Bulk feeder

Abstract

This bulk feeder comprises: a feeder body; a support member that is vibratably provided to the feeder body, and supports a detachably set component case; and a vibratory device that imparts vibration to the component case such that components are discharged from a discharge port provided to the lower portion of the component case.

Description

Bulk Feeder

[0001] The present invention relates to a bulk feeder.

[0002] A bulk feeder is equipped in a component mounting machine that mounts components on a board and is used to supply bulk components to a supply area. As shown in Patent Document 1, the bulk feeder is set with a component case that stores a large number of components in bulk, and supplies the components to the component mounting machine so that they can be picked up by transporting the components ejected from the component case to a predetermined supply area.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 095219

[0004] When a bulk feeder supplies parts, it must first eject the parts from the parts case. However, because many parts are present in irregular positions inside the parts case, the correct amount of parts is not always ejected from the ejection port. If the amount of parts ejected from the parts case into the bulk feeder is too much or too little, this may affect the part feeding operation.

[0005] An object of the present specification is to provide a bulk feeder that can support the operation of discharging components from a component case and maintain the efficiency of the operation of feeding components.

[0006] This specification discloses a bulk feeder comprising a feeder body, a support member that is vibratably attached to the feeder body and supports a parts case that is detachably set, and a vibration device that imparts vibrations to the parts case so that the parts are discharged from a discharge port provided at the bottom of the parts case.

[0007] This specification also discloses the technical idea of ​​changing "a bulk feeder according to any one of claims 2 to 4" in claim 7 as originally filed to "a bulk feeder according to any one of claims 2 to 6", and the technical idea of ​​changing "a bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4" in claim 9 as originally filed to "a bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8".

[0008] With this configuration, the component case is supported by the support member so that it can vibrate, and vibrations are applied directly or indirectly by the vibration device, which assists the component discharge operation by facilitating the discharge of components from the discharge port. This ensures that the appropriate amount of components is discharged into the bulk feeder, preventing excess or shortage of components and maintaining the efficiency of the component supply operation by the bulk feeder.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a component mounting machine equipped with a bulk feeder; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the bulk feeder; Fig. 3 is a side view schematically showing a main part of the bulk feeder and a component case; Fig. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the remaining amount of components in the component case and frequency for each pattern; Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 3 in a first modified embodiment; Fig. 6 is a side view corresponding to Fig. 3 in a second modified embodiment;

[0010] The bulk feeder 20 will be described with reference to the drawings. The bulk feeder 20 is installed in, for example, a component mounting machine 10 that mounts components on a circuit board. The bulk feeder 20 supplies components in a bulk state that are not packaged in a carrier tape, stick, or the like.

[0011] 1. Configuration of the component mounting machine 10 The component mounting machine 10 constitutes a production line for producing circuit board products, together with a plurality of types of substrate-related operation machines, including other component mounting machines 10. The substrate-related operation machines that make up the production line may include a printing machine, an inspection device, a reflow oven, and the like.

[0012] 1, the component mounting machine 10 includes a board transport device 11. The board transport device 11 sequentially transports the boards 91 in a transport direction and positions the boards 91 at predetermined positions within the machine.

[0013] 1-2. Component Supply Device 12 The component mounting machine 10 is equipped with a component supply device 12. The component supply device 12 supplies components to be mounted on the board 91. The component supply device 12 is equipped with a feeder 122 for each of a plurality of slots 121. For example, a tape feeder that feeds and moves a carrier tape containing a large number of components to supply the components so that they can be picked is used as the feeder 122. Furthermore, a bulk feeder 20 that supplies components stored in a bulk state so that they can be picked is used as the feeder 122. Details of the bulk feeder 20 will be described later.

[0014] 1-3. Component Transfer Device 13 The component mounting machine 10 is equipped with a component transfer device 13. The component transfer device 13 transfers components supplied by the component supply device 12 to predetermined mounting positions on the board 91. The component transfer device 13 is equipped with a head drive device 131, a movable table 132, a mounting head 133, and a suction nozzle 134. The head drive device 131 moves the movable table 132 in horizontal directions (X and Y directions) using a linear motion mechanism. The mounting head 133 is detachably fixed to the movable table 132 by a clamp member (not shown) and is provided so as to be movable horizontally within the machine.

