JP2017205710A - Coating agent residual quantity checking device, coating applicator and coating agent residual quantity checking method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly detect shortage of a quantity of coating agent remaining in a storage container while suppressing an impact from a film of coating agent that remains thinly spreading over an inner wall of a storage container.SOLUTION: A coating agent residual quantity checking device includes: a vibration part for vibrating a storage container capable of storing a coating agent in a storage chamber built inside; and a detection part for detecting shortage of a quantity of coating agent remaining in the storage container based on vibration generated in the storage container by being subjected to vibration by the vibration part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for detecting a shortage of a remaining amount of a coating agent applied to an application target such as a substrate.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a coating apparatus that stores a coating material that is a liquid material such as solder paste or adhesive in a storage container such as a syringe and applies a coating material discharged from a discharge port at the tip of the storage container to an application target is known. Yes. In Patent Documents 1 and 2 and the like, various techniques for detecting the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating material in the storage container have been proposed.

  In patent document 1, the light emission part and the light-receiving part are arrange | positioned facing the inside of a syringe. When there is no coating agent in the syringe, the light emitted from the light emitting unit passes through the syringe and reaches the light receiving unit, while when the syringe has the coating agent, the light emitted from the light emitting unit. Is refracted by the coating agent in the syringe and does not reach the light receiving portion. Therefore, it is possible to detect a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the syringe by confirming light reception by the light receiving unit.

  Moreover, in patent document 2, the magnet which floats on the coating agent in a syringe, and the proximity sensor attached to the lower part of a syringe are provided, and a magnet falls toward a proximity sensor with the reduction | decrease of the coating agent in a syringe. To do. Therefore, by confirming that the proximity sensor has detected the proximity of the magnet, it is possible to detect a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the syringe.

JP 2011-147838 A Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 63-115469

  By the way, there is a case where a thin coating film of the coating agent remains on the inner wall of the storage container from which the coating agent has been discharged as the coating agent is consumed. And the film | membrane of the coating agent spread thinly on the inner wall of the storage container has become a factor that decreases the detection accuracy of the insufficient remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container. For example, in Patent Document 1, since the light emitted from the light emitting unit is refracted by the coating agent film adhering to the inner wall of the storage container, there is a case where the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent cannot be accurately detected. Moreover, in patent document 2, when the coating agent has conductivity, the proximity sensor is affected by the film of the coating agent adhering to the inner wall of the syringe, and the insufficient amount of the coating agent cannot be accurately detected. was there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is capable of accurately detecting the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container while suppressing the influence of the coating film remaining thinly spreading on the inner wall of the storage container. The purpose is to provide possible technology.

  The applicator remaining amount confirmation device according to the present invention includes a vibration unit that vibrates a storage container that can store a coating agent in its internal storage chamber, and a vibration that occurs in the storage container when vibration is applied by the vibration unit. And a detector for detecting a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container.

  An application apparatus according to the present invention includes an application unit that applies an application agent discharged from a storage container capable of storing an application agent in a storage chamber inside the substrate, and the above-described application agent remaining amount confirmation device.

  The coating agent remaining amount confirmation method according to the present invention includes a step of applying vibration to a storage container capable of storing the coating agent in an internal storage chamber, and a vibration generated in the storage container when the vibration is applied. And a step of detecting a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent.

  In the present invention (appliance remaining amount confirmation device, application device, application agent remaining amount confirmation method) thus configured, the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is insufficient based on the vibration generated in the storage container in response to vibration. Is detected. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container while suppressing the influence of the coating film remaining thinly spreading on the inner wall of the storage container.

  Moreover, you may comprise an application agent residual amount confirmation apparatus so that a vibration part may apply a vibration to a storage container by striking a storage container. As a result, vibration can be applied to the storage container by a simple technique such as striking.

  Further, the vibration unit strikes a predetermined hitting point on the side wall of the storage container surrounding the storage chamber, and the detection unit detects the remaining coating agent in the storage container based on vibration generated in the inner part of the hitting point in the storage chamber. You may comprise a coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus so that insufficient quantity may be detected. In such a configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on the fact that the vibration generated in the inner portion of the hitting location changes as the coating agent is consumed.

  Further, in the storage chamber, the cavity portion increases with the consumption of the coating agent, and the detection unit detects a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on a change in the natural vibration generated in the cavity portion inside the hitting portion. You may comprise the coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus so that it may detect. In such a configuration, the lack of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is accurately determined based on the fact that the hollow portion of the inner portion of the striking portion expands with the consumption of the coating agent, and the natural vibration generated in the hollow portion changes. Can be detected.

