JP7847342B2 - Parts stocking device and parts mounting system - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a parts stocking device and a parts mounting system.

A tray component supply device is known that reduces downtime due to component shortages in an electronic component mounting machine and improves its operating rate (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This tray component supply device comprises a tray fixed to a plate-shaped tray jig, a tray component magazine consisting of multiple shelves that house trays on each shelf via the tray jig and supply electronic components from these trays to the electronic component mounting machine, means for moving the tray component magazine up and down to position the trays on the required shelves at the drawer position for component supply, a replenishment magazine that houses a large number of trays in the same configuration as the tray component magazine and is installed close to the tray component magazine, and a robot that replaces trays that have run out of components in the tray component magazine with new trays in the replenishment magazine. With this tray component supply device, the robot can sensitively replace trays that have run out of components with new trays in the replenishment magazine, thereby reducing downtime due to component shortages in the electronic component mounting machine.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-57533

However, in recent years, in the Surface Mounting Technology (SMT) process, as equipment productivity has improved, the frequency of replenishing electronic components during production has increased, and there is a growing demand for labor-saving and automation in component replenishment. This is partly due to the increasing size of components such as automotive connectors and the SMT process for large components in subsequent processes, which has led to larger tray components, reducing the number of components that can be supplied on a single tray, and consequently increasing the frequency of component replenishment. In response to this, in order to reduce the labor required for component replenishment, it is necessary to increase the number of components that can be mounted, but from the perspective of area productivity, it is not possible to simply expand the space of the component mounting equipment. Furthermore, if the passages between equipment lines are significantly obstructed in order to increase stock capacity, it will negatively affect workability and transportability.

This disclosure was devised in view of the conventional circumstances described above, and aims to provide a parts stocking device and parts mounting system that enable labor savings in pallet replenishment, suppress parts from flying out into the aisles between lines, and increase the stock capacity of pallets.

This disclosure provides a parts stocking device comprising: a magazine that allows a parts storage body containing parts to be inserted and removed along a first axis; a stocker that allows the magazine to be inserted and removed along a second axis that intersects the first axis in a plane along a horizontal plane; and a parts storage body transport unit that transports the parts storage body from the magazine stored in the stocker along the first axis, wherein the stocker has a housing that forms an internal space that allows the magazine to be stored, and the housing has an opening that allows the magazine to be inserted and removed along the second axis.

Furthermore, this disclosure provides a component mounting system comprising: a component mounting device that removes components stored in a component housing by a component mounting unit and mounts them on a substrate; a component supply device that supplies the component housing to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting unit; and a component stock device that replenishes the component housing to the component supply device, wherein the component stock device includes a magazine that allows a component housing containing components to be inserted and removed along a first axis; a stocker that allows the magazine to be inserted and removed along a second axis that intersects the first axis in a plane along a horizontal plane; and a component housing transport unit that transports the component housing from the magazine stored in the stocker along the first axis, wherein the stocker has a housing that forms an internal space that allows the magazine to be stored, and the housing has an opening that allows the magazine to be inserted and removed along the second axis.

According to this disclosure, magazines can be easily transferred using compact equipment, enabling labor savings in pallet replenishment while increasing area productivity.

Floor plan of the factory floor where the parts mounting system according to Embodiment 1 is installed. Figure 1 shows the overall configuration of the component mounting system. Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the component mounting system. Perspective view of a pallet on which trays are placed. Figure 4 shows an exploded perspective view of the pallet. Perspective view of a magazine containing a pallet. Oblique view of the magazine from diagonally below. Perspective view of the tray parts stocking device shown in Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the inside of the tray parts stocking device, viewed from the aisle side. Plan view showing the layout of the tray parts stocking device and the tray parts supply device. Block diagram of the tray parts stocking device Diagram illustrating the operation of the pallet transport unit just before a pallet is pulled out of the pallet stock section. Operational diagram of the pallet transport unit after it has finished pulling pallets from the pallet stock unit. Operational diagram of the pallet transport section where the drawer device rotates clockwise. Operational diagram of the pallet transport section with a pallet inserted into the tray parts supply device. Plan view of the slide table device with the slide table housed inside. Perspective view of the slide table Plan view of a slide table device with an integrated slide table. Front view of the slide table device as seen from the aisle. Conceptual diagram of a reciprocating mechanism using an air cylinder as the drive source. Conceptual diagram of a reciprocating mechanism using a motor as the drive source. Conceptual diagram showing the variable stroke structure of the forward/backward mechanism. Perspective view of a magazine positioned and mounted on a slide table. Diagram illustrating the positioning operation of a slide table, primarily using X-alignment guides. Diagram illustrating the positioning operation of a slide table, primarily using a Y-alignment guide.

The following describes in detail embodiments of the parts stock device and parts mounting system disclosed herein, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessary details may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this disclosure and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of the factory floor where the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1 is installed. In the following diagrams where arrows indicating direction are shown, the X-axis represents the left-right direction of the component mounting device 13, the Y-axis represents the front-back direction of the component mounting device 13, and the Z-axis represents the up-down direction of the component mounting device 13. The X-axis and Y-axis are orthogonal and included in the horizontal plane. The Z-axis is included in the vertical plane perpendicular to the horizontal plane.

As shown in Figure 1, multiple component mounting devices 13 are arranged in close proximity along a passage 15 with a passage width W1 on the factory floor. Each component mounting device 13 is provided with multiple parallel substrate transport conveyors 19, with the X-axis direction being the transport direction of the substrate 17, extending across each of the multiple component mounting devices 13. Stick feeders 21, tray component supply devices 23, or tape component supply devices 25, etc., are integrally connected to the component mounting devices 13.

Multiple component mounting devices 13, arranged side by side, constitute a mounting line 27 on the factory floor. In particular, on factory floors with high production volumes, multiple mounting lines 27 are installed parallel to each other, separated by a passage 15 running along the X-axis, passing in front of and behind the component mounting devices 13. Among the multiple component mounting devices 13 arranged side by side, a component mounting device 13 in which a tray component stocking device 29 is integrally connected to a tray component supply device 23 constitutes a component mounting system 11.

In the component mounting system 11, the longitudinal direction of the tray component stocking device 29 is installed along the passage 15, thereby minimizing the reduction in the effective passage width W2 between it and the adjacent mounting line 27.

Figure 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the component mounting system 11 shown in Figure 1. The component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1 includes a component mounting device 13 that takes out components 33 (see Figure 4) stored in a tray 31 (see Figure 4) using a mounting head 35 (see Figure 3), which is a component mounting unit, and mounts them on a substrate 17; a tray component supply device 23 that supplies the tray 31 to a position where it can be removed by the mounting head 35; and a tray component stock device 29 that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with trays 31.

The component mounting device 13 has a component mounting device main body 37. A tray component supply device 23 and a tape component supply device 25 are connected to the aisle-side surface of the component mounting device main body 37. A tray component stock device 29 is integrally connected to the component mounting device main body 37 via the tray component supply device 23.

As an example of a parts stocking device, the tray parts stocking device 29 includes a magazine 41 that allows pallets 39 (see Figure 4) on which trays 31 containing parts 33 (see Figure 4) are placed to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The tray parts stocking device 29 has a pallet stock section 43 that functions as a stocker. The pallet stock section 43 allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects the X-axis in a plane along the horizontal plane. The tray parts stocking device 29 also has a pallet transport section 45. The pallet transport section 45 transports the pallets 39 from the magazine 41 stored in the pallet stock section 43 along the X-axis. The pallets 39 transported from the pallet stock section 43 by the pallet transport section 45 are supplied to the tray parts supplying device 23. Furthermore, the pallet transport unit 45 transports the pallet 39 from the tray component supply device 23 to the pallet stock unit 43 for collection, after the components 33 have been consumed (i.e., all components 33 on the pallet 39 have been used for mounting onto the substrate 17).

Figure 3 is a conceptual diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the component mounting system 11 shown in Figure 2. The component mounting device main body 37 is provided with a substrate transport section 49 on the upper surface of the base 47, which has a substrate transport conveyor 19 for transporting the substrate 17 in the direction along the X axis (substrate transport direction). The substrate transport section 49 transports the substrate 17 to be mounted and positions and holds it at the working position of the component mounting device main body 37. A tray component supply device 23 is arranged on the aisle side of the base 47.

