Component mounting machine

Abstract

There is a switch that is difficult for a worker to operate in a situation where a detachable unit is attached to a component mounting machine. This component mounting machine comprises: a switch that is disposed on a surface where a detachable unit is attached to the component mounting machine, the switch being hidden from the view of a worker by the unit when the unit is attached; and a lever that is attached to the switch and is supported so as to be displaceable in the operation direction of the switch. When the unit is attached, the lever is operated by the worker and displaced, whereby the switch is operated.

Description

Component Mounting Machine

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a component mounter.

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 7-1284 discloses a remote power supply switching device for a machine tool. According to this publication, a power supply switching breaker is installed in a high-voltage control box located at the rear or other part of the machine tool, and the power supply switching breaker has a breaker drive mechanism. An on / off switch on an operation display panel is installed at the front or other part of the machine tool, and the on / off switch is used to open and close the power supply switching breaker.

[0003] According to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-177472, a rotary lever is provided on the surface of a door of a control panel in a machine tool. When the door is closed, the lever is rotated in one direction to turn off the power supply to a breaker provided in the housing of the control panel, and when the lever is rotated in the opposite direction, the power supply to the breaker is turned on.

[0004] A component mounter may be fitted with a unit according to the purpose of the work, either manually or automatically. Furthermore, a component mounter may have a switch that can be operated by the operator on the surface where the unit is attached or detached. When a unit is attached to the component mounter, such a switch is difficult for the operator to see and operate. Therefore, ensuring the operability of the switch when a detachable unit is attached to the component mounter has been an issue.

[0005] This specification discloses a component mounter. The component mounter includes a switch that is disposed on a surface on which a detachable unit is attached to the component mounter and that is hidden from view by the unit when the unit is attached, and a lever that is attached to the switch and supported so as to be displaceable in the switch operation direction. When the unit is attached, the lever is displaced in response to an operation by the worker, thereby operating the switch.

[0006] According to the above configuration, when the unit is attached to the mounter, the lever is displaced by the operator to operate the switch, thereby enabling the operator to easily operate the switch, which is difficult to see because it is hidden by the unit, via the lever.

[0007] 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of component mounters are lined up. A diagram showing a feeder in a simplified manner. A diagram showing a component mounter in a simplified manner as viewed from the front. A perspective view showing a portion of the base including the lever. A diagram showing an enlarged view of the vicinity of a switch from the same perspective as in FIG. 4. A diagram showing the component mounters and the component supply unit as viewed from the front and above. A diagram showing an enlarged view of a portion of the configuration shown in FIG. 6. A perspective view showing the vicinity of the switch when the component supply unit is attached to the component mounter. A perspective view showing a module carriage. A perspective view showing a state in which modules are mounted on the module carriage. A perspective view mainly showing the front surface of the base. A perspective view showing a state in which the module carriage is positioned relative to the base. A diagram showing a state in which the lever and the support member are locked with a lock.

[0008] The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. Note that the technical elements described below are independent technical elements that exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing.

[0009] In the mounter disclosed in this specification, the switch may be a switch for turning on or off a breaker of the mounter. With this configuration, the operator can easily turn on or off the breaker switch, which is difficult to see because it is hidden by the unit, via the lever.

[0010] The component mounter disclosed in this specification may include a base placed on an installation surface and a module including a mounting unit that mounts components and is replaceably mounted on the base. The switch may be formed on the base. With this configuration, the switch formed on the base, which tends to be difficult for an operator to see when the unit is mounted on the component mounter, can be easily operated via the lever.

[0011] In the mounter disclosed in this specification, the lever may be located below the upper end of the base. According to this configuration, since the lever is located below the upper end of the base, it is possible to prevent the lever from interfering with the module when the module is replaced on the base.

[0012] In the mounter disclosed in this specification, the base may be formed with a positioning portion for positioning an external device, and the lever may be supported at a position that avoids the positioning portion. According to this configuration, since the lever is supported at a position that avoids the positioning portion, when the external device is positioned relative to the base, the lever can be prevented from interfering with the external device or the positioning portion. The external device may be considered as an example of the unit.

[0013] In the mounter disclosed in this specification, the lever may be supported on the front surface of the base at a position inward from the side end surface of the base. According to this configuration, the lever does not protrude beyond the side end surface. Therefore, when multiple mounters are used side by side, it is possible to prevent the lever from interfering with adjacent mounters.

