U.S. patent application number 09/742223 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-28 for electronic component feeding apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to Taiyo Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Saito, Koji.
Application Number | 20010005471 09/742223 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18490382 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010005471 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Saito, Koji |
June 28, 2001 |
Electronic component feeding apparatus
Abstract
An electronic component feeding apparatus which conveys
electronic components in a alignment state to a predetermined
position. This apparatus includes a conveying tube for conveying
electronic components having a predetermined shape in a alignment
state, an air cylinder for exerting an air suction into the
conveying tube from an end of the conveying tube, and a movable
stopper plate for stopping the electronic components conveyed in
the alignment state.
Inventors: |
Saito, Koji; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GOPSTEIN GILMAN & BERNER, LLP
Suite 310
1700 Diagonal Road
Alexandria
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
Taiyo Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
18490382 |
Appl. No.: |
09/742223 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
406/28 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 13/021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
406/28 |
International
Class: |
B65G 051/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 24, 1999 |
JP |
H11-367858 |
Claims
1. An electronic component feeding apparatus, comprising: a
conveying passage for conveying electronic components having a
predetermined shape in a alignment state; a sucking device for
exerting an air suction into the conveying passage from an end of
the conveying passage and conveying the electronic components in
the conveying passage; a movable component stopper for stopping the
electronic components conveyed in the alignment state by the air
suction; and a displacing device for displacing the component
stopper from a stop position to a removed position therefrom after
the electronic components conveyed are stopped by the component
stopper.
2. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the sucking device is installed on an apparatus frame, the
apparatus frame is provided with a lever mechanism for operating
the sucking device.
3. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the sucking device includes an air cylinder installed on
the apparatus frame and a suction passage for connecting a suction
port of the air cylinder and the end of the conveying passage.
4. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the displacing device includes a movable member for
displacing the component stopper from the stop position to the
removed position, and a lever mechanism for operating the
displacing device is installed on an apparatus frame.
5. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the component stopper includes an adsorbent for attracting
a forefront electronic component of the electronic components
stopped by the component stopper.
6. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 5,
wherein the adsorbent is a permanent magnet, the forefront
electronic component is attracted to the component stopper by
magnetic force of the permanent magnet.
7. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 1,
further comprising: a storage container for storing electronic
components having the predetermined shape in a bulk state; and a
take-in device for taking electronic components one by one into a
start of the conveying passage.
8. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 7,
wherein the take-in device includes a movable member for stirring
the electronic components in the storage container and leading the
electronic components to the start of the conveying passage, and a
lever mechanism for operating the the take-in device is installed
on an apparatus frame.
9. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the conveying passage is composed of a tube having a bore
whose cross section allows the electronic components to pass
through the bore in a predetermined direction.
10. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
9, wherein the cross section of the bore of the tube is similar to
a longitudinal end face shape of an electronic component and
slightly larger than the longitudinal end face shape.
11. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
9, wherein the tube is made of a resin.
12. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
9, wherein the tube is made of a metal.
13. An electronic component feeding apparatus, comprising: a
conveying passage for conveying electronic components having a
predetermined shape in a alignment state; a sucking device for
exerting a air suction into the conveying passage from an end of
the conveying passage and conveying the electronic components in
the conveying passage; and a movable component stopper for stopping
the electronic components conveyed in the alignment state by the
air suction; wherein the conveying passage is composed of a tube
having a bore whose cross section allows the electronic components
to pass through the bore in a predetermined direction.
14. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the cross section of the bore of the tube is similar to
a longitudinal end face shape of a electronic component and
slightly larger than the longitudinal end face shape.
15. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the tube is made of a resin.
16. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the tube is made of a metal.
17. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
13, wherein the sucking device is installed on an apparatus frame,
the apparatus frame is provided with a lever mechanism for
operating the sucking device.
18. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
17, wherein the sucking device includes an air cylinder installed
on the apparatus frame and a suction passage for connecting a
suction port of the air cylinder and the end of the conveying
passage.
19. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
13, further comprising: a storage container for storing electronic
components having the predetermined shape in a bulk state; and a
take-in device for taking electronic components one by one into a
start of the conveying passage.
20. The electronic component feeding apparatus according to claim
19, wherein the take-in device includes a movable member for
stirring the electronic components in the storage container and
leading the electronic components to the start of the conveying
passage, and a lever mechanism for operating the the take-in device
is installed on an apparatus frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic component
feeding apparatus which conveys electronic components such as chip
components in a alignment state to a predetermined position.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A conventional electronic component feeding apparatus is
disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-232596 and U.S. Pat.
No. 5,525,023 corresponding to said Japanese Patent Laid-Open. This
apparatus discharges chip components stored in a storage chamber in
a bulk state through a component convey pipe onto a belt, conveys
forward chip components discharged on the belt by use of the belt,
and stops the chip components conveyed with the belt by use of a
stopper.
[0005] Because of the belt which is used to convey the chip
components forward, the apparatus needs the belt and a ratchet
mechanism to intermittently drive the belt. Although the cost of
such apparatuses is recently required to be cut, these apparatuses,
which need the belt and its drive mechanism to the component
conveyance, are difficult to be simplified, so that the cost of the
apparatuses can limitedly be reduced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple
and inexpensive electronic component feeding apparatus.
[0007] To attain the object, an electronic component feeding
apparatus according to the present invention includes: a conveying
passage for conveying electronic components having a predetermined
shape in a alignment state; a sucking device for exerting an air
suction into the conveying passage from an end of the conveying
passage and conveying the electronic components in the conveying
passage; a movable component stopper for stopping the electronic
components conveyed in the alignment state by the air suction; and
a displacing device for displacing the component stopper from a
stop position to a removed position therefrom after the electronic
components conveyed are stopped by the component stopper.
Furthermore, an electronic component feeding apparatus according to
the present invention includes: a conveying passage for conveying
electronic components having a predetermined shape in a alignment
state; a sucking device for exerting a air suction into the
conveying passage from an end of the conveying passage and
conveying the electronic components in the conveying passage; and a
movable component stopper for stopping the electronic components
conveyed in the alignment state by the air suction; wherein the
conveying passage is composed of a tube having a bore whose cross
section allows the electronic components to pass through the bore
in a predetermined direction.
[0008] These apparatuses can convey the electronic components in
the conveying passage in the alignment state by exerting the air
suction into the conveying passage from the end of the conveying
passage, and stop the electronic components conveyed in the
alignment state by use of the component stopper. That is, it is
possible to convey the electronic components in the alignment state
to the predetermined position by these apparatuses having the
conveying passage, the sucking device, and the component stopper.
Since these apparatuses do not need the belt and the belt drive
mechanism of the conventional apparatus, the simple and inexpensive
electronic component feeding apparatus can be provided.
[0009] The above-described and other objects, features and
advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the
following descriptions made with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of an electronic component feeding
apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2(A) is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a
stationary pipe and a movable pipe shown in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2(B) is a top view of the stationary pipe and the
movable pipe shown in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 2(C) is an end top view of a conveying tube shown in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal section view of a feed
block and a slider shown in FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an enlarged top view of the feed block and the
slider shown in FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5(A) is a sectional view taken along a line A-A in FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 5(B) is a sectional view taken along a line B-B in FIG.