The tray parts supply device 23 has a replacement pallet storage section 51. The replacement pallet storage section 51 holds multiple magazines 41 arranged vertically (along the Z-axis). In the tray parts supply device 23, a pallet changer 53 is provided between the replacement pallet storage section 51 and the base 47. The pallet changer 53 raises and lowers the changer lifting table 55 using the pallet changer lifting section 57 (see Figure 11). By operating the pallet changer 53, the tray parts supply device 23 moves the pallet 39 between the replacement pallet storage section 51 and the parts retrieval position. The tray parts supply device 23 supplies the parts 33 to the mounting head 35 by moving the pallet 39, on which the tray 31 containing parts 33 (see Figure 4) stored in a grid arrangement is placed, to the parts retrieval position.

The mounting head 35 is a multi-unit head equipped with multiple unit transfer heads, and a suction nozzle is interchangeably attached to the lower end of each unit transfer head. The mounting head 35 is mounted to be movable in the XY direction by an XY table 59 that is aligned with the Y axis and consists of a linear drive mechanism or the like. The mounting head 35 is movable between the component removal position and the component mounting position on the substrate transport section 49 by the XY table 59.

The tray parts stocking device 29 has a pallet stocking section 43 and a pallet transporting section 45. The pallet stocking section 43 stores multiple magazines 41 at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction (along the Z-axis). From each of the magazines 41 stored in the vertical direction (along the Z-axis), any pallet 39 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the X-axis by the pallet transporting section 45. Pallets 39 pulled out from the pallet stocking section 43 by the pallet transporting section 45 are moved to the tray parts supplying device 23 by the pallet transporting section 45. The pallet transporting section 45 can also move pallets 39 in the opposite direction.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the pallet 39 on which the tray 31 is placed. Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet 39 shown in Figure 4.

The pallet 39 will now be described. The pallet body 61 of the pallet 39 is formed in a rectangular plate shape when viewed from above. The pallet 39 has a pair of parallel long sides, one of which is the first long side 63 and the other is the second long side 65. In Embodiment 1, the first long side 63 is the front of the pallet and the second long side 65 is the rear of the pallet. The pallet 39 is transported with either the first long side 63 or the second long side 65 facing the front in the transport direction.

The pallet 39 is made of a magnetic material, at least in part including its top surface. A tray 31 made of a non-magnetic material such as resin is placed on the top surface of the pallet 39. Multiple parts 33 are arranged in an aligned manner on the tray 31. The tray 31 is held in a predetermined position on the pallet 39 by a positioning device 67. The pallet 39 on which the tray 31 is placed constitutes a parts storage unit 69. Alternatively, the parts storage unit 69 may be a pallet 39 on which parts are placed for storage. Furthermore, the tray 31 may be made to have the same external shape as the pallet 39, and the tray 31 itself may be used as the parts storage unit 69.

Two tray positioning pieces 71 are fixed perpendicularly to the top surface of the pallet 39, parallel to the first long side 63 and one of the short sides adjacent to the first long side 63. The two tray positioning pieces 71, positioned perpendicularly to each other, have an inner corner. The tray 31 is positioned relative to the pallet 39 by pressing its two sides against the tray positioning pieces 71, with one corner aligning with the inner corner of the pallet 39.

The tray 31, positioned on the pallet in this manner, is fixed to the pallet 39 by pressing the positioning device 67 against the side opposite to the side pressed against the tray positioning piece 71. The positioning device 67 has, for example, a magnet. The positioning device 67 is strongly fixed by magnetic force to the upper surface of the pallet 39, which is made of a magnetic material. As a result, the tray 31 is fixed and its movement on the pallet 39 is restricted. At this time, the positioning device 67 has two lever parts 73 at both ends (see Figure 5), and each lever part 73 is located above the upper surface of the pallet 39. The positioning device 67 can be easily removed from the pallet 39 by pushing these lever parts 73 toward the upper surface of the pallet 39, using the principle of leverage.

Furthermore, the pallet 39 is provided with a first engaging portion 75 on the first long side portion 63 and a second engaging portion 77 on the second long side portion 65. The first engaging portion 75 and the second engaging portion 77 are arranged so that the openings of the U-shaped engaging claws in plan view face each other. The engagement claws of the first engaging portion 75 are spaced further apart than those of the second engaging portion 77. In Embodiment 1, the first engaging portion 75 engages with the changer engaging rod 79 (see Figure 10) of the pallet changer 53, and the second engaging portion 77 engages with the handler engaging rod 81, which is the pulling portion of the pallet transport unit 45 as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the magazine 41 containing the pallet 39. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the magazine 41 from a diagonal downward angle.

Let me describe the magazine 41. The magazine 41 is formed in a rectangular tube shape with an open inner storage space on both sides, where the upper ends of a pair of parallel side plates 83 are connected by a top plate 85, and the lower ends of a pair of parallel side plates 83 are connected by a bottom plate 87 (see Figure 7). This magazine 41 is stored in the pallet stock section 43 with both ends in the direction along the X-axis facing outwards. In other words, the pair of side plates 83 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 with the plates spaced apart in the direction along the Y-axis.

Each side plate 83 has an inner surface provided with ribs 91 that extend from both ends across the insertion/removal opening 89. The gaps between adjacent ribs 91 in the vertical direction (along the Z-axis) are used to insert each of the pair of parallel short sides of the pallet 39. As a result, the magazine 41 can store multiple pallets 39 in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction (along the Z-axis) within its inner storage space (see above), and can also be inserted and removed from the insertion/removal opening 89.

As shown in Figure 6, a pair of X-alignment rollers 93 are provided on the lower side of the outer surface of each side plate 83. Each of the pair of X-alignment rollers 93 is rotatable around a rotation center perpendicular to the side plate 83. In addition, a Y-alignment section 95 is provided on the lower side of the inner surface of the pair of side plates 83, close to the insertion/removal openings 89 at both ends. A tapered surface 97 is formed on the Y-alignment section 95, and the tapered surface 97 is formed by a slope that makes the side plate 83 thinner towards the bottom.

As shown in Figure 7, four Y-alignment rollers 99 are provided on the lower surface of the base plate 87. Each Y-alignment roller 99 is rotatably supported around a rotation center perpendicular to a mounting piece 101 that hangs down perpendicularly from the lower surface of the base plate 87 to the side plate 83. The X-alignment roller 93 and the Y-alignment rollers 99 described above constitute the first alignment group 103.

The pair of parallel lower edges of the insertion/removal openings 89 at both ends of the base plate 87 form the X-alignment section 105. The Y-alignment section 95 having the tapered surface 97 described above and the X-alignment section 105 constitute the second alignment group 107.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the tray parts stock device 29 shown in Figure 2. The pallet stock section 43 has a housing (for example, a cover 109) that forms an internal space that allows for the storage of magazines 41. This cover 109 has an opening (for example, a magazine replacement window 111) that allows the magazines 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (Y axis). The lower part of the magazine replacement window 111 of the pallet stock section 43 becomes the base section 113. A docking section 115 is provided on this base section 113. The docking section 115 is the connection part when, for example, a self-propelled magazine transport device (not shown) is used. The docking section 115 is electrically connected to the tray parts stock device control unit 119 (see Figure 11) by a connector 117. In addition, an operation unit 121 such as a touch panel is provided on the outer surface of the pallet transport section 45 on the aisle side, which is electrically connected to the tray parts stock device control unit 119 (see Figure 11). Note that this operating unit 121 may be omitted from the configuration of the tray parts stocking device 29.

In the tray parts stocking device 29, a slide table device 123 is positioned within the internal space of the cover 109. The slide table device 123 holds the magazine 41 and allows the magazine 41 to be moved (i.e., inserted and removed) between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109 by passing it through the magazine exchange window 111 along the second axis (Y axis).

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the tray parts stocking device 29 as seen from the aisle side. The tray parts stocking device 29 has a plurality of fixed shelves 125 (for example, four levels) spaced apart in the vertical direction (along the Z direction). Of these, for example, a slide table device 123 is fixed to the second-to-last fixed shelf 125. That is, in the pallet stocking section 43, the magazines 41 stored in the second-to-last level from the bottom are placed on the slide table device 123. Embodiment 1 describes an example in which the slide table device 123 is installed on the second-to-last level from the bottom, but the slide table device 123 may be installed on any level in the vertical direction. Also, Embodiment 1 describes an example in which the slide table device 123 is installed only on the second-to-last level from the bottom, but the slide table device 123 may be installed on multiple levels.

