A bonder that allows replacement of the bonding tool, corresponding to changes in the type of bonded component, to be performed both easily and rapidly, while also preventing the occurrence of operator-initiated errors accompanying the changes in bonded component type. As a result of allowing a bonding plate, which jointly applies compressive force to bonded components with a bonding tool, to float freely while being held by a diaphragm, the bonded components are adhered to the pressing surface of the bonding tool by the unrestricted bending of the diaphragm so as to follow its motion, thus eliminating the need for an operator to adjust the inclination of the bonding tool, as is necessary in conventional bonders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a bonder that can be used in the case of 
inner lead bonding of semiconductor components such as semiconductor 
integrated circuits (IC) and large-scale integrated circuits (LSI) as the 
bonded components, or in the case of outer lead bonding of inner lead 
bonded semiconductor devices as the bonded components. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
With respect to the prior art, a tape bonding device like that indicated in 
FIG. 1 is used for this type of bonding. The device indicated in FIG. 1 
has a support mechanism 3 containing a flat bonding plate 2 on which a 
semiconductor integrated circuit (to be abbreviated as "IC") 1 is placed 
as the bonded component. Said support mechanism 3 is loaded on XY.theta. 
table 4. After IC 1 is positioned relative to a lead (not shown) provided 
on tape carrier 6 that is brought above said IC by a transport mechanism 
not shown, said IC 1 is bonded by thermocompression by said bonding device 
resulting in bonding of said lead and the bump (electrode) of IC 1. 
XY.theta. table 4 aligns the relative positions of said lead arranged on 
tape carrier 6 and the bump of IC 1 by making positional corrections of 
the two-dimensional coordinates in the horizontal plane as well as the 
angle of rotation with respect to support mechanism 3. 
On the other hand, bonding tool 8 for pressing IC 1 onto bonding plate 2 is 
mounted above bonding plate 2. This bonding tool 8 is attached to a tool 
vertical movement mechanism 9 functioning as an approach and withdrawal 
mechanism, allowing bonding tool 8 to approach and withdraw from bonding 
plate 2. This tool vertical movement mechanism 9 is equipped with tool 
holder 11, which allows bonding tool 8 to be attached and removed as 
desired, holder mounting block 12, which acts as a stand for holding said 
tool holder 11, sliding guide 13, intermediate slider 14 and sliding guide 
15. 
Pressurization mechanism 17 is arranged further above bonding tool 8 as a 
device for providing pressure for the the pressing performed by said 
bonding tool 8. Said pressurization mechanism 17 is attached to XY table 
19 together with the above-mentioned tool vertical movement mechanism 9. 
The following provides an explanation of the operation of the device of the 
prior art comprised in the manner described above. 
Firstly, when tape carrier 6 is intermittently fed at a prescribed pitch to 
a position above IC 1 placed on bonding plate 2, XY.theta. table 4 is 
activated according to the command from a control device not shown, which 
aligns the positions of the lead on tape carrier 6 and IC 1. Then, XY 
table 19 operates to position bonding tool 8 with respect to said lead and 
the bump of IC 1. When this positioning is completed, the tool vertical 
movement mechanism 9 operates to lower bonding tool 8 and bring it in 
contact with IC 1. Simultaneously, output shaft 17a of pressurization 
mechanism 17 protrudes to apply pressing force to bonding tool 8 resulting 
in bonding connection between the bump of IC 1 and the lead by 
thermocompression bonding. Furthermore, heating of the bonding connection 
area is performed by a cartridge heater, etc., (not shown) contained 
within bonding tool 8. In addition, the lowering and raising of bonding 
tool 8 is detected by a displacement sensor 20 provided on tool vertical 
movement mechanism 9. 
When this bonding connection is completed, the tape bonding device of the 
prior art returns to the state indicated in FIG. 1 through a process that 
is the reverse of that described above. A series of the above-mentioned 
operations are then continued to perform bonding connection for a large 
number of ICs. 
However, in the case of performing bonding connection using the operations 
described above, the parallelism between IC 1 and the pressing surface of 
bonding tool 8 becomes important. In order to obtain this, an inclination 
adjustment mechanism (not shown) is provided within tool holder 11 to 
mutually adjust the inclinations of said IC and bonding tool. 
However, in the device of the prior art, it is necessary to perform 
adjustment by operating the above-mentioned inclination adjustment 
mechanism each time bonding tool 8 is replaced accompanying changes in the 
type of IC 1, the bonded component. As this type of adjustment procedure 
requires a considerable amount of time and labor, in addition to being 
bothersome for the operator, it is a problem that should be solved in 
terms of attempting to improve the speed and efficiency of bonding work. 
In addition, there is also the additional shortcoming that if an error 
should happen to be made in this adjustment work, there is the risk of 
that error leading to damage of IC 1 as well as malfunction of the device 
itself due to the resulting erroneous operation of the device. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, in consideration of the shortcomings of the the 
above-mentioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to 
provide a bonder that allows replacement of the bonding tool to be 
performed both rapidly and easily corresponding to changes in the type of 
bonded component, and is also able to prevent the occurrence of 
human-initiated errors accompanying such changes. 
