Part mounting device and part mounting method

A panel is mounted on the stage while the one end electrode of the FPC (flexible board) is mounted on the mounting part of one surface of the panel and the other surface of the panel is facing upward. A mounting method includes bending the other end side of the flexible board, after holding the other end portion including the other end electrode, which is positionally adjusted based on the position recognition result of the mounting portion the press tool recognizing the position of the other end electrode, matching the positions of the mounting portion and the other end electrode by relative positional adjusting, and mounting the other end electrode on the mounting portion by temporarily pressing the other end electrode on the mounting portion.

This application is a National Stage application of PCT/JP2009/003211, filed Jul. 9, 2009.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a part mounting device and a part mounting method, and particularly relates to a part mounting device and a part mounting method by which a flexible board such as FPC (Flexible Print Circuit), COF (Chip on Film), and TCP (Tape Carrier Package) is bent and both end electrodes of the flexible board are mounted on mounting portions of both surfaces of a panel respectively.

BACKGROUND

A touch panel which enables signal input by touching a screen of a display device without an input device is widely used. As a configuration of the touch panel, a various kind of touch panel such as a resistive type in which an upper transparent substrate on which an upper transparent electrode is formed and a lower transparent substrate on which an lower transparent electrode is formed are stacked with a predetermined interval, and a touch position is detected depending on a resistivity change due to a current flow between the upper transparent electrode and the lower transparent electrode when the upper transparent electrode is touched, an electromagnetic field type which detects a change in electromagnetic field, a capacitive type which detects a change in a capacitance, or the like are known. (For example, refer to Patent Literature 1)

Incidentally, in a manufacturing process of the capacitive type touch panel in which electrodes are disposed on both surface of a panel and a touch position is recognized depending on a capacitance change between electrodes when the panel surface is touched by hand, there is a mounting process through which both end electrodes of a flexible board such as FPC, COF, and TCP are mounted on connection electrodes provided both surfaces of a one side edge of the panel so as to connected with electrodes disposed on both surface of the panel. Conventionally, in this mounting process, after performing a mounting process mounting a one end electrode65of a flexible board64on a connection electrode62of a one surface of the panel61as shown inFIG. 19A, the panel61on which the flexible board64is mounted is transferred to another process. In the another process, by a manual process, the panel61is turned upside down, the other electrode66is press-connected to a connection electrode63of the other surface of the panel61, an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film) is attached on the connection electrode63of the other surface of the panel61, and the other end of the flexible board64is bent at bending position68as shown inFIG. 19B.

In order to mount a flexible board on which a drive circuit for driving a liquid crystal display panel is mounted on two edges of the liquid crystal display panel with only one flexible board, a mounting method connecting a second connection lead of the flexible board to a second edge of the liquid crystal display panel by connecting a first connection lead of the flexible board to a first edge of the liquid crystal display panel, mounting the liquid crystal display panel on a stage while turning the liquid crystal display upside down and mounting the flexible board on a plate which is 180° turnable, bending the flexible board 180° by turning the plate 180°, and overlapping the flexible board on the liquid crystal display panel is known. (For example, refer to Patent Literature 2)

Also, in order to mount a flexible board including a laminated substrate which is given by laminating the other substrate on the one substrate, has a connection electrode at a projecting portion of the one substrate projecting from the other substrate, and mounts a semiconductor tip thereon, a mounting method mounting a flexible board in a dead space above the projecting portion of the one substrate by connecting one end electrode of the flexible board to the connection electrode, bending a flexible board U-shape so that the semiconductor tip directs inside, fixing the other end of the flexible board on the other substrate, and providing a connection electrode on an outer surface of the other end of the flexible board in the above condition.

Citation List

Patent Literature

SUMMARY

Technical Problem

However, there is a problem that work efficiency and productivity are low if the manufacturing process of the touch panel includes a conventional another manual process for mounting the both end electrodes of the flexible board on the connection electrodes of the both surface of the panel.

