JP7546152B2 - Bulk Feeder - Google Patents

Description

This specification discloses technology relating to bulk feeders.

The bulk segment feeder described in Patent Document 1 includes a component supply attachment and a platform. The platform includes a vibration mechanism having a top plate and an apparatus fixing means. The component transport device vibrates the component transport rail using the vibration mechanism to transport components in the alignment groove and the feed groove.

JP 2009-105363 A

A bulk feeder is assumed in which a vibration device vibrates a track member having a groove-shaped transport path, thereby transporting multiple supply items on the transport path to a collection section. In this configuration, the collection section is provided in a supply area at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path where a substrate-related operating machine can collect multiple supply items. However, when the vibration device transports multiple supply items in a direction along the extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path, it is difficult to transport the supply items transported between the collection section and a pair of side wall surfaces extending along the extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path to the collection section.

In consideration of these circumstances, this specification discloses a bulk feeder capable of transporting supplies transported between a pair of side wall surfaces extending along the extension direction of a groove-shaped transport path and a collection section to the collection section.

This specification discloses a bulk feeder including a feeder body, a track member, a vibration device, and a guide member. The track member is provided with a groove-shaped transport path that can be vibrated relative to the feeder body, and a plurality of supply items discharged from a case are transported. The vibration device vibrates the track member to transport the plurality of supply items to a collection section that is provided in a supply area at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path where a substrate-related operating machine can collect the plurality of supply items. The guide member guides the object, which is at least one supply item transported to a pair of empty spaces provided between a pair of side wall surfaces extending along the extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path and the collection section, toward the side of the collection section when the object is further transported in a direction along the extension direction.

According to the above-mentioned bulk feeder, since it is equipped with an induction member, the supply product transported between the pair of side wall surfaces extending along the extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path and the collection section can be transported to the collection section.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a component mounting machine. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a bulk feeder. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a schematic view of a portion of the bulk feeder of FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view seen in the direction of the arrow IV in FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a conveying path. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a track member (peripheral area of the collection portion) of a comparative embodiment. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an example of a track member (peripheral area of the collection portion) of the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a track member (peripheral area of the collection portion) of the first modified embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a track member (peripheral area of the collection portion) of a second modified embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example of a track member (peripheral area of the collecting portion) of a third modified embodiment. FIG. 11 is a cut-away end view of the track member of FIG. 10 .

1. Embodiment 1-1. Configuration example of component mounting machine 10 Bulk feeder 30 supplies a plurality of supply items 90s to a substrate-related operation machine WM0 that performs a predetermined substrate-related operation on a board 90. For example, component mounting machine 10, a printer, and the like are included in substrate-related operation machine WM0. Component mounting machine 10 mounts a plurality of components 91 on board 90. Component mounting machine 10 can also supply a plurality of solder balls 92 to board 90. The components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to board 90 are included in the plurality of supply items 90s.

As shown in FIG. 1, the component mounting machine 10 of this embodiment includes a board transport device 11, a supply device 12, a transfer device 13, a first camera 14, a second camera 15, and a control device 20. The board transport device 11 is, for example, a belt conveyor, and transports the board 90 in a transport direction (X-axis direction). The board 90 is a circuit board on which electronic circuits, electric circuits, magnetic circuits, etc. are formed. The board transport device 11 transports the board 90 into the component mounting machine 10 and positions the board 90 at a predetermined position within the machine. After the predetermined processing by the component mounting machine 10 is completed, the board transport device 11 transports the board 90 out of the component mounting machine 10.

The supply device 12 supplies components 91. The supply device 12 can also supply solder balls 92. The supply device 12 has a plurality of feeders 12b arranged along the transport direction (X-axis direction) of the substrate 90. Each of the plurality of feeders 12b is detachably attached to the slot 12a. The feeders 12b may be a tape feeder, a bulk feeder 30, or the like.

The tape feeder pitch-feeds a carrier tape containing multiple components 91, and supplies the components 91 at a supply position so that they can be picked up. The bulk feeder 30 supplies the components 91 discharged from a case 70 that contains multiple components 91 in a bulk state (where the multiple components 91 are in an irregular position) so that they can be picked up. The bulk feeder 30 can also supply the solder balls 92 discharged from a case 70 that contains multiple solder balls 92 in a bulk state (where the multiple solder balls 92 are in an irregular position) so that they can be picked up.

In this embodiment, the bulk feeder 30 is installed in a predetermined slot 12a among the multiple slots 12a of the supply device 12 of the component mounting machine 10. The slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is installed is determined in a production plan for the board products. For example, the slot 12a in which the bulk feeder 30 is installed is determined together with the slot 12a in which other feeders 12b such as tape feeders are installed so that the throughput (production amount of board products per unit time) of the component mounting machine 10 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

The transfer device 13 includes a head drive device 13a, a moving table 13b, a mounting head 13c, and a holding member 13d. The head drive device 13a is configured to be able to move the moving table 13b in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction (direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction in a horizontal plane) by a linear motion mechanism. The mounting head 13c is detachably (replaceably) attached to the moving table 13b by a clamp member. The mounting head 13c uses at least one holding member 13d to collect and hold the supply item 90s supplied by the supply device 12, and mounts the supply item 90s on the substrate 90 positioned by the substrate transport device 11. The holding member 13d can be, for example, a suction nozzle, a chuck, or the like.

