CN113602768A

CN113602768A - Carrying machine

Info

Publication number: CN113602768A
Application number: CN202110967106.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 孙昇杓; 李英淑
Original assignee: Techwing Co Ltd
Current assignee: Techwing Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-08-21
Filing date: 2019-08-19
Publication date: 2021-11-05
Anticipated expiration: 2039-08-19
Also published as: KR102631908B1; KR20230054653A; KR20230058032A; TWI745736B; CN110844513B; TW202014358A; CN110844513A; KR20200021839A; CN113602768B

Abstract

A handler, comprising: an accommodating part capable of accommodating a tray transmitted from the outside; an identification part which can identify the identification mark of the tray in the process of conveying the tray in the conveyor; and a conveyor control section; the conveyor control part controls the accommodating part to be in a state of receiving the tray from the outside; the accommodating part comprises a first accommodating device arranged at the upper part and a second accommodating device arranged at the lower part; a second accommodating device configured to supply the tray to the first accommodating device by conveying the tray in a predetermined direction; the handler further comprises a storage library for accommodating the trays for accommodating the tested electronic components; the storage banks include a first storage bank disposed at an upper portion and a second storage bank disposed at a lower portion; the first accommodating means and the second accommodating means move independently of each other in the front-rear direction; the first and second storages move independently of each other in a front-rear direction.

Description

Carrying machine

The present application is a divisional application based on the parent application having an application number of 201910764865.8, an application date of 2019, 8/19/h, and an invention name of "a carrier and an automation system including the carrier".

Technical Field

The invention relates to a conveyor and an automation system including the same.

Background

A handler (handler) is a device for supporting a tester to test electronic components such as semiconductor devices manufactured by a predetermined manufacturing process, classifying the electronic components by grades according to the test results, and loading the electronic components on a customer tray.

In such a carrier, the electronic component can be conveyed along the conveying path. In addition, the handler may load the electronic components on the test tray, then move the tray, and may circulate a plurality of test trays. The transfer path of such a test tray may be via a loading device, a test chamber, and an unloading device. The carrier loads untested electronic components from the customer tray to the test tray, and circulates the test tray loaded with the plurality of electronic components along a predetermined path to support testing of the plurality of electronic components loaded on the test tray. When the test of the plurality of electronic components mounted on the test tray is completed, the plurality of electronic components subjected to the test may be transferred to the customer tray again.

As described above, the test tray provided at the handler generally has a structure in which a plurality of inserts are arranged in rows and columns in a square frame, and an electronic component is loaded in each insert.

In recent years, however, automation of transportation of articles has been demanded in order to effectively utilize space, increase work speed, and reduce distribution cost.

Embodiments of the present invention have been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a transporter and an automation system including the same, which can automatically perform a process of supplying customer trays by the transporter and a process of collecting the customer trays by the transporter.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, an automation system may be provided, comprising: a tray transfer device which transfers or unloads the tray when receiving the first signal; and a conveyor including an accommodating portion capable of accommodating the tray unloaded from the tray conveying device, and performing an operation for supplying the tray to the tray conveying device or receiving the tray from the tray conveying device when receiving a second signal different from the first signal.

Additionally, an automation system may be provided, further comprising: and a central control unit capable of communicating with the tray transfer device and the conveyor, and transmitting the first signal to the tray transfer device and the second signal to the conveyor.

Additionally, an automation system may be provided, further comprising: a conveyor control unit that directly communicates with the conveyor and controls an operation of the tray conveyor when receiving the first signal from the conveyor; and a conveyor control unit that directly communicates with the tray conveyor and controls the operation of the conveyor when receiving the second signal from the tray conveyor.

In addition, an automation system may be provided, wherein the conveyor further includes an identification portion capable of identifying the identification mark of the tray during the conveyance of the tray inside the conveyor.

In addition, an automation system may be provided, wherein the housing unit includes a first housing device and a second housing device, the second housing device is configured to be capable of transferring a tray in a predetermined direction so as to supply the tray to the first housing device, the first housing device and the second housing device are arranged in a direction in which the tray is transferred between the first housing device and the second housing device, the identification unit includes a first identification unit configured to be capable of scanning an identification mark of a tray moved from the second housing device to the first housing device, and the first identification unit includes a first identifier configured to identify the identification mark of the moved tray by scanning toward one side in the predetermined direction.

In addition, an automation system may be provided, wherein the first recognition unit further includes a first mirror reflecting light so that the first recognizer scans a side surface of the tray in the housing, and the first recognizer scans the identification mark of the tray moved from the second housing device to the first housing device using the first mirror.

Further, the present invention may provide an automated system, wherein the carrier further includes at least one storage magazine, the tray is receivable in the storage magazine, the electronic component before the test is received in the tray received in the receiving portion, and the electronic component after the test is received in the tray received in the at least one storage magazine, the identifying portion further includes a second identifying unit configured to be capable of scanning an identification mark of the tray moved to be received in the at least one storage magazine, the second identifying unit includes a second identifier that is scanned toward the other side in the predetermined direction to identify the identification mark of the tray in the storage magazine, and a direction in which the first identifier is irradiated with light is opposite to a direction in which the second identifier is scanned.

In addition, the second recognition unit may further include a second mirror disposed in an upper portion of the storage library, so that the light of the second recognizer irradiated toward the other side in the predetermined direction is reflected to a tray side in the storage library.

In addition, a handler may be provided, which includes: an accommodating part capable of accommodating a tray transmitted from the outside; an identification part capable of identifying the identification mark of the tray in the process of conveying the tray to the accommodating part; and a conveyor control unit that controls the accommodating unit so that the accommodating unit is in a state in which the tray can be received from outside.

