JP7462148B2 - Tape feeder - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a tape feeder used as a component supply unit in a component mounting device that mounts components on a board.

A tape feeder used as a component supply unit of a component mounting device that mounts components on a board transports a tape member called a carrier tape, which has components stored in pockets for storing components, and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position. The tape feeder is equipped with a frame having a tape passage for the tape member, and a tape transport unit that transports the tape member in the tape passage by rotating the sprocket by engaging the outer teeth of a sprocket with the feed holes of the tape member attached in the tape passage. If the tape passage opens on one side of the frame, the tape member can be inserted into the tape passage from the side of the frame where the tape passage opens (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

When parts are supplied using a tape feeder, as the tape material is transported and the part runs out, the worker connects the leading end of the following tape material to the trailing end of the tape material with a connecting tape. When two tape materials are connected by the connecting tape, the part lot is switched at the position of the connecting tape, so it is important for parts management to know the position of the connecting tape. Conventionally, to detect the position of the connecting tape that has entered the tape path, a feed hole detector is used that detects the state when a feed hole provided in the tape material passes a specified inspection position, and if a state in which a feed hole is not detected at the inspection position continues for a certain period of time or more, it is determined that the connecting tape has passed that inspection position.

However, the width of the tape members used in such tape feeders has become narrower in recent years as part sizes have become increasingly miniaturized, and there is a need for tape feeders that can transport tape members with smaller widths (narrower tape members) to supply parts. In this case, this can be achieved by manufacturing a new tape feeder with a thin frame that has a tape passage with a smaller width than conventional tape members to accommodate narrower tape members, but from the standpoint of manufacturing costs, it is more desirable to be able to supply parts using narrower tape members than conventional tape members while still using the conventional frame.

JP 2014-116347 A

However, when attempting to transport a tape material that is narrower than conventional tape materials within the tape passage of a conventional frame, the tape material may move significantly in the width direction within the tape passage, causing the feed hole to not pass through the position that intersects the inspection light, which may result in the connected tape not being able to be detected accurately.

The present invention aims to provide a tape feeder that can accurately detect the feed holes in the tape material, and in turn the connected tape, while using a conventional frame to transport a tape material that is narrower than conventional tape materials and supply parts.

The tape feeder of the present invention is a tape feeder that transports a tape member containing components stored therein and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position, and comprises a frame having a tape passage formed with an opening on one side surface, a tape transport section that transports the tape member within the tape passage by engaging outer teeth of a sprocket with feed holes of the tape member attached within the tape passage and rotating the sprocket, a feed hole detector that is provided on the tape passage and detects feed holes in the tape member transported within the tape passage by the tape transport section, and a tape guide that guides the tape member within a groove that opens upward and regulates widthwise movement of the tape member within the tape passage so that the feed holes of the tape member can be detected by the feed hole detector , and the tape guide has a tape insertion section for inserting the tape member into the groove from the side of the frame where the tape passage is open .

According to the present invention, when supplying components using a tape member narrower than conventionally while utilizing a conventional frame, it is possible to accurately detect the feed holes in the tape member, and in turn, the connecting tape.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a main part of a component mounting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape feeder provided in a component mounting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrier tape fed by a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are enlarged perspective views of a portion of a carrier tape fed by a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the tape feeder according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a feed hole detector and a tape guide provided in a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a part of a sprocket hole detector provided in a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention, together with a carrier tape; FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a tape guide provided in a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1A is a plan view of a block portion provided in a tape guide of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a part of a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a procedure for attaching a carrier tape to a groove of a tape guide provided in a tape feeder according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tape feeder according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tape feeder according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tape feeder according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tape feeder according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
1 shows a component mounting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting apparatus 1 is an apparatus that repeatedly performs a component mounting operation of mounting components BH on a board KB carried in from an upstream process side and carrying it out to a downstream process side. For the sake of convenience, the conveying direction of the board KB in the component mounting apparatus 1 (left-right direction as seen by the worker OP) is defined as the X-axis direction, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the X-axis direction (front-back direction as seen by the worker OP) is defined as the Y-axis direction. The up-down direction is defined as the Z-axis direction.

In FIG. 1, the component mounting device 1 comprises a base 11, a board transport conveyor 12, a tape feeder 13, a mounting head 14, a head movement mechanism 15, a board camera 16, a component camera 17, and a control device 18. The base 11 is placed on the floor surface FL, and the board transport conveyor 12 is provided extending in the X-axis direction on the base 11. The board transport conveyor 12 carries in the board KB sent from the upstream process side, and positions the board KB at a predetermined working position.

