U.S. patent application number 11/443743 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for reel.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Masao Kawauchi, Nozomu Kitajima, Tomonori Noda, Yuji Tejima, Shuichi Yamamoto.
Application Number | 20080006734 11/443743 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37483282 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tejima; Yuji ; et
al. |
January 10, 2008 |
Reel
Abstract
It is an object to provide a reel capable of expecting strength
and dimensional accuracy almost equivalent to those of a metal
reel, preventing product failures from being caused by the
generation of metal powder, exchanging only a damaged part even in
the case in which the part of a member for protecting the reel main
body is damaged, being manufactured at a low cost by the
miniaturization of a metal mold structure, and preventing a carrier
tape and a wiring pattern from being damaged or broken as much as
possible. The reel including a reel main body 10a is characterized
by comprising; a core member 2 made of resin on which a lengthy
tape is taken up; a spoke member 4 made of resin that is arranged
radially on the both edges of the core member 2 and that regulates
the movement in the transverse direction of the tape taken up on
the core member 2; and a ring-shaped member 6 that is arranged to
be coupled with the spoke member 4; wherein the ring-shaped member
6 includes a ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal used as
a stiffener material and includes a cover member 15 made of resin
that covers the ring-shaped stiffener member 14.
Inventors: |
Tejima; Yuji;
(Shimonoseki-shi, JP) ; Kitajima; Nozomu;
(Shimonoseki-shi, JP) ; Kawauchi; Masao;
(Omuta-City, JP) ; Yamamoto; Shuichi; (Omuta-City,
JP) ; Noda; Tomonori; (Omuta-City, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEBB LAW FIRM, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING
436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co.,
Ltd.
Tokyo
JP
Kyushu Seimitsu Kiki Co., Ltd.
Omuta-City
JP
|
Family ID: |
37483282 |
Appl. No.: |
11/443743 |
Filed: |
May 31, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
242/610.4 ;
242/610.5; 242/610.6; 242/614.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65H 2701/515 20130101;
B65H 2701/37 20130101; B65H 75/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
242/610.4 ;
242/610.5; 242/610.6; 242/614.1 |
International
Class: |
B65H 75/18 20060101
B65H075/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 31, 2005 |
JP |
2005-160087 |
Claims
1. A reel including a reel main body comprising: a core member made
of resin on which a lengthy tape is taken up; a spoke member made
of resin that is arranged radially on the both edges of the core
member and that regulates the movement in the transverse direction
of the tape taken up on the core member; and a ring-shaped member
that is arranged to be coupled with the spoke member; wherein the
ring-shaped member includes a ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal used as a stiffener material and includes a cover member made
of resin that covers the ring-shaped stiffener member.
2. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the spoke member and the
core member are detachably attached to each other.
3. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the spoke member and the
ring-shaped member are detachably attached to each other.
4. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the cover member made of
resin is configured by a plurality of divided sections arranged in
the circular direction.
5. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the divided section
includes an internal divided section that is arranged at the
internal surface side of the reel main body and an external divided
section that is arranged at the external surface side of the reel
main body.
6. A reel as defined in claim 4, wherein a coupling position of a
plurality of the divided sections arranged in the circular
direction corresponds to a coupling position of the spoke member
with the ring-shaped member.
7. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the ring-shaped stiffener
member is sectionally L-shaped.
8. A reel as defined in claim 1, wherein the core member is
configured by a plurality of divided sections arranged in the
circular direction.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a reel that is used for
feeding and taking up a film carrier tape for mounting electronic
components and that can house a film carrier tape for mounting
electronic components while protecting it in each process such as
manufacturing, inspection, and mounting of IC chips for a film
carrier tape for mounting electronic components (a TAB (Tape
Automated Bonding) tape, a COF (Chip on Film) tape, a T-BGA (Tape
Ball Grid Array) tape, a CSP (Chip Size Package) tape, an ASIC
(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) tape, a 2-metal
(double-sided wiring) tape, a tape for multilayer wiring, or the
like) (which will be hereinafter referred to as "a film carrier
tape for mounting electronic components" or simply "a film carrier
tape").
