workpiece transfer system can suppress problems such as the molded product 4 not being properly transferred from the workpiece transfer device 1 to the belt 20 due to the molded product 4 riding up on the restricting section 21.

[0083] Further effects and modifications can be readily derived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, broader aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific details and representative embodiments expressed and described above. Accordingly, various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the overall concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Workpiece transfer device 2 Belt conveyor 3 Molded product 4. Molded product (an example of a workpiece) 10, 101, 102, 103, 104 Workpiece holding section 10b, 101b, 102b Guide section 10c,101c,102c Groove 11 Drive mechanism 12,121,122,123,124,13 sensors 20 belts 21 Regulatory Department 80 Control device 100 Resin encapsulation device 101 1st holding part 102 Second holding part

Claims

1. A workpiece holding unit having a first holding unit on which one end of a workpiece, which is a molded product after resin sealing by a resin sealing mold, is placed, and a second holding unit on which the other end of the workpiece is placed, and which holds and moves the workpiece that is stretched between the first holding unit and the second holding unit, The workpiece holding section is brought closer to a belt conveyor provided between the first holding section and the second holding section, and the workpiece held by the workpiece holding section is driven by a drive mechanism that drives the workpiece holding section to transfer the workpiece held by the workpiece holding section to the belt conveyor. The aforementioned workpiece is The workpiece is transported to the workpiece holding section by a workpiece transport device different from the aforementioned belt conveyor. A workpiece transfer device characterized by the following features.

2. Multiple workpiece holding units, each holding different workpieces from among multiple workpieces arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, The system includes a drive mechanism that individually drives each of the workpiece holding units so as to bring the workpiece holding unit closer to the belt conveyor and transfer each of the multiple workpieces to the belt conveyor individually. Each of the multiple workpieces is This is a molded product after resin encapsulation using a resin encapsulation mold. The aforementioned workpiece is The workpiece is transported to the workpiece holding section by a workpiece transport device different from the aforementioned belt conveyor. A workpiece transfer device characterized by the following features.

3. A workpiece holder having a first holding section on which one end of the workpiece is placed and a second holding section on which the other end of the workpiece is placed, and which holds and moves the workpiece that is stretched between the first holding section and the second holding section, A drive mechanism drives the workpiece holding unit to move it closer to a belt conveyor provided between the first holding unit and the second holding unit, and to transfer the workpiece held by the workpiece holding unit to the belt conveyor. The workpiece holding unit is equipped with a sensor that detects whether or not the workpiece is being held, The aforementioned sensor is The drive mechanism is positioned to detect whether or not the workpiece has been transferred to the belt conveyor after the workpiece holding unit has been moved by the drive mechanism. A workpiece transfer device characterized by the following features.

4. A workpiece transfer device, Equipped with a belt conveyor, The workpiece transfer device is A workpiece holder having a first holding section on which one end of the workpiece is placed and a second holding section on which the other end of the workpiece is placed, and which holds and moves the workpiece that is stretched between the first holding section and the second holding section, The workpiece holding section is brought closer to a belt conveyor provided between the first holding section and the second holding section, and the workpiece held by the workpiece holding section is driven by a drive mechanism that drives the workpiece holding section to transfer the workpiece held by the workpiece holding section to the belt conveyor. The aforementioned belt conveyor is A belt for transporting the aforementioned workpiece, The system includes a pair of restricting parts that extend along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby restricting the movement of workpieces placed on the belt, The pair of restricting parts are, The distance between the workpieces at the transfer position, which is the position where the workpieces are transferred from the workpiece transfer device to the belt, is wider than the distance between them at locations downstream in the conveying direction from the transfer position. A workpiece transport system characterized by the following features.

5. Multiple workpiece holding units, each holding different workpieces from among multiple workpieces arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, A drive mechanism that individually drives each of the multiple workpiece holding units to bring the workpiece holding unit closer to the belt conveyor and transfer each of the multiple workpieces to the belt conveyor individually, The workpiece holding unit is equipped with a sensor that detects whether or not the workpiece is being held, The aforementioned sensor is The drive mechanism is positioned to detect whether or not the workpiece has been transferred to the belt conveyor after the workpiece holding unit has been moved by the drive mechanism. A workpiece transfer device characterized by the following features.

6. A workpiece transfer device, Equipped with a belt conveyor, The workpiece transfer device is Multiple workpiece holding units, each holding different workpieces from among multiple workpieces arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, The system includes a drive mechanism that individually drives each of the workpiece holding units so as to bring the workpiece holding unit closer to the belt conveyor and transfer each of the multiple workpieces to the belt conveyor individually. The aforementioned belt conveyor is A belt for transporting the aforementioned workpiece, The system includes a pair of restricting parts that extend along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby restricting the movement of workpieces placed on the belt, The pair of restricting parts are, The distance between the workpieces at the transfer position, which is the position where the workpieces are transferred from the workpiece transfer device to the belt, is wider than the distance between them at locations downstream in the conveying direction from the transfer position. A workpiece transport system characterized by the following features.

7. The workpiece holding section comprises multiple such sections, The multiple workpiece holding units are, They are arranged in a line along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor, The aforementioned drive mechanism is The workpiece holding unit is brought closer to the belt conveyor, and each of the multiple workpiece holding units is driven individually to transfer each of the multiple workpieces to the belt conveyor individually. A workpiece transfer device according to feature 1 or 3.

8. The aforementioned drive mechanism is By driving each of the multiple workpiece holding units in different sequences, each of the multiple workpieces held by the multiple workpiece holding units can be individually transferred to the belt conveyor. A workpiece transfer device according to any one of claims 2, 5, and 7.

9. Each of the plurality of workpiece holding parts is: When not being moved by the drive mechanism, a groove is formed that allows the workpiece, which is received from one of the workpiece holding units located upstream in the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and conveyed by the belt conveyor, to pass through. A workpiece transfer device according to any one of claims 2, 5, 7, and 8.

10. The workpiece holding unit is The belt conveyor has a guide section that restricts the movement of the workpiece in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the workpiece is transported. A workpiece transfer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9.

11. The workpiece holding unit is equipped with a sensor for detecting whether or not the workpiece is being held. The aforementioned sensor is The drive mechanism is positioned to detect whether or not the workpiece has been transferred to the belt conveyor after the workpiece holding unit has been moved by the drive mechanism. The workpiece transfer device according to claim 1 or 2.

12. A workpiece transfer device according to any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, The belt conveyor and, The aforementioned belt conveyor is A belt for transporting the aforementioned workpiece, The system includes a pair of restricting parts that extend along the conveying direction of the belt conveyor and face each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, thereby restricting the movement of workpieces placed on the belt, The pair of restricting parts are, The distance between the workpieces at the transfer position, which is the position where the workpieces are transferred from the workpiece transfer device to the belt, is wider than the distance between them at locations downstream in the conveying direction from the transfer position. A workpiece transport system characterized by the following features.

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