JP7632412B2 - Parts sorting device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a part sorting device.

There is a device that separates non-defective and defective surface-mount electronic components (also called chip components) such as multilayer ceramic capacitors. Patent Document 1 discloses an appearance inspection device as such a component sorting device. The appearance inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a linear feeder that transports electronic components, a turntable that rotates and transports the electronic components transported by the linear feeder, and multiple imaging devices that capture images of six sides of the electronic components on the turntable, and performs an appearance inspection of the six sides of the electronic components while transporting them. This allows non-defective and defective products to be separated and discharged.

The visual inspection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 charges electronic components by transporting them using vibration in a linear feeder, and then electrostatically attracts the electronic components on a turntable, which then rotates and transports them. The transport speed of the turntable is faster than the transport speed of the linear feeder. This allows electronic components to be spaced apart on the turntable, making it possible to visually inspect the end faces of the electronic components in the transport direction.

JP 2017-44579 A

Such component sorting devices may inspect and sort different types of electronic components for each production lot. For example, surface-mount electronic components may have different characteristics even if they are the same size. More specifically, multilayer ceramic capacitors may have different capacitances even if they are the same size.

In addition, in such component inspection devices, the turntable is generally open as the image of the electronic components on the turntable is captured by an imaging device, and there is a possibility that different types of electronic components may end up on the turntable. If electronic components of the same size but different characteristics end up being mixed in this way, the sorting accuracy will decrease even if the accuracy of the appearance inspection is high.

The present invention aims to provide a parts sorting device that improves the accuracy of parts sorting.

(1) The part selection device of the present invention is a part selection device that inspects parts while transporting them and selects non-defective parts, and includes a turntable that rotates and transports the parts, a plurality of imaging devices that respectively capture images of a plurality of outer surfaces of the parts on the turntable, an inspection and selection controller that performs a visual inspection of the parts based on the imaging results from the plurality of imaging devices and selects the non-defective parts based on the results of the visual inspection, a discharge mechanism that discharges the non-defective parts selected by the inspection and selection controller from the turntable, and a cover that is placed on the turntable and covers the parts that are rotated and transported on the turntable.

(2) In the part sorting device described in (1), the cover may be optically transparent.

(3) In the part sorting device described in (1) or (2), the cover and the turntable may be spaced apart, and the distance between the cover and the turntable may be smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the part.

(4) In the part selection device described in any one of (1) to (3), the cover may be arranged to cover a rotational transport path of the parts on the turntable, and each of the multiple imaging devices may image the parts through the cover.

(5) In the part selection device described in (4), the cover may have an arc shape that follows the rotational conveying path on the turntable.

(6) In the part selection device described in (4) or (5), the cover may have a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of each of the multiple imaging devices.

(7) In the part selection device described in (6), the cross-sectional shape of the cover that intersects with the rotational conveying path on the turntable may be an arc shape.

(8) In the part selection device described in (6), the cover may have a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotational conveying path on the turntable.

(9) In the part selection device described in any one of (6) to (8), a surface of the cover perpendicular to the line of sight of each of the multiple imaging devices may be thinner than other surfaces of the cover.

(10) In the part sorting device described in any one of (1) to (9), the cover may be polarized.

(11) In the part selection device described in any one of (1) to (9), the cover may be colored.

The present invention can improve the accuracy of part selection in a part selection device.

1 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part selection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above; 2 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged view of a part II in the part selection device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1, in which a portion II is enlarged. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 along line IV-IV. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part selecting device according to a modified example, taken along line IV-IV of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a part selecting device according to a modified example, taken along line IV-IV of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 along line V-V. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the part selecting device shown in FIG. 1 taken along line VI-VI. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part selection device according to a modified example of the present embodiment, as viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the exterior of the component.

An example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the same or equivalent parts in each drawing will be given the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an example of a part sorting device according to this embodiment, seen from above; Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an enlarged portion II of the part sorting device shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the part sorting device shown in Figure 1, seen from the side, and a schematic side view of an enlarged portion II. Note that an XY orthogonal coordinate system is shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The component selection device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is a device that inspects multiple electronic components 3 while transporting them in sequence and selects non-defective products. The component selection device 1 includes a ball feeder 10, a linear feeder 20, a turntable 30, a cover 36, multiple imaging devices 40, a discharge mechanism 50, and an inspection and selection controller 70.

The electronic component 3 is a surface-mount electronic component (also called a chip component) such as a multilayer ceramic capacitor. As shown in FIG. 8, the electronic component 3 includes a laminate 3a in which multiple dielectric layers and one or multiple conductor layers made of ceramic material are laminated, and two external electrodes 3b arranged on each of the two end faces of the laminate 3a. The laminate 3a, i.e., the electronic component 3, is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has two main surfaces TS1 and TS2 that face each other in the lamination direction, two side surfaces WS1 and WS2 that face each other in the width direction that intersects with the lamination direction, and two end surfaces LS1 and LS2 that face each other in the length direction that intersects with the lamination direction and the width direction.

