JPH11301850A - Bulk feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a cost of manufacture by supplying a chip part of different kind with a single bulk feeder, and roughening accuracy related to an air flow path in the bulk feeder. SOLUTION: An air supply path 22 branches in a conveying air flow path 26 connected to a part conveying air blow port 18 and in stirring air flow paths 24, 25 connected to stirring air blow out ports 16, 17, air plugs 28, 28, 28 (air flow regulating means) are provided individually in each conveying air flow path and stirring air flow path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel bulk feeder. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bulk feeder for transferring chip components to a chip component mounting machine that mounts chip components on a printed circuit board. One bulk feeder can supply different types of chip components, and the air flow in the bulk feeder can be increased. The present invention relates to a technique capable of reducing the accuracy of a road and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a bulk feeder for transferring chip components to a chip component mounting machine for mounting chip components on a printed circuit board.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of a main part of a conventional bulk feeder a.

A bulk case (not shown) is mounted on the bulk feeder a, and the bulk case is
That is, unpackaged chip components b, b,
Are stored, and by mounting the bulk case, a large number of chip components b, b,... Stored in the bulk case enter into the component storage c at the rear.

[0005] A slightly wider space d called a chamber is formed through a bottleneck following the front side of the component storage c, and a component alignment chamber e extends forward from the front end of the chamber d. A component transport path f extends forward from the front end of the chamber e, and a component supply unit (not shown) is formed at the front end of the component transport path f.

An air outlet g for component conveyance is opened at a part of the component conveyance path f slightly away from the component alignment chamber e in a direction facing the front end of the component conveyance path f. An air outlet h for stirring is formed at the front end of the component aligning chamber e slightly behind the air outlet g for transporting components, in a direction facing the rear, that is, toward the chamber d. Further, another air outlet i for agitation is opened on the lower surface of the front end of the component storage portion c so as to face slightly rearward.

Incidentally, the former air outlet h for stirring is:
After the air is blown out to agitate the chip components, the air blowout is stopped and the chip components b, b,.
, Which is hereinafter referred to as a stirring alignment air outlet h, and the latter stirring air outlet i.
After stirring the chip components by blowing air, the blowing of air is stopped and the chip components b, b,.
This is referred to as an air outlet i for stirring and drawing.

The bulk feeder a is provided with an air supply port j, and an air supply path k extending from the air supply port j toward the inside is formed. One is connected to an agitating alignment air outlet h which is opened on the lower surface of the component alignment chamber e of the component transport path f, and the other is a lower surface of the component transport path f and is connected to the agitating alignment air outlet h. Is connected to an air outlet g for component conveyance which opens diagonally forward immediately downstream.

The air supply path k is further branched before the agitating alignment air outlet h, and its distal end extends to the vicinity of the component storage part c and is connected to the agitating draw-in air outlet i. I have.

The air supply port j of the bulk feeder a
Is connected to a positive-pressure air supply device (not shown) so that positive-pressure air is supplied from an air supply port j.

When the positive pressure air is supplied to the bulk feeder a, air is blown from the respective air outlets g, h and i. Incidentally, the positive pressure air supplied to the air supply port j is supplied intermittently, and therefore, each of the air outlets g, h,
The air ejected from i is also intermittent.

Then, the chip component b is pressed by the air blown out from the component delivery air outlet g, and the chip component b is transported toward the front end (component supply unit) of the component transport path f. The air ejected from the outlet h is used for the chip components b, b, and b in the component alignment chamber e and the chamber d.
Are agitated and aligned, and the air blown out from the agitating inlet air outlet i agitates the chip components b, b,... In the component storage c and draws them into the component alignment chamber e. .. Function to limit the number of chip components b, b,... Transferred from the storage section c to the chamber d.

[0013]

In the above-mentioned conventional bulk feeder a, the length of the air supply passage k connected to each of the air outlets g, h, i in this one bulk feeder a is described. Since the diameter and the like are fixed, if the positive pressure air supplied to the air supply port j is constant, the respective air flow rates (pressures) ejected from the air outlets g, h, and i are always the same. It is.

