Patent Description:
Some parts supply apparatuses supply parts in a state of being scattered on a stage, as described in Patent Literatures below.

The present invention has an object of suitably supplying parts in a parts supply apparatus that includes a stage.

In order to solve the problems described above, the present specification discloses a parts supply apparatus comprising: a parts supplier configured to accommodate multiple parts; and a stage,wherein the inside of the parts supplier is partitioned into multiple parts containers configured to accommodate different parts and the containers each having a conveyor device configured to discharge the multiple parts from the parts supplier to the stage, the multiple parts containers are attached to the stage, and the different parts are scattered on the stage from the multiple parts containers by activating either conveyor device.

According to the present disclosure, parts from multiple parts containers are scattered on one stage. As a result, many types of parts can be supplied by a parts supply apparatus, and the parts can be suitably supplied.

Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described in detail as embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, any reference to inventions or embodiments not falling into the scope of the independent claims are interpreted as examples useful for understanding the invention.

<FIG> shows component mounter <NUM>. Component mounter <NUM> is a device for performing a component mounting work on circuit base material <NUM>. Component mounter <NUM> includes device main body <NUM>, base material conveyance holding device <NUM>, component mounting device <NUM>, imaging devices <NUM> and <NUM>, parts supply apparatus <NUM>, bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, and control device (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. Examples of circuit base material <NUM> include a circuit board and a base material having a three-dimensional structure, and examples of the circuit board include a printed wiring board and a printed circuit board.

Device main body <NUM> is configured with frame <NUM> and beam <NUM> mounted on frame <NUM>. Base material conveyance holding device <NUM> is arranged at a center of frame <NUM> in the front-rear direction, and includes conveyance device <NUM> and clamping device <NUM>. Conveyance device <NUM> is a device that conveys circuit base material <NUM>, and clamping device <NUM> is a device that holds circuit base material <NUM>. As a result, base material conveyance holding device <NUM> conveys circuit base material <NUM> and holds circuit base material <NUM> fixedly at a predetermined position. In the description below, the conveyance direction of circuit base material <NUM> is referred to as an X-direction, the horizontal direction perpendicular to that direction is referred to as a Y-direction, and the vertical direction is referred to as a Z-direction. That is, the width direction of component mounter <NUM> is the X-direction, and the front-rear direction is the Y-direction.

Component mounting device <NUM> is arranged on beam <NUM>, and includes two work heads <NUM> and <NUM> and work head moving device <NUM>. Each of work heads <NUM> and <NUM> include suction nozzle (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>, and the parts are held by suction nozzle <NUM>. Further, work head moving device <NUM> included X-direction moving device <NUM>, Y-direction moving device <NUM>, and Z-direction moving device <NUM>. Two work heads <NUM> and <NUM> are integrally moved to any position on frame <NUM> by X-direction moving device <NUM> and Y-direction moving device <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, each of work heads <NUM> and <NUM> are detachably attached to sliders <NUM> and <NUM>, and Z-direction moving device <NUM> individually moves sliders <NUM> and <NUM> in the up-down direction. That is, work heads <NUM> and <NUM> are individually moved in the up-down direction by Z-direction moving device <NUM>.

Imaging device <NUM> is attached to slider <NUM> in a state of facing downward, and is moved to the X-direction, Y-direction, and Z-direction together with the work head <NUM>. As a result, imaging device <NUM> images any positions on frame <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, imaging device <NUM> is arranged between base material conveyance holding device <NUM> on frame <NUM> and parts supply apparatus <NUM> in a state of facing upward. As a result, imaging device <NUM> images the parts held by suction nozzles <NUM> of work heads <NUM> and <NUM>.

Parts supply apparatus <NUM> is arranged at the first end portion of frame <NUM> in the front-rear direction. Parts supply apparatus <NUM> includes tray type parts supply apparatus <NUM> and feeder type parts supply apparatus (not illustrated). Tray type parts supply apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that supplies the parts in a state of being placed on the tray. The feeder type parts supply apparatus is a device that supplies the parts by a tape feeder (not illustrated) and a stick feeder (not illustrated).

Bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> is arranged at the second end portion of frame <NUM> in the front-rear direction. Bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> is an apparatus that aligns the scattered multiple parts and supplies the parts in the aligned state. That is, the bulk parts supply apparatus is an apparatus that aligns the multiple parts in any posture to a predetermined posture, and supplies the parts of the predetermined posture. The configuration of parts supply apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail below. Examples of the parts supplied by parts supply apparatus <NUM> and bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> include electronic circuit parts, configuration parts of a solar cell, configuration parts of a power module, and the like. Further, the electronic circuit parts include parts with leads and parts without leads.

As shown in <FIG>, bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> includes main body <NUM>, parts supply unit <NUM>, two-dimensional imaging device <NUM>, and parts delivery device <NUM>.

Parts supply unit <NUM> includes parts supplier <NUM>, frame <NUM>, parts scattering device (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>, and parts return device (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>, and parts supplier <NUM>, frame <NUM>, is a unit in which parts scattering device <NUM>, and parts return device <NUM> are integrally configured. Parts supply unit <NUM> is detachably assembled to main body <NUM>.

