Picker cleaning device for electronic component handler and electronic component handler

Abstract

The present invention relates to a picker cleaning device for an electronic component handler and an electronic component handler. According to the present invention, proposed is a picker device comprising: a support roller supporting a cleaning roll on which an adhesive tape for adhering to and cleaning foreign substances stuck to a picker is wound; a recovery roller disposed to be spaced apart from the support roller and winding and recovering the adhesive tape unwound from the support roller; a rotator rotating the recovery roller; and a support plate disposed between the support roller and the recovery roller and supporting the bottom surface of the adhesive tape to prevent the adhesive tape from sagging downward when the picker descends and presses the adhesive tape downward. Accordingly, contamination of electronic components by the picker is prevented, thereby improving reliability of a process of processing the electronic components.

Description

Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers and electronic component handlers

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for cleaning the picker of an electronic component handler.

[0002] The produced electronic components are shipped after undergoing subsequent processing steps such as testing, sorting, and classification.

[0003] Various electronic component handlers have been developed for the subsequent processing of electronic components.

[0004] The electronic component handler has a picker hand having a picker capable of gripping the electronic component to move the electronic component or releasing the grip of the electronic component.

[0005] The picker hand moves between the gripping position where the picker grips the electronic component and the position where the grip is released.

[0006] The controller enables the electronic component to be moved by controlling the picker to move the picker hand after gripping the electronic component at the gripping position so that the picker releases the grip of the electronic component at the release position.

[0007] Electronic components need to be handled in a very clean state.

[0008] In particular, in electronic component handlers used for testing electronic components, the cleanliness of electronic components, test sockets, and trays for loading electronic components is very important because electronic components may be damaged by foreign substances.

[0009] Various techniques for cleaning test sockets or trays have been proposed in the past.

[0010] Meanwhile, various foreign substances can adhere to electronic components during the handling of finished products or during processing by electronic component handlers. Consequently, the pickers that grip the electronic components can also become contaminated by these foreign substances.

[0011] If the picker is contaminated, the intact electronic components it holds are also contaminated by foreign substances.

[0012] Electronic components contaminated with foreign substances may impair marketability and, furthermore, may cause unexpected damage to the components during subsequent processing.

[0013] [Prior Art Literature]

[0014] [Patent Literature]

[0015] (Patent Document 1) Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2015-0086941

[0016] (Patent Document 2) Republic of Korea Published Patent No. 10-2024-0035344

[0017] Technology is needed to prevent electronic components moved by a picker from being contaminated by foreign substances.

[0018] A picker cleaning mechanism for an electronic component handler according to the present invention comprises: a support roller that supports a cleaning roller wound with an adhesive tape for cleaning foreign substances attached to the picker by adhering to it; a recovery roller that is spaced apart from the support roller and recovers the adhesive tape unwound from the support roller; a rotating mechanism that rotates the recovery roller; and a support plate that is positioned between the support roller and the recovery roller and supports the bottom surface of the adhesive tape to prevent the adhesive tape from stretching downward when the picker descends and presses the adhesive tape downward.

[0019] It further includes an installation frame for installing the support roller, the recovery roller, the rotor, and the base plate.

[0020] The above rotor rotates the above recovery roller in one direction.

[0021] The above-described rotating machine includes a unidirectional bearing configured so that the recovery roller rotates only in the direction of winding the adhesive tape; and a rotating cylinder that rotates the recovery roller.

[0022] The support roller can support a plurality of cleaning rollers in parallel, and the recovery roller has a width that allows adhesive tape unwound from a plurality of cleaning rollers to be wound.

[0023] The above support plate is provided to be elastically raised and lowered.

[0024] An electronic component handler according to the present invention comprises: at least one picker capable of gripping an electronic component or releasing the gripping of an electronic component, and a picker hand for moving the electronic component between a gripping position where the picker grips the electronic component and a release position where the picker releases the gripping of the electronic component; and a picker cleaning mechanism for cleaning the picker provided in the picker hand, and a controller for controlling the picker hand and the picker cleaning mechanism to remove foreign matter attached to the picker.

[0025] The above-mentioned picker cleaning mechanism is positioned on the path where the picker hand moves to move electronic components.

[0026] According to the present invention, the cleanliness of the picker that holds the electronic component can be maintained, thereby improving the reliability of the process for handling the electronic component.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electronic component handler according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a loading device applied to the electronic component handler of Figure 1.

[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a picker cleaning mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to an electronic component handler of FIG. 1.

[0030] Preferred embodiments according to the present invention are described by example with reference to the attached drawings, provided that for the sake of brevity, descriptions of well-known or redundant components are omitted or compressed as much as possible.

[0031] <Brief Overview of Electronic Component Handlers>

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an electronic component handler used to test electronic components.

