Transfer device and transfer method

A transfer device, for transferring components at high speed and inspecting the components, includes a first transfer mechanism including a first transfer section including a first transfer surface that moves along a first transfer path connecting a loading position to a delivery position, and a second transfer mechanism including a second transfer section that moves along a second transfer path connecting a receiving position spaced from the delivery position by a first distance to a discharging position. The second transfer section includes a second transfer surface that continuously rotates about a rotation axis along the second transfer path. A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position in a plan view of the first transfer surface. The second transfer mechanism includes a generator that generates an attraction force toward the second transfer surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-052964, filed Mar. 24, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a transfer device and a transfer method.

Background Art

Transfer devices to transfer components such as electronic components include one disclosed in JP 2002-29627 A which includes a transfer medium having a plurality of cavities arranged in lines, the lines being concentric to a rotation axis, driving means for rotationally driving the transfer medium, supply means for separating and supplying a plurality of randomly introduced electronic components one by one, delivery means for feeding the electronic components, which are separately supplied by the supply means, into the lines of the cavities of the transfer medium, and removal means for removing the electronic components from the cavities of the transfer medium.

JP 2005-350184 A discloses a supply and separation device including a chute for transferring chip components and a rotating disk for receiving the chip components to be sequentially supplied from the chute, wherein the device includes a stopper that presses and holds a chip component to be supplied next among the chip components waiting to be sequentially supplied from the chute.

SUMMARY

JP 2002-29627 A describes an example in which the transfer device is applied to an inspection device. In the above example, the inspection device includes a turntable as a transfer medium, a parts feeder as a supply means, and a distributing rotor as a separation means. The turntable is mounted so as to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis as the center. The cavities in the respective lines are arranged in line in the radial direction of the turntable. The turntable is intermittently rotated at the pitch equivalent to the pitch of the cavities.

As described above, the transfer device disclosed in JP 2002-29627 A requires intermittent rotation of the turntable. Thus, the structure of the transfer device is unsuitable for supplying components such as electronic components to a continuously rotating body. This makes it difficult to increase the transfer speed of components.

JP 2005-350184 A discloses an example in which the supply and separation device is applied to an appearance inspector. However, since components are transferred in a constant direction, it is difficult to inspect a component surface opposing the moving direction of the component, and it is also difficult to inspect a component surface in contact with a transfer section.

The present disclosure aims to provide a transfer device and a transfer method capable of transferring components at high speed and useful for inspecting the appearance of the components being transferred.

According to a first embodiment, the present disclosure provides a transfer device including a first transfer mechanism including a first transfer section that moves along a first transfer path connecting a loading position to a delivery position; and a second transfer mechanism including a second transfer section that moves along a second transfer path connecting a receiving position spaced from the delivery position of the first transfer section by a first distance D to a discharging position. The first transfer section includes a first transfer surface that moves along the first transfer path. The second transfer section includes a second transfer surface that continuously rotates about a rotation axis along the second transfer path. A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position in a plan view of the first transfer surface, and the second transfer mechanism includes an attraction generator that generates an attraction force toward the second transfer surface.

According to a second embodiment, the present disclosure provides a transfer device including a first transfer mechanism including a first transfer section for transferring a component from a loading position to a delivery position, with a first main surface of the component in contact with a first transfer surface of the first transfer section; and a second transfer mechanism including a second transfer section for receiving the component by a second transfer surface of the second transfer section at a receiving position spaced upwardly from the delivery position of the first transfer section and transferring the component to a discharging position. The second transfer surface of the second transfer section continuously rotates about a rotation axis. A transfer direction of the component to the delivery position of the first transfer section intersects a transfer direction of the component from the receiving position of the second transfer section in a plan view of the first transfer surface, and the second transfer mechanism includes an attaching portion for attaching a second main surface opposite the first main surface of the component to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section.