Parts supplier <NUM> generally has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape, and is arranged so as to extend in the Y-direction as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. The Y-direction will be described as the front-rear direction of parts supplier <NUM>, the direction toward the side where parts return device <NUM> is arranged in parts supply unit <NUM> is described as a front direction, and the direction toward the side where parts supplier <NUM> is arranged will be described as a rear direction.

Parts supplier <NUM> has openings at the upper surface and the front surface, and the opening at the upper surface is parts input port <NUM>, and the opening at the front surface is parts discharge port <NUM>. In parts supplier <NUM>, inclined plate <NUM> is arranged below input port <NUM>. The inclined plate <NUM> is arranged so as to be inclined so as to be inclined downward from the end surface on the rear side of parts supplier <NUM> toward the center direction.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, conveyor device <NUM> is arranged on the front side of inclined plate <NUM>. Conveyor device <NUM> is arranged so as to be inclined upward from the front side end portion of inclined plate <NUM> toward the front direction of parts supplier <NUM>. Conveyor belt <NUM> of conveyor device <NUM> is driven by electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM> to rotate counterclockwise in <FIG>. That is, the conveyance direction by conveyor device <NUM> is the diagonally upward direction from the front end portion of inclined plate <NUM> toward the front direction.

Further, inclined plate <NUM> is arranged below the front side end portion of conveyor device <NUM>. Inclined plate <NUM> is arranged toward the lower side of the conveyor device <NUM> from the end surface on the front side of parts supplier <NUM>, and the end portion on the rear side is inclined diagonally downward. Furthermore, inclined plate <NUM> is also arranged below inclined plate <NUM>. Inclined plate <NUM> is inclined toward discharge port <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM> from below the center portion of conveyor device <NUM> such that the front side end portion is positioned below.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, frame <NUM> is configured with a pair of side frames <NUM> and connecting frame <NUM>. The pair of side frames <NUM> are erected so as to be parallel to each other and extend in the Y-direction in a state of facing each other. Connecting frame <NUM> is bridged to the lower end of a pair of side frames <NUM>, and the pair of side frames <NUM> are connected by connecting frame <NUM>. Frame <NUM> functions as a housing of parts supply unit <NUM>, but may be a reinforcing member, an outer shell member, a housing, a cover, a casing, or the like of parts supply unit <NUM> without functioning as the housing. Further, a distance between the pair of side frames <NUM> is slightly larger than the width direction dimension of parts supplier <NUM>, and parts supplier <NUM> is attached between the pair of side frames <NUM> in a detachable manner with one-touch in a state of being positioned. Detachable with one-touch means that the operator can reproducibly attach and detach without using a tool or the like.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, five slots <NUM> are formed on the upper surface of main body <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. Each slot <NUM> is formed so as to extend in the Y-direction, and five slots <NUM> are adjacent to each other in the X-direction at the same pitch. These five slots <NUM> have the same shape. The dimension of each slot <NUM> in the X-direction, that is, the width direction dimension is smaller than the width dimension of frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>.

Further, the dimension of each slot <NUM> in the Y-direction, that is, the length dimension is slightly larger than the length dimension of frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>. Frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is bolted on each slot <NUM>. As a result, parts supply unit <NUM> can be attached and detached in a state of being positioned in unit mounting area <NUM> corresponding to each slot by using each slot <NUM> of main body <NUM> by the operator using a tool. By the way, slot <NUM> may be detachable by reproducing parts supply unit <NUM> in a positioned state, parts supply unit <NUM> can be attached adjacent to each other by using each slot <NUM>.

In bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG>, five parts supply units <NUM> are attached to five slots <NUM>. Therefore, five parts supply units <NUM> are attached in a state of being adjacent to five slots <NUM> on the upper surface of main body <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. The state of being adjacent means a concept including a state in which there is a slight clearance between adjacent parts supply units <NUM> even if the adjacent parts supply units <NUM> are not in contact with each other. Although there is a slight clearance, parts supply units <NUM> are arranged without any gap therebetween.

Further, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, parts scattering device <NUM> includes parts support member <NUM> and parts support member moving device <NUM>. Parts support member <NUM> is configured with stage <NUM> and a pair of side wall portions <NUM>. Stage <NUM> has a generally elongated plate shape, and is arranged so as to extend in the front direction from below parts supplier <NUM> attached between the pair of side frames <NUM>. Further, the width dimension of stage <NUM> is approximately the same as the dimension between the pair of side frames <NUM>, that is, the width dimension of frame <NUM>, and the rear end portion of stage <NUM> is positioned between the pair of side frames <NUM>. The upper surface of stage <NUM> is generally horizontal, and as shown in <FIG>, the rear end portion is arranged with a state in which there is a slight clearance from the front end portion of inclined plate <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, a pair of side wall portions <NUM> is fixed in a state of being erected on both sides in the longitudinal direction of stage <NUM>, and the upper end of each side wall portion <NUM> extends above the upper surface of stage <NUM>.

