CA1070026A - Machine for affixing circuit elements to printed circuit boards - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A machine for processing and securing parallel lead electronic circuit elements into lead receiving openings formed in a printed circuit board is provided. The machine includes a supply assembly for selectively supplying one group of a plurality of distinct groups of parallel lead elec-tronic circuit elements, the supply assembly including a selecting sub-assembly for selecting one of the circuit elements from the selected group circuit ele-ments to be supplied. A transfer assembly includes a chuck for receiving the supplied circuit elements and displacing same to a release position. An insert assembly is adapted to effect release of the circuit elements when the chuck is displaced to a release position and includes a holding sub-assembly for receiving each circuit element released by the chuck at the release position and a plunger sub-assembly adapted to engage the circuit elements at the re-lease position and displace the circuit elements from the release position to an inserted position. A board handling assembly disposes the receiving openings in the printed board in alignment with the circuit elements so that the parallel leads each circuit element are received in the appropriate receiving openings when same are displaced to the inserted position.

Description

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This ~pplic~tion is a division o~ coperldin~ .Ipplication Sorinl No.
24~,35~, filed on April 1, 1976, in the name of Tokyo Denki Kag.lku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaislla.
This invention is directcd to a machine for processin~ and securing parallel lead elcctronic circuit elements to a circuit substrate ~nd in particular to automatically securing selectecl electronic circuit elements from a plurality of stored groups of electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit boardO
Heretofore, machines specifically provided for applying parallel lead electronic circuit elements to printed circuit boards have been provided.
One approach is to feed the printed circuit substrate section by section through a line of special purpose machines for individually applying each different type of electronic circuit elements to the circuit board. An alter-native approach is the use of quasi-single use machine capable of mounting a single type or several different types of circuit elements in a particular ~ order on the printed circuit board by moving the circuit board in first and - second perpendicular coordinate directions each time an element is mounted to the circuit board. Nevertheless, such prior art machines require considerable expense in providing the extra equipment capable of handling the diferent 2Q types o electronic circuit elements, often cause considerable time loss when ; the type of circuit element processed by the machines is changed, and are less than reliable. Thus, such automated machinery for mounting parallel lead elec-tronic circuit elements to printed circuit boards has not provided the same ;~ benefits which obtain to the automated application of coaxial type circuit elements to such printed circuit boards.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide automated machinery for mounting parallel lead electronic circuit elementsto printed circuit boards.
A further object of this invention is to provide improved automated machinery for automatically inserting parallel lead electronic circuit elements into receiving openings in printed circuit boards without utilizing a special support member for supporting supplied circuit elements until the circuit ~' ~

~L~37~6 elements are to be inserted into the circuit board.
Still a ~urther objec-t of this invention is to provide a simplified and less expensive automated machinery for processing and securing parallel lead electronic circuit elements to printed circuit boardsO
According to the present invention, there is provided in a machine for automatically inserting parallel lead circuit elements into openings in a printed circuit board, said machine including circuit elements supply means, the improvement comprising; transfer means for receiving from said circuit elements supply means each circuit element supplied thereby and for displacing same to a release position, said transfer means including chuck means for gripping said supplied circuit element during receipt and displacement thereof to said release positionO
For a fuller and better understanding of the present invention9 in addition to the invention disclosed in the parent appllcation, reference is made to the Following description given in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
. Figure 1 is a plan view of an automatic machine assembly for proces~ing and securing electronic circuit elements to a printed circuit board constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
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~ -2-~; ' .

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Fi~ure 2 is ~n e.Le~cltional vie~r o~ the machine assemb:ly dcpicted in Figure l;
Figure 3 is an elevational vicw of the machine assembly depicted in Fig~lrc l;
Figllre 4 is a side cle~ational view of the machine assembly dcpicted in Figùre 3;
Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along line I~I of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along line II-II of Figure 3;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a circuit element carrying tape construct-ed in accordance with the instant invention;
Figure 8 is an elerational end view of the circuit element carrying :
~ape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a separated portion of the circuit element carrying tape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 10 is a plan view illustrating processed electronic circuit element about to be received b~ the insert sub-assembly depicted in Figure 28;
Figure ]l is a sectional view of an electronic circuit element secured to a printed circuit board by a machine assembly constructed in accordance with the instant inrention;
Figurç 12 is a perspective view of a shelf sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant inven~ion;
Figure 13 is a plan vie~r of the ~helf sub-assembly depicted in Figure 12 and a column sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a preferred ~` embodiment of the instan~ invcntion;
Figure 1~ is an elevational view of a tape feeding sub-assembly and .
cutting sub-assembly constructed in accordance ~rith a preferred embodiment of the instant invention; ~.
Figure 15 is a partial pcrspective view of a cutting assembly and , chuck constructcd i.n accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant ~ .:

: ~ ~

( 1~
~7S3~ 6 invcntion;
Figure 16 is a partial sectional view of a cuttin~ sub-assembl~ ~Ind chuck illustratcd in Figllre 15;
Figure 17 is a sectional view in full elevatioll of a chuck construct-ed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant inv~ntion;
Figure 18 is a fl~l sectional plan view of the chuclc depicted in Figure 17;
Figure 19 is a sectional view of a rotary chuck support constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 20 is a sectional view taken along line III-III of Figure 19;
Figure 21 is a plan view of the circult element carrying tape illustrated in Figure 7;
Figure 22 is an elevational end view of the circuit element carr~-ing tape depicted in Figure 21;
Figure 23 is a plan view of a portLon of the circuit element carrying tape being gripped by a chuck~ illustrated in section;
: Figure 24 is a plan view of an electronic circuit element being gripped by a chuck, illustrated in section, after removal of the tape therefrom;
: Figure 25 is a sectional view of a rotary chuck support constructed ~1 accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
~ Figure 26 is a sectional view taken along line IY-IV of Figure 25;
; Fîgure 26A is a developed view of the barrel cam illustrated in Figure 26i : Figure 27 is an clevational view of a cutter sub-assembly constructed n accordancc with a preferred embodiment of the instant inYcntion;
Figure 28 is a sectional view of an insert sub-assembly constructed in accordance with a prcferrcd embodimcnt of the instant invcntion;
Flgure 29 is a sec-tional view taken along line Y-V of Figure 28;
Figurcs 30(a) through 30(f) respectively depict thc secluence of the ~ ' : . - 4 -, ~ . : , . : - . -: ~ .: ~ . .
,- , .