In FIG. 1, the tape feeder 13 is detachably attached to a feeder base FB equipped with a feeder cart DS that is connected to the front end (the end facing the worker OP) of the base 11 (see also FIG. 2). A plurality of tape feeders 13 can be attached to the feeder base FB in an array in the X-axis direction. When the feeder cart DS is connected to the base 11, the plurality of tape feeders 13 attached to the feeder base FB are collectively connected to the base 11.

In FIG. 1, a reel RL around which a carrier tape CT is wound as a tape member is held rotatably on a feeder cart DS. A reel RL is provided for each tape feeder 13, and the carrier tape CT pulled out from the reel RL is attached to the corresponding tape feeder 13. The tape feeder 13 transports the attached carrier tape CT forward (towards the board transport conveyor 12) and supplies a component BH to a specified component supply position 13K (see also FIG. 2 and FIG. 3).

As shown in Figure 4 and Figures 5(a) and (b) (Figures 5(a) and (b) are enlarged views of area AR in Figure 4), the carrier tape CT is composed of a base tape 21 and a top tape 22. The base tape 21 has a number of pockets 23 for storing components, which are open upward and arranged in a row at equal intervals along the length of the base tape 21. Each pocket 23 stores one component BH. The top tape 22 is attached to the upper surface of the base tape 21 to prevent the components BH from falling out of the pockets 23. A number of feed holes 24 are arranged in a row at equal intervals in a position parallel to the row of pockets 23 on the base tape 21.

Here, FIG. 5(a) shows a flat-type carrier tape CT in which the entire base tape 21 is flat, and FIG. 5(b) shows an embossed-type carrier tape CT in which the base tape 21 has an embossed portion 21E that protrudes downward. Either type of carrier tape CT may be used in this embodiment.

When the tape feeder 13 is feeding the carrier tape CT and it is close to running out of parts, and the end of the carrier tape CT separates from the reel RL, the worker OP splices the end of the carrier tape CT to the leading end of the carrier tape CT (the subsequent carrier tape CT) pulled out from the newly prepared reel RL using the connecting tape ST (Figure 4). This allows the tape feeder 13 to continue supplying parts without running out of parts.

In FIG. 1, the mounting head 14 is equipped with multiple nozzles 14N extending downward. Each nozzle 14N can move up and down relative to the mounting head 14 and rotate around the Z axis. The mounting head 14 picks up components BH supplied to the component supply position 13K by the tape feeder 13 by adsorbing them to the lower end of each nozzle 14N. The head movement mechanism 15 is, for example, an XY movement mechanism, and moves the mounting head 14 in a horizontal plane and up and down.

In FIG. 1, the board camera 16 is attached to the mounting head 14. The board camera 16 has an imaging optical axis facing downward, and moves together with the mounting head 14 to capture an image of the board KB that has been positioned at the work position by the board transport conveyor 12.

In FIG. 1, the component camera 17 is provided in the area between the board transport conveyor 12 and the tape feeder 13 on the base 11. The component camera 17 has an imaging optical axis facing upward, and when the mounting head 14, which has adsorbed a component BH on each of the multiple nozzles 14N, moves so as to pass through the area above the component camera 17 in the X-axis direction, it images each component BH from below.

The control device 18 stores various data in addition to the component mounting program. The control device 18 performs the component mounting work of mounting the component BH on the board KB by operating each part of the component mounting device 1 according to the component mounting program.

In component mounting work, first the board transport conveyor 12 operates to receive the board KB sent from the upstream process and position it at the work position. Once the board KB is positioned at the work position, the head movement mechanism 15 moves the mounting head 14 to above the board KB. This causes the board camera 16 to capture an image of the board KB, and the control device 18 recognizes the board KB based on the image captured by the board camera 16.

Once the control device 18 recognizes the board KB, the mounting head 14 repeatedly executes mounting turns. In one mounting turn, the mounting head 14 performs the following operations in order: picking up a component BH supplied by the tape feeder 13, moving in the X-axis direction to pass above the component camera 17 to allow the component camera 17 to capture an image of the component BH, and mounting the component BH at a specified component mounting position on the board KB.

The control device 18 performs component recognition based on the captured image of the component BH captured by the component camera 17. When the mounting head 14 mounts the component BH on the board KB, it performs position correction of the component BH relative to the board KB based on the result of the component recognition performed by the control device 18.

The above mounting pattern is repeated until all the components BH to be mounted on the board KB have been mounted, and then the board transport conveyor 12 transports the board KB to the downstream process side. This completes the component mounting work for one board KB.

