TWI674236B - Sheet feeding device and sheet feeding method in sheet feeding device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a sheet feeding device that can improve the transportability of a sheet to a next device while preventing damage to the sheet. The sheet feeding device 100 includes: an upper holding conveying means 200 having an upper conveying surface for holding and supplying the supplied sheet P from above; a lower holding conveying means 600 for providing the upper and lower holding conveying means in a sheet conveying direction of the conveyed sheet Downstream, it has a lower conveying surface for holding the sheet conveyed from below; and a guide part 50 provided between the upper conveying means and the lower conveying means in the sheet conveying direction; the guide part includes: an upper guide The lead portion 52 is provided above the sheet conveyed by the upper holding conveyance means, and the lower guide portion 51 is provided below the sheet conveyed by the upper hold conveying means; wherein the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion are provided The upper conveying surface holding the conveying means is provided between the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion.

Description

Sheet feeding device and sheet feeding method in sheet feeding device

The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device and a sheet feeding method in the sheet feeding device.

Conventionally, a prepreg supply, transfer device, and a prepreg supply and transfer method that can separate and transport prepregs used for a circuit board sheet or the like are known.

For example, in the prepreg material supply device described in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that an end of the first sheet of the prepreg (sheet) that has been accumulated is adsorbed and lifted by an adsorption pad that performs a reverse movement with a cylinder or the like. And perform upward rotation. Then, another adsorption pad is used to adsorb and lift up the end of the second sheet, and then the two pads are moved horizontally at the same time to distinguish the two prepregs required for transportation.

In addition, in the device described in Patent Document 2, the edge portion of the prepreg (sheet) is grasped, while the central portion of the prepreg becomes a U-shaped portion that is convex downward due to its own weight, and is directed toward the adsorption table. Move up. Specifically, the central portion of the U-shaped portion in the longitudinal direction is adsorbed on the adsorption table, and the prepreg is moved downward to increase the contact area, and the width of the prepreg is made along the length of the U-shaped portion. All directions are adsorbed on the adsorption table. Thereafter, the edge portion is released, and the entire prepreg is adsorbed on the adsorption table by its own weight.

[Previous Technical Literature]

[Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-311769

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 5028914

However, according to the structure of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when the prepreg is sucked and moved, the end portion of the prepreg is rolled up, so an unnecessary external force is applied to the prepreg, which may cause scratches or deformation.

In addition, if the structure of the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is a convex U-shaped portion, it is moved to the adsorption table while it is being moved. Therefore, the prepreg may be damaged due to the U-shaped orientation and fall. At this time, the accuracy of the prepreg to be delivered to the next device was not good because the prepreg expanded to a level.

Then, in view of the said situation, an object of this invention is to provide the sheet supply apparatus which can improve the conveyance property of the next apparatus, preventing damage to a sheet.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, one aspect of the present invention is to provide a sheet feeding device including: an upper holding conveying means having an upper conveying surface for holding and conveying a supplied sheet from above; and a lower holding conveying means In a sheet conveying direction of the conveyed sheet, it is provided downstream of the upper holding conveyance means, and has a lower conveying surface for holding and conveying the conveyed sheet from below; and a guide portion provided on the sheet, The conveying direction is provided between the upper holding conveying means and the lower holding conveying means; wherein the guide includes an upper guide provided above the sheet conveyed by the upper holding conveying means, and The lower guide is provided below the sheet conveyed by the upper holding conveyance means; and the upper guide and the lower guide are spaced apart and provided on the upper In the downward direction, the upper conveyance surface of the upper holding conveyance means is provided between the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion.

According to one aspect, the sheet feeding device can improve the transportability of the sheet feeding device while preventing damage to the sheet.

10‧‧‧ stowage department

11‧‧‧side fence

12‧‧‧ front guide (exit end)

13‧‧‧ end rod

14‧‧‧ lower part (supply counter)

15‧‧‧ opening (side air nozzle)

16‧‧‧ outside fence

17‧‧‧ rail

18‧‧‧ peephole

20‧‧‧ Above Attraction

21‧‧‧ Attraction blower

22‧‧‧Negative pressure air chamber

23‧‧‧ Suction nozzle

30‧‧‧above transfer means

31 (31A, 31B, 31C, 31D, 31E, 31F) ‧‧‧ Upper conveyor belt (adsorption conveyor belt, conveyor belt group)

31g, 31h, 31i ‧‧‧ transport belt (upper transport surface)

32‧‧‧Drive roller

33‧‧‧ driven roller

40‧‧‧Air injection means (air injection nozzle unit)

41‧‧‧Floating nozzle (ejection outlet)

42‧‧‧ shape forming nozzle (ejection outlet)

43‧‧‧Air chamber

44‧‧‧ blower for floating nozzle

45‧‧‧ Shaped Nozzle Blower

46‧‧‧Side suction nozzle

47, 47-1‧‧‧ Peripheral guides

47H‧‧‧Upper peripheral guide

47L‧‧‧ Lower part of peripheral guide

50‧‧‧Guide

51‧‧‧Lower guide (lower guide)

51D‧‧‧inclined entrance

52‧‧‧ Upper guide (upper guide)

52D‧‧‧inclined entrance

53A, 53B, 53C‧‧‧ gap

60 (60A, 60B, 60C)

61 (61A, 61B, 61C) ‧‧‧ Lower conveying belt (conveying belt group)

61g, 61h, 61i ‧‧‧ transport belt (lower transport surface)

