Patent US3154577A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0065604A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Leadless chip placement machine for printed circuit boards
Assignee: Universal Instruments Corp
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Filing: 1981-10-30
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2001-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A machine for pre-gluing raw circuit surfaces of printed circuit boards (P.C. boards) at an adhesive station and properly positioning the P.C. boards at a placement station for placement of leadless electronic components (chips) onto the adhesive. A carousel provides program preselected vertical supply of taped components to a feeder assembly which feeds individual chips onto a nozzle of a turret-type vacuum head at a pick-up station. The turret-type head has four nozzles spaced 90° apart about the central axis of the head. As the turret is rotated, a chip is transported by a nozzle, sequentially, from the pick-up station to a centering and testing station, a centering and orienting station, and a placement station. Located between the testing and orienting stations is a chip removal station for ejecting defective or inverted chips. Sensors are located at the adhesive and placement stations to detect defective P.C. boards so that they may be bypassed. A controller, such as a digital computer, provides additional monitoring and controls the operation of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Weibley J. Dean
- 👤 Philipp A. Ragard
- 👤 Charles E. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 21:27
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K13/00; H05K13/04; H05K13/0404; H05K13/0408; H05K13/041; H05K13/0417; H05K13/08; H05K13/082; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/17; Y10T156/1702; Y10T156/1744; Y10T156/1751; Y10T156/1754; Y10T156/1759; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/51; Y10T29/5136; Y10T29/5137; Y10T29/5142; Y10T29/53; Y10T29/53022; Y10T29/5313; Y10T29/53174; Y10T29/53178; Y10T29/53261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for population of printed circuit boards with leadless electronic components at selected positions on said circuit board according to controller commands,comprising means for supplying tapes to a pick-up station, the components being enclosed in the tapes; rotatable turret means for receiving at least one of the components at the pick-up station and transporting the component from the pick-up station to a placement station; means for testing the components at a test station to determine acceptable and unacceptable components; means for ejecting the unacceptable components at an eject station; and means for orienting the acceptable components at an orient station such that the components are properly oriented for placement to the selected positions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for population of printed circuit boards with leadless electronic components at selected positions on said circuit board according to controller commands,comprising means for supplying tapes to a pick-up station, the components being enclosed in the tapes; rotatable turret means for receiving at least one of the components at the pick-up station and transporting the component from the pick-up station to a placement station; means for testing the components at a test station to determine acceptable and unacceptable components; means for ejecting the unacceptable components at an eject station; and means for orienting the acceptable components at an orient station such that the components are properly oriented for placement to the selected positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, including adhesive means for applying an adhesive to the selected positions on the circuit boards prior to the said population.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the supply means comprises a carousel, rotatable about a vertical axis upon command, to provide plural vertically supplied tapes peripherally spaced around the said vertical axis and presenting selected ones of the tape substrates to the pick-up station and feed means for indexing the selected tapes downward to the pick-up station.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of. the tapes comprises a substrate having a front, back, length, apertures through the substrate and spaced along the length, covers attached to the front and back to enclose the components in the apertures, and feed holes spaced along the length.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
5 . Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the supply means further comprises registration means for holding the tape and aligning the apertures for the pick-up station; and knife means for cutting the cover attached to the substrate front such that the turret means may receive a selected component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, wherein the feed means further comprises lock means for engaging at least one of the feed holes when the tape is not fed; and index means for disengaging the lock means and for engaging the feed holes and indexing the tapes downwardly, upon command, to present a component of the tape for pick-up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the turret means further comprises at least one vacuum nozzle for receiving the components at the pick-up station and transporting the components to the placement station and wherein the feed means further comprises load means for causing displacement of the component to the nozzle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotatable turret means comprises plural vacuum nozzles spaced about the periphery thereof for receiving components at the pick-up station and transporting the components individually to the test station, eject station, orient station, and placement station, and for placing the components at the selected position of the circuit boad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
9'. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including X-Y positioning means for positioning the selected positions of the circuit board at the placement station and/or at the adhesive means for application of the adhesive thereto.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
