Tape guide and feeder

Abstract

In order to appropriately perform ejection driving of a cover tape, this tape guide comprises: a guide body; a cutter that is provided to the guide body and that detaches a cover tape from a base tape of a carrier tape; a sprocket that is rotatable with respect to the guide body, that engages with feed holes of the carrier tape, and that rotates in synchronization with conveyance of the carrier tape; a first gear that is rotatable with respect to the guide body, and that rotates in association with the rotation of the sprocket; a second gear that is rotatable with respect to the guide body, that meshes with the first gear, that rotates following the rotation of the first gear, and that, together with the first gear, sandwiches the cover tape; and a pressing mechanism that presses the first or second gear in a sandwiching direction in which the first and second gears sandwich the cover tape.

Description

Tape guides and feeders

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to tape guides and feeders.

[0002] Conventionally, feeders that feed and convey a carrier tape that stores components are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). The feeders described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 include a peeling unit that peels a cover tape from a base tape of the carrier tape, and two gears that sandwich the cover tape that has been peeled from the base tape and deviated from the tape conveyance direction of the base tape.

[0003] The two gears are rotatably supported on the feeder body and mesh with each other. One gear rotates as the carrier tape is fed, and the other gear rotates following the rotation of the first gear. This gear structure allows the cover tape peeled from the base tape to be discharged to a recovery space or outside the feeder without using a motor drive source separate from the motor drive source that feeds and transports the carrier tape.

[0004] Special Publication No. 2005-539370 Publication Patent No. 2808844

[0005] However, in the above-described feeder gear structure, although the two gears mesh with each other, the positions of the rotation axes of the two gears are fixed, and it is not assumed that the distance between the axes will change. Therefore, in a feeder with such a gear structure with fixed axes, the force with which the two gears clamp the cover tape may be excessive or insufficient depending on the thickness of the cover tape, which may prevent the cover tape from being properly driven for discharge.

[0006] The present specification aims to provide a tape guide and a feeder that can appropriately drive the discharge of the cover tape.

[0007] This specification discloses a tape guide comprising: a guide body; a cutter provided on the guide body for peeling off a cover tape from a base tape of a carrier tape; a sprocket rotatable relative to the guide body and engaging with a feed hole in the carrier tape to rotate in synchronization with the transport of the carrier tape; a first gear rotatable relative to the guide body and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the sprocket; a second gear rotatable relative to the guide body, meshing with the first gear, rotating following the rotation of the first gear, and sandwiching the cover tape between the first gear and the second gear; and a pressing mechanism for pressing the first gear or the second gear in a clamping direction in which the first gear and the second gear sandwich the cover tape.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the cover tape can be appropriately driven for ejection.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a feeder setting table of a component mounting machine on which a feeder equipped with a tape guide according to an embodiment is set; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a carrier tape; FIG. 3 is a side view of a feeder equipped with a tape guide according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a tape guide according to an embodiment; FIG. 5 is a side view of a tape guide according to an embodiment; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a tape guide according to an embodiment when cut along the tape feed direction (in an initial state of separation where the cover tape has been peeled from the base tape of the carrier tape); FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tape guide according to an embodiment when cut along the tape feed direction (in a state after separation has progressed where the cover tape has been peeled from the base tape of the carrier tape).

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of a tape guide and a feeder according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0011] 1. Configuration of the component mounting machine where the feeder is set The feeder 20 according to one embodiment is a device that supplies components to be mounted on a board to a component supply position S (see FIG. 4). The feeder 20 is removably incorporated into the component mounting machine 1. The component mounting machine 1 is installed on a board production line, and picks up or grasps components at the component supply position S and transfers them to the board.

[0012] The component mounting machine 1 includes a feeder setting table 10. The feeder setting table 10 is a table on which a plurality of feeders 20 are set. As shown in FIG. 1 , the feeder setting table 10 has slots 11. The slots 11 are gaps into which the feeders 20 are detachably inserted. The slots 11 are shaped to support the feeders 20 in a vertical position. A plurality of slots 11 are arranged side by side on the feeder setting table 10. The number of slots 11 on the feeder setting table 10 is, for example, 20.

