JP2002274639A - Article supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten the length in the arm moving direction of an article supply device as much as possible to miniaturize the device. SOLUTION: This article supply device has an arm 1, which is made of a slender belt-shaped flat spring body like a metallic measuring tape, in which the rear end of the flat spring body is supported to be rollable and a part directing from a rolling part on the rear end side to the tip side of the flat spring is made linearly movable, and a first and a second driving rollers 3, 4 giving the moving force to the arm 1 by interposing the arm 1 and rotating in the opposite directions each other. By advancing the arm 1 from the initial position where the rear end of the arm 1 is rolled by the specified amount, a base plate 9 is pushed out, and when the pushing out is finished, the arm 1 is made to retreat, and the rear end is rolled to return to the initial position. The arm 1 is arranged so that the bent recess is directed upward or sideward.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an article supply apparatus for supplying an electronic component such as a substrate to a next step.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automation of production lines has been advanced, and for example, a process of mounting electronic components on a substrate and a subsequent soldering process have been almost automated. In such an automated production line, it is necessary to provide an article supply device that feeds a large number of substrates stacked on a stacker one by one onto a movable line.

[0003] In this type of article supply apparatus conventionally used, a motor as a drive source, an arm as a means for applying a pushing force to an article to be supplied, and this arm perform a horizontal reciprocating operation. As described above, the driving force transmitting means for transmitting the rotational force of the motor is a main component.

[0004]

The article supply apparatus having such a structure is a mechanism in which the arm pushes out the article by a horizontal reciprocating operation, so that the article to be supplied is surely sent to the next step. A predetermined stroke length is required, and depending on the system used, a large stroke length may need to be ensured.

[0005] In order to secure the predetermined stroke length, it is necessary to secure at least the range in which the arm can move forward and backward by the stroke length. Accordingly, the article supply device requires the arm stroke length to be sufficient. A sufficient horizontal length is required.

However, when this type of article supply device is installed at a certain place, there are many cases where the installation space is limited.
In particular, in the above-described automatic mounting system for electronic components and the like, since the system often includes a plurality of assembling steps, it is necessary to continuously install devices used in the individual steps. For this reason, individual apparatuses are required to be miniaturized as much as possible, and the article supply apparatus which is the object of the present invention is required to be further miniaturized, in particular, to shorten the length of the article in the feeding direction as much as possible. I have.

In this type of article supply apparatus, the arm only needs to apply a sufficient pushing force to the article to push out the article to be extruded, and to apply an excessive pushing force to the article. Is not preferred. For example, a situation may occur in which the substrates stacked on the stacker are not smoothly fed out for some reason, such as being caught by the stacker. In such a case, in order to prevent the article from being damaged, it is necessary to devise a method that does not apply excessive pushing force to the article.

However, the conventional arm is often made of a rigid rod-like member made of stainless steel or the like, and when the above-described problem occurs, if the same pushing force is applied to the substrate, the substrate or other article is damaged. In addition to the above, there is also a possibility that an unreasonable force is applied to the article supply apparatus side and the apparatus becomes inoperable.

Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to reduce the size of the apparatus by shortening the installation length of the arm in the forward and backward movement directions while securing a sufficient stroke length required for pushing out the article. It is an object of the present invention to provide an article supply device that does not apply excessive pushing force.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an article feeding apparatus according to the present invention comprises an elongated band-shaped leaf spring body having a constant rigidity by forming a curved cross section. The rear end of the body is rotatably supported, and a portion extending from the winding portion on the rear end toward the distal end of the leaf spring is linearly arranged, and the distal end acts as a push-out end for an article to be pushed out. Having an arm to
The straight portion of the arm is arranged so that the curved concave surface faces upward or sideward, and the arm is unwound from the initial position of the arm where the rear end side of the arm is wound up by a predetermined amount. By performing the forward movement, the pushing operation of the article is performed, and when the pushing operation is completed, the rear end side of the arm is wound up and the operation of returning to the initial position is performed.

As described above, the rear end of the arm is wound up like a tape measure, and the arm is pulled out or wound up from the winding section in accordance with the reciprocating operation of the arm. The stroke length necessary for the pushing can be sufficiently ensured, and the installation length of the arm in the reciprocating movement direction can be shortened, whereby the size of the device can be reduced.

