TW201840457A - Carrier tape for electronic components - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible carrier tape for transporting a plurality of pre-determined components includes a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. Spaced apart pockets are disposed along the longitudinal axis of the flexible substrate. Each pocket is configured to receive and store a component. Each pocket is substantially surrounded by a corresponding channel, forming a bridge between the pocket and the channel. When a first pocket of a first carrier tape receives and stores a component and a second pocket of a second carrier tape is placed on and centered with respect to the first pocket so that the bottom wall of the second pocket faces the component in the first pocket, the channel associated with the second pocket reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second pocket and the component stored in the first pocket.

Description

   Carrier tape for electronic components   

This disclosure relates generally to carrier tapes that can be used in electronic component packaging applications.

With the miniaturization of electronic equipment, the storage, handling, and transportation of electronic components have become more important. Generally speaking, electronic components are transported to a mounting position in a carrier tape having a plurality of recesses formed therein to hold the electronic components. The carrier tape may be covered by a cover tape or a film. Carrier tapes are often manufactured in a thermoforming operation or an embossing operation, in which a web of thermoplastic polymer is passed to a mold that forms a component cavity in the carrier tape. The cover film may be continuously heat-sealed along the edge of the carrier tape to seal the electronic component within the carrier tape cavity.

Electronic components are mounted on an electronic device during assembly or sub-assembly and are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or other substrate that will be used later to build the electronic device. The cover film is removed from the carrier tape during this assembly process to expose the electronic components located in the recesses of the carrier tape. The components are generally picked up from the cavity by an automatic precision placement machine and installed on the assembled PCB or substrate.

According to some embodiments, a flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined plurality of components includes a flexible one of the substrates extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. A plurality of spaced-apart cavities are formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, and each cavity is configured to receive and store a predetermined one of the components including A bottom wall. At least one channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses. The channel has a bottom wall that is lower than the bottom wall of the cavity. A bridge is defined between the channel and the cavity, and the bridge extends substantially with the at least one channel. A top surface of the bridge is higher than a top surface of the substrate. When a first cavity among the plurality of cavities receives and stores a predetermined component, the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to the first cavity and placed in the first cavity When the bottom wall of the cavity faces the component, the channel reduces the contact between the bottom wall of the corresponding cavity and the component stored in the first cavity.

Some embodiments relate to a flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined plurality of components. The carrier tape includes a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. A plurality of spaced apart pockets are formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape. Each pocket has a main pocket configured to receive and store a predetermined one of the components. Each pocket has a secondary pocket surrounding the main pocket. The main recess and the auxiliary recess define openings on the same side of the substrate, and are isolated from each other by a bridge defined therebetween. When the primary pocket receives and stores a predetermined one of the components, the bridge prevents the component from moving into the secondary pocket.

These and other aspects of the application will be readily apparent from the following embodiments. However, under no circumstances should the above-mentioned summary be considered as a limitation on the claimed subject matter, which is defined solely by the scope of the accompanying patent application.

100‧‧‧ Carrier tape

101‧‧‧components

101b‧‧‧component

102‧‧‧Vertical axis

110‧‧‧ substrate

111‧‧‧ top surface

120‧‧‧Dent

120a‧‧‧Dent

120b‧‧‧Dent

121‧‧‧ bottom wall

122‧‧‧ opening

130‧‧‧channel / recess

131‧‧‧ bottom wall

132‧‧‧opening / top opening

140‧‧‧bridge

141‧‧‧Top surface

142‧‧‧Vertical axis

150‧‧‧columns

160‧‧‧ Cover tape / carrier tape

180‧‧‧ sprocket hole

W1‧‧‧Width

W2‧‧‧Width

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible carrier tape according to some embodiments; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible carrier tape of FIG. 1 taken along the longitudinal axis of the flexible carrier tape; The first carrier tape of the embodiment stacked on the second carrier tape; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carrier tape and a cover tape according to some embodiments; and FIG. 5 is a view of the carrier tape of FIG. 5 taken along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape Sectional view of carrier tape and cover tape.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Similar numbers used in the drawings refer to similar components. It will be understood, however, that the use of an element symbol to refer to a component in a given drawing is not intended to limit a component that has the same element symbol in another drawing.