3;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which a drive lever of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is pushed down;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view showing a state in which the drive lever of
the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is released from the pushing down and
is returned to its original position;
[0020] FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are views showing an operation in which
electronic components in a storage chamber are taken into the
stationary pipe by moving up and down the movable pipe;
[0021] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing an operation of conveying
electronic components by sucking air;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a view showing an operation of separating a
forefront electronic component from subsequent electronic
components by moving the slider forward;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a top face view of FIG. 11;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a view showing an operation of piking up the
forefront electronic component by using a suction nozzle;
[0025] FIG. 14(A) is a view showing a modification of a bore of the
stationary pipe; and
[0026] FIG. 14(B) is a view showing a modification of a bore of the
conveying tube.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0027] FIGS. 1 through 13 show an embodiment of an electronic
component feeding apparatus according to the present invention. In
FIGS. 1 through 13, reference numeral 1 denotes a frame, 2 denotes
a storage container, 3 denotes a stationary pipe, 4 denotes a
movable pipe, 5 denotes a conveying tube, 6 denotes a feed block, 7
denotes a slider, 8 denotes an air cylinder, 9 denotes an air tube,
10 denotes a driving lever, 11 denotes a link, and 12 denotes a
driven lever. In the following descriptions, the left side of FIG.
1 is referred to as "front," the right side of FIG. 1 is referred
to as "back or rear," the near side of FIG. 1 is referred to as
"left," and the back side of the FIG. 1 is referred to as
"right."
[0028] The apparatus in FIGS. 1 through 13 feeds electronic
components P of square pole shape having a dimensional relationship
such as length>width= height. The electronic component P
includes a chip component such as chip capacitor, chip resistor,
chip inductor, and so on; a composite component such as LC filter
and so on; and an array component such as capacitor array, inductor
array, and so on.
[0029] The frame 1 is manufactured by punching a plate made of
stainless steel or the like into a predetermined shape and forming
a plate material on a bending and so on. This frame has a support
bracket 1a for the stationary pipe, a plurality of support brackets
1b for the conveying tube 5, and a plurality of support brackets 1c
for the air tube 9, which are formed by local cutting and standing,
on one side of the frame 1. This frame 1 has bent parts 1d and 1e
at the back side (on the right side of the drawing) and bottom side
to increase frame's rigidity. The bent part 1e is provided with a
plurality of positioning pins 1f to attach the apparatus to other
member. If the thickness of the frame 1 is rigid enough to ensure
predetermined rigidity, the bent parts 1d and 1e are not always
necessary.
[0030] The storage container 2 comprises a flat storage container
body 2a with an top opening which is formed by a resin molding and
a slide lid 2b which freely slides to cover and uncover the top
opening of the storage container body 2a. A flat storage chamber 2c
with an about V-shaped inclined bottom is formed in the storage
container body 2a. A bore 2d circular in cross section, into which
the movable pipe 4 is inserted so that it can move up and down, is
formed so that the bore 2d runs from the bottom of the storage
container body 2a into the deepest part of the inclined bottom.
Using an appropriate number of screws FS, the storage container 2
is removably attached to the frame 1.
[0031] The stationary pipe 3, made of a metal, a hard resin, etc.,
has a bore 3a rectangular in cross section and an outer shape
circular in cross section. As shown in FIG. 2(B), the cross section
of the bore 3a is a square which is slightly larger than, and
similar to, that of longitudinal end face shape of an electronic
component P. Thus, the electronic component P can longitudinally
pass through the bore 3a of the stationary pipe 3. As shown in FIG.
2(A), the stationary pipe 3 is inserted into the center of the bore
2d of the storage container body 2a, its lower end passes through
the support bracket 1a of the frame 1 and is fixed to the the
support bracket 1a. In FIG. 2(A), the upper end of the stationary
pipe 3 is slightly below the upper end of the bore 2d. The upper
end of the stationary pipe 3 may be almost at the same level as
that of the bore 2d or slightly above the upper end of the bore
2d.
