JP7599129B2 - Component mounting system and method for connecting devices - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a component mounting system and an inter-device connection method that use a tape cassette that stores a roll of carrier tape.

Conventionally, component mounting devices that mount components on a substrate are known, and tape feeders that use carrier tape are often used as component supply units that supply components to the component mounting devices. Carrier tape is a tape material that contains components, and is transported and stored wound around the core of a reel that serves as a tape holder, and when in use, is pulled out from the reel and supplied to the tape feeder.

It has also been proposed to eliminate the need for a tape holder such as the reel, and to transport, store and use the carrier tape in the form of a roll wound into a disk without a core (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a roll is stored in a case-like storage device with a partial opening, and the storage device containing the roll can be set in a tape feeder.

International Publication No. 2020/202737

As described above, in a component mounting device that uses a carrier tape stored in a storage device (hereinafter referred to as a tape cassette) in the form of a roll, it is preferable that the tape cassette be automatically supplied to the component mounting device. To achieve this, it becomes necessary to connect a tape cassette supplying device equipped with a mechanism for supplying the tape cassette to the component mounting device to the component mounting device. However, since such a cassette supplying device is inevitably heavy, if it is directly connected to a cart on which the component supply unit is mounted, the front side of the cart (the side facing the operator) will drop, changing the attitude of the cart and changing the position (vertical position) of the tape feeder, which may easily cause pickup errors when removing components from the tape feeder.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE An object of the present invention is to provide a component mounting system and an inter-device connection method that can prevent component pickup errors that can occur when a cassette supplying device, which is a heavy object, is connected to a cart.

The component mounting system of the present invention is a component mounting system comprising a component mounting device having a mounting device main body section which performs the component mounting work and a cart equipped with a component supply unit which supplies components to the mounting device main body section, and a tape cassette supply device which supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to the component supply unit , wherein the mounting device main body section has a cart holding section which holds the cart, and a mounting device side connection section to which the tape cassette supply device is connected.

The inter-device connection method of the present invention is an inter-device connection method in the component mounting system of the present invention, and includes a connection step of connecting the tape cassette supply device to the mounting device side connection section by moving the tape cassette supply device closer to the mounting device main body section.

This invention makes it possible to prevent component pickup errors that can occur when connecting a heavy cassette supply device to a trolley.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a component supply unit of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a tape cassette provided in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a roll of carrier tape stored therein; FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of a carrier tape unrolled from a roll used in a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view showing components of a component supply unit of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of a frame included in the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of a shutter provided in the tape cassette according to the embodiment of the present invention; 1A to 1G are cross-sectional views of a tape cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A, 1B, and 1C are side views of a tape cassette showing how a roll of carrier tape is inserted into and removed from a storage cassette according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A, 1B, and 1C are front views of multiple types of tape cassettes having different width dimensions according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a tape cassette with the largest width dimension according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a tape cassette supply device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views showing a floating mechanism provided in a tape cassette supplying device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 4A, 4B, and 4C are side views showing a state in which a tape cassette supplying device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a component mounting device. FIG. 1 is a side view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are plan views showing a gripping pin of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional plan view showing a gripping pin of a chuck device provided in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a gripped block and a gripping pin that grips the gripped block provided on a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system of a component mounting device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are perspective views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are plan views of a portion of a tape cassette handled by a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape feed unit provided in a tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are front views of a tape feed section provided in a tape cassette supply device of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D are perspective views showing a procedure for supporting the leading end of a carrier tape pulled out from a tape cassette by a tape feed unit included in a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1A and 1B are side views of a portion of a component mounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a component mounting system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention. The component mounting system 1 repeatedly performs a series of component mounting tasks, in which components BH are mounted on a board KB brought in from another device in an upstream process, and the board is then transported to another device in a downstream process, and is equipped with a component mounting device 1T and a tape cassette supplying device 1H.

In FIG. 2, the component mounting device 1T is configured with a mounting device main body 1A and a component supplying unit 1B. The mounting device main body 1A is equipped with a base 11, a board transport unit 12, a mounting head 13, and a head moving mechanism 14. The board transport unit 12 is made up of a conveyor mechanism, and transports the board KB received from an upstream process device in a horizontal direction and positions it at a predetermined working position. In this embodiment, the transport direction of the board KB in the component mounting device 1T is the X direction (horizontal direction), the up-down direction is the Z direction, and the direction perpendicular to both the X direction and the Z direction is the Y direction (front-back direction).

In FIG. 2, the mounting head 13 has multiple nozzles 13N extending downward, and the lower end of each nozzle 13N can generate a vacuum suction force that attracts the component BH. The head movement mechanism 14 is, for example, an XY table, and moves the mounting head 13 within the XY plane.

In Figures 2 and 3, the component supply unit 1B includes a cart 21, a tape cassette 22, and a tape feeder 23. The tape cassette 22 is capable of storing a roll RT of carrier tape CT (hereinafter simply referred to as roll RT) in which the carrier tape CT is wound into a disk shape without a core (see also Figure 4). In other words, the tape cassette 22 handles roll RT that is not wound on a reel.

As shown in Figure 5 (Figure 5 is an enlarged view of area AR in Figure 4), the carrier tape CT is composed of a base tape BT and a top tape TT. The base tape BT has a number of pockets PK that open upward and are arranged in a row at equal intervals along the length of the base tape BT, and each pocket PK contains a component BH. The top tape TT is attached to the top surface of the base tape BT, and seals the component BH in the pocket PK. A number of feed holes SH are arranged in a row at equal intervals in a position parallel to the row of pockets PK on the base tape BT.

2 and 3, the base 11 is provided with a pair of carriage guides 11G that extend rearward and are arranged opposite each other in the X direction, and a pair of carriage holders 11H that also extend rearward and are arranged opposite each other in the X direction. The pair of carriage guides 11G are members that guide the left and right sides of the lower part of the carriage 21 when holding the carriage 21, and the pair of carriage holders 11H are members that are guided by the carriage guides 11G and lift up and hold the left and right sides of the carriage 21 that is close to the base 11.

In FIG. 6, a feeder base 31 is provided on the top of the dolly 21. A feeder mounting slot 31S for mounting the tape feeder 23 is provided on the top surface of the feeder base 31 and extends in the Y direction.

The tape feeder 23 functions as a component supply unit that supplies components BH to the mounting device main body 1A. The tape feeder 23 can be attached to the feeder base 31 by sliding the slide protrusion 23T (FIG. 6) on the underside into the feeder attachment slot 31S of the feeder base 31.

The feeder base 31 has multiple feeder mounting slots 31S arranged in the X direction. Therefore, multiple tape feeders 23 can be mounted in the feeder base 31 in a line in the X direction.

In Figures 2, 3 and 6, the cart 21 is provided with a cassette mounting section 33 formed as a flat plate overall at the rear (left side in each of these figures) of a cart base 32 that is movable on the floor FL. As shown in Figure 6, a pair of lower brackets 34 that extend upward are provided facing each other in the X direction at the midpoint in the front-to-rear direction on the cart base 32. Both ends of a lower support bar 35 that extends in the X direction are supported by the pair of lower brackets 34.

In FIG. 6, a pair of upper brackets 36 that extend downward are provided below the feeder base 31, facing each other in the X direction. Both ends of an upper support bar 37 that extends in the X direction are supported by the pair of upper brackets 36. The upper support bar 37 extends above the lower support bar 35, parallel to the lower support bar 35 (FIG. 6).

In Figures 4 and 7, the tape cassette 22 has a case-shaped storage section 41 and a shutter 42 as a regulating section provided within the storage section 41. The roll RT is stored in a vertical position within the storage section 41 of the tape cassette 22. Here, "vertical position" refers to a position in which the central axis CJ of the disk-shaped roll RT is approximately horizontal.

In this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 is used in two different ways. In the first way, it is used as a receiving portion for a roll RT of carrier tape CT (current tape) that is currently being transported by the tape feeder 23, and is mounted across the carriage base 32 and the cassette mounting portion 33. Hereinafter, a tape cassette 22 used as a receiving portion for such a roll RT of current tape will be referred to as a "receiving cassette 22A" (Figures 3 and 6).

The second mode of use of the tape cassette 22 is as a storage device for storing a roll RT of carrier tape CT (refill tape) for refilling when the current tape runs out, and is attached to the carriage base 32. Hereinafter, a tape cassette 22 used as a storage device for such a roll RT of refill tape will be referred to as a "storage cassette 22B" (Figures 3 and 6). In this way, the receiving cassette 22A and the storage cassette 22B are tape cassettes 22 with the same structure.

The tape feeder 23 pulls out the carrier tape CT from the roll RT in the receiving cassette 22A and supplies the component BH to the mounting head 13. Following this carrier tape CT, the tape feeder 23 pulls out the carrier tape CT from the roll RT in the storage cassette 22B and supplies the component BH to the mounting head 13.

In this embodiment, the tape feeder 23 is a so-called autoload feeder that detects when the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is inserted from the tape inlet 23G (FIG. 3) provided at the rear end, transports the carrier tape CT forward, and supplies a component BH to a specified component supply port 23K. At this time, the tape feeder 23 transports the carrier tape CT while drawing it out as the current tape from the roll RT in the receiving cassette 22A.

The leading end of the carrier tape CT (replenishment tape) pulled out from the roll RT in the storage cassette 22B can be inserted into the tape entrance 23G of the tape feeder 23 even before the current tape runs out of components. When the tape feeder 23 detects that the tail end of the current tape has passed a predetermined position within the tape feeder 23, it begins transporting the refill tape. This allows multiple carrier tapes CT to be transported continuously without interruption, and components BH are supplied to the component mounting device 1T without running out of components.