As semiconductors and / or other electronic components become smaller and thinner, the electronic components may move out of the pockets of the carrier tape during transportation and handling, especially when moving through a pick and place machine. In the case where the electronic component is set in the carrier tape and covered by the cover tape and / or the second carrier tape, there may be a problem when the electronic component in the carrier tape is stuck to the cover tape or to the bottom of the second carrier tape. The embodiments described herein address these and other challenges related to electronic components disposed in a carrier tape.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible carrier tape 100 according to some embodiments. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flexible carrier tape 100 taken along the longitudinal axis 102 of the flexible carrier tape 100.

The flexible carrier tape 100 is configured to carry a predetermined plurality of components 101. The flexible carrier tape 100 includes a flexible substrate 110 extending along a longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. A row 150 of the recesses 120 is formed in the flexible substrate 110. The cavities 120 of the plurality of cavities are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. Each pocket 120 may be configured to receive and store a predetermined component 101. Each pocket 120 includes a bottom wall 121 that is lower than the top surface 111 of the substrate 110.

At least one channel 130 is formed in the flexible substrate 110 and substantially surrounds the corresponding cavity 120a. When the carrier tape 100 is oriented as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the channel 130 includes a bottom wall 131 that is lower than the bottom wall 121 of the recess 120 a. According to some embodiments, the at least one channel 130 includes a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate 110, and each channel 130 substantially surrounds the corresponding cavity 120 of the plurality of cavities.

In a cross section of at least one channel 130 in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100, the open top 132 of the channel 130 has a width W1, and the bottom wall 121 of the channel 130 has a width W2. According to some embodiments, W2 is greater than W1. According to some embodiments, the channel 130 may be shaped and sized so as not to receive and store the component 101.

The channel 130 and the recess 120 define a bridge 140 therebetween. The bridge 140 may be partially, substantially, or completely coextensive with the channel 130. According to some embodiments, the at least one channel 130 completely surrounds the recess 120 corresponding to the at least one channel 130. In some embodiments, the top surface 141 of the bridge 140 is higher than the top surface 111 of the substrate 110. The top surface 141 of the bridge 140 may be substantially flat or may have a curved cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 142 of the bridge 140.

Referring now to FIG. 1, according to some aspects, the channel 130 forms a secondary cavity surrounding the primary cavity 120. The main 120 and auxiliary 130 pockets define openings 122, 132 on the same side of the substrate 110. The main 120 and auxiliary 130 pockets are separated or isolated from each other by a bridge 140 defined between them. Referring now to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, when the main cavity 120 a receives and stores the predetermined component 101, the bridge 140 prevents the component 101 from moving into the auxiliary cavity 130.

FIG. 3 shows a first carrier tape stacked on a second carrier tape such that the s-cavities 120a are centered with respect to the cavities 120b and placed on the cavities 120b. Referring to FIG. 3, when the first cavity 120b of the plurality of cavities 120 receives and stores the predetermined component 101b, the second cavity 120a corresponding to at least one channel 130 is centered with respect to the first cavity 120b and placed in the same. When the bottom wall 121 of the second cavity 120a faces the component 101b on the first cavity, the channel 130 corresponding to the second cavity 120a reduces the bottom wall 121 of the cavity 120a and the component stored in the first cavity 120b Contact between 101b.

Referring again to FIG. 3, according to some embodiments, when the first recess 120b of the plurality of recesses 120 receives and stores the predetermined component 101b, and the recess 120a corresponding to the at least one channel 130 is centered relative to the first recess 120b When the bottom wall 121 of the cavity 120a faces the component 101, the channel 130 prevents any between the bottom wall 121 of the corresponding cavity 120a and the component 101b stored in the first cavity 120b. contact.