In addition, there may be provided a transporter, further comprising: a recognition unit capable of recognizing the recognition mark of the tray during the transfer of the tray inside the conveyor; and at least one storage library into which trays can be accommodated, the accommodating section including: set up in the first accommodate device in upper portion and set up in the second accommodate device in lower part, the discernment portion includes: a first recognition unit configured to be capable of scanning an identification mark of a tray moved from the second storage device to the first storage device in a predetermined direction; and a second recognition unit configured to be capable of scanning an identification mark of a tray that moves to be stored in the at least one storage room, wherein the first storage device receives the tray through a lower portion, and the storage room receives the tray through an upper portion, and the first recognition unit includes: a first recognizer that recognizes the identification mark of the moving tray by scanning toward one side in the predetermined direction; and a first reflecting mirror provided at a position closer to a lower side than the first recognizer, the first reflecting mirror reflecting light so that the first recognizer can scan a side surface of the tray in the accommodating part, the second recognizing unit including: a second identifier that scans toward the other side in the prescribed direction to identify the identification mark of the tray in the storage library; and a second reflecting mirror provided above the second identifier, the second reflecting mirror reflecting light so that the light of the first identifier irradiated toward the other side in the predetermined direction is reflected to a tray side in the storage.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a handler, which may include: an accommodating part capable of accommodating a tray transmitted from the outside; an identification unit configured to identify an identification mark of the tray during conveyance of the tray inside the conveyor; and a conveyor control section; the carrier control unit controls the accommodating unit to be in a state capable of receiving the tray from the outside; the accommodating part comprises a first accommodating device arranged at the upper part and a second accommodating device arranged at the lower part; the second accommodating device is configured to feed the tray to the first accommodating device by conveying the tray in a predetermined direction; the handler further comprises a storage library for accommodating the trays for accommodating the tested electronic components; the storage banks include a first storage bank disposed at an upper portion and a second storage bank disposed at a lower portion; the first accommodating means and the second accommodating means move independently of each other in the front-rear direction; the first and second storages move independently of each other in a front-rear direction.

In addition, the conveyor may further include: and a detection sensor for detecting whether or not an operator is present near the conveyor.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to automatically perform a process of supplying customer trays using a carrier and a process of collecting customer trays at the carrier.

In addition, the customer tray conveyed in the conveyor can be identified, and the electronic components placed on the customer tray can be easily tracked.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an automation system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically shows a perspective view in which the accommodating section and the storage library of the carrier according to the first embodiment of the present invention are opened and moved forward.

Fig. 3 is a front view of the accommodating section and the storage library of the carrier according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view showing a detection sensor provided in the conveyor of fig. 1.

Fig. 5A and 5B show an identification unit provided in the transporter of fig. 1 configured according to a first mode.

Fig. 6A and 6B show an identification unit provided in the transporter of fig. 1 according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 7A and 7B show an identification unit provided in the transporter of fig. 1 according to a third embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a conceptual diagram of an automation system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Wherein the reference numerals are as follows:

1: the automation system 10: tray conveying device

20: the carrier 30: central control unit

120: the transfer arm 130: conveyor control unit

220: the accommodating portion 221: first containing device

221 a: first slide frame 221 b: first vertical guide member

222: second accommodating device 222 a: second sliding frame

222 b: second vertical guide 230: single type repository

230 a: third slide frame 230 b: third vertical guide

240: multi-type repository 241: a first storage library

241 a: fourth slide frame 241 b: fourth vertical guide

242: second repository 242 a: fifth sliding frame

242 b: fifth vertical guide 250: identification part

251: the first recognition unit 251 a: first recognizer

251 b: first mirror 252: second identification unit

252 a: the second identifier 252 b: second reflecting mirror

253: the third identifying unit 253 a: third recognizer

253 b: third mirror 254 a: detection sensor

254 b: aperture frame 254 b-1: sensor hole

260: the detection sensor 270: control part of conveyor

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, specific embodiments for implementing the idea of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In describing the present invention, it is to be understood that the detailed description of known configurations and functions will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the present invention is obscured.

In addition, it should be understood that when a certain component is referred to as being "connected," "supplied," "transferred," or "in contact with" another component, it can be directly connected, supplied, transferred, or in contact with the other component, and other components may be present therebetween.

The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, singular references include plural references.

It should be noted that expressions such as upper and lower in the present specification are described based on the drawings in the drawings, and the expressions can be expressed in different expressions if the direction of the corresponding object is changed. For the same reason, in the drawings, a part of the constituent elements is exaggerated or omitted, or schematically shown, and the size of each constituent element does not fully reflect the actual size.

The terms including "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various constituent elements, but the corresponding constituent elements should not be limited to the above terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element.

The use of "comprising" in the specification is intended to specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, acts, elements, and/or components, and does not preclude the presence or addition of other specified features, regions, integers, steps, acts, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, a specific configuration of a conveyor according to an embodiment of the present invention and an automation system 1 including the conveyor will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, referring to fig. 1, an automation system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention may include a tray conveyor 10, a transporter 20, and a central control unit 30 communicating with the tray conveyor 10 and the transporter 20. The number of the tray transfer devices 10 and the handlers 20 included in the automation system 1 may be one or more.

The tray transfer device 10 may be loaded with at least one or more customer trays CT supplied from a tray supply source, and may transfer the customer trays CT between the tray supply source and the carrier 20. In addition, the tray transfer device 10 can unload the customer trays CT to the carrier 20. The plurality of customer trays CT may be conveyed by the tray conveyor 10 in a state where electronic components are loaded, and such electronic components may be semiconductor elements, for example. In addition, the tray transfer device 10 can transfer a plurality of customer trays CT in batch at a time. The plurality of customer trays CT may be respectively provided with identification marks so that each of the tray CT can be individually identified. The identification mark may be a barcode, letters, numbers, symbols, etc., and the barcode may be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional barcode such as a QR code, a Data Matrix (Data Matrix), etc. In addition, the identification mark may be a mark having different intaglio, embossed, color, or the like. Such an identification mark may be disposed on a side surface of the customer tray CT.

The tray transfer device 10 may include: a loading space for loading the customer tray CT; a transfer arm 120 for loading and unloading the customer trays CT to and from a loading space; and a conveyor control section 130. The conveyor control section 130 may detect whether the tray conveyor 10 is loaded with the customer trays CT and the loading amount by a sensor or the like, and then transmit to the central control unit 30. The conveyor control unit 130 receives a signal as to whether the customer tray CT needs to be supplied to the conveyor 20 or not and whether the customer tray CT needs to be collected from the conveyor 20 or not from an external arrangement such as the central control unit 30, and controls the movement and operation of the tray conveyor 10 based on the signal. Such a transmission device control section 130 may be realized by an arithmetic device including a microprocessor and a memory. In addition, the transmission device control part 130 may include a communication module for communicating with the outside.

A signal received from the outside by such a tray transfer device 10 may be named a first signal. In this specification, the first signal is defined to distinguish a signal received by the tray conveying device 10 from a signal received by the carrier 20 described later, and the first signal is not limited to one signal or a single signal.

The drawings of the present embodiment show that the tray transfer device 10 is constituted by a cart moving along a rail provided on a ceiling, but is not limited thereto. As another example, the tray transfer device 10 may be configured by an automated unmanned vehicle that moves on the ground, and the automated unmanned vehicle may be configured to move along a track, or configured to move by recognizing coordinates in the absence of a track. Such a tray transfer device 10 can supply the customer trays CT to the carrier 20 or receive the customer trays CT from the carrier 20. Hereinafter, the conveyor 20 will be described with further reference to fig. 2 to 7A and 7B.

First, referring to fig. 2 to 4, the handler 20 may perform a test on the electronic components accommodated in the tray (customer tray CT) received from the tray transfer device 10.

In addition to the customer trays CT supplied from the outside, trays for testing electronic components (test trays TT) may be provided in the handler 20. The electronic components transferred from the customer tray CT may be accommodated in the test tray TT. In addition, the carrier 20 may include: a picker (not shown) for transferring the electronic parts between the trays; a housing part 220 capable of housing the customer tray CT; a

storage

230, 240 accommodating a customer tray CT for loading tested electronic components; and a circulation path C for circulating the electronic part by transferring the test trays TT or transferring the electronic parts between the test trays TT. The

repositories

230, 240 may include a single-type repository 230 and a multi-type repository 240. The accommodating section 220, the single-type bank 230, and the multi-type bank 240 may be arranged in the left-right direction, may be disposed in close proximity to each other to the maximum extent, and may be provided in plurality.

The carrier 20 may be configured to transfer the customer trays CT among the receiving part 220, the single-type stocker 230, and the multi-type stocker 240. In addition, the receiving portion 220, the single-type repository 230, and the multi-type repository 240 may be configured to be slidably discharged in the front-rear direction, and the customer trays CT may be supplied to the receiving portion 220, the single-type repository 230, and the multi-type repository 240 or transported out of the receiving portion 220, the single-type repository 230, and the multi-type repository 240. The storage unit 220 and the

magazines

230 and 240 may be configured to have a predetermined distance from the main body of the conveyor when they are completely slid to the outside. Such spacing may be above about 100mm and below about 300 mm. For example, the distance between the receiving portion 220 and the frame of the handler 20 and the distance between the

storages

230, 240 and the frame of the handler 20 may be about 200 mm.

The picker may pick up and transfer the electronic components accommodated in the customer tray CT or the test tray TT. For example, the picker may be configured to pick up the electronic components mounted on the customer tray CT in such a manner as to attract the surfaces of the electronic components and transfer the electronic components to the test tray TT.

The receiving portion 220 may be configured to receive a customer tray CT from the outside. The customer tray CT accommodated in the accommodating part 220 may be the customer tray CT received from the tray transfer device 10. Such a receiving portion 220 may include a first receiving means 221 and a second receiving means 222.

The first accommodating device 221 may receive the customer tray CT from the tray transfer device 10 or the operator, or may receive the customer tray CT stored in the second accommodating device 222 from the second accommodating device 222, and may accommodate the received customer tray CT. The first receiving device 221 may be used as a main storage space capable of receiving the customer tray CT. The first receiving device 221 may be configured such that the customer trays CT received in the inside are parallel to the ground. In other words, the first accommodating device 221 may be configured to arrange a plurality of customer trays CT side by side and stack them in the vertical direction.

The first receiving device 221 may include: a first slide frame 221a that is slidably movable forward and backward with respect to the main frame of the carrier 20; a first vertical guide 221b extending from the first slide frame 221a in a direction perpendicular to the stored customer trays CT; and a lifter (not shown) for lifting the customer tray CT accommodated therein toward the circulation path C side. The elevator of the first accommodating device 221 may ascend sequentially toward the circulation path C side from the customer tray CT stored on the upper side. The first accommodating device 221 may be disposed at a lower side of the circulation path C.

The second accommodating device 222 receives the customer tray CT from the tray transfer device 10 or the operator and can accommodate the received customer tray CT. The second receiving means 222 may function as an auxiliary storage space capable of storing the customer trays CT. The second container 222 may be configured such that the customer trays CT accommodated therein are arranged in parallel with the floor. In other words, the second accommodating device 222 may be configured such that a plurality of customer trays CT are arranged side by side and stacked in the vertical direction.

The first and

second receiving devices

221 and 222 may be arranged along a direction in which the customer trays CT are transferred between the first and

second receiving devices

221 and 222. For example, the second accommodating device 222 is disposed below the first accommodating device 221.