The dimensions of the electronic component 3 are not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a lengthwise dimension of 3.2 mm or more and 0.1 mm or less, a widthwise dimension of 1.6 mm or more and 0.05 mm or less, and a stacking direction dimension of 1.6 mm or more and 0.05 mm or less. These dimensions may vary depending on the intersection.

The electronic component 3 is not limited to the laminated ceramic capacitor using the dielectric ceramic described above, but may be various electronic components such as a piezoelectric component using a piezoelectric ceramic, a thermistor using a semiconductor ceramic, or an inductor using a magnetic ceramic.

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the ball feeder 10 aligns and transports a number of electronic components 3 supplied by, for example, a hopper. The hopper is a device that detects a shortage of electronic components 3 in the ball feeder 10 and automatically replenishes the ball feeder 10 with electronic components 3, thereby maintaining a constant number of electronic components 3 in the ball feeder 10.

The ball feeder 10 is provided with a vibration mechanism 12 that supplies vibration to the ball feeder 10. An example of the vibration mechanism 12 is a piezoelectric element that generates vibrations at a frequency corresponding to the voltage. The outer shape of the ball feeder 10 is circular. The ball feeder 10 conveys the electronic components 3 in a spiral arrangement by vibrating them in a circular motion from the center of the circle to the outside.

The linear feeder 20 sequentially and linearly transports the multiple electronic components 3 aligned and transported by the ball feeder 10. The linear feeder 20 is provided with a vibration mechanism 22 that supplies vibration to the linear feeder 20. An example of the vibration mechanism 22 is a piezoelectric element that generates vibrations at a frequency corresponding to the voltage. It is preferable that the linear feeder 20 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The linear feeder 20 transports the electronic components 3 by vibration.

The linear feeder 20 is preferably made of a material such as SUS. This allows the electronic components 3 to be charged when the linear feeder 20 transports the electronic components 3 by vibration.

The turntable 30 sequentially rotates and transports the multiple electronic components 3 transported by the linear feeder 20. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the turntable 30 has a guide mechanism 32 on the upstream side, which guides the electronic components 3 from the linear feeder 20 to a rotational transport path (rotational transport trajectory) 31. The turntable 30 transports the electronic components 3 along the rotational transport path 31.

As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable to provide an electrostatic adsorption mechanism 34 below the turntable 30. This allows the charged electronic components 3 to be electrostatically adsorbed and transported by the linear feeder 20.

The conveying speed of the turntable 30 is faster than the conveying speed of the linear feeder 20. This allows the electronic components 3 to be spaced apart, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, making it possible to perform visual inspection of the end faces of the electronic components 3.

The turntable 30 is made of a material such as glass or resin and is transparent. This allows for visual inspection of the back side of the electronic component 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cover 36 for covering the electronic components 3 is disposed on the turntable 30. Details of the cover 36 will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the imaging device 40 is, for example, a camera or an image sensor. Note that a light source (not shown) is provided near the camera. Six imaging devices 40 are provided along the rotational transport path 31 of the turntable 30. The six imaging devices 40 capture images of six outer surfaces of the electronic component 3 on the turntable 30, namely, the two main surfaces TS1 and TS2, the two side surfaces WS1 and WS2, and the two end surfaces LS1 and LS2. Each imaging device 40 may be provided with an illumination device, such as a ring light or a dome light, that illuminates the imaging surface of the electronic component 3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the discharge mechanism 50 discharges non-defective products selected by the inspection and sorting controller 70 (described later) based on the results of the visual inspection from the turntable 30 and stores them in a case or the like. The method of discharging non-defective products by the discharge mechanism 50 is not particularly limited, but examples include air blowing, air suction, physical contact extrusion, and the like. For example, when a non-defective product is transported, the discharge mechanism 50, in accordance with a command from the inspection and sorting controller 70, blows air onto the non-defective product on the turntable 30, thereby discharging the non-defective product from the turntable 30 and storing it in a case or the like.

The inspection and selection controller 70 controls the entire component selection device 1. Specifically, the inspection and selection controller 70 performs a visual inspection of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 based on the imaging results from the imaging device 40, and selects non-defective and defective components based on the results of the visual inspection.

The inspection and sorting controller 70 also controls the discharge of non-defective products by the discharge mechanism 50. For example, the inspection and sorting controller 70 calculates the timing for discharging non-defective products from the discharge mechanism 50 based on information such as the conveying speed (or rotation speed, and the length or radius of the rotational conveying path) of the turntable 30 and the position of the imaging device 40 on the turntable 30, and issues a command to the discharge mechanism 50.