~7~ 6 circuit elements being inserted illtO t~l~ openin~ in the print~d circuit board in accordance with the installt invention;
Fig~lre 31 is a sectional vie~ of a clamping mechanism uf the insert sub-assembly ~onstructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;
Fig-re 32 is a clamping mechanism constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant .invention;
Figure 33 is an elevational Yiew of the c}amping mechanism depicted in Figure 32;
Figure 34 is a perspective vi.ew of ~he clamping mechanism depicted in Figure 32;
Figure 35 i5 an elevational partially sectional view on an insert sub~assembly constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the instant invention;
Figure 36 is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of Figure 35;
Figure 37 is an elevational view of insert assembly depicted in Figure 35;
Figure 38 is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII of Figure 35;
Figure 39 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of Figure 35;
Figure 40 is a sectional view of a lead cutting and bending sub-assembly constructed in accordance w;th a preferred embodiment of the instant in~ention;
Figure 41 is a sectional YieW taken along line IX-IX of Figure 40;
Figure 42 ls a plan view of a cutter of the lead cutting and bending sub-assembly depicted in Figure 40;
Figure 43 is a sectional YieW ~aken along line X-X ~f Figure 42;
: Figures 44Ca) through ~4(e) illustrate the operating sequence of the ; lead cutting and bending sub-assembl~ depicted in F;gure 40; and Figure ~5 is a rear surface view of a printed circuit board after ~ f -~37~
the operation oL the insert axse~bLy is completed.
Referellce is no~ made to lig~lres 1 and 2 whereln a rccl support assembly, generally indicated as 2, and a machine 1 for automaticaLly process-ing and inserting electrorlic circ~ùt chip elements ln a printed circuit board are depicted. As is e~plained in detail belo~, the machine components and rcel supply assembly components are controlled by a conventional programmed NC panel ~not shown), such panels being well-known in -the ar~ rendering discussion directed thereto unnecessary.
Reel support assembly 2 includes a plurality of tape carrying reels 4, each tape carrying reel having a tape 3 carrying a series of electronic circuit elements attached thereto. The tape reels are mounted in a conven-tional manner to the tape support assembly to permit the tape wound thereon to be guided around guide rollers 5 and feed rollers 6 to the machine 1.
Each of the tapes 3 includes a predetermined electronic circuit component such as a specific value capacitor, resistor etc. As is illustrated in Figure 7, the circuit elements 17 are of the two-parallel lead variety and are secured to the tape 3, which tape includes apertures 32 therein. Accord-ingly, the tapes 3 having the respective circuit elements to be secured to a printed cireuit board, also referred to as a printed circuit substrate, are wound upon the reels 4 and distributed into parallel relationship by the ; respective guide rollers 5 and feed rollers 6 whereafter the respective tapes are applied through a comb-like guide 7 to the machine 1.
Referring specifically to Figures 3 through 6, the machine 1 is substantially comprised of a supply assembly~ generally indicated as 8, a trans~er assembly~ generally indicated as 9~ an insert assembly gerlerally indicated as 10~ a table assembly, generally indicated as 11, and a framc 12 for supporting the respec-tive supply5 transfer~ insert and table assemblies.
The operation of the respective supp]y, transfer, inscrt and table assemblles is hereinafter explained with particular reference to Figures 3 through 11, - S -:. . . ' ' '' ' ' ':
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whereafter, c~ch of ~he re~,ycctive ~sscmblics will b~ describcd in ~letail.
Each of the respective circuit elelllent carrying tapcs 3 ~re sup~lioclto the supply ~ssembly 8. The par~icular t~pe that is supplied is selectad by the NC program and ap~lied to a cutter sub-assembly, generally in~licated ~s 16, which sub-~ssembly ~ff~cts cuttlng of the s~ecific tape ~long a line A-A illustra~e~l in ~igure 7 in order to sep~r~te each circuit element and portion of tape carryin~ same as illustrated ;n FiFure 9. A~ter cutting of the tape por~ion and associated circuit element at ~he cutting sub-assembly, the parallel leads of the circuit element are gripped by one of a plurality of chucks 15 provided on ~he periphery of a rotary chuck holder 14 mounted at any angle of 45D with respect ~o the horizontal plane. During the trans-fer of the circuit element by the transfer assembly, ~he leads of the circuit elemen~ 17 are cut along line B-B, indicated in Figure 9, into th0 form illustrated in Figure lO, where~fter the circuit element is transferred in an upright state to be pGsitioned at the insert assembly lO. At the insert assembly position, each circuit element 17 is clamped by the insert assembly and released by the chuck, whereafter the circuit element is urged into and through openings in ~he printed circuit board by the insert assembly. As is detailed below, ~he insert assembly can include a rotary he~d sub-assembly for ~urning the circuit element 9O about its vertical axis when requirad.
The printed circuit board 18 to which each elec~ronic circuit element 17 is-to be secured is positioned on the table assembly 18, and the t~ble assembly is coordinately displaced in the X and Y directions in a horizontal plane in accordance with programmed ins~ruc~ions from the NC program to the2eby bring the lead receiving openings of the printed circuit substrate into alignment with the insert assembly. Once the parallel leads are inserted through the openings in the prin~ed circuit board, the portions of the leads extending ~ through the openings in ~he substrate 19 ~e bent at right-angles in the : maDner illustrated in Figure 11, to thereby secure the circuit element 17 to 3V the substrate 19.

~o~a26 Accordingly, the supply assembly 8, ~ran~sfer assembly 9, inseIt assembly 10 and table assembly 11 Llre supportcd by thc frame 12 nd effect processing, inscrting and sec~ring of the respective circuit clements to a printed circuit board in the manner to hcreinafter be discussed in greater detail with respect to the specific assemblios.
As ;llustrated in thc preferred e~bodi~ent depicted in Figllres 1 and 2, twenty tape reels are providcd on the supply assembly 8, and the respective feed rollers 6 individually associated with each o the tape reels are selectively driven by *he NC program. ~Lch of the feed rollers 6 is a lQ sprocket driven wheel with teeth for engaging the respective openings 32 disposed along the length of the tape 3 so that intermittent rotation of the roller effects a step by step feeding of the circuit elements secured to the tape 3. The guide 7 has a comb-like structure so that each of the individual element carrying tapes 3 is passed between the adjacent comb teeth.
A further comb-like O~uide 20 is disposed on the machine 1 and belts fvrmed of flexible material such as rubber, leather and synthetic resins are stretched between the individual teeth of the guides 7 and 20 so that the respective circuit element carrying tapes 3 slide over the belts with the friction between the belts and tapes substantially eliminated. The comb-like guide 20 is Yertically displaceable to facilitatc distribution of the tapes in a manner to be discussed more fully below.
The supply assembly 8 of the machine 1~ as is more particuL~rly illustrated in Figures 12 through 16, includes a shelf s~lb-assembly~
generally indicated as 21, a column sub-asse~bly generally indicated as 22 a kape feed~lg sub-assembly generally indicated as 23, and a cutting sub-assembly generally indicated as 24. The shclf sub-asselllbly 21 is comprisecl of twenty elongated shelves 25 arranged one abo~e the other, ~l stacked relationship~ in ordcr to support thc respecti~e circuit element carryillg tapes 3 thereQn. Tlle shelf sub-assembly 21 is :
.