The second receiving device 222 may include: a second slide frame 222a slidably movable with respect to the main frame of the handler 20; a second vertical guide 222b extending from the second slide frame 222a in a direction perpendicular to the stored customer trays CT; and a lifter (not shown) for lifting the household tray CT accommodated therein toward the circulation path C side. The elevator of the second container 222 may ascend from the customer tray CT stored on the upper side to the first container 221 side in order. The first and second sliding

frames

221a and 222a may be configured to be independently slidably moved in the front-rear direction, and the direction of the sliding movement may be substantially horizontal with respect to the ground.

The single-type repository 230 and the multi-type repository 240 may contain customer trays CT for containing electronic components for which testing is completed. More than one single-type repository 230 and multi-type repository 240 may be provided to the handler 20, respectively. The electronic components subjected to the test in the circulation path C may be loaded into any customer tray CT in one or more single-type magazines 230 and one or more multi-type magazines 240 using a picker or the like according to the test result.

The single type storage 230 may accommodate the customer trays CT received from the accommodating part 220 or received from the outside. The entire structure of the single-type storage library 230 may be constructed similarly to the first receiving device 221 of the receiving part 220. For example, similar to the first accommodation device 221, the single-type storage library 230 may include a third sliding frame 230a, a third vertical guide 230 b. In addition, the single-type stocker 230 may ascend or descend the customer trays CT to the side of the circulation path C for the electronic components to be tested to be seated into the customer trays CT accommodated inside the single-type stocker 230 while circulating on the circulation path C.

The multi-type repository 240 may house customer trays CT therein for housing sub-components for completing the test. The multi-type repository 240 may include a first repository 241 and a second repository 242. The overall structure of the multi-type repository 240 may be constructed similarly to the housing 220.

The first repository 241 may receive the customer tray CT from the tray conveyor 10 or the operator, or receive the customer tray CT stored in the second repository 242 from the second repository 242, and may receive the received customer tray CT. The first repository 241 may be used as a main storage space capable of storing customer trays CT. The first stocker 241 may be configured such that the customer trays CT accommodated therein are arranged parallel to the floor. In other words, the first stocker 241 may be configured such that a plurality of customer trays CT are arranged side by side and stacked in the vertical direction.

The first repository 241 may include: a fourth slide frame 241a slidably movable in the front-rear direction with respect to the main frame of the conveyor 20; a fourth vertical guide 241b extending from the fourth sliding frame 241a in a direction perpendicular to the stored customer trays CT; and a lifter (not shown) for lifting the customer tray CT accommodated therein toward the circulation path C side. The elevator of the first stocker 241 may ascend from the customer tray CT stored on the upper side to the circulation path C side sequentially. The first repository 241 may be disposed at a lower side of the circulation path C.

The second storage 242 may receive the customer trays CT from the tray conveyor 10 or the operator, and may accommodate the received customer trays CT. The second storage 242 may be used as an auxiliary storage space capable of storing the customer trays CT. The second stocker 242 may be configured such that the customer trays CT accommodated therein are arranged parallel to the floor. In other words, the second stocker 242 may be configured such that a plurality of customer trays CT are arranged side by side and stacked in the vertical direction.

The first repository 241 and the second repository 242 may be arranged along a direction in which the customer trays CT are transferred between the first repository 241 and the second repository 242. For example, the second bank 242 may be disposed at a lower side of the first bank 241.

The second repository 242 may include: a second slide frame 242a slidably movable with respect to the main frame of the handler 20; a fifth vertical guide 242b extending from the second sliding frame 242a in a direction perpendicular to the stored customer trays CT; and a lifter (not shown) for lifting the customer tray CT accommodated therein toward the circulation path C side. The elevator of the second stocker 242 sequentially ascends toward the first stocker 241 from the customer tray CT stored on the upper side. The fourth slide frame 241a and the second slide frame 242b may be configured to be independently slidably moved in the front-rear direction, and the direction of the sliding movement may be substantially horizontal with respect to the ground.

The identification part 250 may identify the identification mark of the customer tray CT. Such an identification part 250 may include a first identification unit 251, a second identification unit 252, and a third identification unit 253.

The first recognition unit 251 is provided at a side of the accommodating part 220, and the first recognition unit 251 can recognize the customer tray CT when the customer tray CT is transferred from the second accommodating device 222 to the first accommodating device 221. The first recognition unit 251 may be provided at the frame of the carrier 20 regardless of whether the customer tray CT is raised or lowered. The first recognition unit 251 may include a first recognizer 251a and a first mirror 251 b. The first recognizer 251a may be configured to irradiate light from an upper side to a lower side at a position closer to the first receiving device 221 than the second receiving device 222. The first reflecting mirror 251b may be located at a position closer to the lower side than the first recognizer 251a, and may be spaced apart from the first recognizer 251a by a distance (scanning distance) required for the first recognizer 251a to scan the identification mark. The first mirror 251b may be disposed between the first housing unit 221 and the second housing unit 222, and the first mirror 251b may be configured such that light of the first identifier 251a irradiated from above is directed toward the customer tray CT housed in the housing unit 220. For example, the first mirror 251b may be configured to be inclined by 45 ° when viewed from the front side.