The plurality of recesses 120 may be shaped and dimensioned such that when the first recess 120b of the plurality of recesses 120 receives and stores the predetermined component 101b, and the second recess 120a of the plurality of recesses 120 is opposite to When the first cavity 120b is centered and placed on the first cavity, and the bottom wall 121 of the second cavity 120a faces the component 101b, the channel 130 of the second cavity 120a reduces the bottom wall 121 of the second cavity 120a Contact with the component 101b stored in the first recess 120b or prevent any contact therebetween.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show an embodiment in which the carrier tape 100 and the cover tape 160 are used. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the carrier tape 100 and the cover tape 160. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the carrier tape 100 and the cover tape 160 taken along the longitudinal axis 102 of the carrier tape 100. Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, when the cover tape 160 is used, the cover tape 160 may be disposed and adhered to the bridge members 140 of the carrier tape 100 and the top surfaces 141 and 111 of the substrate 110. When the pocket 120 corresponding to the at least one channel 130 receives and stores the predetermined component 101, the carrier tape 160 (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5) can completely isolate the pocket 120 from the channel 130.

Referring to FIG. 1, the optical sprocket hole 180 facilitates the mechanical operation of the carrier tape 100. In some embodiments, other propulsion structures (such as cutouts or printed marks) may be used in place of the sprocket holes 180, or other propulsion structures may be used in addition to the sprocket holes 180. For example, a propulsion structure (including sprocket holes) may be provided along one or both longitudinal edges of the carrier tape 100. The propulsion structure can be engaged with the sprocket on the sprocket driver (not shown). If it exists in the drive assembly of a precision placement device, it can be used to remove the electronic component from the recess of the carrier tape. The advancing structure is used to advance the carrier tape to a prescribed position so that the electronic component can be placed in or removed from the cavity of the carrier tape.

The carrier tape and cover tape used to implement the present disclosure may be made of any suitable material, including, for example, thermoplastic polymeric materials, cardboard, and / or metal foil. In addition, the materials that can be used for the carrier tape component should be dimensionally stable, durable, and easily shaped into the desired configuration. Preferably, the material comprises a thermoplastic polymeric material of sufficient thickness and flexibility to allow it to be wound around a hub of a storage reel. Suitable thermoplastic polymeric materials include, but are not limited to, polyesters (e.g., ethylene glycol modified polyethylene terephthalate, or polybutylene terephthalate), polycarbonate, polypropylene, polybenzene Ethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene, polybutene, or polyisobutylene), modification Poly (phenylene ether), polyurethane, polydimethylsiloxane, acrylonitrile butadiene-styrene resin, and polyolefin copolymer.

In some embodiments, the material has a melting temperature in the range of 400 F (204 C) to 630 F (332 C). The carrier tape may be optically clear, colored, or modified to be electrically dissipative. In the latter case, the carrier tape may include an electrically conductive material, such as carbon black or vanadium pentoxide, which is dispersed in a resin material or coated on the surface (s) of the formed carrier tape. Electrically conductive materials help dissipate electrical discharges that may occur during the removal of the cover film or during the unwinding of the carrier tape assembly from the storage reel, thereby helping to avoid damage to the electronic components contained in the pockets of the carrier tape. In addition, dyes, colorants, pigments, UV stabilizers, or other additives can be added to the resin material before forming a carrier tape.

The carrier tape according to the present disclosure may have any size suitable for a particular desired electronic component. For example, in some embodiments, the centers of the cavities may be 1.6 cm apart.

Examples disclosed herein include:

Embodiment 1. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined number of components, comprising: a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; and a plurality of spaced-apart cavities, And the like is formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, each recess is configured to receive and store a predetermined component and includes a bottom wall lower than the substrate; and at least one A channel, the at least one channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of cavities, and includes a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the cavity, The at least one channel and the recess are defined between a bridge member that substantially extends with the at least one channel. A top surface of one of the bridge members is higher than a top surface of the substrate. One of the recesses receives and stores a predetermined one of the components, and the recess corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to the first recess and placed on the first recess, and the recess When the bottom wall of the cavity faces the component, the channel reduces the bottom wall of the corresponding cavity and is stored in the first The contact between the component pockets.

