JP4167585B2 - Clip mounting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clip mounting apparatus, and in particular, when manufacturing a plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as “PDP”), a clip mounting apparatus used when a front panel substrate and a rear panel substrate are overlapped and sealed. About.

  Conventionally, in the process of overlaying and sealing the front panel substrate and the back panel substrate when manufacturing a PDP, a clip-shaped fixing bracket is used to temporarily fix the two stacked panel substrates. Yes.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which the panel substrate 1 is formed by attaching the clip 4 to the two panel substrates 2 and 3. The clips 4 are arranged substantially evenly on the four sides of the panel substrates 2 and 3, but the mounting pitch (interval) of the clips 4 depends on the size of the panel substrate 1 (35 type, 42 type, 50 type, etc.). Or, the number must be changed and mounted on the four sides of the panel substrates 2 and 3.

  In mounting such a clip 4, a clip mounting apparatus including a clip supply mechanism, a clip opening mechanism, and a moving mechanism for an object to be connected (panel substrate or the like) has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP-A-5-245725 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the above conventional clip mounting device, since the arrangement jig is used for the clip supply mechanism, the mounting pitch of the clips and the number of mounted clips cannot be freely changed, and the dimensions of the panel substrate are changed. When it becomes necessary to change the mounting pitch or the number of mountings, there is a problem that setup change such as replacement of a jig is required, which is complicated.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems in the conventional clip mounting device described above, where the dimensions of the panel substrate or the like have changed, and it is necessary to change the clip mounting pitch or the number of mounted clips. However, it aims at providing the clip mounting apparatus which does not require setup change.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a clip mounting device, a clip supply unit that supplies a predetermined number of clips to a transport unit, and each of the predetermined number of clips transported by the transport unit. Clip mounting means for inserting the opening into the two stacked plate-like members and closing the opening to join the two plate-like members , the clip supply means having a predetermined arrangement A plurality of take-out handlers for gripping the predetermined number of clips from among the plurality of clips arranged in a row and supplying the clips to the conveying means, and a pitch conversion mechanism for adjusting the interval between the take-out handlers adjacent to each other. The predetermined number of clips are adjusted to a predetermined interval and supplied to the conveying means .

  And according to the present invention, the clip supplying means can adjust a predetermined number of clips to a predetermined interval and supply them to the conveying means, so even if the dimensions of the plate-like members to be joined change, The clip can be attached to the plate-like member without changing the setup such as replacing the jig as in the prior art.

In the clip attachment apparatus, the clip is formed in a predetermined length having a slit-shaped opening for resiliently opening, wherein the plurality of clips may be configured to Ru arranged without gaps in the longitudinal direction .

The plurality of take-out handlers can be configured to simultaneously hold the predetermined number of clips .

  Furthermore, the said conveyance means can be made into the chain conveyor provided with the holding part which hold | maintains this clip by being hold | gripped by the opening part of the said clip.

  The clip supply means and the clip mounting means may be configured to have two sets symmetrically across the two plate-like members to be joined. By simultaneously operating the two sets of clip supply means and clip attachment means, the clips can be attached simultaneously to two sides of the rectangular plate-like member.

  The two plate-like members can be a front panel substrate and a rear panel substrate constituting the plasma display panel, and the clip mounting apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to the manufacturing process of the plasma display panel.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if the dimensions of the panel substrate or the like change to change the clip mounting pitch and the number of mounted clips, it is possible to provide an efficient clip mounting apparatus that does not require setup change. can do.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the clip mounting device according to the present invention is used when the front panel substrate and the back panel substrate are overlapped and sealed in the PDP manufacturing process.

  1 to 5 show an embodiment of a clip mounting device according to the present invention. This clip mounting device is roughly divided into a chain as a conveying means by adjusting a predetermined number of clips 4 to a predetermined interval. The clip supply unit (clip supply means) 11 to be supplied to the conveyor 7 and the openings of each of the predetermined number of clips 4 conveyed by the chain conveyor 7 are inserted into two superimposed panel substrates 1. It comprises a clip mounting unit (clip mounting means) 21 that joins two panel substrates 1 by closing the opening.