Therefore, there is a problem that there is no adaptability to different types of chip components, and a bulk feeder must be prepared for each chip component.

That is, the types of chip components are diverse, and differ for each chip component such as size and weight. And
As described above, since the chip component is pressed toward the component supply unit by the air blown out from the transport air outlet, if the cross-sectional shape cut in a direction orthogonal to the transport direction, the weight, and the like are different. However, the pressing force differs for each chip component, and the transfer speed and the moving force of the chip component are different, so that there is a problem that the component cannot be supplied to the component supply unit, or the chip component jumps out of the component supply unit with excessive force. Was.

Conventionally, a dedicated bulk feeder has been required for each type of chip component.

The flow rate (pressure) of the air jetted from the air outlets g, h, and i depends on the length, diameter, and roughness of the inner surface of the air supply path k. There is also a problem that the flow rate of air ejected from each air outlet g, h, i differs for each bulk feeder a even between bulk feeders a, a,... Having the same size and shape. .

In order to avoid such a problem, it is necessary to form the shapes of the air outlets g, h, and i, that is, the length, the diameter, the roughness of the inner surface, and the like as accurately as possible. The production cost of a was high.

Therefore, the present invention is adapted to different types of chip parts, and the same flow rates (pressures) of air blown out from the respective air outlets g, h, i are set between the same kind of bulk feeders. The task is to be able to

[0020]

According to the bulk feeder of the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an air supply path is provided with a conveying air flow path connected to a component conveying air outlet, and an agitating air blower. It branches into an agitating air flow path connected to the outlet, and an air flow rate adjusting means is separately provided in each of the transport air flow path and the agitating air flow path.

Therefore, in the bulk feeder of the present invention, since the air flow rate (pressure) of the air blown out from the air outlet for conveyance and the air outlet for stirring can be appropriately set, different types of chip parts can be used. It can be used as a bulk feeder, so that it is not necessary to prepare a bulk feeder for each chip component.

Further, between bulk feeders of the same type,
The air flow rate (pressure) ejected from each air outlet can be set to the same value, and it is not necessary to increase the dimensional accuracy of the air flow path such as the air supply path as a bulk feeder, and the manufacturing cost of the bulk feeder is reduced. Can be.

[0023]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bulk feeder according to the present invention.

The bulk case 1 for supplying chip components to the bulk feeder according to the present invention has a thin box-shaped storage section 2.
And an engaging portion 3 serving as a connecting portion for attaching to a bulk feeder described later is integrally formed at one end of the storage portion 2.

The engaging portion 3 is formed with an opening 4 for communicating the inside and outside of the storage portion 2, and the opening 4 is opened and closed by an opening / closing plate 5 (see FIG. 3).

In the bulk case 1, the chip components 6, 6,... In a bulk state, that is, unpackaged, bare state are stored. The bulk case 1 is set in the bulk feeder 7 at its rear end in a state of being inclined forward and downward, and the opening 4 is opened when the open / close plate 5 is opened.

The rear part of the bulk feeder 7 is entirely inclined forward and downward, and chip components 6, 6,... From the bulk case 1 (see FIG. 4) set in the bulk feeder 7 are formed. It flows into the bulk feeder 7, passes through the component storage section 8 and the chamber 9, and reaches a component alignment chamber 11 located on the entrance side of the component transport path 10 (see FIG. 1).

The component storage section 8 is slightly flat in the left-right direction and has a relatively large volume, and is formed so as to be entirely inclined so as to be displaced downward as it goes forward. The chip components 6, 6, ... are stored.

A support wall 12 is formed at the upper end of the front end wall of the component storage section 8 so as to face obliquely rearward and upward. 13 are supported.

The rear end portion of the restraint plate 13 projecting obliquely downward and rearward from the support wall 12 is a free end, and the front end portion thereof is bent obliquely forward and downward at a substantially right angle. An appropriate space is formed between the bottom of the portion 8 and the space is the gate 14.