[0033] The electronic component handler (100) includes a test tray (110), a loading device (120), a soak chamber (130), a test chamber (140), a connecting device (150), a desoak chamber (160), an unloading device (170), a picker cleaning device (180), and a control device (190).

[0034] The test tray (110) circulates along a circular path (C) leading to the loading position (LP), the test position (TP), the unloading position (UP), and then to the loading position (LP).

[0035] Electronic components are loaded in the test tray (110).

[0036] The test tray (110) is a transport tray for moving electronic components.

[0037] The loading device (120) moves the semiconductor device to be tested, which is loaded in the customer tray (CT1) at the supply position (DP), to the test tray (110) at the loading position (LP).

[0038] The loading device (120) is a picker hand for moving an electronic component in the supply position (DP) to the test tray (110) in the loading position (LP).

[0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the loading device (120) has pickers (P) that can adsorb and hold electronic components with vacuum pressure or release the grip.

[0040] The loading device (120) may have at least one picker (P).

[0041] The picker (P) of the loading device (120) grasps the electronic component at the supply position (DP) and releases the grasp of the electronic component at the loading position (LP).

[0042] The supply position (DP) is the gripping position where the picker (P) grips the electronic component, and the loading position (LP) is the release position where the picker (P) releases the grip of the electronic component.

[0043] A soak chamber (130) is provided to preheat or precool the electronic components of the test tray (110) that has been transported before testing.

[0044] A soak chamber (130) is provided to change the electronic components to a test temperature according to the test environment conditions prior to testing.

[0045] The soak chamber (130) is positioned between the loading position (LP) and the test position (TP) on the circulation path (C).

[0046] The test chamber (140) is provided to support testing of electronic components of a test tray (110) that has been transferred to a test location (TP) after being preheated / precooled in a soak chamber (130).

[0047] The connecting device (150) applies pressure to the electronic components of the test tray (110) located at the test position (TP) toward the test socket (TS) of the tester, thereby electrically connecting the electronic components to the test socket (TS).

[0048] The disock chamber (160) is provided to restore the electronic components of the test tray (110), which have been transferred from the test chamber (140), to a temperature such that unloading is not difficult.

[0049] The disoc chamber (160) is positioned between the test position (TP) and the unloading position (UP) on the circulation path (C).

[0050] The unloading device (170) sorts electronic components by test grade from the test tray (110) at the unloading position (UP) and moves them to the empty customer tray (CT2) at the recovery position (WP).

[0051] The unloading device (170) is a picker hand for moving electronic components located at the unloading position (UP) to an empty customer tray (CT2) located at the recovery position (WP).

[0052] The unloading device (170) may have the same configuration as the loading device (120) of FIG. 2.

[0053] The picker (P) of the unloading device (170) grasps the electronic component at the unloading position (UP) and releases the grasp of the electronic component at the retrieval position (WP).

[0054] The unloading position (WP) is a gripping position where the picker (P) grips the electronic component, and the retrieval position (WP) is a release position where the picker (P) releases the grip of the electronic component.

[0055] As can be seen from the configurations above, the electronic component is loaded on the test tray (110) and moves sequentially from the supply position (DP) to the loading position (LP), soak chamber (130), test chamber (140), desoak chamber (160), and unloading position (UP), and then to the recovery position (WP).

[0056] A picker cleaning device (180) is provided to clean the picker (P) by removing foreign matter attached to the picker (P).

[0057] The picker cleaning device (180) includes a support roller (181), a recovery roller (182), a rotating device (183), a base plate (184), and an installation frame (185), etc.

[0058] The support roller (181) supports the cleaning roller (CR).

[0059] The cleaning roller (CR) has adhesive tape (CT) wound on it.

[0060] The cleaning roller (CR) supplies adhesive tape (CT).

[0061] The adhesive tape (CT) is intended to clean foreign substances stuck to the picker (P) by adhering to them.

[0062] When the suction pad of the picker (P) comes into contact with the adhesive tape (CT), foreign matter attached to the suction pad of the picker (P) is transferred to the adhesive tape (CT), thereby cleaning the picker (P).

[0063] The support roller (181) can support two cleaning rollers (CR) in parallel.

[0064] Depending on the implementation, the support roller (181) may be provided to support three or more cleaning paths (CR) in parallel.

[0065] The recovery roller (182) recovers the adhesive tape (CT).

[0066] The adhesive tape (CT) supplied from the cleaning roller (CR) is wound on the recovery roller (182).

[0067] The recovery roller (182) has a groove (FG) formed therein for inserting the front end of the adhesive tape (CT).

[0068] Before operating the electronic component handler (100), the operator inserts the front end of the adhesive tape (CT) into the insertion groove (FG) in advance.