In the component mounting device 1 configured as above, the configuration of the tape feeder 13 in the first embodiment is unique, and is described below.

In FIG. 2, the tape feeder 13 includes a frame 31, a tape holder 32, a tape transport section 33, a top tape recovery section 34, a feed hole detector 35, a tape guide 36, a tape member guide section 37, and a control board 38. As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 31 has a box shape that extends in the YZ plane as a whole, and a connecting section (not shown) formed on the underside is adapted to be connected to the feeder base FB.

In FIG. 2, a tape passage 31L, which is a passage for the carrier tape CT, is formed in the frame 31. The tape passage 31L is formed in the shape of a groove that opens on one side of the frame 31 (here, the right side as seen from the operator OP).

The tape passage 31L has a width dimension W2 (Fig. 2) that is larger than the width dimension W1 (Fig. 4) of the carrier tape CT. This is because the tape feeder 13 in embodiment 1 utilizes (repurposes) the frame of a tape feeder that originally transports a carrier tape having a width dimension larger than the width dimension W1 to supply components.

In FIG. 2, the tape passage 31L extends forward from the rear end of the frame 31 (the end on the side of the worker OP) in a generally horizontal direction, and then extends upward and diagonally forward near the center of the frame 31 in the front-to-rear direction. The front end is exposed on the upper surface of the frame 31. As described above, the tape passage 31L is formed in a groove shape that opens on one side surface of the frame 31 (the right side surface), so that the worker OP can insert the carrier tape CT from the side surface of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L opens (the right side surface of the frame 31) and attach it to the frame 31.

In FIG. 6, the top surface of the front part of the frame 31 is connected to the part exposed at the top of the frame 31 at the front end of the tape passage 31L, and forms part of the passage for the carrier tape CT. Hereinafter, this area is referred to as the "frame top surface area 31R."

2 and 6, the tape holder 32 is positioned so as to cover a portion of the frame upper surface region 31R from above. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 (FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 3), the tape holder 32 has a horizontal upper wall portion 32a and left and right side wall portions 32b extending downward from both left and right ends of the upper wall portion 32a, and has a channel-shaped shape that extends in the front-to-rear direction (Y-axis direction) of the frame 31 and opens downward.

In Figures 3 and 7, when the tape holder 32 covers part of the frame upper surface area 31R from above, the upper wall portion 32a of the tape holder 32 is located above the frame upper surface area 31R. In addition, the left and right side wall portions 32b are located outside the left and right side walls of the frame 31.

In FIG. 7, a gap CL that is approximately the same as the thickness of the carrier tape CT is formed between the lower surface 32K of the upper wall portion 32a of the tape holder 32 and the frame upper surface region 31R. The region of space where this gap CL is formed constitutes part of the path of the carrier tape CT as described above, and the carrier tape CT passing through this region is prevented from lifting up from the frame upper surface region 31R by the tape holder 32.

In FIG. 6, the tape holder 32 is provided with a component removal opening 13G for removing components BH from the pockets 23 of the carrier tape CT located at the component supply position 13K. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the front end of the tape holder 32 is pivoted to the upper front end side of the frame 31 by a pivot pin 32P. The tape holder 32 can be slightly swung around the pivot pin 32P as a fulcrum in a direction that raises the rear end side relative to the frame upper surface area 31R.

When attaching the carrier tape CT to the frame 31, the worker OP inserts the leading portion of the carrier tape CT into the space between the frame upper surface area 31R and the tape holder 32 from the rear of the tape holder 32. Then, the rear portion of the inserted portion is inserted into the tape passage 31L from its opening side (the right side of the frame 31).

When inserting the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the space between the frame top surface area 31R and the tape holder 32, the rear end of the tape holder 32 is raised above the frame top surface area 31R. This temporarily increases the gap CL at the rear of the tape holder 32, making it easier for the worker OP to insert the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the space between the frame top surface area 31R and the tape holder 32.

In FIG. 2, the tape transport section 33 is composed of a sprocket 33A, a drive motor 33B, and a transmission gear section 33C, which are provided on the frame 31. The sprocket 33A is attached to the upper front end side of the frame 31 so as to be freely rotatable around the X-axis. Of the outer peripheral teeth 33G (FIG. 3) that the sprocket 33A has, the one located directly above the center of rotation of the sprocket 33A (below the tape holder 32) (referred to as the uppermost outer peripheral tooth 33G) protrudes upward from the frame upper surface area 31R (FIG. 7).