  At this time, the detection unit configures the coating agent remaining amount confirmation device so as to determine that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is insufficient when the frequency of the natural vibration generated in the cavity is less than a predetermined value. Also good. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container can be easily detected when the frequency of the natural vibration generated in the hollow portion is less than the predetermined value.

  Further, the detection unit detects a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on a change that occurs in the vibration in the inner part of the striking location as the coating agent remaining in the inner portion of the striking location decreases. You may comprise the coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container can be accurately detected based on the decrease in the coating agent remaining in the inner portion of the striking location as the coating agent is consumed.

  At this time, the detection unit detects the vibration generated in the inner part of the hitting point compared to the vibration generated in the inner part of the hitting point when hitting the hitting part in a state where the inner part of the hitting point is filled with the coating agent. The remaining coating agent confirmation device may be configured to determine that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is insufficient when the amplitude or frequency changes by a predetermined value or more. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container can be easily detected when the amplitude or frequency of the vibration generated in the inner portion of the hitting location has changed by a predetermined value or more.

  Various specific configurations for measuring the vibration generated in the storage container are conceivable. That is, the detection unit has a vibration measuring device provided in the storage chamber, and detects the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on the vibration measured by the vibration measuring device. May be configured. Alternatively, the detection unit includes a vibration measuring device provided outside the storage container, and detects the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on the vibration measured by the vibration measuring device. A confirmation device may be configured.

  In addition, when the detection unit detects a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container, the remaining coating agent confirmation device may be configured to further include a notification unit that notifies the user of the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent. . As a result, the user can appropriately cope with the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent.

  Further, at the time when the coating agent remaining amount confirmation device determines that the remaining amount of coating agent in the storage container is insufficient, at least the amount of coating agent consumed for one substrate remains in the storage container. As shown, the coating device may be configured. Thereby, it can suppress that an application agent loses in the middle of applying an application agent to a board | substrate.

  In addition, the coating agent remaining amount confirmation device is configured so that the reference for determining the shortage of the coating agent in the storage container is changed according to the consumption amount of the coating agent with respect to one substrate. You may do it. Thereby, it can suppress more reliably that an application agent disappears in the middle of applying an application agent to a substrate.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container while suppressing the influence of the coating film remaining thinly spreading on the inner wall of the storage container. .

It is a fragmentary top view which shows typically the dispenser to which this invention is applied. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing typically the composition of the dispensing head and its circumference in a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows partially the electric structure with which the dispenser of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which confirms the residual amount shortage of the coating agent in a dispense head. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing typically the composition of the dispensing head in the 2nd embodiment, and its circumference. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing typically the composition of the dispensing head in the 2nd embodiment, and its circumference. It is a perspective view which shows the printing apparatus to which this invention is applied. It is sectional drawing which shows a solder supply unit.

  FIG. 1 is a partial plan view schematically showing a dispenser to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, XYZ orthogonal coordinates composed of a Z direction parallel to the vertical direction and an X direction and a Y direction parallel to the horizontal direction are shown. The dispenser 1 includes a pair of conveyors 12 and 12 that are provided on a base 11 to carry in and out the substrate B, and a head unit 3 that applies a liquid coating agent such as an adhesive or cream solder to the substrate B. Prepare. Then, the head unit 3 applies the coating agent to the substrate B loaded by the conveyor 12 from the upstream side in the X direction (substrate transport direction) to the work position (the position of the substrate B in FIG. 1). Subsequently, the conveyor 12 carries the substrate B on which the coating of the coating agent has been completed, from the work position to the downstream side in the X direction.

  The dispenser 1 includes a mechanism for moving the head unit 3 in the X direction and the Y direction above the conveyors 12 and 12. That is, the dispenser 1 is provided with a pair of Y-axis rails 21, 21 extending in the Y direction, a Y-axis ball screw 22 extending in the Y direction, and a Y-axis motor My that rotationally drives the Y-axis ball screw 22. 23 is fixed to the nut of the Y-axis ball screw 22 while being supported by the pair of Y-axis rails 21 and 21 so as to be movable in the Y direction. An X-axis ball screw 24 extending in the X direction and an X-axis motor Mx for rotating the X-axis ball screw 24 are attached to the head support member 23, and the head unit 3 can be moved in the X direction by the head support member 23. The nut is fixed to the nut of the X-axis ball screw 24 while being supported by the nut. Therefore, the Y-axis ball screw 22 is rotated by the Y-axis motor My to move the head unit 3 in the Y direction, or the X-axis ball screw 24 is rotated by the X-axis motor Mx to move the head unit 3 in the X direction. it can.