The first camera 14 and the second camera 15 may be any known imaging device. The first camera 14 is fixed to the base of the component mounting machine 10 so that the optical axis faces upward in the vertical direction (the Z-axis direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction). The first camera 14 can capture an image of the supply item 90s held by the holding member 13d from below.

The second camera 15 is mounted on the moving platform 13b of the transfer device 13 so that its optical axis faces downward in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The second camera 15 can capture images of the substrate 90, the collection section Pu0 (cavity unit 50 in this embodiment) described below, and the like from above. The first camera 14 and the second camera 15 capture images based on control signals sent from the control device 20. Image data of the images captured by the first camera 14 and the second camera 15 are sent to the control device 20.

The control device 20 is equipped with a known arithmetic device and a memory device, and a control circuit is configured. Information output from various sensors provided in the component mounting machine 10, image data, etc. are input to the control device 20. The control device 20 sends control signals to each device based on a control program and predetermined mounting conditions that have been set in advance.

For example, the control device 20 causes the second camera 15 to capture an image of the board 90 positioned by the board transport device 11. The control device 20 processes the image captured by the second camera 15 to recognize the positioning state of the board 90. The control device 20 also causes the holding member 13d to pick up and hold the component 91 supplied by the supply device 12, and causes the first camera 14 to capture an image of the component 91 held by the holding member 13d. The control device 20 processes the image captured by the first camera 14 to recognize the holding posture of the component 91.

The control device 20 moves the holding member 13d toward above the intended mounting position that is set in advance by a control program or the like. The control device 20 also corrects the intended mounting position based on the positioning state of the board 90, the holding posture of the component 91, and the like, and sets the mounting position where the component 91 is actually mounted. The intended mounting position and mounting position include a rotation angle in addition to the position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate).

The control device 20 corrects the target position (X-axis coordinates and Y-axis coordinates) and rotation angle of the holding member 13d to match the mounting position. The control device 20 lowers the holding member 13d at the corrected rotation angle at the corrected target position to mount the component 91 on the board 90. The control device 20 repeats the above pick-and-place cycle to perform a mounting process for mounting multiple components 91 on the board 90. The control device 20 can also perform a supply process for supplying solder balls 92 to a predetermined area of the board 90 in the same manner as the components 91.

1-2. Configuration example of bulk feeder 30 The bulk feeder 30 may take various forms as long as it can supply a plurality of supply items 90s. In this embodiment, the plurality of supply items 90s are components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to a board 90. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7, the bulk feeder 30 of this embodiment includes a feeder main body 31, a receiving member 32, a bracket 33, a track member 34, a locking unit 35, a cover 36, a shutter 37, a connecting member 38, an air supply device 39, a vibration device 40, a cavity unit 50 (collection section Pu0), a feeder control device 60, a case 70, and a guide member 80.

As shown in FIG. 2, the feeder body 31 is formed in a flat box shape. The feeder body 31 is removably mounted in the slot 12a of the feeder 12. The feeder body 31 has a connector 31a and multiple (two in the figure) pins 31b, 31b formed at the tip side in the conveying direction of the multiple supplies 90s. The conveying direction of the multiple supplies 90s is the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the conveying path Rd0 described later, which corresponds to the Y-axis direction in the component mounting machine 10 when the feeder body 31 is mounted in the slot 12a.

The connector 31a is provided so as to be able to communicate with the control device 20 when the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a. The bulk feeder 30 is also powered via the connector 31a. The multiple (two) pins 31b, 31b are inserted into guide holes provided in the slot 12a and are used for positioning the feeder body 31 when it is installed in the slot 12a.

A case 70 that contains multiple supplies 90s in bulk is removably attached to the feeder body 31 via a receiving member 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 70 is formed with a discharge port 71 for discharging the multiple supplies 90s. In this embodiment, the case 70 is an external device of the bulk feeder 30. For example, an operator selects a case 70 that contains multiple supplies 90s to be supplied to the substrate 90 from the multiple cases 70, and attaches the selected case 70 to the feeder body 31.

The receiving member 32 supports the case 70 attached to the feeder main body 31 and is arranged to be vibrable relative to the feeder main body 31. The receiving member 32 is arranged in a receiving area Ar0 that receives a plurality of supply items 90s discharged from the case 70. The receiving member 32 in this embodiment has an inclined portion 32a and a sending portion 32b. The inclined portion 32a is a portion that is inclined downward from the discharge port 71 of the case 70. The plurality of supply items 90s discharged from the discharge port 71 are guided downward. The sending portion 32b is a portion that extends upward from the tip side of the inclined portion 32a. The tip side of the sending portion 32b is open and communicates with the conveying path Rd0 of the track member 34. The plurality of supply items 90s guided downward by the inclined portion 32a are sent upward in the sending portion 32b by the air supply device 39 described later, and are sent to the conveying path Rd0.