Further, parts support member moving device <NUM> slides parts support member <NUM> in the Y-direction by the operation of air cylinder (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. At this time, parts support member <NUM> moves between a stored state which is a state of being stored below parts supplier <NUM> (refer to <FIG>) and an exposed state which is a state of being exposed from below parts supplier <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, parts return device <NUM> includes parts accommodating container <NUM> and container swinging device <NUM>. Parts accommodating container <NUM> has a generally box-like shape and an arc-shaped bottom surface. The width dimension of the parts accommodating container <NUM> is approximately the same as the width dimension of stage <NUM>. Parts accommodating container <NUM> is held so as to be swingable at the front side end portion of stage <NUM>, and swings by the operation of container swinging device <NUM>. At this time, parts accommodating container <NUM> swings between an accommodating posture in which the opening is facing upward (refer to <FIG>) and a returning posture in which the opening is facing the upper surface of stage <NUM> of parts support member <NUM> (refer to <FIG>).

As shown in <FIG>, two-dimensional imaging device <NUM> includes camera <NUM> and camera moving device <NUM>. Camera moving device <NUM> includes guide rail <NUM> and slider <NUM>. Guide rail <NUM> is fixed to main body <NUM> above parts supplier <NUM> so as to extend in the width direction (X-direction) of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. Slider <NUM> is slidably attached to guide rail <NUM> and slides to any position by the operation of electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. Further, camera <NUM> is attached to slider <NUM> in a state of facing downward.

As shown in <FIG>, parts delivery device <NUM> includes parts holding head moving device <NUM>, parts holding head <NUM>, and two shuttle devices <NUM>.

Parts holding head moving device <NUM> includes X-direction moving device <NUM>, Y-direction moving device <NUM>, and Z-direction moving device <NUM>. Y-direction moving device <NUM> includes Y-slider <NUM> arranged above parts supply unit <NUM> so as to extend in the X-direction, and Y-slider <NUM> moves to any position in the Y-direction by the driving of electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. X-direction moving device <NUM> includes X-slider <NUM> arranged on the side surface of Y-slider <NUM>, and X-slider <NUM> moves to any position in the X-direction by the driving of electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. Z-direction moving device <NUM> includes Z-slider <NUM> arranged on the side surface of X-slider <NUM>, and Z-slider <NUM> moves to any position in the Z-direction by the driving of electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, parts holding head <NUM> includes head main body <NUM>, suction nozzle <NUM>, nozzle pivoting device <NUM>, and nozzle rotation device <NUM>. Head main body <NUM> is formed integrally with Z-slider <NUM>. Suction nozzle <NUM> holds the parts and is detachably attached to the lower end portion of holder <NUM>. Holder <NUM> is bendable at support shaft <NUM>, and holder <NUM> is bent <NUM> degrees upward by the operation of nozzle pivoting device <NUM>. Thus, suction nozzle <NUM> which is attached to the lower end portion of holder <NUM> is pivoted <NUM> degrees and is positioned at the pivoted position. That is, suction nozzle <NUM> pivots between a non-pivoted position and a pivoted position by the operation of nozzle pivoting device <NUM>. Of course, it is also possible to fix a position with an angle between the non-pivoted position and the pivoted position. Nozzle rotation device <NUM> also rotates suction nozzle <NUM> around the axial center.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, each of two shuttle devices <NUM> includes parts carrier <NUM> and parts carrier moving device <NUM>, and is fixed to the main body <NUM> side by side in the lateral direction on the front side of the parts supply unit <NUM>. Five parts receiving members <NUM> which are arranged side by side in a row in the lateral direction are attached to parts carrier <NUM>, and the parts are placed on each parts receiving members <NUM>.

Bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> can supply various parts, and various parts receiving member <NUM> are prepared according to the shape of the parts. Here, as shown in <FIG>, as the electronic circuit parts supplied by bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, parts receiving member <NUM> corresponding to lead parts <NUM> having the leads will be described. Lead parts <NUM> are configured with block-shaped parts main body <NUM> and two leads <NUM> protruding from the bottom surface of parts main body <NUM>.

Further, parts receiving member <NUM> is formed with parts accommodation recess portion <NUM> having a shape corresponding to lead parts <NUM>. Parts accommodation recess portion <NUM> is a recess portion having a stepped shape, and is configured with main body accommodation recess portion <NUM> that opens on the upper surface of parts receiving member <NUM> and lead accommodation recess portion <NUM> that opens on the bottom surface of main body accommodation recess portion <NUM>. Lead parts <NUM> are inserted into parts accommodation recess portion <NUM> in a posture in which leads <NUM> faces downward. As a result, lead <NUM> is inserted into lead accommodation recess portion <NUM>, and lead parts <NUM> is placed inside of parts accommodation recess portion <NUM> in a state in which parts main body <NUM> is inserted into main body accommodation recess portion <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, parts carrier moving device <NUM> is a plate-shaped elongated member, and is arranged on the front side of parts supply unit <NUM> so as to extend in the front-rear direction. On the upper surface of parts carrier moving device <NUM>, parts carrier <NUM> is slidably arranged in the front-rear direction, and slides to any position in the front-rear direction by the driving of electromagnetic motor (refer to <FIG>) <NUM>. When parts carrier <NUM> slides in the direction approaching parts supply unit <NUM>, parts carrier <NUM> slides up to a parts receiving position positioned within a moving range of parts holding head <NUM> by parts holding head moving device <NUM>. On the other hand, when parts carrier <NUM> slides in the direction away from parts supply unit <NUM>, parts carrier <NUM> slides up to a parts supply position positioned within the moving range of work heads <NUM> and <NUM> by work head moving device <NUM>.