  The head unit 3 has two dispensing heads 4 (application means). These dispensing heads 4 are arranged side by side in the X direction, and each dispensing head 4 discharges the coating agent while being positioned above the target portion of the substrate B, thereby applying the coating agent to the target portion. Since the two dispense heads 4 have the same configuration, only one dispense head 4 will be basically described below.

  FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the dispensing head and its periphery in the first embodiment. The dispensing head 4 includes a hollow syringe 41 whose upper end is open and a nozzle 42 provided at the lower end of the syringe 41. The syringe 41 has a cylindrical portion 411 extending in the Z direction, and a truncated cone portion 412 tapered in the Z direction from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 411 toward the nozzle 42, and a storage chamber 410 (hollow portion) inside the syringe 41. ) To store the coating E. In the cylindrical portion 411, the storage chamber 410 has a cylindrical shape larger in diameter than the inner diameter of the nozzle 42, and in the truncated cone portion 412, the storage chamber 410 has a truncated cone shape whose diameter decreases downward. The diameter of the storage chamber 410 and the inner diameter of the nozzle 42 coincide with each other at the lower end of the truncated cone part 412. Further, the discharge port 420 at the lower end of the nozzle 42 and the storage chamber 410 communicate with each other, and the coating agent E stored in the storage chamber 410 can be discharged downward from the discharge port 420 of the nozzle 42.

  The cylindrical portion 411 of the syringe 41 is detachably supported from below by the syringe holder 31 of the head unit 3, and the upper end of the syringe 41 is closed by the lid member 32. Therefore, when the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient, the syringe 41 supported by the syringe holder 31 is replaced with a new one while removing the lid member 32 from the used syringe 41. The syringe 41 can be attached to the syringe holder 31. Incidentally, in a state where the syringe 41 is supported by the syringe holder 31, the lower end of the nozzle 42 protrudes downward from the syringe holder 31.

  Furthermore, the dispensing head 4 has a plunger 43 disposed in the storage chamber 410. The plunger 43 has a disk shape with a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the storage chamber 410 in the cylindrical portion 411, and comes into contact with the upper surface of the coating agent E stored in the storage chamber 410. That is, in the storage chamber 410, the lower part than the plunger 43 is a filling part 410 </ b> A filled with the coating agent E, and the upper part from the plunger 43 is a hollow part 410 </ b> B. Further, the lid member 32 is provided with a gas hole 321, and when gas (air) is introduced from the gas hole 321 into the cavity 410 </ b> B of the storage chamber 410, the plunger 43 receiving the gas pressure enters the discharge port 420. The coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 is pushed out. In this way, the coating agent E is discharged (discharged) from the discharge port 420 of the dispense head 4. In the storage chamber 410 of the dispense head 4, as the coating agent E is consumed, the volume of the filling portion 410A decreases while the volume of the cavity portion 410B increases.

  Incidentally, the diameter of the plunger 43 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the storage chamber 410 as described above. Thus, the frictional force generated between the outer edge of the plunger 43 and the inner wall of the storage chamber 410 is suppressed to a small level, and the plunger 43 can be moved smoothly to stabilize the discharge amount of the coating agent E from the dispense head 4. it can. On the other hand, the coating agent E that has passed through the gap between the outer edge of the plunger 43 and the inner wall of the storage chamber 410 may spread thinly and adhere to the wall surface of the cavity portion 410B. However, as will be described later, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 can be accurately detected while suppressing the influence of the film of the coating agent E.