The inspection and sorting controller 70 is composed of an arithmetic processor such as a programmable logic controller (PLC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The various functions of the inspection and sorting controller 70 are realized, for example, by executing a predetermined software (program) stored in a memory unit. The various functions of the inspection and sorting controller 70 may be realized by a combination of hardware and software, or may be realized by hardware (electronic circuits) alone.

The memory unit in the inspection and sorting controller 70 is a rewritable memory such as an EEPROM. The memory unit stores predetermined software (programs) for executing various functions of the sorting controller. The memory unit also stores various setting values input from the outside, for example. The various setting values include information regarding the conveying speed of the linear feeder 20, the conveying speed of the turntable 30 (or the rotation speed, and the length or radius of the rotational conveying path), the position of the imaging device 40, and the position of the discharge mechanism 50, as well as criteria for determining whether a product is good or bad.

The cover 36 will be described in detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, the cover 36 is disposed on the turntable 30 and covers the electronic components 3 that are rotated and transported on the turntable 30. More specifically, the cover 36 is disposed so as to cover the rotational transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. The cover 36 has an arc shape that follows the rotational transport path 31 on the turntable 30.

Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of the part selection device shown in Figure 1 taken along line IV-IV, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the part selection device shown in Figure 1 taken along line V-V. As shown in Figures 4A and 5, the cross-sectional shape of the cover 36 intersecting the rotary conveying path 31 on the turntable 30 is an arc shape. As a result, as shown in Figure 4A, the cover 36 can have a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the main surface of the electronic component 3, for example. Also, as shown in Figure 5, the cover 36 can have a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the side surface of the electronic component 3, for example. In this way, if the surface of the cover 36 is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40, refraction by the cover 36 can be reduced, and the main surface and side surface of the electronic component 3 can be accurately imaged. Note that this is not limited to an arc shape, and includes a shape having a surface perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40. Also, a part of the cover may be made into a lens shape to have a magnifying function.

4A and 5, the surface of the cover 36 perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 may be thinner than the other surfaces of the cover 36. This can further reduce refraction caused by the cover 36, allowing the main and side surfaces of the electronic component 3 to be imaged more accurately.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the part selection device shown in Figure 1 taken along line VI-VI. As shown in Figure 6, the cover 36 has a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotary conveying path 31 on the turntable 30. This allows the cover 36 to have a surface that is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 that images the end faces of the electronic components 3, for example. In this way, when the surface of the cover 36 is perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40, refraction by the cover 36 can be reduced, and the end faces of the electronic components 3 can be accurately imaged.

In FIG. 6, the surface of the cover 36 perpendicular to the line of sight of the imaging device 40 may be thinner than other surfaces of the cover 36. This can further reduce refraction caused by the cover 36, allowing the end faces of the electronic components 3 to be imaged more accurately.

Also, as shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, the cover 36 and the turntable 30 are spaced apart. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4A, the cover 36 may be supported by a plurality of cover support members 47 arranged at equal intervals, which are cover support members 47 including support columns or the like fixed to a fixed member (not shown). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B, the cover 36 may be supported by a plurality of cover support members 47 including support columns or the like fixed to each of the imaging devices 40. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4C, the cover 36 may be supported by a plurality of cover support members 47 arranged at equal intervals, which are cover support members 47 including wheels or the like provided between the cover 36 and the turntable 30. This allows the turntable 30 to rotate without interfering with the cover 36. The distance between the cover 36 and the turntable 30 is smaller than the smallest dimension of the length, width, and thickness of the electronic component 3. This makes it possible to prevent different types of electronic components from being mixed inside the cover 36, i.e., on the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30. It also makes it possible to prevent the electronic components 3 being transported from falling out of the cover 36, i.e., out of the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30.

The cover 36 is made of a material such as glass or resin, and has optical transparency (e.g., transparency). This allows the imaging device 40 to capture an image of the electronic component 3 through the cover 36.

The cover 36 may be colored (for example, a color that modulates long wavelengths (red) or short wavelengths (blue)). This allows the light to be modulated, making it possible to detect the surface condition of the part that cannot be detected with transparent light. Alternatively, the cover 36 may be polarized. This allows the surface condition of the part that cannot be detected with transparent light to be detected. The modulation of light is not limited to the cover, and the light from the light source may also be modulated.

As described above, the component selection device 1 of this embodiment includes a transparent turntable 30 that rotates and transports the electronic components 3, six imaging devices 40 that capture images of the six outer surfaces of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30, an inspection and selection controller 70 that performs a visual inspection of the electronic components 3 based on the imaging results from the imaging devices 40 and selects non-defective products based on the results of the visual inspection, and a discharge mechanism 50 that discharges the non-defective products selected by the inspection and selection controller 70 from the turntable 30. This makes it possible to perform a visual inspection of multiple electronic components 3 while transporting them, and to select non-defective products.