[0032] The movable pipe 4, made of a metal, a hard resin, etc., has
a bore 4a circular in cross section which is slightly larger than
the outer shape of the stationary pipe 3 and an outer shape outer
shape circular in cross section which is slightly smaller than that
of the bore 2d of the storage container body 2a. A funnel-shaped
guide surface 4b is formed at the upper end of the movable pipe 4,
and Colors 4c and 4d are formed at the lower end of the pipe 4 and
above the side. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the movable pipe 4 is
disposed outside the stationary pipe 3, with its upper end inserted
into the bore 2d of the storage container body 2a. A first coil
spring S1 is installed below the upper color 4d to prevent
overload, and a second coil spring S2 is installed above the upper
color 4d to press down the movable pipe 4. The first coil spring S1
produces a larger force than the second coil spring S2. If the
force produced by the first coil spring S1 is equal to or smaller
than the force produced by the second coil spring S2, however, the
movable pipe can move. The bottom of the movable pipe 4 at its
lower position (standby position) is in contact with a rubber
damper ring LR, installed on the support bracket 1a of the frame 1.
The upper end of the movable pipe 4 is below the upper end of the
stationary pipe 3. That is, when the movable pipe 4 is at the lower
position, a circular recess (not indicated by any reference
numeral) which is defined by the guide surface 4b of the movable
pipe 4, the outer surface of the stationary pipe 3, and the bore 2d
is formed above the movable pipe 4.
[0033] The conveying tube 5 is made of a resin such as
polypropylene, polyamide system resin, or fluoroplastic, or a metal
such as stainless steel. As shown in FIG. 2(C), the cross section
of a bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 is a square and almost the
same as the bore 3a of the stationary pipe 3. Thus, the electronic
component P can longitudinally pass through the bore 5a of the
conveying tube 5. An outer shape of the conveying tube 5 is a
square similar to the cross section of the bore 5a or circular
cross section. A connection recess 5b circular in cross section is
formed at a start of the conveying tube 5, the stationary pipe 3 is
inserted to and connected with the connection recess 5b As shown in
FIG. 2(A), the conveying tube 5 is connected its start with the
lower end of the stationary pipe 3 so as to align the internal
surface of the bore 5a with the internal surface of the bore 3a of
the stationary pipe 3 by using an adhesive according to need. The
inlet of the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 is chamfered or
rounded as necessary so that the electronic component P is not
caught at the interface between the bore 3a of the stationary pipe
3 to the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 when the component conveys
from the bore 3a to the bore 5a. In the apparatus in the figure,
the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 composes a conveying passage
for conveying the electronic component P in a alignment state.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5(A), and 5(B), the feed block 6 has
a passage 6a which has almost the same square cross section as the
bore 5a of the conveying tube 5. A connection recess 6b square in
cross section is formed at the rear end of the passage 6a, an end
of the conveying tube 5 is inserted to and connected with the
connection recess 6b. The conveying tube 5 is connected at its end
with the the feed block 6 so as to align the internal surface of
the bore 5a with the internal surface of the passage 6a of the feed
block 6 by using an adhesive according to need. The inlet of the
passage 6a is chamfered or rounded as necessary so that the
electronic component P is not caught at the interface between the
bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 to the passage 6a when the
component conveys from the bore 5a to the passage 6a. A first
recess 6c which is nearly as wide as a shutter plate 7d described
later, and has a depth which is almost equal to a distance between
the top surface of the feed block 6 and the top surface of the
passage 6a is formed above the passage 6a of the feed block 6. A
front part of the passage 6a opens through the first recess 6c to
the outside. A suction bore 6d circular in cross section which runs
from the bottom of the feed block 6 into that of the passage 6a is
formed at the bottom of the passage 6a of the feed block 6. The
suction bore 6d is fitted at its lower end with an air tube
connector CM. A second recess 6e for movably disposing a slider
body 7a described later is formed at front side is formed in front
of the passage 6a of the feed block 6. The second recess 6e is open
at the top and on the right and left sides. A cover plate 6f is
disposed on the second recess 6e of the feed block 6 to cover the
top opening of the second recess 6e. The bottom of the cover plate
6f is opposite the shutter plate 7d with a small clearance between
these two plates.