  For the dispense head 4, an excitation unit 51 and a detection unit 56 are provided. The vibration unit 51 and the detection unit 56 are provided with respect to the upper end portion 413 of the syringe 41 whose inside is the hollow portion 410B from the state where the coating agent E is not used (the state shown in FIG. 2). That is, the vibration unit 51 includes a spherical hammer 52 that faces the striking spot P set on the side wall 41A (outer wall) of the upper end portion 413 of the syringe 41, a linear solenoid 53 that drives the hammer 52, a hammer 52, and A hammer support 54 that removably supports the direct acting solenoid 53 with respect to the syringe 41 is provided. When the direct acting solenoid 53 drives the hammer 52 toward the striking location P, the hammer 52 strikes the striking location P on the side wall 41 </ b> A of the syringe 41. On the other hand, the detection unit 56 includes a vibration measuring device 57 disposed inside the upper end portion 413 (storage chamber 410) of the syringe 41, and the vibration generated in the cavity 410B when the hammer 52 strikes the striking point P. Measurement is performed by the vibration measuring instrument 57. As the vibration measuring instrument 57, for example, a small microphone can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram partially showing an electrical configuration of the dispenser of FIG. The dispenser 1 includes a main control unit 100 which is a computer configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. And the main control part 100 controls each part of the dispenser 1 centralizedly.

  For example, the main control unit 100 controls the discharge of the coating liquid by the dispense head 4 by opening and closing a switching valve 72 that connects the dispense head 4 and the gas supply source 71. That is, when the switching valve 72 is opened, the gas supplied from the gas supply source 71 is introduced into the storage chamber 410 of the dispense head 4 and the coating liquid is discharged from the discharge port 420. On the other hand, when the switching valve 72 is closed, the introduction of the gas from the gas supply source 71 into the storage chamber 410 of the dispense head 4 is stopped, and the discharge of the coating liquid from the discharge port 420 is stopped. In addition, the main control unit 100 notifies the error by the notification unit 73 based on the result of confirming that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the dispense head 4 is insufficient by the coating agent remaining amount confirmation device 5 having the vibration unit 51 and the detection unit 56. To do. Note that the notification unit 73 notifies the user of an error, for example, by displaying a display indicating that the remaining amount of the coating agent is insufficient on the display.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for confirming that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the dispense head is insufficient. This flowchart is executed under the control of the main control unit 100. When the dispensing head 4 applies the coating agent to all target portions of the single substrate B (step S101), the hammer 52 of the vibration unit 51 strikes the striking portion P provided on the syringe 41 of the dispensing head 4. Thus, vibration is applied to the syringe 41 of the dispensing head 4 (step S102).

  Subsequently, the detection unit 56 measures the vibration generated in the cavity 410B of the syringe 41 by the vibration measuring instrument 57 (step S103), and performs an operation for analyzing the frequency of the measurement result (step S104). By the frequency analysis in step S104, the frequency (natural frequency) of the natural vibration generated in the cavity 410B of the syringe 41 is obtained. When approximated according to Helmholtz resonance, the natural frequency of the cavity 410B is inversely proportional to the square root of the volume of the cavity 410B. That is, when the volume of the cavity portion 410B increases with the consumption of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410, the natural frequency of the cavity portion 410B obtained in step S104 decreases. Therefore, the detection unit 56 detects a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 using the relationship between the volume of the hollow portion 410B and the natural frequency.

  That is, the natural frequency generated in the cavity 410B when the syringe 41 is vibrated with the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 reduced to a predetermined remaining amount is obtained in advance by calculation or experiment, and the threshold value ( Is stored in the detection unit 56 as a threshold frequency). And the detection part 56 detects the shortage of the residual amount of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 by determining whether the natural frequency calculated | required by step S104 is less than this threshold value (step S105). That is, when the natural frequency is less than the threshold value, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is insufficient (“YES” in step S105), and the notification unit 73 performs error notification (step S106). On the other hand, if the natural frequency is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is sufficient (“NO” in step S105), and the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, it is determined whether or not the production of the substrate B to which the coating agent E is applied is finished. When the production is continued (in the case of “NO” in step S106), the process returns to step S101 while the production is performed. In the case of termination (in the case of “YES” in step S106), the flowchart of FIG. 4 is terminated.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is detected based on the vibration generated in the syringe 41 in response to the vibration. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 while suppressing the influence of the film of the coating agent E that remains thinly spread on the inner wall of the syringe 41.

  In addition, the excitation unit 51 applies vibration to the syringe 41 by hitting the syringe 41. In this way, it is possible to apply vibration to the syringe 41 by a simple technique such as striking.

  In addition, the excitation unit 51 strikes a predetermined strike location P on the side wall 41 </ b> A of the syringe 41 that surrounds the storage chamber 410. And the detection part 56 detects the shortage of the residual amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 based on the vibration which arises in the inner part Ip of the striking location P among the storage chambers 410. In such a configuration, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 based on the vibration generated in the inner portion Ip of the striking location P changing as the coating agent E is consumed.

