Operating station to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine

Abstract

An operating station (3) is described for a manufacturing machine (1) for manufacturing articles (A) arranged along a processing path (P) and designed to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors (C), to semi-finished articles (A) with a collecting store (8) for the electronic components which develops along a feeding path (S); a feeding device (10) for the electronic components arranged downstream of the collecting store (8) along the feeding path (S) and comprising a number of conveyor devices (11) rotating around respective, preferably vertical axes (Y1, Y2) and provided with a number of peripheral seats (13), each configured to accommodate a respective electronic component coming from the collecting store (8) and to cause it to rotate, at least partially, around the respective axes (Y1, Y2); and a picking unit (19) for the electronic components arranged downstream of the feeding device (10) along the feeding path (S) and comprising a number of pick-and-place systems (20), each configured to pick, hold and finally release the electronic components downstream of the station (3); and wherein each pick-and-place system (20) comprises a respective member (21) having at one end a suction cup configured to pick the electronic component and connected to a suction source.

Description

[0001] "Operating station to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine"

[0002] Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0003] This Patent Application claims priority from Italian Patent Application No. 102023000025071 filed on November 24, 2023, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0004] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0005] The present invention relates to an operating station to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] As is known, a manufacturing machine for the production and / or assembly of articles, for example in the context of electronic cigarettes, generally comprises a supplying system developing along a processing path and comprises a plurality of processing stations which are arranged in succession along the supplying system and are designed to feed components of the article or to carry out processing on the semi-finished articles.

[0008] Supplying systems having a linear transport conveyor, which in turn comprises a number of carriages (or trays) independent of each other and designed to receive and hold the components of the article, are becoming increasingly popular. In particular, the linear transport conveyor supports the carriages and moves them cyclically through the operating stations where processing is carried out on the semi-finished articles or components are fed to the semi-finished articles. In some cases, a processing station configured to feed electronic components, for example microprocessors, having very small dimensions (in the order of 2.2 x 1.7 mm) is provided. JP2001267798, CN207070598, CN107454820 and CN103125153 describe processing stations of known type.

[0009] Since the electronic components are small, the handling and transfer of said electronic components are however extremely delicate and the placement on the semi-finished articles must be as precise as possible.

[0010] Therefore, the need is increasingly felt to provide technical solutions which allow to improve the operation of said processing stations. In particular, the need is often felt to carry out operations / processing on the electronic components without damaging them and to arrange them extremely precisely on the semi-finished articles.

[0011] DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an operating station to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine which is free of the drawbacks of the state of the art and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. According to the present invention, an operating station is provided to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine according to what is claimed in the appended claims.

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The present invention will now be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an operating station to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors, in an article manufacturing machine made in accordance with the present invention; and

[0016] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the station of Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a conveyor device of Figure 2;

[0018] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a seat of the conveyor device of Figure 3 filled with an electronic component; and

[0019] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the empty seat of Figure 3.

[0020] PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0021] In Figure 1, the reference number 1 indicates, as a whole, a manufacturing machine for the production of articles A.

[0022] In particular, the articles A have a substantially parallelepiped development; the articles A are provided with a substantially flat major surface A* on which a seat is obtained to house an electronic component C, in particular a microprocessor C (or chip).

[0023] The microprocessor C has a substantially parallelepiped shape having a reduced thickness and provided with two major side surfaces and two minor side surfaces. The microprocessor C has a length between 2 mm and 2.5 mm; preferably, the microprocessor C has a length equal to 2.2 mm.

[0024] Furthermore, the microprocessor C has a width between 1.5 mm and 2 mm; preferably, the microprocessor C has a width equal to 1.7 mm.

[0025] The manufacturing machine 1 comprises a supplying system 2 which develops along a processing path P and comprises a plurality of operating (or processing) stations 3 which are arranged in succession along the supplying system 2 and are designed to feed components of the article A or to carry out processing on the semi-finished articles A. The supplying system 2 comprises a linear transport conveyor 4 which in turn comprises a number of carriages 5 (or trays), which are adapted to receive and hold the components of the article A. The linear transport conveyor 4 supports the carriages 5 and moves them cyclically through the operating stations 3. The linear transport conveyor 4 comprises a guide 6 which is arranged in a fixed position; in particular, the guide 6 is preferably made from a single fixed track (i.e. without movement) or a double track. Furthermore, the linear transport conveyor 4 comprises a number of slides 7, each of which supports a corresponding carriage 5 and is coupled to the guide 6 to slide freely along the guide 6. Lastly, the linear transport conveyor 4 comprises an electric linear motor (of known type) which moves the slides 7 carrying the carriages 5 along the processing path P. According to a preferred variant, the electric linear motor comprises a stator (i.e. a fixed primary) which is advantageously arranged in a fixed position along the guide 6 and a plurality of movable movers (i.e. movable secondary), each of which is electro-magnetically coupled to the stator in order to receive a driving force from the stator and is rigidly connected to a corresponding slide 7.