The second identification unit 252 may identify an identification tag of a customer tray CT moving within any one of the

repositories

230, 240, or may identify an identification tag of a customer tray CT entering the inside of the any one

repository

230, 240. For example, the second recognition unit 252 is disposed at a side of the single type stocker 230, and can recognize the recognition mark of the customer tray CT when the customer tray CT is transferred from the single type stocker 230 to the circulation path C. The second recognition unit 252 may be fixedly provided at the frame of the carrier 20 regardless of the ascending or descending of the customer tray CT. The second recognition unit 252 may include a second recognizer 252a and a second mirror 252 b. The second identifier 252a may be configured to irradiate light from the lower side to the upper side at a position closer to the lower side than the circulating path C. The second recognizer 252a may irradiate light in a direction opposite to that of the first recognizer 251 a. The second reflecting mirror 252b may be located at a position closer to the upper side than the second recognizer 252a, and may be spaced apart from the second recognizer 252a by a distance (scanning distance) required for the second recognizer 252a to scan the identification mark. In addition, the second mirror 252b may be disposed between the single type of the storage bank 230 and the circulation path C. For example, second mirror 252b may be disposed at a side of an upper portion of single type of storage bank 230. The second reflecting mirror 252b may be configured to direct the light of the second identifier 252a irradiated from the lower side toward the customer tray CT stored in the storage unit 220. For example, the second reflecting mirror 252b may be configured to be inclined by 45 ° when viewed from the front side.

The third identifying unit 253 may identify an identification tag of a customer tray CT moving within the other one of the

repositories

230, 240, or may identify an identification tag of a customer tray CT entering the

other repository

230, 240. For example, the third identifying unit 253 may be provided at a side of the multi-type repository 240, and may identify the identification mark of the customer tray CT when the customer tray CT is transferred from the second repository 242 to the first repository 241. The third recognition unit 253 may be fixedly provided at the frame of the carrier 20 regardless of the ascending or descending of the customer tray CT. The third recognition unit 253 may include a third recognizer 253a and a third mirror 253 b. The third recognizer 253a may be configured to irradiate light from the upper side to the lower side at a position closer to the first bank 241 than the second bank 242. The third recognizer 253a irradiates light in a direction opposite to that of the second recognizer 252a, and may irradiate light in the same direction as the first recognizer 251 a. The third reflecting mirror 253b may be located at a position closer to the lower side than the third recognizer 253a, and may be spaced apart from the third recognizer 253a by a distance (scanning distance) required for the third recognizer 253a to scan the identification mark. The third mirror 253b may be disposed between the first bank 241 and the second bank 242, and may be configured such that light of the third discriminator 253a irradiated from above is directed toward the customer tray CT stored in the storage unit 220. For example, the third mirror 253b may be configured to be inclined by 45 ° when viewed from the front side.

The

identifiers

251a, 252a, 253a may be, for example, visual barcode scanners. The

recognition units

251, 252, 253 include

mirrors

251b, 252b, 253b, so that even if each accommodation 220 and each

storage bank

230, 240 are arranged at a narrow pitch from each other, the distance required for the recognizers 251a, 252a, 253a to scan the identification marks can be ensured.

When the identification mark is in the form of an adhesive label that is adhered to the side surface of the customer tray CT, there may occur a case where the operator does not adhere the identification mark at a predetermined position in the side surface of the customer tray CT. For example, the identification mark is attached to the front portion in the side surface of the customer tray CT as prescribed, but there may be a case where the operator attaches the identification mark to the central portion or the rear portion in the side surface of the customer tray CT. The

recognition units

251, 252, 253 may scan the side surfaces of the customer trays CT as a whole by the

mirrors

251b, 252b, 253 b. Accordingly, the

recognition units

251, 252, 253 can scan the recognition marks disposed at the front portion of the side surface of the customer tray CT and the recognition marks disposed at the rear portion of the side surface of the customer tray CT. In other words, the

identification units

251, 252, 253 can scan the identification mark at any position in the side surface of the customer tray CT, and therefore, even if the operator fails to accurately attach the identification mark to the customer tray CT, the identification mark can be identified. In addition, in this way, not only is a sufficient scanning distance provided for the

recognition units

251, 252, 253, but also the distance between each housing 220 and each

bank

230, 240 can be minimized, so that the apparatus can be prevented from becoming large.

On the other hand, in the above description, the case where the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 recognize the recognition marks by means of the irradiation light has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, as another example, when the housing of the carrier 20 is provided with a window and the carrier 20 is configured to irradiate a large amount of external light into the internal space through the window, or when a separate light-emitting device is provided in the internal space so as to easily recognize the identification mark even in the case of no irradiation of light, the identification mark can be recognized without irradiation of light. For example, the identification mark may be recognized by imaging the identification mark without irradiating light. The

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 include light emitting devices such as LEDs, and can perform scanning by performing imaging by lighting the periphery of the recognition marks.

In addition, although the above description has described the case where the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 secure the scanning distance by using the mirror, as another example, the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 may secure the scanning distance by using the lens, or may secure the scanning distance by combining the mirror and the lens.

Hereinafter, three ways of identifying the customer tray CT by the

identifiers

251a, 252a, 253a of the

identification units

251, 252, 253 will be exemplarily explained with further reference to fig. 5A, 5B to 7A, 7B.

First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B. According to the first mode, each of the

recognition units

251, 252, 253 may include a timing detection sensor 254a and an aperture frame 254 b. The hole frame 254b may have a plurality of sensor holes 254b-1 formed therein, and the plurality of sensor holes 254b-1 may be formed at the same arrangement interval as that of the customer trays CT. In this example, the arrangement interval of the customer trays CT may be defined as a distance between the centers of the plurality of customer trays CT, and the arrangement interval of the sensor holes 254b-1 may be defined as a distance between the centers of the plurality of holes. For example, the sensor hole 254b-1 may be formed to have the same size as the thickness of the customer tray CT, and may be formed at a position parallel to the customer tray CT in the horizontal direction.