When the component mounting device 1T performs a component mounting operation, first the board transport unit 12 operates to bring in the board KB from outside and position it at a prescribed work position. Once the board KB has been positioned at the work position by the board transport unit 12, the tape feeder 23 repeatedly performs a mounting turn by linking the operation of supplying the component BH to the component supply port 23K with the operation of the head movement mechanism 14 to move the mounting head 13.

In one mounting turn, the mounting head 13 moves to a position above the tape feeder 23 and picks up the component BH with the nozzle 13N, then moves to a position above the board KB and performs a series of operations to mount the component BH on the board KB. Once all the components BH to be mounted on the board KB have been mounted by repeatedly executing the mounting turns, the board transport unit 12 operates and transports the board KB to a downstream process device. This completes the component mounting work for one board KB.

Next, we will explain the configuration of the tape cassette 22 used as the receiving cassette 22A or storage cassette 22B for the roll RT of the carrier tape CT, and the procedure for mounting it on the cart 21.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the tape cassette 22 has a storage section 41 and a shutter 42 as a regulating section provided within the storage section 41. The storage section 41 has a U-shaped frame 43 and a pair of plate members (side plates 44) attached to both sides of the frame 43 in the width direction. The space surrounded by the U-shaped frame 43 and the pair of side plates 44 forms a storage space 41S for storing the roll RT. The opening of the U-shaped frame 43 faces forward, so that a front opening 41K is formed as an opening in front of the storage section 41.

In this embodiment, the storage section 41 has a U-shaped frame 43 that surrounds the storage space 41S and a pair of side plates 44 (plate members) fixed to the frame 43 that cover the sides of the storage space 41S, and the storage section 41 has a front opening 41K in front of it, facing the outer circumferential surface of the roll body RT.

In Figures 7, 9 and 10, the frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z arranged in the width direction. As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the upper side of the frame 43 with the opening facing horizontally is the upper frame 43a, and the lower side is the lower frame 43b. Between the upper frame 43a and the lower frame 43b is an arc-shaped guide portion 43c.

In Figures 7, 9 and 11, when the frame 43 is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 44, the upper frame portion 43a of the frame 43 is positioned facing the upper edge of the side plate 44, and the lower frame portion 43b of the frame 43 is positioned facing the lower edge of the side plate 44. As shown in Figure 11, a shutter guide portion 43g that protrudes toward the center of the arc of the frame 43 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion 43c. A guide surface 43F that slopes upward toward the front is provided on the lower surface of the front end portion of the upper frame portion 43a.

In Figures 7 and 11, the upper frame portion 43a is provided with an engagement groove 43M, a gripped block 45 as a gripped portion, and a lower support bar engagement portion 43P, in this order from the front end side. The engagement groove 43M is provided facing the upper surface of the upper frame portion 43a and opens forward. The gripped block 45 is made of a block-shaped member and is provided extending in the Y direction (a direction perpendicular to the width direction of the tape cassette 22, and in the in-plane direction of the roll body RT stored in the tape cassette 22).

In Figures 7 and 11, three pin insertion sections 43S are arranged in the Y direction on the lower frame section 43b. In addition, an upper support bar engagement section 43Q is provided in the area between the two front pin insertion sections 43S and the one rear pin insertion section 43S of the three pin insertion sections 43S.

In FIG. 6, three storage cassette holding pins 33P are arranged in a row in the Y direction on the top surface of the cassette mounting section 33. These three storage cassette holding pins 33P constitute one cassette holding pin row 33L, and multiple cassette holding pin rows 33L are arranged in multiple rows in the X direction on the top surface of the cassette mounting section 33.

In FIG. 6, one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q is provided in front of each cassette holding pin row 33L and on the same axis as that cassette holding pin row 33L. That is, on the upper surface of the cassette mounting section 33, multiple pin rows are provided in the X direction, each row including three storage cassette holding pins 33P (cassette holding pin row 33L) and one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q.

As shown in Figures 3 and 12, the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the cart 21 with the storage cassette 22B upside down, i.e., upside down. When the receiving cassette 22A is mounted on the cart 21, as shown in Figure 12, the lower support bar engagement portion 43P engages with the lower support bar 35, the upper support bar engagement portion 43Q engages with the upper support bar 37, and the engagement groove 43M engages with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q. Thus, in this embodiment, one receiving cassette holding pin 33Q, the lower support bar 35, and the upper support bar 37 form a receiving cassette mounting portion 38 (receiving portion mounting portion) in which the receiving cassette 22A is mounted.

In Figures 11 and 12, the tape cassette 22 has a sub-mounting portion 43R consisting of an upper support bar engagement portion 43Q of the upper frame portion 43a and the lower frame portion 43b, and the tape cassette 22 is mounted on the component mounting device 1T as a receiving cassette 22A by mounting the sub-mounting portion 43R to the receiving cassette mounting portion 38. In this way, the receiving cassette mounting portion 38 is mounted with the tape cassette 22 in an upside-down position.

As shown in FIG. 13, the storage cassette 22B is mounted on the cart 21 (cassette mounting section 33 of the component supply section 1B) by inserting three storage cassette holding pins 33P constituting one cassette holding pin row 33L into three pin insertion sections 43S provided on the lower frame section 43b. The storage cassette 22B mounted on the cart 21 is held in a vertical position with the front opening 41K facing forward.

In this embodiment, the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B has a pin insertion section 43S that is an engaged section that can engage with the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P) provided in the component supply section 1B, and the storage cassette 22B is positioned and held by the storage cassette mounting section 39 consisting of the cassette holding pin row 33L (three storage cassette holding pins 33P). That is, in this embodiment, the three storage cassette holding pins 33P (cassette holding pin row 33L) lined up in a row in the Y direction form the storage cassette mounting section 39 (storage device mounting section) on which the storage cassette 22B is mounted.

In addition, in this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 has a main mounting portion 43U (mounting portion) formed by the frame lower portion 43b (FIGS. 11 and 13), and the tape cassette 22 is mounted to the component mounting device 1T as the storage cassette 22B by mounting the main mounting portion 43U to the storage cassette mounting portion 39. As a result, the storage cassette 22B held in the storage cassette mounting portion 39 is sandwiched between a pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it, thereby preventing it from moving in the X direction (the direction in which it falls sideways).

In Figures 12 and 13, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A with the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A facing the storage cassette mounting section 39. The storage cassette mounting section 39 also mounts the storage cassette 22B with the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B facing the receiving cassette 22A mounted in the receiving cassette mounting section 38. In this way, the receiving cassette 22A and the storage cassette 22B are mounted on the cart 21 with the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A facing the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B, making it possible to move the roll body RT stored in the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A.

The receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A at a lower position than the storage cassette 22B mounted in the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows the roll body RT to move smoothly from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, and prevents the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

Furthermore, the receiving cassette mounting section 38 mounts the receiving cassette 22A in an inclined position that becomes lower the further it is from the storage cassette mounting section 39. This allows the roll body RT to move smoothly from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A, and prevents the roll body RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A from moving to the storage cassette 22B.

In Figures 7, 14 and 15, the shutter 42 is provided in the storage space 41S of the storage section 41. As also shown in Figure 16, the shutter 42 has an overall J-shape and includes an arc-shaped slider section 51 and a shutter tip section 52 that extends linearly from one end of the slider section 51. An operating lever 53 that extends outward (away from the center) of the arc-shaped slider section 51 is connected to the slider section 51 and is positioned to protrude rearward from the storage section 41.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, a tape holding portion 54 is provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (the end of the shutter tip 52). The tape holding portion 54 is a plate-shaped portion that extends in the direction in which the shutter tip 52 extends, and two tape engagement protrusions 55 protrude from the tip of the tape holding portion 54 as feed hole engagement portions. These two tape engagement protrusions 55 are arranged parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to the width direction of the storage section 41.

The outer peripheral surface of the arc-shaped slider portion 51 of the shutter 42 is guided by the aforementioned arc-shaped shutter guide portion 43g provided on the frame 43. When the operating lever 53 is operated, the shutter 42 is guided by the shutter guide portion 43g and slides within the inner area of the frame 43 in a rotational direction about an axis parallel to the X direction.

The shutter 42 takes a closed position (first position) in which the shutter tip 52 extends in the vertical direction (Z direction) at the front of the storage space 41S and closes the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 (Figure 14). Also, the shutter tip 52 takes an open position (second position) in which the shutter tip 52 extends in the front-rear direction (Y direction) at the bottom of the storage space 41S and opens the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 (Figure 15). When the shutter 42 is in the closed position, the roll body RT in the storage space 41S cannot pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41, but when the shutter 42 is in the open position, the roll body RT in the storage space 41S can pass through the front opening 41K and move to the outside of the storage section 41.

In Figures 11, 14 and 15, an opening side stopper surface 43T is formed at the front end of the lower frame surface 43b, and an abutment surface 52T, which is the end face of the shutter tip 52, is formed at the boundary between the slider portion 51 and the shutter tip 52 of the shutter 42 (Figure 14). When the operating lever 53 is moved from the lower position to the upper position, the shutter 42 rotates clockwise in Figure 14 (Figure 14 → Figure 15), and is positioned in the closed position when the abutment surface 52T abuts against the opening side stopper surface 43T (Figure 15).