[0015] The mounting head 133 supports a plurality of suction nozzles 134 that are rotatable and movable up and down. The suction nozzles 134 are holding members that pick up and hold components supplied by the feeder 122. The suction nozzles 134 use supplied negative pressure air to pick up the components supplied by the feeder 122. A chuck or the like that grips and holds components can be used as the holding member attached to the mounting head 133.

[0016] 1-4. Component camera 14, board camera 15 The component mounting machine 10 is equipped with a component camera 14 and a board camera 15. The component camera 14 and the board camera 15 are digital imaging devices having imaging elements such as CMOS. The component camera 14 and the board camera 15 capture images based on control signals and send image data acquired by the images. The component camera 14 is configured to be able to capture images of components held by the suction nozzle 134 from below. The board camera 15 is mounted on a moving stage 132 so as to be movable horizontally integrally with the mounting head 133. The board camera 15 is configured to be able to capture images of the board 91 from above.

[0017] Furthermore, in addition to capturing an image of the surface of the circuit board 91, the board camera 15 can also capture an image of various devices within the movable range of the movable table 132. For example, in this embodiment, the board camera 15 can capture an image of the supply area As (see FIG. 3) to which the bulk feeder 20 supplies components and a reference mark (not shown) provided on the top of the bulk feeder 20 within the camera's field of view. In this way, the board camera 15 can be used to capture images of different objects in order to obtain image data to be used for various image processing.

[0018] 1-5. Control Device 16 As shown in FIG. 1, the component placement machine 10 is equipped with a control device 16. The control device 16 is mainly composed of a CPU, various memories, a control circuit, and a storage device. The control device 16 stores various data, such as a control program used to control the placement process. The control program indicates the placement positions, placement angles, and component types of components to be placed on the board 91 in the placement process in the planned placement order.

[0019] The control device 16 executes a process for recognizing the holding state of the components held by each of the multiple holding members (suction nozzles 134). Specifically, the control device 16 processes image data acquired by image capture by the component camera 14, and recognizes the position and angle of each component relative to the reference position of the mounting head 133. Note that in addition to the component camera 14, the control device 16 may also process image data acquired by, for example, a head camera unit integrally provided on the mounting head 133 capturing an image of the component from the side, below, or above.

[0020] The control device 16 controls the component mounting operation by the mounting head 133 based on the control program to execute the mounting process. Here, the mounting process includes a process of repeating a PP cycle (pick and place cycle), which includes a picking operation and a mounting operation, multiple times. The above-mentioned "picking operation" refers to the operation of picking up a component supplied by the component supply device 12 with the suction nozzle 134. The above-mentioned "mounting operation" refers to the operation of mounting the picked component at a predetermined mounting position on the board 91 at a predetermined mounting angle.

[0021] When the above-described picking operation is performed, the control device 16 controls the operation of the component supply device 12 including the bulk feeder 20. Control of the bulk feeder 20 includes, for example, control of the component supply operation by the bulk feeder 20. The control device 16 recognizes the supply state of the multiple components in the supply area As of the bulk feeder 20 based on image data acquired by capturing images with a camera (in this embodiment, the board camera 15).

[0022] The supply status recognition process includes a process of recognizing whether or not there are any pickable components in the supply area As, and, if there are any pickable components, a process of recognizing the position and angle of the components. Then, the control device 16 controls the operation of the mounting head 133 in the picking operation based on the results of the supply status recognition process. In the mounting process, the control device 16 controls the operation of the mounting head 133 based on information output from various sensors, image processing results, a control program, and the like. This controls the positions and angles of the multiple suction nozzles 134 supported by the mounting head 133. As a result, the components held by the suction nozzles 134 are mounted at the predetermined mounting positions and angles instructed by the control program.

[0023] 2. Configuration of Bulk Feeder 20 Bulk feeder 20 is installed in component mounting machine 10 and functions as part of the component supply device. Bulk feeder 20 supplies components stored in a bulk state (irregularly positioned components) that is not aligned like a carrier tape. Therefore, unlike tape feeders, bulk feeder 20 does not use carrier tape, which has the advantage of eliminating the need to load carrier tape and collect used tape.