Further, as shown in <FIG>, control device <NUM> includes integrated control device <NUM>, multiple individual control devices (only one is shown in the figure) <NUM>, and image processing device <NUM>. Integrated control device <NUM> is configured mainly with a computer, and is connected to base material conveyance holding device <NUM>, component mounting device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, parts supply apparatus <NUM>, and bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. As a result, integrated control device <NUM> integrally controls base material conveyance holding device <NUM>, component mounting device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, parts supply apparatus <NUM>, and bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. Multiple individual control devices <NUM> are configured mainly with a computer, and are provided corresponding with base material conveyance holding device <NUM>, component mounting device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, imaging device <NUM>, parts supply apparatus <NUM>, and bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> (in the figure, only individual control device <NUM> corresponding to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> is shown).

Individual control device <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> is connected to parts supplier <NUM>, parts scattering device <NUM>, parts return device <NUM>, camera moving device <NUM>, parts holding head moving device <NUM>, parts holding head <NUM>, and shuttle device <NUM>. As a result, individual control device <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> controls parts supplier <NUM>, parts scattering device <NUM>, parts return device <NUM>, camera moving device <NUM>, parts holding head moving device <NUM>, parts holding head <NUM>, and shuttle device <NUM>. Further, image processing device <NUM> is connected to two-dimensional imaging device <NUM>, and processes the image data imaged by two-dimensional imaging device <NUM>. Image processing device <NUM> is connected to individual control device <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. As a result, individual control device <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> acquires the image data imaged by two-dimensional imaging device <NUM>.

With the configuration described above, component mounter <NUM> performs component mounting work on circuit base material <NUM> held in base material conveyance holding device <NUM>. Specifically, circuit base material <NUM> is conveyed to the working position by base material conveyance holding device <NUM>, and is fixedly held by clamping device <NUM> at that position. Next, imaging device <NUM> moves above the fixedly held circuit base material <NUM> and images circuit base material <NUM>. As a result, information on the error of the holding position of circuit base material <NUM> can be obtained. Further, parts supply apparatus <NUM> or bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> supplies the parts at a predetermined supply position. The supply of the parts by bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> will be described in detail later. One of work heads <NUM> and <NUM> moves above supply position of the parts and holds the parts by suction nozzle <NUM>. Subsequently, work heads <NUM> and <NUM> holding the parts are moved above imaging device <NUM>, and the parts held by suction nozzle <NUM> are imaged by imaging device <NUM>. As a result, the information on the error of the holding position of the parts can be obtained. Then, work heads <NUM> and <NUM> holding the parts move above circuit base material <NUM>, and mount the holding parts on circuit base material <NUM> after correcting the error of the holding position of circuit base material <NUM>, the error of the holding position of the parts, and the like.

In bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, lead parts <NUM> are input by the operator from input port <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM>, and the input lead parts <NUM> are supplied in a state of being placed on parts receiving member <NUM> of parts carrier <NUM> by the operation of parts supply unit <NUM> and parts delivery device <NUM>.

Specifically, the operator inputs lead parts <NUM> from input port <NUM> of upper surface of parts supplier <NUM>. At this time, parts support member <NUM> is moved below parts supplier <NUM> by the operation of parts support member moving device <NUM>, and is in the stored state (refer to <FIG>). When parts support member <NUM> is in the stored state, parts accommodating container <NUM> arranged at the end portion of the front side of parts support member <NUM> is positioned in the front direction of parts supplier <NUM>, and has a posture (accommodating posture) in which the opening of parts accommodating container <NUM> is facing upward.

Lead parts <NUM> input from input port <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM> falls on inclined plate <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM> and rolls down to the lower end of the front side of inclined plate <NUM>. At this time, lead parts <NUM> that rolled down to the lower end on the front side of inclined plate <NUM> are accumulated between the lower end on the front side of inclined plate <NUM> and the lower end on the rear side of conveyor device <NUM>. Then, when conveyor device <NUM> is operated, conveyor belt <NUM> of conveyor device <NUM> circulates counterclockwise in <FIG>. At this time, lead parts <NUM> accumulated between inclined plate <NUM> and conveyor belt <NUM> are conveyed diagonally upward by conveyor belt <NUM>.

Then, lead parts <NUM> conveyed by conveyor belt <NUM> fall onto inclined plate <NUM> from the upper end of the front side of conveyor device <NUM>. Lead parts <NUM> fell onto inclined plate <NUM> roll down on inclined plate <NUM> toward the rear direction and fall on inclined plate <NUM>. Lead parts <NUM> fell onto inclined plate <NUM> roll down toward the front direction and are discharged from discharge port <NUM> on the front side of parts supplier <NUM>.