Figures 17(a) to 17(f) are cross sections (A-A cross section, B-B cross section, C-C cross section, D-D cross section, E-E cross section, and F-F cross section) of various parts of the tape cassette 22 when the shutter 42 is in the closed position. Also, Figure 17(g) is a cross section (G-G cross section) of part of the tape cassette 22 when the shutter 42 is in the open position.

In Figures 11 and 15, a closing side stopper surface 43K is formed at the upper end (rear end) of the frame lower portion 43b. When the operating lever 53 is moved from the upper position to the lower position, the shutter 42 rotates counterclockwise in Figure 15 (Figure 15 → Figure 14), and is located in the closed position when the operating lever 53 abuts against the closing side stopper surface 43K (Figure 14). Thus, in this embodiment, the operating lever 53 is an operating part that operates to displace the shutter 42 between the closed position (first position) and the open position (second position).

When storing the roll RT in the tape cassette 22, with the shutter 42 in the open position, the roll RT is inserted through the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 (arrow M1 shown in FIG. 18(a)), and the operating lever 53 is moved downward (arrow N1 shown in FIG. 18(b)). This moves the shutter 42 from the open position to the closed position, closing the front opening 41K of the storage section 41 by the shutter 42, and the roll RT is stored in the tape cassette 22 (FIG. 18(b)).

On the other hand, when removing the roll RT stored in the tape cassette 22, the operating lever 53 is moved upward (arrow N2 shown in FIG. 18(c)). This moves the shutter 42 from the closed position to the open position, opening the front opening 41K of the storage section 41, making it possible to remove the roll RT from the storage section 41 (arrow M2 shown in FIG. 18(c)).

In this embodiment, the tape cassette 22 as a storage device is configured to include a storage section 41 having a storage space 41S for storing the roll RT and a front opening 41K at the front through which the roll RT can be inserted and removed, and a shutter 42 as a regulating section that displaces between a first position (closed position) that blocks at least a part of the front opening 41K to regulate the roll RT stored in the storage space 41S from moving through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41, and a second position (open position) that allows the roll RT stored in the storage space to move through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41. The shutter 42 is configured to include a shutter tip 52 located at the front opening 41K when displaced to the closed position, and a slider section 51 that slides while being guided by a shutter guide section 43g provided on the frame 43.

Incidentally, multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different width dimensions are required to accommodate different width dimensions of the roll body RT. As mentioned above, the frame 43 is composed of two frame members 43Z (Figures 7 and 9). For this reason, by making one of the frame members 43Z have a thickness dimension corresponding to the width dimension of the roll body RT and making the other one commonly used regardless of differences in the width dimension of the roll body RT, it is possible to standardize the members and reduce the manufacturing costs of multiple types of tape cassettes 22. Figures 19(a), (b), and (c) show examples of multiple types of tape cassettes 22 with different width dimensions.

Figure 19(a) shows a configuration in which one of the two frame members 43Z has been removed and a single frame member 43Z is used in common, and can accommodate cases in which the width dimension of the roll body RT (i.e., the carrier tape CT) is smaller than in the previously described case. Figure 19(b) shows a configuration in which the width dimension of one of the two frame members 43Z has been increased, making it possible to accommodate cases in which the width dimension of the roll body RT is larger than in the previously described case.

Figure 19(c) shows two frame members 43Z connected by a rod-shaped spacer SP, which is designed to accommodate a roll body RT with an even larger width dimension than the case of Figure 19(b) (see also Figure 20). The two frame members 43Z connected by the spacer SP are used in common. In the cases of Figure 19(b) and Figure 19(c), a gripped block 45 is provided on each of the two frame members 43Z.

This is because when the gripped block 45 is gripped to lift the tape cassette 22, if the gripped block 45 is provided on only one of the two frame members 43Z, the tape cassette 22 will tilt from the vertical position due to the position of its overall center of gravity, making it difficult to mount it on the cart 21. Also, if one tries to grip one gripped block 45 and force the tape cassette 22 into a vertical position, an excessive bending moment will act on the gripped block 45, which could damage the gripped block 45.

As described above, the tape cassette 22 in this embodiment supplies the roll RT of the carrier tape CT containing the components BH to the component mounting device 1T, and is configured to include a storage section 41 and a shutter 42. The storage section 41 has a storage space 41S for storing the roll RT, and a front opening 41K at the front through which the roll RT can be inserted and removed. The shutter 42 is displaceable between a closed position (first position) that restricts the roll RT from passing through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41 by blocking at least a part of the front opening 41K, and an open position (second position) that allows the roll RT to pass through the front opening 41K to the outside of the storage section 41. The storage section 41 is mounted with the front opening 41K facing the component mounting device 1T, and the roll RT is supplied to the component mounting device 1T with the shutter 42 positioned in the open position.

Next, the procedure for attaching the tape cassette 22 to the component supply unit 1B of the component mounting device 1T will be described. When attaching the tape cassette 22 to the component supply unit 1B, first, the receiving cassette 22A is attached to the receiving cassette attachment unit 38 of the cart 21, which is the receiving unit attachment unit.

When mounting the receiving cassette 22A in the receiving cassette mounting section 38, first, position the shutter 42 in the open position (second position) using the operating lever 53, and then turn the tape cassette 22 upside down. Then, engage the lower support bar engagement section 43P provided on the upper frame section 43a with the lower support bar 35, engage the upper support bar engagement section 43Q provided on the lower frame section 43b with the upper support bar 37, and engage the engagement groove 43M provided on the upper frame section 43a with the receiving cassette holding pin 33Q (Fig. 12 → Fig. 13).

When the receiving cassette 22A is attached to the dolly 21, the tape cassette 22 is tilted slightly forward and downward, and the guide surface 43F provided on the upper frame portion 43a is in a nearly horizontal position (FIG. 13). In addition, the shutter 42 of the receiving cassette 22A attached to the dolly 21 is in the open position (second position).

After the receiving cassette 22A is mounted in the receiving cassette mounting section 38 of the cart 21 as described above, the storage cassette 22B containing the roll RT is mounted in the storage cassette mounting section 39 of the cart 21. The shutter 42 of the storage cassette 22B is positioned in the closed position until immediately before the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the storage cassette mounting section 39, and the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT is held by the tape holding section 54 of the shutter 42 positioned in the closed position (Figure 13).

Here, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is held by the tape holding portion 54 by two tape locking projections 55 provided on the tape holding portion 54 engaging from below with two of the multiple feed holes SH provided at the leading end of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT (FIGS. 7 and 13). In this state, the leading end of the carrier tape CT is in a substantially horizontal position.

In this embodiment, the tape holding portion 54 provided at the tip of the shutter 42 (shutter tip portion 52) has two tape locking projections 55 as feed hole engagement portions that can engage with the feed holes SH of the carrier tape CT, and these tape locking projections 55 are used to hold the carrier tape CT pulled out from the roll RT. At this time, the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is in a horizontal position. In other words, when the shutter 42 is positioned (displaced) to the closed position (first position), the tape holding portion 54 holds the carrier tape CT horizontally.

The task of mounting the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting section 33 is performed automatically by the tape cassette supply device 1H. Here, we will explain the tape cassette supply device 1H.

Figures 21, 22 and 23 show a tape cassette supplying device 1H. The tape cassette supplying device 1H is a device that supplies a tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) that stores a roll RT of carrier tape CT to the component supplying section 1B of the component mounting device 1T, and includes a cassette supplying section 61, an alignment section 62, a cassette transfer section 63 and a tape feeding section 64.

First, the cassette supply unit 61 will be described. In Figures 21, 23 and 24, the cassette supply unit 61 comprises a reference base 71, a supply device main body 72, a floating mechanism 73, a cassette stock unit 74, a shutter operation unit 75 and a control unit 76. The reference base 71 has a number of wheels 71S on its underside and can run on the floor FL. The supply device main body 72 is disposed above the reference base 71. The supply device main body 72 comprises a lift base 72a (bottom plate) and a top plate 72b, and has a housing shape that is open at the front.

21, 23, and 24, the floating mechanism 73 is provided between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body 72 (specifically, the lift base 72a). The floating mechanism 73 is a mechanism that holds the supply device main body 72 so that it can move up and down relative to the reference base 71.

25(a) and (b), the floating mechanism 73 includes four lift guides 81, spring members 82, and multiple link mechanisms 83. The four lift guides 81 are arranged in the front, back, left and right directions between the reference base 71 and the lift base 72a, and the four spring members 82 are arranged corresponding to each of the four lift guides 81 (passing through the lift guides 81).

In this embodiment, the supply device main body 72 is movable in the vertical direction relative to the reference base 71, and is elastically supported by the spring member 82 of the floating mechanism 73. Note that FIG. 25(b) shows a case where the height HT of the lift base 72a relative to the reference base 71 is higher than in FIG. 25(a) (height HT=H1 in FIG. 25(a), height HT=H2 in FIG. 25(b), and H1<H2).

The link mechanism 83 of the floating mechanism 73 comprises a pair of link parts 101 spaced apart in the Y direction (the direction of travel of the supply device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T, as described below) and a connecting part 102 that connects the pair of link parts 101, forming a parallel link. In this embodiment, two link mechanisms 83 are provided side by side in the X direction, as shown in FIG. 23.

In Figures 25(a) and (b), the link part 101 connects the reference base 71 and the supply device main body part 72 (the underside of the lifting base 72a), and is made up of two link elements 101E of the same length arranged one above the other with one end connected by a pin. The lower end of the lower link element 101E is connected by a pin to the upper surface of the reference base 71, and the upper end of the upper link element 101E is connected by a pin to the underside of the lifting base 72a. The upper end of the lower link element 101E and the lower end of the upper link element 101E are connected by a pin. The connecting part 102 is made up of a rod-shaped member extending in the Y direction, and both front and rear ends are pivotally connected to the middle parts (the parts connected by pins) of the two link parts 101.