The bracket 33 is arranged so as to be vibrable relative to the feeder main body 31. The bracket 33 is formed in a block shape extending in the conveying direction of the multiple supplies 90s (the extension direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)). A track member 34 is attached to the upper surface of the bracket 33. The bracket 33 is supported by a support member 41 of the vibration device 40 described later. The lock unit 35 fixes the track member 34 in a state in which the track member 34 is attached to the bracket 33. When the track member 34 is fixed by the lock unit 35, it becomes vibrable together with the bracket 33 relative to the feeder main body 31. The track member 34 becomes removable from the bracket 33 by releasing the lock unit 35.

The track member 34 has a groove-shaped transport path Rd0 along which the multiple supplies 90s discharged from the case 70 are transported. The transport path Rd0 may take various forms as long as it is capable of transporting the multiple supplies 90s. As shown in FIG. 5, the transport path Rd0 of this embodiment has a pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a, a tip side wall surface 34b, a pair of corners 34c, 34c, a pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, and an introduction portion 34e.

The pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a are wall surfaces extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The tip side wall surface 34b is a wall surface provided on the tip side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The pair of corners 34c, 34c are corners formed by the tip side wall surface 34b and the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a. The pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d and the introduction portion 34e will be described later.

When the feeder body 31 is installed in the slot 12a, at least a portion of the track member 34 is disposed in the supply area As0. The supply area As0 is an area in which the substrate-related work machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10) can pick up a plurality of supply items 90s. Specifically, the supply area As0 is an area in which the supply items 90s can be picked up by the holding member 13d supported by the mounting head 13c, and is included in the movable range of the mounting head 13c.

The multiple supplies 90s are transported to the collection unit Pu0 provided in the supply area As0 at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The collection unit Pu0 may be in a form in which the multiple supplies 90s are scattered. The collection unit Pu0 may also be in a form including a cavity unit 50. The cavity unit 50 includes multiple cavities 51 (120 in the example shown in FIG. 4) in which one of the multiple supplies 90s can be accommodated, and is replaceably attached to the track member 34.

Each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 is intended to accommodate one supply item 90s. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the multiple (120) cavities 51 are arranged in a matrix in the supply area As0. For example, the cavity unit 50 has a total of 120 cavities 51, with 10 cavities arranged in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0 and 12 cavities arranged in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0.

Each of the multiple (120) cavities 51 opens above the transport path Rd0 and is capable of accommodating the supply items 90s. For example, if the supply items 90s are rectangular components 91, the openings of the cavities 51 are formed in a rectangular shape and are set to dimensions slightly larger than the outer dimensions of the components 91. If the supply items 90s are solder balls 92, the openings of the cavities 51 are formed in a circular shape and are set to dimensions slightly larger than the diameter of the solder balls 92. The depth of the cavities 51 is appropriately set according to the size of the supply items 90s so that the supply items 90s can be accommodated. The number of cavities 51 is appropriately set, taking into account the required number of cavities 51 and the density that may affect transportability.

Specifically, the number of cavities 51 in the cavity unit 50 is preferably set to be greater than the maximum number of supplies 90s picked up in one pick-and-place cycle. The maximum number corresponds to the number of holding members 13d supported by the mounting head 13c. For example, if the mounting head 13c supports 24 suction nozzles, the number of cavities 51 is preferably set to be greater than at least 24.

In addition, at least one reference portion 34f is provided on the track member 34. The at least one reference portion 34f is provided in the supply region As0 and is used to recognize the positions of the multiple cavities 51 of the cavity unit 50. In this embodiment, multiple (e.g., two) reference portions 34f, 34f are provided in an area toward the tip side of the tip side wall surface 34b. The multiple (two) reference portions 34f, 34f are circular marks and are arranged a predetermined distance apart in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the track member 34.

The cover 36 is fixed to the track member 34 and covers the top of the transport path Rd0. A number of exhaust ports 36a are formed on the top surface of the cover 36. A mesh with a mesh size smaller than the outer dimensions of the supply item 90s is stretched in the exhaust ports 36a. The cover 36 prevents the supply item 90s from jumping out of the transport path Rd0 and also exhausts air to the outside through the exhaust ports 36a.

The shutter 37 is provided on the upper part of the track member 34 and can close the opening of the supply area As0. The bulk feeder 30 can suppress the supply items 90s from popping out and the inclusion of foreign matter in the supply area As0 by opening and closing the shutter 37. The shutter 37 in this embodiment can be switched to an open state, a closed state, or an intermediate state by opening and closing operations. The closed state of the shutter 37 is a state in which the shutter 37 contacts the track member 34 and the opening of the supply area As0 is completely closed. At this time, as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 4, the shutter 37 is located on the track member 34 at the base end side of the conveying direction of the multiple supplies 90s (the extension direction of the conveying path Rd0 (arrow SD direction)) relative to the multiple (two) reference parts 34f, 34f, and when viewed from above, the multiple (two) reference parts 34f, 34f are visible and can be imaged.

