Feeder and component supply unit

Abstract

A feeder (20) is attached to a component supply unit (80) for supplying components to a component mounting device (100) that mounts a component onto an object. A container containing components is detachably fitted to the feeder. An RF tag (T) is disposed on the container (10). The feeder (20) comprises: a housing (21) having a radio wave transmissive portion in a position opposite the RF tag (T); an antenna (A) that radiates radio waves for interacting with the RF tag (T); and a reading device (30) for reading information in the RF tag (T) via the antenna (A). The antenna (A) and the reading device (30) are disposed in the housing (21).

Description

Feeder and parts supply unit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a feeder and a component supply unit.

[0002] A component supplying device is known that extracts components from a container in which the components are stored and supplies the components to a mounting device. The component supplying device must supply components to the mounting device according to the production from among a wide variety of components.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an RF tag reading system that includes a reader having an antenna that receives signals from RF (Radio Frequency) tags attached to managed items, and a control device that acquires information about the RF tags from the received signals. For example, the control device can acquire information about the managed items based on the received signals.

[0004] JP 2010-102530 A

[0005] For example, if an RF tag is attached to a container that holds parts and is attached to a feeder, information about the parts contained in the container can be obtained by reading the RF tag via the feeder.

[0006] Such a feeder is attached to a component supply unit for supplying components to a component mounting device, and it is desirable for the component supply unit to be miniaturized.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a feeder and a mounting system that can reduce the size of the component supply unit.

[0008] A feeder according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a feeder in which a container for containing components is detachably attached to a component supply unit that supplies components to a component mounting device that mounts the components on an object, and the container is equipped with a housing in which an RF tag is placed and which has a radio wave transparent portion positioned opposite the RF tag, an antenna that emits radio waves to communicate with the RF tag, and a reading device that reads information on the RF tag via the antenna, and the antenna and the reading device are arranged within the housing.

[0009] A component supply unit according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the feeder described above and a container attached to the feeder.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a feeder or the like that allows a component supply unit to be made smaller can be realized.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a component mounting apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a component supply unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a component supply unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of an RF tag according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of an antenna according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly angle of a cable and a connector according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a component supply unit according to a first modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a component supply unit according to a second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly angle of a cable and a connector according to the second modified example of the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a component supply unit according to a third modified example of the embodiment.

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement positions, and connection configurations shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components that are not recited in independent claims will be described as optional components.

[0013] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially the same configuration is given the same reference numeral, and duplicate explanations may be omitted or simplified. Furthermore, even when the same object is shown in each figure, the scale may be changed for convenience.

[0014] In addition, in this specification and drawings, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In the embodiments, the Z-axis is an axis parallel to the direction in which the feeder and the container are stacked. The X-axis and Y-axis are axes that are approximately perpendicular to the Z-axis. The feeder is elongated, and the X-axis is an axis parallel to the elongate direction of the feeder. In addition, in this specification, "plan view" means viewing the feeder, etc., from the Z-axis direction. In addition, in this specification, "cross-sectional view" means viewing a cross section of the feeder, etc., cut along a cutting plane (YZ plane) perpendicular to the extension direction (X-axis direction) of the feeder, from the X-axis direction.

[0015] Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating the relationship between elements, such as coincidence and orthogonality, terms indicating the shape of elements, such as plate-like and rectangular, as well as numerical values ​​and numerical ranges, are not expressions that only express the strict meaning, but are expressions that also include a substantially equivalent range, for example, a difference of about several percent (or about 10%).

[0016] (Embodiment) [1. Configuration of Component Mounting Apparatus] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a component mounting apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The component mounting apparatus 100 is an example of a mounting system and is used in a mounting line that produces mounted boards by mounting components housed in a container 10 (see FIG. 2) onto a board 103 carried in from the upstream side and then carries the produced mounted board downstream. The mounting line is realized by various devices that perform board supply, solder printing, component mounting, reflow, etc., and the component mounting apparatus 100 performs component mounting on the mounting line. Specifically, the component mounting apparatus 100 has a function of removing components from a feeder 20 that supplies components and transferring and mounting them onto the board 103. A plurality of feeders 20, which are a key part of the present disclosure, are attached to the component mounting apparatus 100. The board 103 is an example of an object on which components are mounted.

[0017] The substrate 103 is not particularly limited and may be a semiconductor substrate, a printed circuit board, or the like. The substrate 103 may be made of a material such as glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic, or a composite material made of a plurality of materials.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, the component mounting apparatus 100 includes a component supply unit 80, a base 101, a substrate transport mechanism 102, a component mounting mechanism 108 including a mounting head 107, a substrate recognition camera 109, a component recognition camera 110, and a power supply unit (not shown).

[0019] The substrate transport mechanism 102 is disposed along the X-axis (the transport direction of the substrate 103) near the center of the base 101. The substrate transport mechanism 102 transports the substrate 103 carried in from the upstream side in the direction along the Y-axis, and positions and holds the substrate 103 on a mounting stage set for performing component mounting work.