The two link parts 101 each operate in response to changes in the distance between the reference base 71 and the supply device main body part 72 (lifting base 72a), and the connecting part 102 connects the pair of link parts 101 together to link the movements of the link parts 101. Since the link mechanism 83 is a parallel link, as long as the reference base 71 is in a horizontal position, the lifting base 72a will also maintain a horizontal position even if an upward or downward force acts on a part of the lifting base 72a.

In Figures 21, 23 and 24, the cassette stock section 74 is made of a member with a horizontal upper surface and is provided inside the supply device main body section 72. On the upper surface of the cassette stock section 74, multiple storage cassettes 22B are placed and stocked in a vertical position with the front opening 41K facing forward. Multiple storage cassettes 22B can be placed on the cassette stock section 74 in a state lined up in the X direction (the width direction of the storage cassette 22B).

In Figures 22, 23 and 24, the shutter operating unit 75 is provided inside the supply device main body 72. The shutter operating unit 75 includes a pair of left and right operating unit bases 91, an operating bar 92 and an operating bar drive unit 93.

The left and right operation unit bases 91 are provided in the front region of the cassette stock unit 74, positioned outside the left and right ends of the cassette stock unit 74. The left and right operation unit bases 91 are each made of a plate-like member that extends in the YZ plane, and an operation bar guide 91G extending in the Z direction is provided on each of the opposing surfaces (inner surfaces). The left and right operation bar guides 91G are provided with bar holders 91B that are movable in the Z direction.

The operation bar 92 is made of a rod-shaped member extending in the X direction, and both ends are held by the left and right bar holders 91B. The operation bar drive units 93 are made of, for example, rodless cylinders, and are attached to the left and right operation unit bases 91, respectively. When the left and right operation bar drive units 93 synchronously raise and lower the respective bar holders 91B, the operation bar 92 moves in the Z direction while maintaining a horizontal position.

21, 22, 23, and 24, the control unit 76 is provided in the supply device main body 72. The control unit 76 controls the operation of the operation bar drive unit 93 as well as the other drive units (the chuck device moving mechanism 122, the opening/closing operation unit 131K, the sprocket drive motor 141, and the arm drive cylinder 143, which will be described later) provided in the tape cassette supply device 1H.

Next, the alignment unit 62 will be described. In Figures 21, 22, and 24, the alignment unit 62 has left and right supply device side connection parts 111. Each of the left and right supply device side connection parts 111 is composed of an alignment arm 112, a horizontal alignment roller 113, and a height alignment roller 114.

The alignment arm 112 is provided extending forward from the supply device main body 72 of the cassette supply unit 61. Two horizontal alignment rollers 113 are provided in the front-rear direction at the front end of the alignment arm 112. The horizontal alignment rollers 113 are freely rotatable around an axis (Z axis) parallel to the Z direction.

One height alignment roller 114 is provided at the front end of the alignment arm 112. The height alignment roller 114 is located above the two horizontal alignment rollers 113 (Figures 21 and 24) and is freely rotatable around an axis (X axis) parallel to the X direction.

In Figures 26 and 27, the base 11 of the mounting device main body 1A is provided with a pair of left and right height alignment guides 11V extending rearward from the rear of the base 11, and a pair of left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W also extending rearward from the rear of the base 11. The height alignment guides 11V are located above the horizontal alignment guides 11W.

In FIG. 26, the top surface of the height direction alignment guide 11V is provided with a sloped surface 11S that slopes upward from the rear to the front. A recess 11K that is recessed downward is formed at the front end of the sloped surface 11S.

The tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T from the rear of the component mounting device 1T. When connecting the tape cassette supplying device 1H to the component mounting device 1T, the tape cassette supplying device 1H is made to travel on the floor FL by the traveling robot RB as a moving body, and is brought closer (in the Y direction) to the mounting device main body 1A with the dolly 21 connected to it (Figure 28). At this time, the Y direction axis of the tape cassette supplying device 1H is made parallel to the Y direction axis of the base 11. Therefore, the tape cassette supplying device 1H approaches the mounting device main body 1A in a position in which the dolly 21 connected to the base 11 is housed between the left and right alignment arms 112.

The traveling robot RB functions as a mobile body that moves the tape cassette supply device 1H to the front of the component supply unit 1B where the carrier tape CT needs to be replenished. For example, an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) that runs on its own under wireless control is used as the traveling robot RB.

As the tape cassette supply device 1H approaches the mounting device main body 1A, the left and right horizontal alignment rollers 113 of the tape cassette supply device 1H come into contact with and roll on the inner surfaces of the left and right horizontal alignment guides 11W of the base 11. As a result, the tape cassette supply device 1H advances toward the rear of the mounting device main body 1A while being positioned in the horizontal direction (X direction) relative to the mounting device main body 1A.

In addition, as the tape cassette supplying device 1H approaches the base 11 of the loading device main body 1A, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 come into contact with the upper surfaces (slope portions 11S) of the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V of the base 11 and roll, climbing up the slope portions 11S (Fig. 29(a) → Fig. 29(b)). During this time, the supplying device main body 72 is raised relative to the floor FL (i.e., relative to the reference base 71) (Fig. 29(b)).

The left and right height alignment rollers 114 climb the sloped portions 11S of the left and right height alignment guides 11V, and then drop into the left and right recesses 11K when they reach the front ends of the sloped portions 11S (Fig. 29(b) → Fig. 29(c)). As a result, the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) of the tape cassette supply device 1H is positioned in the height direction relative to the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T (Figs. 30 and 31), and the traveling robot RB stops traveling.

In this embodiment, the supply device side connection portion 111 provided on the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the height alignment guide 11V and horizontal alignment guide 11W provided on the component mounting device 1T, and in this connected state, the supply device main body portion 72 is positioned in the height direction. Therefore, the height and lateral positions of the tape cassette supply device 1H can be easily aligned with respect to the component mounting device 1T, which is installed with a horizontal level and has a variable height from the floor FL.

In addition, when positioning the supply device main body 72 in the height direction, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 provided on the supply device side connection part 111 are interposed between the height alignment guide 11V (i.e., between the supply device main body 72 and the component mounting device 1T) while connected to the height alignment guide 11V, and act as a height adjustment part that adjusts the height of the supply device main body 72 relative to the mounting device main body 1A by receiving an upward force from the height alignment guide 11V. The height of the supply device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device 1T can be changed by the outer diameter dimension of the left and right height alignment rollers 114.

On the other hand, the height alignment guide 11V and horizontal alignment guide 11W provided on the component mounting device 1T are mounting device side connection parts to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected. The height alignment guide 11V is the mounting device side height direction connection part to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected so as to be positioned in the height direction relative to the mounting device main body part 1A. The horizontal alignment guide 11W is the mounting device side horizontal direction connection part to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected so as to be positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the mounting device main body part 1A.

Here, the height alignment guides 11V are arranged in a pair in the width direction (X direction) of the mounting device main body 1A, and the height alignment rollers 114 are arranged in a pair in the width direction (X direction) of the tape cassette supply device 1H corresponding to the pair of height alignment guides 11V. The pair of height alignment guides 11V are provided in a position that sandwiches the component supply unit 1B held by the cart holding unit 11H in the width direction (X direction). Therefore, when the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device main body 1A, it assumes a posture in which the pair of supply device side connecting parts 111 embrace the cart 21 connected to the mounting device main body 1A from the sides (FIG. 31).

When the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device main body 1A as described above, the supply device side connection part 111 receives an upward force from the height direction alignment guide 11V while the height alignment roller 114 is climbing the slope part 11S of the height direction alignment guide 11V and after the height alignment roller 114 is fitted into the recess 11K. As a result, the front part of the supply device main body 72 is pushed up against the rear part, but a floating mechanism 73 is interposed between the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) and the reference base 71, and as described above, the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supply device main body 72, maintains a horizontal position, preventing the entire tape cassette supply device from tilting and becoming unstable.

In this embodiment, as described above, the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the base 11 of the mounting device main body 1A, not to the dolly 21. If the tape cassette supply device 1H were supported by the dolly 21, a heavy object would be placed on the dolly 21, causing the front side of the dolly 21 (the side facing the operator) to drop. This would change the attitude of the dolly 21, changing the position (vertical position) of the tape feeder 23, which could cause a pickup error when the mounting head 13 takes out the component BH from the tape feeder 23. However, in this embodiment, since the tape cassette supply device 1H is not connected to the dolly 21, there is no such risk, and the pickup accuracy of the component BH by the mounting head 13 does not decrease.

In addition, if the design of the dolly 21 were modified so that it could support the tape cassette supply device 1H (specifically, the design would be modified to provide height alignment guides 11V and horizontal alignment guides 11W to support the horizontal alignment roller 113 and height alignment roller 114 on the tape cassette supply device 1H side), the weight of the dolly 21 would increase, making it difficult to handle, but this embodiment does not cause such inconvenience.

Next, the cassette transfer unit 63 will be described. In Figures 21, 22, 23, and 24, the cassette transfer unit 63 is a mechanism that removes the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) from the cassette stock unit 74 and transfers it to the component supply unit 1B.

The cassette transfer section 63 includes a chuck device 121 as a gripping section, and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a gripping section moving means for moving the chuck device 121. The chuck device moving mechanism 122 is composed of an X-axis table 123, two X-guides 124, a Y-axis table 125, and a chuck lifting cylinder 126 as a chuck lifting means.

