JP2005174948A - Manufacturing system of xenon discharge tube, manufacturing method of xenon discharge tube, and manufacturing tool of xenon discharge tube - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize full automation of a manufacturing process of a xenon discharge tube to achieve improvement of production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube. <P>SOLUTION: A primary sealed product is produced by fusing the one end part of a glass tube to the rear end part of an electrode rod fixed to an anode side lead in an anode side assembly process S1; and a cathode body is produced by fixing the cathode of ring shape to the front end part of the electrode rod fixed to the front end of the cathode side lead by means of caulking in a cathode side assembly process S2. The xenon discharge tube is produced by fusing the other end part of the glass tube in the primary sealed product to the rear end part of the electrode rod fixed to the cathode side lead in the cathode body in an assembly process S3. An anode side tool is used for producing the primary sealed product in the anode side assembly process S1, and a cathode side tool is used for secondary sealing in the assembly process S3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, and in particular, to a method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube suitable for achieving full automation of the manufacturing process.

  In general, a xenon discharge tube is a discharge tube using arc discharge of xenon gas, and has a configuration in which a cathode and an anode are arranged to face each other in a glass tube filled with xenon gas. In this xenon discharge tube, the gas pressure of the xenon gas in the glass tube is around 0.5 to 15 atm, and its energy distribution is almost similar to the energy distribution of sunlight except for the emission line due to xenon gas. That is, a point light source has high brightness and has characteristics close to natural daylight color, and a substantially continuous spectrum from ultraviolet rays to visible rays and near infrared rays can be obtained.

Further, this xenon discharge tube has a high conversion efficiency from electric energy to light energy, and the conversion efficiency exceeds 50% at a sealing pressure of 5 atm. A 100 W xenon discharge tube gives 2500 cd / mm ² and a 25 kW xenon discharge tube gives a maximum of 10,000 cd / mm ² .

  In addition to being used as a white light source, it is also used as a light source for near infrared rays and ultraviolet rays. It is also practically used for photoengraving, photo-taking such as copying, printing, movie and slide projection.

  In particular, a xenon flash lamp having a structure that emits light for a very short time is achieved by applying a DC voltage stored in a capacitor to a xenon discharge tube and applying an ultrahigh voltage to a trigger electrode. That is, the xenon gas in the discharge tube is ionized by the application of the high voltage, whereby the resistance in the tube is broken and discharged, and light close to daylight in a very short time (a few hundredths to a few hundredths of a second). (Electronic flash) will be emitted. This flash is also called a strobe.

  By the way, conventionally, when manufacturing the xenon discharge tube, since the xenon discharge tube itself is very small and the cathode and anode together with the xenon gas need to be sealed in the glass tube, the entire manufacturing process is subdivided. The work in each subdivided process is performed manually. For this reason, there has been a problem in that the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube is naturally limited.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and can realize the full automation of the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube, and can improve the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube. It aims at providing the manufacturing method of.

  A method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 includes: an anode side transfer step of inserting a plurality of anode side leads into the plurality of holes of the anode side jig provided with a number of holes, An anode side glass tube insertion step of inserting one end portions of a large number of glass tubes into the anode side jig so as to surround the anodes of the corresponding anode side leads, A glass tube is fused to the corresponding anode side lead to produce a primary sealing product, and a large number of holes are provided in the numerous holes of the cathode side jig provided with a large number of holes. A cathode-side transfer step of inserting the cathode-side lead and a cathode side of inserting the other end portion of the glass tube of the primary sealed product into the cathode-side jig so as to surround the cathode of the corresponding cathode-side lead. Glass tube insertion process and xenon It energized heating the cathode-side jig in scan atmosphere, and having a secondary sealing step of fusing the glass tube of the primary sealing products to the corresponding said cathode-side lead.

  Thus, on the anode side, first, in the anode side transfer step, a large number of anode side leads are inserted into a large number of holes (anode side lead insertion holes) of the anode side jig, and the next anode side glass tube is inserted. In the process, one end portions of a large number of glass tubes are inserted into the anode side jig so as to surround the anodes of the corresponding anode side leads. Thereafter, in the next primary sealing step, the anode side jig is energized and heated, thereby producing a primary sealed product in which a number of glass tubes are fused to the corresponding anode side leads.

  On the other hand, on the cathode side, a large number of cathode side leads are inserted into a large number of holes (cathode side lead insertion holes) in the cathode side jig in the cathode side transfer step.

  Then, in the next cathode side glass tube insertion step, the other end portion of the glass tube in the primary sealed product is inserted into the cathode side jig so as to surround the cathode of the corresponding cathode side lead, and the next secondary sealing is performed. In the stopping process, the cathode side jig is energized and heated in the xenon gas atmosphere. By this energization heating, the glass tube of the primary sealing product is fused to the corresponding cathode side lead, and the xenon discharge tube in which the xenon gas is sealed in the glass tube is completed.

  In this case, the anode side jig collects a large number of anode side leads (workpieces) together as a conveying member for conveying to the next anode side glass tube insertion step, and a large number of primary sealed products (workpieces). In addition to functioning as a transport member for transporting to the next cathode-side glass tube insertion step, it also functions as a support member for fusing one end of the glass tube corresponding to each of a number of anode-side leads. Become.

  Similarly, the cathode side jig functions as a transport member for collectively transporting a large number of cathode side leads (workpieces) to the next cathode side glass tube insertion step, and corresponds to each of the large number of cathode side leads. It also functions as a support member for fusing the other end of the glass tube.

  That is, all the anode side workpieces (many anode side leads and many primary encapsulated products) can be transported with the anode side jig, and all the cathode side workpieces (many cathode side leads) are transported on the cathode side. Since it can be performed with tools, the transfer of workpieces in each process in the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube can be performed only by moving the jigs (anode side jig and cathode side jig), and the operator's work can be simplified. it can.

  Moreover, since the anode side jig and the cathode side jig are energized and heated so that the glass tube and various leads are fused, a facility that can be used for both primary sealing and secondary sealing is constructed. It is possible to increase the production efficiency and operation efficiency of the manufacturing facility.

  As described above, in the method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention, since the work of conveying various workpieces and the glass fusing work can be performed consistently through the jig, it is possible to realize full automation of the production line. It is possible to improve the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube.

  The manufacturing method may include a lead cutting step of cutting each of the anode side lead and the cathode side lead of the secondary process product discharged from the secondary sealing step into a predetermined length. Item 2). Through this lead cutting step, the xenon discharge tube is substantially completed.

  The anode-side jig has, for example, a large number of recesses into which one end of the glass tube can be inserted on one main surface thereof, and the other main surface of the anode-side jig at the center of the bottom of each recess. And an anode side lead insertion hole through which the anode side lead can be inserted can be used (invention of claim 3). In this case, in the anode-side transfer step, anode-side leads are respectively inserted into a number of anode-side lead insertion holes of the anode-side jig, and in the next anode-side glass tube insertion step, a large number of anode-side jigs are inserted. One end of the glass tube is inserted into each of the recesses. Thus, one end portions of a large number of glass tubes are inserted into the anode side jig so as to surround the anodes of the corresponding anode side leads.

  Further, as the cathode side jig, for example, it has a large number of recesses into which the other end portion of the glass tube can be inserted on one main surface, and the cathode side jig is provided at the center of the bottom of each recess. The thing of the structure penetrated to the other main surface and provided with the cathode side lead insertion hole which the said cathode side lead was able to be inserted can be used (invention of Claim 4). In this case, the cathode side lead is inserted into the cathode side lead insertion holes of the cathode side jig in the cathode side transfer step, and the cathode side glass tube insertion step is followed by a number of cathode side jigs. The other end of the glass tube is inserted into the recess. Accordingly, the other end portions of the multiple glass tubes are inserted into the cathode side jig so as to surround the cathodes of the corresponding cathode side leads.

  And in the said manufacturing method, you may make it include the insertion process of the glass bead to the said anode side lead in the said anode side transfer process (invention of Claim 5). Thereby, in the subsequent primary sealing process, when one end of the glass tube is fused to the anode side lead, the glass bead is interposed, so the one end of the glass tube is fused to the anode side lead. Will be done quickly and reliably.

  On the other hand, in the cathode side transfer step, glass beads may be attached to the cathode side lead before the cathode side lead is inserted into the cathode side jig (the invention according to claim 6).

  In addition, in the case of inserting the glass beads, it is preferable to include a beading step of energizing and heating the anode side jig to fuse the glass beads to the anode side lead (the invention according to claim 7). . As a result, since the glass beads are temporarily fixed to the anode side lead, it is effectively prevented that the glass beads are accidentally dropped or the glass beads are detached from the lead, and the reliability of the xenon discharge tube using the glass beads is improved. Improvements can be made.

  Further, the manufacturing method may include a cathode caulking step in which a cathode is inserted and fixed to a tip portion of a lead wire (the invention according to claim 8). The cathode side lead is obtained by caulking and fixing the cathode to the leading end portion of the lead wire.

  In this case, it is preferable that, as the cathode caulking step, glass beads are previously attached to the tip portion, and then the cathode is caulked and fixed to the tip portion of the lead wire (the invention according to claim 9).

  In the manufacturing method, the secondary sealing step is exposed to a negative pressure atmosphere prior to energization heating of the cathode side jig, thereby removing at least impurities in the glass tube, a negative pressure atmosphere, and A sealing step of energizing and heating the cathode side jig in a xenon gas atmosphere and a cooling step of cooling at least the cathode side jig in a negative pressure atmosphere may be included (invention according to claim 10).

  Thereby, first, the cathode side jig | tool in which the said glass tube of the primary sealing product was inserted is thrown into the cleaning process. In this cleaning process, prior to energization heating to the cathode side jig, the cathode side jig is exposed to a negative pressure atmosphere, so impurities present in the glass tube inserted into the cathode side jig are It will be removed outward by the negative pressure.

  Thereafter, the cathode side jig into which the glass tube is inserted is put into the next sealing step. In this sealing process, the cathode side jig is energized and heated in a negative pressure atmosphere and a xenon gas atmosphere, and by the heating, the glass tubes of the primary sealed product are fused to the corresponding cathode side leads, respectively, The xenon discharge tube is filled with xenon gas.

  Then, the xenon discharge tube discharged from the sealing step is cooled in a negative pressure atmosphere in the next cooling step.

  As described above, in the method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention, since the cleaning process is performed in the first stage of the secondary sealing step, the completed xenon discharge tube is unnecessary in the glass tube. There is almost no impurity, and a high-quality and high-quality xenon discharge tube can be obtained. In addition, since the cathode side jig is energized and heated in a negative pressure atmosphere, the heat divergence distribution from the cathode side jig is almost uniform for many primary sealed products set in the cathode side jig. In addition, it is possible to reduce the variation of discharge tube units related to glass fusion, and to efficiently improve the yield of xenon discharge tubes.

  In the next cooling process, the xenon discharge tube is cooled in a negative pressure atmosphere, so there is almost no variation in the degree of cooling for a large number of xenon discharge tubes, and local overcooling and uncooled conditions are effective. Can be prevented. This leads to higher quality and higher reliability of the xenon discharge tube.

  As described above, according to the method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention, anode side transfer in which a large number of anode side leads are inserted into the numerous holes of the anode side jig provided with a large number of holes, respectively. A step of inserting an anode side glass tube into the anode side jig so that one end of each glass tube surrounds the anode of the corresponding anode side lead; A plurality of glass tubes are fused to the corresponding anode-side leads to form a primary sealing product, and a plurality of holes in the cathode-side jig provided with a large number of holes. The cathode side transfer step for inserting a large number of cathode side leads and the other end of the glass tube of the primary sealed product are inserted into the cathode side jig so as to surround the cathodes of the corresponding cathode side leads. Cathode side glass tube insertion process , By energizing heating the cathode-side jig in a xenon gas atmosphere, and characterized by having a secondary sealing step of fusing the glass tube of the primary sealing products to the corresponding said cathode-side lead.

  For this reason, it is possible to achieve full automation of the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube, and the effect of improving the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as a manufacturing method according to an embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a xenon discharge tube 10 manufactured by the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which a cathode 14 and an anode 16 are arranged to face each other in a glass tube 12 filled with xenon gas. Have

  The anode 16 is composed of a tip portion of a metal anode-side lead 18 or another metal member fixed to the tip of the anode-side lead 18, that is, an anode rod (electrode rod) 20. The cathode 14 has a ring shape and is fixed to the tip portion of the cathode side lead 22 by caulking.

  In particular, in this embodiment, both the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are made of nickel, and the inner side end portion 24 (welded portion) of the anode side lead 18 has a diameter of the anode side lead 24. The diameter of the outer lead 26 in the side lead 18 is set to be slightly larger, and a metal (for example, tungsten) anode rod 20 constituting the anode 16 is fixed to the end face thereof.

  Also in the cathode side lead 22, the inner side end portion 28 (welded portion) is set to have a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the outer lead 30 in the cathode side lead 22, and the cathode 14 is provided on the end surface. An electrode rod (cathode rod) 32 made of, for example, tungsten for supporting is fixed, and a ring-shaped cathode 14 is fixed to the tip of the cathode rod 32 by caulking, for example.

  Then, one end portion 12 a of the glass tube 12 is fused to the rear end portion of the anode rod 20 fixed to the anode side lead 18, and the other end portion 12 b of the glass tube 12 is fixed to the cathode side lead 22. The xenon discharge tube 10 according to the present embodiment is configured by being fused to the rear end portion of the cathode bar 32.

  Next, a method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the process block diagram of FIG.

  In the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, in the anode side assembly step S1, one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 is attached to the rear end portion of the anode rod 20 fixed to the anode side lead 18. The primary sealed product 72 (see FIG. 4B) is manufactured by fusing, and in the cathode side assembly step S2, the ring-shaped cathode 14 is caulked to the tip of the cathode bar 32 fixed to the tip of the cathode side lead 22. The cathode body 74 (see FIG. 6) is manufactured by fixing, and the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 in the primary sealing product 72 is fixed to the cathode side lead 22 in the cathode body 74 in the assembling step S3. A secondary sealed product 80 is manufactured by fusing to the rear end portion of the cathode bar 32, and then various inspections are performed on the secondary sealed product 80 to finally form a xenon discharge tube. 10 made That.

  In particular, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the anode-side sealing jig 40 shown in FIG. 3 is used for producing the primary sealing product 72 in the anode-side assembly step S1, and the secondary-side in the assembly step S3. In producing the sealed product 80, the cathode side sealing jig 42 shown in FIG. 4 is used.

  Both the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 are a plate-shaped heater body 44, a mounting member 46 for positioning and installing the heater body 44 at a station of a manufacturing facility, and the heater. A plurality of (for example, four) legs 48 that support the main body 44 are provided. The attachment member 46 is provided at both ends of the heater body 44 and has upper and lower support plates 50 and 52 that sandwich the ends of the sealing jigs 40 and 42. The support plates 50 and 52 and the heater main body 44 are provided with bolt insertion holes 56 through which the bolts 54 are inserted in the vertical direction. The bolts 54 are inserted into the bolt insertion holes 56 and screwed into the legs 48 so that the heater main body 44 is configured as one sealing jig 40 and 42 supported by the four legs 48, respectively. become.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the heater main body 44 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 has a large number (for example, 500) of recesses 58 in which one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 can be inserted. For example, a lead insertion hole 60 that is provided in a matrix and penetrates to the other main surface of the heater main body 44 and into which the outer lead 26 of the anode-side lead 18 can be inserted is provided at the center of the bottom of the recess 58. It has been.

  Further, the heater main body 44 of the cathode side sealing jig 42 also has a large number of recesses 62 in which the other end 12b of the glass tube 12 can be inserted, as shown in FIG. 500), for example, in the form of a matrix, and lead insertion holes through which the outer main leads 30 of the cathode side lead 22 can be inserted through the center of the bottom of the recesses 62 up to the other main surface of the heater body 44. 64 is provided.

  Here, the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be specifically described. First, the anode-side assembly step S1 will be described. In the first anode-side transfer step S11, through the transfer system described later, as shown in FIG. 6A, each anode is inserted into each lead insertion hole 60 of the anode-side sealing jig 40. The side lead 18 is inserted.

  At this time, the diameter of the welded portion 24 of the anode-side lead 18 is processed to be thicker than the outer lead 26 and larger than the diameter of the lead insertion hole 60. The anode rods 20 fixed to 24 are necessarily located in the recesses 58, and each anode lead 18 is in a state in which the axial direction thereof is along the vertical direction.

  For example, there are two methods for inserting the anode-side lead 18. One is, for example, a large number of anode-side leads 18 are aligned and supplied to the anode-side transfer step S 11 by, for example, a parts feeder, and these are supplied in alignment. In this method, a large number of anode-side leads 18 are sequentially inserted into each lead insertion hole 60 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 through an insertion mechanism, and the other is a method in which a large number of anode-side leads 18 placed in a tray are inserted. This is a method of inserting into each lead insertion hole 60 of the anode side sealing jig 40.

  After inserting a large number of anode-side leads 18 into the lead insertion holes 60 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 by any of the above methods, the anode-side leads 18 are inserted in the state where the anode-side leads 18 are inserted. A ring-shaped glass bead 70 is inserted into the anode rod 20. Since the glass beads 70 have a diameter larger than the diameter of the anode rod 20 and smaller than the diameter of the tip portion 24 of the anode-side lead 18, the glass beads 70 surround the root portion of the anode rod 20. Is placed on the tip portion 24 of the anode lead 18. As a method of inserting the glass beads 70 into the anode rod 20, a method similar to the method of inserting the anode side lead 18 into the lead insertion hole 60 of the anode side sealing jig 40 can be adopted.

  Next, the shapes of the anode-side lead 18, the cathode-side lead 22, the glass beads 70, and the glass tube 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the diameter of the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32 in the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 is dw, the diameter of the outer leads 26 and 30 is dn, and the diameter of the welded portions 24 and 28 is dy,
dw <dn <dy or dw = dn <dy
For example, it is preferable that (dw, dn, dy) = (0.6 mm, 0.8 mm, 1.1 mm).

  The cathode bar 32 is generally formed longer than the anode bar 20 as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B because the cathode 14 is fixed to the tip portion thereof. That is, when the length of the anode rod 20 is Lwa and the length of the cathode rod 32 is Lwc, the relationship Lwa <Lwc is satisfied. The lengths Lna and Lnc of the outer leads 26 and 30 in the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are substantially the same length (Lna = Lnc). Note that the lengths Lya and Lyc of the welded portions 24 and 28 in the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are also substantially the same.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the glass bead 70 is formed in a ring shape, and its outer diameter d _Bo is a size that can be inserted into the hollow portion of the glass tube 12, and the inner diameter d _Bi is determined by the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32. It is set to a size that can be inserted. In FIG. 8A, the height of the glass bead 70 is indicated by h _B , and in FIG. 8B, the length of the diagonal line of the vertical cross section around the axis of the glass bead 70 is indicated by Ld.

The glass tube 12, as shown in FIG. 9, is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, the length L _G is optionally set depending on the intended use of the xenon discharge tube 10. The inner diameter d _Gi of the glass tube 12 is set such that the glass beads 70 and the cathode 14 can be inserted. The outer diameter of the glass tube 12 is indicated by d _Go .

  Next, the transfer system used in the anode transfer step S11 (and the cathode transfer step S21 described later) will be described.

  In this transfer system, in addition to the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 described above, a lead wire tray for storing a large number of anode side leads 18 or a large number of cathode side leads 22 is stored. 90 (see FIG. 10), a bead tray 92 (see FIG. 11) in which a large number of glass beads 70 are stored, and the required number of anode-side leads 18 or cathode-side leads 22 are received from the lead wire tray 90. A lead wire transfer jig 94 (see FIG. 12) for transferring to the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42, and a required number of glass beads 70 from the bead tray 92. A bead transfer jig 96 (see FIG. 13) is used for receiving and transferring it to the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the lead wire tray 90 is configured in a box shape having flange portions 100 on both sides, and a lead wire accommodating portion 102 having a flat rectangular shape with an opening on the upper surface is formed therein. The lead wire accommodating portion 102 has a shape in which a large number of ridges 108 are arranged in a matrix by a large number of partition plates 104 and 106 arranged vertically and horizontally. The size of each rod 108 has such a size that four recesses 58 and 62 provided in each heater body 44 of the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 can be inserted. A plurality of (for example, 25) anode-side leads 18 or cathode-side leads 22 are inserted and stored in the cage 108 with the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32 facing upward.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the bead tray 92 is also configured in a box shape having flange portions 110 on both sides, and a flat rectangular bead storage portion 112 is formed in the inside thereof with an upper surface opening. The bead storage portion 112 is not formed with the partition plates 104 and 106 that are disposed in the lead wire tray 90, and is formed in a single storage space.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the lead wire transfer jig 94 has a housing 122 in which a void 120 is formed. A large hole 124 having a substantially circular cross section is formed on the lower surface of the housing 122 at locations corresponding to the lead insertion holes 60 and 64 of the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42. A small hole 126 having a substantially circular cross section is formed at the bottom of the large hole 124 so as to communicate with the void 120. In other words, the large hole 124 and the small hole 126 are coaxially connected to each other to form one communication hole 128 that reaches the space 120 from the lower surface of the housing 122.

  In the upper part of the housing 122, a hole 130 for evacuation communicating with the internal space 120 is formed. This hole 130 is connected to a vacuum pump 2352 (see FIG. 21) and a first electromagnetic valve 2354 (see FIG. 21) are connected to each other.

  Further, as will be described later, the lead wire transfer jig 94 includes a lead wire tray 90, an anode side sealing jig 40, or a cathode side sealing jig 42 as a chucking claw 140 (FIGS. 3 and 4). 10), a chucking mechanism 2314 (see FIG. 21) for holding the lead wire transfer jig 94 and bringing it into close contact with the lead wire transfer jig 94 is provided.

  Each size of the large hole 124 and the small hole 126 is set so as to satisfy the following conditions. That is, the diameter of the small hole 126 is such that the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32 can be inserted, and the outer leads 26 and 30 cannot be inserted, and the diameter of the large hole 124 is two or more anode sides. The lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 has a size that cannot be inserted.

Specifically, when the diameter of the large hole 124 is D and the diameter of the small hole 126 is d, the diameter dw of the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32 in the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22, the welded portion 24 and The relationship between the diameter dy of 28 and
dw <d <dy
dy <D <2dw
It is said.

  When a large number of anode-side leads 18 or cathode-side leads 22 accumulated in the lead wire tray 90 are inserted into the communication holes 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 one by one, the lead wire transfer treatment is performed. By holding the lead wire tray 90 by hooking the flange portion 100 of the lead wire tray 90 with the chucking claws 140 (see FIG. 10) of the chucking mechanism 2314 (see FIG. 21) provided in the tool 94, After the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 are brought into close contact with each other so that the lead wire receiving portion 102 and the communication hole 128 face each other, the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 are reversed. The lead wire transfer jig 94 is positioned on the lower side. Further, the certainty is increased by swinging the two in close contact in this state.

  At this time, a large number of anode-side leads 18 or cathode-side leads 22 accumulated in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90 fall freely toward the lead wire transfer jig 94, and among them, the lead wire transfer The anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 located at the position corresponding to each communication hole 128 of the jig 94 is inserted into the communication hole 128 as it is. At this time, the void 120 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is evacuated, whereby the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 inserted into each communication hole 128 is held in the communication hole 128. That is, each communication hole 128 and the space 120 function as the lead wire holding portion 142.

  The anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 inserted into each communication hole 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is inserted into each recess 58 or 62 of the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. In the case of insertion, as shown in FIG. 12, the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 is held upside down by evacuation and the anode side lead 18 or cathode side lead 22 is held, and then the lead wire transfer jig 94 is provided. The anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 is hooked by the chucking claw 140 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the chucking mechanism 2314 (see FIG. 21) to catch the anode side. By holding the sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42, the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 are connected to each other through the communication hole 128. When And parts 58 or 62 is adhered to face, is performed by further stop the evacuation. Furthermore, certainty is increased by adding rocking.

  At this time, the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 inserted into each communication hole 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is replaced with the recess 58 or the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. The outer lead 26 or 30 of the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 is directly dropped toward the lead 62 and the lead insertion hole 60 or 64 of the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 as it is. Will be inserted.