62‧‧‧Drive roller

63‧‧‧Driven roller

70‧‧‧ below means of attraction

71‧‧‧ Attraction blower

72‧‧‧ negative pressure air chamber

73‧‧‧ suction nozzle

91‧‧‧ Inspection belt

92‧‧‧Surface Inspection Department

93‧‧‧Back Inspection Department

100‧‧‧ Sheet feeding device

101‧‧‧shell

102‧‧‧ static eliminator

200 (200A, 200B, 200C, 200D, 200E, 200F) ‧‧‧ Upper unit (holding conveying means at the top)

600 (600A, 600B, 600C) ‧‧‧ Lower unit (holding conveyance means below)

700‧‧‧ Delivery Department

701‧‧‧side fence

900‧‧‧ Inspection device

91‧‧‧ Inspection belt

92‧‧‧Surface Inspection Department

93‧‧‧Back Inspection Department

P‧‧‧ Sheet

P1‧‧‧ the top sheet

P2‧‧‧Second sheet

Pb‧‧‧sheet bundle

R‧‧‧ holding area

Rg, Rh, Ri‧‧‧ holding surface (upper conveying surface)

O1, O2‧‧‧ Overlap

V‧‧‧ Attraction hole

X‧‧‧ Sheet conveying direction

Y‧‧‧ sheet width direction

Z‧‧‧Up and down direction (height direction)

S1 ~ S7‧‧‧step

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a sheet feeding device and a rear stage device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of a housing of a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a flow of the gas, in which the structure including the guide portion and the delivery unit in the lower unit is removed from the structure in FIG. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stowage unit, the outer fence, and the air jet means as viewed from a different angle from Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 (a) is a perspective view of the upper suction means side of the upper unit, and (b) is a perspective view of the upper conveyance means side of the upper unit.

Fig. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the air ejecting means in the central portion, and (b) is a perspective view of the air ejecting means at the central portion from which the front end guide is removed from different angles.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship of the upper unit, the air jet unit, the guide unit, and the lower unit as viewed from the inside of the exit end of the stowage unit.

Fig. 8 is a side sectional view cut along line AA 'in Fig. 7; (a) is a side view showing the positional relationship of the upper unit, the air jet unit, the guide portion, and the lower unit; (b) This is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the guide portion (a).

Fig. 9 (a) is an enlarged view of a peripheral guide plate and a guide portion near the nozzle of the air ejecting means, and part B of Fig. 7 is an enlarged view, and Fig. 9 (b) is a diagram showing the air ejection. A diagram of a modification of the peripheral guide near the nozzle of the device.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of the guide portion and the upper unit during maintenance.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a transition state of operations of the sheet feeding device of Fig. 2;

Fig. 12 is a flowchart showing steps performed by the sheet feeding device of Fig. 2.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the embodiments and the like, as long as there is no risk of confusion for constituent elements (members or constituent parts) having the same function, shape, and the like, the description will be omitted by attaching the same reference numerals after describing it once.

<System description>

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a part of a system to which a sheet feeding device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The system is, for example, an embodiment of a sheet feeding and inspection system.

The sheet supply device 100 which separates the sheet P one by one according to the present invention, and conveys and supplies it is surrounded by a casing 101. The sheet P supplied and conveyed by the sheet feeding device 100 of the present invention is, for example, a thin film sheet for an electronic circuit board such as a prepreg.

The operation and structure of the sheet feeding device 100 will be described later together with FIG. 2 and the like. In addition, in order to prevent the occurrence of static electricity in the casing 101, a static electricity eliminator 102 having an airflow elimination static electricity capability may be provided on the sheet feeding device 100.

In the inspection apparatus 900, the sheet P conveyed by the inspection conveyance belt 91 is inspected by the front inspection part 92 and the back inspection part 93. In addition, taking the structure in the inspection device 900 shown in FIG. 1 as an example, the internal structure may be another structure.

In addition, as a whole system, in addition to the inspection device 900, a relay conveying device, a separating device, a qualified product stacking device, a waste product stacking device, and the like may be provided in addition to the inspection device 900 after the supply device. For example, based on the result of the inspection of the sheet P by the inspection device 900, the separating device divides the sheet P in the conveyance into any one of a good product stacking device or a waste product stacking device.

<Sheet feeding device>

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the entire structure of the casing 101 without the sheet feeding device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The sheet feeding device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The sheet feeding device 100 includes a stowage unit 10, an upper holding conveyance means (upper unit) 200, an air jetting means 40, a guide portion 50, and a lower holding conveyance means (lower unit) 600.

The stowage unit (accommodating unit) 10 accumulates the sheet P and stores it as a sheet bundle Pb.

The upward suction means 20 causes a part of the sheet P to be floated and held by sucking the sheet P from above. The upward conveyance means 30 contacts the sheet P sucked upward (adsorbed upward) and held from above, and conveys the sheet P. Here, the upper suction means 20 and the upper conveyance means 30 constitute an integrated upper unit (upper holding means) 200.

The air ejection means 40 ejects air (floating and separating air) to float at least the end (front end) of the highest-level sheet P of the laminated sheet bundle Pb, and to cause the highest-level sheet P to float. Separation.

The guide section (guide means) 50 specifies the position of the sheet P to be conveyed, and delivers the sheet P from the upper conveyance means 30 to the lower conveyance means 60. The guide portion 50 is an element that guides the sheet P transferred from the upper unit to the lower unit 600, and includes an upper guide plate (upper guide portion) 52 and a lower guide plate (lower guide portion) 51.