[0024] Some bulk feeders 20 supply components in irregular positions to the planar supply area As. However, if the components are so close together in the supply area As that they touch each other, or if they are piled up (overlapping vertically), or if the components are positioned horizontally so that their widths are vertical, the component mounting machine 10 cannot pick these components. Therefore, to increase the percentage of components that can be picked, some bulk feeders 20 supply components in an aligned state in the supply area As. In this embodiment, a bulk feeder 20 of the aligned type will be described as an example.

[0025] 2-1. Feeder Body 21 and Bracket 22 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bulk feeder 20 includes a feeder body 21. The feeder body 21 is formed in a flat box shape. A connector 211 and two pins 212 are provided at the front of the feeder body 21 (the right end in FIG. 3). When the feeder body 21 is installed in the slot 121 of the component supply device 12, it is powered via the connector 211 and is capable of communicating with the control device 16 of the component mounting machine 10. The two pins 212 are inserted into guide holes provided in the slot 121 and are used to position the feeder body 21 when it is installed in the slot 121.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, the bulk feeder 20 includes a bracket 22. The bracket 22 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 21. The bracket 22 is formed in a block shape extending in the front-to-rear direction of the feeder body 21 and supports a track member 421 attached to the upper surface. A predetermined vibration is applied to the bracket 22 by a conveyance vibration device 24, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the track member 421 supported by the bracket 22 is fixed by a locking member (not shown).

[0027] 2-2. Support Member 30 As shown in FIG. 3, the bulk feeder 20 includes a support member 30. The support member 30 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 21 and supports a component case 50 that is detachably set therein. The support member 30 has a main body (in this embodiment, a support base 31) and a protruding portion 32. In this embodiment, the support member 30 is composed of the support base 31, the protruding portion 32, and a case holder 41 of the transport unit 40, which will be described later.

[0028] Support base 31 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to feeder body 21. Support base 31 is formed in a block shape extending in the front-to-rear direction of feeder body 21, and supports case holder 41 attached to the upper surface. A predetermined vibration is applied to support base 31 by vibration device 25, which will be described later. In this embodiment, case holder 41 supported by support base 31 is fixed by locking member 60.

[0029] With the case holder 41 placed on the upper surface of the support base 31, the locking member 60 moves the operating unit 61 in two stages along the locking groove 62 (in this embodiment, it moves upward and then forward), whereby the locking claw (not shown) engages with the engaging portion of the case holder 41. This results in a locked state in which the case holder 41 is locked to the support base 31. In the locked state, the case holder 41 is fixed integrally to the support base 31. The locking member 60 enters an unlocked state by moving the operating unit 61 in two stages in the reverse order. The movement of the operating unit 61 is performed automatically by an internal mechanism of the bulk feeder 20.

[0030] The protrusion 32 is provided on the lower surface of the support base 31 and is formed so as to protrude downward from the lower surface of the support base 31. As shown in Fig. 3, the protrusion 32 is formed in an L-shape when viewed from the side, and one side is fixed by a bolt to the lower surface of the support base 31. The protrusion 32 is a portion that protrudes downward, faces a solenoid 251 of the vibration device 25 described below, and has a vibrated portion 321 formed of a magnetic material.

[0031] The support base 31 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 21 by connecting both horizontal ends of the support base 31 to the feeder body 21 with a pair of elastic members. Various configurations can be adopted for providing the support base 31 with a vibrable state. In this embodiment, each of the pair of elastic members 35 is a leaf spring 35 provided so that its thickness direction is horizontal, as shown in FIG.

[0032] 2 and 3, the bulk feeder 20 includes a transport unit 40. The transport unit 40 is detachably attached to the feeder body 21. The transport unit 40 supports the set component cases 50. The transport unit 40 transports components discharged from the component cases 50 from the receiving area (receiving section 411) to the supply area As.

[0033] After the bulk feeder 20 has been used for a predetermined mounting process, a type of maintenance is performed in which all components inside the feeder are removed in preparation for the next use. The transport unit 40 is designed to be removable from the feeder body 21 as a unit that functions as a component flow path to improve workability, assuming such a removal process. In this embodiment, the transport unit 40 includes a case holder 41, a track unit 42, and a connecting member 43.

