Spacer

Abstract

Provided is a spacer which is applicable even when there are a plurality of dimensions with respect to a gap and which also can be easily miniaturized. The spacer comprises a base material contact part and a plurality of component contact parts. The base material contact part is directed in the z-axis negative direction, and comes into contact with a portion directed in the z-axis positive direction in a base material. Each of the component contact parts is directed in the z-axis positive direction, and any one of the component contact parts comes into contact with a portion directed in the z-axis negative direction in a component. The plurality of component contact parts are arranged at positions such that the distance in the z-axis direction between the component and the base material in contact with the base material contact part changes depending on which one of the component contact parts comes into contact with the component.

Description

Spacer CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-192327, filed with the Japan Patent Office on November 10, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a spacer.

[0003] For example, a spacer configured to be expandable and contractible in the axial direction so that its axial length can be changed is known, as described in Patent Document 1. With such a spacer, a single spacer can be used to accommodate gaps between members of different dimensions.

[0004] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-128695

[0005] However, if a spacer is structured to expand and contract in the axial direction, the structure becomes complex and bulky, and it is not easy to reduce the size of the spacer.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, it is desirable to provide a spacer that can accommodate a plurality of gap dimensions and that can be easily miniaturized.

[0007] (1) One aspect of the present disclosure is a spacer that can be disposed between a substrate and a component to maintain a gap between the substrate and the component when the component is attached to the substrate. Hereinafter, when the spacer is disposed between the substrate and the component, the direction of the spacer facing the component is referred to as the positive z-axis direction, and the direction of the spacer facing the substrate is referred to as the negative z-axis direction. The spacer includes a substrate contact portion and multiple component contact portions. The substrate contact portion is a portion facing the negative z-axis direction and contacts a portion of the substrate facing the positive z-axis direction. The component contact portions are each a portion facing the positive z-axis direction, and any one of the component contact portions contacts a portion of the component facing the negative z-axis direction. The multiple component contact portions are disposed at positions where the distance in the z-axis direction between the substrate and the component that the substrate contact portion contacts varies depending on which component contact portion contacts the component.

[0008] With a spacer configured in this manner, when a gap such as that described above occurs between the substrate and the component, the substrate contact portion is brought into contact with the substrate, and one of the multiple component contact portions is brought into contact with the component, thereby preventing the substrate and the component from displacing in a direction that narrows the gap.

[0009] Furthermore, the multiple component contact portions are arranged at positions where the distance in the z-axis direction between the component and the substrate with which the substrate contact portion is in contact varies depending on which component contact portion is in contact with the component. Therefore, by selecting one component contact portion at an appropriate position from the multiple component contact portions depending on the size of the gap, it is possible to accommodate gaps of multiple sizes with a single spacer, without having to prepare multiple spacers corresponding to each of the multiple sizes.

[0010] Furthermore, by providing multiple component contact portions at the positions described above, it is possible to accommodate gaps of multiple dimensions, so there is no need to employ a movable mechanism as in the technology described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, compared to spacers with movable mechanisms, the structure can be made simpler, and accordingly, it is easy to make the spacer smaller.

[0011] Note that one aspect of the present disclosure may further include the following configuration.

[0012] (2) Hereinafter, the two mutually orthogonal directions, each orthogonal to the z-axis direction, are referred to as the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In one aspect of the present disclosure, the multiple component contact portions may include a first component contact portion, a second component contact portion, a third component contact portion, and a fourth component contact portion. When the spacer is viewed from the z-axis positive side, the first component contact portion and the second component contact portion may be positioned on either side of a region between them, with the first component contact portion located on the negative y-axis side of the region and the second component contact portion located on the positive y-axis side of the region. The third component contact portion and the fourth component contact portion may be positioned on either side of the region, with the third component contact portion located on the negative x-axis side of the region and the fourth component contact portion located on the positive x-axis side of the region.

[0013] With this spacer, the first, second, third, and fourth component contact portions are arranged at positions surrounding the above-mentioned region on all four sides. Therefore, when arranging any of the component contact portions directly below the component (in the negative z-axis direction), for example, the desired component contact portion can be positioned directly below the component by rotating the spacer 90 degrees around the above-mentioned region in a direction that is the center of rotation on the z-axis.

[0014] (3) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the contactor may include a first wall portion, a second wall portion, a third wall portion, and a fourth wall portion. The first wall portion is a portion oriented in the negative y-axis direction and configured to be able to come into contact with a portion of the component oriented in the positive y-axis direction when the first component contact portion comes into contact with the component. The second wall portion is a portion oriented in the positive y-axis direction and configured to be able to come into contact with a portion of the component oriented in the negative y-axis direction when the second component contact portion comes into contact with the component. The third wall portion is a portion oriented in the negative x-axis direction and configured to be able to come into contact with a portion of the component oriented in the positive x-axis direction when the third component contact portion comes into contact with the component. The fourth wall portion is a portion oriented in the positive x-axis direction and configured to be able to come into contact with a portion of the component oriented in the negative x-axis direction when the fourth component contact portion comes into contact with the component.

[0015] The spacer configured in this manner includes the first, second, third, and fourth wall portions, so that when any of the component contact portions contacts the component, any of the wall portions also contacts the component, thereby preventing the component and the component contact portion from sliding or rotating relative to each other while maintaining contact with each other.

[0016] (4) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the region may be a suction surface that can be attracted by a suction nozzle of an automatic mounting machine.

[0017] According to the spacer configured in this manner, the spacer can be mounted on the substrate using an automatic mounting machine.

[0018] (5) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the suction surface may be a surface located on the positive z-axis direction side of the plurality of component contact portions.

[0019] With this spacer, the suction surface is positioned closer to the suction nozzle than the component contact portions, which means that interference between the suction nozzle and the component contact portions can be reduced without the need for overly precise control of the suction nozzle position, compared to when one or more component contact portions are positioned closer to the suction surface than the suction surface, and the suction nozzle can easily pick up the suction surface with the suction nozzle.

