Tape feeder and tape feeding and recovering modules therefor
View Patent ↗Provided are tape feeding and recovering modules for a tape feeder, and a tape feeder including the tape feeding module and the recovering module. The tape feeding module feeds a tape storing a plurality of electronic components in a predetermined pitch by driving a sprocket which inserts its teeth into the tape. And the recovering module exposes the plurality of electrical components by removing a top cover from a top surface of the tape and discharges the top cover from the tape feeder.
1. A tape feeder that removes a top cover attached to a top surface of a tape storing a plurality of electronic components while feeding the tape in a predetermined pitch so that the electronic components are sequentially picked up by a mounting head, the tape feeder comprising:
a frame;
a first top cover-engaging gear coupled with the frame;
a first module that is removably mounted on a first portion of the frame that is distal from the first top cover-engaging gear for feeding the tape in a first direction, the first module including a first housing, a first driving motor enclosed by the first housing, a first output shaft projecting through a portion of the first housing distal from the first driving motor, a tape-feeding gear coupled with the first output shaft outside the first housing for meshing with the tape, and a first transmission that enclosed by the housing, the first transmission coupling a shaft of the first driving motor to the first output shaft; and
a second module that is removably mounted on a second portion of the frame distal from the first portion and proximate to the first top cover-engaging gear, the second module including a second housing, a second driving motor enclosed by the second housing, a second output shaft projecting through a portion of the second housing distal from the second driving motor, a second top cover-engaging gear coupled with the second output shaft outside the second housing for cooperating with the first top cover-engaging gear to discharge the top cover from the tape feeder, and a second transmission enclosed by the second housing, the second transmission coupling a shaft of the second driving motor to the second output shaft.
2. The tape feeder of claim 1 wherein the first and second modules are substantially similar.
3. The tape feeder of claim 1 wherein the first transmission comprises a first gear train.
4. The tape feeder of claim 3 wherein the first gear train comprises at least one idle gear including a large gear and a small gear that are coaxially coupled on a rotating axis.
5. The tape feeder of claim 3 wherein the second transmission comprises a second gear train.
6. The tape feeder of claim 5 wherein the second gear train comprises at least one idle gear including a large gear and a small gear that are coaxially coupled on a rotating axis.
7. The tape feeder of claim 1 wherein the first driving motor comprises a servomotor including an encoder that senses a rotation speed of the servomotor.
8. The tape feeder of claim 7 wherein the second driving motor comprises a servomotor including an encoder that senses a rotation speed of the servomotor.