69 words
1 0 . Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the testing means comprises fixed locater arms for engaging and centering the component along a first axis; pivotal locater arms for engaging and centering the component along a second axis; and means for completing an electrical circuit between the component and the controller after the centering to determine the orientation and electronic characteristics of the component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the ejecting means comprises temporary air blast means for ejecting the unacceptable components from the turret means during rotation of the turret means, upon command of the controller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the orienting means comprises fixed locater arms for engaging and centering the component along a first axis; pivotal locater arms for engaging and centering the component along a second axis; and means for rotating the component about a third axis according to command of the controller.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the means for rotating the component about a third axis comprises stepping means for rotating the component about a third axis in increments no greater than 15°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the means for rotating the components about the third axis includes stepping means for rotating the component about the third axis in selectable increments of 90° and 180°.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the turret means includes vacuum differential means for sensing the presence or absence of a component on at least one of the vacuum nozzles.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the nozzles are extensible and retractable and wherein said apparatus includes blocking means for engaging at least one nozzle and preventing the extension thereof, upon command.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims, including means for sensing an indicator on a defective circuit board and preventing placement of components on the defective circuit board.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2, including,means for sensing an indicator on a defective circuit board and preventing the application of adhesive onto the defective circuit board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed.in Claim 7, wherein the nozzles are extensible and retractable and in which means for sensing when at least one of the nozzles is retracted and extended is provided.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for population of circuit boards with electronic components which are supplied in tapes having a front, back, length, feed holes and apertures spaced along the length and covers on the front and back to enclose the components in the apertures, wherein the apparatus comprises carousel means, rotatable about a vertical axis, for supporting plural peripherally spaced supply tapes for vertical feed generally parallel to the vertical axis; registration means for guiding each of the supply tapes; drive means for rotating the carousel.means about the said vertical axis, upon command, to position a selected registration means and tape at a pick-up station; feed means for engaging the feed holes and indexing downwardly to position a component for pick-up at the pick-up station; cutter means mounted on the registration means for splitting the front cover longitudinally during the feeding, the cutter means positioning the component against the back cover for pick-up; and pick-up assist means for displacing a component from the back cover during the pick-up.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
165 words
Apparatus for population of circuit boards with electronic components which are supplied in tapes having a front, back, length, feed holes and apertures spaced along the length and covers on the front and back to enclose the components in the apertures, wherein the apparatus comprises carousel means, rotatable about a vertical axis, for supporting plural peripherally spaced supply tapes for vertical feed generally parallel to the vertical axis; registration means for guiding each of the supply tapes; drive means for rotating the carousel.means about the said vertical axis, upon command, to position a selected registration means and tape at a pick-up station; feed means for engaging the feed holes and indexing downwardly to position a component for pick-up at the pick-up station; cutter means mounted on the registration means for splitting the front cover longitudinally during the feeding, the cutter means positioning the component against the back cover for pick-up; and pick-up assist means for displacing a component from the back cover during the pick-up.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
91 words
A rotatable turret for pick-up and delivery of electronic components, comprising plural spaced retractable and extensible vacuum nozzles for holding and transporting the components; vacuum differential sensing means for sensing the presence and.absence of a component on at least one of the nozzles; sensor means for sensing extension and retraction of at least one of the nozzles; blocking means for engaging at least one of the nozzles to prevent extension thereof; drive means for rotating the turret upon command; and positional sensing means for sensing the rotational position of the turret.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
91 words