As a result, lead parts <NUM> discharged from discharge port <NUM> of parts supplier <NUM> are accommodated inside parts accommodating container <NUM>. When a predetermined amount of lead parts <NUM> is discharged from parts supplier <NUM>, that is, when conveyor device <NUM> operates in a certain amount, conveyor device <NUM> stops. Next, parts support member <NUM> moves from the stored state toward the front direction by the operation of parts support member moving device <NUM>.

Then, at the timing when parts support member <NUM> moves a predetermined amount toward the exposed state in the front direction from the stored state, container swinging device <NUM> of parts return device <NUM> is operated, and parts accommodating container <NUM> swings. As a result, the posture of parts accommodating container <NUM> vigorously changes from the posture with the opening facing upward (accommodating posture) to the posture with opening facing stage <NUM> (returning posture). At this time, lead parts <NUM> accommodated in parts accommodating container <NUM> are vigorously released toward stage <NUM>. As a result, lead parts <NUM> are scattered on stage <NUM> from parts accommodating container <NUM>. The scattering of lead parts <NUM> is a concept including a state in which lead parts <NUM> are scattered in an overlapping state and a state in which lead parts <NUM> are scattered in a separated state without overlapping.

When lead parts <NUM> are scattered on stage <NUM> of parts support member <NUM> from parts supplier <NUM> according to the procedure described above, camera <NUM> of two-dimensional imaging device <NUM> moves above parts support member <NUM> by the operation of camera moving device <NUM>, and images lead parts <NUM>. As a result, as shown in <FIG>, two-dimensional image data of each of multiple lead parts <NUM> scattered on upper surface of parts support member <NUM> is obtained. Then, for multiple lead parts <NUM> scattered on the upper surface of parts support member <NUM>, information such as the position on parts support member <NUM> and the posture of lead parts <NUM> are calculated based on the two-dimensional image data.

Then, parts holding head <NUM> is moved above the lead parts by the operation of parts holding head moving device <NUM> based on the calculated information on the position of lead parts <NUM> and the like, and the lead parts are picked up and held by suction nozzle <NUM>. When the lead parts are picked up and held by suction nozzle <NUM>, suction nozzle <NUM> is positioned at the non-pivoted position.

Then, after lead parts <NUM> are held by suction nozzle <NUM>, parts holding head <NUM> moves above parts carrier <NUM>. At this time, parts carrier <NUM> is moved to a parts receiving position by the operation of parts carrier moving device <NUM>. Further, when parts holding head <NUM> moves above parts carrier <NUM>, suction nozzle <NUM> is pivoted to the pivoted position. Suction nozzle <NUM> is pivoted by the operation of nozzle rotation device <NUM> such that leads <NUM> of lead parts <NUM> held by suction nozzle <NUM> at the pivoted position faces downward in the vertical direction.

When parts holding head <NUM> moves above parts carrier <NUM>, lead parts <NUM> in a state in which lead <NUM> faces downward in the vertical direction are inserted into parts accommodation recess portion <NUM> of parts receiving member <NUM>. As a result, as shown in <FIG>, lead parts <NUM> are placed on parts receiving member <NUM> in a state in which lead <NUM> faces downward in the vertical direction.

Then, when lead parts <NUM> are placed on parts receiving member <NUM>, parts carrier <NUM> moves to a parts supply position by the operation of parts carrier moving device <NUM>. Since parts carrier <NUM> moved to the parts supply position is positioned at the moving range of work heads <NUM> and <NUM>, in bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, lead parts <NUM> are supplied to component mounter <NUM> at this position. In this way, in bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, in component receiving member <NUM>, lead parts <NUM> are supplied in a state in which leads <NUM> faces downward and the upper surface facing the bottom surface to which leads <NUM> are connected is facing upward. Therefore, suction nozzles <NUM> of work heads <NUM> and <NUM> can appropriately hold lead parts <NUM>.

Further, in bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, parts supply unit (refer to <FIG>) <NUM> which is wider than parts supply unit <NUM>, is also prepared, and that wide parts supply unit <NUM> can be attached to slot <NUM> of main body <NUM> instead of parts supply unit <NUM>.

Specifically, wide parts supply unit <NUM> includes parts supplier <NUM>, frame <NUM>, parts scattering device <NUM>, and parts return device <NUM>, similar to parts supply unit <NUM>. Since wide parts supply unit <NUM> is substantially the same as parts supply unit <NUM> except that the width is wider than that of parts supply unit <NUM>, the description will be simplified.