[0020] The component supply unit 80 is detachably mounted to a supply unit mounting portion (not shown) of the base 101, which is the main body of the component mounting apparatus 100. More specifically, the cart 70 (see FIG. 2) that constitutes the component supply unit 80 is mounted to the supply unit mounting portion. In this embodiment, the supply unit mounting portions are provided on both sides of the board transport mechanism 102, and the component supply unit 80 is also arranged on both sides of the board transport mechanism 102. In each component supply unit 80, a plurality of feeders 20 can be arranged in parallel along the Y axis, and at least one feeder 20 is mounted in parallel.

[0021] The feeder 20 disposed in the component supply unit 80 supplies components to a pick-up position by the mounting head 107 of the component mounting mechanism 108 .

[0022] An X-axis moving table 105 equipped with a linear drive mechanism is disposed in the X-axis direction at the end in the Y-axis minus direction on the upper surface of the base 101, and two Y-axis moving tables 106, similarly equipped with linear drive mechanisms, are coupled to the X-axis moving table 105 so as to be movable in the X-axis direction. A mounting head 107 is attached to each of the two Y-axis moving tables 106 so as to be movable in the Y-axis direction.

[0023] The mounting head 107 places (mounts) components held by the feeders 20 arranged in the component supply unit 80 onto the board 103. The mounting head 107 mounts the components on the board 103 based on, for example, a determination result of whether the components are correct or not using tag information in the feeder control unit 50 (see FIG. 2 ). The determination result may be, but is not limited to, a determination result indicating whether information (identification information) indicating the type of components accommodated in the container 10 is correct or not, a determination result regarding the remaining number of components, a determination result regarding whether the arrangement of the container 10 in the component supply unit 80 is correct or not, etc.

[0024] The mounting head 107 is equipped with component suction nozzles (not shown) that can individually lift and lower and pick up and hold components. The mounting head 107 is equipped with a Z-axis lifting mechanism that lifts and lowers the component suction nozzles and a θ-axis rotation mechanism that rotates the component suction nozzles around the nozzle axis.

[0025] The mounting heads 107 move in the X-axis and Y-axis directions by driving the X-axis moving table 105 and the Y-axis moving table 106. As a result, the two mounting heads 107 use their component suction nozzles to pick up components from pick-up positions on feeders 20 arranged in the corresponding component supply units 80. The board transport mechanism 102, the X-axis moving table 105, the Y-axis moving table 106, and the mounting heads 107 form a component mounting mechanism 108.

[0026] Component recognition cameras 110 are disposed between each of the upper and lower (positive and negative X-axis) component supply units 80 and the board transport mechanism 102. When the mounting head 107, which has picked up a component from the feeder 20 arranged in the component supply unit 80, moves above the component recognition cameras 110, the component recognition cameras 110 capture an image of the component held by the mounting head 107. The captured image is processed by image recognition in a processing unit (not shown), thereby identifying the component and detecting its position.

[0027] The mounting heads 107 are equipped with board recognition cameras 109 that are positioned below the Y-axis moving table 106 and move integrally with the mounting heads 107. As the mounting heads 107 move, the board recognition cameras 109 move above the boards 103 positioned by the board transport mechanism 102 and capture images of the boards 103. The image capture results are similarly recognized and processed by the image recognition processing unit, thereby detecting the position of the boards 103.

[0028] The power supply unit supplies power to each functional unit of the component mounting device 100. The power supply unit supplies power to, for example, a component supply unit 80 arranged on the board transport mechanism 102. When the component supply unit 80 is mounted on the base 101, the power supply unit is electrically connected to each functional unit (e.g., a reading device 30, a reading control unit 40, etc., which will be described later) of the component supply unit 80, and supplies power to each functional unit of the component supply unit 80.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the component supply unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the component supply unit 80 according to this embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 , the component supply unit 80 includes a carriage 70 having a holder (not shown), a feeder 20 held by the holder, and a container 10 detachably attached to the feeder 20. The holder is configured to hold multiple feeders 20 along the Y-axis direction. The holder can hold multiple pairs of feeders 20 and containers 10. Note that "detachable" means that one component (e.g., container 10) can be removed and attached to the other component (feeder 20) without destroying the two components (e.g., container 10 and feeder 20) and without using fastening members such as screws. The holder may also detachably hold the feeder 20.

[0031] The rack 10 is a container for storing components, such as a bulk case for storing chip components in a loose state (for storing bulk components) or a taping case for storing components wrapped around a carrier tape. Each rack 10 is affixed (e.g., attached) with an RF tag T equipped with an RFID chip (an integrated circuit (IC) chip I shown in FIG. 4 , described later). The RF tag T includes information about the components stored in the rack 10, such as an EPC (Electronic Product Code) stored in the memory of the RFID chip having the RF tag T, and / or information indicating the type of component (identification information), the quantity (remaining number) of components, information indicating the expiration date of the components, and information indicating the placement position of the rack 10 in the feeder 20. Hereinafter, information about the components stored in the rack 10 will also be referred to as tag information.

[0032] The components housed in the housing 10 are components to be mounted on the substrate 103. The components are, for example, electronic components such as resistors and capacitors, but are not limited thereto, and may be any components that can be mounted on the substrate 103.

[0033] The feeder 20 is a device that conveys parts by, for example, vibration or an intermittent feeding mechanism. In this embodiment, the feeder 20 is described as conveying parts by vibration. However, the feeder 20 may also convey parts by, for example, air supply, magnetic force, a conveyor, etc.

