Abstract:
An apparatus for feeding components from a packaged component band includes a stand defining a platform allowing the packaged component band passing therealong, a first guiding unit installable to the stand beside the platform, and a second guiding unit installable to the stand next to the another end of the platform. The first guiding unit is urged to remove a package from the packaged component band to expose components at one end of the platform and guides the package toward another end of the platform. The second guiding unit accepts the package from the first guiding unit and accelerates movement of the package passing therethrough. The second guiding unit includes a first friction pulley urged to rotate, and a second friction pulley rotatably movable together with the first friction pulley and engagable with the package when the package engagably passes therethrough.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Relevant subject matter is disclosed in a co-pending U.S. patent application entitled “PACKAGE REMOVAL DEVICE”, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 with application Ser. No. 11/316,009, and assigned to the same assignee with this application. 
   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to removal devices, and particularly to a removal device which can efficiently remove a package that is stripped from a component band. 
   2. General Background 
   Conventionally, there are a lot of electronic components arranged on a circuit board to form a circuit with a certain function, such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors. As showing in  FIG. 1 , a component band  1  fixed with above-mentioned electronic components is often used during the assembly of the circuit board. The component band  1  includes a carrier band  2 , and a package  5  attached on the carrier band  2 . The carrier band  1  defines a lot of dents  3 , and a lot of apertures  6  therein. Each dent  3  accommodates with an electronic component  4  therein. The package  5  is configured to prevent the components  4  from damaging. Before assembly, the package  5  must be removed by some tools to expose the components  4  on the carrier band  2  for easily being picked up. Japan Patent No. 9-64586 discloses a package removal device. The package removal device includes a conveyor band, and a collecting wheel. The component band moves through the package removal device, and the package winds around the collecting reel to be stripped from the component band. However, when many of the packages wind around the collected reel, the machine must stop to take down the collecting wheel for cleaning the packages. This is inconvenient and costly during the whole assembly process. 
   What is desired, therefore, is a package removal device which can efficiently remove a package that is stripped from a component band. 
   SUMMARY 
   An exemplary package removal device for removing a package that is stripped from a component band includes a first guiding unit and a second guiding unit. The first guiding unit transports the package stripped from the component band. The second guiding unit further removes the package that is removed from the first guiding unit. The second guiding unit includes a first friction pulley rotating via the moving of the component band, and a second friction pulley mounted to and rotating together with the first friction pulley. The second friction pulley removes the package. 
   Other advantage and novel feature will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a component band; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded, isometric view of a package removal device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the package removal device includes a first guiding unit and a second guiding unit; 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded, isometric view of the second guiding unit of  FIG. 2 , but viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 4  is an assembled view of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is similar to  FIG. 4 , but viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 6  is an assembled view of  FIG. 2 , showing a force applied on the package removal device; 
       FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 6 , but viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing a working principle of the package removal device of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded, isometric view of a second guiding unit of a package removal device in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the second guiding unit includes a restriction member; 
       FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the restriction member of  FIG. 9 , but viewed from another aspect; and 
       FIG. 11  is an assembled view of  FIG. 9 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a package removal device of an apparatus to feed components for further processing in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown for removing a package  5  that is stripped from a component band  1  to expose electronic components  4  thereon. The package removal device includes a stand  10 , a first guiding unit  100  and a second guiding unit  110 . The first guiding unit  100  includes a first scrolling unit  101 , a second scrolling unit  102 , and a U-shaped ditch  46  providing a transport passage for the package  5 . 
   The stand  10  includes a platform  12 , a main mounting board  30  extending upwardly from an edge of the platform  12 , a first mounting board  42  mounted to the main mounting board  30 , a second mounting board  26  parallel to the main mounting board  30 , and a crank bar  94 . The ditch  46  is slantingly disposed between the platform  12  and the main mounting board  30 . 