The bonder pertaining to the present invention comprises: a support 
mechanism containing a bonding plate on which bonded components are 
placed; a bonding tool for pressing the above-mentioned bonded components 
onto the above-mentioned bonding plate; an approach and withdrawal 
positioning device which brings the above-mentioned bonding tool in 
contact with the above-mentioned bonding plate and then moves it away, 
while also positioning said bonding tool in the vertical plane with 
respect to the direction of approach and withdrawal; and, a pressure 
application device that applies pressing force to the above-mentioned 
bonding tool; wherein, the above-mentioned support mechanism is equipped 
with a elastic member that holds the above-mentioned bonding plate.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The following provides a description of the preferred embodiments of the 
bonder of the present invention with reference to the drawings. 
As indicated in FIG. 2, the bonder pertaining to the present invention has 
support mechanism 33 equipped with a flat bonding plate 32 on which is 
placed IC 31, the bonded component. As indicated in FIG. 3, vacuum supply 
port 32a is formed on bonding plate 32 for adhering the IC 31 to the 
bonding plate 32. Support mechanism 33 has a disphragm 35, functioning as 
an elastic member formed essentially into the shape of a circle that holds 
bonding plate 32 in the center of its upper surface, and a housing base 37 
that defines a sealed space 36 between the diaphragm 35 and the base 37. 
Diaphragm 35 is fixed with respect to housing base 37 by diaphragm locking 
plate 38 around its periphery. Additionally, floater 39 is mounted on the 
lower surface in the center of diaphragm 35. Furthermore, as is indicated 
in FIG. 3, air supply port 37a is formed in the vicinity of the bottom of 
housing base 37 to supply compressed air into sealed space 36 in the form 
of a pressurized fluid fed by a pressurization device not shown. In 
addition, a through hole is formed near the upper edge of housing base 37, 
and a single lead wire 41a is connected to floater 39 inserted through 
sealed space 36 via said through hole. However, this through hole is 
sealed with packing material 41b. On the other hand, another lead wire 41c 
is connected to housing base 37. Both floater 39 and housing base 37 are 
electrically conductive, and are thereby able to compose electrical 
contacts. 
As indicated in FIG. 2, support mechanism 33 is provided on XY.theta. table 
42. IC 31 is bonded by thermal compression to a lead (not shown) provided 
on tape carrier 44 that is transported above said IC 31 by a transport 
mechanism equipped with tape clamp 43 (not shown except for said tape 
clamp) by said bonder. This results in bonding connection of said lead and 
the bump of IC 31. The above-mentioned XY.theta. table 42 performs 
positional correction of two-dimensional coordinates in the horizontal 
plane as well as the angle of rotation with respect to support mechanism 
33, and thereby aligns the relative positions of the lead on tape carrier 
44 and the bump of IC 31. Furthermore, the construction of tape clamp 43 
is such that it is able to suitably move in the vertical direction in the 
drawing by a mechanism not shown. 
As indicated in FIG. 2, bonding tool 46 is arranged above XY.theta. table 
42 and support mechanism 33. The function of bonding tool 46 is to perform 
bonding by pressing bonding plate 32 on which is placed IC 31. Bonding 
tool 46 contains a built-in cartridge heater (not shown) for heating. This 
bonding tool 46 is moved up and down so as to approach and withdraw from 
bonding plate 32 by tool vertical movement mechanism 48 functioning as an 
approach and withdrawal mechanism. Tool vertical movement mechanism 48 is 
composed of tool holder 49, which acts as a slider to hold bonding tool 
46, sliding guide 50, which guides said tool holder 49 during vertical 
movement, and a drive device (not shown) which moves this tool holder 49 
up and down. Furthermore, pusher 49a is provided on tool holder 49 to push 
down tape clamp 43. 
Tool stopper 52 is mounted to the side of tool vertical movement mechanism 
48 functioning as a regulating device that regulates the rising of bonding 
tool 46, or in other words, the movement during the time it withdraws from 
bonding plate 32. Output shaft 52b projects from this tool stopper 52, on 
the end of which is provided roller 52a. Together with a pressurization 
device supplying compressed air into sealed space 36 (shown in FIG. 3) 
described above, this tool stopper 52 comprises a device for applying 
pressure to apply pressing force to bonding tool 46. 
The above-mentioned tool vertical movement mechanism 48 and tool stopper 52 
are attached to XY table 54. XY table 54 operates in the horizontal plane 
perpendicular to the vertical direction in which the bonding tool 46 
approaches and withdraws from bonding plate 32. In addition to allowing 
bonding tool 46 to approach and withdraw from bonding plate 32, this XY 
table 54 and tool vertical movement mechanism 48, functioning as an 
approach and withdrawal mechanism that positions bonding tool 46 in a 
plane perpendicular to the direction in which it approaches and withdraws 
from bonding plate 32. Furthermore, a photographic device (not shown), 
comprising a camera, illumination lamps and so forth, is installed on XY 
table 54 in this embodiment. 
The following provides an explanation of the operation of the bonder 
comprised in the manner described above. 
Firstly, in the state in which bonding tool 46 is first moved upward in the 
drawings, tool vertical movement mechanism 48 recedes from the state 
indicated in FIG. 2 to, for example, the right in the same drawing by the 
operation of XY table 54. In addition, tape clamp 43 also recedes upward 
from the state indicated in FIG. 2 by the action of a mechanism not shown. 
Additionally, XY.theta. table 42 is also moved and positioned so as to 
secure a comparatively large space above bonding plate 32, after which IC 
31 is grabbed or absorbed, transported by a transport device not shown, 
and placed on said bonding plate 32. Then, XY.theta. table 42 again moves 
so as to be positioned under tape clamp 43. 
Tape clamp 43 then moves to the position indicated in FIG. 2, or in other 
words, to the position at which tape carrier 44 is in close proximity to 
IC 31. As bonding tool 46 is in the upper receded position at this time, 
after photographing the bump of IC 31 and the lead with a photographic 
device by moving XY.theta. table 42 or XY table 54, and making relative 
positional corrections by moving XY.theta. table 42 and XY table 54 based 
on the data from the photographic device, alignment of the lead on tape 
carrier 44 (not shown) and the bump of IC 31 is performed. 
When alignment of the positions of the lead on tape carrier 44 and IC 31 is 
completed, XY table 54 operates to perform relative positioning in the 
horizontal plane of bonding tool 46 with respect to said lead and IC 31. 
Bonding tool 46 is lowered together with tool holder 49 by the operation 
of tool vertical movement mechanism 48. The end of said bonding tool 46 
makes contact with the lead on tape carrier 44 after which this is pressed 
down slightly. Consequently, as indicated in FIG. 3, floater 39, which is 
maintained in contact with the upper flange portion of housing base 37 by 
the pressure of the compressed air supplied into sealed space 36, is 
pushed down resulting in the release of this contact state which 
interrupts the electrical contacts of the two lead wires 41a and 41c that 
had been in the connected state. As a result, the operation of tool 
vertical movement mechanism 48 stops. Furthermore, at this time, as the 
pressure within sealed space 36 is held to the minimum required level, the 
amount of pressure received by bonding plate 32 via tape carrier 44 during 
lowering of bonding tool 46 is small, thereby avoiding the effects of said 
pressure on tool vertical movement mechanism 48. 
Simultaneous to the stopping of tool vertical movement mechanism 48, tool 
stopper 52 protrudes resulting in roller 52a, indicated with the broken 
line in FIG. 2, regulating the rising operation of bonding tool 46, or in 
other words, the operation by which bonding tool 46 withdraws from bonding 
plate 32. In this state, compressed air is supplied into sealed space 36 
through air supply port 37a indicated in FIG. 3, which applies uniform 
pressing force to the lead on tape carrier 44 and IC 31, thereby 
performing bonding connection of both by thermocompression bonding. 
However, at the time bonding tool 46 is lowered by the operation of tool 
vertical movement mechanism 48 in the manner described above, as pusher 
49a provided on tool holder 49 makes contact with tape clamp 43 and pushes 
it down as indicated in FIG. 2, a highly precise adhered state is 
maintained between the above-mentioned lead and IC 31. 
FIG. 4 indicates a variation of support mechanism 3 in the above-mentioned 
bonder. Furthermore, in support mechanism 33 indicated in FIG. 4, the same 
reference numerals are used for those portions that are similar or 
correspond to support mechanism 33 indicated in FIG. 3. 
In support mechanism 33 indicated in FIG. 4, housing base 37, supporting 
the diaphragm 35 and defining the sealed space 36, is divided into two 
upper and lower blocks 56 and 57. In addition, an additional diaphragm 58 
is positioned in between these two blocks, and an inert gas is charged 
into sealed space 36. This type of construction is able to prevent 
oxidation of the portion where lead wire 41a is connected to floater 39. 
As has been described above, in the bonder pertaining to the present 
invention, since the bonding plate, on which components to be bonded are 
placed, is allowed to float freely while being supported by an elastic 
member, bonded components are adhered to the pressing surface of the 
bonding tool by the unrestricted bending of this elastic member so as to 
follow its motion. Thus, the adjustment of the inclination of the bonding 
tool that had been performed by the operator in the past is no longer 
required, which in addition to achieving simplification and considerable 
shortening of the amount of time required to replace the bonding tool 
accompanying changes in the type of bonded components, also allows 
problems based on adjustment errors on the part of the operator to be 
avoided, thereby offering the advantage of the present invention of 
improved productivity.