In this case, the depth in the axial direction of the large hole 124 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is L1, the lengths of the outer leads 26 and 30 in the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are Ln, and the welding portions 24 and 28 When the length is Ly, and the depths of the recesses 58 and 62 in the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 are Lia and Lic, and Ln + Ly−L1 = A,
A <Lia
A <Lic
It is set to satisfy the relationship. That is, when the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 are in close contact with each other, the tip of the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 is in contact with the anode side sealing jig. The depth L1 of the large hole 124 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is set so as not to rub the recess 58 or 62 of the tool 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 13, the bead transfer jig 96 has a void 150 formed therein, a peripheral wall 152 formed on the lower surface, and a rectangular recess 154 having a large opening area formed on the lower surface. It has a housing 156. A large hole 158 having a substantially circular cross section is formed at the bottom of the recess 154 at a location corresponding to the recesses 58 and 62 of the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42. As shown in FIG. 14, a plurality of (for example, three) small holes 160 having a substantially circular cross section are formed at the bottom of the large hole 158 and communicate with the void 150. That is, the large hole 158 and the plurality of small holes 160 communicate with each other to form one communication hole 162 that reaches the space 150 from the lower surface of the housing 156.

  Further, a hole 164 for evacuation communicating with the internal space 150 is formed in the upper part of the housing 156, and this hole 164 is provided in the vacuum pump 2352 (refer to FIG. 21) to the second electromagnetic valve 2356. The hose 166 connected through (see FIG. 21) is coupled.

  Further, as will be described later, the bead transfer jig 96 chucks the bead tray 92, the anode side sealing jig 40, or the cathode side sealing jig 42 with the chucking claws 140 (FIGS. 3, 4, and 5). 11)), a chucking 2 mechanism 2338 (see FIG. 21) is provided for holding it in close contact with the bead transfer jig 96.

The diameter of the large hole 158 is set to such a size that the glass beads 70 are always inserted in the vertical direction (the axis is vertical). Specifically, when the diameter of the large hole 158 is _DF , the outer diameter d _Bo of the glass bead 70 and the length Ld of the diagonal line of the vertical cross section around the axis of the glass bead 70 (see FIG. 8B). The relationship with
d _Bo <D _F <Ld
It is said. By making the diameter _DF of the large hole 158 smaller than the length Ld of the diagonal line, the glass beads 70 are not inserted into the large hole 158 in the horizontal direction (the axis is horizontal). Here, the length Ld of the diagonal line is Ld ² = d _Bo ² + h _B ^2, where h _B is the height of the glass beads 70.

The diameter d _F of the small hole 160 is set to be smaller than the outer diameter d _Bo of the glass bead 70. The height of the peripheral wall 152 will be described later.

  When a large number of glass beads 70 accumulated in the bead tray 92 are inserted one by one into each communication hole 162 of the bead transfer jig 96, a chucking mechanism provided in the bead transfer jig 96 is used. The bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 are held by holding the bead tray 92 by hooking the flange portion 110 of the bead tray 92 with the chucking claws 140 (see FIG. 11) of 2338 (see FIG. 21). Are placed in close contact with each other so that the bead storage portion 112 and the communication hole 162 face each other, and then the bead transfer jig 96 is positioned on the lower side. Furthermore, if the two are swung in close contact with each other in this state, the reliability increases.

  At this time, a large number of glass beads 70 accumulated in the bead storage portion 112 of the bead tray 92 freely fall toward the bead transfer jig 96, and among them, correspond to each communication hole 162 of the bead transfer jig 96. The glass beads 70 in the position to be inserted are inserted into the communication hole 162 with the axis directed in the vertical direction. At this time, the empty space 150 of the bead transfer jig 96 is evacuated, whereby the glass beads 70 inserted into the respective communication holes 162 are held in the communication holes 162. That is, each communication hole 162 and void 150 function as a bead holding portion 168.

  The glass lead 70 inserted into each communication hole 162 of the bead transfer jig 96 is inserted into the respective recess 58 or 62 of the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. 18 or when inserted into the anode rod 20 or cathode rod 32 of the cathode side lead 22, as shown in FIG. 13, the bead transfer jig 96 is moved up and down with the glass beads 70 held in the communicating holes 162 by evacuation. Then, the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing is performed by the chucking claw 140 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) of the chucking mechanism 2338 (see FIG. 21) provided in the bead transfer jig 96. By hooking the lower support plate 52 of the jig 42 and holding the anode-side sealing jig 40 or the cathode-side sealing jig 42, the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode-side sealing jig 0 or the the communication hole 162 and the recess 58 or 62 to each other cathode side sealing jig 42 is brought into close contact so as to face, is performed by further stop the evacuation. Furthermore, certainty is increased by adding rocking.

  At this time, the glass beads 70 inserted into the respective communication holes 162 of the bead transfer jig 96 freely fall toward the recesses 58 or 62 of the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. As it is, it is inserted into the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32 of the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22.

Here, the dimensional relationship of the bead transfer jig 96, in particular, when the depth of the large hole 158 and the H _F, the relationship between the height h _B of the glass bead 70,
0.9hb <H _F <1.2h _B
It is preferable that This is because the large hole 158 also functions as a guide for guiding the glass bead 70 so that its axis is substantially vertical when the inserted glass bead 70 is dropped. When the height _HF is shallow, the guide for inserting the glass beads 70 into the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32 of the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 is not sufficiently performed, and the insertion rate of the glass beads 70 is lowered. There is a fear. Conversely, if the depth H _F of the large hole 158 is deep, there is a possibility that the adsorbed overlap enters a plurality of glass beads 70 in a single large hole 158.

  Therefore, by maintaining the relationship as described above, there is no inconvenience that the insertion rate of the glass beads 70 is reduced and a plurality of glass beads 70 enter into one large hole 158.

Further, the height H _S of the peripheral wall 152 formed on the lower surface of the housing 156 in the bead transfer jig 96 is equal to the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. Are closely contacted with each other so that the communication hole 162 and the recess 58 or 62 face each other, the lower end of the glass beads 70 held in the communication hole 162 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing. The distance between the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 inserted into the recess 58 or 62 of the jig 42 and the tip of the anode bar 20 or the cathode bar 32 is C, and the height of the glass beads 70 is h. _{When B}
0 << C <h _B / 2
Is set to satisfy the relationship.

  If the dimension C is too small, the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32 and the glass bead 70 interfere (impact) and lead to chipping of the glass bead 70. On the other hand, if the dimension C is too large, when the evacuation by the bead transfer jig 96 is stopped, the hole of the glass bead 70 in the dropping process does not become an insertion guide to the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32, and the glass bead 70 The insertion rate into the anode rod 20 or the cathode rod 32 becomes worse. Ideally, the dimension C is as close to 0 as possible, and it is desirable that the anode bar 20 or the cathode bar 32 and the glass beads 70 do not interfere with each other even in consideration of component standards, manufacturing errors, and the like.

Incidentally, the length L _G of the glass tube 12 is uniquely determined by the model xenon discharge tube 10 is used. In order to guarantee the performance of the xenon discharge tube 10, for example, durability, the arc length L _A (see FIG. 1) may be increased. The cathode bar 32 needs to have a certain length because the cathode 14 has to be fixed, whereas the anode bar 20 has the anode bar 20 slightly protruding from the upper end of the inserted glass bead 70. The length can be shortened accordingly.

  Furthermore, the shapes of the concave portions 58 and 62 are different between the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A, the cathode side sealing jig 42 is used for glass sealing with respect to the cathode 14 fixed to the cathode bar 32 of the cathode side lead 22 inserted into the recess 62. The depth Lic of the recess 62 is set to be shallow so that heat is not transmitted as much as possible. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, the anode-side sealing jig 40 needs to increase the depth Lia of the concave portion 58 in order to make the completed xenon discharge tube 10 easy to assemble in the next process. is there.

From the above, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the anode-side sealing jig 40 and the cathode-side sealing jig 42 are mounted on a base (not shown) or the like with reference to the upper surface of each heater body 44. when location, it is a big difference delta _AC at the tip position of the distal end position and cathode rod 32 of the anode rod 20. When the difference delta _AC is smaller than 1/2 (= h _B / 2) of the height h _B of the glass bead 70, the relation of the dimensions C, ie, the relationship 0«C <h _B / 2, the beads The transfer jig 96 can be used in common for the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 by setting the dimension C. However, when the difference delta _AC increases, especially greater than the height h _B, common use of the bead transfer jig 96 becomes impossible, are forced to expansion of facilities.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to eliminate as much as possible the error delta _AC, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B as well as FIGS. 3 and 4, for covering the heater body 44 of the cathode-side sealing jig 42 An upper adapter 180, a cathode-side lower adapter 182 on which the cathode-side sealing jig 42 is placed, and an anode-side lower adapter 184 on which the anode-side sealing jig 40 is placed are prepared.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 15A, the upper adapter 180 is made of metal or synthetic resin, has a substantially rectangular plane, has both ends bent downward, and an opening 186 is formed in the center. The upper adapter 180 is placed on the heater body 44 so that the bent portions 180 a on both sides correspond to the long sides of the heater body 44. In this case, the distance between the two bent portions 180a is substantially the same as the short side of the heater main body 44, and the size of the opening 186 is large enough to allow all the concave portions 62 formed in the heater main body 44 to face upward. It is said.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 15A, the cathode-side lower adapter 182 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of metal or synthetic resin, and has a bottomed portion where the leg 48 of the cathode-side sealing jig 42 is located. A U-shaped notch 188 is formed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 15B, the anode-side lower adapter 184 also has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape made of metal or synthetic resin, and has a bottomed portion where the leg 48 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 is located. A U-shaped notch 190 is formed.

  Here, each size is set so that the upper adapter 180, the cathode side lower adapter 182 and the anode side lower adapter 184 may satisfy the following conditions.

  (1) Projects upward from the surface (the upper surface of the upper adapter 180 or the upper surface of the heater main body 44) in contact with the reference surface 96a (see FIG. 13) of the bead transfer jig 96 with or without the upper adapter 180 mounted on the heater main body 44. The tip positions of the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32 to be aligned are aligned.

  (2) The reference of the bead transfer jig 96 at the depth of the notches 188 and 190 of the lower adapters 182 and 184 on which the legs 48 of the heater body 44 are placed (that is, the thicknesses t1 and t2 of the bottoms of the notches 188 and 190). The height of the surface (the upper surface of the upper adapter 180 or the upper surface of the heater body 44) in contact with the surface 96a is made uniform.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15A, the thickness of the upper adapter 180 is tu, and among the cathode rods 32 of the cathode side lead 22 inserted into the respective recesses 62 of the heater body 44 in the cathode side sealing jig 42. The length protruding upward from the upper surface of the heater body 44 is tc, and as shown in FIG. 15B, the anode rod of the anode side lead 18 inserted in each recess 58 of the heater body 44 in the anode side sealing jig 40. 20, when the length protruding upward from the upper surface of the heater body 44 is ta,
tc-tu = ta
To satisfy the relationship.

As shown in FIG. 15A, when the thickness of the bottom of the notch 188 in the cathode-side lower adapter 182 is t1, and the thickness of the bottom of the notch 190 in the anode-side lower adapter 184 is t2,
t2−t1 = Δ _AC
To satisfy the relationship.

4 and 15A, the cathode side sealing jig 42 has a rectangular shape on both sides of the opposing surfaces of the lower support plates 52 provided on both sides of the heater body 44, respectively. A notch 192 is formed. In this case, the depth of the notch 192 is t3, the thickness from the upper surface of the upper adapter 180 to the lower surface of the lower support plate 52 is t4, and the heater body in the anode side sealing jig 40 as shown in FIG. 15B. When the thickness from the upper surface of 44 to the lower surface of the lower support plate 52 is t5,
t4-t3 = t5
The notch 192 is formed so as to satisfy this relationship.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 10 and 11, the chucking claw 140 provided in the lead wire transfer jig 94 or the bead transfer jig 96 is at least a lead wire tray. A claw main body 200 that contacts the lower surface of the flange portion 100 of the 90 and the lower surface of the flange portion 110 of the bead tray 92; 42 has an overhanging portion 202 that contacts the bottom of the notch 192 provided on the lower support plate 52 of the 42 or the lower surface of the lower support plate 52 of the anode side sealing jig 40.

  Accordingly, when the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the lead wire tray 90 or the bead transfer jig 96 and the bead tray 92 are brought into close contact with each other, the claw body 200 of the chucking claw 140 uses the flange portion of the lead wire tray 90. 100 or the bead tray 92 is hooked and the lead wire tray 90 or the bead tray 92 is held and the lead wire transfer jig 94 or the bead transfer jig 96 and the cathode side sealing are performed. When the working jig 42 is brought into close contact, the bottom portion of the notch 192 is hooked by the overhanging portion 202 of the chucking claw 140 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 is held.

  When the lead wire transfer jig 94 or the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig 40 are brought into close contact with each other, the lower support portion 52 is hooked by the overhanging portion 202 of the chucking claw 140 and the anode side This is performed by embedding the sealing jig 40.

In this way, the surface on which the reference surface 94a of the lead wire transfer jig 94 or the reference surface 96a of the bead transfer jig 96 comes into contact with the cathode side sealing jig 42 and the anode side sealing jig 40 (upper surface). The distance d _CH from the upper surface of the adapter 180 or the upper surface of the heater main body 44) to the surface with which the chucking claw 140 contacts is the same, and the anode rod 20 and the cathode rod 32 protrude from the surface with which the reference surface 96a contacts. Therefore, it is not necessary to change the structure of the chucking mechanism 2338 (see FIG. 21) provided in the bead transfer jig 96 or the structure of the housing 156 for each of the sealing jigs 40 and 42. The bead transfer jig 96 can be used in common for both the sealing jigs 40 and 42.

  Next, a lead wire loading system 1000 for loading the anode side lead 18 (or cathode side lead 22) into the lead wire tray 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 to 20C.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the lead wire insertion system 1000 includes a plurality of anode-side leads 18 or cathode-side leads 22 (hereinafter referred to as “lead-side leads” 18) on the base 1202 with respect to the lead-line accommodating portions 102 of the lead-line tray 90. A lead wire feeding device 1204 for placing the lead wire L in the vertical direction is installed.

  The lead wire feeding device 1204 has a transport mechanism 1206 for sequentially transporting the lead wires L in the vertical direction, and a stocker 1210 having a plurality of holes 1208a and 1208b each capable of accommodating a predetermined number of lead wires L in the vertical direction. A feeding mechanism 1212 that feeds the lead wire L transported by the transport mechanism 1206 into one hole (1208a or 1208b) of the plurality of holes 1208a and 1208b of the stocker 1210, and a plurality of holes in the stocker 1210. A positioning mechanism 1214 that selectively positions one of the holes 1208a and 1208b at a loading position of the lead wire L by the loading mechanism 1212; and the lead wires in the plurality of holes 1208a and 1208b provided in the stocker 1210 Opposite to the lead wire receiving portion 102 of the tray 90 The shutter mechanism 1216 that selectively opens / shields each opening surface and the lead wire tray 90 are moved in the X and Y directions, and the empty cage out of the numerous cages 108 constituting the lead wire accommodating portion 102. An XY table 1218 for positioning 108 at the insertion position of the lead wire L by the stocker 1210 and a control device 1220 (see FIG. 17) for controlling these mechanisms are configured.

  The base 1202 has a tapered surface 1202c extending from an upper surface portion 1202a extending in a substantially horizontal direction and a front surface portion 1202b extending in a substantially vertical direction. The tapered surface 1202c is formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle θ, for example, θ = 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction.

  In this lead wire insertion system 1000, the transport mechanism 1206 is installed on the upper surface portion 1202a of the base 1202, and the XY table 1218 is installed on the tapered surface 1202c of the base 1202, and the lead wire is placed on the XY table 1218. The tray 90 is placed. Therefore, the lead wire tray 90 is installed in a state where the opening surface of the lead wire accommodating portion 102 is inclined by a predetermined angle θ (= 30 °) with respect to the horizontal direction.

  In addition, the stocker 1210 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape using, for example, a synthetic resin. In the illustrated example, a rectangular protrusion 1232 is integrally formed from a side surface of a stocker body 1230 that is a rectangular parallelepiped, and has a substantially T-shaped shape in plan view. The stocker 1210 is installed such that its upper surface is inclined by a predetermined angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction, and its lower surface is parallel to the opening surface of the lead wire tray 90 fixed on the XY table 1218. And it arrange | positions so that it may adjoin with respect to this opening surface. The stocker body 1230 of the stocker 1210 is formed with the above-described two circular holes 1208a and 1208b penetrating from the upper surface to the lower surface on both sides thereof.

  On the other hand, the transport mechanism 1206 has a parts feeder 1240 that aligns a large number of supplied lead wires L in a vertical direction and in a row, and a lead wire L that is aligned by the parts feeder 1240 in a vertical direction. An alignment transport mechanism 1242 that sequentially transports in a state, and a controller 1244 (see FIG. 17) that controls the parts feeder 1240 and the alignment transport mechanism 1242 based on a command from the control device 1220.

  The transport mechanism 1206 includes a counting unit 1246 for counting the lead wire L in the transport process on the downstream side of the alignment transport mechanism 1242, and a transport process when the count result by the count unit 1246 indicates a predetermined number. Among the large number of lead wires L, a stop mechanism 1248 for temporarily stopping the transport of the lead wires L on the upstream side after the predetermined number is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the counting means 1246 has, for example, an optical sensor 1250 that detects a lead wire L in the transport process, and a detection pulse (detected that the lead wire L is included in a detection signal from the optical sensor 1250. And a counter 1252 for counting the number of pulses).

  The stop mechanism 1248 includes a rod 1254 that enters / retreats with respect to the conveyance path of the lead wire L, a comparator 1256 that compares a count value of the counter 1252 with a predetermined value (a value corresponding to a predetermined number), and the comparison And an air cylinder 1258 for driving the rod 1254 into / from the lead path L based on the comparison result from the container 1256.

  The air cylinder 1258 drives the rod 1254 to enter the conveyance path of the lead wire L based on a coincidence signal from the comparator 1256 (a signal indicating that the count value of the counter 1252 has reached a predetermined number). As a result, the transport of the upstream lead wires L after the predetermined number is temporarily stopped. Further, the air cylinder 1258 drives the rod 1254 backward with respect to the conveyance path of the lead wire L based on, for example, a release command from the control device 1220. As a result, conveyance of the lead wires L after the predetermined number in the stopped state is resumed.

  The counter 1252 is wired so that the coincidence signal output from the comparator 1256 is input to the reset terminal, and the count value is reset to the initial value = “0” based on the output of the coincidence signal. It has come to be.

  The downstream end of the alignment transport mechanism 1242 in the transport mechanism 1206 is a free end. As a result, the lead wires L transported sequentially in one row through the alignment transport mechanism 1242 fall freely from the downstream end and are accommodated in any one of the holes 1208a or 1208b of the stocker 1210 via the loading mechanism 1212. It will be.

  In this example, the loading mechanism 1212 is constituted by a cylindrical guide member 1270 having a hollow inside, and the upper surface opening thereof is disposed close to the downstream end of the alignment transport mechanism 1242. Further, at least the lower end portion of the guide member 1270 is inclined at a predetermined angle (for example, 30 °) with respect to the vertical direction, and when the stocker 1210 is positioned by the positioning mechanism 1214, the guide member 1270 The lower surface opening is positioned so as to face one hole 1208a or 1208b of the stocker 1210.

  Accordingly, the predetermined number of lead wires L conveyed by the alignment conveyance mechanism 1242 of the conveyance mechanism 1206 freely fall downward from the downstream end of the alignment conveyance mechanism 1242 in a vertically oriented state, and fall by the guide member 1270 in the middle. The direction is corrected and the stocker 1210 is accommodated in one hole 1208a or 1208b.

  The positioning mechanism 1214 includes a rotary actuator 1280 that rotationally drives the stocker 1210 and a drive circuit 1282 that supplies a drive signal to the rotary actuator 1280 based on an activation signal from the control device 1220. The rotary actuator 1280 is fixed to an arm (not shown) whose outer casing extends from the base 1202, for example, and the stocker 1210 can be disposed at the above-described position. The rotary actuator 1280 has a rotation axis attached to the center of the stocker main body 1230, so that when the rotary actuator 1280 is driven based on a drive signal from the drive circuit 1282, the stocker 1210 is centered on the center axis. One hole 1208a or 1208b, which has been rotated 180 ° and located immediately below the guide member 1270 of the input mechanism 1212, is positioned on one ridge 108 in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90. Another hole 1208b or 1208a that has been located on one of the collars 108 is now located directly below the guide member 1270.

  The shutter mechanism 1216 includes two shutters (first and second shutters 1290a and 1290b) that selectively shield / open the respective lower surface openings of the two holes 1208a and 1208b provided in the stocker 1210, and the first And two shutter opening / closing mechanisms (first and second shutter opening / closing mechanisms 1292a and 1292b) for individually opening and closing the second shutters 1290a and 1290b. The shutter opening / closing mechanisms 1292a and 1292b open the corresponding shutters 1290a and 1290b based on the opening command signal from the control device 1220, and the corresponding shutters 1290a and 1290b based on the shielding command signal from the control device 1220. Is closed.

  The XY table 1218 decodes a table main body 1300 on which the lead wire tray 90 is placed and fixed, a drive motor 1302 for moving and driving the table main body 1300, and a control code (activation signal and address code) from the control device 1220. The controller 1304 controls the drive current to be supplied to the drive motor 1302. At the start of operation, the controller 1304 moves the lead wire tray 90 in the arrow X direction and the Y direction, and reads the lead wire tray 90 out of the two holes 1208a and 1208b of the stocker 1210. For example, the ridge 108 in the first row and the first column in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 is positioned directly below the hole portion 1208b located on the wire accommodating portion 102 side.

  Thereafter, each time a control code output from the control device 1220 is input, the lead wire tray 90 is moved in the arrow X direction and / or the Y direction so that the lead wire tray 90 moves toward the lead wire accommodating portion 102 side. Just below the hole (1208a or 1208b), the ridge 108 of the coordinates (coordinates represented by rows and columns) indicated by the address code included in the sent control code is positioned.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the opening areas in the holes 1208a and 1208b of the stocker 1210 are set to be smaller than the opening areas of the flanges 108 in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the diameter d of the hole 1208 a or 1208 b is set to be shorter than the projection length D in the side surface direction of the opening in the flange 108, and one ridge is formed on the XY table 1218. 108 and the hole 1208a or 1208b of the stocker 1210 are positioned above a part of the ridge 108, in particular, the two partition plates 104a and 104b related to the two horizontal rules constituting the ridge 108. The hole 1208a or 1208b is positioned closer to the partition plate 104a.

  Further, in this lead wire insertion system 1000, in addition to the various mechanisms described above, the hole 1208a or 1208b whose lower opening is opened by the shutter mechanism 1216 is accommodated in the hole 1208a or 1208b. In order to align the extrusion mechanism 1310 that pushes the predetermined number of lead wires L to the lead wire accommodating portion 102 side of the lead wire tray 90 and the predetermined number of lead wires L that are input to the holes 1208a or 1208b through the input mechanism 1212, Alternatively, a stocker vibration mechanism 1312 that vibrates the stocker 1210 to smoothly drop a predetermined number of lead wires L inserted into the holes 1208a or 1208b into one cage 108 of the lead wire tray 90 is provided.

  The pushing mechanism 1310 includes a head 1314 having a shape that can be inserted into the hole 1208a or 1208b, and an air cylinder 1316 that moves the head 1314 into / from the hole 1208a or 1208b.

  The lead wire insertion system 1000 is basically configured as described above. Next, its operation and effects will be described with reference to the process block diagrams of FIGS. 19A to 20C.

  First, when, for example, a start switch (not shown) of a control console (not shown) connected to the control device 1220 is operated and an operation start instruction is input to the control device 1220, the control device 1220 receives the transport mechanism. The activation signal Sa is output to the controller 1244 of 1206. The controller 1244 drives the parts feeder 1240 and the alignment transport mechanism 1242 of the transport mechanism 1206. The parts feeder 1240 aligns a large number of supplied lead wires L in the vertical direction and in one row, and sends them one by one to the subsequent-stage alignment transport mechanism 1242 (step S1 in FIG. 19A). The transport mechanism 1242 transports each lead wire L sent from the parts feeder 1240 one by one in a vertically oriented state (step S2 in FIG. 19A).

  At the start of the operation, the shutters 1290a and 1290b in the shutter mechanism 1216 are in positions that block the lower openings of the corresponding holes 1208a and 1208b, and the holes 1208a and 1208b are lead wires together with the shutters 1290a and 1290b, respectively. A space for accommodating L is formed.

  At the start of operation, the control device 1220 outputs a control code indicating an initial state to the controller 1304 of the XY table 1218. The controller 1304 decodes the input control code indicating the initial state and controls the drive current id supplied to the drive motor 1302, thereby moving the lead wire tray 90 in the X direction and the Y direction, Of the two holes 1208a and 1208b of the stocker 1210, the first row and first column in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 is located directly below the hole 1208a or 1208b located on the lead wire accommodating portion 102 side of the lead wire tray 90. 108 is located. At this time, the other hole 1208b or 1208a of the stocker 1210 is positioned directly below the guide member 1270 of the loading mechanism 1212.