It is conceivable to adopt the technical solution described in the Patent Literature 2 for automatization of the mounting process. The technical solution is configured to connect the first and the second connection lead provided on the flexible board correspondingly to the two edge of the liquid crystal display panel. Also, when the second connection lead of the flexible board is connected to the second edge of the liquid crystal display panel, the technical solution is configured to recognize reference marks provided on the second connection lead and the second edge and perform a position adjustment of the liquid crystal display panel so that the both reference marks are aligned and the center position thereof is coincide. However, since the technical solution is configured to move the stage to a press position and press-connect the liquid crystal panel and the flexible board by a press-tool after the position adjustment, there is a fear of a misalignment until finally connected due to misalignments caused by the movement to the press position and the press by the press tool. Therefore, in a case where the connection leads of the flexible board and connection electrodes of the panel requires high precision, it is impossible to perform a highly reliable mounting.

Also, in Patent Literature 3, a configuration that connects the both ends of the flexible board to the substrate by bending the flexible board in U-shape is described. However, although the one end electrode of the flexible board is connected to the connection electrode of the substrate, the other end of the flexible board is just only fixed to the surface of the substrate. Therefore, there is no suggestion in Patent Literature 3 about a technology which realize a highly reliable mounting when the both end electrodes of the flexible board is mounted to the connection electrode of both surface of the panel.

The present invention addresses the above described conventional problem and the object of which is to provide a part mounting device and a part mounting method which precisely mount the both end electrodes of the flexible board to mounting portions of both surfaces of the panel and thereby realize a highly reliable mounting.

Solution to Problem

A part mounting device of the present invention is a part mounting device which bends a flexible board whose one end electrode is mounted on a mounting portion of a one surface of a panel so as to mount the other end electrode of the flexible board on a mounting portion of the other surface of the panel, including a stage which moves and positions the panel while supporting the panel with the other surface facing upward; a bending unit holding and bending the other end side of the flexible board; a recognition camera disposed at the one surface side of the panel supported by the stage and recognizing a position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and a position of the other end electrode of the flexible board; a press head mounting the other end electrode of the flexible board on the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel while holding the other end electrode of the flexible board and temporarily pressing the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel; a controller which motion controls the stage, the bending unit, the recognition camera, and the press head so as to bend the other end side of the flexible board in a state where a position in plan view of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and a position in plan view of the other end electrode of the flexible board are shifted each other, recognize the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel, hold the other end electrode of the flexible board with the press head, recognize the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, match the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, and mount the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by temporarily pressing the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel with the press head.

According to the configuration, the other end electrode of the flexible board can be precisely mounted on the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by bending the other end side of the flexible board in a state where a position in plan view of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and a position in plan view of the other end electrode of the flexible board are shifted each other, recognizing the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel, hold the other end electrode of the flexible board with the press head, recognizing the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, matching the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, and mounting the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by temporarily pressing the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel with the press head. Thereby, it is possible to produce a highly reliable part in which the both end electrodes are precisely mounted on the mounting portions of the both surface of the panel.

Also, in a case where the bending unit includes a suction supporter which suctions and holds at least the other end of the flexible board or the vicinity thereof except for the mounting portion of the other end electrode of the flexible board in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, it is possible to bend the flexible board while the vicinity of the other end electrode of the flexible board is suctioned and held in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and hold the vicinity of the other electrode of the flexible board in a plane while the flexible board is bent. Thereby, it is possible to securely hold the vicinity of the other end electrode of flexible board in plane with the pressing head.

Also, in a case where the press head includes a suction holder which suctions and holds the other end of the flexible board including the other end electrode of the flexible board or the vicinity thereof, the other end of the flexible board including the other electrode or the vicinity thereof is suctioned and held while kept in a plane. Therefore, there is no fear that misalignment during the operation until the provisional pressing. Thus, it is possible to mount the other end electrode of the flexible board with high positional precision on the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by provisional pressing with press head.

Also, in a case where the controller controls the stage and the press head so that the height of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the height of the other electrode are respectively set at a mounting height or at a height higher or lower than the mounting height in a predetermined distance when the controller recognizes the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, it is possible to mount with high precision by recognizing the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board at the mounting height or at the height higher or lower than the mounting height in the predetermined distance. In order to secure the high positional precision, it is preferable to recognize the position at the mounting height. However, in a case where the tact time is long because the movement to the recognition position is complicated for preventing the stage and the press head from interfering with the support member or the like while moving to the recognition position same as the mounting position, since a movement to the mounting position with a relatively small deviation in several millimeter (2 or 3 millimeter) does not affect the positional precision, it may be possible to recognize the position at the height higher or lower than the mounting height in predetermined distance.

