Micro device feeder to assembly line holding connector system

Abstract: A holding connector system is provided for connecting a micro device feeder (22) to an assembly line table (12) having a plurality of alignment pins (11,13). A connector body (33) having a slot provided therein engages one of the plurality of alignment pins (11,13) and a table recess in the connector body (33) holds it to the assembly line table (12). A threaded knob (26) secures the connector body (33) to the assembly line table (12). The micro device feeder (22) is provided with an alignment plate (28), which has fingers engaging the alignment pins (11,13) to cause the micro device feeder (22) to be properly aligned with the assembly line table (12). A clamping plate (30) on the micro device feeder (22) engages a portion of the connector body (33), which holds down the micro device feeder (22).

Description: The present invention relates generally to a holding connector system for connecting two systems and more particularly to a connector system for connecting an electronic micro device feeder to an electronic assembly line. In the past, electronic devices were supplied by a micro device feeder to a robotic feeding system which removed the electronic micro devices and placed them on printed circuit boards moving through an electronic assembly line. The micro device feeders were generally aligned on a table underneath the robotic handling system and held in place in part by the micro device feeder's weight. Sometimes, the micro device feeder had additional legs which helped support its full weight. The micro device feeders were generally not held down so as to permit easy removal and replacement of the micro device feeders. Also to allow easy removal and replacement, the electrical cables and/or pneumatic tubes were connectable to the micro device feeder on the portion away from where the micro device feeder's weight was primarily supported and also away from the robotic handling system. This meant that the weight support acted as a fulcrum between the connections and the robotic handling system. The above arrangement was prone to accidents. For example, when an operator was in a hurry to remove the micro device feeder from the table, the operator would pull the cable and/or tubing downward to pull the connections loose. This would cause a tipping of the micro device feeder with the connection end going down and the portion under the robotic handling system going up to crash into the pick-and-place head of the robotic handling system. A pick-and-place head generally costs between forty to fifty times the cost of a micro device feeder, and this accident would typically destroy the pick-and-place head completely. Further, this would often disable the entire electronic assembly line with a resulting costly loss of production. A number of different approaches have been taken to try to solve this problem. For example, the table/micro device feeder system would often be redesigned to provide a clamping/latching mechanism. This complicated the installation process because it interfered with free removal and replacement of the micro device feeder because of the space limitations in the micro device feeder and table area. Another approach has been to add additional legs with adjustable feet that would provide additional support for the weight of the micro device feeder closer to the cable and/or tube connections. Unfortunately, even with this approach it is possible for an operator in a hurry to still tip the micro device feeder on the table. A further approach has been to put a cover plate over all the micro device feeders to act as a hold down to prevent the micro device feeders from tipping. The drawback is that a single micro device feeder cannot be removed independently and the robotic handling system and the production assembly line have to be stopped in order to remove a single micro device feeder. Thus, those skilled in the art have long sought a connection system, which would allow fast replacement of the micro device feeders on an individual basis without the possibility of damaging the robotic handling system. Previous systems by those skilled in the art have been unsuccessful in providing a fully adequate solution. In view of the above example, it is an object of the invention to provide a holding connector system which allows for simple, easy installation and removal of a first structure, in particular a micro device feeder, to and from a second structure, in particular an electronic assembly line, without the possibility of tipping. Preferred embodiments of the invention are given in the appended sub-claims. The above and additional advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the present invention in its operating environment; FIG. 2 is an isometric cutaway view showing the present invention in its operating environment; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the structure of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the holding mechanism of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a centering plate of the present invention. Structure: Referring now to FIG. 1, therein is shown an isometric view of a holding connector system 10 in its operative environment connecting a first structure 12 which is, in the embodiment shown, an assembly line table, to a second structure 22 which is, in the embodiment shown, a micro device feeder. The first structure 12 has a plurality of spaced apart front alignment pins 11 of which tapered-top, cylindrical, front alignment pins 14, 16, 18, and 20 are typical. The front alignment pins 11 are in line and extend across the first structure 12. The first structure 12 also has a plurality of back alignment pins 13 of which hemispherical-head, cylindrical, back alignment pins 15, 17, 19, and 21 are typical. The back alignment pins 13 are in line both with themselves and with the front alignment pins 11 and also extend parallel to the front alignment pins 11. The front and back alignment pins 11 and 13 are spaced apart varying distances based on the particular first structure 12 but the distances are always regular increments. The second structure 22 is shown positioned over the first structure 12 with its main length perpendicular to the front alignment pins 11 and the back alignment pins 13. The second structure 22 is held in alignment by one of the front alignment pins 11 and one of the back alignment pins 13. The alignment by the one of the front alignment pins 11 will be described later, but the one of the back alignment pins 13, designated as back alignment pins 21, 23, 25, or 27, fits into a precision hole (not shown) in the underside of the second structure 22. It should be understood that there are a number of other holes in the underside also to provide clearance holes for the back alignment pins under the second structure 22 which are not being used for alignment. Referring now to FIG. 2, therein is shown an isometric cutaway view showing the holding connector system 10 in its operative environment. The second structure 22 is held in place by a securing mechanism 24, which is aligned by one of the front alignment pins 11 and is locked in place by a securing member 26 which is, in the embodiment shown, a threaded knob. The second structure 22 has a alignment mechanism 28 which serves, in the embodiment shown, as a centering plat, and a clamping plate 30 which the securing mechanism 24 uses to hold the second structure 22 to the first structure 12. It would be understood by those skilled in the art that generally a second structure housing 31 is made of a soft, light material such as aluminum and, thus, the alignment mechanism 28 and the clamping plate 30 are of a harder, rigid, wear resistant material, such as steel, to avoid wearing down the aluminum through frequent changes of position. Similarly, a connector body 33 of the securing mechanism 24 is also of a material such as steel. Referring now to FIG. 3, therein is shown a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 through the second structure 22. The first structure 12 has a through-hole 32 provided therein into which a front alignment pin 34 is partially inserted. The front alignment pin 34 is identical to and is inserted in the same manner as the front alignment pins 11 in the first structure 12. The securing mechanism 24 has the securing member 26 engaging the hole 32 with an opening 36 provided therein for engaging the front alignment pin 34. The alignment mechanism 28 has a pair of alignment pins (alignment pin 38 only is shown) partially inserted so as to extend into the second structure 22 to provide precision location for the alignment mechanism 28. Referring now to FIG. 4, therein is shown an isometric view of the securing mechanism 24. The securing mechanism 24 includes a connector body 33, which has an engagement portion 35 which extends out from the connector body 33. The opening 36 has bevels 40 and 42, which are provided in the connector body 33. The connector body 33 has a-recessed portion 44 provided therein so that the opening 36 is in one portion of the connector body 33 and a hole 46 with a thread therein is provided in the other. The securing member 26 has a threaded portion 48, which is threaded into the threaded hole 46 using a knob 56 so as to cause a centering portion 58 (which can be cylindrical as shown, conical; or hemispherical) of the securing member 26 to extend out of the hole 46 and secure the connector body 33 to the first structure 12. As would be evident to those skilled in the art, the securing mechanism of the securing member 26 may be replaced by a number of different expedients, one of which would be a spring-loaded centering pin. Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown the alignment mechanism 28 upside down. The alignment mechanism 28 has a body portion 60 with a plurality of fingers 62 extending therefrom. The fingers 62 are designated as single beveled fingers 64 and 66 and a double beveled finger 68. The body portion 60 has a pair of countersunk holes 70 and 72 for fastening screws (not shown) and alignment pin holes 74 and 76 for insertion of a pair of alignment pins (not shown but one of which is alignment pin 38 of FIG. 3). Operation: An operator determines the location for the second structure 22 and selects an alignment pin to one side of the centerline of where the second structure 22 will go. For example, if the centerline would be on the front alignment pin 18, the securing mechanism 24 would be placed next to the front alignment pin 20 with the recessed portion 44 over the first structure 12. The securing mechanism 24 will be moved parallel to the line of the front alignment pins 11 until the bevel 40 or 42 contacts the front alignment pin 20 and further movement of the securing mechanism 24 moves the connector body 33 until the opening 36 lines up with the front alignment pin 20. When the front alignment pin 20 is in the opening 36, the securing member 26 will be tightened until the cylindrical portion 58 secures the securing mechanism 24 in the hole 32 of the first structure 12. Once the securing mechanism 24 is in place, the operator lifts the second structure 22 into place. The operator moves the second structure towards the front alignment pins 11 with the end towards the back alignment pins 13 slightly lifted. The second structure 22 carries the alignment mechanism 28 and the clamping plate 30. The second structure 22 has the alignment mechanism 28 arranged with the fingers 62 facing the front alignment pin 18. As the alignment mechanism 28 is moved towards the front alignment pins 11, the single beveled finger 64 or 66 engages the front alignment pin 18 to shift the second structure 22 parallel to the front alignment pins 11 until the single beveled finger 64 or 66 and the double beveled finger 68 engage the front alignment pin 18. The clamping plate 30 engages the engagement portion 35 of the securing mechanism 24 and the portion of the second structure 22 with the precision hole is lowered over one of the back alignment pins 13 which aligns the second structure 22 perpendicular to the front alignment pins 11 and the back alignment pins 13 using only two alignment pins. As previously mentioned, the back alignment pins 13 have hemispherical heads which permit the second structure 22 to be lowered in a slight arc with a small bit of lateral movement to ease the perpendicular alignment. The engagement portion 35 prevents tipping. With the alignment mechanism 28 being of steel and the first structure 12 magnetized, a magnetic holding affect prevents rocking of the second structure 22 from side to side.

Claims: A holding connector system comprising: a) a first structure (12) having a first plurality of alignment pins (11) and a second plurality of alignment pins (13); b) a second structure (22) comprising an alignment mechanism (28) engaging one of the first plurality of alignment pins (11) and further comprising an engagement portion engaging one of the second plurality of alignment pins (13) to cause the first structure (12) to be aligned with the second structure (22) ; and c) a connector body (33) having d1) an opening (36) provided therein for engaging one of the first plurality of alignment pins (11); d2) a recessed portion (44) provided therein for holding it to the first structure (12); d3) a securing mechanism (24) securing the connector body (33) to the first structure (12); and d3) an engagement portion (35) holding down the second structure (22). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said engagement portion is engaging one of the second plurality of alignment pins (13) distal from said one of the first plurality of alignment pins (11). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first and second plurality of alignment pins (11,13) are parallel and in line; and wherein said second structure (22) has means for engaging one of said first plurality of alignment pins (11) and one of said second plurality of alignment pins (13) which are in line whereby a length of the second structure (22) is aligned perpendicular to the parallel first and second pluralities of alignment pins (11,13). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector body (33) has a securing portion (47) with a hole (46) provided therein; and said securing mechanism (24) having a securing member (26) for engaging said hole (46) and said second structure (22). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said connector body (33) has said hole (46) with threads provided therein; and said securing member (26) is threaded and is engageable with said first structure (12) proximate one of said plurality of alignment pins (11,13) to hold said connector body (33) in fixed relationship therewith. The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector body (33) has a bevel (40,42) provided therein adjacent said opening (36) for guiding said connector body (33) over said one of said first plurality of alignment pins (11). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said connector body (33) is of a rigid, wear-resistant, material. The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said alignment mechanism (28) has a plurality of fingers (62) engaging said one of said first plurality of alignment pins (11). The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second structure (22) includes a clamping plate (30) engaging said engagement portion (35) of said connector body (33) , said clamping plate (30) being formed of a rigid, wear-resistant material. The holding connector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second structure (22) has a precision hole provided therein for engaging one of the second plurality of alignment pins (13) distal from said first plurality of alignment pins (11).

Inventors: BOLOTIN LEV M, HUBLER ROBERT BRUCE, POWELL BRYAN D, WHAN-TONG JANINE, BOLOTIN, LEV M., HUBLER, ROBERT BRUCE, POWELL, BRYAN D., WHAN-TONG, JANINE
Applicants: DATA IO CORP, DATA I/O CORPORATION
Application year: 2000
Main classification: H05K13
IPC codes: F16B1, H05K13