U.S. patent application number 10/949205 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for method and apparatus for collectively changing components at component supply section.
Invention is credited to Hata, Kanji, Kuribayashi, Takeshi, Naito, Takao, Narikiyo, Kazuhiko, Nishida, Hiroyoshi, Seki, Yoshinori, Takaiti, Susumu.
Application Number | 20050047896 10/949205 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 17197529 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050047896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takaiti, Susumu ; et
al. |
March 3, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for collectively changing components at
component supply section
Abstract
A transfer rack 15 loaded with a seriate number of component
supply cassettes 14 to be handled collectively is carried and
retained on a truck 61 so that it can be taken in and out of the
truck 61. The transfer rack 15 is passed between the truck 61 and a
component supply section 8. Thus, the withdrawal of the transfer
rack 15 from the component supply section 8 to the truck 61 and the
delivery of the transfer rack 15 to the component supply section 8
are executed in a timely manner so as to change the component
supply cassettes 14 at the component supply section 8. The transfer
rack 15 delivered to the component supply section 8 is positioned
by operating an automatic positioning means at the component supply
section 8 in a direction in which it is loaded and unloaded and in
a direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded
and unloaded.
Inventors: |
Takaiti, Susumu;
(Nakakoma-gun, JP) ; Narikiyo, Kazuhiko;
(Kofu-shi, JP) ; Naito, Takao; (Nakakoma-gun,
JP) ; Hata, Kanji; (Osaka, JP) ; Seki,
Yoshinori; (Kofu-shi, JP) ; Kuribayashi, Takeshi;
(Nakakoma-gun, JP) ; Nishida, Hiroyoshi;
(Nakakoma-gun, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
2033 K STREET N. W.
SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20006-1021
US
|
Family ID: |
17197529 |
Appl. No.: |
10/949205 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10949205 |
Sep 27, 2004 |
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10288382 |
Nov 6, 2002 |
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10288382 |
Nov 6, 2002 |
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09043694 |
Mar 26, 1998 |
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6494671 |
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09043694 |
Mar 26, 1998 |
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PCT/JP96/02800 |
Sep 27, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
414/331.06 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 13/0417 20130101;
H05K 13/08 20130101; H05K 13/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/331.06 |
International
Class: |
B65F 009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 1995 |
JP |
7-249741 |
Claims
1. A transfer rack which is loaded with a specified number of
component accommodating members positioned and supported
individually and comprises a storage means for storing component
information of a type of the component stored in each supported
component accommodating member.
2. A truck for collectively changing components at a component
supply section, comprising a main body having running wheels, the
main body being provided with a guide means for guiding a transfer
rack in passing the transfer rack by loading and unloading the
transfer rack at a component supply section of an objective working
machine and a retaining means for retaining the transfer rack
received on the guide means.
3. The truck claimed in claim 2, comprising a stopper means for
preventing the main body from running with the running wheels.
4. The truck as claimed in claim 3, comprising a connecting means
for connecting the component supply section with the main body in a
state in which the main body is put in a specified positional
relation with the component supply section of the objective working
machine.
5. The truck as claimed in claim 3, comprising a height adjusting
means for adjusting in height a transfer rack support section.
6. The truck as claimed in claim 2, comprising a connecting means
for connecting the component supply section with the main body in a
state in which the main body is put in a specified positional
relation with the component supply section of the objective working
machine.
7. The truck as claimed in claim 6, comprising a height adjusting
means for adjusting in height a transfer rack support section.
8. The truck as claimed in claim 2, comprising a height adjusting
means for adjusting in height a transfer rack support section.
9-49. (Cancelled).
Description
[0001] This application is a Divisional Application of Ser. No.
09/043,694 filed Mar. 26, 1998, which was the National Stage of
International Application No. PCT/JP96/02800, filed Sep. 27,
1995.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section. For
example, it relates to a method and apparatus for collectively
changing components and a truck thereof to be applied to a
component supply section of an objective working machine which uses
a component supply cassette for feeding one-by-one a variety of
minute components to be mounted to an electronic circuit board to
supply them for use, thereby collectively changing components in
units of a specified number of component supply cassettes.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] When mounting electronic components onto electronic circuit
boards, it is required to supply a number of electronic components
at high speed.
[0004] Therefore, as a method of supplying electronic components,
or in particular minute electronic components at high speed, there
has been conventionally known a component supply cassette which
handles minute components as so-called taping components formed by
storing components in a number of component storing sections that
are arranged in one direction of a storage tape and opened at a
surface side. Thereafter, a covering tape is attached to the
storage tape and it peels off the covering tape while feeding the
taping components at a specified pitch to release each component
storing section in a component supply position. This allows the
component released in the component supply position to be taken out
by a suction nozzle or the like for use.
[0005] On the other hand, as a substitute for it, there has been
used a component supply cassette which stores a variety of
components such as minute electronic components in a bulk cassette.
The supply cassette then stirs up the components in a turbulence
chamber by air while supplying the components into the turbulence
chamber. The components that have been directed in a specified
direction are transferred into a component feed path, and are fed
to a specified component supply position by air while being aligned
in a line in the component feed path to subject the components to
use.
[0006] FIG. 27 shows a mounter A which uses such component supply
cassettes B. This mounter A is to mount an electronic component "b"
onto a printed board "a". A number of component supply cassettes B
are arranged laterally in series corresponding to the number of
types of electronic components "b" necessary for the mounter A on a
component supply table "c" which serves as a component supply
section provided beside the mounter A. The component supply unit B
that is retaining the electronic component "b" of the type required
each time is moved to the component supply position opposite to the
mounter A.
[0007] The shown component supply cassette B is a type that uses a
taping component. Including a component supply cassette of a type
that feeds components from a bulk cassette while aligning them by
air and the like, a cassette width C is set to, for example, about
16 mm. About 60 units of such cassettes are arranged in series on
the component supply table "c" to be used properly at need.
[0008] For the above proper use, the component supply table "c"
reciprocates the approximately 60 seriately arranged units of the
component supply cassettes B in a direction in which they are
arranged (i.e., in the x-direction in the figure). This shifts the
required component supply cassette B to the component supply
position.
[0009] The mounter A sucks each electronic component b that has
been supplied from the component supply cassette B and placed in
the component supply position by a suction nozzle "e" provided at a
component mounting head "d" to mount the component onto the printed
board "a". The printed board "a" is placed on an X-Y table "f" s as
to be capable of moving in two directions of x and y that are
perpendicular to each other, and is subjected to movement control
in the two directions of x and y. Therefore, the electronic
components "b" transferred to the mounting position as sucked by
the suction nozzle "e" can be mounted at a specified position on
the printed board "a".
[0010] When the components in the component supply cassette B are
depleted or when the type of required component is to be changed,
the component supply cassette B placed on the component supply
table "c" is removed and replaced by a new component supply
cassette B.
[0011] In order to surely supply the components from each component
supply cassette, it is required to correctly position each
component supply cassette B on the component supply table "c" and
constantly correctly position the cassette corresponding to the
component selection in the component supply position. Therefore,
each component supply cassette B is provided with a positioning pin
"p" as shown in FIG. 27. By being engaged with a positioning hole
(not shown) provided on a support surface of the component supply
table "c", the pin is correctly positioned in height, depth and
width. A reel setting portion is received from below by a
corrugated guide "q" provided at a portion of the component supply
table "c" as shown in FIG. 28 to prevent the possible transverse
vibration.
[0012] However, if the component supply cassette B is positioned
one by one, it takes much time and labor, and this results in a low
working efficiency. Furthermore, the operation of the objective
working machine is stopped during this time, so that the
productivity of the electronic circuit board or the like is
lowered. Particularly in the case of a high-speed objective working
machine or in the case of an objective working machine which
simultaneously produces two electronic circuit boards, a high
component consumption rate results. Therefore, it is desired to
further increase the efficiency of the component changing
procedure.
[0013] For the above reasons, a conventional cassette changing rack
"i" as shown in FIG. 28 can be loaded with a number of component
supply cassettes B to collectively handle them in changing each
component supply cassette B on the component supply table "c." This
changing rack is able to be mounted on and dismounted from the
component supply table "c." The cassette changing rack "i'" serves
to be carried by, mounted on and dismounted from the component
supply table "c" while being loaded with a specified number of
component supply cassettes arranged in series in a widthwise,
direction, positioned, and retained. The changing rack "i" is
positioned by engaging a clamp arm "'j" as shown in FIG. 28 with a
part of the component supply table "c" in the mounting stage.
[0014] With the above arrangement, it is proper to preparatorily
perform the loading and changing of the component supply cassettes
B in the cassette changing rack "i" regardless of the mounting of
the rack "i" to the component supply table "c" and change it for
the cassette changing rack "i" mounted already on the component
supply table "c" at the required point of time, so that the working
efficiency increases.
[0015] However, according to the above-mentioned conventional art
collective changing method, when handling the cassette changing
rack "i", the operator lifts up its whole body by a pair of left
and right carrying handles "k" provided at the cassette changing
rack "i", carries it, and performs mounting and dismounting of the
base at the component supply table "c". Therefore, the seriate
number of the component supply cassettes B that can be handled
collectively is limited in weight to about 10 kg, and this also
leads to a limitation in weight to a seriated ten small-size
component supply cassettes B. Furthermore, since the whole body is
heavy and bulky, it is uneasy to handle, and much labor is required
for the positioning work. Consequently, no reduction in time
corresponding to the seriated number of cassettes collectively
handled can be achieved and consequently about 30 minutes are
taken, so that a further increase in efficiency is required.