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] With the development of electronics industries, a demand for
a printed circuit board for mounting an electronic component such
as an IC (integrated circuit) chip and an LSI (large scale
integrated circuit) chip has exponentially been increased. However,
a reduction in a size, a decrease in a weight, and an enhancement
in a function for an electronic apparatus have been demanded, and a
mounting method using an FPC (flexible printed circuit) and a film
carrier tape for mounting electronic components such as a TAB tape,
a COF tape, a BGA tape, an ASIC tape, and a 2-metal (double-sided
wiring) tape has recently been employed as a method for mounting
these electronic components. In the electronics industry using a
liquid crystal display (LCD) for which an increase in a fineness, a
reduction in a thickness, and a decrease in the frame area of a
liquid crystal panel are demanded, for example, a personal
computer, a television, a portable telephone, or the like, an
importance thereof has been increased in particular.
[0003] In addition, a demand for a film carrier tape has also been
extremely increased in the field of a printing control for a
printer that is connected to a personal computer.
[0004] In general, such a film carrier tape for mounting electronic
components is manufactured through each processing such as
exposure, development, etching, resist stripping, solder resist
treatment, electrical inspection, and visual inspection.
[0005] In particular, in each processing during the manufacturing
process, a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components
that was wound on a reel is fed out, specified processing is
performed, the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components
to which the processing was completed is wound again on a take-up
reel, and the whole reel with the tape is carried to the place of
the next processing.
[0006] As a reel of a film carrier tape for mounting electronic
components that is used for such a purpose, a reel made of aluminum
has been preferably used from a viewpoint of strength, dimensional
accuracy, and lightweight in the manufacturing process in
particular.
[0007] However, in the case of a reel made of aluminum, rubbing
contact between reels or between a reel and a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic components causes metal powder (dust) of
aluminum to be generated, and such metal powder of aluminum adheres
to the film carrier tape for mounting electronic components. Thus,
in many cases, such metal powder may cause irreparable
short-circuit of wiring patterns.
[0008] As described in the Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent
Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-274758), it has been proposed that
the surface of a reel made of aluminum is plated with magnetic
metal such as nickel or magnetic alloy, and magnetic metal powder
generated by rubbing contact or the like is adsorbed by a magnet.
However, even in the case in which magnetic metal powder is
adsorbed by a magnet, it is difficult that the entire magnetic
metal powder is adsorbed completely, and therefore a part of
magnetic metal powder may remain on the surface of a tape.
[0009] Alternatively, a reel made of resin can be used to prevent
metal powder from being generated.
[0010] However, in the case in which a reel made of resin, for
instance, a large size resin reel is used in the manufacturing
process of a film carrier tape, since a length of the tape taken up
on the reel is 80 m or longer (120 m for example), the entire tape
is too heavy and massive. As a result, the strength of the reel
tends to be insufficient.
[0011] In addition, a large size metal mold with a complicated
structure is required to form a large size reel made of resin, thus
causing a cost of a metal mold to be increased.
[0012] Moreover, in the case in which two massive reels on which a
tape has been taken up collide with each other, a part of a side
plate may be damaged. Even in the case in which a damage of a reel
occurs, the partial repair of the reel cannot be performed.
Therefore, the maintenance of the reel cannot be efficiently
implemented.
[0013] Furthermore, for a reel made of resin, a side plate section
of a reel may be bent in the case in which the reel is carried,
thus causing a distance between the both side plate sections of the
reel to be changed.
[0014] As a result, in the case in which a distance between the
both side plate sections of the reel is longer than the specified
width, the right and left edge sections (edges in the transverse
direction) of a film carrier tape for mounting electronic
components may move in the transverse direction, thus causing the
right or left edge section of the film carrier tape to be damaged
or broken. On the contrary, in the case in which a distance between
the both side plate sections of the reel is shorter than the
specified width, the right and left edge sections (edges in the
transverse direction) of a film carrier tape for mounting
electronic components may be bent, thus causing the wiring pattern
to be damaged in the section on which an electronic component is
mounted.
[0015] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
2002-274758
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0016] The present invention has been made in order to solve the
above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a
reel capable of maintaining strength and dimensional accuracy
almost equivalent to those of a metal reel, preventing product
failures from being caused by the generation of metal powder,
exchanging only a damaged part even in the case in which the part
of the reel is damaged, being manufactured at a low cost by the
miniaturization of a metal mold structure, and preventing a carrier
tape and a wiring pattern from being damaged or broken.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0017] A reel of the present invention includes a reel main body
comprising:
[0018] a core member made of resin on which a lengthy tape is taken
up;
[0019] a spoke member made of resin that is arranged radially on
the both edges of the core member and that regulates the movement
in the transverse direction of the tape taken up on the core
member; and
[0020] a ring-shaped member that is arranged to be coupled with the
spoke member;
[0021] wherein the ring-shaped member includes a ring-shaped
stiffener member made of metal used as a stiffener material and
includes a cover member made of resin that covers the ring-shaped
stiffener member.