Here, such component sorting devices may inspect and sort different types of electronic components for each production lot. For example, surface-mount electronic components may have different characteristics even if they are the same size. More specifically, multilayer ceramic capacitors may have different capacitances even if they are the same size.

In addition, in conventional parts sorting devices, the turntable is left open in order to capture images of the electronic parts on the turntable using an imaging device. This means that there is a possibility that electronic parts of different types may get mixed in with the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable. If electronic parts of the same size but different characteristics get mixed in like this and are rejected as non-defective products, then part mixing will occur.

In this regard, according to the component selection device 1 of this embodiment, a cover 36 is disposed on the turntable 30 to cover the electronic components 3 that are rotated and transported on the turntable 30. This makes it possible to prevent different types of electronic components from being mixed inside the cover 36, i.e., on the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of component selection.

Furthermore, in conventional component sorting devices where the turntable is in an open state, electronic components being transported can fall outside the rotary transport path, leaving electronic components from the previous lot on the turntable. In such a case, if the type of electronic components in the current lot is different from the type of electronic components in the previous lot, there is a possibility that electronic components of a different type from the previous lot will be mixed in with the electronic components in the current lot. When electronic components of the same size but different characteristics are mixed in this way, the sorting accuracy will decrease, even if the accuracy of the appearance inspection is high.

In this regard, according to the component selection device of this embodiment, the cover 36 is arranged to cover the rotary transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. This makes it possible to prevent the electronic components 3 from falling out of the cover 36, i.e., out of the rotary transport path 31 on the turntable 30, during transport. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy of component selection.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible. In the above-mentioned embodiment, a component selection device 1 having one cover 36 that is continuous along the rotary transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 is exemplified (FIG. 1). However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the component selection device 1 may have a form having multiple covers 36 that are divided along the rotary transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30 (FIG. 7, note that the above-mentioned cover support member 37 is omitted in FIG. 7). In this case, it is preferable that the separation distance between adjacent covers 36 is smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the electronic components 3. For example, it is preferable that it is 0.02 mm or less.

In the above-described embodiment, the component selection device 1 is provided with a cover 36 having an arc shape that follows the rotational transport path 31 on the turntable 30 so as to cover the rotational transport path 31 of the electronic components 3 on the turntable 30. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the component selection device 1 may be provided with a cover 36 that covers the entire turntable 30.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a component selection device 1 in which the cover 36 is interposed between the turntable 30 and the imaging device 40 has been exemplified. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the component selection device 1 may be configured such that the cover 36 also covers the imaging device 40.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Component sorting device 3 Electronic component 10 Ball feeder 12 Vibration mechanism 20 Linear feeder 22 Vibration mechanism 30 Turntable 31 Rotational conveying path (rotational conveying trajectory)
32 Guide mechanism 34 Electrostatic adsorption mechanism 36 Cover 37 Cover support member 40 Imaging device 50 Discharge mechanism 70 Inspection and sorting controller

Claims (11)

A parts sorting device that inspects parts while transporting them and selects non-defective parts,
A turntable for rotating and conveying the part;
a plurality of imaging devices configured to capture images of a plurality of outer surfaces of the component on the turntable;
an inspection and selection controller that performs an appearance inspection of the component based on the imaging results from the plurality of imaging devices and selects the non-defective component based on the result of the appearance inspection;
a discharge mechanism that discharges the non-defective product selected by the inspection and selection controller from the turntable;
a cover that is placed on the turntable and covers the part that is rotated and transported on the turntable;
Equipped with
The cover is transparent and covers the turntable in the same direction as the in-plane direction.
Parts sorting device. The component sorting device of claim 1, wherein the cover is optically transparent. The cover and the turntable are spaced apart from each other,
a distance between the cover and the turntable is smaller than the smallest dimension among the length, width, and thickness of the part;
The parts selection device according to claim 1. the cover is disposed so as to cover a rotational transport path of the component on the turntable,
each of the plurality of imaging devices captures an image of the component through the cover;
The parts selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The part sorting device according to claim 4, wherein the cover has an arc shape that follows the rotational conveying path on the turntable. the plurality of imaging devices include imaging devices that respectively capture images of a main surface and a side surface of the component,
The component sorting apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the cover has a surface perpendicular to a line of sight of each of the plurality of imaging devices. The part selection device according to claim 6, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the cover that intersects with the rotational transport path on the turntable is an arc shape. The part sorting device according to claim 6, wherein the cover has a surface that is inclined in a direction along the rotational conveying path on the turntable. The component selection device according to claim 6, wherein a surface of the cover perpendicular to the line of sight of each of the imaging devices is thinner than other surfaces of the cover. The component sorting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover has polarizing properties. The part selection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover is colored.

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