Furthermore, the positioning by the clamp arm "j" is hardly
effective throughout the whole body of the cassette changing rack
"i". In addition, because the cassette changing rack "i" loaded
with the component supply cassettes B is heavy and uneasy to
handle, the positioning by the clamp arm "j" tends to be rough, so
that an inaccurate positioning tends to create problems in
component supply.
[0016] Furthermore, if the diameter of the reel to be set is
increased due to a dimensional increase of the taping components to
be handled by the component supply cassette, the total weight and
size of the component supply cassette to be handled are further
increased. Therefore, such components cannot be handled with the
cassette changing rack "i", meaning that only the conventional way
of individually positioning and mounting of the cassettes to the
component supply table "c" is left. Consequently, the working
efficiency is not increased at all.
[0017] Accordingly, the present invention is intended to solve the
aforementioned issues, and has an object to provide a method and
apparatus for collectively changing components at a component
supply section. A truck thereof is also provided that is capable of
collectively handling a greater amount of component supply
cassettes while receiving less influence due to the size of the
cassettes so as to allow the cassettes to be changed easily in a
short time with sure positioning satisfied.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the 1st
aspect of the present invention provides a method of collectively
changing components at a component supply section in which a number
of component accommodating members for accommodating components
(e.g., for use in feeding components one by one) are arranged in
series at a component supply section of an objective working
machine. Components are supplied from a component accommodating
member corresponding to components required each time to the
objective working machine. The components required are collectively
changed or replenished on account of alteration of components and
depletion of components due to consumption of the components, and
every transfer rack is loaded with a specified number of component
accommodating members which are individually positioned and
supported. The transfer rack loaded with a seriate number of
component accommodating members to be handled collectively is
carried and passed to the component supply section for timely
execution of withdrawal of the transfer rack from the component
supply section and in order delivery of the transfer rack to the
component supply section to change the component accommodating
members at the component supply section, and the transfer rack
delivered to the component supply section is positioned by
operating at the component supply section an automatic positioning
means in a direction in which it is loaded and unloaded and in a
direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and
unloaded.
[0019] In the modification of the 1st aspect, the transfer rack
loaded with the seriate number of component accommodating members
to be handled collectively is carried as retained in a truck while
being able to be taken in and out. The transfer rack is passed
between the truck and the component supply section for timely
execution of withdrawal of the transfer rack from the component
supply section to the truck and delivery of the transfer rack to
the component supply section to change the component accommodating
members at the component supply section.
[0020] The 2nd aspect of the invention provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 1st aspect of the invention. The component supply
section includes two portions each equipped with a required seriate
number of component accommodating members for supplying components
to the objective working machine. While using one of the portions
for supplying components, the other is made to stand by to be able
to be used for changing the component accommodating members.
[0021] The 3rd aspect of the invention also provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 1st aspect of the invention. The seriate number of
component accommodating members to be handled collectively is the
required seriate number of component accommodating members for
supplying components to the objective working machine.
[0022] The 4th aspect of the invention also provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 1st aspect of the invention. The seriate number of
component accommodating members to be handled collectively is a
unit division seriate number of component accommodating members of
the required seriate number of component accommodating members for
supplying components to the objective working machine.
[0023] The 5th aspect of the invention also provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 1st aspect of the invention. A change of the
transfer rack at the component supply section is automatically
detected. Upon the occurrence of the change, propriety of the
components in each component accommodating member loaded in the
transfer rack after the change is automatically decided.
[0024] The 6th aspect of the invention provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 5th aspect, wherein the decision of propriety is
executed upon all component accommodating members.
[0025] The 7th aspect of the invention also provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 5th aspect of the invention. The decision of
propriety is executed by using component information preparatorily
stored in the transfer rack corresponding to the components stored
in the component accommodating member loaded in the transfer
rack.
[0026] The 8th aspect of the invention also provides a method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 5th aspect of the invention, wherein the component
information is stored in a storage means capable of reading and
writing.
[0027] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the 9th
aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for collectively
changing components at a component supply section. The apparatus
comprises a component supply section which is equipped with a
number of seriately arranged component accommodating members for
feeding components (e.g., for use in feeding components one by one,
so that they can be positioned, loaded and unloaded) and operates
to supply components from a component accommodating member
corresponding to the components required each time by an objective
working machine. The apparatus also comprises a transfer rack
loaded with component accommodating members so that they can be
individually positioned, loaded and unloaded, and the transfer rack
is able to collectively handle them.
[0028] In a modification of the 9th aspect, the apparatus further
comprises a truck capable of moving with the transfer rack carried
thereon. A guide means is provided at the component supply section
and the truck for allowing the transfer rack pass between them for
loading and unloading the transfer rack.
[0029] The 10th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 9th aspect of the invention. The component supply
section has a positioning means for automatically positioning a
received transfer rack in a direction in which the transfer rack is
loaded and unloaded, and in direction perpendicular to the
direction in which the transfer rack is loaded and unloaded.
[0030] In a modification of the 10th aspect, the truck has a
retaining means for retaining the received transfer rack and a
height adjusting means for adjusting in height the received
transfer rack.
[0031] The 11th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 10th aspect of the invention. A height detecting
means for detecting a relation in height of a transfer rack support
section relative to the component supply section of the objective
working machine is also provided.
[0032] The 12th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 10th aspect of the invention. The positioning
means at the component supply section comprises a front end portion
receiving member which receives a front end portion of the transfer
rack in a specified receiving position, and a first pressure member
which protrudes into and retracts from a path in which the transfer
rack is loaded and unloaded. The first pressure member operates to
pressure the transfer rack from behind against the front end
portion receiving member to position the transfer rack in a
direction in which the transfer rack is loaded and unloaded, and to
release the positioning effected by the pressure. The positioning
means also comprises a side surface portion receiving member which
is provided at a side of the path in which the transfer rack is
loaded and unloaded. The receiving member operates to receive a
side portion of the transfer rack in a specified position. In
addition, the positioning means comprises a second pressure member
which pressures the transfer rack against the side surface portion
receiving member from the opposite side to position the transfer
rack in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the
transfer, rack is loaded and unloaded.
[0033] The 13th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 12th aspect of the invention, wherein the first
pressure member is a lever member and the second pressure member is
an eccentric shaft.
[0034] The 14th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 12th aspect of the invention. The transfer rack
has portions comprised of roller members for the abutment thereof
against the front end portion receiving member and the first
pressure member.
[0035] The 15th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 9th aspect of the invention. The component supply
section has guide rollers for guiding the transfer rack from both
sides with play to a specified receiving position.
[0036] The 16th aspect of the invention also provides an apparatus
for collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 9th aspect of the invention. The component supply
section has a positioning support section for supporting the
received transfer rack so that the transfer rack is positioned at a
specified height, and has a loading/unloading guide section for
guiding the loading and unloading of the transfer rack by lifting
the transfer rack from the positioning support section in loading
and unloading the transfer rack.
[0037] The 17th aspect of the invention also provides an apparatus
for collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 9th aspect of the invention. A storage means is
provided for storing component information regarding the type of
component stored in each component accommodating member provided at
the transfer rack, or of each component accommodating member
supported on it. An installation/removal detecting means is also
provided for detecting the installation or removal of the transfer
rack with respect to the component supply section. A decision means
is provided for deciding whether or not the transfer rack is
changed based on the detection by the installation/removal
detecting means and for deciding whether the component is suitable
based on the component information stored in the storage means when
the transfer rack is changed.
[0038] The 18th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 17th aspect of the invention. A mode selecting
means is provided for selecting between a variety of decision modes
such as a mode of not deciding the propriety of each component, a
mode of deciding all component accommodating members, and a mode of
deciding only required accommodating members. The decision means
executes a decision in a selected mode.
[0039] The 19th aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section
according to the 17th aspect of the invention, wherein the storage
means is capable of reading and writing.
[0040] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the 20th
aspect of the invention provides a transfer rack which is loaded
with a specified number of component accommodating members
positioned and supported individually. The transfer rack comprises
a storage means for storing component information regarding the
type of component and the like stored in each supported component
accommodating member.
[0041] In order to achieve the aforementioned object, the 21st
aspect of the invention provides a truck for collectively changing
components at a component supply section. The truck comprises a
main body having running wheels, and the main body is provided with
a guide means for guiding the transfer rack in passing the transfer
rack by loading and unloading the transfer rack at a component
supply section of an objective working machine. The truck also
comprises a retaining means for retaining the transfer rack
received on the guide means.
[0042] The 22nd aspect of the invention provides a truck according
to the 21st aspect of the invention, further comprising a stopper
means for preventing the main body from running on the running
wheels.
[0043] The 23rd aspect of the invention provides a truck according
to the 21st aspect of the invention, further comprising a
connecting means for connecting the component supply section with
the main body in a state in which the main body is put in a
specified positional relation with the component supply section of
the objective working machine.
[0044] The 24th aspect of the invention provides a truck according
to the 21st aspect of the invention, further comprising a height
adjusting means for adjusting in height a transfer rack support
section.
[0045] Examples of the component accommodating member are a tray or
a component supply cassette. Specifically, in embodiments of the
present invention described later, a component supply cassette
corresponds to one example of the component accommodating
member.
[0046] According to the above construction of the method and
apparatus for collectively changing components at a component
supply section of the 1st and 9th aspects of the invention, a
number of component supply cassettes are arranged seriately at the
component supply section of the objective working machine. When
operating the supply cassette corresponding to the component
required each time by the objective working machine in order to
supply the required component to the objective working machine for
the execution of the change of components and the supply of
components depleted due to consumption, a specified number of
component supply cassettes are handled in a lot with the transfer
rack loaded with the component supply cassettes that are
individually positioned and supported for the collective
change.