[0022] By the above configuration, the ring-shaped stiffener member
made of metal is disposed as a stiffener material in the
ring-shaped member that is arranged on the periphery of the reel
main body, and the core member is coupled with the ring-shaped
member, that is the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal, by
a plurality of spoke members.
[0023] As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal used as a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing
member, the specified mechanical strength can be maintained for the
entire reel, thus preventing the reel from being damaged by
mechanical shock.
[0024] Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal functions as a reinforcing member, even in the case in which
external pressure or mechanical shock is applied to the reel during
transportation, each side plate section of the reel is not bent or
deformed. Therefore, a distance between the both side plate
sections of the reel is not changed, thus preventing the edge
sections in the transverse direction of a tape from being damaged
or broken.
[0025] Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic components is used as a tape for instance, the
edge sections in the transverse direction of the film carrier tape
for mounting electronic components can be prevented from being
damaged or broken, thus preventing the wiring pattern from being
damaged.
[0026] Furthermore, the core member and the spoke member are both
made of resin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal
used as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member is covered
with the cover member made of resin.
[0027] As a result, since each section that comes into contact with
a tape is made of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a
conventional aluminum reel even in the case of rubbing contact
between reels or between a reel and a tape, thus preventing metal
powder from adhering to the tape.
[0028] Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, metal powder
of aluminum does not occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel.
Accordingly, such metal powder of aluminum does not adhere to the
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, thus
preventing a short circuit of a wiring pattern.
[0029] The ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal is disposed
as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member that is arranged
on the periphery of the reel main body, thus including a metal
section as a stiffener material. The side plate sections for
holding the both edges (the edge sections in the transverse
direction) of a tape are configured by a plurality of spoke members
that are arranged radially.
[0030] As a result, the greater part of a region that configures
the side plate sections, that is a face plate section, is ensured
as a space between the spoke members, thus reducing the total
weight of the reel.
[0031] Moreover, the reel of the present invention is characterized
in that the spoke member and the core member are detachably
attached to each other.
[0032] By the above configuration, the spoke member and the core
member can be formed in each separate body and combined with each
other as an integral structure. In the case in which the spoke
members have been attached to the core member with screws and any
one of the spoke members is damaged or broken, only the damaged
spoke member can be detached and exchanged easily. Consequently,
the maintenance efficiency of the reel can be improved, and the
specified strength and dimensional accuracy of the reel can be
ensured.
[0033] Moreover, since the spoke member and the core member can be
formed in each separate body, the structure of a metal mold can be
simplified and made compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal
mold.
[0034] Furthermore, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that the spoke member and the ring-shaped member
are detachably attached to each other.
[0035] By the above configuration, the spoke member and the
ring-shaped member can be formed in each separate body and combined
with each other as an integral structure. In the case in which any
one of the spoke members or the ring-shaped member is damaged or
broken, only the damaged member can be detached and exchanged
easily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the reel can be
improved.
[0036] Moreover, since the spoke member and the ring-shaped member
can be formed in each separate body, the structure of a metal mold
can be simplified and made compact, thus reducing a cost of the
metal mold.
[0037] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that the cover member made of resin is configured
by a plurality of divided sections arranged in the circular
direction.
[0038] By the above configuration, in the case in which the cover
member made of resin in the ring-shaped member is damaged or
broken, only the damaged divided section can be detached and
exchanged easily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the
reel can be improved.
[0039] Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified
and made compact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form
the cover member in the case in which the cover member is
configured by divided sections of a size arranged in the circular
direction, thus reducing a cost of the metal mold.
[0040] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that the divided section includes an internal
divided section that is arranged at the internal surface side of
the reel main body and an external divided section that is arranged
at the external surface side of the reel main body.
[0041] By the above configuration, since only the internal divided
section and the external divided section that configure the cover
member can be detached from the ring-shaped stiffener member made
of metal used as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member,
the cover member can be easily attached or detached, the structure
of a metal mold is not complicated, a partial exchange is possible,
and a manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0042] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that a coupling position of a plurality of the
divided sections arranged in the circular direction corresponds to
a coupling position of the spoke member with the ring-shaped
member.
[0043] By the above configuration, in the fabrication of the reel,
a coupling section of the edges of the divided sections arranged in
the circular direction and a coupling section of the spoke member
are fixed to each other, thus simplifying a fabrication process and
improving the mechanical strength of the reel.