[0034] The component case 50 is an external device that stores multiple components in bulk. The component case 50 is set in a detachable (replaceable) manner in the case holder 41 of the transport unit 40 of the bulk feeder 20. The component case 50 has an overall shape that is a flat box, similar to the feeder body 21. The component case 50 is set in the case holder 41 and is ready to discharge components from an outlet 51 formed in the bottom.

[0035] 2-3-1. Case Holder 41 The case holder 41 is provided so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder body 21. The case holder 41 is attached to the feeder body 21 via the support base 31. This allows vibration to be applied to the case holder 41 by the vibration device 25 via the support base 31. The case holder 41 supports a component case 50 placed therein. The case holder 41 has a receiving portion 411 that receives a component 92 ejected from the component case 50. In this embodiment, the portion of the case holder 41 that receives the component 92 has an inclined surface that is inclined forward with respect to the horizontal plane. The case holder 41 has a flow path for the component 92 that extends upward from the lower end of the inclined surface.

[0036] 2-3-2. Track Unit 42 The track unit 42 includes a track member 421 that is detachably attached to the feeder body 21. The track member 421 is attached to the feeder body 21 via the bracket 22. This allows the track member 421 to be vibrated by the conveyance vibration device 24 via the bracket 22. The track member 421 defines a conveyance path R along which multiple components 92 are conveyed, and a supply area As that is connected to the conveyance path R and opens upward so that multiple components 92 can be picked up. Here, the "supply area As" refers to an area where components 92 are supplied in bulk and where the components 92 can be picked up by the component mounting machine 10. The "conveyance path R" refers to the path along which components 92 circulated on the track member 421 from the case holder 41 side are conveyed to the supply area As.

[0037] The track member 421 is formed so as to extend in the front-to-rear direction (left-to-right direction in FIG. 3 ) of the feeder body 21 as a whole. In this embodiment, an alignment member (not shown) is replaceably attached to the track member 421. This alignment member is, for example, one or more plate-shaped members. In this manner, the track unit 42 is unitized by attaching one of a plurality of types of alignment members selected from a plurality of types corresponding to the shapes of a plurality of types of parts 92 to the common track member 421.

[0038] The alignment member defines a plurality of cavities arranged in a predetermined pattern (e.g., a staggered pattern), each of which has a rectangular shape slightly larger than the outer shape of the components 92 supplied by the bulk feeder 20. Thus, the bulk feeder 20 has a plurality of cavities that accommodate the components 92 in a supply area As that supplies the components 92 so that the thickness direction of the components 92 is vertical.

[0039] The track unit 42 has a shutter 422 provided on the front end side of the track member 421. The shutter 422 is provided on the track member 421 so as to be able to open and close, and in the closed state closes the opening of the supply area As. When the track unit 42 is attached to the feeder body 21, the shutter 422 is connected to a shutter drive device (not shown). The opening and closing operation of the shutter 422 is controlled by the shutter drive device. By opening and closing the shutter 422, the bulk feeder 20 can prevent components 92 from jumping out and foreign objects from entering the supply area As.

[0040] 2-3-3. Connecting Member 43 The connecting member 43 connects the case holder 41 and the track unit 42 so that the multiple parts 92 can flow between them. The connecting member 43 is tubular, allowing the multiple parts 92 to flow through it. The connecting member 43 is flexible and deforms in response to the vibrations of the case holder 41 and the track unit 42, thereby absorbing the respective vibrations. In this way, the connecting member 43 reduces or blocks vibrations transmitted between the case holder 41 and the track unit 42, which vibrate independently of each other.

[0041] 2-4. Air Supply Device 23, Conveyance Vibration Device 24 The bulk feeder 20 is equipped with an air supply device 23 that supplies positive pressure air to the conveyance unit 40. When the conveyance unit 40 is attached to the feeder body 21, the air supply device 23 supplies positive pressure air to the conveyance unit 40, and the plurality of parts 92 are circulated from the case holder 41 to the track unit 42 via the connecting member 43. In this embodiment, the air supply device 23 supplies positive pressure air supplied from the outside from below the case holder 41 based on a command from the feeder control device 26, which will be described later.

[0042] Bulk feeder 20 includes conveyance vibration device 24 provided in feeder body 21. Conveyance vibration device 24 applies vibration to track member 421 so that multiple parts 92 are conveyed between conveyance path R communicating with supply area As and supply area As. In this embodiment, conveyance vibration device 24 applies vibration to track member 421 via bracket 22. When conveyance vibration device 24 applies vibration to track member 421, track member 421 moves in an elliptical shape when viewed from the side.