[0020] (6) In one aspect of the present disclosure, the spacer may include an attachment portion and a positioning portion. The attachment portion protrudes from the substrate contact portion in the negative z-axis direction and is inserted into an attachment hole formed in the substrate when the spacer is attached to the substrate. The positioning portion protrudes from the substrate contact portion in the negative z-axis direction and, when the spacer is attached to the substrate, fits into the positioning hole formed in the substrate when the attachment portion is inserted into the attachment hole with the spacer properly oriented. On the other hand, the positioning portion does not fit into the positioning hole when the attachment portion is inserted into the attachment hole with the spacer not properly oriented.

[0021] With a spacer configured in this manner, it is possible to determine whether the spacer is properly oriented by determining whether the positioning portion fits into the positioning hole, and therefore, unlike a case in which a similar positioning portion is not provided, it is possible to prevent the spacer from being attached to the substrate in an incorrectly oriented state.

[0022] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a spacer of the first embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the spacer of the first embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 2A is a plan view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2B is a left side view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2C is a front view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2D is a right side view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2E is a rear view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 2F is a bottom view of the spacer of the first embodiment. FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating an example of a spacer of the first embodiment in use. FIG. 3B is a front view illustrating an example of a spacer of the first embodiment in use. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the cut portion indicated by line IVA-IVA in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the cut portion indicated by line IVB-IVB in FIG. 3B. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a spacer of the second embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the spacer of the second embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 6A is a plan view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 6B is a left side view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 6C is a front view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 6D is a right side view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 6E is a rear view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 6F is a bottom view of the spacer of the second embodiment. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the spacer of the third embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the spacer of the third embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 8A is a plan view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 8B is a left side view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 8C is a front view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 8D is a right side view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 8E is a rear view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 8F is a bottom view of the spacer of the third embodiment. FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 10A is a plan view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10B is a left side view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10C is a front view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10D is a right side view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10E is a rear view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10F is a bottom view of the spacer of the fourth embodiment. Fig. 10G is a cross-sectional view of the cut portion indicated by line XG-XG in Fig. 10F.FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a spacer of the fifth embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 12A is a plan view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12B is a left side view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12C is a front view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12D is a right side view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12E is a rear view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12F is a bottom view of the spacer of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 13A is an explanatory view showing a state before the spacer of the fifth embodiment is attached to a base material. FIG. 13B is an explanatory view showing a state after the spacer of the fifth embodiment is attached to a base material. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of a spacer of the sixth embodiment as seen from the upper left front. FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment as seen from the lower right rear. FIG. 15A is a plan view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15B is a left side view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15C is a front view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15D is a right side view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15E is a rear view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15F is a bottom view of the spacer of the sixth embodiment. FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the spacer of the sixth embodiment has been attached to a base material. FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment as seen from the left front upper side. FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment as seen from the right rear lower side. FIG. 18A is a plan view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18B is a left side view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18C is a front view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18D is a right side view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18E is a rear view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 18F is a bottom view of the spacer of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the spacer of the seventh embodiment has been attached to a thin base material. FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram showing the state after the spacer of the seventh embodiment has been attached to a thick base material. Fig. 20A is a perspective view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment as seen from the left front lower side. Fig. 20B is a perspective view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment as seen from the right rear upper side. Fig. 21A is a plan view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 21B is a left side view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 21C is a front view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 21D is a right side view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment.Fig. 21E is a rear view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 21F is a bottom view of the spacer of the eighth embodiment. Fig. 22A is an explanatory view showing the state after the spacer of the eighth embodiment has been attached to a base material. Fig. 22B is an explanatory view showing the shapes of the mounting holes and positioning holes formed in the base material in the eighth embodiment.

[0023] Next, the above-mentioned spacer will be described with reference to exemplary embodiments.

[0024] (1) First Embodiment First, the first embodiment will be described.

[0025] [Spacer Configuration] A spacer 1 exemplified as a first embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F. In the following description, the direction in which a part shown in the left side view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2B) faces is defined as left, and the direction in which a part shown in the right side view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2D) faces is defined as right. Furthermore, the direction in which a part shown in the front view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2C) faces is defined as forward, and the direction in which a part shown in the back view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2E) faces is defined as rear. Furthermore, the direction in which a part shown in the plan view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2A) faces is defined as upward, and the direction in which a part shown in the bottom view of the spacer 1 (see Figure 2F) faces is defined as downward.

[0026] Furthermore, with regard to the left-right, front-rear, up-down, and down-up directions, the left-right direction is defined as the x-axis direction, the left as the negative x-axis direction, and the right as the positive x-axis direction. The front-rear direction is defined as the y-axis direction, the front as the negative y-axis direction, and the rear as the positive y-axis direction. The up-down direction is defined as the z-axis direction, the up as the positive z-axis direction, and the down as the negative z-axis direction. Note that in Figures 1A and 1B, the left-right, front-rear, and up-down directions are indicated by arrows. Also, in Figures 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F, two or more of the positive x-axis direction, positive y-axis direction, and positive z-axis direction are indicated by arrows.

[0027] Furthermore, in the following description, terms such as vertical, parallel, right-angled, and orthogonal are used, but these terms do not necessarily mean that the terms are geometrically strict. For example, vertical is not limited to vertical in the strict sense of the word, and even if there is a difference from vertical in the strict sense, as long as the difference can be ignored or tolerated in practice, the term "vertical" will be used in this specification. The same applies to parallel, right-angled, and orthogonal.

[0028] The spacer 1 includes a substrate contact portion 3, four component contact portions 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, four wall portions 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D, an adhesive surface 9, and a snap portion 11. Each of these components of the spacer 1 is integrally molded from a heat-resistant synthetic resin (e.g., polyphenylene sulfide [abbreviated as PPS]). In the following description, the four component contact portions 5A-5D will be referred to as the first component contact portion 5A, the second component contact portion 5B, the third component contact portion 5C, and the fourth component contact portion 5D, respectively. Furthermore, the four wall portions 7A-7D will be referred to as the first wall portion 7A, the second wall portion 7B, the third wall portion 7C, and the fourth wall portion 7D, respectively.