~37~ 6 supported in a frame 26 ~Fi~lro 4) in s~ch m~nner that the shelv~s 25 can b~
lowered and raised wi~h r~spect to ~rame 26 and so that each shelf 25 c~n l)o independently laterally displaced with respect to the lengthwise cxten~ there-of.
The column sub-assembly 22 vertically rai.ses and lowers the shelf sub-assembly 21 to bring a predetermined tape suppor~ing shelf 25 into a proper elevation to be laterally displaced by kick out cylinder 27. The tape feeding sub-assembly 23 effects intermittent feeding of the tape 3 carried by the la~erally displaced shelf 25 through distinct increments in the length-wise direction of the tape selected. The cutting sub-assembly Z4 effec~s a severing of the end portion of the tape 3 as same is incrementally advanced to the eutting sub-assembly 24 to thereby separate each electronic CiTCUit element 17 secured to the tape.
The column sub-assembly 22 includes a ve~tically disposed threaded shaft 28 and guide rods 29, the threadçd shaft being rotated a~ a predeter- . . .
mined rotational speed by a suitable drive source s~ch as a pulse driving motor. The threaded shaft 28 and guide rods 29 are fitted in respecti~
~ertical ~Pmale threaded bores and guide bores formed in the frame 26 of the shelf sub-assembly 21. Accordingly, the vertically arranged shel~es 25 are provided on a first side of.the frame Z6, and each shelf 25 is supported by horizon~al suppor~ rods 3D fitted for axial movement in respective hoTizontal : bores ~ormed in the fram0 26. Each shelf 25 is elongat~d and includes a : longitudinal channel or groove in which the circuit elemsnt carrying tape 3 : is position~d. As illustrated in Figure 13, each circuit ele~ent carrying tape 3 is set in the longitudinal channel formed in the shelf 25 by raising : the tape positioning le~ers 31 including fi~ted pilot pins 33 which pin ex-: tends the~e~rom into the openings 32 formed in the tape 3. Knock pins 34 couple ~he positioning leYers 31 to an associa~ed lever shaft 35, which shaft is supported by bearings 36 and is biased by a biasing spring X7 to main~ain the levers 31 in a horizontal position.
Acc~rdingly, when an NC program co~mand provides a feed command for _ g _ :

rl-',Z6 a specific circuit clcmcnt carrying ~apc 3 to bc dc:Liv~rccl, thc pll-Lse mot~r is rotatcd to prov:ide ~ given numbcr ~f` rota-tions of t~lC ~l~cadcd shaft 28 to raise and lower the frlmc 26 to thercby brin~ thc shclf 25 supporting thc circuit element carrying tape 3 to be selcctcd into registry Wittl the level at which thc lciclc-out cylindcr 27 is disposed. A photoelectric light sensor (not shown) is provided for detectirlg when the selected shelf 25 is disposed at the feed position and in response to detecting same energizes a cylinder which operates to push bar 38 to the position indicated a-t 38' in Figure 13. By such movement~ the selected shelf 25 is laterally proiected by the associated support rods 30 thereby bringirg the selected tape 3 to the displaced position indicated at 3'. A stopper 39 is disposed for l;miting the displace~ent of the bars and additionally, return springs 40 are provided for effecting return of the bar 38 once the kick-out cylinder 27 is returned to a rest position.
Referring specifically to Figures 12 and 14g the tape feeding sub-assembly 23 and cutting sub-assembly 24 are depicted. The tape feed assembly 23 includes a feed arm 41 displaceable abou-t a rectangular path consisting of vertical and horizontal strokes illustrated by the arrows D, E, F and G in ~- Figure 14 along appropriate horizontal guides or like mechanisms. Feed arm ~1 includes tapered pitch-correcting pins 42 and guidepins 44, which guidepins are biased by respective springs 43.
During each do~lward stroke of the feed arm 41 (indicated by the arrow D), the correcting pins 42 enter associated openings 32 in the circuit element carrying tape to correct the positioning thereof 3 whercafter, guidepins 44 are inserted into other openings 32 by being biascd thereagainst. Simulta-neous therewith, a release lirl~ 45, which release link lS couplcd to a hook ~6 is raisedg causing the positioning levers 31 to be raised by hook 46 and re-lease hold of the tapc 3. Thercaftcr, the ne~t e~cursion of thc feed arm ~l in a direction toward the cutting sub-assembly 4~ (indicated by arrow E), causes thc tape to be moved onc incrcment and is brou~ht to a ha:lt. Accordingly, - - . . . - -, .' . , .: ~ ~ : .

~76:~Z~;

the leading elld portion of the circuit elclllent carrying tapc 3 comcs to rest at a predetermilled pOSitiO~I at the top of a cuttcr ~ase 47 in thc position indicated in ~igure 1~.
Thereatcr, cutter holder 49 is lowered by a drive mechanism (llOt shown)~ such as a hydraulic cylinder or the like, so that a tape holder 50 contacts and tal;es hold of the tape 3, and the cutter holder 40 continucs to be lowered against the compression of spring 51. The tape 3 is severed by a cutter 48 as a result of the lowering of the cutter support 49 to thereby separate a portion of the tape carrying only one circuit element 17. An auxiliary cutter 48' is provided to insure that the portlon of the tape is cut even if the cutter 48 does not effect a removal of the portion of the tape.
- Once the portion of the tape is severed, feed arm 41 commences its upward excursion (in the directi.on of the arrow F) while at the same time, hook 46 is lowered to thereby lower the posîtioning levers 31, to insert the guidepins 33 into the openings 32 in the tape 3 to thereby effect positioning and holding of the tape. ~inally, the final horizontal excursion of the feed arr~l (in the direction indicated by the arrow G) effects a return of the feed arm to its ;~ initial starting position. Accordingly, the supply assembly selects the specific tape from the group of tapes carrying circuit elements, and thereafter effects a se~ering of a portion of the tape containing one circuit element from the group contained on the tape selected to be transferred by the transfer sub-assembly 9 during the next phase of operation of the machine 1. Thereafter, the aforedescribcd operation of the supply assembly is repeated until the number of selected elehlents from a particular group represented by the tape selectcd is completed, whereafter, the hook 46 is raised to open the positioning levers 31 and cylinder 27 is rendered inoperative thereby cal~sing the laterally dis-placed shelf 25 to be retracted to thc ini.tial position by the restoring force o/ the syrin6s 40 to thcreby rendor thc supply sub-assembly ready for the ne~t NC program command.

