Patent Description:
Conventionally, a tape guide incorporated in a component supply device is known (for example, refer to Patent Literature <NUM>). The component supply device supplies an electronic component to the component supply position in a state where the electronic component is stored in a component storage section of a carrier tape. The carrier tape has a base tape provided with a component storage section, and a cover tape peelably attached to the base tape to close the component storage section of the base tape.

The tape guide has a guide section extending along a conveyance direction of the carrier tape, and a component exposing section that peels the cover tape from the base tape to expose the electronic component in the component storage section. The guide section has an upper wall portion for guiding an upper surface of the carrier tape and a side wall portion for guiding a side surface of the carrier tape. The component exposing section has a tongue portion extending in the conveyance direction and a blade portion for cutting the cover tape. The tongue portion is fixed to the guide section by welding or the like. The tongue portion is disposed so that a distal end portion thereof is fixed at a height position where the tongue portion is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape of the carrier tape guided by the guide section. When the tongue portion is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape, the cover tape is then guided to the blade portion. The blade portion cuts and divides the cover tape. During the conveyance of the carrier tape guided by the guide section, the tongue portion of the component exposing section is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape, and the blade portion thereof cuts and divides the cover tape to partially peel the cover tape from the base tape, thereby exposing the electronic component in the component storage section. Additionally, <CIT> discloses an electronic component supply device comprising a movable peeling member by means of an actuator.

However, in the tape guide described in Patent Literature <NUM>, as described above, the tongue portion is fixed to the guide section, and the distal end portion of the tongue portion is fixed at a height position (first height position) at which the tongue portion is inserted between the base tape and the cover tape of the carrier tape. Therefore, since a state in which the distal end portion of the tongue portion comes into contact with the upper surface of the base tape is maintained after the distal end portion of the tongue portion enters between the base tape and the cover tape at a distal end of the carrier tape in the conveyance direction and the peeling of the cover tape is started, the electronic component in the component storage section of the base tape comes into easy contact with a corner portion of the distal end portion of the tongue portion.

Meanwhile, in order to prevent the electronic components in the component storage section of the base tape from coming into contact with the corner portion of the distal end portion of the tongue portion, a structure for fixing the distal end portion of the tongue portion at a position higher than the first height position may be considered. However, according to this configuration, at the time of starting the peeling of the cover tape, the distal end portion of the tongue portion cannot enter between the base tape and the cover tape at the distal end of the carrier tape in the conveyance direction, and thus, it is difficult to properly peel the cover tape from the base tape, and consequently, it may be difficult to appropriately expose the electronic component in the component storage section of the base tape.

An object of the present specification is to provide a tape guide, a component supply device, and a method of using a tape guide capable of preventing the electronic component in the component storage section of the base tape from coming into contact with the distal end portion of the tongue portion after the entry thereof, while appropriately causing the tongue portion of the component exposing section to enter between the base tape and the cover tape at the distal end of the carrier tape in the conveyance direction.

The present invention comprises a tape guide according to independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are found in dependent claims.

Further, the present invention comprises a method for using a tape guide according to independent claim <NUM>.

A configuration of component supply device <NUM> according to one embodiment will be described. Component supply device <NUM> is, for example, a cassette type tape feeder incorporated in a component mounter. The component mounter is a device which is provided on a board production line and mounts electronic component <NUM> on a substrate. Component supply device <NUM> is a device which supplies electronic component <NUM> to be mounted on the substrate to component supply position P for transferring electronic component <NUM> to the substrate. As illustrated in <FIG>, component supply device <NUM> includes cassette case <NUM>, tape loading section <NUM>, tape conveyance path <NUM>, tape guide <NUM>, tape feeding section <NUM>, and tape discharge passage <NUM>.

Cassette case <NUM> is a case formed in a thin rectangular shape by a transparent or opaque plastic plate or a metal plate. Cassette case <NUM> has a cover that can be opened and closed on a side surface portion. Tape loading section <NUM> is a part for detachably loading tape reel <NUM> around which carrier tape <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is wound. Tape loading section <NUM> is provided in cassette case <NUM>. Tape loading section <NUM> rotatably holds tape reel <NUM> in cassette case <NUM>. Tape reel <NUM> is attached to and detached from tape loading section <NUM> in a state where the cover of cassette case <NUM> is opened.

Carrier tape <NUM> is a tape member formed in an elongated shape. Carrier tape <NUM> has a predetermined width dimension (that is. , a tape width) in a tape width direction. Generally, a tape width of carrier tape <NUM> differs depending on a type of carrier tape <NUM> or a size of electronic component <NUM> to be accommodated, and is determined in advance as a standard. The tape width is, for example, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the like. Electronic component <NUM> is a component such as a transistor, a diode, or a resistor constituting an electronic circuit. Electronic component <NUM> may include, for example, a micro component having a size of <NUM> (<NUM> × <NUM>).

As illustrated in <FIG>, carrier tape <NUM> has base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>. Base tape <NUM> is formed of a flexible material such as a paper material or a resin. Base tape <NUM> has component storage section (that is, a cavity) <NUM>. Component storage section <NUM> is a hole or a groove for storing electronic component <NUM> to be mounted on the substrate by the component mounter. Carrier tape <NUM> may be an embossed tape in which component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> protrudes downward, or may be a paper tape in which groove-shaped component storage section <NUM> is provided on a surface.

Component storage section <NUM> is provided approximately at a center of base tape <NUM> in the tape width direction. Component storage sections <NUM> are provided in plural along a tape longitudinal direction, and are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. As illustrated in <FIG>, when component storage section <NUM> is a hole that penetrates base tape <NUM>, in order to prevent electronic component <NUM> from falling off, bottom tape <NUM> that closes a bottom portion of component storage section <NUM> is further adhered to a lower surface of base tape <NUM>. Bottom tape <NUM> may be formed of a transparent or translucent paper material, a polymer film, or the like.

Base tape <NUM> also has feed hole <NUM>. Feed hole <NUM> is a through hole provided to convey carrier tape <NUM> in the tape longitudinal direction. Feed hole <NUM> is an engagement hole for engaging an engagement protrusion of a sprocket described later. Feed hole <NUM> is formed in a substantially circular shape or an elliptical shape. Feed hole <NUM> is provided at one end portion of base tape <NUM> in the tape width direction. Multiple feed holes <NUM> are provided in the tape longitudinal direction, and are arranged in a row at predetermined intervals. Component storage section <NUM> and feed hole <NUM> are arranged in two rows in the tape width direction and disposed along the tape longitudinal direction.

Cover tape <NUM> is a tape that is releasably adhered to a surface (upper surface) of base tape <NUM>. Cover tape <NUM> is disposed so as to close and cover component storage section <NUM> on the surface of base tape <NUM>. Cover tape <NUM> is adhered to each of both end portions in the tape width direction excluding a center portion in the tape width direction where component storage section <NUM> is provided with respect to the surface of base tape <NUM>. Cover tape <NUM> has a function of preventing electronic component <NUM> stored in component storage section <NUM> from protruding to the outside. Cover tape <NUM> is formed of a transparent polymer film.

Cover tape <NUM> may have a tape width substantially the same as a tape width of base tape <NUM>, or may have a tape width smaller than the tape width of base tape <NUM>, for example, as illustrated in <FIG>, by being adhered to a portion other than a portion where feed hole <NUM> is provided with respect to base tape <NUM>. Tape width of cover tape <NUM> may vary depending on the type of carrier tape <NUM>, that is, the tape width of base tape <NUM>.

Tape conveyance path <NUM> is a conveyance path through which carrier tape <NUM> drawn from tape reel <NUM> loaded in tape loading section <NUM> in cassette case <NUM> is conveyed toward component supply position P. Tape conveyance path <NUM> is provided in cassette case <NUM>. Tape conveyance path <NUM> extends linearly from an outlet of carrier tape <NUM> in tape reel <NUM> toward component supply position P. Tape conveyance path <NUM> is in contact with and supports a lower surface of carrier tape <NUM>. Tape conveyance path <NUM> is inclined so that a position thereof gradually increases from an upstream side to a downstream side of carrier tape <NUM> in conveyance direction X. Tape conveyance path <NUM> is formed such that a most downstream portion extends horizontally.

Tape guide <NUM> is a member for guiding carrier tape <NUM> conveyed on tape conveyance path <NUM>. Tape guide <NUM> is disposed on a downstream side of tape conveyance path <NUM> in the conveyance direction. Tape guide <NUM> can press the upper surface of carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM>, and can peel cover tape <NUM> from base tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> to expose electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM>. In particular, tape guide <NUM> is biased downward with respect to cassette case <NUM>, and thus, even when the tape thickness of carrier tape <NUM> changes, tape guide <NUM> presses the upper surface of carrier tape <NUM> to prevent carrier tape <NUM> from floating up, so that feed hole <NUM> can be securely engaged with the sprocket.

As illustrated in <FIG>, backup plate spring <NUM> and support plate spring <NUM> are provided in cassette case <NUM>. Backup plate spring <NUM> and support plate spring <NUM> are disposed on the downstream side of tape conveyance path <NUM> in the conveyance direction. Backup plate spring <NUM> extends in the conveyance direction X along tape conveyance path <NUM>, and is fixed to cassette case <NUM> by a screw or the like at one end of backup plate spring <NUM>. Backup plate spring <NUM> supports the lower surface of carrier tape <NUM> (specifically, base tape <NUM>; including base tape <NUM> from which cover tape <NUM> is peeled) on tape conveyance path <NUM>. Backup plate spring <NUM> generates a biasing force that biases carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM> upward to press upper surface of carrier tape <NUM> against upper wall portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM>, which will be described later. Tape conveyance path <NUM> is provided with a groove into which component storage section <NUM> protruding downward in embossed carrier tape <NUM> can be engaged. Groove is formed in a size corresponding to embossed carrier tape <NUM> at which component storage section <NUM> is maximized. Support plate spring <NUM> is disposed below the groove. One or more support plate springs <NUM> (three in <FIG>) are provided. Each support plate spring <NUM> extends in conveyance direction X along tape conveyance path <NUM>, and is fixed to cassette case <NUM> by a screw or the like at one end of support plate spring <NUM>. Support plate spring <NUM> supports a lower surface of a lower wall of component storage section <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> when carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM> is an embossed carrier tape. Support plate spring <NUM> generates a force for preventing the lower wall of component storage section <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM> from falling by its own weight.

As illustrated in <FIG>, tape guide <NUM> has guide section <NUM> extending along conveyance direction X of carrier tape <NUM>. Guide section <NUM> is formed in a U-shaped cross-section to guide carrier tape <NUM>. Guide section <NUM> has upper wall portion <NUM> and pair of side wall portions <NUM>. Upper wall portion <NUM> is a portion which is disposed above tape conveyance path <NUM> and faces the upper surface of carrier tape <NUM>. Upper wall portion <NUM> has a function of restricting an upward movement of carrier tape <NUM> to prevent carrier tape <NUM> from floating. Each of pair of side wall portions <NUM> is a portion which extends downward from an end portion of upper wall portion <NUM> in the width direction and faces a side surface of carrier tape <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, tape guide <NUM> has component exposing section <NUM> that exposes electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM>. Specifically, component exposing section <NUM> exposes electronic component <NUM> by peeling cover tape <NUM> from base tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> immediately before component supply position P.

Component exposing section <NUM> has tongue portion <NUM> and blade portion <NUM>. Tongue portion <NUM> is a portion inserted between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> during the conveyance of carrier tape <NUM>. Blade portion <NUM> is a portion which is inserted into an adhesive position between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>, so as to partially peel cover tape <NUM> from base tape <NUM>.

Opening portion 42a is formed in upper wall portion <NUM> of guide section <NUM> of tape guide <NUM>. Opening portion 42a is formed by cutting a part of upper wall portion <NUM>. Tongue portion <NUM> is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside through opening portion 42a. Tongue portion <NUM> is formed so as to extend along conveyance direction X of carrier tape <NUM>, and is formed in a horizontal plate shape. Tongue portion <NUM> is fixed to guide section <NUM> by welding or the like at a downstream end portion of carrier tape <NUM> in conveyance direction X, and is attached to guide section <NUM> in a cantilever structure. Tongue portion <NUM> is disposed in a state where distal end portion 46a is directed toward an upstream side in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>.

Tongue portion <NUM> can move up and down by elastic deformation. That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, tongue portion <NUM> can be elastically deformed so as to bend downward when external force F is applied downward by the pressing through opening portion 42a by an operator, and to return to an original state when the application of external force F is released by release of the pressing, as illustrated in <FIG>. Tongue portion <NUM> elastically deforms so that distal end portion 46a (for example, a lower surface thereof) can move between first height position H1 at which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can enter between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> and second height position H2 higher than first height position H1.

It should be noted that first height position H1 may be any height position as long as distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can enter between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>, and may be set to a height position where distal end portion 46a thereof faces a boundary between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>, or may be set to a height position where distal end portion 46a thereof faces base tape <NUM> below the boundary. Second height position H2 is preferably set higher than first height position H1 and higher than the upper surface of base tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>. Further, first height position H1 and second height position H2 may be set with reference to a height position of a distal end portion in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM> conveyed on tape conveyance path <NUM> and pressed downward by upper wall portion <NUM> of guide section <NUM>.

Tongue portion <NUM> has a predetermined length from a fixed portion fixed to guide section <NUM> to distal end portion 46a. The predetermined length is set to a length by which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can move in an up-down direction by a difference between first height position H1 and second height position H2. Tongue portion <NUM> is elastically deformed such that when external force F is applied to tongue portion <NUM> from the upper side to the lower side, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is located at first height position H1, and when the application of external force F is released, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is located at second height position H2. It should be noted that external force F applied to tongue portion <NUM> in order to cause the operator to position distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> at first height position H1 may be set to a force capable of positioning distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> at first height position H1 by a force of an operator's finger.

Tongue portion <NUM> has a predetermined width of carrier tape <NUM> in the tape width direction. The predetermined width is set so as to be smaller than the tape width of carrier tape <NUM>. Tongue portion <NUM> is disposed so as to be biased toward an end portion side (specifically, toward a side opposite to a side where feed hole <NUM> is provided) in the tape width direction of one of both end portions in the tape width direction where cover tape <NUM> is adhered to base tape <NUM> in the width direction of carrier tape <NUM>.

Tongue portion <NUM> is formed in a chevron shape so that a center portion in the width direction protrudes toward an upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to an end portion in the width direction, and is formed so that distal end portion 46a is biased toward one end portion (specifically, an end portion in the width direction opposite to the side where feed hole <NUM> is provided) in the width direction. Tongue portion <NUM> is disposed such that distal end portion 46a is located directly above component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM>. Distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is tapered so that a lower surface thereof is inclined downward from an upstream side in the conveyance direction to a downstream side in the conveyance direction. It should be noted that the lower surface of distal end portion 46a may be made horizontal when tongue portion <NUM> is pressed downward and deformed so that distal end portion 46a is located at first height position H1 in order to improve the entry of distal end portion 46a between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>.

Blade portion <NUM> is provided at any position deviated in the width direction from the axial distal end of tongue portion <NUM>. Blade portion <NUM> is provided so as to correspond to an end portion side (specifically, on the side opposite to the side where feed hole <NUM> is provided) in the tape width direction of one of both end portions in the tape width direction to which cover tape <NUM> is adhered to base tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>. Blade portion <NUM> has a function of exposing electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> at component supply position P. Blade portion <NUM> is inserted between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at one end portion of carrier tape <NUM> in the tape width direction to partially peel cover tape <NUM> from base tape <NUM>.

Tape guide <NUM> also includes stopper section <NUM>. Stopper section <NUM> is a section that restricts the position movement of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> to a height lower than first height position H1. Stopper section <NUM> is an upper surface of one side wall portion <NUM> of pair of side wall portions <NUM> of guide section <NUM>. Stopper section <NUM> is provided adjacent to a position where opening portion 42a of upper wall portion <NUM> is provided.

As described above, tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> is disposed so as to be exposed to the outside through opening portion 42a. In addition, tongue portion <NUM> has opposing part 46b facing the upper surface of stopper section <NUM>, that is, side wall portion <NUM> of guide section <NUM> in the up-down direction. Opposing part 46b is integrally formed with main body portion of tongue portion <NUM> so as to protrude from the main body portion in the tape width direction. Opposing part 46b has a function of restricting the subsequent positional movement of distal end portion 46a to a height lower than first height position H1 by abutting stopper section <NUM> when tongue portion <NUM> is deformed by the application of an external force and distal end portion 46a reaches first height position H1.

Tape guide <NUM> also includes folding section <NUM>. After one end portion of cover tape <NUM> in the width direction is peeled from base tape <NUM>, folding section <NUM> is a section for raising and folding an end portion in the tape width direction on the peeling side of cover tape <NUM>. Folding section <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to tongue portion <NUM>, and is disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction with respect to component supply position P. Folding section <NUM> is formed in a plate shape, and is formed so as to have a larger width from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Folding section <NUM> is formed and disposed so as to close a part of opening portion 42a.

Tape feeding section <NUM> is a section for conveying carrier tape <NUM> drawn from tape reel <NUM>. Tape feeding section <NUM> includes manual sprocket <NUM>, manual handle <NUM>, automatic sprocket <NUM>, and a motor (not illustrated).

Manual sprocket <NUM> is a rotating body supported so as to be rotatable with respect to cassette case <NUM>. Manual sprocket <NUM> is formed in a substantially disk shape. Manual sprocket <NUM> is disposed on the upstream side (specifically, an inclined portion whose position gradually increases from the upstream side to the downstream side in conveyance direction X in tape conveyance path <NUM>) in the conveyance direction of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> in tape conveyance path <NUM>. Manual sprocket <NUM> rotates about a horizontal supporting shaft provided below tape conveyance path <NUM> with respect to cassette case <NUM>.

Manual sprocket <NUM> has external teeth protruding radially outward. External teeth of manual sprocket <NUM> are provided at angular intervals corresponding to the intervals of feed holes <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>. The external teeth protrude upward through the through hole of tape conveyance path <NUM> when located in the vicinity of the uppermost end of manual sprocket <NUM>. The external teeth protruding upward from tape conveyance path <NUM> engage with feed hole <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>.

Manual handle <NUM> is an operation handle capable of allowing the operator to rotate manual sprocket <NUM>. Manual handle <NUM> is integrally provided with manual sprocket <NUM>. When manual handle <NUM> is operated by the operator, manual sprocket <NUM> rotates. When manual sprocket <NUM> rotates and the external teeth of manual sprocket <NUM> engage with feed hole <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM>, carrier tape <NUM> is conveyed in conveyance direction X along tape conveyance path <NUM>.

Automatic sprocket <NUM> is a rotating body supported so as to be rotatable with respect to cassette case <NUM>. Automatic sprocket <NUM> is formed in a substantially disk shape. Automatic sprocket <NUM> is disposed on the downstream side (specifically, in the vicinity of component supply position P) of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> in tape conveyance path <NUM> in the conveyance direction. Automatic sprocket <NUM> rotates about a horizontal supporting shaft provided below tape conveyance path <NUM> with respect to cassette case <NUM>.

Automatic sprocket <NUM> has external teeth protruding radially outward. The external teeth of automatic sprocket <NUM> are provided in plural at angular intervals corresponding to the intervals of feed holes <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>. The external teeth protrude upward through the through hole of tape conveyance path <NUM> when located in the vicinity of the uppermost end of automatic sprocket <NUM>. The external teeth protruding upward from tape conveyance path <NUM> engage with feed hole <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>.