Parts supplier <NUM> has a box shape in which parts supplier <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction. That is, the length dimension and the depth dimension of parts supplier <NUM> are the same as the length dimension and the depth dimension of parts supplier <NUM>, and only the width dimension of parts supplier <NUM> is twice width dimension of parts supplier <NUM>. Further, inclined plate <NUM>, conveyor device <NUM>, inclined plate (not illustrated), and the like are arranged inside parts supplier <NUM>, as in parts supplier <NUM>, however, inclined plate <NUM>, conveyor device <NUM>, inclined plate, and the like have shapes in which inclined plate <NUM>, conveyor device <NUM>, inclined plate <NUM>, inclined plate <NUM>, and the like arranged inside parts supplier <NUM> are doubled in the width direction.

Further, frame <NUM> also has a shape in which frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction, and is configured with a pair of side frames <NUM> and connecting frame <NUM> similar to frame <NUM>. The pair of side frames <NUM> has substantially the same shape as the pair of side frames <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>, and connecting frame <NUM> has a shape in which connecting frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction. With such a structure, parts supplier <NUM> having a size in which parts supplier <NUM> is doubled in the width direction is attached in a detachable manner with one-touch between the pair of side frames <NUM> in a state of being positioned. Further, frame <NUM> having a shape in which frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction is mounted on two adjacent slots <NUM> out of five slots <NUM> formed in main body <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. That is, when the width of parts supply unit <NUM> is used as the reference width, in other words, as a unit width, the width of parts supply unit <NUM> is twice the unit width, and frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is bolted using one slot <NUM>, while frame <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is bolted using two adjacent slots <NUM>. Further, positioning may be performed using only one slot without using two slots.

Further, similarly to parts scattering device <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>, parts scattering device <NUM> also includes parts support member <NUM> and parts support member moving device <NUM>, and parts support member <NUM> is configured with stage <NUM> and a pair of side wall portions (only one is shown in the figure) <NUM>. Stage <NUM> has a shape in which stage <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction, and a pair of side wall portions <NUM> is erected on both edges of stage <NUM> in the width direction. Parts support member <NUM> slides in the front-rear direction by the operation of parts support member moving device <NUM>.

Further, similarly to parts return device <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>, parts return device <NUM> also includes parts accommodating container <NUM> and container swinging device <NUM>. Parts accommodating container <NUM> has a shape in which parts accommodating container <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is doubled in the width direction, and is swingably arranged at the front end of stage <NUM>. Then, by the operation of container swinging device <NUM>, parts accommodating container <NUM> swings between a posture in which the opening of parts accommodating container <NUM> is facing upward (accommodating posture) and a posture in which the opening of parts accommodating container <NUM> is facing stage <NUM> (returning posture).

By attaching parts supply unit <NUM> having such a structure to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, it becomes possible to appropriately supply the large parts. That is, parts supply unit <NUM> has a size of being attached to one slot <NUM>, the width dimension of stage <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is substantially the same as the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM>. Therefore, for example, when large parts are scattered on stage <NUM>, the large parts may overlap each other and the parts may not be supplied properly. On the other hand, wide parts supply unit <NUM> has a size of being attached to two slots <NUM>, and the width dimension of stage <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM> is approximately twice the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM>. Therefore, even the large parts will not overlap as long as they are on wide stage <NUM> and will be scattered appropriately.

As described above, wide parts supply unit <NUM> can appropriately supply large parts. However, when wide parts supply unit <NUM> is attached to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, there may be a risk that the types of parts that can be supplied by bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM> will be reduced. Specifically, in both parts supply unit <NUM> and wide parts supply unit <NUM>, one type of parts are usually supplied. That is, usually one type of parts are input to parts suppliers <NUM> and <NUM> of parts supply units <NUM> and <NUM>, and one type of parts are scattered on stage <NUM> and stage <NUM>. On the other hand, while two slots <NUM> are required to attach wide parts supply unit <NUM> on bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, only one slot <NUM> is required to attach parts supply unit <NUM> to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. That is, in order to attach one parts supply unit <NUM> to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, it is necessary to remove two parts supply units <NUM> from the bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>. At this time, if two parts supply units <NUM> are attached to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, it is possible to supply two types of parts by two parts supply unit <NUM>, but because only one parts supply unit <NUM> is attached to bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, only one type of parts can be supplied. One type of parts means the parts having the same functions and the same dimensions. However, parts with different dimensions due to defective products such as differences in dimensions within tolerances and missing parts are also included in one type of parts. On the other hand, two types of parts, that is, different types of parts means the parts having different functions and different dimensions.

However, by putting two types of parts into parts supplier <NUM> of wide parts supply unit <NUM>, two types of parts can be supplied by parts supply unit <NUM>. In such a case, since two types of parts are scattered on stage <NUM>, it is necessary to distinguish the two types of parts and hold the parts by parts holding head <NUM>. That is, when stage <NUM> in which two types of parts are scattered is imaged by two-dimensional imaging device <NUM>, the two types of parts are distinguished based on the image data obtained by imaging. Then, the parts are held by parts holding head <NUM> for each of the distinguished types. As described above, by inputting two types of parts into parts supplier <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>, two types of parts can be supplied even by parts supply unit <NUM>.