[0013] 1, the feeder set table 10 has clamp grooves 12 for fitting the feeders 20 and connectors 13 for connecting the power lines and signal lines of the feeders 20, corresponding to each slot 11. The feeder set table 10 also has a tape outlet 14 for discharging waste tape from the carrier tape 2 (see FIG. 2) that stores components.

[0014] The feeder 20 is capable of transporting the carrier tape 2. The components that the feeder 20 supplies are electronic components such as transistors, diodes, and resistors that make up electronic circuits. These components include, for example, microcomponents such as 0201 size (0.2 mm x 0.1 mm) and large components such as capacitors.

[0015] 2. Carrier Tape Configuration The carrier tape 2 is formed in a long strip. The carrier tape 2 generally has a predetermined tape width, such as 4 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, or 24 mm. As shown in FIG. 2 , the carrier tape 2 has a base tape 2a and a cover tape 2b. The base tape 2a has component storage sections 2c that store components arranged at predetermined intervals in the tape longitudinal direction. The cover tape 2b is a film-like member that covers a component removal opening 2d of the base tape 2a.

[0016] When the cover tape 2b is joined to the base tape 2a, the components are enclosed and stored in the component storage section 2c of the base tape 2a, and when the cover tape 2b is peeled off from the base tape 2a, the components are exposed from the component storage section 2c and can be removed to the outside. The carrier tape 2 may be an embossed tape in which the component storage section 2c of the base tape 2a protrudes downward, or may be a paper tape with grooved component storage sections 2c provided on its surface. The carrier tape 2 is wound around a disk-shaped tape reel.

[0017] The base tape 2a has feed holes 2e. The feed holes 2e are holes that engage with external teeth of a feed sprocket 84 or a manual sprocket 87, which will be described later. The feed holes 2e are provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tape. The intervals between the feed holes 2e correspond to the intervals between the component storage sections 2c, and are specifically set to an integer multiple (e.g., four times in FIG. 2) of the intervals between the component storage sections 2c.

[0018] 3. Feeder Configuration The feeder 20 is, for example, a cassette-type tape feeder that can store a tape reel around which the carrier tape 2 is wound. As shown in Figure 3, the feeder 20 includes a feeder main body 30, a tape guide 40, an auxiliary tape guide 60, and a drive unit 80.

[0019] The feeder body 30 is a main body member that forms a housing including the framework of the feeder 20 and an attachment portion that is attached to the slot 11 of the component mounting machine 1. The feeder body 30 is formed in a flat shape that is detachable from the slot 11 of the component mounting machine 1. The feeder body 30 may also have a reel storage section that detachably and rotatably stores a tape reel.

[0020] The feeder main body 30 has a transport path 31. The transport path 31 is a passage that transports and supports the carrier tape 2 pulled out from the tape reel. The transport path 31 contacts the underside of the carrier tape 2 and supports the carrier tape 2 from below. The transport path 31 extends along the tape transport direction X. Specifically, the transport path 31 has an inclined portion that slopes obliquely upward from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X, and a horizontal portion that connects to the downstream end of the inclined portion and extends horizontally. The transport path 31 supports the carrier tape 2 on the lower surface of the upper wall and the inner surfaces of the upright walls facing laterally on both sides in the tape width direction Y.

[0021] The tape guide 40 is a guide unit that guides the carrier tape 2 transported on the transport path 31. The tape guide 40 is disposed above the transport path 31 (specifically, its horizontal portion). The tape guide 40 faces a feed sprocket 84 (described later) of the drive unit 80, with the transport path 31 sandwiched between the tape guide 40 and the transport path 31. The carrier tape 2 is transported downstream in the tape transport direction X while being sandwiched between the tape guide 40 and the transport path 31.

[0022] The tape guide 40 is detachably attached to the front and upper side of the feeder body 30, which is downstream in the tape transport direction X. The tape guide 40 may be replaceable with respect to the feeder body 30 depending on the type of carrier tape 2 to be transported. The tape guide 40 is formed with a U-shaped cross section so that it can abut against the top and side surfaces of the carrier tape 2. The carrier tape 2 is guided by contacting the top wall and side walls of the tape guide 40 when transported in the tape transport direction X. The configuration of the tape guide 40 will be described in detail later.