A part mounting method according to the present invention is a part mounting method for bending a flexible board whose one end electrode is mounted on a mounting portion of a one surface of a panel so as to mount the other end electrode of the flexible board on a mounting portion of the other surface of the panel, including a panel supporting process supporting the panel on a stage with the other surface upward; a bending process holding and bending the other end side of the flexible board in a state where a position in plan view of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and a position in plan view of the other end electrode of the flexible board are shifted each other; a mounting portion recognition process recognizing a position of the mounting part of the other surface of the panel with a recognition camera disposed at the one surface side of the panel; a holding process holding the other end electrode of the flexible board with a press head; a the other end electrode recognizing process recognizing a position of the other end electrode of the flexible board with the recognition camera disposed at the one surface side of the panel; a position matching process matching the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board; a mounting process mounting the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by temporarily pressing the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel with the press head.

According to the configuration, as described above, it is possible to precisely mount the other end electrode of the flexible board on the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel. Thereby, it is possible to manufacture a highly reliable part in which the both end electrodes of the flexible board are precisely mounted on the mounting portion of the both surface of the panel.

Also, during the mounting portion recognition process and the the other end electrode recognition process, the mounting with high positional precision is possible as described above by recognizing the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the other end electrode of the flexible board while the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the other end electrode of the flexible board are positioned at a mounting height or a height higher or lower than the mounting height in a predetermined distance.

Advantage of Invention

According to the part mounting device and the part mounting method, the other end electrode of the flexible board can be precisely mounted on the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by bending the other end side of the flexible board in a state where a position in plan view of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and a position in plan view of the other end electrode of the flexible board are shifted each other, recognizing the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel, hold the other end electrode of the flexible board with the press head, recognizing the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, matching the position of the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel and the position of the other end electrode of the flexible board, and mounting the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel by temporarily pressing the other end electrode of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel with the press head. Thereby, it is possible to produce a highly reliable part in which the both end electrodes are precisely mounted on the mounting portions of the both surface of the panel.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

Now, a process of mounting a flexible board (hereinafter, referred to as an FPC) to a touch panel (hereinafter, referred to as a panel) in a part mounting device according to an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 18.

InFIGS. 1,2and6, a panel1is installed a part mounting device10according to the embodiment, in a state in which one end electrode5of an FPC4has been connected to a mounting portion2of one surface of the panel1in a precedent process, and the panel has been turned upside down in such a way that the other surface thereof faces in an upward direction. The part mounting device10includes an ACF attaching device11that attaches an anisotropic conductive adhesive (hereinafter, referred to as ACF)7to the mounting portion3of the other surface of the installed panel, a bending-temporary pressing device12that bends the other end side of the FPC4, aligns a position of the mounting portion3of the other surface and a position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, and temporarily presses the mounting portion3of the other surface and the other end electrode6of the FPC4, with the ACF7being interposed therebetween, and a permanent pressing device13that permanently presses the mounting portion3of the other surface and the other end electrode6of the FPC4. The part mounting device is adapted to transfer the panel1to a panel transfer unit14by a support arm14athereof, supply the panel1sequentially to the ACF attaching device11, the bending-temporary pressing device12and the permanent pressing device13, and carry the panel1mounted with the FPC4toward the next process. The operation of the ACF attaching device11, the bending-temporary pressing device12and the permanent pressing device13are controlled in a lump by the controller15. The embodiment ofFIG. 1is configured so as to process two panels1arranged in parallel.

The ACF attaching device11includes a pair of stages18aand18bwhich can be moved and positioned in an X-axial direction and a Y-axial direction by an X-axis table16and a Y-axis table17, an ACF attaching unit19having a pair of ACF attaching heads20aand20bthat attach ACF7to the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1supported on the stages18aand18b, and recognition cameras21aand21bthat image-recognize the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface. Since the operation of the stages18aand18b, the ACF attaching unit19and the recognition cameras21aand21bis controlled by the controller15, the ACF attaching device19is adapted to perform the ACF attaching process of attaching the ACF7onto the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1, as shown inFIG. 2.