However, when two types of parts are input to parts supplier <NUM>, specifically, when parts A and parts B are input to parts supplier <NUM>, there is a risk that parts supply unit <NUM> cannot supply the required number of parts A and the parts B. That is, for example, when it is desired to supply the parts A from parts supply unit <NUM> in twice the number of parts B, it is desired that the parts A are scattered on stage <NUM> in twice the number of parts B. However, the parts A and the parts B are scattered on stage <NUM> at a time by one conveyor device <NUM> from parts supplier <NUM> to which the parts A and the parts B are input, it is not possible to scatter the parts A and the parts B on stage <NUM> by controlling the number of each parts. Therefore, even though it is desired to supply parts A from parts supply unit <NUM> in twice the number of parts B, sometimes the parts B may be scattered in stage <NUM> in twice the number of parts A. In such a case, there is a risk that the parts A cannot be supplied from parts supply unit <NUM> in twice the number of parts B.

In view of such a situation, parts supplier <NUM> according to the invention shown in <FIG> is prepared. Parts supplier <NUM> has a structure capable of individually accommodating two types of parts, and parts supplier <NUM> can be attached to parts supply unit <NUM> instead of parts supplier <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to supply two types of parts from parts supply unit <NUM> by controlling the number of each parts.

Specifically, parts supplier <NUM> has the same attachment as parts supplier <NUM>, has substantially the same shape, and has the same external dimensions. Therefore, parts supplier <NUM> can be attached to parts supply unit <NUM> instead of parts supplier <NUM>. Further, partition plate <NUM> that divides the inside of parts supplier <NUM> into two equal parts in the width direction is arranged inside parts supplier <NUM>. Partition plate <NUM> is arranged inside parts supplier <NUM> from the rear end to the front end so as to extend in the front-rear direction of parts supplier <NUM>, and the inside of parts supplier <NUM> is partitioned into two storages 606a and 606b by partition plate <NUM>. Therefore, the inside of each storage 606a and 606b is approximately half the size of the inside of parts supplier <NUM>, that is, the same size as the inside of parts supplier <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>.

Therefore, inclined plate <NUM>, conveyor device <NUM>, an inclined plate (not illustrated), an inclined plate (not illustrated) having substantially the same dimensions as inclined plate <NUM>, conveyor device <NUM>, inclined plate <NUM>, and inclined plate <NUM> that are arranged inside parts supplier <NUM>, are arranged inside each storage 606a and 606b having substantially the same size as the inside of parts supplier <NUM> of parts supply unit <NUM>. Inclined plate 610a, conveyor device 612a, an inclined plate (not illustrated), and an inclined plate (not illustrated) are arranged inside storage 606a, and inclined plate 610b, conveyor device 612b, an inclined plate (not illustrated), and an inclined plate (not illustrated) are arranged inside storage 606b. Further, conveyor device 612a and conveyor device 612b each individually have an electromagnetic motor (not illustrated), and conveyor device 612a and conveyor device 612b operate individually. Instead of parts supplier <NUM> by attaching parts supply unit <NUM> to parts supplier <NUM> having such a structure, two types of parts can be supplied, and the number and speed of each type of parts to be supplied can be controlled.

Specifically, in parts supply unit <NUM>, parts supplier <NUM> is removed from between the pair of side frames <NUM> of frame <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Since parts supplier <NUM> is positioned in frame <NUM> by fitting a pin (not illustrated) formed in parts supplier <NUM> into a fitting hole (not illustrated) formed in frame <NUM>, by simply lifting parts supplier <NUM>, parts supplier <NUM> can be removed from frame <NUM> with one-touch without using any tools. As shown in <FIG>, parts supplier <NUM> is attached between a pair of side frame <NUM> of frame <NUM>. Since parts supplier <NUM> has a pin (not illustrated) of the same shape is formed at the same position as parts supplier <NUM>, by simply fitting the pin into the fitting hole formed in frame <NUM>, parts supplier <NUM> can be attached to frame <NUM> with one-touch.

Further, in parts supplier <NUM> attached to frame <NUM>, for example, parts A is input to storage 606a and parts B is input to storage 606a. Then, when discharging the parts from parts supplier <NUM>, the operation of each of conveyor device 612a and conveyor device 612b is controlled according to the number and the size of each parts A and B to be supplied from parts supply unit <NUM>. For example, if the parts A and the parts B have approximately similar dimensions and it is desired to supply the parts A from parts supply unit <NUM> twice the number of parts B, the operation of each conveyor device 612a and conveyor device 612b is controlled such that the conveyance speed of conveyor device 612a becomes twice the conveying speed of conveyor device 612b. At this time, the parts A approximately twice the number of parts B are discharged from parts supplier <NUM>, and the parts A approximately twice the number of parts B can be scattered on stage <NUM>. As a result, the parts A and the parts B, that is, two types of parts can be supplied from parts supply unit <NUM> by controlling the number of each parts. When checking the two types of parts, identification information for recognizing the type of parts to be supplied may be included in the image data, which is obtained by imaging the receiving member for accommodating the parts supplied from the parts supply apparatus from above by, for example, an imaging device having a predetermined imaging field of view.