[0029] 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, when a gap G occurs between the substrate B and the component P when the component P is attached to the substrate B, the spacer 1 is disposed between the substrate B and the component P to prevent the gap G from narrowing. The substrate B exemplified in the first embodiment is a printed wiring board. The component P exemplified in the first embodiment is an electronic component such as an IC, a semiconductor element, or a power device.

[0030] The component P is an electronic component having a main body P1 and a plurality of lead pins P2. The component P has the lead pins P2 bent and soldered to the substrate B. The gap G described above is generated between the main body P1 and the substrate B. In the first embodiment, three spacers 1 are attached to the substrate B.

[0031] In the first embodiment, the substrate contact portion 3 is a surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction (z-axis direction) and faces downward (negative z-axis direction). However, the substrate contact portion 3 does not have to be a flat surface that is perpendicular to the up-down direction (z-axis direction) as long as the shape of the substrate contact portion 3 allows the relative position of the spacer 1 with respect to the substrate B to be determined in the z-axis direction.

[0032] For example, the shape of the substrate contact portion 3 may be a shape that allows for point contact with the substrate B at three or more points that are not on the same straight line (for example, an embossed surface with many point-like protrusions, etc.). Alternatively, for example, the shape of the substrate contact portion 3 may be a shape that allows for line contact with the substrate B at two or more lines that are not on the same straight line (for example, a corrugated surface with parallel linear protrusions, etc.).

[0033] Each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D is a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction (z-axis direction) and is oriented upward (positive z-axis direction). That is, each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D is a surface parallel to the substrate contact portion 3 and is oriented in the opposite direction to the substrate contact portion 3. However, the four component contact portions 5A to 5D do not have to be flat surfaces perpendicular to the vertical direction (z-axis direction) as long as they have a shape that allows the relative position of the spacer 1 with respect to the component P to be determined in the z-axis direction.

[0034] For example, the shape of each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D may be a shape that allows for point contact with the component P at three or more points that are not on the same line (for example, an embossed surface with many point-like protrusions). Alternatively, the shape of each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D may be a shape that allows for line contact with the component P at two or more lines that are not on the same line (for example, a corrugated surface with parallel linear protrusions). Alternatively, the shape of each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D may be a shape that allows for surface contact with the component P at two or more surfaces. In other words, the shape of each of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D is not limited to a shape that allows for surface contact with the component P at a single surface.

[0035] 2B and 2C, the four component contact portions 5A-5D are provided at positions such that distances z1, z2, z3, and z4 between the component contact portions 5A-5D and the substrate contact portion 3 are different from one another in the z-axis direction. In the first embodiment, the distances z1, z2, z3, and z4 are 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 4 mm, and 4.5 mm, respectively. However, these specific dimensions may be different from the above dimensions.

[0036] 2A, the four component contact portions 5A to 5D are positioned so as not to overlap one another when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction). The contour line of the outermost periphery of the spacer 1 shown in FIG. 2A roughly coincides with the area in which the substrate contact portion 3 exists, and the area in which the four component contact portions 5A to 5D exist is contained within the area in which the substrate contact portion 3 exists. In other words, when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), the four component contact portions 5A to 5D are positioned so as to overlap the substrate contact portion 3.

[0037] 2A , when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), the first component contact portion 5A and the second component contact portion 5B are positioned to sandwich the suction surface 9 therebetween. More specifically, the first component contact portion 5A is positioned in front of the suction surface 9 (the negative y-axis direction), and the second component contact portion 5B is positioned behind the suction surface 9 (the positive y-axis direction).

[0038] When viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), the third component contact portion 5C and the fourth component contact portion 5D are also positioned to sandwich the suction surface 9 therebetween. More specifically, the third component contact portion 5C is positioned to the left of the suction surface 9 (the negative x-axis direction), and the fourth component contact portion 5D is positioned to the right of the suction surface 9 (the positive x-axis direction). In other words, when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), the four component contact portions 5A to 5D are positioned to surround the suction surface 9 on all four sides: front, back, left, and right.

[0039] The first wall portion 7A is a surface perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction (y-axis direction) and faces forward (negative y-axis direction). The first wall portion 7A and the first component contact portion 5A are positioned so that a cross-section perpendicular to both of them forms a concave surface with an L-shape. The second wall portion 7B is a surface perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction (y-axis direction) and faces backward (positive y-axis direction). The second wall portion 7B and the second component contact portion 5B are positioned so that a cross-section perpendicular to both of them forms a concave surface with an L-shape.

[0040] The third wall portion 7C is a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction (x-axis direction) and faces leftward (negative x-axis direction). The third wall portion 7C and the third component contact portion 5C are positioned so that a cross-section perpendicular to both directions forms a concave surface with an L-shape. The fourth wall portion 7D is a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction (x-axis direction) and faces rightward (positive x-axis direction). The fourth wall portion 7D and the fourth component contact portion 5D are positioned so that a cross-section perpendicular to both directions forms a concave surface with an L-shape.

[0041] However, the first wall portion 7A and the second wall portion 7B do not have to be flat surfaces perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction (y-axis direction) as long as the shape allows the relative position of the spacer 1 with respect to the component P to be determined in the y-axis direction. For example, the first wall portion 7A and the second wall portion 7B may have a shape that allows point contact with the component P at three or more points that are not on the same straight line (for example, an embossed surface with many point-like protrusions). Alternatively, the first wall portion 7A and the second wall portion 7B may have a shape that allows line contact with the component P at two or more lines that are not on the same straight line (for example, a corrugated surface with parallel linear protrusions).

[0042] Furthermore, the third wall portion 7C and the fourth wall portion 7D do not have to be flat surfaces perpendicular to the left-right direction (x-axis direction) as long as the shape allows the relative position of the spacer 1 with respect to the component P to be determined in the x-axis direction. For example, the third wall portion 7C and the fourth wall portion 7D may have a shape that allows point contact with the component P at three or more points that are not on the same straight line (for example, an embossed surface with many point-like protrusions). Alternatively, the third wall portion 7C and the fourth wall portion 7D may have a shape that allows line contact with the component P at two or more lines that are not on the same straight line (for example, a corrugated surface with parallel linear protrusions).