The slide table device 123 can manually drive the slide table 127 (see Figure 17) on which the magazine 41 is mounted forward and backward. Alternatively, the slide table device 123 may be configured to automatically extend the slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is mounted outside the cover 109 by including a forward/backward drive unit 129. In this case, the forward/backward drive unit 129 includes, for example, an air cylinder 131 (see Figure 18) which is a forward/backward drive source, and a valve that supplies operating air to the air cylinder 131.

The pallet transport unit 45 provided in the tray parts stocking device 29 includes a pallet handler 133 that moves the pallet 39 between the pallet stocking unit 43 and the tray parts supplying device 23. The pallet transport unit 45 includes a pallet handler lifting unit 135 that moves up and down in the vertical direction (along the Z-direction). The pallet handler lifting unit 135 is erected on the base unit 113 and has approximately the same height as the pallet stocking unit 43. The pallet handler lifting unit 135 is provided with an upright stocker feed screw (not shown). This stocker feed screw is rotated by a handler lifting motor (not shown). A lifting base nut (not shown) is screwed onto the stocker feed screw.

A lifting base 137 is fixed to the lifting base nut. A pull-out device 141 is rotatably supported on the upper surface of the lifting base 137 via a handler shaft 139 aligned with the Z-axis. A handler motor 145, whose output shaft is aligned with the Z-axis, is fixed to the upright base portion 143 of the lifting base 137. A belt 147 is stretched between the output shaft of the handler motor 145 and the handler shaft 139. The handler motor 145, belt 147, and handler shaft 139 constitute a swivel mechanism 149 (see Figure 10). When the handler motor 145 of the swivel mechanism 149 is driven, rotational force is transmitted to the handler shaft 139, and the pull-out device 141 rotates around the handler shaft 139. The pull-out device 141 has a handler engagement rod 81 and a pair of parallel pallet guides 151.

The pallet handler 133 moves up and down along the pallet stock section 43, for example, when a handler lifting motor (not shown) is driven by the pallet transport control unit 153 (see Figure 11). At this time, the pallet handler 133 can position the drawer device 141 at the height of the pallet 39 corresponding to the storage address by specifying the storage address assigned to the pallet storage section of the pallet stock section 43. A tray parts stock device control unit 119 for controlling these functions is provided at the lower part of the pallet transport section 45.

Figure 10 is a plan view showing the layout of the tray parts stocking device 29 and the tray parts supplying device 23. The pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 are arranged along the passage 15 (see Figure 1). That is, the tray parts stocking device 29 is installed with its long side facing the passage 15. The pallet transporting section 45 of the tray parts stocking device 29 is connected to the parts mounting device 13 via the tray parts supplying device 23 in a direction along the Y axis. As a result, the parts mounting system 11 is installed in an L-shaped space in plan view, with the pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 arranged along the X axis, and the pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 connected to the tray parts supplying device 23 in a direction intersecting the X axis.

Therefore, the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1 includes a component mounting device 13 that removes components 33 stored in a tray 31 using a component mounting unit (e.g., mounting head 35) and mounts them on a substrate 17, a tray component supply device 23 that supplies the tray 31 to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting unit (e.g., mounting head 35), and a tray component stock device 29 that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with trays 31. The tray parts stock device 29 is configured to include a pallet stock section 43 capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of a cover 109, which allows a pallet 39 on which a tray 31 containing parts 33 is placed to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis); a parts storage transport section (e.g., a pallet transport section 45) that transports the pallet 39 between the pallet stock section 43 and a parts supply device (e.g., a tray parts supply device 23); and a slide table device 123 on which the magazine 41 is placed and which moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and which has a slide table 127 that can protrude from the inside to the outside of the cover 109.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 may further include a reciprocating drive unit 129 that causes the slide table 127 to protrude to the outside of the cover 109.

Next, the configuration of the control system for the tray parts stocking device 29 according to Embodiment 1 will be described.

Figure 11 is a block diagram of the tray parts stocking device 29. The tray parts stocking device 29 comprises a pallet transport unit 45, a slide table device 123, an operation unit 121, a connector 117, and a tray parts stocking device control unit 119. An external power supply unit 155 is connected to the tray parts stocking device 29 via a power supply cable 157 to the connector 117. An external power supply 159 is connected to the power supply unit 155 via a power supply cable 157. The power supply unit 155 is also directly connected to the tray parts stocking device control unit 119 via a signal line 161.

The tray parts stocking device control unit 119 comprises a pallet transport control unit 153, a slide table control unit 163, and a storage unit 165.

When the pallet transport control unit 153 receives a request for a part 33 from the part mounting device 13, it refers to the part stock information stored in the memory unit 165 and sends an instruction to the pallet transport unit 45 to pull out the pallet 39 of the tray 31 holding the part 33 from the pallet stock unit 43. Based on the instruction from the pallet transport control unit 153, the pallet transport unit 45 pulls out the corresponding pallet 39 from the pallet stock unit 43 and inserts the pulled-out pallet 39 into the magazine 41 of the replacement pallet storage unit 51 in the tray part supply device 23, thereby completing the supply of the pallet 39 to the tray part supply device 23. If, as a result of referring to the part stock information stored in the memory unit 165, the pallet transport control unit 153 finds that the requested part 33 is unavailable or that the remaining quantity is low (for example, less than the specified amount), it displays a request for the part 33 to the tray part stock device 29 on the operation unit 121, notifying the user that the part is out of stock or will soon be out of stock.

When the slide table control unit 163 receives, for example, a pull-out command from the operation unit 121, it sends an instruction to the slide table device 123 to switch the port of the valve connected to the air cylinder 131 (see Figure 18) to the pull-out operation side. Based on the instruction from the slide table control unit 163, the slide table device 123 switches the valve as described above. This switch causes the drive shaft of the air cylinder 131 (see Figure 18) to extend, and the slide table 127 moves through the magazine exchange window 111 to the passage side. Also, when the slide table control unit 163 receives a retraction command from the operation unit 121, it sends an instruction to the slide table device 123 to switch the port of the valve connected to the air cylinder 131 (see Figure 18) to the retraction operation side. Based on the instruction from the slide table control unit 163, the slide table device 123 switches the valve as described above. This switch causes the drive shaft of the air cylinder 131 (see Figure 18) to retract, and the slide table 127 is retracted into the pallet stock section 43. The slide table control unit 163 may also drive the slide table 127 forward and backward in response to forward and backward commands from the parts mounting device 13 or the magazine transport device (not shown).

The storage unit 165 is configured using a data recording device such as flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores stock information. The storage unit 165 stores stock information indicating the quantity of parts 33 to be supplied to the parts mounting device 13, the storage address (for example, a combination of the numbers of the magazine 41, pallet 39, tray 31 on which each part 33 is placed), and whether or not parts have been supplied to the parts mounting device 13.

Next, we will explain an example of a specific operation during pallet transport.

Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the pallet transport unit 45 immediately before the pallet 39 is pulled out of the pallet stock unit 43. The pallet 39 is housed in the pallet stock unit 43 such that the second engaging portion 77 is positioned on the side facing the pallet transport unit 45. In order to supply the pallet 39 to the tray parts supply device 23, the pull-out device 141 of the pallet transport unit 45 moves in the vertical direction (along the Z-axis), and the handler engaging rod 81 provided on the pull-out device 141 engages with the second engaging portion 77 provided on the desired pallet 39.

Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the pallet transport unit 45 after it has finished pulling out the pallet 39 from the pallet stock unit 43. The pull-out device 141, with the handler engagement rod 81 engaged with the second engagement unit 77, is driven by a traction motor (not shown) and pulls out the pallet 39 in the X direction together with the handler engagement rod 81. The pallet 39 that has been pulled out by the pull-out device 141 is supported from below on both short sides by a pair of pallet guides 151.

Figure 14 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the pallet transport unit 45 when the drawer device 141 is rotated clockwise. Next, the drawer device 141 supporting the pallet 39 rotates 90 degrees clockwise by the drive of the handler motor 145. The pallet 39, which has rotated 90 degrees clockwise, is positioned so that the first engagement portion 75, which is not engaged with the handler engagement rod 81, is on the side of the replacement pallet storage unit 51. The drawer device 141 is positioned so that the handler engagement rod 81 engaged with the second engagement portion 77 is on the aisle side in the direction along the Y axis.

Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the pallet transport unit 45 when a pallet 39 is inserted into the tray parts supply device 23. The drawer device 141 moves the handler engagement rod 81 in the Y direction. As the handler engagement rod 81 moves in the Y direction, the pallet 39 slides along the pallet guide 151 and is inserted into the replacement pallet storage unit 51 of the tray parts supply device 23. When inserting the pallet 39 at a different height, the lifting base 137 is raised or lowered by the pallet handler lifting unit 135 to the desired height. After inserting the pallet 39 into the tray parts supply device 23, the drawer device 141 is moved up or down by the drive of the pallet handler lifting unit 135, disengages from the second engagement unit 77, and then retracts in a direction away from the tray parts supply device 23. The pallet transport unit 45 returns the handler engagement rod 81 to the retracted position and completes the supply of the pallet 39 to the tray parts supply device 23.

Furthermore, in the tray parts supply device 23, in order to recover the empty pallet 39 from which the parts 33 have been consumed into the pallet stock unit 43, the empty pallet 39 is moved to the pallet stock unit 43 by following the reverse procedure described above.

Next, the slide table device 123 will be explained further.

Figure 16 is a plan view of the slide table device 123 in which the slide table 127 is housed. The tray parts stock device 29 has a pallet stock section 43 and a slide table device 123. The pallet stock section 43 is capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of the cover 109, which allows a pallet 39 on which a tray 31 containing parts 33 is placed to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The slide table device 123 has a slide table 127. The slide table 127 places the magazine 41 on it and moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane. That is, the slide table 127 is capable of protruding from the inside to the outside of the cover 109.

The slide table device 123 supports the slide table 127 and has a slide rail 167 that extends and retracts along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis). The slide table 127 moves between the outside and inside of the cover 109 as the slide rail 167 extends and retracts. The slide rail 167 has a fixed rail 169 (see Figure 18), a connecting rail 171 (see Figure 18), and a movable rail 173 (see Figure 18).

The slide rail 167 is fixed to the fixed shelf 125 of the pallet stock section 43 by an L-shaped bracket 175 via the fixed rail 169. The connecting rail 171 is connected parallel to the fixed rail 169 and is slidable in the direction of extension of the fixed rail 169. Approximately half of the connecting rail 171 can extend from the fixed rail 169 in the Y direction. Once approximately half of the connecting rail 171 has extended from the fixed rail 169, further extension is restricted by a stopper mechanism (not shown). The movable rail 173 is connected parallel to the connecting rail 171 and is slidable in the direction of extension of the connecting rail 171. Approximately half of the movable rail 173 can extend from the connecting rail 171 in the Y direction. Once approximately half of the movable rail 173 has extended from the connecting rail 171, further extension is restricted by a stopper mechanism (not shown).

Therefore, when the movable rail 173 extends, the slide rail 167 is supported by the fixed rail 169 and the connecting rail 171, which extends approximately half the length of the movable rail 173. This allows the movable rail 173 to extend from the fixed rail 169 to approximately its full length (see Figure 18). As a result, the slide rail 167 achieves an extension length that is approximately the same as the storage space.

The slide table device 123 may have one or more slide rails 167. In Embodiment 1, the slide table device 123 has two slide rails 167 that extend along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) and are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the direction along the first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The two parallel slide rails 167 face each other with their respective movable rails 173 facing inward. Inside each movable rail 173, an L-shaped slide base 177 (see Figure 17) is fixed along the longitudinal direction of the movable rail 173. The pair of parallel slide bases 177 are connected to each other by a plurality of connecting plates 179. The slide bases 177 and connecting plates 179 constitute the slide table 127. The slide table 127 is sized to accommodate at least one magazine 41.

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the slide table 127. The slide base 177 is provided with a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the magazine 41 relative to the slide table 127 in the direction of a first axis (e.g., the X axis), and a second restricting portion that restricts the position of the magazine 41 relative to the slide table 127 in the direction of a second axis (e.g., the Y axis). Each slide base 177 has an L-shaped cross-section with the horizontal piece facing inward and the upright piece standing upright on the outside.

The first regulating section is the X-alignment guide 181. A total of four X-alignment guides 181 are fixed in pairs, spaced apart in the extending direction of each slide base 177. These X-alignment guides 181 are upright plates perpendicular to the side plate 83 of the magazine 41 (see Figure 6), and the pairs provided at opposing positions on the two slide bases 177 have inclined surfaces 183 that move away from each other as they extend upward. In other words, when viewed from the direction along the Y axis, the pair of X-alignment guides 181 are inclined in a Y-shape, widening upwards (see Figure 19). The aforementioned X-alignment roller 93 (see Figure 6), provided on the side plate 83 of the magazine 41, is guided and fitted between the pair of X-alignment guides 181 by sliding along the inclined surfaces 183.

The second regulating section is the Y-alignment guide 187 (see Figure 25). Four pairs of Y-alignment guides 187 are fixed inside the four X-alignment guides 181, spaced apart in the extending direction of each slide base 177. The Y-alignment guides 187 are upright plates perpendicular to the side plate 83 of the magazine 41, and pairs provided at opposing positions on the two slide bases 177 are formed in a trapezoidal shape with one corner of the square chamfered on the X-alignment guide 181 side. In other words, when viewed from the direction along the X-axis, the pair of Y-alignment guides 187 incline in an A-shape, widening towards the bottom (see Figure 25). The pair of Y-alignment guides 187 are positioned relative to the slide table 127 by the Y-alignment rollers 99 provided on the lower surface of the bottom plate 87 of the magazine 41 on the outside of both Y-alignment guides 187 being guided by the inclined surface 185.

Figure 18 is a plan view of the slide table device 123 with the slide table 127 extended. The tray parts stock device 29 may be provided with a forward/backward drive unit 129 on the slide table device 123. The forward/backward drive unit 129 enables the slide table 127 to automatically move back and forth between the outside and inside space of the cover 109.

In Embodiment 1, the forward/backward drive unit 129 is positioned between two slide rails 167 (see Figure 18).

The forward/backward drive unit 129 includes a first rack gear 189, a second rack gear 191, a pinion gear 193, and a forward/backward drive source.

The first rack gear 189 is fixed inside the cover 109 with its longitudinal direction oriented parallel to the second axis (e.g., the Y-axis). More specifically, the first rack gear 189 is fixed to the fixed shelf 125. The second rack gear 191 is mounted on the slide table 127 and is positioned parallel to and opposite the first rack gear 189. The pinion gear 193 meshes with the first rack gear 189 and the second rack gear 191. The forward/backward drive source moves the pinion gear 193 along the second axis (e.g., the Y-axis).

In Embodiment 1, the forward/backward drive source is, for example, an air cylinder 131 that moves the forward/backward drive shaft from a cylinder. A valve or the like that supplies operating air is connected to the air cylinder 131. By switching between multiple ports, the valve can drive the forward/backward drive shaft of the air cylinder 131 in either the forward or backward direction.

The air cylinder 131 has a slider 195 fixed to the end of its forward and backward drive shaft. The slider 195 moves in a linear motion, guided by a slider rail 197 that is fixed to the fixed shelf 125 and runs along the Y-axis. The pinion gear 193 is rotatably supported on the slider 195, with the direction along the Z-axis as the center of rotation.

Figure 19 is a front view of the slide table device 123 as seen from the aisle side. When viewed from the direction along the Y-axis, the slide table device 123 has a pair of parallel slide rails 167 that extend outward along the Y-axis and are fixed to the fixed shelf 125. A slide base 177 is fixed to the inside (i.e., the movable rail side) of each of the pair of slide rails 167. The pair of slide bases 177 constitute the slide table 127, which is fixed by a connecting plate 179. The air cylinder 131, which is the drive source for the forward and backward movement, is housed in a space surrounded by the pair of slide bases 177 and the connecting plate 179 and is fixed to the fixed shelf 125. The pinion gear 193, which moves forward and backward by the forward and backward drive shaft of the air cylinder 131, is sandwiched between a first rack gear 189 fixed to the fixed shelf 125 and a second rack gear 191 fixed to the slide base 177, and meshes with both rack gears.

Figure 20 is a conceptual diagram of a reciprocating mechanism using an air cylinder 131 as the reciprocating drive source. The reciprocating drive unit 129 moves along the second axis (Y axis) while supporting the pinion gear 193 rotatably on the slider 195. When the slide base 177 is housed inside the cover 109, the pinion gear 193 is located on the rear side (opposite the side of the slide table's advancement) of the first rack gear 189 and engages with it. At this time, the second rack gear 191, which is fixed to the slide base 177, has its leading edge in the advancement direction engaged with the pinion gear 193.

In the slide table device 123, when the air cylinder 131 is driven and the pinion gear 193 moves by a distance A in the advance direction while meshing with the first rack gear 189, the second rack gear 191, which is meshed with the pinion gear 193, is extended in the advance direction by a distance of twice the amount of movement of the pinion gear 193 (A + A = 2A).

