WO2014142389A1

WO2014142389A1 - Automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2014142389A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/004533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyong Su Choi
Original assignee: Samsung Techwin Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hanwha Vision Co Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-12
Filing date: 2013-05-23
Publication date: 2014-09-18
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-12

Abstract

An automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus is provided, which includes a support unit configured to support a bottom of each carrier tape transferred by a sprocket; and a transfer determination unit configured to block the feeding of a second carrier tape, which is laid over a first carrier tape, during the feeding of the first carrier tape and to allow the feeding of the second carrier tape in response to the feeding of the first carrier tape being complete.

Description

AUTOMATIC CARRIER TAPE FEEDING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus, and more particularly, to an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus capable of automatically feeding a new carrier tape without a requirement of manual work.

The miniaturization of electric and electronic products, accompanied by recent developments in various technologies, has expedited the densification and further miniaturization of electronic parts. Research has been rigorously conducted on techniques to mount high-density, subminiature surface mount devices (SMDs) on printed circuit boards (PCBs).

The manner of supplying parts varies according to operating conditions and the characteristics of the parts. For example, large parts are supplied by being carried on a tray, whereas relatively small parts are frequently lost or damaged during mounting and thus often require a special tape feeder. Such tape feeder uses carrier tapes and is capable of supplying a considerable number of parts at high speed.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional carrier tape.

Referring to FIG. 1, a carrier tape 5, which supplies parts to a tape feeder, includes: a base tape 10 having a plurality of receiving grooves 13 in which to receive parts P with a relatively small size and arranged at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction of the base tape 10; a cover tape 15 attached on the base tape 10 to protect the parts P received in the base tape 10; and a reel (not shown) on which the base tape 10 with the cover tape 15 attached thereon is wound. The base tape 10 also includes a plurality of transfer holes, which are provided on one or both sides of the base tape 10 at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction of the base tape 10. The transfer holes 14 may sequentially engage with a plurality of teeth formed on the outer circumferential surface of a sprocket (not shown) in response to the rotation of the sprocket, thereby transferring the carrier tape 5.

The carrier tape 5 with the parts P received in the receiving grooves 13 thereof is mounted on the reel of the tape feeder, and is then transferred to a particular pickup location. Then, a chip mounter head (not shown) sucks the parts P by means of a nozzle. That is, the tape feeder supplies the carrier tape 5 to a location where the pickup head of the chip mounter head can pick up the parts P.

In general, in order to mount a reel in chip mounter equipment, the following series of processes may need to be performed: inserting the carrier tape 5 into the tape feeder, inserting the cover tape 15 into cover tape discharge means, which peels the cover tape 15 off the base tape 10 and discharges the cover tape 15, and manipulating the tape feeder to transfer the carrier tape 10 to a pickup location. In this case, however, it may take a considerable amount of time not only to mount a reel in the chip mounter equipment but also to prepare the chip mounter equipment for operation.

In the meantime, a current reel may be connected to a new reel with a connecting tape before the parts mounted on the current reel are all consumed, so as to improve the operating efficiency of chip mounter equipment. This type of process is referred to as splicing. However, splicing requires manpower and expertise to properly operate chip mounter equipment, also requires time to connect carrier tapes with connecting tapes, and may result in an increase in manufacturing cost due to the use of connecting tapes. Splicing fails mostly due to a cover tape being poorly stripped or being undesirably detached at the connection between the corresponding carrier tape and another carrier tape, and such splicing failure lowers the operating efficiency of chip mounter equipment.

Therefore, a method is needed to automatically supply carrier tapes without a requirement of splicing, which involves the use of connecting tapes and thus requires manual work, so as to improve the operating efficiency of chip mounter equipment and reduce the manpower required to operate the chip mounter equipment.

Aspects of the present invention provide an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus capable of automatically feeding a new carrier tape without a requirement of manual work.

Aspects of the present invention also provide an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus capable of feeding carrier tapes one after another by supplying a carrier tape while putting another carrier tape on standby and in response to the feeding of the carrier tape being complete, feeding the other carrier tape.