Further, the arm is made of an elongated band-shaped leaf spring body having a certain rigidity, and the curved concave surface is directed upward or to the side. A sufficient pushing force to extrude the article can be given. Further, when an overload is applied, the arm is bent, so that an unnecessary excessive pushing force is not applied to the article, and damage to the article and damage to the apparatus can be prevented.

Further, another article supply apparatus of the present invention comprises an elongated band-shaped leaf spring body having a certain rigidity due to a curved cross section, and the rear end side of the band-shaped leaf spring body draws an arc. An arm that is slidably disposed on the rear end of the leaf spring and that extends from the portion where the arc begins to be drawn toward the distal end of the leaf spring, the distal end of which acts as a pushing end of the article to be pushed out. And an arc-shaped guide portion provided so that the rear end side of the band-shaped plate spring body draws an arc to perform a sliding operation, and a straight line of the arm such that the curved concave surface faces upward or sideward. The arm is pulled out from the initial position of the arm where the rear end side of the arm is in a state where the rear end side of the arm is present in the arcuate guide portion by a predetermined amount, and the arm is pushed forward to perform the pushing operation of the article, The extrusion operation ends That the arm is retracted, the rear end is to perform the operation to return to the initial position by sliding the arcuate guide portion in an arc.

As described above, since the rear end of the arm is slidably arranged so as to draw an arc, it is possible to sufficiently secure a stroke length necessary for pushing out an article. The installation length of the arm in the direction of the reciprocating movement can be shortened, whereby the size of the device can be reduced. Moreover, since the structure is such that the rear end of the arm is merely arranged so as to draw an arc, the structure itself can be simplified, and the effect on the product cost can be reduced.

Further, in the present invention, similarly to the above-mentioned invention, the arm is made of an elongated band-shaped leaf spring having a certain rigidity, and the curved concave surface is directed upward or to the side. Originally, it is possible to apply a sufficient pushing force to an article to be extruded to extrude the article. Further, when an overload is applied, the arm is bent, so that an unnecessary excessive pushing force is not applied to the article, and damage to the article and damage to the apparatus can be prevented.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the article supply device of each of the above-described aspects, the arm is provided at a portion where the arm is linearly arranged, and the arm is interposed and rotated in directions opposite to each other. Are provided with first and second drive rollers for giving a linear forward or backward movement force.

As described above, the first and second drive rollers for moving the arm forward and backward with the arm interposed therebetween are both rollers having a driving force. Therefore, the forward and backward movement of the arm can be surely performed with high precision. Can be performed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the article supply device of the above-described invention, the first drive roller is a drive roller that is in contact with the convex side of the curved surface formed on the arm, and the second drive roller is A drive roller contacting the concave side of the curved surface formed on the arm, wherein the second drive roller has a convex shape such that the contact surface with the arm conforms to the concave surface of the curved surface formed on the arm. I have to.

Thus, when the arm of the leaf spring body moves forward and backward, it is difficult for the arm to come off the roller portion, and the linear forward and backward movement of the arm can be performed smoothly and reliably. Further, the arm is less likely to be bent toward the convex side of the curved surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the article supply device of the above-described invention, the first driving roller has a shape in which the contact surface with the arm has a flat surface or a concave surface having a gentler curvature than the convex surface of the arm. And

Thus, the rotational force of the first drive roller and the second drive roller can be more efficiently applied to the arm, and when the arm moves forward and backward, the arm is less likely to come off the roller portion. , The arms can be made to move linearly more and more smoothly and reliably.

Still another aspect of the present invention is directed to the article supply apparatus according to each of the above aspects, further comprising an advancing / retreating mechanism for guiding a linear advancing / retreating movement of the arm between the first and second driving rollers and the tip of the arm. An exercise guide section is provided, and the advance / retreat exercise guide section has a structure for holding the arm from up, down, left, and right directions.

As described above, by using a guide having a structure for holding the arm from up, down, left and right directions as the guide portion for guiding the linear forward and backward movement of the arm, when the arm performs linear forward and backward movement, The arm does not deviate from the forward / backward movement trajectory, the tip of the arm can reach an appropriate position for the article, and the article can be reliably pushed out.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in addition to the article supply device of each of the above aspects, the first driving roller and the second driving roller sandwich the arm by applying a predetermined pressing force to the arm. To give forward and backward movement power.