By the gate 14, the chip components 6, 6,... Stored in the component storage section 8 are prevented from flowing into the chamber 9 at once.

The chamber 9 is located on the downstream side of the component storage section 8, and its bottom surface is continuous with the bottom surface of the component storage section 8.

An air outlet 16 for stirring is opened obliquely rearward on the bottom surface of the outlet 15 of the component storage section 8. At the component storage section outlet 15, the chip components 6, 6,. The agitation is performed and the air is stopped to be blown into the parts alignment chamber 11 when the air blow is stopped.
Hereinafter, the air outlet 16 for stirring is referred to as an air outlet 16 for drawing in.

The chamber 9 has a chip component 6 located in a component alignment chamber 11 located on the downstream side thereof,
6,... Function as spaces for stirring and aligning.

The component alignment chamber 11 is located in front of the chamber 9, and its bottom surface is continuous with the component storage unit 8 and the bottom surface of the chamber 9. The two chip components 6, 6 are sized so that they can pass at the same time and cannot pass at the same time.
, So that chip components 6, 6,.
Function as a space for aligning.

An agitating air outlet 17 is opened obliquely rearward from the bottom surface of the component aligning chamber 11 at an outlet thereof. The agitating air is blown out from the agitating air outlet 17. The chip components 6, 6,... In the component alignment chamber 11 are blown off and agitated in the chamber 9. When the supply of the stirring air is stopped, the chip components 6, 6,.
Falls and enters the parts alignment chamber 11 in a state of being aligned one by one. Hereinafter, the air outlet 17 for stirring is referred to as an air outlet 17 for stirring alignment.

On the lower surface of the component transport path 10 and immediately downstream of the stirring alignment air outlet 17, an air outlet 18 for component transport is opened obliquely forward.
The chip components 6, 6,... In the component transport path 10 are pressed by the ejection of the transport air from the component transport air outlet 18, and sent to the component supply unit 19 ( (See FIG. 1).

The chip components 6, 6,... Flowing from the bulk case 1 into the component storage section 8 of the bulk feeder 7 are provided.
.. is the parts storage unit 8, the chamber 9, the parts arrangement room 11
, And accumulates from the upstream portion of the component transport path 10, and the chip components 6, 6,... Are positioned up to the component arrangement chamber 11, the chamber 9, and the lower portion of the component storage section 8. The parts 6, 6, ... are in a standby state for transfer to the parts supply unit 19 (see Fig. 1).

In this state, since the load of many of the chip components 6, 6,... Located in the component storage section 8 is applied to the suppressing plate 13, the chip components 6, 6 in the component storage section 8 are loaded. ,... Are not concentrated on the outlet 15 of the component storage part, and the chip components 6, 6,.

Then, positive pressure air is supplied to the air supply port 21 from a positive pressure air supply device (not shown), and the chip components 6, 6,... 19 is supplied. In addition, the positive pressure air supplied to the air supply port 21 is intermittently supplied, and therefore, the air ejected from each of the air outlets 16, 17, 18 is also intermittent.

When the pressing portion of the chip component mounting machine (not shown) presses the feed lever 20, the component conveying path 10
The shutter (not shown) covering the upper part of the component supply unit 19 located at the front end of the printer is opened, and the chip component 6 can be taken out by the chip component mounter. The supply of the positive pressure air is performed when the shutter is closed, and the supply of the positive pressure air is stopped when the shutter is opened.

The air supply port 21 is connected to the bulk feeder 7.
Are connected to the air outlets 16, 17, and 18 by an air supply passage 22 extending toward the inside of the main body 7 a.

The air supply passage 22 has an air supply portion 23 extending vertically below the air supply port 21, and an agitating retraction air branched from the air supply portion 23 and connected to the agitating retraction air outlet 16. The stirring alignment air flow path 2 connected to the flow path 24 and the stirring alignment air outlet 17
5 and a component conveying air flow path 26 connected to the component conveying air outlet 18 (see FIG. 1).