The open state of the shutter 37 is a state in which the opening of the supply area As0 is not blocked and the cavity unit 50 is exposed. At this time, the holding member 13d supported by the mounting head 13c can attempt to collect the supply item 90s from any of the multiple cavities 51 of the cavity unit 50. The intermediate state of the shutter 37 is a state between the closed state and the open state, in which the shutter 37 is farther away from the track member 34 than the amplitude of the track member 34 vibrated by the vibration of the vibration device 40, and the shutter 37 restricts the supply item 90s from jumping out of the opening of the supply area As0. The shutter 37 is opened and closed by the drive device, and is set to the closed state, open state, or intermediate state depending on the drive state of the drive device.

The introduction section 34e of the track member 34 is connected to the delivery section 32b of the receiving member 32, and delivers the multiple supplies 90s delivered from the delivery section 32b to the transport path Rd0. Specifically, the tip of the introduction section 34e is open and is connected to the tip of the delivery section 32b via a connecting member 38. The connecting member 38 is formed in a tubular shape and connects the delivery section 32b of the receiving member 32 and the introduction section 34e of the track member 34. The connecting member 38 in this embodiment is a tightly packed coil spring and has flexibility.

The connecting member 38 connects the delivery portion 32b of the receiving member 32 and the introduction portion 34e of the track member 34 so that multiple supplies 90s can flow between the receiving area Ar0 and the transport path Rd0. The connecting member 38 also absorbs vibrations of the receiving member 32 and the track member 34 by deforming in response to the vibrations of the receiving member 32 and the track member 34 relative to the feeder body 31. The connecting member 38 reduces or blocks vibrations transmitted between the receiving member 32 and the track member 34, which vibrate independently of each other.

The air supply device 39 supplies air (positive pressure air) from below the receiving area Ar0, and circulates the multiple supplies 90s from the receiving member 32 to the track member 34 via the connecting member 38. The air supply device 39 of this embodiment supplies positive pressure air supplied from the outside from below the receiving area Ar0 based on a command from the feeder control device 60, which will be described later. The air supply device 39 can also cut off the supply of positive pressure air based on a command from the feeder control device 60.

When the air supply device 39 supplies positive pressure air, the multiple supply items 90s remaining in the receiving area Ar0 are blown upward by the positive pressure air. The positive pressure air and the multiple supply items 90s flow through the delivery section 32b of the receiving member 32, the connecting member 38, and the introduction section 34e in that order, and reach the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34. The positive pressure air that reaches the transport path Rd0 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 36a of the cover 36. The multiple supply items 90s that reach the transport path Rd0 fall into the transport path Rd0 of the track member 34 by their own weight.

The vibration device 40 vibrates the track member 34 to transport the multiple supply items 90s to the collection section Pu0 (in this embodiment, the cavity unit 50) provided in the supply area As0 where the substrate-related work machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10) can collect the multiple supply items 90s at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0. The vibration device 40 can take various forms as long as it can transport the multiple supply items 90s to the collection section Pu0. The vibration device 40 of this embodiment includes multiple (e.g., four) support members 41, multiple (e.g., four) vibrators 42, multiple (e.g., two) vibration sensors 43, and a power supply device 44. The multiple (four) support members 41 connect the feeder main body 31 and the bracket 33 to support the bracket 33 and the track member 34.

The multiple (four) support members 41 include two types of support members 41: forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b. The forward support members 41a are used for forward transport to transport multiple supplies 90s along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the case 70 side to the collection section Pu0 side on the transport path Rd0. The backward support members 41b are used for backward transport to transport multiple supplies 90s along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the collection section Pu0 side to the case 70 side on the transport path Rd0. The forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b have different inclination directions with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

Specifically, one end of the forward support member 41a is connected to the feeder body 31, and the other end of the forward support member 41a is connected to the bracket 33. The forward support member 41a is inclined in the backward direction (the direction in which the multiple supply items 90s are transported backward) with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). Also, one end of the backward support member 41b is connected to the feeder body 31, and the other end of the backward support member 41b is connected to the bracket 33. The backward support member 41b is inclined in the forward direction (the direction in which the multiple supply items 90s are transported forward) with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction).

The multiple (four) vibrators 42 are powered by a power supply device 44 and vibrate at a predetermined amplitude and frequency. The multiple (four) vibrators 42 can be, for example, piezoelectric elements and are attached to the support member 41. In this embodiment, the multiple (four) support members 41 include two types of support members 41, an advance support member 41a and a retreat support member 41b, and therefore the multiple (four) vibrators 42 include two types of vibrators 42, an advance vibrator 42a provided on the advance support member 41a and a retreat vibrator 42b provided on the retreat support member 41b.

When at least one of the multiple (four) vibrators 42 vibrates, vibration is applied to the track member 34 via the bracket 33. In addition, the amplitude and frequency of the vibration applied to the track member 34 vary depending on the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42. The multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 detect the vibration state of the track member 34 vibrated by the vibration device 40. The multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 can detect, for example, the amplitude, frequency, damping time, and vibration trajectory (movement trajectory of a specific part associated with vibration) of the vibration of the track member 34. In this embodiment, the multiple (two) vibration sensors 43 are provided on each of the pair of forward support members 41a and backward support members 41b.