[0014] The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely an example, and the present embodiment is not limited to the contents shown in the drawings. Also, since each drawing is an example, some parts may be omitted.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front showing a state in which multiple mounters 10 are lined up horizontally. In each figure, the X-axis direction is considered to be the left-right (horizontal) direction, the Y-axis direction is considered to be the front-back direction, and the Z-axis direction is considered to be the up-down direction. The mounters 10 are devices that mount electronic components on a circuit board. The mounters 10 are also called chip mounters, etc. One mounter 10 generally has a base 11 placed on an installation surface and a module 12 mounted on the base 11.

[0016] The module 12 includes a mounting unit 13 therein that mounts components. While not described in detail here, the mounting unit 13 has various components necessary for mounting components on a board, such as a head that can move while holding supplied components with a suction nozzle or the like, and a board transport mechanism that transports the board to a predetermined position. The module 12 is replaceably mounted on the base 11. A worker can replace the module 12 on the base 11 for various purposes, such as changing the production items or repairing the module 12.

[0017] 1, a component supply unit 20 is attached to the front surface of each component mounter 10. That is, in the example of FIG. 1, the front surface of the component mounter 10 is the surface on which the component supply unit 20 is attached. The component supply unit 20 is an example of a unit that is detachable from the component mounter 10. The component supply unit 20 can be equipped with a plurality of feeders 21 as exemplified in FIG. 2. The feeders 21 mounted on the component supply unit 20 are omitted in FIG. 1. The component supply unit 20 may be considered as a carriage that carries the feeders 21, or the component supply unit 20 may be considered to include such a carriage and the feeders 21.

[0018] 2 shows a simplified view of one feeder 21. The feeder 21 holds a reel 22. The reel 22 accommodates a plurality of components (not shown) on a wound carrier tape 23. The feeder 21 supplies the components to the module 12 by feeding out the carrier tape 23 in predetermined amounts.

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a simplified front view of two component mounters 10 arranged side by side. Fig. 3 also shows, in simplified form, the component supply unit 20 attached to the front surface 14 of the component mounter 10, indicated by a two-dot chain line. According to Fig. 3, a switch 30, indicated by a solid line, is formed at a predetermined position on the base 11 of the front surface 14. The switch 30 is, for example, a switch for turning on or off a breaker 31 (see Fig. 4) of the component mounter 10. The breaker 31 is a device for manually turning on or off the power supply to the component mounter 10, or for automatically switching it off to protect the wiring from overcurrent.

[0020] 3, the switch 30 is disposed in a position where it is hidden from the view of the operator by the component supply unit 20 when the component supply unit 20 is attached to the component mounter 10. In this embodiment, "hidden from the view of the operator by the unit" includes not only a case where it is completely hidden by the presence of the unit, but also a situation where it is partially hidden by the presence of the unit, making it difficult for the operator to see. When the component supply unit 20 is not attached to the component mounter 10, the switch 30 is not hidden by anything in particular.

[0021] As described above, when the component supply unit 20 is attached to the component mounter 10, the switch 30 is hidden by the component supply unit 20, which has been a problem, making it difficult for the operator to operate the switch 30. To address this, in this embodiment, a lever 40 is attached to the switch 30, as shown in Fig. 4 etc. The lever 40 is supported so that it can be displaced in the operating direction of the switch 30. When the component supply unit 20 is attached to the component mounter 10, the lever 40 is displaced in response to an operation by the operator, thereby operating the switch 30.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of the base 11, including the lever 40. A first opening 15 that is open forward is formed in the base front surface 11a, which is the front surface of the base 11. The base front surface 11a can be considered to be part of the front surface 14 of the component mounter 10. A breaker 31 is housed inside the first opening 15. The switch 30 of the breaker 31 is a protruding piece that protrudes forward, and the switch 30 can be displaced up and down. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the up and down direction corresponds to the operation direction of the switch 30. For example, an operator can turn the breaker 31 on by displacing the switch 30 upward, and turn the breaker 31 off by displacing the switch 30 downward.