Each of the air flow paths 24, 25, 26 has horizontal portions 24a, 25a, 26a extending substantially horizontally from the connection portion with the air supply portion 23.
The inner diameters of the air supply portions a, 25a, and 26a are approximately one third of the air supply portion 23, and the horizontal portions 24a, 25a
The center lines a and 26a are formed to be laterally shifted from the center line of the air supply unit 23 (see FIG. 2).

The horizontal parts 24 of the air supply part 23
In the portions opposed to the portions where the openings a, 25a and 26a are opened (hereinafter, referred to as “entrance openings”) 24b, 25b and 26b, screw holes 27 slightly larger than the diameters of the horizontal portions 24a, 25a and 26a are provided. 27, 27 are formed, and these screw holes 27, 27, 27 are provided in the bulk feeder 7.
And is opened to the outside through the main body 7a (see FIG. 2).

The screw holes 27, 27, 27 opened in the main body 7 a of the bulk feeder 7 have air plugs 28, 27.
28, 28 are detachably screwed. Various sizes are prepared for the air plugs 28, and when air plugs 28 of different sizes are mounted, the air flow rate of the air flow paths 24, 25, or 26 corresponding thereto can be adjusted. ing.

That is, the screw groove 28 is formed on the shaft of the air plug 28.
a, and a tapered portion 28b is formed at the distal end, and the tapered portion 28b is connected to the horizontal portions 24a, 25a, and 2a.
The air plugs 28 of different sizes inserted into the inlet openings 24b, 25b, 26b of FIG. 6a have different amounts of insertion into the inlet openings 24b, 25b, 26b. Different air plug 2
8, the opening areas of the inlet openings 24b, 25b, 26b are different, and the air flow rates in the horizontal parts 24a, 25a, 26a are different (see FIG. 2).
The air plug 28 is provided with horizontal portions 24a, 25a, 26
This adjusts the flow rate of the air flowing through the inside a, and corresponds to the air flow rate adjusting means described in claim 1.

The air plugs 28 are numbered for different sizes so that air plugs of different sizes can be easily identified, and when air plugs of the same number are installed, the same air flow rate is obtained. Can be obtained and convenient. Particularly, when the numbering is performed, if the count is set as a coefficient relating to the air flow rate, for example, a throttling coefficient, the air flow rate ejected from the air outlet can be predicted, and the size of the chip component to be supplied can be predicted. It is possible to easily select a desired air plug from the weight and the like.

The adjustment of the air flow rate is performed by the air plug 28.
May be performed by screwing or unscrewing. That is, by screwing or unscrewing the air plug 28 into the screw hole 27, the amount of insertion of the tapered portion 28b into the horizontal portions 24a, 25a, 26a changes,
The opening area of the inlet openings 24b, 25b, 26b is increased or decreased, whereby the air flow rate, that is, the air outlet 16,
It is possible to change the ejection amount from the nozzles 17 and 18.

Immediately below the air supply port 21 of the air supply section 23, an orifice 29 as a diameter changing means for changing the diameter of the air supply section 23 is detachably provided. A different size is prepared, and the diameter of the inlet of the air supply passage 22 can be changed by appropriately changing the size.

Thus, even if the pressure of the positive pressure air connected to the air supply port 21 is constant, the pressure in the air supply section 23 can be changed, and by selecting the air plug 28 as the air flow rate adjusting means, Each outlet 16, 17, 18
It is possible to precisely control the flow rate of the air injected from the nozzle.

When the positive pressure air is supplied from the air supply port 21, the positive pressure air passes through the air supply section 23 and each of the air flow paths 24, 25, and 26, and is agitated by the air blowing outlet. 16, among the chip components 6, 6,... That are jetted from the stirring alignment air outlet 17 and the component transfer air outlet 18 and are aligned in the component alignment chamber 11, the leading chip component 6, It is pushed to the component supply unit 19 by the transport air jetted from the component transport air outlet 18.