  In the following description, of the two holes 1208a and 1208b of the stocker 1210 at the time of starting the operation, a hole located immediately below the guide member 1270 is referred to as a first hole 1208a, and one ridge 108 is provided. The hole located above is referred to as a second hole 1208b.

  A large number of lead wires L that are aligned and conveyed on the conveyance path of the alignment and conveyance mechanism 1242 fall freely from the downstream end of the alignment and conveyance mechanism 1242 in the vertical direction, and pass through the guide member 1270 in the insertion mechanism 1212 on the way. Thus, the dropping direction is corrected, and it is inserted into the first hole 1208a of the stocker 1210 (step S101 in FIG. 19B).

  Then, at the stage of loading the lead wire L into the stocker 1210, the lead wire L in the transport process is sequentially counted by the counting means 1246 installed on the downstream side of the alignment transport mechanism 1242 (step S3 in FIG. 19A). ). This counting is performed by detecting the lead L in the conveyance process by the optical sensor 1250 and counting the detection pulse included in the detection signal Sb output from the optical sensor 1250 by the counter 1252. The count value of the counter 1252 is compared with a predetermined value in a comparator 1256 in the stop mechanism 1248. When the count value of the counter 1252 coincides with the predetermined value, the coincidence signal Sc is output from the comparator 1256 and supplied to the air cylinder 1258 and the counter 1252, respectively.

  The air cylinder 1258 drives the rod 1254 to enter the conveyance path of the lead wire L based on the input of the coincidence signal Sc from the comparator 1256. As a result, the transport of the upstream lead wires L after the predetermined number is temporarily stopped (step S4 in FIG. 19A), and only the predetermined number of lead wires L pass through the guide member 1270 to the first hole 1208a of the stocker 1210. (Step S102 in FIG. 19B).

  The counter 1252 sets the current count value to an initial value = “0” based on the input of the coincidence signal Sc. That is, the count value is reset (step S5 in FIG. 19A).

  In addition, the control device 1220 outputs a drive signal Sd to the stocker vibration mechanism 1312 when the predetermined number of lead wires L have been inserted into the first hole 1208a of the stocker 1210. The stocker vibration mechanism 1312 applies vibration to the stocker 1210 for a predetermined time based on the input of the drive signal Sd (step S103 in FIG. 19B). By applying vibration to the stocker 1210, a predetermined number of lead wires L introduced into the first hole 1208a are aligned in a vertical state. The predetermined time is, for example, 3 to 5 seconds.

  The control device 1220 outputs a start signal Se to the drive circuit 1282 of the positioning mechanism 1214 at this stage when the application of vibration is completed. The drive circuit 1282 outputs a drive signal Sf to the rotary actuator 1280 based on the input of the start signal Se, and rotates the stocker 1210 by 180 ° around its central axis (step S104 in FIG. 19B).

  When the stocker 1210 is rotated by 180 °, the first hole 1208a (which stores a predetermined number of lead wires L) that was immediately below the guide member 1270 of the loading mechanism 1212 last time is the lead of the lead wire tray 90. At the stage where it is positioned on one ridge 108 in the line housing unit 102, the control device 1220 outputs an opening command signal Sg1 to the first shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292a in the shutter mechanism 1216. The first shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292a opens the first shutter 1290a based on the input of the opening command signal Sg1 (step S105 in FIG. 19B). As a result, a predetermined number of lead wires L housed in the first hole 1208a drop into the cage 108 immediately below.

  Further, the control device 1220 outputs a drive signal Sd to the stocker vibration mechanism 1312. The stocker vibration mechanism 1312 applies vibration to the stocker 1210 for a predetermined time based on the input of the drive signal Sd (step S106 in FIG. 19B). By applying vibration to the stocker 1210, the lead wire L in the first hole portion 1208a smoothly falls into the flange 108 immediately below.

  Further, the control device 1220 outputs a control signal Sh indicating extrusion to the air cylinder 1316 of the extrusion mechanism 1310. The air cylinder 1316 inserts the head 1314 into the first hole 1208a by driving the head 1314 in the forward direction based on the input of the control signal Sh (step S107 in FIG. 19B). As a result, for example, the lead wire L that has not fallen into the first hole 1208a is pushed downward by the movement drive of the head 1314, and at this stage, the lead wire L is pushed into the first hole 1208a. The predetermined number of lead wires L are all accommodated in the corresponding cage 108 (step S108 in FIG. 19B). The air cylinder 1316 returns the head 1314 to its original position immediately after the head 1314 moves in the positive direction.

  Thereafter, the control device 1220 outputs a shielding command signal Si1 to the first shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292a in the shutter mechanism 1216. The first shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292a closes the first shutter 1290a based on the input of the shielding command signal Si1 (step S109 in FIG. 19B). Accordingly, the lower surface opening of the first hole 1208a is shielded, and the accommodation space for the lead wire L is formed (partitioned) by the first hole 1208a.

  Next, the control device 1220 outputs a control code (an activation signal and an address code indicating the next cell (for example, an address code indicating the cell in the first row and the second column)) to the controller 1304 of the XY table 1218. The controller 1304 moves the lead wire tray 90 based on the input of the control code, and among the squares of the lead wire tray 90, the square of the address indicated by the address code (in this example, the square of 1 row and 2 columns) is stored. Positioning is performed immediately below the hole 1210 (the first hole 1208a at this stage) (step S110 in FIG. 20B).

  On the other hand, the second hole 1208b is positioned immediately below the guide member 1270 in the closing mechanism 1212 as the stocker 1210 rotates 180 ° in the step S104 (step S201 in FIG. 19C). At this stage, the control device 1220 outputs a release signal Sj to the air cylinder 1258 of the stop mechanism 1248. Based on the input of the release signal Sj, the air cylinder 1258 retracts the rod 1254 from the transport path of the lead wire L and cancels the alignment transport pause state (step S6 in FIG. 19A). Thereby, the alignment conveyance of the upstream lead wire L is resumed.

  A large number of lead wires L that are aligned and conveyed on the conveyance path of the alignment and conveyance mechanism 1242 fall freely from the downstream end of the alignment and conveyance mechanism 1242 in the vertical direction, and pass through the guide member 1270 in the insertion mechanism 1212 on the way. As a result, the dropping direction is corrected, and this time, it is inserted into the second hole 1208b of the stocker 1210.

  Also in this case, the lead wire L in the transport process is counted by the counting means 1246, similarly to the insertion of the lead wire L into the first hole 1208a (step S7 in FIG. 19A). When the count value of the counter 1252 coincides with the predetermined value, the air cylinder 1258 drives the rod 1254 to enter the conveyance path of the lead wire L, and the upstream lead wire L after the predetermined number. Is temporarily stopped (step S8 in FIG. 19A), and the counter 1252 resets the current count value (step S9 in FIG. 19A). As a result, only a predetermined number of lead wires L are inserted into the second hole 1208b of the stocker 1210 through the guide member 1270 (step S202 in FIG. 19C).

  When the predetermined number of lead wires L are inserted into the second hole 1208b of the stocker 1210, vibration is applied to the stocker 1210 through the stocker vibration mechanism 1312 for a predetermined time at the timing in step S106. Step S203 in FIG. 19C). By applying vibration to the stocker 1210, the predetermined number of lead wires L introduced into the second hole 1208b are aligned in a vertical state.

  At the stage where the application of vibration is completed, the stocker 1210 rotates through the positioning mechanism 1214 about the central axis by 180 ° as in step S104 (step S204 in FIG. 20C).

  The stocker 1210 rotates 180 °, and the second hole 1208b (a predetermined number of lead wires L is accommodated) is positioned on one flange 108 in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90. Thus, the control device 1220 outputs the opening command signal Sg2 to the second shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292b in the shutter mechanism 1216. The second shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292b opens the second shutter 1290b based on the input of the opening command signal Sg2 (step S205 in FIG. 20C). As a result, a predetermined number of lead wires L accommodated in the second hole 1208b fall into the cage 108 immediately below.

  At this time, as in step S106, vibration is applied to the stocker 1210 through the stocker vibration mechanism 1312 for a predetermined time (step S206 in FIG. 20C). By applying vibration to the stocker 1210, the lead wire L in the second hole 1208b smoothly falls into the flange 108 immediately below.

  Further, as in step S107, the head 1314 is inserted into the second hole 1208b through the push-out mechanism 1310 (step S207 in FIG. 20C). As a result, for example, the lead wire L remaining without falling into the second hole 1208b is pushed downward by the movement drive of the head 1314, and at this stage, the lead wire L is pushed into the second hole 1208b. The predetermined number of lead wires L are all accommodated in the corresponding collars 88 (step S208 in FIG. 20C).

  Thereafter, the control device 1220 outputs a shielding command signal Si2 to the second shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292b in the shutter mechanism 1216. The second shutter opening / closing mechanism 1292b closes the second shutter 1290b based on the input of the shielding command signal Si2 (step S209 in FIG. 20C). As a result, the lower surface opening of the second hole 1208b is shielded, and the accommodation space for the lead wire L is formed (partitioned) by the second hole 1208b.

  Thereafter, the lead wire tray 90 is moved and driven by the XY table 1218, and among the cells of the lead wire tray 90, the cell of the address indicated by the address code from the control device 1220 (for example, the cell of the first row and the third column) is the stocker. Positioned just below the second hole 1208b of 1210 (step S210 in FIG. 20C).

  Then, after the stocker 1210 is rotated by 180 ° by the positioning mechanism 1214, the steps S201 to S210 are sequentially repeated to supply a predetermined number of lead wires L to the second hole 1208b, and the XY table. A predetermined number of lead wires L are cyclically supplied to the meshes positioned at 1218.

  On the other hand, with the rotation of the stocker 1210 by 180 ° in the step S204, the first hole 1208a is positioned immediately below the guide member 1270 in the input mechanism 1212 (step S111 in FIG. 20B). At this stage, the temporarily stopped state of the alignment conveyance is released through the air cylinder 1258 of the stop mechanism 1248 (step S10 in FIG. 20A).

  Thereafter, step S102 to step S111 are sequentially repeated to supply a predetermined number of lead wires L to the first hole 1208a and to supply a predetermined number of lead wires L to the cells positioned by the XY table 1218. Supply will be done cyclically.

  In the transport mechanism 1206, the processes in steps S7 to S10 are cyclically repeated.

  As described above, when a predetermined number of lead wires L are inserted into all the cells of the lead wire tray 90, the lead wire tray 90 is transported to the next manufacturing process, and lead wire transfer treatment is performed. It is used for automatic supply (automatic transfer) of the lead wire L to the tool 94.

  By the way, the automatic supply of the lead wire L to the lead wire transfer jig 94 may be performed until all the lead wires L accommodated in each cage 108 of the lead wire tray 90 are exhausted, but the remaining 10 From this level, the supply to the lead wire transfer jig 94 may not be performed satisfactorily. In such a case, when the number of the lead wires L accommodated in each cage 108 becomes about 10, for example, the automatic supply of the lead wires L to the lead wire transfer jig 94 is stopped. Then, the lead wire tray 90 is set again on the XY table 1218, and a predetermined number of lead wires L are accommodated in each cage 108 of the lead wire tray 90 using the above-described lead wire loading system 1000.

  At this time, the predetermined value used for the comparison process in the comparator 1256 in the stop mechanism 1248 may be changed. When the predetermined number has a certain width (about 10 width), The series of processes described above may be performed without changing the predetermined value.

  As described above, in the lead wire loading system 1000, a predetermined number of lead wires L (the anode side lead 18 or the cathode lead 18 or the cathode side) are respectively placed in the large number of eaves 108 formed in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90. Side lead 22) can be inserted vertically, so that the anode side sealing jig can be provided through subsequent processes, for example, the supply process of the lead wire L to the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the lead wire transfer jig 94. Automation of the process of supplying the lead wire L to each of the 40 recesses 58 can be promoted, and the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube 10 can be improved.

  In particular, an operation of throwing a large number of lead wires L vertically into the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90, for example, predetermined in each hook 108 of the lead wire accommodating portion 102 in the lead wire tray 90, respectively. It is possible to automatically perform the operation of inputting the number of lead wires L, and the efficiency and speed of the operation of inputting the lead wires L into the lead wire tray 90 can be realized.

  Next, the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side lead 22 in the lead wire tray 90 and the glass beads 70 in the bead tray 92 are transferred to the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42. The system 2000 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This transfer system 2000 accommodates a transport mechanism 2302 that transports the anode-side sealing jig 40 and the cathode-side sealing jig 42 to the lead wire insertion position P1 and the bead insertion position P2, and the lead wire tray 90. A plurality of shelves 2304 for the lead wire tray receiving unit 2306 arranged in the vertical direction, and the plurality of shelves 2304 arranged in the lead wire tray receiving unit 2306 are moved up and down to be designated. The first vertical movement mechanism 2310 for transporting and positioning the shelf 2304 to the insertion port 2308 and the lead wire tray 90 placed on the shelf 2304 positioned at the insertion port 2308 are connected to the lead wire transfer jig 94. Lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312 that transports the lead wire tray 90 to the installation position or returns the lead wire tray 90 to the insertion port 2308, and lead wire transfer jig 4 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the lead wire tray 90 are brought into close contact with each other, or the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 are brought into close contact with each other. In the initial state, the chucking mechanism 2314 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 are supported with the respective communication holes 128 facing downward, and the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2314. The jig 94 or the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 which are brought into close contact with each other, and the chucking mechanism 2314, the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 brought into close contact with each other at 2314, or the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode brought into close contact with each other. Inserted into each communication hole 128 of the first swing mechanism 2318 that performs rotational swing and straight swing with respect to the sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 and the lead wire transfer jig 94. The first suction mechanism 2320 for vacuum-sucking the anode-side lead 18 or the cathode-side lead 22 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 that vacuum-sucks the anode-side lead 18 or the cathode-side lead 22 are transported. A first front and rear transport mechanism 2322 that transports the lead wire to the upper lead insertion position P1.

  When the anode side sealing jig 40 is inserted into the transfer system 2000, the first vertical movement mechanism 2310 has an anode side among the lead wire trays 90 placed on the plurality of shelves 2304. When the lead wire tray 90 containing the lead 18 is selected and transported to the insertion port 2308 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 is inserted, the lead wire tray 90 placed on the plurality of shelves 2304 is selected. Control is performed so that the lead wire tray 90 containing the cathode side lead 22 is selected from the tray 90 and conveyed to the insertion port 2308.

  In addition to the various mechanisms, the transfer system 2000 includes a bead tray receiving portion 2332 in which a plurality of shelves 2330 for accommodating bead trays 92 are arranged in the vertical direction, and the bead tray receiving portion 2332. The plurality of shelves 2330 arranged in the vertical direction are moved in the vertical direction, the designated shelf 2330 is transported to the loading port 2334, and the second vertical movement mechanism 2358 for positioning is positioned, and the shelf positioned at the loading port 2334 Provided in the bead transfer jig 96 and the bead tray transfer mechanism 2336 for transporting the bead tray 92 placed on 2330 to the installation position of the bead transfer jig 96 or returning the bead tray 92 to the insertion port 2334 The bead transfer jig 96 and the bead tray 92 are in close contact with each other, or the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode A chucking mechanism 2338 for closely attaching the sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 and a bead transfer jig 96 in the initial state are supported with the communication holes 162 facing downward, and the chucking mechanism 2338 is supported. The bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 which are brought into close contact with each other, or the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig 40 or the cathode side sealing jig 42 which are brought into close contact with each other. A second reversing mechanism 2340 for reversing and the bead tray 92 and bead transfer jig 96 brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2338, or the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig 40. Alternatively, in the second swing mechanism 2342 that rotates and swings linearly with respect to the cathode side sealing jig 42, and in each communication hole 162 of the bead transfer jig 96. A second suction mechanism 2344 for vacuum-sucking the glass bead 70 that has been inserted; and a second transfer mechanism 96 for vacuum-sucking the glass bead 70 to the bead insertion position P2 on the transport mechanism 2302 A front-rear transport mechanism 2346.

  In addition, the transfer system 2000 is a control that controls various mechanisms based on various sensors (not shown) for taking the operation timing of the various mechanisms and a sequence set in advance according to detection signals from the various sensors and external operations. Device 2348.

  Next, the processing operation of the transfer system 2000 will be described with reference to the process block diagrams of FIGS. 22A to 24B.

  First, for example, the anode side sealing jig 40 is placed at the jig loading position P0 on the conveyance belt 2350 of the conveyance mechanism 2302 in the stopped state (step S1 in FIG. 22A), and the lead wire tray receiving unit is placed. A plurality of lead wire trays 90 are accommodated in 2306 (step S2 in FIG. 22A). The anode lead 18 is accommodated in one lead wire tray 90 with the anode rod 20 facing upward, and the cathode lead 22 has, for example, the cathode rod 32 facing upward in the other lead wire tray 90. Are stored. On the other hand, a plurality of bead trays 92 are also accommodated in the bead tray receiving portion 2332 (step S101 in FIG. 22B). Each bead tray 92 stores a large number of beads.

  When placing the anode-side sealing jig 40 on the transport belt 2350, first, the anode-side lower adapter 184 is placed on the transport belt 2350, and then the anode-side sealing is performed on the lower adapter 184. A jig 40 is placed.

  Next, when, for example, a transfer start switch (not shown) of a control console (not shown) connected to the control device 2348 is operated and a transfer start instruction is input to the control device 2348, the control device 2348 The activation signal Sa is output to the transport mechanism 2302, and simultaneously, the activation signal (Sb1, Sb2) and code data (Dt1, Dt2) indicating the shelf number are output to the first and second vertical movement mechanisms 2310 and 2358, respectively.

  The transport mechanism 2302 drives the transport belt 2350 in one direction based on the input of the activation signal Sa. As a result, the anode side sealing jig 40 placed on the transport belt 2350 is transported toward the lead wire insertion position P1. When the anode side sealing jig 40 reaches the lead wire insertion position P <b> 1 by the transport driving by the transport mechanism 2302, a detection signal is output from a sensor (not shown) and input to the control device 2348. The control device 2348 outputs a stop signal to the transport mechanism 2302 based on the input of the detection signal from the sensor, and stops the transport of the anode side sealing jig 40 by the transport mechanism 2302. Thereby, the anode side sealing jig 40 is positioned at the lead wire insertion position P1 on the transport belt 2350 (step S3 in FIG. 22A). At this time, another anode-side sealing jig 40 is placed at the jig loading position P0 on the transport belt 2350. This other anode side sealing jig 40 is transported to the lead insertion position P1 in the next cycle, and the anode side lead 18 is inserted.

  The first vertical movement mechanism 2310 starts to move the plurality of shelves 2304 in the vertical direction based on the input of the activation signal Sb1 from the control device 2348, and corresponds to the shelf number indicated by the input code data Dt1. The shelf 2304 to be carried is conveyed to the insertion port 2308 and positioned (step S4 in FIG. 22A).

  On the other hand, the second vertical movement mechanism 2358 also starts moving the plurality of shelves 2330 in the vertical direction based on the input of the activation signal Sb2 from the control device 2348, and the shelf indicated by the input code data Dt2 The shelf 2330 corresponding to the number is conveyed to the insertion port 2334 and positioned (step S102 in FIG. 22B).

  When the positioning of the shelf 2304 by the first vertical movement mechanism 2310 is completed, the control device 2348 outputs an activation signal Sc1 to the lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312, and the second vertical movement mechanism 2358 outputs the shelf 2330. When the positioning is completed, an activation signal Sc2 is output to the bead tray transport mechanism 2336.

  The lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312 transports the lead wire tray 90 toward the installation position of the lead wire transfer jig 94 based on the input of the activation signal Sc1, and the lead wire tray 90 is moved to the installation position. (Step S5 in FIG. 22A). As a result, the lead wire tray 90 faces the lead wire receiving portion 102 upward, directly below the lead wire transfer jig 94 installed with the communication hole 128 facing downward.

  On the other hand, the bead tray transport mechanism 2336 transports the bead tray 92 toward the installation position of the bead transfer jig 96 based on the input of the activation signal Sc2, and positions the bead tray 92 at the installation position. (Step S103 in FIG. 22B). As a result, the bead tray 92 faces the bead storage portion 112 upward directly below the bead transfer jig 96 installed with the communication hole 162 facing downward.

  Subsequently, the control device 2348 outputs holding command signals Sd1 and Sd2 to the chucking mechanism 2314 attached to the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the chucking mechanism 2338 attached to the bead transfer jig 96, respectively.

  The chucking mechanism 2314 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 drives the chucking claw 140 (see FIG. 10) based on the input of the holding command signal Sd1, and the chucking claw 140 uses the flange of the lead wire tray 90. By hooking the portion 100 and holding the lead wire tray 90, the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 are brought into close contact with each other so that the lead wire accommodating portion 102 and the communication hole 128 face each other. (Step S6 in FIG. 22A).

  On the other hand, the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96 drives the chucking claw 140 (see FIG. 11) based on the input of the holding command signal Sd2, and the chucking claw 140 uses the flange of the bead tray 92. By hooking the portion 110 and holding the bead tray 92, the bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 are brought into close contact with each other so that the bead storage portion 112 and the communication hole 162 face each other (FIG. 22B). Step S104).

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs activation signals Se1 and Se2 to the first and second reversing mechanisms 2316 and 2340, respectively. The first reversing mechanism 2316 is based on the input of the activation signal Se1, and the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 that are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2314 of the lead wire transfer jig 94. And the lead wire transfer jig 94 is positioned on the lower side (step S7 in FIG. 22A).

  At this stage, a large number of anode-side leads 18 accumulated in the lead wire accommodating portion 102 of the lead wire tray 90 freely fall toward the lead wire transfer jig 94, and among them, the lead wire transfer jig 94 The anode-side lead 18 at the position corresponding to each communication hole 128 is inserted into the communication hole 128 as it is.

In this case, on the insertion side of the anode side lead 18, as shown in FIG. 12, the diameter d of the small hole 126, the diameter D of the large hole 124, the diameter dw of the anode rod 20 in the anode side lead 18, The relationship of the diameter dy is
dw <d <dy
dy <D <2dw
Therefore, the anode rod 20 is inserted into the small hole 126, but the outer lead 26 cannot be inserted, and more than two anode-side leads 18 are not inserted into the large hole 124. It will be. That is, one anode side lead 18 is inserted into each communication hole 128 with the outer lead 26 positioned in the large hole 124.

  On the other hand, the second reversing mechanism 2340 causes the bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 to be brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96 based on the input of the activation signal Se2. The bead transfer jig 96 is inverted and positioned on the lower side (step S105 in FIG. 22B).

  At this stage, a large number of glass beads 70 accumulated in the bead storage portion 112 of the bead tray 92 freely fall toward the bead transfer jig 96, and among these, the respective holes 162 in the bead transfer jig 96. The glass beads 70 at the corresponding positions are inserted into the respective communication holes 162 with their axes directed in the vertical direction.

In this case, the relationship between the height h _B of the depth H _F and glass beads 70 in the large hole 158 of the bead transfer jig 96 as 0.9hb <H _F <1.2h _B, so as to substantially the same Therefore, there is no inconvenience that two or more glass beads 70 are inserted into one large hole 158.

  Further, in this example, in order to ensure insertion of the anode-side lead 18 into the communication hole 128 and insertion of the glass beads 70 into the communication hole 162, the chucking mechanism 2314 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 is ensured. And the bead transfer jig 94 and the bead transfer jig 94 which are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96. Each 96 is swung.

  That is, the control device 2348 outputs the start signals Sf1 and Sf2 to the first and second swing mechanisms 2318 and 2342, respectively, when the reversing process by the first and second reversing mechanisms 2316 and 2340 is completed. . Based on the input of the start signal Sf1, the first swing mechanism 2318 performs rotational swing and straight swing with respect to the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 that are in close contact with each other (FIG. 22A, step S8). As a result, one anode-side lead 18 is reliably inserted into each communication hole 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94.

  On the other hand, the second swing mechanism 2342 receives the bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 that are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96 based on the input of the activation signal Sf2. Rotation swing and straight swing are performed (step S106 in FIG. 22B). As a result, one glass bead 70 is surely inserted into each communication hole 162 of the bead transfer jig 96.