When the drive motor 33B is operated and the sprocket 33A is rotated via the transmission gear portion 33C (arrow A shown in Figures 2 and 3), the uppermost outer tooth 33G of the sprocket 33A moves forward. The uppermost outer tooth 33G of the sprocket 33A engages with the feed hole 24 of the carrier tape CT inserted between the frame upper surface area 31R and the tape presser 32 (Figure 7), and when the sprocket 33A is driven to rotate and the uppermost outer tooth 33G moves forward, the entire carrier tape CT is pulled forward. As a result, the carrier tape CT is transported forward within the tape passage 31L (arrow B shown in Figures 2 and 3).

In this manner, in the first embodiment, the tape transport unit 33 is provided on the frame 31, and is configured to transport the carrier tape CT within the tape passage 31L by engaging the outer teeth 33G of the sprocket 33A with the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT mounted within the tape passage 31L to rotate the sprocket 33A.

3 and 6, the tape holder 32 has an escape groove 32M extending in the front-to-rear direction of the frame (Y-axis direction) in the portion located directly above the center of rotation of the sprocket 33A, and the uppermost outer teeth 33G of the sprocket 33A are located within this escape groove 32M (FIG. 7). This allows the sprocket 33A to rotate without the outer teeth 33G interfering with the tape holder 32.

In FIG. 2, the top tape recovery section 34 has a pair of feed rollers 34a and a tension applying section 34b, and is located at the upper rear of the frame 31. The top tape 22 of the carrier tape CT is peeled off from the base tape 21 at the component removal opening 13G of the tape holder 32 and folded back rearward (FIGS. 2 and 3). The part of the top tape 22 folded back rearward is sandwiched between the pair of feed rollers 34a, and an appropriate tension is applied by the tension applying section 34b.

When the sprocket 33A rotates and the carrier tape CT is transported forward, the pair of feed rollers 34a rotate in synchronization with the rotation of the sprocket 33A. As a result, the top tape 22 is pulled by the pair of feed rollers 34a and peeled off from the base tape 21 (arrow C shown in Figures 2 and 3), and is sent (recovered) into the top tape storage space 31K formed at the rear of the frame.

The carrier tape CT in the tape passage 31L is transported forward by the rotation of the sprocket 33A, so that each pocket 23 formed on the base tape 21 reaches the component supply position 13K (component removal opening 13G) in sequence. When the pocket 23 reaches the component supply position 13K, the top tape 22 has already been peeled off, allowing the mounting head 14 to pick up the component BH at the component supply position 13K. The carrier tape CT (base tape 21) that has passed the tape retainer 32 is discharged to the outside from the front end of the frame 31 (Figure 3).

8 and 9, the sprocket hole detector 35 is attached to the frame 31 from the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L opens (the right side of the frame 31) (see also FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 8, the sprocket hole detector 35 includes a base body 41, a light projector 42, a light receiver 43, and a determination unit 44. The base body 41 of the sprocket hole detector 35 has a shape that extends in the front-to-back direction (Y-axis direction) and the up-down direction (Z-axis direction) of the frame 31.

In Figures 10(a) and (b), a guide installation section 41L is formed on the lower part of the base body 41. The guide installation section 41L has a shape that opens on the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L opens (the right side of the frame 31). The guide installation section 41L is located within the tape passage 31L and constitutes part of the tape passage 31L.

In Figures 8, 9, and 10(a) and (b), the light projector 42 and the light receiver 43 are each attached to the base body 41. The light projector 42 and the light receiver 43 are arranged at positions sandwiching the guide installation section 41L in the vertical direction. The determination section 44 is made of a board connected to the control board 38 of the tape feeder 13, and is provided inside the base body 41.

In Figures 8 and 11(a) and (b), the light projector 42 projects inspection light 42L downward (towards the light receiver 43). The light receiver 43 receives the inspection light 42L when there is no object at the feed hole detection position PK and the inspection light 42L is not blocked. The light projector 42 and the light receiver 43 are positioned so that the inspection light 42L passes through a predetermined position (referred to as the "feed hole detection position PK").

