Method and means for exposing electronic components in a component carrier tape

SWEDEN (12) PATENT (13) C2 (11) 521 891 (19) SE (si)

International class ⁷

H05K 13/02

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PATENT AND REGISTRATION (45) (41) (22) (24) (62) (86) (86) (83)

Patent filed Application widely available The patent application was submitted on expiration date

Tribal application number International filing day Filing date dares to apply for European patent Deposit of microorganism

2003-12-16

2003-03-08

2001-09-07

2001-09-07 (21) Patent Application Number Q103001-4

Application received as:

Swedish patent application completed international patent application with number □ converted European patent application with number (30) Priority information (73) (72) (74) (54) (56) (57)

PATENT HOLDER Mydata Automation AB, Adolfsbergsvägen 11 168 66 Bromma SE

INVENTOR Niclas Yman, Eckerö SE

OMBUD AWAPATENT AB

NAME The method and means for exposing electrical components in a component carrier tape

CALLED PUBLICATIONS: - - SUMMARY:,, _c.. ,

A method and element for exposing electrical components (13) sequentially placed in a carrier tape (7) and covered by a carrier tape (8) to release and lift the cover tape from the carrier tape and expose the components in a pick position (12) for subsequent picking of a pick head in a component mounting machine. Comprehensive steps and means to continuously target and remove any released debris so as to prevent the accumulation of debris.

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The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code, INID code. Letters in clamps indicate international document code.

521 891

SUMMARY

A method and elements for exposing electrical components (13) sequentially placed in a carrier tape (7) and covered by a carrier tape (8) to release and lift the cover tape from the carrier tape and expose the components in a pick position (12) for subsequent picking of a pick head in a component mounting machine. Comprehensive steps and means to continuously target and remove any released debris so as to prevent the accumulation of debris.

521 891

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of circuit board manufacturing and assembly. More particularly, it relates to a method and means for exposing components housed in compartments or pockets in a carrying tape and covered with a covering tape, comprising loosening and lifting a side portion of the covering tape from the carrying tape.

Technical background and known technology

In the field of circuit board manufacturing and assembly, electronic components are generally supplied to a component mounting machine for mechanical and / or electrical mounting of the components to printed circuit boards. These surface mounted components are often delivered spaced along the length of a component tape which consists of a bottom carrying tape provided with pockets, one for each component, and an upper cover, cover tape or protective tape. After positioning the electronic components in the corresponding pockets, the cover tape is attached to the carrier tape and the component tape is wrapped on a component roll. The attachment of the cover tape to the carrier tape can be carried out, for example, by providing either the covering tape or the carrier tape with adhesive areas or by melting the cover tape on the carrier tape.

When mounting the components on the circuit board, a component roll is placed in a component mounting machine and the component tape is fed to the machine via a tape guide in which the cover tape is released and lifted from the carrier tape into a side portion to expose each component in a pick position where it can be picked up and mounted on the circuit board.

The tape guide, in which the components are exposed, may optionally be integrated with a complete feeding arrangement including a tape magazine and a feeding mechanism.

However, the tape guide may also be of the kind shown in WOOO / 38491 which is hereby incorporated by reference. The tape guide shown in this document is in the form of an adapter with the ability to perform charging and / or removal of a component tape, respectively, from the tape guide remote from the component mounting machine. The component tape reel and tape guide can thus be easily and quickly mounted releasably on the component mounting machine.

To separate the cover tape from the carrier tape, the separating element, according to WOOO / 38491, is provided with a tip portion. Said tip portion projects backward toward the feed direction of the component tape and is located between the carrier tape and the covering tape in the area above the pockets in the carrier tape. The tip portion of the separating element is formed with a wing portion extending at an oblique angle in the forward / lateral direction relative to the feed direction toward the side of the component tape where the cover is detached from the carrier tape. On each side of the component tape there is a tape guiding wall, of which the separating element is attached to the tape guiding wall on the same side as the covering tape is detached. Consequently, when feeding the component tape forward, the wing portion will divide and release the cover tape from the carrier tape on one side of the pockets in the carrier tape.

From the release position at the wing portion, the lifting of the carrier tape by folding it along the unleashed portion must be performed over an extended length before the pockets are fully exposed and access to the pockets is provided. For this reason, the separating member is combined with a cover member extending from the tip portion to the pick position close to the upper surface of the carrier tape. The cover element prevents components from escaping from the compartments due to vibration and the like before reaching the pick position. For

521 891 to increase the contact contact between the carrier tape and the cover member, the tape guide is preferably provided with a spring-actuated contact member which abuts on a lower surface of the carrier tape and presses it against the cover member.

However, during operation with a tape guide according to WOOO / 38491, it has happened that the friction between the component tape and the cover tape is sometimes so high that the feeding mechanism is unable to feed the component tape through the tape guide. It has also happened that components have disappeared from the pockets in the area between the tip portion and the pick position, although the contact element presses the support tape against the cover element. However, it is not a useful alternative to further increase the compressive force to ensure proper contact between the support tape and the cover member as this would also further increase friction. Brief description of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the problems and disadvantages associated with prior art, in the form of high friction and components that escape from the carrier tape before reaching the pick position. This and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a method and element for exposing components having the features defined by the independent claims, preferred embodiments defined in the dependent claims.