The X-axis table 123 is provided on the rear part of the upper surface of the top plate 72b of the supply device main body 72, extending in the X direction. Two X guides 124 are provided on the front and rear parts of the upper surface of the top plate 72b, respectively, extending in the X direction. The Y-axis table 125 is provided on the upper surface of the top plate 72b, extending in the Y direction. The Y-axis table 125 is driven by the X-axis table 123, and moves in the X direction by being guided by the two X guides 124.

The chuck lift cylinder 126 has the lower end of the lift rod 126R, which is a piston rod, facing downward. The chuck lift cylinder 126 is driven by the Y-axis table 125 to move in the Y direction, and the X-axis table 123 drives the Y-axis table 125 in the Y direction to move in the Y direction.

21, 22, 23, and 24, the chuck device 121 is provided at the lower end of the lifting rod 126R. Therefore, the chuck device 121 moves in the X and Y directions together with the chuck lifting cylinder 126, and when the chuck lifting cylinder 126 advances and retreats the lifting rod 126R, it rises and falls relative to the supply device main body 72. The operation of the X-axis table 123, the Y-axis table 125, and the chuck lifting cylinder 126 is controlled by the control unit 76 described above.

In FIG. 32, the chuck device 121 includes a chuck base 131, two block support shafts 132J arranged in the Y direction, two opening/closing blocks 132 arranged in the Y direction and attached to each block support shaft 132J, and a plurality of gripping pins 133 (pin members) attached to each opening/closing block 132.

In FIG. 32, the chuck base 131 is attached to the lower end of the lift rod 126R. Two block support shafts 132J each extend downward from the chuck base 131, and two opening/closing blocks 132 are attached to the lower ends of the two block support shafts 132J, respectively.

In FIG. 32, an opening/closing operation unit 131K is provided within the chuck base 131. The opening/closing operation unit 131K operates under the control of the control unit 76, and moves the two block support shafts 132J in a separating direction in which they move apart in the Y direction, and in a approaching direction in which they move closer to each other in the Y direction. As the opening/closing operation unit 131K moves the two block support shafts 132J, the two opening/closing blocks 132 move (open and close) between an open position (FIG. 33(a)) where the distance between them is greatest, and a closed position (FIG. 33(b)) where the distance between them is smallest.

The gripping pins 133 extend downward from each of the two opening/closing blocks 132. At the lower end of each gripping pin 133, a flange portion 133D having an outer diameter larger than that of the gripping pin 133 is formed (Figures 32 and 33(a) and (b)).

In this embodiment, the two opening/closing blocks 132 are provided with multiple pairs (four pairs) of gripping pins 133. The two gripping pins 133 in each pair are arranged opposite each other in the Y direction, and the four sets of gripping pins 133 are arranged side by side in the X direction.

When the two opening/closing blocks 132 are opened and closed by the opening/closing operation unit 131K, the two gripping pins 133 of each of the four sets move apart (Fig. 33(b) → Fig. 33(a)) or move closer to each other (Fig. 33(a) → Fig. 33(b)). As described below, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 attached to the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) by bringing the two gripping pins 133 closer to each other as the two opening/closing blocks 132 close to each other.

In this manner, in this embodiment, the chuck device 121, which is the gripping section, is configured to include a pair (two) opening/closing blocks 132 as opening/closing members that are moved in a separating direction away from each other and a approaching direction toward each other, and gripping pins 133 extending from each of the pair of opening/closing blocks 132. The pair of opening/closing blocks 132 are moved in the approaching direction to reduce the distance between the pair of gripping pins 133, thereby gripping the gripped block 45 provided on the tape cassette 22.

As shown in FIG. 34, the four pairs of gripping pins 133 are two gripping pins (first gripping pins 133a) with a distance L1 when the opening/closing block 132 is in the closed position, two gripping pins 133 (second gripping pins 133b) with a distance L2 (>L1) larger than L1, two gripping pins 133 (third gripping pins 133c) with a distance L3 (>L2) larger than L2, and two gripping pins 133 (fourth gripping pins 133d) with a distance L4 (>L3) larger than L3. Thus, in this embodiment, a pair of opening/closing blocks 132 has multiple pairs of gripping pins 133, and the distance between the gripping pins 133 in each pair is different from each other.

The gripped block 45 provided on each tape cassette 22 has two parts, a block base 45K and a block main body 45H, as shown in Figures 35(a) and (b). The block base 45K is a part that is directly attached to the frame upper part 43a, and the block main body 45H is a part that is connected to the upper part of the block base 45K and has a shape that protrudes outward beyond both ends of the block base 45K in the Y direction.

A pair of recesses 45M (front and rear recesses 45M) are provided at both ends of the block body 45H in the front-rear direction. These front and rear recesses 45M are recessed in the direction facing each other (Y direction). The inner diameter of each of the two recesses 45M is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the gripping pin 133 of the chuck device 121.

In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 36(a), (b), (c), and (d), four types of grasped blocks 45 (first grasped block 45a, second grasped block 45b, third grasped block 45c, and fourth grasped block 45d) are used. These four types of grasped blocks 45 have different lengths of the block main body 45H in the Y direction (i.e., the distance between the two recessed portions 45M), and can be used depending on the width dimension of the tape cassette 22.

The four types of gripped blocks 45 provided on the two opening/closing blocks 132 correspond to the four pairs of two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a, second gripping pin 133b, third gripping pin 133c, and fourth gripping pin 133d) described above. Specifically, the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the first gripped block 45a is L1 (FIG. 36(a)), the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the second gripped block 45b is L2 (FIG. 36(b)). The distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the third gripped block 45c is L3 (FIG. 36(c)), and the distance between the two recessed portions 45M of the fourth gripped block 45d is L4 (FIG. 36(d)).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grips the gripped block 45 of the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) with the chuck device 121, it first operates the opening/closing operation unit 131K to position the opening/closing block 132 in the open position. Then, the two gripping pins 133 corresponding to the gripped block 45 to be gripped are positioned outside the gripped block 45 to be gripped in the Y direction (Figure 35 (a)). At this time, the opening/closing block 132 is positioned at a height where the flanges 133D of the two gripping pins 133 are positioned below the bottom surface of the block main body 45H.

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H positions the two gripping pins 133 outside the gripped block 45 in the Y direction, it operates the opening/closing operation unit 131K to position the opening/closing block 132 in the closed position (Fig. 35(a) → Fig. 35(b)). As a result, the two gripping pins 133 fit into the two recesses 45M of the gripped block 45, respectively, and the chuck device 121 is in a state of gripping the gripped block 45 (Fig. 35(b)). When the chuck device 121 is in a state of gripping the gripped block 45, the flanges 133D of the two gripping pins 133 are positioned below the block main body portion 45H.

In this way, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 by moving the two gripping pins 133 in the Y direction (the in-plane direction of the roll body RT stored in the tape cassette 22), so that it can grip the gripped block 45 of the target tape cassette 22 without interfering with other adjacent tape cassettes 22.

As described above, the distance between the two gripping pins 133 of each pair (the distance when the two opening/closing blocks 132 are in the closed position) is equal to the distance between the two recesses 45M of the corresponding gripped block 45. Therefore, the first gripped block 45a can only be gripped by the first gripping pin 133a (Fig. 37(a) → Fig. 37(b)), the second gripped block 45b (Fig. 36(b)) can only be gripped by the second gripping pin 133b (Fig. 38(a) → Fig. 38(b)). The third gripped block 45c (Fig. 36(c)) can only be gripped by the third gripping pin 133c (Fig. 39(a) → Fig. 39(b)), and the fourth gripped block 45d (Fig. 36(d)) can only be gripped by the fourth gripping pin 133d (Fig. 40(a) → Fig. 40(b)).

As mentioned above, the tape cassette 22 has one or two gripped blocks 45, one of which is always the first gripped block 45a. Therefore, when the width dimension of the tape cassette 22 is large, the two gripped blocks 45 of the tape cassette 22 are a combination of the first gripped block 45a and the second gripped block 45b (FIG. 36(b)), a combination of the first gripped block 45a and the third gripped block 45c (FIG. 36(c)), or a combination of the first gripped block 45a and the fourth gripped block 45d (FIG. 36(d)). In detail, the larger the width dimension of the tape cassette 22, the larger the gripped block 45 with a longer length in the Y direction (the distance between the front and rear recesses 45M) is added.

Here, when the second gripped block 45b is added in addition to the first gripped block 45a (FIG. 36(b)), as shown in FIGS. 38(a) and 38(b), the distance between the first gripped block 45a and the second gripped block 45b in the X direction (width direction of the tape cassette 22) is set to be equal to the distance between the row of the first gripping pins 133a and the row of the second gripping pins 133b in the chuck device 121 in the X direction. Also, when the third gripped block 45c is added in addition to the first gripped block 45a (FIG. 36(c)), as shown in FIGS. 39(a) and 39(b), the distance between the first gripped block 45a and the third gripped block 45c is set to be equal to the distance between the row of the first gripping pins 133a and the row of the third gripping pins 133c. Furthermore, when a fourth graspable block 45d is added in addition to the first graspable block 45a (FIG. 36(d)), as shown in FIGS. 40(a) and (b), the distance between the first graspable block 45a and the fourth graspable block 45d is set to be equal to the distance between the row of first graspable pins 133a and the row of fourth graspable pins 133d.