[0026] Each slide 7 is operated intermittently, i.e. a non-continuous motion involving a cyclic alternation of motion phases, in which the slide 7 is in motion to transfer between adjacent operating stations 3 and stop phases at the operating stations 3. Each slide 7 is controlled independently of one another.

[0027] The carriages 5 are arranged on sides of the respective slides 6 which are facing, in use, the various operating stations 3 to receive components of the article A or to carry out processing on the semi-finished articles A.

[0028] In Figures 1 and 2, an operating station 3 is illustrated which is designed to feed the microprocessors C to the articles A, which develops along a feeding path S, substantially transverse to the processing path P.

[0029] The operating station 3 comprises a vibrating collecting store 8 of the microprocessors C. A number, preferably two, of channels 9 are obtained inside the vibrating collecting store 8 for supplying the single microprocessors fed in an irregular manner. The channels 8 are arranged substantially transverse to the linear transport conveyor 4. At the bottom of the collecting store 8, the microprocessors C are collected in a storage zone. In the area of the storage zone, a (first) microprocessor C position detection device is provided; in more detail, said (first) detection device comprises a sensor configured to detect the presence of the microprocessors C.

[0030] The operating station 3 then comprises a feeding device 10 of the microprocessors C arranged downstream of the collecting store 8 along the feeding path S.

[0031] The feeding device 10 comprises a number, preferably two, of conveyor devices 11 arranged side by side and rotating around respective axes Yi, Y2 which are parallel to each other and preferably vertical. Advantageously, each conveyor device 11 is configured to face a respective channel 9 from which it receives the microprocessors C. Each conveyor device 11 comprises a drum 12 provided with a number of peripheral seats

[0032] 13, each configured to accommodate a microprocessor C. Advantageously, each drum 12 is provided with a peripheral seat 13 or alternatively a plurality of peripheral seats 13 (two or four peripheral seats 13). The peripheral seats 13 are uniformly distributed around the axes Yi, Y2.

[0033] The station 3 then comprises an insertion element, which is arranged in a position facing the outlet of the collecting store 8 to intercept the microprocessors C and allow the insertion of the microprocessors C inside the seats 13.

[0034] According to what is illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the seat 13 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan and is delimited laterally by three substantially flat surfaces indicated with 14, 15 and 16. Each seat 13 is provided with a suction system 17 configured to hold the microprocessors C in a given position inside the seat 13. The suction system 17 comprises a suction source SS and a number of ducts 18 which lead into respective openings obtained in said side surfaces 14, 15. In more detail, the suction system 17 comprises two ducts 18 which lead into two openings obtained in a pair of side surfaces

[0035] 14, 15 orthogonal to each other. The suction system 17 is configured to hold the microprocessors C so that they strike against the side surfaces 14, 15. In other words, the microprocessors C are arranged inside the seat 13 with a major side surface in contact with the surface 14 and a minor side surface in contact with the surface 15.

[0036] The seat 13 has dimensions which approximate in excess the dimensions of the microprocessor C; when the microprocessor C is housed in the seat 13, vacuum zones are provided to compensate for any processing tolerances of the microprocessor C. Advantageously, the suction system 17 does not comprise a duct 18 which leads into a respective opening obtained in the side surface 16 because the microprocessor C is arranged at a (non-zero) distance from the side surface 16.

[0037] The operating station 3 then comprises a picking unit 19 of the microprocessors C arranged downstream of the feeding device 10 along the feeding path S. In particular, the picking unit 19 comprises a number, preferably two, of pick-and-place systems 20 arranged side by side. Preferably, the movement of the two pick-and-place systems 20 from the feeding device 10 to the carriage 5 is independent of each other and is carried out by respective independent manipulator robots. Alternatively, the movement of the two pick-and-place systems 20 from the feeding device 10 to the carriage 5 is carried out simultaneously by a single manipulator robot.

[0038] Advantageously, each pick-and-place system 20 is configured to pick, transfer and release the microprocessors C of a respective conveyor device 11 up to the carriage 5. In other words, each pick-and-place system 20 is configured to be arranged in the area of a respective conveyor device 11, from which it picks the microprocessors C.

[0039] Each pick-and-place system 20 comprises a pick-and-place device in which the microprocessors C are picked after a partial rotation around the axes Yi, Y2, from the seats 13 and inserted inside seats made in the articles A.

[0040] Each pick-and-place system 20 comprises a picking member 21 provided with a suction holding system configured to pick and hold the microprocessors C in a given position until release on the semi-finished article A. Advantageously, the microprocessors C are released in the area of the seat of the article A in which a glue point has previously been applied. The picking member 21 comprises, at one end, a suction cup configured to pick, transfer and release the microprocessor C and connected to a suction source.