[0023] The auxiliary tape guide 60 is a guide unit that guides the carrier tape 2 transported on the transport path 31. The auxiliary tape guide 60 is disposed above the transport path 31 (specifically, its inclined portion). The auxiliary tape guide 60 faces a manual sprocket 87 (described later) of the drive unit 80, with the transport path 31 sandwiched between it. The carrier tape 2 is transported toward the tape guide 40 downstream in the tape transport direction X while being sandwiched between the auxiliary tape guide 60 and the transport path 31.

[0024] The auxiliary tape guide 60 is detachably attached to the feeder main body 30 near the center in the tape transport direction X. The auxiliary tape guide 60 may be replaceable with respect to the feeder main body 30 depending on the type of carrier tape 2 to be transported. The auxiliary tape guide 60 is formed with a U-shaped cross section so that it can abut against the top and side surfaces of the carrier tape 2. When the carrier tape 2 is transported in the tape transport direction X, it is guided by contacting the top wall and side wall of the auxiliary tape guide 60 before being guided by the tape guide 40.

[0025] The drive unit 80 is a tape transport mechanism that applies a drive force to the carrier tape 2 for transporting the carrier tape 2. The drive unit 80 has an automatic drive unit 81 and a manual drive unit 86. The automatic drive unit 81 is a unit that uses the force generated by a drive motor as a drive force to transport the carrier tape 2. The manual drive unit 86 is a unit that uses the force generated by manual operation by an operator as the drive force to transport the carrier tape 2. Note that the manual drive unit 86 may be provided to guide the carrier tape 2 pulled out from the tape reel to the automatic drive unit 81 by manual operation by an operator.

[0026] The automatic drive unit 81 includes a drive source 82, a gear 83, and a feed sprocket 84. The drive source 82 is a drive motor such as an electric motor that generates the drive force. The feed sprocket 84 is a disk that transmits the drive force generated by the drive source 82 to the carrier tape 2. Preferably, the drive source 82 rotates the feed sprocket 84 only in the direction that feeds the carrier tape 2 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X. The gear 83 is a gear that meshes between the drive source 82 and the feed sprocket 84. The drive source 82, the gear 83, and the feed sprocket 84 are each supported by the feeder body 30. A plurality of gears 83 may be configured to mesh between the gear 82a of the drive source 82 and the gear 84a of the feed sprocket 84.

[0027] The automatic drive unit 81, i.e., the drive source 82, gear 83, and feed sprocket 84, are disposed below the conveying path 31 (specifically, the horizontal portion thereof) on the front side of the feeder body 30. The feed sprocket 84 has external teeth 84b as engaging protrusions provided at predetermined angular intervals around the circumference. The external tooth 84b located at the upper end of the external teeth 84b protrudes above the conveying path 31 and engages with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2 conveyed on the conveying path 31.

[0028] When the drive source 82 generates a driving force in the above-described engaged state, the driving force rotates the feed sprocket 84 via the gear 83. When this rotation occurs, the carrier tape 2 is fed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape feeding direction X. It is preferable that the feeding of the carrier tape 2 be performed intermittently at predetermined intervals.

[0029] The manual drive unit 86 has a manual sprocket 87 and a lever unit 88. The manual sprocket 87 is a disk that transmits driving force to the carrier tape 2. The lever unit 88 is a knob that allows an operator to manually rotate the manual sprocket 87. The lever unit 88 is provided on the side of the manual sprocket 87 so as to protrude in the tape width direction Y. The lever unit 88 extends radially through the axial center of the manual sprocket 87.

[0030] The manual drive unit 86, i.e., the manual sprocket 87, is disposed below the conveying path 31 (specifically, its inclined portion) in the center between the front and rear of the feeder body 30. The manual sprocket 87 has external teeth 87a as engaging protrusions provided at predetermined angular intervals around the circumference. The external teeth 87a located at the upper end of the external teeth 87a protrude above the conveying path 31 and engage with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2 on the conveying path 31.