  Incidentally, in the storage chamber 410 of the syringe 41, the cavity 410B increases as the coating agent E is consumed. Therefore, the detection unit 56 detects a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 based on a change in the natural vibration generated in the hollow portion 410B that overlaps the inner portion Ip of the hit location P. In such a configuration, the volume of the cavity 410B that overlaps the inner portion Ip of the striking point P increases with the consumption of the coating agent E, and the natural vibration generated in the cavity 410B changes, so that the inside of the syringe 41 is changed. It is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E.

  Specifically, the detection unit 56 determines that the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient when the frequency of the natural vibration generated in the cavity 410B is less than a predetermined threshold. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 can be easily detected when the frequency of the natural vibration generated in the hollow portion 410B is less than a predetermined value.

  When the detection unit 56 detects that the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient, the notification unit 73 notifies the user that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is insufficient. As a result, the user can appropriately cope with the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E.

  5 and 6 are partial cross-sectional views schematically showing the configuration of the dispensing head and its periphery in the second embodiment. In particular, FIG. 5 shows a state where the coating agent E is not used, and FIG. Indicates that the remaining amount of is insufficient. In the following description, the configuration different from the above embodiment will be mainly described, and the description of the common configuration will be omitted as appropriate. However, it is needless to say that the same effect can be achieved by providing the configuration common to the above embodiment.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the vibration measuring instrument 57 is disposed inside the upper end portion 413 of the syringe 41 (the hollow portion 410 </ b> B of the storage chamber 410) in the same manner as described above. On the other hand, the vibration part 51 is provided with respect to the lower end part 414 of the cylindrical part 411 of the syringe 41. In other words, the hammering location P of the hammer 52 of the excitation unit 51 is set on the side wall 41 </ b> B (outer wall) of the lower end portion 414 of the syringe 41. When the coating agent E is not used, the inside of the lower end portion 414 of the syringe 41 is a filling portion 410A, while the inside of the lower end portion 414 of the syringe 41 is a hollow portion while the coating agent E is insufficient in the remaining amount. 410B. Accordingly, until immediately before the coating agent E becomes short of the remaining amount, the inner portion Ip of the hitting point P is filled with the coating agent E, and therefore the vibration applied by the hammer 52 is absorbed by the coating agent E. The amplitude of the vibration attenuated and measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57 is extremely weak. On the other hand, when the coating agent E begins to be discharged from the inner portion Ip of the striking location P as the coating agent E is consumed, and the cavity 410B begins to overlap the inner portion Ip of the striking location P, the hammer 52 strikes. In response to the vibration, natural vibration is generated in the cavity 410B, and the amplitude of vibration (natural vibration) measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57 increases rapidly.

  Also in the second embodiment, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the dispense head 4 can be confirmed basically by the procedure described above with reference to FIG. However, the specific determination method in step S105 is different from the above. That is, when the syringe 41 is vibrated in a state where the inner portion Ip of the striking point P is filled with the coating agent E, the amplitude of vibration measured by the vibration measuring device 57 (amplitude at the time of satisfaction) is calculated or experimented. It is obtained in advance. Further, the vibration amplitude (amplitude at the time of shortage) measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57 when the syringe 41 is vibrated in a state where the hollow portion 410B overlaps the inner portion Ip of the hitting point P is obtained in advance by calculation or experiment. It is done. A value (for example, an average value) between the fullness amplitude and the shortage amplitude is stored in the detection unit 56 as a threshold value (threshold amplitude). Therefore, in step S105, if the vibration amplitude measured in step S103 is equal to or greater than this threshold, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is insufficient (YES), and the vibration measured in step S103. Is less than this threshold value, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is sufficient (NO). In the second embodiment in which the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E is detected based on the amplitude of vibration generated in the hollow portion 410B, the frequency analysis in step S104 can be omitted.

  As described above, also in the second embodiment, a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is detected based on vibration generated in the syringe 41 in response to vibration. Therefore, it is possible to accurately detect the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 while suppressing the influence of the film of the coating agent E that remains thinly spread on the inner wall of the syringe 41.

  In the second embodiment, the detection unit 56 changes the vibration generated in the inner portion Ip of the striking location P as the coating agent E remaining in the inner portion Ip of the striking location P decreases, that is, the vibration amplitude suddenly increases. Based on the increase, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is detected. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is accurately detected based on the decrease in the coating agent E remaining in the inner portion Ip of the striking location P as the coating agent E is consumed. Can do.