The present disclosure provides a transfer method including a first transfer step of transferring a component from a loading position to a delivery position, with a first main surface of the component in contact with a first transfer surface of a first transfer section; and a second transfer step of receiving the component by a second transfer surface of a second transfer section at a receiving position spaced upwardly from the delivery position of the first transfer section, and transferring the component to a discharging position. The second transfer surface of the second transfer section continuously rotates about a rotation axis. A transfer direction of the component to the delivery position of the first transfer section intersects a transfer direction of the component from the receiving position of the second transfer section in a plan view of the first transfer surface, and the second transfer step transfers the component by attaching a second main surface opposite the first main surface of the component to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section.

The present disclosure enables high-speed transfer of components and is useful for inspecting the appearance of the components being transferred.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The transfer device and transfer method of the present disclosure are described below. The present disclosure is not limited to the following preferred embodiments, and may be suitably modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Combinations of two or more preferred features described in the following preferred embodiments are also within the scope of the present disclosure.

The following examples describe embodiments of the transfer device of the present disclosure applied to an appearance inspector for electronic components, with reference to the drawings. Each figure shows a schematic view of the transfer device of the present disclosure. The dimensions, scales, and the like of electronic components (transfer targets) and the transfer device are not accurate.

The transfer device of the present disclosure is applicable to a device other than the appearance inspector. In the transfer device and transfer method of the present disclosure, components to be transferred are not limited to electronic components, and the shape of the components is not limited to a cuboid.

FIG. 1is a schematic perspective view of an example of the transfer device of the present disclosure applied to an appearance inspector for electronic components.FIG. 2is a schematic perspective view of an example of an electronic component.

A transfer device1shown inFIG. 1includes a conveyor10as a first transfer mechanism and a transfer disk20as a second transfer mechanism. Although not shown, the transfer device1further includes a parts feeder for supplying a plurality of electronic components100to the conveyor10.

Each electronic component100to be transferred by the transfer device1is a chip electronic component having a cuboid shape as shown inFIG. 2. The electronic component100has a first main surface111and a second main surface112opposite to each other in a height direction (H direction), a first side surface113and a second side surface114opposite to each other in a width direction (W direction) orthogonal to the height direction, and a first end surface115and a second end surface116opposite to each other in a length direction (L direction) orthogonal to the height direction and the width direction. A first external electrode121is on the first end surface115of the electronic component100, and a second external electrode122is on the second end surface116of the electronic component100. The dimension in each of the length direction, width direction, and height direction of the electronic component100is not limited, but preferably, the dimension in the length direction is larger than the dimensions in the width direction and the height direction. Preferably, the dimension in the width direction is comparable to the dimension in the height direction.

The conveyor10includes a first transfer section11for transferring the electronic component100. The first transfer section11moves along a path (hereinafter, referred to as a “first transfer path”) connecting a loading position P11to a delivery position P12. Thus, the first transfer section11includes a transfer surface (hereinafter, referred to as a “first transfer surface”) that moves along the first transfer path. In the example shown inFIG. 1, the first transfer path is a linear trajectory. Specifically, the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11moves along the linear trajectory.

The conveyor10transfers each electronic component100supplied to the loading position P11from the parts feeder to the delivery position P12in a direction indicated by an arrow A, with the first main surface111of the electronic component100in contact with the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11. The conveyor10may be intermittently driven, but is preferably continuously driven to achieve higher speed. As shown inFIG. 1, preferably, the conveyor10transfers the electronic components100in such a manner that the length direction of each electronic component100is parallel to a transfer direction (i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow A).

The transfer disk20includes a second transfer section21for receiving the electronic component100from the first transfer section11and transferring the same. The second transfer section21is on the circumference of the transfer disk20. The second transfer section21moves along a path (hereinafter, referred to as a “second transfer path”) connecting a receiving position P21to a discharging position P22. Thus, the second transfer section21includes a transfer surface (hereinafter, referred to as a “second transfer surface”) that moves along the second transfer path. The receiving position P21of the second transfer section21is spaced upwardly from the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11, and is spaced from the delivery position P12by a first distance D.

Although not shown, a rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is connected to a driving unit such as a motor. Thus, the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21continuously rotates about the rotation axis R in a direction indicated by an arrow B.

A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position P21of the second transfer section21in a plan view of the first transfer surface. In other words, the transfer direction of the electronic components100to the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11intersects the transfer direction of the electronic components100from the receiving position P21of the second transfer section21in a plan view of the first transfer surface.