  Thereafter, the control device 2348 outputs suction command signals Sg1 and Sg2 to the first and second suction mechanisms 2320 and 2344, respectively. The first suction mechanism 2320 opens the first electromagnetic valve 2354 installed between the vacuum pump 2352 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 based on the input of the suction command signal Sg1, thereby transferring the lead wire. The void 120 of the jig 94 is evacuated to hold the anode-side lead 18 inserted into each communication hole 128 in the communication hole 128. That is, the anode side lead 18 is held by the lead wire holding unit 142 by vacuum suction (step S9 in FIG. 22A).

  On the other hand, the second suction mechanism 2344 opens the second electromagnetic valve 2356 installed between the vacuum pump 2352 and the bead transfer jig 96 based on the input of the suction command signal Sg2, thereby transferring the beads. The void 150 of the jig 96 is evacuated to hold the glass beads 70 inserted into the communication holes 162 in the communication holes 162. That is, the glass beads 70 are held by the bead holding unit 168 by vacuum suction (step S107 in FIG. 22B).

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs stop signals Sf3 and Sf4 to the first and second oscillating mechanisms 2318 and 2342, respectively, and simultaneously outputs inverted signals Se3 and Se4 to the first and second inverting mechanisms 2316 and 2340, respectively. Output. Based on the input of the stop signal Sf3, the first swing mechanism 2318 stops swing drive for the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 in the contact state (step S10 in FIG. 23A). The first reversing mechanism 2316 reverses the lead wire tray 90 and the lead wire transfer jig 94 in the close contact state based on the input of the reversal signal Se3, and moves the lead wire tray 90 downward. (Step S11 in FIG. 23A).

  On the other hand, based on the input of the stop signal Sf4, the second swing mechanism 2342 stops the swing drive for the bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 in the close contact state (step S108 in FIG. 23B). The second reversing mechanism 2340 reverses the bead tray 92 and the bead transfer jig 96 in the close contact state based on the input of the reversal signal Se4 and positions the bead tray 92 on the lower side ( Step S109 in FIG. 23B).

  Subsequently, the control device 2348 outputs release command signals Sd3 and Sd4 to the chucking mechanisms 2314 and 2338, respectively. The chucking mechanism 2314 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 releases the chucking of the lead wire tray 90 by the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the release command signal Sd3 (Step S12 in FIG. 23A), The lead wire tray 90 is placed on the transport path of the lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312.

  On the other hand, the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96 releases the chucking of the bead tray 92 by the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the release command signal Sd4 (step S110 in FIG. 23B). The bead tray 92 is placed on the transport path of the bead tray transport mechanism 2336. From this stage, the transfer side of the glass beads 70 is in a standby state.

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs an activation signal Sh1 to the first front-rear transport mechanism 2322. Based on the input of the start signal Sh1, the first back-and-forth transport mechanism 2322 uses the lead wire transfer jig 94 that vacuum-sucks the anode-side lead 18 in each communication hole 128 to the lead wire insertion position on the transport belt 2350. It is transported to P1 and positioned (step S13 in FIG. 23A). As a result, the communication holes 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the recesses 58 of the anode side sealing jig 40 face each other.

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs a holding command signal Sd1 to the chucking mechanism 2314. The chucking mechanism 2314 drives the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the holding command signal Sd1, hooks the lower support plate 52 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 with the chucking claw 140, and By holding the anode-side sealing jig 40, the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode-side sealing jig 40 are brought into close contact with each other so that the communication holes 128 and the recesses 58 face each other (see FIG. 23A, step S14).

  Thereafter, the control device 2348 outputs a suction release signal Sg3 to the first suction mechanism 2320. The first suction mechanism 2320 returns the void 120 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 to atmospheric pressure by closing the first electromagnetic valve 2354 based on the input of the suction release signal Sg3 (see FIG. 23A, step S15).

  As a result, the anode-side lead 18 inserted into each communication hole 128 of the lead wire transfer jig 94 freely falls toward the recess 58 of the anode-side sealing jig 40, and the outer lead of the anode-side lead 18 is left as it is. The lead 26 is inserted into the lead insertion hole 60 of the anode side sealing jig 40.

  Further, in this example, in order to ensure the insertion of the anode side lead 18, the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 which are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2314 are shaken. I try to move. That is, the control device 2348 outputs the activation signal Sf1 to the first swing mechanism 2318 when the closing operation of the first electromagnetic valve 2354 by the first adsorption mechanism 2320 is completed. Based on the input of the start signal Sf 1, the first swing mechanism 2318 rotates and swings the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 that are in close contact with each other. This is performed (step S16 in FIG. 23A). As a result, one anode-side lead 18 is reliably inserted into each recess 58 of the anode-side sealing jig 40.

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs a stop signal Sf3 to the first swing mechanism 2318 and then outputs a release command signal Sd3 to the chucking mechanism 2314. Based on the input of the stop signal Sf3, the first swing mechanism 2318 stops the swing drive for the lead wire transfer jig 94 and the anode side sealing jig 40 in the contact state (in FIG. 23A). Step S17). The chucking mechanism 2314 releases the chucking of the anode side sealing jig 40 by the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the release command signal Sd3 (step S18 in FIG. 23A), and performs the anode side sealing. The jig 40 is placed on the conveyance belt 2350 of the conveyance mechanism 2302.

  Thereafter, the control device 2348 outputs a return signal Sh3 to the first front-rear transport mechanism 2322 and simultaneously outputs a transport restart signal Sa to the transport mechanism 2302. The first front / rear transport mechanism 2322 returns the lead wire transfer jig 94 to the original position based on the input of the return signal Sh3 (step S19 in FIG. 24A).

  The transport mechanism 2302 restarts transport of the anode-side sealing jig 40 based on the input of the transport restart signal Sa. Thus, the anode side sealing jig 40 placed on the transport belt 2350 is transported toward the bead insertion position P2 and is positioned at the bead insertion position P2 (step S20 in FIG. 24A). ).

  At this time, another anode-side sealing jig 40 placed at the jig insertion position P0 on the conveyor belt 2350 is positioned at the lead wire insertion position P1, and the series of processes described above (step S6 in FIG. 22A). 24 to step S20 in FIG. 24 is repeated, the anode-side lead 18 is inserted into each recess 58 of the other anode-side sealing jig 40 with the anode rod 20 facing upward. .

  When the anode side sealing jig 40 is positioned at the bead insertion position P2, the control device 2348 outputs an activation signal Sh2 to the second front / rear transport mechanism 2346. The second back-and-forth transport mechanism 2346 transports the bead transfer jig 96 that vacuum-adsorbs the glass beads 70 to the respective communication holes 162 to the bead insertion position P2 on the transport belt 2350 based on the input of the start signal Sh2. Then, positioning is performed (step S111 in FIG. 24B). As a result, the communication holes 162 of the bead transfer jig 96 and the concave portions 58 of the anode side sealing jig 40 face each other.

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs a holding command signal Sd2 to the chucking mechanism 2338. The chucking mechanism 2338 drives the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the holding command signal Sd2, hooks the lower support plate 52 of the anode-side sealing jig 40 with the chucking claw 140, and By holding the anode-side sealing jig 40, the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode-side sealing jig 40 are brought into close contact with each other so that the communication holes 162 and the recesses 58 face each other (FIG. 24B). Step S112).

  Thereafter, the control device 2348 outputs a suction release signal Sg4 to the second suction mechanism 2344. The second suction mechanism 2344 closes the second electromagnetic valve 2356 based on the input of the suction release signal Sg4, thereby returning the void 150 of the bead transfer jig 96 to atmospheric pressure (FIG. 24B). Step S113).

  As a result, the glass beads 70 inserted into the respective communication holes 162 of the bead transfer jig 96 freely fall toward the concave portion 58 of the anode side sealing jig 40, and the anode rod 20 of the anode side lead 18 is left as it is. Will be inserted.

  Furthermore, in this example, in order to ensure the insertion of the glass beads 70, the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig that are brought into close contact with each other by the chucking mechanism 2338 of the bead transfer jig 96 are used. The tool 40 is swung. That is, the control device 2348 outputs the activation signal Sf2 to the second swing mechanism 2342 when the closing operation of the second electromagnetic valve 2356 by the second adsorption mechanism 2344 is completed.

  Based on the input of the start signal Sf2, the second swing mechanism 2342 rotates and swings the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode-side sealing jig 40 that are in close contact with each other. This is performed (step S114 in FIG. 24B). As a result, the glass beads 70 are surely inserted into the anode rod 20 of the anode side lead 18 inserted into each recess 58 of the anode side sealing jig 40.

  Next, the control device 2348 outputs a stop signal Sf4 to the second swing mechanism 2342 and then outputs a release command signal Sd4 to the chucking mechanism 2338. Based on the input of the stop signal Sf4, the second swing mechanism 2342 stops the swing drive for the bead transfer jig 96 and the anode side sealing jig 40 in the close contact state (step of FIG. 24B). S115). The chucking mechanism 2338 releases the chucking of the anode side sealing jig 40 by the chucking claw 140 based on the input of the release command signal Sd4 (step S116 in FIG. 24B), and performs the anode side sealing. The jig 40 is placed on the conveyance belt 2350 of the conveyance mechanism 2302.

  Thereafter, the control device 2348 outputs a return signal Sh4 to the second front / rear transport mechanism 2346 and simultaneously outputs a transport restart signal Sa to the transport mechanism 2302. Based on the input of the return signal Sh4, the second front / rear transport mechanism 2346 returns the bead transfer jig 96 to the original position (step S117 in FIG. 24B).

  The transport mechanism 2302 restarts transport of the anode-side sealing jig 40 based on the input of the transport restart signal Sa. As a result, the anode-side sealing jig 40 placed on the conveyor belt 2350 is now conveyed toward the next step. At this time, another anode-side sealing jig 40 positioned at the lead wire insertion position P1 is transported to the bead insertion position P2, and the series of processes described above (the processes of steps S111 to S117 in FIG. 24B) are performed. By repeating, the glass beads 70 are respectively inserted into the anode rods 20 of the anode side leads 18 inserted into the respective recesses 58 of the other anode side sealing jig 40.

  After the series of processing (step S6 in FIG. 22A to step S20 in FIG. 24A and step S101 in FIG. 22B to step S117 in FIG. 24B), for example, several cycles, this time, the process on the conveyor belt 2350 in the conveyor mechanism 2302 is performed. The cathode side sealing jig 42 is placed at the tool insertion position P0, and the cathode side lead 22 is inserted into the cathode side sealing jig 42. In this case, the cathode-side lower adapter 182 is placed on the conveyor belt 2350, and then the cathode-side sealing jig 42 is placed on the lower adapter 182. Further, the cathode-side sealing jig 42 An upper adapter 180 is placed on the heater body 44.

  Then, the lead wire tray 90 in which a large number of anode-side leads 18 are housed is returned to the insertion port 2308 through the lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312, and this time through the first vertical movement mechanism 2310, a large number of cathode-side leads The lead wire tray 90 storing the leads 22 is positioned at the insertion port 2308, and further, the lead wire tray 90 is transported to the installation position of the lead wire transfer jig 94 through the lead wire tray transport mechanism 2312.

  Thereafter, by performing the processing from step S6 in FIG. 22A to step S20 in FIG. 24A, one cathode-side lead 22 is inserted into each recess 62 of the cathode-side sealing jig 42, and step S111 in FIG. The glass beads 70 are inserted into the cathode bar 32 of the cathode side lead 22 inserted into the respective recesses 62 of the cathode side sealing jig 42 by performing the process of step S117.

  As described above, in the transfer system 2000, the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube 10 is fully automated, particularly the lead wire (anode-side lead 18 and cathode-side lead 22) alignment step performed before the glass tube sealing. Thus, the automation of the process of inserting the glass beads 70 into the aligned lead wires can be realized, and the production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube 10 can be improved.

  Next, in the bead fusion step S12 of FIG. 2, the anode side sealing jig 40 with the anode side lead 18 inserted is placed in an inert gas atmosphere through a bead fusion machine as shown in FIG. 6B. The glass beads 70 are thermally fused to the electrode rod 20 by energization heating.

  Next, in glass tube insertion step S13, one end portion 12a of glass tube 12 is inserted into each recess 48 of anode side sealing jig 40 through a glass tube insertion machine, as shown in FIG. 25A. At this time, the one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 is inserted and fixed in the recess 58 in a state where the one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 and the tip surface of the anode-side lead 18 substantially coincide with each other in the height direction.

  As a method for inserting the glass tube 12, for example, after arranging a large number of glass tubes 12 on the tray, the glass tubes 12 are taken out from the tray one by one and placed in each recess 58 of the anode-side sealing jig 40. Either a method of insertion or a large number of glass tubes 12 are put in a container called a hopper, the glass tubes 12 are taken out one by one from the bottom of the hopper, and each concave portion of the anode side sealing jig 40 is A method of inserting into 48 can be adopted.

  Next, in the primary sealing step S14 of FIG. 2, the anode side sealing jig in which the one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 is inserted into each recess 58 as shown in FIG. 25B through the primary sealing machine. 40 is energized and heated in an inert gas atmosphere. By this heating, the glass beads 70 and the one end portion 12 a of the glass tube 12 are heat-sealed, and the one end portion 12 a of the glass tube 12 is sealed with the electrode rod 20 in the anode side lead 18. At this stage, a primary sealed product 72 in which one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 is sealed and the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 is opened is manufactured.

  On the other hand, in the cathode side assembly step S2 of FIG. 2, in the first cathode side transfer step S21, as shown in FIG. 26A, each lead of the cathode side sealing jig 42 is transferred through the transfer system 2000 shown in FIG. The cathode side leads 22 are inserted into the insertion holes 56, respectively.

  Also in this case, like the anode side lead 18, the diameter of the tip portion 28 of the cathode side lead 22 (the portion to which the electrode bar 32 is fixed) is processed to be thicker than that of the outer lead 30. Since the diameter is larger than the diameter, the electrode bar 32 fixed to the tip portion 28 of the cathode side lead 22 is always located in the recess 64, and each cathode side lead 22 is in the axial direction thereof. Is in a state along the vertical direction.

  As the insertion method of the cathode side lead 22, the above-described insertion method of the two anode side leads 18 can be adopted.

  After any number of cathode-side leads 22 are inserted into the lead insertion holes 64 of the cathode-side sealing jig 42 by any of the above-described methods, the cathode-side leads 22 are inserted into the cathode-side leads 22. A ring-shaped glass bead 70 is inserted into the electrode rod 32. Since the diameter of the glass beads 70 is set larger than the diameter of the electrode rod 32 and smaller than the diameter of the tip portion 28 of the cathode side lead 22, the glass beads 70 surround the root portion of the electrode rod 32. Is placed on the tip portion 28 of the cathode side lead 22. As a method of inserting the glass beads 70 into the electrode rod 32, a method similar to the method of inserting the anode side lead 18 into the lead insertion hole 64 of the anode side sealing jig 40 can be employed.

  That is, the transfer of the cathode-side lead 22 into each insertion hole 64 of the cathode-side sealing jig 42 and the insertion of the glass beads 70 into the cathode-side lead 22 are performed as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. A transfer system 2000 can be used.

  Next, in the bead fusion step S22 of FIG. 2, the cathode side sealing jig 42 into which the cathode side lead 22 is inserted is energized in an inert gas atmosphere through a bead fusion machine as shown in FIG. 26B. The glass beads 70 are heat-sealed to the electrode rod 32 by heating.

  Next, in the cathode caulking step S23, as shown in FIG. 27, the ring-shaped cathode 14 is inserted into the electrode rod 32 through an automatic caulking machine, and then the cathode 14 is caulked to the tip portion of the electrode rod 32. Then, the cathode 14 is fixed to the tip portion of the electrode rod 32 to produce the cathode body 74.

  Then, in the assembly step S3 shown in FIG. 2, the primary produced by the primary sealing step S14 in the anode side assembly step S1 as shown in FIG. The sealed product 72 (see FIG. 25B) is inverted, and the other end portion 12b (open end) of the glass tube 12 of each primary sealed product 72 is directed downward.

  Thereafter, the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 in the primary sealing product 72 is inserted into each recess 62 of the cathode side sealing jig 42 into which the cathode body 74 is inserted. At this time, the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 is inserted and fixed in the recess 62 in a state where the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 and the tip surface of the cathode side lead 22 substantially coincide with each other in the height direction.

  Next, in the secondary sealing step S32, through the secondary sealing processing device 3000 described later, as shown in FIG. 28B, the cathode side sealing in which the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 is inserted into each recess 62, respectively. The fixing jig 42 is energized and heated in a xenon gas atmosphere, and the glass beads 70 and the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 are fused.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this secondary sealing step S32 has at least three further subdivided steps. Specifically, prior to energization heating of the cathode side sealing jig 42, the workpiece ( A cleaning step S301 for removing at least impurities in the glass tube 12 by exposing the cathode side sealing jig 42) in which the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 is inserted into each recess 62 to a negative pressure atmosphere. A sealing step S302 in which the cathode side sealing jig 42 is energized and heated in a negative pressure atmosphere and a xenon gas atmosphere, and a cooling step S303 in which at least the cathode side sealing jig 42 is cooled in a negative pressure atmosphere. including.

  Thereby, first, the cathode side sealing jig 42 in which the glass tube 12 of the primary sealing product 72 is inserted is put into the cleaning step S301. In this cleaning step S301, the cathode side sealing jig 42 is exposed to a negative pressure atmosphere prior to energization heating of the cathode side sealing jig 42. Impurities existing inside the glass tube 12 inserted into the are removed to the outside by the negative pressure.

  Thereafter, the cathode side sealing jig 42 in which the glass tube 12 is inserted is put into the next sealing step S302. In this sealing step S302, the cathode side sealing jig 42 is energized and heated in a negative pressure atmosphere and a xenon gas atmosphere, and the glass beads 70 and the one end portion 12a of the glass tube 12 are thermally fused by the heating. Then, the other end 12 b of the glass tube 12 is sealed with the electrode rod 32 of the cathode body 74. At this stage, the other end 12b of the glass tube 12 of the primary sealed product 72 is fused to the corresponding cathode side lead 22, and the secondary sealed product 80 in which the xenon gas is sealed in the glass tube 12; Is done. The secondary sealed product 80 discharged from the sealing step S302 is cooled in a negative pressure atmosphere in the next cooling step S303. The xenon gas remaining in the sealing tank is recovered and reused.

  Here, the configuration of the secondary sealing processing device 3000 will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 to 45.

  As shown in FIG. 29, the secondary sealing processing device 3000 includes a jig receiving portion 3102 into which the cathode side sealing jig 42 is put and placed, and a cathode put into the jig receiving portion 3102. Prior to energization heating of the cathode side sealing jig 42, the ID reading device 3104 for reading the jig number and ID of the side sealing jig 42, and in each recess 64 of the cathode side sealing jig 42. A cleaning device 3106 that removes at least impurities in the glass tube 12 by exposing the work in which the other end 12b of the glass tube 12 is inserted to a negative pressure atmosphere, and the cathode side in the negative pressure atmosphere and the xenon gas atmosphere A sealing device 3108 for energizing and heating the sealing jig 42, a cooling device 3110 for cooling at least the cathode-side sealing jig 42 in a negative pressure atmosphere, and the cathode after the secondary sealing step S32 of FIG. One side sealing jig 42 And a buffer unit 3112 for accommodating.

  The cleaning device 3106 decodes the contents of record data from the control device 3136, which will be described later, and generates sequence data for driving and controlling various devices 3114a, 3114b, 3114c,... Included in the cleaning device 3106. It has a first controller 3116 that creates and outputs.

  The sealing device 3108 also decodes the content of the record data from the control device 3136 and creates sequence data for driving and controlling the various devices 3118a, 3118b, 3118c,... Included in the sealing device 3108. And a second controller 3120 for outputting.

  The cooling device 3110 also decodes the content of the record data from the control device 3136, creates sequence data for driving and controlling the various devices 3122a, 3122b, 3122c,. A third controller 3124.

  In addition to the various devices, the secondary sealing processing device 3000 uses the pattern information set through the key input device 3130, the coordinate input device 3132, the monitor 3134, and the like for the cleaning processing, sealing processing, and cooling processing. In response, the first to third controllers 3116, 3120 and 3124 are adaptively controlled to optimally perform the secondary sealing process, and various tables created in the control device 3136 A database 3138 for storing pattern information and the like, and a determination device 3142 for determining application of the cathode side sealing jig 42 based on an inspection result (manufacturing history table) from an inspection system 3140 described later.

  By the way, in the secondary sealing step S32 of FIG. 2, the time-dependent change of the cathode side sealing jig 42, particularly the contact surface of the heater main body 44 and the upper and lower support plates 50 and 52 (copper plate) as shown in FIG. Since the temperature distribution of the heater body 44 changes due to the change, it is difficult to produce the xenon discharge tube 10 having a constant quality under a constant sealing condition.

  Therefore, a jig number is engraved in advance on the cathode side sealing jig 42, and the jig that is engraved when the cathode side sealing jig 42 is put into the secondary sealing processing device 3000. The number is read through the ID reader 3104, and the optimum sealing condition for the sealing jig 42 specified by the jig number is automatically set.

  Since the cathode side sealing jig 42 changes with time as described above, there is a problem that the yield rate is extremely deteriorated unless the sealing conditions are changed. Therefore, a method in which the operator himself / herself observes the completed secondary sealed product 80, determines whether sealing is excessive or insufficient, and resets the sealing conditions is considered. In order to observe the secondary sealed product 80, In this case, the secondary sealing product 80 must be forcibly pulled out from the cathode side sealing jig 42. In this case, when the secondary sealed product 80 is returned to the cathode side sealing jig 42 after observation, the lead wire of the peripheral secondary sealed product 80 is bent, and the secondary sealed product 80 is replaced with a defective product. There is a risk of making it.

  Therefore, in the secondary sealing processing device 3000, as shown in FIG. 2, in the lead cutting step S33, the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead led out from both ends of the glass tube 12 of the secondary sealed product 80. Each outer lead 26 and 30 is cut into a predetermined length, and then the tube diameter of the secondary sealed product 80 is measured in the tube diameter inspection / light emission inspection step S34. Check whether or not the light is emitted.

  As the quality data of the xenon discharge tube 10, the quality of sealing part fusion is particularly important data. When the sealing is excessive, as shown in FIG. 28A, the temperature in the vicinity of the glass fusion part (one end 12a and the other end 12b of the glass tube) becomes high, and the normal secondary sealed product shown in FIG. 28B. Compared to 80, the glass other than the fused portions (12a and 12b) is softened, and a bulge 82 is generated by its own weight. Further, if the sealing is insufficient, as shown in FIG. 28C, the fused portions (12a and 12b) are not completely fused, and as a result, the xenon gas escapes and does not emit light.

  Therefore, by measuring the diameter (tube diameter) of the glass sealing portion (for example, the other end portion 12b) in the glass tube 12 of the secondary sealing product 80, it is possible to inspect whether the sealing is excessive. By measuring the presence or absence of light emission of the next sealed product 80, it can be inspected whether or not the sealing is insufficient.

  And in this secondary sealing processing apparatus 3000, for each cathode side sealing jig 42, the secondary sealing condition and the tube diameter defect in the case of normal secondary sealing conditions, light emission failure. In this case, the secondary sealing condition is stored as a pattern number, and feedback processing is performed in which the secondary sealing condition is changed based on the inspection result from the inspection system 3140.

  Next, an inspection system 3140 that performs lead wire cutting, tube diameter inspection / light emission inspection of the secondary sealed product 80 will be described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 43. The secondary sealed product 80 processed by the inspection system 3140 is referred to as a workpiece 80, and the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are collectively referred to as lead wires 18 and 22.

  In this inspection system 3140, in addition to the cathode side sealing jig 42 described above, a tray 3070 shown in FIG. 32 is used. As shown in FIG. 32, the tray 3070 has a bottomed box-shaped housing 3074 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plane and having side walls 3072A to 3072D in four directions. A large number of recesses 3078 are formed in a matrix in the bottom portion 3076 of the housing 3074 so that the longitudinal directions thereof coincide with the longitudinal direction of the housing 3074. Each concave portion 3078 is sized so that the secondary sealed product 80 of the xenon discharge tube 10 to be described later can be placed sideways and independently of each other. Specifically, the curvature is the secondary sealed product 80. The glass tube 12 is slightly larger than the glass tube 12 and has substantially the same length as the glass tube 12.

  The housing 3074 has a flange portion 3080 formed integrally therewith. Of the corner portions C1 to C4 of the flange portion 3080, the two corner portions C2 and C3 existing at both ends of the same side are formed in a slightly curved shape having the same curvature, and the remaining two corner portions C1 and C4. Are chamfered obliquely to form a tapered surface 3082. The direction of the tray 3070 can be specified by the taper surface 3082 by this chamfering, so that a function as a so-called origin search in the automatic conveyance of the tray 3070 can be provided, and automation of the conveyance process can be further promoted. Become.