Figure 21 is a conceptual diagram of a reciprocating mechanism using a motor as the reciprocating drive source. The reciprocating drive unit 129 may also be configured to use a reciprocating drive motor 199 as the reciprocating drive source. In this case, the fixed shelf 125 rotatably supports a pair of sprockets 201 whose rotation center is in the direction along the X-axis and which are spaced apart in the direction along the Y-axis. An endless chain 203 is stretched over the pair of sprockets 201. The chain 203 rotatably supports a pinion gear 193 that meshes with both the first rack gear 189 and the second rack gear 191. By driving one of the sprockets 201 with the reciprocating drive motor 199, the pinion gear 193 is moved together with the movement of the chain 203. This makes it possible to move the pinion gear 193 in the direction along the Y-axis while meshing with both rack gears, similar to the case of movement by the air cylinder 131. With the reciprocating drive unit 129 that uses the reciprocating drive motor 199 as the reciprocating drive source, the slide table 127 can be moved forward and backward without using pneumatic equipment.

Figure 22 is a conceptual diagram showing a variable stroke structure of the reciprocating mechanism. The reciprocating drive unit 129 may also have a large-diameter pinion gear 205 and a small-diameter pinion gear 207 fixed coaxially. In this case, for example, the small-diameter pinion gear 207 (outer circumference length A) engages with the first rack gear 189, and the second rack gear 191 engages with the coaxially fixed large-diameter pinion gear 205 (outer circumference length 2A). With this reciprocating drive unit 129, if the travel distance of the small-diameter pinion gear 207 is A, then the extension distance of the second rack gear 191 is A + 2A = 3A. In this way, the reciprocating drive unit 129 can freely set the stroke expansion ratio by combining multiple pinion gears 193 with different diameters (outer circumference lengths). This enables the reciprocating drive unit 129 to realize a highly versatile reciprocating mechanism that can accommodate slide table devices 123 with different extension lengths.

Next, the positioning operation of the slide table device 123 will be explained.

Figure 23 is a perspective view of the magazine 41 positioned and mounted on the slide table 127. By being mounted on the slide table 127, the magazine 41 is positioned in the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions.

Figure 24 is an explanatory diagram of the positioning operation of the slide table 127, mainly by the X-alignment guide 181. In the slide table device 123, the magazine 41 is placed on the slide table 127 by moving downward in the direction along the Z-axis. This placement operation may be manual (i.e., performed by an operator) or automatic. As the magazine 41 is lowered in the direction approaching the slide table 127, the X-alignment roller 93 of the magazine 41 comes into contact with the first regulating part (e.g., the X-alignment guide 181). The magazine 41 is positioned relative to the slide table 127 in the first axial direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) by the X-alignment roller 93 being guided by the X-alignment guide 181.

Figure 25 is an explanatory diagram of the positioning operation of the slide table 127, mainly by the Y-alignment guide 187. The magazine 41's Y-alignment roller 99 contacts the second regulating section (e.g., the Y-alignment guide 187) almost simultaneously with the X-alignment guide 181 and the X-alignment roller 93. The magazine 41's position in the second axial direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) is positioned relative to the slide table 127 by the Y-alignment roller 99 being guided by the inclined surface 185 of the Y-alignment guide 187.

When the magazine 41 is moved to its final lowered position and placed on the slide table, the lower surface of the base plate 87 contacts the Y-alignment guide 187. The magazine 41's Z-axis position is determined relative to the slide table 127 by the lower surface of the base plate 87 contacting the four Y-alignment guides 187. As a result, the magazine 41 is positioned in the XYZ directions relative to the slide table 127 as soon as it is placed on the slide table 127.

Next, the operation of the tray parts stocking device 29 according to Embodiment 1 will be explained.

The parts stocking device (e.g., tray parts stocking device 29) includes a magazine 41 that allows parts storage bodies 69 (e.g., pallet 39 on which trays 31 are placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., X-axis), a stocker (e.g., pallet stocking unit 43) that allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (e.g., Y-axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and a parts storage body transporting unit (e.g., pallet transporting unit 45) that transports the parts storage bodies 69 (e.g., pallet 39) from the magazine 41 stored in the stocker along the first axis. The stocker has a housing (e.g., cover 109) that forms an internal space that allows the magazine 41 to be stored. The housing has an opening (e.g., magazine replacement window 111) that allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis.

In the tray parts stocking device 29 according to Embodiment 1, trays 31 containing parts 33 are placed on pallets 39. The pallets 39 are removable along a first axis and stored in a magazine 41. Multiple pallets 39 are stored in the magazine 41 in a multi-tiered manner in the vertical direction. The magazine 41 allows for the transport of multiple stored pallets 39 at once. Multiple magazines 41 are stored in a stocker (for example, a pallet stock section 43). Multiple magazines 41 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 in a multi-tiered manner in the vertical direction. A pallet transport section 45 is integrally connected to the pallet stock section 43 along a first axis. The pallet transport section 45 transports pallets 39 one by one from the magazines 41 stored in the pallet stock section 43, removing and inserting them along the first axis.

In the tray parts stocking device 29, the pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 are integrally connected. The pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 constitute the tray parts stocking device 29. At least the pallet stocking section 43 requires installation space equivalent to one pallet. Similarly, the pallet transporting section 45 also requires installation space equivalent to at least one pallet. Therefore, the tray parts stocking device 29, composed of the pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45, is a rectangle that requires installation space equivalent to at least two pallets in a plan view.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the pallet stocking section 43 and the pallet transporting section 45 are arranged along the passage 15. That is, the tray parts stocking device 29 is installed so that, in a plan view, the longer side of the rectangle is aligned with the passage 15.

The tray parts stocking device 29 has an opening (for example, a magazine replacement window 111) in the housing (for example, a cover 109) of the pallet stock section 43. The pallet stock section 43 allows magazines 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (Y axis) through this magazine replacement window 111. The second axis is in a direction intersecting the first axis which runs along the passage 15. That is, as described above, the tray parts stocking device 29, which is installed with its long side along the passage 15, has the magazine replacement window 111 facing the passage 15 of the pallet stock section 43, which is one of the pallet stock section 43 and pallet transport section 45 that are lined up along the passage 15, and magazines 41 can be inserted and removed from the pallet stock section 43 in the direction along the second axis (Y axis) (front-to-back direction) from the passage 15.

The tray parts stocking device 29 allows for the replacement of the magazine 41 from the aisle side along the Y-axis, making it easy to replace the magazine 41 using the wide space in the aisle. Furthermore, it does not interfere with access to the feeder mounted on the trolley (splicing work, feeder replacement, or trolley replacement). Additionally, when the transport robot automatically replaces the magazine, it is no longer necessary to move around to the side (left or right) of the tray parts stocking device 29.

Furthermore, the tray parts stocking device 29 is positioned in the internal space, holds the magazine 41, and includes a slide table device 123 that moves the magazine 41 between the internal space and the outside of the housing through an opening along a second axis.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the pallet stocking section 43 is equipped with a slide table device 123 in an internal space covered by the cover 109. The slide table device 123 is provided corresponding to the position of the magazine replacement window 111. The slide table device 123 allows the magazine 41 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109 by passing through the magazine replacement window 111 along a second axis (Y axis).

Multiple magazines 41 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction. The pallets 39 stored in each magazine 41 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the X axis by the pallet transport section 45.

One of the multiple magazines 41, which are stored in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction, is placed on the slide table device 123. This single magazine 41 can be moved in and out of the cover 109 through the magazine exchange window 111 by the slide table device 123. In other words, only this single magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123 is replaceable in the tray parts stock device 29. The slide table device 123 serves as a transfer section (i.e., exchange section) for exchanging magazines 41 one by one between the outside and inside space of the pallet stock section 43.

From the magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123, pallets 39 containing parts 33 stored in trays 31 are sequentially pulled out by the pallet transport unit 45. In the empty space of the magazine 41 from which the pallets 39 have been pulled out, a pallet 39 containing the empty trays 31 (which have been used up) is stored by the pallet transport unit 45. In other words, the replenished magazines 41 containing parts 33 placed on the slide table device 123 are sequentially replaced with empty pallets 39 by the pallet transport unit 45.