[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5(A), and 5(B), the slider 7
comprises the rectangular slider body 7a, a permanent magnet 7b, a
stopper plate 7c, and the shutter plate 7d.
[0036] The slider body 7a has at the center of its top a straight
groove 7a1 which extends longitudinally. A width of the straight
groove 7a1 is slightly smaller than a width of the passage 6a of
the feed block 6. A magnet installation hole 7a2 which is circular
in cross section and has a predetermined depth is formed at the
straight groove 7a1 of the slider body 7a. A cylindrical permanent
magnet 7b such as a samarium-cobalt magnet or a ferrite magnet,
which has a length almost equal to the depth of the magnet
installation hole 7a2, is inserted into the magnet installation
hole 7a2 so that the N or S pole of the magnet faces up by using an
adhesive according to need. A pin 7a3 which is inserted into an
oval hole 12a at the upper end of the driven lever 12 described
later is disposed on the left side of the slider body 7a so that
the tip of the pin 7a3 protrudes outside from the left side of the
feed block 6.
[0037] The stopper plate 7c is made of a magnetic material such as
iron or the like. This stopper plate 7c is nearly as wide as the
straight groove 7a1 of the slider body 7a and has a thickness less
than a depth of the straight groove 7a1.
[0038] The shutter plate 7d has a width which is slightly smaller
than a width of the first recess 6c of the feed block 6. A straight
bump 7d1 which is nearly as wide as the straight groove 7a1 in the
slider body 7a and has a height smaller than the depth of the
straight groove 7a1 is formed at the center of the bottom of the
shutter plate.
[0039] The slider 7 is assembled by inserting the stopper plate 7c
into the straight groove 7a1 of the slider body 7a, and then,
disposing the the shutter plate 7d on the slider body 7a so as to
fit the straight bump 7d1 into the straight groove 7a1. These parts
may be combined together using an adhesive, screws, etc. It is
possible to clip the stopper plate 7c by the shutter plate 7d
combined with the slider body 7a. After assembling, the bottom of
the stopper plate 7c is in contact with the top of the permanent
magnet 7b, so that the rear end of the stopper plate 7c has the N
or S pole. The rear end of the stopper plate 7c is beyond the
shutter plate 7d.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 5(A), and 5(B), the slider 7 is
disposed so that the slider body 7a is in the second recess 6e of
the feed block 6 and that the rear of the stopper plate 7c and the
rear of the straight bump 7d1 on the shutter plate 7d are in the
passage 6a of the feed block 6. A third coil spring S3 which is
interposed between the front surface of the slider body 7a and that
of the second recess 6e of the feed block 6 urges the slider 7,
thus pressing the back surface of the slider body 7a against the
back surface of the second recess 6e and the rear end of the
shutter plate 7d against the back surface of the first recess 6c.
Thus the shutter plate 7d closes the opening of the passage 6a of
the feed block 6. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5(A), a clearance which
is a part of a suction passage is between the bottom of the passage
6a and that of the stopper plate 7c. The suction bore 6d and the
bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 communicate through the clearance
with each other. In the apparatus in the figure, the stopper plate
7c constitutes a component stopper, and the slider 7 constitutes a
displacing device which displaces the stopper plate 7c from a stop
position to a removed position therefrom.