[0031] In the engaged state, when the lever 88 is operated to rotate the manual sprocket 87 in a predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 3), the driving force generated by the operation rotates the manual sprocket 87. When this rotation occurs, the carrier tape 2 is fed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape feed direction X.

[0032] 4. Tape Guide Configuration The tape guide 40 guides the carrier tape 2 on the transport path 31, and during this guiding, peels the cover tape 2b from the base tape 2a of the carrier tape 2 and transports the peeled cover tape 2b along the recovery path. As shown in Figures 3 to 8, the tape guide 40 includes a guide body 41, a cutter 42, a sprocket 43, a first gear 44, a second gear 45, and a pressing mechanism 50.

[0033] The guide body 41 is a main body member that includes a framework of the tape guide 40 and an attachment portion that is attached to the feeder body 30 of the feeder 20. The guide body 41 is formed to have a U-shaped cross section and extend in the longitudinal direction. The guide body 41 has an upper wall portion 41a that extends like a plate, and side wall portions 41b, 41c that are connected to both ends of the upper wall portion 41a in the tape width direction Y. The carrier tape 2 is transported while being located below the upper wall portion 41a and inside the side wall portions 41b, 41c, surrounded by the upper wall portion 41a and the side wall portions 41b, 41c.

[0034] The guide body 41 has a first through hole 41d and a second through hole 41e that each penetrate the upper wall portion 41a. The first through hole 41d is provided near the center of the upper wall portion 41a in the tape feed direction X and is located upstream of the second through hole 41e in the tape feed direction X. The first through hole 41d is a hole for peeling the cover tape 2b from the base tape 2a of the carrier tape 2 and discharging the cover tape 2b. The second through hole 41e is located at the component supply position S. The second through hole 41e is a hole for exposing components stored in the component storage portion 2c of the base tape 2a from which the cover tape 2b has been peeled.

[0035] The cutter 42 is a portion that peels the cover tape 2b from the base tape 2a of the carrier tape 2. The cutter 42 is provided on the guide body 41 so as to face the first through-hole 41d. The cutter 42 extends from the downstream edge of the first through-hole 41d in the tape feed direction X toward the upstream side in the tape feed direction X. The cutter 42 may be positioned upstream in the tape feed direction X of the external teeth 84b located at the upper end of the feed sprocket 84.

[0036] The cutter 42 has a cutting edge 42a provided at the upstream end in the tape transport direction X. The cutting edge 42a enters between the base tape 2a and the cover tape 2b of the carrier tape 2 while the carrier tape 2 is being guided and its upward movement is restricted by the lower surface of the upper wall portion 41a of the guide body 41.

[0037] The sprocket 43 is a disk that rotates in synchronization with the transport of the carrier tape 2. The sprocket 43 is located near the center of the guide body 41 in the tape transport direction X and above the transport path 31 (specifically, its horizontal portion). The guide body 41 has support portions 41f that protrude upward from both end portions in the tape width direction Y of the upper surface of the upper wall portion 41a. The support portions 41f are located upstream of the first through-hole 41d in the tape transport direction X. The sprocket 43 is rotatably supported at the tip portions of the support portions 41f. The sprocket 43 is rotatable relative to the guide body 41.

[0038] The sprocket 43 has external teeth 43a as engaging protrusions provided at predetermined angular intervals in the circumferential direction. The external teeth 43a located at the lower end of the external teeth 43a protrude from above the conveying path 31 to below the conveying path 31 in the first through-hole 41d, and engage with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2 when the carrier tape 2 is conveyed on the conveying path 31 by rotation of the feed sprocket 84 or the manual sprocket 87.

[0039] The first gear 44 is a gear that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the sprocket 43. The first gear 44 is rotatable relative to the guide body 41. The first gear 44 is provided integrally with the sprocket 43. The first gear 44 has a rotation axis 44a that coincides with the rotation axis of the sprocket 43. The first gear 44 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the sprocket 43 when the external teeth 43a of the sprocket 43 engage with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2.

[0040] When the carrier tape 2 is transported on the transport path 31 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X (to the right in FIG. 6 ), the sprocket 43 and the first gear 44 rotate in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6 ) around the rotation shaft 44 a. When this rotation occurs, the cover tape 2 b peeled off from the base tape 2 a by the cutting edge 42 a of the cutter 42 comes into contact with the teeth of the first gear 44 and is wound up in the rotation direction.