  Further, the flange portion 3080 has a rectangular annular step 3084 formed therein, and the shape defined by the step 3084 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the bottom shape of the housing 3074. Therefore, when another tray 3070 is placed on one tray 3070, the bottom 3076 of the upper tray 3070 is inserted into the step 3084 of the flange 3080 of the lower tray 3070. It becomes possible to load 3070 stably.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 31, the inspection system 3140 can collect the quality data of the workpiece 80 for each cathode side sealing jig 42, and the quality data in the cathode side sealing jig 42 unit. The jig receiving portion 3152 into which the cathode side sealing jig 42 is placed and placed, and the cathode side sealing placed on the jig receiving portion 3152 The ID reading mechanism 3154 for reading the ID of the stop jig 42 and the plurality of workpieces 80 are simultaneously taken out from the cathode side sealing jig 42 and transferred to the transfer mechanism 3156, and the plurality of workpieces 80 are transferred to the transfer mechanism 3156. The workpiece take-out mechanism 3160 placed horizontally on the transfer table 3158 (see FIG. 34) and a plurality of works 80 transferred by the work take-out mechanism 3160 are respectively placed in the horizontal direction. The length of the lead wires 18 and 22 after being cut, the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 for cutting the lead wires 18 and 22 into a predetermined length for each workpiece 80, A lead wire inspection mechanism 3164 for inspecting whether or not it is within a predetermined length range, a tube diameter inspection mechanism 3166 for inspecting the diameter of the glass tube 12 at the glass sealing portion (near the other end portion 12b) of the workpiece 80, A light emission inspection mechanism 3168 for inspecting the light emission state of the work 80 and a stacking mechanism 3170 for stacking the work 80 certified as a non-defective product among the works 80 that have been subjected to the light emission inspection are provided on a tray 3070.

  Cutting the lead wires 18 and 22 to a predetermined length by the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 is to cut off and remove excess portions on both sides so that the length of the lead wires 18 and 22 after cutting becomes a predetermined length. Say.

  The lead wire inspection mechanism 3164 measures the length of the lead wires 18 and 22 after being cut and outputs the measured value as the lead wire length, and the lead wire length is within a predetermined length range. And the result of the determination is output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad).

  The tube diameter inspection mechanism 3166 measures the diameter of the glass tube 12 at the glass sealing portion (near the other end portion 12b) of the workpiece 80 and outputs the measured value as a tube diameter. The tube diameter is a predetermined diameter. It is determined whether it is within the range, and the determination result is output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad).

  The light emission inspection mechanism 3168 measures the presence / absence of light emission of the workpiece 80 by, for example, voltage, determines whether the number of light emission is equal to or greater than a predetermined number, and uses the determination result as bit information (1/0 = good / bad). Output. Alternatively, the luminescence intensity of the workpiece 80 is measured by converting the voltage with, for example, a phototube, and the measured value is output as the luminescence intensity, and it is determined whether the luminescence intensity is within a predetermined range, and the determination result is Output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad).

  In addition to the various mechanisms, the inspection system 3140 includes a first exclusion mechanism 3172 that excludes the workpiece 80 that has been determined to be NG by the lead wire inspection mechanism 3164 from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156, and the pipe diameter. A second rejection mechanism 3174 that excludes the workpiece 80 determined as NG by the inspection mechanism 3166 from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156, and the workpiece 80 determined as NG by the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156. And a third exclusion mechanism 3176 for exclusion. Of these first to third exclusion mechanisms 3172 to 3176, the defective workpiece 80 removed by any one of the exclusion mechanisms is conveyed to a separately installed station.

  Among various mechanisms constituting the inspection system 3140, as a specific configuration example of the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162, for example, as shown in FIG. 33, a lower blade block 3182 installed and fixed on a base 3180, An upper blade block 3184 that can be moved up and down (in the direction of arrow A) with respect to the blade block 3182 and an air cylinder 3186 that is a lifting drive source of the upper blade block 3184 are configured.

  Two lower blades 3188a and 3188b planted upward are attached to the upper portion of the lower blade block 3182, and two upper blades 3190a and 3190b hanging downward are attached to the upper blade block 3184. It has been. A conveyance mechanism 3156 is installed between the two lower blades 3188a and 3188b, and the lead wires 18 and 22 are placed on the lower blades 3188a and 3188b of the workpiece 80 sequentially conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 3156, respectively. It is like that.

  On the other hand, a pressing member 3192 is provided between the two upper blades 3190a and 3190b, and this pressing member 3192 is always lowered downward by an elastic member 3194 such as a compression coil spring provided in the upper blade block 3184. It is energized.

  Next, the operation of the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 will be described. First, when the workpiece 80 conveyed from the front side of the drawing (FIG. 33) by the conveying mechanism 3156 is put into the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162, the lead wires 18 and 22 of the workpiece 80 are respectively moved to the lower blades 3188a and 3188b. It is assumed that it is on the board. From this stage, the upper blade block 3184 moves downward by driving the air cylinder 3186, and first, the pressing member 3192 presses the lead wires 18 and 22 on the lower blades 3188a and 3188b. Further, the upper blade block 3184 moves downward by the driving of the air cylinder 3186, but the pressing member 3192 is only pressed downward by the elastic member 3194, so that the upper blade blocks 3190a and 3190b are below. It moves upward relative to the movement. That is, the lead wires 18 and 22 are pressed and escaped relatively upward.

  When the upper blades 3190a and 3190b move downward, the lead wires 18 and 22 are cut when the upper blades (3190a and 3190b) and the lower blades (3188a and 3188b) mesh with each other, and unnecessary portions on both sides are removed. Will be.

  At the stage where the cutting of the lead wires 18 and 22 is completed, the upper blade block 3184 is moved upward by the upward drive by the air cylinder 3186. While the upper blades 3190a and 3190b move away from the lower blades 3188a and 3188b and move upward by a predetermined distance, the lead wires 18 and 22 are pressed against the lower blades 3188a and 3188b by the pressing member 3192.

  When the upper blade block 3184 further moves upward by driving the air cylinder 3186, the pressing members 3192 press the lead wires 18 and 22 from the stage where the upper blades 3190a and 3190b are separated from the lower blades 3188a and 3188b by a predetermined distance or more. The holding member 3192 is released together with the upper blades 3190a and 3190b, and finally returns to the initial state.

  In the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162, the lead wires 18 and 22 are held by the upper blades (3190a and 3190b) and the lower blades (3188a and 3188b) while pressing the lead wires 18 and 22 against the lower blades 3188a and 3188b by the pressing member 3192. Therefore, the lead wires 18 and 22 can be reliably cut to a desired length.

  Next, the pipe diameter inspection mechanism 3166 will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 to 35B. As shown in FIG. 34, the pipe diameter inspection mechanism 3166 includes a support member 3202 that supports the pipe diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 so as to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 35A and 35B, the tube diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 includes a reference claw 3204 and a measurement claw 3206 that operate so as to sandwich the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 being transferred by the transfer mechanism 3156 (see FIG. 34). A positioning plate 3208 for positioning the reference claw 3204 at a predetermined reference position, an air chucking mechanism 3210 for moving the reference claw 3204 in a direction approaching and separating from the measurement claw 3206, and the positioning Bolt member 3212a for fixing plate 3208 to first claw 3210a of air chucking mechanism 3210, bolt member 3212b for fixing reference claw 3204 to second claw 210b of air chucking mechanism 210, and measurement The rotational displacement of the claw 3206 is converted into a linear displacement, and the amount of displacement of the measurement claw 3206 is measured. It is configured to include a cylindrical sensor 3214 for.

  The measuring claw 3206 having a substantially L shape has a configuration in which one end portion faces the reference claw 3204, the other end portion faces the sensor 3214, and a fulcrum 3216 is provided at a bent portion thereof. The measurement claw 3206 is urged so that one end thereof is always opposed to the reference claw 3204 by a compression coil spring 3218 attached so as to wrap the cylindrical sensor 3214.

  As shown in FIG. 34, the pipe diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 can be moved in a direction toward and away from the transport mechanism 3156 by an air cylinder 3220 provided on the support member 3202.

  Next, the operation of the pipe diameter inspection mechanism 3166 will be described. First, when the workpiece 80 is transported to the vicinity of the pipe diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 by the transport mechanism 3156, the pipe diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 is moved obliquely downward by driving the air cylinder 3220. At the same time, the air chucking mechanism 3210 is moved. The reference claw 3204 moves parallel to the direction away from the measurement claw 3206 by the driving of. As a result, as shown in FIG. 35B, a space sufficient to sandwich the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 between the reference claw 3154 and the measurement claw 3156 is formed.

  At the stage where the tube diameter inspection mechanism main body 3200 is further moved downward by driving the air cylinder 3220 and the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 enters between the reference claw 3204 and the measurement claw 3206, this time, the air chucking mechanism. When the reference claw 3204 is moved in the opposite direction by the driving of 3210 and the reference claw 3204 is positioned at a predetermined reference position by the positioning plate 3208, the measurement claw 3206 resists the bias of the compression coil spring 3218. Then, the workpiece 80 is rotationally displaced about the fulcrum 3216 according to the diameter of the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80. This rotational displacement is converted into a linear displacement by the sensor 3214 and measured.

  In the tube diameter inspection mechanism 3166, the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 is sandwiched between the reference claw 3204 and the measurement claw 3206, and the rotational displacement of the measurement claw 3206 according to the diameter of the glass tube 12 at that time is linearly moved by the sensor 3214. Since the diameter of the glass tube 12 is measured by converting the displacement, the diameter of the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 in the transport process can be easily measured at one station in the transport mechanism 3156.

  Next, the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 36, the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 is placed on the cradle 3230 (see FIG. 37) on which the eight workpieces 80 transported through the transport mechanism 3156 can be placed at the same time. An inspection head 3232 for causing the workpiece 80 to emit light, an air cylinder 3234 for moving the inspection head 3232 toward and away from the workpiece 80 placed on the cradle 3230, and an inspection head 3232. And a storage box 3236 on which a circuit board for driving and controlling is installed.

  The inspection head 3232 is prepared for eight channels according to the number of workpieces 80 placed on the cradle 3230. The inspection heads 3232 for eight channels are accommodated in a housing 3244 composed of a support plate 3238, a side plate 3240, and a lower plate 3242, and a piston rod 3246 of an air cylinder 3234 is provided at the upper center of the support plate 3238 of the housing 3244. Are connected via various link mechanisms.

  As shown in FIG. 38, the inspection head 3232 for one channel includes a + electrode 3248 that is in contact with the anode side lead 18 of the work 80, a − electrode 3250 that is in contact with the cathode side lead 22, and a glass tube of the work 80. 12, each electrode 3248, 3250, and 3252 is connected to the inner wall surface of the support plate 3238 via, for example, a compression coil spring 3254, and is always below by the compression coil spring 3254. Is being energized.

  The lower plate 3242 which is one of the constituent members of the housing 3244 has openings 3256, 3258 and 3260 through which the + electrode 3248, the −electrode 3250 and the trigger electrode 3252 are inserted, respectively. The electrode surface is exposed downward from the lower plate 3242.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 39, a circuit 3270 for driving and controlling the inspection head 3232 for one channel includes four input terminals (−input terminal φi1, + input terminal φi2 and two relay switch terminals φi3 and φi4). It has three output terminals (−output terminal φo1, + output terminal φo2 and trigger output terminal φo3), the main capacitor Cm is connected to the first stage between the −input terminal φi1 and the + input terminal φi2, and the resistor r1 is connected to the second stage. And a capacitor C are connected in series, and a primary side trigger coil 3272a, a resistor r2 and a relay switch R1 are connected in series between the resistor r1, a contact point a of the capacitor C, and the + output terminal φo2, and the trigger output terminal φo3 and the primary are connected. The secondary trigger coil 3272b is connected between the + side terminal (common contact b) of the side trigger coil 3272a. The The primary side trigger coil 3272a and the secondary side trigger coil 3272b constitute a transformer 3272 for boosting the primary side voltage.

  The four input terminals φi1 to φi4 are connected to a controller 3274, and a predetermined voltage is supplied between the −input terminal φi1 and the + input terminal φi2 from the controller 3274 for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, A switching signal is supplied from the controller 3274 to the two relay switch terminals φi3 and φi4.

  Next, the operation of the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 will be described. First, when the eight workpieces 80 are transported through the transport mechanism 3156 and the eight workpieces 80 are simultaneously placed on the cradle 3230, the housing 3244 moves downward by driving the air cylinder 3234. 40, the positive electrode 3248 is in contact with the anode-side lead 18 of the workpiece 80, the negative electrode 3250 is in contact with the cathode-side lead 22 of the workpiece 80, the trigger electrode 3252 is in contact with the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80, When the electrodes 3248, 3250, and 3252 float from the lower plate 3242, the downward movement of the housing 3244 by the air cylinder 3234 stops.

  Thereafter, a predetermined voltage is applied from the controller 3274 between the −input terminal φi1 and the + input terminal φi2 for a predetermined time, whereby the main capacitor Cm is charged. After charging is completed, when a switching signal is supplied from the controller 3274 to the two relay switch terminals φi3 and φi4 and the relay switch R1 is turned on, a very high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 3252 through the trigger output terminal φo3 for a short time. .

  When a high voltage is applied to the glass tube 12 through the trigger electrode 3252, the workpiece 80 is excited, and the electric charge stored in the main capacitor Cm is instantaneously discharged. As a result, the workpiece 80 emits light. When the work 80 emits light, the voltage of the main capacitor Cm rapidly decreases. Therefore, by measuring the voltage across the main capacitor Cm with the controller 3274, the presence or absence of light emission can be known.

  In this inspection system 3140, as shown in FIG. 31, a computer 3300 for sending the inspection result of the workpiece 80 in each inspection mechanism to the determination device 3142 (see FIG. 29) in units of cathode side sealing jigs 42. As described above, a manufacturing history table in which the inspection result of the workpiece 80 is registered in units of the cathode side sealing jig 42 is sent to the determination device 3142.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 41, the manufacturing history table has the number of records corresponding to the number of workpieces 80 accommodated in the cathode side sealing jig 42. Each record includes a lead wire length and a lead wire length. The valid / invalid determination bit, the tube diameter, the valid / invalid determination bit of the tube diameter, the presence / absence of light emission or light emission intensity (voltage value), and the determination bit of light emission valid / invalid are stored. As for the relationship between the record address and the work 80, the record index for access is updated in accordance with the order of the work 80 conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 3106.

  Next, a method for inspecting the workpiece 80 using the inspection system 3140 will be described with reference to the process block diagram of FIG. 42 and the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the cathode-side sealing jig 42 containing a large number of workpieces 80 is put into the inspection system 3140 and placed on the jig receiving portion 3152 (step S101 in FIG. 42), the ID reading mechanism 3154 is used. The ID of the cathode side sealing jig 42 is read (step S102 in FIG. 42).

  This read ID is received by the computer 3300 (step S201 in FIG. 43). Simultaneously with receipt of this ID, various record indexes i, j, and k in the manufacturing history table are initialized (step S202 in FIG. 43).

  Thereafter, in step S203 of FIG. 43, it is determined whether or not there has been an input interrupt of data from the lead wire inspection mechanism 3164. If there is an input interrupt, the process proceeds to the next step S204, and if there is no input interrupt. Proceed to step S206.

  In this step S206, it is determined whether or not there has been an input interrupt of data from the pipe diameter inspection mechanism 3166. If there is an input interrupt, the process proceeds to the next step S207, and if there is no input interrupt. Proceed to step S209.

  In this step S209, it is determined whether or not there is an input interrupt of data from the light emission inspection mechanism 3168. If there is an input interrupt, the process proceeds to the next step S210, and if there is no input interrupt, the process proceeds to step S213. This time, it is determined whether or not the processing has been completed for all the workpieces 80 accommodated in the cathode side sealing jig 42. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step S203. If the processing after step S203 is repeated and the processing is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S214, where the manufacturing history table is determined together with the ID (ID number and jig number) of the cathode side sealing jig 42. The data is output to 3142, and the series of processing ends.

  When the ID reading process in step S102 is completed, a plurality of workpieces 80 are simultaneously taken out from the cathode side sealing jig 42 through the workpiece take-out mechanism 3160 and transferred to the transport mechanism 3156. 42 is placed sideways on the transfer table 3158 of the transfer mechanism 3156 (step S103 in FIG. 42). The plurality of workpieces 80 are taken out from the cathode side sealing jig 42 at predetermined intervals. Specifically, when the processing of the plurality of workpieces 80 by the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 at the subsequent stage is completed. Then, a plurality of workpieces 80 are taken out from the cathode side sealing jig 42 and put into the transport mechanism 3156.

  Through the workpiece take-out mechanism 3160, the plurality of workpieces 80 input to the conveyance mechanism 3156 are sequentially conveyed in one direction while being placed sideways (step S104 in FIG. 42).

  First, the workpieces 80 are put into the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 one by one. In the workpiece 80 put into the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162, the lead wires 18 and 22 led out on both sides thereof are cut to a predetermined length (step S105 in FIG. 42).

  The workpiece 80 from which the lead wires 18 and 22 have been cut is put into the next lead wire inspection mechanism 3164, and it is inspected whether the lengths of the lead wires 18 and 22 after being cut are within a predetermined length range. (Step S106 in FIG. 42). At this time, the lengths of the lead wires 18 and 22 after being cut are measured and output as lead wire lengths, and it is determined whether or not the lead wire lengths are within a predetermined length range. The determination result is output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad).

  The output lead wire length and determination bit are received by the computer 3300 and stored in the record (i-th record) indicated by the first record index i in the manufacturing history table (step S204 in FIG. 43). Thereafter, in step S205 of FIG. 41, the first record index i is updated by +1.

  The determination bit is also supplied to the first rejection mechanism 3172, and the work 80 determined to be defective is removed from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156 (step S107 in FIG. 42).

  The workpiece 80 that has finished the processing in the lead wire cutting mechanism 3162 and the lead wire inspection mechanism 3164 and has received a good judgment is conveyed by the conveyance mechanism 3156 and put into the next tube diameter inspection mechanism 3166, and the glass sealing is performed. The diameter of the glass tube 12 at the stop (near the other end 12b) is inspected (step S108 in FIG. 42). At this time, the diameter of the glass tube 12 in the glass sealing portion of the workpiece 80 is measured and output as the tube diameter, and it is determined whether or not the tube diameter is within a predetermined diameter range. It is output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad).

  The output pipe diameter and determination bit are received by the computer 3300 and stored in the record (jth record) indicated by the second record index j in the manufacturing history table (step S207 in FIG. 43). Thereafter, in step S208, the second record index j is updated by +1.

  The determination bit is also supplied to the second exclusion mechanism 3174, and the work 80 determined to be defective is removed from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156 (step S109 in FIG. 42).

  The workpiece 80 that has finished the processing in the tube diameter inspection mechanism 3166 and has received the good determination is transported by the transport mechanism 3156 and is input to the next light emission inspection mechanism 3168. The number of workpieces 80 put into the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 is, for example, eight at a time, and the light emission inspection is performed a plurality of times (for example, eight times) on these eight workpieces 80 (step S110 in FIG. 42). ).

  In this case, the presence or absence of light emission 8 times in each of the eight workpieces 80 (light emission occurs when the voltage across the main capacitor Cm shown in FIG. 39 is significantly lower than the charging voltage, and there is no light emission when the charging voltage does not change much) Is read in units of channels through the controller 3274, and the number of times of light emission for each channel is output. Further, whether or not light is emitted for a predetermined number of times or not is determined, and each determination result is output as bit information (1/0 = good / bad). Here, the presence or absence of light emission is determined based on the voltage of the main capacitor Cm.

  The output of whether or not the eight workpieces 80 emit light or the light intensity and the determination bit are received by the computer 3300 in units of channels, and the record (kth record) indicated by the third record index k in the manufacturing history table. (Step S210 in FIG. 43). Thereafter, in step S211, the third record index k is updated by +1. Thereafter, in step S212, it is determined whether or not the processing for eight channels has been completed. If the processing has not been completed, the process returns to step S210, and whether or not the next channel emits light or is received. The update process of the record index k of 3 is performed, and the process is repeated until the process for 8 channels is completed.

  The determination bit is also supplied to the third exclusion mechanism 3176, and the work 80 determined to be defective is removed from the conveyance path of the conveyance mechanism 3156 (step S111 in FIG. 42).

  The work 80 which has finished the processing in the light emission inspection mechanism 3168 and has received the good determination is sequentially accommodated in the horizontal direction in the empty space of the tray 3070 through the next stacking mechanism 3170. When the tray 3070 is full, the tray 3070 is ejected from the inspection system 3140 and conveyed to the next process.

  Next, a description will be given of pattern registration under optimum conditions for the secondary sealing process in the secondary sealing processing apparatus 3000, the relationship between the jig number and the registered pattern, and the like.

  First, pattern registration will be described. As data for controlling the secondary sealing process, according to control steps executed in the control device 3136, operation states (pumps, valves, heaters) of various devices included in each device. Etc.), control amount (degree of vacuum, gas pressure, heater temperature, etc.) and time are set.

  A series of control operation data necessary for the secondary sealing process is usually referred to as sequence data, but it is more storage capacity to register this sequence data as one pattern data (including pattern number). This is advantageous in terms of operation speed of the program (particularly search processing), transfer speed, and the like.

  The setting of the pattern data and the pattern number can be performed through the graphic screen of the monitor 3134 connected to the control device 3136. In this case, a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard is used to indicate a point, or in the case of a monitor with a touch panel function, the operator directly touches the screen of the monitor with a hand to indicate the point, that is, a GUI. This can be done by specifying the input position by (graphical user interface).

  As an example, first, for example, as shown in FIG. 44, a menu screen is displayed on the screen of the monitor 3134. In this menu screen, for example, settings for creating pattern data that is the basis of sequence data (1. Detailed settings), and a large number of created pattern data are stored in various devices (cleaning device 3106, sealing device 3108, and cooling device). In order to set the correspondence between the device 3110) and the setting for setting the overall pattern in combination with various patterns (2. overall pattern number setting) and the sealing jig and the overall pattern number. (3. Jig-pattern correspondence setting) and a setting for resetting to a general total pattern number (4. attribute reset).

  For example, when “1. Detailed setting” is selected, the screen is switched, and as shown in FIG. 45, a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the secondary sealing processing device 3000 is displayed. When one device of any one of the stop device 3108 and the cooling device 3110 is selected, items necessary for setting the pattern data are automatically displayed. FIG. 45 shows an example in which an input field for inputting a pattern number, a record number, a control amount, and a time is displayed by selecting the device 1 among the devices 1 (cleaning device 3106).

  In this pattern registration, a confirmation function for determining the suitability of input data is activated. In other words, it is determined whether or not the input data is within the settable range. If it is within the settable range, the input data is displayed in the input field and registered in the necessary table at the same time. If it is out of the settable range, the input data is not displayed in the input column and is not registered in the necessary table. This pattern registration also has an editing function (correction function) for inserting or deleting control steps in the middle and an editing function (copying function) for copying pattern data.

  In the pattern registration, a plurality of sequence data, that is, a plurality of pattern data can be registered for one device, and the pattern data is set with a pattern number and can be easily identified. It has become.

  Therefore, in this pattern registration, setting without visual input errors is possible, and it is possible to easily perform maintenance such as pattern registration and setting without specialized knowledge.

  On the other hand, the association between the jig number and the registered pattern data is performed by the general pattern number setting (the general pattern number registered in the pattern correspondence table) set for each jig number. .

  The jig number read by the ID reader 3104 is first discriminated whether it is “0” or “other”. When the jig number is “0”, the general pattern number is not automatically set, and a setting number by a selection switch (not shown) for selecting the general pattern number installed on the operation panel is used. The reason is to prevent the contents of the pattern correspondence table used in the actual production stage from being easily changed by automatic test setting. This is very effective in preventing forgetting restoration after the test (forgetting to restore the contents of the pattern correspondence table after the test).

  Therefore, when performing the test, the cathode side sealing jig 42 in which the jig number is not formed is used, or the cathode side sealing jig 42 in which the portion where the jig number is formed is masked. It can be done simply by forcing the jig number to "0".

  The total pattern number setting is for registering, in the pattern correspondence table, what total pattern number is to be performed on the cathode side sealing jig 42 put into the secondary sealing processing device 3000. In some cases, a pointing device such as a mouse or a keyboard can be used to indicate a point, or in the case of a monitor with a touch panel function, the operator can directly register the point by touching the monitor screen with his / her hand. Is possible. It should be noted that a confirmation function for determining the suitability of input data also works in this overall pattern number setting.