  At this time, it is determined in advance based on the amplitude of vibration (amplitude when full) generated in the inner portion Ip of the hitting portion P when the hitting portion P is hit in a state where the inner portion Ip of the hitting portion P is filled with the coating agent E. The threshold value is stored in the detection unit 56. And if the amplitude of the vibration which arises in the inner part Ip of the impact location P changes more than this threshold value compared with the amplitude at the time of fullness, it will be judged that the residual amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 was insufficient. In such a configuration, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 can be easily detected when the amplitude of vibration generated in the inner portion Ip of the hitting point P has changed by a predetermined value or more, that is, has become a threshold value or more. .

  As described above, in the above-described embodiment, the dispenser 1 corresponds to an example of the “applying device” of the present invention, the dispense head 4 corresponds to an example of the “applying unit” of the present invention, It corresponds to an example of the “application agent remaining amount confirmation device” of the present invention, the vibration unit 51 corresponds to an example of the “vibration unit” of the present invention, and the detection unit 56 corresponds to an example of the “detection unit” of the present invention. The syringe 41 corresponds to an example of the “storage container” of the present invention, the storage chamber 410 corresponds to an example of the “storage chamber” of the present invention, and the coating agent E corresponds to an example of the “coating agent” of the present invention. Correspondingly, the striking location P corresponds to an example of the “striking location” of the present invention, the side wall 41A or the side wall 41B corresponds to an example of the “side wall” of the present invention, and the inner portion Ip of the “inner portion” of the present invention. This corresponds to an example, and the cavity 410B corresponds to an example of the “cavity” of the present invention. It corresponds to an example of the "vibration measuring instrument" of the present invention, the notification unit 73 corresponds to an example of the "notification portion" in the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made to the above-described one without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the first embodiment, the syringe 41 is vibrated with the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the storage chamber 410 being reduced to the “predetermined remaining amount” as a threshold for detecting the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E. The natural frequency generated in the cavity 410B when performing the above was used. At this time, the “predetermined remaining amount” can be set to various amounts.

  As an example, the “predetermined remaining amount” can be set to be greater than or equal to the amount consumed for applying the coating agent E to all target locations on one substrate B. In such a configuration, at the time when it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient, at least the amount consumed for one substrate B remains in the syringe 41. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the coating agent E from being lost while the coating agent E is being applied to the substrate B, and the application of the coating agent E to the substrate B from being interrupted.

  At this time, the main control unit 100 calculates a consumption amount of the coating agent E consumed to produce one substrate B to be produced, and a criterion for judging whether the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient. That is, the threshold value may be changed according to the calculation result. Thereby, it can suppress more reliably that the coating agent E disappears in the middle of apply | coating the coating agent E to the board | substrate B. FIG.

  Similarly, also in the second embodiment, at the time when it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E in the syringe 41 is insufficient, at least the amount consumed by one substrate B is in the syringe 41. You may comprise so that it may remain | survive. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the coating agent E from being lost while the coating agent E is being applied to the substrate B, and the application of the coating agent E to the substrate B from being interrupted.

  In the second embodiment, the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E is detected based on the amplitude of vibration measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57. However, the second embodiment can be modified so that the shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent E is detected based on the vibration frequency measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57. That is, as the coating agent E is consumed, the coating agent E begins to be discharged from the inner portion Ip of the striking location P, and when the vibration due to the coating agent E is no longer attenuated, the vibration generated in response to the vibration caused by the hammer 52 is reduced. A higher frequency is used in this variant.

  Specifically, the vibration frequency measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57 when the syringe 41 is vibrated while the inner portion Ip of the hitting point P is filled with the coating agent E is calculated. Or it calculates | requires beforehand by experiment. Further, the vibration frequency (deficiency frequency) measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57 when the syringe 41 is vibrated in a state where the hollow portion 410B overlaps the inner portion Ip of the hitting point P is obtained in advance by calculation or experiment. It is done. A value (for example, an average value) between the full frequency and the shortage frequency is stored in the detection unit 56 as a threshold value (threshold frequency). Accordingly, in step S105, if the vibration frequency obtained in step S104 is equal to or higher than this threshold, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is insufficient (YES), and the vibration obtained in step S104. Is less than this threshold value, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent E is sufficient (NO).

