Patent ID: 7380581

Claim:
A tape feeder that removes a top cover attached to a top surface of a tape storing a plurality of electronic components while feeding the tape in a predetermined pitch so that the electronic components are sequentially picked up by a mounting head, the tape feeder comprising: a frame; a first top cover-engaging gear coupled with the frame; a first module that is removably mounted on a first portion of the frame that is distal from the first top cover-engaging gear for feeding the tape in a first direction, the first module including a first housing, a first driving motor enclosed by the first housing, a first output shaft projecting through a portion of the first housing distal from the first driving motor, a tape-feeding gear coupled with the first output shaft outside the first housing for meshing with the tape, and a first transmission that enclosed by the housing, the first transmission coupling a shaft of the first driving motor to the first output shaft; and a second module that is removably mounted on a second portion of the frame distal from the first portion and proximate to the first top cover-engaging gear, the second module including a second housing, a second driving motor enclosed by the second housing, a second output shaft projecting through a portion of the second housing distal from the second driving motor, a second top cover-engaging gear coupled with the second output shaft outside the second housing for cooperating with the first top cover-engaging gear to discharge the top cover from the tape feeder, and a second transmission enclosed by the second housing, the second transmission coupling a shaft of the second driving motor to the second output shaft.