The bending-temporary pressing device12includes, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 6, a pair of stages24aand24bthat can be moved and positioned in an X-axial direction and a Y-axial direction by an X-axis table22and a Y-axis table23, a temporary pressing unit25having a press head26which temporarily presses the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1supported on the stages24aand24band the other end electrode6of the FPC4, with the ACF7being interposed between the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the other end electrode6of the FPC4, and recognition cameras27aand27bthat image-recognize the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4. The pair of stages24aand24bhave a bending unit37for bending the other end side of the FPC4, as described in detail below. Since the operation of the stages24aand24b, the temporary pressing unit25and the recognition cameras27aand27bis controlled by the controller15, the bending-temporary pressing device12is adapted to perform the bending-temporary pressing process of bending the other end side of the FPC4, and position-aligning and temporarily pressing the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the other end electrode6of the FPC4, as shown inFIG. 2.

The permanent pressing device13includes a pair of stages30aand30bthat can be moved and positioned in an X-axial direction and a Y-axial direction by an X-axis table28and a Y-axis table29, a permanent pressing unit31having a press head for permanently pressing the other end electrode6of the FPC4and the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1temporarily pressed and supported on the stages30aand30b, and recognition cameras33aand33bthat image-recognize the mounting portion3of the temporarily pressed panel1. Since the operation of the stages30aand30b, the permanent pressing unit31and the recognition cameras33aand33bis controlled by the controller15, the permanent pressing device13is adapted to perform the permanent pressing process, as shown inFIG. 2.

In the bending-temporary pressing process, as shown inFIG. 2, the other end side of the FPC4is bent in a state in which a position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and a position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4are deviated from each other in a plan view thereof In this case, a panel recognition mark34displaying a reference position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is recognized, and then the other end electrode6of the FPC4of the panel1, of which the position is corrected by the recognition, and/or its surrounding portion are suctioned and held by the press head26. An FPC recognition mark35displaying a reference position of the other end electrode6of the suctioned and held FPC4is recognized. As a preferred example of the FPC recognition mark35and the panel recognition mark34, the mark shown inFIGS. 3(a) and3(b) or the mark shown inFIGS. 4(a) and4(b) is preferable. After that, in order to match the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, the panel1is moved from the position indicated by a dotted line inFIG. 2in a direction along a surface of the panel1as indicated by an arrow a. In this case, by moving the panel in such a way that the FPC recognition mark35and the panel recognition mark34are in the position alignment state shown inFIG. 3(c) or4(c), the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4are matched to each other with high accuracy. After that, by moving the press head26in a thickness direction of the panel1as indicated by an arrow b and then pressing the press head26, the other end electrode6of the FPC4and the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1are temporarily pressed, with the ACF7being interposed therebetween. In this case, although the panel1is moved in a direction indicated by the arrow a inFIG. 2so as to match the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, as shown inFIG. 5, the other end of the FPC4may be relatively moved from the position indicated by a dotted line in a direction along the surface of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow c, to match the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4and the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1.

Next, the concrete configuration of the bending-temporary pressing device12which is a main part of the invention will now be described with reference toFIGS. 6 to 10. InFIGS. 6,7(a) and7(b), the stage24(hereinafter, since the stages24aand24bhave identical configurations, they are referred to as the stage24) is disposed on a θ•Z-axis table36which is disposed on the Y-axis table23, and is adapted to move and position in four directions of X, Y, Z and θ-axial directions in the state of suctioning and supporting the panel1. The bending unit37for bending the other end side of the FPC4is disposed at one side of the temporary pressing unit25side of the stage24.

The bending unit37includes a pair of support arms38protruding from the stage24and spaced apart from each other at an interval larger than a width dimension of the panel1, and a bending jig41of a frame shape fixed to a spindle40which is rotatably supported by a pair of bearings39installed at a front end upper surface of the pair of support arms38, the bending jig having a plurality of bars42of a ladder shape in a shaft central direction of the bearings39. The bending unit37is adapted to rotate the bending jig41by 180 degrees between an open position (indicated by a solid line inFIG. 7(b)) extending in an extension direction of the support arm38and a closed position (indicated by a dotted line inFIG. 7(b)) bent on the support arm38so as to overlap substantially in parallel with the support arm38viewed from the side. One spindle40asupported by one bearing39is extended in a direction opposite to the bending jig41, and is fixed to a pinion43, and a rack44is meshed with the pinion43and freely moved in one direction. The rack44is reciprocated by a cylinder device45, and the bending jig41is pivotally driven between the open position and the closed position by the pinion43, the rack44and the cylinder device45, thereby constituting an opening-closing drive unit46.