The magazines 41 placed on the slide table device 123 are moved to the outside of the cover 109 (on the aisle) by the slide table device 123 once all the stored pallets 39 have been replaced with empty pallets 39. As the slide table device 123 is extended, the magazines 41 that have used up their parts and have been moved to the aisle are replaced by a person or a magazine transport device, along with the magazines 41 that have been refilled with parts 33.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the magazine 41 is further extended onto the aisle by a slide table device 123 through a magazine replacement window 111 provided on the aisle side of the pallet stock section 43, making it possible to easily replace a magazine 41 that weighs, for example, about 20 kg.

Furthermore, the slide table device 123 may be manually pulled out from the aisle side. In this case, the slide table device 123 pulled out to the aisle side functions as a shelf, and the wide space in the aisle becomes a workspace, making manual replacement work easier.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 further includes a reciprocating drive unit 129 that causes the slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is placed to protrude outwards from the housing.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, a forward/backward drive unit 129 is provided on the slide table device 123. When the forward/backward drive unit 129 is activated, it automatically moves the slide table 127 back and forth between the outside and inside space of the cover 109 via the magazine exchange window 111. As a result, the tray parts stocking device 29 makes it easier to automate the exchange of magazines 41 when the self-propelled magazine transport device is traveling along the passageway, without requiring a large elevator system or the like, and at a low equipment cost.

Furthermore, the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1 includes a component mounting device 13 that removes components 33 stored in a component storage body 69 (e.g., a tray 31) using a component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35) and mounts them on a substrate 17; a component supply device (e.g., a tray component supply device 23) that supplies the component storage body 69 (e.g., a tray 31) to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35); and a component stock device (e.g., a tray component stock device 29) that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with component storage bodies 69 (e.g., a tray 31). The tray parts stocking device 29 includes a magazine 41 that allows parts storage bodies 69 (e.g., a pallet 39 on which trays 31 are placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis), a stocker (e.g., a pallet stock section 43) that allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and a parts storage body transport section (e.g., a pallet transport section 45) that transports the parts storage bodies (e.g., pallet 39) from the magazine 41 stored in the stocker along the first axis (e.g., the X-axis). The stocker (e.g., the pallet stock section 43) has a housing (e.g., a cover 109) that forms an internal space that allows the magazine 41 to be stored. The housing has an opening (e.g., a magazine replacement window 111) that allows the magazine 41 to be inserted and removed along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis).

In the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1, the pallet transport unit 45 transports the pallet 39 between the pallet stock unit 43 and the component mounting device 13. The pallet 39 is supplied in the order of pallet stock unit 43, pallet transport unit 45, and component mounting device 13, and is recovered in the order of component mounting device 13, pallet transport unit 45, and pallet stock unit 43. In other words, the pallet 39 is supplied from the pallet stock unit 43 to the component mounting device 13 via the pallet transport unit 45, and after the components 33 are consumed and the pallet becomes empty, it is recovered from the component mounting device 13 to the pallet stock unit 43 via the pallet transport unit 45.

Incidentally, on the factory floor, multiple component mounting devices 13 are installed side by side in the left-right direction (along the X-axis) to form a linear mounting line 27. Furthermore, in factory floors with high production volume, multiple mounting lines 27 may be installed in parallel, flanked by a passage 15 that runs along the X-axis in front of and behind the component mounting devices 13. In this case, the mounting lines 27 and the passage 15 are parallel to each other and laid out alternately.

Here, if a pallet stock section 43 and a pallet transport section 45 are newly connected linearly to the rear of the conventionally installed parts mounting device 13, the pallet stock section 43 and the pallet transport section 45 will extend in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the mounting line 27 (along the X-axis) (along the Y-axis).

As described above, since the passageway 15 is laid out before and after the mounting line 27, the pallet stock section 43 and pallet transport section 45, which extend from the rear of the component mounting device 13, will protrude into the passageway 15 to a considerable extent. On the other hand, if, in the factory floor design for a new facility, the installation space for this protrusion is extended to the component mounting device 13 in order to secure the passageway width, the factory floor area will be enlarged, reducing area productivity.

In the parts mounting system 11, the pallet stock section 43 and the pallet transport section 45 are integrally connected to form a tray parts stock device 29. The pallet stock section 43 requires installation space equivalent to at least one pallet, and the pallet transport section 45 also requires installation space equivalent to at least one pallet. Therefore, the tray parts stock device 29, which is composed of the pallet stock section 43 and the pallet transport section 45, is a rectangle that requires installation space equivalent to at least two pallets in a plan view.

Therefore, the tray parts stocking device 29 has a pallet stocking section 43 and a pallet transporting section 45 arranged along the passage 15. That is, the tray parts stocking device 29 is installed with its longer side facing the passage 15. The pallet transporting section 45 of the tray parts stocking device 29 is connected to the parts mounting device 13 via the tray parts supplying device 23 in a direction along the Y-axis. As a result, the parts mounting system 11 is installed in an L-shaped space in plan view, with the pallet stocking section 43 and pallet transporting section 45 arranged along the longer side in a direction along the X-axis, and these connected to the tray parts supplying device 23 on the parts mounting device side in a direction intersecting the X-axis. This allows the parts mounting system 11 to have the pallet loading/unloading direction of the tray parts supplying device 23 perpendicular to the passage 15, and the pallet loading/unloading direction of the pallet stocking section 43 parallel to the passage 15.

By arranging the stock positions in this L-shape, the parts mounting system 11 can reduce the likelihood of parts protruding into the passage 15 (in other words, it becomes possible to widen the passage) compared to when the pallet stock section 43, pallet transport section 45, and tray parts supply device 23 are arranged in series on a straight line intersecting the passage 15 between the equipment lines.

In this way, in the parts mounting system 11, the pallet 39 is transferred by changing its direction in the direction along the X-axis (left-right direction) between the pallet stock section 43 and the pallet transport section 45, and in the direction along the Y-axis (front-back direction) between the pallet stock section 43 and the tray parts supply device 23. This makes it possible to secure both aisle width and area productivity.

Furthermore, the parts stock device according to Embodiment 1 (for example, the tray parts stock device 29) includes a stocker (for example, a pallet stock section 43) capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of a housing (for example, a cover 109) that allows a parts storage body (for example, a pallet 39 on which a tray 31 is placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (for example, the X axis), and a slide table device 123 having a slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is placed and which moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the housing along a second axis (for example, the Y axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and which can protrude from the inside to the outside of the housing.

In the tray parts stocking device 29 according to Embodiment 1, the stocker (for example, the pallet stocking section 43) is equipped with a slide table device 123 in an internal space covered by a housing (for example, a cover 109). The slide table device 123 allows the magazine 41 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (for example, the Y-axis).

Multiple magazines 41 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction. The pallets 39 stored in each magazine 41 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the X-axis.

One of the multiple magazines 41, which are stored in a multi-tiered vertical arrangement, is placed on the slide table device 123. This single magazine 41 can be moved in and out of the cover 109 by the slide table device 123. In other words, the tray parts stock device 29 can only replace this single magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123. The slide table device 123 serves as a transfer section (i.e., exchange section) for exchanging magazines 41 one by one between the outside and inside space of the pallet stock section 43.

Within the internal space of the pallet stock section 43, pallets 39 containing parts 33 stored in trays 31 are sequentially pulled out from the magazine 41 placed on the slide table 127. In the empty space of the magazine 41 from which a pallet 39 has been pulled out, a pallet 39 containing an empty tray 31 (from which the parts 33 have been consumed) is stored. In other words, within the internal space of the pallet stock section 43, the magazines 41 with replenished parts placed on the slide table 127 are sequentially replaced with empty pallets 39.

The magazines 41 placed on the slide table 127 are moved to the outside of the cover 109 (on the aisle) by the slide table device 123 when all the stored pallets 39 are replaced with empty pallets 39. As the slide table 127 is extended, the magazines 41 that have been moved onto the aisle are replaced by a man or a magazine transport device with new, refilled magazines 41 filled with parts 33.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the magazine 41 is unfurled onto the passageway by the slide table device 123, making it possible to easily replace a magazine 41 weighing, for example, about 20 kg, even by hand.

Furthermore, the slide table device 123 may be manually pulled out from the aisle side. In this case, the slide table device 123 pulled out to the aisle side functions as a shelf, and the wide space in the aisle becomes a workspace, making manual replacement work easier.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 has a slide rail 167 that supports the slide table 127 and extends and retracts along a second axis (for example, the Y-axis). The slide table 127 moves between the outside and inside of the housing as the slide rail 167 extends and retracts.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is supported by a slide rail 167. The slide rail 167 allows the slide table 127 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109. For example, a single slide rail 167 may support the slide table 127. That is, the slide table 127 may move back and forth between the inside and outside of the pallet stocking section 43 by a single retractable slide rail 167. If a single slide rail 167 is used, the support structure of the slide table 127 becomes simpler.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 has two slide rails 167 that extend along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) and are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the direction along the first axis (e.g., the X-axis).