The lower suction means 70 sucks the sheet P from below. The lower conveyance means 60 comes into contact with the sheet P that is attracted (adsorbed) downward from below, and holds and conveys the sheet P. The lower conveyance means 60 and the lower suction means 70 constitute an integrated lower unit (lower holding conveyance means) 600 (600A, 600B, 600C).

As shown in FIG. 2, the guide unit 50 and the lower unit 600 become a delivery unit 700, which is surrounded by an outer side fence 701 and delivers the separated sheet P to the next device (inspection device, etc.) ).

Here, the lower guide plate 51 is located on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction X, above and below the sheet P, and overlaps with the upper unit 200 in the up-down direction (first figure, overlapping portion O1). Further, the lower guide plate 51 overlaps with the lower unit 600 below the sheet P on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction X (first and second figures, overlapping portion O2).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the lower guide plate 51 is formed with concave cutouts 53A, 53B, and 53C having a predetermined width from the downstream end of the sheet conveying direction X, which is the direction in which the sheet P is conveyed.

The lower guide plate 51 is overlapped with a part of the lower unit 600 (overlapping portion O2), and at least a part of the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction X of the lower conveyance surface (upper surface of the conveying belts 61A, 61B, 61C) of the lower unit 600 Within the recessed notches 53A, 53B, 53C of the lower guide plate 51.

The upper surfaces of the conveying belts 61A, 61B, and 61C below the conveying surface of the lower unit 600 are located on the same plane (same height) as the lower guide plate 51. Further, in detail, similar to FIG. 5 (b) described later, each of the conveying belt groups 61A, 61B, and 61C is formed by three conveying belts 61g, 61h, and 61i, respectively. The conveying surface below the lower unit 600 refers to Positions above the conveying belts 61g and 61i higher than the conveying belt 61h.

FIG. 3 shows a structure in which the delivery unit 700 including the guide portion 50 and the lower unit 600 is removed from the structure of FIG. Perspective view. The arrow symbol Aa indicates the floating air from the upper suction means 20 of the upper unit 200, the arrow symbol Ab indicates the separated floating air from the floating nozzle 41 of the air spraying means 40 (separation floating means), and the arrow symbol Ad indicates The return air from the side suction nozzle 46, and the arrow symbol Ac indicates the side air ejected from the opening 15 (see FIG. 4) of the side fence 11 of the stowage unit 10.

It should be noted that, as the air injection means 40, independent air injection means 40α of the side suction nozzles 46 shown in Figs. 3 and 9 (a), and Figs. 6 and 9 (b) are shown. An example of the structure of the air injection means 40 β in which the side suction nozzle 46 is integrated, but when it is not necessary to distinguish the detailed structure, in the description, the explanation will be made by removing the last symbol.

<Stowage section>

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the stowage unit 10, the outer fence 16, and the air jet means 40 as viewed from a different angle from Fig. 3. In the sheet feeding device 100, as the members constituting the stowage unit 10, a lower surface portion 14, four side fences 11 as sheet position specifying members, a front end guide (plate) 12 as an exit end, and an end rod 13 are provided.

The rear end (upstream end) of the sheet bundle Pb is aligned with the end rod 13 and the position behind the sheet bundle Pb is temporarily determined and arranged. The side fence 11 which is a sheet position specifying member is disposed on both sides of the sheet width direction Y (the depth direction of the device) of the lower portion (feeding table) 14 and comes into contact with the side end surface of the sheet bundle Pb, and is arranged with Positioning of the sheet width direction Y where the sheet conveyance direction X of the sheet bundle Pb intersects (orthogonally). The leading end guide (exit end) 12 performs positioning of the leading end (downstream end) of the sheet in the longitudinal direction of the sheet corresponding to the sheet conveying direction X.

Openings 15 as side air nozzles are formed in the side fences 11 in FIG. 2. The opening 15 serves as a side air nozzle, and is used for processing from a side connected to the outside of the side fence 11 by a blower or the like. The air supply means supplies air to generate side air for processing.

An outer fence 16 is provided on the outside of the side fence 11. A slide rail 17 is provided on the upper end surface of the outer fence 16 so that the upper unit 200 can move the position in the sheet conveying direction X. In addition, a peep hole 18 is formed in the outer fence 16 so that the inside can be confirmed.

Here, when arranging a plurality of upper units 200 in the sheet conveying direction X, it is preferable to arrange near the front end (downstream end) and near the rear end (upstream end) of the laminated sheet bundle Pb. In order to arrange the sheet bundle Pb at such a position, the upper unit 200 is slid along the slide rail 17 provided on the upper side of the outer fence 16 in accordance with the length of the sheet conveying direction X in this structure. In this way, the upper unit 200 can adjust the position so that the positions near the front end and the vicinity of the rear end corresponding to the laminated sheet bundle Pb coincide.

<Upper unit>

FIG. 5 (a) is a perspective view showing the side of the suction means 20 above the upper unit 200, and FIG. 5 (b) is a perspective view showing the side of the conveyance means 30 above the upper unit 200.

Referring to FIG. 5 (a), as the upper suction means (floating suction means) 20, the upper unit 200 is provided with a suction blower 21 and a negative pressure air chamber 22. A negative pressure is produced by the suction blower 21, and the connected negative pressure air chamber 22 is brought into a negative pressure state. The negative pressure air chamber 22 is provided with an air suction nozzle 23 that sucks air from the surroundings.