[0069] When the front end of the adhesive tape (FG) is inserted into the insertion groove (FG) and the recovery roller (182) rotates, the adhesive tape (CT) is wound onto the recovery roller (182).

[0070] The recovery roller (182) has a width that allows adhesive tape (CT) unwound from two cleaning rollers (CR) to be wound.

[0071] Depending on the implementation, the recovery roller (182) may be implemented to have a width such that adhesive tape (CT) unwound from three or more cleaning rollers (CR) can be wound.

[0072] The recovery roller (182) is positioned spaced apart from the support roller (181).

[0073] The adhesive tape (CT) is unwound from the cleaning roll (CR), supplied, and then wound onto the recovery roller (182) for recovery.

[0074] The rotor (183) rotates the recovery roller (182).

[0075] The rotor (183) rotates the recovery roller (182) in one direction.

[0076] In this embodiment, the rotor (183) rotates the recovery roller (182) only in a counterclockwise direction.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 4, the rotor (183) includes a unidirectional bearing (183a), a rotating cylinder (183b), and a connecting lever (183c).

[0078] The unidirectional bearing (183a) is set so that the recovery roller (182) rotates only in a counterclockwise direction, which is the direction in which the adhesive tape (CT) is wound.

[0079] The rotary cylinder (183b) supplies the driving force to rotate the recovery roller (182).

[0080] The connecting lever (183c) transmits the driving force of the rotary cylinder (183b) to the recovery roller (182).

[0081] One side of the connecting lever (183c) is connected to the piston rod of the rotary cylinder (183b), and the other side is connected to the rotation axis of the recovery roller (183a).

[0082] When the rotary cylinder (183b) operates and the piston rod moves forward and then backward, the recovery roller (182) rotates counterclockwise by a predetermined rotation angle.

[0083] The base plate (184) supports the bottom surface of the adhesive tape (CT).

[0084] The base plate (184) is placed between the support roller (181) and the recovery roller (182).

[0085] The base plate (184) prevents the adhesive tape (CT) from stretching excessively downward when the picker (P) descends and presses the adhesive tape (CT) downward.

[0086] Each time the rotary cylinder (183b) operates once, the used area of ​​the adhesive tape (CT) moves toward the recovery roller (182), and the clean area of ​​the adhesive tape (CT) is placed above the base plate (184).

[0087] The base plate (184) is provided to be elastically raised and lowered slightly.

[0088] Since the base plate (184) can be raised and lowered elastically to some extent, damage to the picker (P) that is raised and lowered within the operating error range can be prevented.

[0089] The installation frame (185) is provided to install the support roller (181), the recovery roller (182), the rotor (183), and the base plate (184).

[0090] The installation frame (185) has a ‘U’ shape that is open upward.

[0091] The installation frame (185) has two side plates (185a, 185b) spaced apart from each other.

[0092] A support roller (181) and a recovery roller (182) are rotatably connected to the two side plates (185a, 185b).

[0093] Both ends of the support roller (181) and both ends of the recovery roller (182) are rotatably connected to two side plates (185a, 185b).

[0094] The base plate (184) may be formed to extend integrally from one of the two side plates (185a, 185b), specifically from the side plate (185b).

[0095] One side of the base plate (184) is integrally extended and connected to the side plate (185b), and the other side is a free end.

[0096] The base plate (184) can swing based on the point where it is connected to the side plate (185b).

[0097] When the base plate (184) is pressed downward, the remaining points, excluding the point connected to the side plate (185b), move downward slightly.

[0098] When the pressure applied to the base plate (184) is removed, the remaining points, excluding the point connected to the side plate (185b) by elastic force, move upward.

[0099] If the picker is implemented to rise and fall elastically due to external pressure, the base plate (184) may be implemented to remain in a fixed state.

[0100] Both side plates (185a, 185b) have a detachable groove (153c) that is open upward.

[0101] The operator can move the support roller (181) upward to remove the support roller (181) from the mounting plate (185), and move the support roller (181) downward to mount the support roller (181) to the mounting plate (185).

[0102] When all the adhesive tape (CT) is recovered toward the recovery roller (182), the operator can perform the replacement of the cleaning roller (CR) in parallel with the removal of the support roller (181).

[0103] A picker cleaning device (180) is placed on the path where the picker hand moves to move electronic components.

[0104] In this embodiment, the picker cleaning mechanism (180) is placed on a path to move the electronic components of the loading device (120).

[0105] It is preferable that the picker cleaning device (180) be provided between the gripping position and the release position.

[0106] Since the picker cleaning device (180) is placed on the path where the picker hand moves, there is no need to design a separate path for the picker hand to clean the picker (P).

[0107] In this embodiment, the picker cleaning mechanism (180) is positioned between the supply position (DP) and the loading position (LP).

[0108] The controller (190) controls the loading device (120), the connecting device (150), the unloading device (170), and the picker cleaning device (180).