Figure 11 (a) shows a state in which the carrier tape CT is transported by the tape transport unit 33, and the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT passing through the guide installation unit 41L, which is part of the tape passage 31L, sequentially pass the feed hole detection position PK. In this state, the inspection light 42L emitted by the light-emitter 42 is blocked by the portion between two adjacent feed holes 24, so the light-receiver 43 receives the inspection light 42L intermittently.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the connecting tape ST is attached to the carrier tape CT, the feed holes 24 in the portion of the carrier tape CT to which the connecting tape ST is attached are blocked by the connecting tape ST (FIG. 11(b)). Therefore, from the time the connecting tape ST starts to pass through the feed hole detection position PK until it finishes passing through, the inspection light 42L emitted by the light-emitter 42 is blocked by the connecting tape ST. Therefore, during this time, the light-receiver 43 continues not to receive the inspection light 42L.

The determination unit 44 determines the state of the carrier tape CT based on the reception state of the inspection light 42L by the optical receiver 43, i.e., whether or not the optical receiver 43 receives the inspection light 42L. Specifically, when the determination unit 44 detects that the optical receiver 43 is intermittently receiving the inspection light 42L while the tape transport unit 33 is operating (the sprocket 33A is rotating), it determines that the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT are sequentially passing through the feed hole detection position PK (FIG. 11(a)), and determines that the carrier tape CT is in a normal component supply state.

In addition, when the tape transport unit 33 is operating and the determination unit 44 detects that the light receiver 43 is not receiving the inspection light 42L for a certain period of time (Figure 11 (b)), it determines that the connected tape ST is passing through the feed hole detection position PK and that the carrier tape CT will switch to the next carrier tape CT after supplying a certain amount of components BH.

Thus, in the first embodiment, the feed hole detector 35 is provided on the tape path 31L and is adapted to detect the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT transported through the tape path 31L by the tape transport unit 33. More specifically, the feed hole detector 35 detects the feed holes 24 based on the light receiving state of the inspection light 42L projected onto the movement path of the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT, and detects the connecting tape ST attached to the carrier tape CT based on the change in the detection state of the feed holes 24.

In Figures 9 and 10(a) and (b), the tape guide 36 is configured as a single unit integrated with the sprocket hole detector 35. In detail, the tape guide 36 is attached to the side of the frame 31 where the tape path 31L opens (the right side of the frame 31) at a position that vertically straddles part of the tape path 31L at the rear of the frame 31, with the tape guide 36 assembled in the guide installation portion 41L of the base body 41 (Figures 2 and 8).

9, 10(a), 10(b) and 12, the tape guide 36 is configured to have a block portion 51 and an opening/closing member 52. As shown in Figs. 13(a) and 13(b), the block portion 51 has a bottom wall 51a and two opposing side walls sandwiching the bottom wall 51a (an inner wall 51b extending upward from the inside of the bottom wall 51a, i.e., the left side of the bottom wall 51a, and an outer wall 51c extending upward from the outside of the bottom wall 51a, i.e., the right side of the bottom wall 51a). The bottom wall 51a, the inner wall 51b and the outer wall 51c form a groove portion 51M that opens upward (Fig. 9).

8 and 9, the block portion 51 has a tape insertion portion 51P that opens on the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L of the frame 31 opens (the right side of the frame 31). When attaching the carrier tape CT to the tape passage 31L, the worker OP inserts the carrier tape CT into the groove portion 51M from the tape insertion portion 51P (i.e., from the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L opens).

In this embodiment, the tape guide 36 is configured with a tape insertion portion 51P for inserting the carrier tape CT into the groove portion 51M from the side where the tape passage 31L of the frame 31 opens.

In Figures 10(a) and 13(a) and (b), the groove width MH of groove 51M (the dimension between inner wall 51b and outer wall 51c) is larger than the width dimension W1 of the carrier tape CT. Therefore, the groove 51M restricts the movement of the carrier tape CT in the width direction. With the movement of the carrier tape CT in the width direction restricted, the tape guide 36 guides the carrier tape CT so that the sprocket hole 24 passes through the sprocket hole detection position PK (crosses the inspection light 42L of the sprocket hole detector 35).

Thus, in embodiment 1, the tape guide 36 is provided on the tape passage 31L, guides the carrier tape CT within the groove portion 51M that opens upward, and regulates the movement of the carrier tape CT in the width direction within the tape passage 31L so that the sprocket holes 24 of the carrier tape CT are detected by the sprocket hole detector 35. As a result, the sprocket holes 24 of the carrier tape CT always pass through the sprocket hole detection position PK (cross the inspection light 42L), and the sprocket hole detector 35 can reliably detect the sprocket holes 24 of the carrier tape CT.