FIG. 3is a plan view of a conveyor and a transfer disk defining the transfer device shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 3, preferably, the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is parallel to the moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11in a plan view of the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11, that is, the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is parallel to the transfer direction of the electronic component100to the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11(a direction indicated by an arrow Y inFIG. 3) in a plan view of the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11.

Herein, while the rotation axis is described as being parallel to the moving direction of the transfer surface or as being parallel to the transfer direction of the component, how parallel it is to these directions is not limited as long as the effects of the present disclosure are achieved. The rotation axis may be completely or substantially parallel to these directions.

FIG. 4is an enlarged elevational view of the delivery position in the transfer device shown inFIG. 1. Preferably, the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is tilted relative to the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11as shown inFIG. 4.

The transfer disk20includes an attraction generator that generates an attraction force toward the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21. Preferably, the attraction generator includes a first suction port on the second transfer surface for generating a negative pressure.

For example, the transfer disk20includes an attaching portion as the attraction generator for attaching the second main surface112of the electronic components100to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21. In the example shown inFIG. 1, a suction groove22as the first suction port is provided along the second transfer section21of the transfer disk20. Instead of the suction groove22, a plurality of suction ports may be provided along the second transfer section21. Preferably, the suction is continuously exerted at the second transfer section21during transfer. When the electronic component100is magnetic, the transfer disk20may include an electromagnet as the attraction generator which generates an attraction force that brings the second main surface112of the electronic component100into contact with the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21.

The transfer direction of each electronic component100can be changed by delivering the electronic component100from the conveyor10to the transfer disk20as described above. In the example shown inFIG. 1, each electronic component100is transferred by the conveyor10in such a manner that the length direction of the electronic component100is parallel to the transfer direction, and is then transferred by the transfer disk20in such a manner that the width direction of the electronic component100is parallel to the transfer direction.

The transfer device1can supply the electronic components100to the continuously rotating transfer disk20, and is thus capable of transferring the electronic components100at high speed.

When the transfer device1is used as an appearance inspector for the electronic components100, the transfer device1further includes a first imaging mechanism for imaging the electronic components100being transferred on the first transfer section11and a second imaging mechanism for imaging the electronic components100being transferred on the second transfer section21.

In the example shown inFIG. 1, the first imaging mechanism includes a first imaging device31for imaging the second main surface112of each electronic component100, a second imaging device32for imaging the first side surface113of each electronic component100, and a third imaging device33for imaging the second side surface114of each electronic component100. The second imaging mechanism includes a fourth imaging device34for imaging the first main surface111of each electronic component100, a fifth imaging device35for imaging the first end surface115of each electronic component100, and a sixth imaging device36for imaging the second end surface116of each electronic component100.

Examples of the imaging devices include those equipped with an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

When each electronic component100is transferred on the first transfer section11in a state shown inFIG. 1, it is easy to image the second main surface112, the first side surface113, and the second side surface114of the electronic component100. It is difficult, however, to image the first main surface111of the electronic component100which is in contact with the first transfer section11, and the first end surface115and the second end surface116of the electronic component100which are opposite to each other in the transfer direction. As described above, the transfer direction of each electronic component100can be changed by delivering the electronic component100from the conveyor10to the transfer disk20. This makes it easy to image the first main surface111, the first end surface115, and the second end surface116of the electronic component100being transferred on the second transfer section21. Thus, the appearance of each of the six surfaces of the electronic component100can be inspected while the electronic component100is being transferred.

As in the example shown inFIG. 1, preferably, the conveyor10includes a guide member13on the first transfer section11for positioning each electronic component100to the delivery position P12. The guide member13includes a positioning surface14that intersects the transfer direction of the electronic component100to the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11.

As shown inFIG. 4, preferably, the positioning surface14of the guide member13is tilted relative to the transfer surface of the first transfer section11. In a plane parallel to the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20and perpendicular to the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11as shown inFIG. 4, an angle between the positioning surface14of the guide member13and a line perpendicular to the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11is defined as θ1. Herein, the angle is preferably 0°<θ1<90°, more preferably 0°<θ1≤45°. When 0°<θ1<90°, the first main surface111of the electronic component100can be easily separated from the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11, and the distance between the electronic components100and the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21can be made shorter. To achieve these two effects, the angle is preferably 0°<θ1≤45°.

In a plane parallel to the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20and perpendicular to the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11as shown inFIG. 4, an angle between the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20and a line parallel to the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11is defined as θ2. When 0°<θ1≤45° and θ1<θ2, each electronic component100can be easily separated from the positioning surface14of the guide member13. The difference between the angle θ2and the angle θ1is, for example, more than 0° and 15° or less (i.e., from 0° to 15°). Preferably, the angle θ2is 5° or more and 45° or less (i.e., from 5° to 45°.

Preferably, the guide member13includes an attaching portion for attaching each electronic component100to the positioning surface14. In the example shown inFIG. 1, a plurality of suction paths15extends inwardly from the positioning surface14of the guide member13. There may be only one suction path15. The shape of the suction paths15is not limited. Preferably, the suction is continuously exerted at the positioning surface14during transfer. Preferably, the angle θ1is 5° or more and 30° or less (i.e., from 5° to 30° to allow the electronic component100to be stably brought into contact with the positioning surface14of the guide member13by the suction of the suction paths15. When the angle θ1is equal to or greater than the angle θ2, the suction of the suction paths15can be reduced. This is because when the angle θ1is equal to or greater than the angle θ2, the distance between the electronic components100and the suction paths15can be further reduced than when the angle θ1is smaller than angle θ2, when the electronic component100is tilted on the positioning surface14of the guide member13by the suction of suction paths15.

Preferably, the attachment force of the guide member13is smaller than the attachment force of the transfer disk20. Thus, after the electronic component100is attached to the positioning surface14of the guide member13, the second main surface112of the electronic component100can be easily attached to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21.

FIG. 5A,FIG. 5B,FIG. 5C, andFIG. 5Dare cross-sectional views to describe an example of a method of delivering an electronic component from the conveyor to the transfer disk.

InFIG. 5A, the conveyor10transfers the electronic component100in a direction indicated by an arrow A. The first main surface111of the electronic component100is in contact with the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11. At the guide member13, the suction is continuously exerted in a direction indicated by a white arrow. At the transfer disk20, the suction is continuously exerted in a direction toward the rotation axis R (seeFIG. 1).

InFIG. 5B, the electronic component100that was transferred to the delivery position P12on the first transfer section11is abutted on the guide member13.

InFIG. 5C, the electronic component100is tilted and raised by the suction of the guide member13. Here, when 0°<θ1≤45°, the electronic component100is raised at an angle greater than the tilt angle of the positioning surface14, with the momentum of the rising, as shown inFIG. 5D. As a result, the electronic component100approaches the transfer disk20, whereby the second main surface112of the electronic component100is attached to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21. Here, when the attachment force of the guide member13is smaller than the attachment force of the transfer disk20and θ1<θ2, the electronic component100can be easily separated from the positioning surface14of the guide member13, and the electronic component100can be easily attached to the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21.

Preferably, the conveyor10includes an auxiliary power generator, without limitation to the guide member13described above, at the delivery position P12for generating a power that acts in a direction from the delivery position P12to the receiving position P21.

Preferably, the auxiliary power generator includes the positioning surface14with a second suction port that generates a negative pressure. In addition, preferably, the positioning surface14is tilted in an extension direction of the first transfer path at the delivery position P12. Examples of the second suction port include the suction path15.

Preferably, the auxiliary power generator and the attraction generator allow the electronic component100to be sucked by the first suction port and attached to the second transfer surface when the electronic component100approaches the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21by being sucked by the second suction port and tilted in contact with the positioning surface14.

FIG. 6is a schematic plan view of another example of the transfer device of the present disclosure. A transfer device1A shown inFIG. 6includes a transfer disk10A as a first transfer mechanism and a transfer disk20as a second transfer mechanism. Although not shown, the transfer device1A further includes a parts feeder for supplying a plurality of electronic components100to the transfer disk10A.

The transfer disk10A includes a first transfer section11A for transferring the electronic components100. The first transfer section11A moves along a first transfer path connecting a loading position (not shown) to a delivery position P12. Thus, the first transfer section11A includes a first transfer surface that moves along the first transfer path. In the example shown inFIG. 6, the first transfer path is a circular trajectory. Specifically, the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11A moves along the circular trajectory.

Although not shown, the transfer disk10A is connected to a driving unit such as a motor. Thus, the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11A rotates in a direction indicated by an arrow C.

The transfer disk10A transfers each electronic component100supplied to the loading position from the parts feeder to the delivery position P12in the direction indicated by the arrow C, with the first main surface of the electronic component100in contact with the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11A. The transfer disk10A may be intermittently rotated, but is preferably continuously rotated to achieve higher speed. As shown inFIG. 6, preferably, the transfer disk10A transfers the electronic components100in such a manner that a length direction of each electronic component100is parallel to a transfer direction (i.e., the direction indicated by the arrow C).

The transfer disk20includes a second transfer section21for receiving the electronic components100from the first transfer section11A and transferring the same. The second transfer section21is on the circumference of the transfer disk20. The second transfer section21moves along a second transfer path connecting a receiving position P21to a discharging position (not shown). Thus, the second transfer section21includes a second transfer surface that moves along the second transfer path. The receiving position P21of the second transfer section21is spaced upwardly from the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11A, and is spaced from the delivery position P12by a first distance D.

Although not shown, a rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is connected to a driving unit such as a motor. Thus, the second transfer surface of the second transfer section21continuously rotates about the rotation axis R in a direction indicated by an arrow B.

A moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11A intersects a moving direction of the second transfer surface at the receiving position P21of the second transfer section21in a plan view of the first transfer surface. In other words, the transfer direction of the electronic components100to the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11A intersects the transfer direction of the electronic components100from the receiving position P21of the second transfer section21in a plan view of the first transfer surface.

As shown inFIG. 6, preferably, the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is parallel to the moving direction of the first transfer surface at the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11A in a plan view of the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11A, that is, the rotation axis R of the transfer disk20is parallel to the transfer direction of the electronic components100to the delivery position P12of the first transfer section11A (a direction indicated by an arrow Y inFIG. 6) in a plan view of the first transfer surface of the first transfer section11A.

The transfer device1A shown inFIG. 6has a structure similar to that of the transfer device1shown inFIG. 1, except that the first transfer mechanism is the transfer disk10A. Thus, the transfer disk20defining the transfer device1A has a structure similar to that of the transfer disk20defining the transfer device1.

In the transfer device1A shown inFIG. 6, the transfer direction of each electronic component100can be changed by delivering the electronic component100from the transfer disk10A to the transfer disk20, as in the transfer device1shown inFIG. 1.

Preferably, the transfer disk10A includes a guide member on the first transfer section11A for positioning each electronic component100to the delivery position P12. A preferred structure of the guide member is similar to that of the transfer device1shown inFIG. 1.

Preferably, the transfer10A includes an auxiliary power generator, without limitation to the guide member described above, at the delivery position P12for generating a power that acts in a direction from the delivery position P12to the receiving position P21. A preferred structure of the auxiliary power generator is similar to that of the transfer device1shown inFIG. 1.

The present disclosure is not limited to the above preferred embodiments. Various applications and modifications can be added to the structure of the transfer device, component structures, method of transferring components, and the like, without departing from the gist of the present.

The conveyor10as the first transfer mechanism shown inFIG. 1and the transfer disk10A as the first transfer mechanism shown inFIG. 6transfer the electronic components100in such a manner that the length direction of each electronic component100is parallel to the transfer direction, but may transfer the electronic components100in such a manner that a width direction of each electronic component100is parallel to the transfer direction.

When the first transfer mechanism includes the guide member, the positioning surface of the guide member may not be tilted relative to the transfer surface of the first transfer section. The first transfer mechanism such as the conveyor or the transfer disk may not include the guide member.

The rotation axis of the second transfer mechanism may be parallel to the transfer surface of the first transfer section.