The timing detection sensor 254a is fixedly installed so as not to move regardless of the ascending or descending of the customer tray CT, and the aperture frame 254b is configured to ascend or descend together with the customer tray CT. If the customer tray CT is raised or lowered, the hole frame 254b is also raised or lowered, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the timing detection sensor 254a detect the sensor hole 254b-1 of the hole frame 254 b. The

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 may be configured to operate the recognizers 251a, 252a, and 253a to recognize the recognition marks at the timing when the timing detection sensor 254a detects the sensor hole 254 b-1.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 6A and 6B. According to the second aspect, the elevating mechanisms provided in the accommodating section 220, the single-type bank 230, and the multi-type bank 240, respectively, recognize the ascending position and the descending position, and transmit the ascending position and the descending position to each recognition unit. In other words, the lift of the receiving part 220 transfers the ascending position and the descending position to the first recognition unit 251, the lift of the single-type bank 230 transfers the ascending position and the descending position to the second recognition unit 252, and the lift of the multi-type bank 240 transfers the ascending position and the descending position to the third recognition unit 253. Each of the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 may be configured to receive information of a rising position and a falling position from the elevator, and when the identification mark of the customer tray CT reaches a position that can be recognized by the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253, the recognizers 251a, 252a, and 253a are operated to recognize the identification mark.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7A and 7B. According to a third mode, each

recognition unit

251, 252, 253 may include a movement detection sensor (not shown). The movement detection sensor of the first recognition unit 251 may detect whether the receiving part 220 raises or lowers the customer tray CT, the second recognition unit 252 may detect whether the single-type bank 230 raises or lowers the customer tray CT, and the third recognition unit 253 may detect whether the multi-type bank 240 raises or lowers the customer tray CT. Each of the

recognition units

251, 252, and 253 may be configured to detect the ascending or descending of the customer tray CT by a movement detection sensor, and to operate the recognizers 251a, 252a, and 253a to recognize the recognition mark when the customer tray CT starts ascending or descending. The

identifiers

251a, 252a, 253a take pictures or scans continuously at very short time intervals. Since the

identifiers

251a, 252a, and 253a continuously perform imaging and scanning in a very short time, the identifiers of the client trays CT are configured to be identified when the identifiers pass through the imaging area or the scanning area.

Such identifiers

251a, 252a, and 253a can be configured to perform photographing/scanning even if the customer tray CT is not located at the position corresponding to the

mirrors

251b, 252b, and 253 b. In other words, the time interval at which the

identifiers

251a, 252a, 253a perform photographing/scanning may be configured to be much shorter than the time interval at which the moving customer trays CT are located at the positions corresponding to the

mirrors

251b, 252b, 253 b.

The detection sensor 260 may detect whether the operator is near the carrier 20. For example, the detection sensor 260 may detect whether an operator is present within a radius of about 3m from the handler 20. Such a detection sensor 260 may be provided to the handler 20. If the detection sensor 260 is provided in the tray transfer device 10, the volume and weight of the tray transfer device 10 increase, and therefore, it is difficult to move the tray transfer device 10 along the rail provided on the ceiling. If the detection sensor 260 is provided to the carrier 20, it is possible to detect the presence or absence of an operator without increasing the volume and weight of the tray conveyor 10, so that the risk of occurrence of an accident can be reduced.

The conveyor controller 270 can grasp the operation state of the conveyor 20 and the degree of loading of the storage unit 220 and the customer trays CT in the

stockers

230 and 240. The conveyor controller 270 may control the operation of the conveyor 20. In addition, the conveyor control section 270 may transmit a signal including the above information to an external device such as the central control unit 30 and receive information on the operation of the tray conveyor 10. For example, when the number of customer trays CT loaded in the storage unit 220 decreases and only a small number of electronic components to be tested remain, the carrier controller 270 notifies the central control unit 30 of the decrease, and when the carrier controller 270 receives information that the tray transfer device 10 is approaching for supplying the customer trays CT, the first storage device 221 or the second storage device 222 is slid forward. When the supply of the customer trays CT to the first storage device 221 or the second storage device 222 is completed, the carrier controller 270 receives a signal including the completion information, and moves the first storage device 221 or the second storage device 222, which is moved forward, backward again. The signal received from the outside by the conveyor control unit 270 may be named a second signal, which is distinguished from the first signal. In this specification, the second signal is defined to distinguish between a signal received by the carrier 20 and a signal received by the tray conveyor 10, and the first signal is not limited to one signal or a single signal.

The conveyor controller 270 may identify the customer tray CT moving in the conveyor 20 by the identification unit 250, and may transmit the information to the outside as a signal. For example, the carrier controller 270 may recognize which electronic component in the customer tray CT is being tested by the first recognition unit 251, and may recognize which electronic product that has been tested is sorted and loaded to which customer tray CT by the second recognition unit 252 and the third recognition unit 253.

The carrier controller 270 may identify the test result of each of the electronic components placed on the plurality of customer trays CT among the plurality of customer trays CT, and may identify which customer tray CT the electronic component is classified into. The conveyor controller 270 may be implemented by an arithmetic device including a microprocessor. In addition, the conveyor control 270 may include a communication module for communicating with the outside.

The central control unit 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the tray conveying device 10 and the conveyor 20, and to be able to control the operations of the tray conveying device 10 and the conveyor 20. Such a central control unit 30 may be implemented using an arithmetic device including a microprocessor and a memory, and may function as a central server. In addition, the central control unit 30 may include a communication module for communicating with the outside.

Hereinafter, the operation and effect of the automation system 1 having the structure as described above will be explained.

The central control unit 30 of the automation system 1 grasps the states of the tray transfer device 10 and the conveyor 20 by communicating with the tray transfer device 10 and the conveyor 20, and controls the tray transfer device 10 and the conveyor 20.

The central control unit 30 may control a process of supplying the customer trays CT to the carrier 20 by the tray transfer device 10. When a customer tray CT containing electronic parts to be tested is supplied from a tray supply source to the tray conveyor 10, the tray conveyor 10 notifies the central control unit 30 that the customer tray CT has been received. When a plurality of the carriers 20 are provided, the central control unit 30 receives information on how many electronic components remain to be tested in each of the carriers 20 and information on how many customer trays CT that accommodate the electronic components remain, respectively, from each of the carrier control parts 270 provided in the plurality of the carriers 20, and grasps the carrier 20, from which only a small number of the electronic components remain to be tested, among the plurality of the carriers 20, based on the information.