On the other hand, the chip components 6, 6,... Located in the component storage section 8, particularly in the vicinity of the gate 14, are agitated by the air jetted from the air inlet 16 for agitating and drawing in the air. Is stopped, and is drawn into the component alignment chamber 11.

Further, the chip components 6, 6,... Located in the component alignment chamber 11 are agitated by the air jetted from the agitating air outlet 17, and the components are aligned by stopping the jetting of the air. It is aligned in the chamber 11.

In the above embodiment, the air plug 28 in which the tapered portion 28b for adjusting the air flow and the screw groove 28a for attaching to the main body are formed in one member has been described as the air flow adjusting means. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a needle may be used as a member for adjusting the air flow rate, and this may be supported by another member.

Further, the air plug as the air flow rate adjusting means is provided at the inlet openings 24b, 25b, 26b, which are the inlets of the respective air flow paths 24, 25, 26. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be provided in the middle of the roads 24, 25, 26.

[0057]

As is apparent from the above description, the bulk feeder of the present invention is applicable to a chip component mounting machine for transporting chip components on a component transport path by air flow and mounting them on a printed circuit board. In the bulk feeder that supplies the parts, the air supply path connected to the air supply port that receives the air supply and the air flow is connected to the transfer air flow path connected to the component transfer air outlet and the stirring air blower. It is characterized by branching into an agitating air flow path connected to the outlet, and separately providing an air flow rate adjusting means in the transport air flow path and the agitating air flow path.

Therefore, in the bulk feeder of the present invention, since the air flow rate (pressure) of the air blown out from the air outlet for conveying and the air outlet for stirring can be appropriately set, the different types of chip parts can be used. It can be used as a bulk feeder, so that it is not necessary to prepare a bulk feeder for each chip component.

In addition, between bulk feeders of the same type,
The air flow rate (pressure) ejected from each air outlet can be set to the same value, and it is not necessary to increase the dimensional accuracy of the air flow path such as the air supply path as a bulk feeder, and the manufacturing cost of the bulk feeder is reduced. Can be.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the air supply path is provided with a diameter changing means for changing the diameter of the air supply path, the pressure of the positive pressure air connected to the air supply port is reduced. Even if the pressure is constant, it is possible to change the pressure in the air supply path only by changing the diameter changing means, and to precisely control the air flow rate injected from each air outlet by selecting the air flow rate adjusting means. Can be.

It should be noted that the shapes and structures of the respective parts shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the embodiment of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Should not be interpreted restrictively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bulk feeder of the present invention together with FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, and is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a main part.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view showing a main part in an enlarged scale.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing a bulk case.

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part showing an example of a conventional bulk feeder.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 6: chip parts, 7: bulk feeder, 10: component conveying path, 16: air outlet for stirring agitation (air outlet for stirring), 17: air outlet for agitation alignment (air outlet for stirring), 18 ... Air outlet for parts transfer, 19 ...
Component supply unit, 21: air supply port, 22: air supply path, 2
4. Air flow path for drawing in agitation (air flow path for stirring)
25: air flow path for stirring alignment (air flow path for stirring), 26: air flow path for parts transfer, 28 ... air plug (air flow rate adjusting means), 29 ... orifice (diameter changing means)

Claims (2)

[Claims] An air supply receiving an air supply in a bulk feeder for feeding a chip component to a component supply unit to a chip component mounting machine that conveys the chip component on a component conveyance path by air transmission and mounts the chip component on a printed circuit board. A port, an air supply path connected to the air supply port to distribute air, an air outlet for component conveyance formed in a component conveyance path for conveying chip components to the component supply unit, and a position before the component conveyance path. An air outlet for agitation for agitating and aligning the chip components, wherein the air supply path is connected to an air outlet for air transport for the component, and A bulkhead, which is branched into an agitating air flow path connected to an agitating air outlet, and having a flow rate adjusting means separately provided in the transporting air path and the agitating air flow path. Ida. 2. The bulk feeder according to claim 1, wherein said air supply path is provided with a diameter changing means for changing the diameter of said air supply path.