[0043] As a result, a forward and upward external force or a backward and upward external force is applied to the multiple parts 92 on the conveying path R depending on the rotation direction of the elliptical motion of the track member 421. As a result, the multiple parts 92 are conveyed to the front or rear of the track member 421. By controlling the frequency and amplitude of the vibrations applied to the track member 421 and the rotation direction of the elliptical motion caused by the vibrations, the bulk feeder 20 can vary the conveying speed, degree of dispersion of the parts 92, conveying direction, and the like of the conveyed parts 92.

[0044] 2-5. Vibration Device 25 The bulk feeder 20 includes a vibration device 25 provided in the feeder body 21. The vibration device 25 applies vibrations to the component case 50 so that the components 92 are discharged from the discharge port 51 provided at the bottom of the component case 50. In this embodiment, the vibration device 25 has a solenoid 251 that is energized when power is supplied. The solenoid 251 is energized only while power is being supplied, generating a magnetic field. The solenoid 251 is disposed opposite the vibrated part 321, and attracts the vibrated part 321 with the magnetic force it generates.

[0045] More specifically, when the solenoid 251 generates a magnetic force, the protrusion 32 having the vibrated portion 321 and the support base 31 move to one side in the horizontal direction (the left side in FIG. 3 ) against the elastic force of the pair of leaf springs 35. When the power supply to the solenoid 251 is cut off, the magnetic force disappears, and the protrusion 32 and the support base 31 move to the other side in the horizontal direction (the right side in FIG. 3 ) due to the elastic force of the pair of leaf springs 35.

[0046] In this configuration, by supplying pulsed power to solenoid 251, vibration exciter 25 moves and vibrates protrusion 32 and support base 31 in the horizontal direction, as shown by the arrow in Figure 3. In this way, vibration exciter 25 vibrates protrusion 32, thereby imparting vibrations to support base 31 on which protrusion 32 is provided, case holder 41 attached to support base 31, and component case 50 set in case holder 41.

[0047] 2-6. Feeder Control Device 26 The bulk feeder 20 is equipped with a feeder control device 26. The feeder control device 26 is mainly composed of a CPU, various memories, and control circuits. When the bulk feeder 20 is installed in a slot of the component mounting machine 10, the feeder control device 26 is supplied with power via the connector 211 and is able to communicate with the control device of the component mounting machine 10.

[0048] The feeder control device 26 controls the operation of the air supply device 23, the conveying vibration device 24, the vibration device 25, etc. The feeder control device 26 controls the operation of the conveying vibration device 24 based on, for example, preset parameters to execute the component supply process. As a result, vibration is applied to the track member 421, and the components on the conveying path R are conveyed by receiving an external force that moves them in the conveying direction. The feeder control device 26 also controls the operation of the shutter drive device and switches the shutter 422 to a predetermined state.

[0049] In this embodiment, the feeder control device 26 includes a vibration control unit 27. The vibration control unit 27 controls the amplitude and frequency of the vibration applied to the parts case 50 by the vibration applying device 25. The bulk feeder 20 configured as described above can vary the amount of parts discharged from the discharge port 51 by controlling the frequency and amplitude of the vibration applied to the parts case 50. Therefore, the vibration control unit 27 controls the frequency so that it increases as the remaining amount of parts 92 in the parts case 50 decreases.

[0050] Various modes can be adopted for the discharge control of the components 92 by the vibration control unit 27. Here, in the discharge control by the vibration control unit 27, it is desirable that the amount of components 92 discharged from the component case 50 (discharge amount) be within a certain range, and also within an expected range. This prevents excess or deficiency in the number of components 92 remaining inside the transport unit 40, and improves the efficiency of the supply process of the components 92. Therefore, the vibration control unit 27 adopts the following control modes.

[0051] The remaining amount of parts 92 in the parts case 50 may be obtained by a direct measurement using a sensor or the like, or may be obtained by estimation. For example, the vibration control unit 27 estimates the amount of parts 92 discharged based on at least one of the number of times the discharge control for the parts 92 was executed and the execution time. The vibration control unit 27 can then subtract this discharge amount from the initial amount of parts 92 in the parts case 50 to calculate the remaining amount of parts 92 as an estimated value.