Embodiment 2. The flexible carrier tape of Embodiment 1, wherein the at least one channel completely surrounds the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel.

Embodiment 3. The flexible carrier tape of any of Embodiments 1 to 2, wherein the bridge member is completely coextensive with the at least one channel.

Embodiment 4. The flexible carrier tape of any of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the top surface of the bridge is substantially flat.

Embodiment 5. The flexible carrier tape of any one of Embodiments 1 to 31, wherein the top surface of the bridge has a curved cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridge.

Embodiment 6. The flexible carrier tape according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein when the first cavity in the plurality of cavities receives and stores a predetermined component, the component corresponds to the at least one The cavity of the channel is centered relative to the first cavity and placed on the first cavity, and when the bottom wall of the cavity faces the component, the channel prevents the bottom wall and storage of the corresponding cavity Any contact between the components in the first cavity.

Embodiment 7. The flexible carrier tape of any one of Embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate, and each channel substantially surrounds the plurality of channels. One of the pockets corresponds to the pocket.

Embodiment 8. The flexible carrier tape of any of Embodiments 1 to 7, wherein in a cross section of the at least one channel in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, the channel The top of an opening has a width W1, and the bottom wall of the channel has a width W2 greater than W1.

Embodiment 9. The flexible carrier tape as in any one of Embodiments 1 to 8, wherein when a predetermined component is received and stored in the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel, and a cover tape is provided on the bridge When the component and the top surface of the substrate are adhered to the top surface, the cover tape completely isolates the cavity from the channel.

Embodiment 10. The flexible carrier tape of any of Embodiments 1 to 9, wherein the at least one channel is shaped and sized so as to be unable to receive and store a predetermined component.

Embodiment 11. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined number of components, comprising: a flexible substrate extending along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; and a plurality of spaced apart pockets, And the like is formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, each recess is configured to receive and store a predetermined component and includes a bottom wall lower than the substrate; and at least one A channel, the at least one channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of cavities, and includes a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the cavity, The at least one channel and the recess are defined between a bridge member extending substantially co-extensively with the at least one channel, a top surface of the bridge member is higher than a top surface of the substrate, wherein the plurality of recesses The cavity meridian is shaped and dimensioned such that when a first cavity of the plurality of cavities receives and stores a predetermined component, and a second cavity of the plurality of cavities is relative to the first When the cavity is centered and placed on the first cavity, and the bottom wall of the second cavity faces the component A channel of the second cavity reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second cavity and the component stored in the first cavity.

Embodiment 12. The flexible carrier tape of Embodiment 11, wherein the channel of the second cavity prevents any between the bottom wall of the second cavity and the component stored in the first cavity. contact.

Embodiment 13. A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined plurality of components, comprising: a flexible substrate that extends along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; and a plurality of spaced-apart cavities, They are formed in the flexible substrate along the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, and each recess includes: a main recess configured to receive and store a predetermined one of the components; and an auxiliary recess It surrounds the main cavity, the main cavity and the auxiliary cavity define an opening on the same side of the substrate, and are isolated from each other by a bridge defined between them, so that when the main cavity When the cavity receives and stores a predetermined one of the components, the bridge prevents the component from moving into the auxiliary cavity.

Embodiment 14. The flexible carrier tape of Embodiment 13, wherein a top surface of the bridge member is higher than a top surface of the substrate.

As used herein, the terms "higher", "lower", "up", "down", "vertical", and "horizontal" Refers to the orientation when the carrier tape is laid horizontally and the pocket openings are oriented toward the upper surface (ie, facing upward). It should be understood that other orientations of the carrier tape are possible.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers used to express the dimensions, quantities, and physical properties of features in this specification and the scope of patent applications are to be understood as modified in all cases by the term "about". Therefore, unless otherwise indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing description and the scope of the accompanying patent application are approximate values that can be obtained according to what one of ordinary skill in the art would like to obtain using the teachings disclosed herein. Features vary. The range of numbers stated using endpoints includes all numbers that fall into that range (for example, 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5) and any range within that range.

