Material or article handling – Device for emptying portable receptacle – Nongravity type
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-18
2001-03-06
Werner, Frank E. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Device for emptying portable receptacle
Nongravity type
C029S740000, C414S403000, C414S411000, C226S162000, C226S181000, C156S583200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06196783
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to manufacturing equipment and processes and in particular to tape feeders and systems using the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tape feeders are commonly used to feed parts to automatic and semi-automatic manufacturing equipment during product assembly and similar automated manufacturing processes. Generally, components required for a given process, for example electronic circuit board assembly, are stored on a carrier tape which is passed through the tape feeder to the host machine. The host machine then robotically removes the components from the tapes for use by the host machine in an assembly or testing step, for example. Hence, a relatively continuous stream of components can be efficiently supplied to the host machine.
Each carrier tape includes a series of pockets which hold a correspondingly sized component, which may vary from very small electronic components, such as integrated circuit chips and discrete devices, to larger electromechanical devices such as connectors. Each component may be held in its pocket by a sheet of cover tape which adheres along the length of the carrier tape. The tape assembly, with the components held within the pockets, is spooled on a reel for storage.
The tape feeder is fastened to the host machine, typically by bolts or a pre-fabricated base. The reel of tape containing the required parts is attached to either the feeder or the host machine. The feeder indexes the parts from the reel into a fixed position to allow the host machine to pick them up and place them in the work station. Typically, this is accomplished by indexing the tape a fixed amount and at the same time peeling back the cover tape to expose the parts current part in its pocket. Expended tape is routed to a collection points.
Designers of tape feeders must address a number of issues when designing a new machine. Among other things, size and weight must be considered; conventional tape feeders are relatively large and heavy. Further, some tapes are provided with sprocket holes for indexing, while others are not (which reduces tape costs). Additionally, in the typical case where cover tape is used, some mechanism must be provided for efficiently removing and disposing of the cover tape.
Thus, the need has arisen for tape feeder apparatus and systems. In particular, a mechanism is needed to feed small parts on pocketed carrier tape, such tape having sprocket holes along one edge but not necessarily having a sealed cover tape over the parts. Further, a mechanism is needed to feed parts on a pocketed carrier tape which does not have sprocket holes for indexing. In any event, the contemplated tape feeder should be compact, have a minimum number of moving parts and require few, if any, adjustments for proper operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first embodiment of the principles of the present invention, a tape feeder is provided which includes a sprocket having a plurality of teeth for engaging holes of a tape. The tape feeder also includes a pawl for engaging selected ones of the teeth of the sprocket and first and second levers. The first lever is coupled to the pawl and the second lever coupled to the first lever and a source of a driving force, the first and second levers operating by toggle action to selectively engage the pawl with ones of the teeth and thereby index the sprocket.
According to another embodiment of the principles of the present invention, a tape feeder system is disclosed which includes a selected length of carrier tape having a plurality of pockets each for holding a component, a tape feeder, and robotics means for moving a component from the corresponding pocket of the tape when the pocket reaches a predetermined position. The tape feeder includes a sprocket having teeth for engaging index holes formed through the carrier tape and a toggle mechanism for indexing the sprocket to advance the tape. The toggle mechanism includes a pawl for applying a force to a selected tooth of the sprocket and first and second lever arms for coupling a force generated by an external source to the pawl.
According to an additional embodiment of the principles of the present invention, a tape feeder is provided for advancing a carrier tape having a plurality of pockets, the tape feeder receiving the carrier tape along with a cover tape disposed across an opening of at least some of the pockets. First and second rollers are included for receiving the cover tape therebetween. Drive means are provided for rotating at least one of the first and second rollers, the rollers stripping the cover tape from the carrier tape while substantially simultaneously advancing the carrier tape.
According to a further embodiment of the principles of the present invention, a tape feeder is provided which includes a length of tape supported on a reel, the tape including a carrier tape and a cover tape. A tape feeder is included for receiving the length of tape and stripping the cover tape from the carrier tape while simultaneously advancing the carrier tape in a single action. A host machine is provided for removing a component stored in a pocket of the carrier tape, the pocket having been advanced to a predetermined pick-up point by the tape feeder.
The principles of the present invention provide substantial advantages over the prior art. Among other things, these principles allow the construction and operation of tape feeders which are compact, have a minimum number of moving parts and require few, if any, adjustments for proper operation. In particular, the principles of the present invention provide for the implementation of a mechanism which feeds small parts on pocketed carrier tape, the carrier tape having sprocket holes along one edge but not necessarily having a sealed cover tape over the parts. The principles of the present invention further allow for the construction of a tape feeder which can feed parts on a pocketed carrier tape which does not have sprocket holes for indexing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3476299 (1969-11-01), Spiroch
patent: 4740136 (1988-04-01), Asai et al.
patent: 4768915 (1988-09-01), Fujioka
patent: 4952113 (1990-08-01), Fujioka
patent: 5299902 (1994-04-01), Fujiwara et al.
patent: 5310301 (1994-05-01), Aono
patent: 5419802 (1995-05-01), Nakatsaka
patent: 120799 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 345092 (1992-12-01), None
Murphy, Esq. James J.
Werner Frank E.
Winstead Sechrest & Minick
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