[0034] The feeder 20 includes a reading device 30, a reading control unit 40, a feeder control unit 50, a vibration generating unit 60, and an antenna A. The antenna A and the reading device 30, the reading device 30 and the reading control unit 40, and the reading control unit 40 and the feeder control unit 50 communicate with each other via wired communication, and the antenna A and the RF tag T communicate with each other via wireless communication.

[0035] The reading device 30 is a device for reading tag information from an RF tag T via an antenna A. The reading device 30 is, for example, connected to the antenna A, and performs control for reading tag information from an RF tag T of a container 10 attached to a feeder 20 in which the reading device 30 is built. The reading device 30 is configured to include, for example, a reader / writer module. The reading device 30 is built into each of a plurality of feeders 20 held on a single cart 70. For example, the same number of reading devices 30 as the number of feeders 20 are attached to the component supply unit 80 via the feeders 20. Furthermore, when the feeders 20 are detachably held on the cart 70, the reading devices 30 can be attached to and detached from the cart 70 in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the feeders 20.

[0036] In the following, reading tag information from the RF tag T will also be described as obtaining tag information, reading the RF tag T, etc.

[0037] The reading control unit 40 controls the reading of tag information by the reading device 30 based on the control of the feeder control unit 50. The reading control unit 40 controls the on / off of the reading operation of the reading device 30. The reading control unit 40 also has a function of transferring the acquired tag information to the feeder control unit 50, and outputs the tag information acquired via the reading device 30 to the feeder control unit 50.

[0038] The reading control unit 40 controls the reading device 30 to acquire tag information from the RF tag T, for example, before production begins or when the container 10 is replaced, but the timing of acquiring the tag information (reading timing) is not limited to this, and the reading device 30 may be controlled to acquire tag information from the RF tag T at predetermined time intervals.

[0039] The feeder control unit 50 is a control device that controls each component included in the feeder 20. The feeder control unit 50 controls the reading device 30 via the reading control unit 40 to acquire tag information stored in the RF tag T of the container 10. The feeder control unit 50 also controls the vibration generating unit 60 to perform a desired operation in accordance with the tag information. The feeder control unit 50, for example, uses the tag information to determine whether or not it is permitted to supply components, and controls the operation of the vibration generating unit 60 in accordance with the determination result.

[0040] When the component supply unit 80 is attached to the component mounting device 100, the vibration generating unit 60 vibrates a conveying unit (not shown) of the feeder 20 to convey the component to a desired position (for example, a position where the mounting head 107 picks up the component). The vibration of the vibration generating unit 60 is controlled by the feeder control unit 50.

[0041] Antenna A is an antenna that emits radio waves to communicate with RF tag T, and is connected to the reading device 30. Antenna A also receives signals from RF tag T. For example, when reading RF tag T, antenna A emits radio waves and receives a signal returned from the RFID chip possessed by RF tag T. The received signal is transmitted to feeder control unit 50 via reading device 30 and reading control unit 40. Antenna A may be a so-called patch antenna. Note that radio waves to communicate with RF tag T include radio waves for reading tag information from RF tag T. It can also be said that antenna A transmits and receives radio waves for RF tag reading.

[0042] The internal structure of the feeder 20 will now be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the component supply unit 80 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Fig. 3 shows the internal structures of the container 10 and the feeder 20 when the container 10 and the feeder 20 are cut along a YZ plane that passes through the RF tag T and the antenna A.

[0043] 3, the feeder 20 has a housing 21, and the reading device 30, the reading control unit 40, and the antenna A are housed in a space sandwiched by the housing 21. In each of the multiple feeders 20 attached to the cart 70, the reading device 30, the reading control unit 40, and the antenna A are housed in a space sandwiched by the housing 21. Note that in each of the multiple feeders 20, it is sufficient that at least the antenna A and the reading device 30 are disposed inside the housing 21. Although not shown, the feeder control unit 50 and the vibration generating unit 60 may also be housed in the space sandwiched by the housing 21.

[0044] The housing 21 is a box-shaped container that forms the outer shell of the feeder 20. The housing 21 is made of metal from the viewpoint of durability, etc. In other words, the housing 21 has radio wave shielding properties. The space enclosed by the housings 21 can also be said to be a small space surrounded by metal walls. Note that the housing 21 is not limited to being made of metal.

[0045] An opening 23, which is an example of a radio wave transparent portion that transmits radio waves, is formed in the housing 21 at a position facing the RF tag T, and the antenna A is disposed in the opening 23 so as to face the RF tag T. The size of the opening 23 may be determined based on the wavelength of the radio waves transmitted from the antenna A. The size of the opening 23 is, for example, about 50 mm in the X-axis direction and about 10 mm in the Y-axis direction, but is not limited to this. Note that while FIG. 3 shows an example in which the radio wave transparent portion is the opening 23, the radio wave transparent portion is not limited to the opening 23 and may be realized by a radio wave transparent member that protects the antenna A or prevents foreign matter from entering the feeder 20.

[0046] An opening may also be formed in the housing 10 at a position facing the opening 23. The size of the opening formed in the housing 10 in a plan view may be the same as the size of the opening 23. An RF tag T is placed in the opening formed in the housing 10.