   The platform  12  includes an import end  14   a , and an export end  14   b . The export end  14   b  has a shell configuration. Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the export end  14   b  includes a one-way ratchet  16 , a locating gear  18  installed therein, a bridge  20  mounted to the platform  12 , and a slider  21  slidably attached thereon. The ratchet  16  includes a leaf  17 . A pin  172  extends perpendicularly from the leaf  17 . The slider  21  is slidably mounted to the platform  12  and defines a channel  212  therein for engaging with the pin  172 . A cutout  25  is defined in the bridge  20 . The slider  21  includes a package export  24  and a blade  23  on a top portion of the platform  12  extending into the package export  24 . A carrier band export  22  is defined in a distal portion of the export end  14   b  between the platform  12  and the bridge  20 . The locating gear  18  is for engaging in apertures  6  of the carrier band  2 . The crank bar  94  includes a first end pivotably fixed on the leaf  17 , and a second end defining a through hole  942  therein for engaging with a screw  95 . 
   The main mounting board  30  includes a post  13 , and a rod  15  extending perpendicularly therefrom. The second mounting board  26  includes a spindle  27  and a pole  28  extending perpendicularly therefrom. Rollers  272 ,  282  are rotatably mounted to the spindle  27  and pole  28 . The main mounting board  30  defines a first mounting hole  32  therein. Referring also to  FIG. 8 , the first mounting board  42  defines an aperture  43 , and a second mounting hole  44  therein. 
   The first scrolling unit  101  of a driving mechanism for the package  5  includes a first gear  52 , a first one-way bearing  53 , a swing plate  56 , a pressing plate  36 , a spring washer  51 , a mounting member  34  defining a threaded hole therein, a lever  38 , a bushing  60 , three resilient members  39 ,  48 ,  58 , and a screw  40 . A grading hole  55  is defined in a central portion of the first gear  52 . A through hole  531  is defined in the one-way bearing  53 , corresponding to the grading hole  55 . The swing plate  56  includes a hollow sleeve  563  extending from an end thereof, and a flange  562  extending perpendicularly from the opposite end thereof. An aperture  564  is defined in the flange  562 . The pressing plate  36  includes a central hole  362  defined in a middle portion thereof, a mounting pole  366  extending from an end portion thereof with a roller  368  rotatably mounted thereto, and an aperture  364  defined in another opposite end portion thereof. A mounting post  341  extends from the mounting member  34 . The lever  38  includes a central hole  382  defined in a general central portion thereof, a tab  388  defining a slot  389  extending perpendicularly from a bottom end thereof, a through hole  385  and an aperture  386  defined therein adjacent the central hole  382  in an upper portion thereof. A contact side  387  is formed at a top edge portion of the lever  38 . 
   The second scrolling unit  102  of the driving mechanism includes a second gear  85 , a second one-way bearing  87 , an urging plate  88 , a first stud  86  defining a threaded hole therein, a second stud  92  defining a threaded hole therein, a torsion spring  90 , a gasket  83  defining a through hole therein, and a pair of screws  41 ,  45 . A grading hole  89  is defined in a central portion of the second gear  85 . A through hole  871  is defined in the second one-way bearing  87 . The urging plate  88  includes a hollow sleeve  884  extending from an end thereof, and an aperture  882  and a through hole  886  defined therein. 
   The second guiding unit  110  further removing the package  5  that is removed from the first guiding unit  100  includes a mounting plate  105  extending from the import end  14   a  of the platform  12 , a lifting member mounted to a distal end of the mounting plate  105  for lifting the component band  1 , and a pull member mounted to the mounting plate  105  between the import end  14   a  of the platform  12  and the lifting member for removing the package  5  that is removed from the first guiding unit  100 . A limiting pole  116  protrudes from the distal end of the mounting plate  105 , corresponding to the lifting member. 
   The lifting member includes a hollow lifting roller  112 , a first shaft  114  defining a threaded hole therein, and a first fixing hole  106  defined in the mounting plate  105 . 
   The pull member includes a first friction pulley  132  defining a through hole in a center portion thereof, a second friction pulley  134  mounted to the first friction pulley  132  defining a through hole communicating with the through hole of the first friction pulley  132 , a second shaft  136 , and a second fixing hole  107  defined in the mounting plate  105 . A diameter of the second friction pulley  134  is larger than that of the first friction pulley  132 . Silica-gel rings having large friction coefficient can ring the first friction pulley  132  and the second friction pulley  134 . A first separator  138  is fixed between the first friction pulley  132  and the second friction pulley  134 . A Second separator  139  is fixed to an outer surface of the second friction pulley  134 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 8 , the first guiding unit  100 , and the second guiding unit  110  are separately assembled to the stand  10 . 