[0047] In the above case, the transfer rack is carried in the truck
while being able to be taken in and out of the truck. Therefore,
even when the seriate number of component supply cassettes to be
loaded in the transfer rack is great and the cassettes are large,
bulky and heavy, the transfer rack can be easily moved together
with the truck without being influenced by these factors.
Furthermore, the transfer rack loaded with the component supply
cassettes is passed between the truck and the component supply
section to timely execute the withdrawal of the transfer rack from
the component supply section onto the truck and the delivery of the
transfer rack to the component supply section for the collective
change of the component supply cassettes. Therefore, also in the
collective change operation, the weight and bulkiness of the
transfer rack loaded with the component supply cassettes exert
almost no influence on the operator. Consequently, the collective
change of components can be achieved easily and speedily without
being limited by the seriate number, size and weight of the
component supply cassettes to be handled collectively. This is
helpful in further increasing the operation speed and the working
efficiency of the objective working machine.
[0048] Furthermore, particularly in accordance with the 1st aspect
of the invention, the transfer rack delivered to the component
supply section is automatically positioned in the direction in
which it is loaded and unloaded and in the direction perpendicular
to the direction in which it is loaded and unloaded by operating
the automatic positioning means. Therefore, the positioning can be
achieved surely in the two directions without individual
differences, and can be achieved speedily because of the automatic
operation. Therefore, also in this point, the working efficiency
increases and the possible trouble due to a deficiency in supplying
components can be solved.
[0049] Furthermore, particularly in accordance with the 9th aspect
of the invention, the guide means provided at the component supply
section and the truck guide the loading and unloading of the
transfer rack when passing it between them. Therefore, the loading
and unloading of the transfer rack for the passing can be smoothly
achieved without hitching, and this allows the working efficiency
to be further increased.
[0050] According to the above construction of the method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 2nd aspect of the present invention, the two component supply
sections are each provided with a seriate number of component
supply cassettes required for supplying components to the objective
working machine. While supplying the components to the objective
working machine by one component supply section, the other
component supply section is put in the standby state so that it can
perform a collective change of components without influencing the
work at the objective working machine for the preparation for
supplying subsequent components. Therefore, the change of
components at the objective working machine can be accomplished by
only switching the use of the component supply sections. Therefore,
the possible loss time at the objective working machine can be
suppressed to the minimum, and the collective change of the
component supply cassettes can be easily achieved in minimal
time.
[0051] Furthermore, according to the above construction of the
method for collectively changing components at a component supply
section of the 3rd aspect of the invention, number of component
supply cassettes to be handled collectively in changing the
components is the seriate number of cassettes for supplying the
components to the objective working machine. Therefore, the
collective change of cassettes for the change and supply of the
components to be supplied to the objective working machine can be
achieved at once in a short time. According to the 4th aspect of
the invention, the seriate number is a unit division seriate number
of the seriate number of the cassettes for supplying components to
the objective working machine. Therefore, even when the seriate
number of cassettes for supplying components to the objective
working machine is great, the collective change work can be easily
achieved in several installments.
[0052] According to the above construction of the method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 5th aspect of the invention, based on any one of the 1st
through 4th aspects of the invention, when the transfer rack is
changed at the component supply section, this is automatically
detected. Then the propriety of the component in each component
supply cassette loaded in the transfer rack after the change is
automatically determined upon the detection. Therefore, the
propriety of the component after the change is not required to be
decided manually each time. This prevents the possible deficiency
of the objective product supplied with improper components and the
objective work due to the inexecution, neglect or failure of the
determination. Consequently, the quality can be stabilized and the
yield can be increased.
[0053] According to the above construction of the method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 6th aspect of the invention, based on the 5th aspect of the
invention, the determination of the propriety is further executed
on all the component supply cassettes. Therefore, such a failure as
the supply of improper components can be prevented in regard to
every one of the components changed collectively.
[0054] According to the above construction of the method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 7th aspect of the invention, based on either one of the 5th and
6th aspects of the invention, the determination of the propriety of
each component in collectively changing components in a number of
component supply cassettes by the transfer rack is executed based
on the component information stored in the transfer rack.
Accordingly, there is no need to store the component information in
every component supply cassette, and it is only required to
intensively store the component information by storing it or
executing a similar operation in a storage means at the transfer
rack that handles them collectively. Therefore, the positioning can
be executed once also by reading the component information of each
component supply cassette, and this is convenient and increases the
operation speed.
[0055] According to the above construction of the method for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 8th aspect of the invention, based on any one of the 5th
through 7th aspects of the invention, the component information is
stored in the storage means which is capable of reading and
writing. Therefore, even when the type of component to be handled
is changed, the method can cope with it, and information regarding
the number of components to be used and the number of remaining
components consequent upon the component supply and the like can be
managed together.
[0056] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 10th aspect of the invention, similarly to the 1st and 9th
aspects of the invention, the transfer rack loaded with the
component supply cassettes so that they can be positioned, loaded
and unloaded can be surely positioned in a short time without
individual differences in the two directions by using the automatic
positioning means at the component supply section. Furthermore, the
truck can retain the, received transfer rack by using the retaining
means. Therefore, the truck can easily and speedily handle the
transfer rack without the transfer rack falling off when it is
carried on the truck. Furthermore, the transfer rack is adjusted in
height on the truck, so that when passing the transfer rack between
the truck and the component supply section, both of them coincide
with each other in height. Therefore, the transfer rack can be
loaded and unloaded easily and smoothly.
[0057] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 11th aspect of the invention, based on the 10th aspect of the
invention, the relation in height between the component supply
section and the transfer rack support section can be further
determined by the detection means. Therefore, the relation in
height between the component supply section and the transfer rack
supported on the truck can be made to coincide with each other
easily and correctly so that the transfer rack can pass between
them smoothly.
[0058] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 12th aspect of the invention, based on either one of the 10th
and 11th aspects of the invention, the component supply section
easily achieves the delivery of the transfer rack to the specified
position because the front end portion of the transfer rack is made
to be received against the front end portion receiving member of
the positioning means. The state of delivery to the specified
position can be surely retained by the positioning of the transfer
rack in the direction in which it is loaded and unloaded between
the first pressure member and the front end portion receiving
member. By further retaining the transfer rack between the second
pressure member and the side surface receiving member in the
direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and
unloaded, the transfer rack can be surely positioned in the
position specified by the side surface receiving member.
[0059] According to the above construction of the component supply
apparatus of the 13th aspect of the invention, based on the 12th
aspect of the invention, the first pressure member comprises a
lever member. By this arrangement, the first pressure member can be
made to easily retreat from the loading/unloading path of the
transfer rack when it is t in use so that it exerts no influence on
the loading and unloading operations. The second pressure member
comprises an eccentric shaft, and it is placed in a position where
it exerts no influence on the loading and unloading of the transfer
rack. The second pressure member surely positions the transfer rack
that is delivered to the specified position its eccentric operation
at need in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which
the transfer rack loaded and unloaded, and the positioning can be
leased.
[0060] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 14th aspect of the invention, based on either one of the 12th
and 13th aspects, the portions of the transfer rack in contact with
the front end portion receiving member and the first pressure
member are each implemented by a roller member. Even in a state in
which the transfer rack is securely positioned between them in the
direction in which it is loaded and unloaded, the movement of the
transfer rack in the direction perpendicular to the direction in
which it is loaded and unloaded is tolerated by the rolling of the
roller member. With this arrangement, the positioning of the
transfer rack in the direction perpendicular to the direction in
which it is loaded and unloaded by the front end portion receiving
member and the second pressure member not hindered so as to allow
the correct positioning to be rely achieved.
[0061] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 15th aspect of the invention, based on any one of the 9th
through 14th aspects, the component supply section further guides
the loading and unloading of the transfer rack with play from both
sides by means of the guide rollers. With this arrangement, the
transfer rack is allowed to be easily loaded and unloaded without
serious rattling or directional disorder with a margin given to the
operation of loading and unloading the transfer rack. In the state
in which the transfer rack is delivered to the specified position,
no serious displacement occurs in position and posture. With this
arrangement, the transfer rack can be smoothly positioned while
being corrected in the specified position and posture.
[0062] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 16th aspect of the vention, based on any one of the 9th through
15th aspects the invention, the component supply section surely
retains the received transfer rack in the positioning support
section so as to allow the transfer rack to be surely positioned at
a specified height. In loading and unloading the transfer rack, the
loading/unloading guide section guides the loading and unloading of
the transfer rack by momentarily lifting the transfer rack from the
positioning support section. With this arrangement, the transfer
rack is loaded and unloaded without being influenced by the secure
support structure for the positioning, and the positioning support
section can be prevented from wearing in an early stage.
[0063] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 17th aspect of the invention, based on any one of the 9th
through 16th aspects, an effect similar to that of the 5th aspect
of the invention can be produced by any of the component
information stored in the storage means provided at the transfer
rack or each component supply cassette supported on the storage
rack.
[0064] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 18th aspect of the invention, based on the 17th aspect of the
invention, the mode selecting means selects between a variety of
decision modes such as a mode of not deciding the propriety of each
component, a mode of deciding all component supply cassettes and a
mode of deciding only required ones. Therefore, the possible
wasteful decision of the propriety of components can be prevented
by the selection according to the actual circumstances.
[0065] According to the above construction of the apparatus for
collectively changing components at a component supply section of
the 19th aspect of the invention, based on either one of the 17th
and 18th aspects of the invention, the component information is
stored in the storage means capable of reading and writing as in
the 8th aspect of the invention. Therefore, even when the component
to be handled is changed, the apparatus can cope with it, and
information regarding the number of components to be used and the
number of remaining components due to the component supply and the
like can be managed together.
