Patent ID: 9642294
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: H05K,Y10T

Claim:
1. A tape feeder, for use with a component mounting machine, or in a component tape magazine arranged to be loaded into the component mounting machine, adapted to direct component tape in a linear movement towards a component pick position, the component tape including a carrier tape, with compartments containing circuit board components, and a cover tape, comprising: a tape feeder body comprising a first side and tape guide elements defining a tape guide path, the first side having an inner surface; a feeder wagon; the feeder wagon comprising a feeder wagon body configured to be slidably mounted to the inner surface of the first side and adapted for movement along a first path parallel to the tape guide path for movement between a first, pickup position and a second, delivery position; the feeder wagon further comprising a feeder head mounted to the feeder wagon body and which is (1) configured for movement with the feeder wagon body as it moves along the first path, and (2) further configured for movement along a second path transverse to the first path between a first, tape-engaged position and a second, tape-released position; the feeder wagon comprising at least one driven interface through which the feeder wagon is configured to be moved along the first path and through which the feeder head is configured to be moved along the second path; and the feeder head comprising a tape-engaging element configured to be engageable with a component tape at the tape guide path when the feeder head is in the tape-engaged position, wherein the feeder head is connected to the feeder wagon body by first and second spring support arms, the spring support arms being configured for biasing the feeder head from the first, tape-engaged position to the second, tape-released position.