  In the secondary sealing processing device 3000, the cathode side sealing jig 42 is moved by the cleaning device 3106 → the sealing device 3108 → the cooling device 3110 for mass production of the xenon discharge tube 10. Accordingly, the breakdown of the total pattern number is a form in which a plurality of pattern numbers (pattern numbers for each device) indicating pattern data for devices for each of the devices 3106, 3108 and 3110 are included, and a pattern number table is used as the conversion table. It has been incorporated.

  As a result, a comprehensive pattern number corresponding to the jig number of the cathode side sealing jig 42 put in the secondary sealing processing apparatus 3000 is searched, and each device corresponding to the searched general pattern number is searched. The device-specific pattern numbers are retrieved, and the pattern data corresponding to these device-specific pattern numbers are output to the respective controllers 3116, 3120 and 3124, so that the processing conditions corresponding to the cathode-side sealing jig 42 can be obtained. The next sealing process is performed.

  As described above, the secondary sealing processing device 3000 includes the heater main body 44 in which a plurality of holes into which a plurality of workpieces 80 are individually inserted are formed, and the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 80 is disposed. The cathode side sealing jig 42 used for sealing, and the cathode side sealing jig 42 based on the secondary sealing processing conditions according to the cathode side sealing jig 42 used. The secondary sealing processing device 3000 that seals the plurality of glass tubes 12 that have been subjected to the secondary sealing treatment and placed in the cathode side sealing jig 42 and the sealing state of the glass tube 12 in the workpiece 80 are inspected. An inspection system 3140 and a determination device 3142 for determining the suitability of secondary sealing processing conditions in the secondary sealing processing device 3000 based on the inspection result from the inspection system 3140 are provided and configured.

  Thereby, first, in the secondary sealing processing apparatus 3000, the cathode side sealing jig 42 is processed (energized) based on the secondary sealing processing conditions corresponding to the cathode side sealing jig 42 to be used. The plurality of glass tubes 12 put in the cathode side sealing jig 42 are sealed. Thereafter, in the inspection system 3140, the sealing state of the individual glass tubes 12 is inspected.

  In the next determination device 3142, based on the inspection result from the inspection system 3140, the suitability of the secondary sealing processing conditions in the secondary sealing processing device 3000 is determined for each jig. This determination of suitability may be in units of work.

  And in this secondary sealing processing apparatus 3000, the optimization of the secondary sealing process conditions in the secondary sealing process S32 (refer FIG. 2) in the workpiece | work 80 is aimed at by utilizing this determination result. The production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube 10 can be improved.

  In particular, in this example, based on the determination result from the determination device 3142, the secondary sealing process condition corresponding to the determination target cathode side sealing jig 42 is changed (updated).

  As a result, when the determination result in the determination device 3142 is nonconforming (“light emission failure” or “tube diameter failure”), the secondary sealing process condition is automatically updated, and the most suitable for the current failure. Since the next sealing process condition is set, it is possible to effectively simplify the condition setting operation, and to realize reduction in man-hours and reduction in manufacturing cost.

  Next, in the base solder / cleaning step S35 of FIG. 2, the base-side solder / cleaning machine 4000 (see FIG. 46) is used to solder the anode-side lead 18 and the cathode-side lead 22 cut into the predetermined lengths as base-use solders. Plating is performed. The base solder plating is performed so that the xenon discharge tube 10 is incorporated in a strobe unit of a camera set, for example, and soldering is easily performed when the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 are soldered to the wiring of the circuit board. In order to perform flux in the base solder process, dirt due to the flux is washed away.

  Here, the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 46, the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 includes an end aligning mechanism 4014, a flux applying mechanism 4016, and a soldering unit that align the ends of the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 of the secondary sealed product 80. A mechanism 4018, a cleaning mechanism 4020, a draining mechanism 4022, a drying mechanism 4024, and first to third workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c for conveying the secondary sealed product 80 between the mechanisms are provided. .

  Further, in addition to the various mechanisms, the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 is provided in advance to supply a secondary sealing product 80 that is not soldered (hereinafter referred to as unsoldered) to the end alignment mechanism 4014. A tray 3070 containing a plurality of unsoldered secondary sealing products 80 is stepped and prepared, and a single tray 3070 is taken out from the unsoldered work tray supply station 4028. The unsoldered workpiece take-out station 4030 for supplying to the edge aligning mechanism 4014 and the unsoldered secondary sealed product 80 are all supplied to the edge aligning mechanism 4014 and the tray 3070 that has become empty is stepped. And an empty tray stacking station 4032.

  Further, the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 includes one empty tray for receiving and storing the secondary sealed product 80 soldered from the drying mechanism 4024 (hereinafter referred to as soldered) in addition to the various mechanisms described above. Soldered work storage station 4034 in which is placed, soldered work stacking station 4036 for stacking tray 3070 filled with soldered secondary sealing product 80, and new empty tray 3070 are soldered. And an empty tray supply station 4038 for preparing an empty tray 3070 for placement in the finished workpiece storage station 4034.

  Here, as the fluxing mechanism 4016, the soldering mechanism 4018, the cleaning mechanism 4020, and the drying mechanism 4024, it is possible to use parts of a soldering apparatus that is commercially available by a dipping method. Each tank and each accessory device for immersing the anode side lead 18 and the cathode side lead 22 of the sealed product 80 are configured. In the base solder / cleaning machine 4000, the drying mechanism 4024 can be omitted when a draining mechanism 4022 described later has a drying function.

  Next, the configuration of the main part of the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 will be described in more detail. First, the end alignment mechanism 4014 of the anode-side lead 18 and the cathode-side lead 22 of the secondary sealed product 80 shown in FIG. 47 has an opening end so as to restrict the movement of the secondary sealed product 80 in the width direction. It has a receiving portion 4040 of the secondary sealed product 80 in which an enlarged U-shaped groove is formed, a pair of pushers 4042a and 4042b which are pressing means 4043, and driving means 4044a and 4044b such as pneumatic cylinders. Furthermore, the above-described workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c are used as means for arranging the secondary sealed product 80 in the receiving portion 4040 (see FIG. 46).

  In addition, a limiter 4046 is provided in the driving means 4044a and 4044b to restrict the pressing limit by the pushers 4042a and 4042b, and the driving means 4044a and 4044b are energized to sandwich the secondary sealed product 80 therebetween. The movement of the pushers 4042a and 4042b is stopped when the distance between the moving pushers 4042a and 4042b reaches a predetermined value set slightly larger than the total length of the secondary sealed product 80.

  Therefore, for example, normally, there is a variation of about 2 mm in the position of the end of the secondary sealing product 80 in the state where it is simply arranged on the tray 3070, but the variation is about 0.2 mm by the end alignment mechanism 4014. The soldering work of the next process can be suitably performed.

  In FIG. 47, the receiving portion 4040 of the secondary sealing product 80 is made of synthetic resin or the like, and two plate-like bodies 4040a and 4040b are provided upright at both ends of the bottom plate member. Both ends of the secondary sealing product 80 are held in the U-shaped grooves 4040a and 4040b. The pushers 4042a and 4042b have a smooth pressing surface without unevenness having a sufficient area for pressing the six secondary sealing products 80 held by the receiving portion 4040.

  Here, instead of one of the pair of pushers 4042a and 4042b, a support portion for receiving the secondary sealed product 80 that is pressed and moved by the pusher 4042a may be provided, and the structure of the receiving portion 4040 The pusher can be omitted by arranging the secondary sealed product 80 vertically.

  As shown in FIG. 48, the workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c for transferring the secondary sealed product 80 include a plurality of chucks 4052 for gripping the secondary sealed product 80 fixed to the support member 4054. The support member 4054 is a robot or the like that can rotate at least 90 ° about the Y axis and 180 ° about the X axis in FIG. 48 in the direction in which the chuck 4052 holds the secondary sealing product 80. Connected to driving means 4056.

  In FIG. 48, the state of the workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c located on the left side is such that six secondary sealed products 80 corresponding to one row on the tray 3070 placed in the horizontal direction are moved by the six chucks 4052. It shows a posture in which it is gripped and operated toward the carrying work, or a posture in which it is held at a predetermined position in the soldering apparatus. Specifically, the first workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026a takes out a row of unsoldered secondary sealed products 80 on one tray 3070 of the unsoldered workpiece removal station 4030 and supplies it to the end alignment mechanism 4014. In order to grip the secondary sealed product 80, the posture in which the third workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026c immerses and arranges the soldered secondary sealed product 80 in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning mechanism 4020, and the third The workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026c shows a posture in which the soldered secondary sealed product 80 is stored in the empty tray 3070 on the soldered workpiece storage station 4034, and the like.

  On the other hand, in FIG. 48, the workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c are shifted from the left side to the right side by rotating the secondary sealed product 80 held by the chuck 4052 in the horizontal direction by 90 ° about the Y axis in the drawing. The figure shows the posture of the operation standing in the vertical direction. Specifically, the second workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026b grips the secondary sealing product 80 arranged horizontally and stands in the vertical direction while the flux sealing mechanism 4016 and the soldering mechanism 4018 use the secondary sealing product 80. 48 shows an attitude in which the anode-side lead 18 or the cathode-side lead 22 positioned on the lower side in FIG. 48 is immersed and held in a flux or the like.

  48, the workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026 located on the right side further rotates the secondary sealing product 80 standing in the vertical direction by 180 ° about the X axis in FIG. An operation posture in which the product 80 is turned upside down is shown. Specifically, after the second workpiece gripping / conveying mechanism 4026b solders one electrode lead (for example, the anode-side lead 18) of the secondary sealed product 80, this reversal operation is performed, and the other of the other leads continues. This shows the posture when soldering an electrode lead (for example, the cathode side lead 22).

  The workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026 is basically provided so as to be movable in each of the X and Z directions in FIG. In order to increase the production efficiency, the first work gripping and transporting mechanism 4026a, which performs the work of transporting the secondary sealed product 80 by moving between the unsoldered work picking station 4030 and the end alignment mechanism 4014, the secondary After the end portion of one electrode lead (for example, the anode side lead 18) of the sealed product 80 is fluxed and soldered, the length direction of the secondary sealed product 80 is continuously reversed and the other side of the secondary sealed product 80 is reversed. 3 of the second work gripping and transporting mechanism 4026b for sharing the work of fluxing and soldering to the electrode lead (for example, the cathode side lead 22) and the third work gripping and transporting mechanism 4026c for sharing the transporting work after the cleaning mechanism 4020. A group is provided. In this case, with respect to the first and third workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a and 4026c, a mechanism that rotates the secondary sealed product 80 by 90 ° around the Y axis and a mechanism that reverses 180 ° around the X axis are particularly necessary. It is not provided in order to avoid (see FIG. 48).

  Furthermore, in order to increase production efficiency, it is possible to increase the cardinal number of the critical path portion during each processing step and deliver the secondary sealing product 80 between the respective steps, or as an aspect in which the same step can be duplicated. On the other hand, on the other hand, the number of installation bases of the work gripping and transporting mechanism 4026 can be reduced by expanding the shared range of one work gripping and transporting mechanism 4026 for a part with less problem in process capability.

  Next, a draining mechanism 4022 shown in FIG. 49 includes a receiving portion 4062 having the same configuration as the receiving portion 4040 described above, and a spray device 4066 that is provided with a plurality of spray nozzles 4064 and is movable in the direction of the arrow in FIG. The spray device 4066 is preferably connected to a compressed fluid supply mechanism 4068 that uses compressed air. In addition, the receiving portion 4062 is provided with a pressing member (not shown), and has a rotatable gap so that the secondary sealing product 80 on the receiving portion 4062 does not pop out due to the pressure of compressed air. The secondary sealed product 80 is pressed.

  Here, instead of making the spray device 4066 itself movable, a spray nozzle 4064 having a swing function may be provided, and a receiving portion 4062 having a swing function may be provided.

  A method of performing the base soldering and cleaning process on the secondary sealed product 80 using the base solder / cleaning machine 4000 described above will be described with reference to the block diagrams of the apparatus configuration of FIGS.

First, in the block diagram of the unsoldered work tray station section shown in FIG. 50, the light detection means 4070 confirms that there is no tray 3070 in the unsoldered work takeout station 4030, and then stacks in the unsoldered work tray supply station 4028. One of the trays 3070 is transferred to the unsoldered workpiece removal station 4030 by the tray transfer means 4072 (M ₁ ).

Next, one row of the unsoldered secondary sealed products 80 arranged in a row of 4 rows × 6 horizontally on the tray 3070 of the unsoldered workpiece removal station 4030 is conveyed to the end alignment mechanism 4014. This is repeated for four rows, and when there are no empty rows of secondary sealed products 80 on the tray 3070, the number of take-out rows has reached the predetermined number of rows (four rows) of the tray 3070 by control means such as a sequencer (not shown). The empty tray 3070 of the unsoldered workpiece removal station 4030 is transferred to the empty tray stacking station 4032 by the tray transfer means 4072 (M ₂ ). Thereafter, the operations (M ₁ ) to (M ₂ ) are repeated.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 51, six of the secondary sealed products 80 for one row are gripped by the first workpiece gripping and transporting mechanism 4026a, transported to the end aligning mechanism 4014, and arranged in the receiving portion 4040 ( M _3). Thereafter, the movement of (M ₃ ) is repeated to sequentially convey another row of the secondary sealed product 80.

Next, in the block diagram of the end alignment mechanism 4014 shown in FIG. 51, after the presence of the secondary sealed product 80 of the receiving portion 4040 is confirmed by the light detection means 4076, the pneumatic cylinders that are the drive means 4044a and 4044b are applied. The secondary sealed product 80 disposed in the receiving portion 4040 is pressed in the length direction (the arrow direction in FIG. 47) by the biased pushers 4042a and 4042b (M ₄ ).

Next, when the pushers 4042a and 4042b move to a predetermined position, the limiter 4046 of the driving means 4044a and 4044b is actuated to stop the movement of the pushers 4042a and 4042b, and the ends of the secondary sealed product 80 are aligned. Thereafter, the pushers 4042a and 4042b return to the original positions and wait (M ₅ ).

Next, in the block diagram of the fluxing mechanism 4016 and the soldering mechanism 4018 shown in FIG. 52, the secondary sealing with the ends aligned by the second workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026b that receives another signal from the limiter 4046. The stationary article 80 is gripped and conveyed to the fluxing mechanism 4016 while being rotated 90 ° by the chuck 4052 and standing in the vertical direction (M ₆ ).

Next, the secondary sealed product 80 is transported and positioned in the flux tank 4078 of the fluxing mechanism 4016 by the second workpiece gripping and transporting mechanism 4026b, and then finely driven into the flux in the flux tank 4078 (M ₇ ). An electrode lead (for example, anode-side lead 18) on the lower side of the sealed product 80 is dipped for a predetermined time and fluxed.

Next, the secondary sealed product 80 gripped by the second workpiece gripping and transporting mechanism 4026b is continuously transported to the solder bath 4080 of the soldering mechanism 4018 while maintaining the vertical position (M ₈ ), and subsequently soldered. Finely driven in the solder of the bath 4080 (M ₉ ), one electrode lead (for example, the anode side lead 18) of the secondary sealed product 80 is dipped and the soldering is completed.

Next, the secondary sealed product 80 is turned upside down by the chuck 4052 of the second workpiece gripping and conveying mechanism 4026b, and the other unsoldered electrode lead (for example, the cathode side lead 22) is set downward to stand vertically. The secondary sealed product 80 is again fluxed and soldered (M ₁₀ ).

Next, the soldered secondary sealed product 80 for which the base soldering to both electrode leads (the anode-side lead 18 and the cathode-side lead 22) has been finished is turned 90 ° by the second workpiece holding / conveying mechanism 4026b. Then, it is transported to the cleaning tank 4082 of the cleaning mechanism 4020 while being tilted in the horizontal direction, and disposed in a receiving part (not shown) having the same configuration as the receiving part 4040 of the end aligning mechanism 4014 in the cleaning tank 4082 (M ₁₁ ). The second workpiece holding transport mechanism 4026b repeats the operation of returning to its original state position _{(M 6) ~ (M 11} ).

Next, in the block diagram of the cleaning mechanism 4020, draining mechanism 4022 and drying mechanism 4024 shown in FIG. 53, the secondary sealed product 80 that has been cleaned after a predetermined time has been gripped by the third workpiece gripping and transporting mechanism 4026c. Then, it is transported to the receiving portion 4062 of the draining mechanism 4022 and placed in the horizontal position (M ₁₂ ).

Next, after the presence of the secondary sealed product 80 on the receiving portion 4062 is confirmed by the light detection means 4084, the compressed air is secondarily sealed by the spray nozzle 4064 of the spray device 4066 urged by the compressed fluid supply mechanism 4068. blown predetermined time stop article 80 (M _13). Since the production efficiency is high, the spray device 4066 may be continuously operated. The spray device 4066 is reciprocated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 49 by a driving means such as a pneumatic cylinder (not shown) to change the angle of compressed air blowing, and the secondary sealed product 80 on the receiving portion 4062 is swung. The entire surface is drained evenly.

After the draining process predetermined time, the secondary sealing article 80 is conveyed to the drying mechanism 4024 is gripped again by the third workpiece holding transport mechanism 4026c (M _14), disposed in the receiving portion 4086 of the drying mechanism 4024 After that, it is dried by hot air blowing means 4088 (M ₁₅ ). Note that the drying mechanism 4024 can be omitted by placing the above-described draining mechanism 4022 itself in a high-temperature atmosphere or by using means such as spraying high-temperature compressed air by the spray device 4066.

Next, the secondary sealed product 80 that has been dried for a predetermined time is transported to the soldered work storage station 4034 by the third work gripping transport mechanism 4026c, and placed in a predetermined empty row of the tray 3070 of the soldered work storage station 4034. Placed (M ₁₆ ). The third workpiece holding transport mechanism 4026c is restored to its original condition position, repeating the operation of the _{(M 12) ~ (M 16} ).

Next, in the block diagram of the soldered tray station section shown in FIG. 54, when the secondary sealed products 80 that have been soldered are sequentially arranged, there is no empty row in the tray 3070 of the soldered work storage station 4034. It is counted by the control means such as a sequencer that the number of storage rows has reached the predetermined number (4 rows) of trays 3070, and the tray 3070 storing the secondary sealed products 80 in all rows is received by the tray transport means 4090. It is transferred to the soldered work stacking station 4036 (M ₁₇ ), and a new empty tray 3070 is conveyed from the empty tray supply station 4038 to the soldered work storage station 4034 (M ₁₈ ).

Each tray 3070 on which the soldered secondary sealing product 80 of the soldered work stacking station 4036 is arranged is sent to an inspection process by an appropriate means, and the quality of the soldering processing of the secondary sealing product 80 is inspected. (M ₁₉ ).

  The base solder / cleaning machine 4000 is basically configured as described above, and its operational effects are as follows.

  First, each end of the electrode lead (anode side lead 18 or cathode side lead 22) having a short dimension of the secondary sealed product 80 is aligned and soldered, whereby each electrode lead of the secondary sealed product 80 is soldered. There is little variation in the amount of soldering.

  Further, when draining the secondary sealed product 80 that has been subjected to the cleaning process after soldering, the entire surface of the secondary sealed product 80 is drained. It is not mistaken for a good product.

  Furthermore, both electrode leads (the anode side lead 18 or the cathode side) of the secondary sealed product 80 are used by using the workpiece gripping and conveying mechanisms 4026a to 4026c that can grip the secondary sealed product 80 and reverse the top and bottom. By continuously soldering the leads 22), the secondary sealed product 80 can be manufactured by lower soldering in one work process, and the production efficiency of the secondary sealed product 80 can be improved. Can do.

  Next, in the appearance inspection step S36 of FIG. 2, through the appearance inspection system 5000, the shape and sealing state of the completed xenon discharge tube 10, appearance defects such as dirt and cracks are examined by image processing and the like, and defective products are removed. .

  Here, the appearance inspection system 5000 will be described with reference to FIGS. The unfinished xenon discharge tube 10 to be inspected by the appearance inspection system 5000 is referred to as a workpiece 10.

  As shown in FIG. 55, the appearance inspection system 5000 takes out a workpiece 10 to be inspected from a tray 3070 in which a large number of workpieces 10 are accommodated, and inputs the workpiece 10 into a rotary conveyance unit 5102 to be described later. An appearance inspection unit 5106 that performs a substantial appearance inspection on the workpiece 10 that is in the process of being conveyed by the rotary conveyance unit 5102, and a workpiece 10 that is certified as a non-defective product among the workpieces 10 that have undergone the appearance inspection is placed on the tray 3070. And a work stacking unit 5108 for stacking.

  As shown in FIG. 56, the workpiece input unit 5104 is stored in the tray receiving unit 5110 in which a large number of trays 3070 in which a large number of workpieces 10 are stored are stored in a stacked state, and in the tray receiving unit 5110. A plurality of workpieces 10 are taken out at a time from a supply side tray changer mechanism 5114 that separates a large number of trays 3070 one by one and positions the supply unit 5112 and one tray 3070 positioned by the supply unit 5112. A workpiece supply mechanism 5118 that is input to the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116, and the supply-side straight line that sequentially conveys a plurality of workpieces 10 input by the workpiece supply mechanism 5118 in one direction while being horizontally placed. The supply mechanism 5116 and the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 are arranged near the terminal end, and the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 116 is configured to include a work piece introducing mechanism 5120 to be introduced into the rotating part 5102 a work 10 which is conveyed removed one by one (see FIG. 55) (see FIG. 57) at.

  As shown in FIG. 58, the work stacking unit 5108 takes out one work 10 certified as a non-defective product from the work 10 inspected by the appearance inspection unit 5106 one by one and supplies it to the stacking-side linear transport mechanism 5130 described later. The workpiece take-out mechanism 5132 to be loaded, the stacking-side linear conveyance mechanism 5130 that sequentially conveys the workpiece 10 loaded by the workpiece take-out mechanism 5132 in one direction while being horizontally placed, and a supply unit 5112 (FIG. 56). When the supply tray 3070 positioned at the reference position is empty, the tray 3070 in the supply unit 5112 is transported to the stacking unit 5134 side, and is transported by the tray transport mechanism 5136. A tray buffer 5138 for temporarily storing the tray 3070 as a reserved tray 3070, and a tray buffer A tray take-out mechanism 5140 for taking out the tray 3070 accommodated in the part 5138 and positioning it in the stacking part 5134; and a tray in which the work 10 transported by the stacking-side linear transport mechanism 5130 is taken out and positioned in the stacking part 5134 When the work stacking mechanism 5142 accommodated in 3070 and the tray 3070 positioned in the stacking part 5134 are filled with the work 10, the stack 3070 is transported to the tray discharge part 5144 and stored in a stacked state. The side tray changer mechanism 5146 and a tray discharge mechanism 5148 that conveys a plurality of trays 3070 to the next process in a stacked state when the tray 3070 is stacked in a predetermined number of stages are configured. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 66, for example, the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 and the accumulation-side linear conveyance mechanism 5130 are both fixed rails 5150 in which a large number of workpieces 10 are arranged horizontally at an equal pitch, The workpiece 10 placed in the groove 5154 formed in the upper part of the fixed rail 5150 is formed by a feed rod 5152 that is rotationally driven along, and the feed rod 5152 rotates in a rectangular shape as indicated by an arrow. It is configured to move to the next groove 5154. The feed rod 5152 may move the workpiece 10 to the next groove 5154 by rotation of a circular motion. As described above, the workpieces 10 are arranged in the horizontal direction via the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 and the accumulation-side linear conveyance mechanism 5130. However, depending on the configuration of the machine, the workpieces 10 may be arranged in the vertical direction.

  The rotary transport unit 5102 includes a table 5160 having a substantially circular plane and a rotation drive mechanism 5162 (see FIG. 57) that intermittently rotates the table 5160 in one direction. A plurality of work holding portions (indicated by circular frames) 5164 are arranged on substantially the same circumference at substantially equal pitches. The work holding unit 5164 will be described in detail later.

  The appearance inspection unit 5106 includes a number of stations for inspecting the appearance of the workpiece 10. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 56, a Tesla inspection station 5170 for performing a light emission inspection by high pressure and high frequency in the middle of the conveyance path of the supply side linear conveyance mechanism 5116, and a Tesla inspection as shown in FIG. As a result, a first exclusion station 5172 that excludes the workpiece 10 that has been certified as a defective product is installed, and around the rotary conveyance unit 5102, as shown in FIG. 4 appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D), a turning station 5176 for rotating the workpiece 10 about its axis about 180 °, a reversing station 5178 for reversing the workpiece 10 about 180 ° about an axis orthogonal to the axis, As a result of inspection at the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D, A second exclusion station 5180 is arranged to sort and exclude the work piece 10 for each type of failure.