[0066] According to the above construction of the transfer rack of
the 20th aspect of the invention, when collectively handling the
components that are positioned and supported in the specified
number of component supply cassettes for the change, the decision
of the propriety of the components after the change is executed by
the component information stored in the transfer rack itself
similar to the 7th aspect of the invention. With this arrangement,
there is no need to store the component information in every
component supply cassette, and the component information is only
required to be intensively stored as stored in one storage means.
Therefore, the positioning can be executed once also in reading the
component information of each component supply cassette, and this
is convenient and increases the operation speed.
[0067] According to the above construction of the truck of the 21st
aspect of the invention, the transfer rack loaded with a specified
seriate number of component supply cassettes can be put on the
truck so that the transfer rack can be easily taken in and out by
the guide means. While retaining the transfer rack with the
retaining means to prevent it from falling off, the truck can run
smoothly on the running wheels provided at its main body so as to
move freely.
[0068] According to the above construction of the truck of the 22nd
aspect of the invention, based on the 21st aspect of the invention,
the stopper means is further operated to prevent the movement of
the main body on the running wheels and stabilize the main body in
the specified position. With this arrangement, the collective
change of a number of component supply cassettes by the transfer
rack at the component supply section and the change section can be
easily and stably achieved without any trouble.
[0069] According to the above construction of the truck of the 23rd
aspect of the invention, based on either one of the 21st and 22nd
aspects of the invention, when the truck is put in the specified
positional relation with the component supply section of the
objective working machine, the component supply section is further
connected with the main body by the connecting means to allow the
positional relation between them to be surely retained. Therefore,
the operation of changing a heavy transfer rack loaded with a
number of component supply cassettes can be achieved easily and
smoothly without any trouble such as hitching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0070] Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it
is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference
numerals throughout the accompanying drawings.
[0071] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounter for mounting
electronic components onto an electronic circuit board to which the
method and apparatus for collectively changing components at a
component supply section and a truck thereof is applied according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a transport stand
section for performing a selective supply of components at two
component supply sections provided at the mounter shown in FIG.
1;
[0073] FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the transport stand
section shown in FIG. 2;
[0074] FIG. 4 is a detailed plan view of the transport stand
section shown in FIG. 2;
[0075] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a truck used in combination with
the mounter shown in FIG. 1;
[0076] FIG. 6 is a front view of a transfer rack positioned on the
transport stand shown in FIG. 1;
[0077] FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are sectional views showing a sequence
of operations of positioning and releasing the transfer rack on the
transport stand shown in FIG. 1;
[0078] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the truck shown in FIG. 1
and the transfer rack that is supported as carried thereon;
[0079] FIG. 9 is a rear view of the truck and the transfer rack
shown in FIG. 8;
[0080] FIG. 10 is a side view of the truck shown in FIG. 8;
[0081] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a support section of the
truck for supporting the transfer rack shown in FIG. 8;
[0082] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the truck;
[0083] FIG. 13 is a side view showing a working stage of
positioning and supporting a component supply cassette on the
transfer rack on the truck;
[0084] FIG. 14 are side views showing a working stage of preparing
an empty truck for removing the cassette in changing a depleted
component supply cassette at a component supply section;
[0085] FIGS. 15A and 15B are a side view and an explanatory view
showing a working stage of adjusting in height a transfer rack
support section at the truck positioned from the state shown in
FIG. 14 and a detection state of a height detecting means in this
stage;
[0086] FIG. 16 is a side view, of a working stage of unloading a
depleted component supply cassette at the component supply section
by the truck after the height adjustment in FIGS. 15A and 15B;
[0087] FIGS. 17A and 17B are side views showing a state of a
position retaining work exhibiting a working stage of retaining the
depleted component supply cassette at a point of time when it is
unloaded to a specified position;
[0088] FIG. 18 is a side view showing a working stage of carrying
the transfer rack by the truck with the transfer rack retained in
position;
[0089] FIG. 19 is a side view showing a working stage of carrying a
transfer rack loaded with a new component supply cassette by the
truck to the component supply section and positioning it;
[0090] FIG. 20 is a side view showing a working stage of adjusting
in height the transfer rack loaded with the new component supply
cassette on the truck relative to the component supply section;
[0091] FIG. 21 is a side view showing a working stage of delivering
the transfer rack after the height adjustment from on the truck
onto the component supply section;
[0092] FIG. 22 is a side view showing a working stage of moving the
truck to a specified position after the transfer rack has been
delivered to the component supply section;
[0093] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a part of a control
circuit for controlling the operations of the mounter and the
component supply section;
[0094] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing the main flow of component
decision;
[0095] FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a component propriety decision
subroutine of FIG. 24;
[0096] FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a component propriety decision
subroutine according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0097] FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing a prior art mounter
and its component supply section; and
[0098] FIG. 28 is a perspective view showing a prior art method and
apparatus for collectively changing components at a component
supply section.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0099] Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it
is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference
numerals throughout the accompanying drawings.
[0100] A method and apparatus for supplying components according to
an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with
reference to FIGS. 1 through 22.
[0101] The present embodiment is described based on a case where
electronic components are supplied to a mounter 2 which serves as
an objective working machine for mounting electronic components on
an electronic circuit board 1 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 1, in order to mount electronic components
in required portions of the electronic circuit board 1, the present
mounter 2 receives and places the electronic circuit board 1 on its
X-Y table 3 at its fore part, and the X-Y table moves in two
directions of X and Y that are perpendicular to each other. The X-Y
table successively moves an electronic component mounting position
to its component mounting position to allow the electronic
components to be mounted.
[0103] At both lateral sides of the X-Y table 3 are provided a
loading mechanism 4 and an unloading mechanism 5 for loading the
electronic circuit board 1 prior to the electronic component
mounting process onto the X-Y table 3 and for unloading the
electronic circuit board 1 mounted with the electronic components
on the X-Y table 3.
[0104] Behind the X-Y table 3 is provided a component mounting head
6 for mounting electronic components on the electronic circuit
board 1. The component mounting head 6 is equipped, for example,
with a plurality of suction nozzles 7 on a turntable (not shown) so
that it can suck by the suction nozzle 7 each electronic component
supplied at the component supply section 8 provided further behind
the component mounting head 6 to hold it. The mounting head 6 then
mounts the electronic component in a specified position defined as
the component mounting position of the electronic circuit board 1
on the X-Y table 3 located at the fore part.
[0105] In the present embodiment, the component supply section 8 is
provided laterally in two places, and when one of the placess is
put in a component supply operation state, the other can be put in
a standby state. Each component supply section 8 has a transport
stand 9 having a rectangular plan configuration as shown in FIGS. 1
through 3 and a hollow servomotor 11 fixed to it. By rotatively
driving a hollow motor shaft 13 engaged with a ball thread shaft 12
of the servomotor 11, the transport stand 9 is moved laterally
along the ball thread shaft 12. The servomotor 11 of the component
supply section 8 on the operative side supplies the components,
while the servomotor 11 of the component supply section 8 on the
inoperative side is kept in the standby state.
[0106] In order to supply the electronic components to the mounter
2, the transport stand 9 uses a transfer rack 15 as shown in FIGS.
1, 5, and 8 through 11. The transfer rack 15 is equipped with a
required number of conventionally known component supply cassettes
14 (FIG. 11) which feed electronic components, one by one, and the
transfer rack 15 is also able to be positioned, loaded and
unloaded. The transfer rack 15 is provided with a Z-table structure
that has been owned by the conventional component supply section,
i.e., a structure for supporting a number of component supply
cassettes 14 in series in the sidewise direction so that the
cassettes can be positioned, loaded and unloaded.
[0107] According to the present embodiment, in compliance with the
use of the component supply cassette 14 for taping components, the
transfer rack 15 has a box-shaped main body frame 16 as shown in
FIGS. 5 through 11. Above the fore part of the main body frame 16,
a component feeding section 14a of the component supply cassette 14
is received by support rails 18a and 18b provided depthwise in two
places as regulated at an appropriate height. The depthwise and
lateral positional relations are regulated by engaging its
positioning hole 20a with a positioning pin 20b of the component
supply cassette 14. Further, the component supply cassette 14 is
supported by corrugated guides 19a and 19b at two depthwise
portions of its reel setting section 14b provided at a hind part,
thereby preventing the possible transverse vibration.
[0108] Such a positioning and retaining state can be securely
retained by engaging a clamp hook 17b with the support rail 18b by
operating a clamping lever 17a of a clamp mechanism 17 shown in
FIG. 11. By releasing the above engagement, the positioning and
retaining of the component supply cassette 14 is released to allow
an individual component supply cassette 14 to be removed.
Therefore, each component supply cassette 14 can be changed at the
transfer rack 15.
[0109] The present embodiment is equipped with, for example, 60
seriated component supply cassettes 14 required for supplying
components to the mounter 2 or the objective working machine at the
component supply section 8 so that the cassettes 14 can be
positioned, loaded and unloaded.
[0110] The transport stand 9 receives the transfer rack 15 that is
loaded with the component supply cassettes 14 so that the cassettes
14 can be individually positioned, loaded and unloaded in such a
manner that the transfer rack 15 can be totally positioned as made
removable, and the electronic components can be selectively
supplied from the component supply cassette 14 to the mounter 2
with the transfer rack 15. For the selective supply of the
electronic components, the transport stand 9 at the component
supply section 8 in the operating state is moved laterally by a
servomotor 11 so that the component supply cassette 14 that can
supply the required electronic components is moved to the component
supply position of the component mounting head 6.