  Further, the place where the vibration measuring instrument 57 is disposed is not limited to the above-described storage chamber 410. Therefore, the vibration measuring instrument 57 may be arranged at a position away from the syringe 41 outside the syringe 41 and the vibration emitted from the syringe 41 and transmitting air may be measured by the vibration measuring instrument 57.

  Further, the drive mechanism for driving the hammer 52 is not limited to the linear solenoid 53 described above. Therefore, the hammer 52 may be driven by an air cylinder, or the hammer 52 attached eccentrically with respect to the rotation shaft of the motor may be driven by the rotation of the motor.

  The specific means for applying vibration to the syringe 41 is not limited to striking. Therefore, for example, vibration may be applied by a piezoelectric actuator, or vibration may be applied by an external sound wave.

  Moreover, the notification method of the error by the notification part 73 can also be changed suitably. Therefore, the error can be notified by sound such as a buzzer sound or light such as a warning light.

  The specific type of the dispense head 4 that applies the coating agent E is not limited to the pneumatic type described above. Therefore, the above-described contents can be appropriately applied to detection of insufficient remaining amount of the coating agent E in the dispensing head 4 that applies the coating agent E by various means other than air pressure.

  The present invention can also be applied to a printing apparatus (coating apparatus) that applies a coating agent (solder) to a substrate by screen printing. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a printing apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The printing apparatus 8 includes a substrate transport mechanism 81 that is provided on a base 80 and loads / unloads a substrate, and a print execution unit 82 (application unit) that prints (applies) liquid solder (application agent) onto the substrate. With. Then, the print execution unit 82 prints the solder on the substrate carried by the substrate transport mechanism 81 from the upstream side in the X direction (substrate transport direction) to the work position (below the mask 83 in FIG. 7). Subsequently, the substrate carrying mechanism 81 unloads the substrate on which the printing execution unit 82 has completed the solder printing from the work position to the downstream side in the X direction. The print execution unit 82 includes a solder supply unit 9 provided above the mask 83 and a squeegee unit 85, and the squeegee unit 85 spreads the solder supplied by the solder supply unit 9 onto the mask 83. Solder is printed on the substrate located under the mask 83.

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the solder supply unit. The unit main body 901 of the solder supply unit 9 is attached to the squeegee unit 85 so as to be movable in the X direction, and the unit main body 901 moves in the X direction upon receiving a drive from the motor. A container support member 902 is disposed on the front side of the unit main body 901 (on the right side in FIG. 8), and a container 906 with an adapter is integrated by fitting the tip end portion 905 of the discharge adapter 904 into the solder storage container 903. The container support member 902 is detachable from the front side of the printing apparatus 8 (left hand side in FIG. 8). That is, the solder storage container 903 is a cylindrical storage container having an opening at one end, and a concave storage chamber 907 having a substantially circular cross section is formed therein. And the solder is accommodated in this storage chamber 907. On the other hand, the tip 905 of the discharge adapter 904 is finished in a flange shape narrower than the inner diameter of the solder storage container 903 and can be fitted into the solder storage container 903.

  The discharge adapter 904 fitted into the solder storage container 903 can be relatively moved upward along the inner wall surface of the solder storage container 903. That is, the solder supply unit 9 pushes the solder downward from the storage chamber 907 through the discharge hole 908 of the discharge adapter 904 by reducing the distance between the upper inner surface of the solder storage container 903 and the upper surface of the discharge adapter 904. A guide block member 910 in which a guide channel 909 is formed is attached to the outlet of the discharge hole 908, and the solder discharged from the discharge hole 908 is discharged to the guide block member 910 via the guide channel 909. It is possible to discharge (discharge) from 911 to the mask 83.

  In such a solder supply unit 9, as the solder is discharged from the storage chamber 907 of the solder storage container 903, the solder is discharged from the lower portion 907B of the storage chamber 907, and the hollow portion expands in the lower portion 907B. It will be. Therefore, by providing the vibration unit 51 and the detection unit 56 as described above to the solder storage container 903, the detection unit 56 is below the storage chamber 907 while applying vibration to the solder storage container 903 by the vibration unit 51. The shortage of the remaining amount of solder in the storage chamber 907 can be detected based on the vibration generated in the portion 907B (hollow portion). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, the striking location P where vibration is applied to the storage chamber 907 by the vibrating portion 51 is a range in which the inside becomes a hollow portion when the solder is insufficient, that is, the storage chamber. It is set on the side wall (outer wall) of the solder container 903 surrounding the lower portion 907B of 907. Further, the vibration measuring instrument 57 of the detection unit 56 is arranged at a position away from the solder storage container 903.