  In the first removal station 5172, when the workpiece 10 is recognized as a Tesla inspection defect, the workpiece 10 in the conveyance process by the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 is taken out and conveyed to another station and excluded. 1 exclusion mechanism 5190 is provided.

  The turning station 5176 is provided with a turning mechanism 5192 for temporarily rotating the workpiece 10 about the axis of the workpiece 10 by the workpiece holding portion 5164, and the reversing station 5178 temporarily removes the workpiece 10 from the workpiece holding portion 5164. A reversing mechanism 5194 that is taken out and reversed by 180 ° about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the workpiece 10 is installed.

  The second removal station 5180 also has a plurality of collection boxes 5196A to 5196D arranged according to the type of defect, and a work held by the work holding unit 5164 when the work 10 is recognized as defective. 10 is taken out and accommodated in the collection boxes 5196A to 5196D corresponding to the type of failure.

  As shown in FIG. 57, a work holding station 5200 that includes a work loading mechanism 5120 and holds the work 10 on the work holding unit 5164 of the rotary conveyance unit 5102 is installed. As shown in FIG. A work take-out station 5202 is provided which includes a mechanism 5132 and takes out the work 10 from the work holding unit 5164 of the rotary conveyance unit 5102.

  As shown in FIG. 59, the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D are provided with two video cameras 5204 and 5206, respectively, and each of the appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D has two video cameras 5204, respectively. The workpiece 10 is imaged through 5206 and 5206, and further image processing is performed, dirt on the inner surface and outer surface of the glass tube 12, mechanical defects of the glass tube 12 and functional parts (out of stock, chipping, cracks, etc.), sealing of the glass tube 12 The stopped state (sealed state of the sealing portion, dimensional change in the vicinity of the sealing portion, etc.) and the bending and length of the lead wires 18 and 22 are inspected.

  Among the four appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D, the first to third appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174C are used for inspecting the appearance of the cathode-side glass tube 12 portion, the functional component, the cathode-side lead 22, and the like. The fourth appearance inspection station 5174D is used to inspect the appearance of the anode side glass tube 12 portion, functional parts, anode side lead 18 and the like.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, the workpiece holding unit 5164 is positioned so that the axial direction of the workpiece 10 is along the vertical direction, and holds a clamp mechanism 5210 that holds about half or less of the entire length of the workpiece 10; A clamp turning mechanism 5212 is provided for rotating (turning) the clamp mechanism 5210 around the axis (or the center axis of the workpiece 10) within a range of a rotation angle of 90 °.

  The clamp turning mechanism 5212 is fixed to the table 5160 and has a fixed portion 5216 with a bearing 5214 attached to the inside thereof, a turning table 5218 rotatably attached to the fixed portion 5216, and an external attachment. The actuator 5220 (see FIG. 60) is configured.

  The fixed portion 5216 includes a cylindrical portion 5224 inserted and fixed in a through-hole 5222 formed at substantially the same pitch on the outer peripheral portion of the table 5160, and a circular flange portion 5226 formed integrally on the upper portion of the cylindrical portion 5224. The flange portion 5226 functions as a guide member for guiding the rotation of the swivel table 5218, and a meshing groove 5232 (see FIG. 5) into which a ball 5230 of a ball plunger 5228, which will be described later, is inserted. 60). Further, two stopper pins 5234 for restricting the rotation range of the turntable 5218 are provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 5226.

  The swivel table 5218 is integrally formed so as to hang downward from a horizontal piece 5236 having a substantially rectangular plane and one end of the horizontal piece 5236 (one end outside the flange portion 5226 of the fixed portion 5216). The hanging piece 5238 and the horizontal piece 5236 are integrally formed so as to hang downward at a position in the vicinity of the other end of the horizontal piece 5236 (a position corresponding to the center of the fixing portion 5216), and in the bearing 5214 of the fixing portion 5216. It has a hollow shaft 5240 to be inserted.

  The hanging piece 5238 is provided with the ball plunger 5228 attached to the center surface of the hanging piece 5238 so that the ball 5230 is pressed against the circumferential surface of the flange portion 5226 of the fixing portion 5216, and the upper portion (on the projection side) of the horizontal piece 5236. A cam follower 5242 for rotating the turning table 5218 is provided at a position slightly inward of the outer periphery of the flange portion 5226 in the fixed portion 5216.

  Accordingly, when the cam follower 5242 of the turning table 5218 is pressed or pulled linearly by the actuator 5220, the turning table 5218 rotates around the hollow shaft 5240, and the ball 5230 of the ball plunger 5228 is engaged with the engagement groove provided in the flange portion 5226. By being inserted into 5232, further rotation is prevented.

  In particular, in this appearance inspection system 5000, since the two meshing grooves 5232 are provided at a position with a substantially central angle of 90 ° with respect to the rotational center of the turning table 5218, the rotation range of the turning table 5218 is approximately the central angle 90. It is in the range of °. Further, in this appearance inspection system 5000, since two stopper pins 5234 are provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 5226, the rotation range of the swivel table 5218 is set to approximately the central angle 90 by the ball plunger 5228 and the stopper pin 5234. It can be reliably regulated within the range of °.

  A rod 5244 is inserted into the hollow shaft 5240 of the turning table 5218 along the hollow shaft 5240. A locking ring 5246 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the hollow shaft 5240 is integrally provided on the upper portion of the rod 5244 to prevent the rod 5244 from dropping.

  The clamp mechanism 5210 described above is attached to the upper part of the rotation center of the turning table 5218. The clamp mechanism 5210 includes a pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b having a substantially L-shaped longitudinal section, and a spring built in the housing 5252 and biasing the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b toward each other (see FIG. And a chuck mechanism 5254 mainly composed of (not shown).

  Here, the structure of the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b will be described with reference to FIG. 62 showing another configuration example of the swivel table. The pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b are arranged so that their tip portions face each other. It is bent and a triangular notch 5256 is formed at each tip. The size of each notch 5256 is such that the glass tube 12 of the workpiece 10 can be held by the bent portion of the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b when the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b approach each other. .

  Further, as shown in FIG. 63, a height reference plate 5258 for defining the height when the workpiece 10 is clamped is provided on the upper portion of the housing 5252 in the clamp mechanism 5210. In this appearance inspection system 5000, when the workpiece 10 is held by the clamp mechanism 5210, a portion more than half of the entire length of the workpiece 10 (the upper half of the workpiece 10 + the upper half of the lower half) is the upper end of the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b. The portion of the lower half of the workpiece 10 except the upper portion is hidden by the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b.

  To release the holding by the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b, that is, to open the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b, as shown in FIG. 61, the rod 5244 inserted through the hollow shaft 5240 of the turning table 5218 is moved upward. Done by lifting to.

  Of the space below the table 5160, a station that needs to temporarily release the work 10 held by the work holding unit 5164 (for example, the work holding station 5200 (see FIG. 57), the turning station 5176 (see FIG. 59)). , An unclamping air cylinder 5260 is installed at a position corresponding to the reversing station 5178 (see FIG. 59), the second exclusion station 5180 (see FIG. 59), and the workpiece unloading station 5202 (see FIG. 58). When the piston rod 5262 moves upward by driving the air cylinder 5260, the rod 5244 of the swivel table 5218 located above the air cylinder 5260 is lifted upward, whereby the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b Wa So that the holding of the click 10 is released.

  When the work holding unit 5164 arrives at one of the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D by the rotation of the table 5160, the work 10 held by the work holding unit 5164 is two video cameras 5204. And 5206. For example, as shown in FIG. 64A, the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 have a center angle of {0} when their imaging surfaces are directed in the direction of the central axis of the work holding unit 5164 and the central axis is the plane center. (Nπ / 2) + 45 °} (n = 0, 1, 2, 3). The example in FIG. 64A shows a case where n = 0 and the central angle is 45 °.

  By arranging the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 in this way, it becomes possible to inspect the entire circumference of the work 10 in combination with the 90 ° rotation of the work holding unit 5164. 64A and 64B show a simplified configuration of the turning table 5218, particularly in the work holding unit 5164.

  The above configuration will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 65A and FIG. 65B. In the initial state of FIG. 65A, the surface of the workpiece 10 that faces the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 (surface M1 centered on P1) And 90 ° range of the plane M2) centering on P2, and then adjusting the focal lengths of the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, so that the work 10 has point symmetry of the 90 ° range. A range (90 ° range of the surface M1 ′ centered on P1 ′ and the surface M2 ′ centered on P2 ′) is imaged.

  Next, since the turning table 5218 is rotated 90 ° around the hollow axis by the actuator 5220 (see FIG. 64A), the workpiece 10 is also rotated 90 ° around the axis, and as shown in FIG. Of these, the surfaces facing the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 (the surface M1 centered on P1 and the surface M2 centered on P2) are rotated 90 °, and a new surface (the surface M3 centered on P3 and the surface M3 A plane M4) centered on P4 will appear in front of the two video cameras 5204 and 5206.

  Similarly to the above, a 90 ° range of a new surface (a surface M3 centered on P3 and a surface M4 centered on P4) facing the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 of the workpiece 10 is imaged. Next, by adjusting the focal lengths of the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, a range (points M 3 ′ and P 4 ′ centered on P 3 ′) of the workpiece 10 that is point-symmetric with respect to the new 90 ° range. The 90 ° range of the surface M4 ′ centered on the image is captured.

  That is, in this appearance inspection system 5000, the appearance can be inspected over the entire circumference of the workpiece 10 by the two video cameras 5204 and 5206. In the above description, a point-symmetrical range is imaged by adjusting the focal lengths of the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, but the focal length is adjusted depending on the camera settings (lens focal length, aperture, etc.). It is also possible to image a point-symmetrical range without any problem.

  Of the table 5160, an actuator 5220 for rotating (turning) the turning table 5218 in the work holding unit 5164 by 90 ° is provided at a place corresponding to the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D (for example, as a driving source). Air cylinder) is provided. For example, an actuator 5220 is installed at a place corresponding to the odd-numbered appearance inspection stations 5174A and 5174C so that the turning table 5218 is rotated, for example, clockwise, and is placed at a place corresponding to the even-numbered appearance inspection stations 5174B and 5174D. Is provided with an actuator 5220 to rotate the turning table 5218, for example, counterclockwise.

  That is, in one appearance inspection station, the work holder 5164 is rotated 90 ° (turned) only once and is not restored. By rotating (turning) 90 ° from the opposite direction at the next appearance inspection station, it is possible to inspect the entire periphery of the workpiece 10 in each of the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D.

  As shown in FIG. 66, the Tesla inspection station 5170 moves up and down to move up and down a table 5270 on which one work 10 to be inspected is placed among the works 10 that are being transported by the supply-side linear transport mechanism 5116. A mechanism 5272 (see FIG. 56), a Tesla coil 5274 that applies high-voltage and high-frequency signals to one workpiece 10 placed on a table 5270 moved upward by the up-and-down moving mechanism 5272, and the Tesla coil 5274. 3 includes three video cameras (first to third video cameras 5276A to 5276C) that image the workpiece 10 to which high-voltage and high-frequency signals are applied from three directions.

  The Tesla inspection station 5170 applies a high-voltage and high-frequency signal from the Tesla coil 5274 to the work 10 to discharge it, and inspects that the work 10 emits light at that time. The base 5270 that is moved up and down by the vertical movement mechanism 5272 is electrically insulated from the machine main body (vertical movement mechanism) so as not to superimpose noise on the signal transmission system of other visual inspections.

  As shown in FIG. 67, the Tesla coil 5274 normally boosts the power line voltage 100V by a transformer 5280, generates high frequency vibrations in the circuit by adjusting the spark interval, and further generates high frequency by a discharge cylinder (high frequency transformer) 5282. It generates high pressure. In this case, there is a problem that the frequency is not stable because a high frequency is generated by the spark interval.

  However, in this appearance inspection system 5000, as shown in FIG. 68, the lamp voltage 100V is supplied to the high frequency oscillation circuit 5292 through the noise filter 5290, and the signal output from the high frequency oscillation circuit 5292 is supplied to the primary booster circuit 5294. Further, the voltage is boosted by a high-frequency booster circuit 5296 at a subsequent stage, and high-voltage and high-frequency signals are applied to the workpiece 10 through the probe 5298. In this case, since the high-frequency oscillation circuit 5292 is composed of an electronic circuit, the frequency is stabilized as compared with the Tesla coil 5274 in FIG.

  Of the first to third video cameras 5276A to 5276C, the second video camera (color CCD camera) 5276B for inspecting the colored light has an imaging surface so that the workpiece 10 can be imaged from directly above. The first and third video cameras (both black and white CCD cameras) 5276A and 5276C, which are installed downward and inspect the discharge path of light emission, have optical axes relative to the optical axes of the second video camera 5276B. Are installed at an angle of 45 °.

  As shown in FIG. 69, the control system of the appearance inspection system 5000 includes a mechanism unit (including a video camera) 5300 composed of a group of various mechanisms, and a control device that controls the various mechanisms included in the mechanism unit 5300. 5302 and an image processing device 5304 that receives image signals sent from various video cameras in the mechanism unit 5300, performs image processing for appearance inspection, and makes a determination.

  The control device 5302 outputs a signal indicating an inspection command to the image processing device 5304, and based on the input of a signal such as a sensor from the mechanism unit 5300 or the input of a signal indicating the determination result from the image processing device 5304, the mechanism unit Control signals for operating various mechanisms included in 5300 are output.

  The appearance inspection system 5000 is basically configured as described above. Next, a usage example of the appearance inspection system 5000 will be described with reference to a process block diagram of FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 56, for example, an inspection start switch (not shown) of a control console (not shown) connected to the control device 5302 is operated, and an appearance inspection start instruction is input to the control device 5302. Then, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sa to the supply side tray changer mechanism 5114. Based on the input of the activation signal Sa, the supply-side tray changer mechanism 5114 receives a large number of trays 3070 (trays in which a number of workpieces 10 before appearance inspection are stored) stored in the tray receiving unit 5110 one by one. And is positioned on the supply unit 5112 (step S1 in FIG. 70).

  When a positioning completion signal is output from a sensor installed in the supply unit 5112 and input to the control device 5302, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sb to the work supply mechanism 5118. Based on the input of the start signal Sb, the workpiece supply mechanism 5118 takes out a plurality of (for example, eight) workpieces 10 at a time from one tray 3070 positioned in the supply unit 5112 and supplies the supply side linear conveyance. The mechanism 5116 is loaded (step S2 in FIG. 70).

  When a loading completion signal is output from a sensor installed in the workpiece supply mechanism 5118 and is input to the control device 5302, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sc to the supply-side linear transport mechanism 5116. Based on the input of the activation signal Sc, the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 sequentially conveys the plurality of workpieces 10 input by the workpiece supply mechanism 5118 in one direction in a state where the workpieces 10 are respectively placed in the horizontal direction ( Step S3 in FIG. That is, the plurality of workpieces 10 are sequentially conveyed toward the rotation conveyance unit 5102.

  Then, for example, when the first workpiece 10 reaches the Tesla inspection station 5170 installed in the middle of the supply-side linear transport mechanism 5116, the Tesla inspection for the workpiece 10 is performed (step S4 in FIG. 70).

  Specifically, a detection signal of the workpiece 10 is output from a sensor installed in the Tesla inspection station 5170 and input to the control device 5302. Based on the input of the detection signal, the controller 5302 outputs a temporary stop signal S1 to the supply-side linear transport mechanism 5116 and simultaneously outputs an activation signal Sd to the vertical movement mechanism 5272. The supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 temporarily stops the sequential conveyance of the workpieces 10 based on the input of the temporary stop signal S1.

  On the other hand, the vertical movement mechanism 5272 moves a predetermined table 5270 (see FIG. 66) in the Tesla inspection station 5170 upward based on the input of the activation signal Sd, thereby defining the workpiece 10 placed on the table 5270. Position at the Tesla inspection point. When a detection signal indicating that the workpiece 10 has been positioned at the Tesla inspection point is output from a sensor installed in the Tesla inspection station 5170 and is input to the control device 5302, the control device 5302 supplies a power supply voltage to the Tesla coil 5274. .

  Thus, a Tesla inspection is performed on the workpiece 10, the discharge path of the workpiece 10 is imaged by the first and third video cameras 5276A and 5276C, and the emission color of the workpiece 10 is imaged by the second video camera 5276B. The These imaging signals Sv1 to Sv3 are input to the image processing device 5304. The image processing apparatus 5304 performs image processing on the input imaging signals Sv1 to Sv3, extracts necessary color components and vector components of the discharge path for Tesla inspection, compares them with a specified range, and performs determination. I do. This determination result SC is input to the control device 5302.

  At this time, the image processing device 5304 performs a process of simultaneously converting the imaging signals Sv1 to Sv3 into video signals, outputting them to a monitor (not shown), and displaying them on the monitor as reproduced images.

  When the determination result SC is input from the image processing device 5304, the control device 5302 stops supplying the power supply voltage to the Tesla coil 5274 and simultaneously outputs a return signal to the vertical movement mechanism 5272. The vertical movement mechanism 5272 moves the table 5270 downward based on the input of the return signal S2 to return it to the original position.

  When a detection signal indicating that the table 5270 has been returned is output from the sensor installed in the Tesla inspection station 5170 and is input to the control device 5302, the control device 5302 sends a transport resumption signal S2 to the supply side linear transport mechanism 5116. Is output. The supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 resumes sequential conveyance of the workpieces 10 based on the input of the conveyance resumption signal S <b> 2 and conveys a plurality of workpieces 10 in the direction of the rotary conveyance unit 5102. When the second workpiece 10 reaches the platform 5270, the same processing as described above is performed again, and a Tesla inspection for the second workpiece 10 is performed.

  Then, for example, while the Tesla inspection is performed on the second workpiece 10, the first workpiece 10 is put into the rotary conveyance unit 5102 (step S 5 in FIG. 70) or excluded to another step. Processing (step S6 in FIG. 70) is performed. That is, when the determination result SC of the Tesla inspection for the input first workpiece 10 indicates “good”, the control device 5302 outputs a start signal Se to the workpiece input mechanism 5120 as shown in FIG. When the determination result SC indicates “defective”, the activation signal Sf is output to the first exclusion mechanism 5190.

  When the activation signal Sf is input to the first removal mechanism 5190, the first workpiece 10 is taken out from the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116, and the first workpiece 10 is extracted from the conveyance path by the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116. Eliminate.

  On the other hand, when the activation signal Se is input to the workpiece input mechanism 5120, the workpiece input mechanism 5120 receives a sensor installed in the workpiece holding station 5200 in addition to the input of the activation signal Se from the control device 5302. Operation is started when a detection signal (a detection signal indicating that one of the workpiece holding units 5164 arranged on the table 5160 is positioned at the workpiece holding station 5200) is input, and the first workpiece is 10 is taken out from the supply-side linear conveyance mechanism 5116 and loaded into the work holding unit 5164 positioned at the work holding station 5200.

  The detection signal from the sensor is also input to the control device 5302, and the control device 5302 outputs the drive signal Sd1 to the air cylinder 5260 installed at the lower part of the work holding station 5200 based on the input of the detection signal. The air cylinder 5260 moves and drives the piston rod 5262 (see FIG. 60) upward based on the input of the drive signal Sd1, thereby opening the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b of the work holding unit 5164. Become.

  In this state, the first workpiece 10 is loaded into the workpiece holding unit 5164 by the workpiece loading mechanism 5120 and inserted between the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b in the open state. In this case, the cathode-side lead 22 (see FIG. 1) is inserted so as to be positioned above. When the tip of the anode-side lead 18 comes into contact with the height reference plate 5258 (see FIG. 63), for example, an ON signal is output from the proximity switch and is input to the control device 5302.

  The control device 5302 outputs a return signal Sd2 to the air cylinder 5260 based on the input of the ON signal. The air cylinder 5260 moves the piston rod 5262 downward based on the input of the return signal Sd2, thereby moving the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b in the closing direction, and the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b. The workpiece 10 is held.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 63, portions above the upper end 5310 of the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b are to be inspected, and the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 at the respective appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D are connected to the upper end 5310. The part which is projected above from is picked up.

  In this way, when the first workpiece 10 is held by the workpiece holding unit 5164 positioned at the workpiece holding station 5200, the control device 5302 outputs a drive signal Sg to the rotation drive mechanism 5162 in the rotation conveyance unit 5102. To do. The rotation drive mechanism 5162 rotates the table 5160 by a predetermined angle based on the input of the drive signal Sg.

  By this rotation, the workpiece holding portion 5164 next to the workpiece holding portion 5164 holding the first workpiece 10 is positioned at the workpiece holding station 5200, and the next workpiece holding portion 5164 is subjected to the Tesla inspection. The workpiece 10 (not necessarily the second workpiece 10) that has received the “good” determination is held.

  By repeating the above-described series of operations, the workpieces 10 that have been determined to be “good” in the Tesla inspection are held by the individual workpiece holding portions 5164, respectively. When a plurality of (e.g., eight) workpieces 10 are processed, a plurality of workpieces 10 are again input from the tray 3070 positioned in the supply unit 5112 to the supply-side linear transport mechanism 5116 through the workpiece supply mechanism 5118, The operation is repeated.

  As shown in FIG. 56, when all the workpieces 10 accommodated in the tray 3070 positioned in the supply unit 5112 are processed, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sh to the tray transport mechanism 5136. Based on the input of the activation signal Sh, the tray transport mechanism 5136 transports the empty tray 3070 positioned in the supply unit 5112 to the stacking unit 5134 shown in FIG. 58 and positions it in the tray buffer unit 5138 ( Step S7 in FIG.

  The control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sa to the supply side tray changer mechanism 5114 simultaneously with the output of the activation signal Sh to the tray transport mechanism 5136. Thus, simultaneously with the process of transporting the empty tray 3070 to the tray buffer unit 5138, one tray 3070 is taken out from the tray group stored in the tray receiving unit 5110 and is transported to the supply unit 5112 (FIG. 70). Step S1). Then, the above-described processing is performed on the workpiece 10 accommodated in the tray 3070 positioned in the supply unit 5112.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 59, the workpiece 10 held by the workpiece holder 5164 at the workpiece holding station 5200 is conveyed to the first appearance inspection station 5174A along with the intermittent rotation of the table 5160 in one direction. Then, the first appearance inspection process is performed (step S8 in FIG. 70).

  When the workpiece 10 is conveyed to the first appearance inspection station 5174A, a detection signal is output from a sensor installed in the first appearance inspection station 5174A and input to the control device 5302. Based on the input of the detection signal, the control device 5302 drives the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 installed in the first appearance inspection station 5174A to drive the cathode 14 and its peripheral parts (the glass tube 12 and the cathode side lead). 22).

  The imaging signals Sv11 and Sv12 are input to the image processing device 5304. The image processing device 5304 performs image processing on the input image pickup signals Sv11 and Sv12, extracts luminance components and color components necessary for items to be inspected in the first appearance inspection station 5174A, and compares them with a specified range. Then, a process of determining pass / fail is performed. The determination result SC1 is input to the control device 5302.

  The workpiece 10 that has finished the first appearance inspection process at the first appearance inspection station 5174A is transferred to the second appearance inspection station 5174B as the table 5160 rotates, and the second appearance inspection station 5174B. In 5174B, a second appearance inspection process similar to the inspection in the first appearance inspection station 5174A is performed (step S9 in FIG. 70).

  That is, the image processing device 5304 performs image processing on the imaging signals Sv21 and Sv22 from the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, and obtains luminance components and color components necessary for items to be inspected in the second appearance inspection station 5174B. A process of extracting and comparing with a specified range and determining pass / fail is performed. The determination result SC2 is input to the control device 5302.

  The workpiece 10 that has finished the second appearance inspection process at the second appearance inspection station 5174B is transported to the next turning station 5176 as the table 5160 rotates, and is rotated (turned) by about 180 °. (Step S10 in FIG. 70).

  When the work holding unit 5164 is conveyed to the turning station 5176 and positioned, the control device 5302 first outputs a grip command signal Si to the turning mechanism 5192. The turning mechanism 5192 grips the workpiece 10 held by the workpiece holder 5164 based on the input of the grip command signal Si. Thereafter, the control device 5302 drives the air cylinder 5260 (see FIG. 66) similarly to the case of the work holding station 5200, and once releases the work held by the work holding unit 5164. Thereafter, the control device 5302 outputs a turning command signal Sj to the turning mechanism 5192.