13(a), (b) and 14, the upper surface 51J of the bottom wall 51a constituting the groove 51M of the block portion 51 has a slope surface 51S that slopes upward toward the direction of travel of the carrier tape CT (the area that corresponds to the upstream side of the traveling direction of the carrier tape CT) of the carrier tape CT (see also FIG. 12). Also, as shown in FIG. 13(a) and (b), the inner surface of the rear area (the entrance area of the carrier tape CT) of each of the two side walls, the inner wall 51b and the outer wall 51c, that constitute the groove 51M, has a tapered surface 51T that widens the groove width toward the opposite side of the traveling direction of the carrier tape CT (the upstream side of the flow of the carrier tape CT, i.e., the rear) (see also FIG. 12).

In FIG. 14, the height of the end 51N on the rear side (the entrance side of the carrier tape CT) of the slope surface 51S of the tape guide 36 is approximately the same as the height of the tape passage upper surface 31M, which is the upper surface of the tape passage 31L, and the carrier tape CT in the tape passage 31L smoothly ascends the slope surface 51S of the tape guide 36 and advances in the groove portion 51M. At this time, the carrier tape CT is guided by the tapered surface 51T of the block portion 51 at the entrance of the groove portion 51M, so it smoothly enters the groove portion 51M. Note that when the carrier tape CT is the embossed type shown in FIG. 5(b), the slope surface 51S of the tape guide 36 is more effective because the embossed portion 21E easily climbs up from the upper surface of the tape passage 31L to the upper surface 51J of the bottom wall 51a.

The tapered surfaces 51T on the two side walls (inner wall 51b and outer wall 51c) of the tape guide 36 also serve to reduce chattering of the carrier tape CT when it hits the side walls, and to reduce dust that may soil the surfaces of the substrate KB and the outer teeth 33G of the sprocket 33A. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 13(a), it is preferable that a similar tapered portion 51Ta is also formed in the area at the opposite end of the two side walls (the downstream end in the traveling direction of the carrier tape CT).

The opening/closing member 52 of the tape guide 36 is made of a metal plate. As shown in Figures 10(b) and 12, the opening/closing member 52 has a base 52a and an opening/closing portion 52b. The base 52a is fixed to the inner wall 51b of the block portion 51. The opening/closing portion 52b extends obliquely downward from the upper edge of the base 52a toward the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L opens (the right side of the frame 31).

The opening/closing part 52b normally has its tip (the end on the side of the frame 31 where the tape passage 31L is open) abutted against the upper end of the outer wall 51c to close the tape insertion part 51P of the block part 51 (FIG. 15(a)). However, when the worker OP abuts the carrier tape CT against the underside of the tip and pushes up the tip through the carrier tape CT (arrow D shown in FIG. 15(b)), the tip elastically deforms and the tape insertion part 51P opens (FIG. 15(b)). Therefore, the worker OP can insert the carrier tape CT from the tape insertion part 51P while pushing up the tip of the opening/closing part 52b (arrow E shown in FIG. 15(b)), and attach the carrier tape CT to the groove part 51M (FIG. 9).

After the carrier tape CT is attached in the groove 51M, the opening/closing portion 52b returns to its original position due to its elastic force, and the tape insertion portion 51P is closed by the opening/closing portion 52b. This prevents the carrier tape CT attached in the groove 51M from falling out of the groove 51M.

As shown in Figures 9, 10(a), 10(b) and 12, the tape guide 36 is provided with a light passing hole for passing the inspection light 42L projected by the light projector 42 of the feed hole detector 35. Here, the light passing hole of the tape guide 36 consists of an upper hole 36Ha provided in the opening/closing portion 52b and a lower hole 36Hb provided in the bottom wall 51a of the block portion 51.

In FIG. 9, the light passing hole consisting of the upper hole 36Ha and the lower hole 36Hb is located on the path of the inspection light 42L projected by the light projector 42 of the sprocket hole detector 35 to the light receiver 43 when the tape guide 36 is incorporated in the sprocket hole detector 35. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, even if the tape guide 36 is interposed in the path of the inspection light 42L projected by the light projector 42, the light receiver 43 can receive the inspection light 42L, and the detection of the sprocket hole 24 by the sprocket hole detector 35 is not hindered by the tape guide 36.

2, 3 and 6, the tape member guide portion 37 is provided in the frame upper surface area 31R behind the tape holder 32 (upstream of the flow of the carrier tape CT). As shown in FIG. 3, the tape member guide portion 37 is configured to have a base portion 61 and a fall prevention piece 62.