[0023] The lever 40 generally has a main body 41, a first operating piece 42, a second operating piece 43, and a switch engagement portion 44. The lever 40 is formed, for example, from sheet metal. The lever 40 is formed, for example, by cutting out a single piece of sheet metal and bending it. Alternatively, the lever 40 may be formed by joining multiple sheet metal members together by welding, screws, or the like. The main body 41 is an elongated member, and its longitudinal direction faces the operating direction of the switch 30, i.e., the up-down direction.

[0024] The first operating piece 42 and the second operating piece 43 are parts that an operator touches to operate the lever 40. The operator holds the first operating piece 42 or the second operating piece 43 to displace the lever 40. The first operating piece 42 and the second operating piece 43 are collectively referred to as the "operating piece." The operating pieces are located in positions that are easier for an operator to see and operate with their hands than the switch 30 when the component supply unit 20 is attached to the mounter 10. According to FIG. 4 , the first operating piece 42 corresponds to the approximate upper end of the main body 41. On the other hand, according to FIG. 4 , the second operating piece 43 is the tip of the part extending from the main body 41 toward the right side end surface 11b of the base 11. At least one operating piece is sufficient for the lever 40. However, having multiple operating pieces increases the operator's options and improves the convenience of the operator when operating the lever 40. The operating piece is configured to include, for example, a horizontal surface to make it easier for the operator to place their fingers on. Of course, the horizontal position referred to here does not have to be strictly horizontal. The operation piece may be provided with a rubber material, for example, to make it easier for the operator to hold.

[0025] The switch engaging portion 44 extends from the main body 41 toward the switch 30, and engages with the switch 30 by sandwiching the switch 30 from above and below at its tip. The switch engaging portion 44 and the switch 30 only need to be engaged with each other with a strength sufficient to allow the switch 30 to be displaced in synchronization with the displacement of the lever 40.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4 , a support member 50 is fixed to the base front surface 11a, and the lever 40 is supported by the support member 50. The method for fixing the support member 50 to the base front surface 11a is not particularly limited. The support member 50 is formed of sheet metal, similar to the lever 40. The support member 50 is also an elongated member, with its longitudinal direction oriented in the vertical direction. The main body 41 of the lever 40 is formed with multiple elongated holes 41a that penetrate the main body 41 and whose longitudinal direction is in the vertical direction. The main body 41 is supported on the support member 50 via the elongated holes 41a with screws 41b. The screws 41b secure the main body 41 to the support member 50 with enough strength to allow vertical displacement of the lever 40 when subjected to vertical force. Therefore, the length of the elongated holes 41a in the vertical direction determines the range of displacement of the lever 40. However, it is sufficient for the elongated holes 41a to have a length equivalent to the displacement range of the switch 30 in the operating direction of the switch 30.

[0027] The main body 41, first operating piece 42, second operating piece 43, etc. of the lever 40 each have a cross-section that is bent into a substantially L-shape, and this bent shape improves the strength of the lever 40. The support member 50 also has a cross-section that is bent into a substantially L-shape, centered on the area where it overlaps with the main body 41. The bent main body 41 is supported in an overlapping state inside the bent support member 50, and the movement of the main body 41 in the vertical direction is stably guided by the support member 50. A configuration in which the lever 40 is directly supported by the base 11 can also be adopted. However, as shown in the figure, by interposing the support member 50 between the base 11 and the lever 40 and using the support member 50 to support and guide the lever 40, smooth displacement of the lever 40 along the operation direction of the switch 30 can be easily achieved.

[0028] Figure 5 shows an enlarged view of the switch 30 and its vicinity taken from the same perspective as Figure 4. In Figure 5, the switch 30 and lever 40 when the switch 30 is turned off are indicated by solid lines. In Figure 5, the positions of the switch 30 and lever 40 when the switch 30 is turned on are indicated by dashed double-dashed lines. As can be seen from Figure 5, the switch 30 is turned on and off by vertical displacement of the lever 40.