  Based on the input of the turning command signal Sj, the turning mechanism 5192 rotates the workpiece 10 in the gripping state about 180 ° around the axis, and returns the air cylinder 5260 based on the input of the rotation completion signal. The workpiece 10 is again held by the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b, and the gripping of the workpiece 10 is released. In this appearance inspection system 5000, the turning angle of the turning mechanism 5192 with respect to the workpiece 10 is 180 ° ± (45 ° / 2).

  The workpiece 10 that has been subjected to the rotation (turning) process of approximately 180 ° at the turning station 5176 is transported to the next third appearance inspection station 5174C as the table 5160 rotates, and at the third appearance inspection station 5174C. A third appearance inspection process similar to the inspection at the first appearance inspection station 5174A is performed (step S11 in FIG. 70).

  That is, the image processing device 5304 performs image processing on the imaging signals Sv31 and Sv32 from the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, and obtains luminance components and color components necessary for items to be inspected in the third appearance inspection station 5174C. A process of extracting and comparing with a specified range and determining pass / fail is performed. The determination result SC3 is input to the control device 5302.

  In the inspection process at the third appearance inspection station 5174C, for example, as shown in FIG. 65A, first, the 90 ° range of the surface of the workpiece 10 facing the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 is imaged, and then In addition, when the focal lengths of the two video cameras 5204 and 5206 are adjusted to capture a point-symmetrical range of the 90 ° range of the workpiece 10, a part of the point-symmetrical range is the workpiece 10. In order to solve this, there is a possibility that the image cannot be captured behind the cathode 14 sealed in the glass tube 12.

  In the swivel station 5176, the work 10 is swung by 180 ° ± (45 ° / 2). Therefore, for example, among the appearance inspection items in the third appearance inspection station 5174C, the swirl is performed in the appearance inspection of the cathode 14. In addition to the point-symmetrical position of the inspection point of the cathode 14 in the front, the appearance of the portion protruding from both sides (based on the ring-shaped cathode 14) can be inspected at the same time, and the appearance of the entire circumference of the cathode 14 is inspected Can do.

  The workpiece 10 that has completed the third appearance inspection process at the third appearance inspection station 5174C is conveyed to the next reversing station 5178 as the table 5160 rotates, and is subjected to 180 ° reversing processing (FIG. 70). Step S12).

  When the work holding unit 5164 is conveyed to the reversing station 5178 and positioned, the control device 5302 first outputs a grip command signal Sk to the reversing mechanism 5194. The reversing mechanism 5194 grips the workpiece 10 held by the workpiece holder 5164 based on the input of the grip command signal Sk. Thereafter, the control device 5302 drives the air cylinder 5260 similarly to the case of the work holding station 5200 to once release the work holding by the work holding unit 5164.

  Thereafter, the control device 5302 outputs a reversal command signal S1 to the reversing mechanism 5194. Based on the input of the reversal command signal Sl, the reversing mechanism 5194 rotates the workpiece 10 in the gripping state by 180 ° around an axis orthogonal to the axis, and then the workpiece holding unit in the open state. 5164 is inserted between a pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b. At this time, the workpiece 10 is inserted between the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b with the cathode side lead 22 facing downward.

  The control device 5302 returns the air cylinder 5260 based on the input of an ON signal from the proximity switch indicating that the cathode-side lead 22 of the work 10 is in contact with the height reference plate 5258 of the work holding unit 5164, and returns the work to the work cylinder 5260. 10 is again held by the pair of chuck claws 5250a and 5250b.

  The workpiece 10 that has been subjected to the 180 ° reversal process at the reversing station 5178 is transported to the next fourth appearance inspection station 5174D as the table 5160 rotates, and the fourth appearance inspection station 5174D receives the first work. A fourth appearance inspection process similar to the inspection at the first appearance inspection station 5174A is performed (step S13 in FIG. 70).

  That is, the image processing device 5304 performs image processing on the imaging signals Sv41 and Sv42 from the two video cameras 5204 and 5206, and obtains luminance components and color components necessary for items to be inspected in the fourth appearance inspection station 5174D. A process of extracting and comparing with a specified range and determining pass / fail is performed. The determination result SC4 is input to the control device 5302.

  The workpiece 10 that has finished the fourth appearance inspection process at the fourth appearance inspection station 5174D is transported to the next second exclusion station 5180 as the table 5160 rotates. The control device 5302 determines pass / fail of the workpiece 10 from the results (first to fourth determination results SC1 to SC4) of the appearance inspections at the first to fourth appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D. If it is recognized, a normal signal Sm is output to the second exclusion station 5180.

  On the other hand, when it is recognized as “defective”, the type of defect is determined from the first to fourth determination results SC1 to SC4, and the defect signal Sn and the type of defect are indicated to the second exclusion station 5180. Code data Dc is output. At this time, the control device 5302 outputs a drive signal to the air cylinder 5260 installed below the second exclusion station 5180 to release the work holding by the work holding unit 5164.

  When the defect signal Sn is input from the control device 5302, the second rejection station 5180 operates the second rejection mechanism 5198 to exclude the workpiece 10 (step S14 in FIG. 70). The second exclusion mechanism 5198 takes out the workpiece 10 from the workpiece holder 5164, and conveys and stores it in the collection boxes 5196A to 5196D corresponding to the type of failure indicated by the code data Dc input from the control device 5302. In this embodiment, the appearance inspection stations 5174A to 5174D and the collection boxes 5196A to 5196D have a one-to-one correspondence, but the number of inspection stations may be larger than the number of collection boxes. In this case, distribution to the collection box may be controlled according to the nature of the failure.

  On the other hand, when the normal signal Sm is input from the control device 5302, the second exclusion station 5180 takes out the transferred workpiece 10 from the workpiece holder 5164 and puts it into the accumulation-side linear transfer mechanism 5130 (see FIG. 70 step S15).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 58, the workpiece 10 that is recognized as “good” is conveyed to the next workpiece removal station 5202 as the table 5160 rotates while being held by the workpiece holder 5164. When the work holding unit 5164 is conveyed to the work take-out station 5202 and positioned, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal So to the work take-out mechanism 5132.

  Based on the input of the activation signal So, the workpiece removal mechanism 5132 first grips the workpiece 10 held by the workpiece holder 5164, and is installed in the air below the workpiece removal station 5202 through the controller 5302. At the stage where the cylinder 5260 is driven and the workpiece holding by the workpiece holding unit 5164 is released, the workpiece 10 is taken out from the workpiece holding unit 5164 and put into the accumulation-side linear transport mechanism 5130.

  When a loading completion signal is output from a sensor installed in the workpiece removal mechanism 5132 and is input to the control device 5302, the control device 5302 outputs a start signal Sp to the accumulation-side linear transport mechanism 5130. On the basis of the input of the activation signal Sp, the stacking-side linear transport mechanism 5130 has a pitch of one pitch in the direction of the stacking unit 5134 in a state where the single workpiece 10 input by the workpiece take-out mechanism 5132 is placed sideways. Transport.

  Then, by repeating the above-described series of operations sequentially, only the workpieces 10 that are recognized as “good” are sequentially put into the accumulation-side linear transport mechanism 5130.

  At the stage where a plurality of (for example, eight) workpieces 10 are conveyed to the downstream portion of the accumulation-side linear conveyance mechanism 5130, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sq to the workpiece accumulation mechanism 5142. Based on the input of the activation signal Sq, the workpiece stacking mechanism 5142 takes out the plurality of workpieces 10 transported to the downstream portion of the stacking-side linear transport mechanism 5130 and positions them on the stacking unit 5134. The tray 3070 is transported to and accommodated in an empty location (step S16 in FIG. 70).

  After the plurality of workpieces 10 are accommodated in the tray 3070, when the plurality of workpieces 10 are conveyed again to the downstream portion, the plurality of workpieces 10 are vacated in the tray 3070 through the workpiece stacking mechanism 5142. It is transported and housed in a place.

  When the tray 3070 positioned in the stacking unit 5134 is filled with the workpiece 10, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Sr to the stacking-side tray changer mechanism 5146. Based on the input of the activation signal Sr, the stacking-side tray changer mechanism 5146 transports the full tray 3070 from the stacking unit 5134 to the tray discharge unit 5144 and stores it in a stacked state together with other tray groups (FIG. 70). Step S17).

  Thereafter, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal Ss to the tray take-out mechanism 5140. Based on the input of the activation signal Ss, the tray take-out mechanism 5140 performs a process of transporting the reserved tray 3070 currently positioned in the tray buffer unit 5138 to the stacking unit 5134 and positioning it in the stacking unit 5134 ( Step S18 in FIG. 70).

  Then, when the tray group accommodated in the tray discharge unit 5144 is stacked by a predetermined number of stages, the control device 5302 outputs an activation signal St to the tray discharge mechanism 5148. Based on the input of the activation signal St, the tray discharge mechanism 5148 takes out a plurality of trays 3070 from the tray discharge unit 5144 in a stacked state and conveys them to the next process (step S19 in FIG. 70).

  In the appearance inspection system 5000, it is possible to realize the full automation of the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube 10, in particular, the automation of a series of steps for inspecting the appearance of the xenon discharge tube (work) 10 before completion. An improvement in the production efficiency of the tube 10 can be achieved.

  Thus, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the anode-side sealing jig 40 collects a large number of anode-side leads 18 (workpieces) and transports them to the next glass tube insertion step S13. The glass tube 12 functions as a conveying member and also as a conveying member for collectively conveying a large number of primary sealed products 72 (workpieces) to the next assembling step S3 and corresponding to the large number of anode-side leads 18 respectively. It also functions as a support member for fusing the one end portion 12a of the.

  Similarly, the cathode side sealing jig 42 functions as a conveying member for collectively conveying a large number of cathode bodies 74 (workpieces) to the secondary sealing step S32 in the assembling step S3. It also functions as a support member for fusing the other end portion 12b of the glass tube 12 corresponding to each of the cathode bodies 74.

  That is, the workpieces in the anode-side assembly step S1 (a large number of anode-side leads 18 and a large number of primary sealed products 72) can all be transported by the anode-side sealing jig 40, and the workpiece in the cathode-side assembly step S2. Since all of the (a large number of cathode-side leads 22 and a large number of cathode bodies 74) can be transported by the cathode-side sealing jig 42, the transfer of workpieces in each process in the manufacturing process of the xenon discharge tube 10 is a jig. It is only necessary to move the (anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42), and the operator's work can be simplified.

  In addition, since the anode side sealing jig 40 and the cathode side sealing jig 42 are energized and heated to fuse the glass tube 12 and the various leads 18 and 22, primary sealing and Equipment that can be shared for secondary sealing can be constructed, and the production efficiency and operating efficiency of the production equipment can be increased.

  As a result, in the method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present embodiment, it is possible to consistently perform various workpiece transfer operations and glass fusion operations through a jig, thereby realizing full automation of the manufacturing line. The production efficiency of the xenon discharge tube 10 can be improved.

  Further, in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the glass beads 70 are inserted into the anode lead 18 and fused to the electrode rod 20 after the anode transfer step S11. In the subsequent primary sealing step S <b> 14, when the one end 12 a of the glass tube 12 is fused to the anode side lead 18, the glass beads 70 are interposed, and as a result, the glass tube 12 to the anode side lead 18. The one end portion 12a is fused quickly and reliably.

  Further, since the glass beads 70 are attached to the cathode side lead 22 before the cathode 14 is caulked and fixed to the cathode side lead 22 in the cathode side transfer step S21, in the subsequent secondary sealing step S32, When the other end portion 12 b of the glass tube 12 is fused to the cathode side lead 22, the glass beads 70 are interposed. As a result, the other end portion 12 b of the glass tube 12 is fused to the cathode side lead 22. It will be done quickly and reliably.

  In the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, the glass beads 70 are thermally fused to the electrode rods 20 after the glass beads 70 are inserted into the anode leads 18, and the glass beads 70 are temporarily attached to the anode leads 18. Since the glass beads 70 are stopped, it is effectively prevented that the glass beads 70 are accidentally dropped and the glass beads 70 are detached from the anode-side lead 18, and the reliability of the xenon discharge tube 10 using the glass beads 70 is improved. be able to.

  In the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment, since the cleaning process is performed in the first stage of the secondary sealing step S32, the completed xenon discharge tube 10 is not required in the glass tube 12. The xenon discharge tube 10 having almost no impurities and having high brightness and high quality can be obtained. In addition, since the cathode side sealing jig 42 is energized and heated in a negative pressure atmosphere, the heat dissipation distribution from the cathode side sealing jig 42 is set in the cathode side sealing jig 42. It becomes almost uniform with respect to a large number of the primary sealed products 72, the variation of the discharge tube unit regarding the glass fusion can be reduced, and the improvement of the yield of the xenon discharge tube 10 can be efficiently realized.

  In the next cooling step S303, since the xenon discharge tube 10 is cooled in a negative pressure atmosphere, there is almost no variation in the degree of cooling for a large number of xenon discharge tubes 10, and local overcooling or uncooled The cooling state can be effectively prevented. This leads to higher quality and higher reliability of the xenon discharge tube 10.

  Next, a modification of the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The manufacturing method according to this modification includes almost the same steps as the manufacturing method according to the above embodiment, but the bead fusion step S12 of the anode side assembly step S1 is omitted as shown in FIG. Different. This is because the one end 12a of the glass tube 12 is sealed by the electrode rod 20 of the anode-side lead 18 before entering the reversing step S31 of the assembling step S3. This is based on the fact that the glass beads 70 inserted into the electrode rod 20 do not necessarily need to be heat sealed to the electrode rod 20.

  In the above-described embodiment (including modifications), the example of applying the method for manufacturing a xenon discharge tube according to the present invention to the sealing process of the glass tube 12 in the xenon discharge tube 10 has been shown. The present invention can also be applied to a manufacturing process of an article configured by sealing a glass tube.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is sectional drawing which shows the xenon discharge tube produced in the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a process block diagram which shows the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the jig | tool for anode side sealing used in the manufacturing method which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the jig | tool for cathode side sealing used in the manufacturing method which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cathode-side lead is transferred into the cathode-side sealing jig, and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the anode-side lead is transferred into the anode-side sealing jig. is there. FIG. 6A is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating an anode side transfer process in the anode side assembly process, and FIG. 6B is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating a bead fusion process. FIG. 7A is a side view showing the shape of the anode side lead, and FIG. 7B is a side view showing the shape of the cathode side lead. FIG. 8A is a perspective view showing the shape of a glass bead, and FIG. 8B is a longitudinal sectional view centering on the axis of the glass bead. It is a perspective view which shows the shape of a glass tube. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tray for lead wires used in the manufacturing method which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tray for beads used in the manufacturing method which concerns on this Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a lead wire transfer jig used in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment together with a sealing jig. It is a partially abbreviated sectional view showing the configuration of the bead transfer jig used in the manufacturing method according to the present embodiment together with the sealing jig. It is a figure which shows the shape of the large hole and small hole of a bead transfer jig | tool. 15A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the upper adapter and the lower adapter are attached to the cathode side sealing jig, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the lower adapter is attached to the anode side sealing jig. . It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a lead wire injection | throwing-in system. It is a block diagram which shows especially the structure of a control system of a lead wire insertion system. FIG. 6 is a partially omitted cross-sectional view showing the magnitude relationship between the opening area of each ridge in the lead wire accommodating portion of the lead wire tray and the opening area of the hole of the stocker. FIG. 19A is a process block diagram (part 1) illustrating the processing operation in the transport mechanism in the lead wire insertion system, and FIG. 19B is a process block diagram illustrating the processing operation for the first hole of the stocker in the lead wire insertion system ( FIG. 19C is a process block diagram (part 1) showing the processing operation for the second hole of the stocker in the lead wire insertion system. FIG. 20A is a process block diagram (part 2) illustrating the processing operation in the transport mechanism in the lead wire insertion system, and FIG. 20B is a process block diagram illustrating the processing operation for the first hole of the stocker in the lead wire insertion system ( FIG. 20C is a process block diagram (No. 2) showing the processing operation for the second hole of the stocker in the lead wire insertion system. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of a transfer system. FIG. 22A is a process block diagram (part 1) showing processing operations for the lead wire tray, lead wire transfer jig, and sealing jig of the transfer system, and FIG. 22B is a bead tray of the transfer system, bead transfer treatment. It is process block diagram (the 1) which shows the processing operation with respect to a tool and the jig | tool for sealing. FIG. 23A is a process block diagram (part 2) showing processing operations for the lead wire tray, lead wire transfer jig, and sealing jig of the transfer system, and FIG. 23B is a bead tray of the transfer system, bead transfer treatment. It is process block diagram (the 2) which shows the processing operation with respect to a tool and the jig | tool for sealing. FIG. 24A is a process block diagram (part 3) showing processing operations for the lead wire tray, lead wire transfer jig and sealing jig of the transfer system, and FIG. 24B is a bead tray and bead transfer treatment of the transfer system. It is process block diagram (the 3) which shows the processing operation with respect to a tool and the jig | tool for sealing. FIG. 25A is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating a glass tube insertion process in the anode side assembly process, and FIG. 25B is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating a primary sealing process. FIG. 26A is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating a cathode side transfer process in the cathode side assembly process, and FIG. 26B is a manufacturing process diagram illustrating a bead fusion process. It is a manufacturing-process figure which shows a cathode caulking process. In FIG. 28A, after inserting glass beads into the anode rod of the cathode side lead inserted in the cathode side sealing jig, the cathode is caulked at the tip of the cathode rod to produce a cathode body. FIG. 28B is a process diagram showing a state in which the other end portion of the primary sealed product is inserted into the concave portion of the jig for use, and FIG. 28B shows a state where the other end portion of the primary sealed product is sealed with the cathode rod of the cathode side lead. It is process drawing which shows the state which produced the next sealing goods. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a secondary sealing processing apparatus. FIG. 30A is an explanatory view showing a case where glass sealing of the glass tube is excessive, FIG. 30B is an explanatory view showing a case where glass sealing of the glass tube is normal, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the case where it is insufficient. It is a block diagram which shows an inspection system. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the tray used with an inspection system. It is a block diagram which shows a lead wire cutting | disconnection mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows a pipe diameter test | inspection mechanism. FIG. 35A is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the tube diameter inspection mechanism main body, particularly a configuration in which the reference claw and the measurement claw are close to each other, and FIG. 35B is a configuration diagram showing a state in which the reference claw is separated from the measurement claw. . It is a block diagram which shows a light emission test | inspection mechanism. It is a perspective view which shows a cradle. In a light emission test | inspection mechanism, it is sectional drawing which shows the state spaced apart from the receiving stand by the test | inspection head. It is a circuit diagram which shows the circuit system which drives and controls a test | inspection head. In a light emission inspection mechanism, it is sectional drawing which shows the state which made the inspection head contact the workpiece | work. It is explanatory drawing which shows the breakdown of a manufacture log | history table. It is a process block diagram which shows the test | inspection procedure in a test | inspection system. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation in a computer. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the menu screen displayed on the monitor of a secondary sealing processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the block diagram displayed on the monitor of a secondary sealing processing apparatus. It is a schematic layout diagram showing the configuration of the base solder / cleaning machine. It is a schematic perspective view of the edge side alignment mechanism of an anode side lead and a cathode side lead. It is a schematic perspective view explaining the action | operation of a workpiece | work holding | grip conveyance mechanism. It is a schematic elevation view of the draining mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of an unsoldered work tray station part. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of an edge part alignment mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of a flux bonding mechanism and a soldering mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of a washing | cleaning mechanism, a draining mechanism, and a drying mechanism. It is a block diagram which shows the apparatus structure of a soldered tray station part. It is a block diagram which shows an external appearance inspection system. It is a block diagram which shows the tray supply part, workpiece | work supply part, and Tesla inspection station in an external appearance inspection system. It is a block diagram which shows the workpiece | work holding station and 1st exclusion station in an external appearance inspection system. It is a block diagram which shows the workpiece taking-out station in a visual inspection system, a workpiece | work stacking mechanism, and a tray discharge part. It is a block diagram which shows the 1st-4th external appearance inspection station in a visual inspection system, a turning station, an inversion station, and a 2nd exclusion station. It is a top view which shows the structure of a workpiece holding part. It is sectional drawing which abbreviate | omits and shows a part of structure of a workpiece holding part. It is a perspective view for description of turning operation | movement of a workpiece | work holding | maintenance part. It is sectional drawing which shows a pair of chuck nail | claw and height reference | standard board of a workpiece holding part. 64A is a plan view showing an initial state of the work holding unit, and FIG. 64B is a plan view showing a state in which the work holding unit is rotated (turned) by 90 °. FIG. 65A is an explanatory diagram showing the imaging range of the workpiece when the workpiece holding unit is in the initial state, and FIG. 65B is an explanatory diagram showing the imaging range of the workpiece when the workpiece holding unit is rotated (turned) by 90 °. . It is a perspective view which abbreviate | omits and shows a part of structure of a Tesla inspection station. It is a figure which shows the circuit for Tesla inspection normally used. It is a block diagram which shows the circuit for a Tesla test | inspection used in a Tesla test | inspection station. It is a block diagram which shows the control system of the external appearance inspection system which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a process block diagram showing an appearance inspection method according to the present embodiment. It is a process block diagram which shows the modification in the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube which concerns on this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Xenon discharge tube 12 ... Glass tube 12a ... One end part of a glass tube 12b ... Other end part 14 of a glass tube ... Cathode 16 ... Anode 18 ... Anode side lead 20, 32 ... Electrode rod 22 ... Cathode side lead 40 ... Anode side Sealing jig 42 ... Cathode side sealing jig 58, 62 ... Recess 60 ... Anode side lead insertion hole 64 ... Cathode side lead insertion hole 70 ... Glass bead 72 ... Primary sealing product 74 ... Cathode body 80 ... Two Next sealing product 1000 ... Lead wire loading system 2000 ... Transfer system 3000 ... Secondary sealing processing device 4000 ... Base solder / cleaning machine 5000 ... Visual inspection system

Claims (10)

An anode-side transfer step of inserting a large number of anode-side leads into the numerous holes of the anode-side jig provided with a large number of holes,
An anode side glass tube insertion step of inserting one end portions of a large number of glass tubes into the anode side jig so as to surround the anodes of the corresponding anode side leads,
A primary sealing step of producing a primary sealed product by energizing and heating the anode side jig and fusing the multiple glass tubes to the corresponding anode side leads,
A cathode-side transfer step of inserting a plurality of cathode-side leads into the plurality of holes of the cathode-side jig provided with a plurality of holes,
The cathode side glass tube insertion step of inserting the other end of the glass tube of the primary sealed product into the cathode side jig so as to surround the cathode of the corresponding cathode side lead,
A xenon discharge comprising: a secondary sealing step of energizing and heating the cathode side jig in a xenon gas atmosphere to fuse the glass tube of the primary sealed product to the corresponding cathode side lead. A method of manufacturing a tube. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of Claim 1,
A method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, comprising: a lead cutting step of cutting the anode side lead and the cathode side lead of the secondary process product discharged from the secondary sealing step into predetermined lengths. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of Claim 1 or 2,
As the anode side jig, a large number of recesses in which one end of the glass tube can be inserted are provided on one main surface, and the other side of the anode side jig penetrates to the center of the bottom of each recess. And the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube characterized by using the jig | tool provided with the anode side lead insertion hole into which the said anode side lead was insertable. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of any one of Claims 1-3,
The cathode side jig is provided with a large number of recesses into which the other end of the glass tube can be inserted on one main surface, and penetrates to the other main surface of the cathode side jig at the center of the bottom of each recess. And a xenon discharge tube manufacturing method using a jig provided with a cathode side lead insertion hole through which the cathode side lead can be inserted. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of any one of Claims 1-4,
The method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, wherein the anode transfer step includes insertion of glass beads into the anode lead. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of any one of Claims 1-5,
A method for producing a xenon discharge tube, wherein glass beads are attached to a cathode side lead inserted into a cathode side jig in the cathode side transfer step before the insertion. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of Claim 5,
A method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, comprising: a beading step of energizing and heating the anode side jig to fuse the glass beads to the anode side lead. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of any one of Claims 1-7,
A method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, comprising: a cathode caulking step in which a cathode is inserted and fixed at a tip portion of a lead wire. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube according to claim 8,
The method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, wherein the cathode caulking step includes caulking and fixing the cathode to the tip portion of a lead wire having glass beads attached to the tip portion in advance. In the manufacturing method of the xenon discharge tube of any one of Claims 1-9,
The secondary sealing step is a cleaning step of removing at least impurities in the glass tube by exposing to a negative pressure atmosphere prior to energization heating of the cathode side jig,
A sealing step of energizing and heating the cathode side jig in a negative pressure atmosphere and a xenon gas atmosphere;
A method of manufacturing a xenon discharge tube, comprising a cooling step of cooling at least the cathode side jig in a negative pressure atmosphere.

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