As a result, slipping or the like is less likely to occur between the first and second driving rollers and the arm, and the driving force of the first and second driving rollers can be efficiently transmitted to the arm. Can be reliably moved forward and backward.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an article supply apparatus according to the present invention will be described by way of two embodiments. In each of these embodiments, a description will be given of an article supply apparatus for supplying electronic component mounting substrates one by one in the next step.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view for explaining a first embodiment of an article supply apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, first, only the constituent elements are enumerated. An arm 1, a stepping motor 2 as a drive source for causing the arm 1 to perform a linear forward and backward movement, and a stepping motor (hereinafter simply referred to as a motor) A) a first drive roller 3 for transmitting the rotational force of 2) to the arm 1 as a forward / backward movement force;
A second driving roller 4 (having the same diameter as the first driving roller 3) provided so as to sandwich the arm 1 between the second driving roller 4 and the second driving roller 4. An elastic member 5 such as a spring for applying a pressing force to press the first drive roller 3 with the motor 1 and the first and second rollers 3 and 4, that is, the tip 1 a of the arm 1. It includes an advancing / retracting motion guide 6 provided on the side, an arm position detection sensor 7 for detecting the position of the arm 1, and the like.

A stacker 8 is provided in front of the tip 1a of the arm 1. The stacker 8 has a substrate 9 as a number of articles sent out to the next step by the arm 1. Each sheet is stacked.

The arm 1 is formed by using a thin metal plate and formed into an elongated strip-shaped plate spring having rigidity, so that the arm 1 can be wound into the winding case 10. That is, the arm 1 can be pulled out or wound up from the winding case 10 by pulling the tip 1a side thereof, similar to a commonly used metal tape measure. It has a simple structure. In the first embodiment, the distal end portion 1a is used in a state where the distal end portion 1a is pulled out from the winding case 10 by a predetermined length.

The cross section of the arm 1 is curved like a general tape measure as shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a view of a cross section taken along the line y-y in FIG. 1 as viewed from the front (the end portion 1a side of the arm 1). The arm 1 has a curved convex surface 1b side. (In the direction of arrow xx ′). By providing the arm 1 in this manner, the winding direction of the arm 1 into the winding case 10 is clockwise (A direction in the drawing) in FIG.

As described above, the arm 1 has the curved convex surface 1.
Since b is located on the lower side, even if the tip 1a is pulled out from the winding case 10 to a certain length, the pulled-out state can be maintained by its own rigidity. It has become. That is, the arm 1 is easy to bend upward but hard to bend downward with respect to the direction of movement of the arm 1 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 1).

Further, the end of one substrate 9 located at a position facing the end 1a of the arm 1 among the substrates 9 stacked on the stacker 8 can be inserted into the end 1a of the arm 1. A substrate pushing portion 11 provided with a simple U-shaped groove 11a is provided.

The arm 1 thus pulled out by a certain length is linearly arranged, and the motor 2 and the rotational force of the motor 2 are disposed between the tip 1a and the winding case 10. Accordingly, a first drive roller 3 and a second drive roller 4 for linearly moving the arm 1 forward and backward with the arm 1 interposed therebetween are provided.

The first drive roller 3 receives the torque of the motor 2 and rotates in the same direction (the direction of the arrow BB '). On the other hand, the second drive roller 4
Is the same as that of the first driving roller 3, but the first
Is provided so as to rotate in the opposite direction to the drive roller 3. Although the mechanism is not shown, as an example, the rotating shaft 3a of the first driving roller 3 and the rotating shaft 4 of the second driving roller 4
This is a mechanism in which gears having the same diameters as those of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 are attached to a, and the respective gears mesh with each other.

By adopting such a mechanism, for example, when the rotor of the motor 2 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the first drive roller 3 also rotates in the same direction (direction of arrow B). Drive roller 4 rotates in the opposite direction (the direction of arrow C) at the same speed as the first drive roller 3.

As described above, the first driving roller 3 is driven by the arrow B
When the second driving roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C, the arm 1 sandwiched between the first driving roller 3 and the second driving roller 4 moves forward (arrow x).
Direction).

When the rotor of the motor 2 rotates in the direction of the arrow B ', the first drive roller 3 also rotates in the same direction (the direction of the arrow B'), whereby the second drive roller 4 rotates in the first direction. At the same speed as the driving roller 3 in the opposite direction (arrow C ').
Direction).