  First, the clip supply unit 11 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the clip 4 is formed in a predetermined length having a slit-like opening that opens and closes elastically. The tray 5 is provided to hold the clips 4 in a plurality of rows aligned in the vertical direction, and the clips 4 can be arranged in the longitudinal direction of the clips 4 without a gap. In FIG. 1, the clips 4 are arranged in 7 rows × 6 columns. In addition, a plurality of trays 5 can be continuously supplied to a tray table 6 having a predetermined height and set by an auto changer (not shown).

  The clip supply robot 12 has a pitch conversion mechanism 14 on the Y-axis stage 13. The pitch conversion mechanism 14 includes a control unit (not shown), a moving unit for each take-out handler 15, and a positioning unit. The pitch change mechanism 14 changes the interval between adjacent take-out handlers 15 to a predetermined interval. Can do.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the take-out handlers 15 (15 a to 15 g) includes a vertical actuator 16, a chuck opening / closing actuator 17, and a clip chuck 18, and holds the clip 4 on the tray 5 to hold the chain conveyor 7. And the clip 4 can be sandwiched between the attachment (holding portion) 8 of the chain conveyor 7. Here, the number of take-out handlers 15 (seven in FIG. 1) is preferably the same as the number of clips 4 arranged in the tray 4 (seven in FIG. 1).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chain conveyor 7 is provided to convey the clip 4 from the clip supply unit 11 to the clip mounting unit 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the chain conveyor 7 has a plate-like attachment 8 on it. Is attached, the clip 4 is sandwiched between the attachments 8, and the clip 4 can be conveyed by a predetermined distance by the pulse motor 9.

  Next, the clip mounting unit 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the clip mounting robot 22 includes a Y-axis stage 23 that moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the overlapping unit 31 and a Z-axis stage 24 that moves in the up-down direction. A mounting handler 25 is attached to the tip of the Z-axis stage 24, and the mounting handler 25 is provided with a clip chuck 26 for gripping the clip 4 as shown in FIGS. The clip chuck 26 can be opened and closed by a chuck opening / closing mechanism 27. The mounting handler 25 can be rotated 90 degrees in the vertical plane by the rotation actuator 28, and after the clip 4 is gripped from the chain conveyor 7, the posture of the clip 4 is changed from the vertical state to the horizontal state. Can do.

  The overlapping unit 31 is configured to fix the panel substrate 1 by vacuum suction and to overlap the two panel substrates 1 with a predetermined accuracy.

As shown in FIG. 1, the clip supply unit 11, a chain conveyor 7, the clip mounting unit 21 is disposed in each one set of symmetry (vertical direction in drawing) across the overlay unit 31, the panel substrate 1 It is comprised so that the clip 4 can be mounted | worn simultaneously with respect to 2 sides.

  Next, the operation of the clip mounting apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

  When the clip 4 is mounted on the panel substrate 1, the number and interval (pitch) of the clips 4 are changed according to the size of the panel substrate 1 (35 type, 42 type, 50 type, etc.). Must be attached to. In the following description of the operation, a case where five clips 4 are attached to one side of the panel substrate 1 will be described as an example.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the clips 4 are arranged in a plurality of rows in the vertical direction on the tray 5. The clips 4 are arranged without gaps in the longitudinal direction. In FIG. 1, the clips 4 of 7 rows × 6 columns are arranged. The tray 5 is set on a tray table 6 having a predetermined height by an auto changer (not shown).

  Next, the clip supply robot 12 of the clip supply unit 11 takes out a predetermined number of clips 4 from the first row of the first row of the tray 5 in order, and the pitch conversion mechanism 14 adjusts the interval between the take-out handlers 15. Thereafter, five pieces are set on the chain conveyor 7 at a predetermined interval, and after the setting is completed, the clip 4 is conveyed to the clip mounting unit 21 by the chain conveyor 7.

  At this time, the remaining amount of the clip 4 in the tray 5 changes depending on the number of times of supply (the number of times of supply of the panel substrate 1). Along with this, the operations of the clip supply robot 12 and the chain conveyor 7 also change, and this point will be described sequentially.

  FIG. 5 shows the supply state of the clip 4 to the chain conveyor 7 by the clip supply robot 12 and the operation of the chain conveyor 7.