[0047] The reading device 30 includes a substrate 31 and a reading unit 32. In the example of Fig. 3, a reading control unit 40 is further mounted on the substrate 31.

[0048] The substrate 31 is a plate-shaped member (mounting substrate) on which the reading unit 32 and the reading control unit 40 are mounted. The reading unit 32 and the reading control unit 40 are mounted on the main surface of the substrate 31 that is farther from the housing 21 (in the example of FIG. 3 , the main surface on the positive side of the Y axis). In addition, the substrate 31 also has mounted thereon a terminal portion (for example, a female terminal portion) to which the connector 34 is connected.

[0049] The substrate 31 is fixed to the housing 21 via the fixing portion 22. In this embodiment, the substrate 31 is fixed by the fixing portion 22 so that the substrate 31 faces the housing 21 (for example, so that the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the substrate 31 is parallel to the housing 21). Note that the fixing portion 22 may be any member as long as it can fix the substrate 31 at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the housing 21, and the shape, number, material, etc. of the fixing portion 22 are not particularly limited.

[0050] The length of the substrate 31 in the Z-axis direction is longer than the length of the antenna A in the Y-axis direction, but is not limited to this.

[0051] The reading unit 32 outputs a control signal that controls the radio waves emitted from the antenna. When reading tag information from the RF tag T, the reading unit 32 reads the tag information by emitting radio waves based on the control signal from the antenna A and receiving the signal returned from the RF tag T via the antenna A. Reading tag information from the RF tag T means obtaining a control signal for performing a reading operation from the reading control unit 40.

[0052] The cable 33 and the connectors 34 and 35 form a transmission path that connects the antenna A and the reader 30 (specifically, the board 31).

[0053] For example, a coaxial cable is used as the cable 33. A connector 34 is attached to one end of the cable 33, and a connector 35 is attached to the other end of the cable 33.

[0054] The connectors 34 and 35 are male connectors. For example, coaxial connectors such as SMA (Sub Miniature Type A) connectors are used as the connectors 34 and 35. In this embodiment, a low-profile SMA connector is used as the SMA connector. The low-profile SMA connector refers to a connector that can mate with terminal portions (e.g., female terminal portions) provided on the main surfaces of the substrate 31 and the antenna A when the cable 33 is horizontal with respect to the main surfaces of the substrate 31 and the antenna A. For example, the low-profile SMA connector is an SMA connector whose thickness from the main surfaces of the substrate 31 and the antenna A when the connectors 34 and 35 are mated with the terminal portions is 3 mm or less (e.g., approximately 2 mm to 3 mm). Each of the connectors 34 and 35 is configured in an elongated shape (see FIG. 6 ), and is connected so that the longitudinal direction is in the X-axis direction.

[0055] Antenna A is attached at an oblique angle to the reading device 30 (specifically, the substrate 31) in a cross-sectional view of the feeder 20. In other words, antenna A is disposed at an angle to the extension direction of the reading device 30 (for example, the extension direction of the substrate 31, i.e., the Z-axis direction) in a cross-sectional view. If the angle formed between antenna A and the reading device 30 is θ1, then in the example of FIG. 3, angle θ1 is 90 degrees. In this embodiment, angle θ1 is an angle greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees.

[0056] As described above, by incorporating the reader 30 into the feeder 20, the reader 30 can acquire tag information by performing wireless communication between the reader 30 and the RF tag T only once. Furthermore, by arranging the antenna A and the RF tag T facing each other, the distance between the antenna A and the RF tag T can be reduced. This makes it possible to reduce the strength of the radio waves emitted from the antenna A (reducing power). For example, it may be possible to use a reader 30 whose maximum output is below the level at which official notification is required. In other words, tag information from the RF tag T can be acquired using a reader 30 that does not require official notification when used.

[0057] Here, the RF tag T, the antenna A, the cable 33, and the connectors 34 and 35 will be described. First, the RF tag T will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the RF tag T according to this embodiment.

[0058] 4, the RF tag T has a substrate T1 having an IC chip I and an antenna pattern m1. The IC chip I and the antenna pattern m1 are provided, for example, on the main surface of the substrate T1 on the antenna A side (the main surface on the negative side of the Z axis).

[0059] The IC chip I is a component provided on the substrate T1 and is an RFIC chip capable of wireless communication with the reader 30. The IC chip I is configured to communicate at a communication frequency in the UHF band (e.g., 920 MHz), for example. The memory of the IC chip I stores multi-bit data or information (tag information) about the components housed in the housing 10.

[0060] The antenna pattern m1 is a meandering conductor pattern (meander-shaped conductor pattern) formed to sandwich the IC chip I and connected to the IC chip I. The antenna pattern m1 has a square wave shape, with the Y-axis direction being the amplitude direction of the square wave and the X-axis direction being the period (pitch) of the square wave, and extends along the X-axis direction with the same repeating period. Because the antenna pattern m1 has the above shape, radio waves with high electric field strength are emitted in the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the substrate T1. The polarization of the RF tag T is in the same direction (X-axis direction) as the extension direction of the antenna pattern m1. Note that the antenna A and the RF tag T are arranged so that the polarization of the antenna A and the polarization of the RF tag T coincide in a planar view.