[0044] Moreover, since a coupling section of the edges of the
divided sections arranged in the circular direction is not located
in the space between the spoke members, the mechanical strength of
the reel is not lowered.
[0045] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that the ring-shaped stiffener member is
sectionally L-shaped.
[0046] By making the ring-shaped stiffener member to be sectionally
L-shaped as described above, the mechanical strength such as
flexural strength for the ring-shaped stiffener member can be
improved, thus preventing the side plate sections of the reel from
being bent.
[0047] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0048] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that a stiffener material made of metal is
disposed in the spoke member.
[0049] As described above, since a stiffener material made of metal
is disposed in the spoke member, the metal stiffener material
functions as a reinforcing member. In addition, the stiffener
material is coupled with the ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal of the ring-shaped member, thus further improving the
reinforcing function and the mechanical strength of the side plate
sections of the reel. Consequently, the side plate sections of the
reel can be prevented from being bent.
[0050] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0051] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that a stiffener material made of metal is
disposed in the core member.
[0052] As described above, since a stiffener material made of metal
is disposed in the core member, the metal stiffener material
functions as a reinforcing member, thus further improving the
reinforcing function of the entire reel and preventing the side
plate sections of the reel from being bent.
[0053] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0054] Still further, the reel of the present invention is
characterized in that the core member is configured by a plurality
of divided sections arranged in the circular direction.
[0055] By the above configuration, even in the case in which the
core member is damaged or broken, only the damaged divided section
can be exchanged, thus simplifying a maintenance process.
[0056] Still further, the structure of a metal mold can be
simplified and made compact, and one type of a metal mold can be
used to form the core member in the case in which the core member
is configured by divided sections of a size arranged in the
circular direction, thus extremely reducing a cost of the metal
mold.
Effect of the Invention
[0057] By the present invention, the ring-shaped stiffener member
made of metal is disposed as a stiffener material in the
ring-shaped member that is arranged on the periphery of the reel
main body, and the core member is coupled with the ring-shaped
member, that is the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal, by
a plurality of spoke members.
[0058] As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal used as a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing
member, the specified mechanical strength can be maintained for the
entire reel, thus preventing the reel from being damaged by
mechanical shock.
[0059] Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member made of
metal functions as a reinforcing member, even in the case in which
external pressure or mechanical shock is applied to the reel during
transportation, each side plate section of the reel is not bent or
deformed. Therefore, a distance between the both side plate
sections of the reel is not changed, thus preventing the edge
sections in the transverse direction of a tape from being damaged
or broken.
[0060] Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic components is used as a tape for instance, the
edge sections in the transverse direction of the film carrier tape
for mounting electronic components can be prevented from being
damaged or broken, thus preventing the wiring pattern from being
damaged.
[0061] Furthermore, the core member and the spoke member are both
made of resin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal
used as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member is covered
with the cover member made of resin.
[0062] As a result, since each section that comes into contact with
a tape is made of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a
conventional aluminum reel even in the case of rubbing contact
between reels or between a reel and a tape, thus preventing metal
powder from adhering to the tape.
[0063] Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, metal powder
of aluminum does not occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel.
Accordingly, such metal powder of aluminum does not adhere to the
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, thus
preventing a short circuit of a wiring pattern.
[0064] The ring-shaped stiffener member made of metal is disposed
as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member that is arranged
on the periphery of the reel main body, thus including a metal
section as a stiffener material. The side plate sections for
holding the both edges (the edge sections in the transverse
direction) of a tape are configured by a plurality of spoke members
that are arranged radially.
[0065] As a result, the greater part of a region that configures
the side plate sections, that is a face plate section, is ensured
as a space between the spoke members, thus reducing the total
weight of the reel.
[0066] By the present invention, the spoke member and the core
member can be formed in each separate body and combined with each
other as an integral structure. In the case in which the spoke
members have been attached to the core member with screws and any
one of the spoke members is damaged or broken, only the damaged
spoke member can be detached and exchanged easily. Consequently,
the maintenance efficiency of the reel can be improved, and the
specified strength and dimensional accuracy of the reel can be
ensured.
[0067] Moreover, since the spoke member and the core member can be
formed in each separate body, the structure of a metal mold can be
simplified and made compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal
mold.