As described above, when the first driving roller 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B 'and the second driving roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C', the first driving roller 3 and the second driving roller 3 rotate. 4 is retracted rearward (in the direction of arrow x ').

The second drive roller 4 is provided with an elastic member 5
As a result, the force that is pressed against the first drive roller 3 is applied, so that the rotational force of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 can be more efficiently applied to the arm 1. It has become.

The first drive roller 3 and the second
As shown in FIG. 3, the end surface 3b of the first drive roller 3 (the surface in contact with the curved convex surface 1b side of the arm 1) is a flat surface, while the second drive roller 4 has a flat surface. 4
The end surface 4b (the surface in contact with the curved concave surface 1c side of the arm 1) has a convex shape adapted to the concave surface.

The end faces of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 are shaped as shown in FIG. 3 so that the rotational force of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 is changed. Can be given to the arm 1 more efficiently, and when the arm 1 performs the reciprocating operation, the arm 1 is hardly disengaged from the first and second driving rollers 3 and 4.
The linear reciprocating operation of the arm 1 can be performed more smoothly and reliably.

The arm position detection sensor 7 detects, for example, a mark attached to the arm 1, and outputs a signal indicating the position, the operating state, and the like of the arm 1 by detecting the mark. For example, arm 1
Can be counted, so that information such as the number of extrusions of the substrate 9 can be obtained, whereby the number of substrates 9 sent out to the next process can be obtained. And so on. In addition, various information for monitoring the operation state of the arm 1 can be obtained.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.

First, the arm 1 is detected by the arm position detecting sensor 7 to be in the advance preparation position (origin position), and the motor 2 is rotated in the direction of arrow B. When the rotor of the motor 2 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the first drive roller 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B and the second drive roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C, accordingly. As a result, the arm 1 moves forward (in the direction of the arrow x). At this time, arm 1
Performs an operation such that its rear end is pulled out of the winding case 10, and its front end is guided forward (in the direction of the arrow x) by the reciprocating motion guide 6.

When the substrate push-out portion 11 provided at the distal end portion 1a of the arm 1 reaches one substrate 9 located at a position facing the substrate push-out portion 11, the U provided at the substrate push-out portion 11 is provided. While holding the substrate 9 by the groove 11a, the substrate 9 is further pushed forward. As a result, the substrate 9 is sent out of the stacker 8 and sent to the next step (not shown).

As described above, when the number of steps of the current applied to the motor 2 reaches the predetermined number, the motor 2 is stopped, and the pushing of one substrate 9 is completed. afterwards,
The rotor of the motor 2 rotates in the reverse direction (the direction of arrow B '),
Accordingly, the first drive roller 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B ', and the second drive roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C'.

As a result, the arm 1 moves backward (in the direction of the arrow x '). At this time, the leading end of the arm 1 is guided by the advance / retreat movement guide 6 and advances rearward (in the direction of the arrow x '), and the trailing end is wound into the winding case 10. When the number of steps of the motor 2 reaches a predetermined number, the motor 2 stops. If the arm position detection sensor 7 does not detect a predetermined mark even when the number of steps of the motor 2 reaches the predetermined number, the motor 2 is driven until the mark is detected, and then stops.

When the motor 2 receives the drive signal, the arm position detection sensor 7 detects a predetermined mark. When it is detected that the arm 1 is at the home position, the motor 2 rotates again in the direction of arrow B, and accordingly, the first drive roller 3 moves in the direction of arrow B and the second drive roller 4 moves in the direction of arrow C again. Rotate each. As a result, the arm 1 performs such an operation that its rear end is pulled out from the winding case 10, and its front end is guided forward and backward (in the direction of the arrow x) by the reciprocating motion guide 6.

Then, when the next substrate 9 is pushed by the substrate pushing unit 11, the motor 2 rotates in the reverse direction (in the direction of arrow B '), thereby causing the rear end of the arm 1 to move as described above. The side is wound up into the winding case 10.