[0061] When UHF radio waves are emitted from the antenna A, the RF tag T is driven by the radio waves as energy and transmits a signal indicating the information stored in the IC chip I to the antenna A.

[0062] The IC chip I is not limited to being configured to communicate at a communication frequency in the UHF band.

[0063] The length L1 of the RF tag T in the Y-axis direction is determined, for example, based on the width of the space inside the feeder 20 (the length in the Y-axis direction). The length L1 of the RF tag T is, for example, the same as the length L1 of the antenna A, but is not limited to this. The length L2 of the RF tag T in the X-axis direction is determined, for example, based on the length of the opening 23 of the feeder 20 (the length in the X-axis direction). The length L2 of the RF tag T is, for example, the same as the length L2 of the antenna A. The shape of the RF tag T in a plan view is rectangular, but is not limited to this. For example, the RF tag T and the antenna A may be the same size.

[0064] Next, the configuration of the antenna A will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the antenna A according to this embodiment.

[0065] 5, the antenna A has a substrate A1 having a terminal portion n and an antenna pattern m2. The terminal portion n is provided, for example, on the main surface of the substrate A1 opposite to the RF tag T (the surface on the negative side of the Z axis), and the antenna pattern m2 is provided, for example, on the main surface of the substrate A1 facing the RF tag T (the surface on the positive side of the Z axis).

[0066] Terminal portion n is provided, for example, at the center of substrate A1. Terminal portion n is, for example, a female terminal portion, and terminal portion 35b of connector 35 is fitted thereto. Antenna pattern m2 is a meandering conductor pattern formed to sandwich terminal portion n and connected to terminal portion n. Antenna pattern m2 has a square wave shape, with the Y-axis direction being the amplitude direction of the square wave and the X-axis direction being the period (pitch) of the square wave, and extends along the X-axis with the same repeating period. By having the above-mentioned shape, antenna pattern m2 can emit radio waves with high electric field strength in directions perpendicular to substrate A1 (e.g., in the Y-axis and Z-axis directions for antenna A alone). The polarization of antenna A is in the same direction (X-axis direction) as the extension direction of antenna pattern m2.

[0067] The length L1 of antenna A in the Y-axis direction is determined, for example, based on the width (length in the Y-axis direction) of the space inside feeder 20. The length L2 of antenna A in the X-axis direction is determined, for example, based on the length (length in the X-axis direction) of opening 23 of feeder 20. The shape of antenna A in a plan view is rectangular, but is not limited to this.

[0068] Next, the configuration of the cable 33 and the connectors 34, 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an assembly angle of the cable 33 and the connectors 34, 35 according to this embodiment. The assembly angle refers to the angle of the connectors 34 and 35 assembled to both ends of the cable 33 when the cable 33 is not twisted in the circumferential direction. Although the cable 33 shown in FIG. 6 is shown as bent, it is assumed that no twist has occurred in the circumferential direction. Note that no twist has occurred refers to a natural state in which the cable 33 is not rotating around the longitudinal direction of the cable 33 as an axis of rotation due to an external force in the circumferential direction of the cable 33, for example.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 6, a connector 34 is attached to one end of the cable 33, and a connector 35 is attached to the other end of the cable 33.

[0070] The connector 34 has a flat main body 34a to which one end of the cable 33 is attached, and a terminal 34b (for example, a male terminal, an example of a first terminal) that is connected to a terminal (for example, a female terminal, not shown) attached to the substrate 31. The connector 34 has a pair of main surfaces 34a1 of the main body 34a that are arranged vertically relative to the paper surface, and the terminal 34b protrudes downward relative to the paper surface.

[0071] The connector 35 has a flat body 35a to which the other end of the cable 33 is attached, and a terminal 35b (e.g., a male terminal, an example of a second terminal) that is connected to a terminal n attached to the antenna A. The connector 35 has a pair of main surfaces 35a1 of the body 35a that are arranged in the left-right direction with respect to the paper surface, and the terminal 35b protrudes toward the left side of the paper surface.

[0072] In this way, the connectors 34 and 35 are attached to the cable 33 so that they face in different directions. If the perpendicular line to the principal surface 34a1 on which the terminal portion 34b is provided is denoted by v1, the perpendicular line to the principal surface 35a1 on which the terminal portion 35b is provided is denoted by v2, and the angle between the perpendicular line v1 and the perpendicular line v2 is denoted by θ2, then the angle θ2 is, for example, 90 degrees. Note that the angle θ2 may be any angle as long as it is greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees.

[0073] Furthermore, the assembly angle (angle θ2) of the connectors 34 and 35 at both ends of the cable 33 may be determined according to the relative angle (angle θ1) between the substrate 31 and the antenna A. From the viewpoint of preventing twisting of the cable 33 when the connectors 34 and 35 are fitted to the corresponding terminal portions, the angle θ2 is preferably the same as the angle θ1. In other words, when the cable 33 is not twisted in the circumferential direction, the angle (corresponding to the angle θ2 shown in FIG. 6 ) formed between the first orientation of the terminal portion 34 b (e.g., the downward orientation on the paper surface shown in FIG. 6 ) and the second orientation of the terminal portion 35 b (e.g., the leftward orientation on the paper surface shown in FIG. 6 ) should be the same as the angle θ1 formed between the antenna A and the extension direction of the reading device 30.