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grasps a tape cassette 22 having only a first grasped block 45a, the first grasped block 45a is grasped by the first gripping pin 133a (Fig. 37(a) → Fig. 37(b)). When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grasps a tape cassette 22 having a second grasped block 45b in addition to the first grasped block 45a, the first gripping pin 133a grasps the first grasped block 45a and at the same time the second gripping pin 133b grasps the second grasped block 45b (Fig. 38(a) → Fig. 38(b)).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grasps a tape cassette 22 having a third grasped block 45c in addition to the first grasped block 45a, the first grasped block 45a is grasped by the first grasp pin 133a and the third grasped block 45c is grasped by the third grasp pin 133c at the same time (Fig. 39(a) → Fig. 39(b)). When the tape cassette supplying device 1H grasps a tape cassette 22 having a fourth grasped block 45d in addition to the first grasped block 45a, the first grasped block 45a is grasped by the first grasp pin 133a and the fourth grasped block 45d is grasped by the fourth grasp pin 133d at the same time (Fig. 40(a) → Fig. 40(b)).

In this manner, in this embodiment, the chuck device 121 is configured to grip two or more gripped blocks 45 provided at each of both ends in the width direction of the storage cassette 22B using two or more sets of two gripping pins 133.

In this embodiment, the four sets of gripping pins 133 provided on the chuck device 121 are each spaced at different intervals in the Y direction, so that when attempting to chuck one of the multiple tape cassettes 22 stocked in the cassette stock section 74 with the chuck device 121, it is possible to prevent the chuck device 121 from accidentally gripping an adjacent tape cassette 22 as well.

Figure 41(a) shows a situation where a tape cassette 22 with only the first gripped block 45a and a tape cassette 22 with the first gripped block 45a and the fourth gripped block 45d are lined up. In such a case, by gripping the first gripped block 45a with the two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a) with the smallest spacing L1 (Figure 41(a) → Figure 41(b)), it is possible to grip only the desired tape cassette 22.

Next, the tape feed unit 64 will be described. In Figures 21, 23, and 23, the tape feed unit 64 is attached to the lower end of the feed unit base 125B, which extends downward from the front end of the Y-axis table 125. When the X-axis table 123 drives the Y-axis table 125 in the X direction, the tape feed unit 64 moves in the X direction together with the feed unit base 125B.

In Figures 42 and 43(a) and (b), the tape feed unit 64 includes a feed mechanism 64A and a tape support mechanism 64B. The feed mechanism 64A includes a sprocket drive motor 141 and a sprocket 142.

In Figures 42 and 43(a) and (b), the sprocket drive motor 141 is provided on the feeder base 125B with the drive shaft 141J facing in the X direction, and the sprocket 142 is attached to the drive shaft 141J. The sprocket 142 has multiple engagement pins 142P on its outer periphery. The operation of the sprocket drive motor 141 is controlled by the control unit 76. When the sprocket drive motor 141 rotates the drive shaft 141J, the sprocket 142 rotates in the YZ plane.

In Figure 42 and Figures 43(a) and (b), the tape support mechanism unit 64B is equipped with an arm drive cylinder 143 (arm drive unit) and a support arm 144. The arm drive cylinder 143 is arranged so that the arm drive rod 143R, which is a piston rod, moves forward and backward within the XZ plane. The upper end of the arm drive rod 143R is directed diagonally upward. The forward and backward movement of the arm drive rod 143R by the arm drive cylinder 143 is controlled by the control unit 76.

In Figures 43(a) and (b), the support arm 144 is attached to the arm drive rod 143R. The tip of the support arm 144 faces diagonally upward, and its axis extends parallel to the axis of the arm drive rod 143R. Therefore, when the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R forward or backward, the support arm 144 moves forward or backward together with the arm drive rod 143R.

When the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R backward at its full stroke (Figure 43(a)), the tip (upper end) of the support arm 144 is located in a position that is off to the lower side (below the sprocket drive motor 141) from directly below the sprocket 142. On the other hand, when the arm drive cylinder 143 moves the arm drive rod 143R forward at its full stroke (Figure 43(b)), the tip of the support arm 144 is located in a position directly below the sprocket 142.

Next, we will explain the procedure (tape cassette supplying method) for supplying (transferring) the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) to the component supply section 1B of the component mounting device 1T using the tape cassette supplying device 1H configured as described above.

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H transfers the storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33 of the component supplying section 1B, the traveling robot RB first travels on the floor FL and couples with the rear of the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H (Fig. 28). After the traveling robot RB couples with the reference base 71 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H, it travels on the floor FL while pressing the tape cassette supplying device 1H from behind. Then, it moves the tape cassette supplying device 1H closer to the mounting device main body 1A with the dolly 21 connected (Fig. 28 → Fig. 29(a) → Fig. 29(b).

The traveling robot RB connects the tape cassette supply device 1H to the mounting device main body 1A in the manner described above. This connects the supply device side connection part 111 of the tape cassette supply device 1H to the height direction alignment guide 11V and horizontal direction alignment guide 11W of the mounting device main body 1A.

In this manner, the method of connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H to the mounting device main body 1A (the inter-device connection method; part of the tape cassette supply method) includes a step (connection step) of connecting the tape cassette supply device 1H to the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V by moving the tape cassette supply device 1H and bringing it closer to the mounting device main body 1A.

In the inter-connection method in this embodiment, the tape cassette supply device 1H, which is a heavy object, is not connected to the component supply section 1B (carriage 21) of the component mounting device 1T, but is connected to the mounting device main body section 1A. Therefore, as described above, the weight of the tape cassette supply device 1H does not act on the cart 21, causing the position of the cart 21 (i.e., the position of the tape feeder 23) to change, and it is possible to prevent the mounting head 13 from failing to pick up the component BH.

When the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected to the mounting device main body 1A as described above, the left and right height alignment rollers 114 of the tape cassette supply device 1H are fitted into the left and right recesses 11K provided in the left and right height direction alignment guides 11V of the mounting device main body 1A. This positions the supply device main body 72 in the height direction relative to the mounting device main body 1A (Figure 29 (c)).

In this way, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (positioning step) of positioning the supply device main body 72 in the height direction (Z direction) relative to the component mounting device 1T by connecting the supply device side connection part 111 to the component mounting device 1T.

In the above positioning step, the supply device main body 72 receives an upward pressing force from the mounting device main body 1A in a direction that pushes up the front part, but the supply device main body 72 (lifting base 72a) is provided with a floating mechanism 73 between it and the reference base 71, and the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supply device main body 72, is prevented from tilting from the horizontal position (relative to the reference base 71 in the horizontal position), so a stable position can be maintained.

In FIG. 27, a power supply connector 11C is provided on the base 11 of the component mounting device 1T as a power supply means, and a power receiving connector 151 is provided on the tape cassette supply device 1H as a power receiving means. When the tape cassette supply device 1H connects to the component mounting device 1T, the power receiving connector 151 and the power supply connector 11C engage with each other, and the tape cassette supply device 1H and the component mounting device 1T are electrically connected (FIG. 27 → FIG. 31). This allows the tape cassette supply device 1H to receive power supplied from the component mounting device 1T.

When the supply device main body 72 is connected to and positioned relative to the loading device main body 1A as described above, the tape cassette supply device 1H operates the chuck device moving mechanism 122 to position the chuck device 121 above the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. Then, the chuck device 121 grips the gripped block 45 provided on the upper part (upper frame part 43a) of the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B to be transferred. In detail, as described above, the opening/closing block 132 is operated to close from the open position toward the closed position, thereby gripping the gripped block 45 with the two gripping pins 133 (Fig. 35(a) → Fig. 35(b)).

In this way, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (gripping step) of gripping the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) with the chuck device 121, which is the gripping section.

In this gripping step, as described above, for a tape cassette 22 that has only the first gripped block 45a, the tape cassette 22 is gripped by only two gripping pins 133 (first gripping pin 133a). For a tape cassette 22 that has other gripping blocks 45 (second gripped block 45b, third gripped block 45c, or fourth gripped block 45d) in addition to the first gripping block 45a, the two gripped blocks 45 are gripped by any of the gripping pins 133, namely the second gripping pin 133b, the third gripping pin 133c, and the fourth gripping pin 133d in addition to the first gripping pin 133a (FIG. 44).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H has gripped one or two gripped blocks 45 of the tape cassette 22 with the chuck device 121, it operates the Y-axis table 125 of the cassette transfer unit 63 (chuck device moving mechanism 122) to move the chuck lift cylinder 126 forward (arrow E1 shown in FIG. 45). Then, it operates the chuck lift cylinder 126 to lower the chuck device 121 and position it at the tape feed position. Here, the "tape feed position" is the position (FIG. 45) where the leading end of the carrier tape CT that has been pulled out of the storage cassette 22B and is engaged with the two tape engagement projections 55 faces the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 in a substantially horizontal direction (here, the Y direction).

When the cassette transfer unit 63 of the tape cassette supplying device 1H positions the storage cassette 22B at the tape feed position, it first positions the leading end of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B directly under the sprocket 142 (FIGS. 43(a) and 46(a)). Then, the chuck lift cylinder 126 is operated to slightly raise the chuck device 121 (arrow F1 shown in FIG. 46(b)). As the chuck device 121 rises, the lowest engagement pin 142P (lowest engagement pin 142D) of the sprocket 142 engages with one feed hole SH (the feed hole SH located between the two fitted tape engagement protrusions 55) at the leading end of the carrier tape CT.

In this embodiment, the sprocket 142 thus functions as a tape engagement portion that engages with a feed hole SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT when it is pulled out of the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B). When the lowest end engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142 engages with one feed hole SH at the leading end of the carrier tape CT (Figures 43(b) and 46(b)), the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feed position.