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It is noted, t~lat t~le supply asscmbly dcscr1bcd hcrcin rcndcrs it possiblc to automatically supply a largc number o distirlc~ clcc-tronic circuit component elemcnts. Additionally, ccrtain electrollic circuit clcmcnts may be automatically and selcctively supp]ied from a largc n~mlbcr of differing circuit elements by appropriately programming the NC program. ~loreover, in addition to the reliability of the supply assembly bcing improved, the amount of space required to provide different elements is limited, and only a single tape feed sub-assembly is required. Moreover, the efficiency obtained in supplying the different circuit elements provides for considerable cost savings during manufacture.
Reference is now made to Figures 6 and 15 through 20 wherein the transfer assembly 9 is illustrated in detail. As is specifically illustrated in Figure 15, once the portion of the tape 3 supporting the electronic circuit element 17 is separated by the cutter 48, the portion of the tape is maintained in position by the tape holder 50. A chuck 15 disposed at a position proximate to the cutter base 47 lS raised relative to the element 17 and grips the paral-lel leads 53 of the circuit element by means of a fixed claw 67 and movable claws 5Z. Once the gripping is effected by the chuck, the cutter support 49 is retracted to th~reby releasably secure the hold of the circuit element by the holder 50. Thereafter~ the transfer assembly 9 moves the chuck 15 with the element gripped thereby to the insert asscmbly 10 in a manner to be discussed more fully belowO
The transfer assembly 9 includes a plurality of chuclcs 15, a rotary chuc~ suppvrtJ generally indicated as 54, and a cutter sub-assembly 16 for cuttin~ the extra lead portions and tapo off each circuit element during the transfcr operation. In Figurcs 1~ and 20, a preferred example of thc rotary chuck support 54 is illustratcd. A rotary chuck holder 14 is supported on a shaft 56, which shaft is rotatably supportcd by bearings 57. The shaft is axially oricnted at a right anglc to an uppcr front portion of thc frame 12 ~ - 12 ~

-, ~ , , - . : . . -so that tllc c~is 1, dcfincs an angLc of ~5 with rcspcct to tilc hori~otltal.
Tllc rotary chucl; holder 1~ includcs a boss, to wllicll is sccur~d a tillung mcmber 15 and a spur gcar 59. A pinion 60 transmits rotat:ion from a gcar 61 to gear 59 and accordingly ~o thc rotary chuclc holdcr 14. Cear 61 is adaptcd to intcr-mittentl~ rotate the rotary chuc~ holclcr at constan~t incremcnts. For example, intermittent rotation of the rotary chucl~loldcr can be effccted by a pulse ~otor or a reciprocating cylinder via a ratchet lever.
In order to effect synchronization of the intermittent rotation of the rotary holder 14, the timing member 48 is provided with a pl~Lrality of peripherally disposed notches~ the respective notches being adapted to receive a latch lever 63 adapted to be displaced into and out of contact therewith.
The respective chucks 15 are provided at uniforn~y spaced distances around the periphery of the rotary chuck holder 14 and are positioned to circumscribe a cone co-axial with the a~is 13 of the shaft 56, the cone having an apex angle of 90 . An equal number of notches is provided for the number of chucl~s in order to insure that the incremental pitch of intermittent rotation corresponds to the number of chucks. For example, if twelve chucks are provided~ twelve notches 62 aré provided to effect a complete revolution of the rotary holdcr after twelve incremental rotations. Also, at the highest rotary position of the rotary chuck holder 14~ the chuck 15 is vertically disposed~ and at the lowest position of the rotary holder, the chuck 15 is horizontally disposed, the diametrically opposed chucks defining an angle of 90 with respcct to each other.
Referring specifically to Figures 16~ 17 and 18~ chuck 1~ includes movable claws 52 and fixed claw 67. Fixed claw 67 is integrally formed with block 68~ block 68 bcing adapted to bc urged against a fixed blocl; 70 by a biasing spring 69. Movablc claws 52 are mo~ted to movable block 68 by pivot pins 71 to permit the fixcd claws to be pivotable thercabout. The movable claws are brought into engagement by thc displacement of a sccond block 72 in .

lLC~7~

a direction toward the respective mova~le claws 52. A roll~r 73 is rotltably mounted by a pin 7~ to bloclc 72 alld is ad~yted to receive forces for movillg the block 72 in the direction to~ard the movablc claws when grippillg of the parallel leads of the circuit to be transferred by clluck 15 is to occur.
Block 72 is f~rther adapted to be moved in the direction toward the moYable claws evcn aft~r the end wall 75 of block 68 stri~es f~Yed block 70 and con-tinues to be moved in such direction until locked by means of a spring biased ball 102 disposed in a recess 10~ formed therein. Accordingly~ the recess 104 is so positioned as to insure that the movable claws 52 firmly grip the leads 53 to maintain the leads securely gripped thereby. A roller 76 is rotatably mounted by a pin 77 on an integrally projecting portion of the block 72. When roller 76 is moved in a direction away from the fixed claws, as is best illustrated in Figure 17, the block 72 is thereby moved in the same direc-tion, causing the movable claws 52 to be pivoted away from each other about pins 71 by biasing spring 105 thereby releasing their grip on the parallel circuit element leads. Once the block 72 is sufficiently displaced away from the movable claws to effect a sufficicnt opening of the claws to thereby pre-vent grlpping of the leads thereby~ the end wall 78 of block 72 strikes an end wall 75 of block 68 and thereby carries block 68 in the same direction therewith. The block 72 includes a recess 103 therein which can be engaged by a bali ]02 to thereby maintain the block 72 in the release position.
Reference is now made to l~igures 15, 16 and 21 through 24 wherein the operation of the cutting asscmbly and chuck 15 are illustrated. Specifical-lyg the element supporting *ape 3 includcs a base strip 65 and an adhcsive tape 66 bonded to the base strip in such manner as to sandwich therebetween the parallel leads 53 of a specific type of electrorlic circuit e~Lement such as a capacitor, illustrated by circu]ar head 6~.
A scries of clectronic circuit elements are uniforr~y spaced along the lengthwise extent of the tapc with the openillC~s 32, as noted above, being ~7~3Z6 disposel mid~Yay bet~YCerl thc adjacerlt clcctrorlic circ~lit cl~mellts to ins-lrc reliability during processirla of the tape. Lt is noted thlt the respecti~e openinas 32 can be provide.i bet~Yeen the respective parallel leads in ordel to facilitate processillg of thc tape.
Referr~lg particularly to Figure 16, the element carrying tape 3 is supported by and guided along a channel in shelf 2'j by the tape feedin~ sub-assembly 23 so that the circuit element to be secured to the printed circuit board is brought into registry with the cutter base 47. Thereafter, the cutter sub-assembly is displaced into contact with the tape 3, thereby placing the tape holder 50 in contact with the circuit element and tape portion and fur~her permitting the cutters 48 and 48~ to sever the portion of the base strip 65 and adhesive tape 66 thereby leaving a single circuit element secured in the portion of the tape being held between the tape holder 50 and cutter base ~7.
Coincident with the severance of the tape porti.on, a command signal effects operation of cylinder 88 and crank 875 illustrated ~1 Figure 6, to thereby ef~ect engagement of roller 73 aligned in position with the cutter assembly 24 and parallel leads of the circuit element to thereby cause the fixed claw 67 and movable claws 52 into the same elevation as the parallel leads of the eircuit element.. Accordingly, fixed claw 67 is disposed between the opposite leads of the electronic circuit element whereafter the.movable claws 52 are brought together in the ma~ner described above ~ith respect to Figures 17 alld 18, to thereby grip the respective leads. As is illustrated in Figure 23, at this point7 the portion of the tape remains on the extended portion of the leads with the mo~able claw 52 and fixed claws 67 of the chuck 15 firmly gripping the circuit element to be transferred. Upon gripping of the circuit element leads by the chllck 15~ the cutter support is vertically displaced away from the cutter base 47 to thereby release hold of the.tape 3 by the tape holder 50. Thereaf`ter, the circuit element is displaced to a new position b~
the chuck grippin~ same and the base strip 65 and adhesive tape 66 are remo~ed ~ 15 .~-by a c~ltti~ of t~lc lcads along thc linc ll-ll in l`i~-lrc 23 in ;- mallrl~r te bc discusscd morc fully bclow~ thcl~c~y Lcav:~ng thc circuit olcmcnt dcpictcd in Figure 2~ to be transferrcd to the insert position.
It is noted ttlat thc use of the circuit clement carryina tape con-struction illustratcd in Yig~e 21 "Yhcrein a series of electronic circuit elements are disposed at miformly spaced increments along the lengthwise extent of the tape, in combination with the uniformly spaced openin~s in the tape, permits increment by increment feeding of each circuit element so that the circuit element can be reliably separated from the remaining circuit elements secured to the tape. Moreover~ the tape permits the particular element to be transferred to be specifically clamped by the tape holder at a proper position~ so that a portion of ~he tape carrying the specific circuit element can be removed, and then the separated element can be removed from the base strip and adhesive tape by a cutting of the leads between the chuck and base strip. In this manner, a highly precise and reliable assembly for con-tinuously processing electronic circuit elements is provided. ~oreover, although circuit elements often can become misaligned when same are secured to the tape 3 as illustrated in Figure 21~ by utilizing the cla~ping features of the chuck 15, and securing the leads proximate the tape, problems of mis-aligmnent are clearly avoided. Moreover, no take-up reel or other take-up mechanisrn is required since the portions of the tape are severed and only a ; simple waste container for collecting the cut-off ends is needcd.
Reference is now made to Figures 25~ 26 and 26~ whcrein a furthcr e~bod~lent of the rotary sub-assembly 54 is depicted, like reference n~crals being utilized to describe like elements illustratcd and describcd abovc. The rOtary chuck supyort 14 is secured to shaft 56 and is rotatable about thc axis 13 of the shaft, which axis extends at an anglc of 45 with rcspcct to the horizontal. A disc 79 is secured to the shaft 56 and suppor-t rollers 80 which ~ rollers are pcripherally disposed thcreabout (the rollers 80 being cvenly :;