   The screw  40  is extended through the first mounting hole  32  of the main mounting board  30 , the central hole  382  of the lever  38 , the central hole  362  of the pressing plate  36  in turn to engage in the threaded hole of the mounting member  34 . The mounting post  341  of the mounting member  34  is extended through the hollow sleeve  563  of the swing plate  56 , the through hole  531  of the first one-way bearing  53 , the grading hole  55  of the first gear  52  to engage with the spring washer  51 . The resilient member  58  is extended through the bushing  60 . Two free ends of the resilient member  58  engage in the aperture  564  of the swing plate  56  and the slot  389  of the lever  38  respectively. Two free ends of the resilient member  48  engage in the aperture  364  of the pressing plate  36  and aperture  386  of the lever  38  respectively. Two free ends of the resilient member  39  engage in the slot  389  of the lever  38  and the rod  15  of the stand  10  respectively. The screw  95  is extended through the through hole  942  of the crank bar  94  to engage in the through hole  385  of the lever  38 . 
   The second one-way bearing  87  engages in the grading hole  89  of the second gear  85 . The screw  41  is extended through the through hole  886  of the urging plate  88 , the gasket  83 , and the through hole  871  of the second one-way bearing  87  to engage in the first stud  86 . The second stud  92  engages in the hollow sleeve  884  of the urging plate  88 . The screw  45  is extended through the second mounting hole  44  of the first mounting board  42 , and the torsion spring  90  to engage in the second stud  92 . Two free fingers of the torsion spring  90  are engaged in the aperture  882  of the urging bar  88  and the aperture  43  of the first mounting board  42 , respectively. 
   The first shaft  114  engages in the hollow lifting roller  112 . A screw is extended through the first fixing hole  106  of the mounting plate  105  to engage in the first shaft  114 . The second shaft  136  engages in the second friction pulley  134  and the first friction pulley  132 . A screw  120  is extended through the second fixing hole  107  of the mounting plate  105  to engage in the second shaft  136 . 
   In work, the component band  1  received in a first container  7  is fed into the package removal device through the limiting pole  116  and the lifting roller  112 . The component band  1  moves on a lower circumference of the first friction pulley  132  to compel the first and second friction pulleys  132 ,  134  to rotate together. The component band  1  creeps below the post  13  and along the platform  12  to the export end  14   b . The component band  1  moves below the bridge  20  and is divided into the package  5  and the carrier band  2 . The carrier band  2  moves on and passes through the carrier band export  22 , with the apertures  6  engaging with teeth of the locating gear  18 . The package  5  is stripped from the component band  1  by the blade  23  and is propelled in a different direction with the carrier band  2  out of the package export  24 . The package  5  moves along a lower circumference of the roller  282  of the pole  28 , an upper circumference of the roller  272  of the spindle  27 , and a lower circumference of the roller  368  of the pressing plate  36  to climb to the first gear  52 . The second gear  85  is pushed away from the first gear  52 , and the torsion spring  90  is twisted. When the package  5  moves on a top circumference of the first gear  52 , the second gear  85  is released to mesh with the first gear  52 . The package  5  moves between the first gear  52  and the second gear  85 , and further moves into the ditch  46 . The package S transported from the ditch  46  is removed from the second guiding unit  110 , and still further moves into a second container  8 . 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 6 and 7  , a force is applied to the contact side  387  of the lever  38  to rotate the lever  38  clockwise. The pressing plate  36 , the bushing  60 , and the swing plate  56  are accordingly rotated clockwise. The lever  38  stretches the resilient member  48 . The crank bar  94  is accordingly moved to rotate the leaf  17 . The slider  21  moves away from the carrier band export  22 , with the pin  172  of the leaf  17  sliding in the channel  212  of the slider  21 . The one-way ratchet  16 , the component band  1 , the first gear  52 , the second gear  85  are keep still. The blade  23  of the slider  21  strips the package  5  from the component band  1 . The roller  368  of the pressing plate  36  accordingly stretches the package  5 . Thus, the electronic components  4  of the component band  1  are exposed on the carrier band  2 . 