[0041] The cutter 42 has a curved portion 42b that curves upward from the cutting edge 42a to the downstream side in the tape feed direction X. The curved portion 42b serves to guide the cover tape 2b that has been peeled off from the base tape 2a by the cutting edge 42a so that the cover tape 2b can easily come into contact with the teeth of the first gear 44.

[0042] The second gear 45 is a gear that rotates in response to the rotation of the first gear 44. The second gear 45 is radially opposed to the first gear 44 and meshes with the first gear 44. The second gear 45 is disposed downstream of the first gear 44 in the tape feed direction X. The cover tape 2b can be sandwiched between the second gear 45 and the first gear 44. The second gear 45 is rotatable relative to the guide body 41. The second gear 45 has a rotation axis 45a that is different from the rotation axis 44a of the first gear 44. The second gear 45 rotates in response to the rotation of the first gear 44.

[0043] When the carrier tape 2 is transported on the transport path 31 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape transport direction X (to the right in FIG. 6 ), the rotation of the first gear 44 in a predetermined direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 6 ) causes the second gear 45 to rotate in a predetermined direction (clockwise in FIG. 6 ) about the rotation axis 45 a. When this rotation of the second gear 45 occurs, the cover tape 2 b wound up by the rotation of the first gear 44 is further wound up while being sandwiched between the first gear 44 and the second gear 45. After being wound up, the cover tape 2 b is folded back from the downstream side to the upstream side in the tape transport direction X, guided to the recovery path, and discharged to the recovery space or outside the feeder 20.

[0044] The pressing mechanism 50 presses the second gear 45 in a clamping direction in which the first gear 44 and the second gear 45 clamp the cover tape 2b (specifically, a radial direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 45a and a direction intersecting the rotation axis 44a of the first gear 44). The pressing mechanism 50 can press the second gear 45 in the radial direction so as to bring the second gear 45 into close contact with the first gear 44. The pressing mechanism 50 has a gear bracket 51 and a biasing member 52.

[0045] The gear bracket 51 is a bracket that rotatably supports the second gear 45. The gear bracket 51 is movably supported by the guide main body 41. The guide main body 41 has a support portion 41g (see FIGS. 7 and 8) that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper wall portion 41a. The support portion 41g is located downstream in the tape feed direction X from the support portion 41f described above. The gear bracket 51 is rotatably supported by the support portion 41g of the guide main body 41. The rotation shaft 51a of the gear bracket 51 is provided at a position different from the rotation shaft 44a of the first gear 44 and the rotation shaft 45a of the second gear 45.

[0046] The gear bracket 51 is formed in a substantially L-shape. The gear bracket 51 has a first leg 51b and a second leg 51c that extend in two directions around the rotation shaft 51a. The first leg 51b extends obliquely upward from the rotation shaft 51a toward the upstream side in the tape transport direction X. The second leg 51c extends upward from the rotation shaft 51a.

[0047] The second gear 45 is rotatably supported at the tip of the first leg 51 b. When the gear bracket 51 rotates around the rotation axis 51 a, the second gear 45 moves integrally with the rotation axis 45 a relative to the guide body 41 in a direction perpendicular to the rotation axis 45 a, and can move toward and away from the first gear 44.

[0048] The biasing member 52 is a member such as a spring that generates a force that moves the gear bracket 51 relative to the guide body 41. Specifically, the biasing member 52 generates a force that presses the second gear 45 in a clamping direction in which the cover tape 2b is clamped between the second gear 45 and the first gear 44.

[0049] The guide main body 41 has a cover portion 41h that covers the first gear 44 and the second gear 45 from above. The cover portion 41h is formed to have a standing wall portion 41i that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper wall portion 41a and a visor portion 41j that extends upstream in the tape feed direction X from the upper end of the standing wall portion 41i. The standing wall portion 41i protrudes upward from the upper surface of the upper wall portion 41a downstream in the tape feed direction X from the support portion 41f and upstream in the tape feed direction X from the component supply position S. In addition, the lower surface of the visor portion 41j has a portion that curves to fit along the outer surfaces of the first gear 44 and the second gear 45, and is able to guide the cover tape 2b upstream in the tape feed direction X at the portion along the outer surface of the first gear 44.