The plurality of bars42of the bending jig41are provided with suction holes47which serve as suction-holding portions, respectively, as shown inFIG. 7(b). Each of the suction holes47is connected to a suction pipe50via a suction passage48formed at the bending jig41and a suction passage49formed at a shaft central portion of the one spindle40a. If a suction unit (not shown) connected to the suction pipe50is operated, except for the disposition portion of the other end electrode6of FPC4, each of the suction holes47has the suction-holding portion that suctions and holds at least the other end of the FPC4or its surrounding portion in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the other end of the FPC4, and is adapted to suction the other end of the FPC4or its surrounding portion at plural positions.

The temporary pressing unit25includes a plurality of support arms52that are installed at a rotor51, as shown inFIG. 8, and the press head26is mounted on each front end of the support arms52. The press head26is adapted to support the press tool53in such a way that the rotation position of the press tool around the center of a vertical shaft can be adjusted and the press tool can be driven in a vertical direction. The press tool53includes suction-pressing projections54abutting against each rear surface of the pair of the other end electrodes6of the FPC4to suction and hold the FPC and applying heat and pressure to the other end electrodes6of the FPC4to temporarily press them, and suction projections55that suction the rear surface of the other end portion of the FPC4at one or plural positions between the suction-pressing projections54and54. In this case, the suction-pressing projections54and the suction projections55constitute a suction unit, and are disposed to be positioned in a space between the outer frame of the bending jig41and the bars42.

The recognition cameras27aand27bare disposed at a position opposite to the suction-pressing projections54of the press tool53under the panel1placed on the stage24. In addition, a lower base member56made of a transparent material is placed on the stage24, and abuts against the rear surface of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1at a position immediately under the mounting portion3of the panel1to be temporarily pressed and a position immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27b, if necessary, when temporary pressing is performed, to be applied with pressure at the time of temporary pressing. In the lower base member56, the portion opposite to the suction-pressing projections54protrudes upward, and a relief recess57for avoiding interference with the bent portion of the FPC4is formed therebetween. The lower base member56may be disposed in such a way that it is stationary or is moved in a vertical direction.

An outline of the operation of the bending-temporary pressing device12having the above-described configuration will now be described with reference to FIGS.8and9. First, the one end electrode5of the FPC4is touch panel to the mounting portion2of the one surface, and the panel1which is turned upside down is placed and supported by suction on the stage24, as indicated by an arrow d inFIG. 8. In this case, the panel1is disposed in such a way that the other end of the FPC4is positioned on the suction holes47formed in the bar42of the bending jig41, and the other end portion including the other end electrode6is positioned and placed to deviate to the position which is spaced apart from the side edge portion of the panel1at appropriate interval, at which the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is disposed, when the bending jig41is rotated by 180 degrees to bend the other end side of the FPC4. Except for the disposition portion of the other end electrode6of the FPC4to be mounted to the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1, at least the other end of the FPC4or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the other end of the FPC4by the suction holes47formed in the bars42of the bending jig41.

Next, the bending jig41is rotated in a direction indicated by an arrow e by driving the opening-closing drive unit46, and thus the other end side of the FPC4is bent, as shown inFIG. 9. In this state, before the FPC recognition mark35is recognized, the stage24is moved to recognize the position of the panel recognition mark34on the mounting portion3of the panel1, so that the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is positioned on the recognition cameras27aand27b. Accordingly, the one end electrode5of the FPC4is touch panel to the mounting portion2of the one surface, and is then turned upside down to place on the stage24. By firstly recognizing the position of the panel1of which the other end side of the FPC4is bent, it is possible to accurately correct the position of the other end of the FPC4including the other end electrode6of the FPC4having the FPC recognition mark35with respect to the position which is suctioned and held by the press head26. Then, the stage24is moved so as to position the other end electrode6of the FPC4immediately under the suction-pressing projections54that protrude from the press tool53of the press head26. The press tool53is lowered to suction and hold the other end of the FPC4including the other electrode6or its surrounding portion and simultaneously release the suction of the suction holes47of the bending jig41, and the FPC recognition mark35is recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. Then, the stage24is moved so as to align the position of the panel recognition mark34and the position of the FPC recognition mark35, and thus the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4are matched to each other with high accuracy. Subsequently, the other end electrode6of the FPC4is pressed on the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1by suction-pressing projections54of the press tool53, with the ACF7being interposed therebetween, thereby temporarily pressing the other end electrode6of the FPC4and the mounting portion3of the other surface.