When the storage cassette 22B is located at the tape feed position, the tape cassette supplying device 1H activates the arm drive cylinder 143 to advance the arm drive rod 143R (arrow P shown in Figure 46 (c)). As a result, the tip of the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the tip of the support arm 144 that has entered between the two tape engagement protrusions 55, and is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144 (Figures 43 (b) and 46 (c)).

The tip of the support arm 144 has a groove formed therein that extends in the direction in which the carrier tape CT extends. Therefore, the support arm 144 is able to support the tip of the carrier tape CT without interfering with the lowest engagement pin 142D of the sprocket 142, which penetrates the carrier tape CT from above. Thus, in this embodiment, the support arm 144 serves as a support that supports the leading end of the carrier tape CT.

When the leading edge of the carrier tape CT is sandwiched between the sprocket 142 and the support arm 144, the cassette transfer unit 63 lowers the storage cassette 22B using the chuck lift cylinder 126 (arrow F2 in FIG. 46(d)). This causes the two tape locking projections 55 to slide downward from the leading edge of the carrier tape CT, but since the leading edge of the carrier tape CT continues to be supported by the support arm 144, the carrier tape CT remains engaged with the lowest engagement pin 142D (FIG. 46(d)).

When the storage cassette 22B is lowered as described above and the two tape locking projections 55 are released from the carrier tape CT, the tape cassette supplying device 1H rotates the sprocket 142 to feed the carrier tape CT forward (i.e., toward the tape inlet 23G) (arrow R shown in FIG. 47(a)). This causes the carrier tape CT to advance forward (FIG. 47(a) → FIG. 47(b)), and its leading end enters the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 (FIG. 47(b)). At this time, since the carrier tape CT is supported from below by the support arm 144, it advances straight forward (to the tape inlet 23G) without sagging downward. Here, the tape feeder 23 is connected to the component mounting device 1T through the dolly 21, and the tape cassette supplying device 1H is also connected to the component mounting device 1T, so that the leading end of the carrier tape CT can be sent from the tape cassette supplying device 1H toward the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 with high accuracy.

In this way, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (tape feed step) of holding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) is positioned at the tape feed position, and then feeding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23.

When the leading end of the carrier tape CT fed by the tape feed unit 64 is inserted into the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 detects this and pulls in the carrier tape CT. Then, when a certain amount of the carrier tape CT has been pulled in by the tape feeder 23 (Figure 48), the tape cassette supply device 1H moves the chuck device 121 backward (arrow E2 shown in Figure 49) and activates the operation bar drive unit 93 of the shutter operation unit 75 to raise the operation bar 92 (arrow J1 shown in Figure 49).

When the chuck device 121 is moved backward and the operation bar 92 is raised so that the operation bar 92 abuts against the operation lever 53 of the storage cassette 22B from below (Figure 49), the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 (i.e., the storage section 41 of the storage cassette 22B) diagonally forward and downward (arrow E3 shown in Figure 50). This causes the operation lever 53 to rise relative to the storage section 41. The tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121 when the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "first height") set for the storage section 41.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "first height" is set to a height equivalent to approximately 1/3 of the total movement of the operating lever 53 in the height direction when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the first height, approximately 1/3 of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open (Figure 50).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121, the operation bar 92 is raised by the operation bar driving unit 93 (arrow J2 shown in FIG. 51). When the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "second height") set with respect to the storage unit 41, the tape cassette supplying device 1H stops raising the operation lever 53.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "second height" is set to a height equivalent to approximately 2/3 of the total movement of the operating lever 53 in the height direction when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the second height, approximately 2/3 of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is open (Figure 51).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the lifting of the operation bar 92, it moves the chuck device 121 diagonally backward and downward (arrow E4 shown in FIG. 52). This causes the operation lever 53 to rise relative to the storage section 41. The tape cassette supplying device 1H stops the movement of the chuck device 121 when the operation lever 53 reaches a predetermined height (referred to as the "third height") set relative to the storage section 41.

In this embodiment, the above-mentioned "third height" is set to a height equivalent to the total amount of movement of the operating lever 53 in the height direction when the shutter 42 is moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, when the operating lever 53 reaches the third height, the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is in a fully open state (Figures 52 and 18(c)).

When the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is fully opened, the tape cassette supplying device 1H moves the chuck device 121 diagonally forward and upward (arrow E5 shown in FIG. 53) to move the storage cassette 22B above the storage cassette mounting section 39 (three storage cassette holding pins 33P). Then, the chuck device 121 is lowered (arrow E6 shown in FIG. 54) to mount the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting section 33 (mount it in the storage cassette mounting section 39) (FIG. 55(a) → FIG. 55(b)).

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H loads the storage cassette 22B into the cassette loading section 33 (storage cassette loading section 39), the three storage cassette holding pins 33P provided on the cassette loading section 33 of the cart 21 are inserted into the three pin insertion sections 43S provided on the lower frame section 43b of the storage cassette 22B (Fig. 55(a) → Fig. 55(b)). When the storage cassette 22B is loaded into the cassette loading section 33, the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component supplying section 1B is completed.

In this manner, the tape cassette supply method in this embodiment includes a step (transfer step) in which the storage cassette 22B is gripped and removed by the chuck device 121 from the supply device main body 72 positioned in the positioning step, and then the chuck device 121 is moved to move the storage cassette 22B along a path in which the leading portion of the carrier tape CT pulled out of the storage cassette 22B passes through the tape feed position, thereby transferring the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T.

When the tape cassette supplying device 1H mounts the storage cassette 22B in the cassette mounting section 33 in the above-mentioned transfer step, the front end 43E of the lower part (frame lower part 43b) of the storage cassette 22B passes between the pair of overhanging parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A mounted in the receiving cassette mounting section 38 (FIG. 55(a) → FIG. 55(b)). As shown in FIG. 9, the lower end of the frame lower part 43b is formed with a tapered surface 43D having a shape (a shape narrowing downward) that makes it easy for the frame lower part 43b to be guided between the pair of overhanging parts 44H, so that the front end 43E of the lower part of the storage cassette 22B can be reliably passed between the pair of overhanging parts 44H of the receiving cassette 22A simply by lowering the storage cassette 22B.

When the storage cassette 22B is attached to the storage cassette attachment section 39 as described above (with the lower front end 43E passing between the pair of overhanging portions 44H of the receiving cassette 22A), the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are positioned inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A (Figure 55 (b)). Therefore, the storage cassette 22B is sandwiched between the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it, and movement in the X direction (the direction of falling to the side) is suppressed, so that the position on the cart 21 is stable.

In addition, at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B is inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. In other words, the storage cassette mounting section 39 mounts the storage cassette 22B with at least a portion of the front opening 41K of the storage cassette 22B inserted into the front opening 41K of the receiving cassette 22A. This positions the side plate 44 of the storage cassette 22B on the inside of the side plate 44 of the receiving cassette 22A, preventing problems such as the roll RT moving from the storage cassette 22B to the receiving cassette 22A getting caught on the edge of the side plate 44.

When the tape cassette supply device 1H has completed the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component supply section 1B, it actuates the chuck lift cylinder 126 to raise the chuck device 121 (arrow E7 shown in FIG. 56) and actuates the arm drive cylinder 143 to lower the support arm 144 supporting the carrier tape CT. This releases the support of the carrier tape CT inserted in the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 from the support arm 144 (the carrier tape CT hangs down; FIG. 57).

When the tape feeder 23 draws in the carrier tape CT in the process of mounting the storage cassette 22B in the storage cassette mounting section 39, if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is the current tape, it continues to transport the carrier tape CT and supplies the components BH. On the other hand, if the drawn-in carrier tape CT is a refill tape, it keeps the refill tape on standby until it detects that the tail of the current tape has passed a predetermined position in the tape feeder 23. When the tape feeder 23 starts transporting the refill tape, the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B is pulled by the carrier tape CT drawn in by the tape feeder 23 and rolls forward, moving into the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of it (Fig. 58(a) → Fig. 58(b) → Fig. 59(a)).

As described above, when the roll RT moves from the storage cassette 22B into the receiving cassette 22A, the roll RT is guided by the guide surface 43F of the receiving cassette 22A. In addition, since the pair of side plates 44 of the storage cassette 22B are located inside the pair of side plates 44 of the receiving cassette 22A located in front of them, the roll RT moves smoothly into the receiving cassette 22A and is stored there (Figure 58(b) → Figure 59(a)).

When the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B is moved into the receiving cassette 22A, the storage cassette 22B becomes empty. The empty storage cassette 22B is removed from the cassette mounting section 33 (FIG. 59(b)) to allow the next refill tape roll RT (storage cassette 22B) to be loaded into the component supply section 1B, and is returned to the cassette stock section 74 (FIG. 60). The movement of the empty storage cassette 22B is achieved by the gripping of the gripped block 45 by the chuck device 121 and the movement of the chuck device 121 by the cassette transfer section 63.

After returning the empty storage cassette 22B to the cassette stock section 74, the tape cassette supply device 1H uses the cassette transfer section 63 to remove the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) from the cassette stock section 74 in order to supply a replacement storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Then, following the path that passes through the tape feed position described above, a new storage cassette 22B is transferred to the cassette mounting section 33 (Fig. 61(a) → Fig. 61(b)).

After the tape cassette supply device 1H transfers a new storage cassette 22B to the cassette mounting section 33, it raises the chuck device 121 (arrow E8 shown in FIG. 62) and lowers the support arm 144 to release support for the carrier tape CT (FIG. 63).

