APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING ELECTRONIC PARTS

• US 20110030208A1
• Filed: 08/04/2010
• Published: 02/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: LG Display Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: PARK, Jun-Kyu, SHIN, Sang-Mun, LEE, Byung-Chul, PARK, Gweon-Young
• Granted Patent: US 8,302,290 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/832
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/022 with orientation of the elements
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/028 Simultaneously loading a plurality of loose objects, e.g. by means of vibrations, pressure differences, magnetic fields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49004 including measuring or testing of device or component part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49128 Assembling formed circuit to base
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49133 with component orienting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53174 Means to fasten electrical component to wiring board, base, or substrate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53178 Chip component

Abstract

An apparatus and method for mounting electronic parts are discussed, which are capable of reducing costs. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to an embodiment includes a bulk feeder into which electronic parts in a bulk form are introduced, at least one inspection unit to inspect and align the electronic parts directed from the bulk feeder, an electronic part insertion unit to receive the electronic parts which have been completely inspected in the inspection unit, a positioning wheel installed to rotate along the bulk feeder, the inspection unit, and the electronic part inspection unit and serving to transfer the electronic parts, and a part supply unit to pick up the electronic parts received in the part insertion unit.

Claims

1. An electronic part mounting apparatus comprising:

a bulk feeder into which electronic parts in a bulk form are introduced;

at least one inspection unit to inspect and align the electronic parts directed from the bulk feeder;

an electronic part insertion unit to receive the electronic parts which have been completely inspected in the inspection unit;

a positioning wheel installed to rotate along the bulk feeder, the inspection unit, and the electronic part inspection unit and serving to transfer the electronic parts; and

a part supply unit to pick up the electronic parts received in the part insertion unit.

2. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the bulk feeder includes:

a bowl shaped first feeder into which the electronic parts in a bulk form, classified according to a predetermined standard, are introduced; and

a straight second feeder located between an outermost end of the first feeder and the positioning wheel.

3. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first feeder includes an air blower to provide the electronic parts with air in order to align the electronic parts based on orientation of front and rear surfaces thereof.

4. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inspection unit includes:

a measurement unit to determine whether the electronic parts fed from the bulk feeder are defective or good;

a defective part discharge unit to discharge the electronic parts determined as defective ones by the measurement unit; and

a polar alignment unit to rotate or invert each electronic part to align a polarity of the electronic part.

5. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the polar alignment unit determines whether to rotate or invert the electronic part according to whether the electronic part responds to a voltage applied thereto or not, or according to information acquired by comparing image information of the electronic part with image information stored in a database.

6. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the positioning wheel includes:

a plurality of suction nozzles to suction and hold the electronic parts; and

a basis shaft to be rotated so as to rotate the suction nozzles.

7. The electronic part mounting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic part insertion unit includes:

a carrier tape having a recessed pocket such that each electronic part is inserted into the pocket; and

a guide rail to transfer the carrier tape, in which the electronic part has been received, to the part supply unit.

8. An electronic part mounting method comprising:

introducing electronic parts in a bulk form into a bulk feeder;

transferring the introduced electronic parts to at least one inspection unit by use of a rotatably installed positioning wheel;

inspecting and aligning the electronic parts;

transferring the inspected and aligned electronic parts to a part insertion unit by use of the positioning wheel;

inserting the electronic parts, determined as good ones by the inspection unit, into the part insertion unit; and

picking up the electronic parts received in the part insertion unit to mount the electronic parts on a board.

9. The electronic part mounting method according to claim 8, wherein the introduction of the electronic parts in a bulk form into the bulk feeder includes:

feeding the electronic parts, classified according to a predetermined standard, into a bowl shaped first feeder; and

feeding the electronic parts fed into the first feeder to a straight second feeder located between an outermost end of the first feeder and the positioning wheel.

10. The electronic part mounting method according to claim 9, further comprising providing the electronic parts with air in order to align the electronic parts fed into the first feeder based on orientation of front and rear surfaces thereof.

11. The electronic part mounting method according to claim 8, wherein the inspection and alignment of the electronic parts include:

determining whether the electronic parts fed from the bulk feeder are defective or good;

discharging the electronic parts determined as defective ones; and

rotating or inverting each electronic part to align polarity of the electronic part.

12. The electronic part mounting method according to claim 11, wherein the inspection and alignment of the electronic parts include determining whether to rotate or invert the electronic part according to whether the electronic part responds to a voltage applied thereto or not, or according to information acquired by comparing image information of the electronic part with image information stored in a database.