[0043] The suction surface 9 is a surface perpendicular to the vertical direction (z-axis direction) and faces upward (positive z-axis direction). As shown in FIG. 2D , the suction surface 9 is located on the positive z-axis side of the four component contact portions 5A-5D. That is, the distance z5 between the suction surface 9 and the substrate contact portion 3 is greater than the distances z1, z2, z3, and z4 between each of the four component contact portions 5A-5D and the substrate contact portion 3. The upper ends of the four wall portions 7A-7D are connected to the four sides of the suction surface 9.

[0044] When viewed from the underside (negative z-axis side) of the spacer 1, the snap portion 11 is located in a position surrounded on all sides (both x-axis and y-axis sides) by the substrate contact portion 3, and protrudes downward (negative z-axis direction) beyond the substrate contact portion 3. The snap portion 11 has a shaft portion 11A that forms the upper portion of the snap portion 11 and a retaining portion 11B that forms the lower portion of the snap portion 11.

[0045] The upper end of the shaft portion 11A is connected to a location surrounded on all sides by the substrate contact portion 3, and the lower end of the shaft portion 11A is connected to the upper end of the retaining portion 11B. The lower end of the retaining portion 11B is the lower end of the snap portion 11. The retaining portion 11B is configured to have a shape that has a portion where its front-to-rear dimension is larger than that of the shaft portion 11A. The retaining portion 11B is also configured to have a shape where its left-to-right dimension matches that of the shaft portion 11A at its upper end and gradually decreases from the upper end to the lower end. The snap portion 11 is formed with a split groove 11C that is cut from the lower end of the snap portion 11 to the upper end. This split groove 11C divides the snap portion 11 into two, front and rear, portions.

[0046] The snap portion 11 is a mounting tool used when attaching the spacer 1 to the substrate B (FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B). However, as long as the spacer 1 can be attached to the substrate B, it is optional whether or not to provide the snap portion 11 as described above. For example, the snap portion 11 may be omitted, and instead the substrate contact portion 3 may be fixed to the substrate B with an adhesive. Furthermore, even when the snap portion 11 is provided, the specific shape of the snap portion 11 is not limited to the shape shown in the drawings.

[0047] In each part of the spacer 1, a chamfered portion is formed by scraping off the right-angled convex portion in a portion where two orthogonal outer surfaces form a convex surface protruding at a right angle. In addition, in each part of the spacer 1, a fillet portion is formed by filling in the right-angled concave portion in a portion where two orthogonal outer surfaces form a concave surface recessed at a right angle.

[0048] [How to Use the Spacer] Next, how to use the spacer 1 will be described.

[0049] 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, when attaching three spacers 1 and components P to a substrate B, first, the three spacers 1 are attached to the substrate B. The spacers 1 are attached to the substrate B using, for example, an automatic mounting machine. More specifically, the spacers 1 are supplied to the automatic mounting machine while being housed in, for example, an embossed portion of a carrier tape.

[0050] 2A, when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), the four component contact portions 5A to 5D have different side dimensions and are not rotationally symmetric. Therefore, if the spacer 1 is housed in a carrier tape with embossed portions that fit this shape, the orientation of the spacer 1 on the carrier tape can be easily aligned.

[0051] The automatic mounting machine sucks the suction surface 9 of the spacer 1 with a suction nozzle, removes the spacer 1 from the carrier tape, and places the spacer 1 at a predetermined position on the substrate B. At this time, the automatic mounting machine appropriately changes the orientation of the spacer 1 depending on the position where the spacer 1 is to be placed. For example, the three spacers 1 illustrated in Figures 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B are each oriented so that the first component contact portion 5A can contact the component P.

[0052] Therefore, the automatic mounting machine rotates the suction nozzle in 90-degree increments, if necessary, to change the orientation of the spacer 1 depending on the placement location of the spacer 1, and then places the spacer 1 at a predetermined position on the substrate B. As described above, the orientation of the spacer 1 is aligned in a fixed direction on the carrier tape, so the automatic mounting machine can easily and appropriately change the orientation of the spacer 1.

[0053] In the base material B, mounting holes (not shown) are formed at the locations where the spacers 1 are to be disposed, penetrating the base material B in the thickness direction. When the automatic mounting machine places each spacer 1 on the base material B, the snap portion 11 of each spacer 1 is inserted into the mounting hole of the base material B. When the snap portion 11 is inserted into the mounting hole, the snap portion 11 advances deeper into the mounting hole while elastically deforming in a direction narrowing the front-to-rear width of the separation groove 11C.

[0054] When the retaining portion 11B passes through the mounting hole, the snap portion 11 regains some of its elastically deformed shape and displaces in a direction that widens the longitudinal width of the split groove 11C. At this time, the longitudinal dimension of the retaining portion 11B becomes larger than the longitudinal width of the mounting hole, and the retaining portion 11B becomes caught on the periphery of the mounting hole. This prevents the snap portion 11 from being pulled out of the mounting hole, and the spacer 1 is fixed to the substrate B.

[0055] The positions of the mounting holes in the substrate B are set in advance taking into consideration the position of the main body part P1, so that by simply inserting the snap part 11 into the mounting hole, the three spacers 1 are positioned in an appropriate position relative to the main body part P1.

[0056] After the three spacers 1 are attached, the component P is then attached to the base material B. As described above, the three spacers 1 are attached to the base material B in an orientation such that each of the three spacers 1 can contact the main body portion P1 at the first component contact portion 5A. Therefore, when the component P is attached to the base material B, a gap G with a z-axis dimension z1 (see FIG. 2B ) is secured between the main body portion P1 and the base material B, and the three spacers 1 prevent the gap G from narrowing to or below the z-axis dimension z1.

[0057] Furthermore, the three spacers 1 each contact the side wall surface of the main body portion P1 at the first wall portion 7A. This prevents the main body portion P1 from being displaced in the direction of the first wall portion 7A. This prevents the main body portion P1 from being displaced in the direction of sliding along the base material B or in the direction of rotating along the base material B.

[0058] In the above example, three spacers 1 are arranged for one component P, but the number of arranged spacers 1 can be changed as desired. Also, in the above example, each of the three spacers 1 contacts the main body P1 at the first component contact portion 5A, but if the dimension of the gap G to be secured changes depending on the shape of the component P, other component contact portions 5B to 5D may be used instead of the first component contact portion 5A.

[0059] In the above example, all three spacers 1 contact the main body P1 at the first component contact portion 5A, but two or more of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D may be mixed and brought into contact with the component P (main body P1). For example, if the contact surface on the component P side is uneven and the dimensions of the gap G to be secured between the component P and the substrate B vary locally, a suitable one of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D may be selected locally.

[0060] [Effect] With the spacer 1 configured as described above, when a gap G as described above occurs between the substrate B and the component P, the substrate contact portion 3 is brought into contact with the substrate B, and one of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D is brought into contact with the component P (main body portion P1), thereby preventing the substrate B and the component P from displacing in a direction that narrows the gap G.

[0061] Furthermore, the four component contact portions 5A to 5D are arranged at positions where the distance in the z-axis direction between the component P and the substrate B with which the substrate contact portion 3 contacts is different distances z1 to z4, depending on which component contact portion is in contact with the component P. Therefore, by selecting one component contact portion at an appropriate position from the four component contact portions 5A to 5D depending on the dimension of the gap G, it is possible to accommodate the gap G of four different dimensions z1 to z4 with a single spacer 1, without having to prepare four different spacers corresponding to each of the four different dimensions z1 to z4.

[0062] Furthermore, by providing the four component contact portions 5A to 5D at the positions described above, it is possible to accommodate the gap G having four different dimensions z1 to z4, so there is no need to employ a movable mechanism as in the technology described in Patent Document 1. Therefore, compared to spacers that have a movable mechanism, the structure can be made simpler, and accordingly, it is easy to miniaturize the spacer 1.

[0063] In the case of the spacer 1, the first component contact portion 5A, the second component contact portion 5B, the third component contact portion 5C, and the fourth component contact portion 5D are arranged at positions surrounding the suction surface 9 from all sides when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction). Therefore, for example, when arranging any of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D at a position directly below the component P (the negative z-axis direction), the desired component contact portion can be arranged at a position directly below the component by rotating the spacer 90 degrees at a time around the suction surface 9 in a direction that is the center of rotation on the z-axis.

[0064] Furthermore, in the case of the spacer 1, since the spacer 1 includes the first wall portion 7A, the second wall portion 7B, the third wall portion 7C, and the fourth wall portion 7D as described above, when any of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D comes into contact with the component P, any of the four walls 7A to 7D also comes into contact with the component P. Therefore, any of the four walls 7A to 7D can prevent the component P and any of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D from sliding or rotating relative to each other while maintaining contact with each other.

[0065] Furthermore, since the spacer 1 has the adsorption surface 9 on the upper side (the positive z-axis direction side), the spacer 1 can be mounted on the substrate B using an automatic mounting machine.

[0066] Furthermore, in the case of the spacer 1, the suction surface 9 is positioned closer to the suction nozzle than the four component contact portions 5A to 5D. Therefore, compared to when one or more component contact portions are positioned closer to the suction nozzle than the suction surface 9, interference between the suction nozzle and the component contact portions can be suppressed without having to control the position of the suction nozzle too strictly, and the suction surface 9 can be easily attracted by the suction nozzle.

[0067] (2) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second and subsequent embodiments are embodiments in which a part of the configuration illustrated in the first embodiment is modified, and therefore differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described in detail. Portions similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0068] A spacer 21 exemplified as a second embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 6E, and 6F. The spacer 21 exemplified as the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 6A and 6F, the shape of the spacer 21 as viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction) is rotationally symmetric about the z-axis.

[0069] In the case of such a spacer 21, when the spacer 1 is housed in a carrier tape having an embossed portion that fits this shape, attention must be paid to the orientation of the spacer 21, but other points are the same as in the first embodiment. Therefore, the original function required of the spacer 21 is no different from that of the spacer 1 of the first embodiment.

[0070] (3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described.

[0071] A spacer 31 exemplified as a third embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F. The spacer 31 exemplified as the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that, as shown in Figures 8A and 8F, the shape of the spacer 31 as viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction) is rotationally symmetric about the z-axis. This difference is the same as that of the second embodiment.

[0072] The spacer 31 illustrated as the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that it is provided with recesses 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D for lightening. By providing the recesses 33A to 33D, the surface constituting the substrate contact portion 3 is divided into multiple portions, and the area of ​​the substrate contact portion 3 is reduced by the amount of the recesses 33A to 33D.

[0073] In the case of such a spacer 31, the amount of resin material required to form the spacer 31 can be reduced by the amount of the recesses 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D provided, compared to the second embodiment. Other points are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, the essential functions required of the spacer 31 are the same as those of the spacer 1 of the first embodiment and the spacer 21 of the second embodiment.

[0074] (4) Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.

[0075] 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F, and 10G show a spacer 41 exemplified as a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 10A and 10F, the spacer 41 exemplified as the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the shape of the spacer 41 as viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction) is rotationally symmetric about the z-axis. This difference is the same as that of the second and third embodiments.

[0076] Furthermore, a spacer 41 exemplified as the fourth embodiment differs from the first to third embodiments in that lead pins 43A and 43B are provided instead of the snap portion 11. When attaching the spacer 41 to the substrate B, the lead pins 43A and 43B are soldered to the substrate B. Each of the lead pins 43A and 43B has two crushed portions 45 formed thereon. The crushed portions 45 are formed by crushing the rectangular metal wire that is processed into the lead pins 43A and 43B.