When the vibration device 40 vibrates the track member 34, the track member 34 moves in an elliptical manner in a side view. As a result, a forward and upward external force or a backward and upward external force is applied to the multiple supply items 90s on the transport path Rd0 depending on the rotation direction of the elliptical motion of the track member 34. As a result, the multiple supply items 90s on the transport path Rd0 are transported in the forward or backward direction.

The power supply device 44 varies the voltage and frequency of the AC power supplied to the vibrator 42 based on commands from the feeder control device 60. This adjusts the amplitude and frequency of the vibration imparted to the track member 34, and determines the direction of rotation of the elliptical motion of the track member 34. When the amplitude, frequency, and direction of rotation of the elliptical motion caused by the vibration of the track member 34 vary, the conveying speed, degree of dispersion, conveying direction, etc. of the conveyed supply 90s vary.

The feeder control device 60 includes a known arithmetic unit and a storage device, and a control circuit is configured. When the feeder main body 31 is installed in the slot 12a, the feeder control device 60 is powered via the connector 31a and is capable of communicating with the control device 20 of the component mounting machine 10. The feeder control device 60 drives and controls the vibration device 40 to vibrate the track member 34, thereby transporting multiple supplies 90s on the transport path Rd0.

1-3. Configuration example of the guide member 80 The bulk feeder 30 of this embodiment transports a plurality of supply items 90s on the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 to the collection unit Pu0 by vibrating the track member 34 having the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 with the vibration device 40. The collection unit Pu0 is provided in a supply area As0 at the bottom of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 where the substrate-related operating machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10) can collect the plurality of supply items 90s.

Figure 6 shows a comparative example of a track member 34 (the peripheral area of the collection section Pu0). At least one supply item 90s transported to a pair of free spaces 34d, 34d provided between the collection section Pu0 and a pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 is the target object Tg0. As described above, the case where a plurality of supply items 90s are transported along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the case 70 side toward the collection section Pu0 side on the transport path Rd0 is referred to as forward transport. Furthermore, the case where a plurality of supply items 90s are transported along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the collection section Pu0 side toward the case 70 side on the transport path Rd0 is referred to as backward transport.

For example, the vibration device 40 forward transports the object Tg0 transported to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is transported to a region on the tip side of the one empty space 34d in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) and reaches and remains on the tip side wall surface 34b (see arrow L11). When the vibration device 40 transports the object Tg0 remaining on the tip side wall surface 34b backward, the object Tg0 is transported from that region to the one empty space 34d (see arrow L12). The above also applies to the object Tg0 transported to the other one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d.

In this way, when the vibration device 40 transports multiple supplies 90s in a direction along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0, it is difficult to transport the supplies 90s transported between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 and the collection part Pu0 to the collection part Pu0. Therefore, the bulk feeder 30 of this embodiment is equipped with an induction member 80.

The guide member 80 guides the object Tg0 to the side of the collection section Pu0 when the object Tg0 is further transported in the direction along the extension direction (arrow SD direction). The guide member 80 may take various forms as long as it can guide the object Tg0 to the side of the collection section Pu0 when the object Tg0 is transported. As shown in FIG. 7, the guide member 80 of this embodiment has a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 in which each of the pair of corners 34c, 34c formed by the tip side wall surface 34b and the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a provided at the tip side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 is chamfered.

The pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 guide the object Tg0 that arrives by forward transport to a specified area Ap0 on the side of the collection unit Pu0. The specified area Ap0 is an area in which the object Tg0 guided by the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 can be transported to the collection unit Pu0 by backward transport. As shown in FIG. 7, the specified area Ap0 is provided on the side of the collection unit Pu0 with respect to the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0 perpendicular to the extension direction (arrow SD direction).

For example, the vibration device 40 forward transports the object Tg0 transported to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is transported to a region on the tip side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the one empty space 34d, and reaches one of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 (see arrow L21). When the vibration device 40 further forward transports the object Tg0 that has reached the one corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is transported along the one corner inclined surface 81 and transported to the specified area Ap0 (see arrow L22). When the vibration device 40 backward transports the object Tg0 transported to the specified area Ap0, the object Tg0 is transported to the collection section Pu0 (see arrow L23). The same can be said about the object Tg0 transported to the other empty space 34d of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d and the other corner inclined surface 81 of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81.

The pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 may take various forms as long as they can guide the object Tg0 that has arrived by forward transport to the predetermined area Ap0. The pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 may be convex curved surfaces protruding toward the pair of corners 34c, 34c, or may be flat as shown in FIG. 7. In addition, the inclination angle of the pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 relative to the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the inclination angle of the pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 relative to the tip side wall surface 34b can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 relative to the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the inclination angle of the pair of inclined corner surfaces 81, 81 relative to the tip side wall surface 34b may be different, or may be the same (the inclination angle is 45 degrees) as shown in FIG. 7.