[0111] The component mounting head 6 operates the component supply
cassette 14 to receive one electronic component every time it
presses an operating lever 14c of the component supply cassette 14
on its own initiative in a known manner. The mounting head then
sucks and holds the electronic component by the corresponding
suction nozzle 7 and mounts it on the electronic circuit board
1.
[0112] In regard to each of the component supply cassettes 14
positioned and retained individually at the transfer rack 15, the
required one must be positioned correctly in the component supply
position by the lateral movement of the transport stand 9. It is
also required to correctly position the transfer rack 15 on the
transport stand 9. Therefore, in a loading/unloading path 21 of the
transport stand 9 where the transfer rack 15 is loaded and unloaded
as shown in FIGS. 2 through 4, a first positioning means 22
operating in the direction in which the transfer rack is loaded and
unloaded and a second positioning means 23 operating in a direction
perpendicular to the direction in which the transfer rack is loaded
and unloaded are provided. Aside from the positioning means 22 and
23, a plurality of guide rollers 24a and 24b for guiding the
transfer rack 15 on the lateral sides are provided to facilitate a
smooth loading and unloading of the transfer rack 15 without
twisting or hitching the transfer rack.
[0113] Further, dimensional adjustment and positioning are
performed with high accuracy so that the support height of the
transfer rack 15 is correct. Rail members 25 each made of a
material having an excellent abrasive resistance are provided to
receive rail members 26 provided likewise at the transfer rack 15
as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The transfer rack 15 is also guided on
the lateral sides by guide rollers 24a and 24b at the rail members
26, so that it can be smoothly loaded and unloaded.
[0114] As shown in FIGS. 3,4 and 6, the first positioning means 22
is comprised of a receiving block 32 for receiving at a specified
receiving position a positioning roller 31 (FIGS. 3, 10, and 11)
provided at the front end portion of the delivered transfer rack
15. The first positioning means also comprises pressure block 33
for positioning the transfer rack 15 in the direction in which the
transfer rack 15 is loaded and unloaded by pressing the transfer
rack 15 against the receiving block 32 from behind via a
positioning roller 34 provided at the hind portion of the transfer
rack 15 to hold the transfer rack 15 between them.
[0115] The pressure block 33 is supported by a combination lever
mechanism 37. By advancing and retreating the pressure block 33 by
an air cylinder 38, the pressure block 33 is put in either a
position in which it protrudes into the loading/unloading path 21
as shown in FIG. 3 to perform the positioning, or is put in a
position in which it retreats below the loading/unloading path 21
as indicated by imaginary lines in FIGS. 10 and 11 in order to
release the positioning. In the retreating position, the pressure
block 33 does not disturb the loading and unloading of the transfer
rack 15 in the loading/unloading path 21.
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 7, the second positioning means
23 is comprised of one-side receiving blocks 35 which receive the
transfer rack 15 in a specified position at a side of the
loading/unloading path 21 and roller type eccentric shafts 36 which
press the transfer rack 15 against the one-side receiving blocks 35
at the other side to hold the transfer rack 15 between them to
position the transfer rack 15 in a direction perpendicular to the
direction in which the transfer rack 15 is loaded and unloaded. The
eccentric shafts 36 are provided laterally in two places
approximately at the center of the loading/unloading path 21 in
FIG. 4 as pivotally driven via levers 40 by air cylinders 41
provided specially for them. The eccentric shafts 36 operate to
press aligning blocks 42 provided on a bottom lower surface of the
transfer rack 15 and release the pressure, thereby performing the
positioning and releasing the positioning.
[0117] The guide rollers 24a and 24b guide the transfer rack 15
that is loaded or unloaded laterally with a slight play. The
rollers located on the side of the transport stand 9 with the
one-side receiving block 35 are positioned slightly outwardly of
the block so that they do not disturb the positioning of the
transfer rack 15 by the second positioning means 23 using the
oneside receiving block 35.
[0118] The eccentric shaft 36 protrudes in the loading/unloading
path 21. However, it has such a structure that the bottom lower
surface of the transfer rack 15 does not interfere with it in the
loading or unloading operation in the loading/unloading path 21.
The aligning block 42 is correctly positioned and has excellent
abrasive resistance so that the positioning can be correctly
achieved.
[0119] If the transfer rack 15 is loaded and unloaded with the rail
members 25 of the transport stand 9 put in contact with the rail
members 26 of the transfer rack 15, their abrasion resistances
operate to hinder smooth loading and unloading of the transfer rack
15, and also cause abrasion of the rail members 25 and 26 in an
early stage. Therefore, in order to avoid these troubles, the
present embodiment is provided with free flow conveyors 44 arranged
inside the rail members 25 in parallel with them, as shown in FIGS.
3, 4, 6, and 7.
[0120] The free flow conveyor 44 is laterally, in FIG. 4, provided
with a plurality of guide protrusions 44b which are made to
protrude and retreat by an air operation on its upper surface. When
the guide protrusions 44b protrude upward, they push up the rail
members 26 of the transfer rack 15 to lift them above a rail member
25. By receiving the transfer rack 15 in an air-cushion like light
contact state at the upper ends of a number of guide protrusions
44b, the transfer rack 15 can be loaded and unloaded smoothly and
silently with reduced abrasive resistance.
[0121] The transport stand 9 is further provided with an air
cushion cylinder 46 which abuts against a block 45 fixed to the
transfer rack 15 immediately before the transfer rack 15 is
delivered to a specified position and received by the receiving
block 32 as abutted against it (FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 11) and operates
to alleviate an impact when the transfer rack 15 is delivered by
means of an actuator 46a. At a hind part of the transfer rack 15 is
provided a handle 47 for loading and unloading it.
[0122] In order to change the transfer rack 15 loaded with a number
of the component supply cassettes 14 at the transport stand 9 of
the component supply section 8, a truck 61 as shown in FIGS. 8
through 12 is used. This truck 61 has a frame-shaped main body 63
having running wheels 62. The main body 63 is provided with a
transfer rack support section 65 that is adjusted in height by
toggle mechanisms 64. The height adjustment is performed with the
transfer rack 15 retained in the transfer rack support section 65
to perform level adjustment with the transport stand 9 of the
component supply section 8. Therefore, the transfer rack 15 can be
securely passed without hitching or the like.
[0123] The transfer rack support section 65 is supported and guided
so that guide rods 66 provided depthwise in two places can be moved
up and down by guide pipes 67 provided at a fore part and a hind
part of the main body 63. The toggle mechanism 64 is provided
between the main body 63 and the transfer rack support section 65,
and the toggle mechanism 64 is extended or contracted by turning a
screw shaft 167 by a handle 68 to move the transfer rack 65 up and
down. Therefore, by extending and contracting the toggle mechanism
64 by the handle 68, the transfer rack 15 can be adjusted in
height.
[0124] As shown in FIGS. 9 through 12, the transfer rack support
section 65 has a frame-like shape and is provided with guide
rollers 71, on both of the frames 69. The guide rollers 71 receive
the transfer rack 15 from below at the rail members 26 to
facilitate the loading and unloading of the transfer rack 15.
However, the transfer rack support section 65 retains the transfer
rack 15 in a specified position by connecting buckles 72a of
retainers 72 with metal hooks 80 of the transfer rack 15, so that
the transfer rack 15 is prevented from falling off. With this
arrangement, the truck 61 can be freely moved with the transfer
rack 15 carried thereon. Furthermore, the transfer rack support
section 65 has side guides 70 that are made of a material such as
synthetic resin having a good sliding performance and operate to
guide the transfer rack 15 put on them. Thus, the possible rattling
of the transfer rack 15 when the truck 61 is moving can be
sufficiently prevented.
[0125] Furthermore, in order to change the transfer rack 15 at the
transport stand 9 of the component supply section 8, it is required
to stabilize the transfer rack 15 in a specified position. In order
to satisfy this requirement, a stand stopper 73 is provided at a
portion of the main body 63 which can be moved up and down by a
foot pedal 74. When the stand stopper 73 is lowered, it abuts
against the floor surface to stretch between the main body 63 and
the floor surface, thereby preventing the main body 63 from moving
with the running wheels 62. When the stand stopper 73 is raised,
the stretch between the main body 63 and the floor surface is
released so as to allow the main body 63 to freely move with the
running wheels 62. The truck 61 is provided with handles 90 for the
movement.
[0126] Furthermore, the truck 61 and the component supply section 8
are provided respectively with a connecting bracket 75 and a
connecting rod 76 which connect together when the truck 61 is put
in a specified positional relation with the transport stand 9 of
the component supply section 8. The connecting rod 76 is made to
advance and retreat by an air cylinder 77 to effect the connection
and release of the connection.
[0127] Furthermore, whether or not the transfer rack support
section 65 and the transport stand 9 of the component supply
section 8 coincide with each other in support height with respect
to the transfer rack 15 is important because it determines whether
or not the passing of the transfer rack 15 between them can be
performed smoothly without hitching or twisting. Therefore, the
present embodiment is provided with a height detecting means 78 for
deciding whether the transfer rack support height of the transfer
rack support section 65 of the truck 61 is equal to, higher than,
or lower than the support height of the transfer rack 15 at the
transport stand 9 between the truck 61 and the component supply
section 8. With this arrangement, the height adjustment of the
transfer rack support section 65 by the toggle mechanisms 64 can be
achieved properly in a short time.
[0128] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 12, the height detecting means
78 is comprised of a slit plate 78a provided at the transfer rack
support section 65 and photocouplers 78b through 78d which detect
whether the height of the slit plate 78a is higher than, lower than
or at the set height in three steps.
[0129] An example of a procedure for executing the collective
change of the component supply cassettes 14 at the component supply
section 8 will be described below.