[0074] It can also be said that the connectors 34 and 35 have a twisted relationship, which means that the terminal portions 34b and 35b protrude in different directions (e.g., a first direction and a second direction) from each other.

[0075] By configuring as shown in Figure 6, even if the distance between the terminal portion n provided on the antenna A and the terminal portion provided on the substrate 31 is short, it is possible to prevent twisting of the cable 33.

[0076] [2. Effects, etc.] As described above, feeder 20 according to this embodiment is a feeder to which container 10 for containing components is detachably attached, and which is attached to component supply unit 80 that supplies components to component mounting device 100 that mounts components on board 103 (an example of a target object). RF tag T is disposed in container 10. Feeder 20 includes housing 21 having opening 23 (an example of a radio wave transparent portion) at a position facing RF tag T, antenna A that radiates radio waves to communicate with RF tag T, and reader 30 that reads tag information (an example of information) of RF tag T via antenna A. Antenna A and reader 30 are disposed within housing 21.

[0077] For example, if the reading device 30 is disposed outside the feeder 20, a routing area for a cable connecting the feeder 20 and the reading device 30 is required within the component supply unit 80, making it difficult to reduce the size of the component supply unit 80. On the other hand, in the feeder 20 according to this embodiment, the reading device 30 is disposed inside the feeder 20, so such a routing cable is not necessary, and the component supply unit 80 can be reduced in size.

[0078] The antenna A is disposed in the housing 21 so as to face the RF tag T.

[0079] This allows the antenna A to be closer to the RF tag T, improving the sensitivity of reading tag information. In other words, the feeder 20 makes it possible to reduce the size of the component supply unit 80 while improving the sensitivity of reading tag information. Furthermore, it becomes possible to use a device as the reader 30 whose maximum output is below the level that requires official notification, eliminating the need for official notification when installing the reader 30 and improving installation convenience.

[0080] In addition, in a cross-sectional view, the antenna A is disposed at an angle with respect to the extension direction (Z-axis direction) of the reading device 30. For example, the antenna A is disposed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the extension direction of the reading device 30 in a cross-sectional view.

[0081] This allows the length of the feeder 20 in the Z-axis direction to be reduced, thereby enabling the miniaturization of the feeder 20. By reducing the size of the feeder 20 itself, the component supply unit 80 can be further reduced in size.

[0082] Furthermore, the antenna A and the reader 30 are connected by a cable 33, and a connector 34 (an example of a first connector) having a terminal portion 34b (an example of a first terminal portion) is assembled to one end of the cable 33, and a connector 35 (an example of a second connector) having a terminal portion 35b (an example of a second terminal portion) is assembled to the other end of the cable 33. When the cable 33 is not twisted in the circumferential direction, the angle (corresponding to the angle θ2 shown in FIG. 6 ) formed between the first orientation of the terminal portion 34b (e.g., the downward orientation on the paper surface shown in FIG. 6 ) and the second orientation of the terminal portion 35b (e.g., the left orientation on the paper surface shown in FIG. 6 ) coincides with the angle θ1 formed between the antenna A and the extension direction of the reader 30.

[0083] This reduces the load on the connectors 34 and 35 caused by twisting of the cable 33 during installation, thereby improving durability.

[0084] The container 10 is a bulk case that stores components in a bulk state or a taping case that stores components wrapped with carrier tape.

[0085] This allows the feeder 20 that holds the bulk container or the taping container to be made smaller.

[0086] As described above, the component supply unit 80 includes the feeder 20 and the container 10 attached to the feeder 20 .

[0087] This allows the component supply unit 80 to be made compact.

[0088] The component supply unit 80 also includes a plurality of pairs of feeders 20 and containers 10 , and in each of the plurality of feeders 20 , an antenna A and a reading device 30 are disposed within the housing 21 .

[0089] This eliminates the need for areas for routing multiple cables compared to when only one reading device 30 is provided for multiple feeders 20, and allows the component supply unit 80 to be effectively made smaller.

[0090] (First Variation of the Embodiment) In the embodiment, an example in which the antenna A and the substrate 31 are connected using the cable 33 has been described. However, in this variation, an example in which an L-shaped connector is used for connection instead of the cable 33 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a component supply unit 80 according to this variation. Specifically, Fig. 7 shows the internal structure of the container 10 and the feeder 20 when the container 10 and the feeder 20 are cut along the YZ plane that passes through the RF tag T and the antenna A. In this variation, the angle θ1 is 90 degrees.

[0091] 7, the antenna A and the substrate 31 may be connected using an L-shaped connector 36. The L-shaped connector 36 is fixed to the substrate 31 and attached to the antenna A via a connector 35. The L-shaped connector 36 is a connector having an L-shaped cross section. For example, a commercially available product may be used as the L-shaped connector 36.

[0092] As described above, in the feeder 20 according to this modified example, the antenna A and the reading device 30 (for example, the substrate 31) are connected by the L-shaped connector 36.

[0093] This eliminates the need for a cable (e.g., a coaxial cable) to connect the antenna A and the reading device 30, thereby reducing costs, and also allows the substrate 31 and the antenna A to be placed close to each other, making it possible to realize an inexpensive and compact feeder 20.