In this embodiment, the arm position detection sensor 7 is also used to determine the origin position of the arm 1, and whether the arm 1 is at the origin (= forward preparation position) when the motor 2 starts driving. Or to detect. If the arm 1 is not at the origin, it is determined that the arm has moved forward too much, and the motor 2 is first turned to the arrow B '
And the arm 1 is driven in the direction of arrow X '.
If the arm 1 has retreated too far for some reason, the substrate push-out unit 11 comes to a position facing the arm position detection sensor 7 by this initial operation, so that the state is detected and stopped at that position. Thereafter, the motor 2 is driven in the direction of arrow B for a predetermined number of steps to return to the origin position.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the arm 1 is disposed in a state where the tip 1a side thereof is pulled out from the winding case 10 by a predetermined length.
In this state, the arm 1 moves forward and backward. When the substrate 9 is pushed out, the arm 1 is pulled out of the winding case 10 by the stroke length necessary for pushing out the substrate 9, the pushing out operation of the substrate 9 is performed, and the pushing out operation of the substrate 9 is completed. Then, an operation is performed in which the film is taken up by the winding case 10 by an amount pulled out from the winding case 10 (a stroke length necessary for pushing the substrate 9).

As described above, in the first embodiment, unlike the conventional arm in which the entire length of the arm 1 is entirely linearly arranged, the rear end of the arm 1 is wound into the winding case 10. By being taken, it is possible to shorten the installation length of the arm 1 in the reciprocating motion direction as compared with the conventional one while ensuring a sufficient stroke length necessary for pushing out the substrate 9, and thereby the article supply device Of the arm 1 in the forward and backward movement directions can be shortened.

Since the length of the arm 1 wound on the winding case 10 can be set by the length wound on the winding case 10, the length of the arm 1 exposed from the winding case 10 is short. Even so, a sufficiently long stroke can be ensured, so that it can be used for various applications.

The arm 1 is formed by using a thin metal plate as a whole, and is formed into a strip-shaped plate spring having a certain rigidity, like a generally used tape measure made of metal. Therefore, under appropriate conditions, a pushing force required to push the substrate 9 can be given to the substrate 9. On the other hand, if the substrate 9 stacked on the stacker 8 is not smoothly fed out for some reason, such as being caught on the stacker 8, an excessive pushing force by the arm 1 is applied to the substrate 9. However, when such an overload is applied, the arm 1 is bent (in the case of the first embodiment, it is bent upward in FIG. 1), so that the substrate 9 may be damaged or the article supply device may be damaged. It is possible to prevent a problem that an excessive force is applied to the side.

The first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 for moving the arm 1 forward and backward are rotated by receiving the driving force from the motor 2 and are rotated by an elastic member 5 such as a spring. Since a tension is applied to the first drive roller 3 so that the second roller 4 is pressed,
Slip and the like hardly occur between the first and second drive rollers 3, 4 and the arm 1, and the driving force of the first and second drive rollers 3, 4 can be efficiently transmitted to the arm 1. 1 can be reliably moved forward and backward.

Further, the first driving roller 3 and the second
As shown in FIG. 3, the first drive roller 3 has a flat contact surface, and the second drive roller 4 has a curved surface (concave surface 1c) of the arm 1. With such a curved shape, the rotational force of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 can be more efficiently applied to the arm 1, and
When the arm 1 moves forward and backward, it is difficult for the arm 1 to be disengaged from the rollers 3 and 4.
It can be performed more smoothly and reliably.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a side sectional view for explaining a second embodiment of the article supply apparatus according to the present invention. The article supply device shown in FIG. 4 differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 only in the mechanism for processing the rear end side of the arm 1, and the other configuration is the same as that of FIG. Therefore, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same portions will be omitted.

The second embodiment is characterized in that the arm 1 can be slid so as to draw an arc, instead of winding the rear end. In order to realize this, a sliding operation is performed on the rear side of the first and second driving rollers 3 and 4 so as to draw an arc on the rear end side of the arm 1 when the arm 1 moves forward and backward. Arc-shaped guide members 21a for
21b is provided.

Although various shapes of the guide members 21a and 21b are conceivable, in the second embodiment, the guide members 21a and 21b are provided so as to draw a substantially semicircle.
1b is sandwiched between the side plates 22a and 22b from both sides. The rear end of the arm 1 is passed between the guide members 21a and 21b. Other structures are the same as those in FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment.