The central control unit 30 transfers the tray transfer device 10 to the corresponding handler 20 so that the tray transfer device 10 supplies the customer tray CT to the handler 20 where only a small number of electronic parts to be tested remain. When the central control unit 30 transmits a signal that the tray transfer device 10 is approaching the conveyor 20 or a signal for opening the storage 220 to the conveyor control unit 270, the conveyor control unit 270 opens the storage 220 that is to receive the customer tray CT, and controls the first storage device 221 or the second storage device 222 of the storage 220 to slide forward.

When the housing portion 220 of the carrier 20 is opened and the housing device slides to the front side, the carrier control portion 270 notifies the central control unit 30 that the customer tray CT is ready to be received, and the central control unit 30 notifies the conveyor control portion 130 of the tray conveyor 10 that the carrier 20 can receive the customer tray CT. The transfer device control part 130 drives the transfer arm 120 so that the transfer arm 120 grips the customer tray CT loaded in the loading space and sets the customer tray CT in the accommodating part 220. When the customer tray CT is set, the tray transfer device 10 notifies the central control unit 30 of the above, and the central control unit 30 notifies the conveyor control unit 270 of the conveyor 20 that the supply of the customer tray CT is completed. The conveyor controller 270 moves the storage device, which has slid forward, rearward, and closes the storage unit 220.

On the other hand, the central control unit 30 may also control the process of carrying out the customer trays CT from the carrier 20. The handler 20 stores the tested electronic components in the customer trays CT stored in the

storages

220 and 230, and moves the empty customer tray CT in the storage 220 to the

storages

220 and 230 when the electronic components in the customer trays CT stored in the

storages

220 and 230 are full. The carrier controller 270 detects that the customer tray CT containing the electronic component is contained in the

stockers

220 and 230 at a level equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and sends a signal to the central control unit 30. The signal generated by the conveyor controller 270 may be a signal notifying the central control unit 30 that the customer tray CT is to be collected. The central control unit 30 receives a signal from the conveyor controller 270, and transmits a customer tray CT collection command to the tray conveyor 10.

The tray conveying device 10 moves to the carrier 20, and generates a signal when moving to the vicinity of the carrier 20, thereby notifying the central control unit 30 of the signal. When the central control unit 30 transmits information that the tray transfer device 10 is approaching the carrier 20 or a command for opening the

storages

220 and 230 to the carrier control section 270, the carrier control section 270 opens the

storages

220 and 230 to which the customer trays CT are to be carried out, and moves the

storages

220 and 230 to the front side.

When the magazine of the carrier 20 is opened and the magazine is slid to the front side, the carrier control section 270 notifies the central control unit 30 that the client tray CT is ready to be carried out, and the central control unit 30 notifies the conveyor control section 130 of the tray conveyor 10 that the carrier 20 can carry out the client tray CT. The transfer device controller 130 drives the transfer arm 120 so that the transfer arm 120 grips the customer tray CT, which is loaded in the storage magazine of the carrier 20 and is set in the loading space of the tray transfer device 10. When the customer trays CT are set to the tray conveyor 10, the tray conveyor 10 may notify the central control unit 30 of the above-described situation, and the central control unit 30 notifies the conveyor control part 270 of the conveyor 20 that the supply of the customer trays CT has been completed. The conveyor controller 270 moves the storage library slid to the front side to the rear side, and closes the storage library.

In addition, the conveyor control unit 270 may detect whether the operator is near the conveyor 20 using the detection sensor 260, and transmit information about whether the operator is near to the central control unit 30. In the middle of the approach of the tray transfer device 10 to the conveyor 20, the central control unit 30 can stop the movement of the tray transfer device 10 when the conveyor control unit 270 recognizes that the operator is near the conveyor 20.

On the other hand, the carrier controller 270 may recognize which electronic component of the customer tray CT is being tested by the first recognition unit 251, and may recognize which electronic product having completed the test is sorted and loaded to which customer tray CT by the second recognition unit 252 and the third recognition unit 253.

In addition, the carrier controller 270 may recognize the test result of each of the electronic components arranged in the plurality of customer trays CT supplied to the carrier 20, and may recognize which customer tray CT the electronic component is classified into. The carrier controller 270 may sort the electronic components already stored in the customer tray CT at the time of supply based on the test result, store the electronic components in the customer tray CT, and match the arrangement of the customer tray CT again. In other words, it is possible to grasp to which of the plurality of customer trays CT the electronic component arranged in which row and column of the customer tray CT is arranged in which row and column of the customer tray CT according to the test result. Therefore, if the identification number of the customer tray CT accommodating the electronic component having completed the test and the several rows and several columns of the electronic component located in the corresponding customer tray CT are grasped, it can be recognized from which customer tray CT the electronic component is supplied, and it can be recognized that the electronic component is arranged in the several rows and several columns of the customer tray CT at the time of supplying the electronic component. The carrier controller 270 may transmit the arrangement information of the electronic components in the customer tray CT to the central control unit 30.

On the other hand, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the pallet transport apparatus 10 and the carrier 20 may be configured to directly communicate. Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 8. In describing the second embodiment, the differences from the above-described embodiment will be mainly described, and the same description and reference numerals will be applied to the above-described embodiment.

Referring to fig. 8, the conveyor control part 130 of the tray conveyor 10 may include a communication module, the conveyor control part 270 of the conveyor 20 may include a communication module, and the tray conveyor 10 and the conveyor 20 may directly communicate with each other through the conveyor control part 130 and the conveyor control part 270. The central control unit 30 may be omitted in the automation system 1 according to the present embodiment.