[0077] 10G, one of the crushed portions 45 is embedded in the resin portion of the spacer 41 and functions as a retainer, preventing the lead pins 43A and 43B from coming out of the resin portion of the spacer 41. When the spacer 41 is attached to the base material B, a portion of the other crushed portion 45 reaches a position where it penetrates the mounting hole of the base material B, and that portion is soldered. As a result, a portion of the crushed portion 45 is embedded in the solder portion and functions as a retainer, preventing the lead pins 43A and 43B from coming out of the solder portion.

[0078] In the case of such a spacer 41, unlike the first to third embodiments, the spacer 41 can be soldered to the substrate B. Other points are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, the original function required of the spacer 41 is no different from that of the spacer 1 of the first embodiment, the spacer 21 of the second embodiment, and the spacer 31 of the third embodiment.

[0079] (5) Fifth Embodiment A spacer 51 exemplified as a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, 12E, and 12F. The spacer 51 exemplified as the fifth embodiment is configured in the same manner as the spacer 41 exemplified as the fourth embodiment. However, as shown in Figures 11A, 11B, 12B, 12C, 12E, and 12F, the spacer 51 differs from the fourth embodiment in that a positioning portion 53 is provided.

[0080] The lead pins 43A and 43B correspond to the attachment portion in the present disclosure. Specifically, the lead pins 43A and 43B protrude in the negative direction of the z-axis from the substrate contact portion 3, and are inserted into attachment holes 57A and 57B formed in the substrate 55 when the spacer 51 is attached to the substrate 55, as shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B .

[0081] The positioning portion 53 protrudes from the substrate contact portion 3 in the negative direction of the z-axis. The positioning portion 53 is molded integrally with the substrate contact portion 3 using the same synthetic resin as the substrate contact portion 3. However, the positioning portion 53 may be made of a material different from that of the substrate contact portion 3, or a separate component serving as the positioning portion 53 may be attached to the substrate contact portion 3. For example, the positioning portion 53 may be provided by driving a pin made of a metal material into the substrate contact portion 3. In the fifth embodiment, the positioning portion 53 is formed in a cylindrical shape. When the spacer 51 is attached to the substrate 55, the positioning portion 53 enters a positioning hole 59 formed in the substrate 55. In the case of the spacer 51 illustrated in the fifth embodiment, the positioning portion 53 is configured to be shorter than, for example, the lead pins 43A and 43B. However, the dimension of the positioning portion 53 in the z-axis direction is not particularly limited and may be configured to be, for example, the same length as the lead pins 43A and 43B. If such a positioning portion 53 is provided, when the spacer 51 is attached to the base material 55, the spacer 51 can be easily attached in the correct orientation.

[0082] More specifically, in the fourth and fifth embodiments, the lead pins 43A and 43B are arranged at positions with rotational symmetry such that the positions of the lead pins 43A and 43B are interchanged when the spacer 51 is rotated 180 degrees around the z-axis as the center of rotation. Therefore, in the case of the spacer 41 of the fourth embodiment, which does not have a configuration equivalent to the positioning portion 53, the spacer 41 can be attached to the substrate even when the spacer 41 is rotated 180 degrees around the z-axis as the center of rotation.

[0083] However, when the spacer 41 is rotated 180 degrees, the positions of the first component contact portion 5A and the second component contact portion 5B are swapped, and the positions of the third component contact portion 5C and the fourth component contact portion 5D are swapped. Therefore, when attaching the spacer 41 to the substrate, it is necessary to determine whether the orientation of the spacer 41 is appropriate based on the positions of the component contact portions 5A to 5D.

[0084] In contrast, in the case of the spacer 51 of the fifth embodiment that includes the positioning portion 53, when the spacer 51 is rotated 180 degrees around the z-axis, the positioning portion 53 moves to a position where it cannot fit into the positioning hole 59. Therefore, there is no risk of attaching the spacer 51 to the base material 55 in the wrong orientation. Therefore, the orientation of the spacer 51 can be easily corrected by simply adjusting the orientation of the spacer 51 so that the positioning portion 53 fits into the positioning hole 59. Therefore, it is not necessary to determine the orientation of the spacer 51 based on the positions of the component contact portions 5A to 5D.

[0085] (6) Sixth Embodiment A spacer 61 exemplified as a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 15E, and 15F. The spacer 61 exemplified as the sixth embodiment is configured in most respects identically to the spacer 21 exemplified as the second embodiment. However, as shown in Figures 14B, 15B, 15D, 15E, and 15F, the spacer 61 differs from the second embodiment in that a positioning portion 63 is provided.

[0086] The snap portion 11 corresponds to the attachment portion in the present disclosure. Specifically, the snap portion 11 protrudes in the negative direction of the z-axis from the substrate contact portion 3, and is inserted into an attachment hole 67 formed in the substrate 65 when the spacer 61 is attached to the substrate 65, as shown in FIG. 16 .

[0087] The positioning portion 63 protrudes in the negative direction of the z axis from the substrate contact portion 3. The positioning portion 63 is molded integrally with the substrate contact portion 3 using the same synthetic resin as the substrate contact portion 3. In the sixth embodiment, the positioning portion 63 is cylindrical, and has a shape in which the edge portion at the lower end is chamfered to form a rounded surface, and the upper end has a shape in which a fillet that forms a rounded surface is formed at the boundary with the substrate contact portion 3.

[0088] The positioning portion 63 enters into a positioning hole 69 formed in the base material 65 when the spacer 61 is attached to the base material 65. With such a positioning portion 63, the spacer 61 can be easily attached in the correct orientation when attached to the base material 65, as in the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, the positioning portion 63 of the sixth embodiment has a chamfered shape so that the edge portion of the lower end forms a rounded surface, allowing smooth insertion into the positioning hole 69. The shape of the edge portion of the lower end of the positioning portion 63 is not limited to the chamfered shape so that the rounded surface is formed as described above, and any shape may be used as long as the lower end of the positioning portion 63 can be smoothly inserted into the positioning hole 69.