The rear end of the arm 1 (which is denoted by reference numeral 1b) has a guide member 2 as shown in FIG.
It is permissible to project further rearward than 1a, 21b. The length of the guide members 21a and 21b can be arbitrarily set according to the required stroke distance depending on the place where the article supply device is used. For example, when the stroke distance is short, the entire length of the arm 1 can be shortened.
The length of 21b does not need to be long enough to draw a semicircle, but may be about 1/4 circle and the rear end 1b may be directed vertically upward in some cases.

The operation of the second embodiment in such a configuration will be described.

The supply operation of the article (here, the substrate 9) as the article supply apparatus in the second embodiment is performed by the first operation.
Since this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, a brief description will be given here. First, when the rotor of the motor 2 rotates in the direction of arrow B, the first drive roller 3 is accordingly moved in the direction of arrow B,
The second drive roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C.
As a result, the arm 1 moves forward (in the direction of the arrow x). At this time, the rear end side of the arm 1 is
a, 21b while moving in the direction of an arc while moving in the direction of the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4, the leading end of which is guided by the forward / backward movement guide 6 to move forward (in the direction of arrow x). Go forward.

When the substrate push-out portion 11 provided at the distal end portion 1a of the arm 1 reaches one substrate 9 located at a position facing the substrate push-out portion 11, the U provided at the substrate push-out portion 11 is removed. The groove 12 pushes the substrate 9 further forward while holding the substrate 9. As a result, the substrate 9 is sent out of the stacker 8 and sent to the next step (not shown).

As described above, when the extrusion of one substrate 9 is completed, the motor 2 rotates in the reverse direction (the direction of arrow B '), and accordingly, the first drive roller 3 rotates in the direction of arrow B'. The second drive roller 4 rotates in the direction of arrow C '. As a result, the arm 1 moves backward (in the direction of arrow A '). At this time, the rear end side of the arm 1 performs an operation of retreating while drawing an arc along the guide members 21a and 21b.

As described above, in the second embodiment, unlike the conventional arm in which the entire length of the arm 1 is entirely linearly arranged as it is, the rear end of the arm 1 is arranged to draw an arc. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to shorten the installation length of the arm 1 in the reciprocating motion direction as compared with the conventional one while securing a sufficient stroke length necessary for pushing out the substrate 9, Thus, the length of the arm 1 of the article supply device in the forward / backward movement direction can be reduced.

In the second embodiment, as a mechanism for processing the rear end of the arm 1, only the arc-shaped guide members 21a and 21b for drawing an arc on the arm 1 need be provided. The mechanism is simple, and the influence on the cost as a product can be reduced.

Further, since the length of the arm 1 drawing the arc can be set arbitrarily, a sufficiently long stroke can be secured even if the length of the arm 1 in the straight portion is short.
Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, it can be used for various purposes.

Since the configuration of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, other effects similar to those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

Each of the above embodiments is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. It is. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, as can be seen from FIGS.
This is an example in which the convex surface 1b side of the curved surface is downward and the concave surface 1c side is upward. That is, FIGS. 1 and 4 are side views, and the first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 are also provided above and below the arm 1 so as to sandwich the arm 1. The present invention is not limited to such an arrangement. For example, taking the case of the first embodiment as an example, as shown in the plan view of FIG. Side and at recess 1
The c side may be used so as to be lateral to the direction of movement of the arm 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the article supply apparatus as viewed from above, and the arm 1 is used such that the convex surface 1b and the concave surface 1c of the curved surface are oriented sideways.
The first drive roller 3 and the second drive roller 4 are also provided on both left and right sides in the traveling direction of the arm 1 so as to sandwich the arm 1. Even with the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the same article pushing operation as in the first embodiment can be performed.
The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained. Of course,
It can be applied to the second embodiment.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the first drive roller 3 is provided on the end surface 3b that comes into contact with the convex surface 1b of the arm 1.
3 is flat as shown in FIG. 3, but the end surface 3b may be a concave surface having a gentler curvature than the convex surface 1b of the arm 1 as shown in FIG.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the article to be extruded is the substrate 9. However, the present invention is not limited to the substrate 9, but can be applied to other articles as long as they are relatively lightweight. In such a case, a pushing portion attached to the tip of the arm 1 may be devised in accordance with each article.
Furthermore, a shape memory alloy is adopted as the material of the arm 1,
The linear portion of the arm 1 and the wound portion (direction changing portion) may be formed by temperature control.