However, aspects of the present invention are not restricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains by referencing the detailed description of the present invention given below.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus which comprises a support unit configured to support a bottom of each carrier tape transferred by a sprocket; and a transfer determination unit configured to block the feeding of a second carrier tape, which is laid over a first carrier tape, during the feeding of the first carrier tape and to allow the feeding of the second carrier tape in response to the feeding of the first carrier tape being complete.

Embodiments of the present invention provide at least one of the following advantages.

It is possible to automatically feed a new carrier tape without a requirement of manual work. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the replacement of an existing carrier tape and reduce the resources required to maintain and operate chip mounter equipment.

It is also possible to feed carrier tapes one after another by supplying a carrier tape while putting another carrier tape on standby and in response to the feeding of the carrier tape being complete, feeding the other carrier tape. Therefore, the time required to feed carrier tapes can be reduced, and the operating efficiency of chip mounter equipment can be improved.

Since no connecting tapes are needed, manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, it is also possible to prevent or reduce the occurrence of any failure in the feeding of carrier tapes by not requiring a splicing process.

However, the effects of the present invention are not restricted to the one set forth herein. The above and other effects of the present invention will become more apparent to one of daily skill in the art to which the present invention pertains by referencing the claims.

The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a typical carrier tape;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus before the feeding of a carrier tape; and

FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus during the feeding of a carrier tape.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The same reference numbers indicate the same components throughout the specification. In the attached figures, the thickness of layers and regions is exaggerated for clarity.

Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,") unless otherwise noted.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It is noted that the use of any and all examples, or exemplary terms provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and is not a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise specified. Further, unless defined otherwise, all terms defined in generally used dictionaries may not be overly interpreted.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus before the feeding of a carrier tape, and FIG. 3b is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state of the automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus during the feeding of a carrier tape.

Referring to FIG. 2, an automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus 100 includes a support unit 110 which supports the bottom of a carrier tape 10 transferred by a sprocket 50 and a transfer determination unit 120 which blocks the transfer of a second carrier tape 10-2, laid over a first carrier tape 10-1, when the first carrier tape 10-1 is being transferred, and allows the transfer of the second carrier tape 10-2 in response to the transfer of the first carrier tape 10-1 being complete.

The support unit 110 guides the transfer path of a carrier tape 10 while supporting the bottom of the carrier tape 10 transferred by the sprocket 50. The sprocket 50, which is located at the support unit 10, includes a plurality of teeth, which are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the sprocket 50 and transfers the carrier tape 10 at a predetermined pitch by engaging with the transfer holes on the carrier tape 10. In response to a driving force being transmitted to the sprocket 50 via a gear and a motor connected to the sprocket 50, the sprocket 50 rotates and thus transfers the carrier tape 10.

The support unit 110 includes a first horizontal portion, an inclined portion and a second horizontal portion. The support unit 110 supports a carrier tape 10 in the first horizontal portion and then allows the carrier tape 10 to be easily inserted between the support unit 110 and first and second pressurizing

units

130 and 140 while moving along the inclined portion. Once the carrier tape 10 passes through the inclined portion, the carrier tape 110 is transferred while being supported by the second horizontal portion.

The transfer determination unit 120 puts the second carrier tape 10-2 on standby during the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1, and feeds the first carrier tape 10-1 in response to the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1 being complete.

The transfer determination unit 120 may include: a sensing plate 122 which escalates in response to the entry of a front end of the first carrier tape 10-1 thereto and descends in response to the escape of a rear end of the first carrier tape 10-1 therefrom; a stopper 124 which blocks the transfer of the second carrier tape 10-2 by descending in response to the sensing plate 122 escalating and allows the transfer of the second carrier tape 10-2 by escalating in response to the sensing plate 122 descending; and a connecting link 126 which connects the sensing plate 122 and the stopper 124 and moves the stopper 124 in an opposite direction to the moving direction of the sensing plate 122. The sensing plate 122, the stopper 124 and the connecting link 126 may be installed by being connected to a feeder frame 150, which is located over the support unit 110, with the use of connecting means such as screws.