[0089] (7) Seventh Embodiment A spacer 71 exemplified as a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F. The spacer 71 exemplified as the seventh embodiment is slightly different in detailed dimensions from the spacer 21 exemplified as the second embodiment, but is functionally equivalent to the spacer 21 in most respects. However, as shown in FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F, the specific shape of the snap portion 72 differs from that of the second embodiment. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 17B, 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F, the seventh embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that a positioning portion 73 is provided.

[0090] The snap portion 72 corresponds to the attachment portion in the present disclosure. Specifically, the snap portion 72 protrudes in the negative direction of the z-axis from the substrate contact portion 3, and is inserted into an attachment hole 77 formed in the substrate 75 when the spacer 71 is attached to the substrate 75, as shown in Figures 19A and 19B.

[0091] The snap portion 72 has a shaft portion 72A that protrudes from the substrate contact portion 3 in the negative direction of the z axis, and two retaining portions 72B, 72B that extend diagonally upward from the lower end of the shaft portion 72A. The retaining portion 72B is configured to be able to swing around its lower end by elastically deforming. The upper end of the retaining portion 72B is formed in a staircase shape with three steps: an upper step, a middle step, and a lower step. The distance between the upper surface of each of these steps and the substrate contact portion 3 varies.

[0092] Therefore, by utilizing each step of the retaining portion 72B, the spacer 71 can be attached to three types of substrates with different thicknesses. For example, as shown in Fig. 19A, by utilizing the upper step of the retaining portion 72B, the spacer 71 can be attached to the substrate 75A, which has the thinnest thickness of the three types of thickness. Also, as shown in Fig. 19B, by utilizing the lower step of the retaining portion 72B, the spacer 71 can be attached to the substrate 75B, which has the thickest thickness of the three types of thickness.

[0093] The positioning portion 73 protrudes in the negative direction of the z axis from the substrate contact portion 3. The positioning portion 73 is molded integrally with the substrate contact portion 3 using the same synthetic resin as the substrate contact portion 3. In the seventh embodiment, the positioning portion 73 has a truncated cone shape that decreases in diameter toward the lower end, a chamfered shape so that the edge portion of the lower end forms a rounded surface, and a fillet that forms a rounded surface is formed at the boundary with the substrate contact portion 3 at the upper end.

[0094] The positioning portions 73 fit into positioning holes 79 formed in the substrates 75A and 75B when the spacers 71 are attached to the substrates 75A and 75B. With such positioning portions 73, the spacers 71 can be easily attached in the correct orientation when attached to the substrates 75A and 75B, as in the fifth embodiment. Furthermore, the positioning portions 73 of the seventh embodiment have a truncated cone shape that decreases in diameter toward the lower end, and the edge portion of the lower end is chamfered to form a rounded surface, allowing smooth insertion into the positioning holes 79. The shape of the edge portion of the lower end of the positioning portion 73 is not limited to the chamfered shape to form a rounded surface as described above, and may have any shape as long as the lower end of the positioning portion 73 can be smoothly inserted into the positioning holes 79.

[0095] (8) Eighth Embodiment A spacer 81 exemplified as an eighth embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figures 20A, 20B, 21A, 21B, 21C, 21D, 21E, and 21F. The spacer 81 exemplified as the eighth embodiment is configured in most respects identically to the spacer 71 exemplified as the seventh embodiment. However, as shown in Figures 20A, 21B, 21C, 21D, and 21F, the shape of the positioning portion 83 differs from that of the seventh embodiment.

[0096] In the eighth embodiment, the positioning portion 83 also protrudes in the negative z-axis direction from the substrate contact portion 3. However, in the eighth embodiment, the positioning portion 83 is integrated with the snap portion 72, which is different from the seventh embodiment.

[0097] The snap portion 72 corresponds to the attachment portion in the present disclosure. Specifically, the snap portion 72 protrudes in the negative direction of the z-axis from the substrate contact portion 3, and is inserted into an attachment hole 87 formed in the substrate 85 when the spacer 81 is attached to the substrate 85, as shown in FIG. 22A .

[0098] The positioning portion 83 enters a positioning hole 89 formed in the base material 85 when the spacer 81 is attached to the base material 85. In the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22B , the mounting hole 87 and the positioning hole 89 are formed as a single irregularly shaped hole by connecting the circular mounting hole 87 and the rectangular positioning hole 89. However, the specific shapes of the mounting hole 87 and the positioning hole 89 are not limited to the shapes exemplified in FIG. 22B . For example, the mounting hole 87 may have a shape other than a circular hole as long as it can be fitted with the snap portion 72 for attachment. The positioning hole 89 may have a shape other than a rectangular hole as long as it can position the orientation of the spacer 81 relative to the base material 85 by fitting the positioning portion 83 into the inside of the positioning hole 89.

[0099] Even when such a positioning portion 83 is provided, if the positioning portion 83 is designed to fit into the rectangular positioning hole 89, when attaching the spacer 81 to the base material 85, the spacer 81 can be easily attached in the correct orientation, as in the fifth embodiment.

[0100] (9) Other Embodiments While the spacer has been described above using exemplary embodiments, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of one aspect of the present disclosure. In other words, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure.

[0101] For example, although the above embodiments have been described with reference to examples including four component contact portions 5A to 5D, the number of component contact portions is not limited thereto. For example, the number of component contact portions may be two, three, or five or more.

[0102] In the above embodiments, the four component contact portions 5A to 5D are evenly arranged in all four directions (i.e., in four 90-degree ranges obtained by dividing the entire 360-degree circumference into four equal parts) when viewed from above (the positive z-axis direction), but it is optional whether they are arranged in equal or unequal ranges. For example, if three component contact portions are provided, the three component contact portions may be evenly arranged in three 120-degree ranges obtained by dividing the entire 360-degree circumference into three equal parts, or the three component contact portions may be arranged in three unequal 90-degree, 90-degree, and 180-degree ranges obtained by dividing the entire 360-degree circumference into three parts.