[0041] The air cylinder 8, which has a rod 8a connected with a
piston (not shown), is rotatably supported at its lower end 8b on
the frame 1. The air cylinder 8 has a suction port 8c and an
exhaust port 8d which each incorporate a nonreturn valve (not
shown). The suction port 8c is connected through the air tube 9
with the connector CM at the bottom of the feed block 6. As shown
in FIG. 7, the air cylinder 8 can suck the air through the suction
port 8c by lowering the rod 8a from its upper position, and exert
an air suction for conveying the electronic components into the
bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 through the suction passage
composed by the air tube 9, the suction bore 6d, and the passage
6a. As shown in FIG. 6, the air cylinder 8 can exhaust the air
through the exhaust port 8d by lifting the rod 8a from its lower
position, and discharge the air in the air cylinder 8 through the
exhaust port 8d. Besides, the nonreturn valve in the exhaust port
8d closes when the air is sucked, and the nonreturn valve in the
suction port 8c closes when the air is discharged. Thus the air
suction can be exerted on the electronic component in the bore 5a
of the conveying tube 5 when the air is sucked, and the positive
pressure can be prevented from working in the bore 5a of the
conveying tube 5 when the air is discharged. In the apparatus in
the drawing, the air cylinder 8 constitutes a sucking device which
conveys the electronic components P in the bore 5a of the conveying
tube 5 using the air suction.
[0042] The driving lever 10 is shaped by a first vertical plate
10a, a horizontal plate 10b, and a second vertical plate 10c which
are arranged in that order. The first vertical plate 10a has a
protrusion 10d extending downward. The driving lever 10 is
rotatably supported nearly at the center of the first vertical
plate 10a on the frame 1 and urged clockwise in the figure by a
torsion coil spring S4. A pressed rod 10a1 is provided on the right
side at the front end of the first vertical plate 10a. The pressed
rod 10a1 is pressed down by a driving device, not shown, thus
causing the driving lever 10 to rotate counterclockwise (see FIG.
6). The horizontal plate 10b is provided with a engaging portion
10b1, that is, a round bore or a U-shaped notch. As shown in FIG.
2(A), the engaging portion 10b1 is between the lower color 4c of
the movable pipe 4 and the first coil spring S1. The rod 8a of the
air cylinder 8 is rotatably supported on the second vertical plate
10c.
[0043] The rear end of the link 11 is rotatably connected with the
lower end of the protrusion 10d. The front end of the link 11 is
rotatably connected with the lower end of the driven lever 12. The
driven lever 12 is rotatably supported nearly at its center on the
frame 1. The pin 7a3 of the slider body 7a is inserted into the
oval hole 12a at the upper end of the driven lever 12.
[0044] Operation of the apparatus will be described below.
[0045] When the apparatus is used to feed thousands to tens of
thousands of the electronic components P, which are stored in a
bulk state in the storage chamber 2c of the storage container 2,
the cycle consisting of the following operations is repeated: (1)
using the driving device, not shown, the pressed rod 10a1 of the
driving lever 10 in its standby position is pressed down against
urging force produced by the torsion coil spring S4 and the second
coil spring S2 (see FIG. 6), and then (2) the pressed rod 10a1 is
released to return the driving lever 10 to its standby position,
using urging force produced by the torsion coil spring S4 and the
second coil spring S2 (see FIG. 7).
[0046] When the driver lever 10 is rotated counterclockwise through
a predetermined angle from the standby position, the horizontal
plate 10b causes the movable pipe 4 to rise from the lower position
in FIG. 8(A) to the upper position in FIG. 8(b). When mainly the
second coil spring S2 contracts, the movable pipe 4 rises, so that
its top slightly enters the storage chamber 2c. This is because the
force produced by the first coil spring S1 is larger than the force
produced by the second coil spring S2. As shown in FIG. 8(A), when
the movable pipe 4 is in the lower position, several electronic
components P are in the circular recess above the movable pipe 4.
Thus when the movable pipe 4 rises, these electronic components P
are lifted, thus stirring stored electronic components P. As a
result, stored electronic components P are taken one by one into
the upper end of the bore 3a of the the stationary pipe 3 in a
longitudinal direction, directly or under favor of an inclination
of the guide surface 4b. When the driving lever 10 returns to the
standby position after it rotates, by returning the horizontal
plate 10b, the movable pipe 4 is returned by the urging force
produced by the second coil spring S2 from the upper position in
FIG. 8(B) to the lower position in FIG. 8(A). At this time, stored
electronic components P are also taken one by one into the upper
end of the bore 3a of the the stationary pipe 3 as well as the
above-mentioned.