[0130] First, in parallel with the supply of components, at the
component supply section 8 of the mounter 2 shown in FIG. 1, the
transfer rack 15 put on the truck 61 as shown in FIG. 13 is loaded
with a required number of component supply cassettes 14 so that the
cassettes can be individually positioned, loaded and unloaded to
prepare for the subsequent component change. Therefore, to supply
depleted components, a component supply cassette 14 storing therein
the same component as the component that is currently supplied at
the component supply section 8 is to be loaded. To change the type
of components, a component supply cassette 14 storing therein new
components for the change is to be loaded.
[0131] In the present embodiment, while one of two component supply
sections 8 is supplying components, the other is in the standby
state. Therefore, when the component supply section 8 to be put in
the standby state when the component supply cassette 14 is depleted
at the transfer rack 15 loaded in the component supply section 8,
or when the component to be supplied in the subsequent component
supply stage is to be changed and requirement of supply or change
of the components is detected and displayed, the transfer rack 15
at the component supply section 8 put in the standby state is taken
out and replaced by a transfer rack 15 loaded with new component
supply cassettes 14. Thus, the collective change of components is
executed. The collective change by the transfer rack 15 at the
component supply section 8 can be detected by a microswitch 101 as
shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, and 7 provided at the transport stand 9.
Based on this detection, the propriety of the components after the
collective change is automatically determined. It is to be noted
that the decision can be executed on the components loaded
initially collectively in the transfer rack 15.
[0132] When the transfer rack 15 is delivered to the transport
stand 9 and loaded, the microswitch 101 is pressed so as to be
turned on to detect the loading of transfer rack 15. When the
transfer rack 15 is withdrawn from the transport stand 9 so as to
removed, the pressure from the transfer rack 15 is released to be
turned off to detect the removal of the transfer rack 15. With the
change of the sate of the microswitch 101 from the non-detection
state to the detection state in regard to the transfer rack 15, the
occurrence of the loading of the transfer rack 15 can be decided.
With a shift of the state of the transfer rack 15 from the
detection state via the non-detection state to the detection state
again, the occurrence of the collective change of components by the
transfer rack 15 can be determined.
[0133] Such a decision is executed, for example, by a microcomputer
102 as shown in FIG. 23 for controlling the operations of the
mounter 2 and the component supply section 8. Therefore, to the
microcomputer 102 are inputted an operating signal from a console
panel 103 specially provided for the component supply section 8,
detection signals from the photocouplers 78b through 78d of the
height detecting means 78, and a variety of detection signals
representing operation states as well as an ON/OFF signal from the
microswitch 101. When occasion demands, the console panel 103 can
be commonly used with the console panel of the mounter 2.
[0134] Furthermore, for the determination of the propriety of the
components for change, a memory 104 is provided at the transfer
rack 15 as shown in FIGS. 8, 10, and 11. Information regarding each
component stored in each component supply cassette 14 loaded on the
transfer rack 15 is stored in the memory 104. If the storage is
effected every time the transfer rack 15 is loaded with each
component supply cassette 14 as shown in FIG. 13, error is reduced.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the
storage may be effected at another point in time such as when the
required component supply cassette 14 has been loaded.
[0135] The memory 104 is capable of reading and writing. In
correspondence with this, a reading/writing means 105 for reading
and writing component information at the memory 104 as shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15 is provided at the component supply section 8. This
is also connected to an input/output port of the microcomputer 102.
The component information is information such as the number of
components stored in each component supply cassette 14, other than
information about the type of components. In regard to the number
of components, the number of used ones and remaining ones are
recorded according to the supply of components, and it can be used
for another purpose such as a determination of the depletion of
components.
[0136] It is to be noted that the memory 104 may be a read-only
memory. In this case, it is proper to use a reading means instead
of the reading/writing means 105, so that the construction and
control can be made simple.
[0137] The microcomputer 102 is connected at its output side to
either an indicating lamp 100 for indicating the proprieties of the
states of the mounter 2 and the component supply section 8 and
various operations, a warning means 106 comprised of a letter
indication, a buzzer, an indicating lamp, or an appropriate
combination of these items for giving a warning on the console
panel 103 when a determination is made that the component is
improper. The air cylinder 77, the first and second positioning
means 22 and 23, and the free flow conveyor 44 are then operated to
control their operations accordingly. The indicating lamp 100 can
be commonly used as the warning means 106.
[0138] The microcomputer 102 manages the number of remaining
components in each component supply cassette 14 loaded in the
component supply section 8. When component depletion occurs, the
microcomputer 102 displays this fact by the indicating lamp 100 or
the console panel 103, and informs the operator of it as needed by
issuing an alarm sound.
[0139] FIG. 14 shows an initial work of the procedure for
withdrawing the transfer rack 15 loaded with the depleted component
supply cassette 14 from the component supply section 8 in the
standby state. An empty truck 61 is arranged opposite to the
component supply section 8 in the standby state to put them in the
correct positional relation. In the above state, the air cylinder
77 is operated by operating a truck lock key and the like on the
console panel 103 so that the connecting rod 76 is engaged with the
connecting bracket 75 as shown in FIG. 15A to connect and fix the
truck 61 in the position. In the above state, the stand stopper 73
is operated as shown to prevent the main body 63 from moving from
the connecting position.
[0140] Subsequently, the height adjustment of the transfer rack
support section 65 on the truck 61 and the component supply section
8 is performed by the toggle mechanisms 64. The height adjustment
is performed so that the indicating lamp 100 emits green light for
indicating the propriety in accordance with the detection of the
height detecting means 78 as shown in FIG. 153.
[0141] When the height adjustment is completed, the automatic first
and second positioning means 22 and 23 are made to automatically
enter into a positioning release state by a positioning key and the
like on the console panel 103. Thereafter, the free flow conveyor
44 is moved upward by a free flow key and the like on the console
panel 103 to complete the preparation.
[0142] With this preparation completion, the transfer rack 15 on
the component supply section 8 is passed to the truck 61 as shown
in FIG. 16 to draw out the transfer rack 15 onto the transfer rack
support section 65. The removal of the transfer rack 15 from the
transport stand 9 in this stage is detected by the microswitch 101.
When the transfer rack 15 is placed in a specified position on the
truck 61, the transfer rack is held on the truck 61 by engaging the
buckles 72a of the retainers 72 with the metal hook 80 according to
a procedure as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B.
[0143] Then, by operating again the truck lock key, the connection
of the connecting bracket 75 with the connecting rod 76 between the
truck 61 and the component supply section 8 is released. The stand
stopper 73 is raised to release the movement-preventing state
effected by it.
[0144] Subsequently, the truck 61 is moved to a specified working
position as shown in FIG. 18. The movement of the truck 61 from the
component supply section 8 is determined by the microcomputer 102
upon detecting the non-interrupted state of the photocouplers 78b
through 78d of the height detecting means 78, and when the
indicating lamp 100 is unlit. The working position is the position
where newly-storing of components in the depleted component supply
cassette 14, or where changing of the cassette for a component
supply cassette 14 that is storing components to be subsequently
required is performed.
[0145] In the component supply section 8 from which the truck 61
has been removed, a previously prepared or newly prepared truck 61
equipped with a transfer rack 15 loaded with the component supply
cassettes 14 accommodating therein a required amount of necessary
components is moved from the above-mentioned working position as
shown in FIG. 19. When they are put in the specified positional
relation, by operating the truck lock key, the truck 61 is
connected to the component supply section 8. Further, by operating
the stand stopper 73 in the same manner as described above, the
movement of the truck 61 is prevented and the height adjustment of
the transfer rack 15 is performed.
[0146] When the above operation is completed, the transfer rack 15
on the truck 61 is passed to the component supply section 8 as
shown in FIG. 21 to deliver the transfer rack 15 from on the truck
61 onto the component supply section 8, thereby performing the
collective change. Subsequently, the free flow key and the like are
operated on the console panel 103 to move the free flow conveyor 44
down. Thereafter, the automatic first and second positioning means
22 and 23 are operated by the positioning key to position the
transfer rack 15 on the transport stand 9.
[0147] The microcomputer 102 executes a component decision
processing control on the collectively changed components according
to a flowchart as shown in FIG. 24. Only when the occurrence of the
loading or unloading of the transfer rack 15 is determined by an
ON/OFF history of the microswitch 101 in step #1, it executes the
component decision control in step #2 and the subsequent steps. In
step #2, it accepts selection of an operation mode by a mode
selecting key on the console panel 103.
[0148] The operation mode to be selected is any of the operation
mode of executing no decision on, for example, the propriety of the
component, the operation mode of executing a decision on all
component supply cassettes and the operation mode of executing a
decision on only the required component supply cassette. The
component to be determined as one to be subjected to decision is,
for example, a depleted component, or a component subject to change
due to alteration of the product type. Such a component can be
inputted by operating the console panel 103 or can be automatically
designated by the microcomputer 102.
[0149] It is also acceptable to always execute the component
propriety decision on all component supply cassettes 14 without
performing the operation mode setting as above.
[0150] In step #3, the selected operation mode is decided and the
program flow proceeds to a component decision subroutine of step
#4. As shown in FIG. 25, the component decision subroutine of step
#4 is to execute control of step #12 and subsequent steps only when
a decision of component is executed in step #11. In step #12,
according to the position control of the transfer rack 15
positioned on the transport stand 9, a memory 104 provided at the
transfer rack 15 is subjected to positioning with the
reading/writing means 105 provided at the component supply section
8. Then the program flow proceeds to step #13.
[0151] In step #13, component information regarding the component
to be subjected to decision according to the operation mode (i.e.,
whether it is the component relevant to all the component supply
cassettes 14, or the component relevant to the designated component
supply cassette 14) is read from the memory 104. Then, in step #14,
the read component information and a preset list of required
components are cross-referenced to each other to decide whether or
not the objective components after the collective change are proper
or improper.