  It should be noted that various changes can be made to the printing apparatus 8 as in the example of the dispenser 1 described above. Therefore, vibration may be applied to the storage chamber 907 by a method that does not depend on the impact, and when the remaining amount of solder is insufficient, the vibration measurement of the detection unit 56 is performed on the outer wall of the solder container 903 in which the inside becomes a hollow portion. A vessel 57 may be attached.

1 ... dispenser (coating device),
4. Dispensing head (application means)
5 ... Applicant remaining amount confirmation device,
51 ... Excitation unit,
56... Detection unit,
57: Vibration measuring instrument,
41 ... Syringe (storage container),
41A, 41B ... sidewalls,
410 ... Reservoir,
410A ... filling portion,
410B ... hollow part,
420 ... discharge port,
73 ... Notification section,
B ... Substrate,
E ... coating agent,
P ...
Ip ... inside part,
8: Printing device (coating device),
82... Print execution unit (application means)
85 ... Squeegee unit,
9 ... Solder supply unit 903 ... Solder storage container (storage container),
907 ... Reservoir,
907B ... Lower end part

Claims (14)

A vibration unit for applying vibration to a storage container capable of storing the coating agent in the internal storage chamber;
An application agent remaining amount confirmation apparatus comprising: a detection unit that detects an insufficient amount of the application agent in the storage container based on vibration generated in the storage container when vibration is applied by the excitation unit.   The said excitation part is a coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus of Claim 1 which applies a vibration to the said storage container by striking the said storage container. The excitation unit strikes a predetermined hitting location on the side wall of the storage container surrounding the storage chamber,
The said detection part is a coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus of Claim 2 which detects the shortage of the coating agent in the said storage container based on the vibration which arises in the inner part of the said impact location among the said storage chambers. In the storage chamber, the cavity increases with consumption of the coating agent,
The said detection part detects the residual amount of coating agent of the said coating agent in the said storage container based on the change of the natural vibration which arises in the said cavity part of the said inner part of the said impact location, The coating agent residual amount confirmation of Claim 3 apparatus.   5. The coating agent remaining amount confirmation device according to claim 4, wherein the detection unit determines that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is insufficient when a frequency of the natural vibration generated in the hollow portion is less than a predetermined value. .   The detection unit is insufficient in the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on a change that occurs in vibration in the inner portion of the hitting location as the coating agent remaining in the inner portion of the hitting location decreases. The coating agent residual quantity confirmation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 3 thru | or 5 which detects this.   The detection unit is configured to compare the vibration generated in the inner portion of the hitting portion with the vibration when the hitting portion is hit in a state where the inner portion of the hitting portion is filled with the coating agent. The coating agent remaining amount confirmation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the amplitude or frequency of vibration generated in the inner portion changes by a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container is insufficient.   The said detection part has a vibration measuring device provided in the said storage chamber, and detects the shortage of the coating agent in the said storage container based on the vibration which the said vibration measuring device measured. The coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus as described in any one of Claims.   The said detection part has the vibration measuring device provided in the exterior of the said storage container, and detects the shortage of the residual amount of the said coating agent in the said storage container based on the vibration which the said vibration measuring device measured. The coating agent residual quantity confirmation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 7.   The said detection part is further provided with the alerting | reporting part which alert | reports to a user that the residual amount of the said coating agent is insufficient, if the remaining amount of the said coating agent in the said storage container is detected. Application remaining amount confirmation device. A coating means for coating the substrate with the coating agent discharged from a storage container capable of storing the coating agent in its internal storage chamber;
A coating apparatus provided with the coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10.   When the remaining amount of coating agent in the storage container determines that the remaining amount of coating agent in the storage container is insufficient, at least the amount of the coating agent consumed for one substrate is stored. The coating device according to claim 11 remaining in the container.   The said coating agent residual amount confirmation apparatus changes the reference | standard for determining the shortage of the coating agent remaining in the said storage container according to the consumption of the said coating agent with respect to the said one board | substrate. The coating apparatus as described. Applying a vibration to a storage container capable of storing the coating agent in the internal storage chamber;
And a step of detecting a shortage of the remaining amount of the coating agent in the storage container based on vibration generated in the storage container when vibration is applied.

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