For the sake of clarity, the term sideways refers to the lateral or transverse direction of the carrier tape. The terms backwards and forwards refer to the direction opposite and along the feeding direction of the tape.

The present invention is based on the understanding that the problems and disadvantages of the prior art are due to the fact that debris, for example in the form of fibers and / or glue from the carrier tape, the covering tape and the adhesive between them, accumulates on the edges and surfaces of the separating element and the covering element . On the one hand, this causes increased friction because the debris on the edges and

521 The 891 surfaces tend to slow down the component tape feeding movement. On the other hand, the debris that accumulates on edges that are not perpendicular but has an oblique angle with respect to the feed direction, such as the wing portion, guides and guides the debris sideways where it can accumulate in corners, folds, cracks and the like of the separating element and cover , into small grains or particles. These particles cause increased friction for the feeding movement as long as they are adhered to the separating element and the cover element, but can also cause depression of the carrier tape by pressing the carrier tape downward, especially if they loosen and follow the carrier tape during feeding in the area between the carrier tape and the separation / covering element. Such pressing down provides a clearance between the support tape and the separating / covering element via which components can escape.

According to the invention, the objects are achieved by avoiding the accumulation of debris in any corners, creases, cracks and the like without, instead, providing continuous control and removal of the debris. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished in the lateral direction so that the debris can fall out of the outer periphery of the carrier tape or in the feeding direction to follow the feeding movement of the tape through recesses between the separator / cover member.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wing portion is extended in the lateral direction so that it extends beyond the side edge of the component tape. This ensures that the detached debris is controlled by the wing portion in the lateral direction for delivery outside the carrier tape. The tape guide according to the preferred embodiment is of a type in which the component tape is guided between two opposite vertical wall elements. To allow debris to be released outside the tape guide, and not accumulate within it, the wall element on the release side of the component tape, i.e., the same side as the wing portion, is formed with an opening in the region where the side portion of the obliquely angled edge of the

521 The 891 wing portion meets the wall element through which debris can be released. However, it would be possible to have the wing portion terminate over the tape before reaching the side edge of the tape, provided that steps are taken downstream of the wing portion so that debris left on the tape is not accumulated and, of course, provided that the wing portion is able to fully release the covering tape. page. Since the tape is often adhered to a narrow strip on either side of the pockets, this would be possible even though the wing portion does not extend past the side edge of the tape.

In the preferred embodiment there is also provided a recess in the form of a passage or channel in or immediately on the side of a surface of the cover element. The duct is directed in the feed direction and is located in the area where the separating and covering element is attached to the wall element. In the connection area between the separating and covering element and the wall element, a corner or hitch is formed in a portion farthest back towards the feeding direction. This point is a place where debris can accumulate.

By arranging the duct, in accordance with the invention, this risk is eliminated so that when loosened debris, for example by the tip portion, is guided towards the corner, it can be transported continuously through the duct control through the duct control, without being accumulated.

The channel is located in an area outside the pockets of the carrying tape and preferably the channel coincides with the narrow strip where the covering tape is connected to the carrying tape. This is advantageous since any residue from adhesives can cause particle accumulation and increased friction if they are transported through the tape guide in contact with the cover member.

One way that the debris is formed is when edges of the separating and covering element, facing backwards toward the feed direction, scrape against the upper surface of the carrier tape. For this reason, it is preferred, in accordance with the invention, that releases be arranged so that edges which are not

521 891 parallel to the feed direction, are formed with an upwardly curved edge portion so that the edges do not abut and scrape against the support tape.

It is a given that the invention can be carried out in many different ways within the scope of the following claims. The preferred embodiment of the invention is provided with a combination of all the features described above. However, it should be understood that other embodiments may have only one or a few of these features in any combination or even features not mentioned herein for removing debris from the tape guide, without departing from the scope of the invention. In the preferred embodiment described hereinafter, the exposure element is integrated into a unit. However, it would also be possible to allow, for example, the separating element and the cover element to be separate units combined.

Further details and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a feeding device comprising a tape guide according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the tape guide of Figure 1 illustrated with a piece of component tape inserted.

Figure 3 is a side view of the tape guide from the left side of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of the tape guide from the right side of Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2 but with the covering tape removed for clarity.

Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of a tape guide which has been longitudinally divided showing the inner surface of a wall element.

521 891

FIG. 7 is a cross section along line VII-VII of FIG. 4.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a suitable embodiment of a feeding device for feeding components, housed in a component tape, to a component mounting machine and subsequent mounting on circuit boards. The feed device is releasably mounted in a component mounting machine and comprises a tape reel 1 on which a component tape 2 is wound. A gear mechanism in the form of a gear 3, feeds the component tape to the right of the drawing in the direction of the arrow 4, by engaging the gear teeth in the component tape. During feeding, the component tape is passed through a tape guide 5 which is releasably mounted in the feeding device and held in place by a locking mechanism 6.