A rotatable turret for pick-up and delivery of electronic components, comprising plural spaced retractable and extensible vacuum nozzles for holding and transporting the components; vacuum differential sensing means for sensing the presence and.absence of a component on at least one of the nozzles; sensor means for sensing extension and retraction of at least one of the nozzles; blocking means for engaging at least one of the nozzles to prevent extension thereof; drive means for rotating the turret upon command; and positional sensing means for sensing the rotational position of the turret.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for indexed feeding of a component supply tape having feed holes spaced along the length thereof to position a component of the supply tape for pick-up at a pick-up station, and comprising a housing; a cam bar reciprocatable within the housing, the cam bar having a key displaceable therein, and a cam surface; a drive means for reciprocating the cam bar in a forward and reverse stroke, upon command; a support block having a key hole for engagement by the key to provide keying of the block to the cam bar during a portion of the forward and reverse stroke such that the block is reciprocated; an upwardly biased lever pivotally supported on the support block and having drive pins for engaging the feed holes and indexing the tape during a portion of the forward stroke; stop means for limiting the forward movement of the block during the forward stroke; roller means attached to the lever and engageable by the cam surface during the forward stroke to cause downward pivoting of the lever for indexing of the tape; dog means for holding the lever in the downward pivoted position during disengagement of the drive pins on the reverse stroke; and sensor means for sensing the forward and reverse stroke.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
210 words
Apparatus for indexed feeding of a component supply tape having feed holes spaced along the length thereof to position a component of the supply tape for pick-up at a pick-up station, and comprising a housing; a cam bar reciprocatable within the housing, the cam bar having a key displaceable therein, and a cam surface; a drive means for reciprocating the cam bar in a forward and reverse stroke, upon command; a support block having a key hole for engagement by the key to provide keying of the block to the cam bar during a portion of the forward and reverse stroke such that the block is reciprocated; an upwardly biased lever pivotally supported on the support block and having drive pins for engaging the feed holes and indexing the tape during a portion of the forward stroke; stop means for limiting the forward movement of the block during the forward stroke; roller means attached to the lever and engageable by the cam surface during the forward stroke to cause downward pivoting of the lever for indexing of the tape; dog means for holding the lever in the downward pivoted position during disengagement of the drive pins on the reverse stroke; and sensor means for sensing the forward and reverse stroke.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, including cutter means for cutting the tape during the reverse stroke, the cutter means being actuated by the lever.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for centering and testing a generally rectangular, parallelopiped leadless electronic component held on a vacuum nozzle which is extensible and retractable along a Z-axis of a cartesian coordinate system, and comprising fixed generally V-shaped locator arms for engaging and centering the component along an X-axis during extension of the nozzle; pivotal locater arms each having a test surface for engaging and centering the component along a Y-axis during extension of the nozzle; controller means for determing the orientation and testing the electronic characteristics of the component; electric lead means for conductively connecting the controller means to the test surface of each pivotal locater arm; and insulation means for allowing only the test surfaces to be conductively connected to the controller means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
122 words
Apparatus for centering and testing a generally rectangular, parallelopiped leadless electronic component held on a vacuum nozzle which is extensible and retractable along a Z-axis of a cartesian coordinate system, and comprising fixed generally V-shaped locator arms for engaging and centering the component along an X-axis during extension of the nozzle; pivotal locater arms each having a test surface for engaging and centering the component along a Y-axis during extension of the nozzle; controller means for determing the orientation and testing the electronic characteristics of the component; electric lead means for conductively connecting the controller means to the test surface of each pivotal locater arm; and insulation means for allowing only the test surfaces to be conductively connected to the controller means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for centering a generally rectangular parallelopiped leadless electronic component along the X- and Y-axes of a cartesian coordinate system and rotating the component about the Z-axis while the component is held by a vacuum nozzle which is extensible and retractable along said Z-axis, and comprising fixed generally V-shaped locater arms for engaging and centering the component along the said X-axis during extension of the nozzle; pivotal locater arms for engaging and centering the component along the Y-axis during extension of the nozzle; stepping means for rotating the component about the Z-axis in selectable increments; and controller means for determing the amount of rotation needed and for controlling the stepping means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for centering a generally rectangular parallelopiped leadless electronic component along the X- and Y-axes of a cartesian coordinate system and rotating the component about the Z-axis while the component is held by a vacuum nozzle which is extensible and retractable along said Z-axis, and comprising fixed generally V-shaped locater arms for engaging and centering the component along the said X-axis during extension of the nozzle; pivotal locater arms for engaging and centering the component along the Y-axis during extension of the nozzle; stepping means for rotating the component about the Z-axis in selectable increments; and controller means for determing the amount of rotation needed and for controlling the stepping means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, wherein the selectable increments are 90°, 180° and 15°.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in Claim 25, including sensor means for sensing the rotation provided by the stepping means for the controller means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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