In this case, an example is shown in the above-described bending-temporary pressing device12, in which the temporary pressing unit25is disposed at the support arm52of a rotor51so as to move the press head26in a vertical direction and adjust the position of the press head26around the vertical shaft. However, as shown inFIG. 10, the press head (Z, θ-axis)26may be mounted on the movable head59of a robot device (X, Y-axis)58.

The bending and pressing operation will now be described in detail with reference to a flowchart and an operation explaining view shown inFIGS. 11 to 16. If the operation starts, as shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 11and the operation explaining view ofFIG. 12, at step11, the panel1is placed on the stage24, and is suctioned and supported. Except for the disposition portion of the other end electrode6of the FPC4to be mounted on the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1, at least the other end of the FPC4or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the suction holes47of the bending jig41. Next, at step12, the opening-closing drive unit46is operated to rotate the bending jig41from the open position to the closed position, and the other end side of the FPC4is bent in such a way that the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4are deviated from each other in a plan view.

Then, as shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 13and the operation explaining view ofFIG. 14, at step21, the stage24is moved in a direction along the surface of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow f, to position the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1on the mounting position immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27b. In this case, the height of the stage24is set in such a way that the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is a panel recognition height position of (mounting height position+d1), and the position of the panel recognition mark34is accurately recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. The d1is set so as to prevent interference with the lower base stage56when the panel1is moved in a direction along the surface of the panel1, and, for example, is set as approximately 2 mm. Additionally, at step22, the stage24is moved in a direction along the surface of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow g, to position the other end electrode6of the FPC4at a mounting position immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27b. The press head26is lowered in a thickness direction of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow h, to suction and hold the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6thereof or its surrounding portion. After releasing the suction by the suction holes47of the bending jig41, the press head26is further lowered in a thickness direction of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow i, to position the other end electrode6of the FPC4at an FPC recognition height position of (mounting height position+d1). The position of the FPC recognition mark35is accurately recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. In this case, if it is a height position within a focus depth of the recognition cameras27aand27b, the FPC recognition height position may be set as a mounting height position.

Next, at step23, in the case in which the FPC recognition height position is set as the mounting height position, after the press head26is raised to a position which does not interfere with the panel1, for example, (mounting height position+d1), the stage24is moved in a direction along the surface of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow j, to position the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1at the mounting position. In this case, the moving position of the stage24, on which the panel1is placed, is controlled with high accuracy according to the recognition results of the recognition cameras27aand27b. The position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, in which the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6thereof or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the press head26, are matched to each other by position alignment. In this case, in the case in which the press head26has a configuration whose position is adjustable, the position alignment can be performed by relatively adjusting the position of both or any one of the stage24and the press head26.

Next, as shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 13and the operation explaining view ofFIG. 15, at step24of bending and temporary pressing operation, the press head26is lowered in a thickness direction of the panel1, as indicated by an arrow k. The other end electrode6of the FPC4is pressed on the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1by the suction-pressing projections54of the press tool53, with the ACF7being interposed therebetween, and then the temporary pressing is performed by applying predetermined temperature and pressure to the other end electrode6and the mounting portion3. After that, at step25, the press head26is raised to a standby original position, as indicated by an arrow I, and the stage24is moved to the original position, as indicated by an arrow m, in which the panel1is carried in or out. Next, it is determined whether or not the bending-temporary pressing process is performed for other panel1, and in the case in which there is a panel1which is not subjected to the bending and temporary pressing process, the panel1is returned to the stage21, and then the above process is repeated. In the case in which the bending and temporary pressing process is completed, the panel is transferred to next step31.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 6, the flowchart ofFIG. 13and the operation explaining view ofFIG. 16, at step31, the bending unit37is operated to rotate the bending jig41toward the open position, as indicated by an arrow n. At step32, after the suction of the panel1on the stage24is released, the panel is delivered to the support arm14aof the panel transfer unit14, as indicated by an arrow o, and then the panel1is transferred to the next process, i.e., the permanent pressing device13.