[0152] When the components are improper, the program flow proceeds
to step #15 to operate the warning means 106 to inform the operator
of the improper components. A required error processing such as a
processing for disabling the further operation to allow the mounter
2 and the component supply section 8 to be operated is then
executed. In step #16, when the error processing has been executed,
the program flow returns to step #12 because the subsequent
component is required to be subjected to decision again. When the
error processing has not been executed, the re-decision of the
subsequent component is not required, and therefore the present
subroutine is completed.
[0153] It is to be noted that such a component propriety decision
can be executed likewise on the components to be mounted initially
collectively by the transfer rack 15.
[0154] When the result of decision is proper, the microcomputer 102
enables the further operation to allow the mounter 2 and the
component supply section 8 to be operated.
[0155] It is to be noted that the emptied truck 61 is moved again
to the working position as shown in FIG. 22 to be subjected to the
subsequent preparation.
[0156] As described above, a number of component supply cassettes
14 are arranged at the component supply section 8 of the objective
mounter 2. The component supply cassette corresponding to the
electronic component required each time by the objective mounter 2
is operated to supply the required electronic component to the
mounter 2. In order to effect change of components and supply of
components depleted due to consumption, the transfer rack 15 loaded
with a specified number of component supply cassettes 14 positioned
and supported individually is handled for the collective change. By
carrying the transfer rack 15 on the truck 61 so that it is capable
of being taken in and out of the truck 61, even when the seriate
number of component supply cassettes 14 to be loaded in the
transfer rack 15 is great, large in size, totally bulky and heavy,
the transfer rack 15 can be easily moved together with the truck 61
without being influenced by these factors. By passing the transfer
rack 15 loaded with the component supply cassettes 14 between the
truck 61 and the component supply section 8, the withdrawal of the
transfer rack 15 from the component supply section 8 to the truck
61 and the delivery of the transfer rack 15 into the component
supply section 8 are timely executed for the collective change of
the component supply cassettes 14. With this arrangement, the
weight and bulkiness of the transfer rack 15 loaded with the
component supply cassettes 14 exert almost no influence on the
operator in the collective change operation. Therefore, the
collective change of the components can be achieved easily and
speedily without being limited by the seriate number, size and
weight of the component supply cassettes 14 to be collectively
handled. This is helpful in further increasing the operation speed
and the working efficiency of the objective mounter 2.
[0157] Furthermore, the transfer rack 15 delivered to the component
supply section 8 is automatically positioned in the direction in
which the transfer rack 15 is loaded and unloaded (delivery
direction) and in the component supply direction, which is
perpendicular to the direction in which the transfer rack is loaded
and unloaded, by operating the automatic first and second
positioning means 22 and 23. With this arrangement, the positioning
is achieved surely in the two directions without the operator's
individual differences and speedily by virtue of the fact that it
is automatic. Therefore, a working efficiency increase can be
achieved, and the possible trouble due to a deficiency in supplying
components can be solved. Furthermore, as can be seen in FIG. 1,
the electronic components are supplied to the electronic component
mounting machine in the component supply direction (i.e.,
perpendicular to the delivery direction). Thus, the arrangement
becomes very compact in the component supply direction.
[0158] Furthermore, the free flow conveyors 44, and the guide
rollers 71 provided as guide means at the component supply section
8 and the truck 61 guide the loading and unloading of the transfer
rack 15 when passing the transfer rack 15 between them. Therefore,
the loading and unloading of the transfer rack 15 during the
passing can be achieved smoothly without hitching, and this allows
the working efficiency to be further increased.
[0159] Furthermore, the two component supply sections 8 are each
loaded with a seriate number of component supply cassettes 14
required for supplying electronic components to the objective
mounter 2. While one component supply section 8 is supplying
components to the objective mounter 2, the other component supply
section 8 is put in the standby state to execute the collective
change of the electronic components without influencing the work at
the objective mounter 2. Thus, the preparation for the supply of
the subsequent component can be achieved. With this arrangement,
the change of components at the objective mounter 2 is only
required to perform switching use of the component supply sections
8. Therefore, the possible lost time at the objective mounter 2 can
be suppressed to the minimum, and the collective change of the
component supply cassettes 14 can be easily achieved in a minimal
time.
[0160] Furthermore, the seriate number of component supply
cassettes 14 to be handled collectively is the seriate number of
cassettes for supplying the components to the objective mounter 2.
Therefore, the collective change of cassettes for the change and
replenishment of electronic components to be supplied to the
objective mounter 2 can be achieved at once in a short time.
[0161] However, the present invention is not limited to this. If
the seriate number is made to be a unit division seriate number of
the seriate number of the cassettes for supplying components to the
objective mounter 2, even when the seriate number of cassettes for
supplying components to the objective mounter 2 is great, the
collective change work can be easily achieved in several
installments.
[0162] Furthermore, when the transfer rack 15 is changed at the
component supply section 8 as described above, by automatically
detecting the change and automatically determining the propriety of
the components in the component supply cassette 14 loaded in the
transfer rack 15 upon the detection, the propriety of the component
after the change is not required to be decided manually each time.
This prevents the possible deficiency of the objective product
supplied with improper components and the objective work due to the
inexecution, neglect or failure of the decision. Therefore, the
quality can be stabilized and the yield can be increased.
[0163] Furthermore, when the decision of the propriety is executed
on all the component supply cassettes 14, a failure such as the
supply of improper components can be prevented in regard to every
one of the components changed collectively. Further, by enabling
selection between a mode of not deciding the propriety of each
component, a mode of deciding all component supply cassettes, and a
mode of deciding only required component supply cassettes, the
possible wasteful decision of the propriety of components can be
prevented.
[0164] Furthermore, by executing the decision of the propriety of
each component in collectively changing components in a number of
component supply cassettes 14 by the transfer rack 15 based on the
component information stored in the transfer rack 15 as in the
present embodiment, there is no need to store the component
information in every component supply cassette 14. In contrast, it
is only required to intensively store the component information by
storing it or executing a similar operation in a storage means such
as one memory 104 at the transfer rack 15 that handles them
collectively. Therefore, the positioning can be executed once also
in reading the component information of each component supply
cassette 14, and this is convenient and increases the operation
speed.
[0165] Furthermore, by storing the component information in the
storage means such as the memory 104 capable of reading and
writing, even when the types of components to be handled are
changed, this arrangement can handle the change. In addition,
information regarding the number of components to be used and the
number of remaining components due to the component supply rate can
be managed together.
[0166] It is to be noted that the transfer rack 15 can be equipped
with the conventionally used memory-integrated component supply
cassette 14 and used with it.
[0167] FIG. 26 shows a component decision flowchart for a case such
as a second embodiment. Only the operation of executing the
positioning of the memory of the objective component supply
cassette 14 in step #12a differs from the operation of executing
the positioning of the memory of the transfer rack 15 in step #12
in the first embodiment.
[0168] According to the present embodiment, the prior art
memory-integrated component supply cassette 14 can be used as it
is. In addition, the collective change of components by the
transfer rack 15 and the collective setting of each memory
attendant upon this are achieved in using the memory. Therefore,
the present arrangement is more convenient than using the prior art
memory-integrated component supply cassette 14 by individually
loading and unloading it.
[0169] According to the method and apparatus for collectively
changing components of the 1st and 9th aspects of the invention, a
number of component supply cassettes are seriately arranged at the
component supply section of the objective working machine. When
collectively changing the component supply cassettes together with
the transfer rack loaded with a specified number of cassettes
positioned and supported individually, the transfer rack is carried
on the truck while being able to be taken in and out. With this
arrangement, even when the seriate number of component supply
cassettes to be loaded in the transfer rack is great and the
cassettes are large, bulky and heavy, the cassettes can be easily
moved together with the truck without being influenced by them.
Furthermore, the transfer rack loaded with the component supply
cassettes are passed between the truck and the component supply
section to timely execute the withdrawal of the transfer rack from
the component supply section to the truck and the delivery of the
transfer rack to the component supply section for the collective
change of the component supply cassettes. Therefore, also in the
collective change operation, the weight and bulkiness of the
transfer rack loaded with the component supply cassettes exert
almost no influence on the operator. Consequently, the collective
change of components can be achieved easily and speedily without
being limited by the seriate number, size and weight of the
component supply cassettes to be handled collectively. This is
helpful in further increasing the operation speed and the working
efficiency of the objective working machine.
[0170] Furthermore, particularly in accordance with the 1st aspect
of the invention, the transfer rack delivered to the component
supply section is automatically positioned in the direction in
which it is loaded and unloaded and in the direction perpendicular
to the direction in which it is loaded and unloaded by operating
the automatic positioning means. Therefore, the positioning can be
achieved surely in the two directions without the operator's
individual differences and speedily because it is done
automatically. Therefore, the working efficiency increases and the
possible trouble due to a deficiency in supplying components can be
solved.
[0171] Furthermore, particularly in accordance with the 9th aspect
of the invention, the guide means provided at the component supply
section and the truck guide allow for the loading and unloading of
the transfer rack when passing it between them. Therefore, the
loading and unloading of the transfer rack during the passing can
be smoothly achieved without hitching, and this allows the working
efficiency to be further increased.
[0172] According to the method for collectively changing components
at a component supply section of the 2nd aspect of the present
invention, the two component supply sections are each provided with
a seriate number of component supply cassettes required for
supplying components to the objective working machine. While
supplying the components to the objective working machine by one
component supply section, the other component supply section is put
in the standby state so that a collective change of components can
be performed for the preparation of supplying subsequent components
without influencing the work at the objective working machine.
Therefore, the change of components at the objective working
machine is only required to perform switching use of the component
supply sections. Therefore, the possible lost time at the objective
working machine can be suppressed to the minimum, and the
collective change of the component supply cassettes can be easily
achieved with a minimal amount of time.
[0173] Furthermore, according to the method for collectively
changing components at a component supply section of the 3rd aspect
of the invention, the seriate number of component supply cassettes
to be handled collectively in changing the components is made to be
the seriate number of cassettes for supplying the components to the
objective working machine. Therefore, the collective change of
cassettes for the change and replenishment of the components to be
supplied to the objective working machine can be achieved in a
short time. According to the 4th aspect of the invention, the
seriate number is made to be a unit division seriate number of the
seriate number of the cassettes for supplying components to the
objective working machine. Therefore, even when the seriate number
of cassettes for supplying components to the objective working
machine is great, the collective change can be easily achieved in
several installments.
[0174] According to the method for collectively changing components
at a component supply section of the 5th aspect of the invention,
based on any one of the 1st through 4th aspects of the invention,
when the transfer rack is changed at the component supply section,
this is automatically detected. Then the propriety of the component
in each component supply cassette loaded in the transfer rack after
the change is automatically decided upon the detection. Therefore,
the propriety of the component after the change is not required to
be decided manually each time. This prevents the possible
deficiency of the objective product supplied with improper
components and the objective work due to the inexecution, neglect
or failure of the decision. As a result, the quality can be
stabilized and the yield can be increased.
[0175] According to the method for collectively changing components
at a component supply section of the 6th aspect of the invention,
based on the 5th aspect of the invention, the determination of the
propriety is further executed on all the component supply
cassettes. Therefore, a failure such as the supply of improper
components can be prevented in regard to every one of the
components changed collectively.
[0176] According to the method for collectively changing components
at a component supply section of the 7th aspect of the invention,
based on either one of the 5th and 6th aspects of the invention,
the determination of the propriety of each component in
collectively changing components in a number of component supply
cassettes by the transfer rack is executed based on the component
information stored in the transfer rack. Accordingly, there is no
need to store the component information in every component supply
cassette, and it is only necessary to intensively store the
component information by storing it or executing a similar
operation in a storage means at the transfer rack that handles them
collectively. Therefore, the positioning is also allowed to be
executed once in reading the component information of each
component supply cassette, and this is convenient and increases the
operation speed.
[0177] According to the method for collectively changing components
at a component supply section of the 8th aspect of the invention,
based on any one of the 5th through 7th aspects of the invention,
the component information is stored in the storage means capable of
reading and writing. Therefore, even when the components to be
handled are changed, the method can handle the change. Thus,
information regarding the number of components to be used and the
number of remaining components due to the component supply rate can
be managed together.
[0178] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 10th aspect of the
invention, a positioning effect similar to that of the 1st aspect
of the invention is produced. The truck can retain the received
transfer rack by the retaining means. Therefore, the truck can
handle the transfer rack easily and speedily without the transfer
rack falling off when it is carried on the truck. Furthermore, the
transfer rack is adjusted in height on the truck, so that when the
transfer rack is passed between the truck and the component supply
section, both of them coincide with each other in height.
Therefore, the transfer rack can be loaded and unloaded easily and
smoothly.
[0179] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 11th aspect of the
invention, based on the 10th aspect of the invention, the relation
in height between the component supply section and the transfer
rack support section can be further detected by the detection
means. Therefore, the relation in height between the component
supply section and the transfer rack supported on the truck can be
made to coincide easily and correctly so as to allow the transfer
rack to pass between them smoothly.
[0180] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 12th aspect of the
invention, based on either one of the 10th and 11th aspects of the
invention, the component supply section easily achieves the
delivery of the transfer rack to the specified position because the
front end portion of the transfer rack is formed to be received
against the front end portion receiving member of the positioning
means. The state of delivery to the specified position can be
surely retained by the positioning of the transfer rack in the
direction in which it is loaded and unloaded between the first
pressure member and the front end portion receiving member. By
further retaining the transfer rack between the second pressure
member and the side surface receiving member in the direction
perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and unloaded,
the transfer rack can be surely positioned in the position
specified by the side surface receiving member.
[0181] According to the component supply apparatus of the 13th
aspect of the invention, based on the 12th aspect of the invention,
the first pressure member comprises a lever member. By this
arrangement, the first pressure member can be made to easily
retreat from the loading/unloading path of the transfer rack when
it is not in use so that it exerts no influence on the loading and
unloading operations. The second pressure member comprises an
eccentric shaft. It is placed in a position where it exerts no
influence on the loading and unloading of the transfer rack and
surely positions the transfer rack so that it is delivered to the
specified position by its eccentric operation in the direction
perpendicular to the direction in which the transfer rack is loaded
and unloaded. Then the positioning can be released.
[0182] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 14th aspect of the
invention, based on either one of the 12th and 13th aspects, the
portions of the transfer rack in contact with the front end portion
receiving member and the first pressure member are each implemented
by a roller member. Even in a state in which the transfer rack is
securely positioned between them in the direction in which it is
loaded and unloaded, the movement of the transfer rack in the
direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and
unloaded is tolerated by the rolling of the roller member. With
this arrangement, the positioning of the transfer rack in the
direction perpendicular to the direction in which it is loaded and
unloaded by the front end portion receiving member and the second
pressure member is not hindered so as to allow the correct
positioning to be surely achieved.
[0183] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 15th aspect of the
invention, based on any one of the 9th through 14th aspects, the
component supply section further guides the loading and unloading
of the transfer rack with play from both sides by means of the
guide rollers. With this arrangement, the transfer rack is allowed
to be easily loaded and unloaded without serious rattling or
directional disorder with a margin provided for the process of
loading and unloading the transfer rack. In the state in which the
transfer rack is delivered to the specified position, no serious
displacement occurs in position and posture. With this arrangement,
the transfer rack can be smoothly positioned while being corrected
in the specified position and posture.
[0184] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 16th aspect of the
invention, based on any one of the 9th through 15th aspects of the
invention, the component supply section surely retains the received
transfer rack in the positioning support section so as to allow the
transfer rack to be surely positioned at a specified height. In
loading and unloading the transfer rack, the loading/unloading
guide section guides the loading and unloading of the transfer rack
by momentarily lifting the transfer rack from the positioning
support section. With this arrangement, the transfer rack is loaded
and unloaded without being influenced by the secure support
structure for the positioning, and the positioning support section
can be prevented from premature wearing.
[0185] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 17th aspect of the
invention, based on any one of the 9th through 16th aspects, an
effect similar to that of the 5th aspect of the invention can be
produced by any of the component information stored in the storage
means provided at the transfer rack or each component supply
cassette supported on the transfer rack.
[0186] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 18th aspect of the
invention, based on the 17th aspect of the invention, the mode
selecting means selects between a variety of decision modes such as
a mode of not deciding the propriety of each component, a mode of
deciding all component supply cassettes, and a mode of deciding
only required component supply cassettes. Therefore, the possible
wasteful decision of the propriety of components can be prevented
by the selection according to the actual circumstances.
[0187] According to the apparatus for collectively changing
components at a component supply section of the 19th aspect of the
invention, based on either one of the 17th and 18th aspects of the
invention, the component information is stored in the storage means
capable of reading and writing similarly to the 8th aspect of the
invention. Therefore, even when the component to be handled is
changed, the apparatus can handle the change. Information regarding
the number of components to be used and the number of remaining
components consequent upon the component supply and the like can be
managed together.
[0188] According to the transfer rack of the 20th aspect of the
invention, when collectively handling the components that are
positioned and supported in the specified number of component
supply cassettes for the change, the determination of the propriety
of the components after the change is executed by the component
information stored in the transfer rack itself similar to the 7th
aspect of the invention. With this arrangement, there is no need to
retain the component information in every component supply
cassette, and instead it is proper to intensively store the
component information. This arrangement also provides a convenience
in reading the component information as well as an advantage that
the means for retaining the component information corresponding to
each component is required to be only one in number.
[0189] According to the truck of the 21st aspect of the invention,
the transfer rack loaded with a specified seriate number of
component supply cassettes can be put on the truck, and the
transfer rack 15 able to be easily taken in and out by the guide
means. While retaining the transfer rack by the retaining means to
prevent the transfer rack from falling off, the truck can run
smoothly on the running wheels provided at its main body so as to
move freely.
[0190] According to the truck of the 22nd aspect of the invention,
based on the 21st aspect of the invention, the stopper means is
further operated to prevent the movement of the main body on the
running wheels as needed and stabilize the main body in the
specified position. With this arrangement, the collective change of
a number of component supply cassettes by the transfer rack at the
component supply section and the change section can be easily and
stably achieved without any trouble.
[0191] According to the truck of the 23rd aspect of the invention,
based on either one of the 21st and 22nd aspects of the invention,
when the truck is put in the specified positional relation with the
component supply section of the objective working machine, the
component supply section is further connected with the main body by
the connecting means to allow the positional relation between them
to be surely retained. Therefore, the operation of changing a heavy
transfer rack loaded with a number of component supply cassettes
can be achieved easily and smoothly without any trouble such as
hitching.
[0192] In the embodiments, instead of using the truck, an operator
can pass the component supply cassettes to the component supply
section and vice versa by the above manner described in the
embodiments, in order to collectively change components at a
component supply section, although there are the above-described
issues.
[0193] Although the present invention has been fully described in
connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to
the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes
and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such
changes and modifications are to be understood as included within
the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended
claims unless they depart therefrom.
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