The sensing plate 122 escalates by an amount corresponding to the thickness of a carrier tape 10 while the carrier tape 10 is being transferred along the support unit 110. Then, in response to the transfer of the carrier tape 10 being complete, the sensing plate 122 descends by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the carrier tape 10. The sensing plate 122 vertically moves, flexibly responding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1. In an example, the sensing plate 122 may escalate by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1 in response to the entry of the front end of the first carrier tape 10-1 thereto and may descend by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1 in response to the escape of the rear end of the first carrier tape 10-1 therefrom. The stopper 124 supports and allows the transfer of the second carrier tape 10-2 by moving in the opposite direction to the moving direction of the sensing plate 122 in response to the vertical movement of the sensing plate 122.

The stopper 124 is located above the sprocket 50. During the transfer of one carrier tape 10 by the sprocket 50, the stopper blocks the transfer of another carrier tape 10. When no carrier tape 10 is loaded on a feeder, the sensing plate 122 is located at its lowest position, and as a result, the stopper 124, which is linked with the sensing plate 122, is located at its highest position. In this case, in response to the front end of a carrier tape 10 advancing to the front of the stopper 124, the sprocket 50 may be driven so as to transfer a carrier tape 10 to a pickup location. On the other hand, when the first carrier tape 10-1 is loaded on the feeder, the sensing plate 122 is raised by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1, and as a result, the stopper 124 is lowered to the top of the first carrier tape 10-1 and blocks the entry of the second carrier tape 10-1. Then, in response to the rear end of the first carrier tape 10-1 escaping from the sensing plate 122, the sensing plate 122 is lowered back to its lowest position, and the stopper 124 is raised back and allows the entry of the second carrier tape 10-2. In this manner, the stopper 124 can firmly attach itself to the first carrier tape 10-1 regardless of the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1, and at the same time, blocks the entry of the second carrier tape 10-2.

The connecting link 126 connects the sensing plate 122 and the stopper 124. A first end of the connecting link 126 is connected to the sensing plate 122, and a second end of the connecting link 126 is connected to the stopper 124. In response to the sensing plate 122 being raised by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1, the first end of the connecting link 126, which is connected to the sensing plate 122, is raised, and the second end of the connecting link 126 is lowered. As a result, the stopper 124, to which the second end of the connecting link 126 is connected, is lowered and thus blocks the entry of the second carrier tape 10-2. On the other hand, in response to the sensing plate 122 being lowered by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the first carrier tape 10-1 after the completion of the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1, the first end of the connecting link 126 is lowered, and the second end of the connecting link 126 is raised. As a result, the stopper 124 is raised and thus allows the entry of the second carrier tape 10-2.

To put the second carrier tape 10-2 on standby during the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1, the transfer determination unit 120 needs to firmly attach the stopper 124 to the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1. For this purpose, the transfer determination unit 120 may also include an elastic member 128, which provides elastic force to the stopper 124 such that the stopper 124 can be placed in contact with the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1. In an example, a spring may be used as the elastic member 128. More specifically, the elastic member 128 may be one of, but is not limited to, a compression spring, a tensile spring, a torsion spring and a plate spring. The elastic member 128 connects a third connecting fixing member 156, which is installed on the feeder frame 150, and the connecting link 126 and provides elastic force to the stopper 124 such that the stopper 124 can continue to be in contact with the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1.

To smoothly feed the first carrier tape 10-1 while putting the second carrier tape 10-2 on standby and then precisely feed the second carrier tape 10-2 on time, the top surfaces of the first carrier tape 10-1 and the second carrier tape 10-2 may need to be pressed. For this, the transfer determination unit 120 may also include a first pressing portion 130, which applies force onto the top surface of part of the second carrier tape 10-2 laid over the first carrier tape 10-1, and a second pressing portion 140, which applies force onto the top surface of part of the first carrier tape 10-1 that has passed through the sprocket 50.

The first pressing portion 130 presses the top surface of the second carrier tape 10-2 when the second carrier tape 10-2 is on standby to be transferred by the sprocket 50. When pressing the top surface of the second carrier tape 10-2, the first pressing portion 130 also presses part of the first carrier tape 10-1 overlapped by the second carrier tape 10-2. Accordingly, the first carrier tape 10-1 can be smoothly transferred by the sprocket 50, and the second carrier tape 10-2 can be fixed to its location by the stopper 124, the first pressing portion 130 and the first carrier tape 10-1 and can thus be blocked from being transferred. To apply a uniform force onto the top surface of the second carrier tape 10-2, the first pressing portion 130 may include a first contact member 134, which contacts the top surface of the second carrier tape 10-2, and an elastic member 132, which applies elastic force to the first contact member 134. First and second connecting fixing

members

152 and 154 may be installed in the frame 150. The first and second connecting fixing members 52 and 54 may connect the elastic member 132 and the frame 150 so as to install the elastic member 132.