[0068] By the present invention, the cover member made of resin is
configured by a plurality of divided sections arranged in the
circular direction. Consequently, in the case in which the cover
member made of resin in the ring-shaped member is damaged or
broken, only the damaged divided section can be detached and
exchanged easily. Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the
reel can be improved.
[0069] Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified
and made compact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form
the cover member in the case in which the cover member is
configured by divided sections of a size arranged in the circular
direction, thus extremely reducing a cost of the metal mold.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0070] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a reel related to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] FIG. 2 is a front view of the reel shown in FIG. 1.
[0072] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A shown in
FIG. 2.
[0073] FIG. 4 shows a divided section that configures a cover
member adopted in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4(A)
is a disassembling perspective view showing an internal divided
section and an external divided section that configure the divided
section. FIG. 4(B) is a perspective view showing the divided
section in which the internal divided section and the external
divided section that are shown in FIG. 4(A) are combined with each
other.
EXPLANATIONS OF LETTERS OR NUMERALS
[0074] 2: core member [0075] 4: spoke member [0076] 4a: rib [0077]
4b: inner surface [0078] 6: ring-shaped member [0079] 8: bearing
[0080] 8a: notch groove [0081] 10: reel [0082] 10al : reel main
body [0083] 12; rib [0084] 14: ring-shaped stiffener member [0085]
15: cover member [0086] 18: divided section [0087] 18a: internal
divided section [0088] 18b: external divided section
BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0089] An embodiment of the present invention will be described
below with reference to the drawings.
[0090] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a reel 10 related to an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0091] The reel 10 of the present invention is, in particular, a
large size reel that is used for taking up a film carrier tape, a
rape-shaped insulating film, a spacer tape (hereafter simply
referred to as "a lengthy tape") or the like, in the case in which;
[0092] (1) a film carrier tape for mounting electronic components
is manufactured, [0093] (2) an electronic component such as an IC
chip is mounted on the film carrier tape, or [0094] (3) a film
carrier tape or a film carrier tape on which an IC chip has been
mounted is transported, stored, or used.
[0095] In the reel 10 shown in FIG. 1, in the case in which a
lengthy tape (not shown) is taken up on the reel 10, each section
that is in contact with the lengthy tape is made of synthetic resin
as described later.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 1, the reel 10 is configured by a reel main
body 10a. The reel main body 10a is mainly composed of a core
member 2, on which a lengthy tape with a length of the range of 80
to 200 m is taken up, and a pair of wheel-shaped side plate forming
members disposed on the both sides in the axis direction of the
core member 2. The side plate forming members on both sides of the
core member 2 have the same structure.
[0097] That is to say, the side plate forming members disposed on
the both sides of the core member 2 are mainly composed of a
plurality of (six pieces in the present embodiment) spoke members 4
disposed radially from the core member 2 and a ring-shaped member 6
with which the spoke members 4 are coupled at the positions of the
peripheral edges of the spoke members 4.
[0098] The spoke members 4 are formed by resin and provided with
many ribs 4a on the external surface. In particular, a pitch
between ribs 4a is made shorter at the both edges of the spoke
members 4 that are sections attached to the core member 2 and the
ring-shaped member 6, respectively, in such a manner that the both
edges are strengthened.
[0099] Since the spoke members 4 are provided with many ribs 4a as
described above, the spoke members 4 include spaces in the main
body, thus lightening the spoke members 4 and reducing the amount
of resin material. In addition, the ribs 4a can improve the
structural strength of the spoke members 4.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner surface 4b of the spoke
members 4 is flat. As shown in FIG. 2, a width H of the spoke
members 4 is set to comparatively wide. Consequently, the spoke
members 4 made of resin can be kept to be highly strengthened.
[0101] Although the spoke members 4 have a shape of a linear plate
in this embodiment, a shape of the spoke members 4 can be suitably
modified, for example, to be a curved plate shape.
[0102] As resin making the spoke members 4 and the core member 2,
ABS, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyphenylene ether,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, or the like can
be used. However, the material is not restricted to them.
[0103] The core member 2 on which a lengthy tape is taken up is
formed to be almost cylindrically shaped and is provided with a
bearing 8 for fixing the reel 10 on a center shaft. Notch grooves
8a are formed on the inner surface of the bearing 8. By engaging
protrusions that are formed on a driving shaft coupled with a
driving motor (not shown) with the notch grooves 8a, the bearing 8
and the driving shaft are positioned and locked with each other
using the notch grooves 8a. By such a configuration, the reel 10 is
rotated with the driving force of the driving motor.