The inclination angle of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 can also be determined by the positions of the first connecting portion 81a connected to the side wall surface 34a and the second connecting portion 81b connected to the tip side wall surface 34b. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 can be provided with the first connecting portion 81a connected to the side wall surface 34a in the region on the tip side of the first range Rg1 in which the collection portion Pu0 is provided in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0. This makes it easier to ensure the distance between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the collection portion Pu0 in the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, compared to the case where the first connecting portion 81a is provided in the first range Rg1.

7, the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 can be provided with a second connection portion 81b that connects to the tip side wall surface 34b in the second range Rg2 in which the collection portion Pu0 is provided in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0 perpendicular to the extension direction (arrow SD direction). This makes it easier for the target object Tg0 that arrives by forward transport to be guided to the specified area Ap0 compared to when the second connection portion 81b is provided in an area other than the second range Rg2.

The pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are provided for various reasons. For example, the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are provided so that the holding member 13d of the substrate-related work machine WM0 (in this embodiment, the component mounting machine 10) does not interfere with the side wall surface 34a when the holding member 13d of the substrate-related work machine WM0 collects the supply items 90s transported to the collection unit Pu0. The substrate-related work machine WM0 (component mounting machine 10) also images the multiple supplies 90s in order to identify the supplies 90s that the holding member 13d can collect from among the multiple supplies 90s transported to the collection unit Pu0, and performs image processing on the images. The pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are provided so that the side wall surface 34a captured in the image does not become an obstacle when the state of the multiple supplies 90s is recognized by image processing.

In this embodiment, the distance between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the collection unit Pu0 is set so that the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a do not become an obstacle when the substrate-related work machine WM0 (component mounting machine 10) collects the multiple supply items 90s and recognizes the state of the multiple supply items 90s. The distance between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the collection unit Pu0 is set in advance by simulation, verification using an actual machine, etc. The circumstances for providing the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d are not limited to the above circumstances. For example, in a form in which the collection unit Pu0 is provided with a detachable cavity unit 50, the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d can also be provided to facilitate the attachment and detachment of the cavity unit 50.

In addition, in this embodiment, the collection unit Pu0 includes a cavity unit 50 having a plurality of cavities 51 in which one of the plurality of supplies 90s is to be accommodated. The guide member 80 can guide the target Tg0 to the side of the collection unit Pu0, regardless of whether the collection unit Pu0 includes a form in which the plurality of supplies 90s are scattered or a form in which the guide member 80 includes a cavity unit 50. Furthermore, the plurality of supplies 90s may be supplied to the substrate-related work machine WM0 (the component mounting machine 10 in this embodiment), and is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the plurality of supplies 90s are components 91 or solder balls 92 supplied to the substrate 90. What has been described above about the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, the collection unit Pu0, and the plurality of supplies 90s can also be applied to the following modified forms.

As described above, the guide member 80 may take various forms. In this specification, a number of forms are described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawings, common reference numerals are used to designate common parts in each form, and duplicated descriptions are omitted in this specification.

2-1. First Modified Form In the embodiment described above, the guide member 80 may include a protrusion 82. As shown in Fig. 8, the protrusion 82 protrudes toward the collection portion Pu0 from both ends 34b1, 34b1 of the tip side wall surface 34b toward the center portion 34b2 in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0 perpendicular to the extension direction (arrow SD direction).

The protrusion 82 restricts the object Tg0 guided by one of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the one corner inclined surface 81 (e.g., the left side of the paper in FIG. 8) from moving to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the other corner inclined surface 81 (e.g., the right side of the paper in FIG. 8). Similarly, the protrusion 82 restricts the object Tg0 guided by the other of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the other corner inclined surface 81 (the right side of the paper in FIG. 8) from moving to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the one corner inclined surface 81 (the left side of the paper in FIG. 8).

For example, the vibration device 40 advances the object Tg0 that has been transported to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d (left side of the paper in FIG. 8). As a result, the object Tg0 is transported to a region on the tip side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the one empty space 34d, and reaches one of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81 (see arrow L31a). When the vibration device 40 further advances the object Tg0 that has reached the one corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is transported along the one corner inclined surface 81 and is guided to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the one corner inclined surface 81 (left side of the paper in FIG. 8). At this time, the protrusion 82 restricts the movement of the object Tg0 to the predetermined area Ap0 on the other one corner inclined surface 81 side (right side of the paper in FIG. 8) (see arrow L32a). When the vibration device 40 transports the object Tg0 backward, the object Tg0 is transported to the collection section Pu0 (see arrow L33a).

Similarly, the vibration device 40 advances the object Tg0 that has been conveyed to the other free space 34d (on the right side of the paper in FIG. 8) of the pair of free spaces 34d, 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is conveyed to a region on the tip side of the extension direction (arrow SD direction) from the other free space 34d, and reaches the other corner inclined surface 81 of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 (see arrow L31b). When the vibration device 40 further advances the object Tg0 that has reached the other corner inclined surface 81, the object Tg0 is conveyed along the other corner inclined surface 81 and is guided to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the other corner inclined surface 81 (on the right side of the paper in FIG. 8). At this time, the movement of the object Tg0 to the predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the one corner inclined surface 81 (on the left side of the paper in FIG. 8) is restricted by the protrusion 82 (see arrow L32b). When the vibration device 40 transports the object Tg0 backward, the object Tg0 is transported to the collection section Pu0 (see arrow L33b).