   Referring also to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  8 , when the force is released, the resilient members  39 ,  48  are restored to move the lever  38  back, the resilient member  48  is restored to move the pressing plate  36  back, and the resilient member  58  is restored to move the swing plate  56  back. Accordingly, the first gear  52  rotates anticlockwise to mesh with the second gear  85 . The locating gear  18  rotates clockwise to drive the carrier band  2  passes through the carrier band export  22 . The first and second friction pulleys  132 ,  134  rotate anticlockwise together via the component band  1 . The package  5  moves along the ditch  46  via the first gear  52  and the second gear  85 . The package  5  moves on a top circumference of the second friction pulley  134 , and falls into the second container  8 . At the same time, the crank bar  94 , the slider  21 , and the leaf  17  move back to their respective original positions. 
   With the recycle of the above operations, the package  5  moves into the second container  8  from the import end  14 a, and the carrier band  2  is attained out of the export end  14   b  in continuous. Without any stops, the package  5  is removed from the component band  1  during the work. The efficiency is increased. 
     FIGS. 9-11  show a second guiding unit  110 ′ in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The second guiding unit  110 ′ includes a mounting plate  105 ′ extending from the import end  14   a of the platform  12 , a lifting member mounted to a distal end of the mounting plate  105 ′, a pull member mounted to the mounting plate  105 ′ between the import end  14   a  of the platform  12  and the lifting member. The lifting member and the pull member are similar to those of the above-mentioned embodiment. The second guiding unit  110 ′ further includes a restriction member  150 ′, a torsion spring  180 ′, a limiting member  170 ′, a third shaft  140 ′, a bolt  164 ′, and a nut  166 ′. The mounting plate  105 ′ further defines an opening  106 ′, a first securing hole  108 , and an aperture (not shown) adjacent the securing hole  108 ′ therein. A second securing hole  168 ′ is defined in a distal end of one side panel of the ditch  46 . 
   The restriction member  150 ′ includes a body  152 ′, a pair of mounting tabs  151 ′ extending downwardly from opposite sides of one end of the body  152 ′, and a location portion  154 ′ extending downwardly from the other end of the body  152 ′. Two rotation holes  153 ′ aligning with each other are defined in the mounting tabs  151 ′. A clasp  156 ′ protrudes from a side of the location portion  154 ′. A cutout  158 ′ is defined in a top portion of the location portion  154 ′ with a shelter  160 ′ being formed at an opposite side of the location portion  154 ′. The limiting member  170 ′ includes an extension  172 ′ extending downwardly from an end of the body  171 ′, and a pressing portion  174 ′ extending perpendicularly from a lower side of the extension  172 ′. A pivot hole  176 ′ is defined in the other end of the body  171 ′. 
   In assembly, the third shaft  140 ′ successively engages in the rotation holes  153 ′ of the restriction member  150 ′ and the torsion spring  180 ′. The screw  162 ′ is extended through the first securing hole  108 ′ of the mounting plate  150 ′ to engage in the third shaft  140 ′. One end of the torsion spring  180 ′ is engaged in the aperture of the mounting plate  105 ′. The other end of the torsion spring  180 ′ is engaged with the body  152 ′ of the restriction member  150 ′. The bolt  164 ′ is extended through the pivot hole  176 ′ of the restriction member  170 ′ and the second securing hole  168 ′ of the ditch  46  to engage with the nut  166 ′. 
   Before work, the clasp  156 ′ of the restriction member  150 ′ clasps a bottom side of the mounting plate  105 ′. After the component band  1  is put on a lower circumference of the first friction pulley  132 , the clasp  156 ′ is released from the bottom side of the mounting plate  105 ′ to be received in the opening  106 ′ of the mounting plate  105 ′. The body  152 ′ and the lower circumference of the first friction pulley  132  tight press the component band  1  therebetween. The first separator  138  rotatably passes through the cutout  158 ′ of the restriction member  150 ′. The shelter  160 ′ is located at a lower portion of the second friction pulley  134 . The pressing portion  174 ′ presses the package  5  moving on the second friction pulley  134  to augment a force of friction between the package  5  and the second friction pulley  134 . The shelter  160 ′ can prevent the package moving from the second friction pulley  134  to move toward the platform  12 . 
   The first gear  52  and the second gear  85  can be replaced by other elements, such as a pair of engaging wheels with enough frictions therebetween. Another unidirectional clutch member, such as a ratchet, also can respectively replace the first one-way bearing  53  and the second one-way bearing  87 . 
   It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention.