Patent Description:
For a component mounting system comprising multiple mounter modules, a component storage cabinet which stores tape feeders or component trays housing multiple components is provided at a location separated from the mounter modules, such that many tape feeders and so on can be stored in the storage shelf provided in this component storage cabinet.

And, when components need to be supplied to a mounter module, the tape feeder and so on which houses the required components is selected from the component storage cabinet by an operator, and the tape feeder and so on is moved by an operator to the mounter module which requires component supply and loaded to the component supply device of the mounter module. By doing this, even if a component runs out at a mounter module, it is possible to continue component supply by switching component supply to the newly loaded tape feeder and so on, such that mounting work is not interrupted. This kind of component mounting system is disclosed in patent literature <NUM>. Further examples of component mounting systems are disclosed in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

However, for the component mounting system disclosed in patent literature <NUM>, because the work of component supply and so on must be performed by operators, production cannot be continued without stopping the production line unless one or multiple operators are always stationed at the production line, which means there is the problem that it is not possible to achieve personnel reductions or automation.

The present invention solves the above current problems and its object is to provide a component mounting system which can perform component supply automatically by a supply device which can travel between a component storage cabinet and multiple mounter modules.

The problem is solved by the features of independent claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments are laid down in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention, component supply members can be supplied to multiple mounter modules and collected from the multiple mounter modules by a supply device which is conveyable between a component storage cabinet and the multiple mounter modules, which means that the required components can be supplied automatically and efficiently, and personnel reduction and automation are possible.

The following describes embodiments of the present invention based on the figures. <FIG> shows a component mounting system <NUM> of the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the component mounting system <NUM> comprises work modules <NUM> consisting of a printer module <NUM> for printing solder onto a circuit board B and multiple mounter modules <NUM> which mount electronic components (hereafter referred to simply as components) onto the circuit board B, a component storage cabinet <NUM> for storing many different types of components, and multiple supply devices <NUM> for supplying components and collecting components between these work modules <NUM> and the component storage cabinet <NUM>.

The printer module <NUM> and the multiple mounter modules <NUM> which constitute the work modules <NUM> are arranged along the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of the circuit board B. The work modules <NUM> are provided in two rows facing each other spaced apart at a predetermined distance in the Y-axis direction which is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. Each of the multiple supply devices <NUM> is provided such that each of them can travel along each of the two rows of the work modules <NUM> (hereafter referred to as the first work module 13A and the second work module 13B) respectively.

The component storage cabinet <NUM> is provided in a position separated in the X-axis direction with respect to the first and the second work modules 13A and 13B. Multiple tape feeders <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) housing different types of components or multiple component trays <NUM> (refer to <FIG> [B]) housing different types of components are stored in the component storage cabinet <NUM> arranged in storage shelves which are omitted from the figures, and the tape feeders <NUM> or the component trays <NUM> housing the required components are supplied to the supply devices <NUM> by an operator.

Each of the multiple mounter modules <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is equipped with a component mounter device <NUM>, a component supply device <NUM>, a board holding device <NUM> and a board conveyance device <NUM>.

The board conveyance device <NUM> has two rows of belt conveyors 25A and 25B for conveying circuit boards B in the X-axis direction, and conveys the circuit boards B along these belt conveyors 25Aand 25B, and loads and unloads the circuit boards B onto and from a board holding device <NUM>. The board holding device <NUM> is equipped with a board supporting device for supporting from below a circuit board B which has been loaded by the board conveyance device <NUM>, and a clamping device for clamping the circuit board B in position.

The component mounter device <NUM> is equipped with a Y-axis slide <NUM> supported movably in the Y-axis direction in a position above the board holding device <NUM>, an X-axis slide <NUM> which is supported movably in the X-axis direction on the Y-axis slide <NUM>, and a mounting head <NUM> which is attached on the X-axis slide <NUM>. Although not shown in the figure, a suction nozzle for picking up and holding components is provided on the mounting head <NUM>. The Y-axis slide <NUM> and the X-axis slide <NUM> are moved by an X-axis direction moving device and a Y-axis direction moving device respectively each of which uses a servo motor with encoder as a drive source, such that the mounting head <NUM> can be moved to any position in the XY plane.

A board imaging device <NUM> including a CCD camera is provided on the X-axis slide <NUM>, and the board imaging device <NUM> captures images of board position reference marks and board ID marks provided on the circuit board B which has been positioned on the board holding device <NUM> and acquires board position reference information and board ID information. Then, position correction is performed for the mounting head <NUM> in the XY direction with respect to the circuit board B based on the board position reference information acquired by the board imaging device <NUM>, and component mounting work is controlled based on the board ID information acquired by the board imaging device <NUM>.

Numeral <NUM> is a component imaging device including a CCD camera, and the component imaging device <NUM> captures an image of a component held on a suction nozzle of the mounting head <NUM> during movement from the component supply device <NUM> to above the circuit board B. Then, the pickup condition of the component being held on the suction nozzle and the center deviation of the component with respect to the center of the suction nozzle are detected, and the movement amount in the XY direction of the mounting head <NUM> are corrected based on the center deviation, such that mounting can be performed with the component at a specified orientation and at specified coordinates on the circuit board B.

The component supply device <NUM>, as an example, includes a feeder type component supply device 22Aand a tray type component supply device 22B, and the feeder type component supply device 22A is equipped with multiple tape feeders <NUM> functioning as component supply members which are removably attached to a feeder support platform <NUM>, and these multiple tape feeders <NUM> are lined up in the X-axis direction. A tape housing many components regularly spaced is wound on a tape feeder <NUM>, and by intermittently indexing the tape using a sprocket moved by a motor not shown in the figures which is provided inside of the tape feeder <NUM>, it is possible to consecutively supply components to a specified component supply position.

Further, each of the tape feeders <NUM> is such that it can be removably attached to a slot provided in the feeder support platform <NUM>, and when the tape feeder <NUM> is attached to the feeder support platform <NUM>, a connector which is omitted from the figure is connected, and electricity is supplied to the tape feeder <NUM> from the feeder support platform <NUM>, and management information such as the ID of the tape feeder <NUM> and control signals (component request signal, component supply complete signal and so on) which are required are transmitted between the control section of the tape feeder <NUM> and the control section of the feeder support platform <NUM>.

On the other hand, the tray type component supply device 22B is equipped with a housing <NUM> which houses a stocker which is omitted from the figure such that the stocker can be raised/lowered. Provided in the stocker is multiple tray storage shelves on which are established in parallel in the vertical direction multiple component trays <NUM> acting as component supply members in which are housed many components, and each of the component trays <NUM> stored in these tray storage shelves is able to be pulled out from the stocker in the Y-axis direction and positioned at a component supply position.

The above feeder type component supply device 22Aand the tray type component supply device 22B are both known items, and for the feeder type component supply device 22A, for example, the technology disclosed in <CIT> applied for by the same applicant as this application can be used, and for the tray type component supply device 22B, the technology disclosed in <CIT> applied for by the same applicant as this application can be used.

The supply device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, has a traveling platform <NUM> which can travel along each work module 13Aand 13B, and a supply unit <NUM> loaded on the traveling platform <NUM>. In order to run the traveling platform <NUM> of the supply device <NUM> along each work module 13A and 13B, on the front surface of each printer module <NUM> and multiple mounter modules <NUM> which constitute the first and the second work modules 13A, upper section and lower section guide rails 40a and 40b formed with a U-shape cross section are attached along the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of the circuit board B.

By this, when the printer module <NUM> and the multiple mounter modules <NUM> are arranged at a predetermined interval along the conveyance direction of the circuit board B, each upper section guide rail 40a and each lower section guide rail 40b attached to an adjacent printer module <NUM> and mounter module <NUM> are connected to each other with a slight gap, with first guide rail mechanisms 41A and 41B (refer to <FIG>) formed in a straight line connected in the conveyance direction of the circuit board B.

Also, between each end of the first guide rail mechanisms 41A and 41B and the component storage cabinet <NUM>, second guide rail mechanisms 42A and 42B connected to the above first guide rail mechanisms 41A and 41B are provided on the floor.

Also, a rack <NUM> acting as a first engaging body is attached to the front surface of the printer module <NUM> and each mounter module <NUM> parallel to the first guide rail mechanisms 41Aand 41B. The rack <NUM> extends into the component storage cabinet <NUM> parallel to the second guide rail mechanisms 42Aand 42B.

As shown in <FIG>, upper section follower rollers 45a which rollably engage with the side surface of the upper section guide rail 40a, and lower section follower rollers 45b which rollably engage with the bottom surface of the lower section guide rail 40b are rotatably supported on each traveling platform <NUM> of the supply devices <NUM>. Multiple of these upper section and lower section follower rollers 45a and 45b are provided at a regular interval in the traveling direction with most of the weight of the supply device <NUM> being borne by the lower section follower rollers 45b which engage with the lower section guide rail 40b, and the orientation and Y-direction position of the traveling platform <NUM> mostly being controlled by the upper section follower rollers 45a which engage with the upper section guide rail 40a.

Also, a pinion <NUM> acting as the second engaging body which engages with the rack <NUM> is rotatably supported on each traveling platform <NUM>, and a motor <NUM> for rotating the pinion <NUM> is fixed to the traveling platform <NUM>. Rotation is controlled and electrical power is supplied to the motor <NUM> from the work module 13A or 13B by a contactless transmission device <NUM> mentioned below. Here, it is acceptable to use a chain instead of a rack as the first engaging body <NUM> and a sprocket wheel instead of the pinion <NUM> as the second engaging body <NUM>.

By this, when the pinion <NUM> which engages the rack <NUM> is rotated by the motor <NUM>, the traveling platform <NUM> is conveyed between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and each of the work modules <NUM> guided by the first and the second guide rail mechanisms 41A, 41B, 42A, and 42B. In other words, the motor <NUM> functions as the drive motor for making the traveling platform <NUM> move. Conveyance means <NUM> for conveying the supply device <NUM> includes the above guide rail mechanisms 41A, 41B, 42A, and 42B, the drive motor <NUM>, the rack <NUM>, the pinion <NUM> and so on.

The supply unit <NUM> loaded on the traveling platform <NUM> of the supply device <NUM>, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, comes in two types, a feeder supply unit <NUM> for holding tape feeders <NUM> and a tray supply unit <NUM> for holding component trays <NUM>, and on the multiple traveling platforms <NUM> one of either feeder supply unit <NUM> or tray supply unit <NUM> is loaded.

With a feeder supply unit <NUM>, a feeder supply section 51A which is capable of housing multiple tape feeders <NUM> and which supplies these tape feeders <NUM> to the feeder support platform <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>, and a feeder collection section 51B which is capable of housing multiple tape feeders <NUM> and which collects tape feeders <NUM> from the feeder support platform <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>, are lined up in the traveling direction of the traveling platform <NUM>.

The feeder supply section 51A supports multiple tape feeders <NUM> lined up in the X-axis direction, and these tape feeders <NUM> are supported such that they can be moved in the Y-axis direction. The feeder supply section 51A, as shown in <FIG>, is provided with a feeder indexing mechanism which includes an indexing roller <NUM> which contacts the bottom surface of each tape feeder <NUM>, and the tape feeder <NUM> is indexed out from the feeder supply section 51A in the Y-axis direction by the rotation of the indexing roller <NUM> such that it can be loaded onto an empty slot of the feeder type component supply device 22A of the mounter module <NUM>.

In the same way, the same type of feeder indexing mechanism as above is provided in the feeder collection section 51B too, and the tape feeder <NUM> which should be collected from the feeder type component supply device 22A of the mounter module <NUM> is pulled out by this indexing mechanism such that it can be collected in the feeder collection section 51B.

In this case, although not shown in the figure, a locking mechanism for locking and unlocking the tape feeder <NUM> is provided on the feeder support platform <NUM> of the feeder type component supply device 22A, and, by the locking operation of this locking mechanism, the tape feeder <NUM> is taken onto the feeder support platform <NUM> and locked and also connected by a connector. Conversely, by the unlocking operation of this locking mechanism, the tape feeder <NUM> is unlocked and pushed out from the feeder support platform <NUM>, and the connection between the tape feeder <NUM> and the feeder support platform <NUM> is released.

As shown in <FIG>, a barcode reader <NUM> for reading a barcode <NUM> attached to the tape feeder <NUM> housed in the feeder supply section 51A is equipped on the feeder supply section 51A, such that it can be checked whether the tape feeder <NUM> housing the required components has been supplied from the component storage cabinet <NUM> without any mistakes. In this case, it is acceptable to provide a tape feeder <NUM> with a 2D code or a RFID instead of the barcode <NUM> and to perform recognition of the 2D code or the RFID with a camera or a RFID reader provided on the feeder supply section 51A.

Conversely, with the tray supply unit <NUM>, a tray supply section 52A which is capable of housing multiple component trays <NUM> and which supplies these component trays <NUM> to the stocker inside of the housing <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>, and a tray collection section 52B which is capable of housing multiple component trays <NUM> and which collects component trays <NUM> from the stocker inside of the housing <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>, are lined up in the traveling direction of the traveling platform <NUM>.

Each of the component trays <NUM> housed in the tray supply section 52A is indexed out in the Y-axis direction by a tray indexing mechanism not shown in the figures such that it is supplied to a specified storage shelf of the stocker of the tray type component supply device 22B of the mounter module <NUM>. In the same way, in the tray collection section 52B, a component tray <NUM> which has become empty is able to be indexed out from the stocker of the tray type component supply device 22B of the mounter module <NUM> in the Y-axis direction and collected by the tray indexing mechanism which is omitted from the figures.

Here, by making the tray supply section 52A which houses multiple component trays <NUM> able to be moved up and down, or by using the up and down operation of the stocker of the tray type component supply device 22B, each of the multiple component trays <NUM> housed in each level of the tray supply section 52A can be supplied to a specified storage shelf of the stocker.

As shown in <FIG>, a barcode reader <NUM> for reading a barcode <NUM> attached to a component tray <NUM> housed in the tray supply section 52A is equipped on the tray supply section 52A, such that it can be checked whether the component tray <NUM> housing the required components has been supplied from the component storage cabinet <NUM> without any mistakes.

As shown in <FIG>, in order to perform supply of electricity and communication in a contactless manner, respectively attached between each work module 13A/13B and the supply device <NUM> are: a belt-shaped unit <NUM> for contactless transmission extending in the X-axis direction on the printer module <NUM> and the multiple mounter module <NUM> side; and a head <NUM> for contactless transmission which faces the unit <NUM> for contactless transmission on the supply device <NUM> side. The contactless transmission device <NUM> includes these unit <NUM> for contactless transmission and the head <NUM> for contactless transmission such that electricity can be supplied from the work module 13A/13B side to the supply device <NUM> side, and the required communication can be performed between the work module 13A/13B side and the supply device <NUM> side, by the contactless transmission device <NUM>.

With the first embodiment given above, because the multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> can respectively be housed in each supply device <NUM>, it is possible to supply components to the multiple mounter modules <NUM> with one supply device <NUM>. Also, because multiple supply devices <NUM> are equipped on the first and the second work modules 13Aand 13B respectively, it is possible to supply components to multiple of the mounter modules from the multiple supply devices <NUM> at the same time.

However, in order to prevent supply devices <NUM> interfering with each other when the multiple supply devices <NUM> are removed from the component storage cabinet <NUM>, it is desirable to perform control such that the multiple supply devices <NUM> are removed from the component storage cabinet <NUM> simultaneously, and, when component supply work is complete for the multiple mounter modules <NUM>, the multiple supply devices <NUM> are returned to the component storage cabinet <NUM> simultaneously.

<FIG> shows a control device <NUM> which controls each mounter module <NUM>, and the control device <NUM> is equipped with CPU <NUM>, ROM <NUM>, and RAM <NUM> and an input/output interface <NUM> which is connected to these. Connected to the input/output interface <NUM> are items such as the component mounter device <NUM>, the component supply device <NUM>, a drive circuit <NUM> for driving the board holding device <NUM> and the board conveyance device <NUM>, an image processing device <NUM> for image processing image data captured by the board imaging device <NUM> and the component imaging device <NUM>, and a verification section <NUM> for verifying information read at the barcode readers <NUM> and <NUM>.

Saved on the ROM <NUM> of the control device <NUM> are data such as component model number, dimensions, and quantity of housed components for each serial ID of components housed in the tape feeders <NUM> and the component trays <NUM>. By this, it is possible to recognize items such as the component model number when the serial ID of a component is acquired by the barcode reader <NUM> or <NUM>.

A control computer <NUM> for performing centralized control of the work modules 13A and 13B and the component storage cabinet <NUM> is connected to the control device <NUM>. The control computer <NUM> is equipped with a control section <NUM> for performing centralized control of the first and the second work modules 13Aand 13B, and a conveyance control section <NUM> for controlling conveyance of the supply devices <NUM> and a supply control section <NUM> for controlling supply of the supply device <NUM> are connected to this control section <NUM>.

Next, component supply operation in the above first embodiment is described. Circuit boards B are conveyed consecutively in the printer module <NUM> and the mounter modules <NUM> by the board conveyance device <NUM>, solder is printed onto the conveyed circuit board B in the printer module <NUM>, and components are mounted onto the circuit board B according to a predefined program by the component mounter device <NUM> in each mounter module <NUM>.

The remaining quantity of components is managed as each component is picked up from a tape feeder <NUM> or a component tray <NUM> in each mounter module <NUM>, and when components have nearly run out in a tape feeder <NUM> or component tray <NUM>, a component supply request is issued to the control computer <NUM> from the control device <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>.

Based on this issued component supply request, an instruction is issued to the operator in the component storage cabinet <NUM> that supply should be performed of a tape feeder <NUM> or component tray <NUM> which houses the component type which is required for component supply, to the feeder supply unit <NUM> or the tray supply unit <NUM> of the supply device <NUM> which is waiting in the component storage cabinet <NUM>.

For example, if a tape feeder <NUM> housing type A components runs out of components at a certain mounter module <NUM>, a tape feeder <NUM> housing type A components is set in the feeder supply section 51A of the feeder supply unit <NUM>.

In this case, when the specified tape feeder <NUM> is set in the feeder supply section 51A, the barcode <NUM> of the tape feeder <NUM> is read by the barcode reader <NUM>, and the serial ID of the tape feeder <NUM> is transmitted to the control computer <NUM> connected to the component storage cabinet <NUM>. Because component related data for each serial ID is saved in the control computer <NUM>, whether the tape feeder <NUM> set in the feeder supply section 51A is of the same type as the supply component instructed by the control device <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM> is verified by the verification section <NUM>. Supposing that the supply component set in the feeder supply section 51A is incorrect, a verification error is reported to the operator in the component storage cabinet <NUM>.

When a tape feeder <NUM> housing type A components which should be supplied is set in the feeder supply unit <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM> provided on the traveling platform <NUM> of the supply device <NUM> operates. The pinion <NUM> which engages with the rack <NUM> is rotated by the operation of the drive motor <NUM>, and by this, the traveling platform <NUM> is moved out from the component storage cabinet <NUM> towards the mounter module <NUM> which requires component supply, supported and guided along the second guide rail mechanism 42Aand the first guide rail 41A.

Here, information is transmitted between the supply device <NUM> and the mounter module <NUM> in a contactless manner by the contactless transmission device <NUM>, and the movement of the supply device <NUM> to the mounter module <NUM> which requires component supply is controlled.

When the supply device <NUM> has been moved to the specified mounter module <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM> is stopped and the supply device <NUM> is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the mounter module <NUM>. In that state, the indexing roller <NUM> of the feeder indexing mechanism of the feeder supply section 51A of the feeder supply unit <NUM> is driven in the forward direction such that the tape feeder <NUM> housing the supply components is indexed towards an empty slot of the feeder support platform <NUM> of the feeder type component supply device 22A from the feeder supply section 51A.

When the tape feeder <NUM> is indexed to a predetermined position of an empty slot, the tape feeder <NUM> is attached to the feeder support platform <NUM> and the connectors of the tape feeder <NUM> and the feeder support platform <NUM> are connected by a locking device which is omitted from the figures.

When a tape feeder <NUM> housing supply components is attached to the feeder support platform <NUM>, the drive motor <NUM> is rotated a specified amount such that the traveling platform <NUM> is moved a specified amount in the X-axis direction. By this, the feeder collection section 51B of the feeder supply unit <NUM> is positioned at the position which corresponds to the tape feeder <NUM> which has run out of components. In this state, the tape feeder <NUM> is unlocked from the feeder support platform <NUM> by the unlocking of the locking device which is omitted from the figures, then, the indexing roller (<NUM>) of the feeder indexing mechanism of the feeder supply unit <NUM> is reversed such that the tape feeder <NUM> is collected into the feeder collection section 51B of the feeder supply unit <NUM> from a slot on the feeder support platform <NUM>.

In this case, it is acceptable for, at first, the tape feeder <NUM> which has run out of components to be collected in the feeder collection section 51B of the feeder supply unit <NUM>, and then, a tape feeder <NUM> which should be supplied to be supplied in that empty slot.

In this way, by automatically supplying type A components which have run out to the mounter module <NUM> from the component storage cabinet <NUM>, just by switching the component supply position to the supply position of a tape feeder <NUM> which has been newly attached, it is possible to continue production without interrupting mounting work, and personnel reduction and automation are possible.

The supply device <NUM> for which supply and collection of tape feeders <NUM> is complete is returned to the component storage cabinet <NUM>, and empty tape feeders <NUM> are removed from the feeder collection section 51B of the feeder supply unit <NUM> in the component storage cabinet <NUM>.

In this case, if component supply is necessary at multiple mounter modules <NUM>, multiple tape feeders <NUM> housing the types of components required at multiple mounter modules <NUM> are loaded in the feeder supply section 51Aof the feeder supply unit <NUM>, such that it is also possible to perform supply and collection of tape feeders <NUM> as above while consecutively stopping supply device <NUM> at the multiple mounter modules <NUM>.

Further, when supplying component trays <NUM> to mounter modules <NUM> also, this can be performed in the same manner as supply operation for tape feeders <NUM>. In other words, if an instruction is issued from the control device <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM> to the control computer <NUM> for supply of type B component housed in a certain component tray <NUM>, a component tray <NUM> housing type B components is set in the tray supply section 52A of the tray supply unit <NUM> on a supply device <NUM> which is waiting inside the component storage cabinet <NUM>, and conveyed to the mounter module <NUM> which requires component supply.

<FIG> shows the second embodiment of the present invention, and differences from the first embodiment are that this is an item for which the supply device <NUM> can be conveyed between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and each work module <NUM> by a conveyance means including an unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>. Note that, for the constituent components which are the same as those mentioned for the first embodiment, the same reference symbols are used and descriptions are omitted.

For the second embodiment, multiple unmanned conveyance carts <NUM> are provided on the floor in front of each work module 13Aand 13B mentioned in the first embodiment, such that they can travel in the X-axis direction, and these multiple unmanned conveyance carts <NUM> are able to be conveyed between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and each of the work modules <NUM> by the magnetic induction effect of a guideline <NUM> set in the floor. Further, other than in the floor, it is also acceptable to set the guideline <NUM> on the front of the work modules 13A and 13B.

On the multiple unmanned conveyance carts <NUM>, moving platforms <NUM> on which the feeder supply unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> or the tray supply unit <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) omitted from the figure can be movably set in the X-axis direction, are each guidably supported by a guide mechanism omitted from the figure such that they can each be moved in the X-axis direction. The moving platform <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is such that it can be moved in the X-axis direction by a moving device <NUM> which includes a ball screw <NUM> which is moved by a motor <NUM> and an indexing nut <NUM> which engages with that ball screw <NUM>.

Also, because it is difficult to accurately stop the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> in a position with respect to the mounter module <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, a pair of positioning pins <NUM> which comprise a positioning means are provided on the front of the mounter module <NUM> separated in the X-axis direction such that they can be advanced/retracted, and when the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is stopped at a position corresponding to the mounter module <NUM> based on the detection signal from a sensor omitted from the figure, the pair of positioning pins <NUM> are advanced and the stopping position of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is corrected. By this, it is possible to accurately position the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> with respect to the mounter module <NUM>.

In this case, it is good to provide on the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> a guide roller <NUM> which can contact the front of the mounter module <NUM>, and by running the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> while the guide roller <NUM> is constantly contacting the front of the mounter module <NUM>, it is possible to maintain a constant gap between the mounter module <NUM> and the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>.

Although not shown, a motor which acts as a traveling drive source is loaded on the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, and electric power is supplied to this motor from the work modules 13A/13B side by the contactless transmission device <NUM> and as such the conveyance of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is controlled. In this case, it is also acceptable to embed a battery to be used as a motor power source in the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, to control conveyance of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> by this battery, and to charge the battery using electric power transmitted in a contactless manner by the contactless transmission device <NUM> while components are being supplied at each mounter module <NUM>.

For the second embodiment, the supply device <NUM> is conveyed by the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> to a position corresponding to a mounter module <NUM> which requires component supply, and the position is decided using a sensor or the like which is omitted from the figure. Then, the pair of positioning pins <NUM> provided in the front of mounter module <NUM> are moved forward such that the stopping position of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is finely adjusted in the X-axis direction, and the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is accurately stopped in a position with respect to the mounter module <NUM>.

Here, if the feeder supply unit <NUM> housing multiple tape feeders <NUM> as shown in <FIG> is loaded on the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, the moving platform <NUM> is moved in the X-axis direction by the moving device <NUM>, and a specified tape feeder (a tape feeder which should be supplied) <NUM> housed in the feeder supply section 51A is positioned at a position which matches an empty slot in the feeder type component supply device 22A of the mounter module <NUM>, and the tape feeder <NUM> is attached to the empty slot using a feeder indexing mechanism which is omitted from the figure. Then, the moving platform <NUM> is moved in the X-axis direction by the moving device <NUM> and an empty housing section of the feeder collection section 51B is positioned at a position which matches the specified tape feeder (a tape feeder which has run out of components) <NUM> which should be collected from the feeder type component supply device 22A, and the tape feeder <NUM> is removed and collected into the feeder collection section 51B by a feeder indexing mechanism which is omitted from the figure.

Further, although not shown in the figure, the same type of tray supply unit <NUM> shown in <FIG> is supported on the above mentioned moving platform <NUM> on another unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, and component trays <NUM> are supplied and collected between the tray type component supply device 22B of the mounter module <NUM> by this tray supply unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the third embodiment of the present invention, which includes an endless guideline 90C with the ends of a guideline 90A on the first work module 13A side and a guideline 90B on the second work module 13B side which magnetically guide the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> of the supply device <NUM> connected to each other. With the third embodiment, the supply device <NUM> removed from the component storage cabinet <NUM> can be returned to the component storage cabinet <NUM> via the first work module 13A and the second work module 13B. Note that, for the constituent components which are the same as those mentioned for the first embodiment, the same reference symbols are used and descriptions are omitted.

It follows that, according to the third embodiment, even if there are multiple supply devices <NUM>, because there is no danger of a supply device <NUM> removed from the component storage cabinet <NUM> interfering with a supply device <NUM> to be returned to the component storage cabinet <NUM>, it is not necessary to remove the multiple supply devices <NUM> from the component storage cabinet <NUM> simultaneously as mentioned in the first embodiment, and it is possible to remove the supply devices <NUM> consecutively based on component supply requests. Further, multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> housing components which should be supplied at each mounter module <NUM> of the first and the second work modules 13Aand 13B are loaded on one supply device <NUM>, so it is also possible to supply components consecutively to each mounter module <NUM> of the first and the second work modules 13A and 13B, making it possible to improve the efficiency of component supply.

Further, the method for returning the supply device <NUM> removed from the component storage cabinet <NUM> to the component storage cabinet <NUM> via the first work module 13A and the second work module 13B is not restricted to the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, and it is also possible to apply the traveling of the traveling platform <NUM> mentioned for the first embodiment. In this case, this is possible by the end sections of two rows of the first guide rail mechanisms 54A and 54B being connected to each other by an arc shaped guide rail mechanism, and an arc shaped gear section which engages with the pinion <NUM> being provided on this arc shaped guide rail mechanism such that it connects with the rack <NUM>.

<FIG> shows the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which while using the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, guides the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> by the upper section and the lower section guide rails 40a and 40b mentioned in the first embodiment, and which is otherwise the same as the item mentioned in the first embodiment. According to this, the positional accuracy in the Y-axis direction of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> which is positioned at each mounter module <NUM> can be improved.

According to the above embodiments, provided are: the component storage cabinet <NUM> which stores multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> housing many components; the supply device <NUM> which is capable of traveling between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and multiple mounter modules <NUM> which supports component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> and supplies component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> to the multiple mounter modules <NUM> and collects the component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> from the multiple mounter modules <NUM>; the conveyance means <NUM> which conveys the supply device <NUM> between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and the multiple mounter modules <NUM>; the contactless transmission device <NUM> which transmits a signal in a contactless manner between the multiple mounter modules <NUM> and the supply device <NUM>; and the verification section <NUM> which reads and verifies the ID of the component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> which are supplied between the mounter module <NUM> and the supply device <NUM>.

According to the above configuration, even if components run out in the component supply device <NUM> of the mounter module <NUM>, the required components can be supplied automatically and efficiently by supply device <NUM> which runs between the component storage cabinet <NUM> and the mounter module <NUM> and supports the component supply member <NUM> or <NUM> which has run out of components, and personnel reduction and automation are possible.

By this, it is fine if operators just supply the required component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> to the supply device <NUM> inside the component storage cabinet <NUM>, and by automating the supply of component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> to the supply device <NUM> at the component storage cabinet <NUM>, component supply without operators is possible.

According to the above embodiments, because the supply device <NUM> can support multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM>, it is possible to supply multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> to the mounter module <NUM> from the supply device <NUM> which is supporting the multiple component supply members <NUM> and <NUM>.

According to the above embodiments, because the supply device <NUM> can support various types of component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> housing different types of components, it is possible to supply various types of component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> housing different types of components to multiple mounter modules <NUM> from the supply device <NUM> which is supporting various types of component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> housing different types of components.

According to the above embodiments, the conveyance means <NUM> includes guide rails 40a and 40b provided on the front of the multiple mounter modules and the rack (chain) <NUM> parallel to the guide rails 40a and 40b; and the follower rollers 45a and 45b which engage with the guide rails 40a and 40b, the pinion (sprocket wheel) <NUM> which engages with the rack <NUM>, and the drive motor <NUM> for rotating the pinion <NUM> provided on the supply device <NUM> side.

By this, it is possible to convey the supply device <NUM> via the pinion <NUM> and the rack <NUM> by the rotation of the drive motor <NUM>, and further, the supply device <NUM> can be accurately positioned in a position corresponding to the mounter module <NUM> by the rotation stopping accuracy of the drive motor <NUM>.

According to the above embodiments, because the contactless transmission device <NUM> can perform supply of electricity from multiple mounter modules <NUM> to the supply device <NUM> in a contactless manner, it is possible to supply the appropriate electric power to the motor and so on the supply device <NUM> side from the mounter module <NUM> side.

According to the above embodiments, because the supply device <NUM> includes the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> which can travel on the floor guided by the guideline <NUM> set along the multiple mounter modules <NUM>, and the supply unit <NUM> upon which component supply members <NUM> and <NUM> loaded on the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> are supported such that they can be supplied and collected, it is possible to create a component mounting system which can automate component supply fairly easily by arranging the unmanned conveyance cart and the guideline <NUM> without making large modifications to the mounter module <NUM>.

According to the above embodiments, because the moving platform <NUM> which moves the supply unit <NUM> in the traveling direction of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> with respect to the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> is provided between the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> and the supply unit <NUM>, even when the X-axis direction position of the supply unit <NUM> with respect to the mounter module <NUM> changes, this can be easily handled by the movement of the moving platform <NUM>.

According to the above embodiments, because a positioning means (the positioning pins <NUM>) which positions the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> in the traveling direction is provided on the front of the multiple mounter modules <NUM>, the stopping position of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> which is stopped in a position corresponding to the mounter module <NUM> can be corrected by the positioning means. By this, even for the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> which is difficult to accurately stop in a position with respect to the mounter module <NUM>, it becomes easy to accurately stop in a position with respect to the mounter module <NUM>.

According to the above embodiments, because the guide rails 40a and 40b are each provided on the front of the multiple mounter modules <NUM> and the follower rollers 45a and 45b which engage with these guide rails 40a and 40b are supported on the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM>, the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> which runs on the floor is guided by the guide rails 40a and 40b and the positional accuracy of the unmanned conveyance cart <NUM> positioned at the mounter module <NUM> can be improved in the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction.

According to the above embodiments, multiple component supply members (tape feeders <NUM> or component trays <NUM>) can be supported on the supply unit <NUM>, but it is also acceptable for a single component supply member to be supported on the supply unit <NUM>.

Also, according to the above embodiments, an example was given in which two rows of work modules 13Aand 13B were arranged with a gap in the X-axis direction, but it is also possible to have three rows or more, or a single row, of work modules.

Embodiments of the present invention were described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various forms which do not extend beyond the range of the object of the present invention as given in the claims are possible.

The present invention of a component mounting system is appropriate for use as an item for supplying components by a supply device which can travel between a component storage cabinet and multiple mounter modules.

Claim 1:
A component mounting system at which multiple mounter modules (<NUM>), each equipped with a mounting head (<NUM>), are arranged along a conveyance direction of circuit boards, comprising:
a component storage cabinet (<NUM>) which is configured to store multiple component supply members (<NUM>, <NUM>), each housing many components;
a supply device (<NUM>) which is capable of traveling between the component storage cabinet (<NUM>) and the multiple mounter modules (<NUM>), and which is configured to hold at least one of the component supply members (<NUM>, <NUM>) and to supply a respective component supply member (<NUM>, <NUM>) to a respective one of the multiple mounter modules (<NUM>) and to collect a respective component supply member (<NUM>, <NUM>) from the respective one of the multiple mounter modules (<NUM>);
a conveyance means (<NUM>) which is configured to convey the supply device (<NUM>) between the component storage cabinet (<NUM>) and the multiple mounter modules (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the component mounting system further comprises a verification section (<NUM>) which is configured to read and verify the ID of the respective component supply member (<NUM>, <NUM>) which is supplied to the respective one of the mounter modules (<NUM>) from the supply device (<NUM>),
wherein
the conveyance means (<NUM>) is configured to include guide rails (40a, 40b) provided on the front side of the multiple mounter modules (<NUM>), and follower rollers (45a, 45b) which are provided on the supply device side and which are configured to engage with the guide rails (40a, 40b).