Automatic sprocket <NUM> engages with an output shaft of the motor via a gear. Automatic sprocket <NUM> decelerates in synchronization with rotational driving of the motor. The motor is intermittently driven so as to rotate by a predetermined angle per driving. When automatic sprocket <NUM> rotates in a state in which the external teeth thereof engage with feed hole <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM> on tape conveyance path <NUM> by the intermittent driving of the motor, carrier tape <NUM> is pitch-fed in conveyance direction X along tape conveyance path <NUM> and is conveyed.

Tape discharge passage <NUM> is provided in cassette case <NUM>. Tape discharge passage <NUM> is disposed so as to extend from the upper portion to the lower portion on the front side (that is, downstream side in conveyance direction) in cassette case <NUM>. After electronic component <NUM> is removed from base tape <NUM> at component supply position P, carrier tape <NUM> is guided to tape discharge passage <NUM> in a state where base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> are adhered to each other at the other end portion in the width direction, and is discharged from the lower portion of cassette case <NUM> to the outside.

Tape guide <NUM> is in a state in which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is located at second height position H2 when the operator does not apply external force F in the downward direction to tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, before the distal end of carrier tape <NUM> in the conveyance direction reaches tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM>, that is, before distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>, the operator presses tongue portion <NUM> downward by external force F through opening portion 42a of tape guide <NUM> and moves tongue portion <NUM> downward so that distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is located at first height position H1. The downward movement of tongue portion <NUM> is performed until opposing part 46b of tongue portion <NUM> abuts on stopper section <NUM>. Until distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end of carrier tape <NUM> in the conveyance direction of, the state in which distal end portion 46a is located at first height position H1 is maintained.

When carrier tape <NUM> is conveyed in conveyance direction X by the operator operating manual handle <NUM> to rotate manual sprocket <NUM> in a state in which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> is located at first height position H1, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end of carrier tape <NUM> in the conveyance direction. As described above, first height position H1 is the height position at which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can enter the space between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>. Therefore, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can reliably and appropriately enter between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>.

After distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>, the operator releases the downward pressing of tongue portion <NUM>. When the pressing is released, as illustrated in <FIG>, since the application of the external force to tongue portion <NUM> is released, tongue portion <NUM> elastically deforms so that the height of distal end portion 46a moves upward so as to return to second height position H2.

When carrier tape <NUM> is conveyed in conveyance direction X by the rotation of manual sprocket <NUM> by the manual operation or the rotation of automatic sprocket <NUM> by the motor in a state in which distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> is located at second height position H2, tongue portion <NUM> (specifically, blade portion <NUM>) is inserted between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at one end portion in the tape width direction to which base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> are adhered while the state in which tongue portion <NUM> is inserted between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> is maintained. Accordingly, even when distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> moves upward to second height position H2 by elastic deformation, cover tape <NUM> can be peeled from base tape <NUM> using blade portion <NUM> to expose electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM>.

Distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> is located at first height position H1 before carrier tape <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>, and is located at second height position H2 after the entry. As described above, second height position H2 is set to a position higher than first height position H1. Therefore, as compared with a configuration in which the position of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is maintained at first height position H1 even after carrier tape <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM>, since the positional difference in the up-down direction between distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> and electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG> can increase after distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>, it is possible to prevent electronic component <NUM> from coming into contact with corner portion 46a of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM>.

In particular, when second height position H2 is set to be higher than first height position H1 and higher than the upper surface of base tape <NUM> of carrier tape <NUM>, since the position of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is maintained at a position higher than the upper surface of base tape <NUM> after tongue portion <NUM> enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>, it is possible to reliably prevent electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> from coming into contact with the corner portion of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, with tape guide <NUM>, it is possible to prevent electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> from coming into contact with distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> after the entry thereof, while appropriately causing tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> to enter between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>. Accordingly, after cover tape <NUM> is peeled from base tape <NUM> to expose electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM>, it is possible to prevent electronic component <NUM> from being scratched due to contact with tongue portion <NUM>.

In tape guide <NUM>, even when tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> is pressed downward, opposing part 46b of tongue portion <NUM> abuts on stopper section <NUM>, and thus, the movement of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> to a height lower than first height position H1 is restricted. Accordingly, even when the force with which the operator presses tongue portion <NUM> downward is large, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> can be reliably located at first height position H1 when distal end portion 46a enters between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> at the distal end in the conveyance direction of carrier tape <NUM>, and thus, the entry can be reliably performed.

Stopper section <NUM> is the upper surface of side wall portion <NUM> of guide section <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the position movement of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> to the height lower than first height position H1 with a simple structure.

In tape guide <NUM>, distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> is tapered so that the lower surface thereof is inclined downward from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to the downstream side in the conveyance direction. Therefore, as compared with a structure in which the lower surface of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM> is formed horizontally from the upstream side in the conveyance direction to the downstream side in the conveyance direction, since electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> of base tape <NUM> is less likely to come into contact the corner portion of distal end portion 46a of tongue portion <NUM>, it is possible to reliably prevent electronic component <NUM> from being scratched due to the contact with the corner portion of distal end portion 46a.

In the above embodiment, electronic component <NUM> is exposed by inserting blade portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> into the adhesive portion between base tape <NUM> and cover tape <NUM> so that cover tape <NUM> is partially peeled from base tape <NUM> from the state in which cover tape <NUM> is adhered to base tape <NUM> and electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM> is covered with cover tape <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and in exposing electronic component <NUM> in component storage section <NUM>, the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which cover tape <NUM> is divided into two in the tape width direction by a cutter without peeling cover tape <NUM> from base tape <NUM> to open double doors.

In the above embodiment, in order to move tongue portion <NUM> of component exposing section <NUM> of tape guide <NUM> in the up-down direction, tongue portion <NUM> has a length such that the position of distal end portion 46a can move in the up-down direction by a difference between first height position H1 and second height position H2 from the fixed portion fixed to guide section <NUM> to distal end portion 46a, and thus, tongue portion <NUM> itself is elastically deformed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and tape guide <NUM> may be provided with an up-down position changing mechanism for moving tongue portion <NUM> in the up-down direction. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, tongue portion <NUM> may be moved up and down with respect to guide section <NUM> using a force generated by actuator <NUM> such as a motor. In addition, tongue portion <NUM> may be moved up and down with respect to guide section <NUM> using, for example, a biasing force of a spring generated in accordance with an operation of the operator. In this modification, tongue portion <NUM> may not have a length elastically deformable from the fixed portion fixed to guide section <NUM> to distal end portion 46a.

Further, in the above embodiment, component supply device <NUM> is a cassette type tape feeder in which the main body is covered with cassette case <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and component supply device <NUM> may be applied to a tape feeder other than the cassette type tape feeder.

Claim 1:
A tape guide (<NUM>) comprising:
a guide section (<NUM>) extending along a conveyance direction in which a carrier tape (<NUM>) is conveyed and configured to guide the carrier tape (<NUM>), the carrier tape (<NUM>) including a base tape (<NUM>) provided with a component storage section (<NUM>) for storing an electronic component (<NUM>) and a cover tape (<NUM>) provided on a surface of the base tape (<NUM>) to close the component storage section (<NUM>); and
a component exposing section (<NUM>) having a tongue portion (<NUM>) inserted between the base tape (<NUM>) and the cover tape (<NUM>) during conveyance of the carrier tape (<NUM>) guided by the guide section (<NUM>) and configured to expose the electronic component (<NUM>) in the component storage section (<NUM>), wherein
the tongue portion (<NUM>) is configured to move up and down so that a distal end portion (46a) of the tongue portion (<NUM>) is movable between a first height position (H1) at which the distal end portion (46a) enters between the base tape (<NUM>) and the cover tape (<NUM>) and a second height position (H2) higher than the first height position (H1), wherein
the tongue portion (<NUM>) is configured to move up and down according to a magnitude of an external force applied to the tongue portion (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the tongue portion (<NUM>) is configured to move up and down by elastic deformation.