As the tape feeder 23 continues to transport the carrier tape CT, when it detects that the tail of the roll RT carrier tape CT in the receiving cassette 22A has passed a predetermined position in the tape feeder 23, the tape feeder 23 transports the refill tape (carrier tape CT in the storage cassette 22B) that had been in standby until then as the new current tape (Fig. 64(a)). Then, it continues to supply parts BH. When the tape feeder 23 starts to transport the carrier tape CT from the roll RT stored in the storage cassette 22B, the roll RT of the carrier tape CT is pulled and rolls forward, entering the storage section 41 of the receiving cassette 22A that is attached in front of it (Fig. 64(a) → Fig. 64(b)).

As a result, the storage cassette 22B becomes empty and returns to the same state as in FIG. 59(a) described above, and the process of FIG. 59(a) → FIG. 59(b) → FIG. 61(a) → FIG. 61(b) → FIG. 64(a) → FIG. 64(b) → FIG. 59(a) is repeated. Therefore, the component mounting device 1T can continue to supply components BH by the tape feeder 23 while receiving replenishment of the roll body RT (i.e., carrier tape CT).

In FIG. 59(b), the receiving cassette 22A removed from the receiving cassette mounting section 38 can be used as a new storage cassette 22B. In addition, since the receiving cassette 22A is used by turning the tape cassette 22 upside down, the winding direction of the roll RT stored in the receiving cassette 22A is the same as the winding direction when it is used as the storage cassette 22B. Therefore, when using the receiving cassette 22A as the storage cassette 22B, it is possible to eliminate the work of removing the roll RT, reversing its orientation, and storing it again.

As described above, the tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment is provided with a floating mechanism 73 between the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72, and this floating mechanism 73 is provided with a link mechanism (parallel link) having a pair of link parts 101 that connect the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72 and operate in accordance with changes in the distance between the reference base 71 and the supplying device main body 72, and a connecting part 102 that connects the pair of link parts 101 to each other and links the operation of the link parts to each other. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, when the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, even if the supplying device main body 72 receives a pushing force from the component mounting device 1T, the horizontal position of the lifting base 72a, which is the bottom plate of the supplying device main body 72, can be maintained, and the supplying device main body 72 can maintain a stable position.

The tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment also includes a cassette transfer section 63 that is made up of a chuck device 121 as a gripping section that grips the tape cassette 22 (storage cassette 22B) and a chuck device moving mechanism 122 as a gripping section moving means that moves the chuck device 121 gripping the storage cassette 22B to transfer the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, the tape cassette (storage cassette 22B) can be automatically transferred to the component mounting device 1T without relying on the human power of an operator.

The tape cassette supplying device 1H in this embodiment is also provided with a cassette transfer unit 63 that transfers the storage cassette 22B taken out from the cassette stock unit 74 to the component mounting device 1T by moving the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B through a path that passes through a tape feed position facing the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 provided in the component mounting device 1T, and is also provided with a tape feed unit 64 that holds the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out from the storage cassette 22B when the storage cassette 22B is positioned at the tape feed position by the cassette transfer unit 63, and then feeds the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. Therefore, according to the tape cassette supplying device 1H and the tape cassette supplying method in this embodiment, the transfer of the storage cassette 22B to the component mounting device 1T and the insertion of the carrier tape CT pulled out from the storage cassette 22B into the tape feeder 23 can be performed automatically without the manual effort of an operator.

In the component mounting system 1 of this embodiment, the mounting device main body 1A of the component mounting device 1T includes a cart holding section 11H that holds the cart 21 on which the tape feeder 23 is mounted, as well as a mounting device side connection section (left and right height direction alignment guides 11V and left and right horizontal direction alignment guides 11W) to which the tape cassette supply device 1H is connected, so that the tape cassette supply device 1H is supported by the mounting device main body 1A rather than the cart 21. Therefore, according to the component mounting system 1 of this embodiment (and the inter-device connection method in the component mounting system 1), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of suction errors of the components BH that may occur when the tape cassette supply device 1H, which is a heavy object, is connected to the cart 21.

As described above, the component mounting system 1 and the inter-device connection method in this embodiment can prevent component pickup errors that can occur when connecting a cassette supply device, which is a heavy object, to a cart.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the transfer step of transferring the storage cassette 22B shown in the above embodiment to the mounting device main body 1A, the tape feed unit 64 sends the carrier tape CT to the tape inlet 23G of the tape feeder 23 before the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the cassette mounting section 33 of the mounting device main body 1A, but the tape feed unit 64 may send the carrier tape CT to the tape feeder 23 after the storage cassette 22B is mounted in the cassette mounting section 33.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, when the tape cassette supplying device 1H is connected to the component mounting device 1T, the height alignment roller 114, which is the height adjustment unit, adjusts the height of the supplying device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving an upward force (pushing force) from the height alignment guide 11V of the component mounting device 1T. However, the height alignment roller 114 may also adjust the height of the supplying device main body 72 relative to the component mounting device (height alignment guide 11V) by receiving a downward force (pushing force) from the height alignment guide 11V.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the two opening/closing blocks 132 have four sets of gripping pins 133, but this can be two, three, five or more sets depending on the number of types of gripped blocks 45. If only one type of gripped block 45 can be attached to the tape cassette 22, the gripping pins 133 may be only one set spaced apart according to the one type of gripped block 45.

The tape feed unit 64 only needs to have the function of holding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out of the storage cassette 22B when the cassette transfer unit 63 has positioned the storage cassette 22B at the tape feed position, and then feeding the leading portion of the carrier tape CT toward the tape inlet 23G. Therefore, the tape feed unit 64 does not necessarily have to be configured as shown in the above embodiment, with a sprocket 142 as a tape engagement portion that engages with a feed hole SH of the leading portion of the carrier tape CT in a state where it has been pulled out of the storage cassette 22B, and a support arm 144 as a support portion that supports the carrier tape CT from below in a state where the feed hole SH is engaged with the sprocket 142.

We provide a component mounting system, mounting device main body, and inter-device connection method that can prevent component pickup errors that can occur when connecting a heavy cassette supply device to a trolley.

1 Component mounting system 1T Component mounting device 1A Mounting device main body 1B Component supply unit 1H Tape cassette supply device 11H Cart holder 11V Height direction alignment guide (height direction connection part on mounting device side) (connection part on mounting device side)
11W Horizontal alignment guide (horizontal connection part on mounting device side) (connection part on mounting device side)
11C Power supply connector 21 Cart 22 Tape cassette 23 Tape feeder (component supply unit)
23G Tape inlet 45 Gripped block 45M Recessed portion 45a First gripped block 45b Second gripped block 45c Third gripped block 45d Fourth gripped block 63 Cassette transfer section 64 Tape feed section 71 Reference base 71S Wheels 72 Supply device main body 73 Floating mechanism 74 Cassette stock section 82 Spring member 101 Link section 102 Connecting section 111 Supply device side connection section 114 Height alignment roller (height adjustment section)
121 Chuck device 122 Chuck device moving mechanism 132 Opening/closing block 133 Grip pin 133a First gripping pin 133b Second gripping pin 133c Third gripping pin 133d Fourth gripping pin 142 Sprocket 144 Support arm 151 Power receiving connector RB Traveling robot (mobile body)
CT Carrier tape BH Part SH Feed hole RT Roll body FL Floor

Claims (10)

A component mounting system, comprising:
a component mounting device including a mounting device main body for mounting components and a carriage having a component supply unit for supplying components to the mounting device main body;
a tape cassette supplying device that supplies a tape cassette containing a carrier tape to the component supplying unit ,
The mounting device main body portion is
A cart holding unit that holds the cart;
a mounting device side connection section to which the tape cassette supplying device is connected. The component mounting system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting device side connection section includes a mounting device side height direction connection section to which the tape cassette supply device is connected so as to be positioned in the height direction relative to the mounting device main body section, and a mounting device side horizontal direction connection section to which the tape cassette supply device is connected so as to be positioned in the horizontal direction relative to the mounting device main body section. The component mounting system according to claim 2, wherein the tape cassette supply device is provided with a height adjustment unit that is interposed between the mounting device side height direction connection unit and the mounting device side height direction connection unit when connected to the mounting device side height direction connection unit, and that adjusts the height relative to the mounting device main body unit by receiving a force in the vertical direction from the component mounting device. The component mounting system according to claim 3, wherein the mounting device side height direction connection parts are arranged in a pair in the width direction of the mounting device main body part, and the height adjustment parts are arranged in a pair in the width direction of the tape cassette supply device corresponding to the pair of mounting device side height direction connection parts. The component mounting system according to claim 4, wherein the pair of mounting device side height direction connection parts are provided at positions sandwiching the carriage in the width direction while it is held by the carriage holding part. The component mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mounting device main body is provided with a power supply connector that supplies power to the tape cassette supply device, and the tape cassette supply device is provided with a power receiving connector that connects to the power supply connector to receive power. The component mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a cassette transfer unit that removes a tape cassette from the tape cassette supply device and transfers it to the component mounting device. The component mounting system according to claim 7, wherein the cassette transfer unit is provided in the tape cassette supply device. The component mounting system according to claim 8, wherein the tape cassette supply device has wheels for traveling on a floor, and is connected to the component mounting device by being moved on the floor by a moving body traveling on the floor. A method for connecting devices in a component mounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:
a connecting step of connecting the tape cassette supplying device to the mounting device side connecting portion by moving the tape cassette supplying device closer to a mounting device main body portion.

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