[0029] 4, a second opening 16 that is open forward is formed in the base front surface 11a. The second opening 16 is located, for example, above the first opening 15 and below the first operating piece 42. The second opening 16 is an example of a positioning portion for positioning an external device. Depending on the specific positioning mode, the positioning portion does not necessarily have to be an opening. The lever 40 is supported at a position that avoids the second opening 16, which is such a positioning portion. More specifically, the lever 40 is located at a position that avoids the second opening 16 regardless of whether the switch 30 is in the on position or the off position.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows two component mounters 10 lined up horizontally and two component supply units 20 attached to each of the component mounters 10, viewed from the front and above. FIG. 7 also shows an enlarged view of part of the configuration shown in FIG. 6, particularly the area between the two component supply units 20. It can be said that FIG. 7 is shown from the perspective of an operator standing in front of the component mounters 10. According to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first operating piece 42 of the lever 40 of the left-side component mounter 10 is visible between the two component supply units 20 from the operator's perspective. Therefore, the operator can turn the switch 30 on and off in a comfortable position by inserting his or her hand between the two component supply units 20 from above and displacing the first operating piece 42 up and down.

[0031] 8 is a perspective view showing the area around the switch 30 when the component supply unit 20 is attached to the component mounter 10. The operator can also turn the switch 30 on and off by touching the second operating piece 43 of the lever 40 from the side of the component supply unit 20 and displacing the lever 40 up or down.

[0032] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the component supply unit 20 is attached to the component mounter 10, the lever 40 is displaced in response to an operation by an operator, thereby operating the switch 30. Therefore, the operator can easily operate the switch 30, which is difficult to see because it is hidden by the component supply unit 20, via the lever 40.

[0033] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a module carriage 60 as an example of an external device. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a state in which a module 12 is mounted on the module carriage 60. Fig. 11 is a perspective view of mainly the base front surface 11a of the base 11, and Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a state in which the module carriage 60 is positioned relative to the base 11.

[0034] As described above, an operator can replace the module 12 with respect to the base 11. To attach or detach the module 12, the operator brings the module carriage 60 close to the base front surface 11a of the base 11. At this time, a protrusion 61 that protrudes toward the base front surface 11a is provided on the end of the module carriage 60 that faces the base front surface 11a. The second opening 16 in the base front surface 11a is a hole that has been formed in advance to receive such a protrusion 61. In other words, by inserting the protrusion 61 into the second opening 16, the module carriage 60 is accurately positioned with respect to the base 11, as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0035] For example, an operator removes a module 12 mounted on the base 11 from the base 11, moves it horizontally onto a module carriage 60 positioned relative to the base 11, and then moves the module carriage 60 loaded with the module 12 to another predetermined position. The operator can also horizontally move the module 12 mounted on the module carriage 60 positioned relative to the base 11 onto the base 11 and mount it on the base 11. Considering such module 12 replacement work on the base 11, in this embodiment, as can be seen from FIG. 4 , the lever 40 is positioned below the upper end 11c of the base 11. That is, regardless of whether the lever 40 is in the position to turn the switch 30 on or off, the uppermost part of the lever 40 is not positioned above the upper end 11c. This configuration prevents the lever 40 from interfering with the module 12 when the module 12 is replaced on the base 11. The upper end 11c of the base 11 may also be referred to as the upper surface 11c, upper end surface 11c, or the like. Like the lever 40 , the support member 50 is also positioned so that its uppermost portion is not positioned above the upper end 11 c of the base 11 .

[0036] As described above, the lever 40 is supported at a position that avoids the second opening 16. This prevents the lever 40 from covering the second opening 16 or interfering with the protruding portion 61 of the module carriage 60. Furthermore, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the second operating piece 43 of the lever 40 does not protrude outward from the side end surface 11b of the base 11. This means that the lever 40 is supported at a position on the base front surface 11a of the base 11 that is more inward than the side end surface 11b. As can be seen from FIG. 1, a plurality of component mounters 10 are used side by side. By supporting the lever 40 at a position more inward than the side end surface 11b in this manner, it is possible to prevent the lever 40 from interfering with adjacent component mounters 10 or component supply units 20.