[0104] In the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in
order to attach the base edges of the spoke member 4 to the core
member 2, six pairs of ribs 12, two ribs per one spoke member 4 are
formed radially between the core member 2 and the bearing 8. In
addition, this rib 12 is formed to extend to both side of axial
direction of the core member 2. Furthermore, the number and shape
of the ribs 12 are not restricted to the present embodiment.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 3, the ring-shaped member 6 that configures
the peripheral section of the reel main body 10a is provided with a
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal used as a stiffener
material and with a cover member 15 made of resin for covering the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14.
[0106] In this case, the material of the ring-shaped stiffener
member 14 is not restricted provided that it is made of metal. For
instance, a metal stiffener material such as aluminum alloy,
titanium alloy, and magnesium alloy can be used.
[0107] The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is
preferably made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. In the case in which
the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is made of aluminum or aluminum
alloy, the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is light and has
appropriate strength.
[0108] As a method for covering the ring-shaped stiffener member 14
made of metal with the cover member 15 made of resin, the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal can be covered with
resin as an integral structure by the insert forming.
[0109] However, as described later, it is preferable that the cover
member 15 is provided in such a manner that the ring-shaped
stiffener member 14 made of metal is detachably attached to the
external surface of the rib 4a of the reel main body 10a. By such a
configuration, the cover member 15 can be exchanged even in the
case in which the cover member 15 is damaged or broken.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 3, the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made
of metal is sectionally L-shaped, and an arm side 14a of the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is fitted into a depression 4c on
the inner surface 4b of the spoke members 4 in such a manner that
the inner surface 4b of the spoke members 4 and the arm side 14a of
the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 become flat.
[0111] By making the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 to be
sectionally L-shaped as described above, the mechanical strength
such as flexural strength for the ring-shaped stiffener member 14
can be improved, thus preventing the side plate section of the reel
10 from being bent.
[0112] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0113] In the present embodiment, an arm side 14a of the
sectionally L-shaped ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is fitted into
a depression 4c on the inner surface 4b of the spoke member 4.
However, it is also possible that the entire inner surface 4b of
the spoke member 4 is made flat and the arm side 14a of the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is arranged at the external surface
side of the spoke member 4.
[0114] In such a case, the cover member 15 is made of resin and the
kind of such resin is not restricted. For instance, ABS,
polystyrene, polypropylene, polyphenylene ether, polycarbonate,
polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, or the like can be used for the
cover member 15.
[0115] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
cover member 15 is composed of a plurality of (six pieces in the
present embodiment) divided sections 18 separated in the circular
direction (not configured in one body).
[0116] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the divided section 18 that
configures the cover member 15 is composed of an internal divided
section 18a sectionally L-shaped that is arranged at the internal
surface side of the reel main body 10a and an external divided
section 18b sectionally L-shaped that is arranged at the external
surface side of the reel main body 10a. The shapes of the internal
divided section 18a and the external divided section 18b are
complementary to each other.
[0117] In order to configure the cover member 15, six pieces of the
divided sections 18 composed of the internal and external divided
sections 18a and 18b are arranged in the circular direction of the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 in such a manner that the edges of
the adjacent divided sections 18 are abutted to each other.
[0118] Although six pieces of the divided sections 18 are used in
the present embodiment, the number of the divided sections 18 are
not restricted but can be suitably modified.
[0119] Consequently, one piece of the divided section 18 can also
be used for configure the cover member 15, which is configured by
one internal divided section 18a and one external divided section
18b.
[0120] Moreover, divided sections 18 with different sizes can also
be used for configure the cover member 15. However, in the case in
which divided sections 18 of a size are arranged in the circular
direction to configure the cover member 15, only one type of a
metal mold is required to form the divided sections 18, thus
reducing a cost of the metal mold.
[0121] As shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), the divided section 18 is
formed by putting together the opening edge surface sides of the
internal divided section 18a and the external divided section 18b,
that is, the surface sides facing to the ring-shaped stiffener
member 14. To attach the internal divided section 18a and the
external divided section 18b to each other, an adhesive can be
applied between the opening edge surfaces, a protrusion can be
fitted into a depression, or a screw member can be used.
[0122] By the above configuration, even in the case in which the
resin cover member 15 of the ring-shaped member 6 is damaged or
broken, only the damaged divided section 18 can be exchanged, that
is, it is only required that the internal divided section 18a and
the external divided section 18b of the damaged divided section 18
are detached, thus simplifying a maintenance process.