[0094] (Second Modification of the Embodiment) In the embodiment, an example in which the antenna A is arranged so as to face the RF tag T has been described, but in this modification, an example in which the antenna A is arranged so as to intersect with the RF tag T will be described with reference to Figs. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a component supply unit 80 according to this modification. Specifically, Fig. 8 shows the internal structure of the container 10 and the feeder 20 when the container 10 and the feeder 20 are cut along a YZ plane that passes through the RF tag T and the antenna A.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 8 , in this modification, antenna A is disposed within housing 21 such that, in a cross-sectional view, an imaginary line extending from antenna A intersects with RF tag T. If the angle between the imaginary line extending from antenna A and RF tag T is θ3, angle θ3 is, for example, 90 degrees. It can also be said that antenna A is fixed parallel to substrate 31. Note that antenna A only needs to be attached at an angle inclined relative to RF tag T in a cross-sectional view, and angle θ3 is not limited to 90 degrees. Angle θ3 may be any angle greater than 0 degrees and equal to or less than 90 degrees. Furthermore, in this modification, angle θ1 is defined as the angle between a perpendicular line to the principal surface of antenna A on the negative Y-axis side and a perpendicular line to the principal surface of substrate 31 on the positive Y-axis side, and is, for example, an angle equal to or less than 180 degrees.

[0096] Antenna A is disposed between the RF tag T and the reader 30 inside the housing 21 so that the short side direction is parallel to the Z-axis direction. Antenna A is disposed so as to be capable of electric field coupling with the RF tag T. Antenna A is fixed to the housing 21 by a fixing part 24 that is longer in the Y-axis direction than fixing part 22. Antenna A is disposed, for example, closer to the center of the housing 21 in the Y-axis direction than the substrate 31.

[0097] Such antenna A transmits radio waves from the reading unit 32 to the RF tag T, and transmits radio waves received from the RF tag T to the reading unit 32. By arranging antenna A parallel to the Z axis, radio waves can be more reliably transmitted even when the opening 23 is small and it is difficult for the radio waves to penetrate into the interior of the housing 21. In other words, by arranging antenna A parallel to the Z axis, it is more reliably possible to read the RF tag T when the opening 23 is small. Furthermore, since the length of the feeder 20 in the Y-axis direction can be reduced, the feeder 20 can be made even more compact.

[0098] Next, the assembly angle of the cable 33 and the connectors 34, 35 used in this modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the assembly angle of the cable 33 and the connectors 34, 35 according to this modified example.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 9, the connector 34 has a main surface 34a1 of the main body 34a arranged in the left-right direction relative to the paper surface, and the terminal portion 34b protrudes toward the right side of the paper surface, while the connector 35 has a main surface 35a1 of the main body 35a arranged in the left-right direction relative to the paper surface, and the terminal portion 35b protrudes toward the left side of the paper surface.

[0100] In this way, the cable 33 and the connectors 34 and 35 are assembled so that the connectors 34 and 35 are parallel to each other and face in different directions. Let v1 be the perpendicular to the principal surface 34a1 on which the terminal portion 34b is provided, v2 be the perpendicular to the principal surface 35a1 on which the terminal portion 35b is provided, and θ2 be the angle between the perpendiculars v1 and v2. The angle θ2 is, for example, 180 degrees. In other words, when the connector 34 is rotated 180 degrees around an imaginary line parallel to the short side of the principal surface 34a1 as the rotation axis, the connector 34 will be assembled in the same orientation as the connector 35.

[0101] In order to prevent twisting of the cable 33 when the connectors 34 and 35 are connected to the corresponding terminal portions, it is preferable that the angle θ2 be the same as the angle θ1. In this embodiment, the angles θ1 and θ2 are 180 degrees.

[0102] By assembling the cable 33 shown in Figure 9 with the connectors 34 and 35, even if the antenna A and the board 31 are placed inside the housing 21 as shown in Figure 8, the cable 33 can connect the antenna A and the board 31 while preventing twisting.

[0103] As described above, the antenna A according to this modification is arranged parallel to the reader 30 (for example, the substrate 31) and so that the RF tag T and an imaginary line extending from the antenna A intersect.

[0104] This allows the width (length in the Y-axis direction) of the housing 21 to be reduced, making it possible to make the feeder 20 smaller.

[0105] (Third Modification of the Embodiment) In the above embodiment, an example in which the antenna and the reading device are separate has been described, but the antenna and the reading device may be integrated. In this modification, a feeder in which the antenna and the reading device are integrated will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a component supply unit according to this modification. (a) of FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the housing 10 and the feeder 20 when the housing 10 and the feeder 20 are cut along the YZ plane passing through the RF tag T and the antenna A. (b) of FIG. 10 is a plan view of the substrate 31 as viewed from the positive side of the Y axis.

[0106] 10(a) and 10(b), in this modification, the antenna A, the reading unit 32, and the reading control unit 40 are arranged on the same main surface 31a of the substrate 31. In this case, the antenna A is formed on the main surface 31a of the substrate 31 as a meandering conductor pattern (a meander-shaped conductor pattern). The antenna A and the reading unit 32 are connected by wiring 31b formed on the main surface 31a of the substrate 31. In other words, the antenna A and the reading unit 32 are connected without using connecting members such as a cable or connector. The wiring 31b has a characteristic impedance of, for example, about 50Ω.