The protrusion 82 may take various forms. For example, the protrusion 82 has a pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a that regulate the movement of the object Tg0 guided to the predetermined area Ap0. Each of the pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a may be a curved surface or a flat surface as shown in FIG. 8. The inclination angle of the pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a relative to the plane corresponding to the tip side wall surface 34b can be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, the inclination angle of the pair of protrusion inclined surfaces 82a, 82a relative to the plane corresponding to the tip side wall surface 34b and the inclination angle of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 relative to the plane corresponding to the tip side wall surface 34b may be different, or may be the same (for example, the inclination angle is 45 degrees) as shown in FIG.

2-2. Second Modified Form The guide member 80 may include a pair of inclined side wall surfaces 83, 83. As shown in Fig. 9, the pair of inclined side wall surfaces 83, 83 are formed such that the distance between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a in the region on the tip side of the first range Rg1 in which the collection unit Pu0 is provided in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0 becomes shorter toward the tip side.

For example, the vibration device 40 forward transports the object Tg0 transported to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d. As a result, the object Tg0 is transported to a region on the tip side of the one empty space 34d in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) and reaches one of the pair of side wall surface inclined portions 83, 83 (see arrow L41). When the vibration device 40 further forward transports the object Tg0 that has reached the one side wall surface inclined portion 83, the object Tg0 is transported along the one side wall surface inclined portion 83 and transported to the specified area Ap0 (see arrow L42). When the vibration device 40 backward transports the object Tg0 transported to the specified area Ap0, the object Tg0 is transported to the collection section Pu0 (see arrow L43). The same can be said about the object Tg0 transported to the other empty space 34d of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d and the other side wall surface inclined portion 83 of the pair of side wall surface inclined portions 83, 83.

In this way, the pair of side wall surface inclination portions 83, 83 can guide the object Tg0 that has arrived by forward transport to a predetermined area Ap0 on the side of the collection section Pu0, similar to the pair of corner inclination surfaces 81, 81. The pair of side wall surface inclination portions 83, 83 can take various forms. The pair of side wall surface inclination portions 83, 83 may be curved surfaces or may be flat surfaces as shown in FIG. 9. In addition, the inclination angle of the pair of side wall surface inclination portions 83, 83 relative to the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a and the inclination angle relative to the tip side wall surface 34b can be set arbitrarily.

Furthermore, the inclination angle of the pair of side wall surface inclination parts 83, 83 can be determined by the positions of the third connection part 83a connected to the side wall surface 34a and the fourth connection part 83b connected to the tip side wall surface 34b. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the pair of side wall surface inclination parts 83, 83 can be provided with the third connection part 83a connected to the side wall surface 34a in a region on the tip side of the first range Rg1 in which the collection part Pu0 is provided in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0. In addition, the pair of side wall surface inclination parts 83, 83 can be provided with the fourth connection part 83b connected to the tip side wall surface 34b in the second range Rg2 in which the collection part Pu0 is provided in the width direction (arrow WD direction) of the transport path Rd0 perpendicular to the extension direction (arrow SD direction).

In addition, the guide member 80 can also have, for example, a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 and a pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83. In this embodiment, the pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83 are provided between the end portion 34t1 on the tip side of the first range Rg1 shown in FIG. 7 and the first connecting portion 81a. In this manner, the guide member 80 can have at least a pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83 out of the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81, the protruding portion 82, and the pair of side wall inclined portions 83, 83.

2-3. Third Modification The guide member 80 may include a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84. As shown in Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 are inclined toward the collection part Pu0 where the bottom of the transport path Rd0 of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d is lower than the lower ends 34a1, 34a1 of the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a.

For example, when the vibration device 40 advances the object Tg0 transported to one of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d, the object Tg0 is easily guided toward the collection unit Pu0 in the direction along the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0 (see arrow L51). As a result, the object Tg0 is transported to the collection unit Pu0. The above also applies to the object Tg0 transported to the other empty space 34d of the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d.

In addition, if the inclination angle TH0 of the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 relative to the collection portion Pu0 is constant in the first range Rg1, the object Tg0 may be easily guided to the collection portion Pu0 on the base end side of the first range Rg1, and the object Tg0 may be difficult to guide to the collection portion Pu0 on the tip side of the first range Rg1. Therefore, the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 can be set to have a larger inclination angle TH0 relative to the collection portion Pu0 toward the tip side in the extension direction (arrow SD direction) of the transport path Rd0. This makes it easier for the object Tg0 to be guided evenly to the side of the collection portion Pu0 in the first range Rg1.

In either case, the inclination angle TH0 can be obtained in advance by simulation, verification using an actual machine, etc. In addition, the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 can guide all of the objects Tg0 transported to the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d to the side of the collection section Pu0. Furthermore, the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 can also guide some of the objects Tg0 transported to the pair of empty spaces 34d, 34d to the side of the collection section Pu0.

