Patent ID: 6256870
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: H05K,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A circuit-component supplying apparatus comprising:a plurality of feeders each of which stores a plurality of circuit components of a same sort and which supplies the components one by one from a component-supply portion thereof;a movable table which holds the feeders such that the respective component-supply portions of the feeders are arranged along a line and which is movable with the feeders in a direction parallel to said line; anda table-driving device which moves and stops the movable table to position the component-supply portion of each of the feeders at a predetermined component-supplying position,the feeders comprising at least one connected feeder which comprises a main portion, a component holding portion and a connecting device, wherein(1) said main portion comprises (a) the component-supply portion of said connected feeder, (b) a frame member which is held by the movable table so that the main portion is not movable relative to the movable table in said direction parallel to said line, and (c) a feeding mechanism which is supported by the frame member and feeds the circuit components one by one to the component-supply portion of said connected feeder,(2) said component-holding portion holds the circuit components such that the components are fed to the component-supply portion of the main portion by the feeding mechanism, and(3) said connecting device connects the component-holding portion to the main portion such that when the main portion is moved with the movable table in said direction parallel to said line, the component-holding portion follows the main portion while the connecting device allows a center of gravity of the component-holding portion and the circuit components held thereby to be moved relative to the main portion in a direction substantially parallel to said line.