  First, the operation of taking out the clip 4 from the first panel substrate 1 will be described. For the first panel substrate 1, a total of five clips 4 from the first row to the fifth row of the first column in the tray 5 are taken out.

  As the operation of the clip supply robot 12, the entire take-out handler 15 is moved to the upper side of the first row of the clips 4 in the tray by the Y-axis stage 13. Of the seven takeout handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the five takeout handlers 15 (15 a to 15 e) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is opened, and the five clips 4 are held by the clip chuck 18. The vertical actuator 16 is raised, and the entire take-out handler 15 is moved to the upper side of the chain conveyor 7 by the Y-axis stage 13. The clip 4 is set to a predetermined interval by converting the take-out handler 15 to a predetermined interval by the pitch conversion mechanism 14.

  Next, among the seven take-out handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the five take-out handlers 15 (15 a to 15 e) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is closed, and the clip 4 is sandwiched between the attachment 8 of the chain conveyor 7. As a result, the state shown in FIG.

  As a result of the above operation, the five clips 4 are set on the chain conveyor 7 at a predetermined interval, so that the clip 4 is conveyed to the clip mounting unit 21 by the pulse motor 9.

  Next, an operation of taking out the clip 4 from the second panel substrate 1 will be described. For the second panel substrate 1, two clips 4 in the first and sixth rows in the tray 5 and three clips in the first to third rows in the second column are provided. A total of five clips 4 of the clips 4 are taken out.

  As the operation of the clip supply robot 12, the entire take-out handler 15 is moved to the upper side of the first row of the clips 4 in the tray 5 by the Y-axis stage 13. Of the seven takeout handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the two takeout handlers 15 (15 f and 15 g) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is opened, and the two clips 4 are gripped by the clip chuck 18. . The vertical actuator 16 is raised, the Y-axis stage 13 is taken out above the chain conveyor 7 and the entire handler 15 is moved. Next, the take-out handler 15 is converted into a predetermined interval by the pitch conversion mechanism 14. Of the seven takeout handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the two takeout handlers 15 (15 f and 15 g) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is closed, and the clip 4 is sandwiched between the attachments 8 of the chain conveyor 7. As a result, the state shown in FIG. By the above operation, the two clips 4 are set on the chain conveyor 7.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 5 (b) and 5 (c), when the clip 4 is conveyed by the L dimension by the pulse motor 9 and the remaining three clips 4 are set on the chain conveyor 7, the five clips 4 is set at equal intervals.

  Next, on the Y-axis stage 13, the entire take-out handler 15 is moved above the second row of the clips 4 in the tray 5. Of the seven takeout handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the three takeout handlers 15 (15 a to 15 c) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is opened, and the three clips 4 are held by the clip chuck 18. . The vertical actuator 16 is raised, the Y-axis stage 13 is taken out above the chain conveyor 7 and the entire handler 15 is moved. The take-out handler 15 is converted to a predetermined interval by the pitch conversion mechanism 14 and the clip 4 is set to a predetermined interval. Of the seven takeout handlers 15, the vertical actuators 16 of the three takeout handlers 15 (15 a to 15 c) are lowered, the chuck opening / closing actuator 17 is closed, and the clip 4 is sandwiched between the attachments 8 of the chain conveyor 7. As a result, the state shown in FIG.

  As a result of the above operation, the five clips 4 are set on the chain conveyor 7 at a predetermined interval, so that the clip 4 is conveyed to the clip mounting unit 21 by the pulse motor 9.

  As described above, the take-out handler 15 is selected according to the state of the clip 4 remaining in the tray 5, and a predetermined number and a predetermined interval are set on the chain conveyor 7, and then the clip 4 is conveyed to the clip mounting unit 21. To do.

  Next, the operation of the clip mounting unit 21 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the panel substrate 1 is fixed by vacuum suction by the overlay unit 31, and the panel substrate 1 is overlapped with a predetermined accuracy.

  The clip 4 is conveyed by the chain conveyor 7 from the clip supply unit 11 to the clip mounting unit 21 at a predetermined number (five in this operation description) and at a predetermined interval. Therefore, the mounting handler 25 is moved to above the chain conveyor 7 by the Y-axis stage 23. The mounting handler 25 is lowered by the Z-axis stage 24, the clip chuck 26 is opened by the chuck opening / closing mechanism 27, and the clip 4 is gripped by the clip chuck 26 as shown in FIG.