[0123] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the reel 10 related to the
present embodiment, a coupling position 18c of a plurality of the
divided sections 18 arranged in the circular direction corresponds
to a coupling position of the spoke member 4 with the ring-shaped
member 6.
[0124] By the above configuration, in the fabrication of the reel
10, a coupling section of the edges of the divided sections 18
arranged in the circular direction and a coupling section of the
spoke member 4 are fixed to each other, thus simplifying a
fabrication process and improving the mechanical strength of the
reel 10.
[0125] Moreover, since a coupling section of the edges of the
divided sections 18 arranged in the circular direction is not
located in the space between the spoke members 4, the mechanical
strength of the reel 10 is not lowered.
[0126] The configuration of the reel 10 related to the present
embodiment has been described above, and the fabrication of the
reel 10 will be described in the following. However, the
fabrication of the reel 10 is not restricted to the present
embodiment.
[0127] First, the core member 2 made of resin, the spoke member 4
made of resin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of
metal are formed in each separate body.
[0128] Next, the spoke members 4 of the specified number are
radially attached to the both sides in the axis direction of the
core member 2, that is, to the ribs 12 of the core member 2, with
screw members 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the screw members 20 can be
lengthy screw members that penetrate through the rib 12 in the axis
direction of the core member 2. Alternatively, it is also possible
that short screw members 20 are screwed from the both sides of the
rib 12.
[0129] The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is then
attached to the edge of the spoke members 4, that is, to the
peripheral side of the reel 10, with screw members 22. When the
ring-shaped stiffener member 14 is attached to the spoke members 4,
six pieces of the divided sections 18 made of resin can be
simultaneously attached to the periphery of the ring-shaped
stiffener member 14. That is to say, while the internal divided
section 18a and the external divided section 18b are combined with
each other, the spoke members 4 and the ring-shaped stiffener
member 14 can be combined with each other. The fabrication of the
reel 10 is thus completed.
[0130] It is also possible that the ring-shaped stiffener member 14
and six pieces of the divided sections 18 are combined with each
other in advance, and this fabricated peripheral unit section is
then attached to the spoke members 4.
[0131] As described earlier, it is preferable that a coupling
position 18c of a plurality of the divided sections 18 arranged in
the circular direction corresponds to a coupling position of the
spoke member 4 with the ring-shaped member 6 as shown in FIGS. 1
and 2. That is to say, it is preferable that the coupling position
of the divided sections 18 corresponds to the center in the
transverse direction of the spoke member 4.
[0132] By the above configuration, the both edges in the circular
direction of one divided section 18 can be attached to the spoke
members 4 with the screw members 22 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0133] As shown in FIG. 3, it is required that the edge of the
screw member 22 does not protrude to the side of the tape housing
section in such a manner that the tape is not damaged or broken. In
the case in which the internal divided section 18a and the external
divided section 18b are combined with each other, an adhesive can
be applied to the coupling sections at the edges in the circular
direction of the internal divided section 18a and the external
divided section 18b and to the opening edge surface sides of the
internal divided section 18a and the external divided section 18b.
That is to say, an adhesive can be applied between the edge
surfaces facing to the ring-shaped stiffener member 14.
[0134] In thus configured reel 10 related to the present
embodiment, the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is
disposed as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member 6 that
is arranged on the periphery of the reel main body 10a, and the
core member 2 is coupled with the ring-shaped member 6, that is,
with the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal, by a
plurality of spoke members 4.
[0135] As a result, since the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made
of metal used as a stiffener material functions as a reinforcing
member, the specified mechanical strength can be maintained for the
entire reel, thus preventing the reel from being damaged by
mechanical shock.
[0136] Moreover, since the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of
metal functions as a reinforcing member, even in the case in which
external pressure or mechanical shock is applied to the reel 10
during transportation, each side plate section of the reel 10 is
not bent or deformed. Therefore, a distance between the both side
plate sections of the reel 10 is not changed, thus preventing the
edge sections in the transverse direction of a tape from being
damaged or broken.
[0137] Consequently, in the case in which a film carrier tape for
mounting electronic components is used as a tape for instance, the
edge sections in the transverse direction of the film carrier tape
for mounting electronic components can be prevented from being
damaged or broken, thus preventing the wiring pattern from being
damaged.
[0138] Furthermore, the core member 2 and the spoke member 4 are
both made of resin, and the ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of
metal used as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member 6 is
covered with the cover member 15 made of resin.