[0047] The electronic components P taken into the bore 3a of the
stationary pipe 3 move down through the bore 3a under the gravity,
and are taken into the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 which is
connected to the lower end of the stationary pipe 3. Then the
electronic components P taken into the bore 5a of the conveying
tube 5 move down through the bore 5a under the gravity, and are
changed its posture from a longitudinal position to a lateral
position in a curved segment of the conveying tube 5.
[0048] When the driving lever 10 returns to the standby position
after it rotates, the rod 8a of the air cylinder 8 lowers from the
upper position to the lower position as shown in FIG. 7. Here
through the suction passage composed by the air tube 9, the suction
bore 6d, and the passage 6a, the air suction for conveying the
electronic components is exerted into the bore 5a of the conveying
tube 5. The electronic components P in the bore 5a of the conveying
tube 5 are moved forward in the alignment state by the air suction
as shown in FIG. 9. The electronic components P conveyed in the
alignment state by the air suction, stop when the forefront
electronic component P against the rear end of the stopper plate 7c
as shown in FIG. 10. Following the forefront electronic component
P, the subsequent electronic components P are in close contact with
each other. The forefront electronic component P is attracted to
the rear end of the stopper plate 7c under the action of magnetism,
because the rear end of the stopper plate 7c provides the N or S
pole as described above.
[0049] On the other hand, when the driving lever 10 is rotated
counterclockwise through a predetermined angle from the standby
position, as shown in FIG. 6, the protrusion 10d on the driving
lever 10 displaces, thus pulling back the link 11, so that the
driven lever 12 rotates counterclockwise through a predetermined
angle with a pivot at the center. As shown in FIG. 11, when
rotating, the driven lever 12 causes the slider 7 to move forward a
predetermined distance against the urging force produced by the
third coil spring S3. The stopper plate 7c displaces forward from
the stop position to the removed position therefrom. The forefront
electronic component P, attracted to the rear end of the stopper
plate 7c, displaces forward together with the stopper plate 7c, so
that the forefront electronic component P is separated from the
following electronic components P. The slider 7 moves forward, thus
causing the shutter plate 7d to move away from the back surface of
the first recess 6c. As a result, the front part of the passage 6a
opens to the outside through the first recess 6c, so that the
forefront electronic component P is exposed. As shown in FIG. 13,
the forefront electronic component P, attracted to the rear end of
the stopper plate 7c, is piked up by a suction nozzle AN, which
lowers from above the top electronic component.
[0050] When the driving lever 10 is returned to the standby
position after it is rotated, the protrusion 10d of the driving
lever 10 returns to its original position. This causes the link 11
and driven lever 12 to also return to their original positions as
shown in FIG. 7, so that the slider 7 returns to its original
position under the action of the urging force produced by the third
coil spring S3, as shown in FIG. 9. When the slider 7 moves back
and forth, the passage 6a, the stopper plate 7c, which is in the
passage, and the straight bump 7d1 on the shutter plate 7d; and the
first recess 6c and the shutter plate 7d which is in the recess;
serve as guides.
[0051] According to the aforesaid apparatus, by driving the air
cylinder 8 and exerting the air suction into the bore 5a from the
end of the conveying tube 5, the electronic components P in the
bore 5a can be conveyed in the predetermined position in the
alignment state, and can be stopped by the stopper plate 7c. That
is, by using the apparatus with the conveying tube 5, the air
cylinder 8, and the stopper plate 7c, the electronic components P
can be conveyed in the alignment state to the predetermined
position. Since this apparatus do not need the belt and the belt
drive mechanism of the conventional apparatus, the simple and
inexpensive electronic component feeding apparatus can be provided.
Moreover, since the conveying passage is composed of the tube 5, a
plurality of members do not need to be combined to form the
conveying passage. This also helps provide the inexpensive
electronic component feeding apparatus.