When some of the objects Tg0 are guided to the side of the collection section Pu0, the guide member 80 can have, for example, a pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 and a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84. In this embodiment, the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81 guide the objects Tg0 that are not guided to the side of the collection section Pu0 by the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 to the predetermined area Ap0. The above can be similarly applied to the other guide members 80. In other words, the guide member 80 can have at least a pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84 among the pair of corner inclined surfaces 81, 81, the protrusion 82, the pair of side wall inclined surfaces 83, 83, and the pair of bottom inclined surfaces 84, 84.

3. Example of Effects of the Embodiment and Modified Form According to the bulk feeder 30, since the guide member 80 is provided, the supply 90s transported between the pair of side wall surfaces 34a, 34a extending along the extension direction (direction of the arrow SD) of the groove-shaped transport path Rd0 and the collection part Pu0 can be transported to the collection part Pu0.

30: bulk feeder, 31: feeder body, 34: track member,
34a, 34a: a pair of side wall surfaces, 34a1, 34a1: a lower end portion,
34b: tip side wall surface, 34b1, 34b1: both ends, 34b2: center portion,
34c, 34c: a pair of corners; 34d, 34d: a pair of empty spaces;
40: vibration device, 50: cavity unit, 51: cavity,
70: Case; 80: Guide member; 81, 81: Pair of corner inclined surfaces;
81a: first connection portion, 81b: second connection portion, 82: protrusion portion,
83, 83: a pair of side wall surface inclination portions, 84, 84: a pair of bottom inclination surfaces,
90: board, 90s: supplies, 91: parts, 92: solder balls,
Tg0: object, WM0: substrate-related operation machine, Rd0: transport path,
As0: Supply area, Pu0: Collection part, Ap0: Predetermined area,
Rg1: first range, Rg2: second range, TH0: inclination angle,
Arrow SD direction: stretching direction, arrow WD direction: width direction.

Claims (10)

A feeder main body;
a track member that is provided to be vibrated relative to the feeder body and has a groove-shaped conveying path along which the plurality of supplies discharged from the case are conveyed;
a vibration device that vibrates the track member to transport the plurality of supply items to a collection section that is provided in a supply area in a bottom portion of the groove-shaped transport path where a substrate-related operating device can collect the plurality of supply items;
a guide member that guides the object, which is at least one supply item, to a pair of empty spaces provided between the pair of side wall surfaces extending along the extension direction of the groove-shaped transport path and the collection section when the object is further transported in a direction along the extension direction; and
A bulk feeder comprising: When the plurality of supplies are transported in a forward direction along the transport path from the case side toward the collection section side, the direction is along the extension direction, the forward transport is defined as a forward transport, and when the plurality of supplies are transported in a backward direction along the transport path from the collection section side toward the case side, the backward transport is defined as a backward transport.
the guide member includes a pair of inclined corner surfaces, each of which is formed by a forward direction side wall surface provided at an end of the groove-shaped transport path in the forward direction and the pair of side wall surfaces, and each of the pair of corners is chamfered;
The pair of corner inclined surfaces guide the object that has arrived by the forward transport to a predetermined area on the side of the collection section,
2. The bulk feeder according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined area is an area in which the object guided by the pair of corner inclined surfaces can be transported to the collecting section by the backward transport. A bulk feeder as described in claim 2, wherein the pair of corner inclined surfaces have a first connection portion connected to the side wall surface in a region on the forward direction side of a first range in which the collection portion is provided in the extension direction of the conveying path, and a second connection portion connected to the forward direction side wall surface in a second range in which the collection portion is provided in the width direction of the conveying path perpendicular to the extension direction. The bulk feeder according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the guide member is provided with a protrusion that protrudes toward the collection section from both ends of the forward direction side wall surface toward the center in the width direction of the conveying path perpendicular to the extension direction. When the direction along the extension direction from the case side toward the collection section side in the transport path is defined as the forward direction,
A bulk feeder as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the guide member has a pair of side wall inclined portions formed so that the distance between the pair of side wall surfaces in the area on the forward direction side of the first range in which the collection section is located in the extension direction of the conveying path becomes shorter as the conveying path progresses in the forward direction. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide member has a pair of bottom inclined surfaces in which the bottom of the conveying path of the pair of empty spaces is inclined toward the collection section, which is lower than the lower ends of the pair of side wall surfaces. When the direction along the extension direction from the case side toward the collection section side in the transport path is defined as the forward direction,
7. The bulk feeder according to claim 6, wherein the pair of bottom inclined surfaces are set so that an inclination angle relative to the collecting portion increases as the pair of bottom inclined surfaces advances in the forward direction. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distance between the pair of sidewall surfaces and the collection section is set so that the pair of free spaces do not become an obstacle when the substrate-related operation machine collects the multiple supplies and recognizes the status of the multiple supplies. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the collection section includes a cavity unit having a plurality of cavities in which one of the plurality of supplies is to be accommodated. The bulk feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the plurality of supplies are components or solder balls to be supplied to a board.

Images