[0050] One end of the urging member 52 is supported and fixed to a side surface of the upright wall portion 41i of the guide main body 41 facing upstream in the tape feed direction X. The other end of the urging member 52 is supported and fixed to a side surface of the upper end of the second leg portion 51c of the gear bracket 51 facing downstream in the tape feed direction X. The urging member 52 extends approximately horizontally. The urging member 52 generates a force that causes the gear bracket 51 to oscillate and rotate about the rotation shaft 51a, thereby pressing the second gear 45 toward the first gear 44.

[0051] 5. Feeder Operation and Effects In the feeder 20 described above, the carrier tape 2 is fed on the transport path 31. When the leading edge of the carrier tape 2 reaches the auxiliary tape guide 60, the external teeth 87a of the manual sprocket 87 of the manual drive unit 86 engage with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2. When the manual sprocket 87 is rotated by operating the lever unit 88 in this engaged state, the carrier tape 2 is fed on the transport path 31 from upstream to downstream in the tape transport direction X.

[0052] The above-described feeding and transporting by rotation of the manual sprocket 87 continues until the leading edge of the carrier tape 2 reaches the tape guide 40 and then the feed sprocket 84. Once the leading edge of the carrier tape 2 reaches the feed sprocket 84, the external teeth 84b of the feed sprocket 84 engage with the feed holes 2e of the carrier tape 2. When the feed sprocket 84 is rotated by the drive source 82 of the automatic drive unit 81 in this engaged state, the carrier tape 2 is fed from the upstream side to the downstream side on the transport path 31 in the tape transport direction X.

[0053] As described above, when the leading end of the carrier tape 2 reaches the cutter 42 of the tape guide 40 during the feeding of the carrier tape 2, the cutting edge 42a of the cutter 42 enters between the base tape 2a and the cover tape 2b of the carrier tape 2, and the cover tape 2b is peeled off from the base tape 2a. After this peeling, the base tape 2a is fed from the upstream side to the downstream side in the tape feeding direction X, and the cover tape 2b is completely peeled off from the base tape 2a and is folded back from the downstream side to the upstream side in the tape feeding direction X to be guided to a recovery path.

[0054] As the base tape 2a is fed and transported as described above, each time each component storage section 2c in the base tape 2a reaches the component supply position S, the component in the component storage section 2c is exposed and is removed by the component transfer device of the component mounting machine 1 and transferred to the board.

[0055] Furthermore, as the base tape 2a is fed, the external teeth 43a of a sprocket 43 provided on the tape guide 40 engage with the feed holes 2e of the base tape 2a. When the base tape 2a is fed with the external teeth 43a of the sprocket 43 engaged with the feed holes 2e of the base tape 2a, the sprocket 43 rotates in synchronization with the feeding of the base tape 2a. When the sprocket 43 rotates, the first gear 44 rotates integrally with the base tape 2a, and the second gear 45 rotates accordingly. As a result, the cover tape 2b peeled from the base tape 2a is sandwiched between the first gear 44 and the second gear 45 and wound up, folded back from the downstream side to the upstream side in the tape feeding direction X, and guided to the recovery path.

[0056] Therefore, according to the structure of the feeder 20 and therefore the tape guide 40, the cover tape 2b peeled off from the base tape 2a can be guided to the recovery path and recovered in the recovery space or discarded outside the feeder 20 without using a motor drive source separate from the drive source 82 driven by the motor of the drive unit 80 that feeds and transports the carrier tape 2. Therefore, it is possible to suppress an increase in costs when adopting a configuration for discharging the cover tape 2b.