Referring to FIG. 5 (b), as the upper conveying means 30, an upper conveying belt (conveying belt group) 31, a driving roller group 32, and a driven roller group 33 are provided in the upper unit 200. The conveying belt group 31 includes three conveying belts 31g, 31h, and 31i, the driving roller group 32 includes three driving rollers 32g, 32h, and 32i, and the driven roller group 33 includes three driven rollers 33g, 33h, and 33i.

The driving roller group 32 is rotationally driven, the conveying belt group 31 is rotated by the driving roller group 32, and the driven roller group 33 rotates (rotates) with the conveying belt group 31.

Among the three conveying belts 31g, 31h, and 31i configured here, the radius of the driving roller 32h and the driven roller 33h that rotate the central conveying belt 31h is preferably smaller than the driving rollers 32g, 32i, the driven rollers 33g, 33i.

With this structure, a step is formed in the vertical direction Z on the holding surface Rh of the conveying belt 31h located in the center of the sheet width direction Y and the respective belt holding surfaces Rg and Ri of the conveying belts 31g and 31i disposed on both outer sides. difference. With this step difference, the holding surfaces Rg and Ri are closer to the sheet P, and the holding surface Rh is slightly further away. The upper conveyance surface of the upper unit 200 refers to the positions of the holding surfaces Rg and Ri of the conveyance belts 31g and 31h.

The conveying belts 31g, 31h, and 31i are endless belt members formed with a plurality of suction holes V communicating with the negative pressure air chamber 22. The negative pressure air chamber 22 is sucked by the suction blower 21 to maintain a negative pressure state, and is sucked in order to float and hold the uppermost sheet P with the suction holes V of the conveying belts 31g, 31h, and 31i.

In the following description, when it is not necessary to distinguish the individual conveyance belts, driving rollers, and driven rollers in each of the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600, the conveying belt 31 (61) and the driving roller 32 (62) are attached as a general term. The symbols of the driven roller 33 (63) will be described.

<Lower unit>

The lower unit (lower holding conveyance means) 600 and the upper unit (upper holding conveyance means) 200 have the same structure as each other, and have shapes that are inverted from each other.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 7, or FIG. 8 (a), as the lower suction means (floating suction means) 70, the lower unit 600 is provided with a suction blower 71 and a negative pressure air chamber 72. The compression chamber 22 is provided with a suction nozzle 73 that sucks air from the surroundings.

Moreover, as the lower conveyance means 60, the lower unit 600 is provided with the conveyance belt 61, the drive roller 62, and the driven roller 63. Lower unit The function of each element in 600 is the same as that of each constituent element of the upper unit 200.

With such a lower unit 600, the sheet P is delivered to the next device while being sucked and conveyed from below. Therefore, by providing the lower unit 600, the sheet feeding device can prevent the damage to the sheet P and improve the transportability of the sheet P to the next device (for example, the inspection device 900 in FIG. 1).

In addition, since the conveying force is applied from below, the inspection step of the subsequent steps after the sheet P is separated can smoothly deliver the sheet P even when the sheet P is conveyed by the conveying belt with a suction function arranged at the lower portion. P.

Furthermore, in this structure, a plurality of upper units 200 and lower units 600 are arranged at different positions in the sheet width direction Y. In the structure shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the upper unit and the lower unit are each arranged three (200A, 200B, 200C), (200D, 200E, 200F), (600A, 600B, 600C) in the width direction.

By arranging a plurality of upper units 200 or lower units 600 in different positions in the sheet width direction Y, it is easier to adjust the floating state or the conveying state of the sheet width direction Y than in the case of full absorption.

Furthermore, a plurality of upper units 200 are arranged at different positions in the sheet conveying direction X. In addition, when there are a large number of arrangements as described above, it is preferable to arrange the vicinity of the front end and the vicinity of the rear end including the laminated sheet bundle Pb. For example, in the second figure, the upper unit 200 is arranged two (200A, 200D), (200B, 200E), and (200C, 200F) in the sheet conveying direction X, respectively.

By arranging a plurality of upper units 200 in the sheet conveying direction X, the separated sheets P are floated at a plurality of positions in the conveying direction and given a conveying force, so that the sheet, which is a film, can be conveyed more stably. P.

In addition, the number of the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600 shown in the figure is taken as an example, and it may be a plurality of other units. When the number is changed, the number of the upper unit and the lower unit (and the spraying means) arranged in the sheet width direction Y is arranged to be the same number in order to adjust the wind direction.

In addition, as the arrangement of the sheet conveying direction X, considering the influence of gravity, it is preferable that the number of the upper units 200 is larger than the number of the lower units 600. At this time, an appropriate number is arranged so as to be included in the size of the casing 101 of the sheet feeding device 100.

<Spraying means>

FIG. 6 (a) is a perspective view of the air spraying means 40B at the center portion in the sheet width direction Y, and (b) is a perspective view of the air spraying means 40B at the center portion of the front end guide 12 removed from different angles.

The air ejection means (air ejection nozzle unit) 40 is disposed at a position facing the front end of the laminated sheet bundle Pb (see FIG. 1). The air injection means 40 is provided with a gas chamber 43 that stores air (hereinafter referred to as a gas), which is a pressurized gas sent from the outside. In addition, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the air chamber 43 is provided with a floating nozzle 41 and a shape forming nozzle 42. Further, the inside of the air chamber 43 is separated into a portion for the floating nozzle 41 and a portion for the shape forming nozzle 42, and a floating nozzle blower 44 and a shape forming nozzle blower 45 are provided.