[0041] In use, according to a preferred embodiment, the picking members 21 pick and transfer through contactless suction to try to avoid damaging the microprocessors C. In other words, the suction cup is arranged in the area of the microprocessor C and the suction holding system is activated without any contact between the suction cup and the microprocessors.

[0042] Alternatively, the microprocessors C are arranged in contact with the suction cup until release on the semi-finished article A. In other words, the microprocessors C are integral with the suction cup so as to maintain a precise orientation of the microprocessors C.

[0043] Moreover, the picking member 21 further comprises elastic means to adjust the pressure with which the microprocessors C are released onto the semi-finished articles A.

[0044] A further detection device is also provided, preferably optical, obtained by means of sensors, preferably by means of cameras, to detect the presence, and in particular the placement, of the microprocessors C.

[0045] The method is described below for feeding the microprocessors C to the semi-finished articles A in the area of the operating station 3 described in the preceding discussion: the carriage 5 reaches the operating station 3 and stops in the area of the operating station 3; the semi-finished articles A are housed on the carriage 5, preferably a number (in particular, two) of semi-finished articles A are arranged side by side with a special seat configured to receive a microprocessor C facing upwards and on which a glue point has previously been applied; the microprocessors C travel through one of the channels 9 until they are arranged in the area of the storage zone; the microprocessors C are then transferred inside the seat 13; the suction system 17 is activated so that the microprocessor C is arranged with a major side surface in contact with the surface 14 and a minor side surface in contact with the surface 15; the drum 12 makes a partial rotation around the axis Yi, Y2 (preferably by 90° or 180°); the pick-and-place system 20 is lowered so that the picking member 21 (in particular the suction cup) is arranged in the area of the microprocessor C and the suction holding system is activated; the pick-and-place system 20 lifts and transfers the microprocessor C in the area of the carriage 5; once the microprocessor C has reached the position in the area of the seat on the semi-finished article A, the suction holding system is deactivated.

[0046] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0047] 1 manufacturing machine

[0048] 2 supplying system

[0049] 3 operating station

[0050] 4 linear transport conveyor

[0051] 5 carriage

[0052] 6 guide

[0053] 7 slide

[0054] 8 collecting store

[0055] 9 channel

[0056] 10 feeding device

[0057] 11 conveyor device

[0058] 12 drum

[0059] 13 seat

[0060] 14 surface

[0061] 15 surface

[0062] 16 surface

[0063] 17 suction system

[0064] 18 ducts

[0065] 19 picking unit

[0066] 20 pick-and-place system

[0067] 21 picking member

[0068] P processing path

[0069] A article

[0070] C microprocessor

[0071] S feeding path

[0072] Y axis

[0073] SS source

Claims

C L A I M S1. An operating station (3) for a manufacturing machine (1) for manufacturing articles (A) arranged along a processing path (P) and designed to feed electronic components, in particular microprocessors (C), to semi-finished articles (A), comprising:- a collecting store (8) for the electronic components, which develops along a feeding path (S);- a feeding device (10) for the electronic components arranged downstream of the collecting store (8) along the feeding path (S) and comprising a number of conveyor devices (11) rotating around respective, preferably vertical axes (Yi, Y2) and provided with a number of peripheral seats (13), each configured to accommodate a respective electronic component coming from the collecting store (8) and to partially cause it to rotate around said axes (Yi, Y2); and- a picking unit (19) for the electronic components arranged downstream of the feeding device (10) along the feeding path (S) and comprising a number of pick-and-place systems (20), each configured to pick, hold and finally release the electronic components onto the semi-finished articles (A) downstream of the operating station (3); and wherein each pick-and-place system (20) comprises a respective member (21) having, at one end, a suction cup configured to pick the electronic component and connected to a suction source.

2. The unit according to claim 1, wherein the microprocessors (C) are picked and transferred by the picking members (21) through contactless suction.

3. The unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each seat (13) is provided with a suction system (17) configured to hold the electronic components in a given position inside the seat (13).

4. The unit according to claim 3, wherein the suction system (17) comprises a suction source (SS) and a number of ducts (18), in particular two, which lead to respective openings made in a pair of side surfaces (14, 15) of the seat (13) orthogonal to oneanother, so that, in use, the electronic components strike against said pair of side surfaces (14, 15).

5. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic component collecting store (8) preferably is of the vibrating kind and comprises a number of, preferably two, channels (9) for supplying the single electronic components.

6. The unit according to claim 5, wherein each conveyor device (11) is configured to face a respective channel (9), from which it receives the electronic components.

7. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each pick-and- place system (20) is configured to be arranged in the area of a respective conveyor device (11), from which it picks the electronic components.

8. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each picking member (21) comprises elastic means to adjust the pressure with which the electronic components are released onto the articles (A).

9. The unit according to any one of the preceding claims and comprising at least one detection device, preferably an optical one, arranged along the feeding path (S) and obtained by means of sensors, preferably by means of video cameras, to check for the presence, in particular the placement, of the electronic components.

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