The second pressing portion 140 presses the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1 while the first carrier tape 10-1 is being transferred by the sprocket 50. Due to the second pressing portion 140, the first carrier tape 10-1 can be smoothly transferred by the sprocket 50. To apply a uniform force onto the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1, the second pressing portion 140 may include a second contact member 144, which contacts the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1, and an elastic member 142, which applies elastic force to the second contact member 144. The second contact member 144 and the elastic member 142 may be installed by being connected to the frame 150. The elastic member 142 may be installed between a third connecting fixing member 156, which is installed in the frame 150, and the second contact member 144. A lower portion of the second contact member 144 may be formed to be inclined such that the second contact member 144 can properly contact the top surface of the first carrier tape 10-1 when the first carrier tape 10-1 is being supported by the inclined portion of the support unit 110.

As described above, the transfer determination unit 120 puts the second carrier tape 10-2 on standby during the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1, and feeds the second carrier tape 10-2 in response to the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1 being complete. Since the first and second carrier tapes 10-1 and 10-2 are automatically fed one after another, the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1 and the feeding of the second carrier tape 10-2 may not be able to be properly distinguished from each other. To address this, a head zone where no parts are to be loaded may be provided at the front end of each carrier tape 10 to have a predetermined length. In an example, an empty section with a predetermined length may be provided at the front end of each of the first and second carrier tapes 10-1 and 10-2 so that the feeding of the first carrier tape 10-1 and the feeding of the second carrier tape 10-2 can be easily distinguished from each other.

The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus 100 can automatically feed new carrier tapes one after another without the use of connecting tapes. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the amount of time that it takes to feed carrier tapes and improve the operating efficiency of chip mounter equipment.

In concluding the detailed description, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed preferred embodiments of the invention are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

An automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus comprising:

a support unit configured to support a bottom of each carrier tape transferred by a sprocket; and

a transfer determination unit configured to block the feeding of a second carrier tape, which is laid over a first carrier tape, during the feeding of the first carrier tape and to allow the feeding of the second carrier tape in response to the feeding of the first carrier tape being complete.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second carrier tapes includes a head zone which is provided at a front end of each of the first and second carrier tapes to have a predetermined length and on which no parts are to be loaded.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support unit comprises a first horizontal portion, an inclined portion, and a second horizontal portion that are sequentially aligned in a direction of the transfer of the carrier tape.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transfer determination unit comprises:

a sensing plate configured to escalate in response to the entry of a front end of the first carrier tape thereto and descend in response to the escape of a rear end of the first carrier tape therefrom;

a stopper configured to block the transfer of the second carrier tape by descending in response to the sensing plate escalating and to allow the transfer of the second carrier tape by escalating in response to the sensing plate descending; and

a connecting link which connects the sensing plate and the stopper and moves the stopper in an opposite direction to a moving direction of the sensing plate.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensing plate is further configured to escalate by an amount corresponding to a thickness of the first carrier tape in response to the entry of the front end of the first carrier tape thereto.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensing plate is further configured to descend by an amount corresponding to a thickness of the first carrier tape in response to the escape of the rear end of the first carrier tape therefrom.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the sensing plate is further configured to have one end formed in the shape of an arrow for guiding the entry and escape o the first carrier tape.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the stopper is further configured to be disposed above the sprocket.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the connecting link has one end connected to the sensing plate and another end connected to the stopper.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 4, wherein the transfer determination unit further comprises an elastic member configured to provide elastic force to the stopper so as for the stopper to contact the top surface of the first carrier tape.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first pressing unit configured to apply force to the top surface of part of the second carrier tape that is laid over the first carrier tape.
The automatic carrier tape feeding apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second pressing unit configured to apply force to the top surface of part of the first carrier tape that has passed through the sprocket.