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spacod about the periphcry and corrcs~onding in mun~er to the nwnbcr of chucks 15. As is illustrated in dctail in ~igure 26~ a barrcl cam 81 respcct:i.vely engages the drive rollers 80 to effect an intermittent rotation of the rotary chuck holder 14.
In Figure 26Ag a developed view of the int:ermittent barrel cam 81 ;llustrates the manner in which the ridge portions 85 and groove portions 86 are alternately arranged to effect intermittent rotation of the rotary chuck holder 14. The ridge portions 85 and groove portions 86 define an incline . screw-like camming surface over a radial angle of 240 of barrel cam 81~ the remaining 120 of the barrel cam surface having ridge portions and groove . portions that are parallel to a plane normal. to the cam axis. The ridge por-tions 85, groove portions 86 and rollers 80 operating in cooperating relation-ship therewith are highly toleranced in diameter and pitch to thereby limit any backlash during operation. Accordingly, by driving the cam shaft 82 at a constant speed, the disc 79 and hence the rotary chuck holder 14 are inter-mittently rotated through precise increments during engagement of the rollers 80 by the inclined ridge portions 85 o~ the bearing surface and ceases to be rotated in response to engagement by the parallel portions of the ridges 85.
The cam shaft 82 is rotated at a constant speed during the steps of selecting the tape carrying shelf 25 or in the case of coordinate displacements of the printed circuit board supporting table, and the rotation thereof may be inter-rupted by ukilizing a one-way clutch? illustrated as 91 in Figure 6, provided between the pulley 84 and drive motor, illustrated as 92 in Figure 6~ to effect : synchroni~ation of the rotation o:E the cam sha~t with the timing cycle of the machine.
A bell crank 87 is driven by a cylindcr 88 and effects a displacement . of the block 72 of the chuck 15 by having roller 89 carri.ed by the belt cral~
87 engage same to thereby effect a clamping action by the chuck 15. An elec-tronic photodetccting switch 90 is adaptcd to detect the arrival of the elcc-'.
'' ' - - ~ --~7a~
tron~c circuit elemcllt 17 in reeistry wit~ c cutter Issembly 2~ to tllcreby provide a signal to thc NC program controller and synchronize displclccmcn~ of the cylinder to effect clamping of the circuit elemerlt 17 by the claw 15.
As noted above, the transfer assembly 9 includes a cutter sub-assembly 16 depicted in Figure 27 for severing the tape portion and portion of the paral-lel leads secured by the tape portion along the line }I-H illustrated in Figure 23~ when the clamped circuit element is transferred from the hori~ontal position wherein same is gripped by the chuck 15 to the vertical i~sert position. The cutter sub-assembly 16 is positioned with respect to the rotary chuck support 54? as is best illustrated in Figure 3, so that ~he circuit element 17 including the portion of the tape secured thereto is disposed between cutting blades 97.
To this end, levers 95 and 96 are pivotally mounted by a pin 94 on a bracket 93 and support the respective blades 97 in facing relationship. Links 98 couple ~ the respectiYe levers 95 and 96 to a lever 100~ which lever is rotatably secured ; about a pivot pin 99 to be pivotally dri~en by a drive cylinder 101. According-ly~ a pivotable driving of the lever 100 effects displacement of the links 98 and levers 95 and 96 to effect opening and closing of the cutting blades 97 to thereby effect a cutting of the leads along the line H-ll illustrated in Figure 23~ whereafter~ the circuit element gripped by the chuck takes on the form illustrated in Figure 24 and is transferred to the insert assembly in a ~anner *o be described more fully below.
Referring particularly to Figures 28 through 31, the insert assembly for inserting the circuit elemcnts in the printed circuit board is depicted.
By way of referenco, Figure 28 illustrates a CiI`CUit element such as a capacltor 115~ after the chuck has becn displaced to the insert position, but prior to release of the circuit elemcnt 115 by thc chuclc. A movable block 110 includcs a bolt 109 having sccured thcreto a ro~ end 108. Rod cnd 108 is coupled throuc~h a rod 106 to a cylindcr 107, whicll cylinder ;M resLlonsc to a com~and signal rom the NC program cffects a do~l~ard displacement of the movable block 110.

,.....