In FIG. 3, the base portion 61 is made of a block-shaped member and has a tape guide groove 61M with a groove width slightly larger than the width dimension of the carrier tape CT. The fall-out prevention piece 62 is made of a plate-shaped member attached to the base portion 61. It has the function of blocking part of the upper part of the tape guide groove 61M, and a slit 37S for inserting the carrier tape CT is formed above the tape guide groove 61M (FIG. 3).

When the operator OP installs the carrier tape CT pulled out from the reel RL into the tape passage 31L of the frame 31, the operator OP installs a part of the carrier tape CT into the tape guide groove 61M. The carrier tape CT is installed into the tape guide groove 61M by inserting the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the space between the frame top surface area 31R and the tape holder 32, and then inserting the side of the carrier tape CT through the slit 37S. Alternatively, the leading end of the carrier tape CT may be inserted into the tape guide groove 61M from the rear of the base portion 61 before inserting the leading end of the carrier tape CT into the space between the frame top surface area 31R and the tape holder 32.

As described above, the tape feeder 13 in this embodiment 1 is provided on the tape passage 31L of the frame 31, and is configured to include a feed hole detector 35 that detects the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT transported in the tape passage 31L by the tape transport unit 33, and a tape guide 36 that guides the carrier tape CT in the groove portion 51M that opens upward and regulates the movement of the carrier tape CT in the width direction in the tape passage 31L so that the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT are detected by the feed hole detector 35. Therefore, when using a conventional frame 31 to transport a carrier tape CT that is narrower than the conventional one and supply components, it is possible to accurately detect the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT and, in turn, detect the connecting tape ST.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 16 shows a part of the tape feeder 13 in the second embodiment. The tape feeder 13 in the second embodiment differs from the tape feeder 13 in the first embodiment only in the configuration of the tape guide 36. The tape guide 36 of the tape feeder 13 in the second embodiment does not have the opening and closing portion 52b (the opening and closing member 52 itself), and is configured to prevent the carrier tape CT from falling off the groove portion 51M only by the outer wall 51c of the block portion 51. If there is no risk of the carrier tape CT falling off from the groove portion 51M even if the opening and closing portion 52b (the opening and closing member 52) is not provided, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained even with such a configuration that does not have the opening and closing portion 52b (the opening and closing member 52). Note that in the second embodiment, since the opening and closing portion 52b in the first embodiment is not provided, the light passing hole through which the inspection light 42L passes is only the lower hole 36Hb provided in the block portion 51.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 17 shows a part of the tape feeder 13 in the third embodiment. The tape feeder 13 in the third embodiment differs from the tape feeder 13 in the first embodiment only in the configuration of the tape guide 36. In the tape guide 36 in the third embodiment, the height of the upper surface 51J of the bottom wall 51a of the block portion 51 is made higher than that in the first embodiment, thereby reducing the vertical dimension of the groove portion 51M. When the carrier tape CT in the groove portion 51M is tilted (twisted) around the X-axis, that is, when one end of the carrier tape CT in the width direction is lifted up from the bottom wall 51a of the block portion 51, the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT do not cross the inspection light 42L, and there is a risk that the state in which the feed holes 24 pass through the inspection light 42L cannot be accurately detected. In the third embodiment, the height of the upper surface 51J of the bottom wall 51a is increased, so that the carrier tape CT is less likely to tilt in the groove portion 51M, and therefore the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained more reliably.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 18 shows a part of the tape feeder 13 in the fourth embodiment. The tape feeder 13 in the fourth embodiment differs from the tape feeder 13 in the first embodiment only in the configuration of the tape guide 36. The tape guide 36 in the fourth embodiment makes it difficult for the carrier tape CT to be tilted (twisted) around the X-axis in the groove 51M by making the opening and closing portion 52b have a shape that is curved downward. Therefore, as in the case of the third embodiment, the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained more reliably. In the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the tip of the opening and closing portion 52b is formed with a lip portion 52L that is curved upward, and the carrier tape CT can be inserted into the groove 51M by pushing the lip portion 52L (i.e., the opening and closing portion 52b) upward with the carrier tape CT from below the lip portion 52L. This configuration is not limited to the fourth embodiment, but can also be applied to the first and third embodiments.

(Embodiment 5)
19 shows a part of the tape feeder 13 in the fifth embodiment. The tape feeder 13 in the fifth embodiment differs from the tape feeder 13 in the first embodiment only in the configuration of the tape guide 36. In the tape guide 36 in the fifth embodiment, the opening and closing portion 52b is made of sponge or rubber, and the operator OP can insert the carrier tape CT into the groove portion 51M by pushing the opening and closing portion 52b made of sponge or rubber toward the inside of the frame 31 to open the tape insertion portion 51P of the block portion 51, thereby obtaining the same effect as in the first embodiment. Note that the opening and closing portion 52b is not limited to sponge or rubber as described above, and may be any material that can open and close the tape insertion portion 51P by elastic deformation.