The air ejection means 40 functions to inject air (float and separate air), and to make the uppermost sheet P (P1) of the sheet bundle Pb laminated above the front end of the lower surface 14 of the stowage unit 10 ) The function of the floating means. The gas, that is, air, also includes the static-eliminated air or other sheets used to float and separate them one by one.

In the stowage section 10, when the sheet P, particularly a sheet containing carbon fiber, the sheets in a laminated state are adhered to each other due to the action of static electricity. It is not easy to separate, so it is effective to spray static-free air on the stacked sheet bundle Pb.

In addition, the air spraying means 40 is provided with a side suction nozzle 46 connected to the floating nozzle blower 44 and the air chamber 43. The air jetting means 40 can suck air through the side suction nozzle 46 at a timing different from the timing of jetting air through the floating nozzle 41 and the shape forming nozzle 42. By sucking air from the side, the sheets (P2, P3) other than the uppermost of the floating sheets (P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 8) can be sucked to the side and dropped.

In addition, although the side suction nozzle 46 in FIG. 6 shows an example of the air spraying means 40 β, the air spraying means 40 β is a common floating nozzle 41, a floating nozzle blower 44, and an air chamber 43, which are used according to the time sequence. As shown in FIG. 3, the side suction nozzle 46 may be provided separately from the air injection means 40α as shown in FIG. 3.

Here, in the present structure, since six upper suction means 20 and three air ejection means 40 are provided at three positions in the sheet width direction Y, the separated and floating air is dispersed in many places. Therefore, compared with the case where air is concentratedly applied, the air sucked by each of the suction means 20 and the air ejected by the air ejection means 40 are reduced, so that damage to the sheet P can be reduced.

In addition, the suction air sucked by the suction means 20 of the upper unit 200 interacts with the air ejected by the air spray means 40 to enable a separation operation. Therefore, when changing the number of installations, the upper unit 200 and the air ejection means 40 should be installed correspondingly in the sheet width direction Y, and the number of the upper units 200 and the air ejection means 40 in the sheet width direction Y should be set to the same number. .

<Guide section>

FIG. 7 is a view from the inside of the exit side (downstream end) of the stowage portion 10 A perspective view of the positional relationship of the upper unit 200, the air injection unit 40, the guide 50, and the lower unit 600.

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view cut along the line AA ′ in FIG. 7, and (a) is a side view showing the positional relationship of the upper unit 200, the air injection means 40, the guide 50, and the lower unit 600. (B) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the guide portion 50 of (a).

In the guide portion 50, the upper guide plate 52 is positioned above the conveyed sheet P, and is disposed facing away from the lower guide plate 51 by a predetermined distance. The lower guide plate 51 is located below the sheet P, and is provided at the same height as the lower conveyance belt 61 around the lower conveyance means 60, that is, the lower conveyance belt 61. The upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51 form a conveying path.

Here, the guide part 50 is provided between the upper unit 200 (upper holding conveyance means) and the lower unit 600 (lower holding conveyance means) in the sheet conveying direction X, and delivers the sheet P conveyed by the upper unit 200 ( Pass it) to the lower unit 600. Only the guide portion 50 is provided between the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600.

Specifically, it is attached to the guide portion 50, and the lower guide plate 51 is located below the sheet P being conveyed, and extends from a position facing the exit end of the conveying belt 31 which is the upper conveying means to the lower conveying belt of the lower conveying means 60. Near 61.

That is, the lower guide plate 51 overlaps a part of the upper unit 200 on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction X in the vertical direction. In addition, the lower guide plate 51 overlaps a part of the lower unit 600 on the downstream side in the sheet conveying direction X (see FIG. 8 (a)).

Referring to FIG. 8 (a), the distance D between the downstream end of the sheet conveyance direction X of the upper conveyance means 30 and the upstream end of the sheet conveyance direction X of the lower conveyance means 60 is shorter than the length LP of the conveyance direction of the sheet P. Therefore, the sheet P can be guided and held by at least one of the upper unit 200 or the lower unit 600 by the guide portion 50.

In addition, the holding surfaces Rg, Rh, and Ri of the conveying belts 31g, 31h, and 31i (see FIG. 5 (b)) on the upper conveying surface of the upper unit (upper holding conveying means) 200 are provided at least on the lower Rg, Ri is provided at a position lower than the upper guide plate (upper guide portion) 52 and higher than the lower guide plate 51. In detail, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), the positions Rg and Ri of the holding surface (upper conveying surface) of the upper unit 200 (conveying position) C are at the position U of the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate. 51 between the positions L.

In this way, by providing only the guide portion 50 between the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600, the guide when the sheet is delivered from the upper unit 200 to the lower unit 600 can be delivered without being sandwiched by a roller or the like. Sheet. Therefore, the sheet can be transported without applying pressure in the press-in direction, so that damage to the sheet due to an external load during transport can be reduced.

In addition, the positions (transfer positions) C of the holding surfaces (upper transfer surfaces) Rg, Ri of the upper unit 200 (upper holding transfer means) are between the position U of the upper guide plate 52 and the position L of the lower guide plate 51. Therefore, when the sheet P conveyed by the upper unit 200 passes between the holding surfaces Rg and Ri through the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51, the sheet P leaving the holding surface (upper conveying surface) Rg, Ri can be reduced. Impact caused by hitting the lower guide plate 51 or the upper guide plate 52. In this way, by reducing the impact, it is possible to prevent the sheet from being caught by the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51 due to a change in the shape of the sheet such as rolling of the sheet or partial depression and bending of the sheet, which may cause the sheet to be injured. Or broken. Therefore, the sheet can be delivered from the upper unit 200 to the lower unit 600 without causing damage to the sheet.