~7~ 6 Secured to the mo~able bloclc 110 is a cam 116 and a pin 111. The pin 111 is lowered by a compressioll spring 112 as the bloclc is displaced downward thereby applyirlg a weak do~nward spring force against a push bar 114 coupled to the pin 111 by a braclcet 113. ~hen the head of the capacitc)r 115 is disposed in the reeess 114' of the push bar 114 and is completely covered thereby, the state illustratcd in Figure 30 (b~ is obtained. As the movable block 110 is being displaced downward, a roller 117 pivotably supported on a pin 118 securcd to a lever 119 is cammingly engaged by camming surface 116 to thereby effect a pivoting of the lever 120 away from the capacitor 115 and into contact with the roller 76 of chuck 15 to thereby effect a releasing of the capacitor ele-ment 15 from the grip of the chuck 15, as is particularly depicted in Figure 30~c). At this point, the capacitor element is prevented from turning by the reeess 1141 in the push bar 114, the engagement of the push bar 114, with the head of the capacitor effeeting a downward displacement of the eapacitor leads between lead quide 121 and lead holder 122, as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 31.
In an alternate embodiment~ the push bar can be provided with a spring-biased ehuck 123 as is more partieularly illustrated in Figure 32, the spring-biased ehuck being particular suited for lightly gripping irregular type circuit elements or eircuit element having unusually shaped leads.
Once the capacitor 115 is transferred to the insert position depicted în Figure 30(c) and is released by the chuclc 15, the capacitor is lowered into a position proximate to the openings in the printed circuit board. The second stage of lowering the circuit elemcnt to the ~osition indicated in Figure 30(d) is effected by pin 124 secured to movable block 110, which pin under control of the spring 125 is displaced into 126 to effect displacement of same until haltecl by stopper 127. Thereafter, movable bloclc 110 is further lo~ered, whereby a further pin 128, more particularly illustrated in Figure 29, further displaees the push bar 114 in a downward dircction, the clisplacement of the : ' .

~7~ 6 push bar 114 in a downward direction being e~fected ~y a spring 129 having a weaker biasing ~orce than the spring 112 to thereby urge the leads of the capacitor through the openings in the substrate, the leads being guided by the lcfld guide 121 and lead holder 122 to obtain ~he inserted state depicted in Figure 30~e) of the drawings. Thereafter the tip portion of the leads extend-ing through the holes of the printed circuit substrate are cut off, if neces-sary, and then bent or clamped by suitable means, hereinafter described. Once bending is completed, the cylinder 107 effects displacement of the movable block in the upward direction away from the printed circuit board. The block 110 includes a cam 130 formed thereon for displacing a roller 131 to thereby displace a lever 132 in such manner as to be pivoted about a pin 135 and there-by efEect movement of slidable pin 136 into contact with a roller 137. The consequence thereof is that the roller 137 effects a counter-clockwise rotation of lever 139 about pin 138 resulting in the lead guide 121 for~ed on the end of lever 139 being moved away from the circuit element. A roller 143 carried on a lever 141, which lever is rotatably mounted by pin 140 in response to the counter-clockwise pivoting of the lever 139 is engaged against a fixed element 142 to thereby effect a clockwise rotation of the lever 141, thereby effecting a further rotation of the lead holder 122 in a clockwise direction. In such ; 20 manner, the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122 are retracted from the leads to define an open position as is more particularly illustrated in Figure 30(f~ so that the entire insert assembly can be retracted in the upward direction until same reaches the initial position, the insert assembly completely clearing the electronic capacitor durîng its upward stroke. Accordingly, upon completion of the aforedescribed insert sequence~ a signal for feeding the next electronic circuit ele~ent to the insert position, and a ~ignal Eor moving the table in the coordinate X and Y directions are produc~d b~ the NC progra~ to thereby repeat the next insertion cycle. It is noted that tl~c lead guide 121 and lead hslder 122 are not opened during a downward displacement of the ~ovable block .

- - -1C317~326 110 since the lever 133 is rotatcd with respect to the lever 132 so that thc pin 136 is not displaced by the le~er 132 thereby pcrmitting canl:L30 to be positioned beneath -the roller 131 to effect the aforedcscribcd unclamping operation during the ne~t upward stroke thereof.
Reference is particularly made to Figure 31, wherein an insert head for use in the insert assembly, and is particularly suited for use with a capacitor is depicted The push bar 114 functions to prevent twisting of the capacitor element by being provided with a V-shaped recessed 114', the shape of the recess further effecting an urging of the element through the openings in the printed circuit board 19. Lead guide 121 includes tapered grooves in the tip portion thereof for receiving the parallel leads 153 and guiding same accordingly, and lead holder 122 additionally includes grooves for providing the leads in proper registry with the grooves in the lead guide 121. Futher-more~ the lead guide 121 is biased by a biasing spring 145 to lightly urge the leads within the grooves.
Referring now to Figure 32, an alternate push bar arrangement for lightly clamping the head of the electronic circuit element when same is irre-gular is provided. The head 148 of the electronic circuit element is lightly clamped by chuck 123, which chuck is pivotally moun-ted by a pin 147 to the push bar 114 and is maintained in a clamped position by a biasing spring 146.
If necessary, the element can be clamped between the chuck 123 and a auxiliary pad formed of rubber or other like resilient materials. The lead holder 122 : is so adapted to independently align the leads as same are inserted into the : openings in the circuit board~ the relationship between.the lead gu:ide 121 alld lead holder 122 being particularly illustrated in Figures 33-and 34.
Accordingly, the inscrt asscmbly is cllaractcrized by the use of lcad guides having grooves extending in the dircction of insertion of the leads for : guiding thc leads into the openings in a circuit board to thcrcby facilitate thc însertion of parallel lcads into the printcd circuit boarcl with guarantcccl~' . , ' ~

69;26 precision and ~ithout the need for any partic~llar special purpose enga~ing member~ Moreover, the number of electronic circuit elements and the diEfer~nt types of electronic circuit elements capable o~ being inserted by this mechanism is clearly increased by providing appropriate head adaptors for the particular shaped heads of the circuit elements to b~3 inserted.
Reference is now made to Figures 35 through 39 wherein an insert assembly 10 constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment and wherein the circuit elements can be rotated 90 about the vertical axis at the position at which the leads are to be inserted into the printed circuit board, is illustrated. It is understood that i a 90~ rotation is required~
tha NC program would provide the necessary command signals to e~fect such an operation.
With particular reference to Figures 35 and 36, ~ s~lpport frame 150 is secured to a bracket 151, which bracket is secured ~o a mounting 152, which mounting ef~ects rota*able support of the rotary support holder. In response to a command signal, a cylinder 153 disposed at the top of frame 150 is operated, thereby lowering a movable block 154 along vertical guide rods 155. A push bar 157 is inserted within an opening in the block 154 and is coupled thereto by a spring 156 having a weak spring force so that upon displacement o the movable block in a downward directionJ the push bar 157 is also lowered. Additionally, movable block 154 includes an integrally formed cam 158 ~est illustrated in Figure 37) and a roller 159 adap~ed to be displaoed in a countercloekwise direction in response to the downward displacement of movable block 158. Roller 159 is rotatably carried on a bell-crank 161 which bell-crank is pivotally mounted to block 160. Block 160 is integrally ~ormed with the frame 150 and by the rotatable movement vf the roller 159, a lower block 163 is slightly elevated by link 162, which link is coupled to ~he other end of bell-crank 161. A sleeve 164 is mounted on lower block 163 and toge~her with a metal guide 165~ a second bcll-crank i92, lever 168 pivotally seeured to pin 167 a~ the lower end of sleeve 164, and a lever 170 pivotally secwred by a pin - 22 ~