[0103] Furthermore, while the above embodiments have shown examples in which the suction surface 9 is provided, if mounting using an automatic mounting machine is not required, the suction surface 9 may not be provided. Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the suction surface 9 is provided at a position further to the positive side of the z-axis than the four component contact portions 5A to 5D. However, the suction surface 9 may be provided at a position further to the negative side of the z-axis than one or more of the four component contact portions 5A to 5D. For example, a recess recessed toward the negative side of the z-axis may be formed between the third component contact portion 5C and the fourth component contact portion 5D, and the inner bottom of the recess may serve as the suction surface.

[0104] Note that multiple functions realized by one component exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components. One function realized by one component exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components. Multiple functions realized by multiple components exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by one component. One function realized by multiple components exemplified in the above embodiments may be realized by one component. Part of the configuration exemplified in the above embodiments may be omitted. At least part of the configuration exemplified in one of the above embodiments may be added to or replaced with a configuration exemplified in an embodiment other than that one embodiment.

[0105] For example, the snap portion 11 may be removed from the spacer 1 exemplified in the first embodiment and the spacer 1 may be attached to the substrate B with an adhesive. The snap portion 11 may be removed from the spacer 1 exemplified in the first embodiment and the lead pins 43A and 43B exemplified in the fourth embodiment may be provided instead.

[0106] Furthermore, the spacer 1 exemplified in the first embodiment or the spacer 31 exemplified in the third embodiment may be provided with any of the positioning portions 53, 63, 73, and 83 exemplified in each of the fifth to eighth embodiments.

[0107] Furthermore, in each of the first to eighth embodiments, examples are given of snap portions 11 and lead pins 43A, 43B configured in specific shapes, but the specific configuration for attaching the spacer of the present disclosure to the substrate is not limited to those exemplified in each embodiment.

[0108] Furthermore, in each of the fifth to eighth embodiments, the positioning portions 53, 63, 73, and 83 configured in a specific shape are exemplified, but the specific shape, size, etc. of the positioning portion in the spacer of the present disclosure are not limited to those exemplified in each embodiment. Furthermore, as mentioned in the fifth embodiment, the substrate contact portion and the positioning portion may be made of the same material or different materials. Furthermore, the substrate contact portion and the positioning portion may be integrally molded or may be made of separate parts.

[0109] 1, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71, 81... Spacer, 3... Base material contact part, 5A to 5D... Component contact part, 5A... First component contact part, 5B... Second component contact part, 5C... Third component contact part, 5D... Fourth component contact part, 7A to 7D... Wall part, 7A... First wall part, 7B... Second wall part, 7C ...Third wall part, 7D... Fourth wall part, 9... Adsorption surface, 11, 72... Snap part, 11A, 72A... Shaft part, 11B, 72B... Removal prevention part, 11C... Division groove, 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D... Recessed part, 43A, 43B... Lead pin, 45... Crushed part, 53, 63, 73, 83... Positioning part.

Claims

1. When a component is attached to a base material, if a gap occurs between the base material and the component, a spacer is provided that is positioned between the base material and the component and capable of maintaining the gap, When the spacer is positioned between the base material and the component, the direction of the spacer toward the component is defined as the positive z-axis direction, and the direction of the spacer toward the base material is defined as the negative z-axis direction. A portion oriented in the negative z-axis direction, and a substrate contact portion that contacts a portion of the substrate oriented in the positive z-axis direction, Each of these is a portion oriented in the positive z-axis direction, and one of these portions contacts a portion of the component oriented in the negative z-axis direction. A suction surface that can be adsorbed by the suction nozzle of an automatic mounting machine, Equipped with, The aforementioned adsorption surface is perpendicular to the z-axis and is provided as a region different from the multiple component contact areas when viewed from the positive z-axis direction, and is positioned on the positive z-axis side from the multiple component contact areas. The plurality of component contact portions are positioned such that the distance in the z-axis direction between the substrate and the component, to which the substrate contact portion contacts, differs depending on which component contact portion contacts the component. Spacer.

2. A spacer according to claim 1, With two mutually orthogonal directions, each of which is orthogonal to the z-axis direction, the x-axis and y-axis directions are defined as the plurality of component contact portions comprising a first component contact portion, a second component contact portion, a third component contact portion, and a fourth component contact portion. When the spacer is viewed from the positive z-axis direction, the first component contact portion and the second component contact portion are positioned such that the first component contact portion is on the negative y-axis side of the suction surface and the second component contact portion is on the positive y-axis side of the suction surface, with the suction surface between them. The third component contact portion and the fourth component contact portion are positioned such that the third component contact portion is on the negative x-axis side of the suction surface and the fourth component contact portion is on the positive x-axis side of the suction surface, with the suction surface between them. Spacer.

3. A spacer according to claim 2, The first wall portion is oriented in the negative y-axis direction and is configured to be able to contact a portion of the component oriented in the positive y-axis direction when the first component contact portion contacts the component, A second wall portion is oriented in the positive y-axis direction and is configured to be able to contact a portion of the component oriented in the negative y-axis direction when the second component contact portion contacts the component, The third wall portion is oriented in the negative x-axis direction and is configured to be able to contact the portion of the component oriented in the positive x-axis direction when the third component contact portion contacts the component, The fourth wall portion is oriented in the positive x-axis direction and is configured to be able to contact a portion of the component oriented in the negative x-axis direction when the fourth component contact portion contacts the component, A spacer equipped with [the following features].

4. (delete)

5. (delete)

6. A spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The mounting portion protrudes from the substrate contact portion in the negative z-axis direction and is inserted into a mounting hole formed in the substrate when the spacer is attached to the substrate, The mounting portion protrudes from the substrate contact portion in the negative z-axis direction, and when the spacer is attached to the substrate, if the mounting portion is inserted into the mounting hole with the spacer in the correct orientation, it enters into the positioning hole formed in the substrate, while if the mounting portion is inserted into the mounting hole with the spacer not in the correct orientation, the positioning portion does not enter into the positioning hole. A spacer equipped with [the following features].