As described above, in parts supply unit <NUM> to which the parts supplier <NUM> is attached, two storages 606a and 606b are attached to one stage <NUM>, and parts are individually supplied from two storages 606a and 606b to one stage <NUM>. As a result, two types of parts can be supplied from parts supply unit <NUM> by controlling the number of each parts. Further, since stage <NUM> is wide, parts can be appropriately scattered on stage <NUM>. Furthermore, two storages 606a and 606b are formed by partitioning the inside of parts supplier <NUM> by partition plate <NUM>. That is, two storages 606a and 606b are integrated, by attaching and detaching parts supplier <NUM> to and from frame <NUM>, two storages 606a and 606b are integrally attached and detached to and from parts supply unit <NUM> in a state of being positioned with each other. As a result, two storages 606a and 606b can be attached and detached to and from parts supply unit <NUM> by one attachment and detachment work, and thus, the burden on the operator can be reduced.

By the way, slot <NUM> is an example of a slot. Parts supply unit <NUM> is an example of a parts supply apparatus. Frame <NUM> is an example of a frame. Stage <NUM> is an example of a stage. Storages 606a and 606b are examples of parts container.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can be implemented in various embodiments with various modifications and improvements based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. as long they are within the limits of the invention which are defined by the appended claims.

Specifically, for example, in the embodiment described above, parts supply unit <NUM> is attached to slot <NUM> formed in main body <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, but may be attached to a supply apparatus different from bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, for example, a feeder, a tray type parts supply apparatus <NUM>, or the like. Further, not limited to the supply apparatus, parts supply unit <NUM> may be attached to component mounter <NUM>. Specifically, for example, parts supply unit <NUM> may be attached to a slot of a feeder to which a tape feeder or the like is attached. That is, parts supply unit <NUM> may be a supply apparatus that supplies parts to parts holding head <NUM> of bulk parts supply apparatus <NUM>, or a supply apparatus that supplies parts to work heads <NUM> and <NUM> of component mounter <NUM>. When the parts supply units of the same width are attached to all the slots of the same pitch included in the parts supply apparatus or the component mounter (work machine) without the gaps, the maximum number of parts supply units that can be attached to the parts supply apparatus or component mounter (work machine) is determined, and the unit width of the parts supply unit is also determined. The width of the unit mounting area corresponding to each slot is slightly wider than the unit width of the parts supply apparatus such an extent that the parts supply apparatus does not interfere with each other.

In the embodiment described above, stage <NUM> and parts supplier <NUM> are attached to slot <NUM> via frame <NUM>, each of stage <NUM> and parts supplier <NUM> may be independently attached slot <NUM>.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the parts are scattered on stage <NUM>, but any surface can be used as long as the parts can be supplied. Specifically, for example, the upper surface of the conveyor belt may function as a stage, or may be a stage in which parts in the parts supplier are aligned and supplied using a pocket type such as a tray or vibration such as a bulk feeder.

Further, in the embodiment described above, different types of parts are accommodated in two storages 606a and 606b, but the same types of parts may be accommodated in two storages 606a and 606b. As described above, when the same types of parts are accommodated in two storages 606a and 606b, one type of parts may be supplied from parts supply unit <NUM> and the order of supplying the parts from each of the storages may be controlled.

Further, in the embodiment described above, two storages 606a and 606b are arranged for one stage <NUM>, but three or more storages may be arranged for one stage <NUM>. As a result, it is possible to supply more types of parts in a timely manner by one parts supply unit <NUM>.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the width of parts supply unit <NUM> is twice the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM>, but a parts supply unit having a width that is an integral multiple of three or more times the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM> can be adopted. Further, in parts supply unit <NUM>, the width of parts supply unit <NUM> and stage <NUM> is twice the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM>, however, only the width of stage <NUM> may be twice the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM> or only the width of storage may be twice the unit width of parts supply unit <NUM>.

Further, in the embodiment described above, two storages 606a and 606b are integrated, and the two storage 606a and 606b are integrally detachably attached to frame <NUM>, but the two storages may individually detachably attached to frame <NUM>. Specifically, for example, two parts supplier <NUM> may be individually detachably attached to and detached from between a pair of side frames <NUM>. In this case, the inside of each parts supplier <NUM> functions as a storage.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the present invention is applied to lead parts <NUM>, the present invention can be applied to various types of parts. Specifically, for example, the present invention can be applied to configuration parts of a solar cell, configuration parts of a power module, electronic circuit parts having no leads, chip-type compact electronic parts, and the like.

Claim 1:
A parts supply apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a parts supplier (<NUM>) configured to accommodate multiple parts; and
a stage (<NUM>),
characterized in that:
the inside of the parts supplier (<NUM>) is partitioned into multiple parts containers (606a, 606b) configured to accommodate different parts and the containers (606a, 606b) each having a conveyor device (612a, 612b) configured to discharge the multiple parts from the parts supplier (<NUM>) to the stage (<NUM>),
the multiple parts containers (606a, 606b) are attached to the stage (<NUM>), and
the different parts are scattered on the stage (<NUM>) from the multiple parts containers (606a, 606b) by activating either conveyor device (612a, 612b).