The process of supplying the customer trays CT to the carrier 20 by the tray transfer device 10 may be controlled by the transfer device control part 130 and the carrier control part 270 using communication between the tray transfer device 10 and the carrier 20. If a customer tray CT containing electronic components to be tested is supplied from a tray supply source to the tray conveyor 10, the tray conveyor 10 notifies the handler 20 that the customer tray CT has been received. When a plurality of the carriers 20 are provided, if the electronic components to be tested in the corresponding carrier 20 and the customer trays CT accommodating the electronic components are below a predetermined level, the carrier controllers 270 provided in the respective carriers 20 may transmit a signal that can receive the customer trays CT or a signal that requires the customer trays CT to the tray transfer device 10.

The transfer device control part 130 of the tray transfer device 10 receives a signal from the handler 20 where only a small number of electronic parts to be tested remain, and controls the tray transfer device 10 to move the tray transfer device 10 to the handler 20. In addition, after the tray transfer device 10 moves to the vicinity of the conveyer 20, the transfer device control part 130 may transmit a signal that the tray transfer device 10 is approaching the conveyer 20 or a signal for opening the accommodating part 220 to the conveyer control part 270. The carrier control section 270 receives a signal from the conveyor control section 130, opens the accommodating section 220 to receive the customer tray CT, and controls the accommodating section 220 to slide the first accommodating device 221 or the second accommodating device 222 to the front side.

When the housing portion 220 of the carrier 20 is opened and the housing device is slid to the front side, the carrier control portion 270 notifies the conveyor control portion 130 of the tray conveyor 10 that the customer tray CT is ready to be received. The transfer device control part 130 drives the transfer arm 120 so that the transfer arm 120 grips the customer tray CT loaded in the loading space and sets the customer tray CT in the accommodating part 220. When the customer trays CT have been set, the tray transfer device 10 notifies the conveyor controller 270 of the conveyor 20 that the supply of the customer trays CT has been completed. The conveyor controller 270 moves the storage device, which has slid forward, rearward, and closes the storage unit 220.

On the other hand, the process of carrying out the customer tray CT from the carrier 20 may be controlled by the conveyor control unit 130 and the carrier control unit 270 by communication between the tray conveyor 10 and the carrier 20. The handler 20 stores the tested electronic components in the customer trays CT stored in the

storages

220 and 230, and moves the empty customer tray CT in the storage 220 to the

storages

220 and 230 when the electronic components stored in the customer trays CT in the

storages

stockers

220 and 230 at a level higher than a predetermined level, and sends a signal to the tray transfer device 10. The signal generated by the conveyor controller 270 may be a signal notifying the tray transfer apparatus 10 that the customer tray CT needs to be collected.

The conveyor control unit 130, which receives the signal from the conveyor control unit 270, moves the tray conveyor 10 to the conveyor 20, generates a signal when the tray conveyor 10 moves near the conveyor 20, and notifies the conveyor 20 of the signal. When the conveyor controller 130 transmits a signal indicating that the tray conveyor 10 is approaching the conveyor 20 or a signal indicating that the

magazines

220 and 230 are opened to the conveyor controller 270, the conveyor controller 270 receives the signal, opens the

magazines

220 and 230 to which the customer trays CT are to be transported, and moves the magazines to the front side.

When the magazine of the carrier 20 is opened and the magazine is slid to the front side, the carrier control section 270 notifies the transporting device control section 130 that the customer tray CT is ready to be carried out. The transfer device controller 130 drives the transfer arm 120 so that the transfer arm 120 grips the customer tray CT loaded in the storage of the carrier 20 and places the customer tray CT in the loading space of the tray transfer device 10. When the customer tray CT is set on the tray conveyor 10, the tray conveyor 10 notifies the conveyor controller 270 of the conveyor 20 that the supply of the customer tray CT is completed. The conveyor controller 270 moves the storage library slid to the front side to the rear side, and closes the storage library.

The conveyor control unit 270 may detect whether the operator is near the conveyor 20 using the detection sensor 260, and may transmit information about whether the operator is near the conveyor control unit 130. In the middle of the approach of the tray transfer device 10 to the conveyor 20, if the transfer device control unit 130 recognizes that the operator is near the conveyor 20 by the conveyor control unit 270, the movement of the tray transfer device 10 can be stopped.

On the other hand, although the central control unit 30 is not shown in the drawing according to the present embodiment, the present embodiment is not limited to this, and the central control unit 30 may be provided, and the conveyor control section 130 and the conveyor control section 270 communicate with each other.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above by way of specific embodiments, they are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited thereto, and should be interpreted as having the widest scope based on the basic ideas disclosed in the present specification. Those skilled in the art can realize the shapes of the disclosed embodiments by combination/substitution, which are not shown in the drawings, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Further, a person skilled in the art can easily modify or change the disclosed embodiments based on the present specification, and it should be clear that such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A handler, comprising:

an accommodating part capable of accommodating a tray transmitted from the outside;

an identification unit configured to identify an identification mark of the tray during conveyance of the tray inside the conveyor; and

a conveyor control unit;

the carrier control unit controls the accommodating unit to be in a state capable of receiving the tray from the outside;

the accommodating part comprises a first accommodating device arranged at the upper part and a second accommodating device arranged at the lower part;

the second accommodating device is configured to feed the tray to the first accommodating device by conveying the tray in a predetermined direction;

the handler further comprises a storage library for accommodating the trays for accommodating the tested electronic components;

the storage banks include a first storage bank disposed at an upper portion and a second storage bank disposed at a lower portion;

the first accommodating means and the second accommodating means move independently of each other in the front-rear direction;

the first and second storages move independently of each other in a front-rear direction.

2. The handler of claim 1, further comprising:

and a detection sensor for detecting whether or not an operator is present near the conveyor.