Furthermore, with this structure, the state of the conveyed sheet P can be maintained in the state where the conveyed sheet P is maintained in a state of being stretched in a slightly horizontal state by using the plurality of upper units 200A, 200B, and 200C arranged in the sheet width direction Y as described above. The 50 is also delivered to the lower units 600A, 600B, and 600C in this state. Therefore, at the time of delivery, there is no curling of the part or bending of the central part due to the suction of the edge part, so that the movement of the sheet can be reduced. Positioning causes damage to the sheet.

In addition, the height of the conveyance path where the upper guide plate 52 faces the lower guide plate 51, that is, the separation distance is 1 mm to 10 mm (for example, 5 mm). At this time, the thickness of the conveyed sheet P is set to 0.04 mm to 0.2 mm, but the size It is not limited by this range.

In this way, the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51 are arranged more spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction than the thickness of the sheet P. With this arrangement, it is possible to reduce the number of times the sheet P contacts the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51 in the conveying path, reduce damage caused by the contact, and deliver the sheet P from the upper unit 200 to the lower unit 600. In addition, by making the height of the conveyance path of the guide portion 50 marginal to the thickness of the sheet P, even when the end of the sheet is slightly curled or the direction of travel is slightly inclined, the sheet can be prevented from being immediately blocked on the conveyance path. .

The upper guide plate 52 is in the sheet conveying direction X, and extends from the downstream end (exit end) of the upper conveyance means 30 to the upstream end (inlet end) of the lower conveyance means 60. Even when the sheet P is attached to the upper guide plate 52 due to the influence of the attraction of the upper suction means 20 of the upper unit 200 and is conveyed, the sheet P will be interrupted by the upper guide plate 52 before reaching the lower conveyance means 60. It is easy to fall naturally to the downward guide plate 51 side due to gravity.

The entrance portion of the lower guide plate 51 is inclined in a direction (downward) away from the upper guide plate 52, and the inclined entry portion 51D is formed under the shape of the pick-up shape in which the shape of the sheet P is adjusted by contact with the front end, that is, the pick-up shape. With this structure, for example, the front end side (downstream end) of the sheet P in the conveying direction (traveling direction) of the curling habit can be directed downward toward the conveying path, and the sheet The material P is introduced into the conveyance path.

The upper guide plate 52 forms a fishing-shaped inclined entrance portion 52D whose entrance portion is inclined in a direction (upward) away from the lower guide plate 51. By constructing It is possible to prevent the sheet P from being curled upwards by being rotated by the upper conveying belt 31, and the conveying direction (traveling direction) of the leading end (downstream end) of the sheet P is directed toward the conveying path, and the sheet P is introduced into the conveying path.

Here, a circuit board produced using a damaged sheet generally has defects in electrical characteristics (resistance value). Therefore, in order to separate the sheet for circuit boards, there is a problem that defects do not occur in the electrical characteristics (resistance value) of the separated sheet for circuit boards.

On the other hand, in the sheet feeding device of the present invention, by providing the guide portion 50 having the above-mentioned structure, the sheet (circuit board sheet) can be guided from the upper unit 200 to the lower unit 600 without damaging the sheet (circuit board sheet). The quality of the sheet is not impaired (the sheet for a circuit board is not scratched), and the sheet can be easily separated.

Therefore, in the sheet supply method of the present invention, by removing the damage to the sheet during separation and supply, it is possible to prevent defects in electrical characteristics caused by damage when a circuit board is produced using the sheet having the above-mentioned problems.

<Peripheral guide near floating nozzle>

Next, the vicinity of the nozzle of the air jetting means 40 will be described using FIG. 9. FIG. 9 (a) is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 7, and shows an enlarged view of the peripheral guide plate 47 and the guide portion 50 near the nozzle of the air jetting means 40.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a), a peripheral guide 47 (peripheral guide) is provided around the floating nozzle 41 and the shape forming nozzle 42 that are the ejection ports of the air ejection means 40.

The upper portion 47H of the peripheral guide plate 47 is set to an angle close to the inclined entrance portion 52D of the lower guide plate 51 of the guide portion 50. By providing the peripheral guide 47, when the leading end (downstream end) of the sheet P is held down due to curling habit or the like, the leading end of the sheet P can also be guided on the upstream side of the inclined entrance portion 52D ( (Guided from downward to horizontal).

The lower portion 47L of the peripheral guide 47 is smaller than the stowage portion 10. The exit end of the upper part extends vertically, so after floating, the sheet that is lower than the second sheet from the top by the separation (processing) of the top sheet P1 (Figure 8 and P2) , P3) The sheet conveying direction X is maintained at an appropriate position. The structure example of the guide plate 47 of FIG. 9 (a) can be applied to the structure of the air jet means 40α shown in FIG. 3, for example.

In addition, FIG. 9 (b) shows a modification of the peripheral guide plates near the nozzles 41 and 42 of the air jetting means 40B. In Fig. 9 (a), the peripheral guide plate 47 partially covers the nozzles 41 and 42 which are the ejection outlets. However, as shown in Fig. 9 (b), the peripheral guide plate 47-1 may be in addition to the nozzles 41 and 42. In addition, the upper part of the front end guide 12 is covered in a band shape including the nozzle 46 which is a suction port. The structure example of the guide plate 47-1 of FIG. 9 (b) can be applied to the structure of the air injection means 40β shown in FIG. 6, for example.