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide rail 167 is composed of two slide rails 167 that are parallel to each other and spaced apart in the direction along the X-axis. Because the slide table 127 is supported by two slide rails 167 in the tray parts stocking device 29, the load capacity of the slide table 127 is increased. Furthermore, since the slide table 127 is supported by two slide rails 167 spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement, the magazine 41 can be supported more stably compared to support by a single slide rail 167.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is provided with a first restricting part (e.g., an X-alignment guide 181) that restricts the position of the magazine 41 in a first axial direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) relative to the slide table 127, and a second restricting part (e.g., a Y-alignment guide 187) that restricts the position of the magazine 41 in a second axial direction relative to the slide table 127.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is provided with a first restricting section and a second restricting section. The first restricting section (e.g., X-alignment guide 181) restricts the position of the magazine 41 in the direction of a first axis (e.g., the X-axis) relative to the slide table 127. The second restricting section (e.g., Y-alignment guide 187) restricts the position of the magazine 41 in the direction of a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) relative to the slide table 127. The Y-alignment guide 187 also serves as a magazine support to receive the magazine 41 placed on top. By also functioning as a magazine support, the Y-alignment guide 187 restricts the position of the magazine 41 in the Z-axis direction relative to the slide table 127. As a result, the magazine 41 is positioned relative to the slide table 127 in the XYZ directions.

Furthermore, the parts stock device (for example, the tray parts stock device 29) includes a stocker (for example, a pallet stock section 43) capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of the housing that allows a parts storage body 69 (for example, a pallet 39 on which the tray 31 is placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (for example, the X axis), and a slide table device 123 having a slide table 127 on which the magazine 41 is placed and which moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the housing along a second axis (for example, the Y axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane and which can protrude from the inside to the outside of the housing, and a reciprocating drive section 129 that causes the slide table 127 to protrude to the outside of the housing.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is driven by the forward/backward drive unit 129. When the forward/backward drive unit 129 operates, it automatically moves the slide table 127 back and forth between the outside and inside space of the cover 109. As a result, the tray parts stocking device 29 makes it easier to automate the replacement of the magazine 41 when the self-propelled magazine transport device is traveling along the passageway, without requiring a large elevator system or the like, and at a low equipment cost.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 has a slide rail 167 that supports the slide table 127 and extends and retracts along a second axis. The slide table 127 moves between the outside and inside of the housing (e.g., cover 109) as the slide rail 167 extends and retracts.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is supported by a slide rail 167 in a slide table device 123 equipped with a forward/backward drive unit 129. The slide rail 167 allows the slide table 127 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109. For example, a single slide rail 167 may support the slide table 127. That is, the slide table 127 may move back and forth between the inside and outside of the pallet stocking section 43 by a single extendable slide rail 167. If a single slide rail 167 is used, the support structure of the slide table 127 becomes simpler.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 extends along the second axis and has two slide rails 167 that are spaced apart and parallel to each other in the direction along the first axis.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123, which is equipped with a forward/backward drive unit 129, is composed of two slide rails 167 that are parallel to each other and spaced apart in the direction along the X axis. Because the slide table 127 is supported by two slide rails 167 in the tray parts stocking device 29, the load capacity of the slide table 127 is increased. Furthermore, since the slide table 127 is supported by two slide rails 167 spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the forward/backward direction, the magazine 41 can be supported more stably compared to support by a single slide rail 167.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the forward/backward drive unit 129 is positioned between the two slide rails 167.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table device 123 is equipped with two slide rails 167 that are parallel to each other and spaced apart in the direction along the X axis. The slide table device 123 utilizes the space between these two slide tables 127 to house the reciprocating drive unit 129. This allows the slide table device 123 to have a compact reciprocating drive mechanism equipped with the reciprocating drive unit 129.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the forward/backward drive unit 129 includes a first rack gear 189 fixed inside the housing with its longitudinal direction parallel to the second axis, a second rack gear 191 mounted on the slide table 127 and arranged parallel to and opposite the first rack gear 189, a pinion gear 193 that meshes with the first rack gear 189 and the second rack gear 191, and a forward/backward drive source (for example, an air cylinder 131) that moves the pinion gear 193 along the second axis.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is driven to move back and forth by the forward/backward drive unit 129. The forward/backward drive unit 129 moves along the second axis while rotatably supporting the pinion gear 193. The pinion gear 193 meshes with the first rack gear 189, which is fixed inside the cover 109. On the other hand, the pinion gear 193 is also mounted on the slide rail 167 so as to be able to move back and forth relative to the cover 109, and meshes with the second rack gear 191, which is positioned parallel to and opposite the first rack gear 189. In other words, the pinion gear 193 is sandwiched between the first rack gear 189 fixed inside the cover and the second rack gear 191 mounted on the forward/backward slide table 127, and meshes with both of them.

The pinion gear 193 is moved along the Y-axis by a forward/backward drive source (e.g., an air cylinder 131), while meshing with both rack gears. When the slide table 127 is retracted into the inside of the cover 109, the pinion gear 193 is positioned on the rear side (opposite the side of the slide table's forward movement) of the first rack gear 189 and meshes with it. At this time, the tip of the second rack gear 191 mounted on the slide table 127 is meshed with the pinion gear 193 in the forward direction.

When the forward/backward drive source (for example, the air cylinder 131) is driven and the pinion gear 193 rolls in the forward direction while meshing with the first rack gear 189, the second rack gear 191, which is meshed with the pinion gear 193, is extended in the forward direction by an amount of movement twice that of the pinion gear 193.

This makes it possible for the tray component supply device 23 to secure the necessary travel stroke for the slide table 127 while keeping the slide table device 123 in a compact size. In this forward/backward drive unit 129, by changing the gear ratio between the pinion gear 193 and the rack gear, it is possible to change the travel stroke of the slide table 127 in relation to the travel stroke of the pinion gear 193 by the forward/backward drive source.

Furthermore, in the tray parts stocking device 29, the slide table 127 is provided with a first restricting section (e.g., X-alignment guide 181) that restricts the first axial position relative to the magazine 41, and a second restricting section (e.g., Y-alignment guide 187) that restricts the second axial position relative to the magazine 41.

In this tray parts stocking device 29, the magazine 41 is moved downward along the Z-axis, causing the X-alignment roller 93 of the magazine 41 to contact the first regulating part (e.g., the X-alignment guide 181). The magazine 41 is positioned relative to the slide table 127 in a first axial direction (e.g., the X-axis direction) as the X-alignment roller 93 is guided by the X-alignment guide 181.

As the X-alignment guide 181 and the X-alignment roller 93 come into contact, the Y-alignment roller 99 comes into contact with the second regulating section (e.g., the Y-alignment guide 187) of the magazine 41. The magazine 41 is positioned relative to the slide table 127 in the second axial direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) as the Y-alignment roller 99 is guided by the inclined surface 185 of the Y-alignment guide 187.

When the magazine 41 is moved to its final lowered position and placed on the slide table 127, the lower surface of the bottom plate 87 comes into contact with the four Y-alignment guides 187. This positions the magazine 41 relative to the slide table 127 in terms of its Z-axis position. As a result, the magazine 41 is positioned in the XYZ directions relative to the slide table 127 as soon as it is placed on the slide table 127.

Furthermore, the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1 includes a component mounting device 13 that removes components 33 stored in a component storage body 69 (e.g., a tray 31) using a component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35) and mounts them on a substrate 17; a component supply device (e.g., a tray component supply device 23) that supplies the component storage body 69 (e.g., a tray 31) to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35); and a component stock device (e.g., a tray component stock device 29) that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with component storage bodies 69 (e.g., a tray 31). The tray parts stocking device 29 includes a stocker (e.g., pallet stock section 43) capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of the housing that allows a parts storage body 69 (e.g., a pallet 39 on which the tray 31 is placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., the X-axis); a parts storage body transport section (e.g., pallet transport section 45) that transports the parts storage body 69 (e.g., the pallet 39) between the stocker and the tray parts supplying device 23; and a slide table device 123 on which the magazine 41 is placed and which moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the housing along a second axis (e.g., the Y-axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and which has a slide table 127 that can protrude from the inside to the outside of the housing.