[0052] In controlling the discharge of the components 92, the vibration control unit 27 controls the frequency of the vibration applied by the vibration device 25 to increase as the number of times (time) the discharge operation is performed increases, i.e., as the remaining amount of the components 92 decreases, as shown by line L1 in Fig. 4. Specifically, the vibration control unit 27 varies the frequency of the pulsed power supplied to the solenoid 251 of the vibration device 25. Note that the vibration control unit 27 may also control the frequency of the vibration to increase stepwise with the number of times (time) the discharge operation is performed, as shown by lines L2 and L3 in Fig. 4.

[0053] Furthermore, in controlling the discharge of components 92, the vibration control unit 27 may perform control to vary the vibration duration (the duration for applying vibration to the component case 50) in one discharge operation, depending on the number of times (time) the discharge operation is performed or the remaining number of components 92. In this way, the vibration control unit 27 can vary the amount of components discharged from the discharge port 51 by controlling the frequency and amplitude of the vibration applied to the component case 50 in the discharge operation of components 92. This allows the discharge amount of components 92 in the discharge operation to be within a certain range or an expected range.

[0054] 3. Component Supply Processing by Bulk Feeder 20 The component supply processing by the bulk feeder 20 configured as described above will now be described. First, the feeder control device 26 performs an operation to discharge components 92 from the component case 50 based on, for example, an external supply command. This discharge operation may be performed after a supply command is input, or may be performed after the previous supply processing has been performed in preparation for the next supply processing.

[0055] The vibration control unit 27 controls the operation of the vibration device 25 to apply vibrations to the case holder 41 to which the component case 50 is attached. When the component case 50 vibrates at a predetermined frequency, the component 92 is ejected from the ejection port 51. The ejected component 92 falls onto the inclined portion of the case holder 41 located below the ejection port 51 and slides forward along the inclined surface of the inclined portion. As a result, the component 92 is retained in the receiving portion 411 in front of the inclined portion.

[0056] In this state, the feeder control device 26 commands the air supply device 23 to supply positive pressure air. The positive pressure air supplied by the air supply device 23 blows up the stagnant components 92 and flows through the flow path formed in the case holder 41 together with the components 92. As a result, the positive pressure air and the components 92 flow from the case holder 41 through the connecting member 43 to the track unit 42 and reach the conveying path R of the track unit 42. Here, the positive pressure air is exhausted to the outside from an exhaust port formed in the cover of the track unit 42.

[0057] Thereafter, when the conveying vibration device 24 applies vibration to the track member 421, the multiple components 92 are conveyed toward the supply area As. Furthermore, the track member 421 is applied with vibrations that move the components 92 forward or backward, depending on factors such as the amount of components 92 being supplied in the supply area As. Some of the multiple components 92 conveyed to the supply area As are accommodated in the cavities. Components 92 that are not accommodated in the cavities are retracted toward the conveying path R by the vibrations applied by the conveying vibration device 24, and are removed from the supply area As. Through this component supply process, the components 92 accommodated in the multiple cavities are supplied in a state in which they can be picked up by the component mounting machine 10.

[0058] 4. Effects of the Configuration of the Embodiment With this configuration, component case 50 is supported by support member 30 so that it can vibrate, and vibration is applied directly or indirectly by vibration exciter 25, thereby assisting the discharge of components 92 so as to encourage the discharge of components 92 from discharge port 51. This ensures that the appropriate amount of components 92 is discharged into bulk feeder 20, preventing an excess or shortage of components 92 and maintaining the efficiency of the supply of components 92 by bulk feeder 20.

[0059] 5. Modifications of the Embodiment In the embodiment, the mechanism for vibrating component case 50 is configured such that protrusion 32 made of a magnetic material is attracted when solenoid 251 of vibration device 25 is energized, and when the power supply is cut off, a pair of elastic members (leaf springs 35) return the protrusion 32 to its initial position. However, various modifications of vibration device 25 can be adopted.