Now, a first preferred example of a temporary pressing process will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 17. In the first preferred example, at the time of recognition of the panel recognition mark34displaying the reference position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1, as shown inFIG. 17(a), the stage24is moved and positioned so that the panel recognition mark34is positioned immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27bor at the height position of the panel recognition (mounting height position+d1), and the position of the panel recognition mark34is recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. At the time of recognition of the FPC recognition mark35displaying the reference position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, as shown inFIG. 17(b), the stage24is moved and positioned so that the FPC recognition mark35is positioned immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27b. The press head26is lowered in the state in which the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the press head26. The FPC recognition mark35of the FPC4is recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27bat the height position of the FPC recognition (mounting height position+d1). After that, when the panel1is moved to the mounting position, as shown inFIG. 17(c), the press unit26is raised a little from the height position of the FPC recognition (mounting height position+d1), and is positioned at the height position at the time of movement of the other end of the FPC4(mounting height+d2). d2is set as 3 mm, for example, if d1is set as 2 mm. After that, the position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, in which the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6thereof or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the press head26, are matched to each other by position alignment. At the time of temporary pressing, the stage24is lowered so as to position the panel1at the mounting height. After the rear surface of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1abuts against the lower base member56to support the lower base member, in order to position the other end electrode6of the FPC4at the mounting height position, the press head26suctioning and holding the other end of the FPC4is lowered in the thickness direction of the panel1to apply the pressure and thus perform the temporary pressing.

Now, a second preferred example of a further detailed process in the temporary pressing process will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 18. In this preferred example, at the time of recognition of the panel recognition mark34displaying the reference position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1, as shown inFIG. 18(a), the stage24is moved and positioned so that the panel recognition mark34is positioned immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27band at the mounting height position, and the panel recognition mark34is recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. At the time of recognition of the FPC recognition mark35displaying the reference position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, as shown inFIG. 18(b), the stage24is moved and positioned in a direction along the surface of the panel1, in the state in which the panel1is positioned at the mounting height, so that the FPC recognition mark35is positioned immediately over the recognition cameras27aand27b. Next, the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6of the FPC4or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the press head26, and the press head26is lowered to position the FPC recognition mark35of the FPC4at the mounting height position. The FPC recognition mark35of the FPC4is recognized by the recognition cameras27aand27b. After that, at the time of temporary pressing, as shown inFIG. 18(c), after the press head26is raised to position the other end of the FPC4at a proper retreat position, the stage24is moved in a direction along the surface of the panel1, in the state in which the panel1is positioned at the mounting height, to position the mounting portion3of the other surface at the mounting position. The position of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1and the position of the other end electrode6of the FPC4, in which the other end of the FPC4including the rear surface of the other end electrode6thereof or its surrounding portion is suctioned and held by the press head26, are matched to each other by position alignment. Next, in order to position the other end electrode6of the FPC4at the mounting height, the press head26suctioning and holding the other end of the FPC4is lowered to apply the pressure and thus perform the temporary pressing. In this preferred example, in the case in which the rear surface of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is supported by the lower base member56(not shown), it may be constituted in such a way that the lower base member56is lowered to the retreat position at the time of movement of the panel1, and is raised to the support position at the time of temporary pressing. Also, although the case in which the rear surface of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is supported by the lower base member56(not shown) is described herein, if the relative pressed stress when the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1is temporarily pressed is low, and the mounting accuracy and the quality are not adversely affected, the rear surface of the mounting portion3of the other surface of the panel1need not be supported by the lower base member56(not shown) at the time of temporary pressing.

Although the invention is described with reference to concrete and specific embodiments, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be variously modified or altered without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-191589, filed on Jul. 25, 2008, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The part mounting device and the part mounting method according to the invention can mount the other end of the flexible board to the mounting portion of the other surface of the panel with high accuracy, and can fabricate a part with high reliability, in which both end electrodes of the flexible board are mounted to the mounting portion of both surfaces of the panel. As a result, the invention can be properly applied to a touch panel, in which both end electrodes of the flexible board are mounted to the mounting portion of both front and rear surfaces of the panel, or various board structures.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST