Patent Publication Number: US-2018035579-A1

Title: Component mounter

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates to a component mounter that appropriately exchanges a multi-nozzle head that holds multiple suction nozzles in an exchangeable manner and a single-nozzle head that holds a single nozzle section. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     With a component mounter disclosed in patent literature 1 (WO2014/033900), it is possible to exchangeably hold either a multi-nozzle head or a single-nozzle head on a head holding unit that is moved by a head moving device. Here, a single-nozzle head is configured such that a single nozzle section that picks up a component is formed as one on a lower section of a head main body section held on a head holding unit. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: WO2014/033900 
     SUMMARY 
     Technical Problem 
     With the component mounter configured as above, because the holding configuration for holding the multi-nozzle head on the head holding unit and the holding configuration for holding the single-nozzle head on the head holding unit are shared, the configuration of the single-nozzle head is complicated and the size is large. Therefore, the manufacturing costs of the single-nozzle head are high, and if the quantity of single-nozzle heads with different sizes and shapes or nozzle section is increased, there is a problem of increased costs, and difficulty in meeting the need to decrease required storage space, due to the increased space needed to store the single-nozzle heads. 
     Therefore, to solve the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a component mounter for which an increased quantity of various single-nozzle heads with different sizes and shapes of nozzle section can be provided at low cost, while curtailing any increase in storage space required due to the increased quantity of various single-nozzle heads, thereby meeting the needs for low cost and reduced space. 
     Solution to Problem 
     To solve the above problems, the present disclosure is a component mounter that includes: a head holding unit configured to exchangeably hold either a multi-nozzle head that exchangeably holds multiple suction nozzles that pick up a component or a single-nozzle head that holds a single nozzle section, and a head moving device configured to move the head holding unit, wherein the single-nozzle head is configured from an attachment section that is exchangeable with the multi-nozzle head on the head holding unit, and the single nozzle section that is exchangeably held on the attachment section and picks up the component, and a holding configuration of the nozzle section on the attachment section and a holding configuration of the suction nozzle on the multi-nozzle head are shared, such that the suction nozzle can be held on the attachment section as a nozzle section. 
     That is, with the present disclosure, a single-nozzle head is divided into an attachment section held by the head holding unit, and a nozzle section, and the holding configuration of the nozzle section on the attachment section, and the holding configuration of the suction nozzle on the multi-nozzle head are shared, therefore it is possible to use the nozzle section of the single-nozzle head as a suction nozzle of the multi-nozzle head. By this, various (different types of) single-nozzle heads with different sizes and shapes of nozzle section (suction nozzle) can be provided at low cost, thus curtailing any increase in storage space required due to the increased quantity of various single-nozzle heads, and meeting the needs for low cost and reduced space. Note that, a nozzle section used on the single-nozzle head is not restricted to a suction nozzle used on the multi-nozzle head, a nozzle section newly manufactured for single-nozzle head use may be used, that is, a suction nozzle used on the multi-nozzle head may be included in the various nozzle sections used on the single-nozzle head. 
     The present disclosure may be provided with a control device configured to control operation of the head moving device so as to attach and detach the nozzle section or the suction nozzle to and from the attachment section held by the head holding unit. By this, it is possible to automate operation of attaching and detaching the nozzle section or the suction nozzle to and from the attachment section held on the head holding unit. 
     Further, the control device may control operation of the head moving device so as to attach and detach the multi-nozzle head or the attachment section to and from the head holding unit. By this, it is possible to automate exchange operation of multi-nozzle heads and the attachment section of the single-nozzle head to and from the head holding unit. 
     Further, the present disclosure may be configured such that a nozzle holder for holding the suction nozzle is lowerably held on the multi-nozzle head; an engagement protruding section is provided protruding to a side on an upper section of the suction nozzle and on an upper section of the nozzle section; an engagement groove with an inverted L shape or inverted J shape into which the engagement protruding section is inserted from below is formed in an engagement cylindrical section which engages the upper section of the suction nozzle in the nozzle holder and in an engagement cylindrical section which engages the upper section of the nozzle section in the attachment section; and a spring to maintain the state in which the respective engagement protruding sections are engaged with the respective engagement grooves is provided in the nozzle holder and the attachment section. By doing this, a suction nozzle or nozzle section can be held mechanically in a nozzle holder or attachment section by the engagement of the engagement protruding section at the suction nozzle side or the nozzle section side and the engagement groove at the nozzle holder side or the attachment section side, and positional deviation or dropping of a suction nozzle or nozzle section due to the inertia force can be prevented even if a head is moved at a high speed. Further, for the present disclosure, it is also acceptable for the suction nozzle or nozzle section to be held in the nozzle holder or attachment section using a plunger or plate spring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the present disclosure, in which a multi-nozzle head is shown removed from the head holding unit of the component pickup device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the R-axis section of the head holding unit. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a multi-nozzle head. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a single-nozzle head. 
         FIG. 5  is a front view showing a state in which the nozzle section (suction nozzle) is removed from the single-nozzle head. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the configuration of control items of the component mounter. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     An embodiment of the disclosure is described below. Head moving device  20  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) that moves head holding unit  21  is XYZ directions is loaded on a component mounter. Head holding unit  21  is configured to exchangeably hold one of multi-nozzle head  11  that exchangeably (attachably and detachably) holds multiple suction nozzles  13  that pick up a component, and single-nozzle head  38  (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 5 ) that holds a single nozzle section  13 ′. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , mufti-nozzle head  11  of the embodiment is a rotary-type head (rotary head) that holds multiple nozzle holders  12  in a lowerable manner at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction, and a suction nozzle  13  is engageably held facing downwards on a lower section of each nozzle holder  12  so as to be exchangeable (attachable and detachable). 
     Multi-nozzle head  11  is exchangeably held (attachable and detachable) on R axis  22  extending downwards from head holding unit  21 . R-axis driving mechanism  23  (head rotating mechanism) that rotates R axis  22  is assembled on head holding unit  21 . R-axis driving mechanism  23  rotates R-axis gear  24  (tooth surfaces not shown) fixed on the upper end of R axis  22  by R-axis motor  25  and rotates multi-nozzle head  11  around R axis  22 , thus multiple nozzle holders  12  revolve in a circumferential direction of multi-nozzle head  11  together with multiple suction nozzles  13 . 
     In R axis  22 , Q-axis gear  27  (tooth surfaces not shown) which is a driving source of Q-axis driving mechanism  26  (nozzle rotating mechanism) is rotatably inserted through and the Q-axis gear  27  rotates around R axis  22  by Q-axis motor  28 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , on the lower section of R axis  22 , multiple (for example, four) engaging members  31  are provided movably in the up/down direction in order to detachably engage and hold multi-nozzle head  11 , and close to each engaging member  31 , an air cylinder (not shown) that drives each engaging member  31  in the up/down direction is provided. Each engaging member  31  is respectively formed in an L shape or J shape and arranged at even intervals in a circumferential direction of R axis  22 , and the direction of the claw section of each engaging member  31  is arranged so as to be facing in the same direction as the normal rotational direction (or the reverse rotational direction) of R axis  22 . 
     Also, multi-nozzle head  11  is provided with nozzle rotating gear mechanism  32  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) for transmitting rotational power of Q-axis gear  27  to each nozzle holder  12 . Nozzle rotating gear mechanism  32  engages cylindrical gear  33  (tooth surfaces not shown) that is rotatably held concentrically at the upper section of multi-nozzle head  11  and small gear  34  that is respectively attached to each nozzle holder  12 , and by rotating small gear  34  of each nozzle holder  12  by rotating cylindrical gear  33  by Q-axis gear  27  of head holding unit  21 , each nozzle holder  12  rotates around the shaft center of each nozzle holder  12  and thus the orientation (angle) of each component picked up by each suction nozzle  13  held by each nozzle holder  12  is corrected. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in order to insert R axis  22  of head holding unit  21  into cylindrical gear  33 , the inner diameter of the cylindrical gear  33  is formed slightly larger than the outer diameter of R axis  22 . In positions inside cylindrical gear  33  on the upper surface of multi-nozzle head  11 , multiple elongated holes  35  for inserting through each engaging member  31  of R axis  22  are formed at even intervals in a circumferential direction, and on one side of each elongated hole  35 , pin to be engaged  36  (member to be engaged) that is engaged by the claw section of engaging member  31  is fixedly penetrating in the radial direction of multi-nozzle head  11 . To the side of pin to be engaged  36  of each elongated hole  35 , a gap is maintained so that engaging member  31  can pass by in the up/down direction. 
     A Z-axis driving mechanism (not shown) using Z-axis motor  37  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) as a driving source is assembled on head holding unit  21  in addition to R-axis driving mechanism  23  and Q-axis driving mechanism  26 , and the configuration is such that nozzle holder  12  is lowered at the predetermined stopping position of the rotational path of nozzle holder  12  by the Z-axis driving mechanism. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , single-nozzle head  38  is divided into attachment section  39  that is held on head holding unit  21  to be exchangeable with multi-nozzle head  11 , and a single nozzle section  13 ′ that is exchangeably held on attachment section  39 . The holding configuration for holding attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  on head holding unit  21  and the holding configuration for holding multi-nozzle head  11  on head holding unit  21  are shared. Accordingly, although not shown, on the upper surface of attachment section  39 , multiple elongated holes for inserting through each engaging member  31  of R axis  22  are formed at even intervals in a circumferential direction, and on one side of each elongated hole, a pin to be engaged (member to be engaged) that is engaged by the claw section of engaging member  31  is fixedly penetrating in the radial direction of attachment section  39 . 
     The component mounter is provided with a head loading section (not shown) on which multi-nozzle head  11  and attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  for exchange are loaded. This head loading section is configured such that multiple types of multi-nozzle heads  11  and at least one type of attachment section  39  can be loaded. When attaching multi-nozzle head  11  or attachment section  39  loaded on this head loading section to head holding unit  21 , R axis  22  of head holding unit  21  is inserted into cylindrical gear  33  and each engaging member  31  of R axis  22  is inserted into each elongated hole  35  of multi-nozzle head  11  or attachment section  39 , and each engaging member  31  is pulled up and held while each engaging member  31  is engaged with pin to be engaged  36  in each elongated hole  35  by rotating R axis  22  by the rotation of R-axis gear  24 . 
     Further, in the present embodiment, the holding configuration for holding nozzle section  13 ′ in attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  and the holding configuration for holding suction nozzle  13  in multi-nozzle head  11  is shared, such that suction nozzle  13  can be held in attachment section  39  as nozzle section  13 ′. Here, nozzle section  13 ′ used on single-nozzle head  38  is not limited to suction nozzle  13  used on multi-nozzle head  11 , and a newly manufactured nozzle section  13 ′ for use as single nozzle head  38  may be used, that is, it is acceptable so long as suction nozzle  13  used on multi-nozzle head  11  is included in the various nozzle sections  13 ′ used on single-nozzle head  38 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , on the upper section of nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ), engagement pin  14  (engagement protruding section) is provided protruding in the diameter direction. With respect to this, an L-shaped or J-shaped engagement groove  16  (bayonet type engagement groove), into which each engaging pin  14  is inserted from below, is formed in engagement cylindrical section  15  that engages the upper section of nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) in attachment section  39  and an engagement cylindrical section (not shown) that engages the upper section of suction nozzle  13  in nozzle holder  12 . Further, in each of engagement cylindrical section  15  of attachment section  39  and the engagement cylindrical section nozzle holder  12 , a cylindrical pressing member  17  is engaged to be capable of moving up and down, and the pressing member  17  is pushed down by spring  18  (spring). 
     A nozzle loading section (not shown in the figure) on which suction nozzles  13  and nozzle sections  13 ′ for exchange are loaded is provided on the component mounter. This nozzle loading section is configured such that multiple types of suction nozzles  13  and nozzle sections  13 ′ can be loaded in a state with rotation being stopped (a state in which engagement pin  14  is positioned in a predetermined direction). When attaching suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ loaded on this nozzle loading section to nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39 , first, multi-nozzle head  11  or attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  39  is moved above the nozzle loading section by head moving device  20  (refer to  FIG. 6 ), nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39  to which suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ is to be attached is positioned directly above the suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′, and inlet  16   a  of engagement groove  16  in engagement cylindrical section  15  of the nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39  is entered into a state being positioned at engagement pin  14  of suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′. In this state, multi-nozzle head  11  or attachment section  39  is lowered, and after engagement cylindrical section  15  of nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39  is pushed into the upper section of suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ and engagement pin  14  of suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ is inserted into inlet  16   a  of engagement groove  16  in engagement cylindrical section  15 , by rotating the nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39  in the engagement direction (the end direction of engagement groove  16 ), engagement pin  14  of suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ is engaged with the V-shaped recess section of engagement groove  16  of the nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39 . This engaged state is kept by engagement pin  14  being pressed to the V-shaped recess section of engagement groove  16  by pressing member  17  by the spring force of spring  18 . When suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ is removed from nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39 , this may be done in the order reverse to the above, whereby suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ removed from nozzle holder  12  or attachment section  39  is loaded on the nozzle loading section. 
     Control device  41  (refer to  FIG. 6 ) of the component mounter, according to a production program, controls head moving device  20 , R-axis motor  25  of head holding unit  21 , Q-axis motor  28 , and Z-axis motor  37 , and as well as controlling the operation for a component supplied from feeder  42  set in a component mounter to be picked up and mounted on a circuit board by section nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′, controls operation for multi-nozzle head  11  and attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  to be attached to and detached from head holding unit  21 , and operation for suction nozzle  13  or nozzle section  13 ′ to be attached to and detached from nozzle holder  12  of multi-nozzle head  11  or attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38 . 
     With the component mounter of the embodiment described above, single-nozzle head  38  is divided into attachment section  39  held by head holding unit  21 , and nozzle section  13 ′, and the holding configuration of nozzle section  13 ′ on attachment section  39 , and the holding configuration of suction nozzle  13  on multi-nozzle head  11  are shared, therefore it is possible to use nozzle section  13 ′ of single-nozzle head  38  as a suction nozzle  13  of multi-nozzle head  11 . By this, various (different types of) single-nozzle heads  38  with different sizes and shapes of nozzle sections  13 ′ (suction nozzles  13 ) can be provided at low cost, thus curtailing any increase in storage space required due to the increased quantity of various single-nozzle heads  38 , and meeting the needs for low cost and reduced space. 
     Further, with the embodiment, it is possible to automate operation of attaching and detaching nozzle sections  13 ′ and suction nozzles  13  to and from attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  held on head holding unit  21 , to automate exchange operation of multi-nozzle head  11  to and from head holding unit  21 , to automate exchange operation of attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  to and from head holding unit  21 , thereby reducing the time required for exchange operation and improving operation efficiency of the component mounter. 
     Further, with the embodiment, because nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) is held mechanically in attachment section  39  (nozzle holder  12 ) by the engagement of engagement pin  14  at the nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) side and engagement groove  16  at the attachment section  39  (nozzle holder  12 ) side, positional deviation or dropping of nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) due to the inertia force can be prevented even if single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) held on head holding unit  21  is moved at a high speed. However, note that, for the present disclosure, it is also acceptable for nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) to be held in attachment section  39  (nozzle holder  12 ) using a plunger or plate spring. 
     Also, because single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) is held mechanically on head holding unit  21  by the engagement of pin to be engaged  36  at the side of the attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  (at the multi-nozzle head  11  side) and engaging member  31  at the head holding unit  21  side, positional deviation or dropping of single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) due to the inertia force can be prevented even if single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) held on head holding unit  21  is moved at a high speed. However, for the present disclosure, it is also acceptable for single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) to be picked up and held on head holding unit  21  using negative pressure suction force. 
     Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various embodiments with changes that do not extend beyond the scope of the disclosure are possible such as it is acceptable to appropriately change, for example, the configuration that engages and holds attachment section  39  of single-nozzle head  38  (multi-nozzle head  11 ) on head holding unit  21 , or the configuration that engages and holds nozzle section  13 ′ (suction nozzle  13 ) in attachment section  39  (nozzle holder  12 ), or to have a configuration such that a multi-nozzle head that does not rotate is held by head holding unit  21 . 
     Reference Signs List 
       11 : multi-nozzle head;  12 : nozzle holder;  13 : suction nozzle;  13 ′: nozzle section;  14 : engagement pin (engagement protruding section);  15 : engagement cylindrical section;  16 : engagement groove;  17 : pressing member;  18 : spring;  20 : head moving device;  21 : head holding unit;  22 : R axis;  23 : R-axis driving mechanism (head rotating mechanism);  24 : R-axis gear;  25 : R-axis motor;  26 : Q-axis driving mechanism (nozzle rotating mechanism);  27 : Q-axis gear;  28 : Q-axis motor;  31 : engaging member;  32 : nozzle rotating gear mechanism;  33 : cylindrical gear;  34 : small gear;  35 : elongated hole;  36 : pin to be engaged (member to be engaged);  37 : Z-axis motor;  38 : single-nozzle head;  39 : attachment section;  41 : control device;  42 : feeder