[0060] 5, the vibrator 25A of the bulk feeder 20A may vibrate the protrusion 32 by moving it horizontally via the push rod 25A1 using a magnetic force generated by a solenoid 251. This configuration allows the vibrated portion 321 of the protrusion 32 to be made of a material other than a magnetic material. Furthermore, connecting the push rod 25A1 to the protrusion 32 can improve the followability of the vibration generated by the solenoid 251.

[0061] Note that the vibrator 25A may directly vibrate the support base 31 or the case holder 41 in addition to the protrusion 32. Furthermore, as in a second modified embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the vibrator 25B of the bulk feeder 20B may be configured to directly vibrate the component case 50. In the embodiment, the support member 30 is configured by the support base 31 as the main body, the protrusion 32, and the case holder 41 of the transport unit 40.

[0062] Alternatively, the support member 30 may be configured without the case holder 41, as shown in FIG. 6 . In such a configuration, the component case 50 is set in the main body of the support member 30, and the discharge port 51 is positioned so as to communicate with the interior of the transport unit 40. This configuration also allows for the same supply operation of components 92 as in the embodiment. In a second modified embodiment, the main body of the support member 30 is supported by the feeder body 21 with a pair of elastic members 35A, such as rubber. This configuration also provides the same effects as the embodiment.

[0063] In the embodiment, the bulk feeder 20 supplies components to be mounted on the board 91 by the component mounting machine 10. In contrast, the components are used in a substrate-related operation machine that performs a predetermined operation on the board 91, such as the component mounting machine 10, and various items can be applied as long as they can be supplied to the supply area As of the bulk feeder 20. For example, the bulk feeder 20 may supply solder balls formed in a spherical shape as an example of components. Even in such an embodiment, the same effects as those of the embodiment can be achieved.

[0064] 10: Component mounting machine, 12: Component supply device, 121: Slot, 122: Feeder, 16: Control device, 20, 20A, 20B: Bulk feeder, 21: Feeder body, 25, 25A, 25B: Vibration device, 251: Solenoid, 25A1: Push rod, 26: Feeder control device, 27: Vibration control unit, 30: Support member, 31: Support base (main body), 32: Protrusion, 321: Vibrated part, 35: Leaf spring (elastic member), 35A: Elastic member, 40: Conveyance unit, 41: Case holder, 411: Receiving part, 42: Track unit, 43: Connecting member, 50: Component case, 51: Discharge port, 91: Board, 92: Component, As: Supply area, R: Conveyance path, L1, L2, L3: line

Claims

1. A bulk feeder comprising: a feeder body; a support member that is vibratably mounted on said feeder body and supports a parts case that is removably set on said feeder body; and a vibration device that imparts vibrations to said parts case so that parts are discharged from an outlet provided at a lower part of said parts case.

2. A bulk feeder as described in claim 1, wherein the support member has a block-shaped main body extending horizontally and a protrusion protruding downward from the underside of the main body, and the vibration device applies vibration to the parts case via the support member by vibrating the protrusion.

3. A bulk feeder as described in claim 2, wherein the protrusion has a vibrated part formed of a magnetic material, and the vibration device has a solenoid that is excited by power supply, and the magnetic force generated by the solenoid attracts the vibrated part, thereby moving the protrusion in a horizontal direction and vibrating it.

4. A bulk feeder as set forth in claim 2, wherein the vibration device has a solenoid that is excited by power supply, and vibrates the protrusion by moving it horizontally via a push rod using the magnetic force generated by the solenoid.

5. A bulk feeder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support member is arranged to be vibrable relative to the feeder body by connecting both horizontal ends of the main body portion to the feeder body with a pair of elastic members.

6. The bulk feeder according to claim 5, wherein each of the pair of elastic members is a leaf spring provided so that its thickness direction is horizontal.

7. A bulk feeder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the support member comprises a support base which is the main body, and a case holder which is detachably attached to the support base and supports the part case set therein.

8. A bulk feeder as described in claim 7, wherein the case holder has a receiving portion that receives the parts discharged from the part case, and together with a track member formed with a supply area that supplies the parts so that they can be picked up, constitutes a transport unit that transports the parts from the receiving portion to the supply area.

9. A bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a vibration control unit that controls the amplitude and frequency of the vibration applied to the parts case by the vibration device.

10. The bulk feeder according to claim 9, wherein the vibration control section controls the frequency to be higher as the remaining amount of the components in the component case decreases.

Images