[0107] The area on the substrate 31 where the antenna A and the reading unit 32 are arranged is an area having certain characteristics. For example, having certain characteristics means that the electrical characteristics of the area on the substrate 31 where the antenna A and the reading unit 32 are arranged are equal.

[0108] As described above, in the feeder 20 according to this modified example, the reading device 30 includes a substrate 31 and a reading unit 32 arranged on the main surface of the substrate 31, and the antenna A is arranged on the main surface 31a of the substrate 31.

[0109] This allows the antenna A and the reading unit 32 to be connected without using a connector or cable, which makes it possible to reduce costs, make the feeder 20 smaller, and improve resistance to vibration.

[0110] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments.

[0111] For example, in the above-described embodiments, a substrate is given as an example of an object, but the object is not limited to being a substrate. The object may be an object other than a substrate on which a component can be mounted. For example, the object may be a component. The component mounting device may be a device for mounting another component on a component.

[0112] Furthermore, although the above embodiments and the like have been described as examples in which a low-profile SMA connector is used as the SMA connector, a high-profile SMA connector may also be used. A high-profile SMA connector means a connector that can be mated with the cable in a state in which it is perpendicular to the main surfaces of the board and antenna, and may be, for example, an SMA connector whose thickness from the main surfaces of the board and antenna when the connector and terminal portion (female terminal portion) are mated is greater than 3 mm.

[0113] Furthermore, the general or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0114] The division of functional blocks in the block diagram is an example, and multiple functional blocks may be realized as a single functional block, one functional block may be divided into multiple blocks, or some functions may be moved to another functional block.Furthermore, the functions of multiple functional blocks having similar functions may be processed in parallel or in time-sharing by a single piece of hardware or software.

[0115] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, each component of the feeder and the component mounting device may be configured with dedicated hardware or may be realized by executing a software program suitable for each component. Each component may be realized by a program execution unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a processor reading and executing a software program recorded on a recording medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. Furthermore, for example, each component may be a circuit (or integrated circuit). These circuits may form a single circuit as a whole, or each may be a separate circuit. Furthermore, each of these circuits may be a general-purpose circuit or a dedicated circuit.

[0116] In addition, the present disclosure also includes forms obtained by applying various modifications to the above-described embodiments that a person skilled in the art would conceive, or forms realized by arbitrarily combining the components and functions of each embodiment within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0117] The present disclosure is applicable to feeders and the like for supplying components to be mounted on an object.

[0118] 10 Container 20 Feeder 21 Housing 22, 24 Fixing portion 23 Opening (radio wave transmitting portion) 30 Reading device 31, 103, A1, T1 Board 31a, 34a1, 35a1 Main surface 31b Wiring 32 Reading portion 33 Cable 34, 35 Connector 34a, 35a Main body portion 34b, 35b, n Terminal portion 36 L-shaped connector 40 Reading control portion 50 Feeder control portion 60 Vibration generating portion 70 Cart 80 Component supply unit 100 Component mounting device (mounting system) 101 Base 102 Board transport mechanism 105 X-axis moving table 106 Y-axis moving table 107 Mounting head 108 Component mounting mechanism 109 Board recognition camera 110 Component recognition camera A Antenna I IC chip L1, L2 Length m1, m2 Antenna pattern T RF tag v1, v2 Perpendicular θ1, θ2, θ3 Angle

Claims

1. A feeder to which a container for containing components is removably attached, the feeder being attached to a component supplying unit that supplies components to a component mounting device that mounts the components on an object, the feeder comprising: An RF tag is disposed in the container, a housing having a radio wave transparent portion at a position facing the RF tag; an antenna that emits radio waves to communicate with the RF tag; a reader for reading information from the RF tag via the antenna, The antenna and the reader are disposed within the housing. feeder.

2. The antenna is disposed in the housing so as to face the RF tag.

2. The feeder of claim 1.

3. The antenna is disposed at an angle with respect to an extending direction of the reader in a cross-sectional view of the feeder.

3. A feeder according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The antenna is disposed at an angle of 90 degrees to the extension direction of the reader in the cross-sectional view.

4. The feeder of claim 3.

5. the antenna and the reader are connected by a cable; A first connector having a first terminal portion is attached to one end of the cable, a second connector having a second terminal portion is attached to the other end of the cable; an angle between a first orientation of the first terminal portion and a second orientation of the second terminal portion coincides with an angle between the antenna and the extension direction of the reader when the cable is not twisted in a circumferential direction; 4. The feeder of claim 3.

6. The antenna and the reader are connected by an L-shaped connector.

5. The feeder of claim 4.

7. The container is a bulk case that contains the components in a bulk state or a taping case that contains the components in a state where a carrier tape that holds the components is wound around the components.

3. A feeder according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The reading device includes a substrate and a reading unit disposed on a main surface of the substrate; The antenna is disposed on the main surface of the substrate.

2. The feeder of claim 1.

9. A feeder according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 8; and a container attached to the feeder. Parts supply unit.

10. A plurality of pairs of the feeder and the container are provided, In each of the plurality of feeders, the antenna and the reader are disposed within the housing.

10. The component supply unit according to claim 9.