  Next, the mounting handler 25 is raised by the Z-axis stage 24, and the mounting handler 25 is rotated 90 degrees by the rotation actuator 28, so that the posture of the clip 4 is shifted from the vertical state to the horizontal state as shown in FIG. With the Y-axis stage 23, the mounting handler 25 is moved to a position where it can be lowered between the chain conveyor 7 and the panel substrate 1, and the Z-axis stage 24 is further lowered so that the height of the clip 4 and the panel substrate 1 is increased. Match. The clip 4 is moved to the position for mounting the panel substrate 1 on the Y-axis stage 23, the clip chuck 26 is closed by the chuck opening / closing mechanism 27, and the clip 4 is mounted on the panel substrate 1.

  With the above operation, a predetermined number of clips 4 can be mounted on one side of the panel substrate 1 at predetermined intervals.

  Furthermore, these operations are performed by simultaneously operating the clip supply unit 11, the chain conveyor 7, and the clip mounting unit 21 that are arranged symmetrically with the overlapping unit 31 interposed therebetween (FIG. 1). The clip 4 can be simultaneously mounted on the upper and lower sides of the frame.

  Further, in order to attach the clip 4 to the remaining two sides (left and right sides) of the panel substrate 1, the overlapping unit 31 rotates the panel substrate 1 horizontally by 90 degrees, and then performs the above-described operation. The panel substrate 1 can be transported to the next mounting stage by the transport mechanism that does not perform the mounting operation.

It is a top view which shows one Embodiment of the clip mounting apparatus concerning this invention. It is an AA arrow line view of FIG. It is a BB arrow line view of Drawing 1, and shows the state where a mounting handler grasped a clip on a chain conveyor. It is a BB arrow line view of FIG. 1, Comprising: The mounting handler has shown the state which mounted | wore the panel board | substrate with the clip. It is a figure which shows the supply of a clip, and operation | movement of a chain conveyor in the clip supply unit of the clip mounting apparatus concerning this invention, Comprising: (a) is operation | movement with respect to the 1st panel board | substrate, (b) (c) (d ) Shows the operation on the second panel substrate. It is the schematic which shows the state which mounted | wore the panel board | substrate with the clip.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel board | substrate 2 Front panel board | substrate 3 Back panel board | substrate 4 Clip 5 Tray 6 Tray stand 7 Chain conveyor 8 Attachment 9 Pulse motor 11 Clip supply unit 12 Clip supply robot 13 Y-axis stage 14 Pitch conversion mechanism 15 Extraction handler 16 Vertical actuator 17 Chuck Open / close actuator 18 Clip chuck 21 Clip mounting unit 22 Clip mounting robot 23 Y-axis stage 24 Z-axis stage 25 Mounting handler 26 Clip chuck 27 Chuck opening / closing mechanism 28 Actuator for rotation 31 Overlay unit

Claims (6)

Clip supplying means for supplying a predetermined number of clips to the conveying means ;
The openings of each of the predetermined number of clips conveyed by the conveying means are inserted into the two overlapped plate-like members, and the two plate-like members are joined by closing the openings. Clip mounting means ,
The clip supply means grips the predetermined number of clips out of a plurality of clips arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and sets a gap between the plurality of take-out handlers to be supplied to the transport means and the adjacent take-out handlers. And a pitch converting mechanism for adjusting the clip mounting apparatus , wherein the predetermined number of clips are adjusted to a predetermined interval and supplied to the conveying means . The clip is formed in a predetermined length having a slit-shaped opening for resiliently opening, said plurality of clips, a clip mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the Ru arranged without gaps in the longitudinal direction . The clip mounting apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of take-out handlers simultaneously grip the predetermined number of clips .   The clip mounting apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the transport means is a chain conveyor provided with a holding portion that holds the clip by being gripped by the opening of the clip.   5. A clip mounting apparatus comprising two sets of the clip supply unit and the clip mounting unit according to claim 1 symmetrically across the two plate-like members to be joined. .   6. The clip mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the two plate-like members are a front panel substrate and a rear panel substrate that constitute a plasma display panel.

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