[0073]

As described above, in the article supply device of the present invention, the rear end of the arm is wound up like a tape measure.
The mechanism is designed to be pulled out or taken up from the winding section as the arm moves forward and backward. Therefore, the size of the device can be reduced.

Further, since the article supply device of another invention has a structure in which the rear end of the arm is slidably arranged so as to draw an arc, a sufficient stroke length necessary for pushing out the article is secured. The installation length of the arm in the forward and backward movement directions can be shortened while the size of the device can be reduced. Moreover, since the structure is such that the rear end of the arm is merely arranged so as to draw an arc, the structure itself can be simplified, and the effect on the product cost can be reduced.

In each of these inventions, the arm is made of an elongated band-shaped leaf spring having a certain rigidity, and the curved concave surface is directed upward or to the side. The arm can bend if an overload is applied, so that no excessive force is applied to the article, and the article is not damaged. And damage to the device side can be prevented beforehand.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a first embodiment of an article supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a cross section taken along the line yy of the arm shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the distal end side of the arm.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a contact state between first and second drive rollers and an arm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view illustrating a second embodiment of the article supply device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the article supply device according to the present invention, and is a side view illustrating a modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the contact state between the first and second drive rollers and the arm illustrated in FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Arm 1a Arm tip 1b Arm rear end 2 Stepping motor (motor) 3 First drive roller 3b End face of first drive roller 4 Second drive roller 4b End face of second drive roller 5 Elastic member 6 Advance / retreat Motion guide 7 Arm position detection sensor 8 Stacker 9 Substrate 10 Winding case 11 Substrate push-out portions 21a, 21b Arc-shaped guide

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An elongated band-shaped leaf spring body having a certain rigidity due to a curved cross section, and a rear end side of the band-shaped leaf spring body is supported so as to be windable, and a winding portion on the rear end side is provided. A portion directed toward the distal end side of the leaf spring is linearly arranged, and the distal end portion has an arm acting as a pushing end of an article to be pushed out, so that the curved concave surface faces upward or sideward. The arm is unwound and moved forward from the initial position of the arm where the linear portion of the arm is arranged and the rear end side of the arm is wound up by a predetermined amount, thereby pushing out the article. And when the pushing-out operation is completed, the rear end side of the arm is wound up and returns to the initial position. 2. An elongated band-shaped leaf spring body having a certain rigidity due to a curved cross section, and the rear end side of the strip-shaped leaf spring body is slidably arranged so as to draw an arc. A portion from the portion where the arc starts to be drawn toward the tip end of the leaf spring is linearly arranged, and the tip portion serves as a pushing end of an article to be pushed out; An arc-shaped guide portion provided so that the end side draws an arc to perform a sliding operation, and a linear portion of the arm is arranged so that the curved concave surface is directed upward or to the side; From the initial position of the arm, where the rear end side is in a state where a predetermined amount is present in the arc-shaped guide portion, the arm is pulled out and performs a forward movement to perform the pushing operation of the article, and when the pushing operation is completed. The above An article supply device that retreats and moves the rear end side back in the arcuate guide portion so as to draw an arc and returns to the initial position. 3. The first arm is provided at a portion where the arm is linearly arranged, and applies a linear forward or backward movement force to the arm by sandwiching the arm and rotating in directions opposite to each other. The article supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a second drive roller. 4. The driving roller according to claim 1, wherein the first driving roller is a driving roller that is in contact with a convex surface of the curved surface formed on the arm, and the second driving roller is a concave surface of the curved surface formed on the arm. The drive roller contacting the side, wherein the second drive roller has a convex shape such that a contact surface with the arm conforms to a concave surface of the curved surface formed on the arm. 3. The article supply device according to 3. 5. The article according to claim 4, wherein the first drive roller has a flat contact surface with the arm or a shape having a concave surface having a gentler curvature than a convex surface of the arm. Feeding device. 6. An advance / retreat movement guide section for guiding a linear advance / retreat movement of the arm is provided between the first and second drive rollers and a tip end of the arm. The article supply device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the arm supply device is configured to hold the arm from up, down, left, and right directions. 7. The device according to claim 3, wherein the first drive roller and the second drive roller sandwich the arm in a state where a predetermined pressing force is applied. Article supply device.