[0037] FIG. 13 illustrates one modified example, showing the vicinity of the first operating piece 42 of the lever 40. The main body 41 has a lever-side fixed piece 41c near the first operating piece 42. The support member 50 has a support-member-side fixed piece 51 at a rear position overlapping the lever-side fixed piece 41c. The lever-side fixed piece 41c has a lock hole 41d penetrating the lever-side fixed piece 41c. Similarly, the support member-side fixed piece 51 also has a lock hole penetrating the support member-side fixed piece 51. The lock hole 41d of the lever-side fixed piece 41c is formed in a position that communicates with the lock hole of the support member-side fixed piece 51 when the lever 40 is in a position that turns the switch 30 off. Therefore, an operator can insert a lock 70, such as a padlock, into these two communicating lock holes to lock the switch 30 so that the state of the switch 30 cannot be changed unless the lock 70 is released. In addition, taking into consideration the characteristics of the switch 30 and the convenience of the operator, the lock hole 41d may be formed in a position that communicates with the lock hole of the support member side fixed piece 51 when the lever 40 is in a position that turns on the switch 30.

[0038] This embodiment also includes the configurations described below. Units that can be attached to and detached from the component mounter 10 include units other than the component supply unit 20. In other words, anything that can be temporarily attached to the component mounter 10 corresponds to the unit of this embodiment. For example, instead of the component supply unit 20 of the type that is equipped with a feeder 21 that supplies components from a reel 22, a component supply unit that supplies components from a tray also corresponds to the unit of this embodiment. Furthermore, the module carriage 60 may be considered to be a type of unit of this embodiment.

[0039] The switch 30 is not limited to the switch of the breaker 31. Any switch that can be included in the component mounter 10 and that can be displaced to switch its state corresponds to the switch 30. Furthermore, the switch 30 is not limited to a mechanism that can be displaced selectively to either on or off, but may be a mechanism that can be displaced to one of three or more switching positions.

[0040] The switch 30 may have a shape different from the forward-projecting protruding piece shown in the figure. The switch 30 may have, for example, a portion that can be gripped by an operator. The operator can grip the grippable portion of the switch 30 to operate the switch 30. The switch engaging portion 44 may have a shape that matches the shape of the grippable portion of the switch 30 and engages with the switch 30.

[0041] The position where the switch 30 is formed in the mounter 10 is not limited to the front surface 11a of the base 11. Any position that is difficult to see because it is hidden by the unit when the unit is attached to the mounter 10 as described above can be the position of the switch 30 in this embodiment.

[0042] The lever 40 may be provided on the unit side, such as the component supply unit 20, rather than on the component mounter 10. In other words, the lever 40 is supported on the unit so as to be displaceable in the operating direction of the switch 30. When the unit is attached to the component mounter 10, a part of the lever 40, such as the switch engaging portion 44, engages with the switch 30. This allows the operator to operate the switch 30 by operating the lever 40 when the unit is attached to the component mounter 10. Furthermore, if the lever 40 is provided on the unit side, the configuration around the switch 30 can be simplified when the unit is not attached to the component mounter 10.

[0043] Although specific examples of the technology disclosed in this specification have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and variations of the specific examples exemplified above. Furthermore, the technical elements described in this specification or drawings exhibit technical utility alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. Furthermore, the technology exemplified in this specification or drawings simultaneously achieves multiple objectives, and achieving one of those objectives itself has technical utility.

[0044] 10: Component mounter 11: Base 12: Module 13: Mounting section 14: Front surface 15: First opening 16: Second opening 20: Component supply unit 21: Feeder 30: Switch 31: Breaker 40: Lever 41: Main body 42: First operating piece 43: Second operating piece 44: Switch engagement section 50: Support member 60: Module carriage 61: Protrusion 70: Lock

Claims

1. A component mounter comprising: a switch that is placed on a surface on which a detachable unit is attached to the component mounter, and that is hidden from view by the unit when the unit is attached; and a lever that is attached to the switch and supported so as to be displaceable in the operating direction of the switch; and when the unit is attached, the lever is displaced in response to operation by the worker, thereby operating the switch.

2. The mounter according to claim 1, wherein the switch is a switch for turning on or off a breaker of the mounter.

3. The component mounter according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the component mounter has a base placed on an installation surface, and a module including a mounting section for mounting components, the module being replaceably mounted on the base, and the switch is formed on the base.

4. The mounter according to claim 3, wherein the lever is positioned below the upper end of the base.

5. A component mounter as set forth in claim 3, wherein a positioning portion for positioning an external device is formed on the base, and the lever is supported at a position that avoids the positioning portion.

6. The mounter according to claim 3, wherein the lever is supported on the front surface of the base at a position more inward than the side end surface of the base.

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