[0109] The controller (190) controls the loading device (120) and the picker cleaning device (180) to remove foreign matter attached to the picker (P).

[0110] The operation of the electronic component handler (100) as described above will be explained.

[0111] First, prior to operating the electronic component handler (100), the operator attaches a cleaning roller (CR) to the picker cleaning device (180).

[0112] After the operator supports the cleaning roller (CR) on the support roller (181), the operator unwinds the adhesive tape (CT) to a certain length and inserts the front end of the adhesive tape (CT) into the insertion groove (FG) of the recovery roller (182).

[0113] After this, the electronic component handler (100) is operated.

[0114] The loading device (120) moves the electronic components to be tested from the customer tray (CT!) at the supply position (DP) to the test tray (110) at the loading position (LP).

[0115] A test tray (110) filled with electronic components to be tested is transferred to a test chamber (140) via a soak chamber (130).

[0116] When the test tray (110) is at a test position (TP) within the test chamber (140), the connecting device (150) electrically connects the electronic components of the test tray (110) to a tester.

[0117] When the testing of the electronic components is completed, the test tray (110) is transferred from the test chamber (140) through the disock chamber (160) to the unloading position (UP).

[0118] The unloading device (170) moves the electronic components that have completed testing at the unloading position (UP) to the empty customer tray (CT2) at the recovery position (WP).

[0119] Meanwhile, the controller (190) cleans the picker (P) while the electronic component handler (100) is operating.

[0120] Cleaning of the picker (P) may be performed periodically or according to a set number of uses of the picker (P).

[0121] When cleaning is required for the picker (P), the controller (190) controls the loading device (120) to position the picker (P) above the base plate (184).

[0122] With the picker (P) positioned above the base plate (184), the controller (190) lowers the loading device (120) to clean the pickers (P) all at once.

[0123] In cases where the width of the adhesive tape (CT) is narrow due to installation space constraints, the controller (190) can be implemented to individually lower the pickers (P) of the loading device (120) and clean the pickers (P) individually.

[0124] Between the time the cleaning of the picker (P) is completed and the next cleaning, the controller (190) operates the rotary cylinder (183b) so that the clean area of ​​the adhesive tape (CT) is positioned above the base plate (184).

[0125] The cleaning area of ​​the adhesive tape (CT) above the base plate (184) may be implemented to be used only once or to be used multiple times.

[0126] The controller (190) controls the loading device (120) so that the adhesive tapes (CT) on both sides are used alternately.

[0127] The controller (190) controls the loading device (120) so that the adhesive tapes (CT) on both sides are used alternately.

[0128] The loading device (120) is controlled so that the picker (P) is cleaned by the adhesive tape (CT) on one side in odd numbers, and the picker (P) is cleaned by the adhesive tape (CT) on the other side in even numbers.

[0129] When both cleaning rolls (CR) are used, the operator removes the used adhesive tape (CT) and then mounts a new cleaning roll (CR) to the picker cleaning device (180).

[0130] The embodiments described above are merely preferred examples of the present invention and may have various applications. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as being limited only to the contents described above. Instead, the scope of the present invention should be understood as the separately described claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A support roller that supports a cleaning roll wound with adhesive tape for adhering to and cleaning foreign substances stuck to a picker; A recovery roller positioned spaced apart from the support roller, on which adhesive tape unwound from the support roller is wound and recovered; A rotating device that rotates the above recovery roller; and A support plate disposed between the support roller and the retrieval roller, which supports the bottom surface of the adhesive tape to prevent the adhesive tape from stretching downward when the picker descends and presses the adhesive tape downward; Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

2. In Paragraph 1, An installation frame for installing the support roller, the recovery roller, the rotor, and the base plate; further comprising Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned rotating machine rotates the above-mentioned recovery roller in one direction. Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above rotating machine A unidirectional bearing configured so that the above recovery roller rotates only in the direction of winding the adhesive tape; and A rotary cylinder that rotates the above recovery roller; comprising Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

5. In Paragraph 1, The above support roller can support a plurality of cleaning rollers in parallel, and The above-mentioned recovery roller has a width capable of winding adhesive tape unwound from a plurality of cleaning rollers. Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above support plate is configured to be elastically raised and lowered. Picker cleaning device for electronic component handlers.

7. A picker hand having at least one picker capable of gripping an electronic component or releasing the gripping of an electronic component, and moving the electronic component between a gripping position where the picker grips the electronic component and a release position where the picker releases the gripping of the electronic component; and A picker cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for cleaning the picker equipped on the picker hand above, and A controller that controls the picker hand and the picker cleaning mechanism to remove foreign matter adhering to the picker; Electronic component handler.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above picker cleaning device is positioned on the path where the picker hand moves to move electronic components. Electronic component handler.

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