As described above, the tape feeder 13 in the first to fifth embodiments is provided on the tape passage 31L of the frame 31, and is configured to include a feed hole detector 35 that detects the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT transported in the tape passage 31L by the tape transport unit 33, and a tape guide 36 that guides the carrier tape CT in the groove 51M that opens upward and regulates the movement of the carrier tape CT in the width direction in the tape passage 31L so that the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT are detected by the feed hole detector 35. Therefore, when using a conventional frame 31 to transport a carrier tape CT that is narrower than the conventional one to supply components, it is possible to accurately detect the feed holes 24 of the carrier tape CT and, in turn, the connecting tape ST.

Though the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications and the like are possible. For example, in the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 5, both of the two side walls (inner wall 51b and outer wall 51c) constituting groove portion 51M are provided with tapered surfaces 51T that widen the groove width toward the upstream side of the flow of carrier tape CT, but such tapered surfaces 51T may be provided on at least one of the two side walls constituting groove portion 51M.

In the above embodiment, the anti-fall-out piece 62 of the tape member guide portion 37 has a function of blocking a portion of the upper portion of the tape guide groove 61M of the base portion 61, but it may have a function of blocking the entire upper portion of the tape guide groove 61M without forming the slit 37S. In this case, the carrier tape CT is attached by inserting its leading portion into the tape guide groove 61M from the rear portion of the tape member guide portion 37. Alternatively, the anti-fall-out piece 62 may have a function of opening and closing the upper portion of the tape guide groove 61M.

The present invention provides a tape feeder that can accurately detect the feed holes of the tape material and, in turn, the connected tape when feeding components by transporting a tape material that is narrower than conventional tape materials while utilizing a conventional frame.

13 Tape feeder 13K Component supply position 24 Feed hole 31 Frame 31L Tape path 33 Tape transport section 33A Sprocket 33G Outer peripheral teeth 35 Feed hole detector 36 Tape guide 42L Inspection light 51M Groove section 51a Bottom wall 51b Inner wall (side wall)
51c outer wall (side wall)
51P Tape insertion section 51S Slope surface 51T Tapered surface 52b Opening and closing section CT Carrier tape (tape member)
ST Connection Tape BH Parts

Claims (8)

A tape feeder that conveys a tape member on which components are stored and supplies the components to a predetermined component supply position,
a frame having a tape passage formed with an opening on one side;
a tape transport unit that transports the tape member within the tape path by rotating a sprocket by engaging outer peripheral teeth of the sprocket with feed holes of the tape member installed within the tape path;
a feed hole detector provided on the tape path and detecting feed holes of the tape member transported through the tape path by the tape transport unit;
a tape guide that guides the tape member within a groove that opens upward and restricts movement of the tape member in a width direction within the tape passage so that sprocket holes of the tape member are detected by the sprocket hole detector ,
The tape guide is a tape feeder having a tape insertion portion for inserting the tape member into the groove portion from the side of the frame where the tape passage is open. 2. The tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the sprocket hole detector detects the sprocket holes based on a reception state of inspection light projected onto a movement path of the sprocket holes of the tape member. 3. The tape feeder according to claim 1, wherein the sprocket hole detector detects the connected tape attached to the tape member based on a change in a detection state of the sprocket holes. 4. The tape feeder according to claim 1 , wherein the tape guide comprises an opening/closing portion for opening and closing the tape insertion portion. The tape feeder according to claim 4 , wherein the opening/closing portion opens and closes the tape insertion portion by elastic deformation. 6. The tape feeder of claim 1, wherein the groove portion is formed by a bottom wall and two side walls opposing each other across the bottom wall, and a slope surface that slopes uphill in the direction of travel of the tape material is provided in an entrance area of the upper surface of the bottom wall for the tape material. 7. The tape feeder of claim 1, wherein the groove portion is formed by a bottom wall and two side walls opposing each other across the bottom wall, and a tapered surface is provided in an entrance area of the tape member on the inner surface of at least one of the two side walls, the tape member having a groove width widening toward the opposite side to the traveling direction of the tape member. 3. A tape feeder according to claim 2, wherein said tape guide and said feed hole detector are integrally constructed as a single unit and mounted on said frame, and said tape guide is formed with a light passing hole for passing said inspection light therethrough.

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