~:37~6 169 to lever 163, are raised by -thc clcvatio~ of linlc 162. ~s a rc~ Lt thcreof~
lead guide 121 and lead holder 1~2, both provided on ~he lower cnd of the lcver 168 are raised. Accordingly, an electronic circuit element 17 held by chuck 15 in the position direct~y beneath the push bar 157 i.s vcrtically clamped in the recess in the tip of the push bar 157 between the lead guide 121 and lead holder 12~ thereby corresponding to the position illustra~ed in Figure 30(c) and accordingly, the chuck 15 is thereafter opened and displaced away from the circuit element.
Thereafter, the block 154 is urther lowered to bring the g~ide IO element to the position illustrated in Figure 30(d).
As the block 154 is lowered, the roller 159 clears the cam 158, the lowering of block 154 effecting a corresponding lowering of the lower block 163 until the lower block 163 strikes a stopper ~not shown) and thereby stops the downward displacement of the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122~ while the upper block 154 con~inues to be lowered. Since the resistarbce offered ~hen the leads of tbe electronic circuit element 17 are urged into contact with the i printed circuit board is greater than the spring force of the spring l56, the push bar 157 ceases to be displaced downwardly since the spring 156 is com-pressed until the head of pin 171 strikes the head of push bar 157, whereupon ~ 20 the electric circuit element 17 is urged ir.to the printed circuit substrate : since spring 172 provides a sufficiently strong spring force. Once insertion ` is completed, the cyl.inder 153 is rctracted to raise the blocks 154 and 1~3.
As the lead guide 121 and lead holder 122 are raised after completion of the insertion of the leads, thcy arc opened in the manner shown in Figure 301f) 50 that the~ will complctely clear the head of the clectronic circuit element 17~ the mechanism for achieving this effcct being described hercillafter.
The upper block 154 includcs a cam 173~ which cam during the loweri thereof la*erally displaces a roller 131, which roller 131 effects a colu-ter-clockwise ~l~igure 35) rotation of levcr 133 with respect to lever 132, so that - ~3 _ lever 132 is not effectcd ~hereby. ~lowever, WtlCtl block :l5,~ is raiscd~ as the hill surface of the cam 173 engages -thc roller 131 in thc up~arcl d:ircction, a shoulder portion 134 of thc lever 133 strilces the lever 132 thcreby effecting rotation of the lever 132 about pin 135 resulting in a push pin 174 contacting a push bloclc 175. As is particularly illustrated in Figure 38, the push block 175 is~provided with a rack 176, which rac~ is coupled through gears 177 and 178 to a raclc 180 provided on a f~ther block 179 extcnding at a right-angle to the block 175. Accordingly, an inward movement of the push block 175 ef fects a corresponding inward movement of further block 179. The movement of block 179 effects displacement of a roller 181, which roller is disposed on the inner surface of the block 179 disposed on lever 168, so that lever 168 is displaced by the push block 179. Accordingly, the lever 168 is pi~oted about pin 167. The pivoting of lever 168 lS opposed by a spring 182 for re-turning the lever when the force applied to push blade 179 is removed. ~t the same time~ the outward movement of the pin 169 extending from the lever 168 causos lever 170 to stroke a projection 184 projecting from the end of the stopper 183 to thereby inwardly displace the lead holder 122 secured to the end of the lever 170 to the open position illustrated at 12~' in Figure 36.
By this arrangement, contact of the head of the electronic circuit elemen~
with the lead guide 121 or with the lead holder 122 is avoided. It is noted that a spring 200 thereby returns the respective gears 178 and 177 to the ; initial position.
When the electronic circuit element 17 is to be inserted into a circuit board at a right angle to the position at which same is gripped by the c~uck 15~ it is necessary to cff~ct rotation thercof by 90 about its vertical ~xis. To effect such rotation, either cylinder 185 or cylinder 186 proYided in the bloclc 16~ (cylinder 185 in Figure 39) is actuatcd by pncwnatic pressure means in response to a con~land signal, whcreby lever 187 is rotated about pin 188 to bring a cylinder 189 provided at a first cnd of the lcver 187 to a

- 2~

- .. . . - .. . : ,: :

r ~97(~02~
predetermincd pOSitiOII directly ilbovc roller 190~ said pOsitioll bcing illus-trated in Fi~ure 35. Thereafter~ t~lC cylindcr 189 is opcrated~ tllcrcby forc:ing rod head 191 to s-trike and lower the rollcr 190. Bell-crank 192 is thereby pivotcd -to permit the oppositc forlced end 193 to move a pin 194 disposed thercin in a rightward direction. Pin 19~ is mounted on a rack 195, the rack being slidably supported by a guide rail 196, which guide rail is provided with a - slot 197 for permitting niovement of the pin 194 therethrough. With the movement of pin 194~ rack 195 is moved in the horizontal direction. The rack 195 is disposed in meshing engagement with pInion 198, which pinion is securely fitted on the sleeve 164. The operation of the cylinder 189 therefore effects rotation of sleeve 164 within the metal guide 165 coincident with the movement of push bar 157 and lever 168. The rotational angle of the sleeve 164 is set to 90 by a stopper. The resulting position of the sleeve 164 after a 90 rotation there~
of displaces the roller 181 on the direct inner side of the push block 175 so that same is directly operated by the push pin 174 without being under the control of the gears 177 and 17~, restoring spring 199 being provided to restore the respective elements to their initial state.
It is noted, that the structure for permitting reorientation of the electronic circuit element 17 to a position 90 with respect to its initial clamp position, renders it possible to design efficient apparatus for securing ; electronic circuit elements to printcd circuit boards and more importantly permits the si~e of the printed circuit board to be reducedO Furthermore, it is possible to omit the conventional step of resetting the printed circuit substratc on the tablc in~a position of 90 witll respcct to the previous pos --tion~ thereby providing further improvements in the operational efficiency thereof.
Reference is now madc to Figurcs 3 through 6 whcrcin the table assembly 11 is illustrated. The tablc asscmbly includcs an X-Y ta~]e unit and a lead cutting and bcnding sub-asscmbly, gcncra]ly indicated as 201. The X-Y