[0057] Furthermore, in the tape guide 40, the peeling of the cover tape 2b from the base tape 2a is not a so-called partial peeling, in which the cover tape 2b is once peeled from the base tape 2a and then returned to the upper surface of the base tape 2a after the component is removed, but a so-called full peeling, in which the cover tape 2b is peeled from the base tape 2a and then discharged without being returned to the upper surface of the base tape 2a. Therefore, it is not necessary to use different tape guides 40 depending on differences in the component size on the carrier tape 2 or the joining position of the cover tape 2b to the base tape 2a, and the versatility of the tape guide 40 can be improved.

[0058] The tape guide 40 is also provided with a pressing mechanism 50 that presses the second gear 45 in the clamping direction in which the first gear 44 and the second gear 45 clamp the cover tape 2b. Unlike a configuration in which the two gears are axially fixed, this pressing mechanism 50 allows the axial position of one of the gears, the second gear 45, to be varied. Therefore, the tape guide 40 can adjust the force with which the two gears 44 and 45 clamp the cover tape 2b in accordance with the thickness of the cover tape 2b and the tolerances around the gears 44 and 45, thereby enabling the cover tape 2b to be appropriately driven for discharge.

[0059] 6. Modified Embodiment In the above embodiment, the first gear 44, which is disposed upstream of the second gear 45 in the tape guide 40 in the tape transport direction X, is rotatably supported by the guide main body 41, and the second gear 45 is rotatably supported by a gear bracket 51 that is movably supported by the guide main body 41. The pressing mechanism 50 included in the tape guide 40 presses the second gear 45 in the direction in which the cover tape 2b is clamped by the first gear 44 and the second gear 45.

[0060] However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the second gear 45 of the tape guide 40 may be rotatably supported by the guide body 41, and the first gear 44, which is arranged upstream of the second gear 45 in the tape feed direction X, may be rotatably supported by a gear bracket 51 that is movably supported by the guide body 41. In this modified embodiment, the pressing mechanism 50 included in the tape guide 40 may press the first gear 44 in the direction in which the cover tape 2b is clamped by the first gear 44 and the second gear 45.

[0061] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and modifications, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the present disclosure not only discloses the technical ideas indicated by the citation relationships set forth in the claims at the time of filing, but also discloses technical ideas that appropriately combine the matters set forth in the claims.

[0062] 1: component mounting machine, 2: carrier tape, 2a: base tape, 2b: cover tape, 2e: feed hole, 10: feeder set table, 11: slot, 20: feeder, 30: feeder body, 31: conveying path, 40: tape guide, 41: guide body, 42: cutter, 43: sprocket, 44: first gear, 45: second gear, 50: pressing mechanism, 51: gear bracket, 52: urging member, 80: drive unit, 81: automatic drive unit, 82: drive source, 84: feed sprocket, 86: manual drive unit, 87: manual sprocket, 88: lever unit, S: component supply position.

Claims

1. A tape guide comprising: a guide body; a cutter provided on the guide body for peeling a cover tape from a base tape of a carrier tape; a sprocket rotatable relative to the guide body and engaging with a feed hole of the carrier tape to rotate in synchronization with transportation of the carrier tape; a first gear rotatable relative to the guide body and rotating in conjunction with the rotation of the sprocket; a second gear rotatable relative to the guide body, meshing with the first gear, rotating following the rotation of the first gear, and sandwiching the cover tape between the first gear and the second gear; and a pressing mechanism for pressing the first gear or the second gear in a clamping direction in which the cover tape is sandwiched between the first gear and the second gear.

2. A tape guide as described in claim 1, wherein the pressing mechanism comprises: a gear bracket that is movably supported on the guide body and rotatably supports the first gear or the second gear; and a biasing member that moves the gear bracket relative to the guide body to generate a force that presses the first gear or the second gear in the clamping direction.

3. The tape guide according to claim 2, wherein said gear bracket is supported on said guide body so as to be rotatable about an axis different from the rotation axes of said first gear and said second gear.

4. The tape guide according to claim 3, wherein said biasing member has one end supported by said guide body and the other end supported by an end of said gear bracket, and generates a force that rotates said gear bracket relative to said guide body.

5. The tape guide according to claim 1, wherein the first gear is disposed upstream of the second gear in the transport direction of the carrier tape.

6. A feeder comprising: a tape guide according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a drive unit that applies a driving force to the carrier tape for transporting the carrier tape.