In Figure 2, the tape guide 5 is shown in perspective view from above with a piece of the component tape 2. The component tape is constructed of a carrier tape 7 and a cover tape 8. The carrier tape 7 comprises compartments or pockets 9 for housing components, and engaging holes 10 for engagement with gear wheels. The component tape preferably also has a lower tape, which is not shown in the drawings, to prevent the components from falling through the carrier tape, since the pockets are usually formed of holes passing through the carrier tape. The component tapes are delivered with one component in each pocket and the cover tape 8 closed over the pockets, preferably by gluing or welding along a narrow strip on each side of the pockets.

While feeding the component tape through the tape guide 5, it passes an exposure element 11 which releases one side of the cover tape 8 from the carrier tape and folds the released portion of the cover tape into an upright position. While the covering tape is in the upright position, the components are sequentially exposed in a pick position 12 where the components can be picked by a pick head, as illustrated in the drawing of a component 13.

521 891

In general, the tape guide 5 comprises an elongated open-ended profile with opposite elongated tape guiding wall elements 14, 14 'visible from the outside in FIGS. 3 and 4. In an intermediate portion, the tape guide 5 is formed with a recess 15 where access is made to the underside of the supporting tape 7. to allow engagement of the tooth teeth in the engagement holes 10. In addition, an elastic support spring 16 is provided in the center portion to press the support tape 7 upwards towards the underside of the exposure element. A handle 17 is provided at one end of the tape guide to facilitate insertion and removal of the tape guide in and from the component mounting machine.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 2, but here the covering tape 8 is removed for the exposure element 11 to appear better. For the following description of the structure of the exposure element 11, reference is also made to Figure 6, where the exposure element is seen from below in a perspective view of the inside of the wall element 14, and to Figure 7 where the exposure element is seen in cross-section along the line VII-VII in Figure 4.

Exposure element 11 comprises separating element comprising a tip portion 18 for releasing a side portion of the covering tape 8 from the carrier tape 7, and a covering tape guiding surface 19 with an obliquely angled and curved guide surface for lifting the released lateral portion of the covering tape into an upright passage 20 between the exposure element 11 and the wall element 14 'in the region of the pick position 12. The tip portion 18 is directed backwardly toward the feed direction of the component tape and is thin at a trailing edge with increasing thickness in the forward direction, and is formed with a wing portion 21 that diverges forwardly through an edge extended obliquely forward / sideways against the wall member 14. The wing portion is extended beyond the side edge of the carrier tape 7. The lower surface of the exposure element forms a cover member extending from the tip portion 18 to the pick position.

12th The cover element 22 is intended to cover the pockets 9

521 891 after releasing and lifting the cover tape and preventing components from coming out due to vibration and the like until they have reached the pick position. The carrier tape 7 is pressed against the cover element 22 by the elastic support spring 16.

In operation, the tip portion projects into the area between the support tape and the covering tape 8 and, during the subsequent feed of the component tape 2, the edge of the wing portion 21 releases the covering tape 8 from the support tape 7. Any loosened debris, such as glue and / or fibers from the support tape or the covering tape, during this release operation , is guided sideways by the obliquely extended edge of the wing portion and is removed past the side edge of the component tape. In order to facilitate removal of debris from the component tape and the exposure element, an opening 23 is provided in the wall element 14 in the region where the wing portion meets the wall element. Accordingly, detached debris can be removed to the outside of the tape guide 5.

Immediately in front of the wing portion 21, the exposure element 12 narrows off and at a distance in front of the wing portion it is connected to the wall element 14. At the junction area between the exposure element 12, and the wall element 14, the wall element is reinforced and has a door wall thickness as can be seen in Figure 7. Since the back part of the connection area between the exposure element and the wall element forms a corner with a transverse edge facing the feed direction of the component tape, this portion is prone to accumulate debris. Especially since the reinforced wall portion has a sharp corner in this area. In order to prevent accumulation of debris in this area, a recess in the form of a channel or passage 4 is provided immediately adjacent to the cover element 22 which extends continuously to the picking position parallel to the feeding direction. Accordingly, the cover element 22 forms a straight side edge parallel to the feed direction so that any debris can pass through the tape guide eliminating the risk of accumulation into grains or particles that could cause problems.

521 891

In addition to recesses in the form of a channel or passage 24, the exposure element, according to the preferred embodiment, exhibits upwardly curved edge portions on all edges which are not parallel to the feed direction but have a transverse extent with respect to the feed direction and face backwards towards the feed direction. Examples of such surfaces are the edge of the tip portion 18, the edge of the wing portion and the trailing edge of the connecting region between the exposure element and the wall element 14. In this way, these edges will not scrape against the upper surface of the carrier 7 and detach themselves by themselves, and at the same time, any debris that arrives at these edges will not accumulate but be transported through the recesses through the tape guide between the carrier tape and the exposure element. These releases in the form of upwardly curved edge portions are not shown in the drawings.

521 891

II