<Maintenance>

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of the guide portion 50 and the upper unit 200 during maintenance. The upper guide plate 52 can be rotated in a direction away from the lower guide plate 51 in the sheet conveying direction X. In detail, the upper guide plate 52 can be rotated upward about the axis with the rotation axis R as a center.

In addition, the upper unit 200 can move in the sheet conveying direction X and the opposite direction along the slide rail 17 provided on the upper side of the outer fence 16.

Therefore, even when the sheet P is clogged on the conveyance path between the upper guide plate 52 and the lower guide plate 51, the clogging can be easily released by such a movement operation.

<Separation Supply Process>

Next, operations and procedures of the sheet feeding device 100 will be described in order using FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a transition state of the operation of the sheet feeding device 100, and FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing steps (sheet feeding method) performed by the sheet feeding device 100.

(1) Preparation steps (step S1):

One or a plurality of sheets P constituting the sheet bundle Pb are positioned (aligned) in a laminated state. Specifically, the sheet bundle Pb is stored on the supply table 14 by the operator, and the front end surface (the downstream end of the sheet conveying direction X) is abutted against the front end guide 12 in order to set the size of the sheet, as Align the plane. In addition, by operating the side fence 11 and the end rod 13, the side end surfaces and the rear end surfaces of the respective sheet bundles Pb are made uniform.

(2) Floating step (step S2, FIG. 11 (a)):

The air chamber 43 of the air jetting means 40 ejects air to the front end portion (downstream end of the sheet conveying direction X) of the sheet bundle Pb, thereby at least the end portion (front end) of the sheet P1 of the sheet bundle Pb Float.

(3) Processing steps (step S3, FIG. 11 (b)):

The processing air blowing means 15 is connected to the opening (side air nozzle) 15 of the side fence 11 of the stowage unit 10, and the top sheet P1 is separated from at least the front end of the second sheet P2 and P3 ( (Processing), while the uppermost sheet P1 is floated to the height of the upper conveyance belt 31 of the upper unit 200. Furthermore, this processing step may be omitted.

(4) Holding step (upper holding step, first conveying step) (step S4, FIG. 11 (c)):

In the upper suction means 20 of the upper unit 200, while the floating sheet P (P1) is held from above, rotation driving of the driving roller 32 of the upper unit 200 is started, and the upper conveying belt for conveying the sheet P held from above is used. 31 performs a conveyance step. Since the sheets P arranged in the two upper units 200 (200A, 200D) arranged in the sheet conveying direction X are floated and a conveying force is given, stable conveyance is possible.

(5) Upper conveying step (first conveying step, guiding step) (step S5, Fig. 11 (c) (Figure 11 (d)):

Even if the leading end (downstream end) of the sheet P (P1) enters the conveyance path of the guide portion 50, the sheet held by the upper conveying belt 31 continues to be conveyed by the rotation driving of the driving roller 32 of the upper units 200A and 200D. Wood Moving steps.

(6) Guidance step (step S6, Figure 11 (d) (Figure 11 (e)):

When the leading end (downstream end) of the sheet P reaches the conveying belt 61, which is the lower conveying means, it is driven by the rotation of the driving roller 32 of the upper unit 200A and the driving roller 62 of the lower unit 600A to continue the conveyance from the upper conveying belt 31 and the lower The conveyance step of the sheet P held by the conveyance belt 61. At this time, even if there is only one upper unit 200 that floats the sheet P and imparts a conveying force, it is guided by the guide portion 50 on the conveying path, and is exited from above and by the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600 on the exit side. It is sucked from the bottom and held and transported by suction, so it can be transported stably.

(7) Lower conveying step (second conveying step, guiding step) (step S7, Fig. 11 (e) Figure 11 (f)):

Even if the trailing end (downstream end) of the sheet P leaves the upper conveying belt 31 which is the upper conveying means, the conveying step of the sheet P held by the lower conveying belt 61 can be continued by the driving roller 62 of the lower unit 600A. At this time, even if there is no suction or conveyance from the upper unit 200, while being guided by the guide unit 50 on the conveying path, while being sucked from below by the lower unit 600, it is sucked and held and conveyed, so stable conveyance is possible.

Thereafter, as soon as the sheet P leaves the holding area R of the upper conveyance belt 31 of the upper unit 200A, the air is ejected by the air ejection means 40 to the next sheet to float, and is held by the upper conveyance belt 31.

Thereafter, the above-mentioned FIG. 11 (a) to FIG. 11 (e) are repeated, and the driving of the upper conveyance belt 31 is restarted according to the set sheet feeding interval, and the sheets are sequentially conveyed.

In the steps S5 to S7 described above, the sheet P is passed through the guide portion 50 by the conveyance force provided by the upper unit 200 and the lower unit 600 without being applied to the guide portion 50. At this time, while the sheet P is guided by the guide portion 50 in the conveyance path, the sheet P is guided by the upper unit 200 on the exit side. The lower unit 600 is sucked from above and below, and is sucked and held while being transported, so it can be transported stably.

In this way, the sheet feeding device can stably carry the sheet while preventing damage to the sheet (the sheet for the circuit board), so that the separation and conveyability to the next device can be improved. In addition, since the conveying force is applied from below, the sheet can be delivered smoothly even when the sheet is conveyed by a conveying belt having a suction function arranged at the lower portion after the sheet is separated.

Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the sheet supply apparatus demonstrated the example of supplying the accommodated sheet, the sheet is delivered between the apparatus which has a front surface and the apparatus which has a rear surface. In the case of a sheet (prepreg), an upper unit, a guide portion, and a lower unit other than the air spraying means of the sheet supply device of the present invention may be applied.

The case where the upper unit, the guide unit, and the lower unit of the sheet feeding device of the present invention are used to deliver the front device and the rear device is, for example, the conveyance means of the front device and the conveyance means of the rear device. When the height is different, or when you leave between the front device and the rear device.

The sheet to be separated and transported according to the present invention includes a sheet used in all known circuit boards. For example, a sheet-like reinforced plastic molding containing a thermosetting resin in which a fibrous reinforcement such as carbon fiber or glass fiber cloth is impregnated with additives such as a hardener and a colorant, and the like is formed into a semi-hardened state after heating or drying. Material (prepreg). In addition, the sheet includes a processor that applies copper foil, gold foil, or the like to a prepreg, a resin sheet, or the like.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on each embodiment, this invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the said embodiment. These points can be changed within a range that does not detract from the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, it can be suitably determined according to the application form.

Claims (14)

A sheet feeding device comprising: an upper holding conveying means having an upper conveying surface for holding and conveying a supplied sheet from above; and a lower holding conveying means provided in a sheet conveying direction for conveying a sheet A downward conveying surface for holding the sheet conveyed downward from the upper holding conveying means, and a guide section provided in the upper conveying means and the lower holding in the sheet conveying direction in the sheet conveying direction; Among the conveyance means, the guide portion includes an upper guide portion provided above the sheet conveyed by the upper holding conveyance means, and a lower guide portion provided at the upper conveyance holding means. The upper sheet is conveyed below the sheet; the upper guide and the lower guide are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and the upper conveying surface of the upper holding conveyance means is provided between the upper guide and the lower guide. . The sheet supply device according to item 1 of the scope of patent application, wherein the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion are spaced apart from each other with a thickness greater than that of the sheet. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the lower guide portion is located on the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction and overlaps with a part of the upper holding conveying means in the vertical direction, and the lower portion The guide portion is located on the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction, and overlaps a part of the downward holding conveyance means in the vertical direction. The sheet feeding device according to item 3 of the patent application scope, wherein the lower guide portion is formed with a notch having a predetermined width from a downstream end of the sheet conveying direction, In a portion where the lower guide portion overlaps a portion of the lower holding conveyance means, at least a part of the upstream side of the sheet conveying direction of the lower conveying surface of the lower holding conveying means is disposed in the notch of the lower guide portion. Inside, and the lower conveying surface of the lower holding conveying means is located at the same height as the lower guide. According to the sheet supply device described in the first or second aspect of the patent application scope, only the aforementioned guide portion is provided between the aforementioned upper holding conveyance means and the aforementioned lower holding conveying means. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the sheet is not provided with a conveying force at the guide portion, and is used by the upper holding conveying means and / or the lower holding conveying means. The given conveying force passes through the guide. The sheet supply device according to claim 5 in which the distance between the downstream end of the sheet conveying direction of the upper holding conveying means and the upstream end of the sheet conveying direction of the lower holding conveying means is longer than the sheet conveyance. The length of the aforementioned sheet in the direction is short. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2 of the patent application scope, wherein the lower guide portion has an inclined entrance portion which is inclined downward from the upper portion on an upstream side of the sheet conveying direction. The direction of the guide. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the upper guide portion has an inclined entrance portion which is inclined upward and away from the lower portion on an upstream side of the sheet conveying direction. The direction of the guide. According to the sheet feeding device described in the first or second scope of the patent application, the upper guide portion can be rotated in a direction away from the lower guide portion in the sheet conveying direction. The sheet feeding device according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of patent application, wherein the supplied sheet is accommodated on the upstream side with respect to the sheet conveying direction of the lower guide portion, and has air ejection means. The air spraying means sprays air on the accommodated sheet to float the end of the supplied sheet, and the air spraying means is provided at a front end of the downstream side of the sheet conveying direction of the accommodated sheet and the lower part. Between the upstream ends of the sheet conveying direction of the guide portion, the air spraying means sprays air on the leading end of the supplied sheet. The sheet supply device according to item 11 of the scope of patent application, wherein a peripheral guide plate is provided around the ejection port of the air ejection means. The sheet supply device according to item 1 or 2 of the scope of the patent application, wherein a plurality of the above-mentioned holding and conveying means and the above-mentioned holding and conveying means are arranged at different positions in the width direction of the sheet, in the sheet. A plurality of the above-mentioned upper holding conveying means are arranged at different positions in the material conveying direction. A sheet feeding method in a sheet feeding device, characterized in that the sheet feeding device includes: an upper holding conveying means having an upper conveying surface; and a lower holding conveying means in a sheet conveying direction of a conveyed sheet It is provided downstream of the upper holding conveying means and has a lower conveying surface; an upper guide is provided between the upper holding conveying means and the lower holding conveying means in the sheet conveying direction, and is provided by the foregoing The upper side holds the above sheet conveyed by the conveyance means; and The lower guide is provided below the sheet conveyed by the upper holding conveyance means; the upper guide and the lower guide are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction, and the upper conveying surface of the upper hold conveying means The method is provided between the upper guide portion and the lower guide portion. The method includes the steps of: holding the conveyed sheet from above using the upper conveyance surface; and maintaining the conveyance unit from below using the lower conveyance surface. Steps of carrying the aforementioned sheet.