table as~embly, paTticularly illustx~ated in Figures 3 thlougll 6 :includes a Y-table 203 adapted to be moved along guide rails on a lower base 202 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper upon which Figure 3 is illustrated by an app~opriate cylinder drive or pulsll motor, and an X-table 204, which table can be moved along guide rails on the Y-table 203 within a horiæontal plane in directions perpendicular to the Idirections of movement of the Y-table 203 also by appropriate cylinder drive or pulse mo~or mechan-isms. Thus, the table assembly 11 permits the printed circuit board mounted on the X-table 204 to be brought to a desired position by coordinate movement of the X and Y tables 204 and 203 a~ right-angles with respect ~o each other.
The cutting and bending sub-assembly 201 is disposed directly beneath the insert assembly 10 and serves to cut any extra portions of the leads extending fro~ the rear surface of the printed circuit board and ~urther effects bending of the remaining lead portlons. Referring specifically to Fi~lres 40 and 41, the parallel leads 53 of the disc-shaped capacitor circuit element 115 are inserted through the openings in the circuit substrate 19, whereafter a cylinder 206 secured to frame 205 is displaced toward the posi-tion of the circuit element in response to a lead cut-off command signal received thereby. The displacemen~ of the cylinder 206 causes block 208 secured to a cam 207 to be moved by a rod 209. The cam face of cam 207 is oriented so that arm 210 is rotated a~out a pin 211 in the counterclockwise direction until the arm 210 becomes detached from the cam 207. The movement of th~ arm 210 is articulated by pin 212 to a non-rotational mold 213 and a rotational mold 214 thereby causing upward movement of a pinion to an upper set position determined by stopper 216. Additionally, a boss 217 contacts an end wall 21~ of a slot ~ormed in the rack and effects advancement of the rack 218. The pinion 215 and rotation mold 214 are rotated in response to the rack 218 being advanced, thereby severing the portions of the lead 53 by the blades 220 o~ the rotational mold 214 and blades 221 nf the non-rotational mold 213. Thereafter, the rack 218 continues to be advanced .
- 2~ -causing a continucd clocltwisc I otation of thc yi.nion 215 and rotational mold 214. Tlle remaining lead poI~tions 53 arc thcreforc guidcd by tho walls ~f thc chamfered portions 222 illustrated in Figures 42 and ~3 and hence are bcnt by the subtly curved surfaces 223 of the chamfers 222~ more specifically depicted in Figure 43. Once bending of the leads 53 is effected, thc cylinder 206 is displacèd away from the circuit element thereby carrying block 208 therewith until the boss 217 strikes the end 208 of the slot in the rack 218 to return the.rack and thereby rotate the pinion 215 in the counterclockwise cLirection.
Simultaneous therewith, cam 207 effects rotation of the arm 210 about pin 211 in a clockwise direction under the biasing force of a spring 225 to thereb~-lower the non-rotational mold 213~ rotational mold 214 and pinion 215 so that the cylinder is returned to the initial position to thereby complete an entire machine cycle of the instant invention.
Referring specifically to Figures 44~a) through 44(e)~ the sequence through which the parallel leads 53 are inserted into the openings in the printed circuit board 19 to effect cutting and bending thereof is depicted.
Initially,. as depicted in Figure 44(a) the leads 53 are inserted between th~
respecti~o blade of the non-rotational and rotational molds 213 and 214. There-after~ Flgure A4(b) illustrates a state where the extra portions of the leads :
53 are cut off by rotation of the rotational mold 214, whereafter the remaining leads 53 are bent in mutually opposite directions by the chamfered portions 222 o~ the rotat.ional mold 214, as is illustratcd in Figure 44(c.~. Once the bendin~
of the lead~ 53 is completed, as depicted în Figure 44(d) the rotational mold 214 and non-rotatLonal mold 213 arc disp]aced away from the circuit board and element affixed thereto to thereby leavc the element securcd to the circuit board at the rear surface thcreof in thc manner illustratcd in Figure 45.
~ , .
It is noted that altllough thc cu~ti.ng and bcnding sub~asscmbly can obtain thc unctions discloscd by providing two bladc receiving openings so that the rcspective leads can be inserted into the respcctive bladc rcceiving ' ' ' ~7'~f~

openings, in order to facilitate corrcspolldcnce of the blade opcnings to ~he leads when the set sta-tc of the pr-rltcd circuit substrate is chan6ed ~y 9~ , it is particularly effective to providc each mold with four blade openings as particularly illustrated in Figure 42 or to utilize a combination of mo]ds having blade openings whcn the circuit element has more than two parallel leads.
It is noted that the machine assembly detailed above renders it possible to obtain highly efficient and precise processing and securing of electronic circuit elements to a circuit substrate, such as a printed circuit board, without requiring subsequent changing of the position of the elements, thereby further insuring that soldering in the next step of formation will be effective. Moreover, the extra lead portions cut off can be easily collected to prevent any contamination of the machine process thereby, and additionally permit reuse thereof.
It is further noted that whereas the prior art was characterized by an exclusive insert machine being required for each type of electronic circuit element to be secured to a printed circuit board, the instant invention permits a single machine ~o effect automatic insertion of the electronic circuit ele-ments into a printed circuit board in a sequential manner by merely supplying the NC programmer with an appropriate program.

Claims (7)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH IN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a machine for automatically inserting parallel lead circuit ele-ments into openings in a printed circuit board, said machine including cir-cuit elements supply means, the improvement comprising; transfer means for receiving from said circuit elements supply means each circuit element sup-plied thereby and for displacing same to a release position, said transfer means including chuck means for gripping said supplied circuit element during receipt and displacement thereof to said release position.

2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer means in-cludes a plurality of said chuck means.

3. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said chuck means includes a fixed block supported by said transfer means, a first movable block slidably engaged in said fixed block, a second movable block slidably engaged in said first movable block, and engagement means for effecting relative movement of said first and second movable block, said second movable block including a fixed claw formed thereon, said second movable block also including movable claws disposed thereon, said movable claws including spring biasing means for biasing said movable claws into one of a closed and opened position for re-spectively gripping and releasing said supplied circuit element, and further spring biasing means for bringing said second movable block into engagement with said fixed block to define an open position.

4. A machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transfer means in cludes rotary support means and a plurality of chuck means peripherally dis-posed on said rotary support means, said rotary support means being adapted to rotatably increment said chuck means to grip each supplied circuit element and rotatably transfer same to said release position.

5. A machine as claimed in claim 3, wherein each said chuck means in-cludes gripping and releasing positioning means, said gripping and releasing positioning means including engaging means adapted to engage at least one of at least two recesses formed in said first movable block, said first recess defining said closed position and said second recess defining said open position of said movable block.

6. A machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein said rotary support means includes intermittent rotary drive means for intermittently driving said ro-tary support means through a fixed rotational angle for each rotational in-crement thereof.

7. A machine as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rotary drive means includes rollers peripherally disposed around said rotary support means and a barrel cam having oriented circumferential grooves therein for engaging said peripherally disposed rollers, a first portion of said grooves being aligned in parallel with an imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis of said cam, the remaining portion of said circumferential grooves being disposed at an incline with respect to said imaginary plane perpendicular to the axis of said cam.