[0052] Further, according to the aforesaid apparatus, by displacing
the stopper plate 7c from the stop position to the removed position
therefrom with use of the slider 7 after conveyed electronic
components P are stopped by the stopper plate 7c, the pick up
operation of the forefront electronic component P by use of the
suction nozzle AN is easily performed. Since the permanent magnet
7b is brought into contact with the stopper plate 7c so that the
rear end of the stopper plate 7c provides the N or S pole, when the
electronic components P conveyed by the air suction are stopped by
the stopper plate 7c, the forefront electronic component P can be
attracted to the stopper plate 7c to keep the position of the
forefront electronic component P. In addition, since the forefront
electronic component P attracted to the rear end of the stopper
plate 7c can be displaced forward together with the stopper plate
7c and separated from the following electronic components P by
displacing the stopper plate 7c from the stop position to the
removed position therefrom, when the forefront electronic component
P is picked up by use of the suction nozzle AN, the forefront
electronic component P can be picked up in a stable position as
preventing the forefront electronic component P from interfering
with the following electronic components P.
[0053] Furthermore, according to the aforesaid apparatus, since the
air cylinder 8 and the driving lever 10 for activating the air
cylinder 8 are installed on the frame 1, there is no need for
placing a vacuum pump and plumbing in this vacuum pump, and for
preparing a power supply for the vacuum pump and a circuit for
controlling air suction. Thus the cost of the apparatus can be
reduced. Both because the air cylinder 8 can be operated, by using
the driving lever 10 and because the slider 7 can be operated
through the link 11 and driven lever 12 which are connected with
the driving lever 10, a sequence of component feed operations can
be securely performed by only applying a force to the driving lever
10.
[0054] Further, according to the aforesaid apparatus, since a
take-in device, which is intended to take electronic components in
the storage camber 2c into the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 one
by one in the predetermined position, is composed of the stationary
pipe 3 and the movable pipe 4, electronic components P can be
sequentially introduced into the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5.
Moreover, because the movable pipe 4 serves to stir electronic
components in the storage chamber 2c and lead them into the bore 3a
of the stationary pipe 3 and the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5,
the electronic components P in the storage chamber 2c can
efficiently be introduced into the bore 5a of the conveying tube
5.
[0055] Furthermore, according to the aforesaid apparatus, since the
cross section of the bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 is similar to
the longitudinal end face shape of the electronic component P and
slightly larger than the longitudinal end face shape, the apparatus
can properly and stably convey electronic components P having the
square pole shape in the alignment state without any problem such
as an improper position.
[0056] By the way, the aforesaid apparatus can convey cylindrical
electronic components P in the same way as electronic components
having the square pole shape. When the apparatus is used to convey
electronic components P' which meet a dimensional relationship such
as length>width>height, the bore 3a' of a stationary pipe 3'
should be provided with a rectangular cross section which is
similar to the longitudinal end face shape of the electronic
component P' and slightly larger than the longitudinal end face
shape as shown in FIG. 14(A). In addition, a bore 5a' of a
conveying tube 5' should be provided with a rectangular cross
section which is almost the same as the cross section of the bore
3a' of the stationary pipe 3' as shown in FIG. 14(B).
[0057] Further, the aforesaid apparatus moves the slider 7 forward
when the pressed rod 10a1 of the driving lever 10 is pushed down,
and exerts the air suction through the suction passage into the
bore 5a of the conveying tube 5 when the pressed rod 10a1 returns
to its original position. However, an arrangement also achieves the
same effects and advantages as described above which exerts the air
suction through the suction passage into the bore 5a of the
conveying tube 5 when the pressed rod 10a1 of the driving lever 10
is pushed down, and moves the slider 7 forward when the pressed rod
10a1 returns to its original position.
[0058] The preferred embodiments described herein are illustrative,
not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by
the accompanying claims. The present invention covers all
variations within the scope of the claims.
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