Various modifications and changes of the present invention will be obvious to those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field, and it should be understood that this category of the disclosure is not limited to the illustrative embodiments proposed herein. For example, unless otherwise indicated, the reader should assume that the features of one disclosed embodiment can also be applied to all other disclosed embodiments.

Claims (14)

    A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined number of components, comprising: a flexible substrate that extends along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; a plurality of spaced apart pockets, etc. The longitudinal axis of the carrier tape is formed in the flexible substrate, and each pocket is configured to receive and store a predetermined component and includes a bottom wall lower than the substrate; and at least one channel, the at least A channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses, and includes a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the recess, the at least one channel And the cavity is defined between a bridge member extending substantially with the at least one channel therebetween, a top surface of one of the bridge members is higher than a top surface of the substrate, so that when one of the plurality of holes is A first cavity receives and stores a predetermined component, and the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel is centered with respect to the first cavity and placed on the first cavity, and the bottom of the cavity is When the wall faces the component, the channel reduces the bottom wall of the corresponding cavity and the The contact between the components.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel completely surrounds the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel.         The flexible carrier tape as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge is completely coextensive with the at least one channel.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the bridge is substantially flat.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the bridge has a curved cross section in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridge.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein when the first recess in the plurality of recesses receives and stores a predetermined component, the recess corresponding to the at least one channel is relative to the first The cavity is centered and placed on the first cavity, and when the bottom wall of the cavity faces the component, the channel prevents the bottom wall of the corresponding cavity and the component stored in the first cavity Any contact between them.         For example, the flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel includes a plurality of channels formed in the flexible substrate, and each channel substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses.         As in the flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein in a cross section of the at least one channel in a plane parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the carrier tape, an open top of the channel has a width W1, the The bottom wall of the channel has a width W2 greater than W1.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein when a predetermined component is received and stored in the cavity corresponding to the at least one channel, and a cover tape is provided on the top surface of the bridge and the substrate When covering and adhering to the top surfaces, the cover tape completely isolates the cavity from the channel.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 1, wherein the at least one channel is so shaped and dimensioned as to be unable to receive and store the intended component.         A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined number of components, comprising: a flexible substrate that extends along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; a plurality of spaced apart pockets, etc. The longitudinal axis of the carrier tape is formed in the flexible substrate, and each pocket is configured to receive and store a predetermined component and includes a bottom wall lower than the substrate; and at least one channel, the at least A channel is formed in the flexible substrate and substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the plurality of recesses, and includes a bottom wall lower than the bottom wall of the recess, the at least one channel And the cavity is defined between a bridge member extending substantially in co-existence with the at least one channel, a top surface of the bridge member is higher than the top surface of the substrate, wherein the plurality of cavities are so determined The shape and size are such that when a first cavity in the plurality of cavities receives and stores a predetermined component, and a second cavity in the plurality of cavities is centered relative to the first cavity And placed on the first cavity, and when the bottom wall of the second cavity faces the component, the second cavity A channel of the recess reduces contact between the bottom wall of the second recess and the component stored in the first recess.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 11, wherein the channel of the second cavity prevents any contact between the bottom wall of the second cavity and the component stored in the first cavity.         A flexible carrier tape for transporting a predetermined number of components, comprising: a flexible substrate that extends along a longitudinal axis of the carrier tape; and a plurality of spaced-apart cavities, such that The longitudinal axis of the carrier tape is formed in the flexible substrate, and each recess includes: a main recess configured to receive and store a predetermined one of the components; and an auxiliary recess that surrounds the The main recess, the main recess and the auxiliary recess define an opening on the same side of the substrate, and are isolated from each other by a bridge defined between them, so that when the main recess receives and stores When one of the components is ordered, the bridge prevents the component from moving into the auxiliary cavity.         The flexible carrier tape of claim 13, wherein a top surface of the bridge is higher than a top surface of the substrate.