In the component mounting system 11 according to Embodiment 1, the pallet stock section 43 is equipped with a slide table device 123 in an internal space covered by a cover 109. The slide table device 123 allows the magazine 41 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (Y-axis).

Multiple magazines 41 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction. The pallets 39 stored in each magazine 41 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the X-axis.

One of the multiple magazines 41, which are stored in a multi-tiered vertical arrangement, is placed on the slide table device 123. This single magazine 41 can be moved in and out of the cover 109 by the slide table device 123. In other words, the tray parts stock device 29 can only replace this single magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123. The slide table device 123 serves as a transfer section (i.e., exchange section) for exchanging magazines 41 one by one between the outside and inside space of the pallet stock section 43.

From the magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123, pallets 39 containing parts 33 stored in trays 31 are sequentially moved to the tray parts supply device 23. In the empty space of the magazine 41 from which the pallets 39 have been pulled out, a pallet 39 containing the now-empty trays 31 (which have consumed the parts 33) is returned from the tray parts supply device 23 and stored. In other words, the refilled magazines 41 containing parts 33 placed on the slide table device 123 are sequentially replaced with empty pallets 39.

The magazines 41 placed on the slide table device 123 are moved to the outside of the cover 109 (on the aisle) by the slide table device 123 once all the stored pallets 39 have been replaced with empty pallets 39. As the slide table device 123 is extended, the magazines 41 that have used up their parts and have been moved to the aisle are replaced by a person or a magazine transport device, along with the magazines 41 that have been refilled with parts 33.

In this parts mounting system 11, the magazine 41 is further extended onto the passageway from the passageway side of the pallet stock section 43 by the slide table device 123, making it possible to easily replace a magazine 41 that weighs, for example, about 20 kg.

Furthermore, the slide table device 123 may be manually pulled out from the aisle side. In this case, the slide table device 123 pulled out to the aisle side functions as a shelf, and the wide space in the aisle becomes a workspace, making manual replacement work easier.

Furthermore, the component mounting system 11 includes a component mounting device 13 that removes components 33 stored in a component storage unit 69 (e.g., a tray 31) using a component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35) and mounts them on a substrate 17; a component supply device (e.g., a tray component supply device 23) that supplies the component storage unit 69 (e.g., a tray 31) to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting unit (e.g., a mounting head 35); and a component stock device (e.g., a tray component stock device 29) that replenishes the tray component supply device 23 with component storage units 69 (e.g., a tray 31). The tray parts stocking device 29 includes a stocker (e.g., pallet stock section 43) capable of housing a magazine 41 in the internal space of a housing (e.g., cover 109) that allows a parts storage body 69 (e.g., a pallet 39 on which a tray 31 is placed) containing parts 33 to be inserted and removed along a first axis (e.g., X axis); a parts storage body transport section (e.g., pallet transport section 45) that transports the parts storage body 69 (e.g., pallet 39) between the stocker and the tray parts supplying device 23; and a slide table device 123 on which the magazine 41 is placed and which moves the magazine 41 between the inside and outside of the housing (e.g., cover 109) along a second axis (e.g., Y axis) that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane, and which has a slide table 127 that can protrude from the inside to the outside of the housing (e.g., cover 109). The slide table device 123 includes a reciprocating drive unit 129 that causes the slide table 127 to protrude outwards from the housing.

In this parts mounting system 11, the pallet stock section 43 is equipped with a slide table device 123 in an internal space covered by the cover 109. The slide table device 123 allows the magazine 41 to move between the internal space of the cover 109 and the outside of the cover 109 along a second axis (Y-axis).

Multiple magazines 41 are stored in the pallet stock section 43 in a multi-tiered arrangement in the vertical direction. The pallets 39 stored in each magazine 41 can be inserted and removed in the direction along the X-axis.

One of the multiple magazines 41, which are stored in a multi-tiered vertical arrangement, is placed on the slide table device 123. This single magazine 41 can be moved in and out of the cover 109 by the slide table device 123. In other words, the tray parts stock device 29 can only replace this single magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123. The slide table device 123 serves as a transfer section (i.e., exchange section) for exchanging magazines 41 one by one between the outside and inside space of the pallet stock section 43.

From the magazine 41 placed on the slide table device 123, pallets 39 containing parts 33 stored in trays 31 are sequentially moved to the tray parts supply device 23. In the empty space of the magazine 41 from which the pallets 39 have been pulled out, a pallet 39 containing the now-empty trays 31 (which have consumed the parts 33) is returned from the tray parts supply device 23 and stored. In other words, the refilled magazines 41 containing parts 33 placed on the slide table device 123 are sequentially replaced with empty pallets 39.

The magazines 41 placed on the slide table device 123 are moved to the outside of the cover 109 (on the aisle) by the slide table device 123 once all the stored pallets 39 have been replaced with empty pallets 39. As the slide table device 123 is extended, the magazines 41 that have used up their parts and have been moved to the aisle are replaced by a person or a magazine transport device, along with the magazines 41 that have been refilled with parts 33.

In this parts mounting system 11, the magazine 41 is further extended onto the passageway from the passageway side of the pallet stock section 43 by the slide table device 123, making it possible to easily replace a magazine 41 that weighs, for example, about 20 kg.

Furthermore, the slide table device 123 may be manually pulled out from the aisle side. In this case, the slide table device 123 pulled out to the aisle side functions as a shelf, and the wide space in the aisle becomes a workspace, making manual replacement work easier.

In this parts mounting system 11, the slide table 127 is driven by the forward/backward drive unit 129. The forward/backward drive unit 129, upon operation, automatically moves the slide table 127 back and forth between the outer and inner spaces of the cover 109. This makes it easier to automate the replacement of the magazine 41 when the self-propelled magazine transport device is traveling along a passageway, without requiring large-scale elevator equipment or the like, and at a low equipment cost.

Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications, alterations, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents can be conceived within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally understood to fall within the technical scope of this disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the various embodiments described above can be combined arbitrarily without departing from the spirit of the invention.

This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-219414 filed on December 28, 2020, and its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

This disclosure is useful as a tray parts stocking device and parts mounting system that enables labor savings in pallet replenishment, suppresses parts from flying out into aisles between lines, and expands the stock capacity of pallets.

11. Component mounting system 13. Component mounting device 17. Circuit board 23. Tray component supply device (component supply device)
29 Tray parts stocking device 31 Tray 33 Parts 35 Mounting head (parts mounting section)
39 Pallet 41 Magazine 43 Pallet stock section (stocker)
45. Pallet transport section (parts storage unit transport section)
109 Cover (Housing)
123 Slide table device 127 Slide table 129 Retractable drive unit 131 Air cylinder (retractable drive source)
167 Slide rail 181 X-alignment guide (first restricting section)
187 Y-Alignment Guide (Second Regulation Section)
189 First rack gear 191 Second rack gear 193 Pinion gear

Claims (4)

A magazine that allows a parts storage unit containing parts to be inserted and removed along a first axis,
A stocker that allows the magazine to be inserted into and removed along a second axis that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane,
The system includes a parts storage transport unit that transports the parts storage units along the first axis from the magazine stored in the stocker,
The storage unit has a housing that forms an internal space that allows for the storage of the magazine,
The housing has an opening along the second axis from which the magazine can be inserted and removed.
Parts storage device. The system further comprises a slide table device disposed in the internal space, on which the magazine is placed, and which moves the magazine between the internal space and the outside of the housing through the opening along the second axis.
The parts stocking device according to claim 1. The slide table device further includes a reciprocating drive unit that causes the slide table on which the magazine is mounted to protrude outwards from the housing.
The parts stocking device according to claim 2. A component mounting device that removes components stored in a component housing from a component mounting section and mounts them onto a circuit board,
A component supply device that supplies the component housing to a position where it can be removed by the component mounting section,
The parts supply device is further equipped with a parts stock device for replenishing the parts storage containers.
The aforementioned parts stock device,
A magazine that allows a parts storage unit containing parts to be inserted and removed along a first axis,
A stocker that allows the magazine to be inserted into and removed along a second axis that intersects the first axis in a plane along the horizontal plane,
The stocker includes a parts storage transport unit that transports the parts storage unit along the first axis from the magazine stored in the stocker,
The storage unit has a housing that forms an internal space that allows for the storage of the magazine,
The housing has an opening along the second axis from which the magazine can be inserted and removed.
Component mounting system.