[0139] As a result, since each section that comes into contact with
a tape is made of resin, metal dust does not occur unlike a
conventional aluminum reel even in the case of rubbing contact
between reels or between a reel and a tape, thus preventing metal
powder from adhering to the tape.
[0140] Consequently, in the case in which the reel is used for a
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, metal powder
of aluminum does not occur unlike a conventional aluminum reel.
Accordingly, such metal powder of aluminum does not adhere to the
film carrier tape for mounting electronic components, thus
preventing a short circuit of a wiring pattern.
[0141] The ring-shaped stiffener member 14 made of metal is
disposed as a stiffener material in the ring-shaped member 6 that
is arranged on the periphery of the reel main body 10a, thus
including a metal section as a stiffener material. The side plate
sections for holding the both edges (the edge sections in the
transverse direction) of a tape are configured by a plurality of
spoke members 4 that are arranged radially.
[0142] As a result, the greater part of a region that configures
the side plate sections, that is a face plate section, is ensured
as a space between the spoke members 4, thus reducing the total
weight of the reel.
[0143] By the present invention, the spoke member 4 and the core
member 2 can be formed in each separate body and combined with each
other as an integral structure. In the case in which the spoke
members 4 have been attached to the core member 2 with screws and
any one of the spoke members 4 is damaged or broken, only the
damaged spoke member 4 can be detached and exchanged easily.
Consequently, the maintenance efficiency of the reel can be
improved, and the specified strength and dimensional accuracy of
the reel can be ensured.
[0144] Moreover, since the spoke member 4 and the core member 2 can
be formed in each separate body, the structure of a metal mold can
be simplified and made compact, thus reducing a cost of the metal
mold.
[0145] By the present invention, the cover member 15 made of resin
is configured by a plurality of the divided sections 18 arranged in
the circular direction, and the divided section 18 is composed of
the internal divided section 18a that is arranged at the internal
surface side of the reel main body 10a and the external divided
section 18b that is arranged at the external surface side of the
reel main body 10a. By such a configuration, even in the case in
which the resin cover member 15 of the ring-shaped member 6 is
damaged or broken, only the damaged divided section 18 can be
exchanged, that is, it is only required that the internal divided
section 18a and the external divided section 18b of the damaged
divided section 18 are detached, thus simplifying a maintenance
process.
[0146] Moreover, the structure of a metal mold can be simplified
and made compact, and one type of a metal mold can be used to form
the cover member 15 in the case in which the cover member 15 is
configured by divided sections of a size arranged in the circular
direction, thus extremely reducing a cost of the metal mold.
[0147] While the preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described above, the present invention is not restricted to
the embodiment. For example, while a large size reel used for
manufacturing a film carrier tape has been particularly described
in the embodiment above, the present reel structure can also be
applied to a middle size reel such as a reel for delivering to
customers, and applied to the case in which a lengthy tape for
other applications is used.
[0148] The external shape of the core member 2, the external shape
and the number of the spoke members 4, and the sectional shape of
the divided section 18 of the cover member 15 are not
restricted.
[0149] For the reel of the present invention, a stiffener material
made of metal can also be disposed in the spoke member.
[0150] As described above, in the case in which a stiffener
material made of metal is disposed in the spoke member, the metal
stiffener material functions as a reinforcing member. In addition,
the stiffener material is coupled with the ring-shaped stiffener
member made of metal of the ring-shaped member, thus further
improving the reinforcing function and the mechanical strength of
the side plate section of the reel. Consequently, the side plate
section of the reel can be prevented from being bent.
[0151] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0152] Furthermore, for the reel of the present invention, a
stiffener material made of metal can also be disposed in the core
member.
[0153] As described above, in the case in which a stiffener
material made of metal is disposed in the core member, the metal
stiffener material functions as a reinforcing member, thus further
improving the reinforcing function of the entire reel and
preventing the side plate section of the reel from being bent.
[0154] By the above configuration, the edge sections in the
transverse direction of a tape can be effectively prevented from
being damaged or broken.
[0155] Still further, for the reel of the present invention, the
core member can be configured by a plurality of divided sections
arranged in the circular direction.
[0156] By the above configuration, even in the case in which the
core member is damaged or broken, only the damaged divided section
can be exchanged, thus simplifying a maintenance process.
[0157] Still further, the structure of a metal mold can be
simplified and made compact, and one type of a metal mold can be
used to form the core member in the case in which the core member
is configured by divided sections of a size arranged in the
circular direction, thus extremely reducing a cost of the metal
mold.
* * * * *